http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/how-to-grow-african-violets.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/how-to-grow-african-violets.html Mon, 12 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0600
Anyone can grow beautiful African Violets if they provide the simple conditions required for healthy growth.

Natural Light:
Adequate light is the most important factor in promoting flowering. Place plants near any window that has bright, but filtered, light. An east window is best because it gets morning sun. A thin curtain will be necessary if placing plants in a south or west window. In order to develop a nice symetrical form, plants must be turned 1/4 turn every week.

Fluorescent Light:
If adequate natural light is not available, plants can be grown under fluorescent lights. Use double tube fixtures with one cool white bulb and one broad spectrum bulb. Lights should be 8 to 10 inches above the top of the plants and turned on for 12 to 14 hours a day. If plants have tight centers or seem to be bleaching out, reduce the number of hours to 8-10 a day.

When to Water:
More violets die from overwatering than from any other single cause. Violet soil should be kept evenly moist and never allowed to become soggy. Water only when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. Always use tepid water.

How to Water:
You can water from the top, bottom, use wicks or use self watering planters. However, about once a month, plants should be watered from the top to flush out accumulated fertilizer salts. Never allow plants to stand in water (unless wicked or Oyama Planters are used). If water gets on the leaves, dry with a paper towel to prevent leaf spotting.

Soil:
A potting medium suitable for African Violets should be sterilized, and light and airy to allow root penetration. Soilless mixes are ideal - they contain sphagnum peat, vermiculite and perlite.

Atmosphere:
Temperature and humidity are important factors. Most violets can tolerate temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees. Ideal temperatures are 72-75 degrees day-time and 65 degrees night-time. The preferred humidity range is 40% to 60%. A humidifier or bowls of water placed near plants can be used to increase you home's humidity during heating season.

Feeding:
Lack of regular feeding is one of the reasons an african violet will not bloom. The best way to feed is to use a dilute fertilizer solution every time you water. Use 1/8 to 1/4 tsp. fertilizer to one gallon of water. A balanced fertilizer should be used such as 20-20-20 or 12-36-14. Find a fertilizer with a low nitrogen urea content as urea burns the roots. Some brands are Peters, Optimara, Miracle Grow, Schultz.


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Board Member of Baystate African Violet Society. I have been growing african violets for over 30 years. My plants have won many show awards, including Best in Show. Check out my website for more information on african violets and growing supplies at www.avplanters.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/the-weather-forecast-on-your-computer.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/the-weather-forecast-on-your-computer.html Sat, 28 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0600
Sure, I could just stick my head out the window and call out, "Hello. What's the weather forecast today?" But if the response is "hurricanes, hail and meteor storms", I don't want my head to be on the wrong side of the window when the answer comes down.

Plus, that won't help me fine-tune my last minute travel plans.

So I turn to the Internet. There are three really easy ways to get a good weather forecast over the Internet:

Weather forecast websites:

There are some good weather forecast websites. The one I use most often, because I am in Canada, is The Weather Network, and I also like CNN.

CNN gives current conditions and a five day forecast. The Weather Network provides more detail, with a short term forecast ( this evening, tonight, tomorrow morning, etc.) and a longer term forecast over the next six days. The Weather Network provides the most detail of all the options, but it takes longer to download than the progress of climate change (so don't do it on a 26K modem!) Both offer forecasts for cities worldwide.

Weather forecast software:

A second way, which does not even require going to a website, is to get current conditions right on your desktop. There are free weather forecast software downloads that display key data right on your desktop, and even provide a text summary one click away.

Weather forecasts on the desktop are probably the fastest way to get local weather information, and the data is updated every five minutes. The display can be set up for local weather, but a couple clicks allows for a quick check of conditions form almost every weather monitoring station in the world – ideal for making last minute travel plans

Weather forecasts by Google:

A third way to access the weather forecast is through Google. Yes, the find-everything search engine has added weather to its repertoire. For instance, search Google for "weather Orlando", without the quotation marks, and see what you get.

At the time of writing, this service is available only to cities in the USA (I presume Americans get more weather than other people.). However, it will hopefully be available everywhere by the time you read this article.

Google's is the least precise weather forecast of the options, but fairly quick and simple to reach if you are looking for information on a city in the USA.

All three options are worthwhile, whether preparing for the daily commute or making travel and vacation plans. So pull in your head, close that window and log on. Why stick your neck out when there is weather on your computer.


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David Leonhardt is a website marketing SEO consultant and a Canadian SEO consultant. Watch for his travel directory.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/the-colors-of-flowers.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/the-colors-of-flowers.html Wed, 08 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600
Look at flowers. You will find arrange of colors -from purest white to black. Some flowers are single colored while many have colors so beautifully mixed that no painter can do something similar. The first observation we can make is - all colors look good on flowers. We may hate a color, for example you may dislike yellow. But if you pick up a yellow colored flower, you may not dislike it. Why? Because the color merges so well with the structure and texture of the flower that it does not remain separate but merges totally in the flower. I hope I am making myself clear. What I mean to say that even if you hold a yellow colored flower, you will not be noticing only the color, but the touch, the shape, the fragrance and the symmetry of the flower. Color has merged itself with other qualities to create something beautiful. Am I making sense? These wallpapers illustrate my point clearly. Flower Wallpapers 1, Flower wallpapers 2

I have been talking about the colors. But I could have been as well talking about any other quality of the flower. My contention is simple. If a quality does not overpower other qualities but merges with them the result can be great. We as human beings can do the same - as the members of a family, a team or a part of business group or as citizens of our nation. Instead of overpowering others with our qualities, if we try to merge and create a whole, the outcome will always be much better. The focus is to dissolve one's individual ego and work together in tandem.

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CDMohatta writes on nature and how it inspires us. You can view some Nature Screensavers and Nature Wallpapers and enjoy the beauty of nature on your desktops all the day.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/tips-for-backyard-fish-ponds-care.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/tips-for-backyard-fish-ponds-care.html Tue, 02 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Tip #1 Use a Plastic Liner

Use a plastic liner to separate your backyard fish pond from the surrounding soil. By doing this you eliminate nutrients from the soil intruding your fish pond and will only have to deal with the elements that are in the pond itself or are created by the fish living in the pond.

Tip #2 No Low-lying Areas

Do not install a backyard fish pond in a low lying area where runoff from your lawn will end up in your fish pond. Maintaining the fish pond is difficult enough without introducing runoff from the lawn. When installed on a high area you will have an easier time maintaining your fish pond.

Tip #3 Water Plants

Another great suggestion is to add several varieties of plants in and around your fish pond. This way the excess nutrients will be absorbed by the plants and will not end up promoting algae growth in your fish pond. This works well because it keeps algae from growing and you having to clean the algae out.

Maintaining a fish pond takes work, and you should expect algae to be a problem, especially if you have fish. Just follow these tips to keep your algae problem to a minimum.

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To learn more about tips on fish ponds care, please visit http://www.backyard-fish-ponds-care.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/what-organic-really-means.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/what-organic-really-means.html Wed, 10 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Organic farming is one of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. Gardening organically is much more than what you don't do. In fact, sales of organics have surged more than 20 percent each year in the past decade. In terms of number of farms, acreage and value of production, the organic food industry is growing at a rate of 20-30% per year. As commodity programs are eliminated, more farmers have discovered that organic production is a legitimate and economically viable alternative enterprise. The growth in the number of organic farmers has increased steadily, similar to the growth of the U.S.

In current organic production systems, growers are not permitted to use conventional synthetic organic fungicides in their disease management program. Non-organic milk comes from farms that are allowed to use genetically modified cattle feed, along with routine antibiotic treatments and synthetic pesticides. Arguments have long raged as to the effects these hormones and chemicals have on the bioproducts. Growth hormones in cows, pesticides on produce and antibiotics in poultry are among the reasons many Americans are turning to organic foods.

Organically raised animals may not be given growth hormones to or antibiotics for any reason. Producers are required to feed livestock agricultural feed products that are 100 percent organic, but farmers may also provide allowed vitamin and mineral supplements.

The US Department of Agriculture finally put in place a national system for labeling organic food. The new federal rule guarantees you, the consumer, organic products that are grown without toxic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. Pesticides derived from natural sources (such as biological pesticides) may be used in producing organically grown food. Limitations in relation to which pesticides may or may not be used, present the organic grower with some unique and very demanding challenges. Food that is at least 70 percent organic will list the organic ingredients on the front of the package. More than 40 private organizations and state agencies (certifiers) currently certify organic food, but their standards for growing and labeling organic food may differ. Even with these labeling rules in place, consumers should be prepared for some confusion when shopping for organic foods. For one thing, organic products are not uniformly labeled because many farmers using organic methods do not pursue certification at all. In addition, the language contained in seals, labels, and logos approved by organic certifiers may differ.

While consumers struggle with the fact that often, the availability of organic materials is limited when large quantities are needed. More and more people have come to appreciate the added dimensions of value and quality available in the organic marketplace.



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Francesca Black works in marketing at Organic Items http://www.organic-items.com and Pilates Shop http://www.pilates-shop.net leading portals for organic products and natural excercise.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/a-beginners-guide-to-the-rose-garden.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/a-beginners-guide-to-the-rose-garden.html Wed, 17 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500
There are several factors in successfully growing roses of fine quality in your home garden. They include: location, fertile soil, drainage, correct planting, pruning, fertilizing, mulching, winter protection and the control of pests.

Location

In order to produce a good bloom, roses need a minimum of six hour of sun light a day. While not necessary, roses should get a good dose of light shade in the afternoon as this will help their blooms retain color longer. They should be planted away from trees, shrubs or hedges which are heavy surface feeders as this will deprive the roses of much needed nutrients and water. Roses also need good air circulation and don't like confined spaces.

Soil

The most important requirements for the soil in which you will grow your roses are drainage and fertility. Roses can thrive in fairly heavy clay or sandy loam soils if these two requirements are met. The Ideal soil for growing roses is a good garden loam with lots of organic matter. Roses also prefer a slightly acid soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5

Drainage

While roses need large quantities of water for their best growth, it is absolutely essential that they have good drainage as they will be seriously injured in standing water. To fix areas with high water tables or poor drainage, laying tiles or crushed stone under the planting will assist the water draining away.

Planting

Roses may be planted in the autumn after the bushes have stopped active growth and are dormant but before the ground freezes. They can also be planted in the early spring while the plants are still dormant or they can be planted as potted roses after growth has started. Spring planting should be done as early in the spring as the ground can be successfully worked. Care must be taken when planting potted roses to not break the ball of earth it was planted in.

Growing distances will depend on the type and variety of the roses you will be planting. However, because of their very vigorous growing habits most roses should be planted about 2 feet apart in general.

The roots of the rose should never be exposed to the sun or wind before planting, but should be kept wrapped in wet paper or moss and left in a dark place like a plastic bag or the garden shed.

In a hole of ample size, place the rose so that the roots are in a natural position and the point of union between the stock and the scion is between 1 and 2 inches below the surface. Planting to high will cause the rose to not have enough support and planting to deep will starve the rose of oxygen. After back filling and packing in the soil firmly, thorough watering will be needed.

Pruning

The purpose of pruning is to remove dead or weak wood and to maintain height and form. Pruning is dependant on the type of rose you have planted and the part of the world you are in. However there are several fundamentals which apply to all varieties and locals.
1. All dead cane should be removed at the base.
2. Winter damaged canes should be cut back to sound wood.
3. Canes interfering with the height or shape of the plant, or canes that are rubbing other canes should be cut back or removed.
4. Sharp pruning should always be used. Dull shears will damage the plant making fungal and bacterial growth easier.
5. Cuts should be made just above the bud, slanting in the same direction of the bud and as close to the bud a s possible without causing damage to it.

Mulching and winter protection

Roses benefit from mulching in the summer. Mulch roses with your desired material making sure not to exceed 1 inch in depth.

Winter protection is dependant on local, climate, exposure and hardiness. Make sure that the ground is well supplied with water. Soil should be brought up around the roses to a height of 10 to 15 inches. After the ground has frozen, mulch with hay or a similar material.

There are few flowers which bring the touches of warmth and graciousness, of the color and beauty to the surroundings of the modest home like the rose.


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Anne Kirrin writes for the popular Gardening Basics , a blog about gardening, landscaping and plants. She also writes about Homeschooling, Small Dog Breeds and Retirement Planning.



Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/the-truth-about-mtd-snow-blowers.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/the-truth-about-mtd-snow-blowers.html Thu, 25 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Snow blowers provide a great solution for those who hate shoveling snow! One of the more popular snow blowers is an MTD Snow Blower due to the ease of use, durability and of course, power. Take care of your snow blower, and it will last you a lifetime.

Keeping your snow blower in optimum shape is easy with a MTD Snow Blower parts and accessories. These snow blowers are prized for their ease of use and their electric push button starters. They are durable and many people find them to be the sturdiest snow blowers on the market. MTD has been an established company for over forty years, and has built a strong reputation of sturdy and resilient machinery and accessories.

Throw the Snow, Not Your Back

Shoveling snow can be a stressful experience for your back, which combined with cold and low temperatures, can cause a double dose of back pain. Using a good snow blower is a great way to save your health and clear excess snow from your yard.

The MTD Snow blower has earned the reputation of being able to handle even the toughest jobs. By using your MTD snow blower you can take the pressure off your back and let the machine handle the work for you. . Whether you need to remove snow and get your car out in time for work or just clear a walkway from your front door to the sidewalk your MTD snow blower can handle the work for you. Many of the blowers will clear widths of up to 24” or two feet, the perfect size for a walkway in one shot.

When you find the MTD snow blower that you want to purchase, make sure that you save all of your pertinent documentation and warranty information. If you ever need to order MTD snow blower parts, the documentation will have the appropriate phone numbers for you to call. Not only are MTD snow blowers a popular choice due to their outstanding performance capabilities, they are also a favorite because they are readily available at many home and garden supply stores for a price that homeowners can afford.

No one likes to shovel snow, so why make it more of a chore than it needs to be. You'll enjoy plowing and clearing your driveway so much, that you'll probably end up doing your neighbours sidewalks as well, earning a big thank you and probably a beverage when they come out of hibernation from their homes!

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looking for info on MTD snow blower parts? You'll find all the info you need to make an informed decision at http://www.dontshovel.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/our-tasty-garbage.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/our-tasty-garbage.html Sun, 28 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500
I'm not all that scared myself at the thought of bears where I live. While I do have a bird feeder, I'm fortunate in the fact that I'm pretty lazy and I don't fill it so much. Bad for the birds but good for the no-bears. I suppose you could say that this is what happens when humans encroach on wild-life's natural habitat.

Actually, this is what happens when you put out tasty treats for who-ever. Like, if you were in the suburbs and you put pies and cookies out into your front yard, don't you think you would attract some unwelcome visitors? My Uncle used to tell me that if you put out milk and brown sugar it would attract the Brownies (pixie-like creatures - not the fore-runners of girlscouts. They must dress in brown). And maybe that does, in fact, attract the Brownies. I'll bet you it also attracts a lot more than that.

A woman I work with had her daughter and her daughter's family unexpectedly stay with them for a few days. Her daughter also lived somewhat out in the wild - like me - and there were some feral cats nearby in the woods. You can't hunt them! The Wisconsin legislature defeated that bill, so go hunt your cats somewhere else! Anyways, one of the feral cats had a litter of feral kittens so my co-worker's daughter put out kitten chow for the wee darlings. Unknown to her she was actually putting kitten chow out for the darling skunks. She surprised one of the skunks feeding on the kitten chow and we all know what surprised skunks do. It took quite an effort to get the smell out of the house and clothes and such. They had to call in a skunk professional (there are such people, too. They charge a lot, because when you need their services you have little choice).

Wild animals like us because of stuff like that, but mostly what they like about us is our garbage. Do you see that warm friendly dog curled up at your feet? Why do you think he's there? That's right. Garbage. Ten thousand years ago in China his remote ancestors liked out garbage and decided to stick around us humans because of our tasty garbage.

They've been hanging around ever since

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Steve Sommers is the author of REXROI, and Evil Super-Villains need Love, Too ... and other important wisdom. (Both books can be viewed by simply clicking on the titles)

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/the-art-of-japanese-bonsai.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/the-art-of-japanese-bonsai.html Tue, 06 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0500 The major aspects of Japanese bonsai, has not changed significantly over time.

Bonsai initially originated in Egypt thousands of years ago and moved to China. From China bonsai moved to Japan. Where the Japanese perfected the art of bonsai.

Japanese use azaleas to create magnificent bonsai following years of pruning, wiring and careful attention. The Japanese art of bonsai, and its precursor, the Chinese art of penjing, are rooted in the traditions of Asian culture.

The art of raising bonsai dwarfed potted trees has enabled the Japanese to admire nature in an indoor setting. The art of bonsai, as developed in America, is much freer in concept and style than Japanese bonsai.

The quality of a bonsai tree is measured on how well it portrays nature in miniature form. A bonsai should have a well tapered trunk and have branches all around the tree to give the bonsai visual depth. The art of bonsai involves the bringing together of tree and pot in visual harmony. "Bonsai" simply means "potted tree." But many of the really fine specimens have been pruned for more than 100 years.

Requiring many years of devoted attention and care to produce, the bonsai extends beauty and expresses the significance of life. The care involved in creating and shaping a bonsai is considered a form of meditation in and of itself.

Over time, bonsai began to take on different styles, each which varied immensely from one another. Today, hardy as well as tropical indoor bonsai are trained in classic styles, including windswept, slanted trunk, rock clinging, and forest.

Bonsai are highly regarded as a symbol of Japanese culture and ideals. Contrary to popular belief, bonsai are not tortured trees. A bonsai may have areas of dead wood to give an impression of age. There are several techniques available to the bonsai grower to increase the apparent age.

No longer exclusively an oriental art form, today bonsai is practiced by thousands of people around the world, on every continent. The art of bonsai is the art of imitating the spirit of nature. A bonsai industry of considerable size exists in certain sections of Japan.



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Francesca Black works in marketing at Bonsai Garden http://www.bonsai-garden.com and Pilates Shop http://www.pilates-shop.net leading portals for bonsai gardening and natural exercise.



Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/gardening-a-simple-pleasure-of-life.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/gardening-a-simple-pleasure-of-life.html Wed, 21 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0500 and so much more.

Whether your passion for gardening is out of necessity or a deep need to connect with nature the experience to your mind, body and soul are priceless. Gardening can be very therapeutic, relaxing and a unique way
to unwind from the very busy and hectic world we live in.

The exercise one gets from gardening is enough to get your blood flowing. Breathing the fresh air can almost immediately rejuvenate your spirits and calm frazzled nerves.

The anticipation of your first vine ripened tomato, the first butterfly that comes to feed in the flower garden planted just for them or the first dish you serve cooked with the fresh herbs just picked from your
garden the deep pleasure you experience is irreplaceable. These simple pleasures are a good thing.

Gardening is something that can be shared with family and friends. Kids love to garden, its fun, educational, relaxing and they are spending quality time with their parents, siblings and grandparents. They get to experience first hand the wonder of watching something grow from the ground, ask questions and share their joys of gardening with friends.

Gardens are wonderful places for barbecues, birthday parties, and weddings or any type of get-together. Gardens can be quiet places to read, think or just reflect. Gardens offer an ambience unique to each garden, Year-to-year the ambience can change depending on the age of a garden or the plants and flowers added.

If you have never tried it but have always wanted to, there's no better time. Everything you would ever need to know can be found online, it is fairly inexpensive and extremely rewarding in so many ways. Simple
gardening can offer a lifetime of simple pleasures.

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Sophie writes for Simple Gardening. For complete information, tips and advice on gardening please visit: http://www.simple-gardening.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>