Well it is now September, and the mornings are great aren’t they? It is now beginning to be the best time to plant trees and shrubs. It is a great time because the above ground temperatures are dropping and the below ground temps are still warm.

This helps plants get a jump on next spring because the roots still develope in the warm soil while the tops slow down in growth. Also, there are less winds and typically more moisture during this time of year, which of course reduces stress on newly planted shrubs and trees. You should be able to plant just about anything, including pansies, (which will last thru next May) mums, winter veggies (starts), most trees and shrubs.

There are a few exceptions: Palm trees might be better planted in the spring and summer, in order to get a good root establishment before the winter sets in.

Oleanders may experience some winter kill if planted too late in the season, especially the 1 gallon size. The larger sizes seem to suffer the least winter kill. This is usually for the the first winter, after that they will have even less winter or no winter kill as they age. Using a winterizer fertilizer with plenty of potash will help increase winter hardiness just about all shrubs and trees.

It is recommended for valuable plants that may suffer from winter damage. Use this product before October 30th. Don’t forget to use compost, peat moss, or soil builder and root stimulator on all plantings, and make sure plants have adequate water.

These tips are designed for the southwestern states and Chihuahuan desert.

Gary Guzman is the author of the above article.
You can read it online at: http://guzmansgreenhouse.com/seasons/septembergardentips.htm

Posted by admin as Internet Gardening at 1:40 AM CDT

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Have you ever walked by someone’s front garden and thought - what were they thinking? The mixture and variety of plants seems to make no sense and are placed haphazardly all over the place. Although you most definitely need to choose a variety of plant types and colors for your own garden layout, how do you know when you’ve gone too far? How do you keep your garden design focused, yet interesting at the same time?

Create a Theme

Before you even place a plant in the ground you should decide on a theme. Take a good look at your home style and your planting terrain, while also keeping in mind the climate in your area. A tropical theme may be something you greatly desire, but if you live in a very dry, arid climate, that’s going to be a tough garden to maintain.

Choose a Color Scheme

Once you decide on a general theme for your garden, you should think about color preferences. Although there is no hard and fast rule as to mixing plant colors, you will certainly want to avoid planting anything that clashes (much like if you were decorating a room). Hot climates are suitable for bold, strong colors, whereas a cool climate will tend to lean toward more muted, serene colors. Pastel colors will bring a restful feeling to your garden.

Choose Contrasting Plants

Keep texture in mind when choosing plants. Texture provides visual interest and appeal. Look at various leaf colors, shapes and sizes. A few things to look for are plants that have soft, feathery leaves, while some are spiky. There are plants that grow small, leathery leaves while others produce large glossy leaves. And of course, there are many plants that have colored leaves - usually in the purple, deep red or yellow ranges. It’s not just the flowers that you should be focusing on, but also the texture and variety of leaves that will also add appeal to your garden.

Pick Different Plant Types

Don’t just plant flowers. While you want to maintain the overall harmony of your garden, you should still include a variety of plant types such as small trees, evergreens, shrubs, ground covers, spring bulbs, perennials and annuals - perhaps even some climbing vines. The spring bulbs will start your garden blooming early, while annuals will add color until your perennials begin to bloom.

Stick With Plants That Require The Same Maintenance and Care

Nothing can be more of a hassle than trying to grow healthy plants that have different plant care requirements within the same area. For example, don’t plant something that requires a lot of sun and water with other plants that are drought-tolerant and only need partial sun. You would be surprised at how many people do this without thinking. Then they either over-water the plants that require minimal water… or they don’t water often enough for thirsty plants. In either case, one type or the other will eventually wither and die.

Hopefully the above suggestions will help those who aren’t quite sure how to go about planning their garden area and picking out suitable plants. Be sure to read the plant care labels carefully so that you can choose plants that suit each other for easy care. Take the time to look over gardening books and websites that have pictures of gardens to get a better idea on how you can coordinate your garden so that it looks wonderful too. Happy planting!

Rose Smith operates several websites including Gardens From Japan. From tea gardens to Zen rock gardens, we have free information on a variety of Japanese garden styles, including how to plan your landscape design, suggestions on what garden plants to choose, advice on garden accessories and more. Visit us at: www.GardensFromJapan.com

Posted by admin as Internet Gardening at 6:21 PM CDT

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No matter what your interests, you will find something in Florida to enjoy. Whether you like mouse ears and theme parks, the warm, sunny beaches or the exotic wildlife, Florida attractions are hard to beat. With an increasingly friendly business environment, Florida is also a great place to do business!

When most people think of Florida they think of sunshine, palm trees and fabulous winter vacations. What most people don’t realize is that Florida is also a great place to incorporate. If you own your own business or are considering starting one, you owe it to yourself to discover the benefits of a Florida corporation.

For starters, there is no personal income tax in the State of Florida. While regular corporations are subject to a 5.5% tax on federal taxable income over $5,000, if you incorporate your Florida business and elect S status you can have your cake and eat it too! Florida S corporations are NOT taxable entities and are therefore not required to file state income tax returns (except for the first year). The result is this: you can have the benefits of a corporation, and pay no tax! But there’s more:

Unlike most states, Florida does not have any minimum capital requirements. So if you are just starting out and don’t have a lot of money, you can still take full advantage of incorporating without having to put a lot of cash into your company. Some states require you to fund your corporation with at least $1,000 in capital. Not so in Florida.

Another good thing about incorporating in Florida is that it’s easy to do and you don’t have to involve a lot of different people. For example, while many states require you to have more than one director and a different person for each corporate officer, in Florida the Director, President, Secretary and Treasurer can all be the SAME person! This makes it easy for smaller businesses that want the benefits of a corporation without all the hassle.

Florida is increasingly becoming a “business friendly” state. It already has some of the lowest annual fees and corporate reporting requirements in the country. But here’s some even better news: The shareholders, directors and officers of a Florida corporation can remain anonymous if they so choose!

The Secretary of State of Florida does not require the names or addresses of shareholders, directors or officers to be listed in the articles of incorporation. Since the State does not keep a record of who owns or controls the corporation, you can conduct business in Florida with complete PRIVACY.

One of the first decisions a business owner must make after deciding to incorporate is selecting the proper state of incorporation. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer or standard, some states are better to incorporate in than others. Florida happens to be one of the better choices.

However, what’s right for some isn’t necessarily what’s right for everybody. If you are considering incorporating your business, then you owe it to yourself to examine all of the choices. Before making any legal or financial decision, always consult with an experienced and competent professional who knows you and your unique circumstances.

And be sure to mention Florida as one of the possible choices. Remember, Florida isn’t only for tourists: It’s for corporations too!

About The Author

Alex Goumakos is a CPA, business advisor and guest consultant of Active Filings LLC, a professional incorporating company that provides services in all US. (http://www.activefilings.com/). Alex can be reached by email at alex@activefilings.com. Get more free articles at http://www.activefilings.com/activenews/

Posted by admin as Internet Gardening at 8:20 PM CDT

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Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus)

A deciduous shrub from the Staff-Tree Family (Celastraceae)

The burning bush grows well in most areas of Solebury
Township,Bucks County Pa. Burning Bush, a non-native species
from China and Korea, has escaped from the ornamental plantings
into urban and rural areas. It travels by way of its seed. This
plant is found in forests and brushy areas. This vase-shaped
shrub has great red fall foliage, which glows for weeks in early
to mid-autumn. Burning Bushes can be sheared into hedges or
globes in landscape plantings. Hedges from burning bushes can be
very dense giving good screening even in the winter. If left
unpruned, the compact form of Burning Bush will grow to about 12
feet tall and 15 feet wide, and the winged form will grow to
about 15 feet tall and 20 feet wide. In our area it propagates
naturally in shaded areas. We obtain some of our stock from
seedlings we gather from a small farm cemetery on our property.
It even regrows after transplanting from the empty holes where
roots are exposed. Burning Bush is adaptable to a variety of
soil conditions. Fertile to sterile, organic to clay, acidic to
alkaline, rocky to sandy this plant proves its strenght. It does
not like wet soils, but does well in dry soils. Its small
fiberous roots are near the surface and responds well to root
pruning. Balling and burlapping this shrub does little damage
for the plant can take abuse and recover quickly. If you have a
brown thumb, then this plant is for you. You can see more of
Bill’s planting tips and articles at http://www.seedlingsrus.com
or http://www.zone5trees.com

Posted by admin as Internet Gardening at 10:39 PM CDT

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