Monthly Archives: June 2012

Gardening, Gardening Advice

Choosing the Best Outdoor Lighting Options.

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There is no rule that says that outdoor lighting has to be boring. You have a ton of choices when it comes to outdoor lighting projects. With all of the choices available it can be a bit overwhelming to decide what you need or want. You have alot to consider. You want your personality to shine through but you also have to be careful not to break any local zoning laws in the process, you also want your neighbors to be happy with your choices too, afterall they have to look at it too. Trying to plan what should go where can be a challenge. We will discuss in this article a few thought you might need to ponder a while.

How much money do you have to spend? Setting your budget is key. This is a good way to ensure you are well taken care of in the store and they don’t try to sellyou something you can’t afford. This puts a pretty good cap on frivous spending of lights that are fun or pretty but unnecessary because they just don’t fit into the budget. You will put your needs ahead of the “fun” or “pretty” lights in the store. What you can spend for outdoor lighting will affect the options available to you.

As expected, when it comes to the lighting you choose for your outdoors, one of the topmost things you need to decide upon is the functional lighting. These are the lights you will place beside your sidewalks, on your front and back porches and that will light up the entryway to areas, such as your garage. Prior to choosing decorative lighting, you should already have taken care of the practical lighting. If you can’t figure out where to start, find out about your local zoning laws-there may be some requirements that must be met. Figuring out what you are required to install is always the best place to start this kind of project.

Do you think about your carbon footprint? Do you want to pay less on your electric bill? If you are mindful of your electricity consumption (or the cost of your monthly bill) it would be a wise idea to check out energy efficient bulbs. Just about any outdoor lighting choice can operate with energy efficient bulbs. Having these hooked up can save you tons of money every year on your electric bill and they are also more beneficial to the environment. There is no harm in going green outside of your home as well as inside!

At first, choosing your outdoor lighting can be difficult. To do it properly, it takes more than putting in one or two lightbulbs. There are many different options so be sure to do some research before buying anything. The last thing you want is a bunch of lights that you won’t be able to use because your property isn’t zoned for them or your neighbors will complain.

Jake Kirkland contributes to internet pages including: click here also breezedirect.com.au, hence through the years and months has achieved practical knowledge relating to the problem and his practical knowledge is definitely worth taking note of.

Gardening Advice, Landscaping

Five Easy Lawn Care Tips

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We all want the perfect lawn. It is not as difficult as you think. The right planning and these five tips can help you get the lawn you want. All grasses need the same things; fertilizer, water, sunlight and a weed-free environment. Start in the fall or early spring with proper testing. Also make sure to check your specific type of grass for special growing requirements and use these tips and get ready for a great lawn.

Test Your Soil: All grasses need food to live. They also need the right conditions. Performing the proper testing and fertilization are keys to a lush lawn. The right pH levels and levels of nitrogen and other trace elements are the most crucial. All garden stores carry an inexpensive testing kit that gives you a basic measure of these nutrients. However, these are generally inaccurate and provide little in the way of help fixing any deficiencies. Instead try a local university. Most provide a detailed analysis of soil, highlight deficiencies with exactly how to fix them.

Proper Mowing: A sharp blade and the right lawn length are also key to a healthy lawn. Each type of grass has slightly different requirements but, in general, you want to keep your grass about 3″-4″ in length. Any shorter and you may damage the grass by cutting too much and allow weeds to take root. Keeping the blade sharp minimizes damage to the plants and can reduce the incidence of disease and pests.

Lawn Fertilizer: In addition to preseason testing and fertilization the end of the growing season is key. As grasses begin to overwinter the roots require increased levels of potassium. This allows them to remain strong during the winter months and emerge sooner and stronger as a result. “Ensure you do not over-fertilize your lawn as it can be severely damaging and cause burns and even plant death,” advises Nate Merchant who performs Landscape Design in Morris County NJ. Always reference and follow strict instructions and guidelines.

Watering Your Lawn: All grasses need water but different types have different requirements. Warmer season grasses go dormant earlier than the cooler varieties and require less water. Generally most grasses need water about once a week. Long, infrequent watering is preferable since it requires roots to travel deeper in the soil between watering which strengthen the plant. The time of day is important as well. Try watering in the early part of the day. This prevents burning your lawn in the hot sun and allows the grass to dry before the evening when fungus can set in.

Keeping Disease and Pests Away: The sad truth is that nobody is safe from pests and disease effecting their lawn. Disease and fungus can spread very quickly and be devastating to lawns if not identified and treated quickly. Keep and eye out for any strange patches or changes to your lawns color. Call an expert or visit a garden store at the first sign of a problem. You can reduce the incidence of these problems by keeping weeds at bay with a herbicide applied in the spring and fall.

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