Inexpensive garden décor is in and one reasonably priced backyard project is a Shabby Chic garden wall. Am old window door will make a great DIY project for your garden areas at a reasonable cost.

photo credit: Pink Sherbet Photography

A garden wall adds color, privacy and beauty to a patio, garden area or yard. It can be set up in a few hours but totally change the look of your backyard. You could even bring it indoors for winter use if you live in a cold climate and want to extend your gardening.

I have found that if you use an old door that has the windowpanes and build a planter box on the bottom you have a beautiful garden wall that can be made to match any décor style.

I can find old windowpane door in my area for free or up to $10. The average price is usually $2. I carefully remove the glass from the windowpanes and save the glass for other projects. (Make sure all pieces of glass are gone from the frame)

Sand the door down a bit to get an older look. You can add another color to the door to emphasis your colors in the yard or house.

Make a planter box, or buy one if the door measures the same length. I make my planter about 9 to 12 inches tall and one foot deep. I also use old barn board or recycled boards and paint the box to match the door.

Attach the old door onto the back of the planter with nails or screws. Screws work better if you plan to take the garden wall apart or move it much.

Put the garden wall in place and fill the planter with soil.

A garden wall looks great with vines in the back that will travel up the wall and lower flowers or herbs planted in the front of the planter.

This planter will also make a great mini small space garden with beans; cucumbers or tomatoes planted in the back and trained to grow vertical. In the front you could plants greens, onions, and other smaller vegetable crops.

This project ranges anywhere in price from free if you do some “scrounging” to $10 0r $15 dollars. And when it’s done it adds priceless beauty and many comments to your backyard décor.

Note: If you can’t find an old door windowpane windows will work. Thyew just make a smaller garden wall. Or you can use an old screen door.

Technorati Tags: Backyard Garden, DIY projects, inexpensive garden decor, shabby chic garden wall, Small Space Garden

The backyard garden is a hot trend even more this year than last according to the orders from garden magazines and garden supply companies.

photo credit: Hair Squared
Growing your own groceries is taking over homes and communities. A recent survey by the National Gardening Association shows a 19 percent burst of new hobby country farms and urban edible gardens over the last year.

With this growing trend,  gardeners and small space backyards are coming up with new ideas to make the most out of their growing area. Rooftop gardens, fire escape gardens, and container gardening ideas are popping up in towns and cities everywhere. The use of vertical growing along walls and fences is becoming a common sight in busy downtown areas.

Many years back the garden was a mix of ornamentals and the edible – roses beside tomatoes, beds edged with herbs and veggies used as annuals. And many flowers were used as arrangements one moment and as salad decorations or spices the next.

As both parents went to work and more time was spent away from the home, gardening and the use of space were set aside. But times are changing.

With the trend towards “Going Green” lawns are being replaced with herbs, edible gardens and moveable gardens. With less emphasis on a green lawn there is a large decrease in the use of water, saving the family money and time. This is also  creating more growing space.

photo credit: woodleywonderworks

There is also a movement to turn the front lawn into vegetable gardens and rain gardens. This garden plan uses mulches and hardscape for the design and mixed planting of edible shrubs, herbs and plants for color and interest.

If your thinking of revamping your lawn to a more environmentally friendly garden area your local garden center will be able to help you select edible plants and shrubs.

Technorati Tags: Backyard Garden, edible gardens, garden trends, garden trends 2010, going green

October may provide brilliant color in the landscape but it also signals an end of another growing season. Let’s look at some of the things needed to be done in the landscape.

photo credit: daviza

Dahlias can remain in the ground until after frost. Cut off the stems six inches above the ground and lift carefully, for the tubers are brittle and break off easily. Discard any that do. Place the clumps in flats, stem side down, and let them dry off before storing.

Just before storing cut off the fine roots and cut the stem back to within an inch or two of the crown. They are best stored in a cool place (about 40 degrees) but may be stored at a warmer temperature if covered with peatmoss or sand. Line the storage boxes with paper. A dusting of sulphur before storing will prevent rot. Be sure to tie labels to the clumps so you will know what is what next year.

Tuberous begonias are lifted after the foliage has yellowed, but don’t remove the foliage until it is dry. Remove the dried stems and clean off the dry soil. Store the tubers in flats in a warm place (50 to 60 degrees) and cover them with peatmoss. They need good circulation of air to prevent rot.

Cannas should be lifted after the first frost and stored in a cool place. To prevent shriveling cover them with dry peatmoss or sand. Many, however, no longer store canna roots over winter, preferring to buy live plants each spring.

Lift Gladiolus corms as the leaves begin to turn yellow. After lifting, cut the foliage to within three inches of the corms and then let them dry off in the sun if possible for a little while each day. When completely dry, dust them with an insecticide to prevent thrips injury. Store them uncovered in a cool place.

Ismenes (Peruvian daffodils) must be lifted very carefully to preserve the root system. So, dig deeply. Spread out the plants indoors to dry. Remove the tops but not the roots. Store them uncovered in a place where the temperature will not go below 50 degrees.

Montbretias may be left in the ground if given a heavy covering of leaves. If lifted they should be removed from the ground in clumps with the soil clinging to them. Don’t let the soil dry out.

Tuberose bulbs should be lifted in clumps and dried off for storage in a warm dry place. Divide into single bulbs during the winter or use a second year without dividing the clumps.

In The Greenhouse

Repotting is one of the round-the-year jobs. When in doubt about the need for repotting, knock the plant like the watermelon peperomia out of the pot. If the ball is well covered with roots it is time for repotting. Don’t repot flowering plants that have flower buds forming. Soak new flower pots in a tub of water for at least a half hour before they are used.

photo credit: audreyjm529

Freesias that were potted and placed in the coldframe should now have several inches of growth. Bring them into a cool part of the greenhouse before frost. For better results give them a weekly feeding.

Watering.

Don’t just turn on the hose and water everything in sight. Water plants when they need it. When in doubt give the pot a sharp knock with the handle of your pocketknife and if the pot rings water is needed. A dull thud indicates the soil is still damp. Soil in benches that feels dry and somewhat crumbly needs a thorough soaking with the hose or watering pot.

Find out more as Thomas Fryd shares his experiences on landscaping and gardens at plant-care.com. Get cleared up on watermelon peperomia.

Technorati Tags: Backyard Garden, backyard oasis, backyard projects, garden, gardening, home improvement, landscaping

photo credit: lissalou66

There are several advantages to wildflower gardens.

• They have a delicate beauty and seem to fit into any landscape.
• Once established wildflowers are easy to maintain and use less water, a plus in areas that suffer from droughts.
• They seem to adapt to whatever weather conditions that you have even if your summer is cold, damp or too dry.
• Wildflowers are usually flowers native to the area and they grow strong with little insect or diseases.
• Bird love wildflowers and will provide entertainment with their activity.

Planting wildflowers is also good for the environment and for wildlife. Wildflowers feed the birds naturally and will provide safe cover for rabbits and chipmunks.

Perennial wildflowers will come back year after year and provide an easy way to have a beautiful garden of flowers with less work and expense. Add rocks to the garden area or old root pieces and you have a rustic look that will add peace and tranquility to a section of your backyard oasis.  I like to tuck wildflowers in small corners that are usually overlooked.
photo credit: DTraveler

When planting your wildflower garden, make sure all weeds are out of the garden area you have selected. This will give you wildflowers a better chance of establishing themselves.

You can purchase wildflower seeds at a gardening store or nursery. You might even be able to gather some yourself to use the following year or ask friends who collect seeds if they any extra wildflowers seeds.

I try to pick seeds that are perennial flowers. Your garden will take less work with perennial wildflowers and will save you money and time.

And make sure you buy enough seeds to cover the area of land you wish to use. The seed packets will give you this information or ask an employee for advice. And in many stores you can get the roll out mats with seeds embedded in the mat. I have used these and they work very well.

How to plant a wildflower garden

Prepare the soil by loosening it with a rake or shovel. I add compost to ensure it is rich soil that will help flowers to grow well for years to come. And make sure all weeds and weed roots have been removed for the soil.

Loosen the soil again on the day you plan to plant the flower seeds. Dig a small hole, and drop in one or two seeds for wildflowers. Continue this process until the area is planted. I like to sprinkle some seeds about the area and then use the rake to mix them into the soil. You get a more natural look using this method.

Water the seeds frequently. Keep the area lightly moist until seedlings appear. This is usually a week or 10 days. You may wish to add a protective border around the area where you have planted seeds to protect you newly planted wildflower garden from children and pets.

Wildflower gardens are beautiful and once they start to grow you will be able to enjoy their color and fragrance for many years to come.

Technorati Tags: Backyard Garden, backyard oasis, flowers, wildflower garden

photo credit: dACE

And although many people think plants just need water, they do experience problems that will make them look pitiful.

Here’s how to identify common problems with plants. With care and observing you plants hopefully you will avoid the most common plant problems and diseases.

Check the moisture level in the dirt.

• Both too much water and too little water will create plant problems. And many people are surprised to learn too much water creates more problems that too little.
• Sticking your pinky finger in all the way to your hand can easily check soil moisture. This checks the depth of moisture further down into the soil. Check the soil over by the edge of the pot to make sure you dont hurt the plants roots.
• To keep the soil from drying out on top add a light mulch to your plants soil. One quarter of an inch will be fine.
• Check the look of the top of the soil. If it’s crusty, gently scrap the top of the soil off and replace it with fresh soil. If it looks moldy, scrap that off also.

Check the roots of the plant.

• This can be done by gently pulling the plant out of the container if it’s in a pot. If the roots look brittle or discolored than the problem could be in your soil.
• Change the soil and be sure that the excess water has a way to escape so that the roots aren’t drowning and can breath properly. Yes, too much water can choke a plants root.
• If the plant is in the ground, dig gently by the plant to check its roots. You can try to add new soil by the sides of the plant, but if the plant is in very bad shape, its best to remove it from the garden.

If you plants are just looking tired and lack color it may be necessary for you to move the plants or flowers to a new location.  They may need more sun, shade or better drainage. If you notice white spores growing on the bottom of the leaves, this is a sign that the plant needs more light.
photo credit: DominusVobiscum

Check for holes or missing buds. This is often an indication of insect or pest problems that are eating at your plants. Many insects are very small and you need to look carefully to see them. Am insect problem left untreated can kill a plant and spread to other plants.

Plant Tip: If I notice my plants seem to have a soil problem I will water them with a chamomile tea. Chamomile tea has a natural bacterial control that will control small bacteria on the soil. Chamomile tea has saved many plants.

Technorati Tags: Backyard Garden, backyard oasis, plant care