There are many new trends surfacing in gardening, and water gardening is one of the main new interests. Water gardening can be in the form of waterfalls, ponds, fountains, all of which can be enhanced by rock work combinations and lighting, plants, and fish. Water gardening doesn’t have to be a pond or natural water source either, it can consist of just a plastic tub, basically anything that can hold water.

The most important thing to consider in water gardening is probably the spot chosen. Since plants and fish both need plenty of sunlight, places in direct light away from trees and bushes is the best place. This will also help prevent leaves and debris from collecting in the water.

When planning for a water garden first decide the size you want. This will depend on how much money you are willing to spend because water gardening can get expensive if you opt for a large garden full of plants, rocks, fish, and lights. Also consider the size of our property, and the amount of time you want to spend with maintaining your water garden.

Read more

Many gardeners do not even consider fall gardening because of the winter frosts that might make an early appearance. On the contrary, fall gardening will result in excellent vegetables and will extend crops long after spring planted plants are finished. Vegetables produced from fall gardening are sometimes sweeter and milder than those grow in the summer and offer a brand new taste to the same old veggies.

What you choose to grow during you fall gardening will depend on your available space and what you like to eat, just like spring plants. Even the crops that enjoy the heat, such as tomatoes, sweet potatoes, okra, and peppers, will produce until frosts hit, which can be pretty late in the year in southern areas.

However, there are some plants that will quit towards the end of summer like snap-beans, summer squash, and cucumbers. If these vegetables are planted around the middle of the summer they can be harvested until the first frosts as well.

Read more

We have six green bell pepper plants and one red bell pepper plant in our garden. They seem to be doing very well, even though we have had many 100+ F days the last 3 weeks (which is typical for our area). Thankfully, this week has been nice and cooler at about 88 F to 93 F.

Sweet peppers and hot peppers like nighttime temperatures between 70 F and 75 F, which is what we often have in the summer.

It’s easiest to start with transplants purchased from your local nursery. They will have varieties that do best in your area. Plant these about 24 inches apart.

Don’t plant until night temperatures are above 55 F.

They grow best in a sunny spot with well-drained soil, with pH between 5.5 and 6.8.

Read more

Cucumbers - These take about 50 to 70 days from the time they are planted as seed to when you can expect to harvest any of the fruit. Generous amounts of organic matter in the soil will help.

Before planting any of the seeds (or young plants), dig the furrow 2 feet deep and fill in the first foot with manure mixed with peat moss, compost, sawdust, or any other organic material. Fill the rest of the furrow with soil, peat moss, and a low-nitrogen fertilizer (such as 5-10-10).

If sowing seeds, put them one inch deep.

Cucumber roots grow deep, so watering should be slow and deep. If the plant is stressed because of a lack of water, it will stop growing, but will pick up again when sufficient water is supplied.

Read more