Propogate Your Own Landscape Plants

It can take years and a lot of money to transform the standard house in a sea of lawn home into a beautiful and vibrant garden. But there are ways to save some of that money. Everyone knows that most perennials, and certainly bulb producing plants, can be propagate by breaking up the bulb clusters and spreading them out. But most people don't realize that hardwood plants can also be propagated, and its really easy to do.

There are several methods to propagate trees and shrubs. Here we will describe the easiest way. Propagation is normally broken into two types: hardwood and softwood. This does not indicate so much the kind of plant being propagated as much as it indicates the time that propagation takes place. Both types of propagation can be used on nearly any stem bearing plant. Hardwood propagation is done when the stems have set, that is, have hardened and begin to grow bark. Softwood propagation is done using fresh stems that have just begin to grow. Consequently, hardwood propagation is normally done in the fall, and softwood in the spring when the stems are still fresh.

For both methods, cut a small spike of twig with sharp shears, ensuring that at least one bud is on the twig, towards the top. Cut the base of the twig at a 45 degree angle, and coat with a rooting stimulant. Several varieties are available at most garden centers, but look for one that is in gel form. It makes it easier to apply, and will stick better to the stem.

Insert the twig, angled cut side down, into moist, damp soil, out of direct sunlight. Push it into the soil a few inches, but make sure the buds are above soil level. And that's all there is to it. For most plants, new roots will begin to sprout from the bottom, and can be transplanted in a year or so.

Using this method, you can purchase one plant, and propagate hundreds of identical new plants. These can be used to fill in around the yard, or if you encourage your friends and neighbors to propagate their plants, you can all trade specimens and accumulate a wide variety of plants, for little to no cost.

Very Modern Stepping Stones Do More Than Keep Your Toes Out of the Mud

Stepping stones are a staple in many gardens. They are much more affordable than concrete sidewalks, and are also more appropriate also. Rather than pouring sidewalk to every place in the yard you may walk, stones are a small and attractive solution. These stones are truly creative though. Available in many shapes, sizes, and colors, they also provide the homeowner with a way to express themselves far better than a standard square stone bought at the local home improvement store. Whats more, these clever little stones also come with a D Hook mounted right in the back, so that they can also be hung on a garden wall or the house. They are made of a high strength concrete matrix that will resist freezing and cracking too! They are a perfect accessory to the modern garden.

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