Gladiolus Gardening Tips

>Gladiolus bloom about 10 weeks after planting. By planting the corms every 2 weeks from the early spring through midsummer, you’ll enjoy a succession of blossoms all season. Choose a sunny, well-drained spot and mix an all-purpose granular fertilizer (such as 10-10-10 mix) into the soil as you dig, allowing about 1 tablespoon of fertilizer per corm. Plant the corms 4 to 6 inches (10.2 to 15.2 cm) deep and 4 inches (10.2 cm) apart. The small nubbin of new growth indicates the top of the corm and should point up.

>Gladiolus grow so tall and slender that they need to be planted in groups of 3 or more and staked with bamboo canes and some soft garden twine to inconspicuously “corset” the group. Water only if the soil becomes very dry, as gladiolus hate wet soil and can develop root rot. Provide plants with a second helping of balanced fertilizer when flower spikes appear. In the midsummer, watch for signs of thrips. These nearly invisible, sap-sucking insects make silvery streaks in leaves and distort flowers. Control thrips with a commercial insecticide labeled for this use, as directed.

>In areas where gladiolus are not hardy, dig the corms when the leaves begin to yellow in the late summer and trim the leaves to 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the corm. Brush away loose soil and store corms in a paper bag of peat moss in a cool, dry, dark place, such as an unheated room or a garage that remains above freezing. Many gardeners in warmer climate Zones also dig and store the corms, to keep plants from growing small, weedy offspring called cormlets. Cormlets reach flowering size in about 3 years, but because the mature corms are inexpensive, there is little reason to nurture cormlets.

by the Editors of Reader's Digest

Vegetable Gardening Tips

Growing vegetables is a highly rewarding form of gardening. With the right preparation, you won't need to spend long hours doing tedious jobs.

Follow these steps in order to yield the best results:
>Choose seedlings rather than sowing seeds. They may be more expensive, but planting advanced seedlings saves time and avoids the uncertainties of sowing seeds. Additionally, staggering plantings of seedlings over several weeks will provide variety and extend your harvest, so you won't have to be eating the same sort of lettuce two weeks in a row.

>For a terrace or small garden, buy single plants. This means you can buy as many different varieties of each plant as you please. Look for small, early-cropping varieties for pots. Opt for fast crops or ones that can be harvested over a long period, such as spinach, silverbeet, soft-hearted lettuce or aromatic herbs, especially if you don't have very much space, instead of filling your vegetable garden with crops that take a long time to mature, such as onions, potatoes, pumpkin and cabbage.

>Try cultivating sun-drenched tomatoes, perfumed strawberries and crisp little radishes for their superior flavor. It'll mean easy access to fresh produce and fewer trips to the supermarket.

by the Editors of Reader's Digest

Basics On Landscaping For Gardening Lovers by Cindy Heller

+Landscaping is the art of changing a natural area by adding, removing or changing living elements such as plants, flowers and trees, as well as adding other decorative elements, such as rocks, shapes, different levels of terrain, water features and other manmade objects. The objective of landscaping is to create a balanced environment where to understand and enjoy the beauty of Nature.

+There are several styles of landscaping you can get inspiration from: the classics such as French gardens and Country English gardens, more modern, clean line landscapes, or even landscapes from the world.

+Although it may sound a bit difficult, landscaping is not only for experts, any novice can achieve a simple landscaping project with the proper tools and education. Landscaping goes from adding a stone path or trimming your shrubs to intricate, exquisite designs that combine fun shapes and interesting colors and plants. The good thing about it, is that you don't need to be an expert to get started.

+If you are new to the art of landscaping, there are plenty of sources of information to help you get started. In fact, landscaping is a very popular hobby, and there's a large amount of information available, both online as offline.

+I would suggest you start online, where the amount of information is simply enormous and varied. You can learn about the basics of landscaping as well as how to trim your shrub into a whimsical, fun shape. The Internet allows you to find information, tips and places to buy much quicker and interesting. You will always come across new, fresh ideas and you can also interact with other users with similar interests.

+However, the realm of information could turn into a difficult, confusing task. That's why you can get started at an authoritative site such as The Home & Family Network where you find a lot of content to help homeowners in landscaping projects. They have plenty of tips and tutorials, which are great for those who're learning the ropes. For those more advanced hobbyists, there are fresh, new ideas everyday that you can apply on your next landscaping project.

+As you become more and more acquainted with the Internet, you'll find it easier to see what are the best sites to go for what you're looking for. Most of us have our favorite landscaping design site, or store where to order our plants. No matter what your fave sites are, have a lot of fun while doing it!

Gardening Tips (How to Add Color to Your Garden With Containers)

Most shade-and-moisture-loving perennial and woody plants look their best when allowed to develop into undisturbed colonies. Disturbing their roots can slow the growth progress and compromise their ability to tolerate drought. Set aside special places where you want to grow shade-tolerant annuals, such as impatiens or tender summer bulbs like caladiums, where you can plant them without digging into the roots of permanent plantings. Better yet, grow these and other colorful plants in containers, and either sink the pots into the garden or set them on the ground among your hostas and ferns. Using containers broadens your plant palette, because you can use plants that prefer more light when they are young, such as browallia, wishbone flower or coleus. Start them in a sunny spot, and then shift the pots to the shade garden when the plants approach their peak. If moved to a shady location when they begin to flower, many annuals actually bloom longer than they would if left in a brighter spot. In fact, even annuals that normally need at least a half day of sun, such as dusty miller, flowering tobacco, petunia and salvia, seem relieved to be moved into shade in midsummer. Should they sulk or stop flowering, simply move them temporarily back to better light. Flowers in pastel shades, like pink and blue, or even white flowers show best in partial shade, though occasional bursts of red can be a welcome surprise.

by the Editors of Reader's Digest

Gardening Tips (Roses - Rose Growing Tips)

Basics for Rose Growing:

• Soil
• Irrigation
• Spacing
• Sun

The ancient Greeks identified 4 basic elements: earth, water, air and fire. Successful rose growing begins with proper attention to these same 4 basic elements. Get these right, and you're well on your way to classic rose growing in your own backyard:

1. Soil (earth):
   Roses prefer a soil pH ranging from 6.5 to 6.8.
   Soils with good drainage are best for rose growing. When improving the soil through the use of soil amendments, don't forget to promote drainage by incorporating peat moss.
   
2. Irrigation (water):
   >Watering requirements depend greatly on conditions. But on the average, it is best to water rose bushes twice a week -- and to water them thoroughly. A regimen of two deep waterings per week is preferable to four shallower, less thorough waterings.
   >Avoid late-evening watering, which could foster powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is a very common disease among roses.
   
3. Spacing (air)
   Rose growing in conditions where adequate spacing is not provided can foster powdery mildew, as well. Let your roses breathe: don't plant them too closely together. Follow spacing requirements for each particular variety when purchasing rose bushes, as indicated on the plant label.
   
4. Sun (fire):
   Roses like six hours of sun per day
   Six hours of morning sun is preferable to six hours of afternoon sun.

By David Beaulieu, About.com