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There are a number of ways that professional gardeners propagate new plants. The main methods, which will be described here, are stem cutting and leaf cutting. Creating new stock from cuttings serves a dual purpose: obviously, you are able to produce more plants, but you are also able to trim back the existing plant, maintaining its appearance and health and preventing it from becoming overgrown.

To create cuttings, you rarely require specialized tools. Most of what you need can be found in the average household. You will need a number of pots in varying sizes, a sharp penknife or razor blade and if you think you will need them, a “dibble” and a tamper.

When you are setting cuttings, the same guidelines should be followed. The ideal propagating mixture is vermiculite and then normal potting soil is to be used once the cutting has struck roots.

The time that each cutting takes to develop a root structure will vary according to the variety of plant and the type of cutting. Generally, the minimum time to expect for roots to begin is about three weeks, whilst others may take a much longer time.

To make a stem cutting, a section approximately four to five inches long is sliced with a diagonal cut just below a leaf node. One longer piece from an overgrown plant may provide multiple cuttings. Ensure that these cuttings, or “slips”, are made with a sharp knife or razor blade. Never use scissors as they will cause damage to the stem and rot will set in. A diagonal cut allows a greater exposure of the potential rooting surface. Any buds or excess leaves should be removed to encourage stronger rooting.

Select and fill the number of pots you require with the starting mixture. Make a hole for each slip with the dibble or a pencil, carefully place the slips into the hole and then gently press the mixture around the stem of the slip. Don’t use the slips themselves to create the hole as this will cause bruising and then rotting. Check that the base of the slip is in contact with the base of the hole to ensure successful rooting. When planting is complete, soak the slips in water either from above of below and then the pots should be covered with a glass jar or similar to prevent moisture loss. If you have a terrarium or a fishbowl that can be drilled, this will hold a number of pots at once, making handling much easier.

The planted slips should then be placed in a shaded spot and kept moist. When the slips have a root structure approximately an inch or so long, they should be repotted into their own pots that have been filled with normal potting soil. This will be on average around three to eight weeks from the time the slips were planted.

You need to be patient when you are creating new plants from cuttings. Avoid the temptation of removing them from the starting mixture to check them as you may damage the roots. Wait at least three to four weeks and you will then be able to perform a test to see if they are ready. At this time, hold the stem at the base between your thumb and index finger and gently pull. If there is resistance, carefully dig the slip out and inspect the roots. If the roots of this slip are long enough for replanting, the other slips should also be ready as they should grow at roughly the same speed.

Check the cuttings at least once or twice a week to ensure that they are moist enough. At this time it is a good idea to allow them to “air” for a short time. When they are ready for transplanting, take the covers off, carefully transplant the new plants taking care not to damage the fragile root system and give them a thorough soaking. Keep these newly transplanted specimens in the shade for another couple of weeks to allow them to get over the transplanting shock, then place them in a sunny spot.

There is no “best” time of the year for making cuttings from most house plants. Utmost care for newly propagated plants are best achieved with this style of propagation is needed especially for plants like Impatiens, Coleus, Geraniums or Pelargoniums, Ivy and Philodendron.

If you want your garden to have blooms of beautiful and colorful flowers, you’ll need to plant them carefully. Arrange them properly, and provide adequate care. It is even possible to have flowers blooming year-round, if you plan your garden correctly. You can choose annuals and perennials that bloom at different times of the year so that you’ll always have a colorful garden.

Before you plant the flowers, make sure that the soil is right for them. You should dig your beds down a foot and a half for two deep. While you can grow flowers in a shallower bed, they will not be as likely to thrive. Break up the dirt, making sure there are no large clumps, and spread in some sand, manure, compost, or grass clippings. Don’t pack the bottom dirt down, let it settle naturally so that the roots will be able to penetrate it and it will drain better.

Once you have the base of your flowerbed ready, make sure that you use a good mixture for the topsoil. If you want your plants to be healthy, well-rotted manure and peat moss are excellent additions to your soil. If you do use manure, make sure it doesn’t touch the roots of your plants. You can also add wood ashes in the spring, or use lime to loosen the soil.

Consider the type of soil that you naturally have in your garden, and choose a fertilizer that will help it reach the optimum balance for your plants. The fertilizer you choose should include the elements that your plants aren’t getting from the soil.

When planning the location of your plants within your flower beds and border, keep in mind the color of the blooms, even if the plant is not blooming when you purchase it. Plan for contrast in the texture and color of the flowers, but make sure that the colors will also blend in an attractive manner. For example, the bright color of Zinnias can be balanced with softer colors from chrysanthemum or cosmos.

Don’t forget to consider where you are situating the flower bed. Ideally, it should face south or southwest, but any location that gets enough sun should help your flowers thrive. You should try to plant it close to the house, so that your plants will be protected.

When planning a flower border, try to keep it away from trees or shrubs. These large plants draw up most of the moisture and nutrients from the surrounding soil, making it hard to grow flowering plants nearby.

Be creative when designing your border. Use a landscape stone wall or a fence as a background. Evergreen shrubs also make a nice backdrop. Try not to edge your border or flower bed in one color of flowers. Instead, try Coral bells, which have beautiful foliage as well as unusual flowers. You can also try multicolored flowers like pansies, violas, or marigolds.