Rainys Garden

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0><script> (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-47423994-1', 'fortunecity.ws'); ga('send', 'pageview'); </script> <center> <br> <div> <script language="javascript" type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.broadcaststation.net/ads/show_ad.php?width=728&height=90"></script> </div> </center> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=26.25% BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="08548483.gif"> <div> <B> </B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="funstuff_yahoo_messenger_themes.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fun stuff"><U><B>Christmas messenger theme</B></U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#003399" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="funstuff_yahoo_messenger_themes.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fun stuff"><U><B>  </B></U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Holidays with a Texmex flair"><U><I>Holidays with a tex-mex flair</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="recipes__tamales.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Recipes"><U><I>Recipes</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id16.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Garden and Community calendar"><U><I>Garden calendar</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id8.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us "><U><I>Contact Us</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Let me help"><U><I>Let me Help</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="funstuff.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fun stuff"><U><I>Fun stuff</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <I> theme for yahoo messenger on the funstuff page</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="08548483.gif"> <bR> <div> <I><B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="759" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 193 ><NOBR><div> <I><B>Rainy's Garden</B></I><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#009900" FACE="High Tower Text" ><I><B> </B></I></FONT></div> <div> <I>Club topic for this issue:</I></div> <div> <I><B>Fighting the Winter Blues</B></I></div> <div> <I>January/10/2002</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>step two in fighting the winter blues</I></div> <div> <I><B>A space in the sun (window sill Gardens)</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="303"><bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0c5ba7e0.gif" border=0 width="186" height="126" ALT="Iced Rainy.gif Rainy with a fuzzy pink bathrobe on over her clothes,fuzzyslippers on her feet, and a cup of hot cocoa in her hand. Trying to warm up. Feel free to use it for personal stuff if you like. © Rainys Garden 2001" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="120"><div> <A HREF="funstuff_yahoo_messenger_themes.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fun stuff"><U>New messenger theme on the Fun stuff page.</U></A></div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 1769 WIDTH="626"><bR> <div> <B>Some Worthwhile Windowsill Gardening Tips</B></div> <div> Displaying cheerful plants and flowers planted in colorful containers on windowsills has again become a fashionable way to brighten homes. Whether you live in a small, twentieth floor apartment in a metropolitan city or in a million dollar mansion situated on a secluded country estate, growing a beautiful windowsill garden can be a snap. </div> <div> Your success in growing windowsill gardens will depend upon following a few simple guidelines.</div> <div> <B>1. Containers </B></div> <div> When selecting windowsill containers, choose pots to group together that are similar in style as this is more pleasing to the eye. Pots can be plain or painted terra-cotta, decorative ceramic, sturdy plastic, wood, wicker, glass, or even china. If the pots you select have proper drainage holes and come with drip trays, you're in business! Should your pots have drainage holes without drip trays, you can always set them on pretty little saucers or purchase clear plastic drip trays to fit under them. Decorative ceramic pots without drainage holes can be effectively used as cache-pots to hold already-potted plants. </div> <div> Windowsill containers are usually much smaller than other indoor containers. You should make sure they will hold enough soil to properly nourish and water your plants. Choose containers that safely fit on your windowsill without tipping over or falling off. Avoid crowding your planted pots close together, as your plants need good air circulation and growing room.</div> <div> <B>2. Soil </B></div> <div> For indoor plants, purchase a reliable brand of houseplant soil. There are two major kinds of houseplant mixes: peat-moss-based and loam-based. Read the labels on the different mixes available at your garden center to decide which one will be the best for the plants you select. Certain plants such as orchids and some varieties of bromeliads will do best in mediums made especially for them. Again, read the labels to help you select the proper soil. </div> <div> <B>3. Lighting</B></div> <div> For optimal lighting, select a windowsill with an eastern or southeastern exposure. This will provide your plants with plenty of early morning light. Windowsills facing due west are not recommended, as the hot afternoon sunshine streaming through glass windows will soon burn their delicate leaves. If you select foliage plants with variegated or lighter colored leaves, they will prefer brighter light. On the other hand, those having dark green leaves usually tolerate less light. Take some time to analyze your windowsill lighting options before you plant your indoor garden. </div> <div> <B>4. Humidity</B></div> <div> Many windowsill gardens are grown on kitchen windowsills located right above the sink. This is a plus since the humidity is usually high in this location. Try not to select a windowsill with a heating vent nearby. All heating vents or other heating appliances such as baseboard heaters are humidity thieves. If necessary, you can increase the humidity by setting your pots on a tray filled with small pebbles. Add water to the tray until it is just below the tops of the pebbles. The evaporating water will furnish your plants with the humidity they need for healthy growth. Add additional water to the tray as needed.</div> <div> <B>5. Watering</B></div> <div> All indoor plants need regular watering and your windowsill plants are no exception. You may have a tendency to water your kitchen windowsill garden a bit too often since the tap water is so close. This is NOT a good idea, as potted plants will die from overwatering more than any other reason. If you find the leaves of your plants turning yellow, you are probably overwatering. On the other hand, don't let your plants dry out completely before watering as this will stress them too much. For best results, I suggest using room temperature water for watering your windowsill garden. Try to water your plants on a regular basis once you've established their watering needs.</div> <div> <B>6. </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B><U>Fertilizer</U></B></FONT><B> </B></div> <div> Water-soluble fertilizers are a superb choice for feeding windowsill garden plants. There are many good brands available at garden centers. Always follow the label directions on fertilizer containers, whether liquid or granule. The nutritional needs of plants vary widely. However, all plants in containers need added nutrition on a regular basis since watering allows the nutrients to leach out through the drainage holes. Don't feed flowering plants too much fertilizer, as this tends to produce much lush foliage but less flowers.</div> <div> <B>7. Misting or Sponging </B></div> <div> Your windowsill plants appreciate a gentle misting or sponging now and then to remove accumulated dust from their leaves. Use tepid water for misting plants with leaves that are furry or crinkly. For plants having smooth, shiny leaves, wet a small sponge with water, then gently wipe each leaf. Misting and sponging will keep your windowsill garden not only looking fresh and clean, but it's necessary for optimum plant health. </div> <div> <B>8. Insect Control </B></div> <div> Should you notice any insects on your plants, or in the soil, use a reliable indoor safe insecticide. Gardens alives offers a very effective control for fungus gnats which sometimes invade the soil of indoor plants.</div> <bR> <div> Windowsill gardening is a great way to invite your garden indoors, even if only for a season. Every gardener has their favorites when it comes to plants and flowers -- I know I do! Whether you prefer a burst of bright, colorful blossoms to brighten up your windowsill or a stunning array of complementary foliage plants -- the choice is yours!</div> <bR> <div> <B>By: Naomi Mathews</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> You know I'm not a garden expert, I rely on the advice of folks who are.</div> <div> To see the advice of folks that <B>are</B> Garden experts, focused on gardening in Texas</div> <div> see the links below.</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="603" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 168 ><NOBR><bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.texasgardener.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.Texasgardener.com"><U>www.TexasGardener.com</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.main.org/sacgarden/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.main.org/sacgarden/"><U>South Austin community Gardens</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.beorganic.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.beorganic.com/"><U>Rhodes nursery, supplies and articles</U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.allaboutorganicgardeningtx.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.allaboutorganicgardeningtx.co"><U>Ladies of the garden, hints and tips</U></A></div> <div> focus on gardening in the Arlington area</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.n-link.com/~hillherb/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.n-link.com/~hillherb/"><U>Hickoryhill Herbs and antique Roses</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  <a href="http://www.qksrv.net/click-763006-4082917" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.e-hairremoval.com/';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"> <img src="http://www.qksrv.net/image-763006-4082917" width="120" height="240" alt="" border="0"></a>  </div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> I may have to put up a links page soon, as I have a lot of sights I want to suggest.</div> <div> <B>..</B><A HREF="http://www.changinglinks.com/links/top.php" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.changinglinks.com/links/top.p"><U><B>.http://www.changinglinks.com/links/top.php</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="911" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 468 WIDTH="379"><div> <B>Please sign my guest book</B></div> <div> <B> <div align="center"><p> <a href="http://pub8.bravenet.com/guestbook/show.php?usernum=602382416&cpv=1"> <img src="HTMLobj-227/turning_pages.gif"> </center>  </B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>   <script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript"> sw="none";sd="none";ref=""+escape(document.referrer); </script> <script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript1.2"> sw=screen.width;nav=navigator.appName; sc=(nav!="Netscape")?screen.colorDepth:screen.pixelDepth; </script> <script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript"> function doit(str) {document.writeln(str);} qs="&sw="+sw+"&sc="+sc+"&ref="+ref; url='http://counter8.bravenet.com/index.php?'; url += 'id=340485&usernum=602382416&cpv=1'; curl='http://counter8.bravenet.com/counter.php?id=340485&usernum=602382416'; doit('<a href="'+url+'" target="_top"><img border="0" src="'+curl+qs+'" /></a>') </script> <noscript> <a href="http://counter8.bravenet.com/index.php?id=340485&usernum=602382416&cpv=1" target="_top"><img src="http://counter8.bravenet.com/counter.php?id=340485&usernum=602382416" alt="Bravenet.com" border="0" /></a> </noscript>  </div> <bR> <bR> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><bR> <div>  <a href="http://www.qksrv.net/click-763006-1484427" target="_blank" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.bloomingbulb.com/';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;"> <img src="http://www.qksrv.net/image-763006-1484427" width="468" height="60" alt="" border="0"></a>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>  <script language=javascript src="http://ss.webring.com/navbar?f=j&y=rainy104&u=100215021610104505"> </script><noscript><center> <table width="75%" cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0> <tr valign=bottom><td> <table bgcolor=990066 border=0 width="75%"><tr><td> <table bgcolor=eeeeee cellpadding=6 cellspacing=0 border=0 width="100%"><tr><td align=center> <font face=arial size=-1>This site is a member of WebRing. 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