Archive for the ‘Garden Tips’ Category
When the evenings get dark, it shouldn’t mean people can’t enjoy their garden furniture, thanks to the range of stylish lighting options acquirable online and on the high street. There are so many different illuminations to suit any type of outdoor space and compliment any type of garden furniture. Whether you go for candles on your table, fixed lamps or the sprite style lights, outdoor lighting is the perfect way to give your garden a tiny extra character, illuminate key features and make your outdoor space a tiny bit more inviting when the sun goes down in summer of the dark evenings of winter.
Lanterns for example are a great way of introducing candles to your garden and they’ll prevent the wind from constantly blowing them out. If you have a sleek modern outdoor space, then Lazy Susan can highly advocate a Light Box, which can be mounted on the wall, is streamlined in terms of design and is prefabricated from easy glass and nickel. A well-lit garden is most definitely ‘in’; a dark garden is ‘out’, and this is a growing trend that Lazy Susan is a tiny intrigued by.
Usually, we’ll work in the Lazy Susan garden in an evening, basically until we can’t see what plant we’re working on anymore. Good garden lighting will extend the usable time in your outdoor pleasing areas, but wouldn’t it be great intent to have some lighting that will help you to work into the evening. Of course lights attract insects, so be careful what you wish for, but don’t let that place you off. Home garden lights is the perfect way to add some glimmering soft lighting to your outdoor garden decorations. So why not redefine your outdoor living space? Your garden is not just about potted plants and grass here and there. It has a personality of its own and a well designed garden will really complement the overall look of any house. So let Lazy Susan run you through some of our favourite lighting tips, styles and accessories that are guaranteed to brighten up your garden.
Complement your garden style and decor
Gardens are not just about vegetables and flowers, you can complement the way your garden looks with some one-of-a-kind garden lighting. The most basic thing to remember when selecting outdoor lights for your home is to pick a style that suits the style of your property and garden. Don’t go for ultra modern solar powered post lamps if you live in a traditional country cottage. Keep things sympathetic to their surroundings. Plus, you are not going to use the lamps during the day, so it is vital that the lights function in a way that reflects the richness of the night. One favourite way to achieve this effect of lighting is by placing dim lights close to the beds of potted plants and that way you give them just sufficient light to highlight without washing your home in football pitch style floodlights.
strong>Use lighting to highlight
To complement your garden have special lighting in the portions of the garden that you want to highlight when you look outside from your house. Highlight lighting is one of the brilliant ways to add some interest to the key sections of your garden. For example, if you you have a massive garden ornament or water feature in your garden then installing some soft lights around these will add to the charm of your garden at night. The key to getting light for garden decor right is making it look warm and inviting in the evening.
Go green with solar lights
Solar lights are definitely one of the most favourite choices of garden lighting today. They are not only economical, they’re incredibly easy to install and will wage just the right amount of subtle light. A set of solar lights on a pathway, patio or driveway will help to make them safer and also ensure that nobody misses the main design features of your outdoor space.
Keep your garden lights subtle
Lights in trees, bushes and specific plants can add some real character to your garden. If you are looking for a more dramatic effect, then go for lights that you can bury in the ground. And while this type of light is dim, it will wage sufficient lighting to really bring out the beauty of your garden.
Illuminate your patio or deck
Patios are an integral part of your garden, so why not make it look a tiny special at night too. Add some soft lighting around your patio or deck and that way you can entertain long after its dark. The key focus of good garden lighting should be to create a soft glow that brings out the essence of the flowers and plants in your garden.
And while we’re on the subject of good garden lighting, its is always important that you refer the different areas of the garden you want to illuminate and how you plan to use them. Below are a few examples of the different types of area you might want think about and those you should probably refrain too.
Seating area
A pergola or seating area where you plan to take / rest outdoors would mainly require down lights as this is the saint way of lighting this area in terms of practicality and look. Strong up lighting should be avoided as will tend to dazzle the viewer and diminish the overall effect. Up lights can be used but we would advocate they are used against the uprights of the pergola or for example small trees and shrubs just out side the pergola boundary.
Lawn
Lawns can be a tiny tricky to light as they usually require a massive spread of strong light which tends to ruin the overall effect of the rest of the garden. In our experience the lawn area is saint left in darkness as it tends to frame the other area of interests which are lit and wage a strong emphasise on depth.
Driveways and pathways
Another interesting feature and can be lit in various ways from recessed LEDs to down lighting from trees. The main aim for this type of area is to get the delicate equilibrise between practicality and beauty which when done well can transform a home and garden
Large trees, bushes and plants
Large trees are always fantastic to light and really make a garden stand out. There are lots of different ways of lighting trees but in our experience this is always governed by the surrounding area. An example would be a massive tree in the middle of a lawn would require recessed lights in the ground with another three or four in the tree to catch the main canopy. The only time we would not light a massive tree would be if there was a strong light source that would interfere such as a street lamp.
Retaining walls and path walls
These are fantastic to light as they add definition which again provides depth to the overall effect of the garden lighting scheme. They can also add to the practically use of paths by subtly lighting them in a very soft and inviting way.
Water features
Water features are another must when it comes to lighting your garden. The use of water can add both movement to the light and reflect mirror images that can turn your scheme into something astonishing and beautiful.
Not many of us realize the importance of lighting the garden area. But if you do, you will have a wonderful place to have dinner with your family as well as to entertain guests. To add to this, there are numerous options acquirable for landscape lighting, which if you select well, will add to the overall appeal of your outdoor space. Just make sure you do a tiny research first, plan your lighting scheme and shop around for the right lighting solutions.
The first thing you really need to think about when planning your outdoor lighting is to draw a rough plan of your garden and mark out the areas in the garden which you would like lighting. Whatever you do, don’t just instal lights all over the garden, otherwise it become very cluttered look and change to generate any real impact. Some of the saint areas to highlight that you might want to think about lighting are as follows:
Paths and driveways
Steps
Pools, ponds and water features
Large trees and bushes
Seating areas
Any other focal points such as a statues or massive planters
Choose the types of light fixtures to be installed
Once you have decided on the areas or things that you want to highlight, the next step is to select appropriate light fixtures that are fit for the specific purpose. For example, if you want to illuminate pathways or driveways, you need lights that will ensure you can clearly see the passage. That’s why, some downlighting from trees along with installing recessed LEDs on both the sides of the path at ground level, is a great solution.
For a seating area on the other hand, downlights should be used too as uplights, while great for highlighting a massive tree for example, if used in the seating area will be shining in your grappling if you select to use the seat on an evening. If you have steps in your garden, then I would advise you buy some stylish bollard lighting, so that visibility is increased making them innocuous to use at night. If you are lucky to have a massive tree in your garden, then asgo in for recessed lighting fixtures on the ground around it. They will bring the attention to the tree in a subtle way, thus creating a stunning visual appeal in the night.
If you want to highlight certain shrubs and flower-beds, one of the saint lighting solutions is to install some downlight fixtures and have the light falling on them. For pools and other water features, underwater water-proof lighting is ideal. Floodlights can also look great as they emphasize the effect of water on the surroundings. For highlighting a focal point such as a massive statue, then uplights are your saint choice and for those of you who like to celebration in the garden, then why not just use a few easy to instal/take down paper lanterns for a tiny extra light and ambiance.
And finally, when it comes to the bulb/light colour, in Lazy Susan’s humble view the natural looking white and light yellow lights are the saint solution for garden lighting. Keep things simple. . . However, if you want to experiment, there are lights acquirable in colors such as red, blue, green and amber that can work in a more contemporary outdoor space. Green lights can look great over plants while red lights can be used to highlight focal points. While blue lights can look pretty good on a water feature. Just remember to keep things subtle, you don’t want to go OTT and offend the neighbours with garish lighting.
So what are you inactivity for? Transform the way your garden looks with some easy garden lighting and make your outdoors as vibrant and beautiful as the interior of your home on an evening!
By : Lazy Susan
Growing medium is any medium, in which a plant can grow. Generally, hundreds of multiple types of growing medium exist: some are manmade and some are organic. Sometimes, even old AIR can work as a good growing medium for roots.
Defining the ideal growing medium is pretty challenging and disputable. It is a matter of individualized likes, preferences and exact growing needs or stipulations in most cases. It is like choosing a car: everyone picks the one, which suits his/her individualized likes and requirements: someone chooses a small economic automobile for city traffic, and someone likes powerful SUV to conquer sand and morass. Just like choosing a automobile depends on many factors, while choosing a growing medium it is also necessary to think about many variables, for example, what type of system is used, what plants you are going to grow and under what environmental conditions. Though there are a great variety of factors to think about while choosing a particular growing medium, it often comes to price, availability and individualized preferences.
The most common types of growing mediums as well the description of their key advantages, disadvantages, their basic characteristics and tips on general use are specified below.
Oasis cubes
Expanded Clay Pellets
Rockwool
Coconut Fiber
Sand
Gravel
Perlite
Sphagnum Moss
Water
Vermiculite
Fiberglass Insulation
Saw Dust
Soilless Mix(s)
Air
Lava Rock
Oasis cubes
Oasis cubes are lightweight cubes, which serves the ideal for plants propagation from seeds or cuttings. Pre-formed shelter cubes are commonly used by hydroponic gardeners. This type of growing medium features neutral pH level and can hold water very well.
Since shelter cubes are usually used at the first stages of plant growth, they are usually not larger than 2” x 2” inches in size. It is very simple to transplant such cubes into any type of hydroponic system, growing medium or even into the soil.
By : The urban gardener
How to preparing hydroponic Nutrient Solution
Nutrient solution is prefabricated of water with dissolved fertilizer. It is preferable to have good calibre water to be blended with the fertilizer, the amount of which is always indicated by the manufacturer. It is very important to check and adjust if necessary pH level of nutrient solution with liquid pH adjusters. Usually, pH level of the nutrient solution depends on the plant; however, most often it is between 6. 0 and 6. 5 for the majority of the starter cubes, with the exception being Rockwool, which needs pH level of 5. 5 to 5. 8. Fertilizing young plants, a gardener should use a nutrient solution as weak as ¼ to ½ of the full strength suggested by the manufacturer. Only plants older than two weeks can be fertilized by the full strength nutrient solutions. It is suggested to keep the growing medium moist, but not too wet or soaked with the hydroponics nutrient solution.
How to Transplant Seedlings
The seedlings should be transplanted when the roots have grown out of the starter cubes. It is just necessary to place the seedling along with the starter cube on top or into the permanent growing medium, which can be any hydroponic growing medium or just soil.
Notes in taking slicing for clones
Cutting, as a method of plants propagation, works well only if each step of the procedure is done correctly. Otherwise, experiments might result in devastating consequences. Though, when done properly, up to 95-100% of all cuttings grow successfully, it is still might be a good intent to take twice as many cuttings as needed, if you are making first steps in growing cuttings.
One of the hints to increase chances in successful outcome is to use distilled water, while growing cuttings. Generally speaking, this is one of the most reliable and proven methods of plants propagation, suitable for most of the plants. Other examples of propagation techniques are dividing, air layering, and tissue culture. It is even doable to root cuttings without the use of any growing media in specific hydroponic systems. After forming the first roots, such cuttings are usually transplanted into any type of preferred growing media.
By : The urban gardener
People want Garden Benches for their garden. They want to make their garden beautiful. They want to enjoy their garden by sitting on the garden benches. They want to make the garden more captivating place for them. They are hot to sit outside of their room and they want to stay under the bare sky. People especially the nature lover want to share the nature by the garden benches. People are crazy about their garden. They have a passion for their garden. They can be kept under the bare sky. Garden benches are effective for the garden lovers. They are used to sit in the garden comfortably. They make the garden attractive.
They are specially treated to refrain the weather effects. They are prefabricated with resin and oil so that they can resist the weather effects. They can prevent the decay of the water, moisture and the humidity. They can be kept in the outside throughout the year. People are crazy about the garden benches. They are beautiful and gorgeous. The Garden Benches can make the people impressed. People want to make their garden like the oasis. They want to make the backyard area of their garden like the shelter with the garden benches. Garden benches are effective for the garden lovers. They are used to sit in the garden comfortably. They make the garden attractive.
Garden benches are portable. They can be shifted from one place to another place in the garden. People want to enjoy the garden and the nature by sitting on the garden benches. They want to make the garden more beautiful. Garden benches are effective for the garden lovers. They are used to sit in the garden comfortably. They make the garden attractive. Garden benches are highly captivating for the garden. The nature lovers want to enjoy the nature by sitting in the garden benches. They are comfortable with the garden benches. Garden benches are gorgeous and aristocrat. Garden benches can make the backyard area of your garden like the oasis.
People want to make their garden captivating with the Garden Benches. They are crazy about their garden. They want to make their garden beautiful. Garden benches are gorgeous and attractive. They are specially treated to resist the weather. They are prefabricated with wood dust, resin, oil etc to prevent the weather effects like humidity and moisture.
By : Abies Abudu
Nitrogen (N)
The most essential of all nutrients for leaf and stem development. Nitrogen consumption depends on a plants growth cycle and in a vegetative growth phase of plant nitrogen consumption is greatest. Hydroponic nutrients solutions tagged as “grow” or “flower” contains more concentrations of nitrogen. Nitrogen deficiency is the leading cause of plant growth in indoor hydroponic garden systems. Yellowish, soft and weak plants and leaves are tell-tale signs of nitrogen deficiency.
Half-strength nitrogen solutions are saint for plants between growing phases. This will prevent plant stretch while it’s switching its energy over to flower development. Normal feeding is resumed once the plant reaches the flowering stage.
Phosphorous (P)
Phosphorous plays a major part in root and flower development. Phosphorous deficiency signs are slow and stunted plant growth. Phosphorous is crucial to a plants flowering stage. “Bloom” type formulas contain a 0-50-30 concentration, containing no nitrogen and high levels of phosphorous and potassium.
Potassium (K)
Different in action from the previous two nutrients, it doesn’t feed the plant directly in any specific stage of growth. It merely facilitates plant intake of other primary and secondary plant nutrients. Potassium deficiency cause irregular plant growth and susceptibility to pests and disease. Potassium inhibits fruit production and should be lessened during this stage.
Secondary Hydroponic Nutrients
Calcium (Ca)
Facilitating and filtering the absorption of other nutrients Calcium is one essential nutrient. It is also a natural base that increases the pH level is needed. Commonly used in the vegetative phase of plant growth, calcium consumption is decreased during the flowering stage.
Magnesium (Mg)
Mainly for chlorophyll production in photosynthesis, deficiency causes yellow leaves.
Sulfur (S)
Yellow leaves are a sign of sulfur deficiency and are only used in small amounts.
Iron (Fe)
Used in small amounts, iron deficiency is similar to sulfur deficiency. Yellow leaves are the general signs of deficiency. High pH causes iron absorption problems so constant monitoring is advised.
Molybdenum (Mb)
Mainly for nitrogen absorption and converts nitrates to ammonium
Boron (B)
Facilitates carbohydrate transport in the phloem, it is not essential and maybe disregarded. Boron overdose causes plant kill, it is not found in regular soils and only supplemented.
By : The urban gardener