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Will Watering at Noon Burn my Plants?

May 17, 2013 by ecologicallawncare

watering flowersFrom: SprinklerJuice.com

You’ve always been told that you should never water your lawn or garden during the day because it could burn leaves, stems, and blades of grass. Not true. This myth is one of the biggest gardening lies circling the gardening community to date. We assure you that any burn marks you see on plants or blades of grass were not made by watering at high noon, but more likely the result of fungal or bacterial diseases. Now, before you start switching up your watering habits, keep in mind that watering in the evening, at night, or early morning is still great practice. Here is why.

 

Evaporation – Your biggest concern, when it comes to watering in the afternoon, should be evaporation. The hotter and sunnier it is, the more water will evaporate and less water will make it to the root zone. On hot summer day, water can easily evaporate from the air before it lands on plants, and from there, it can continue to evaporate off of the leaves, steams, and flowers. Evaporation is costly, and you’ll find that you’ll have to run your sprinkler system twice as long just to keep your plants hydrated. Watering in the afternoon is taxing on the environment and costly to your bank account.

 

Fungal Diseases – Some of the most common plant diseases thrive in wet, warm conditions. By watering during the day, you’re making your plants a prime target for these diseases. At night, or in the early morning, when temperatures are cooler, and plant leaves and stems dry quicker, you’ll be able to keep the risk of fungal diseases to a minimum. If your garden is currently hurting form fungal diseases, try watering at night when the air is dryer and cooler.

 

If you’ve been watering your plants in the evening, or early in the morning, to avoid plant burns, keep doing what you’re doing. Although watering in the afternoon won’t physically burn your plants, watering during the cooler times of day is better for your garden, the environment, and your wallet. Just remember, if your plants are thirsty, don’t be afraid to give them a drink, even if it’s in the middle of the afternoon!

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10 Ways to Keep Weeds from Growing in your Garden

April 29, 2013 by ecologicallawncare

From Housekeeping.org

dandelionCultivating and maintaining a garden, whether ornamental or edible, can be a relaxing and rewarding hobby. Watching plants that you’ve nurtured and carefully chosen begin to thrive in your garden is a joy, but there are some unwelcome guests that are eager to crash your garden party. Weeds are persistent and difficult to get rid of, and can spoil the look of an ornamental garden altogether. These 10 tips can help you keep the weeds at bay.

  1. Remove Weeds as They Appear – It’s tempting to put off the chore of weeding until the weekend, but a few days of growth can give those weeds quite a foothold. Remove them as they appear to maintain some semblance of control.
  2. Install Black Plastic Under Topsoil – A layer of black plastic under topsoil that you’ve brought in can prevent weeds in your lawn from growing into flower beds and vegetable gardens. Just be sure that you supply plenty of soil to support healthy root growth of the plants you want.
  3. Apply Mulch – Mulch is a gardener’s best friend. It helps to retain moisture, prevent soil erosion and block weed growth.
  4. Use Intensive Planting Methods – Choosing plants that are tolerant to crowding and planting them close together will make it difficult for weeds to thrive, as there won’t be enough space for their root systems.
  5. Make Cover Crops Work for You – Cover crops like clover and vetch can act as a natural barrier against weeds, preventing their growth altogether.
  6. Install a Drip Irrigation System – While a sprinkler provides much-needed water to everything in your garden, including the weeds, a drip irrigation system will only water the plants that you want to grow. In dry climates, this can be quite effective at preventing weed growth.
  7. Prevent Seeding – A weed that seeds on the other side of your lawn can cause growth in the garden, as many seeds are carried on the wind and can move quite a distance. Be on the lookout for weeds in other parts of your property and remove them.
  8. Compost Carefully – When you compost for fertilizer, the temperature of your compost heap may not be high enough to kill any weed seeds in the mixture. Make sure that you’re not introducing weeds to the compost heap by tossing them in as you pull them out of the ground.
  9. Mind the Gaps – Just as a weed yards away from your garden can cause trouble, so can those pesky ones that grow in the gaps of walkways. Sprinkling a healthy dose of baking soda, salt or even borax can kill those weeds, preventing their proliferation throughout your garden.
  10. Know What You’re Dealing With – A weed is really just a plant that’s growing where you don’t want it to, which encompasses a wide range of plant life. Knowing the specific type of weeds that you’re battling can help you tailor your approach accordingly, so read up on your weeds.

Posted in Gardening Tips, Organic Lawn Care, Seasonal | Leave a Comment »

How to be an Organized Gardener

April 26, 2013 by ecologicallawncare

A major part of having a successful garden is having an organized garden.
Follow these easy tips to becoming an organized gardener:
The Shed – Where do you keep your gardening tools? This is one of the biggest steps to becoming organized. If you’re tools aren’t all kept in the same area take time now to gather them. A good place to keep gardening tools is in a backyard shed. If you already have one take some time this spring to clean it out and designate shelf space to all of your tools. Wood lattice hung on the back of the shed door makes a great surface for hanging trowels, spades, gloves and other small gardening items you use often.
Label Happy – One thing that will save your life is labels… learn to love them. Labels can be used, and should be used, everywhere. You can use them in the garden itself to label seedlings, you can use them in the shed to label buckets of tools, and you can also use them to label extra bags of seeds. Labeling will help you stay organized and could also help you save money. If you know where everything is, and what everything is, you won’t waste money buying seeds and tools you already have.
Game Plan – In order to be an organized gardener you must not only organize your tools, you must also organize yourself. A growing garden requires tender loving care and plenty of regular maintenance. If you’re a disorganized person then the best thing you can do for your garden is make a game plan. Sit down and craft a gardening schedule and stick to it! What days can you get out there and pull weeds and on what days will you have to rely on the automatic sprinkler system? If you construct a gardening plan you’ll be less likely to forget about pruning, watering, weeding and transplanting.
Source:
Phil Goold is a retired landscaper of 30 years. He loves being outside more than anything else, except maybe pie. He enjoys connecting with other landscapers and gardeners because everyone brings something new and fun to the table. Connect with Phil on Twitter and Google+.

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Conserve Water with Rain Sensors

April 19, 2013 by ecologicallawncare

Let us introduce you to the rain sensor. Rains sensors were made to perfect the automatic sprinkler system and will alert the system not to turn on when there is moisture in the air. There are a few reasons why it is harmful to water your garden during or shortly after it rains. First, it causes the ground to become over saturated, when this happens runoff carries essential nutrients out of the soil. This is harmful for your plants. Second, it’s just plain wasteful, economically and financially. What will the neighbors think?
Long Term Investment – The best part about rain sensors is that most of them double as freeze sensors. This is important because most people leave their sprinkler systems on all the way until through the fall. When the temperature first begins to dip at night, most of the plants will survive, however; the problem arises when the sprinkler system kicks on and cold water freezes onto the leaves and stems. This blast of cold water can seriously damage and even kill a garden. A rain and freeze sensor will shut off an automatic sprinkler system if the temperature drops to low, effectively prolonging the life of your garden.
Sources:

Posted in Earth-Friendly, Gardening Tips | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

Springtime Dos & Don’ts

April 12, 2013 by ecologicallawncare

Photo caption: Housekeeping.org

Photo caption: Housekeeping.org

Spring is here, the sun is shining and many of you are heading out to get those gardens in tip top shape. Wait, before you go, take a look at these springtime gardening do’s and don’ts.

Do Plant Seedlings – Toss down some grass seedlings as early as you can. Some gardeners hesitate to do this because they’re afraid a late season frost will kill the seeds. This isn’t true. Cool temperatures actually make watering easy and grass seeds will still germinate if temperatures dip a little lower than expected. If a frost does roll in, not  to worry, seedlings will wait to germinate until temperatures rise and they won’t be affected by the cold while their waiting.
Don’t Over Mulch – Mulch is great for locking in moisture and keeping weed growth to a minimum, still you should know that over mulching can be a serious problem. Make sure to keep the mulch layer under two inches and never, ever, allow mulch to come in contact with the stem of your plants. When mulch builds up against a plant it can cause serious health problems. Mulch can lock in excess moisture near the root zone and harm stem tissue. Plus, over mulching can promote insects and diseases to wreak havoc on your plants.
Do Water Soil – As soon as you finish transplanting a potted plant make sure to water the soil thoroughly. Doing so encourages the disturbed soil to settle and helps remove any air bubbles that were created as a result of digging. Make sure to let the soil dry out completely before watering again, you don’t want to drown your plants.
Don’t Plant Sensitive Annuals to Early – Wait to plant sensitive annuals until you’re sure they won’t be wiped out by a late frost. In the meantime, go ahead and plant cool season annuals during the spring. Cool season annuals fare much better in lower temperatures and have a better chance of surviving a frost than warm season annuals do.

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12 Tips for Keeping the Backyard Safe this Spring

April 10, 2013 by ecologicallawncare

 

swing

  1. Kid-Proof Your Swing Set – As soon as the weather allows, your little ones will make a beeline for that swing set in the backyard. Before you let them go to town, make sure that it’s in good shape and is safe for them to play on by giving it a thorough inspection. Any protruding bolts or nails should be repaired, the ground should be covered with a shock-absorbing material and any rusty equipment needs to be replaced.
  2. Put a Locked Cover on Your Spa – Hot tubs are a wonderful way to relax, but they can be very dangerous for small children. To make sure that a curious youngster isn’t able to gain access to your spa, invest in a locking cover that you keep in place at all times the spa isn’t being used.
  3. Consider Ditching the Trampoline – The American Academy of Pediatrics’ position on trampolines is very clear: don’t let kids near them. There are things you can do to make a trampoline marginally safer, but nothing will take away from the fact that the contraptions are inherently dangerous.
  4. Fence in Your Pool – If the backyard houses a swimming pool, springing for a fence that’s at least five feet tall and impossible to climb is a smart move. Even if you don’t have children of your own, swimming pools can be irresistibly alluring to little ones that could meet a tragic fate if they tumble into the pool and there’s no one around to rescue them.
  5. Invest in Rescue Equipment – Just as you’ll want to make sure that your swimming pool has a kid-proof fence around it, you’ll also want to invest in a few life preservers and other emergency equipment to ensure that you’re always prepared should the unthinkable happen.
  6. Double-Check the Placement of Your Grill – When your grill isn’t being used during the winter months, it’s not uncommon for it to be moved or shifted to the side a bit. Before you fire it up for the first celebratory barbecue of the season, though, you’ll want to make sure that it’s clear of any low-hanging branches or structures that could go up in flames if the grill gets out of control.
  7. Look for Poisonous Plants – There are a variety of attractive and hardy plants that present a deadly risk to kids and pets, so you’ll need to brush up on the plant life your landscaping design is harboring. Make sure that none of them are poisonous and that any questionable specimens are removed.
  8. Clear Away Debris – Winter winds, storms and snow can create a pile of debris on your lawn, and each piece can present a tripping hazard for kids and adults alike. Before letting the kids and pets loose for a jaunt in the sunshine, give the property a good once-over that includes the clearing away of last season’s debris.
  9. Eliminate Standing Water – Mosquitoes can breed in shockingly small pools of stagnant water and can carry a variety of diseases that cause very real health complications. Make sure that birdbaths and other standing-water features are changed regularly, and that stagnant water sources are eliminated as mosquito breeding grounds.
  10. Inspect Your Deck – Your deck will need a coat of water sealant and protectant on a regular basis, but the harsh elements of winter can still damage even a treated deck. Make sure that there are no splinters, cracks or protruding nails that can injure bare feet before the shoeless season begins.
  11. Scout for Infestations – Wasps’ and bees’ nests are no laughing matter. Make sure that you eliminate any sources of potential infestation, especially if a member of the family suffers from insect sting allergies.
  12. Put Away the Power Tools – It’s easy to leave a piece of equipment lying out when you’re taking a short break from spring repairs and cleaning, but those power tools can be more dangerous than the hazards you’re using them to repair. Make sure that you never leave tools unattended, especially if there are children on the property

From: NannyBackgroungCheck.com 

Posted in Seasonal | Leave a Comment »

5 Benefits of an Irrigation System

March 25, 2013 by ecologicallawncare

From: GreenerGreenGrass.com - Greener Green Grass provides a variety of lawn care products that are completely safe for humans, pets, and the environment. 

Lawn Sprinkler Spraying Water in BackyardToday’s homeowners want more efficient and effective watering solutions, and they’re increasingly discovering the benefits of professionally installed irrigation systems.

Whether your goal is a greener lawn or a healthier garden (or both), an irrigation system can help you achieve it. Here’s a look at the top five advantages of choosing the right irrigation method for your needs:

1. Save on your water bill.

A proper irrigation system installation is carefully designed to meet the needs of your landscape by delivering water right where it’s needed most. With a programmable controller, you can make sure your landscape receives the proper amount of moisture – and not a drop more. As water costs continue to rise, every drop saved translates into cash that stays in your bank account when the water bill arrives. Many homeowners will see water savings of up to 30 percent when they install a properly designed system using the latest technology.

2. Save time on landscape maintenance.

Modern irrigation systems are easily controlled with set-it-and-forget-it timers so you don’t even have to step outside to water your landscape. Just program the timer so the system waters your lawn and garden at the optimal time of day (or night). Not only can you skip out on the hassle of watering, but you’ll end up with healthier plants that require less attention in the long run.

3. Enjoy a greener landscape.

And we’re not just talking about the color. Up to 70 percent of a household’s water consumption goes to outdoor use. Fortunately, today’s professional irrigation systems are finely tuned to conserve water, resulting in a more eco-friendly yard. For example, by choosing a system with built-in soil moisture sensors, a rain shutoff device and a weather sensor, you can program your system to take into account local weather and moisture factors and adjust accordingly. That way, you know your lawn will be watered only when truly necessary.

4. Improve plant growth.

Both over-watering and under-watering can prove harmful to your plants. By choosing the right irrigation system for your needs, you can control the amount of water each area of your landscape receives. For example, using a drip irrigation system in your garden will help plants develop deeper, healthier root systems.

5. Spend less time weeding.

The precision of a properly installed irrigation system allows you to water only the areas of your landscape that need hydrating – without accidentally nourishing thirsty weeds in the process. Consequently, you’ll spend less time pulling weeds from obscure places, such as the concrete seams in a driveway.

For help choosing and customizing the right irrigation system for your needs, consult a landscaping or irrigation specialist. Then sit back and enjoy the benefits of a lush, healthy landscape without all of the work.

 

Source:

Article provided by Landscape East & West, an award winning full-service landscaping and irrigation systems installation and repair company based in Portland, OR.

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