Here are some tips to successful tree planting:

1. Dig the hole for the tree around three times the size of the root ball

2. Plant the tree at the same depth as it was originally grown

3. Choose the proper site for the tree. Not all trees thrive in full sun. One example is the Dogwood, which prefers to be an understory tree. Also avoid planting trees right up against the house. Allow room for growth

4. Add a little compost to the tree hole before planting the tree

5. Water copiously and then water again–about one gallon for every 6″ of tree height

(photo credit: stock xchng)

Post from: Blisstree

How to Plant a Tree

Here are a few facts about pansies:

* The pansy is a cousin of the viola, “johnny jump-up” wildflower, and violet

* Pansies thrive during seasons with warm afternoons and cool nights.

* A full-grown pansy will measure up to 6-8″ high and 6-8″ in diameter.

* For continuous blossoms, be sure to “dead-head” (remove the spent blossoms) from your plants.

* Pansy blossoms are edible. Add them to your salads for an elegant touch.

* Pansies make good, colorful companions to spring-flowering bulbs, such as crocus, daffodils, and tulips.

(photo credit: S. Mitchell)

Post from: Blisstree

Pansies: Harbinger of Spring

To make sure that your plants have the best home possible, it’s useful to double dig the bed–that is turn the soil over twice. That aerates the soil and makes it an optimal environment for growing. Adding compost as you turn the earth the second time is also useful.

If your bed is going to be used for vegetables, use only organic (plant-based) compost and let the bed “rest” at least seven days before planting.

Ah, spring!

(photo credit: S. Mitchell)

Post from: Blisstree

The Birth of a Flower Bed

Since we’re also currently working on eliminating our clutter, and considering how to not make more clutter, we can use our old milk cartons to get our seeds going.

Split the cartons in half lengthwise, and punch holes in the bottom (a nail or plain old knife works). Fill the carton with completely wet, but squeezed dry potting soil. Plant your seeds 6 cm apart, and of course according to directions on your seed packets, cover with a thin layer of soil and you’re done. Label each carton and place in a plastic bag you have sitting around (a grocery store bag will work).

Check your seeds each day. The second the seeds sprout you need to take them out of the plastic bags and place in a sunny spot inside. A window is fine. Once in a while you can feed them with an organic fertilizer. By the time spring sets in, and the soil outside warms up, your plants will be ready to transplant.

If you don’t get milk in cartons, you’re going to have to use good old seed trays.

This is also the perfect time of year to test your left-over from last year seed stash for viable seeds. Place a paper towel on a cookie sheet. Place about six seeds from each stash on the paper towel and sprinkle the seeds until wet, but not drowning, just damp-wet. Cover the seeds with another damp paper towel and place the tray somewhere slightly warm – say, on top of the fridge. Check them each day for three days. If most of your six seeds sprouted, 4-5 then your seeds are ok to use this year. If less than four sprouted, toss them.

What not to do:

By the way, the first year I tried testing my leftover seeds, I actually wrote (in ink) on the paper towels, and then sprinkled the water on. I’m good at a lot of things, but I always mess up something when it comes to gardening. Of course the names of all my seeds washed away, and I had no clue which were which. Now what I do is simply tape a small piece of scratch paper on the edge of the cookie sheet. It works much better!

These are a couple of good ways to start organizing your garden this year. For many more gardening tips, from someone who knows her way around the garden far better than I do, visit Mother Earth’s Garden. In fact, I just now went to grab a link from Mother Earth’s Garden, and that darn Linette has a post up about seed starting, which I did not read, since I’m sure it rocks, and will make me jealous. But, you can read it: Starting Your Own Seeds.

Do you garden? What are some of your early garden prep plans?

Post from: Blisstree

Time to start organizing your garden seeds