If you are an animal lover and want your beloved pet(s) to be as comfortable in your garden as you are, then you need to design a garden that is pet-friendly. If you are thinking about a formal looking garden, then you need to step back and reconsider. If you wish to share your garden with your cat or dog, you need an informal garden. Pets are like kids, so bear that in mind.

When it comes to your choice of plants for your garden choose larger sized perennials, shrubs and trees, as they are less likely to become sources of munching or play for your pets. If you have a newer planting area that you don’t want disturbed, then place a temporary chicken wire enclosure around it to discourage your pets from bothering it. The same holds true if you have plants that are on the sensitive side.

Mass planting, such as planting shrubs together or planting ornamental grass, lends itself to having pets because they are more inclined to go around these plants as opposed to going through them. If you do have a rambunctious pet, then grasses are very good because they are tough and will not be harmed by the playful frolicking of your dog or cat.

When it comes to soil, having bare soil is likely to encourage your pet to want to dig. To prevent this, plant your flowers close together and choose plants that are pet-friendly such as thyme, periwinkle or cotoneaster. These plants are best if planted in among bigger plants that are woody. The pet-friendly plants you choose must be non-toxic as well. Some good options include bamboo, blue-eyed daisies, and spider plants.

Cats adore the smell of catnip as well as cat mint. If you wish to keep your cat happy when the two of you are out in the garden, then considering planting one or both of these plants. They are both very hardy plants that can withstand plenty of attention from your feline. The only downside is that these plants might also attract the attention of other curious felines in your neighborhood.

Inorganic mulch is best for a garden that will have an animal visitor from time to time. Good options include pea gravel or potato stones.

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With all the talk of going green, ask yourself how green your garden really is. If you grow some of your own fruits and vegetables, then you are already on your way. But could you do more to be environmentally conscious? Are you doing enough? Read on for some ways to become the greenest gardener you can be!

A green garden is a natural garden in every way. That includes not just what you plant but what you spray the plants with. Every gardener wants a healthy and thriving garden that is free of pests, but things such as weed killers, fertilizers and chemical pesticides are not the answer. They are all poisons that can harm your plants, your kids, and your pets. Instead use compost to fertilize your garden and make it healthy. Your homemade compost can be composed of fruit and vegetable scraps, leaves, coffee grounds and tea bags.

Water is necessary for every garden to grow. Place a rain barrel in your garden to catch rainfall. This will provide you with fresh water that is free of chlorine and also free of minerals. You can use the barrel to catch the runoff water when there is a storm. This will help to perform two important functions- it will prevent flooding from occurring and it will reduce the likelihood of erosion. Make sure you place a screen over the top of the barrel to keep it clear and free of debris and insects. In order to make sure the water remains as fresh as possible and does not become stale, use it frequently to water your plants.

Both compost and mulch are good for many reasons, and here is yet another one. If you add both to your soil, it will help to keep water in the ground and therefore will reduce the rate at which it evaporates. For areas prone to drought and/or very dry conditions this is a good thing.

The more bees and butterflies that come into your garden the better. This is because they are pollinators and help your garden to grow. In fact 35 percent of the successful crop production throughout the globe can be attributed to bees and butterflies. To encourage both to visit your garden, plant a selection of native flowers. In particular this will attract bees to your plants. Watch your plants grow now!

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A rake is something that no gardener should be without. If you are, then shame on you! How do you manage in your garden minus the all important rake? A rake is essential for any garden whether you just have a lawn or a vegetable or a flower garden. Even if you have shrubs, a rake is a vital gardening device.

There are different types of rakes on the market including the garden rake, lawn rake, flat rake, border rake and hay rake but most gardeners need only one or two rakes to do all of their gardening jobs. It is generally only professional gardeners who need to have more than one rake in their garden shed. The good news is that many rakes are all purpose.

The garden rake is the most commonly used rake. It is the most appropriate rake to use when preparing seed beds and breaking soil down. Use the garden rake when you are spreading fertilizer and compost, mounding vegetables, or clearing stones and/or general debris from your yard.  Flat rakes can be substituted for a garden rake for these same purposes.

The second most common rake is the lawn rake. This versatile rake can be used for a variety of duties connected to the lawn, such as raking up and collecting grassing clippings as well as leaves. A lawn rake can come in handy when applying fertilizer to the lawn.

If you have a rather large area to prepare the seedbed, then a garden rake would work but it will take you a considerable amount of time to get your work done. In this instance you would be better off using a wooden hay rake. This rake will take you half the time as compared to a regular garden rake.

If you have flowers or shrubs that are in close proximity, then a border rake would be the rake of choice for the job. The same holds true if your vegetables are planted very close together.

When shopping for a garden rake, buy the best one you can afford. If you do, it will last you for many years to come. A top quality garden rake will not need to have its handle replaced. In the same way, the blade teeth should continue to be sharp for the life of the rake.

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Spring and summer may be the best months to grow vegetables, but they are not the only months! In fact, there is a selection of veggies that you can grow as the weather begins to get colder. It never hurts to talk to a professional who works in a nursery or greenhouse to verify which vegetables work best in your region before you plunge ahead.

Escarole is a cold and hardy green that is an excellent choice for growing in the garden during the cold months, as are carrots and other types of root crops. The decision of what to plant in your fall and winter garden is connected with where you live. For example, if you tend to have wet and cooler temperatures in the autumn, then you need to be careful with your vegetable choices, as these weather conditions can lead to diseases and pests.

This also holds true for places that experience extreme cold during the wintertime. In these areas, growing vegetables in a temperature controlled greenhouse might be the only option. Some vegetables are strong and resilient enough to handle the cold, some plants cannot.

If a high amount of rainfall is common in wintertime where you live, then raising the beds for your plants is a means of controlling the moisture level in the soil. If your beds are raised or if you choose to grow your plants in containers, then the soil will dry out faster, which is what you want. During the days when the temperature dips the lowest you might even want to cover your plants to protect them as best as you can.

Pumpkins and a selection of winter squash can be planted in the autumn and will be ready for harvest later in the season and into the winter. Hot chile peppers are also a later season plant, as is rhubarb which can be grown in the months of October and November.

Bear in mind as previously mentioned that the area you live in and the temperatures you have play a role in what you can plant. Here are some of the best fall/winter vegetables to plant:

•    Collards
•    Kale
•    Lettuce
•    Arugula
•    Broccoli
•    Cabbage
•    Turnip
•    Lettuce
•    Leeks
•    Mustard
•    Rutabagas
•    Spinach
•    Artichokes

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If you are an herb kind of person or want to be, then growing herbs in your garden is an excellent way to have some fun and to add more health and zest to your family meals! To become an herb gardener there are certain things you must know. Read on for some suggestions for a flourishing herb garden!

To grow properly, herbs need an adequate supply of water. If you do not live where there is enough rainfall on a regular basis, get a sprinkler. If you have a very busy schedule and do not have a lot of time to water your herb garden, then buy a sprinkler timer to do it for you. This is also good for those whose water is metered, as it’s also a money saver!

On the other hand, you do not want to water your herbs too much. To do so could cause the leaves to mildew or the roots to rot. You do not want to kill your plants before they even begin to grow!

The best time of day to water is early in the morning, or if that is not appropriate for you, in the evening around dusk when the sun is not so intense. Never water your herbs in the middle of the day when the sun is at its height. The midday heat will burn the leaves of your herbs.

A natural fertilizer is best for your garden when it comes to cultivating your soil, as it will provide your herbs with all of the nutrients they require and will make it possible for the soil to contain the correct pH level.

Do a close inspection of your garden, and consider how it will look once all of your herbs have grown to their full height. You want a garden that looks like some effort and forethought went into it. In other words, plant your taller herbs at the back of the garden and your shorter smaller ones at the front.

Whether you are new to herb gardening or old hat at it, always read the planting instructions. Instructions are written on packages for a reason after all.

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If you are going to compost, then buying a compost bin or barrel will make your life a lot easier. Here are four points to bear in mind as you consider options for a compost barrel.

Buy one that:
•    is large enough for your purposes
•    will keep rats and other vermin out
•    has a stout lid that is rain-proof
•    is as durable as can be

If you plan to do more than store your compost in a bin and want it to be responsible for breaking down organic matter, then you need a medium to large sized barrel or bin. Small bins or barrels simply are not big enough to do the job properly.

Vermin are a problem anywhere that there is food or cooked scraps left out. If the scraps have not rotted completely, then you may have to deal with rats and other forms of vermin. To prevent this from happening, buy a compost bin with a strong rat-proof base.

Look for a stout base and lid. You also need a lid that will keep out rain. Buy a bin or barrel that is designed with a hatch that will allow you to take out the compost easily when it is ready to be used. Ensure that it fits as well as it possibly can.

How durable and well made the compost barrel or bin is makes a great deal of difference. Only buy one that is made well and is not flimsy. If you are considering a plastic barrel, then purchase one that is UV stable. In other words, it can handle the sun’s powerful UV rays and can cope adequately with changes in temperatures. Most are UV stable but read the label carefully before buying.

Some compost barrels will be guaranteed for a period of five years or more. As well, many are constructed from recycled plastics. This is a very good thing as recycled plastic tends to be very strong and durable!

If cost is an issue and you must buy a cheap plastic bin or barrel, then store it where the direct sunlight does not reach it. This will help preserve its life until you can buy yourself one that is constructed to the highest of specifications.

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Mulch is just a fancy word for organic matter that provides a covering and protective layer on top of soil. Mulch is designed to give back to your soil by feeding it with essential nutrients. It can help prevent your soil from drying out, as well as stunt the growth of weeds and keep it from being harmed by extreme weather.

Almost any type of organic substance can be used as mulch provided it is not fresh. For example, dead leaves work better than fresh leaves. The best quality compost for mulch needs to be rotted or if not, then well on its way to rotting.

One of the best choices for mulch is animal manure. It is abundant in nitrogen and will encourage growth. Well-rotted manure is best as it is very plant-friendly. If you put fresh manure on your soil, it can burn plants as it gives off heat. Any type of animal manure is fine, but cow and horse manure are two of the best choices and most likely the simplest to obtain.

You might want to mix animal manure with wood shavings or straw to make it lighter and easier to spread. If you choose to use organic matter such as straw, wood or sawdust, then compost those first before you combine them with the manure.

Rotted leaves are a good option for mulch, however they are not that rich in nitrogen until they really get the chance to rot. This can take as long as three years to happen. What you can do is rake up the leaves that have fallen onto your lawn and then place then in recycled bags, a holding pen that is constructed from wire mesh, or a plastic compost bin with no lid.

You will know once the rotted leaves are ready to use as mulch because they will disintegrate and take on the appearance and consistency of soil. In other words, they will no longer resemble leaves anymore. In some cases they may end up looking like flaky pieces of soil.

Another option, if it is available to you, is mushroom compost. If you know of a mushroom farm nearby, then you might be able to get a hold of some mushrooms that are rotting and would work well as mulch material.

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When it comes to gardening, everyone can mess up from time to time. However, the no-nos tend to happen more often to novice green thumbs. Let us tackle some of the most common blunders and find ways to circumvent them!

Faulty Planning or No Planning
Don’t do things willy-nilly, but instead devise a plan for your garden. This will prevent you from buying too many of the wrong plants or planting in a design that you later will not like. As a general guideline, start small and then work up to bigger.

Lesser Quality Tools
Don’t cut corners with your gardening tools by purchasing the cheapest ones you can find. Invest in good quality tools that will not bend or break. If you have to replace your tools often, then in the long-run you have not saved any money at all.

Not Paying Attention to the Soil
Before you plant anything you need to prepare the soil. Most soil is not ready for planting just the way it is. Adding compost to your soil makes it even better. Organic material is also good for the purposes of drainage and will allow the soil to be better equipped at warding off diseases and pests.

Planting in an Inappropriate Spot
Take note of the amount of sun and shade that your garden has at various times of the day. Use this as a guideline in terms of where you decide to plant.

Overcrowding Your Plants
Before you plant anything, find out how much space it needs to grow, both underground and above ground. This is a common mistake that is often made when it comes to shrubs and trees. Allow your plants the room they need to spread out and be as healthy as possible.

Not Planting in Proper Groups
Gardening experts advise that you avoid a haphazard type of garden by arranging your plants or flowers in groups. In other words, keep like with like. To make the best impact or impression possible in your garden, create odd-numbered groupings that contain three or more plants in total.

Buying Plants of a Lesser Quality
It is not always easy for a novice to pick out good quality plants, so make sure you visit a nursery where there is knowledgeable staff there to assist you.

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Radishes are vegetables that are relatively easy to grow in your garden. The growing season can start any time after the last frost in early spring and can last into the month of September. If you wish to extend the growing season, then cloches can be used.

Radishes are uncomplicated vegetables that are not picky about the ground they are planted in,but they do have a preference for ground that is made up of organic substances, such as manure or compost. The organic material should not be added to the soil in the spring but the autumn before for best results.

When you plant the radish seeds, prepare the row by loosening the soil and raking it gently. Then take a bamboo stick or hoe, and mark out a spot that is approximately half an inch deep. Sow the seeds thinly along the spot you have prepared, and then cover them with a thin soil layer. You then need to water the freshly planted seeds.

Radish seeds generally take anywhere from four to 10 days for the process of germination to take place. As the seeds begin to grow, make sure that the soil is kept moist. This is particularly important to do during the hottest months of the year. Watering your radishes on a regular basis is essential to make sure that their roots swell and to ensure that they are not attacked by flea beetles.

While sun is important for their growth, they will do better if they are provided with enough shade. Too much sun can slow their growth.

If you are growing summer radishes (there are summer and winter radishes), then they should be ready to harvest in three to six weeks time. The three most common types of summer radishes are small, red and globular. They have reached full maturity once their diameter is that of a 10 pence coin. On the other hand, winter varieties of radishes are ready to harvest after 10 to 12 weeks.

If you have no room in your garden for radishes but wish to grow them, then try your hand at planting them in containers. These include such things as window boxes or pots. The advantage of this is you can bring them indoors and the growing season lasts for a lengthier span of time.

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You have decided to start a compost bin in your backyard because going green and being more organic are things that matter to you. Good decision!

What do you do now?

Finding the best location is a good place to start. When it comes to the location for your composter, the most ideal spot is on level ground where it will get plenty of exposure to the sun’s rays. The warmer it is, the faster the process of composting will take place. If you must place it in a shaded area, then that is fine, however, the process will take a little longer to complete. It also is recommended that you find a spot that allows for good water drainage as well.

It is best if it sits directly on the ground, as opposed to on top of patio stones or any type of paved surface. The composter should be placed approximately 8” to 12” away from fences, walls, bushes, or any doors leading into your home, garage or shed.

Once you have your compost bin positioned properly you should place a 4” to 6” layer of such things as dead plants, small branches and twigs in the bottom of it. Alternate your yard and kitchen waste in increments of the same 4” to 6”. The top of the composter should be made up of either finished compost or 1” of soil.

Materials that are Compost Worthy:

•    Plants from the garden
•    Vegetables
•    Fruit
•    Small amounts of grass clippings
•    Leaves
•    Straw
•    Coffee grounds and coffee filters
•    Tea bags
•    Eggshells
•    Wood chips and sawdust

In order to compost there are certain things that you must do. First of all, whatever goes into the composter must be small in size. Chop big substances into small pieces. You then need to layer the items in the bin. Alternate the brown material (straw, dry leaves and wood chips) with the green material (grass clippings and kitchen scraps). If it is called for, add water to the compost. Your compost needs to be a little bit damp to do its work properly. During all of the months that do not include winter, take a compost turner, a pitchfork or a shovel and turn the pile.

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