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  • 10 Best Shrubs & Creepers for Your State

    Local climate, soil conditions, and specific gardening zones play crucial roles in determining which plants will thrive in each state. Always consider these factors and seek advice from local experts or horticultural resources before planting.

    General Guidelines for Selecting Shrubs:

    1. Evergreen Shrubs: These maintain their foliage throughout the year, providing year-round interest and some privacy. Good options include Boxwood (Buxus), Rhododendron, and Holly (Ilex).
    2. Deciduous Shrubs: These lose their leaves in winter but often offer beautiful flowers or attractive fall foliage. Examples include Forsythia, Hydrangea, and Dogwood (Cornus).
    3. Native Species: Choosing native shrubs is beneficial as they are already adapted to the local climate and support local wildlife. Examples include Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea) in Northern states and American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) in Southern states.
    4. Drought-Tolerant Shrubs: For arid regions, consider plants like Lavender (Lavandula), Russian Sage (Perovskia), and Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis).
    5. Salt-Tolerant Shrubs: In coastal areas, plants like Beach Rose (Rosa rugosa), Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica), and Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) can handle salty conditions.

    General Guidelines for Selecting Creepers/Vines:

    1. Climbing Roses: These add beauty and fragrance to gardens. Varieties like New Dawn and Climbing Iceberg are popular choices.
    2. Clematis: With numerous flower colors and forms, Clematis vines are versatile and can provide vertical interest to fences and trellises.
    3. Honeysuckle: Known for their sweet scent, honeysuckle vines like Lonicera sempervirens and Lonicera japonica are attractive to pollinators.
    4. Virginia Creeper: A fast-growing vine with vibrant fall foliage, making it an excellent choice for adding color to walls and fences.
    5. Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans): A hummingbird favorite, trumpet vine produces large, trumpet-shaped flowers.

    Remember that local climate, soil conditions, and specific gardening zones play crucial roles in determining which plants will thrive in each state. Always consider these factors and seek advice from local experts or horticultural resources before planting.

    The Best Plants For Each State (short list)

    Keep in mind that the best plants for each state may vary depending on local microclimates, soil conditions, and gardening zones. It’s always a good idea to consult with local gardening experts or extension offices for more accurate and up-to-date recommendations.

    1. California: California’s diverse climate ranges from Mediterranean to desert and mountainous regions. Consider planting drought-tolerant shrubs like Lavender, Rosemary, and Ceanothus (California Lilac). For creepers, Bougainvillea and Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans) can thrive in California’s warm and sunny conditions.

    2. Texas: Texas experiences a mix of climates, from humid in the east to arid in the west. For shrubs, consider native options like Texas Sage (Leucophyllum spp.), Anacacho Orchid (Bauhinia lunarioides), and Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii). Creepers like Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) and Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) are good choices for Texas.

    3. Florida: Florida’s tropical and subtropical climate allows for a wide variety of shrubs and creepers. Consider planting Evergreen Viburnum, Firebush (Hamelia patens), and Simpson’s Stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans) as shrubs. For creepers, options like Confederate Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) and Passionflower (Passiflora spp.) can thrive in Florida’s warm and humid conditions.

    4. New York: New York experiences a continental climate with cold winters and mild summers. For shrubs, consider versatile options like Hydrangea, Lilac (Syringa vulgaris), and Spirea. Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris) are good choices for climbing vines.

    5. Arizona: Arizona’s climate is mostly arid and semi-arid, with hot summers. Drought-tolerant shrubs like Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata), Texas Ranger (Leucophyllum frutescens), and Agave are suitable choices. Creepers like Bougainvillea and Honeysuckle can add color and interest to Arizona landscapes.

    6. Alaska: Alaska’s climate is diverse, ranging from subarctic to maritime. For hardy shrubs, consider options like Dwarf Arctic Willow (Salix purpurea ‘Nana’), Elderberry (Sambucus spp.), and Alaska Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum edule). While some hardy climbers can grow in Alaska, extensive creeping vines may have a limited range due to the harsh climate.

    7. Washington: Washington state experiences a wide range of climates, from temperate rainforests in the west to drier conditions in the east. For the western regions, consider planting shrubs like Rhododendron, Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium), and Salal (Gaultheria shallon). For creepers, Honeysuckle and Clematis are excellent choices. In the drier eastern part, drought-tolerant shrubs like Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus spp.) are suitable.

    8. Montana: Montana has a diverse climate, with cold winters and hot summers in some areas. For hardy shrubs, consider options like Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum), Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), and Snowberry (Symphoricarpos spp.). Creepers like Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans) and Creeping Raspberry (Rubus pentalobus) can thrive in certain parts of Montana.

    9. North Dakota: North Dakota’s climate is characterized by cold winters and hot summers. For hardy shrubs, consider planting American Hazelnut (Corylus americana), Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), and Dogwood (Cornus sericea). Creeping vines like Virginia Creeper and Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) can add charm to landscapes.

    10. Minnesota: Minnesota experiences a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. For shrubs, consider options like Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius), Winterberry (Ilex verticillata), and Potentilla. Creepers like Clematis and Climbing Hydrangea can add vertical interest to gardens.

    11. Hawaii: Hawaii’s climate is tropical, with varied conditions across islands and elevations. For shrubs, consider planting Hibiscus, Plumeria, and Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae). Creepers like Hawaiian Sunset Vine (Stictocardia beraviensis) and Allamanda are suitable choices for Hawaii’s warm and humid climate.

    12. Louisiana: Louisiana’s climate is humid and subtropical, with hot summers and mild winters. For shrubs, consider options like Azaleas, Camellias, and Sweet Olive (Osmanthus fragrans). Creeping vines like Confederate Jasmine and Trumpet Vine can thrive in Louisiana.

    13. Maine: Maine has a humid continental climate with cold winters. For shrubs, consider planting Blueberries, Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), and Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea). Creeping vines like Creeping Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) and Virginia Creeper can be suitable choices.

    Please note that the suggested plants are not an exhaustive list, and there are many other suitable options for each state. Always consider local conditions, soil types, and gardening zones before making plant selections. Seek advice from local experts for the best results in your area.

    Remember that this is just a general guide, and local conditions may vary within each state. Always consider the specific location, climate, and soil conditions before selecting plants for your garden. Consulting with local gardening experts will provide the most tailored advice for each state and region.

    For each state, the best plants for shrubs and creepers will depend on factors such as the state’s climate (temperature, rainfall, humidity), soil type, and local gardening zones. It’s essential to consider the specific region within each state, as there can be variations in microclimates.

    Here is some general advice for selecting plants:

    1. Consider Native Species: Native shrubs and creepers are well-adapted to local conditions and often provide essential habitat for wildlife.

    2. Check Hardiness Zones: Determine your state’s USDA Hardiness Zone, as this will help you choose plants that are most likely to thrive in your area.

    3. Evaluate Soil Conditions: Different plants have varying soil preferences. Make sure to assess your soil type and select plants accordingly.

    4. Sunlight and Water Requirements: Take note of the amount of sunlight and water available in your garden to choose plants that match those conditions.

    5. Space and Purpose: Consider the space available for planting and the purpose of the plants (e.g., privacy, ornamental, attracting pollinators).

    For more specific and accurate recommendations, I suggest consulting with local nurseries, garden centers, or agricultural extension offices in each state. They will have the expertise to provide you with the most suitable plant options for your specific location.

  • What Do You Know About Companion Planting at home? 5 Principles

    Companion planting is an ancient agricultural practice that is based on growing different plant species near to one another to provide mutual benefits. In a nutshell, the primary goals of companion planting at home include increasing crop yields, controlling pests and diseases, and improving soil fertility.

    By PENNY SWIFT

    While there is anecdotal evidence and historical practices that support companion planting, the scientific research on its efficacy is a bit limited. Some plant combinations may have beneficial effects, while others may not live up to their reputation. Ultimately, do we need science or personal experience to prove whether companion planting works or not?

    Does Companion Planting at Home Work?

    There is absolutely no doubt that some plants grow much better when you plant them next to, or even amongst other plants. Like people, good companions have the ability to shelter one another and give support in various ways. These include sharing nutrients, chasing away bad bugs, and attracting insects that will pollinate their companions.

    Even though companion planting is recognized to be one of the least understood ecological subjects, it also appears that companion plants (again like people) are often opposites. So, some plants that love the sun will provide shelter for those that don’t. Some plants with shallow roots are happy to share their environment with those that have deep-growing roots.

    Similarly, some slow-growing plants do well with those that grow slowly, because their needs vary at different times. For instance, a plant that flowers early will produce pollen and nectar that might attract insects that benefit the second plant. Heavy feeders often do well with light feeders or those that need different nutrients. They often stimulate biological activity in the soil that benefits the heavy feeders.

    By paying attention to the plants that do well together, as well as those that don’t like one another, you will find that you are able to grow a much wider variety of plants in your backyard. You will also find that it is a lot easier to control pests and produce disease-free crops.

    In essence, companion planting is a method of planting and growing various plant species together for mutual benefit. Ultimately, if you choose the right companions, this type of planting will help you to produce a healthy, organic, and really “green” garden that will be sure to flourish.

    Common Companion Planting Principles and Their Benefits

    Here are a few companion planting principles and basic benefits to inspire you.

    Pest control

    Some plant combinations repel pests or attract beneficial insects that prey on harmful ones. For example, marigolds are often planted alongside vegetables to deter pests like aphids and nematodes. At the same time, they will attract ladybugs that eat many harmful insects. Also, planting onions with carrots can deter carrot fly, and carrots can help deter onion fly, benefiting both crops. And growing aromatic herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage near cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower can help repel pests like cabbage moths.

    Disease suppression

    Certain plants have natural properties that can help suppress diseases in nearby plants. For instance, growing basil near tomatoes is believed to reduce the incidence of tomato diseases like blight.

    Nutrient enhancement

    Some plants can improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen or adding organic matter. Legumes, such as beans and peas, are known for their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, benefiting neighboring plants that require nitrogen.

    Space utilization

    Companion planting at home can make efficient use of space by combining plants with different growth habits. For example, tall plants like corn can provide support for climbing plants like beans. A good example explains why carrots love tomatoes. Carrots have a relatively shallow root system, while tomatoes have a deeper one. By planting them together, you can make efficient use of the soil depth, allowing both crops to thrive without competing for root space.

    Weed suppression

    Planting certain species together can help smother weeds and reduce weed competition for crops. For example, the “three sisters” is a classic Native American planting method where corn, beans, and squash are grown together. Corn provides a trellis for beans to climb, beans fix nitrogen for the other two, and squash spreads along the ground, suppressing weeds.

    A Scientific Approach to Companion Gardening

    Despite its limitations, there is some scientific and quasi-scientific research that is informative. Generally, companion planting is considered to be a small-scale gardening practice – which is why companion planting at home makes such a lot of sense. It’s a practice that you and I can use in our gardens, not one that commercial growers are likely to embrace.

    According to ATTRA (Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas), a national U.S. center for sustainable agriculture information, the concept embraces different strategies that increase the biodiversity of agroecosystems. They also explain that contemporary companion gardening has evolved from a combination of historical observation, horticultural science, and a few unconventional sources.

    In a technical horticultural paper, Companion Planting: Basic Concepts & Resources, George Kuepper and Mardi Dodson outline the scientific foundations for companion gardening. They are trap cropping, symbiotic nitrogen fixation, biochemical pest suppression, physical spatial interactions, nurse cropping, beneficial habitats, and security through diversity.

    Trap Cropping

    This is when a companion plant is selected to attract pests that a neighboring crop. For example, collards (a type of Brassica that is related to cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts), are planted alongside cabbages to attract the diamondback moth away from the cabbage crop.

    Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation

    This approach involves planting legumes (including peas, beans, and clover) that absorb nitrogen from the atmosphere for their own use, and then transfer nitrogen into the soil. Similarly, forage legumes are often seeded with grasses to reduce the need for nitrogen fertilizer. Also, beans are sometimes planted with corn.

    Biochemical Pest Suppression

    When chemicals seep out of the roots or stems of certain plants they can repel or suppress pests that would normally attack nearby plants, including tomatoes, sugar beets, and soybeans. The best-known example is the marigold (Tagetes spp), which releases thiophene, a proven nematode repellent, into the soil.

    Physical Spatial Interactions

    Many tall-growing plants that thrive in the sun grow happily with plants that prefer to be in the shade. A good example is corn grown with low-growing squash or pumpkin.

    Nurse Cropping

    Here, tall plants with thick foliage protect more vulnerable species by shading them or shielding them from the wind. Although similar in concept to physical spatial interaction, nurse cropping is often used to protect certain crops. So, for instance, oats will be sown so that alfalfa can establish itself in the shadow of the oats.

    Beneficial Habitats

    This encompasses habitats or environments that are provided by companion plants for the benefit of insects that are beneficial (rather than harmful) to plants.

    According to ATTRA, predators include ladybird beetles, lacewings, hoverflies, mantids, robber flies, and non-insects including spiders and predatory mites. Parasites include a wide range of fly and wasp species including tachinid flies and ichneumonid wasps.

    Security Through Diversity

    This is a more general approach that involves mixing crop varieties to at least ensure a yield from some of them. A fascinating example is the simple mixing of cultivars by University of California researchers who have shown that broccoli can reduce aphid infestation in certain crops.

    Companion Planting Chart for Home and Market Gardening

    ATTRA has compiled this simple chart from traditional literature the researchers have found on companion planting at home. It is designed to inspire you and me!

    Crop Companions Incompatible plants
    Asparagus Tomatoes, parsley, basil  
    Beans Most vegetables and herbs Onions, garlic, gladiolus
    Beans (bush) Irish potato, cucumbers, corn, strawberries, celery, summer savory Onions
    Beans (pole) Corn, summer savory, radish Onions, beets, kohlrabi,sunflowers
    Beets Cabbage and onion families, lettuce Pole beans
    Cabbage family Aromatic herbs, celery, beets, onion family, chamomile, chard, spinach Dill, strawberries, pole beans, tomatoes
    Carrots English pea, lettuce, rosemary, onion family, sage, tomatoes Dill
    Celery Onion and cabbage families, tomatoes, bush beans, nasturtiums
    Corn Irish potato, beans, English peas, sunflowers, radish Tomatoes
    Cucumbers Beans, marigolds Irish potatoes, aromatic herbs
    Eggplant (aubergine) Beans, marigolds
    Lettuce Carrots, radishes, strawberries, cucumber
    Onions family Beets, carrots, lettuce, cabbage family, summer savory Beans, English peas
    Parsley Tomatoes, asparagus
    Pea (English) Carrots, radishes, turnips, cucumbers, corn, beans Onion family, gladiolus, Irish potatoes
    Potato (Irish) Beans, corn, cabbage family, marigolds, horseradish Pumpkins, squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, sunflowers
    Pumpkins Corn, marigolds Irish potato
    Radishes English peas, nasturtium, lettuce, cucumbers Hyssop
    Spinach Strawberry, Faba bean
    Squash nasturtium, corn, marigolds Irish potatoes
    Tomatoes Onion family, nasturtium, marigolds, asparagus, carrots, parsley, cucumber Irish potatoes, fennel, cabbage family
    Turnips English peas Irish potatoes

    Promoting Good Relationships

    Ultimately, successful companion planting relies on good relationships, often between pairs. Usually, one plant has the ability to do one thing, while the other offers something else. But sometimes it seems that certain plants simply do well together – like cheerful children who have special playmates. For example, parsley and asparagus generally both thrive when planted together. Tomatoes and basil also do well together, even if basil does not impart any flavor at all to the fruit of its tomato plant companions as some insist they do!

    Fascinated? Why not give it a try and let us know how well companion planting at home works for you?

  • How to Grow Ginger at Home: 10 Easy Steps

    If you enjoy cooking with ginger, why not try growing ginger at home? Our 10 simple steps and gardening tips tell you exactly what to do. 

    Scientifically known as Zingiber officinale, ginger is a flowering plant that belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. It is native to tropical regions of Southeast Asia, particularly India and China, and has a long history of both culinary and medicinal use. The plant is prized for its flavorful rhizome, which is the underground stem of the ginger plant and is commonly referred to as “ginger root.”

    To grow ginger at home, all you need is a ginger root that you can buy from your local supermarket or farmers market. The caveat is that ginger is a tropical plant that prefers warm, humid conditions. If you live in a colder climate, you may need to grow ginger indoors or in a greenhouse to provide the right environment for successful growth.

    But ultimately, this is a relatively easy exercise in gardening for beginners. So, why not give it a go?

    How to Grow Ginger From a Root Cutting

    Growing ginger at home from a root cutting can be a fun and rewarding gardening experience. It’s a lengthy process, but if you get it right, you’ll have fresh garlic available at a snip of the price you normally pay when buying it commercially.

    Let’s get started with our foolproof ginger planting guide.

    #1 Select a fresh ginger root

    Fresh ginger is widely available worldwide from grocery stores and local markets.

    Whether you are buying ginger to cook with or to try your hand at ginger cultivation, always choose a plump, healthy ginger root. But if you’re going to be growing ginger at home, it’s essential to look for a piece with well-developed “fingers” or small, rounded growth buds that look like bumps. These bumps are where the buds will emerge from the ginger rhizomes when the growing process starts.

    #2 Prepare the root cutting

    Cut your ginger root into sections, making sure each piece has at least one or two growth buds. Each section will give rise to a new ginger plant. Be guided by the space you have for planting your bits of ginger. You don’t want to crowd your veggie patch or indoor gardening facility.

    If you are limited because of climate, and therefore opting for container gardening, make sure your pot is deep enough for growing ginger at home.

    #3 Soak the ginger

    You don’t have to do this, but it helps speed up germination and doesn’t take much time. All you do is soak the ginger pieces in water overnight to promote sprouting and activation of the growth buds.

    #4 Choose a planting container

    Whether you are container gardening or just starting your ginger plants out in a container, you’re going to have to select a suitable receptacle. Either way, choose a wide and shallow pot or container with good drainage holes. Ginger roots like to spread horizontally, so a wider container works best. It will need to be large if you are going to keep the ginger in the pot.

    If you live in an area with a warm climate, you can skip this step and plant directly into your vegetable garden

    #5 Use good quality soil

    Fill the container with well-draining, nutrient-rich potting soil. A mix of potting soil and compost works well.

    If you are planting directly into your garden, make sure to turn the soil and add compost before you plant. Also, make sure your garden bed is in a bright spot where it gets indirect sunlight (see #8 below).

    #6 Plant the ginger

    Place your ginger root sections in the soil with the growth buds facing up. Cover them with about 1-2 inches of soil.

    #7 Watering

    Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Like all tropical plants, ginger prefers humid conditions, so once your ginger plants produce leaves, misting them occasionally can be beneficial.

    #8 Warmth and indirect sunlight

    Place the container in a warm spot that receives bright, indirect sunlight. Avoid exposing ginger to direct sunlight as it can scorch the leaves.

    #9 Patience and growth

    Ginger takes some time to sprout and grow. Be patient and continue to water and care for the plant. There’s not much maintenance involved, but ginger care is important.

    #10 Harvesting

    Ginger is typically ready for harvesting 8-10 months after planting. The leaves turn yellow and start to die back.

    Carefully dig up the ginger rhizomes, cut off what you need, and replant the remaining ginger roots for continuous growth.

    Where Does the Ginger Plant Grow Best?

    If you’re considering growing ginger at home, do your best to make sure you have the right growing conditions.

    Ginger thrives in warm, tropical climates with plenty of rainfall and well-draining soil. It prefers high humidity and temperatures between 70°F to 90°F (20°C to 32°C). It is best suited for USDA plant hardiness zones 9 and above.

    If you live in a colder climate outside these zones, you can still grow ginger successfully, but it will require extra care. In colder areas, consider growing ginger in containers or pots indoors or in a protected greenhouse. This allows you to control the growing environment, providing the warmth and humidity that ginger requires for optimal growth.

    Remember that ginger is a perennial plant, and in warmer zones, it can be grown as a perennial, meaning it will come back year after year. In colder zones, it can be grown as an annual, where you plant and harvest it within a single growing season. Whether you grow ginger outdoors or indoors, it’s essential to provide it with the right conditions to ensure a successful and rewarding harvest.

    The Best USDA Plant Zones for Growing Ginger

    These are the USDA plant zones that are considered best for growing ginger at home in the U.S.:

    1. USDA Zone 9: This zone includes regions with minimum average winter temperatures of 20 to 30°F (-6.7 to -1.1°C). Areas with milder winters are ideal for growing ginger outdoors year-round.
    2. USDA Zone 10: In this zone, the minimum average winter temperatures range from 30 to 40°F (-1.1 to 4.4°C). Ginger will flourish in these regions with relatively mild winters.
    3. USDA Zone 11: This zone covers areas with minimum average winter temperatures above 40°F (4.4°C). Ginger will thrive in these tropical and subtropical regions with very mild winters.

    You can read more about the 13 USDA Plant Hardiness Zones in our article about which shrubs grow best in the different zones.

    How to Use Your Homegrown Ginger

    Ginger is not only a versatile and delicious ingredient in the kitchen but also a valuable medicinal herb. Its unique flavor and numerous health benefits have made it a cherished and widely used plant around the world.

    Medicinal Uses

    Ginger has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. It is well-known for its various health benefits:

    • Ginger can help soothe digestive discomfort, reduce bloating, and alleviate nausea and motion sickness.
    • The compounds in ginger, particularly gingerol, have anti-inflammatory effects that may help with conditions like osteoarthritis and muscle soreness.
    • Ginger’s immune-boosting properties may help enhance the body’s defense against infections.
    • Ginger is often used as a natural remedy for morning sickness during pregnancy and can help alleviate nausea caused by other factors.

    Culinary Uses

    Ginger has been used as a spice for thousands of years. Whether you have a backyard vegetable garden or prefer indoor gardening, the ginger plant is one of the easiest homegrown spices to produce.

    Ginger root is a staple in many cuisines around the world. The warm, spicy, and slightly sweet flavor of these edible plants adds depth and complexity to various dishes. Fresh ginger is commonly used to add zest to savory dishes, soups, stir-fries, marinades, and desserts. Dried and ground ginger is often used in baking and spice blends.

  • Important Aspects of Composting for The Best Soil Fertilization

    Compost is a fertilizer made of organic matter, which can improve the quality of any soil, increase the harvest. For its preparation are suitable organic waste, which is always formed in private estates and cottage plots.

    Depending on the chosen method of composting, humus from plants can mature from one month to several years.

    What is compost made of?

    Composting is a simple way to get environmentally friendly plant fertilizer without material costs. It is based on organic waste, which under certain conditions decompose under the influence of microorganisms.

    The main raw material for the production of organic fertilizer:

    • Waste generated by animals – manure, slurry, bird droppings, feed unsuitable for animal feeding.
    • Wastes generated by growing plants – weeds, grass clippings, cut branches of bushes, fallen leaves, fruits, unfit for food.
    • Agricultural plant processing waste – stiff stems of flax, hemp, corn cores, etc.
    • Waste from wood processing industry – sawdust, shavings.
    • Organic kitchen waste – food scraps (vegetable and fruit peelings, stumps), eggshells, tea, and coffee grounds.
    • Peat.

    You can add dried grass, ashes from a fire to the compost fertilizer. Paper, cardboard are pre-shredded so that they decompose faster in the compost. Good reviews get humus from the leaves of walnuts.

    Raw material for fertilizer is conventionally divided into green and brown. Green material is characterized by a higher content of nitrogen, and brown – carbon. These components are necessary for the effective breakdown of organic matter with the help of microorganisms. In addition, compost requires water and oxygen.

    The rate at which the fertilizer matures depends on the proportion of these important substances in the compost. The compost mould must be turned regularly to maintain a proper moisture level and oxygen supply.

    What must not be added to the compost?

    Organic fertilizer is beneficial if the rules for making it are followed. The production of compost, initially seemingly extremely simple, can be ruined by getting the wrong raw materials into the processing.

    Worth avoiding:

    • Leaves, twigs of sick plants – infections do not die in compost, so there is a risk of infecting the new crop.
    • Large parts of trees or parts of evergreens – they take a long time to decompose and slow down the ripening of the fertilizer.
    • Weeds with seeds – composted humus will give growth to new weeds.
    • Plants treated with poisons, various chemicals – they will kill the microorganisms that process the raw material.
    • Inorganic material – glass, plastic decompose for decades and cannot be the basis for fertilizer.
    • Organic animal waste in the form of fat, bones – this causes bad smells and slows the maturation of the fertilizer.
    • Human and pet feces – animal feces are often infested with worms.
    • Plants containing poisonous substances – foxglove, castor oil, lily of the valley, aconite, potato and tomato leaves cause the death of valuable bacteria in the fertilizer.

    How you can make compost

    The decomposition process depends on the microorganisms that are in the compost. They can be aerobic or anaerobic. In the first case, they need oxygen to carry out their life activity. In the second, the process can take place in an enclosed space without oxygen.

    Anaerobic fertilizer is usually produced on an industrial scale. On private property, aerobic methods of making plant humus are most available.

    Compost boxes, composters, containers, simple piles, and pits in backyards and vegetable gardens will be suitable for obtaining fertilizer.

    Preparing compost

    Preparing fertilizer is one of the tasks faced by gardeners, who want to get a good harvest. Organic humus from plants, made with their own hands, brings a double benefit. In the course of composting, waste is disposed of, and a clean fertilizer is obtained.

    Organic plant fertilizer contains a large set of useful trace elements such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and others. According to experienced gardeners, properly prepared humus significantly increases the fertility of the land and crops.

    Where to begin

    Obtaining organic humus will prove to be an easy task if you decide in advance on the method of composting. If it will be a compost pile, it is worth buying in advance the material with which it will have to be covered from the rain. A permeable material such as roofing felt would be good for this.

    For organic composting you can dig a hole in which to compost the waste. The edges of the pit should be reinforced with concrete or planks to form a box.

    It is possible to prepare fertilizer at any time of the year when there are available raw materials. However, fall is considered the most appropriate time of year because there is a lot of grass, leaves, which contain enough nitrogen and carbon.

    Where to place the compost pot

    First, select a place where the fertilizer will mature. For this, a shady place that is far enough away from trees is suitable. Otherwise, the root system of the plants will grow in the direction of the compost to get useful substances.

    The compost pit or pile is placed in the back of the yard. At the same time, access to it must remain free. For normal decomposition, the compost mass should be stirred regularly to oxygenate it, and also watered on dry days to keep it moist. Waste material can be added to the compost as it accumulates.

    The location of the future fertilizer, especially if it is a pit, should be far enough away from sources of drinking water. The ingress of products of decomposition into the water can change its taste and quality.

    How to lay the layers correctly

    Raw organic material should be shredded before being placed in the pile. This will facilitate the decomposition process and speed up the formation of the fertilizer. The shredded material is placed in small layers about 20 cm thick.

    In the first layer put the organic waste. Dry grass, leaves, corn stalks, vegetable waste, paper, cardboard, etc. are suitable for this purpose. The second layer contains manure, mineral fertilizers, which serve as a source of nitrogen. The third layer is fertile soil. If there is a ready-made fertilizer, it is placed at the very bottom for the reproduction of bacteria.

    Rough branches are placed at intervals, which are removed after the pile is formed. This helps air circulation.

    How to speed up maturation

    The natural process of converting organic waste into humus takes a long time. There are various ways to help speed up the maturation of the fertilizer.

    Special preparations containing microorganisms involved in the processing of waste into compost.

    They are completely safe, made from organic raw materials without chemical additives. Instructions for use are on the packages.

    Yeast is a natural remedy for quickly obtaining compost from tree leaves. To prepare the solution, you need to dilute a tablespoon of yeast and 200 grams of sugar in one liter of water. The solution is then poured into a hole made in the fertilizer.

    “Herbal infusion” is a homemade gas pedal of decomposition processes, which has many positive reviews. To prepare it, chopped grass and bird droppings are dissolved in water, insist for several days. Then the solution is poured into the compost heap.

    Earthworms also help speed up the process of decomposition of organics.

    How to tell if the compost is mature

    The readiness of humus is determined by several characteristics:

    • Compost fertilizer is homogeneous in composition, without fragments of organic waste in the form of peels, fruits, leaves, etc.
    • The color of decomposed organic matter is dark brown.
    • The texture of the fertilizer becomes loose and crumbly.
    • The smell is reminiscent of the soil in the forest after the rain.

    How to use it properly

    The resulting leaf compost is used in much the same way as manure. It fertilizes the soil when digging, added to the holes before planting seedlings, seeds, put on the soil for mulching.

    In autumn, the fertilizer is added to the soil on the beds when digging. You can use immature humus. Over the winter, the decomposition processes will complete, the raw material has time to decompose, and in the spring the garden will be ready for planting.

    In spring, humus is poured into the furrows for sowing and mixed with soil. This helps seeds and seedlings germinate faster. Mature fertilizer is used as a mulch for trees and shrubs. It can also be used to mulch strawberries and other garden sprouts.

    Compost humus is suitable for the arrangement of “warm beds”, made on the principle of a layer cake. In the bottom layer put the coarse remnants of plants, leaves, small branches.

    The next layer is compost, manure, dry grass. The layers are repeated several times. A layer of soil is poured on top, and the entire bed is watered with water or solutions to accelerate decomposition. After that, cover with a film.

    Compost humus is used to prepare a liquid solution for plant nutrition. Unripe fertilizer that has already had time to turn black is suitable for this. It is diluted with water and infused. After a few days, the solution for fertilizing the garden is ready.

    Thus, almost any organic waste that is formed in every garden plot can be turned into a valuable fertilizer.

  • 11 Tips on How to Winterize Your Garden

    How to prepare your garden for winter? How to care for your garden in winter? Many people who are not indifferent to their garden ask themselves that. Despite the fact that all traditional cultures can easily adapt themselves to the onset of cold weather, they also need outside help.

    Winters can be the most unpredictable, so for easy adaptation of plants, you need to properly approach their care. A favorable wintering of the garden depends on the activities carried out in the fall for easy adaptation.

    In order to prepare the garden for the winter period, a number of procedures should be performed in the fall. Consider below what activities you need to perform.

    Harvesting leaves in the garden

    The remaining pests in the garden can serve as a good breeding ground for the development of diseases, as well as the reproduction of pests that can cause a negative impact on growing crops.

    Fallen leaves are an ideal wintering place for many pests and bacteria. Therefore, you should prepare the garden for the winter as soon as possible and get rid of its leaves, be it the leaves of shrubs, trees, or flowers.

    What to do with the harved leaves and where to do it

    Here are some tips:

    • you can collect foliage in one compost pile for faster disposal;
    • foliage can be used to mulch the soil of flower crops to protect it in winter;
    • if foliage should be infested with pests, get rid of it as soon as possible. Burning or taking out of the garden are ideal solutions in this case.

    Removing from dropped plant remains

    rotten_berries

    Not only the fallen leaves but also the fruits can harm the soil of the garden. Fallen fruits can cause fungal infections in the soil. The fungal disease moniliasis is one of the most common soil diseases, which can not only adversely affect it but also completely destroy the future harvest.

    But not only fallen fruits must be removed from the garden: carefully examine the trees and rid them of already unusable fruits.

    Unlike foliage, fruits are not recommended to be piled up to rot, much less left in the garden. A deep hole will be a harmless way to get rid of them. A dug hole can be filled with fruit only 20-30 centimeters.

    Preparation of conifers

    All conifers and shrubs require special preparation to cope with winter conditions. Snow falling on the needles can damage and break off future shoots of plants, so even in the fall, you need to pull off the branches of coniferous plants with a strong rope (twine) as much as possible, fixing them well. This will make it easier to shake off the snow from such plants if necessary.

    Prevention of diseases of the garden

    Plant care in the winter garden also takes place. After harvesting the fallen leaves, it is recommended to treat the surface of the garden and all growing shrubs with fungicidal preparations.

    As such means, solutions of copper sulfate (at a dosage of 0.3 kg per 10 liters) and urea solutions (at a dosage of 0.5 kg per 10 liters) are used. It is recommended to process not only the shrubs themselves but also in order to prevent the surface area of ​​the garden.

    Soil opening

    By loosening the soil around shrubs and flowers, you can also get rid of the pests and bacteria that live in it. The causes of vulnerabilities on the soil surface.

    Loosening of the soil around growing trees should be to a depth of about 20 centimeters, around shrubs – by 10 centimeters, around flowering plants – by 7 centimeters. Special care should be taken to carry out computer damage to damaged plant systems.

    Elimination of vegetation

    Not only fallen leaves and fruits but also the remains of plants and shrubs should be removed from the surface of the garden. Cut grass, dry branches, lichens, dead plant remains. It is recommended to burn such unsuitable vegetation.

    Care of the structure and soil quality of the garden

    It is precisely the ennobling of the garden that follows. So, the improvement of the structure of heavy soil should be carried out at the beginning of autumn. For these purposes, sand, humus, compost are laid on the surface of the soil, and after they are dug together with the soil to the depth of one shovel bayonet. The addition of such substances is carried out one bucket per square meter.

    On too light and soil, compost and humus should be added, and then digging should be reported. When digging, minerals and fertilizers should be added to normal, sufficiently fertile soil in a proportion of 1.5 buckets per square meter.

    It should be noted that if the soil is normal and does not require digging and improving its structure, then processing should not be in vain. Indeed, in its process, you can damage the soil and cause harmful microflora in it.

    If the digging process has nevertheless begun, then you should at least not break up large clods of earth and not turn them over.

    Thus, preparing a garden for winter requires a lot of trouble. It is enough to take care of plants and trees on time, then there will be no problems.

    Moisture and mulching

    Another important condition for the nutrition of the soil is the sufficient presence of moisture in it. Therefore, in late autumn, it should be moistened. This will help prevent drying out of soil, shrubs, and trees, protect root systems from frost damage and increase overall frost resistance.

    It is most effective to water before the onset of the first frost, but after cleaning the garden from fallen leaves.

    One shrub and one young tree require about 3-4 buckets of water, one adult tree requires about 5 buckets.

    It is very important to water gradually, while waiting for the water to be absorbed into the soil. In this case, the water temperature should be 5 degrees higher than the atmospheric air. After watering, you must immediately mulch with peat, humus, or compost.

    Preparing inventory for the next season

    The inventory should also not be left unattended. Before removing it, you must:

    • clean off dirt and soil residues;
    • rinse as necessary;
    • sharpen blunt elements;
    • to carry out disinfection.

    Preparing trees and shrubs for winter

    How to preserve trees in winter so that they successfully survive the frosts and begin to actively develop in the next period? Favorable wintering of trees in the garden requires special responsibility. Caring for trees before winter includes the following activities:

    1. Removing the trapping rings. For the winter, all previously installed trapping belts or rings should be removed from the trees. Disposable appliances should be burned immediately, reusable appliances should be washed and put away in a protected place before the next harvest period.
    2. Pruning fruit trees. Pruning trees and shrubs should be done even before the first frost for sanitary purposes. If pruning is performed during frosts, then such an event will cause a lot of damage to the trees because the cold negatively affects the wood, it becomes more fragile and susceptible to damage. For trees and shrubs for the winter, all dry, dead branches, shoots prone to diseases and pests, as well as broken branches should be removed. Intact branches growing inward or crossing and tangling with each other are also pruned. The resulting sections should be treated with a fungicide solution to prevent fungal diseases.
    3. Removal of dry bark and lichens. It is these areas that are “home” for pests, so if found, you should get rid of them as soon as possible. Removal should be done with a wooden scraper.
    4. Whitewashing process. Whitewashing protects trees from severe temperature changes and pests – factors that can lead to adverse consequences for the tree. The procedure is the final stage in preparing the tree for winter. It should be whitewashed only after removing the trapping rings, trimming shrubs, and ridding the soil and plants of unnecessary dead bark and lichens. Whitewashing is usually done on the entire lower part of the tree from the very surface of the ground. A mixture of copper sulfate, lime, and water is used as a material. For a more durable whitewash, it is recommended to add wood glue.
    5. Protection against rodents. Young plants are most susceptible to rodents. To protect them from mice, hares and other rodents, it is recommended to protect the plant with a special net purchased from the store. Alternatively, you can protect the tree trunk by making a do-it-yourself plastic bottle casing. It is enough to cut off the neck and bottom of the bottle and make a vertical cut along its entire length in order to put the bottle on the barrel, and then fix it tightly. You can also use several of these designs if the tree trunk is long.
    6. Top dressing for the winter. A properly structured feeding process helps to make plants more frost-resistant, strong, and most importantly, helps to achieve a better harvest in the next period. Top dressing is usually carried out using phosphate-potassium fertilizers without the addition of nitrogen. It is important to apply the substances immediately after loosening the soil in a dry form. As such fertilizers, potassium superphosphate, and potassium sulfate or potassium monophosphate can be used.

    Thus, by observing all the necessary principles of care, you can achieve a blooming, healthy, and growing garden and a rich harvest. Winter garden maintenance is a very important task for every gardener!

  • The Ultimate Guide to An Outdoor Kitchen of Your Dream

    It’s hard to imagine a country house or cottage without an outdoor kitchen. It is in this kitchen gather with family and friends to enjoy the summer air and a break from worldly cares.

    Elegant outdoor kitchens in the countryside, projects, and photos of which will surprise everyone have become commonplace and are often installed on suburban residential plots and cottages. Such structures can be made to order through construction firms, although this aspect can be handled independently, using ready-made projects and photos.

    Varieties of outdoor kitchens

    Before constructing an outdoor kitchen, it is necessary to decide whether this construction will be a separate structure or an extension of the house itself. Modern kitchens come in two basic types, that is, open or closed construction. Where open design is very similar to a gazebo or terrace, which is located separately or adjacent to the house.

    The main elements of an open structure will be the roof or canopy, and 1-3 walls, this structure is built of wood and less often of stone. Its unique feature is a sense of space and freedom, a feeling of unity with the natural environment.

    Outdoor kitchens can be a closed type. This structure is a separate small house. House of the closed type has a full-fledged roof and walls with windows and doors.

    The main advantage of the closed house is its comfortable design, protected from the rain and the bright sun. In summer, the structure is used both as a kitchen and as a separate house for guests. This construction is erected from such material as brick, foam block, or cinder block, and for internal finishing here is used batten, gypsum board, and sometimes plywood.

    Varieties:

    • Construction made of wooden beams and logs
    • Frame metal
    • Brick and stone structure
    • Of different materials, that is brick and metal, wood and brick, etc.

    The main advantages

    outdoor kitchen

    Cooking food outdoors will inspire literally everyone. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the outdoor kitchen gazebo become a celebration of nature, it will be wonderful. Such a magical kitchen will bring a lot of pleasant moments of devouring food and socializing with friends and relatives. Outdoor kitchens work even in winter if they are carefully insulated.

    Aspects of choosing a location

    Before the construction of the outdoor kitchen, it is required to intelligently and rationally make a project of this structure. This construction is considered a serious object and here it is necessary to know the subtleties of this type of kitchen arrangement. It is required to carefully and competently calculate and plan the stages of construction. The choice of location requires taking into account the peculiarities of such construction.

    The main criterion for selecting a site for the location of the kitchen is the convenience of communication. These communications are conducted from the house, so the kitchen and the house itself will be located next to each other. Such communications will be a gas pipeline, water supply with drainage, sewerage, electricity.

    It is required to place the structure away from the toilet, compost pit, and other places where eating and cooking will not be a pleasant experience. It is recommended to place away from the roadway, where there will be a lot of dust, noise, and exhaust fumes. It is desirable to place the kitchen away from flammable objects, this distance should be 10 meters or more.

    It is recommended to place the windows to the northeast, it will protect you from the sun’s rays and keep you cool on hot days. It is also possible to arrange a cellar under the outdoor kitchen, it is practical and functional.\

    Stages of construction

    1. Before the construction, a competent and clear construction project is drawn up, where the positioning on the plot is decided. It is necessary to think in advance about the size of the structure and the location of windows and doors, taking into account the location of water and gas pipes.
    2. The site itself should be leveled and, if necessary, water and sewage pipes should be laid.
    3. If you build an open building, then be sure to have a slope required for the drainage of water after rain.
    4. Now that the site is ready, the excavation for the open kitchen is dug to a depth of 15 cm or more. Such excavation is made over the entire area of the structure, and then it is filled with a special cushion of sand, which should be thoroughly compacted. Then, be sure to conduct paving of the future kitchen, for this purpose, a board or tile is used, which is paved directly on the cushion of sand, it is done simply and quickly.
    5. Only now the foundation is prepared, it can be a columnar, plate, or strip foundation. Most often, it is made of a strip foundation, located around the perimeter of the kitchen. To make the columnar foundation, the soil is excavated to a depth of 50 cm, and inside the future kitchen, a pit is dug 15 cm deep. Now it is required to make a cushion of sand and lay a layer of crushed stone on top, after which everything is poured with a standard cement mortar.
    6. For the outdoor kitchen, a columnar foundation is often arranged, for this purpose, 4 columns are made in the corners of the structure, sunk 50 cm or more. Then, a general framework of wooden beams or logs is arranged. Also, this structure can be made of bricks and stone, although these materials require the device of a strip solid foundation.
    7. The walls of the kitchen are built of stone or brick. You can also make a frame of metal or wooden beams. Then, they need to be covered from the outside and inside with clapboard or special boards. If wood finishing is used, it is required to be treated with special solutions to protect against the effects of moisture, it is better to do it annually.
    8. For the kitchen arrange a one-slope, two-slope or flat roof, although it is better to make it a two-slope. Such a design with two slopes will be reliable and simple, and it looks very aesthetically pleasing. It uses a roof of the asbestos-cement sheet, metal, or polycarbonate, and then from below the roof is sheathed with plasterboard and boards.

    Arrangement of the outdoor kitchen

    An outdoor kitchen is equipped with a special stove for cooking food, it may be a wood stove, gas stove, or electric. If there is a barbecue, you should choose in advance the location of the oven, where the products will be cooked on coals.

    Here it is required to think necessarily fire safety measures in general. It is not recommended to place flammable objects near the stove, and the cutting table should be installed near the stove at a safe distance. Near the kitchen units, drawers for utensils and a common small sink, and their location can be seen in the photo projects of this structure.

    A special stove, sink, and tables should be arranged compactly and conveniently, so they do not interfere with people in the recreation area. In such a recreation area usually set a table, chairs, and armchairs, and if space allows, and a sofa.

    For the outdoor kitchen of the is usually used wicker furniture or plastic, which are best suited here.

    The next important aspect of the arrangement of the outdoor kitchen is the choice of lighting, for the working area and the seating area require separate comfortable lighting. Fixtures need to be chosen, taking into account their work in normal outdoor conditions, you can choose an economical option by installing lamps with solar panels.

    If the outdoor kitchen is a full-fledged traditional wood-fired stove, it is necessary to think about the aspects of smoke removal. Often you can install both a stove and an oven, so you can please your family and guests with the usual dishes and at the same time cook a fragrant kebab. It is desirable to have all the necessary communications at once, which will make life easier for the owners.

    Interior decoration

    For the kitchen to look beautiful and stylish it is recommended to arrange soft cushions on the chairs and elegant plaids on the sofa. It is desirable to buy all the kitchen equipment in a single overall style so that this room will look more elegant. The finishing here should be natural, it is better to use natural stone and wood.

    And it is desirable to make the floor tiles, it can be ceramic or porcelain. It is important to consider that the main area will be the stove and oven, followed by the sink and the work surface for cooking. The traditional style of such a cottage kitchen is a rustic setting, for which clay dishes and textiles are used. Artistic tone and family-style will make a large Russian samovar, located on the dining wide table.

    It is recommended to install here only wooden furniture, and it is better to do the finishing with a material such as wood. If this kitchen is built and equipped competently, it is possible to cook dishes there in the spring, summer, and autumn, as well as in the winters, if they will be warm.

    To decorate the interior, you can use:

    1. Earthenware
    2. Textiles
    3. Carved crafts and toys
    4. Uniform style furniture
    5. Living plants
    6. Products of forging
    7. Stone
    8. Ceramics

    Conclusion

    Arrangement of the outdoor kitchen is not difficult, but it is better to entrust such construction to professionals if there is no experience and knowledge. Design solutions for this structure is a lot, choosing the best option for yourself, the kitchen will be a long time to please its owners.

    Here you should immediately choose the type of area structure, it is important to choose the right type of foundation and material for the walls, the type of roof and roofing materials, which can be very different.

  • How to Create and Set Up Your Perfect Patio

    Modern plots near the house are more often used for recreation than for growing crops. A separate barbecue area, a paved area, and a small pond are great options for your patio. The flowering plants around will complement the attractive look of the seating area. Trends in landscape design offer interesting options for creating a patio at the cottage.

    Planning

    A proper plan is a key to success when setting up a patio. Even if the patio takes up a small part of the garden, it is important to think about a comfortable layout from the beginning and decide on the atmosphere you want to create.

    First, choose a location for the seating area. Do you prefer to relax in the sun or in the shade? Then determine if you need a pathway to the barn or the back door of the house.

    Next, decide where you will put flower beds. Flowerbeds and flower beds play an important role – they absorb rainwater. Also, a stone garden can be too hot in the summer. Don’t forget to appreciate the view of the garden from your living room window.

    Decide what you would like to admire – beautiful plants, water features or a picturesque fireplace.

    If you need to arrange a small yard, you can occupy its entire territory under the patio

    Choosing a location for a patio

    When thinking about creating a patio on the property, you need to choose the right location for it. An outdoor patio attached to the house can be different sizes, depending on the owners’ preferences. Arranging the patio in the country house next to the residential building, you should take into account several nuances:

    The seating area should be mostly on the sunny side. Then, even in autumn, you can warm up on warm days, comfortably settled in an armchair.

    If the house has access to the backyard, then the recreation area is better to think of this place. Gathering in the evening for dinner with the family, the household will be easier to set the table.

    If you want to build a corner for recreation away from the house, then it is worth thinking about decorating the surrounding area. In any case, the patio is located in the open air, inaccessible to nosy neighbors. It is also worth taking care to protect the seating area. Over an area where the patio is located, erect a shelter from the sun and rain, for example, use awnings. A summer canopy of thick fabric will save guests and owners from the scorching heat.

    Patio elements

    Setting up a patio in the country house is a creative process. Just imagine how many bold ideas you can implement on your plot. You can find ready-made photos of patio projects in available sources. Indispensable elements of the recreation area:

    • paved area
    • barbecue area
    • site landscaping

    The area, which is designed for the patio, can be made of different materials: paving tiles, hardwood flooring, natural stone. Along the perimeter of the recreation area have elements of lighting.

    Furniture can be made by hand, transforming old unsightly chairs. Lovers of modern furniture, you can pick up wicker chairs, which go well with the wooden table. The barbecue area is usually located in a separate place, at the side of the central part of the site.

    The landscaping of the surrounding area will hide the seating area from view. Dwarf shrubs alternating with carved arches with plants creeping along are a great landscaping option.

    Creating a canopy

    The main element of a patio is the creation of a canopy. To prevent the sun from scorching your shoulders, and the seating area harmonized with the facade of the house, it is worth considering a pergola or awning. The differences and advantages we will consider below.

    A pergola is a wooden or aluminum frame, which will shelter from the hot sun. If the patio is located in the yard, then choose a model with a freestanding structure. The presence of sliding slats allows you to regulate the flow of sunlight.

    If you need to arrange a recreation area near the house, it is easier to install a cloth awning on the wall of the house. A reliable frame will protect the patio from weather conditions, resistant to gusts of wind.

    Creating a secluded spot in a shady seating area is a great option for leisure activities. Canopied structures will help you completely relax. Enjoy an evening meal in any weather.

    Backyard design tips

    If the plot is small, surrounded on all sides by neighbors, then the patio can be divided into several zones: a free area and semi-enclosed. In the place of the open space install a fireplace or oven for cooking. The semi-enclosed area contains furniture for evening gatherings.

    What other details should be considered:

    • It is better to choose a location for a patio on a slope. Then rainwater will not accumulate on the flat surface.
    • Lighting is an essential part of a patio arrangement. If there is a pergola over the seating area, then you can think about an elegant chandelier. But most often prefer to use a few lights, located along the perimeter.
    • If there will be a swimming pool nearby, a water filtration system should be installed. In this case, the water will not turn green during hot days. A retractable canopy will get rid of the sun’s rays and the water will stay cooler longer.
    • Flowering plants that blend in with the overall exterior of the patio will create a pleasant aroma all around and a relaxing atmosphere.

    Having arranged the patio, we can safely say that the area near the house is intended not only for work, but also for relaxation. After a day of work it is nice to be in your “paradise” corner, listening to birds singing. And how nice to get together on weekends with friends to roast barbecue and chat under a beautiful pergola!

  • Tips and Tricks for Setting Up Small Backyard

    Who doesn’t dream of a country house with a vast garden, a pergola, and beautiful flower beds? Unfortunately, life makes its adjustments, and we have to limit ourselves to a balcony or a tiny patio. Just a few meters from the house to the neighboring plot, a tiny front garden or a small patch of land near the porch – this is an urban reality.

    When you think about it, that’s not a bad thing at all! Taking care of a large garden will require a lot of time and effort. Weeding and loosening, regular watering and pest control, pruning and planting seedlings – you can’t do without it. And the modern man has a lot of other things to do. As a result, dreams of beautiful flowerbeds become overgrown with weeds, and ideal lawns turn from dreams into unsightly bumpy realities.

    A small, cozy patio is exactly what is best for active people building their lives and their careers! One or two trees (maybe even in tubs), a table with a bench, a few pots with flowers, and a small flower bed – a nice corner with minimal care. Even if tiny, but a garden!

    Principles of a small yard

    How to use your small yard? The idea to store unnecessary stuff or wash and repair the car there is better to discard immediately. The space outdoors should serve as a place to relax, be environmentally friendly, and be comfortable. There you can plant plants and arrange a corner for relaxation.

    Functional content

    The functional filling depends on the preferences of the owners of the house, on their interests and needs

    • Brazier. Lovers of gatherings with friends in the first place will think of the grill, a comfortable table, and a shelter from the rain. If the house has a veranda or terrace, the place for guests is already defined. You can build a stationary grill in a corner of the yard or get a portable one.
    • A secluded corner. For the one who likes to dream in solitude, read a book, or leisurely drink your morning coffee outdoors, there is nothing better than the closed from prying eyes corner twined with roses or grapes.
    • A light gazebo, pergola, or flower arch in the yard will not be superfluous for sure! It is important to remember that a massive structure, such as a log gazebo, for a small space is not suitable. It is better to use trellises, screens, and arches, braided with climbing plants.
    • Children’s corner. If the family is growing up children, then be sure to provide a place to play. A swing, a horizontal bar, a box for sand take up not much space, but the child will play in the fresh air. Wide swings replace the bench, they are loved by both children and adults. This structure will give a lot of joy in the hours of rest.

    Landscaping

    The right selection of plants is especially important for a small plot. The peculiarity of urban patios is their closed, enclosed space. The walls of the house, as well as high fences separating from the neighboring area – all these vertical planes turn the yard into a closed box.

    There are many ways to visually expand space, but perhaps the most effective is proper landscaping. Climbing and climbing plants that braid the fence create coziness and hide the yard from prying eyes. One or two small trees will shade the resting place in the summer heat. If there is no room for a tree, a pergola with climbing roses or clematis will be very helpful.

    Flowering plants are a great way to bring bright colors to the design of the yard. You can create a multi-colored flower bed, you can make a built-in flower bed, or put pots of blooming pelargonium out of the house – all options are suitable for enlivening a small garden.

    The right light

    Both people and plants need natural sunlight. It doesn’t make sense to put a roof over your patio, even if it’s tiny. It is nice to bask in the sun on a spring morning and at sunset on a summer day. Without it, the plants will wither and never enjoy a riot of green.

    Particular attention should be paid to evening light. The right lighting can do wonders for pushing the boundaries of the plot. Lights should be installed to illuminate the resting place, the path to the house, elements of the decor, pond, or fountain, but hide in the thick shadow of the wall boundaries of the site.

    It is important to properly select the power of the lights so that the light does not blind the eyes and does not highlight what is better to hide. Now there are many landscape lights that run on solar power. They do not depend on the power grid and can be installed almost anywhere.

    Water features in a small area

    Does your yard seem too cramped to build a pool? Take a look at how landscape designers are solving this problem. One idea is to place a pool along the frontage in the lower level of the yard. A wide porch with a canopy replaces the terrace. The lawn adjacent to the pool can be used for sun loungers, and fences for flowerbeds contemporary in style can be used as benches.

    Another option is to widen the pool deck and align it with the wide porch. Climbing plants form a green wall on one side of the pool, with vases on the other. Checkerboard paving the bottom of the patio increases the degree of the greening of the space.

    A great idea would be terracing a small yard, placing the pool in the center with long narrow lawns on both sides. On the narrow sides, the curbs turn into paved decks, and one of them is conveniently placed two sun loungers. The pool’s counterflow system allows swimming in the pool despite its short length.

    Some designers use boxes of steel to construct a cascading pond system with a waterfall. The location along the fence leaves the maximum amount of patio space free for curb appeal. The modern style of the landscape blends perfectly with the facade and fencing of the site.

    Dynamic design

    Nature is changeable, the garden is transformed depending on the time of year. But for a miniature garden on a small plot, this can pose a problem. Garden beds are usually planned so that the blooming of one type of plant alternates with another, but does not stop until the cold weather.

    In a tiny garden, such changes are implemented in a different way. Vases with flowers are used. They allow not only to create amazing compositions but also to change them at will. In May, indoor palms and lemons, hibiscuses, and oleanders are brought into the garden. They bring an element of tropical exoticism to the design. Large pots with large plants are placed closer to the wall for protection from the wind, smaller flowers are put in the foreground.

    Spring bulbs create bright accents in the mini garden in the spring. Then they are replaced by pots with blooming pelargoniums and petunias. After they finish blooming, they are simply removed, replacing them with other species.

    Sprouts of annual plants can be bought ready-made or grow on their own. Planted in pots or garden containers, they can stay in any corner until they begin to flower. Only then are they put out in their designated place.

    Moving plants in containers allows you to change the design of the area at any time. Most indoor plants benefit from this relocation to the open air, they grow better and look healthier, their blooming lasts longer.

    Another feature of container gardening appreciated the lovers of tropical flowers, which we usually grow as annuals. This petunia, this heat-loving spice plants rosemary and lavender, and many other interesting species – all of them in the places of natural habitat are perennial. Pots with these plants can be put away for the winter in the house, on the veranda or in the basement, and in spring they will please you with flowers in May and June.

  • How to Build and Set Up a Fire Pit for Atmospheric Backyard Gatherings

    It’s hard to argue with the fact that the fire not only warms but also creates a special atmosphere, pacifies. At the fireplace it is pleasant to gather in the evening with friends and family, cook barbecue or bake fragrant potatoes. It is indispensable and for standard gardening chores, whether it is the disposal of cut branches, weeds, or leaves with the onset of autumn.

    Be that as it may, a backyard fire pit is really necessary, so we will look at the options for its arrangement and the possibility of building it with your own hands.

    What is a fire pit?

    In simple terms – it is a hole in the ground, encased in stone or fire bricks. In fact, it can be made of anything, the essence is the same – the pit with the walls that the fire had an opportunity to flare up and not to die out from wind gusts.

    Such a structure can be an above-ground type, it all depends on the design and approach to the matter, but the design of the fireplace remains the same.

    The fireplace can be not only round or square. Its shape can be anything – as long as it suits the overall ambience of the area. However, as practice shows, it is the round form of such a fireplace is the most convenient in service and use.

    Bonfire in the landscape design – is an interesting and practical design move, which helps not only to ennoble the area but also to solve the problem of disposal of garbage, mainly vegetables.

    Choice of location

    One of the main aspects in this case – the right choice of location and compliance with fire regulations.

    • Braziers, fireplaces, hearths, and other constructions, the operation of which is connected with an open flame, should be built at least 10 m away from wooden buildings. Such structures include barns, fences, cattle pens, and dwellings.
    • Also, make sure that the chosen site is windless. To maximize comfort, it is recommended that the fire pit be accompanied by an area with appropriate cover (gravel, pebbles, decorative tiles, etc.) and comfortable benches. The seating can be stationary, and comfortable garden furniture can also be installed in this place, which will bring even more comfort to the surroundings.
    • The fireplace in the cottage should be built on an elevated site. To protect backyard fire pits from storms and meltwater, you should consider the arrangement of a drainage system. Drainage is also needed to keep the area surrounding the outdoor hearth at the cottage dry.
    • The most practical and convenient in operation is considered a round hearth. In it, the wood burns completely and evenly, creating a constant steady heat. The absence of corners prevents the accumulation of dirt and the development of mold.
    • Starting to build a fireplace or barbecue with your own hands, you need to make sure that there are no communications under and over these structures. You should not build a garden hearth near large trees. Their roots can destroy the masonry, and the leaves will catch fire under the influence of an open flame.
    • If it is planned to install the hearth in a gazebo, its floor, walls, and roof should be made of non-combustible materials. This can be tiles and steel panels. A gazebo with a fireplace in the center looks exotic and unusual, but it is necessary to think carefully about smoke extraction.

    DIY fire pit

    It is not as difficult as it may seem. Even a beginner can cope with this task. In general, you can take the easiest way and make a fireplace with your own hands from an iron barrel. This work will take you one day, and you will be able to use the fireplace the next evening.

    The fireplace from a barrel

    1. The surface of the ground is leveled and thoroughly tamped. Very often it is necessary to remove a layer of earth (about 30 cm).
    2. Dig a hole in the ground, according to the size and shape of the barrel.
    3. The barrel is cut off the top and bottom (to get a metal ring), then it is installed in the prepared pit.
    4. At the bottom of the poured crushed stone, pebbles, or gravel, about 20 cm layer.
    5. The distance between the sides of the barrel and the edges of the pit is also filled with crushed stone.
    6. On top of the rubble, you can pour concrete, and the surrounding ground is paved with decorative stones, pebbles, or paving slabs.

    If such a fire pit will be located on a small elevation, the protruding part can be beautifully surrounded by fire bricks. You can use standard cement mortar, or you can buy a ready-made brick or stone masonry mixture in the building department.

    Brick fire pit

    A fire pit made of bricks is arranged according to a similar pattern:

    1. Prepares the place: the top layer of soil is removed (about 20-30 cm), the whole working area is tamped down.
    2. A hole is dug, the depth of which is 50-60 cm.
    3. The sides of the pit are lined with bricks, they are placed vertically. For a denser shrinkage, do not forget to tap each brick with a hammer.
    4. At the bottom of the pit poured gravel or gravel of large fractions, about 20 cm layer.
    5. The gaps between the bricks can be filled with fire clay.
    6. The frame of the fire pit can be made of similar bricks or other suitable materials.

    Fire pit design options

    Concrete blocks, which can easily be replaced with paving tiles or cobblestones, are considered the optimal, simple, and beautiful material. Such a design is fastened thanks to a mortar, with refractory additives. For natural stones, clay oven mortar is used.

    The area around the fireplace should be free in a radius of 90 cm. to protect against sparks. A double ring of corrugated steel does not lose its demand in the arrangement of hearths. The bonding material is a self-tapping screw.

    Furniture or benches should be placed at least one meter from the fire source.

    The area around the fire is laid out in the shape of a solar circle. A stone of a different shade depicts the rays. Such a creative and original approach has generated a lot of ideas for decorating the fireplace. A place to rest with the fire gives a variety of appearances: a moon crater, a gemstone, an outdoor fireplace, etc.

    An exclusive hearth of the original shape is created depending on the overall style of the homestead plot. Adherents of the natural style choose huge stone boulders to decorate the fireplace.

    Next to such a fire feels the primordial power and splendor of the elements. A textured contrast, for the same classic landscape treatment, will create the design of the fire pit with a garden wall of stone.

    Helpful pages:

    https://www.bestbusinesslocal.com/phoenix/home-services/garnetics

    http://www.quponing.com/phoenix/home-garden/garnetics

    https://letterboxd.com/olicvr/

    The hearth does not have to be a wood-burning fire. A gas flame can easily replace the fire of logs. In the arrangement of the technical part it is more complicated, but in operation is easier.

    Choosing a non-standard shape, such as elongated, and accurately thinking through the scheme of paving can create a spectacular composition for the art Noumea style. In the daytime, such a flame is not visible, but in the dark, it transforms the site, completely changing its usual atmosphere.

    With the help of the site for the fireplace, it is convenient to divide the private area into zones. The location of such a site is noticeably lower if you compare it with its neighbors. This safety measure is originally played up in relief and design in general. On a flat surface part of the land is removed.

    To summarize

    To build a hearth for a fire on your own homestead plot, without resorting to the services of specialists, is quite realistic. The main thing – a competent selection of materials, a serious attitude to the task, as well as the choice of a suitable place where the fireplace will be located.

  • How to Arrange a Pool Area: Materials, Ideas, Tips

    Are you one of the lucky ones who can enjoy a day in the sun by your pool? Consider some ideas for beautiful and practical arrangement of the area near the artificial reservoir, thanks to which the relaxation will give you even more pleasure, especially when the summer is really hot.

    Features of a perfect pool location

    Here are three criteria to consider when setting up a pool:

    • Activity. Organize the space according to your individual purpose. On one hand, there should be a seating area where you can read a book or relax by the water. On the other hand, create a friendly dining area where you meet family and friends during pool parties.
    • Wind. To avoid shivering from the cold, consider the local climate and wind blowing when getting out of the pool. This will help you choose your pool location as well as the vegetation you plant. When it comes to vegetation, you should choose deciduous or evergreen plants such as pine, laurel or lime. This will prevent leaves from getting into the water and make the pool easier to maintain.
    • Surroundings. It’s worth taking care of the proximity of amenity areas, especially when you’re in your swimsuit. At this point, locate each component of the pool area to create a space protected from the eyes of observers.

    How to arrange the area around the body of water?

    The type of materials used around the pool is key. Of course, people focus on materials that are resistant to prolonged exposure to water and moisture.

    Wooden (properly protected) or wood-like panels, stone, ceramic tiles, among others, work here. Regardless of the type of surface you choose, you should pay attention to its slip resistance.

    There are several types of pool beaches, which largely depend on the inspiration or preference for one or the other material. Consider a brief overview of current trends.

    Wood

    Wood is one of the most commonly used materials for curb design. This type of beach offers a natural aesthetic that many people like:

    • Natural wood. Hard and easy to work with, wood blends harmoniously into the garden. There are several types of wood to use, such as exotic or European.
    • Composite or synthetic wood. An alternative to natural wood, offering the same effect. It is easy to wash, durable and adapts quickly to the pool deck.

    A wooden beach is quite easy to assemble because it can simply be cut and placed on adjustable mounts. There is no need for a concrete slab underneath it.

    Mineral materials

    A mineral pool beach includes a wide variety of materials to suit all tastes:

    • Natural stone. It is distinguished by its unique features and natural appearance. It is very durable and gives many possibilities (granite, limestone).
    • Tile. Easy-care exterior ceramics come in a variety of sizes and textures for every taste. The current trend is fairly large tiles for pools like 40 x 40 or 50 x 50. However, be careful to choose a color that is not too dark to prevent heat in the sun.

    Also make sure that the beach around the pool extends at least 3 ft. It will be easier to install a roof in the future. In addition, it is worth thinking about installing sun loungers that will be more stable on the beach. Thus, you will be able not only to swim, but also to sunbathe and sleep in the open air.

    How to decorate the area near the pool? Fashionable and practical solutions

    Furnishing an outdoor living room, next to the pool, is the perfect recipe for the highest-end relaxation. Imagine: a warm evening, refreshing drinks, tasty snacks and great company! What do you need? Garden furniture with huge upholstered cushions whose covers are easy to wash and dry. Remember that the inserts should be waterproof, as should the material the furniture is made of.

    Dining by the pool can turn into great fun. While some enjoy the taste of snacks, others can cool off in the pool. All you need is a large table and chairs, preferably lightweight and folding, that can be stored in the garage or basement if the weather is bad. If you like unusual solutions, make a chalkboard table bar.

    Decorations around the pool? Why not! Bet on the natural look. Yucca palms, ficus, and large potted plants will create a nice, somewhat exotic atmosphere. Tropical cactus or cypress arrangements will look like garden sculptures.

    If you want to cover the wall of your home or garage, choose a vertical garden. Plus, sidewalks in summer colors, sun umbrellas, mattresses and pillows with nautical stripes will create a great relaxing atmosphere near the pool.

    Sunshine during the day, but in the evening?

    The light points installed on the bottom or walls of the pool will help to create a beautiful romantic atmosphere and make the evening water procedures more pleasant, but that’s not all! Additional lights can help to illuminate the plants around the pool or the most beautiful corners of the garden.

    What style should you choose for your pool?

    Nothing should limit you in choosing the style of your dream pool. Just remember to make sure that the artificial body of water is in harmony with its surroundings. You can choose between such timeless suggestions as Roman, Monk or Greek style. In turn, fans of modernity are sure to love innovative pools with shiny surfaces.

    Modern pools are the perfect complement to the new architecture and design. Pools with geometric shapes can blend perfectly into the landscape. Reservoirs with glass walls would also be amazing, especially on rooftops of buildings.

    Modern pools should be lined with matching tile and roof designs. Additional lighting and heating systems will ensure that they can be used at any time of the day or night without worrying about climatic conditions. Don’t forget that nowadays architects and designers can offer ecological solutions, which will provide recreation in harmony with nature.

    For centuries, people have loved relaxing in the water, so there are endless classic styles to choose from. U-shaped pools are ideal for relaxing and spending time with friends.

    Romantic and Greek styles are characterized by stairs that provide easy access and classic, vintage-inspired finishes. The rectangular shape is the most functional. It is also the easiest to maintain.

    Pool as a natural body of water

    Many people associate a pool in the garden with luxury. However, often even this exclusive solution does not fit in with the aesthetics of the environment.

    Corner tiles or the inevitable damage and cavities in the joints cause the pool to spoil the landscape, and bathing in it certainly does not give a sense of respite and communion with nature. It’s worth considering a solution that blends in with the environment, displacing heavy and unsightly concrete structures.

    Final words

    In order to create and ennoble the area near the pool, you need to think carefully and create a project, as well as monitor all stages of the work. But as a result, you can get a comfortable recreational area, which will not go unnoticed by household members and guests.