Archive for May, 2009
Sunday, May 31st, 2009
by Sarah Duke
Greenhouse gardening is a very rewarding pastime. It’s actually considered by many experts in stress management to be a perfect way to unwind from a hectic day and become more attuned to nature. You can raise a large variety of plants within the protected atmosphere of a greenhouse. As well, it’s more convenient to try out new varieties and hybrids. And it can be an ideal way to feed your family a never ending supply of fresh, high quality vegetables throughout the year.
But before you build a greenhouse or buy one, you have to make some plans. The most important aspect of your plans is where you will locate your greenhouse. Garden greenhouses require as much sunlight as possible, year round. Sufficient light is essential for your plants to thrive. If you don’t have enough natural daylight, you will have to supplement it with specialized lighting, which can be quite costly.
When positioning your greenhouse, keep in mind that the longest side of the structure should have the most exposure to sunlight. Don’t set it near saplings that will eventually grow into large, shade producing trees. Once they’re fully grown, their foliage will prevent the sun from reaching your plants.
Tags: gardening, greenhouse, home improvement, landscaping
Posted in gardening | No Comments »
Sunday, May 31st, 2009
by Thomas Fryd
Out West April starts the first flurry of outdoor garden activities to be evident this month. The winter snows are receding and the soil is warming and mellowing with the advent of spring. Seeds of cool season kinds of vegetables and hardy annuals can be sown out of doors as soon as the ground can be worked. Vegetables will include radishes, both head and leaf lettuce, carrots, onions, peas, spinach, beets and chard.
An early setting out of cabbage transplants of an early variety will ensure heads for table use the first part of July or sooner, depending on the area. However, delay the main planting of cabbage for a little later. An early start on onions will ensure maturity of bulbs by fall. However, use varieties recommended for the area. In short growing season areas it is best to use well grown onion transplants of adapted varieties. In many areas adapted hybrid varieties of onions have performed outstandingly well.
Plant Peas Early
Tags: garden, gardening, plant care, planting tips, vegetable garden
Posted in gardening | No Comments »
Saturday, May 30th, 2009
by Keith Markensen
Garden and Lawn Equipment
Not too long ago many people thought that a small garden tractor was just a grownups “toy.” This was when you could find handyman or high-school boy eager to spade up a garden, hoe the vegetable patch or mow the lawn at a price you could afford. The picture has certainly changed. Today, if you can even find anybody to do the work you are lucky. Then you have to compete with business and pay a comparable scale of wages. In many localities this is an impossible situation. Therefore, many people have had to get a small tractor and “do it themselves? Now the tractor is recognized as a valuable piece of garden equipment-definitely not a toy.
As soon as these people began operating their tractors they discovered some things never before realized. Actually the machine is fun to operate and maintain… gone are the tinkering days of the Model T when an owner took pride in keeping it running in top shape himself. They also found that the tractor did an excellent job – comparable to any job done by hand in a fraction of the time. In fact, a garden tractor has spurred many into doing more gardening than they had done previously.
Tags: garden, garden equipment, gardening, lawn, lawn equipment, machine
Posted in gardening | No Comments »
Saturday, May 30th, 2009
by Owen Jones
Keeping the attention of a dog while training is not always an easy task. Dogs can be very easily distracted, and it is important to not allow the dog training sessions to be ruined by boredom. Making dog training fun for the dog and the human alike is essential to creating a happy, well-adjusted and well-trained dog.
You should provide random positive stimuli during the day in order to maintain the interest of the dog. Doing things the dog enjoys, like walking in the park, riding in the car, and playing with other dogs, are good ways to keep the dog’s attention, but you must give him rewards for his successes.
For example, in order to reward the dog for coming to you when you call him, ask the dog to come to you, without giving any clues about a walk, a car ride, or other treats.
After your dog has come to you and obediently sat down, attach the leash and start the reward. This can be either the before-mentioned walk in the park, ride in the car, or anything else the dog likes to do.
Tags: advice, animals, classes, dog training, dogs, family, garden, gardening, obedience classes, other, outdoors, pets, school, self help, terriers
Posted in gardening | No Comments »
Friday, May 29th, 2009
by Riche Goldmann
Is your grass dry under your feet in the summer? Is it full of annoying weeds like mushrooms and dandelion or worse, prickly grass? Do you have dry patches of grass and long for the day when your grass will look more like your neighbor’s yard? Ever wanted to know how they are able to maintain such fresh looking lawns and gardens? Well, it is not impossible! You can also experience and lawn and garden that is to die for.
Not only will improving your lawn give you a feeling of pride in your home, but getting your lawn in good condition can also increase your homes value by up to 10-15%. Now thats a reason to get started! Here are a few steps to help. Turning your lawn from dirt to lush grass is an ongoing process, but the benefits are well worth it.
Before you get started with any outdoor projects, it is absolutely necessary to find a good source for all the products and equipment that you are going to need. You can go to TractorSupply.com to find laundry lists of seeds, fertilizers, and products that will help you in the process. You will however, need an aerator, spreader and weed puller to begin with your project, in addition to grass seeds, and fertilizer made especially for your growing area. Online shopping is the perfect place to comparison shop for a variety of products, including a good lawn mower.
Tags: Cutting Grass, garden, gardening, Growing Grass, lawn, Mowing Grass, outdoors
Posted in gardening | No Comments »
Friday, May 29th, 2009
by Ginger Griffith
Teak is the most preferred outdoor furniture material because of the many advantages it offers. Teak furniture, which is popular for its waxy properties and rich brown color, turns into silvery gray color over time. Aside from its classy appearance, teak patio furniture is also durable. It can withstand damage caused by insects, moisture, and extreme weather conditions.
Teak patio furniture requires only a little maintenance. Once in a while, you can wash it using mild detergent diluted in water. You can leave it as it is without the need for painting because it stays attractive for a long time even if its color changes to gray.
However, it’s possible to restore the rich brown color of your teak furniture if you want it to maintain its original appearance. For that purpose, you need to oil your furniture once in a year. It may not make your patio furniture last longer, but it can effectively slow down the aging process of the teak material, which is usually caused by sun exposure. Oiling your furniture is a great way to make your teak patio look like you’ve just bought it from a home improvement store.
Tags: decorating, drink, entertaining, family, food, furniture, garden, gardening, home, home improvement, interior-design, landscaping, patio, patio furniture
Posted in gardening | No Comments »
Thursday, May 28th, 2009
by Danny Hopkins
Garden fencing isn’t only used to provide a decorative element to this part of your home but also to offer you security. When it comes to fencing to provide security there are two kinds you can choose from. You can either opt to install wooden privacy or wrought iron fencing. In this article we look at just some of the advantages and disadvantages of installing these kinds of fencing in your garden.
Wrought Iron Fencing – Over the last few years we have seen a steady increase in the number of people who are choosing to have this type of fencing installed in their gardens. As well as preventing unwanted visitors having access to your garden and your home it looks great around any property of any style of home. Although this fencing doesn’t look to frilly it still provides a very nice decorative feature to a garden space and won’t make the area feel too enclosed because of the spaces between the iron work rails.
Tags: a, e, f, fences, fencing, g, garden, garden accessories, garden buildings, garden fencing, garden sheds, gardening, h, home, home & family, home;improvement, l, landscaping, o, outdoor accessories, wooden fencing
Posted in gardening | No Comments »
Thursday, May 28th, 2009
by Keith Markensen
March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers, so runs the old saying. A little hard work helps, too, and if the first two arrive on schedule the spring work will be well under way. It also takes good soil to produce flowers but what to add and what not to add to make it good is often a problem. Should it be manure, bone meal or lime?
Every garden needs fertilizer in some form in the spring and when the second crops go into the soil in summer the plant foods need to be replenished. Farmyard manure, particularly cow manure, is still considered an ideal fertilizer by many gardeners. For flower and vegetable gardens it should be fresh manure, not rotted. A good organic dry fertilizer is favored by many in preference to chemical fertilizers. Dry fertilizers are best used in combination with liberal amounts of rotted compost. Theyre available everywhere, and frequently are specially prepared for various kinds of plants and flowers as well as vegetables.
Tags: fertilizer, garden, garden fertilizer, gardening, plants
Posted in gardening | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
by Frank Froggatt
If you have decided that you would like to add something to your backyard and are thinking of purchasing an outdoor metal gazebo, outdoor screened gazebo, or any other type of gazebo, there are a few steps that you are going to need to take.
Probably one of the first things that you need to consider is the types of material that you want to implement and how big of a gazebo you can truly deal with.Without knowing this information, you’re not going to be able to accurately estimate the cost, or the space required for the gazebo.
This brings us to the next step of the process here, which is making room in your backyard for the outdoor metal gazebo and determining where you want it to go. It doesn’t matter whether you were going to buy your gazebo, or whether you’re going to build your own, this step has to be taken so you actually have a place to place the gazebo.
Places to Buy
If you’re ready know that you aren’t ready to construct your own backyard gazebo, you want to go and buy one, there are some good retailers online that you can check out, but another place that you can find really great deals is on eBay.
Tags: entertainment, gardening, gazebos, home accessories, home and family, home improvement, landscaping, outdoors
Posted in gardening | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
by John Black
The only way to keep up with the latest about storage sheds is to constantly stay on the lookout for new information. If you read everything you find about storage sheds, it won’t take long for you to become an influential authority.
Steel sidings, though cheap, should be avoided as they rust easily. Metal sidings have the least appealing look. Steelwork can be supplied either painted or galvanised. As well as erecting Structural Steelwork, we also complete concreting works, including concrete walls and floors. Wooden garden sheds are available in all sizes. And when we say “all sizes” we really mean it! Wooden sheds need treating with preservative on a regular basis – every few years – to keep them going.
Storage sheds are best built some distance away from the main building. Storage Sheds – Choosing the right shed constructing your own shed or buying a prefabricated storage shed kit can be daunting. There are many styles, material, and sizes to choose from. Storage sheds can be permanent or portable. Permanent storage sheds made of wood, metal, concrete or masonry block are permanently fixed to the ground.
Tags: cd storage, dvd storage, garage storage, gardening, outdoor storage, public storage, shed plans, sheds, shoe storage, storage, storage buildings, storage cabinets, storage containers, storage sheds, storage solutions
Posted in gardening | No Comments »