Autumn is going to be already here all over our own backyard garden. Not that autumn is without charm, but it does suggest that some wonderful spring and summer growers have died down. Not every bit is wasted, though, since there are lovely plants we can grow that will please us right up to the early part of winter.

What can you do once the flowers start to acquire a rusty aspect and trees start to lose their leaves? Those are generally the first evidence of the autumn, so you have to prepare the garden for the cold season. Between now and spring severe conditions will set in, which often can damage or destroy the things living in your garden if they are not protected. Here are some practical recommendations that would help you to prepare the garden for the autumn.

Owners of treed gardens need to ensure that the trees are clipped in time. Everything that you need to buy is a pair of garden shears to remove the dead branches. These have got the risk of suffocating the healthy branches by blocking sunlight from getting through. Numerous people are under the incorrect impression that dead leaves are a great natural source of fertilizer. Lots of the leaves might carry problems, affecting the soil later.

Supply the soil with the help of potassium fertilizers. The plants are going to be protected against the cold of winter by the enveloping layer. It is the optimal opportunity for planting those plants that will bloom in the spring. Old fertilizer layers should be removed and replaced with new ones. Only disease-free dead leaves, if you want to rely on them, may be spread evenly as a soil covering.

The appearance of October provides you with the most opportune time to plant evergreens. Water the earth a few days before planting. Don’t forget to water the bulbs soon after planting them but be sure not to drown them. Remember to always work with the elements, if it’s going to pour with rain in a few hours, don’t misuse your time watering the plants as this could be dangerous to your plants.

Something else you must do in autumn is dig the land. Tilling to a depth of 15 to 20 centimetres can be ideal. All vegetable matter resting on the ground, like fruit and leaves, must be removed before digging. Don’t burn the vegetation when it is healthy, since it could be used to fertilize the soil in a natural way.

Another thing to remember is the lawn. Cutting the grass really short is the optimal way to prepare your lawn for the winter. Do not overlook that there are fertilizers which are specially made to maintain your lawn’s health, so feed it that.

For the purpose of handy access keep your garden instruments out during October which is the best time for these jobs and for moving plants around before the beginning of winter. A covering of foil is exactly the thing to counteract your heat-loving decorative plants from freezing. Except when the plant is extremely large, a two-sheet overlaying of foil will do the job. It’s essential to also paint the lower foundation of the plant, especially for the younger ones as this will keep the harsh reflective light coming from the snow from damaging it.

Original post can be found here: How To Prepare Your Garden For Fall

People who have patios often have patio furniture which remains outdoors all year long. Each year they have to clean the furniture before use. These patio furniture cleaning tips you may make the task less of a problem, especially if you have wooden or teak furniture.

Teak patio furniture is popular because of the beauty of the wood. However, because it’s a natural product it does require extra care. Here are some of the items you’ll need to clean your patio furniture:

* Soft bristle brush
* Laundry detergent with bleach
* Teak sealer (optional)
* Teak protector (optional)
* Teak restorer (optional)
* Clear coating (optional)

When you first get your teak furniture, decide whether you want the furniture to remain the color it is when you get it or if you want the furniture to change with exposure to the sun. Some people are adamant about keeping their furniture the original honey color; others like the silver gray patina it gets from being in the sun. Which choice you make regarding your teak patio furniture could greatly affect how you clean it.

Manufacturers generally provide care instructions with every product. This is also true for those building teak or other wooden patio furniture. They may recommend specific cleaners, but you can do just as well by mixing a solution of 2 parts laundry detergent with bleach in 1 part water. Apply this to the wood with a soft bristle brush to help remove any surface dirt.

Thoroughly rinse the teak pieces by spraying them with water to remove leftover suds or any dirt the brush has removed. If you’re satisfied with allowing the teak to develop the gray patina, this is all you’ll need to do to care for your furniture. Otherwise, you’ll want to use the following methods.

You can remove the patina from teak furniture by using a two-step process and returning it to its original finish. This process normally requires you to apply a caustic cleaner and acid which will remove the patina. Be sure to read the instructions with the cleaner to ensure you remain safe. You may also have to lightly sand the piece to fully restore it.

Seal your teak furniture with a sealer specifically developed for it. This sealant will preserve the natural honey color as well as prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Some sealers can even protect it from developing stains when used around food.

Do not use varnish or non-recommended sealers on teak wood furniture. This could damage the wood and require much more sanding in the future. You also don’t want to allow water to pool on the furniture as it will cause damage.

Knowing these patio furniture cleaning tips will help you keep your teak patio furniture looking great. Remember to follow manufacturer’s guidelines for caring for your furniture or when using chemicals to clean it.

Original post can be found here: Patio Furniture Cleaning Tips

Growing a thriving garden is something that everyone is capable of doing. Even if you haven’t ever had very good luck with plants before, if you follow the right gardening tips, you can create a thriving garden-even if you don’t have a lot of space for growing things where you live. Even those who have tiny balconies or little yards. There are some who can create magnificent gardents inside of their homes! Keep reading if you want to learn all about how to grow and care for your own garden. This is the article for you!
Tomato plants are the most popular fruit plant for beginning gardeners. These plants are easy to plant and to take care of. You can grow them just about anywhere. You can grow them in just about any type of garden. They will grow even in their own containers. Most tomato plants don’t require much attention. A tomato plant is a great “starter” plant because you can eat the fruit it produces! That cliché about “eating the fruits of your labor” are true when you have tomoato plants in your garden. As a gardener, you need to make friends with bees. Even if you hate the idea of having bees near you, you need to learn to deal with them because they are good for your garden. Plants need pollen to help them grow and bees help carry pollen from place to place. Pollen is needed for plants to flower or bear fruit. What this means is that you simply need to get used to the idea of dealing with bees. You might even think about taking steps to make your garden more “bee friendly.” One of the easiest ways to attract bees to your garden is to plant tomatillo plants; bees love tomatillos. The only problem with planting tomatillo plants is if your family likes to eat them; if this is the case, plant one plant for the bees in one area of your garden and plant another in a different area of your garden.
Don’t use pesticides; use aphids instead. Using pesticides on your plants is terrible for the environment. They can also be very bad for your health if you plan on eating what you are growing. The best way to deal with pests who eat your plants is to introduce ladybugs loose in your garden. The ladybugs won’t do any damage to your plants because they eat the pests that would otherwise wreak havoc on your garden. Pest control bugs like ladybugs are great for gardens. They are far more environmentally friendly. You don’t have to worry about whether or not they are on your plants when you eat them. And they keep the pests out of your garden! Garden often is thought to be complicated. The truth is that anybody can learn how to do it. Don’t let yourself feel intimidated by the different and complex gardens you will see on television or in magazines. The truth is that, with enough patience and hard work, anybody can learn how to grow beautiful gardens. Even people who have never had any luck growing plants can learn how to grow a magnificent garden in just a few seasons of planting. Good luck! You’ll figure it out!

Original post can be found here: Tips and Tricks for Inexperienced Gardeners

If you have enjoyed the fruits of your labor all summer long in the way of produce, you know how important it is to prepare a vegetable plot for winter. It helps to know what to do at the end of the growing season, as this can have a large impact on the next year’s harvest. These same ideas will also help you plan ahead and prepare an area for a garden if you’ve never grown one before.

Whether your proposed garden plot has had a garden there in the past or not, chances are there will be plant matter in the area. This could be plants which have yielded their last, or grass and weeds from the lawn. In either case you want to mark off the area you plan to use for your springtime garden. The best way to do this is to use wooden stakes pounded into the four corners, with colored tape to help you see the borders.

Divide the garden into five parts. One part will be set aside for plants which come back each year such as herbs, artichokes, rhubarb and asparagus. The remaining three plots will be rotated each year to ensure you don’t deplete the soil of nutrients.

Leave enough area between the parts to be able to walk and push a wheelbarrow through. This can be covered in gravel to keep weeds at bay, or you can use landscape fabric with bark chips to create a suitable surface. Of course, you don’t want to create such large sections to make it necessary to walk all over the beds. If you make the areas small enough, you should be able to reach the center from the side which means you’ll have less area to work.

Till under any organic matter which might be in the garden plot. You can also add any other organic materials such as manure or nutrients into the soil, and incorporate well. This will prepare the ground for the spring and provide any birds which are still around with a meal of any worms or insects which are in the soil.

Cover the entire garden with mulch to reduce the opportunity for winter weeds to grow. If you’d rather not use mulch because you may forget where the garden paths are, you can also sow a cover crop which will be tilled under in the spring.

Why not take advantage of the fact that you have the soil prepared and sow some winter vegetables. Carrots, onions and garlic can be planted in late summer to early fall. Allow the plants to germinate in the soil and cut back any green growth prior to the first frost. Cover them with mulch to keep the plants alive during the winter months and ready to grow come springtime.

Gardening is a time-consuming but rewarding experience. Think about preparing a vegetable plot for winter so it will have the best chance to succeed in the spring. Make some plans now on how you want to lay out the garden and what vegetables you want to plant, and then decide when to begin sowing seed indoors to be transplanted once spring arrives.

Original post can be found here: Preparing a Vegetable Plot for Winter

Original post can be found here: Outdoor Oasis Ideas

Gardening is a fantastic activity in many ways. It’s a great form of exercise, stress reliever, creative outlet, and just plain old good fun. Studies have shown that regular exposure to nature and fresh air is good for us. Not only will you feel energized and refreshed after a gardening session, but you’ll also feel a great sense of achievement.

Here are a few other reasons why gardening is a great all-around exercise:

#1 – Stress relief. Many of us lead very stressful lives. Gardening is a good way of relieving that stress. It’s a quiet, gentle activity that also helps you connect with nature and clear your mind. There’s something very nurturing about getting close the earth and having a part in helping something grow.

#2 – Great for joints and flexibility. As we get older, so do our joints and mobility. Gardening is a great option for keeping your joints supple and flexible without too much pressure. Simple exercises like bending, lifting and light digging will help your flexibility and muscle tone. All of this will lead to improved health and quality of life.

#3 – Keeps you busy. If you already have a busy schedule then gardening may be something you fit in on the weekends or in short spurts. However, if you’re out of work or retired, keeping a garden is a great way of staying active, fit and healthy. You’ll also feel a wonderful sense of achievement when you see the fruit of your labor.

#4 – Great social activity. Gardening is becoming increasingly popular. Many people are joining community garden projects and schemes. This is a great way to bond with your community. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for swapping home-grown produce and teaching your kids and family about healthy eating. Gardening is a great link for friendships. It’s a good way to meet like-minded people doing something you enjoy.

#5 – Great for children. Children are naturally geared to love gardening. They have an inbuilt instinct for connecting with the earth around them. Give a young child a small shovel and a vegetable patch and they may happily dig for hours. Exposure to gardening also shows kids the importance of food and healthy eating, as well as caring for their environment. Many schools now have gardening clubs and projects to help children get involved as gardeners too.

On the surface gardening seems like a great health activity, and it is, but there are also many other wonderful benefits. Along with getting plenty of fresh air and exercise you can relieve stress, make new friends, show your kids the importance of our environment and keep your joints and muscles supple. It’s a fantastic all-around activity to enjoy.

Original post can be found here: Why Gardening Is Good for Your Health and Life

One thing people look forward to once warmer weather arrives is grilling outdoors. Is your barbecue grill ready? If not, here’s how to spring clean your BBQ ready for the warmer days.

Start with the foundation. If your patio or deck isn’t in good repair, it won’t do you any good to set your grill there. Clean and make any repairs to the deck or patio so you know you’ll be safe when it’s time to grill.

Check out the grill. If your grill wasn’t cleaned properly the last time you grilled, now’s the time to get that done. Clean out any ashes which were left over. Check the bottom of your grill for rust. Inspect the grates and pans to see if they need to be replaced. Replace any parts which are rusty or damaged.

Remove the racks. Start the night before you clean the remainder of the grill. Remove the racks and place them on newspaper. Spray them down with oven cleaner and leave them overnight. When you come back to clean the rest of the grill, they’ll be nearly done. All you’ll need to do is run a brush over them to remove any built-up residue and they’ll be ready for the first steak.

Clean it up! Covering your grill for the winter doesn’t guarantee it will be free of dirt and grime once spring arrives. Take the time to clean your grill now with warm water, dish soap, and a wire brush. If you’d rather use an environmentally friendly alternative, use lemon juice and salt to remove excessive build-up.

To make cleaning easier, heat the grill up. Why do you want to do that? A warm grill is easier to clean than a cold one. Be careful when you get ready to clean, however. Make sure the grill has cooled a little so you don’t burn yourself.

Don’t forget to clean the outside of the grill. Even though the work is done on the inside, no one wants to look at an ugly, dirty grill. The outside doesn’t have to be perfectly clean, but you don’t want to be embarrassed by it either.

See if you have leftovers. You may have charcoal, lighter fluid, wood chips, or other items left from last year. Check them to ensure they’re ready to use. Charcoal or wood chips may have gotten wet. If you’re not sure about something, toss it out. You can always get more of whatever the items were.

Original post can be found here: How to Spring Clean Your BBQ Ready for the Warmer Days

If you’re like most people, you can’t wait for spring weather so you can get outdoors. You may be thinking about spring cleaning your backyard to get it ready for the sunshine and summer. Here are some ways you can do that and enjoy being outdoors at the same time.

Gather the family together so everyone is pitching in with the work. Your children might not be keen, but once you explain you’re trying to get it ready for summer fun, they may stop complaining so much. Of course, you’ll want to be sure to have people work to their abilities, but everyone can contribute.

Decide what needs the most attention. Undoubtedly there will be a build-up of leaves regardless if you raked during the fall. There may also be limbs which have fallen from the tree due to ice or wind. Check out the garden; what attention does it need? Do you have flower gardens which are about to burst forth with blooms? They’ll need consideration as well.

Try to make the tasks fun. Instead of acting like a drill sergeant, let the children toss leaves while they’re raking. They may even want to make a pile to jump into if there are enough of them. After they’ve had some fun they may be more willing to get back to work and get the leaves cleaned up.

Let the air in! Take time to aerate your lawn. This is important to breathe fresh air into the root system which will allow water and fertilizer to reach the roots. There are many methods to do this: use shoes with spikes on them, a hand tool specifically designed for aeration, or rent a power aerator.

Get your hands dirty. Weed the flower beds and along the sidewalks. Of course, you can also remove dandelions and broadleaf weeds with an ergonomic weeding tool. The point is to remove the weeds, roots and all, from your lawn as early in the season as possible so they don’t grow or possibly spread.

Repair your lawn. It’s almost inevitable that your lawn will have bare or brown patches. Remove the dead or discolored grass and sprinkle in some grass seeds. Then you can add fertilizer. Keep the area moist until the seed sprout and you can see new growth.

Take care of yard tools. You may want to take your lawnmower in for a tune-up. Check the hand tools to ensure they’re not rusted or broken. Replace anything you feel is unsafe or past the point of repair.

Decide what new plants you want to add to a flower garden or if you’ll have a vegetable garden this year. Mark off where the garden will be if you haven’t had one, and then choose what you’ll plant. Spring is the perfect time to lay weed barriers and mulch so you’ll have to do less weeding.

Don’t forget any play items in your yard. Decide if there are other pieces you’ll want to add this year and where you will put them. Check the chains and seats on swing sets. Replace them if necessary. You want your children to enjoy the equipment but you also want them to be safe.

By taking a weekend in the early spring, you can get your yard and garden ready for whatever the spring and summer may have in store. Spring clean your backyard with the help of your family. Once the biggest tasks are done you’ll be glad knowing your yard and garden are ready to enjoy.

Original post can be found here: Spring Cleaning Your Backyard

Ponds can be wonderful additions to your yard. They can provide a place to learn about nature and wildlife, as well as being a quiet spot in the midst of your garden or yard. Unfortunately, they can also be a hazard; it is for this reason it’s important to know these pond safety tips.

Perhaps your family has a large enough pond for you to go fishing. Or it may be a small pond in the center of your garden. No matter if it’s a huge pond or one that’s small; you’ll want to make sure everyone is aware of the rules and knows that safety comes first.

* When deciding where to place a small garden pond, try to locate it where children won’t be tempted to go to it. You may also want to place it where it can be easily seen from inside the house.

* Research the local ordinances where you live to determine what safety laws you have to follow. You may be required to place a fence around your pond if it’s a specific size or depth.

* Let children know they’re not allowed near the pond without an adult. This rule stands for children even if they know how to swim. Ponds can appear to be safe but you can never tell where the safety ledge is within any given pond. The ledge may drop off quickly and they might not be prepared for it.

* Children should also be taught not to go in any water where they can’t see the bottom. Seeing the bottom is not a guarantee that the child will be safe, but this rule could keep them from going into a pond with dirty water where they don’t know how deep the water is.

* If there are animals around the pond which aren’t family pets, don’t go near them. They’re wild animals and might bite. If you’d like to watch the animals, do so from a safe distance with a pair of binoculars.

* Learn about the plants which may be around your pond, particularly if the pond was there before you arrived. Explain to the children that it’s not safe to chew on plants around the pond. Even though most of them won’t be dangerous, some may be poisonous. Learn to recognize what plants are there, which ones are poisonous, how to recognize problems associated with the poisonous plants, and what to do if someone ingests some of the poisonous plant.

* Do not drink water from the pond. Birds and other animals may come to the pond to drink. In the process they may also go to the bathroom in the pond. This makes the water hazardous to drink.

Your family may have your own pond safety tips. If you don’t, however, these tips will give you a starting place for creating your own.

Original post can be found here: Pond Safety Tips

Many people have installed garden ponds at their homes. They add interest to the garden, encourage wildlife to visit the garden, and provide a place for peace and contemplation. Using these garden pond maintenance 101 tips, it won’t be long before your pond is ready for spring’s visitors.

Ponds require regular maintenance. The better care you take, the longer your pond will be enjoyed by your family. There are things you should do during each season of the year, but here’s how you can ensure your pond is ready for the spring.

* Remove the de-icer or heating unit from the pond. Replace the filter and pump, then turn them on.

* Remove any leaves or decomposed organic material. Keep an eye out for algae and remove it as soon as you can.

* If the water appears black, remove at least one-third of it and then replace it with fresh water.

* Purchase the beneficial bacteria, chemicals, and water conditioners you’ll need for the spring and summer. Now would be the time to decide on any new items you’ll add to your pond as well.

* Check the level of the water in your pond and add a small amount at a time so the water temperature or the chemical balance isn’t disrupted too drastically. If you wintered your fish indoors, increase the water and chemical level before returning the fish to the pond.

* Begin feeding the fish once the temperatures reach or exceed 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Since any fish you might have in your pond are cold-blooded, they’ll begin getting interested in eating once their body temperature rises.

* Check the netting around the pond and repair it where necessary.

* Reset any rocks around you’ve placed around the border as well as prune the shrubs and any plants which are around the pond. You may also want to add new plants or features to the pond.

* Clean the filter as recommended by the manufacturer, being sure to clean the water intake more often to keep it from becoming clogged with debris.

If you take the time to care for your pond the way it requires, you’ll be able to enjoy it for years to come. Pay attention to any organic matter that falls into the water and clean it out. You’ll also want to remove any fish which may die.

What else can you do to benefit from your pond throughout the year? You may want to place a bench so you can sit near the pond watching the fish. Another option would be to set up a canopy swing. Then take the time to sit outside by the pond to enjoy being outdoors among nature.

Original post can be found here: Garden Pond Maintenance 101