As the dreary days of winter fade away, decorating for spring is one of the easiest ways to welcome the season. When spring arrives in March, almost everyone is ready – ready for sunshine, flowers and color. One easy way to get into the spring of things is through home decorating. Even if the weather…
Lawn and garden tractor attachments add utility to a machine that is already very functional, but think about needs and capabilities before purchasing. Add utility to a lawn and garden tractor by selecting appropriate attachments to use at home. Everyone may not need a large tractor, but home owners may still need some of the…
Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the major ingredients in garden fertilizers. Many elements including nutrients are present in soil and needed for plant growth. What does “N P K” have to do with gardening? Healthy, robust lawns, gardens and houseplants depend on a number of factors including soil characteristics, location in the U.S., nutrients present…
Gardeners need to be aware of the negative effects of above-average rainfall on plants, and how they can prevent and treat damage to the garden. Most gardens cannot survive without rain, but is it possible to have too much of a good thing? While above-average rainfall can have a positive impact on drought conditions, it…
Sometimes runoff water from impervious surfaces will concentrate and cause erosion problems. Rain gardens harvest this water, filter pollutants, and prevent erosion. Properly designed, rain gardens intercept the natural water flow and slow it down, allowing it to gradually infiltrate into the ground. Rain Gardens are Functional Sustainable gardeners appreciate how rain gardens work to…
Pruning mistakes may result in misshapen and weak ornamental trees. Shearing and topping are two of the most widespread and injurious pruning methods. Shearing and topping are two methods of pruning flowering ornamental trees often used instead of more beneficial methods. Reasons for using shearing and topping may include: Lack of knowledge about tree growth…
Low-maintenance small evergreen shrubs are first-rate selections for DIY landscape foundation plantings. They enrich the looks of shady front yard landscapes. Plant breeders continue to introduce shrubs that save maintenance time, effort, and money. These introductions are smaller than their normal-sized relatives and often labeled as dwarfs. They are relatively disease and pest resistant. Both…
Rain gardens use run-off from roofs, driveways, other impervious surfaces. Rainwater is used by native plants rather than running to the storm sewer or ditch. A rain garden is just that – a garden that utilizes the rain. It can be a personal contribution to cleaner water and an improved environment in a backyard and…
Low impact development (LID) includes means to reduce the effects of increased stormwater runoff due to urbanization. Rain gardens are an important tool for this. The increase in impervious area—buildings, driveways, and streets—results in more stormwater being discharged rather than infiltrating into the ground. Urbanization in all its forms, including dense urban centers, suburban sprawl,…
Rain barrels are a great way for homeowners and gardeners to benefit both the environment and their wallets. Using a ran barrel is simple. Rain barrels are a popular way to collect excess water for use around the house and in the garden. There are many benefits to installing a rain barrel for residential water…
Easy-to-make table decorations for Valentine’s Day can be created by using items from around the house or by purchasing a few low-cost supplies. Simple Valentine’s Day centerpieces can be striking, easy to make and budget-friendly. These no cost and low cost ideas work for a quiet Valentine’s Day dinner at home, a family love feast…
The bathroom faucet is an integral part of any bathroom design. Choosing the right size, faucet valve and finish can ensure the faucet’s long life. Not all bathroom faucets are created equal. In addition to the style of the faucet and type of handle used, the finish, size and faucet valve can have a big…
Express love on Valentine’s Day with passion and sincerity. Here’s a list of classic love poems, poems for lovers, and poems for married couples. Looking for Valentines Day gift ideas? Why not write a poem expressing the depth of passion and love felt in the relationship – or better yet borrow the words of established…
Even when faced with a tight budget, romance needn’t be ignored. Using flowers to deliver the perfect message of how much that wonderful holiday meant or just how wonderful it is going to be is romantic and touchingly sweet. Remember, Valentine’s Day may be the day of love but there’s no reason to confine thoughts…
Although most gardeners are ready for a break as winter approaches, the garden does not have to be lackluster during the winter months. Simple ideas can add interest. Landscaping in a winter garden is a bonus. If the space is “unlevel”, then low stone walls will accommodate creeping plants in the summer months and eye…
A raised bed goes together with lumber and a drill, but the wood, the soil, and the site decide whether it lasts.
Attractive options are available even in gardens in shady conditions. Mosses are easy to grow and are low maintenance. Proper preparation will ensure planting success. Gardeners often consider moss in their lawns as weeds. Rather than scorn their presence, embrace it. Mosses add interest and dimension to a garden and provide texture. Mosses are non-vascular…
This is your one-stop online orchid guide, with brief descriptions and links to a series of farmfoodfamily articles on the basics of orchid cultivation. This collection of Orchid Care Articles will help you easily find all of the basic information you’ll need to begin to successfully grow and bloom orchids. It’s not nearly as difficult…
The amount of light an orchid needs depends on the type of plant, but here are general guidelines that will help optimize the health of your plant and coax it to flower. Light is necessary for all life, but plants have the unique talent of being able to harness sunlight energy and turn it into…
The key to styling a bathroom with modern vintage design is to choose three major pieces in classic shapes. Accessories complete the modern vintage look. Designing a modern vintage bathroom can be approached from two ways. First, the room’s major items (bathtub, toilet, sink) can be chosen to suit a sleek, modern design, and then…
Finding the perfect Christmas present for family and friends can be a challenge. However, picking out just the right gift is simple with a few easy tips. Finding the perfect Christmas gift can be a stressful part of the holiday season, but it doesn’t have to be; coming up with great Christmas present ideas is…
