PH in Soil

Plants receive their nutrients because organic matter is broken down by bacteria. (ph) is parts of hydrogen. Parts of hydrogen is measured in acidic and alkaline. The scale ranges are 0 to 14. The neutral range is 7.0. If the (ph) is too high the bacteria can not do it's job. The plants will not receive all the nutrients needed. You can adjust the (ph) if too high or too low. Dig in some dolomitic limestone if too high and if too low you can dig in peat moss.

Testing Soil

Testing the acidity or alkalinty in your soil is referred to as (ph). A ph meter can help achieve this by first digging a hole around 2 to 4 inches by using a trowel. Breaking up the dirt as you dig and removing any debris. Pour distilled water into the hole untill a puddle is formed at the bottom. Set ph meter probe down into the hole for one minute to get your soil reading.

Fertilizer

(eg. 13-0-13), as an example. These numbers stand for percentages. The first is (N) Nitrogen, Second is (P) Phosphate, Third is (K) Potash.

Nitrogen dissolves very quickly and can run off if ground is saturated with continous down pours of heavy rain.

The second number is phosphate. Phosphate tends to stay in the soil instead of running off.

The third number potash moves quickly like nitrogen, dissolves rapidly and moves fast to the root zone.

All purpose fertlizer works great, but after several years the phospate tends to build up which could be harmful to plants. It is recommended to test your soil to decide the percentages you need in the fertilizer that you buy if you have already been using all purpose fertilzer for several years.

Fertilizer

Pretty Crimson Mandevilla

Blooms from spring to fall. Flowers will be up to 3 inches across. Mandevilla are native to Tropical America. Vines will reach to 6 to 8 feet. Needs to be trellised for support. Use a well drained soil mix since these plants need watering regularly. Soil mix should have 2 parts peat moss to 1 part loam to 2 parts sand. Can be fertilized with 15-30-15 fertilizer. Bring indoors during winter months unless you live in USDA zone 10. Prefers full sun to light shade. While indoors during winter, keep temperature 50 degrees with bright indirect lighting.

Geranium

Has dense mounds of lobed leaves. These plants thrive in full or partial sun and make excellent border, rock garden or woodland plants. Protect from hot afternoon sun. This perennial originated in the Balkan Peninsula and blooms from late spring to mid- summer. Height is 4 to 6 inches and the width is 1 ft. Keep soil barely moist. During october cut plants back, bring inside and keep soil just moist enough to keep from drying out completely untill may, which the plants can be taken outside to be planted in gardens or in hanging baskets.

Celosia

Celosia is a small genus of edible or ornamental plants. Thrives in summer heat and blooms from summer to early fall. Plant seeds outdoors after the last frost. Have soil enriched with compost. The depth to plant is 0.125 inches. Cover seeds slightly and keep moist, until established. Effective when planted in masses or with other brightly colored flowers. Prefers full sun. These plants are also known as cockscomb and has plume like flowers. Transplant when the seedlins are large enough to handle. all forms can be planted 12 to 15 inches apart, dwarf forms planted 6 to 8 inches apart.

Celosia

Delphinium

Grown as annuals or biennials where summers are hot. Blooms single or double, their flowering spikes are dramaic accents in perennial border that make excellent cut flowers. You may plant seedlings in early spring, late summer, and early fall. Give rich well-drained soil and regular feeding for large flower spikes Likes full sun.

Heavenly Bamboo FirePower

Standard growth is two feet in height and two feet wide. The foilage is redtinged and emerges bright red during winter. Likes partial shade and needs little to regular watering. Likes fertile soil that is moist and well drained. Prefers full sun.

The Sky Pencil Holly takes little maintenance and has a narrow columnar shape that can be planted in rows or as an ornamental. Needs watering weekly and more often in extreme heat. Moderate growing from six to eight feet in height and two to three feet wide. Also, can be planted near entryways.

The Japanese Holly is described as a perennial tree or shrub and grows best during the spring and summer months in North America. Blooms during mid spring and can grow from three feet to fifthteen feet tall. Fruit is produced on female plants and pollen on male plants. It is good to plant both next to each other for pollunation, which can lead to more fruit. These ornamental berry plants can tolerate shade. Thrives in acid soil. The height is three to four feet and the width is six feet.

Sky Pencil Japanese Holly, Japanese Holly

Natures Landscape Colors

There are several to choose from when deciding what best suits your front or backyard setting. There are a variety of colors, textures and heights. These can brighting up anybody's yard. Petunias and Begonias to mention a few. These plants can be planted in groups or in hanging baskets. You can make a pretty landscape by planting in beds along a fence, walkway or have these surrounded by lawn. Begonias are bright and colorful and bloom continually. Often used as edging, begonias grow great in partial shade. Petunias like full sun to grow in. Frequently blooms during the summer. If not planted in groups, petunias can be in containers and placed in various places throughout the garden.