Using ornamental grasses as part of your landscape design can do a number of things for your yard. By planting some of the tall varieties in a large group can give you privacy from neighbors or it will create a screen from an unpleasant view. A few of the tall species include big bluestem with its blue-grey leaves and beautiful flowers will range between 4 - 7 feet tall; pampas grass with tall pink flowers can range from 6 - 15 feet and the giant reed grass with leaves 3" across can grow from 14 - 20 feet tall. Just remember you need to cut back ornamental grasses in the spring and you will lose your screen during the growth period.
Yard and Landscaping
September 04, 2011 | Comments (0)
Landscaping Twists
Using ornamental grasses as part of your landscape design can do a number of things for your yard. By planting some of the tall varieties in a large group can give you privacy from neighbors or it will create a screen from an unpleasant view. A few of the tall species include big bluestem with its blue-grey leaves and beautiful flowers will range between 4 - 7 feet tall; pampas grass with tall pink flowers can range from 6 - 15 feet and the giant reed grass with leaves 3" across can grow from 14 - 20 feet tall. Just remember you need to cut back ornamental grasses in the spring and you will lose your screen during the growth period.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Landscaping Twists"
August 28, 2011 | Comments (0)
Lawn Care Maintenance
That layer of plant material that is living or dead that lays between the green foliage of your lawn and the surface of the soil is called thatch. When this material becomes more than 1/2 inch it is better for your lawn to do a little de-thatching. Home and garden centers and rental centers have power rakes and vertical mowers available for thinning out the grass and lifting thatch to the surface. The debris can now be raked up and thrown away. In most parts of the United States the removal of thatch can begin in late August or early September. You are going to need about four weeks of good weather for the grass to grow after you have removed the thatch. This will give the grass time to recoup before it goes dormant later in the fall. To help promote recovery you can apply fertilizer after de-thatching. This can be performed later in the year for the southwestern states.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Lawn Care Maintenance"
August 21, 2011 | Comments (0)
Teak Garden Furniture
Now let's look at wooden patio furniture; some woods are much stronger than others while some do not handle climate and temperature changes very well. Some of the hardwoods that make excellent outdoor garden furniture are: teak, alder, Brazilian cherry, cedar, cypress, and mahogany. This time we are going to talk about teak outdoor garden furniture and see how it does. Teakwood is very resilient to different types of weather conditions. Some people feel it is too expensive and it is hard to find what they want and think it is only for the rich. Teak furniture holds up so well that it can be passed down from generation to generation; it has been know to last more than seventy years or more.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Teak Garden Furniture"
August 07, 2011 | Comments (0)
Solar Garden Lights Bring Ambience to a Yard
Solar yard lights need to have a path to the sun during daylight hours so it will be able to store enough energy to be able work during the night. When you install your solar lights make sure they will be getting enough sunlight. Before actually installing the lights just lay the lights where you want them, be sure they are placed an equal distant apart and the positions do receive the proper amount of sunlight. The majority of solar lights require at least 8 hours of direct sun, but some may require more, to provide you with maximum lighting during the night.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Solar Garden Lights "
July 02, 2011 | Comments (0)
Tree Planting Tips
Balled and burlapped trees can be stored after purchase as long as it is stored in a shady place and you can keep the ball moist but it is best to plant them as soon as you possibly can. When you lift a balled and burlapped tree it must be lifted by the ball and never by its trunk. The burlap, especially if it is plastic or synthetic, needs to be completely cut away; if it is wrapped in natural burlap the material that surrounds the top third of the root needs to be cut back. All types of string that is around the root ball also need to be removed. Place the tree into the hole and back-fill with an organic mixture of peat moss, topsoil, and compost by surrounding the tree just to the top of the ball or just under the top to allow settling. It is better for the tree not to compress this soil because it may block water from getting to the roots plus the fact the roots may not be able to expand the way they should.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Tree Planting Tips"
May 27, 2011 | Comments (0)
Some Landscape Lighting Tips
The low voltage lighting kits are used by many homeowners because they have been around the longest. Low voltage means the line that sends the voltage from your home outlet is lowered to 12 volts by the use of a transformer. This type of lighting is safe and you can install it yourself without an electrician or a permit. The transformer included in the low voltage kit plugs into a 110/120v power outlet that is located on the outside of your house. From this transformer there will be multiple cable runs that will connect up to a cluster of six light fixtures.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Some Landscape Lighting Tips"
May 20, 2011 | Comments (0)
Landscape Design Basics and Ideas
You may be starting from scratch or you want to improve your existing landscape design, either way designing it yourself can be a very rewarding project. The primary consideration regarding your landscape design should be the friends and family who will be using the area. Even though you may want to focus on a particular theme for your garden landscape, the real focus needs to be on the ability to view the area. You also want to plan on the way you want people to walk through the garden and what they walk on to be part of that consideration such as with rubber stepping stones or pea gravel.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Landscape Design Basics and Ideas"
April 19, 2011 | Comments (0)
Hummingbird Feeders
If you feel you are not attracting any hummingbirds to your backyard or garden, you may want to try some of these tips that will bring those hummers to your feeding area in a short period of time. The majority of hummingbird feeders that are available for purchase have areas on them that are colored red, if you feel your feeder does not have enough red you can try hanging a red ribbon to the feeder. Another way to make your feeder stand out would be to plant some flowers that hummingbirds like or to hang a basket of some of their favorite flowers somewhere near the feeder. Just remember one thing that activity to a feeder will be slower when the flowers are in bloom.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Hummingbird Feeders"
February 27, 2011 | Comments (0)
Solar Water Fountains
I am sure you can find an area on your patio, covered porch, yard or garden where you can place outdoor water fountains. One of these solar fountains will add beauty to your landscaping and give you a place for relaxation. Solar pond fountains, solar bird baths and solar waterfalls are environmentally friendly because they are able to function without electricity but by the rays of the sun. You do not have to worry about any wiring, or an electrical system, all you need is the solar panel, a pump, and of course the fountain. There many places you can find to place a fountain or a bird bath; solar waterfalls can be incorporated with a garden pond in order to circulate the water.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Solar Water Fountains"
February 13, 2011 | Comments (0)
Pond Landscaping Designs
The bog garden is considered to be a water feature but is much different from the traditional pond. In this type of a water garden, the pond liner can be perforated, and the pond filled with a mixture of water, soil, compost, and peat in order to help create a boggy atmosphere. Some of the plants used in a bog garden might include plantain lilies, cattails, miniature bamboo, irises, bog rosemary or turtlehead. You might even want to consider using some of them not only in, but immediately outside the basin such as the cattails, tules or umbrella plants. Most of the bog plants can also be maintained in heavily moist soil or mud on the outside of the basin or arranged contiguously in an area where some of the water from the system will slowly run over and through the area on a regular basis.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Pond Landscaping Designs "
December 31, 2010 | Comments (0)
Some Desert Landscape Designs
You may want to start by looking through landscape magazines that depict your type of weather conditions. Coming up with the perfect design is going to be the hardest part. You need to take in consideration the amount of space you have, the time, and how much money you want to spend on the landscape design plans. You may want to replace some of those plain boulders with colorful rocks of varying styles and shapes; you can also plant some lively desert plants around some of the larger boulders to spruce up the garden.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Some Desert Landscape Designs"
November 26, 2010 | Comments (0)
Garden Gold of Autumn Leaves
If you walk on the floor of a forest, which is usually free of grass, which has an accumulation of fallen leaves you will find that it is light and spongy. It has a deep layer of humus that many gardeners would love to be able to achieve. Year after year, the leaves usually lie where they have fallen and get broken down by micro-organisms that compost in place, creating deep, rich, plant nourishing, and water-retaining soil. The leaves not only decompose but they fertilize and enrich the soil with rich organic matter. They could possibly provide shelter to butterflies or larvae.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Garden Gold of Autumn Leaves"
November 14, 2010 | Comments (0)
Outdoor Lighting for Safety
More hours of darkness mean more opportunities for would-be burglars, and it could put you and your loved ones more at risk from suffering an injury in the dark areas around the house. If you do not come home every night until after dark you can use outdoor timers to turn on the lights outside and inside your home. A dusk-to-dawn control that screws in will allow you to convert a lamp post or any traditional light into one that will turn on at dusk and go off at dawn.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Outdoor Lighting for Safety"
November 07, 2010 | Comments (0)
Fountain Grass in Your Landscape
This type of grass is very successful when grown in a fertile well-drained soil which receives full sun. Purple fountain grass grows vigorously and will fill in any container or bed very quickly. The foxtail-like plumes of this plant usually appear in the middle of summer and will last until the first frost. This purple fountain grass or red fountain grass grows into a curving clump which has burgundy-bronze green leaves generally about twelve inches long. After receiving a hard freeze it will bleach out its color slowly to the color of straw, but will continue to look very attractive throughout the winter.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Fountain Grass in Your Landscape"
October 23, 2010 | Comments (0)
Yard Decorations for Halloween
A powerful focal point will separate a simply good design from a positively eye-catching design. If you plan on using inflatable lawn decorations the largest will have to be your focal point; they are so colorful and big nothing else will be able to compete with it. When you want a spooky yard you need to make the most eerie or gruesome feature the focal point and you need to make everything else not as spooky so you will not take away from the focal point.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Yard Decorations for Halloween"
October 14, 2010 | Comments (0)
Fall Yard Maintenance
Fall is the time for yard maintenance now that the growing season has come to a slow down. Some preventative garden and yard maintenance can create a debate among some gardeners. Some of them like to keep everything tidy and in order while others would rather have the organic clutter look. Whichever style is yours some type of fall clean-up will go a long way in the prevention of disease and problems with insects when the next growing season rolls around.
Once you remove all the used up plant material from the garden and yard it will reduce the number of insect eggs and disease spores that could possibly cause some problems during the next year. This will also tidy up the areas so you are not looking at dead foliage all winter long plus it will shorten the garden maintenance you need to do in the spring. The leaves and organic debris can be a hiding place for bacteria, fungi and insects that will invade in the spring; it is better to gather them up and toss into the compost pile. Once these ingredients have finished decomposing it is going to be the best nourishment you can add to your gardens. If any of the plants or shrubs has any type of disease just rake them up and throw them away, they are contagious and should not be added to the compost pile.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Fall Yard Maintenance"
October 07, 2010 | Comments (0)
Time for Outdoor Patio Furniture Covers
There are certain weather conditions or climates that can be very harsh on exterior patio furniture and their coverings. Metal frames and metal fasteners on furniture can rust due to rain or heavy moisture. Sun and heat can often melt or fade some finishes, it can also cause paint to shrink or bubble and it can also cause tears or ridges in the finish. Besides being ugly to look at, mold and mildew can sometimes be very difficult to clean and they can leave stains that will not come out; mold and mildew can also become very toxic to people and their pets. Sometimes redwoods and cedars can become extremely dry or even become water logged which can cause them to splinter, split, or swell if they are left outdoors untreated. The majority of these worries will disappear when you decide to protect your outdoor furniture with covers that are weather-resistant.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Time for Outdoor Patio Furniture Covers"
September 26, 2010 | Comments (0)
Tree Pruning and Training
The flowering shrubs and trees should also be pruned in the dormant season for the same reasons as above but some may need pruning at different times. The trees and shrubs that blossom in the early spring such as the redbud, and dogwood should be pruned promptly after flowering. There are many flowering trees that are susceptible to fireblight which is a bacterial disease that can be spread by pruning. These trees which include varieties of hawthorn, crab-apple, pear, flowering quince, mountain ash, and pyracantha should be pruned during their dormant state. Shrubs and trees that flower during summer or fall always should be pruned during the dormant season. Dead branches on any of these trees should be removed any time of the year.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Tree Pruning and Training"
September 22, 2010 | Comments (0)
Ground Cover Vines
There is probably some area in your yard that is not a prime location for gardening due to the terrain or some other reason. Maybe your garden does not look complete because there are bare spots between the shrubberies. You may have steep banks or slopes that need some type of vegetation in order to prevent erosion but placing sod will make it very unsafe to maintain. These are the perfect areas where you can plant ground cover.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Ground Cover Vines "
September 14, 2010 | Comments (0)
Pool Landscaping Designs
Privacy can be an important factor when it comes to owning a swimming pool. High fences that have slats close together give you and your family that feeling of privacy when you want to enjoy swimming or just lounging around the pool. You can make a fence look more like a garden wall by training some flowering vines to grow on it giving color along with privacy around the pool area. A fence that gives you full privacy is generally six feet tall or higher, with slats overlapping, in a tongue-and-groove pattern, or in the style of a shadow box.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Pool Landscaping Designs"
September 06, 2010 | Comments (0)
Outdoor Path Lighting
A well-kept lawn has become very important to today's homeowner; a spruced up lawn not only looks good but it brings out the beauty of your house. Many people work many hours planting and pruning in order to have their patios, yards, and outdoor areas looking the best as they can. Watching everything you planted grow and become something beautiful is a wonderful feeling. Now that all the trees, shrubs and flowers are so pleasing to the eye you also want to enhance them by lighting them up during the night.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Outdoor Path Lighting "
August 29, 2010 | Comments (0)
Outdoor Yard Decorations
A larger garden area can handle larger decorations or several different items such as birdbaths, fountains, or birdhouses. You can add Halloween or Christmas decorations to your garden or yard during the holidays. Sometimes if you decide on a theme for the garden the decorating will become much easier. If you keep a theme of some sort changing your decorations for the holidays will be a lot more fun. You can also include outdoor yard lights to enhance the area after the sun goes down.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Outdoor Yard Decorations"
August 26, 2010 | Comments (0)
Fall Foliage Colors
The leaves on some of the trees will always turn yellow but never red such as the Tulip Poplars, Redbuds, Birches, and Hickorys. The leaves of a few other trees including Dogwood, Sugar Maple, Sourwood, Sweet Gum, and Black Gum will usually turn red but sometimes yellow during the fall. Maple trees, for example, come in a number of different varieties and each one will have its own distinctive collection of colors in the fall. The Hedge Maple will turn gold or yellow just as the Japanese Maple can be turning yellow, bright orange, red, or sometimes purple. The Crimson King Maple, as its name suggests, will develop into a luxurious reddish-orange exhibit of color. A common Sugar Maple has beautiful foliage that can be orange and yellow in its autumn colors.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Fall Foliage Colors"
August 19, 2010 | Comments (0)
Outdoor Landscape Using Ornamental Grasses
Their soft and gentle beauty makes them great accompaniments for flowering plants or woody companions. In order to fully appreciate the usefulness of these ornamental grasses they need to be seen in a garden atmosphere. They are available in a wide selection of shapes, textures, colors, and sizes. Their flowers and ensuing seed heads are equally disparate that can range from just so-so to completely elaborate making your outdoor living landscape fascinating.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Outdoor Landscape Using Ornamental Grasses"
July 28, 2010 | Comments (0)
Outdoor Deck Furniture and Care
There are so many different types of outdoor furniture for enjoying ranging from chairs, love seats, and swings to dining tables and side tables. You also have several varieties of construction material that can be used such as wood, aluminum, wicker, bamboo, wrought iron, and plastic. But the most important thing to remember is to purchase good quality furniture that can take a beating and will last for many years.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Outdoor Deck Furniture and Care"
July 25, 2010 | Comments (0)
Outdoor Umbrellas
Umbrellas are available in several styles. It all depends on your outdoor activities or your location; you just may want to consider purchasing one or have several umbrellas for your protection during the warm and hot weather months.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Outdoor Umbrellas "
July 22, 2010 | Comments (0)
Outdoor Solar Garden Lights
You want to use the sun to help light up the night in all your outdoor spaces. Solar lights will not need any wiring and are very easy to install. A small solar panel charges one or several batteries during the daylight hours and then they power an energy efficient bulb after the sun goes down. The solar lights that are the brightest are using LEDs or Light Emitting Diodes instead of the old filament bulbs.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Outdoor Solar Garden Lights"
July 18, 2010 | Comments (0)
Create a Patio Living Room
A good way to start would be to install pavers, stone, or bricks to create that patio and any walkways needed. You can hire a professional if you wish or
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Create a Patio Living Room"
July 03, 2010 | Comments (0)
A Haven Safe for Birds
Exactly how you plan your garden for species of birds will naturally depend on what type of yard you have along with your geographical location. However, there are three elements that are important in attracting birds; cover or shelter, in the form of shrubs and trees; food, preferably in the form of native plants; and water for the wildbirds to bathe in and drink.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "A Haven Safe for Birds"
June 30, 2010 | Comments (0)
Teak Outdoor Furniture Care
You need to ask yourself one very important question regarding your teak outdoor furniture care. Do you want to keep the original honey wood color or do you want the beautiful silver gray patina of aging due to the suns exposure? The gray patina is just cosmetic and quite a few people enjoy how easy it is to care for teak furniture that has developed a patina. Others folks would prefer to seal and protect the teak so they can continue to enjoy the original honey coloring of the furniture.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Teak Outdoor Furniture Care"
June 08, 2010 | Comments (0)
Landscaping Roses
Among the easy to care for long blooming roses available today there are types that are excellently suited for landscape use. The small, compact roses are terrific as edges along walkways or narrow flower beds. These roses will also do very well in containers. Low spreading roses would be good as a ground cover. The upright varieties of roses can be planted as a border or 3 to 4 feet apart for an informal hedge. Climbing roses, on the other hand, are great on trellises, fences, or an archway entrance to the backyard garden.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Landscaping Roses"
June 01, 2010 | Comments (0)
Landscape Design - Uses and Colors of Shrubs and Vines
For example the upright bayberry hedge is a good plant to use for a windbreak. An English boxwood which is rounded and will withstand a bit of pruning is a good hedge for a low boundary. If you have the room and you want to cover up a compost pile or anything that is an eyesore in the garden you can plant an evergreen shrub such as a myrtle, rhododendron, holly, yew, mountain laurel or any upright form of the juniper. A deciduous shrub will take care of the problem in the summer but when the branches are bare in the other seasons it loses its effect. There are many types of ground covers, shrubs, and vines that can be used as a disguise in the yard or garden. The chain link fence that runs across the back of your yard will somehow disappear if you cover it with Wisteria floribunda.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Landscape Design - Uses and Colors of Shrubs and Vines "
May 29, 2010 | Comments (0)
Landscape Design Using Deciduous or Evergreen Shrubs and Vines
The difference between a tree and a shrub is not just the height. Both have woody branches that will stay alive all year, but the shrub grows its branches near, at, or even below the level of the ground, and a tree generally has a single trunk and its branches will start some distance up. Therefore the common lilac is classified a shrub even if it reaches twenty feet in the air, and a ten-foot-tall flowering dogwood is a tree. A large shrub can be pruned so it will look like a small tree and some trees can be trained to look like a shrub. Technically most vines are shrubs because they form their woody branches starting closer to the ground.
May 25, 2010 | Comments (0)
Deck Cleaning on a Gloomy Day
Once your deck is a couple of years old, the elements start to take their toll. Cleaning is the key if you want a good quality re-staining and finishing project in the end. Using a bleach or detergent as the means of cleaning your deck have been replaced by newer deck cleaning products that will clean the wood more thoroughly without having to bleach the wood or raise the grain. If you use a power washer just be aware that if it is held too close to the surface of the deck it could damage the wood. Your wood deck should be cleaned every so often to remove dirt, fallen leaves, and any other debris from the surface.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Deck Cleaning on a Gloomy Day"
May 11, 2010 | Comments (0)
Creating Outdoor Spaces
Many homeowners are very interested in adding outdoor living spaces but money and time may be holding us back from getting started. The good part of creating an appealing outdoor living area is that it does not need a lot of time or a large budget. We just need to concentrate on the basic elements and choosing the proper materials.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Creating Outdoor Spaces"
April 24, 2010 | Comments (0)
Landscape Design for the Backyard
You should not make your backyard landscape designs a difficult job. There are many designs available for you to have a low maintenance backyard. There are options that will afford you a little privacy in any portion of your yard for meditation or reading a book. If you have a pool it is a good idea to install a fence around the swim areas or you may like to fence off an area for yard games. There are landscape decorations that you can install or plants to grow for bird watching or butterfly gardens. Your backyard landscape design does not have to be one design; it can be several to incorporate a multi-purpose yard.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Landscape Design for the Backyard"
April 14, 2010 | Comments (0)
Weed Control for Your Lawn
Some weeds such as knotweed, goosegrass, and path rush can be caused by soil compaction. Poor drainage of the soil can bring invasions of rushes, sedges, or Virginia buttonweed. Saturated soils put a lot of stress on turf grass because the roots need oxygen and a soil that is constantly wet oxygen is just not available. White clover is very often caused by low levels of nitrogen. These problems should be corrected before you start using an herbicide. The first thing we need to do is test the pH level of our soil; a slightly acidic soil that reads between 6.5 and 7.0 is good for growing a lawn. If the soil is too acidic a sprinkling of lime will help and sulfur can be added if the soil is not acidic enough. Most lawns will grow best in soils that are loamy and have a mix of sand, silt, and clay. If there is too much clay in the mix it can cause soil compaction which prevents the flow of nutrients and air. Organic matter such as compost will greatly benefit any kind of soil.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Weed Control for Your Lawn"
April 09, 2010 | Comments (0)
Garden Outdoor Furniture Maintenance
It does not matter what material your furniture is constructed of, the primary step in maximizing your furniture is a good cleaning. Dust, dirt, and leaves have a habit of settling in and around the furniture, so brushing away the loose debris with a cloth or soft bristle broom will help. A garden hose can then be used to wash away any stains and residue. For the stubborn dirt you can use a sponge that is saturated with water and a mild soap. It is a good idea to do this washing at the start of every outdoor season. Check to make sure all the bolts, nuts, and screws are tightened; the broken, missing, or rusted hardware needs to be replaced with rustproof ones that are made of stainless steel, aluminum, or galvanized steel. Next, if your furniture is equipped with hinges or wheels, you will need to lubricate them with a silicone lubricant. Lubricating with oil has a tendency to cake up and it will attract dirt.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Garden Outdoor Furniture Maintenance"
March 24, 2010 | Comments (0)
Sprinkler Systems Maintenance
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.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Sprinkler Systems Maintenance"
February 23, 2010 | Comments (0)
Landscaping Walls for Your Gardens
Many of the tall landscaping walls are used for privacy or to define your property edge. The medium height walls can be used to separate sections of your yard and double as seating at the same time. The shorter garden walls are a delightful way to protect your flower beds. Landscaping walls will not only give us privacy, separate sections, or protection from the elements but also as a safeguard from erosion. The choice for construction materials give homeowners an array of options that will blend with their homes exterior decor.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Landscaping Walls for Your Gardens"
February 20, 2010 | Comments (0)
Some Landscape Lighting Ideas
Lighting your landscape at night presents an imaginative way to highlight your property and your home after dark. When the lights are placed just right you can make trees very dramatic and highlight flowerbeds, fountains, statuary, and hardscapes. If you do a lot of outdoor cooking at night install a light fixture in the eaves of the house to spotlight your barbecue.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Some Landscape Lighting Ideas"
February 16, 2010 | Comments (0)
A Solar Bird Bath for the Garden
Many of the solar bird baths are self-contained which means they already have the solar panels integrated into the unit. Other bird baths have solar panels that are separate from the bath itself but are attached by a wire. The self-contained solar bird bath will need to be placed in the sun in order for the panel to absorb the energy of the sun. The other units can be placed anywhere you want including the shade as long as the solar panel itself is in the sun and receives sunlight.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "A Solar Bird Bath for the Garden"
February 06, 2010 | Comments (0)
Shade Landscaping in a Dim Backyard
When a plant fails in our shady backyard it usually means that it was not a shade tolerant landscaping plant. Sometimes when we visit the garden nursery we fall in love a particular plant, buy it, take it home and plant it without checking to see if our environment is conducive to its requirements. We go ahead and plant it where there is room, it dies and then we discover it was planted in the wrong spot.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Shade Landscaping in a Dim Backyard"
January 09, 2010 | Comments (0)
Creating an Outdoor Landscape
Some of us have small front yards while others have small back yards. There are many things that can be done in small yards we just have to use the space accordingly. Now is when the homework starts; look through some gardening magazines on landscape garden ideas and start cutting out the things you would like to see in your garden or your front lawn. Everything may not work for your landscape but you will at least have a head start. Please do not forget the hardscapes you already have or want to have such as fencing, patios and decks.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Creating an Outdoor Landscape"
December 15, 2009 | Comments (0)
More Winter Flowers - Holly Bush
We are very familiar with the holly leaves that are used for decorating at Christmas, but did you know that the genus Ilex has roughly 600 species of holly trees and bushes? They can range from 6 inch dwarf holly bushes to 70 foot holly trees. Their leaves can either be spined or spineless, and the colors range from dark green to light green and some are variegated. The berries can be other than red such as yellow, orange, or black. Some are deciduous and some are evergreen.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "More Winter Flowers - Holly Bush"
November 30, 2009 | Comments (0)
Rope Lights for Christmas Landscaping
Because rope lights are flexible you can follow the architecture of your house and become very creative by making your own design on your landscaping. You can let you imagination run wild if you want. You can run them along the ground next to your walkway or driveway for easy access to your front door or better yet, elevate them on stakes. You can also use them indoors for illuminating a Christmas village that you have set up, light up dark corners of a room and you can decorate your Christmas tree.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Rope Lights for Christmas Landscaping"
November 17, 2009 | Comments (0)
Outdoor String Lighting
Outdoor string lighting is one way to create sparkle, charm or gives a festive atmosphere for any patio or holiday gathering. They are not to be confused with the traditional Christmas lights; these globe lights or string lights offer homeowners a new way of festive lighting. Outdoor patio string lights are also an excellent way to light arbors, playhouses, pool areas, and for any nighttime enjoyment. Just picture how nice it will be entertaining your friends in your backyard with string lights in the trees, on the patio or on the deck.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Outdoor String Lighting"
November 05, 2009 | Comments (0)
Wild Bird Seed for Our Backyard Birds
The type of wild bird seed you use depends on what birds you want visiting your wild bird feeders. In some cases people think that putting out any kind of bird seed will attract many birds, but sometimes you may end up with some birds you really do not want. It is better to know what bird seeds are easier for some birds to eat. Backyard bird watching can be a lot of fun so it is best not to overfill the bird feeders as wasted seed will fall to the ground and sometimes attract unwanted predators. The following is a small breakdown of the different types of seed and the backyard birds that enjoy them.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Wild Bird Seed for Our Backyard Birds"
November 03, 2009 | Comments (0)
Backyard Birdfeeders
Many birds can be very fussy about the types of food that they will eat and the feeders they will pay a visit to. The most successful backyard bird enthusiasts will have more than one style of birdfeeder so as to attract a wider variety of wildlife. Here are a few different styles of birdfeeders and the birds they will attract:
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Backyard Birdfeeders"
October 24, 2009 | Comments (0)
An Outdoor Hearth for a Garden Landscape
Some of them come with a cooking grill and some resemble a charcoal barbecue grill. The outdoor hearth comes in all different sizes and shapes. If you want something very casual, a portable fire pit will probably fit your needs. You can choose, depending on your style, anywhere from contemporary to rustic. Whatever type of outdoor hearth you decide on make sure your local fire regulations will allow you to actually use it.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "An Outdoor Hearth for a Garden Landscape"
October 20, 2009 | Comments (0)
Fall Foliage and Why They Turn Color
The amount of rainfall, air temperature, the storage of food and the length of time the sun is out every day, play a big part in the changing colors of leaves. The plants also need three more things to come together in creating the vivid colors that we see in the fall.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Fall Foliage and Why They Turn Color"
October 12, 2009 | Comments (0)
Fall Lawn Treatment and Gardens
We need to aid our lawn's recovery from the summer heat and drought and make sure it is ready for the cold winter climates with some fall fertilization. Fall fertilization is probably the most valuable practice we can do for our home lawns. Fewer problems with disease and the weed growth being slower means our lawns will profit from the nutrients, not the pests. This fall fertilization will also help our lawns recover from all the stresses of summer by encouraging deep roots and thicker growth. This will help your lawn have a better competition with the weeds and be able to tolerate insects and disease.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Fall Lawn Treatment and Gardens"
October 10, 2009 | Comments (0)
Exterminators and Their Job of Eliminating Ants
As with any type of exterminating, an ant exterminator will take time to understand the entire situation and talk with the client about other concerns. If there are pets or young children living in the home, this may affect how to attack the problem. Poisons can be very harmful to your pets and children, even if it is only a very small amount. Before he recommends any treatment options, the exterminator needs to make a complete tour of the area and have a consultation with the owner.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Exterminators and Their Job of Eliminating Ants"
October 04, 2009 | Comments (0)
Residential Pest Control and the Mole
They live in their underground bunkers all year long. We gardeners and lawn care aficionados are made aware of their presence usually during the spring and fall, mainly after bouts of rain, when they push their mounds of dirt up to the surface with a diet that usually consists of adult insects, insect grubs, and earthworms. If you see gnawing damage to your plants it was not done by a mole, but a rodent; moles are not considered as rodents. But the rodents will make good use of the moles tunnels and attack your plants from underground.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Residential Pest Control and the Mole"
October 02, 2009 | Comments (0)
A Garden Setting with Outdoor Rope Lights
Because the tubing of the rope lights is very flexible a tight bend in the tube will not break the bulbs. They can be ever so beneficial on patios. Using them on garden decor such as statuary and fountains will give a lighting effect that is vaguely defined. If you place the rope lights behind a garden object it will produce a silhouette effect and placing them around it will make the image very clear.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "A Garden Setting with Outdoor Rope Lights"
September 30, 2009 | Comments (0)
Fall Organic Lawn Care - pH, Soil Depth, Weeds
pH Levels
The pH levels of our lawn are very important. The level for healthy grass is about 6.5, if your level is below 6.0, you need to reduce the acidity and will probably have to add lime to the soil; if it is above 7.0 you have too much alkaline and will have to add sulfur. Dandelions love the pH levels to be about 7.5, so if your level is that high you grass won't have much of chance against that dandelion. If you can lower it to about 6.5 the grass will have a better chance. It has also been said that if you add a little dusting of lime to the soil surface, you may double the reproduction of the good old earthworm. Something else you might want to do is to fertilize with some organic fertilizer.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Fall Organic Lawn Care - pH, Soil Depth, Weeds"
September 28, 2009 | Comments (0)
Fall Organic Lawn Care - Mowing, Watering, Fertilizing
Mowing High
One thing that is a must is to set your lawn mower to the highest level it can go, probably 3 to 4 inches. This is going to be a competition game between the grass and the weeds. You want to make things easy for the grass and not for the weeds; what you really want is the grass to choke out the weeds. There will be a fight for the sun and if the grass is tall it will shade out the weed, but if it is short the weed will shade the grass. The sun is actually food for strength and life. The shade is for disease, weakness, and death. Therefore, the taller the grass the less sun will get to the weeds and they won't have a chance.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Fall Organic Lawn Care - Mowing, Watering, Fertilizing"
September 26, 2009 | Comments (0)
Outdoor Lights for Halloween
Outdoor lighting and decorations aren't just for Christmas anymore; there are many outdoor Halloween decorations on the market these days. The lights we can buy for Halloween are basically the same as the ones we use for Christmas except their colors are different and spookier. We can even buy freaky decorations and spooky ornaments to place in our front yard and we can also light them with solar lights.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Outdoor Lights for Halloween"
September 24, 2009 | Comments (0)
A Garden with an Outdoor Patio Heater
Electric infrared outdoor heaters make the perfect solution. They use infrared heat waves to heat whatever is in their path, the objects are heated directly instead of the surrounding air. Some infrared patio and outdoor heaters can be installed permanently by mounting them on a wall or under the eaves of the house. This way we won't have to worry about storing them when they are not being used.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "A Garden with an Outdoor Patio Heater"
September 22, 2009 | Comments (0)
An Outdoor Patio Umbrella As Your Garden Shade
Some umbrellas can shade an entire picnic table, others can be adjusted at different angles and some are stand-alone models. Many patio tables and picnic tables are already made with the support holes in the center that will fit your patio umbrella.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "An Outdoor Patio Umbrella As Your Garden Shade"
September 20, 2009 | Comments (0)
Outdoor Wall Fountains
Wall fountains can be made of many different materials. Fiberglass is an excellent choice for many situations as it is a strong, yet a lightweight waterproof material. Some of the finishes on outdoor wall fountains imitate rock, aged stone, and many other materials. Wall fountains are also made of clay, stone, wood, and different types of metal, such as copper. Copper is a nice choice for metal due to its aged patina. An outdoor wall fountain made from cast stone will be closest to the classic Mediterranean wall fountains, most commonly found in Italy, Spain, and France. These fountains are molded from cast stone and are very durable.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Outdoor Wall Fountains"
September 18, 2009 | Comments (0)
Outdoor Yard Lighting
There are no two gardens that are alike. Your garden has different plants, trees, hard-scape and garden decor that another garden doesn't. You may want to highlight a tree or a statue and some other gardener wants to highlight a special plant and some hard-scape.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Outdoor Yard Lighting"
September 16, 2009 | Comments (0)
Outdoor Patio Furniture Covers
You want to get the best furniture covers for the particular type of outdoor furniture you own. There are covers made specifically for umbrella tables with the center hole. Umbrellas have their own separate covers or they can be removed and stored in your garage or tool shed. Some of your furniture may include gliders, loungers, ottomans, tables and cushions. It would be a nice idea if you could get patio furniture covers that fit your furniture perfectly. This may not always be possible but you should be able to find something that comes pretty close to the size you need.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Outdoor Patio Furniture Covers"
September 14, 2009 | Comments (0)
Resin Wicker Furniture for the Garden
Wicker furniture is now a classic staple of all outdoor furniture mainly because of the way it looks and feels. Lucky for us, resin wicker furniture has started to dominate the furniture for outdoor living, it is also easy to look at and it still resembles wicker. Now it has added benefits that regular wicker doesn't possess and they are strength, ability to last outdoors, and design and color.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Resin Wicker Furniture for the Garden"
September 12, 2009 | Comments (0)
Solar Lights for Garden - A Beautiful Setting
Solar garden lights are very easy to install; you don't need an electrician or a landscape designer, with a specialty in lighting, to help you out. You also don't have to bury any wires and you won't have a transformer using any of your valuable power outlets that are outdoors. You will find that garden solar lights come in a variety of styles and will produce several different lighting effects. What seems to be happening in new construction is the installation of cord free and hassle free solar path lights, spotlights, and sometimes flood lights.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Solar Lights for Garden - A Beautiful Setting"
September 10, 2009 | Comments (0)
How to Hire a Tree Service
Fortunately, we have never had a tree limb come crashing through a window or land on the roof. The tree removal company came as a recommendation from a good friend but unfortunately they have left the area, so we need to start looking again. We have four trees in our backyard that need to be trimmed or removed. We certainly don't want to do this chore by ourselves.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "How to Hire a Tree Service "
September 06, 2009 | Comments (0)
Making a Simple Landscape Design
By making our landscape design simple doesn't mean we are going to leave out life or form. It just means staying within other elements, such as balance, form, proportion and repetition. An easy mistake that most of us gardeners display is mixing too many different elements in their primary landscape design. This could end up looking very unprofessional. We can change things around later if we want but it is better to keep our plans simple in the beginning stages.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Making a Simple Landscape Design "
August 31, 2009 | Comments (0)
Cast Aluminum Garden Furniture
This furniture is an outstanding choice, when choosing outdoor furniture, as it lasts a long time and it adds ornamentation to your garden, deck or backyard. By choosing cast aluminum garden furniture, you are making a beautiful choice for any outdoor setting.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Cast Aluminum Garden Furniture"
August 29, 2009 | Comments (0)
Landscape Lighting and Design
Outdoor accent lights will enhance any outdoor lighting scheme. The basic accent lights will draw focus to an attractive feature of the space, like a special plant that you are so proud of, a garden bed, or a particular garden accessory. With the right outdoor fixtures and accessories, and imagination, you can create peaceful ambience and something magical.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Landscape Lighting and Design"
August 25, 2009 | Comments (0)
Hiring a Landscape Service Company
There are quite a number of companies out there that will offer you lawn care services but all they do is mow and edge your lawns and blow the excess down your street. If you want more than this you will have to do your homework. If you are a busy working person with a family and don't want to spend the entire weekend working in your yard, then you will need a full service company.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Hiring a Landscape Service Company"
August 15, 2009 | Comments (0)
Soil Texture
Sand will feel harsh and gritty, and its grains will barely hold together. They are the largest soil particles, if they were any larger, they would most likely be called gravel. Coarse-textured, or sandy soil is very easy to work. Because of the fact that can be plowed by a small team of horses, it came to be called light soil. It will drain easily, and many nutrients filter through it with water. In order to grow most garden plants in light, sandy, soil, requires a constant replenishment of humus, nutrients and water.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Soil Texture "
July 22, 2009 | Comments (0)
Garden Furniture
The construction of garden furniture can be made of different materials. We can mix and match garden furniture depending on our garden or several smaller gardens within our yard. The range can go from plastic to Reforest Teak, it all depends on our garden design. Our budget and the amount of time we will be spending in our gardens, whether gardening or just relaxing, has a lot to do with how we choose our materials. I am giving you a few of the different materials used when making outdoor furniture below:
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Garden Furniture"
July 04, 2009 | Comments (0)
Lawns
In exceptionally hot weather lawns can be as much as 50 degrees cooler than imitation grass or paving. Tall grass is cooler than short grass and short grass is cooler than a simple bare ground.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Lawns"
June 30, 2009 | Comments (0)
Trees
Trees condition the environment by taking in carbon dioxide and giving off oxygen, but they also give off water. A large tree can release many thousands of gallons a day through its leaves.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Trees"
June 24, 2009 | Comments (0)
Pruning Shrubs
A shrub will rarely die if it is left unpruned. However, it is often desirable to control its size, to improve the overall shape, or to remove dead or diseased branches, such pruning is basic for all shrubs. On some shrubs growth may be improved if light is let into the center by cutting away old and/or dead branches. And some shrubs will bear larger, but generally fewer, flowers if they are pruned each year. To sum up, do your pruning selectively.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Pruning Shrubs"
June 01, 2009 | Comments (0)
Yard Tools and Carts
Carts and wheelbarrows help you move heavy loads by distributing the weight over the wheels. A wheelbarrow has a sloped tray and one or two wheels in the front. You have to push it, but it maneuvers easily and can go anywhere. A cart, on the other hand, has straight sides and two or more large wheels. It works best when pulled ideally over a smooth surface, though its big wheels can bridge holes. Carts are also more stable and carry more volume than wheelbarrows.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Yard Tools and Carts"
June 01, 2009 | Comments (0)
Yard Pest Controls
But ask some park management people, homeowners with ponds, lakes or cornfields how they feel about visiting Canadian geese and you'll hear the truth. In the northeastern part of our country these strong birds are becoming a public and private nuisance. In one area a few residents town began feeding the few geese on the park pond. Apparently these geese told other geese and over the years the population on the banks of the pond has boomeranged.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Yard Pest Controls"
June 01, 2009 | Comments (0)
Yard and Garden Decor
Your yard and garden decor is your paradise - long hours of hard work weeding, potting and planting turn into a place where peace reigns supreme. Garden decor doesn't only set off your garden; it also gives your house great curb appeal, and can add value to your home. Your garden is the first thing that potential visitors see - let them into the magical world you've created.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Yard and Garden Décor"
June 01, 2009 | Comments (0)
Solar Lights
The problem with solar garden lights is that they tend to have only a small area of solar cells and a relatively modest battery capacity. The consequences of these shortcomings are that solar garden lights have a reputation for emitting a small amount of light for a short period of time. The technology of solar cells and batteries has improved over time and the current generation of solar garden lights is superior to the first generation of solar garden lights.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Solar Lights"
June 01, 2009 | Comments (0)
Pond Maintenance
In the summer implement algae control and enjoy your outdoor space. Keep in mind that increases sunlight and rising water temperature create ideal conditions for aggressive algae growth.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Pond Maintenance"
June 01, 2009 | Comments (0)
Landscaping
No matter what designs you decide to use you will need a good pair of gardening gloves to protect your hands. You may want the landscaping of your front yard area to look completely different from your backyard garden area. Since many of us live in areas that have problems with a shortage of water, you may want the theme for your front lawn to incorporate a number of drought tolerant plants. This idea not only saves on water consumption but the number of plants that can be used is numerous and they will add just as much if not more beauty to the front of your home.
Gardener's Garden Supplies article on "Landscaping"
June 01, 2009 | Comments (0)
Backyard Birding
Another good reason, is that birds around our homes are in fact a part of nature. Birds are free to roam wherever they wish and to do what is natural for them. Among the birds we see in our own backyard show us how they deal with seasonal changes, how they raise their families, how they interact with one another and their environment, how they handle humankind's disruptions and how their appearances and behaviors reflect the general laws of nature.





