Cacti are some of the most resilient plants on the planet. The easy-going nature of this plant makes it a sound choice for all gardeners, both with and without green thumbs.

Most cactus live in habitats subject to at least some drought, which makes them great plants for gardeners just starting out.

The routine of gardening can be difficult to establish at first. Planting is only part of the process. Tending to, watering, and caring for the plants make up the bulk of the work when it comes to gardening. When it comes to cacti the process is a little easier because of its ability to conserve water.

Most species of cacti have spines, which are modified leaves. Spines are produced by areoles, a highly reduced branch. Spines help defend the cactus against herbivores, but they also prevent water loss by reducing air flow to the cactus and providing some shade.

In the absences of leaves, Areoles also produce stems. Unlike with other succulents, the stem is the only part of the cactus where photosynthesis takes place.

Cactus stems also store water and are often ribbed or fluted, which allows them to expand and contract easily. The stem also produces a flower, which is often tubular and has multiple petals.

As advanced as the cactus is about conserving water, advice about watering cacti is tricky to give. When it comes to watering, everything depends on where the cactus is grown.

Too much water can become a problem with cacti. In general during the growing season, cacti should be allowed to dry out between thorough waterings.

In winter months, cacti go dormant, but that doesn't mean they don't need water. During the winter months most cacti should be watered about once every one or two weeks, as a general rule.

Cacti can be used for a variety of things. Some can be used as a source for food and water, others for medicine. The Peyote cactus can even be used as a hallucinogen because it contains mescaline. Most people, however, use cacti as decorative plants because they look good, are fairly easy to take care of, and God forbid if ever the time came, can be used as a weapon. Anybody who's ever sat on a cactus can attest to that.

Flowerbeds are a great way to spruce up the exterior of your home, but if you're starting a flowerbed from scratch, you might run into soil issues that could make growing a flowerbed a difficult, frustrating, expensive, and fruitless task.

Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as fertilizer and soil amendment. It is a cheap and effective way to ensure your garden has nutrient-rich soil to grow in. If you do composting right, you may never have to buy fertilizer again, proving once again that Mother Nature is more effective than do-it-yourself home and garden centers.

Okay, so you're sold on the idea of composting. You've got the know-how, the determination, a swill bucket, and plenty of table scraps. Now, all you need is something to put it all in.

Summer months mean extreme heat, if you live in most parts of the country. Though sunshine and warm weather are needed to grow a healthy garden, extreme heat is like a death ray for your plants if they don’t have enough water.

Even then, some plants are going to die, and so it goes, the life of a gardener.

In Oklahoma specifically there have been a record number of days where temperatures have topped 100 degrees, and there's been little to no rain. To help your garden survive, you’ve got to be on top of the watering process.

Here are 5 tips to help make watering more effective (and less expensive) during these unforgiving summer months.

by: Dahlia Rose

As the first day of summer approaches, many Mooseville residents are already enjoying their own homegrown fruits and veggies. If you didn’t get your garden started just yet,
don’t fret! There is still plenty of summer left to grow your own savory treats, right in your own backyard or on your balcony or patio. With a little know-how, determination, and patience, anything is possible! Here are some helpful tips to remember when growing your own vegetable garden:

• Research the kind of vegetables you’d like to plant before you buy seedlings and spend time planting them! Growing broccoli in the hot summer or trying to start tomatoes in the late, cool fall will only bring you disappointment. A gardening book versus online resources is recommended because of its portability. The Southern Living Gardening Book is a great resource, especially for Mooseville residents. While you’re waiting for your book to arrive, check out www.garden.org for lots of great tips and a helpful “plant guide”.
• Most vegetables like full-sun and need at least 6 hours of sunlight to produce the best crop. Make sure you position your plants in a spot that gets plenty of sun.
• If yard space is limited, you don’t want to dig a garden, or you live in a place without a yard, consider planting your veggies in pots. Many plants do quite well in pots. Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and almost any herb can produce enough to keep you well stocked all summer long!
• During the hottest part of the summer, most vegetables need a good watering once a day. If you are going on vacation or will not be able to water daily, set up a simple automatic irrigation system by investing in a water-timer. Voila! Watering done!
• Keep pests off of your crops by using a variety of low-cost, homemade “pesticides”. A mix of soap and water rids plants of many insects, as do common products such as chili pepper, tobacco, and garlic. Visit www.worldagroforestrycentre.org for more tips and tricks on controlling pests organically.
• Most importantly, after all of your hard work to grow your own food, gather your loved ones around the table to share with you the fruits of your labor. Truly, nothing tastes better than a fresh, homegrown tomato on a summer evening – especially when you grow it yourself.

Happy Gardening!