{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-blog-page-blog-page-js","path":"/blog/page/97/","result":{"pageContext":{"posts":[{"node":{"id":"cc89b3f3-2e99-5eb5-8055-d67ab078d06e","slug":"growing-herbs-vegetables-containers","path":"/container-garden/growing-herbs-vegetables-containers/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Wikilawn","id":"706a455e-0b9c-56ea-aeed-4f411c6c1973","path":"/author/wikilawn/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fd0301960c52ded452e0b5fc145cb264?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"b87ecb56-cbac-5bd5-b24f-adfeba93668a","name":"Container Garden","count":3,"path":"/category/container-garden/"}],"date":"July 3rd, 2016","excerpt":"

Every day I hear something from the news or on social media talking about the benefits of fresh herbs and vegetables – even if it’s just that using them makes food taste better. But what if you don’t have the space for a big garden, or a convenient farmer’s market? Container gardens are becoming more […]

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\t\t\t\tEvery day I hear something from the news or on social media talking about the benefits of fresh herbs and vegetables – even if it’s just that using them makes food taste better. But what if you don’t have the space for a big garden, or a convenient farmer’s market? Container gardens are becoming more and more popular, allowing you to grow fresh herbs and veggies on your porch or deck, so that the freshest produce is right outside your door!

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Benefits of Container Gardening

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The benefits of container gardening are many and varied, including convenience, soil to kitchen control over the produce you serve your family, enhancing your outdoor space and the cost-effectiveness of growing your own produce compared with buying it at your local grocery store or farmer’s market. In addition, growing your garden in containers allows you the ultimate flexibility in positioning for the best sunlight for any given time of year and creates an environment where any potential problems, like fungi and other plant diseases will not spread to the rest of your garden.

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\"Aloe
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Photo by Aloe Designs – Discover contemporary landscape design ideas
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Challenges of Container Gardening

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Container gardens can be a bit of a challenge because they rely on the gardener for all nutrients – meaning you’re responsible for making sure each container is getting the proper amount of nutrients, water and sunlight that the plant inside it requires, which can vary significantly. You may need to water certain plants twice a day in the hotter summer months, but that much water could kill the plant in a different container. But as long as you understand the differences in what the plants in your garden need, this is a challenge easily overcome. There are several great resources that can tell you about the care your specific herbs and vegetables will need. My favorites are the Garden Guides and AZ Master Gardener Manual pages.

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Do Your Research

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Since there are some significant differences in how you care for in-ground plants compared to container plants, it’s important to do your research when looking to grow any particular vegetable or herb in a container. For example, one of the most significant differences is root temperature – in-ground roots will never warm up as much as roots in containers can, so to grow plants that need cooler roots you may need to use a larger, light-colored container to minimize the effect of the sun. Mother Earth News has a great article for the beginner container gardener, including container-friendly plants and information on everything from the best buckets, soil and fertilizer to use to using your containers as design elements on your deck.

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For added benefit from your container garden, choose acceptable pots and decorate them to fit your personal style, or keep track of your potted garden with this great idea from Martha Stewart.\t\t

\n","title":"Growing Herbs and Vegetables in Containers","featured_media":null,"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Growing Herbs and Vegetables in Containers | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Container gardens are becoming more and more popular, allowing you to grow fresh herbs and vegetables on your porch or deck, so that the freshest produce is right outside your door!"}}},{"node":{"id":"39eaf2b9-1a42-5b31-90dc-0128a438cd1d","slug":"top-tips-growing-tomatoes-garden","path":"/gardening-tips/top-tips-growing-tomatoes-garden/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Wikilawn","id":"706a455e-0b9c-56ea-aeed-4f411c6c1973","path":"/author/wikilawn/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fd0301960c52ded452e0b5fc145cb264?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"9d2e17fb-2d94-54d0-842f-ab7f7fc9f750","name":"Gardening Tips","count":3,"path":"/category/gardening-tips/"},{"id":"eb7502c3-6613-55bb-851c-a8962e7987ce","name":"Master Gardeners","count":1,"path":"/category/master-gardeners/"}],"date":"June 17th, 2016","excerpt":"

Growing your own vegetables and fruits is an exciting experience and it is not difficult to grow them in your own backyard or kitchen garden. Today, we are sharing expert tips from the folks at Carpenter’s Nursery on growing tomatoes in your own garden. Growing Tomatoes Tomatoes can be grown effectively in grow bags, hanging baskets […]

\n","content":"

\t\t\t\tGrowing your own vegetables and fruits is an exciting experience and it is not difficult to grow them in your own backyard or kitchen garden. Today, we are sharing expert tips from the folks at Carpenter’s Nursery on growing tomatoes in your own garden.

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\"Growing

First Crop / Image via Flickr

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Growing Tomatoes

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Tomatoes can be grown effectively in grow bags, hanging baskets (variety – Tumbler), pots, greenhouses or the ground. Despite being subtropical plants they are surprisingly resilient and versatile. For best results though the greenhouse provides the best crop – but if you don’t have one don’t let that discourage you.

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If growing from seed, sow in early Spring indoors in seed trays. Seed sowing compost is the ideal germination nutrient. Once the seeds reach an inch in height transplant them into individual pots. Once they reach 6-8 inches transplant them into larger pots, grow bags or tubs etc.

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Fertilizing Your Tomatoes

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For best results add some long lasting feed or organic fertiliser to a good compost. You can buy it or use your compost heap – dark rich compost will give you the very best results. If you start with nice healthy plants and great compost you are 95% of the way there to getting the perfect results and a huge crop.

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Once you have planted the tomatoes water only sparingly initially – then as the flowers come up you can water more. This will mean your tomato plants have a stronger root system.

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Taking Care of Your Tomatoes

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Tomatoes like warm and moist conditions and you should not let them outside until the weather has significantly warmed and the nights a frost-free unless you are putting them into a greenhouse. At night you can wrap tomato plants in fleece if they are staying outside or just bring them in each night until the weather warms.

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Once established tomatoes are fairly easy to maintain. They require regular water (in evenings to avoid evaporation) and should be checked regularly for pests and diseases. Feed every one to two weeks once the plants are producing fruit. The most important issue to look for is Blight – which appears as a brown black fungus that quickly destroys plants. The only real way to protect from this is to grow in a greenhouse or buy disease resistant variety. Other common issues are viruses which will destroy leafs and eventually plants. If your tomatoes start to mottle or leafs die trip them off carefully.

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Best Growing Tomato Plants

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Carpenter’s Nursery recommends these varieties:

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Sungold (Buy seeds online) – A popular sweet tomato variety bursting with flavors. Yellow and orange and easy to grow.

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Gardener’s Delight (Buy seeds online) – Large cherry tomatoes full of juice and incredibly succulent.

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Alicante (Buy seeds online) – A classic variety of tomato and ever popular this is an English classic and always produces exceptional crop yields.

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Shirley F1 (Buy seeds online) – Remains one of the most popular varieties for cultivating in cold or slightly heated greenhouses. This early maturing tomato has become an exhibitor’s favorite for its heavy crops of excellent quality fruit.\t\t

\n","title":"Top Tips on Growing Tomatoes in Your Garden","featured_media":null,"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Top Tips on Growing Tomatoes in Your Garden | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Growing your own tomatoes is an exciting experience and it is not difficult to grow them. Follow these expert tips on growing tomatoes in your own garden."}}},{"node":{"id":"5403ae60-345f-5ced-8bfe-e0873142bdf6","slug":"use-large-planters-landscape-design","path":"/container-garden/use-large-planters-landscape-design/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Wikilawn","id":"706a455e-0b9c-56ea-aeed-4f411c6c1973","path":"/author/wikilawn/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fd0301960c52ded452e0b5fc145cb264?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"b87ecb56-cbac-5bd5-b24f-adfeba93668a","name":"Container Garden","count":3,"path":"/category/container-garden/"},{"id":"52e12a37-ef3f-522d-9050-b4638c87aa4e","name":"Garden Design","count":10,"path":"/category/garden-design/"}],"date":"May 28th, 2016","excerpt":"

I have several hundred plants in my rooftop succulent garden – grown in planters of all sizes, shapes and materials. I am very choosy about form and function of planters. I select planters that not only provide sufficient room and the right growing conditions to the plant but also complement the shape and size of […]

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\t\t\t\tI have several hundred plants in my rooftop succulent garden – grown in planters of all sizes, shapes and materials. I am very choosy about form and function of planters. I select planters that not only provide sufficient room and the right growing conditions to the plant but also complement the shape and size of the plant.

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I have planters made from plastic, stone, terracotta, porcelain, wood, and concrete. The size varies from 2 inches (for seedlings in my rooftop succulent garden) to 150 gallons (for palms and other large plants in my landscape garden).

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I like large planters (Buy planters online) because of their utility and versatility. They can be used for multiple purposes. I have used large planters to grow large plants (like palms and some large specimens of Euphorbia and Dracaena), to grow mixed plants in a planter, or some times just to add interesting forms in the landscape design. In fact, large planters are excellent for creating a center of attention in your garden. I have also used large planters with (narrow base) in tight spots. They do not take much space on the ground and give you a nice pedestal to grow your favorite plants.

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There are numerous ways to use large planters in your landscape design. Browse the following examples and see you can use these creative ideas and spice up your landscape design.

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How to Use Large Planters in Landscape Design

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Large planters can be used in tight spaces.\"House

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Photo by Stelle Lomont Rouhani Architects – Browse contemporary patio ideas
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Large terracotta planters are very versatile. They come in many shapes, sizes and colors and can be used to create focal points in your garden.
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\"Mediterranean
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Photo by – Search Mediterranean patio design ideas
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Large planters with annuals and evergreens placed at the front door create a nice welcoming effect and enhance the curb appeal.
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\"My
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Photo by Rikki Snyder – Browse traditional exterior photos
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You can group large planters with ornamental plants in both indoor and outdoor settings.
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\"My
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Photo by Mina Brinkey – Look for transitional porch pictures
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There are so many ways you can use large planters to create dramatic effects. Be creative.
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\"Contemporary
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Photo by DK Design – Look for contemporary landscape pictures
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A beautiful example of mixed plants in a large planter.
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\"Huniford
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Photo by Rikki Snyder – Discover contemporary living room design ideas
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Convincing?
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\"50s
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Photo by Jessica Helgerson Interior Design – Look for traditional hallway design inspiration
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Big planters create big effects.
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\"Cottage
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Photo by Glenna Partridge Garden Design – Search traditional patio pictures
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Another example of large planters being used in tight spaces.
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\"Large
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Photo by Scot Eckley, Inc. – Look for contemporary deck design inspiration
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Can you reproduce this effect in your landscape design?
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\"Large
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Photo by BLUE Renovation & Landscape – Browse contemporary landscape ideas
\n","title":"How to Use Large Planters in Landscape Design","featured_media":null,"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"How to Use Large Planters in Landscape Design | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"I like large planters because of their utility and versatility. I use them to create focal points or add interesting forms in the landscape design."}}},{"node":{"id":"e40f145a-9c02-5469-84be-694b37b3e648","slug":"unusual-caudiciform-plants","path":"/drought-tolerant-plants/unusual-caudiciform-plants/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Wikilawn","id":"706a455e-0b9c-56ea-aeed-4f411c6c1973","path":"/author/wikilawn/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fd0301960c52ded452e0b5fc145cb264?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"2bca3176-5c56-5608-8083-8819b11f4a4c","name":"Drought Tolerant Plants","count":2,"path":"/category/drought-tolerant-plants/"},{"id":"97893270-95a1-5603-9569-b4363fbb3286","name":"Reference","count":3,"path":"/category/reference/"}],"date":"March 19th, 2016","excerpt":"

Caudiciform plants is a large group of plants that form caudex – a fat stem or root. The caudex in most Caudiciform plants is prominent and gives these plants a uniquely unusual shape and character. Caudiciform plants make excellent specimen plants. Take the example of Adenium obesum, Beaucarnea gracilis, Cycas revoluta, most Cyphostemmas, and Dioscorea […]

\n","content":"

\t\t\t\tCaudiciform plants is a large group of plants that form caudex – a fat stem or root. The caudex in most Caudiciform plants is prominent and gives these plants a uniquely unusual shape and character.

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Caudiciform plants make excellent specimen plants. Take the example of Adenium obesum, Beaucarnea gracilis, Cycas revoluta, most Cyphostemmas, and Dioscorea elephantipes. Like other Caudiciform plants, these attractive plants form caudex to store water and food so that they can survive long spells of drought therefore these are generally low-maintenance plants.

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How to take care of Caudiciform Plants / Fat Plants

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Caudiciform plants do not require much maintenance. Because they are able to store water for dry periods, you do not need to water them regularly. During the months of active growth, water sufficiently only when the soil is completely dry. Avoid watering when the plant is hibernating.

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Grow your plants is a well-drained soil and feed them when they show active sign of growth. With a little experience with caudex forming plants, you will understand that most of these plants quick adopt to the surrounding climate. You can grow them outdoors as specimen plants, indoor on a window sill, or in a greenhouse (if you live in a colder region). Generally, they prefer dry conditions and good exposure to the sunlight.

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Types of Caudiciform Plants / Fat Plants

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Caudiciform plants come in all sizes. Some grow into tall trees, some have shrubby growth, some of them are vines and some of them are small succulents. The size, location, and shape of caudex in most plants vary greatly. Therefore, these caudex forming plants are further grouped in four categories.

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Popular Caudiciform Plants / Fat Plants

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Some popular species of caudex forming plants include:

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Adenium obesum /Desert Rose (Buy seeds online)
\n\"Adenium

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Jatropha berlandieri (Buy seeds online)

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\"Jatropha

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Jatropha podagrica (Buy seeds online)
\n\"Jatropha

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Pachypodium brevicaule
\n \"Pachypodium

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Dioscorea elephantipes (Buy seeds online)

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\"Caudiciform

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Gerrardanthus macrorhizus
\n \"Gerrardanthus

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Euphorbia cylindrifolia (Buy seeds online)
\n\"Euphorbia

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Yucca rostrata
\n \"Yucca

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Tylecodon paniculata
\n\"Tylecodon\t\t

\n","title":"Unusual Caudiciform Plants – Fat Plants","featured_media":null,"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Unusual Caudiciform Plants - Fat Plants | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Caudiciform plants is a large group of plants that form caudex – a fat stem or root. The caudex gives these plants an unusual shape and character."}}},{"node":{"id":"f94524a3-887d-565e-8f08-407bd713a192","slug":"get-a-greenhouse-in-your-garden","path":"/garden-tools/get-a-greenhouse-in-your-garden/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Wikilawn","id":"706a455e-0b9c-56ea-aeed-4f411c6c1973","path":"/author/wikilawn/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fd0301960c52ded452e0b5fc145cb264?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"d91e0772-a35b-588f-a788-9c638e07abbb","name":"Garden Tools","count":2,"path":"/category/garden-tools/"},{"id":"97893270-95a1-5603-9569-b4363fbb3286","name":"Reference","count":3,"path":"/category/reference/"}],"date":"March 8th, 2016","excerpt":"

There are so many reasons why you should get a greenhouse in your garden. From being able to turn your gardening hobby into a full-time passion, to looking after your wellbeing and not to mention all the nutritional benefits of growing your own food. Here are the reasons why you should get a greenhouse in your […]

\n","content":"

\t\t\t\t\"Greenhouse\"
\n There are so many reasons why you should get a greenhouse in your garden. From being able to turn your gardening hobby into a full-time passion, to looking after your wellbeing and not to mention all the nutritional benefits of growing your own food.

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Here are the reasons why you should get a greenhouse in your garden:

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Greenhouse for growing your favourite plants all year round

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A greenhouse means you can grow plants, bulbs, vegetables and flowers all year round, whatever the weather. Despite the extreme temperatures we might be experiencing outside, inside your greenhouse you can create the perfect environment for your crops to grow and protect them from the elements. It’s important to make sure that despite your greenhouse always being warm and humid that it remains well ventilated. A great way to do this is to buy window openers for it which automatically open and close to maintain the correct temperature for optimum growth.

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Greenhouse to keep yourself busy

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A greenhouse creates a great hobby for a lot of people turning their interest in gardening into a profitable venture. It means people keep busy, out in the sunlight rather than sat inside and you can even sell your fresh produce for profit if you grow enough. For many younger people it’s great as it means you can start to really look after your health and care about what you’re eating and for many older people, a greenhouse is a great way to stay active and gives you a reason to get out of the house each day.

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Greenhouse to provide better food for your family

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The nutritional benefits of growing your own vegetables are huge. With your own greenhouse you can grow a variety of different vegetables and some many months before you could grow them outdoors. You can be sure that the food you’re eating hasn’t been in contact with harmful pesticides and be 100% sure of what your family are eating which is a very reassuring thought for most parents.

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\"Wave

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Greenhouse for your own wellbeing

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Greenhouses have been proven to be effective in helping those suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder combat their problems. You get to spend plenty of time outside benefiting from the natural light getting all the nutrients from the diffused sunlight. Eating your own healthy produce also contributes to your physical wellbeing and encourages families to eat healthier in the long run as children grow up learning about where their food comes from and the importance of eating lots of fruit and vegetables.\t\t

\n","title":"Why Get a Greenhouse in your Garden","featured_media":null,"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Why Get a Greenhouse in your Garden | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"There are so many reasons why you should get a greenhouse in your garden. From being able to grow plants through out the year to growing your own food."}}},{"node":{"id":"62d94cd3-41fb-58f4-a5f7-c39ff6b51192","slug":"how-to-design-a-japanese-garden","path":"/garden-design/how-to-design-a-japanese-garden/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Wikilawn","id":"706a455e-0b9c-56ea-aeed-4f411c6c1973","path":"/author/wikilawn/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fd0301960c52ded452e0b5fc145cb264?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"52e12a37-ef3f-522d-9050-b4638c87aa4e","name":"Garden Design","count":10,"path":"/category/garden-design/"}],"date":"January 23rd, 2016","excerpt":"

Traditional Japanese gardens are known for their unique style that combines trees, flowers, water, rocks, bridges and architectural elements in a miniature landscape. Inspired from traditional Chinese gardens, Japanese gardens have their own character formed by amalgamation of cultural elements and horticultural techniques. Water basins, water cascades, rocks and sand, traditional lanterns, and typical cherry, […]

\n","content":"

\t\t\t\tTraditional Japanese gardens are known for their unique style that combines trees, flowers, water, rocks, bridges and architectural elements in a miniature landscape. Inspired from traditional Chinese gardens, Japanese gardens have their own character formed by amalgamation of cultural elements and horticultural techniques.

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Water basins, water cascades, rocks and sand, traditional lanterns, and typical cherry, ginkgo, maple, pine, and bamboo trees are basic elements of a traditional Japanese garden. You can also spot small islands, private pavilions, miniature towers and Japanese pagodas, bamboo screens, and traditional gates in a Japanese gardens. A typical Japanese garden grows moss, evergreen trees, and horticultural structures like bonsai and topiary.

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Also see: How to Use Bonsai in Your Home Interior

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Designing a Japanese garden requires a careful selection of all of these design elements combined in a miniature landscape that uses a lot of vertical and horizontal blank space.

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Recommended Books:

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13 Ideas for a Traditional Japanese Garden

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Browse the following examples of traditional and modern Japanese gardens. I am sure you will find many useful ideas for your next landscape project.

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\"\"
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Traditional Japanese Landscape by San Francisco Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Kikuchi + Kankel Design Group
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\"\"
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Japanese Landscape Design by Cleveland Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Miriam’s River House Designs, LLC
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\"\"
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Asian Landscape by Napa Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Richard Kramer
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\"\"
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Japanese Garden Landscape
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\"\"
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Japanese Landscape by San Francisco Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Kikuchi + Kankel Design Group
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\"Japanese
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Japanese Theme Landscape by San Francisco Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Kikuchi + Kankel Design Group
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\"\"
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Japanese Garden Landscape by Valley Center Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Modern Zen Garden
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\"\"
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Midcentury Japanese Garden Landscape
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\"\"
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Japanese Garden Landscape by San Francisco Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Zeterre Landscape Architecture
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\"\"
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Contemporary Japanese Exterior by Portland Architects & Building Designers SRM Architecture and Interiors
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\"\"
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Japanese Patio by South West Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Katherine Roper Landscape & Garden Design
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\"\"
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Traditional Japanese Landscape by Los Angeles Architects & Building Designers Whipple Russell Architects
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\"\"
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Japanese Landscape by Berkeley Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Bio Friendly Gardens
\n","title":"How to Design a Traditional Japanese Garden","featured_media":null,"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"How to Design a Traditional Japanese Garden | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Browse these lovely examples of a traditional Japanese garden. I am sure you will find many useful ideas for your next landscape project."}}}],"blogPages":[{"id":"ck16oqdtd8fk70a30n2rnn4t8","metaTitle":"WikiLawn | Lawn Care Advice for your Area | Outdoor Services","metaDescription":"Lawn Care Advice for your Area | Outdoor Services"}],"prevPageLink":"/blog/page/96/","nextPageLink":"/blog/page/98/","currentPage":97}}}