Articles by Mary Hanna on ArticleSnatch.com

Cruise Lines Enhance The Cruise Experience By Offering Up-To-Date Amenities

Wed, 09 May 2007 00:00:00 -0500

With the addition of so many new mega cruise liners the cruise industry has cabin inventory with thousands of berths that they must fill each week or every two weeks. Cruisers expect these beautiful ships with a plethora of entertainment venues, shops and itineraries to choose from everyday when taking a cruise vacation. Everyone that has enjoyed the cruise experience knows that cruise lines are forever trying to come up with new ideas and interesting things to entice new and repeat cruisers. The ships are getting glitzier and the perks are getting better and better. Here are a few things that the cruise lines have added to their rosters to coax you into taking your next cruise vacation on one of their ships. The world is health conscious today, and the cruise lines have noticed this trend. The first thing that they have decided to revamp and extend is their sports activities to cater to those cruisers who wish to indulge in the cruise experience without leaving their fitness routine behind.** End Summary**

About the Author:
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.BestCruiseSites.com http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.CruiseGold.com

Indoor Gardening Plants

Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Eventually we are all given a house plant either as a gift or a plant from someone who is moving and can't take their plants with them, instantly giving you the basis for indoor gardening. Many times if you don't know how to care for it the plant will wither and die. Other times people start to care for the plant and suddenly become avid gardeners. Indoor gardens are similar to outdoor gardens, it's just that you are caring for plants in your home instead of in your garden. A big plus to indoor gardening is that it can be enjoyed by people that live in the cities with no access to land. It is also a joyful hobby for people that are confined indoors. The real bonus is that they are healthy for us. Basically plants take in carbon dioxide and turn it into oxygen (photosynthesis) thereby purifying the air that we breath. So you have attractive plants with added benefits. Indoor gardens are ideal for people that live in hard, cold climates or for someone who lives in a climate that gets searingly hot.** End Summary**

About the Author:
Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. This allows her to grow gardens inside and outside year round. She has published other articles on Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at Gardening Landscaping Tips Gardening Outside and Herb Gardening

Container Gardening Tips For Everyone

Tue, 03 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0500

All of us, at one time or another, has seen a display of container gardens with flowers or vegetables at a friend's home or in a nursery center. Many mistakenly think that it took a lot of effort or was done by professionals. That is far from the truth. Container gardens are just as easy as outside gardens and in some way s even easier to maintain. Anyone that loves to garden can plant and raise a container garden even those with limited space, even apartment dwellers. You can create a beautiful garden with just a few container gardening tips. Start out with a plan. You need to know what you are going to plant, a container garden flower or a container garden vegetable. You may want to concentrate on an herb container garden. It is important to know this so you can choose the right size container for the plants. The number one container gardening tip is to choose a pot that has sufficient space for soil and the plants. Vine type plants will need a large, deep pot to grow over. If you are planning on a large plant you will need a wide passed container for balance.** End Summary**

Tomato Container Gardens

Tue, 27 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Tomato container gardens are an alternative to a traditional tomato garden. Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables, well in this case fruits, of people around the world. They can be used in so many ways, in a salad or to make a sauce for pasta and a myriad of other ways in your culinary pursuits. Sadly in some places tomatoes are being priced at three dollars per pound or more. Fortunately, everyone can grow their own tomatoes, even people that live in apartments. The answer is to grow a tomato container garden. You can grow them on a patio or balcony or in a bright sunny room in your home. The number one essential is sun. Tomatoes require a lot of light and will not thrive without out it. The materials you will need to gather for your tomato container garden are simple. You will need containers that are about five gallons in size. Only plant one tomato plant per pot. You will need soil, tomato seedlings and stakes or a wire cage to hold the plant upright. String, or products called twist-tie or sturdy-tie will be needed to tie the plant to the stakes or cages.** End Summary**

Container Gardening Ideas For Your Home

Tue, 27 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Many gardeners have given up on the idea of a garden because they lack space, time or lots of experience. But if growing plants is an interest of yours container gardening could be your answer. Container gardens will allow you to enjoy "playing in the dirt" without investing a lot of time or money. You can get very creative in container gardening using vegetables, decorative grasses or flowers and herbs. You can plant a container garden with any plant that would grow outside. The trick is to come up with some creative ideas for your container garden. You should do some research at your local nursery or on the internet to choose the plants you wish to grow to help you come up with some ideas. Try to use plants that complement each other and have the same basic needs for water, air and light. A container garden idea that has taken off recently is the landscape container. Some people plant a simple evergreen tree in a container with good drainage to place at their front door. Or you could plant an assortment of flowers for a bright and beautiful vista.** End Summary**

Container Gardening In Apartments or Condos

Sun, 25 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Container gardening is for many people that think that their gardening days are over when they move to an apartment or condo. You can still grow pretty and useful plants if you opt for a container garden. There are a few rules you will have to follow when starting your container garden. The five elements that are crucial to your container garden are the pot (size for each individual plant), the soil, how much light your plants will need, watering requirements and fertilizer. For example herbs do not need big pots but they do need at least six hours of sunlight. Their fertilizing is minimal and they need good drainage in loose soil. Choosing the right container is very important for you and your plants. You will want to choose a pot that is complementary to your home or outside patio and you also want to meet the needs of the plants. Cedar and redwood containers are rot resistant while other woods will rot. If you do choose to use wood pots make sure that they are not treated with harmful chemicals that will be detrimental to your plants. Do not use plastic pots in the sun;** End Summary**

About the Author:
MMary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. This allows her to grow gardens inside and outside year round. She has published other articles on Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at Gardening Landscaping Tips Gardening Outside and Herb Gardening

Herb Container Gardening In Your Home

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Think of how marvelous your home smells when there are wonderful kitchen aromas wafting around while you are cooking with fresh herbs. It could be your Aunt Helens recipe for marinara sauce or a well spiced Indian dish given to you by your neighbor. The key is the fresh herbs that give each dish a distinct flavor and aroma. Fresh herbs from the super market are expensive so why not pot some fresh herbs on a sunny windowsill inside your home. If you know a few tricks it is easy to have a container garden of fresh herbs right in your bright kitchen. If the kitchen doesn't have at least six hours of sun put your herb container garden somewhere that has the necessary hours of light. Pick containers that go with the dÃ©cor of your home. Since herbs are pretty plants anyway, a well chosen pot will only add to its beauty. After you have chosen the herbs to grow and the container to grow it in put some stones or broken pieces of pots in the bottom of the container to ensure good drainage. Aeration is needed for herbs and this method works well.** End Summary**

Garden Gift Baskets For The Avid Gardener

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500

If you have a friend or relative that is an avid gardener, there is no more thoughtful gift than a garden gift basket for a holiday, birthday or anniversary present. At first, you may seem overwhelmed when shopping in your garden center or on the internet. There are a few things to consider when trying to find just the right "flavor" for your garden gift basket to give to the people who love to play in the dirt, so t speak. First you must determine how much you want to spend for the garden gift basket. After you have the dollar amount, walk through the aisles of the garden center to see what items are available. Of course, you could also do an internet search to see what the most popular tools and gadgets are selling. You will be surprised at the range of goods that are available from the inexpensive to the extravagant. Keep in mind that you will want to get quality products that will last so your friend or relative will have years of enjoyment.** End Summary**

Organic Vegetable Gardening For Beginners

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500

To be successful at organic vegetable gardening you must draw up detailed plans. The soil is your first consideration; how to make it rich and fertile, and how to prepare it so harmful pests won't attack your vegetable garden. The two ways that organic vegetable gardening differs from conventional gardens is the usage of fertilizer and how to keep pests under control. Phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium are the three components essential to your organic garden. For lush, green foliage you must have nitrogen. For strong roots and stems phosphorus is needed. And for the important protection from disease and brief cold snaps, potassium is a must. Let's call them the big three. The big three are available in commercial fertilizers however they are synthetic. In organic vegetable gardening the big three are added in a much different way. The best way of enriching your soil is by compost. Dig some pits in your back yard to start your compost from kitchen refuse. Use things like pine needles, corn stalks, leaves, carrot tops, fruits or vegetables that have spoiled, manure, egg shells and coffee grinds.** End Summary**

Small Container Water Gardens

Sat, 17 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500

If you do not have room to plant a large container water garden plant a few smaller pots with aquatic plants. These plants placed in container water gardens are more mysterious than traditional potted plants. A big plus to aquatic gardens is that they are very low maintenance. No more having to rely on your neighbors to water your gardens when you leave on vacation or a business trip. For the kids, add a sprouting ornament to really delight them. Container water gardens are inexpensive to build, and easy too. For the small container water garden you will need a plastic container that is that is 18 to 20 inches wide and at least 7 to 8 inches deep. Other needed supplies are a small submersible pump, plants, clean kitty litter, small pebbles or pea gravel, some clear plastic tubing, a spouting ornament and a nylon stocking for covering the pump. Covering the pump is essential so that the kitty litter or other debris does not get sucked into it. All of these items are easy to find at your nursery center or even online.** End Summary**

Large Container Water Gardening

Sat, 17 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500

To start a water garden there are a few things that are essential. You will need a container that will hold enough water to sustain your plants and maybe some fish and at least six hours of sun each day. Not so long ago water gardening was restricted to ponds or large bodies of water. Even if you live in an apartment you are able to have and enjoy a water garden. Water gardening is different from your normal gardens. They have different needs but as long as you cater to these needs you will be surprised at some of the places you can have a water garden. To start a water garden you will need a large container that will hold 15 to 20 gallons of water. You must also know how deep each plant needs to sit in the water. Find out from your local nursery center how deep each plant needs to be placed in your container. You can also find this information online. Be very careful of filling your container with tap water. Many communities use chemicals in the water system to make it potable.** End Summary**

Container Gardening For Small Spaces

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500

For people that don't have a lot of land, like apartment dwellers, there is a way that you can still have a garden. The solution is container gardening. Everyone would like to have a little color in their homes and this is the way to achieve it. Container gardening is more than just adding color and fresh oxygen to your rooms; it is convenient, portable and not very expensive. Use different size containers to add interest, just make sure they are roomy enough for the plants roots to grow. Container gardening is versatile. You can grow small plants in dish like containers or have a huge container for a tree by your entrance. Before you start planting you must come up with a plan. You need to do research on the plants you want to use in your container garden. To be successful you need to know the watering, light, and soil requirements of each plant. You must also consider the amount of room you have for your plants. Another benefit of container gardening is that you can group the containers together with plants that have diverse needs. Like the moist loving herbs next to a cactus plant.** End Summary**

Herb Gardening With Your Children

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Herb gardening with children is a delightful way to engage children in gardening as a hobby. Both your teenagers and young children will enjoy herb gardening. Teach them about the history of herbs and their many uses. Not only will they get a feeling of satisfaction about growing the herbs but they will feel a sense of contribution to the family when the herbs are used in cooking. They will be amazed at what they have accomplished through a mere seed. For centuries herb gardening has been popular. In addition most of the very popular herbs are disease resistant and can overcome very arid climates. There are two advantages to an herb garden hobby. One, they can be planted indoors at any time and if you want to plant outside they only take a few weeks to sprout giving your children a sense of wonderment quickly. So if the kids are bored during the cold months being cooped in side an indoor herb garden is perfect. Choose fragrant smelling herbs or herbs that will spice up your food. Imagine how much fun they will have when they sprinkle fresh basil from their garden on their pizza.** End Summary**

Plant A Perennial Garden

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500

If you want a garden that will reappear year after year plant a Perennial Garden. There are many plants that need to be grown from transplants or from seed every year but perennial gardens will come back faithfully if you treat them right. Some of the perennials include caladium, aloe, iris, yucca and tulips. A great example of a hardy perennial is the yucca which grows in the desert with no care, yet they grow, even thrive. Don't take that as if perennials will need no work or care. If you want to enjoy your perennial garden you will have to provide some care and maintenance. I don't know of any garden you can plant and forget. Even if you have chosen plants that can withstand some neglect you will still need to tend to it from time to time. This is a good tip to keep in mind when choosing your plants. Any garden, perennial or otherwise, will need some research and a plan. You need to know the requirements of each plant; how much sun, how much water, and the PH of the soil.** End Summary**

Organic Gardening Advantages

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0500

The definition of organic gardening is a garden that does not use pesticides to kill pests. This method can be used in either vegetable or flower gardens. In vegetable gardens organic is the safest for you since you will be consuming what you have grown. But, if you utilize it in flower gardening also, it is safest for the environment. Raising an organic garden has many sound reasons to encourage gardeners to go this route. As mentioned above all of your vegetables will be pesticide free, which means no poison on the food you are growing. While in flower gardening, many people plant flowers that will attract butterflies or bees which you won't attract if you use pesticides. You especially want to remain pesticide free if you have small children or pets because chemicals could be harmful for them. Your organic garden will be anything but simple gardening. Every garden takes effort and research and your organic garden is no exception. As with all gardens you must start with a plan. Research the plants you wish to grow. Find out what their needs are when it comes to light, fertilizer, PH in the soil and drainage.** End Summary**

Indoor Gardening Tips For Healthy Plants

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0600

Bring nature inside and start an indoor garden to make your home more colorful, but be careful to follow these indoor gardening tips. Plants are so soothing to look at and many indoor gardeners feel that they add that extra little spark to any room. An added benefit is that plants are nature's purifier, taking carbon dioxide out of our air and changing it into oxygen cleansing the air in your home. Mix up your plants; try a few exotics or tropical plants, anything you choose will make your room shine with their fresh beauty and their colorful blooms. To maintain their beauty here are some indoor gardening tips to keep your plants lush and healthy. Light is the one thing you cannot skimp on. Without this essential ingredient your plants will wither and die. Each and every plant have different requirements so for one indoor gardening tips here is some things to look for when shopping for houseplants. Ask the person at the nursery center how much light the plants you are consider will need. Some plants need direct sunlight while others crave indirect sunlight. For a direct sun plant, place the container near a window that faces south.** End Summary**

Basic Gardening Tips for Beginners

Sat, 10 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0600

You've decided to plant a garden but you need basic gardening tips for beginners, this is the place to be. Gardening has become a delightful hobby for people all over the world. There are many rewards for the gardener, the visuals of his creation, the scent of the blooms, great fresh air and lots of exercise. Imagine a weekend spent in the yard with your feet up drinking in the spectacular gardens that you have created the fruits of your labor and love. If you are a beginner gardener, here are some basic gardening tips. No matter how much room you have, you can create a masterpiece garden. The basic garden tips for beginners will help you create new gardens and make it a successful and joyful experience. In the beginning go slowly, start small but use your imagination. Choose a project that will not take a long time to complete. If it takes you weeks to finish a project you will get frustrated and start to hate the project you wanted to enjoy. Even if you have 75 or 100 square feet you will be amazed at how much you can plant.** End Summary**

Tips For Your Home Gardens

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0600

Home gardens can be hard work but for many it is a great hobby that gives you many rewards. Gardening is the most popular hobby in this country. It helps you to relax and many say it is very therapeutic. Look at it this way, you are outside in the fresh air and you are working on a project that helps to relieve stress and worry. It is also a great way to work out without having to get in your car and go to the gym. Think of the hours of enjoyment you will get when your hard work turns into gorgeous, lush gardens. Along with the enormous enjoyment you will get from your garden, you will also reap the harvest of any fruit trees and enjoy that too. There are a few garden tips that you should follow that will reward you with a beautiful home garden for you and your friends to enjoy. There are some home gardening tips to keep in mind when shopping for new trees or shrubs. Usually, when you purchase and plant trees and shrubs they are very small. The gardener comes home and plants under a window or near the house.** End Summary**

Gardening Tips For Landscaping A Slope Or A Hill

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0600

Not every gardener is lucky enough to have flat property on which to garden. If you do have a slope or a hill, it is often very difficult, confusing and challenging trying to figure out how to landscape. There are many ideas and tips on gardening on a hill, which helps you deal with the special challenges and problems you are likely to encounter. If the garden slope is extremely steep, stay away from planting grass or gardens that need any kind of maintenance, as it can be hazardous trying to cut or look after them. A couple of great tips on gardening on a slope are to plant trees and shrubs. Their root system will slow water runoff, especially during heavy rainstorms, and anchor the soil. Tall perennial grasses also work well on hills and require no maintenance. If you like the natural look, sow wildflower seed over the area, which will look beautiful and keep the topsoil from eroding or washing away. Wildflower seeds are readily available in bulk at large garden centers and nurseries. For every square foot you need approximately fifty seeds.** End Summary**

Vegetable Gardening Tips On Planting And Maintenance

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0600

Here are some tips on vegetable gardening that should help make your gardening experience easier and a very gratifying experience. Preparing the soil for your garden is the most important step. The basis of any successful garden is proper soil that creates good seed germination. Vegetables enjoy garden soil that is well drained, deep, contains high organic matter and retains moisture. Make sure the soil is dry before you try plowing or working the dirt. Check the soil acidity or PH for the different vegetables you are going to plant as some may require varying degrees of PH levels. Another tip on vegetable gardening is that you need easy access to water to keep your garden moist during the growing season. Regularly watering is necessary to keep your garden healthy. In most gardening areas, a vegetable garden requires approximately one inch of rainwater or tap water weekly during the growing season. So, if you experience a dry spell, make sure you water your vegetable garden sufficiently to keep the plants healthy and growing.** End Summary**

Organic Gardening Tips For Flowers And Herbs

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0600

The popularity of organic food and gardening has certainly increased over the last few years. Not only does it give you a sense of well being but people love the beauty of wonderful colored flowers and the taste of vegetables they helped create. Organic gardening tips on how to successfully start and care for an organic garden are becoming easier to find as this type of gardening continues to become more popular. Along with being relaxing, it is a very interesting hobby. Anyone can organically produce wonderful fruits, herbs and vegetables and know that they are healthy to eat and pesticide, herbicide and chemical free. There will always be garden pests but instead of using chemicals to deal with this problem, there are many organic gardening tips to get rid of them, similar to the way gardeners did many years ago before the use of pesticides and herbicides. A good homemade pest deterrent to use in organic gardening is: In a jar, combine 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 1 cup vegetable oil. Shake vigorously. In an empty spray bottle, combine 2 teaspoons of this mixture and 1 cup water.** End Summary**

About the Author:
Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. This allows her to grow gardens inside and outside year round. She has published other articles on Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at Container Gardening and Gardening Outside and Herb Gardening

Container Gardening On Balconies

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0600

It does not matter if you live in the country or city; you can find somewhere to grow a container garden, even if it is just a small one. If you do live in the city, instead of using your balcony to store bikes or your barbeque, create a gorgeous, relaxing outdoor retreat by using container gardening and following a few tips. Choose containers that are colorful but won't detract from the plants you plan to use. Use pots that are different in shapes and sizes. Select your plants carefully so that they compliment each other and fit well in the spot designated for your container garden. For gardening on balconies that are very long or narrow, use shrubs, different height trees and plants at the ends and corners, to add interest and round out the hard lines. Create points of interest by grouping bright colors and interesting shapes together. More tips for container gardening are to keep repeating a plant grouping or plant throughout your balcony area and use colorful flowers for accents only. Show off your large plants, shrubs and trees, by using interesting shapes and bright, beautiful colors.** End Summary**

About the Author:
Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. This allows her to grow gardens inside and outside year round. She has published other articles on Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at Container Gardening and Gardening Outside and Herb Gardening

Herb Gardening And The Seven Deadly Sins

Mon, 05 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0600

When Herb gardening, first and foremost you must have a plan before you begin your endeavor. This is the first deadly sin herb gardeners commit consistently. You can grow an herb garden for cooking, or medicine or beauty. Choose which one will fulfill your needs, or have beds or containers for all three. If you are a beginner it is best to start off with just one so that you are not overwhelmed. You want this to be fun and creative, not a job you grow to hate. The best way to come up with a plan is to concentrate on a theme. Then narrow it down to a sub-theme. Most people grow culinary herbs so let's start there. If you love French cooking plant the herbs that you will be using in your meals. French herbs are savory, marjoram, thyme, oregano and rosemary. Add some parsley and bay and you have the perfect bouquet garni to add to your soups or stews. If you prefer classic Italian fare you should plant Italian parsley, marjoram, thyme, oregano and sweet basil. You can cook some great pasta dishes with these herbs.** End Summary**

About the Author:
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Travel. Visit her websites at Cruise Travel Directory , Cruise Reviews and Herb Gardening You can read more of her articles at Article Bazaar

Tinctures Made From Fresh Herbs

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0600

The principles behind making tinctures are to obtain the spiritual and physical quintessence of the plant. This is done by using the powers of ethyl alcohol to dissolve and preserve the herb you are using. The material used to extract the herbs is known as the menstrum. The herbs you are tincturing are called the mark. Tincturing will extract and maintain both the water-soluble and alcohol-soluble properties of an herb. Many people are making their own tinctures from dried and fresh herbs in an interest to be more involved in their health. Tinctures of fresh herbs have proven to be more vitalizing and longer surviving than dried herbs. Dried herbs tend to get moldy or be eaten by insects, tinctures will not. Tinctures will keep for as long as two years and sustain their potency if stored properly. Creating your own tinctures will save you quite a bit of money. If you obtain tinctures at a retail shop you might get a few ounces but if you create them yourself you can yield a quart. When purchasing herbs, be sure you are buying from a trustworthy source.** End Summary**

About the Author:
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Travel. Visit her websites at Cruise Travel Directory , Cruise Reviews and Herb Gardening You can read more of her articles at Article Bazaar

How To Intice Butterflies To Your Garden

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0600

How to intice butterflies to your garden is fun and simple too. Butterflies are easy to intice to your garden if you plant a garden where the caterpillar (pupa step) has plants to eat and then the butterfly has flowers from which to sip nectar. Butterfly gardens are simple to plant and will provide you and your friends and family a chance to peek butterflies in their natural environment. The basics are an open space with tons of sunshine and a location that is not windy. Choose a spot with lots of sunlight with a few rocks or stones that can warm up on which the butterflies will bask in the afternoon sun. Strive to locate your garden close to hedges or shrubs that will aid in shielding them from the hardy winds. If it is too windy, the butterflies wonât stay around for any length of time. The hedge or shrub needs to develop food for the caterpillar. You can find out what the caterpillar likes best from your Nursery Garden Center. Butterflies relish mud puddles where they can drink the water and soak up minerals. A patch of moist soil will make them joyful.** End Summary**

About the Author:
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Travel. Visit her websites at Cruise Travel Directory , Cruise Reviews and Herb Gardening You can read more of her articles at Article Bazaar