A patriotic spring bulb display

( Date Added: Tue Jul 19 2005   Visits: 118)  

We all know fall is the time to dress-up our landscapes for next spring by planting spring flowering bulbs like tulips and daffodils. There is another great way to use spring flowering bulbs a lot of folks don't think of. Plant a container in the fall with layers of bulbs to give your deck or patio a burst of color next spring. Here are the steps for this easy Patriotic Spring Bulb Display project.

Create a flower garden

( Date Added: Tue Jul 19 2005   Visits: 100)  

First, choose the proper location for your garden. Where you plant your garden will depend on what you want to grow. If you prefer sun-loving flowers, then you will want to choose a spot where that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of sun every day. If your location isn’t negotiable—for instance, the side of your house—then consider how much direct sunlight that area receives per day. Plants vary in their light requirements, so select a spot with the right light for your favorite flowers.

Create a raised bed garden

( Date Added: Tue Jul 19 2005   Visits: 113)  

Create a raised bed almost anywhere, even on pavement. Find a spot where light conditions best suit what you'll grow. If it is for a vegetable garden for example, you’ll want an area that receives full sun. Measure the bed narrow enough for you to reach comfortably across. If you're building beds side by side, allow at least 16 inches between the beds, so you can walk easily between them. Mark off the area with string and stakes.

Create a vegetable garden

( Date Added: Wed Jul 20 2005   Visits: 117)  

Few tastes rival that of homegrown tomatoes or freshly picked corn. Plan your garden well and enjoy tasty, wholesome vegetables all season. For best results, sketch your plan on paper before putting shovel to soil. Choose your favorite vegetables and space according to seed packet or plant tag instructions.

Design a container garden

( Date Added: Wed Jul 20 2005   Visits: 97)  

Of course, traditional terra-cotta, ceramic, metal and plastic pots work well for container gardening, as does the traditional window box. But think "outside the box." You can also use "non-traditional" containers such as kitchen pans, an old wheel barrow or an iron kettle.

Dethatching a lawn

( Date Added: Wed Jul 20 2005   Visits: 110)  

Thatch is an accumulation of decaying matter on the surface of the soil of a lawn. A little thatch (up to 1/2" ) is O.K. If it is thicker than that, you have a problem. Nutrients and water will have difficulties getting to the root zone, and the thatch will provide a safe harbor for insects that destroy turf.

Dividing perennials

( Date Added: Tue Jul 19 2005   Visits: 115)  

Water the plant you will be dividing and the area surrounding it very thoroughly a few days before you dig. This will make digging much easier.

Grade your lawn

( Date Added: Wed Jul 20 2005   Visits: 92)  

In order to drain properly — away from your basement and toward storm drains — your lawn must have at least a 2-percent slope. That's a 1-foot drop for every 50 feet of lawn. Measure slope by tying a string to a survey stake pounded into the soil in front of your house. Walk the string out 50 feet, then tie it to another stake. Use a string level for accuracy. Measure the distance between the string and the ground. If it's a foot or more, you're set. If not,

Lawn mower maintenance

( Date Added: Wed Jul 20 2005   Visits: 76)  

Undoubtedly, you spent a considerable amount of money on your lawn mower and you want that investment to last. After all, your mower is an important component in maintaining an attractive lawn. With proper maintenance, your lawn mower should last for many years. In fact, some lawn mower owners have even claimed to use the same mower for 20 years or more! First, you should always

Plant bare root roses

( Date Added: Tue Jul 19 2005   Visits: 92)  

Plant bare-root roses in spring and early fall so that their roots can establish before the plant is exposed to hot summer sun. Bare-root roses should be kept cool and moist until they are planted. You can do this by digging a sloped trench in a shady spot and laying the roots of the roses at the bottom of the trench. Cover loosely with soil. Before actually planting, soak roots in a pail of water for a day (soak them in a vitamin B-1 solution for great results), up until the time you are ready to plant them.