Archive for September, 2009 Page 2 of 6

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Adding an Arbor or Trellis to Your Yard

Published by
ebell
at September 25, 2009 in Arbors and Garden. 0 Comments

If you are a home gardener, and you’re looking for a project to tackle this summer that will enhance your garden and your home’s curb appeal, consider adding an arbor or trellis to your yard.  Whether in the back yard, garden, patio, or other area, an arbor or trellis will create an ambiance and charm that is well worth the time and investment.  The following are some questions and factors you may want to consider before you begin the project of adding an arbor or trellis to your yard.

wedding arbors

The first question you must ask yourself is whether you want to build your arbor or trellis from scratch, or if you want to purchase a ready to assemble kit.  The former will certainly require more tools, knowledge, and time.  But for those who enjoy DIY projects and building in general, designing and building your own arbor or trellis can be rewarding.  On the other hand, arbor and pergola kits are readily available through many garden stores as well as catalog and online retailers.  These kits allow you to assemble your own arbor, pergola or trellis in a matter of days or even hours, providing a much faster means to an end.

If you are not someone who enjoys lengthy projects or building things, a ready to assemble kit is probably the better choice.  In some cases, the cost of a kit is comparable to what you’d spend if you built the arbor or pergola yourself.  The materials can be expensive, and when you factor in the cost of your own time, it may be well worth it to buy a kit and save yourself a lot of time and frustration.

The next question you must ask yourself is what type of arbor or trellis do you want?  What look are you trying to achieve?  Do you want a grand entrance to the garden area?  Or do you want a cozy nook within the garden itself?  If you want something that looks clean and sophisticated, you can’t beat the look of white vinyl.  It’s clean, contemporary, and many of the vinyl arbors and pergolas available today are virtually maintenance free.  A white vinyl arbor also makes a beautiful backdrop for an outdoor wedding!

Wood is another good option if you prefer a more rustic or natural look.  There are many choices available in wood arbors and trellises.  In general, steer away from pine and other soft woods that decay easily.  Redwoods like cedar are a very good option because they are naturally weather and decay resistant.

Cedar Arbors

Lastly, metal is a good option if you want something extremely durable and long lasting.  There are many metal arbors and trellises on the market today.  Be careful what type of metal you choose, though.  Steel and iron are not the best choices, because rust can be an issue after a few years.  Aluminum is an excellent choice because it is lightweight, yet very durable, and it will not rust.  Also, look for a metal that is finished with powder coat paint, as this will be the most durable.

Whatever you choose, be sure to think your project out well in advance.  Projects that are started hastily will usually run into problems before they’re finished.  With a little forethought and preparatory planning, you’re sure to end up with a successful result that will add charm and character to your home for years to come.

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American Home Vegetable Gardening & the Popularity of the Tomato

Published by
ebell
at September 24, 2009 in Garden. 0 Comments

A hundred years ago, almost every American family grew some of their own produce at home.  In rural America, farming families would grow almost all their vegetables, as well as raise livestock for their meat and dairy needs.

Today, with the advent of mass transportation and the growth of suburban America, there are fewer and fewer self-supporting family farms.  Many Americans living in urban or suburban areas do the majority of their grocery shopping at large commercial grocery stores.  However, home vegetable gardening has reemerged as a popular hobby for families.

Of all homegrown vegetables, the tomato is considered the most popular crop.  Many American families plant at least one tomato plant each year, either in their backyard or somewhere in the landscaping around their home.  What is the reason for the tomato plant’s widespread popularity?  It is an extremely easy plant to grow, thriving in almost all U.S. climate conditions and soil types.  Tomatoes will grow in almost any location that receives at least four hours of sunlight per day.  They do require regular watering for optimum fruit production, but will produce some fruit even in dry conditions.

Tomato plants

Tomatoes are a fairly disease resistant crop, too, suffering only occasionally from leaf wilt and blight.  Good planting and pruning techniques can usually prevent these problems.  Tomato bugs, white flies, and cutworms can also pose threat to tomatoes, but these pests can usually be kept at bay with soap spray, cutworm collars placed at the bottom of the plant, or other commercially available pesticide sprays.

Because tomatoes are such a popular plant for home gardeners, they are usually readily available for purchase as young plants from local garden centers and discount stores during the early spring months of the year.  Plants found in stores will probably be of the more common varieties and hybrids such as Better Boy, Beefsteak, Sweet 100 (a cherry type tomato) and Early Girl.  Less common varieties may have to be purchased as seeds and grown “from scratch” by the gardener.  Growing plants from seed is certainly a more economical option than buying already established plants, and can be worthwhile, particularly when planting on a large scale.

Growing plants from seed is not difficult, and seed packets for many vegetables and herbs usually begin appearing on store shelves as early as January or February.  Starting plants from seed indoors is a good way to get a head start on the growing seasons, and can often result in bigger plants and larger harvests.  All you really need are pots full of soil and a warm, sunny location for them during the day.  For optimum seed starting conditions, you can also use a grow light or heat lamp.

Greenhouses can also be enormously helpful in starting plants from seed, because they create warmer growing climates for the plants than the surrounding air outside.  For the gardener with space restrictions, indoor greenhouse units can be a good option, as they occupy no more space than a small table or workbench.  For the serious gardener with plenty of outdoor space, a larger outdoor greenhouse may be the better choice.  Greenhouse kits to help you build your own greenhouse are readily available through specialty catalogs and online stores.

Snap & Grow Greenhouse

Though home gardening isn’t what it used to be a century ago, it has adapted along with the American family and our growing and changing way of life.  Most families today obtain the vast majority of their food from grocery stores; however, the small suburban garden continues to thrive as a source of good food and a leisurely pastime for millions of American families today.

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Greenhouse Buying Guide

Published by
ebell
at September 23, 2009 in Garden. 0 Comments

If you have made the decision to purchase a greenhouse, congratulations!  Greenhouse gardening can be a wonderful and rewarding hobby.  But before you make your big purchase, there are some things to consider and some important questions you should ask yourself.  The following article is a greenhouse buying guide that will hopefully help to make the process a little easier.

Greenhouse kit

First, you’ll need to determine your budget.  There are many greenhouses available in a wide range of price points.  Some systems can cost as little as $60, which will usually buy you a small indoor unit to be used on a tabletop or shelf.  On the other end of the extreme are very large outdoor greenhouses that you would need to hire a contractor to build, and these can run upwards of $20,000.  If you’re looking for a large commercial unit, be prepared to spend even more than this.

What types of features or accessories do you need in your greenhouse?  Most greenhouses being used outdoors will need some type of shade cloth that can be added during the hottest summer months.  Cooling fans are another option for cooling a larger greenhouse.  Sometimes a fan system will come with a greenhouse kit, or can be added on later if necessary.  Auto-venting systems are also available in some greenhouse units.  These pneumatic devices attach to windows or roof vents, and when the temperature inside the greenhouse reaches a certain level, they will automatically open the window or vent.

If you’re purchasing a portable greenhouse that can be set up and taken down as needed, how will it be secured to the ground?  Some temporary use greenhouses come with a basic anchoring system that is designed to withstand moderate winds.  If you live in an area that is prone to high winds and storms, you may want to add some additional stakes or anchors of your own.

Is there a possibility you may want to expand your greenhouse in the future?  If so, look for a unit that can you can easily add on to later.  Some portable greenhouses feature exterior zippers that allow you to zip the units together.  This can be a good economical option for those on a lower budget.  Permanent outdoor greenhouse kits are also available with expansion or add-on kits to make them longer or wider, as needed.

What type of materials do you want your greenhouse to be made of?  Glass is nice because it is transparent; however, many greenhouses today are constructed of polycarbonate panels, which are much lighter than glass and just as durable.  Polycarbonate panels will withstand most hail storms without breaking, and they are scratch resistant as well.

Will you need tables or shelving in your greenhouse?  If so, be sure you get a greenhouse that’s large enough to accommodate the work spaces you want.  Some greenhouses are available with shelving kits that attach directly to the interior walls, which is very convenient and can save quite a bit of space.

Will you need plumbing in your greenhouse?  For watering plants, it may be easier if you have an irrigation system built in, as opposed to dragging a hose through a door or window for watering.  Some larger greenhouses also have plumbed in sinks for easy washing of hands and garden tools.

If you’ll be using your greenhouse year round, you should also consider what type of heating element will be required during the winter months.  In warmer climates, you may be able to get by with a small space heater.  In cold climates, you may need a more sophisticated built-in heating system.

Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be well on your way to determining what type of greenhouse you should purchase.  Before you begin shopping, be sure to do some online research, particularly for price comparison purposes.  If you’re going to buy a ready to assemble greenhouse kit, online and mail order stores will offer the best selection.  Finally, be sure you evaluate the store’s shipping and return policies before purchasing.  Best of luck in your greenhouse gardening endeavors!

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