Daniel asks…
like to know about solar garden lights?
can anyone tell me if i put a garden solar light on my small front garden patch will keep the cats using it for a toilet any ideas please
GardenersCardiff answers:
Solar Garden Lights are available from Silicon Solar to fit all tastes and budgets. Our selection of Solar Garden Lights features Ground Stake Lighting, Hanging Solar Lights, Solar Deck and Step Lights, Garden Spot Lights and Low-Cost Solar Lights. You have your choice of a multitude of styles and finishes with our beautiful and durable Solar Garden Lights. Best of all, because they are powered by the energy of the sun, our Solar garden Lights are harmless to the environment, add nothing to your electric bill, and cost you nothing to operate
http://www.siliconsolar.com/solar-garden-lights.html
Sharon asks…
Japanese Garden Los Angeles?
Does anyone know of any Japanese Gardens in or around the Los Angeles area?
GardenersCardiff answers:
The Huntington has a great Japanese garden and a brand new Chinese garden.
I’m going to give you several recommendations, but the Huntington is the best in Southern California.
Cal State Long Beach has a small Japanese garden called the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, the web site is below.
Descano Gardens has a small Japanese garden that didn’t impress me much. Probably because I went in July and it was very hot.
UCLA has a Japanese garden you have to make reservations to visit and they don’t give you the adddress until you do.
If you are a Star Trek fan the Japanese garden in Van Nuys was used as a film location several times.
The James Irvine Garden at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center is a beautiful place to visit. Also unexpected considering it’s in the middle of the city.
The Whispering Pine Teahouse & Friendship Garden in Glendale has a traditional teahouse open to the public.
Torrance also has a small Japanese garden called Pine Wind Garden.
Thomas asks…
Gardening Book or Website for Beginners?
Any ideas on a recommended website or book for beginners in gardening?!
Thanks
GardenersCardiff answers:
Books:
The Garden Expert by D.G. Hessayon (£7.99)
http://astore.amazon.co.uk/garden-page-uk-21/detail/0903505223
The Flower Expert by D.G. Hessayon
http://astore.amazon.co.uk/garden-page-uk-21/detail/0903505525
The Tree & Shrub Expert
http://astore.amazon.co.uk/garden-page-uk-21/detail/0903505177
The Lawn Expert
http://astore.amazon.co.uk/garden-page-uk-21/detail/0903505487
The Vegetable & Herb Expert
http://astore.amazon.co.uk/garden-page-uk-21/detail/0903505460
The Fruit Expert
http://astore.amazon.co.uk/garden-page-uk-21/detail/0903505312
RHS Encylopedia of Gardening
http://astore.amazon.co.uk/garden-page-uk-21/detail/1405322276
Websites:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/
http://www.suttons.co.uk/default.aspx
http://www.thompson-morgan.com/
http://www.garden-page.co.uk
http://www.william-sinclair.co.uk/
http://www.miraclegro.eu/uk/
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Nancy asks…
How can I attract dragonflies to my backyard pond?
My garden and pond are in the planning stages now. I’m hoping that the dragonflies would predate on the mosquitoes, of which there are TONS.
Mosquitoes aside, I’d just love to have the dragonflies!
Tips would be appreciated!
GardenersCardiff answers:
I built my pond and followed some basic principles for attracting dragonflies and this is what I learned…The ideal dragonfly pond should vary in depth, shallow at the edges and at least two feet deep in the center. Deep water offers nymphs a refuge from raccoons and other predators. Varied depths are also important to accommodate a variety of water plants. It’s not that the nymphs or adults eat the plants. The underwater plants provide important habitat for the nymphs, which need places to rest, hunt for food and hide from predatory fish.
Vegetation, rushes and other plants that stick up above the water’s surface–provides perching places for adults. Such vegetation is also critical for dragonflies because the nymphs crawl up it when they emerge, making the transformation from water dweller to their free-flying adult form. And though dragonflies don’t rely on specific host plants to nourish their young the way butterflies do, some species do use water plants as nurseries. They insert their eggs into the soft stems.
What you plant around the pond is almost as important as what you plant in it. Don’t mow the border, let the grasses and rushes grow. Make sure you have some shrubs within a few feet of the water, they will provide perching sites. Reeds, and rushes and grasses with seed heads are good choices for your pond’s edge.
Many garden shops and catalog suppliers now sell all kinds of plants for water gardens. Look for species native to your area. Put a few flat rocks near the pond’s edge. Dragonflies like to warm up by basking in the sun. Some species are attracted to light-colored rocks.
Now I have in our garden, not only dragonflies, but hummers, gold finches and too many other birds to list, and lots of butterflies, too.
Carol asks…
can someone tell me about Japanese gardens?
GardenersCardiff answers:
A catalogue of features “typical” of the Japanese garden may be drawn up without inquiring deeply into the aesthetic underlying Japanese practice. Typical Japanese gardens have at their center a home from which the garden is viewed. In addition to residential architecture, depending on the archetype, Japanese gardens often contain several of these elements:
* Water, real or symbolic.
* Rocks or stone arrangements (or settings).
* A lantern, typically of stone.
* A teahouse or pavilion.
* An enclosure device such as a hedge, fence, or wall of traditional character.
* A bridge to the island, or stepping stones.
TRADITIONAL STYLES:
Karesansui Gardens “dry landscape” gardens were influenced mainly by Zen Buddhism and can be found at Zen temples of meditation (Japan Guide). Unlike other traditional gardens, there is no water present in Karesansui gardens. However, there is raked gravel or sand that simulates the feeling of water. The rocks/gravel used are chosen for their artistic shapes, and mosses as well as small shrubs are used to further garnish the Karesansui style (Japanese Lifestyle). All in all, the rocks and moss are used to represent ponds, islands, boats, seas, rivers, and mountains in an abstract way (Japan Guide). – Example: Ryo-an-ji, temple in Kyoto, has a garden famous for representing this style. Daisen-in, created in 1513, is also particularly renowned.
Tsukiyama Gardens often copy famous landscapes from China or Japan, and they commonly strive to make a smaller garden appear more spacious (Japan Guide). This is accomplished by utilizing shrubs to block views of surrounding buildings, and the garden’s structure usually tries to make onlookers focus on nearby mountains in the distance (Japanese Lifestyle). By doing this, it seems that the garden has the mountains as part of its grounds. Ponds, streams, hills, stones, trees, flowers, bridges, and paths are also used frequently in this style (Japan Guide).
Chaniwa Gardens are built for holding tea ceremonies. There is usually a tea house where the ceremonies occur, and the styles of both the hut and garden are based on the simple concepts of the sado (Japan Guide). Usually, there are stepping stones leading to the tea house, stone lantern, and stone basins (tsukubai) where guests purify themselves before a ceremony(Japan Guide).
Japanese gardens might also fall into one of these styles:
* Kanshoh-style gardens which are viewed from a residence.
* Pond gardens, for viewing from a boat.
* Strolling gardens (kaiyu–shiki), for viewing a sequence of effects from a path which circumnavigates the garden. The 17th-century Katsura garden in Kyoto is a famous exemplar.
Kaiyu-shiki or Strolling Gardens require the observer to walk through the garden to fully appreciate it. A premeditated path takes observers through each unique area of a Japanese garden. Uneven surfaces are placed in specific spaces to prompt people to look down at particular points. When the observer looks up, they will see an eye-catching ornamentation which is intended to enlighten and revive the spirit of the observer. This type of design is known as the Japanese landscape principle of “hide and reveal”.
Stones are used to construct the garden’s paths, bridges, and walkways. Stones can also represent a geological presence where actual mountains are not viewable or present. They are sometimes placed in odd numbers and a majority of the groupings reflect triangular shapes, which often are the mountains of China.
A water source in a Japanese garden should appear to be part of the natural surroundings; this is why one will not find fountains in traditional gardens. Man-made streams are built with curves and irregularities to create a serene and natural appearance. Lanterns are often placed beside some of the most prominent water basins (either a pond or a stream) in a garden. In some gardens one will find a dry pond or stream. Dry ponds and streams have as much impact as do the ones filled with water.
Lizzie asks…
How do I create a great garden?
I live in Florida if that helps at all with the soil? I noticed that most of the “dirt” down here is actually kinda sandy.
GardenersCardiff answers:
Gardening in Florida can be a bit more difficult in coastal areas, but inland Florida has some unbelievably fertile cropland as well.
One of my first gardens was grown in Largo, FL, and within 6 years’ time, I was gardening in Cleveland, OH (I’ve since moved south and found some terrific old farmland). I’ll take sandy soil over Lake Erie clay anytime!!
The benefits of sandy garden soil means that it drains well and doesn’t compact as easily (sandy soil has lots of air pockets = healthy roots). The down side is that nutrients and water can leach out quicker than you want them to. The type of soil you’re most likely gardening in is going to be ideal for root vegetables – carrots, beets, turnips, potatoes and such – and even peanuts if you choose to grow them. The “heavy feeders” will require additional nutrients.
To enrich your soil, add composted humus, peat moss, composted manure and organic matter for nutrients. Mulch to conserve water, and you may want to run soaker hoses for simplified irrigation. Florida summers tend to make watering your garden a challenge when it’s not monsoon season.
Herbs LOVE your grow zone. Most culinary herbs originated in Mediterranean regions and are well-suited for a Florida garden. They’ll thrive in arid conditions and sandy soils.
Also, look for plants with origins in South America (particularly Mexico). Many varieties of corn, sorghum and amaranth come from there and are genetically suited for your area as well. Aside from their usefulness, some varieties make spectacular backdrops for mixed beds and can work as a natural fence or trellis for climbing vines, or create natural shade when planted to the west of a more tender crop.
For landscaping, you obviously have a vast choice of tropicals (and all the citrus trees that I miss so much!), but you might want to give succulents a try as well. Many varieties of sedums will do exceptionally well for you, and you can mix them with tropicals and aloe plants for a garden that has tons of structural interest.
Now is the time to start planning what you’d like to grow and selecting varieties that are more heat-tolerant. For specifics, I’d recommend some of my favorite seed catalogs (Seeds of Change, RH Shumway’s & Johnny’s). All have grow zone info on every seed and plant they carry, and you’ll find some are more suited to a southern climate than a northern one.
Hope this helps… Good luck and happy gardening!
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Chris asks…
memory garden?
What is a memory garden?
GardenersCardiff answers:
A memory garden commemorate life’s most important milestones:
Flowers for the birth of a child, and later on, for graduation, for the bridal bouquet or the groom’s lapel; flowers for anniversaries and retirements and speedy recoveries.
It encourage contemplation and meditation as well as remembrance.
A memory garden often serves as a place for remembering loved ones who have died, an outdoor sanctuary for personal prayer, and a garden for simply appreciating nature. It can also be a place where human ashes have been mixed in with the garden soil; & names of the deceased are displayed on a memorial plaque inside the garden.
Http://www.canada.com/topics/lifestyle/gardenersguide/story.html?id=8d722038-3a8a-4926-8ffc-6e134b815bed&k=53340
In some places, stone walls in the garden contain niches to allow for sealed placement of cremains ( (cremated remains)) within.
Http://www.scc-ucc.org/governance/memorygardenQandA.html#What_is_the_Memory_Garden
According to Worth County Primary second graders, in thinking about memory gardens… A memory is:
” happy thoughts, things that make you laugh, something that you remember from long ago or a few minutes ago, something that you look at, something that you love, something that makes you sad, and is stuck in your mind and will never come out.”
Take a look at this one:
http://worth.k12.ga.us/wcps/oc/memory.html
Tips on creating a memory garden:
Plant favorite flowers of the person you’re dedicating the garden to, or choose flowers that you loved or has special significance and plant those.
Plant during their favorite season and choose flowers and plants that are in season at that time. For example, if they loved spring, plant bulbs.
Select flowers in colors that he/she loved.
Choose flowers with their favorite fragrances or certain scents they loved. For example, if they loved the smell of lavender, include a lavender plant in the garden.
Select flowers and plants with special meanings. For example, pink carnations mean “I’ll never forget you” and yellow roses represent friendship.
Include statues and remembrance gifts throughout the garden. If they loved dogs, include a small statue of their favorite breed.
Add a small plaque describing what is in the garden and its significance, or simply put their favorite phrase or poem.
If possible, try and include a bench in the area. This way, friends and family have a place to sit and reflect on special times that were shared.
Http://ww21.1800flowers.com/template.do?id=template8&page=2009
When my sister-in-law was in the hospital for a long time, I planted flowers in her favorite color…purple …in a special garden. This was in anticipation of her recovery …so she would have something to look forward to when she returned home. Purple tulips, grape hyacinths, & crocus for spring, lavender, daylilies, & liriope for summer, & all shades of purple mums for fall. Although she wasn’t able to see them, I hope I helped to contribute to a beautiful place in her honor.
P.S. Memory Garden is also the name of a heavy metal band from Kumla, Sweden:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory_Garden
Sandra asks…
Japanese Garden?
can u tell me more conepts and drawing besides JPEG photos for landscape Japanisse Garden
@Angel u r so great thank u very much
GardenersCardiff answers:
Japanese gardens often contain several of these elements to provide a beautiful & peaceful spot for contemplation:
Water, real or symbolic.
Rocks.
A lantern, typically of stone.
A teahouse or pavilion.
A enclosure device such as a hedge, fence, or wall of traditional character.
A bridge to the island, or stepping stones.
Http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_garden
Use plants, stone & water (or pebbles to represent water)
Stones can be used to construct the garden’s paths, bridges, and walkways.
You Tube videos of 5 Japanese gardens to give you some ideas:(click on the other garden videos at the end of “Strolling Pond Garden” Check out the low maintenance garden)
video preview http://www.japanesegarden.com/gardens/
http://www.japanesegarden.com/gardens/strolling
Watergardens: Click on photos for full view:
http://www.landscape-ontario.com/watergardens.htm
Images of Landscapes using water, stones, rocks & wood structure:
http://www.garden-view.com/design1.htm
http://www.landscaping-solutions.com/Asian_Landscaping.html
More Japanese Gardens:Click on each image to take a tour of each garden:
http://learn.bowdoin.edu/japanesegardens/gardens/intro/index.html
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on your garden because you can make use of natural elements already present. Just rearrange them so they are in harmony with the natural surroundings around them. A Japanese garden uses rocks, water and plants to recreate nature’s most beautiful vistas
“Rocks represent mountains and hills, water represents streams, rivers and the ocean, and the plants can represent forests and the abundance of nature”.
Stone features such as lanterns, water bowls and oriental statuary add a nice touch.
Http://www.all-free-samples.com/useful/japanese-garden.php
Make an arbor made of bent twigs:
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_garden_structures/article/0,1785,HGTV_3588_1399803,00.html
Water features for any budget;
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_design_water_features/article/0,1785,HGTV_3575_4739570,00.html
P.S. Thanks! I really worked on this 
Good Luck! Hope this is helpful.
Charles asks…
What is school gardening?
Can you give me the definition of school gardening in 5 sentences or more?
GardenersCardiff answers:
In some schools, gardens are being integrated into the educational curriculum to teach children not only about plants, nature, and the outdoors, but other subjects as well. Gardens can teach children about history, economics, poetry, and math, and are also used for science studies. School gardens are also a fun way to expand curriculum and gain student interest, raising responsibility issues as the plants need daily care. They connect children to their food, physically and emotionally. The children will go home and teach their families about worm farming composting and seasonal harvesting. Classes can watch a plant grow from a seed to a harvestable resource that not only tasted better but feels better to eat. School gardens can also help celebrate cultural diversity and demonstrate the benefits of multiculturalism. Creating multicultural garden and cooking projects within the school can open children’s minds to different tastes and cultural experiences.
They are great for the environment and for the heart.
A few wonderful schools here in Australia have added gardens to the school grounds, including some that are also open to the public as community gardens.
All in all school gardens are an incredible resource and every High and Primary school should start a plot.
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