What to look for when buying a tree

Planting and growing your tree can be a very rewarding experience. It can also come with its trials and difficulties, especially if you are dealing with pests and disease. Research what you want to buy and why before you actually purchase your tree. You will also need to be committed because young trees can require more maintenance than a mature tree. Do you know how much space you will need for the tree, keeping in mind how it looks when grown and how big it can get. Trees come in several sizes, dwarf, semi-dwarf and standard sizes. The size of your area will be the determining factor in what size tree you purchase. Dwarf trees can be a great selection if your space is limited because they take up as little as eight feet in diameter when full grown. The fruit of a dwarf tree is the same size as standard trees, but, of course, the amount of fruit will not be as generous, but a dwarf tree might just fit your needs. The next size up is the semi-dwarf. These are between dwarf and standard, and can have a spread of up to fifteen feet when fully mature. Pruning is necessary for this size tree in order to keep its growth in check. The semi-dwarf tree will produce a bit more fruit that the dwarf size, however, for reasons unknown, the semi-dwarf tree will from time to time take a year off and produce no fruit at all.  It is a good size tree, though, and is not too difficult to maintain. Then, of course, there is a standard sized tree.

They need some maintenance to maintain due to its size. The standard sized tree can grow in excess of thirty feet tall if not pruned. It is necessary to prune these trees on a regular basis to make them more manageable. They do, however, produce more fruit that the semi-dwarf tree. No matter what size tree you choose, make sure that you have done your research. Follow the instructions regarding planting, fertilize when recommended, provide correct soil type, water amounts and a good drainage system, and you will end up with a healthy tree that you can enjoy for years.

Don't throw away scraps

What happens when homeowners have a house full of bags of leaves. What to do with them?  Even though leaves and other yard waste are annoying and unsightly, particularly during the fall and winter months of the year, there is something one can use them for such as and mother nature at the same time!  Composting, it might be a little time consuming, but it is well worth it!  Making a composting bin or pile in your yard is easier than you might think.  Just add a thick layer of leaves, about four to five inches and then add a thin layer of fertile soil.  After you do this, you can keep adding leaves and even other yard wastes such as grass clippings, dead flowers or plants and a variety of other things.  Keep the pile aerated and moist so that nature will do its work in creating a soil amendment that you can use to increase your soil conditions and the overall health and productivity of your plants and flowers. Add in vegetable and fruit peelings.  Just do not add any meat or bone to the mixture. One will see how you will decrease the amount of waste you produce each week after beginning to compost.  Helping nature and yourself have never been so fun!  You can also compost any time of the year, even if the winters are particularly extreme.  You can also buy a bin for composting, build your own or even just keep it in a pile.  Composting is a little time-consuming, but with the way mother nature has been treated in the past, doesn’t she deserve a little attention and care?  Give composting a try and see how it will transform not only your soil conditions, but the beauty and health of your flowers and plants.

What is the difference between hot and cold compost

Composting is increasingly popular with people who are starting to embrace all natural way of gardening and the ability to grow their own, organic fruits and vegetables.  Even if you are used to composting, you probably already know that you are always learning something new about the process.  When the organic matter in the compost is being broken down, it produces heat, known as hot composting.  Hot composting is probably the more popular method and uses microbes that work to break down the items you put in the bin.  You can even purchase these little organisms at a variety of local nurseries and most experts recommend doing this to get really the decomposing process started and in general expedited.  You can also add top soil to the compost which will already have these little microbes in there that will convert the organic material you are putting in, into something amazing that you can use to garden and fertilize.  No matter which way you get these little microbes into your compost pile, the process they start will generate heat.  You should also check on your compost from time and make sure to turn the pile so air circulation gets into the different layers which will help the microbes be more effective and productive.  Experts recommend checking the compost every other day to inspect and maintain the pile.  You also want to make sure that moisture is kept in the compost, but not too much as this will halt the process altogether.  You can also do another form of composting, called cold composting.  It is more time-consuming and will take longer to yield any results, but it is easier on you in the long run.  You only use your yard waste and grass clippings in this method and never add anything leftover from the kitchen.  All you do is put your brown waste in and wait.  It is a long and slow wait and without any compost that you can use for gardening or other uses. It takes time to do everything you need to do get your compost right and do what one needs to make it the best.

Organic Vegetable Gardening

Organic vegetable gardening is becoming increasingly popular and is a great way to produce more natural vegetables and plants.  Like any garden, a successful organic garden is going to start way before you get outside and get to work.  It starts with making a plan and sticking to it.  You should also draw out a place for where certain vegetables are going to go and make notes on spacing for each type of vegetable you are going to grow.  Organic vegetables and herbs are better tasting and higher yielding than other plants and will simply amaze you once they start producing. Small yards can even do this organic type gardening in containers if it is needed.  Organic is just about being all natural in how you plant, fertilize and grow your plants.  Companion planting is a common practice in the organic world.  Plants are much happier and better yielding when they are planted with like vegetables to help them form a relationship in which they work with each other to be the best they can be. It also helps the vegetable plants work alongside nature.  An example of a great relationship is carrots and tomatoes.  Also planting things such as legumes and rye will help keep nitrogen in a useable form in appearance and their production.  Also planting things that repel pests is a great way to use nature to benefit your garden.  For example, tomatoes repel caterpillars.  Be sure to use lots of organic material in your soils as well. It will help nature help your garden in a unique relationship.  That is what most people forget.  You need to have a relationship with your garden and like people relationships, they need constant attention and they need to be nurtured.  Organic vegetablegardening is a little more work, but the benefits far outweigh the work that is required on your part.

Properly Fertilizing your indoor plants

As you probably already know from experience in planting and gardening, each plant or flower requires certain things from the soil to grow and develop as they should. However, sometimes what the plant or flower needs is not always present in the soil. It is why adding fertilizer can be beneficial to your household plants. It will give them a boost of nutrients and other things like potassium and nitrogen that the soil might be lacking. Adding fertilizer can be tricky though as adding too much can damage or kill the plant you are trying to make more productive. Additionally, fertilizing needs for indoor plants will vary from what the same plant would need in an outdoor environment. Since plants grow at a slower rate when they are inside, much less fertilizer is needed to make them grow and develop. Each plant needs important research each one individually. If you buy a plant at a local nursery or hardware store, it should come with instructions on what is necessary for the plant indoors or outdoors. However, you can also observe the plant and you will notice when adding fertilizer will become necessary. Here are some examples of when a plant might need a little extra boost. If the plant is not growing at the rate it should be and the growth might have been stunted due to lack of nutrients. Adding a small amount of fertilizer over a two-week period in the spring is the optimal time and most make it part of their routine maintenance for their indoor inhabitants. Many fertilizers that you buy come with instructions on how to add it properly and efficiently so one's plant will last. Be careful to not over fertilize. You will know if they foliage to brown, or the leaves are drooping after fertilization. You will need to make sure your buy a fertilizer specifically for indoor plants as each has its combination of the nutrients plants need.

Outdoor Fish Pond

How to Properly Care for a Fish Pond A gardener or homeowner that is planning to add a fish pond to a garden will use dedication to keep a fish pond up and if cared. It will make a wonderful addition and will add a calming sense to a garden. These ponds can be a very relaxing addition and be very calming to enjoy after a long hard day. When considering a fish pond a home owner will need to be dedicated and commit to caring for the fish during the summer and winter months of the year. Use tools to create a beautiful fish pond for all to enjoy. A pond filter will need to buy that will remove all dirt from the pond. Also, the food that the fish eat will also need to be considered. Invest in some leaf netting. It will keep those unwanted leaves out of the pond and will also help with keeping it clean so the fish can survive in healthy and clean water. Also, there will need to be some water plants added to the pond to provide a wonderful food source for the fish and will also give the lots of protection as they are growing and becoming healthy. Plant fertilizer can be used as long as it will not harm the fish and is created for water plants. There can also be de-chlorinator and floating de-ice purchased to help with maintaining a fish pond. The filter will need to be checked so it works properly and to make sure that it will remove all the unwanted dirt and debris from the pond. Clean the filter once a week to make sure they keep working properly. The right kind of fish food will also need to be bought, so the fish get nutrients they need to thrive and grow to be healthy. Knowing the temperatures of the water will determine when and how much they will need to eat. Once the temperature reaches 70 degrees it is good to give them a high protein diet and during the spring months while the water is warming up they will need to eat cold fish food. Only feed them recommended fish food so they will stay healthy. The leaf net can be placed above the pond so that it can keep those unwanted items out of the water if the pond is near a tree that will shed the leaves. Using a floating deicer will also help with keeping the oxygen levels good during the winter months so that the water will not freeze and harm the fish. A pond can also be insulated by covering the pond with a thick tarp with straw placed on top so that the temperature will not get cold enough to hurt the fish. The pond will also need to be drained during the spring and clean very well. The algae and other debris will need to be removed to create a great environment for the fish to live and thrive. It will keep the diseases and bacteria out of the pond. When a pond is carefully maintained and cared for properly, it will create a beautiful addition to a garden. Proper Care and Maintenance for a Fish Pond A fish pond will make a lovely addition to a garden or to a backyard. Creating a fish pond is a lovely way to create a magical space on the lawn or in the garden. It will create a very tranquil setting, and everyone will enjoy it. Creating a beautiful pond can be fun and once the fish get added it will need to maintain properly so that they will survive, and it will provide a beautiful addition to a garden or lawn. Once the hole for the fish pond is dug it will need to be fixed so that the fish will thrive and do good in their environment. A fish pond needs lines with strong plastic, or hard plastic liner will need to be used so that the dirt does not get into the water. Concrete borders can also be used to hold the liners in place for the pond. By lining, it will be great to keep debris out of the water of the pond. The plants will also help keep the water oxygenated properly for the fish and will absorb some of the nutrients from the water. Plants can also be added around the pond area to create a beautiful look. If a neighbor or friend has a fish pond and already has water plants established, they may want to give you some because they are already healthy and will grow very well. Plants will also help with the algae growth in the pond. Once a location is determined the work can begin. It is best to make sure where ever the pond is to be that it will not flood when there are heavy rains or several days of rain. Also remember to place the pond away from large trees so that the pond will not gather leaves and other debris from the tree. If a pond is near a tree, it will need to be cleaned everyday so that the water will remain unpolluted for the fish. Rocks can also be used to decorate around a pond or used to create a beautiful edging. Planning and creating a beautiful fish pond will take a lot of work and commitment. Once it's complete it will make a great addition.

Proper care for the Fish and Pond

Providing proper care for fish that are located in the pond and also maintenance for a pond can become a lot of work. If the pond is located in a very tranquil area away from loud noises and vibrations because the fish will be able to feel the vibrations that are going on around the pond. Most people will make a pond so that it will create a beautiful pond for everyone to enjoy, and they also want to add fish that will multiply and become beautiful.

If a homeowner wants to create a pond that is large enough for fishing there are a lot of things that will need considering. It will need to be in a great location and will also need to be stocked with fish that will be fine for this purpose. Fishing is a great relaxation activity and can be enjoyed by the entire family. If the pond is not very large fish can be caught within minutes after casting the first line out into the water. Make sure the layout of the pond is great and perfect for the location.

Also, it will need to be far enough from the house area so that it will not create flooding problems during hard rains. The pond will also need to be built away from large trees this will keep leaves and large limbs from getting into the pond. It will depend on how large the pond is going to be to determine the best type of liner for the pond. The pond will also need to be regularly cleaned to make sure that any pollution is removed from the pond so that the environment is great for the fish that are in the pond. The great thing about fishing from the pond is that no boats needed, and everyone can fish from the bank of the pond. When a pond has the proper care, it will become beautiful and will be a lovely place that everyone can enjoy. Buy plants for landscaping around a fish pond at Perennial Co.

How to Compost Your Garden

COMPOSTING & BURN PITS.

Composting is one of the most easiest tasks to do as a gardener. By far it is the simplest when compared to all the preparatory things done in a garden.

The hardest thing about composting, is to keep up with it, and decide whether you want it raised above ground, or below ground level. Once you have decided that, it's a snap! Burn pits, however, are a different matter. Some areas and localities it is illegal to have a burn pit, or a burn barrel. In other places you have to have a license, or notify your local authorities when you are about to do any form of burning on your own property. So make sure you are up with the laws! Or you could find yourself burnt out of pocket paying a hefty fine!

Making Compost. Decide whether you are going to have an above ground or below level for to make as you specific compost heap area. If you have below ground level, remember you will have to be strong enough to shovel it out and turn it at some point. Above ground is usually the most favored.

Containment: With either, you will have to think how, you wish it contained. Here is a list of methods to contain a compost heap: 1 – Fine chicken wire mesh fencing. Usually doubled over. 2 – Wood crate style fencing, with an easy access gating to it. 3 – Large plastic drum, or old metal oil barrel. 4 - Any unused garden corner, cordoned off section of garden.

Mixtures: Formulas very from area to area. Basics are to add a little of your own soil from your garden, in layers. A little at a time.

Put grass cuttings, leaves, anything organic in the pile. Mix it well. Add water, mix again, included to the additives your fertilizer, manures, soil, cold coffee/tea, banana peels, egg shells, even shredded paper can be placed in the mix!

Just remember it takes two to three weeks, and will heat up. When it breaks down it naturally heats up in the center. So turn it, and mix every few days or so, don't forget to add water too! Along with a little more of your soil.

After approximately 4 – 6 weeks, it can be spread or used in the garden.

Burn Pits: Caution should be exercised in this area. Along with consultation of your local law enforcement agencies. However, most favored method is to dig a hole, line it with stones, then clear the ground for at least 3' width around the hole and line this too with good heat resistant stones. Ashes, can be later used for your garden too! Just don't burn plastics or non-recyclables. This not only poisons the ground, but gives off seriously dangerous fumes to kill plants. Or you could just buy a charcoal burner, from any garden center. These are much safer, especially for smaller spaces.

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Protecting Your Plants from Garden Pests

PLANT PROTECTION

Perennial Plants like people, need protection. In this part here, we will discuss various ways to do, just that. To ensure your garden flourishes in the best possible way. Showing various proven methods of less weeding, and how it is induced. How to keep your borders trimmed with the least amount of effort. Garden Pests: There are wide varieties of garden pests. From bugs that chew through every vegetable in your patch, to larvae that kill roots, or strangling weeds. Of course the 'pests' are also mostly unique to each climate and location too. So be sure to check with your garden center what is the most common for your area. Plants do very well, if they have some form of protection. Not just your regular everyday weed-control or bug-control spray is enough. For most people serious about their garden, it helps to invest a little extra time in the beginning to a few proven products that do not go in the pesticide control area. Such items are as follows:

1 – Stones! Usually to place around borders or saplings. Used as edging it can be quite effective at deterring center types of pests from entering the growing zone. 2 – Black Plastic! Believe it or not, black plastic laid over the top of a freshly tilled area, can help prevent weeds from re-populating, and encourage insects that are helpful to your area. Some people even chose to use it afterwards, by cutting holes in it at the plant/shrub/tree placement area and implanting there. Then cover up the plastic by using simple decorative wood chips or gravel. This is effective for the most part.

3 – Cold Frames! (Instructions on how to make one, later.) Cold frames are another form of greenhouse, but more flush to the ground. They protect from weather conditions, plus help to keep moisture returning – so it means less watering!

4 – Raised Platform Planting! This is where the area to be used is literally on a raised platform above the ground, then made into a giant tub. This is good for protecting the roots mostly. Especially with younger plants, bulbs and herbs.

5 – Lowered Platform Planting! An area is dug out, then lined with a waterproof lining that is thick and tough. Before being filled with adequate soil and nutrients needed. Then plants are placed within. Again good for protecting mostly wide root crops. Such as radishes, garlic etc.

6 – Bath Water! You may laugh, but if you add some of this, to your watering can before you do your flowers, it will protect from bugs that eat the blooms! Good for upper plant growth.

IMPORTANT: When starting any garden, remember certain plants can protect others. Acting as natural repellents. My advice, would be to use these first, before pesticide extremes. Some garden pesticides may not be viable to use if you have children, allergies or even pets. Always check labels! Some pesticides can change your soil.

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