How To Plant A Garden Part 1

A Birdseye View into the Different Types of Hydroponic Growing Systems

2009-02-03T23:27:00.000-08:00

All articles listed are written by the worlds top gardening authors, we hope you enjoy their content as much as we have, if you would care to leave a short message about the article we will be pleased to pass it on to the author. Please go to :->
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Hydroponic gardening is the way of the future for environmentally controlled agriculture. Hydroponic gardening eliminates soil borne pests and diseases and maximizes water and nutrient uptake by the plant. Incredible yields can be achieved in a relatively small space with hydroponic systems. There are many types of hydroponic systems available for home and commercial use. These systems include the Europonic Rockwood System, the Ebb and Flow System, Aeroponic Systems, Continuous Drip Systems, and Rockwool Based Systems. Hydroponic systems come in all shapes and sizes and can be adapted for nearly any budget.
Nutrient Film Technique, or NFT, is another popular system. The plants are held in troughs with nutrient solution constantly trickling over the roots. A reservoir with a pump that is submersible re-circulates the nutrient solution continually, pumping the solution to the top of the troughs to trickle back through the system. Larger Nutrient Film Technique systems are used commercially, both abroad and in the United States. When choosing a Nutrient Film Technique system, care must be taken to choose the correct trough size. Large commercial systems use wider troughs with greater flow capacity. Aeroponics is a system in which the plant's roots are suspended in air. They are excellent for growing herbs and leafy vegetables. The plants are held in web pots with neoprene inserts to support the plant. Different hold configurations in the top cover provide the proper spacing. Aeroponic systems are also great propagators. The seedlings can be germinated in rockwool then transferred directly to the web pots. Aeroponic systems are also very popular at NASA research centers and other educational facilities around the world.
The Europonic System is modeled after commercial systems that are used in Europe. A basic system has three trays and holds eight plants each. The system may also be expanded to five trays if desired. A nutrient solution is pumped from a thirty-gallon reservoir to individual emitters at each plant. The solution trickles through the rockwool, over the roots, and back to the reservoir where it is re-circulated on a constant basis. Rockwool, or mineral wool, is the most popular and highly used hydroponic medium. It is made from spun material fibers and has a high water and air holding capacity. It can also be cut and formed into many shapes and sizes that allow many diverse growing applications. The Europonic System uses rockwool slabs with two slabs fitting into each tray. Rockwool is easily able to support a relatively extensive root system so the Europonic System is ideal for vine crops such as tomatoes, cucumber, and peppers, plus large flowering plants.
In a continuous drip system, a single pot is used with a two-gallon reservoir underneath. The system acts like a percolator as air is pumped down a vertical shaft, creating pressure, and nutrient solution is forced up another tube. A drip ring constantly irrigates the substrate, and the nutrient solution drains back into the reservoir. This type of system is easy to use, inexpensive, and great for individual experimentation. However, it is impractical for most commercial applications. Ebb and flow systems are also popular in hydroponics. They are good for crops such as lettuce, pepper plants, miniature tomatoes, and potted flowers. Ebb and flow systems can also be used as an herb garden to provide fresh basis, thyme, and oregano year round. Ebb and flow systems do have a few drawbacks, one including the possible buildup of fertilizer salts in the substrate. As the water evaporates between flooding, the salts are left behind as a residue and may rise to toxic levels. It is best to flush the system with pure water periodically to take away any toxic salt buildup.

About the Author
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Specialty Gardening

2008-12-08T23:46:00.000-08:00

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Specialty Gardening
Not enough land for your dream garden? Don't be too sure. Ever think about vertical planting? Or perhaps a little creative container gardening suits your style. It seems yards are getting smaller and smaller in many areas, yet gardening is becoming an ever more popular hobby. Even functional retaining walls can contain space thrifty gardens.
Luckily, plants care about proper soil, good nutrients, temperature, lighting and drainage. They really don't care exactly what they are planted in, or the methods used to meet their needs. You can create a really striking one-of-a-kind landscape without much money by thinking outside the box when garden planning.
Vertical gardening can involve the use of light framing, twine, wire, netting, or even hanging baskets installed at a few different levels. Twining plants around a simple post can give you several feet of fruits, herbs, vegetables, or flowers in the area of a foot or two. Arched trellis groupings can make a dramatic statement and greatly increase the planting areas in a small space. And even a scrub bush or small tree might be used to support and train planting arrangements for a few seasons. Hide the plain with some pretty!
Container gardening is just what it sounds like. Raising plants in containers rather than the traditional plot of ground. You can group several plants in one container, and several containers together to make modular gardens that are easier to move and arrange as plants and seasons change.
Raised bed and square foot gardening are similar in that several plants are placed in a confined area of soil, usually raised or terraced slightly so that many more plants can happily occupy a smaller area. Some back to basic folks even grow by simply slitting an opening in bags of soil they bought at a landscaping store and stacking them. They plant the seeds and water right into the bag after making drain holes.
Water gardening evokes a stress-chasing, relaxing atmosphere. This elaborate type of landscaping can liven up dull, tired yards. Water gardens can include fish and other small creatures, or just plants. Some folks like to try to grow plants of species that normally don't grow easily in their type of climate. Tropical plants are especially good with landscaped water features.
You can always fall back on the good old standby... the greenhouse! Or maybe indoor gardening, perhaps with a hydroponic garden. Start looking around with your gardening and landscaping projects in mind and use your imagination to see what you and others have lying around that you can use to make your own unique specialty garden.

About the Author
Do you need some tips for your garden? Find many great gardening and landscaping resources at
http://www.gardeningresults.com/blog

How to Do Indoor Gardening

2008-08-20T00:51:00.001-07:00

Plants are just as popular as furniture when one is deciding on furniture and soft furnishings. Aside from the aesthetic value plants provide your home with, there are also health benefits - grade school science class tells us that plants cleanse the air through utilizing the carbon dioxide and producing more oxygen. Here is some important information on how to care for your indoor plants to gain the optimum health and aesthetic benefits.
Lighting
Most indoor plants need good lighting. You can provide this through natural lighting in the room of your choice or there must be electric lighting. Darker leaved plants usually don't need as much light as others.
Here are the varieties of plants (usually those that only require medium to low light) that are known to be suitable for indoor gardening:
a. Philodendrons b. Boston ferns c. African violets d. Cyclamens e. Creeping Fig
Watering
A common mistake most people make in indoor gardening is they tend to over-water the plants, which may lead to rotting roots. Make sure to research the type of plant you have, because each kind of plant varies on their watering needs.
Potting
Choose good quality and attractive container for your indoor plants. Make sure that the pot is clean before placing your new plant into it to prevent infection and to encourage healthy growth.
Humidity
In indoor gardening, humidity is a big issue. The amount of moisture in the air has effect on the growth of the plants. During mornings, you could spray the plants with water for their much-needed moisture. Make sure the leaves don't get covered in dust.
Fertilization
Just like watering, fertilizing depends on the type of plant. If you have managed to supply your indoor garden with the right amount of light, water and humidity, fertilization may not need much attention. A good indoor fertilizer can be bought from most home depot or hardware stores. Orchids need the special fertilizer available.
Putting Houseplants Outside for the Summer
When the weather warms in the spring, houseplants can be put outside. Don't be too anxious to move your houseplants outdoors, even a good chill can knock the leaves off tender plants. Monitor houseplants spending the warm months outside. Move plants to calmer spots if leaves are being wind damaged. If pots dry out rapidly, move plants into some protection from wind or shade, or repot if needed.
Pruning Houseplants
In addition to shaping plants and removing yellowed and withered leaves, pruning encourages low-growing foliage, which makes plants fuller and more attractive. Lightly prune houseplants regularly during their active growth, but leave hard pruning for spring and fall. How to Prune Houseplants Always use sharp scissors or pruning shears that wont crush stems or leave jagged edges, which can invite disease.
1. To shape lightly during the growing season, snip off withered or yellowed stems, spent flower heads, and elongated or overzealous growth. After pruning shaggy outer parts, probe inside the plant and remove hidden dieback there. 2. To encourage denser, more compact growth in spring and fall, snip stems just above a new leaf or leaf node. Prune heavily in spring, when plants can rebound during growth season, or in fall to prepare plants for winter.

About the Author
Image Bathrooms can supply beautiful and affordable Home Furnishings. and products for all styles and tastes. Find out how Image Decor can expand your horizons.

How To Do Bonsai - 4 Keys For The Beginner To Know

2008-08-20T00:50:00.002-07:00

I remember the first time I was exposed to the beautiful artistry of Bonsai. When I was about 5 years old, I was visiting relatives at my uncles house in Tokyo, Japan. After a while, some of us kids went out to the back "yard". In Tokyo, as in most places in Japan, land is a real premium, so the back "yard" was really just a small rock garden. It was in that small, simple, yet beautiful rock garden, that I saw my first bonsai tree. It was so tiny, yet proportionally perfect. I later found out that it was more than 40 years old! I was hooked!
Bonsai or the art of growing miniature trees, requires patience and know how. In this article I will touch on 5 things that every aspiring Bonsai artist should know, in their quest to learn how to do bonsai.
How To Do Bonsai - Key #1...Bonsai Are Not Houseplants.
For the most part, bonsai are outdoor plant and should remain outdoors all year long. Of course, that does not mean that they cannot come indoors to be enjoyed for a short while, just that a majority of the time they need to be outside. Bonsai are temperate climate plants that require a period of dormancy. Dormancy is a survival strategy that temperate climate species have evolved to stay alive over the winter. These plants have an internal clock that tell them when to slow their growth activity, so that they may survive any extreme or freezing temperatures. For the home bonsai artist, you will need a place outside to keep your plants.
How To Do Bonsai - Key #2...Bonsai Must Be Trained.
Bonsai are trained to look a certain way through a number of different techniques. This can be accomplished through manipulating the trunk and branches through pruning and wiring. This is where the heart of the bonsai artistry resides. To make mistakes in this area of training could lead to catostrophic results. Don't be disheartened though. Anyone, with some proper training and time can learn how to properly train their bonsai.
How To Do Bonsai - Key #3...Bonsai Must be Fed and Watered.
Just like all other plant life, bonsai require three things to survive: sun, food and water. Assuming your bonsai resides primarily outside, as the bonsai artist, your primary concern is to feed and water your trees. Feeding your bonsai with the proper nutrients and trace elements is crucial to promote proper and healthy growth. Watering improperly is probably the most common mistake made by beginners. Again, with the proper teaching resource, whether that is a Master Bonsai artist or a reputable how to book, anyone can easily learn how to properly care for their bonsai.
How To Do Bonsai - Key #4...Bonsai Require Time.
Many first time bonsai artists think that "owning' a bonsai is what it is all about. This is not what bonsai is all about. Bonsai is all about the enjoyment of caring for them and ultimately their creation. Remember: bonsai truly is an art form and as such requires time to perfect. As an aspiring bonsai artist you will need time to learn how to properly care for and train your tree, but you must also have the time to see it come to fruition. Bonsai are not created over night. A typical bonsai may not even be placed into a bonsai pot until after a few years of training. Don't rush the process, enjoy it!
After reading this article, I hope you have come to understand a little more of what the art of bonsai is all about. Have fun!

About the Author
You can learn from the Bonsai Masters how to grow, train and care for your own
bonsai art! http://www.usfreeads.com/713878-cls.html

How To Decide The Style Of Your Garden

2008-08-20T00:50:00.001-07:00

All garden have styles, just as with furniture and interior decorating. Sometimes styles can be blended and sometimes not. Generally, you want your more intensive formal-looking areas, like roses and annual flower beds, closer to the house; then you can let the garden become more natural as you move farther away.
Adding a small perennial flower bed next to the garage works beautifully. But a yard starts to look funny if you have a Japanese cloud-pruned pine, an English perennial border, some natural-looking shrubs, and a fish pond all at one time. If you live in the woods, among towering forest trees, one sheared bush will look odd. Pollarded trees look good next to the chateaux in France, but they look silly as the only two treated that way out of a row of trees on the parking strip in front of your house. Pollarded trees are the ones pruned to look like 6-foot lollipops.
Below are seven examples of popular garden styles:
1. Formal English: Clipped hedges, roses, knot gardens 2. English Cottage: Lots of fruit trees and perennials rambling around in great profusion 3. Japanese: Highly trained and maintained pines and other trees with masses of low sheared shrubs, placed rocks, and sand seas 4. Early American: Forsythias, quince, peonies, bearded iris 5. Pacific Northwest: Rocks to look like mountain outcroppings, rhododendron, pines, heather, vine maples, Douglas firs 6. Woodland: Tall trees with understory plants and groundcovers 7. Prairie: Grasses and sun-loving wildflowers
You would not put an art deco table next to your French Provincial couch. Be equally careful to blend styles in your yard. A good exercise for you is to start looking at yards as you pass them. When you find one you like, try to put into words what it is that appeals to you. You should know that people go through stages of gardening taste the way they do tastes in clothes or cars. At first people are attracted to the 'mixture of color' yards packed with annuals and dahlias. They also like sheared shrubs. They graduate through various styles and stages.
Because people like flowers, horticulturists began to breed bigger and more spectacular flowers on plants and shrubs to dazzle us. These are called 'hybrids.' Often the plants have lost many interesting secondary characteristics like scent and interesting sizes, colors, and shapes of leaves. Hybrid rhododendrons look a lot alike most of the year, but species (those are ones existing naturally in the wild) vary greatly in size: some have giant leaves while others are tiny plants. Some species rhododendrons have blue felt called 'indementum' under the leaves while others have gold felt. Some smell interesting if you rub or prune them. Some have dangling trumpets for blooms. Species plants are more likely to bloom at a different season or smell good. They also look more 'natural.
There is nothing wrong with any style of yard. You may be torn among several, but eventually your own style will assert itself. Many go full circle and come back to 'gaudy' dahlias; others remain true to their first love, perhaps the rose, Still others find new styles that are more suited to their personality. Take some time to look in books and magazines and visit gardens to see what type you identify with most closely.

About the Author
Paul Duxbury writes extensively about gardening and landscaping and you will discover more at http://www.garden-care-centre.com and http://www.essential-garden-accessories.com

How To Create The Perfect Koi Pond In Five Easy Steps

2008-08-20T00:49:00.001-07:00

"Over The Garden Wall With Oaky" takes a look at creating the perfect Koi Carp Pond for a beautiful addition to your ongoing garden lanscaping projects, using five easy to follow steps
Step 1- Setting Up The Perfect Environment
You perfect Koi pond starts with the actual pond itself. You have to create a pond that will not only be pleasing to the eye, but will also adequately sustain Koi. Proper placement, size, and pond type is essential when building your pond.
When it comes to pond size, the bigger is always better. Koi have a habit of growing rather fast, so you have to consider pond size at the same time you are considering how many Koi you are going to put it in.
Unless you have a large amount of knowledge in outdoor landscaping, fish keeping, and construction, it may be a good idea to leave the pond building to a professional. While some people think that building the pond yourself with save you money, this could not be further from the case. If your pond is not build properly the first time, you will end up spending a large amount of money on fixing the problems that come up. Not only that, if your pond is not properly setup, you may not even be able to keep fish alive.
Remember when you hire a professional, it is their job to give you what you want. They can give their knowledge when it comes to decision making, but ultimately, they will do whatever you want them too. Because of this, you cannot blame them if your pond fails do to location, size, or other factors. However, beware of extremely cheap quotes as they may cut corners that could potentially cause you problems later. While quotes will come in different, there should not be a very dramatic difference between them.
Step 2- Learning about Koi Keeping
Knowledge is power when it comes to Koi keeping. It is important to learn as much as you possibly can about the hobby before jumping in with both feet.
It is important to learn the information yourself rather then relying on other sources. People such as your product dealer and pond builder will have limited knowledge, but should not be trusted for a reliable source, as they are selling products and may be bias. Plus, once you are at home with your Koi, your product dealer or pond builder may not be available to help you in the event of a problem.
Step 3- Picking Out Koi
Once you have created the perfect environment, you will need to start looking into buying your fish. It is important to remember never to purchase to many Koi because they will grow rather large, and they breed almost yearly. Overpopulating your Koi pond will cause serious problems in the future.
Step 4- Preventing Common Koi Pond Problems
You can prevent certain types of Koi pond problems by following simple prevention steps.
Always quarantine new fish before introducing them to your current Koi population. Koi can have certain illnesses and viruses, such as KHV or Koi Herpes Virus, with little or no showing symptoms. By quarantining, you will greatly reduce the risk of exposing your population to potentially deadly situations.
Do water tests at least on a weekly basis. This will allow you to notice discrepancies in the test results long before your pond starts showing symptoms of stress. This iwill potentially save not only your pond, but your fish as well.
Step 5- Feeding Your Koi
Finally, feeding you Koi can be one of the most pleasing parts of having a perfect Koi pond.
You should check with your local pet store or Koi dealer when it comes to the amount and types of food that you should be feeding your fish. Feeding patterns change with season and temperature.
Koi can be fed treats such as fruit, veggies, bread, and store bought treats.
Koi can literally be trained to eat directly from your hand. This takes time and patience, but will ultimately provide entertainment to you and your visitors. If you place a medium bamboo hoop in the water using tether lines secured to the ponds edges, and only put your food in this area when feeding, your Koi will soon jump and leap in and around it at feeding time. A beautiful sight to see on a mid-summers day
Here's to your Koi Carp and landscaping success
Until we meet again "Over The Garden Wall" it's back to my potting shed for me. An Amateur landscape Gardeners work is never done, no matter what time of year it is.

About the Author
John Elliott aka Oaky Wood together with Luella May co-founded http://thecorner4women.com and are great believers in the relaxation and stress relief properties of having your own Koi Carp Pond somewhere in your landscaped garden. John has been an avid Amateur Gardener for over 25 years

How to Create the Best Garden Pond

2008-08-20T00:48:00.002-07:00

A Garden Pond is an asset to your Garden as well as your Home. The Garden Pond will add value and beauty to your Home. When Completed as per your idea and the Plant and Animal life thrive on it, you have a small wonder World within your Garden Pond..
Building your Garden Pond needs careful planning and perfect execution. A well built Garden Pond can change your Garden in many ways. If you know anybody who has a Garden Pond they will tell you how much the Pond has changed their Gardens. It not only provides a focal point for relaxing and enjoying your Garden, but it will also be a heaven for wonderful local Wildlife.
The first and foremost thing in setting up a Garden Pond is to plan well, don't try to take any step before planning. That is never rushing to buy materials before the plan is perfect. The next step is to plan the best position within your Garden for the Pond. Point to consider include the amount of Sunlight the Pond will receive during the year, distance from the House and household Members such as Children and Pets, position in relation to Trees, because if the Pond is subjected to strong Sunlight, Algae may be encouraged to grow. Constantly clearing out leaves is not an easy job.
Next will be the materials required for building the Pond. Ranging from UPVC to Concrete there are several different types of Material which you may choose to create your Garden Pond. You can discuss few things like where to set up your pond, what you expect your Pond to be like with a specialist Garden Pond provider company who will help you to use the best materials.
Before digging out your Garden Pond you have to check whether any Pipes or Wires go underneath it. If you are sure there is nothing to disturb your plan you start digging as per your plan. Create shallower areas for Wildlife and specific Plants, and remove any sharp Stones or foreign debris which is found around the place.
Filling a Garden Pond with Tap Water is risky because it may encourage the growth of Algae since Tap Water contains Minerals in it. So it is better to discuss this with a Garden Pond specialist who may help you out on specific Products to prevent this problem. The best way to fill the pond is to use Rainwater.

About the Author
John Gibb is the owner of garden pond resources , For more information on garden ponds
check out http://www.GardenPond-guidance1k.info

How To Create Beautiful Gardens With Ornamental Grasses

2008-08-20T00:48:00.001-07:00

Everyone wants to have a beautiful garden but to achieve this there are many considerations including plants, flowers, water system, soil characteristic, sun exposure and many more.
All these will contribute to the overall impact of your beautified garden but one important element that should also include is ornamental grasses.
Ornamental grasses are very popular now among homemakers and gardeners. This is a very efficient and effective way to ensure a beautiful garden minus the hassle of high maintenance requirements.
These ornamental grasses can come in various colors that will definitely fit any scheme or motif that is aimed for in the garden.
There are landscape considerations where ornamental grasses can surely fit the scheme.
For example, a fall landscape can maximize the form and texture provided by the adorning grasses. The grasses can also last until the winter months, therefore extending the use of your ornaments.
Here are some of the ornamental grasses and their particular characteristics that you can consider to include in your garden.
Pampas Grass
This is a tall grass that grows up to three meters in height. The leaves are long and slender that may come in colors of evergreen, bluish green or even silvery grey.
They are perfect for ornamental displays but extra caution is needed for their sharp edges.
Blue Oat Grass
The blue oat grass creates dense foliage of blue leaves and they tend to retain this characteristic throughout the year. The blue oat grass also grows pleasant flowers from the months of June to August.
This ornamental grass requires very low maintenance. You can water them weekly or once in every two weeks, depending on the climate of your home environment.
Feather Reed Grass
Feather reed grasses grow wonderfully at the average of three to five feet in height. This is a favorite choice among households who aim for a fall landscape.
They grow well in almost any type of environment. They can withstand too much sun or too much moisture but they tend to have a stunted growth in the warmer areas.
Feather reeds also grow flowers during the summertime in white or red.
Tips in Growing Ornamental Grasses in Your Garden
There are things to be wary of to ensure a longer life on your ornamental grasses. Here are some considerations to take into account in installing and tending the ornamental grasses.
1. Soil and Temperature Consideration
Most of the ornamental grasses can thrive in any type of soil. They are not very choosy in the environment. They can also manage ordinary temperature changes.
However, for those people who live in locations with extreme climate conditions like extremely cold or extremely warm, then a few researches will not harm.
This is to ensure that you pick an ornamental grass that can last long in your home environment.
2. Landscape Design
There are certain characteristics that will make one ornamental grass desirable over another. However, you cannot simply pick everything and put them in your garden.
Maximize the aesthetic effects of the shape, sizes and texture of each type of ornamental grass you find.
Try consulting a landscape artist for this endeavor. You can also try to read on some landscaping ideas and innovate from what you will get.
3. Color Coordination
Ornamental grasses also come in different colors. This aspect will best complement any color scheme or motif you aim to achieve in your garden.
4. Insects and Pests
Make sure that you know any possible tendency of inviting insects and pests in the grass that you choose. This way, you can prevent this problem later on.
If you cannot make resort to other types of grasses, then you can at least prepare the environment of the garden to repel these pests.
Conclusion
Coming up with a beautiful garden is possible with these ornamental grasses. Just take these considerations above seriously and you will surely achieve the best aesthetics you are eyeing for.

About the Author
Lee Dobbins writes for http://grasses.garden-g8way.com where you can learn more about all different types of grasses including more about ornamental grass.

How To Create A Great Landscape Design

2008-08-20T00:47:00.002-07:00

Landscaping is a good mix of being creative and practical. When you follow proper design principles then you will get something that does what you want it and is also good to look at. Professional landscapers start by looking at the available space and dividing it into areas for different purposes.
Each area, sometimes called an activity zone has a particuar purpose - so there might be a flower and a vegetable garden and maybe a paved area for walking on, a pond or other water feature because these encourage more wildlife and maybe a deck or patio for relaxing on. These and other areas as well as fences, sheds and paths are all part of the whole and each piece of the landscape should be considered in relation to the others.
If you want to create something that is both practical and good to look at then it is a good idea to make some outlines of different designs - if you don't feel comfortable with this then there is software to help you.
You need to decide the kind of flowers and other plants that you want in each area and where they will grow best. You might want to consider whether to a multi-leveled step garden with the areas in tiers is suited to your needs. This can work to the best advantage in a rectangular garden with one side against the wall of your house. Perhaps you prefer your garden to be circular so that it can be viewed from all sides.
Don't forget about the ongoing business of gardening and the need for sheds to hold tools and the lawnmowe. These areas are best kept flat. Walkways should be stepped or leveled, and the deck or patio should be raised.
Give your imagination free rein when you are working out the various positions for trees and flowers of different species. Maybe you want shady trees for sitting under or some fruit trees so that you can grow your own apples or pears etc.
Do your research and learn about pruning practices, in order to keep your home safe and to keep your trees healthy. Don't plant too close to the house because tree roots will spread and cause problems. Check the proper time of year for transplanting flowers and shrubs, and weed regularly to keep your garden tidy.
If you have pets or young children - or if you just want to keep parts of the garden out of bounds then you will need some fencing. Fencing can be in the form of chain link, or something that looks good such as wrought iron, redwood or brick.
Have some idea of the time and effort you need to put caring for your garden once everything is up and running. Some plants need a lot more care than others or may need to be replanted year after year. Perennials will grow back year after year whereas annuals will need replanting every year.
Don't forget to take account of the how much sunshine vs shade for you need in different areas. That will have affect the type of plants you can put there. You also need to think about the amount of water from rainfall and how often you will need to be out there with the watering can. Some plants are very sun or drought tolerant, but others need more shade and soil that is always moist.
Whatever you do will depend on your particular geography, climate and conditions. These things will determine how long your growing season is, what mix of evergreen, deciduous or fruit trees you want and what will grow in your garden.
You don't need to be an expert landscaper to make a start and produce some great results. Start simple - you can always add or re-do as your knowledge and experience grows. Everyone has some failures but when you see the results of your efforts you'll be happy at the way your skills have developed.

About the Author
Lee Dobbins writes for Backyard Garden And Patio where you can learn more about gardening and get
more tips on landscaping design.

How To Create A Butterfly Garden

2008-08-20T00:47:00.001-07:00

Creating a butterfly garden is a little different from the standard flower garden, but that does not mean you need to be without any favorite flowers or fragrances. Many butterfly attractants are just as attractive to humans as they are to butterflies. Flower gardens are already naturally attractive to butterflies because they are always seeking sunny spaces with brightly colored, fragrant flowers.
Where you live always has a great deal of impact on your garden. Fortunately, when it comes to butterfly gardens, the NABA (North American Butterfly Association) has done much of the work for you by creating region specific brochures about butterflies and their attractants. Take a look before planting your garden. But here are the basics to get started.
Basking
There is almost nothing as important in attracting butterflies to your garden than bright sunlight. Butterflies thrive on sunlight. Butterflies are insects, and as such, they are cold blooded and need sunlight to heat their bodies to make them active. Just provide sunny spaces the butterflies will come to bask.
Butterflies also like a bit of water. This is especially important to remember in arid regions where natural sources of standing water are hard to find. Garden fixtures, like fountains, can provide places for butterflies when water is scarce. Butterflies are equally pleased with sun-warmed stepping-stones and little patches of run-off water than might remain around your garden or on a walkway.
Waterfalls really attract butterflies, the light sprinkle of water that lands on stone and dirt a bit away is ideal for basking butterflies as it allows them to warm their bodies and receive nourishment from mineral deposits within the water. Use a tall, decorative waterfall as a backdrop for a butterfly garden with a reasonable amount of space around it or use a smaller, more delicate water source like a watering can fountain in a tighter space. Watering can Fountains: http://www.garden-fountains.com/Categories.bok?category=Watering+Can+Fountains
Try to arrange your garden in a very bright area of your yard. It is generally recommended that any area that you are thinking of placing a butterfly garden in should get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. If possible, enhance basking options for your butterflies with various pieces of garden statuary like an elegant birdbath. For birdbaths, visit: http://www.garden-fountains.com/Categories.bok?category=Bird+Baths
Eating
Nectar is a major attractant for butterflies. Plant your highest nectar sources in the brightest sunlight since most butterflies only feed in the sun. Depending on where you live there are certain flowers that will help attract specific species. There are a few general hints available.
Butterflies are attracted to especially bright colors, and large patches of bright colors are more likely to catch their eye. Try planting clumps of vivid pink, red, orange and yellow flowers that will stand out in a sunny place.
Butterflies are also commonly fond of flowers with flat tops and relatively shallow throats. Butterflies reach into a flower to get at the nectar so flowers with shallow throats are easier for them.
A few specifics
Butterfly bush is an aptly named deciduous shrub and grows easily in many climates. There are quite a few varieties of Butterfly bush. It grows on long arching stems and produces clusters of tiny, fragrant flowers (rather like lilac). They flower in a wide range of bright colors and are relatively easy to grow.
If your soil is a little dry, Butterfly weed, also known as milkweed, will probably grow well and do much to attract a variety of butterflies. Most butterfly weed blooms late in the summer and is between one and three feet high. The perennial has red, orange and yellow flowers. Butterfly weed is also a host plant for several kinds of butterflies.
Growing
While you may be thinking that you can't "grow" butterflies as you do flowers, you can grow the foods that feed caterpillars, which will then make your garden their home.
Host plants are essential to a butterfly garden if you are hoping to do more than just attract those that happen to be near. Many butterflies have short lives, so if you want your garden to be a flutter with them, the best bet is to help them grow yourself.
The previously mentioned butterfly weed is one of the most common host plants for monarch butterflies. Many of the plants that are the best host plants for butterflies are weeds, like Queen Anne's Lace, nettle and thistle. Different species like different foods so make sure to provide the right food for the right butterfly. For best results, grow primarily native plants in your garden, this will attract butterflies in the area. Non-native plants may be harder to grow and there may not be butterflies in your area attracted to them. Whatever you do, don't use pesticides in your butterfly garden. Pesticides will kill the butterflies you've been trying to attract as well as any other insects in your garden. Remember that you are planting host plants so that they become food for caterpillars so if they are being eaten they are doing their job.

About the Author
Elizabeth Jean wrote this article for Garden-Fountains.com. She recommends you visit them for Bird Baths, Garden Statues, and all types of Water and Wall Fountains.

How To Create A Budget for Your Landscaping Projects

2008-08-20T00:46:00.002-07:00

Any landscape project requires planning which including setting a budget to ensure that you do not spend money you have not got! Creating your landscape budget will help you figure out how much you can spend on building your landscape, and it will help you make an investment in your home that can hopefully add value to your property and yield a great returns.
When you are setting your budget, it is important to remember that your costs do not end with the initial costs of building the landscape. You need to take account of the cost of maintenance, replacing materials and any other related and recurring costs that are a part of the landscape experience. Whilst the extent of your budgeting will vary you need to set a budget whether all you have is a lawn or a much more elaborate design.
When you set your budget, you need to take into account everything. Whilst this can appear to be a distraction from getting on with the project and creating the beautiful landscape you have in mind, in the end it will help you out. You will not be surprised at how much everything costs if you have estimates on costs and if you have stuck to your reasonable budget.
It will help if you think of each portion of the landscape as an individual project and create a budget for each project. Then add it all up to see if you can afford the total. You can adjust what you want for the flowerbed if that will bring your total cost down, or choose to forego one of the statues you had planned to place if that will reduce your costs to within affordable limits
You need to figure out which plants you want, and whether or not they will look good in your landscape. You should try to come up with a variety of plants and then investigate their costs. Find out what types of fences are available and create a budget based on something that you like, but that does not cost a lot. Know what materials you will need to build a patio, deck, or arbor. Then figure out how much those materials are going cost, and whether you can get them any cheaper.
When creating your budget, keep in mind the landscape that you want. Are there special fixtures you desire? What elements can you live without? You need to create your vision of the landscape and then alter it according to your financial abilities to support your vision. Landscape design software can help in this, as you can easily adjust your plan and your ideas to fit with your budget.
You can figure out the approximate costs of certain aspects of your desired landscape by talking to professionals or by looking online to find what is needed for similar projects. If something is going to be too expensive, you will need to decide either get rid of it altogether, or adjust a few other elements to compensate for the increased price.
Plants are likely to be the main elements of most landscapes. When choosing plants, you need to consider size and growth rate. Many people choose cheap, fast growing plants and do not take into account future maintenance costs. Fast growing plants typically cost more in maintenance because they get bigger faster. They require more pruning, and if you are not careful they can quickly make your landscape look overgrown. Slower growing plants may force you to adjust your initial views of spending, but will save you money over the long run.
Part of your budget should include future maintenance costs, and you should make sure you get estimates on those, for a variety of possible plants, when planning your landscape budget.
Another decision you have to make is how much of the work you are going to do yourself. There are many landscape projects that can be done without professionals, and still look very attractive. If you are worried about pouring concrete for walkways, construct your walkways out of flat rocks. Part of creating your landscape budget is factoring in the cost of labor. If you do it, then it certainly adds to the feasibility of doing more for less.
Once you have created your budget, keeping everything in mind, and making a detailed list of how much you want to spend for each individual project, you can then begin working on the projects. Try to save as much money as you can, making it a goal to come in at or below budget. If something looks to be costing more than you budgeted for that project, you need to scale back or adjust another project. Creating a budget does no good if you do not stick to it, and it can come back to haunt you later if you disregard the budget you made.

About the Author
Paul Duxbury writes extensively on Landscaping and Gardening and you can read more at Landscaping Ideas

How To Create A Beautiful Garden Walkway

2008-08-20T00:46:00.001-07:00

Walkways give a finishing touch to a garden. Depending on their design, they can visually unify or divide a garden and invite visitors to follow wherever they lead. A well-built, well-designed walkway combines beauty and function, whether it is a mulched path, a series of stepping stones, concrete, brick, or stone.
Before you begin construction, take time to consider how a walkway will fit into your overall garden plan. If you are considering a system of walkways for a large property, or a long walk to travel through several areas of your yard, first draw a detailed plan on paper and then transfer the design to the ground as you build each section.
A simpler walkway can be "designed" directly on the ground: For a straight path, use taut string and stakes; for a curved path, outline its contours with a garden hose or rope. Adjust curves by holding a string marked with the desired path width at right angles across the path (this will take two people holding the string on each end and moving the hose or rope to the correct position). Then mark the line.
Like any other garden feature, walkways have different styles. Straight walkways provide a direct route from one point to another and are geometrically suited to formal gardens. Regardless of the style of the landscape, straight lines are best for walks that are designed primarily for a practical purpose, such as for taking out the garbage or walking to the garage.
Informal gardens lead themselves to curving walks. A wide walk that sweeps gracefully up to your front door makes a more agreeable approach than a rigidly straight one. Or you can plan a walkway to meander through the garden, alternately hiding focal points and views. Make the width of main walks at least 4 or 5 feet, so that two people can walk along side by side; other pathways can be 2 or 3 feet wide. Where walks will also be used for garden carts and other equipment, make sure that you will be able to maneuver them easily, with space to pass without damaging plants.
Any walkway should be safe and stable, fairly level, and provide enough traction to walk upon comfortably. A well-tended earth path can be charming in a rustic garden, but isn't practical for a well-traveled path because it will alternate between dust and mud depending on the weather. Mulched or paved paths are neat looking and eliminate dust and mud. Wood chips or gravel (dark gray, not white) are both good-looking practical mulches; they will have to be raked and replaced periodically and are not entirely weedproof. You can reduce maintenance by edging a mulch or gravel path with landscape ties or flexible lawn edging.
Poured concrete is versatile and durable if you don't mind the challenge of a complicated project that involves some heavy work. Other materials to consider include brick, concrete pavers, and cut slate or flagstone. Flat native stones that match the color and texture of local outcroppings give the most natural look. Walks laid without mortar look soft and pretty when mosses, thyme, or other creepers are established in the cracks. Brick remains the most popular paving material and works well with any garden style, formal or informal. It is durable, versatile, and comes in a variety of sizes, textures, and colors. Furthermore, it can be laid in many different beautiful patterns. Bricks are easy to lift and handle, and you can work in stages to suit your own schedule.

About the Author
Paul Duxbury writes extensively on Gardening and Landscaping and you can read more at http://www.garden-care-centre.com and http://www.essential-garden-accessories.com

How to Choose Your Koi Fish

2008-08-20T00:45:00.002-07:00

If you are a beginner in buying koi fish, how to go about the process will seem overwhelming at first. There are many places to purchase koi fish, and you want to be careful where you get them. Various places you can buy kois are in catalogs, online and at specialty pet shops. The problem with buying your fish from these sources is that you do not know who you are really buying from. If you do happen to buy koi at a pet shop, one thing you should never do is buy the first fish that catches your eye. This is a guaranteed way to pick a sick fish, and before you know it you'll have a dead fish on your hands. When you go to a pet store, look around. Observe the conditions of the store, how clean it is, what it smells like, etc. Of course any store selling lots of fish will have a distinct fishy smell. That is normal. What is not normal is to smell dead or decaying fish. That is a sign that you should not buy your fish there.
When deciding which fish to purchase, inspect the fish for certain signs of health. Does the fish have clear eyes? Does it have a protective coat of slime that you can see? Does it have all its scales? Observe the water and how it looks. Are the fish acting strangely at all? Disorientation in the fish may signify poor water quality. You want to be very careful in your purchase.
A better way of purchasing your koi fish is to get them from a nearby dealer, preferably one you already know. Koi dealers are experts, or they are supposed to be, on the subject of koi. Buying from koi dealers is probably your best bet in getting a healthy fish. To find a koi dealer in your area, look up your closest koi club and that will usually lead you in the right direction.
Once you have purchased your fish, you must take care in moving it from the store to your home. Have the store or dealer put your fish in a large plastic bag filled with water. Put an elastic at the top of the bag to seal it and prevent any water from leaking out. It might be easiest to ask for a box to put the bag in to prevent your koi from rolling around in your car. If it is during the day, cover the fish with a blanket during the car ride to block it from strong sunlight.
If you are getting your koi from a dealer on the internet, it would be smart to call and check how they ship their koi beforehand. Although they should be an expert on how to pack and ship koi, it is better to be safe than sorry.

About the Author
For more information about Koi, Koi Pond or koi Fish, please visit Azlan and Irda website at http://www.myownkoipond.com

How to Choose the Right Tree for Your New Garden

2008-08-20T00:45:00.001-07:00

Planting a tree in your garden is an investment of time and money. Choosing the right tree will make those investments pay off in the future when your tree begins to provide shade, flowers and even fruit.
In the new e-book "Gardening Made Easy" you will learn how to choose the right tree, how to plant your new tree and how to maintain it while it grows to maturity. Visit our site for your copy of "Gardening Made Easy" and have a look at this overview of the chapter on tree gardening.
Choosing The Right Tree For Your Yard
There are several factors that must be considered in choosing a tree that will flourish and provide shade for your yard.
You must take into consideration the amount of room available for the tree to develop, what areas of your property you want shaded, whether the root system will interfere with under ground and over head lines and how many trees you want in your yard.
You will also need to decide if you want a fruit tree, a flowering tree or just a beautiful shade tree.
Planting Your Tree
A tree must be carefully planted in order to grow and thrive.
The hole for your new tree must be dug approximately twice the size of the root ball and the root ball must be planted level with the surface of the ground to prevent the root system from drying out and killing the tree.
Although you should not fertilize your new tree for at least the first year, you must water it weekly. Giving your tree the proper amount of water will allow the root system to develop properly. A well developed root system means a full, lush, healthy tree!

About the Author
Tom Straub is a successful author and webmaster of the Best Gardening Tips website. Discover
everything you ever wanted to know about gardening... but never dared to ask.

How To Choose Garden Flowers

2008-08-20T00:44:00.002-07:00

You will want flowers for cutting and flowers for contributing gaiety and charm to your grounds. The aim of the successful gardener is to have a succession of flowers from early spring to late fall.
You can plan from the beginning to have perennials which bloom at different seasons, (for example, iris, which has the peak of its bloom just as the peony season begins).
Know accurately when the perennials bloom and then plan to fill in the gaps left by their passing with prolific and quick-growing annuals. You can plan to have a potting bed, perhaps in your vegetable garden or in a sheltered spot behind your tool house or garage, where you can grow extra annuals as well as those perennials which do not mind being transplanted. Then when the tulip season passes, for example, you can fill in with another tall bulb, a summer-flowering one, such as, perhaps, the canna lily.
Your plan should be made on paper, with the shape of the bed or border sketched in, and the position of the plants indicated. Perhaps one of the most common and feasible design for the average 60 x 100 foot lot, or even the half-acre lot is a border running the length and rear wall of the back yard. This can be a mixed border of summer-flowering bulbs, perennials and annuals, backed by shrubs.
Other designs can be planned for the center of the lawn, for the foundation planting, for the pathways to the house and for the sides of the house. Semi-formal or formal gardens can have borders or beds laid out alongside of and divided by walks.
In planning your border, provide for tall screening plants that will form a background for the shorter plants. The screening plants may need staking but they should be sturdy. If you have a wide border, over 6 feet, you will need a narrow path in front of the screening plants for cultivating and tending. The centre border plants are of medium height, and can be chosen for vivid colour. If you are planning a wide border, relatively tall plants such as iris go here. In the foreground is your edging, composed of such neat and plainly visible flowers as: clipped green perennials, or low-growing petunia, ageratum, pansies, dwarf marigolds or sweet alyssum. It is wise in planning to have beds or borders that are visible from your windows and close to your terraces and gathering places outdoors.
The special planting set close to the house is called foundation planting and has great importance since it improves and enhances the proportions of your house as well as relates the house to the grounds.
Evergreens are widely used for foundation planting not only because they can thrive in the shade of the house, but because of their year-round good looks.
If you have not used evergreens elsewhere, though, it is a mistake to suddenly use them at the foundation. The contrast will be too sharp; the evergreens are apt to look forbidding. There remains a wide choice of flowering shrubs, dwarf fruit trees, roses and cushion chrysanthemums that will lend colour to your foundation design in spring, summer and fall. Japanese red leaf barberry, floribunda roses, flowering quince and forsythia are among the bushes and plants that can be used.
While it is tempting to try one of each of the nursery's evergreen specimens in your foundation planting, this should, of course, be avoided. On the other hand, contrast tall and low-growing types: use stiff-needled pines with feathery juniper with broadleaved laurel and rhododendron.
In your preliminary planning, draw to scale the relationship between your house elevation and the foundation shrubs and trees as they will look at mature height. Perhaps some of those you've selected will be too tall for your house, obscuring your windows and making the house gloomy inside. In that case, you don't want them.
In general, because your entrance is the most important feature of your house facade, you start your planning with it in mind, using shrubs that direct the eye toward the door. The planting in front of the house is usually bowl-shaped in its overall outline. This gives the impression of a broad base to the house. In some places, let the wall show to the foundation. Put the tallest shrubbery at the corners of your house.

About the Author
Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida. Get flowers delivered at http://www.flowers-delivered-plus.com

How To Choose Furniture For Your Garden

2008-08-20T00:44:00.001-07:00

Being able to eat and drink outside in the privacy of your garden on a summer's day is a truly delightful experience. In the UK, our summers can be short-lived, so we've got to make the best of them when we do have good weather. That's why choosing the right furniture for your outside space is so important.
One of the most crucial considerations when choosing your garden furniture is how much you can afford to spend on it. Think about how much use the furniture will get before you go and splash out on a hugely expensive item. Think about what it will be used for, too. Make sure you can live with the your choice of furniture for many years and that it's not something that you'll want to get rid of next year because it's no longer fashionable.
You'll also need to think about the amount of space you have available. Be sure to choose something that still allows you to move around easily and that won't look like it's crammed in. It needs to be able to fulfil the purpose for which it was designed. For example, if you're choosing a garden table, make sure that it looks good when it's not in use, but that it can seat people comfortably and is wide enough to accommodate place settings and serving bowls.
There is so much garden furniture available that it is a good idea to visit a few showrooms, so that you can try out the furniture for comfort and compare prices. Looking on the internet or interior design magazines can also be helpful in giving you some ideas.
It pays to do some research when choosing garden furniture, because there is nothing worse than spending a fortune on something that doesn't quite hit the mark. Make the right decision and you will get years of use and enjoyment from it.

About the Author
Patio-Furniture LLP sells a wide range of beautiful garden furniture at very reasonable prices. Visit their website now by clicking on teak garden furniture

HOW TO CHOOSE BONSAI HERBS!

2008-08-20T00:43:00.000-07:00

Bonsai Defined: How to choose bonsai herbs
Laurus Nobilis or the sweet bay laurel is an aromatic tree with evergreen shrubs. In nature, the tree grows up to 40-feet tall in warm areas. When the tree is potted however, it only grows a few feet at a slow pace. Sweet bay laurel is one of the difficult species to reproduce organisms. When the plant is grown in gardens, you will need to cut and seed frequently to entice the plant to root, or propagate. The roots and seed are difficult to grow at the start.
If you purchase the sweet bay, choose the smaller plants that are designed to grow in gardens, or outdoors. The plant in suitable growing conditions will flourish. However, as the plant starts to develop suckers you will need to remove them. Otherwise, the bonsai will loose its shape. During the winter months, you want to bring the plant indoors. Use brilliant lights, and situate the plant near the south window.
The sweet bay is a long-lasting bonsai, yet it is not idea for beginners. If you are a new grower, you may want to view the list of rosemary herbs instead. The rosemary is the Rosmarinus Officinalis group, which the herbs are easiest to grow. You can keep this plant indoors, since it can handle humidity. Rosemary bonsai is similar to pine. The plant will endure indoors or out. The rosemary group has a selection of colors and styles. Rosemary grows scented flowers, which are pink, light to dark blue, and/or white. Rosemary adds variety, and the plant type has a wide array of foliages.
Like the sweet bay however, rosemary is difficult to start growth. Rosemary requires a degree of cutting in order to propagate. You should trim the plant during growing season, i.e. around summer. During the winter months, rosemary can tolerate cooler weather, yet you should place the plants near the south, west, or east area of your home, near a window. Rosemary includes the pine fragrance. Experts recommend that all rosemary plants have limited peat added to the soil, especially in pots. If you use less peat or sand, it will assist in keeping rosemary from drying out or having too much moisture, the required care for the rosemary plant.
Santa Barbara rosemary's are attractive bonsai. If you plant the Santa Barbara in your garden, make sure that you surround it with debris, or objects such as timber, flat rocks, etc. The plants can benefit from the shield. If you fail to provide the shield, the Santa Barbara bonsai has a tendency to grow outside of its boundary. Prostrate rosemary is another herb trained as the bonsai. The creeping rosemary is the same as prostrate, only known as creeping in different areas. Each member of this herb named is a cascade-style so to speak. Rosemary plants require warmer environments, drier surroundings, and ventilation to prevent mildew.
How to train: When you train, cascades follow the instructions provided to you. Few cascades are best off if you plant them at the edge of an elevated bed. The bed should trail to the other side of the bed. Rosemary is also grown for adding flavors to meals or making perfumes. Again, if you are a beginner, the rosemary herbs are the plant of choice. In fact, rosemary is a beautiful plant that you will enjoy for years to come.
Rosemary, cascades, Santa Barbara, etc, are of the tender perennial group. If you starting out, we recommend that you learn more about the plants, including training, caring, types, styles, classes, etc, to help you grow your plants effectively.

About the Author
About the author: I am the author of the popular gardening book "SEASONALGARDENING A-Z" I am a regular contributor in most gardening forums. Click here now to download your copy of seaonal gardening A-Z http://www.seasonalgardeningsecrets.com

How To Choose And Maintain Lawn Grasses

2008-08-20T00:42:00.002-07:00

First things first, nothing beats smelling fresh and perfect lawn grasses very early in the morning. On a subtle level, the right lawn grass basically ensures that you have a beautiful, fresh and new day ahead.
The following are basic tips in choosing the appropriate grasses.
If you are in a cold area
The fact of the matter is that the best lawn grass for you to select if in case you happen to reside in a specific area that have winters that are very cold and summers that are quite mild, is bluegrass or those ryegrass. You could also consider choosing those tall lawn fescue grass.
Basically, all these belong to the cool season grasses. These grasses grow very vigorously during the cold months of fall and spring.
If you are in a warm area
The perfect lawn grass to select if in case you happen to live in a warm area are the Bermuda grass as well as the zoysia grass. Another lawn grass that is perfect for the warmer climate is St Augustine grass.
Such lawn grasses are perfect for the summer hot weather and the mild winters. The reason for this is that the lawn grasses that fall under the warm season types are a bit less hardy.
They also gro quite vigorously during the summer hot months and eventually turn to crisp brown during the months of winter.
Choose wisely
The best grasses to select are those that are perfectly adapted locally to pests. These lawn grasses must be the varieties which are called pest resistant.
You could also settle for variety blends or a mixture of various types of lawn grass. You could ask the help of the nursery in your local for additional information and to eventually help you choose.
What types of grass are best for spots that are shady
The perfect grasses for this are those that fall under the cool season lawn grass fescues as well as the warm season Lawn St Augustine grass. Another option is the zoysia lawn grass.
What kind of grass is perfect for the summer?
The type of lawn grass that is perfect for the dry areas come summer are the Bermuda grass, the tall lawn fescue grass as well as the buffalo lawn grass.
When you have chosen, now what?
A lot of the grasses that are perfect for the warm climate season are usually wiry and stiff. They do require that you own a reel power driven mower in order to keep these lawn grass the best they could possibly be.
How to keep lawn green when the weather is blue
The best thing to do during the months of winter when the climate is cold to the brim is to overseed the warm season lawn grasses early on in the fall. Through this method, the lawn grass is kept green and looking beautifully clean.
Usually, the buffalo lawn grass and the zoysia lawn grass are the lawn grasses that are hardiest if compared with the warm season lawn grasses.
What if your pet pees on the grass?
Dogs will always be dogs, and lawn grasses will always be lawn grasses. When your pets pee on your precious green grass, relax. It is not the end of the world.
When such a thing happens, the usual green lawn could suddenly have brown spots. What happens is that your pet's urine has overly concentrated nitrogen content which causes the lawn to burn.
Why is this so? Believe it or not, your soil already has nitrogen in it. So when your pet dog puts a lot more of his nitrogen, your precious grass gets edgy and ultimately gets brown.
Take note that the pee of a female dog is a lot more potent than the male dogs. The best thing to do when the crime has been committed is to flood the specific area.
After a few days of thorough flooding and flushing, any damage would probably be averted and your lawn grasses will be back to its good and green color.
All in all, maintaining a lawn grasses is easy. All it takes is a little patience and know how.

About the Author
Lee Dobbins writes for http://grasses.garden-g8way.com where you can learn more about having
a great lawn and choosing lawn grasses.

How to Care For Your Koi in the Spring

2008-08-20T00:42:00.001-07:00

For some regions of the world, caring for your koi in the spring does not apply because this season does not really exist or it is short in duration. But for regions that do have springtime, how you care for your koi in early spring will be much different than how you treat your fish in late spring. In early spring, conditions will be more winter like and you should treat your fish accordingly. If water temperatures are still dropping to freezing levels and below, take note of this. Make sure your pond is deep enough so that it will not completely freeze. If you have a pond that goes below ground, it should be at least two feet deep. And if it is an above ground pond, it should be even deeper than that because it does not have the insulating effect of surrounding soil. Another factor to take into account when it is cold is that like other living creatures, koi fish can become hypothermic. This is when the body temperature becomes so low that it cannot function normally. In koi fish, this happens when the water temperature becomes very cold in a short amount of time. Signs of hypothermia are loss of skin color and rapid breathing. Also, if a fish is swimming in an erratic manner, this could be a sign of hypothermia. The danger of hypothermia is that after a period of time, the fish will be starved of oxygen. This is very dangerous seeing that fish survive off oxygen. If you do notice signs of hypothermia, immediately take your koi out of the pond and warm it up slowly.
As it becomes later spring, the weather will become warmer and your koi will become much more active. Once the temperature hits 50 degrees, you can start feeding the fish wheatgrass every other day. Temperatures below this you only feed your koi every few days. When the temperature hits 55 degrees, you can start feeding your fish every day and begin mixing in staple foods with it. At 60 degrees, you start feeding your koi only protein and staple foods, with no more wheatgrass. And at 65 degrees, you start feeding them twice a day. At 68 degrees and higher, you feed them three to four times a day with high protein foods such as shrimp, lettuce, oranges and similar foods.
During springtime, it is unlikely that the temperature will reach high enough to worry about heat issues pertaining to koi, but there is the occasional early hot day. Koi fish can live very comfortably in water temperatures up to 84 degrees. Beyond that, you need to monitor them for problems such as fin rot, ulcers and sunburn. Also, when it becomes warmer there is less oxygen in the water. You may need to increase the flow of your waterfall or get air stones to add to the water. Regarding sunburns, it is necessary to provide shade such as plants and water lilies.

About the Author
For more information about Koi, Koi Pond or koi Fish, please visit Azlan and Irda website at http://www.myownkoipond.com

How to Care for Your Koi in the Fall

2008-08-20T00:41:00.001-07:00

Caring for your koi fish in the fall does not apply to all climates or weather regions because some regions simply do not have the season fall. In regions that do have fall, for example, the Northeastern United States, what you do at the beginning of the fall season and the end will be different because the weather will have changed. At the beginning of fall, in September, the weather tends to be more like summer conditions and you will want to treat your koi as if it were summertime. This means that they will be active and their metabolism will be quick. They will need to be fed three or four times a day with high protein foods such as shrimp, lettuce, oranges and any foods similar to this. It would be unlikely that you would have high enough temperatures in early fall to worry about fin rot, sunburns or other heat related conditions, but it is always possible. Just remember that in warmer weather, ideal temperature conditions for koi fish are between 78 and 84 degrees. Anything higher than that and your fish start to have issues. But in most areas in early fall, temperatures of high seventies would be unusual.
As it gets colder and the temperature dips below 68 degrees, you can start feeding your koi a bit less. Feed them about twice a day at this temperature. Once it goes below 65 degrees, you can cut back to feeding your koi once a day and start cutting back on how much protein you feed them. Start mixing in staple foods with wheatgrass and anything else that is easy to digest. Once it hits 50 degrees, feed your koi only every other day with wheatgrass. And the next step down is 45 degrees, where koi fish generally stop eating altogether. Once the temperature is reaching this low, koi need to conserve their energy and their metabolism slows down. The rule of thumb is if your fish are not moving, leave them alone and do not feed them. If they appear to be active and moving around, you can put a little bit of food in. But do not put too much because in colder weather it takes koi a long time to digest food.
When you start reaching the later months of fall, like November and December, the climate tends to be more like winter conditions and can be treated as such in regards to your koi. If your pond starts to reach freezing levels on a regular basis, take note of this and make sure you are monitoring your fish appropriately. Koi fish are cold water wish and deal very well with these conditions. One thing you do want to keep in mind, though, is how deep your pond is. You want to make sure that if it is a pond that goes below ground that it is at least two feet deep to account for freezing. Ice is ok but you do not want your pond to totally freeze over. If you have an above ground pond, you want to allow for even deeper water because you do not have the insulating effect of the surrounding soil. Other factors to consider once it gets colder is that your bio filter does not work very effectively, and levels of ammonia and nitrites will start to build up. Make sure you monitor for this.

About the Author
For more information about Koi, Koi Pond or koi Fish, please visit Azlan and Irda website at http://www.myownkoipond.com

How To Build A Water Garden Fountain Yourself

2008-08-20T00:40:00.000-07:00

Garden fountains are accessories to water ponds - be they small or large. The sound of flowing water, be it rippling or cascading are so relaxing that they add up to the peacefulness and tranquility of outdoors.
There are so many fountains to choose from. You can go for the dramatic fountains that are made out of cast stone. You can save space by going for wall fountains. There are so many finishing to select. There is the garden wall fountains that are appropriate for both indoor and outdoor use. There are sandstone finishes that add classy appeal.
Other factors we suggest you consider before deciding on the ideal fountain for you is your living space situation. Is your garden big enough to accommodate the outdoor fountains made out of copper, stone, and fiberglass? These fountains are normally so large that those who have big gardens consider these to be the center of their exterior.
Another factor that determines the kind of water garden fountain you purchase is if you have pets. If the fountain you get is on ground level, then your pet may think that it is a bathtub, or better yet for him, a swimming pool. Sometimes, they will even drink from it.
For others, water fountains, from the looks of it, may be daunting. You do not have to go to the mall yourself and check how much they are. Obviously, these are expensive. You have a water garden and you are already satisfied with a water feature that is appropriate for the landscape. A small water fountain can do the trick. It is not only cheap, it is also low-maintenance. As long as you hear the ripping of the water, your nerves will be relaxed. Why need a big fountain, right?
So you decided to build your own water garden fountain. Here are the steps:
1. Consult an electrician who could install the ground fault circuit interrupter near the man-made pond. The cord length depends on how far the fountain is from the pond. Ideally, the landscaping for the garden fountain is inches close to the patio so that while you are relaxing on the patio, you are soothed with the sounds coming from your fountain.
2. Remove the weeds that are surrounding the are you chose to put your water fountain. Double check whether the ground is level. Then that is when you dig the hole. This is where you will put the pond liner. In order for you to get the accurate dimensions of the hole, trace the preformed pond lining plastic and trace around the area.
3. Make sure that your hole is deep enough to accommodate the water garden fountain that you have in mind. Use sand to fill between the gaps. Sand can be used at the bottom because it is malleable and will let you have an easier time adjusting the height of the pond for your water garden fountain.
4. Before instilling the water garden fountain, check whether the ground is level, front and back, right and left.
5. Now you're ready to put your water garden fountain. If your main concentration on having a fountain is the decoration, then you should build a fountain that is cheap enough for you to go about the total costs. Make sure that you will be able to save more having done the job yourself than buying one and having technicians to install It for you in the first place.
6. This can be done sans plumbing, as a matter of fact. You can just drill holes in the bottom of your 'statue' and then another one on the top. With a knife, you can make the holes bigger so it would allow the plastic tubing to pass through easily.
7. Discharge the adapter of your pump by half an inch. This is where the water pushes out. Now that the plastic tubing has been fed through your statue, you can bring it over the man-made pond.
8. Fill the pond with water by putting the pump into the water, Let the tubing be submerge but at the same time, make sure that it remains hanging by the bottom of the statue. Double check that it is the right fit above the pump's adaptor.
9. Plug the pump into the outlet and watch the jet of water shoot out of the statue. You will enjoy it more because your very own hands are responsible for this project.

About the Author
Lee Dobbins writes for http://watergardens.garden-g8way.com where you can learn more about water gardens and accessories like the water garden fountain.

How To Care For Fruit Trees

2008-08-20T00:39:00.002-07:00

If you have just recently planted a new fruit tree, I think it is safe to assume you are not yet an expert on the subject. More fruit trees die in their beginning years due to poor care habits than any disease or pestilence. Therefore it is vital that you understand how to care for trees in a way that will ensure their immediate success as well as future good health.
During the first stages of the trees life, the roots, trunk, and branches have not yet fully developed to a self supporting strength. Therefore if your tree is growing fruits, occasionally the combined weight is enough to snap off an entire branch. If this is the case, you should provide external support for your branches and prop them up with boards, or tie them to something at a higher altitude. As long as you can provide your tree the support it needs in these early years, it should grow to be independent in no time at all.
Proper nutrition is not only necessary for the production of healthy fruits, but is also necessary for the tree to survive longer than one season. The exact specifications vary with the area, climate, and type of tree, but I have found that there is no better source than a nursery employee. Maybe they are just eager to sell you the right type of fertilizer, but in my experience they are almost never wrong. Just inform them about the conditions your tree is living in and how healthy it is looking, and they should be able to help you find something to improve the state of your tree.
Lots of people think that the only way to ensure a trees healthiness is to provide it insane amounts of water. This is not the case at all. As a matter of fact, giving too much water to a tree can be more harmful than making it go thirsty. At the best it will have a negative effect on the taste of the fruit. But at worst, your entire tree could die and prevent you from ever growing fruit in the future. So do not ever try to solve your problems by giving it lots of water! Solve your trees health problems at the root, so to speak. Go to where the problem originates from, and fix that.
If it is too late and you are already starting to see unhealthy branches that look either diseased or damaged, you should always remove them. If the tree is wasting nutrients by sending them out to the branch that cannot be saved, it is practically throwing away all the nutrients that it could use on the other, healthier branches. As soon as you start to see a branch that is deteriorating or becoming unhealthy, chop it off right away. At the very least, trim down the unhealthy part but leave all the segments that still look like they could continue growing.
Once your tree has started to enter the picking stage, never leave any of the fruit on the ground that is bound to fall. Also, be careful to get every piece off of the tree. Even if it is an ugly looking fruit that you dont want to keep, you should still pick it and throw it away. Once these fruits begin to rot, they provide a perfect home for unwanted insects or diseases that can transfer to the tree itself. So always remember to rake up these fallen fruits, and prevent yourself a lot of future grief.
Getting a fruit tree and caring for it throughout its life can be a daunting task. It may even seem impossible sometimes to keep track of all the factors that make a tree healthy. But if you just pay attention to the nutrients that your tree needs, you should be on a good path. In addition to nutrients, figure out the precise amount of watering that you should be doing to keep your trees thirst quenched without drowning it. Just do all these things, and you will have a great tree that produces delicious fruits.

About the Author
DM Web Directory Daniel Millions

How To Care For An Evergreen Tree

2008-08-20T00:39:00.001-07:00

So, you're interested in evergreens, are you? It's a lovely tree that has a multitude of uses. This beautiful tree can add strength and muscle to any yard or plot of land. Of course, as with any eco-friendly forest-dwelling creation, a person must have the know-how, and understand how to offer proper care for an evergreen. Nutrients, timing, and a basic understanding of the evergreen will take you far in your relationship with evergreen trees. Read on to discover how gain that insightful green-thumb knowledge.
Your first step, when you are shopping around for the right evergreen, is to pay careful attention to the root structure. You can always spend time marveling over the top growth later. Remember, it's the unseen roots that form the foundation for any tree, a key link in its life support system. Healthy root structures lead to healthy, robust trees. It's that simple. So, if a grower doesn't have photos and detailed information on the root structure, it might be a good idea to keep shopping. The roots are vital to the health of all nursery stock.
The soil is where the tree lives. So this will be another primary consideration. If you take a drive through your neighborhood or the area you'll be transplanting your evergreens, make note of the various types of trees. If you see evergreens, then it's a safe bet, you're in a good location to farm evergreens, or just watch them grow. A good source for determining what evergreens look like is to check out a Tree Buyer's Guide. Your local library or Internet is resourceful tools to help you along the way.
Spring time is an ideal time to plant evergreens. Wait for the last frost of the season, when the weather is still cool. Rain, and lots of it, will benefit your tree, especially in the initial stages of growth. If you hit a dry spell where temperatures soar, the evergreen might suffer from "thermal shock." So be wary of the weather.
To plant your tree, dig with a spade shovel, a minimum of 12 inches to create a trench. Gently place the bottom of the roots into the soil with one hand while holding the evergreen in the other. It may be a two-person endeavor. Next, pour water, a quart or more, into the trench. Let the water drain down. Then push the trench closed with soil.
Spring is not the only time to plant an evergreen. There are, however, advantages and disadvantages to fall planting. Some people choose to plant in the Fall so that the roots will be set come Spring. Open ground freezes can harm young evergreens. If the weather shifts from warm to cold, this freeze/thaw cycle can dislodge the root structure. From the other hand, transplants are less prone to being dislodged if they've had time to set up in the soil.
Summer planting is not recommended. Many seedlings die due to "thermal shock" and lack of sufficient water supply during dry summers.
Don't forget to feed your evergreen. However, evergreens are fairly self-serving trees. They don't need much fertilizer, just lots of sunshine and rain. Over fertilization is more likely to cause harm than benefit. So stay away from fertilizer and let Mother Nature do her work.
If you follow these tips, you can feel rest-assured that you're on your way to planting healthy evergreens that will flourish for many years to come.

About the Author
Avid full time hobby bonsai grower. Owner of http://www.mishobonsai.com, a website with ressource for Bonsai
seeds and Bonsai tree care.

How To Build An Arbor

2008-08-20T00:38:00.000-07:00

You might find it difficult to believe, but building an arbor for your garden landscape can actually be quite inexpensive. If you keep the arbor relatively small, to a two-post size, you can have a very attractive landscape feature for a small cost. Even the novice landscaper can build a small arbor without too much trouble in about two days (probably three at the most). It can be a very rewarding project that provides a sophisticated sense of beauty to your overall landscape design.
When it comes to building your arbor it is sensible to think about it as five distinct phases. This will not only help you to break the project down into realistic goals but will also help you to accomplish the task more easily. Breaking any large projects down into sections always helps the landscaper, as he or she will find that the task does not seem quite so daunting when done in bite-sized pieces. Additionally, a sense of accomplishment at the end of each stage can help the landscaper stay motivated throughout the project.
The first stage in building your arbor is to prepare the site for concrete placed under the ground to secure the structure. In order to lay the concrete, you need to first get some things out of the way. Dig two holes where you want the posts to stand. The holes should be one inch wide and three inches deep. Put half an inch of gravel or crushed stone inside the holes. This will help water drain away, preventing cracks later on in the concrete. Set one post in each hole and lay a board on top of them. Use a carpenter's level to determine whether or not your posts are standing at equal heights. Adjust, if necessary, until the level shows that your posts are equal in height. If it will help you then you can use scrap lumber, nailed to the posts, to form temporary stabilizers.
The second stage is anchoring your arbor posts (they should be 4x4 posts) into the concrete. Before doing this, check again for equality in height with the stabilizers in place and make your adjustments to the stabilizers to adjust the height. Next, mix your concrete using concrete mix and water from a garden hose in a wheelbarrow; use a shovel to stir the concrete to ensure that you mix it well. Pour the concrete to fill each of the holes and then allow at least a day for the concrete to dry. You can remove the stabilizers once the concrete has hardened.
Stage three of building your arbor consists of laying two 1x6 pieces of wood along the sides at the top of the posts. These crosspieces should be perpendicular to the posts, and they will be opposite each other, one on the inner side and one on the outside. This creates a sandwiching effect for the tops of the arbor posts, as they are surrounded by the 1x6 pieces of wood. If you would prefer, you can cut designs into the ends of your crosspieces with a jigsaw for some added flair.
The next stage in the process, the fourth, consists of using 4x4 rafters to lie on top of your 1x6 crosspieces. These will be perpendicular to the crosspieces, and parallel to the line of the posts. There are five of them, only four inches long, so you will need to cut your 2x4s into pieces of the proper length. They should also be notched so that they fit tightly across the crosspieces. Notching can help you adjust for level differences in the rafters as well.
The final stage is the actual assembly of the arbor. Making sure that everything is properly aligned can help you as you bore the holes necessary for the arbor construction. You will need bolts that will go through the posts and the crosspieces on either side, making sure that the one bolt holds all three pieces of wood together. Additionally, you will need to secure the rafters in place and add any finishing touches you would like to add.
Obviously different plans for simple arbors exist, with variations on different themes and looks (using similar principles it is possible to build an arbor that has four posts). Looking on the Internet for plans and instructions is very simple, and can help you find an arbor that would complement your landscape design. Once you have found that, acquiring the lumber is simply a matter of searching for a good deal in lumberyards or warehouses. It is possible to get your wood for a reasonable price, and most of the other tools needed are commonplace and usually found around the house or are easily rented. Once you have your arbor, you can use it as a backdrop for intimate weddings and for entertaining. An arbor can quickly become one of the focal points of a very classy landscape.

About the Author
Paul Duxbury writes extensively on Landscaping and Gardening. You can read more of his articles at Landscaping Ideas