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Garden Plants

Foundation Planting Rules

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Probably no feature on the average American home grounds is more abused by being over-planted than the so called “foundation planting.” There is one reason, and only one, for such a planting: to soften the architectural features of the building by using plant material at strategic locations and thus help blend the house into its natural surroundings.

Basic Rule

There is one fundamental guiding rule for every foundation planting, whether for a small cottage, a large pretentious home, or a huge industrial building. That rule is:

“Plant material shall be placed at those points where the strong vertical architectural lines meet the ground. Of course this broad statement is subject to minor qualifications under certain conditions. Put in still simpler language, it says, “Use plants at the corners of the building and at either side of doorways.”

Causes of Over-Planting

The owner of a home or of a large industrial building, or the authorities in charge of civic buildings and their grounds, are naturally tempted to seek an immediate effect when planning the landscape planting around the foundation of the building they control. That is probably the main reason for extensive over-planting.

Another reason is the fact that in millions of homes of all kinds, in every section of our country, the foundation planting problem has been handled in much the same manner. So it is only natural that a new homeowner will look around, see what so many others have done, and reason that that is the correct and only way to handle the foundation planting. Actually, only one house in a hundred, or in certain areas one in a thousand, has its foundation planting handled correctly!

The Long View

As it may help you to consider this problem first from the psychological angle, try to convince yourself that anything really good is worth waiting for. Have a stout heart if, after putting in your foundation planting in accordance with the suggestions offered in this book, you find your neighbors looking askance at you as if they thought you just a little off balance because you have planted specimens no more than 12 inches high, and have spaced them 6 or 7 feet apart. Of course that looks scanty; and it is easy to see how the uninitiated might consider it ridiculous. But if the sketches succeed in showing you what your planting will eventually look like, then you can face your critics with a smile of contentment, safe in your knowledge that, in four to six years, the foundation planting around your home will very likely be the finest in the neighborhood. You may even point out to them how much money you have saved by planting the foundation according to good landscape principles.

Location of Vertical Lines

Referring again to the placing of plants where the strong vertical lines of the architecture meet the ground, we find that both sides of any door fit this description, thus giving us two points where plants should be used. Other strong vertical lines are at inside or outside corners of buildings. Even a small break in the wall of a building can be considered a corner, and these locations should also be treated as points that call for planting. It is not vitally essential but it will look better in the long run.

 

Gardening Advice

Easy Obedience Training For Your Dog

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Just what exactly makes a well behaved dog? Is it the dog’s own personality and disposition or is it the training techniques? Actually, it is a little bit of both. Similar to people some dogs are easy to get along with and intelligent and other dogs are more difficult. Also, certain dogs may react more positively to various training techniques based upon their own disposition. But every dog can be trained and there are a few dog-training concepts that stay the same regardless of the training that you embark on.

The most crucial idea when it comes to training a dog is timing. Dogs are not human and they do not understand human ideas. All corrections and reinforcements of behavior must be administered instantly. When your dog poops on the floor you need to catch him in the act if you want to fix that behavior. If you don’t he will not understand why you are correcting him and your correction will go unheeded.

You must be consistent when you are training a dog. Dogs do not understand the meaning of “sometimes”. If you do not want your dog to jump on you when you are wearing your nice business suit then you must never let him jump on you when you are wearing your jeans. If you do not want your dog to chew on your beautiful new and expensive pumps you cannot let him to chew on your old ratty tennis shoe. With a dog you must be consistent with everything, every time.

Many men and women get caught up in giving corrections and they fail to give enough praise. Confirm your dog knows when he is doing something right. Most dogs will learn faster and easier when they receive a lot of love and praise. Make sure you have a good mix of corrections and praise.

When you issue your dog a command he must obey, every time. If he does not follow through then show him what he must do but do not let him get away with not obeying your command. Dogs don’t comprehend the concept of “sometimes”. You must be authoritative and firm every time.

Training can be fun and you will have more success if you make it fun. You can always add in some games and some playing while you are teaching and your dog is learning. It will be more fun for both of you.

Be certain to be fair and reasonable with your dog. He needs to clearly know exactly what you want. You can break up your training schedules into smaller increments if that will help but it is critical that he clearly understands what he is expected to do. He can’t please you if he doesn’t know how.

As the leader, you have the responsibility of making sure your dog is well trained and well behaved. Take into consideration his own temperament and work with him as necessary.

Excellent pet training guidelines for your dog including potty training a dog, stop dog from digging and much more at UniversityDog.com.