Gardening Question of the Day for Wednesday, April 23, 2008
(Via Gardening Question of the Day (from The Old Farmer's Almanac))
How can I keep my beans and melons free of spider mites this summer? (answer).
How can I keep my beans and melons free of spider mites this summer? (answer).
From The Old Farmer's Almanac.
Roses could be extinct by 2036
(Via Gardening Tips 'n' Ideas)
Yesterday's West Australian published an article titled Future not rosy for WA's thirsty backyards stating that unless gardeners began making choices to move away from "thirsty species such as petunias, azaleas, roses..." we will suck our water resources dry.
Yesterday's West Australian published an article titled Future not rosy for WA's thirsty backyards stating that unless gardeners began making choices to move away from "thirsty species such as petunias, azaleas, roses..." we will suck our water resources dry.
Obviously, this is not a new call and something that gardeners and bloggers have been espousing for many years. Yet we've never really considered the effect that may result should gardeners turn their backs on these species.
Considering that the average age of a gardener is 44 years old and the average lifespan is 72 years, it leaves us with only 28 more years of this generation who love flowering annuals and blooming roses. The upcoming Gen X'ers and Gen Y's aren't fussed with these darlings of our gardens and would prefer to plant succulents and foliage plants.
Should it give us pause that perhaps, roses may become extinct from our gardens within the next 30 years? And if so, will they become museum pieces in our botanical gardens destined to be visited only on special occasions?
More importantly, how will this affect the cut flower industry? It's possible that roses may become as unfashionable as whale blubber. This valued resource plummeted down the public opinion scales when we associated it with frolicking humpbacks. Future word association games may contrast "a dozen red roses" with "water-hungry, non-essential luxuries".
The downside to this quandary is the continued growth and exploration of new hybrids within the species. At present this is fueled by demand yet as that begins to taper off - and it will - it becomes less viable for growers to be as experimental.
Unless, of course, in their pursuit of hybridization they stumble across methods to make these plants less reliant on our most precious resource. Wouldn't that be a boon for gardeners - drought-tolerant roses?
If that can't be achieved, expect to see roses disappear from our neighbourhoods and the rose industry to decline. The rose garden could very well become a 'dinosaur' of the gardening world.
Four Essential Gardening Tips
(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
There are a few gardening tips that have worked for me in the past that I am going to share with you because when starting your own garden there is no reason to head in with your eyes closed. There is plenty of information about gardening in your arsenal. The Internet, gardening clubs, books, magazines and the help of your local nursery are all great caches of gardening tips. The main thing that I have noticed is that planning your garden on paper is a must.
There are a few gardening tips that have worked for me in the past that I am going to share with you because when starting your own garden there is no reason to head in with your eyes closed. There is plenty of information about gardening in your arsenal. The Internet, gardening clubs, books, magazines and the help of your local nursery are all great caches of gardening tips. The main thing that I have noticed is that planning your garden on paper is a must.
Container Gardening Made Easy
(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
Container gardening usually requires very little maintenance and can be utilized on a rather stiff budget. Container gardening also requires very little fertilizer in comparison to outdoor plants. Make sure you do not over fertilize your potted plants.
Container gardening usually requires very little maintenance and can be utilized on a rather stiff budget. Container gardening also requires very little fertilizer in comparison to outdoor plants. Make sure you do not over fertilize your potted plants.
Let’s Talk Dirt! Essential Things Needed in the Soil For Your Rose Garden
(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
How your roses thrive depends on many factors, the most important of all is having the right kind of soil. For those who are new to growing and taking care of roses you are probably unsure of what kind of soil to use and how often you need to maintain it.
How your roses thrive depends on many factors, the most important of all is having the right kind of soil. For those who are new to growing and taking care of roses you are probably unsure of what kind of soil to use and how often you need to maintain it.
Container Roses - Love Your Roses and Enjoy Them Too
(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
Contain It: Ten Things to Think about when Growing Container Roses If your space is at a premium, but you love roses, you may want to think about growing container roses. Convenience of Location Growing roses in containers had a lot of advantages. If you don't have a yard to garden in, or are limited to a balcony on your apartment, container gardening is perfect.
Contain It: Ten Things to Think about when Growing Container Roses If your space is at a premium, but you love roses, you may want to think about growing container roses. Convenience of Location Growing roses in containers had a lot of advantages. If you don't have a yard to garden in, or are limited to a balcony on your apartment, container gardening is perfect.
