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December 2007
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Garden Decor

Guides and ideas to create a beautiful garden.

Archive for December, 2007

Dreary Winter Garden?

Author: ladybirdbeetle
12.26.07

Did you spend the winter longing for the beauty of your spring garden. If you found your yard a sad place this fall and winter a little planning for next year might change that. You want to make your yard a place you can enjoy through the seasons, not just half of them.

 

Here are a few simple things you can do to make those chillier months gorgeous and pleasant.

 

Plan for color for the other two seasons. There are some great plants out there that can add a cheeriness to your yard after all the green has faded away.

 

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January Garden Projects

Author: ladybirdbeetle
12.26.07

Even though the weather outside may be frightful, it is a good time to do a little winter gardening. Planning ahead now can make your garden look spectacular come spring. Here are a few little projects that will give you a little color in your cheeks as you partake of the brisk winter air.

 

Now is a great time to pick out and plant fruit trees, shrubs, flowering and shade trees. Most nurseries will be getting their trees in about now and you will get the cream of the crop. Also if you plant your trees now there will be little set-back since they are currently in their dormant state.

 

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12.21.07

Don’t blame yourself if you’re having trouble sustaining your yard. It doesn’t mean you lack a green thumb or can’t keep the simplest of species alive. The number one problem in any landscaping is soil. Unless you live in a fertile part of the country, there’s a good chance you’ll run into difficult dirt that will prevent you from growing the most maintenance-free flowers or plants. There are several reasons why the ground can work against you, but there are also solutions for when nature is acting rebellious.

 


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Getting Ready for Your Roses

Author: ladybirdbeetle
12.21.07

Spring Rose Gardening Basics: Getting Ready for Your Roses

 

After a long cold winter it is a joy to be greeted by the arrival of spring time. Nothing is better than on cool spring morning than a stroll around your rose bushes and plants to see how well they have survived the winter. Almost as soon as the weather warms up you can see the green canes sprouting new buds, knowing that each growth will bring a bounty of blossoms all season long.

 

To get ready for your roses there are some basic things that you have to do in those early spring days. First of all you need to remove any soil or protection that you have placed around the plants for the winter. Be careful so as to not damage any of the roots but exposing your awakening bushes to the springtime sun will give them the warmth they need to come back to life.

 

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Plants of the Winter Solstice

Author: ladybirdbeetle
12.20.07

The winter solstice, which occurs on or around Dec. 21, is the first day of winter. It’s also the shortest day and the longest night of the year. While most of us barely acknowledge its passing, to earlier cultures this was a day of both trepidation and celebration.

 

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Gift Baskets For The Avid Gardener

Author: ladybirdbeetle
12.19.07

If you have a friend or relative that is an avid gardener, there is no more thoughtful gift than a garden gift basket for a holiday, birthday or anniversary present. At first, you may seem overwhelmed when shopping in your garden center or on the internet. There are a few things to consider when trying to find just the right “flavor” for your garden gift basket to give to the people who love to play in the dirt, so t speak.

 

First you must determine how much you want to spend for the garden gift basket. After you have the dollar amount, walk through the aisles of the garden center to see what items are available. Of course, you could also do an internet search to see what the most popular tools and gadgets are selling. You will be surprised at the range of goods that are available from the inexpensive to the extravagant. Keep in mind that you will want to get quality products that will last so your friend or relative will have years of enjoyment.

 

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December Garden Tips

Author: ladybirdbeetle
12.19.07

Sowing perennial seeds, cutting back indoor geraniums, and watching for spider mites are some of the gardening tips for this month.

 

If you have any clay or ceramic pots that you keep outside or in a cold location during the winter, empty them of soil which will freeze and expand and, most likely, crack the pot. Keep the soil to use to fill the bottoms of large planters next year. That way you won’t need as much fresh soil.

 

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Give a Garden as a Gift

Author: ladybirdbeetle
12.19.07

Stumped for a Last Minute Gift? Give Them Your Garden.

 

Let’s face it, whether it’s hollyhocks or hot peppers, none of us can resist stashing away a few pods full of ripe seeds from the plants we’re particularly fond of. We never trust them to return on their own, no matter how many years it’s been since they disappointed us.

 

If you’re a seed saver, you have a wonderful gift opportunity. Share your stash with gardening buddies.

 

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Putting Color in your Garden

Author: ladybirdbeetle
12.19.07

One of the basic design principles that you can use to get closer to your dream garden is the use of color. Color is one of the great tools when developing a landscaping idea. It’s known to create various psychological effects and can also be used to manipulate space.

 

Color Effects Mood

 

Bright warm colors in a landscape design such as the reds, oranges, hot pinks and yellows of zinnias stir …

 

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Garden Decor on a Budget

Author: ladybirdbeetle
12.17.07

Wanna spruce up your yard but on a budget. Don’t let that stop you from showcasing all your green. Make sure to pull the weeds and rake the leaves. You can then use one of these great ideas to add a special something to your outdoor oasis.

  • Tip a flowerpot (any size) over and have soil spill out of it. Plant flowers in the soil for a charming spilled pot look.
  • Make a rustic trellis by nailing or screwing branches together in desired shape.

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