Vol.1 of Landscape,lawn & garden advice

1. Landscape, Lawn & Garden Advice Vol. 1
A Reading Garden for your Backyard
A Reading garden is a great addition to any home. They are popular for good reason.
I’ve gathered some good advice and tips for building your own reading garden in your own
personal landscape for your own enjoyment (and maybe some friends as well). A clearing is one
necessity. Seating is another; I suggest some nice comfy chairs or hammocks. Some shading
will help to keep the heat of you in the summer, but make sure you have ample lighting to avoid
straining your eyes. Some beautiful vegetation of any sort to enhance your mood, whether you
prefer cacti, shrubs, or flowers, it is a personal choice. Some nice hues and aromas will also
make the experience more enjoyable.
You should begin by clearing the area you plan to use. Some pretty and clean grass is a good
place to begin. You should consider several things before choosing the types of plants you
choose to surround yourself with. You may want plants that will require less maintaining so that
you can spend your time with your favorite books, magazines or kindle. Some plants will require
more of your time leaving you with less time to read. Some tall shrubs and hedges could provide
some isolation and lessen the number of potential distractions. Some vines on lattice could also
do the trick. Or a combination of any of those. Stones are a nice touch as well. Another thing to
consider is a water feature. Nothing stimulates thought like water does. If you had a fountain or
some flowing water it could provide white noise to drown out the sounds of the town or
neighbors.
A good shade tree is a bonus but if you don’t have one or don’t have room to plant one try a
lattice or trellis with vines and ivy.
At last you will get to read your book in peace and tranquility in your Reading Garden
surrounded by beauty!
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Can a Low Maintenance Yard Still Look Good?
Many people find themselves wanting a nice looking yard but dread the hard work that is usually
associated with such a yard. Don’t lose hope. Some of the most beautiful yards have been designed with
low maintenance in mind and achieved the goal. I’ve put together a few low maintenance plant secrets
to keep in mind when you are planning and implementing your low maintenance yard.
The bigger the plant and the longer to takes to grow the less work it will take to maintain it. Trees are
typically the lowest maintenance plants available to a landscaper. Conifers like Pine trees are the least
work of all trees. Annual plants will require the most work as they need to be planted anew each year
and also require either germinating seeds yourself or buying new plants each year. Vegetables are
usually high work plants as well.

2. Some plants are more susceptible to disease than others. Diseased plants this will require work to keep
the garden nice looking and to prevent the spread of disease. Depending on your area and climate you
should consider plants by their drought tolerance and their ability to withstand wet weather. Plants
native to your region will be the best choice to meet these requirements.
Before you ever plant anything make sure the yard is prepared for the long term. Making sure your soil
is healthy before planting can save you a lot of work down the road. The best time to improve soil is
before you ever plant. Also prior to planting ensure your drainage is not going to be a problem.
Implement any drainage techniques that may be necessary to make sure you’ll have little work in the
future.
Make sure any plants you use aren’t going to be invasive or grow at an extreme pace. Tis will require
constant pruning to keep in control. Plants that grow easily in the wild from seed should also be
avoided.
If it is colors and flowers that you desire to make your yard or garden look good there are options to cut
down on your labor. Use trees and shrubs that flower to avoid the hassle of dealing with flowers in a
bed. Any tree that doesn’t shed its leaves in fall will make your life easier.
Zero maintenance is not really an achievable goal, but with careful planning ahead of time, a very low
maintenance yard that is still good looking is obtainable. Visit
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gardens!
Garden Hose Repair Tips
Many yard hoses are trashed every day across the country because they are leaking water or the
tip connector becomes damage making it difficult to attach nozzles and sprinklers. There are
some cheap methods available for fixing your yard hose that you may not be familiar with. this
can be a lifesaver as new hoses can be quite expensive, especially if it is of significant length.
Hose Tip Coupling
Replacement hose tip screw connectors are available for a couple of bucks. Replacing the tip is
rather simple. Merely cut off the damaged tip of the hose and attach the new tip. Like brand new
only an inch shorter which is better than a bank account being shorter. both male and female tips
are available giving you more options for utilizing the garden hose.
Hose Mender
A torn garden hose or one that is leaky from holes can also be fixed very easily by purchasing a
hose mender. These are very affordable and can be as cheap as a dollar. But there are some more
expensive ones available that are built of a little higher quality and of differing materials.

3. Simply cut out the section of your garden hose that is damaged. Make sure you get all of the
damaged area by a few inches to prevent future leakage. Now you are left with two sections of
hose. connect the two sections to the hose mender and your hose will work as good as the day
you bought it. another option would be to put a coupler tip on the ends of the two garden hose
sections resulting in two shorter hoses.
These are two quick repairs that cost only a few minutes and a few dollars but will extend the life
of your garden hoses while looking out for your wallet.
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Garden Pond A Great Feature For Any
Landscape
If the landscape you are working with is a large one choosing the right addition can be a difficult
decision. There are many options to choose from. What is the right option for your garden? One
garden idea to consider is a garden pond. A garden pond can add appeal to any landscape or
backyard.
Garden Pond Instillation
Instillation of garden ponds to a landscape is much easier than it may appear; after all it’s just
adding water to a hole in the ground, right? You’ll need a liner to keep the water from soaking
into the soil, and they are sold at local garden centers and hardware stores. There are many pond
features and additions you can add to the pond that will make it more interesting. You will have
more options for the plants you can use in your garden once you add a pond.
Fish for a Garden Pond
To add animal life to your pond such as fish or tadpoles you’ll need a pump to keep the water
fresh by adding air to it. My favorite are Koi. They are pretty but can get expensive. There are
many other varieties of fish to choose from so just find some that you find interesting and can
survive outdoors in the weather in your area. Fish can be quite enjoyable pets.
There are some predators that you should keep an eye out for. Raccoons and possums can be
quite a nuisance, even in a fenced area. Your pet cat might also be a threat. One way to protect
the fish is by making the garden pond wider and deeper so that the fish have a place to flee and
hide from garden predators.

4. There are many things you can do to a pond to make it more interesting. Having flowing and
cascading water can be very relaxing and enjoyable, but this will require more hardware and
work. There are many pond features and additions available on the internet. Another idea is lily
pads to provide shade for the fish.
Just make sure you enjoy your Garden Pond.
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Getting Moss To Grow
Moss is the perfect method to obtain a unique look and fee to your yard or landscape. One
problem is that it can be difficult to get moss to grow. When it finally appears it may be ages
before it is mature enough to appreciate.
Below is a method that will speed up the growth of a healthy moss for your stones and cement
features.
Mix well an eight inch diameter wad of porcelain clay into about three cups of water until you
get a paste like consistency. Many stores like Hobby Lobby or Michael’s carry porcelain clay or
you can order it over the internet.
Next mix your clay paste and a single cup of liquid fish fertilizer, sometimes called fish
emulsion, and a single cup of diced moss. Fish emulsion is easily obtained from garden centers
and can also be gotten over the internet. It is similar to fish meal but it is liquid.
After everything is thoroughly stirred and mixed use a application brush to apply it to the
surfaces which you wish the moss to grow. Use a spray bottle to apply moisture to the surfaces
but careful not to apply so much moisture that your mixture is washed away.
Moss likes the shady areas of your garden and also nooks and crannies, In nature it is often found
on the north side of trees and may like the same in your yard.
This is one of the best methods I have come across to get moss to grow. It doesn’t work every
time, but if you give the right conditions it will grow most every time. It could take up to a
month to see results.
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Is a Deck Right For your Landscape?
Occasionally it is nice to take a stroll through your landscape or garden while avoiding the
trampling of your grass. A method to do this is by making a space at the edge of the yard or
maybe a trail or walkway in the garden itself. The old style to reach this goal was by poring a big
slab of concrete. Lately it is much more common for garden owners to build a deck in their
landscape.
You can build a deck over the ground or over an slab of concrete if it is already there. Many
people build their own deck due to how easy it is. An average deck is similar to peer and beam

5. houses, and even someone with novice carpenter skills could build it. All the pieces and wood
you for construction need can be found at your local hardware stores. There are even books that
have deck plans in them to help you. Many prefer not to pain their decks because they like the
way it looks. These books should be available at your hardware store but if they are not then you
should check on the internet.
It is preferable to use screws as opposed to hammer and nails. It makes your job much easier.
Also if it’s built with screws it will last much longer and be sturdier.
The higher your deck is elevated from the ground the more difficult assembly will become, and
you will have to build sturdy railings called deck Balustrade to prevent falls that could cause
serious injury. The balusters have to be close enough together to prevent people from being
able to slide through. It is very difficult to build balustrade for a deck that will be sturdy enough
and you may have local regulations that need to be met. So unless you just got to have it, it is
recommended to build your deck at ground level.
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Money Saving Landscaping Advice
Landscaping your home is often times a very expensive project. It can turn from paradise to a
nightmare if the price of planning, installing, and maintaining gets out of reach. I’m giving some
advice to help you be frugal with your garden and landscapes and at the same time keeping all
desirable and pretty aspects you want from your landscape.
Before Purchasing know what your end result will be
Have goals instead of rushing in to decisions that might hurt you financially. If you have know
goals you will spend cash on items that you never really wanted and that don’t add to your
projects.
Start by making a drawing of how you envision your yard or landscape to be. It doesn’t have to
be pretty, it just needs to make sense to you. Determine what it will take to reach your goals. The
internet is a good place to look if you need help making plans and setting goals as there are pages
dedicated just to this. Your local garden centers and Big Box DIY stores like Home Depot or
Lowes may have employees that can give you help in the areas you need it.
when you have determined what you need to accomplish your goals, it is time to make the
purchases you need to reach your goals without waste on impulse purchases.
Don’t buy everything at once
The goals you’ve laid out will be more achievable by having a time frame for each aspect of your
project. Rarely can somebody do it all at once. Having a time table allows you to purchase your

6. necessities as the project moves along, and finances allow. By doing this you can avoid the
usury system that has high rates and fees that can end up doubling or tripling the final cost of
your dream landscape.
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You don’t have to downgrade your dreams
You usually get what you pay for and cheaping out may cost you in the end. Sometimes a lower
priced item may maintain the quality of higher priced iems at which point cheaper would be OK.
Garden center employees will gladly help when it comes to choosing the best bang for your
buck. These stores will offer more precise advice about detailed things you may need to know.
Being a landscape rookie, it may save you money down the road to buy more expensive products
and service at the outset instead of replacing things every couple years because they were made
poorly.
Overlook all living things before you purchase
Sometimes when buying plants they can be sickly or have rot or aphid problems. Some places
don’t take care of their plants as well as other places. Say the plants you buy don’t live long after
you acquire them then you’ll just have to buy more and that is wasteful. Also the plant may be
contagious and do harm to the rest of your plants. Some places have a warranty but many do not
so ask the employees if you are unsure before making a costly mistake.
Some Seasons offer Discounts
With thought out goals it is easier to make up your mind as to when each section of your plan
can be implemented. Wood is often less expensive in the cold months, and can be held onto until
you are ready for it. Wait for sales near the end of summer before buying trees, bushes, bulbs,
groundcover, and dirt late. Many times, Fall is the best time to buy things and still have time to
prepare for winter. Make sure to pay attention to sales in your area. I’ve come across some great
bargains.
Check alternate paths of obtaining your needs
Check other avenues. There are more places to buy plants and mulch and such. The internet and
mail order are viable options. Here you can get good prices and needed tips.
Some localities trade plants and seeds. Many municipalities offer free compost from leave and
organic waste they have collected, many building tear downs are a great place to find bricks.
Split landscaping prices with friends
Ask your friends about splitting the bill. You may be able to get a bulk or wholesale discount if
you make purchases together. Leasing prices on a machine could also be split. Just make dure to
split everything evenly as to not upset any of the parties involved. Everybody like to save cash so
why not do it together.

7. Backyard Privacy
If you share a backyard with neighbors, you probably could benefit from some backyard privacy. There
are many ways to go about obtaining the privacy, but you should be aware of any HOA rules or city
regulations regarding landscaping and construction in your neighborhood as some of the methods may
violate these rules.
The obvious method is building a fence. This could solve many privacy issues but could cause problems
of its own. Some areas will have maximum height limitations for fences that could deprive you of the
solace you are seeking. If there is an existing fence perhaps extending its height is an option. Many fence
types will limit airflow and circulation therefore increasing the heat by stopping the wind. There are
fencing options that allow more circulation but they are usually a little less attractive. If using a wood
fence make sure to apply the proper treatments to lessen long term maintenance.
Another option is building a tall pergola in the area you need to block to obtain the privacy. This may
take an extra-long pergola or several smaller ones if your property line is lengthy. Pergolas give you a
few choices of the type of vegetation you’d like to grow on it. Many varieties of vines exist that could fill
your needs. Morning Glories are pretty but can get out of hand if not constantly kept in check. Grapes
give you an edible option. I have muscadines vines on my pergola that offer fruit and privacy. Hops are a
good option for those that like to brew their own beer. One more edible option is kiwis. They take both
a male and female to fruit, but the great taste makes it well worth any hassle in my opinion. Having
plants of dual use, food and privacy, would be an environmentally conscious thing to do. If you are in a
cold climate some vines may die back in winter making your yard once again open to neighbors view.
Post and wire is a good way to go, and is very similar to pergolas but maybe less costly. Posts are
planted at certain intervals with taught wires ran between to give vines something to cling to as they
grow upwards towards the sun. Spanish Moss on a Post and Wire can be quite an attractive feature in
any landscape. A trellis is one more hardscape option that gives a happy home to vines and climbing
plants. Many vines will also require pruning and maintaining every couple of years.
A common method used to get privacy in the yard and garden is planting tall bushy shrubs. This also can
be attractive if the proper shrubs are used. Many variety of shrubs exist that suit the pursuit of yard
privacy. If you plant small you can even avoid hurting the neighbor’s feelings. Shrubs and hedges will
require pruning once or twice a year to maintain the desired look and keep them from getting messy.
No matter which method of backyard privacy you choose make sure to not offend the neighbors. Also
be sure that you are ready for the potential maintenance of the method you choose. Be sure to choos
the option that best suits you and enjoy your privacy.
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and gardens.

8. If you follow my advice you could have the yard or landscape you’ve always wanted without
breaking the bank
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Should you Grow A Herb Garden?
Should you grow an herb garden? Definitely! An herb garden is a nice and easy alternative to a
time consuming orchard or labor intensive vegetable garden. Herbs are not quite as fulfilling as
vegetables or fruit, but they are a critical part to cooking a great tasting meal. Can you imagine
Italian food without Oregano or tacos without cilantro. I can’t.
At the outset choosing the herbs to place in your garden will be priority. The large number of
herbs on the market could make choosing the right ones difficult. A sure way to choose the
proper herbs to plant is to plant the ones you would normally buy at the for use in your kitchen .
Not only will this keep cash in your bank account, it will ensure your herbs are fresh and not
wilting and losing flavor like the ones in the store often are. My personal favorites are oregano,
cilantro, sweet basil, spearmint, and dill for pickling, although there are many other great herbs
to pick from.
Its a good idea to plant your herb garden close to your kitchen. This makes harvesting less of a
chore. Also make sure your plot drains well. Soil that is too moist will not be good for your
herbs. There are several methods to make sure your garden will drain well. Rocks or sand
beneath the soil is one common method.
Many garden center herbs can be a little on the expensive side. To cut cost you could germinate
your own seeds, and this can be pretty easy with herbs. Seeds are commonly available at your
local garden centers. Several herbs can be very aggressive growers and cause problems fir the
slower growing herbs. Plant the aggressive plants in pots to avoid an unwanted situation where
one plant is dominating your garden.
Harvesting too much at once from one plant could kill it, so be sure to harvest in moderation,
especially if the plant isn’t fully mature. It can take a few months for some herbs to be mature
enough for harvesting. You will be happy you waited, because your plants will live a long
healthy life providing you with tasty herbs for a long time.
Some herbs will need to be dried prior to their use in your kitchen. One method it to place the
herbs on a pizza pan in the oven at about 160 degrees for about an hour. Once the herbs have
been dried they will be ready for use in your favorite dishes and to be enjoyed by your friends
and family.
I don’t usually store herbs, but when I do I prefer glass jars or plastic tupperware as these hold
the flavor longer. Be sure to check your stored herbs on a regular basis to make sure they are not

9. being ruined by mold or moisture. If the herbs were dried properly then problems from moisture
should not be a problem.
Anybody that loves eating and likes plants would be advised to plant their very own herb garden.
It doesn’t require very much labor and the end result is well worth it. It was one of the best
decisions I ever made.
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A common problem for those of us that do our own landscaping is choosing the right much for
trees. Learning what you need to know about mulch is easy, but deciding amongst all that is
available at the store can still be difficult. It doesn’t have to be. wood chips or bark are usually
the best choices.
When it comes to trees you want something that will last a while and not be completely
decomposed after the first couple of rains. So the best bet is wood, which decomposes at a snails
pace and lacks the minerals that aide in the growth of all those pesky invader plants.The best
wood chips will be aged because they have a pleasant hue and require very little upkeep.
One problem facing the consumer is that the majority of wood chips available are fresh. When
the wood chips rot, they will invite bacteria in that will drain the dirt of it minerals that the tree
may need for its healthy growing . Aged chips are not a good environment for these bacteria, that
is the main reason to try your best to purchase aged or composted wood chips. Of course if aged
chips are not available to you, one option is purchasing fresh ones and allowing them to age and
decompose a little before you use them as mulch. Just add some other organic composting
material like food scraps and pine needles to aide in the composting. Don’t forget to stir it often
like you would any compost pile.
A natural mulch will add important nutrients to the tree as they rot, unlike plastic or rock
mulches. A natural mulch is a very healthy addition to any landscape. You should add more as
needed to try to keep at least 10 centimeters of mulch at all times.
On any given tree you should attempt to lay the mulch from one to two yards from the tree..
Leave a small space near the trunk to stop damage from occurring. This is a common error made
by novice landscapers that often kills or damages trees. This is also a common problem when it
comes to mulching bushes. Leaving a small space will prevent water damage and lower the risk
of insect infestation of your trees.
If you adhere to these principles when mulching your trees they will stay healthy and beautiful
for many years offering you many moments of enjoyment.
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Stay tuned for Landscape, Lawn & Garden Advice Vol. 2