Photo by UGArdener

• Basic Brick Pathway: The first thing that comes into our mind before creating walkways or paths is bricks. Using bricks you can give any desired shape to your path. In simple words, using bricks you can create several paths such as winding, meandering as well as narrow.

What’s more interesting is that bricks are available in various patterns and designs. You may even choose whether you desire to set the path in concrete or sand. Almost all people prefer opting for a concrete base!

• Rock-edged Gravel Path: If you are planning to opt for a rock edged gravel path, then your first step lies in laying down a layer of permeable weed mat. Some even recommend that opting for a black plastic lining would be a good option! But it has been found that laying down a layer of black plastic prevents the free flow of water.

• Concrete Paver Walkway: Concrete pavers are available in various colors and patterns. They are reasonably priced and simple to install. Your first step lies in measuring a path that has a width of three feet (approximately). Ensure keeping the path at a safe distance from trees, bushes and hedges. Ensure installing a wooden edge along the pathway’s length. Ensure creating a smooth sand base within the wooden edge. Now check whether the concrete pavers are well fitted to their place or not.

• Crushed Stone Path: Opting for a stone path (crushed) is yet another ideal option if you are planning to create an inexpensive garden pathway. This is indeed a simple and cost effective procedure that goes well with any sort of landscape. Flexible edging helps in creating a curvy as well as a flowing garden path. Crushed stone path is a long lasting one! However you need to replenish it from time to time!

• Flagstone Paths: Flagstone paths are said to be one of the loveliest ways for grooming your garden. This kind of path matches well with any landscape design. The wide range of rock formations produces a perfect counterbalance for excessive geometric spaces. The only thing required on your part is to estimate the amount of square footage that the path will need.

Photo by Fyda

• Loose Fill Paths: In addition to going in for rock or concrete materials, you may even go in for loose filled paths. Soft materials like mulch, bark, crushed seashells or wood may give a beautiful touch to your garden. Remember the fact that if you’ll have to pay much less, if you purchase in bulk quantities. Ensure opting for proper edging if you are really interested in protecting the pathway from weeds. Use a shovel or rake for smooth out the chosen material.

• Platform Walkway: Platform walkways are an ideal way for eliminating any issues concerning edging, weeds or water. Platform walkways are constructed in the like manner as compared to a deck. Interestingly, these pathways come at a fairly reasonable price. – http://commerciallawncareequipment.com/lawncare-report.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_M._Free

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Options For Building Inexpensive Garden Paths

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Our goal here was to show

1) that is easy and fun to do and
2) to make a point about eating fresh foods that also support local farmers.
3) Plus, that we could play some Spanish opera while making salsa and get away with it

We think we did all of that and then some…we even talked about a special promotion valid on Sangria Gel Fuel FirePots (while supplies last). Be sure to watch the video to get the code word with directions and head over to this link

Then, we talked about Shawn’s health and wellness course (Shawn was filming). Check out his free video course on health and wellness here.

We had a lot of fun making this video for you and once you see it you will realize why. Now, keep in mind that we used all fresh produce that was purchased that day at the local farmers market here in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Even though we bought a huge box of “2nd’s” heirloom tomatoes, it was some of the best salsa we’ve made to date. Plus, in the video, we only actually went through about 1/3 of the tomatoes from the bags that we had…So, yeah, there was a lot of tomatoes for that $6 that we spent that you don’t see in the making of the salsa video.

We talked about having 2/3’s left after trimming, but again, that was not all of the heirloom tomatoes from the bunch!

Here is what we put in it:

Heirloom tomatoes, heirloom white and red onions, Italian parsley, hydroponic purple bell peppers, Hungarian sweet peppers, green bell peppers, red sweet peppers, jalapeno pepper and cilantro. Plus a few things that were not from the farmers market: black pepper, Celtic sea salt, cumin and lemon. Hope you enjoyed it and we look forward to making more fun, healthy eats videos for you again soon!

Originally posted 2009-10-13 16:02:53. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Salsa & Sangria: Making Fresh Heirloom Tomatoe Salsa with Local Organic Produce

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Systems that provide proper ventilation for indoor gardens are key to indoor growing success. Without an abundant supply of fresh air such as your plants would receive in a natural, outdoor environment, your efforts at indoor gardening will soon end in an unpleasant, mini-ecological disaster. In this article, we will discuss some of the reasons why ventilation for indoor gardens is needed, as well as some different options.

Grow Room Ventilation Systems – Overview

As you know, in the natural world, air is virtually always in motion – even on days when the air is “still;” there is almost always a slight breeze due to minor temperature fluctuations over various terrain. When it comes to indoor growing, such grow room ventilation systems are necessary in order to replicated this natural environmental condition. These consists of mechanical devices, such as “squirrel fans” or other air-moving devices, which circulates the air from one side of the indoor growing area to the other.

How Much is Needed?

The amount of ventilation for indoor gardens that you will need is dependent on several factors, including the size of the space in terms of cubic feet, how much of the space is used for indoor gardening, and the time of year. Normally, the rate of air exchange is greater during the summer.

A solitary single-speed fan will usually not be adequate for most indoor growing needs. You can determine this by multiplying the floor area by the height of the room; therefore, an indoor gardening room measuring 10’x 20’ in floor area times 10’ in height will need enough fan and ventilation capacity to completely refresh 2,000 cubic feet of air at least once per minute during the summer, and once every three minutes during the winter.

Fan Options

“Squirrel fans” and “Squirrel cage blowers” are technically known as shaded pole blowers. These are used in many applications in which heat build-up is a potential problem, such as HVAC systems and automotive climate control as well as high-end computers. They are constructed of two large rings, which are connected by as many as fifty diagonal blades; the entire assembly spins on its radius, drawing air in axially and exiting through a side opening. These are some of the most efficient fans available for grow room ventilation systems.

Several companies manufacture what are known as “whisper fans,” which are particularly quiet-running. They tend to cost a bit extra, but if noise is a concern for you, these may provide the best ventilation for indoor gardens.

Susan Slobac covers the basics of hydroponics and indoor gardening including ventilation for growing indoors. Learn about squirrel cage fans, whisper fans and other grow room ventilation systems.

Article Source: http://articlecrux.com

Originally posted 2009-01-07 14:30:11. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Ventilation For Indoor Gardens

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Don’t plant Rododendrums in a sunny spot that is solid clay. They just won’t really grow well. They would be happier under some pine trees in some nice acidic and loamy soil.

Got a spot that is smoking hot and dry? Don’t try to plant a rose garden there…unless you want it to look terrible. Try some Sedum, Cone Flower, Oriental Lillies, Butterfly Weed, Ornamental Grass and maybe a double knock-out rose might be O.K. if you get it some water a few times a week. They kind of thrive on neglect.

A little research goes a long ways to creating a successful and thriving garden.

Visit my other blog GartenGrl for some other ideas I have about gardening.

Originally posted 2009-03-29 17:13:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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The Right Plant in the Right Place

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7 Plants That Can Poison Pets

Originally posted 2009-01-27 16:19:25. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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7 Plants That Can Poison Pets

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Photo by Eva the Weaver

Red worms are also called red wigglers because of their reaction to being touched. Usually when red wigglers are handled, their natural reaction is to wriggle about, thus the name red wigglers. Red wigglers are manure type worms. This means that they will consume almost any form of organic material. They belong to the family Lumbricidae and they are one of the most popular worms in commercial production today. This is largely due to their popularity among garden farmers. Farmers prefer worms over earthworms for the reason that they are more effective at converting organic material into worm castings than earthworms.

It all starts with the red worm’s digestive process. The little red wiggler worm, first of all, consumes the organic material through its mouth while it burrows deeper into the soil. It will ingest any plant material in any stage of decomposition and any other residues found at the surface. All of these ingested materials go through the digestive track, passing through the crop, the gizzard and finally through the intestinal tract. Then, after having gone through all these, the waste material passes out through the anus and into the soil.

The digestive process involves different digestive enzymes which help break down all the organic materials which our little friends consume. These digestive enzymes release the important nutrients stored within the ingested organic material thus enriching t ing the red worm’s anatomy. Some of these nutrients include sugars, amino acids and a number of smaller organic organisms such as bacteria, fungi and protozoa. All of these smaller molecules are absorbed by the intestines. Any material not absorbed by the digestive process is excreted out of the anus, and thus worm castings are born!

Worm castings are rich, natural sources of organic material. They are filled with lots of nutrients and are very capable of holding moisture. Plants benefit from these things immensely as they also improve soil-structure and increase fertility. As such, it is sufficient to say that red worms are the most effective and enriching soil-enhancers available.

Explore the fascinating path of vermicomposting! To learn more about red worms and other great worm composting ideas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_W_Shaw

James W Shaw – EzineArticles Expert Author

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Vermicomposting – Red Worms and Their Composting Wonders

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Gardeners growing vegetables find that companion planting provides many benefits, one of which is protection from garden pests. A major enemy of the carrot is the carrot fly, whereas the leek suffers from the onion fly and leek moth. Yet when leek and carrot live together in companionship, the strong and strangely different smell of the partner plant repels the insects so much that they do not even attempt to lay their eggs on the neighbor plant. They take off speedily to get away from the smell. This is why mixed plantings give better insect control than mono-culture, where many plants of the same type are planted together in row after row.

Even when plants are affected by plant diseases, a mixed plant culture can usually alleviate the situation.It is important to remember that not all “protective” botanicals act quickly. For example, marigolds, to be effective in nematode control, should be grown over at least one full season, and more is better, for their effect is cumulative. One should also realize that certain companion plants will diminish each others natural repelling ability as they grow together. The effects of plants on one another are important outside the vegetable garden, among trees and shrubs as well as grains, grasses, and field crops.

Wild plants also play a vital part in the plant community. Some are accumulator plants – those that have the ability to collect trace minerals from the soil. They actually can store in their tissues up to several hundred times the amount contained in an equal amount of soil. These plants, many of which are considered weeds, are useful as compost, green manure, or mulch. Some are “deep diggers,” sending their roots deep into the ground to penetrate hardpan and helping to condition the soil, and some have value as protectors of garden plants.

Article courtesy of amazines.com

Originally posted 2009-09-30 14:53:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Friendly Neighbors-Gardening in Style

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Climatic variations across regions alter architectural demands for shelter, warmth, cooling and the relationship of indoor and outdoor living spaces. In designing any structure it is imperative that its context be embraced and that both current climatic conditions and those which may be experienced during the life span of the structure are factored into the design. A structure which ignores its climatic context risks undermining functionality and sustainability.

Michael Sandberg of Sandberg Schoffel Architects comments that environmental considerations and sustainability issues are “tremendously important” for both local and international architects and landscape designers. Mr Sandberg adds that, in architectural design, “climate has always been a major factor” however it is only now, given the recent drought and associated climate extremes experienced in Australia, that it is becoming a much more public discussion.

Architect James Russell agrees that it has always been important to consider climate to ensure a design is “interactive with its surroundings” however client awareness is only now growing with people becoming more receptive to producing buildings that have a low impact on the environment.

Countries with extreme climates are further advanced in producing and designing environmentally friendly architecture. Mr Sandberg describes Scandinavian countries as having fewer natural resources and therefore are further ahead in terms of environmental and climate responsive architecture.

Due to a warm climate and ample natural resources, in the past “Australia has lagged behind” other nations in terms of climate responsive
architecture Mr Sandberg comments. Little need for insulation, warmth conservation and water proofing meant Australian architects made fewer climatic considerations in design.

Now that the Australian climate has become more extreme there is a greater sense within both the design and broader communities that climate responsive architecture and design is an imperative. Long term rainfall deficiencies across southern and eastern Australia have now led to greater scrutiny and emphasis being placed on water saving design features in residential and commercial properties.

Government restrictions on water use and the promotion of energy efficiency are increasing public awareness of environmental sustainability. Homeowners and commercial organisations alike are being forced to consider the environment in the everyday running of their home or business. According to Mr Sandberg the impact on building design has been an increased focus on water retention, energy efficiency and the use of recyclable and natural materials. Specifically, the use of grey water and installation of water tanks and catchment areas are increasingly being incorporated into Australian architectural design.

The award winning Szencorp Building in Albert Rd, South Melbourne was designed with climate change and weather cycles in mind and represents the latest local environmental solutions in building development. The outdated 1980’s era Szencorp Building was redesigned in 2005 to become the greenest office building in Australia with a six star green rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).

The building was designed to feature a grey water and rain harvesting system, solar hot water system, lighting control sensors and many other environmentally sustainable design features as part of the buildings architecture.

Peter Szental, principal of The Szencorp Group, believes one of the key directions for climate and environment responsive designs both in Australia and on a global scale is through energy efficiency. “The simplest and most cost effective way of cutting our greenhouse gas emissions is energy efficiency. Often overlooked, energy efficiency can dramatically reduce emissions and significantly reduce energy costs.”

While the design trend for new buildings is to become greener, Peter Szental believes architects and landscape designers also need to target existing buildings as an overwhelming majority of commercial buildings in Australia are inefficient and continue to use far more resources than they need. “Australia’s delay in adjusting for the future is creating barriers to cleaner energy and consigning our growing greenhouse liabilities to future generations – a liability to deal with when times may not be so buoyant.”

Local designers can play a vital role in making our living and working spaces more environmentally sensitive by accommodating for “a mix of energies – including cleaner coal, but also biomass, solar, wind, hydro,’ within their work, as well as the government providing further ‘incentives to improve energy efficiency”.

The global design community is responding to climate change. On 18 June 2007 during the International Presidents’ Forum at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2007 National Convention in San Antonio, 16 presidents of national and international architectural associations united to address the role of design in response to global climate change. Importantly, the forum attendees, leading architects from all over the world, all agreed to adopt international goals and benchmarks for sustainability in architectural building design.

Karen Vosjan is the owner & operator of Domain Design, Australia’s leading image driven portal featuring leading Architects and Designers, and showcasing their projects, and capabilities.For more details,visit:www.domaindesign.com.au

Article Source: http://articlecrux.com

Originally posted 2009-04-04 23:08:59. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Climate: A Design Imperative

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Organic Gardening – Improving the Soil in Your Green Garden
By John Yazo

Green gardening is a method that your plant will grow a healthy and productive life by feeding off natural nutrients in your gardens soil. These nutrients are supplied by organic matter you add to your gardens so that nature can decompose it and turn it into a nutrient rich humus. This final product is what will improve your gardens soil structure and greatly benefit the plants you are growing, like your flowers, fruits, herbs and vegetables.

Composting is a great method of recycling your organic household and yard waste into a nutrient rich humus for your gardening needs. It is also a eco-friendly method of putting the organic household and yard waste that you accumulate to good use. You don’t get any benefit by sending your organic household or yard waste off to the local landfill, you will benefit greatly by putting it to good use in your gardens soil while helping to create a healthier environment.

There is a large complex community of life that lives in your gardens soil. This community of microorganisms is what turns organic matter into the nutrient rich humus material that your plants need to thrive. These microorganisms help the decomposition process and help to clean the unwanted toxins from your garden soil to give your plants a healthy life.

Start composting your organic household and yard waste and give the plants your are growing the healthy nutrients they need to grow a healthy and productive life. The rewards your garden will give you will be well worth it.

A environment friendly and healthy way of gardening. Organic Gardening is away of gardening in harmony with nature. Growing a healthy and productive crop in a way that is healthier for both you and the environment.

John Yazo

http://www.organicheirloomgardening.com

Article Source

Originally posted 2009-06-30 08:18:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Photo by greenhem

Hydrangeas come in a few different varieties. One type is called Hydrangea Arborescence which usually have big white snow balls on them-these hydrangeas bloom on “new” wood. Because Hydrangea Arborescence varieties bloom on “new” wood they can be pruned in the fall. They will produce new stalks in the spring which will bloom. The tree form hydrangeas you see which are also usually white are called Paniculata hydrangeas and they too should be pruned in the late Fall. Seems simple: white flowers, prune in fall.

It gets more complicated when you realize that there are other kinds of hydrangeas called Hydrangea Macrophyllas-these are the kind of hydrangeas that have pink or blue flowers. These bloom on “old” wood and can ONLY be pruned before July the year before…did I say this was tricky or what?There is also Oakleaf hydrangea which is also an “old” wood bloomer. So when would you prune it??That’s right-summer before….tell me about it…so confusing.

Photo by viZZZual.comSo now that you are totally afraid to touch your hydrangeas it’s time to tell you about what you can do to help your Macrophyllas bloom in the color you like…pink or blue. If you want blue you need to acidify the soil and add aluminum to the soil. You can use pine needles, throw down a bunch of pennies or rusty nails(yeah, my thought exactly). Good luck with that because changing the pH of your soil from alkaline to acid is a lot of hard work. If you want pink hydrangeas then a little more clay in the soil and a little less aluminum should work in your favor. Incidentally if you can’t get them to bloom in exactly the right color you were hoping for you can always put a few gazing globes on metal stands in the hydrangea bushes in blue or pink to get the color that way. Or you can tuck some garden decor peaking out of the plant to help bring out the color. It looks nice and gives you the color accent you are looking for without all the hard labor of transforming your soil pH.
If your hydrangeas are still looking kind of strung out it is likely that they are not getting the correct kind of light. They need partial shade. They will live in the sun, but they won’t look good in the sun. They will live in full shade, but they won’t look good in full shade. They specifically need morning sun and afternoon shade. And as the name suggests they do not do well in drought conditions so remember to water them regularly and they should grow so abundantly you can use them as a hedge to hide an unsightly air conditioning unit, or plant them around the base of a bird feeder to hide all the spent seeds.
These tips are meant to help you achieve all your hydrangea bloom dreams. Clearly it is of utmost importance to be armed with some information about what kind of hydrangea plant you are dealing with before you even touch your plant or the soil around it. Once you are armed with this insider knowledge you won’t be afraid to incorporate these lovely flowering shrubs into your garden because they are indeed glorious.

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Hydrangeas Can Be A Garden Challenge

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