March 2010

Which water storage tanks are ideal for collecting rainwater? There are different kinds of water storage tanks specifically for rainwater harvesting. It is a good idea to understand the disadvantages and advantages of the different types of rainwater collection tanks.

The most popular tanks that are used for collecting rainwater are Polyethylene rain water storge tanks. These tanks are used most often due to their advantages. They can be used below ground as well as above ground. The polyethylene water storage tank is less expensive than some of the other varieties. They are also UV resistant, light weight and easy to carry.

The nice thing about plants and flowers is the fact that you can grow them in just many types of containers. Growing plants and flowers in containers is a great idea for those who do not have yards. They work wonders on patios, decks, balconies, windowsills and even on apartment building roof tops. Roof top container gardening has become very popular.

Another advantage to container gardening is you can move your plants and flowers around to get the full benefit of the sun and to prevent lopsided growing. If your yard does not have the proper soil, growing your plants in containers gives you the opportunity to plant them in a controlled pH potting mixture. Your plants and flowers will be much easier to reach and when you decide to move you can take them with you.

When your sprinkler systems get turned on in the spring you will need to flush them out. This includes regular sprinkler systems and drip sprinkler systems. Sometimes during the winter small critters will use your emitters, sprinklers, tubes and sprinkler system pipes as their homes. They somehow manage to find their way in but find it difficult to crawl back out when spring arrives. To flush out a drip irrigation sprinkler system, the ends of the drip tubes need to be opened up and flushed out by turning the water on. For the regular sprinklers take off the nozzles from each sprinkler head at the end of each pipe and turn on the water. It would be even better to remove all the nozzles before releasing the water.  

After flushing with water, return the nozzles and run the entire sprinkler system. You want to look for any clogged nozzles or emitters and replace them with new ones. It will not take long to clean the nozzles but sometimes that may leave small scratches that will alter the spray pattern and cause dry spots on your beautiful landscape. You also want to replace any emitters or nozzles that are broken, malfunctioning, or missing. Calcium buildup is another problem to these sprinkler system parts but it can be removed by any calcium remover product that you use in the kitchen or bathroom.

We want to get rid of the indoor air that has been cooped up in our homes all winter long. So now that spring is now upon us and the temperatures are starting to warm up we want to open up all the windows and doors to let in the so called fresh air. We want to get rid of the stale indoor air of winter and replace it with new air. 

So now we start spring cleaning; with a clean house we assume we can start breathing easier. indoor air pollution is a serious concern. The Environmental Protection Agency states that one of the top five threats to the environment is the quality of indoor air. The US EPA indoor air quality report has stated that indoor air is much more contaminated than the outdoor air.

Citrus trees are very beautiful evergreen trees with glossy leaves that add warmth to any landscape besides giving us delicious fruit. Some citrus trees can grow up to 30 feet but by pruning can be kept smaller. They are also available in dwarf citrus trees and semi-dwarf size that can be grown in containers and others can be trained as shrubs. Citrus fruits are part of the Rutaceae family. Citrus trees produce fruits of different sizes and forms, from oblong to round, and are full of flavor and juice, plus a wonderful fragrance. 

The well known citrus trees include the grapefruit, lemon, lime, sweet orange, and tangerine or mandarin. There are several varieties of each type of citrus and there are some species that are strictly ornamental such as the trifoliate orange which is deciduous with inedible fruit. This ornamental citrus has been known to grow as far north as Washington, D.C. There are hybrids of grapefruits and tangerines which are also known as tangelos are a great dessert fruit. Citranges are hybrids of sweet oranges and trifoliate; they resist frost and have juicy orange-like fruits that are inedible and are mainly used as rootstocks.

The health benefits of cherries are many but one is the fact that they are very tasty and nutritious. Some of these health benefits are vitamins, minerals and compounds that help prevent diseases. Some studies say they are beneficial in the fight against some cancers.

Cherries contain antioxidants that help to "clean up" free radicals. What are free radicals? Free radicals are molecules that are unstable which will cause harm to cells as circulating molecules attack healthy cells. Damage to these cells that are caused by the free radicals has been noted to quicken the process of aging.

The health benefits of raspberries are numerous but raspberries are not considered a cure-all berry but they do have other attributes which many believe can prevent several diseases. We will look into some of their health benefits along with how to grow them.

Vitamin C in raspberries is believed to help develop an immune system and connective tissues to be able to ward an attack of micro-organisms. Raspberries and some of the other berries such as strawberries, blueberries, and cranberries contain large amounts of vitamin C in their structure. These berries also contain an attribute that is thought to prevent bladder infections. It does this by the prevention of bacteria from attaching itself to cells of the inner walls of the urinary tract. Raspberries also contain lutein, a substance that is very important to a healthy vision.

A blueberry orchard is a wonderful thing to have in the garden. Having an orchard of blueberries gives you the opportunity to pick them whenever you want them. Fresh blueberries are great for desserts and for making jam, I can almost smell a fresh baked blueberry pie.

For growing blueberry plants you need to have moisture-retentive, acid soil that has a pH level between 5 and 6. They will grow best in a sunny, open area of the garden or they can grow in an area with partial shade. In the northern regions of the United States the wild blueberry bushes should be protected from the cold winds. Blueberry bushes can be grown in containers if alkaline soil is the only thing available. You will need to fill your containers with an acid based or peat based compost without lime added to it.

Raised garden beds will add a new dimension to any gardening experience. Garden beds that are raised are quite useful for the gardener with a limited amount of space; they are also perfect for those who are disabled, suffer from arthritis, or the elderly. These raised garden beds can be built at a suitable level that will help reduce the aches and pains caused by bending over or kneeling at a plot on the ground.

Urban gardening has exploded in popularity recently due an awareness of food safety, the stresses of our financial economy, and a desire to be eco-friendly. Even if you only have a postage stamp sized backyard, you can set up small raised beds on your patio or backporch in order to grow vegetables, herbs, ornamental plants, or beautiful flowers.