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Home > Consumer Focus Archive > Gardening--Getting Your Green Thumb in Shape
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Consumer Focus: Gardening--Getting Your Green Thumb in Shape
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Gardening--Getting Your Green Thumb in Shape
A warmer than usual
winter and the arrival of spring has everyone thinking about gardens. But
before you grab your wallet and make that trip to the nursery, the Federal
Citizen Information Center has compiled these tips to get you started.
Learn more about:
Posted: April 1, 2002
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Digging
In
- Do you know what climate zone you
live in? Your zone determines what plants will thrive in your area.
- You may also want to
test
your soil to be sure it has the nutrients plants need. Your County's
Extension
Office can help.
- Be sure you follow the
planting
directions on the bulb or seed package. Starting plants from seeds is
generally less expensive than buying seedlings from a nursery, but seedlings
can save you some time.
- If you have a short
growing season in your area, you may want to "start" your plant seeds indoors.
Then you can use your own seedlings instead of buying them.
- Insects
are generally unwanted guests in a garden, but some are beneficial.
There are even things you can do to attract beneficial
insects. But if you have to use a pesticide,
be sure to store it safely.
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Tools of the Trade
The correct tools
will save you time, prevent injury, and make gardening a lot easier. Invest
in:
- A garden hose - For
watering, get a hose head that is adjustable. You'll need to water young,
delicate plants lightly.
- A trowel - for digging
around in small spaces.
- A large shovel - for
moving lots of soil or mulch.
- A rake - you may want
to get a fan shaped one for large jobs and a straight rake for smaller
jobs.
- Pruners - for when
household scissors "won't cut it."
- A wheelbarrow - for
moving bags of soil and mulch.
Now that you're back from
the nursery, here's what to do with your seeds, plants, and tools.
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Flowers,
Vegetables and Herbs
Flowers
- There are basically
two types of flowers: annuals and
perennials.
- You can grow flowers
from seeds, seedlings, or bulbs.
- Roses require a lot of care and come in many
varieties.
Vegetables
Try to locate your vegetable garden near your kitchen window. You will tend to take more advantage
of your harvest, as well as notice what needs to be tended to. Herbs
Herbs can
be a fragrant and attractive addition to your garden.
- Like some flowers,
herbs can attract beneficial insects.
- Try growing and drying your
own fresh herbs for use in cooking. They add beauty and color to your table and
can also be used in crafts and potpourri.
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Landscaping
Landscaping and mature
trees can add to the beauty and resale value of your home. They also help the
environment and your pocketbook by saving energy. Shrubs
- Low growing shrubs
like junipers can be an excellent ground
cover and a good alternative to grass or mulch.
- Most shrubs are
drought resistant, making them a landscaping "best bet" if you live in a dry
climate. But this does not mean they are unattractive. Lavender, for example,
has fragrant blue flowers.
Trees
- Be sure that you are
not blocking any views when planting
trees. That bare spot may look like the perfect place, but before you
plant, see how the tree looks from all the windows in your house. Consider also
how it will look to your neighbors, as well as how it will look at full
height.
- Flowering trees are
beautiful, but they are also fast - growing. Prune
them often and well to help them keep their shape.
- Trees not only provide
privacy, but they can also help keep your house cooler
by blocking sun in the summer. And when those same trees lose their leaves in
winter, they let the sun's warmth in.
- Don't plant trees too
close to your house - they won't have room to grow. If you plant trees too
close to a sidewalk or patio, the roots may buckle the surface.
- If you "shade" your
central air conditioning unit, it won't have to work as hard. Be sure not to
plant anything too close though. You don't want the leaves shed from your
tree(s) to limit airflow.
Your
Lawn
For the best results, you
will need to:
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Other Resources
This is just a brief
overview. For more information on gardening, landscaping, and lawn care, check
out these resources from FCIC and on the World Wide Web: Publications available for ordering
from FCIC:
Websites*:
*If
you click on these links, you are leaving FCIC's website. Please bookmark us
before you leave so you can return easily. FCIC is not responsible for the
content of these websites.
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We will not retain or use this
information for any other purpose.
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For more information on other popular consumer issues
check out FCIC's Consumer Focus
Archive.
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