5 Steps Can Help You in Finding the Best Polytunnel for Your Area

5 Steps Can Help You in Finding the Best Polytunnel for Your Area
By Kamna Chasta

Agriculture and horticulture, both are the business types which need some kind of solution that can protect the crops from odd weather condition. The best solution which can tolerate the harsh weather condition efficiently is the Poly tunnel. You can buy the one for your residential property- if you have a garden in your home. Several other types of businesses also buy these tunnels for varied storage needs.

If you are thinking to spend money on a Polyethylene shade, then consider a few tips that can help you in buying the best product for agricultural or horticultural needs.

What you Need?

Every product is designed to meet with the specific requirements of individuals or businesses. These tunnels are also designed to provide protection from the storm, heat, rain, and winter. If you are planning to buy a tunnel, then first ask yourself a few questions. What are the requirements? Why need the shade? What type of area you want to cover? You should be very clear about your requirements to get the best solution. What if you want to raise seed or keep your garden frost-free in winter? Hence, it is always good to buy a product which can best match with your needs.

Check the Size:

Before you buy, you should make sure about the size of the area which you want to cover and size of the tunnel which will be covering that area. Measure the specific area and the tunnel also to get the best fit. Keep the scalability in mind before making the purchase. If there are chances of expanding the area in the future for growth, then opt for the suitable size of cover which can fulfill your growing requirements in future.

Is it Accessible Enough?

The accessibility should also be one of the main concerns while choosing a shade. How many plants you can grow and how much floor space will you have for the work? Do you need the water supply nearest to the tunnel or electricity for heating? A tunnel should also have the space for one or two persons to move around. Keep all these points in mind for accessibility before buying a product.

Types of Cover:

Covers generally come in several varieties and have several variants according to the material. Each is designed to solve various growing purposes. PVC, netting, Polyethylene are a few types of materials which are used to design these tunnels to provide protection from UV rays and cool wind. On the other side, they are categorized broadly into two types. One has continuous arc and named cross-sectional. Another has straight sides and arcs across the top. You can choose the one which can meet with your functional requirements. Choose the best type of cover which can offer the best result for your agriculture or horticulture needs.

Location of Installation:

Make sure about the evenness of the area where you are going to install the tunnel. The area should be in level; however, a slight slope in the length can be ignored.

These steps can help you in finding the best polytunnel for your area. You should conduct proper research about the manufacturer or supplier and the product quality. Make sure that the types of shade product you are going to buy for your property have adequate ventilation to help plants in growing.

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Things Plant-Crazy People Have at Home

Things Plant-Crazy People Have at Home
By Lexxa Molijon

It was my first time visiting the boyfriend at his home. I was so nervous that I think will pee or collapse on the floor, whichever will come first. While left along the in their living room, I look around. I wasn't prepared to be amazed by what I saw. Can you guess what?

They say that curiosity killed the cat. But, I'm not a cat, right? But, I find myself standing and walking around their house.

I found myself standing in front of a magical crystal orb a size of a fish bowl. I peeked inside a saw layers of stone, pebbles, charcoal and soil topped with plastic looking plants. Later that day, I discovered it was a terrarium. I should have known by now that his mother is a plant enthusiast. I wonder where they bought it. I also want something like it on my bedside table. Perhaps one of these days, I can ask him to teach if how to create one.

Still, the boyfriend and the rest of the family is nowhere to be found. I moved deeper into their home and smiled because I saw a shelf full of books. From children's storybooks to cookbooks to Harry Potter, I wonder why the boyfriend hasn't told me that he likes Harry Potter. I have been a Potterhead since forever. I opened one of my favorite, the Goblet of Fire when I found dried and pressed flowers inside random pages. There are roses, chrysanthemums, daisies and many of those I couldn't name. They were beautiful.

Finally, he emerged out of his bedroom. He said he took a shower. Yes, he did. How did I know? His hair is wet and he smelled of fresh flowers-- some kind of lavender. Like the judgmental person that I am, it crossed my mind if he is not as straight as he appears to be. I was surprised that he said, "my mom buys our shampoo." I really tried not to laugh, I was so embarrassed.

Going outside their backyard, this is where I connected all the pieces. His mother is a very big fan of plants and flowers. Their garden affirmed. It is a bed of various plants and flowers that are creatively planted and architectured. Recyclable flower plants like colored boots, crates, and creative clay pots are everywhere. On the center of the garden is a round table with lots of delicious looking foodstuff.

My smile couldn't get any bigger when he offered me a bouquet of colorful carnations. I think I would keep this one.

Do you know someone from Australia who loves plants and flowers that they live and breathe for these beautiful blossoms? Surprise them with mesmerizing blooms with flower delivery Adelaide.

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The Best Gardening Tips for Spring Preparation

The Best Gardening Tips for Spring Preparation
By Adelyn Taylor

With such a cold winter, many gardeners are delighted that the spring is finally here. Even better, it is time to plant seeds and cultivate gardens which will bring about the hot green attractiveness of the spring season. However, without early preparation, your gardening might not be successful. Below are some of the very best strategies to organize your gardens for the spring season.

Start looking for seeds and bulbs

If you'd like to plant flowers such as lilies, it is time for you to start ordering seeds and bulbs. Otherwise, you will miss out on the radiant summer display. You could get the seeds online or purchase them from the nearest store in your neighborhood. Make sure the seeds and bulbs are in excellent condition to avoid disappointments late in the season when the planting season has passed.

Cleaning the garden

If there are debris in the garden, it is time for you to throw them out. Don't ignore the lawn and the pond. Remove any weeds from the garden and put them in a pile to create a compost that could be used when gardening. Dig up the soil in the garden and flowerbeds to make sure it doesn't harden. If you cannot do this yourself, it is time to find a gardening service.

Cleaning the greenhouse

If you'd like to plant in a greenhouse, it is time to do tidying. If there are any leftover plant debris in the containers, clear them out. Ensure that the seats and floors are cleaned completely to avoid bringing in any pests. Look at the temperature and everything necessary to make sure the greenhouse is in an amazing condition when the spring season starts.

Repairing gates

If you would like to divide the plants in your garden, you need to start fixing the gates. If you are using wooden fences, make sure they're properly treated to avoid pest attacks. Fix any broken latches and re-paint them accordingly to make your garden appealing when the planting starts.

Clean the gardening tools

Having thrown the gardening equipment in the shed during winter, it's about time to take them out of storage. Clean, sharpen and inspect them to make sure they are functioning well. Change broken or damaged equipment so that everything is working before you start planting.

Prepare compost/manure

If you'd like your crops to grow completely when the spring season comes, you have to be equipped with a large amount of garden compost and manure. However, you need to avoid using fertilizers or pesticides that can harm your plants. As such, any unwanted weeds or plants picked from the garden need to be placed in a compost area. On the other hand, it is also sensible to collect any animal droppings in your garden and store it for use as a compost.

Last but not least, you should be prepared with plenty of water supply when the seeds are planted. Without water, the plants will die within a short time. Therefore, store big containers of water to ensure there is a sufficient amount of water for the plants. Use these ideas to prepare your garden in time for spring.

If you want more info about Fast Landscape Gardening, please make sure you give us a call on 020 3322 6097.

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Gardens Of The Past

Gardens Of The Past
By Cynthia Allen

Gardening In Ancient Egypt

In the hot climate of Egypt, the rich liked to rest under trees for their shade. Gardens were created enclosed by walls with trees in rows. Sometimes they grew alternating trees. They grew sycamores, date palms, fig trees, nut trees, pomegranate trees, and willows. Vineyards were grown to make wine that only the rich drank. The common people drank beer.

A large variety of flowers including roses, poppies, irises, daisies, and cornflowers were grown. Also, they liked to grow fragrant trees and shrubs. Their gardens had rectangular ponds sometimes stocked with fish.

The Egyptians believed the Gods liked gardens. Gardens were usually around the Temples. There were different trees associated with different Gods.

The gardens were beautiful so they were used for pleasure and produce. Gardens were used to produce fruit, vegetables, olive oil, and to produce wine.

Gardening In Ancient Iraq

In the Ancient World, beautiful gardens were created in Iraq. The Assyrians came from Iraq and in the period 900 BC - 612 BC they ruled a great empire in the middle east. The upper-class Assyrians enjoyed gardens. Gardens were irrigated by water canals. They planted trees such as palms and cypresses. Trees were planted in rows by alternating the species like the Egyptians. Ponds were created and they cultivated vines and some flowers.

The Assyrian Empire was destroyed in 612. A huge empire was created there by the city-state of Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar is supposed to have built one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Which is the hanging garden of Babylon. His wife missed her homeland so the King built a stepped terrace garden for here. Man-powered pumps watered it. (Probably a chain pump)

Greek Gardening

The Greeks weren't very good gardeners. They used trees to provide shade around the Temple and other public places. You rarely saw gardens just for pleasure. When flowers were grown they were put in pots. Gardens were grown for practical reasons. They grew Orchards, Vineyards, and vegetable gardens.

Roman Gardening

Gardening was introduced to Egypt in 30 BC when they were conquered by the Romans. The rich Romans created gardens next to their palaces and villas. They were masters of any of the topiary. The gardens had statues and sculptures. They built homes around a countryard which had a colonnaded porch, a pool, and a fountain. There were beds of flowers in the courtyard.

The gardens are lined with hedges and vines. There were a lot of flowers such as acanthus, cornflower, crocus, cyclamen, hyacinth, iris and ivy, lavender, lilies, myrtle, narcissus, poppy, rosemary, and violet.

When Rome conquered Britain they introduced a number of new plants including roses, leeks, turnips, and plumbs. Once Rome fell gardening declined in western Europe. Churches made some gardens for growing herbs for medicine. Altars were decorated with flowers.

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Trichoderma Species As Biofertilizers

Trichoderma Species As Biofertilizers
By Bill Baugh

There are several species of Trichoderma fungi that are used as biofertilizers. In this post, we'll talk about the most commonly used Trichoderma. We'll also talk about the benefits of using Trichoderma for farming, agriculture and home gardening.

Trichoderma Fungi

First, some background on Trichoderma fungi. Trichoderma species are the most prevalent type of fungi in soils and they are present worldwide in almost all soil types. They are microscopic and are generally considered avirulent plant symbionts. In other words, they form a symbiotic, or mutually beneficial, relationship with plants.

It's this symbiotic relationship that biofertilizers try to exploit. The idea is simple, by adding more Trichoderma the plant receives more benefit.

Benefits of Trichoderma

I've discussed the benefits to the plant of Trichoderma in another post, so I'll just summarize the highlights here.

• Trichoderma generally increase both root and shoot growth.
• Improves the nutrient status of the plant
• Production of growth promoting hormones
• Phosphate solubilization
• Increased uptake of minerals such as Cu (copper), Fe(Iron), Zn (Zinc), and Na (Sodium).

Trichoderma Species Used as Biofertilizers

Most of the Trichoderma species listed here provide the benefits from above. I'll talk a bit about the additional benefits of some of the fungi. It's important to note that Trichoderma applications can be made as seed treatment, as a foliar treatment, or as a drench treatment.

Trichoderma harzianum increases plant tolerance to environmental factors like drought and high soil salinity. T. harzianum increases mineral absorption.

Trichoderma viride, when used as a seed treatment, increases the germination rate in a number of crops.

Trichoderma reesi has the ability to secrete large amounts of cellulolytic enzymes and has a number of uses in biotechnology. In fact, it is used to create stone washed jeans because of this ability.

Trichoderma koningii is known to increase the growth of seedlings and secretes seed germination factors.

Trichoderma polysporum is normally found in cooler climates and conveys all of the benefits associated with the other Trichoderma fungi.

It's the versatility of Trichoderma that increases its value as a biofertilizer. The fungi are found in all types of soils and seem to survive and grow in almost any soil conditions. Further, Trichoderma have important uses as biofungicides. Although it's beyond the scope of this article, this biofungicial activity is why Trichoderma were generally studied in the first place.

As you can see there are a number of species of Trichoderma fungi that are used as biofertilizers. These uses are surely to be explored and exploited in the years to come.

Custom Biologicals manufactures a number of Trichoderma based products, including Custom GP. Custom GP is a concentrated liquid biofertilizer containing 4 species of beneficial Trichoderma fungi.

Contact Custom for more information about using biofertilizers in agriculture, farming and gardening.

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Grow Bigger, Healthier, Plants and Vegetables

Grow Bigger, Healthier, Plants and Vegetables
By Bill Baugh

Grow Bigger, Healthier Crops and Vegetables

The goal of every farmer and every gardener is to grow bigger, healthier, more productive crops and vegetables. Whether the crop is 1000 acres of beans or a backyard with herbs, spices and tomatoes, healthier plants are the desired outcome. The health of all plants starts with the root system.

Nutrient Absorption by Plants

The root system has a number of important functions, but for our purposes the absorption of nutrients is the topic we'll discuss. Of particular interest is the rhizosphere, The rhizospere is generally defined as the region of soil around the root influenced by root secretions and the microorganisms present.

Beneficial Microorganisms in the Root Zone

It's these microorganisms in the rhizosphere, or root zone, that can have a large impact on root development and ultimately plant growth.

The plant and the microorganisms form a symbiotic, mutually beneficial, relationship. The plant secretes many compounds into the rhizosphere. These secretions attract microorganisms including mychorrhizae, Trichoderma, and bacteria. These microorganisms, in turn, secrete a number of growth factors and hormones that help the plants grow to their fullest potential. Here's a few benefits from beneficial microorganisms:

1. Plant Growth Promotion - production of plant growth hormones including auxins.
2. Nitrogen Fixation
3. Enhanced root growth
4. Increase supply of nutrients including Phosphorus solubilization
5. Increase the efficiency of traditional fertilizers such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium.

Each of these benefits could be a topic to itself, but for today let's just note that microorganisms provide the plant with any number of benefits.

One of the keys, then, to growing bigger, healthier plants is to make sure the soils contain adequate amounts of beneficial microorganisms. In fact, hundreds of scientific research studies have shown that the use of beneficial microorganisms helps grow bigger, healthier plants and crops.

Biofertilizers

How can farmers and gardeners take advantage of the power of beneficial microorganisms? They can use biofertilizers. Very simply, Biofertilizers are fertilizers that contain living microorganisms. The use of biofertilizers, sometimes called soil probiotics or soil amendments, will increase the amount of beneficial soil microorganisms in the root zone.

Biofertilizers can be applied to crops in a number of ways. They can be applied as a seed treatment, as a root drench or as a foliar application. The key is to make sure that the biofertilizer gets to the root zone in the most efficient manner.

The use of beneficial microorganisms can have a great benefit for the farmer and gardener. The key to growing bigger, heathier plants is to use biofertilizers.

Custom Biologicals manufactures a number of biofertilizers and beneficial microorganisms for use by farmers and gardeners.

Biota Max is a revolutionary, biofertilizer containing 10 species of beneficial microorganisms. Biota Max is an effervescent tablet containing billions of beneficial bacteria and Trichoderma. Each tablet contains enough beneficial microorganisms to treat 1/4 acre.

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Gardening Without Pesticides Is Practical

Gardening Without Pesticides Is Practical
By Janina White

I have made it my determination never to use pesticides. This was not a decision that I made based on philosophy or even environmental consciousness. On the contrary, I bore witness to the extraordinary ease and effectiveness by which natural predators dispose of the most pernicious and damaging of garden pests.

In the mid-2000s, I began my first serious attempt at a large garden. I did the research about how to do as little work as possible. In the early fall, I put materials over the lawn to kill it. I dumped leaves into my beds instead of tilling. Allowing the biological process of decay do the work would invite a sturdy network of fungi to help bring nutrients to the plants. Finally, I used a technique called wintersowing to sow my seeds outside during the winter. I only planted native varieties, the idea being that they would be a boon to natural pollinators. Native plants would be able to care for themselves once established.

The real work came in the spring. Planting, watering new plants, only to plant and water more new plants, was a daily routine. I was sore in places I didn't know had muscles, but the garden was doing very well. It was green, perfect, and all native.

The bees and butterflies came, but so did everything I had failed to anticipate. My new 'serious' garden began to be eaten before my eyes. There were all sorts of native leaf chewers: Aphids, slugs, and caterpillars to name a few. Leaves were mined and skeletonized and fell off. Flowers and buds were being sucked into oblivion.

However, the damage that really hurt my feelings was to the roses. When the Japanese beetles arrived, my roses were denuded of both foliage and flower. That was when I first felt the desperate fury that comes when a gardener is faced with crop failure. Up until now, I wanted nature to do the work. This time I felt like I had to do something.

However, the idea of spraying the roses still repelled me. I simply did not want to have roses that you had to keep out of the reach of children for fear they would ingest them. Therefore, I turned away from that idea and began looking for organic ways to help. There was not much I could do. Picking the beetles off the bushes with my hands and putting them in a bucket of soapy water was the best most had to offer. I got to work.

It did not help. I did not get a single rose that year. At the end of the season, I read that Fall and Winter would be a good time to solicit natural help in the form of birds. I put up a wren house, I put out the bird seed, and I put out water all winter long.

The fate of the Japanese beetles - and every other garden pest - was sealed the day I decided not to spray the roses. Predators had already moved in in numbers! But they weren't at the right life stage to help. Syrphid flies, many wasps, and other insects are only predators as larva. However, because I didn't spray, they laid eggs all over the garden.

I got an avian resident. A male house wren stuffed sticks in the wren house and sang until he attracted a female. The females are the ones who choose the nest site, and she chose my garden. In a few weeks, when the days were warming and I was fearing another attack by the pests, she laid seven eggs.

I am no expert on bird fertility, but it wouldn't make much survival sense for her to be so fertile in the presence of little to no food. It was likely that both these wrens were already present in the garden and their bodies knew how many babies they could afford. Because I didn't spray, I got to see them diving from the house, straight down into the leaves and running around like little feathery wolves and returning with all manner of caterpillars. They did this every day, all day long, the entire season. The wrens had to have devoured thousands, maybe even tens of thousands of insects.

The syrphid fly larva got to work on the aphids that were attacking my new growth. Centipedes got to work on the snails and slugs, as did the firefly larva who are surprisingly voracious and active hunters for worms. The snails and slugs would later attract garter snakes and a mole and a toad. Robins nested and had three chicks on the curve of my downspout. The wasps returned for the flowers and stayed for the hunting. They made off with plenty of insects, bringing them back to larva to eat. Spiders moved in. There were so many green crab spiders that I called the zinnia flowerbed the "Spider Condominiums". Every zinnia flower and a spider in it.

There were so many predators that my pest problems vanished. I concluded that my 'Garden Salad' had turned into the 'Garden of Death'. Pests who managed to survive long enough to chew and lay eggs would only have their eggs and larva eaten by something else. The lucky few who did manage to breed were inconsequential.

Gardening without pesticides takes time and, in my case, a crop failure, but I put away the mask and the gloves and the sprayer. Using them would have made things harder for myself, and easier on the pests. I learned that gardens need time to get established to thrive. Pesticides delay or prevent the garden from ever moving on from the "Garden Salad" stage to a healthy population of predator and prey. They are an expensive hindrance and can kill or discourage natural resources that help the garden be self-sustaining.

A pesticide-free garden continued to grow in variety of species of insect and served as a wonderful classroom for young children and adults who wanted to learn from what the plants attracted. Once a gardener experiences the joy of a garden free of pesticides, he will never be able to return to using them.

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What You Need to Know About Buffering Agents

What You Need to Know About Buffering Agents
By James Youngblood

A buffering agent helps prevent a rapid change in pH of a solution when other substances are added or mixed with the solution. For example, most shampoos are buffered so that they are slightly acidic. The buffer counteracts the alkalinity of soap. If either of these substances become too acidic or too alkaline, they could damage your skin and hair.

Human blood pH should be slightly alkaline (7.35 - 7.45). Below or above this range would cause symptoms and disease. If blood pH moves below 6.8 or above 7.8, cells stop functioning and the body dies. The body, therefore, continually strives to balance pH. Many forms of life will survive only within a relatively small pH range so they utilize a buffer to maintain a constant pH.

Another example of how a buffering agent is commonly used is in aspirin. Without buffering, aspirin can irritate the lining of the stomach and lead to serious medical conditions such as bleeding and ulcers. The antacid properties of buffering agents are thought to help maintain the pH balance and and may help prevent side effects. Whether aspirin buffers actually work is still controversial.

The most common problem with aquarium water chemistry is pH. Although most fish will thrive in a wide range of pH, rapid changes may cause stress leading to disease or death. Though some exotic fish such as Discus are more particular about pH, even most of these fish are only particular about pH when they are breeding. The fish will not spawn if the proper pH is not maintained. There is a growing trend to believe that the pH in a fish tank needs to be around 7.0 which in most cases in simply not true for fish. However, in aquaponics, we also have to consider the pH requirements of the plants. Plants, in general, in water that has a lower pH than ordinary tap water.

If your tap water contains buffers, and almost all tap water does, it probably keeps the pH around 8.0 or slightly alkaline. This can make it difficult to lower the pH in your tank. The water will maintain a high pH because of the buffers. You will need to add enough acid to neutralize the buffer. However, by the time you have added enough acid to overcome the buffer, you will have enough acid in the water to cause a precipitous drop in pH.

Water has a pH of 7 naturally, but the water you are using in your tank may be different because of the chemicals that are suspended or dissolved in the water. These chemicals fall into three categories: acids, bases, and buffers. Acids are chemicals that lower the pH, or make the water more acidic. Bases are chemicals that raise the pH of the water, or make it more basic (or alkaline). Buffers are chemicals that can prevent changes and keep the water at a specific pH. Different buffers will keep the pH at different values.

If you need to lower pH, you could add some type of acid. Muriatic acid is commonly used to lower the pH of swimming pools. If you need to raise pH, you could add a product that is alkaline such as sodium carbonate commonly know as soda ash.

In simplistic terms, a buffer would be something that has both acid and alkaline properties. When pH starts to rise, the buffer would release acid to reduce pH. If the pH begins to decrease, the alkaline agent would be released to increase the pH.

If you are Walter White (Breaking Bad), you will probably mix you own buffers. However, most of us will be better off buying a commercial product that is formulated to keep pH at a certain level. Seachem, for example, is one company that makes buffers that will work for most aquaponic applications.

To learn more about aquaponics and information about setting up your own aquaponics system visit http://www.aquaponicswebsite.com

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The Interesting Reason Behind the Obnoxious Smell of the Corpse Flower

The Interesting Reason Behind the Obnoxious Smell of the Corpse Flower
By Mae Cimafranca

Titan Arum, also called "Corpse Flower", is one of the world's largest flowers. Well, technically, it is an inflorescence - a group of flowers gathered around a spadix and surrounded by a spathe. Its scientific name is Amorphophallus titanum, which basically describes the flower's distinct shape. Based on the Latin words amorphous (misshapen), phallus (penis), and titanum (giant), this flower can grow to around 10 to 15 feet with leaves typically spreading to a massive 13 feet in width. Titan Arum is also relative to the skunk cabbages, duckweeds, calla lilies, and jack-in-the-pulpits.

Why the flower smells so nasty?

It all comes down to science. Flowers need pollination for its species to thrive. The corpse flower's way of attracting pollinators is through its stinky odor, dark burgundy color, and warm temperature reaching up to 98 degrees Fahrenheit. By imitating the nature of a dead animal, the flower is able to attract its primary pollinators - the carnivorous insects such as dung beetles and flesh flies, which love feasting on dead flesh.

Primarily, titan arum is so big it can take up to seven to ten years to fully bloom and then lives for only a couple of days - more or less four days. For that reason, the flower needs its strong stinky odor to draw the attention of the carnivorous insects that are hunting for food even if they are half a mile away. The insects will mistaken the flower for food. They will then fly inside this flower, crawl all over it, and with much dismay - as there aren't any food inside it - they will fly off the flower with its pollens stuck on their feet.

This process will ensure that there is an ample pollination of the species. The corpse flower relies on massive pollination to ensure that its species will never go extinct because of its significantly short life. It is worth remembering that this flower can only live to around four days after it has completely blossomed.

In the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, where a titan arum they cultivated bloomed recently, spectators noticed that the flower will release an aroma every after 20 to 30 seconds using its pulses. The aroma is very strong that it's almost similar to a rotten flesh. After two to four days, its spadix died down followed by its flower that withered down into a compost.

When the corpse flower has fully bloomed and the pollination process has been completed, this will eventually contract and wilt. Then you will have to wait for a couple more years - or a decade - to see another titan arum in full bloom.

Who should we thank (or blame) for the discovery of this huge stinky flower?

The corpse flower was first discovered by a botanist from Italy, whose name was Odoardo Beccari, in 1878 while he was trekking the rainforests of Sumatra in Indonesia. Although the flower typically grows in the wild tropical forests of the Asian continent, its seeds have been distributed and have also been cultivated to grow on various botanic gardens around the world such as the Adelaide Botanic Garden in Australia, where it drew a large gathering of crowds.

In February of 2016, ten thousand people came to visit and see the corpse flower in the botanic garden. The flower, after years of cultivation, finally bloomed and all of its spectators never bothered themselves about its extremely stinky smell. People came to witness one of the world's largest and stinkiest flower, which they might not be able to see in the next ten years, and for them, that was already rewarding.

The corpse flower in Adelaide Botanic Gardens may stink, but there are far more fragrant flowers Adelaide is growing. Check them out now.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Mae_Cimafranca/2271435
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The Advantages of Aquaponics Gardening - Organic Fresh Food

The Advantages of Aquaponics Gardening - Organic Fresh Food
By Kevin Pola

I will be discussing the benefits of Aquaponics gardening over conventional soil based gardening.

So firstly we will look at the benefits then we will go into what you need to look at before you start your Aquaponics backyard garden.

The benefits of an Aquaponics System are:

1. Due to the fact you will not be using soil there is no weeding.

2. Watering is eliminated because water is circulated automatically from the fish pond to the grow bed. Aquaponics use about 10% of the water used by conventional gardening.

3. All fertilizers are supplied by the fish waste being circulated through the grow bed.

4. Soil pests are eliminated, no soil is used in an Aquaponics grow bed.

5. Your fruit and vegetables will grow at least twice as fast as conventional gardening.

6. Energy use is a lot less, estimated 70% saving.

7. More plants in the same area, up to 10 times.

8. All fruit and vegetables are totally organic.

9. Extremely low cost of growing your plants.

10. You have fresh organic fruit and vegetables to pick as you use them

Now what do you need to take into account when you are planning your DIY Aquaponics Garden?

1. What do you want to grow? It is important you know what plants you are going to grow so you know what size grow bed you need and how many fish you need to supply the nutrients required for you plants to grow healthily.

2. Where you are going to build your garden? It is important you know how much room you have so you can build your Home Aquaponics Garden to a size that will suit and choose the right design.

3. What is your budget? Aquaponics is very scalable and can be a very small indoor garden right through to commercial systems. If you are on a small budget there is a system for you.

4. The type of system you will use? This will be determined by many factors. Budget, space, what you want to grow, the area you live in and many other factors. It is very important you research and understand which suits your needs.

Probably something you really should consider is if you will start from scratch and build your own Aquaponics Garden. There is great deal of research involved in planning your DIY Aquaponics which is very time consuming. It can also be very expensive if you get it wrong. Why reinvent the wheel when there are people out there who have already done this. They have developed Aquaponic Gardens of all types and know exactly what to look for and how to put them together. Consider getting professional plans to guide you through planning and building your aquaponics system.

This article is written to help you understand the advantages of gardeining using the Aquaponics method against the conventional soil growing (in the ground). There are many advantages not covered here but wht we have covered are the major points. You are welcome to visit my website to read more http://diyaquaponicswithkev.com/
Thank you for reading my article Kevin Pola.

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Keep Gardens Growing During July - Southern California's Driest Month of the Year

Keep Gardens Growing During July - Southern California's Driest Month of the Year
By Bill Camarillo

Rainfall has been at a premium in southern California and with July traditionally the driest month of the year, gardeners must take extra care to keep their gardens growing and landscapes looking their best.

Deep Water Your Lawn: Some cities have lifted or plan to lift watering restrictions, but many cities still require residents and businesses to water only once or twice a week. A lawn can still stay green with limited watering. Water lawns deeply-for the maximum time allowed (usually 15 minutes) so water penetrates six to eight inches into the soil. Make sure sprinklers produce limited excess spray to avoid evaporation Aerate you lawn making it easier for water to soak in.

Rethink Grass: Lawns are a landscape's biggest water guzzler. Many types of drought tolerant groundcover are available that can replace all or a portion of your lawn including lavender, ornamental grasses, sage, succulents, iris, geraniums and California fuchsia. Thoroughly remove the portion of lawn that will be replaced, till the soil and amend with compost before planting.

Add More Mulch: Organic mulch is usually made from recycled trees and other wood materials and comes in various chip sizes. Mulch naturally decomposes over time. Add mulch around plants and trees and make sure the mulch is about three inches deep. If less than that or if bare spots are showing, add another layer. Mulch is of particular value during summer because it keeps plant roots cool even during the heat of the day. It also reduces moisture loss and suppresses weed growth.

Encourage Vegetable Production: By now, the tomatoes, peppers and squash you planted in spring should be producing vegetables. Pick vegetables often, even if you don't plan to use them immediately. Vegetables that stay past its prime on a plant will produce a chemical that inhibits further blossoming. Check plants daily during the summer. Some vegetables, especially varieties of squash, seem to grow an inch or two overnight.

Leave Garlic and Onion Bulbs Alone: If you planted garlic and onions in spring, you may notice their foliage beginning to turn brown. If you see healthy bulbs just beneath the surface, stop watering and let the plant dry naturally. To prepare the bulbs for harvest, bend the foliage around the bulbs so the bulbs develop dry outer layers that will enable them to be stored for long periods.

Plant Vegetables for Fall Harvest: Because planting season is just about year-round in southern California, you still can grow a variety of vegetables in July and enjoy vegetables by late summer and early fall. These include beans, beets, carrots, corn, cantaloupe, okra squash and spinach.

Keep Rose Bushes in Full Bloom: Rose bushes should be awash in color in July as buds form rapidly during warm weather. To stimulate more buds, remove dried flowers by cutting back to the first leaf after the flower cluster.

Bill Camarillo is CEO of Agromin, an Oxnard, California-based manufacturer of soil products and the composter for cities throughout Southern California. Each month, Agromin receives more than 30,000 tons of organic material and then uses a safe, natural and sustainable process to transform the material into premium soil products. The results are more vigorous and healthier plants and gardens, and on the conservation side, the opportunity to close the recycling loop, allow more room in landfills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. http://www.agromin.com, https://www.facebook.com/agromin/

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What Is Involved in Gardening Services?

What Is Involved in Gardening Services?
By Adelyn Taylor

There is always beauty in nature - those fantastic flowers and trees. What is so frustrating sometimes is when you're far from the beauty of nature. How can gardening services help you?

Bringing nature outside your house does not sound bad.

Having a garden at home is what makes every person's stay at home refreshing when the situation calls for it. Especially when you only want to stay outside your house and let some time pass by. A garden is also something that is a handful to take; more so if you're a clean freak who wants everything to be in order.

If you are thinking about gardening as simply watering the plants, you're missing a big part of the picture because gardening is more than just plants in a pot. This is the reason why getting gardening services will always be a good thing.

Each garden requires lots of care, from irrigation, watering, pest control, landscaping, mulching, lawn restoration, and a lot more, it's truly one big work load for some. These are important for these reasons:

- Irrigation/watering

Everyone knows that unless the plant is a cactus, water is the most essential requirement of a plant. Without water, the plant will eventually die. So, one of the most important things in gardening is watering/irrigation of the plant. You wouldn't want to mess around with all the watering through a pail and dipper, right? So, an effective irrigation system will be of big help.

- Weed/pest control

Since it's unavoidable that at some point, there will be undesired visitors in the garden and those are the pests. It's important that a control is in place. In the world of gardening, pests might not be welcome, thus you might have to hire a gardening service.

- Landscaping

When it comes to becoming aesthetically amazing, a garden would certainly look its best when landscaped by an expert. Landscaping is there to improve the physical look of a garden.

- Mulching

Everyone is well aware that all plants are planted on soil. It's also true that the physical appearance is important in gardening; but this process - mulching - is also as much vital as that. This is because, mulching is about ensuring that the soil is healthy and appears clean and tidy.

Gardening may look lovely and an interest that might be a great one. But, this kind of activity requires lots of understanding, time and effort plus a hand from a number of experts who would give one hundred percent of their time making sure that they supply the quality Gardening Services that every garden owner needs. Because again, gardening isn't just watering those plants in the pots - it is more about ensuring that plants look amazing but are healthy as well.

To acquire more information about Gardening Services London, remember to ring 020 3322 6097.

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Things That Are Too Real For Gardeners

Things That Are Too Real For Gardeners
By Lexxa Molijon

Gardening is more than just a hobby. Some people take it vigorously that the art has become an academic discipline for some of us. But above all else, it is a passion that those who are truly skillful can be worthy to be called gardeners and be awarded a 'green thumb' badge.

For us who do not understand the beauty and fulfillment of gardening, here are things that only passionate gardeners can relate to.

Under your fingernails can be garden beds

You have used the entire area of the backyard that you are tempted to plant on your fingernails because of the dirt accumulated the entire day. It's not that you don't clean yourself, but the constant gardening activities do not really equate to clean hands. Despite washing your hands and scrubbing them clean after a day's work, you find yourself in the same dilemma day after day.

You think of naming your children Rose, Lily, and Daisy

Your love for flowers manifests in the different parts of your life. As of the moment, your SNS and blog usernames and passwords contain floral words and names. You are bordering on being obsessed with these beautiful creations. Yet, you decided to bring it up another notch and plan to name your future children with flowers. This is also a way to instill the value gardening while they are young.

Going out means visiting botanical gardens and plant expos

Spending a day in the garden still does not get you enough. A couple of your dates are spent strolling down the local gardens and only those who understand this passion is truly worthy of your love and attention. Sometimes, you just find yourself driving to these places to find peace and relaxation. Also, can you remember the time when you went out to buy grocery, and find yourself buying plants instead?

You can whip mean recipes from plants grown in your yard

You learn many things simply by growing plants and flowers. Incidentally, you learn patience and nurturing skills. More importantly, you learn practical abilities like cooking using fresh produce from your garden. You can perfectly whip out a dish, dessert or drink made from edible flowers and organic plants. Talk about a healthy diet.

You can name flowers better than you know the name of your cousins

While you love your family, you cannot match the names of your cousins to their faces. But with blooms, you could never go wrong. You devote most of your time growing them that you can name even the rare ones.

Gardeners are a different bunch of interesting people. There are realities that only they can understand. So, once in awhile, you may want to spend time with one and learn more than just planting and watering plants.

Do you know any plant enthusiast? Send flowers Sydney gardeners have in store and surprise them with pretty blossoms.

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Creative Flower Planters to Express Your Creative Self

Creative Flower Planters to Express Your Creative Self
By Lexxa Molijon

When you think that planting is all mud and dirt, then you have to rethink that thought. Time and again, gardening have been an avenue to express oneself. It may surprise you that it does not only give you relaxation and fulfillment in knowing that you are doing something that will benefit many people. But, gardening activities have a way to also bring out your creative self.

So, have some fun with gardening using these fantastic plant containers.

Snail Shells

Make sure that these shells are discarded by their owners. As an animal enthusiast, you can collect as many empty shells as you can to create an entire bunch of small flower planters that you can line-up on your window sill. This is perfect for those who are living and dorms and apartments, which does not have space for large plant containers.

Old Suitcase

If your life peg is wanderlust, then an old suitcase as flower planters suits your spirit for traveling. Look for a defective suitcase from your pile of travel essentials and enjoy creating planters made from it. Nothing says creative than marrying your interests in one craft project.

Rain Boots

Flowers have always been a staple motif for fashion. You are never caught in bad fashion, even when it rains. But, as the seasons change, we just threw away key fashion pieces. So, if you have rain boots with a missing pair, make use of it by repurposing it into artistic flower containers. Being a fashionista, this project has you written all over it.

Old Toys

One thing that Toy Story taught us is that we all grow and our most cherished toys will become a distant memory. Don't just keeping them in the attic. Bring them out and make imaginative planters out of them. You can recreate scenes straight out from your childhood days.

Candle Holders

Some people are into scented candles and all those relaxation shenanigans. If you are one of these fanatics, you may have a couple of candle holders hidden in your storage room. These things will make magnificent flower planters that are effortlessly creative. You are rid of unused things, while having an artistic representation of your inner yoga diva.

Baskets

What can you remember when you see baskets? Perhaps it will remind you of the picnics you had with family or friends or how your grandmother brings one while going to an early market shopping. For whatever use you have of the old baskets, these can also be good and decorative containers for plants and flowers.

Plastic Soda Bottles

Repurposing plastic soda bottles are big contributions to the preservation of the environment. Instead of throwing these non-biodegradables makes them into something sustainable. You can bring out the innate environmentalist in you and grow valuable plants from these bottles. Google has a lot to give you in properly growing plants from them. Also, don't forget to unleash your creative side to decorate these bottles.

Have flowers delivered Australia to your gardener and flower enthusiast friends from the Land Down Under.

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Vegetable Garden Location and Layout

Vegetable Garden Location and Layout
By Andrew Smit

The selection of a suitable site on which to establish the vegetable garden requires considerable thought, for an ill-chosen spot can be a great handicap in the beginning. The average home gardener has little choice because of the relatively small size of urban plots but several points must be considered if the outlay of seed, fertilizer, manure and labor is to show profitable returns.

Level ground with good drainage or ground with a slight slope is just about ideal. If the ground is on a slight slope make the slope even by filling in any depressions with soil taken from obvious high spots otherwise some plants will suffer from excess moisture while others, a few feet away, suffer from the lack of it. It is difficult to obtain an even stand of seedlings on uneven ground, for germination is always patchy.

If the only ground is on a moderate to steep slope it will be necessary to construct a number of bench terraces to conserve soil and moisture. The grade of the slope will determine the number of terraces necessary. Moderate slopes need two or three wide terraces; steep slopes call for several narrower ones. On moderate slopes the terraces can be shaped with soil, but on steeper slopes retaining walls of concrete, brick or stone are essential to prevent severe damage and soil loss during heavy storms. For preference these terraces should slope back slightly from the retaining wall. At all costs avoid, if possible, low-lying ground which is likely to become waterlogged in the rainy season. These lower soils often attract amateur growers because of their dark color, and appearance of fertility.

Good drainage is essential in vegetable gardens for no crops of consequence will tolerate "wet feet" for long. Too much soil moisture is detrimental to plant growth because the roots must have moisture and air circulation to function properly. Saturated conditions also slow down appreciably the beneficial activities of soil organisms which, as with roots must have air to flourish.

In laying out a garden there are two generally used methods each with its advantages and drawbacks. One method is to dig over and prepare the whole ares allocated to vegetables and to grow the crops, in rows, side by side with no defined paths between. This is the usual system in temperate regions and has the advantage that the area is used to the full.

The alternative method, and probably the most used, is to grow vegetables in slightly raised beds with each bed devoted to a single crop. It may be worthwhile to practice the first method in the dry season for winter crops and then resort to the bed method during the wet months to assist with drainage, as was mentioned earlier in my article to avoid the "wet feet" syndrome.

Gardeners practicing the bed method usually make the mistake of making the paths too wide and the beds too narrow and too high. The bed can be of any convenient length but should be at least four feet wide if the are to accommodate several rows of crops such as beetroot, carrots and lettuces. Beds of this size will still make it possible to allow for hoeing, thinning and harvesting to be done from the paths, which can be about fifteen to eighteen inches wide. Potatoes, sweet potatoes and other widely spaced crops are unsuited to bed culture because of the distance between rows necessary if adequate soil is available to earth them up.

Sharing information is a great resource in its self. Writing is one way of sharing that information with others. The ability to string a few words together is something that does not come naturally to many, however even the best struggle at times if that is any consolation.

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Building Garden Character With Garden Gnomes and Fountains

Building Garden Character With Garden Gnomes and Fountains
By Tania Greenwood

Your dwelling place does not have to end within the confines of your home but it can go beyond that, into the outside. Taking your home and sanctuary outdoors can provide your own personal relaxation spot. Gardening has always been one of my passions and giving color with variations of flowers has always made a great place of serenity. However, when I began adding special tweaks of garden gnomes and fountains plus decor, it heightened that relaxation environment times ten.

I enjoy the personalities of garden gnomes and all of the attention my garden receive when friends, family and bystanders give as they try to decipher what my gnomes are doing and what I was thinking. My gnome is sitting on his toilet reading the newspaper while others poses to smell the roses. The ones that draw the birds in to feed from their bowls, it's amazing how you notice all the little creatures, the sounds and lifestyles from this scenery. Most will always give a positive feedback as I enjoy the peaceful environment I have created.

If there is ever a question of why I have a positive outlook on life it is because of the relaxation I receive from the character of my garden with garden gnomes and fountains and other garden art. If you're a person who is passionate for enjoying the rewards of great garden you can understand my compulsion. I love doing fun things in the garden and garden gnomes has been one those symbols of garden character that I just have so much joy dealing with. I have built a safe haven with these little guys and it has been amazing to watch the wonderful response from that.

The character of a person on the outside most often reflects the inside of that someone and it is true for the place that you call home. Whether it is at the office or mom's house, it is the place to give great character. I often find myself wishing my work space could bring the serenity of my garden, then I get yelled out of my day dreams. That may not be the same for you. You may have that area that you spend most of your day in or in a position to implement that space. My passion is my garden character and the outdoors. My gnomes get to share that passion with me and so can my readers.

My name is Tania Greenwood and I am very passionate about our environment and the mental healing it can provide us on a day to day basis. please feel free to check out my website or contact me with any questions.

Garden Gnomes Plus

[http://www.gardengnomesplus.com].

greenwoodmarketingllc@gmail.com

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Reasons to Hire Removalists for Green Waste From Our Garden

Reasons to Hire Removalists for Green Waste From Our Garden
By Cathy Smith

For most of us, gardening is a hobby and something that we like performing either for leisure or to keep our homes looking beautiful for ours as well as the lookers' eyes. It involves taking proper care of the lawn by mowing it well, clearing of the weeds from the flower beds, brushing aside fallen leaves and twigs from the trees and plants that are a part of our garden. You cannot deny the fact that apart from emitting residential garbage from our kitchen, our garden too comes up with necessary waste that is not required anymore such as dried leaves or cut grass.

The effects of green waste on our environment

Quite often, you would notice that there are people dispose these green wastes from our gardens into the neighbourhood garbage bins. These bins collect almost all possible garbage right from the recyclable ones to those that aren't recyclable. Often, these end up in garbage dumps and thus adding to the landfill and creating soil, water and air pollution and disturbing the environment. To help you with sorting out the guilt of being a bad contributor to the environment with improper garbage disposal, you could opt for professional removalists. They are people who have a business altogether of helping people get rid of waste and simultaneously contributing well to the environment. While you hire them for green waste removal from your garden, here are a few benefits that you would enjoy without the guilt.

• Keeps you and your surroundings safe - Collection of green waste for a long time in a designated place often leads to rotting and emission on harmful gases such as methane, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. There are hazardous liquids too that often come out of these and thus polluting the air, soil as well as the water table underground. While the professionals come over, they would segregate you garbage collection and collect the green waste in separate bins to treat them rightly.

• Keeps you safe from pests - While you have a collection of green wastes at one end of your backyard, it gets cosy for mites and parasites to find a new home in there. These pests often attack better living spaces like that of your house and them you would find pest infestation such flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, rats, mice and several others that may cause illnesses to you and your family members. While these wastes are rightly removed by the professionals as and when they are collected, you could avoid such pest interference and stay healthy.

• They treat the green waste well - As they are professionals, they have collaborations with agencies that ensure safe treatment of green wastes. Composting with the right methods helps in creating fertilizers for agriculture and what better way to avail such natural ingredients without having to use chemicals for crops. It not only save the environment from getting polluted but also ensures that you contribute in a good way.

The author Cathy Smith has had experiences with hiring professionals for green waste removal. She has relevant information on rubbish removal services in Sydney and waste collection services in Sydney.

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Sometimes Too Hot, The Eye Of Heaven Shines

Sometimes Too Hot, The Eye Of Heaven Shines
By James Youngblood

When summer unfurls its brutal heat from the sun, it can be a challenge to keep the water in your aquaponics fish tank cool enough for your fish. As the water temperature rises, the oxygen level decreases and your fish may start gasping for air. Before they suffocate, you will need to take steps to keep your water cool enough for your fish to survive.

It is much easier to heat water than it is to cool it. Relatively inexpensive water heaters are readily available. Water coolers are also available but at a price that makes them far too expensive for most of us.

So, we need to find a way to cool our water without emptying our wallets. Some methods might include using ice or making water changes. Neither of these method work very well or provide a long term solution.

With temperatures forecast to be above 105 degrees Fahrenheit for the next week here in Las Vegas, Nevada, I needed to do something to keep my aquaponics fish tank water from getting hot enough fish to cook my fish. And I need a long term solution because the heat will be with us for the next few months.

The first thing I did was to provide shade for both my fish tank and grow beds. I put up a beach umbrella. That helps with the temperature and also helps prevent algae growth. But shade alone will not be enough.

Fortunately, humidity in the desert is very low. Yes, it is a dry heat! Water quickly evaporates here, and as water evaporates, it cools. Even in the hot summer months, my swimming pool seldom get much above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. However, swimming pools have a much greater water volume and surface area than my fish tanks. And 85 degrees in just about the upper range that my fish can survive.

Evaporation is increased when the wind blows and after a windy day, my swimming pool may drop as much as 5 degrees. Although the wind does blow frequently, it is not always strong enough to provide much cooling. My next step, then, was to use a fan that provides substantial air movement. This has worked very well so far, and my water temperature has stayed within a safe range.

However, the fish tank water temperature is not the only thing affected by high heat and low humidity. My plants began to wither under the relentless heat. So, I added water misters to keep the leaves moist. This keeps them hydrated and now they look very healthy.

Everything is not going perfectly, however. The main problem I have is with the beach umbrella. Even in a moderate breeze, the umbrella is not stable enough. So for my next project, I need to erect something sturdy that is also easy to put up and take down. Whenever possible, I like to remove the shade so that my plants have full sunlight. Especially the tomatoes.

For now, I run the fan and misters from about 8 in the morning until 10 in the evening. My water temperature in the morning has been around 74 degrees Fahrenheit and has stayed below 78 degrees during the day. I have goldfish and koi in my fish tank and so this water temperature is just right for them. They also are doing great.

Shakespeare may not have been referring to aquaponics in his Sonnet 18, and surely he did not have an electric fan to keep himself cool. But if you live in a hot, dry climate, you might be able to keep your aquaponics water cool enough by using shade, water misters and a good strong fan.

To learn more about aquaponics and information about setting up your own aquaponics system visit [http://www.aquaponicstips.org/]

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Saint Augustine Lawn Seeding - Reasons and Solutions

Saint Augustine Lawn Seeding - Reasons and Solutions
By Roger Everett

Saint Augustine grass is an unusual and different lawn type in many different ways to other lawn grasses. Not only in its unique wide leaf blades and its thick stolons (above ground runners), but also unusual in its appearance when the grass is going to seed.

In fact, many people who are unfamiliar with Saint Augustine grass seeding habits can believe there is something wrong with their lawn, or that some type of unusual weed has taken over their lawn. When the truth is their lawn is simply undergoing a natural seeding cycle. The reason for this often mistaken diagnosis of the turf is because of the unusual appearance of these seed heads, which do not look like what regular lawn seeding is expected to look like.

Saint Augustine grass in seed will have an abundance of thick stalks all over the lawn surface, which raise just a little higher above the leaf tips of the grass. On closer inspection of these rather tough and thick stalks will often be what appears to be a slightly pointy tip. And finally on even closer inspection we can then clearly see all the little seeds that are covering the seed head of these stalks in the lawn.

While slightly uncomfortable underfoot for the period of time the Saint Augustine lawn is seeding, these seed stalks are still very flimsy and fragile and pose no risk of any harm to people or pets at all. They simply crumble underfoot, as if they were just thick blades of grass.

Reasons For Saint Augustine Lawn Seeding

Most Saint Augustine lawns will go to seed at least once, and sometimes twice a year. This seeding will last for about two weeks on average, sometimes shorter and sometimes longer in duration. And despite the fact that Saint Augustine grass seed in notoriously bad at propagating a new lawn, the lawn is still a plant and like all lawn plants this lawn type will seed itself as a natural part of its life cycle.

Oftentimes lawn stress can cause greater seeding levels, or can cause the St Augustine lawn to seed at times when it normally would not. Most lawns and plants will quickly put out seed if it senses it is in danger of dying off, and the seeding is the lawn's way of ensuring its future survival. That if the stress should last and the lawn should die, then the seed it is producing with the last of its energy could then regrow the lawn once conditions improve in the future.

Reducing Seeding In St Augustine Lawns

As already stated, seeding is a natural part of the life cycle of lawns, so we really don't want to worry too much when it happens. Though in times when we can clearly see that the entire health of the lawn is also looking that it is under stress or in otherwise poor health, then it may well be that the poor health of the lawn may be causing the seeding.

In these cases, where the St Augustine lawn is seeding, and the lawn is also in poor health, then this is the lawn telling us that there are bigger underlying problems with the lawn that need to be fixed before the lawn deteriorates even further.

Our job then is to track down whatever is causing this poor lawn health and to rectify the problem quickly. In most occurrences this is usually a lack of water being available to the lawn. Other causes can also be factors such as a lack of nutrients in the soil, keeping the lawn cut too short, a deficiency of one major or minor nutrient etc.

On discovering and rectifying whatever may be the cause of the lawn being in poor health while at the same time also seeding, this repair should bring the St Augustine grass seeding under control in short time. Just remember though, seeding in Saint Augustine lawns is normal, and just because we are seeing seeding, does not also mean there is anything wrong with the lawn, which is only ever a signifier if the two symptoms show at the same time.

Roger Everett has been a professional operating in the lawn care industry for 15 years, who now shares his experience, as well as love and passion for lawns with others at his dedicated Saint Augustine grass lawn care site. Roger covers most lawn care topics such as discussing the best fertilizers for Saint Augustine lawns, and more specialized lawn care topics including leaf spot lawn disease. For more lawn care articles similar to this one, please visit The Saint Augustine Lawn Care Site.

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Garden Shed Plans - A Perfect Plan Lets Your Shed "BUILD ITSELF"

Garden Shed Plans - A Perfect Plan Lets Your Shed "BUILD ITSELF"
By Abhijeet Mishra

Talking about the perfect garden shed plans one may think that it merely features a gable roof, double doors, and side and rear windows for natural lightning. Well, the reality is, these factors only provide you with the basic understanding of what your shed may include but not the complete detailed description which serves as a staircase towards your building objective.

Most of the beginners and even experienced builders fail to outline a step by step guide before initiating the construction process which ultimately results in wastage of bucks, sweat and a heck lot of time without getting the desired result. Let us dig some miles deeper. Consider a situation in which you are trying to prepare a chocolate cake with ingredients provided but not a single hint of procedure.

What will be the outcome?

In best cases you will end up preparing something that looks like a cake but doesn't taste like one and the worst cases will lead you to mix everything randomly in indefinite proportions and make a chocolate "soup" rather than a cake. Even though you have been provided with the ingredients but still you can't produce a cake without knowing the step by step procedure. In layman's terms, lack of plan leaves you with an undesirable result.

By this time, you may be wondering what a perfect plan may look like or what are the steps one may follow to create a perfect plan? As mentioned in the title of this write up, unique garden shed plans allow your shed to "build itself" that is, its simplicity leaves you with no work to do than just pick up the material and fix it on its respective place just like the block building games you used to play with in your childhood. I am using the word "plans" instead of "plan" because their can be more than one unique design to help your shed look superior than the others. The more number of plans means more options to select from.

Most of the people who use the planned way of construction get limited options to choose. As a result, they are forced to build a shed on which they can regret everyday. This can easily be avoided if you have lots of ways for your garden shed to look.

Perfect garden shed plans have the following characteristics:

1) It must suit your purpose- One can build a shed to satisfy different purposes such as organize house parties, storage or chilling during the weekends. Each case requires a suitable design as you can't plan a party in the storage shed.

2) Each design must have an associated step by step guide - Having the design is not sufficient. Your plan must consist of an associated guide which makes construction a child's play. The guide must be so simple that anyone with zero woodworking experience may also be able to build a perfect shed like an expert.

3) Plan must contain material list for no wastage: A beginner usually purchases a lot of construction materials, some or most of which are wasted after the completion of the task. Think if you could prepare a precise and accurate list of materials provided so that the extra money can be saved and invested in painting or decorating purposes. Well, perfect garden shed plans consists of such kind of a list.

Creating such a plan may consume a lot of your time. In the mean time, surfing the internet to find such plans is of no use as I myself have tried very hard but found nothing but incomplete and blurred designs which generates a lot of confusion.

Now, what if you are provided with a ready made ideal plan? It will reduce your work to fun. Well, it has truly reduced mine. So, for further information regarding the topic and to get the complete garden shed plans list please visit:

http://gardenshedplansweb.blogspot.in/

To gain a more detailed knowledge about the contents of an ideal shed plan and to get over 12,000 unique plans to build a great shed even with zero woodworking experience, please visit: http://gardenshedplansweb.blogspot.in/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Abhijeet_Mishra/2279648
http://EzineArticles.com/?Garden-Shed-Plans---A-Perfect-Plan-Lets-Your-Shed-BUILD-ITSELF&id=9427795

Elderberry - The Salutary Plant Used For Centuries

Elderberry - The Salutary Plant Used For Centuries
By Evelyn Harvey Jenson

Let me share with you some extra healthy benefits and interesting facts about this small tree which we can plant and grow in our yards.

Short Presentation

Elderberry or Sambucus is a big shrub native to Europe and to the United States. The plant is member of honeysuckle family. Its white and delicate flowers turn into berries - black or dark blue. Their flavour is sharp sweet and a little bitter but it is preferred in many recipes. I will tell you more about that later. Its leaves are pinnate with 5 to 9 leaflets with length 5 to 30 cm. You can see the whole beauty of Elderberry in late Spring when it blooms.

Health Benefits

Elderberry contains tannin, amino acids, organic pigments, carotenoids, flavonoids, rutin and large amounts of vitamins C, A, B. Many studies have proven that some of the ingredients in the shrub are strong antioxidants and can protect the cells against damage. In a Oncology laboratory in Israel doctors have found that the plant stimulates the better function of the immune system and they have treated patients with AIDS and cancer with it. From colds and flu to fight against asthma, weight loss and diabetes, everyone can discover the benefits of elder, depending on his personal needs and individual condition of the immune system. Other positive side of using the shrub in your menu for healthier life is that it is good for the cardiovascular protection. The levels of fibre in it are really high and can help with the elimination of the "bad" cholesterol which automatically makes some space for the "good" one, that every human body needs. When you need to clear your throat, or have bronchitis that has bad influence on your respiratory system the juice from elder is the best choice for you.

Easy Homemade Elderberry Recipe

I will present you the most helpful and popular recipe with Elderberry, that can help you if you have any of the health problems listed above, or if you just want to try something new and good, prepared at your home.

Elderflower Syrup

Elderflowers - cleaned and enough to fill � gallon jar
2 thinly sliced lemons
5 cups water
5 � cups sugar
1 packet citric acid

Put in a large jar the thinly sliced lemons and Elderflowers. Then make a syrup with the water, the sugar and the citric acid. Wait to boil a few minutes, then pour the flowers in the hot water and leave them a few days in a sunny place under cover. Then strain the juice and close it in glass bottles.

Care of Elderberries

If you want to grow this plant in your garden, you need to know that caring for it in the first years of its life is a little more specific - it prefers moist soil and you don't have to expect fruits until its second year. Better plant two or more shrubs near each other to make the cross-pollination easier. My advice is to look for competent gardening services in your living area, to tell you what fertilizer you need to put on the tree and in what conditions is good to prune it. Only then you will have a healthy plant that blooms year after year.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Evelyn_Harvey_Jenson/2292346
http://EzineArticles.com/?Elderberry---The-Salutary-Plant-Used-For-Centuries&id=9426562

Lawn Mowing Tips For Healthier Lawns

Lawn Mowing Tips For Healthier Lawns
By Roger Everett

Mowing lawns can seem like a rather simple task, and in essence this is of course true. For the lawn care professional though, there is so much more involved in mowing lawns correctly, not just to achieve a beautiful looking carpet of green once the mowing is completed, but in knowing that how a lawn is regularly mowed also plays a large factor in the overall health of the turf itself. Yes, mowing practices do have a direct health result to the lawn when either done correctly or incorrectly.

When we think about what we can do and alter with lawn mowing practices, there really are only two factors that come into play. The first is how long we keep the leaf of the turf when mowing, and the second is the frequency of the lawn mowing service. And it is from these two practices that we can greatly alter the health of our lawns for the better or for the worse.

Keeping Lawns With A Long Leaf

Photosynthesis is the process of lawns and plants which takes direct sunlight and uses that energy to create food for the lawn or plant out of the available nutrients in the soil. The longer the leaf of the lawn, directly increases the amount of food the turf can then produce for itself to stay healthy and strong. While a lawn which is mowed at very low heights can produce much less food, and thus these lawns will require far greater attention to their overall health, or otherwise risk becoming sick or even at risk of possible death of the lawn.

With this knowledge, we can then easily see that lawns which are subject to partial shaded conditions will need to have their leaf kept longer than a lawn which is being grown in full sun. The partial shaded turf requires a longer leaf to power more photosynthesis with less direct sunlight. Whereas a lawn in full sun can easily have its leaf length kept much shorter and still maintain the same level of photosynthesis and food production.

Therefore, this lawn mowing tip is a rather simple one to understand and adjust to, and is something which can have a major impact on the health of our turf, just in the simple fact of how long we keep the lawn leaf under different direct sunlight or shade conditions.

Frequency Of Lawn Mowing

While lawn mowing can be a chore for many busy people, and something which we are all guilty of putting off for too long sometimes, regular lawn mowing is also important for overall lawn health.

The first reason for maintaining regular lawn mowing is that if we leave lawns to become too long between mowings, then the thatch layer will increase in the lawn, and the crowns of the turf will raise higher... which when eventually mowed, can easily cause lawn scalping or having the lawn dying off in areas where the crowns of the lawn have been removed when mowing. Leaving lawns too long between mowing is always a high risk of causing lawn damage when the turf is finally mowed.

While the above example is a worst case scenario of leaving lawns for far too long in between mowing, even regular mowing should be given careful consideration as to frequency.

While regular maintenance ensures that not too much leaf material is removed at any single service, which then keeps the lawn looking greener and without even mild scalping, there is one more factor to consider as to the timing of cutting our lawns... which is mulch mowing.

Mulch mowing is when we put a plug into the rear of a specially designed lawn mower, which instead of collecting the grass clippings, sends those same clippings through the blades of the mower several times to finely chop them into very small pieces, before depositing those same clippings back into the lawn.

Mulch mowing is a wonderful way to feed the lawn with its own supply of nutrients, as well as insulating the lawn soil from excessive moisture loss in warmer weather. Mowing more regularly will ensure these grass clippings will be cut up even finer and will be in less quantity, which then allows this natural mulch to break down into the lawn soil much more quickly. So the overall mulching process is greatly more efficient when the lawn is being mowed more often.

Conclusion

While there are many factors involved in keeping any lawn green and healthy, one of the least thought of considerations of this process is the humble lawn mower, which we hardly ever think of as a lawn care tool that can improve lawn health on its own. However we can see clearly how just two small changes to how we mow our lawns can have tremendous benefits on our lawn health.

Roger Everett has been a professional operating in the lawn care industry for 15 years, who now shares his experience, as well as his love and passion for lawns with others at his dedicated Saint Augustine grass lawn care site. Roger covers most turf care topics in depth for homeowners, such as discussing the correct fertilization of lawns for Winter, as well as more specialized St Augustine turf care topics including natural prevention of lawn pests. For more articles similar to this one, please visit The Saint Augustine Lawn Care Site.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Roger_Everett/2289727
http://EzineArticles.com/?Lawn-Mowing-Tips-For-Healthier-Lawns&id=9426319

Mild June Weather Makes Gardening Easy in Southern California

Mild June Weather Makes Gardening Easy in Southern California
By Bill Camarillo

While summer heat is not far away, typical gloomy June weather in southern California can make the month ideal for planting a garden and catching up on yard maintenance.

Revive Established Trees: Planting a new tree requires almost daily initial watering. To keep water bills at a reasonable level, consider revitalizing existing trees by providing nutrients and by trimming and shaping limbs. This easy maintenance encourages new, healthy growth without the expensive startup costs associated with new plantings.

Remove Weeds Before They Flower: Pulling weeds while they are small is a lot easier than waiting until they flower and their roots are established. Allowing weeds to flower and then go to seed means you'll have many more weeds to pick throughout the growing season. Pull weeds after a particularly overcast morning when the soil is moist so it's easier to remove the entire weed-roots and all.

Plant Instant Gratification Vegetables: Sometimes it can take months for a vegetable plant to start producing. If that's too long to wait, try planting these fast maturing vegetables: radishes, green onions (stalks, not bulbs), Romaine lettuce, spinach and baby carrots.

Pinch Back Basil and Cilantro: Basil and cilantro plants are quick growing and love to flower as soon as the weather warms. To keep plants producing tasty and tender leaves, pinch back any signs of flowers. Keep the plants six to eight inches tall so they remain full.

Plant Herbs That Require Little Watering: Rosemary, English thyme, oregano, lavender and sage are all native to the Mediterranean so do well in southern California. Once their roots are established, they can withstand full sun and minimal watering.

Plant Avocado Trees: Plant your avocado trees in well-draining, loose soil. If the avocado tree is in a pot, make sure the pot contains plenty of drainage holes. Overwatering can produce root rot--the single most common reason young avocado trees fail. Let the soil around the tree become somewhat dry before watering. Flowers bloom in spring, but most will fall during the first year after planting. This is normal. If all goes right, expect avocados in two or three years.

Plant Pumpkins Seeds: Pumpkins are slow growing--they need a good four months to mature. Once planted, pumpkin seeds will begin to sprout in seven to 10 days. Leave plenty of room for the plant's vines to spread and develop. The plants need lots of warmth and moisture to thrive. Yellow flowers will start to appear about three weeks after plant growth begins. The flowers will develop into pumpkins after they are pollinated. If planted now, pumpkins will be ready for picking in time for Halloween.

Bill Camarillo is CEO of Agromin, an Oxnard, California-based manufacturer of soil products and the composter for cities throughout Southern California. Each month, Agromin receives more than 30,000 tons of organic material and then uses a safe, natural and sustainable process to transform the material into premium soil products. The results are more vigorous and healthier plants and gardens, and on the conservation side, the opportunity to close the recycling loop, allow more room in landfills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. http://www.agromin.com, https://www.facebook.com/agromin/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Bill_Camarillo/241277
http://EzineArticles.com/?Mild-June-Weather-Makes-Gardening-Easy-in-Southern-California&id=9425896

Organic Vegetable Garden Mulching - Do's and Don'ts

Organic Vegetable Garden Mulching - Do's and Don'ts
By Pat Brodbent

Mulching your garden is one of the best things you can do for your plants and your soil. There are many forms of mulch from organic types such as wood chips to man-made plastics. Not all mulch products are created equal!

Mulching has the following benefits; suppresses weed growth, slows moisture evaporation, moderate soil temperature, and as a mulch breaks down it will improve the soil's texture.

For trees and shrubs the type of mulch is less important than for Vegetable Gardeners. Using the wrong mulch around your vegetable plants can cause the plants to grow poorly and be susceptible to diseases.

You want to pick a mulch that has a low Carbon-to-Nitrogen (C:N) ratio. The main reason to use a mulch with a low C:N ratio is to ensure all your available nitrogen does not get tied up trying to decompose the high C materials.

In nature the first place a high C:N molecule looks for N is within the product itself. In the example of a wood chip there is not enough N available for proper microbial growth so the microbes search for sufficient N in the surrounding soil. Imagine the effect of available Nitrogen for your vegetable plants if the entire soil surface is covered with several inches of wood mulch?

Even worse, imagine if your entire soil structure was very high in carbon products such as wood chips? This would virtually tie up all the nitrogen in your soil trying to digest all the wood chips leaving very little for your plants.

The #1 rule we give our customers is to NEVER USE WOOD CHIPS, BARK, PINE NEEDLES, or SAWDUST. On the other hand the best types of compost are those with a low C:N ratio such as straw, dried grass clippings that have not been treated or fertilized with chemicals, or home-made compost.

If your choice of mulch is going to be rotted manure compost make sure you only use manures from animals where you know what they are eating. If an animal has a diet of hay that happens to be high in salts, a common occurrence, than your compost will also be high in salts. A high salt medium will prevent or slow plant growth.

The best manure to compost is from cow, pig, sheep, rabbit, lama, alpaca, and goat. The worst manure to use is from horses as it is very high in weed seeds. Chicken and duck manure is good to use, but unless you have a professional soil testing kit to test the Nitrogen content I would shy away from any fowl manures.

Straw mulch is our #1 choice as it is very low in carbon and adds fantastic structure to the soil as it decomposes. In addition straw is very cheap and a bale of straw will last most home gardeners an entire season.

For more information on organic vegetable gardening, soils testing, raised beds, hail protection, canning, and preserving foods see https://www.birdmanusa.com/how-to-start-gardening/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Pat_Brodbent/1416791
http://EzineArticles.com/?Organic-Vegetable-Garden-Mulching---Dos-and-Donts&id=9422800