The best source of artificial heat for the plants and the least harmful to people and the environment can be found through the use of greenhouse heaters that are fueled by electricity. Electric heaters can be the most efficient way of maintaining temperatures that are specific for the plants temperature needs. The heat given to the plants through these is controlled by a thermostat. By using a thermostat it makes sure that heat is not wasted even if the temperature outside the greenhouse changes. By using the electric types of greenhouse heaters fumes are not produced which can be harmful to the plants grown and the environment as well. Therefore by using eclectic heaters there is no need for ventilation of the greenhouse. The use of fans for electric greenhouse heaters spreads the heat around the greenhouse. One thing that must be followed is do not use an eclectic extension from a source such as a home or another outbuilding.

Gas heaters are another type you may consider. They are not as productive as electric heaters and there is the production of fumes, in the form of combustion that is released into the atmosphere. A couple of ways in which gas greenhouse heaters differ than electric ones are that the thermostat control is less precise and ventilation is needed in the greenhouse. Also because gas is used it must be monitored and put in a safe place.

A third type to consider which is much less popular than the others is a paraffin heater. One drawback of these greenhouse heaters is the constant maintenance that comes with trimming the wick and the need to refill them constantly. Ventilation is needed in paraffin heaters as they produce fumes and release water vapors into the greenhouse. One main advantage of paraffin greenhouse heaters is that frost damage to the pants is reduced for greenhouses that are smaller. They can also be used as backups to other types of greenhouse heaters. These heaters can be used if the electricity off or the gas is shut off for whatever reason. This can be important as if the main source of heat is not working it can cause damage to the plants and result in the loss of them.

If you are unsure about which type is right for you consider talking to a professional at a gardening store. They have all the knowledge that you will need to make an informed decision that will keep your greenhouse in bloom.

Tags: greenhouse heater, heating a greenhouse

Many garden stores are more of the nursery variety as they sell plants, flowers, trees, and soils. If you are looking to add these things to your garden then this is the place to go. If you do not have the best green thumb and want to plant something in which the process of growth has already begun then this type of garden store is the variety for you. The garden stores of this type also generally sell different kinds of mulch and soils which can enhance any garden.

In the larger nationwide chains of garden stores there is not as much live already grown garden additions but they do have everything, and more, when it comes to home gardening such as tools, seeds, pest killer, and plant food. This is a great place for someone who wants to start their project with the planting of flower or vegetable seeds.

If you are looking to manicure your garden or for general upkeep these are the types of garden stores that you’ll want to go to. An advantage to the larger stores, besides the large quantity of gardening items, are generally they have some employees which are specialists in gardening and any questions posed to them will probably be answered.

Along the lines of the large nationwide garden stores there are also large nationwide home improvement centers which have a garden section in them in which to fill your needs. Many times these stores also have a better selection of tools as well. They will not be a specialized garden store but they will carry gardening equipment.

The smaller variety local garden stores do not carry as much merchandise as the larger stores but the workers will generally be more knowledgeable and have more time to cater to your individual gardening needs.

A good way to pick out a gardening store that is reputable is go to the source and talk to any gardener. What garden stores do they go to purchase their products? By talking to a professional about where they purchase their supplies you can get a good idea which garden store has a solid reputation as the professionals generally use the best products on the market.

Garden stores can come in many varieties you just need to find the one that fits your personal gardening needs whether it is buying a packet of seeds, a hoe, or one-hundred pounds of choice gardening soil.

Tags: reputable garden stores, nationwide garden stores, garden stores

Have you ever come across the concept of garden design software? Okay, okay; this is probably a new one for most folks. So many of us learn proper gardening skills from our parents. These tricks of the trade are passed down from generation to generation. Your mother carefully showed you exactly how to plant those carrots and prune those tomato vines. It’s a rather particular process. I can remember the first time I worked in a garden. I have to admit that I wasn’t interested to say the least. And there certainly wasn’t any garden design software around to offer me a hand. My father simply passed me some vegetable packets with seeds in them and said, “Okay, plant em.” Yeah, sure; that was easy for him to say. Regardless, I did the best I could at the time. In the end, I did produce some rather fine peas and tomatoes if I do say so myself.

Are you having trouble getting started in your back yard? Have you tilled that section of land yet in order to start your fresh garden? It may be a wise plan to pick up some garden design software first and give it a shot. Plan your entire garden scheme on your laptop. This will make things much easier. When you step into that backyard, you’ll know exactly where to begin. Hop online now and check out a variety of garden design software products.

Tags: garden design computer program, garden landscaping software, garden design software

A plastic pot is less expensive than its’ terracotta counterpart. After all, the plastic pot doesn’t have the same charisma as the clay “real thing”. That doesn’t mean it can’t be dressed up to the nines, giving Miss Terracotta a run for her money!

Whereas terracotta flower pots have that “earthy” feel, lending the English gardener ambiance to a display of petunias, the plastic flower pot can hold its own in a variety of situations. All it needs is a little “lipstick” and you’ve got a terrific and artistic gift item.

Terracotta flower pots “breathe” through the pores of the clay, which means that water is lost through evaporation, thus requiring more frequent watering. On the other hand, a plastic flower pot tends to retain the water, because it’s non-porous. The problem is, the plastic flower pot lacks the aesthetic looks, yet is more efficient to the care of the plant you’re growing. So what can be done to dress up the cold plastic look?

Here’s where you can get creative. If you’re planning a windowsill full of herbs, why not use acrylic paints to create a theme for your garden of kitchen herbs?

Each tiny plastic pot can be decorated with your own design and color scheme to make yet a prettier picture. With just a few colors, coordinating with your kitchen colors, each green herb can be glorified right within its container. You can paint a space on each plastic pot as a label, noting the name of each herb and surrounding the label with any design that strikes your fancy.

If you’re planting a single houseplant, why not make it stand out with a painted plastic pot? That fern hanging in the bathroom will look much more impressive in a hand-painted plastic flower pot of your own design.

A hand-painted, original design applied to a plain old plastic pot makes an original gift of an ordinary house plant. If your Mom loves African violets, a violet motif on the lowly plastic flower pot sets the plant apart from the run-of-the-mill florist’s offering.

So you can see, a new take on the plastic flower pot is just a brush stroke away. Start with a small project and see where it takes you. Painting the plastic pot can become a rewarding hobby!

Tags: plant pots, plastic flower pots, potting plants, flower pots

You can find backyard landscape ideas by visiting other people’s homes. You don’t really want a carbon copy of someone else’s yard, but you can get inspiration by viewing what your friends, family, and neighbors have done with their yards. You might also find inspiration by visiting local parks or botanical gardens. A walk around your own neighborhood may be just the thing you need as well. Don’t forget about the businesses in your community. Many of them are landscaped by professionals, and you may find some great ideas there.

If this isn’t working for you, you can find backyard landscape ideas by watching HGTV. This station is devoted to home and garden improvements. You may find tricks and tips to help you along, as well as inspiration for your own yard. You can find ideas for small yards, gardens, and incorporating elements into your yard you may not have considered. You will also find shows to help with plant care, gardening tips, and advice for what plants work best in your climate.

Consider adding a new element to your yard to help you along. Having an outdoor fireplace, deck, or pool in your yard may help spark backyard landscape ideas. These items are not only useful; they can be the backdrops for your garden to be. You might consider a trellis around your pool for vine plants, or a unique sitting area around your outdoor fireplace.

As a last resort, look through magazines or ask for advice at your local home and garden store. You may find inspiration for backyard landscape ideas by just taking a stroll through the store. If that doesn’t help much, or you don’t know what to do with your ideas, ask a sales person for some advice. They may have ideas for you, or they may be able to tell you what has been popular with other customers.

Tags: landscaping ideas, backyard landscaping, where to get landscaping ideas

First of all I decided to make a list of what I wanted in my garden. This is the primary source for backyard landscape ideas for any homeowner. I considered what I envisioned to be my dream yard. I wrote down the backyard landscape ideas for future reference. When you make your list, start small with short term goals then work up to more extravagant, expensive endeavors for long term goals.

The next thing I did was take mental notes while walking around my neighborhood. You can find a lot of backyard landscape ideas when you take a nice, brisk walk. It may take some time to consider their layouts in relation to your own. I even started asking my neighbors questions about their projects. My neighbors loved sharing their backyard landscaping ideas with me.

After snooping around my neighborhood I decided to consult the professionals. I went to my local garden merchant for valuable information for my backyard landscape ideas. Some of my thoughts were perfect for the terrain while others just wouldn’t work in my particular yard. Good thing I asked plenty of questions. I would have wasted a lot of time and money on plants that would not be able to thrive in the conditions on my property.

Many merchants are more than happy to share backyard landscape ideas that they have encountered themselves. They can suggest the right layout for your area and they know what grows well in the conditions in your region. You can get some great recommendations from this source.

Two other sources I love to consult are print magazines and online websites that provide wonderful backyard landscape ideas. However, I tried to refrain from running out to buy items showcased in these venues. It is important to double-check to make sure that the layout and foliage are right for your yard.

The research paid off in the end. I am thrilled with the results of my labors. In fact, I often share my backyard landscape ideas with friends and neighbors passing by.

Tags: garden landscaping, landscaping your backyard

You can find the patio tile in a variety of styles, sizes and colors at most home improvement stores and also at gardening centers. We have found that the workers at both locations are very good at giving pointers about the proper installation of the patio tile and also what tools to purchase to make the job as easy as possible.

We have used a variety of patio tile in our yard. We used what is called bullet nosed tiles to border our flower beds. The bullet nosed tiles fit into each other and are placed by digging a 2 inch trench along the flower beds to be bordered. This leaves a professional looking edging that is easy to mow next to. We also used this same type of tile around our gazebo in the yard. This edging holds the decorative rock that we placed around the gazebo area in place. This is a very cost effective edging that can be placed in a very short period of time.

We also used flat patio tile as stepping stones in a path along our flower garden area. We placed the tiles at varying distances from each other to create a whimsical feel to the garden path area. Once the grass grew up around the tiles they had the look of having been placed years ago. Our home is over a hundred years old so this is the effect that we wanted to create. The flat patio tile is available in round, square or rectangle shapes and also come in various thicknesses. This way you can decide how deep you want to place them in the ground.

We have also used patio tile to mark the area to place our fire ring. This helps to keep the grass looking nice in the fire ring area and also is easy to mow around. It is also safer for having children around the fire pit because we tell them that they need to stay on this side of the tiles. We have found many uses for the inexpensive patio tile around our yard.

Tags: garden patio, patio tile, building a patio

Try out the tools in the shop, making sure nothing will prove too heavy or too uncomfortable to grip. Remember you could alter the width of a handle by adding a padding material. The wider the handle, the easier the grip. Choosing what type of material for your gardening tools depends on your priorities. The lightest materials are aluminum, plastic and carbon fiber. Stainless steel will keep its condition well and slice thru the soil easier but it’s not the sharpest of the range.

A lot of gardeners find that buying interchangeable tool heads gives them the flexibility they need to tackle any sort of job. You can also use the heads as hand tools, expanding your arsenal of gardening tools even further.  For easy to use secateurs and shears, you need a spring action which is not too stiff. Make sure pruners have an easy cutting action too, especially if you’re going to be dealing with thick branches. If you’re buying a wheel barrow, you don’t want the sort that resembles a supermarket trolley, careering in the opposite direction to the one you’re going. The two wheeled variety is considered best, with stick out handles that can be steered with one hand.

Some jobs are a little ambitious for manual tools and call for power tools. For example, if you have a big hedge to cut. Once again, consider the weight of the gardening tools and whether you’ll be able to maneuver them. These gardening tools will need a power source, be gasoline driven or may be cordless. Choose according to the layout of your garden and its proximity to the nearest sockets.

It’s easy to fill up the garden shed with all the tools a gardener requires. Forks, spades, rakes, trowels and hoes are all lined up like soldiers waiting for orders. Not to mention seed sowers, leaf blowers and weed pullers. Then there is the watering system. Do you simply have a watering can or a fully automated sprinkler system? These decisions will be determined by your budget, your need for labor saving devices and the size of your garden. Above all, have good fun and exercise with your gardening tools. It’s got to be cheaper than joining a gym.

[tags]gardening tools, what gardening tools do you really need[/tags[

I went shopping online for my garden guardian because I couldn’t think of a local retail store that would sell a garden Buddha. I spend a lot of time in nurseries and in the gardening sections of big chain stores, so I have some authority on this. I also couldn’t picture asking the manager at Home Depot where I could find a garden Buddha in his store.

I found exactly what I was looking for online, and with speedy shipping I had my garden Buddha set up in my garden four days later.  While I initially bought him to scare away the squirrels and chipmunks and stray cats in the neighborhood who love to eat things like bulb flowers and herbs, I found that after a few days I really didn’t care if my garden Buddha did its job of protecting my garden. I didn’t care because I was in love with it, and the happiness I experienced every morning when I looked out at my garden and saw a pale gray Buddha sitting in the middle with the sun shining off his big round belly was reward enough for me.

After a couple of weeks I realized that my garden Buddha was not only not doing his job, but he was actually attracting the animals to his belly. More than once I found a neighborhood cat curled up against his bulging abdomen, fast asleep in the sun. I never would’ve thought a cat would be drawn to a stone Buddha figure. Maybe cats are more spiritual than I thought and maybe I underestimated their spirituality by assuming that the Buddha would have to be made out of pillows for them to be drawn to it. I guess the only logical thing to do is get my hands on some fox urine and sprinkle it around the perimeter of my garden to make it less attractive to the animals, because I’ve become so attached to the Buddha that I’ve decided he is there to stay.

Tags: buddha figure, garden ornaments, garden gnomes, stone buddha, garden buddha

I had never heard of cactus gardening, but my friend assured me that it was quite common. Although not very many people have a cactus garden around here, where she comes from they all over the place. Cactus gardens are extremely popular in the bay area around San Francisco. Between the sunlight and the moderate rain, anything will grow there – including cacti. I am pretty impulsive, and as soon as I decided on cactus gardening, I was ready to go out and make some purchases. Nonetheless, my friends stopped me. She told me that I should go to a botanical cactus garden before I decided what I wanted.

There was more to growing cacti than I had realized before. There are many different kinds of cactus, and each of them requires slightly different conditions. When I first heard about cactus gardening, I thought that I would have to renounce traditional gardening values. I figured that I would not be able to see any flowers – just plain, green cacti. To my surprise, however, many cacti flower regularly. Cactus gardening is actually every bit as dynamic as any other form of gardening. The cacti grow, bloom, and hibernate – at least to some degree. Although the cacti never whither for the season and drop their spikes, they do have slow periods where they are resting, like other perennial flowering plants.

I started cactus growing yesterday. My friend told me that, before I started the cactus garden, I needed to make sure all of my cacti had matured to some degree in their pots. Now I have several pots to tend to each day, and so far everything is going excellently well. Soon I’ll have a flawlessly working cactus garden – the only one on the block. I know that some of the neighbors will resent it – they resent anything that looks different on this black. Other ones, however, will probably think it is pretty cool. Personally, I always love a new look. Thank God for cactus gardening!

Tags: cacti, succulents, cactus gardening