Imagine you have commissioned a new build property and want to feel that the garden has been there for 20 years. Perhaps you want to disguise an eye sore in the garden next door or a new development has sprung up within your favourite view. Corporate clients may want to impress their customers with lavish mature landscapes or perhaps the Planning Authority have insisted that mature stock must be replaced like for like. One of the greatest challenges in any landscaping project is the use of semi-mature trees but one that certainly affords the greatest rewards.

In the last decade this area of the market has developed leaps and bounds. A new growing industry has evolved to supply mature trees and shrubs to the landscape industry. These specimens are used widely in projects such as business parks, shopping malls and townscapes. Corporate clients realise that a mature landscape has become as essential an element as something like air conditioning, The up shot to this Corporate revolution is that a much greater array of plant material in now available to you, the home owner. The stock comes from Northern Europe, with Germany, Holland, France, Spain and Italy the major suppliers. The nurseries are really something to see; hundreds of acres of neatly planted fields of a bewildering selection of trees that in some cases have been tendered for up to 20-30yrs. They are repeatedly lifted and re-planted each autumn when the trees are dormant. This encourages the tree to make fibrous root growth that allows it a speedy recovery and establishment when finally planted. All year round armies of Nurserymen tend, water and prune the trees. I often think it like looking after a fine wine that has been laid down for years. Every autumn the Nurseries race to lift and ‘root ball’ the trees, wrapping the roots in hessian sacks and wire to retain soil around the fibrous root ball. They are carefully tied up and loaded onto covered articulated trucks bound for all countries. For example wealthy Russians have brought up large conifers by the thousand as they build brand new houses in the more affluent areas of Moscow. This can have a dramatic affect on the supply chain, so much so that some species are no longer available.  Read more...

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Vegetable garden design is vital as you start planting vegetable gardens, because it’s important to know how the garden will be laid out. Companion planting, planting space, and what type of vegetables you want to plant are all elements that must be considered when putting together your garden layout. Here are some helpful tips on how to plan your own garden and start planting vegetables.

Take Time to Sit Down and Plan

Before choosing a vegetable garden design you need to decide on what variety of vegetables you would like to plant and where you would like to place them. Here are additional factors you need to consider for your garden layout:

* Type of Vegetables * Amount of Light in the Space * Drainage System * Soil Amendments * Garden Space * Additional Space (if needed)

You also need to think about whether you want to plant a variety of vegetables, or you want to grow one type of vegetable. Researching about the amount of light certain vegetables need, and the amount of space needed are both vital facts that need to be considered.

Make a list of vegetable plants you want to use and find the plant requirements of each, and then compare that with the available garden space you have. This will provide you with an idea of where you need to place certain vegetables in your space.

Choose Your Type of Garden Layout  Read more...

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Growing big juicy tomatoes is part of vegetable gardening makes so much fun. Is the purchase of the local plant nursery or start tomato seeds, are a few basic steps that you yield a rich harvest at the end of the growing season. There are many different varieties of tomatoes to choose, depending on whether you will be cooking, Canning, slicing, or eating miniature or grape-like varieties right off the vine. Sweet 100ís are very rich, and has good salads and eating fresh garden. Roma tomatoes are good to make salsa, because the peels are not as hard as the other so donít need to peel off skins.
Planting Seeds of tomato

Tomatoes are grown from seed requires six to eight weeks before they can be planted in the garden. Purchase of containers or flats, Starter soil or mixture, and the seed selection. Fill each container with soil, pressing it tightly to remove air and avoid to solve the problems after watering. Generally, seed companies print instructions for planting right package of tomato seeds. Each variety is a little different so follow instructions carefully. Prepare the entry, the type of tomato, and start date. You can make your own from Popsicle sticks, or buy them to save or garden center.  Read more...

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