How To Grow And Handle Fresh Herbs From Your Garden Beds Or Your Container Garden. ( Aerogarden)

Aerogarden

In any recipe calling for herbs, use fresh herbs. Preparing the herbs for your dish is easy. The more tender herbs like mint, parsley, basil and cilantro can be gathered in a bowl and snipped with scissors. This is the fastest and safest way to chop the herbs. If your recipe calls for the more hardy herbs like oregano, rosemary, or thyme you should use the stripping method. Hold a branch of the herb upright in your fingers and run the fingers of your other hand down the stalk stripping the tiny leaves free. The flavor will be more intense if you have gathered the herbs from your herb gardens or container gardens because they will be absolutely the freshest herbs available.

The best way to have fresh herbs is to plant and grow them yourself. No longer is there a designated “herb garden”. They can be found in your flower beds, along walkways or in pots on your porch. Many ambitious gardeners are finding new ways to incorporate herbs into their garden beds and their container gardens.

Many gardeners are unaware of the beauty of flowering herbs and never consider planting them within their flower beds. Some herbs that have beautiful flowers are purple coneflower, catmint, bee balm, yarrow, pinks, lavender, pot marigold, borage, feverfew, and nasturtium which is particularly lovely in fresh salads.. Many other herbs, such as parsley are excellent next to flowers of all sorts because of their spectacular foliage. When planting red or blue flowers, place purple basil around them for an artful arrangement.

Another area to consider is to use herbs as ground cover. The herbs that are suitable to this are the low growing oregano, chamomile, woolly and other creeping thyme, mint, and rosemary. Not only will it look pretty but it will be absolutely fragrant. Just be careful of the mint family, they tend to take over everything.

One of the best ways I have grown herbs is in containers. In fact, I like container gardening so much I wrote my eBook “Container Gardening Secrets” (available at ContainerGardeningSecrets.com), so everyone could enjoy this type of gardening. The beauty of a container garden is that it is portable and can be changed at a moment’s whim. When there is no more room in your garden, start a container garden which you can place on your door step or patio. Use them to fill in bare spots that come up during the gardening season or put them on a sunny window sill in your home for easy harvesting. Best of all you can bring your herb containers inside over the winter months and continue to harvest for months to add to your tasty meals or to be used for medicinal purposes.

Another way to employ pots in your garden is to plant invasive herbs such as mint into a pot and then plant pot and all into the ground. This is an easy trick to keep those “creepers” from taking over your garden beds.

Plant a container garden near your door with the cherry pie scented blue flower heliotrope and other fragrant herbs such as rosemary, thyme and basil. Every time you walk by you will be greeted with there delicious scent.

Some herbs that have grown on rocky hillsides over the centuries such as thyme, oregano and lavender are perfect for cracks in flag stone paths or walls and rock gardens. They thrive in hot dry areas with good drainage. Some believe that those herbs grown in these conditions produce much better flavor.

Now is the time to plant your herbs, whether it is in a garden bed, a cracked wall or a container garden. Use your imagination. Consider color height and texture when planting your gardens. Not only will it be visually pleasing but your cooking will improve too!

Happy Gardening!

Copyright © 2006 Mary Hanna All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

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Garden Design: How To Choose And Place Garden Art In Your Backyard. (Aerogarden)

Aerogarden

Your backyard should relax and refresh you, but it should also delight you! Choosing garden art that reflects your personality and makes you feel good is an important key to creating the ultimate backyard.

Art can mean many things to many people but basically there are 3 types:

1. Formal Art

Think larger stately pieces that you see in more traditional backyards, like a classic sculpture of a Greek goddess or a stone angel. Heavy iron garden ornaments like obelisks and sundials also work well with most backyard landscape designs.

These pieces create an old-world feel and lend a sense of drama to the yard. Others might include columns, carved fountains, birdbaths, and classical architectural salvage.

2. Semi-formal

This is the most popular type because it suits so many styles of backyards. It‘s more relaxed in theme, a little more nostalgic and decorative.

For example, light hearted sculptures of animals or children in concrete, resin or bronze, contemporary metal sculptures of flowers and insects, stained glass stepping stones, artistic birdhouses, and hand painted garden pots, copper wind chimes.

3. Informal Art

I call this art “your imagination gone wild”. Everyday objects are placed in the garden to create art that is fun, whimsical, and even campy.

I‘ve seen all kinds of items used as garden décor like: old rubber boots planted with flowers, a nostalgic wire bedroom headboard , an antique window frame, an old-fashioned bathtub, a dressmaker’s dummy, and fancy china plates.

Remember that the type of art you choose should be in keeping with the feel of your backyard but it should also be an expression of you.

The most important thing is that you should feel some emotional attachment to your garden art.

Tips for placing Garden Art

In the garden, art becomes a focal point. Your eye is naturally drawn to it and it commands your attention. So where you place it is important. Put garden art:

• In a boring, bare part of the yard to add interest and stimulate conversation

• At the end of a path to add drama

• In any area to add comic relief. I have a cute bronze frog lying on a back on a lily pad beside my waterfall and pond.

• In front of an ugly spot to hide dead patch

• Directly in line with an unwanted view of the neighbour’s yard to create privacy

• On a wall or fence to visually break up the long monotonous line. I have a beautiful concrete painted face hanging on one part of my fence and a mirror hanging on another to add interest.

• In front of a colourful burst of foliage to punctuate the space. My classical white bird bath looks gorgeous just in front of my huge pink rose bush

• Hidden behind some greenery so it just peeks out a little to create a feeling of antiquity. This will put plants in the spotlight.

• Within the frame of a beautiful view to enhance the view even more. My backyard is on the lake and the view is made even more beautiful by a large fountain of Poseidan the sea God that we have made part of the view.

• In a rock garden to create feeling of garden gallery. The rocks are natural pedestals for the art and create a wonderful playground for eye to bounce around in and land on art.

Don’t forget about the view from inside. Take a look out your window to see where you might place art so that it draws you out into the backyard.

Finally, less is more. Too much garden art will make your backyard look junky. All you need is a few interesting pieces to personalize your backyard and give it a sense of place.

Deborah Boland © 2006 All Rights Reserved

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AeroGrow Featured in Holiday Gift Guide Segments on National TV and in High-Profile Publications and Websites.(Aerogarden)

Aerogarden

AeroGrow International, Inc. (AERO) ("AeroGrow" or the "Company"), makers of the AeroGarden® kitchen garden appliance, announced that they have recently been featured in top Holiday Gift Guides on television, in print and online.

On November 27, 2007, the AeroGarden aired on "The Today Show" segment "Countdown to Christmas: The Holiday Gift Guide for Every Price Range" with Allyson Waterman, of Lucky Magazine. Within two weeks, the AeroGarden appeared a second time on "The Today Show" in their segment "12 Fun (and Slimming) Gifts" with nutrition authority, Joy Bauer, on December 10, 2007. "The Today Show" has been the highest-rated, most-watched morning news and talk show in the world since December 1995 and recently registered more than 6 million daily viewers, a million more than the next highest-ranked morning show.

The AeroGarden was also featured as a great gift on "In the Loop with iVillage," a television and online media production, on December 4, 2007. A division of NBC Universal, iVillage is the number one online destination for women, exceeding 17 million unique visitors per month.

On December 17, 2007, the AeroGarden will be featured on "The Tyra Banks Show" in a cooking demonstration with celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito. "The Tyra Banks Show" is a daily, nationally syndicated talk show hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks, one of TIME Magazine's 100 "People Who Shape Our World" in 2006 and 2007. Check your local listings for dates and times which are subject to change.

The AeroGarden has also been featured in top Holiday Gift Guides both in print and online, including:

--  The New York Post featured the AeroGarden in the "Kitchen Tools"
   section of their online Holiday Gift Guide.
--  New York Magazine featured the AeroGarden as a great gift for "hobby-
   loving grandparents" in their online gift guide.
--  The Rocky Mountain News/Denver Post featured the AeroGarden Pro100 in
   their Holiday Gift Guide. The article stated that "if you have a black
   thumb, no space for an outdoor garden or a hankering for homegrown produce
   on those bleak winter days, this clever Boulder-born invention could be
   your new best friend."
--  The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) featured the AeroGarden in a
   holiday gift article on November 28, 2007. The Plain Dealer is Ohio's
   largest daily newspaper with over 778,000 readers daily and more than 1
   million on Sundays.
   

About AeroGrow International, Inc.

Founded in 2002 in Boulder, Colorado, AeroGrow International, Inc. is dedicated to the research, development and marketing of the AeroGarden®, the world's first kitchen garden appliance. The AeroGarden features NASA-proven, dirt-free aeroponic technology, allowing anyone to grow farmer's market fresh herbs, salad greens, tomatoes, chili peppers, strawberries and more, indoors, year-round, so simply and easily that no green thumb is required. See www.aerogrow.com.

CONTACTS:

Corporate
John Thompson
AeroGrow International, Inc.
(303) 444-7755
Email Contact

Investor
Budd Zuckerman
Genesis Select Corporation
(303) 415-0200
Email Contact

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AeroGarden - Aerogrow AeroGarden - AeroGarden Reviews.(Aerogarden)

Aerogarden

Everybody says when kids grow vegetables they're more likely to eat them. But not every parent has the time or patience to maintain a garden or involve their kids in the process.

Enter the AeroGarden.

This nifty indoor gardening system uses hydroponics, rather than dirt, to nourish the plants. It uses full-spectrum light bulbs, rather than the sun, to help them grow. But at around $150, is it worth the money?

The Pros

First let me say I'm a huge fan of the AeroGarden. When they first came out a few years ago, I got one for my then 8-year-old. We both enjoyed watching the cherry tomatoes grow from little sprouts to full-grown, thriving plants.

I also felt it taught both of us how to successfully grow plants from seeds to fruit. We didn't have to wait months to watch the seeds grow into little sprouts. It happens in just two weeks with the AeroGarden.

And we didn't have to water, fertilize, or, in my case, pray, the plants would actually produce fruit. (Yes, I have the only "black thumb" in my family -- a real sore subject, since I come from a long line of farmers.)

We discovered the importance of pollination (you have to do that by hand since there are no bees indoors). And we liked the fact that the system reminds you when to water and add nutrient tablets.

A Great Way to Get Kids Interested in Food

It also got everyone in the family interested in what we were growing, which is part of the idea for kids. Even my then four-year-old couldn't wait to try a yellow cherry tomato as soon as it was ready.

Top Customer Support

The customer support is fabulous. Really A+. As a totally ignorant gardener, I had some questions and concerns about trimming back the plants (how could I cut them when I'd never been able to grow anything before!). They patiently walked me through it. We also ran into a problem with our pump when we did our second planting (peppers), and they immediately resolved it.

The Cons

Price is definitely a drawback. At around $150 for the basic system, this is an expensive purchase.

I could definitely see it for classrooms (although kids would have to be taught that vegetables don't grow nearly as fast under normal, outdoor circumstances). But I'm not sure it should take the place of a say, a new bike, or a doll house on a child's birthday list.

On the other hand, it's a gift that definitely keeps giving. You can expect to enjoy fruit from your AeroGarden for 4 to 6 months. That's longer than most kids play with their hot new toys anyway.

Don't Expect to Get What's Pictured on the Box

The yield isn't necessarily what is pictured on the box or in the commercials -- at least not in our experience. Although our AeroGarden was lush and green for six full months, we didn't get more than two or three tomatoes at a time. My visions of making homemade tomato sauce every week never came to be.

On the other hand, our experience with the peppers was quite the opposite. We got tons of peppers at once -- almost too many. I mean, really, how much salsa can you make?

Bright Lights, Big Garden

The lights are bright! It wasn't an issue for us, since we keep the AeroGarden far from where we sleep, but I've heard some people say it keeps them up at night, especially if they live in an apartment.

The Bottom Line

In sum, I wouldn't want to give up our AeroGarden. I can't wait to try strawberries, salad greens and Italian herbs.

But I wouldn't necessarily run out and buy it for a child either. Some of the kids I know are only interested in food in terms of making cookies or decorating pumpkins. Other kids, like my 15-year-old cousin, have knife skills that rival (okay surpass) my own, and would find tons of ways to enjoy the AeroGarden.

As with any gift, keep the recipient in mind. If the parents will enjoy it as much as the kids, it's probably worth it. But if price is a concern, get some seeds from the local nursery instead.

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Indoor Hydroponics Systems - Your Key to Year Round Fresh Vegetables.(Aerogarden)

Aerogarden

Growing vegetables (Aerogarden) year round can be a challenge in most of the US. The winter months won't support any type of outdoor gardening in most of the US, and in the southern states many types of vegetables ( Aerogarden ) won't survive the summer heat and drought.

But growing vegetables indoors ( Aerogarden ) can be a real challenge as well. Proper lighting is always an issue, as most vegetables want 8 hours or more of sunlight a day. Of course many vegetables such as corn or large vining plants like cantaloupe are just not practical even if you could create enough lighting to support them.

But it's not at all out of the question to grow small leafy vegetables for salads, and many herbs can be grown indoors as well. These generally are not heavy feeders, so they are also well suited for a hydroponics system ( Aerogarden ).

One of the more popular systems ( Aerogarden ) for growing container vegetables indoors is the Aerogrow Aerogarden system. It includes room for several seed pods and a built in adjustable height grow light. With a microprocessor based controller, the flow of nutrients in the hydroponics system and the timing of the grow lights are optimized for the specific type of plant that you are growing at the time. By varying the height of the grow light as the plants increase in size, you are able to maintain the optimum growing conditions for weeks at a time.

Another advantage to the Aerogarden indoor garden system is the variety of seed types available for the system. You can grow a variety of lettuce, spinach, cherry tomatoes, herbs, chili peppers and even petunias. With this large a variety of plants, some folks find they need more than one hydroponic system to keep up.

But there are a handful of things to watch for when you are growing vegetables indoors...

To learn more about the Areogarden system (or Areogarden as some spell it), take a look at our Aerogarden review at http://howtogardenguide.com to see videos of the Aerogarden in action.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J_Ruppel

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AeroGrow AeroGarden Hydroponics Kit Review - Indoor Hydroponics for the Rest of Us.(Aerogarden)

Aerogarden

Looking for something different for a gift for your gardener? Or something for the cook in your life. It's not often that something completely novel shows up in the world of gardening, but the Aerogrow Aerogarden Indoors Hydroponics kit is something new, that uses technology that did not exist ten or fifteen years ago, and at one point was actually featured in Time magazine.

The Aerogrow system is a completely self contained hydroponics system. Hydroponics is a soil-less system, in which the plant's root system actually grow in enriched or fertilized water. Because the Aerogarden is a soil-less hydroponic system, it eliminates a lot of the mess associated with indoor container gardens. There is also no risk of soil-borne diseases or pests when using a hydroponics unit.

The Aerogrow Aerogarden kit includes not only the hydroponics system, complete with a computer controlled pump, but a built in adjustable grow light as well. Because of this level of automation, you can set the system up and not bother it for up to two weeks. It includes seed sets for many different types of plants. Ranging from herbs to to salad fixings to small vegetables there are seed kits for many different types of vegetables. You simply set the computer control for the type of seeds you have selected, and you are set to go.

Because this is an indoor hydroponic unit, the Aerogrow system can be used year round. Harvesting herbs and vegetables in the middle of winter is not a problem, and it can be used indoors in the heat of the Southwest summers to keep a supply of vegetables that would normally wilt that far south.

How well does the this indoor hydroponic system work? To learn more you can go to our complete Aerogrow Aerogarden Hydroponic System review along with time lapse videos of the assembly and operation of the unit at How to Garden Guide

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J_Ruppel

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