Cold Hardy Avocado


Whether on the deck or inside by a window, the Cold Hardy Avocado Tree offers dual functionality: it's a resilient plant on the patio and a reliable producer of fruit in the kitchen.
Able to withstand frigid temperatures as low as 18 degrees, from Green Bay to Tampa Bay, the Cold Hardy Avocado lives up to its name. Producing an abundant yield of fruit for more than half the year, in colder climates, just bring it in during winter months and watch your tree continue to grow.

You can get the molds from Amazon.
via : Avocado

How To Build a Flower Tower



Add architectural beauty to your landscape with this simple project. This flower tower adds a beautiful, unusual touch to any garden or patio.

MATERIALS

4-foot galvanized wire fencing with 2-inch x 4-inch openings
6-inch black zip ties
via : gardenclub

How To Build a Planter & Outdoor Light Feature


MATERIALS

How to grow basil

Planting Basil : Although basil grows best outdoors, it can be grown indoors in a pot and, like most herbs, will do best on an equator-facing windowsill. It should be kept away from extremely cold drafts, and grows best in strong sunlight, therefore a greenhouse or row cover is ideal if available. They can, however, be grown even in a basement, under fluorescent lights

Watering : Ensure that your basil plants receive approximately 1 1/2 inches of water per week.

Soil : Basically any fertile soil will grow Basil.

Harvesting basil is important, not only to promote the growth of new stems but to ensure that the plant does not flower too early. Once the herb starts to flower it will stop producing new leaves and the existing leaves may become slightly bitter to taste. If you are growing basil outdoors make sure to harvest all the leaves before the first frost, or transplant it indoors so that your crop is not lost.

Plant near : Most garden crops, Basil improves the flavor and growth of garden crops (especially tomato and lettuce), it repels flies and mosquitoes.

Keep away from : Rue

Diseases : Fusarium wilt will quickly kill younger basil plants. Seedlings may also be killed by Pythium damping off, gray mold can cause infections post-harvest and is capable of killing the entire plant, Black spot can also be seen on basil foliage,

Basils varieties commonly sold in the USA : African blue basil, Anise basil, Camphor basil, Cinnamon basil, Dark opal basil, Globe basil, Hoary basil, Holy Basil , Spice Basil, Lemon basil, Lettuce leaf basil, Purple basil, Queen of Siam basil, Rubin basil.

How to Build a Patio

Most patios take time, and days of effort, to build. But a small, detached patio like the one pictured here comes together quickly with minimal effort.

Think of the possible uses for this circle of bricks. You can tuck it into a perennial border. Or place it in a remote corner of your garden, where you can linger at day's end over a glass of wine, or on Sunday morning with a latte while perusing the papers.

Forcing tulip bulbs in water


Forcing tulips in water is a fun, easy, and a unique way to present tulips that most people have not seen before. I think showing the natural beauty of the bulb is a pure, modern, and minimalist approach to floral design. Give it a try.
You can get the instructions from Here.

Brick edging for your flower beds


If you want a maintenance-free way to prevent your lawn from encroaching on your flower beds. And don't have to worry again about mulch or decorative stone in your flower bed working its way into your lawn. Here are the steps you can take to achieve this attractive and fairly inexpensive border.

Beautiful Pallet Planter


add some visual interest to your patio with an old pallet and some terra cotta

How To Make a Planter Box From wood


This 3½-foot-tall box, is an especially easy project, taking only a few hours to build. Just buy a ready-made redwood window box at the nursery and attach sturdy legs. Then all you have to do is fill it with soil and plant.

The Best Way To Grow Corn

When to Plant : Extremely frost sensitive, corn planted in soils cooler than 55 degrees (65 for super-sweet varieties) fails to germinate or has very poor germination. Direct-sow only after night temperatures are consistently in the 50s. Plant in blocks of at least 3 rows, at least 3 feet long apiece, to ensure best pollination. Hand-pollinate by gently shaking plants toward one another if you cannot devote this much space.

Watering : Requires ample water especially during fruiting -- up to 2 inches per week.

Pest Problems : Birds and raccoons, Japanese beetles. Corn earworms.

Fertilizing : Corn is unique in that it grows above ground. This enables the gardener to fertilize by side dressing, applying a band of organic granular fertilizer directly to the soil surface around the base of the plant. Apply according to rates indicated on package before fruit set.