‘Gardening for Beginners’ Articles
Written by admin on 22 November 2009
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When thinking of learning how to vegetable garden, thoughts firstly turn to those vegetables that are sown in spring and eaten through the summer and in to autumn.
However, there are vegetable varieties that the vegetable gardener can grow for winter consumption as suggested by Sarah Raven in her column in The Telegraph.
Chicory and kale are the kings of the winter veg patch
More of us should grow chicory. It looks wonderful in the winter veg garden and makes some of the best home-grown meals. It’s good raw in a mixed-leaf salad and even better cooked when the leaves lose their bitterness.
Following close behind in edible plant, winter glamour has to be the kales. The upright crinkled slate-coloured leaves of cavolo nero look their best at this time of year. Even if your plants were devastated by cabbage white caterpillars in the summer, they will recover and look fresh and beautiful right through the winter.
Add ‘Red Bor’ kale, always the biggest presence in my veg garden, and you’ll come to love the kale family for life and they supply another whole series of delicious winter meals.
clipped from www.telegraph.co.uk
Tags: garden, gardener, gardening, how to vegetable garden, leaves, plants, salad, vegetable, vegetable garden, vegetable growing
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Written by admin on 07 November 2009
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When I saw the headline in The Seattle Times Newspaper “10 Steps to a 30 minute garden” my first thought was “Oh no, not yet another of those quick garden makeover fixes”. There have been so many of those television programmes where gardening gurus have been called in to do a makeover in anywhere from half a day to two days for people who do not have any idea or real desire to create a garden. So often the result is good, perhaps a bit fanciful, but within a year has been allowed to deteriorate.
My other gripe has always been that these type of gardening programmes can send out the wrong message to new home owners. Create a garden over the weekend just like you would decorate a room in your house. The trouble is those who have not gardened before may get the idea that you only have to freshen up the garden as often as you would your house decor.
When I read the article I realised that I was misinterpreting the headline. To quote; “The popularity of gardening has even taken a hit, as we find more and more competition for what would have been time spent in the garden. But whatever the reason, if 30 minutes is all you have to spend each week, here’s my list for 10 ways to minimize your time while creating a beautiful, lower-maintenance yard and garden.”
The article gives sensible gardening tips for those who want a tidy looking garden but find their time pulled in all directions.
The message for any new home owner or budding gardener is that a garden takes time to create or to get to your liking. In fact any experienced gardener will tell you that a garden is never finished. You can always see things to improve, unfortunately plants and shrubs die for a variety of reasons and this can create the opportunity for a change of theme or improved theme.
Tags: garden, garden diary, gardener, gardening, gardening tips, how to vegetable garden, plants, shrub, shrubs, vegetable, vegetable garden
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Written by admin on 09 October 2009
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It is sad to read today that the memorial to one of the most famous gardeners of modern times has been vandalised by mindless idiots. Unfortunately, as we are all too aware, it is not just the well known and famous personalities that are targets of this type of mindless behaviour but when it does involve a name like Percy Thrower it highlights the problem.
Percy Thrower was an inspiration to millions of gardeners who watched his television programmes and read his books. My first gardening book was by Percy and it is still in my collection and, even though my collection of authors has grown over the years, it is still regularly thumbed and a key part of my introduction to gardening.
Many television gardeners have come and gone since Percy Thrower retired from our screens and hundreds, probably thousands, of books have been written on various aspects of gardening. New ideas and new techniques quite rightly come along but many of those new ideas are based on good gardening basics. Those good gardening basics are what Percy taught.
Let us hope that the culprits are caught. It would be nice to think that they have a conscience and will feel remorse but that is probably too much to hope for.
Yobs destroy memorial to gardening legend Percy Thrower By Richard Smith 9/10/2009 The family of former TV gardener Percy Thrower were devastated yesterday after callous yobs wrecked the star’s memorial. Daughter Margaret, 65, who had the bronze bust built in tribute to Percy who died in 1988, visited it on Wednesday to find it smashed up and the flowers torn. Advertisement – article continues below »She said: “Percy would be turning in his grave to think his memorial had been desecrated. It’s so sad and now it will cost a fair bit to be repaired. “Fans visit the memorial in Shrewsbury, Shrops, to remember Percy, who rose to fame on Gardeners’ World and Blue Peter, though it was also vandalised in 2005.Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski pledged a “substantial” reward for the prosecution of the culprits. He said: “We can’t allow things like this to happen.”
Tags: flora, flower, garden, gardener, gardeners, gardening
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Written by 2 on 24 August 2009
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Fresh Vegetables when you learn how to vegetable garden
Learning how to vegetable garden can be so rewarding. Why not make a start? Begin in a small way and build your confidence as you produce fresh vegetables for the table.
Home gardening can involve a number of different gardening techniques, ranging from simple indoor gardening, to hydroponics gardening, to anything else that you can envision. For many folks however, home gardening means the ability to grow your own fresh produce, the ability to determine what chemicals enter your domain, and most importantly just how fresh your food will be when you bring it to the table.
Flower Gardening
It’s undeniable really just how flavorful a newly picked tomato tastes, or peas right out of the pod. And the delightful smell you get from just a handful of freshly gathered berries, or fresh cut rosemary. This is what the home gardener lives to do.
But is there more that home gardening can accomplish? Could there be more to it than the cultivating of vegetables and fruits? I was thinking exactly that at one time when I discovered the concept of home gardening. There is more to home gardening than initially meets the eye, however.
Home Gardening Tips
Not withstanding fruits and vegetables, you have your flowering plants, your leafy plants, and even your shade giving trees. These must all be arranged within the design of your garden in a manner that you achieve the maximum benefit. After thate, if you liked you could also construct an irrigation system worthy of a larger garden, or you could keep it simple and just spray the hose when need to.
Bugs are an ever growing annoyance, excuse me for the pun, and must be monitored vigilantly. And especially in a vegetable or fruit garden, you will have to be extra careful of such cute, and cuddly creatures as hares, and other burrowing animals. Rodents are constantly a headache, and must be dealt with fast so as not convey any disease.
Dirt must be fresh and aerated so as not to become compacted, thus hindering root growth. Worms and other like insects must be brought into the overall scheme of your home gardening process.
Vegetable Gardening
Water drainage, soil erosion, landscape maintenance, tools and equipment, the many glasses of water you will be drinking in your quest to perfect your home gardening plan. The list is nigh on endless, and I could go on for a long time, just suffice it to say that home gardening is not as basic as it may seem.
Finally, you will need to make it a place that you feel at ease in, and that your guests can feel welcome in. A place that makes you want to investigate all of angles to see, exactly what it is you’ve done with the place. And that is what home gardening should be all about.
Tags: gardening techniques, vegetable garden
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Written by 2 on 15 May 2009
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When you landscape your garden very often you plan in a patio or decking area. The idea is somewhere that you can have a barbecue for the family or perhaps to entertain friends.
The next question is which type of barbeque should you buy? It is nice that these days there is so much choice available to us.
The choice may be made simpler by budget restraints or but the size of your patio or garden.
For the smaller garden there are portable BBQs and the choice here is the traditional charcoal or alternatively the gas fuelled grills. Portable can be the smaller barbecues that you can carry around the garden to light in the most appropriate spot for that meal, maybe into a sunnier spot or in the heat of summer, a shady spot. Some of these types of barbeque can also be ideal for taking on day trips or maybe camping trips but a portable BBQ does not have to be that small. If you are only intending to barbecue at home then there are larger styles that have wheels, perhaps better described as mobile rather than portable.
For the larger garden or patio there are the gas grill barbeques, some of which are moveable but then there are gas grills that are more like an outdoor kitchen.
If you have a definite dedicated cooking / patio outdoor cooking and eating area designated you may wish to give consideration to a masonry barbecue. The clue is in the name, these barbeques are designed to be fixed in place. Again there is a choice, you can either buy the whole masonry barbecue to be assembled in your garden or you can design and build your own base and buy a gas barbecue grill insert to finish the job.
There are still those who would not think of cooking outside on anything but a charcoal barbecue. To them there is nothing like food smoked over charcoal but to others this is too much work. Charcoal barbecues have to be lit and then the coals left to get up to heat before grilling commences. With gas barbecues the heat is there immediately, there is no waiting or having to plan ahead it can be pretty instantaneous decision to start cooking. Another advantage the gas bbq lovers put forward is that gas grills are easier to clean. That on the whole is true but some of the more modern design charcoal barbecues are easier to clean after the meal. A good example is the Son of Hibachi barbecues.
Which brings us on to style. Chiminias, or Chimineas as some call them, have been used for a while as patio heaters but now they can be found as barbecues with the advantage that as the evening cools they can be used for the original purpose. There are Fire Pits, Fire Baskets, Stainless Steel versions, Folding barbecues, basically something for everyone.
So when deciding the time is right to buy your barbecue, take a little time to choose the right one for you, your garden and your budget.
Tags: garden, gas barbecue grill, gas barbecues
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Written by 2 on 09 February 2009
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Valentine’s Day is approaching and it is time to decide the gift to give to your
loved one.
Flowers, chocolates, jewellery, all are popular valentines ideas
for gifts of love. However, Valentines Day flowers are beyond question among
the most popular presents for a man to buy a woman.
There is a tendency to give Valentines Day roses, red roses traditionally thought
of as the flowers for Valentine’s Day. Red roses are beautiful but expensive,
luckily there are so there are many kinds of flowers for valentines with meanings
of love.
Here is a selection of flowers for valentines day and their meaning. Discover
the different languages of the flowers and select the flower that best fits
your relationship. Be careful; remember that we can all interpret words a little
differently. The flower meaning book you have may contain different wording
to the recipient of your valentines day rose or whatever flowers for valentine
you have chosen!
Camellia, red: You’re a flame in my heart
Camellia, white: You’re adorable
Carnation, Red: My heart aches for you
Carnation, Striped: No, Sorry, I cannot be with you
Carnation, White: Pure Love, Sweet Love, Innocence
Cedar Leaf: I live for thee
Chrysanthemum, Red: I love you
Chrysanthemum, Yellow: Slighted Love
Cinnamon: Love and Beauty
Daisy: Loyal love
Forget-me-not: Faithful Love
Gardenia: I love you in secret
Gillyflower, Pink: Bonds Of Affection
Gloxinia: Love at first sight
Heliotrope: Devotion, Eternal Love
Hibiscus: Delicate Beauty
Iris: Your Friendship means so much to me
Ivy: Wedded love, Fidelity, Affection
Jonquil: Desire, Love me, Affection returned
Lilac, Mauve: Do You Still Love Me
Lilac, White: My First Dream Of Love
Marvel-Of-Peru: Flame of Love
Mistletoe: Affection and Love
Myrtle: Love, Mirth and Joy
Orange Blossom: Eternal Love
Orchid: Love
Peach Blossom: Bridal Hope
Peony: Happy Marriage
Primrose: I cannot live without you
Rose, Bridal: Happy Love
Rose, Coral/Orange: Desire
Rose, Peach: Let’s get together
Rose, Pink: Love
Rose, Pink & White: I love you still and always will
Rose, Red: Love, Desire
Rose, Yellow & Orange: Passionate thoughts
Salvia, Blue: I Think of You
Spider Flower: Elope with me
Stephanotis: Happiness in marriage
Stock: You will always be beautiful to me
Tulip: Symbol of The Perfect Lover
Tulip, Red: Declaration of love
Tulip, Variegated: Beautiful eyes
Zinnia, Pink: Lasting Affection
If it is your intention to arrange a valentine flower delivery by using florists
on line, it may seem obvious but do not leave ordering until the last minute.
Make sure they still have the flowers you desire and that they can schedule
that very important valentine day flower delivery.
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Written by 2 on 23 December 2008
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The Christmas tree is one of the most recognizable signs that the Christmas holiday season is upon us.
Purchasers of these in demand seasonal decorations have a choice of real Christmas trees or artificial Christmas trees. There are merits in both real trees and artificial trees and personal taste and budget comes into play.
Traditionalists will no doubt prefer a real tree but there are many excellent artificial trees now offered. Just look at a sample list of artificial trees for sale:
- white Christmas tree
- fibre optic Christmas tree
- black Christmas tree
- fibre optic Christmas tree
- pink Christmas tree
- aluminium Christmas tree
- silver Christmas tree
- led Christmas tree
This is the list of most searched for Christmas trees, have you noticed the missing colour? Green!
Maybe this is a great excuse to buy a real tree. It may seem an awful waste of resources but trees are farmed especially for the Christmas market. If you care about the environment then try to make sure that your tree has been locally grown and has not travelled hundreds of miles to reach you and your local store or market. And fortunately local government authorities are awake to the fact that once Christmas is over these once living decorations need to be recycled.
It is possible to buy a living tree, in other words a variety that is grown in a tub and is slow enough growing to be used for more than one year. After use put outside but do remember not to shock the tree too much. Try not to bring a tree in a tub into the tropical environment of the house straight from freezing conditions outside and vice versa. If possible gradually acclimatise the tree and remember to water regularly when inside as much water will be lost through the needles in the warm atmosphere.
Do you ever stop and wonder why we have a decorated tree at Christmas? If you are interested have a read through this article:
- Christmas Tree Blog Parade 2007 – The Christmas Tree is a mandala, a bundle of symbols showing what creation has to offer: light and the movement of angels, the gifts of orchard and field, forest and sea, all topped off by the star that pointed to the end of the journey …
Among the many Christmas traditions is decorating the tree. When it comes to Christmas tree decor Christmas tree lighting has to be one of the most popular to make the tree look extra special. Decorating Christmas trees is so rewarding giving pleasure through the yuletide period. Some like the minimal approach where others like every bit of tree covered. Does it matter? Absolutely not, we each do it to please ourselves and not others; it is our own little way of celebrating a special time of the year.
Read about more Christmas traditions:
- Three Strange European Christmas Traditions – Every family has it’s own personal christmas traditions. Whether it’s finding somewhere to hide Granny’s ghastly, cement-like christmas cake, the ritualistic unpacking of antique, heirloom decorations or watching that special Christmas …
Have fun decorating your Christmas tree no matter whether it is a real or artificial and enjoy the result of your artistic efforts!
Nice as it is to have a tree indoors, if you are like me you cannot wait to get outside into the garden once more. My garden is my space and the first chance I get I will be out there.
Tags: seasonal decorations
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Written by 2 on 25 November 2008
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What is a wormery? What do worms do to make garden compost for us?
Everybody who would like to be green is into composting. There are different methods of doing it in addition to a big bin in your backyard. In fact there are many ways to make organic lawn fertilizer.
One method of recycling food waste and organic material to make compost is worm composting. This worm compost is known as “vermicompost.” The worms eat food waste and leftovers, which becomes compost as it passes through the worm’s body. This compost can then be utilised as soil or fertilizer for growing plants. The vermicompost is so beneficial for plants because the worms have been consuming vegetable and fruit scraps that are plentiful in nutrients. The resultant compost is very high in nutrients.
Beginning your worm bin in the garden is comparatively simple. A lot of people choose to make their own worm bin for worm composting and gardening. The primary three constituents you will require are the worms, a box and moist newspaper.
For your worm bin and worm composting to be successful, you have to provide the worms with what they demand which is air, dark, moisture, food, and warmth. Be sure the temperature is warm but not hot. The function of the newspaper or alternatively leaves is to supply them with moisture and the essential air
spaces. The common worms for composting are red wigglers and red worms. The scientific names are Lumbricus rubellus and Eisenia foetida. Alternatively you can source them at a worm farm.
Worms have been making compost for years doing it without our help. Beginning wormeries of your own is just completing the cycle and inducing the worm to do what it ordinarily does. The difference is that you will be feeding them particular foods that they need and are better for worm composting. Whilst they will devour any type of organic matter, there are certain foods that are better for the worms used in a worm bin for worm composting.
The recommended foods for the worms are raw fruit and vegetable scraps. There is a myth that any form of leftover scraps are good but this is false. Attempt to avoid oily or buttery cooked foods as they may attract rodents. Foods like dairy products, oils or meats should also be avoided as they also can attract pests and will take longer to break down. Citrus fruits attract fruit flies, onions and broccoli have a strong odour and so should be avoided. If possible use a broad diversity of foods, preferably vegetables, the more vegetable matter used the better your worm bin will perform.
A good size of worm bin for starting out is 24 “x 18″ x 8″. The red wigglers delight in living in the top few inches of the soil. Choices include a glass, wooden or plastic container. Wooden bins should be lined with plastic and covered with a lid, that fits loosely and has holes to admit air. As time passes, the less lining you will have in your bin and the more compost you will have as the worms work tirelessly eating their bedding.
Compost should be ready after about 5 months. You will be able to remove the compost and store it until it is ready to use or use it at once and begin a fresh compost bin with the worms. For more information visit Texas lawn care services.
Further reading:
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A peek into my worm bin « Writing Every Day – Possibly related posts: (automatically generated). The garden sneaks inside · HowTo : Worm Compost Bin · WORMS! Filed under: garden | Tagged: worm bin. « Save the Cat! Leave a Reply. Name (required). Mail (will not be published) …
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Worm Compost – Why Worm Composting Works | Blog.WinGolfer.com – Perhaps you have heard the age old adage that you can’t get anything for free. This is true for most things in life with the exception of Irma composting or.
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Dixon Dragonflies » Worm Composting – Worm Compost Container: worms like to live in a dark place so pick a container which is is opaque vs. clear. Another tip is to add some vented holes to help aerate the habitat. To make it an ideal compost for indoors, add mesh to my …
Tags: garden compost, making compost, worm bin, worm compost, worm composting, wormeries, wormery
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Written by 2 on 10 November 2008
Discover How To Easily Build An Attractive And Affordable Greenhouse
Get 10% Off at Wyevale Garden Centres! Use voucher code introaffiliate at checkout. Offer Excludes Garden Furniture
When it comes to needing supplies from a home and garden supply store, you may find yourself at a loss as to what is the best garden supply company to go with. If you are in need of a large amount of items and you are looking to buy your supplies in bulk, the best thing you can do is to go directly through a garden supply company, as this is always the best way to get the very best deal around. By purchasing your items directly from a garden supply company, you are going to save yourself an incredible amount of money because you are basically cutting out the middleman.
You may not need to go to a garden supply company if your needs are not of course in bulk, however if you need to buy the same types of garden supplies continuously throughout the season then buying through a garden supply company will definitely allow you to save a lot. By buying your garden supplies through this method your costs will be considerably cut compared to buying your garden tools piece by piece, even if does take more than one season for you to use up all your supplies, as the the money you save could be used for other garden items that you may need but have not budgeted for.
The Ideal Place To Shop
When it comes to finding the right kind of garden supply company to shop with, there are a lot of 
things that you need to take into consideration. The garden supply company that would generally work out the best for you would be one that is local to you so that you can go and see all of the products and supplies in person. This is the best way to truly make sure that you are getting exactly what you need. If you do not have a garden supply company near you then there are other options for you.
There are going to be a garden supply company or two that you can find through the listings of your phone book or through the Internet that you can shop with online. You can always have their items shipped directly to you, which can be a great help and a nice convenience for you. Finding the perfect garden supply company for you may take a little time and research but it will be completely worth it in the end and you will see it with the money you end up saving.
Tags: garden furniture, garden tools
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Written by 2 on 06 November 2008
Discover How To Easily Build An Attractive And Affordable Greenhouse
Growing vegetables in a small space or town garden and gardening vegetable plants in a container can be a wonderful hobby. With a little patience, a person can produce bountiful harvests from a few growing plants. Everything from cucumbers, eggplants, carrots, and tomatoes can be grown in containers. Gardening vegetable plants is a little different from producing flowers. Gardening vegetable plants has never been easier and more satisfying now that container gardening has opened the door for veggies such as carrots and eggplant.
The container that will be chosen depends strictly on what planter garden plants will be chosen. If tomatoes are the plant, then a perfect way to purchase them would be to find wholesale garden plants. This way many can be bought at once. When selecting a pot, make sure that it is large enough for the plant to grow tall.
planter garden
Also, gardening vegetable plants like tomatoes requires a metal cage to contain the tomato plant. Otherwise, it will be weighted down when it begins to bear fruit. If root crops such as carrots are to be grown, one must be sure to buy a container that is deep enough. A local nursery should be able to help with container gardening ideas for gardening vegetable plants such as carrots.
Another thing to consider when gardening vegetable plants in box garden planter is what type of potting mix one will use. The main thing to remember here is to make sure that whatever soil is chosen that it drains well. When dealing with a storage box garden, one must remember that it will dry out faster than a field vegetable would.
container herb garden
By choosing a good potting mix in the beginning, gardening vegetable plants will be easier because the soil will more than likely hold water better. A good way to help this is by putting a thin layer of gravel on the bottom of the container. This will help any drainage issues and will also ensure that root rot is kept at bay.
Gardening vegetable plants in a container can be a great thing for people who have small spaces yet still want to have a garden. No longer is a large plot of land needed to grow crops such as tomatoes, carrots, and eggplant.
container gardening ideas
Anyone with a small space can grow these edible plants quickly and easily in containers if they just take the time to learn all there is to know about gardening vegetable plants in a container. The rewards of a vegetable garden can make a person’s mouth salivate at just the thought of all those vegetables.
Tags: container gardening ideas, containers, growing vegetables
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Written by 2 on 27 October 2008
Discover How To Easily Build An Attractive And Affordable Greenhouse
My Introduction to Gardening.
I was what you would call an armchair gardener. It’s not that I didn’t have the drive. When I lived in my parents house when I was a teenager, I remember having a flower and garden spot in the backyard that would rock your world. I grew some of the freshest tomatoes and some of the most beautiful daisies that could exist. Then I lived in a small apartment in New-York, I had about no room at all for my possessions. Have something growing was unthinkable.
Then I moved to San Francisco and everything changed. I went to a SF flower and garden show, and was blown away by what I saw. You see, San Francisco has a unique climate. Practically everything that can grow can grow there. It is bright enough for plants that need a lot of sunlight, yet there is enough precipitation for plants that need a lot of moisture. It is not too cold and not too hot. It stays almost the same temperature all year. In short, it is the ideal temperate climate.
Because of that, San Francisco flower and garden shows are known over the globe. They have some of the best and brightest flowers, the freshest fruits and vegetables, and the most striking gourds that people have ever seen. Every garden and flower publication profiles them every year, and each year it is getting better and better. It’s quite impossible not to be obsessed with the idea of growing something on your own when you go to the flower and garden show in San Francisco. The plants look so wonderful, after all that, how could you resist?
Tags: plants, tomatoes
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Written by 2 on 08 October 2008
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If there is one area of the garden that many of us take for granted it is the lawn. After all it grows, we cut it and it just grows again. But grass is a plant and to get the best out of it we need to give it some attention.
There are a lot of people on the internet and in the real world who think that professional lawn maintenance contractors are harming the environment. (I am mainly referring to lawn spraying services ie: fertilizer and weed control pest companies.)
Lawn fertilizing companies like TruGreen ChemLawn, Scott’s Lawn Service, Spring Green and Lawn Doctor all have large operations in throughout the United States, so it would seem logical that they are putting down tons of pesticides in home lawns each week. But have you considered what homeowners are doing when they attempt to apply these products themselves?
Let’s Explore the Problems That DIYers Face
1) Bags of DIY Weed-n-Feed sold to homeowners contain an over-abundance of nitrogen which detroys the soil and pushes too much top growth. The reason for this is that homeowners want quick results or they won’t buy the product again. Because of this, manufacturers of homeowner pesticide and weed-n-feed products pack in the elements that produce the results, not concerning themselves with the long-term effects of health for the lawn.
2) Continuing with that thought, those bags most normally contain “quick release” fertilizers that create fast greening, but no sustainable long term benefit to the turf. Feeding your lawn too much nitrogen from over-the-counter fertilizer bags like Scott’s and K-Grow is like feeding your kids candy all the time for every meal! Fast-release products give a quick rush, and that is all.
3) There is a big concern with runoff when talking about any product applied to a lawn. The problem with you doing your own is that you put down too much (because you think ‘more’ is ‘better’) and because you get a ton of the stuff all over your driveway and sidewalks. Guess where all that goes when it rains?
The key is FOLLOWING the DIRECTIONS on the bagged products! And most DIY homeowners do not understand fertilizer rates and proper application technique. Also, DIY equipment is not calibrated easily and the pattern is hard to gauge with cheaper lawn spreaders and sprayers.
4) A granular weed-n-feed product like the Scott’s Plus 2 product contains herbicide and fertilizer in one convenient bag: just dump in your spreader, set the release rate, and lay it down…easy! The problem is that you are throwing massive amounts of granular weed killers everywhere weather there are weeds there or not.
It doesn’t make sense to throw weed-killing pesticides in areas of the lawn where there are no weeds! But with that bag of “weed-and-feed,” you have no choice!
The best alternative to Weed-n-Feed products
I recommend a balanced approach that utilizes target weed control as needed with the eventual goal of eliminating it completely. This is what your professional lawn spraying company will do as a part of their everyday practices! They do not want to put down pesticides if they are not needed because that will cost them too much money! They use less because of environmental issues, and because it is better for their profit margins!
This is accomplished by spot-spraying weeds using a back pack pump sprayer with liquid weed control. In some cases, a blanket application of liquid weed control may be needed, but over time, this will be reduced until the weed problem is manageable by good old fashioned “pulling” by hand.
Many of the larger lawn care companies are beginning to offer organic and natural fertilizers that are very much slow release. This slower release means you don’t need as many applications per year, because the nutrients are being dissolved into the lawn on a slow, consistent basis over time.
If you still want to do your lawn lawn, then you will need to buy several products in an ala-carte fashion. Don’t try to find the “perfect lawn in a bag.”
You should use a good organic fertilizer such as Milorganite 4-5 times per year, and use a spot-spraying method for the weeds. You will need to mix your own herbicide in a pump sprayer and control the delivery. In addition, you should apply separate treatments for grub worms and fungus as needed.
You can get free estimates from screened lawn maintenance contractors in your area by clicking here.
Tags: lawn maintenance
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Written by 2 on 08 October 2008
Discover How To Easily Build An Attractive And Affordable Greenhouse
Annual flowering plants are perhaps the easiest plants you will ever grow. Yet their ease of growth does not limit them from providing continuous color all season long. Whether your yard is small or large, or you are restricted to a small courtyard, annuals are a good choice for you.
Most annuals are grown by sowing seed, either in the early spring in a heated greenhouse or at home in a sunny window sill. Some annuals are planted directly in the soil during warmer weather. Some annuals are so adaptable that you only need to sow them once and they will self seed, producing plants every year. These are considered hardy annuals and need little guidance for regular planting.
On the other hand are annual flowering plants that require early planting indoors and need to be transplanted into the ground when the weather permits. These plants are easily damaged by frost in the early spring but thrive during the warm months of summer.
If you choose to start annuals by seed, you will find a better selection by ordering them through a catalog or online. However, the more limited selections that are found at nurseries and garden centers may be more helpful because of their colorful packaging and that they are likely suitable for your local environment. If you do buy seeds from garden centers, always avoid packets that are faded, yellow, and have been exposed to sunlight as these seeds may not grow well.
The easier way to start annuals is to purchase young plants in the spring that have been started in a greenhouse. Buying starters is a great alternative for people who don’t have the space or resources to start their own from seed. However, buying young plants is always more costly that purchasing seeds.
Growing Annuals in the spring is always exciting for a gardener. So which ever method you choose, you are sure to enjoy beautiful blooms all season long.
More gardening tips for the flower garden throughout the year.
Tags: gardener, greenhouse, seeds
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Written by admin on 09 September 2008
Discover How To Easily Build An Attractive And Affordable Greenhouse
At the weekend I found time to watch a television program that I had recorded of a TV personality designing and planting up a large herbaceous border in their new and bigger home and garden. Some really nice plants and shrubs were chosen, I wish I had the spare cash to go out and buy all those at one go. Or maybe not, there is something special about planning, getting the bones of a border done and adding some specials as you can afford it.
The funny thing was it took me back to the first border I created in my present garden twenty years ago. The circumstances were similar; suddenly a bigger garden and the chance to plant those big shrubs where one would have filled the old garden, also the opportunity to plant an all year round garden. Add to that the fact the border was cut in front of a large hedge and it really was a feeling of déjà vu.
If I was starting my border with the knowledge and experience gained during those twenty years I would do things differently and I could see this presenter making what I would now think of as making the same mistakes. I am not saying my knowledge of plants is greater because I am certain it is not, it is more of looking at practical issues to do with the situation.
Whilst the planting was being done I also wondered whether once established certain things would overpower the rest of the border. Jump 12 months on and in my opinion that looked the case. It is all a matter of your own taste of course, I have and have had my own gardening heroes who have influenced my style of planting but in the end I do what I like and not to please everybody else.
My Garden is My Space and no matter what the weather, it provides me with a lot of enjoyment.
Tags: plants, shrubs
Posted in Flower garden tips, Gardening for Beginners, garden, gardening tips | No Comments »
Written by admin on 10 July 2008
Discover How To Easily Build An Attractive And Affordable Greenhouse
Support Those Plants
We all have good intentions but how often do we forget to stake tall growing perennial flowering plants before they get too high and start falling over? If this is you, add supports to tall plants such as lupins, delphiniums and gladioli.
Geraniums and Delphiniums
I love growing geraniums but after the first flush of flowers they can start to look a bit untidy. Be brave and cut back your geraniums after their first flush to encourage a second flowering period, feed to help them on their way. Delphiniums can be treated in the same manner.
Hanging Baskets and Containers
If your displays start to look a bit wild or tired, cut back the plants in your baskets and containers and feed to encourage fresh foliage and flower.
Retain Moisture
It is surprising how quickly some soils can dry out. Help to retain moisture by mulching which will also help to keep the weeds down.
Alpines or Rockery Plants
I am sure I am not the only one who finds alpine or rockery plants can develop bare patches in the middle. Rub gritty compost into these areas to encourage re-growth.
Sweet Peas
Keep cutting and bringing them into the house to enjoy their colour and perfume.
More Flower Garden Tips for July
Tags: container, containers, flower garden, gardening, geraniums, hanging basket, hanging baskets
Posted in Flower garden tips, Gardening for Beginners, garden, gardening tips | No Comments »
