If you live in the midst of the crowded city and have a little roof or balcony area, you have a perfect place to design and build a garden where most never get to grow. Designing landscaping ideas for places like these generally has to address the obstacles of constant severe winds and scorching heat from direct sun. However, with the right planning and planting ideas, you can make a screen to block out a lot of the wind and create a little shade to give protection from the piercing rays of the sun.
The first thing you need to do when you plan a garden like this is to study how the building is built. Pay attention to what materials the roof is made of. Or if it's a balcony, how it is put together. A balcony can be quite a small area - if it is to be loaded with containers (which, with their contents, can be very heavy) it must be able to support the weight. To prevent leaks, small gardens that are placed on roofs should be completely water proof as well as have proper drainage. Safe access to the roof is necessary if it is going to be easy to get to and enjoyed.
Around your roof or balcony garden there is always the possibility of poles or wires. With the right plant placement, these can be masked or hidden. Taller plants in larger containers can also create a screen to block out neighboring views while smaller containers filled with flowers will add some more visual element. Designing roof top gardens is the same as with any small garden, patio, or courtyard, as you should try to not crowd the small area of space that you are limited to. Be sure to plan for a little seating room where you can sit back and enjoy any views that can be saved framed rather than completely hidden from view.
It's often best practice to use long light weight wood planters rather than a lot of small pots as it will spread the weight of the load out over more area. Remember to add some soil moistening and retaining products to your soil mixture. These types of products will help cut back with maintenance needs as plants in a soil mix with these products in it require less daily water. If the roof is unable to hold much weight, you may also consider watering with hydroponics. And since hydroponically grown plants only need liquid and a light base, the pots and plants don't weigh as much as pots full of soil.
Your roof or balcony garden is also a good place to keep a small wormery or a bokashi system, so your precious plants can benefit while you are disposing of household waste in a way that is both useful and ecologically sound.
March 12th, 2010 | Posted in General Gardening | No Comments
It is amazing how many people can immediately pick up gardening and those that struggle. It really all comes down to knowledge. You cannot just walk out to a spot in the yard, dig a hole and then plant some seeds. Though that is the fundamental practice behind gardening there is much more to it. You have to know the soil conditions, the types of plants that grow best in your area and even when to plant. It can be difficult but with the right gardening tips anyone can actually have a very lush and productive garden. It may be a flower garden or a vegetable garden. The right tips can have you planting in no time. There is no time like the present to get those tips. That way when it comes time to plant you will be ready and have all your tools at hand. This article can help give you some of the basic tips you will need to have a garden envied by everyone.
When should I start my garden?
Most people erroneously think that gardening has to start in late spring or summer. The fact is that most gardeners actually start planning their garden out in the fall. You can wait until planting season but you want to do some preliminary work first. And if you want to start a flower garden then you need to get some gardening tips immediately. Most bulbs such as tulips and irises have to be started in the fall if you want them to bloom by spring. So you first need to think about what kind of garden you want to grow. There are endless possibilities and much of it depends on your location.
What type of gardening tips can I get for growing a flower garden?
One of the best gardening tips you can get for a flower garden is to not buy that expensive paper that is supposed to act as a weed barrier. Lots of people buy it because they do not want to spend the time it takes to weed their flowers. But there is a better way that is much less expensive and makes use of recycling. Take old newspapers and put them down instead! They act as a barrier just as well and will also decompose to help your flowers grow. Another great tip is to actually read the little flower tag that comes with your flowers when you buy them and transplant them from their little seed carriers. That tag will have some very important information regarding when to plant, when to water and most importantly…how much sunlight the flower needs. Most people make the mistake of throwing them away but they are invaluable tools. Another great tip is to get flowers from your friends. Many times they will need to weed out some flowers to make room for the others to grow. Simply ask them for the flowers they would typically throw away. You can transport them in a wet paper towel and then plant them in your own flower garden. That is recycling at its best!
Are there any gardening tips on the types of fertilizer that should be used?
There is lots of gardening tips regarding what type of fertilizer you should use but you first have to know the composition of your soil. If you take the time to have your soil tested before you begin your garden you will know which nutrients it needs. Gardens vary from spot to spot so you have to know exactly what composition of fertilizer to buy in order to meet that particular area and plants' needs. You can buy a soil testing kit online and then have it sent in to be analyzed. The lab will then usually make a recommendation as to what type of fertilizer will work best for your particular needs. You can also make your own fertilizer and compost by visiting an organic gardening website.
What should I do with my garden after it has been harvested?
The crops have all been harvested and the flowers are gone for the year. Now is the time to start preparing your soil for the upcoming winter and for the spring planting season. There are plenty of gardening tips in books and online to help you get started. But did you know that the harvest season may not truly be over for your area? There are some cold weather crops you can plant to help add nutrients back into the soil. You may want to visit your local gardening center or join a gardening chat group online to get some tips for your area. If you live in a tropical climate you may be able to plant again. Just make sure to rotate your crops so that the nutrients in the soil are not drained.
Kenny Leichester is a foremost expert in the interior design industry specializing in the outdoor or patio settings using patio heaters, patio umbrellas, outdoor cushions, patio lighting and so on to create exquisitely beautiful layout. His work on patio umbrellas are widely distributed and is a regular contributor to PatioShoppers.com.
March 8th, 2010 | Posted in General Gardening | No Comments
A Conservatory is metal, glass or uPVC structures usually build in the lawn of the house as an extension of the house to be used as a Sun Room, Dining Room, Music Room or study room. Try to find material suppliers and DIY Conservatories specialist through the internet. Are you looking for some great tips to make DIY Conservatories?Your problem is solved by some tips given here
Measuring your lawn area is necessary to decide the size of conservatory you are going to make. Do the measurement of space correctly such that you can calculate the cost of material required to make a conservatory in that space.
A perfect drawing is needed which will show the area, height, width, length of the conservatory as well as inner partitions if there are any.
Deciding Style - There are several Styles of Conservatories in the market like Georgian and Victorian to choose from.
Look out for Consultants - The consultant will help you get the material and give you installation guidelines.
Find the best professionals - When you are making your conservatory get the best professionals for each task like wiring and plumbing.
Getting Parts - When you are going to buy various parts of a conservatory always ask for parts which will be fine in all weather conditions. The roof, windows, door should be thermally insulating and locks, handles should be of materials like stainless steel which does not rot.
Total Cost - Do an analysis of total cost before starting the project of DIY Conservatory so that you do not fall short of some money at the end moment. Getting Quotations - Getting Quotations is easy nowdays due to the advent of internet and you may find ample of companies on web from where you can get quotations.
Cost Saving, Design of your choice and quick installation make DIY conservatories a ideal choice to increase the space and beauty of your home.
March 8th, 2010 | Posted in General Gardening | No Comments