Landscaping | Home Grown

What to Know When You Start to Build

When to start to add an addition onto your home or put a building on your property, you have to be prepared ahead of time. There are several things you need to do before you even get started.

The first step is to secure the necessary permits to do the work. Depending upon the size of the project, you may be required to have a building permit from your county or city before you start. Check with your local city hall regarding the regulations for home additions and what forms you need to turn in. You may also be required to have a building inspector come out and inspect your work. This ensures that things have been constructed in a safe manner, meet regulations and has no flaws.

You may want to consider hiring a contractor to do all or part of the job. They can handle getting the right permits and have the training and knowledge to do right the first time. Even if you do some of the work yourself, this can be a smart option to consider. You want to also know what materials you will be using, what tools you need and the time you have to complete the work. This careful planning can help you avoid obstacles that may arise during the construction.

Another important consideration is the budget that you will have to fund the project with. Things can easily get over budget if you are not careful what you are spending. This is why planning beforehand is so important.

Filed Under: Home Improvement, Landscaping, Technique Tagged With: Building inspection, Business, Construction permit

Floating Plants for Your Backyard Pond: Azolla

If you are looking for plants that would make excellent additions to your water garden, then you are going to want to consider the following floating plant. Floating plants do not have to be rooted in the ground, they simply float atop your pond water instead. The Azolla is a type of floating plant that is going to combine form with function, because not only is it a visually appealing plant that will float gracefully at the top of your pond, but it is also a functional plant that is going to improve the water chemistry of your pond while providing a food source and a source of shelter for the fish that you keep in your water garden.

Azolla

If you are looking for a floating backyard pond plant that is going to serve more than a single purpose, then the Azolla is a plant that is well worth considering. Not only is this floating plant going to provide shelter for the fish that are living in your backyard pond, but this particular floating plant is also going to be able to provide certain species of fish with an additional food source. It is also important for you to consider that these floating plants can help to keep your backyard pond or water feature water clean and pure. This means that this particular plant really is an excellent choice for your backyard pond, water garden or water feature, especially if you have other plants or fish living in your pond that you want to provide the healthiest water possible for. The Azolla plant looks a lot like a fern, but instead of being rooted in the ground, it floats just gently right on top of the pond water.

Filed Under: Gardening, Landscaping Tagged With: Pond, Water, Water garden

Build a Tiny Water Garden

: Image via Wikipedia

If you are like many people and love water gardens but live in a small apartment, there is still hope. Water gardens can be any size and usually work well when housed in a small container. Thankfully, you can still enjoy the pleasure of a water garden that fits inside Chicago apartments or outside on porches.

Decide what type of container you want to use. You want to make sure your container will hold water. If it has holes in it, make sure you plug those holes up so that no water can escape.
Choose what type of plants you want to include. Make sure you have a nice array of colors and compositions. Make sure you choose plants that are vibrant in shape, size and color. Having a water garden is a thing of beauty and it all depends on what type of plants you put into it.
Pick the number of plants you will put into your water garden. Make sure you don’t cram too many plants into your water garden. This will make your design look too busy. One rule is to keep it simple. Choose two or three plants to put into your container.
Place your water garden in an appropriate spot. If indoors, make sure it gets a lot of light as well as fresh air. While you won’t need to change the water in your container, you should add fresh water to it as needed.

If you take care of your water garden, your plants will soon start to grow and thrive. You can also rearrange them and add or remove plants in order to give it a fresh new look. One thing is for sure—your water garden will definitely be a conversation piece to those that come over to visit.

Filed Under: Gardening, Landscaping

Scales: deadly pests

ContentScales are insects that look and feel like sap. They leave a sticky substance on plants that is both annoying and unattractive. In addition to leaving their mark on plants, scales are known to attach to plants and suck the life out of them. One needs to know the essential information pertaining to scales in order to keep such undesirable pests away from their healthy plants and gardens.

When a scale invades the plant its primary purpose is to feed off of it. In order to do so, a scale must find a comfortable place on the plant and attach itself to it. After becoming attached to the plant, the scale begins to suck honeycomb out it until the plant eventually dies.

Since a scale is brown and carries the shape of a bump, it can easily be overlooked by gardeners and amateurs alike. When surveying the health of the plant, an individual may not pay much attention to the bump on the stem or leaf because of its exposure to the elements outdoors and indoors. The average person may view a scale as the plant’s reaction to climate change, or a normal step in the growing process. If left untreated, a scale can ruin an entire garden or crop!

In order to avoid such deadly outcomes, planters should be on guard for anything that is sticky on the surface with a hard shell underneath. If the substance is brown, then that is a scale. Also, gardeners should inspect indoor and outdoor plants often. Although scales are immobile once they find a comfortable place, females have babies that are in constant search for healthy plants. If scales are discovered, the first step is to manually remove them using a cotton ball dipped in isopropyl alcohol. A plant that is infested with scales should be isolated.

Filed Under: Landscaping, Technique Tagged With: Compost, Garden, Insect, Isopropyl alcohol, Pest (organism), Pesticide, Plant, Scale insect

Unwind with an Aquatic Garden Pool

: Image via Wikipedia

Take a Break in your own Water Garden

You know you need a vacation, and the stress of work is making your muscles so tight, something is going to snap. Not everyone can afford to just take off from their job, but you could create a place that makes you feel as if you’ve gone on a holiday. You need a quiet–soothing place right outside your home–where you can unwind and enjoy some peace and tranquility. You won’t need a green thumb or lots of time for gardening if you put in a water garden. Imagine a trickling stream from a waterfall right in your yard. Now picture the hummingbirds, butterflies and birds that will grace the fragrant blooms and pond.

Garden and Statuary Supplies

If you’re ready to get started, make your first stop to the do-it-yourself home center down the street. You’ll have lots of choices of statuary, ponds and waterfalls to fit anyone’s budget. Creating this oasis will take a little planning on your part as you pick a sunny location without trees that would drop leaves into your pond. Remember to find somewhere you’ll be able to see the water from your terrace, patio or windows of your home. You’ll want to capture every moment of the calming spirit of running water as you gaze out across the yard.

Be the Envy of your Friends

Choose a bog plant like King Tut to reach deep in your pond and anchor your floating flowers on top. A beautiful selection of waterlilies and lotus blooms will be both fragrant and pleasing to the eye. Now you’ll be the envy of your friends and neighbors who’ll tell you they must have their own garden pool of flowers and a moving fountain of water. Tell them to start at their local home center where they’ll find a selection to create their own water garden.

Filed Under: DIY, Gardening, Landscaping Tagged With: Flower, Water garden, Waterfall

History of Egyptian Water Gardens

: Image via Wikipedia

A long History of Garden Pools

Water garden flowers or aquatic plants date back thousands of years to ancient Egypt, India, Persia and China. Looking past the blooms natural beauty and fragrance, plants like the waterlily and the lotus were used during religious ceremonies, medicinal purposes and added to folklore. Water plants still remain in present-day horticulture in the world today, as they are cultivated and admired all over the world.

Waterlilies and Lotus Flowers

It was the ancient Egyptians who discovered the many benefits of the lotus as a food source. The sun-dried roots were mashed into flour and baked in bread. Lotus petals were found in the tomb of Ramses II, which may suggest what an important part of the Egyptians life, the plant had been 5,000 years ago. From hieroglyphics, historians say the lotus flower would unfold the sun god, Ra, in their legend of creation. Egyptian art shows the white lotus (Nymphaea) and the blue lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) throughout the centuries of their history. On Pharaoh Tutankhamen’s body, blue lotus petals were found during the excavation in 1922. During his time, the blue lotus was considered a health tonic with hallucinatory effects.

Hummingbirds and Butterflies

No wonder people today regard water gardens as a restful, beautiful oasis to be shared with loved ones in their own backyards. If you’re planning on creating a waterfall, fountain, pond or stream, start at your local do-it-yourself home center. You’ll find aisles of statuary fountains, helpful experts and friendly advice for installation. In no time at all, you’ll be sitting on your terrace or patio, admiring the hummingbirds, butterflies and birds that grace your new water garden. Relax, you’ve chosen floating and bog plants for your pond for their beauty, no need for any real gardening. So enjoy and be the envy of your friends and neighbors.

A long History of Garden Pools
Water garden flowers or aquatic plants date back thousands of years to ancient Egypt, India, Persia and China. Looking past the blooms natural beauty and fragrance, plants like the waterlily and the lotus were used during religious ceremonies, medicinal purposes and added to folklore. Water plants still remain in present-day horticulture in the world today, as they are cultivated and admired all over the world.
Waterlilies and Lotus Flowers
It was the ancient Egyptians who discovered the many benefits of the lotus as a food source. The sun-dried roots were mashed into flour and baked in bread. Lotus petals were found in the tomb of Ramses II, which may suggest what an important part of the Egyptians life, the plant had been 5,000 years ago. From hieroglyphics, historians say the lotus flower would unfold the sun god, Ra, in their legend of creation. Egyptian art shows the white lotus (Nymphaea) and the blue lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) throughout the centuries of their history. On Pharaoh Tutankhamen’s body, blue lotus petals were found during the excavation in 1922. During his time, the blue lotus was considered a health tonic with hallucinatory effects.
Hummingbirds and Butterflies
No wonder people today regard water gardens as a restful, beautiful oasis to be shared with loved ones in their own backyards. If you’re planning on creating a waterfall, fountain, pond or stream, start at your local do-it-yourself home center. You’ll find aisles of statuary fountains, helpful experts and friendly advice for installation. In no time at all, you’ll be sitting on your terrace or patio, admiring the hummingbirds, butterflies and birds that grace your new water garden. Relax, you’ve chosen floating and bog plants for your pond for their beauty, no need for any real gardening. So enjoy and be the envy of your friends and neighbors.

Filed Under: Gardening, History, Landscaping Tagged With: Ancient Egypt, Garden, Water garden

Choose a Water Garden

: Image by brewbooks via Flickr

Tropical or Rain Garden?

Now that you’ve decided to install a water garden into your outdoor living space, it’s time to choose what type of plants you desire. There are a variety of gardens that all require anywhere from light gardening to time consuming gardening. From King Tut bog plants that grow deep roots in your pond to stabilize the floating flowers above, to the waterlilies and lotus blooms that gently glide on top of the water. A rain garden requires a great deal of water, as does a tropical garden, so consider your regions abundance of water before making your choice.

Have a Plan and get Help

A good plan is to visit your local do-it-yourself home center where knowledgeable help and a range of fountains, ponds and waterfalls will be found. Consider the size of the space available and make sure to pick a bright, sunny spot with no trees that will drop their leaves into the pond. Once you install the components, you’re ready to set your plants into the water and surrounding soil. Colorful blooms will entice hummingbirds, butterflies and birds to your sanctuary, so try a variety around the pond. When you’re ready, turn on the water to gently flow and trickle across the stones of your waterfall. Now breathe in the sweet fragrance.

Enjoy the Butterflies and Fragrance

Now’s the time to invite friends, family and neighbors over–you’ll never tire of their excitement and desire to have an oasis of their own. Just send them to the home center to chose their own waterfall, pond and lovely flowers. You may consider adding ornamental fish or other water creatures, but check with your new friends at the home center for a filter and water conditions first. You’ve done such a good job, who needs a vacation–just step outside and experience the wonder of nature.

Tropical or Rain Garden?
Now that you’ve decided to install a water garden into your outdoor living space, it’s time to choose what type of plants you desire. There are a variety of gardens that all require anywhere from light gardening to time consuming gardening. From King Tut bog plants that grow deep roots in your pond to stabilize the floating flowers above, to the waterlilies and lotus blooms that gently glide on top of the water. A rain garden requires a great deal of water, as does a tropical garden, so consider your regions abundance of water before making your choice.
Have a Plan and get Help
A good plan is to visit your local do-it-yourself home center where knowledgeable help and a range of fountains, ponds and waterfalls will be found. Consider the size of the space available and make sure to pick a bright, sunny spot with no trees that will drop their leaves into the pond. Once you install the components, you’re ready to set your plants into the water and surrounding soil. Colorful blooms will entice hummingbirds, butterflies and birds to your sanctuary, so try a variety around the pond. When you’re ready, turn on the water to gently flow and trickle across the stones of your waterfall. Now breathe in the sweet fragrance.
Enjoy the Butterflies and Fragrance
Now’s the time to invite friends, family and neighbors over–you’ll never tire of their excitement and desire to have an oasis of their own. Just send them to the home center to chose their own waterfall, pond and lovely flowers. You may consider adding ornamental fish or other water creatures, but check with your new friends at the home center for a filter and water conditions first. You’ve done such a good job, who needs a vacation–just step outside and experience the wonder of nature.

Filed Under: DIY, Environment, Gardening, Landscaping Tagged With: Home, Pond, Water garden

Water Garden Tips

Pond owners can enjoy and environment full of relaxation with the help of a water garden. These gardens open many areas of beauty for a new gardener who has never delved into this activity before. Most garden owners become completely obsessed with their water garden because of the unlimited beauty it brings. The following are some tips when collecting your garden:

Consider the early morning sun when gathering your garden. It is also important to note that, at the beginning stages, too much sun exposure will result in green water difficulty.

Look for ways to prevent external particles from falling into the pond such as dust particles, streams of chemical and leaves. When these elements get into the pond they will contaminate, rot and expose the fish to illnesses.

Remember not to stock the pond right away. The water should be allowed to rest for up to seven days especially if the pond is filled from with tap water. This will help allow the chlorine to settle down.

Try not to begin with stocking the pond/pool with fish. The pond should first be stocked with submerged oxygenated plants. This will allow the plants roots to become completed dunked. When the fish are stocked in the pond first, the fish will allow the plants to expand which may, as a result, cause problems. However, beginning with the plants will limit the amount of algae production. Additionally, the plants will serve to provide adequate amounts of shade for the water because the daylight that reaches the water will be hid, thus thwarting the green water effect.

Getting involved with a water garden may not only be therapeutic but can be fun for the entire family so through on your jeans and roll up the sleeve of your outfits from True Religion and start having fun.

Filed Under: DIY, Gardening, Landscaping, Technique Tagged With: Pond, Water, Water garden

Water Garden Plant Care

: Image by (Bill and Mavis) – B&M Photography via Flickr

There are special considerations that you need to make when it comes to caring for your pond and water garden plants. Make sure that the plants are maintained properly from one season to the next. As the foliage on the hardier plants dies back, you should make sure that you are removing dead leaves and dying leaves. Make sure that the plant is planted deep enough in your pond that the roots are not going to freeze when it becomes colder outside. Some shallow water and marginal plants are capable of surviving even when the roots are frozen, it is still best to keep the plants below the ice zone in order for them to thrive.

Make sure that your pond is prepared for the winter months as well. If the pond is too shallow or too small to protect it from the freezing temperature, then keep in mind that there are other options available to you such as floating deicers, which keep the area they sit in from freezing. If the pond is not large and does not contain fish, you could potentially place a solid cover over the top, such as something made from plywood, then use leaves or straw in large bags on top to provide a layer of insulation.

You should consider that some plants do have special needs. For example, some types of plants do not like to be submerged in the cold water during the cold winter months. Japanese iris flowers, for example, should be removed from your pond and planted in the ground during the winter months until the spring thaw, at which point the new growth will begin and you can re-transplant the plant in your pond again. The same is true for Cannas and Cardinal flowers in most cases, so keep this in mind

Filed Under: Gardening, Landscaping, Technique Tagged With: Cannas, Cardinal, Garden, Home, Plant, Pond, Water, Water garden

Water Garden Fish Care

: Image via Wikipedia

It is important that you take good care of your fish when you are keeping a water garden in your backyard. For example, you need to feed your fish appropriately. As water temperature changes, you need to change how you feed your fish according to their metabolism. For example, when the water temperature begins to drop, the fish metabolism is going to slow down. During the summer you need to be able to feed your fish a high protein food, allowing them to build up a distinct fat reserve that will help them survive through the winter.

After the water temperature begins to drop, you are going to want to decrease how much food you are giving them, and you should go from feeding them several times daily to only feeding them one time per day. You might want to use an easily digestable food with a wheat germ base. Spring and autumn food from Pond Care of the Microbe Lift Cold Weather are two formulas that will work well for this purpose.

When the temperature drops again, you should go to only feeding between twice and three times in a single week. Your fish will be taking longer and longer to digest their food and so they need much less at this point in time. When the temperature hits below 50 degrees, your fish should stop eating at all for as long as the temperature is remaining at 50 degrees or below. Keep in mind that you need to keep the pond very clean when the temperature drops, because frozen pond will trap debris, and debris can release toxins that can cause harm to your fish if left unchecked.

Make sure that you are caring for your fish properly throughout the year in order for your water garden to thrive.

Filed Under: Environment, Gardening, Landscaping, Technique Tagged With: Fahrenheit, Fish, Food, Garden, Home, Temperature, Water, Water garden