The best part of summer is a fresh, sun-warmed red juicy vine ripened tomato. Depending on where you live this can be a long or short season.

So how do you pick a tomato in your local store? One important trait is its smell. If it looks like a tomato and smells like a tomato, it is a good tomato to pick. Choose a tomato with no bruises or cracks. Always try to support your local growers in your community for their fresh vegetables.

There are three different types of tomatoes. They are cherry tomatoes- good for salads and eating, plum tomatoes- good for sauce, soups and canning and don’t forget the slicing tomatoes-great on a fresh bread on those hot summer days. Tomatoes should be left on the counter and most importantly never refrigerate them.

Nutritionist have been saying that tomatoes are good for you because they contain Lycopene. "Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant abundant in red tomatoes and processed tomato products, it may help prevent prostate cancer and some other forms of cancer, heart disease, and other serious diseases", according to lycopene.org.

If you look out on my deck you will see the most beautiful tomatoes ever. I know this because our neighbors are constantly checking over our fence and it is not so see us. This is because we found a fool proof way to grow tomatoes with very little work. The secret is using "Earth Boxes" earthbox.com.

Once you fill the earth box with all that is required, soil, lime and fertilizer you go to your local garden center and purchase tomato plants. The tomato plant is contained in the box and the soil is covered so there is no weeding. Earth boxes are self watering containers so you can’t over water your plants. This is great because it takes up very little space. Just place them where you get lots of sun and water as needed about every 1-3 days.

Personally, I choose to grow the beefsteak variety along with sweet 100 cherry tomatoes. Don’t forget to plant some green leaf lettuce for completely fresh salads during the summer.

Now what do you do with all these tomatoes? How about canning? Sauce? Salsa? The possibilities are endless. Go online for many recipes and suggestions.

Gary Nave helps consumers choose the right tomatoes for their needs.

It’s gardening season again! Are you ready? Whether you are a seasoned gardener, or are looking to start gardening, you will likely need supplies and plants. If you shop smart, and use the tips below, you can get that garden running with very little money. And you can save a lot of money on your grocery bill as well.

There are many different types of gardening, but it is important to learn the basics of the activity. Below you will find a list of my tips to planting a garden on a budget.

 Learn as much as you can about gardening. Don’t pay for gardening books, use your local library. It is free, and you can get a wide assortment of books to get you started. If you find something useful like a planting schedule, photocopy that particular page to keep it in your files. There are many hobby gardening sites online as well, so try to do a Google search for “gardening.”

 Plant what you like. Your first garden doesn’t have to be a complex one. Don’t take on more than you can chew, literally. If you have a small family, plant only what you can eat or give away. Don’t plant a huge amount of crops, because you will end up throwing them away at the end of the season. On the same note, don’t plant things that your family won’t eat. A garden full of spinach might not go over well with your kids, so plan accordingly.

 Buy your supplies online. Buying tools and plants online can save you a great deal of money. Look for discount sites online. You can save up to 50% on the supplies that you need, just by shopping online. Make sure to factor in shipping as well, so if they have a free shipping deal- go for it!

 Look for plants that will last for more than one growing season. Some plants can last season after season. This in turn will save you money! So look for cheap plants that will give you the most bang for your buck.

 Use a coupon site. A coupon site like couponchief.com is a great way to save even more money. The service is free and you can get a coupon code for just about any site you can think of. So consider buying your tools and plants through one of their vendors. You may find a great bargain!

With these tips, I have no doubt that you will be able to grow a beautiful garden on a budget. Happy gardening!

Melanie Breeze, avid online shopper and user of http://CouponChief, is always shopping around for the best deals. You can find gardening http://www.couponchief.com discount coupon codes at CouponChief, all in one location. Always find a free coupon 1st before making ANY purchase!

As every homeowner is surely aware, a backyard can be transformed into a relaxing outdoor retreat. With some hard work and dedication, you can turn your simple backyard into a garden of delight. A garden pond is a wonderful way to bring new life to your yard and garden.

Garden ponds come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The size of your garden pond will very much depend on your personal taste. While they do differ in shape and size, most garden ponds have similar components such as aquatic plants and fish. There are countless ways to approach your garden pond maintenance. In our experience, the best way to ensure the success of your garden pond is to strike a delicate balance between nature and technology.

While many people have elaborate pumping systems and waterfalls, they are not entirely necessary. For instance, certain types of fish can minimize any issues you may have regarding algae. Goldfish are extremely popular in outdoor garden ponds. There are over 100 varieties of goldfish to choose from, many of which have delightful colors and markings. Japanese Koi are also commonly used in garden ponds, but keep in mind that they need a lot of room.

The golden rule for introducing fish into your pond is to ensure that you have established all of the plant life first. Also be sure that the water is clear and balanced before you introduce the fish. There are many types of aquatic plant life that you can use in your garden pond, and they are divided into distinct categories. Oxygenators are essential, as they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen as they grow. Water lilies can add some wonderfully beautiful colors to your pond. The other types include floaters, marginals, and marsh plants.

Nature itself can pose certain problems for outdoor garden ponds. For example, a neighborhood cat could easily make a meal of your prized Koi. More often than not, animals will use the pond as a source for drinking water only. Frogs and toads can also make a home in your pond. This is generally not a problem, unless they begin breeding. This can create a population explosion that your pond is not able to sustain. If this does happen, you should receive some professional advice. Alternately, you can visit our website for more information.

Kristen Fischer is an avid gardener and garden pond enthusiast. When she is not singing to her flowers, she writes for gardenponds101.com – a wonderful online resource for information about garden ponds, pond fish, aquatic plants and more.

Worms are not only the gardener’s best friend, they are also the recycler’s new found best friend as well. Nature’s little waste disposal experts have found a new place in eco-conscious household’s across the globe as more and more people are catching on to the idea of using worms’ special talents to dispose of their organic household waste. If you have ever pondered on the idea or are in the least bit interested in giving your world environment a helping hand then you might like to delve a little deeper into the world of worms…

Why Vermicomposting?

It is estimated around 30% of all household waste is the kind of organic material which worms thrive on. If everyone composted in this way there would be 30% less waste going into landfill sites, 30% less waste being transported on the roads with all the associated fuel emissions which coincides with this and subsequently less costs involved in the disposal of waste. In addition, you as a householder get a free source of fertiliser and liquid plant feed, cutting down on the use of chemical fertilisers and saving you money into the bargain. Vermicomposting makes sense!

How Does It Work?

Worms are like nature’s garbage men, honing their waste devouring skills over the millenia to produce the perfect organic waste disposal system. They live all their lives just under the topsoil dragging down dead organic matter from the surface to be recycled and a wormery just harnesses this natural recycling system and puts it to good use on your kitchen waste. Once set up, a wormery is very easy to use and pretty much free of hassle. Just lift the lid, drop in your kitchen scraps and reap the rewards of free liquid fertiliser and plant feed later.

Where Do I Get A Wormery?

A typical wormery is a simple plastic bin divided into sections with a tap at the bottom to drain off the ‘worm tea’. There are a few places on the internet which give you instructions on how to make your own at minimal cost but a shop bought wormery is a lot less hassle and more effective in the long run.

What Can I Dispose Of This Way?

Pretty much all your kitchen waste can be tossed into your wormery and the worms will dispose of it. This includes small amounts of meat and fish, vegetable scraps and peelings and even coffee grinds, paper towels and newspaper in small quantities. It is however best to mimimise the amount of pungent foods you add like garlic, onions, citrus peel and chillis and dairy products and animal droppings are best disposed of elsewhere. Garden clippings and cuttings should be composted.

Where Can I Put A Wormery?

Anywhere you like. Inside, outside, worms are pretty adaptable. A popular location is to place your worm composter just outside your kitchen door which leaves it easily accessible for quick disposal of your kitchen scraps without you having to share your home with them. If you have a decent wormery then escaping worms shouldn’t be a huge problem.

Does It Smell?

Composting worms devour as much as half their body weight every day so you should find your kitchen scraps disappearing before they get a chance to smell unless you over-load it. The worm casts and liquid deposits themselves do not produce an unpleasant odour and many wormeries come with lids and filter to reduce odour further.

Why Not Just Get A Compost Heap?

Why not get both? Worms devour waste which you should not add to a compost heap like meat scraps whilst a compost heap is perfect for disposing of garden waste. Wormeries are also a great way to get children involved with recycling.

Mark Falco is the owner of the British gardening shopping guide http://www.ukgardeningsupplies.co.uk where you can find low prices on composters, wormeries and garden accessories available to buy online from top UK online garden stores.

Patio furniture can make a huge difference to your enjoyment of your backyard, and well-chosen pieces can become attractive features of your garden design. There’s a massive range of outdoor patio furniture to choose from, depending on your lifestyle, your budget and the layout of your garden. For instance, if you like to entertain guests on your patio, then there are various types of dining sets available. Or for more casual relaxation, there’s a great selection of recliners and chaise lounges, just perfect for whiling away those long sunny days.

When choosing items of patio furniture, it’s worth knowing a bit about the different types of materials and their features. For example, some outdoor furniture is not built to withstand adverse weather conditions and is designed to be stored inside when not in use. Lightweight aluminum, plastic and wicker furniture falls into this category, and is generally cheaper to buy than the more solid items that can be left outside year round. These types of chairs and tables require little maintenance and are easily portable. They are often designed to be folded away or stacked, to save on storage space.

For long-lasting garden furniture that’s going to remain in a permanent position in your backyard, it’s best to look for heavy and durable materials, such as metal or wood. Wrought iron and cast aluminum patio furniture is very popular, as it can be crafted into all kinds of ornate designs, and comes in a choice of finishes. Aluminum is favored because it’s rust-proof, but wrought iron can be treated with a metal protector to prevent corrosion, and with regular attention can withstand many seasons of use. Alternatively, wooden items, including cedar, pine and teak outdoor furniture, can look stunning and with a bit of care can last for years.

There are also some accessories that you may want to consider for your outdoor furniture. To provide protection from the elements, weather-proof patio furniture covers are ideal. These are durable vinyl or PVC coverings that can be fitted over individual items or over whole sets. They are effective at preventing wear and tear from rain, wind, snow and sunlight. A cover is also useful for keeping your chairs free from dust and insects. Other accessories include specially made patio furniture cushions, which come in all shapes and sizes. These not only provide added comfort, but can add a splash of color to your patio area.

Patio furniture not only enhances the appeal of your backyard, it can provide loads of enjoyment for outdoor living for many seasons to come.

Caroline Smith is a successful author and regular contributor to patio-furniture.ws - an online resource for patio furniture, including teak wood patio furniture, wicker outdoor furniture, and much more.

Many times when the weather becomes sultry, the only place we want to be is in our favorite chair on the porch, sipping ice-cold lemonade! So, if we are to spend our summer months languishing with Mother Nature, why not treat our "outdoor room" to a little freshening up, and make our time outdoors more enjoyable! Here are some great, easy ideas you can use to add your own personal style to a much used "summer home"!

Treat your outdoor space just like an indoor room when you think about decorating it. Mother Nature has got the ceiling covered in most cases, but you should think about floors, furniture, accessories, color, and, yes, walls, just like any other project! Choose a theme, even if it’s just color!

Use existing fencing, tall plants, trellising, etc… for your walls, or just imply that walls exist by arranging your furnishings as if they did!

Dress up old patio furniture with cushions (easily made out of leftover fabric), a little paint, and maybe some stenciling or stamping. Details bring that "homey" feeling to the space. If you don’t have furniture, buy those inexpensive resin chairs and make cushions out of a bright cheery fabric.

Tables can be made out of a lot of "junk." Stepladders make great little drink tables. I found one of those large "spools" used by the utility companies in my yard when I moved in - it’s a bit weathered, but turned on its side, it makes a terrific table! Paint leftover squares of plywood and set them on top of unused large pots, or on a birdbath. Two pots and a larger piece of wood make a great coffee/breakfast table.

Tiki torches are relatively inexpensive, and add great ambience! Forget that expensive outdoor lighting set!

Make luminaries out of recycled cans to light a walkway. Remove labels, fill with water, and then put in the freezer for a couple of hours. When they’re frozen, use a hammer and nail to poke holes in a pattern, similar to punched tin. Stars, hearts, butterflies, even just zigzag lines will let the light shine through in an interesting pattern. (The freezing of water prevents the can from denting when you punch it.) Thaw, drain, put some sand, dirt, or gravel in the bottom to anchor a votive candle - instant charm, for the price of the candles! This is great for a party or barbecue, by the way!

Paint those boring planters! Once again, a few tubes of craft paint and a little imagination can make all the difference. Nothing fancy is needed- stripes, dots, squiggles, sponged-on shapes all can make designer accents. How about gluing on some stones or shells?

Since we are already painting planters, how about free ones? I recycle kitty litter buckets, plastic ice cream buckets, coffee cans, etc… Just poke some drainage holes in the bottom, paint and decorate, and plant!

Take the time to dress up your outdoor spaces…it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, and it will help create a relaxing sanctuary to wile away those lazy days! (If you actually have any of those!)

Kathleen Wilson is an author, national columnist, and editor of The Budget Decorator. You can find hundreds of free budget home decorating ideas and sign up for her free online newsletter at her website at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com

I had to say no. Nothing like losing a sale! I don’t sell them because of postal costs. Molds don’t weigh much but are big when you get to step stone size. The Post Office and everyone else use a system called "volumetric pricing".

This means if you send a big light box, it will be charged as if it weighed X lbs. X is an average for what a box that size would hold. So your 13 oz. or so mold is charged as if it weighed 5 pounds. I can’t ask anyone to pay that much so I just don’t sell large molds. It is enough that the box for the molds I do sell is much heavier than the contents. I send hundreds of pounds of cardboard all over the country. And a few pounds of plastic!

Now for your free stepping stone.

Get yourself a plastic garbage can. The bottom of the can should be the size you want your stepping stone to be. I guess you have figured it out now! Anyway cut the can off about 5 inches up from the bottom, and there is your mold.

You can play around with maybe putting a couple of leaves in the mold before you pour your concrete. They will wash out with your garden hose and you will have an attractive pattern left behind. You could also try a couple of kid’s plastic lizards or worms. They will pull out easily when your stone is cured. Be sure you use a release agent before pouring. (10w engine oil works for me)

Try pouring two colors of concrete. Mix your plain, uncolored concrete and set it aside. Then mix some colored concrete. Pour the color then the plain. Maybe a small stir with a stick after both are in the mold. Don’t get carried away. You just want to create a couple of swirls, not blend the colors into one unrecognizable blob of mush. Take a look around, you will see all kinds of things you could try in your mold. You will also start to see lots of things that could be molds. Happy pouring!

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The growing of flowering or foliage plants on window ledges is a form of gardening in which most people can indulge. Those who live in flats, and others who have no gardens, and especially invalids who are confined to their rooms, derive an enormous amount of pleasure from this form of gardening.

Window ledge plants would be more popular if it were not for the fact that a considerable amount of work is involved in filling and emptying the boxes. In addition there is the watering problem, drainage water dripping on to the heads of people in the streets is liable to cause some annoyance. By taking proper precautions in constructing the containers and setting them in position, most of these difficulties can be overcome.

Suitable Window Ledge Plants for a Spring Display

Some of the most popular plants for spring are as follows:

Arabis albida (double variety)

The procumbent stems of this plant are clothed with grey hairy leaves and bear spikes of double, white flowers.

Aubrietia

It is more compact in growth than Arabis and forms a close carpet of blue, pink or purple flowers.

Bellis perennis flore pleno (Dwarf Double Daisies)

These dainty, free-flowering plants are ideal for window-boxes. There are red, pink and white varieties.

Myosotis (Forget-me-not)

This popular spring-flowering plant is obtainable in several shades of blue and forms an ideal carpeting plant for many types of bulbs.

Primula (Polyanthus)

The Polyanthus does not do well in a hot position and should therefore be used for window boxes which are set in a shady spot. These plants make a bright display, and many variously coloured forms are obtainable.

Suitable Window Ledge Plants for a Summer Display

Here again much information can be gained by visiting the public parks in summer, and making notes of the plants used for filling the flower beds… from florists shops many of the plants given in the following list will be readily obtainable. For example :

Ageratum houstonianum (mexicanum)

This is easily recognised by its compact, upright stems which bear small tufts of blue, fluffy flowers. There are numerous varieties in different shades of blue. The plants are compact and the bedding varieties range in height from 4-9 inches.

Lobularia maritima (Alyssutn maritimum)

Commonly called the white or sweet alyssum, this plant is used extensively for edging and carpeting flower beds. The variety Little Dorrit is the most popular. It grows 2-4 inches in height and forms a compact mass of white, sweetly-scented flowers. Lilac Queen and Violet Queen are two excellent varieties of recent introduction.

For edging, the variety Magic Carpet, which has a creeping habit, and forms a profusion of small blooms in many shades of colours, is most attractive.

Begonia semperflorens

For freedom of flowering and for providing a continuous display in summer the varieties of this species of Begonia are unexcelled. The plants grow about 6 inches tall and produce masses of flowers of various shades of red or pink.

Visit http://www.realniches.com/archives/category/gardening/page/2/ to know more about modern indoor gardening.

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Much of the following advice will pertain to *all* ponds, but is based on my experience with the natural ecosystem of our water garden.

The annual cleanout is the only "major" pond maintenance chore required by our natural water garden environment. Considering the many hours of enjoyment our pond and waterfall provide throughout the year, these four or five hours of easy paced work are well worth my time and effort.

The cleanout should be performed before the water temperature gets above 55 deg. F - the temperature at which the beneficial bacteria begin to colonize. You don’t want to disrupt the natural balance.

Using a sump pump or the pond pump surrounded by protective screen (to restrict the fish), pump out much of the water -use as long a pipe as possible and direct the water to lawns, shrubs or other areas that would benefit from a nutrient-rich bath.

Before the pond level has lowered to six inches or so, fill two or three "holding tanks" (I used dish washing tubs) with the existing pond water and carefully net your fish into them. The fish are weak after a long winter, so the less stress they endure, the better - they *may* try to jump out of the holding tanks, so cover with a piece of plywood or other object. Limit the time in the holding tank to just a few hours.

After removing almost all of the water, spray down the rocks with a garden hose and spray nozzle - it’s not necessary, nor advisable, to remove *all* the algae - leaving some will be beneficial to the ecosystem. Start washing from the top down, and run the pump to remove the dirty water. Washing the rock should take only a half hour or so.

Remove the filter media and lava rock from the skimmer and biofalls, and hose it thoroughly…again about a half hour’s work. Clean out the skimmer box and any remaining debris at the bottom of the pond.

Though much is made of the dreaded "pond scum", with the natural ecosystem of our ponds, there is very little of this to deal with. I remove about a pint after the final rinsing.

Now hook up your pump, reinstall the filter media and start filling your pond. If you have city tap water, you will need to add dechlorinator according to directions…fish will not survive in chlorinated water.

Finally, float your holding tanks and fish in the new pond water for 30 minutes to acclimate them to the temperature change. Then free your fish into the pond.

That’s it - not a bad job at all. This is a very minor price to pay for what we consider to be the best improvement we’ve ever made to our outdoor environment.

Visit Our Website for Interactive Landscape Design Online, Earth-Friendly Garden Products and Free Landscaping Tips for the Do-It-Yourself Homeowner.

http://clearwaterlandscapes.com

Bonsai trees have been grown in China and Japan for centuries. Buddhist priests were the ones that created them and, in some centuries time, everyone could enjoy the little trees. And, by little we mean little: a bonsai tree can live up to hundreds of years without being more than 1m high. By regularly cutting down the branches and by shortening the roots, the growing is stopped. More, by not providing the full required elements to grow, the trees remain little. Those really interested in Bonsai trees should know that this is a hobby that requires a lot of responsibility and time, because they are living trees, not some dead wood.

Everyone should consider the fact that, especially during the growing period, there are some really important things to take care of. When it is only about a small collection of Bonsai, it is enough to just water the plants. The soil must be slightly moist most of the time. Leaves must be controlled from time to time, in order to prevent bugs and diseases. When this happens, you have to take the plant out from the tray. In the summer, during the growth period, they must be cut to keep their shape. In the winter, the Bonsai tree doesn’t require some special care, but they should, still, be provided a free space outside, where they should not freeze. More, every few years, the plants need to be moved in bigger trays. These few lines might not show how important it is to take care of your Bonsai trees, but regular care is very important, including the holidays, when you might leave.

In Europe and Northern America, Bonsai trees came in the early ’70s. Since then, a lot of clubs, unions and associations appeared that organize a lot of activities: expositions, fairs, seminars and more.

Being a member of a Bonsai Club is not the most important thing when growing Bonsai trees. The most important thing is to enjoy what you do and have fun while doing it.

Bonsai Tree Care is the place to get started in your Bonsai quest: learn to create a Bonsai tree or find out how to choose a tree for someone else or even for you.