Gardening Guide For Busy People

GARDENING GUIDE FOR BUSY PEOPLE

One vital routine in home gardening which entails boredom is your water management aspects. Busy people can’t cope with these activities since every minute is very important for them.

Failure to serve enough water to your plants would bring to your frustration in home gardening. Being busy is not an alibi to maintain the growth of your plants.

But, don’t panic, there is a solution to this problem.

Getting Automated!

This system does not need a main water supply and is therefore suitable in all gardening activities, either it be greenhouse or home garden.

Select the following systems that would fit your convenience…

· Bottle Reservoir .

Steps to follow:

1. Invert and secure a refillable bottle of water, using a flexible piping, conduct water into a waterproof plastic tray. The neck of the bottle needs to be level with the surface of a strip of capillary matting laid in the tray’s base.

2. By adjusting the height of the reservoir, the level of water can be raised and lowered. If the reservoir has an open top, water will pass out steadily. However, if it’s formed of a closed bottle, a further pipe needs to be fitted to prevent a vacuum forming in the bottle’s top and the flow of water being stopped.

3. Stand pots on top of the capillary matting. Plastic pots don’t have crocks (broken pieces of clay pots) placed in their bases and therefore water readily passes from the matting to the compost. Clay pots however, are usually crocked and therefore the compost will not readily absorb water.

4. Insert a wick into the base of each pot so that it acts as a channel for the water from the sand.

5. To reduce evaporation from the capillary matting, place a plastic sheet over it, with holes cut out for the pots. Alternatively, use a 12 – 18 mm/1/2 -3/4 inch layer of sand.

· Trickle Irrigation. This system can be left operating in your garden for a couple of days without your attention, ideally for busy people. Water is usually supplied by mains water and ballcock used to ensure the water level remains constantly flowing.

Steps to follow:

1. Alternatively, use a large plastic tank as a water reservoir. But unfortunately, this does not provide constant water pressure and the flow of water alters.

2. To correct this, use tubing to direct water into the top each of each pot, its flow controlled by nozzles. Initially, regular attention is needed to ensure the right amount of water is reaching each plant. Avoid water logging the plants.

· Mist Propagation Units. At one time, this system was only available to commercial nurserymen, but now amateur types are available. Create a mist of water over cuttings, keeping them cool and reducing the need for them to absorb moisture before new roots are formed.

· Thermostats and Timers. This system includes the use of electrical equipment and thermostats to control temperatures. Combines with a timing devices, electrical equipment can be controlled to come on and off to a desired temperature at a touch of a switch.

Timing clocks and thermostats are invaluable for controlling temperatures and their duration. Position them where they will not be wet with water, as well as out from strong, direct sunlight.

Make sure to select any system you think is easy to operate and will make your work easier even while you’re out for work, while plants are properly attended to without your presence.

Happy gardening.

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Cris Ramasasa, Freelance writer, writes about home gardening and Internet marketing tips. You can get a copy of his latest ebook “Discover How to get started in Flower Gardening” and “Vegetable Gardening Made Easy”, also get lots of tips, Free articles, and bonuses at: www.crisramasasa.com

Growing Potted Plants That Sell

GROWING POTTED PLANTS THAT SELL

There is a market for potted plants if you you’re going to engage in this lucrative business whether as full-time or just merely a sideline.

What is only important is your passion to do the dirty work of gardening. Like any other business, however, you have to produce plants that are in demand. Plants that are high ticket in price, and high quality, that is they are disease-free, robust, and are of the right size.

Looking for in demand potted plants

In this scenario, you have to be observant. You have to look around. Visit some plant nurseries, plant shops or you can ask homeowners what type of plants they need.

You can also inquire from landscapers what plants they are looking for in big numbers. Or else, you can attend some garden shows to find out which plants are hot sellers.

You’ll noticed that potted plants are used for various purposes. Some are used indoors in the home, in business offices, hotels, restaurants, or walkways in residential homes.

Potted plants are also used for planting in the garden, along highways, parks, subdivisions and they like.

Producing fairly priced potted plants

Producing your priced potted plants will depend on your efficient way of producing them and by propagating your own plants fast and at a low cost.

Ways of propagating your potted plants

• By seed
• Marcotting
• Cutting
• Division
• Grafting

Steps in producing high quality potted plants

• Grow them in the right container. Not so big and not so small either. A very big container will be costly. It would also require plenty of potting soil which will add to the high cost. Over potting could also result in too moist condition that may be detrimental to the plant.

• Provide the right potting medium. Most plants require something that is easily drained and fairly rich soil. It should not be too heavy so it is easy to carry.

• Fertilize your plant regularly. Every week if necessary.

• Don’t overcrowd plants. Plants that are crowded are lanky and weak. There won’t be adequate air circulation so the plants are more susceptible to rot or some other disease organisms. Overcrowded plants also harbor a lot of pests.

• Make sure the plants are watered regularly. Don’t allow plants to wither, otherwise their leaves would be irreparably damaged.

• Repot plants as necessary. Usually, potted plants should be repotted evey six months or so, depending on the species.

• Provide the right lighting. Some plants love full sunlight. Others will only thrive in the shade. Make the right provision for the plants you have chosen to grow.

• Prune the plants as necessary. Well shaped plants sell more easily and at a better price.

• Provide a finishing area where the plants are groomed and readied for market.

Marketing your potted plants

Selling potted plants is easy if you know where to find your target market. You can only make money if you can sell what you produce for profit.

Where to locate your target market?

At the very beginning of your potted plant business, you should know who are your clients. Buyers of your potted plans are; individual end-users, plant shop owners, traders, landscapers, nursery operators, business establishments (especially mall owners), and others.

Your buyers may come from your barangay, your town, province, the entire country, and abroad.

Strategies to be known by your target market

• Post signs along the highway where passersby will notice your message. In your message, you should be specific potted plants are available. For instance, you could say in your message that rare ornamental plants are available in your nursery. Include in your sign to tell where your nursery could be found.

• Send letters to other nursery owners, landscapers, nursery operators, known plant lovers mall owners, telling them what you have I stock. You can quote your prices so they’ll know beforehand your selling price.

• Participate in garden shows or plant sales. In this show, you’ll not only sell your plants, but you’ll meet a lot of plant lovers and fellow plant growers who could be your potential buyers in the days to come.

• Advertise your plants in the radio or television and newspapers. Issue a press release or paid ads about what plants are available in your nursery. You can feature stories about you and your plants.

• Learn to be a landscaper. When you become proficient with the trade, and you have plenty of clients, you can use your own plants in the projects.

• Conduct an open house. You can invite buyers in this event to buy your plants at a discounted prices plus giveaways.

• Sell your potted plants by whole. You produce plenty of one kind of plant and when you’re ready you can invite buyers to take all the stocks at a very attractive price.

• Grow plants for certain occasions. Anytime of the year there are special occasions being celebrated, such as; Christmas, Valentines Day, Wedding, Birthdays, Flores de Mayo, and many more. You can prepare special plants for such occasions to have a continuous supply the whole year round.

These are just some ideas you can sell the plants you grow. There could be other ways. Just let your imagination wander and your eyes open for some money making opportunities on potted plants.

Cris Ramasasa, Freelance writer, writes about home gardening and Internet marketing tips. You can get a copy of his latest ebook “Discover how to get started in Flower Gardening” and “Vegetable Gardening Made Easy”, also get lots of tips, Free articles, and bonuses at:www.crisramasasa.com