DO YOU HAVE PLANT DNA?

YOU HAVE PLANT GENE IN YOU IF YOU MEET ATLEAST SOME OF THE FOLLOWING:

1)GROW PLANTS IN YOUR HOUSE
2)GROW PLANTS FROM SEEDS OR CUTTINGS
3)BUY PLANTS EVEN YOU DON'T NEED THEM
4)SHOP FOR PLANTS ONCE OR MORE A WEEK
5)OUTSIDE TAKING CARE OF YOUR GREEN VEGETATION ATLEAST 3 DAYS A WEEK IN SUMMER
6)HAVE PLANTS AT YOUR WORK PLACE
7)GROW VEGETABLES OR OTHER PLANTS FOR FOOD.
8)LOOKING FOR SALES ON PLANTS OR OTHER RELATED ITEMS
9)BRING ANNUAL PLANTS INSIDE DURING WINTER MONTHS
10)TALK TO PLANTS TO GIVE THEM CARBON DIOXIDE.
11)THINK ABOUT GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING DAILY.
12)ABLE TO KEEP MOST PLANTS YOU HAVE ALIVE, YOU MY FRIEND HAVE GOOD ENERGY
13)YOU ARE THE TYPE WHO IS USUALLY CREATIVE AND MAYBE LEFT HANDED
14)GOOD WITH YOUR HANDS AND VERY CRAFTY.
15)SAVE EVERY FLOWER OR TREE SEEDLING EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE NO MORE ROOM.
16)COLLECT SEEDS AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
17)SEEK OUT PLANTS OR SEEDS WHEN YOU ARE ON VACATION OR ON BUSINESS TRIP.

AGE YOUR CONCRETE WITH PAINT AND WATER

IF YOU LIKE THE CLASSIC AGED CONCRETE LOOK TO BRING ANOTHER DIMENSION TO YOUR PLANTS AND LANDSCAPE HERE IS WHAT YOU DO:

1) MIX YOUR SELECTED PAINT WITH WATER, THE LIGHTNESS/DARKNESS OF THE MIXTURE WILL DEPEND ON YOUR PREFERENCE AS FAR AS THE MIXTURE OF PAINT AND WATER RATIO. FOR THE PICTURES SHOWN I KINDA EYEBALL THE CONSISTENCY PROBABLY 3:1 OR 4:1 RATIO WATER TO PAINT.

2) MIX YOUR PAINT AND WATER THOROUGHLY SO THERE ARE NOT CLUMS. MAKE SURE YOUR CONCRETE IS CLEAN ENOUGH FOR THE MIXTURE SOLUTION TO STICK. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE COMPLETELY SPIC AND SPAN.

3) APPLY MIXTURE WITH A BRUSH OR A RAG. PAINT AGAINST THE GRAIN IF YOU DON'T PLAN TO WIPE OFF THE EXCESS. WIPE OFF EXCESS IF YOU THINK IT IS TOO DARK OR IF YOU WANT GIVE IT A MORE NATURAL LOOK. IF YOU THE MIXTURE IS TOO DARK OR PAINT LIKE CONSISTENCY ADD MORE WATER. IF YOU ARE UNSURE OF THE PROCESS, BEST THING TO DO IS TRY MIXTURE ON SMALL AREA OR SCRAP CONCRETE.

GLASS VASE INTO CLASSIC LOOK

YOU CAN TURN YOUR DULL GLASS VASE INTO AN EXPENSIVE AND APPEALING PLANT VASE . THE PICTURES SHOW BAMBOO PLANTS PLACED IN GOLDEN SHIMMERING VASE AND THE ARRANGEMENT LOOKS WARM AND WELCOMING. ALSO THE FIRE RED COLOR VASE LOOKS LIKE A BLOWN GLASS AND DEFINITELY ADDS A PUNCH TO A ROOM.

I BOUGHT THE 10 INCH VASE AT LOCAL STORE UNDER s2.00 AND PAINT (SPRAY CAN) UNDER $1.50 AND I TURNED GLASS VASE INTO VERY EYE CATCHING PLANT HOLDER.

WHEN YOU PAINT THE VASE MAKE SURE THE GLASS IS DUST OR DIRT FREE OR ANYTHING FREE THAT WILL CAUSE THE PAINT NOT TO STICK. I DIDN'T ADD ANYTHING EXTRA PRIMER OR SPECIAL BONDING SOLUTION BEFORE PAINTING IT. I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING THAT MIGHT WANT TO ADD IF YOU WANTED THE PAINT TO STICK BETTER BUT FOR THIS PURPOSE JUST PAINT IS FINE BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE HANDLING IT ALL THE TIME. PICTURES ARE LITTE GRAINY FROM NIGHT TIME BUT I WILL GET BETTER PICTURES IN THE DAYTIME.

CUTTINGS FOR SWEET POTATOE VINES

I READ SOMEWHERE THAT YOU CAN BRING YOUR SWEET POTATOE VINE PLANTS IN FOR THE WINTER IN WATER OR DIRT. I AM PRETTY SURE THEY ARE ANNUAL. RIGHT NOW I HAVE CUTTINGS OF STEMS WITH SOME LEAVES AND STUCK IN WATER, OVER TWO TO THREE DAYS THE PLANTS START ROOTING. HOPEFULLY, THEY WILL SURVIVE FOR NEXT SEASON. I ALSO HEARD THAT GERANIUM PLANTS CAN BE BROUGHT INSIDE IN WATER OR IN DIRT.

I KNOW THESE PLANTS AREN'T TOO TREMENDOUSLY EXPENSIVE BUT I WOULD LIKE TO GET A FAST START FOR NEXT GROWING SEASON. IF THEY ALL SURVIVE I WILL HAVE BIGGER PLANTS THAN MY NEIGHBORS. YOU KNOW NEIGHBORS COULD BE SO ANNOYING. THEY ALWAYS WANT TO ONE UP ON YOU.

FALL IS BEST TIME GARDENING DEALS

I was just at the store and what caught my eyes were those sale stickers. Stores are cleaning out their inventory to make room for new products therefore it is time for you to get out of the house and start shopping for great deals. Never pay for price if you don't have too. Let those snobby people be stupid and spend all their money. You look a lot smarter when you paid 1/2 price for something that your annoying neighbor paid full price.

Make sure you check the product thoroughly, just because it is on sale doesn't mean it is worth the value. You don't want to buy something at cheap price and it ends up falling apart within a month or so.

Smart shopper knows when to shop and you can be that shopper unless you have endless bank accounts. Also compare shop because I found great deals in lumber yard stores that sell gardening products that you don't find a lot women (which usually the gardener of the family) go to therefore things get marked down because they have surplus.

Yes I bought those clay pots on sale $5.00, original prices were $10 to $20 each. A deal is deal no matter what. Everyone enjoys a deal..well I do anyway.

Happy Smart Shopping and save your money do it.

Containers or Pots for Plants

I recommend spend little more on good durable plant containers or pots. Good quality pots will last longer in the weather and also a usually nice to look at.

Containers/pots I usually buy:

-Clay or terracota - this type wears well over time
- Molded hard plastic - this type is ok but the paint comes off in extreme weather unless it was baked on.
-Molded hard fiberglass - this is my preference because it lasts the longest and usually has a very appealing design.

Concrete - I like concrete pots too but they are heavy and dull.

Stay away from the really flimsy thin plastic containers or pots because they don't last very long and look cheap.

BEST TIME TO BUY PLANTS

Best time to Buy Plants:

-Fall: this is when perennial plants go on sale, you might not get good selections but it is worth it. Also look in the back for sales of Stressed out perennial, it can be brought back to life next season. Be careful to notice the difference between stressed out and near death plants.

-End of the season for the plant: if you only have few months to enjoy it, at least you can save the seed for next season for annual plants.

-At the beginning of growing season: sometimes a store will have to much of some plants and might sell it for cheap and it can also be a plant the store uses to lure you in to buy others.

Few months after arrival to store: if plants have been there in the store for long time and don't sell well the store will sell them cheap.

Tip of the Day: Mulching is a good thing

Wood mulching your plants is a good thing in more ways than one.

1. Mulch keeps ground moist for plants and you can save water and $$.

2. Mulch minimizes weeds and unwanted plants.

3. Mulch brings nutrients to soil: decaying (breakdown) mulch involves sucking nitrogen from surrounding environment and nitrogen is good for plants.

4. Mulch is environmental friendly.

Cedar Mulch will be your best bet for termites and other pest control. Cedar mulch will have a slower decaying rate than other types of mulches therefore you don't have to replace it as often.

Blooms of Morning Glory.

Blooms of Morning Glory in early morning are a breath taking sight. Morning Glory is such a durable plant and will grow nicely on lattice support or trellis.

RIVER BIRCH

RIVER BIRCH IN THE TOP PICTURE WAS PLANTED IN SPRING 0F 2008 AND IT HAS GROWN ABOUT 6-10 INCHES IN 4-5 MONTHS. I WILL POST ANOTHER PICTURE NEXT YEAR TO SHOW HOW FAST RIVER BIRCH CAN GROW IN ROOTS ARE ESTABLISHED IN THE GROUND. THIS TREE IN MY FRONT YARD GETS MORE WATER THAN THE ONE IN MY BACKYARD AND ONE BACKYARD IS NOT GROWING AS FAST. THIS IS A LOVELY TREE BECAUSE OF IT FULLNESS AND PEELED BARK DUE TO THE SUN.

MOSS PLANTS

SCOTTISH MOSS AND IRISH MOSS GIVE MATTED CARPET LIKE APPEAL TO YOUR LANDSCAPING WITH SPECKS OF WHITE FLOWERS. THESE PLANTS GREAT IF YOU DON'T LIKE TO MESS WITH GARDENING BECAUSE THEY DONT REQUIRE A LOT OF ATTENDING TO ONCE THE ROOTS ARE ESTABLISHED.

GROUND COVER PLANTS

LIRIOPE AND MONDO GRASS/MONKEY GRASS ARE EXCELLENT GROUND COVERS. THESE GROUND COVERS WORK SUN, PARTIAL SUN OR SHADE. WHEN GROWN IN MASS IT IS A WELCOME SIGHT.

STONECROP SEDUM (COCCINEUM) IS GOOD DECORATION FOR ROCKY AREAS. THE RED BURGUNDY GIVES NICE TONE TO YOUR HARDSCAPE.

AGERATUM ANNUAL PLANT

AGERATUM GIVES FULLNESS TO THE AREA AND GREAT FOR GROUNDCOVER TYPE PLANTING. IT HAS THE CONTRAST OF RICH DARK GREEN LEAVES TO RED/PINK/BURGUNDY COLOR FLOWERS WHICH MAKES THIS PLANT STAND OUT.

BARBERRY BUSH

VIBRANT CRIMSON BUSH BUT NOT VERY KIND TO YOU IF YOU DONT HAVE PROTECTION FROM THE THORNS. BARBERRY BUSH CAN BE TRIMMED ROUND TO MAKE IT LOOK WELL GROOMED.

GRASS PLANT, VARIEGATED

THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE MIXTURE OF COLORS THAT ATTRACTS THE EYES AND VARIEGATED ORNAMENTAL GRASS IS JUST THAT. IN WINDY CONDITION IS SO BEAUTIFUL SWAYING PEACEFUL IN THE WIND. THE OTHER BEST THING ABOUT ORNAMENTAL GRASS IS IT CAN BE SPLIT INTO MANY PLANTS WHEN IT GET TO BIG FOR THE AREA.

FRONT YARD LANDSCAPING

FRONT YARD LANDSCAPING SHOW DRAW THE EYES TO THE FRONT DOOR. YOU DO IT WITH SIMPLE PLANTING MONOCHROMATIC COLORS AND SIMILAR PLANTS OR YOU CAN DO IT LIKE ME..EITHER WORKS. I LOVE DIFFERENT PLANTS AND COLORS THEREFORE THE MONOCHROMATIC SCHEME DOESN'T WORK FOR ME. I LIKE TO PLANT IN MORE OR RANDOM BUT ORGANIZED WAY. MY FRONT YARD IS CHAOTIC BUT CONTROLLED. LIKE THE COLORS TO BURST IN YOUR FACE AS YOU WALK TO MY FRONT DOOR...BRIGHT BUT NOT BLINDING AND LOUD BUT NOT OBNOXIOUS.

BLUE STAR JUNIPER

GREAT PLANT WITH NICE COOL BLUE COLOR. BLUE STAR JUNIPERS ARE SLOW GROWING BUT THEY ARE WORTH IT WHEN ARE FULL AND MATURE.

HENS AND CHICKS PLANTS

HENS AND CHICKS ARE UNIQUE. THESE PLANTS DO NOT REQUIRE A LOT OF WATER AND GREAT FOR GRAVEL AND ROCKS. THESE PLANTS ARE SLOWLY GROWING AT FIRST BUT ONCE THERE ROOTS ARE ESTABLISHED THEY WELL.

LEMON GRASS

AHH..LEMON GRASS. I USE THIS PLANT LEAVES IN ASIAN DISHES. LEMON GRASS WILL GROW VIGOROUS IN THE HOT SUN BUT YOU MUST WATER IT OFTEN. THIS PLANT HAS NICE FULLNESS AND LONG BLADE LIKE THE MAIDEN GRASS BUT CAREFUL BECAUSE THE LONG BLADE FOLIAGE CAN CUT YOU LIKE PAPER. LEMON GRASS SMELLS SOOTHING. IF YOU WANT THEM FOR NEXT SEASON TRIM BACK TO IT BULB OR ROOT STEMS AND BRING INSIDE IN THE WINTER.

ZINNIA

GREAT PLANT IF YOU WANT MASS OF GREEN LEAVES AND WONDERFUL BLOOMS. YOU CAN HAVE 30-50 OF PLANTS FROM ONE BLOOM. I MADE A MISTAKE OF DEAD HEADING THE FLOWERS AND BEFORE I KNOW IT WAS GETTING 30 OR SO SEEDINGS IN THE FLOWER BED. OVERALL THIS PLANT IS VERY DURABLE AND CAN BE TRANSPLANT ANYTIME IN THE SUMMER EVEN THOUGH IT MIGHT GET VERY STRESSED.

Spiraea Goldmound

Spiraea Goldmound brights your landscaping with brillant yellows and pinkish flowers. I love this bush because it grows so well without too much fuss. I trim this bush back every winter to 2 FT tall so it is full and compact next growing season.

BOXWOOD SHRUBS

BOXWOOD IS WORTH THE MONEY IF YOU HAVE THE PATIENCE BECAUSE THE ONE IN THE PICTURE TOOK ME 3 YEARS WHICH IS ABOUT 3 FT TALL. BOXWOODS ARE SUCH NICE ADDITION TO YOUR YARD, COMPACT AND FULL, STAYS GREEN ALL YEAR ROUND. I LIKE TO TRIM THE BOXWOOD ROUND TO GIVE MORE POLISHED/MANICURED LOOK.

LAMB'S EARS

LAMB'S EARS ARE GOOD TO USE AS LOW LYING TYPE PLANTS, GREAT IN HEAT AND LOW WATER. NICE SOFT FUZZY LEAVES AND REDISH FLOWERS GIVE A NICE SMELL.

MORNING GLORY

MORNING GLORY- WHAT A NAME. FIRST YEAR I WAS WONDERING WHY IT WAS CALLED THAT BUT NOW I KNOW. AT FULL GROWTH THE PLANT WOULD HAVE THIS MAGNIFICENT AND VIBRANT BLOOMS EACH MORNING.

SWEET POTATO VINE

SWEET POTATO VINE IS NICE ADDITION TO PLANTING. I HAVE GROWN IN POTS AND THEY ARE DOING REALLY WELL. I SAW SOMEWHERE THE VINE WAS GROWN AS GROUND COVER AND IT LOOKED VERY LUSH. I LIKED IT SO MUCH THINK I AM GOING TO TRY IT AS GROUND COVER NEXT SEASON.

MANGO TREE IN KANSAS

MANGO TREE IN KANSAS. YES I GREW THIS TREE FROM SEED, IT IS ABOUT A FOOT TALL. I READ SOMEWHERE THAT YOU CAN GROW MANGO TREE INSIDE SO WHEN HARSH KANSAS WINTER COMES AROUND I WILL SCOOP IT UP IN A POT AND BRING IT INSIDE. SOMEONE ALSO SAID THAT IT DOES WELL IN A POT TOO.

CLEMATIS

CLEMATIS HAS GREAT BLOOMS. FLOWERS BLOOM ALL SUMMER. IF YOU WANT MORE BLOOMS YOU WILL HAVE TO PINCH OFF BEFORE IT GOES TO SEEDS. WONDERFUL CLIMBING PERENNIAL PLANTS BUT REQUIRE SOME SUPPORT OR TRELLIS OR ARBOR FOR HEALTHY GROWTH AND DISPLAY.

PRIVET SHRUBS

GOLDEN PRIVET BUSHES ARE EYE CATCHING AROUND THE LANDSCAPING. THESE BUSHES BRING SUCH A BRIGHT ADDITION TO THE YARD. THE ARE VER EASY TO MAINTAIN. YOU CAN PRUNE IT ROUND OR SQUARE OR OTHER SHAPE. MOSTLY, THE RICH GOLDEN WITH TOUCH OF GREEN BASE FOLIAGE

OTHER PRIVET IS THE VARIEGATED TYPE WHICH IS ALSO INTERESTING AND VERY ELEGANT. I PLANTED ONE THIS YEAR AND I AM KINDA WAITING TO SEE IF HOW WELL THE VARIEGATED PRIVET GROW VERSUS THE GOLDEN PRIVET.

DIANTHUS

MY ANNUAL DIANTHUS NEVER DIES EVEN IN THE HARSH KANSAS WINTER...(I COULD PICTURE PEOPLE FROM MINNESOTA AND NORTHERN STATES LAUGHING AT ME FOR SAYING "HARSH WINTER" IN KANSAS. I USUALLY BUY THE ANNUAL DIANTHUS BECAUSE THE GRAYISH COLOR PERENNIAL DIANTHUS COSTS LITTLE MORE.