Grow Your Indoor Plants with These Tips

Getting home a plant is like getting home a life. You will need to nurture it with love and care. So it becomes important to see and understand the set-up and environment of your space before you bring home a plant. It is important to ensure that the environment at your home/ office or any other space matches the requirements of the plant.

1. Water - Water your plants as per their needs. Plants need water, but not too much or too little. Most plants like having their roots consistently moist, but not wet. You need to provide your plant with consistent water. Most of our indoor plants have coco peat as a base. Best way to check if you need to water the plant or not is to check the coco peat and see how dry it is and water accordingly. If the coco peat is turning light brown and looks dry, you need to water the plant. But at the same time, you need to ensure that there is no clogging of water at the bottom. The best way to check this is to but your finger in the coco peat and check whether it is dry or moist from inside.

2. Light - The next most important thing is light. Some plants require proper sunlight; on the other hand some might easily live without natural light or dim light.

For example- a lucky bamboo plant can do with moderate levels of indirect light. But a Bonsai needs at least 3-4 hours of sunlight on daily bases. Most foliage plants can do with little or no sunlight. You need to understand the light requirement of your plant and then find the best suitable place for the plant in your home or office. Another critical factor here is to avoid temperature shocks for the plant.

3. Preventing pest problems - Dirt clogs on the pores of the plant which makes it difficult to respire. You must wash the leaves of your plant several times a month. Easy way to do this is use a water spray. So every now and then you can supply spray water on the leaves.

4. Pruning of yellow leaves - Leaves can turn yellow for a couple of reasons. One of the main reasons why leaves start turning yellow and then brown is dryness. If the plant is dry it will tend to wilt and the leaves will start turning yellow. The second reason why this happens is that some disease is affecting the plant or there is fungal activity. It is important to understand the reason for yellowing the leaves, take care of that reason and also prune the yellow leaves so that they do not affect the rest of the plant. An easy way to prune yellow leaves is to use a pair of pruning shears or a simple scissors for foliage plants.

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Pool Construction - How Much Does It Cost?

Researching how much it'll cost you to get a pool is like researching how much it'll cost you to build a house. Pool prices are similar in some ways to house prices. They both depend on many factors and these factors can be influenced by your personal preferences. So your neighbor’s pool might cost more or less than your ideal backyard pool.

Contacting a contractor is the best way to get an exact quote for the price of any pool project. However, there are some basic things that you can find out in advance before asking a contractor for a quote. These things will help you arrive at a rough estimation of your pool's final cost. They include the following:

Size – Size is a major factor that affects the cost of a pool construction. Pools are measured by the square foot. Obviously the wider your pool, the higher the cost will be.

Depth – Deeper pools require more labor – more digging is involved. They need more materials too. This explains why adult pools are more expensive to build than kids’ pools.

Materials –The materials used to line pools vary. Concrete, fiberglass and vinyl are three of the most common pool materials offered by contractors.  Gunite (a kind of concrete) and fiberglass cost more than vinyl.

Shape – Custom pool shapes are laborious to create. You will need to pay extra if you want your pool to have a shape that is out of the ordinary.

Area or locality – Permits are required for pool constructions to commence.  The cost of these permits will depend on the cost of living in your area.

Extras or pool accessories can add up to your pool's cost too. These items could be a 'must-have' depending on their ability to enhance your pool's function or safety. A few of these items are:

Diving boards – The prices of diving boards depend on their material, length and height. Higher diving boards require deeper backyard pools. Thus, their installation costs more money.

Fencing  – Fencing is required to enclose your pool. A pool that has no safety barrier can be dangerous for children and pets in your neighborhood.

Lighting  – Lighting arrangements are useful whenever you plan to swim at night. If you regularly swim at night, they will become a necessity.

Watch the video below about pool costs. It will give you an idea about how pool costs vary according to particular components like accessories and site differences.

Begin planning on how you're going to pay for your pool once you know about its construction cost. Preparing your budget ahead of time will allow you to enjoy the benefits of a backyard pool sooner.

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The Why and How of Tree Stump Removal

Some homeowners dislike the sight of tree stumps in their yards. Because of this, they will move heavens and earth just to eliminate them.

A decaying tree stump could be an eyesore in your garden especially when it is positioned in a very visible spot. Unless you’re trying to achieve a specific garden theme that requires its presence, leaving it untouched will be very much advantageous.

Kids playing and running around your yard are most likely to bump into or trip over a tree stump. This can cause unwanted injuries. Moreover, they can get bitten by the insects inhabiting a rotten tree stump.

Tree stump removal can be done in three ways. These includes digging, grinding and application of chemicals. Digging requires a lot of physical effort on the part of the digger. Thus, digging is only advisable for the removal of small tree stumps. Bigger tree stumps are best removed with the use of a grinding machine. Using  a grinding machine is less labor-intensive. This machine specifically grinds the stump back and forth until its thickness is reduced to ground level. This machine is also useful in grinding the root and the mound of earth gathered around the tree stump. Finally, a tree stump can also removed through the application of chemical which can fasten its decay. Holes are drilled on the stump. Then, the chemical is poured onto the holes. Even though such chemical promises quick decay, you must take note that older tree stumps will decay faster than younger ones.

A tree stump can also affect the flow of activities in your backyard. For example, mowing your entire yard could take half an hour longer when you have one or two three stumps to avoid. Your lawn mower will definitely crash if you accidentally bump it against a tree stump.

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How to Improve Your Garden's Health Using Compost Bins

Do you ever wonder why your garden plants and crops don't grow as healthy as you wish no matter what you do? One reason for this could be the quality of your garden soil. Any garden soil can be improved by mixing some compost in it. Compost is created as bacteria starts the process of decomposition by breaking down organic waste matter. Compost can be bought from some garden supplies stores. Nonetheless, it is better if you create your own compost because it enables you to get rid of the waste in your house in a meaningful manner.

Compost is created when an organic matter or waste starts to decompose with the presence of bacteria. Some create composts in a large pot but it is advisable to create one in a compost bin. When choosing a compost bin, select a model with a base that works perfectly in backyards.

Start by finding the perfect spot for your compost bin in the garden. Place large twigs in the bin. These will act as solid sidewalls that will prevent the bin from leaking. Fill it in with some soil. Then, spread a thick layer of the organic waste. It should be about 4 inches thick. Slowly mix it in with the soil. Check whether you need to add in some water to mix the pile well.

Grass should be added in thin layers so that they do not compact. Worms are also added in the bin with shredded paper or other biodegradable bedding. Worms will quicken the decomposition. It is important that you don’t remove a lot of worms from the remaining compost. Make sure that the lid of your compost bin is tightly sealed so that flies and rodents will not enter.

I found a video that uses spent coffee ground in composting. All credits to the owner.

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Other Benefits of Lawn Maintenance Services

Note: This is a continuation of my previous post.

Great landscaping ideas - A healthy lawn is definitely achievable with constant watering and application of fertilizers. However, making it stand-out with grandiose in your neighborhood needs expertise and hard work. This is something that lawn maintenance services can provide. The good thing about this is that most provider companies have a set of unique designs that can match the overall theme of your household. Thus, creating a more homey atmosphere for your family and visitors.

Acquisition of other services - These other services may include trimming of the trees, gardening, planting flower shrubs, grooming the yard, fertilizing and watering. You can also request completion of other related tasks which could be helpful when you have cocktail parties, lunch get-togethers, dinner banquets and or when you are simply entertaining your guests and clients in your garden.

Savings on utility expenses - Besides the additional services mentioned above, you can also get sound recommendations on the installation of appropriate irrigation systems to your property. While this won’t lower the lawn mowing prices you will be presented with, it can reduce your expenses on use of electricity and water. As we all know, sprinklers and sprinkler systems are a must for the healthy existence of your lawn.

Getting in touch with the right company for this job is no longer as difficult as you might think. By simply launching a keyword search on the search engine of your choice, you can be directed to the website of related professionals with in your vicinity. Before making a deal with your prospect company, research on the standard services and fees that you should expect. Also, check on the feedbacks of their past and current clients posted in their lawn maintenance services website.

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Lawn Maintenance 101 - Benefits of Getting Professional Help

While keeping your lawn clean and visually appealing could be an added value to your property, doing so may take much of your effort and time. Every season will definitely require a different type of caring. Come spring, weekly mowing is needed. Constant watering must be done during summer and proper fertilizing must be observed during fall. Herewith, subscribing to lawn maintenance services is the best option for you to take especially if you are inexperienced in getting these right.

Some don’t buy this idea because of the cost it might entail. In fact, many people do not want to spend on something they think can be done on their own. More so, they dread getting overcharged for regular services received. If only the importance of lawn care is perfectly understood, then there would be no reason for homeowners to disregard this insight. Following are some points which could help.

Possibility of a good sale - Say, you are putting your property on sale. Let it be a reminder to you that potential buyers will not only scrutinize the interiors of your home or property but also its exteriors and landscape. Once they see that your garden is well-kept, they will have a good impression on how you take care of your possessions and consider your property as a good buy at the price you have set.

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Quick Ideas On Patio Or Coutyard Renovation

Does your home have a patio or a courtyard? If you do, you are lucky because this space can be very useful for a number of occasions. More so, this open area can make any house more beautiful specifically when it matches the interior design in the house.

A patio, in general, is best decorated with plants. Plants can make it look vibrant and provide homeowners a piece of nature to enjoy within their own lot. To begin, prepare a blueprint of your preferred theme. It is easier to add in decors, furniture and plants that complement each other visually when you have a holding theme in mind. Take a look at home improvement magazines which feature patio decoration. These printed materials can give you workable ideas.

If you have the funds, you can consult a designer for your patio decoration project. Keep in mind though that you can also do it on your own and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Old furniture pieces will look good with strategically positioned plants. Your plants need not be expensive too. Choose ones with nice color and texture. Also, choose plants that are easy to care for and don’t wilt quickly. These will keep your patio vibrant looking all the time.

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A Practical Guide To Greenhouse Gardening

Greenhouse gardening is definitely different from backyard gardening. The good thing about this activity or hobby is that you can have full control over the growth of your plants as you can manipulate the environment in which they would survive. On the other hand, this advantage comes with more demanding requirements from you. Getting your own greenhouse is the first of these requirements. Keeping it clean and well-ventilated is the next challenging requirement which you got to work on whole year round.
In choosing the ideal greenhouse set-up, there are a number of stores from which you can buy at different costs. Regarding this matter, it is smart to choose a dealer which carries quality brands or models. This can give you the assurance that you are getting your money's worth and that your plants would live and exist for long.

Temperature within your greenhouse has to be well-managed. The ideal temperature can be achieved with the use of heaters, vents and fans. They have to be set working at a certain degree depending on the current season. During summer time, vents and fans are effective in cooling the entire greenhouse. There are manually operated vents and fans which are perfect for owners who are maintaining their greenhouses on low budget. You must keep an eye on their use though as they have to be turned on and off a the right time. The automatic ones are easier to use as they come with timers  which you can easily at appropriate time intervals so you don't have to worry about your plants getting damaged due to unmonitored furniture.

Lights or lighting is another essential in keeping an efficient greenhouse. Placement of lights would be determined by the design of the entire greenhouse. Fluorescent lights in keeping the whole place bright especially when you are growing seedlings. More so, these lights can provide the extra warmth young plants may need to survive a cold weather. There are times when setting-up a lighting system would be required. This is specifically true for sun-loving plants which need intense light compared to other plants.

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Steps To a Greener Lawn

Who does not want a greener lawn? Every home owner dream of having it. Green lawn gives a good impression that a household is cared for. Now, you might be fretful about spending a lot of money to get this done. That is possible, but it is also possible that adjusting to better practices are all you need. Doing so can help you save as much money as you will be doing things personally on your own free time.  

First of all, stay clear of using chemicals in weeding. Besides making you spend the extra dollars, this can pose harm to the environment. You can check out hardware stores for excellent weeder tools. If you are willing to spend, there are organic substances available in most stores. They arrest the seeds immediately. Moving forward, cut the grass at least three inches long. This will keep them from growing for some time - just enough days for you to gain the energy and star cutting again. 

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