16 Lawn Mower Safety Tips
June 22, 2008
1. Always read the instruction manual before operating your lawnmower. I know it sounds boring but there is a very good reason you are supposed to read it (didn’t you ever wonder why you were never able to set the time on your vcr?).
2. Always pick up all foreign objects before you start mowing. Types of items that can adversely affect your mower are rocks, branches (even small twigs sometimes), kids toys, hoses.
3. Don’t allow children or pets to play in the yard while you are mowing the lawn.
4. Take note of what the instruction manual says about handling your lawn mower. If it says to push it then don’t pull it. Sounds obvious, but some mowers are built to go in a specific direction.
5. Don’t fill the tank of the lawn mower with gas in an enclosed area such as under the house, in a garage or in a shed. This can lead to a buildup of combustible fumes.
6. Don’t smoke anything and keep any other kind of open flame far away while filling your gas tank.
7. Avoid storing oil, gas and petrol in unmarked containers, especially containers that have been previously used for something edible.
Imagine Your Own Orchid Garden In A Pond
June 21, 2008
Who doesn’t love to hear the water rushing and flowing through a very pretty orchid garden in a pond? Yes, this does not have to be only a dream. You can make it a reality.
Almost by definition orchids are a tropical plant dependent on the rain for their nutrition and health. They are used to humidity of about 40 - 60%. What better place to have this then in a beautiful orchid garden pond.
I think it the flow of the water that makes this site a very tranquil place. It is wonderful to have a sitting area near the orchid garden pond where you can relax and let the troubles of the day pass by.
Constructing a water garden is fairly easy to do with many sites on the Web where you can get information. There are several points that you should take into consideration before you start your project according to expert Peter Mays at Pond Solutions. the pond should be in full sun
Plants, Birds, Love and Deer Hate
June 20, 2008
Hi Friends;
This is the second year in a row I am dealing with a woodchuck.
That’s a ground hog to some.
A youngster that is finding my yard its personal salad bowl.
I won’t have sunflowers for the finches this fall and other things are getting munched on.
Last year I borrowed a live trap and relocated that one.
I’ll be doing the same thing as soon as I get the trap.
Now, I don’t know if this furry beast is a problem in your yard or garden but in mine……….. it means war.
Doing some research, I can’t find much of a list for plants that are woodchuck resistant.
I have observed what it doesn’t eat and the list is similar to deer and rabbit resistant plants.
Now what does this have to do with backyard birds you ask?
Well, it helps my blood pressure knowing that certain plants won’t become Mr Woody’s lunch and several plants are for birds.
Let’s Get Started
Several of these plants, you already have in your yard and a few of them you just may want after this is all said and done.
Gardening Tips and Tricks for Late Autumn
June 19, 2008
Preparing for the Winter Months: Gardening in October
When you feel that first solid bite in the breeze and you see the songbirds winging their way south, and the trees are bursting with fire-laden hues, you know you can’t be spending the weekend curled up by the fireplace with a good book. Not for long.
While the weather is still gardener-friendly, you must shorten your “to-do” lists for the coming of late fall and early winter. Now is the time to attack your lawn and garden by planting your spring bulbs, buying and maintaining your trees and shrubs, doing your late autumn lawn care, using common-sense watering strategies, building a compost bin and making your own compost, controlling the many common garden pests, and winning at the weed-whacking war before the sudden onset of the fickle, cold and all-enveloping winter season.
Planting Your Perennials
Plant the spring-flowering bulbs until the ground becomes frozen, and prepare your tender but tenacious perennials for the coming seasonal changes. Remember that in the milder climates, bulbs can still be divided and transplanted. Plant hardy bulbs anytime before the soil freezes, but it’s best to plant them early enough so the root systems can grow before winter arrives. In some climates, you can plant until Thanksgiving or even Christmas. Late-planted bulbs develop roots in the spring, and may bloom late. But they’ll arrive on time by next year.
A Look at Planting Flower Bulbs
June 18, 2008
Flowers are a favorite of many backyard gardeners. Thanks to their ease of planting and relatively low cost, flower bulbs are a popular choice for flower gardens. Not only are flower bulbs beautiful, but planting them is a very simple undertaking.
Planting flower bulbs is so easy, in fact, that it’s almost foolproof. The most important consideration is timing. Flower bulbs need to be planted when the ground is cool-not too hot and not too cold. It’s best to plant them about six weeks before the ground freezes.
The next consideration is location. You’ll want to choose a place where the soil drains well-bulbs do not grow well in areas with standing water. Bulbs also need a location that is well lit and sunny.
Make sure that the soil is loose. It does not require any fertilization or special treatment. However, you might want to add compost or peat moss if you’re working in a new flowerbed.
The next consideration in planting flower bulbs is purely cosmetic. You’ll want to consider the placement of the various flowers. Generally, bulbs should be densely planted-they do not look as nice planted alone or in thin lines. Taller flowers should be planted behind short ones. Consider the finished product as you are planning your flower beds. Think about which color combinations work best together, as well as which varieties of flowers best complement each other.
Winter Gardening
June 18, 2008
As the end of summer approaches, unfortunately far too quickly, all is not lost for gardening with some great ideas on bringing a piece of your garden indoors and creating a winter garden.
Studies have shown that as the year progresses the less sunlight and more dreary days we have, the more depressed we feel. Of course one of the best ideas is to take a trip to a sunny hot location, but that not being a choice for all of us or even in addition to taking a holiday you can create a winter garden. And the great part is, winter gardening doesn’t need to take up a lot of room in your house or apartment, it can be created in many ways to give that boost when you need it most!
The space you make for yourself should, if at all possible include a comfortable chair and some place to keep your plants. You can also add a bright picture of outdoors and a lamp (see further down for the types of lamps you can use).
Straw Bale Culture Technique
June 17, 2008
In general, plants grown in straw bales appear to require less water than when grown in soil. Another benefit to using straw bale culture is the garden bed will turn into compost offering some additional nutrients to your vegetables and herbs. The constantly composing environment warms up to provide gentle heat to the roots of plants and for your greenhouse. After some preparation and processing the compost will also begin to generate Co2 which will help to boost your plant’s growth rate.
Instructions: Wheat straw bales are a good choice for cultivating plants. You should try to remove any weeds that may sprout, then follow the instructions below to get started growing your vegetable crops “Straw Culture” style.
Construct Garden Area The straws should be tied and in a vertical position. Build a (plastic) barrier/fence around your garden area to hold the bales in place. If you do build a barrier around your garden, make sure the bales are packed in well. The barrier should be made of plastic or other synthetic material and not consist of wood or other biodegradable substance.
How to Install a Liner Pond
June 16, 2008
Liner ponds are ideal for the experienced water gardener because they allow for very forgiving installations, which consequently promotes greater creativity. However, for the very same reasons, liner ponds also take require some pre-planning. Before you commence a liner pond project, you should purchase a pond liner that is of the appropriate size for your pond dimensions. To determine the appropriate liner size, it is recommended that you use a pond liner calculator (I.e. like the one on GardenSM.com’s website). To follow are instructions and tips on how you can install your very own liner pond.
It is recommended that you purchase an EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) liner that is at least 45 mil in thickness. EPDM is a highly stable material that stays flexible in temperatures from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 175 degrees Fahrenheit. Unlike other liner materials, it does not contain plasticizers that could cause it to become brittle with age. EPDM will also last longer than other liner materials because it is resistant to the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation (UV), and it has high expansion and contraction characteristics that enable it to conform to rocks and tree roots in the earth sub grade.
The Many Types of Palm Trees
June 15, 2008
There are thousands of species of Palm Trees. They are considered to be tropical in nature, but most people are not aware that cold hardy palms may be planted outside without any visible damage from temperatures as cold as -20°F. You can see this as far north as Canada and Switzerland
Palm trees, like banana trees, give your home and garden that tropical look, usually found around pools and family recreational areas. Once established, Palm Trees are relatively maintenance free and are not significantly bothered by insects and disease.
There are two basic types of Palm trees and we will tell you about the Northern and Southern Palms.
Cold Palms (Northern Palms)
Afghanistan palm - Pakistan Palm and Mazari Palm - This palm may be the coldest hardy in the world, according to authoritative doctors on the subject of Palms. Their fruit is also edible and very popular to eat in that impoverished nation. The tree grows very slowly and thrives in desert conditions.
Dwarf Palmetto or Sabal minor - Blue Palmetto is widely distributed throughout the Southeastern United States and grows about 6ft. tall in shaded locations. This Palm is very difficult to transplant from the wild.
Patio Accessories ? Complete The Great Outdoors
June 14, 2008
Patio accessories can range from small to large and of all types of materials and styles depending on your garden décor. Outdoor entertaining on the patio or backyard has skyrocketed in the last few years as people are treating their patios as outdoor rooms. Homeowners want to extend their homes, and adding accessories on the patio is one way to turn the indoors out. A patio accessory can be just about anything. Some ideas to enhance your garden and add decorative touches are: wind chimes, decorative flags, weathervanes, bird baths, houses, feeders, garden stakes, planters and more. These are only a few of the thousands of things you can choose to add some decoration to your patio. You could also splurge on thick plump pillows on a wrought iron love seat. What about decorative rag rugs with ticking stripes for patio seat cushions? Fabrics along with your accessories make for a wonderful splash of color. I choose to keep to the same color palette that I have in my house. It only makes decorating sense to me to just keep the palettes going outside. I don’t like the look of having one distinct color inside and then a completely different color outside. Flow is the rule indoors, why not outdoors too? Keep the color flow going with your furniture, and then add a pop of an unusual color with your accessories. If you aren’t sure about the lime green or the hot pink, just add a little of it until you see if you want more.
