About Grass in the Garden

We are all happy that the spring is almost here. A bit of winter is still with us but we are more likely to think about warm, sunny days and green grass in our garden. But what do we know about the grass - do we know how to take care of it to make it look stunning? Let's find out.

The most important are beginnings. There are two times when it is good to start the grass growing - one is between April and May, and the second one is between August and September. Before we seed the grass we should prepare the soil. Mostly when the soil is with good pH and with enough of decay we can just dig it over and this will do.

Next thing is to choose seeds. It is worth to pay a bit of attention and time to think this matter trough - what will be the best type needed for us. The choice depends on the purpose that we have for our grassed yard. If we have children and animals the grass might be in worse condition this case we should choose a sport type of grass, if we only want the grass to look good we can decide on the park one mixture.

And not without a meaning there is a way of sowing. Popular method is to sow on the cross - first we split seeds on two parts and than we sow one part in one direction, till the end of the field and another part in different direction, crossed to the first one. After sowing we have to cover seed with soil. We can make using in example rake. In the end we water the soil checking if the flow is not to intense.

If we already have seeds sowed important is a good care. The biggest problem for all gardeners is the cutting part. There can be a lot to say on this subject. We have to have good methods, tools and spend a lot of time. The best time for cutting is in the morning and in the evening and using electrical lawn-mower and smaller, hand one that can be used in harder to get places.

First cutting should be when the grass is about 6-10 centimetres and not making it too short - the correct length should be about 4 cm. The next problem is how often the grass should be cut. It is commonly said that we should do it once a week. If we do it fewer there is a possibility that pests will appear. And we shouldn't cut the grass when it is wet - there is a more chance to make plants sick.

Your garden might also need garden buildings and garden sheds

[photo by: Dredrk aka Mr Sky]

Everything Resistant Plants - they will grow if you like it or not

Are you one of those people that feel they are completely unable to keep a plant alive? All your flowers wither after a month since you brought them home? Maybe it is time to think of it that way: It is not you who is wrong for the plants, maybe you simply had the wrong plants?

There are many house flowers that actually require very little attention.

One of them is the Red Edged Dracena, which is an outstandingly resistant plant. It likes sunny places but without the light shinning directly on it. The best temperature for it is 20 C, 15-18 C during the winter. It can be watered moderately once a week, again, during the winter even less often. It likes moist air.

Another one can be bamboo. It should be kept directly in the water (it should reach about an inch above the roots) and out of direct sunlight. If you change the water every two weeks, it shouldn’t require much more, perhaps some fertilizer every now and then.

Another plant very resilient to it’s owner’s lack of attention is Cthenenthe oppenheimiana. There are several kinds of it but they all have long, striped leaves with red underside. It is a perfect plant for smokers, as it doesn’t mind smoke. An interesting think is that it actually lets its owner know when it needs to be watered – its leaves are folding when it really needs water. Definitely helps those prone to forgetting.

If you have trouble with remembering to water your plants, you can set an alarm in your mobile phone to go off periodically, in the mornings, before you leave for work or afternoons, when you are already back home when it starts ringing.

Agree with yourself about specific days of the week for plant watering, for example once a week on Monday for plants that prefer dry ground, 2 or 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) for plants that need more water. It is good to mark each plant with a stick that has one, two or three water drops drawn on it – it will save you time you would spend wondering which plant should be watered on what day. A bottle with stale water should always be standing in plain sight, refilled immediately with fresh water after it is all used up.

A word of advice for succulent plants cultivators (you can recognize them by their meaty leaves) – it is good to put them into a bowl of cold water once a week, for the soil in the flowerpot and the plant itself to regain its necessary moisture level.

Once a year all flowers should be replanted into slightly bigger flowerpots (about 1,20 inch wider in diameter than the previous one), with addition of some fresh soil.

To prevent forgetting to fertilize the plants, you can buy special long-lasting universal fertilizers in the form of sticks that are inserted in the soil. Usually they work for three to six months and then are simply exchanged for fresh ones.

You might grow these plants at home or in the garden at the wooden greenhouse - they will grow definitely.

[photo: delphaber]

Prepare Your Garden for Winter

Autumn is now in full bloom, the green is not so green anymore and we want to spend less and less time in our gardens. But if we want to enjoy it next year in the same (or better) state, we have to take care of some important details now. Because now is the time, when plants are going into their dormant period and by some gardening endeavors we can help them pass the winter. The important thing is not to overdo it.

Before the frost season comes, plant trees and shrubs with prominent roots. At the base of these plants raise small mounds of soil that will protect the roots from cold. Cover with mats the cold-sensitive shrubs. If it is not very rainy, water the evergreen plants, so they could build water supply for the winter. Refrain from trimming the plants, as the sprouts will have no time to lignify and will be left unprotected from cold and infections.

To prepare your flowerbeds you should dig it now, but leave it without raking, so the dampness from precipitation. Remember to scatter the phosphoric fertilizer before that. Use potassium fertilizers as well. You should also check the soil pH. The best pH range varies between 6,0 and 7,0. If the pH is too low, you can increase it by applying agricultural lime. If you do that, never apply any fertilizers – because of chemical reactions that might occur, some of important minerals might become unavailable for plants.

When it comes to the lawn, you should mow it as long as it grows. If October was warm, you should mow it even in November. Keep the lawn clean of leaves, don’t let them cover it with airtight layer, which can cause spreading of fungus called Micronectriella nivalis, that is very dangerous to plants.

Remember to take care of your pond. It is good to spread a net above the water surface that will catch the falling leaves. Try to keep it as clean as possible, removing leaves so their weight wouldn’t cause them to touch water and start rotting. Remember to take the pumps and filter out before layer of ice covers the surface of your pond. Remove leaves and algae and wash the equipment. Plants should be moved to containers with clean water, in which they will spend the dormant season. Fish should be moved to aquarium. If your pond is big (over 3,5 ft), move the fish to the aquarium, remove 2/3 of the water, remove sludge and plant remains, clean the bottom and sideS of your pond.

It is important to cut off water flow in garden taps and remove water from pipes, so they wouldn’t burst when it freezes. You should also empty all water containers, they might break under the pressure of ice during the winter. Clean and grease your gardening tools, put them in a dry shed. Sharpen the tools that require it and fix the damaged ones. All equipment should be clean and tidy.