Pine Straw Mulch – Pine Needle for Winterizing Your Garden

 backyard design, guest writer  No Responses »
Oct 162010
 

Pine needles have a natural look that will add to any yard and landscaping design. And no matter where you may live, you can usually find someone who has a pine tree on his or her property but needs to remove the fallen needles. In my area I wait until fall clean up and knock on doors to remove their pine needle and other fall leaves.

Pine trees drop a percentage of their needles in the fall. The needles will add acidity to the area they cover, which will kill the grass and make holes in your yard. In a pine forest or around certain trees this doesn’t matter, but in your yard it may create a problem.

But using pine needles in select areas of your yard as a mulch can be beneficial. Choose areas where your acid loving plants will appreciate the nutrients added to the soil as the needles decay. Azaleas, rhododendron, chrysanthemum and roses benefit from acidic soil.

Onions, garlic, mint and tomatoes are a few of the plants in your vegetable and herb garden, which would also enjoy the acid boost. I must admit I have not used pine needle in a garden area.

A mulch using pine needles or pine straw adds a rich brown surface and a fine texture to the area that they cover. This looks particularly attractive with azaleas, and areas that you want a naturalized look, such as a wooded area or terraced hillside.

Another benefit of pine needles is that they shade the soil in the summertime. This prevents moisture from evaporating as quickly cutting back on water usage and watering time in the landscape. In the colder months, a layer of pine needles acts as a blanket to protect the roots of the plant. Pine needles are perfect for winterizing plants, trees and shrubs in your landscape design.

Pine needle mulch also cuts back on weeding. The few weeds that manage to survive and surface are small and incredibly easy to pull out.

It’s recommended that you start with a 3-inch layer of needles. Pine needles break down slowly, so this first layer should last 3 to 5 months in most climates.  I often lay down a few layers of newspaper and apply the pine needle on top of that. The pine mulch  cover will last 3 times as long. Using this method I have no weeds and add new pine needles to even out the mulch layer and add a fresh look to the landscape.

Posted by Denise at 5:28 am  Tagged with: , , , ,

Don’t Let Your Koi Die in the Winter – Koi fishpond Winterizing Points

 guest writer  No Responses »
Oct 122010
 
by guest writer Frank Froggatt

Winter is on the way, and if you have just built your Koi pond this will be the first time that your Koi have had to make it through those long winter months.

Think of Winter as a down period for your fishpond, as less events happen during Winter than any other time. If you wish to make certain that your pond and your fish survive through the winter, you are going to need to take some special precautions though.

Koi Pond Clean Up.

Take about a weekend to go over your fishpond. If it has any unwanted bulk material in it or around it, you need to clean it up. Inside your fishpond, clean up all leaves, silt, and other material from the bottom. Also, remove any plants or flowers that will not make it through the winter.

If there is any rubbish around your fishpond that could blow into it, clean that up as well as you are not likely to notice any of this stuff until spring arrives. Taking the time to make sure that as much debris is removed as possible will prevent potentially harmful bacteria and parasites in the future.

Stop Feeding your pond fish.

This is a very vital thing, then do not forget that you must not give food to your Koi during the winter. When your water temperatures get around 55 or sixtyF, you should only give your Koi food one time daily. When the outside air temperature reaches the 50 mark, you need to wholly stop feeding your Koi.

You might think that it’s okay to feed your fish when the temperature rises above 50 again, but don’t. Koi in general, take about four days to entirely digest their food at temperatures above fifty mark. If you mistakenly give food to your fish to late the food will not digest and will end up killing your fish.

You also need to realize that when a Koi is opening its mouth to you it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is hungry. This is just something that they do out of habit and reflex more than hunger. If you are worried about not feeding them, remember that fish eat other things besides the food you provide them, in particular if your fishpond contains a large amount of natural plant life. Your Koi will fill up on this other stuff if they get hungry and you’re not feeding them.

Check on your pond regularly.

Doing a regular check up on your pond equipment is vital.This includes everything from your filtration system to your store of preventable medications. During those extensive winter months it can be a little more difficult to come up with these pond supplies as a lot of carriers don’t keep them on their shelves during this time.

You also need to make sure that you have an crisis kit ready and up-to-date. This kit needs to include your water testing kits, bags, nets, and any of the medications required.

Get Ready for Cold Weather.

You need to make sure that you are ready for the cold weather, by investing in the required items while it is still summer. Koi have been known to withstand constant temperatures as low 39 degrees, and temperatures slightly lower then 39 degrees, for short periods of time.

If the area that you living gets extremely cold, it is going to be required for you to buy a pond heater. If you do not your pond can freeze over which will potentially trap dangerous amounts of gas inside the water. If the area that you have drops into the extremely low temperatures, you might really want to think about having an crisis tank available inside your home.

Turn Off All Water Sources.

When temperatures get really low, your heater is going to have to toil extra hard in order to keep the water temperature at a point that will allow your fish to remain alive.

If you have water features such as waterfalls, streams, or constant moving fountains, make sure to turn them off during Winter. The circulating action will only labor to thwart your pains at maintaining a warm temperature your pond. With these switched off, the only water that your heater will be responsible for is the standing water in your fishpond.

About the Author:
With this information now on hand, I hope that you can understand how vital it is that you make preparations for your small garden pond now before winter hits. Read more information on Koi Pond Care by visiting gardenpondtips.com.
Posted by Denise at 12:49 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , , ,

Solar-up Your Backyard Oasis Garden

 guest writer  No Responses »
Jan 282010
 

With advances in solar cells and the widespread use of LED lights, options for solar accents in the garden abound. Whether you are looking for lanterns, landscape lighting, fountains, or a patio umbrella that doubles as a mini-power station, solutions are both easy to find and economical.

Darjit Lanterns and Solar Lights
Creative Commons License photo credit: rengber

The solar garden lantern, though a staple of outdoor lighting, remains a top pick among solar products. The consumer now has a wide array of choices for styles and materials, not to mention pricing. Another common option is the use of a single solar panel for multiple lights, which allows for placement in areas once considered too shady for a lantern.

Low voltage string lights are a natural evolution of solar power in the backyard. The solar panel can be placed in an area of maximum sun exposure, and the entire string will sparkle evenly long after sunset. Styles run from simple white holiday lights to large and colorful Chinese lanterns.

Adjustable solar landscape lighting allows for the illumination of trees, walls and garden artifacts. Without the need for a power source, placement of solar landscape lighting is easy and flexible, even at the edges of a property or driveway.

Solar fountains bring the welcome sound of running water into the yard, minus the worries about wasting electricity. Placing a fountain near a bedroom window creates a peaceful background for sleep, and there is no need to turn the power off. Many times these garden decorations also double as bird baths.

Patio Lanterns
Creative Commons License photo credit: Ian Muttoo

Many are re-discovering garden decorations brought to life by the use of solar power. For example, kissing fairies once hidden after sunset now have their snowy faces illumined by the light of a glowing orb. Likewise, a trio of gnomes hold lit lanterns high to see the trail ahead. The whole yard can indeed be a wonder at night.

For the backyard connoisseur who must have it all, a solar patio umbrella provides both an attractive and practical solution. During the day solar cells gather energy as the umbrella provides shade; during the night LED lights on the underside of the umbrella provide light for meals and socializing. The system can be turned off at any time and the solar cells will continue to gather energy.

As a final step, check the sales rank of products to help find the best solar landscape lights on the market. Adding motion, sound and lighting to the yard without the guilt of wasting energy provides a special satisfaction. In addition to bringing enjoyment, it can also be surprisingly easy and economical.

To further investigate the solar lights and decorations in this article visit Robert Mann’s Solar Garden Center .

Posted by Robert Mann at 1:16 pm  Tagged with: , , , , ,

Hydroponic Fruit

 guest writer  No Responses »
Jan 102010
 

Here are some of the chief reasons why you should produce your own Hydroponic Fruit as opposed to using long-established soil based techniques!

Asian Pears 2
Creative Commons License photo credit: SummerTomato

1. There is no necessity to water them! This will of course save you time, but too over or under watering is one of the most important mistakes that apprentice gardeners do which can be destructive to your plant life.

2. Hydroponic fruit grows up to 50% faster than time-honored soil grown fruitl This is because you will have completely manipulated the growing conditions to be optimum for whatever it is you’re growing.

3. You don’t have to possess a garden. So if you live in the desert, the arctic or in a crowded town center high-rise block then this is no impediment.

4. No earth borne disease can be passed on if they are not being grown in soil.

5. No earth living pests will be able to get close to your fruit so you will have far healthier looking foodstuffs! You will also save cash on high-priced pesticides.

6. Maintenance time is to a great extent reduced. There is no necessity to water hydroponic fruit and there is no weeding. In truth all you’ll really have to do is choose your fruit as soon as they are complete.

7. The produce is year round. You will forever have access to all the fruit you need. As soon as it’s off season, you will be able to trade your harvest for an increased revenue margin.

8. You can grow them wherever; basement, conservatory, backyard, greenhouse, garage, window ledge, corridor or attic.

9. They will grow up to 40% better as they will always have access to all the nutrients they need. You will have made their growing environment to be ideal for them, they will love it and will be better looking as a result.

10. You will be able to fit extra into your growing trays as the roots don’t grow as big. This is for the reason that they don’t need to spread out to obtain nutrients as they are so readily available.

So if you’re wanting to study more concerning growing your own Hydroponic Fruit then you must look further into it! Growing Hydroponic Fruit is an thrilling hobby that you can potentially make a lot of money from!

Posted by Damian Jackson at 2:59 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , ,

Hydroponic Strawberries – 10 Advantages

 guest writer, landscaping  No Responses »
Dec 182009
 
Guest writer: Charlie Jackson

Have you ever considered growing your own hydroponic strawberries? You really should do because they are delicious and you could sell them for money!

Below is a list of the benefits of growing hydroponic strawberries as opposed to traditional soil grown strawberries.

1. No matter where you live you can grow hydroponic strawberries. There is no need to have a garden! So even if you live in a crowded city centre apartment block then you can still grow them.

2. As you’re not using soil, no soil borne diseases can be passed onto your strawberries. This will solve a huge problem that many gardeners face.

3. There will be no need to use any expensive and controversial pesticides on your strawberries as there will be no soil loving pests! Your strawberries will remain organic as a result!

4. Once the setup costs are complete, running costs are estimated to be at least 20% lower than with traditional soil based gardening.

5. You can grow more hydroponic strawberries in a smaller area! This is due to the decreased size of the roots as they don’t have to spread out to find nutrients. So you will be able to grow more in your growing trays.

6. Once set up, maintenance time is reduced. There is no watering involved as they have access to their growing nutrients, there is no soil so no weeding. In fact all you really need to do is pick your strawberries as and when you want them.

7. The strawberry yield will be year round. You control their environment and you will have everything set to their optimum growing conditions so they will continue to produce 365 days a year.

8. You can grow hydroponic strawberries anywhere; rooftop, window ledge, cellar, corridor, greenhouse, conservatory or living room.

9. Hydroponic strawberries grow on average 40% larger than their soil born brothers. This is because you have created their ideal growing environment and they have full access to all the nutrients they need. Money in the bank!

About the Author:
Hydroponic Strawberries are lovely and there is a chance to make a lot of hard cash, especially if you happen to be selling them off season for high prices. You should set up your own Hydroponic Strawberry system, sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Posted by Denise at 6:23 am  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , ,
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