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Archive for the ‘Home Improvement’ Category
A Quick Guide To Container Gardening
Sally Robson asked:
If you are a garden lover, but have no space for your gardening, don’t worry, gardening is not necessarily out of your reach. In the available space of your house, say balcony, patio, deck, or sunny window, you can create a container garden, which will not only bring you joy, but also vegetables. So, why not start container gardening yourself?
In the past, gardening has been exclusively associated with large pieces of land. Nowadays, even the flat dweller can grow a dream garden, without having any fuss. One’s dream can be fulfilled, by container gardening, which means the gardening is done in a special container, in restricted areas. Container gardening provides all the delights of gardening, without weekly mowing and maintenance. Gardening in a container, allows you to grow perennials, annuals, vegetables and even shrubs and small trees.
Container gardening can be achieved very easily. For those who do not have access to a plot of land, this method allows the land to be transferred to a convenient site. Just as with normal gardening, container gardening also requires proper planning. Planning consists of finding your suitable place, the right sized container, the soil and the most suitable types of plants.
It is always advisable to buy the plants from nearest nursery, unless you have perfect conditions, to go for indoor seedlings. With this type of gardening, you should be careful to not keep the tender plants outside, below 45
If you are a garden lover, but have no space for your gardening, don’t worry, gardening is not necessarily out of your reach. In the available space of your house, say balcony, patio, deck, or sunny window, you can create a container garden, which will not only bring you joy, but also vegetables. So, why not start container gardening yourself?
In the past, gardening has been exclusively associated with large pieces of land. Nowadays, even the flat dweller can grow a dream garden, without having any fuss. One’s dream can be fulfilled, by container gardening, which means the gardening is done in a special container, in restricted areas. Container gardening provides all the delights of gardening, without weekly mowing and maintenance. Gardening in a container, allows you to grow perennials, annuals, vegetables and even shrubs and small trees.
Container gardening can be achieved very easily. For those who do not have access to a plot of land, this method allows the land to be transferred to a convenient site. Just as with normal gardening, container gardening also requires proper planning. Planning consists of finding your suitable place, the right sized container, the soil and the most suitable types of plants.
It is always advisable to buy the plants from nearest nursery, unless you have perfect conditions, to go for indoor seedlings. With this type of gardening, you should be careful to not keep the tender plants outside, below 45
Grow Light Bulbs Last Longer With Digital Ballasts
Susan Slobac asked:
Growing plants indoors can extend your growing season, especially if you live in a cold-weather climate that makes gardening outside next to impossible in the winter. You will want to get a grow light system in order to provide your plants with enough and appropriate light. If you choose HID, or high intensity discharge lights, you’ve made a great choice because the bulbs most closely imitate natural sunlight and they last a long time. In order to use these types of grow lights, you will need some type of ballasts. A ballast is used to control the flow of currency through the bulb. If you choose digital ballasts for your grow lamps, they will last longer.
There are different types of ballasts available. An electrical ballast is used to limit the current flowing into a circuit. One of its benefits is that it helps the bulb operate at a higher efficiency. Electrical ballasts also come with an instant start, rapid start, and programmed start. Some use more energy than others, and some offer more reliable starts that others depending on which you might select.
Digital ballasts offer several advantages that other types of ballasts do not. One is that they weigh less than other types, an important consideration when you are hanging several lights above your plants. Another is that they run silently and have a greater efficiency than other ballasts, both of which save you aggravation and money. Digital versions of ballasts have start up times that are quicker than other types of ballasts, and they come in compact designs, so you can fit more grow lights into a smaller space.
These digital ballasts also allow the lamps to put out more light than with other ballasts. It will save you a lot of money over time to use a digital ballast that allows the grow bulb to put out twenty to thirty percent more light, yet will run on the same amount of electricity.
Digitals ballasts are also safer than other models. Digitals come with circuitry that cuts off in dangerous situations. They also produce less heat, thereby increasing the safety. Digital ballasts can be used with metal halide lamps or with HPS, or high pressure sodium, lights.
Metal halide lamps give off blue light, and this is what you need if you are trying to get your plants to send up new growth. High pressure sodium lights produce light in the red end of the spectrum, which is useful if you are trying to get the plants to flower or produce fruits. No matter what type of hydroponic grow lights your plants require, there is a digital ballast that will both meet your needs and extend the life of your grow light bulbs.
MiniGarden.org
Growing plants indoors can extend your growing season, especially if you live in a cold-weather climate that makes gardening outside next to impossible in the winter. You will want to get a grow light system in order to provide your plants with enough and appropriate light. If you choose HID, or high intensity discharge lights, you’ve made a great choice because the bulbs most closely imitate natural sunlight and they last a long time. In order to use these types of grow lights, you will need some type of ballasts. A ballast is used to control the flow of currency through the bulb. If you choose digital ballasts for your grow lamps, they will last longer.
There are different types of ballasts available. An electrical ballast is used to limit the current flowing into a circuit. One of its benefits is that it helps the bulb operate at a higher efficiency. Electrical ballasts also come with an instant start, rapid start, and programmed start. Some use more energy than others, and some offer more reliable starts that others depending on which you might select.
Digital ballasts offer several advantages that other types of ballasts do not. One is that they weigh less than other types, an important consideration when you are hanging several lights above your plants. Another is that they run silently and have a greater efficiency than other ballasts, both of which save you aggravation and money. Digital versions of ballasts have start up times that are quicker than other types of ballasts, and they come in compact designs, so you can fit more grow lights into a smaller space.
These digital ballasts also allow the lamps to put out more light than with other ballasts. It will save you a lot of money over time to use a digital ballast that allows the grow bulb to put out twenty to thirty percent more light, yet will run on the same amount of electricity.
Digitals ballasts are also safer than other models. Digitals come with circuitry that cuts off in dangerous situations. They also produce less heat, thereby increasing the safety. Digital ballasts can be used with metal halide lamps or with HPS, or high pressure sodium, lights.
Metal halide lamps give off blue light, and this is what you need if you are trying to get your plants to send up new growth. High pressure sodium lights produce light in the red end of the spectrum, which is useful if you are trying to get the plants to flower or produce fruits. No matter what type of hydroponic grow lights your plants require, there is a digital ballast that will both meet your needs and extend the life of your grow light bulbs.
MiniGarden.org
Growing Bamboo – How To Grow Bamboo
Dean Caporella asked:
The art of growing bamboo depends very much on weather climates. If you live a cold climate with freezing temperatures during winter then you may be oput of luck and may need to consider growing bamboo inside.
For warmer climates such as sub tropical and tropical then bamboo can make a wonderful addition to your garden or landscaping. However, you need to decide what type of variety you want; clumping or running bamboo.
Running bamboo could cause issues with your neighbors as it has a penchant for being invasive and unchecked, can run out of control. In this article, we’ll provide some handy growing tips for people who want to include a touch of orient within their landscape.
Planting Bamboo
You’ve bought your bamboo plants and are now ready to plant. Remember, in the right conditions, bamboo can grow very quickly and in some myths, people have actually commented that by watching them closely, you can actually see the growing bamboo sprout before their very eyes. That maybe stretching the imagination a little too far.
1. Digging your hole requires two very important considerations. Firstly, the hole should be at least the depth of the pot the plant is sitting in and secondly, you want to give it plenty of space. A general guide for width is about twice the width of the pot. Some go even a little wider.
2. Once the hole is dugg, add a generous amount of compost mix into the soil. The compost and soil will surround the plant.
3. When the bamboo is positioned in the hole, the clump of soil around the plant when extracted from it’s pot should be level with the soil line.
4. Watering is extremely important during the plant’s early growth. Be careful not to let the soil around the plant dry out. Some experts consider the first 12-18 months as vital and watering consistently during this period is a prime objective.
5. Fertilizing can be tricky. The plant should receive at least three applications during the first 6-12 months. Presuming you are planting in Spring, fertilize then apply follow up applications in summer and the fall. A nitrogen-based fertilizer is highly desirable when growing bamboo.
Learn all about Container Gardening
The art of growing bamboo depends very much on weather climates. If you live a cold climate with freezing temperatures during winter then you may be oput of luck and may need to consider growing bamboo inside.
For warmer climates such as sub tropical and tropical then bamboo can make a wonderful addition to your garden or landscaping. However, you need to decide what type of variety you want; clumping or running bamboo.
Running bamboo could cause issues with your neighbors as it has a penchant for being invasive and unchecked, can run out of control. In this article, we’ll provide some handy growing tips for people who want to include a touch of orient within their landscape.
Planting Bamboo
You’ve bought your bamboo plants and are now ready to plant. Remember, in the right conditions, bamboo can grow very quickly and in some myths, people have actually commented that by watching them closely, you can actually see the growing bamboo sprout before their very eyes. That maybe stretching the imagination a little too far.
1. Digging your hole requires two very important considerations. Firstly, the hole should be at least the depth of the pot the plant is sitting in and secondly, you want to give it plenty of space. A general guide for width is about twice the width of the pot. Some go even a little wider.
2. Once the hole is dugg, add a generous amount of compost mix into the soil. The compost and soil will surround the plant.
3. When the bamboo is positioned in the hole, the clump of soil around the plant when extracted from it’s pot should be level with the soil line.
4. Watering is extremely important during the plant’s early growth. Be careful not to let the soil around the plant dry out. Some experts consider the first 12-18 months as vital and watering consistently during this period is a prime objective.
5. Fertilizing can be tricky. The plant should receive at least three applications during the first 6-12 months. Presuming you are planting in Spring, fertilize then apply follow up applications in summer and the fall. A nitrogen-based fertilizer is highly desirable when growing bamboo.
Learn all about Container Gardening
Ten Top Trees That Grow Fast
Julia Stewart asked:
There are many benefits for planting trees that grow fast. Some of the top reasons are to provide shade, color, vertical dimension, soundproofing, cooling, beauty, screening, windbreaks, boundary lines and wildlife habitats for birds, animals, and insects. Planting fast growing trees also will increase your property value by at least 20%. Home buyers almost always choose a house with trees over those that don’t, all things being equal. It’s amazing that just by placing a tree in the correct area such as on the western or southwestern exposure of your house, you can significantly reduce your cooling cost in the summer by 10 -15% or more. Who wouldn’t like that? Trees can also reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions which is helpful in urban areas and they provide protection from ultra violet rays on playgrounds, schoolyards, and picnic areas. Let’s face it, we all prefer having trees around if at all possible.
Many home owners want to know what type of fast growing tree they should plant. The answer depends on factors such as: your purpose for planting the tree, soil conditions, tree location (plant the right tree in the right place), species growth and form (give trees plenty of room to grow), and know any undesirable species traits like tree roots that may grow on top of the ground.
The following trees are especially good for the Mid South and are some of our favorites. Landscaping in the area for over 27 years has given us a great insight into which trees are best for this area. Your local extension agency will have a list for your area. Before you plant any of the following trees, be sure you know how big and wide they will grow so that you can put them in the right place in your yard.
Autumn Blaze Maple is one of our favorites and the fastest growing maple. It’s resistant to insects and disease, has award winning foliage, and great fall color.
Thuja Green Giant grows 3-5 feet each year, grows tall but takes up little room, and is disease resistant.
Royal Empress Tree grows up to 12 feet a year, has dense foliage, fragrant blooms, and is easy to grow.
Arapaho Crape Myrtle has bright red color, blooms spring to fall, very disease resistant, and grows well in tight spots.
Nelle Stevens Holly will give you year round privacy, is fast growing, grows almost anywhere, and is easy to maintain.
Tulip Poplar just called “Poplar” by professionals, has gorgeous yellow fall foliage, grows up to 6 feet. a year, full yellow blooms in the spring, hard to beat for shade.
Lombardy Poplar grows up to 6 feet a year, easy to grow, great for windbreaks, fast growing for privacy.
Cryptomeria has soft feathery foliage which is great in arrangements, grows in any soil, easy to grow, and has a unique shape.
Kwanzan Cherry has vibrant pink blooms in spring and grows almost anywhere.
Autumn Cherry blooms in the spring and fall, has elegant white flowers, hugh double blooms, and is very adaptable.
These trees will grow fast if not planted too close to the house. Be sure you know how tall and full they will get before you place them. You may want to talk to a local nurseryman about your selection and you may want to ask him if there are any problems with these trees in your area. Water and fertilize them for the first 5 years until they are well established and you will be rewarded with a great fast growing trees. If you need information on types of trees for special sites please visit http://www.flowers-plants-gardening-advice.com/types-of-trees.html
grow
There are many benefits for planting trees that grow fast. Some of the top reasons are to provide shade, color, vertical dimension, soundproofing, cooling, beauty, screening, windbreaks, boundary lines and wildlife habitats for birds, animals, and insects. Planting fast growing trees also will increase your property value by at least 20%. Home buyers almost always choose a house with trees over those that don’t, all things being equal. It’s amazing that just by placing a tree in the correct area such as on the western or southwestern exposure of your house, you can significantly reduce your cooling cost in the summer by 10 -15% or more. Who wouldn’t like that? Trees can also reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions which is helpful in urban areas and they provide protection from ultra violet rays on playgrounds, schoolyards, and picnic areas. Let’s face it, we all prefer having trees around if at all possible.
Many home owners want to know what type of fast growing tree they should plant. The answer depends on factors such as: your purpose for planting the tree, soil conditions, tree location (plant the right tree in the right place), species growth and form (give trees plenty of room to grow), and know any undesirable species traits like tree roots that may grow on top of the ground.
The following trees are especially good for the Mid South and are some of our favorites. Landscaping in the area for over 27 years has given us a great insight into which trees are best for this area. Your local extension agency will have a list for your area. Before you plant any of the following trees, be sure you know how big and wide they will grow so that you can put them in the right place in your yard.
Autumn Blaze Maple is one of our favorites and the fastest growing maple. It’s resistant to insects and disease, has award winning foliage, and great fall color.
Thuja Green Giant grows 3-5 feet each year, grows tall but takes up little room, and is disease resistant.
Royal Empress Tree grows up to 12 feet a year, has dense foliage, fragrant blooms, and is easy to grow.
Arapaho Crape Myrtle has bright red color, blooms spring to fall, very disease resistant, and grows well in tight spots.
Nelle Stevens Holly will give you year round privacy, is fast growing, grows almost anywhere, and is easy to maintain.
Tulip Poplar just called “Poplar” by professionals, has gorgeous yellow fall foliage, grows up to 6 feet. a year, full yellow blooms in the spring, hard to beat for shade.
Lombardy Poplar grows up to 6 feet a year, easy to grow, great for windbreaks, fast growing for privacy.
Cryptomeria has soft feathery foliage which is great in arrangements, grows in any soil, easy to grow, and has a unique shape.
Kwanzan Cherry has vibrant pink blooms in spring and grows almost anywhere.
Autumn Cherry blooms in the spring and fall, has elegant white flowers, hugh double blooms, and is very adaptable.
These trees will grow fast if not planted too close to the house. Be sure you know how tall and full they will get before you place them. You may want to talk to a local nurseryman about your selection and you may want to ask him if there are any problems with these trees in your area. Water and fertilize them for the first 5 years until they are well established and you will be rewarded with a great fast growing trees. If you need information on types of trees for special sites please visit http://www.flowers-plants-gardening-advice.com/types-of-trees.html
grow
Blossoming Patios – Growing Plants in Small Spaces
Thomas Fyrd asked:
You can enjoy a garden of colorful flowers or nourishing vegetables even if you only have a small space. With container gardening, you can make a garden in the smallest of apartments. You can choose from a seemingly endless number of styles and colors of containers to hold your plants.
For landscape containers, you can choose a standard old or new flowerpot (large or small), planter boxes, fiberglass tubs, wooden barrels, hanging baskets, concrete planters, and so on. Anything that can hold the soil and plants can potentially work in a small yard landscaping plan. You are sure to find something to fit your space, both in size and style. The following guidelines will help you get ideas to have a successful container garden.
Know Your Container
Growing plants in pots gives you lots of flexibility. You can move the planters from place to place, into and out of sunlight or humidity.
Cheap plastic pots will become weak if they are exposed to sunlight for extended periods of time. It is best to get pots with UV inhibitors if you want it to be durable.
Not all glazed pots are great for planting, even if they look nice. Pots need drainage holes about
You can enjoy a garden of colorful flowers or nourishing vegetables even if you only have a small space. With container gardening, you can make a garden in the smallest of apartments. You can choose from a seemingly endless number of styles and colors of containers to hold your plants.
For landscape containers, you can choose a standard old or new flowerpot (large or small), planter boxes, fiberglass tubs, wooden barrels, hanging baskets, concrete planters, and so on. Anything that can hold the soil and plants can potentially work in a small yard landscaping plan. You are sure to find something to fit your space, both in size and style. The following guidelines will help you get ideas to have a successful container garden.
Know Your Container
Growing plants in pots gives you lots of flexibility. You can move the planters from place to place, into and out of sunlight or humidity.
Cheap plastic pots will become weak if they are exposed to sunlight for extended periods of time. It is best to get pots with UV inhibitors if you want it to be durable.
Not all glazed pots are great for planting, even if they look nice. Pots need drainage holes about