Home Improvement

- Submitted By Home Improvement Guide -

Looking after a garden is a year round job for some. If you get a brief break because there is snow on the ground, then there maybe some things you might want to research before Spring.

Spring isn’t the only nor always the best time to do prep work. If you need to re-seed patches where the lawn looks bare, just before the snow comes is a good time of the year to start. The seeds will get worked into the soil as the snow falls and lay dormant during the winter months.

Once spring and the first melt arrive then the seeds will be in good mud and the early stages of germination will begin. Once they start getting the sun then good, fresh grass should follown in a couple of weeks.

Crabgrass and its relatives don’t thrive in the Fall or Winter and this means that you have a head start on that kind of weed control. As the new lawn grass starts to spread, it has a good chance of stopping the crabgrass, and with any luck it won’t develop at all.

Start applying the Spring fertilizer at the earliest possible time. This will help give the young shoots a good start and, if you use fertilizer that also controls weeds, you may solve two problems in one go.

As that snow continues to melt off there will be areas where the grass has become thatched – this is a condition in which the blades get lain over one another, then compressed from the snow pack on top. Some of these may die over the winter and this can leave you with a kind of straw-like covering, hence the name ‘thatch’.

Doing something about this is easy. Just cut the grass a little later in Fall than you need to so that the length is controlled. This restricts the height and helps keep thatching to a minimum.

In Spring give the grass a good raking. Of course, if you raked in the Fall, there won’t be any leaves to get rid of but the extra raking helps pull up thatched areas and allows air to get to the soil.

If the ground has become hard, or the soil is easily compacted, you can follow that up with an aeration. This can be done either by using a special attachment on a riding lawnmower and running it over the grass, or using special large-drum rollers with spikes poking out.

An inexpensive way is to use special shoes which are like golf shoes with spikes on the bottom. You just put them on then walk around the area you want to aerate. The tiny holes made by the shoes allow air to penetrate the soil more easily. At the same time, it makes channels for solid fertilizer pellets to fall into.

After de-thatching and aerating, your lawn will be ready for you to carry out any weed control and to start seeding, fertilizer application and regular mowing.

Lawn care may not be easy but it is worthwhile.

Lee Dobbins writes for Backyard Garden and Patio where you can learn more about gardening and lawn care.

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- Submitted By Home Improvement Guide -

The secret to a well-maintained garden is the knowledge about plant needs. No matter how beautifully designed the garden is, if the plants look unhealthy and uncared for then the whole essence of gardening fails. It is easy to acquire plant information through the various plant guides that provide details of the needs of various types of plants.

Annual Plants – Some plants live for only a year. When new seeds are grown the parent plant dies. These plants are known as annual plants. Plant guides show that their life can be increased if the blooms are removed before the production of new seeds. They grow in reasonably rich and well-drained soils under good sunlight and do not need much maintenance. These plants re-seed themselves or the seeds of these plants can be collected and grown into new plants. Popular plants in this category include the Aster, Morning Glory, Coleus plant, Pansies among others.

Perennial Plants – These are non-woody plants that grow and live for many years until they are fully matured and lose their vigor. These can be properly maintained with the help of adequate plant guides. Their blooming period varies from a week or a month or longer and they produce one or more flower crops each year. They grow at the same place for more than a year so the soil is selected carefully to avoid the loss of essential nutrients. Perennials can be grown from seeds or from stem cuttings. Some examples of perennial plants are hibiscus, rosemary and butterfly lilies.

Bulbs, Corms, Rhizomes and Tubers – These types of plants are dug and divided in early springtime when the plants are dormant. They get their required energies from the nutrients absorbed by the leaves after the flowers are spent. Bulbs are the thickened underground storage organ of perennials like daffodils and tulips. Plants like dahlias, which grow from the stored energies and food in their flat underground stems, are known as tubers. Thick underground stems producing new roots, leaves and flowers during each growing season are known as corms. A Rhizome is a modified plant stem, which grows horizontally under the surface of the soil. New growth emerges from different parts of the rhizome. Irises and some lawn grasses are examples of such plants. Plant guides can provide the appropriate knowledge for a typical plant based on the garden idea or theme.

House Plants – Hybrids of tropical plants species growing in the wild in various places are generally used as houseplants. It is important to keep them healthy by making sure that they grow under the same circumstances as in their natural habitat and in this regard it is necessary that a relative humidity between 50-70% and warm temperatures prevail. Houseplants face some problems regarding pests, which can be controlled if precautions and safety measures are followed. Examples of such plants are the Aloe Vera, Orchids, Jade plants among others.

Trees and Shrubs – These are the backbone of any garden. They are used as screens, backgrounds and accents. Trees are used for shade, and for fruits. Flowering shrubs provide long lasting, beautiful blooms, which brighten even the gloomiest of days. Plant guides can determine the nutrient and climatic needs, the size, and the structure variety of the plants that match the garden theme.

Gardening and landscaping are one of life’s simple joys. Learn more about Plant Guides by visiting our Garden Factsweb site.

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- Submitted By Home Improvement Guide -

Garden ideas and themes are incomplete without a waterscape. Water gardens can be created both indoors and outdoors. Indoor water gardens can be maintained more easily than the outdoor one.

One may wish to create this type of garden for water plants and to breed fish. One may also wish to create a water garden only to hear the pleasant sound of the water fall. It is necessary to decide the reason and theme for your garden as the size of the garden depends on this. A small pond limits the number of fishes or the plants one would like to accommodate.

On the basis of the fishes or the plants the waterscape can be loosely categorized into two types:
* Koi pond
* Water garden

The koi pond is made only for the koi fishes. They are a kind of gold fish. Koi fishes are the Japanese versions of goldfish. The koi pond is different from a normal water garden. It limits the plant life inside the waterscape as Koi fish eats some plants. A koi pond needs to be large in size as the fish grows very fast. Experts would recommend a koi pond of not less than 1000 gallons in volume. The depth of the pond should also be at least 3-4 feet deep.

The water garden on the other hand contains both fishes and aquatic plants. For the moderate climates, water garden needs least 2 feet of depth. For the colder climes, a depth of at least 12″ to 16″ of water below the freeze zone is required.

The first step to create a water garden is to select the location. The waterscape is truly enjoyable if installed near the home. One can also shrink the pond into a pot and an aquarium can be formed. If one plans to build a larger waterscape then the pond should be positioned in a way to avoid pond overflow during rains. The pond should also be open enough to attract the wildlife including birds and butterflies.

Make sure that the water body is not too close to the trees so that the fertilizers, chemicals, and organic debris like falling leaves and garbage dont fall into the pond. The pond should get 4 to 6 hours of direct sun light if it has water lilies and proper shading planned for fish. The regular use of pump to renew the water makes the fish and the plants healthier. The pumps help to keep the filter, fountain, or waterfall running. Water garden can be given the desired shape with proper usage of the available space and planned digging.

The selection of plants is equally important as the fishes for the water garden. The popular choices of aqua plants for the water garden include:

* Floaters (to prevent water algae)
* Oxygenating grasses (to maintain the PH balance)
* Bog plants
* Deep-water plants (prevents algae and keep the water cool)

Fountains make water gardens more beguiling. The process of installation is very simple and the sound of water makes a peaceful diversion.

Gardening and landscaping are one of life’s simple joys. Learn more about Water Garden by visiting our Garden Factsweb site.

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- Submitted By Home Improvement Guide -

While Husqvarna and Stihl have long been regarded the giants of the chainsaws world, lesser known brands such as Jonsered, Echo, Poulan and McCullogh have gradually been chipping away at their dominance. Better technology and growth in the semi professional use of chainsaws have seen more market opportunities open up for the lesser lights.

This report will offer a brief insight into the world of the smaller chainsaws manufacturer and hopefully offer you, the user, more choice before you decide to buy.

Jonsered

Jonsered is part of the Electrolux group of companies. It is no minnow. It first emerged as a possible player in the chainsaw industry in 1954 when it produced a prototype for what we know today as a one operator saw. It was a revolutionary move over 50 years ago and not many people realise chainsaws were machine monsters back then and had to be operated by at least two people.

Now servicing both the professional and non professional, Jonsered is always on the cutting edge of technology. For example, their turbo chainsaw range have provided users with an easier to start machine and enhanced safety features. They have been around a long time, in fact since the 1880′s as a power tool processor and during the last half century, have been silently “snapping at the heels” of the major players in the chainsaw industry.

Echo

As with most Japanese produced products, Echo chainsaws have all the trademark dependability and performance reliability we’ve come to expect. Echo is the largest chainsaw manufacturer in Japan and has made massive inroads on the world wide stage during the past three decades.

It was once stated Echo produces just about the most appreciated chainsaw on the market. Why? Because their no fuss approach has seen it’s machines do what they were designed to do… cut. Their best known feature is their enormous power to size ratio. An excellent example of this is the marvellous CS – 440. Woodcutters have described it as dynamite in a small package…an apt description.

Poulan

Another under the Electrolux group, the Poulan name is synonomous with power tools. Once independently owned and set up by one of the chainsaw industy’s pioneers, Claude Poulan, the brand name has come a long way during the past 60 years. It has an interesting history, in fact, it’s known Claude Poulan came up with the idea of a smaller power-driven chainsaw after watching prisoners fumble around with the massive machines of the early years during service in World War 2. In fact, his idea to replace the pry-pole operator virtually caused a revolution in the forestry industry.

Poulan often shares it’s technologies with Husqvarna as part of the Electrolux banner and have developed a very loyal band of supporters. New improvements which have included the SuperClean system have earnt Poulan a strong reputation for producing durable chainsaws.

McCullough And Homelite

Mccullough and Homelite are always highly spoken of in the chainsaw industry. McCullough has been providing woodcutters with excellent chainsaw products for more than 60 years. They specialise in both the gas and electric machines as well as lightweight and heavy duty chainsaws.

Homelite has been around since 1921. It has built a reputation for being innovative and has a long list of achievements in close to 90 years, to back up their claims. In fact, it was “dabbling” in electric chainsaws as far back as the mid 1940′s. Homelite has been a major player in producing environmentally safe machine technology.

While Husqvarna and Stihl will be hard to “knock off their perch” as the frontrunners in chainsaw manufacturers, the above mentioned brands are just some which provide consumers with buying options.

Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster. Are Stihl and Husqvarna your favorite brands? Meet some of the lesser known chainsaw manufacturers making an impact. Plus, read the latest chainsaw news and reviews at:http://www.chainsawlife.com

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- Submitted By Home Improvement Guide -

For some residents in a neighborhood in Tampa Florida, the streets are very well kept and the trees are nature’s pride: big trees of oak.

However, all these prettiness changed when one resident decided that enough is enough, he ripped his yard up and installed artificial grass.

Though there are those who think that having a synthetic artificial lawn grass is pathetic, there are those who think otherwise.

Believe it or not, this coming summer will be witness to a lot more people from the suburban areas that are to install yards upon yards of fake grass.

This is lawn faux grass that is somehow very lifelike and real that people could be fooled to think they are what they appear to be, and pets actually think it is real.

The fact of the matter is that spending on artificial grass is supposed to rise by a quarter this coming year at businesses as well as homes.
This basically translates to a revenue of two hundred and fifty million more. Compare this to a real lawn grass that need to be maintained, trimmed, sprinkled, etc. and an artificial grass that solely needs to be blow dried.

Though this prospect is tempting for some, it is unthinkable for a lot of other people. There are still those suburban residents that find this grass tacky and surreal.

Some residents still find a reason to complain on artificial grass. For them, artificial grass looks just too lushly fake in the cold, cold dead winter. This has even prompted some neighborhoods to ban the use of it altogether.

For the research director of the National Association of Gardening, having artificial grass is like having a toupee on your lawn.

But there are still positive perks from having this type of grass. For one, the artificial grass industry thinks that there are advantages of faux lawn grass.

One benefit is the decrease in the care of one’s lawn. Thereby saving anyone and everyone money and energy.

It is also one way to decrease the use of fertilizers. It also helps neighborhood and households comply with the restrictions with regards to the use of water especially in areas that experience a lot of drought.

Take for example an area in New Mexico, particularly Albuquerque which actually offer five hundred dollars to those residents who have a part of their lawn converted to landscape and which need less water.

Same laws are also enforced in Arizona at Mesa as well as in Las Vegas. Simply put, for those who really want to see lush green grass, the use of the artificial version is a good alternative.

For those homeowners who prefer grass that is artificial, the reasons are simple. One user has found it helpful that his son no longer drags mud inside their house.

Though the fact of the matter is that he also had to pad some areas of the lawn in order for the child not to hurt himself – it cost three hundred dollars.

Another benefit is that it bring no bugs.

Also, like real lawn grass, it comes in varieties. There are those who are garden lush variety that has a recently-been-mowed look. This type of grass costs an average of thirty thousand dollars.

The plus is that it simply needs to be airblowered once after quite a long while.

How did fake grass become so hip?

It all started in the 1970′s when football teams as well as baseball teams decided to install artificial grass in stadiums all over the country.

Though fans claimed it as an ugly alternative, as well as dangerous and totally unnatural, it was actually a low maintenance and low cost landscaping phenomenon.

Until there were athletes that tore their ligaments and broke their bones due to it.

All in all, the use of faux grass depends much on a person’s preference, style, need and budget. What one could see as ugly could be beauty to another person’s perspective.

The important thing is that all the benefits and disadvantages are properly weighed by the potential user of the artificial grass and from there decide which is best as according to his long term likes and dislikes.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://grasses.garden-g8way.com where you can learn more about lawns and grasses and even a bit about artificial grass.

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