See this at: diy-nation.blogspot....| Added on 08/05/08

In my previous post, I detailed the design and plan for my raised bed garden. After a couple months building it on a limited time basis, I've completed the garden. There some change to my original plan like adding a drip irrigation system and putting... See more

In my previous post, I detailed the design and plan for my raised bed garden. After a couple months building it on a limited time basis, I've completed the garden. There some change to my original plan like adding a drip irrigation system and putting blue stones in the pathways. The following is my journal of getting it from design to completion. Before I start, here are a few photos of my finished garden with vegetables! Cutting the Lumber I started cross cutting the 4x4 into size (28 inches). Next is to dado out a slot (3/4 deep) from the 4x4 pieces. Because my table saw can't dado out more than 3/4 at a time, I have to run 3 passes for each slot. The most challenging part is creating the 45 degree slots. Next came the cross cutting of the 2x6 pieces. 4ft. and 32" lengths. Now we're ready for assembly. Assembly Originally, I planned to use outdoor wood glue to tie the pieces together, but I decided that would be too much of a hassle and I ended up using deck screws. The assembly is... See less

See this at: gardenplansireland.c...| Added on 08/05/08

Planning a Vegetable Garden? How to Make a Vegetable Garden. by GPI Gardening is an extremely satisfying hobby, or even occupation. Gardeners find that anything they plant and nurture become their babies, be it trees, shrubs or even lawns. But for... See more

Planning a Vegetable Garden? How to Make a Vegetable Garden. by GPI Gardening is an extremely satisfying hobby, or even occupation. Gardeners find that anything they plant and nurture become their babies, be it trees, shrubs or even lawns. But for sheer back-to-nature fulfilment, it’s hard to beat the vegetable growing aspect of gardening. . I would love those of you out there reading this who have never tasted veg grown in your own soil, to taste the sweetness of a crop which results from your own sweat and clay coated fingers. So that’s my plan, starting now and continuing at opportune points throughout the year, I will lead you through the creation, sowing and harvesting of your own home grown veg. There is no time like the present, come on, lets get a jump on the growing season by looking at a location for your productive garden. Sunlight. Try to locate your vegetable garden in the sunniest area of your site. Of course, use your own discretion on this; avoid robbing Peter to pay... See less

See this at: gardenplansireland.c...| Added on 08/05/08

Planning a Vegetable Garden? How to Make a Vegetable Garden. by GPI Gardening is an extremely satisfying hobby, or even occupation. Gardeners find that anything they plant and nurture become their babies, be it trees, shrubs or even lawns. But for... See more

Planning a Vegetable Garden? How to Make a Vegetable Garden. by GPI Gardening is an extremely satisfying hobby, or even occupation. Gardeners find that anything they plant and nurture become their babies, be it trees, shrubs or even lawns. But for sheer back-to-nature fulfilment, it’s hard to beat the vegetable growing aspect of gardening. . I would love those of you out there reading this who have never tasted veg grown in your own soil, to taste the sweetness of a crop which results from your own sweat and clay coated fingers. So that’s my plan, starting now and continuing at opportune points throughout the year, I will lead you through the creation, sowing and harvesting of your own home grown veg. There is no time like the present, come on, lets get a jump on the growing season by looking at a location for your productive garden. Sunlight. Try to locate your vegetable garden in the sunniest area of your site. Of course, use your own discretion on this; avoid robbing Peter to pay... See less

See this at: atasteoftheearth.blo...| Added on 08/05/08

Here's a picture of what the raised bed looked like this weekend: Here's a picture of what it looks like now: And in case you can't see what's posted on the wall at the back edge and in the middle: Power and water.

Here's a picture of what the raised bed looked like this weekend: Here's a picture of what it looks like now: And in case you can't see what's posted on the wall at the back edge and in the middle: Power and water. See less

See this at: yougrowgirl.com| Added on 12/30/08

The last time I forgot to water my outdoor potted plants and discovered them completely wilted and hanging on the cusp of near death, I decided it was time to take action. Some of the plants on my deck receive a full, searing sun all day long during... See more

The last time I forgot to water my outdoor potted plants and discovered them completely wilted and hanging on the cusp of near death, I decided it was time to take action. Some of the plants on my deck receive a full, searing sun all day long during the hottest mid summer days. While these plants thrive under such conditions if properly taken care of, they will die quickly if they don't receive enough water. Although it has been unusually rainy this year in these parts, full sun deck plants will still get extremely hot and dry very quickly. One of the best ways to provide a steady water supply to your plants without your constant attention is the gradual watering system or drip irrigation. Through this method a device is employed that slowly delivers water into the soil directly around the roots. Commercial watering spikes can be purchased from you local garden centre however, using recycled materials you can make your own drip irrigation system for free. The materials you will need... See less

See this at: mushroomexpert.com| Added on 05/22/08

Ecology: Mycorrhizal with hardwoods and conifers; often found in mossy areas (occasionally on well-rotted wood); growing alone, scattered, or gregariously; widely distributed; summer and fall. Fruiting Body: 2-10 cm across; round or flattened; the... See more

Ecology: Mycorrhizal with hardwoods and conifers; often found in mossy areas (occasionally on well-rotted wood); growing alone, scattered, or gregariously; widely distributed; summer and fall. Fruiting Body: 2-10 cm across; round or flattened; the surface hard and scaly, yellowish to yellow-brown, often cracked; the "skin" whitish when sliced but blushing pinkish; sometimes gathered at the base, where mycelial strands may be found. Spore Mass: Thick and white at first, becoming purple to purple-black from the center outwards; eventually blackish to brownish and dust-like. Chemical Reactions: Surface dark reddish with KOH. Microscopic Features: Spores 8-13 µ; round; prominently reticulate. See less

See this at: mushroomexpert.com| Added on 05/22/08

Ecology: Officially saprobic, but potentially also mycorrhizal--or, like the true morels, donning both ecological hats in the course of its life cycle; found in spring, primarily under conifers; widely distributed in northern and montane North... See more

Ecology: Officially saprobic, but potentially also mycorrhizal--or, like the true morels, donning both ecological hats in the course of its life cycle; found in spring, primarily under conifers; widely distributed in northern and montane North America. Cap: 3-12 cm; variable in shape but generally brainlike, somewhat lobed (but usually not saddle-shaped); pinkish tan to reddish brown, becoming darker to nearly black in age and in the sun; underside generally well protected, close to stem, tan to pale. Flesh: Thin; brittle; slight or chambered. Stem: 3-7 cm; pale yellowish tan to rose to tinged like the cap; usually roundish in cross-section but frequently folded into a figure eight cross-section; smooth. Microscopic Features: Spores 21-25 x 12-13 µ; smooth; elliptical. See less

See this at: cloudnet.com| Added on 06/20/07

This European immigrant is an odorless, branching, annual herb, with stalked, opposite, simple leaves which are clammy-feeling, unwettable, and have a whitish coating on the underside. The first leaves are roughly diamond-shaped and somewhat toothed... See more

This European immigrant is an odorless, branching, annual herb, with stalked, opposite, simple leaves which are clammy-feeling, unwettable, and have a whitish coating on the underside. The first leaves are roughly diamond-shaped and somewhat toothed toward the point, and the later leaves are narrow and toothless. Lamb's-quarters was introduced to the U.S. as a pot-herb and now grows everywhere. It particularly likes disturbed soil, but it's not above growing through the cracks in the sidewalk. It generally grows from 1 to 3 feet tall, though it may reach over twice that height under favorable conditions. There are many similar edible species in this genus. The rule is: if it's odorless, it's food, and if it has a resiny smell, it's a spice. The red tracing in the leaf in the lower right corner means that spinach leaf miner larvae live there. It's probably better not to eat those leaves. Collect the young tender plants whole, and then when the stems become tough, collect just the leaves... See less

See this at: na.fs.fed.us| Added on 06/20/07

Garlic mustard was used as an edible green in Europe and may have been brought to North America by European settlers. The coarsely toothed leaves give off a garlic-like odor when crushed, accounting for its common name and use in cooking. It is a... See more

Garlic mustard was used as an edible green in Europe and may have been brought to North America by European settlers. The coarsely toothed leaves give off a garlic-like odor when crushed, accounting for its common name and use in cooking. It is a member of the mustard family. Native range: Europe and Asia For more information visit: http://www.nps.gov/htdocs2/plants/alien/map/alpe1.htm Garlic mustard reproduces exclusively by seed. It is an obligate biennial. The first year the seeds germinate and develop a basal rosette of kidney-shaped leaves, and the following year it produces an upright stalk with triangular leaves. The stalk bears terminal clusters of small white flowers. After flowering and producing large quantities of seeds in elongate seed capsules, the plant dies. Second year garlic mustard plant with terminal white flowers, elongate seed capsules, and coarsely toothed triangular leaves. The plant has no natural enemies and can be present in an area for years before it... See less

See this at: poison-ivy.org| Added on 05/18/08

We sell poison ivy posters and cards to help you avoid the plant. Our ID cards are life size images that you can carry in the field and compare to the actual plants. Card sets cost $28, posters $18. Go to the store page. | The Skin Rash Hall of Fame.... See more

We sell poison ivy posters and cards to help you avoid the plant. Our ID cards are life size images that you can carry in the field and compare to the actual plants. Card sets cost $28, posters $18. Go to the store page. | The Skin Rash Hall of Fame. Viewers have sent in their own rash photos. If you want to see what the rash looks like, click here, but be warned - these rash pix are seriously grody. See the rashes. | Poison Ivy and CO2! According to the Wall Street Journal, research soon to be published in Weed Science (is your subscription up to date?) indicates that poison ivy has gotten MUCH nastier since the 1950's. Leaf size and nasty oil content are way up. So it is not your imagination that it is worse than when you or your parents were kids. Seems like a minor problem, all in all, considering the possible consequences of a 33% increase in CO2 in only 50 years. But then, if you have a rash like the guy above, might not seem so minor. See less

See this at: gardening.about.com| Added on 02/08/09

Herb gardening is a treat for all the senses. Whether formally displayed or tucked into a pot or a corner of the vegetable garden, herbs offer the promise of both beauty and function. Seasoning, dyes, lotions, potpourri, teas... there seems to be no... See more

Herb gardening is a treat for all the senses. Whether formally displayed or tucked into a pot or a corner of the vegetable garden, herbs offer the promise of both beauty and function. Seasoning, dyes, lotions, potpourri, teas... there seems to be no end to what you can do with fresh grown herbs. No packaged product can compete with the aroma of your own lavender or lemon thyme. Herbs grow so easily, they almost grow themselves. The following series of lessons breaks down the basics of choosing and using herbs and of creating a formal herb garden or incorporating herbs into your existing beds and borders. Indulge yourself with the evocative fragrance and flavors of a whole world of herb plants. The lesson breakdown is below. You can sign up for the course and receive a new lesson each week via email or you can click below on the courses you’re interested in. I hope it is just the beginning of your infatuation with herb gardening. Lesson 1: What Makes a Plant an Herb? * Herb Gardening... See less

See this at: thecompostbin.com| Added on 02/05/09

There really isn't a lot to write about during the winter. It's about 25 degrees tonight and once again it's snowing. And this storm could drop another six inches on us. [Update: The storm was a dud, just a lot of ice] So as you can imagine, there's... See more

There really isn't a lot to write about during the winter. It's about 25 degrees tonight and once again it's snowing. And this storm could drop another six inches on us. [Update: The storm was a dud, just a lot of ice] So as you can imagine, there's not a lot of gardening or composting going on here. So what's a garden blogger to do? I'll tell you what I did. I sat at my computer and looked at all the photos that I took this year and tried to find some pictures that I never posted about. An iPhoto slide show with about 5,000 photos might sound like fun to you but trust me, after an hour or so, it's gets pretty boring. Let's see, compost picture, compost picture, here's one of my kids in front of the compost bin, another compost picture, oh here's a picture of compost. You get the idea. Watching the pictures slide by, it occurred to me that I never created a post about how I built my homemade compost tumbler. I did make a compost tumbler video about how I kick it around my yard but I... See less

See this at: ehow.com| Added on 02/02/09

* A clean 30 gallon plastic garbage can. * A drill with a 1/2 inch bit. * Seed potatoes available from your local nursery(store bought potatoes are...

See this at: doorgarden.com| Added on 12/30/08

Complete Materials list for the “$50 Greenhouse” - As Built Each Qty Total $4. 23 6 $25.38 20′ x 3/4″ PVC schedule 40 plumbing pipe $6.70 6 $40.20 1×6x8′ pt - ripped into 1×3s $4.99 4 $19.96 8′ steel “T” fence post $2.18 3 $6.54 2×4 stud - rip into... See more

Complete Materials list for the “$50 Greenhouse” - As Built Each Qty Total $4. 23 6 $25.38 20′ x 3/4″ PVC schedule 40 plumbing pipe $6.70 6 $40.20 1×6x8′ pt - ripped into 1×3s $4.99 4 $19.96 8′ steel “T” fence post $2.18 3 $6.54 2×4 stud - rip into 1×2s $3.97 2 $7.94 1×4x12′ pt $5.73 1 $5.73 2×4x16′ rip into 2×2s $7.91 1 $7.91 20′x1/2″ rebar - cut into 18′ lengths $4.88 .75 $3.66 8″ nylon wire ties - 100 $5.47 .5 $2.74 1 1/4″ x 1lb drywall screws $6.97 .3 $2.09 16 guage galvanized utility wire - 200′ - for X braces $2.97 .25 $0.74 3/8″ t-50 staples - 1000 $79.00 .22 $17.38 20′ x 100′ x 6 mil clear plastic Scraps of plywood for reinforcements - scrounged $140.27 Total OK, that’s a bit more than I estimated because I didn’t count all of the minor bits that I just take for granted because I buy them in bulk and keep them on hand. These prices are what you would pay if you just bought the quantities that you need for this project. Drywall screws for example are only about a third as much... See less

See this at: videojug.com| Added on 12/13/08

Haven't got much garden space? Don't worry, allow us to help you make the most of the space that you do have and also enjoy it to the fullest. We'll show you how to plant in pots and containers and how to make hanging baskets. You might also like to... See more

Haven't got much garden space? Don't worry, allow us to help you make the most of the space that you do have and also enjoy it to the fullest. We'll show you how to plant in pots and containers and how to make hanging baskets. You might also like to look at Made By You, Planting , Flowers See less

See this at: pathtofreedom.com| Added on 05/05/08

Seed balls are simply scattered direct onto ground, and not planted. They could be useful for seeding dry, thin and compacted soils and for reclaiming derelict ground. This method takes a fraction of the time or cost of other methods to cover large... See more

Seed balls are simply scattered direct onto ground, and not planted. They could be useful for seeding dry, thin and compacted soils and for reclaiming derelict ground. This method takes a fraction of the time or cost of other methods to cover large areas and is also very applicable in small areas. See less

See this at: toppers-place.com| Added on 03/31/08

They aren't in any way fancy, but they are cheap, easy to make, easy to maintain, help recycle bottles, and best of all, the plants love 'em!

They aren't in any way fancy, but they are cheap, easy to make, easy to maintain, help recycle bottles, and best of all, the plants love 'em! See less

See this at: taunton.com| Added on 03/26/07

You may think the sheer gustatory pleasure of wolfing down ripe, juicy raspberries, whose flavor explodes in your mouth, is reason enough to grow them. Well, think again. Raspberries are not just another tasty berry; they are loaded with healthful... See more

You may think the sheer gustatory pleasure of wolfing down ripe, juicy raspberries, whose flavor explodes in your mouth, is reason enough to grow them. Well, think again. Raspberries are not just another tasty berry; they are loaded with healthful attributes. They're high in fiber and contain vitamin A, folate, antioxidants, and numerous minerals; the juice contains vitamin C; and those sometimes-annoying little seeds contain vitamin E. And, of course, if you have a raspberry patch, you have endless dessert possibilities. The key elements to raspberry success are careful selection of plant type, a good solid trellising system, and husbandry techniques that match the needs of the plant. Once everything is in place, your raspberry patch will provide you with many years of satisfaction. We chose a classically red, everbearing variety called 'Summit', after asking our local agriculture office which raspberries are recommended for our area. We also taste-tested berries from local berry... See less

See this at: gardeners.com| Added on 04/02/07

Shopping * See products related to this topic. Learning * How-To Articles: Comprehensive guides to basic gardening skills and techniques. * Innovative Gardener: Ideas and inspiration from an avid gardener. * Gardener's Tips: Smart techniques and... See more

Shopping * See products related to this topic. Learning * How-To Articles: Comprehensive guides to basic gardening skills and techniques. * Innovative Gardener: Ideas and inspiration from an avid gardener. * Gardener's Tips: Smart techniques and practical solutions. * Success Stories: Profiles of enthusiastic gardeners. * Pest and Disease Finder:: Identify the problem and get earth-friendly solutions. * Ask an Expert: Have a gardening question? Our staff is happy to help. * Product Guides: How to select the right product for your needs. See less

See this at: ersson.sustainabilit...| Added on 10/21/07

Our household of 2 adults and three children obtained all our household hot water from a composting greenhouse we constructed in Portland, Oregon in 1994. It provided hot water at a temperature of 90-130 degrees (Fahrenheit) continuously until it was... See more

Our household of 2 adults and three children obtained all our household hot water from a composting greenhouse we constructed in Portland, Oregon in 1994. It provided hot water at a temperature of 90-130 degrees (Fahrenheit) continuously until it was dismantled 18 months later. We used the space to grow several species of mushrooms and to house plants from our garden during winter. The greenhouse design was similar to inexpensive "tube" greenhouses. Outer dimensions were 16x30 feet. The foundation walls consisted of 3 courses of rye grass straw bales pinned together with 1/2 inch steel rebar. Bale size was 2 feet x 2 feet x 4 feet, giving two-foot thick walls along the base. Therefore inner dimensions were 12 feet wide by 26 feet long. Bales were stacked like bricks, as is typical of straw bale construction. A layer of 3 mil plastic film surrounded the bottom bales, separating the straw from a layer of wood chips on which the bales rested and the compost which filled the greenhouse... See less

See this at: plantea.com| Added on 02/07/09

While unpacking groceries, you pull out the bag of apples and decide to eat one then and there. You take it over to the sink, wash it off and -- with some effort -- peel off the little sticker. Pausing to look more closely at the sticker you wonder,... See more

While unpacking groceries, you pull out the bag of apples and decide to eat one then and there. You take it over to the sink, wash it off and -- with some effort -- peel off the little sticker. Pausing to look more closely at the sticker you wonder, "What do those numbers mean?" As much as we may dislike them, the stickers or labels attached to fruit do more than speed up the scanning process at the checkout stand. The PLU code, or price lookup number printed on the sticker, tells you how the fruit was grown. As reported by Maria Gallagher, in the June 26, 2002 issue of the Philadelphia Inquirer, by reading the PLU code, you can tell if the fruit was genetically modified, organically grown or produced with chemical fertilizers, fungicides, or herbicides. Here's how it works: For conventionally grown fruit, (grown with chemicals inputs), the PLU code on the sticker consists of four numbers. Organically grown fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 9. Genetically engineered... See less

See this at: chestnut-sw.com| Added on 03/30/07

GrowGuide helps you plan a vegetable garden by informing you what you can sow, harden off, or transplant, week by week, based on your frost dates, in just four easy steps. To see what the results look like, view the sample output. For spring... See more

GrowGuide helps you plan a vegetable garden by informing you what you can sow, harden off, or transplant, week by week, based on your frost dates, in just four easy steps. To see what the results look like, view the sample output. For spring vegetable garden planning, select the spring season and enter a planning date, your last spring frost date, and your first fall frost date. Sowing, hardening off, and transplanting tasks for spring plantings are calculated for you from these dates. Follow a similar procedure when planning your fall vegetable garden. See less

See this at: blossomswap.com| Added on 04/04/07

The nook where backyard gardeners gather | to trade secrets & treasures of the earth.

The nook where backyard gardeners gather | to trade secrets & treasures of the earth. See less

Highlights: BS is a humorous garden site that offers an immeasurable amount of advice from experienced gardeners. Please join us in our appreciation for dirt and all the beauty that can rise from beneath it.

See this at: davesgarden.com| Added on 03/26/07

Welcome to the most complete directory of gardening sources! There are 5,631 gardening vendors listed within the Garden Watchdog and this directory makes it easy to find and contact them. Our name sums up our mission: we're here to protect and serve... See more

Welcome to the most complete directory of gardening sources! There are 5,631 gardening vendors listed within the Garden Watchdog and this directory makes it easy to find and contact them. Our name sums up our mission: we're here to protect and serve consumers by providing information on gardening companies. After you review the Introduction and Acceptable Use Policy, you can share your own mail-order experiences, or use our search and browse features to find reputable sources for all your gardening needs. View our legend to learn the meaning of the green, yellow, and red icons. We also have a companion website, the Garden Bookworm where gardening books are rated. Are you looking for a specific plant? Check out PlantScout to find sources that offer the plant, seed or bulbs you're seeking! 30,755 comments have been posted (22,029 positive, 3,270 neutral, 5,456 negative). If you like this feature, we invite you to take a quick tour of Dave's Garden for more helpful garden tools and... See less

See this at: ansci.cornell.edu| Added on 05/17/08

Plants of special concern to these species: * Humans * Livestock * Ruminants * Cattle * Goats * Sheep * Non-ruminants * Horses * Poultry * Swine * Pets * Cats * Dogs * Iguanas * Rabbit

Plants of special concern to these species: * Humans * Livestock * Ruminants * Cattle * Goats * Sheep * Non-ruminants * Horses * Poultry * Swine * Pets * Cats * Dogs * Iguanas * Rabbit See less

See this at: wildlife.state.nh.us| Added on 04/07/08

New Hampshire is home to more than 500 species of vertebrate animals. This list would be much longer if a complete list of invertebrates (insects, crustaceans, clams and snails) were included. About 75 percent are nongame wildlife species not hunted,... See more

New Hampshire is home to more than 500 species of vertebrate animals. This list would be much longer if a complete list of invertebrates (insects, crustaceans, clams and snails) were included. About 75 percent are nongame wildlife species not hunted, fished or trapped. Twenty-one species are endangered and thirteen are threatened in the state. With your help we are able to maintain New Hampshire's rich diversity of wildlife through research, management and education projects. Legend: **endangered *threatened (i) introduced + breeds in New Hampshire bold = nongame See less

See this at: vegvariety.cce.corne...| Added on 09/26/07

Curious which vegetable varieties might grow best in your garden? Cornell researchers are, too. This site compiles information from your fellow gardeners to help you decide what to try. Read more about this Citizen Science program. The information... See more

Curious which vegetable varieties might grow best in your garden? Cornell researchers are, too. This site compiles information from your fellow gardeners to help you decide what to try. Read more about this Citizen Science program. The information you supply can also influence breeding efforts and seed availability. See less

See this at: enature.com| Added on 03/16/07

WildlifeGuides: Nature in North America * FieldGuides: More than 5,500 species * Birding: Identify, attract and understand birds * WildlifeOnline: Our free nature newsletter! * Articles: Search our vast archive LocalNature: Your neck of the woods *... See more

WildlifeGuides: Nature in North America * FieldGuides: More than 5,500 species * Birding: Identify, attract and understand birds * WildlifeOnline: Our free nature newsletter! * Articles: Search our vast archive LocalNature: Your neck of the woods * ZipGuides: Find species by location * ParkFinder: Parks & refuges near you! * Gardening: Create, attract and conserve * Wildlife Lists: Save your sightings FunStuff * eCards: Send nature images to friends * Screensavers: For your Mac or PC * Contests & Quizzes: Test your nature knowledge * PalmOS Bird Guide See less