Interesting Facts About the Hawthorn Tree

!: Interesting Facts About the Hawthorn Tree

While it may be hard to believe that a tree can be a member of the rose family, the Hawthorn tree is exactly that. Considered invaluable as a hedgerow, this tree also has many culinary and medicinal properties.

Several varieties of the Hawthorn tree have developed over the years, but the original Hawthorn was historically and often still is used as a hedgerow. The name actually indicates this use, with its meaning being an old English term for "thorny hedge". A native of Africa, Europe and central Asia, this tree along with its hybrids have quickly gained popularity and are grown in most North American regions.

This tree is not finicky about its habitat; growing well in sunny conditions as well as partial shade and amenable to most soil types. Its 400 year life span only adds to the tree's remarkable characteristics. A height of 25 feet is normal, with an almost equal spread of up to 20 feet. Most of the species of the Hawthorn tree possess thorns, some reaching 5 inches in length. Its leaves differ depending on the variety.

Twice a year will find the Hawthorn tree in bloom, exhibiting tiny, white spherical buds at first; opening to reveal lovely white petals and a pink center. The back of the flower contains the beginning of a seed, which will develop into a bright red berry by the time fall rolls around.

One reason that the Hawthorn tree is well loved by landscapers is that it has multiple uses. The berries of the tree have long been used to improve the cardiovascular system. Controlling high blood pressure, helping blood flow in and out of the heart, dilating coronary arteries and assisting the heart in its use of essential minerals are examples of the medicinal properties of the Hawthorn berry. It is also packed full of antioxidants thought to be more potent than vitamins A, C and E.

Not to be overlooked are the culinary uses of the Hawthorn tree; once called the "bread and cheese" tree. Its leaves, when chewed, provide nourishment and re-energize the eater, taking away the rumbling in the tummy. The leaf buds can be cooked and either eaten plain or added to soups. The berries have long been used to make jellies and jams as they contain their own pectin. Flower buds are attractive as a garnish for foods and are edible as well.

Adding to the list of value is the wood of the Hawthorn tree. Trunk wood is used for carvings, and root wood is used in making boxes. When used as firewood, the Hawthorn tree wood burns at an extremely high heat; capable of melting pig iron.

Planting a Hawthorn tree can bring many benefits; medicinal, culinary and wood value, not to mention its natural beauty. There is little wonder it has endured through the centuries as a favored tree.

Interesting Facts About the Hawthorn Tree

Mtd Shear Pins Tips Wiki Cheap Radon Pro Tartan Handbags Quick

Lean To Greenhouse - A Valuable Home Addition

!: Lean To Greenhouse - A Valuable Home Addition

A lean to greenhouse is a greenhouse designed to "lean to" another structure. Many people design sunspace additions to their homes that double as greenhouses. A sunspace can provide many benefits for your home. As a greenhouse, it can be a place of solace where the presence of tropical plants provide refuge against frigid winter winds. Seedlings can be grown for the vegetable or flower garden. The lean to greenhouse can also provide heat for the home on a sunny day.

The lean to greenhouse can be designed with multiple or single purpose in mind. It can be built as a "plant only" structure whose only function is to grow plants. As such, plumbing and heating must be provided as well as benches for the plants to grow on and storage for the various paraphernalia needed to grow plants. In such a structure there will be little room for people.

A multipurpose room would possibly be more suitable. Plants can be grown in pots and on shelving designed for such use and scattered around the structure. A special area for seedlings could be provided. This can be only temporary, as seedlings are usually only produced during the spring season. The seedlings can be moved to an outdoor hotbed or cold frame when ready to transplant, leaving the sunspace used only for the larger, decorative tropical plants.

The lean to greenhouse will be the least expensive greenhouse to build and the easiest to heat, as one wall, the home's, is already in existence. Possibly the roof is there too, if an existing porch is converted into a sun porch.

A lean to greenhouse can provide many benefits to the home it is attached to. Green plants can be therapeutic, especially in the cold, bleak, winter months. Additional solar heating for the home as well as additional living space. And it can provide a spot to grow seedlings for the vegetable and flower garden.

Lean To Greenhouse - A Valuable Home Addition

Mirror Armoire Jewelry Discount

!: Promotions Traditional Glass Lean-to Greenhouse 14' 6 wide x 20' 10 long, green look to

Brand : | Rate : | Price :
Post Date : Dec 13, 2011 08:51:30 | N/A

Traditional Glass Lean-to Greenhouse 14' 6 wide x 20' 10 long, green

Add grace and beauty to your home with this beautiful Traditional Series Lean-to Glass Greenhouse.

More Specification..!!

Traditional Glass Lean-to Greenhouse 14' 6 wide x 20' 10 long, green

Coupon Bose Awrc Gascan Oakley For Sale Secrets Power Washer Detergent

A Quick Guide on How to Build a Cheap Greenhouse

!: A Quick Guide on How to Build a Cheap Greenhouse

If gardening is your hobby why limit yourself to the summer months. Extend your enjoyment throughout the winter by building a cheap greenhouse. Not only will you increase your gardening knowledge, You can also free yourself from unhealthy insecticides by growing your own fresh fruit and vegetables.

Plans But where to start, How much will it cost? What materials can I use? and the big question, Can I do it? The answer to that is yes! The answer to all the other questions is simple, get yourself a set of ready-made plans. Why? With the proper set of plans you can easily pick the design and build that suits your needs the best. The plans will also act as a "How to" guide to ease you through the whole process.

Designs When you decide to build your cheap greenhouse, there are various designs to choose from. The more traditional Victorian style is very popular, as is the Lean-to style. With the Lean-to style an existing building or wall is incorporated into the design to act as one side. Hooped or "arched" styled greenhouses are also very popular and have proved to be the most simple, yet effective solution when it comes to building your own cheap greenhouse.

Materials Choice of materials will vary depending on your needs and budget. For the base you can use anything from the ground itself to wood or concrete. If you decide to build your greenhouse on the ground clear it of grass and weeds and then apply a light covering of bark mulch. This will provide both insulation and will inhibit the growth of weeds. A concrete base requires a bit more work. The area should be marked out using pegs, use old lumber as shuttering, and then pour the concrete to a depth of about 4 to 6 inches. Laying good concrete slabs or squares will give you a similarly solid base. If you decide to use wood for the base ensure that it is well treated to avoid rot and dampness.

In the interest of cheapness the framing can quite easily be made from PVC piping attached to the ground via metal pins. A step up in your budget would allow the use of timber framing, again a set of plans would be of advantage here, with exact measurements and designs the process is simplified. Covering your cheap greenhouse can be accomplished by using polyethylene or clear corrugated plastic sheets. Both are relatively cheap and very easy to work with. Again in the interest of cheapness glass should be avoided, due to the initial cost and the inevitable cost of having to renew broken panes.

Don't Stop So there you have it, my quick guide to building your own cheap greenhouse. Hopefully this has given you some food for thought and maybe answered some of the questions that were holding you back. You've came this far, don't stop. Go to it and see a whole new side of gardening.

A Quick Guide on How to Build a Cheap Greenhouse

Coupon Coupon For Scott Tissue

Window Greenhouse For the Gardener With Limited Space

!: Window Greenhouse For the Gardener With Limited Space

The aspiring greenhouse grower who may not have the budget or space for a detached greenhouse, or the proper place for a lean to does not have to despair. A window greenhouse may be just what the doctor ordered. This type of greenhouse is just what it implies, it transforms a window of the home into a plant growing area.

There are some requirements for a window greenhouse. First of all, the window should face predominately south. A southeast or southwest exposure would work, but a north exposure would doom the grower to only some tropical plants and African Violets. And these would probably not get enough light in the dark winter months.

There are three types of window greenhouse options available to the gardener. An exterior, glass or plexi-glass covered box installed over the window itself. A custom made window replacement, or clear glass shelves hung inside the window for the plants to grow on. Any one of these should fit your situation.

The exterior glass window greenhouse is the most common. This can be home made, using molding for framework, if desired. If you are handy with tools, or have a friend who is, this type of greenhouse is an interesting project to build. There are kits available, also, which may suit better if you are not the handy type. This type of window greenhouse cannot be used with casement windows, as the windows would not open after it is installed.

Heat for this greenhouse can come from the house itself, as the window can be opened a crack to allow heat from the house to infiltrate. A small electric heater could also be used. When the greenhouse is designed, be sure to make some provision for ventilation. The top and bottom should both be hinged to allow them to open and let air rise through it on warm, sunny days. Or place a small fan in it and blow the heat back into the home.

Custom made replacement windows are another option. This would be the expensive route. Measurements must be carefully made, and installation is definitely for a professional carpenter.

The third option is to just have some glass shelves made from a glass sheet. Shelf supports installed along each side of the window will hold the shelves securely, providing a wonderful place to grow plants.

A window greenhouse can allow gardeners who lack the space or need for a full fledged greenhouse. There are a number of options, providing an answer for just about every need.

Window Greenhouse For the Gardener With Limited Space

Toro Electric Snow Throwers Guide Used Sportdog Yard Trainer