Care of the lawn

Who doesn`t want to have a beautiful lawn in front of the house ;)? If we want to have a beautiful lawn we must take care of it. We mow the lawn regularly - every 5 - 7 days. We have to remove the weed regularly because we don`t want that the weed overgrown our lawn. If we can`t remove it manually, we can use a special fertilizer for lawns that contains ingredients against weed. The lawn has to be fertilized by the membrane fertilizer each year at the beginning of growing season. Membrane lawn fertilizer is released slowly and have an effect on long-term. I recommend you to fertilize the lawn before the rain, so the rain can dissolve the fertilizer. However, if there is no rain you can also water the lawn manually.

Grass clippings can serve as mulch in the garden or they can be added to the compost. But we have to dry it a little after the mow. If we are using various herbicides for weed control or fungicidals against molds and fungi, the grass shouldn`t be added to the compost or be used as a mulch in the vegetable garden.

If there are long periods without rain at the summer we have to supply the lawn with the water.

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Good Neighbors Part 2. - Preventing diseases and pests

We have already discussed about »the good neighborly relations« between plants in post Good Neighbors Part 1. We told which plants are more or less good to be placed together in the garden. In this – second part, we will say something abut the plants which prevent diseases and pests.

When we decide to grow our own garden, we of course try to produce as healthy food as posible.  But here apears a problem: There are many pests and diseases which we are trying to get rid of with various chemicals. But with chemicals we do not make any benefit to ourselves. Our goal is healthy and natural home grown food. With chemical produts the quality of home grown food is lowered.

In the fight against pests and diseases, we can place on the garden some plants that are used to treat or prevent certain diseases and to drive away pests. In this natural way we are preserving home grown food healthy and quality.

First let`s take a look at the plants which are really needed in the garden and which garden crop need them the most:

1. NASTURTIUM: Because it drives away the leaf louse, it is good to be placed near Potatoes, Brassicas, Fruit Trees and Lettuce

2. We plant BASIL near Fruit vegetables like Tomatoes, Peppers and Rose because it prevents the powdery mildew

3. CHAMOMILE: It acts against blight. Especially appropriate place in the garden for this plant is near Tomatoes and Brassicas.

 


4. CHIVES also counteract against Powdery mildew and it is suitable for placing near Strawberries, Carrots, Tomatoes and Roses

 


5. We pland SAVORY near Legumes because it drives away leaf louse.

6. GARLIC, TAGETES, MAROGOLD! These plants are must in every garden because they make a huge benefit to your garden. You just have to make sure that you do not plant Garlic near Peas, Beans or Cabbage.   

Few very good combinations:

-          Onions near Carrots

-          Leeks near  Carrot, Parley

-          Carrot near Salad

-          Radish near Carrot

If you to not know how to tackle the entire planting, you can view the Example of plants arrangement, which includes a »Good neighbors« and the above mentioned plants. You can find the example here.

Of course there are many other pests that can invade your garden. In the table below you can see which plants to plant near crops to prevent certain diseases and pests.  You can also make a preparation to fight diseases (make a tea and use it as spray). All the plants listed below can be used as mulch or preparation exept basil. 

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Orchids

Orchids are popular gift on any occasion, but concern for this beautiful plant is different from other plants. Therefore, in this post we will explain some basics about Orchids`s concern.

First thing we have to know is that Orchids do not grow in ordinary soil for house plants but they grow in substrate.



We transplant them for the first time, two or three year after purchase (after the flowering time). If we find out that the substrate started to disintegrating we have to transplant the Orchid sooner. We cut off all the old and wither roots. We have to transplant Orchids in a special Substrate for Orchids. Later, we transplant them every two to three years or if we notice that the plant needs more space for growth.

We have to water Orchids once a week or when we see trough the transparent pot, that the most of the roots are silver. We can put the plant with a transparent pot for one minute into decorative pot filled with water. Wait a minute and then drain it well. We have to fertilize the Orchid at every watering with half the amount of manure that is listed on the package (liquid fertilizer for Orchids). Every third or fourth watering can be done with water only (without fertilizer).

Orchids need a humid climate and a light room - but not direct sun.

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Cypress - Conifer Suitable for hedge

Cypress is undemanding evergreen tree. Type "Emerald" keeps its fresh green color trough whole year. It is in pyramid shape and is extremely resistant to frost. In a few year it form a dense hedge (it grown approximately 5 cm per year). It should be pruned regularly (it does not tolerate a large cut). You can also leave it to grow natural: Final with below: Approximately 1meter; Height: to 4 meters

You should water it in dry season the first year after planing. Every spring we have to fertilize it with manure for conifers. 

Height of growth: up to 4 meters
It thrives in the sun, half shade and in the shadow.

Related posts:
Deciduous Shrubs - undemanding
Evergreen Shrubs - also good for hedge
May`s shrubs cut

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Evergreen Ornamental Shrubs - also good for hedge

BOXWOOD

Boxwood (Buxus) is an evergreen shrub with strong oval leaves. It is very modest and insensitive. It can be shaped into various forms. We prune it in late spring, when we are no longer afraid of frost. You can also use it to border some flower or other beds. For this purpose are the best low sorts like  Suffruticosa and Blauer Heinz.

If you want the green Boxwood wall it last a decade to grow up. For the hedge is the best Rotundifolia.

Height of growth: 0,50 - 5 m (depends on type)
It thrives on the sun, in the half shade and also in the shade

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CHERRY LAUREL

Prunus laurocerasus. Very beautiful evergreen
shrub with soft green, shiny leaves.

It is also suitable for hedges. It prefers humus,
moist and slightly acidic soil. Generally tolerates heat, drought and cold, but you have to be careful at the purchase, because some sorts thrive only in areas with mild winter climate.

Height of growts: 2 - 3 m
It thrives on the sun and half shade

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OVAL-LEAVED PRIVET

Ligustrum ovalifolium.It is undemanding shrub, suitable for hedges. Is strong and evergreen in mild winter. Suitable for any type of soul.

 








 Height of growth: 3 m
It thrives on the sun, shade and half shade.



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WAYFARING TREE

Viburnum lantana. Is a beautiful ornamental shrub with colorful fruits. It blooms in spring (May - June). Color of blossoms is creamy.

Height of growth: 4 m
It thrives on the sun and half shade.

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 FRASER PHOTINIA "Red Robin"

Photinia fraseri "Red Robin". It is striking with its shiny leaves. Leaves stays on the brush in the summer and winter. It blooms in white. In autumn it is striking with orange-red colored leaves. The fruits are red and remain on the shrub for a long period of time.



Height of growth: 2 - 3 m
Grows best in half shade.

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ENGLISH HOLLY

Ilex aquifolium. Is an evergreen shrub. It has dark, green glossy leaves with spiny edges. The leaves are very decorative. Tolerates shade and pruning. It loves humus, permeable soils. We have to protect it from the sun. In the spring it gets red fruits. (some of the sorts are sensitive and does not tolerate the cold and winter sun.


 



Hight of growth: do 12 m
It grows in the shade.





Deciduous Shrubs - undemanding
Cypress - Conifer suitable for hedge
May`s shrubs cut

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Undemanding Parennial Plants

Let`s say something about a couple of perennial plants, which are unpretentious and suitable for those who would like to have a beautiful flower beds for many years without fear that the plants wouldn`t thrive. I will mention perennial plants that are undemanding about the soil. All of them prefre sunny or half shadow habitat (plants should be at least 5 hours a day lighten by the sun).

We have all those plants on the same place for over a years now and they are still beautiful.

Specific requirements of some plants are described bellow, as well as flowering time and height of growth ;)

 

Candytuft (Iberis)

It is a great perennial plant. It is evergreen cover plant suitable for
rock gardens, toughs,..It covers floor with a carpet of white flowers.

Flowering time: May -June
Height of growth: 20 cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maiden Pink (Dianthus deltoides)

It is a beautiful covering plant. It grows really quickly and form a thick "pillows".


Flowering time: June - August
Height of growth:15 cm

 

 

 

 

 

Fringed bleeding heart (Dicentra eximia)

Undemanding plant. Slightly curved streams with many flowers in shape of the heart. They are great on the sun or in the shade - but they prefer dappled shade.


Flowering time: May -July
Height of growth: do 70 cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yellow oxeye daisy (Buphthalmum Salicifolium)

Yellow flower. It prefers sunny places. Habitat shouldn`t be too humidity.

Flowering time: May -July
Height of growth:  50 cm

 

 

Iris

Large bulbs produce bright green leaves and thick flower stems. They have beautiful shapes and they can be found in various colors.

Flowering time: May- June
Height of growth: 60 cm

European peony (Paeonia officinalis)

It is a strong plant that blooms richly every year. It should be on the same place for years, because the transplantation half its development. It has beautiful large blossom (we have to support the heavy blooms in the rainy weather)

Flowering time: June - July
Height of growth: 90 cm

Evening star (biennis)

Its a striking plant, which blooms in yellow. It prefer sunny habitat.

Flowering time:  June - August
Height of growth:70 cm

Phlox

Blossoms are in many different colors from white, pink to the purple and light blue. The plant needs sunny habitat (It can be also grown in light shade). The soil should be permeable with humus (compost, manure bearings). We will admire them trough whole summer. After the flowering we have to cut off withered blossoms and it blooms again.

Flowering time: July - September
Height of growth:80 cm

Goldsturm (Rudbeckia)

Is a welcome enrichment in the bed of perennial plants. It blooms rich with yellow blossoms. It prefers sunny locations.

Flowering time: July- September
Height of growth: 70 cm

 

 

lilioasphodelus

It is undemanding, long flowering perennial plant. The blossoms are large bells - like lily`s. Even when the plant is not blooming, it is a nice decoration with its thick leaves. If the weather is dry you have to water it.

Flowering time: June - Avgust
Height of growth: 80 cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunflower (Helianthus )

We plant it on the edges or in the background. It is a tall plant with many small flowers. It is spreading out widely over the years.

Flowering time: August - October
Height of growth: 180 - 200 cm

 Chrysanthemims

Chrysanthemims are very undemanding plants. They fill the bed with their green leaves for the whole year. At the autumn or summer they bloom in different colors and shapes. You should plant some ornamental grasses in the background.

Flowering time: September - November
Height of growth: 70 cm

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Vegetable garden plan - example

I made an example of vegetable garden plan (plants arrangement in the garden). The following example is actually the current layout in our garden. Later I will add other options =)

Example of vegetable garden plan:

Click on the Image to enlarge it!

You can also check the posts about factors that we have to pay attention at when we are making out vegetable garden plan.
Good Neighbors 1. Part - Friendly Plants
Good Neighbors 2. Part - Plants that are preventing diseases and pests
Crop Rotation

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