Article Notices for 'Gardening' Category

Electric Lawn Mowers

Monday, August 4th, 2008

There are so many reasons why you should look into electric lawn mowers, and only a scant few reasons why you may not want to go in this direction. The upside is obvious. These mowers start easily, there’s no expensive gas, messy tune ups or oil changes, relatively little maintenance, no harmful gases are emitted and you can mow your yard for just pennies. The savings just on gas are extensive. So what’s the downside?

Read more at: Electric Lawn Mowers

Backyard Putting Greens Perfect For Busy People

Sunday, August 3rd, 2008

I used to love to garden. Every weekend, I would usually spend at least ten hours outside just working on my vegetables and flower beds. I did not consider it work at all. It was just something to help me to relax. The problem is that I do not have half as much time to just kick back and relax as I used to have. Every moment of free time has to count now that I am working over 60 hours a week. That is why I decided to ditch the garden and get a backyard putting green. Of course, I have been playing on indoor outdoor putting greens for a long time. At my workplace, we actually have a portable putting green set up in the break room. It is a great off…

Planting a Small Garden

Friday, August 1st, 2008

A small garden can be a beautiful addition to your home or property, even when you don’t think you have that much space with which to work. What is even better is that there are quite a few ways you can do this. You can have flowers or vegetables, or you can even have a small herb garden if you love to cook with fresh herbs a lot.

When it comes to flowers, you can use a small plot for your small garden and still have something that offers you beauty and serenity.

Read more details in the full article about Small Garden

Reasons To Buy Image Stabilizing Binoculars

Friday, August 1st, 2008

Exposing cameras, video recorders and binoculars to inclement weather is a warranted concern for most people. Obviously the idea of holding your binoculars out in the rain seems unwise. You can buy an image stabilized binocular that can actually safely be used in the rain or snow. Although you don’t want to do this on a regular basis, it’s good to know that if you are caught out in the elements, that your binoculars are safe.
A tripod is commonly used for binoculars, particularly for those interested in watching wildlife. It can take hours to catch a glimpse of a particular bird or animal.

Using Scent As Natural Skunk Repellent

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

The difference between us and animals is that they define their turf by urine marking. Whenever a critter smells the scent of its superior, it will vacate the area, and most likely never return. Using this method of natural, instinctive fear, skunk repellent uses the strongest deterrent possible – the ammonia scent of its predator, the fox. This might sound messy and time consuming, but it’s just the opposite. Skunk repellent comes in crystallized form that can be sprinkled wherever you want. Taking only minutes to apply, you can now spend more time tending to your garden, rather then repairing…

Tips For Growing Outdoor Bonsai Trees

Saturday, July 12th, 2008

Outdoor Bonsai trees are gaining in popularity as well as indoors. Many people have a few, sometimes more. Growing the outdoor tree is a rewarding pastime and give you a beautiful yard that you can enjoy for years to come.

The tropical species of trees are the most common type of tree found indoors. While they grow well inside the home, they may also be placed outdoors in the spring or late summer, depending on climate.

Consisting of only a few species, the outdoor Bonsai tree will be a deciduous tree or an evergreen, such as a Pine or Juniper. The latter will go dormant during the cold weather months and will continue growing come springtime. During the fall the deciduous trees will shed their leaves.

Trees need a regular care regimen that includes trimming and pruning. They also need repotting when they are in containers. Check to see if the roots have filled the pot. This means the tree has no more room to grow and may need repotting.

Favorite Herbs For Medicinal Herb Gardening

Thursday, July 10th, 2008

Here are two favorite herbs for medicinal herb gardening:

Chamomile

Chamomile, an herb named after a similarly named dried flower, is often used to make a tasty and safe tea. Drinking it can soothe you, and may even work as a mild sedative. Some claim that chamomile can lessen inflammation and fever, but this has not yet been verified. Other studies claim that chamomile contains certain compounds that can inhibit certain stomach ulcers caused by bacteria, but again this has not be fully proven.

While it is not exactly the miracle cure it is often touted as being, and its pollen could cause an allergic reaction in some people, this chamomile is a safe herb for most to use.

Echinacea

The perennial herb “Echinacea” contains several chemicals that are thought to be effective for treating various illnesses. For example, it has been used to treat congestion produced by colds or flu. It is believed that Echinacea works by boosting the body’s immune system and helping the body fight viral infections. However, the healing ability of Echinacea has not been proven.

Studies have given evidence that it might lessen the time you are sick and relieve symptoms in the meantime. Others suggest that it makes you less susceptible to frequent illnesses in the first place. It’s hard to say conclusively whether these claims are true, since a lot of complex factors decide whether you catch a cold. Whether it works or not, the herb is at least safe - it can’t hurt as a placebo.

Before taking Echinacea, people who have diabetes should definitely look to the advice of a doctor.

Tips For Raising A Surinam Cherry Bonsai Tree

Thursday, July 10th, 2008

Raising a Surinam Cherry Bonsai Tree requires work and dedication but the rewards are many. The creation and nurturing of the tree is unique and fulfilling, the process is very similar to raising a child from infancy to adulthood.

The age of the tree as well as its appearance determines the price of these trees. But they are well worth the price you pay for such a beautiful miniature tree. The youngest Surinam Bonsai Tree I have seen is 6 years old.

The trunk of the Surinam Cherry Bonsai Tree is thin with leaves that are dark green, which change to a beautiful shade of red or copper during different seasons. The trunk and branches that grow out are covered in cherry red bark that unusually comes off in layers. The branches will produce a fruit of reddish color that grow in the spring and summer, but not until the tree has aged for a few years.

Bonsai trees can be very pleasing to look at from several different angles with the proper grooming. This is not a one step process. This training and pruning can be done several ways and may take many years. The use of weights can be very helpful in this process. Weights can change the look of the tree, drastically. The owner may prefer to see just how the tree is going to grow before taking any steps. Once the tree begins to grow upward, the owner may trim off undesirable parts or simply wire it to grow in a more desireable direction. With a little patience the owner of a bonsai tree can make it very pleasing to the eye. Remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

The simplicity of Cactus Gardening

Thursday, June 26th, 2008

Cactus gardening typically consists of planting several cactus varieties in a shallow pot and adding some aesthetic touches to the arrangement in the form of small rocks or beads.

The type of soil that you use really does matter in the case of planning these long-lasting beautiful plants. Potting soil that you would typically use for house plants is a good foundation but you’ll also need some quality sand. Don’t be tempted to steal a bucket of sand from your local playground as it’s likely it was treated with chemicals to make it sterile. Instead purchase a small bag of potting sand. Mixing the soil with the sand will help the cactus thrive…

The Allure Of Bamboo Wind Chimes

Saturday, June 21st, 2008

For example, a well groomed backyard landscape that is quite sizeable calls for bamboo wind chimes that are equally formidable. Fortunately, there are many different designs and sizes available for consideration. The larger outdoor chimes are ideal for bigger spaces and sculptured backyard designs.
The bigger chimes are also ideal for large deck spaces that offer a wide setting. The big natural wind instrument will work wonders in a vast deck space. This additional will help pull the area together giving it a cozier feel. This outdoor landscape accessory offers both visual and auditory aesthetic value.

Everyone is Talking About Your Bamboo Plants

Thursday, June 19th, 2008

Are you looking for a unique backyard landscaping idea? Check out this article on bamboo plants. These plants will not only add beauty to your back lawn, but will also give you privacy.

Read more … Everyone is Talking About Your Bamboo Plants

Popular Bamboo Plants

Thursday, June 19th, 2008

Bamboo plants are all the rage. This greenery is very easy to maintain and many believe that the bamboo plant brings good luck. Why not introduce this kind of houseplant into your interior decorating scheme? There are a few simple instructions to follow but the bamboo plants are pretty independent growers.

The first thing to consider is whether or not you want to house the bamboo plants in a container. If you choose to plant them in the ground they will require less care. However, not every landscape is equipped to grow bamboo plants. Also, many of us really like to keep these houseplants indoors.

Bamboo plants like to stay wet without getting soggy, so it’s important to choose a container that has adequate drainage without letting too much water escape in the process.

How Much Land Do You Need?

Monday, June 16th, 2008

How much land do you need? Some homes are built on large pieces of land while others are situated on smaller building lots. The size of the parcel of land will definitely influence the price of the real estate. If a person is buying real estate in a city or large town, they are unlikely to find a house on a large parcel of land. Homes in a city or large town normally have a tiny piece of land in the front and a small piece of land on back of the house. Animals need land for roaming and grazing. There are many reasons people choose real estate that includes a large piece of land. Not everybody needs a large piece of land. Owning land means work. Read also in French: DDE

Landscaping

Saturday, June 14th, 2008

While a lot of people have already come across the word
landscaping, not a lot of them actually know what the term
stands for. This article is tailored for those who want to
learn about landscaping but don’t know where to begin.

For starters, landscaping is the modification of a
landscape such as a lawn to make it more aesthetically
pleasing or to make it more functional.

A lot of homeowners landscape their homes primarily because
they want to make their surroundings more attractive. But
more than that, a landscaped house usually has a higher
real estate value than one that isn’t.

People who want to have their properties landscaped usually
acquire the services of professionals. Landscaping is a
time and labor-intensive task, so in order to do that in no
time at all, homeowners invest in landscaping services to
turn their vision into reality.

Water Plants

Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008

In your average aquarium, the water plants are an afterthought. Most people never even include real ones. They throw in some fanciful fake coral, strands of plastic algae, and perhaps a fake water lily or two. No thought is given to a consistency, and the whole effect is rather fake and tacky – like putting a plastic treasure chest at the bottom of the fish tank. In my case, however, the water plants were the first thing I thought of. The interest in fish came next.

You see, I have been interested in under water plants for as long as I can remember. Plant growth in water used to be mysterious and vaguely terrifying to me. We went to a very murky lake to go boating when I was a kid, and I used to be frightened of the giant strands of algae that would stretch to the surface all the way from the bottom.

Garden Planning And Miniature Fruit Trees

Sunday, June 1st, 2008

The fruit is more abundant every other year, but they did have apples the second year they planted the miniature fruit trees. To the north side of the deck they have created a small rock garden with perennials that do well in the shade. These lush green plants are a nice contrast to the color of the annuals in the pots on the deck. On the small south side area they have created a fire ring surrounded by two benches and two chairs. The over all effect is a welcoming space with plenty of seating. By breaking up the yard into zones they have utilized all the space they have, without making the space look cluttered. It gives the home a great deal of curb appeal…

Front Yard Shade, Landscaping Ideas

Saturday, May 31st, 2008

…When winter draws near, you’ll need to winterize the lawn to preserve it for next spring. But that’s all just the grass. You can find lot of ideas at Yardiac.com. They are experts for gardening and home improvement…The backyard is also important….Maintaining a home is no joke. There is plenty involved in this process. It’s not just about paying the monthly bill and keeping the interior clean. There are also countless little maintenance jobs such as emptying the gutters, painting or washing the exterior, keeping up with the window sealing, making sure all appliances are working well, and an array of other chores…

More on : Front Yard Shade, Landscaping Ideas

Choosing Your Garden Furniture

Tuesday, May 27th, 2008

After the landscaping of your garden, patio or lawn area is completed; you will want to start thinking about garden furniture which means you will be making a trip to your favorite home improvement store or large department store to see what is available. Garden furniture compliments the atmosphere and d�cor of the garden, patio or lawn setting of your backyard. The different of garden furniture you have to choose from will appeal to men and women alike. The garden furniture of today is built for comfort and durability, as well as fashion and style.

Full article at: Choosing Your Garden Furniture. For more information,please visit my website: Home And Garden Articles.

Awning Quotes from 3 awning suppliers

Tuesday, May 27th, 2008

A patio awning can enhance your life by giving you a better garden, and what can be described as an outside room - giving you and you family more space.

You should always seek specialist advice from patio garden awning suppliers who can ensure that you have proper fixings. You do not want a gust fo wind to pull the awning from your wall and fall on your loved ones undernaeath!

Awnings these days need not be expensive, and I would recommend the following.

Pay the little extra for a motorized awning. You will use it much more.

A motorized awning means you can have a wind sensor that will close the awning automatically should the wind get too strong.

Plenty of people regret not having the anwing extend a little further - paying a small amount to have a better extension will pay dividends and save your back not being covered by the shade when you are eating outdoors.

If you are looking for an awning supplier in the UK then why not visit www.awningquoteuk.com - here you can enter your requirements once and recieve up to three quotes from vetted and monitored awning suppliers.

You Don’t Need a Green Thumb to Grow a Cactus Garden

Saturday, May 24th, 2008

Show off your horticulture skills with your cactus gardening even if you don’t have a green thumb. Enjoy your beautiful backyard landscape of cacti.

More on … You Don’t Need a Green Thumb to Grow a Cactus Garden

Interesting Miniature Fruit Trees

Tuesday, May 20th, 2008

…A new favorite among home owners of compact yard are miniature fruit trees. These trees are developed to take up much less space than traditional fruit bearing trees. The miniature fruit trees have a shorter height at maturity and have more compact branches. They still have beautiful blossoms in the spring of the year and produce edible fruit. Another advantage is that many of the miniature fruit trees are self pollinating so if you only have room for one tree it can still bear fruit….

More info on : Interesting Miniature Fruit Trees

Useful Self Watering Planters

Wednesday, May 14th, 2008

If your home can accommodate them, window box planters are ideal. They not only brighten up the landscaping, but they also add a dynamic element to the look of your home. Deck planters do the same and one of the advantages of them, is that they are often portable, which means you can create a new look just by moving them to a different spot. Both varieties of planters can be purchased with the self watering feature. If you are taking off for a summer vacation, normally you’d have to enlist someone to tend to your gardening. This holds true whether you’ve got a bright and brilliant arrangement of…

Copper Windchimes For Home And Garden Decor

Tuesday, May 6th, 2008

By adding copper windchimes to your garden it will become a more beautiful and relaxing place. A wind chime adds a pleasing-yet-practical style to any setting. For many generations, people have used wind chimes to help bring them good luck or keep away bad luck. Carved and decorated wind chimes have been used as beautiful additions to many ornate churches and homes as individual works of art.

We use wind chimes today for decoration and harmonic sounds, but historically they had a more functional use in weather forecasting. Wood, metal, copper, glass, and bamboo are just a few of the items that can be used to produce pleasant chimes. The different materials used make for the different tones in the chimes so it is not unusual to have more than one set in any given area.

Copper windchimes that produce particularly melodic chimes will help you to relax better and meditate more completely. Based on the kind of wind chime you have, the resonance and vibrations from them can work effectively to calm and soothe your mind. Listening to positive sounds can help you feel more peaceful, because they block out other external noise.

Tulips From Amsterdam

Saturday, May 3rd, 2008

If you come to the Netherlands in April or May to visit Keukenhof is a must! If you are staying in Amsterdam, the best way to get to Keukenhof is to take a train from Amsterdam Centraal station to Haarlem and a bus from Haarlem to Vrieswijk. Then you have to just walk about 10 minutes to reach Keukenhof Garden or to take another bus from Vrieswijk to Keukenhof Garden. If you are staying in a hotel near Schiphol Airport, a shuttle bus goes to Keukenhof from Schiphol train station every 15 minutes. If you don’t have a chance to visit Keukenhof Garden, you still have a chance to enjoy fantastic blossoms at the Bloemenmarkt, flower market in Amsterdam. The Bloemenmarkt, the only floating flower market in the world, is located along the Singel Canal between Muntplein and Koningsplein.

Full article at Tulips From Amsterdam

Tips For Using Landscape Design Software

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008

Your home is your most important investment and you need to consider making it beautiful on the outside as well as the inside. Planting flowers, shrubs, trees and doing other landscaping tasks will help your home look great as well as increase the value. You can accomplish this very simply by using landscape design software. These user-friendly software programs make designing your home landscaping easy.

With trees, shrubs and bushes, you make the most impact upon the look of your landscaping. When it comes to knowing which plants will thrive in your climate, using the landscaping software’s research tool is easy and informative. You need to know which shrubs, flowers and trees will flourish in your yard before you start.

Your first course of action is to map out the area of your yard that you will be working in. Place everything where you would like it to be to scale - if you want to make things easy on yourself, use the design software for this task. Divide and conquer, should be your motto for working on a landscaping project that involves a front and a back yard area and it is important to do these one at a time so you do not get overwhelmed. Landscape design software ensures your visions for the spaces are practical but you can easily get carried away so be sure to limit yourself to one space at a time.

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