drew-altizer.com

Archive for the ‘Gardening’ Category

Both lawn sweepers and leaf vacuums can be used to clean a lawn. Here you have some lawn sweeper reviews, helping you to decide if you need a lawn sweeper. The push lawn sweeper is a simple device. It is completely manual, all you need to do is to adjust the height of the brushes and start pushing. No external energy source is needed. A leaf vacuum can be either gas-powered or electric. Note that leaf vacuums are available in several different versions. The smallest are handheld, they look similar to a leaf blower. Some models look like a push lawn mower, although most models are self-propelled. You have larger models as well, but for residential use they are too expensive. The main advantage of the leaf vacuum is that it can be used on more surfaces than just grass. Lawn sweepers are only meant to be used on lawns. Some leaf vacuums include a mulcher, lawn sweepers only collect the leaves.

Miniature roses have a long flowering season, coming into bloom in midsummer and carrying on right until the first frosts strike. They are also extremely versatile.

Use them to create a small-scale rose garden, ideally in a raised bed so that they are closer to the eye. A mixture of true miniatures with the larger patio roses at the back or in the centre will give you the height gradation that makes a bed look as though it is professionally laid out.

Rockery roses

Alternatively, you can put some miniature roses in a rockery to give interest in summer when many of the alpine flowers are long gone.

True miniatures, closely planted, make excellent edgings for conventional borders, while the slightly larger patio roses are recommended for container planting. However, once again it is a matter of scale, and a lot depends on the size of the container. Both sizes are ideal for beds and containers around a patio, where they can be seen at close quarters and really appreciated.

The one thing not to do with miniatures is mix them up with larger plants, especially full-size roses, or their small-scale charms will be much overshadowed and lost.

When pests are out of your control and calling the shots in the kitchen or the garden or your living room, then professional extermination services come to mind.

Pests, besides being an irritant and unpleasant reality, can turn out to be a serious menace if let out of control. Rodent and cockroach infestation can cause diseases as well and can be extremely unhealthy for your family. Homes with babies and toddlers are specially susceptible to disease-causing pests. Even ants and bed bugs can lead to health issues if not controlled in time!

Here are a few tips to help you out -

1. If you are anti-chemical, then go for an extermination company that is environment-friendly and uses herbal and chemical-free sprays to remove the infestation.

2. DIY drugs and traps work when facing a smaller problem like ants or a few termites in a corner. But some of these indoor pests are very resilient and excellent breeders and thriver – take bed bugs for example. So, you may have to call the pest control services of your neighborhood eventually.

3. You could always instruct the professionals to use the humane trap and release method while dealing with pests like moles or rodents if you dislike gassing and/or poison sprays and fumigation.

Planting catnip will make your cats happier than you can imagine. Catnip can grow anywhere from three to four feet. It creates shoots that have lavender flowers. It grows very well almost anywhere but it does best in a moderately rich soil with a little moisture in it. Sun or shade will not matter for this herb. Even so, growing this plant in sandy soil will make the cat nips scent stronger. The best time to grow this plant is in the fall. This will give it denser foliage. If growing multiple plants, leave about a one foot gap between each plant. You can plant more with seeds by planting stems or through what is called root ball division. Catnip is not only for cats; you might enjoy it also. This herb can be a dessert if turned into candy. You can use it to cook as well. Many have also used it for natural remedies. It can relieve the symptoms of headaches and nervousness.

Make sure that you water the plant regularly. Make sure your sprinklers are working properly. Trimming it once a year will keep it healthy. Catnip grows better under direct sun. You can grow these indoors under artificial lighting. There are many varieties of artificial lighting from high output fluorescent, to high intensity discharge. This plant does not have very many enemies, just two insects: the white fly and the spider mite. To some this plant is considered a noxious weed. The plant is known to attract bees, butterflies and birds.

There is a lot of speculation about the effect cat nip has on cats. These plants can attracts cats and cause them to act in a bizzare way. Catnip contains a chemical called nepetalactone, a mild hallucinogen. Cats have a receptor for this chemical in their nose. Cats must inhale it so that it can cause an effect. Cats rub, sniff, lick and eat the plant in an attempt to stimulate themselves. Some cats respond aggressively to cat nip. In such a case, you should avoid giving the cat catnip. As was mentioned previously, catnip is not only for cats. Make your own tea using a tablespoon of catnip in boiling water along with some milk. Let it cool and enjoy. Catnip sold in stores is not always as strong as homegrown catnip. Store catnip will sometimes include other herbs which have no real effect on cats. Toys filled with catnip are great, but they usually contain a small amount and the smell does not always stay. Making your own toys is a great idea. A great toy you can make is with a tennis ball: Cut a slit into a tennis ball, stuff it with catnip and viola! Your cat will enjoy this. The best way to keep your cat from getting bored of any toy is to keep it away from him or her until you desire to witness your cat in a drug-dosed state.

Deep root irrigation system targets to take water to the base of the roots of the plants to be irrigated. This type of irrigation is often used for watering trees and other deep rooted plants. There are many benefits of this type of irrigation compared with other types of irrigation because water is delivered where it is needed most. The roots need moisture to collect nutrients for the sustenance and life of the plant. The other advantage of this type of irrigation is that water can be economized to sustain the trees especially in time of draughts when water is scarce. Overhead irrigation requires much water because much of the water ends up draining away from the surface of the plant when the underneath soil is still dry. It requires a lot of water before the base of the roots is wet which might not be possible especially during times of draught. Deep root irrigation is recommended for trees for this reduces the frequency and volume of water required for the trees.