Gardening Tips And Discussion

Proper maintenance and upkeep not only prolongs the life of our garden tools but will also keep their performance levels at their peak. If we use them and abuse them by neglecting them, or putting them away somewhere without cleaning them thoroughly, they would lose their effectiveness in the long run.

There are simple steps to keep our garden tools in tip-top shape:

1. Garden tools should have proper storage. The greatest benefit for this action is actually to prevent unnecessary accidents caused by tools left lying around. This will also prevent the tools from being exposed to the sun or rain, and likewise will discourage theft. The storage should be designed in such a way that tools are properly organized and off the floor.

2. Garden tools should be properly cleaned and dried before storage. Because most garden tools are exposed to dirt and moisture, this is the first place to start when it comes time for tool maintenance. Cleaning and drying your garden tools will keep them in good working order. Wash the dirt off with the strong spray from your hose. If the dirt is caked on, keep a brush nearby for a good scrubbing. Most importantly, dry your tools thoroughly before putting them away.

3. Prevent Rust. While proper storing, cleaning and drying are important to the condition of your tool, it’s still important to prevent rust. The most effective way to prevent rust is to provide some type of protective coating to the surface. Given the high cost of quality garden tools, it’s important to take this step to ensure many productive hours in the garden.

4. Garden tools should be kept sharp. Sharp tools will result in more productive time in the garden

Proper storage, cleaning and drying, general maintenance and sharpening of the garden tools will keep them in tip top shape for years to come. Even tools that have been neglected can be nursed back into shape.

General Garden Tool Maintenance

• Sand wood-handled tools if they become rough to prevent splinters.
• Apply a light coating of boiled linseed oil to all wood-handles to prevent the wood from drying and cracking.
• Tighten any loose nuts, screws or bolts.
• Apply some type of lubricant to ensure smooth operation of moving parts and to prevent rust from forming.
• Remove rust that has already formed.

Hats - We are all aware of the importance of protecting ourselves from too much sun, garden hats a must for spending hours working in and enjoying in your garden. Improvements in fabrics have offered extra protection in many latest styles. Look for new garden and sun hats with insect repellant bonded to the fabric— for the dual purpose of keeping both the sun and the bugs off! The important features to look for are breathable material, to let moisture escape and a wide enough brim to shade the eyes and face.

Garden Gloves - The goal with gardening gloves is that they protect your hands without compromising dexterity or sense of touch. Gardening gloves should be tough, durable and supple. The appropriate balance between protection and flexibility will depend somewhat on the task in hand. A serious gardener would do well to have more than one pair for different occasions. Leather gloves are good for digging but are not very thorn proof, unless they are lined, or supple. Leather gloves made from cowhide or pigskin are the toughest. Rubber gloves are the best choice if you are dealing with a lot of thorny plants and are also very practical in muddy conditions. Cloth gloves afford less protection but are very light and flexible and are a good choice for medium to light weeding.

Garden Kneelers - Save your knees from an early demise with a garden kneeler. That’s a low, padded bench that keeps you an inch or so off the hard ground and also gives you a rail to push yourself up. Perfect for the gardener who spends 30 minutes a week in their yard or 8 hours a week in their garden. This kneeler reduces strain on lower back and knees. It has soft cushion kneeling pads as well as an adjustable height and padded seat.

Knee Pads - If garden kneeler are not practical for your garden spaces? Get knee pads, your knees will thank you later on.

Garden Apron - Stop running back and forth for tools, seeds, and other little necessities by investing in a good gardening apron. A far cry from the average kitchen apron, this one has pockets and loops galore.

Gardening clothes are equally as important as the suits we wear to our corporate jobs. Not only should we armed ourselves with the proper gardening tools, we should likewise be properly garbed too with clothes and accessories that should make us feel comfortable even under the sun. Let us not forget that gardening is supposed to be a pleasurable experience even for a little tot.

Essential guide to gardening clothes:

1. Shirts – Should be lightweight (like cottons and linens) and comfortable for easy breathing. Although sun blocks or sunscreens are a must, the shirts should be capable of providing adequate protection from the sun.

2. Pants – Because there is a lot of movement like bending, kneeling, stretching, and sitting, the pants should be flexible enough to accommodate these movements. Again the keyword here is, comfort. Go for pants with elastic waistbands and loose, billowy style. Feel free to wear an old pair of jeans or khakis, the more broken in the better. You can also buy gardening pant with reinforced knees that will last longer for extensive kneeling. Also, look for pants with extra loops and pockets for toting around tools and seeds.

3. Gardening Footwear - The right choice of gardening footwear will depend on the climate you live in, the tasks of the day and your gardening habits. If you are doing a lot of digging, you would do well to select footwear with reinforced soles to protect your feet from bruising. If you are doing a lot of cutting, it is worth considering steel toecaps, to be on the safe side. If working with bare soil, it is best if the footwear rises above foot level. Garden Muck boots for the dirty work of cultivating, planting and clean-up chores are a gardener’s must-haves. Even for simpler chores in the wetter seasons, muck boots are great.

When the season gets drier and hotter, easy slip-on garden shoes and clogs are ideal offering some protection and allowing air-flow in the heat. Garden clogs are very convenient if you take your shoes on and off frequently - both closed and open-backed designs are available.

Garden footwear should have shaped insoles. They spread the gardener’s weight over a larger area and reduce fatigue. The tread on plastic soles is effective on soil but rubber soles are preferable because of their better grip on grip on paving and other hard surfaces.

Features to look for when selecting muck boots, garden shoes & garden clogs:

• Lightweight
• Durable, waterproof materials
• Good support for feet and legs
• Traction
• Insulation for cold

Basic Elements of A Garden Design

Gardening should first and foremost be an exercise towards self fulfillment to make it enjoyable. Some gardeners start their gardens without any formal design in mind while some others prefer to have a detailed design and planting plan. For novice gardeners, it is entirely up to you to decide which of the approach you are more comfortable with. If you have the confidence to forge ahead and follow your intuition, then do it! If you feel however that you need to get some professional advice, then get one!

In garden design, there are no exact rules to follow, however it is equally important to note that there are basic elements to consider that when combined together constitute a generally accepted good garden design. One of the most valuable design tools is a site plan, or bird’s-eye view of your yard. Seeing your garden on paper makes it much easier to identify underlying design elements such as patterns, scale, and symmetry. A professional designer will give you a site plan that is precisely drawn to scale, but you can make your own rough sketch.

Here are the basic elements to start with:

Style: A garden like a person should have a distinct personality to it. Begin by thinking about whether you want your garden to have a formal or informal look. Consider your site, the style of your home, and your own personality. Though you don’t have to be too rigorous about striving for a consistent style, you’ll want to avoid a jumble of diverse and unrelated elements.

Flow: Think about how you would like someone to view and move through your garden. Paths are one way to connect some of the various parts to achieve a sense of order and cohesiveness. Focal points, such as a piece of sculpture, a distinctive tree, or a captivating view, can be used to draw the eye and pull us forward into a new space. A garden is more pleasing if there is a logical progression from one area to the next.

Scale: This is about proportions - how the sizes and shapes of things relate to each other. Most scale problems are due to skimpiness, such as beds and paths that are too narrow, or plantings that are too small and tentative. If in doubt, err on the side of boldness and generosity, or better yet consult an experienced gardener or a professional landscape designer (whichever is applicable).

When all of the above requirements are satisfied, then it is time to move on to other underlying and equally important elements needed to make a successful garden design.

Form is what gives the shape and definition of a garden when viewed in its total perspective. Every plant has a distinct growth-habit, a unique mass and volume which develops and changes as the plant matures. Each of the individual and distinct shapes whether columnar, spreading, or round, define the spaces in the garden. As plants grow and mature, and change with the seasons, most often they do affect the basic lines of a garden. Thus it is vital to select the type of plants to use and their planting arrangements because these are the foundation that give the form of the garden, its dynamic spaces and pleasing silhouettes.

Light makes colors and textures come alive. Place trees and shrubs with colored foliage along an east-west line so they can benefit from the backlighting of a rising or setting sun.

Use artificial lighting to produce soft pools of brightness at dusk; you will be amazed at how an ordinary garden can be transformed into a magical night garden with just a few strategically placed lights. Lights can also help people with busy lives get maximum enjoyment from their garden.

In garden design, the element of a line creates a sense of direction as well as a sense of movement. The eye automatically follows a garden line, whether it be the edge of a walkway, the curve of a flower bed, or the outline of plant materials. Gentle, slow curves and horizontal lines tend to be experienced as restful while jagged diagonals or vertical lines create more excitement and tension. Common lines include paths, fences, edgings, or a wall.

Paths lead us through a garden and link one area to another. Paths in themselves are an age-old comfort, showing us the way we are to travel, assuring us of a progression that is safe and intentional. The paving material and the way the paths are laid out can help define the style of the garden. A meandering pathway made of flat stones spaced several inches apart will have an intimate, informal feel; a wide brick path suggests neatness and order; a broad path of closely mown lawn conveys grandeur and expansiveness. Paths also create edges that suggest where new plants or even entire gardens could be located.

Here are sample of enticing pathways:

 

It is very important to get the right basic tools. The right tools make any job easier and gardening is no exception. Gardeners may collect many tools over the years, but they have to start with a few items that a garden can’t absolutely go without. If you are just starting out, there are a few basic tools that will get you started.

The following are recommended for the beginners or novice gardeners:

1. Spading Fork

Before you plant anything, you will need to open and improve the soil. This gardening tool is used for breaking up the firm soil. A spading fork looks like a pitchfork but has a shorter handle and wider tines. It is especially effective in hard soil and could easily turn compacted soil into smooth and even ground.

2. Hoe

A hoe is useful for weeding and cultivating the surface of the soil to allow for penetration of nutrients and water. Apart from the cultivation of the soil, hoes can also be used in weeding and digging since they penetrate easier into the soil.

3. Shovel/Spade

Shovels/Spades are needed for larger digging projects, such as planting shrubs and trees. Garden shovels have round, pointed blades while spades have straight bales set at an angle. They’re absolutely necessary for moving soil, digging holes and planting.

4. Trowels

Most planting will require you get down on your knees with a trowel. Steel blades will last longest. Handle choice is a matter of personal preference. Soft rubber handles are easier on the grip. There are also ergonomic designs that take the stress off of your wrist. A narrow blade is good for digging in solid soil. Wide, rounded blades remove soil faster.

5. Rake

Rakes have short tines on one side attached to a metal frame or bow. They are used for leveling the soil after it has been turned and prior to planting, or for removing large clods of earth or rocks from the soil. A bow rake on its the flat side can be used to smooth soil in preparation for planting. Rakes can also help you get fall’s leaves out of your gardens and also collect all your garden debris. As with trowels, many rakes now come with ergonomic handles that put less stress on your back.

6. Watering Can

The size of a watering can is dependent on the individual using it. Ideally the user should be able to lift it and properly carry it while it is full. A good watering can should have a handle that balances in the hand. Long nozzles allow the water to come out at a very gentle flow rate and are useful for reaching across long distances. Select a watering can that has a detachable spray head - this type of watering can is perfect for watering young seedlings.

8. Water Hose

When it comes to hoses, price is often an indication of quality. Points to compare start with burst strength or how much pressure a hose can handle before it bursts open. 50 pounds per sq. inch is a good strength. The wider the hose, the more water can flow through it. ½ inch is fine, but 5/8 inch is better. Finally there is the material the hose is made from. Rubber will withstand the weather better. Look also for one that claims to be kink resistant, to make your life easier.

Some Helpful Tips:

• Forged tools will cost more, but they are more durable.
• Long handles provide more leverage. Short handles provide ore control, but can be hard on the back.
• Use a steel brush to clean off tools after each use.
• Keep handles from drying by rubbing with linseed oil.
• Sharpen your tools before storing for the winter. Protect with a coat of oil, wax or petroleum jelly
• Check and tighten screws and fasteners often.

Now we can get started, happy gardening!

There is an ever increasing interest in gardens today even among the young and the old. When it comes to learning to garden it is very important to invest on references. Gardening vegetable and fruits can be quite a challenge, but it can also be one of the most rewarding and satisfying things to do. With so many people looking for a way to dedicate their time to something peaceful and rewarding, this is the perfect way to go.

The internet is currently the best source of information for gardening tips. There are countless of websites dedicated to gardening, providing vital information and insights, gathered and shared by people with same interests from all over the world.

It is also important to join forums and message boards. This is a great way to interact with others on gardening aspects and gain some very helpful insights and tips. Gardening can be difficult when you are armed only with a little knowledge, but by interacting with others who have already gained experiences in the area, it is the perfect method to learn! In fact, you can log into a website, sign up for newsletters, blogs, and even post a few messages. It’s a great and fun way to meet new people, too.

Another helpful tool is the usual traditional gardening book. If you enjoy reading, you will find pleasure in the activity. Of course books are everywhere – they are available in public libraries, the local bookstores, and even in the internet. Because they are not bound by the limits of space, books can provide a much more extensive information on a certain topic than the brief summaries provided in the internet sites. But whether one uses websites or books for that matter, they are both good sources of information, guides, and tips.

And last but never the least, it is still noteworthy to join garden clubs and other garden organizations in one’s local area. Nothing beats discussion and sharing notes personally. There is nothing more fundamental that that.

All Gardening Zone is looking for some good writers. You’ll be part of the Gabopia Blog Network, which pays $100 for 30 posts a month, $1.50 per 1k page views, and $1.50 per posts made over 30.

We’re primarily looking for people who have a passion for the subject they’re writing about and who read other blogs and websites on their subject (in this case gardening and lawncare) religiously. If that sounds like you then drop a line to gabopia@gmail.com and give us a brief bio of yourself as well as a few words on why you’d like to write for us!