How to plan & plant a veggie garden

This is the time of year to get your veggies planted.  Normally I would have planted mine a couple weeks earlier however, I wanted to plan the harvest time for when my fruit trees are bearing fruit so everything is ready at one time for my preserves this fall.  Here are a couple of tips to get your veggie garden planned and planted:

1) Start with good organic soil.  You can even use the soil from your compost.
2) Mound the soil up to ensure proper drainage.
3) Veggies need a minimum of 6 hours of day light so plan your garden accordingly.
4) Plant larger plants to the east and/or to the back of your garden so they don't block the smaller plants from the sunlight.
5) Plant smaller plants to the west and/or to the front of your garden.
6) Plant veggies at least 12" apart for proper growth and the ability to weed throughout the growing season.
7) Put a tomato cage over your tomato plants early so they can grow comfortably within the cage.  It's a lot easier to do early on vs. when the tomato plants are larger.
8) Water every 2-3 days.
9) Be sure to pinch your tomato suckers as they grow to ensure all the energy heads to the fruit and look out for our future blog on "tomato suckers".
10) Break up egg shells at the base of veggies, especially your tomato plants for nutrients through the growing season.

With these steps you will be well on your way to a healthy veggie garden and within months, you will have numerous/organic veggies at your finger tips.
Happy Gardening!

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Stylicious Home
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How to attract Hummingbirds into your garden?

Attracting and having frequent visits from hummingbirds in your garden is not only an art but a hobby as well. Here are some tips for you to follow to not only attract hummingbirds but to keep them coming back:

Hang your feeder on a pole/post as an accessory in your garden and near flowers that attract hummingbirds, such as bee balm, catawba rhododendron, delphinium, fuchsia, hibiscus, hollyhocks, lantana, red columbine, red impatiens, red or pink petunias, trumpet wines, sage, or zinnias. The colour red is by far their favourite. Once established, you can relocate the feeder to a better location for viewing. If you have multiple feeders, hang them far enough apart that you cannot see one from the other.

Hummingbird Nectar Recipe:

1) Bring 4 cups of water to a boil
2) Remove from heat
3) Add 1 cup of granulated sugar and stir until dissolved
4) Let cool and fill feeder
5) Store any unused mixture in the refrigerator for up to 7-10 days

There are a variety of hummingbird feeders out there and we recommend blown glass ones since they do the trick by feeding the hummingbirds but are also a great décor item to add to your outdoor living space.

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Stylicious Home
http://www.stylicioushome.com/

Don’t Let Roses be a Thorn in Your Side

How to Prune your Rose Bushes:

1) Prune your roses 2x a year to keep them healthy and hearty. Prune late winter/early spring and finally in the fall to prepare for winter.

2) Remove any rose canes that are growing inward and any canes that are touching larger canes. Rose bushes do best with lots of breathing room.

3) Prune canes just above an existing bud.

4) Prune out any dead canes and dead buds from last season.

5) The best time to prune is when the buds begin to swell. If you prune too early, you risk frost affecting the plant. If you prune too late, your roses may weaken from the loss of sap.

6) Use clean, sharp shears and cut on the 45 facing down to prevent water from pooling. This also encourages an outer direction growth.

How to Fertilize your Roses:

1) Fertilize your rose 2-3 times a season. Once in early spring before they bloom and once again before they bloom in the fall. Some fertilize mid-season in July-August.

2) Use an organic based food matter to feed your roses There are many varieties readily available at your local garden center. Select a variety that has a high level of phosphorus which aids in the development of their roots and diminishes the threat of disease.

3) Mix approximately 1 cup of food per plant (refer to back of container) with 2-3 cups of top soil in bucket and mix thoroughly.

4) Spread mixture thoroughly into soil at the base of the rose bush.

5) Top with mulch to conserve nutrients.

6) Water nutrients into soil and ENJOY!

Follow these stylicious tips yearly and you will be on your way to a majestic rose garden for you and your family to enjoy throughout the season and for years to come.

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Stylicious Home

http://www.stylicioushome.com/