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I buy organic whenever it is available and the price is right. I’ve noticed that organic food is stronger tasting – for example, an organic apple is more “appley”, mushrooms are more mushroomy, even organic oatmeal tastes more oatmealy. The flavours are just much more intense than regular produce, and are even sometimes quite different (for example, organic apples seem to have a different taste than regular apple, as well as having a stronger flavour).
Does anyone know why?

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The most comprehensive illustrated A-Z guide to today’s most popular garden plants produced in conjunction with the AHS, America’s premier gardening authority. Full horticultural information for over 5,000 plants produced by a team of over 40 experts. Full-color photographs of suggested planting ideas show you how to combine perennials in your garden. Special “Gardeners’ Notes” panels offer expert planting advice, useful tips and fascinating facts. Published in conjunction with (more…)

Tropical trees fall into the realm of elegance and need specific environmental conditions to flourish. If you want to plant and/or farm tropical trees, you must live in a tropical area, free of cold winters. Use the following guidelines to help you on your way to creating an environment where tropical trees will grow, year-round. There are four conditions you need to follow in order to have optimal growth of tropical trees: sunlight, good drainage, regular irrigation, and occasional fertilization. If any of these conditions cannot be met, the tropical tree?s growth will be adversely affected. Many tropical trees will find a way to survive if an area is lacking, but they will suffer. Most tropical trees grow faster and perform to the highest standard when placed in full, direct sunlight. When planning your tropical tree location, keep in mind that, at the minimum, the tree will need four hours of daily sunshine pressing into its branches and leaves. Sunshine brings happiness to trees. The more sunshine in a tree?s day, the happier it will be and the more plentiful will be its growth. If a tree grows in an environment of fragmented sunlight, or partial sun, the tree?s growth?branches, vines, needles, shoots, root structures?will all slow down. If, for example, you are planting tropical bamboo species, and the sunlight is fragmented, then the number of shoots that grow will diminish. Some bamboo will stretch out their internodes if grown under the canopy of other tropical trees. Each tropical plant and tree has one main objective: hog up as much sunlight as possible. With this constant sunlight, tropical trees need proper nutrients. They need lots of water. Water them daily during the early stages of a tropical tree?s life cycle. Consider using an irrigation system for best results. Certain tropical trees get the best start by being immersed in water constantly. You can wean off on the watering as your trees grow, gain strength and feed off that direct, constant field of sunlight. The abundant water cycling necessary for tropical trees needs a place to go. Even tropical trees can drown. Proper drainage is just as necessary as your irrigation plans. Also, keep in mind that many tropical trees won?t survive if planted in muck or boggy conditions. The rhizome and root systems don?t like bogs or swamp-like settings. So, with good drainage, you can avoid creating mucky soil conditions. One thing to keep in mind is to build up what is known as a small berm. Then plant your trees in this hilltop area so that the excess water can only drain to lower ground cover. Fertilizer is necessary in the diet of your tropical trees. Visit your local nursery or horticultural shop to discover the best fertilizer. Many tropical trees and plants grow best if they are given time-released fertilizer. Compost and mulch are the easiest way to preserve the life of healthy tropical trees. If you purchase fresh, uncomposted mulch, fertilize first, then mulch. Also, remember this: don?t use weed-and-feed fertilizer. Once your tree enters the third year of its life cycle, pruning may be necessary. See your nursery experts to answer further questions on the fertilization process and pruning back tree branches.

Using gravel in your garden can create an excellent, in-expensive but practical garden surface. It’s attractive, maintenance-free, simple to lay and fits in well with plants. It will work well with irregular outlines, and it can be effective in any area large or small. Whole gardens can be turned over to gravel with some judicious use of complimentary paving and attractive planting. Use of edging is an important addition, otherwise the gravel can be scattered into surrounding borders.
Many garden centres and builders merchants sell a huge range of gravels in many different sizes, colours and textures. The great thing about gravel is that the appearance changes according to the light and whether the stones are wet or dry.
Making a Gravel Bed
You can set a gravel bed in a lawn or within an area of paving. In a large lawn a winding ribbon of gravel, designed to imitate a dry riverbed, can look very effective. If the garden is smaller, a more compact shape, perhaps oval or kidney-shaped, may be more appropriate.
To cut out the shape try using a half moon edger (edging iron) and remove the turf about 10cm (4 inches) deep with a spade. If you would like to grow drought-loving plants, dig in plenty of course grit. For growing more water hungry plants, add well-rotted manure or compost. The gravel needs to be about 5cms (2 inches) deep. Keep the gravel well below the surface of the lawn, otherwise it will spill on to the surface of the lawn and will damage the mower when it’s time to cut the grass. Choose a size that will be noticeable if it does stray.
Larger Gravel Areas
For areas larger than a small island bed, consider laying a plastic membrane sheet over the area to stop weed growth coming through later on. If your gravel garden is low-lying or in a hollow you will need to provide a sump for excess water to drain into. Ensure that the surface is quite smooth before laying the sheet, and overlap the joints. Tip the gravel over the plastic sheet and rake it level to make a 5cm (2 inches) layer.
Plants and Gravel
Many plants will grow well in and around a gravel bed, but for a true low-maintenance garden choose drought-resistant plants that wont need watering, even in dry spells. Scoop back the gravel and plant normally, but avoid planting too deeply and keep the gravel away from the immediate area around the stem to stop it rubbing and damaging it in winds etc.
If planting through a plastic sheet, scoop back the gravel then make cross-slits through the plastic. Enrich the soil with garden compost or fertilizer and plant normally. Fold back the sheet and replace the gravel, taking care not to cover the crown of the plant.