Saturday, November 12, 2011

A Garden For The Entire Family

Everybody in one way or another wants to have their own little garden whether it be on the backyard, rooftop, or any place for that matter. Having our own garden where we can sow different flowers and plants or where we can have time to lounge or relax with family and friends gives that feeling of freedom knowing that we will be able to spend time leisurely for the whole day. If you have a garden irregardless of its size, dividing it into different areas for the different activities that you might be engaging in it will definitely prove to be helpful.

It is ideal especially if you have a big garden to separate it into different areas for the different members of your family and for the different things that you may want to do in it. If you have pets, you can actually situate their houses in your garden. You can designate a small fenced area for them where they can run around, play and exercise. It doesn’t have to be that spacious, so as long as they can move about, I think that would be enough. Just make sure that their area is away from your prized plants and flowers so that they wouldn’t destroy them.

Kids can be very hyper active. It would be great for you to allot them an area where they can play with their outdoor toys. You can even build them a tree house if you have a tree that is big and strong enough for it. In this area, they can play with friends and neighbors with outdoor games like hide and seek and other games for that matter.

You can also create space in your garden where you can place tables and chairs for an outdoor meal. This would be great when you do cook outs or have a small garden picnic with family and friends.

Of course if you love to do gardening and you have a green thumb, create a space where you could plant your flowers or vegetables. I know of some people who sow their own vegetables and herbs in their very own garden. Here, you are assured that it doesn’t have any pesticides or any other chemicals used in letting it grow. If you have kids who like to do gardening also, you can give them a small planting place where they can plant just about anything. Teaching your kids how to grow plants will instill in them responsibility early on.

You now have a garden for the entire family to enjoy and take pleasure in.

5 Must Know Tips For A Better Looking Landscape

There is no doubt that when landscaping one wants to save money, as well as have an attractive property. Not only can landscaping help you beautify your home, but it can also provide a source of satisfying exercise in the fresh air. When you take care of your yard on your own, it is possible to save money and to improve your physical conditioning. But if the landscape turns out to look bad, then that is so much time and money wasted. However, it is possible to ensure a better-looking landscape by following a few tips that can help you take better care of your yard.

Know your soil type. Some plants thrive in soil with more acidity, and others prefer a little more alkali. Additionally, sandy soil and clay soil, as well as the presence of a loamy soil, can make a difference in what types of plants will thrive in a landscape. You should have your soil evaluated in order to determine what types of vegetation should be planted on your property. When you purchase plants that will succeed in the soil conditions present in your yard, then you make a wiser money decision, and you end up with a more attractive landscape. If there are plants that you would like to use in your soil, but the soil is not quite ideal, it is possible to improve the soil to proper conditions. You need only add mulch or peat, or to add crushed limestone or clamshells, depending upon what you hope to accomplish. As long as there is not a great difference in what you have and what you hope to achieve, it is possible to make soil adjustments to be more accommodating.

Understand how much space each of the plants need. There are some plants that require more room for their root systems than others. If you choose one plant that tends to grow everywhere, and you do not have adequate space, you will find that your other plants may be crowded out or that they may choke and die. Also, make sure you understand the spacing requirements for between plants. Many shrubs and small trees need to be planted at least three to four feet apart to have enough room to grow.

Use native plants in your landscape design. One of the most effective things you can do to ensure a good-looking yard is to make use of native plants. Find out what plants grow best in your area, and what plants are indigenous to the region. This way you will already be ahead, in that you know that the plants you choose are adapted to the climate. You will not have to struggle against natural inclinations to keep your landscape looking beautiful. If you due use non-native plants, assure yourself that they come from a place that shares a climate similar to the one in which you live.

Plan your landscape around different blooming times. Different plants bloom at various times throughout the year. If all of the plants in your landscape are at their most attractive all at the same time, then your yard will look beautiful for a few weeks each year, but quite possible ugly the rest of the year. One way to help avoid this is to choose attractive bushes and shrubs that look good green, but also have some sort flower. However, it is a good idea to stagger plants among each other. Plant tulips and crocus among later-blooming plants so that in early spring the bulbs bloom, and then when those flowers’ time is up, the next plants will be in bloom. In this way the cycle of your landscape is in keeping with the seasons, and looks attractive all year round.

Use wood chips around shrubs, bushes and trees. Wood chips can help the ground around shrubs, bushes, and trees look more attractive. Not only do the chips cover the ground (often looking better than dirt), but they also help keep in moisture, repel weeds, and provide natural food as they break down. Likewise, attractive groundcover like chicks and hens placed around trees and shrubs can make the area more interesting and pleasing to the eye.