It’s Time To Consider Your 2009 Lawn Care Plan

Before you know it, winter will be over, snow will be melted and the lawn weeds will once again rear their ugly heads. Will you be ready?

I have to figure that most of you are going to wait until the last minute to figure out what you are going to do with the grass this season. But you need to be ready to get out and put down the lawn treatments to make the lawn grow properly and keep out the nasty weeds. These tips should help you start your plan of action for this year.

The primary thing to think about is the type and kind of fertilizer you plan to put down. When I say that, I mean that you will need to figure out the makeup of the elements. I really don’t like the super high nitrogen dosed fertilizers as they offer very little to the lawn outside of a growth spurt. You really should try to find a fert that has some phosphorus and potassium as well.

I also recommend you get an organic based fertilizer for the summer months. These types of fertilizer release into the soil very slowly, thus preventing browning from over application. They also provide a great source of long term, slow release elements that are healthy for the turf.

After we have chosen out fertilizer, we need to figure out how we are going to eliminate the impending weed infestation. Now, I really don’t want you guys to use over the counter weed and feed products like you can get at the home improvement stores. These are completely bad for the environment because spreading them just slings the weed killing chemicals everywhere. We need something with more control.

Always use liquid weed control and spot spray or target the weeds where they are and no where else.

Finally we need to think about the icing on this lawn cake. You are definitely going to want to lay down some iron. Iron for the lawn turns in that dark blue color that your neighbors will envy. On top of that, let’s be sure to throw in some insect treatment for the grubs and cinche bugs, as well as a fungal treatment for the late spring to top it all off. Now you are cooking!

Well guys, that’s it! You should be all set if you can get some good fertilizer, carefully spot targeted weed killer and a little iron. Throw in the insect treatment and you have the makings of a beautiful lawn this summer. Don’t worry, it’s not that difficult!

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Different Types Of Cactus Plants

Mealybugs and scale insects can be two of the most aggressive bugs to attack cacti and succulents. New seedling plants are also subject to damage, but the main pest of these plants is when they are over watered by their owners.

There are many varieties, more than a thousand to choose from, and we are going to list a few of the more popular ones. For many reasons, these types have proven to be great houseplants.

A Christmas Cactus, which also goes by the name zygocactus truncatus, is admired for its mid-winter flowers. It grows in a cluster of leaf-life joints extending from a single base. The flowers run up to 3 inches long, are deep red in color and will bloom from October to January.

This particular cactus is aided by being placed outside during the summer months. It should be only be watered sparsely once it is brought back inside. This is only necessary until it shows signs of blooming again, then watering should be increased. It should be planted in loose soil, and it does not need sand, unlike other varieties of cacti. It tends to be droopy and would be best planted in a hanging basket.

The Peanut Cactus is another popular cactus of the succulent family. It is very different from its cousin the Christmas Cactus. It is a lower growing plant it seldom grows over 3 inches tall. It is made up of clusters of joints that are covered by soft white spines. It has large, funnel shaped flowers and it propagated by cutting the joints.

Another variety is the Night-Blooming Cereus, as the name implies, it flowers will only open at night. There are many different varieties of the Night-Blooming Cactus. Some of which can grow to be very high in stature. In the houseplant variety, it can grow to a height of 3 or 4 feet and it blooms large white colored flowers.

The Orchid Cactus, is also in the same family as the Christmas Cactus. But this cactus blooms in the spring and summer, as opposed to the winter time. There are dozens of types of this cactus, all have exquisite blooms and can reach tremendous height and size.

Aloes are in the succulent family, they grow heavy lily-shaped leaves that sprout from a single base. They can be either fully green or green with white and silver stripes and spots.

Aloes can often be mistaken for the Agave, the Century Plant. They strongly resemble each other. The Crown-Of-Thorns is known by the botanical name Euphorbia. It can be grown upright or trained to vine, it has a thick stem and succulent spiny leaves. This plant needs more moisture and humidity than many other succulents or the yucca cane.

The Jade Plant, or Crassula, is another typical succulent plant, it has flat, round leaves that are bright green or can be variegated in color as well. This plant is easy for a even a novice to grow, and will withstand almost anything except over watering.

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Guide to DIY Lawn Care

by Andrew Caxton

DIY lawn care is easy as long as you are willing to invest some time in researching and learning those basic steps on lawn caring. In this article you will get basic information on this topic.

Guide to DIY Lawn Care

Many people think that lawn care can only be handle properly by the professional service providers, maybe you are one of them.Let’s say that you can handled your garden and lawn like a professional if you are aware of some basic factors.

DIY lawn care is easy as long as you are willing to invest some time in researching and learning those basic steps on lawn caring.

DIY Lawn Care Tips.

First tip: mowing. Be sure that you mow your lawn regularly, and also leave the lawn clippings on your lawn after mowing, notice that clippings provides a high source of slow-release nitrogen totally natural and chemicals free, other recommendations on mowing is to do it when grass is dry and never mow too short.thus grass may deplete the nutrients of soil when is mowed more than necessary.

Watering.

Watering play the main roll in maintenance of your lawn.and watering must be according to the soil type, the grass type and the needs of certain season or climates. The best advice on catering your lawn is never water after rainfall. Keep a good drainage on your lawn and this will avoid pests and fungi,in addtion make sure to distribute the water across the lawn evenly, remember excessive watering is as bad as lack of water.

Fertilizing.

A Crucial point of keeping your lawn healthy and beautiful, your first step is to analyze soil. Learn what type is and adjust the fertilizer to your soil needs, maybe it is advisable to use organic or natural fertilizer. Over fertilizing can be harmful to your grass and make so called fertilizer burn for that reason compost is the best available fertilizer for organic lawn care .It add organic matter and nutrients without damaging the environment and your health.

Aeration.

Vital for your grass good health is the proper aearation: compact soil may deprive grass for the feeding that needs, preventing water and nutrients come to the roots and the result: poor and weak grass, so if you decide aerate your lawn , do it when you notice it is particularly hard, compact and thatch is accumulating too much.

Good raking in fall will prevent grass to cover with dead leave and organic material that pollute the soil and aid to development of grass illness and insects, notice that many pests come from the lack of good maintenance, specially mold, they find a favorable climate to grow in a uncleaned area. Clean, free of weed, dead leave and other organic material is vital to prevent insect infestation or other incidents that can be very harmful to your lawn.

Tools.

Tools and their proper maintenance will facilitate your work, your tools must be clean, free of rust or dirt, sharp and keep on a dry place, they are important to lawn caring and if you don’t take the adequate measure they can ruin the whole work. Use the right tools for you, take your time earch what kind your need according to your lawn size and conditions, you can start from basic tools like rake, spades and shear and reach to the most sophisticated lawnmower.

Taking the above rules in mind, you can keep your lawn as a professional may do, without consuming too much time and mony, maybe with the help of used landscaping equipment, and you will proud of showing your work to friends and relatives

Andrew Caxton loves writing for http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com .A website with tips on used landscaping equipment and type of grass.

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Gardening. How do I keep a Crocosmia or Lucifer Perennial over the Winter in my Garden?I Live in Midlands UK.?

It should be ok,but just to be on the safe side you can always cover them with a mulch or even put some wallpaper lining paper over them first, then cover with mulch, this stops them from rotting if you get a wet winter

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Winter Gardens. Is your garden arranged with ornamental things that add a splash of color even in winter?

Some statues, ornaments or gates to catch and hold the glistening snow? Maybe red berries or an ornamental tree that rises up out of the sleeping earth. I love gardening and in the winter gardens sleep so I make sure mine still brings me joy when I look out the window, especially when it snows.

Nope. I’m not really into statues, etc. A great way to add colour to a winter garden is planing a dogwood bush with red bark. Very nice against the white snow.

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what will be some winter veggies I can plant..anything I need to know..New to winter gardening?

I know turnip greens & other greens..what about beets radishes ?what else??

THANK YOU TO ALL THAT ANSWER!!!
I live in alabama

If your ground is tilled deeply and without stones, you can plant beet, turnips, parsnips, carrots and leafy green veggies such as spinach and kales.
Fall planting for germination and then covering the plants with a heavy mulch to prevent “heaving” of the soil and promote easy digging works great! A cold frame placed over you greens will prevent winter “burn” and keep you harvesting well into bitter cold weather.

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Brians Tips for Basic Gardening Tools

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Most people do their best to keep their garden presentable and sometimes this leads them to start gardening as a hobby. Like any hobbies, gardening can quickly become an expensive undertaking. You are bombarded with advertising constantly for the latest wiz gadget, and it can be very tempting to think I may need that, and buy it.

Basic gardening however doesn’t have to be expensive. I mean, did your grandfather need a fully automated rotary tiller for example? Probably not. If you do need one for example if you are creating a new lawn, there is little point in buying one. It’s much more sensible to rent one, or have a gardener do it for you. May I suggest a good firm (big grin)?

To get started all you need is some simple sound tools, and they don’t have to be expensive. It’s quite possible to pick up some good gardening tools at a local car boot sale. There are always people disposing of surplus garden tools.

You don’t need to buy them new. It does not matter if they’re a little rusty. Rust will not interfere with the growing process and can always be removed with a scouring pad.

Here is a basic list of tools that you will need.

* Shovel. A shovel should have a good sturdy handle that is easy to grab. Avoid thinner handles that may break and also because thinner handles are more likely to blister your hands.
* Spade. A lot of people tend to think that a shovel and a spade are much the same. A spade is primary used to break up the ground, not for lifting. Again a thick handle and a comfortable grip are important. You should acquire two spades, one being a smaller hand held spade to accommodate for work in smaller spaces.
* Rakes. You need two types of rakes. A lawn rake to gather up leaves, fallen twigs, moss, and lawn cuttings, and a ground rake which you used to smooth the ground and flower beds.
* A hoe. There are many cool designs on the market, but in the interests of simplicity a standard square hoe will suffice for most garden tasks to begin with.
* Wheelbarrow. A Wheelbarrow is essential if you’re doing any type of gardening or yard work. A broad wheeled barrow should be chosen to spread the weight when using it on a lawn. It should be lightweight easily wheeled about, and again, care and attention should be paid to the handles to prevent your hands becoming blistered during use.

Really these tips are nothing more than a commonsense approach to basic gardening, and with a little thought and some work, gardening doesn’t have to be an expensive proposition.

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Brians Tip for Free Compost

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By late November, usually following stormy weather, most of the trees in and around your garden will have dumped their leaves over your lawn and flower beds.

Rather than just gather them up and throw them into your brown bin for collection, here’s a handy tip to make use of those leaves next year.

Recycling your autumn leaves is one of the best ways to get free compost.


Here’s all you have to do.

* Take a good sized black bin liner and put a few holes in the side and bottom.
* Gather up leaves and stuff them into the bin liner.
* When almost full, sprinkle with water, shake and tie.
* Store in a shady spot, (most people have some spare room behind a garden
shed or in a corner somewhere), and by next autumn the leaves will have
rotted down into a rich, crumbly mixture that you can use as a mulch around
the base of your plants.
* If you want to use the leaves to add to the soil as growing compost, then
leave them alone for a second year.

More on composting -

• “Let it Rot!” Stu Campbell - Pros: Fantastic comprehensive guide to composting Cons: None Rating: 5 out of 5. (more…)

• Friends School Plant Sale - Mother’s Day weekend at the Minnesota … - The Green Guardian met with and later knighted a group of Friends School middle schoolers who implemented a recycling and composting program at the school. …

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