Sunday 7 March 2010
Spring Bulbs
Hi everyone just a quick update, with spring coming up get those spring bulbs planted!
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The green shoots of spring bulbs forcing their way through the garden soil in February are a welcome sight. For not only do they foretell the arrival of spring, but their colourful flowers brighten the garden and lift our spirits.
Experienced gardeners know how to create a succession of bulbs flowering from January right through to early summer by planting a variety of different types. It's not a complicated skill to learn and simply relies on considering the normal flowering time of the bulbs and arranging them as you plant them, to create bursts of colour throughout the season.
Among the earliest flowers to appear in early spring will be the snowdrops, followed on by dwarf irises, crocus, early daffodils and grape hyacinths, until the crescendo of spring is reached with wonderful, late flowering tulips dancing flamboyantly in the breeze.
Most spring flowering bulbs are planted in the autumn for the best results, but that doesn't mean that you have missed out. Take a trip to your local nursery and garden centre in spring, where you will find pots of flowering bulbs for sale. No doubt these will have been molly coddled a little to bring them into flower a little earlier than normal but that doesn't stop you buying a few to create instant colour and interest around the garden. Plant them into the bare patches of the garden or into pots and containers that may be moved around the garden for the best effect. A pot of spring bulbs viewed from the kitchen window may be enough to brighten the garden and gladden the heart. Add them to hanging baskets, window boxes and other pots and containers and place them where you can see them so you get the very best from every flower. Bring pots of scented flowers indoors for a day or so to enjoy their fragrance and then place them back out in the cool conditions outdoors. The great thing about spring flowering bulbs is that they live for many years. In the right conditions they will also multiply to increase the display. A small clump of crocus or snowdrops will quite quickly spread to become a generous display year after year.
To get the best from your bulbs, whether they are bought in pots this spring or existing in your garden borders, you need to help them to build up their food reserves. Healthy plump bulbs will create a much better flower display the following year.
When they have finished flowering cut off the dead flowers removing about 2.5cm of the flower stem. Don't cut off the leaves until they die back naturally, as they will continue to feed the bulb while they are still green. Instead feed the bulbs with a long-term fertiliser such as Growmore or a controlled release fertiliser, which will feed them over the coming months and replenish their energy to ensure that they flower again next season.
For a dwarf daffodil that will perform brilliantly in pots, containers, beds and borders look no further than 'Tete a Tete', you'll find pots and pots of them in the garden centre for planting now, or make a mental note to buy some bulbs to plant this autumn. It's got an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society, which means it is a great garden variety. Plant it into hanging baskets and bedding displays so that it brightens the early spring. The deep golden flowers, with two or three to a stem, are simply divine. For a scented narcissus consider Daffodil 'Minnow'. It bears two or three pale, lemon yellow flowers on each stem. The elegant, small flowers have a short trumpet and look fantastic with bluebells, forget-me-nots, Scilla or other blue spring flowers.
To know more about greenhouses and shoots of spring bulbs forcing their way through the garden soil in February visit http://www.growhouse-greenhouses.co.uk/greenhouses.php
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marks_Spencer
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The green shoots of spring bulbs forcing their way through the garden soil in February are a welcome sight. For not only do they foretell the arrival of spring, but their colourful flowers brighten the garden and lift our spirits.
Experienced gardeners know how to create a succession of bulbs flowering from January right through to early summer by planting a variety of different types. It's not a complicated skill to learn and simply relies on considering the normal flowering time of the bulbs and arranging them as you plant them, to create bursts of colour throughout the season.
Among the earliest flowers to appear in early spring will be the snowdrops, followed on by dwarf irises, crocus, early daffodils and grape hyacinths, until the crescendo of spring is reached with wonderful, late flowering tulips dancing flamboyantly in the breeze.
Most spring flowering bulbs are planted in the autumn for the best results, but that doesn't mean that you have missed out. Take a trip to your local nursery and garden centre in spring, where you will find pots of flowering bulbs for sale. No doubt these will have been molly coddled a little to bring them into flower a little earlier than normal but that doesn't stop you buying a few to create instant colour and interest around the garden. Plant them into the bare patches of the garden or into pots and containers that may be moved around the garden for the best effect. A pot of spring bulbs viewed from the kitchen window may be enough to brighten the garden and gladden the heart. Add them to hanging baskets, window boxes and other pots and containers and place them where you can see them so you get the very best from every flower. Bring pots of scented flowers indoors for a day or so to enjoy their fragrance and then place them back out in the cool conditions outdoors. The great thing about spring flowering bulbs is that they live for many years. In the right conditions they will also multiply to increase the display. A small clump of crocus or snowdrops will quite quickly spread to become a generous display year after year.
To get the best from your bulbs, whether they are bought in pots this spring or existing in your garden borders, you need to help them to build up their food reserves. Healthy plump bulbs will create a much better flower display the following year.
When they have finished flowering cut off the dead flowers removing about 2.5cm of the flower stem. Don't cut off the leaves until they die back naturally, as they will continue to feed the bulb while they are still green. Instead feed the bulbs with a long-term fertiliser such as Growmore or a controlled release fertiliser, which will feed them over the coming months and replenish their energy to ensure that they flower again next season.
For a dwarf daffodil that will perform brilliantly in pots, containers, beds and borders look no further than 'Tete a Tete', you'll find pots and pots of them in the garden centre for planting now, or make a mental note to buy some bulbs to plant this autumn. It's got an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society, which means it is a great garden variety. Plant it into hanging baskets and bedding displays so that it brightens the early spring. The deep golden flowers, with two or three to a stem, are simply divine. For a scented narcissus consider Daffodil 'Minnow'. It bears two or three pale, lemon yellow flowers on each stem. The elegant, small flowers have a short trumpet and look fantastic with bluebells, forget-me-nots, Scilla or other blue spring flowers.
To know more about greenhouses and shoots of spring bulbs forcing their way through the garden soil in February visit http://www.growhouse-greenhouses.co.uk/greenhouses.php
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marks_Spencer
Spring Garden Ideas
Spring is on its way and for many of us and that means getting our green thumbs ready for the spring season of gardening. This is the time of blooming and new growth so it's also a great time to begin treating your plants and flowers to help them get a healthy start in the new season. It can also be a good time to plant new flowers although it's important to check and be sure it is the right season for the ones you are choosing.
What are some great flowers and plants to consider for your spring garden?
1. Chrysanthemums
2. Pansies
3. Azaleas
4. Holly
5. Rhododendrons
What are some other ways you can care for your garden and lawn with spring approaching? Try Treetone of Planttone on your flowering trees, trees and similar plants. Now is the time to compost your perennial beds and maybe add some Flowertone to them as well. Do the weeding, raking, sowing and tilling if need be and get your spring garden looking fresh and rejuvenated.
You can also add compost to your annual beds and get started on weeding. Even if you use herbicide, you may still want to go through by hand, especially the first time and remove weeds as much as you can. Clean up the beds that may have gotten overgrown or in disarray during the cooler months.
You can also prevent bugs and pests from harming your garden by starting prevention early. You won't usually need to use harsh or strong pesticides if you tackle the problem early and keep it under control. Try horticultural soaps and oils first to see if these products help remove the pests without having to use harsher chemicals in your gardens.
This is also a fabulous time to spruce up your garden with great spring décor items such as:
o Garden signs
o Decorative fencing
o Garden statues
o Decorative rocks
o Birdhouses
o Patio and garden benches or furniture
o Ponds and fountains
What you do with your garden is totally up to you but spring is a great time to renovate and clean out the clutter- inside and out. Why not make your garden a great place to start?
Lisa Mason is a freelance writer with a specialty in Internet content and SEO articles. She has written thousands of articles, hundreds of ebooks and thousands of website pages and related content. She has also authored her own books and works as a consultant to other writers, Internet marketers and Internet businesses.
Lisa Mason, Professional wordsmith for hire: gamer, wife, mother, entrepreneur, published poet, co-owner of game guides company, public speaker and Internet business consultant. You can learn more or follow Lisa's blog from her website: http://www.freelancewriter4hire.com
You can see more articles like this at: http://giftsanddecor.wordpress.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_A_Mason
What are some great flowers and plants to consider for your spring garden?
1. Chrysanthemums
2. Pansies
3. Azaleas
4. Holly
5. Rhododendrons
What are some other ways you can care for your garden and lawn with spring approaching? Try Treetone of Planttone on your flowering trees, trees and similar plants. Now is the time to compost your perennial beds and maybe add some Flowertone to them as well. Do the weeding, raking, sowing and tilling if need be and get your spring garden looking fresh and rejuvenated.
You can also add compost to your annual beds and get started on weeding. Even if you use herbicide, you may still want to go through by hand, especially the first time and remove weeds as much as you can. Clean up the beds that may have gotten overgrown or in disarray during the cooler months.
You can also prevent bugs and pests from harming your garden by starting prevention early. You won't usually need to use harsh or strong pesticides if you tackle the problem early and keep it under control. Try horticultural soaps and oils first to see if these products help remove the pests without having to use harsher chemicals in your gardens.
This is also a fabulous time to spruce up your garden with great spring décor items such as:
o Garden signs
o Decorative fencing
o Garden statues
o Decorative rocks
o Birdhouses
o Patio and garden benches or furniture
o Ponds and fountains
What you do with your garden is totally up to you but spring is a great time to renovate and clean out the clutter- inside and out. Why not make your garden a great place to start?
Lisa Mason is a freelance writer with a specialty in Internet content and SEO articles. She has written thousands of articles, hundreds of ebooks and thousands of website pages and related content. She has also authored her own books and works as a consultant to other writers, Internet marketers and Internet businesses.
Lisa Mason, Professional wordsmith for hire: gamer, wife, mother, entrepreneur, published poet, co-owner of game guides company, public speaker and Internet business consultant. You can learn more or follow Lisa's blog from her website: http://www.freelancewriter4hire.com
You can see more articles like this at: http://giftsanddecor.wordpress.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_A_Mason
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