A benefit of growing in small containers is the fact that you can move them around to suit your needs. As long as the lighting is about the same, your plant shouldn’t mind the transition at all. Another benefit of . . . → Read More: Getting Started in Container Gardening]]> Sometimes, the urge to garden might be stomped out by other circumstances, such as living arrangements or space constrictions. If you live in an apartment, you can’t really operate a full garden.I think that one of the best solutions for thisproblem is to grow plants in containers. You can hang these, or just arrange them on your patio, window sill or balcony.

A benefit of growing in small containers is the fact that you can move them around to suit your needs. As long as the lighting is about the same, your plant shouldn’t mind the transition at all. Another benefit of the containers’ versatility is the fact that you can adapt it to simulate any environment depending on the type of soil you fill it with and where you place it.

If you are trying to make an aesthetically pleasing arrangement of containers and plants, you can adjust the containers to be at different heights by hanging them from the ceiling or placing them on supports. Hanging them will allow you to make the most of the space you have. This is called “vertical gardening”. If you pull it off right, you can make a very pleasing arrangement of plants while conserving your valuable space. One method of vertical gardening is the use of a wooden step ladder. If painted correctly, you can arrange all the plants on it in a beautiful, stylish cascade of color.

The maintenance of container plants takes slightly more time, since you have to water more often and go around to each individual container. However, the square footage for container plants is much less than that of an actual garden, so the time spent on maintenance and watering is more balanced. It is important that you don’t over-water your container plants, as this can be just as fatal to their health as under-watering.

When choosing containers for your plants, you may want to buy them all at once along with some extras in case they break or you add more plants later. You don’t want them to be all the same shape and size, but definitely the same style so that the compliment each other. Plastic containers are the best and require the least amount of watering, but if you want to stick with clay or earthen pots then you should line the inside with plastic. This helps it retain water more, as the clay will soak up water. And keep in mind that the size of the pot may ultimately constrict the roots of your plant so choose wisely!

Container gardening is a great way to add color and beauty to any space whether it be in an apartment because of necessity or a home just to bring some natural beauty from the outside in. If you write a list of all the plants you desire to have, you can do the necessary research to find out what size and shape of pots you should get. After that, it’s just a matter of arranging them in a way that works for the plants and your space. Happy gardening!

COUNTRY GARDENS covers new and unusual gardens from all different parts of the country. If you want to create a classic country garden, in all its colorful fragrant splendor, here is the place to look. Each issue covers intriguing people and their gardens, their inspiration, and detailed garden plans. It is also very easy to understand which makes it an . . . → Read More: Gardening Magazines]]> Spring is coming and where better to get new ideas for your garden than in magazines? But there are so many to choose from… where do you start? Here is a selection of gardening magazines that anyone interested in gardening can appreciate.

COUNTRY GARDENS covers new and unusual gardens from all different parts of the country. If you want to create a classic country garden, in all its colorful fragrant splendor, here is the place to look. Each issue covers intriguing people and their gardens, their inspiration, and detailed garden plans. It is also very easy to understand which makes it an asset to the novice gardener.

If you are looking for something to better your gardening skills, FINE GARDENING MAGAZINE is the right choice. This magazine offers beautiful designs, helpful tips and techniques, and advice on how to get the best results. Each issue provides detailed information on plants, tool reviews from editor and readers, and region-specific planting suggestions.

Once you’re ready for something more intense, it is time to graduate to GARDEN DESIGN. This magazine provides pictures that seem to jump off the page and is packed with color and style. It goes beyond just digging into the dirt and focuses on increasing the aesthetic value of your home through gardening. The pages are filled with ideas for outdoor living spaces, tips on cultivating rare breeds of plants, and updates on the best techniques.

Last but not least, for serious passionate gardeners, HOLTICULTURE MAGAZINE is the ultimate guide. The focus of this magazine is to not only inspire through pictures but also teach and enlighten. It has helpful gardening tips for both “green” and seasoned gardeners.

These are just a few of the great gardening magazines out there. Is there a particular magazine or website that you find useful? Leave a comment and tell us your favorite place for gardening needs and inspiration. We would love to hear from you!

Chapin Garden Club

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 9:30 a.m., Coffee; 10:00 a.m., Featured Speaker Registration: Open to members only. Contact Mary Lafond at (803) 345-1307 for more information about membership.

Ron Cowart and Bill Kunze will spend the morning with the Chapin Garden Club. Ron will address the following gardening topics:

• Use of fertilizer • Deer resistant plant list • Vegetable gardening • Planting in the shade • Eliminating weeds in the . . . → Read More: Upcoming Events]]> Bill and the Jungle Taming gang are very active in community activities around the Columbia area. They will be providing gardening information at a variety of events.

Chapin Garden Club

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
9:30 a.m., Coffee; 10:00 a.m., Featured Speaker
Registration: Open to members only.
Contact Mary Lafond at (803) 345-1307 for more information about membership.

Ron Cowart and Bill Kunze will spend the morning with the Chapin Garden Club. Ron will address the following gardening topics:

• Use of fertilizer
• Deer resistant plant list
• Vegetable gardening
• Planting in the shade
• Eliminating weeds in the lawn

Bill will speak about the new EPA regulations affecting homeowners living on bodies of water who wish to control weeds by the use of fertilizer. He will also discuss how Jungle Taming can help when a DIY project becomes too much to handle.

The Chapin Garden Club was organized in 1938 and became a Federated Garden Club in 1945. It is the community’s oldest volunteer organization and continues to be very active. Its purpose is to promote the love of gardening, protect our trees and flowers, and encourage civic beauty. This is carried out by maintaining the town’s entrance planters, library urns, and Carolina Fence Garden, by planting trees (19 to date) around the community, and participating in community-wide projects such as Community Service Day. The club also delivers flowers to residents of Generations each month.

Meetings are held the 4th Wednesday of each month in members’ homes where members conduct a business meeting and enjoy a wonderful garden-related program. Membership is open to any person in the greater Chapin area who has a love of gardening and wants to share it with the community.

Adaptive Gardening Seminar
Thursday, April 5, 2012
9:00 a.m.
Robert Mills Carriage House
Registration: (803) 296-2273

http://www.palmettohealth.org/body.cfm?id=3302&oTopID=3095

Bill Kunze of Jungle Taming will be the featured speaker for the spring Adaptive Gardening Seminar hosted by the Total Joint Center at Palmetto Health Richland. He and his colleagues will present a two-part program called “Gardening Solutions”:

• Build a Low Cost Raised Container Garden, Ron Cowart
• Adaptive Tools and Other Resources. Don McInnes

The Total Joint Center offers two free Adaptive Gardening Seminars each year — held in the Spring and Fall — on the grounds of the Historic Columbia Foundation’s Robert Mills House. The seminars feature gardening advice from the Richland County Master Gardeners Association and other gardening professionals. They are designed for those whose gardening may be limited by physical disabilities such as injury or arthritis. Gardening can become enjoyable again when using the right tools and techniques.

Midlands Plant and Flower Festival
Thursday through Sunday, April 19, 20, 21 and 22
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Thurs-Sat; 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sun
S.C. State Farmer’s Market
3483 Charleston Highway, West Columbia
Admission and parking: FREE

http://agriculture.sc.gov/content.aspx?ContentID=736

The Jungle Taming team will be available to discuss a variety of gardening and landscape topics. The Midland’s Spring and Flower Festival is a highly-anticipated four day event featuring agricultural and horticultural vendors from across the state. Visitors are encouraged to bring wagons for their purchases of plants, flowers and garden décor. The Festival offers products and information for both experienced and novice gardeners, and is held rain or shine.

Sparkleberry County Fair
Saturday, April 28, 2012
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sat.
Clemson Research Center, Two Notch and Clemson Roads, Columbia, SC
Admission: $5.00 per carload

At the Sparkleberry County Fair, the Jungle Taming team will challenge children and parents alike to identify the poison ivy plant from a group of similar plants. Instructions on how to safely eradicate the plant will also be provided. The Sparkleberry Country Fair features family-oriented amusement including an antique tractor show, a cow milking contest, carnival rides, petting zoo and more.

Palmetto Health Employee Discount Advantage Fair
Tuesday through Thursday, May 29, 30 and 31, 2012
Times and Locations:
Greystone Boulevard Administrative Offices, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Palmetto Baptist Hospital, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Palmetto Richland Hospital, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Open to Palmetto Health Employees Only

Jungle Taming, LLC, will be a featured vendor at the annual Palmetto Health Employee Discount Advantage Fair. Palmetto Health employees will have an opportunity to speak with a variety of businesses that offer discounts.

1. Water: Overwatering is a big issue. To check to make sure your plant actually . . . → Read More: House Plants]]> Many people think they cannot enjoy the beauty of a garden either because they do not have a “greeen” thumb or they just do not have the space because they live in an apartment or condo. The truth, however, is that many people can enjoy the benefits of plants by having just a few houseplants. They don’t require as much space, like trees and shrubs, and caring for them is fairly easy. There are just a few factors to worry about when caring for your indoor plants:

1. Water: Overwatering is a big issue. To check to make sure your plant actually needs water, try the finger test. Push your index finger into the soil and if the soil feels damp do not water yet. If you have a plant that requires a humid environment, grouping multiple plants can be grouped to create a microclimate. For an individual plant, you can place its pot inside a larger one and fill the gaps with stones or compose to keep in moisture.

2. Light: Most houseplants have very low light level requirements which make them ideal to grow inside. For example, sanserveria and aspidistra require hardly any sun and can be placed away from a window or in one that does not get sunlight. Check your plants label to determine its needs.

3. Temperature: Drastic fluctuations of temperature can be damaging to your houseplants. Many can survive cool or warm stable temperatures. However, be aware, if your plant likes warm temperatures, keep it away from any air conditioner vents in the summer!

4. Re-potting: Sometimes plants outgrow their homes and need to relocate, so as not to obstruct their growth. To check if your plant needs to upsize, turn it upside and lightly tap the pot to release the roots. This test is best done outside or somewhere you won’t mind sweeping up. If the roots are visible, it may be time to re-pot.

Indoor plants can add interest to your indoor decor and bring joy to the grower. If you just show them a little care, your plants will reward you a hundred times over. Hopefully these tips have helped and inspired you to try the art of gardening, no matter your space requirements or experience with plants!

Amy’s January . . . → Read More: Amy’s January Horticultural Tasks]]>

Fresh off the press is the new and updated January edition of Amy’s Horticultural tasks. Click on the link below for Amy’s January Tasks:

Amy’s January Horticultural Tasks

Amy’s December . . . → Read More: Amy’s December Horticultural Tasks]]> Fresh off the press is the new and updated December edition of Amy’s Horticultural tasks. Click on the link below for Amy’s December Tasks:

Amy’s December Horticultural Tasks

Bill’s . . . → Read More: Bill’s Trusted Businesses]]> We are happy to share with you trusted landscaping services, supplies and consultants we valuew in the Midlands area. Just click on the link below:

Bill’s Trusted Businesses