Organic Gardens Make Simple

Some info and guide on Organic gardens

The key to a great garden is to implement organic gardening methods. You will not only improve the taste of your fruits, vegetables and herbs but you will improve growth and harvest all while reducing chemical pollution on the earth and inside your body. After all, growing your own food is the healthiest way to eat if you take control as to what you use for fertilizer and disease and pest prevention.

Organic gardening means you won't be using synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, but that doesn't mean your plants are left to fend for themselves. There are an array of tools you can use to bolster plant health and ward off pests. Organic gardening also isn't just about what you don't do, it's about trying to foster a more holistic, natural ecosystem.

You've been trying to eat more organic foods, both to decrease the amount of pesticides you and your family consume, and to help protect the environment from overloading with toxic chemicals. But organics can get a bit expensive, we know. Luckily, there's a way to grow your own delicious, fresh produce, while having fun and learning at the same time: organic gardening!

Many of today's gardeners are rejecting toxic chemicals and pesticides in favor of more environmentally friendly, non-toxic organic solutions for their gardens. There are many simple, organic remedies for common garden problems that can be made from items usually already found in the home.Weeds are a common and very frustrating problem for many gardeners. Pulling, digging and treating with harsh chemicals are not the easiest or most environmentally friendly solutions to weed growth. For a non-toxic, cost effective weed treatment, spray the unwanted plants with full strength household vinegar in full sun. This treatment is non-toxic, safe to use and very inexpensive and it works!

An Introduction to Organic Gardening Techniques

When you start planning how to reduce the use of chemicals in your garden, imagine how a primary forest grows. In a primary forest, you will find a thick layer of hummus on the ground and plenty of beneficial critters in the soil, including earthworms and fungi.

You will also see a variety of trees, shrubs, and ground covers that have grown together in mutually beneficial tiers. A primary forest typically hasn’t seen the introduction of non-native and often invasive species that may shift an ecosystem out of balance. Unfortunately, most of our created urban landscapes are over-run with non-natives, often times creating a
challenging environment for the gardener.

If we keep the imagine of a primary forest in our heads when we garden, we can use the following techniques to boost our garden’s ecosystem so that it functions more like a natural forest. Here are some basic things you can do to grow a healthier garden with stronger plants, so that you can use less chemicals when gardening.

Like all gardens soil is the most important components, so work the soil;

Work the Soil

Healthy soil is the key to growing healthy plants. Composting garden waste and kitchen scraps is one of the best ways to improve your soil. By adding compost to your garden soil, you can:

* Add needed nutrients to the soil
* Improve soil drainage
* Boost your plants’ immune systems
* Encourage the presence of beneficial soil organisms and earth worms
* Reduce the need for artificial fertilizers, as beneficial soil organisms will naturally produce
nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus
* Reduce the amount of water you use, as organic compost helps retain moisture in the soil

Soils may become too acid if you live in an area with heavy rains or if your soils have been treated over the years with high doses of N-P-K fertilizers. In these cases, simply add more organic compost to restore the balance. Soil drainage is also critical to organic gardening. If you notice water pooling in any areas of the garden, your plants may suffer from root rot or other problems. Mixing in compost is one of the best ways to improve drainage. You can also try digging out a good quantity of the soil, around 16 inches deep, and placing a layer of fine gravel at the bottom. Mix the soil you removed with compost, and fill it back in. Organic gardening focuses on building up the soil, using native plants and plants appropriate for your garden, and looking for a natural balance in your garden. We must recognize that pathogens generally attack weak plants that are not properly adapted to their environment and that live in poor soil. Therefore, if we work our soil and encourage the presence of beneficial soil organisms, our plants will generally be stronger and more resistant to pests and diseases.

Win-Win Situations

Companion Planting:
Another useful concept in organic gardening is known as “Companion Planting.” Companion planting recognizes that plants grown together in thoughtful combinations will benefit the entire garden-ecosystem. Roses and garlic are a good example. If you grow garlic close to your roses, you’ll keep most pests away.

Beneficial Insects:
Organic Gardening Means Befriending Beneficial Insects. Not all insects are pests. In fact, the majority of bugs living in your garden are helping your plants to grow in numerous, unseen ways. If you are having a problem with pests in your garden, you probably have an imbalance of fauna or an imbalance of soil nutrients. The more insects and other fauna in your garden, the less likelihood the “pesky” ones have of surviving. You will find that most insects eat those moths and maggots that are eating your plants.

Balancing act:
Organic gardening is about maintaining balance. Be aware when introducing insects into your garden intentionally, even beneficial ones. Do not introduce insects if their prey does not exist in your garden. If you introduce a population of insects but not feeding them, then you are harming
the diversity of your garden rather than encouraging it by throwing off the balance.

When you look at your garden is it a mess of beautiful color? Are birds, bees and flies hovering overhead? Does your garden fit naturally into the landscape with a variety of native plants and animals? With a healthy diversity of insects and other fauna, your garden will be healthy, have very little insect herbivory and local populations of animals will maintain healthy populations.

Common Deficiencies
Here’s a list of some common deficiencies you may encounter while growing an organic garden.

-Nitrogen deficiency - older leaves at base of plant turn yellow then develop a burnt look.
-Iron deficiency - leaves turn yellow or pale green while veins remain green.
-Sulfer deficiency - young new leaves turn yellow.
-Potassium deficiency - plants are more prone to disease, forming spots and leaves curling.
-Phosphorous deficiency- growth is stunted, leaves turn very dark , blue-green or purple with
red veins.
-Calcium deficiency - blossom end rot occurs. Young leaves die or wrinkle.
-Boron deficiency - stems turn brown and mushy.

Starting Your Organic Garden:
First choose your location that hasn't been sprayed with chemical pesticides, insecticides or fertilizers. You need an area that gets adequate sunshine and that has good drainage.

Next step in starting an organic garden is to make a list of all the types of fruits and vegetables you want to incorporate and give them all a number. Don’t forget to add beneficial plants like marigold, garlic and herbs.

Now, you’ll need to decide where to place everything. This is a great time to learn about companion planting and what needs to go next to what and where things don’t like to be.You need to decide what you will use for plant food, whether compost, worm castings, or other options. Also, decide what you will use in case of disease and pests. Having these on hand prior to the problems can help prevent Murphy law from invading. What will you use for mulching? Do
you have leaves or clippings that can be utilized? Will you start seedlings or buy plants? Do you know where to purchase quality organic seeds and plants? You’ll need to research different varieties that fit well with your climate and taste. Once you’ve got you layout and ingredients figured out, it’s time to plan the actions.

Now the work begins in starting an organic garden. Measure out twine the length and width of your garden and tie the twine onto stakes. Place stakes at all corners of the area where your garden will be to form a perfect rectangle. Cut the existing sod with the tip of a shovel and peel the sod away. If you have lots of weeds, make sure they get pulled out or buried deep. If you have a rototiller, you can use that to make the next part easier. You need to loosen the soil and blend in organic matter. Add organic topsoil several inches on the top of the beds.

Have fun, eat organic and stay healthy.

Collection from many great articles...thanks

Landscaping Using Rocks

3 Simple Tips To Beautify Your Garden With Rocks


Try the new ideas with rocks.
Please read on...and hopefully this way you will be motivated to get more innovative with ideas.

1. Rocks can make a beautiful Landscape

Many may not understand how rocks can be used for landscaping and may laugh at the idea. But if you really think about the way nature has put rocks around certain areas and how good they look, then you will probably understand that rocks can make a statement in landscaping too. For those who go for their morning walk on the beach, you may have noticed the smooth rocks lying around on the beach that enhance the beauty of the sea side, well these same rocks could be used for landscaping too.

2. Start your landscape with rocks at your front yard

Visualize where to put the rocks in your front yard first. These rocks should be fairly large and placed firmly in the ground so that they cannot be dislodged from the ground easily either by weather conditions or by people.


3. Landscaping the front yard or back yard with rocks

You can arrange these rocks around trees to form a border or on the side of the walkway. So if you have a walkway and some trees in your front yard you can use the rocks the same way too. Front yards may differ from one to the other, but you could create effects with rocks so that they blend into a picturesque landscape.

Rocks can be used in the back yard the same way by making borders with them around trees and bushes and at the side of walkways. Rocks can be placed wherever you want in the garden and create an aesthetic effect in the way they are placed.

In a flower garden where you have flower beds with different varieties of flowers, smaller pebbles can be placed in the flower beds in place of mulch. The areas where you have grown different flowers can be separated with these pebbled. Pebbles also stop the growth of weeds just like mulch. The only problem with pebbles is that they move out of place with rain or when people walk on them, unlike large rocks which are stationery. Pebble rocks could be replaced with flagstones is you find them cumbersome.

To get more innovative ideas on the use of pebbles and rocks you can look for books on gardening which will give you a lot of information.

excerpt from: tokyostringquartet.com

Beautify a Kitchen In Simple Ways

Decorating: Kitchen Updates
Get a Fresh Look : Do a Little Work and Save a Lot From About.com

You don't have to feel stuck with a dingy and drab kitchen that was last decorated in the 70's. No matter what your budget, you can make changes to freshen it up and bring it into the 21st century. The key is the floorplan. If the floorplan is bad, you'll be stuck unless you have a big bank account. If it works, the rest is a breeze.

If you're not sure what to do with the money you have, whether it's a few hundred dollars or several thousand, you might find that hiring a decorator to consult for an hour or two is money well spent. You could probably find someone who would work for $75 to $100 per hour for a consultation. She can help you prioritize your project, select colors for the transformation, and help you focus your work.

So, pull your numbers together and choose your project. Even if you have under $500 to spend, you can still have a fresh-looking new kitchen.

Replace the Cabinet Hardware
Sometimes the simplest changes make the greatest impact. It's like finishing off a wonderful dress with the perfect piece of jewelry. For kitchen cabinets, you can see an amazing change by replacing the old cabinet knobs with new ones. Get rid of dingy, greasy knobs in favor of trendy brushed nickel or antique brass, and voila! fresh new look. Be sure to count carefully before you head out to the store. Prices of cabinet pulls can vary widely, so set your budget, divide the amount by the number of pulls you'll need, and stick to that figure.

Brighten Things Up
You can find a good-looking decorative light fixture at any hardware or home improvement store. Get rid of the ugly recessed fluorescent light in the middle of the ceiling. Be brave and consider a chandelier. Or consider focused track lighting. A new light fixture will brighten up the space and add a decorative element. Get rid of your ugly fluorescent fixture that's hanging in the center of the kitchen ceiling. There are so many fashionable fixtures available from $50 to $200. Choose a fixture that matches the drawer pulls for a coordinated look. And don't just think about a fixture that hugs the ceiling. A chandelier will really dress up the space!

Buy Some Paint
A fresh coat of paint is one of the least expensive ways to transform any space in your home. And the kitchen is no exception.
Start with the ceiling. If the surface overhead is yellowed and greasy, clean it carefully and paint it a bright, clean white. The whole room will light up.

The next easiest project with paint is to change the color of the walls in the kitchen. Choose a color that will blend with the tone of the cabinets and flow into the adjoining rooms. We recommend an oil-based enamel semi-gloss paint for a kitchen, making clean-ups easier and providing a longer life.

If you're feeling particularly ambitious, painting the cabinets would be the most time-consuming, yet still inexpensive, project. Remove the cabinet doors and sand them carefully to remove the finish. Sand the frames and interior of the cabinets. Paint the interiors first, preferably in a fresh white or cream. Then carefully paint the visible frame areas, ending with the cabinet doors. When dry, replace the doors on the frames.

Add Some Work Space
If your kitchen has an open floor, place a small table in the center of the room. This space will provide extra counter area, provide seating, and give you more work space.

Self-Adhesive Flooring
For dingy floors that are smooth, clean, and level, you might consider covering them with a fresh self-adhesive vinyl flooring. This can be purchased in strips or 12" square tiles. Read installation instructions carefully, then place one tile at a time until the room is finished. You can cut the tiles to shape with a scissors or straight blade. What could be easier?

Show Off Your Treasures
If your upper cabinets are have a center panel, remove the solid wood and replace one or two with panels of glass. Install lighting above and show off your collectibles and beautiful crystal or dishes.

Add a Touch of Mother Nature
You'd be amazed by the change you'll see just by adding a bit of green in plants and flowers. Don't clutter the counter, but find space above cabinets or in corners. Your space will look fresh and new.

Landscaping Driveways - Design Considerations

Components of a Beautiful Yard - Driveways

What are some of the components that make a landscape "pop?"
The driveway entrance is the logical area of the yard for us to begin with. Why? Because the entrance to your driveway is also the entrance to your yard, as a whole. How your driveway entrance is landscaped, especially when a property is bordered by a fence or wall (thereby focusing attention on the entrance) sets the tone for the viewer's perception of the whole yard.

Consequently, the landscaping for your driveway shouldn't be a mere afterthought.
Nor should you underestimate the visual impact of the driveway itself. In terms of square feet (relative to the rest of the yard) and visual prominence, a driveway can be a major component of a landscape.

Landscaping Driveways: An Introduction to Design Considerations By David Beaulieu, About.com

Landscaping driveways can consist of both hardscape and softscape. Hardscape options consist mainly of walls and fences, while your softscape options for landscaping driveways include the following:

• Flower beds
• Ground covers
• Ornamental trees
• Shrubs

The possibilities for landscaping driveways are greatly enhanced if you plan on including walls. Walls (for instance, stone walls) can either parallel the driveway along its whole length, or meet it perpendicularly, at the entrance. The latter scenario, in particular, opens up a number of possibilities for landscaping driveways. For example, some people attach driveway gates to the wall, while others span the opening in the wall with an arch.

Meanwhile, variations on the softscape side of landscaping driveways are practically endless. Again, it often comes down to whether the purpose in landscaping your driveway is to create a grand driveway entrance or run the length of the driveway (of course, some people choose both). Accenting the entrance can certainly be cheaper, which is important if your budget is small and your driveway large!

If budget isn't the primary consideration in narrowing down your choices for landscaping a driveway, then what you need to think about is where you want the viewer's gaze to be drawn, and what features of your property you wish to emphasize. This rationale applies equally to hardscape and softscape.

Planting beds of colorful annuals along the sides of your driveway, for instance, will draw the viewer's gaze into your property, to the final destination of your driveway. If that destination is a rather ordinary-looking garage that is in plain view from the street, then you may not wish to draw attention to it. Likewise, if you find your property is already dominated by straight lines (straight house walls, straight driveway, straight decking, etc.), then you may not wish to emphasize the straightness of the driveway by planting its edges with straight flower beds.

By contrast, if your driveway curves around a focal point and gracefully disappears out in back of your house, then flower beds paralleling the driveway will draw the viewer's gaze conveniently to the water feature. Examples of such focal points are the following:

• Water gardens
• Landscape bridges
• Garden arbors
• Wishing wells

From an aesthetic standpoint, there's little reason not to draw the viewer's gaze to the driveway's entrance either with hardscape, softscape or both. However, practical considerations may dissuade you from employing softscape in the way that you'd like to, ideally. Theft and vandalism are two liabilities for landscaping driveways at the entrance, close to the street. Depending on your neighborhood, children passing by may traipse carelessly through a roadside flower bed in which you take a lot of pride, a bed built with your labor and your dollars. Worse yet, shrubs planted too close to the side of the road have been known to disappear overnight, a gaping hole left behind in their absence.

In the North, the challenge presented by the severity of the winters is also a consideration in landscaping driveways at the entrance to a property. Not all shrubs and perennial flowers stand up well to the menace of road salt. Shrubs can also be damaged by plow drivers who stray just a bit either to the left or right when entering your driveway. Consequently, landscaping driveways with plants so as to accent the entrance is best left to annual flowers. Annuals are inexpensive, a fact that offers some solace, should they be damaged or stolen; and they have to be replanted every spring, anyhow, so winter damage is not an issue.

Why Bother Landscaping Driveways?

The entrance to your driveway is also the entrance to your yard, as a whole. How your driveway entrance is landscaped, especially when a property is bordered by a fence or wall (thereby focusing attention on the entrance) sets the tone for the viewer's perception of the whole yard.

Moreover, in terms of square feet (relative to the rest of the yard) and visual prominence, a driveway can be a major component of a yard. Under the right circumstances (see above), that's a good reason for landscaping a driveway along its entire length. Passing up the opportunity to do so relegates the driveway to the status of a long scar running up and down your yard, a scar you're just trying to forget about.

Landscaping driveways with attention and creativity is a cornerstone of successful curb appeal.

English Ivy

Fact about English Ivy Plants By David Beaulieu

English Ivy Plants in History:

In the Christmas carol, "The Holly and The Ivy," we see a symbolism with these two evergreen plants that derives from pagan times. While the druids thought of holly as masculine and suggestive of a male deity, English ivy plants for them represented female divinity.

Uses for English Ivy Plants in Landscape Design:

Their ability to grow in shade has made English ivy plants a traditional groundcover for problematic areas under trees, where most grasses do not grow well. Their vigorous, dense grow habit makes them an effective groundcover where the object is to crowd out weeds. On slopes, they can be used for erosion control. Some take advantage of the climbing ability of these vines to use them to cover a wall, while others grow them in hanging baskets, letting them cascade over the sides.

Characteristics of English Ivy Plants:

English ivy plants can act as groundcovers, spreading horizontally and reaching 8" in height. But they are also climbers, due to their aerial rootlets, which allow them to climb to heights of 50' or more. They will eventually bear insignificant greenish flowers but are grown primarily for their evergreen foliage.

Care for English Ivy Plants:

Trim them in the spring, to keep them manageable and discourage bacterial leaf spot. Spray with insecticidal soap and horticultural oil as necessary to control mites.

Sun and Soil Requirements for English Ivy Plants:

Grow in a well-drained soil in part shade to full shade.

Beautify your garden with morning glory

Excite your morning with Morning Glory

Morning Glory Ground Covers - Excellent Plants For Mediterranean Gardens
by Jonathan Ya'akobi

Morning Glory is commonly associated with rampant climbing plants belonging to the genus Ipomoea. There is however a species known botanically as Convolvulus sabatius, (C. mauritanicus) which while having climbing properties, can be grown as a low-growing ground cover plant. Considering that its water requirements are very modest, and that is so easy to grow, it is an excellent plant for gardens in Mediterranean and other dry climates.

Convolvulus sabatius is a semi-woody perennial that covers about 1 meter (3ft) in each direction, reaches some 30 cm in height (1 ft) with small, oval shaped leaves of a medium green hue. The foliage is not especially attractive, but the lavender-blue, bell shaped flowers create a stunning carpet through much of the summer. A path of flagstones meandering through this pastel sea of lavender is classically Mediterranean in style.

Some gardeners may be put off by the name Convolvulus, associating it with the infamously noxious Bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis. The garden species can be invasive, but this tendency is easily kept in check by hand weeding and occasional monitoring. It can also be a nuisance by climbing its way up nearby herbaceous plants and smothering other ground covers. The answer is to keep a good distance between the Morning Glory and its prospective neighbors!

As mentioned, Convolvulus sabatius is easy to grow. It requires trimming at the end of the winter to prevent it become bald and woody. It prefers less water to more, but does need well-drained soil. Frequent watering tends to produce more vegetative growth, while the occasional soaking seems to induce more flowers. It grows satisfactorily on less than a quarter of the water needed for grass, and even less compared to annual flowers.

The flowers of this Morning Glory reach about 25cm wide (1in) and their bell shape combines beautifully with flowering plants belonging to the Deadly Nightshade family (Solanaceae) such as Solanum rantonetii and Nierembergia, and with other bell-shaped flowers of similar size, like Penstemon. Always bear in mind that flowers possess shape, size and texture as well as color, and that mixing radically different flower shapes together, looks incongruous and out of place. Therefore, Convolvulus sabatius should not be planted next to large, garish, tropical type flowers.

Using rocks to decorate a landscape

Classy Rocks' landscaping

Decorative Landscaping Rocks By Jake Gorney
One of the best ways to add a special touch to your yard and flower beds is by using decorative landscaping rocks. Using these rocks you can achieve a classy look that does not have to cost much. The uses of landscaping rocks are almost endless. You can use them to make borders or rings around trees. The latter can be a great way to keep both animals and people away from tree trunks to prevent damage. Rocks can also be used to make paths in your yard. This way you will not have to walk through the mud when the weather gets rainy. Steps can also be made using rocks as can walls, railings and even seats and tables.

One way to use landscaping rocks is by stacking them around the edges of places where you don't want people to walk. This is not only effective, it also looks great. You can use large stones for this and put them in the ground when the earth is slightly wet. Smaller stones can also be used. These should be stacked on top of each other. You will find that when stacking you will have to dig down into the ground a bit to anchor the bottom stones into the ground.

Doing landscaping with rocks can be quite a bit of work and you should also be careful as it is easy to injure yourself when working with them. Before beginning your work it might be a good idea to do some research online on how to safely handle rocks and how to protect your hands and toes while working. If you will be using very large rocks you will probably need to rent equipment to move them around. This is why it is very important to plan ahead when using big rocks. Once they are in place you will not be able to move them easily.

An addition to the landscape...ornamental grass

Different types of ornamental grass

Ornamental Grass
Grasses, sedges and rushes are a great addition to the landscape. The ornamental grasses can be very short, from just a few inches tall to 10 feet or more. Some of the ornamental grasses are very fertile and can cause problems in the landscape and in the wild if they escape. Other ornamental grasses seem quite tame. I use the ornamental grasses and similar plants often to soften a border or to provide movement in the landscape. Or in some cases to make a very lush environment. The ornamental grasses will rustle in the wind. Many of these plants, such as Scirpus, Carex, Juncus, and Chondropetalum, are great in or near water. Though if you are near a wetland you should have caution when planting plants that might do just a little too well if they escape. Lomandra is even fragrant. One can smell as one walk down the garden path long before getting there.

Lomadra longifolia
Lomadra longifolia has done well for me in some of the most difficult conditions. I have grown it in full sun, dark shade, near swampy winters and baked summers without irrigation. All Lomandra longifolia has done is produce sweet smelling blooms. While the fragrant spikes on the flowers look like they could do some real damage when you go to smell them they are not very stiff. Plants can be expected to grow to 5 feet tall and wide, the dwarf varieties 3-4 feet. Lomandra longifolia is a natural understory to Eucalyptus. Two dwarf varieties of Lomandra that are available in the marketplace are Gary's Dwarf, and Breeze (aka Tanika). Our plants have shown no winter damage when temperatures dipped into the mid teens.

The Ornamentals' Plant

Information on Ornamental Plants

Ornamental plant From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ornamental plants are typically grown in the flower garden or as house plants. Most commonly they are grown for the display of their flowers. Other common ornamental features include leaves, scent, fruit, stem and bark. In some cases, unusual features may be considered ornamental, such as the prominent and rather vicious thorns of Rosa sericea. In all cases, their purpose is the enjoyment of gardeners and visitors. Ornamental plants may also be used for landscaping, and for cut flowers.The adequate spacing between pots of plants prevents them from competing for sunlight.

Similarly trees may be called ornamental trees. This term is used when they are used as part of a garden setting, for instance for their flowers, their shapes or for other attractive characteristics. By comparison, trees used in larger landscape effects such as screening and shading, or in urban and roadside plantings, are called amenity trees.
Meillandine Rose in clay pot

For plants to be considered as ornamental, they may require specific work and activity by a gardener. For instance, many plants cultivated for topiary and bonsai would only be considered as ornamental by virtue of the regular pruning carried out on them by the gardener, and they may rapidly cease to be ornamental if the work was abandoned.

Ornamental plants and trees are distinguished from utilitarian and crop plants, such as those used for agriculture and vegetable crops, and for forestry or as fruit trees. This does not preclude any particular type of plant being grown both for ornamental qualities in the garden, and for utilitarian purposes in other settings. Thus lavender is typically grown as an ornamental plant in gardens, but may also be grown as a crop plant for the production of lavender oil.

Adding Charm and Character to Residential Landscape

Garden Ornamentals An Accent in a Landscape

Overview
Garden ornamentals are used decorate and add charm and character to a residential landscape. Garden ornaments can provide an accent or emphasis in a landscape, drawing attention to a particular direction. The majority of a landscape is filled with plants, trees, flowers and grass. Garden ornamentals provide a great contrast to the living things in the surrounds of your landscape, as they are usually static objects and solid, they provide a different texture to your landscape.

Garden ornamentals very much contribute to the magic and beauty of a landscape. Whether you have a small terrace or a large open backyard, garden ornaments will compliment any landscape design.

Here are just a handful of different types of garden ornamentals that can be implemented in a residential landscape:

Ornamental Plaques
Ornamental plaques are used for decoration as walls within a landscape. This is just one of the many different castings that can be used to decorate bare areas within your landscape. Custom designs can also be accommodated to suit your individual taste. A theme can be created by using ornamental plaques. For the small amount of space they consume, ornamental plaques can make a great impact on a landscape.

Sundials
This garden ornamental dates back thousands of years. In the past, sundials were used to measure time by the position of the sun. A sundial can be positioned for any surface where a fixed object will cast a predictable shadow. These days, sundials can be used as a feature of a modern landscape. Sundials can come in different designs, but all represent a certain feeling of the old world charm.

Water Features
Water features add elegance and beauty to your landscape and are perfect garden ornamentals. Fountains especially can be implemented as the main focal point in a landscape design. No matter how small or large your landscape is, a water feature can be implemented into any garden. Not only are fountains beautiful to behold, but the sounds are trickling water can be very therapeutic.

Troughs
Troughs are perfect garden ornamentals for planting flowers that will bright up your landscape. Troughs are very traditional pieces that will give your landscape that old world charm. They can also be used for herb gardens. Troughs are available in a variety of patterns, colors and styles and will add beauty to your outdoor living area.

Bird Baths
Bird baths are a beautiful addition to a landscape. This garden ornamental can stand alone and still look beautiful. Bird baths are designed to attract wild birds and will create a sanctuary with the presence of these beautiful creatures. Birds bath easily be implemented as the main focal point in a landscape.

There is an endless variety of garden ornamentals that can be implemented into a landscape. Depending on individual taste and the theme of your garden, this will assist you in selecting the most appropriate ornamentals for your landscape. Garden ornamentals can range from urns and pottery to large life-size statues, there is no specific criteria.