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Landscape Tips Articles For D0-It-Self Gardeners
The Psychology Behind Gardening
I don’t know what it is about a garden
that has always drawn humans to
them. But they’ve always been very popular, and an integral part of
peoples’ lifestyles. Most religions feature gardens as the settings for
some of the biggest events According to Christianity, humanity was started
in a garden and the son of God was resurrected in a garden. The Buddhist
build gardens to allow nature to permeate their surroundings. Almost every major
palace and government building has a garden. But what’s so great about them?
They’re just a bunch of plants, after all.
Of course, the reasoning is fairly obvious behind why people grow food in
gardens. It’s to eat! If you live off the fat of the land and actually
survive on stuff from your garden, it’s easy to understand the reasoning.
But I’m thinking about those people who plant flower gardens just for the
sake of looking nice. There’s no immediate benefit that I can see; you
just have a bunch of flowers in your yard! However, after thinking
extensively about the motivation behind planting decorative gardens, I’ve
conceived several possible theories.
I think one of the reasons people love gardens so much is that while we
have a natural desire to progress and industrialize, deep within all of us
is a primal love for nature. While this desire might not be as strong as
the desire for modernism, it is still strong enough to compel us to create
gardens, small outlets of nature, in the midst of all our hustle and
bustle. Since being in nature is like regressing to an earlier stage of
humanity, we too can regress to a time of comfort and utter happiness.
This is why gardens are so relaxing and calming to be in. This is why
gardens are a good place to meditate and do tai chi exercises. A garden is
a way to quickly escape from the busy world.
I’ve thought at times that perhaps we as humans feel a sort of guilt
driving us to restore nature and care for it. This guilt could stem from
the knowledge that we, not personally but as a race, have destroyed so
much of nature to get where we are today. It’s the least we can do to
build a small garden in remembrance of all the trees we kill every day.
It’s my theory that this is the underlying reason for most people to take up
gardening as a hobby.
Gardening is definitely a healthy habit though, don’t get me wrong. Any
hobby that provides physical exercise, helps the environment, and improves your
diet can’t be a negative thing. So no matter what the underlying psychological
cause for gardening is, I think that everyone should continue to do so. In the
USA especially, which is dealing with obesity and pollution as its two major
problems, I think gardening can only serveto improve the state of the world.
Of course I’m no psychologist; I’m just a Educated Landscaper.
A Truly Green Lawn Is Good For The Environment And The Eye
Practicing an environmentally-friendly lifestyle is not always the easiest of
things to do. In fact, it's probably true to say that for most of us we
instinctively know that when it comes to gardening it's often a lot easier to
achieve the results we're after by going down the chemical route than the one
that's kinder to the environment.
So, with all of the publicity that's around these days, you just know that we
humans have done a tremendous amount of damage to the environment already and
you're ready to make the adjustments that you know you're going to have to now
that you've decided to be a good citizen and do your bit to protect the
environment for future generations, right?
Ok, one starting point when it comes to lawn care is making a mental
readjustment concerning just exactly what you class as a weed. Now, we've all
been conditioned to regard certain plants as weeds and certain plants as the
type of things we wish to grow in our gardens. But is it not true that some
'weeds' actually produce very attractive flowers? Of course it is. Dandelions
and daisies are two such species that tend to be frowned upon when they dare to
grow in our lawns. But are they not attractive when they flower?
Of course, there will certainly be some types of plants that you will definitely
not want spoiling your pristine lawn. One of the ways to tackle them is to not
really tackle them at all but to focus on the grass itself. If you concentrate
on producing the strongest, healthiest, most disease-free grass possible you'll
find that its own resilience will enable it to fight its own battles against
weeds. So, with this in mind you should arm yourself with a few organic
fertilizing recipes and get into the habit of regularly fertilizing your lawn
with these.
It is a fact that grass is a supreme colonizer. It's always looking to expand
its reach, so the stronger and healthier you make it, the more it will show a
natural propensity to crowd out weeds.
You must also make sure that you follow a regular mowing schedule. This is
because grass benefits from regular mowing whereas weeds are damaged by it.
And don't forget the most basic of weed killing practices - getting rid of them
by hand. It may not sound a terribly appetizing way of getting the job done, in
fact it might sound too much like hard work, but it's definitely a fact that
getting stuck in pulling weeds by hand is the most environmentally-friendly way
of doing it and it even has health benefits for you because of all that
wonderful exercise you're getting out there in the fresh air.
Growing Organic Vegetables
Many people know about the benefits of eating
organic fruit and vegetables. However, not many people regularly eat organic
food. The biggest disincentive is usually the price. Organic veggies are
invariably a lot more expensive at the local supermarket. The good news is that
anybody with even a modest vegetable garden can grow healthy organic vegetables
for a much lower cost than they would buy off the shelf.
Nevertheless, some people avoid growing their own vegetables because they are
running short on space, time and the know-how to tend a successful veggie patch.
However, organic gardening isn’t as difficult as many people think.
Mulching is one of the main secrets. The regular incorporation of old organic
matter helps keep the soil functioning well. Mulching helps the soil retain
moisture, suppresses weeds, reduces temperature fluctuations, and can prevent
soil crusting. Many organic gardeners find that plant disease problems decline
as the health of the soil improves.
Of course, the main reason for growing organically is to avoid the use of
chemicals and commercially produced fertilizers and pesticides. Again, this
helps to maintain a healthy soil across numerous growing seasons. More
importantly, you can be sure that the food your family is eating is free of
pesticides and herbicides. While avoiding synthetic chemicals, many organic
gardeners approve of and use sprays and other preparations containing naturally
occurring materials. Other pest control methods include the use of mechanical
devices such as traps. Another favorite is to encourage other animals, which
like to eat the pests, to the garden.
For city dwellers who have more enthusiasm than space, container gardening may
be the answer. Many herbs and vegetables can be grown quite successfully in
containers. These include carrots, radishes and lettuce, as well as crops that
bear fruit over a long period of time, such as tomatoes and peppers. No matter
what you grow it is important to remember that drainage is extremely important.
Another possibility if space is at a premium is to grow herbs and vegetables
amongst your flower garden.
You never know, if the prices of organic produce remains high and concerns about
food safety grow you might be able to convert that backyard vegetable patch into
an income earner as well. For those less entrepreneurial, there is the
opportunity to work on projects, such as neighborhood food growing, in order to
benefit the whole community. At the very least, home grown vegetables definitely
taste better.
Plan Ahead Before You Sell Your No.1 Asset And Increase Your Homes Value By 12% to 15%
If you can plan ahead at least two years before you place your home on the market, you will receive a “Big Reward”.
In order to increase the
value of
their home, most people think that they have to install a large Spa
quality bathroom, the size of a small apartment or a trendy kitchen with the
latest fad counter top and a big island professional cook area.
Don’t get me wrong the conditions inside your home are very important, such as a nice clean painted walls, carpet and other floor conditions. Make sure that the interior of your home shows well.
How Can You Increase Your Property Value The Most?
1. Curb Appeal
First impressions are always the most important. What
condition is the landscaping? Make sure the grass is in good condition, no weeds
in the shrub beds and the shrubs are pruned.
In today’s Housing Market Slump you will have to do whatever you can to make your property stand out.
When a buyer drives up to the home will they be impressed or just keep driving.
If they are not happy with what they see, it won’t make any difference whether
you have gold plated faucets or granite counter top. Walt McDonald of the
National Association of Realtors tells people, if they don’t fix up your landscaping, you won’t get top dollar
If your home has great landscaping, you will attract more buyers and get a quicker sale. An added bonus would be a boost in your sale price. If you spend 5% of the value of your home, on your home landscaping and do it with a good designed plan, you might get 150% to 200% return on your money spent.
It could translate to a 15% increase in your property value.
You will be rewarded if you plan ahead and have the work completed at least 2 years ahead of when you think you would be ready to place the home on the market. It takes awhile for a landscape to mature. Remember, from landscape installation to sale time, maintenance is critical. It takes a great design, proper installation, and regular maintenance to make a beautiful completed landscape setting
Landscaping include the total picture, Hardscape and Plantscape. The hot trend at the moment is a curving pathway of concrete pavers or brick from the street to the front door. You must eliminate that 3 foot wide front walk from the. garage to the
front door. Flower planting or large containers near the front entrance will help to give the home a inviting appearance.
2. What about the backyard?
Develop a outdoor living area and bring the indoors out. We are seeing outdoor rooms and living spaces that have all the features of indoor kitchens and family rooms. That may mean cooking areas such as a barbecue fire pit or a whole professional grade kitchen setup in the backyard , pool with a build-in-bar with stools or a super designed gazebos.
Maybe a stone fireplace and full kitchen right on the patio with a shade structure built over the patio. Of course, a great deck and or patio is a natural extension of the indoors out.
Just remember, that a major Hardscape job may injure existing tree roots. Rope off areas around trees to prevent damage.
In summary, A good old rule of thumb would be to invest 10% of the property value in the landscaping. If your home is worth $250,000, 10% would be $25,000 needed to make it look great and family enjoyable. If you have a $1000,000 home don’t cut your landscape budget to $25,000 because it won’t work.
Landscaping will make the home stand out and It should fit into the surrounding environmental.
Building
a Compost Bin
Compost can act as a great fertilizer,
enriching the soil with organic materials rather than making use of chemicals
that can do more harm than good if used improperly. Composting is a great way to
save money as well. Using compost requires that you thoroughly mix it into the
soil, reducing compaction and providing oxygenation to the soil. Compost can
help plants stay healthier, and that contributes to their ability to repel
diseases and survive insect attacks. A healthy landscape can be achieved with a
little help from composting.
It is important to note that composting does require a little extra work. The
pile needs to be turned, and you need to make sure that you have adequate break
down of the items in your compost pile. You need to be discriminating in what
you put in your compost: it should only be items that will break down naturally.
Plant matter (including pulled weeds) and some foods are excellent in compost
and will add to the health of your soil, and thus to your landscape over all.
There is no reason, however, that your compost pile needs to be a true pile. A
bin can help you better contain your compost and keep it from being spread
across your yard in a smelly mess by animals or a really fierce storm.
The first thing you need to do before you build a compost bin is decide what
your needs are. Many people actually use a three-bin system. The bins may be
connected, or they may be individually lined up. Some people use the bins for
different types of compost (regular compost, slow compost like woody plants, and
leaves collected in the fall). Others like to have a three-bin system for the
turning purposes. Move the compost from one bin into the next, allowing it to
turn. Then you can start a pile in the newly vacated bin. By the time the
compost makes it into the third bin, it is ready for use. Others find that a
single bin is sufficient for their needs, and just go out to stir it around
occasionally.
Next you need to determine what materials you will use to build your bin. It is
important to note that some exposure to the elements is necessary for more
effective and quicker composting. Chicken wire is not particularly good for
compost bins as it can stretch out of shape very easily and does not wear well.
Materials like 16-guage plastic-coated wire mesh and hardware cloth are better
choices, as is hog wire. Wood makes an interesting choice, but it is important
to note that it will eventually compost itself and will need to be replaced. Do
not used pressure-treated wood, as it has toxic levels of copper and chromium,
and there is evidence that arsenic can leach into your compost. Other materials
that are acceptable for building compost bins are spoiled hay bales, old cinder
blocks or bricks, wooden pallets, snow fencing, and a discarded rabbit hutch.
The hutch is desirable because there is very little that needs to be done to
make it ready.
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to build a compost bin is to construct it
from wooden pallets. Most warehouses, grocery, and hardware stores are more than
happy to give these away for free, or for very cheap, as it saves them the
trouble of having to discard them. You can use plastic ties to hold four of them
together in a box formation. Adding another bin to create a system is easy: just
attach three more pallets using one side of the already made bin to complete
another box. Be warned: after about two years you will need a new bin, as this
bin will be composting itself.
A cinder block or brick bin is also rather easy and cheap to build. If you visit
a demolition or construction site, you are bound to find the materials you need
readily available. Simply ask for permission to take them. As with the pallets,
if you take them away, it saves the company from having to pay for the costs
associated with disposing of them. Simply create a square enclosure by stacking
the blocks or bricks on top of each other. Make sure you leave space between the
blocks for ventilation.
Common Landscaping Tools
For the avid do-it-yourself landscaper, the
right tools are important. After all, if one wishes to save money on the
expenses associated with having a well cared for yard, it is best to make sure
that he or she has all of the tools necessary to create an attractive landscape.
By understanding some of the most common tools used for basic landscaping needs,
you can ensure that you have everything you need to keep your lawn in the best
possible shape, bringing delight and distinction to your grounds, be they large
or small.
Shovels, rakes, trowels, and hand cultivators. These are the most basic of tools
when it comes to landscaping. Every home should be supplied with these basic
implements. They make just about every landscaping endeavor possible. Shovels to
remove sod and turn soil, as well as dig the holes necessary for fixtures like
trees and hardscapes, Rakes are essential to smooth out planting beds and
prepare ground for things like sod without packing the dirt. Trowels and hand
cultivators allow you to perform minute work that requires more attention to
detail. All of these tools are necessary to the proper functioning and care of a
landscape.
Pruners and shears. These tools are used to improve the appearance of woody
plants and trees. They keep plants from encroaching in other areas, and they
also promote the overall health of the plants. They help maintain a neat
appearance, and if you have topiary concerns, they are indispensable in
maintaining a set shape. There are hand pruners, tools that help with the
smaller branches and are easier to use, loppers for getting thicker branches
that are to large for pruners, and even pruning saws that can help you with the
toughest of branches. Hedge shears provide a way for hedges to be trimmed more
conscientiously than with electric or gas-run trimmers (although these are
widely available and can make maintaining hedges much easier).
Lawnmower. This is perhaps one of the most common and most obvious of
landscaping tools. It is meant to keep the grass at a reasonable level, and to
keep the lawn neat and healthy. Related to lawnmowers in the trimming department
are things like weed wackers, which are very useful in keeping edges that can’t
be cut by a mower nice and neat. Additionally, the use of some special
machinery, designed to eliminate thick brush is useful to have on hand, even it
is only in the form of a machine rented once a year.
Other tools of interest. Of course, there are specialty tools that may be needed
depending upon on the features of your landscape. If you have a water fixture,
it is important to make sure that you have the proper pumps and filters, and
that you have little skimmers that can allow you to remove larger pieces of
debris from the water. Automatic sprinklers can make watering the lawn and your
other plants much easier, and you should have a garden hose for special watering
needs. Regular household tools such as hammer and nails, levels, and drills can
be helpful if you have built landscape features like patios, decks, pergolas,
and trellises. They can also be useful in building things like containers and
creating raised beds.
Wheelbarrow. A wheelbarrow will always be of infinite use for the avid
landscaper and improver. Wheelbarrows are very useful for moving debris as well
as bringing needed implements to their proper places. They haul dirt and bring
in plants. They make it possible to for one person to carry a load that
otherwise she or he would not be able to handle. For the serious landscaper, a
wheelbarrow is indeed necessary.
When you have all of the tools necessary to take care of your landscape, then
you are well rewarded for your hard work. Acquiring the more common tools can
also save you money in the long run, as they can be used over and over again.
Additionally, many of the more common landscape tools are fairly small in size
and easy to store in a garage or a shed. As long as they are kept neatly
arranged in place, they are easy to get to when needed, and not hard to find.
Proper maintenance of you tools is important: keep them from becoming
rusty, and make sure your lawnmower and
other gas or electric implements are well oiled and always have plenty of gas.
Proper care of your tools ensures that you will be able to properly care for
your landscape.
Landscaping Tips: Making Your Yard Part of Your Home
Your yard can be more than just empty
space, it can become a central part of your home and landscaping can make that
happen. This doesn’t have to be a grueling or expensive venture on your part,
just so you apply some of these landscaping tips.
Function
First of all, determine what your yard is primarily used for. Is it a place for
the kids to play, somewhere to grow a garden, or do you see it as a place to
ease away the tensions of the day? The answers to these questions will help
determine what kind of work needs to be done before you start landscaping.
Another useful tip is to determine how your landscaping can help with energy
costs. You may not know it but trees and shrubs can help you cut down on your
heating and lighting expenses.
For example trees planted on the south and west can help with shading your
house, which helps cut down on air conditioning. If these trees are the kind
that shed their leaves (deciduous trees) during the fall, it will allow more
light into the house during the winter when it’s most needed. Shrubs planted a
few feet away from the foundation also help keep the warm air in and the cold
out therefore helping with the heating bills.
Hardscape and softscape
Hardscape refers to the “non-plant” parts of your garden (deck, patio, statues,
fountains, walls, etc.). Softscape refers to the plants and the lawn.
If you’re just starting out, lay out the Hardscape first before you work with
the plants. This way, the plants aren’t in the way when you’re installing the
necessaryHardscape materials.
Walls have the option of being treated as Hardscape or Softscape. If you want
total privacy, you may want to go with a Hardscape wall using materials like
wood, vinyl or masonry. Otherwise, shrubs and trees make for a more natural wall
that give a more open look while still closing the view to other people.
Find a central focus for your yard
This can be anything from a statue, to the play set or even a single tree.
Finding a focus for your landscaping gives you a point of reference so that you
give your design a better sense of order rather than just having plants
scattered everywhere.
These are just some tips to get you started. As you continue working on your
landscaping, you’ll be able to come up with more ideas that are distinctively
yours, making your home as unique as you are.
Growing Your Own Herbs
If you’re not the type of person that wants to spend their time managing
an elaborate fruit or vegetable garden, you might consider planting and
maintaining an herb garden. While the product might not seem as
significant, you’ll still enjoy the constant availability of fresh,
delicious herbs to flavor your meals with.
First you’ll want to choose the herbs that you’ll plant. You might have a
hard time doing this because of the huge scope of herbs available. But the
best way to choose is to do what I did; just look at what you have in your
kitchen. By planting your own collection of these herbs, you can save
money on buying them from the grocery store while having the added benefit
of freshness. Some of the herbs you might start with include rosemary,
sage, basil, dill, mint, chives, and parsley among others.
When choosing an area to put your herb garden, you should remember that
the soil should have extremely good drainage. If the dirt gets watered and
stays completely saturated, you have no chance of ever growing a healthy
plant. One of the best ways to fix the drainage problem is to dig a foot
deep in the soil, and put a layer of crushed rocks down before replacing
all the soil. This will allow all that water to escape, thus saving your
plants.
When you are ready to begin planting herbs, you might be tempted to buy
the more expensive plants from the store. However, with herbs it is much
easier to grow them from seed than it is with other plants. Therefore you
can save a bundle of money by sticking with seed packets. Some herbs grow
at a dangerously fast rate. For example, if you plant a mint plant in an
open space then it will take over your entire garden in a matter of days.
The best way to prevent this problem is to plant the more aggressive
plants in pots (with holes in the bottom to allow drainage, of course).
When it comes time to harvest the herbs you have labored so hard over, it
can be fatal to your plant to take off too much. If your plant isn’t well
established, it isn’t healthy to take any leaves at all, even if it looks
like its not using them. You should wait until your plant has been well
established for at least several months before taking off any leaves. This
wait will definitely be worth it, because by growing unabated your plant
will produce healthily for years to come.
Once you’ve harvested your delicious home grown herbs, you’ll want to use
them in cooking. Why else would you have grown them? Well first the
process begins with drying them out. This is easily achieved by placing
them on a cookie sheet and baking them 170 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 to 4
hours. After they’re sufficiently dried to be used in cooking, you can
consult the nearest cookbook for instructions on using them to effectively
flavor a dish.
If you want to store your herbs for later usage, you should keep them in a
plastic or glass container. Paper or cardboard will not work, because it
will absorb the taste of the herbs. During the first few days of storage,
you should regularly check the container and see if any moisture has
accumulated. If it has, you must remove all the herbs and re-dry them. If
moisture is left from the first drying process, it will encourage mildew
while you store your herbs. Nobody likes mildew.
So if you enjoy herbs or gardening, or both, then you should probably
consider setting up an herb garden. It might require a little bit of work
at first to set it up for optimal drainage, and pick what herbs you want
to grow. But after the initial hassle, it’s just a matter of harvesting
and drying all your favorite herbs.
Author: Lawrence L. Hoyle
lhoyle@web-landscape-design-ideas.com
Web site: http://www.web-landscape-design-ideas.com
Online Landscape Design for homeowners and contractors
Know What To Look For When Buying Rural Property
Country living is increasingly
popular but rural property buyers must be cautious.
With food and energy prices soaring and population centers
exploding; many people who possess a pioneering spirit are exploring
outlying rural areas so they can create a new homestead. Many
intrepid individuals are buying land to hold for now, and gradually
planning to build on it and move there at some later point in their
lives.
However, unlike buying a generic house in a typical subdivision,
country living involves analyzing various factors before one even
plants the first stakes and tomato plants in the ground. With urban
properties you there's no urgent need to concern yourself with water
rights, boundary lines, property access, utilities, or hard-up
bulls. When looking at rural properties there are vital areas that
should be considered before making that purchase. Some important
factors to consider are:
Climate:
We often take climate for granted when living in an urban area as it
involves little more than looking out the window to see whether
short sleeves or umbrellas are in order. Is it hot, cold, wet or
dry?
In the country it can be a different experience. Sure, the sun
glistening off the morning dew can take on a whole new meaning, but
so does a torrential downpour of rain that makes the road to your
home impassable or transforms your lovely green meadow into a big
brown mud pit.
If the area is prone to freezing temperatures, then clearing a long
dirt road of three foot snow drifts is a dilemma that needs to be
considered.
Forces of nature can also affect the property values and insurance
rates. You’ll also want to consider variations in temperature,
humidity, rain, hail, snow, drought, floods, lightning, dust storms,
tornadoes, and hurricanes. It pays to be aware of how the area is
affected by all four of the seasons.
Water:
Without access to water,
even the most beautiful land is a non-starter. If the property does
not have access to a sufficient water supply, then it may render the
property nearly worthless. After all, just one person can use 50-100
gallons per day, and a robust vegetable garden might use nearly as
much.
In rural areas the expense and effort can go much farther than the
simple turn of a faucet tap. Simply getting running water can
require a generator, pump, pipeline, holding tank, and a well.
You may be informed that everyone has wells in the area but that is
no guarantee you’ll find underground water. And drilling wells can
be a hit or miss proposition, with large costs involved, only to end
up either not finding water, or that it’s been contaminated by
pesticides.
Finally, don’t be misled by rushing rivers and surging streams when
exploring properties in the spring and early summer, as this is
likely the peak flow rate for the year.
Land:
When looking at a site for
building your country house you must determine soil conditions,
drainage patterns, slopes. For example, surface soils that expand
and contract during freezing temperatures or do not drain properly
can devastate the house’s foundation.
Of course soil conditions will also impact your gardening or farming
plans. Areas with lots of wild vegetation can indicate good top soil
conditions. On the other hand, soil that is parched and light in
color and the roots of trees and bushes have been exposed indicate
that your topsoil is eroding.
Access:
It’s important to know your rights with regards to access to the
property. In certain cases, you may need to gain entry to your
property by using an easement or right-of-way. This gives you the
right to travel across property owned by another person. Use of this
entry way could require negotiations and legal papers, so it’s
essential to know about this before committing to a property.
Another factor to consider with property access is emergency
response times. Larger emergency-response vehicles such as a fire
truck may not be capable of traversing over small or poorly
maintained roads or an ambulance may not readily find a poorly
marked parcel.
Boundary Lines:
In order to minimize boundary line disputes, most states have
implemented laws that state you must have a fence to keep roaming
animals off your property.
If you do not have an appropriate fence installed per local
regulations, and the neighbor's big burly bull wanders onto your
property and tramples your tomatoes and dents your Dodge, you’ll
have no legal recourse. Most rural property fanciers never conceive
of this until after the fact.
In order to avoid litigation, you must perform the legal research to
stay abreast of property statutes.
Zoning:
Many states have zoning laws which mandate that rural landowners
accept all the activities and operations of neighboring farmers and
ranchers, including smelly cow manure and dream-ruining roosters.
Urban-escaping property owners must accept these disturbances as
long as they are operating within the constraints of the law.
PLANTING
SOLUTIONS
The big question has to be what type of soil do
you have now? Is it sandy soil or is it clay soil? When planting
trees and shrubs in sandy soil, you must incorporate some type of
organic matter to help hold all of the moisture that you can. In
heavy clay soils, it is better that you use the same clay soil
because you are creating a planting hole that may not drain well.
The addition of organic
matter will act like a sponge and may result in a dead plant because
of too much water in the root area.
Flower areas must have a well prepared soil mix. Soil, manure,
nature helper or any local organic material that is available in
your area.
Mix the soil and
materials well and I like to raise or mound the flower area because
it adds to the landscape look. After planting the flowers, mulch
with mini-bark or other mulch material to help hold moisture and
help to maintain a more even temperature.
Perennial and ground cover areas should have a good soil mix for
proper growth. The soil needs to be loose by incorporating organic
materials. Thoroughly mix the soil and the organic together before
planting. With a good soil mix, you have happy plants for years to
come for your enjoyment.
Pruning
As spring approaches, Pruning
has to be a must chore to do before new growth begins. Trees can be
worked on to making sure crossing branches are removed. thinning out
branches that will never be a part of the main shape of the tree.
Suckers are wild growth stem which are growing from ground next to the trunk or they could be growing off a branch up in the tree/straight up. They need to be removed to help the tree appearance.
Flowering shrubs need to be cut back and thinned out by removing 2 or 3 cane all the way back to the ground.
When pruning, remember that where you make the cut is where the new growth will take place. Hand shears, lopper shears and a small tree saw are your main tools for the pruning task. Hedges shears are alright for the final shaping or for trimming a formal hedge.
Don't use them for all of your pruning work. Remember if you prune only on the outside edge of the plant that is where the new growth will take place.
Using only a hedge shears, the plant over time will form a very thin layer of foliage and the center of the plant will be dead looking with no foliage. Your plant will begin to look like a piece of molded concrete. Let your plants look like they should, just reduce their size.
LANDSCAPE
LIGHTING
1. When buying landscape lights buy quality!!!
2. Quality light should provide light without seeing the source. They should not shine at you. They should up light a small tree, down light a flower area, walk or steps or maybe all three.
3. Low voltage lighting will be your choice for residential landscape use.
4. Up lights include different small fixtures that have 35w to 75w bulbs. They have a soil spike included or they may be sold separately to install the fixture at the base of a tree. Adjust the angle of the fixture to light area of the tree that you want. Larger tree may require two fixtures.
5. Flower area lights would include down lights or mushrooms types. They come in different heights and sizes of the fixture top. Select the proper bulb size from 10w to 20w depending on the desired light.
Landscape lighting can provide safety around the home as well as a
great new dimension to your landscape. Night time beauty that you
won't believe and you will enjoy your home landscaping even more
What is required to light up your landscape?
1. Select the fixtures.
2. Determine the amount of watts your fixtures will be using.
3. Based on the total watts, select the transformer for your job. Transformers come with a electric eye or a clock to turn the lights on and off. The clock type is generally cheaper to buy. The Transformer is most costly item to buy, but you must have it to run the lighting system.
4. Low voltage wire size
will depend on the number of fixtures and the length of the wire
needed. Your supplier should be able help you select the proper wire
size for your project. Use silicone wire nuts to water the proof the
connections. 5. You must have outdoor electric outlet for the hook-
up.
My Plant Choice
Iceplant Delosperma
floribundum
Starburst
Iceplant is one variety that with a abundant show of flowers all
summer and into late fall. If you have a dry spot in your landscape,
Iceplant could be your answer. It is also great in window boxes,
planters, retaining wall planter area and around the mail box.
The brilliant orchid-pink blooms with a bright white center really
put on a great show. My clients love this plant. It needs full sun,
dry, average good garden soil. The succulent foliage grows only 4
inches and will spread out at least 18 inches in diameter. Grow well
in zones 4 - 9. They are usually sold in 4" pots.
Dealing
with Rose Diseases
To make sure that
your prized roses remain in the best of health, simply follow these
tips.
1. Black Spots on Leaves
This disease is commonly known as black spot. Black spots appear as
circular with fringed edges on leaves. They cause the leaves to
yellow. Remove the infected foliage and pick up any fallen leaves
around the rose. Artificial sprays may be used to prevent or treat
this kind of rose disease.
2. Stunted or malformed young canes
Known as powdery mildew, this is a fungal disease that covers
leaves, stems and buds with wind spread white powder. It makes the
leaves curl and turn purple. Spray with Funginex or Benomyl to treat
this fungal disease.
3. Blistered underside of leaves
Known as rust, this disease is characterized by orange-red blisters
that turn black in fall. It can survive the winter and will then
attack new sprouts in the spring. Collect and discard leaves that
are infected in fall. a Benomyl or Funginex spray every 7-10 days
may help.
4. Malformed or stunted leaves and flowers
This is caused by spider mites. They are tiny yellow, red or green
spiders found on the underside of leaves where they suck juices. The
application of Orthene or Isotox may help in treating this
infestation.
5. Weak and mottled leaves with tiny white webs under them
This is caused by aphids. They are small soft-bodied insects that
usually brown, green or red. Often clustered under leaves and flower
buds, they suck plant juices from tender buds. Malathion or diazinon
spray may help roses to survive these bugs.
6. Flowers that don't open or are deformed when they open.
Thrips could be the reason behind this problem. They are slender,
brown-yellow bugs with fringed wings that also suck juices from
flower buds. Cut and discard the infested flowers. Orthene and
malathion may also treat this problem.
Remember that roses are hungry feeders that require much fertilizer
to become healthy bushes.
GRASS DYES -- COLORING YOUR LAWN
Each year questions are raised about how to keep grass green during the winter months-especially Bermuda, Zoysia, and Centipede. Actually, this can be rather easy thing to do. You have two choices paint the grass green or over seed it with temporary cool-season grass like Annual Rye Grass. Please note that Annual Rye Grass seed may contain some perennial rye that may persist in the lawn long after the winter months to give the lawn a raged look. Annual Rye Grass is supposed to die off as the summer heat approaches.
Coloring compounds for grasses are not new. Several have been used for a number of years. One of the earliest compounds was Malachite Green a common dye. Cost has always been a major draw back. Estimated cost for dyes could be as low as $30.00 Per acre to over $500.00. The second cost factor is how green is your desired look.
I recently was in a subdivision where several lawns had been sprayed by the largest lawn care company in the USA. No it was a dyed lawn, it was a dye that they are now using with weed control applications to see where they have sprayed.
Here is one chemical supply for commercial applicators: Green Lawinger is the professional’s way to keep the natural appearance of turf which
is dormant, damaged or discolored. It is an environmentally friendly permanent green pigment. The liquid formula is easily applied with most types of sprayers. Keep turf looking fresh for 10-14 weeks or until you mow it away. By adjusting the mix water ratio you can control the color shade for your turf. One gallon covers 4,000 to 12,000 square feet depending on the type of grass and color of turf desired. It can also be used to color a divot and give it a natural green appearance.
TODAY’S NEGLECTED
LANDSCAPES
Dirty, crowded,
overgrown and
stressed
out-half dead. No, this isn’t a typical city or village.
This is the typical American Home Landscape.
They have no design, totally disorganized and over planted, with little or no maintenance. No maintenance usually means that plants are now 10 ft. Tall across the front of the house, our lawn is half bear and the rest is a weed patch.
It is funny that we all work hard to buy that first home. We take great care of the landscape and the home, after 10 years, a heavy work schedule and tons of kid activities not enough time and don’t seem to care how things look any more attitude.
Our home is a mess and
later the subdivision becomes run down is a mess also. Is this
part of our normal life cycle. Build, run down, rent, tear down and
rebuild.
Design - Build - Maintenance for improved property values and stable neighborhoods. Design your landscape to increase in value over time not decrease in appearance.
A good designer knows, what
plants to put where so the plants fit the design of the home.
Landscaping is suppose to enhance the home's
Architecture. The designer should be capable of making the home fit
into its local micro environment and frame it like a picture.
Design is not about showcasing different odd plants that you might like. It is making a pleasing picture with your home as the center piece.
Choosing and Planting
Perennials
Perennial flowers are
strong, local flowers that come back every year without having to
replant or do any extra work. During their off seasons, the flowers
and stems die back and you can hardly even tell the plant is there
(rather than just dying and looking like hideous brown clumps in
your garden). When it’s time to bloom, entirely new flowers shoot up
where the old ones were.
Before deciding whether to put in perennials or not, you need to
make sure that your soil has proper drainage. If the water stays
saturated for long periods of time, you should build a raised bed.
To test, dig a hole and fill it with water. Wait a day, and then
fill it with water again. All traces of water should be gone within
10 hours. If the hole isn’t completely dry, you will need to build a
raised bed.
Picking your perennials can be a complicated process. The goal
should be to have them flowering as much as possible during the
year, so you should create an outline of the year. Research the
different types of flower you want, and create a timeline of
flowering. If you plan it right, you can have a different type of
flower blooming at any point in the year. Getting just the right
mixture of plants can give your yard a constantly changing array of
colors.
When you go to buy the plants from your local garden center or
nursery, you might be able to find a custom plant mixture for your
area. This takes the really tough research part out of the job.
Usually these blends are optimized for the local climate, and do
great jobs of having flowers always grow in your yard. If one of
these isn’t available, you can ask the employees what they think
would be a good mixture. They should be happy to help you put
something together which will be optimal for whatever you desire.
You should definitely use mulch when planting perennials. This will
reduce the overall amount of work you have to do, by reducing the
amount of weeds and increasing the water retention. Bark or pine
needles work great, I have found, and depending on the rest of your
yard you might have them on hand at no charge. As for fertilizer,
you should use it sparingly once your plants start to come to life.
When you actually go to plant the plants, you should put them in
small, separate clumps according to the directions. This is because
they tend to spread out, and if you have too many too close together
then they will end up doing nothing but choking each other out. As
you plant them, throw in a little bit of extremely weak fertilizer.
In no time at all you should start to see flowers blooming up.
Building an Arbor
It may difficult to believe, but building an
arbor for your landscape can actually be quite inexpensive. If you
keep the arbor small, to a two-post size, you can have a very
attractive landscape feature for a small cost. Even the novice
landscaper can build a small arbor without too much trouble in about
two days (three at the most). It can be a very rewarding project
that provides a sophisticated sense of beauty to your over all
landscape design.
Essential to building your arbor is thinking of it as five distinct
phases. This will help you break the project down into doable goals
and help you accomplish the task better. Breaking projects down into
sections also aids the landscaper, as he or she will find that the
task does not seem so daunting when done in bite-sized pieces.
Additionally, a sense of accomplishment at the end of each stage can
help the landscaper stay motivated throughout the project.
The first layer is to prepare the site for concrete placed under
ground to secure the structure. In order to lay the concrete, you
need to first get some things out of the way. Dig two holes where
you want the posts to stand. The holes should be one inch wide and
three inches deep. Put half an inch of gravel or crushed stone
inside the holes. This will help water drain away, preventing cracks
in the concrete. Set one post in each hole and lay a board on top of
them. Use a carpenter’s level to determine whether or not your posts
are standing at equal heights. Adjust, if necessary, until the level
shows that your posts are equal in height. You can use scrap lumber,
nailed to the posts, to form temporary stabilizers.
The second layer is anchoring your arbor posts (they should be 4x4
posts) into the concrete. Before doing this, check again for
equality in height with the stabilizers in place and make your
adjustments to the stabilizers to adjust the height. Next, mix your
concrete using concrete mix and water from a garden hose in a
wheelbarrow; a shovel stirs the concrete to mix it well. Pour the
concrete to fill each of the holes and allow at least a day for the
concrete to dry. You can remove the stabilizers after the concrete
has hardened.
Layer three of building your arbor consists of laying two 1x6 pieces
of wood along the sides at the top of the posts. These crosspieces
should be perpendicular to the posts, and they will be opposite each
other, one on the inner side and one on the outside. This creates a
sandwiching effect for the tops of the arbor posts, as they are
surrounded by the 1x6 pieces of wood. If you would like, you can cut
designs into the ends of your crosspieces with a jigsaw for a piece
of added flair.
The next layer, the fourth, consists of using 4x4 rafters to lie on
top of your 1x6 crosspieces. These will be perpendicular to the
crosspieces, and parallel to the line of the posts. There are five
of them, only four inches long, so you will need to cut your 2x4s
into pieces of the proper length. They should also be notched so
that they fit tightly across the crosspieces. Notching can help you
adjust for level differences in the rafters as well.
The final layer is the actual assembly of the arbor. Making sure
that everything is properly aligned can help you as you bore the
holes necessary for the arbor construction. You will need bolts that
will go through the posts and the crosspieces on either side, making
sure that the one bolt holds all three pieces of wood together.
Additionally, you will need to secure the rafters in place and add
any finishing touches you would like to add.
Different plans for simple arbors exist, with variations on
different themes and looks (using similar principles it is possible
to build an arbor that has four posts). Looking on the Internet for
plans and instructions is very simple, and can help you find an
arbor that would complement your landscape design. Once you have
found that, acquiring the lumber is simply a matter of searching for
a good deal in lumberyards or warehouses. It is possible to get your
wood for $30 to $40, and most of the other tools needed are
commonplace and usually found around the house or easily rented.
Once you have your arbor, you can use it as a backdrop for intimate
weddings and for entertaining. An arbor can quickly become one of
the focal points of a classy landscape.
How to Start a Fruit and
Vegetable Garden
Vegetable gardening can be a very rewarding
experience. But if you've never had a vegetable garden before, the
task can seem overwhelming. Here are several easy ways to start your
first fruit or vegetable garden.
First, some vegetable gardening basics. Most vegetables need full
sun, well-tilled soil, and the right fertilizers to bear fruit (or
vegetables). Using the wrong soil enhancements will cause your
plants to produce leaves and flowers, but little fruit. Most
vegetables need long and deep water - water the roots, not the
leaves. Pick your harvest regularly to encourage more fruit or
vegetables. Finally, know when to plant, and when to harvest. This
information will be found on the seed packet or the plant container.
As you gain more experience, you will be able to rotate crops based
on how early they mature.
One of the easiest ways to begin to grow vegetables is in a
container. Buy your plant from a good nursery - don't try and start
with seeds. Select a planter large enough to hold the full grown
plant, and fill with potting soil made for vegetables. Follow the
directions on the plant container for watering and sunlight needs.
Plants that do well in containers include tomatoes, strawberries,
herbs, and peppers.
Another easy way to start a garden is to pick a few easy vegetables
to grow, and start with plants, not seeds. You will need to choose a
sunny area of your yard to prepare. Use a tiller to break up the
soil, and add organic material if your soil has a lot of clay. Then,
decide what plants you will grow. Once you know how big the mature
plant is, you can figure out how many you can grow in the space you
have prepared. Plants that are easy to grow include tomatoes,
squash, peppers, herbs, cucumbers, and strawberries.
Trees and shrubs can also be an easy way to start fruit gardening.
Again, you will begin with a plant. In this case, however, you need
to take a little more time preparing the soil. Some berries, like
blueberries, need a very acidic soil to grow well. Raspberries need
a lot of space to grow and will usually multiple fairly rapidly. The
easiest way to begin this project is to choose which fruit you want
to grow, and research exactly what kind of soil and environment they
need. Start with one plant or tree, and once you are growing that
successfully, add another variety. Because you only plant them once,
not year after year, the time you spend to plant them correctly will
pay off in the long run. Plants to consider include apple or peach
trees, or blackberry and raspberry bushes.
Seeds are usually more difficult to start a garden with than plants.
But, there are some seeds that easier than others. Carrots, lettuce,
and peas are all easy seeds to plant and harvest. You can plant the
seeds directly in the ground, and keep them well-watered until they
sprout. Thin according to the package directions, and harvest at the
proper time.
There's nothing better than fresh from the garden produce, and
hopefully these ideas will help you start an easy vegetable (and
fruit!) garden.
Additional Helpful
Information!
http://www.hydroponichomegardening .com NEW! Hydroponics Website
http://www.amazing-crabapple-trees.com
Crabapple trees Book
http://www.download-super-mall.com/GardenDecor
Garden benches and etc.
http://www.download-super-mall.com/LandscapeGardening
Landscape Ideas
http://www.trees.download-super-mall.com
Growing Trees
Cottage Gardens Cottage gardens are to a cottage or rather cottage styled houses. Random and carefree in form and a cluttered look are the characteristics of this type of gardens. A profusion of old-fashioned colorful flowers add life to cottage gardens. Cottage gardens are English in origin and were built by workers who lived in cottages and these gardens provided food and herbs. They also planted beautiful flowery plants for decoration like perennials or bulbs. Watering and weeding efforts were reduced as plants were planted very closely and in abundant sunlight. Flowery plants like hollyhocks, delphinium and daisies, which are not seasonal, are the cottage garden favorites. While creating your own cottage garden, always remember that paths across these gardens are lead not only from the entrance of the garden to your front door but also surround your cottage for a pleasant walk around. So two kinds of path are needed, preferably narrow, wide and decorated on the sides. These paths can be made out of gravel, cobbled-setts, wood, york-stone, bark or paving slabs. Gravel is cheap, quick and easy to lay and hence a very popular choice. Cobbled-setts are a bit difficult to walk on and build and are best suited for people who give maximum amount of time to their gardens. Wood looks good near or around a water feature. York-stone gets slippery when they are wet so are not the obvious choice. Bark is ideal for temporary paths and paving slabs are good in all sense. Cottage gardens look ideal if these paths are lined with flowers or plants. Lavender, forsythia and box balls can be planted along the sides of the path spaced about 1.8m and with uniform gaps in them. This will give a look of order amidst the chaos. Plants are grown very closely to each other to give the cottage gardens a natural unkempt look. But doing this can be tough. Be very careful while grouping your plants and make it look like naturally grown. Choose by color, height and texture and this would help you in grouping them. You can arrange them at random or in rows or drifts or group them by their types. You may want to use a mixture which is very popular but remember to make it look as natural as possible. Cottage gardens generally do not require a lot of maintenance. They are generally left to look after themselves and therefore can have a lot of common flowers. It is very easy to build a cottage garden. Plan out the hardscape surface and then plant the shrubs, trees and perennials. Add a touch of design by using old pottery or baskets as a design element in the garden, which add to the old-world charm of cottage gardens. Gardening and landscaping are one of life's simple joys. Learn more about Cottage Gardens by visiting our Garden Facts web site. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_McRea
http://www.download-super-mall.com
for great greenhouse information
http://www.download-super-mall.com/Shrubs
shrub Information
http://www.download-super-mall.com/Vines
Vine Information
http://www.download-super-mall.com/RetainingWalls
Retaining Wall
Information
http://www.weed.download-super-mall.com
Weed Information
http://www.playgrounds.download-super-mall.com
Build a Playground
http://www.patiofurniture.download-super-mall.com
Tables And Chairs
http://www.download-super-mall.com/Gloves
Clean Hands
http://www.mycookingguides.com (NEW
Site) Learn
Cooking Ideas
Rose Cones may not save your roses!!
If you are going use them make holes around the top as
shown.
Headlines
by Fresh
Content.net
http://www.freshcontent.net/directory/home/gardening_news.html
By Bill McRea
http://EzineArticles.com/?Cottage-Gardens&id=441213
