Hobbies & Interests Page 13 Gardening & Outdoors
How to Use -- Contents
There are millions of Internet Web sites devoted to hobbies. Our intent is to give you a sample in each category so you can start a new activity or improve one that you already enjoy. We provide historical references, sites of people who actually display their hobby online, as well as suggestions.
Use this index grid to jump right to the topic. If the category you want is not here, select something close. To make things easier, we may place the same link in several areas. For example, "collecting airline sickness bags" is listed in "Travel & Transportation" as well as in "Strange & Unusual." Due to the huge amount of resources for Hobbies, we have divided this into 20 pages. As you click on a link, it will take you directly to that topic on a new Slightly Creaky page.
Hobbies Categories
Updated March 10, 2010
Each area includes hobbies, how to do, and collecting
Also See Recreation Pets
Collecting (General Information) |
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Playing Card (Games - Collecting) |
Board Games (Playing - Collecting) |
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Miscellaneous (lots of stuff) |
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Online Games Page 1 |
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Online Games Page 2 |
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Open |
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Geography (inc. maps & flags) |
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Communications (inc. telephones) |
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China (pottery, glass) |
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Animals (live & preserved) |
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We try to avoid commercial sites, but in many cases they are the only ones who provide ideas and information. If you are looking to buy or sell, please use a generalized search engine.
NOTE: If the table lines do not show properly, please refresh the page.
Caution - Proceed with care
Slightly Creaky is not responsible for the content of web sites listed here or the actions taken by the people owning, managing, or participating on these sites. Once you click on a link you are leaving our site.
These listings are the result of thousands of hours of research. It is the property of Slightly Creaky and may not be reproduced in any form. Every attempt has been made to provide an accurate description of each organization. Contact us if you find an error.
Have We Missed Your Hobby?
We are constantly looking for more information, more links, as well as featured articles. Please help us improve our site and service. The Internet had millions of web pages dedicated to hobbies; we can only sample a few of them. Our purpose is to give our viewers a taste of what is out there so you can start a new activity or improve one that you already enjoy.
If you know any sites we should include write to suggestions@slightlycreaky.com
General Gardening information
General Gardening information
| Before you begin: Know your Hardiness Zone. Each area of the world has a different climate zone, a variety of growing seasons, and other factors that determine whether it is practical to grow certain varieties, whether there is enough time for a crop to mature, and whether seeds need to be started indoors. Start with these sites: - Plant Hardiness Zones - Plant Hardiness Zones for North America - Google Search: Hardiness Zones (find individual states and many countries) - US National Arboretum Zones (US, Canada, mexico with closeup maps available) - The Garden Web: Hardiness Zones in Europe - Regional Gardening Calendar |
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| Your Guide to Everything Gardening | "Whether you are new to gardening, or a seasoned gardening pro, Garden Guides has everything you need. For more than eight years, Garden Guides has been a leader in online gardening information, providing thousands of pages of detailed and extensive information on plants, pests, gardening tips & techniques, gardening recipes, seeds & bulbs, gardening books, nurseries & landscapers, and much more." |
| HGTV Gardening | Gardening information from the Home & Garden TV Channel web site |
| Better Homes & Gardens Magazine | General and specific gardening information. Online magazine is free. Subscriptions available |
| National Gardening Association | "The National Gardening Association (NGA), founded in 1973, is a nonprofit leader in plant-based education. We serve a national audience with timely materials designed to foster an appreciation for the benefits of gardening." |
| Organic Gardening | Online magazine, Subscription available. |
| Garden Guides | "We are a database of several information based websites dealing with greenhouses and gardening. We love gardening and have created these topic-specific sites to cater to the diverse tastes of our fellow gardeners. Whether you're a beginner or master gardener, you'll find a site just for you!" |
| Understand the Most About Your Garden | Hundreds of links to informational articles |
| Garden Tips and Instruction - Gardening How-To | "If you need to know how to garden, how to build a garden, how to grow a garden, how to plant a garden, or anything else related to gardens, this it the place to be. Garden Guides's How-To section will help you become a better gardener and grow your green thumb, whether you are a beginner, an expert, or anywhere in between." |
| Gardening: Garden Structures | "At HGTV.com, you'll find even more of what you love about HGTV: instructions for thousands of home and garden projects, video tips, an interactive Program Guide and episode finder, Calculators, Message Boards and more." |
| Plants Information - Plant Gardening | "Information on thousands of species of plants, including flowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables, trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, weeds, and many others (lichens, moss, ferns, etc.) - virtually everything you need to complete your garden." |
| Water Gardening | Articles, designs, and links |
| Gardening Basics: What to Plant (and What to Avoid) |
From HGTV.com |
| "Every serious garden enthusiast eventually comes to the conclusion that a home greenhouse is at the top of the list for his or her own personal continuing gardening evolution. Greenhouses afford the opportunity to experiment with unusual or hard to grow plants, garden during the winter, and perfect propagation and seeding techniques - all in a controlled, up-close and personal environment." | |
| Greenhouses | |
| Greenhouse Gardening Tips | "Great greenhouse tips and useful information to keep your greenhouse running efficiently." |
| Starting Plants in a Greenhouse | From the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Farm Internship Curriculum and Handbook |
| Cold Frames and Hot Beds | "To get the most out of a garden, you can extend the growing season by sheltering plants from cold weather both in early spring and during the fall. Very ambitious gardeners harvest greens and other cool-weather crops all winter by providing the right conditions. There are many ways to lengthen the growing season, and your choice depends on the amount of time and money you want to invest." |
| Hot Beds and Cold Frames | (PDF) From the Maryland Cooperative Extension |
| Keep Your Plants All Winter with a Cold Frame | "A cold frame offers a comfortable environment for less hardy plants through the winter months in cold regions. Relying solely on the heat and warmth of the sun, a cold frame costs nothing to use and very little to build." |
| 4 Ways to Use a Cold Frame | "A cold frame is a simple structure that utilizes solar energy and insulation to create a microclimate within your garden. For those of you who have harvested and eaten a salad of fresh greens in February or have flowers blooming well past frost, you know the attraction of using cold frames." |
| Cold Frame.com | "Offering advice and insight for your cold frame greenhouse gardening hobby." |
| Gardening Under Lights | " Gardening indoors under artificial light isn't a new concept. The idea germinated soon after the electric light bulb was invented. The advent of the fluorescent light bulb has made indoor gardening more common and more efficient — a hobby that anyone can enjoy. " |
| Plant Grow Lights for Indoor Gardening Supplemental Greenhouse Lighting |
"Plant grow lights for indoor gardening and supplemental greenhouse applications," BTW (from the Slightly Creaky Editors) -- since we live in New York's Hudson Valley, and we can not get our plants outside until late May, we have been using an indoor grow light system since 1981, quite successfully. In fact, we just replaced the bulbs for the first time in 2007. We use one of the systems shown on this page, but paid under $300 for it way back then. |
| How Grow Lights Impact Plant Growth | "Indoors, under artificial conditions, you are trying to emulate the useful parts of natural sunlight as much as possible for optimal plant growth, all other necessary ingredients being present. Since sunlight is much brighter than light from a grow lamp, you will need to leave the lights on for 12-18 hours per day to compensate for the lesser brilliance of the light from artificial sources." |
| "Not every plant’s seeds are worth keeping. Hybrid plants are developed by crossing specific parent plants. Hybrids are wonderful plants but the seed is often sterile or does not reproduce true to the parent plant. Therefore, never save the seed from hybrids." | |
| Saving Seed from the Garden | |
| Guide to Successful Seed Saving | "Seeds are generally saved from annual and biennial plants. Seeds you save from your home production system are accustomed to your climate and growing medium and are adapted to pests in your area. Seeds from hybrid varieties produce a mix of offspring, many of which may have different characteristics than the parent. " |
| Save Your Seeds! How-To Directions | "Seed cleaning methods can be divided into wet processing or dry processing. Here are three-step directions for wet processing seeds that are embedded in the damp flesh of fruits or berries, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, muskmelons or ground cherries." |
| Saving Left Over Seeds | "Leave the seeds in their original packet that contains all the information you need to make planting easier next season. Place them in an air tight container like this plastic one. Or maybe a recycled jar - it will work just fine. Seal it up and place the container in the refrigerator - not freezer. The consistently cool temperature will increase storage success." |
| Save and Store Flower and Vegetable Seeds | "Most vegetable and flower seeds remain vigorous for three to five years when stored properly. To save leftover seed, keep it in its original seed packet, if possible. This way you still have the planting and care instructions. Place seed packets in a tightly closed glass jar and put the jar in a cool location. A refrigerator is ideal, but a cool closet or the freezer also works well." |
| Go Through Leftover Garden Seeds | "An Oregon State University vegetable researcher describes how to best keep seeds from one growing season to the next, and gives a list of common seeds and how long they last.." |
Selecting & Growing Plants
Selecting & Growing Plants
Perennials (inc. roses) |
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| "Plant Finder is a searchable collection of the best plants for your yard. Each listed plant includes detailed information about its preferred growing conditions, planting and care, and its most appealing features. Many plants also include one or more photos." | |
| Plant Finder | |
| We do not endorse or provide links to commercial sites for seeds, tools, or supplies. Many of the sites in this section, though, do have advertisements and commercvial links. Our personal experience of more than 40 years of vegetable and flower gardening shows that while one brand of seed may be fine one year, the following year the same brand and variety is disappointing. | |
| Shade Gardens | "Every home has a place for at least a small shade garden. While the full-sun vegetable and perennial gardens also have their functions, nothing takes the place of a tranquil, quiet corner of the yard with sweet scents, almost fluorescent colors, and best of all, cool shade. Contrary to popular belief, a shade garden can be host to an astounding number of flowering and foliage plants." |
| Selecting Seeds for Edible Plants | "The English country garden and the French potager garden are similar styles for a small-scale garden that combines ornamentals and edibles (vegetables, herbs and vegetables). These styles are informal and highly modifiable in terms of the size and shape of your garden and your preferences for edible plants. " |
| Seeds and Planting | "How do we know which vegetable varieties to buy?" and many more questions answered |
| How to Select Seeds for the Garden | "Not all seeds are created equal, even though they may look the same. Whether deciding on vegetable or flower seeds, selecting the right seed is not an easy choice. Knowing what makes seeds different is important when selecting seeds for your next garden project." |
| Gardener's Guide to Starting and Growing Plants from Seeds | "Growing plants from seeds is a very self satisfying undertaking. Each different type of seed has different requirements, so it will be impossible to cover everything here, but the basics are the same." |
| How to Successfully Start Plants from Seed | "Either purchased pots or flats or containers you've saved, like egg cartons and yogurt cups. Used pots should be cleaned and disinfected by soaking in 1 part bleach to 10 parts water." |
| How To Grow Plants from Seed | "The most obvious reason for growing plants from seed is the lower cost per plant. This is especially important if you are growing many plants for a profit. Growing from seed for pleasure may be another reason." |
| Tips for Growing Plants From Seed | ""From one little seed packet, you can get 40 or 50 plants, and you're going to get things you'll never find in a nursery." |
| Saving Heirloom Seeds | Hints for saving heirloom seeds for future planting. |
| Heirloom Vegetables | "One reason to grow heirloom vegetables is simply that they are a taste of the past. Many varieties, which had been prized and maintained for generations, have been lost in recent decades as fewer people save seed year to year. For many gardeners, saving an heirloom cultivar is a connection to their heritage." |
| International Seed Saving Institute | "Find links to specific seed saving instructions for 27 common vegetables. This online information comes from Basic Seed Saving, a 48 page paperback book written by Bill McDorman. It was created to provide enough practical information to allow gardeners to embark on the rewarding adventure of saving their own seeds." |
| Gardening Under Lights | " Gardening indoors under artificial light isn't a new concept. The idea germinated soon after the electric light bulb was invented. The advent of the fluorescent light bulb has made indoor gardening more common and more efficient — a hobby that anyone can enjoy. " |
| Plant Grow Lights for Indoor Gardening Supplemental Greenhouse Lighting |
"Plant grow lights for indoor gardening and supplemental greenhouse applications," BTW (from the Slightly Creaky Editors) -- since we live in New York's Hudson Valley, and we can not get our plants outside until late May, we have been using an indoor grow light system since 1981, quite successfully. In fact, we just replaced the bulbs for the first time in 2007. We use one of the systems shown on this page, but paid under $300 for it way back then. |
| How Grow Lights Impact Plant Growth | "Indoors, under artificial conditions, you are trying to emulate the useful parts of natural sunlight as much as possible for optimal plant growth, all other necessary ingredients being present. Since sunlight is much brighter than light from a grow lamp, you will need to leave the lights on for 12-18 hours per day to compensate for the lesser brilliance of the light from artificial sources." |
| Seed Collecting | "Seed collecting is fun gardening with a purpose. Once you know how to collect from your own garden, you will start finding opportunities to add new plants to the landscape by collecting seed everywhere you go. " |
| Hardening Off Isn't Hard | "Hardening off refers to the process of acclimating plants from indoor temperatures to the outdoors. Because plants usually are grown in greenhouses (or, as seedlings in our kitchen window!), they've been pampered. They need to be introduced slowly to the elements of wind and intense sun." |
| Bracing Up: Hardening Off Transplants | "For the sake of seedlings, whatever crops or flowers they will become, you will no doubt go to considerable effort to get them up and growing. You'll probably spend hours fussing over them, making sure they are well-watered, warm (or cool) enough, and under an adequate light source. Those small plants are vital; they are the future of your garden." |
| How To Harden Off Your Plants | "Hardening off plants is much easier with a cloche (cold frame)" |
| Links to Seed Companies | From "Plant Ideas" |
| Open Directory Seed Company List | Links to webs sites of seed companies. |
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map | "Click on any area within the United States to go to a close-up of that region." |
| Plant Hardiness Zone Map | "Basically, plant hardiness zones are a guide to help you know which plants will grow where you live, so you don't plant things that will soon die just because they can't manage your region's temperatures. Plants vary in the temperature extremes they can endure. " |
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"So you like flowers, want more color in your garden, but don’t have time to study what to plant in depth? You keep hearing the same words around flowers and in nurseries: perennial, annual. What do they mean, and what on earth should you plant?" |
| Perennials vs. Annuals in the Garden | "An annual plant is a plant which blooms only once, during its annual cycle. Spring annuals flower in spring, summer annuals in summer, etc. If you plant petunias by the garden gate and they blossom in May and you want them there again next May, you’ll have to replant. Except for a possible stray survivor that may come up next year, those particular plants are finished with their job by your garden gate." |
| Use Both Annual and Perennial Plants | "Do you have to replant your garden beds every year because you keep planting annual beds? Or do you lack color and interest because you only plant short blooming period perennials? Some helpful tips to help your garden be the one that stands out in the neighborhood." |
| Seed Starting Basics | Including: 13 steps to healthy seedlings, Causes of weak spindly seedlings, Seed planting depth, When to sow |
"Nutrition in the Garden was written to help teachers use their school gardens to teach nutrition. The guide has ten lessons that emphasize horticulture and nutrition. Each lesson contains clear objectives, teacher background information and three to four activities for the classroom." |
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| Nutrition in the Garden | |
| Water Quality, Conservation, Drought and Irrigation | "Topics range from created wetlands to choosing water-use-efficient crops to water quality in organic production to irrigation management. This section addresses the close relationship between agricultural production, soil moisture, crop and livestock water use, and water resources. " |
| Ground Covers | "Most of us have spots around our homes that are unsuitable for lawn turf for one reason or another. Maybe it's a steep slope, or a narrow area where it's hard to mow, or an area under a large tree that is too shady to support a conventional lawn. Or maybe you just want to reduce the size of the lawn to save time and effort in mowing. Enter the wonderful world of ground covers." |
| Caring for Lawns & Groundcovers | "Lawns and groundcovers provide a carpet of lush greenery. Find out how to choose the variety that works best for your location." |
| Lawn Care | "Make lawn care (and other gardening chores) a breeze with some of these cool tools." |
| Vines and Climbers | "If your home looks like every other house on the block, you may want to consider planting some vines and climbers on your property to give it a completely different look." |
| How to Grow Flowers, and lots of them! | " Flower gardening is an absolutely wonderful hobby for millions of Americans. While we commonly think of a few dozen types of flowers that we typically grow, there are actually hundreds, if not thousands, of different varieties.. Each species may have dozens of varieties. And that's good, because gardeners like to try and grow new and unique varieties." |
| Good & Bad Companions for Vegetables | Vegetable Companion Chart |
| Companion Planting: So Happy Together! | "Companion planting is not a new idea to the gardening world. There is evidence of farmers using these same techniques dating back to ancient Roman times. Many people are familiar with the idea of planting the "Three Sisters," a Native American technique that combines corn, squash, and beans." |
| Companion Planting | " Organic gardeners know that a diverse mix of plants makes for a healthy and beautiful garden. Many also believe that certain plant combinations have extraordinary (some even believe mysterious) powers for helping each other grow. Scientific study of companion planting has confirmed that some combinations have real benefits unique to those combinations. " |
| Companion Planting: Basic Concept and Resources | "Companion planting is based on the idea that certain plants can benefit others when planted in near proximity. " |
| Companion Planting | " Companion planting, or companion gardening is the practice of planting two different plants in close proximity to each other on the theory that they help each other in some way. Some plants complement each other, giving off by products that the other plant needs. " |
| Companion Planting | "Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you're a thousand miles from the corn field" Dwight David Eisenhower |
| Gardening: Flowers & Plants | From HGTV.com |
| Container Gardening | "Container gardening is one aspect of gardening in which every member of the household can contribute. Gardening in containers is easy, fast, fun, and rewarding. Most of us have had our pots of petunias and pansies over the years, but few of us have explored the real extent of possibilities that exist in the realm of container gardening." |
| Potting Soil Recipes and Soil Reconditioning | "Listing of the different types of potting soils and what they are used for. " |
| Soils & Compost
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"Healthy soil can improve crop and livestock production. The publications and other resources listed here offer information on how to assess, improve and maintain soil health for both croplands and pastures." |
| Garden Composting | Articles, designing co,post areas, links. |
| How to Compost | "Everything you need to know about composting at home." |
| Compost | "Compost is the heart and soul of organic gardening" |
| Weeds | "A weed can be described basically as any plant that's growing where you don't want it to grow. Weeds compete with the desirable plants in a landscape, and become more aggressive as they mature. Therefore, a planned and sustained attack is the only prudent way to go in the home garden as far as weeds are concerned. " |
| Weed Identification | " This list reflects common weeds observed in both container and field nurseries in Arkansas." But they apply to many other areas of the United States |
| "Annuals are a large group of plants that complete their life cycle in one season. They are the longest blooming of the plant categories, and as such, are essential elements in most landscapes. " | |
| Annuals | |
| Growing Fresh Flowers Not loading 2/25/09 |
"Annual flowers can be a prime source of color to accent and enliven a home's landscape. While flowering trees and shrubs provide short bursts of color, most annuals begin blooming within a month of planting and flower until frost. " |
| Gardening with Annuals | From the University of Illinois Extension |
| Annual Flower List | From NC State University |
| List of Annual Flowers | "A plant that grows, flowers, goes to seed, and dies in one year." |
| Annual Quick Reference List | From Mississippi State University |
| Biennials | "Biennials are plants that do not bloom until their second season. They grow strong plants in the first season, then bloom, self-seed, and die in the second season. They are self-perpetuating plants, some of which are spectacular when blooming. " |
"It is a good idea to plan your garden ahead of planting time. It may be helpful to make a sketch of your garden area indicating what types of plants you want as well as where they will be planted. " |
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| How to Select Perennials | |
| Perennials: Culture, Maintenance and Propagation | "Perennials are plants that live year after year. Trees and shrubs are perennial. Most garden flowers are herbaceous perennials. This means the tops of the plants (the leaves, stems, and flowers) die back to the ground each fall with the first frost or freeze. The roots persist through the winter, and every spring new plant tops arise. Any plant that lives through the winter is said to be hardy." |
| Perennial Plant Association | "Garden centers carry a wide selection of perennials that may be planted in June. It is a good time for the gardener to find more mature specimens of favorite summer bloomers at the garden center. It is also a good time to plan and plant a sequential summer perennial display of old-favorites and new cultivars. There are many spectacular flowering performers for the sultry summer season." |
| Perennials: Selecting, Planting & Growing | "Click Any Link Below For Information About Perennials." |
| Choosing Perennial Plants to Suit Your Garden and Gardening Style | "Perennials are the basis of most gardens and there are more and more to choose from. Whether you are looking for a long season of bloom or minimal maintenance, here are some tips for finding and choosing the perennial plants you're going to love." |
| Choosing Perennials | "Perennials are great flowers to plant because they live many years and offer an endless variety of plant heights, shapes and flower colors. However most perennials stay in bloom only three to six weeks. To keep color and life in your garden longer, it is best to mix annuals along with perennials in a flowerbed for ongoing seasonal color." |
| Choosing Perennials, Ecologically | "The sustainable way to choose perennials for your garden, that will result in the least maintenance and best success for the plants, is to do so "ecologically" or by habitat. Another way to say this is, "put the right plant in the right place" as far as its cultural needs are concerned. " |
| Types of Perennials | "There are many different types of perennials that, if selected with your specific growing conditions in mind, will thrive in many different types of climates. Shade perennials, hardy perennials that survive in cold weather, and drought-resistant perennials are all available." |
| Getting Started with Perennials | "You don't need to be an expert gardener to grow perennials. Many types of perennials are easy to grow and provide years of pleasure with minimal upkeep." |
| How To Select And Plant Perennials | "When buying perennials, look for fresh, healthy-looking plants that appear vigorous and ready to grow. Avoid overgrown, floppy or leggy-looking plants, or any that are small and struggling to stay alive." |
| Which Types Of Perennials To Choose For A Scented Garden | "Scented gardens not only fill one with nostalgia, but also give that glorious feeling of pleasure. Nothing is more wonderful than sitting in a scented arbour in the warmth of the evening, breathing in the heady scent of various types of perennials nearby." |
| How to Select Perennials for Semi-Shade | "Selecting perennials for semi-shade areas can bring color and excitement to tree-filled gardens. Semi-shade perennials are perfect for filling in unproductive sections of your yard or for creating a layer of color underneath taller plants." |
| Selecting Healthy Perennials | "Perennials are grown for both their foliage and their flowers. Their ability to come back each year and their generally carefree culture make them the backbone of the garden. With reasonable care, perennials establish a colorful and attractive presence, increasing each season in value." |
| Roses | Seven pages of roses, identification, planting, and care. |
| Rose Growing the Easy Way | "Roses are probably the most misunderstood and undervalued plants in the modern landscape. Most people seem to believe that all garden roses are troublesome, frail plants that need to be pampered and fussed over with weekly sprays and frequent fertilizing. " |
| How to Grow and Care for Rose Bushes | "There is unquestionably no flower as beautiful or as loved as a rose. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. More "beholders" carry, display and grow roses than any other flower. They are the undisputed favorite of growers and flower buyers alike." |
| Are You Ready to Grow Beautiful Roses? | "Roses are arguably the most beloved flowers in the world. They symbolize love, friendship, and sympathy with an elegant beauty." |
| "We commonly use the terms Fall Bulbs, Spring Bulbs, or Flower Bulbs when referring to a wide range of plants for both spring and fall. Most likely you (and I) have referred to flowers as bulbs, when they were actually Corms, Tubers, Tuberous roots, or a Rhizome. Don't know the difference? Don't Care? That's okay. You're in good company. What does matter is that we plant the flowers that we want to bloom in our home gardens. As we talk about them, we will also refer to them somewhat generically as bulbs too!" | |
| Flower Bulbs | |
| Types of Flower Bulbs | "Flower bulbs are generally teardrop shaped, with a pointed top and a round bottom. The outer skin is dark brown and paperlike. Propagation is accomplished by division. Baby bulbs are produced and are attached closely to the mother bulb, at the bottom of the bulb. Baby bulbs are produced rapidly each spring. If not separated after a few years, the size of the flowers and plants diminishes as they compete for space and nutrients." |
| Gardening with Flower Bulbs | "Nothing says spring quite like a daffodil, crocus or tulip. Bulbs, however, can fill your garden with vibrant color from early spring through late summer. They are, in general, very hearty, easy to grow and care for, and will bloom year after year." |
| Quick Guide to Flower Bulbs | "Here, you'll find clear, easy-to-understand info about planting bulbs in your area." |
| Bulbs and More | "Bulbs or bulb-like plants are usually perennials. They have a period of growth and flowering. This is followed by a period of dormancy where they die back to ground level at the end of each growing season." |
| Some Favorite Garden Bulbs | "Bulbs are a great addition to any garden as they will provide color year after year and can even provide additional flowers to be divided and planted in another part of the garden. Unlike, annuals, bulb flowers do not need to be planted each year." |
| Bulbs | "Bulbs are self-contained little packages of power that will reward the grower with years of carefree color and satisfaction. They are a must for any home garden. They are planted when dormant, and then grow, bloom, and store food before they go dormant once again. " |
| "There are few things that are as satisfying to a home gardener, than to wander out to the vegetable garden, harvest and consume the fruits of their labor. Successful vegetable gardening involves far more than just popping a few seeds into the ground and waiting for a tomato to appear. Planting is only the third step of the three 'P's. Planning your garden, Preparing the soil, and then... Planting your vegetables!" | |
| The Garden Helper | |
| Backyard Gardener | General information. Many links to commercial sites for purchasing tools, seeds, and other supplies. |
| The Vegetable Garden | From the Arizona Cooperative Extension |
| Tips on Planting a Vegetable Garden | "The most important thing you can do to ensure success for your vegetable garden is to locate it in the best place in your yard. The vast majority of things you will want to plant in your garden like full sun best, so planting your garden in a sunny spot will go a long way toward ensuring the success of your crop." |
| Saving Tomato Seeds - Seed Saving for Next Year's Tomato Crop | "Many plant seeds can be saved simply by collecting them as they dry. Tomatoes take a bit more work. The tomato seeds are enclosed in a gel like sack that contains growth inhibitors, preventing the seeds from sprouting inside the tomato." |
| Vegetable Gardening | "Give your veggie garden a facelift with these inspiring ideas...." |
| A Raised Vegetable Garden
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"Nothing beats the taste of home-grown vegetables. Host Ken Bastida shows how to get a vegetable garden off the ground--literally--with raised beds. He also shows how to build a rustic fence and arbor to separate the garden from the rest of the yard. Plus, enjoy a bountiful harvest with smart tips for planting the beds." |
| How to Make a Home Made Raised Garden | "Are you looking for a vegetable garden that is easy to maintain? Consider growing your garden in raised garden boxes. Elevated raised gardens require less bending for planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting." |
| Vegetable Garden Layout | "If you have never had a vegetable garden before, this may be the year to devote a part of your garden to vegetables. It's hard to beat the fresh flavor and high nutritional value of vegetables harvested directly from your own garden. As well, with World conditions the way they are, it's probably wise to have a few fresh vegetables handy. " |
| Vegetable Gardening | "Several decades ago, almost everyone had a backyard vegetable patch. Neighbors would compare notes and have competitions to see who would have the first ripe tomato of the season. " |
| Fertilizing Vegetable Garden Soils | (Specific for Ohio, but the principle applies world wide.) "Vegetable plants, like all other green plants, require several nutrient elements for growth, development and productivity. Among the necessary plant nutrients are carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, available from the atmosphere and from water; and nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur supplied from the mineral portion of the soil. These elements are used by plants in relatively large amounts and are referred to as macronutrients. Micronutrients, or trace elements, used in small quantities, include boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum and zinc. " |
| Vegetable Gardening In Containers | "If your vegetable gardening is limited by insufficient space or an unsuitable area, consider the possibility of raising fresh, nutritious, homegrown vegetables in containers. A window sill, a patio, a balcony or a doorstep will provide sufficient space for a productive mini-garden. Problems with soil-borne diseases, nematodes or poor soil conditions can be easily overcome by switching to a container garden." |
| Container Vegetable Gardening | "Many people who live in an apartment, condominium, or mobile home do not grow a vegetable garden because space is not available for a garden plot. Lack of yard space is no excuse for not gardening, since many kinds of vegetables can be readily grown in containers. In addition to providing five hours or more of full sun, attention must be given to choosing the proper container, using a good soil mix, planting and spacing requirements, fertilizing, watering, and variety selection." |
| Vegetable Gardening Ideas | "Your complete guide to starting a vegetable garden!" |
| Secrets to a More Productive Vegetable Garden | "The surest way to increase the yield from a vegetable garden is to reduce the space between plants. The idea is to plant wide bands, thus reducing the amount of ground devoted to paths" |
| Hydroponic Gardening | "Hydroponics simply means growing plants without soil. Food for the plants, called hydroponic nutrient, hydroponics nutrients, fertilizer for soilless gardening, or plant food, etc. (may be organic), are dissolved in water and fed directly to the roots automatically. Plants form smaller roots and grow in inert grow media (i.e. gravel, sand, water or even air). If you haven't seen it for yourself, you will be amazed." |
| The Herb Garden | "The herbs I have grown are listed below with instructions for growing them. Perhaps inexperienced gardeners as well as those who have not yet had the pleasure of growing these interesting plants will give some thought to starting a small herb garden. Even a small plot 4 by 6 feet will grow all a small family would need. If not grown for use in cooking, herbs are worth growing for pleasant aromatic foliage and some of them for the beauty of the flowers as well. Herbs can be used fresh for garnish in salads and to perk up the flavors of bland vegetables or to add flavor to meats and stews in which case one needs only to nip off a few leaves when wanted." |
| Growing Herbs in a Home Garden | "Herbs have played an important part in man's life for countless years -- in his politics, romance, love, religion, health, and superstition." |
| The National Herb Garden | "The National Herb Garden, a popular feature on the grounds of the U.S. National Arboretum (USNA) in Washington, D.C., began as a special gift to the people of the United States from the Herb Society of America. Headquartered in Kirtland, Ohio, the society spent 15 years working with the U.S. government and raising matching funds to ensure its completion." |
| Growing Herbs | "Herb gardening can be done in a very little space. All it takes is a few herb plants, grown along the side of the house or garage, and you have an ample supply for the kitchen. Try growing herbs in a container on your balcony or deck. They are very comfortable in windowsill planters, too. Many herbs make good indoor houseplants during the winter months." |
| All About Herbs | " The loose definition of herb is any plant that is used for its culinary, medicinal, or fragrant properties. Herbs are such a diverse group of plants that it is very difficult to separate them into logical groups. " |
| Choosing Perennial Herbs | "Both annuals and biennials make wonderful additions, and should not be overlooked, when planning the herb garden. Here, we will look at a few perennials for the herb garden and how to grow them. They are listed by common name" |
| Field Crops | " If you grow field crops such as grain, corn and legumes, you may want to learn how you can successfully adopt sustainable farming methods or organic production strategies for these crops." |
"Shrubs & hedges are an easy answer to a large number of landscaping problems. They can be used as accents, to hide unsightly areas, to focus the eye on a particular spot, or as a living barrier to other properties or areas you don't want seen" |
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| Shrubs & Hedges | |
| Types of Bushes and Shrubs | "Below are some of the most common and popular types of bushes and shrubs." |
| Shrubs Channel Library | "The encyclopedia of shrubs catalogs all the shrubs you could want in your beautiful yard. Explore the encyclopedia of shrubs to find exactly what you're looking for." |
| A Guide to Different Types of Garden Shrubs | "Among the bewildering lists of shrubs, certain names stand out as new and unusual, or, on the other hand, tried and familiar. These include both the evergreen and deciduous types." |
| What are the Different Types of Shrubs? | "Shrubs are often used for landscaping applications. Some are small and dense, while others are tall and thin. Some are leafy green, while others display colorful flowers." |
| Tree Library | "The encyclopedia of trees lets you browse until you find the perfect trees for your home. Look through the encyclopedia of trees to learn the ins and outs of taking care of trees." |
| Gardening: Trees / Shrubs | "To give your tree a good chance for success, follow these guidelines to help make planting a tree easy. " |
| Trees | Alphabetical listing of North American trees, how to plant, and care. Free membership needed. |
| Trees | " Anyone who has ever enjoyed a walk in the woods knows that there is a deep, almost mystical connection between us and the trees that goes back to the beginnings of mankind." |
| "Families today have less space for fruit trees, less time to take care of them and less time to process or preserve large crops than in the past. Accordingly, today's family orchards should be planned and managed differently. The objective of Backyard Orchard Culture is the prolonged harvest of tree-ripe fruit from a small space. This means planting close together several or many fruit varieties which ripen at different times, and keeping the trees small by summer pruning." | |
| Growing Fruit Trees in Limited Space | |
| Seeds and Fruit | "Many of the seeds and fruits produced by canopy trees fall to the ground where they provide food for seed gatherers (rodents, birds, fish, etc) and create a natural seed bank in the leaf litter." |
| Nut Growing | "Most nut species grow more readily on loamy or even sandy soils than they do on heavy clay soils. They also prefer well-drained soils, but pecans can tolerate heavy bottom soils that flood occasionally. All species are unfavorably affected by shallow soils that have hardpan or rock layers in the upper 4 feet." |
| Nut Growing in Illinois | (Applies to many northern states) "Several species of nut-producing trees are native to parts or all of Illinois; other species have been imported into the state. Possibilities of profitable commercial production of nuts in Illinois are limited, but growing nuts for home use can be an interesting hobby, providing nourishing and delicious food and enhancing the landscape." |
| Northern Nut Growers' Association | "The Northern Nut Growers Association, Inc. (NNGA) brings together people interested in growing nut trees. Our members include experts in nut tree cultivation, farmers, amateur and commercial nut growers, experiment station workers, horticultural teachers and scientists, nut tree breeders, nursery people, foresters, and beginning nut culturists." |
| Growing Nuts in the North | Ebook. Can be downloaded for free. |
| Growing Fruit Trees in Pots | "An English Garden is not complete without at least one or two fruit trees. Nowadays you are very lucky if you have the space to grow a full sized tree or have bought a garden which already has a mature fruit tree in. But lack of space doesn’t mean you can’t grow fruit trees. There are many cultivars of apples, pears, cherries, plums, peaches and nectarines which will grow happily in pots on your patio, courtyard or dotted here and there in your borders. Their blossom will add an extra dimension to the beauty of your garden." |
| Dwarf Fruit Trees | "Fruit trees don't grow true from seed, as you've discovered if you've ever sampled fruit from the seedling apple trees that sprout from bird or deer-scattered apple seeds in most old woods in North American farm country....." |
| Fruit Tree Tips | " Many fruit trees require at least two varieties for cross pollination in order to get a good crop of fruit:..." And many more useful hints. |
| Planting and Early Care of Fruit Trees | "Fruit trees may be planted in early spring, as soon as the frost in the ground has thawed. If the soil is very waterlogged, it is best to wait until it drains. Wait until the soil no longer comes up in sticky clumps that stick to the shovel." |
| Training & Pruning Fruit Trees | "Growers often neglect the annual training and pruning of fruit trees. Without training and pruning, however, fruit trees will not develop proper shape and form. Properly trained and pruned trees will yield high quality fruit much earlier in their lives and live significantly longer." |
| Tree Fruit in the Home Garden | " It is desirable to locate the fruit planting as close to your home as possible. Where space is limited, fruit trees may be set in almost any location suitable for ornamental plants. Consider the mature size of the tree when designing the planting." |
| Fruit Tree Planting Foundation | "Our programs strategically plant orchards where the harvest will best serve the community for decades to follow, at places such as public schools, homeless shelters, drug rehabs, low-income areas, international hunger relief sites, and animal sanctuaries. FTPF's projects benefit the environment, human health, and animal welfare—all at once!" |
| Fruit Trees | " Fruit trees may offer a better return on effort than anything in the garden. A single semi-dwarf apple tree, for example, can produce up to 500 apples in a season, with a productive life of 15 to 20 years. Several trees, with different harvest times, can bring fruit to your table 8 months of the year. " |
| Growing Organic Fruit Trees | "The advantages to growing fruit organically are obvious in the first bite. Your own organic fruit is not covered in arsenic (as some commercial apples are to lengthen shelf-life) or wax. Growing your own fruit means picking varieties for flavor, not looks or ability to travel. Your organic fruit may not be as picture perfect as the stuff you find in the grocery store, but fruit is to eat, not to take pictures of!" |
| The Most Difficult Problems to Consider When Planting a Fruit Tree | "Poor drainage, late frost, late rain, extreme cold and critters are a few. These challenges to growing fruit trees contribute to why some people just don’t plant them." |
Landscaping
Landscaping
Including Pest Control
| Home Landscaping Ideas Introduction | "Home landscaping is a highly personal subject. Some like a perfectly manicured lawn with every shrub and flower carefully placed. Others prefer a backyard habitat-like area with tangled vines, meandering paths, and hidden garden rooms. " |
| Landscape Plans: Create a Beautiful Backyard Retreat |
Detailed plans and plant lists to create the garden of your dreams. |
| Landscaping Articles Online | More than 100 articles with tips and suggestions for gardeners. |
| Protecting Your Garden the Organic Way | "Avoiding chemical pesticides in your home lawn and garden is a great step to ensuring the health and safety of your family, pets, neighborhood, and the earth!" |
| No Chemicals: Organic Garden Pest Control | "Organic gardeners avoid using chemical pesticides because they are toxic to humans (especially small ones), pets and the environment as well as to insects. Organic garden pest control uses non-toxic, natural methods of deterring or removing insects. " |
| Guide to Pests and Diseases | "Click on pest or disease below for a detailed description and remedy. " |
| Insects and Pests | Pictures, descriptions, and remedies for common and not-so-common garden pests |
| Natural Insect Pest Control (Household) | Insect pests are an intimate part of every home. In the air, carpet, counter or cupboard, every home shares it's resources with these tiny, often unseen invaders. Pesticides are available for most common household insect pests, but these potent chemical compounds may be more harmful to you and the environment than the pests. Here are some natural, non-toxic ways to control household insect pests. |
| Natural Garden Pest Control | " Natural pest control is less expensive than buying and applying pesticides, and it's safer for your garden, natural wildlife and the environment." |
| "These resources offer a wide array of techniques and controls to effectively reduce or eliminate damage from insects, diseases and weeds without sacrificing the good of the soil, water, or beneficial organisms." | |
| Gardening: Diseases / Pests | "At HGTV.com, you'll find even more of what you love about HGTV: instructions for thousands of home and garden projects, video tips, an interactive Program Guide and episode finder, Calculators, Message Boards and more." |
Garden Tools & Supplies
Garden Tools & Supplies
| Garden Supplies | "In the Garden Guides' garden supplies section you will find detailed and in depth information on seeds, bulbs, and gardening books and pamphlets. In our seed & bulb stores section, you will find an extensive listing of places to purchase seeds, bulbs, gardening supplies, and landscape supplies. In our seeds & bulbs catalog you will find more than 750 different seed and bulb pages, most with detailed information such as seeds per pound, seed depth, and seed spacing. In our gardening books and country wisdom bulletins sections you will find brief synopses and overview information on over 450 high quality gardening books and pamphlets." |
| Ten Essential Tools | "The only way you are going to do any gardening is if it can be done with a screwdriver, broken toothbrush and a rake with three teeth, because those are the closest things you have to gardening tools in your garage." |
| Better Than A Sharp Stick | "If you think about it, when it comes to garden tools, we haven't really come too far from a sharp, pointed stick. Shovels, forks, spades and rakes are all subtle variations on our earliest implement. " |
| Choosing Your Garden Tools | "There are a few basic tools that every gardener should have. These products will make working in your garden easier, while also enabling you to perform vital actions that will increase the health of your plants and the soil that nourishes them. If you're just starting out, don't think that the highest priced garden tools are the best. As you become more familiar with gardening, you will discover which type of tools are most needed and can then invest a little more in those particular ones." |
| How to Select Basic Garden Tools | "You don't need to spend a lot to start a garden, but you do need some basic tools. You can get started for under $100 - less if you can find tools at yard sales or flea markets." |
| 5 Essential Garden Tools (+5 To Make Gardening Easier) | "When it comes to your garden, you need more than just plants to keep it alive. You also need the tools to keep the garden healthy and vibrant. I could survive with the first five tools if I needed to be really frugal, but I expanded my list to include the last five that most people would find essential" |
| The Tools That Make Gardening a Pleasure
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"So you’ve gotten the garden bug and sallied off to the garden center to pick plants. Wait just a minute; before you leave the garden center, better run through a check list and see if you’ve got all the garden tools you’ll need to make your garden spring to life. We aren’t going to break the bank here; no power tools and even a few you can craft yourself." |
| Clean, Sharp Tools Work Better | "I’ll admit that in the past I’ve put away shovels that were dirty and rusty, set aside dull and stained hoes, and “fixed” the cracked handle of my favorite rake with a tight wrapping of electrician’s tape. As a result, my tools didn’t work as well as they should have. I’ve learned since then, though, that the time I wasted struggling with dull or broken tools would be better spent with a brief, regular maintenance regime and more efficient, productive hours in the garden." |
| An Easy Tip for Cleaning Garden Tools | "Before using your shovel, rake, hoe, fork or any other garden implement you spray it with a fine coat of olive oil." |
| Five Landscaping Tools You Should Always Have | "In order to keep your beautifully landscaped yard in tip top condition, there are several must have tools to maintain your yards beauty. Not only will this make maintenance easier, it also helps to keep from damaging your plants that you so carefully picked and added to your landscaping." |
| Landscaping Tools | "For the avid do-it-yourself landscaper, the right tools are important. After all, if one wishes to save money on the expenses associated with having a well cared for yard, it is best to make sure that he or she has all of the tools necessary to create an attractive landscape." |
Indoor Plants
Indoor Plants
| House Plants: Proper Care and Problem Solving | "Growing house plants is a challenging and rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by everyone and need not be difficult. Give plants what they need and they'll do well for you. Give them just about what they need and they hold their own. Deny too many of their needs and plants fail." |
| Growing Houseplants | "Growing houseplants can be an easy proposition if some basic requirements are met. Knowing what kind of environment you can offer your plant is a good first step. Before buying, study the area where you wish to grow plants. What kind of sunlight is the area getting? Is it near a window? What direction does the window face? " |
| Growing Houseplants - Care and Maintenance | " Houseplants, also called indoor plants, brighten up your home or office. Caring for houseplants makes for a great hobby during the long inclement months of winter, and even throughout the year. And, growing houseplants is rather easy. Many gardeners refuse to twiddle their green thumbs, for months on end, a winter keeps them indoors. Rather, they actively extend their gardening pleasure through the winter months, tending to a wide array of indoor plants." |
| Houseplants | "Tips for choosing and growing a variety of houseplants, including advice on feeding, lighting, and watering your plants." |
| Indoor Plant Types, Pictures and Details | "The amount of light available. Whilst natural light is best, normal artificial office lighting is adequate for quite a few indoor plants." |
| House Plants - Flower Pictures | Commercial with some good articles & information. "There are countless varieties, and people generally love them. However, they often have difficulty with the identification of indoor house plants. House plants' common names are sometimes misleading, because they may be referred to by slang names." |
| Types of Houseplants | "There are flowering types or non-flowering types. You can grow Cactus, small shrubs and flower bulbs. You can even grow a variety herbs. Most of these however, require more sunlight, which is often at a premium indoors and in winter months. " |
| Diagnosing Problems on Indoor Plants | "Living plants are being used in great numbers and variety in all types of indoor environments. Whereas most indoor environments are satisfactory for the maintenance of the health of plants for relatively long periods, problems do occasionally occur." |
| Tropical Houseplant Care | "Tropical houseplant care is easy when you follow these simple guidelines." |
| Plant Care for Indoor House Plants | "Whether you're a casual cultivator or gardening guru, PlantCare.com has all of the information you need. At Plant Care you can search our extensive plant database to find information on thousands of outdoor and indoor house plants, participate in and discuss your favorite gardening topics in our plant forum, shop for home and garden products, and expand your plant knowledge with hundreds of gardening tips and guides." |
| Caring for Flowering and Foliage House Plants | "Most houseplants are hybrids of plant species which grow wild, somewhere in the world. A good rule of thumb for keeping them healthy is to try to match the same environment from which they originated." |
| Your Guide to House Plants and Indoor Plant Care | "Our goal is to help you learn more about house plants care, avoid mistakes, introduce new plant varieties and help you enjoy plants indoors and outside more. We'll also share the benefits of indoor plants along the way like their ability to clean the air." |
| Bonsai | "Growing Bonsai is probably not for the once a week houseplant waterer who skips a week every now and then, but for those willing to put a little effort into it, the Art of Bonsai can be an incredibly creative and rewarding leisure-time gardening activity, especially for those in the colder areas who are cooped up in the house through the long winter months." |
| Bonsai | |
| How to Grow and Care for Bonsai Trees | "Bonsai is actually two words, "Bon", and "Sai". The word "Bon" means "tray" and "Sai", "growing" or "planting". Therefore, the two words put together give you the translation of "tray growing" or "tray planting"." |
| Growing Bonsai Indoors | "With the exception of tropicals and sub tropicals, all bonsai should be grown outdoors. Temperate climate woody plants must go through a period of cold dormancy in order to survive. This dormancy completes a yearly cycle. In deciduous trees this is a very obvious phenomenon, however, temperate evergreens such as Juniper also need to go through this cycle." |
| Cactus | "Cacti are a group of plants that are not only easy to grow, but offer a variety of shapes, color and form. They can be grown in any sunny, well-drained area. They require little maintenance. They make excellent houseplants and many hardy varieties may be grown outside." |
| Cactus | |
| Guidelines For Success With Growing Cactus Indoors | "Most cacti seem to be victims of their own durability. They will take an incredible amount of neglect and even abuse. I've seen them growing under practically zero light conditions, on cold, dreary porches, in ordinary potting soil, and shriveling from a prolonged drought because their owners take the name desert cactus too literally." |
| How To Successfully Grow Your Cactus Cuttings | "A cactus cutting must be “calloused over,” meaning the cut end of the pad is dry and has sealed itself over in order to protect itself. Cuttings cannot take in water, a cactus plant must have roots to absorb water, just as other plants do." |
| Growing Cacti As Houseplants | "True cacti, a type of succulent, are native to the Americas. Many types may be grown as houseplants, each different in size, color, shape, and flowering habit. Among the most popular types are the star cactus, golden barrel, old man, bishop's cap, bunny ears, rat-tail, pincushion, Turk's cap, and ball cactus." |
| Cactus | "Cacti vary tremendously in size, color, shape and flowering habit. There may be one to two thousand different species of cacti. Most cacti live in desert habitats, but some types can also be found in jungles. Most cacti are native to the Americas." |
| Growing Cacti from Seed | "To germinate cactus seeds, use a fine mix of 1/3 washed sand, 1/3 cactus compost, and 1/3 perlite. Mix it thoroughly and put it in 10cm plastic pots or seed pans (with adequate drainage holes). Gently pat down the mix to eliminate large air pockets and smooth the surface with a straight edge." |
| Growing Our Spiny Friends | "Cacti are part of a larger group of plants called succulents. Through natural selection most Cacti species lost their leaves, which allowed too much evaporation in the desert. Their stems became thick, and round to minimize surface area, and to store water. To protect themselves from the Sun and predators many species developed spines and hair, waxy skin, along with bitter alkaloids." |
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Ornaments
| Garden Ornamentation | "Garden ornamentation takes many shapes and forms, and is largely a matter of taste. Pretty much anything can be made into a garden ornament, and if it pleases you and captures your style and personality, then go for it. " |
| Garden Decor & Projects | "Enhance your yard with garden decor and gardening projects like trellises, arbors, and planters that enliven your home garden all year round." |
| How to Select Tasteful Lawn Decorations | "Neighbor A has a beautiful lawn, empty but for his flowing blades of green grass. Neighbor B has a carnival of gnomes and flamingos. Which neighbor wins out? Um.. hello, the Tacky Police ought to nail them both!" |
| Accessorize Your Yard with Lawn Ornaments and Statues | "Lawn decorations have come a long way since those once-ubiquitous pink flamingos began to appear on suburban lawns in the late 1950s. The plastic animals from mail-order catalogs that once formed the bulk of the lawn decoration market have given way to an incredible variety of lawn ornaments and statues, and an ever-broadening notion of what can be used to accessorize your yard." |
| Common Lawn Ornaments | "Lawn ornaments are decorative objects placed in the grassy area of a property." |
| Articles About Lawn Ornaments | Dozens of articles and suggestions |
| Lawn Ornaments: A Piece of Americana | "In the United States, because of the blend of many cultures, garden design can mean many things to many people, and so it is with lawn ornaments as well. Lawn ornaments serve little function other than the aesthetic, but have become an integral part of the home landscape" |
| Decorate Your Yard with Lawn Ornaments | "Your yard can be decorated in many ways. You can put out lawn ornaments to give your lawn a decorative touch and become more noticed. There are many types of lawn ornaments that you can use in your yard such as decorative garden stones, statues, sculptures, birdhouses, birdfeeders, birdbaths, decorative lights, flower pots, windmills, wishing wells, waterfalls, plaques and many more." |
| Designing a Landscape Lighting System | "Before deciding what and how to light, we must first ask "why light?" Our design decisions are dependent on proposed uses for landscape lighting...for safety, security, property value, or enhancement of the beauty of the garden and structures. Most likely, the answer will be a combination of two or more of these uses. A specific technique can be employed to satisfy more than one requirement...for example, uplighting a prominent tree near the house entrance will provide safety, security and aesthetic enhancement." |
| Build a Garden Wall | "Good fences make good neighbors and good garden walls make happy neighbors. Garden walls are attractive, practical, easy to build, and add aesthetic value to both your property and your neighbor's." |
| How to Build a Garden Wall | "Learn how to build a garden wall with interlocking concrete pavers; includes instructions along with tips, materials, and tools lists." |
| Build a Retaining Wall in Your Yard | "A long sloping backyard looks pretty, but the unfortunate reality is that often because of that good looking slope, you just can't do much with your yard. Pools, patios, garden sheds, and even kids' play areas require level ground. A solution to your sloping yard problem might be a retaining wall" |
| How to Build a Garden Wall | "Walls add structure and style to gardens. You can use a wall to mark the boundaries of a garden, focus on a flower border or contain erosion on a slope. Although brick walls and walls over 3 feet tall require an experienced hand, beginners with strong backs can tackle a dry stone garden wall." |
| Build a Garden Wall | "Build a garden wall and you can create privacy, block uncomfortable wind, and provide a home for climbing plants all with one landscape addition." |
| How to Collect Garden Gnomes | "So you're ready to start collecting garden gnomes. These whimsical little creatures of lore have been loved for years by gardening enthusiasts of every kind. Now you too will be able to count yourself among the ranks of garden gnome collectors. Use the guidelines below to help start up your collection, then get out there and start adopting." |
| Finding Your Own Gnome | "No yard or garden is complete without a lawn gnome! Looking for a cool lawn gnome for your yard or garden? Be careful, because really cool lawn gnomes often get stolen or vandalized. Don't ask me why! I guess people can't stand someone else owning such a cool lawn gnome, so they have to steal or destroy it." |
| Gnomeland | "It's time to dust your gnomes down and bring your little guys out of hibernation. How about a new gnome to add to your collection." |
| Gnomar.com | "Welcome to Gnomar.com! Join Gnomar the gnome and his gnome friends on their journeys, as they go their separate ways and then reunite now and again. Check back daily - there's a new picture almost every day! We hope you enjoy our travels as much as we do - it sure beats sitting in someone's garden!" |
| Garden Gnomes From HELL | "This site is all about Gnomes. Garden Gnomes. Garden Gnomes From HELL. This site may just save your life. It already saved my dog's. I don't know where I would be without this site " |
| Wee Little Gnome's photos | Photographs of Garden gnomes |
| Free The Gnomes | "FreeTheGnomes.com provides Garden Gnome Liberation information and calls to action.
We advocate an end to oppressive gardening and freedom for garden gnomes everywhere. " |
| Garden Gnome Liberation Fronts | "Non-profit organizations that claim to stand for the liberation of garden gnomes. They are often composed of practical jokers who attempt to rid the world of "unjust" imprisonment of gnomes through petty theft or vandalism." |
| Collecting Lawn and Garden Ornaments | "Garden memorabilia isn't just for the outdoors-enhance your home today with these beautiful treasures from the garden." |
The obvious legal statement.
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