Peat based compost – The compost sold in garden centres doesn't come from compost heaps, most of it comes from peat bogs. Peat is formed over many years from the remains of plants and provides an important habitat for a whole range of birds, insects and plants. This natural habitat is seriously under threat from peat extraction, the equivalent of 60 million bags of peat-based products are sold to UK gardeners every year ! Although you can rely on peat-based compost to perform consistently it's not a good source of nutrients and contains very little biological activity, So compost manufacturers add nutrients to boost its chemical fertility. A more sustainable way to meet the demand for plant growing media and soil conditioners would be to use locally produced home compost.
Soil based compost - soil based composts are made from a mixture of loam (this is made from stacking good quality pastureland turves, allowing them to decompose until the correct texture is obtained) peat and sand with added fertilizers and nutrients, these additions are known as “base fertilisers”
Soil less – as the name implies, these are composts that are based on material that is not classed as soil, with peat being the most common ingredient used. Although peat is dug from the ground it is compose of decayed vegetation and animal remains. Nutrients an fine sand are added. These soil-less compost's are also available in different strengths, cutting and sowing, again relating to the amount of fertilizer.
Peat free – We now manufacture peat free compost and growing mediums from possibly the widest range of raw materials in the industry, both for commercial growers and retailers. We have compost mixes and recommendations for almost all crops.
Soil less – soil less compost is any compost that does not contain soil component in it's makeup. It can be peat based, coir based, bark based etc. These materials are generally deficient in nutrients so they have to be added to fertilisers. When you buy soil less compost from the garden centre or DIY shop it already has the nutrients added and is ready for use. Garden centre soil less composts dont usually have any grit or sand in the formula.
The advantages and disadvantages of different materials used in greenhouse construction
Fibre glass
An advantage to this material is that it will not conduct heat or cold easily. Therefore this helped to heep heat in and cold air out. A disadvantage is that light diminishes the fibre glass over time.
Wood
An advantage to this material is that it is strong enough to hold glass, however it is difficult to build.
PVC
An advantag of this material would be that it is readily available, fairly cheap and easy to work with. A disadvantage is, that it doesn't offer the strength like other materials do.
Aluminum
An advantage of this material is that aluminum is strong, will not rust, and lightweight however, a disadvantage is, is it doesn't insulate heat from your greenhouse will be lost through the frame.
Galvanized steel
An advantage of this material is its strong and is rust resistance. On the other hand, because of the weight of the material it will cost more to transport the goods.
How plants can be displayed to market them effectively, from nurseries or garden centres.
Garden centres display their plants using the internet, posters, signs etc. Also this is a garden centres main focus “to sell plants to customers”. On the internet they have a picture of every variety of plant, this is to attract customers to the store. On the other hand, supermarkets display their plants in the corner of the shop and do not use any other form of advertising as a supermarkets main focus is to sell food so therefore would advertise food. They would advertise food using the same methods as what a garden centre would.
The differences between annual, biennial and perennial life cycles
A plants life cycle describes how long a plant lives for or how long it takes to grow, flower, and set seed. Plants can be either an annual, perennial or biennial.
Annual - A plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season. It will grow, flower, set seed and die. EXAMPLES : Marigolds, tomatoes and petunias
Perennial – a plant that lives for 3 years or more. It can grow, flower and set seeds for many years. Underground parts may regrow new stems as in the case of herbaceous plants, or the stems may live for many years like woody plants. EXAMPLES : Daisies, chrysanthemums and roses.
Biennial: A plant that needs two growing seasons to complete its life cycle. It grows vegetation (prouces leaves) one season. Then it does dormant or rests over the winter. In the spring, it will begin to grow again and grow flowers, set seed and die. The seed that is left behind on the ground germinates and the cycle begins again. EXAMPLES : Parsley, carrots, and foxglove.
How plants are propagated asexually: bulbs, corms, rhizomes, tubbers and runners, using named examples of plants used in amenity horticulture
BULBS = underground storage units that are divided by mitosis allowing many new plants to form new bulbs. A hybrid Amaryllis is a good example of a bulb that can reach up to 12cm in diameter.
CORMS = the gladious is a typical representative
RHIZOMES = An underground runner that gives rise to new plants. E.g. Quick grass
TUBBERS = Underground storage stems (e.g. Potatoes) from which new plants can grow after a dormant season.
RUNNERS = let the plantlet that forms as the tip of the runner root itself. Then about 3 weeks after it has rooted, cut the runner, dig up the soil around the rooted plantlet and put it in a pot of normal potting compost. E.g. Strawberry plant
The process of producing a lawn from seed: the different uses of lawns
Sowing a lawn is cheaper than making one from turf and will establish quickly if sown at the right time – in spring or early autum. Regular watering will be needed if sowing takes place in the summer.
Step 1 = level the ground, by raking the soil
Step 2 = firm the soil by treading on it to remove air pockets.
Step 3 = rake the soil to a fine, crumbly structure. Leave for a couple of weeks to allow any weed seedlings to germinate, then hoe or use a weed – killer, safe for replanting in a few days. Rake once more.
Step 4 = weigh the recommended amount of seed to cover 1 meter square. It may not appera to be much but dont be tempted to use any more than this.
Step 5 = scatter the seed with a swinging motion. Start by sowing thinly acros each meter squared. You will be able to judge the density of seed by eye.
Step 6 = use a spring-timed rake to mix the see into the top of the soil to prevent it from dryong out. Rake the area twice, the second time at right angles to the first.
There are many uses of lawn such as using them for sports such as football and rugby, to make the area look attractive, play areas for children, to cover waste ground etc.
The process of producing a lawn from turf, including the cultivation of turf and examples of grasses used in lawns
You can lay turf at most times of year if you avoid frozen ground and water in dry weather. Spring and eary autum are ideal times. Prepare the ground as for sowing seeds.
Step 1 = lay the first row against a straight edge. But each turff up close against the previous turf.
Step 2 = stagger each row (like brick work) Kneel on a plank to avoid damaging the turf.
Step 3 = Roll the plank forwards as you lay the turf rows.
Step 4 = tamp the turf down with a rake or garden roller, to remove any air.
Step 5 = brush sieved sandy soil or a mixture of peat and sand into the joints, to bind them together.
Step 6 = use an edging iron to trim edges if needed. Stand on a plank of wood to keep the edge straight.
cultivation
The soil is loosened to reduce compaction of the soil and reduce thatch layers, improving air and water movement. Of course, the goal is to do this without destroying the turfgrass. So you should dig 3 – 4 inches into the soil to prevent damaging the roots.
Different grasses are centipede grass, bermuda grass etc.
The function of glasshouses, cloches, polytunnels and fleece ground cover, and their uses, advantages and disadvantages
Greenhouses – particulary in cool climates, geenhouses are useful for growing and propagating plants because they both allow sunlight to enter and prevent heat from escaping. The transparent covering of the greenhouse allows visable light to enter unhindered, where it warms the interior as it is absorbed by the material within. The transparent covering also prevents the heat from leaving by reflecting the energy back into the interior and preventing outside winds from carrying it away. An advantage is you can grow whatever type of plant you want, you can grow plants in different sections within the greenhouse, where you can contain how big the plant gets until you are ready to put it outdoors and you can extend your seasons and make them earlier in the spring. Disadvantages are; not enough space, opening the windows may cause more insects to come in and eat the plants, the costs and the maintainance of the greenhouse.
Cloches - are just smaller poly-tunnels which are normally used to protect a small number of individual plants. Chloches are made from plastic. Advantages of these are; there light, easy to move, last for a few years, you can get bell shaped transparent cloches which can be used indoors or outdoors. Disadvantages are if your cloche brakes there is no protection at all. And Bell shaped cloches cover a small area and heat up rapidly, causing condensation and removing the top of cloche to allow the plants to breathe for a few days.
Polytunnels - are a row of hoops (wire or plastic) which support a polythene sheet. Advantage of these is, it protects your plants from some insects, its cheap, it can be raised to allow watering and ventilation. However disadvantages of it is, the supporting hoops should be no more than 75cm apart. If spaced further apart the plastic sheeting will drop over the crops and possibly causing them damge, especially in rain conditions.
A Fleece - is sheets of polythene which are placed over the seed bed as the seedlings grow. The fleece is light enough to move and float as they grow. Advantages are you can cut the fleece down to the correct size, you can secure it down with bricks, cheap, easy to place, protects seedlings from 3-4 degrees of frost and protects seedlings from birds. A disadvantage is there is a slight chance of a rip
How growing medium,water,nutrients and tempreture can be controlled, how they affect plant growth and what conditions are needed.
The soil should be germinating soil, be lightweight to provide airspaces for seeds, absorb water easily and be sterile. This should leed to an effectively plant growth.
Water is needed for the plant to grow and function properly. However too much water can damage the plant roots. Water is required more in hot weathers as the soil dries out quicker. But is also needed in all of the season as it is one of the components of a life cycle.
If the tempreture is too hot or too cold, some plants may die. Some plants can only be grown outside e.g. Trees, some can only be kept indoors and some remain in greenhouses. So tempretures depend on where a plant can be kept. If the plant gets the correct tempreture it will grow more successfully.
Nutrients can be given to plants through fertilisers such as compost. Plants require nutrients in order to grow, develop and complte their life cycle. The supply of nutrients to the plants should be balanced. If there are no nitrates you will get poor growth and lower leaves will die, no magnesium and lower leaves will die and turn yellow, no potassium is poor growth and curled leaves, no phosphate is poor growth making leaves turn purple.
Plants respond to light, moisture and gravity by growing in a particular direction. Its called tropisms.
How plants are grown from seed including the process of sowing,thinning,pricking out and potting. Also the reasons for these.
How plants grow from seed – the root starts growing out of seed, the root grows down into the soil, the shoot grows out. It is a hooked shape to prevent damage to the top, the root continues to grow down and the shoot grows up, the root brakes through the surface of the soil and straightens and the first leaves open.
Sowing – even if you sow seeds upside down, a plant's stem will always grow upwards and towards the light, and its roots will always grow down, towards moisture and away from the light. This growth is controlled by plant hormones called auxins.
Thinning – thinning seedlings is an important part of growing plants from seed. If they're overcrowded, seedlings will compete for light and moisture, making them spindly and weak. Thinning gives seedlings enough “elbow room” to grow stout and sturdy. When you are thinning choose the healthier plants to stay.
Pricking – transfer of seedlings into more spacious growing conditions where they can begin to develop into young plants. When the plants begin to grow leaves they should be lifted from their seed tray into a hole prepared into compost of another tray.
Potting – ensure that plants are never removed from dry soil for potting, so soak the seed tray or pot thoroghly and leave it for an hour or two before you make the transfer, making sure you keep the boot-rall intact. Potting is important because it gives the plant more room to grow.
- Named examples of plants used in bedding schemes, tubs and baskets. The features of perminant planting including the term herbaceous, and the differences between these and plants in bedding schemes, tubs and baskets
Permanent planting is planting something like a tree or a bush, the word herbaceous means that when the plant has died off it re-grows again.e.g. Trees die in the winter and regrow again in the summer.
Plants used in bedding schemes are lobeilia, marigolds (french an African), nicatinia (tobbaco plant), bizzy lizzies, geraniums, peturnia and alysum
Bedding plants generally die after a year and you have to buy new ones where as perminant plants die off and re-grow again.
Tubs and baskets = pansys, daffodil, primulas, tulips, cyclamin, fushia, Dhalia etc
Names of cut flowers and pot plants. Names of trees in parks, gardens and street plantings
Cut flowers – bird of paradise, carnation, chrysanthemum, daffodile, hydrangea, iris, lily, orchid, rose, tulip and many more
Pot plants = African violet, spider plant, mini carnations, hyacinth, crocus, snow drops etc
Names of trees in parks = oak tree, elm tree, ash tree, chestnut tree, birch tree, crab apple tree etc.
Names of trees in gardens = minature willow trees, lalandi tree, rose standard, apple, pear, plum tree, almond tree etc
street plantings = blackbury bushes, blossom tree, birch tree, oak tree, daffodills, wild red poppys etc.
lawn mowers
there are many types, shapes and size lawnmowers at all different expenses for all different purposes.
A rotary lawn mower cuts the grass using a rotary blade . This hacks the grass down and leaves a torn finish to the grass blade. Rotary lawn mowers will give you a tidy finish that looks respectable and have the advantage that it will still easily cut your grass after the winter break when its a little too long. There are also available for less money than cylinder mowers, in both petrol and elctric versions.
A good cylinder mower is the best type of lawn mower you can buy. As the lawn mower goes forward, either pushed by you or by its own power, the horizontal cylinder rotates with a series of cutting blades on its surface trimming the grass to the desired height. The disadvantage is the cost