Saturday, January 25, 2014

Keeping Your Lawn Green And Healthy All Summer

For some, landscaping can be a simple touch up job that slightly improves the overall look of a home. For others, it can be a science and a complete work of art, as they use advanced ideas and techniques to make any home look like a masterpiece. Whatever landscaping is for you, the following tips will help you get the best out of your landscaping endeavors.

You do not have to hire a professional to design your landscape for you, but it might be worth your time and money to quickly meet with an architect. You will get a better idea of how much your project will cost and perhaps avoid mistakes that would end up costing you money.

Test the pH and composition of your soil before you plant anything. Soil testing will identify any shortcomings or contaminants in your soil, and you can either address these issues or alter your plant selections before you start working. Doing this can help to ensure that your plants get a great start and grow to be happy.

Try talking to a pro before you start working on your landscape. You might not need a landscape designer or architect to draft your whole project, but for under $100, a consultation that lasts about an hour can be well worth the money if it prevents you from making costly mistakes later on.

If you live in a part of the country that is at risk for wildfires, choose landscaping projects accordingly. For example, trees should be planted at least 100 feet apart. Additionally, large trees should not be planted less than 100 feet from your house or other building structure (garden, shed, workshop, etc.).

As you may have realized, landscaping has different meanings for those to do it. Some will think of it as a quick touch up job, while others will think of it as a whole artistic process full of style and grace. Using the tips above, any landscaping you do will look wonderful.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Give A Little Lift To Your Garden With This Helpful Advice

 

A popular hobby amongst many people is gardening, as it has several rewards. Not only do you spend time outdoors, but you can watch things that you planted grow. Also, you can eat home-grown vegetables and save money. Read this article for some tips on how to start your own garden.

A great way to maximize garden potential is to plant perennials. Some edible vegetables will come back year after year with minimal maintenance like weeding, mulching, and fertilizing. Asparagus, bunching onions, and horseradish all will come back every year. Depending upon climate, there are many options for growing perennial vegetables for a maximum yield.

To grow properly, plants need adequate levels of CO2. When exposed to high levels of CO2, most types of plants will grow better. The best way to obtain a saturated level of carbon dioxide (CO2) is to use a greenhouse. CO2 levels are best kept high, in order to provide optimal growing conditions for your plants.

If you like to plant roses, before you buy any variety, ask yourself what characteristics you would like from your roses. Different varieties have different characteristics, such as fragrance, heartiness, and size, to name a few. The traits that you want the most from a rose bush will influence your decision on what variety to plant.

When it is spring and time to plant, do you have a hard time remembering what your gardens looked like the year before so that you know where to plant your new bulbs? This year, take pictures of your spring garden, and in the fall have a look at them. If you see a place in the yard that is bare and in need of a new daffodil, you can be confident on where to plant the new bulbs!

Whether you like planting flowers so your home looks more beautiful, or vegetables because you'd like to save money and eat healthier, gardening is fun for many people. You can enjoy your own produce without worrying about pesticides, and grow your favorite flowers as well. Remember these tips if you want to start a garden.