Gardening Basics

Hostas' bright hues and hardiness make them a wonderful choice for any landscaper. They require very little maintenance and thrive in a variety of settings, making them versatile garden fillers....

People are always trying to figure out new ways of fertilizing their plants. Whether it be the least expensive way or the most effective way, some gardeners are willing to try anything. One such...

Potassium is one of the big three nutrients plants receive from soil and fertilizer; it is the third number in the NPK (nitrogen - phosphorus - potassium) ratio listed on commercial fertilizers....

Tulip trees are ornamental specimens that are prized for their tulip-like blossoms. They should be planted in areas that have full sun exposure. Trees generally do not need to be fertilized on an...

Every time we remove growing parts of plants, we take away nutrients. By taking a few steps to compost yard and garden waste, we can recycle soil nutrients, saving money and landfill space....

Manure has long been a wonderful way to fertilize gardens. Its benefits were well known back when a rural and agricultural lifestyle was the norm, and it is reason enough that manure is still in...

A well-balanced gardening or planting soil is the ideal growth medium since it possesses the correct soil structure and nutrient balance. Basic soil types that require improvement are clay, sand...

Miracle-Gro soils come in more than a dozen varieties, including soils designed for in-ground planting and soils for planting in pots. Some include additives that retain moisture or prevent weed...

Rubber mulch is somewhat controversial. It is useful and does protect plants well; however, there are some drawbacks. The expense and initial odors seem to repel some away from this landscaping...

Using carbonated sparkling water to water your plants might be more expensive to do, but in the long run is worth it. Carbonated water has nutrients in it that regular tap water does not. Plants...

Use grass clippings left over from mowing to make a nitrogen-rich compost that will add nutrients to your lawn, garden and flower beds. Grass clippings contain 4 percent nitrogen, 0.5 percent...

Plants normally get their nourishment from minerals in soil. But they can be grown without soil by feeding the roots a liquid nutrient solution. This process is called hydroponics.

Fruit trees have special nutritional requirements depending on age, size, type of tree and what nutrients are already present in the soil where your fruit trees are planted. Determining what your...

You need to consider basic needs when attempting to grow plants or nurture your lawn. Sufficient sunlight for the plants, as well as the correct amount of water, go a long way toward obtaining...

As the summer gardening season winds down, many home gardeners are content to let their flower and vegetable beds sit quietly until spring. But, with a little preparation your soil can be enriched...

Hydroponic gardens are a way to grow plants without using soil. Instead, hydroponics uses a nutrient solution to provide the key elements for growth that the plant would normally get from a soil...

Hydroponic gardening is a method for growing plants that uses pumps and specialized irrigation systems to deliver precise quantities of nutrients directly to the plant's root system. Gardening in...

Fertilizer contains a combination of nutrients and other elements, organic and/or inorganic, needed for healthy plant growth. When added to soil, fertilizers provide nutrients to plants that are...

Many plants have roots which are densely spread through soil in order to obtain as much water and nutrition as possible. A few plants do not have roots but only live in water or very wet areas....

Hydroponic gardens are simple to set up and easy to maintain. From a simple container filled with gravel to a more complicated drip system, hydroponic gardens allow you to grow fruits, vegetables...

A lot of gardeners out there simply go to the store, read package labels in the garden department, and pick out a commercially produced and provided fertilizer for their home lawn, garden, and...

Selecting plant fertilizers can be a confusing process if you don't understand the different types available or what the label information means. You can choose organic or chemical fertilizers,...

Plants need sun, air and water to survive. They require a nutritious diet with lots of oxygen, carbon and hydrogen to live and thrive. They must have other elements supplied by rich soil or...

Soil tests are an important tool for gardeners. They tell you what the soil is doing, give you an idea what plants should go where and let you know exactly what you should add to the soil to keep...

There are a growing number of people planting their own vegetables. Some are doing it to be able to regulate what chemicals, if any, are put onto the plants during growth, some for the simple...

Not many people think about worms, except for fishing enthusiasts looking for bait, that is, unless you start studying soil. Without worms, the soil in our lawns and gardens would be hard to work...

Building a soil environment favorable for soil organism growth while improving aeration and nutrient-holding capabilities are key factors for choosing an organic fertilizer over a conventional...

Plants need nutrients to develop strong roots and grow healthy. The three primary nutrients they need are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It is important to feed plants to replenish the...

Hydroponics is a system of growing plants in a bath or flow of water that has nutrients. Often sand, fiber or stone are used to anchor the roots of the plants. The food is delivered directly to...

Plants need three things to live: sunlight, water and nutrients. Different types of plants require different amounts of light, water and soil compositions. Gardeners can locate plants where they...

Hydroponic gardening is the use of water containers or other growing media instead of soil to grow crops. It can be expensive to get started with hydroponics, but once established a hydroponic...

Growing hydroponically means gardening without soil. Babylon presented its hanging gardens and China displayed its floating gardens; both are examples of hydroponics. Hydroponically grown plants...

Building organic soil requires a good compost-to -soil ratio in order to keep organic matter and nutrients available to the soil. Build organic soil with tips from a professional landscaper in...

Fertilizer is an essential aspect to container gardens, as most potting soil does not contain right amount of nutrients for healthy plant growth, and fertilizer is available in slow-release and...

Compost is decomposed plant matter. Although it gives some nutrients, particularly nitrogen, back to the soil, its primary function is to improve the quality of soil. It can save you money and...

Seawater effects grass growth by poisoning the tips of the grass and drawing out nutrients. Use fresh water to nourish grass with helpful advice from a sustainable gardener in this free video on...

Compost a yard or garden by digging up the soil around plants or in open areas, spreading the compost over the area and working it in to the soil with a rake. Loosen up the soil and provide...

Making your own potting soil is easier than you might think. All it takes is understanding how the right ingredients function and some rough proportions.

Shade shrubs can grow in light to full shade, and although there are many different types available from which to choose, most have similar care requirements. Follow the guidelines in this article...

Mulching a garden can be done naturally by using dead plants and leaves to create a rich compost, which can be spread on top of a flower bed to distribute more nutrients. Use natural mulch in a...

To make compost tea, place store-bought compost or homemade compost in a barrel, add water to the barrel, and then remove the water after it has been sitting in the compost. Use compost tea on...

Hydroponics is the practice of growing plants in water rather than soil. Plant roots, rather than burrowing into soil, are surrounded by nutrient-rich water. Hydroponic gardens tend to be more...

Air, light, water, a container and a growing medium are necessary components of a hydroponic garden. Hydroponics never requires soil to grow anything; instead sand, rocks or even air is used as a...

Plants extract nutrients from the soil through their roots. If the soil does not contain the necessary nutrients in sufficient amounts, the plant dies. The three primary nutrients plants need are...

Soil is an organic substance--it is the dirt beneath your feet. But all soil is not the same. Some soils are course or grainy while others are clumpy and smoother to the touch. Soil derives from...

A plant's basic needs are sunlight and water. But a plant also needs nutrients from the soil in which it grows in order to be healthy, continue creating cells and eventually produce flowers or...

If plants are looking stunted, a phosphorus deficiency may be the culprit. Plants deprived of phosphorus will be slow growing. Fruit and flower production will suffer. Sometimes, plants lacking in...

There is an old saying that you are what you eat. This is as true of plants as it is of humans. Without the proper nutrients, plants will not grow and produce as expected. For plants, proper...

Growing your own vegetables in a home garden not only provides a source of fresh vegetables for the table; it saves money too. To make the most out of your home gardening experience, you will need...

Become an organic gardener! Learn all about hydroponic nutrients and organic gardening in this free video covering natural indoor and outdoor gardens.