A beginner gardener should learn basic gardening steps and information before making his first garden. Following some basic steps can assure you of a wealthy garden and an enjoyable relaxation. If you are a newbie, start small. Simple garden planters are a good way in starting your own garden. Gardening may be dreary and needs physical energy like digging and moving rocks. Starting big may be too awesome and challenging, you can expand if you are already equipped. First thing to do is choosing and preparing your chosen garden location. Consider the sunlight, soil nutrients, drainage, air circulation, wind and moisture and location. Vegetables and some plants usually need at least 5 hours of sun exposure a day. Sun is warmer in the afternoon than in the morning. Soil needs proper cultivation and fertilization to ensure that they are healthy and enriched with nutrients.

Like any other plant containers, you should ensure that your window boxes are securely mounted. In installing your window box, consider the weight of the soil, water and plants that will be put into your window box. Make sure you have access to your window box for watering and fertilizing purpose as the plants in there also need them. Proper drainage should also be installed to prevent the water from going to the wall or window sill. There are different types of window boxes each having their own advantages and disadvantages. Types can vary according your needs. Make sure that your chosen type, color, shape and size will complement the exterior of your house. Types of window boxes available are wood, vinyl, fiberglass, composite and pvc materials.

Gardening has been an excellent hobby of so many people all throughout the world. Proper gardening can help gardener of so many results like fresh produce, fresh flower scents, fresh air, colorful blooms, pleasing nature and physical exercise. Beginners have so many options in starting their own garden. Some of these are gardening in plant boxes, garden containers, raised beds or small greenhouse. A gardener living in an apartment or condominium can still start his own gardening even with a limited space.

There are some lovely perennial flowers that are low maintenance. There are two basic tricks that can be used to maintain perennial plants. First is to choose a plant that will suit your location. Second is to give time for plants to become established. In doing this, your plant will be low maintenance and undemanding and will bloom during its season. Daisies and daylilies are some of the most common perennial plants that you can grow in your garden. Perennial flowers save you time and effort because they grow for more than two years which means more than two years of having an established plant in your garden. Perennial flowers are easy to get established, and they need just a small amount of water for their daily survival. They can also compete with weeds by spreading themselves in your garden, thus preventing the growth of weeds.

Planting these flowers should be started with good cultivation and planting. If planted well, they can help you in eliminating weeds and preventing the need to use weed killers which may also harm your other crops. Perennial flowers require less attention and care unlike annuals or other flowers. Most perennial flowers are brightly colored so they are a good enhancement for your garden. Bleeding heart and foxglove are good flowers for a garden because of their beauty and color that adds to your garden and landscape. Perennial plants have different varieties which makes it a good enhancement to your outdoor area.

The most low maintenance perennial flowers are:

• Lily of the Valley
• Purple d’Oro Daylily
• White Feather Hosta
• Keys of Heaven
• Gay Butterflies Butterfly Plant
• Astilbe Bargain Bag

Blazing star is a low maintenance plant because it is good for any soil type, and is drought tolerant. It blooms frequently and the grassy texture adds texture to your garden. Hostas are maintenance free perennials. They grow best in shaded areas but can handle the sun as well. The peony looks lovely all throughout the year. They can take care of themselves making them an easy care perennial flower.

If you want to start greenhouse gardening, it is best to start with a cold frame to fully enjoy your greenhouse garden.  A cold frame is the most basic form of garden greenhouses. It is like growing in four seasons without experiencing the harsh months or down periods. Your greenhouse garden will not be idle even during cold season because plants continue to grow on cold frames. Cold frames shelter plants against cold seasons. Cold frames are inexpensive and simple to use. It facilitates growing throughout the year! Some structures may be expensive depending on how serious you are in growing your plants.

Although cold frames are simple structures, their benefits are great, and can be understood even by a beginning gardener. Still, many people have not totally regarded the advantages of having cold frames as a greenhouse structure. One known advantage of cold frames is that it gives plants the benefits of enjoying adequate sunlight and shields them from cold weather, harsh wind, snow, rains and hailstones.  It is also easy to assemble and install, and movable. Cold frames may require you extra work because you have to constantly check the weather outside.

Greenhouse gardening requires good management even with the use of cold frames. Your cold frame can turn into a hot frame during summer season. Open your cold frame or “vent” during hot season because you wouldn’t want your veggies cooked before harvesting them. A cold frame can be hot inside during cold days. In these cases opening your frame is necessary to release temperature. Installing devices for venting may be very useful for gardeners who are sometimes out and can’t attend to their gardening needs. Vent devices are also useful nowadays because of climate change. Installing thermometers inside your cold frames help you monitor the temperature inside. This is very useful during extreme hot or cold weather.

In choosing cold frames, consider the type that you want to have. Cold frames are available in glass glazing or plastic glazing. The glass glazing is the better option but is more expensive than the plastic type. Another type of cold frame is the one with hinges. The advantage is easy access and it can provide proper ventilation for plants. It protects plants from rain but is susceptible to damage brought by harsh wind. Cold frames are the best greenhouse gardening style for novice gardeners.

Herbs have played an important element in human’s lives – not just in cooking and health but also in romance and love, religion and superstition and yes – politics as well. An herb is a seed plant that does not grow with a woody stem like a tree but can live as long and develop flowers and seeds. Growing herbs in this day and age can be very advantageous because herbs are very useful these days.

Herbs can be pricey, especially if consumed on a daily basis whether in cooking or as medicine. Some would decide on growing herbs in their garden to save money and enjoy the benefits of herbs. Herbs can also add design and color to your garden as well. For beginners, herb planting can be, at first, stressful because you still have to decide what type of herbs to plant – and there are a wide selection to choose from. Select the ones that you frequently use when cooking. Some recommended herbs for beginners are parsley, basil, oregano, dill, chives, thyme, rosemary, sage and mint among many others.

Growing herbs is the same as growing other plants in your garden. You need proper planning, time and devotion to make it flourished. As in general gardening, you need to consider the sunlight, soil, drainage, pests and other preparation. Learn also the propagation methods that you will need like seeds, division and layering, and harvesting. Growing herbs in the outdoor is different from growing indoor so learn to differentiate also between the two.

One more thing to consider when growing herbs is the different uses of herbs. You can choose from culinary, aromatic, ornamental and medicinal herbs. Culinary herbs are probably the most useful type. They’re used for cooking because their strong flavor much to the recipe. Popular culinary herbs include parsley, sage, thyme, chives, savory, mint and basil. Aromatic herbs are not as popular as culinary herbs. It has pleasant smelling flowers or foliage. Its oil is usually used in making perfumes and other aromatic liquids. Some familiar aromatic herbs include mint, marjoram, rosemary, and basil. Ornamental herbs are herbs that have brightly colored flowers and foliage while medicinal herbs are those believed to have healing powers.  Medicinal herbs should be used carefully. Some herbs are harmless while others can be dangerous if consumed.

Garden landscaping may have advantages and disadvantages depending on the homeowner and the type of garden landscaping intended. Others would want to have a garden that they could take care of as part of their hobby while others would want a low-maintenance garden to spare them the work and expenses. In deciding on a garden landscape design, there are some things to know and factors to consider before planning and choosing your design.

1. Build a strong perimeter. It is important to put edging on your garden to separate it from the lawn or other parts of the house. The perimeter should be strong to prevent your garden from eroding. It can be made of plastic, wood, stone, steel or cement.
2. Put in a simple water irrigation system. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just enough to supply the water needs of the plant is necessary to make your garden beautiful and low-maintenance.
3. Put in some mulch. Mulch can help in protecting the soil as well as giving life to your garden. It lets the colors stand out like the colors of the flowers and other garden decorations. Darker mulch will show more colors.
4. Put a good soil. Soil that is rich in nutrients penetrates the roots of the plants deeply making the plants strong and healthy. Healthy plants make the garden beautiful and eye-catching.
5. Group things in the garden. Things that are well-grouped are nice to look at and will make your garden look full at all times. Plants that belong to the same species should go together. Also, try planting flowers with different colors and flowers that bloom in different season.
6. Add color. Again, planting flowers that grow in different seasons help in giving your garden colors throughout the year. Add garden decorations such as paper windmills of different colors and garden lights that will not just add color but will also give plants life during nighttime.
7. Set-up drainage. Putting drainage will allow water to move preventing them to pile up in one area.  This is necessary during rainy season.
8. Give adequate sunlight. Plants need considerable amount of sunlight to grow.
9. Consider garden maintenance. Ask yourself how much time and effort are you willing to allot in your garden. You may opt to install pond, pool or vegetable habitation if you want.
10. Know your budget. Research first before planning and see what fits in your budget.

There are other things to consider about garden landscaping. Proper planning is needed before the actual planting to get the look that you are dreaming for.

One of the companies that recently started supplying us with home and garden products is Gronomics. Their chemical free wooden products have provided our customers with a great number of organic options for their gardens. These wooden raised beds, planters and other garden beds typically come in 2 different ways: Unfinished and Tung Oil Finish. Tung oil is a natural product that is completely food safe. However, the unfinished look is a bit more organic.

It is important to remember that an unfinished raised garden bed is not an ugly one. That rustic look works in a variety of places with a variety of different decors. Plus, at least in the case of Gronomics, these beds are made of cedar. In case you weren’t aware, cedar has natural defenses against insects and mold. This eliminates the need for treated wood. Wood treatments use chemicals that can be harmful to the human body, and can definitely leech into the soil of your garden.

One of the neatest products they have brought to us is the planter bench. This bench is flanked on each side with a planter box that can be used for both plants and vegetables. This is particularly great for those that want to add a little furniture in their back yard to spice up their outdoor space. Plus, the planters in the bench allow them to start a container garden that is sure to yield beautiful results.

If you have been looking for a wooden raised bed to add to your existing garden, or you live in a small space, these wonderful products from Gronomics will help you get a look you desire. We are proud to offer their raised bed and wooden plant container products on our site. We think you are going to love what they add to your home.

This Thanksgiving, we all have a lot to be thankful for. Many of us have family that we are going to be able to enjoy being around this coming Thursday. Others of us will be grateful for our health. At Bevoworks, we are all grateful to our customers. They are the people that keep us going, and help us remember why we started this business in the first place. We hope the garden products you purchase from us enable you to live a happier, healthier life.

On this Thanksgiving, why not go through your garden to give your family the freshest, best tasting and healthiest vegetables on earth. The reason they are all of these things is because they are right in your back yard. Of course, if you have not started your garden yet, most towns have a farmer’s market that is sure to have  locally grown produce that will taste magnificent. We love local food because we feel this is what strengthens a community.

Speaking of local food, have you thought about getting a locally grown turkey? This type of bird has not been shipped all over the country, and used up lots of fuel to get to your table. It has merely gone across town. The freshness of turkeys and other meats that have been grown in your local market cannot be underestimated. Not only that, but the carbon footprint of such food becomes miniscule when compared to the food you buy from a national chain store.

This Thanksgiving, we hope your day is spent enjoying family and friends. We hope the food you eat is healthy to your body, and contributes to your overall well being. We also hope that some of the products you have purchased from us have played at least a small part in that.

Winter is right around the corner, and we need to start planning accordingly. Our gardens need to be winterized, and any preparations for next spring should probably begin. There are certain steps for ensuring that your garden will survive the winter, and will be able to continue yielding once the spring begins. Here are some helpful tips for making sure you are ready to go when spring arrives.

• Remove weeds and other invasive plants. Weeds tend to germinate in the fall, so it is important to knock them out as soon as possible. Be sure to pull them up by the roots or chop their heads off before the seeds can germinate. Otherwise, you may need to cover them with a tarp weighted down by bricks or rocks. This will kill them over time.
• Give your plants a head start on the spring. By preparing your soil for the next season, your plants will be ahead of the proverbial curve. Test and amend the soil to give it the proper amount of nutrients for the coming warmer season.
• Make any adjustments to perennials. Now is a good time for topping, adjusting or transplanting your plants, because the weather is much more conducive.
• Add fertilizer to your lawn. Unlike plants, fertilizing your lawn before the winter hits is the ideal. This gives your grass a head start heading into the next spring.
• Plant spring bulbs. Any bulbs that will bloom in the spring should be planted now. When adding mulch, avoid straw as this can attract rodents.
• Water your vulnerable plants. Winter can be a dangerous time for some plants, because the ground freezes and keeps water from reaching the roots. Water them regularly to ensure they make it through the season.

One final note, make sure your tools are ready to go for next season. You wouldn’t want them to be broken or rusted when it came time to use them in the spring.

The Tung Oil Finished Pergola Planter is a boost for those gardeners that like to make their home and gardens really stand out. This superior product from Gronomics is made out of 100% Western Red Cedar, and is made completely in the USA. There is no need to worry about this pergola being a cheap structure that is not going to last more than a few seasons. The Pergola Planter is also completely untreated, so you won’t have to worry about any dangerous chemicals leeching off into the soil of the planters. It is, however, available in both a food safe Tung Oil Finish and an Unfinished wood.

One of the really useful features of this pergola planter is the trellis that extends from the planter part of the structure. This allows you to add all kinds of climbing plants and vegetables to your garden. This garden structure will be perfect on everything from your patio to a featured section of your backyard garden. You are going to have fun playing around with this.

Pergolas have been in use for centuries by master gardeners in every civilization. They were largely built from brick or stone in order to create a structure with which to guide climbing vines and plants across a given area. Once the climbing plants had grown across the pergola, they also provided a nice source of shade.

Throw in the planter box aspect to this Pergola Planter, and you have one majorly useful garden structure. Lots of people want to be able to dress their garden structures up with pretty flowers or other types of plants. The Pergola Planter helps every home gardener accomplish this in spades. So, take the time to check out this wonderful product from Gronomics, and see what you can do with it to make your garden the envy of the neighborhood!

Many of us are looking to go organic these days. People are really starting to understand that organically grown food is not just a fad or some kind of “hippie” movement. There really are great reasons to grow organically. For instance, anytime we use wood that has been treated in any way, the chemicals from that wood can very easily leech into the soil where are food is grown. So what are the best choices for those that want to avoid chemicals?

Cedar is a great wood to use for a garden bed of any kind. It has a natural defense against water rot, and it also naturally repels insects. One of our newer product lines is from Gronomics, and we think you will really like it. The Rustic Raised Garden Bed is wholly untreated, and it is made of 100% solid Western Red Cedar. It provides a perfect natural, organic way to grow your own vegetables or spices. Of course, you can always just grow flowers.

I think hard economic times bring out true ingenuity in people. This is why, after decades of the commoditization of food, people of all political leanings are starting to pay attention to where the food comes from. It really does matter that we understand what is going to the process of food production. For those that do not like what they see, they are increasingly turning to growing their own food. This is why we are seeing so many more people with gardens, and some with backyard livestock.

What it all amounts to is having as much control over what goes into our bodies as possible. If you grew your own food, it is reasonable to think you are going to know exactly what went into its production. What’s the bottom line? Knowledge makes us powerful and more healthy.