Pony Of Prey Blog

During the recent times there has been a constant increase in the number of people buying a fire pit so as to decorate their backyards or patios. However, the fact is that you need to spend huge amounts of money towards buying a really sophisticated fire pit that will be used only once in a month or once in 6 months. It is quite easy to build an outdoor fire it all by yourself by using outdoor fire pit do it yourself (DIY) method. You do not require any complicated set of instruments or any expensive materials in order to build a fire pit.

In a outdoor fire pit do it yourself method, all that is required is a permission letter from local fire authorities that indicates that building a fire pit in the backyard is allowed as per state ordinances. The place where you want to build a fire pit must be located atleast 12′ away from any flammable articles such as furniture, wooden doors or fences. Also, there should not be any trees and electrical wires around the fire pit. Dig a hole using a shovel. Now, provide a brick or stone lining using a mortar on the entire perimeter of the hole so as to stop falling of soil into the fire. Finally, fill the hole with cement up to 2inches height and allow it to dry. Once dried, the fire pit is ready to use.

Viburnum

Viburnum make up a genus of more than 150 species. They are the perfect tree or shrub for many gardens. The blooms on Viburnum, sometimes fragrant, can range from a snow-white to creamy pink in color. Berries of the Viburnum have been recognized in blues, reds, oranges and yellows. Viburnum is a species of evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous shrubs and sometimes large trees. Somewhat interesting are the many different leaf textures of the Viburnum. From leathery to glossy to variegated, there are many choices available to find the right Viburnum for your garden.

The Viburnum shrub is excellent for a shrub border and woodland gardens. The berries attract beneficial wildlife to a garden setting. Viburnum branch and leaf structure can make for a safe place for birds to nest.

Almost all Viburnum grow well in any moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade and adapt very well to a large variety of environmental conditions. Insect resistance of Viburnum is remarkable. Viburnum make an excellent choice for the busy gardener because of the low maintenance of these shrubs and trees.

Listed below are several Viburnum species and cultivars:

●Korean Spice Viburnum - Viburnum carlesii

A deciduous shrub that is ideal for spaces with only three or four feet of planting area. In spring Korean Spice Viburnum is covered with pink fragrant flower clusters the size of grape fruits. The standard form of Korean Spice Viburnum is a good intermediate landscape plant as it only grows five to six feet high with an equal spread. Its dull green foliage turns bright scarlet in the fall. Zones 5-8.

●Mohawk Viburnum - Viburnum x ‘Mohawk’

Mohawk Viburnum is covered in spring with amazing scarlet-red flower buds that last for several weeks finally revealing wonderfully fragrant white flowers. Mohawk Viburnum is a compact, rounded, deciduous shrub with dark green leaves that turn orange-red in autumn. Remarkably resistant to bacterial leaf spot and powdery mildew. Zones 5-8.

●Cranberry Viburnum - Viburnum trilobum

Also known as the American Cranberry Bush, this viburnum is a native bush that produces edible red berries in autumn, which are perfect for making jelly, but be sure to harvest before the birds as they consider the berries a delicacy. Yellow to red foliage in fall. Matures to a height of 15′ by 12′ width.

●Tea Viburnum - Viburnum setigerum

The Tea Viburnum is a deciduous, bushy, upright viburnum shrub growing into a somewhat vase-like shape. This viburnum exhibits dark blue-green leaves. Flat-topped cymes present white flowers which are followed by bright reddish-orange berries Zones 5-7.

●Judd Viburnum - Viburnum x juddii

The Judd Viburnum is a rounded deciduous viburnum shrub with dark green leaves that sometimes turn red in autumn. Its’ pink flower buds open to reveal strongly fragrant white snowball-type flowers with just a tinge of pink. Matures to a height of 4′ by 5′ feet width. Zones

Visit our Plant Nursery for great deals on Pink Dogwood trees and Japanese Magnolia trees.

Most people would think of fall as a season when trees are changing colors and dying. For many, the autumn leaves are our last dance with color before the dark, gray winter sets in. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Fall flowers can offer a splash of rebirth and color in a season otherwise known for falling leaves.

Bulbs are living plants and contain their own storage of food. They are quite self-sufficient and will strive to bloom, no matter when or where they are planted. Fall flower bulbs are planted in the spring or summer and flower in the early fall. Some examples are lilacs, colchicums, and saffron crocuses. The colchicums are extremely unusual in that they will bloom without being planted, though they do need soil to develop roots.

When selecting fall flower bulbs, you should look for bulbs that are firm and free of visible defects. If you desire large flowers, buy large bulbs. Small bulbs will produce smaller flowers.

Most fall flower bulbs cannot survive the winter. These have to be dug up each fall and stored until planting time. Bulbs should be stored in a cool, dry place. A dry basement is ideal. If you do not have a basement, a dark, unheated closet or utility room will also work.

For individual planting directions, use your package. Most bulbs grow best in well-drained, loose soil. Standing water or excessively moist soil will cause bulbs to rot. Do not plant bulbs at the bottom of a hill.

Bulbs should be planted six to eight inches in the soil. Cover and pack firmly. After planting, water your bulbs thoroughly. Water them occasionally, and they should bloom in early autumn.
Flower Bulbs provides detailed information on wholesale, discount, spring, summer, and fall flower bulbs for sale, flower bulb catalog and company information, and advice on planting flower bulbs. Flower Bulbs is the sister site of Flower Delivery Web.

Flower Meanings & History
The charming and delicate beauty of flowers has fascinated people of all nations and backgrounds for centuries. Flowers have been bred and cultivated for their decorative beauty as well as their ability to heal diseases. Flowers are the subject of poems and myths, and religious symbols are associated with flowers as well. Many girls are named after flowers. The main reason for the popularity of flowers though is their ability to bring good cheer.

For all fellow lovers and admirers of flowers here is some background information about flowers. This will help give your flower gift giving and buying a greater context.

Asters
There are over 600 species of asters, the most popular being the Monte Casino. Ancient societies believed that the odor of its leaves, when burnt, drove away serpents. While this might not be as applicable today, perhaps its connotation is still relevant: Giving asters means, “I am not sure whether you have been faithful to me”. Be careful who you send asters to!
Meanings: charming, patience

Bells of Ireland
Although the name suggests these flowers come from Ireland, they originated in western Asia. Bells of Ireland have a spicy/peppery scent and are part of the mint family. They stand for good luck.
Meanings: good luck, whimsy

Carnations
Turn of the century dandies would not leave the house without a white or red carnation in the buttonhole of their suit. With the end of this tradition and the fact that carnations are so easily cultivated and grown, the flower has lost some of its popularity. However, carnations are not only beautiful and long lasting flowers, they also send a message: When you receive a red carnation bouquet, it means, “My heart aches for you” and when you receive white carnations the sender is saying: “I am still available.”
Meanings: fascination, devoted Love

Chrysanthemum
Imagine, chrysanthemums have been cultivated in Chinese gardens for almost 3000 years! The name chrysanthemum comes from the Greek chrysos (gold) and anthos (flower). Today some of the meanings associated with this flower are: innocence, cheerfulness and loyal love.
Meanings: cheerfulness, innocence

Dahlias
The dahlia is the national flower of Mexico and this is also its birthplace. An old Aztec document states that the Aztecs used dahlias as a treatment for epilepsy. Only in the 19th century did the flower come to Europe where it was bred and cultivated into today’s varieties.
Meanings: dignity, elegance

Iris
Did you know that there are so many different varieties of iris that they can be grown wild year round, in water and on land? Iris was most significant in history as the emblem of France — Fleur-de-Lis — established in the 11th century by the king of France. Today, it is the state flower of Tennessee and its meanings are faith, hope and wisdom.
Meanings: faith, hope, wisdom

Lilies
Lilies have been associated with many ancient myths. They are mentioned in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament, and symbolize chastity and virtue. Even today, lilies are associated with purity and faith.

Meanings: purity, faith
Peruvian lilies or alstroemeria are named after the Swedish botanist Baron Klas von Alstroemer. He brought the flower seeds back from a trip to South America in the 18th century.
Meanings: friendship, devotion

Calla lilies were first imported from South Africa to America in the mid-nineteenth century. The waxy white blooms and spearheaded leaves of the calla lily stand for radiant beauty and sophistication.
Meanings: sophistication, beauty

Lisianthus
Lisianthus may sound like a Latin name, but it is one of several common names associated with this plant. It is also referred to as Prairie Gentian, Prairie Rose or Texas Bluebell. The flowers existing today are derived from an American wildflower that is native to prairies ranging from Colorado to Nebraska and down to Texas.
Meanings: outgoing, thoughts

Orchids
During the 19th Century, orchids were widely collected. With nearly 25,000 varieties, some orchids are among the most exquisite and expensive flowers available. In antiquity, orchids were correlated with love and fertility. It was common knowledge that they would protect against diseases. Given as a gift they stand for preciousness and seduction.
Meanings: seduction, preciousness

Snapdragons
Snapdragons are an old decorative flower, widely used by the Romans. From its origin in southern Spain the cultivated form was spread throughout the whole Roman Empire. Nowadays remnants of this original population which all belong to the species Antirrhinum majus are found among Roman remains like temples in southern France, Malta, and Italy. The flower, also called “gracious lady” stands for deception.

Meanings: desire, strength
Roses
With their far-reaching popularity, roses are the queens of flowers. After buttercup, the roses are the second oldest variety of flowers on the planet. Biologists can trace roses back some 200 million years! Although there is a huge number of meanings and symbols associated with roses, the most common of course is love, which originated in Greek mythology. When Aphrodite cried about the death of her lover Adonis, she had red “Adonis Roses” grown with his blood, - thus red roses are the symbol of never-ending love. Important to mention are the roses’ thorns, of which we all probably have some painful memory. Symbolically, love can be painful and full of suffering when not treated carefully.
Red roses: I love you, unconscious beauty
White roses: spiritual love, purity
Yellow roses: joy, gladness
Orange roses: fascinated, enthusiastic
Pink roses: grace, gentility

Tulips
Originally from Persia, tulips were introduced to Western Europe and the Netherlands in the 17th century. When growers started to hybridize the flower, they found ways of making it even more decorative. Hybrids of the flower were a scarcity at the time and a symbol of high status. Soon tulips became very popular as a trading product and bulbs were traded at the highest prices. The months of late 1636 to early 1637 would make history in the Netherlands as “Tulipmania”. A bed of tulips was worth up to $5,000, the value of a small house in Amsterdam. The bulbs became currency, and their value was quoted at the stock market.
Meanings: perfect lover, fame

Sunflowers
Sunflowers turn their heads toward the sun and this how they got their common name. They originated in Central and South America. Sunflowers are not only pretty to look at but sunflower seeds are power-packed with healthy fats, protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamin E - all important to the nutritional quality of your diet. Wait! That doesn’t mean you’re supposed to eat the seeds out of your sunflower bouquet.
Meanings: adoration, sunshine

About the Author

Josh Grossman is cofounder of online florist, Beyond Blossoms (http://www.beyondblossoms.com). Beyond Blossoms ships farm fresh flower bouquets nationwide.

The Home Garden

The garden should be near the house and away from trees. If it’s
some distance away from the house, it will not be as well looked
after, nor will most use be made of vegetables grown. Vegetables
near trees cannot get full sunshine; even more important, tree
roots will rob them of water and fertilizer they need to do
their best.

If you can, move the garden spot every 10 years or so to help
keep down diseases. Proper rotation and use of disease-resistant
varieties will help, but sooner or later the old garden spot
becomes so full of various disease spores and nematodes that you
cannot grow a good crop of many vegetables without use of
special soil fumigants.

Soil should, of course, be well drained. Few vegetables can
stand “wet feet.” A sandy loam with a clay subsoil is best.
Heavy clay soils may be made quite suitable by adding heavy
quantities of stable manure or compost, or by turning under
cover crops, preferably legumes such as vetch, clover soybeans.

Since the best quality quantity of vegetables cannot be duced on
anything but a fertile soil, do whatever is needed to make it
fertile.

Requirements for growth. 1. Proper degree of heat. 2. Moisture.
3. Oxygen in the air is essential for seed germination and good
growth.

English peas, for example, will sprout when soil termperature is
only a few degrees above freezing, while seed such as tomatoes
will not germinate at all.

To start these tender vegetables for early crops, artificial
heat, as in hotbeds, is needed. Otherwise, for early crops, buy
plants from commercial growers, or from local growers who
produce them with artificial heat. Tender vegetables that do not
transplant such as melons, cucumbers, cantaloupes, and squash,
should not be planted outdoors until soil has warmed up. These
may, however, be started earlier in small pots in a hotbead.

To make the most out of your gardening efforts, take time to do
some planning. Also keep a record of wheather you had too much
or too little of certain vegatables at any time during the
season for a continuous supply. Don’t trust it all to memory.

Things to consider when planting.

1. How much of each vegetable to grow to supply your family
needs.

2. Which vegetables are most need for good health.

3. How much extra to plant for storage

4. Which varities are best to plant.

5. When to plant for continuous growth and supply.

6. Which pesticides are best for control of insects and diseases.

7. Supplies needed such as, sprayers, dusters, tools,
fertilizer, or mulching material.

Jotting this down on paper, plus any notes made during the
season about special pest problems or how a new variety or
practice turned out, will be valuable the next season when
planning and planting time roll around.