How To Get Your Lawn Into Great Condition

By Peter Ellis

Grass is really quite a resilient plant, so with some very simple lawn care, it's usually quite easy to keep your lawn's "health" good. You'll need to water it often, fertilise and use a lawnmower to hinder the growth of weeds.

If you've disregarded the lawn care (people have jobs, kids - it can be hard to find the time), the grass quality will no doubt suffer. When this has occurred, it's time to start the lawn restoration.

Unless the lawn is completely ruined, with some intensive lawn care, you should be able to fix most problems. It just may take a little time.

If there's no way to save the lawn (if the damage is too intensive), it's usually best to start from the beginning. Start by rotating the soil by digging into the grass and turning it slightly with a shovel. Then apply new grass seeds and cover them with a layer of soil.

If you're regrowing the lawn, you'll really need to care for it over the next few months. Give it enough water and always use a fertiliser. After it has grown back, continue with your normal lawn care system.

OK, so if you've not reached the stage where you need to completely regrow the lawn, the most regular lawn-care complaint is that people have let the grass grow for too long. When this occurred, moss and fungus can spread quickly.

People's initial reaction to this, when they finally come to mow the lawn, is to simply cut it back to its normal height. However, this can be a mistake. What will happen is that the sudden mowing of the weakened grass to a short length will end up damaging it further.

There's only one safe way to deal with the lawn in this kind of circumstance. That's to grab a strimmer and cut just a bit off the top. Keep going back to it every few days until it's back to a good height.

You should really be fertilising at least a couple of times a year. If you haven't done this, you may start to see the grass turning a different shade. Most commonly it will turn a yellowy-green due to a nitrogen deficiency.

You should pop down to your garden center and buy a step-system fertiliser. Not only are these really simple to use, they're incredibly helpful for getting the grass just the right nutrients.

Weeds can spread extremely quickly, so always remember to rip them out of the ground (thus completely killing the roots) as soon as you notice them. Fail to do this, and you'll just cause more work for yourself in trying to get rid of them later when they've spread all over the lawn.

After you've mowed the grass back to a good height and started to fertilise the lawn again, you should inspect it for any dead or brown patches. The way to deal with these is to dig up the area (only slightly) and rotate the soil. Then spread grass seed and cover with a thin layer of soil.

After you've done this, keep the area fertilised and watered whilst the grass seeds take root. As the growing season commences, the new seeds should fill out the area.

There's not much else to it, and it certainly isn't rocket science. When the lawn is back to a great condition just make sure you stick to that lawn care routine. Always use a lawnmower and strimmer regularly and keep the grass well watered. - 30228

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How Is Your Backyard Landscaped?

By Amy Smith

There is something about the attraction of getting into backyard landscaping; for those who have a degree of practice rolling up their sleeves and getting work done themselves, there is nothing quite like the challenge of shaping the great outdoors even if it's only just out back there. For people who find a good role model in Jessica Simpson constantly saying things like, "Should we find someone to hang that picture?" there's nothing quite as fearsome as actually getting down and dealing with plants, fertilizer and topsoil. This article is basically for people who love to get things done themselves; but if you want creative control over the way your backyard landscaping project turns out without too much reality getting in the way, you could always draw out the plans yourself, and just get help with the actual implementation.

The atmosphere that the creative use of water can lend your backyard landscaping project can really be priceless. Fountains and custom-made artificial waterfalls are not as expensive as they used to be, and are a very popular option these days. How you decide to place your water body and what shape you will make it can have a profound effect on the final results on your backyard ambience: it can be anything from a natural wild look, to an ethereal fairyland look. You could search for ideas on the Internet; you'd be surprised how magical an addition to your backyard, a water body can be.

It is not hard to create an adorable country feel to your backyard landscaping, with the use of rough-hewn stones and rocks, and maybe a little short mossy wall for good measure. The thing about using rocks in your backyard landscaping project is that rocks have so much character and come in so many different kinds: basalt, granite, slate; it can be surprising how much gravity the dull and deep quality of beautiful stone can bring to your home. One of the best effects possible in a backyard is achieved by using rough-hewn stones for a little wall that runs through the space. A short little wall that you can sit on to be alone with your thoughts is a powerful thing to have.

For those summer nights that you want to entertain your family on, a nice patio in your backyard is quite an addition. A barbecue under the stars with your children balancing on the wall you built, can be one of the most satisfying experiences you could have. Consider a wooden deck with a built-in minibar too.

Using a landscaping software package can be very handy in such a project. Such a program makes your decisions easier; you can see out in front of you the results of all that you planned in your mind, and you can make informed decisions. Landscaping engineers certainly use them, even if they do know how to put it all out on a blueprint. The reason this is so is that a computer program for your landscaping can actually fill in all the gaps; all the little bushes and the saplings you plant, will really not give you an accurate idea of what the final result two years down the line will look like. A software package can ask for information on the kind of plants and trees you will be planning, and can extrapolate from your information to give you the final picture, the big picture. - 30228

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Hanging Baskets And Coconut Shells

By Keith Markensen

The fact that hanging plants look well dangling down from hanging baskets or wall brackets is obvious. Plants and containers should be harmonious with each other and with their setting. But the wide variety of hanging plants available is not so well known. From pendant begonias to fuchsias, ivy geraniums to fiery-flowered columneas, verbena to the "basket miniature" orchid cacti, you have a wide, wide choice of sizes, colors, textures, and contours. There's nothing to keep you from leaving the beaten path and growing something new and different.

You have a wide choice of baskets, too. The standard, utilitarian wire and wood variations provide an unobtrusive, natural background for flowers and foliage. Plants like them because they allow air to reach the roots, but you may not like the way they can drip water on the floor.

If you choose more decorative containers - ceramic or fine metal - make sure that, after watering, the roots aren't left in a puddle of water. Or take a potted plant out of its basket for watering, let it drain on the sink, and return it afterward.

You can also create your own unusual baskets by attaching hooks and chain or wire to all kinds of unheard-of objects like coconut shells, bowls, teakettles, strawberry jars, lanterns, gourds, fishing reels, well or butter buckets, scooped-out gnarled roots, garden hats, earthenware jugs, antique Chinese wall vases. You can also add low voltage outdoor lighting to see its beauty in the night.

Shop for curios like Mexican burro muzzles made of natural hemp. Or answer the advertisement for "adorable little wooden buckets, nine by five inches, suspended from chains." Or see how well some delicate plants will do in the plastic-lined strawberry basket with nearly automatic watering, supplied on order by one specialist. There is no end to the variety of hanging containers, ready-made and ready-to-be-made, available at your florist or house-plant supplier - or at thrift shops, country auctions, and other bargain sales. - 30228

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Unity And Harmony Sings With Vines

By Kent Higgins

It is easier to understand what unity does than to explain what it is. Any design - a small dish garden, cut-flower composition, living-room decor, patio planting, landscape - has unity if the whole hangs together to make one pleasing picture. Without unity a design "goes off in all directions," has a restless, disorganized, discordant effect.

Not quite the same as unity, but an important part of it, is harmony - a restful quality created when all parts of a design or decorative effect add up to one style or mood. An extreme example may illustrate the point. Setting an urn of clean, stark contemporary lines beside an ornate, Victorian garden seat would be inharmonious; each style is foreign to and unsympathetic with the other. But a low fence is in harmony with the rose that clambers over it; vining plants can unite harmoniously the upright plants in a window box with the box itself.

There are innumerable techniques for unifying a design, of which the following five are probably basic.

1. To have unity, a design usually has only one focal point or center of interest. For example, a vine or other planting and its container can be the object of interest against a wall; or the vine can be so arranged that it supports a center of interest, like a fireplace. Any attempt to use it for both purposes can result in either chaos or complete lack of interest.

2. To have unity, a decorative effect should be designed to hold the eye inside the picture. The flowing lines of vines are particularly effective here. Training a vine around a large window, for example, holds the eye and keeps it from wandering off.

3. To have unity, the elements of a design can often be arranged so that they interlock or overlap. Here again, vines are useful. Without a vine planted at its base, a tall shrub may seem entirely separate from the tub it is planted in; when a vine overlaps the container below and the shrub above, the two are tied together.

4. To have unity, the important parts of a design must be in pleasing relative proportion or scale. The vine selected to blend a shrub like yucca branched and its tub should be neither so small that the shrub overpowers it, nor so large and bold that it dwarfs the shrub.

5. To have unity, a design or decorative effect should be executed with restraint, moderation, good taste. Too many elements create a disturbing, helter-skelter, cluttered appearance. So a single wall bracket or hanging basket, or a matching or harmonious pair, is generally preferable to a varied assortment.

Create your own unity in the landscape with vines! - 30228

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How To Pick The Right Paving Materials For Your Home

By Craig Johnson

If you are interested in adding some paved areas to your home, you may be interested in learning more about some of the various paving materials available on the market today. Many people think that paving areas are very cold and look too industrial for use in their homes but this is actually not the case. By using different materials that look natural you can create a durable surface that is suitable for a range of different uses.

When you look at paving a space, you need to decide whether you want to have that paving be one solid slab of material such as cement. You may also want to consider using paving stones or interlocking brick as a way of finishing off any areas you want to pave. A good landscaping contractor may be one of the best people to start speaking with since they can give you advice on how to maximize both the curb appeal of your home and create a living space that has the qualities you are looking for.

You may wonder how the words organic and attractive can be used in the same sentence as concrete. There are new methods which can take this durable and long lasting paving material and make it much more attractive. You may want to consider using concrete around pool areas and for pathways and patios. This is because you can precisely control the shape and form of the concrete using forms to prevent it from spreading.

You may wonder how it is possible to color cement. The coloring is added to the cement when it is wet. It is available in a wide range of natural browns, greys and reds. The color you choose will depend on other decorative elements in the area being paved and also your own personal preference. Once the coloring agent has been mixed in with the wet cement it is poured like regular cement is and textured molds are applied to the surface. This prints the concrete with a range of patterns including stones, bricks and other patterns.

You don't need to worry about the durability of textured concrete. It is very hard and easy to look after. About the only thing you need to remember is to avoid the use of salt as a de-icing agent. This is because salt can break down the cement, causing it to crumble and drastically shortening its lifespan.

Many people prefer the classic look of cobblestones, cultured stone or interlocking brick. These can form some beautiful patterns and are also durable. They are often less even than the surface of textured concrete. They also have different installation methods, but they are great if you like the way they look. They can also be very useful if you are trying to pave an area that will not be easy to pave using concrete.

If you want to make sure that the paved area looks as good as possible and lasts as long as possible you need to make sure it is properly installed. A qualified landscaper can be a great way to make sure it is installed properly. Unlike cement paving, it is quite easy for weeds to grow up between the individual bricks or stones. There are a few ways that you can prevent this. One of the most commonly used is a plastic barrier that prevents the weeds from growing up. Then, a layer of sand is put down to cushion and level the individual bricks or stones.

Paving choices are much greater than they used to be even a few years ago. Now people can choose from natural or cultured stone. They can also get the look of stone by using colored concrete. Whatever your choice, knowing how to properly install and care for it is critical to maintaining the beauty of the paved area. Be sure that you find out the specific care requirements of any product that you choose to use on your property. - 30228

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Garden Walling Is A Great Improvement Tool

By Matthew Kerridge

Garden walling and the benefits are easily seen with the naked eye. They bring an air of majesty to a garden. They can also provide a certain amount of protection for what you have growing in your garden. It keeps people from walking directly into the garden, and many animals will simply go around if confronted by a wall.

A wall brings a sort of 'old time' mystique to a garden, unless it's made in a really modern style. That's one of the great benefits to these walls, there are countless styles and themes that they can be built to support. It's not just a matter of throwing up some stones in the shape of a wall, it's a complicated process and when done properly, and very great improvement tool.

If you decide on garden walling with brick, then you should have some experience in that area. A brick wall should be built by someone who knows what they're doing. These people who do this kind of work go through years of training, and you can't expect to just 'wing' it and come out with a very good result.

When you decide to take on the task of garden walling, you need to make some important decisions up-front. You'll need to decide how to fit it into the rest of your landscape layout, and what materials you'll have it built from. Then how high and how wide are decisions that need making. Then you get into color and shape and all the other artistic considerations. It's not as simple as it seems at first glance.

How many times have you driven out through the country and seen homes and farms with beautiful garden walls, and loved the way they brought out a patch of ground? And even in the suburbs you find that people have garden walls in their back yards to line their property and create a place for entertaining family and friends with an outdoor garden.

Garden walling can be one of the most favorite improvements you make to your home landscape. And as far as the garden ground goes, it gives the ground a way to level itself. It can push up against the wall when softened by the rain, and form a more level area of ground. The wall will help to hold it level once it begins to settle.

The amount of options for building a wall around your garden is part of what makes it so much fun. It's not hard to come up with a wall that's totally unique. You can put your own 'stamp' on your wall by making it the way you see it in your mind. You can combine whatever materials you desire, and you can use shape and color to make it stand alone as 'your garden wall'.

Some of the benefits of garden walling are that they not only improve the looks, but the overall function of your garden. By keeping a more level ground, the water gets distributed more evenly, as well as the food for your garden plants, whether it's a vegetable garden or just a walking garden. These walls really add to the artistry of a good landscaping job, and are assets to your home. - 30228

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Getting Compact Fluorescent Lighting for Your Home

By Adam Moses

An easy and cheaper way to update your house's lighting system could be to upgrade from incandescent bulbs to Ceiling Fan Lights in your current lighting fixtures. One compact fluorescent light (CFL) could pay for itself in about 6 months, and then go on to save about $30 in light bills in the course of its lifetime. CFLs need 75 percent less electricity than an incandescent bulb, and could serve your purposes near to 10 times longer.

CFLs use much less power resulting from the way they create light. Incandescent bulbs depend on a current which passes through a wire filament and heats it's filament until it begins to glow. That golden filament glow is what results in incandescent light. Alternately, a CFL sends an electric current the length of a tube filled with argon and mercury vapor. The current heats the vapors, which then excites a fluorescent layer inside the tube. That chemically excited surface is what causes the bright fluorescent light. CFLs suck up slightly more juice when they are initially turned on, so these light bulbs incorporate a ballast to power up the CFL and then standardize the power level to keep light on.

The mercury gas inside a compact fluorescent bulb is required so it will glow, yet mercury is a poisonous material which you should not enable to contaminate your home or the landfill. How could we effectively solve this problem? Well, fortunately, CFLs contain only about 4 miligrams of mercury per bulb, and this mercury won't be leaked from the bulb if they are unbroken or lit up. Actually, the single time that mercury might be leaked from the fluorescent tube is if the bulb becomes broken, before or during the discarding process, that's why you need good Ceiling Light Fixtures.

So long as consumers are observing the correct cleanup and disposal methods when working with CFLs, the amount of power saved substantially overwhelms any possible harm to the environment. The single point of requiring less power means that employing CFLs can reduce the volume of mercury being discharged by power plants. Believe it or not, if every American household changed out only one incandescent bulb with a CFL, the resultant savings might be enough to light 3 million households.

Used CFLs should be gotten rid of using established municipal recycling procedures. If your nearest landfill does not have a recycling procedure for these bulbs, then busted or exhausted bulbs should be contained in two plastic sacks and secured in an outside trash container to await pickup.

The initial investment in a Ceiling Fan Light Fixtures is quite a bit higher than the price of an incandescent bulb, yet the extended working life and the projected energy savings more than make up for the price difference. CFLs use mercury, which could be damaging to the ecosystem, but if stored and thrown away properly, the environmental impact of the mercury is insignificant compared to the power conservation potential. By and large, the benefits of using CFLs far outweigh the potential problems, so why not change your light bulbs? This week? - 30228

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Read This Before You Start Transplanting Roses

By Peter Bourke

On the odd occassion you may consider transplanting some of your roses. You could be just rearranging the the back garden or you may want the palnts to get more light. The reason you're doing it doesn't matter but the fact is, you really should learn a bit doing it.

First up, decide where the roses are going to go and prepare the area for them. You always want to have the area ready for the plant because you do not want the root ball to become dehydrated or exposed to the sun for too long. If you are moving your plant over a long distance where you will have to travel by car or truck, cover the root ball with a piece of damp cloth to protect it.

Some care needs to be taken when transplanting roses and all will be fine if it's done right.

Always give your roses plenty of water the day before you dig them up to move to the new location. The secret to a successful transplant is water because a dehydrated plant will be less likely to take to its new location. When a plant is well watered, the roots will have time to adjust to the new position and the plant will not become as stressed.

However, losing some of the roots whilst transplanting cannot be avoided.

Roses are well known for having deep roots in fact they generally grow deeper than most folks are prepared to dig. To ensure a successful transplant it's best to keep the roots wet. The only trimming that's required is the the root ball.

Healthy portions of the plant are responsible for producing sugar so they must not be cut away. You can tell if the roots are struggling trying to support the plant by constanly checking to see if it's drooping. If this starts to happen, cut off the bits that are drooping and keep your rose more water.

Your Roses Now Need to be Prepared for Transplanting

When you prepare the new area for your rose bush, throw a cup of bone meal into the hole where your rose is going to be planted. You should always plant the rose further out of the ground than it was before so over time, through settling, it will end up at the correct height. Using the bud union as a marker, it should be 1 to 2 inches from the ground. The plant will start to settle once you water it, and at this point you can press down on the ground near the base of the plant so the soil is compacted.

Some say not to transplant roses when they are growing.

When roses are dormant and have been pruned, that's the best time to transplant them because they are far less likely to bve stressed. Pruning makes the plant smaller therefore easier to manage and you've done the preperations correctly, transplanting your roses should be a piece of cake.

Never concern yourself with the job of transplanting your roses, do it right & all will be well. - 30228

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The Practical Way To Identify Plants

By Kent Higgins

This is the only practical way to identify plants. Botanical names are specific, and each plant has its own name which it shares with no other. Popular names may be more colorful and easier to remember and pronounce; but they are anything but specific and exclusive, and they vary widely in different parts of the country. For instance, if you describe the full-flowering beauty of your hanging basket overflowing with Campanula isophylla as "Star of Bethlehem," your listener may be both incredulous and confused because, to him, that name belongs to a tuberous-rooted, upright-growing ornithogalum. And just look a the long list of "ivies" (including "poison") most in the list of popular plant names are not even distantly related to the hederas.

Principles of capitalizing, italicizing, and otherwise distinguishing plant names in most books and printed material are based on the system used in many horticultural books and magazines. For spelling, the authority is Hortus II, except for a number of indoor and tropical plants classified since its publication. For these the authority is Exotica, by A. B. Graf. For the sake of simplicity and easy pronunciation, the double "i" ending is reduced to a single "i". And there are other modifications.

Unless a plant name is complete (genus plus species - plus variety, if any), it is neither capitalized nor italicized. (On rock walls clematis, makes a beautiful display.) Complete botanical names are italicized, but only the generic name has an initial capital letter, even when the specific name has been derived from the proper name of some person or place. (For fall flowering, Clematis texensis is outstanding.) When you see a plant name in italics, you will know that this is a recognized botanical species or one of its varieties, and not a man-made hybrid.

The names of recognized hybrids, seedlings, and mutations of either or both are not italicized, but are capitalized and enclosed in single quotation marks. (Clematis 'Crimson Star') Common or popular names are set in regular type like janet craig compacta plant with initial capital letters only for proper nouns, when they appear in text. In separate listings each word is capitalized.

Hopefully this provides you with a clearer understanding of botanical names and their usage and allow you to communicate and "speak plants" better. - 30228

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The World Of Outdoor Garden Lighting

By Cain Brockman

To create a wonderful outdoor area, consider using lighting options and designs. There are many resources and products available to light up your backyard, deck, pool area, or patio. It can be an easy process to put in and the eye appeal is well worth it. Before starting, you need to think about several points to help begin planning.

One important consideration when planning your outdoor lighting is the amount of space you need to light up. This will determine the amount of lights and fixtures needed to adequately light the area. You need to think about how it will fit with your outdoor area and design. Many people use outdoor lighting to increase security and to provide dark areas with lights to prevent accidents and falling.

You also need to think about what kind of lights to use. You can use a combination of solar and low voltage electrical systems. Some people use solar lights to enhance walkways and pool areas and use electric lights for additional areas. There are all kinds of recessed lights, lanterns that are mounted to sides of the house for decks and post/pole lights. You can use several types of lights to make for interesting lighting.

You can also buy theme type lighting. There are trees that light up and floating lights for the pond or pool, which will make for interesting features. Lampposts and short lanterns can also enhance patio areas and paths.

The costs for lighting greatly vary with each individual project. The amount of area to be lit will dictate the amount of lights to be purchased. The style and construction materials will also influence price. Wrought iron lights are more expensive than a unit made from a durable plastic is. Installing lighting can be as easy as pushing into the ground. The low voltage systems may require some wiring knowledge, but kits are often very detailed with the instructions to install. A landscaping company can also provide you with costs to design and install outdoor lighting.

Outdoor garden lighting will enhance and perhaps increase the value of your property. The lighting will not only increase your safety but also increase the beauty of your area. Check different designs and prices on the internet or at a local lighting or garden center store. - 30228

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Protecting The Garden For The Winter

By Kent Higgins

Pruning and spraying trees and shrubs can begin now that deciduous trees and shrubs have lost their leaves. Of course, spring-flowering shrubs such as lilac and forsythia should not be touched now; they should be pruned after they flower.

Although dormant oil sprays are usually not applied until early spring, they can actually be used on any sunny day during the winter when the temperature promises to stay above 40 for eight hours or more.

Transplanting - Fall transplanting can be continued as long as the soil can be worked easily. The later the planting is done, however, the more necessary it is to have a mulch over the roots.

If a tree is not too large, it is sometimes practical for the homeowner to move it with a frozen ball. Trench around the tree now so that frost can get deep into the ground. Don't undercut the ball until you are ready to move the tree.

Caring for your lawn - Remember that heavy traffic on the lawn is damaging, even when the ground is frozen. There may be dead turf by spring.

Apply a turf fungicide now to areas which were troubled with snow mold last winter. Another way to discourage this disease is to keep leaves and grass clippings from collecting on the turf.

Propagating shrubs - As soon as the wood is hard, but before heavy freezing occurs, take hardwood cuttings of your shrubs. Store them in sand or slightly dampened sphagnum moss until spring.

Planting spring bulbs - If your nursery or garden center is still selling good sound spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips, don't be discouraged from buying them because you think the planting season is past. As long as the soil can be worked there's still time to plant.

Storing garden tools - After cleaning the garden tools, lawn mower and hose, put them under cover for the winter. Wash out the sprayer and store it upside down with the top off.

Encouraging the birds to winter in Hie garden - Keep the birds around your garden if possible by providing food and water for them. Many winter birds pay their way by eating insects.

Protecting the garden for the winter - From now on protection for the roses is an absolute must just like ficus tree care. Hill up fresh soil around the base of each bush. Wait until after a sharp freeze to mulch the strawberries and perennials, or mice may move into the mulch.

Inspecting vegetables in storage - From time to time examine stored vegetables. Leafy vegetables such as cabbage and endive are prone to rot.

Sowing hardy annuals - All hardy annuals can be sown in the fall. In many parts of the Middle West fall sowing is the only way to produce good plants of such cool-weather annuals as Shirley poppies, larkspurs and calendulas. Just before the ground freezes for the winter, broadcast the seed on well-prepared soil. The seed will remain dormant until spring, then will start into growth long before the soil can be worked. - 30228

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Using Garden Paving To Enhance Your Landscaping

By Craig Johnson

Your lawn may be the talk of the town. You spend hours outside watering, planting, seeding, fertilizing, and nurturing your plants and flowers. Your landscape may be the picture of perfection. If this is the case, you probably enjoy showing off your lawn to your friends. You may be the one whom everyone calls on to host garden parties because of the beauty of your garden. If any of this the case with you, then you would be the perfect match for a garden path. Garden paths serve multiple purposes, such as keeping feet from trampling a nice lawn or simply keeping your feet dry. Another advantage is that garden paving can be done as you would wish simple or detailed; expensive and elegant or simple and economical.

You can choose from a variety of different material to create your garden path. More permanent materials include: concrete, stone, brick, slate, and flagstone. If you want to save money, you can use a mold to create your own concrete stones.

You will need to consider if this will be a permanent addition to your garden area. If you ever plan on moving it for any reason, this should effect which material is chosen. Flagstone is the hardest of all material to relocate as it comes in extremely heavy slabs.

If you want a semi-permanent material, one that will last but yet can be moved if necessary, stepping stones are probably the best choice for you. These are easy to move and easy to place. You can choose to place the stones close together or space them apart. You can use sand or another material to keep greenery from growing around the stones, or for a more natural cottage path look, you can encourage the growth of little vines and flowers.

If you desire to use a temporary material for a garden path, you could choose wood chips, shredded bark, stone, gravel, or wood blocks. Any of these options will be much cheaper but they will also only last for a few months or possibly a year. Though concrete, stone, and other permanent materials are expensive, they will also last.

Materials such as bark or woods chips will need to be replaced yearly and kept up with to ensure that it looks good. They will decompose after some time. If you choose one of these options, you will also need to purchase and install an edging to keep them in place. Otherwise you may end up with a garden path that has flooded all over your well kept lawn!

Consider a color option for your materials that will compliment your home and lawn style. The materials can also be laid in intricate patterns and designs. Do some research before you begin this project and get some ideas to help you decide what you really want. Make use of gardening books from your local library. Use the Internet for ideas. Get some inspiration by driving through local neighborhoods and seeing what others have implemented.

A garden path is a thing of beauty that you will enjoy over and over again. It can make your garden mean so much more and help you to enjoy it more than you ever have. - 30228

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Why You Should Buy Attachments For Your Skid Steer Online!

By Rick Henson

Skid Steer Loaders have been hailed as, "The Most Versatile Equipment on the Planet". The important thing to remember about this statement is that a Skidsteer is only as good as the attachments that you have to do each specific job. Without these attachments, your Skid Steer is reduced to a very expensive shovel.

Certain skid steer attachments require extra hydraulics. Pole Handlers are great examples of attachments that need to connect to these in order to work properly.

When it comes to getting the most for the money when buying skid steer attachments, after comparing several manufacturers, it is very wise to only buy attachments that are Made In The USA. We researched and found that only Everything Attachments holds to this high a standard in the attachments that they choose to sell online . . . that's right, only Everything Attachments. These guys are committed to providing their website visitors with American Made Attachments and a personal touch with lots of product information.

We have found that Video Demonstrations about each skid steer attachment can provide the Skid Steer owner important insight as to whether or not an attachment will work well for their intended use. We aren't just talking about listening to some corny music and watching someone who is operating inside a skid steer loader in the video either! Watch this video to see what a difference having a host who really knows the product can make to someone considering purchasing an attachment.



You would be amazed at the incredible variety of attachments that have been developed for the Universal Quick Hitch system utilized on these loaders. If you can think of a specific job you want to accomplish, someone is manufacturing an attachment to help you get that job done faster. Brush Mowers for cleaning up property, and Trenchers for running electrical or water lines are two very good examples. - 30228

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Using Attractive, Versatile Paving Stones

By Craig Johnson

When you start looking for ways to improve your home and landscape your yard, there are many different things you can do. One thing you need to consider using is paving stones. They can add an element of luxury and a beautiful finishing touch.

You can use these stones on any type of property. You can use your imagination to determine the design you want to make with the various shapes, finishes and colors. These stones will add a finishing look to your business or your home.

One type of stone that can be used to pave those special areas are called interlocking pavers. They were first used in the Roman Empire some 2000 years ago. The Romans developed a method to use them for roads, and interestingly enough, some of those stone roads are still being used today hundreds of years later.

No matter which type of stone you use, you will discover that they are long lasting, and they require very little maintenance. The greatest benefit is that you can use them as soon as your project is completed. Another benefit is that you can easily remove the stones if you have to do any work in the area where they are at.

These stones offer innumerable benefits. They don't allow you to slip or skid, and the ground can move under them without causing them to crack. They work great in areas that are prone to earthquakes and tremors. They seldom ever break or crack, but if one does, you just take it out, and replace it with a new one. They are held in place with a special mixture of sand.

If you are looking for an innovative way to do a courtyard, terrace, entrance area or pool deck, use these special stones to do the paving. They have become more and more popular throughout the United States and Canada in the last years. You can use them for small intimate areas to large, more formal style patios. Steps can be covered with these stones to make the transition from one area to the other.

You can choose between two installment methods when you use these stones. One method uses mortar. The stones are set in mortar and then the mortar is put between them. This creates a hard surface, but leaves it fixed and non-flexible. This method is not the best, because it will cause the stones to crack.

The second type of installment is without mortar. The stones are placed on top of a special sand mixture, and once they are arranged in the correct pattern, sand is dampened and put between them to hold them in place. This makes a hard, but flexible surface. Replacement is made extremely simple with this type of installment.

When you search for a contractor to help you with your pavement project, make sure he is an authorized installer. He should be knowledgeable of the state installment requirements, and know the corresponding guidelines and recommendations.

When you decide to replace your cracked concrete, asphalt or dirt driveway, look into using these eye-catching paving stones. You'll enjoy looking at the different finishes, colors and shapes. Select the one that you like best. The value of your home will rise significantly. - 30228

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What You Want To Know About Aquaponics Systems

By James Morley

A combination of aquaculture and hydroponics, aquaponics systems are an increasingly popular farming practice. Taking all elements from fish farming and soil less farming, it aims to take the eco-benefits of both, whilst minimizing any negative aspects.

Essentially then, aquaponics systems aim to create a symbiotic atmosphere, in which both fish and plants can exist.

The plants are grown in containers filled with gravel, and fish in regular tanks of water; being fed standardized commercially available food. As the water in the fish tanks are cycled, it is pumped through the plant trays.

Bacteria, which are already present in the plant trays, break down the waste products contained in the fish tank water, which is used by the plants to get all their nutrition. Having been purified, the water cycles back into the fish tanks.

A beautifully simple system, it has many benefits to both the fish and the plants.

For their part, the fish are healthier and resistant to infections and disease. As a result, they are also less stressed than those in aquaculture systems. It is thought that this is because of a lack of chemicals that leech into the water.

Plants too follow the same course of being healthy and more resilient to disease. In both cases this seems to be due to the lack of chemicals used in the process.

The benefits are far greater than this alone however. The bottom line costs incurred by farmers are significantly reduced from traditional methods; with less food, less fertilizers and the like being necessary. With disease lessened, preventative and curative work is lessened too.

As the world's population rises, it is going to be necessary to increase food production on a huge scale. It is hoped that aquaponics systems could, at least in part, help with this. It is already being rolled out in the developing world, where food shortages are already increasingly common. Environmentally friendly too, it could be just the answer we have been looking for. - 30228

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Solar-up Your Garden

By Robert Mann

As the use of LED lights and solar cells continues to grow, so also does the opportunity for solar decorations in the yard. From solar-powered water fountains to solar-powered gnomes, there are creations for every age, taste, and time of day.

A trademark of many gardens and patios is the solar lantern staked into the ground. While one of the first solar lighting products on the market, lanterns still remain popular and are available in an incredible variety of styles and materials. Many sets now come with a single and movable solar panel, which allow for lanterns placed in shadowy areas to still burn brightly at night.

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.

Creative minds have harnessed solar energy to add light and motion to traditional garden decorations. Why settle for a plain gnome when you can have a solar-powered gnome carrying a flickering torch through the garden, or two fairies kissing over the warm light of a glowing orb?

To satisfy the backyard over-achievers, there is the solar-powered patio umbrella. Solar panels on top of the umbrella harness the sun's energy to recharge the batteries by day, and by night LED lights provide light for outdoor activity. The system can be left on for automatic use every night, or lights can be turned off to store energy for special occasions.

Having outdoor lights and soothing sounds without plugs or extension cords still holds a certain air of impossibility. It is a good idea to consult a product ranking site to find the best solar lights for each category. Add to the enjoyment the fact that you are using clean, renewable solar energy, and you have something to feel good about! - 30228

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What You Need To Know About Garden Paving

By Craig Johnson

Spanning over almost one third of you overall plot, a garden deserves every interest you show in it. Usually people spend more than 95% of their overall budget on the built structure and fail to give the rest of their plot its deserved notice, after all a garden is as much a part of your home as a bedroom could be. With a little consideration you can make your garden a space to be sought for spiritual comfort and relaxation. If you are not comfortable with the dampness of your garden you can make use of garden paving to get the best compromise.

A pathway invites curiosity, in a garden, a place of comfort and growing nature, pavements can effectively redefine your experience. Just imagine going along a rustic garden pavement in your garden that leads to the various nooks and crannies through various delightful corners behind foliage.

There is a pavement to suit every garden; you will have to be a little creative and innovative to transform that space behind your house into spiritual stroll across scenic nature. There is a huge array of shapes, colors and sizes of pavement slabs you can choose from. Finding something appropriate may not prove to be an issue, remember that a little consideration on your garden will allow you to reap the long term benefits of spiritual relaxation in the years to come.

A garden with a well designed layout not only gives you the comfort of living in a well planned atmosphere, it also makes things like maintenance easier. Pavements are to the garden just like veins are to your body; they allow the movement so crucial to survival of the garden.

Make sure that the paving you decide upon match the overall theme of your garden. Grey pavements are most practical since they tend to complement almost any theme you chose for your garden, though that does not mean that all the other pavement options are closed to you. You can choose your pavements from different sources.

Paving stones can a bit pricey but the rustic look they can provide your garden is truly priceless, you might want to consider your budget before looking to pave your garden with any of the countless color, shape and size options pavement stones offer.

Another option for paving our garden, though it is a bit expensive is brick pavements. You will find plenty of options open to you if you seek bricks to pave your garden. Bricks come in a large variety of shapes and design; there are a huge number of scenic brick laying designs also available.

If you are looking for the toughest choice for your pavement, granite would be your best option. It comes in various colors and sizes. The most popular choice these days is sandstone. Not only does it give numerous options in terms of shapes, colors and sizes, but it also gives a bit less burden to your budget. You will only need a little creativity to find the right pavement options for your gardens, with a little amalgamation of different pavement types you will be surprised at the beauteous affect your garden radiates as a result. - 30228

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Getting Decorative With Vines

By Kent Higgins

When you step into a living room - your own or someone else's - where a vine softly frames a large window with green leaf tracery, you feel an effect of gracious living and the pleasant kinship of the room with its outdoor view. When you entertain - or are entertained on a terrace or patio with the family or friends. even with the smell of the with the BBQ smoking away and the natural way vines spill down from containers along the edge or up and down the steps, your eyes dwell on the refreshment in well-planned design.

When you step up to a garden bed - familiar because you planted it, or intriguing because you didn't - you appreciate its beauty more if it is unified by a flowering or foliage vine spreading along a fence or wall in the background.

This is the some of the decorative value of vines. Their relaxed, flowing lines blend one element with another, create smooth transitions, soften harsh geometric lines or large, bare areas. Vines are mobile, not static; exuberant, not depressing; in tune with today's vitality and restlessness, yet somehow soothing, too.

Vines are both artistic and functional in container gardening - a popular way of decorating with all kinds of indoor and outdoor plants such as the sansevieria. The basis is the container or planter, mobile or permanent, carefully designed in relation to its decorative use and the plants it contains.

Anyone can garden in containers, no matter how small his house or yard, how limited his time and money, how impermanent his residence in apartment or house, or how deep-seated his desire for frequent and refreshing change. And anyone who does garden in containers will use vines to soften lines, accent points of interest, tie a group of plants or arrangement of containers together, or simply to have artistry of their own. - 30228

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What If You Could Easily Have A Lovely Landscaped Gardening? - Simple Landscape Gardening Tips

By jim abbot

Landscape gardening tips can be a great way to make small changes to your garden that has a large impact. These tips are from professionals who have figured out the best options for landscape gardening. You can freshen up your existing garden or use them to plan and implement a new garden.

Many times the most important design concept, perspective, is missing from gardening beds. Determine which way you will normally view that bed. If you only look at to form one direction then taller plants should be in the back with shorter plants being planted in front.

Generally taller plants should be the furthest away with the shortest plants at the front. If you are creating a bed to be viewed at all sides then the taller plants will be in the center gradually shorter plants to the edges of the bed.

There are also tips for landscape gardening when using color in your gardening. Many individuals don't actually think about how they are using color but this is actually very important for landscape gardening. If you are looking for a relaxing or soothing garden then white flowers is a great way to provide a dramatic but also cleansing atmosphere. If you are using one color then you want to vary the size, texture and shape of the flowers.

Landscape gardening also does not have to be time consuming and constantly needing maintenance. There are many easy to care for plants that do not require much work at all. These annual and perennial plants are lovely and should be your first choice if you want a low maintenance but beautiful garden.

Some plants that are easy to care and should be thought of for your garden include calla lily, petunias, dahlias, hyacinth, aster, mum, lilies, snapdragons, sunflower, pansies, impatiens, violets, phlox and poppies. - 30228

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Planting Tree In The South

By Thomas Fryd

In the south shrub and tree planting projects are about to get under way. Everywhere people are beginning to recognize the economic and aesthetic values of shrubs and trees. This is particularly true of trees. Large producers of forest products are planting vast acreages with trees; the owners of woodland plots are utilizing every available acre; and the occupants of even the smallest lots in new developments are planting young trees of various kinds.

When I recently visited the state forest tree nursery, I learned that the more than sixteen million seedlings grown last season did not nearly meet the demand.

Our towns and cities are growing so fast, they are literally bursting their seams. Real estate developers have to reach far out beyond the suburbs, taking in large areas where there are either no trees to start with or where, in the process of preparing for construction, it is necessary to remove most, if not all, of the trees. Most builders and developers are apparently doing what they can to save the trees, but in many developments most trees ore sacrificed.

Fast-growing trees for the home - Fortunately there are several fast-growing trees well adapted to planting around the Southern home. A lot, after being planted with a few of these trees, will soon lose its bareness and also be considerably shaded from the hot sun.

Mimosa - One of the best is the mimosa, but in some areas it is subject to a wilt that causes the tree to lose its leaves and finally die. There seems to be no cure for the disease. Your only safety is to procure trees grown in a disease-free area.

Chinese parasol-tree - This species, known botanically as Firmiana simplex, is a large-leaved, tropical-looking small tree that grows rapidly to 25 or 30 feet, but then stops at that height. It has large heads of interesting cream-colored flowers, followed by bladder-like seed pods.

Goldenrain-tree - Another fast-growing small tree well suited to the small lot is the goldenrain-tree (Koelreuteria paniculata). Its compound leaves and great profusion of small yellow flowers add to its attractiveness. Unfortunately, neither the Chinese parasol-tree nor the goldenrain-tree is easily had from nurseries, as only a few concerns in the South handle them.

Chinese elm - For the larger lot, where a mature tree 45 feet high would be in scale, the Chinese elm is a good choice. It grows rapidly, thrives in poor soil and endures much dry weather.

Dogwood and redbud - Two native trees that are lovely and fit well into any home landscape or backyard landscape ideas are the dogwood and the redbud. We can hardly have too many of them. Many of the numerous tree-planting projects sponsored by garden and civic clubs have featured these two trees, and as a result tens of thousands of them have been planted in the South during the last five years. In a few years they will transform many of our now-uninteresting streets and roadways into avenues of great beauty.

Red maple - The red maple is another medium-sized tree that is well suited to home-grounds planting in the South.

Pine - The native pines continue in strong demand for planting on home grounds in the South. We did not realize how very rapidly these trees grew until we began growing them under cultivation. A pine's growth is comparatively slow in the forest, but on the home grounds, where it is fed and watered, it is rather exciting. If you are planting for heavy shade, loblolly pine is preferable to slash or yellow pine. - 30228

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Hydroponic Fruit

By Charles Jackson

Here are some of the chief reasons why you should raise your own Hydroponic Fruit as opposed to using time-honored soil based techniques!

1. There is no requirement to water them! This will of course save you time, but also over or under watering is one of the chief mistakes that novice gardeners perform which can be harmful to your plant life.

2. Hydroponic fruit grows up to 50% more rapidly than established soil developed fruitl This is for the reason that you will have fully manipulated the growing conditions to be optimum for what it is you're growing.

3. You don't need to own a garden. So if you dwell in the desert, the arctic or in a packed out town centre public housing block then this is no obstacle.

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

5. No soil living vermin will be able to get in close proximity to your fruit consequently you will have greatly improved looking produce! You will too save money on expensive pesticides.

6. Maintenance time is very much reduced. There is no requirement to water hydroponic fruit and there is no weeding. In fact all you'll actually have to do is select your fruit as soon as they are ready.

7. The produce is year round. You will always have access to all the fruit you want. As soon as it's off season, you will be able to sell your harvest for an enlarged revenue margin.

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

9. They will develop up to 40% larger as they will forever have access to all the nutrients they need. You will have made their growing environment to be perfect for them, they will love it and will be healthier looking as a consequence.

10. You will be able to fit more into your growing trays as the roots don't grow as big. This is because they don't need to broaden out to find nutrients as they are so readily available. - 30228

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Simple Advice For Raised Bed Gardening: Plants And Soil

By Steven Newel

After building a bed, from a kit or from scratch, you should be prepared to start raised bed gardening for real. Even though the bed is located in its final destination, it's just an empty space for now, right? What's coming next? Don't worry, because you can officially start having fun with your garden.

When you use the right kind of soil, manage watering and keep your plants healthy and disease free, you can build a great raised bed garden that will beat all your expectations.

The pH Levels Of Your Soil

One of the safer techniques for making a raised bed garden is also a simple one. Use a mixture of one quarter yard soil, three quarters compost and sand. This puts a solid base to start your gardening and should prompt some nice growth. Always keep track of your soil's pH levels, too. If it's overly alkaline, nothing will grow.

Kill All The Weeds

One of the positive things about raised bed gardening is that its very makeup should help prevent weeds, but in case you end up one of the unlucky who somehow pick up a garden full of weeds, you can try putting organic mulch over the top of your bed.

If that doesn't work, try products for weed guarding to make sure those pesky weeds stay away. If this still doesn't stop them, don't worry too much. They're simple to get rid of, and remember gardening is ongoing work. There are going to be setbacks occasionally.

Keep The Water Appropriate

It's just as unhealthy for plants to be watered too much as it is to be ignored. If plants stay wet for long period of time, disease will be more likely to form on the leaves and general bad health will result. To combat this, do your watering by hand and focus on the areas of the garden in which plants are buried and try to avoid watering surrounding areas as well.

Alternatively, you can pick up one of those irrigation systems. These handy contraptions use a dripping technology to water enough but not too much. Whatever you do, don't just hose down your plants.

Taking Care Of Your Raised Bed Garden

There's actually little maintenance required to keep your garden beautiful through the seasons. The only activity you really need to do is water your plants as needed, and mix in more organic matter in your bed. Try turning the soil over periodically, too.

If your plants should come down with disease, empty the bed and change out the soil using that same soil/sand/compost mix I mentioned earlier. Also keep an eye on the physical makeup of your garden, just in case it has started coming apart.

Low maintenance gardeners and lovers of nature enjoy raised bed gardening the most, but it's a great hobby for anyone. It's simple to pretty up your yard and grow some delicious vegetables all at once.

By following the tips above, you'll keep your garden beautiful and secure -- for the plants and you, as the owner. - 30228

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Some Useful Hints Building A Pond

By Norman Holden

There is nothing more beautiful than a pond in a garden. Many people decide to take on a DIY project that involves building a pond if they have a large garden. While this project is completely doable, it is important to do research, have the right tools and materials, and be prepared when one is undertaking this project.

Most people who admire a pond don't think about what is in, or on, the pond. It's pretty, may have a waterfall, perhaps some fish. How different could they be? Very different. Decide ahead of time what you want your pond to hold. A Koi pond has very different requirements that a goldfish or garden pond. Putting in the proper pond will afford a person hours and years of enjoyment.

Goldfish, garden, and waterfall ponds do not require the size that a Koi pond needs. But the smaller a pond is the less fish and fewer plants will be able to go into it. The only type of pond that can be small with no regrets is the waterfall pond which does not have plants or fish in the pond.

Plans are available at home improvement stores and on the Internet for building a pond. Depending on whether or not a person wants to use a kit, prefabricated pond, or rubber lining, it will be important to get the plans for the kind of pond that you want to build. There are many different techniques and methods for ponds. Using plans will be a great help when building a pond.

Location is very important when planning a pond. One does not want to place their pond in an area where it will get run-off from rain. In some cases it might be necessary to have a barrier around the rim of the pond to keep water out during heavy rain storms. The run-off of rain water contains chemicals from the soil that can harm plants and fish in the pond.

A plant pond will need to have sun for 5-6 hours a day. Fish don't mind shady spots, but plants must have the direct sunlight to stay healthy. Also, if your plant pond in in an area that may frost you will want to allow enough space to put a tent over it in the winter to protect the plants.

Do not put your pond near trees that drop leaves. The leaves have to be removed from the pond when they fall. This is time consuming, messy, and a drag in the fall if the pond has been placed under a tree. This is the biggest mistake that most people building a pond make and it can take a lot of joy out of the pond experience.

When digging the pond, the hold that is dug will be about 25% bigger than the pond will be. To avoid ending up with a pond that is too small to meet you needs dig the pond 1/4 larger than you think you want it. After the accessories are in it will be the correct size. A small Koi pond needs to hold a minimum of 1000 gallons of water for the Koi to stay healthy. This pond also needs to be a minimum of three feet deep. - 30228

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Landscape Gardening Design Top Tips

By Blaire A Youngman

The first stage in landscaping your garden is to decide on the way that you want it to look. One of the best ways to get some ideas for landscaping your garden is to look on websites and in magazines for ideas. Another way to get idea to is walk around and look at what other people have done with their gardens. It is important only to use what you see as a guideline it would not be very good to completely copy it, as you want to have your own uniqueness on it, as it should reflect your personality. Regardless of the design that you choose it may be worth considering skip hire for all the debris.

It is a good idea to invest in landscaping of your garden, as it is a good way to make a very good first impression if it is approached in the correct direction. When your friends visit your home they will judge you on what the home looks like. It is very true that when people visit your home to assess both your home and your hospitality to make a decision on the type of person that you are.

The steeped effect can be gained by excavating some of the slope and making it plane and this allows the water to come from the top and seep into the soil so that the soil is kept intact to allow for the healthy growth of plants.

There are a lot of people that tend to go for plants, which are a reddish shade as these add an element of beauty to the garden. If you are more concerned with the colours that you are going to have it may be a good idea to consider some of the rubber flowers that you can get.

It is very important to take your time to plant your garden, as it is important to do something that you are going to be happy with. When you first start your landscaping it is a good idea to look into skip hire as you will need somewhere to put all the rubbish.

If you want to landscape the garden yourself it is very important to plan the work before you start and contact skip hire company so that you have somewhere to put all the rubbish.

When you are considering the design for the garden one of he most important things that you will have to consider is the way in which you and the rest of your family will use the outdoor space. The complete landscape of the garden should feature some trees, lawn areas and some plants. It will also be a good idea to consider some outdoor lighting so that the garden can be enjoyed in the evenings as well. - 30228

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Learn About What You Can Do For Driveway Paving

By Matthew Kerridge

When your driveway looks its best your home can look more attractive. It can also become more valuable. With this in mind it helps to take many things in mind for driveway paving. There are various things to use for paving that can make your driveway look good. You can also work with different amounts of money with many of these options.

A number of options can be used for the construction of your driveway. Concrete is one of the most notable of these choices. Concrete is a material that is made primarily with water and cement. This is noted for being a more durable and easy to maintain option for pavement. It will cost the most money to use.

The second choice to check out is asphalt. It uses various small rocks that are glued along for a flat surface. It is a great material to use thanks to how light in weight it is. It does not cost much to install either but maintenance costs will be higher. You will have to seal it every year.

If you have a longer driveway you should check out a tar and chip option. This choice for driveway paving uses tar that has been mixed with stone chips. This is perfect for driveways that want to mix in with its surroundings. You will need to be able to keep it properly maintained over time so that it will stay flat.

The thickness of your driveway is something to watch for. Depending on the material that you use for your driveway the thickness should vary. For concrete a driveway should be about four inches thick. It can be slightly thicker for asphalt or for a tar and chip driveway. Thicker pavements can cost more money to get so you should not use more than what is recommended.

The use of patching spots or adding layers can work for your paving needs. By filling in patches or adding a completely new pavement layer you can save on paving. This means that you will not have to worry about installing a new layer altogether. The surface will still need to be flattened during this process.

The sealing process for paving is important to watch for. Sealant should be used at a regular basis to keep the driveway looking great. Annual sealing is needed for asphalt while it is needed every few years for concrete. These schedules should be followed to help with getting a driveway to look great and to stay protected.

You should be sure that your driveway is spaced properly. It will have to have a good spacing set between your desired area and your landscape. With a good plan in place you can keep your landscape protected. You will get a good shape set up for your driveway too.

These are useful things to check out for driveway paving. Your driveway can look its best when it is properly paved. There are various materials to use for paving though. It will help to watch for the many characteristics of your driveway too. - 30228

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Vine Design Tools

By Kent Higgins

Color, texture, structural form, and areas of space are the implements of design, the materials of which it is composed. Here, there is no substitute for personal taste and creativity. Rules like those for the use of complementary or contrasting colors, the play of soft textures against hard are made only to be broken if the effect is carefully conceived and executed.

Your patio planters, for example, may present a striking picture because they contain flowers in assorted brilliant colors; next door, your neighbor may use only shades of pink and white for equal pleasure. Even a combination of shades of green can be enticing, particularly if textures and light or shadow are used in some original manner.

Using Vines Decoratively

Effective decorating, then, begins with the elements of good design. But with the addition of your own discrimination and originality, the fun begins. Before using vines and hanging plants for indoor or outdoor decoration, try to visualize the whole picture - the room or wall, or the whole garden area. Try to "see" in your mind all elements in relation to each other and to the situation. Then, select plants and containers that suit your intention and create the picture you have in mind.

To demonstrate some basic principles of design, create some abstract shapes to represent various elements - a rectangle might be a bookcase against a wall; a small square could be the vine in a bracket above it; a long, thin shape might be a vine trained horizontally, or hanging or climbing vertically. The whole area might be the wall of a room or of a garden. Cutting out similar shapes and moving them about within an area in proportionate scale may help you visualize any effect you want to create.

These design principles are applied or adapted to using vines decoratively indoors (interior decoration), outdoors (landscaping), and in the specific category of container gardening.

Because plants are decorative only if they are well grown and healthy, it is important to provide the right cultural practices for vines and cycad plant in pots, baskets, planters, containers, and in the garden. These are general principles; specific culture for specific vines may need to be addressed for certain plants. Methods of propagating vines and combating insects and disease is also an issue which needs to be addressed.

Visit www.plant-care.com and search the web for cultural information on hardiness that should help determine whether each vine is considered an indoor or outdoor plant in any or all of the widely varying climates across the country. What's grown indoors in Boston may likely flourish outdoors the year round in Tallahassee; some plants that enjoy cool Northwestern summers can't take the heat in southern Texas; and those that need protracted below-freezing temperatures to force them into a restful dormancy would pine away where a warm climate keeps them growing all the time.

Also for each vine or group of vines should have some general suggestions on the suitable type of indoor or outdoor decoration - hanging baskets, container-garden accents, shades or screens over arches and pergolas, for example. - 30228

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Landscape Rhythm The Dynamic Line Of Force

By Kent Higgins

This principle is less ephemeral than unity and more easily defined, and can even be set down in nearly precise mathematical terms. Essentially, the elements or areas of a design have a visual weight; and these weights achieve balance like that of the old-fashioned scale, or seesaw. If the seesaw is unbalanced, the result is distracting or disturbing. The principle of balance is usually mandatory, but the methods of achieving it are not. There are many ways to arrange elements and areas to achieve a balanced design; and here is where originality and personal taste improve the picture.

Two types of balanced composition are generally recognized - formal and informal. Formal balance calls for a focal point or center of interest in the center of the design, with areas and/or elements of equal weight on either side. You can't go wrong with formal balance. There is no question that the geometric arrangement of classic rose gardens are of good design; or even that Colonial or Victorian settings seem suitable for formally balanced decoration.

In informal balance the focal point is off-center--above, below, to one side of the exact center; and it often achieves a lively, interesting effect. To break a broad expanse of garden wall, a vine is planted at one side of its center; or a pillar rose used as an accent is placed similarly off-center - in either case, the larger, unbroken or unaccented areas are large enough and have sufficient weight to balance the object of interest or accent.

Rhythm

Vitality and "dynamic line of force" are somewhat synonymous terms for rhythm. It is a basic principle that creates interest because it gives the effect of motion rather than of static immobility, variety rather than dull monotony. Using lines to create fluid effects contributes to rhythmic quality. For example, a combination of horizontal and vertical lines is more active, more mobile, than a set of running parallels, either horizontal or vertical. Hanging a vine down over the edge of a table, or letting it climb a wall behind a bookcase, at right angles to the horizontal line of the furniture like the hepa air filters, is more effective than training it in a parallel direction.

Using a variety of colors and tones, textures, and structural forms also helps create rhythm. So does allowing one element to overlap the next. - 30228

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Things to Look For In Outdoor Lights

By Jim Blaine

The use of an outdoor chandelier or other lamps provides a very real enhancement to the surroundings of a home. Finding the right light set can be an arduous process, especially if it's your first time buying one.

While there are a number of different things that you'll want to consider when making a purchase, knowing some of the essentials will make your experience much more likely to be a successful one. Here are some of the things you'll want to keep in mind.

One of the first things that you'll want to make sure of is the fact that any outdoor lamp you look at has a weighted base. The base of your lamp needs to be heavy enough to withstand any winds that could end up knocking an ordinary lamp onto the ground.

Weather is the biggest threat to the well being of any outdoor lighting unit, and as a result, you'll also want to go with something that has weatherproof shades. This will protect the bulbs and wiring, and maintains the quality and longevity of your outdoor lighting units.

The wiring of any outdoor chandelier or lighting unit will be integral too. Keep in mind that unless you're getting solar powered outdoor lighting, you'll need to have an electrical outlet to plug into somewhere nearby.

You don't want to simply buy any kind of lamp and place it outside. This simply won't work.

Wiring that protects the unit from precipitation will be known as sealed wiring, and you should find one with a rubber coated switch as well. Both of these things will give you ample weather protection.

Keep all of the above in mind when you're buying your outdoor chandelier or other lighting product. As long as you do, you'll be in great shape with respect to getting something appropriate for your settings. - 30228

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Character And Individuality Of Vines In The Landscape

By Thomas Fryd

From a kerchief-sized city back yard to the rolling hills of a magnificent country estate, there is hardly a garden or landscape where vines can't be used to give the scene graceful beauty and vitality. And few other plants serve so many practical purposes as well.

Vines have character and individuality. Some are modest, and attract attention to the patterned texture of a wall rather than to themselves. Some are bold and brilliant, and command the eye. All give a fluid impression of movement no other plant form provides.

Vines are adaptable, versatile, can be trained to almost any shape or line, formal or informal, horizontal or vertical, sweeping or restrained. A controllable line is one of the landscape architect's most potent tools.

And vines have variety in size, shape, color, contour, texture. There are fast- and slow-growing, deciduous and evergreen, annual and perennial vines. Some feature foliage, flowers, or colorful fall and winter fruit; some paragons provide all three.

Practically speaking, vines can do more for a garden, yet require less space and less care, than most people realize. They are generally strong-rooted, prefer not to be pampered, are subject to relatively few diseases. They occupy a small area, yet their tops are arranged to get full benefit of all available light and sunlight.

Name your landscaping problem, there is surely a vine to help solve it. Limited space for flower beds? A clematis or climbing rose will give tremendous flowering display for small root space. Train one, or both together, on a pillar for dramatic accent. Your garden doesn't hang together? Use vines to make a smooth transition from one area or level to another, to help create harmony and unity.

House looks too high? A vine or a flowering vine will pull it down, anchor it to the ground. House too low and broad? A vertical vine will make it look higher. House plain, lacks style? Vines break and soften sharp lines, create ornamental patterns. House too ornate? Vines hide or correct errors and abuses.

When the bulldozer leaves bare grounds, vines make shade faster than trees, flower faster than herbaceous perennials. Where there's a clutter of small, unrelated buildings, vines will tie them together. When you want privacy for an outdoor living area, vines make a screen without eliminating light. - 30228

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Winterizing Your Arizona Lawn Care Equipment

By Julia B Larkin

You will see that Home Depot and Lowes every spring is busy with people buzzing on getting new lawn care equipment. This is usually caused by the machine not being properly stored or winterized. Most home owners will purchase a large collection of lawn and garden equipment over the first five years of owning their home which typically represents a sizable investment. In order for you, the home owner, to protect your investment and ensure that next year when you reach for that weed whacker that it runs its best it's very important to take the proper steps to winterize your gas powered equipment.

Any equipment with an engine, from your gas powered blower to you lawnmower, should be winterized in a similar fashion.

First, wash the equipment and clean off any dirt or debris followed by thoroughly drying the equipment to prevent rust.

The next step is, drain the gas from the reservoir either by pouring it out or running the piece of equipment till empty. (Please note that you may also purchase fuel additives that may be mixed in the reservoir if you prefer).

Third, remove the spark plug and place a few drops of oil into the cylinder and then pull the starter cord slowly three or four times to lightly coat the piston. This step prevents rust from forming over the winter months. And finally, look through the socket where you removed your plug and have someone pull the starter cord slowly until the piston is at top dead center (when the piston is closets to the opening of the socket). Replace your spark plug and store your piece of equipment with piece of mind that your investment will be protected over the cold winter months. - 30228

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Incorporating Unique Interior Design Ideas

By Andrew Caxton

It can be hard to find good interior design ideas to use. The good news is that there are many ways that you can find them. Finding ideas is a challenge but one that you can easily learn. You just need to look around you. Take into consideration the ideas you see around you and use them within your home. Once you can get everything to be coordinating, then you can easily find new ways to showcase your ideas. You do not have to pay a lot of money for good ideas. Be Observing To be like the professionals, always keep your eyes open and your mind even more open as you are out and about in the world.

Many times, professional interior designers will come up with ideas and inspiration from unique things or places. You can create this same type of situation for yourself. All you need to do is to look around yourself and pay attention. The fact is that there are likely many interior design ideas throughout your life. You may not see it at first, but take the time to study and really look at it. Then, when you find that one thing that catches your eye, determine how you can incorporate the look into your home.

When you see something being done well, then ask yourself if you can recreate that look on your own, in your home. Study it and learn how to accomplish this. Use Nature Many great interior design ideas come from nature. Nature is everywhere and can inspire you. Pay attention to the tree in fall that has all those beautiful colors. Take notice of other types of landscapes and natural elements.

Once you find something you like, determine if you can implement that look into your home. Brainstorm and try out new things. You do not have to wait around for someone else to do so. Instead, incorporate the ideas you see throughout your life as you see fit. As you look for new interior design ideas, pay attention to things around you. From a blade of grass to the unique ceiling in a hotel room, there are many things that can inspire you. Allow them to and let your imagination help take over.

For many people, it takes paying attention to the things around them to really find the unique interior design ideas they need. - 30228

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