February 7th, 2010 | 
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How to make your own bonsai tree is quite easy if you know the right way and if you have the right tree at your disposal to make one. Since there are numerous kinds of trees, shrubs or plants in making a bonsai tree, utmost research is what you need to do.
But first, what is really a bonsai tree. These are plants that are grown purposely to be small and on a tray or pots. Given that there are different trees to be used, the Japanese maple trees are still the most ideal for this purpose. By the means of a method called layering, it is possible to make a certain branch sprout the way you want them to shape or separate from the tree.
So to make a bonsai, start with selecting a nice tree branch to grow your bonsai as this will surely bring you unlimited joy in the coming years. But first, you need to know the right way to make a bonsai tree.
Therefore, before you make any decision as to which tree to make your bonsai, you should read some books or surf Internet. Aside from studying on how to make them grow that includes perimeters like what soil types to use, watering procedure, environment condition that is required, and the growth principles.
Once you concluded this task, then go onto the actual selection of the tree. This is crucial, as indicated in your study it is better to know the right tree that is good for your geographic locations. Since some trees basically lose their leaves whenever winter comes, and the fact that you still have to wait for spring in order to prepare it. But there are also some that grow in winter, or that most trees needs lots of water, come summer time. So find one that best suits your location.
Select the perfect size for your bonsai, and sizes can be anywhere from 6 inches to 3 feet height. So figure out what size do you have in mind before you actually go and buy one. Look at the leaf to ensure that the plant is indeed healthy. Afterwards, visualize the kind of bonsai that you need and whether it is suitable for your home and as a bonsai plant.
Then pick a pot that will accommodate the size of your plant. Just remember that it is necessary to buy large pot, so that it covers the entire roots of the bonsai. Then prepare the tree, prune them as much as you like and according to the shape that you want to achieve. Then start wiring the branches, and to water the root just simply remove them from the pot. It is fine to take them out, since the root will be cut anyway before being repotted again into a bonsai pot.
To pot the tree, just simply install mesh screens. Then add draining soil in your pot and then put the tree into your pot again. Before covering your trees roots with soil, run a heavy wire first at the bottom of the pot and drainage holes, the wire is for holding it in place. Then just wait and you can finally enjoy you own bonsai tree in some weeks.
Posted in Bonsai Trees, Fine Gardening | 
Tags: Fine Gardening, How to Make a Bonsai Tree? | 
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A winter greenhouse, as the name suggests is a greenhouse for your plants during the winters. This will keep all the plants protected from the ice and frost and dampness. If you don’t have a greenhouse already but have a lot of plants out in the garden, it is high time that you build one. Otherwise all those delicate plants will wilt by the time winter reaches the peak.
As a lover of plants, you will not wish to see your plants wilting away and dying under the heavy weight of the ice on it. So opt for a winter greenhouse now. Apart from protecting your plants, the winter greenhouse will serve as a place where you can sit and relax for sometime during the winter with your lovely plants.
If you are planning to build a winter greenhouse, decide on where you want it to be erected. It can be in the front yard or backyard. But wherever you build it, it must be spacious enough to accommodate all your plants and even you! You can even go for a portable greenhouse. The benefit of choosing a portable greenhouse is that you can pull it down during the spring and beginning of summers when your plants don’t need it and spread out your plants adorably all over the garden.
If you don’t want to move your plants out from the greenhouse during any of the seasons, you can opt for the greenhouse which can be opened from the top. These will be remote controlled or operated by levers. So when you feel that your plants need some direct sunlight, you can just open the top cover and make the plants bask in the sun.The remote operated winter greenhouses may be a bit costly but are ideal if you have nurseries or plant gardens which bring in revenue.
Almost all plants can be grown in a winter greenhouse. It can be flowering plants, fruits, or vegetables. When the weather outside is suitable enough, you can move these plants outside. The benefit of using winter greenhouses are that you can control the humidity, heat, water, light, pest and other diseases which may affect your plants.
These greenhouses trap in the sunlight and heat and provide it to the plants even when it is cold outside. You can also heat up your greenhouse when required. Heating can be done by using the conventional burning of wood method or using gases. But take care that the heat is not in excess and becomes unbearable for the plants.
Winter greenhouse can be made up of plastic or any sturdy water proof materials. The frames must be rust proof and strong enough to withstand weights and the winds. If you are buying a greenhouse, choose a specific winter greenhouse. You can build a small store in the winter greenhouse where you can store all your gardening accessories, seeds, and other equipments. So the winter greenhouse will protect your plants, you, and give you a place to relax peacefully.
Winter is the only season which gives an opportunity to take a look at those winter vegetables available in the market. Instead of falling to the cravings of interesting junk food it would be ideal to take a look at wide variety of winter vegetables available in the market or pick them from the winder garden. The winter vegetables play an important role in nourishing the body and create energy reserve that could be used for rest of the year.
Choosing the right vegetables for your garden and the modes to groom them is more important. Also you need to understand as to which vegetable will survive with cold cover and which will be curving without a cover. The winter vegetables that could be grown in the garden without a cold cover falls under the category of oriental greens. These varieties of oriental greens were created out of combinations of mustard, kale, turnips and other cold hardy plants. They thrive in mild, cool and wet winter environment.
Those vegetables that are a little more delicate need floating row cover to add a couple of degrees of heat retention underneath of the row covers. This could extend the harvest by couple of weeks.
Parsnips vegetables should be planted earlier – no later than June – but all other winter vegetables can be sowed in July or August. Carrots can be kept in the ground for most of the winter.
Many plants get to bolt stage that is go to seed stage, when spring arrives hence the winter vegetables should be harvested before the end of April. You can plant seeds directly or transplant. Take precautions to save your winter green seedlings from the predators in the garden.
Some plants that could be tried are Tat Soi, Komatsuna , Typhon, Bok Choi, Pac Choi, Joi Choi, Mizuna, Corn plant, lettuce, alliums (the onion family), parsley, cilantro, beets, brussel sprouts, kale, collards, chard, broadbeans (also called Fava beans). They can be planted but they are harvested in late April or May so this is one for the permanent plots, or if you simply wish to improve the soil.
Another winter vegetable is Typhon (a turnip rapeseed cross) that gets large, over 5 ft tall. The plant should be thinned so that they are at least about 3 ft apart. You can eat the thinning. All parts of Typhon are edible but the stems will need to be skinned if they get larger then about 1″ in diameter. Typhon makes a good windbreak so consider planting on the west side of your plot.
Eggshells are a good source of calcium. You can use a coffee or spice grinder to make them into powder so they break down faster. Be sure to bake eggshells at 300F in the oven for at least 10 minutes to kill any salmonella bacteria. Just drying the eggshells will not prevent salmonella. A coffee ground makes a great addition to your compost pile at home and in the winter.
Winter vegetables are preferred plantation in our winder garden or the popular kitchen garden. There is a lot of literature available online, which will help you understand.
