Different kinds of plants are categorized in many ways One specific method classifies plants depending on how they are used These uses include food, medicine, industry, or simple decoration

Category number one is plant you can eat These are plants that are cultivated by agriculturalists from farm crops, both commercial and privatized These edible plants are the majority of what farms turn out Most of the edible plants we are discussing are vegetables or fruits, but there are also many others that qualify as plants that can be eaten Some of these are herbs, seasonings, nuts, and legumes Nuts are nothing more than dried and hardened fruit seeds Herbs, whether fresh or dehydrated, are just flavorful plant life Seasonings are simply different fruits or scraps of bark that have been dehydrated for market Some beverages, like coffee and teas, are also procured from edible plants

Plants used for medicine is our second category This category includes all plants that have medicinal benefits, many of which are cultivated specifically for use in prescription drugs Medicinal plants only count in this category if they do not need to be modified chemically Opium is one such plant, and it is used in several pain relief drugs Codeine and morphine are two good examples Opiate drugs are manufactured with poppy sap after it has been refined and dehydrated

Some plants that are medically beneficial do not require any processing whatsoever For example, witch hazel is a wonderfully effective anti-itching agent when massaged into the skin It can be a great help for those with chronic dry skin or anyone suffering from insect bites The yarrow plant will help the body ward off poisoning Many plants are used as antibiotics, including garlic, which can help cure infections Peppermint and dandelion are often employed to aid problematic digestion

Other plants that have medicinal properties are eaten or used raw Witch hazel can be rubbed on the skin and is helpful with itching that accompanies bug bites and skin dryness Yarrow is a type of plant eaten to relieve poisoning Garlic is an antibiotic and can stop infection, while dandelion and peppermint are used to treat digestive problems

Plants used in industry are very common, as well, and as such are our third category Some plants produce usable oil, such as the oil palm Other plants produce fibers that can be used for clothing and other materials, such as hemp and flax

Our last category is the decorative plant category If you live in or travel to the suburbs regularly, you will see that it is very fashionable! Many suburban homes will have extravagant, multi-colored gardens displaying many plants from this category, as they have no use besides their aesthetic appeal Ivies, poinsettias, tulips, a number of trees, and many types of shrubbery all fit into the decorative definition

Placing plants into usage categories can be a practical manner if defining different kinds of plants People should always remember how many uses these various plants give us, and how much our lives would be inconvenienced if they did not exist This is a prime motivation to defend these plants natural habitats!

When speaking of different kinds of plants, a helpful way to sort them into categories is by taking a look at the way different plants adapt to different environments This means examining whether a given plant can endure severe climatic conditions, different soils, and varying amounts of available water There are 3 categories to organize plants based on their ability to adapt to environments: temperature, water needs, and soil needs

When classifying in terms of temperature, a given plant will fit into one of 4 subcategories Certain plants are very resilient and can withstand major temperature changes Some are not even affected by them at all! Most of these plants originate in areas where the weather normally gets very cold, often near certain evergreen trees

Tender is the second temperature subcategory Tender implies that plants in this category will do very well if temperatures or high and humid, but will probably not survive colder temperatures Annual and biennial plants are included in this subcategory These plants are most common in western countries, and make up the bulk of vegetation in Europe and North America

Many plants are grown as food, and those also fall into the temperature category They are split into smaller categories, one for crops grown in the warm season, and one for crops grown in the cool season Warm seasons crops include citrus, beans, and corn Cold season crops consist of plants like broccoli, peas, and lettuce

The second category for environmental adapting is water requirement This category is divided into three subcategories of plants The first subcategory is for plants that actually live within a body of water The second is for plants that need minimal watering, like plants that live in desert climates The third falls in between the first two categories, needing an average amount of water

Lastly, the third category organizes plants based on the type of soil they need to survive This category can also be broken into three subcategories The first is called halophytes, and includes plants that do best in heavily salted soil The second is call acidophytes, including plants that do best in soils that are very acidic The last subcategory is metallophytes, which includes plants that require soil with lots of metals present

In conclusion, it is quite helpful to classify different kinds of plants based on their environmental needs and ability to adapt The categorization of plants in this manner is determined by their climatic, water, and soil needs

Late spring is the perfect time to plant seeds for easy to grow summer flowers The soil needs to be warm enough for germination and the spring rains will help the seedlings get going If you want to give your summer flowers a boost start them inside in six packs Place two or three seeds in each section of the pack Cover gently with potting soil then water wrap in plastic wrap and place in a warm sunny window Check every day When the seeds have sprouted remove the plastic wrap

Summer annual flowers include zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, petunias, bachelor buttons, balsam, alyssum, marigolds, vinca, poertuluca, lobelia to name just a few

Flowers need at least six hours of full sun to bloom profusely In very hot areas such as the Southwest and desert areas, afternoon shade is appreciated

Prepare the soil by digging down at least six inches Turn the soil over with a shovel Add compost or well rotten manure and a time release fertilizer per the package directions Turn the soil over again to mix in your ingredients

If your flower bed is up against a wall or fence, plant the tallest flowers in the back, medium tall in the middle and short or spreading flowers in the front The tall flowers can use the wall to lean on and won’t shade the shorter flowers

If your flower bed is in the middle of the yard, plant the tall flowers in the center, surrounded by medium tall flowers and then ringed by the shorter and spreading flowers

Throw caution to the wind and plant a splashy mix of all different colors, much like you’d find in a meadow Or plant in coordinated colors All pastels are very pretty Pick a two bright opposing colors like red and blue and fill in with plenty of white Orange and purple work well too with lots of white or cream Or pick all shades of the same color like blue and then use a pop of yellow every once in awhile

Plant seeds three times as closely as the seed package says That gives you extra seedlings because you’ll lose some to the birds and bugs Cover the seeds as directed and then add a layer of mulch on top Water thoroughly Only water when the soil looks dry not on a schedule Too much water can be as bad for baby plants as not enough water

After the seeds have sprouted wait until they have at least four true leaves then thin to the desired spacing

Summer is coming and there’s nothing more beautiful than a rose bush covered with lush blossoms and healthy green leaves How to grow roses without a lot of strain and effort? Follow these 4 tips and you can grow healthy roses

Prepare the soil
If you’re planting a rose bush dig a hole about 1 and half times as deep as the rose bush container and twice as wide Add slow release fertilizer per package directions to the bottom of the hole, then a shovel full of compost, a shovel of the soil you removed and a bit more fertilizer Remove the rose bush gently from the container and set in the hole The soil line on the rose bush from the container should be the same as in your garden If it’s too high remove a bit more soil from the planting hole If it’s a bit too low add another shovel of soil When it’s just right, gently scratch the roots from the bottom of the root ball and around the sides That will encourage the roots to start branching out into the new hole

Fill the hole half way, alternating soil and compost with a sprinkle of fertilizer Water thoroughly When the water has been absorbed by the soil, fill the hole to the top and water again

Refresh the soil
Dig a few inches deep around the base of your rose out to the edges of the bush Remove about half of the soil and replace with compost, or bagged topsoil, mixed with slow release fertilizer, follow package directions Add a layer of mulch a couple of inches deep to retain the moisture in the soil The mulch will break down over the season and add organic matter to the soil

Catch problems before they start
If you see aphids or other buggy creatures remove them immediately Don’t wait until you get to the nursery for bug spray Most creatures can be washed off with a strong spray of water Aphids can be sprayed with a mixture of 1/2 teaspoon dishwashing liquid to one quart of water Spray on the aphids If you don’t have a sprayer handy use a sponge It’s messier but it works

Look at your roses as they grow and treat problems right away Look at the leaves for disease or brown spots Don’t get too worried if leaves are a bit yellowish-greenish or new growth is kind of reddish, that can be normal If the veins of the leaves are dark green but the leaf itself is yellow it could be a sign of iron deficiency That’s easily treatable If the entire leaf is yellow that could be a sign of nitrogen deficiency, again easily corrected

Water but don’t over water
Roses don’t like getting their leaves wet and they don’t like keeping their feet wet Don’t water on a preset schedule Water when the top 3 or 4 inches of soil is dry, then soak the plants

In very humid climates don’t crowd your roses with other plants, it invites fungus diseases In hot dry climates don’t water everyday, plant the roses so they receive afternoon shade

Remove sent blossoms
The only purpose of a flower is to produce seed, well at least to the plant that’s the only purpose Remove the spent blossoms and the rose will continue to bud and flower The exception is if the rose is of a variety that only blooms once a year In that case leave the blossoms and enjoy the display

Follow these easy tips and you’ll have no problem growing healthy roses

Imagine eating luscious red strawberries fresh from your garden still warm from the sun What a treat and that treat can be yours Here are easy tips for growing strawberries

Strawberries need at least six hours of sun a day to flower and set fruit Keep that in mind when selecting a site for your berries Strawberry pots, those big pots with little holes in the sides are not ideal for strawberries because they dry out too fast
Strawberries prefer rich soil Dig down about six inches with a sturdy shovel and turn the dirt over Remove rocks and twigs and sprinkle in a slow release fertilizer per package directions Add a bag of compost or well rotted manure for every 8 square feet of your strawberry patch For example if your patch is 12 feet by 12 feet you would need 4 bags Spread the compost evenly and then turn over the soil again to mix the fertilizer and compost into the soil

Plant strawberry plants about 12 inches apart Strawberries grow quickly into a bush about a foot around

Water well Every month use a liquid fertilizer that feeds the foliage (leaves) as well as soaking into the ground Strawberries have small white flowers between the size of a dime and quarter with yellow centers Each plant can have from 3 or 4 berries to a dozen Depending on the variety of the berry you buy, you can have all the berries setting and ripening at once to berries that ripen continuously over the summer

Don’t over water your plants especially after the berries have set Mud around the fruit can cause the fruit to rot Test the soil to see if it needs water by inserting your finger into the dirt If the soil is still moist up to within an inch of the surface you can wait to water If it’s dry then water It’s best to water deeply less often That encourages the roots of the plant to reach down into the soil

When the berries are showing a blush of pink think about how you’re going to discourage birds from eating the berries This can be accomplished with netting held over the berries by tying the net to posts about one foot off the ground Or you can try using tinsel, yes the kind you buy for Christmas decorations or specially made foil that grape vineyard use

If slugs or snails are a problem in your area , Set out jar lids filled with beer in the evening The slugs and snails love beer, will fall in and drown

Don’t spray the flowers with insecticides You risk killing the bees which pollinate the flowers turning them from flowers into berries Use a strong spray from your garden hose to knock any bugs off the plants

Berries don’t ripen any more after being picked so wait until your berries are a bright crimson red before picking

Follow these easy tips from Easy Garden Care and you’ll have lush sweet strawberries fresh from your garden

For anyone interested in gardening, the thrill of getting your hands dirty, smelling the fresh dirt and watching your carefully nurtured plants grow from seeds into proper bushes that produce flowers or veggies is the most important draw

Very few people who hate gardening actually make much progress with it, it seems to be one of those things that you’ll do if you love it

When gardening, it’s a good idea to have good quality tools on hand These will make the entire process faster and easier and leave you more time to enjoy the fruits of your labor There’s nothing so sweet as strawberries plucked fresh from the patch that you planted and nurtured yourself and the right tools will help you grow more than just one small patch

Top Ten Gardening Tools

1 Automatic sprinklers Good gardeners know that the best time to water the garden is before the sun comes up, since water droplets can magnify the sun and cause the plants to burn But unless you are truly dedicated, chances are you won’t be getting up before the sun to stand out in the garden with a hose The other option is to set up automated sprinklers that are set to go off at a certain time This is also very handy for keeping the garden watered while you are away on vacation

2 Gardening multi-Tool Why carry ten different gardening tools when just one will do? A multi-tool is based on a military concept that combined pliers and a variety of other tools and blades into one tool Likewise, a gardening multi-tool will include handy items like a saw, weed remover and wire cutters, among others, all tucked into the handle of a nice pruner The whole thing is the size of a handheld trimmer and can be easily slipped into your belt, making those frequent trips back to the garden shed obsolete

3 Garden stool Most gardeners are familiar with those handy little kneepads that help keep your body from getting too stiff while in the position to weed, but not everyone is able to stay on their knees for extended periods of time A simple garden stool lets you sit while you work and is low enough to the ground to provide easy access to weeds Look for one that has wheels and you won’t even need to carry it from one vegetable patch to the next Some stools also feature storage space under a lift-top which lets you store your tools, seeds and gloves all in one place

4 Folding garden bucket These handy buckets are ideal for working with in the garden or anywhere you need to be weeding and want somewhere to toss the weeds This type of bucket is roomy, but lightweight and can simply be twisted and folded down to a light disc that takes up virtually no room in the gardening shed They are usually made of sturdy fabric, so they can just be hosed down, which makes cleanup nice and simple

5 Anti-pest decoys These range from the familiar scarecrow, which rarely works anymore, to realistic owls that swivel their heads when sensing motion No matter what your style of garden, there is a way to frighten off birds and other critters that would like to share in your harvest If you aren’t interested in moving birds or metallic streamers that twirl in the wind to frighten off would-be raiders, then you can always opt for motion sensor sprinklers that are barely noticeable, yet have good results

6 Non-kinking hose The hose is one of the more basic gardening tools, but if you opt for cheap ones, they’ll be full of holes in no time, not to mention kinking up right when you need water the most It’s well worth the money to invest in a non-kink hose Not only will it never bend so sharply as to cut the flow of water off, these types of hoses tend to last far longer than regular plastic ones

7 Ergonomic grips There are so many different gardening tools on the market that it can be difficult to choose which trowel, rake or other small implement you should purchase The best tools will have ergonomic grips on them, large, comfortable handles that won’t strain or irritate your hands when using them Look for softer handles, as well, since unaccustomed use of wood can give blisters

8 Aerator shoes These aren’t really shoes, they are actually spiked plates that strap onto your gardening shoes As you move about, weeding, planting and trimming, the spikes drive into the earth with each step and help aerate it This is just another way to improve the health of your garden without any extra work, something busy gardeners will appreciate

9 Ph soil tester While the average person might not care if their soil is acidic or not, this is just the sort of thing that will matter to the avid gardener When you discover what the Ph of your soil is, you can adjust it to produce the best environment for your plants In some cases, such as with hydrangea, the acidity of the soil actually determines the color of the flowers

10 Good gardening gloves Perhaps one of the most important gardening tools, gloves protect hands from things like blackberry or rose thorns They also keep hands from becoming completely saturated in dirt or fish meal, neither of which is pleasant Good gardening gloves will be soft enough to be comfortable, yet sturdy to allow for long term use Most have small dots or other types of gripping paint on the palms to aid with friction

By selecting the best gardening tools possible, you ensure that your time in the garden will be enjoyable There’s nothing fun about working with difficult tools that make it hard to do even the simplest chores Instead, invest in real tools and have a great time with your gardening

Theres a book that sits in my toilet, and I’m sure many others, called The Darwin Awards The Darwin Awards are for those that are deemed to have done evolution a favour by their departure and dedicated to those that have left this mortal coil in the dumbest way

A startling amount of these award winners involve garden sheds Take the following as a lesson Whatever wide range of hobbies and activities you chose to do in your garden sheds, don’t try any of these

Over in France this February, a 71-year old pensioner decided to illuminate his shed and garden with power siphoned from the National Grid The Frenchman illegally opened a major power junction box at the front of his maison to hard-wire a cable to his garden shed While it was raining He was electrocuted declared dead at the scene

There’s an honorable mention to a man who, in 2002, was hell-bent on defending his shed To prevent burglars breaking into his shed in Holland, the man built a booby trap, using ropes and a shotgun aimed at the door Now, anyone who’s ever seen a cartoon knows this is a bad idea

However, this 66-year-old obviously hadn’t and was so proud of his work he demonstrated his trap to two friends His well constructed booby trap managed to shoot him in the abdomen and lower arm The man only gains an honorable mention as an emergency operation saved him

Makes you wonder what he had in his shed to be so determined to protect it, turned out it was 15 full grown marijuana plants At least it wasn’t a grenade Nobody would have a grenade in their garden shed would they?

Back in 2005 a semi-retired Croatian man decided to head to his shed and create a tool for cleaning the chimney It was too tall a task for a broom but if he could attach a brush to a chain and weigh it down with something, that might work But with what? Well why not a grenade? Yep It’s small, heavy and made of metal so it could be welded to the chain

Doesn’t matter that it’s full of explosive, right? Again; anyone who’s seen a cartoon When the welding torch heated the metal of the grenade it exploded, killing the man instantly, destroying the shed and the Mercedes parked outside

Of course, there’s lessons to learn here Don’t try messing with the national power grid, especially in the rain Don’t smoke a lot weed and keep shotguns and don’t take explosives into your garden sheds to heat them up Or heat them up at all

Garden sheds represent have a variety of possible uses outside of storing tools and gardening equipment They can be turned into saunas, gyms, anything but a death-trap

The Husqvarna 5521CHV

If you are looking for an easy to use, gas powered, self propelled lawn mower the Husqvarna 5521CHV may be right for you The AutoWalk system is easy to use and allows you to set your own pace rather than having to push the mower ideal for people who find pushing a mower difficult With six cutting positions, adjustable between one inch and three inches, and a triple bagging system it will deliver an efficient tidy cut

The AutoWalk system uses a front wheel drive and is controlled by a simple lever We found it very easy and intuitive to use and certainly takes the hard work out of mowing The Husqvarna 5521CHV starts easily and the choke is automatic The cutting height adjusts for different types and heights of grass and with six cutting positions can cope with rougher spots and small inclines easily It is necessary to stop and adjust the cutting height if you hit a rough patch or an area of longer grass or the mower may stall

The triple bagging system works efficiently and throws clippings into the bag smoothly The attachment of the bagging system is a little less sturdy than we would like

The Husqvarna 5521CHV mis easy to maneuver with large back wheels and can cope easily with small slopes On very hilly areas or very rough patches the engine struggles so we would not recommend this model if you have a lot of these areas to mow However on normal lawn areas, which most people will have, the mower works efficiently and the AutoWalk system is excellent if you have difficulty pushing a normal mower

Advantages

Easy to use, AutoWalk system works well, six different cutting positions

Disadvantages

May stall on rough areas or very long grass

Price: $349 98

The Toro Super Recycler 20090

A gas powered push mower that has an efficient mulching system, the Toro Super Recycler 20090 is light and easy to store and powerful Clippings are chopped up by a veneered blade that uses an acceleration system and kickers to keep the clippings in the air, before being ejected onto the ground You can also discharge into a bag by attaching a side discharge tube

The Ready Start system used by Toro mowers does not have a choke or need any priming and allows for easy starts The 190cc Briggs and Stratton engine supplies plenty of power and makes the mower efficient on a wide range of grass types and surfaces The deck is easy to adjust between cutting heights of one and a quarter to four and a quarter inches

One feature we like is the Quick Washout Port which makes cleaning super easy Attach a hose to the port, turn on and wash out all the accumulated clippings and dirt on the blade and under the deck in one go You’ll have a clean mower all ready to work efficiently next time

The Toro Super Recycler 20090 is very light at just 69lbs and with a folding handle is easy to store The mower is well constructed and should last a long time

The Toro Super Recycler 20090 comes with a five year warranty and with the Super care membership you get free support and a free five year blade sharpening service

Advantages

Easy starts, good mulching system, light and easy to store

Disadvantages

Expensive

List Price: $474 99

The Cub Cadet CC-500 BAT

If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly electric mower you may want to check out the Cub Cadet CC-500 BAT cordless electric lawn mower This mower is quiet and needs very little maintenance compared to a gas mower and is well built and clean running As it is cordless it can be used away from any power outlets unlike a corded electric mower that can only be used as far away as the cord can extend The power output of cordless models nowadays is comparable to gas powered models

The Cub Cadet CC-500 BAT has a uniquely designed three in one deck with an upward sloping blade This creates a cyclone effect which suspends cuttings in the air where they can be cut repeatedly to produce a fine mulch The mulch is then ejected onto the ground where it is an excellent fertiliser for your lawn

A 48 volt battery supplies the power and is designed for a minimal impact on the environment as well as long life Lack of power has been a serious downfall of cordless mowers in the past but modern batteries deliver much more power and these newer models are comparable in power to gas powered mowers

The Cub Cadet CC-500 BAT is extremely maneuverable thanks to ball bearings in the wheels which make rolling and turning much easier than many other models The cutting height is easily adjusted with a lever and does not need individual wheel adjustments as some models do The adjustable cutting blade gives seven different cutting heights from one inch to three and a half inches A lock out key prevents accidentally starting the mower

Overall we found the Cub Cadet CC-500 BAT has a very efficient mulching system, good cutting power and excellent features

Advantages

Good mulching, easy to adjust cutting height, maneuverable

Disadvantages

Bagging is less efficient than some other models

List price $449 00

The Black and Decker CMM1200

For small areas of grass that are too far away from a power outlet the Black and Decker CMM1200 is ideal This cordless electric lawn mower is well built but with slightly lower cutting power than the Cub Cadet CC-500 BAT It has an efficient mulching system and operates for longer than the average cordless mower on one full charge

The disadvantage of cordless electric mowers is that the usage is limited by the charge and until recharging takes place the mower can’t be used again However if you only have a small area to mow this won’t be a problem and for those looking for a more environmentally friendly mower with low maintenance the Black and Decker CMM1200 would be suitable

The cutting path, at nineteen inches, is about average for a cordless mower and about the same as a small gas mower it is very quiet A big advantage over gas mowers especially if you like to do your mowing early in the morning!

The cutting limit on a full charge is stated by the manufacturer to be 15,000 square feet but independent tests found this to be lower at around 10,000 square feet Obviously, if you are mowing long grass or thickets of weeds you can expect this to be much lower, probably about a half of this figure Be aware that no electric mowers should be used on wet grass
The Black and Decker CMM1200 is easily transported as it is light and compact with a fold down handle for easier storage It copes well with shallow inclines and is well constructed as you would expect for a mower from Black and Decker Starting is easy with a push button and the controls on the handle are easy to use An easy to use lever is used to adjust the cutting height which varies from one and a half to three and a third inches

A complete charge takes about sixteen hours and a replacement battery will be needed at least every five years A new battery is around $110 today

Overall we found the Black and Decker CMM1200 to be well built and efficient and very quiet

Advantages

quiet in operation, well constructed and durable

Disadvantages

Limited battery power, only suitable for smaller lawns

List Price: $474 99

For those deciding to install a fish pond in their backyard this can be an addition to an existing landscape and offers some tranquility Planning to have a fishpond will require some work because it does not end in installation but you will be taking proper care of it

The care for a pond must be constant and consistent Follow some tips which could help you maintain it with minimal effort Use plastic to line the fish pond edges so that it is separated from the soil If you follow this tip, the soil nutrients will not intrude with your pond You will only attend to dealing with some elements present in the pond or with other elements created by your fishes

Never install your pond in the lowest area of your backyard You see, if the pond is located in a low area, the runoff from the higher portions of the area will all go down to your pond It is much easier to maintain if the pond is situated on the highest area of your backyard

Making a beautiful landscape with your pond includes various kinds of plants in the surroundings And also, don’t forget to put some water plants in the pond With the presence of water plants, the growth of algae is decreased Excess nutrients are absorbed by the pond plants By doing so, you don’t have to get rid of algae from time to time

You must remember though that algae growth is definitely a major problem with fish ponds You must prepare for this and even if there are water plants, you still have to clean your pond regularly That way, your fishes are healthier If this is your very first time to install a backyard fish pond, perhaps you want to seek help from persons who know how to put up a pond

You can also make use of the internet in determining other effective ways of caring for your pond Another consideration in having a pond in your backyard is to choose the fishes well There are a lot of fishes that you can raise in the pond and if you don’t know which fishes to purchase, you can ask friends and colleagues who also have fish ponds That way, you can get a little idea about properly caring for your pond and the fishes as well

There are also online resources that you can check out to obtain helpful information regarding fish ponds Conduct a bit of research and you will surely benefit from it With know how, hard work, and dedication, you can maintain your fish pond’s beauty