Green Garden

Ruth Stout, who passed on in 2006 at a grand old age, left behind a rich legacy for gardeners. Ruth’s study highlighted aspects found in the world of nature, like the presence of a layer of mulch, as well as leaving the ground unbroken (in effect, letting the inhabitants of the soil do the “turning” - earthworms, microbes, and such). Through her observation of various natural settings, followed by strategic implementation of these features, gardening was shown to become more productive, while reducing the work load.

Application of organic plant waste material directly onto the soil to a depth of an inch or more generates the following results:

- The bottom layer of mulch will gradually rot into the soil, providing a constant supply of nutrients, while eliminating the need for maintaining a compost pile.

- Moisture retention due to the mulch layer means reduced need for watering - saving on both resources and labor.

- Mulch effectively prevents weeds from growing, thus reducing another laborious chore.

- Because of greater nutrient levels, plants can be positioned twice as densely as normally recommended.

- Even so, those plants will actually produce more than non-mulched plants. In real terms the combination of denser spacing and higher production means a fourfold increase overall.

In addition, leaving the soil unbroken saves the laborious task of turning the soil, while the soil’s compactness allows the “wicking” action of moisture and nutrients to flow.

I have had the pleasure of proving these results in my own garden, as have countless other practitioners of mulch gardening.

Gardeners and farmers are advised to study the finer points of the system before implementation.

See the links below, which expand on this system of applying nature-wisdom for increased productivity while saving on resources and labor.

The art of tending bonsais has captivated people all over the globe. One would stop to think how species that can be so big would be able to fit a small pot or contar. The miracle of this form of gardening is, of course, no longer a secret.

There forty-five known species of the Chse Bonsai, most of which evergreen in color. The most common habitats for the Chse woodlands, hedgerows and thickets, most specially in Northern temperate as.

The Chse bonsai is often inchanged with the species called Zelkova (also known as the Japae ). The only difference between the two is the appearance of their fruits. The Chse has fruits with wings while its Japae counpart don’t.

More often than not, Chse is sold as an ior plant because it stays green despite being kept inside your home. Although they do look good iors, putting them as an outside d

These days it seems like ey goes straight from our bank accounts and into the hands of every else. Many people are challenged by difficult economical situations. When you are worrying about ing the ey to pay your rent, make a mortgage payment, or fill your gas tank, the last ng you need to worry about is ing the ey to pay for filling your family’s stomachs. Fortunately, there are several strategies you use to s ey in your kitchen. The f you and how you prepare and serve it make a big difference in how much cash you e left over for those other important ngs.

Stocking Up on Groceries

Buy dried fs in bulk. Beans, rice and pasta are all fine for storing, as long as you e containers t keep them fresh. When you keep these ngs stocked, you will always e someng to cook even when you do not seem to e anyng. What is m, ing in bulk usually ss you ey. Compare the price per unit to the regular packaged items bef ing.

When there is a g sale on someng you use consistently, up as much as you st, fze or refrigerate. Yes, you even do s with milk. You fze it, but it must be wed for a day or two bef you drink it, so keep t in mind and get it out bef you empty the gallon in the refrigerator.

Do some calculating to figure out if ing a “deep fze” fzer would ultimately s you ey. There are sometimes sales on meat t are only available if you a certain amount of pounds. The ability to fze large amounts of meat and other fs for long periods may pay out after a few ths. Write out how much you pay for meat in a th and how many pounds you as well as the rage price you e been paying per pound. Other ngs you fze: bread, cheese, and of course, some fruits and vegetables.

Cooking with Crock Pot Recipes

Use a crock-pot and make up batches of f t be used in m n recipe. When the f is d, divide it up in fzer containers if it will be a few days bef you use it.

Most people would be surpri at how many applicons gravel has in landscaping. It is not only u for paths, but as a decorve touch in pots, in the fdons of buildings and generally as decoron throughout the garden. Gravel is very affordable and its variety of color, shape and size make it a versle product. Here are a few ways that you can gravel to enhance your landscape design.

Using gravel ard plants
Gravel u ard plants will not only add to the visual appeal of the garden bed, it will assist with the control of weeds, minimize soil erosion and help to retain the moisture level in the soil, thus benefitting the plants.

Using gravels ard pools and ponds
The of landscaping gravel ard the edges of pools and ponds will present a more defined, therefore “finished” appearance. Decorve pebbles can also be u in this way.

Using gravels to beautify waterfalls
Gravel, when u in conjunction with naturally occurring stone, will g a waterfall or rock bed a more authentic look. Gravel can also add extra “depth” to the waterfall when u with fake bders.

Creng walkways or trails with gravel
Crushed gravel, in shades of gray or white can be u as the “base” of walkways throughout your landscape design. The properties of crushed gravel allow it to meld together to form a stable surface. If your path is to be u by joggers, it is best to lay a base of crushed gravel under landscape fabric, with fine gravel as the finishing surface.

Creng drways using gravel
Gravel can also be u in drways and it is a relvely inexpens surface. It does not require the same amt of maintenance as a cement or paved drway as there is no need to patch cracks or replace broken pavers. It also has aesthetic appeal.

Gravel is also a great addition to building fdons and it can be u for drainage purposes, especially in “boggy” grd.

Installing pre-grown can be an excellent way to give your pitiful looking lawn a much-needed jumpstart. If your lawn is mostly bare, consisting of more dirt patches than lush green grass, you might be best to consider as a quick replacement, especially when time is not on your side, and seeding and growing a new lawn is not an option. You’ll have lush green grass in no time, and it will root quickly allowing that upcoming lawn party or simply adding beauty and usability your own pleasure. Some preparation is needed bee your arrives, and some instructions need to be followed implicitly to allow your its best chances successful attachment and growth. You first need to remove existing grass remnants and any pesky weeds in the area. An organic herbicide can do the job of killing grass and weeds you are unable to simply pull up; af it does its job, remove the wilted and brown remainders. Adding organic topsoil and tilling it, working it within the existing soil will ensure your has the best, most fertile soil possible in which to extend its root system. Rake the top of the area now, adding organic fertilizer or organic compost from your compost bin. Af working in the compost and fertilizer and making sure the area is level, it is time to start waing. Extend your hose reel so that you can adequly irrig the soil in preparation the ’s arrival. Attempt this in several short spurts, allowing ample penetration of necessary wa while minimizing the waste due to wa runoff. These waings should continue until the day bee the arrival of your new . Sod should not be stored on your property when it arrives, but immedily rolled into position as the generd heat from the stacking can be harmful to the overall health of your new lawn. Lay your rows in place as you would if you were a bricklayer or sheet-rocker, making sure to stagger the seams thus minimizing the appearance of “blocks” of grass. For the next two weeks, the waing of your should be ample, allowing nice wet that will quickly take root. Your hose reel should be used as much as six times a day in summer, perhaps three times in early spring to ensure rapid growth. You are able to check the rooting process by gently tugging on your af a couple of weeks. If it has not attached in a given area, increase the wa supply; don’t be stingy! Once in place is fairly easily maintained, only needing adequ waings af rooting has taken place. In this manner, you and your family can enjoy a fresh green lawn many years to come. The rewards are ample minimal work and expense.

Many homeowners in Arizona own pools of their own and understanding how to take c of your pool is a must unless you simply hire a pool mtenance company to mt the pool weekly or bi-weekly. Eit way, you should have some knowledge on taking c of your own pool in case something should go wrong in between mtenance trips.

Assuming you taking c of your own pool te rout procedures that need to be watd and attended to. You need to stay on top of the water and its sanitizer level making sure that the alkal and ph a balanced. If they not in good balance it can affect how clean and clear the water is and ultimately causes pool equipment damage. Keeping your pool sanitized kills bacteria and algae as well as ot living forms that could be in the water. Chlor is the mical you likely using to keep the pool sanitized. Pool companies near your home will test your pool by bringing in a sample of the water and usuy te is no charge for this service. Keep your chlor levels at the proper amounts.

Every couple of days you should ck and clean the skimmer basket to keep the pool water flowing and circulating properly. Check your basket especiy after a wind or r storm since this can add debris to the water and collect in the skimmer basket.

You will occasiony need to shock the pool and destroy the combd chlor compounds. This will also sanitize the pool and get your chlor levels back to we they need to be. Ot micals your pool likely will need to stay mted to a clean and safe level algaecide to prevent and control the algae that may grow in your pool. This is usuy done on a weekly basis but ck with your local pool supply company or the pool company that built your pool if you had it done yourself.

Clarifier is a mical used to keep the water from getting cloudy. They remove particles that would normy be too sm to get caught in your filter system. The Clarifier will cause particles to clump toget and make them larger so they can get caught and vacuumed in the normal fashion.

You may also need to occasiony vacuum the pool although most of the newer pools have an automatic pool vacuum system. Skim the top of your pool when you have larger items that may clog the vacuum system. Brush down your ws, seats, steps and ot as that your vacuum cannot reach. Also, ck your filter and if you have an older system you may need to do a weekly or monthly backwash of your pool pump.

This may sound daunting but honestly, it is not as much work as it sounds once you know what you doing. Keeping up with your pool is extremely important for cleanlss, save levels of balance and keeps you from having more major problems down the l. If you would rat have someone else mt your pool on a regular basis, te many pool mtenance companies and the fees not that high and usuy include your micals and you can simply sit back and enjoy the fun in the sun!

Halloween is a fun, exciting holiday that is enjoyed by almost everyone. It is a time when adults can dress up and be silly and a time when children are encouraged to over-indulge on sweets. It is a time for fantasy and trickery. It is also a fabulous time to get creative in the kitchen!

Halloween Cooking for your Family

Moms and dads are always looking for new and inventive ways to bring their family together around the dining table. Halloween is a perfect excuse to get fun and creative in the kitchen. Everyone will look forward to attending a themed dinner that is both delicious and entertaining! All it takes is a little creativity. When you think about creating a special Halloween dinner, think about colors and shapes that are a perfect fit for the holiday. Take a traditional family favorite but transform it into black and orange coloring. Use a tried and true recipe but modify it to contain shapes like ghosts, skeletons, witches, or tombstones.

Halloween Cooking for a Party

Many of the same ideas and themes mentioned above can be used when cooking for a larger group instead of just your family. With the help of some food die and a cookie cutter, traditional appetizers, main courses, and deserts can quickly be turned into a talked about hit at your Halloween gathering. Try taking standard finger sandwiches and cut them in the shape of a ghost. Put olives in a jar and label it “Gremlin Eyeballs”. Mold dough into the shape of a skull for an easy, eerie bread. The possibilities are endless and are only limited by your imagination!

Kids and adults alike love the fun and fantasy associated with Halloween. It is easy to incorporate the feel and themes connected with Halloween to make a meal special and memorable. This is one celebration where nothing is really over the top. The wilder your ideas the better they may be received. Start a new tradition this Halloween with a well thought out and fun to execute Halloween meal.

Your garden is your haven to escape from the outside world, somewhere you can spend time relaxing with family and friends for enjoyment and pleasure. If you have a garden then you may be considering changing or adding new features and if you are then outdoor water fountains will be an ideal way to add a whole new dimension to your garden. Outdoor water fountains can be used in many different ways to create a different ambience or create a new look to your garden, whether you are looking to create a romantic feel or an elegant new look you can achieve this with outdoor water fountains. Within this article we will take a little more of a detailed look at the water fountains, how they work and how easy they are to add into your garden and how you can create the exact feel to your garden with the correct choice of water fountain.

Outdoor water fountains are carefully crafted to create a beautiful object which will grace any outside space. Depending on your taste will reflect on what choice of outdoor water fountain you may opt for, there are hundreds of different styles and designs too choose from and each one can offer something different for your garden. If you are looking to achieve a romantic feel to your garden then there beautifully crafted ornamental plinths which bring a little bit of class and romance to your garden. Often the fountains will have carvings and engravings into the stone to create an authentic looking piece which could have been sculpted hundreds of years ago. If you are looking for a centre piece for your garden then you can buy fountains in a range of sizes, so whether you have a large garden, patio or decking area or a smaller space there will be an outdoor water fountain to suite your requirements.

In most instances the pump for the outdoor water fountains will be located within the base which ensures your feature will always look stylish without any obvious signs of the pump being visible. The pump is a vital part of the fountain and as such when you buy yours you will always have the pump include in the price so you can get your fountain home and start using it straightaway. There are lots of different types of fountain for your outdoor space some of which can hang on to walls, so if space is of a premium then you may wish to take a look at this option. The wall mounted fountains have their own special quality and can turn a boring and dull wall into a real work of art. Just some of the types available include the wall fountains, tiered fountains, statuary, artistic and waterfall designs, these are just a few of the variations which you can enjoy in your garden. If you haven’t considered an outdoor water fountain before and want to create an elegant and stylish area for your garden then they are ideal for you.

The tendency for many home gardeners is to think of the spring and summer as the principle feeding seasons for their plants. This may be true in cool, temperate climates, but much less so in Mediterranean and other regions that experience hot, dry summers, and mild wet winters.

In fact, autumn is a secondary growing season in such climates, while during the winter, despite the fact that growth generally slows down, the plants do continue to grow and develop. It is necessary therefore, that in both seasons, adequate supplies of nutrient are available in the plants’ root zone. The question arises then, as to the best method for supplying the essential plant nutrients.

Chemical fertilizer is unquestionably the cheapest and most efficient way of supplying readily available nutrients to the garden plants. The trouble is that the constant adding of mineral salts that chemical fertilizing entails, has serious consequences for the long-term health of the soil. This is liable to express itself in the related problems of increased soil salinity, and the breakdown of the soil’s structure, which leads to a lack of oxygen in the root zone.

In any case, as the plants’ metabolic rate is relatively low at this time, plants require nutrients in small doses, so there is often little need to add chemical amendments such as nitrogen or phosphorous fertilizer. It is at best unnecessary to risk damaging the health of the soil for the sake of hoping to increase, slightly, the rate at which the garden plants grow.

It makes far more sense to adopt a feeding policy that supplies small but steady doses of nutrient, while improving the condition of the soil, which after all is the habitat in which the plants grow. This is where adding organic matter, which can be termed natural fertilizer, comes in. High percentages of organic matter, improves the soil’s structure and thus its aeration, balances its pH in the overly alkaline conditions common in dry climates, and indirectly helps to reduce pest and disease infestations. Paradoxically, the excessive use of chemical fertilizer can raise the soil’s pH (more alkaline) thereby reducing the availability to the plants’ roots, of essential trace elements such as iron and magnesium.

It is important to apply organic matter like compost that has thoroughly broken down to the crumbly, black, odorless state known as humus. With new plantings, particularly in soils that are very infertile, it may be necessary to add some fertilizer, but this can take the form of either organic products or slow-release fertilizer.

There are also environmental issues to consider, as fertilizers leaching out into lakes, rivers, and water tables, are a serious source of pollution. In this regard, commercial compost based on plant waste is preferable to that based on animal manure, although with the latter, the plants will probably benefit in the short term, from the increased concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorous and other nutrients.

Metal Deck Railings Add Their Own Beauty

Metal is being used more and more in the manufacture of decks, deck railings and deck products. A metal deck railing will add beauty and style to your home deck. Whereas wood was once the choice of most homeowners for their decks, metal is fast becoming the material they’re choosing for most of their decking needs.

Qualities of Metal for Decking Products

You may feel that metal is expensive for your decking needs, but you’ll be happy you chose metal when you see how durable it is and how little maintenance it requires. Metal Railings are also available in many designs and colors to complement your deck. Whether you decide to go with metal for your entire decking needs or just choose a metal deck railing to complement your deck, you’ll love the way your entire home will look when visitors come to see you and your family. Your deck will be a constant source of pride.

Your deck is a fantastic place for you to relax and enjoy the outdoors while reading, visiting or just reading a good book. It also offers you a good view of your entire yard, where the children may be playing or the rosebuds are beginning to open. When you build your deck, if the deck floor is more than thirty inches from the ground (as in a split-level home), you view of the yard may be obstructed if almost impossible. To compensate for this, you can install a metal deck railing, which are very slim and offer the least view obstruction.

Numerous Designs and Styles of Metal Deck Railings

Providing security and protection are not the only purposes that metal railings serve. They are also great for a beautifully decorative touch to your home. They are known for their strength and durability. At one time, the idea of a metal deck railing was out of the question because only the wealthier could afford their high cost. However, with the many changes in technology, metal railings may still be expensive but are also affordable by more people than ever before. A very popular choice by many homeowners is the combination of wooden handrails with metal deck railings.

When choosing your metal railings, plan what you want the entire deck to look like when it’s finished. With the many patterns, colors and styles available, choose the patterns that will best coordinate with your deck flooring as well as the style of your home. After all, your deck is attached to your home so it should blend with the style and color of your home. You’ll have choices including aluminum, bronze, polished metal to name just a few. Your local home building supply store will have many samples for you to browse through to help you make your selections.