Cleaning Up Your Garden And Getting Ready For Fall

 Fall-Garden-CleanupIt’s harvest season in your garden. The tomatoes are ripe and practically falling off the vine, the summer squash is fat and heavy, the peppers are colorful, and your onions are turning yellow just in time for fall. The early part of autumn is a busy time for any gardener and there’s still plenty of harvesting to do, but if you live in a colder climate, the first snowfall isn’t far away. Once you’ve finished harvesting all the delicious fresh vegetables you’ve been tending to all summer long, it’s going to be time to get your garden ready to survive the winter so that you can do it all over again in the spring. 

Use this checklist when it’s time to get your garden and backyard ready for the winter.

  1. Finish the Harvest

Depending on where you live, harvest season can go quite long. Some of the last herbs and vegetables that are ready to be harvested will include chives, mint, cilantro, parsley, and rosemary for herbs, and vegetables like celery, carrots, cabbage, winter squash, parsnips, and kale. Once these are on your kitchen table, it’s time to begin.

  1. Weeding

It’s not the most fun part of gardening, but it’s essential to a healthy, fruitful garden. It’s also important to get rid of any diseased or infected plants so that they don’t spread. Get rid of anything that could be a source of bugs or that didn’t grow well. Odd coloring is another sign that it might be infected. Fall makes it easier to get rid of bad plants and weeds as it’s easier to find the strongest roots and pull the plant out whole.

  1. Protect New Garden Beds

Establishing new perennials is a difficult task and they are especially vulnerable in the winter. Covering new garden beds that you added this year will help them survive. Drape a garden cloche over the garden you want to protect. However, vegetable gardens don’t need to be protected from the winter weather as much. A simple cold frame can help you keep growing winter vegetables.

  1. Cutting and Pruning

There are some plants you will want to let die naturally and come back in the spring, but many flowering trees, vines, and shrubs benefit from a prune before the winter. You will also want to remove spent stalks and other debris. This can be a natural home for pests you don’t want.

  1. Winterize Your Gazebo

A gazebo is a lovely addition to a large garden that lets you spend time relaxing out of the sun. If you have recently set up a gazebo in your garden, you should learn about how to winterize it properly. Put away all the gazebo furniture and give it a good cleaning. Sweep away debris and follow it up by washing it thoroughly to get gunk out of the crevices. You may even want to scrub parts.

Getting your garden ready for winter means it will be healthier and more productive come spring time.

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Why You Should Totally Have a Garden at Your New Place

Why You Should Totally Have a Garden At Your New Place
Gardening is not just a hobby; it’s a way of life for many. If you’ve ever tasted a freshly ripped tomato right from the bush, you’d know what I’m talking about. Gardening demands time but it results in, however, you would be rewarded with amazing results for your health and the flavors of vegetables. There is nothing like homegrown.

The following are the five reasons why you should totally have a garden in your new place:

Health Benefits

Gardening is a laborious task, especially when you move to a new house and have to start from scratch. It requires proper care of the plants which means you have to do the dirty work – to dig, to weed, to sow. Just the feel of the soil is therapeutic. This means you can conveniently burn those extra 100-300 calories which you might have consumed in the form of that tempting cookie at the cafe the night before.

Having a garden will not only work as a mini workout but also has other insane benefits. It comes with an abundance of Vitamin D and our survival kit: oxygen. It also helps in reducing anxiety and stress which would most likely be a repercussion of frequent delays of the subway or a long line on Starbucks at 8 am.

Giving Back to Nature

New York is a hustle and bustle city with people who don’t even have time to bat an eye on celebrities like Jennifer Anniston. Amidst this craziness, it is essential to take some time off for the betterment of the environment both inside and outside your body.

Having a garden will not just provide fresh air for you but will also bring the beautiful pollinators to the yard. Bees’ population has been declining in the past few years, with poison-free flowers they will definitely come over for a snack once in a while.

Fact: Diverse and continual pollen make for amazingly healthy bees and gives back to our eco-system!.

Fresh Food

Moving from Florida to New York would be expensive enough, save as much as you can. I would suggest you start with your grocery bills! You can do so by getting seeds from your nearby supermarket which, mind you, will cost no more than 30 cents and will result in savings of hundreds of dollars.

New Yorkers are known to eat healthy all week and indulge on the weekends. This trend has led to organic produce’s prices skyrocketing. With the rise of farmers markets, you could sell a few tomatoes here and there and get those extra bucks for that Gucci bag you’ve been eying for far too long.

Moreover, growing food in your own garden will not just provide you with the option of producing a variety of fruits/vegetables that might not be available in the local market but will also function as an assurance that the food you’re consuming is more abundant in nutrients than its relatives on the shelves. Tomatoe Leaf Spary effective on grasshoppers, aphids and, whiteflies

Building a Community

Growing a garden doesn’t require for an acre of land, use the porch, patio or balcony or windows with a south facing. Developing a garden alongside a friend or a neighbor or even the significant other helps in building stronger relationships and bonding. With that, gardening will result in tons of learning for you, from which plant would work in the snowy New York to the fruits that would survive the boiling temperatures of summers; instead of theoretical, bookish knowledge, you will practically know what to do when you move to a new house and start building your own little garden., container gardening is becoming very popular as it can be done in small places like a patio or balcony. You can pass on what you learn to the younger generation, who in turn, if you’re lucky, will leave their video games to make time for this new activity.

It can also be very useful if you have or are thinking about starting a family as it provides time for activities like sports or even playing with larger toys like Kids electric cars.

Moreover, having a garden also results in most thoughtful gifts. These gifts could include a basket of freshly picked tomatoes or just a bunch of beautiful flowers which will have an emotional impact on the receiver as he/she would recognize the fact that you not only grew the plant but also, planted and nurtured it over a period of time. How about a potted tomato for a friend you grew from seed?

FUN!!

Leaving behind the glorious Disneyland back in Florida would be tough, I know, so to let loose and get in contact with your untapped creative and nature-loving side by having a garden.

Turn the sad, lonely backyard into an out-of-a-catalog garden. It’s your space, take inspiration, be creative, play with dirt and turn it into a beautiful space to host barbeques or a green play area for your furry friend or just a pleasant area to take Instagram worthy shots with your friends.

Guest Author Bio:
Jenny Harrison

Jenny Harrison is a passionate technology and lifestyle blogger. She loves to get engaged with the readers who are seeking for home, lifestyle and tech related information on the internet. She is a featured blogger at various high authority blogs and magazines in which she shared her research and experience with the vast online community. Currently associated with NYC moving company ‘All Around Moving Services Company Inc.’ Specializes in arranging and assembling services of professional and skilled local movers locally in New York City as well as areas in New Jersey, Connecticut and the Miami Dale area in South Florida for their blog operations. Follow her on twitter @MJennyHarrison for more updates.
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12 Common Front Garden Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

Do the gardening is a common hobby of many people nowadays as it is a way to help them relax and get rid of the stress during a day. Therefore, in each house, people often design a small garden in front of their house to draw other’s attention whenever they call on the house. However, some people having mistakes with the design, the planning, the plant arrangement, etc., when creating this garden. Here are 12 common front garden mistakes that we can tackle.12-Common-Front-Garden-Mistakes-And-How-To-Avoid-Them

  1. Choose The Plants

There are four seasons in a year so you should buy multiple plants which are suitable for each season. In case you use the seasonal plants, let’s imagine how your garden looks in other seasons during the year. The trees may be leafless, and the whole garden may be very bare. Moreover, if you plant a large number of trees while you do not have enough time to take care of them, they will narrow down the real space and make your garden look messy. Instead of that, using all season plants or the evergreen shrubs which can stand in any weather will be a smart choice as we will not have to spend much time on them. Besides, you need to choose the style of your garden as different style needs different flowers and trees.

  1. Light Outdoor

Regardless of which size your garden is, make sure to install the light in your garden. In the day, the sunshine can make your garden bright, but when the sun goes down, the light is your garden’s savior to let it shine in the dark. With the small garden, you only need a pair of lanterns to create the comfortable atmosphere to welcome the guest. In the case of the bigger size for the special events like holding a party or eating BBQ outside, you should more focus on your light system outdoor. However, it is of great importance that you avoid using harsh lights in order not to dazzle other’s vision. And don’t install the wires after planting as you may waste a lot of time digging up the garden again and again to hide them.

  1. Blueprint

Don’t start planting the trees if you don’t have any plan for them. To own a perfect garden, you need to consider well the blueprint first, see what can be the drawbacks of your garden in the future and then take action. You can ask the professional or your friends for advice to create the most suitable blueprint for your design. It is not necessary to make the detailed one for each tree, but you need to draw the reasonable structure. If you improvise buying the flowers and plant them in anywhere you like, one day you might dig those flowers up and replant it again and again.

  1. Don’t Have Any Spaces To Breath

Everybody knows how beneficial the trees to our earth. However, what will happen if you plant too many trees in your small garden? Space can be narrowed down, and there will not be enough areas for other purposes such as the path, furniture, etc. Moreover, a large number of trees are not good for your member’s health in your family since, at night, the tree gives out carbon dioxide and absorbs the oxygen, which is very bad for the respiratory system. Besides, the more trees we plant, the more chances of catching diseases related to skin we can get. Therefore, you should choose the reasonable number of trees, consider their eventual size and take into account where we should put them to have a perfect garden in the future.

  1. Plants Arrangement

The trees you plant are not as important as how you arrange them to create a perfect garden. Some people spend a huge amount of money buying the exorbitant trees, but they do not know how to put them in order and make their garden a mess. In contrast, with only simple trees, some people can own an attractive garden. So what are the secrets of the plant arrangement? When you design the garden, you have to set a focal point; the first place the guest gives an eye. For the front yard, it’s your front door. Therefore, no matter where you put the trees and flowers, don’t hide it. You can also create a frame to have a good view from the windows. Besides, if your house is small, you should not plant too many big trees as they may overwhelm your house.

  1. Garden Decor

The decoration is a way to make your garden more adorable, but some people abuse them and turn the garden into a bedroom. Keep in mind that no matter how you decorate it, the trees and flowers are the main attraction. About the decoration, you can buy some decorative elements such as lanterns, small statues, bird feeders, etc., at the souvenir shop or do some handmade items for your garden. Taking advantage of the obsolescent things and the facilities in your garden to create some DIY decoration is a smart choice. Besides, you can use some furniture to design an outdoor seating area for the members of the family. Because of the severe weather, it’s better to choose the durable material for the furniture.

  1. Weeds

Weeds are the nightmare for the ones who are lazy because of its outgrowth. They can grow and nourish wherever they find the space and catch the sunlight. If you do not spend time for them, they will spread out quickly and overwhelm your plants and flowers. Nowadays, there are many effective ways for people to eliminate the weeds from the lawn such as using the chemical spray, doing a homemade organic weed killer or removing them by hands. Each way has its advantage and drawback so you should consider well before taking action. Make sure to use the protective clothes such as gloves, long pants, long sleeves, glasses, etc., to prevent yourself from the chemical before doing with the chemical weed killer.

  1. Stone/ Rock

Stones and rocks are the most common things to express the nature of your garden. They can also use as a pathway, the fence or the decoration. However, during the day, especially the hot day, rocks can become hot and radiate a tremendous amount of heat, which has a bad impact on the growth of the plants and the moisture of the soil. Moreover, the large rocks can prevent the organic matter from coming back to the land and the expansion of your plants; therefore, you should fertilize the trees and flowers often to promote their nourishment. It’s also necessary to install the water tank in your garden to supply the adequate water. Besides, you should spend time cleaning the stones and rocks as the mosses can develop on the surface of the stones, which brings a bad image to the guest.

  1. Climbers

The climber is one of the plants to create the deep impression for the passerby. It’s also a good way to hide the unattractive walls instead of using paint. Nevertheless, if you do not know how to train them, they will grow in the different direction and drive you crazy. As a consequent, it’s vital to have a good start with these climbers. Before planting, you need to soak the root of that climber in the water for a while. When you start planting, create a 45-degree angle between the direction you want it to follow and its root. You can also take advantage of the wires or other plants to help your climber develop. If you want the climber to grow on the surface of the wall, you need to eliminate the branches which grow out of the wall and tie them in other shoots.

  1. Water

Without water, your garden will become an epitome dessert. However, a large amount of water can make your garden become a lake, and your plants can die in that water. Many people turn on the water system whenever they like and don’t know how to use it in the garden in an efficient way. Consequently, how can we do to save the water in the garden? Before you decide to water your garden, you need to look at the soil to check whether it is dry or damp. The amount of water you use will depend on the type of the soil; for example, the heavy soils need watering less than the light sandy soil. You can also do the handmade drip irrigation to bring water to the root of each plant or use the mulch to slow down the water evaporation. Besides, it is suggested you water in the early morning and avoid in the late evening.

  1. Fence

Fence plays an important role in protecting the garden against pets or the burglars. In some families, people use the fence as the gate or the decoration to make the garden more attractive. However, if you do not know how to fence your garden, it can affect a lot on the growth of your plants. You need to consider well the correct space between the eventual size of your plants and the fence to make enough room for the plants growing. When fencing the garden, you use the shovel to dig a deep hole and add gravel at the end of the hole to allow the evaporation to occur smoothly. You can also use the hammer to press the fence posts firmly and add the dirt to the hole to make it more solid.

  1. Simplicity

Are you still in trouble with your garden although you meet all the requirements above? The key is that you cannot create the simplicity in your garden design. With a large number of trees and decoration, building the simple area is not an easy task. To make your landscape not look cluttered, you should only use about three favorite trees or flowers and plant them repeatedly in the garden. Besides, instead of showing all the decorations you have, you should think about a particular theme and use sparingly. Moreover, try to find some similarities between all the materials in your garden and your house then link them together. For example, if your living room tiles are wood, you can use that material to make a wood plank pathway for the garden.

All in all, above are 12 common mistakes people often make when designing their garden. I am providing some common mistake to avoid when planning your garden. Hopefully, our tips will work to bring an attractive garden to you. Check out the other two articles for gardening tips.  In case you have any queries, feel free to comment on the box below.

Guest Author Bio:

This guest post is by Emily Pham, a blogger with many years of experience in searching the best natural home remedies for beauty and health issues. All content provided is for informational and educational purposes. We recommend you consult a healthcare professional to determine which method is appropriate to you.

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Planting and Caring for Flower Bulbs

Getting the perfect garden requires work. The beautiful flowers you see starting to appear in the spring are the result of getting the planting right and looking after your bulbs.  Fortunately, it is easier than you think to plant and care for flower bulbs; as this guide will show you.  Planting and Caring for Flower Bulbs

But don’t forget there is more to the garden than just planting and caring for flower bulbs. To really appreciate the flowers and the shape of your garden you need to keep the grass cut, the borders well maintained and create a seating area to enjoy it all from.

You may want to take a look at the range of lawnmowers and other garden equipment available here at Sproutabl to help you with these tasks.

Get The Planting Time Right

If you have flower bulbs that are supposed to flower between January and March you’ll need to plant them in September or October. Equally if you’re hoping to have the flowers bloom in March, April or May then you need to plant them in October or November.

The flowering decision is not yours! Different bulbs flower at different times; you need to know what you’re planting and when they are supposed to flower. You can then create your planting schedule.

The Planting Process

You may prefer to install raised flower beds before you start planting. These are much easier to work with and are less likely to attract weeds. It is important to give the bulbs enough room; in general, this is approximately 6 inches but it does depend on what you are planting; be sure to check before you unpack the bulbs.

The first step in planting is to loosen the soil. This simply means using your fork to break it all up. It is advisable to loosen the first 10 inches of soil.  You can then position the bulbs in your desired locations. They should be approximately 6 inches below the soil. This allows them to stay warm and dormant until the weather indicates it’s time for them to flower.

The loosen soil will help them to establish their roots properly.

Mixing It Up

It is acceptable to simply scatter the bulbs into your flower beds and then cover them with soil; providing they have at least 4 inches of soil on top of them.  Scattering will create more of a wild garden effect than the organized planting option. It is even possible to plant the bulbs in the grass; just carefully remove the turf to create the hole and then put it back after the bulb is in position.

This will give you bulbs appearing everywhere!

It’s important to note that while depth is good for your bulbs, they should never be planted deeper then the depth of the bulb itself and every type of bulb is planted at different depths, be sure to check the packaging.

Looking After The Bulb

Once the bulbs are in the ground you don’t actually need to do a lot. It is a good idea to add fertilizer to the soil when they reach the growing season. However, this should be organic and in moderation; you don’t want to suffocate and weaken the plants.

It is worth deadheading the flowers once they have finished for the season. This guide to deadheading flowers will show you how, and it will help to return the nutrient to the bulb.

Annual bulbs should store all the nutrients they need for the following year it’s only perennials that will need fertilizers to get them started. You can actually leave the bulbs in and enjoy your garden throughout the year.

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