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When approaching landscaping and gardening design, many homeowners neglect to look up! Yes, we all tend to forget about the possibilities for vertical gardening. Vertical spaces can provide exciting new dimensions and help make the most of even the smallest spaces. Shade, privacy, depth and intrigue are all bonuses that come to the upward reaching garden. Likewise, think of all the back strain you can avoid by not having to constantly crouch! In today's market, where curb appeal is more than necessary to sell your home, you'll want to explore all gardening options. So don't be directionally stubborn and look up to the skies for your curb appeal inspiration.

When it comes to house plant care, watering is usually the trickiest. The amount of water will depend on how fast the plant absorbs the moisture. Obviously, a house plant that is in active growth requires more water than a dormant one. A good rule of thumb for house plant care is that they will require more water during the growing months, April through October. All container gardens should be watered when relatively dry. Sufficient water should be given to the house plant to reach to the drainage hole. This is important because the feeding roots closest to the bottom need water to continue growth.

The soil at the site does not have to be especially fertile, so little fertilizer should be used. Generally, highly fertile soil tends to produce excessive amounts of foliage with poor flavor. Plants, such as chervil, fennel, lovage, and summer savory, require moderate amounts of fertilizer. Adding several bushels of peat or compost per 100 square feet of garden area will help improve soil condition and retain needed moisture.

For anyone with a home facing east or west, it's very important to consider the trajectory of the daily flight of the sun at different times throughout the year. Why is that? For the simple reason that the sun has a predictable tendency to make its daily path across the southerly sky during the winter, as opposed to a more overhead arc during the peak of summer. How that affects the amount of sunlight your yard gets on each side of your home is something that everyone should be aware of before picking out and spending what could be a costly amount of money on trees, plants, and shrubs, only to see them wither from not enough light, or too much.

Keep it clear of plants which could catch on fire. (Fire resistant plants include Agapanthus, Coprosma, Ficus, Ligustrum, Pelargonium, Populus (Poplar) and most cacti or succulents). Build a wall or fence (preferably fire resistant), nearby to protect the barbecue from wind. Locate a table, seat or bench near the barbecue to place uncooked (or cooked) food on.


<img src="https://web.extension.illinois.edu/mg/images/conference2015/1.jpg" image_too_big="251" />

Winters at home means summers in Australia! December to February is the most popular time to visit the country and travelling during this period means… few extra expenses! So, it's better to travel during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) or during the off-seasons to save more on the trip. Offseason or shoulder season visits also offers you the advantage of exploring the place at your own pace.

Greenhouses are permanent or temporary structures, usually constructed of transparent or translucent material such as clear glass or plastic, that allow the sun's rays to enter and warm the air inside. Delicate plants that would die if planted outside will often thrive in a greenhouse. Furthermore, the standard growing season in your area can be extended by as much as 3-4 months into the early spring and late fall with a greenhouse. A greenhouse can be a haven for the hobby gardener; it is a place to fill the hours of late winter in harsh climates, planting and transplanting, and tending to flowers and vegetables.

Sowing Seeds: Propagating plants from seed is a cost-effective way to produce bedding plants for massed displays. Plants vary enormously in their requirements for germination. Some seeds require light & some darkness to germinate, and for others it can handle either. Always read the directions on the seed packets carefully - for best results. Once the shoot emerges, the plant requires sufficient light levels to grow well. Seeds do not need fertiliser to germinate but once the root has grown, fertiliser may be useful after this has occurred.