Little Bit of Green

Little Bit of Green http://www.littlebitofgreen.com Beautifying your yard and home Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:00:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Growing Phlox http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/growing-phlox/ http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/growing-phlox/#comments Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:00:32 +0000 Anna P. http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/?p=4864

Phlox is a beautiful perennial that adds much to any garden. These blooms are recognizable for their star shape and wide range of colors. The phlox plants are also appealing thanks to the fact they are relatively easy to care for and don't require a whole lot of maintenance. These blooms are ideal for starter gardens. Read on to find out how to properly care for and maintain phlox flowers. 1- Prep the Garden Start your garden the right way by prepping early in the spring. Loosen the soil a little bit, and add garden compost. Make sure you loosen up the soil to at least fifteen or sixteen inches before you add several layers of compost soil on top. Space each phlox plant at least two feet apart. Before you start the planting process, be sure to look for the right location in your garden to start planting. Generally speaking, most phlox plants require full sun and well drained soil. Some species may need more specific requirements, so do your research before planting. 2- Properly Care for Your Plants Phlox flowers, like most plants, require adequate water. If you live in a climate that gets plenty of rain several times a week, you may not need to water them so frequently. It's also a smart idea to remove dead flowers to keep your plant fresh and to help them bloom again in the summer. Another thing to keep in mind in regards to caring for phlox is protecting them from pests and disease. Leaf miners and caterpillars are two common pests that can easily destroy blooms. Be sure to protect the flowers with pesticides or more organic methods like predatory insects. Common plant diseases include rust and mildew. You may have to use fungicide for such issues. 3- Phlox blooms are the perfect choice for any floral arrangement Carefully snip the plants and use in a fresh floral arrangement for your kitchen table, living room, bedroom, bookcase, coffee table, or any place you'd like to see them.]]> http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/growing-phlox/feed/ 0 Growing Olives http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/growing-olives/ http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/growing-olives/#comments Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:00:52 +0000 T Akery http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/?p=4872

Olives are one of the world’s most consumed fruits. Whether it is eating the fruit itself or turning it into oil, the olive tree has been around for thousands of years. Yet, it has only been since the 1800′s that the olive tree has found its way onto American soil. While most of the production ]]>

Olives are one of the world's most consumed fruits. Whether it is eating the fruit itself or turning it into oil, the olive tree has been around for thousands of years. Yet, it has only been since the 1800's that the olive tree has found its way onto American soil. While most of the production of olives is found in California, the truth is that many gardens can sustain this type of tree. Thus, making your own olive oil is quite possible. Before you do add the tree to your garden, there are a few things you should know. The olive tree is only moderately cold tolerant. This means that if you live in an area with heavy freezes, you may have to grow this tree indoors during the winter. It is very possible to grow these trees in pots. Some varieties will do very well. Your choice of which variety to plant is going to depend on what type of olive you like best. Try out a few different varieties since the flavor will be different. The same is true of the oils you make out of the olives themselves. Since the olive tree does need at least a little bit of cold weather for its flowers, you do need to choose your variety carefully if you live in a hotter state such as Florida. The olive tree can still thrive in such conditions, because they come from the Mediterranean. Check your local groves for the species that thrive best in your area. Like most trees, olive trees love to have full sun. They need well drained soil. Water needs are dependent on what you are ultimately going to use the olive for. If you want to simply eat the fruit, then you need to water regularly and often, since that will produce big olives. If you want to make oil, you don't have to water quite as often. You should fertilize only during the spring. You do have to be careful of scale on olive trees. Treat them when necessary with the appropriate spray. One organic means of getting rid of scale is to use rubbing alcohol. You may be surprised to find that you can add this very useful tree to your garden. Not only can you make your own oil, you can easily enjoy the fruits of this tree for a long time to come.]]> http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/growing-olives/feed/ 0 Fill the Lawn http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/fill-the-lawn/ http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/fill-the-lawn/#comments Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:00:03 +0000 Jessica B. http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/?p=4832

This time of year most lawns are green and thriving. But many people also use strong pesticides to maintain their lawns. If you are trying to go the natural route and allow your lawn to grow without too much assistance, it may need a little help. Here are some tricks to help make sure your lawn is looking optimal: 1) Plant some new seeds – Do you have a few small bald patches scattered throughout your lawn? Now is the time to lay some new grass seed. You can water your grass, or just wait for rain. It will take some time before your lawn starts looking even and healthy again, but it will last a long time. 2) Mossy solutions – Some people prefer a lawn with absolutely no moss, but sometimes a lawn that contains some grass and a bit of moss to fill out some of the bald spaces, also looks green and healthy. If you don’t mind a bit of mossy terrain, then let your mossy patches grow, and take care of your lawn the same way you have before, watering if needed and mowing regularly. 3) Desperate measures – If your lawn is in really bad shape, you may need to add some larger pieces of turf. This is a rather large project that requires you level the lawn and make sure there is room for you to lay your grass patch. This is a better solution for larger areas. 4) Weeding – If you are avoiding pesticides, you may find your lawn has a few (or a lot) dandelions. Take a weekend and make sure you dig these pesky weeds out at their roots before they start spreading their seeds around for next gardening season. 5) Lawn Paint – If you are in a real pinch and are planning to throw a major party at your house, you may need to go to extremes. Lawn paint is a way of turning your brown lawn green in an instant. I try to avoid these kinds of products, as I like my kids to play in my yard and don’t want them playing on lawn paint, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. If there has been a drought in your area and your lawn if looking terrible, but you have a huge photo op, then give your lawn a good spray. Some sprays last longer than others. This is certainly not a permanent solution, but it is a good quick fix!]]> http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/fill-the-lawn/feed/ 0 Vegetable Seeds to Save http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/vegetable-seeds-to-save/ http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/vegetable-seeds-to-save/#comments Thu, 13 Jun 2013 14:00:46 +0000 Kimberly Hays http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/?p=4815

When you plan out your garden, your budget is the first thing you must consider. It can be very expensive, especially if you want to grow heirloom varieties. To save money, preserve seeds from the vegetables that you grow this year, and then next year you will have a free garden. This is also something that is fun to do with several families, and that way you will get some seeds for vegetables that you did not grow this year. Tomatoes – Choose very ripe tomatoes from your heartiest tomato plants. Cut them in half and scoop the seeds out. There will be gel around the seeds that you will need to remove. Place the seeds in a glass of water and cover. Stir the water and seeds two times a day. Once the mixture begins fermenting, the seeds will separate at fall to the bottom of the glass. When they have all fallen to the bottom (within 5 days), pour the water out and rinse the seeds well, then lay the seeds out on newspaper or paper towels to dry completely before storing. Peppers – Peppers seeds are easy to save. Leave a couple of peppers on the vine to ripen to the point of where they start to wrinkle. At this point, slice the pepper in half, scoop out the seeds, and then spread them out on newspaper or paper towels to dry. Legumes - Legumes, like beans and peas, take a little more patience. You will have to let them dry on the vine to the point they are turning brown. You will know when they are ready by picking one and shaking it. If you can hear the seeds rattle inside of the pod, then they are ready. You can store them in the pods, or you can shell them, and place the seeds in a container. Cucumbers – Leave a couple of cucumbers on the vine until they turn yellow. You will pull the cucumbers and cut them in half to scoop the seeds out. Rinse the seeds, then lay out on paper to completely dry. Tips: Be sure that the seeds are completely dry before storing. If they have any moisture left in them, they will become moldy and you will not be able to use them. Also be sure that they are stored in a container to protect them from moisture. You can place your seeds in separate paper packets and label them, and then place all of the packets in a jar or other container with a lid.]]> http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/vegetable-seeds-to-save/feed/ 0 How to Help Save Bees and Why http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/how-to-help-save-bees-and-why/ http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/how-to-help-save-bees-and-why/#comments Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:00:39 +0000 Kimberly Hays http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/?p=4814

Various types of bees are needed to pollinate our crops, and without them, much of our food supply would stop growing. Plants like squash, cucumbers, and apples, to name a few, require pollination in order to grow. The bee populations are quickly dwindling, and we need to take steps to help our pollinators survive so that we can continue to grow these foods. Without having bees for pollination, 30 percent of our food supply will cease to exist. We can save the bees, however, if we just take part in helping them increase in population and to survive. Stop Using Chemical Fertilizers – Chemical fertilizers are not only unhealthy for us, but they are killing off bee colonies. Instead of using chemicals to treat your garden and lawn, opt for organic fertilizers that will do just as good a job but are not toxic to us and the environment. Add Some Bee Friendly Plants – Bees feed on nectar, and it is essential to the bee colonies thriving. Planting a bee garden will help sustain them, and also be a lovely spot in your yard. A few common plants to try are cornflower, thistle, borage, bell flower, alyssum, and hollyhocks. Support Local Bee Farmers – Commercial growers who sell honey are not as conscious about taking care of their bees. Local farmers, on the other hand, are diligent in their bee keeping, and when you purchase honey from them, you are most likely getting organic honey that has come from bees that are not around chemicals. Build a Bee Box – Some bees, like the orchard mason bee, do not make nests and hives like some others do. Instead, they live in wood. They like wood that they can get into without having to drill holes like some bees. They will use holes that are already there as an entrance for them to enter and nest. . You can use scrap wood to make a block with drilled holes, and then sit out somewhere that it will not be disturbed. Just be sure that you are not using treated wood. If you are not inclined to build a bee box, you can buy one already made. The males will never sting, and the females only sting if threatened. Educate – Now that you know the important role that bees have in our lives, spread the word. Share the information that you have learned as well as the steps you are taking to preserve bees.]]> http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/how-to-help-save-bees-and-why/feed/ 0 Window Box Herbs http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/window-box-herbs/ http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/window-box-herbs/#comments Tue, 11 Jun 2013 14:00:43 +0000 Jessica B. http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/?p=4831

If you are someone who enjoys using fresh herbs for cooking, it is pretty straightforward to grow some simple herbs in your window box or on your balcony. Just clip, and throw in your dish. Here are some simple ways to take care of your herbs so you can enjoy them for many months! 1) Lemon Balm – When I first started my herb garden in my window, this is the only herb I managed not to kill off in a few short weeks. I highly recommend this as the easiest herb to care for! These take very little amount of care, only a bit of water every few days and sunlight. Don’t know any great lemon balm recipes? Throw it in some hot water and enjoy it with your favorite tea! Recipes that call for a pinch lemon? Throw in some balm at the end. You will certainly have plenty, since this plant is really hard to kill! 2) Mint – Mint is also really easy to care for, and it spreads easily. It is best to keep your mint contained, otherwise your entire garden would be mint. Just like lemon balm, mint is great in tea, or use it in desserts, cocktails, or even meat dishes. Cut off a small piece and water frequently; your mint should last you years if you use it sparingly. 3) Oregano – This is another plant you are better off having in a pot than in your garden, as it grows like a weed! You can have this one indoors or outdoors. It is easy to dry to use it later, or use it fresh in pasta dishes, and watch them shine! 4) Cilantro – This herb looks a lot like parsley and can cope quite well in a window box. Spread out some seeds, and watch them grow. You don’t need starter plants; just sow some seeds in the box and wait a few weeks. 5) Basil – I LOVE to cook with fresh basil, but find it sensitive to grow my own. BUT I have always had more success when planting seeds than purchasing plants and replanting. The biggest frustration I have with basil is that I have a hard time growing enough and keeping it healthy for a long time. I water regularly, and it gets moldy. The best success I have had is just to replant regularly and use sparingly!]]> http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/window-box-herbs/feed/ 0 Plant Supports http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/plant-supports/ http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/plant-supports/#comments Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:00:11 +0000 Jessica B. http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/?p=4796

This year we have tomatoes, peas, beans and squash in our garden. What do they all have in common? They will probably need a little bit of support because they grow quite tall. Plant supports come in all shapes, sizes, and price classes. I have used everything from sticks collected from the forest to fancy shaped stands that end up looking like garden sculptures. But either way, many veggie gardens cannot succeed without them. Choose one that suits the style of your garden.]]> http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/plant-supports/feed/ 0 Landscaping Touch Ups http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/landscaping-touch-ups/ http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/landscaping-touch-ups/#comments Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:00:02 +0000 Jessica B. http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/?p=4798

Not looking to do a complete landscaping makeover? Here are a few ideas to freshen up your landscaping without breaking the bank or spending more than a weekend or two. 1) Plant grass in your bald spots – Are there some dried up and unhealthy sections of your lawn? Try to rescue your lawn by planting some grass seeds in these areas. Make sure you water enough so that the grass can take root. Then leave the area alone for a few weeks to let it grow completely out. 2) Trim your edges – The edges and spaces between landscaping areas are where wear and tear show the most, including patches of dirt around trees, areas around hedges and around your house. Make sure you weed these areas, and if you have nothing growing there, you can also spray vinegar or another pesticide. Then fill the areas with fresh dirt or mulch. If you want, you can plant some small flowers to keep the areas looking a little fresher, but it isn’t necessary. 3) Pick up – Do you have a lot of sticks, leaves, and other debris just lying around? Make sure you tidy up by collecting everything in your compost. 4) Clean up outdoor areas – Do you have an outdoor patio or section where you and your family spend a lot of time? Make sure you weed out between the stones, replace any old or broken stones, and clean out any empty pots. This way you keep the areas that you use fresh and clean. 5) Get some new plants or annuals into the ground – Looking to add a bit of quick color? Just go down to the garden store and pick up some fun plants. They don’t need to be high maintenance, just add them to areas looking a little drab this season to freshen things up a bit. Add a splash of color here or there. 6) Get out your furniture and decorations – Clean off all of your outdoor furniture and outdoor decorations, or get some new ones (a little garden statue, flag, etc.) and make everything look as good as new!]]> http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/landscaping-touch-ups/feed/ 0 Easy to Grow Summer Fruits http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/easy-to-grow-summer-fruits/ http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/easy-to-grow-summer-fruits/#comments Wed, 05 Jun 2013 14:00:41 +0000 Anna P. http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/?p=4789

For most gardeners, going through summer or fall without growing fresh fruit plants in the garden makes for an empty season. There is something special about growing sweet edibles in your own backyard. Whether you are new to growing fruits, or you're a seasoned pro, there are so many different types of plants to choose from, and many of them are easy to grow. We've got some ideas that are sure to inspire you, and some smart tips to help you get started on a successful growing season. 1- Try Growing Yummy Berries Blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are easy to grow and provide endless food options. These plants need lots of sunlight and drained soil to thrive. These plants, particularly the latter two, need to be spaced at least two feet apart. Also, you will need a trellis or some kind of support system for some berry types. There are a few berry types, such as Navajo berries, that are self-supporting. Choose to grow berries if you want a fresh and sweet snack to munch on all season. You can also use the berries for a variety of desserts like cakes, pies, ice creams, and more. Strawberries are also relatively easy to grow. 2- Consider Growing Apples Later summer and early fall is prime apple season. The good news is that you don't need a lot of space for growing apples, and some types you can easily grow in a container. Since most apple trees cross pollinate, you will need at least two or three apple trees; however, there are some apple trees that don't need the company of a different apple tree, including golden delicious. Consider growing apples if you love pies, tarts, or you just love to have a bowl of fresh apples on hand. 3- Start Simple If you're new to planting fruit in your garden or in a container, you may want to start out with a couple of plants at first until you get the hang of the process. It's not hard to plant or grow the aforementioned plants, but practice always makes perfect.]]> http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/easy-to-grow-summer-fruits/feed/ 0 Growing Peruvian Lilies http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/growing-peruvian-lilies/ http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/growing-peruvian-lilies/#comments Tue, 04 Jun 2013 14:00:23 +0000 T Akery http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/?p=4792

Peruvian lilies are a very common flower. They are most often used in bouquets. Many people like how they look in a flower arrangement. If you intend on having these in your garden, there are a few things you should know about this flower. The scientific name for the flower is Alstroemeria. It originates from South America, and it is predominately found in Peru. That's part of the reason for the name. It is also known as the "flower of the Incas." There are many different color variations from this flower. They range on the color spectrum from whites to purples with some yellow and orange variations. Some have decorative spots on their six leaves. Before you plant these bulbs, you should know that they are considered an invasive species. Their runners can spread out in different directions. They are notoriously hard to get rid once they have established themselves in an area, so take care before planting these type of lilies. They can be grown from seeds, but they are commonly found as bulbs. Plant in a partially shaded area, especially if you are in for a hot summer. They prefer a soil that is slightly acidic with lots of organic material. Use a balanced fertilizer if you intend on keeping them in the ground. For cold areas, you want to remove the bulbs and store them for the spring. Plant them after the last frost. Peruvian lily roots don't like a lot of heat, so you will need to provide a layer of mulch or plant them a little deeper in areas with sandy soil. Keep the soil moist, but take care not to over water these. These flowers are ideal for bouquets and other flower arrangements. They last a fairly long time after being cut. They can be very invasive, so make sure that you really want these flowers in your garden before you plant them. They can be extremely difficult to get out later on.]]> http://www.littlebitofgreen.com/growing-peruvian-lilies/feed/ 0