Just because cooler weather is heading our way does not mean that you are stuck inside the house until spring. Your outdoor gardening space can be just as exciting, or if you prefer, as tranquil as your family room or den. More and more people are discovering that the comforts of home can be extended to their backyard.

In cooler weather with winter gardening, you aren’t going to want to be outside unless it’s warm. While an outdoor fireplace on the patio is ideal, it can be pricey and is easier when building or renovating your home.

Fire pits and fire tables give you light and heat (not to mention their beautiful style) to any outdoor room. You can find them in wood burning and gas and there is a never-ending selection of styles and prices. The gas versions are becoming more popular because of their quality and durability. Plus they are easy to light and simple to clean compared to their wood-burning cousins.

Chimneys offer an elegant look along with the warmth you desire for your patio or deck. These beautiful fireplaces come in a myriad of designs, from modern styles to those that are reminiscent of antique pot belly stoves, like my parents used to have when I was little. They are available in models that can be adapted for use with wood, natural gas, or propane to fit your preference or mood.

In the cooler months, it gets darker much earlier, so lighting is an essential element to your space. Candles are a timeless option that not only set the mood and provide light, but can also repel insects. That’s something we all can appreciate. However, unless used in large numbers, candles can be dim. And when children are around, that can be a safety concern.

Torches are becoming a popular option, whether electric, gas, or oil. Some people enjoy adding a string of colorful decorative lights to their deck to spice up the cooler months. Personally, I prefer several strategically placed beach torches.

Another important part of an outdoor room is the furniture. It must be comfortable, stylish, and weather-proof. The selection is endless and includes couches, chairs, rockers, ottomans, tables, and more.

So with a little planning, you can enjoy winter gardening in NJ as much as you enjoy it in the warmer months.

http://www.thebluerooster.com/catalog/gas-fire-pits-c-55.html

This is a guest post by Sharon Naylor

Sharon Naylor is the author of over 35 books on family celebrations, including weddings, bridal showers, vow renewals, and more. She is beyond thrilled to be the new guest blogger for The Farm, and she will be posting inspirations and tips for your parties, get-togethers and big family moments throughout the year. Visit her website www.sharonnaylor.net for more on her books and articles.

Whenever you’ve attended a wedding, or a bar or bat mitzvah, or a Sweet 16 party, an anniversary celebration or any other big bash that takes place in a ballroom, you’ve seen about $1,000 to $5,000 worth of flowers, plants, garlands and greens beautifully arranged, a room transformed into an oasis of roses….and all of those lovely, luscious flowers and greenery hit the dumpster a few minutes after the party ends.

I’d rather put my décor money into the ground. By that, I mean planting rose bushes and climbers, laying down fresh, black mulch in my landscaping, and create a stunning stone pathway for the party I’m hosting at home.

Now this is not to say that no one should ever book a big party at a hotel or ballroom. We have such gorgeous ballrooms, banquet halls and hotels in Chatham, Madison, Florham Park and all of our surrounding towns, and no one can argue that they’re first-class all the way. My focus here is on the floral décor only.

the perfect bouquet

If you choose to plan your celebration at your house, your décor budget stays with you! That beautiful border, the mulch, the rose garden, the koi pond…they add to the value of your home by thousands of dollars, and that big party in your yard leaves a lasting perk: you now have a lovely oasis to entertain in again and again, and to enjoy solo as your own personal relaxation zone.

So what’s the next big celebration on your calendar? Engagement season is coming up starting Thanksgiving and reaching into the holidays. Could you, perhaps, have a spring bridal shower to host? A summer wedding? A big birthday bash to plan for when the warmer weather returns? These big parties require advance planning, booking sites six months in advance. Wouldn’t it be wonderful, just wonderful, to step out into your yard and see your party floral budget work magic out there?

Your year ahead likely has plenty of celebrations on the calendar, and now’s the perfect time to start planning for spring. Parties, that is. And you won’t be throwing your money away.

One of the hardest decisions about gardening is which fertilizers, pesticides, and weed killers to use. More and more people are realizing the benefits of organic choices; however, some gardeners wonder about their effectiveness.

Gardening products, such as fertilizers, pesticides, and weed killers, are available in different varieties, such as chemical, natural, and organic. Chemical options are most commonly used, simply because they’ve been around the longest. But many farmers, as well as individual gardeners – myself included, are starting to shift towards organic choices.

The biggest and most compelling reason to switch to organic products is that it is safer. Who wants toxic chemicals on their salad? The easiest way to ensure that your vegetables do not have harmful chemicals on them is to not expose the plants to them to begin with.

Traditional gardening products which contain toxic chemicals are linked to diseases such as cancer, heart stroke, and skin disorders. People consuming produce grown with organic fertilizers, weed killer, and pesticides have less instances of theses diseases. That’s enough reason for me. But if you need more reasons, consider cost.

The cost of organic products is often much less than their chemical counterparts. They are often prepared locally and sometimes you can even make them yourself. Vinegar makes an excellent weed killer on sunny days. Diluted soapy water, followed by a clear water spritz, can be used as a pesticide for aphids.

Additionally, organic products are less taxing on the soil, making you need less fertilizer over time. Organic fertilizers return nutrients to the earth, making better soil, which in turn, grows better plants. Chemical fertilizers destroy the soil, and over time, the soil is unable to support plant growth. Can you imagine not being able to grow your plants?

Chemical products pollute the earth and cause environmental damage. They can leach into the soil. They can filter into water sources, including drinking water. They can aversely affect area plants and wildlife.

Organic products not only work, but using organic materials will heal the soil and grow beautiful, healthy plants. And that’s enough for me.

http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-cultivation/organic-fertilizers/benefits-of-organic-fertilizers.html

There are thousands of rose varieties to choose from. In deciding the perfect rose variety for your rose garden there are many factors to consider. Color, size, the climate, and maintenance all play an important part in choosing the roses for your garden.
What color of rose speaks to you the best? Visit a local nursery to look at the varieties of colors available for your area. Taking a drive and viewing other’s rose gardens to get an idea of colors that look well can be rewarding. Grab a few catalogs to get an idea of the colors you like best. Also, think about how the color would mesh with other plants and flowers in your yard. Make your rose color choice work for you.

Chosing rises for your garden

Size of the rose bushes you pick for your garden is of great importance. Look at the height of your rose bush at full growth. Will roses that grow to four feet work better for you or do you need something taller creating a barrier for privacy and shade? Some roses may grow to the height of a small child while others can grow up to the length of two adults.

Maintenance plays an important role when choosing roses for your garden. How much time do you have to keep your rose garden up to par? Are you on the go or are you in your garden hours in the day? Some rose varieties can be a very beautiful site but the time it takes to keep them in that state can be very time consuming.

Climate is the most important factor in picking the right roses for your home. Climate zone can make or break your rose garden. Roses must acclimate to your climate. Some roses do better in colder climates and some do better in warmer climates. Some rose varieties need moist soil and shaded environments while other roses need warmer and drier environments. Doing your research in all aspects of the needs of the rose type you’re interested in knowing what you’re wants are in a rose garden will head you in the right direction when choosing the right roses for your garden.

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate all of our blessings with our family and friends. You’ve worked hard in your garden all year and enjoyed fresh salads, large potatoes, endless zucchinis and a multitude of delicious veggies. Why not share the benefits of your hard work with a hand-made cornucopia this Thanksgiving?

A cornucopia, or horn of plenty, is a traditional symbol of prosperity and good fortune. The end of the harvest season combined with the holiday of Thanksgiving provides the perfect opportunity to proudly display this symbol of richness in life.

Originally, cornucopias were made with a goat’s horn and filled with grains, nuts, berries, and other fruits. But since goat horns aren’t exactly easy to get, baskets have become much more popular.

Some people prefer the challenge of weaving their own basket using flexible materials such as straw, vines, willow branches, or reeds. And be warned, basket weaving is quite challenging. But it can become addicting as you continue to hone the craft.

Whether choosing to make your own cornucopia or purchase one from the store, your next step is filling it. Have the kids help gather leaves from the yard or the park to include as a bed for the fruit and vegetables.

Make sure you put your basket on top of a flat surface, such as a tray or fabric covered pan, so that the fruit and veggies overflow onto the bedding. This makes it easy to transfer the display and clean up is much simpler.

For a longer-lasting display, choose items with a waxy coat. Place the larger fruits and vegetables in the back and work your way to the smaller ones in the front. Fill in the spaces with smaller pieces to fill out your centerpiece. Choose fruits and vegetables like dried Indian corn, small apples, gourds, miniature pumpkins, pomegranates, peppers, artichokes, cranberries, and nuts.

Also, I always like to include some foliage, like fall leaves or grape leaves, in among the fruit and veggies for a great contrast in textures.

If done correctly, your display should last up to two weeks, if waxy filler is chosen and you will have a beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece that is the talk of the day.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Cornucopia—Meaning,-History,-Tips-and-Suggestions&id=2886766

http://www.decorate-redecorate.com/thanksgiving-cornucopia.html

http://www.savvyhomemade.com/basket-weaving.html

There are plenty of ways to make sure you have success in growing your roses. If you plant in the wrong location, choose the wrong rose variety, or take care of it incorrectly then you’re off to a wrong start. There are several steps that should be taken in order to grow a beautiful rose garden.

A rose bush needs good light and plenty of time in the sun, at least a quarter of the day. Roses need healthy soil and need the water their provided to drain well. Choosing the wrong rose variety can be crucial as well. Some rose varieties can grow very large. If planted in the wrong location, you may need to later move your rose bush because of the size. When moving your rose bush to an ideal location if don incorrectly this can damage your rose bus

Maintenance is very important when planting a rose garden. Make sure you prune your roses at the right time of the year. Pruning at the correct time will promote growth and increase blossom production. Climber varieties should be pruned in the fall. Hybrid Teas and minis should be pruned in the early spring. Bushes that don’t re-bloom should be pruned after the blossoms fade sometimes as late as the fall. If you prune your roses at the correct time you will have more roses and they’ll be healthier.

Label your roses while they’re still unidentifiable. Not knowing exactly what you planted can lead to chaos in the garden. All roses come with a name tag and if they don’t pass it up. Keep the tag on your rose bush. If something goes wrong, you know what to reference and if something goes right you have bragging rights while knowing what you’re talking about.

More and more people are choosing organic gardening in NJ and across the United States, especially with these tight economic times. I first started gardening years ago when money was tight. When I considered the cost of purchasing organic vegetables each week versus the one-time cost of seeds and supplies, the choice was obvious.

Yes, gardening takes time and, let’s face it, hard work. However, gardening is relaxing. It becomes a way to relieve stress from a hard day and costs much less than a trip to the spa. You can enjoy the outdoors and get in some exercise as well.

Working on your organic garden lets you get out in nature, where you might catch a glimpse of a blue bird or perhaps a wild rabbit. You’ll feel the warmth of the sun and breathe in clean, fresh air. That garden that you’re growing is producing greater amounts of oxygen than a lawn would and is reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Your green thumb is also green in that gardening saves energy. If you grow your own veggies, fuel will not be used to transport vegetables from the farm to the store to your table. If more and more of us grow our own crops, or at least purchase from local farmers, we can significantly reduce the amount of fuels used in transporting our food.

Organic farming is also kind to the earth. Using organic materials prevents toxic chemicals from entering the soil. The chemicals in fertilizers are difficult to remove from the soil and can leach into our drinking water and waterways, adversely affecting wildlife.

Composting returns organic material back to the earth, creating a cyclic effect. It also improves aeration and increases the soil’s ability to hold water. These benefits help your garden grow.

Some natural products are just as effective at pest control as the toxic products on the store shelf. For instance, I spray diluted soapy water and then clean water to destroy even the worst aphid infestation. Weeds can be killed by spot-straying with vinegar from the kitchen. Do it on a sunny day and the weeds will wither away, but it won’t hurt the environment.

In the end, the best benefit of organic gardening is the great-tasting, nutritious food that is right in your backyard.

http://personaldividends.com/lifestyle/arohan/10-reasons-to-consider-growing-organic-vegetables-in-your-backyard

http://www.organicgardentips.com/

vegetable garden

In today’s day and age young children don’t want anything to do with their vegetables, seem to not want to partake in family activities, nor are they getting enough exercise. Why is this that most families are getting fast food for dinner more often, not spending time together, and not getting enough exercise? Too many people are busy at school, working on their careers, playing on video games, and watching their favorite shows? Something needs to be done to get the family together, eating well, and to get them much needed exercise.

How about starting a family vegetable garden? I know, lil’ Jimmy doesn’t like his vegetables and wants to play his video games after school. Wouldn’t it be a site to see lil’ Jimmy eating his vegetables, getting his exercise and spending time with you? It’s not just lil’ Jimmy that needs help, you need to make that extra time for him and you need to be creative.

Starting a vegetable garden means you will work together as a whole family. Not only spending time together, all the digging, bending, and lifting means all in the family will exercise and have fun doing so. Get this, once lil’ Jimmy sees that his vegetables are producing real food… he may want to eat the fruits of his labor and may even want to work on cooking meals with his new creations. Gardening and cooking as a family, what a site to see!

Starting a family garden is a benefit to the whole family for health reasons and to keep the family strong with values. You may even catch lil’ Jimmy working out in the garden by himself a time or two. Even better, he may invite his friends over to partake, creating a community bond because of your excellent example of setting a family bond like no other.

Thanksgiving is coming near and it’s a time for the family to get together to cook delicious food and to feel comfort in the time spent together. It is time to plan for the holiday and time to begin decorating for our guest. Look outside at all the brilliant colors that are right out front our doorsteps. Look at the fallen leaves from the trees, how bright and bold they are of hues of oranges and reds. Look at the dried branches of your grapevines. So many things can be used to make the most beautiful holiday wreath.

The holiday wreath is always a huge focal point for our homes. Not only does the wreath rest on our very own front doors but it’s the first thing guest see when they arrive to our doorsteps. What a festive way to start decorating by making or purchasing a holiday wreath, before you have your guest over for thanksgiving dinner.

The holiday wreath can be adorned with fall leaves, berries, and many other beautiful things like fresh or dried flowers or plants. Making a wreath for your own home or saving time by purchasing a wreath is perfectly fine. The best tip I have when making or purchasing a wreath for the holiday is that you use items in the wreath that reflect your home, the holiday, and you in the best way possible.

A few examples of great holiday wreaths could be a country floral wreath, a dried wreath, or even an autumn berry wreath. Using the best, such as peonies, hydrangeas and roses would be perfect for a country floral wreath. Dried wreaths and autumn berry wreaths are always a hit and speak to guest traditionalism. Use dried flowers in contrasting colors, fall leaves, and other items that contrast well, such as berries or poinsettias, gives a feeling of comfort. No matter which style you chose for your focal point, make sure it comforts you and shows off your festive spirit. Happy Holidays!

Walking into a home come the Christmas season is always a treat, but walking into your own home day after day, awaiting the much anticipated day of Christmas morning, is a whole treat in itself if your home is decorated for the holiday season just right. Many people don’t know where to start in decorating for the holidays. Some people do too much in adding décor to their home for the festivities and some don’t do enough leaving the home bare and cheerless. A little goes a long way and a lot is sometimes way too much.

Adding plants and flowers that represent the holiday best is a great alternative to running out to the store to try and find the latest and greatest nutcracker ornaments or the grandest morning star to top your Christmas tree. Poinsettias, Christmas cactus, orchids, daffodils, cyclamen, azaleas, hibiscus, and holly bring color and life to any holiday celebration and are perfect if you want to ‘wow’ your guest. Some of these plants are obvious additions to the Christmas holiday and some aren’t known as traditional Christmas flowers.

Adding a few Christmas classics with some of these non-traditional beauties will make your home shine and will add a sweet fragrance throughout your home. In creating a balance between different flowers and plants, adding pizzazz to your home for the holidays, you will be creating a fresh and clean appearance that is free of clutter and beautiful for all to see. Some of these elegant flowers will appear as a morning star and some will complement the holiday classics in the right light. You can add these flowers to vases with other ornaments and add Christmas cheer creating a pleasing and welcoming feeling within your home.