Starting Garden Hunt And Saving Landscape Volunteers

By Kent Higgins

There is still time to hunt around your garden, salvage the stray seedlings of hardy flowers and line them out in cold frames. I particularly look for those of Cardinal-flowers, the giant lobelia, for they seem to prefer to seed in my paths rather than the beds where I want them to grow. You may want to look for seedlings of delphiniums, gaillardia, coreopsis, or any other hardy flowers that self sow here and there around your garden. Put them in the cold frame under sash and you will get an amazing amount of growth on them before things freeze up this fall.

Start Woody Plants

It seems odd this fall not to be gathering seeds of trees and shrubs for propagation meetings during November. But you can do it for yourself. Whenever you see an interesting woody plant that has some fruits on it, gather a few seeds. Some time before Christmas you can plant these. I like the system of using small pots. Fill the pot with a mixture of about one-third sand and two-thirds soil to within half an inch of the top. Remove all the pulp from the seeds and plant a dozen or two seeds to a 4 inch or 6 in pot. Cover them with a quarter inch of soil. Label them. If you want to read them next spring use a pot label and write on it with a sharpie pen.

Just put the pots on top of the ground out back of the garage, or alongside the house and forget them until next spring. Unless you interfere with Mother Nature it's almost impossible to stop the seeds from coming up next spring. After they are an inch or two high you can transplant them to a row in the vegetable garden or in a little nursery bed.

Some seeds particularly easy to grow are bittersweet, the many privets, rose of Sharon, redbud, golden-rain tree, bush honeysuckles, Chinese cork-tree, if there happen to be any in your neighborhood, and flowering dogwood. These are just a few. In the case of maples, it is better to sow these seeds immediately before they dry out. Try the magnolias and sago palm after removing the pulp but don't expect more than 25 per cent of them to come up. Try hollies after removing the pulp, but don't expect more than five per cent to come up. If you sow any of the viburnums label them well for they may not come up until the second year. You should gather some of sago palm seeds fairly soon or the birds will beat you to it. Oh yes, be sure to include the flowering crabapples and the flowering quinces. Even the butterfly bush (Buddleia) and the lilacs are surprisingly easy.

Most of these seeds must be fall sown since they require two or three months of low temperature, (that is, under 41 degrees) before they will germinate. They do not have to freeze, as we used to believe.

Stop and think which trees, which shrubs, which vines, give you the most brilliant autumn colors. Start making a list of them this fall. Among the shrubs the winged euonymus (Euonymus alatus) would probably be the winner. Among the vines the native five leaf ivy (Virginia creeper or woodbine), and the poison ivy will fight it out for first place. Among the trees, depending on the season and the particular specimen, it may be the sumac, sweet gum, the sour gum, the sugar maple, or the sour wood (Oxydendrum). If you have the space, plant some of these (any but the poison ivy) in your garden this fall for next year's enjoyment. - 29857

About the Author:

Kent Higgins shares his vast knowledge at http://www.plant-care.com. There are lots of information you can learn on sago plam.

Plumbing Clogged Drains

By Scott Rodgers

Clogged drains are the most common plumbing issue at homes. But, many a times it is quite simple to fix them. The first thing is to identify where exactly the clog is. Once you know the clog location, you can try out many simple solutions yourself to repair it before calling a plumber.

Many a times, there is a possibility that the clog is near the drain stopper only. So, remove the strainer and clean it properly. Mostly, hair, food particles, sediments, grime etc. get stuck there blocking the flow of water. So, it s highly recommended to clean the drain stopper regularly.

Chemicals are also a solution for clearing clogged drains. You can use baking soda, vinegar and boiling water as a chemical solution for clearing clogs and these are easily available at homes. Put 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar into the drain and leave it for some time until they dissolve the clog. Then put hot water to check if it is flowing smoothly.

Drain snake or an auger is also an effective way to find and clear clogs. You have to remove the drain stopper, insert the tool into the drain till you find the clog and then you can hook it and break it.

You can also try using a plunger. To make it more effective, apply some petroleum jelly to the rim of the plunger. This way you can apply maximum suction force to loosen the clog. Once done, you can put plenty of hot water to see if it is running smoothly.

Tough chemical solutions can dissolve tough clogs. There are various products available in the market which are specifically designed to clear up clogged drains, just be sure to try other options first, since the chemicals involved can be less than healthy for the environment.

If you have good knowledge about the plumbing system, then you can even try out other more complicated methods to fix the issue like dismantling the fixture and then reassembling it again. But if not, then it is better to leave more complicated issues for the experts only otherwise you can end up causing more damage than repair.

Choosing the right plumber for your home is very necessary. So, do some good amount of research, like ask references from your friends and neighbors, search on the internet for good reputed plumbers of your area and only once you are completely satisfied hire one. - 29857

About the Author:

Scott Rodgers is a writer with ample plumbing experience all over the country. His exemplary guidance has generated business options for a lot many Saint Clair Shores Plumbers (Need one? click here!) and Oxford Plumbers (Need one? click here!).

Why Indoor Gardening is Becoming More Popular

By Matt Truman

Due to the rapid growth of the human population, we need to continue expanding our supply of food. This can be difficult to do, as has been shown by food shortages around the world. With innovative methods, success can be achieved.

Since we only have a limited amount of outdoor space, the most obvious way to get more space is to go indoors. Although indoor space is less than outdoors, you can still grow a lot of crops in controlled conditions.

Through indoor gardening, anybody can grow their favorite vegetables and fruits from the comfort of their own homes. Also, by utilizing modern gardening technology, you can achieve yields that are the same or better as outdoors.

You can acquire simple gardening needs from any gardening store, or even some home improvement shops. These products include soil, pots, and lights. As for water, you can get it straight from the tap, although it is best to let the chlorine evaporate before feeding it to your plants.

When it comes to choosing what lights you are going to use, you have a wide variety of options. There are simple choices, such as a wide line of fluorescent bulbs. You can also go with something of a higher quality, such as metal halide.

The benefits of indoor gardening are numerous. Perhaps the most obvious one is the complete control you have over internal conditions. Even if it is winter outside, you can still grow inside.

We can manipulate the conditions to get desired results. Various plants can be grown through indoor gardening. Another advantage is that nowadays one can profitably grow fruits and vegetables with the help of latest techniques.

You do not necessarily need to grow crops. Many people find that growing a wide assortment of flowers is enough to keep them occupied and happy. As a bonus, you have lots of attractive plants once you are finished. - 29857

About the Author:

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Garden Sheds - The Alternatives

By Greg Sonnyside

Garden sheds are traditionally used to stock garden and household utensils plus other household items, but many homeowners have found other purposes for it. It could be used as a workshop for crafting or construction work, since some activities can be quite messy and they are better finished outside the home. If the shed is wide enough, it may as well suffice every bit a point of rest where you can spend time studying ledgers or simply thinking about things.

There are numerous various types of back garden sheds for you to select from, also the choices start from plain open sided sheds with tin roofs to showy sheds with wood surround frames and shingled roofs. Before you settle on which type of shed you want to buy, you have to take certain things into account, and these take in the size of your garden, the purpose of the shed, and of course, your budget.

If you do not wish to spend too much on the garden shed, you may choose for easier designs. The most basic structure is a small shed with a couple of windows and a doorway, and such a shed is usually very affordable. It may come in a do it yourself bundle or it may perhaps require professional installation. If you decide to build the garden shed yourself, it will be much cheaper. Three sided or open sided sheds are also inexpensive, but they do not provide complete privacy and protection from weather elements.

Garden sheds are likewise obtainable in assorted materials. The most common material used for building garden sheds is wood, and wood can be costly or reasonable, looking on which type you choose. Metal is normally less pricey, and it can last for a very long time. Other options include plastic and vinyl, which are very inexpensive too, but they are also not as long lasting as wood and metal. Wood is the most popular selection among house-holders because it has a classic appearance also it offers complete insulation against extreme temperature.

If space is a problem in your back garden to construct a shed, you may decide to opt for a corner shed or a vertical shed. A corner shed will help you save a great deal of space, since it can fit neatly in a corner of your garden. It takes a minimum area of 3 feet by 2 feet, but you can get a bigger one if there is ample space in your garden. A vertical shed is higher, but it has a limited base area, which is normally four ft by three ft. You can install ledges in the shed to create more storage space. Other alternatives that you can consider are the Gambrel-style garden shed, which is similar to a saltbox-style, and Dutch barn shed.

Having a shed will make your gardening know how a lot more gratifying and convenient. You will not just have a proper place to stack away your gardening tools but also you will have a work area to do many do It Yourself activities and a grand place for unwinding as well. - 29857

About the Author:

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Installing Pathway Lighting

By Melody Roth

Garden lighting is a effortless way to increase the length of time you can enjoy The outside areas. This can be reached in several various manners.Footpaths, steps, shrubs, garden features, architectural components, waterfalls, and decks call all be accentuated through garden lighting. low-voltage lighting is easy and because it only requires 12 volts of electricity to operate, is safe for the person who likes to do things themselves to install.

To install your lights properly you need 3 different parts: the light fixtures, a transformer, and some low voltage electrical cable. If you take a trip to the local hardware store you should be able to find them. Also you can visit online shops like Amazon. Before you do anything, you must determine the areas that you wish to light and the result you would like to attain. Each light fixture is different. It is a good idea to find out the specifications of each light before planning out The design. For this article we will assume you have done Your homework, shopped for The light fixtures, and purchased the appropriate size transformer to handle the additive electrical power of those fixtures. With that done, lets begin.

The 1st thing you have to do is to lay out all your components. Arrange the path lights along the walkway you are lighting. Go around any tree or shrubs that are in the way when you string out the wire up to the transformer.Use 14 guage cable for jobs totaling less than 200 watts, and 12 guage wire for systems that surpass two hundred watts. The lights are typically around six to ten feet apart and your 1st light should be at least ten feet from the transformer.

Your second step is to dig your trench. You need to use the edge of the shovel to make a ditch about 3 " deep where the wiring will rest. If you don't want the dirt to tumble back in the best thing to do is to place something heavy over it.

The third step is to bury the wire. Set the proper gauge of low-voltage wire into the newly dug trench. Remember to leave the wire slack. Smooth the soil back over the wire, but leave a segment of it sticking out at each fixture so that the electrical joinings can be made.

Making holes for the fixtures is the 4th step. Make sure that you set your lights into the right spot so that they are equally spread out. Don't use a hammer to drive the light fixtures in, instead use stakes to drive them in.

Wiring the lights in is the final step. All light fixtures are different but with most you just take the connector at the base of each light and slip it around the electrical wire until you hear a snap. There are other ways to do this of course so check your light's manual if you're not sure.

And finally it's time to enjoy the hard work. Anyone can enhance their night-time curb appeal with attractive, functional landscape lighting with a little hard work and advance preparation. low-voltage lighting requires very little maintenance. Just remember to change the light bulbs shortly after they go out or you will shorten the life of the remainder of bulbs. - 29857

About the Author:

Melody writes articles on her site outdoor lighting authority where she gives out useful tips and tricks that people can use for their outdoor solar lights.

Garden Selection Picking The Spot

By Thomas Fryd

When selecting a spot to plant a garden decide on a place where the soil is deep, where drainage is good and where the vegetables to be grown will have full exposure to the sunshine. A gentle slope to the south or to the south-east is ideal. Rows should run north and south so that the vegetables to be grown will enjoy the maximum amount of sunlight. Never locate the kitchen garden near strong growing shrubs, hedges or large trees because their extensive root system will rob the crops of moisture and soil nourishment.

The Soil

The depth of the soil is more important than the nature of the soil. With proper preparation almost any type of soil can be improved and made fertile enough to produce vegetable crops. It should be spaded (turned) over to a minimum depth of one foot. Two feet is considered proper and thorough by professional green thumbers, but then not all of us are professional green thumbers.

Drainage

The roots of vegetables need air as well as moisture; consequently good drainage is essential. To be tender and fit for the table vegetables should be grown unchecked from the time the seeds germinate. This means they must not suffer for moisture. But they must not suffer for lack of good drainage either; therefore if natural drainage is poor, plastic drain pipes should be laid.

Turning the Soil

Dig deeply the full depth of the spade which is one foot. This should be done each autumn and every spring just as early as the soil is tillable, you can also put wireless outdoor speakers to improve your garden. If the earth has been spaded thoroughly in the fall of the year; and it should be as the earth benefits from exposure to the wind and rain and to winter frosts, then digging over in the spring with a spading fork will suffice. This should be done early just as soon as the frost is out of the ground and if the soil has dried enough, so that it will crumble readily after being squeezed into a ball with the hand.

The procedure of delving over a plot of ground with a spade should be an orderly operation. Begin by digging a trench one foot deep and one foot wide across one end of the plot, you can also add a wireless outdoor speakers to make your garden more attractive. By means of a wheelbarrow dump the removed soil at the opposite end. Now spread a layer of cow manure or compost, leaf mold or peat moss, along the bottom of the trench, and begin digging.

Spade the strip of ground along the trench, throwing as you do so each spadeful forward onto the manure. In this manner a new trench is formed. Now place manure or compost or whatever it is you are using, in the bottom of the second trench and proceed to spade the soil from the next strip over onto it. In digging you work backward from the edge of the first trench to the opposite end of the plot. When the end of the plot is reached the last trench is filled in with the soil that was dumped there from the first trench dug. When digging, thrust the blade of the spade six inches back from the edge of the trench, straight down the full depth of the blade into the soil; then lift the spadeful and throw it forward, giving the spade a twist at the same time so that the soil is turned upside down. This will expose new soil to the action of the wind, rain and temperatures. Fall digging should be left to stand in the rough, thus permitting its tempering and conditioning by the elements.

There is actually nothing very difficult to this mode of tilling. It is termed; "Single Trenching or Single Digging. - 29857

About the Author:

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Some Common Types Of Home Lighting Fixtures

By Scott Rodgers

Home lighting is an essential part of home decor now and there is huge variety of home lighting fixtures that you can choose for different purposes. Like ceiling fixtures are the best and the most commonly used for general lighting of the whole area. Pendant lights are also very popular for lighting areas like kitchen table.

Chandeliers are another beautiful ceiling fixture and look great in dinning rooms. You can also choose to install pendant lights in the dining area but make sure to get them installed in the center of the table and the average wattage should be around 200-400.

To prevent accidents, stairs should be lit top to bottom, with switches in both places. Ceiling fixtures or recessed lighting will offer the needed light for stairs. Use a ceiling mount fixture for general lighting in the foyer. For safety in hallways, use lighting fixtures every 8 to10 feet. Use increased wattage in areas where tasks are performed, in rooms with ceilings higher than 8 feet, and in rooms with dark-colored floors and walls.

Another category of home lighting fixtures are the wall sconces. They are mainly used in areas such as hallways or bathroom vanity. There are many new designs of wall sconces that are coming up which are also used for accent lighting. If you are unable to get a ceiling fixture installed for the stairs, wall fixtures can also do the job.

For reading in bed, use two matching wall mounted or pendant fixtures installed 30 inches above the top of the mattress.

Use recessed light fixtures for down lighting. Living areas look attractive and inviting with down lighting. Recessed lighting works best with other lighting and can be dimmed for special effects.

Recessed lights are ideal for task areas where you require good focused lighting to perform the task conveniently. It is good for areas like kitchen counter, bathroom vanity etc.

Recessed light fixtures can be used for accent lighting as well. You can draw attention to a painting, a plant or any other noteworthy object. Make a room appear larger with recessed light fixtures by washing a wall in light. This technique--perfect for small living areas--adds visual depth by creating shadows and contrasts. - 29857

About the Author:

Scott Rodgers' unbelievable information and expertise on electrician works has been converted to some helpful write ups and tutorials on this occupation. With ample experience backing him, he has heavily consulted on lighting works from Charlotte Electricians (Need one? click here!) to Cornelius Electricians (Need one? click here!).