BY EKWY P. UZOANYA
GROWING plants indoors is one way to make a space feel inviting and warm. This is normally done in containers. This type of gardening offers flexibility for people with limited garden space or lack of time for elaborate gardening outdoors. Plants can be attractive decoration that add a softness of line and provide a bit of nature indoors.
Bringing the plant indoors may mean that the ideal location of a plant for decoration may not be the ideal spot for plant growth. This therefore means that inadequate lighting may be a problem that the gardener may be confronted with. With more and more number of people working outside the home for long hours, there may be little sunlight penetrating through the window or exposure of the plants to sunlight if not taken outside.
At some periods like the rainy season, there may be a stretch of humid days during which time there is absence of sunlight. Supplementary lighting through electricity can go a long way for the plants. Electricity is a way to provide light for plants that do not receive adequate natural light.
Flourescent tubes are good sources of artificial light available for plants in the home. Cool-white fluorescent tubes are more desirable. Fluorescent tubes come in different shapes and sizes such as u-shape, circular, square or straight.
Avoid incandescent light bulbs because they are not particularly good for this purpose. They are a good source of red rays but a poor source of blue. The heat they give out is too much for most plants. But if they must be used, they should be located away from the plants, thereby reducing the intensity of the heat the pants receive.
For indoor plants, a large variety of containers are available. Plant should be done in tubs, pots, crocks, sacks, bowls and wooden boxes that have good drainage.

Growing annuals

ANNUAL plants are easy to work with, and can liven up any garden with an infusion of colour. They are garden flowers that complete their life cycle in the span of one growing season. Some examples of annuals include geraniums, petunias and sunflowers.
A starter can follow some simple steps outlined by gardeners for successful growth of these plants. To grow annuals, it is important to first start by making good choices.
Determine whether to start the annuals from seed or from established plants. Established plants are fastest and easiest but cost more and are available in a limited variety. Starting from seed takes a bit of skill and more time but hundreds of flowers can still be got for what is spent on just one flat of established annuals.
Look carefully when buying seeds. Beginners should choose annuals that are touted as being especially easy or that perform especially well. Also look for those that germinate fast.
Look for short, stocky (not leggy) established plants that do not have roots coming out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. Blooms indicate that the plant is putting too much energy into the flowering when you want it first to put energy into root development at planting time; roots coming out of the bottom of the pot is a sign that the plant has been in the pot too long.
Read the label or packet carefully and note the plants needs for sun soil, water and other conditions. Ensure that conditions can easily be met.

Planting annuals
PREPARE the planting area well. Prepare a flowerbed. Also work a little slow-release granular fertilizer into the planting area if desired. Fertiliser can help fast- growing annuals reach their maximum height and bloom. Follow the required directions. Pinch off any flowers on the plant. (There will be some in most cases). This will help the plant get established and produce more flowers in the long run
Plant annuals close together. It helps the plants to attain good health in addition to the providing visual effect. Plant in groups. Most annuals look far better when grouped in plantings of 12 or more.

Caring for annuals
USE mulch such as grass clippings or wood chips. Mulch suppresses weeds, conserves moisture and prevents some soil-borne diseases. Apply a layer one to three inches thick.
Keep annuals appropriately watered. Most require one inch of water per week, either as rainfall or watering. It is better to water them deeply and occasionally rather than giving them just a little water here and there.
Remove deadhead from most annuals regularly. This means trimming or pinching off spent blooms every few days. This not only keeps the plant looking tidy but it also encourages more flowers.
Fertilise regularly during growing season, using food formulated for flower production, following label directions.
Tear out annuals when they are spent. Dispose of healthy annuals in a compost heap. If disease has been a problem, put them in a separate area or in the garbage.

Small space gardening

BY EKWY P. UZOANYA
FOR reason of lack of space, many homeowners feel it is almost impossible to have a garden around the house. They contend that a small space will not accommodate most of the principles and rules laid down in gardening manuals. True, small garden spaces present their own challenges, but it needs not be limiting.
A small space garden lends itself to personal expression. Smaller gardens are extensions of your home and go a long way to capture the sensibilities and taste of the gardener. If at any time the taste and inclination change, reworking a small garden is much easier.
From wanting to make the space look larger or just squeezing as many plants in as possibly can, plenty of small gardening help comes handy.
In a small garden, the gardener needs to pay attention to details. It is easier to manage in terms of maintenance, while still having time to sit and enjoy the small garden. Another benefit of a small garden is that the gardener gets to know every space and plant. Any plant that is out of place or not thriving can be spotted and corrected quickly.

Limited space means having to make choices. Every plant or feature will need to serve a purpose. There is no room for wasted space or underperforming plants.
In fact, it takes fewer plants to make a dramatic effect.
Growing every plant you love in the available space is out of it. There is need to check the inclination to buy a plant on impulse and assume that a place can be found for it in the garden.
It also means that colour should also be limited, so as to give the small garden cohesion. Less is more. Subtle colours will make the garden appear larger. However, this can compensate for the limited colour pallette with a variety of textures. The textural contrast will help blend the plant material and allow the garden to flow.
Growing plants in containers is useful in achieving the dream of gardening in small space.

Garden edge

BY EKWY P. UZOANYA
THE different ways the edge of a garden is defined will invariably define the mood, formality, geometry and overall impact of a landscape. Hardscape elements, such as a path made of cobblestones, brick, or cement, will give an exact boundary at the ground level. Softer possibilities include a row of trees or hedges, a trellised vine, or merely another variety of garden.
A low fence is the most traditional strategy to define the edge of a garden. A simple wooden picket fence will do the trick. Iron railings or vinyl fences work the same way but give a different impression. Fences let one see through the garden, or past the garden, yet give an exact linear boundary.
Creating a design that will define the edge of a garden may be as simple as taking edge its edge to the end of soil. In this kind of boundary, the garden gives way to artificial flooring. It may be a narrow meandering meandering path of pavers, a square brick, patio, or a cement walkway.
More inventive ways to define the edge of a garden include using sculptural or water elements. For instance, a koi pond, reflecting pool, or even wine barrel filled with horsetail will interrupt the dry ground with the peace of water.
Sculptures, whether birdbaths, kinetic metal art pieces or topiary, are other noticeable elements that can define the edge of a garden. Decorative birdhouses can sit on pedestals, as can birdfeeders or birdbaths. Finally, a change in elevation, flanked by short, rock walls or planks, gives steps to your garden. For centuries, people have terraced their gardens to take advantage of sloping hillsides. Stairs or ramps can connect the different levels of the garden yard and define the edge of a garden in an interesting and aesthetically pleasing way.

Ashoka… Tall And Majestic

BY EKWY P. UZOANYA
A look around some gardens and major cities in the country will show that the Ashoka tree has found some space on the landscape. In the Lagos metropolis for example, Ashoka is the major streetscape tree being planted as part of the greening project of the state government. Major roads already have this tree lined along them.
Interestingly, some organisations across the world have adopted it as their means to freshness, coolness, and for its constancy, unwavering and, of course, majestic tallness.
Ashoka is native to India and Sri Lanka but it has been introduced in gardens in many tropical countries around the world. Its botanical name is Polyalthia longifolia and it is of the family of Annonaceae (sugar apple family).
This tall and elegant evergreen is also known as Indian Mast Tree. It grows to over 30 feet tall in a narrow columnar shape. Its glossy green, long, narrow leaves have attractive wavy edges that look very graceful with its downward-sweeping branches.
However, sometimes wide-spreading slender branches issue from the straight trunk and form a compact symmetrical crown. In fact, one might mistake it as a tree without branches, but in fact an Ashoka when allowed to grow naturally (without trimming the branches out for decorative reasons) grows into a normal large tree with plenty of shade.
There are some benefits of planting Ashoka tree. It is commonly planted due to its effectiveness in alleviating noise pollution.
It has a single taproot that goes down till it hits water. This means it can be planted in a small garden where there is not much space and one still wants to plant a tree; or in large compound. Also, it has no surface feeder roots and so will not constitute a barrier to free movement for pedestrians and can be grown near buildings or compound walls without it causing distress to buildings and other adjoining structures.
It can be grown as a hedge tree with spacing of four to six feet to make a virtual wall of greenery. Though it reaches a height of over 30 feet, it can be trimmed to a lower height, thus making it very versatile for privacy screening.

Cool Green Lawn

BY EKWY P. UZOANYA
A BRILLIANT, green lawn is always a delightful sight. Homeowners with some spacious outdoors will definitely love a thick carpet of grassed ground.
Growing a healthy lawn can be achieved by taking the right decisions. The effort put out to put the lawn in now, will determine the quality of the lawn for many years to come. It will also make a major difference in the amount of upkeep and maintenance to be performed in the future.
Proper preparation of the soil is the first step in attaining a healthy lawn. The soil should be tilled thoroughly over the entire area and should be made rich for planting if it is lacking plant nutrients.
Selecting the right grass that thrives well in a given area among the different types of grasses in existence is another important step towards a creating a beautiful lawn. Shady areas do not easily allow green lawns. Shade tolerant type of grass is therefore suited for any such planting.
Lawn areas with heavy foot traffic require a tough grass. Some types are more resistant to drought than others prone to drought than others. Getting such information from the local commercial gardener will be beneficial.
But in addition to selection of grass-type, there are other factors to consider in having a green lawn. Effective lawn weed control, in addition to having the right lawn mower and using that lawn mower properly is important. But in dry season, weed growth is not likely to be much of a problem. Think about watering lawns and removing thatch.

Watering
Watering is of prime importance in the survival of newly planted lawn grasses especially during dry season. New sod must be kept moist, by watering as soon as it is layed out. So during the first few weeks of watering, concentrate on keeping the lawn surface moist. This is best accomplished by frequent light watering, especially on hot, sunny days. Areas of the lawn in full sun need to be watered more often than partially shaded areas. Note that slopes always dry out faster than level areas.
During the first two weeks, heavy traffic should be avoided. After that time, the new sod should have established roots. Mowing the lawn can begin when it grows up to four to five inches. Cut the grass only when the grass and soil are not wet. Mowing when the ground is wet can lead to damage roots and grass that may prohibit proper growth. Since most new lawns require constant water saturation for their first weeks or months, try to mow during the driest period in between watering periods.

Rose … The Kiss Of Love

BY EKWY P. UZOANYA
THOSE with passion for gardening will find the garden relevant in expressing emotion of love associated with this popular day, Valentine. And for the gardener that has rose flower in abundance, this is the time to make some quick cash from sales of this beautiful flower.
Flowers have become a staple of Valentine’s Day and with proper planning right from the outset of designing an entire garden that incorporates this fragrant plant, a handcrafted flower arrangement that will brighten the day and serve as gift to a spouse, parent, grandparent or friend can be worked out from it.
Rose is the most outstanding flower that is given on Valentine’s Day or by lovers in general. It is one of the oldest flowers and is regarded as the flower of love and affection since ancient times. This beautiful and regal flower speaks of many eternal love stories. Known for its sensuous scent and fragile petals, rose comes in different colours such as red, purple, pink, white, yellow, orange, peach, deep burgundy, green, black and blue with each colour signifying the colours of a relationship.
For instance, red roses symbolize beauty and strong feeling of love; lilac roses – love at first sight; peach pink rose – gratitude, sympathy, gentleness and friendship; and red and white rose mixed in a bouquet – truth and love, union and harmony or true love.

Growing roses should not be a challenge. It is a matter of growing those that suit the growing conditions applicable to the location of the garden and it is a straight way to having a spectacular rose garden. Also, just like any other form of gardening, the more gardening care and information known for the particular plant, the more successful the venture will be.
Therefore, learning the basics of caring for roses and the rose bushes will pave way for a garden that stands out in the neighbourhood.
Roses can be used in the garden for various purposes ranging from hedges to climbers and ground covers. They also look good in containers. For its overall effect, it is necessary to ensure that their flower or foliage colours work together to bring harmony to the garden.

Roses received during this period can be made to spice up a space and to make it last longer with proper care and handling.
Here are some tips and instructions.
• Cut the stems on a slant instead of making it a straight cut.
•Cut off any leaves that are below the water line.
• A spoonful of sugar added to the water will keep flowers longer as well.
• Top up your vase everyday with water and do not have them near the fire, sunlight or other sources of heat such as television or other electronic equipment that generates heat.
•Remove drying flowers and foliage as they appear.

Foliage plants gardening

BY EKWY P. UZOANYA
THINKING about gardens conjures the image of flowers, scents and nectar. That is why, for example, one talks about garden of roses, violets, amaryllis and azalea. Blooms flare up in their blaze of colours, sputter, seed and they are gone. What remains when the blooms are disappear are the foliage. But even without flowers, foliage can be used to create a lush and beautiful garden.
Many garden plants have leaves that look good all through the seasons. All the gardener needs to do is to explore the possibilities of designing a foliage garden that breathes sophisticated serenity.
Such a garden will take into cognisance texture rather than colour of the plants. Texture refers to the surface quality of the plant. Plant textures can range from fine to coarse and bold. Yet varying shades of greenery can be used to introduce colour into the garden.
Far from being simply green, some foliage plants offer variegated patterns of white, gold, and red, while others have leaves tinged with yellow, blue, or bronze that can act as a focal point or an accent in a colour scheme. Tall, flowing grasses and dense, leafy ferns are ideal for creating a lush and generous look in a small patch of earth.
For instance, planting limited to green palettes can fascinate as much as flamboyant blooms. Using various shades of green only and interweaving delicate, airy foliage with coarser leaves can be used to create an impressive tapestry that is easy on the eyes. In an all-green garden, a single plant with bold, dramatic foliage assumes the focal point where flowers would usually stand. It makes great impact as much as blooms.
Foliage has an essential and complex function in the plant world. It converts sunlight to life-sustaining sugars. In garden design, leaves assume equally important roles. They prolong a border’s attractions through the season, giving it depth, flow, and personality.
Used as hedging, ground cover, background, or striking specimen, foliage defines garden contours and skylines.
Interestingly, foliage plants continue to meet man’s aesthetic needs indoors or outdoors. From frilly fronds to big, bold, brightly coloured leaves, foliage houseplants set the tone in any room.

Care and maintenance

All foliage plants are different but they share certain common basic needs. They need sun, water, light and nutrient in form of fertilizer. They do well with pruning. Spacing when planting will depend on the amount of sunlight required and will vary from one plant to the other. While some prefer shadier spots others love full-sun. It just depends on the plant and its origin.