Garden Landscaping - Planting

If you have recently invested a lot of time and money in your garden, maybe you have upgraded your fencing, installed new decking or had a new patio area constructed, maybe the next job on your listing is the planting. If so, do you have the correct knowledge and know how to choose the best type of flower or shrubs?

If you have previously spend time and money getting your garden just how you want it, plants and flowers in full bloom, it looks great and then suddenly there is a down pour of rain, or some bad weather and then all your hard work and effort is destroyed. Maybe your planting looked great for the first year however the following year it really paled in comparison. If so, then you will know first hand just how frustrating and disheartening this can be. However, this can usually be avoided if you have knowledge of what plants and flowers are the best for your particular garden and soil.

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One way to avoid the above happening is to employ the services of a local landscape gardener who offer planting schemes. Maybe you have dry soil, your soil has a lot of clay or your garden may be is quite shaded. Whatever your particular situation they will be able to recommend plants, shrubs, or even vegetables that will thrive best in your particular garden/soil. Allowing your garden to look beautiful year after year.

Garden Landscaping - Planting

Maybe you aim is to create a theme, maybe you want to layer and have a graduated look, they will be able to help you achieve the exact look you want.

Of course as mentioned above it's not just plants and shrubs, maybe you would love to grow your own fruit and vegetables, maybe you have already tried and failed, getting the right advise up front can normally save you a lot of time, hard work and money.

Many people will admit that they don't have the knowledge but would rather give it a try then pay someone else to do it for them.This can however turn out to be fault economy, if you're lucky and your efforts work, then great, however more often than not this is not the case and you end up calling in the skills of a qualified landscape gardener, meaning your effort to try and save money, ends up costing you more in the end.

Summary: Whether you are looking for some advise or you want someone to undertake your planting needs for you, it makes sense to have a chat with your local landscape gardener. In the long term, it could end up saving you a lot of time, effort.

Garden Landscaping - Planting

Landscaping - Planting Schemes
Landscape Garden Design

Vegetable Gardening For Beginners - Planting a Beautiful Vegetable Garden at Home

Are you looking to plant your very own vegetable garden but you're not sure how to get started? Planting a healthy vegetable garden provides so many benefits including an abundance of healthy organic food and saving thousands on your grocery bills. I don't know about you but I still remember the days when a tomato from the supermarket tasted like a tomato, not anymore unfortunately. Let's look at some vegetable gardening for beginners tips to help get you started today.

Vegetable Gardening For Beginners - Tips
Preparation is the key to growing a beautiful and healthy vegetable garden. Planning is critical for setting up a vegetable garden that you can harvest every daily. Vegetable gardening for beginners does not have to be difficult with the correct planning.

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First you must decide on your plot, the area for your garden. The ideal spot is somewhere that receives plenty of morning sun and protection from the elements such as wind. Although you maybe limited with the space you have available don't be discouraged as you will be shocked at how much you can grow by maximizing the space you have. Ensure there is sufficient drainage for water run off.

Importance Of Soil Quality
One of the most common vegetable gardening for beginners tips you will hear is never underestimate soil quality. Soil is the life line of a garden do not underestimate it's importance. You must ensure that your soil preparations include checking the soil and preparing it by testing its pH levels. The ideal pH level for your soil is 6.5, if you do not have a test kit you can go to your local garden outlet and let them test it for you.

Don't stress if your levels are out of whack for the moment, you can purchase garden lime that will improve the pH levels of your soil. In a nutshell your pH levels will determine how much nutrients your vegetables will be able to receive.

Preparing Your Plot
Dig your plot and turn your soil over, ensure you dig into a depth of about 12" (30cm) and remove any weeds you find by hand. Avoid using weed killers and they can effect your soil structure and levels. Once your pH levels are in healthy range, wait 4-5 weeks before you begin planting.

The vegetables that you grow will dependent on where you live. Speak to your gardening outlet that will buy seedlings from for the most suitable vegetables.
Ask about purchasing some organic fertilizer which will be the life blood of your garden. Organic fertilizers such as animal manure, blood and bones as well as compost are terrific choices for providing essential nutrients and moisture.

Growing Vegetables Year Round
The key to planting a successful garden is to have vegetables that you can harvest year round. By doing this you can rotate different vegetables to help ensure the health of your gardening by limiting pests and diseases. One of the most common vegetable gardening for beginners mistakes is insufficient planning and set up process.

If you set up your garden correctly you will have vegetables that you can harvest every single day. With the right planning your garden should require very maintenance and upkeep as it continues to provide fresh, organic food for you and your family for years to come.

Vegetable Gardening For Beginners - Planting a Beautiful Vegetable Garden at Home

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Planting Dates For Garden Vegetables

If you wish to start a vegetable garden, it is imperative that you know your vegetables' preferred climate and time for maturity. If you live in a cold climate you would do well planting cold climate vegetables. Likewise, if you live in a temperate or warm climate, you should plant the types of vegetables that flourish in your climate.

Here are some recommended planting dates for vegetables in cold and temperate countries (in the Northern Hemisphere):

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Broccoli can be planted between May and June. They take about 4 months to harvest. Harvest the main Broccoli heads before they open. This way the remaining broccoli will produce an extended crop of smaller heads through the rest of summer.

Brussels sprouts should also be planted between May and June. Their maturity period is 4 to 5 months.

Beetroot can be planted between April and June. They mature in about 3 months.

Celery should be planted between March and April. They take about 5 to 6 months to mature.

Cabbage are rather unique in that there are different varieties, named according to when they are eaten (spring, summer or winter) so their planting dates range from March to September. It would be a good idea to plant cabbages indoors in a cold frame first before transplanting into your outdoor garden. They take about 4 months to mature.

Cucumber should be planted between May and June. They take 2 to 3 months to mature. Harvest promptly as soon as they ripen so that the fruiting period can be prolonged. Leaving ripened vegetables on the vine prevents them from fruiting further.

Dwarf peas should be planted in February. They take 3 to 4 months to mature. Do harvest them when the peas are young.

Lettuce can be grown almost the whole year round, depending on the variety. But the easiest time to plant lettuce is in the spring in April. You can start planting lettuce in cold frames indoors between February to March before transplanting to your outdoor garden in spring. They mature in 2 to 3 months.

Parsnips are good winter vegetables that can be planted from August to September. They can remain in the ground throughout the winter. They take about 5 months to mature.

Potatoes can be planted between March and April. Plant a piece of potato that contains two or more 'eyes'. Harvest your potato when the vine begins to die or has died completely. Then leave the potatoes on the ground for a day to harden and prevent bruising.

Peppers can be planted indoors between February to March before transplanting outdoors in May. Do not put in too much nitrogen through your fertilizer or you will get lots of plant but little fruit. Peppers take 4 to 5 months to harvest.

Radishes can be planted between February and March. They will go to flower when the temperature gets warmer and mature between 6 to 8 weeks (one and a half to two months).

Sweet corn can be planted between May and June. They should be planted closely together rather than in rows to encourage pollination. Sweet corn can be harvested in about 3 months and taste the sweetest the moment it is picked.

Squash (summer) should be planted from May to June. They take about 4 months to ripen. Squash grows well in warm areas.

Tomatoes are best grown in cold frames in March first before transplanting to your outdoor garden in May. They take 4 to 5 months to mature and tend to ripen after they have been picked.

These dates are generally for cold and temperate countries and would determine the mean temperature of your area. Remember that different vegetables have different tolerance towards heat. Therefore you need to know the climate conditions in your own area well. Plant your vegetables according to when the temperature is most suitable.

Planting Dates For Garden Vegetables

Francis King is a vegetable garden enthusiast. For more great tips and advice on vegetable gardens, visit http://www.veggietips.com.