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Imagine eating luscious red strawberries fresh from your garden still warm from the sun. What a treat and that treat can be yours. Here are easy tips for growing strawberries.

Strawberries need at least six hours of sun a day to flower and set fruit. Keep that in mind when selecting a site for your berries. Strawberry pots, those big pots with little holes in the sides are not ideal for strawberries because they dry out too fast.

Strawberries prefer rich soil. Dig down about six inches with a sturdy shovel and turn the dirt over. Remove rocks and twigs and sprinkle in a slow release fertilizer per package directions. Add a bag of compost or well rotted manure for every 8 square feet of your strawberry patch. For example if your patch is 12 feet by 12 feet you would need 4 bags. Spread the compost evenly and then turn over the soil again to mix the fertilizer and compost into the soil.

Plant strawberry plants about 12 inches apart. Strawberries grow quickly into a bush about a foot around.

Water well. Every month use a liquid fertilizer that feeds the foliage (leaves) as well as soaking into the ground. Strawberries have small white flowers between the size of a dime and quarter with yellow centers. Each plant can have from 3 or 4 berries to a dozen. Depending on the variety of the berry you buy, you can have all the berries setting and ripening at once to berries that ripen continuously over the summer.

Don’t over water your plants especially after the berries have set. Mud around the fruit can cause the fruit to rot. Test the soil to see if it needs water by inserting your finger into the dirt. If the soil is still moist up to within an inch of the surface you can wait to water. If it’s dry then water. It’s best to water deeply less often. That encourages the roots of the plant to reach down into the soil.

When the berries are showing a blush of pink think about how you’re going to discourage birds from eating the berries. This can be accomplished with netting held over the berries by tying the net to posts about one foot off the ground. Or you can try using tinsel, yes the kind you buy for Christmas decorations or specially made foil that grape vineyard use.

If slugs or snails are a problem in your area , Set out jar lids filled with beer in the evening. The slugs and snails love beer, will fall in and drown.

Don’t spray the flowers with insecticides. You risk killing the bees which pollinate the flowers turning them from flowers into berries. Use a strong spray from your garden hose to knock any bugs off the plants.

Berries don’t ripen any more after being picked so wait until your berries are a bright crimson red before picking.

Follow these easy tips from Easy Garden Care and you’ll have lush sweet strawberries fresh from your garden.

Find more tips from Dee Power on growing strawberries at http://www.easygardencare.com.

More on Growing Fruits and Vegetables

It’s easy,very inexpensive and they taste better too so lets get started!

STEP 1: Which tomatoes should I grow? If you have a long growing season then you would want to go with an indeterminate variety which grows all summer long. If your growing season is short then you would go with a determinate variety which produces its fruit quickly (in as little as 85 days or less) and ripens all at once.

Step 2: Now that I have bought my seeds what do I do with them? Six to eight weeks for the end of winter I line up little paper cups filled with peat moss and put one seed in each cup. I then place them in a sunny window sill and water almost daily as peat tends to dry out quickly. Make sure not to over water or let the seed/roots sit in excessive water as this will kill them.

As your seedlings grow transplant them into larger and larger containers, each time burying them up to the first set of leaves. The plant will send out roots from the buried stem and will develop a stronger root system by the time they are ready to be planted outdoors. Once your seedlings have taken off and the threat of frosts are over move your plants outdoors for a few hours each afternoon to get them acclimated, or hardened off, before actually planting them in the garden.

Will any soil work? Tomatoes need a rich, well-drained soil ideally full of organic matter, so get started on that compost pile early.

How much sun do they need? Tomatoes require full sun which translates into no less than 6 to 8 hours a day. Plants will be weak and unhealthy with anything less.

STEP 3: Okay it’s time to transplant. Transplanting is an important step and if you do it carefully, you can look forward to an abundant crop of healthy mouth watering tomatoes.

Once your tomato plants have been hardened, or acclimated to outdoor conditions, and night-time temperatures continually exceed 50 degrees, it’s time to set your plants out into your garden or patio containers.

After planting your tomato plants its a good idea to place organic mulch around them. mulch helps keep the soil most and helps keep fruit off the ground, preventing rotting. The advantages to Mulching is that the soil retains moisture requiring less waterings. Also, the mulch acts as a slow release fertilizer and helps keep the weeds down.

STEP 4: It’s a good idea to prune your plants by pinching off the small leaves which appear in the crotch above a larger stem. Don’t pinch off too many large leaves or the sun will burn developing fruit. Pinching back the top of the plant after it reaches the top of your stake or cage encourages more flowering and fruit.

How often should I water them? Your plants should be deep watered 2 to 3 times a week or more depending of your soil type. If the plant is seen wilting in the middle of the day, ignore it. They will perk right back up by late afternoon. If the plants look droopy in the morning, they need water.

All that hard work gardening is getting ready to pay off and depending on what type of tomato plants you chose more than likely you will have an over abundance of ripe tomatoes.

When the fruits have ripened, pick them by bending back the fruit at the notch on the stem. They can be eaten straight from the plant, or can be stored for up to a week in the fridge.

Tomatoes store well in a cool, dry location. Do not put them in the refrigerator. While they last longer in the refrigerator, they will lose their flavor and texture. To slow down ripening keep them out of direct sunlight.

Good luck and happy gardening!

Penny owns and operates http://PennysTomatoes.com where she sells tomato seeds and offers advice on how to turn those seeds into tons of mouth watering tomatoes. She has written articles for South Carolina Womans Magazine and was a guest on Southern Style, a local show in Myrtle Beach.

More on Growing Tomatoes

Compost is what is left over when organic matter decomposes. Organic matter can be things like vegetable scraps, leaves, mown grass and any other garden waste. This material will decompose without any assistance at all, though you can help it along and enjoy the benefits of compost faster if you wish.

Because it doesn’t contain a high level of essential nutrients, compost is not considered an actual fertilizer. Instead, it is treated as a soil conditioner or amendment. Compost does supply many good things to the soil. It attracts beneficial creatures like earthworms and it improves the soil composition.

Cold composting is basically just making a pile and letting it sit in the bin. This takes longer than hot composting. Hot composting is when you take a shovel and turn your pile every few days to supply more oxygen to the microorganisms in your compost pile.

Location

First, decide where you will put your compost pile. Check for city ordinances that may regulate where you can put a compost pile, or if you can even have one. A compost pile can get messy, so put it somewhere that you can reach with a hose so you can do clean up if necessary. Bugs will be attracted to your compost pile, so keep this in mind. If you have a free corner in your garden that is far enough away from the house and the neighbors could be the perfect spot for that new compost pile.

Containers

There are many composting products for sale today. They even have gadgets that will rotate your compost for you, but really, the only thing you need is a compost container. Some people simply fence off the compost pile, while others use a bin or container of some kind to put their organic matter in. This can be recycled, home made or purchased at a store. While there are many composting bins to choose from in all sorts of shapes and sizes, the easiest ones are simple. Don’t spend more than you need.

Layer It

A good way to begin a compost pile is with layers. Start with fallen leaves or grass clippings, and then put some soil on it, then put in some kitchen waste. Eggshells, scraps of fruits and vegetables and coffee grounds all make good additions to a compost pile. Do not ever add meat or pet waste to your compost. Once you have more layers, add another layer of soil and manure.

Moisture

Keep your compost pile moist, but not wet. Add a little water if it seems to be getting dry. You may want to consider adding a little beer to your pile. The yeast in the beer will keep the bacteria in your compost pile and make sure they’ll be happy. It doesn’t really matter if you add beer or water, just keep it moist.

Maintenance

A compost pile doesn’t need a lot of maintenance. Just continue adding your garden trimmings and kitchen waste to the pile. Occasionally mix in a little soil and manure to encourage decomposition. Keep the pile moist and if you remember, turn the pile about once a week to improve air circulation and aid the decomposition process.

The compost is ready to put in your garden when it looks like dark soil and smells like earth. Just add to your garden and mix it in. If you want to add compost to your indoor plants, you need to sterilize it first. Layer it on some foil on an old baking sheet and put it in a 200 degree F oven for about half an hour.

There isn’t one best way to make compost. No matter what you do, organic matter will decompose. Find the style that works best for you and your garden and get composting!

Check out The Joy of Rose Gardening now at http://www.roseflowergarden.com, to find great articles, advice, tips and much more on rose gardening topics.

More Compost Help

One of the key ingredients for a great life is good health and good health is derived from good nutrition. One part of good health is exercising right and the other is to eat right. The risk of acquiring diseases can be reduced by controlling the diet and the amount of intake of certain foods. While most of us eat for taste, we forget the nutrition value of the same.

Fruits: Why Fruits? To start with, they are the most natural form of food. Most fruits contain water, fiber, proteins and vitamins that are required for our day to day life and they are fat and cholesterol free. Citrus fruits can help detoxify your body. Eating fruits directly may have a better health effect as opposed to fruit juices that are concentrated and may have higher sugar levels, which may not be the best for the body. Organic fruits are any day better than the fruits that undergo hybridization.

Vegetables: They are a very vital part of our diet. Raw or cooked, vegetables must always be washed before consuming. Vegetables contain anti oxidants that can reduce the risk of diseases. Seasonal vegetables are no longer a concern, as most vegetables are available in a frozen form. Leafy vegetables are high in Iron and Calcium and Vitamins, although they must be stored in the right manner to make the most of their nutrition value.

Fat: It is the richest source of calories in our diet. Fat is required for our body as they produce essential fatty acids. They are good source of Vitamin E and also help in nervous system functioning. They could also give you a healthy hair and skin J . A daily diet should contain at least 25-30% of fat. Excess consumption of food containing fat could result in gaining weight.

Liquids: Water is the most essential element for survival. Water is Vital for metabolism and digestion. Lack of the right amount of water can lead to malfunctioning of the body. On any given day, the human body needs at least 7-8 glasses of water to carry out proper functioning in the body.
Milk: is a rich source of Calcium and is good for the bones. Most people do not consume milk because of the fat quotient present in it, however, these days low fat and fat free milk, yogurt and cheese is available for consumption.

Negative Calorie Foods: These are foods that contain less energy but they require the body to use extra energy to digest them. Negative Calorie foods when consumed moderately can help reduce weight. To name a few, Celery, Lettuce Zucchini, Black berries, Guavas etc.

All of the above are essential for the human body. Good health comes with knowing what you are eating and eating it right.

Health is a blessing that money cannot buy

Organic Gardening

As many experts will attest, giving your mood its much-needed jolt is being linked with getting in touch with nature.

A messy house, an eyesore for a lawn, and stressful surroundings can contribute highly to the worst cases of sadness and depression. Proper arrangement and order of things at home can be of great help. And taking your gardening to the next level, as your standard suits you, will elevate your mood even better.

Whether you possess the green thumb or are just plainly appreciative of nature, studies show that giving way to the natural caretaker in you and touching base with the environment, no matter how simply, will open up the positive side of things.

The functional, recreational and aesthetic uses of a garden may help you decide on starting that masterpiece. To some people, gardening simply means cooperating with the bounty of nature. Cultivating a plant will not hurt. By spending an otherwise tedious day, you help the environment by rearing plants. This way, you create a healthy place in your home while instilling the importance of nature in your kids; that they can improve the world they live in.

How does family dinners in the garden, children happily playing in the backyard, relaxing and reading in the garden’s hammock, basking under the sun on a warm day, or getting shelter from the heat and oppressive rays of the sun sound to you? Truly, maintaining a garden at home will create diversity and creativity in your unwinding and your family’s bonding activities.

Garden maintenance can also be a way to grow fruits, grains, vegetables and fresh herbs for the family’s meals. Fresh flowers from the garden can be brought inside your home for added indoor beauty. Fresh picks are always the best! For those who have ample knowledge on alternative or herbal medicine, the plants in your garden may afford first aid help. Aren’t these more convenient and lighter on the pocket than shopping for food, running to the pharmacy or hopping to flower shops?

Simple or elaborate, gardening can stir your creativity and imagination to suit your available resources and reflect your personality. Try incorporating a terrace, a deck or patio in the backyard. Consider putting some paths for ease when your family and friends take a closer look at the plants. Check if you can do something about the area’s lighting to flaunt the garden’s beauty when it is night time or when the day is not sunshiny. Raised beds, outdoor art and sculpture, think Pergolas and Gazebos; these can create that sophisticated look in your garden. Garden experts say the possibilities to a picturesque garden are endless!

Besides savings and convenience, treating gardening like a well-planned project and putting that plan into practice may give you that better outlook on yourself, psychologists say.

Just as a gardening guru put it, gardens themselves are “an oasis of beauty in the deserts of urban decay.” By the same token, maintaining a garden will offer you an astounding transformation not only in that backyard, but more importantly, on a personal level.

James Brown writes about http://www.flowergardennursery.com

Article Source: http://www.organicgardenarticles.com