Gardening (11)
The amount of work involved in getting rid of your tree stump can really vary depending on what type of tree you have, the age and the type of soil. For instance a pine tree has very wide and flat root systems whilst an oak tree has deep roots making it more difficult to kill off.
If you have a tree which is relatively small and has a shallow root system then digging the stump up by hand will not require too much hard work. You will need a shovel, axe, loppers and root saw. You then need to dig around the area to expose the roots and cut them away.
Normally nature will take care of removing the tree stumps by rotting it down but the problem is that it takes such a long time. If you don't want to wait decades for this process to be completed you can use chemicals to speed up the process. Don't expect the chemicals to work magically overnight however it is a good technique that doesn't require an awful lot of work.
If you have an old stump that has been around for more than a year just use a chainsaw to cut the stump as close to the ground as possible, ensuring the blades don't actually come into contact with the ground. You then use a drill to create holes in the stump that are a few inches deep and also good and wide. Having them as deep and wide as possible is going to be better. Then pour in some stump remover chemical along with some water. In about 6 weeks the stump should have rotted down.
Removing the rotten stump is then pretty easy if using an axe. However there are those who set fire to the stump rather than removing it from the axe. In order to burn the stump you need to pouring kerosene or fuel oil down the holes. You will need to wait for the wood to become saturated before putting a match down into one of the holes. This is a slow-burning technique so you don't have to worry about it going up in a ball of flames however you should keep kids and pets away from it.
Make sure you don't use gasoline and also keep an eye on the stump now and again to make sure everything is OK. Having a bucket of sand to hand might be a good idea too just in case you need it. In terms of safety it's probably better just to remove the stump with an axe. Also check to see whether you are allowed to burn tree stumps where you live.
A more mechanical method of removing a tree stump is to use a grinder. If you want to do this yourself you can hire a tree stump grinder but be careful to follow the safety advice otherwise you could easily hurt yourself. The grinder simply turns your stump into wood chips and the grinding will occur to about 10 inches underneath the ground. This will allow you to plant any other plant, shrub or tree there as you wish.
Whatever method you bring into force for getting rid of tree stumps, it's going to be hard work and you need to have the right equipment. Don't do anything stupid, make sure you read the instructions and if you don't know what you're doing - get a professional tree removal service in!
In a Japanese garden, the idea is to create a layout that in fact gives an impression of being far larger than it actually is - plants, trees and ornaments are used in harmonious asymmetry with a balance between natural and man made items in an ever evolving attempt to perfectly model Yin and Yang and the careful balance that we should be in with nature. This is also seen is the use of water and mountains - water being Yin and mountains being Yang. The structures and shapes in the gardens have symbolic meaning that goes over and above their visual appearance and to truly appreciate the layout and symbolism could take many years of study of not only Japanese garden design, but also Oriental culture. Though of course this isn't necessary if you simply want to wonder around and enjoy the tranquillity that often seems to pervade these gardens.
So what sorts of things might you find in a Japanese garden? Well, starting with the most simple, though possibly quintessential item, you will probably see a stone lantern at some point in the garden. Japanese stone lanterns are incredibly beautiful items with a rich history; having been born in the Shinto temples and shrines, these ornately carved structures made their way into general use into formal tea gardens and eventually into every day use in gardens in Japan because of their usefulness and also their beauty. Other Japanese garden ornaments often include a bridge of some sorts - often wooden as well as torrii gateways. The torri gateways are awesome - free-standing open gates, often a lovely bright red that usually mark the entrance into sacred space or Shinto shrines. Walking through a torrii gateway is said to cleanse a person and prepares them to pray.
The great thing about Japanese gardens is that the whole structure is not always visible. Instead, portions of the garden are revealed as you walk through, so you are often left with surprise and anticipation about what will come next. Though often very brightly coloured flowering plants are used sparsely in the Japanese style garden, evergreen shrubs and trees fill the landscape and are used to symbolize permanence, while pine trees symbolise longevity. Cherry trees that flower and bloom for only a few days a year are planted to remind us of the fleeting and transitory nature of life itself. Even with the natural elements though, the gardens are carefully controlled so some plants are trimmed and cut to look ancient and windswept, while others have been pruned to represent hills, clouds or other natural phenomena.
I hope that's given you a good introduction to Japanese garden design and layout. It's a facinating subject to explore and filled with a rich amount of cultural history.
When you are planning your garden lighting you will first have to decide between mains powered lighting, solar garden lighting or low voltage lighting. In this article we will explore each of these options so that you can make the best decision for you, your budget and your garden.
Outdoor Garden Lighting Powered by Your Mains Supply
For circumstances where a bright light is needed, for instance in security lighting, this is usually the best option. However there are some safety issues to consider for this type of lighting. Mains cables need to be well protected from the elements and all cables, lights and fittings must be suitable for outdoor use and earthed adequately. A qualified electrician should install this type of lighting. If you are burying the cables in the ground you will need to ensure you use suitable cable that cannot be easily cut if you dig in the garden so armoured cable is usually used. Two meters of flexible cable can then be used from the armored cable to the lights. Using armored cable results in less flexibility and more junction boxes which may not be easily hidden in your garden. Mains powered lights can be fitted with built in sensors to switch them on and off or with motion sensors if you are using them for security.
Solar Garden Lighting
Solar powered lights are the cheapest to run although not usually as bright as mains or low voltage lights. They do not need wiring and are easy to install with no need to run wires below the ground so they can be used in places remote from the house. They are best used for decorative effects and won't usually last all night but are adequate for lighting the garden during the evening. They won't work well, of course, during winter months when the sky is overcast. The batteries do not last forever and need to be replaced after a few years so take this into account when thinking of your budget for garden lighting.
Low Voltage Garden Lighting
For those who do not want to run mains cables under the ground but want a more reliable system than solar lighting a low voltage system may be a better choice. Low voltage lights use a transformer plugged into the mains but the voltage is usually 12 volts so is safer than using the mains power. Transformers can be mounted outside as those sold for garden lighting have weatherproof housings and can be placed on a post or wall or in a shed or outbuilding. Low voltage cable is then used from the transformer to the lights. You cannot place too many lights on each cable as the voltage will drop and the lights will not be bright enough. You may have to have two or more transformers placed around the garden. Plug and Play systems that can be fully installed yourself are widely available.
Image by jaymiek
Bird feeders can help you have a garden full of beautiful birds. Besides, it’s a nice way to thank those birds who are already singing for you for free, enchanting your summer evenings, when you sit on your porch enjoying nature. If you think you’d like to offer those birds some seeds for their efforts, here’s a guide to buying bird feeders which would hopefully help you find exactly what you need.
Hummingbird Feeders
Hummingbirds are among the most fascinating bird species. They have a wingbeat rate between 10 beats per second, in the case of the Giant Hummingbird, going up to 80 beats per second in the case of Amethyst Woodstar or Bee Hummingbird. As hummingbirds migrate, you won’t have them in your garden all year round, no matter how many feeders you may have installed for them. Hummingbirds don’t eat seeds like other birds, but nectar, so hummingbird feeders will have a special cup shape specifically designed to put nectar inside, yet to allow the bird to drink it while flying nearby the feeder. For attracting the hummingbirds, arrange your garden with those flower species they usually feed themselves from such as Azalea, Mimosa, Coral Bells, Agastache (Hummingbird Mint), Red Buckeye, Cypress Vine, Coral Honeysuckle or Trumpet Creeper. Never use pesticides on those flowers, because you’ll poison their nectar and that’s not good for the hummingbirds.
Hummingbird feeders can be made of plastic, glass or ceramics. The birds don’t have problems in getting used to one type of feeder or another, so all you need to care about when buying them is how easily they can be disassembled and cleaned. Cleaning is necessary because hummingbirds usually don’t eat spoiled syrup, so if your feeder is dirty, soon you won’t see any birds coming to feed themselves from it. When buying your feeder, try to see if you can find a dripless one, in order to keep away the ants. Some feeders feature an ant most which needs to be filled with water to keep the insects from eating the syrup. Perky Pet, Droll Yankees, Hummzinger and Birdscapes are among the most popular hummingbird feeder brands.
Wild Bird Feeders
Wild birds are usually beautifully colored, so attracting them into your garden would allow you take great photos. Such feeders are available in multiple shapes and finishes, so you can buy whatever fits best your other garden decorations. If you live in an area with squirrels, you could seek for a squirrel-proof model of bird feeder, otherwise squirrels would eat the seeds and maybe even destroy your feeders. If you want, you can use squirrel and raccoon repellents, as their active ingredient is capsaicin, a substance that makes the pepper hot. It’s not harmful for birds, it just keeps squirrels and raccoons at a distance.
If you have cats, you may want to make sure they don’t get to catch the birds. The easiest way is to tie a bell around your cat’s neck, so the birds hear it and fly away when she gets too close to the feeder.
Oriole Feeders
Orioles feed themselves with nectar, so their feeders will have a specific shape to serve this purpose. When choosing the feeder, your main concern should be how easy it is to clean. Oriole feeders need to be cleaned every week. In order to ease this task, you may consider purchasing a special bird feeder cleaning mop from Perky Pet. The mop can be used on hummingbird feeders too.
If you treat birds that visit your garden nicely, you’ll have the chance to enjoy their company almost all year round. Bird feeders can help you do that.
If you don't have your own garden space, and want to grow some plants, a garden planter is the way to go. Coming in all different sizes, shapes, materials, and designs, there is a garden planter for almost everyone's needs. Once you get used to it, you might find that gardening in containers with planters can be just as rewarding as traditional gardening.
So, what are some of the benefits of planter gardening? Since planters are small, they can be used to add color anywhere you want it. Adding planters to patios, decks, and anywhere you can think of is a great way to liven up your exterior. If you live in an apartment, planter gardening may be your only option. Planters can also be used to cover up an unsightly spots around your home, such as circuit breakers, pipes, and other eyesores. Planters are also more resistant to certain types of pests. As you can imagine, a mole would have a hard time getting inside a planter! You can also use different types of soils in planters, and take them in and out of the indoors or greenhouse. This allows you to grow plants you might otherwise be unable due to your climate or soil type.
You can get garden planters in all manner of sizes and shapes. There are wooden planters, concrete planters, stone planters, plastic planters, and pretty much every other type of planter you can imagine. The key to choosing the best garden planter is to consider your needs, particularly with respect to what you want to grow in them. Make sure the planter is large enough to hold the number of plants you want the inside. Also, consider the lifecycle of the plant. Make sure that the planter matches with the flowers of the plant. Also, be sure that your planter matches with the rest of your exterior area. If you live in an apartment, and are pressed for space, consider purchasing hanging planters, which will maximize the amount of plant you can grow.
If you're placing planters in a public area, consider low maintenance self watering planters. These planters increase the amount of time between waterings, greatly reducing their maintenance requirements. There are a wide variety of self watering planters choose from, so you can certainly find one to suit your needs.
As you can see, there are many different planters to choose from. Simply consider your needs, and find one that fits your plants and your exterior decor. Enjoy the wonderful world of planter gardening!
If you are trying to create the perfect lawn, you must first choose the perfect grass seed. There are many different varieties of grass seed out there, and choosing the best one for your lawn in your part of the world can make a big difference in the appearance of your yard.
So, how does one choose the best grass seed? The first thing to consider is how the grass is going to be used. For example, front lawns do not receive as much traffic as other types of lawns. As a result, it is safe to go for more ornamental grass, because the front lawn is mostly for show anyways. However, in the backyard, you want grass that can take the toll of a lot of foot traffic. Since your family, friends, and others will be constantly trampling this grass, it is a good idea to find a good sturdy breed of grass seed when creating a back lawn.
Another factor to consider when choosing grass seed is the area of the country that you live in. Many types of grass seeds will have charts of the United States on the back of the package, indicating which areas the grass grows best in. Some types of grass are designed for warmer climates, while others do well in the cool. Find the grass that is suited for your particular region. Another factor to consider is the amount of light that particular part of the lawn will be getting. Some parts of your yard will be in the shade, while others will experience much direct sunlight. Different types of grass can grow better in shade and sun. If you have a lot of shady areas, be very careful what kind of grass you plant, or else you will have many bare patches.
When it comes to actually planting grass seed, here are a few steps you should follow. First of all, loosen the top few inches of the soil. Clean up any small debris. Next, plant the grass seed by spreading it evenly by hand little by little. If you use mechanical seeder, only use in larger areas. This prevents spreading grass seed where you do not want it. Once the seeds are planted, cover the seeds with about 1/4 inch of soil. At this stage, it might be useful to cover the seeds with a special turf accelerator to protect the seeds, and aid in their growth. While the seeds are growing, be sure to water them regularly. Water lightly, but often. You don't want to drown out the seeds, but they must be moist in order to germinate.
So, this is just a brief overview of how to take grass seed, and turn it into a beautiful lawn. Keep in mind, you will need to have a lot of patience when seeding a lawn. However, if sod is too expensive, grass seed can be an inexpensive way to create a beautiful lawn.
When it comes to choosing grass for your lawn, you have many options to choose from. Which option you choose will end up on where you live, and the intended purpose of the grass. One very versatile species of grass, known as zoysia, is often an ideal lawn grass. It is also commonly used for athletic purposes and on golf courses. The United States, this grass grows well along the Atlantic coast in the Gulf Coast areas. It is not as well suited to the north and northwest areas of the United States. Basically, any area with a real winter is not suited for this grass. In warmer areas, it can grow quite well in shaded locations, in a wide variety of soil types. However, in colder regions, it is not well-suited for shade.
One advantage of zoysia grass is its drought tolerance. He may not stay green throughout the drought, but it will survive us back upon receiving water again. The deep root system of this grass allows it to perform well in these situations. In addition to this, zoysia grass works well and higher traffic areas. This makes it work well for golf courses. However, it does not do well for football fields, since it is slow to recover if it gets completely worn through.
Zoysia lawns do not have any major pest problems. Also, keep in mind that zoysia grass will often form a thatch layer over time. Sometimes, you may need to de-thatch and aerate your lawn to keep it healthy. Otherwise, we see it only needs basic watering and fertilization. It's fairly low maintenance overall, though a winterizer is often a good idea.
If you're looking to plant zoysia grass, it is not recommended to seed. This is because zoysia germinates and grows very slowly. Instead, just plant the widely available zoysia sod. This will save you a lot of trouble in the end. It might be more expensive, but it's worth it.
So, if you're looking for a good versatile grass, and you live in a warm climate, zoysia grass might just be the thing for you. If you live in an area where it is found, should you find zoysia sod or sod blended with zoysia grass at your local gardening center. If you do not want to sod, keep in mind that plugging is the least effective method. Sprigging is far more effective. With that in mind, enjoy your new zoysia grass lawn!
LED Grow Lights: An Indoor Gardening Essential
Written by David WilsonIf you're looking to garden indoors, you know that grow lights are a necessity. However, most traditional light systems use a lot of energy, produce a lot of heat, and must be regularly replaced as bulbs burn out. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a simpler form of grow light?
As it turns out, today's LED based grow lights are just such an alternative. LED, or light emitting diode technology, produces light at high intensities with much less heat than other light sources. Furthermore, LED grow lights are designed to have their maximum output at frequencies that plants can absorb and use effectively, greatly increasing their overall efficiency.
These lights also have a much longer overall lifespan when compared to traditional technologies. Lifespans in the range of 15 years are not uncommon with these types of setups. While the LED lights are more expensive up front, they certainly pay for themselves in the long run.
Additionally, LED light setups are often much more compact then there conventional brethren. If you're growing in a tight space, this can be useful. Furthermore, using intense HID lights in a confined space can often require special ventilation. With the LED lights, this is very often not needed.
Another advantage to LED lights is that they do not produce any noise when running, unlike other types of lights that may have an associated transformer hum with them. Their low weight also allows them to be hung more easily, allowing for stacked growing arrangements, further maximizing your space usage.
When purchasing LED grow lights, be sure that you get the right size for your needs. Every manufacturer of LED light banks will have different guidelines for how much area one light can cover. Of course, this area will depend upon the output of the light, and how high above the plants you plan on mounting them. Pay careful attention to these measures when buying your lights.
Another factor to consider is the power supply. LED lights require DC power, so there will almost always be some sort of special power supply between your home/greenhouse current and the lights themselves. Sometimes this is integrated into the lights themselves, but be sure to check on this. If you're powering your lights off of solar or a battery, you won't need to convert from AC to DC, but there may be some voltage issues. Again, research these before buying.
So, you can see that these LED grow lights have a lot of advantages for those gardening indoors. If power consumption and heat are an issue, be sure to check into this technology. It may be more expensive at first, but it will almost certainly pay for itself in the long run.
As a gardener, you may be interested in growing plants that need an efficient drainage system for water, and you've probably experienced the frustration of a yard that doesn't want to allow this. Using a raised bed garden can overcome many of these problems. Certain plants will actually benefit from being in an area that has excess water and poor drainage, and might even experience a lusher bloom. Other plants will simply bloat, rot and die if they are not set up to drain properly. For any plant that you purchase, you should investigate the type of drainage that they'll need, and think about whether or not you have a garden that will support the needs of your plants.
Image by crumj
To test how well your chosen planting area can drain, start by digging a ten inch deep hole. Completely fill this new hole with water, and check it in 24 hours, after all of the water has seemed away. Now, fill it again. Check the hole again in ten hours. If the hole isn't completely drained, the soil in that area does not have a high saturation point, and any water that enters the soil will be there for a prolonged period of time before is seeps away. Most plants won't thrive in these conditions, and you'll need to come up with a solution if you're interested in the survival of your plants.
One common technique to make the drainage better is to build a raised bed garden. This process requires that you build a border around the area you'd like to garden in about five inches in height, and fill it with compost and soil. The slight alteration in height will have a surprising affect on the draining that your garden will experience. Depending on whether you're trying to build a raised bed on dirt or grass, your be should be built with slight differences to accommodate these conditions.
If you intend on gardening in an area without grass, all you need to do is construct a border to hold the dirt and compost that you need to add. Using something as simple as some two by fours is surprisingly efficient and effective. Once you've built this small wall, you need to add the right quantity of compost and soil. You'll need to alter this ratio to minimize the deterioration of the soil before you begin planting.
If you intend on building your raised bed over an area of sod, the process is a little more tricky. You'll first need to flip over the sod which surrounds the perimeter of the garden. This might seem easy, but you'll need to find a tool with sharp edges if you want to effectively slice through the sod. After the sod has been flipped over, you'll want to lay down some straw, which prevents the grass from regrowing. After the straw has been laid, you can add the compost and soil that you normally would for a garden.
It's not difficult to grow any plants you want to in this new raised area. This doesn't really differ that much from the regular planting process. You simply need to try to keep the roots from entering the ground level which your raised bed is built on. The purpose of building this raised bed has been to raise your plants above your yard's soil, which drains poorly. By having plants that will root into this, it defeats the purpose.
After you've put plants into the raised bed garden, you'll notice a very quick improvement in their health. This extra soil promotes healthier root growth. This kind of bed also prevents decomposition and evaporation. With all of these factors in place, you'll see that your plants are now in a perfect environment to grow strongly. It's not that intimidating at all to change your yard's topography. The process is simple, as you've just read, and the work involved is completely rewarding in the long run.
Growing herbs is a popular form of gardening as herbs have a pleasant aroma and have practical uses in cooking and for some medicinal purposes.
Some Popular Herbs to Grow
Chives are also easy to grow and are tough and sturdy and can stand up to periods of drought. They are used in sauces, salads and other dishes.
Mint is an ever popular herb, so easy to grow that it needs to be curbed or it will take over the garden! It is used in mint jellies and sauces, accompanying lamb dishes as well as in soups and sausages. A similar herb is sage which is a lovely herb with spiked, blue flowers.
Lavender is well known for its lovely smell. Crushed lavender can be used in sachets in clothes drawers and is also a good remedy for insomnia. If you can't sleep try placing a sachet of lavender under your pillow. Lavender is also used in candles an as a perfume.
Basil leaves can be used as a flavoring for tomato pastes and juices and is easy to grow. Dark Opal is a beautiful plant with dark reddish colored leaves and pink flowers and can be grown as a decorative item in addition to its use as a flavoring herb.
Some other herbs that are easy to grow include dill for flavoring meat, sweet marjoram, useful for flavoring lamb dishes, salads and soups and sesame which can be used to flavor bread and crackers.
Drying Herbs
If you will be using the herbs for cooking you will need to preserve them by drying carefully so that they can be used throughout the year. To do this you first need to allow water to evaporate from leafy herbs by cutting the tops, washing and then hanging. Once the excess water has evaporated tie them together by the stems, place in a paper bag and hang up to completely. After two or three weeks, when the herbs are completely dry, they can be taken down, crumbled and stored in glass jars.
Herbs grown in your own garden are fresh and wonderful for cooking and cheap and easy to grow. A herb garden will give you much pleasure, both in growing and using the herbs, and you will have a continuing source of fresh herbs to use in your cooking. Dried carefully you will have herbs available throughout the year.
