Sunday, October 30, 2011

Water Gardening

By Angela Gymmy


Did you know that fall is still a wonderful time to start herb gardening? It's true! Many people think that spring and summer are the only times when you can plant your favorite herbs, but the truth is that fall herb gardening yields some of the most popular and versatile herbs you can grow. Fall herb gardening is one of the best ways to enjoy the changing seasons while starting an herb crop that will give you some truly amazing results. The drop in temperature and the particular humidity level in the air at this beautiful time of year make it the ideal atmosphere for many types of herbs to thrive!

Raised bed gardening is also called square foot gardening. The original concept was to help gardens grow better and produce a higher yield. This type of planting also cuts down on water consumption, and is a great way to grow a garden in areas that have poor soil.

You begin by constructing a simple raised bed that is four feet by four feet square. A bed this size makes it easy to reach toward the middle from any side. Use wood that is eight to twelve inches wide, this will be how tall your raised bed is. Fill the bed with fresh soil. You will want to mix in some slow release fertilizer. This will feed your plants all summer long and will help increase your crop yield.

Filter Systems: There are two types of biological filter systems. In the water and above ground. The in the water systems are good for smaller ponds. The pump and filter system sit in the bottom of the pond. These systems are relatively inexpensive, the down side is that when the filter needs to be cleaned (on a regular basis, at least bi-weekly) you are getting wet. The above ground systems are more expensive, however, once installed they are easier to maintain and are good for larger ponds and ponds with waterfalls. These pumps are generally stronger than the submersible type and can push more water. The filters are easier to change and clean. When cleaning your filter system, whether above ground or in the pond, Never clean the entire filter system at one time. There are usually more than one filter pad or chamber of filter medium. Clean half at a time. You want to keep a supply of beneficial bacteria in the filter system. The beneficial bacteria helps to filter our things like chlorine and waste. It will also keep the algae at bay.

Another option for sectioning the bed is to just divide it equally in two. This is a great way to grow crops like corn, beans, and potatoes. Large spreading crops like squash, pumpkins, and watermelons will each need their own bed so they have ample space to spread.

As you plant your beds, keep in mind how large each plant will ultimately get. You don't want large plants like corn shading smaller plants. Always keep your plants organized large to small and plant north to south.

I know this sounds like a lot of work, but really its just a lot of info. Once you get your pond installed and balanced, it will be a joy. Put a bench near the pond so you can sit, relax and enjoy the serenity of a pond in your own backyard. There are many ready to install pond kits available that will make building a pond quick and easier then you can imagine. You can find a series of sizes to meet your specific needs at most Garden Centers.




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