Gardening (14)
There is something so wonderful about having your own garden. It's your own little place where you can go to relax and forget about the world. Of course, there is a lot of hard work involved in gardening such as caring for the lawn, weeding and trimming back trees. No wonder some people simply hire the services of a gardener to do all the hard work for them!
Indoor gardeners are faced with a decision when they consider light sources. To go with tried and true conventional HID (high intensity discharge) grow lights, or the more costly (initially) LED (light emitting diode) grow lights. One way to make this decision is by considering costs.
LED grow lights are more efficient than other types. Far more efficient, in fact. Conventional grow lights operate at around a 35% efficiency, while LED grow lights operate at 90% and higher efficiency. The reason for such a great disparity lies in how they work.
Conventional grow lights produce pretty much a full spectrum of light, while LEDs can be engineered and designed to produce very specific wavelengths of light. Plants use red-orange light for food, and blue-violet for reproduction. Most of the rest of the spectrum is not used. LED grow lights take advantage of this by converting electricity into only the useful wavelengths of light. Conventional grow lights, on the other hand, convert electricity into useless wavelengths, and most wasteful of all, heat.
LEDs produce virtually no heat, at least as far as the plants are concerned. There is some heat production, but it is limited to the base of the ligh and not radiated out onto the plants. Conventional grow lights need a separate cooling system as a result of all this heat production; otherwise the plants can be burned. LED grow lights don’t require a cooling system. Plants also require more watering under conventional grow lights.
Extra expenses for conventional grow lights also entail the purchase of items such as ballasts and reflectors. Again, LED grow lights don’t require these things. Conventional grow lights scatter light in all directions and so need reflectors to try to cut down on the losses. These losses are in addition to the already mentioned losses that occur due to the production of wasted light wavelengths and heat.
Then there is the matter of life expectancy. LED grow lights average from 50,000 to 100,000 hours. Conventional lights may require replacement as often as every 5,000 hours. 10 to 20 times as often. Over time, you can see just how expensive this could get. While you may spend around $150 for a 400 watt HPS grow light, you might need to replace the bulb 10 times before you would need to replace an LED grow light with an equivalent effective wattage that cost around $400 to $500.
It should also be noted that it is important to buy LED grow lights that are at least 1 watt per LED. Some grow lights are sold with wattages as small as 0.06 watts per LED, but these are to be avoided because they will be ineffective for growing plants.
The advantages of LED grow lights outweigh the initial higher cost, and in the long run, the indoor garden will cost less by using LED grow lights.
How To Make A Compost Heap In Your Garden
Written by April
If you are interested in the environment, gardening and wildlife then you will more than likely want to start your own compost if you haven’t done so already. For those who have no experience in composting you might think that it’s going to be very difficult. The good news is that it’s pretty easy as long as you do your research beforehand.
Types Of Compost
As with most things, there are a number of different types of compost you can create in your garden. If you want something very simple and easy then you can buy plastic compost bins. Basically they have an open bottom which is placed on the ground and then there’s a lid on the top that allows you to add the composting ingredients.
The problem with the type of compost bin described above is that only worms can get into the compost. Worms are fantastic and are very much encouraged, however if you want to be truly wildlife-friendly you will want to attract other creatures. For those in the UK, this means you’ll want to attract hedgehogs and toads plus other creatures.
This means you will need to build a compost heap which is easily accessible for these animals. The simplest form of compost is literally just a heap of organic matter covered up with an old carpet. Unfortunately these compost heaps don’t look particularly attractive. However if you create a screen made from a trellis or bamboo then you can hide it pretty well.
What To Add To Your Compost?
There are two main ingredients of a compost and these are dry items and wet items. Dry items include paper, cardboard, wood chippings, sawdust and leaves. Wet items include fruit, vegetables, lawn clippings, seaweed, tea bags and coffee grounds.
It’s imperative that you aim to add equal amounts of dry and wet items to your compost. If your compost is too dry then you will have problems with it smelling badly and it will also attract flies. If it’s too dry then the compost won’t break down.
There are some things you shouldn’t add to the compost either. Don’t add in cooked food, meat and fish because this will attract vermin. Don’t use perennial weeds because this will cause them to spread to your compost. Also be careful about adding roses with thorns on the stems because they are slow to break down. When you go to use the compost you might accidentally cut yourself on the thorns.
Where To Place Your Compost?
First of all it’s a good idea for it to be fairly near to your kitchen so that you don’t have to walk too far to add kitchen scraps. Otherwise, it doesn’t really matter where you locate it. However it must be on bare earth to allow worms into the compost. The worms are very important in processing the organic materials into a useable form.
Slugs and snails will also find their way into the compost to help the decomposing process. You might not like the idea of encouraging slugs and snails into your garden however think about it this way: if they’re happily munching away on the food in your compost, they won’t have any reason to leave and start munching your prized plants!
How To Get Oxygen Into The Compost?
The reason why composts are so beneficial the environment is because they don’t create methane gas the way that organic materials in landfill does. Why is this? Well, it’s simply because of the oxygen in the compost. Landfill is so compressed there is no way for oxygen to get in.
There are different methods of getting oxygen into your compost and some of them involve quite a lot of work whilst others are pretty simple and straightforward. The most tricky method involves turning the compost over. So basically you take the top layers off the compost and put them somewhere else so that eventually the bottom layer of compost is now sitting on the top. The involves a lot of work and also space in your garden which you might not have.
The simpler way to oxygenate your compost is to use a garden fork or compost turner/aerator to mix the contents of the compost. Please note that you might have a hedgehog or toad living in your compost so be careful you don’t use the fork too violently.
Another way of keeping oxygen in the compost is too add items such as egg boxes, twigs and cardboard toilet rolls in along with all of the other ingredients. Simply by doing this you will create air pockets in the compost.
Although all of the above information might seem like quite a lot if you have no previous experience in composting, the truth is that it’s really simple. You don’t have to have “green fingers” in order to start a compost and it should be able to fit into any garden - big or small.
How To Get Rid Of Moss In Your Lawn
Written by April
It’s getting that time of year when you have to start thinking about lawn care again. There are so many different things that can go wrong with your lawn including weeds, fungus and of course moss. Moss is perhaps the biggest of lawn care headaches because they are so many different reasons why it occurs in the first place and also there are simply loads of products on the market.
One thing to understand is that the guy that cuts your lawn isn’t necessarily a lawn care expert. He might be able to manoeuvre a lawnmower about but that’s just about all. Instead there are lawn care experts who know just about everything there is no know about lawns. So if you have a problem with moss you should do as much reading on the subject as you can and do the work yourself. Or locate a true and proper lawn care expert who will do the work for you. If you have a neighbor with a particularly beautiful lawn you could also try asking them for some advice.
There’s more to lawn care than simply killing the moss that’s causing the problem. You need to really understand what conditions the moss thrives on and make sure you don’t allow these conditions to be present. If you just kill the moss you can end up with big bare patches on your lawn and the moss will more than likely just come back again.
First of all there’s the issue of the type of soil you have. Many people think that moss loves acidic soil and that you need to add in lime in order to make it less acidic. The problem is that this isn’t really all that true because moss can grow on limestone.
Be careful about how much you cut your lawn. Sometimes people can leave the cutting of their lawn for many weeks because they have been away on vacation, the weather has been bad or perhaps that have just been too lazy. When you don’t cut the lawn regularly enough the blades of grass can get too long. When you do eventually cut the grass, the first cut can end up not being enough. So you end up going over it a second time. This is very bad because you’re cutting too much away in the one day.
Of course, from time to time you have no option but to leave the lawn uncut for weeks. So whenever this happens you should avoid doing two cuts in the same day. Instead you should do a cut one day and then the second cut a day or two later. You should also cut the lawn in different directions each time. The different directions you can choose from are lengthwise, breadth wise and diagonally.
By following the above advice you can ensure that the grass stays healthy and won’t allow the moss room to start growing. Another thing you will want to do is make sure it’s well aerated. Over time the soil can become compacted and basically you need to get some oxygen into the soil. There are a variety of tools on the market to help you with aeration. Which one you choose really is dependant on the size of your lawn, how much money you have to spend and how much work you want to put into the process.
Your lawn also need to have access to the nutrients it needs to grow thick and lush. Therefore adding fertilizer is a big part of lawn care. Fertilizing your lawn isn’t all that straight forward because it depends on what time of the year you are going to use the fertilizer. So don’t just rush out and buy just any kind of fertilizer and add it to your lawn at any time. Make sure you look at the instructions to see when and how you apply it.
Hopefully you now understand that there is a whole load more to a moss-free lawn than just killing the lawn. You need to understand good solid lawn care techniques to ensure you have a healthy lawn that will not encourage the growth of moss. If you do decide to go with a company instead of doing it yourself you should make sure they really do know what they are doing and have experience in getting rid of moss.
How to Remove Tree Stumps And Roots
Written by April
Plenty of people have trees cut down in their garden. Perhaps the tree has become too big, diseased or have been blown down in a storm. Whatever the reason, you will want to have the stump removed too. It's very easy to have the tree felled but having the stump removed is a whole lot more difficult. There are a number of techniques that can be employed when getting rid of a tree stump. The easiest method would simply involves paying for a tree stump removal service to do the work for you. However this isn't a cheap option so you might want to do the work yourself, in which case you should look at grinding, digging and chemicals.
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!
Japanese Gardens Featured
Written by BrianIn 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: How to Choose Them
Written by Karen
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.
Garden Planters: Just The Facts
Written by David WilsonIf 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!
Growing A Lawn With Grass Seed
Written by David WilsonIf 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.
Zoysia Grass: Just The Basics
Written by David WilsonWhen 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!
