If you already have access to healthy plants that display desirable characteristics it is possible to clone new plants from them these plants will be genetically identical to their parent plant, provided the environmental conditions are constant, the new plants should perform exactly as their parents did.
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Lavender brings to mind both a color and an aroma. The genus name, Lavendula, comes from the Latin word, lavare, meaning to wash. Lavender has been used as a perfuming agent since ancient times. It experienced a brief hiatus during the Dark Ages when bathing was considered a sinfully sensuous experience! But, during the later Middle Ages it was revived as a useful agent in repelling insects and banishing the dampness - it was regularly strewn across the damp floors of houses and churches and was even hoped to keep away the plague.
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Plants can be used for many uses, and the Mosquito Plant, or ?Citrosa? is a cross between the Grass of China ( which produces citronella) and a scented geranium which releases its scent into the air. This amazing feat was accomplished with gene splicing. The result is a scented geranium which grows rather large (up to 5 feet) and repels insects and is not only harmless to people, but has a pleasant citronella scent. The mosquito plant can be kept outdoors on patios or indoors as a houseplant. It can also be kept small by continual pinching.
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Growing Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts are very popular in England; however they are thought to have been first grown in Italy, though in modern times they were cultivated in large amounts in Belgium as early as 1587, hence the name. When cooked, sprouts should be tender but firm, this way thy will retain the vitamins, over cooking also ruins the texture of this delicious vegetable. They contain vitamins A and C; in fact sprouts contain twice the amount of vitamin C as an equal amount of cabbage, they also contain potassium. They contain a wealth of anti-cancer compounds and another wonderful food, which is ideal for weight watchers, as they contain only 31 celeries per average serving. They are one of the traditional vegetables served with the turkey during the Christmas feast.
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Compost piles are a feast for millions of microorganisms. Once the proper mix of food, moisture and air are available, the parties come to the feast and do their work. However, most of those who compost want it as fast as possible and some suppliers of garden materials tell us we need an accelerator or starter for the pile to make it work faster. They are only half right when it comes to an accelerator for the compost pile.
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Compost piles may be contained in bins or other enclosures or simply piled on the ground. Whichever you choose there are some simple things to consider before the pile is established.
1.Make if close to the main garden. A lot of compost material will come from pulled weeds and spent plants so you may as well carry them as short a distance as possible. Likewise the majority of the finished material will be going directly on the garden.
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Compost piles are a feast for millions of microorganisms. Once the proper mix of food, moisture and air are available, the parties come to the feast and do their work. However, most of those who compost want it as fast as possible and some suppliers of garden materials tell us we need an accelerator or starter for the pile to make it work faster. They are only half right when it comes to an accelerator for the compost pile.
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Is it now? As yards become smaller and smaller in many areas, not enough gardening space is becoming a more common complaint. Many plants need less soil space than you think to grow well. As long as the roots have plenty of room, and the plantings can be situated so the lighting that they require to thrive is available, plants are usually somewhat flexible about their homes. I have even seen some gardeners who just slit a bag of soil they bought at a gardening center, plant the seeds, and water through the opening in the bag after adding drain holes. These bags can be stacked and arranged to save space and can be moved easily if required. Simplicity at its best. Use your imagination and think of the many ways you might get a trailing type of plant to grow up instead of out. How might you stack and arrange the containers to conserve space and best complement your yard or patio?
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Compost is the great addition for all those organic gardeners who have moved to raised beds instead of the traditional row garden. Raised beds allow for a greater concentration of plants per square foot which in turn allows for a greater harvest whether of blossoms or vegetables. However this places a greater demand on the soil to be a healthy growing environment and a great source of nutrition. Compost rises to the challenge.
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Is it now? As yards become smaller and smaller in many areas, not enough gardening space is becoming a more common complaint. Many plants need less soil space than you think to grow well. As long as the roots have plenty of room, and the plantings can be situated so the lighting that they require to thrive is available, plants are usually somewhat flexible about their homes. I have even seen some gardeners who just slit a bag of soil they bought at a gardening center, plant the seeds, and water through the opening in the bag after adding drain holes. These bags can be stacked and arranged to save space and can be moved easily if required. Simplicity at its best. Use your imagination and think of the many ways you might get a trailing type of plant to grow up instead of out. How might you stack and arrange the containers to conserve space and best complement your yard or patio?
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