I have followed this sites instructions when I began. It is wonderfully informative and surprisingly easy to do. I add a little less dark molasses than it calls for. You may as well, when you find that too much can attract the wrong kind of bugs too.

It is IMPORTANT that you use Unsulfered Molasses.

The Compost home page is rich with further suggestions for you. There are, in fact, too many to list here. I wish you happy reading and success. If you have any questions, I’ll be glad to answer as best I can, anytime.

1. "Baby…why you all wet?"
2. "Having a Boo Radley moment, are we?"
3. "They’re all so beautiful. Why don’t I have three heads?"
4. "In my opinion, all men are islands. And what’s more, now’s the time to be one. This is an island age."
5. "I believe you are blushing, Mr. Big Artiste. I can’t imagine Monsieur Monet blushing." "He does landscapes."
6. "Maybe you can find yourself a nice antique rocking chair to die in."
7. "As your attorney, I advise you to drive at top speed, it’ll be a god damn miracle if we can get there before you turn into a wild animal."
8. "It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing. Such a little thing."
9. "What did you do to your arm?" "I burned it in English class."
10. "Sweetheart, you can’t buy the necessities of life with cookies."
Yes, you are!
Solved : 5, 8
Yes, I am I’ll admit it.
Solved: 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10
correct!
Solved: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10
Yup! They’re all solved!

1) I think this is from Shutter Island – but I haven’t seen that yet…
2) Benny & Joon
3) Amadeus
4) About A Boy
5) Titanic
6) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
7) Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
LOTR – Fellowship
9) A Nightmare on Elm Street
10) Edward Scissorhands

First time gardener from Ohio need your help. TIA.

I am planning for vegetable plants in a (container) wooden boxes of size 4 foot x 4 foot x 8 inches (=~ 11 cubic foot). Four of these boxes makes 45 cubic foot approximately.

I filled these four boxes with the soil less medium as following:
Coarse Vermiculite – 15 cubic foot
Sphagnum Peat Moss – 15 cubic foot
`Compost kind of` – 15 cubic foot (1 cubic foot each of below)

I have searched 50+ of garden centers locally (zip code: 45040) and
couldn’t find so called “COMPOST”. For next year I will be preparing
my own compost so this question won’t arise. But, to begin my first/
fresh vegetable garden; in the place of compost I used the following
mix. I mixed them *VERY* thorough spending a week.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Question: is the following mix ‘OK’ to begin my garden? Am I sort of
something here? Am I going to kill the plants with Over dosage? Any
other suggestions/ideas to help myself is greatly appreciated.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My `Compost kind of` – 15 cubic foot is:

1.Mother Nature’s – SWEET PEET – Composted soil conditioner – 1 cubic foot
2.Nea’s – POSY POWER – Powerful soil booster – 1 cubic foot
3.Premier Horticulture – PRO MIX – Growing mix – 1 cubic foot
4.Nature’s Helper – MUSHROOM COMPOST – Organic soil – 1 cubic foot
5.Garden Magic – COMPOST AND MANURE – Peat & Manure – 1 cubic foot
6.Ace – COMPOSTED MANURE – Loosens soil – 1 cubic foot
7.New Plant Life – MUSHROOM COMPOST SOIL – Soil amendment – 1 cubic foot
8.Garden Scape – PEAT HUMUS – Decomposed Organic … – 1 cubic foot
9.Garden Scape – COW MANURE – will not burn – 1 cubic foot
10.Organic Valley – HUMUS – ready to use – 1 cubic foot
11.Organic Valley – COW MANURE PLUS ORGANIC COMPOST – Ready to use – 1 cubic foot
12.Organic Valley – ORGANIC COMPOST PLUS MANURE – Compost & manure – 1 cubic foot
13.Garick – MOO NURE – Organic Compost with Cow Manure – 1 cubic foot
14.Country Stone – COMPOSTED COW MANURE – Soil conditioner – 1 cubic foot
15.Earth Gro – ORGANIC HUMUS AND MANURE – Soil amendment – 1 cubic foot

Thanks & Regards
Ganesh

In detail (if you are still reading this post ) Assuming the
product is what the cover says.

1.Mother Nature’s – SWEET PEET – Composted soil conditioner – 1 cubic foot
Organic material made from wood shavings, farm manure & plant fibers (USCC)

2.Nea’s – POSY POWER – Powerful soil booster – 1 cubic foot
All Organic: Horse manure, sphagnum Peat, Brewer’s Grain, Gypsum & lime
0.7% 0.45% 1.0%

3.Premier Horticulture – PRO MIX – Growing mix – 1 cubic foot
Compost Enrich (from shrimp, seaweed, softwood bark), Microrise
inside, Sphagnum Peat Moss, Peat Humus (OMRI)

4.Nature’s Helper – MUSHROOM COMPOST – Organic soil – 1 cubic foot

5.Garden Magic – COMPOST AND MANURE – Peat & Manure – 1 cubic foot
Reed sedge Peat, Manure
0.1% 0.1% 0.1%

6.Ace – COMPOSTED MANURE – Loosens soil – 1 cubic foot
0.5% 0.5% 0.5%

7.New Plant Life – MUSHROOM COMPOST SOIL – Soil amendment – 1 cubic foot

8.Garden Scape – PEAT HUMUS – Decomposed Organic … – 1 cubic foot
A decomposed organic forest peat fiber

9.Garden Scape – COW MANURE – will not burn – 1 cubic foot
1% 1% 1%

10.Organic Valley – HUMUS – ready to use – 1 cubic foot

11.Organic Valley – COW MANURE PLUS ORGANIC COMPOST – Ready to use – 1 cubic foot
0.05% 0.05% 0.05% (USCC)

12.Organic Valley – ORGANIC COMPOST PLUS MANURE – Compost & manure – 1 cubic foot
0.05% 0.05% 0.05%

13.Garick – MOO NURE – Organic Compost with Cow Manure – 1 cubic foot
0.2% 0.2% 0.2% (USCC)

14.Country Stone – COMPOSTED COW MANURE – Soil conditioner – 1 cubic foot
Cow manure, Peat and Humus
0.05% 0.05% 0.05%

15.Earth Gro – ORGANIC HUMUS AND MANURE – Soil amendment – 1 cubic foot
90% organic humus (peat, compost, forest products) and 10% manure
0.05% 0.05% 0.05%

Sounds okay. Not sure about items 2 and 3 but they don’t sound like anything that would hurt. For not finding "compost" you have a lot of compost in there. I think your garden should grow great.

Creating a Japanese Rock Garden
http://www.indiana.edu/~easc/publications/doc/creating_japanese_rock_garden.pdf

Japanese Rock Garden
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_rock_garden

http://www.helpfulgardener.com/japanese/2003/garden.html

Perfect landscaping is not an easy task. There are many plants to choose from, and yet each plant has its own special character that makes it an excellent find for your place. You can choose the kind of plant that compliments your yard in a unique way, just ensure that the plant which you have chosen can live in the climate of your environment. Not all plants can grow in all climates, so you have got to talk a local plant specialist. Your local nursery will be able to help you in selecting the right kind of plants according to your landscaping needs.

There is a wide choice of landscaping plants to choose from, but among the best plants are those that you wouldn’t think of normally. For example, you can use the sage plants for a gorgeous border. This could be the landscaping plant of your dream home. This plant can be used to do so much more to your home. Apart from adding them for some marvellous borders, you can also make your herb gardens prettier with them.

The thing with herb gardens is that, apart from making your garden beautiful, they can double up as herbs in your cooking. All the landscaping herbs in your garden are suitable for cooking .It also happens to be a superb bonus to be able to cook the herbs apart from having them as beautiful landscaping plants.
Depending on what time of the year it is, happens to be a consideration in looking for the appropriate landscaping plant. Usually, it is not possible to see a summer bloom in the middle of winter at a gardening store. You will have to do at least a bit of seasonal shopping. Some of your landscaping plants may have to be purchased seasonally.

You can find perennial plants or annual plants. Annual landscaping plants will have to be bought repeatedly every year, while perennial plants grow back on their own. If left alone, tulips and some other perennial plants can double their numbers every year. When there are too many plants in the same spot, you will just have to dig down and some of them can be split up to be planted elsewhere.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/landscaping-articles/beauty-of-landscaping-in-search-of-the-right-plants-754036.html

The first thing that comes to mind when you say the word art is sculptures and painting. However, there is one kind of sculpture that is very popular but does not make use of wood and stone, but its own materials, which is known as bonsai.

Bonsai, derived from a Japanese word meaning ‘tree in a tray’, is an art that creates miniature bushes and trees. Through careful pruning and years of shaping and patience, the masterpieces are created by using ordinary specifics and creating bonsai.

It is not an art that just anyone can do; it takes a lot of care and patience, to create healthy plants. These are actual plants from ordinary species, such as maple or pine, which are shaped and grown in a small pot.

The artist has to control the perfect temperature and soil type to succeed. They must also possess the right temperament and techniques to perfectly prune the bonsai. There are many various ways of performing the art and it takes a great deal of practice in potting and repotting to attain the results.

The art of bonsai is an exact science right down to the watering of the bushes and trees. If you water the plant too much you will have a plant that becomes water logged and will likely develop root rot and fungi. With too little water, you will find the soil dries very quickly, eventually drying the leaves and killing the tree.

Every aspect of the art interacts with other aspects. For example, potting and soil practices depend on pruning and shaping techniques used, as well as drainage of the trees and bushes.

When it comes to art, bonsai is one of the hardest types to create. This is because all of the above elements, plus others has to be nearly perfect in order for the bushes and trees to survive. However, that is not all; this art also requires implementing pleasing colors, shapes, and styles in both the areas of the pot and plant to appeal to buyers.

When it comes to bonsai, there are 5 basic styles. These are known as semi-cascade, cascade, slanting, informal upright, and formal upright. While these are the basics, there are many advanced styles as well; one of which is called literati.

You could not learn and master this art in the time frame of a month.

Many artists work on one product for several years to create one tree. However, this tree may last more than one hundred years. Because of their longevity, these trees are generally passed from one generation to another, with each passing generating adding their own style to the tree.

The art and mastery of bonsai takes years of experience and training. It is not easy to create miniature bushes and trees from an ordinary species, just as it is not easy to create an ordinary species as it is.

Many people enjoy bonsai because it is handcrafted and takes us back to a time when technology was not an intrusion. Mass production was not available, neither were cell phones, hi-fi televisions, or high priced automobiles. It takes us back to a simpler time, when everything was just.

Randy Zakowski
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/bonsai-gardening-introduction-to-a-living-art-59336.html

A pond is attractive way to enhance the landscape if your home and have l large area you wish to landscape. So what do you do? Consider an area where the pond would be attractive and practical.

Why create a pond, you ask? Ponds increase the value or your property, and would be a way to attract a prospective buyer. A well designed and functional pond also adds a peaceful effect to your yard. Ponds create an ideal ecosystem beneficial not only plants but wildlife as well. If you are fond of fish and water plants, a pond would be ideal.  

This article will not go into details on creating your pond, but will furnish information about the landscaping aspect…

Landscaping your pond starts at the pond itself. Create a border by adding stones, plants and statuary that will create a great view. You should also create a walkway from your pond to your house. Access is important and easily accomplished by using stepping stones, etc.

Trees are both beneficial and harmful to your pond. Trees provide shade that will be good for your pond but they will also add to debris such as branches and leaves or fallen fruit The key is to strike a balance between the two.

Shrubs will also play a role in maintaining unity between the tall trees and the low pond. They will create continuity from your pond to the trees. You may also add some flowers to provide some color. Be sure to cut the off the old blossoms to prevent debris that can make your area unsightly.

Water plants are a must for ponds and should be added immediately after your pond has been finished. Use similar colored plants as their surroundings to create some balance and harmony between the two. Be creative and do some research on different kinds of water plants to use.

A finishing touch for a pond is adding some fish. Add them after everything else has been finished. Always select appropriate species of fish that will not out-grow the size of your pond.

Creating a pond for your yard will both be tiring, but the fun of creating it will be rewarding. Be sure that do regular maintenance to so it will always be free from debris. After all of your work is finished, enjoy your pond and marvel the harmony you have created in your yard.

Joshua Santor
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/creating-a-pond-in-your-yard-741797.html

There is a renewed interest in getting back to basics. Individuals, corporations and governments are focused on finding ways to preserve our natural resources. One way of protecting our environment, and enjoying the best nature has to offer, is by gardening organically.

There are few differences between ‘regular’ gardening and choosing to garden organically. Planting methods are virtually the same. In both types of gardens, plants will have the same soil, sunlight and water requirements. The big difference lies in the control of weeds, insects and disease. In gardening organically, no chemical or synthetic herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers are used. Organic gardening may also result in a more in-depth tending to plants and soil.

Planting an organic garden begins with soil preparation. For the soil to be productive, organic material must be added. Compost is essential to success in gardening organically, as it promotes the health and well being of the plants. You can easily create your own organic compost by saving and mixing fruit and vegetable scraps, fallen leaves, pruned flowers, grass clippings and manure. Ideally, the compost will be dark and sweet smelling, and full of productive earthworms. In gardening organically, you may find that your soil needs more natural nutrients than compost alone can provide. A soil test will indicate the pH balance. If more nutrients are required you can incorporate natural additives like greensand, rock phosphates and bone meal.

Weeds
A particularly frustrating and annoying problem with gardening organically is weeds. Laying organic mulch can provide a natural weed barrier. Layers of construction paper, cardboard or newspaper under the mulch provides added protection. Some organic gardeners swear by spreading corn meal gluten early in the season before planting, as this slows the growth of weeds. Solarization is another option. If you want to get down and dirty with your weeds, roll up your sleeves for some hoeing and hand pulling. Persistence will pay off in your battle against weeds. Use organic mulches and remove what you can by hand. It may take a few seasons, but it is possible to beat the weeds for good.

Insects
If there is one area that tests even the most rigidly organic gardener, it’s the need for pesticides. Insects can seriously harm a plant and, if left uncontested, can wipe out entire crops. Gardening organically does not allow the use of synthetic or chemical pesticides, so your best defense is to take preventative measures. Keep your plants at optimal health and be sure that the soil is not too wet, or too dry. Insects will attack unhealthy plants, but if your crop is healthy it can often outgrow minor insect damage. Keep many different varieties in your garden. If pests wipe out one type of plant, they won’t necessarily take over the entire garden. The best way to defend against insects when gardening organically is to introduce natural predators to the area. Entice frogs, lizard, birds and ladybugs by keeping a fresh water supply available. Growing plants to attract insects that feed on nectar can also help, and you can use plant collars, barriers or sticky traps. Household items such as garlic, hot pepper and insecticide soaps can also help you beat the bugs.

Disease
Gardening organically can make it tricky to avoid and combat plant disease. The best thing you can do is to choose disease resistant varieties, and plant them in their prime conditions. Constant moisture and poor air circulation will cause plant diseases to spread. Knowing where to plant your garden and how often to water it will help keep your organic garden disease-free.

Tending a garden is a wonderful hobby, and gardening organically is particularly rewarding. The plants you grow will be chemical free and naturally healthy. You are what you eat, so having a chemical-free garden is ideal for those growing fruit and vegetable crops. While it may take a little extra time and effort, gardening organically is the best choice for you, your plants, and the environment.

James Williams
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/gardening-organically-98851.html