Plant Oregano and Grow Oregano For Oregano Oil Benefits
August 2, 2009 by admin
Filed under Herb Gardening
There’s nothing better than being able to grow your own herbs to use to flavor your cooking. Growing your own herbs reap many benefits. If you enjoy cooking with herbs, consider how much more tasty your food will be when you add your own freshly grown herbs to it. There are commercially available dried oregano for purchase at the grocery store, but it may contain many other species of oregano and other herbs, and this is the reason why you might not like the flavor in your cooking.
There are many species of oregano available to grow in your herb garden. The most popular one to grow are Origanum heracleoticum, Origanum vulgare, and Origanum majorana. In grocery stores, Origanum heracleoticumt might be referred to as Green oregano, winter sweet marjoram, or Italian oregano. Origanum vulgare will have the name European oregano, wild marjoram, and winter marjoram. Origanum majorana will also be known as sweet marjoram.
When purchasing plants or seed to grow, always buy from a reliable source. This will ensure your herb are the highest quality which will be noticed when you use them for cooking. Oregano grows best in area that offer plenty of sunlight and in well-drained soil. The best time to grow them are right after the last frost in the spring.
Depending on the species of oregano, many bloom very quickly after being planted. Usually, the time to bloom is approximately five to six weeks. Many gardeners prefer the herbs to produce flower so it may drop their seed, which will help keep the oregano garden product more plants for picking at a later time.
You can begin to harvest the oregano leaves as you need them. The flavor of the herbs is at its best right before the flowers bloom. If you want to store them for later usage, hang harvested sprigs in a cool area and wait until the leaves crumble easily in your hand before storing them in an airtight container. Unlike many other herbs, dried oregano keeps their flavor well in storage.
Growing oregano in the garden will give you access to the freshest herbs available anywhere. Properly caring your oregano garden will not only give you fresh herbs to cook with every time, but it will continue to grow for many years.
Basil Growing – How to grow basil
August 2, 2009 by admin
Filed under Herb Gardening
Basil are a great herb to grow and have around when you are cooking. Beside making the food more tastier, they can also be used to give the house a wonderful fragrance. With so many uses for basil, this is one herb that is a must-have for herb gardeners or people who loves to cook.
There are over 100 varieties of basil to grow. Each will have their own distinct fragrance and color. Some will have an aroma like those of lemon, cinnamon, and licorice. The foliage colors will range from green to purple. With so many varieties to choose from, there’s a basil for everyone.
When you are just learning to grow basil, it is best to start with seeds. Always try to get the seeds from a reputable source. Basil are very fragile during their growing stage and they should be handled with care, especially if you are planning to transport them to another location.
Basil prefer area that are full of sunlight, but it still can grow in partial shaded area. The soil type is not a big factor since basil is drought tolerant. Whenever possible, try not to use any fertilizer as it will diminish the flavoring of the herbs. Instead, use organic and other natural materials.
Harvesting can be done at anytime when the basil are mature. It is great tasting when picked and used right away for cooking. Basil can also be dried by snipping off some stems and hanging them in a bunch to dry. The best place to dry them is in the kitchen because while its drying, it will also give off an aroma throughout the kitchen. When they are finally dried, you can crumble them and store them in a glass bottle for later use. Another way to preserve them is by freezing them. They can be frozen as a whole stem or the leaves chopped off.
Growing basil in the garden can never go wrong. Use them for fragrance or to enhance the flavors of the foods. With endless usage possibilities, they are one of the greatest herb to grow.
Perennial Garden Plants – Everything About Perennial Plants
August 2, 2009 by admin
Filed under Flower Gardening
Most people want the type of flowers that grows back each year. One type of flower that does that is the perennials. These flowers grows in the spring and dies in the winter. Once spring comes around again, they come back to life. With a wide varieties of different types of perennial plants available, you will be able to find one that suits your garden.
Perennial plants range from low growing plants to tall growing plants. They also comes in many different color leaves and foliage. Before choosing them for your garden, you will want to make sure what they will be used for. Some perennials plants can be used to highlight the garden, while others can be used to cover the grounds around the garden.
When planting them, it is best to know what species of perennials they are. This will tell you how big they can grow and how much spacing they will require. For some species of perennials, overcrowding them will ultimately kill them. However, other species of perennials will do fine growing close together.
Having a perennial garden can be considered low maintenance, only if using the selected plants for that purpose. Other than that, perennials needs plenty of maintenance, especially the newly planted perennials. Ones that are just starting to grow will need to be monitored and watered daily, and weeded when necessary. Ongoing care will include adding compost and fertilizers, mulching, and periodic inspection to ensure the plants are growing properly. It is best to avoid fertilizer at all time. If fertilizer are needed, it should be determined by a soil test first.
What makes perennials a great flower to grow is the fact that there are so many varieties of them that they can be used to fill an empty space in a garden or highlight an existing landscape. Some people grow different varieties of perennials in a single place to showoff a colorful garden. Whatever reason you are using them for, they will definitely bring joy and beauty to the garden.
Rose Gardens – An english rose garden is not the only choice.
August 2, 2009 by admin
Filed under Flower Gardening
Roses are a favorite flower among many gardeners throughout the U.S. Just about in every garden, you will find some one or more types of roses growing. With their beauty and a wide varieties of colors, it is the reason why many gardeners prefer them.
Before you start a garden full of beautiful roses, you will need to know the type of roses you will be growing. Some species of roses can only grow in hot climate, while others can thrive in hot and cool climate. There are many types of roses to choose from. The most common type of roses are landscape roses, climbing roses, shrub roses, old garden roses, modern roses, and miniature roses. While many more types are available, it is best to consult with the local nursery to decide which one is best for your garden and climate.
Once you’ve chosen which type of roses you will be growing, the next step is to plant them. In order for the plant to grow healthy and strong, you must know the proper way of planting them. For most type of roses, you will want to find an area that offers plenty of sunlight. Also, pick an area that has plenty of well drained soil. The soil should have a PH level where the amount of acid in the soil is around 5.5-7.0. You will be able to find a test kit at many garden center.
After you’ve find an area to plant them, begin by digging a hole in the ground. The hole should be two times bigger than the spaces that your plant takes up. This will ensure the roses will grow freely and prevent fungal diseases caused by poor circulation in the soil. In addition, it will be easier when it comes time to potting them.
Once the plant is in the ground, begin by filling the hole with soil halfway to the top. Pour water into the hole until the soil is saturated. This causes any trapped air in the soil to escape. Finish off by filling the hole with soil and watering it again.
Caring for your roses is vital during the first 4 months of its life. Not properly caring for your plant will ultimately lead to death of the plant. For the first 3-4 weeks, water the plants often since the top 2 inches of soil tend to dry out often. After 3 months, you can begin to add fertilizers to the plant. Also, use 3 inches of mulch to help control the temperature, moisture, and prevent weeds from growing.
Beside growing roses in a garden, it can be grown along the house, sidewalks, fences, and even added to an existing landscape. You can never go wrong with planting roses. Try to grow different types of roses and see which you prefer.
Plant A Cherry Tree
August 2, 2009 by admin
Filed under Fruit Tree
If you are after one of the easiest tree to maintain, consider a cherry tree. These wonder fruits are great to enjoy during the summertime. With hundreds of different varieties of cherry to choose from, there’s a cherry tree for everyone.
Cherries fall under two main groups and they are either wild cherry or sour cherry. Wild cherries are generally for eating, while sour cherries are used more for making jam or jelly. Both types of these cherries originated in Europe and western Asia.
Beside producing delicious fruits, they are also popular for their beautiful flowers or blossoms during the spring. The flowers that the cherry tree produce are so spectacular that it has inspired many songs and poems.
When you are considering to plant a cherry tree, your best choice would be black cherries. Black cherry trees are known for being the tallest tree available and producing beautiful white clumps of flowers during the spring. It is one of the easiest cherry tree to maintain because its prone to diseases. In the summertime when they are ready to be picked, the trees produce many cherries that are small and black.
Another cherry tree to consider planting is the purple leave plum. When they hear the name, most people would think it is a plum tree rather than a cherry tree. The name is given because this type of cherry tree produces the larger type of cherry. The most recognizable element on this tree is the flowers on them during the flowering season. Throughout the spring, they change color from deep purple to light pink. With this cherry tree, one of its strong points is that it is particularly resistant to pests.
No matter what type of soil you have, you should not find any problem finding the right cherry tree to grow. They can be a great addition to any garden and are easy to maintain. Before purchasing one, make sure that you consult with your local nursery on choosing the right one for your climate. Once the tree mature, you will have a beautiful tree every spring and delicious fruits to eat in the summer.