To grow lettuce or any other vegetable, you need to have good soil. For lettuce, keep the nitrogen level high by using 30-10-10 NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) fertilizer. This will provide the lettuce with the nutrition it needs to produce healthy leaves.

When planting lettuce seeds make sure they are planted 1/8-3/8 inch deep, separated by 6-12 inches (2-3.5 m) from the next plant. Romaine lettuce can be planted closer together but other crisp lettuce need more space. If you plant in rows, keep the rows separated by about 20 inches (6m).

The roots of lettuce do not grow very deep so it is important to weed often. Many other grasses and plants with deeper root growth can invade the lettuce.

Since lettuce lacks deep root growth it has to find moisture near the surface. Therefore it is important to keep the soil moist but not saturated. Try to keep the water off of the leaves and into the soil except for the occasional washing. Wet leaves especially during nighttime temperatures can lead to disease.

Like any other vegetable, lettuce plants have problems with diseases and pests. Many insects enjoy the lettuce leaves and the folds of the leaves also offer many places for fungi to grow.

Aphids, flea beetles, leafhoppers, slugs and cutworms are common insects that feast on lettuce. Washing the leaves with a high-pressure hose can temporally help get rid of the insects. Insecticide lightly applied to the lettuce will provide better long-term control.

One common fungal disease is anthracnose (Microdochium panattonianum). This fungus can stay alive in soil for many years. Bottom rot (Rhizoctonia solani) is another common fungus. This type of fungus usually occurs in soil that drains poorly. To combat these fungi, keep foliage dry and plant in good soil.

Another common problem with lettuce is bolting. Bolting is not a disease or pest but occurs when the plant goes to seed and the leaves stop growing. Bolting happens when the temperatures are consistently too high. To prevent this from happening, plant lettuce in shaded area or plant next to a shading crop such as corn.

Lettuce is a wonderful vegetable to have in your garden. With proper preparation and care, you can enjoy salads with fresh lettuce throughout the growing season.

About the Author:

Looking for creative ideas for your garden layout? You can stop searching - visit the Vegetable Gardeners website at http://www.vegetablegardeners.com for plenty of great tips and advice. Plus get your own copy of our free reports for growing better vegetables.

Since breeding orchids can be exhaustive and sometimes absolutely discouraging, many people and orchid enthusiasts prefer to raise and grow orchids by cutting them from the original roots or getting off shoots. Another way of obtaining a new orchid plant is to cut tubers from which visible roots have already grown.

Some orchid enthusiasts like to experiment with growing new varieties of orchids; this is where breeding orchids manually come in. The tedious task of breeding orchids can also be very gratifying when you successfully manage to grow an orchid plant direct from a seed. The reason why people like breeding orchids this way is to create a new a variety of orchid plant. You can increase the size, color and hardiness of a plant by selective breeding. You can also create your very own kind of plant by breeding orchids or different kinds but which are compatible.

The initial step to breeding orchids is to select an orchid plant. Collecting the pollen from the parent plants can be tricky because handling it is difficult. A thin sharp instrument can be used to collect pollen for breeding orchids. The individual must ensure that he will not touch or contaminate the pollen with any fungus or bacteria that can compromise the health of the seed. The pollen or seed must then be placed into the female plant where one must wait patiently for signs of fertilization.

The first signs of fertilization are when the flower wilts and then a bump will form at around the base of the flower. The flower will eventually drop off and should be settled in a moist area where drainage is best. The roots will then appear but not for several weeks in which time there is a risk of pests carrying off the fertilized flower or eating it up. Other orchids take as long as 18 months to several years before they bloom.

Breeding orchids can not actually be called a waste of time, especially considering the amount of failures that some breeders’ experience, but you can call it a test of patience.

Charlie Reese likes to Breed Orchids and other outdoor Plants. He also enjoys giving a psychic reading to the other psychics.

One of the most common diseases to be seen in fruit trees is something known as ‘Brown Rot’ (so called because of it’s appearance). Most often this fruit tree disease can be seen making an appearance upon fallen fruit that has been allowed to remain on the ground for a while. Brown Rot is a fungus and as such it produces a mass of spores which can cause infection to spread onto the tree and especially the fruit.

Luckily fungus needs specific conditions in which to thrive. The usual places where fungus establishes itself are damp, dark places where the air often remains stagnant. One of the best ways to reduce the risk of fungal infection appearing on your fruit tree is to prune it properly and regularly.

To allow the free flow of air, and thus reduce dampness, it is necessary to prune fruit trees so that they are open. Once the tree has been pruned it will have an open structure that will also allow the sunlight to reach deep into the heart of the tree. Obviously a tree that is looked after well, and is given sufficient quantities of water, nutrients and sunlight, will grow well and be more able to withstand infection.

As well as pruning our fruit tree to avoid fungal infection and disease it is extremely important to continually monitor it for any signs of disease. One of the most important things to remember is that you must remove, isolate and destroy (by burning) any part of the tree that appears to have fungus. It is also strongly advised that you clear up any fallen fruit as soon as you see it and do not allow it to stay on the ground to rot, that’s asking for trouble!

Another fungal disease that can appear on a fruit tree is cytospora canker. Cytospora canker shows itself as dark patches of soft material on the branches of a tree. A large callus can form from which a substance, looking somewhat similar to gum, oozes from the bark. Usually cytospora canker appears close to or right on an old wound a it is during the healing process that it becomes infected by the pathogen.

Just like the treatment for Brown Rot the answer to cytospora canker is, again, pruning. It is incredibly important that you prune a fruit tree correctly. If it is done incorrectly you are simply inviting trouble as the wound will take far longer to heal and will be more likely to become infected. If a fruit tree is badly infected by cytospora canker the only option is to prune it back hard and hope for the best. Making sure that such pruning allows for the free flow of air and light will help speed up the healing process and therefore reduce the risk of fungal infection.

The two fungal diseases mentioned above, Brown Rot and cytospora canker, are but two of a number of different diseases which can infect a fruit tree. Fungal infections can be very problematic and even professional landscape gardeners can find themselves in some difficulty when trying to combat such a disease. Of course providing the correct amounts of water, sunlight and nutrients can greatly help a tree to grow healthy and strong. However, if you want to ensure a good annual crop from fruit trees you should really invest some time into finding out more about tree care and disease.

Landscaping Info 4U is an excellent source of gardening information including info about disease in fruit trees and general tree care

As a consumer, you will see many advertisements for natural repellents, and must be aware that there are many “marketing” companies looking for any way via which to squeeze your valuable dollar from you. They have no business being in the world of insect repellents, but due to the value of the market (approximately $1 billion in the USA alone), they cannot resist expanding their core business (which is usually consumer products, air fresheners or cleaning supplies) to now include repellents in an attempt to swindle a share of this valuable market.

US VS. THEM

GERANIOL: In 1999, the University of Florida (Gainesville) developed a “naturally derived” formula for repelling mosquitoes called “Geraniol”. It is a derivative of the Geranium flower and, when applied to the skin in its liquid form (exactly like DEET), was proven to repel mosquitoes for up to 4 hours. Geraniol is manufactured synthetically in a laboratory to avoid the high cost of extracting the 100% natural ingredient from the flower itself and to ensure that it is perfectly replicated each time. This eventually leads to “immunity” built up by mosquitoes as they commonly become immune to “man-made” repellents and pesticides in 3 to 4 life cycles.

Geraniol also has a terrible smell associated with it and, as a result of growing complaints from consumers, additional ingredients such as mint or citronella are often added to Geraniol products to mask the pungent Geraniol scent.

Today, as more and more consumers seek out natural products to protect themselves, their families and their pets from the threat of disease carrying insects, a number of “marketing” companies have entered into agreements with the University of Florida to use Geraniol as the foundation of their range of “natural”insect repellents.

Despite the fact that Geraniol has only been tested to work in liquid form for up to 4 hours, these companies are selling 120 hour wristbands, patches, candles, tablecloths and more using Geraniol (with mint or citronella to mask the odor) and claiming that these products work to repel mosquitoes and other insects. You will see these products heavily marketed on television and elsewhere, but never in mainstream retail stores (i.e. Wal-Mart) where the guarantee of high returns from unsatisfied customers is too risky.

Don’t be misled.

BUG BAM: Personally developed by Joseph M. Symond first in 1998 and then reformulated in 2005, the Bug Bam formula is truly 100% natural, using only 100% natural essential oils. Joseph personally worked with perfumers, scientists and others to develop the perfect combination of efficacy and appealing scent. As a result,the Bug Bam formula has been scientifically proven time and again (by the top laboratories in both Australia and the USA) to work in both liquid AND solid forms, making it THE most effective natural repellent available on the market today. Not only does it work, but it is safe for all ages, lasts for up to 100 hours and smells GREAT by comparison to anything else on the market.

Playing on the fact that masking our scent from flying, biting insects keeps them away, Bug Bam’s formula in liquid OR solid form releases a (pleasant) scent that is strong enough to hide the user from mosquitoes and other flying, biting insects. And because the Bug Bam formula actually does come from “live” plants and not a lab, every batch we make has a slight difference to the last due to soil, air, water and climate changes before harvesting. This makes it very hard if not impossible for mosquitoes to adapt to.

Bug Bam is THE ONLY company in the world that can boast a scientifically tested and proven range of 100% natural indoor and outdoor repellent products that are safe, effective and do not require sprays, batteries, smoke, flames, butane or a power source of any kind.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Play it smart. Protect yourself from more than just bugs and ask for evidence supporting a products efficacy. If a company is selling a repellent wristband, candle, fan, patch, tablecloth or other item, ask them for testing data that supports their formula working in THAT product. And ask if this is their core business. If all they can provide you with is an outdated lab report or data showing that (someone else) formula works in a liquid or spray form only, and they are asking you to buy their product using that formula in a solid form (such as a wristband), TAKE YOUR BUSINESS ELSEWHERE and purchase something that has actually been proven to work!

We pride ourselves on the fact that BUGS ARE OUR BUSINESS 24/7. Bug Bam is all we do and it is not a side business for us. Because of companies offering inferior products, Bug Bam has been forced to prove itself time and time again and, despite the great expense of doing so, our products come through with flying colors.

It is important for us to be honest and factual to you, the consumer, if we expect to gain your business and, most importantly your trust. When it comes to protecting yourself and your family, and you want to use something TRULY natural and effective, try BUG BAM!. Because Mosquitoes Suck!

Although, I’m not denying the fact that technical explanations such as those are necessary as well, but it would be nice to hear or read something more of layman’s approach on the subject. Well that’s something that this article would like to do, anyhow.

Compost is much more than a fertilizer. Compost is a soil conditioner and compost gives plants the best nutrients and minerals that they require. Besides that, compost has the ability to contain water which is key to the survival and growth of plants.

There are numerous composting methods which you use. The so called “no-turn” composting method seems to be the easiest. Like what the title of the method indicates, you don’t need to turn the pile of compost at least once every week to quicken the process of decomposition. In this “no-turn” technique, all you need to do is add a lot of coarse materials to your compost.

Adding a lot of straw would do just fine. What the straw does is to create air pockets and allow the pile to be aerated. You can expect your compost to be developed at the same rate as when you employ the traditional “turn-over” composting technique. When you use this composting technique, be sure to get your compost from the bottom of the pile. Just add new organic materials on the top keeping in mind adding coarse materials as well.

If the only available composting materials in your yard are piles and piles of leaves, then don’t worry. Creating composts from leaves alone can be done. You just need a couple of things, and some very simple techniques. Select a place where you will make your compost pile. For the leaves, the place ideal would be a well shaded area which will help keep the pile damp or moist. Also keep in mind that the pile should not be packed tightly. Keep it loose to allow the air to circulate.

After four to six months, the compost from leaves wil lbe ready and can be applied to the soil. Please bear in mind that the compost created from leaves do not contain enough minerals and nutrients to function as a fertilizer. It’s main function is to act as a soil conditioner not a soil fertilizer.

When composting, you will need materials rich in carbon and nitrogen namely fruits and vegetable scraps and other table scraps except left over bones because they attract a number of pests and animals. Other products include eggshells, grass or shrub clippings, pine needles, seaweed and kelp, coffee grounds, wood ash, tea leaves, cardboard and shredded paper, corn stalks, wood chips, and sawdust.

To discourage fruit flies and other pests from grouping together on your pile, it would be best to cover the pile or add lime or calcium over the top or whenever you add new materials to your compost. The lime and calcium also help neutralize the odors from your pile.

I hope you were able to have a simplified view of the composting and got some useful and simple tips from the article. Just remember that composting is difficult only if you want it to be.

About the Author:

Learn more about Making Compost Getting Your Hands Dirty by visiting http://compost-composting.info, a popular website that provides free compost making tips, advice and resour

A container describes any vessel which can hold soil. It might be natural, such as a clay or wooden container, or you can use an old wheelbarrow, plastic carton or bucket. As long as it is not going to fall to bits when watered, you can make use of it. It is important that your chosen container can drain because most plants dislike being over-watered. If the container does not have holes in it, you can make some with a drill or knitting needle, depending what the container is made out of. An inch or so of broken clay pots, gravel or pebbles in the bottom of the pot ensures good drainage, while a layer of leaf mold or ripped up paper on top of the clay or gravel can help to retain adequate moisture.

Living, organic soil is very important in organic container gardening. If you are using a garden, you can gradually add organic matter to the existing soil but if you plan to use a container, you need to begin with organic soil. You need organic soil, capable of holding water without drenching the plants’ roots too much because there is no subsoil in the container. Adding peat moss to the organic soil is a good way to do that. You can grow organic products in peat moss by itself without adding soil if you prefer.

Depending on the size of your chosen container, you can grow whatever you like in it. As long as the pot is big enough, you can choose from herbs, tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, lettuce and many other vegetables. Organic seeds and plants should be used for organic gardening to produce a true organic product, but as long as you don’t plan to sell the product, it is up to you. It can be fun to experiment!

Although, pots and containers that won’t fall apart when they get wet and that will also drain properly work best for organic container gardening. If needed, you could always drill holes into the bottom of the container and then add about an inch or so of gravel to aid with drainage. Also, a few layers of torn newspaper or leaf mold atop the gravel will help retain water just enough to keep the soil moist as well.

Ideally, you should use organic seed and/or plants for organic container gardening. If this is your first venture into container gardening, try to choose drought resistant plants. Over watering and under watering are both bad for the plants. Over watering prevents the plants from creating deep root systems. Most container plantings tend to dry out quickly and will need very regular watering; during hot spells they may even need to be watered twice a day.

Learn about organic garden seed and get your Free limited handbook on Organic Gardening by visiting http://organic-gardening-help.info, a popular website that provides free advice and tips on Organic Gardening.

Typically, an organic gardener, or any gardener for that matter, you will need some kind of a shovel with a spading fork by which to dig into the soil to begin to prepare it for planting. A pair of gloves is also necessary so that you can begin to take the weeds and the rocks out to of your soil, sometimes even with the help of a hoe or a pry bar to dig up even the toughest stones invented in your ground.

A pry bar can be used to dig up the large rocks or boulders that can be a problem in your garden. A garden always can use a good pruning. To keep those healthy flowers on your rose bushes, a periodic pruning with good quality shears is a must. Lopping shears will also make a clean cut on those prickly rose stems to ward off disease.

Organic gardening supplies can be purchased at virtually any store. The supplies you will need as far as tools are basically the same as those needed by conventional gardeners. What you will need that is different are the composting additions that are typically bypassed by ordinary gardeners that will use pesticides and chemicals to protect their crops from on coming pests.

If you have not created one yet, you will need to box in an area for your composting pile or even an area for your works so that you can create your own worm castings. By doing these things in advance, you will be prepared as you begin to get ready to plant your organic garden. Organic gardening supply tips can also be found by consulting local neighbors that also grow organically.

Learn about organic garden and get your Free limited handbook on Organic Gardening by visiting http://organic-gardening-help.info, a popular website that provides free advice and tips on Organic Gardening.

The first step to organic vegetable gardening is choosing your location. Make sure that you have enough space, though too much is not required. In other words, try to avoid growing more than your family can use. Remember, growing an organic garden is not so easy and does require a lot of efforts and different approach. Your location should have a well drained soil that is close to your water source. Once you have your space, consider planning your garden’s design so you can arrange your veggies where you want them, before you start planting.

An important aspect of organic vegetable gardening is preparing the soil. This is because the fertilizers you will use in organic vegetable gardening are slow to do their job, unlike non-organic fertilizers. So, it is best to place the fertilizers into the soil no less than three weeks before you are planning to plant. Mixing the soil carefully ensures that all of the clumps of fertilizer are broken up, and have begun to rot in the soil.

One more vital thing in organic vegetable gardening is the way you are going to water the plants. Thorough wetting your soil every week is essential for the plants’ growth. If it rains sufficiently, then you can skip this moistening, but only with plenty of rain. Remember, this has to be a drenching rain in order to get all the way down to the root of the plants. If you use organic soil conditioners, your soil will have an easier time absorbing the moisture from your watering attempts.

Mulch is an organic material that you cover your soil with to help keep the water in, prevent weed growth and provide nutrients to the plants. Leaves, grass, and wood shavings are all successfully used for mulching. This is one more important aspect of organic vegetable gardening.

Pest control in organic gardens is likewise done in a dissimilar manner. Organic vegetable gardening relies in the theory of manageable pest levels. This model theory, suggests that the pests are not to be completely eradicated, but kept at an easily manageable level maintaining the balance and concordance.

Learn about garden tool organizer and get your Free limited handbook on Organic Gardening by visiting http://organic-gardening-help.info, a popular website that provides free advice and tips on Organic Gardening.

Animal fertilizer is organic fertilizer which made of cattle and poultry wastes fermentation. Cattle waste can be from mammals such as cows, goats, bulls. Poultry waste can be from ducks, birds, chicken. As these wastes are fermented, therefore the physical looks are turned darker colour and the texture become crumbs. Ingredients of both cattle and poultry wastes are different, they depend on type of animal, age, animal condition, animal foods and storing waste process before application.

If your garden has clay soil, organic fertilizers preserve its tilth, which prevents it from clumping together. Organic fertilizers are also an excellent means of holding water in the soil. This is a boon if you have sandy soil in your garden. Fertilizers made of organic materials have properties that make micro-nutrients like iron and zinc available to your garden plants.

One of the best sources of organic fertilizers is Yardiac. Don’t put that nasty chemical laden fertilizer on your garden even if you think you will save a penny or two. Stick with the organic fertilizers.

Natural organic fertilizer raises the organic matter content levels of the soil and aid in its conditioning. Nitrogen and other nutrients in soil are quickly drained because of the looseness of the soil granules but by using organic fertilizer that is no longer a problem to worry about.

Learn about Helping Nature through Organic Gardening and get your Free limited handbook on Organic Gardening by visiting http://organic-gardening-help.info, a popular website that provides free advice and tips on Organic Gardening.

A flower garden magazine can help you redesign your garden; provide you with tools and flower bed layouts, and help you make it beautiful. It can also help you pick out new flower ideas and get you in touch with exotic varieties. If your flower garden seems drab, a flower gardening magazine can certainly give you tips and points to help you jazz it up. It can also help you pick out the best kinds of flowers for your soil type and growing region, so you won’t have to worry about failed plants.

One of the best benefits of a flower magazine is that it can help you pick out the right types of flowers such as easy maintenance best colors, easy to grow, best for a certain kind of soil, and even best for that region of your yard. You can also learn which types will bloom all year, and which ones stop after a season. A flower gardening magazine can help you to learn how to work with your garden, the best plants for your growing region, and how to work with the season and soil.

Trying new and exciting things in your garden will no longer seem frightening or like a wasted effort. You may find new and exciting ideas in your gardening magazine that will really give your yard that wow factor. You will find that with each new magazine in your subscription that you are having more and more fun and learning a lot about your garden.

A subscription to a gardening magazine will give you some really great ideas every time you open up the newest issue. You will also learn that some previously held reservations or ideas about your garden could be wrong and that some things really will work for you. You will learn how to grow a show stopping garden by learning how to amend the soil, which plants prefer what kind of soil, and exactly which side of the house or fence to place plants. You will also learn some very effect weed control techniques, pest control techniques, and how you can go chemical and pesticide free and have your garden thank you for it.

Having a subscription to a flower gardening magazine means that you own the magazines. No more taking them back to the library or putting them back down in that doctors office. You now can gleefully mark up the pages, tear out what works for you, book mark articles, and even put them right on your shelf for easy reference year round. This will enable you to refer back easily to what worked for you or if something has caught your interest to try the next season. You will soon amaze your neighbors and family by your gorgeous garden and bountiful flowers that appear effortless. Next thing you know, they will be coming to you for tips.

Many people prize having a gorgeous garden. Having a magazine full of tips, hint, and trick at your finger tips can certainly help you to get over those failed areas and figure out why certain plants just didn’t work out before. If you are considering getting a subscription to a gardening magazine you may find that once you do you will not know how you did with out it before.

You don’t have to continue growing the same flowers every year. You will have the brightest and most beautiful garden in the neighborhood. It will feel empowering knowing that you have the knowledge about healthy flowers and gardening. You will now know which flowers are the best to grow together and what to do to keep those annoying pests away.

The author, JoAnn Hedley, often writes on subjects such as a Flowering Garden Magazine. If you want more fine articles and videos, take a few seconds to visit Gardening FYI