Susan's Lawn Gardens

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Susan’s Lawn Gardens is pleased to feature this article from today’s guest author from  All States Landscaping. They are landscaping experts, so we feel very comfortable recommending their work to our visitors.

Ideas for a Low-Maintenance Landscape

by Raily Arena

Landscaping.  The very word conjures images of sophisticated machinery and esoteric knowledge.  To some degree, this may have a semblance of the truth, especially since landscaping is generally associated with professionals and experienced gardeners.  However, the activity itself is not really limited to the chosen few.  Whether you are too busy, too lazy or have very little gardening skills, as long as you have the willingness and the basic knowledge in gardening, you can actually perform decent yard work.  Learn how with these easy, low-maintenance landscaping tips:

Have a good plan
Whether it’s your frontyard or backyard, it’s always a good idea to have a plan in place.  This will help minimize costly and annoying errors and ensure that you can carefully design a garden that has all the elements you like and still be easy to maintain. 

Browse through magazines and photos of gardens you like and decide on the kind of look you want.  Then begin planning by making measurements on your garden.  Make a rough sketch of the kind of landscaping you want so you know exactly which plants to use, where and how many.

Use only plants that will thrive in your area
Other than climate, you also need to consider the zone you’re living in.  Some plants will thrive in places where others won’t even survive in.  Factors that affect this include soil type, weather, amount of rainfall and sunshine.  Find out which plants will grow best in your locality. 

If the plant and trees you choose aren’t capable of surviving in your area, you will be forced to uproot them and replant now and again.  If the plants stay alive, you’ll have better chances at low maintenance landscaping.

Consider trees that don’t shed as much
Raking dry leaves can be an unpleasant gardening chore.  If you want low-maintenance landscaping, choose to plant trees that don’t shed too much.  Ask your local gardener for varieties of this type, such as crabapple trees and spruce.  These provide shade and coverage but won’t require you to perform backbreaking work everyday.

Go for sturdy plants and flowers
If you want a low-maintenance garden, stay away from varieties that require focused care such as orchids and some roses.  Go for plants such as pansies, juniper, tulips and rhododendrons.  Choose perennials over annuals so you do not have to replant.

Consider building a rock garden
Rocks never need to be watered, trimmed, protected from the sun, rain or snow.  If you find it hard to grow plants or flowers, consider putting up a rock garden.  Used carefully in groups, rocks can have a very beautiful, serene, uncluttered effect on your landscaping.  Plus, they can work very well just on their own, with only grass surrounding them. 

Rocks are also a good option if you’re planning to build a Japanese-style zen garden, complete with sand and a few well-placed concrete pagodas.  The advantage here is that this style of landscaping is extremely low-maintenance – water only the plants that need watering and leave the rest as is.

Work at the landscaping – a least, initially
Any type of landscaping will require some work at first.  The goal is to ensure that your plants are able to develop a good root system.  This should take from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the plant and the environment.  Once that’s done, though, you can simply sit back and enjoy the fruits of your low-maintenance landscaping efforts.

There are so many tips on how to do low-maintenance landscaping. A little creativity and the right tools can go a long way.

Article Source: Ideas for a Low-Maintenance Landscape

Susan’s Lawn Gardens is pleased to feature this article from today’s guest author, MUSHARF… one of the gardening experts at Infozabout.com, so we feel very comfortable recommending their work to our visitors.

Learn how to compost- the easy way.

by Musharf

It is becoming more and more obvious these days that we need to recycle as much as we can, and anyone with a garden has a head start and can make a great contribution. To many novice gardeners, including myself, this subject can be somewhat difficult to grasp; but in fact it is really straightforward - there are just a few very simple rules:

You need a compost bin, and the type you decide on rather depends on the size of your garden, but there are a couple of options:

A purpose built plastic bin purchased from a garden centre, not too expensive; and you just fill up from the top and a few months later, you can take compost from a small hatch at the base.
Alternatively, if you can wield a saw and some nails, you can make a wooden slatted enclosure, one metre square - or you can buy them ready made - and cover it with a piece of old carpet to keep the worst of the weather off.

What you can compost:

- all uncooked vegetable and fruit peelings
- teabags, tea leaves and coffee grounds
- egg shells
- dead flowers from the house
- and from the garden, soft prunings spent bedding plants, dead leaves, lawn mowings
- spent compost from hanging baskets or containers
- some dryer materials such as shredded paper, rabbit and guinea pig bedding.

The only thing you have to be careful about is to mix different types of material; if you have too many grass clippings in a big mass, they will turn soggy and slimy, or if there is too much paper and prunings, it will be too dry. So keep an eye on it, especially if you are using the wooden enclosure, and mix it with a fork occasionally.

What NOT to compost:

- all meat products and bones; bread, cooked food - these will attract vermin
- dog or cat waste
- woody material - which takes too long to compost
- weeds - these can ‘infect’ your compost with their seeds
- anything that is non-biodegradable, such as plastic.

And because you won’t always feel like taking a trip to the compost heap when it’s wet or cold or every time you peel vegetables why not keep a lidded container by the back door which you can fill up and then make the trip to the compost bin every one or two days?

Over a period of time - 3 months to 1 year, depending on conditions - all this matter will have broken down into lovely dark brown crumbly compost, which you can fork into your beds and borders. It makes an excellent soil conditioner and can be used as surface mulch, helping conserve moisture and discourage weeds.

You can also convert fallen leaves into wonderful compost. Rake up any leaves from your lawn - you may have to do this several times over the autumn - and collect them from the borders. Put them all into a black waste sack, sprinkle with water, put a few holes around the sack with a fork, tie the top, and leave it in a corner for about a year. What you end up with is known as leaf-mould.

Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips and hints, points to ponder and keep in mind, techniques, and insights pertaining to gardening and gardening implements, do please browse for more information at our websites.
http://www.infozabout.com

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Susan’s Lawn Gardens is pleased to feature this article from today’s guest author, ANNE HARVESTER. She is an expert on outdoor fireplaces, so we feel very comfortable recommending her work to our visitors.

The Proper Maintenance and Care of your Outdoor Fireplace

by Anne Harvester

One of my favorite summer activities involves sitting around our fireplace made from soapstone on cool those cool summer nights with a refreshing drink in hand.  Now that the temperatures are warming up, it’s time to get your backyard ready for the summer and this means getting everything cleaned and ready to go.  One of the first things we do during our backyard cleaning days is to clean up the outdoor fireplace.  Depending on the type and style of outdoor fireplace you may have, maintenance can be simple or complicated.

Did you know no matter what your fireplace is made of they are still mostly all built the same and then spring cleaning of them are all similar. You’ll need an ash can, a good broom, and some sturdy work gloves. You’ll find it can be a pretty dirty job from all the remaining ash and wood in it. Use your brush or broom to sweep the ash into the can for proper disposal.

Iron Fireplaces
Fireplaces made from iron are probably the most popular models because of how sturdy they are.  You’ll find different styles implementing steel or aluminum chimneys to go along with an iron base. Make sure you can purchase any replacement parts before you purchase a certain type of iron fireplace since the other parts don’t last as long as the iron base will. Why replace the entire thing if you don’t have to? Apply high-temperature paint to the iron portions of the fireplace to protect it from rust.

Copper Outdoor Fireplaces
Another common type of outdoor fireplace is the ones made from copper. While a little more expensive, these particular models are sought after for its unique and brilliant copper shade which is much different than the plain black iron types. Storing the fireplace in a dry place away from the harsh weather helps to keep it at its original color. You can use covers for copper fire pits as a way of protecting them from the rain and such without having to move them when not in use.

Brick and Stone Fireplaces
Soapstone fireplaces, brick fireplaces and soapstone masonry heaters must properly be cleaned as often as you do with your indoor fireplace.  Remove the ash and debris from the fire box after use with soapstone fireplaces. A good investment is installing a chimney cap to keep leaves out of the chimney which can sometimes spark fires. Although soapstone fireplaces don’t have to be covered during the rain or in winter, you’ll still want to clean the exteriors in order to keep its attractive appearance.

It is important to the necessary time to care for your outdoor fireplace properly.  With the right amount of maintenance, you’re fireplace can last you many years of summer enjoyment.

Anne has worked on many home improvement projects with soapstone. Her specialties are redesigning ordinary houses into the extraordinary using soapstone fireplaces or soapstone masonary heaters.

Article Source: The Proper Maintenance and Care of your Outdoor Fireplace

Susan’s Lawn Gardens is pleased to feature this article from today’s guest author, HARRY NACK. He is an expert on garden water features, so we feel very comfortable recommending his work to our visitors.

How To Light Up a Garden Fountain

by Harry Nack

You are able to make a fountain shine, light up an entire pond from inside, highlighting an attractive statue, or raise the expression of a particularly gorgeous tree.

You can install garden fountain lights inside or outside lighting. You need to know that all should be connected to a GFI for your own protection,

Before you start shopping for garden fountain lights, try out different effects with a strong flashlight or a spotlight on an extension cord. Focus for simplicity and nuance. Do not let yourself get carried away and chance your garden fountain into a amusement park , but keep your eye on elegance.

There are numerous types of in garden fountain lights, and each one produces its own special effect, depending upon how you position it almost all designs demand lights that have dark, subdued cases. Chromium steel or white casings can be obtrusive, particularly during daylight.

Garden fountain lights, either in white or colorations, add drama to a sprayer. A few garden fountain lights also come equip with transparent rolls of various colors. Colorful light, nevertheless, should be used sparingly-it can easily become tacky.

A lot of garden fountain lights have installed  timers that let you to automatically turn the lights off and on. You are also able to put in an independent timer in the lighting setup. Timers not only save you the hazel  of regularizing the light, they also save on your electricity bill.

How to place your garden fountain lights

The first rule in setting up your fountain lights is to never them shine straight on the water since they’ll produce a harsh glare. In-ponds, lights need reasonably clean water to be efficient. Muddy water obstructs too much light and decreases the light’s effectiveness substantially. If you’ve fish in your water garden, allow dark areas where they can back away from the light. Fish need a great deal of crevices for safety. And never brighten the entire pond, particularly all night. If possible, place out-of-water lights to hide their casings and cord underneath a deck, behind a stone, or tucked into the leafage of a shrub. Any type of lighting you prefer, be sensitive to its effect on the neighbors. Do not let the lights beam in their windows.

Installation of Low Power Garden Fountain Lights

Contrary to  normal 120-volt lights, installation of low-power landscape lights is a breeze, even for novices. And they are fairly safe because of their low voltage. Numerous low-voltage lighting schemes are sold as kits, complete with instruction manuals.

Installing a low-voltage system begins with installing a transformer, which cuts down the regular home current from one hundred twenty volts to twelve volts. Set up the transformer just about the GFI receptacle closest to the water feature, using the manufacturers directions. Even 12-volt systems should utilize a GFI unit to prevent shocks. Most transformers are plainly mounted next to an electric outlet and plugged into it.

Harry is the creator of Garden Fountain Auctions this is the place where you can get the best deal for you’re Garden Fountains he has the latest auctions on his page here.

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Susan’s Lawn Gardens is pleased to feature this article from today’s guest authors at  LANDSCAPING-BLOG. They are landscape experts, so we feel very comfortable recommending their work to our visitors. 

Common Landscaping Tools for Each Landscaper

by Landscaping-blog

For the avid do-it-yourself landscaper, the right tools are important. After all, if one wishes to save money on the expenses associated with having a well cared for yard, it is best to make sure that he or she has all of the tools necessary to create an attractive landscape. By understanding some of the most common tools used for basic landscaping needs, you can ensure that you have everything you need to keep your lawn in the best possible shape, bringing delight and distinction to your grounds, be they large or small.

Shovels, rakes, trowels, and hand cultivators. These are the most basic of tools when it comes to landscaping. Every home should be supplied with these basic implements. They make just about every landscaping endeavor possible. Shovels to remove sod and turn soil, as well as dig the holes necessary for fixtures like trees and hardscapes, Rakes are essential to smooth out planting beds and prepare ground for things like sod without packing the dirt. Trowels and hand cultivators allow you to perform minute work that requires more attention to detail. All of these tools are necessary to the proper functioning and care of a landscape.

Pruners and shears. These tools are used to improve the appearance of woody plants and trees. They keep plants from encroaching in other areas, and they also promote the overall health of the plants. They help maintain a neat appearance, and if you have topiary concerns, they are indispensable in maintaining a set shape. There are hand pruners, tools that help with the smaller branches and are easier to use, loppers for getting thicker branches that are to large for pruners, and even pruning saws that can help you with the toughest of branches. Hedge shears provide a way for hedges to be trimmed more conscientiously than with electric or gas-run trimmers (although these are widely available and can make maintaining hedges much easier).

Lawnmower. This is perhaps one of the most common and most obvious of landscaping tools. It is meant to keep the grass at a reasonable level, and to keep the lawn neat and healthy. Related to lawnmowers in the trimming department are things like weed wackers, which are very useful in keeping edges that can’t be cut by a mower nice and neat. Additionally, the use of some special machinery, designed to eliminate thick brush is useful to have on hand, even it is only in the form of a machine rented once a year.

Other tools of interest. Of course, there are specialty tools that may be needed depending upon on the features of your landscape. If you have a water fixture, it is important to make sure that you have the proper pumps and filters, and that you have little skimmers that can allow you to remove larger pieces of debris from the water. Automatic sprinklers can make watering the lawn and your other plants much easier, and you should have a garden hose for special watering needs. Regular household tools such as hammer and nails, levels, and drills can be helpful if you have built landscape features like patios, decks, pergolas, and trellises. They can also be useful in building things like containers and creating raised beds.

Wheelbarrow. A wheelbarrow will always be of infinite use for the avid landscaper and improver. Wheelbarrows are very useful for moving debris as well as bringing needed implements to their proper places. They haul dirt and bring in plants. They make it possible to for one person to carry a load that otherwise she or he would not be able to handle. For the serious landscaper, a wheelbarrow is indeed necessary.

When you have all of the tools necessary to take care of your landscape, then you are well rewarded for your hard work. Acquiring the more common tools can also save you money in the long run, as they can be used over and over again. Additionally, many of the more common landscape tools are fairly small in size and easy to store in a garage or a shed. As long as they are kept neatly arranged in place, they are easy to get to when needed, and not hard to find. Proper maintenance of you tools is important: keep them from becoming rusty, and make sure your lawnmower and other gas or electric implements are well oiled and always have plenty of gas. Proper care of your tools ensures that you will be able to properly care for your landscape.

Above information is brought to you by www.Landscaping-Blog.com   Landscaping-Blog.com is world’s online informative resources for Gardening & Landscaping where you may find information related to landscaping, gardening, flowers & plants, gardening equipments, various tips & tricks for your home garden etc. To find out more, please visit www.Landscaping-Blog.com

Article Source: Common Landscaping Tools for Each Landscaper