Gardening Talk

A Garden in Second Life.

To many gardeners, the idea that gardening can be turned into an exciting computer game is very hard to believe. But there are several successful game franchises that feature gardening as a core component of the game experience. Everything from seed collecting, plant selection taking into consideration the climate zone and season, to weeding and watering. If landscape design is more your thing, other games let you recreate your own garden or build a replica of famous garden.

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Mowing with a Brill
push reel lawnmower

Push reel mowers are undergoing a revival in popularity. Not only are they friendly to the environment (no air or noise pollution), they are also inexpensive to purchase and operate (no fuel), and many people find them an enjoyable form of exercise.

Modern reel mowers are light and easy to push. However it is definitely worthwhile to keep the blades sharp, as blunt blades will make the reel mower significantly harder to use. Sharpening kits for most models of mowers are available, and well worth the investment.

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Gardenia

Gardenia is a genus of evergreen flowering shrubs and trees native to tropical and sub-tropical Australia, Asia and Africa. They are prized for their strong sweet aroma and large flowers.

Gardenia prefer sheltered humid locations, and acidic well-drained soil. Specialized potting mixes are available. They do not tolerate frost. Fertilize well with an organic mix.

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Southwest Garden

When most people think of drought-tolerant plants, they immediately think of cactii. Indeed, most succulents require very little water, storing moisture in their leaves and stems, and conserving moisture by have small of vestigial leaves.

Bulbs are another category of drought-tolerant plants. They can evade drought by remaining dormant until rains arrive. However, this makes the garden appear rather barren.

Deep and infrequent watering of lawns and other garden plants encourages deep root growth. Plants with deep roots can better tolerate drought conditions, as the deepest layers of soil remain moist the longest.

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Plumeria

Frangipani (genus Plumeria) is native to tropical and sub-tropical America. However today it is most widely recognised as associated with Hawaii, via the lovely leis. A garden or room can be transformed into a tropic oasis by the clever use of frangipani.

Frangipani can be propagated by taking a cutting in Spring when the stem tip is lifeless, allowing the cutting to dry, and then inserting into soil. Commercial propagation is often performed via tissue culture.

The perfumed blossoms will bring a sweet, tropical aroma to any garden or room, particularly in the evenings.

Although a sub-tropical plant, it can be grown successfully in cooler climates. In regions prone to frost, the plant can be stored indoors in a pot or even a garbage bag.

Frangipani are relatively slow growing, taking several years to mature. The stems are also quite brittle and easily damaged. Be careful to avoid contact with the milky sap as it may cause skin irritation.

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