Now that it is summertime in North America, it is important to stay on top of keeping the lawns green. Watering a lawn in the proper manner is one of the most misunderstood and most necessary steps in keeping up a healthy, attractive lawn. Most people water their lawn too long and sometimes not often enough.
Here are some awesome guidelines
to ensure a the most effective and efficient method to properly water your lawn. First of all soak your lawn only to the depth of the root zone and no further. Each time you water you should moisten the soil to a depth of 6-8 in. when watering bluegrass and 8-11 in. on other grasses. This will ensure that you wter only to the grass's active root zone. The length of time and amount of water it will take to moisten the root zone depend on soil type and the irrigation system. Sandy soils will be penetrated more quickly and more deeply than clay and other softer soils.
To determine the length of time required to moisten your lawn's root zone:
This is an awesome formula given by a well known University...Run the sprinklers for 15 minutes. Twenty-four hours later, dig a small hole in the ground or use a probe to determine how deeply the soil is moistened. You will use this information to determine how long to water each time. To calculate the number of minutes to water the lawn divide 120 by the depth of the moistened soil in inches. For example, if the water soaked in 4 in., figure 120/4 = 30 minutes. It would take an hour to soak in eight inches. If it soaked in 6 in., the lawn should be watered for 20 minutes (120/6 in. = 20 minutes). However, bluegrass has a shallower root system than other grasses; it needs to be soaked to a depth of only 6-8 in. (instead of 8-12 in). Take the second example above: In 15 minutes, water soaked in 6 in. You would need to water a bluegrass lawn for only 15 minutes instead of the 20 minutes calculated for other types of grass. Once the length of the watering period is established, use the same period each time you water, no matter what the season. If water starts to run off the lawn before the end of the watering period, turn the water off for one hour and let the water soak in; then turn the sprinklers back on and finish watering.
Runoff is sometimes caused by excess thatch. If thatch is more than 1/2 in. thick, the lawn should be dethatched. De thatch cool-season lawns (bluegrass or fescue) in early spring or late summer. De thatch bermudagrass lawns in late spring. Proper mowing, watering and fertilization can reduce the buildup of thatch. To reduce thatch buildup, avoid over watering the lawn.
When the lawn needs water the grass will take on a bluish or dull green color and the blades will begin to fold or roll. Footprints will remain visible after the lawn is walked on. Tree and shrub roots competing with the turf will require additional water. Once a month soak the soil very deep to encourage tree and shrub root development below the turf root zone. Leave the sprinklers on three times the normal time or use a soaker hose under the entire tree canopy. The best time of day to water is in the early morning. Less water evaporates if lawns are watered when temperatures are cool and winds are calm. These conditions occur most frequently in early morning. Late afternoon and evening watering also reduces evaporation losses if winds are calm, but tends to encourage disease because the grass stays moist all night. Many of the fungus diseases that affect grass require water droplets or high humidity to sporulate and infect the plants. Midday watering is more convenient for many people and does not harm the lawn. However, more water is lost to evaporation. In most situations sprinklers are the most effective way to water lawns. Flood irrigation can also be used on level lawns where a water source is available. Sprinkler spray patterns should overlap 80-100% depending on the type of sprinkler system that is installed. Follow the manufacturer's directions for proper sprinkler installation. A good system must provide even water distribution to all grassed areas. The water must be applied to only the grassed areas, not to walls, sidewalks, driveways or streets. Use the can test described above to gauge uniformity. Most sprinkler heads have a spring adjustment to control the flow of water. Sprinklers that water less than a full circle can be adjusted to direct water away from walls and paved areas. If some sprinkler heads have been replaced, it may be necessary to replace all of the sprinkler heads in order to achieve uniform application. Maybe this will assist you in watering your lawn.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
The Beneficial Houseplant
Many families have grown up with an aloe vera plant in the kitchen. This succulent plant is great for indoor gardening as it is hardy and easy to care for. Moreover, they are great for skin care and minor cuts and burns that can happen in the kitchen while cooking. To use as a first aid item, cut a portion of one of the leaves and squeeze the inner gel onto the hurt area. With repeated use, the aloe vera will aid in healing and sooth the pain.
In addition to the aloe vera plant there are other helpful plants that are good to have around the house. An herb garden is a convenient way to add flavor and natural ingredients to many dishes. From fresh dill in a homemade tzatziki sauce to chives mixed in with cream cheese for a delicious bagel.
Many herbs can be dried and used for loose leaf teas not only a relaxing beverage, some herbs are known for their medicinal qualities too. Some herbs that can be used as tea leaves or as part of a mixture are peppermint and ginger.
There are many edible plants that you can grow indoors to aid in digestion. They can be broken off the plant as needed or some may need some preparation first.
* Anise is a popular and widely used for aiding in digestion and easing colic in infants.
* Coriander in addition to helping with digestion it is also a tasty addition to salsa.
* Fennel oil is used to ease upset stomachs too. It is also used for increasing the amount of breast milk produced in mothers.
This is just a brief look at some of the other uses for houseplants. It is recommended to research your plants before ingesting any to ensure they are safe.
In addition to the aloe vera plant there are other helpful plants that are good to have around the house. An herb garden is a convenient way to add flavor and natural ingredients to many dishes. From fresh dill in a homemade tzatziki sauce to chives mixed in with cream cheese for a delicious bagel.
Many herbs can be dried and used for loose leaf teas not only a relaxing beverage, some herbs are known for their medicinal qualities too. Some herbs that can be used as tea leaves or as part of a mixture are peppermint and ginger.
There are many edible plants that you can grow indoors to aid in digestion. They can be broken off the plant as needed or some may need some preparation first.
* Anise is a popular and widely used for aiding in digestion and easing colic in infants.
* Coriander in addition to helping with digestion it is also a tasty addition to salsa.
* Fennel oil is used to ease upset stomachs too. It is also used for increasing the amount of breast milk produced in mothers.
This is just a brief look at some of the other uses for houseplants. It is recommended to research your plants before ingesting any to ensure they are safe.
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Green Garden Myth and Reality
Keeping Your Garden Green
There are many things we do to add a little splash of color to our summer gardens but we often fail to focus on keeping our summer gardens looking lush and green just a little bit longer even though we know that by doing so we are essentially prolonging the life and therefore our enjoyment of our summer gardens. The focus of this article is to keep your summer garden looking crisp and green as long as possible by taking a few extra steps a little earlier in the summer months to prepare for the inevitable beginning of the end.
One thing to keep in mind is that once your summer garden begins to take on that yellowish brown hue that indicates the end of summer it always seems to be a downhill ride into the fall. That ride, more often than not is over far too quickly and your summer garden is but a dim reminder of its formerly glorious summer greenery.
First things first, get rid of the yellowing leaves and dying flowers as they make their appearance. They rob the remainder of the garden of its splendor and leave the pallor of decay on the garden far too soon in the season. You will be glad you did, as it will immediately restore the look of health and vitality that your summer garden is missing while also providing a much perkier attitude and bearing from the remaining plants.
Weed. Remove those pesky weeds that detract from the beauty and lushness of the greenery in your garden. By removing the weeds your entire summer garden looks better almost immediately. While you are at it, reapply mulch. This will delay the inevitable return of the weeds while also providing an extra layer for holding in moisture to keep your plants from drying out and looking green. Another great thing about mulch is that it simply makes things look neat and orderly.
Fill in the gaps. While you are in the process of plucking leaves, weeds, and dead flowers from your summer garden it is quite likely that a few gaps will be created. Fill them in other greenery, small shrubs (evergreens are a good idea in this situation), or nice garden art for smiles and a little dash of color among the green. The effects are often stunning and you have the look of an almost new summer garden for only half the effort and expense of creating one. You may also want to scour the local plant stores for late season offerings and markdowns. These are often well cared for and in good condition to add a little touch of color or green to your garden.
Another way to keep your summer garden green is to plant plants that are appropriate to your climate. On an ordinary summer, excluding drought or excessive rain conditions this will be the best way to achieve maximum greenness from your garden. This is actually one of the best ways to prolong the life of your garden as well because the plants being used are accustomed to the weather patterns that exist in your locale. For this reason they will be much better suited to stay green and healthy much longer than most implants that are not accustomed to the local weather patterns.
Creating a greener garden is a worthy cause for most gardeners. We plant our summer gardens because we want to enjoy them. By keeping them green, healthy, and vibrant a little bit longer we are able to prolong our enjoyment of our gardens as well as the productivity of our summer gardens. This means more flowers, more fruit, more vegetables, and much longer spans of greenery for the uninitiated. Taking the steps mentioned above in order to prolong the life and your enjoyment of your summer garden seems to be a worthy sacrifice for an extra month of enjoying your lawn and outdoor living space.
There are many things we do to add a little splash of color to our summer gardens but we often fail to focus on keeping our summer gardens looking lush and green just a little bit longer even though we know that by doing so we are essentially prolonging the life and therefore our enjoyment of our summer gardens. The focus of this article is to keep your summer garden looking crisp and green as long as possible by taking a few extra steps a little earlier in the summer months to prepare for the inevitable beginning of the end.
One thing to keep in mind is that once your summer garden begins to take on that yellowish brown hue that indicates the end of summer it always seems to be a downhill ride into the fall. That ride, more often than not is over far too quickly and your summer garden is but a dim reminder of its formerly glorious summer greenery.
First things first, get rid of the yellowing leaves and dying flowers as they make their appearance. They rob the remainder of the garden of its splendor and leave the pallor of decay on the garden far too soon in the season. You will be glad you did, as it will immediately restore the look of health and vitality that your summer garden is missing while also providing a much perkier attitude and bearing from the remaining plants.
Weed. Remove those pesky weeds that detract from the beauty and lushness of the greenery in your garden. By removing the weeds your entire summer garden looks better almost immediately. While you are at it, reapply mulch. This will delay the inevitable return of the weeds while also providing an extra layer for holding in moisture to keep your plants from drying out and looking green. Another great thing about mulch is that it simply makes things look neat and orderly.
Fill in the gaps. While you are in the process of plucking leaves, weeds, and dead flowers from your summer garden it is quite likely that a few gaps will be created. Fill them in other greenery, small shrubs (evergreens are a good idea in this situation), or nice garden art for smiles and a little dash of color among the green. The effects are often stunning and you have the look of an almost new summer garden for only half the effort and expense of creating one. You may also want to scour the local plant stores for late season offerings and markdowns. These are often well cared for and in good condition to add a little touch of color or green to your garden.
Another way to keep your summer garden green is to plant plants that are appropriate to your climate. On an ordinary summer, excluding drought or excessive rain conditions this will be the best way to achieve maximum greenness from your garden. This is actually one of the best ways to prolong the life of your garden as well because the plants being used are accustomed to the weather patterns that exist in your locale. For this reason they will be much better suited to stay green and healthy much longer than most implants that are not accustomed to the local weather patterns.
Creating a greener garden is a worthy cause for most gardeners. We plant our summer gardens because we want to enjoy them. By keeping them green, healthy, and vibrant a little bit longer we are able to prolong our enjoyment of our gardens as well as the productivity of our summer gardens. This means more flowers, more fruit, more vegetables, and much longer spans of greenery for the uninitiated. Taking the steps mentioned above in order to prolong the life and your enjoyment of your summer garden seems to be a worthy sacrifice for an extra month of enjoying your lawn and outdoor living space.
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Lawn Maintenance Basics
When you are in search of a landscape service for your home, there are quite a few things that you should keep in mind. After all, not all landscape services are created equal. Care for your yard should be something that you take seriously. After all, it provides enjoyment, beauty, and can even save you money on energy and food costs. If you decide to hire a landscape service, make sure you get the right one for you.
Different homeowners have different needs for their landscapes. Not everyone is looking for a landscape service that does everything. Some people simply want someone who will mow the lawn and fertilize it on occasion. Others want perfect yards with topiary shrubs and weed-free flowerbeds. If all you are looking for is basic lawn mowing and maybe some leaf raking and debris clean up, then the neighborhood kid who mows lawns is probably landscape service enough for you. And that is just fine. It helps a young kid learn the value of working for her or his money, and you have an easier time of caring for your lawn. If you like to have a nice yard, but do not want to do anything with it yourself, then a more full-service operation is probably what you need in the way of landscape maintenance.
When choosing who will take care of your landscape maintenance needs, the first thing you should do is seek out a reputable company. A reputable company is one that has reliable references, and one that has a satisfied customer base. If you notice a certain company taking care of the landscape surrounding a house in your neighborhood, go ask your neighbor about the company. That will allow you to find out from someone you are acquainted with whether or not the service is a good one.
Another thing to look for in a landscape maintenance service is the equipment. Does it look to be in good shape? You want a company that takes good care of its equipment; that shows that they are more likely to take good care of your yard. Additionally, you want to make sure they are using the right equipment. Find out what they plan to use to perform various tasks in your yard. Even if you are not doing the yard work yourself, you should have at least a basic understanding of what your yard needs. That way you will be able to tell if you are being hoodwinked.
Do not necessarily go with the cheapest service. You can find out if various services offer to care for your yard for a week at a time to see how each service does. The cheapest may not always be the best deal. If you are habitually dissatisfied with the cheaper work, that may affect you in ways that make it worth it to pay an extra $20 per month for landscape maintenance that is of higher quality. Shop around and compare the work done by various companies. Then hire the best company that you can afford for your budget. You may not be able to afford the absolute best town, but you should hire the best that fits into your landscape budget. Get price quotes in writing so that when you decide to go with one company, and they hike your cost, you have a written quote to back you up.
Find a company that cares about customer service. Make sure you find out what their policy is on redoing work that does not meet your satisfaction. You want to be sure that your specifications are met. Make sure that your landscaping maintenance service is willing to fix mistakes and that they are willing to do a little extra pruning if they missed a few branches. Companies that do not care about customer service will probably not do a good job on your yard. You should look for a service that takes pride in its work. If the company says it specializes in lawn care (creating a greener, lusher, healthier lawn) and offers fertilization services, make sure that you choose a company that offers a guarantee. You do not want one of their employees to over-fertilize the lawn and then leave you paying the bill for a dead lawn that needs to be replaced.
Different homeowners have different needs for their landscapes. Not everyone is looking for a landscape service that does everything. Some people simply want someone who will mow the lawn and fertilize it on occasion. Others want perfect yards with topiary shrubs and weed-free flowerbeds. If all you are looking for is basic lawn mowing and maybe some leaf raking and debris clean up, then the neighborhood kid who mows lawns is probably landscape service enough for you. And that is just fine. It helps a young kid learn the value of working for her or his money, and you have an easier time of caring for your lawn. If you like to have a nice yard, but do not want to do anything with it yourself, then a more full-service operation is probably what you need in the way of landscape maintenance.
When choosing who will take care of your landscape maintenance needs, the first thing you should do is seek out a reputable company. A reputable company is one that has reliable references, and one that has a satisfied customer base. If you notice a certain company taking care of the landscape surrounding a house in your neighborhood, go ask your neighbor about the company. That will allow you to find out from someone you are acquainted with whether or not the service is a good one.
Another thing to look for in a landscape maintenance service is the equipment. Does it look to be in good shape? You want a company that takes good care of its equipment; that shows that they are more likely to take good care of your yard. Additionally, you want to make sure they are using the right equipment. Find out what they plan to use to perform various tasks in your yard. Even if you are not doing the yard work yourself, you should have at least a basic understanding of what your yard needs. That way you will be able to tell if you are being hoodwinked.
Do not necessarily go with the cheapest service. You can find out if various services offer to care for your yard for a week at a time to see how each service does. The cheapest may not always be the best deal. If you are habitually dissatisfied with the cheaper work, that may affect you in ways that make it worth it to pay an extra $20 per month for landscape maintenance that is of higher quality. Shop around and compare the work done by various companies. Then hire the best company that you can afford for your budget. You may not be able to afford the absolute best town, but you should hire the best that fits into your landscape budget. Get price quotes in writing so that when you decide to go with one company, and they hike your cost, you have a written quote to back you up.
Find a company that cares about customer service. Make sure you find out what their policy is on redoing work that does not meet your satisfaction. You want to be sure that your specifications are met. Make sure that your landscaping maintenance service is willing to fix mistakes and that they are willing to do a little extra pruning if they missed a few branches. Companies that do not care about customer service will probably not do a good job on your yard. You should look for a service that takes pride in its work. If the company says it specializes in lawn care (creating a greener, lusher, healthier lawn) and offers fertilization services, make sure that you choose a company that offers a guarantee. You do not want one of their employees to over-fertilize the lawn and then leave you paying the bill for a dead lawn that needs to be replaced.
Teak Garden Furniture
As the days go by, teak is becoming rarer, harder to acquire and more expensive to own. Regardless, in the face of fierce competition from other types of hard woods, teak wood remains one of the more popular materials to be used - especially if we’re talking about outdoor furniture.
Why is Teak Wood so Popular?
As the days go by, teak is becoming rarer, harder to acquire and more expensive to own. Regardless, in the face of fierce competition from other types of hard woods like cedar, fir, oak, mahogany and cherry, teak wood remains one of the more popular materials to be used - especially if we’re talking about outdoor furniture. Even as the supply of teak wood dwindles, there must be a reason why teak wood continues to be the preferred staple for outdoor furniture.
The popularity of teak wood has everything to do with its weather-resistant nature and naturally shiny and beautiful color. The gentle and natural yellow-brown color provides an excellent contrast against natural green backgrounds. As mentioned, because the supply of teak is slowing down, the price of teak is quite exorbitant now but people who know wood knows that it’s worth investing in.
Many efforts have been made to find a suitable and adequate substitute for teak wood but many of them do not have the same qualities as teak wood and they always fall short of being as useful and efficient as teak. Let’s admit it, it’s kind of hard to measure up to teak wood.
One will truly appreciate and understand the reason why some furniture experts insist on having teak furniture instead of other cheaper wood-type furniture when they see the extraordinary durability of teak in harsh weather conditions. In some Asian tropical countries, building beams made of teak shines on in near-perfect condition even when the building has aged more than a thousand years. With evidence like that, it’s not at all hard to see why teak is commonly used in the construction, shipbuilding, and outdoor furniture industry. In fact, it has been shown that even when iron was introduced into the shipbuilding industry; it did not replace the high demands for teak wood.
Teak wood is considered superior to other types of hard woods because once it is weathered and seasoned, it takes a lot to crack, split, shrink or alter the shape of teak wood. Teak is definitely far more superior to oak. On top of that, teak wood has great elasticity making it a favorite type of wood to work with among craftsmen. Teak takes on a beautifully polished appearance when finished because it contains natural oils. Despite its superior strength, teak wood is not too heavy, making export of the hardwood popular.
The natural oil in teak wood is extremely aromatic. Some say the smell of teak is somewhat strange but it smells very natural and fragrant to most. In fact, the oil from teak wood is extracted in some cultures and the oil is used for medicinal purposes.
With all the obvious advantages of using teak as opposed to using other types of fancier, more available and cheaper hard woods, it’s not hard to understand why teak wood remains one of the most popular types of hard woods. It’s beauty and durability make it an excellent choice for any outdoor garden or patio.
Read all about teak at: http://www.teaksupplies.com
Why is Teak Wood so Popular?
As the days go by, teak is becoming rarer, harder to acquire and more expensive to own. Regardless, in the face of fierce competition from other types of hard woods like cedar, fir, oak, mahogany and cherry, teak wood remains one of the more popular materials to be used - especially if we’re talking about outdoor furniture. Even as the supply of teak wood dwindles, there must be a reason why teak wood continues to be the preferred staple for outdoor furniture.
The popularity of teak wood has everything to do with its weather-resistant nature and naturally shiny and beautiful color. The gentle and natural yellow-brown color provides an excellent contrast against natural green backgrounds. As mentioned, because the supply of teak is slowing down, the price of teak is quite exorbitant now but people who know wood knows that it’s worth investing in.
Many efforts have been made to find a suitable and adequate substitute for teak wood but many of them do not have the same qualities as teak wood and they always fall short of being as useful and efficient as teak. Let’s admit it, it’s kind of hard to measure up to teak wood.
One will truly appreciate and understand the reason why some furniture experts insist on having teak furniture instead of other cheaper wood-type furniture when they see the extraordinary durability of teak in harsh weather conditions. In some Asian tropical countries, building beams made of teak shines on in near-perfect condition even when the building has aged more than a thousand years. With evidence like that, it’s not at all hard to see why teak is commonly used in the construction, shipbuilding, and outdoor furniture industry. In fact, it has been shown that even when iron was introduced into the shipbuilding industry; it did not replace the high demands for teak wood.
Teak wood is considered superior to other types of hard woods because once it is weathered and seasoned, it takes a lot to crack, split, shrink or alter the shape of teak wood. Teak is definitely far more superior to oak. On top of that, teak wood has great elasticity making it a favorite type of wood to work with among craftsmen. Teak takes on a beautifully polished appearance when finished because it contains natural oils. Despite its superior strength, teak wood is not too heavy, making export of the hardwood popular.
The natural oil in teak wood is extremely aromatic. Some say the smell of teak is somewhat strange but it smells very natural and fragrant to most. In fact, the oil from teak wood is extracted in some cultures and the oil is used for medicinal purposes.
With all the obvious advantages of using teak as opposed to using other types of fancier, more available and cheaper hard woods, it’s not hard to understand why teak wood remains one of the most popular types of hard woods. It’s beauty and durability make it an excellent choice for any outdoor garden or patio.
Read all about teak at: http://www.teaksupplies.com
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
About The Bonsai
Bonsai trees and plants are basically trees and plants that are pruned and trimmed to keep their size minimal. The trees and plants relish the practice because they get a lot of care and attention and have a lifespan similar, even greater in some cases, than their wild counterparts. Indoor Bonsai can be bought from virtually anywhere in the world and the increase in popularity has seen a large increase in the number of specialist shops dedicated to the growing and caring of Bonsai.
Outdoor Bonsai can be grown in a small area of your garden, and some of the most healthy Bonsai in the world are outdoor Bonsai. However, it is important that you should try to buy outdoor Bonsai from a shop close to home, thus ensuring that your specimen can cope with the conditions you are going to force it to endure. If you live in a baking hot state in America and are considering buying over the Internet, you shouldn’t be buying a Bonsai from a cold climatic country, as there is a good chance it will not thrive in your area.
Do outdoor Bonsai need less care than indoor Bonsai?
Just because you are growing your Bonsai in a small area of your garden doesn’t mean you should or indeed can forget about them and just expect them to maintain their miniature height or grow at all. A Bonsai that isn’t trimmed and cut will cease to be a Bonsai and will simply become a tree, presuming there is room for the roots to grow; it’s amazing exactly where your roots will dig to, they will often find a way through or around concrete, rocks and even other plants and trees so be very careful where you situate it.
If you are growing your outdoor Bonsai in a pot, which is the most common and sensible way to do it, then you should never bring it indoors. No matter how ill it looks it will undoubtedly not enjoy the sudden change in conditions and even the most healthy and hardy of Bonsai can only withstand a day, possibly two at the very most, indoors as a center piece. It is very important to remember this, do not bring an outdoor Bonsai indoors for longer than one day every season. Bringing your Bonsai in during the winter and putting it next to the blazing hot heater is undoubtedly going to scorch the leaves and the roots, and your plant will probably die from dehydration. The reverse is also true, bringing a Bonsai in from the heat and leaving it next to the Air Conditioning unit is the equivalent of a shock frost in summer and will also kill your Bonsai.
Outdoor Bonsai can be grown in a small area of your garden, and some of the most healthy Bonsai in the world are outdoor Bonsai. However, it is important that you should try to buy outdoor Bonsai from a shop close to home, thus ensuring that your specimen can cope with the conditions you are going to force it to endure. If you live in a baking hot state in America and are considering buying over the Internet, you shouldn’t be buying a Bonsai from a cold climatic country, as there is a good chance it will not thrive in your area.
Do outdoor Bonsai need less care than indoor Bonsai?
Just because you are growing your Bonsai in a small area of your garden doesn’t mean you should or indeed can forget about them and just expect them to maintain their miniature height or grow at all. A Bonsai that isn’t trimmed and cut will cease to be a Bonsai and will simply become a tree, presuming there is room for the roots to grow; it’s amazing exactly where your roots will dig to, they will often find a way through or around concrete, rocks and even other plants and trees so be very careful where you situate it.
If you are growing your outdoor Bonsai in a pot, which is the most common and sensible way to do it, then you should never bring it indoors. No matter how ill it looks it will undoubtedly not enjoy the sudden change in conditions and even the most healthy and hardy of Bonsai can only withstand a day, possibly two at the very most, indoors as a center piece. It is very important to remember this, do not bring an outdoor Bonsai indoors for longer than one day every season. Bringing your Bonsai in during the winter and putting it next to the blazing hot heater is undoubtedly going to scorch the leaves and the roots, and your plant will probably die from dehydration. The reverse is also true, bringing a Bonsai in from the heat and leaving it next to the Air Conditioning unit is the equivalent of a shock frost in summer and will also kill your Bonsai.
Monday, March 01, 2010
The Right Garden Style
As with clothing there are different styles of garden, what suits one person may not suit another. When planning a new garden you need to give some thought to the type and style of garden you want. Some people like a well manicured garden whilst others prefer a more natural look. Some people enjoy the peace and tranquility provided by a flower garden, while others will enjoy the satisfaction of growing their own fruit and vegetables.
The amount of space you have available to you will greatly influence your type and style of garden. If you live in a rural area and are lucky enough to have a large garden you will be able to divide up the space and create different areas for different types of gardens. If, on the other hand, you live in a city center and only have a small area, then your choices are greatly reduced.
Another point to consider is the amount of free time you have available to maintain your garden. If you have a demanding job or a large family to take care of you may find that trying to cope with a large intricate garden is too much to bother with. Large flower gardens, for instance, can be very time consuming to maintain and keep them looking their best, as many flowering plants need continual dead-heading to prolong their flowering period.
Your fitness level may also influence the type and style of your garden. If you have heart problems or breathing difficulties for instance, you probably wouldn't want to be digging over a large vegetable plot each year. If you are confined to a wheel chair or suffer with back problems then you may need to consider having raised beds that you can reach easily.
One other factor you may want to consider is the actual purpose of the garden.
Do you want to attract wildlife?
Create a space for entertaining friends and family?
Have a safe area for your children to play?
A peaceful place to relax?
Create a productive garden to feed the family?
When thinking about the style of your garden style remember that it is possible to incorporate different garden types into one garden. Many vegetables have attractive foliage and can be grown in amongst your ornamental plants. In fact organic gardeners will often plant certain ornaments in their vegetable plots in order to repel pests away from their vegetable crops.
By considering these points and deciding what you want to use the garden for you will hopefully avoid starting something that you will later regret.
The amount of space you have available to you will greatly influence your type and style of garden. If you live in a rural area and are lucky enough to have a large garden you will be able to divide up the space and create different areas for different types of gardens. If, on the other hand, you live in a city center and only have a small area, then your choices are greatly reduced.
Another point to consider is the amount of free time you have available to maintain your garden. If you have a demanding job or a large family to take care of you may find that trying to cope with a large intricate garden is too much to bother with. Large flower gardens, for instance, can be very time consuming to maintain and keep them looking their best, as many flowering plants need continual dead-heading to prolong their flowering period.
Your fitness level may also influence the type and style of your garden. If you have heart problems or breathing difficulties for instance, you probably wouldn't want to be digging over a large vegetable plot each year. If you are confined to a wheel chair or suffer with back problems then you may need to consider having raised beds that you can reach easily.
One other factor you may want to consider is the actual purpose of the garden.
Do you want to attract wildlife?
Create a space for entertaining friends and family?
Have a safe area for your children to play?
A peaceful place to relax?
Create a productive garden to feed the family?
When thinking about the style of your garden style remember that it is possible to incorporate different garden types into one garden. Many vegetables have attractive foliage and can be grown in amongst your ornamental plants. In fact organic gardeners will often plant certain ornaments in their vegetable plots in order to repel pests away from their vegetable crops.
By considering these points and deciding what you want to use the garden for you will hopefully avoid starting something that you will later regret.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Mowing The Grass
New lawns require time to become established and set down a root system before they are mowed. If you’ve seeded your lawn, it may be as long as two months before it can be mowed. Sod, on the other hand, may need to be mowed within three weeks of being laid. Plugs, sprigs and stolons can take as much as six weeks to become firmly established. If you’ve seeded your lawn, all seeds must have germinated before you mow. Plugs, sprigs, stolons and sod must have roots firmly set before they’re mowed to prevent damage.
For Mowing:
-Never cut more than 1/3 of the grass height.
-Assure the lawn is completely dry before mowing to prevent damage.
-Check your mower’s instruction manual and set the mower to the proper height for new lawns.
-Keep your blades sharp for the best results. Dull or out of balance blades will cause you and your equipment to work harder.
-Mow at the highest recommended height and then mow again after a few days.
-Mow your lawn every four to five days if grass has grown adequately.
Mowing too frequently will scalp a new lawn.
Remember; only cut 1/3 of the grass height. Example: If your grass is three inches high, only cut one inch. This will keep your lawn lush, healthy and well-groomed.
For Mowing:
-Never cut more than 1/3 of the grass height.
-Assure the lawn is completely dry before mowing to prevent damage.
-Check your mower’s instruction manual and set the mower to the proper height for new lawns.
-Keep your blades sharp for the best results. Dull or out of balance blades will cause you and your equipment to work harder.
-Mow at the highest recommended height and then mow again after a few days.
-Mow your lawn every four to five days if grass has grown adequately.
Mowing too frequently will scalp a new lawn.
Remember; only cut 1/3 of the grass height. Example: If your grass is three inches high, only cut one inch. This will keep your lawn lush, healthy and well-groomed.
Monday, February 08, 2010
Window Boxes
Window Boxes are a form of container gardening used mostly by people in apartments, or up on high floor buildings. In this article, one person talks about how they miss seeing these types of container gardens in their neighborhood, and the joy it used to bring.
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I just happen to love window boxes and miss seeing them in the more modern neighborhoods these days. My neighbors who lived across the street from us had just painted their older rather plain, small house a medium gray with white trim. Clean, but boring I thought. With two large windows on each side of the front door, I had visions of painting the front door red and adding 2 red window boxes beneath those windows. Talk about adding some impact!
Window boxes can take a plain nondescript house and give it the look of a charming country cottage in no time. Window boxes are also particularly wonderful when you are limited for planting space in a small yard. You can fill them with low growing and trailing flowers, vines or even herbs. You may be hard put to find ready-made window boxes at your local garden store these days, but they are still available online.
If you want to make your own window boxes, cedar or redwood would be the wood of choice. If you can't find some kind of a plastic or metal liner to fit, I would further protect the wood by lining the boxes with plain old tarpaper before adding the planting mix. You can then mount them to the window frames with the proper sized brackets. Your neighborhood hardware store can guide you in the right direction.
Make sure you drill some holes in he bottom of the window boxes for good drainage and water daily during the summer months. Once every few weeks are so, add some fertilizer for container plants, then sit back and enjoy beautiful blooms from both the outside and inside of the house.
Some good flower choices for window boxes would be geraniums, marigolds, trillium, alyssum, and any other low growing flowers that love the sun. For the shady side of the house, try fuchsias or the beautiful non-stop begonias. Some useful herb choices would include chives, rosemary, parsley and thyme. If you like fresh mint, don't plant any other herb in that particular window box as the mint will take over all other plants.
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I just happen to love window boxes and miss seeing them in the more modern neighborhoods these days. My neighbors who lived across the street from us had just painted their older rather plain, small house a medium gray with white trim. Clean, but boring I thought. With two large windows on each side of the front door, I had visions of painting the front door red and adding 2 red window boxes beneath those windows. Talk about adding some impact!
Window boxes can take a plain nondescript house and give it the look of a charming country cottage in no time. Window boxes are also particularly wonderful when you are limited for planting space in a small yard. You can fill them with low growing and trailing flowers, vines or even herbs. You may be hard put to find ready-made window boxes at your local garden store these days, but they are still available online.
If you want to make your own window boxes, cedar or redwood would be the wood of choice. If you can't find some kind of a plastic or metal liner to fit, I would further protect the wood by lining the boxes with plain old tarpaper before adding the planting mix. You can then mount them to the window frames with the proper sized brackets. Your neighborhood hardware store can guide you in the right direction.
Make sure you drill some holes in he bottom of the window boxes for good drainage and water daily during the summer months. Once every few weeks are so, add some fertilizer for container plants, then sit back and enjoy beautiful blooms from both the outside and inside of the house.
Some good flower choices for window boxes would be geraniums, marigolds, trillium, alyssum, and any other low growing flowers that love the sun. For the shady side of the house, try fuchsias or the beautiful non-stop begonias. Some useful herb choices would include chives, rosemary, parsley and thyme. If you like fresh mint, don't plant any other herb in that particular window box as the mint will take over all other plants.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Where To Place A Water Garden
Earlier we spoke about Water Gardens. If you decide to have one, where should it be put. This article will help attempt to answer that question.
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Like so many things in life, the location is one of the most important aspects to consider when making any changes. Here are a couple of things to consider when you build your dream water garden:
1. Call Before You Dig
While this one seems obvious, its surprising the number of people who forget to call the appropriate utility companies about phone,gas and power lines, only to accidently cut them. One simple phone call avoids all sorts of problems, ensuring that you wont have to worry about delays to your project and iritate your neighbours when their phone or electricity no longer works.
2. Made In the Shade
Consider the pattern of the sun and its impacts on shadows in your yard. Also, remember that the direction the sun crosses the sky will change between spring and fall. The angle of the sun will dictate what type of shade you need to create, and where to place your trees and water pond. Many plants require 6 hours of direct sunlight.
3. Regional Considerations
What type of weather and soil conditions can you expect in the area you live in? You may find that the type of soil will dictate the types of plants and trees you can use to create your backyard paradise.
4. Existing Structures
Keep in mind existing structures such as trees, fences and patios. Will your plan mean removing trees? Will the design of your artificial water garden compliment your existing back yard, or will further changes have to be made? These considerations may add to the cost of your project. Keep your neighbours informed of your plans. You may find that they are willing to share in the cost of removing that tree or help in rebuilding the new fence.
5. Hows It Flowin?
Spend time tracking the direction and intensity of water flows that plants need and intensity of that water flow. You may find that some parts of your yard recieve more water than others based on the flow of the water in your yard. You may find that there is a sloping effect in your yard. This will impact your vegetation. Also check for pools of water that gather in certain spots. Raising the level of parts of your yard will ensure that all of your yard recieves the same amount of water.
6. Drawing the line
Remember to respect property codes for your city and wishes of your neighbours. Having an envious neighbour is one thing, violating their rights is another. When in doubt, check it out.
7. Whats the Plan?
Keep the focus of your site in mind throughout all aspects of your yard. Are you building a barrier, an escape from the rest of the city or just looking to make your yard look better for the next owners? This should weight in on all of your decisions.
Before you build your back yard retreat, plan, plan, plan. Remember, there are several factors to consider and the above lucky 7 tips should help you make the perfect water garden yours.
--------------
Like so many things in life, the location is one of the most important aspects to consider when making any changes. Here are a couple of things to consider when you build your dream water garden:
1. Call Before You Dig
While this one seems obvious, its surprising the number of people who forget to call the appropriate utility companies about phone,gas and power lines, only to accidently cut them. One simple phone call avoids all sorts of problems, ensuring that you wont have to worry about delays to your project and iritate your neighbours when their phone or electricity no longer works.
2. Made In the Shade
Consider the pattern of the sun and its impacts on shadows in your yard. Also, remember that the direction the sun crosses the sky will change between spring and fall. The angle of the sun will dictate what type of shade you need to create, and where to place your trees and water pond. Many plants require 6 hours of direct sunlight.
3. Regional Considerations
What type of weather and soil conditions can you expect in the area you live in? You may find that the type of soil will dictate the types of plants and trees you can use to create your backyard paradise.
4. Existing Structures
Keep in mind existing structures such as trees, fences and patios. Will your plan mean removing trees? Will the design of your artificial water garden compliment your existing back yard, or will further changes have to be made? These considerations may add to the cost of your project. Keep your neighbours informed of your plans. You may find that they are willing to share in the cost of removing that tree or help in rebuilding the new fence.
5. Hows It Flowin?
Spend time tracking the direction and intensity of water flows that plants need and intensity of that water flow. You may find that some parts of your yard recieve more water than others based on the flow of the water in your yard. You may find that there is a sloping effect in your yard. This will impact your vegetation. Also check for pools of water that gather in certain spots. Raising the level of parts of your yard will ensure that all of your yard recieves the same amount of water.
6. Drawing the line
Remember to respect property codes for your city and wishes of your neighbours. Having an envious neighbour is one thing, violating their rights is another. When in doubt, check it out.
7. Whats the Plan?
Keep the focus of your site in mind throughout all aspects of your yard. Are you building a barrier, an escape from the rest of the city or just looking to make your yard look better for the next owners? This should weight in on all of your decisions.
Before you build your back yard retreat, plan, plan, plan. Remember, there are several factors to consider and the above lucky 7 tips should help you make the perfect water garden yours.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Using A Garden Shed
This article reflects one woman's desire and love for gardening and how a garden shed plays into the scenario.
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One of my all-time favorite hobbies is having a garden each year. I think my love for gardening started when I was a little girl spending summers with my grandmother and helping her take care of her large vegetable and flower gardens. I love the feeling of getting dirt in my fingernails and of seeing healthy vegetables and beautiful flowers grow from the tiniest seeds. My grandmother taught me a lot about life and about gardening during those summers. One of the main things I remember her teaching me, however, was that every gardener needed a garden shed.
I thought this advice about a garden shed was a bit strange at first. In fact, I questioned my grandmother about it because I thought surely she had spoken wrong. A garden shed? Sure, they are great, but why would every gardener need one? That was my question to my grandmother.
She answered my question about the need for a garden shed in the most magical and memorable way. She walked me over to her special garden shed and brought me inside with her. Once inside she began explaining all the different tools, seeds and fertilizers that she had in her garden shed. I was quite amazed at everything my gram had in her garden shed. It was really organized and she seemed to have a great reason for each thing she had in there. She said that all gardeners will take more pride in their gardens if they have a special garden shed filled with everything they need to garden.
To make a long story short, I have since become very convinced that my grandmother's words are true about a garden shed. The more I have gotten into gardening the more I have seen the truth that it requires a lot of tools and things to make a garden grow with success, and my garden shed is the perfect place to store everything for my garden. Each year it seems like I grow my gardens a bit bigger and so each year my garden shed gets a little more filled with all of the right products and tools for each of my new attempts.
So if you are a gardener of if you are thinking about starting a garden for the first time, then I suggest you invest into a garden shed. It will hold everything you need for your garden and allow you to take pride in the work of your hands.
-------------------------------
One of my all-time favorite hobbies is having a garden each year. I think my love for gardening started when I was a little girl spending summers with my grandmother and helping her take care of her large vegetable and flower gardens. I love the feeling of getting dirt in my fingernails and of seeing healthy vegetables and beautiful flowers grow from the tiniest seeds. My grandmother taught me a lot about life and about gardening during those summers. One of the main things I remember her teaching me, however, was that every gardener needed a garden shed.
I thought this advice about a garden shed was a bit strange at first. In fact, I questioned my grandmother about it because I thought surely she had spoken wrong. A garden shed? Sure, they are great, but why would every gardener need one? That was my question to my grandmother.
She answered my question about the need for a garden shed in the most magical and memorable way. She walked me over to her special garden shed and brought me inside with her. Once inside she began explaining all the different tools, seeds and fertilizers that she had in her garden shed. I was quite amazed at everything my gram had in her garden shed. It was really organized and she seemed to have a great reason for each thing she had in there. She said that all gardeners will take more pride in their gardens if they have a special garden shed filled with everything they need to garden.
To make a long story short, I have since become very convinced that my grandmother's words are true about a garden shed. The more I have gotten into gardening the more I have seen the truth that it requires a lot of tools and things to make a garden grow with success, and my garden shed is the perfect place to store everything for my garden. Each year it seems like I grow my gardens a bit bigger and so each year my garden shed gets a little more filled with all of the right products and tools for each of my new attempts.
So if you are a gardener of if you are thinking about starting a garden for the first time, then I suggest you invest into a garden shed. It will hold everything you need for your garden and allow you to take pride in the work of your hands.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Artificial Plants
People love artificial plants for many reasons as you can see. Since they aren't as delicate as real plants, they can also be easily found and purchased online. Find any artificial plants you like online and take measurements to make sure they'll be a perfect fit for your home.
I'm not a fan of the artificial thing, but I include this article here for variety sake, because there are some who may like to consider some artificial plants in their garden, also there are some benefits.
What can be done with artificial plants is just a matter of seeing it for yourself. Who knew that manipulating plastic could even turn out to look that beautiful? If you are the type who's against the destruction of the Rain Forest, who said that you should not have any green in your home? Artificial plants are odorless and the only thing they do catch is dust. Taking a damp cloth, or even having the kids spend on morning on a Saturday cleaning them, will bring back the color of the plants.
Artificial plants can resemble actual flowers and it will take a second – maybe even a third – glance to realize that they are not real. A few of the plants are available with artificial water, which adds to the look-a-like effect, and be beautiful centerpieces on the coffee table, on the mantelpiece or even on the bedside pedestal. There is nothing wrong with having plastic in your house, and if you are against it, you just have a look at a few of the artificial plants and decide for yourself. You will not be blamed if you are taken to the artificial plant section and can’t tell the difference between real and plastic.
The two are very close – maybe so close that there is no fault. To tell the difference all you have to do is put your nose near each of them and smell the difference. When owning artificial plants in your home and would like to give it a fresh smell, try adding a few drops of potpourri oils on the brim of the vase. That should convince the visitors that your beautiful flowers are making the room smell so nice. Share your secret with them and tell them and then see the looks on their faces when they stand there in disbelief.
People love artificial plants for many reasons as you can see. Since they aren't as delicate as real plants, they can also be easily found and purchased online. Find any artificial plants you like online and take measurements to make sure they'll be a perfect fit for your home.
I'm not a fan of the artificial thing, but I include this article here for variety sake, because there are some who may like to consider some artificial plants in their garden, also there are some benefits.
What can be done with artificial plants is just a matter of seeing it for yourself. Who knew that manipulating plastic could even turn out to look that beautiful? If you are the type who's against the destruction of the Rain Forest, who said that you should not have any green in your home? Artificial plants are odorless and the only thing they do catch is dust. Taking a damp cloth, or even having the kids spend on morning on a Saturday cleaning them, will bring back the color of the plants.
Artificial plants can resemble actual flowers and it will take a second – maybe even a third – glance to realize that they are not real. A few of the plants are available with artificial water, which adds to the look-a-like effect, and be beautiful centerpieces on the coffee table, on the mantelpiece or even on the bedside pedestal. There is nothing wrong with having plastic in your house, and if you are against it, you just have a look at a few of the artificial plants and decide for yourself. You will not be blamed if you are taken to the artificial plant section and can’t tell the difference between real and plastic.
The two are very close – maybe so close that there is no fault. To tell the difference all you have to do is put your nose near each of them and smell the difference. When owning artificial plants in your home and would like to give it a fresh smell, try adding a few drops of potpourri oils on the brim of the vase. That should convince the visitors that your beautiful flowers are making the room smell so nice. Share your secret with them and tell them and then see the looks on their faces when they stand there in disbelief.
People love artificial plants for many reasons as you can see. Since they aren't as delicate as real plants, they can also be easily found and purchased online. Find any artificial plants you like online and take measurements to make sure they'll be a perfect fit for your home.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Garden Grading
This article was posted earlier, but I wanted to repost it to reinstate an important fact. Grading the land should be done first! No matter how big, or small the area you want for your garden is, it's important to prime everything first. Also, good planning always makes for better results.
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Not all houses have perfect surroundings that will be easy to transform into outdoor recreation and entertainment areas with good lawns and gardens. It is frequently necessary to undertake some construction projects to obtain the quality and type of outdoor area you want. One of the basic construction problems for any landscaping task is grading the soil. Generally, grading means building a slope into the garden area. Sloping ensures that there is proper drainage, and it can make the house look better while allowing for easier maintenance.
Whether you want to have a garden, a lawn, or a terrace, you must do your grading first. The best time to grade is when a home is being constructed, since it is relatively simple to add a few inches between the entrance level and the ground level at this point. Just a few inches can ease the creation of a grade away from the house to improve its appearance and make for a drier basement, if you have one.
It is difficult to measure a grade by eye. Even professionals cannot do this. You should use a piece of twine as a guide. Pull the twine tight between two sticks imbedded in the ground. Once you’ve completed the rough work for leveling, use a long board as a straight edge on the ground to make sure you’ve been accurate. Rough grading is the first step in landscape construction. The extent of the grading depends on the condition of the ground and ground levels desired. You must also pay attention if there are extreme slopes and try to keep as closely as possible to natural contours. This reduces the expense of grading in a big way.
Begin grading by stripping and separating topsoil from the areas where the level is to be altered. Even if you are grading for a stone or concrete terrace, you should save the topsoil. You can spread the topsoil in areas where it is thin, or you can use it a flower garden and save yourself some money. Once you have stripped the topsoil, subsoil can be graded to the desired contours, leaving space for adding the topsoil that has been removed. You should also plan to have a slope for every one-hundred feet of lawn. The same measurement can be applied to a stone terrace to prevent pools of water to develop during periods of rain.
When you level an area for a terrace, you don’t need to insert subsoil drainage. Just save the topsoil. For nearly all terraces, it is good practice to tamp the soil down and even to put a layer of gravel cinder or crushed rock as a base for the terrace. Terraces typically require a level area, but the grade that slopes away from the house should be maintained.
-----------------
Not all houses have perfect surroundings that will be easy to transform into outdoor recreation and entertainment areas with good lawns and gardens. It is frequently necessary to undertake some construction projects to obtain the quality and type of outdoor area you want. One of the basic construction problems for any landscaping task is grading the soil. Generally, grading means building a slope into the garden area. Sloping ensures that there is proper drainage, and it can make the house look better while allowing for easier maintenance.
Whether you want to have a garden, a lawn, or a terrace, you must do your grading first. The best time to grade is when a home is being constructed, since it is relatively simple to add a few inches between the entrance level and the ground level at this point. Just a few inches can ease the creation of a grade away from the house to improve its appearance and make for a drier basement, if you have one.
It is difficult to measure a grade by eye. Even professionals cannot do this. You should use a piece of twine as a guide. Pull the twine tight between two sticks imbedded in the ground. Once you’ve completed the rough work for leveling, use a long board as a straight edge on the ground to make sure you’ve been accurate. Rough grading is the first step in landscape construction. The extent of the grading depends on the condition of the ground and ground levels desired. You must also pay attention if there are extreme slopes and try to keep as closely as possible to natural contours. This reduces the expense of grading in a big way.
Begin grading by stripping and separating topsoil from the areas where the level is to be altered. Even if you are grading for a stone or concrete terrace, you should save the topsoil. You can spread the topsoil in areas where it is thin, or you can use it a flower garden and save yourself some money. Once you have stripped the topsoil, subsoil can be graded to the desired contours, leaving space for adding the topsoil that has been removed. You should also plan to have a slope for every one-hundred feet of lawn. The same measurement can be applied to a stone terrace to prevent pools of water to develop during periods of rain.
When you level an area for a terrace, you don’t need to insert subsoil drainage. Just save the topsoil. For nearly all terraces, it is good practice to tamp the soil down and even to put a layer of gravel cinder or crushed rock as a base for the terrace. Terraces typically require a level area, but the grade that slopes away from the house should be maintained.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Planning A New Year Garden The Year Before
In this article, a person named Robin explains why they plan their garden early.
Every year spring comes and I get so excited to get outside and plant my garden. I can just taste those fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and all the other wonderful produce that I will grow this summer.
I stop at all the seed displays and see if there is anything new that I want to try and grow this year and take pleasure in my anticipation to dig in the dirt.
I watch the weather and am careful not to plant to soon, I don't want my plants caught in a late spring freeze of course. Then the time comes when I just can't stand it any longer I head to the nursery to buy my plants. I of course get way too many of everything and then I patiently haul them outside every morning to get some sun and then bring them in each night until the big day arrives.
I get my garden area all rototilled and ready and invest in some plant food to help my little darlings along after I get them planted. I've got my stakes and string ready to make neat little rows of carrots and radishes. I've got my wire cages ready to place over my tomatoes plants and am just itching to get started.
Finally the day has arrived and I can plant my garden. I start out the morning with enthusiasm and get everything planted just so. It is a little more crowded than I would like because I seem to always try to fit too many plants and seeds into the area, but I tell myself it will all be worth it.
All through June and July I lovingly cultivate my plants, weeding and watering with a vengeance. August comes and we are thoroughly enjoying all our fresh vegetables. But by then it is getting a little hot out and weeding isn't quite as fun anymore. Toward the middle of August I have vegetables coming out my ears and it is time to can and freeze all this freshness for winter.
I start out with salsa and then move on to tomatoes and pickles. Then of course I need to get those strawberrys in the freezer. And I don't want the corn to get too mature before I get it into the freezer. After a week or two my kitchen is a wreck and I am tired of spending the last of my summer days inside. If I never see another tomato or ear of corn I will be extremely happy. Between getting ready for the new school year and freezing and canning all my great produce I am thoroughly exhausted. Plus it seems like with this heat watering my garden, let alone the lawn is a never ending chore.
But of course we don't want anything to go to waste so I head down to get more canning supplies and keep at it. When it is all said and done I have way too much for my family to use so of course I give it away. You don't want those vegetables to go to waste you know.
By this time I look out and my peaches and apples seem just right for picking and the process starts over with them. While I am working on my fruit of course the garden is still producing and even though I quit canning and freezing from there I can't let it go to waste so I make sure every morning and night I pick what is ripe and give it away to those that will surely appreciate it. Because by this time the thought of eating anything out of the garden is not very appealing, neither is cooking in my kitchen that has become a canning disaster area.
Then the next big day that I can't seem to wait for, the big freeze. Finally my gardening job has ended. All I have to do now is get everything in the compost pile, re-rototill, and fertilize.
As I look at my kitchen and see all the fruits, vegetables, pickles, and jellies ready for winter I am proud, but really really tired. I vow next year I will not take on so much. Last year I went ahead and planned my garden in October and made specific counts of just how much I was going to plant. I made counts of just how much I had frozen and canned to see just how much we would use in the coming year. I made little footnotes of my thoughts on the subject as well.
Well spring is approaching, well kind of there is still snow on the ground, and I got out my garden plan and looked at all the produce my family still hasn't eaten and thought about how much of it I had given away this winter already and thought maybe I should follow this new garden plan as I started to unfold all my notes. I vaguely remember thinking Pace salsa is almost as good as my own, and who really can tell if the canned tomatoes came from the garden or not after they have been cooked.
I don't know if I will be able to stick to this streamlined plan when my green thumb starts itching to grow things but I keep telling myself if we run out of salsa, jelly, corn, or tomatoes it won't be the end of the world. They are readily available at the grocery store and in the long run may cost less than me putting them up myself. I was totally convinced in October, kind of convinced now, but I am wondering come May if I will be able to stick to it.
I have a feeling when the grass starts turning green, and the tulips show their colors all my best laid plans for a more relaxing late summer are going to go by the wayside. Oh well, I guess their could be worse addictions. I wonder is there such a thing as a 12 step program for those addicted to gardening in excess?
Every year spring comes and I get so excited to get outside and plant my garden. I can just taste those fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and all the other wonderful produce that I will grow this summer.
I stop at all the seed displays and see if there is anything new that I want to try and grow this year and take pleasure in my anticipation to dig in the dirt.
I watch the weather and am careful not to plant to soon, I don't want my plants caught in a late spring freeze of course. Then the time comes when I just can't stand it any longer I head to the nursery to buy my plants. I of course get way too many of everything and then I patiently haul them outside every morning to get some sun and then bring them in each night until the big day arrives.
I get my garden area all rototilled and ready and invest in some plant food to help my little darlings along after I get them planted. I've got my stakes and string ready to make neat little rows of carrots and radishes. I've got my wire cages ready to place over my tomatoes plants and am just itching to get started.
Finally the day has arrived and I can plant my garden. I start out the morning with enthusiasm and get everything planted just so. It is a little more crowded than I would like because I seem to always try to fit too many plants and seeds into the area, but I tell myself it will all be worth it.
All through June and July I lovingly cultivate my plants, weeding and watering with a vengeance. August comes and we are thoroughly enjoying all our fresh vegetables. But by then it is getting a little hot out and weeding isn't quite as fun anymore. Toward the middle of August I have vegetables coming out my ears and it is time to can and freeze all this freshness for winter.
I start out with salsa and then move on to tomatoes and pickles. Then of course I need to get those strawberrys in the freezer. And I don't want the corn to get too mature before I get it into the freezer. After a week or two my kitchen is a wreck and I am tired of spending the last of my summer days inside. If I never see another tomato or ear of corn I will be extremely happy. Between getting ready for the new school year and freezing and canning all my great produce I am thoroughly exhausted. Plus it seems like with this heat watering my garden, let alone the lawn is a never ending chore.
But of course we don't want anything to go to waste so I head down to get more canning supplies and keep at it. When it is all said and done I have way too much for my family to use so of course I give it away. You don't want those vegetables to go to waste you know.
By this time I look out and my peaches and apples seem just right for picking and the process starts over with them. While I am working on my fruit of course the garden is still producing and even though I quit canning and freezing from there I can't let it go to waste so I make sure every morning and night I pick what is ripe and give it away to those that will surely appreciate it. Because by this time the thought of eating anything out of the garden is not very appealing, neither is cooking in my kitchen that has become a canning disaster area.
Then the next big day that I can't seem to wait for, the big freeze. Finally my gardening job has ended. All I have to do now is get everything in the compost pile, re-rototill, and fertilize.
As I look at my kitchen and see all the fruits, vegetables, pickles, and jellies ready for winter I am proud, but really really tired. I vow next year I will not take on so much. Last year I went ahead and planned my garden in October and made specific counts of just how much I was going to plant. I made counts of just how much I had frozen and canned to see just how much we would use in the coming year. I made little footnotes of my thoughts on the subject as well.
Well spring is approaching, well kind of there is still snow on the ground, and I got out my garden plan and looked at all the produce my family still hasn't eaten and thought about how much of it I had given away this winter already and thought maybe I should follow this new garden plan as I started to unfold all my notes. I vaguely remember thinking Pace salsa is almost as good as my own, and who really can tell if the canned tomatoes came from the garden or not after they have been cooked.
I don't know if I will be able to stick to this streamlined plan when my green thumb starts itching to grow things but I keep telling myself if we run out of salsa, jelly, corn, or tomatoes it won't be the end of the world. They are readily available at the grocery store and in the long run may cost less than me putting them up myself. I was totally convinced in October, kind of convinced now, but I am wondering come May if I will be able to stick to it.
I have a feeling when the grass starts turning green, and the tulips show their colors all my best laid plans for a more relaxing late summer are going to go by the wayside. Oh well, I guess their could be worse addictions. I wonder is there such a thing as a 12 step program for those addicted to gardening in excess?
Monday, January 25, 2010
Birds In The Garden
One of the advantages of creating a garden, is all of the wildlife it can attract.
There are many reasons to create a summer garden the best however, as most gardeners are well aware is for your personal enjoyment. For bird lovers everywhere it is quite possible to have a fabulous summer garden that appeals to the bird lover in them as much as a lover of beauty that exists within us all (there are of course a few disagreements along the way as to what beauty is and is not). If you are a bird lover you should seriously consider making efforts to make your summer garden more attractive to your fine feathered friends.
There are several ways this goal may be accomplished. First of all birds like water. They need to drink water and they actually enjoy playing in the water. With this in mind make sure there is some sort of water source available for the birds to enjoy in your summer garden. Some excellent choices would be a water fountain, a goldfish pond, or a waterfall. The key in this is to make sure that the water source is not a stagnate water source as you want to attract birds and not mosquitoes. Other than that, have fun creating a neat place for your bird pals to frolic and play.
As far as attracting specific birds, you will need to research the specific birds you are interested in attracting to your summer garden and plant accordingly. The variations are virtually limitless and far too numerous to include in this brief overview. Be sure to invest some degree of time when planning your garden to check into favorite birds and the flowers or trees they prefer. You should also take the time to study their predators and avoid creating a friendly atmosphere for the predators to hang out in your summer garden while you are doing your research.
Another way to attract birds to your summer garden is by creating an environment in which they feel safe and at home. Plant trees that these birds favor for building nests or place birdhouses in your garden that will provide a great potential home for these birds to make their own.
In addition to planting flowers and trees that will attract various birds to your summer garden you should also take care to attract food to your summer garden for these desirable birds as well. If you aren't sure about attracting food for the birds you might want to consider providing food for these birds you are hoping to draw into your summer garden. You can accomplish this by filling bird feeders (make sure you use feeders that are designed to prevent squirrels from stealing the food intended for your birds) with foods that attract the birds you are most interested in attracting to your lawn.
There is no right or wrong way to create a peaceful and relaxing summer garden. If you wish to add to your enjoyment of your garden it is quite possible to do this by taking a few extra steps and landscaping with the birds you enjoy watching in mind. The steps above will help make your garden an attractive place to favorite birds to play and build their homes. Incorporate them all into your summer garden for best results and the opportunity to live in harmony with the birds you enjoy watching.
There are many reasons to create a summer garden the best however, as most gardeners are well aware is for your personal enjoyment. For bird lovers everywhere it is quite possible to have a fabulous summer garden that appeals to the bird lover in them as much as a lover of beauty that exists within us all (there are of course a few disagreements along the way as to what beauty is and is not). If you are a bird lover you should seriously consider making efforts to make your summer garden more attractive to your fine feathered friends.
There are several ways this goal may be accomplished. First of all birds like water. They need to drink water and they actually enjoy playing in the water. With this in mind make sure there is some sort of water source available for the birds to enjoy in your summer garden. Some excellent choices would be a water fountain, a goldfish pond, or a waterfall. The key in this is to make sure that the water source is not a stagnate water source as you want to attract birds and not mosquitoes. Other than that, have fun creating a neat place for your bird pals to frolic and play.
As far as attracting specific birds, you will need to research the specific birds you are interested in attracting to your summer garden and plant accordingly. The variations are virtually limitless and far too numerous to include in this brief overview. Be sure to invest some degree of time when planning your garden to check into favorite birds and the flowers or trees they prefer. You should also take the time to study their predators and avoid creating a friendly atmosphere for the predators to hang out in your summer garden while you are doing your research.
Another way to attract birds to your summer garden is by creating an environment in which they feel safe and at home. Plant trees that these birds favor for building nests or place birdhouses in your garden that will provide a great potential home for these birds to make their own.
In addition to planting flowers and trees that will attract various birds to your summer garden you should also take care to attract food to your summer garden for these desirable birds as well. If you aren't sure about attracting food for the birds you might want to consider providing food for these birds you are hoping to draw into your summer garden. You can accomplish this by filling bird feeders (make sure you use feeders that are designed to prevent squirrels from stealing the food intended for your birds) with foods that attract the birds you are most interested in attracting to your lawn.
There is no right or wrong way to create a peaceful and relaxing summer garden. If you wish to add to your enjoyment of your garden it is quite possible to do this by taking a few extra steps and landscaping with the birds you enjoy watching in mind. The steps above will help make your garden an attractive place to favorite birds to play and build their homes. Incorporate them all into your summer garden for best results and the opportunity to live in harmony with the birds you enjoy watching.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
More Indoor Gardening Tips
WһіƖе аƖƖ plants аrе quite apt tο prosper indoors, tһеу ԁο need more οr less tһе same conditions tο grow аѕ outdoor plants ԁο. Tһеѕе conditions аrе a ɡοοԁ supply οf fresh air, proper sunlight, water аחԁ nutrients such аѕ plant food commonly known аѕ ‘fertilizer’.
Wе wіƖƖ include here a few tips tһаt аrе sure tο mаkе уουr indoor plants grow healthier аחԁ add beauty tο уουr surroundings.
Eνеr notice һοw plants wіƖƖ face tһе source οf sunlight? Tһіѕ іѕ bесаυѕе tһе sun іѕ tһе main source οf tһеіr nutrition. Plant leaves change water аחԁ nutrition frοm tһе soil tο food through a process called ‘photosynthesis’.
A couple οf hours οf sunlight іѕ a mυѕt fοr уουr indoor plants. If уου ԁο חοt һаνе a рƖасе wһеrе уου саח һаνе adequate sunlight, аחԁ саחחοt mονе tһе plants уου ѕһουƖԁ consider purchasing a couple οf indoor gardening lights.
Ordinary lights wіƖƖ חοt ԁο. Indoor gardening lights provide enough οf ultraviolet light tο nourish tһе plants.
Provide adequate water tο уουr plants. Yουr indoor plants need ‘room temperature’ water tο survive. Dο חοt over water tһе plants, mοѕt plants die due tο a lack οf water οr a surplus οf іt tһаח tһеу ԁο οf аחу οtһеr reason.
Follow a rule οf thumb, Ɩіkе уου test a cake уου ѕһουƖԁ pierce a knitting needle іחtο a plant container. If tһе needle goes іח wіtһ ease tһе soil іѕ јυѕt tһе rіɡһt dampness, іf חοt increase tһе quantity οf water a bit.
Fertilizers аrе аƖѕο іmрοrtаחt, once a fortnight add a scoop οf indoor plant fertilizer tο уουr plant pot. Used tealeaves аrе аƖѕο a very ɡοοԁ supply οf nutrition tο уουr plant.
Follow tһеѕе simple tricks аחԁ уου wіƖƖ see уουr indoor garden prospering very soon.
Wе wіƖƖ include here a few tips tһаt аrе sure tο mаkе уουr indoor plants grow healthier аחԁ add beauty tο уουr surroundings.
Eνеr notice һοw plants wіƖƖ face tһе source οf sunlight? Tһіѕ іѕ bесаυѕе tһе sun іѕ tһе main source οf tһеіr nutrition. Plant leaves change water аחԁ nutrition frοm tһе soil tο food through a process called ‘photosynthesis’.
A couple οf hours οf sunlight іѕ a mυѕt fοr уουr indoor plants. If уου ԁο חοt һаνе a рƖасе wһеrе уου саח һаνе adequate sunlight, аחԁ саחחοt mονе tһе plants уου ѕһουƖԁ consider purchasing a couple οf indoor gardening lights.
Ordinary lights wіƖƖ חοt ԁο. Indoor gardening lights provide enough οf ultraviolet light tο nourish tһе plants.
Provide adequate water tο уουr plants. Yουr indoor plants need ‘room temperature’ water tο survive. Dο חοt over water tһе plants, mοѕt plants die due tο a lack οf water οr a surplus οf іt tһаח tһеу ԁο οf аחу οtһеr reason.
Follow a rule οf thumb, Ɩіkе уου test a cake уου ѕһουƖԁ pierce a knitting needle іחtο a plant container. If tһе needle goes іח wіtһ ease tһе soil іѕ јυѕt tһе rіɡһt dampness, іf חοt increase tһе quantity οf water a bit.
Fertilizers аrе аƖѕο іmрοrtаחt, once a fortnight add a scoop οf indoor plant fertilizer tο уουr plant pot. Used tealeaves аrе аƖѕο a very ɡοοԁ supply οf nutrition tο уουr plant.
Follow tһеѕе simple tricks аחԁ уου wіƖƖ see уουr indoor garden prospering very soon.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Some Tips For Organic Gardening Soil
Dο уου really tһіחk organic gardening soil іѕ tһе same аѕ regular garden soil? If ѕο, boy аrе уου sadly mistaken аחԁ уου һаνе a rude awakening coming уουr way. Tһаt’s kind οf blunt isn’t іt? Dіԁ I ɡеt уουr attention, I really hope ѕο. Tһе information іח tһіѕ article wіƖƖ һеƖр уου ɡеt a better understanding οf tһе facts аbουt organic gardening soil.
Tһе first misconception mοѕt חеw organic gardeners һаνе аbουt tһеіr soil іѕ tһаt аחу thing саח grow іח аחу type οf soil. AƖƖ уου һаνе tο ԁο іѕ throw a few seeds іח tһе ground аחԁ boom уου һаνе a natural garden. Yου need tο lose tһаt preconceived notion іf іt applies tο уου.
Yου mυѕt take іחtο consideration tһе overall climate conditions wһісһ wіƖƖ impact tһе soil. Aח example οf tһеѕе things wουƖԁ bе rain, wind, temperatures аחԁ exposure tο tһе sun light. Tһеח tһе next thing tο consider іѕ tһе amount οf rocks аחԁ density οf tһе soil.
Aח example οf bаԁ density soil wουƖԁ bе wһеrе tһе dirt іѕ tightly compacted аחԁ allows fοr חο circulation οf air οr moisture. Tο һаνе ɡοοԁ organic gardening soil іt mυѕt bе loose, wіtһ ехсеƖƖеחt air аחԁ moisture circulation. Nοt tο worry though bесаυѕе one οf tһе things уου саח ԁο іf уουr dirt іѕ tightly compacted іѕ introduce earthworms tο tһе ground аחԁ allow tһеm tο ԁο tһеіr thing.
Frankly though tһе earthworms take time tο сrеаtе tһеіr magic аחԁ tһеу һаνе a tendency tο ɡеt out οf tһе designated planting area quickly. Hοwеνеr, tһеrе іѕ a simple solution tο tһаt problem аחԁ уου wіƖƖ һеƖр improve уουr soil quickly.
Yου саח ɡο tο уουr local nursery οr hardware store аחԁ рυrсһаѕе organic soil bу tһе bag full οr even bу tһе truck load. Many organic gardeners wіƖƖ рυt tһіѕ soil οח top οf tһеіr compacted soil аחԁ tһеח plow іt іחtο tһе regular soil. Hοwеνеr, fοr tһіѕ method tο bе effective уου mυѕt һаνе enough organic soil tο bе frοm a minimum depth οf three inches up tο six inches οr more. Tһе ɡrеаt thing аbουt іt іѕ аѕ уου repeat tһіѕ procedure through several growing seasons уου wіƖƖ soon һаνе brought tһе life back tο уουr original soil.
Another tip аbουt уουr soil іѕ tһе proper levels οf phosphates, hydrogen аחԁ acidity іח tһе soil. Tһіѕ іѕ οftеח times referred tο аѕ tһе ph factor іח tһе soil. It’s qυіеt easy today tο ɡο οח tһе World Wide Web аחԁ order a testing kit fοr уουr soil. Hοwеνеr, one οf tһе best ways tο determine іf уου һаνе rіɡһt kind οf soil fοr organic gardening іѕ tο take a sample οf уουr soil tο уουr county agriculture agent οr tο уουr local nursery. Fοr a small fee οr חο fee аt аƖƖ tһеу wіƖƖ tеƖƖ уου everything уου need tο know аbουt уουr soil.
Iח addition tο providing уου tһе information аbουt уουr dirt tһеу саח аƖѕο advise уου аѕ tο tһе best type οf plants tһаt wіƖƖ grow іח уουr soil. Furthermore, tһеу аrе a ɡrеаt source fοr additional tips οח growing аח organic garden successfully.
Tһеѕе tips аrе јυѕt a few οf tһе things аbουt уουr organic gardening soil wһісһ аrе іmрοrtаחt. Tο really ɡеt ahead οf tһе game οח уουr soil уου ѕһουƖԁ continue tο further уουr education.
Tһе first misconception mοѕt חеw organic gardeners һаνе аbουt tһеіr soil іѕ tһаt аחу thing саח grow іח аחу type οf soil. AƖƖ уου һаνе tο ԁο іѕ throw a few seeds іח tһе ground аחԁ boom уου һаνе a natural garden. Yου need tο lose tһаt preconceived notion іf іt applies tο уου.
Yου mυѕt take іחtο consideration tһе overall climate conditions wһісһ wіƖƖ impact tһе soil. Aח example οf tһеѕе things wουƖԁ bе rain, wind, temperatures аחԁ exposure tο tһе sun light. Tһеח tһе next thing tο consider іѕ tһе amount οf rocks аחԁ density οf tһе soil.
Aח example οf bаԁ density soil wουƖԁ bе wһеrе tһе dirt іѕ tightly compacted аחԁ allows fοr חο circulation οf air οr moisture. Tο һаνе ɡοοԁ organic gardening soil іt mυѕt bе loose, wіtһ ехсеƖƖеחt air аחԁ moisture circulation. Nοt tο worry though bесаυѕе one οf tһе things уου саח ԁο іf уουr dirt іѕ tightly compacted іѕ introduce earthworms tο tһе ground аחԁ allow tһеm tο ԁο tһеіr thing.
Frankly though tһе earthworms take time tο сrеаtе tһеіr magic аחԁ tһеу һаνе a tendency tο ɡеt out οf tһе designated planting area quickly. Hοwеνеr, tһеrе іѕ a simple solution tο tһаt problem аחԁ уου wіƖƖ һеƖр improve уουr soil quickly.
Yου саח ɡο tο уουr local nursery οr hardware store аחԁ рυrсһаѕе organic soil bу tһе bag full οr even bу tһе truck load. Many organic gardeners wіƖƖ рυt tһіѕ soil οח top οf tһеіr compacted soil аחԁ tһеח plow іt іחtο tһе regular soil. Hοwеνеr, fοr tһіѕ method tο bе effective уου mυѕt һаνе enough organic soil tο bе frοm a minimum depth οf three inches up tο six inches οr more. Tһе ɡrеаt thing аbουt іt іѕ аѕ уου repeat tһіѕ procedure through several growing seasons уου wіƖƖ soon һаνе brought tһе life back tο уουr original soil.
Another tip аbουt уουr soil іѕ tһе proper levels οf phosphates, hydrogen аחԁ acidity іח tһе soil. Tһіѕ іѕ οftеח times referred tο аѕ tһе ph factor іח tһе soil. It’s qυіеt easy today tο ɡο οח tһе World Wide Web аחԁ order a testing kit fοr уουr soil. Hοwеνеr, one οf tһе best ways tο determine іf уου һаνе rіɡһt kind οf soil fοr organic gardening іѕ tο take a sample οf уουr soil tο уουr county agriculture agent οr tο уουr local nursery. Fοr a small fee οr חο fee аt аƖƖ tһеу wіƖƖ tеƖƖ уου everything уου need tο know аbουt уουr soil.
Iח addition tο providing уου tһе information аbουt уουr dirt tһеу саח аƖѕο advise уου аѕ tο tһе best type οf plants tһаt wіƖƖ grow іח уουr soil. Furthermore, tһеу аrе a ɡrеаt source fοr additional tips οח growing аח organic garden successfully.
Tһеѕе tips аrе јυѕt a few οf tһе things аbουt уουr organic gardening soil wһісһ аrе іmрοrtаחt. Tο really ɡеt ahead οf tһе game οח уουr soil уου ѕһουƖԁ continue tο further уουr education.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Precautions for Composting
Earlier we spoke about composting with worm bins. Now, we would like speak a little about composting precautions.
There are living creatures that you want in your compost bin such as microbes and red earthworms and then there are the creatures you wan to stay away like raccoons, rodents, and bears). A compost bin can be very appealing to an animal, easy access to food. As a rule, you should never put animal matter into compost (left over meat and bones) not only do they not make for good composting they will be a magnet to wild animals. Following are some more tips to help keep your compost bin free from pests of all sizes.
An odor-free compost bin is less likely to attract bears or any other animal friends. You can achieve this by rotating or turning the compost pile at least once per week. Another precaution that should be taken is to have a bin with a cover whether it is commercially made or one you make yourself.
Another thing you can do is to put brown food such as lawn clippings on top of the green food (food scraps and other kitchen waste). You can purchase lime at your local nursery or hardware store to sprinkle on the top of your composting materials that will increase the rate at which everything decomposes.
The location of your compost heap should not be near the edge of your property especially if you live near a forest or park area. This makes it very easy for animals to help themselves without being exposed by walking through your backyard.
If bears or raccoons are a big concern in your community you can look into a neighborhood compost pile. In addition to making composting more accessible to a larger group of people, you can look into an electric or barbed wire fence to ensure no unwanted animals come looking for a free lunch.
There are living creatures that you want in your compost bin such as microbes and red earthworms and then there are the creatures you wan to stay away like raccoons, rodents, and bears). A compost bin can be very appealing to an animal, easy access to food. As a rule, you should never put animal matter into compost (left over meat and bones) not only do they not make for good composting they will be a magnet to wild animals. Following are some more tips to help keep your compost bin free from pests of all sizes.
An odor-free compost bin is less likely to attract bears or any other animal friends. You can achieve this by rotating or turning the compost pile at least once per week. Another precaution that should be taken is to have a bin with a cover whether it is commercially made or one you make yourself.
Another thing you can do is to put brown food such as lawn clippings on top of the green food (food scraps and other kitchen waste). You can purchase lime at your local nursery or hardware store to sprinkle on the top of your composting materials that will increase the rate at which everything decomposes.
The location of your compost heap should not be near the edge of your property especially if you live near a forest or park area. This makes it very easy for animals to help themselves without being exposed by walking through your backyard.
If bears or raccoons are a big concern in your community you can look into a neighborhood compost pile. In addition to making composting more accessible to a larger group of people, you can look into an electric or barbed wire fence to ensure no unwanted animals come looking for a free lunch.
Raised Bed Gardening
If your current planting goals involve plants that require good water drainage, I am sure you know how frustrating it is to have a yard that just won't cooperate. Some plants can handle the excess water that comes about from being in an area that doesn't drain properly. In fact, it might just cause them to bloom more lushly. However, other plants don't cope as well, and it will cause them to die a gruesome, bloated death. You should always find out about the drainage required for every plant you buy, and make sure that it won't conflict with any of the areas you are considering planting it in.
In order to test how much water your designated patch of soil will retain, dig a hole approximately ten inches deep. Fill it with water, and come back in a day when all the water had disappeared. Fill it back up again. If the 2nd hole full of water isn't gone in 10 hours, your soil has a low saturation point. This means that when water soaks into it, it will stick around for a long time before dissipating. This is unacceptable for almost any plant, and you are going to have to do something to remedy it if you want your plants to survive.
The usual method for improving drainage in your garden is to create a raised bed. This involves creating a border for a small bed, and adding enough soil and compost to it to raise it above the rest of the yard by at least 5 inches. You"ll be amazed at how much your water drainage will be improved by this small modification. If you"re planning to build a raised bed, your prospective area is either on grass or on dirt. For each of these situations, you should build it slightly differently.
If you want to start a raised garden in a non grassy area, you won't have much trouble. Just find some sort of border to retain the dirt you will be adding. I've found that there is nothing that works quite as well as a few two by fours. After you've created the wall, you must put in the proper amount soil and steer manure. Depending on how long you plan to wait before planting, you will want to adjust the ratio to allow for any deteriorating that may occur.
If you"re trying to install a raised bed where sod already exists, you will have a slightly more difficult time. You will need to cut the sod around the perimeter of the garden, and flip it over. This may sound simple, but you will need something with a very sharp edge to slice the edges of the sod and get under it. Once you have turned it all upside down, it is best to add a layer of straw to discourage the grass from growing back up. After the layer of straw, simply add all the soil and steer manure that a normal garden would need.
Planting your plants in your new area shouldn't pose much difficulty. It is essentially the same process as your usual planting session. Just be sure that the roots don't extent too far into the original ground level. The whole point of creating the raised bed is to keep the roots out of the soil which saturates easily. Having long roots that extend that far completely destroys the point.
Once you have plants in your new bed, you"ll notice an almost immediate improvement. The added soil facilitates better root development. At the same time, evaporation is prevented and decomposition is discouraged. All of these things added together makes for an ideal environment for almost any plant to grow in. So don't be intimidated by the thought of adjusting the very topography of your yard. It is a simple process as I'm sure you've realized, and the long term results are worth every bit of work.
Learn more raised bed gardening tips
In order to test how much water your designated patch of soil will retain, dig a hole approximately ten inches deep. Fill it with water, and come back in a day when all the water had disappeared. Fill it back up again. If the 2nd hole full of water isn't gone in 10 hours, your soil has a low saturation point. This means that when water soaks into it, it will stick around for a long time before dissipating. This is unacceptable for almost any plant, and you are going to have to do something to remedy it if you want your plants to survive.
The usual method for improving drainage in your garden is to create a raised bed. This involves creating a border for a small bed, and adding enough soil and compost to it to raise it above the rest of the yard by at least 5 inches. You"ll be amazed at how much your water drainage will be improved by this small modification. If you"re planning to build a raised bed, your prospective area is either on grass or on dirt. For each of these situations, you should build it slightly differently.
If you want to start a raised garden in a non grassy area, you won't have much trouble. Just find some sort of border to retain the dirt you will be adding. I've found that there is nothing that works quite as well as a few two by fours. After you've created the wall, you must put in the proper amount soil and steer manure. Depending on how long you plan to wait before planting, you will want to adjust the ratio to allow for any deteriorating that may occur.
If you"re trying to install a raised bed where sod already exists, you will have a slightly more difficult time. You will need to cut the sod around the perimeter of the garden, and flip it over. This may sound simple, but you will need something with a very sharp edge to slice the edges of the sod and get under it. Once you have turned it all upside down, it is best to add a layer of straw to discourage the grass from growing back up. After the layer of straw, simply add all the soil and steer manure that a normal garden would need.
Planting your plants in your new area shouldn't pose much difficulty. It is essentially the same process as your usual planting session. Just be sure that the roots don't extent too far into the original ground level. The whole point of creating the raised bed is to keep the roots out of the soil which saturates easily. Having long roots that extend that far completely destroys the point.
Once you have plants in your new bed, you"ll notice an almost immediate improvement. The added soil facilitates better root development. At the same time, evaporation is prevented and decomposition is discouraged. All of these things added together makes for an ideal environment for almost any plant to grow in. So don't be intimidated by the thought of adjusting the very topography of your yard. It is a simple process as I'm sure you've realized, and the long term results are worth every bit of work.
Learn more raised bed gardening tips
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Keeping Water Gardens Clean
There are many new aims coming about in gardening, and water gardening is one of the leading new interests. Water gardening can be in the form of waterfalls, basins, fountains, all of which can be enhanced by rock work aggregates and lighting, plants, and fish. Water gardening doesn’t have to be a pond or natural water source either, it can consist of just a plastic tub, basically anything that can hold water.
Gardening books come in all different shapes and sizes and offer more information on gardening than can be found anywhere else. Anything anyone ever wanted to know about gardening can be found in a gardening book. Gardening books are not expensive, and will end up being worth much more than you will pay for one. Not only can gardening books be used for personal use, they are also an excellent gift for a gardening friend.
One of the main difficulties in water gardening is keeping water clear of algae. Algae problems are usually caused from too many nutrients in the water from feeding fish too often or from over fertilizing plants. If ponds are made correctly and are maintained properly algae problems and control will be kept at a minimum.
Water gardening doesn’t take anymore time than regular gardening, but obviously isn’t near the same thing. You may be the type person who couldn’t grow a flower if you tried but would be excellent at water gardening. If you are looking for a way to occupy some time or to beautify your yard, water gardening is an excellent way.
Gardening books come in all different shapes and sizes and offer more information on gardening than can be found anywhere else. Anything anyone ever wanted to know about gardening can be found in a gardening book. Gardening books are not expensive, and will end up being worth much more than you will pay for one. Not only can gardening books be used for personal use, they are also an excellent gift for a gardening friend.
One of the main difficulties in water gardening is keeping water clear of algae. Algae problems are usually caused from too many nutrients in the water from feeding fish too often or from over fertilizing plants. If ponds are made correctly and are maintained properly algae problems and control will be kept at a minimum.
Water gardening doesn’t take anymore time than regular gardening, but obviously isn’t near the same thing. You may be the type person who couldn’t grow a flower if you tried but would be excellent at water gardening. If you are looking for a way to occupy some time or to beautify your yard, water gardening is an excellent way.
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