Much to Do in Southern California Gardens–Even in Winter
While many trees and plants go dormant in January, warm, sunny days can entice Southern California gardeners into their backyards where much can be done even in winter.
Plant dormant fruit trees: Stop by any nursery and you will see a variety of dormant fruit trees ready for planting. These bare root trees are typically less expensive than those potted in soil. Dormant fruit trees, including apples, cherry, pear and plums, require a certain number of “chill” hours (temperatures less than 45 degrees) to break their winter dormancy and produce healthy crops in summer. Make sure the chill-hour requirements meet the particular micro-climate in your area.
Care for New and Established Rose Bushes: January and February are the best months to plant rose bushes. Like dormant fruit trees, bare root rose bushes are now abundantly available at nurseries. For existing roses, prune no more than one-half of new growth from the previous growing season. Pruning and pinching encourages new growth in early spring.
Plant Vegetables in Winter for Spring Harvest: January is the perfect time to experiment with vegetables not found in typical spring or summer gardens. Vegetables that are planted in fall and winter include asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chives, collards, endive, kale, lettuce, onions, parsnip, peas, spinach and turnips. Year-round vegetables such as artichokes, carrots, beets and radishes can also be planted now.
Get Control Over Weeds: One or two days of rain is all it takes for weeds to sprout. Placing a two to three inch layer of mulch around trees, shrubs and plants prevents weed seeds from germinating. If weeds are already starting to grow, remove as many as you can and then cover the area with mulch. The goal is to prevent sunlight from reaching the weeds so they will not have fuel to grow. A common mistake is not adding enough mulch for the weed-suppression process to be effective. Once taken root, weeds need only a small amount of sunlight to flourish. Organic mulches break down over time, so if you already have mulch in your garden, replenish with an additional one-inch layer.
Bill Camarillo is CEO of Agromin, an Oxnard, California-based manufacturer of premium soil products and the green materials recycler for communities throughout Southern California. Each month, Agromin receives and processes thousands of tons of urban wood and green waste. Agromin then uses a safe, organic and scientific system to formulate its soil products from the processed recycled green materials. www.agromin.com. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/much-to-do-in-southern-california-gardenseven-in-winter-1650376.html
Solar garden lighting is economical and it beautifies the garden
Points to be noted in garden lighting:
The work of garden lighting should be entrusted to some professional agencies or workers. The work requires careful planning and proper landscaping. There are many issues to be planned before lighting is taken up. The purpose for which the garden is made will be the first of the issues to be looked into. Is the garden just to beautify the exterior of the house or is that place being used as a place for discussion or just for relaxation with family and friends are some of the points to be carefully examined. Careful planning of the trees proposed to be grown and other decorative flowers to be grown, etc. are all to be considered.
Cost of lighting:
In the normal course, the lighting of garden is expensive because in a garden underground cables have to be drawn. Underground cables are an expensive affair. Further, there are chances of cables getting damaged due to frequent watering. They may also get damaged during the excavating of the earth for planting, etc. In such cases, repairing the damaged cables will involve additional expenditure.
Solar garden lighting:
Solar Garden lighting removes all the drawbacks of conventional process of lighting. Solar system of lighting does not require any cabling work. In fact, it does not require any conventional electrical connection. All lighting points are independent. The lighting points can be rearranged to suit any special occasion. But, this facility is not available in conventional lighting system because any alteration to the light points will call for re-cabling and that involves huge expenditure. Maintenance of solar garden lighting points is easy. There are no chances of any electrical shocks. The lighting points are available in many shapes and varieties. They are simply elegant. Solar garden lightings are normally made of cold cast resins and so they are free from corrosion and they are weather proof. The batteries that are installed in the lighting points get charged automatically during the day time and store enough power to last for the entire night. The batteries and solar cells are so sensitive that minimum sun light will be sufficient to charge the batteries. So even during cloudy conditions the batteries get charged.
Advantages:
Since solar garden lighting system does not depend on electricity, it drastically reduces the expenses on electricity. It is maintenance free and shock free. Minimum initial investment will be sufficient. Maintenance of the battery is very easy.
For all your garden lighting needs you should visit the Blinkingsun website. The site features a wide variety of solar garden lighting including solar patio lights. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/solar-garden-lighting-is-economical-and-it-beautifies-the-garden-1647688.html
Diagnosing Tree Problems
We are frequently asked to diagnosis tree problems - insects or disease - but the real answer people want is the prognosis - will the tree live. Many tree “diseases” are not treatable in that it involves decaying tissue with no active vascular circulation. Most decayed areas in trees should be left alone. Trees have developed their own methods of dealing with such problems over the last 275 million years. MOREOVER, they do it better than we can.
Intervention in many decay situations usually only makes it worse. What is needed is to ascertain the degree of decay and whether or not the tree is structurally sound enough to continue to safely stand in the environment.
Some diseases like oak wilt are “treatable.” Properly applied chemical fungicides in the early stages of the disease can suppress it - but not cure it. (Oak wilt can be prevented but not cured.)
Most insect problems in trees are not problems at all. Reoccurring annual or cyclical infestations of caterpillars in oak trees for example don’t need to be treated. Some insects are indicators of stress in trees. Solve the stress problem and the insect problem may resolve itself.
Seasonal infestations of insects like web worms in pecans can be prevented with systemic insecticides injected directly into the tree.
Proper treatments when needed often solve the problem with a single treatment. Some problems will require more than one visit. Our use of organic products that work with nature instead of against nature are far more effective than many treatments employing harsh chemicals.
Patrick Wentworth is a certified arborist and biologist that has been studying and working with the environment for the last 35 years in Central Texas. Pat’s company, Austin Tree Specialists, has been caring for trees and landscapes in Central Texas longer than any other company in town under the original ownership. Services offered include pruning, removals, cabling and bracing as well as arborist reports, diagnostics, pest management, oak wilt treatment, and fertilization. Find out much, much more at www.austintreespecialists.com. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/diagnosing-tree-problems-1641211.html
Garden Decor To Increase The Beauty Of Your Garden!
Most of the people know the decorations in their living room or in the house. But, only few people connect the word decor with the gardens and yards. Yes, you can decor your garden in various ways to increase the beauty of it.
Types of garden decor: There are various things by which you can decor your garden like:
• Garden benches
• Bird bath
• Water pond or fountain
• Garden statues
• Garden Lights
Decorating your garden:
Garden benches:
• You have to select the right benches which suits for your garden.
• Try to place those benches in perfect or suitable place by which the garden look will be enhanced.
• Try to place those garden benches at the midst of your garden so that it will be the perfect place for you to sit, relax and to observe the growth of the garden.
• This garden decor is not only an inviting place to sit; it will also add a beautiful vision to your garden.
Bird bath:
• Many types of bird baths are available in these days.
• Some bird baths are suitable for the contemporary styles where as the others are suitable for more traditional styles.
• Bird baths will attract the birds to enter into the garden and birds can enjoy a lot in it.
• The bird bath is known as garden décor because various types of birds will be entering into your garden and your garden will look more attractive with birds.
Water pond and fountain:
• Many soothing qualities can be obtained with water. Even the look and sound of the water can be soothing.
• You can change your garden into a mini oasis by placing a small pond or fountain in it.
• Your mind will become fresh and you can enjoy by sitting near the water.
Garden statues:
• There are various types of garden statues available in the market with different varieties.
• You have to find the best among the various garden decor statues which add elegance, humor, whimsy and sophistication to your garden.
• You can select any type of statues according to your choice.
Garden Lights:
• You can arrange the lights in your garden in many ways as garden decor in order to make your garden look more beautiful.
• Try to arrange the lights on the way or path. Try to know about landscape lighting to arrange the lights in different ways in your garden.
• Don’t think that lighting your garden is the costly process. It will cost you less if you use low voltage lighting system.
Certainly your garden will look more beautiful with these garden decor items.
Neelima Reddy, author of this article writes for TheGardenCentral.com Garden Central blog helps you learn everything you need to know about gardening. Know more about various important gardening tips for taking care of your vegetable garden, fruit garden, flower garden, landscaping, etc. Visit The Garden Central Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/garden-decor-to-increase-the-beauty-of-your-garden-1639944.html
A guide to Misting systems
During summer, having an air conditioner outdoor may be relaxing for family members. In Middle of Summer, many people don’t like to stay outdoors as sweat keeps rolling down their face and skin. Misting systems can improve your outdoor and lifestyle! Do you want to spend more time out by the pool? Your patio or outdoor space can be cooled quickly by as much as 35 degrees due to misting systems. Buying a misting system can be very effective for people as they can sit in their backyard for long hours and have fun. Misting system are big, industrial-looking fans that spray a misty stream of water on your body.
Misting systems can be effective for other purposes like frost protection, air filtration, dust abatement, odor removal, fire and smoke control and more. Certain industries like restaurants, poultry and dairy farms, zoos and amusement parks, golf courses, tennis courts, metal forging etc it use it.
Different types of misting systems:
High Pressure misting systems:
High pressure systems are chosen for applications where maximum cooling is needed. These applications would include residential areas, restaurants, amusement parks, sports stadium, hotels and resorts. Other benefits include they can control odors and dust and used to add humidity to a green house or other environments. High pressure systems are also used for fire and smoke control, frost protection and visual effects in a pool, garden or other areas.
Patio water misters:
Patio misting systems are effective in dry and desert climates which add therapeutic moisture to the air. Benefits of this misting system are they can cool the environment and reduce dust, pollen and other airborne pollutants. In addition, it can reduce the temperature in a given area by up to 30 degrees. To achieve maximum cooling result, it is advisable that customers install their patio misting systems at least 10 feet off the ground. Depending on the usage, it is important that you remove the nozzles to clean them. In most cases, this should be done every few months.
Fog Misting Systems:
Before purchasing a fog misting system, carefully evaluate the product. Look for a UL Listing and a CE certification. Ask for quite operation, low maintenance and long life. Make sure that the product you purchase is manufactured from a reputable company which has at least 10 years of experience in the industry and always ask for product warranty. This product is used in backyard patios as well as large commercial venues such as restaurants, hotels, resorts or amusement parks.
Benefits:
- One biggest advantage is that air temperature can drop drastically by up to 35 degrees F.
- Second advantage is that mist keeps flying insects like mosquitoes, flies, wasps, hornets and spiders away from the area. Mist can also clean the surrounding area away from dust, smoke, pollution and other common pollutants.
- Third benefit is pets can spend time with you in the mist area as they also get hot.
John peter is an expert SEO copywriter for misting systems. He has been written many articles like patio misting systems, sun shades, shade structures, pool cabana, wall mount umbrellas, shade sails, fogging systems, wooden market umbrella and more. For more information visit our site cool-off.com. Contact me at cooloffarticle(at)gmail.com Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/a-guide-to-misting-systems-1634759.html