There is no reason why you can’t grow any vegetable you want in a container and this is the best time of year for dreaming. For example, my container is going to have an entire salad in it , complete with lettuce, basil and tomato.

The first thing I’m going to have to do is find suitable containers. I know I can grow a tomato in a green garbage bag holding six shovels of soil but unless I want to water it twice a day, I need a container that will hold at least twice that. I want a big container for my garden (twenty-four inches across is ideal) and clay will be a little too heavy to move around. Half whiskey barrels are ideal although a bit on the heavy side. I’m going to ensure there are at least three holes in the bottom for good drainage because vegetables really do not like to have wet feet.

If I had a wooden deck, I would put several bits of wood under the pot to keep it off the deck and prevent staining.

I am also going to fill my pots from top to bottom with an artificial soil mix like Pro-Mix.™ Remember you do not have to put anything in the bottom of the pot (like old clay pot shards or stones) to “help” the drainage. These supposed helpful bits only reduce the water movement according to modern soil science research.

The artificial soil will not compact like real garden soil (never, ever use real garden soil in containers as it turns to concrete after a month or so of watering).

When I feed my vegetable gardening container with liquid fish emulsion and compost tea on a weekly basis, it will produce salads all summer long.

Doug Green is an award winning garden author and his newsletter can be found at http://www.beginner-gardening.com and more information on container gardening at http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/container-gardening.html.

Some things to consider.

Backyard swimming pools have enjoyed a steady rise in popularity as a great way to cool off and relax in a private setting. A swimming pool can be a great focus for family, friends and entertaining. As great as owning a swimming pool can be there are things to consider if you’re thinking of “taking the plunge” and getting one installed for your home.

What kind of pool do you want?
You will need to decide if you want an above ground or an in-ground pool. Both have advantages and special considerations. Usually the main factor in this decision is cost. A perfectly fine above ground pool can be installed for under $1500 while an in-ground pool will cost at least 8 times as much depending on size and location. Appearance can be another factor. Generally speaking an in-ground pool is more attractive to most people than an above ground pool. Conversely, above ground pools are far more attractive than in years past. The look of fake wood slats and such is pretty much a thing of the past. Liner choices too are much wider and more attractive for an above ground pool than they used to be. Generally speaking, an above ground pool will cost less to operate. Because they hold less water they use smaller pumps and are a little easier on chemicals. Just for yucks consider an in-ground pool has a lifetime of up to forty years. The average above ground pool is in operation for about five years.

I want an in-ground pool, how about that?
In addition to the factors above an in-ground pool allows far more flexibility in design and options. Your budget is really the only limit on what you can do with an in-ground pool design. Negative edges, waterfalls, natural rock formations, swim in bars, attached spas, you name it and with enough coin of the realm you can have it. Even standard designs and forms can yield a very attractive backyard feature at a relatively reasonable price.

I’ve decided an above ground pool is the way to go.
Above ground pools have come a long way. Much improved wall designs and liners make them much less the eyesore that kept prospective buyers away. Add on decking, whether prefab or custom built, can make the above ground pool a very attractive focus for summer fun and for considerably less money. Pool accessory manufacturers have gotten the message and offer many products for above ground pools that used to be available only to in-ground owners; basket ball and volley ball games, solar blanket reels and even pool slides!

The nitty gritty
Installing a pool also has some serious considerations safety and liability being paramount. Most non-rural areas will require a building permit and mandate safety fencing for the pool area as well as limited access to the pool. Local ordinances vary so make sure you know what’s in place in your town. Wherever you live securing a pool from unauthorized entry should be a no-brainer.
Real estate values can also be an important consideration. Realty research shows that a pool is neutral factor in a home’s value. Potential buyers are about evenly divided on whether a pool is a good or bad thing in any given property. Research on the type of pool is sketchy but remember, an above ground pool is removable an in-ground is not.

Hopefully this will help in making a decision on the pool of your dreams. I can only hit the high points so make sure you do your homework and think carefully about your decision. Take your time, do it right and you’ll have a swimming pool that will pay big dividends in fun, relaxation and entertainment.

Rob “Dr. Duck” Coxworth

Tomatoes are without a doubt one of the most popular vegetables in the home garden, and for good reason. Homegrown tomatoes are very nutritious and much more flavorful than those bought from a store. Tomato plants will produce an abundance of fruit for the home gardener if they are properly planted and cared for.

Tomatoes require a fairly long growing season, and for this reason the seeds are typically planted indoors about six to eight weeks before they can be planted in the garden. The seeds can be sown 1/4″ deep in small pots or flats in a soil less potting mix or sterilized potting soil. It takes 7-14 days at a temperature of 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit for the seeds to germinate. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Placing plastic wrap loosely over the pots or flats will help maintain the humidity necessary for germination, but the plastic wrap must be removed once the seedlings sprout.

Bottom heat helps to speed the germination process. Garden centers and catalogs sell heating cables made just for this purpose, but you may also set the pots or flats on top of your water heater to take advantage of its warmth for germination.

As soon as the seedlings emerge, they should be moved to an area with full light, such as a sunny window or under grow lights. They should have light on them for about 12 hours a day and should be kept at a temperature of 70-80 degrees. Fertilize the seedlings with a water-soluble fertilizer when they’re about 3-4 weeks old, but dilute the fertilizer to about half the strength recommended on the label.

The little tomato plants will be accustomed to fairly steady and warm temperatures indoors, and planting them directly outside could come as quite a shock to them, especially when nighttime temperatures are still cool. About a week before it’s time to plant them in the garden, begin to gradually introduce them to outdoor conditions. This is called hardening off, and it simply involves moving the plants gradually to conditions more like what they’ll experience in the garden.

Start hardening them off by moving the plants to an enclosed porch for a day or two, then to a sunny spot outdoors that is protected from the wind. If the temperature threatens to take a drastic downward dip, bring the plants back indoors until it warms up outside again.

Tomatoes were originally found only in very warm climates. They don’t like to be cold and should not be planted outside until the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up. That’s typically late May or even early June here in northern Ohio.

The sooner tomatoes are planted outside, the sooner they will begin to produce ripe fruit, and there are a few tricks that make it possible to plant tomatoes in the garden a bit earlier.

The garden soil may be warmed up by covering it with clear or white plastic for a few days. The little tomato plants will be much happier with their roots in warm soil. Once the plants are in the garden, the foliage can be protected from a light frost by covering the plants with plastic gallon jugs that have their bottoms removed, or with plastic or fabric sheets placed over the plants. Suspend this over the plants using wire hoops so the plastic or fabric doesn’t touch the foliage.

When you are ready to transplant your tomato seedlings into the garden, be sure to choose a spot for them that gets full sun for at least 8 hours a day. Dig a hole for each plant that is large enough to easily accommodate all of the roots. Before transplanting, water the plants while they are still in the pot. This not only helps prevent transplant shock, but it also makes it easier to slip the plant from the pot.

Tomato plants will grow roots from any part of the stem that is buried beneath the soil, so the plants will benefit from being planted deeply, up to the first set of leaves. If the plants have spent too much time in pots and have become leggy, they may be planted in furrows with their too-long stems laid in the furrow and gently buried with soil. This will help the plants develop a strong root system while preventing the long stem from breaking.

Fill in the planting hole with soil, pressing the soil in firmly to eliminate air pockets. Then give the plants a good drink of water, thoroughly soaking the soil around them.

If you plan on staking or trellising your tomato plants, they can be planted about 2-3 feet apart. Plants that will be allowed to sprawl on the ground will need more room and should be planted 4-6 feet apart.

If the soil is still a bit cool, your white or clear plastic may be placed on the ground beneath the plants to warm the soil. Once warmer temperatures have settled in, this plastic should be removed to avoid burning the foliage with reflective heat.

It is important to keep tomato leaves up off the soil to help prevent soil-borne diseases from attacking the plants. This can easily be done by applying straw mulch around the plants. But straw mulch should only be applied once the soil has warmed up above 70 degrees. If the mulch is laid down while the soil is still cool, it will keep the soil from warming up as it should, your tomato plants will suffer from cold feet and won’t produce as well as they could.

Planting your tomatoes properly is an important step toward a bountiful harvest of sweet, juicy fruit. In another article we’ll discuss how to trellis and prune tomato plants to increase your harvest.

Kathy Anderson has been an avid gardener for many years and has grown tomatoes by the acre, along with many other vegetables, flowers and landscape plants. Kathy recommends http://www.freeplants.com as a great place to learn more about gardening. Article provided by http://gardening-articles.com.

In this article we’re going to reveal the gardener’s most hated weeds. You may or may not agree with this list.

One thing most gardeners agree with is that weeds are annoying at best and downright nasty at worst. So what are the gardener’s most hated weeds?

Annual bluegrass is at the bottom of the top ten list but it’s still a tough nut to crack. It rears its ugly head in the fall and then really grows like a weed (no pun intended) in the spring. This stuff really crowds out your grass. You’re going to need pre-emergent to keep this from taking over your lawn come springtime.

Coming in at number 9 is wild onion. This weed grows from bulbs that have an onion like odor. It usually grows in clumps and has round hollow leaves. Best way to get rid of this thing that grows in the spring is to hand dig it out to get to the bulbs.

Coming in at number 8 is crabgrass. This grass grows very fast and in very large clumps. It pops up in the spring and continues to grow all through the summer. You’ll need a pre-emergent for this in the spring and then a product made for crabgrass control in the summer.

In the number 7 position is Ragweed. This is actually part of the sunflower family and can really make you sneeze plenty. This pretty much grows everywhere, anytime. Best to hand pull this one before it flowers and starts to seed.

At number 6 is spotted spurge. This grows very low and has tiny leaves. In the summertime it produces small pink flowers and will spread all over your lawn. It is best to hand dig this with a trowel and use weed killer.

Coming in at number 5 is purslane. This thing can take over a flower bed or lawn in no time flat. It grows low and has yellow flowers. Hand dig this one with a trowel and use broadleaf weed killer to keep it under control.

At number 4 we have poision ivy. This one is easy to spot by its three leaflets. It starts out red and turns green as it matures. Poison ivy is just about everywhere. Use something made for poision ivy. Don’t hand pull.

In the number 3 spot is clover. This comes in red and white and some people actually plant it on purpose. What it does is actually crowd out your grass and it attracts bees. A granular weed killer is best to get rid of clover.

One spot from the top is plaintain. Plaintain grows close to the ground and its thick oval shaped leaves can crowd out your grass in a hurry. You can hand pick this one but make sure you get it by the roots. A broadleaf weed killer will usually take care of this one.

And finally, coming in at number 1 is dandelion. This is a perennial weed that is found just about everywhere. And while they may have been fun to pick as children they are no fun for gardeners. These things can literally overrun your garden or lawn in no time flat. Hand picking these is useless because the roots are so deep. Best way to get rid of these is with spot treating and a broadleaf weed killer.

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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Gardening
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Deciding on throwing a pool party and need to decide what you need to get for your great party? First you need to start out with your invites, you can either find pre made ones or make them yourself. If you want to go to some extra trouble you can cut your invites to look like a pool, or even find some swimming stickers to add to your invite. You need to make sure that you place on the invite that they are to come dressed for the pool party, or that they can change at your house.

The next thing is to make sure that you’re pool is taken care of, cleaned and nothing is wrong with it. You’ll also want to clean up your backyard, make it presentable for everyone that is coming to your party. After that you’ll be able to start decorating. Of course you need to decide what kind of party you’re going to have, from just fun get together with the pool or games and more. There are some great games you can get to play, from water volleyball to diving for items on the bottom of the pool.

If you want to do some pool party favors you can find some keep canvas bags and things that your guests can decorate with. You can even buy two-dozen large balls to float in the pool, or even some rubber ducks that people can take home with them.

Anything is possible for a party like this, but make sure you have someone watching the pool at all times. Even if you have a few people that have been asked to trade off watching the pool, but make sure that they know whose turn it is to watch. Other then that it’s your goal is to make sure that people are going to be safe around the water and have fun.