Aloe vera is a semitropical succulent plant that can grow outdoors as long as there is no possibility that freezing will occur. If the plant freezes, it will die. This is largely due to the fact that aloe vera consists of 95 percent water. Anyone can have an aloe vera plant and keep it indoors where it can get plenty of sunlight. However, the plant thrives in warm temperatures, so it should be placed outdoors in the yard once the summer arrives. The nectar from the aloe flower is likely to draw hummingbirds to your yard.

If you live in a warm climate, plant aloe vera where it can get the full impact of the sun or where the shade is minimal. The soil you plant it in should be relatively fertile and should drain easily. If you have had the plant for some time and it is mature, it will manage fairly well during a drought. However, it is best if the plant is watered on a more or less regular basis if you live in an area that does not receive a lot of rainfall.

During the hot months of the year, give the soil of the aloe vera plant a good soaking. Then give it the opportunity to dry out before you soak it again. In the winter when you bring the plant inside be aware that it will go into a type of dormancy period or hibernation. During this period of time it does not require very much moisture.

Do not give the aloe vera plant too much water in winter, or it could spell trouble for the future life of the plant. Just like in the summer months, let the plant dry out almost completely. Once it does, do not overload it with water but instead give it a cup or two of water, and let the water soak in sufficiently.

The aloe vera plant has a shallow root system that requires that it have room to spread out. When you repot the plant, choose a wide planter as opposed to a deep one. Make sure the planter has a drainage hole and purchase a commercial potting mix that has coarse sand added to it or  contains extra granite grit or perlite.

The aloe vera plant is an excellent plant to have around in the event that you cut or burn yourself!

Bonsai trees are basically miniature versions of trees that are grown in containers or pots. The word bonsai means “potted plant”. For those who like to research the history of plants, bonsai trees got their start in China during the Han Dynasty.

If you are looking to add an eclectic mix of plants to your landscaping design, then outdoor bonsai tress are an excellent choice. They are beautiful in their own right and do not involve too much time or care. Read on for the basic steps involved in caring for your outdoor bonsai trees.

First Step

Where you choose to place your outdoor bonsai tree is an important decision for its growth. Bonsai trees are outdoor tress that thrive when the weather is cold, wet and snowing. These trees become dormant for approximately a three month period that starts somewhere around the Thanksgiving holiday.

Take the bonsai tree out of its container, and plant it in the ground. Make sure to take care to plant it where it will be exposed to the elements of cold, rain and snow but still protected from the sun and the wind.

Once spring returns, dig up the tree and put it back in its pot and sit it where it has access to plenty of sunlight. Keep it there throughout the summer and autumn months. If you have a garden, balcony or deck these are all excellent locations for the bonsai tree to sit.

Second Step

Once winter arrives, water your bonsai tree at least once a week, but no more than that. The rest of the year you can water it as often as you feel it is required. Never allow the soil to get extremely dry. Outdoor bonsai trees that are exposed to lots of sunlight during the daytime hours may necessitate that you water them daily. This is largely dependent upon the type of soil you use and the size of the pot that the tree is in.

Third Step

Outdoor bonsai trees require fertilizer at least once a month. This is especially the case when the tree is housed in a pot. Any kind of fertilizer spray is fine but dilute it with water so the potency of it will be approximately half. Use fertilizer all seasons of the year with the exception of the winter months.

When it comes to putting up a fence around your property, there are many things to think about. The selection of wood fences can be very confusing. It is important to look closely at your yard and to talk to those who are better versed in fencing options in order to figure out what is most suitable.

The decision you make regarding the fencing you choose often comes down to two factors- the form (or style) of the fence and the function that the fence will serve. Sometimes form and function work well together and sometimes they do not. For example, metal fences are much better for security purposes than are wood fences.

When contemplating your wood fencing, consider the style of your home as well as the landscape of your yard. You do not want the two to clash. Houses built in the ranch style are well suited to split-rail fences which feature rugged rails and posts, as well as houses with a Southwestern theme surrounding them. On the other hand, picket-style fencing is excellent for the cozy cottage design for a home, as well as landscapes that are reminiscent of English cottage gardens.

If you are trying to keep your pets in your yard, then metal fencing would be a better option than wood fencing. The same is true if you are trying to keep deer and raccoons from wandering into your yard. However as far as fencing for privacy purposes is concerned, wood wins top marks. Wood fences can make excellent barriers from the prying eyes of neighbors and help cut down on the noise in a neighborhood as well.

The wood fencing you choose can be as tall or as short as you would like it to be. Wood fences can be every bit as appealing to the eye as can their vinyl counterparts.

You might choose to go with a stockade style wood fence that lends itself almost completely to total privacy. Or perhaps you do not desire this type of fence at all and instead want to let lots of light and airiness into your yard. In this instance, you should choose the attractiveness of lattice fencing or picket fencing. Another option is to put in a hybrid wood fence with decorative lattice on top. This would give you the privacy you seek but also the decorative element would be there as well.

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Organic gardening is gardening that takes place without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Those who choose to participate in organic gardening are helping out the environment because they are using materials on their plants that come from living things. Examples of these include compost and manure.

But organic gardening is not just about refraining from using dangerous chemicals on your lawn and garden. Organic gardeners think of the role that their plants play in relation to nature and the entire ecosystem. Organic gardeners consider nature as a whole, as well as the soil, the water supply, people, animals and even the insects that inhabit the ground. An organic gardener seeks to create balance and harmony in the soil.

For this reason, if you wish to garden organically, you must pay close attention to the soil you use. It is the foundation for your plants after all. As often as possible, add locally available resources to your soil in order for the soil to be replenished. This, in turn, supports the soil in yielding healthier and stronger plants.

This is also where things such as compost come in. The raw ingredients of organic matter are something that you encounter every day in your yard and home, especially in your kitchen. The building blocks for compost, which can enrich the quality of your lawn, include common substances like vegetable scraps, leaves from the yard and decaying plant waste, such as grass clippings. To you these items may be useless, but to your garden they are a rich source of nourishment.

Another important aspect of growing a beautiful and healthy organic garden is to pick plants that are well suited to the soil and the climate of your area. If you live in an area where it gets cold more often than not, then you want to steer clear of plants that prefer the toasty temperatures of a tropical locale.

If you select plants that are well suited to your climate, soil and weather conditions, then they will not have to work as hard to adapt. This means that they will require less of your attention.

The answer to this question is a resounding yes!

But what is compost exactly? To define the term, compost is a “dark, crumbly, and earthy-smelling form of decomposing organic matter”. If this sounds kind of icky to you, then read on to learn more …

There are many reasons why composting is a good idea. It has been estimated that approximately 35% of the waste in any given residential area is made up of materials that easily could be composted, such as waste from the kitchen and yard. Composting in your backyard is one of the most practical, convenient and simplest means of taking care of wastes around your home and reducing the waste that gets carted off to landfills.

Composting helps to decrease the disposal cost for waste, and it saves energy. Not only that but composting reduces both water and air pollution. When you compost you are able to conserve resources. All of the organic resources from your kitchen and yard contain plenty of essential nutrients, and these can then be returned to the earth. This will improve your soil and keep it in top notch shape. This also will enrich the soil and make it healthier for the plants and flowers you have growing in it. If you are growing food, your yield will be greater thanks to the nutrient rich soil.

Another way that resources are conserved is that less fossil fuels are used in delivering organic waste to landfills because there is less to transport. Think about it.

Building the healthiest soil possible should be a goal of every gardener, regardless of what you are growing. Compost is excellent for improving air circulation, water retention and the texture of soil. It does this by breaking down the heavy soils.

Did you know that compost provides a natural slow release type of fertilizer? It does. It is also very mild and will not burn your plants in any way. The other good point that should never be overlooked is that composting won’t cost you a thing!

Organic material in landfills produces methane gas that contributes to an unnatural change in the climate. Prevent this from happening by composting. Do your part to help sustain the planet.

Choosing lawn decorations that are appropriate for your yard can seem a very difficult task when you consider the variety of styles and choices that are available. You want to complement your yard and make it look as pleasing to the eye as possible while not crowding it and making it look, well… over done! There is such a thing as too many animal figures or gnomes.

You easily can have an attractive and well kept lawn that has some lovely decorations without looking like you are trying too hard! Read on for some hints.

The first thing you should do is find out what is available in terms of lawn ornamentation. Check the stores, the flyers you get in the mail and magazines and also visit websites online for ideas. Find out what is in style for lawn decorations this year. Then look for decorations that can communicate your unique taste and personality to the world around you!

Statues

Statues come in a multitude of styles and sizes and are becoming more popular all of the time. The concept of statues for decorating purposes in the yard is heavily influenced by the Asian culture where statues are very commonplace.

Stones

Stones also come in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs. You can create a stone path or use stones to create borders around flower beds and pine straw islands. Stones are very becoming when used as lawn decorations. They are earthy and fitting for the environment in which you place them.

Flags

Some people like to use small flags to decorate their lawns because they come in any number of styles, colors and designs. Just make sure you don’t go overboard and end up with a lawn that looks like a 4^th of July celebration!

Bridges

Depending on the size of your lawn, a stone or wooden bridge might be a welcome addition to your lawn and might fit in well with the other lawn decorations you decide upon. In particular bridges are often used wherever there are pine straw beds.

Always buy lawn decorations that are of good quality and will stand the test of time. For example, clay, metal and stone decorations are more durable than are the cheaper plastic decorations. These types of materials also can handle the effects of not-so-nice weather, such as heavy rains or battering winds much better.

When it comes to your lawn, there is still work to do in the autumn season before winter reaches out its icy fingers to envelope it. Read on for some helpful hints to winter-proof your yard.

To maintain a healthy lawn, you need to prepare your lawn for its winter’s sleep and also for its optimum health in the coming spring. It is never too early to plan ahead. Continue to mow your lawn until you can  see that there has been no growth in at least two weeks time. Grass should be left at least two inches high (but no taller than three inches) in preparation for winter.

If grass is cut too short, this makes it vulnerable to the winter winds which can have a terrible drying effect. This can make it vulnerable to the sun during the winter months, especially if there is no snow in places on the lawn.

On the other hand, if your leave your grass too long, this can cause it to become bent by the snow and winter winds. In this instance, it will hold onto too high a percentage of moisture which can give rise to fungus diseases. One example of this is snow mold. Too much sun and wind can wreak havoc on your lawn during the winter months, however the lawn continues to require exposure to both air and light over the colder months of the year.

Autumn is a good time of the year to fertilize your lawn as well as to reseed it. This will help energize the roots, especially if you do this early in the fall. Feeding your lawn again in late October is also a good idea. This will help winter-proof it to the best of its capabilities and will make it strong enough to endure whatever winter has in store.

If your lawn has some bare patches where there is no grass, early in the autumn season is an excellent time to sod or reseed. When putting in new sod make sure you do everything you possibly can to keep it moist for the first week after it has been put down. Once the first week has passed, the new sod can be watered as it requires it. Do not put down new sod on a day that is hot and dry.

I have long been in adoration of lovely peonies. They are big flowers when in full bloom, and they are beautiful to behold. The peony plays an important role in Chinese culture. Often thought of as the “queen of flowers” the Chinese call them Sho-yo which translates to “the beautiful”. The peony is the flower of prosperity and fidelity.

There are different types of peonies. According to Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Perennials, most varieties of garden peonies are hybrids of P. lactifora and Paeonia officinalis. The flowers can be categorized by the shape of their petals. There are single peonies, Japanese peonies, semidouble peonies and double peonies.

Single peonies- This kind has a ring of five or more petals, as well as a central ring of stamens.

Japanese peonies- This type of peony has a ring of petals that surround a central cluster of flat and narrow stamens. This kind has no pollen at all.

Semidouble peonies- This kind has a number of rings of petals that are set around stamens.

Double peonies- This kind of peonies has numerous concentric rings of petals and has no obvious stamens.

Peonies blossom at different times of the year, depending on their variety, however the majority of peonies bloom in the spring, generally in May. Peonies are big plants that are easy to cultivate and come in a multitude of colors, including white, cream, pink, peach, lavender, rose, bright scarlet and yellow. The scent of a peony has been described in a number of different ways. It has been called honey, lemon, musk and rose.

These kinds of flowers should be planted near the back of the flower garden because of their size. If you plan to plant peonies near a wall, make sure that they are at least two feet away to give them room to grow to the best of their ability. Peonies can be excellent plants to accent a shrub border. If planted close together, peonies can be used to create a hedge that can separate a driveway from a yard.

Peonies have one of the longest life spans of all of the perennials. In fact many can live as long as 50 years if they are well cared for. Peonies are very hardy plants that are low maintenance, as well as drought tolerant and deer-resistant. Their bloom season has been known to last as long as six to eight weeks.

Feng shui (pronounced phung-schway) is an ancient Chinese philosophy that has been around for centuries. Often called “the art of placement”, Feng Shui can be used to bring more Chi (or positive energy) into your garden in order to encourage health, beauty and abundance.

Curves and proportions are an integral aspect of your Feng Shui garden. The Chinese talk about the Yin and the Yang. Your house would be the Yin while your garden would provide the Yang. The Yang needs plenty of space and light to thrive. It also requires the five elements of the practice. Include in your garden a pond, water fountain or pool of water of some sort; a bronze statue or sun dial for the metal element; lots of earth; trees and/or shrubs for the wood element; vibrant orange and red colors for the fire element.

The best shape for your Feng Shui garden is circular or octagonal. Red is a particularly good color choice as it stimulates the flow of the life force (or positive energy, also known as Chi).

Choose plants for your garden that are also lucky. Some examples of these include bamboo, orchid, magnolia, jade, peony, pine, gardenia and hibiscus. Avoid weeping plants, thorny plants and plants that are stunted. Cactus or spiked plants lend themselves to tension and aggression, which is not good. The same goes for any trees or plants that are overbearing. Aim for lots of vibrancy and color!

Whatever you choose to put into your garden for the water element should be integrated in the best way possible with the rest of the garden, and it should be maintained on a consistent basis. Never neglect any aspect of your garden!

Ponds and water features need to be kept clean and need to show movement as opposed to stagnation. Water fountains are an excellent choice, as are round fish ponds that contain goldfish. Green plants around the water element make for plenty of positive Chi.

Planting herbs in your garden is beneficial to attract good health, prosperity and to encourage longevity. Herbs add color and life to a garden and contain their fair share of medicinal properties to benefit your whole family. Some herbs to plant include basil, jasmine, lavender and rosemary.

The lighting in your garden should be soft. Pathways and stepping stones are a good idea but refrain from placing them in a straight line.