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30 Sep 2011
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How to Do Indoor Gardening

 

Plants are a great way to decorate indoors. If you’re thinking about starting an indoor vegetable garden, you’re probably wondering how much space you will need. The simple answer is that indoor gardening can take up as much or as little area as you like. If you only have a small pot of herbs, a sunny window should work just fine. Larger indoor gardens need room for both plant pots and equipment. You will need to be able to provide plenty of light and humidity for a bountiful indoor garden.

Aside from the aesthetic value plants provide your home with, there are also health benefits – grade school science class tells us that plants cleanse the air through utilizing the carbon dioxide and producing more oxygen. Here is some important information on how to care for your indoor plants to gain the optimum health and aesthetic benefits.

Calculating How Much Room You Need for Indoor Gardening

Making Sure Your Plants Have Enough Light

Most indoor plants need good lighting. You can provide this through natural lighting in the room of your choice or electric lighting. Darker leaved plants usually don’t need as their lighter leaved friends.

For the most part, common herb varieties don’t require as much light as vegetable plants, which is why southern windows work well. Most vegetable plants need as much as 16 hours of full, direct sunlight to be healthy. If your vegetables have access to lots of natural sunlight, a supplemental florescent fixture placed near to the plants should provide enough light. However, if the area you selected doesn’t have much natural sunlight, you will need a lot of vertical space to hang high intensity discharge grow lights. Depending on the rating of your grow lights, they should be mounted anywhere from 1-6 feet above your indoor garden, and you will need enough fixtures to make sure that all of your vegetables receive even lighting.

Here are the varieties of plants (usually those that only require medium to low light) that are known to be suitable for indoor gardening:

1. Creeping Fig
2. Cyclamens
3. Boston ferns
4. African violets
5. Philodendrons

Regulating Humidity for Larger Indoor Gardens

For indoor gardening, humidity is a big issue. The amount of moisture in the air has a direct effect on the growth of the plants. During mornings, you could spray the plants with water for their much-needed moisture. Make sure the leaves don’t get covered in dust.

Humidity isn’t usually a problem unless you have a large indoor garden. For large indoor gardens, plan on designating space for humidification equipment. If you notice that leaf tips are browning, leaves are dropping off, or your plants look wilted, your atmosphere is probably too dry. To fix this problem, you can set out a tray filled with water. Place lava rocks in the water to help the water evaporate more quickly. You can also use a humidifier to help reach the correct humidity levels.

Watering

A common mistake most people make in indoor gardening is they tend to over-water the plants, which may lead to rotting roots. Make sure to research the type of plant you have, because each kind of plant varies on their watering needs.

Fertilization

Just like watering, fertilizing depends on the type of plant. If you have managed to supply your indoor garden with the right amount of light, water and humidity, fertilization may not need much attention. A good indoor fertilizer can be bought from most home depot or hardware stores. Orchids need the special fertilizer available.

Finding Room for an Indoor Garden

Choose good quality and attractive container for your indoor plants. Make sure that the pot is clean before placing your new plant into it to prevent infection and to encourage healthy growth.

If you only want a few small plants like lettuce, carrots, onions, basil or parsley, a shelving unit is the best way to save space. Place the shelving in front of a south-facing window that isn’t shaded by trees, buildings or other obstacles, and you should have enough light for herbs, lettuces and other small vegetables. If you don’t have a window for your shelves, you will need a grow light for each shelf.

Larger plants like tomatoes and peppers – or even small shrubs like blueberries – need to be in pots on either the floor or a low table. For these bigger plants, a south window probably will not be enough light, so make sure you have enough room to hang larger grow light fixtures.

If you are interested for more indoor gardening tips and tricks, contact us today! 805-773-5395.

23 Sep 2011
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Landscaping Plan: How To Properly Fix Your Landscape At Home

If you want beautiful landscaping, then you need to have a good landscaping plan. To be successful, your landscaping plan needs to be well thought while addressing any and all issues that arise. This means taking into consideration the amount of sun each area of the yard will get as well as how much water it will receive and where the water will sit. Another aspect that you need to take into consideration is drainage. Proper irrigation is a must for any successful garden.

Look at your yard and take note of the different aspects that come into play while landscaping. Will you have to level or hill up any areas? Are the angles good or do they need a little help? These kinds of things matter when it comes to your landscaping plan.

Landscaping Plan Guide

Make sure that when you plan your landscaping that you use what is already available to you. All of the best landscaping plans will use the natural beauties that are already a part of any yard. Most yards will have something good about them, so find this and use it to make your landscaping plan work. For example, there may be some gorgeous flowers or trees, or some great rock formations. Why rip these out only to plant another thing? Use what is there and your landscaping plan will look that much more natural and gorgeous every single time.

Another aspect to take into consideration is your budget. You need to know how much you will be able to afford before you go all out designing this amazing, yet landscaping plan. You will probably not be able to afford to change the whole slope of your yard even if you wanted to so try to stay within the scope of your budget.
Make sure that your landscaping plan has taken everything into consideration and then start putting this plan into motion.

What can be made to my yard to prevent it from being dull? What is a landscape that impresses friends and family? The solutions are answered in some helpful tips that will show you how to create a wonderful landscape plan.

landscaping planPrior to starting a landscaping project, you should sketch your proposed designs first. You will also find it easier to change a sketch than you can the yard after you have made the alterations. Try using native plants when landscaping.

When landscaping your garden, it is a good idea to choose shrubs and flowers that are local to your area. Use local plants when fixing your yard. Native varieties require less attention because they are living in their growth. This makes for a low-maintenance component to your landscaping maintenance easier. Your local gardener probably has lots of plants that will thrive in the area that you live.

On your landscaping plan, you must know the difference between perennials and annuals. You also want to know what kind of plants and shrubs work best in certain geographical areas and under certain climates. You must also remember your seasons when planning your landscape layout. It is very important to understand which plants do well during specific seasons to get the best results from your landscaping experience.

A basic landscaping plan tip that everyone should use is to make a list of any needed materials you will need prior to starting on your project. You don’t want to be knee-deep in your landscape project. Only to discover that you’re missing something you have forgotten.

Use granite in your outdoor kitchen equipment. While marble could cost less to you, granite is a more durable and elegant material to use rather than marble. A watering system is always a good investment for your plants. These systems can be easily installed and will allow plants to be watered consistently. This system is efficient too, this is because this system drips as opposed to a stream like in a sprinkler system or hose. Test the pH and composition of your soil before gardening or starting a landscaping project.

landscaping plan

Make your yard look beautiful all year by growing a garden suitable for many seasons. Choose different kinds of plants for different seasons, as well as ones that are local to the area. You might also consider planting unusual trees with interesting foliage or evergreens to keep your yard stand out. Are you planning on selling your home up for sale? Landscaping is a wise investment that offers as much as a 200 percent back of what you put into landscaping when you sell the house.

Focus on the front lawn to create added curb appeal, or define an outdoor living space in your backyard. It is not necessary – or even wise – to try to landscape your entire property all at once. Dividing your landscaping plan into phases will be easier on both you and your budget. It will also benefit you when you’re changing your design while carrying out in the road. Choose the higher quality products over price. In many stores, you will usually find reduced and low-quality products. Go to a store to get quality products and useful advice from qualified workers. It’s worth it to pay more for quality products and advice that truly work.

The tips contained here are a great starting point for any homeowner looking to start their own landscaping project. Whether you want to do something huge or just need to perform a little touch up, with the landscaping information you’ve learned from this article, you are now ready to get started. You can do it!

Need help with your landscaping plan? Contact Evergreen Landscaping today!

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16 Sep 2011
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Dealing with Garden Pests

There’s nothing quite like having your own fruits and vegetables growing in your backyard, but sometimes it can be difficult to make sure that your harvest isn’t stolen by critters out in the wild. It is incredibly frustrating to put hours of work into your garden, only to find unsightly and damaging holes in your plants when you check on them later. These holes are presents left to you by garden pests. Some of the main garden pests are worms, birds, caterpillars, slugs, snails, and sometimes even a gopher. It’s nearly impossible to get rid of all of your garden pests, but left unchecked, they could completely destroy your garden.

There are plenty of different methods you can use to protect your crops, but you’ll have to put a little extra work into your overall garden structure. Once you have everything setup in a secure manner, you won’t have to worry about any critters bothering your crops in the near future. Here are a few options to look at when you want to protect your backyard garden.

What is the best way to keep  garden pests out of the garden?

Use a Fence

This is the most basic form of protection that you can use for your garden. You can find plenty of cheap fence wiring at your local home and garden store, and the process of building a fence is actually much simpler than you might think. It’ll probably take you a few hours on one of your days off to put up the fence, but it will definitely be worth it if you’re having trouble with squirrels, deer, and other animals. You usually don’t need to worry about putting a top on the fence because most critters won’t simply dive in from the trees above.

Get Rid of Possible Living Spaces

Help your garden by removing objects such as weeds, decaying plants, and old leaves that can be home to bugs and diseases that can harm your plants. You can also encourage insects to find new living spaces if you regularly till your garden soil so that any tunnels or dirt clumps are taken care of. By getting rid of possible living spaces, you let your garden claim ‘no vacancy’ to pests that can harm it.

Use Dormant Spray

Another way to rid your garden of the pests is to use dormant spray, which is used to keep destructive insects and diseases under control. It is best that you use dormant spray when your plants are dormant, usually around February or early March. I have used dormant spray many times on my garden and it has worked wonders on keeping insects out. However, make sure that you are correctly following the instructions of any pest killing/repelling sprays, as if you use them haphazardly, you can end up doing damage to your garden.

Use Bird Feeders

The solution for birds is quite different from the approach you needed to take for insects. Rather than encouraging birds away by destroying their homes, you need to offer them a better place to eat and play. This can be offered through bird feeders and baths. This way, the birds have something to eat instead of your garden. Bird feeders will save you money in the long run and help lessen the problems that birds can cause for your garden.

Set Traps

If you start seeing mounds of dirt around your yard, and your plants keep dying, you can assume that you have a gopher problem. Gophers are rodents that are five to fourteen inches long. Their fur can be black, light brown, or white, and they have small tails. One method of getting rid of these root-eating pests is to set traps. The key to successfully capturing a gopher using a trap is to successfully locate the gopher’s tunnels and set the trap correctly. Another way to get rid of them is to use smoke bombs, which you place into the tunnel and the smoke spreads throughout it and hopefully reaches the gopher.

Get an Outdoor Cat

Another method to scare birds away is by employing the use of those who enjoy chasing them, such as cats, dogs, or kids. But keep in mind that cats, dogs, and kids can also cause damage to your garden. Cats are the perfect animal to choose when you need something to protect your garden, and this is especially true if you live in a residential area. Your cat will be happy to chase away any critters out in your yard, and they will also be able to get rid of a mouse problem if you live out in the sticks. Squirrels, chipmunks, and birds will no longer be a problem once you have a cat in the yard.

Don’t Be Afraid to Take Them Out

If you cannot seem to find anything that works in curbing your squirrel problem, then you can’t be afraid to take them out. A simple pellet gun is usually enough to get the job done, but you also need to think about what the neighbors will think. They may get a little nervous if they see you taking out squirrels in the backyard on a regular basis.

If you suspect that your gardens are being pillaged by any of the pests I mentioned, I encourage you to try your hardest to eliminate the problem as soon as possible. The longer you let the species stay, the more established it will become.

If you need help in eliminating garden pests from your backyard , call us at 805-773-5395 or

09 Sep 2011
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Healthy Hands Start with Gardening Gloves

Types of Gardening Gloves

There are many great benefits when it comes to gardening, however, one of the drawbacks is the heinous amount of damage that gardening can do to your hands. In order to prevent cuts, bruises, sores,  etc. it is important to use gardening gloves.

Like tools, the kind of gardening gloves that you will need depend on your garden and method of gardening. Some gloves protect against chemicals and substances, while certain gloves like leather gloves are not optimal for that particular job. Lots of gardening gloves are made specifically for handling thorns, or filling up gas tanks, while others are for everyday chores like digging and weeding.

When you find the kind of gardening glove that you need,  pick out the perfect fit for your hand. You don’t want to buy gloves that will slip off your hand or leave room for thorns to fall inside, but you also don’t want gloves that are too small and will cause discomfort.If you are not going to wear the proper glove, you may as well not wear a glove at all. Test out gloves by trying the gloves on both hands, making a fist, and imitating the movements you make while gardening.

Choosing the Right Gardening Gloves

Like any other product, gardening gloves come in many different shapes, brands, and level of quality and price. The most popular gardening gloves are made of cotton and cotton-polyester for basic chores. These are great for light chores in cool,dry weather.

Leather gloves will protect your hands more when you are getting into the heavy-duty chores.  Chemical-resistant gloves will protect you from things like  acids, pesticides, oils,  herbicides,  and other dangerous chemicals.You can even find gloves that offer better grip or protection from cuts and scrapes.  Always wear your gardening gloves to protect your hands so that you can continue to grow a beautiful garden.

If you are beginning to garden, then you definitely should purchase a pair of dependable gardening gloves. Gloves protect your hands from things such as thorns, blisters, and cuts while working in the garden. Investing in one or more pairs of quality gloves is a good decision.

Here are some tips on how to choose the pair that will suit you best:
1. If mud bothers you, select rubber gloves with cotton lining.

2. When pruning roses, use gloves that reach up to the arms.

3. Light cotton or even fingerless gloves may be useful for transplanting seedlings. They will allow more dexterity and so help to prevent the tiny roots from being crushed.

4. Look for quality leather gloves with a cloth back; this will let the gloves breathe and keep your hands dry, cool and comfortable.

5. If you usually operate large garden machinery, buy gloves in brown instead of red as the latter may dye your hands.

6. When spraying pesticides or chemicals choose gloves that are made from neoprene. Gloves made from latex or any type of plastic may not offer the best protection.

7. And of course, make sure that the gloves you buy actually fit your hands. If you have small hands, try the children’s gardening section. there’s nothing worse than trying to garden is gloves that are too big.

Your gloves must be comfortable as well as give protection to best serve your gardening needs.

Need help with your gardening efforts? Contact Evergreen Landscaping at 805-773-5395

05 Aug 2011
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Interior Trees that Works Best for your Home

 

The summer season brings hot weather. It’s the time when we appreciate the shade of a beautiful interior trees. Trees provide other benefits, too. They can block the wind, help clean the air, provide fruit and nuts and create a hospitable habitat for wildlife. Trees can also serve as a great place for the kids to play. If you want an interior trees in your home, do you know how to select the right tree—one that will live a long time?

If your yard doesn’t have interior trees at the moment, you may want to think about planting some. Studies show that trees and landscaping add value to your property. Even if you do not intend to sell your property, trees can provide years of enjoyment. If you have interior trees in your house, check to see that they are healthy. If they are near the end of their life or show signs of decline, you may want to plant new trees that will become established before the old trees are removed.

Benefits for Planting Trees

Have you wondered what you could do to reduce greenhouse gases and address global warming? Planting trees will help! One of the greenhouse gases causing the most concern is carbon dioxide. Plants take this gas out of the air and use it in photosynthesis. Carbon is stored in the wood and living tissues of trees. When leaves fall and are composted, carbon is added to the soil. This improves the soil for plant growth and stores more of the carbon in the form of soil organic matter. Carbon can be stored for hundreds of years in the trunks of trees or in the form of lumber, furniture, and other wood products. By planting trees in your yard, you can help reduce greenhouse gases.

A large shade tree planted on the southwest side of the house can provide cooling shade in the summer and help lower air conditioning costs. Once the leaves drop in the fall, the winter sun is free to warm your house on cold winter days. Evergreen trees can be planted to block cold winter winds and help reduce winter heating costs.

Trees also give shelter and food for a variety of wildlife. While installing bird feeders will help attract birds to your yard, providing them with nearby trees and shrubs to escape danger, build nests, and obtain food, will be even more effective. When picking out a tree, consider what value they may offer to the wildlife in your community.

interior trees

Trees can offer years of enjoyment. Planting trees and watching them grow can be part of your family’s memories. Consider planting a tree to commemorate a milestone in your family’s life. While raking leaves may seem like a chore as you get older, jumping in piles of leaves can be a treat for children. Hanging a swing, building a tree house, or simply relaxing under the shade of a tree on a hot summer day can be a memorable experience.

Selecting the Right Interior Trees

When looking for that perfect interior trees for your home, pick one with good form. Most trees should have one main leader (trunk) and a balanced number of side branches. They should look healthy and free from insect damage–and show evidence of growth. Be sure to get your interior trees from a reputable nursery that has inspected and certified stock. Select a tree that is native to your area because it will have an easier time growing and prospering than a tree that is not used to the conditions of your area.

interior trees

When buying interior trees it is really important to make sure that the tree will transplant well from the nursery to your designated area inside your home. There are many different ways to transport a tree and some may have different needs than others. Balled and bur lapped trees usually transplant well. The tree’s root system is contained within the ball of soil; the soil remains firm around the root system to minimize transplant shock. You do not want a tree that has been allowed to dry out. Make sure your tree’s root ball is kept moist prior to planting.

Container grown trees spend at least part of their life in a pot. These trees transplant well from early spring into fall. The root mass will come out of the pot intact if it is a container-grown tree. There should be plenty of feeder roots–those thin, hair-like roots–but not so many roots that the tree has become pot-bound. Make sure to check the roots for damage. Rodent damage is easy to spot—you will see evidence of chewing and, possibly, tunnels or holes. Avoid any tree with a foul odor coming from the root area because it is probably suffering from disease.

Bare root trees are usually extremely small plants. Most of these trees are best planted in winter if the ground is not frozen or in early spring before the leaves come out. The roots are exposed, so the trees must be stored in a humid, cool place, where the roots are kept covered with a moist material until planting time.

What are the Best Interior Trees?

 

There are a large variety of different accessories to look at when it comes to decorating your home, but one item that many people overlook is interior trees. These trees can really bring a room together, and it’s always nice to have a little bit of greenery in the interior of your home. Whether you’re looking for something to bring life into the office or you just want to have something to look at on a lazy Sunday in your own home, these trees are some of the best options to look at.

Schefflera Tree

Also known as the umbrella tree, the schefflera tree has large leaves that work when you are trying to create a tropical or island feel in your home. They do need a bit more light than most other options during the day, but it’s definitely worth it if you can make it work in your building. These trees can grow to be up to eight feet tall.

Dragon Tree

Many people are first drawn towards this tree because of its name, but you may have also heard of it referred to as the “Madagascar tree”. This is a great option when you want something that is easy to maintain because it does not require very much extra maintenance on your part. One of the most interesting aspects of this tree is that you can actually control the direction that the branches grow over time.

Rubber Tree

A third option when you are looking to add a tree to your home is the rubber tree. Most people like to keep this tree short and thin when they place it in the interior of their home, and the big, dark leaves can make it work in any room around the house. This is another tree that can grow to be up to eight feet tall if you don’t trim it on a regular basis.

Lemon Tree

Perhaps the most useful tree on this list, the lemon tree will be able to offer you beauty and fresh lemons. The aroma that comes from this tree is powerful enough to freshen your entire home while it is in full bloom, so you won’t have to worry about getting home air fresheners for a while. The usual routine with this tree is to have it in the patio during the summer and bring it back inside during the winter.

Interior trees add so much to the home landscape! They provide shade, clean air, habitat for wildlife, value to your property, and even memories. Knowing what to look for will help you select the right interior trees. A healthy tree will last a long time and provide many benefits. Happy planting!

Interested in more interior trees ideas? Contact us at 805-773-5395 or click-for-consultation

22 Jul 2011
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How to get your Dream Yard

dream yardDo you find yourself daydreaming about what your yard could look like someday? When you are looking through gardening magazines filled with beautiful trees, shrubs, flowers and beautiful pictures of landscaped yards with all of the lovely ponds and garden statues, do you wonder what is best for your dream yard? Before going overboard with ordering dozens of plants or simply giving up because you are overwhelmed at what to do, here are some things to consider.

A common challenge in landscaping for your dream yard is creating the right environment you want. While fencing can provide privacy, also think of using a buffer strip of shrubbery between your yard and the yard next door. Many shrubs will grow within a couple of years and act as a screen and provide a habitat for a variety of birds. You may want to plant native shrubs because they are usually well adapted to local conditions and may provide the best habitat for local wildlife. Additional things to consider are whether the plants have special characteristics such as flowers or fruits, how large they will eventually be, and how much maintenance they require to maintain healthy and in scale with your yard. You can check with your local nursery or garden center for recommended species.

If you always thought it would be fun to have a pond, give it a try. With so many choices of materials on the market, anyone can have a garden pond, regardless of the size of the yard. If you have lots of room, you can build one right in the ground. You can purchase a pre-formed mold or dig a hole and line it with a plastic pond liner. A simple type of pond consists of a plastic lined barrel or tub. Just add water, plants, a pump, and even fish–and you have a pond for your patio. Be sure to consider your sources of electricity if you need to add a pump. Also, be certain to use caution and take necessary security measures if small children have access to your yard and the pond. Another factor to keep in mind is maintenance. A pond can require a lot of effort to keep it clear of algae, leaves, and debris.

If you do not want to spend your weekends doing yard work, a wildflower garden may be right for you. Depending on where you live, this could be a prairie, desert landscape, or alpine garden. Check on local zoning ordinances to make sure you follow any necessary rules. Some communities have not yet recognized the value of “native landscaping” and may consider this within their landscaping options. If you want a more maintained yard, consider ground covers instead of grass and use mulch to control weeds in foundation plantings and flower beds.

When choosing plants, make sure they are acclimated to your area. Consider both the minimum and maximum temperatures, amount of moisture, amount of sunlight, and soil characteristics. You need to decide if you want an annual that will need replanting annually or a perennial that comes up year after year? Do you want cut flowers for inside your home or to give to friends? All this should play a part in your decision.

Native plants are usually better adapted to local conditions and need less maintenance. Be cautious about introducing new, exotic species that may become invasive or may be prohibited in some areas.

The main thing is, choose what you like for your dream yard. There is an enormous variety of plants that will add beauty to your yard as well food and shelter to a wide variety of wildlife. With a little planning, you can get started on the yard of your dreams. If you need more help with your landscaping, the professional landscapers at Evergreen Landscaping are here for you. Contact us today at 805-773-5395 to get started!