posted14/07/11
Whether you’re looking to cut costs, improve your garden, or reduce you carbon footprint. I guarantee that this article will help.
The seventies and eighties were home to gardeners who often used to spray their flowers, lawns and other crops liberally with the types of products that would be banned from garden use today. Recently, we have seen an increase of slug deterrents, soapy water for the aphids and good old manual labour with a rake to exterminate moss in the lawn.
With sufficient evidence that gardeners play a crucial role in improving the variety of wildlife by gardening organically, leaving some areas (such as a few nettle patches for the caterpillars) and making home grown compost. Thankfully the idea of using the toxic chemicals and concoctions has been moved away from.
But, is there any point in cutting back on the chemicals wheneach year we pour gallons of petrol into our lawnmowers, use hundreds of plastic seedling pots, contribute to the decline in the insect population? Green gardening is more than just cutting back the chemicals.
The sale of push along lawnmowers has been noted to be on the increase as no fuel or power point and cable is needed as well as the new models providing a better cut.
Traditional cylinder blades cut grass much more closely and have been described as a “big pair of scissors.” Cylinder blades have also been proven to cause less destruction than the Rotary blade. Modern push-along mowers are much lighter than the old models, also.
Another sustainable gardener’s tool finding a modern market is the traditional besom broom (traditionally constructed brooms made of a bundle of twigs tied to a stouter pole.) Many people believe the rise in sales of the besom broom is due to looking better than the modern aluminium alternatives, its ability to contribute towards good forestry management and the convenience of it lasting for at least 15 years (if stored in a sheltered, airy place.)
Besom Broom makers who hand-coppices the hazel and silver birch twigs (needed to make the tool) are recorded to be presently extremely busy, proving the growing popularity of the more eco-friendly option. Another feature making the broom so eco-friendly would be the idea that you are able to just chuck it on the bonfire rather than sending it to landfill. As well as being eco-friendly, the broom as also easy to purchase being available both in stores and online.
Why not lend a hand to the bees? Bee’s seem to be rapidly declining in number and are under threat of eventually becoming extinct. How can you fix this? Invest in a bee house! Beekeeping, as well as protecting the bees, is a method allowing the bees to make free-form honeycomb rather than forcing them into the prefabricated wax foundation favoured by commercial beekeepers.
There is also the “top bar” method, where bees can create their own cells rather than being forced into manufactured ones used in commercial beekeeping. The process is a slower one and does provide a lower yield in honey, but it is a more natural method. Bees are more vigorous and because you break into the hive less, the propolis seal is also broken a fewer amount of times, providing them with higher protection from viral attacks.
posted10/07/11
Greenhouse Ventilation and Watering are the two most important things to consider when using a greenhouse. If your plants are not kept well watered in your hot greenhouse, only a very low yield will be produced, some plants may even die. Therefore attention must be paid to how you will water your greenhouse plants regularly, even if you are not at home, in order to get the best yield possible out of your plants and crops.
Green house crops need much more water than out-side crops. As well as the fact that rain does not fall in the greenhouse, the atmosphere is much hotter inside the greenhouse and so, the soil will dry out much faster.
Irrigation options that are used outside, in the garden are also valid to be used inside the greenhouse. Some examples include: using a watering can or spraying the plants with a hosepipe. However if water is left sitting on leaves can lead to mould and mildew and therefore it is essential that the water reaches the soil.
It is a struggle when it comes to holiday time as many people often find that there plants and crops have died while they have been away soaking up the sun. Keeping greenhouses and new plants well watered in heat is always a worry. Some people let this stop them from going on holiday, or are forced to leave only in the winter time. Some others have neighbours which can easily pop round to water the plants. However, for those of you who do not have neighbours, or neighbours that are not reliable to do the job well, worry no more. There are other options to consider:
Capillary Matting / Watering –Many gardeners suggest that this method is the most beneficial way of watering plants within a greenhouse. The matting material is easily cut to size and washable. The process works as the compost draws water up to the roots as the plants use it. The mats lift water around 75mm and holds approximately 2ltrs per mtr. However the ‘matting method’ can only be Used with flat bottomed pots with holes directly in the base.
Water Timer – A outdoor water timer is compatible with any drip irrigation system to water the plants in your greenhouse at certain times of day and for specific periods of time. It is connected directly to the hosepipe which is then connected to your mains supply (or to a water butt). The method is very effective and reliable and enables you to leave your crops for a lengthy amount of time in knowledge that everything should be fine. The devices range from simple to complex usage meaning a variety in prices from £10 to hundreds of pounds.
posted07/07/11
Simple instructions demonstrating how to construct a barbecue. A built-in barbecue will provide you with a custom-made cooking area designed uniquely to fit your garden. It is important to seriously consider the size of the barbecue, the most beneficial location for the barbecue and finally, the most appropriate design. Firstly, you must buy the grill and the charcoal pan simply because this determines the dimensions of the barbecue or equally, you could purchase a built-in barbecue kit which can be used as a template. When deciding the site of your barbecue you should consider factors such as convienence- it is ideal to locate your barbecue in close proximity to the kitchen. Potential hazards must also be considered and locating the barbecue amongst bushes or plants is not a good idea. Tools you will need to complete this construction include: Spirit level, builders square, sticks of chalk, brick trowel and a plumb line. Materials needed: Bricks sufficient for ten courses, dry-mix mortar, grill and charcoal pan or alternatively, a built-in barbecue kit. It is essential before you start the construction to ensure that the surface is level. If no patio or concrete surface is available to build your barbecue on, it is advisable to lay one. 1. After checking the ground is level, without mortar, lay out the first course of bricks in a “double L shape.” Using the builder’s square, check the corners are exact right angles and ensure that the charcoal pan fits correctly. Draw around the bricks with chalk, remove them. 2. Mix and place a layer of mortar on the ground. Place the first course of bricks on top. Use the builder’s square to ensure the corners are still at right angles, and ensure the bricks are level. 3. Place another layer of mortar on top of the bricks and lay the second course of bricks ina way that the joints are staggered. Continue to lay out the course of bricks in this way, often checking the level. 4. Once reached your chosen height. Lay three bricks so they stick out at right angles on each side. These bricks will support and ensure the charcoal pan stays in position. Lay a further one or two courses of bricks, then repeat the method suggested in the above step, ensuring support for the grill. If you wish to change the grill height, set short metal bars in the mortar between two or more courses of bricks. 5. Add a further one or two courses of bricks above the highest grill setting. Creating a windbreak and protection to the barbecue.
posted21/06/11
When you begin to notice your lawnmower leaving patches of grass uncut, or if the top of the cut grass is ragged and uneven, it may be time to sharpen the lawnmower’s blades. Many people will send their lawnmower out to have this done, but you can sharpen your blades at home and save money each year.
Lawnmower blades are secured to the machine with mounting hardware that will have to be removed. Using a set of pliers or a wrench, remove the mounting hardware and pull the blade out. If you have rust on the blades, use steel wool to remove as much of the rust as possible.
You will have several options when it comes to sharpening the blades. Many lawnmowers will come with a sharpening kit that can be used. If you do not have this, a grinding wheel will also do a great job. If you do not have access to either of these, you can use a hand file to do the job. Make sure to follow the same angle on the blades and sharpen each blade in small sections, moving inch by inch.
Once you have the blades sharpened, clean them and make sure any jagged edges are filed down, and all debris is removed. You may want to go over the blades with steel wool once again. Make sure the blades are completely dry before reattaching them to the lawnmower.
