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Monday, April 18, 2011
10 Tips for Saving Money in the Garden
Article From HouseLogic.com
By: Laura Fisher Kaiser
Carefully plan and plot your garden to add value to your home and make the most of your time and money.
A garden without a plan is like a journey without a destination: You waste a lot of time and money and end up nowhere. High-quality landscaping, however, adds to the value of your home (http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Does-Landscaping-Effect-Your-Homes-Value?&id=873923): The return on investment is 100% to 200%, according to a study conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects and Money Magazine.
So don't impulsively drive to your garden center. Walk your land, consult an almanac, test the soil, and make a budget. You'll save your back, your budget, and your home's curb appeal.
Tip #1: Get to know your land
Before shelling out money for new plants, consider what's thrived and died in past gardens. Ask, "Is this plant doing its job? Adding beauty? Providing shade? Creating borders?" Give a pink slip to landscaping that's not pulling its weight.
If you're a newcomer to gardening or to the area, scout the neighborhood to see which plants look happy and which wither on the vine.
Keep in mind that even plants appropriate for your growing zone (http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html) might not work in your personal patch. Your particular soil conditions, sunlight patterns, pest populations, and available water will determine what will grow. Your local cooperative extension service (http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/) can analyze your soil and recommend amendments and suitable plantings.
Tip #2: Become sun savvy
Even experienced gardeners make mistakes. They plant shade-loving plants in full sun or sun-loving plants in partial shade. Before planting anything in your garden, compare the amount of sunlight your landscaping needs for the amount you have.
Evaluating garden sunlight is tricky because daylight is a moving target: Seasons change and plants mature and cast different shadows.
So before plotting plant beds and tree locations, study the movement of the sun throughout the day and, if you have time, throughout the year. Calculate how many hours of sun each garden section receives. Then check planting directions to make sure your greenery will get what it needs.
Tip #3: Become water wise
Over-watering plants can kill your landscaping and budget. To avoid death by water, know how much and when your greens need to drink: Sales tags should have watering directions.
Drip hoses are thrifty ways to water plants, because the water goes directly to roots, drop by drop. Wind drip hoses around tree bases and bottoms of shrubs. Put hoses on automatic timers to avoid over-watering.
If you have an in-ground sprinkler system, (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/water-saving-irrigation-strategies/) install an ET (evapotranspiraton) controller. These systems, which use real-time weather data sent by satellite to control when sprinklers turn on and off, can cut water use by as much as 30%. The controller costs between $300 and $400, depending on system size, but many municipal water agencies offer rebates, particularly in the arid Southwest.
Tip # 4: Mulch much
Spreading a few inches of mulch in landscaping beds protects your plants and shrubs from drying out, and makes beds look tidy and uniform. Mulch also keeps down weeds and moderates soil temperature.
Organic mulches--grass clippings, wood chips, pine needles--eventually decompose and add vital nutrients to your soil and landscaping. Organics also encourage worm growth, nature's own soil tillers and fertilizers.
Shredded bark mulch from the garden center provides a rich look for your beds, adding curb appeal. It also prevents dirt from splashing on leaves.
Tip #5: Color your garden
Stick to a simple color scheme for flowers and blooming shrubs in your garden. Your landscaping will look more cohesive and professional.
Massing plants of coordinated colors creates a sense of luxury and order. If you like pinks, add lavenders and blue-hued plants. If hot red is your color, mix with yellows and oranges.
Keeping to a single color family in your garden also narrows your focus when roaming plant center aisles. If you are a gardening newbie and can't tell a tea rose from a trumpet vine, ask the store's plant expert for help. Most will be glad to exchange their knowledge for a sale.
Also, gardening catalogs (http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plans/) and websites often group complementary colors together. Some even provide a complete landscape plan, which you can faithfully recreate.
Tip #6: Avoid invaders
Ivies, grasses, and vines will fill in your garden quickly, and just as quickly take over your landscaping. Once these "invasives" take root, unearthing them is difficult, and in some cases, impossible.
Your garden center doesn't call these spreaders "invasives." They are billed as "fast growers" or "aggressives," but often that's code for non-native plants that take over the landscape and crowd out locals by stealing nutrients, light, and water.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture maintains a list of invasives (http://plants.usda.gov/java/noxiousDriver) that includes various ivies, grasses, weeds, vines, self-seeding varieties of bushes and shrubs, and even seemingly innocuous herbs, like mint. Your county extension service can steer you toward the species best suited to your garden. Warning: If you love growing mint, grow it in a pot on your deck or patio.
Tip #7: Beware of neighbors bearing green gifts
You should love thy neighbor, but don't ever take cuttings from their gardens unless you know exactly what they are and how they grow. Self-seeding perennials, such as Black-Eyed Susans and coneflowers, will quickly fill bare spots with splashes of color. If you tire of them, just grab a spade and dig them out.
But if a neighbor extends a slender stalk of Rose of Sharon, or other invasive tree species, run away screaming. These trees will spread throughout your yard and grow roots so deep that only a professional--or the better part of your weekend--can dig and pull them out.
Tip #8: Plant shade trees for natural A/C
Shade trees planted on the south and west sides of a house reduce cooling bills--up to 25%--and lower net carbon emissions. So include shade trees in your landscaping plan.
Choose shade trees (http://srmi.biz/Tips.Low_Cost_Cooling.Choosing_shade_trees.htm) according to their size at maturity, which could be 20 years away. Dense deciduous trees (http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07419.html) --maples, poplars, cottonwoods--are good selections because their leaves cool your house in summer, and their bare branches let light in during winter. Plant them close enough to shade your house, but not so close that they will overwhelm the space.
If you want a faster growing shade tree, about 2 feet per year, select a northern red oak, Freeman maple, or tulip tree.
Tip #9: Power down your lawn mower
The Environmental Protection Agency (http://www.peoplepoweredmachines.com/faq-environment.htm) says gas-powered lawn mowers contribute as much as 5% of the nation's air pollution. Switching to new generation electric and push-reel mowers-which are lighter, quieter, and kinder to your lawn than power mowers-reduces emissions and cuts fuel consumption.
To mow three-quarters of an acre of grass with a power mower requires 1 gallon of gas. As gas prices head to $4 per gallon, you could save $100 a year by switching to a muscle-powered or electric machine. An electric or good push-reel mower (http://www.peoplepoweredmachines.com/reel_mower_landing.htm?gclid=CLWYvbHPyZwCFRHxDAodWDHGJQ) costs $150 to $250, so it will quickly pay for itself.
Tip #10: Grade your landscaping
Once a year, walk your property, cast a hard eye on your garden beds and ask, "Is that plant doing its job? Is it growing into its space, or wandering wherever it likes? Are leaves healthy or spotted with mold and pests? Are these greens improving curb appeal or just making my house look overrun?"
If a plant or shrub isn't working out, it's compost. If shrubs are growing too close to your foundation--1 foot away is good--transplant or prune them.
Make sure trees are growing no closer to your house than the width of their mature canopies. Otherwise roots can burrow into foundations, and overhanging branches can trap moisture against the roof or siding, leading to rot and insect damage.
Check your flowering plants and shrubs to see if they are indeed flowering. Too few or dull blossoms should rally after a dose of fertilizer or layer of compost. An inexpensive alterative to commercial fertilizers is manure tea. Fill the foot of old pantyhose with a clump of cow or horse dung, tie the hose to the watering can handle, and let the manure steep in water. You can get weeks of nutrition from a little bit of dung.
Jeanne Huber is the author of 10 books about home improvement and writes a weekly column about home care for the Washington Post.
By: Laura Fisher Kaiser
Carefully plan and plot your garden to add value to your home and make the most of your time and money.
A garden without a plan is like a journey without a destination: You waste a lot of time and money and end up nowhere. High-quality landscaping, however, adds to the value of your home (http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Does-Landscaping-Effect-Your-Homes-Value?&id=873923): The return on investment is 100% to 200%, according to a study conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects and Money Magazine.
So don't impulsively drive to your garden center. Walk your land, consult an almanac, test the soil, and make a budget. You'll save your back, your budget, and your home's curb appeal.
Tip #1: Get to know your land
Before shelling out money for new plants, consider what's thrived and died in past gardens. Ask, "Is this plant doing its job? Adding beauty? Providing shade? Creating borders?" Give a pink slip to landscaping that's not pulling its weight.
If you're a newcomer to gardening or to the area, scout the neighborhood to see which plants look happy and which wither on the vine.
Keep in mind that even plants appropriate for your growing zone (http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html) might not work in your personal patch. Your particular soil conditions, sunlight patterns, pest populations, and available water will determine what will grow. Your local cooperative extension service (http://www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/) can analyze your soil and recommend amendments and suitable plantings.
Tip #2: Become sun savvy
Even experienced gardeners make mistakes. They plant shade-loving plants in full sun or sun-loving plants in partial shade. Before planting anything in your garden, compare the amount of sunlight your landscaping needs for the amount you have.
Evaluating garden sunlight is tricky because daylight is a moving target: Seasons change and plants mature and cast different shadows.
So before plotting plant beds and tree locations, study the movement of the sun throughout the day and, if you have time, throughout the year. Calculate how many hours of sun each garden section receives. Then check planting directions to make sure your greenery will get what it needs.
Tip #3: Become water wise
Over-watering plants can kill your landscaping and budget. To avoid death by water, know how much and when your greens need to drink: Sales tags should have watering directions.
Drip hoses are thrifty ways to water plants, because the water goes directly to roots, drop by drop. Wind drip hoses around tree bases and bottoms of shrubs. Put hoses on automatic timers to avoid over-watering.
If you have an in-ground sprinkler system, (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/water-saving-irrigation-strategies/) install an ET (evapotranspiraton) controller. These systems, which use real-time weather data sent by satellite to control when sprinklers turn on and off, can cut water use by as much as 30%. The controller costs between $300 and $400, depending on system size, but many municipal water agencies offer rebates, particularly in the arid Southwest.
Tip # 4: Mulch much
Spreading a few inches of mulch in landscaping beds protects your plants and shrubs from drying out, and makes beds look tidy and uniform. Mulch also keeps down weeds and moderates soil temperature.
Organic mulches--grass clippings, wood chips, pine needles--eventually decompose and add vital nutrients to your soil and landscaping. Organics also encourage worm growth, nature's own soil tillers and fertilizers.
Shredded bark mulch from the garden center provides a rich look for your beds, adding curb appeal. It also prevents dirt from splashing on leaves.
Tip #5: Color your garden
Stick to a simple color scheme for flowers and blooming shrubs in your garden. Your landscaping will look more cohesive and professional.
Massing plants of coordinated colors creates a sense of luxury and order. If you like pinks, add lavenders and blue-hued plants. If hot red is your color, mix with yellows and oranges.
Keeping to a single color family in your garden also narrows your focus when roaming plant center aisles. If you are a gardening newbie and can't tell a tea rose from a trumpet vine, ask the store's plant expert for help. Most will be glad to exchange their knowledge for a sale.
Also, gardening catalogs (http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plans/) and websites often group complementary colors together. Some even provide a complete landscape plan, which you can faithfully recreate.
Tip #6: Avoid invaders
Ivies, grasses, and vines will fill in your garden quickly, and just as quickly take over your landscaping. Once these "invasives" take root, unearthing them is difficult, and in some cases, impossible.
Your garden center doesn't call these spreaders "invasives." They are billed as "fast growers" or "aggressives," but often that's code for non-native plants that take over the landscape and crowd out locals by stealing nutrients, light, and water.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture maintains a list of invasives (http://plants.usda.gov/java/noxiousDriver) that includes various ivies, grasses, weeds, vines, self-seeding varieties of bushes and shrubs, and even seemingly innocuous herbs, like mint. Your county extension service can steer you toward the species best suited to your garden. Warning: If you love growing mint, grow it in a pot on your deck or patio.
Tip #7: Beware of neighbors bearing green gifts
You should love thy neighbor, but don't ever take cuttings from their gardens unless you know exactly what they are and how they grow. Self-seeding perennials, such as Black-Eyed Susans and coneflowers, will quickly fill bare spots with splashes of color. If you tire of them, just grab a spade and dig them out.
But if a neighbor extends a slender stalk of Rose of Sharon, or other invasive tree species, run away screaming. These trees will spread throughout your yard and grow roots so deep that only a professional--or the better part of your weekend--can dig and pull them out.
Tip #8: Plant shade trees for natural A/C
Shade trees planted on the south and west sides of a house reduce cooling bills--up to 25%--and lower net carbon emissions. So include shade trees in your landscaping plan.
Choose shade trees (http://srmi.biz/Tips.Low_Cost_Cooling.Choosing_shade_trees.htm) according to their size at maturity, which could be 20 years away. Dense deciduous trees (http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07419.html) --maples, poplars, cottonwoods--are good selections because their leaves cool your house in summer, and their bare branches let light in during winter. Plant them close enough to shade your house, but not so close that they will overwhelm the space.
If you want a faster growing shade tree, about 2 feet per year, select a northern red oak, Freeman maple, or tulip tree.
Tip #9: Power down your lawn mower
The Environmental Protection Agency (http://www.peoplepoweredmachines.com/faq-environment.htm) says gas-powered lawn mowers contribute as much as 5% of the nation's air pollution. Switching to new generation electric and push-reel mowers-which are lighter, quieter, and kinder to your lawn than power mowers-reduces emissions and cuts fuel consumption.
To mow three-quarters of an acre of grass with a power mower requires 1 gallon of gas. As gas prices head to $4 per gallon, you could save $100 a year by switching to a muscle-powered or electric machine. An electric or good push-reel mower (http://www.peoplepoweredmachines.com/reel_mower_landing.htm?gclid=CLWYvbHPyZwCFRHxDAodWDHGJQ) costs $150 to $250, so it will quickly pay for itself.
Tip #10: Grade your landscaping
Once a year, walk your property, cast a hard eye on your garden beds and ask, "Is that plant doing its job? Is it growing into its space, or wandering wherever it likes? Are leaves healthy or spotted with mold and pests? Are these greens improving curb appeal or just making my house look overrun?"
If a plant or shrub isn't working out, it's compost. If shrubs are growing too close to your foundation--1 foot away is good--transplant or prune them.
Make sure trees are growing no closer to your house than the width of their mature canopies. Otherwise roots can burrow into foundations, and overhanging branches can trap moisture against the roof or siding, leading to rot and insect damage.
Check your flowering plants and shrubs to see if they are indeed flowering. Too few or dull blossoms should rally after a dose of fertilizer or layer of compost. An inexpensive alterative to commercial fertilizers is manure tea. Fill the foot of old pantyhose with a clump of cow or horse dung, tie the hose to the watering can handle, and let the manure steep in water. You can get weeks of nutrition from a little bit of dung.
Jeanne Huber is the author of 10 books about home improvement and writes a weekly column about home care for the Washington Post.
Friday, April 15, 2011
9 House Cleaning Tricks That Save Time, Money and Effort!
from Forbidden Advice
1. Use a timer
Decide how long you’re going to spend cleaning before you start. Next, divide your time into chunks – 15 minutes to vacuum and perhaps the same again at the sink, and so on. Now that you have a timed target, you’ll find you work that bit harder. Also, if you absolutely hate a job – cleaning the bathroom, for example – knowing you’re going to spend just 10 minutes in there may make you feel less bothered about tackling it.
2. Avoid concentrated products
This isn’t something the manufacturers are going to shout about, but unless you use them sparingly, you’re just throwing money away when you choose expensive, high-powered cleansers. Standard-strength products are quite sufficient for most jobs. You actually need very little detergent to clean a dirty kitchen floor – about 2 tablespoons of most standard brands, swished into half a bucket of water. With bleach, adding more doesn’t make it more effective, either. Germs die from the time spent in contact with the disinfecting solution, even when it’s only at the recommended dilution of 1 part bleach to 30 parts water.
3. Clean your windows for less
Save money by making your own glass cleaner. Simply pour 4 liters warm water into a bucket. Add 100 ml white vinegar and 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and stir well. If you’re cleaning a lot of windows, apply this mixture with a squeegee mop, straight from the bucket. Otherwise, pour it into plastic spray bottles, ready for future use.
4. Give your sink a bath
Abrasive cleaners can scratch your sink. Instead, try an herbal bath. Steep several bunches of rosemary or thyme in hot water for a few hours, then strain. Stop up the sink, pour in the herb solution and let it sit overnight. In the morning, you’ll find a glistening, fragrant sink.
5. Fizz your toilet clean
Most cleaners are tough on your toilet, so try something gentler that will do the job just as well. Once a week, drop two denture tablets into the bowl and leave for at least 20 minutes. Then give the inside of the bowl a quick brushing and flush. The same action that brightens dentures will leave your toilet gleaming.
6. Oven-clean your grill
Put away that wire brush and leave that caustic oven cleaner in the cupboard. Here’s an effortless, non-toxic way to clean the mess off your grill rack. Simply slide it into your self-cleaning oven, turn the setting up to High (around 500°F) and leave for 45 minutes or so. This will scorch away any greasy remnants from the rack. If your barbecue isn’t too big, you can clean its greasy racks in this way, too.
7. Buy extra basics
Having at least two sets of sheets means that you can change bedding on a set day, then launder when you have time. You’ll also save trips upstairs if you keep a set of cleaning products on each floor. Build a high shelf for them in the bathroom, out of reach of young children.
8. Give wipes the boot
Save money by using your own cloths. Spray them with a suitable cleanser and wipe. Then stick them in the washing machine when you’ve finished and select a hot wash to kill any germs.
9. Clean your own curtains
Dirty curtains send some homeowners straight to the Yellow Pages. Then they find out that professional cleaners often charge by the foot to clean curtains. Soon you’re into triple figures. Here are some tricks to keep curtains in peak condition for longer:
■Dust them regularly. Don’t bother taking them down. Simply run your vacuum cleaner over them – from top to bottom – using the dusting brush or upholstery attachment. Focus on the tops and hems, where most dust gathers. Avoid sucking the fabric into the nozzle by either reducing the vacuum pressure or grasping the bottom and holding the curtains tight. If you don’t have the proper attachments, use a feather duster. Dusting prevents dirt build-up and lessens the chance that the curtains will need a major cleaning.
■Wash if you can. Try to identify the fabric, including any trimmings and linings, and use that information to choose the best cleaning method. If you’re unsure about washing, play it safe by just wetting an inside turn-up of fabric first to gauge the effect. Even if you know your curtains can be machine washed and tumble-dried, remove them from the dryer and hang while they’re still damp. This way you’ll avoid having to iron them.
■If washing seems too risky, but you want to freshen your curtains between visits to the drycleaner, hang them out on the line on a breezy day. You can guarantee they will come back fresher.
■Get them measured. Ask your drycleaner to measure your curtains before leaving them for cleaning. If they refuse, go elsewhere. The best cleaners will do as you ask because they will be happy to guarantee that your curtains will come back the same length as they started.
1. Use a timer
Decide how long you’re going to spend cleaning before you start. Next, divide your time into chunks – 15 minutes to vacuum and perhaps the same again at the sink, and so on. Now that you have a timed target, you’ll find you work that bit harder. Also, if you absolutely hate a job – cleaning the bathroom, for example – knowing you’re going to spend just 10 minutes in there may make you feel less bothered about tackling it.
2. Avoid concentrated products
This isn’t something the manufacturers are going to shout about, but unless you use them sparingly, you’re just throwing money away when you choose expensive, high-powered cleansers. Standard-strength products are quite sufficient for most jobs. You actually need very little detergent to clean a dirty kitchen floor – about 2 tablespoons of most standard brands, swished into half a bucket of water. With bleach, adding more doesn’t make it more effective, either. Germs die from the time spent in contact with the disinfecting solution, even when it’s only at the recommended dilution of 1 part bleach to 30 parts water.
3. Clean your windows for less
Save money by making your own glass cleaner. Simply pour 4 liters warm water into a bucket. Add 100 ml white vinegar and 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and stir well. If you’re cleaning a lot of windows, apply this mixture with a squeegee mop, straight from the bucket. Otherwise, pour it into plastic spray bottles, ready for future use.
4. Give your sink a bath
Abrasive cleaners can scratch your sink. Instead, try an herbal bath. Steep several bunches of rosemary or thyme in hot water for a few hours, then strain. Stop up the sink, pour in the herb solution and let it sit overnight. In the morning, you’ll find a glistening, fragrant sink.
5. Fizz your toilet clean
Most cleaners are tough on your toilet, so try something gentler that will do the job just as well. Once a week, drop two denture tablets into the bowl and leave for at least 20 minutes. Then give the inside of the bowl a quick brushing and flush. The same action that brightens dentures will leave your toilet gleaming.
6. Oven-clean your grill
Put away that wire brush and leave that caustic oven cleaner in the cupboard. Here’s an effortless, non-toxic way to clean the mess off your grill rack. Simply slide it into your self-cleaning oven, turn the setting up to High (around 500°F) and leave for 45 minutes or so. This will scorch away any greasy remnants from the rack. If your barbecue isn’t too big, you can clean its greasy racks in this way, too.
7. Buy extra basics
Having at least two sets of sheets means that you can change bedding on a set day, then launder when you have time. You’ll also save trips upstairs if you keep a set of cleaning products on each floor. Build a high shelf for them in the bathroom, out of reach of young children.
8. Give wipes the boot
Save money by using your own cloths. Spray them with a suitable cleanser and wipe. Then stick them in the washing machine when you’ve finished and select a hot wash to kill any germs.
9. Clean your own curtains
Dirty curtains send some homeowners straight to the Yellow Pages. Then they find out that professional cleaners often charge by the foot to clean curtains. Soon you’re into triple figures. Here are some tricks to keep curtains in peak condition for longer:
■Dust them regularly. Don’t bother taking them down. Simply run your vacuum cleaner over them – from top to bottom – using the dusting brush or upholstery attachment. Focus on the tops and hems, where most dust gathers. Avoid sucking the fabric into the nozzle by either reducing the vacuum pressure or grasping the bottom and holding the curtains tight. If you don’t have the proper attachments, use a feather duster. Dusting prevents dirt build-up and lessens the chance that the curtains will need a major cleaning.
■Wash if you can. Try to identify the fabric, including any trimmings and linings, and use that information to choose the best cleaning method. If you’re unsure about washing, play it safe by just wetting an inside turn-up of fabric first to gauge the effect. Even if you know your curtains can be machine washed and tumble-dried, remove them from the dryer and hang while they’re still damp. This way you’ll avoid having to iron them.
■If washing seems too risky, but you want to freshen your curtains between visits to the drycleaner, hang them out on the line on a breezy day. You can guarantee they will come back fresher.
■Get them measured. Ask your drycleaner to measure your curtains before leaving them for cleaning. If they refuse, go elsewhere. The best cleaners will do as you ask because they will be happy to guarantee that your curtains will come back the same length as they started.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Scan Me With Your Smart Phone
What is a QR Code?? It stands for Quick Response. It can be for mobile property web sites. Scan it and see for your self.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
7 Gardening Mistakes to Avoid
Article From HouseLogic.com
By: Oliver Marks
Published: February 10, 2011
Even veteran gardeners make rookie mistakes, like giving plants too much water and too little space. Here are common garden blunders. Consider yourself warned.
Gardening (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/10-tips-for-saving-water-garden/) is not rocket science: if you can dig a hole, turn on a spigot, and snip a dead flower off a vine, you can tend a garden.
Still, gardeners have to make some judgment calls. How much water does this shrub need? Will this tree get enough sun? Is this hole deep enough?
It's easy to misjudge and make a mess out of your landscaping. Here are seven common garden blunders, and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Too many changes, too soon
The excitement of buying a new home, plus a stretch of warm spring weather, often creates a passion for yard work. But don't just do something, stand there! What looks like a spring weed might be a fall-blooming vine; that bare spot in March might reveal tulips in April.
Try this instead: Live with your land for a year. Observe how many hours of sunlight each part of your garden gets. Test the pH of your soil to determine if acid-loving or alkaline-loving plants will be happy in that particular patch of heaven. Observe when your lawn (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/lawn-maintenance-calendar/) greens up in spring and becomes dormant in late summer.
The money and time you save by watching and waiting will be your own.
Mistake #2: Too much togetherness
Trees (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/plant-trees-save-energy-grow-value/) and shrubs that look properly spaced when you plant them will crowd each other and compete for water, sun, and nutrients in a few years. If you're lucky, you can transplant some bushes; if you're not, you'll have to throw away starved shrubs.
Try this instead: Before digging, read spacing instructions. Give trees plenty of space--you can always fill in later. Stagger bushes and plants and create two rows, which will create more breathing room. The results will look absurdly sparse at first. But live with it. In a few years, your shrubs will fill empty spaces without suffocating each other.
Mistake #3: Planting without a plan
Planting new garden beds without a long-term landscape plan is like pouring a house foundation without blueprints. Your haste results in a waste of time, money, and muscles.
Try this instead: Draw a simple sketch of your yard--what's there now and what you might add later, such as patios (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/evaluate-your-yard-patio/), outbuildings, and pools (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/what_to_consider_before_building_pool/). Bone up on the trees and shrubs that grow best in your soil and climate. Go online and click around landscaping sites that help you pick plants and design beds.
Visit your local nursery or home improvement center where design staff can answer questions and make suggestions. Or hire a professional landscape designer to create a starter plan for as little as $250 to $500. Find a professional at the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (http://www.apld.org/) or the American Society of Landscape Architects. (http://www.asla.org/)
Mistake #4: Neglecting the root of it all
Even the hardiest plants need a little help putting down roots in new locations. Sprinkling the foliage doesn't nourish the roots, the plant's nerve center. You must deliver water (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/10-tips-for-saving-water-garden/) to the root ball below the ground, or your plants will be stunted and short-lived.
Try this instead: Place the hose at the base of new bushes, trees, and plants and let the water trickle out for 20 to 30 minutes, twice a week (more during hot spells), for 4 to 12 weeks. Or snake a soaker hose ($20 for 50 feet) through your beds, which will deliver slow and steady water to roots.
Mistake #5: Forgetting the sun
Too many gardeners pick plants based only on looks, not the growing conditions plants require and the conditions that exist. Rookies will plant sun-loving perennials under an old oak tree or sun-shy hostas in the open. They look great for about a week, and then die.
Try this instead: Observing the spot where you're going to put the plant and estimating the amount of sun it gets over the course of a day during the growing season. To translate that into the language on plant labels, use this key:
Full Sun 6 hours a day or more Part Sun/Part Shade 3 to 5 hours Full Shade Less than 3 hours
Mistake #6: Over-watering
An automatic irrigation system (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/water-saving-irrigation-strategies/) is a luxury that keeps your landscape hydrated throughout the growing season with almost no effort. Unfortunately, auto-watering can bring disease, root rot, and a premature death to plants; it also wastes water.
Many gardeners set watering timers for 15 to 20 minutes each morning, which wets the surface but doesn't soak deeply to nourish roots of large trees and shrubs.
Try this instead: Water for 40 to 60 minutes only two to three times a week. Check with the company that maintains your irrigation system for local recommendations. A deeper soak also helps lawns develop deeper root systems.
Mistake #7: Budget blunders
Your landscaping can fall victim to construction bulldozers that park on lawns and dig too closely to trees and shrubs. New construction also demands rethinking your landscape plan (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/develop-a-landscape-plan-to-fit-your-budget/) to accommodate additions.
Unfortunately, many home owners don't include landscaping in their construction budget. They end up with a beautiful new family room (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/top-features-family-room-addition/), screened porch, or solarium, and a few lonely azaleas planted around the foundation as an afterthought.
Try this instead: Allocate 10% to 20% of your construction budget to the landscape-both hardscaping and plants. If your construction spreadsheet can't stand another line item, make a plan to landscape--in stages, if necessary--as soon as possible after construction is completed.
Oliver Marks is a former carpenter and newspaper reporter who has been writing about home improvements for 16 years.
Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.
By: Oliver Marks
Published: February 10, 2011
Even veteran gardeners make rookie mistakes, like giving plants too much water and too little space. Here are common garden blunders. Consider yourself warned.
Gardening (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/10-tips-for-saving-water-garden/) is not rocket science: if you can dig a hole, turn on a spigot, and snip a dead flower off a vine, you can tend a garden.
Still, gardeners have to make some judgment calls. How much water does this shrub need? Will this tree get enough sun? Is this hole deep enough?
It's easy to misjudge and make a mess out of your landscaping. Here are seven common garden blunders, and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Too many changes, too soon
The excitement of buying a new home, plus a stretch of warm spring weather, often creates a passion for yard work. But don't just do something, stand there! What looks like a spring weed might be a fall-blooming vine; that bare spot in March might reveal tulips in April.
Try this instead: Live with your land for a year. Observe how many hours of sunlight each part of your garden gets. Test the pH of your soil to determine if acid-loving or alkaline-loving plants will be happy in that particular patch of heaven. Observe when your lawn (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/lawn-maintenance-calendar/) greens up in spring and becomes dormant in late summer.
The money and time you save by watching and waiting will be your own.
Mistake #2: Too much togetherness
Trees (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/plant-trees-save-energy-grow-value/) and shrubs that look properly spaced when you plant them will crowd each other and compete for water, sun, and nutrients in a few years. If you're lucky, you can transplant some bushes; if you're not, you'll have to throw away starved shrubs.
Try this instead: Before digging, read spacing instructions. Give trees plenty of space--you can always fill in later. Stagger bushes and plants and create two rows, which will create more breathing room. The results will look absurdly sparse at first. But live with it. In a few years, your shrubs will fill empty spaces without suffocating each other.
Mistake #3: Planting without a plan
Planting new garden beds without a long-term landscape plan is like pouring a house foundation without blueprints. Your haste results in a waste of time, money, and muscles.
Try this instead: Draw a simple sketch of your yard--what's there now and what you might add later, such as patios (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/evaluate-your-yard-patio/), outbuildings, and pools (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/what_to_consider_before_building_pool/). Bone up on the trees and shrubs that grow best in your soil and climate. Go online and click around landscaping sites that help you pick plants and design beds.
Visit your local nursery or home improvement center where design staff can answer questions and make suggestions. Or hire a professional landscape designer to create a starter plan for as little as $250 to $500. Find a professional at the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (http://www.apld.org/) or the American Society of Landscape Architects. (http://www.asla.org/)
Mistake #4: Neglecting the root of it all
Even the hardiest plants need a little help putting down roots in new locations. Sprinkling the foliage doesn't nourish the roots, the plant's nerve center. You must deliver water (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/10-tips-for-saving-water-garden/) to the root ball below the ground, or your plants will be stunted and short-lived.
Try this instead: Place the hose at the base of new bushes, trees, and plants and let the water trickle out for 20 to 30 minutes, twice a week (more during hot spells), for 4 to 12 weeks. Or snake a soaker hose ($20 for 50 feet) through your beds, which will deliver slow and steady water to roots.
Mistake #5: Forgetting the sun
Too many gardeners pick plants based only on looks, not the growing conditions plants require and the conditions that exist. Rookies will plant sun-loving perennials under an old oak tree or sun-shy hostas in the open. They look great for about a week, and then die.
Try this instead: Observing the spot where you're going to put the plant and estimating the amount of sun it gets over the course of a day during the growing season. To translate that into the language on plant labels, use this key:
Full Sun 6 hours a day or more Part Sun/Part Shade 3 to 5 hours Full Shade Less than 3 hours
Mistake #6: Over-watering
An automatic irrigation system (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/water-saving-irrigation-strategies/) is a luxury that keeps your landscape hydrated throughout the growing season with almost no effort. Unfortunately, auto-watering can bring disease, root rot, and a premature death to plants; it also wastes water.
Many gardeners set watering timers for 15 to 20 minutes each morning, which wets the surface but doesn't soak deeply to nourish roots of large trees and shrubs.
Try this instead: Water for 40 to 60 minutes only two to three times a week. Check with the company that maintains your irrigation system for local recommendations. A deeper soak also helps lawns develop deeper root systems.
Mistake #7: Budget blunders
Your landscaping can fall victim to construction bulldozers that park on lawns and dig too closely to trees and shrubs. New construction also demands rethinking your landscape plan (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/develop-a-landscape-plan-to-fit-your-budget/) to accommodate additions.
Unfortunately, many home owners don't include landscaping in their construction budget. They end up with a beautiful new family room (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/top-features-family-room-addition/), screened porch, or solarium, and a few lonely azaleas planted around the foundation as an afterthought.
Try this instead: Allocate 10% to 20% of your construction budget to the landscape-both hardscaping and plants. If your construction spreadsheet can't stand another line item, make a plan to landscape--in stages, if necessary--as soon as possible after construction is completed.
Oliver Marks is a former carpenter and newspaper reporter who has been writing about home improvements for 16 years.
Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.
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