Success With Landscape Irrigation Systems:

An irrigation system is a vital part of any good landscaping design. A successful one requires careful planning. There are two types of irrigation systems:

* sprinkler irrigation

* drip irrigation

Sprinkler Irrigation System

This type of irrigation system is where water is pushed out through holes or nozzles under pressure. The water that is forced out forms a spray.

The process of laying out a sprinkler irrigation system can be complicated if you do not get the basic ideas correct. Read up on how to do it before you start.

The most important thing to consider when planning your sprinkler irrigation system is consistency of water spray. All areas should receive an equivalent amount of water over a period of time. This minimizes water wastage and prevents pooling or lack of water in some areas.

Before you lay any pipes, use the basic landscape design plans and carefully draw in the irrigation system. Once this is accurately completed, you will need to choose your sprinkler heads (do you need fixed heads, rotating heads etc) so that the area is covered properly. Then you will have to select a nozzle on which you will place the sprinkler.

The correct placement of a variety of sprinklers is necessary in wider areas of the garden. Determine the spacing based on the radius of the sprinkler. If the sprinkler radius is 10 feet, then the sprinklers should be ideally spaced at 10 foot intervals. Spray pressure is also important - you do not want the water sprayed so thinly that is is lost to the wind, nor so heavily that it is wasted.

Drip Irrigation System

Drip or micro irrigation provides water to the plants under slow pressure and uses plastic tubing that is placed at the base of the plant to ensure that the minimum of evaporation or run off occurs. This system also helps to prevent pathogens and will reduce undesirable grass growth.

Micro irrigation is relatively easy to install and maintain in comparison to sprinkler irrigation. The component parts are readily available and inexpensive.

You only need the following components to create a drip irrigation system: U shaped pins (to secure the pipe), PE tube with T-connectors where necessary, emitters and an automatic timer if considered necessary.

To begin the process, lay the PE tube (preferably made more flexible by laying it out in the sun's rays for a time) in a line through the garden, making sure that the pipe passes between all of the plants. Strategically placed T-connectors will help with this and the U shaped pins will secure the pipe in place. Once you are happy with the layout, you can then poke a series of holes along the pipe and install the emitters. These should be placed under the plants at their base. You can then bury the pipe under some mulch so it is not visible.

Choosing The Plants For Your Landscape Design:

The pivotal part of a landscape design is the choice of plants. This choice can either make the design successful or create a disaster, so it is vital that the plants be carefully chosen. The following questions should be considered when you are about to buy your plants.

What do you want the plants to do? Some examples are - aesthetic appeal, reducing noise, climate control, to provide a screen for privacy or to increase the value of the property.
How big is the area you need to fill?
What climate do you have in your area? This includes sun, shade, rain, snow and wind. Will your choice of plant thrive in your area?
How much can you spend on the plants?
How much will you be able to spend on the maintenance of the plants?

Types of Landscaping Plants

Trees

Trees are the most significant aspect of any landscape, as they not only provide the area with shade, they also prevent soil erosion and can be employed as wind breaks. The most popular trees used in landscaping are deciduous, weeping ornamentals (such as cherry) and fall foliage trees such as Japanese Maple.

Evergreens

An evergreen tree does not drop its leaves - it retains its beautiful foliage all year and as such is the "backbone" of a landscape design. The more commonly used evergreens are Fir trees, Junipers, Spruce, many varieties of Pine trees and Yew trees.

Bushes, Shrubs and Hedges

These are defined as plants that have a woody stem structure and grow up to six meters high. Unlike trees that have one or two main "trunks", these have many stems that commence at ground level and then spread close to the ground. Bushes, shrubs and hedges can be "trained" to grow into certain shapes to add interest to the landscape. Boxwood makes an ideal hedge. Others that make interesting plantings are Alpine Currant, Barberries and Adam's Needle.

Annuals and Perennials

These plants usually have short lives that are completed in one seasonal cycle, although perennials can continue through further cycles as they re-seed. In the right climatic conditions, perennials can continue to grow beyond the life span of their seeds.

Ornamental Grass

Ornamental grass, in addition to plants that require little attention such as the tough Aspidistra elatior, have become increasingly popular in modern landscape designs. The average height of ornamental grass is between six and fifteen inches, but they have many varieties of shape, color, size and texture.

Vines

Vines are climbers that require some form of support. This support can be in the form of a tree, other plants or a frame or wall. Vines can be used as an attractive cover on walls, but care should be taken as some can damage the mortar on brick walls. The vine can act as an insulator against high temperatures.

Ground Covers

These plants grow close to the ground and form a dense cover. They can be planted in place of grass and to prevent soil erosion.

There are a number of ways that landscaping plants can be bought. They can be "balled" plants (the roots are surrounded by soil and covered in burlap), packaged (the roots are wrapped in plastic, not necessarily with soil, but often with wood shavings), in containers or pots, bare-rooted or in "market" packs or punnets (ground covers, perennials and annuals).

How lawn care tips can enhance the look of your lawn:

Owning a beautiful lawn in the house has transformed more into a status symbol for people living in the suburbs today. In such a scenario, taking care of the lawn assumes as much importance as taking care of one’s personal health. As a result, people are willing to spend a humongous sum of money on lawn care and a major portion of that goes to landscapers and professional lawn care service companies who impart valuable advice on creating lawns and maintaining them beautifully.

In spite of the profusion of lawn care companies and the tips you can extract from them, there still abound plenty of people who prefer to look after their lawn themselves. These people enjoy exercising their creativity and not relying too much on expensive lawn care tips. For this section of the populace, gardening is more of a passion and they look upon it as a soothing and invigorating pastime. Even these people will benefit from professional lawn care tips if they are ever exposed to it. Whether they wish to take the advice, however, is entirely up to them.

The fact is that the most powerful lawn care tips are to be had from professionals who will offer you customized services which will take into consideration the weather, the soil of your specific lawn and many other things that are exclusive to your lawn. If you employ a plan for lawn care on the basis of this, you will definitely be rewarded. Professional lawn care tips will also include advice on utilizing items found in your house for lawn care.

Anyways, irrespective of whether you are opting for professional help or planning to do it alone, there are certain tips that are applicable to everyone. Foremost among these is sufficient watering for the lawn at frequent intervals. Apart from this, aerating the soil is also a crucial factor in the roots of the grass getting enough sunlight and water. Mowing every week, seeding during spring and the fall months and appropriate fertilization are also very vital in enhancing the health and growth of your lawn.

In addition to these, getting rid of the weeds in the lawn is very important for ensuring the safety of the roots. In the course of your lawn care experience, you will definitely encounter many other tips that you could utilize effectively. Perusing literature related to lawn care, electric lawn mowers and gardening will also be of great help in getting a great lawn.

Wedding Flowers That Withstand Heat?:

Often the best days for a wedding are warm, hot even, and while this might be good for the bride and groom, it can wreak havoc on delicate flowers. Choosing a wedding flower that will stand up to the heat and look great throughout the ceremony and even long afterwards can be hard. You want something that is beautiful and fit for a bride, but still sturdy enough to hang in there, even in high temperatures.

What to Look For

A good wedding flower is delicate looking, but not actually that fragile. It will withstand the summer heat and look terrific doing it. You have enough worries and stresses on your wedding day, flowers should definitely not be one of them, so select hardy flowers from the very beginning and you'll be able to focus on more important things, like actually getting married.

Here are some of the characteristics to look for in a heat-resistant wedding flower.

- Thick, waxy petals are best. They tend to be stiffer and hold the moisture in longer than thinner petals which tend to shrivel and wilt in the heat. The thicker the petal, the stiffer it will be, making it more resistant to wilting.

- Stiff leaves help with heat resistance, too. Leaves contain a lot of moisture that can be wicked up to the bloom and the greenery helps enhance the color of the wedding flowers. Wilted leaves make the entire bouquet look sickly, so thicker, waxier leaves are the best option.

- Sturdy stems keep flowers upright. While the florist can place flower stems in plastic straws to help keep them upright when the heat threatens to send them drooping downwards, but it's best to choose the right flowers with sturdy, thick stems that are strong enough to stand up even when slightly dried out.

- Full blooms stay fresh longer. Flowers that aren't just a few petals will last longer. Look for ruffled petals or multiple rounds, such as with a mum or carnation. These flowers do very well with holding in the moisture needed to survive a hot day, even when not placed in a vase of water.

If you have the budget, tropical flowers tend to be far better than our native blooms when it comes to withstanding the hot interior of a church or reception hall. They are grown in heat, so you'll find that they are quite hardy when it comes to summer weddings. Most tropical flowers are very elegant, as well, so they make for very lovely bouquets and centerpieces.

Flowers like orchids, lilies and dahlias are all great ones for a wedding flower. They hold up to the heat very well and can take long drought periods, thanks to their hardy leaves and petals that retain moisture even in stifling conditions.

Your florist will also be able to recommend a more heat resistant wedding flower or two. The ideal would be a flower that you love the look of, which combines beauty with functionality. For a summer wedding, how well the flowers will stand up to the heat is a very important consideration. There is nothing more stressful on your wedding day than discovering that all your blooms are wilting away in the intense heat.

Choose your wedding flower carefully. You don't want bouquets that look awful by the time you are ready to walk down the aisle. Tropical flowers, those with waxy, thick petals and leaves and any flower that is bushy and full of petals tend to be alright and will look great throughout the entire day.

Shredded Leaves as Compost:

Shredded leaves make excellent and effective mulch for your spring garden. Making mulch from your fallen fall leaves is not difficult. Leaves can be shredded with your lawn mower or a leaf shredder. Shredding leaves and piling them into compost bin or if you don't have a compost bin a large heavy plastic yard bag works well too. Add the leaves in layers and on each layer add a handful of either urea, ammonium nitrate, or bone meal, either is found in your local garden center. Any of these will provide the needed nitrogen to help break down the leaves.

Continue to add leaves to your bag and when full add water enough to only saturate them ( not soak ) them. If you used a compost bin cover it with a heavy tarp or heavy plastic in the winter and mix it in early spring. If you used a heavy plastic bag, turn it occasionally during the winter. In the spring simply add your leaf mulch to your garden soil. If you notice white spots on the leaves, don't worry, it's a leaf fungus that adds a nutrient to the mulch. Leaf mulch is very light in weight and easy to apply and your garden soil will have the added benefits of carbon rich leaves and high nitrogen compost when mixed right into your garden in the spring.

Shredded leaves decompose faster and always be careful of the type of leaves that you plan to use as compost. Leaves such as walnut, camphor laurel or eucalyptus contain substances that will inhibit plant growth. These types of leaves should be thoroughly composted before they are added to your garden soil. Shredded leaves can also be added directly to your soil, but add a slow releasing nitrogen fertilizer to help the leaves decompose as it helps to make sure the natural soil microbes won't use all the nitrogen.

Keep in mind that when whole un- shredded leaves are added to your soil they can form a barrier and water cannot penetrate through them, so shredding is always best.

Using Garden Decor To Tempt Friends Outdoors:

Does your garden decor lure you outdoors? It should! The hot summer days are leaving us, the nights are getting a bit cooler, with the mornings nice and crisp. It's a great time to create, and enjoy, an outdoor living space utilizing garden decor. Many people have started creating outdoor living spaces using garden accessories, patio furniture, and fancy grill set-ups. It has become quite fashionable to take things outside rather than keeping to the confines of the walls of our homes. Being able to enjoy the outdoors is not something that is reserved only for the rich and famous anymore. It can be a casually relaxing place to enjoy with friends though! Inviting your friends for an Autumn evening out on your patio or deck builds memories that will long outlast the season. There is just something special about good friends, good conversation, and the smell of the outdoors that just registers within our souls.

Begin by creating in your mind a cozy, friendly atmosphere you want for your outdoor living space and then make plans to bring your ideas to life. Start off by deciding where you spend most of your time outdoors. Do you enjoy sitting on the patio or do you find yourself gravitating to the yard? You want your space to be in an area that you already enjoy being in or would enjoy being in if a place was created. Keep in mind too that you will be having friends and family over to enjoy this extended part of your home as well. You want to keep things open but well defined and easily accessible. You want to create an atmosphere that beckons people to stay and visit and enjoy the natural surroundings. Keeping it simple and easy to maintain is important too. What good does it do to have a getaway area if you're constantly keeping it up? When decorating your garden area, keep to garden decor and furnishings that are easily cleaned and can be left outside year round.

Now that you have an area in mind, start defining it. Begin with the entrance to your outdoor space. Visualize using garden decor and outdoor furniture to invite people to welcome going outdoors with you. Utilizing garden accessories like stepping stones and wind chimes, rather than the old standby welcome mats, give a cozy feeling that says welcome in a unique way. This is your space to be as creative as you want. Using stepping stones to create a pathway to the main area is a wonderful touch as well. Garden accessories don't just come in plain concrete anymore. There are many vibrant colors and designs now to suit your taste. Another nice touch you can consider is to put decorative garden stakes and small planters along the side of your pathway. These small additions can make quite an impression to your visitors.

Let's take a look for a moment at your main area. Unlike your house, you don't have walls to define your room when you're outdoors in the garden. Using garden accessories like hanging planters, small and large statuettes, or even iron statues will not only define your area but be pleasing to the eyes. Adding a small birdbath within your area creates a Venice-like ambience to your space. Using wrought iron and wood furniture keeps your quaint outdoor theme going and provides for comfortable seating for everyone. With the days beginning to become shorter, you need to think about lighting as well for the evening. You can use the tried and true tiki torches or you may choose to pizzazz it up a little. There are now beautiful solar powered lanterns on the market that will bring a unique lighting effect to your outdoor living space. They give off a wonderful ambience and don't need electricity either. Another idea is to use a fire pit for light as well as warmth on the cooler evenings, if that suits your needs.

So there you have it, a little blueprint to get your creative juices flowing so that you can create your very own outdoor living space. Utilizing garden accessories in different ways, you can create a unique and usable garden or patio area to enjoy for years to come. Garden decor is not just for the garden anymore. Extending your living space to the outdoor garden area will bring you lasting memories of friends, family, and good times. There is still time before winter comes to create and enjoy your outdoor oasis. So get out there, start creating and let your imagination go.

What's in Store for National Home Gardening Club Members?:

The National Home Gardening Club offer many benefits to its members.

It is said to be the largest home gardening organization with paid membership. For a nominal fee, various benefits are available.

If you choose to become a member the National Home Gardening club, you will be entitled to the following perks.

1. Members can enter competitions to win free gardening products such as gardening accessories, tools, and other gardening supplies.

2. A coupon will be given to members to claim a free gardening shears.

3. Members can also access a free trial subscription of the Gardening How-To Magazine.

4. They may be eligible to test and keep gardening tools such as pruning shears. These are some of the products tested by members in the past two issues of the Gardening How-To magazine:

- Honda Harmony Lawn Mower
- Miracle-Gro Garden Weed Preventer
- Sunflower Garden
- Cobra Head Precision Weeder and Cultivator
- Preen 'n Green

5. Members can enjoy a free directory of public gardens, which contains information about lush gardens, arboretums, and conservatories throughout the US.

6. They can interact and talk about tips, ideas and methods with other members.

7. Members can obtain gardening and landscaping tips and plans for the completion of various gardening projects.

8. They have access to the members-only gardening website.

9. Members can also preview gardening books, gardening videos, etc.

Indeed, the for-members-only benefits are that grandiose. They are all for the gardening enthusiasts to grab.

After the 30-day trial, you can continue your membership for only $1 per month.

Many garden-lovers think this is a small price to pay for all these privileges.

How to Make Compost:

Making compost is often considered to be complex but, all you need to do is provide the right ingredients and let nature do the rest however, a little know-how will help you make better compost and more efficiently. Making compost is good for your garden, wallet and the environment. This also is a great way to recycle a lot of the waste that we as humans create.

This is a process that, on a backyard scale, involves use of a well-managed, controlled pile or a completely enclosed composting unit, similar to the Earth Machine-type containers that many municipalities make available to their residents.

Compost is the left over material you get when organic waste items decompose. Bins help because instead of throwing waste products into a landfill where they will take longer to decompose, you can collect them in the bin and help them to decompose faster while recycling.

Bacteria is the main reason that compost happens; tiny bacterial organisms eat up all the waste products for energy and cause the waste to decompose into a fine soil. You will know when it is ready to use when it has shrunk to one-half its original volume, and has lost the identity of the original material, and has a pleasant earthy smell.

Most of the raw materials that go into your pile or bin, come directly from the yard and or garden. By using this material, we cut back on the amount of waste that we send to the landfill, and this is an excellent way to reduce yard waste while producing a valuable material for improving your soil. This is both good for the environment and good for our pocket books.

Yard waste accounts for more than 20 percent of all trash in landfills and food scraps make up ten percent of your waste. Bins have become so easy to use that there are even kitchen bins you can purchase to collect kitchen scraps. Other materials like vegetable peelings, eggshells, coffee grounds, can also be placed inside the bin or on the pile.

Once you start using your kitchen scraps you will see how easy it is to reduce waste and add organic fertilizer to your plants for free. If you use this material in your garden the bacterial organisms mixed into the soil can stop soil disease-based organisms.


Other materials that can also be used are Grass clippings, livestock manure, and they are good sources of nitrogen. Yes yard waste is good but the more different ingredients you add ,the richer the final product will be. If done correctly the material will be rich in nutrients and minerals, free fertilizer essentially. Partially decomposed organic material used in gardening will improve soil and enhance plant growth.

Gardeners generally seem aware that it's beneficial to gardens, and making compost is an excellent way to dispose of yard and garden debris, including fallen leaves. Most people do not realize the important part that worms play in our lives today by the way they can break down nearly any organic waste matter into "worm castings", thus turning waste products into a valuable and truly organic fertilizer.

there are things that should not be used like, cat, dog,or human feces because they are not compost materials and they can contain unhealthy bacteria and meat and bones are not recommended as they usually attract rats and raccoons. Due to the problem of shrinking space in landfills, many communities forbid dumping yard waste such as grass clippings, leaves, and branches, or charge a premium for taking them.

If all our urban organic waste was turned back into crop nourishing humus, think how fertile the ground would become and what good crops we could grow.

Germination, Bog Plants, and Transplanting:

Some of the seeds come up in a few weeks; a few, in fact, in less than ten days, where conditions are favorable; others, as we have seen, require several months. It is well to group them, when planting, upon this basis, so that all those which will be ready for transplanting early may be removed together.

In one group, for instance, may be planted the following, which will usually germinate within three weeks and be ready for transplanting within three to six weeks more:

Alyssum, arabis, aubrietia, arenaria, armeria, achillea, anthemis, bellis, columbine (aquilegia), cerastium, delphinium, draba, erinus, forget-me-not (myosotis), gypsophila, linaria, linum, lichnis, lupine, pansies, poppies, potentilla, silene,
saponaria.

Those which are likely to take longer, some of them six to eight weeks, are as follows:

Aster, androsace, allium, asperula, campanula, clematis, coridalis, cutisis, erodium, eryngium, erigeron, genista, geranium, geum, helianthemum, heuchera, houstonia, hypericum, iberis, iris, oenothera, primula, saxifrage, sedum, thymus, thalictrum, viola.

The above, of course, are based on early spring planting. Time out, for seeds which stratify in the seed bed over winter, does not count. These over-winter seeds need no protection from snow…#34;the more snow which piles up in the frames the better. The sash may be left on, but not closed tight, during November and December, to protect the seeds from the heavy rains which often occur at this season.

Bog Plants

Bog-plant seeds germinate best upon a surface not only moist but actually damp. A mixture of one-third each chopped sphagnum moss, peatmoss, and sand makes good compost in which to grow them. If this is placed in seed pans or azalea pots, and these are kept in deep saucers constantly filled with water and sheltered from direct sunshine, the seeds will have conditions to their liking. Also consider wall water falls that can provide constant moisture.

Transplanting

If the soil mixtures suggested above have been used, there will be few weeds to bother with, and unless the seed has been sown too thickly, little thinning will be necessary before the seedlings are big enough to transplant. If they come up too thickly, however, thin out immediately. This is most important.

For transplanting, make a bed in a well-drained spot, using a compost for the top four to six inches, or digging into the soil, if it is light, clean garden loam to start with, a layer equivalent to two to three inches of peat moss, an inch or so of sand or fine gravel, and a little very thoroughly decomposed manure. If the latter is not available, leaf mold and a light dressing of bone meal may be used as a substitute for it.

This amount of material added will somewhat raise the level of the bed, which is desirable. A six-inch board, bricks laid end to end, or small stones, will hold it neatly in place. Transfer the little seedlings carefully, placing them four to six inches apart each way, according to their size and the length of time they are likely to remain before being transferred to their permanent position in the rock garden or elsewhere amongst outdoor fountains.

Here, again, the lath screens for shading come into play; supported on a low framework a foot to a foot and a half above the surface, they will protect the little plants from too much sunshine and break the force of beating rains. For some of the plants, such as the thick, woolly-leaved alpines, which are particularly sensitive about coming into contact with moist soil, a little fine gravel can be worked about and between them, after transplanting.

Worm farming for fun and profit:

More and more people globally are realizing the dire need to protect our environment and the world’s natural resources for our children and the future. Inventing new ways of reusing waste, and organic ways of growing vegetables without pesticides and other man-made chemicals is an ongoing concern. Scientific research has already exposed that nature has sufficient natural means to produce nutrient-rich soil fertilizer to grow vegetables and fruits that are far safer for human use than those sprayed with chemicals. One of the most effective ways of achieving this is creating worm farms. Vermiculture is certainly not new, but it has not been until recently that research has found this to be the most effective and organic means to manufacture healthy soil for natural agriculture.

What is Worm-Farming?

Vermiculture involves the use of special breeds of composting worms and it can be implemented on any scale. Worm-farming can be implemented as a hobby for flat dwellers who want to start their own soil rich food gardens or for farmers that produce foods on large scale. Learning about worm farming is really simple and in simple laymen’s terms can be explained in a few steps. Humans produce waste, worms eat this waste and the end product after this process is nutrient rich soil that is once again used to manufacture food. This is nature’s natural cycle which is an environmentally friendly way of growing naturally healthy foods as opposed to when using pesticides. To help our earth worm farming is a leading way of turning your waste into something that can be reused.

Who can create a worm farm?

Researchers have found that food produced on farms that used chemical man made fertilizers has residue chemicals in them which we eat. Numerous diseases and cancers have been the result of using chemicals in the manufacture of foods. Vermiculture is a proven solution to this dilemma with worms creating a rich sanitized natural soil that plants thrive in. As well as producing nutrient rich soils for your garden, Vermiculture can also be extremely fun as well as really interesting. Many people today enjoy worm-farming and it can almost be said that it is similar to owning a pet because worms also need proper care just like any other being. It has also been proven that more and more people are once again benefiting from better health as a result of producing their own foods and worm-farming is the solution to healthy food without poisons in them.

The Many Benefits of Worm Farming

Worm farming holds only benefits for the person that wants to pursue creating his own worm farm. Once you have seen the powerful advantages of eating organic foods you will want to keep on producing your own healthy fruit and veg that way. It is about time that we all start finding more natural ways of recycling our waste. Mother Earth already has plenty which have been staring us in the face all along. Vermiculture certainly is one of these.
|

Gardening: Gardening Tools - An Overview:

I think you know very well about the rules and regulations to keep your plants to grow healthy in your garden. For getting sustainable growth of your garden plants you do require good soil quality, sunlight and sufficient water. Although these items have been gifted by nature, you ought to require modern gardening tools to upkeep your garden in a good state. Gardening tools help a lot in taking care of your plants as well as the good growing conditions and positive effect on your plant's health.

Defective gardening tools might have cause injury on your plants or cut your plants or totally plug your plants from the soil. In order to prevent the occurrence of such untoward incident, it is a must to look for the best gardening tools, which will provide your plants loving tender care. Once you called a tool as 'Best gardening tools", it refers to a tool, which will permit labor saving methods and that allows energy efficiency.

Here you can see some of the best gardening tools available in the market to provide a better care than ever for your plants in the garden.

Lawnmowers
Luxus Push Reel Mower rated as best by the gardening aficionados provides large top cover that protects overhanging flowers and shrubs. Another special gardening tool called American Lawn Mower Deluxe has also been accredited as best which will be helpful to operate on elbow grease alone and also causing no pollution. But this is not conducive for too tall grasses.

Garden Shredders
In general all the garden shredders have a high power motor and come with a silent crushing system. This kind of gardening tool used to accelerate your shredding activity.
Garden shredders with electric shredder is an easy to assemble gardening tool, which aids in tree pruning with maximum of 40 mm and making healthy hedges. This gardening tool is considered to be a best among all the garden shredders since it is available with a plunger for increased portability and built-in wheels.

Cultivators
These modern gardening tools are available with patented tines to help in cutting the hard compacted soil smoothly. Cultivators are available with a free border edger. It is perfect to use in cleaning the moss, aerating and in thatching. This garden tool helps extensively in preparing vegetable plots, flowerbeds, etc.,

Leaf sweeper
These gardening tools are extensively used for smaller lawns. It is having an infinite height adjustment with 200-liter collector.

Edge Trimmer
This gardening tool has also been accredited as important equipment by the gardening equipment reviewers. This aids in trimming the hedges and also aids in plant pruning.

Spading fork
This is a wonderful gardening tool used for aerating and transplanting. By using this gardening tool it is possible to perform splitting grasses and perennials. In addition to this these gardening tools helps a lot as the job of a manure fork, mulch, sorting hay, for tiny gardens.

Mattock
Mattock is an important gardening tool for breaking up the clay soils and also working around established trees with the roots. There is no need to have a pick and a hoe and handles in your garden, if you are having mattock with you.

Before you leave the garden center, it is highly advisable to have a look at these check list of gardening tools and confirm if you've got all the gardening tools you'll need to make your garden just like that of spring to life.

Vintage Garden Tractors:

The garden tractor quickly became one of the most useful inventions of its time. They were built to handle all sorts of work on the family farm. When there was a tractor pull, there were many people who were able to get together and visit those in a different town to get the work done. This afforded many people the opportunity to see other towns and eat in a nice place and even stay in a motel away from home.

On the way to the tractor pull, you would get a chance to look at the country and see all of the sites in your neighboring towns. The garden tractors of those days were designed to accommodate a number of different attachments which made them very useful on the farm. The one thing that they are all designed to do is mow the lawn.

These types of lawnmowers are equipped with an electronic start or a pull start. Most people prefer the electronic start lawnmower. When you go in to pick out a lawnmower from your local store, you should make sure that you get a chance to try the mower out before you make a decision to purchase the mower. It might be in your best interest to give the mower a test drive before you spend the kind of money that one of these mowers will cost you.

The class of machine that is known as a garden tractor is a bigger piece of equipment and will be a heavier duty piece of machinery. They have a bigger engine as well as bigger wheels and transmissions. The wheels on these larger machines are designed to prevent you from damaging your grass if the land that you are cutting is not even.

You will also be able to adjust the height of the cutting equipment and it also will have a larger four gallon tank. There are also some accessories that you can have on your garden tractor like something to collect the grass clippings and another mower deck. You will generally have to have this delivered to you separately.

If you have an area that is around two or three acres, you will find that an antique garden mower is perfectly appropriate to handle your needs. The smaller models will have an engine size that is four or six horsepower.

These machines are built to do more work than just cut your lawn, so make sure that you have a need for one of these tractors before you decide to purchase one. There is plenty of room on these machines to add other pieces of equipment to handle more work.

Everything About Garden Tractors:

The garden tractor is sometimes called a riding mower or riding lawn mower. They are a wonderful tool that you can use to keep your yard area looking well maintained. You would be amazed at how simple these tools are to use and they are a good way for someone who cannot get out and walk around the yard to have the lawn cut. There are many sizes of these tractors to choose from and the one that you will choose will most likely depend on the size of the cutting area. The one thing that you should make sure of before you buy one of these tractors is that you have the space to store it when you are not using it.

The first thing that you will be able to choose is the size of the blade. It is a good idea to get a blade that is at least thirty eight inches. There are larger sizes available and the size of the blade will determine the amount of area that you are able to cut when you are taking care of your lawn. The blade size will also be determined by the amount of trees and obstacles that you have in your yard as well. If there are too many things in your way, you might find it difficult to use a larger blade.

The engine on garden tractors can be in the front or the back of the machine. The choice of where you would like the engine to be will depend on whether it is better for you to see the area in front of you, which would mean that you would choose a rear mounted engine. If you need more power then you should probably go with a front mounted engine and give up the visibility. You should try and use the controls before you decide on the tractor that you are going to purchase. Make sure that they are easy for you to use and control. If you can, get in and make sure that it is comfortable for you.

You will find that the garden tractor is fairly easy to maneuver when you are driving it, but you might need a little bit of practice with the controls. There are some choices that you can make to keep your tractor running smoothly for you. The choices that you make will depend on what you prefer in your garden tractor. There are some different speed controls that you can use and some of the garden tractor models come with a gear and clutch. There are also models available that do not use a clutch.

The tractor will also come with the options for dealing with the clippings. You can choose to have them bagged or tossed and even mulched. If you decide to bag your clippings you should make certain that the bag is large enough and that you can install and remove it with ease.

This is not the cheapest way to go to keep your lawn looking good. It is a great investment in your yard, however. You should expect to pay between fifteen hundred and three thousand for your garden tractor. The warranty should be examined to make sure that you are covered if something should go wrong with your garden tractor.

Have a Year Round Successful Lawn Care Schedule:

In the spring as the weather begins to warm and it is so enjoyable to be outdoors, it is easy to give our lawns the attention they need. It is a pleasure to see the blades of grass begin to turn green, and it is no sacrifice to spend our free time outdoors doing what we think we can for our yards. In actuality, spring is not the only time we should give our lawns attention. All the seasons of the year have particular tasks that can enhance the beauty of our lawns, and a year round lawn care schedule is in our own best interests.

It may come as no surprise that the winter months do give us a certain amount of rest from yard chores. There is no need to fertilize or be out on the lawn mowing it every weekend. The winter months are the best times to pay attention to maintenance of our equipment, such as the lawn mower, before we get too busy in the spring and summer. Winter time is a superb opportunity to walk around the yard to take note of the places that will need some extra attention such as re-seeding barer patches.

Without a doubt when we live in a climate where the ground is frozen much of the winter our primary goal may be to prepare for spring by reducing freeze damage to our grass. Avoid, if possible, walking on a frozen lawn or using equipment on it. This will prevent breaking the tender blades of grass before they can come out of dormancy in the spring. If, on the other hand, we live in a warmer climate, we should continue to mow when it becomes necessary, regardless of the date, to clean up fallen leaves and get air between the blades of grass. Get air into the soil is also desirable by “aeration” or using equipment intended for that purpose or walking around the yard with spiked shoes in the late fall or when the soil is not frozen. Aeration helps water to get to the roots and makes the soil softer in which the roots of the grass can expand.

There is a season to take in hand those things we do not want to get out of hand, namely, weeds. We are talking about late winter and early spring. This is the time to use a pre-emergent weed killer as well as some early spring fertilizer. By suppressing weeds and fertilizing we are give our lawn an advantage of healthy growth coupled with a lack of obstruction from the weeds. The late winter and early spring season is also excellent for raking up detritus that has settled on the soil. The action of raking also has an aerating effect.

It is common knowledge that the spring and summer schedule for yard care is mostly concerned with relentless mowing to discourage weed growth and keep the grass at a desirable height. In the autumn it is time for a post emergent to cut down on weeds in the fall months. When we have a schedule for the care and upkeep of our lawn, season by season, we can get much better results for our efforts. It can reduce the work during the busier months and our lawn will stay healthier all the year round.

Caring for Your Compost So it Benefits Your Lawn:

Keeping your lawn its greenest and continuously growing at its peak potential doesn't happen overnight. Diligent waterings from your hose reel are excellent, but your lawn may demand more, depending on the quality and type of soil that's underneath the surface. Composting is an excellent and environmentally friendly option, but you must remember, your compost need its own attention as well, so that it can generate all the growth-giving properties that you desire.

The location of your compost pile or bin is something that should be considered. It should be placed appropriately in your lawn so that any runoff that may occur can be beneficial in and of itself. If your lawn is sloping, make sure to place your compost pile or bin at or near the top of the slope so its runoff can be utilized advantageously. A bin to store your compost is not necessary, but is helpful in keeping it contained, though a simple pile will do the job as well.

The materials you place in your compost pile should be organic, that is, plant-based materials. Meat waste can be dangerous as it can attract local wildlife. It is best to use lawn clippings, leaves, vines, and other plant refuse, as well as kitchen waste such as vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, eggshells, and the like. The more finely crushed all of these items are, the more quickly they can be broken down within your compost pile, and their advantageous nutrients applied to your lawn.

After your pile location is established and beginning organic materials assembled, heap them together with a little soil and manure to get the nitrogen and microorganisms necessary to start the process. Rather than a mountainous pile with the middle protruding upwards, attempt to let the outer parts of your pile be highest, allowing for water seepage from the outside in. Water from your hose reel should now be applied, making the pile moist, but not overly wet. Within only a few days, the microorganisms will begin doing their job and, combined with the nitrogen and plant material, the pile will begin to heat up. If heat is not being generated, fresh lawn clippings and water should be applied to add more nitrogen and hydration. If an ammonia smell is detected, use your pitchfork to aerate the pile somewhat to allow for equal oxygen distribution. The pile should be turned at least once a month to continue the process of decomposition, and if the materials involved are finely crushed, application of viable compost to your lawn can happen in as little as two months.

Composting is an easy way to add valuable nutrients to your lawn while doing your part as well to help keep the size of your city or county's landfills from unnecessarily growing.

Composting Benefits for Your Lawn and Garden:

So your neighbor's garden is more fruitful, beautiful, and aggressively growing than yours: why do you think? He/she is seemingly not out and working in it anymore than you are, you haven't seen a hired gardening expert milling about, but you have noticed a sweet smell coming from next door that you don't seem to recognize. You could get the answer quickly by asking your neighbor what he or she is doing that you're not, but your pride won't let you ask. Dollars to donuts, your neighbor is using compost to help enrich the fertility of the growing beds, whether commercially produced, or produced in his back yard as well. You would do well to attempt the same, and the benefits to your garden will be overwhelming!

Compost can be a valuable resource to enriching your lawn's landscape and your garden's growth, and if you make your own compost, the cost is minimal, if anything. Your lawn clippings, your raked leaves, clipped branches, and yes, even kitchen food scraps, should be saved, cultivated, and then applied to your lawn and garden. The use of compost can enrich and improve the physical structure of the soil itself. For clay-like soiled lawns, working in compost can help reduce the density of the soil, allowing it to accept and use the water applied by your hose reel; the soil will become more porous and thus, more easily hydrated while improving its ability to hold and use the water applied. For sandy lawns, the addition of compost can deter erosion by adhering within the soil, allowing the soil to hold together in its form, reducing the risk of moving in heavy winds or rains. By adding compost to your soil, waterings can be less frequent, allowing for savings on your water bill, because compost has its own hydrating properties when it is applied to the soil in your lawn or garden.

Constructing a compost bin can be easy or difficult, depending on design and complexity. Old slats from a wooden fence can be utilized in construction, chicken wire is often used, and many counties even have plastic composting bins available for purchase, often through their park's departments. The size of your bin should be manageable without being too small (less than 27 cubic feet) to hold sufficient heat nor too large (over 125 cubic feet) for sufficient oxygenation.

Composting can add exponentially to the successful growth of your lawn and garden. With a little elbow grease and determination, your neighbor will be asking how your garden grows so well in no time!

John Deere Lawn Mowers:

The range of John Deere mowers goes from push mowers to riding mowers in just about any size you need for your lawn. The John Deere name has been a well known brand for many years. From residential to commercial mowers they sell what you need to get the job done.

The residential push mowers are available in a variety of sizes from the 21" self propelled gas push mower that retails for around $399. This mower features 6.75 ft/lbs torque and easily converts from a mulch to bag to discharge mower. The height is adjustable to nine different levels. The rear wheel drive is great for the performance of the mower on any type of terrain.

If you are looking for a 21" push mower without the self propulsion there are several available including ones with bags. Your choices include gas mowers or electric. The convenience of being lightweight combined with the edge trimming that is available make this mower one of the best for trimming your lawn.

For smaller lawns a 16" mower is available. The prices range on these mowers from about $300 right on up the scale to the riding lawn mowers. The John Deere line of mowers make the one that is right for your needs. If a riding mower is what you are looking for the 19.5 horsepower, 42" riding mower is available for $1499. The convenience of riding instead of pushing combined with the maneuverability of this mower make it a great value for medium to large yards.

The John Deere mower is made of cast aluminum to prevent rusting of the deck. The mower will keep the great look it had when you purchased it. The ability to life the blade system so they will be safe while transporting the mower is one of the features many people have come to expect from John Deere. The mowers are available with bagger options so there is no need to rake the grass trimmings. The easy adjustment of the mower allows for trimming to the desired height.

There are several riding mowers available from residential to commercial. Included in the residential mowers are the 22 horsepower with 42" cut for $1899 and the 26 horsepower with 54" cut for $2699. These are only a few of the fine mowers made by John Deere.

The commercial mowers made by John Deere is one you will choose for the commercial work you do. The Deere 1600 Turbo commercial mower is one that you might want to consider. These mowers retail for $56,649. However if you are in the market for a used mower you can purchase one for around $38,000. No matter if it is new or used John Deere stands behind their products.

This mower is one of the best for mowing no matter where you need to mow. The on-demand or full time four wheel drive makes this mower a great one for mowing on steep terrain where other mowers will not go.

If you are looking for the best name in mowers, try the John Deere brand. If you need a new or used mower they still have the best ones available for the best price. Used push mowers are available from around $150 and up. This is about half the price of the new push mower. The riding mowers are all different prices depending upon the usage. Regardless of the type you are seeking, you will find the John Deere name at virtually anywhere you shop, online or off.

Enjoy Your Lawn Chores by Riding on the Riding Lawnmowers:

If you own a home with a huge lawn, you have no other choice but to mow it before the grass starts to grow. If you don't do this, the tall grass in your lawn would seem that you are living in the jungle. While having a huge lawn provides many benefits, mowing it with a conventional push mower is really tiresome. After finishing the chore, you would just complain on your aching muscle and you also have to endure the scorching heat of the sun. And paying someone to do the job on a weekly or monthly basis could hole your pocket. For this, the most sensible step to take when mowing the grass in your lawn is to purchase riding lawnmowers. This machine is compact and provides and efficient way of keeping your lawn as neat as possible if it is bigger than .25 acres. The huge help of this type of lawnmower now becomes a great hit among homeowners hence you can find this machine parked in their garage.

The sales of this mower now cover a huge market and now enjoy double-digit growth in terms of the sales performance in the past years. Because of its convenience, more and more homeowners are opting to ride once they are doing their chore in cutting grass. Aside from this, using riding lawnmowers when trimming grass is a lot faster and easier and according to some who have used, it gives them a lot of fun that just trudging behind using the conventional push mower. So you can now cut all the tall grass in your lawn without having to worry on the muscle pains right after but instead you are also having fun. To most, sitting behind the wheel gives them the adrenaline on a boring weekend. And most specially, you can now say goodbye to the tiring back and forth walking in your yard. Letting you be the commander in your own lawn by just sitting in the riding lawnmowers is the cherry on top of your weekly grass cutting ritual.

And of course, this machined is not entirely for everyone as they don't come at a very affordable price. So before investing on this product, you still need to know a thing or two about this machine before making your move. You can find electric models for your lawnmower and also the conventional push mowers that are already known to everyone. These have strong batteries and can usually go at least half an acre before you it needs recharging. These electric models are quiet so it doesn't wake your neighbors especially if it is a Sunday morning. And most importantly, it is environment-friendly because it doesn't produce noxious fumes. It doesn't need gasoline in order to derive power however, you might be stuck in thicker areas. So it is recommended to have reel blades that cut out in the front portion of the mower. The blades used for cutting are located under the base of your seat however, its position will cause you great discomfort because of all the vibration. But if the riding lawnmowers you choose features a very good cushion, the vibrations won't bother you at all.

Lawn Care Tips Article:

1 When mowing, the key to success is little and often - 'little' in this case meaning not too closely. Light cutting encourages the grass to produce extra shoots, and stunts weeds and coarse grasses. Most lawnmowers offer the facility of raising or lowering the height of cut. Mower blades need to be set at different levels according to the weather and amount of growth.
2 To produce the sought-after striped effect, you simply cut the grass in parallel lines, mowing alternate lines in opposite directions. Each time you mow, remember to work at right angles to the direction of the previous cut; north-south one week; east-west the next.
3 Before you start cutting, make sure that the grass is as dry as possible and free from surface litter. Lightly brush off dew or rain, wormcasts and dead leaves. When cutting the grass, you should always push the mower forwards steadily. Do not pull the machine to and fro and try not to lean heavily on the handle.
4 Clippings are best collected and removed - unless you mow very frequently. Allowing them to lie on the surface of the grass encourages worms and diseases and you'll probably find clippings all over your carpets too.
5 As a general rule, in Summer you should cut the grass at least once a week, preferably twice if you can manage it. Do not mow too closely or the colour and texture of the grass will deteriorate. During droughts and in the Spring and Autumn months, mowing once a week is sufficient.
6 Apart from mowing, your lawn will require feeding, weeding and occasionally watering to maintain healthy growth. To produce a flourishing lawn you need soil which has the right balance of plant foods like nitrogen, potash, phosphorous and lime. Buy an inexpensive soil testing kit if you want to know the exact composition of the soil and which nutrients (if any) are lacking.
7 The average lawn will benefit from an annual Spring application of fully balanced fertiliser. Fertilisers not only encourage the grass to grow faster but also more densely. As a result, weeds and moss are crowded out and the lawn retains its good, even green colour. Apply fertiliser when the grass leaves are dry and the soil is moist for the best results. Water the lawn if no rain falls within 48 hours.
8 For small lawns, weeding by hand is the most effective means of tackling the special rosette or matt kind of lawn weeds, or you can 'spot' treat individual weeds with a recommended weed killer. For a larger lawn, use a 'broad spectrum' type of weed killer which will destroy a wide range of weeds. You could also use a combined weedkiller/fertiliser mixture.
9 We usually receive sufficient rainfall in this country to maintain a green healthy lawn. If the weather is particularly dry and the grass begins to lose its bright green appearance, occasional watering is beneficial. A good soaking once a week is what you should aim for. Dampening the surface causes more harm than good - the earth should be soaked to a depth of at least 4 inches. A revolving sprinkler gives the best coverage.

Keeping Your Tools in Good Shape is Vital:

Be it large or small, the right tools can come in handy and speed and simplify the process of tending to your lawn and garden. To this end your first order of business should be to take care of your tools themselves, so they can help take care of your garden. If you don't have a separate area where you can store all of your tools, stakes, insecticides and other tools of the gardener's trade, you should really consider creating one. This can be as simple as moving things around to create some space in your garage, or as robust as creating a separate tool shed or locker that these items can be safely stored and organized in.

There plenty of tools which can be considered either basic and vital, or more specialized and dependant on your personal needs. In the category of basic tools that most gardeners will want to have we have the metal shank spade or spading fork, hand fork and hand cultivator, and your small planting shovels. A good pair of shears is almost a necessity if you have hedges, a weed spud is vital just about everyone with a yard, and an iron rake is also a great tool. Lastly there's a hose, your garden variety watering can, and a wheelbarrow to easily transport the fruits of your labor around.

On the not so vital scale we have items like the edging sickle, a stapling gun, a pruning saw, soil sieves, long-handled shears, a dibble and a reel for your hose. You'll also want to have plant ties and stakes, labels, chicken wire, a yardstick, measuring cups, insecticides, fertilizers, sand and plant foods.

If money is not an object and you want the ultimate ease and comfort at your disposal when gardening, you can consider picking up a pressure sprayer, a spreader, a garden tractor, a garden lawn sweeper, an electric hotbed, and a garden mower with mulcher.

As you can see there are plenty of tools at your disposal, and this is really only the tip of the iceberg. Now you can understand the importance of having a space devoted to all of these items. Keeping them organized and accounted for is only part one of the battle though, keeping them rust free being the next objective. With most tools being stored in unlit and damp environments, and not being wiped off after use, garden tools are a prime target of rust. Be sure to wipe down your tools after use and keep them stored in an area where they're less exposed to air.

Your garden hose may be another tool that is not getting the proper care. One thing to ensure while using it to help preserve its lifespan is that there are no kinks in the line while water is running through it. Also coil it loosely when storing it away. Tool storage needs to be part of any landscape.

Lastly, keep the wooden handles on any of your tools sanded down and preserved with linseed oil. You'll also want to ensure that the blades on your hoes and sickles are sharp by filing them.

Seven Lawn Care Fundamentals for a lush, green lawn.:

Seven Lawn Care Fundamentals for a lush, green lawn

Lush, green lawns are the pride and joy of many a homeowner. Beautiful, well cared-for lawns also serve as backdrops for family recreation, picnics, cook-outs, parties and summer fun. To achieve a perfectly healthy and green lawn this summer, follow these seven tips for lawn care success.

1) Water deeply and infrequently.
Watering deeply and thoroughly encourages grass to grow deep roots. This practice especially helps during periods of drought. Warm-season grasses need about one inch of water to thoroughly water twelve inches of soil. Giving your lawn one inch of water every three days is better for the lawn than watering for a few minutes every day.

2) Test your irrigation system.
To ensure that you are watering your lawn with the proper amount, test your irrigation system. Collect five straight-sided pans, such as cake pans or casserole dishes and set them around your lawn. Turn on your irrigation system and note the amount of time it takes for one inch of water to accumulate in the pan. Check to see that each pan receives around the same amount of water. You might need to adjust the amount or distance for sprinkler heads.

3) Never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade when mowing.
Removing more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time causes the grass plant stress. Removing too much of the blade can result in a burned look for the lawn, because the grass plants will struggle to produce enough food for themselves with the decreased surface area.

4) Keep mower blades sharp.
Using a sharp mower blade helps the appearance of the lawn. Sharp blades provide cleaner cuts. They also allow the grass blade to recover from mowing more quickly.

5) Apply fertilizer at the correct rate and time.
Fertilizer helps a lawn stay healthy and green. It is important to apply fertilizer at the right time for the best results. Granular fertilizer needs to be watered in, so it is best to plant if a light rain is forecasted or if you have irrigation. Never apply fertilizer before heavy storms because it will run off, and not sink into the ground. That will cause two things��"pollution of waterways, and a big loss of money for you, because you will have to re-buy and re-apply.

Before applying any fertilizer or soil amendments, have a soil test run to determine the needs of your grass. Also look up the proper fertilizer amounts and applications for the grass species you grow.

6) Check for insect and fungal pests frequently.
When you are in your lawn, enjoying it, take a few moments every week to walk around and look at it. If you see large brown circles, or dry areas, you probably have a problem. Fungal diseases tend to cause large circles called brownouts, while you can trace insect paths by the lines of dead grass left as they travel under the soil. If you cannot identify your lawn problem, consult your lawn care professional or cooperative extension office for help.

7) Maintain your grass at the highest acceptable height for the grass species in your lawn.
The longer the grass blade, the deeper the roots on the plant. Deeper roots help grasses survive drought and resist pests and diseases. Keeping your grass at a taller height does not mean that you will need to mow less frequently, it just means that you will give your lawn a better chance to be healthy and vigorous.

Basic lawn care fundamentals are easy to master. Follow the seven tips for successful lawn care and your lawn will stay beautiful and green all summer!

Lawn Care Supplies You Need:

Lawn care supplies can help you to keep your lawn looking great. You will need to invest in caring for your lawn, and that means knowing how to do so correctly. These tips should help you to accomplish your goals.

Supplies You Need

One of the first lawn care supplies you will need is fertilizer. This will help to keep your grass looking good. You will need to use it yearly, at least. It helps to keep your grass greener but also helps to provide the nutrients that your grass needs to remain healthy. It helps to nourish the root system of the grass. When this is well taken care of, the grass can overcome all types of situations including drought conditions and pests. When choosing one type of fertilizer, be sure that you take into consideration your location. Depending on your weather, you may need to select the type of fertilizer appropriate for your climate.

Using Mulch

Another type of lawn care supply is that of mulch. It helps to keep your grass and your garden moist by helping to retain water. In a drought situation, this helps to keep the routes of the plant wet long enough to live through it. You will need to add additional mulch to your plants each year. This helps to keep it looking good and helps to protect the bushes and trees that you place it around.

Lawn Care Supplies Means Tools, Too

As a homeowner, you will need to have a number of lawn care tools at your disposal for your yard's care. You will need to have a lawn mower, most importantly, as this will help to keep the grass looking its best. You may also consider having a shovel, rakes, as well as fertilizer spreaders and small hand tools you know you will need. These make the job of caring for your yard easier. You will need many of these tools, such as your rake and shovels for various tasks throughout the year. A spreader will help you apply fertilizer well, without over or under distributing it.

You also need to keep a hose on hand to take care of watering yur plants, even if you have a sprinkler system. These can help you to manage the amount of water you apply, too.

When you have the right lawn care supplies at your disposal, caring for your lawn is easier and more effective.

Creating an Organic Veggie & Herb Garden:

Starting an organic veggie and herb garden is quite an undertaking, but can be one of the most rewarding ways to go green that there is. Organic simply means naturally grown without the use of pesticides or other chemicals. Organically grown vegetables and herbs are healthier and tastier than those with chemicals on them, and can save you a lot of money at the grocery store.

Start a compost as soon as you decide that you want an organic veggie and herb garden. A good compost will fertilize your garden with nutrients and can be a natural pesticide. Compost will also help your garden to retain moisture so you may not need to water as often. Much of your food waste can be composted as well as some animal waste, but be sure not to add human or pet (cat or dog) manure to your compost as these typically have some nasty bacteria that you won’t want in your veggies and herbs. Find how-to articles online or buy a book at your local garden shop for the best composting tips and tricks.

Buy organic seeds and starters for your organic veggie and herb garden. Don’t assume that they are all organic, most seeds and starter plants are not. If you can’t find them in your local store, order them online. You can save time by purchasing online anyway, so why not save time and be sure that you are starting your garden off right with organic seeds and starters.

Start seeds indoors rather than planting them directly into your garden. Seeds should be started in small containers that contain organic soil. Make sure they have plenty of light and water, but not too much water as you can drown them easily. Once you have two leaves on your little plants, it is time to repot them into biodegradable containers for planting in your garden. You can also choose an indoor window garden for your herbs. These make a great kitchen window decoration and add a fresh scent to the air.

Healthy, organic soil is a must for your organic veggie and herb garden. Healthy, organic soil will not only grow healthier plants that taste better, but will also act as a natural pesticide. If you’ve had a non-organic garden before, it may take some time to work out the chemical laden soil, or you can dig it all out and start with all fresh, new organic soil.

Spread your compost on top of your soil. Compost should be about two inches thick. You compost should, if done correctly, add all of the nutrients and minerals your veggies and herbs need to grow and thrive.

Plant strategically. Strategic organization of your plants can keep them healthy and growing well without the addition of sticks or metal cages in your organic garden. For example, plant your beans next to the corn so that they can grow up the corn stalks.

Harvest and enjoy your healthy organic veggies and herbs. Your family will love eating fresh from the garden and you will enjoy the satisfaction that you are feeding your family the healthiest foods they can eat.

For more Information on this topic visit www.buildwish.com a free Online Home & Garden Renovation & Design Directory in 100 Cities in North America. Featuring millions of free Real Estate Classifieds, Helpful Articles, Contests, Virtual home tools, Qualified Trades, Forums, a moving center, free quotes for Insurance, Moving, Mortgages, Contractors, Foreclosures and Much More!

How to correctly set the mower height for Healthy Lawn:

How to correctly set the mower height for Healthy Lawn.

Everybody knows somebody who joyfully mows his lawn down to a mere � inch and keeps it that way. Unless his yard is composed of golf-course green-worthy Bermuda grass, he is making a big mistake--one that you can avoid! Mowing height has a lot to do with overall lawn health. Leave you grass too high, and risk putting undue stress on it when you mow it. Leave the grass too short, and weed and insect problems attack in full force. Mowing height does matter.

Why Mowing Height Affects Grass Health
Mowing height affects grass health in several ways. Lawns are composed of thousands of interconnected plants. Most lawn grasses are plants with stems running across the ground, and leaves growing upwards. Mowing grass too short can actually kill the plant by chewing up the grass stem--from which the nice, leafy, green lawn sprouts. Mowing grass too short also deprives grass of the leaves that produce food for the plant, allowing it grow and stay vigorous.

The 1/3 Rule
Whenever you mow your grass, you never want to remove any more than 1/3 of the blade at a time. Removing more of the blade will put stress on the plant, and cause the root system to recede in the soil. Grass root length and depth is directly related to the top height of the plant. If you remove more than 1/3 of the grass leaf, the plant cannot produce enough food to support the root system, and it will start to shrink. That, in turn, will make the lawn less healthy, overall, and will open the door to pest and disease problems. It is better to keep the grass at a relatively constant height--never letting it get too tall or too short.

Mowing Height and Pests and Diseases
Depending upon the species of grass in your yard, there is an optimum constant height for the plant. Overall, maintaining the proper height helps control weeds. Grass at the right height will "shade out" weed seeds that need sunlight to sprout. Mowing too short allows sunlight to hit the surface of the soil, and gives free reign to weed seeds. Below are some typical healthy mowing heights for grasses as reported by the Better Lawn and Turf Institute:
Bluegrass: 2 inches
Perennial ryegrass: 2 inches
Tall fescue: 2 inches
Fine fescue: 2 inches
St. Augustine: 2 inches
Buffalograss: 2 inches
Bermuda: 1.5 inches
Zoysia: 1.5 inches
Centipede: 1.5 inches

Steve Habib is a lawn care expert and owner of Landscape Problem Solver located in St. Petersburg, Florida. To contact the author or learn how to have a greener, healthier visit: www.stpetersburglawnlandscape.com

How Sharp Mower Blades Keep Lawns Healthy:

How Sharp Mower Blades Keep Lawns Healthy

One aspect of lawn care that is sometimes ignored by homeowners is keeping the lawnmower well-tuned and the blades sharp. Rotary mowers are the most common types of mowers used by homeowners. While most responsible homeowners take their mowers for a tune up at the beginning of the season, and some take the mower for a tune up at the end of the season, many do not do anything in-between. To keep your lawn healthy, conserve resources and maintain the beautiful green carpet look, you need to keep your mower blades sharp.

Sharp Mower Blades Conserve Gasoline
At a time when mowing your lawn can cost as much as a trip to the grocery store, in terms of gas use, any gas-saving measures are good for the homeowner. Sharp mower blades are more efficient, and slice through grass blades without as much work. A study conducted by the University of Nebraska found that keeping mower blades sharp helped homeowners use 22% less fuel per mowing session. That figure, by itself is enough to encourage mower blade maintenance.

Sharp Mower Blades Maintain a Clean Green Look
Dull mower blades rip and tear grass leaves rather than cutting them. That ripping action is what causes the faint white sheen across the lawn. A ragged cut heals less neatly. The shredded ends of the grass plant die and turn white, which gives the lawn an unhealthy pallor. Keeping mower blades sharp helps the mower slice the blades cleanly, allowing them to heal quickly at the ends. There have been some varieties of turf developed that do not need mowing; however, the clean, green look that most lawn-owners covet is achieved by continual grass growth. Lawns that do not require mowing will begin to appear ratty over time--especially if they see a lot of foot traffic.

Frequency of Mower Blade Sharpening
Mower blades need to be sharpened after about fifteen mowing sessions for an average lot size. That works out to about once or twice a summer if you mow the lawn once a week. If you mow your lawn when it is wet, the blade will dull much more quickly. You can sharpen the blade yourself, or take it to your local repair shop for sharpening. Rotary mower blades should be sharpened to have a 40 degree angle, evenly sharpened along the entire blade. If you are inexperienced, or do not have the proper equipment, it is best to visit the local repair shop so that you do not end up cutting your lawn unevenly.

Spending the time to correctly sharpen the mower blade is worth the investment. You will save fuel, and consequently money, over the summer. Your lawn will also keep a healthy, green look throughout the growing season.

Steve Habib is a lawn care expert and owner of Landscape Problem Solver located in St. Petersburg, Florida. To contact the author or learn how to have a greener, healthier visit: www.stpetersburglawnlandscape.com

Eco-Friendly Landscapes and Gardens:

Let’s talk about lawn care. Turn away from pesticides that poison you, your pets, your kids, and the water supply. Instead try organic products. Not only do they work well, but you’ll notice a difference in how your lawn looks and feels.

Consider buying a “reel” mower versus a gas mower. Reel mowers are the old fashioned ones that you push yourself. Save money on gas and get some exercise in at the same time.

When choosing plants for your yard or garden, purchase ones that are grown locally. Other plants may be beautiful, but not suited for your particular climate. Purchasing locally grown plants ensures that they will grow well in your yard or garden and help promote the local growers. When checking out your local nurseries, be sure to ask questions like which plants are eco-friendly, how much water they require, and whether they need shade or sun? You can also check with a local landscaper for advice.

Try keeping a portion of your yard for natural plantings. Native wild flowers or plants that attract butterflies or birds are beautiful and will attract helpful insects into your yard as well.

When purchasing lighting for your yard most people think solar when they think green. Solar lighting is great, but be cautious which ones you choose. Many are made with toxic plastic resins and made for the short term instead of the long haul. Within a couple of years these lights will have to be replaced and because of what they’re made of, they are not recyclable. Definitely not eco-friendly! The good news is that if you search you can find solar lights plus many more items for your yard that are much more eco-friendly products. Check out websites like Amazon or Green Electronics for more eco-friendly products and ideas.

If you’re looking for a fountain or birdbath to add to your yard or patio, there are eco-friendly options available as well. They now make fountains and birdbaths with built in solar panels so that they are self sustaining. They’ll add beauty and attract colorful birds for your viewing pleasure.

If you live somewhere with a pool or beach access, you may want to consider installing a solar outdoor shower. You can get ones that are free standing, large enough for children and adults and only need to be hooked up to your garden hose. No heating costs because its solar and it uses minimal water.

Maintaining a Healthy Lawn: Tips and Advice:

There's nothing more rewarding than seeing your lawn in green and tiptop condition. You can easily keep it in healthy shape any time of the year without much effort and cost as long as you know the right techniques. Some factors also need to be considered since lawns may grow differently depending on the season, external elements and grass type. Here's some advice. The Basics Your lawn needs to be mowed regularly. There are lawns that may grow slower or faster compared to others due to availability of rain or the type of soil. Once a week mowing will suffice for most but you may also do it twice if you have enough time. Make sure you mow properly by starting from one end of the space then moving across in a straight path and shifting downward to cover everything in well-patterned rows. You may use a weed eater to manicure the green perfectly and check for remaining grass and stalks. A push mower is useful enough for standard size lawns but bigger areas may be better off with a gas-powered lawnmower. Never take off more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mow. Check for the presence of weeds, crab grass and other plant species that may be disturbing the fullness of the green. Pull out weeds or spray them with weed killer. After some time, you will develop an eye for unusual objects in your lawn like holes, brown patches and uneven growth. You need to ensure that the soil is healthy and conducive for grass growth. Soil can easily be replaced by patch. Dig up the unhealthy spot and fill it in with new soil. You may conceal the top layer with a patch of grass which is available in most flower shops or you may also wait for it to naturally grow. Border Protection You may want to place grass seed to take care of squirrel problems. Mole traps will also keep other critters out from digging holes on your lawn. To prevent damage from human beings, simply place a sign indicating "Keep Off the Grass". If you intend your lawn to serve as a nice picnic spot during certain times of the year, you can invest in different grass types that can tolerate weight and pressure. This way, the whole family can get to lie down and play on the grass for long hours without you worrying about bent grass or ugly markings. Huge lawns can use rider mowers but push mowers are more useful in reaching hard to reach areas. Apply lawn fertilizer to keep the entire border looking good constantly. More Healthy Habits On the average, lawns need around 1 inch of water every week during the summer. It is recommended to water heavily once each week instead of sprinkling daily. The entire root zone should be wet to promote growth and avoid burns. Do not water in the evening since it can increase the chances of fungal development. Aeration is a better alternative to de-thatching since it increases air, water and nutrients entering the soil without encouraging weed germination. You may aerate once every year, especially if you live in a high-traffic location. As for fertilizers, always follow instructions and read the label fully before using. Make sure the entire lawn is free of items and debris before application. You may be advised not to water the lawn for several hours after application or not to apply if you expect rain soon. Maintaining a healthy lawn may also mean learning about the acidity of your soil or soil pH. Sulphur or ammonium may be added to correct and maintain normal acid levels.

Tips For Lawn Care:

Proper lawn care includes such things as mowing, watering, fertilizing and the removal of weeds. The amount of care that you give to your lawn will depend on the lawn itself. It will depend on the type of grass, the weather and the type of soil that you have.

It is always a good idea to mow your lawn as often as possible. Mowing maintains a uniform height for all the plants. It also helps control the growth of the weeds by cutting off their seed-bearing stems. There are various types of mowers that can be used to create the perfect looking lawn; the one that you choose is completely up to you. No matter what kind of lawn mower that you use you should always take the time to sharpen the blades of your mower. Sharpening the blades will ensure that your grass is being cut, rather than just being broken off or pulled out.

Lawn care is not a simple task and it does require some time and effort. Mowing the lawn itself can be a tedious task. For example, new grass should not be mowed until it has grown to a height of two inches. After the first cutting however, it should be kept at a height of one and a half inches to two inches. Depending on the type of grass and the conditions in which it is growing, you could end up mowing your lawn quite frequently.

Lawn care also includes watering. The amount of water and the frequency of watering can and will vary considerably between lawns. Enough water should be applied to wet the soil and to a depth of four to six inches. It is very important that you soak the ground thoroughly. This is needed because light watering will encourage the roots to grow near the surface. This will result in the grass dieing in dry weather and the roots will be unable to reach the water deep down in the soil.

Fertilizing is also a major component in lawn care. This is important in maintaining a dense and healthy lawn. Most lawns need these major elements: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. All of these things can be found in lawn fertilizers. It is best to apply fertilizer twice during the year, in the early spring and then again in the late fall. In the early spring, fertilizer should be applied before the grass has started to grown ad while the soil is full of moisture. This helps the grass produce stronger and more extensive roots. Fall fertilizing, after the late season rains, help the grass recover from the summer hear and drought.

Helping Your Lawn Achieve Its Potential: Aerate!:

Who doesn’t love a nice, lush, green lawn for entertaining, relaxing, and simply admiring? While it is true that is hard work maintaining a beautiful and healthy lawn, its benefits are immeasurable and well worth the blood sweat and tears. While everyone knows it is essential that a lawn be well hydrated, most homeowners neglect an essential part of lawn maintenance that allows the precious water do its job more fully, namely, aeration. Aeration not only promotes growth, it will help ensure that your lawn is thicker, grows faster, and healthier than ever!

The main objective of aeration is to create a situation where the grass roots penetrate more deeply into the soil while allowing essential oxygen, water, and nutrients ample access to the roots and soil as well. Though aeration may seem tedious to some, few can argue with results. An aerator tool can be picked up at your local hardware store for not too much coin, and is well worth the expenditure, unless you enjoy tracing your entire lawn, on hands and knees, poking holes; now that would be an excellent way to get familiar with every square inch! Because your lawn sees its fair share of use, much more than your garden especially if you have children or pets, the soil beneath your grass becomes compacted, making it terribly difficult for nutrients to penetrate and do their best. A lawn aerator punches holes in your lawn as you push behind, similarly to a push mower, with the holes penetrating around three inches, clear to the soil. This helps loosen the soil, allowing for better and essential air circulation to the roots of your grass. This is especially helpful in grass restoration situations where new growth is desired.

Aeration is best when your lawn is sufficiently moistened. A good time to perform an aeration session is the day after a nice steady rain. If rain is not in the forecast, make sure to extend your hose from its hose reel and amply water your lawn the day before aerating. It is essential to not drown your lawn, but to water it with about an inch of water. An easy way to test this would be to place containers in the areas you are watering with an inch demarcated on their side. Once this mark is reached through steady and well distributed watering, turn off the hose. Overnight, the water should soak in and allow the soil to dampen just enough to perform the aeration. Many homeowners follow aeration with fertilization as well because the loose soil allows for penetration of the nutrients. Aeration should be accomplished twice a year with dense, clay-like soil, and only once a year for sandy-soiled lawns. With an aeration, fertilization, and hydration program, your lawn will benefit greatly and provide hours and hours of enjoyment for you and your family year round.

Caring For Your Lawn in a More Natural Way:

One of the best parts of being a homeowner is actually “owning” a piece of land. No matter how big or how small, this piece of land is yours to do with what you please. The Native American ideal of land stewardship is a fantastic one, the idea that none truly own the land, but should feel encouraged to diligently keep the land as merely stewards of it. If you think of yourself as a steward of the land you inhabit, you will accept and take on willingly, the responsibility of maintaining it, protecting it, and keeping it looking its best. Is this a too high-falooting ideal when discussing your lawn, your very own patch of green? Perhaps so, but if thought of in this manner, maybe you’d be more inclined to treating it better and looking out for its best interest.

In the Middle Ages, no one groomed or mowed their lawns, obviously. Lawns were kept as special green spaces for enjoyment, yet were not bridled, restrained, and hacked, to look like the British Open’s long greens. Lawns were mostly kept under control by use; by being trampled by horses, sporting activities, and the like, allowing them to grow a little longer, a little healthier, and greener, without the introduction of chemicals or fertilizer. Could perhaps a secret to a greener lawn be letting it grow longer between cuttings? Yes, it very well could. I’m not suggesting you let your lawn look like “Little House on the Prairie”, mind you. Letting it grow a little longer between cuttings and setting your lawn mower to its highest setting can make a world of difference in keeping a healthier lawn. The longer blades of grass can help you be certain that the root systems of your lawn are flourishing below the soil with the roots being themselves longer and better established as well. Longer blades mean more surface area for photosynthesis to take place, allowing more light to be collected, to promote a healthier, more lush look in appearance as well as promoting the ability to stave off pesky weeds. Instead of watering your grass daily, extend your sprinkler or hose nozzle from your hose reel for longer, deeper watering sessions. Apply around one inch of water to your lawn once every mowing cycle to ensure proper immersion and absorption. When mowing, you should really only ever take a third of your grass’ height off, in order to ensure healthy growth. Mowing once every ten days will save you quite a few mowings over the year, allowing you to spend more time with your family, and less money on gas (or electricity) to mow your lawn.

Let’s all let our lawns grow in healthier ways by simply letting our lawns grow more!

Choosing the Best Riding Lawn Mowers:

Are you all zonked out of your routine of pushing your old mower to work? Do you want to remove Saturday in every calendar so you could pass on doing mowing task? If these apply to you then getting the best riding lawn mowers for your personal need is a must. Are you asking what kind of mower is basically the 'best'? There is actually no such thing as that because it all depends on the preference of the user and the requirement given by the lawn to be mowed.

A riding mower is precisely a small tractor that contains a permanent mounted mowing component. Given the fact that the mechanism is self propelled, they are the best among individual that owns large areas of lawns that need some kind of dealing from time to time. On the other hand, in case you own a small yard then those large sized mower that provides lack of maneuverability when put against the push style one would not actually mean convenience and for sure, they are not worth the cash.

But if you know that you really need one, then how could you choose the best riding lawn mower? There are actually a lot of factors to consider like the size, brand reputation, horse power, ability to include attachments; cost, reliability, and the list go on and on. Of course it is not easy to consider all of these aspects but for a large product like this, it would mean a lot to do your homework. Below are the lists of the things you must consider first before finally putting your cash on the line.

Above anything else, you have to ensure that you'll get the best size. If you have one which is too small then expect not to get the job done in a fast way. And if you have too large then you'll only have a huge and expensive vehicle that is too hard to maneuver especially if you have a small yard. The size that you may want to get should be measured according to the 'mowing deck'. There are a lot of push style mowers that employ 20" decks while on the other hand the lawn tractors and riding mowers would normally comes at 30" and up. You should start by determining how large your yard is, the answer can help you decide how many passes your lawn would call for.

On the other hand, you should also check the horse power. Keep in mind that the higher the horse power is, then the more proficient you will be able to deal with hilly slopes, pull special attachment, cut extremely thick grasses, etc. However, if your main priority is to simply keep your lawn neat then you could not take horse power as you main priority. But in case you have tall grasses to mow then you'll definitely appreciate if you have an extra huge power you can make use of too quickly.

Another critical factor to consider in looking for the best riding lawn mower for your need is its turning radius.

Make the best compost - ever:

The benefits of your own special home made compost

One of the things I aim to get as much of as possible into my garden is compost. Not the type of compost you can buy, but the type of compost you make. This has to be one of the best things you can put into your garden and like me you should make your own.

Home made compost does not have a fantastically high food value for your soil but there are other benefits as well and it is these other benefits you want in your soil. Let us deal with the food value of your compost first.

Whatever type of compost you make it will have a food value and this will not only cover the typical NPK values but it will also contain other trace elements. I can hear you thinking what values of NPK. Well it varies. It all depends on what you put into your compost as to what you get out of it and this is something only you can control. These ingredients will also help to determine what trace elements are present as well. For this reason it is almost impossible to give accurate NPK values for your compost but these will typically be low. However, you will be adding some food value to your soil and I typically just use home made compost and organic fish blood and bone meal. Occasionally I also give things a boost with organic pelleted chicken manure as well and find that these are all I need to maintain a good level of food value in my soil mix.

The other benefits of adding home made compost to your soil is that it helps build the soil food web and one way it does this is by helping to develop humus. As the bugs begin to break down your compost what is left behind are compounds which help to develop the humus content of your soil. Without humus your soil is of a very poor structure, has very little food value and is not a lot of use. Developing the humus content is one way of building up the fertility of your soil. Earthworms will love it and come up to the surface to feed on your compost further developing the humus content. The main thing about earthworms feeding is that they poo, and earthworm poo is great stuff.

Technically, earthworm poo is known as worm cast and for some reason is higher in food value than what the worm eats in the first place. Whilst I know this does not appear to make sense trust me on this one. The worms leave this behind in your soil. The added nutrients then become available to your plants. The other thing is that earthworms also make tunnels as they move thorough the soil.

The tunnels that the earthworms make, together with a more crumbly soil structure, developed by the humus you are making, also help to develop the ability of the soil to become oxygenated, in other words the more crumbly soil structure allows more air in between the soil particles and your plants need oxygen to their roots and a supply of food.

The final thing your plants need is a drink and by improving the humus content of your soil you are increasing your soils ability to retain moisture. You should be aiming to have a good moisture retentive soil and the best idea is to think of it like a sponge. A sponge will soak up water until it is full and it slowly drains away and evaporates. This is what you should be trying to do with your soil mix. You are aiming to develop a soil structure which has the ability to retain moisture as this is the final thing your growing plants need, air, food and water. A bit like us really.

For a free report on how to build a Hotbox Composting Bin check out http://www.highdensitygardening.com/Hotbox_Compost_Bin.html

Japanese Knotweed - The Basics:

Amongst the most invasive of plants in the UK, the Japanese knotweed is the most desstructive and costly of all weeds, and is hated by gardeners throughout the country.

The problem with the herbaceous knotweed plant is that a completely new weed can grow back from even the smallest of segments �" a section as small as your fingernail left in the ground is able to grow back fully. Cut stems can readily grow in lawns, soil or even in water. In spring, this plant will emerge and rapidly grow into a plant which is up to three metres high.

Small sections of this plant can be spread widely by soil transportation and also by small pieces being carried in waterways. This plant is such a problem in the UK that any soil removed from an area known to have knotweed present cannot be re-used and is supposed to be buried at a depth greater than five metres. The intentional spread of this plant is now illegal in the UK.

The cut plants can survive for up to three years, and are highly resistant to composting techniques. In fact, one of the worst things that can be done is to cut back your Japanese knotweed plant and then put it into the compost. When you come to use the compost on your garden, you can be sure that you will be fostering a great collection of new knotweed plants.

So, what can be done about japanese knotweed? Over an extended period of time you can repeatedly and harshly cut back and dig out the plant and its root system. Although it is difficult to remove all of the plant, over a number of years it is possible to weaken the plant so much that it becomes less of a problem. You must NOT compost the plant, and should not remove the cut sections to another site. Burning is the most effective way to remove the waste sections, where allowed. You must also ensure that rain water cannot wash away your cut sections or roots because this is seen as an intentional spreading of the weed.

Another method of control is to use a weed killer such as Roundup, which can begin the battle of removing this plant. However, even though this type of weed killer is very powerful, it may take many years to completely eradicate the Japanese knotweed from your garden. If you treat the plants more than once a year, such as at the start and middle of the summer, you will be more likely to remove the problem. Consulting a professional is a good idea, they will know the best course of action.

Do not mow or flail knotweed as the tiny fragments will create more plants. If you cut or remove a plant you must either burn it yourself or carefully remove it to a licenced point for destruction. Do not chip the remnants of your plant �" the chips themselves may grow back into new plants.

Acting quickly at the first sign of the Japanese knotweed is the best course of action. If you are harsh in your removal of the plant (disposing of it safely) then you can prevent the spread of this invasive plant. Don't forget that this plant is strong enough to cause structural damage to buildings. It can grow back from the smallest fragment and it is very aggressive in its growth. If in doubt at all, call in an expert company to treat and remove your knotweed.

As the Japanese knotweed spreads throughout the UK, along waterways, roadsides and on abandoned land, vigilance is required to make sure that it does not push out many of the weaker native plant forms. There are a number of sites on the Internet who make it their mission to remove this foreign invader. We must all do our part to remove this weed as much as is possible.