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Small Gardening Made Easy 

As the pace of society continues to quicken and our lives become ever more hectic, the process of cultivating, weeding and sowing those often finicky plants can seem a daunting proposition, and one doomed to failure. The good news this isn't the case, and even the busiest person can have a garden they'll be proud of with just a little effort.

If you've been kept up late at night pondering how to make your garden dreams a reality, a window garden is the answer. Window boxes can be setup and installed in just a few short hours, and easily maintained in minutes a day.

Window garden boxes come in a variety of styles, and can be fashioned out of a broad array of materials. For the country style homes, boxes of natural wood work very well, seamlessly blending in with the surrounding decor and earthy feel. More modern homes may do well to go with something flashier, such as a wrought iron or resin box. Molded plastic boxes can also work well in either setting, come in a variety of colors, and are ideal for gardeners on a budget.

When the choice of window box has been reached, the next step will be to install the brackets. This is simpler than it may sound. Detailed instructions will be included with your window box, and the whole process should take no more than fifteen minutes.

With brackets in place, it's time to get to the fun stuff, preparing your window box for planting. You surely know of the many possibilities that exist, so take your time and consider all angles before making your decision. Vegetable plants are a great choice for consumers wishing to save on their grocery bills, and enjoy fresh produce right off the vine. Flowering plants are always a popular choice, and can add a stately, colorful and welcoming look to any room. For the budding or entrenched chef, planting herbs will take your culinary arts to the next level.

You really can't go wrong with vegetable plants, and choosing the ones ideal for you and your family will surely revolve around your palate and theirs. Tomato plants offer the most versatility, as tomatoes can be used in a number of recipes and home-grown creations. Note that a trellis should be used to tie up and support these plants, as the hefty tomatoes will likely cause instability, bowing and breaking of the vines. Other vegetable plant options include cabbage, lettuce, spinach, carrot, onion and peas plants.

If you've decided to fill your window garden with color, there are many beautiful options available. Geraniums, petunias, marigolds, carnations, dahlias and pansies all offer varied colours and styles to suit any taste. You may also wish to add foliage plants to your flower box ones that may not fit in a project for patio landscaping. The leaves of these plants will offer a nice contrast to the colour and shape of your flowering plants. Good foliage plant choices include hostas, potato vines and Dusty Miller.

Herbs can run the gamut from those used for a fresh splash of cooking flavour to those that add a nice aroma to a room. Popular herb choices for seasoning include oregano, basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary and sage. Aromatic choices include lemon grass, rosemary and lavender.

Once the myriad of choices has been waded through and a decision reached on the plant(s) you will add to your window box, you can get down to planting them. Fill your window box with a good combination of potting mix and water retaining crystals. The crystals ensure your plant will not dry out to quickly, allowing for less regular upkeep. Fill the window box up to the top with potting soil, save for a few inches. Gently place your plants in your window box, tamping down the soil surrounding the plants, and give them a nice welcoming drink of water.

You can now go ahead and place your window garden into its bracket, and voila, you now have a wonderful, easily maintained garden.

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Find out more as Thomas Fryd shares his experiences on lawns, houseplants and landscape plants at www.plant-care.com. Seeking assistance on patio landscaping. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

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