EDEN'S GARDEN - Part 9

Orange-Tip Butterfly

January 13, 2021April 13, 2020 by Norman

Understanding the Life Cycle of the Orange-Tip Butterfly

History of the orange-tip butterfly

Orange-tip-butterfly-collecting- nectar — *Orange-tip butterfly collecting nectar*

Anthocharis cardamines, the orang-tip butterfly is most active during the spring months and can be seen between April and July. This butterfly is in the family Pieridae with a species of some 1, 100 which is large.

The orang-tip butterfly gets its name from the bright orange tip that’s found on the forewings of the males. These butterflies love the bright sunlight and can be seen actively flying about under these conditions.

Cabbage White Butterfly Life Cycle

August 19, 2021April 8, 2020 by Norman

Life Cycle of the Cabbage White Butterfly

Cabbage white butterfly life cycle-Cabbage-white-collecting-nectar — *A cabbage white butterfly collecting nectar*

History of the cabbage white butterfly

The cabbage white butterfly belongs to the family Pieridae and can easily be identified by its white wings and black markings which can be found on the wingtips, the wings of this butterfly also have small black dots. The cabbage white butterfly can be found throughout Asia, North Africa, and Europe.

In Europe, the cabbage white butterfly is known as the small cabbage white or small cabbage, in New Zealand as the small white, and in North America as the cabbage butterfly or cabbage white. What I found so amazing about the courtship of these butterflies is when the male spots a female and seeks to win her he will get her attention by flying up and down in front of her in a zig-zag pattern.

Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

January 13, 2021April 4, 2020 by Norman

The Beauty of the Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

Small tortoiseshell butterfly-collecting nectar — *Small tortoiseshell butterfly*

History of the small tortoiseshell butterfly

The small tortoiseshell butterfly belongs to the family Nymphalidae, this colorful beauty can be found in gardens across Ireland and Britain. The tortoiseshell butterfly is orange to reddish with forewings that have yellow and black margins with the edges of the wings having blue ring spots.

These butterflies congregate in large numbers as they visit gardens in the spring and during the fall months. However, there is a growing concern because of the decline of the tortoiseshell butterflies due to parasites, climate change, pollution, and also drought during the hot summer months.

Red Admiral Butterfly Life Cycle

January 13, 2021April 2, 2020 by Norman

Taking a closer look at the Red Admiral Butterfly

History of the red admiral butterfly

The red admiral butterfly belongs to the family Nymphalidae this beautiful butterfly can be found in places such as the Caribbean, Asia, both Central and North America, the island regions of Hawaii, North Africa, and Europe.

These butterflies can be easily identified with wings that are black with white spots and orange bands that make this butterfly so beautiful. They thrive in climates that are warm, from March through October in North America the red admiral has two broods each year.

Meadow Brown Butterfly

January 13, 2021March 31, 2020 by Norman

Meadow Brown Butterfly care tips

History of the meadow brown butterfly

The meadow brown butterfly is widespread and can be found in places such as Europe, North Africa, Iran, Asia Minor, the Canary Islands, Iraq, and Russia. These butterflies can be found mostly in Scotland congregating wherever there are patches of native grasses that are overgrown. The meadow brown can be easily spotted by the eyespots that are on their wings.

Orange patches can be found on the forewings only, one eyespot on the forewing, and none on the hindwings. They can be seen flying low over vegetation. It’s been discovered that the markings on their wings vary from region to region. Large colonies have been lost because of fields being overworked.

Silver Spotted Skipper Butterfly

January 13, 2021March 30, 2020 by Norman

Caring for the Silver Spotted Skipper Butterfly

silver-spotted-skipper-on-zinnia — *Silver-spotted skipper butterfly on a zinnia flower plant*

History of sliver spotted skipper butterfly

The silver-skipper is a butterfly of the family Hesperiidae, it’s believed that these butterflies (skippers) are the most recognized and largest in North America. The silver-skipper is found mostly throughout the United States and Southern Canada and has 1-2 generations in the Midwest and increases this number in the Southern part of the US.

The males are said to be territorial and compete to attract females also the males have been known to fly towards moving objects and other flying insects. These butterflies are most common to many butterfly lovers and will have much activity as you make a home for them in your garden and landscape area. Below we will go more in-depth about the life cycle, how to attract them into your garden, and much more.

swallowtail butterfly life cycle

July 3, 2022March 27, 2020 by Norman

Tips on Caring for Swallowtail Butterflies

Swallowtail Butterfly-lantana-plants — *Swallowtail Butterfly collecting nectar from lantanas*

The swallowtail butterfly is popular among butterfly lovers, these garden beauties will have your garden area buzzing with excitement as you create a natural habitat from your backyard, a garden oasis with the presence of the swallowtail is so inviting as you make these beneficial insects feel right at home.

Creating a habitat of this kind is a great way to start a wildlife garden providing a home as well as a food and water source for them, this is a great way to bring balance to our ecosystem. For more on the care of swallowtails continue reading to have much success when caring for them.

Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle

January 13, 2021March 26, 2020 by Norman

A Complete Guide on the Monarch Butterfly

Monarch Butterfly-monarch-butterfly-life-cycle — *The Monarch Butterfly*

The monarch butterfly can bring that much-needed flavor to your gardens and landscapes with their beautiful colors. These butterflies are popular and can be seen in gardens gracefully flying from plant to plant collecting pollen, this is one of the many wonders of nature which can have gardens teaming not only with their beauty but with excitement as we watch them in their natural habitat.

Get kids on board as they watch these fascinating wonders of nature help in bringing balance to the ecosystem with their presence and activity. This is a great way to teach kids not only about plant life but wildlife and the contributions they bring, my childhood days were full of excitement as both my friends and I went butterfly watching along with catching a few which help to make school break on those long summer days so great. Below we will be discussing this popular butterfly along with looking at some fun facts. If you are a butterfly lover and would like to know more about the monarch butterfly then continue reading as we take this exciting journey together.

Growing Flowers Inside

January 26, 2021March 16, 2020 by Norman

12 flowering plants to grow indoors

Guzmanias-growing-flowers-indoors — *Guzmanias Flowers*

Transforming your Interior into a Garden Paradise

Bring nature indoors by transforming your interior with a burst of colors as you create a garden paradise that is so inviting. Why should we limited the use of garden plants outdoors when they can and do serve so many benefits indoors. I remembered many years ago the apartment I lived in had gotten some plants which I installed on the inside and what a change it brought as I stepped back, the presence of these garden plants changed the atmosphere, the appearance along with the feel was pretty amazing.

In this article, we will be looking at 12 such flowering plants that can be grown inside as you transform your interior into a garden paradise, installing indoor plants will also clean the air that you breathe as it pulls toxins out of the air. Investing in indoor plants is a great way to connect with nature besides these other benefits with that said let’s take a closer look at 12 flowering plants that can be grown indoors.

Diy Garden Hacks

February 4, 2021March 13, 2020 by Norman

Save Money with these Garden Hacks

Gardening offers so many opportunities from growing your very own edibles to giving your yard a facelift, getting that much-needed exercise, connecting with nature that is so relaxing, increasing your properties value and so much more but what I also love about gardening is thinking outside of the box as your imagination runs wild with ideas that can save you both time and money while producing healthy crops that are so beneficial and beautifying our surroundings. In this article, we will be looking at DIY HACKS.

Container Vegetable Gardening Tips

January 21, 2021March 11, 2020 by Norman

Get in on the Secret of Container Garden Success

Peppers-container-vegetable-garden-tips — *Red Peppers*

Container gardening has become so popular because these garden types make it possible to grow a garden in just about any space. If you don’t have sufficient yard space maybe because you may be living in an apartment, condo, or in a position where your space is limited the good news is with some taught and with the right information you can have that garden that you have dreamed off.

What I love about growing edibles is that it does not only give us the opportunity to connect with nature but saving our hard-earned dollars as we grow healthy food crops with our very own hands if what I am saying excites you then let’s have a closer look at how this is done. What we will be looking at also is the disadvantages of these types of gardens and how we can resolve those issues to have much success reaping a good harvest of our labor.

Creative Vegetable Garden Ideas

January 21, 2021March 3, 2020 by Norman

12 Creative Vegetable Garden Designs

Ediable Garden-creative-vegetable-garden-ideas — *Edible Garden*

What I love about gardening is gardens can take on any form and size, creating a vegetable garden is no different. You are free to let those creative juices flow by doing the same thing when it comes to this garden type. In this article, however, we will be getting away from the traditional way of constructing a vegetable garden and get creative with new garden ideas.

Below we will be looking at such garden designs that can make creating a vegetable garden so much fun, these garden types are so unique and will create interest with their flavor.

Creative Vegetable Garden Ideas

Maintaining a Vegetable Garden

January 21, 2021February 28, 2020 by Norman

Tips to Growing and Harvesting Great-Tasting Vegetables

Garden Vegetabls-maintaining-a-vegeable-garden — *Garden Vegetables*

Growing your very own homegrown vegetables from your backyard is a great way to nurture your food crops from seeds to harvest time, this is a good way to connect with nature, get in on some exercise while enjoying a hobby that has so many benefits. What I love about growing my own homegrown food crops is being able to harvest healthy crops, crops that are free of contamination.

But getting those veggies from the garden to the kitchen table requires some know-how, these simple but yet effective steps will help you to reap the fruits of your labor so with that said let’s take a closer look at maintaining our vegetable garden.

What Can I Do To Help The Bees

July 4, 2021February 27, 2020 by Norman

Helping Bees and other Pollinators to Stay Safe

Honey Bee-gardening-what-can-I-do-to-help-the-bees — *Honey Bee*

Bees are so amazing, these little engineers are responsible for the honey industry making millions of dollars on a yearly basis but the bee population is in danger because of their habitat being destroyed making way for roads, building structures, parks, and other infrastructures which means bees are now having to search for places to survive.

Now I know that we can’t save the whole world (the bee Population) but what we can do is our part in providing a home for them. The traditional way of installing garden plants is for beauty and not necessarily for helping to make a home for wildlife.

Low maintenance Landscaping Ideas

March 2, 2021February 24, 2020 by Norman

Save Time and Money with These Proven Tips

Low Maintenance Landscaping Idea — *Butterfly on garden flowers*

Creating a well-designed garden can really spruce up your surroundings while adding value to your property and though this may be good news thought should go into the desired end. When seeking to install a garden there are many ways to go about this because there are so many garden types in which to choose.

But from the start what we want is a garden that we are pleased with and easy to maintain, many homeowners have installed gardens, though beautiful is considered to be high maintenance where a lot of time is spent along with monies just to maintain those gardens that have been a strain on their wallets.

I believe even though we may seek to beautify our surroundings we must also take into account the cause of maintaining those gardens. If we have the time to do it ourselves then that may help even though we may spend quite a bit of time keeping it well-manicured. On the other hand, if we don’t have the time and must hire professional service then expect to dig deep which can be pretty costly.

However, we will be discussing how to garden smartly from the beginning along with how to turn that high maintenance garden into a garden that is much easier to manage to save a few extra bucks.

How To Grow Vegetables On A Hillside

January 21, 2021February 22, 2020 by Norman

Successful Tips on Growing Vegetables on a Slope

Radishes-how-to-grow-vegetables-on-a-hillside — *Radishes*

Growing and maintaining an edible garden is a great way of growing food crops that can save us a ton of money over time. This is a great way to ensure that we are harvesting crops that are healthy, one such garden that can benefit us is growing vegetables. The traditional way of growing vegetables is from a ground that is leveled or containers but what happens when the amount of space that is available is a slope how do you go about growing and harvesting vegetables from this type of area that may offer some challenges?

While I will agree you may have some challenges the good news is with the right information you can overcome these issues and reap a good harvest of your time invested. If this post describes you then you have come to the right place to gain insights into how to take advantage of hillside areas to have success. Before we go into the actual construction of a hillside garden let’s look at some of these challenges.

Landscaping Ideas For Front Yard

January 22, 2021February 20, 2020 by Norman

Garden on a Budget with these 8 Simple but Beautiful Garden Ideas

A Wagon With Flower-landscping-ideas-for-front-yards — *A wagon with flowers*

Create curb appeal with these low budget garden ideas that are so simple but will increase your property’s value. Introducing garden plants into your landscape and gardening area is a great way to create your garden oasis while connecting with nature outdoors. Many homeowners are seeing the importance of front yard gardening because this is the first thing that persons see as they pass by or pay you a visit.

The entrance to your property should be so inviting, we should create a garden setting that excites us as our garden bed designs and other features with colorful flower bloom give a restful feeling of peace and quiet that is so beneficial to our mental as well as emotional health. Below we will be looking at such designs to give you an idea of how to turn your front yard into a work of art a masterpiece that will have heads turning as your yard becomes the admiration of both family and friends. With that said let’s get started as you revive your front yard.

Vegetable Gardening In A Small Space

January 21, 2021February 19, 2020 by Norman

Utilizing that Small Space to Grow your Garden

Chilli Peppers- chive-vegetable-garden-in-a-small-space — *Chilli Peppers and chives*

Growing food crops from our backyard is a great way to connect with nature on the great outdoors while saving a few extra bucks. Even if the space you’re working with is small can still work for you, all it takes is some planning and before you know it you will be growing and harvesting your very own food crops.

Growing and harvesting our own foods is a great way to grow foods that are healthy (pesticides free) because these crops are grown with our very own hands. Many homeowners are taking advantage of that extra space no matter how small and are reaping the fruits or should I say vegetables that they smartly grew from that small garden space. With that said let’s turn that small space into a garden area growing these superfoods (vegetables) that are so beneficial to our health.

Grow Your Own Microgreens

November 14, 2022February 17, 2020 by Norman

Growing these SuperFoods at Home

Seedlings-grow-your-own-microgreens — *Lettuce Seedlings*

Microgreens are greens that are miniature and are harvested from vegetables or herbs these greens are loaded with nutrients, microgreens are also used to add flavor and color to your favorite dishes. These superfoods can be purchased or grown from our home gardens. Microgreens are harvested when they are young.

Including microgreens in our diets is a great way to eat healthy keeping our bodies in the best shape ever. Microgreens, however, can be pretty costly but as mentioned earlier we can grow them from our home gardens giving us a year-round supply from the garden to our kitchens. Below we will be discussing how to have success when growing and harvesting these greens.

How to Attract Sparrows

January 20, 2021February 14, 2020 by Norman

How to Attract Sparrows to your Garden

House Sporrows-how-to-attract-sparows — *A house sparrow*

Having your garden teeming with sparrows are a great way to observe these birds in their natural habitat. It’s said that there at least 35 species of sparrows in North America, sparrows can also be found in New Zealand, Asia, Europe, and Australia, their habitat includes the edges of woodlands, roadsides, farmlands, grasslands, and gardens. The most common sparrow is the house sparrow, these birds congregate in areas such as farms, cities, towns, and suburbs.

Sparrows are social birds and don’t same to be afraid when they are in the presence of humans. These birds can provide excitement as they create a buzz with their presence bringing your backyard garden to life as they build their home, feed, dust bathe and raise their young. Below we will be looking at proven methods of having success in attracting sparrows.

Dumb Cane Care

January 25, 2021February 12, 2020 by Norman

How to Grow and Care for Dumb Cane

Dieffenbachia-dumb-cane-care — Dumb cane care

The dieffenbachia or dumb cane by which it’s called is cultivated mostly for indoor use even though it can be grown outdoors there are more than 30 species of dieffenbachia. The leaves of the dumb cane are large and showy, this plant is native to the West Indies, and Mexico. The dumb which is a tropical plant belongs to the Araceae family and is known for its great tolerance of growing in shaded areas.

It’s said that the dumb cane gets its name from” temporary speechlessness that occurs after chewing a piece of the stem which produces a juice that contains oxalates along with other properties that irritate the mucous membranes causing inflammation and swelling of the throat and tongue” the chemical that the dumb cane contains will sting and burn the mouth for weeks. The sap can also cause irritation of the skin.

Peperomia Plant Care

January 25, 2021February 11, 2020 by Norman

Peperomia Care and Growing Guide

Peperomia Plant-peperomia-plant-care — *Peperomia Plant*

The peperomia plant can be grown both out and indoors, when first introduced to this plant many years ago the name alone was quite interesting. Because I would have to work with this plant I had to associate it with something to remember it so the words pepperoni pizza came to mind which for me made this garden plant easy to remember and that was many years ago and to this day I still associate peperomia with the name of this pizza but I know you did not come here to discuss pizza but to gain insight on how to grow and care for the peperomia plant.

The peperomia plant is a native of Africa, South, and Central America. This tropical-subtropical beauty does not only produces straight green leaves but leaves that are variegated, the variegated variety is so beautiful. It is recorded that there are more than 1500species, I have work with the peperomia plant on so many interior projects creating amazing designs. With that said let’s have a closer look at the care and the growth of this plant that is so popular which is used in many garden and interior plantscape projects.

Neoregelia Bromeliad Flowers

February 5, 2021February 7, 2020 by Norman

Neoregelia Plant Care Tips

Bromeliad-neoregelias-bromeliad-flower — *Bromeliads Neoregelias*

It’s estimated that there are some 2,700 bromeliads which I find to be so amazing, these garden beauties come in many shapes, colors, and sizes some of them even having thorny edges. Bromeliads are popular plants that are used both outdoors as well as indoor gardens, what I love about these plants is the bright color pop that can make a garden design so amazing.

Bromeliads are so easy to care for, so for those of you who are always on the go but want a plant where little attention is given then bromeliads are the plants for you. I have worked with bromeliads on many gardens and especially interior plantscape projects and have seen what these plants can do, bromeliads are simply amazing and will work wonders for you.

Peace Lily Care

January 25, 2021February 5, 2020 by Norman

Complete Guide to Growing the Peace Lily

Peace Lily-peace-lily-care — *Peace Lily*

The peace lily is a beautiful plant that has large glossy green leaves and elegant milk-white flowers that is showy. This tropical evergreen is in a genus of about 40 species. The peace lily or spathiphyllum is a monocotyledon that belongs to the Araceae family and is native to southeastern Asia and the Americas.

Peace lilies as history records were introduced to Europe in 1870, the peace lily is a common house plant and is used on the interior not only for beautification but also to purify the air making it clean for us. I have worked with the peace lily over the years on so many interior plantscape projects and have seen what they can do. These garden plants are amazing and can bring enhancement to just about any area, for more on the growth and the care of the peace lily plant continue reading.

Chrysanthemum Flower Care

August 3, 2022February 4, 2020 by Norman

How to Grow and Care for Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemum-chrysanthemum-flower-care — *Chrysanthemum Flowers*

A popular garden flowering plant that is so easy to grow and care for our chrysanthemums, chrysanthemums are sometimes called mums. There are hundreds of varieties of these garden beauties which you can find in many shapes and sizes. Native to northeastern Europe and Asia chrysanthemums will give color blooms that make both your outdoor gardens and interior inviting.

History records that chrysanthemums were first cultivated in China as far back as the 15th century BC as a flowering herb. It’s said that “the yellow and white species of chrysanthemums are used in parts of Asia to produce a tea, used as a garnish and also added to some dishes. What is also amazing about chrysanthemums is that the flowers are crushed and the compounds are used as an active ingredient known as pyrethrins that attack the nervous system of insects causing death. Chrysanthemums have a rich history and there is much more than can be said about this garden beauty but let’s take a closer look at the growth and care of chrysanthemums.

Daisy Flower Care

August 3, 2022February 3, 2020 by Norman

How to Plant and Grow Daisy Flowers Outdoors

Daisies-daisy-flower-care — *Daisy Flowers*

Brighten up your gardens and landscapes with daisy flowers, these garden beauties are native to North and Central Europe. There are many varieties of daisies that belong to the Asteraceae family, in fact, this number is said to be as high as 23,000 individual species. Daisies are large flowers with star-shaped heads, it’s believed that daisies were first cultivated as far back as 2,200 BC.

Some variety of daisies is considered to be annuals in colder regions while in warmer climates they are viewed as perennials. It’s said that “daisies are used in herbal medicine and can be eaten in salads” daisies can also be found growing in the wild and attracts pollinators such as bees. Install daisies in your garden and landscape and take advantage of these garden beauties that have so many benefits.

How To Grow Dahlias

August 3, 2022February 1, 2020 by Norman

Tips for Growing and Caring for Dahlias

How To Grow Dahlia-yellow-dahlia — *Dahlia flower*

Bring more flavor into your garden by installing dahlias these garden beauties produces beautiful flower bloom and will go to work for you by blooming from midsummer through autumn. Dahlias are not bulbs as some believe but are tubers that resemble or look somewhat like carrots. There are some 42 species from which to choose.

Dahlias belong to the aster family and are bushy herbaceous perennial which is native to Central America and Mexico. Its believe that these garden beauties have been in cultivation since the 1700 hundreds which is a long time ago. Because of their varieties, the flowers of dahlias come in many sizes so for more on how to grow and successfully care for dahlias continue reading and fill your gardens with an array of colorful flower blooms that are so amazing.

Amaryllis Plant Care Instructions

January 25, 2021January 25, 2020 by Norman

Growing Amaryllis both Out and Indoors

Amaryllis Red Blossom-amaryllis-plant-care-instructions — *Amaryllis Red Blossom*

The amaryllis plant can brighten up both your garden area and the interior plantscape, the flower of amaryllis is shaped like a bell and blooms in an array of colors. These garden beauties are native to the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the Caribbean and South America. There is believed to be 75 genre and 1600 species in the Amaryllidaceae family.

Amaryllis is popular for being used in flower arrangements apart from the landscapes and gardens so let’s take a closer look at the growth and care of amaryllis.

Outdoor Patio Ideas

January 26, 2021January 22, 2020 by Norman

Giving Your Outdoor Space a Make-Over

Garden Comforts-outdoor-patio-ides — *Garden Comforts*

Relaxing on the great outdoors can be so rewarding taking in all that nature has to offer as we connect with family and friends or what about dinning in the cool of the evening or having some peace and quiet with a book in our hands forgetting about the hustle and bustle of life being recharge for the days ahead.

Constructing an outdoor patio along with installing a garden can bring such rewards as we relax in our oasis which can bring peace of mind as it calms the soul. Creating an outdoor living space can take on many styles base on your needs and the size area to be used. For more on outdoor patio ideas let’s have a closer look.

Driveway Garden Ideas

January 22, 2021January 16, 2020 by Norman

Tips on making your driveway a part of your garden design

Lawn House Driveway-driveway-garden-ideas — *Lawn House Driveway*

Constructing a driveway garden can do a whole lot by creating a curb appeal that is so inviting that it seems to say the words WELCOME. Creating a driveway garden is so great because these gardens are constructed at the property’s entrance can bring that much-needed flavor with its beauty and charm.

In traditional landscape settings, gardens were installed at the rear of the house but because times have changed and continue to change we are seeing gardens of all sorts being installed and enjoyed by homeowners. Besides, bringing much beauty to this area a driveway garden will also increase a property’s value which is a win-win.

Topiary Garden

January 23, 2021January 14, 2020 by Norman

How to Create a Topiary Garden

Topiary Garden-a-peacock — *A Topiary Peacock*

Creating a topiary garden can be so exciting because these gardens are so unique using plant materials to create shapes from humans to animals, insects, etc… Its believed that these gardens first came about during the early English days many, many years ago but as old as these gardens are they are still making waves with their unique style as they capture the hearts of people worldwide.

Topiary can be used as a focal point to bring a garden design together, while I must say and I am sure you will agree is these garden types do take some imagination and creativity. I have seen so many of these designs which are a real show stopper so for more on topiary gardens let’s take a closer look.

June Gardening Tips

January 18, 2021January 12, 2020 by Norman

Tips for Growing Healthy Plants in Your June Garden

Watering Pink Peonies-june-gardening-tips — *Watering Pink Peonies*

Before we know it winter will be over with those freezing temperatures and long night chills that make the approaching of spring and summer so inviting but as the warmer months approach it is best to get a jump start by having a to-do list as we prepare for those long days ahead working in our gardens as nature awakens clothing our landscapes and gardens with beautiful plants in full bloom as we reap a fruitful harvest of our labors.

Aster Flower

August 3, 2022January 7, 2020 by Norman

How to Successfully Grow and Care for Aster Flowers

Extend the season of a colorful garden and landscape with the aster flowering plants, these garden beauties will bloom from late summer through fall helping you to keep your garden filled with colors as the winter months approaches.

What I love about asters is the many varieties and species which are available, aster will not only fill your garden with colorful blooms but is also a food source for wildlife such as bees, and butterflies, and also provides a home for small animals and birds during the winter months. Plants such as the white wood variety should be sown outdoors in late fall or early winter.

Herbs in Hanging Baskets

January 15, 2021December 30, 2019 by Norman

Gardening above the ground with hanging baskets

There are so many reasons why I love landscaping and gardening, this hobby offers so many benefits that can help us in so many ways. We are free to let those creative juices flow and just go for it as we create that garden of our dreams.

Rosemary Herb-herbs-in-hanging-baskets — *Rosemary Herb*

A herb garden is no different and is a great investment keeping us healthy and helping us to save those hard-earned dollars. I have written articles on starting a herb garden including the healthy side of these SUPERFOODS.

In this article, however, we will be looking at the other side of herb gardening but not in the traditional setting that we are familiar with but rather growing herbs from hanging baskets. I know when we hear of hanging baskets our first thoughts are beautiful flowering plants or hanging vines but we are going to break the rules as we let our creative juices flow and turn our attention to growing herbs in hanging baskets.

Winter Wildlife Garden

October 11, 2021December 25, 2019 by Norman

Winter Proofing your Garden for Wildlife

Winter Wildlife Garden-a rabbit-in-the-snow — *A rabbit in the snow*

It’s that time of year again when those chilly days and nights lets us know that winter is fast approaching. As we prepare for this time of the year let us not forget the wildlife that graced our gardens by making them their homes.

How wonderful it is for wildlife to make our gardens a part of their natural habitat but as much as we enjoy having them around as their presence brings our gardens to life with their activities during the warmer months they are depending on us to give them a helping hand during the colder months so they can settle down during those cold days and nights being sheltered from the harsh winter frost.

So let’s ensure their safety by making our gardens cozy getting a jump start on the winter months so when spring and summer arrive they can once again bring much enjoyment with their presence.

Mexican Heather Plant Care

January 28, 2021December 23, 2019 by Norman

Growing and Caring for Mexican Heather Plants

Mexican Heather-mexican-heather-plant-care — *Mexican Heather*

The Mexican Heather also know as false heather is a native to Florida and grows in most states. This ground cover produces dark green foliage with flower blooms of white, lavender, and pink. What I love about the Mexican Heather is that it produces small beautiful flowers in clusters that look truly amazing.

I have used Mexican heathers on many garden projects because they are a hardy type plant (drought-tolerant). This tropical beauty will color your gardens and landscapes giving that tropical look along with attracting butterflies. If your desire is to get a taste of the tropics then continue reading as we take a closer look at the right way to grow and care for Mexican heathers.

Hibiscus Gall Midge

October 21, 2022December 20, 2019 by Norman

Controlling Gall Midge

Hibiscus Flowers-hibiscus-gall-midge — *Hibiscus Flowers*

The hibiscus is a subtropical-tropical plant, this flowering beauty belongs to the mallow family Malvaceae. The hibiscus species are quite large, in fact, there are several hundred to choose from which produce stunning flowers that come in an array of colors. These perennials will provide your garden each year with beautiful flower bloom.

The bonus of using these plants as a part of your garden and landscape designs is hibiscus also attracts hummingbirds and butterflies and will have your garden oasis buzzing with activity. Hibiscus can grow up to as much as 15 ft, loves slightly acidic soil that is moist, loves the full sun, and prefers a fertilizer that is high in potassium to promote flower bloom.

How to Create a Courtyard Garden

January 23, 2021December 19, 2019 by Norman

Create a Courtyard Garden with these Steps

Courtyard Garden-how-to-create-a-courtyard-garden — *A courtyard garden*

Creating a garden paradise does have its rewards where you can sit back and enjoy all that nature has to offer. It is so amazing to see the many homeowners who are not just constructing their homes but also allotting space to create their garden oasis. Many years ago I worked as a groundsman and interior plantscape designer for a private club that was upscale that attracted and catered to those whose desires were to have a dream vacation getting away from it all where there was nothing but peace and relaxation.

The gardens of this club were so amazing with tennis courts and swimming pools that made this club the vacation spot but what really stood out among the made gardens that graced this landscape was the courtyard area. Once you entered the whole atmosphere changed with breathtaking garden plants, furniture, and garden features with the sound of water trickling down as it flowed from a nearby fountain making this part of the club inviting.

Indoor Hanging Plant Baskets

January 28, 2021December 17, 2019 by Norman

Gardening Above the Ground

Flowering Begonia-indoor-hanging-plant-basket — *Flowering Begonia*

The Growth and Care of Indoor Hanging Basket

Bring nature indoors with indoor hanging baskets, the use of indoor plants is so beneficial to our mental and physical health what I love about indoor plants in particular hanging baskets is the beauty and restfulness it brings which can bring change creating an environment that is so inviting.

I have worked on many garden projects that involved designing and installing hanging baskets for the interior which were amazing that brought much flavor, what I also love about hanging baskets is if there isn’t enough space on the inside for installing container floor plants these baskets can be mounted on walls, from beams and other structures within the interior.

How to get Lilacs to Flower

January 28, 2021December 12, 2019 by Norman

Causing Your Lilac to Bloom

Lilacs-how-to-get-lilacs-to-bloom — *Lilac Flower Plants*

The presence of lilacs in your garden will give a nice fragrance adding to the overall appeal of your garden design. These spring and summer beauties come in an array of colors, lilacs can reach heights anywhere from 5-15 ft, lilacs are hardy plants and can be used in wildlife gardening to attract butterflies.

What I love about lilacs is their low maintenance and the flowers can be used as cut flowers to bring that fragrance indoors. There are early, mid and late-season lilacs, these garden beauties originated in Southeastern Europe and are said to be a popular part of the Mediterranean culture so if you are excited about the growth and care of lilacs including getting them to bloom then continue reading to find out how.

How to Make an Insect Hotel

January 18, 2021December 11, 2019 by Norman

Providing a Roof for your Insect Friends

Insect Hotel-how-to-make-an-insect- hotel — *An Insect Hotel*

The use of insect hotels is gaining so much recognition, who would have thought that giving nature a helping hand in this way would be so beneficial. When I first came across these hotels I was a bit taken because I did not know about them but doing my research has proven that these hotels are used by so many to support nature, insect hotels come in many shapes and sizes.

The idea of installing an insect hotel is a great way to house our garden insect friends from the elements, for nesting and raising they’re young. Who would want to tell these beneficial insects to bug off when we can use their support to ensure that our garden plants are protected from garden insect pests ( the bad bugs ) which can cause so much damage.

If you’re interested in rolling out the red carpet for beneficial insects by building or installing an insect hotel then stick around as we learn more about these hotels and the benefits they offer.

How to Create a Gravel Garden

January 23, 2021December 9, 2019 by Norman

Simple Steps to Gravel Gardening

Gravel walking path-how-to-create-a gravel-garden — *Gravel Walking Path*

One of the great things about garden and landscaping is the many designs that are there to choose from, there are so many styles that can bring that flavor turning and area that is an eyesore into a work of art. Constructing a gravel garden can bring such flavor and style that is sure to have heads turning. As I write this post I am in the process of designing one of the gardens at our international airport and one of the materials that we are using is gravel which is really bringing a facelift to that area.

What I love about these gardens is the low maintenance cost which spells a $avings and for us who work the soil, we know that seeking to maintain a garden can be pretty costly and laborious.

Garden Ideas Recycled Materials

January 18, 2021November 27, 2019 by Norman

$aving Money and having Lots Fun with these Great Ideas

Flowering Plants In Boots-garden-ideas-recycled-material — *Flowering plants in boots*

There is a saying that “one mans junk is another mans treasure” this saying is so true because I have seen so many throwaways become useful to someone else, what we see as junk can be made useful by saving us those hard-earned dollars it is all a matter of letting those creative juices flow and you will be well on your way to making use of that which is considered to be junk.

I know of a place that throws away tons of plant material each year, this material would get piled up and taken to the city dump. I spoke to one of the managers on previous occasions to purchase a mulching machine and mulch that material which he did not listen to, that plant material could also be used as a potting medium but to this day they are still piling and hauling those materials to the city dump that’s thousands of dollars being flushed down the drain each year.

While you may not have that much plant material to make good use of let’s make our junk our treasure by thinking outside of the box and making good use of it by recycling. Here are a few junks that can be made our treasure.

Epsom Salt In The Garden

January 18, 2021November 24, 2019 by Norman

An All-NaturalApproach to Promote a Plants Health

Epsom Salt-epsom-salt-in-the-garden — *Epsom Salt*

Epsom salt can do wonders to remove aches and pain I remembered from child I would hear the older generation talk about soaking in a tube of water along with Epsom salt after a hard day to relieve the pain they were feeling but what has also been discovered years ago is the use of Epsom salt in the garden which can be beneficial to garden plants.

The use of Epsom salt in the garden is a safe method of boosting our garden plants’ health, what Epsom salt does is to enhance a plant’s green color along with flower bloom. Epsom salt consists of water, sulfate, and magnesium, stick around and learn the wonders of Epsom salt in the garden.

Plants With Colorful Leaves

August 2, 2021November 19, 2019 by Norman

A Colorful Garden Year Round

The world of garden plants are amazing, there are so many to choose from with their various shapes, sizes, textures, and colors. There are flowering plants and then there are plants with colorful leaves. Though many flowering plants have beautiful and exotic flowers the drawback is that once these flowers lose their bloom there is that waiting period for new flower bloom to appear leaving a garden with nothing but green whereas with plants that have colorful leaves you can have a colorful garden year-round.

I have worked on many garden projects both out and indoors and have seen the effects and the benefits of installing plants with colorful leaves. Here is a list of 10 plants that is sure to rock your world with their beauty and charm as they brighten not only your landscapes and gardens but your day as well.

My Thyme and Basil are Turning Brown

July 15, 2022November 16, 2019 by Norman

Getting to the Root of the Problem for Healthy Plants

Thyme-my-thyme-and-basil-is-turning-brown — *Thyme Herb*

Nothing gives a better feeling like growing healthy plants but what will you do if one day, as you take a stroll in your garden to water or show off your plant and your eyes, catch that once prized plant or plants with areas that have turned brown. You worked so hard to get your herbs to where they are and now all you want is to get to the root of the problem so your herbs can bounce back to good health.

Herbs turning brown have been the unfortunate experience of many gardeners leaving them without a clue as to what went wrong and how to correct that issue. We all can agree however that garden herbs do flavor our favorite dishes along with how beneficial they are to our health no wonder there has been so much concern about keeping our herbs growing healthy.

Prevent Weeds From Growing Through Rocks

January 18, 2021November 14, 2019 by Norman

Weeding Made Easy with these Methods

Pebbles-prevent-weeds-from-growing-through-rocks — *Weeds growing through pebbles*

Rocks do have their place in the landscapes and garden areas, with rocks there is that all-natural look that brings with it much appeal that gives the appearance and feels like it was done naturally by nature with no human involvement. I have worked on many garden projects where rocks were brought in, I remembered a project which I did along with my team at our international airport.

What we did was turn a section of a high traffic area into a rock garden, the planning of this rock garden took a lot of effort along with carrying out the actual work but at the end of the day, that area was transformed into a thing of beauty with the rocks giving an all-natural look which brought much WOW.

Can Compost be Used as Mulch

January 18, 2021November 12, 2019 by Norman

Compost vs Mulch

Composting-can-compost-be-used-as-mulch — *Composting*

The question has been asked can compost be used as mulch? well, to answer your question let’s take a closer look at compost vs mulching.

What is compost

Compost has been defined as various organic material that goes through a process or is recycled into soils that are rich in nutrients.

What is mulch?

Mulch can either be organic or inorganic in the case of organics mulch is derived from plant material such as leaves, straws, branches, stems, etc… and is used to beautify, conserve moisture, suppress weeds, add nutrients to the soil as it decomposes, keeps the soil temperature cool acts as an insulator for plant’s roots during wintertime and may also help influence soil ph. Mulches are placed on the soil’s surface around garden plants whereas stated earlier compost is organic materials that are turned into nutrient-rich soil.

Let’s deal with the latter first

How To Care For Peonies

August 3, 2022November 9, 2019 by Norman

A Complete Guide for Growing Peonies

Peony Flowering Plants- — *Peony Flowering Plants*

Brighten up your garden and landscape area with peonies, these garden beauties are really amazing with their large showy flower. Peonies can also be used as cut flowers in floral arrangements. Some varieties give a mild fragrance, besides their cluster of blooms the glossy green leaves add to its overall appeal.

Peonies are a real show stopper so make your garden the talk of the neighborhood by adding these garden beauties so come with me as we take a closer look at the growth and care of peonies.

Disease Of Tomatoes

January 26, 2021November 5, 2019 by Norman

Keys to Growing Healthy Tomatoes

Whether you’re growing tomatoes from your garden or from containers these fruits are delicious and will flavor your favorite salads and recipes giving that WOW. Not only will you be enjoying the flavors these fruits bring but the healthy side which is so beneficial to our health but what can put a damper on reaping a harvest is tomatoes which contract a disease.

All of that hard work will be paid off so don’t despair despite your tomatoes has disease issues you can still reap a harvest by following these methods as you nurse your tomato plants back to good health. Here are diseases to keep an eye on including how to treat them.

Disease of Tomatoes

Early Blight
Dumping Off
Late Blight
Septoria Leaf Spot
Blossom Drop
Anthracnose
Sunscald
Mosaic Virus
Tomato Bacterial Diseases
Blossom-End Rot
Fusarium and Verticillium Wilt