Archive for September, 2009

Materials, Means, Methods, and Background – 4 Factors For Successful Gardens

September 30th, 2009 -- Posted in backyard landscape, front yard landscaping ideas, swimming pool landscaping | No Comments »
by Marshall Clewis
The smallest garden, no less than the elaborate estate, represents the results of the combination of four basic factors. They are: (1) the materials of gardening; (2) the means; (3) the methods; and (4) the background. These four factors, as well as the all-important human element.

Materials – These are, first of all, the plants that make gardens; and, second, the soil in which they grow. In the plant articles, the objective has been to describe each subject, then to give simple cultural directions, and finally to list and describe briefly the more important and promising kinds available and especially suitable in gardens.

When looking for any plant (or a genus) always look for the correct botanical name. Sometimes botanical and common names are the same, as Chrysanthemum or Zinnia. Sometimes a plant has a botanical name and also two or more common names.

Means to Gardening are the implements, accessories and aids with which plants are grown and gardens are made and cared for: tools, fertilizers, spray materials, hotbeds in fact, all objects that are neither plants nor parts of the soil. All these subjects should be studied in connection with the cultural notes on the various plants, and other articles covering the plant care factors.

Methods, which include all details of design and planning; construction and planting; and maintenance, or culture and protection. To get the most out of this information, you may have to consult several items in order to gain complete understanding of a certain subject just like caring african violet. For information on pruning a rosebush of about african violet, for example, consult not only the directions under rose, but also separate articles on pruning, shrubs, shears, etc., as well as the Garden Know-How articles. This is especially true in the case of plant enemies and their control.

Background is, of course, what all gardens furnish for the lives of those who live in them or view them. But we mean the relation of individual plants and gardens to one another, and to things outside them. It includes elementary facts about the natural sciences which underlie plant growth; it touches theories and principles, and the agencies and institutions from or through which gardeners can obtain information and help. It is that which gives to garden work a larger outlook, a broader horizon, more vision than are associated with mere manual labor.

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How can I determine how much dirt I need to landscape my backyard?

September 23rd, 2009 -- Posted in backyard landscape | 2 Comments »

The ground is almost solid rock, so I need to put some type of sandy loam or top soil on it. I want to order this but I do not know how to figure how much I would need to buy.
I would also suggest going to a local garden center and looking at the different ammendments and soil mixes they sell there. I agree with the tape measurement of the yard. The bags tell you how much to buy and what they cover. I would also get the soil wet to see how dense it really is. You might even take a sample with you to the store.

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I would like to some ideas on landscaping my backyard in a southwestern landscape?

September 23rd, 2009 -- Posted in backyard landscape | 4 Comments »

Iwould also like some plant and flower ideas; I live in the north
Check the yellow pages under “Landscape Architect.” They are experts in design, and know which plants will be suitable for your particular area. A Concept Plan isn’t too expensive, and should include a general design layout and a list of plants to use for different situations. Unfortunately I’m probably not licensed in your State. I have done a lot of work in the Las Vegas area woking with someone who was licensed in Nevada, so am quite experienced in that style of design and won a couple of awards on projects I’ve worked on down there. I use a similar design here, which is probably a similar climate to where you are. Click on my profile and e-mail me and give me the specifics on where you are, I may be able to recommend someone in your area.

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Phoenix Swimming Pools and Spas – Arizona

September 19th, 2009 -- Posted in swimming pool landscaping | No Comments »

An Arizona Pool & Landscape Company – Unique Landscapes & Unique Custom Pools presents some incredible video of all of our swimming pool and spa projects in Phoenix & Scottsdale Arizona. Check out how we incorporate our Phoenix landscaping & landscape design with our swimming pools and spas – making it great for ONE COMPANY to design and install your next project www.unique-landscapes.com 480.969.1911 for your design consultation

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solar water fountains?

September 15th, 2009 -- Posted in solar water features | 1 Comment »

Does anyone know where I can find a reliable solar water fountain, or how I can change an existing water fountain to a solar one?

I don’t know about specific manufactures or dealers but it is recommended to check if the place you wish to place it is suitable.

"When checking if a certain garden is suitable for solar powered water fountain, there are two aspects that will determine if a garden is suitable. The first aspect is pretty obvious, the weather conditions and level of sun exposure……… The other aspect is the landscaping of the garden, particularly surrounding the solar water fountain…"
This was taken from http://www.onlinesolarpanels.com/solar-garden-fountains.php

What should I do to prepare my vegetable garden for planting?

September 15th, 2009 -- Posted in vegetable garden layout | 6 Comments »

I am new to this gardening thing and I want to have a vegetable garden so that we have vegetables and fruit from early summer through late fall. I know that each vegetable has it’s own PH requirements. How do I prep the soil for all the things I’m wanting to plant? Is there a fertilizer that I should use that would be good for a wide range of veggies? I live in northern Ohio. When should I start prepping the soil? When should I plant? Should I plant a second time during the season to ensure that I have veggies into the fall? What should I plant? The area I want to plant is roughly 15 X 20 ft.
We live in an area of northern Ohio that has extremely fertile farm. The soil is dark brown/black and not very much if any clay. We have high sulphur in our water so I’m assuming that the ground has a high sulphur content as well.

you can get some really good gardening info from: ohio state university.. they have a very good website for gardening info… as well as your county agriculture extention agency… check ohio government to find the web address… when i’m starting a new garden area I : cut sod out, till soil, add ammendments (compost, leaves, organic matter), and continue to add leaves and grass clippings every fall
vege gardening is a lot less complicated than it first appears from all the horticulture info
you can also visit my past answers for more info on improving soil conditions.
Happy Gardening!

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landscaping ideas?

September 15th, 2009 -- Posted in front yard landscaping ideas | 10 Comments »

I want to landscape my front yard. I don’t want to spend a lot of money though. Does anyone have any suggestions for inexpensive plants? I live in Tennessee and it is hot in the summer. My front yard gets morning sun and shade by afternoon. Thanks for any help.

hey a fellow Tennessean! i live toward Bristol myself, i also do lawn and bushes during the summer. so here is my 2 cents worth. Ive noticed allot of holly bushes around here, a very hearty group and they stay green all year. azeala(spelling) bushes are very popular as well.these flower nicely in the spring. hostas are flowers you only have to plant once! they love it down here! just make sure when planting bushes to allow for room to grow ! some bushes get big! leave yourself a minimum of 5 feet between the house and a newly planted bush! good luck oh yea…… use some really thick plastic and 3 or 4 inches of mulch to keep your weeds down and plants moist during the dog days!

Landscaping in shade around a swimming pool? Any ideas?!?

September 15th, 2009 -- Posted in swimming pool landscaping | 5 Comments »

i live in north carolina and my backyard has a lot of trees so the sun hits only certain spots throughout the day. i want pretty and colorful flowers, plants, shrubs etc… and if possiblee for a low budget!! any ideas are helpful!!! THANKS
There are many plants for shade, but you may not get the same bold color as you will with sun plants. Try these ideas, then fill in with annuals, such as impatients. The best bet for shade are daylilies — buy ones that bloom at different times to get continual color, hydrangea (but dont put them too close to tree roots), hostas (not much color in flowers, however) Also, look for shade plants with unique leaves (hellaborus, cora bells). Also, many ground cover flower in the spring and can handle the areas under trees: http://www.oldhouseweb.com/gardening/filling-bald-spots-in-your-garden.shtml Try local http://www.craigslist.com for people who want to swap plants or are giving them away.

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What is best way to landscape a backyard bank?

September 15th, 2009 -- Posted in backyard landscape | 1 Comment »

What is best way to landscape a backyard bank @ a 60 degree angle?

I already have ivy jacobs ladder ferns campenella(sp) dwarf grass day lilly i need help with organizing it.
I always tell people to use their imaginations and to do things the way they like them. However, you will probably want to place shorter plants at the bottom of the bank and progress up the bank with taller plants. Taller plants at the bottom of bank would probably hide smaller plants unless they are spaced far enough apart so that they are not hidden. It has been my personal experience, though, that if you have ivy planted anywhere, it will eventually take over and cover and crowd out everything else unless you keep it pulled out and contained in one area. Ivy can become very invasive and sometimes be considered a weed when it begins to take over and damage anything else you plant and like. Good luck and enjoy.

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I need to buy a submersible water pump for a pondless waterfall.

September 15th, 2009 -- Posted in pondless waterfall | 3 Comments »

How large of a pump should I buy?

There is 18 to 20 ft of head pressure and I want to pump about 1200 gallons per hour.
There are several website that where you can buy a pump. I suggest you try one of these. http://www.watergarden.com/ http://www.pondliner.com http://www.thepondguy.com Buy a mag-drive pump, they are usually the best choice. These sites also sell weir boxes that help provide a smooth flow of water at the start of the water fall and are rated for various flow rates. This way if you have an idea how wide you want the fall to be, you can control it by the weir box you purchase.

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