Digging The Trench

The smallest garden, no less than the elaborate estate, represents the results of the combination of four basic factors. They are: (1) the materials of gardening; (2) the means; (3) the methods; and (4) the background. These four factors, as well as the all-important human element.

Materials - These are, first of all, the plants that make gardens; and, second, the soil in which they grow. In the plant articles, the objective has been to describe each subject, then to give simple cultural directions, and finally to list and describe briefly the more important and promising kinds available and especially suitable in gardens.

When looking for any plant (or a genus) always look for the correct botanical name. Sometimes botanical and common names are the same, as Chrysanthemum or Zinnia. Sometimes a plant has a botanical name and also two or more common names.

Means to Gardening are the implements, accessories and aids with which plants are grown and gardens are made and cared for: tools, fertilizers, spray materials, hotbeds in fact, all objects that are neither plants nor parts of the soil. All these subjects should be studied in connection with the cultural notes on the various plants, and other articles covering the plant care factors.

Methods, which include all details of design and planning; construction and planting; and maintenance, or culture and protection. To get the most out of this information, you may have to consult several items in order to gain complete understanding of a certain subject just like caring african violet. For information on pruning a rosebush of about african violet, for example, consult not only the directions under rose, but also separate articles on pruning, shrubs, shears, etc., as well as the Garden Know-How articles. This is especially true in the case of plant enemies and their control.

Background is, of course, what all gardens furnish for the lives of those who live in them or view them. But we mean the relation of individual plants and gardens to one another, and to things outside them. It includes elementary facts about the natural sciences which underlie plant growth; it touches theories and principles, and the agencies and institutions from or through which gardeners can obtain information and help. It is that which gives to garden work a larger outlook, a broader horizon, more vision than are associated with mere manual labor.

Join Marshall Clewis at http://www.zone10.com as he continues to explore more effective ways on african violet care.

The final decision as to what type of garden you will want is not reached at the snap of a finger, but can be achieved in one of two ways. The first, and most businesslike, is to write down all pertinent facts and figures concerning yourself, your family, the size of your property, the size of your house, its exposure, etc. The other, which is just as workable but perhaps a little more confusing and likely to cause you undue worry, is simply to carry your ideas around in your head and finally try to put them on paper in the form of a plan. These are not solutions of your problem but rather helpful guides.

The more orderly method is to make a check list and to give our thought reality we shall consider the requirements of a family living in a development of identical houses in Central New Jersey. Their check list should be used as a guide in making your own.

Topography - Fairly level Exposure - South ( that is, front of house faces south) Location - Central New Jersey Design of garden - Informal Existing vegetation ( trees and shrubs ) - None Garage - Single, attached Soil - Sandy loam, well drained Neighboring properties - Houses on both sides Age of owners - early 30’s Family - Father, mother, and three young children Parents like to work in garden Parents also like to relax in and enjoy the garden, and plan to entertain extensively out-of-doors. Size of property-75 x 125 feet Budget - calls for an expenditure of $750 a year for 6 years.

Analyzing the List

It is obvious that since this family intends to spend a great deal of time relaxing and entertaining their friends out-of-doors they will need a larger than average private area. The rough sketch will include ovals on the basic plot plan the majority of space in the area behind the house is labeled private.

Since the majority of space is devoted to this area, it is obvious that the service area must necessarily be small, perhaps just large enough to provide a few fresh vegetables and flowers that do not require too much care. The completed plan of a garden should serve our hypothetical family well. It provides them with a vast outdoor living room that will be excellent for entertaining and just enough service area to provide tomatoes, string beans, radishes, and flowers.

Now let us consider a neighboring family in similar circumstances who do not plan extensive outdoor entertainment. In their case the service area could be greatly expanded at the expense of the private area.The service area may occupy better than half the space behind the house is sufficiently large to provide all sorts of fresh vegetables and cut and specimen flowers, while the private area, though small, remains large enough to meet the relaxation needs of the family.

Give a great deal of thought and attention to compiling your own check list. Never fail to consider your future as well as your present requirements; plan your garden in such a way that it will mature to fit all your needs with a, minimum expenditure of time, effort, and money. Just like caring for spider mites on plants.

Since our list has shown us how to determine the relative sizes of the public, private, and service areas, we are now ready to begin developing the individual areas. Your next step is to consider each particular area and proceed to mold it into actuality.

Knowing more helps you make better decisions, like on the topic of spider mites on plants. Join us http://www.plant-care.com/house-plants-palms-and-spider-mites-colonies.html.

Though landscapes are not his most common subject for paintings, Chuck Rosenthal excels. From Clearwater, Florida, the artist more often paints people and still life, but his landscapes are definitely worth seeing.

Most noticeable in his landscapes are the contrast of glowing colors, oranges and yellows, against peaceful rural scenes. He paints scenes in Florida, areas known to him. The yellows and oranges against the buildings and flora definitely show the Florida sun, although the actual sun is not in the paintings. Any of them would brighten a room.

“Bellaire Beach” is a painting not actually of a beach, but of a glowing stately Bellaire home possibly as seen from the beach. The home is a typical Florida villa type of architecture, with perfect landscaping, grasses and palms. What makes the painting enchanting is the reflection of the light on the building - those radiant shades of orange and yellow.

Not a common subject for a landscape painting, “Florida Waterworld” shows wetlands with a big white house in the background. Even the grasses growing in the wetlands reflect that glorious Florida sun. Although most people would not think of such a marshy, boggy land as a place they would wish to paint, Rosenthal makes it appealing and a place you would want to visit.

“Houses on the Marshland” also depicts wetlands with white houses in the background. Again the shimmering oranges and yellows make this painting a showpiece.

“Water’s Edge” shows a reflective lake, autumn trees and again, white houses in the background near the edge of the lake. The colors again mirror the sun. The composition of this painting puts forward the beauty of nature, leaving the creations of man (the houses) in the background.

When you look at a painting, do you ever wonder what the artist was thinking when he painted that artwork? Consider perhaps that the artist wonders what you are thinking when you view the painting. Unless you can talk to the artist in person and ask him, you will never know what he was thinking. The artist paints the picture, and puts it out there and invites the viewer to contribute to the painting with your own thoughts and ideas.

What does the painting make you think of? What can you imagine when you look at that house in Bellaire Beach, or the houses at “Water’s Edge”? The mark of a great painter is that he invites you, the viewer, into the painting, and accepts your contribution to the artwork.

See the On The Gulf and the fine art of Chuck Rosenthal at the gallery.