My Lawn Care

By Simon Whiley

All lawns require the correct nutrient levels to remain healthy and vigorous. When you maintain the correct nutrient input the chances are that you will have a lawn that is weed free, disease resistant and drought resistant.

There are three key nutrients required for a healthy lawn. These nutrients are Nitrogen (N), Phosphate (P) and Potash (K). Any lawn that is deficient in any these three nutrients will not be healthy and will suffer. We will look at the role of each of these three key nutrients in turn.

Nitrogen - Nitrogen is responsible for healthy vigorous growth during the summer months and it gives the grass its deep green colour. Nitrogen is the most important of the three nutrients and should be applied in greater quantities than phosphate and potash. The reason being it is that it is used up by the plant quicker, it is also more prone to leaching through the root zone. Nitrogen is applied during the spring and summer to encourage and maintain grass growth and keep the lawn in a healthy condition. When your lawn is growing vigorously the grass can suppress any weeds and moss that would invade a weaker lawn. Nitrogen should not be applied heavily during the late summer and early autumn as it can encourage disease, especially fusarium patch which can be very damaging.

Phosphate - Phosphate is important for a deep and healthy root system, resulting in a more drought resistant lawn during periods of drought. Adequate phosphate levels mean an earlier start in the spring time and a healthier lawn during the growing season. Phosphate is more readily available in the root zone than nitrogen, but it would still beneficial to apply some phosphate annually.

Potash - Potash hardens the plant and helps with disease and drought resistance and can be applied at any time of the year.

For more information on all aspects of lawn care you can find us at http://www.lawn-craft.co.uk

Article Source: Ezinearticles.com

Push Reel Lawn Mowers

By Steven Blades

One of the unsung points of caring for an organic lawn is in the equipment you use to keep your lawn looking pristine and picture perfect. Yes, your lawn mower plays a vital role in helping you care for an organic lawn, and odds are that the lawn mower you're using is potentially harmful to your lawn. It's no secret that many rotary lawn mowers run on gasoline and oil. Sometimes this oil can leak out of the mower or drip down the sides of the mower when first poured into the machine, and we all are aware of just how dangerous gas emissions are to the environment. That's why you should consider using a push reel lawn mower. Yes, it's not the most appealing idea, but there are definitely advantages to it.

For instance, a push reel lawn mower is actually better for your lawn. Many rotary mowers tear at the grass, while push reel lawn mowers give you a clean cut every time they're used. A fine cut keeps moisture in the grass blade, while keeping dangerous organisms out.

Another advantage of using a push reel lawn mower is that they are safer than your conventional rotary lawn mowers. They stop when you stop, they start only when you start, and they don't throw rocks at you at one hundred miles per hour.

Finally, think of the price. Most rotary lawn mowers run for, at minimum, $200. That does not include the growing price of gasoline, which means you could be paying between $1 and $2 dollars every time you cut your lawn. With a reel lawn mower, you can spend as little as $65, and never spend a dime on gasoline.

There are other reasons to think of going with a push reel mower, but when you take those three reasons listed above into account, the decision should be simple.

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Article Source: Ezinearticles.com

By John Hinkley

A garden can be the rue crowning achievement of any home, an attractive and eye-catching centrepiece which will serve as an oasis to relax in from a hard day's work. On the other hand, if left unattended, a lawn can become a jungle of weeds, overgrown grass and a real eyesore to look at it. The fine line between these two extremes is an easy one to maintain, with some hard work and commitment with your trusty hedge trimmers and lawn mowers, you will be able to tame your lawn and keep it in pristine condition.

Before purchasing electric hedge trimmers, there are some factors you will need to give some thought to. While the primary issue is your budget, and how much you are willing to spend on a lawn mower, you will also need to weigh in the actual, physical size and dimensions of your lawn. At the risk of over-simplifying the requirements needed, the general rue of thumb is that the larger a lawn is, then the more powerful the lawn mower will need to be.

The cost of a electric hedge trimmer does not just simply include the original retail price, but also running expenses such a the need for repairs, warranties and cost of replacement components. Hedge Trimmers will eventually break down and need to be repaired, and given how much power is required to operate them as well as the amount of use (abuse?) they endure, this will happen sooner rather than later. A warranty therefore is a must for a lawnmower, this will mean that you can have your lawnmower replaced or repaired at a minimal fee.

Hedge Trimmers tend to fill within two broad categories: electrical and batter powered. While traditional trimmers utilized gasoline to help fuel the motor, these quickly became unpopular due to the running costs associated with them as well as the major polluting effect they had. Gasoline based lawnmowers were noisy and produced large amounts of carbon dioxide which put them on par with cars in terms of pollution.

Electrical owned trimmers were introduced in the market in a bid to provide a cleaner, and safer alternative to the traditional models. While these models are cleaner, they are awkward to use because they require to be connected to a major power supply and so you will need a very long power cable to mow the lawn effectively. This is not only inconvenient, but there is always the risk that you run over the power cable with the lawn mower itself. Not good.

Battery powered mini hedge trimmers have became increasingly popular as they have managed to eliminate the need for such ungainly and cumbersome power cables, these batteries can be recharged time and time again, and have an average lifespan of 5 years. At the end of their useful life, these batteries are then simply recycled and it can be seen that the benefits to the environment are immense indeed. Battery operated lawnmowers are annoying because they have a limited use before needing to be recharged but this is a small price to pay.

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Article Source: EzineArticles.com

By Shawn Meldrum

When planting trees, the first thing you need to take into consideration before choosing a location is the mature height and spread of the tree. Though you may be tempted by all the different species that are available, take care to choose carefully, especially if you have an average size yard, because crowding spoils the growth and appearance of trees, particularly specimen trees.

It is typically most economical to plant young trees. Planting a mature tree is difficult and can be expensive if done professionally. It may well justify the expense, however, if a mature tree is badly needed for a terrace or for screening. What you are paying or is the time it takes a smaller tree to mature.

The best time to transplant a tree is in the early spring or late fall. You can plant trees in full leaf with the aid of wilt-proof sprays that seal the leaves against moisture loss until the roots are established, but this costs money and entails greater risks than buying your tree and planting it in early spring.

When planting a tree over 6 feet in height, it will suffer less setback if moved with a bur lapped root ball.

Since the root system needs fertile soil when it is planted, special steps should be taken. Dig the hole 2 feet deep and at least 1 foot wider than the full spread of the roots in each direction. The bottom should be broken up with a pitchfork and thoroughly mixed with peat, leaf mold, loam, etc.

Manure can be used sparingly and should only be spread on the top of the hole or it can burn the roots. The deeper you cultivate the hole, the better for your tree. Once planted, you can cultivate around it but not under the roots. If you hit a layer of building debris or clay, which is not at all uncommon near a house, you must remove this layer and replace it with good soil, or better still, garden humus.

If you are planting a bare root seedling, you will want to protect it by "heeling in" a vacant flower bed where it may be kept before planting as long as it is dormant.

This means laying it on its side at an angle to the ground and covering the roots with good soil. When you are ready to take it from the soil, give it a mud bath or "puddle" it. This protects the roots from exposure to air before planting and also from any air pockets which may exist around the roots after planting. After filling the hole to the depth required by the roots of the plant, flood it with water to settle the soil at the bottom; when this has drained away, place the tree in the position in which it is to grow and fill in the soil around it.

Work the soil around the roots using a stick or shovel handle, and make certain there are no air pockets. Spread the roots naturally, planting the tree at around the same depth as its former location. When the hole is two-thirds, of the way full, tramp it down and fill with water again. Fill in the remaining soil without tramping it down, so that the water will drain towards the trunk.

A balled-and-bur lapped tree is one that has been dug with a solid ball of soil in which it has been growing in, its root system is thus amply covered and protected. The ball is held in place by a secure covering of burlap and twine. To plant it, set the tree in a hole slightly lower than it stood in the nursery. Work the soil beneath this depth, as described previously.

If the ground is dry, fill the hole with water and let it soak in before planting. Cut the burlap at the top when you put the tree in place, and roll it back a few inches. You will plant the burlap and all. The burlap will soon rot away.

After the tree is planted you can cut it back sharply. If necessary brace the tree with wire ropes. For the first year, the more cultivation around the tree the better, keeping weeds away, too, with straw or mulch, in the spring and fall will help keep the moisture in the ground.

For more information on how to care for trees along with other landscaping ideas and resources visit http://www.landscapehints.com a popular website that offers information, tips, free landscaping resources and advice.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

By Ling Tong

Having a beautiful lawn during the spring summer and fall shouldn't have to cost you money. By taking advantage of the lawn care tips you find in books and magazines, online and by asking questions of experts at your local lawn and garden store, you can easily take care of many of these jobs on your own. Once you are aware of some basic factors associated with lawn care, you can become a professional in your own right and your neighbors will start asking you for advice. The only requirement is that you spend some time researching how to take care of your lawn during every season of the year and devote some time to the tasks.

Mowing is one of the basic essentials of having a great looking lawn. However, there is a trick to this. In the spring, when you mow for the first time, mow the grass at the lowest level on the mower. This will remove all the dead grass and allow the roots to start producing new shoots. Make sure you rake up the lawn even if there are not many clippings because raking helps to revitalize the grass and the soil. Then when you mow the grass again, you should move the blades up a level. The lawn needs to be mowed on a regular basis. During how weather in summer, you can even have the blades higher so that you don't mow too close to the ground and cause the grass to burn and turn brown. When you mow the lawn for the final time in the fall, place the blades at the lowest level again.

Watering plays a major part in lawn care. Without water the grass will not grow and will die causing brown patches to appear in the lawn. You have to know the type of grass you have and the type of soil so that you give it the appropriate amounts of water. You should never water the lawn after a rainfall because this could saturate the soil and cause the grass to die. When there is very little rainfall, the best time to water the lawn is in the early morning or just at sunset. This is because there is less chance of the water evaporating before it gets a chance to soak into the soil.

Fertilizing the soil is also important. For this you do need to know what type of soil you have. If you are not sure, you can bring in some of the soil to a garden center and the experts there will be able to provide you with the right fertilizer for your needs. You can also decide whether you want to use organic or chemical fertilizers, but whichever one you choose, you do have to follow the directions on the packaging. Using too much fertilizer can be harmful to the grass.

One thing that people do not realize is that the soil and the roots of the grass need air in order to grow, especially if the soil is compacted. To check to see if this is so, pour a small amount of water on the soil and wait a few minutes to see if it starts to soak down through. If it doesn't this means you will have to aerate the lawn. What this means is to perform a simple procedure or poking small holes in the lawn a t regular intervals so that the oxygen can reach the roots and the water can get to them. The holes are small and will not be noticeable in the lawn.

For more great lawn care tips and lots of information on lawncare related topics such as spring lawn care visit http://www.HobbyLawncare.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.com