Expert Way to Design Front Yard Garden
>> Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Showing posts with label Expert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Expert. Show all posts
Expert Way to Treat New Sod
How to Treat New Sod
Instructions
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Immediately after laying sod, really soak it to a depth of 6 inches. This will likely take several hours.
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Set a watering schedule on a calendar and don't miss a day unless it rains. Place several pails in the sprinkler's path. Turn off the sprinkler when the water in the pails measures 1 inch to avoid "drowning" the sod. Do this every other day for the first three weeks to ensure roots are establishing themselves in the soil underneath.
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Mow after four to seven days. Maintain grass at a height of 2 inches, but allow it to grow at least 1 inch between mowings.
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After three weeks, change the watering schedule. Water every five to seven days, using the pails to measure when you've reached an inch of watering.
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Fertilize new sod in spring or fall (whichever comes first) at a ratio of 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Water the lawn briefly after application.
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After two months, aerate the established sod with a core aerator to keep soil from becoming too compact and allow oxygen and nutrients to permeate the ground.
Tips & Warnings
- Always plant sod within 48 hours of purchase.
- Do not water a new sod lawn every day. Too much water will pool under the sod layer and rot the roots.
Choose a Hedge for a Garden
Article from : ehow.com
How to Choose a Hedge for a Garden
With
the exception of a brick or stone wall, a dense hedge is the best way
to make an attractive and almost impenetrable boundary around a garden.
Hedges have a few advantages over walls, too. They can be neatly clipped
into decorative shapes, or allowed to grow informally. Of course,
unlike a wall or fence, they also change with the seasons.Many plants
make effective hedging, from a formal yew as a green backdrop, to a
colorful barberry feature in its own right. The most time-consuming task
is trimming your hedge. This is usually an annual job, though you may
need to do it more often to keep formal or fast-growing hedges in shape.
Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Define the hedge's purpose. Apart from marking the boundary of your property, a hedge can also screen passing traffic, pedestrians or neighbors, giving your garden some privacy. It can also create secluded areas, as well as shelter from wind or sun.
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Decide whether the hedge will be formal or informal. Also decide whether you prefer it to form an evergreen or deciduous barrier.
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Select yew or boxwood for formal hedging. Yew is the ultimate in elegant, formal hedging, but is relatively expensive and slow-growing. For low, formal hedging, boxwood makes a dense edging.
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Create an inexpensive informal hedge with cypress. While yew is formal at the other extreme, hedge-leaved Leyland cypress is fast-growing and cheap. If kept trim, it quickly makes a dense, regular hedge. A slower-growing, and more attractive, evergreen hedge can be made with arborvitae, Lawson cypress, or well-clipped green or variegated hollies.
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Plant a deciduous hedge. Beech is an excellent deciduous hedge that retains its leaves during the winter to provide a good degree of screening. Deciduous forsythia and flowering quince lose their leaves in autumn, but the interest they provide at other times makes them a good choice where an all-year round barrier is not essential.
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Select colorful berries for a unique informal hedge. Many barberries make good informal hedges, especially Japanese barberry, with its many cultivars, and pyracantha, which has white flowers and colorful berries.
Fungi in Your Garden
>> Monday, November 5, 2012
Fungi in Your Garden by Jo Poultney
Fungi may not be on the top of a planting list for your garden,
but during autumn gardens provide the perfect habitat for some of our
most fascinating species of native fungi. Fungi with weird and
wonderful shapes and colours seem to appear almost overnight and then
disappear just as quickly. At a time when most plants in the garden are
not looking their best, fungi can create an interesting focal point,
growing in gravel, under trees and even on the trunk of trees. Here are a
few of the most interesting you are likely to find in your garden
during the autumn months.
A word of caution before we begin - remember, that although most fungi are harmless and many even edible, a few species are extremely toxic and should be handled with caution. Never attempt to eat a fungus unless you are completely certain of its identity.
Perhaps the most evocative of fungi and one that as children we associate with fairy tales, is the Fly Agaric. This fungi has a long white stem topped by a red cap decorated with a distinctive pattern of white spots that fade with age. It is a common fungi that likes to live among birch and conifer trees. Appreciate it for its beauty but best not to touch it as it is highly toxic.
Another common fungi most often found on pieces of dead wood in the garden is the Common Ink Cap. It has a long stem, white flesh and an egg-shaped cap that gradually expands with age. Although not very visually appealing, this fungi is actually edible.
Another fungus that likes to live on dead deciduous wood, particularly oak, sweet chestnut and beech is the Beefsteak fungus. Often called Ox-tongue fungus because of its shape, it is also edible. It is blood red coloured on the upper side which gradually darkens with age, and white on the underside. Another similar fungus you certainly won't miss is the bright yellow Chicken of the Woods. It lives on both living wood and the trunks of dead deciduous trees. It is also edible and actually very tasty.
Less appealing and, not surprisingly, inedible, is the Stinking parasol. This white parasol-shaped fungus has dark brown scales on the top and an unpleasant smell. It is common to woods as well as gardens.
Next time you are out in the garden, take a look around for some of these fascinating fungi. In particularly wet autumns you will even find them growing in garden planters.
A word of caution before we begin - remember, that although most fungi are harmless and many even edible, a few species are extremely toxic and should be handled with caution. Never attempt to eat a fungus unless you are completely certain of its identity.
Perhaps the most evocative of fungi and one that as children we associate with fairy tales, is the Fly Agaric. This fungi has a long white stem topped by a red cap decorated with a distinctive pattern of white spots that fade with age. It is a common fungi that likes to live among birch and conifer trees. Appreciate it for its beauty but best not to touch it as it is highly toxic.
Another common fungi most often found on pieces of dead wood in the garden is the Common Ink Cap. It has a long stem, white flesh and an egg-shaped cap that gradually expands with age. Although not very visually appealing, this fungi is actually edible.
Another fungus that likes to live on dead deciduous wood, particularly oak, sweet chestnut and beech is the Beefsteak fungus. Often called Ox-tongue fungus because of its shape, it is also edible. It is blood red coloured on the upper side which gradually darkens with age, and white on the underside. Another similar fungus you certainly won't miss is the bright yellow Chicken of the Woods. It lives on both living wood and the trunks of dead deciduous trees. It is also edible and actually very tasty.
Less appealing and, not surprisingly, inedible, is the Stinking parasol. This white parasol-shaped fungus has dark brown scales on the top and an unpleasant smell. It is common to woods as well as gardens.
Next time you are out in the garden, take a look around for some of these fascinating fungi. In particularly wet autumns you will even find them growing in garden planters.
Expert Dwarf Fruit Trees
Article from : ezinearticle.com
Dwarf Fruit Trees By Deon Ferdinand Minnie
You are an avid gardener. However, do not have enough space to
live out your passion for gardening. Dwarf trees are the solution. The
dwarf fruit tree is a smaller tree but will still produce regular sized
fruits. Miniature fruit trees are very popular with backyard and balcony
gardeners who want a variety of their favorite fruits. Growing your own
dwarf fruit trees in your backyard or patio is possible with a bit of
effort. Soon a mini orchard will be on the patio.
Dwarf fruit trees are perfect where you only have a limited amount of outdoor space. The dwarf fruit trees can actually be left in potted containers. Soon you will have a large crop of fruit growing right on your patio or apartment balcony. Delicious fruit will be available in your house for seasons to come.
First, decide the ideal spot you want to place the tree. Take in consideration the amount of shade and sunlight it will need.
Choose Fruit Tree Varieties.
You can select from a vast range of trees like apple, peach, cherry. Select your fruit tree based on the amount of sunlight or shade it needs. Apple trees require plenty of sunlight with good air circulation. Space the dwarf fruit trees so it do not get too overcrowded on the patio. Planting is best done in late autumn. Protect the roots and keep them moist until they are planted. Reducing the size of the trees can be done in four ways.
Dwarfing Rootstocks
Branches of fruit trees are grafted to dwarf rootstocks to produce smaller trees. Their are several varieties of dwarfing rootstock available which restrict the tree's growth. For a backyard orchard, you can grow several smaller trees of your favorite fruit,one large tree with a few different varieties grafted onto it. Some dwarfing rootstocks are better suited for dry and poor soil, where other rootstocks will need high quality soil. Miniature or dwarfing rootstock is not the same across all fruit varieties. You can produce 3 to four foot high dwarf apples, but a dwarf cherry tree is still a tree 18 to 20 feet tall.
Your local nursery should be able to tell you what rootstock their dwarf trees are grown on. Specialist nurseries will graft the varieties you want, on suitable rootstocks for your purpose. If you want a apple on a rootstock for a cordon or espalier, ask your fruit nursery if they can supply you with a particular variety and rootstock combination best suited for your soil, and the type of pruning you want to do.
Genetic dwarf fruit trees
Genetic miniature trees are trees, which are very short with heavy branches. They are not regular sized trees made smaller and you may not be able to get your favorite apple or peach variety as a genetic dwarf. These are most often peaches, nectarines, almonds, apricots and apples, small enough to grow in pots. Depending where you live, they may need winter protection.
Controlled pruning
Pruning methods produce fruit trees of a more manageable size. These trees may be on regular rootstock. Espaliers, where the tree are grown flat on a set of wires on a building or between posts, or cordons, where single straight branches are interwoven to create fence patterns are the two most common types of controlled pruning. Many miniature fruit trees can be espaliered or grown as a cordon, which decorate fences, or for growing flat against the protection of a wall.
Control Dwarf Tree Growth in Pots.
Fruit trees grown in Pots, with restricted soil and root growth, can be dwarfed in the same way a bonsai tree is dwarfed, with pruning of the roots and branches at the correct time of year. By growing the pot grown varieties on dwarfing rootstocks you can further restrict their size.
Most trees can be grown in large pots (10 to 15 inches),with the exception of cherry trees, which need larger pots, up to 18 inches. Fruit in pots should be grown in fertile soil with 1/3 of the soil mix being perlite or vermiculite to keep the soil from getting waterlogged. You can use slow release fertilizer pellets, or feed them every two weeks with a high potassium liquid feeding. Fruit trees in pots should be repotted every year or two after leaf fall. When your tree has reached its mature size, it should be root pruned every other year and replaced back in it' spot with roughly 20% new soil. Root pruning for this purpose should remove at least the outer inch of roots.
Dwarf fruit trees are perfect where you only have a limited amount of outdoor space. The dwarf fruit trees can actually be left in potted containers. Soon you will have a large crop of fruit growing right on your patio or apartment balcony. Delicious fruit will be available in your house for seasons to come.
First, decide the ideal spot you want to place the tree. Take in consideration the amount of shade and sunlight it will need.
Choose Fruit Tree Varieties.
You can select from a vast range of trees like apple, peach, cherry. Select your fruit tree based on the amount of sunlight or shade it needs. Apple trees require plenty of sunlight with good air circulation. Space the dwarf fruit trees so it do not get too overcrowded on the patio. Planting is best done in late autumn. Protect the roots and keep them moist until they are planted. Reducing the size of the trees can be done in four ways.
Dwarfing Rootstocks
Branches of fruit trees are grafted to dwarf rootstocks to produce smaller trees. Their are several varieties of dwarfing rootstock available which restrict the tree's growth. For a backyard orchard, you can grow several smaller trees of your favorite fruit,one large tree with a few different varieties grafted onto it. Some dwarfing rootstocks are better suited for dry and poor soil, where other rootstocks will need high quality soil. Miniature or dwarfing rootstock is not the same across all fruit varieties. You can produce 3 to four foot high dwarf apples, but a dwarf cherry tree is still a tree 18 to 20 feet tall.
Your local nursery should be able to tell you what rootstock their dwarf trees are grown on. Specialist nurseries will graft the varieties you want, on suitable rootstocks for your purpose. If you want a apple on a rootstock for a cordon or espalier, ask your fruit nursery if they can supply you with a particular variety and rootstock combination best suited for your soil, and the type of pruning you want to do.
Genetic dwarf fruit trees
Genetic miniature trees are trees, which are very short with heavy branches. They are not regular sized trees made smaller and you may not be able to get your favorite apple or peach variety as a genetic dwarf. These are most often peaches, nectarines, almonds, apricots and apples, small enough to grow in pots. Depending where you live, they may need winter protection.
Controlled pruning
Pruning methods produce fruit trees of a more manageable size. These trees may be on regular rootstock. Espaliers, where the tree are grown flat on a set of wires on a building or between posts, or cordons, where single straight branches are interwoven to create fence patterns are the two most common types of controlled pruning. Many miniature fruit trees can be espaliered or grown as a cordon, which decorate fences, or for growing flat against the protection of a wall.
Control Dwarf Tree Growth in Pots.
Fruit trees grown in Pots, with restricted soil and root growth, can be dwarfed in the same way a bonsai tree is dwarfed, with pruning of the roots and branches at the correct time of year. By growing the pot grown varieties on dwarfing rootstocks you can further restrict their size.
Most trees can be grown in large pots (10 to 15 inches),with the exception of cherry trees, which need larger pots, up to 18 inches. Fruit in pots should be grown in fertile soil with 1/3 of the soil mix being perlite or vermiculite to keep the soil from getting waterlogged. You can use slow release fertilizer pellets, or feed them every two weeks with a high potassium liquid feeding. Fruit trees in pots should be repotted every year or two after leaf fall. When your tree has reached its mature size, it should be root pruned every other year and replaced back in it' spot with roughly 20% new soil. Root pruning for this purpose should remove at least the outer inch of roots.
Artificial Palm Trees for Surroundings Lively
>> Friday, November 2, 2012
Artificial Palm Trees Make Surroundings Lively by Pardeep
If you have got fed up of all the dull things in life or you feel as if you are lacking something whenever you give your decor a closer look, it may be the time for setting up a few artificial palm trees in your living room, bedroom, patio or balcony. They indeed make every place full of cheer with their life like looks and luscious foliage. There have been a lot of arguments over stimulating and therapeutic effects of using green things around you. They are believed to make you feel relaxed after a stressful day at work. In fact, when kept in bedrooms they tend to make your mornings beautiful and no wonder, a good start at day ensures good time throughout the day.You could even put them in children's bedrooms to make sure that your children enjoy increased focus. They start to pay attention to even the most boring subjects, which they did not like earlier. Artificial palm trees have actually been proved to have positive effects on growing children's mind. They even bring positive energies to the lives of people who are suffering from some or the other illnesses. For this reason they are widely used in hospitals too!
What is meant to be said here is that no matter where you keep the artificial palm trees UK they do turn even the most unexciting corner into a fascinating place. Further for the reasons that they do not ask for any maintenance and they never wilt like real plants and trees do, the fake palms are preferred to their natural counterparts by all. When you choose them, you are making sure that no manual efforts are put into them - there will be no need to pour in water into them every day; to add supplements every fortnight and to prune them every month (at least). The fact that they are made from UV protected material that is treated with solvent based inks make them resistant to extreme temperatures.
Whether you keep them under direct sun or in heavy rains they will be not harmed at all. Not even the high winds (snowy winds) can cause them to break apart - their foliage, branches and stems are attached to each other by using high quality adhesives.
Thus, artificial palm trees not only transform the place into a livelier space but also ensure that you enjoy all the comforts. Once you get them for your homes, offices or wedding venues you are going to be worry free.
Common Expert Garden
All About Gardening by David Botham
Today in this age of global warming every single human being is getting more aware of the importance of the greenery. Everyone has understood the problem and is trying to give their best for the society. Gardening is one step towards attaining this goal of restoring the green in the society. But the problem today is space and time; gardening has needed some time to develop into a full-fledged decorative garden. These gardens not only add to the greenery but also enhance the beauty of your house or bungalow or even your flats or apartments. Landscaping is another way of beautifying the landscapes of your houses. It is the art of keeping a landscape safe, healthy and attractive in the form of a garden or a park.There are many innovative and modern ways by which the art of gardening and landscaping has come forward in a new avatar. Let us take a tour on some of these ideas here.
1. Types of gardens:
• Private gardens
Private gardens are beautifully decorated gardens which are a treat to view. These gardens are generally the part of someone's home or farms and are not open to the public. But these gardens are sometimes open to the public as they are decorated so beautifully and are aesthetically very appealing. These are open only for any particular day for the view to the public.
• Commercial gardens
Commercial gardens are the open space outside your office or workplace which can create a positive environment for your clients as well as your employees. These also serve the social purpose of maintaining the greenery on your campus. There are professional teams to make your garden unique and beautiful. These may also be requirement oriented and production sustainable gardens for spa and restaurant clients.
2. Maintaining the gardens:
• The secret gardens team
Maintaining the gardens has gone professional as the teams like the Secret Garden Team provides you services from grass-cutting to a complete makeover of your landscape and gives a decorative look to your garden.
• Designing the garden
Designing your garden in a professional way with the right trees and flower plants at the right place is very important to have a highly appealing garden which may be mesmerizing to the viewers. There are professional teams whom you can hire and make your garden space into a garden to look on to, where even the butterflies and the birds will be happy to stay on.
It suffices to say that the earth is not getting any cooler and the most we can do is have a garden of our own. We can do this for our own benefit and have a lush and beautiful environment with clean air. With a single act you make your area healthy and provide benefit to a number of flora and fauna. And a really good garden can also help you with prices for the real estate. What you need to do is keep the garden maintained and reap benefits for an eternity.
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