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26 Jul 2013
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Best Irrigation Systems for a Home Garden

 

Are you tired of dragging hoses and sprinklers around in your garden? Sprinklers are labor intensive and the least efficient way to water any garden. Besides their inconvenience, broadcast sprinklers are not watering only the veggies but the weeds too. To save time, effort and water, consider installing a more hands-free and water efficient system.

Best Irrigation Systems

Back to Basics

One of the oldest systems of watering is the use of furrows. Shallow furrows along plant rows allow you to apply water directly to the plant roots. Use a circular furrow for individual plants. There are no materials to buy, but you still must haul a hose or buckets to fill the furrows. Another drawback is that water is lost via evaporation until it soaks into the soil.

Soaker Hoses

Soaker hoses that seep water work in a manner similar to furrows. They can be chained together to reach all the plants in the garden or separate hoses with quick connect fittings are used to water different areas with one hose. There is still some hose wrestling to do, but most of the water goes directly to the plants with minimal evaporation loss.

Above Ground Drip Systems

Kits for building your own custom drip system are found in any home improvement store. The black tubing and fittings in these kits do not require any tools other than a sharp utility knife. Tubing is sealed off by bending and clamping it. Drip fittings are directly screwed into the tubing by hand. Such a system is very water thrifty.

Below Ground Drip Systems

Other drip irrigation kits, similar to the above ground kits, are installed below the soil level. Especially if you have raised beds, this type of irrigation system is very handy. A main tube is installed through the center of the bed frame with a quick connect on one end that protrudes from the frame. Smaller feeder tubes branch off the main tube. Small holes punched through the feeders apply water directly to the plant roots. Tool less barbed tees and unions let you create a pattern customized to the placement of plants in the bed.

Fully Automated Irrigation Systems

Drip systems can be augmented with check valves, filters, timers, and moisture meters and so on in order to build a completely automated system. The trade-off between the simplest and hand-free systems is upfront cost. The cost is paid back by less work for the gardener and a lower water bill.

What’s the Best Time of Day for Drip Irrigation?

When you are using drip irrigation for your irrigation system, such as sprinklers or manually controlled options, you are going to be able to slowly place more water into your system. A manual drip irrigation system allows you to take advantage of the rainfall that takes place before having to do everything on your own.

There are a few varying opinions when it comes to the best time schedule for this kind of irrigation system, and you really have to pay attention to the rain forecast before you decide to set up everything to run automatically. How often you decide to run the irrigation system will really depend on the amount of water that your plants or garden needs on a regular basis.

Start in the Morning

The best start to water your plants is the morning in most cases because that is when there will be the lowest amount of evaporation. This means that the water will be able to set on the plants and in the soil without being removed by the sunlight. The sun is another important factor to look at when making sure that you are giving your plants enough water during the day.

Avoid Watering in the Evening

You will want to avoid watering your plants with your drip irrigation system at night because this kind of schedule will actually increase the probability that some kind of disease will infect your plants. There are mixed opinions when it comes to watering plants around nightfall, but it is usually just better to keep things safe by sticking to an earlier water irrigation schedule whenever possible.

Follow the Directions

When you are dealing with drip irrigation system that was provided by a specific manufacturer or supplier, you may be able to get some tips from the information that came with that particular system. Different irrigation systems are going to have different settings for water pressure and other factors, so it is important to make sure that you actually understand your irrigation system before you begin to water everything on a drip system for the first time. In most cases, you will be able to find some maintenance and proper usage guidelines that come with the materials that you used to create your own drip irrigation system.

Can’t decide which irrigation systems is best for your garden? Contact us For a Free Consultation or call 805-773-5395.

19 Jul 2013
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Hardscape: Improving Outdoor Spaces At Home

Garden ponds and decorative fountains are some hardscape examples that were once mainly for the very rich. Today, anyone can have a garden pond, a fountain or waterfall. It can be included almost anyplace–even if your “yard” is limited to a patio or balcony.


What is Hardscape?

Ultimately, hardscape is just what it sounds like– the use of hard materials like concrete, brick, stone, and asphalt to create landscape features that cover the natural earth, or softscape. Hardscape has many advantages, as it makes it possible to create features that you wouldn’t be able to sustain in earth. But it must be carefully planned and properly built in order to compensate for its inability to retain water.

Paths, driveways, and retaining walls are all examples of hardscape. Most decorative fountains, ponds and pools are also hardscape. They use concrete or stone to prevent the water within from draining into the surrounding earth. With hardscape, you can create landscaped areas on slopes, establish sheer vertical walls, and install paths and driveways that are useful and decorative in all weather conditions. Patios and sidewalks are some of the most common hardscape applications.

Patio Ponds 

Adding water to your patio can be as simple as setting out a shallow dish of water for use as a birdbath. Any shallow container at least 6 inches wide and a half-inch deep will work. Pie pans, garbage can lids, or flowerpot bases work well in small spaces. Fill the container with clean water and wash it every day or two. The wildlife attracted to the water will depend on where you place the container. Containers set on the ground usually attract the greatest number of wildlife species, from birds and butterflies to squirrels and toads. Hanging birdbaths or ones on pedestals will be restricted to those creatures that can fly or jump high enough to reach the water. It give birds a chance to escape from neighborhood cats and other predators.

hardscape

If you want to grow water plants–and perhaps a fish or two–you can add a tub garden to your patio or yard. Many products are on the market today. Frequently, half whiskey kegs with plastic liners are used. Numerous plastic tub gardens are available in a variety of sizes. It also have the advantage of being lightweight and inexpensive. Small pumps can be added to any of these containers to allow for fountains or cascades of water. Moving water is pleasant to listen to and attractive to wildlife.

Here are some considerations before adding a small tub pond to your patio or yard.

If you want to grow water plants, choose a container that is at least a foot deep. While some water plants do well in shallow water, other species–including some water lilies–require deeper water.

Consider adding a variety of plant species. Depending on the depth of your tub, place pots of plants either on the bottom or on bricks to achieve the proper depth. Floating plants such as duckweed also can be added. Floating plants reduce the amount of sunlight that enters the water, which helps reduce the growth of algae. When adding potted plants, place a layer of stones on top of the soil, before setting the pots in the water. This will help hold the soil in place and help prevent any fish from “digging” into the pots.

If you live in a cold climate, consider what you will do with the tub garden in the winter. Small tubs can be moved inside if a suitable location is available. Other tubs may need to be drained to prevent damage from freezing.

Caution: Use caution and take security measures if small children have access to your pond. Even small tub gardens can be hazardous. If you intend to have a fountain or waterfall, be sure a grounded electrical outlet is available.

Decorative Fountains

Most people know that adding a fountain to their home or garden can increase the overall value of their property. Most of these same people also do not know that there are actually many different types of fountains to choose from. There are plenty of aesthetic perks to be found with home garden water fountains. They can completely change the vibe that people get when they enter your backyard for the first time.

Different Types of Home Garden Water Fountains

Home fountains used to also serve more practical purposes in the past. Although they can still help you relax at the end of a long day if you place them in the right spot. Let’s take a look at a few of the different fountains that could work well in your home garden.

The Urn Fountain

The urn fountain is the type of fountain that probably pops into your head when you think about generic garden fountains for your backyard. These fountains can be found with more than one tier, and the number of tiers on your fountain depends on how elegant you want your garden to be. You will usually have the option of slate, ceramic, or cement materials for your garden fountain.

Wall Fountains

If you want to choose something a bit more special for your garden, then you may want to look into getting a wall fountain. These are usually a great option when you want to attach a fountain to your deck. They can also be used as a water source if you want to put a small pond in your backyard. These types of fountains are usually comprised of multiple layers of fiberglass.

The Simple, Bubbling Fountain

One last type of fountain that you may want to look into for your backyard or garden is the bubbling fountain. This is the simplest type of fountain on the market.  It does not actually shoot water into the air. If you are looking for something simple that will not break the bank, then this is probably going to be your best option. These fountains will not do much when it comes to providing a big splash in your garden. Nevertheless, they will still be able to create that comforting, relaxing sound that everyone expects to get from a fountain in their backyard.

Any random individual could pour a concrete driveway and call it a hardscape, Yet, there is actually a lot of planning that goes into building hardscape properly. The biggest downside of hardscape is drainage. While natural earth has an innate absorptive capacity for rainwater, hardscape allows the water to run off. In cases of heavy rain or storms, the volume of this runoff can become quite high. Large scale hardscaping can also cause the water table beneath the ground to become depleted, influencing the amount of water available for home and other uses.

hardscape

When planning a hardscape, it’s important to consult with a professional landscaper who has experience planning and installing hardscape. Professionals are ready to help you properly place your hardscape and build it from the most appropriate materials for your property. When placing your hardscape, considering the direction that water will run off is of critical importance. The structure should be placed to direct running water away from any buildings. Your new sidewalk will look a whole lot less attractive if it is funneling water into your basement every time it rains! An appropriate pitch encourages the water to run in such a way that it does not create unsightly or damaging pools without running so fast that it erodes away the soil surrounding the hardscape.

In addition, landscaping professionals can help you choose from a variety of materials for your project. Pervious materials that allow water to filter through to the earth beneath can greatly reduce drainage problems. Often, a mix of materials is advisable, to direct water away from areas where you don’t want it and allow it to drain in more appropriate places.

These are some of the basic factors to take into consideration when installing a hardscape, but to do things right, the project should be tailored to your specific home property. Above all, have fun. Water gardens provide habitat for wildlife, but also can be an enjoyable hobby for you and your family.

To discuss how hardscape can improve your outdoor space, Talk to our Experts!

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12 Jul 2013
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The Perfect Compost: Dos and Don’ts

 

Compost is a key component in many organic gardening plans. The wise gardener can minimize his or her effort by composting in small batches directly adjacent to the planting beds that will require compost. This saves the time that would otherwise be required to cart compost out of a single, centralized pile.

Composting: Dos and Don’ts

Clean up your garden at the end of the growing season. If you clean up your garden when the growing season is over, it will improve the appearance and make less work for you the following year. Remove dead or damaged branches on trees and shrubs, get rid of weeds before they go to seed, and rake any leaves from the lawn. Remove old annual plants and cut perennials to the ground if they normally die back in the winter. Any plant material that isn’t diseased can be put in the compost pile.

Try using coffee grounds on the soil. Coffee grounds have nitrogen that plants will utilize. Generally, nitrogen is the limiting nutrient with any plant and having a good nitrogen source either by coffee grounds, compost, or even diluted urea, will make your plants bloom faster and grow taller.

How to use an organic compost pile?

Use a nicely finished compost pile as fertilizer for your garden. Organic means that you don’t use artificial fertilizers or herbicides to grow your plants, yet sometimes the soil isn’t necessarily full of the proper nutrients for growth. Utilizing a compost pile can provide you with a rich, dark earthy soil that can provide your plants with plenty of nutrients. Use equal parts dried and green plant material for your own compost. Green plant material includes grass clippings, spent flowers, vegetable and fruit waste, weeds and leaves. Dried plant material consists of sawdust, shredded paper, cardboard, straw, and cut-up and dried wood material. Your compost pile should never contain meat, ashes or charcoal.

Avoid chemical fertilizers when gardening, replace them with natural, organic mixtures like compost. Chemical fertilizers will deposit toxins into the soil, which can build up over time and even affect your drinking water. Natural and organic mixtures are safe and won’t cause this toxic buildup.

If you still need more gardening or landscaping assistance, contact us today! Or call us at 805-773-5395.

 

17 May 2013
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Improve The Look Of Your Lovely Garden With This Useful Information

 

Does it always seem like the grass look greener when you look to the other side? You might think your neighbor has got a secret formula to a lovely garden. The truth is there’s no secret to a lovely garden. All it takes is knowledge on how you can care of your garden in the right way. You can get started on your gardening knowledge today by reading the information below.

How to improve your lovely garden:

  • Your plants need to adapt and must be gradually introduced to changes of environment. Put them out in the sun for a couple of hours the very first day. Over one week, increase the time outside slowly. By weeks end, your plants will be ready for their big move and should have no problems!
  • Select plant types that will bring a relatively high yield.
  • Plant perennials that are resistant to slug and snails won’t be interested in eating. Slugs and snails are voracious eaters. They can kill a plant literally overnight. These pests are particularly fond of young perennials. Those varieties with leaves that are tender, herbaceous stems and leaves, particularly seedlings and young plants.
  • Perennials with hairy, furry leaves and unpleasant tastes are less likely to attract slugs and snails. Some of examples of these are achillea, heuchera, euphorbia, hellaborus, and euphorbia.
  • Transfer your favorite plants inside so they survive the winter frosts. You may be able to save the ones you spent the most resistant or expensive plants. Dig carefully around their roots and place it a big enough pot.
  • Be diligent in your garden. Weeds can kill a good garden. White vinegar can be used as a pesticide-free way to battle weeds. White vinegar will definitely kill those pesky weeds. If you are too busy to pull weeds by hand, douse them with a white vinegar solution.
  • Pre-soak your seeds through the night in a dark place. This will keep seeds to be hydrated and facilitate growth. This improves the seeds a better chance of successful plant development.
  • If you learn that your soil has a high amount of alkaline, try mixing some coffee grounds into your garden’s soil.
  • Using coffee grounds is a less expensive way to increase the acidity of the soil. This will allow your vegetables you grow healthier and more flavorful.
  • A great garden starts from seeds and not plants. The most “green” way to start a new garden is to start with seeds.
  • The plastics used in nurseries are rarely recycled and ends up in landfills, that is why it is advised to use seeds or purchase from nurseries that make use of organic materials when packaging their plants.
  • You can prevent pests from invading your garden with certain plants and natural materials. Slugs can be kept at bay with either onions or pungent vegetables. These methods you can use to get rid of the need for harsh chemical pesticides.
  • If you are planning on growing peas, start them indoors before putting them in the ground outside. The seeds will have a better chance if you start them indoors. The seedling may also be hardier, which means they can resist pests and diseases better. You could transplant the seedlings outside after they are able to survive and thrive.
  • You may want to think about planting evergreens that will produce berries in your yard. Some plants provide color during the winter like the Winterberry, and American Holly, the Winterberry and the Common Snowberry.

As you can tell, most of these ideas don’t require a major expenditure of effort or funds. Just apply the lessons outlined here and assess their effectiveness in your own lovely garden. Pay heed to the response of the plants as you work with them. If one thing doesn’t work, try another. Be patient and your lovely garden will eventually be envied by your neighbors.

Need more gardening assistance for your lovely garden? Contact us today!

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15 Apr 2013
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Tips And Tricks On Using Organic Products In Your Landscaping

organic products

Landscaping makes your yard look their best. It should also be adaptable and provide needed space for the homeowner. This may seem complicated, so continue reading for some helpful tips to help you design a landscape using organic products.

Using Organic Products In Your Landscaping

If you’re landscaping with limited monetary resources, remember that you can complete a project in stages. There is nothing harmful about dividing your project in different phases. It becomes easier to perform financially. Make plans for each project you want to complete and select which can be tackled first. Those looking to undergo a large landscaping would be smart to select plants with differing textures. Do not overlook the havoc that certain kinds of landscaping could have on your home and yard. If you are careless, you might affect the underground piping system thanks to your landscaping. Take these sorts of the possibilities into consideration as you carefully plan your landscaping plan.

Incorporate water in your landscape design. Fountains and small pools are easily incorporated with little setup for pumps and water. If you are able to afford one, many professional landscapers can install a pond or waterfall. Adding water structure to your landscape gives your yard a focal point. Weeping cherries are among the most popular of this type available.

To create a landscaping design that is visually appealing and easy to take care of, choose native plants. Plant species that have adapted naturally thrive in your area and its climate are a lot more simple to take care of when compared to foreign transplants. Local plants don’t need as much supplemental irrigation and this can save you money when it comes to the water bill.

organic products

Get professional guidance before you launch a serious landscaping project. It may cost you a little bit of money, but talking to a landscape architect can save you a lot of time, time and headaches in the process. A quick one hour discussion should be sufficient to glean some great advice and help you begin. A water garden is a popular special feature can really improve the look of your yard.

It is a good idea to spend the extra money on your supplies and materials for this project by purchasing them from a specialty stores. You will find the employees at these stores very helpful. Complete your lawn or yard in segments. You could make the choice to work on different sections or start with different types of plantings. If you are going to use any large plants in your design, remember that they are likely to cast a shadow. This can be used to cool your patio and house from the sun during hot summer months. Be certain to not to put smaller plants in shadows.

Many areas of the country have water restrictions due to shortages, so you want to make sure that your plants are going to get the right amount of water. Learn how to use the spaces of your property when designing your landscape. For example, if your yard is susceptible to noise from traffic, you can muffle those sounds with hedges.

Make a play area for your kids. You could also make a space for grilling or entertaining guests that you might have. Use ground-cover plants to fill in areas between your larger plants. These plants add visual depth, color and depth to your yard. A successful landscaping design using organic products is one that incorporates everything from curb appeal to functional use. You want to budget wisely yet give your yard a beautiful look.

Want to know more tips and tricks on using organic products, Call 805-773-5395 or

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