How To Change The Ph Of Soil And Return Balance To Your Garden
So youve decided you want to restore balance to the pH of your soil. When you are deciding how much lime to apply you are going to need to know what your current pH level is and what the ideal level for the plants you are trying to grow is. From there you can use lime to restore the pH level of your gardens soil. There are a couple of ways to do this. Since most problems in a garden occur when the pH level is too low, you must introduce a base to lower the acidity. The most common and efficient way to do that is by .
. Luckily, you dont have to quarry and chisel the stone yourself. You can find ready-to-disperse limestone at various garden specialty and hardware stores. offers a premier pelletized lime for acidic soil that is ideal for large-scale distribution.
In order to distribute lime throughout your yard, you must use a device called a spreader. This is what you might typically use to distribute fertilizer over your lawn. They come in handheld and wheeled varieties. Handheld devices work well for a small amount of space only. If youre going to cover the entire yard, you definitely want a pushcart.
Generally, using lime for soil pH control works because the lime chemically interacts with water. Wet soil will trigger the lime more quickly than dry soil. Additionally, you may want to till some of your soil if possible in order to ensure even coverage of the lime and its effects.
Find and contact your local Baker Lime dealer for more information on our lime!
Add A Water Feature To The Yard
One of the best ways to impart a sense ofnature and relaxation to your yard is to install some sort of water feature.This could be a fountain or a pond. Again, plan to place the feature near theporch so that when youre sitting in the screened area youll still be able tohear the soothing water sounds.
Digital Soil Ph Pocket Testers
Pros: Pocket size, better accuracy, easy to keep cleanCons: Need to know how to care for;the device
Soil pH pocket testers are digital, portable testing instruments that utilize a pH electrode. The integration of a pH electrode in the durable casing of a tester allows for much greater accuracy than test kits or strips. The pH electrode takes a pH reading ;in your soil or soil slurry and displays it on an LCD screen.Testers have fewer things to;interfere with taking a reading compared to test kits and strips. You no longer have to worry about the dark soil sample interfering with color change, or the subjectivity of color change tests in general. Many testers also have a much higher resolution and accuracy than chemical options, generally between 0.1 and 0.01 pH units.
Hanna Tip:Testing;more than pH? Some testers can;test other things;as well, such as conductivity.
Soil pH testers allow for easy testing out in the field, with simple, single-handed, one- or two-button functions. Some testers have;special features;like;waterproof capabilities or durable bodies which let you test in humid environments;without affecting the readings.
Certain pocket testers also feature a cloth junction, which helps prevent clogging of the electrode. To unclog soil particles from the junction, the cloth can be gently tugged with tweezers to remove debris and uncover fresh cloth in the junction. This gives you more accurate readings and a longer electrode life.
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Get The Upper Hand Against Northern Va Pests
Your home is your sanctuary, and you would not want to have pests living in it. Keep your house and surrounding exterior clean, and try not to leave items in and around your house that will attract insects. Ensure proper maintenance for the foundations, pipes, walls, posts, and furniture pieces. Keep your house in good shape and have an expert exterminators number on hand so your dwelling place can be pest-free.
Hack #1 Perfect Edge Painting
Have you ever taken the time to carefully apply painters tape to trim and other woodwork before painting your wall, only to be frustrated when the tape tears away bits of your freshly painted wall when removed? A box opener tool can be used to remedy this pesky problem.
Before pulling off your painters tape, simply make a neat cut with your box opener tool right at the edge of the tape, where it connects with the wall paint. This small step will help your tape pull off cleanly, leaving the wall paint intact.
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How Skip Hire Can Help With A Garden Revamp
Once winter has passed and the first hint of summer arrives,; it is time to turn your thoughts to the garden and whether a basic tidy up or a full on revamp, you will generate a lot of waste. There is lots to do to keep a garden looking good and well maintained, like cutting the grass, weeding, pruning and generally clearing up dead leaves and twigs and rather than heaping it in a corner, hiring a suitable size skip ensures that your garden waste is responsibly removed. Garden waste is not classed as general domestic waste and therefore cannot be put into bags and left for the dustman and if you are soon to be sorting out your garden, here are a few reasons why skip hire is recommended.
Next time you have some garden waste to dispose of, give your local skip bin hire company a call and let them do take away the hard work!
Types Of Growing Media
Rockwool
Made from basalt rock and chalk, Rockwool is probably the most popular growing medium used by hydroponics gardeners. This porous material can trap large quantities of air and water at the same time.
Perlite and Vermiculite
Perlite is a pebbly volcanic rock that provides excellent drainage and aeration when used as a growing medium. It has a good drainage characteristic which means it does not hold much water and limited ability to trap nutrients. Vermiculite is a mineral that acts like a natural wick and is able to absorb large quantities of water. The combination of Perlite and Vermiculite is a natural for hydroponics system: one holds air and oxygen, the other holds water and nutrients.
Coconut Fibres
Made from the outer husks of coconuts this growing medium is becoming increasingly popular with organic growers. Some hydroponics growers feel coconut fibres are superior to Rockwool in their ability to retain air and water.
Expanded Clay Pellets
This medium is made from baked clay. The pellets are porous and retain both air and water very well. They can be reused as long as they are first sterilized.
Aquarium Gravel
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Sell Each Piece Of Furniture Separately
You should consider selling the furniture if you cannot or are not willing to take them with you to your new home. There could be multiple reasons why you might have to do so. For starters, you may not be able to accommodate the old furniture in your new house. Or it could be that they will not look good over there. Besides, it is also possible that you are no longer fond of them and want to get some new ones. Thus, under these situations, the logical thing to do is to sell your furniture.
Selling the furniture will require a bit of work from your end. Since you are likely to sell them online, you first need to take a few good pictures of them. In your product description, you should mention the furniture dimensions, material type, how old they are, what problems they might have, and so on.
You will find it difficult to attract buyers if the furniture looks too old or has too many issues with them. In such cases, you might want to get them refurbished before putting them up for sale. However, that decision will ultimately come down to whether or not you want to invest in something that you will be getting rid of anyway.
Smart Pot Sizing Recommendations
There are always exceptions that will contribute to the decision when choosing a container size. That being said, there are general recommendations that can help a grower determine which size Smart Pot to use. The following are recommendations of which Smart Pot size to use for some commonly grown vegetable crops:
7 Gallon Smart Pot
Garlic, leeks, shallots, lettuce, spinach, arugula, chard, endive, escarole, basil, parsley, rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, beans, bok choy, kale, peas, parsnips, and small annuals
10 Gallon;Smart Pot
Peppers, artichoke, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, strawberries, onions, beets, turnips, carrots, radish, patio cucumbers, patio tomatoes, and larger annuals
15 Gallon Smart Pot
Cucumbers, potatoes, summer squash, zucchini, patty pan squash, crooked neck squash, eggplant, and tomatillos
20 Gallon Smart Pot
Tomatoes, muskmelons, watermelons, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, winter squash, acorn squash, butternut squash, and hubbard squash
Hydroponic gardeners who use Smart Pots will follow slightly different guidelines for determining the best size container for their gardens. The type of hydroponic system, the fertilizers being used, and the type of soil mix will all be factors to consider when choosing the correct size Smart Pot for a hydroponic garden.
For more information visit Smartpots.com
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Wash Your Cleaning Tools
Clean tools can be of great help when trying to do a quick clean. A dirty mop or a vacuum with a full bag will be less efficient and you will end up wasting your time on tasks that could be done quickly. Be sure to replace any tools that have been worn out.
Dont procrastinate on cleaning your house. Dedicate the time you think will be needed and get started. If you live with others, you can get them involved in the cleaning process to get it accomplished faster. Cleaning can be tiresome, but it can be fun when done with a group.;;;;
Impact Of Untreated Water Damage On Your Property And What Precautions To Take
When you dont treat water damage on time, it can lead to severe consequences. A slow drip and massive flood can do huge damage to your property and even deteriorate your health. The untreated water damage adversely impacts your property. Here, you will learn them and the precautions you can take for treatment.
So what are the effects on your property if you dont treat water damage on time?
Here are the adverse consequences:
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Location Of The Greenhouse
Many gardeners believe that a greenhouse should always be located facing south so it receives the most light possible. However, this is not always the best location for a greenhouse. Although the southern exposure will receive the most light, the truth is that most plants do not need that much light and, in some ways, a southern exposure can be counterproductive. During the summer months, a south facing greenhouse can easily get too hot and require a shade cloth to help protect the plants. An overheating greenhouse can hinder plant growth and be a nightmare for the grower. For most hobbyist applications, a greenhouse with western exposure is the way to go. Think west is the best. This is not to say that other orientations will not work. In fact, an eastern exposure will work just fine for most plants. A northern exposure may be too shady for any tropical varieties and is the only orientation that should be avoided if possible. Since virtually any orientation will work, greenhouse hobbyists should choose a location that will best complement the home or garden. Just remember that greenhouses do not need to be exposed to the maximum amount of light at all times. In fact, most horticulturists will want sunnier and shadier locations in their greenhouses to accommodate the needs of the various plant varieties.
For more information, please visit;ArcadiaGlasshouse.com.
Getting Your Watering Schedule Right
Trees have very specific needs when it comes to watering. For instance,;newly planted trees require frequent watering, with experts recommending daily watering for up to two weeks after planting, tapering to every two or three days for the next three months or so, and culminating in just once a week of watering after the roots have stabilized. This is only a general rule, though, since watering frequency will depend on everything from the type of tree to the climate in the zone you are living in. One general tip to test for the need to water is to take an eight-inch or longer screwdriver and stab it into the soil. If it doesnt slide into the soil further than around six inches, it is a good sign your tree needs more water.
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Different Kinds Of Lime For Your Garden
Adjusting soil pH with lime can be a tricky task. To determine how much lime to add to your garden or lawn, you first need to understand what type of limestone youre adding. And there are more options than you might think:
- : This limestone is particularly calibrated for soils that are magnesium-deficient. As magnesium plays an important role in the photosynthesis process which is how your plants get food and energy and look nice and green its definitely something you want in ample supply. While pH levels may depend on factors such as rainfall and planting, magnesium is generally a geographical phenomenon. Dolomitic limestone helps replenish some of that magnesium.
- Calcitic limestone: This limestone lacks extra magnesium. In other words, its good for soils that already have a healthy amount of this particular molecule. Generally, if you live in Oklahoma or Texas, your soil is probably already magnesium rich. Check with your local garden expert if you arent sure.
- Limestone dust : Now generally displaced by limestone pellets, limestone dust is one way to administer limestone to your yard or garden. The problem is that limestone dust is easily picked up by the wind, meaning that much of it may not get down into the soil.
- Limestone pellets: While they may be slightly more expensive than limestone dust, . The pellets not only lose less lime to the elements, but they also spread more evenly. For the money, theyre the best way to get lime into your lawn or garden area.
Hang It From The Ceiling
It might seem like a strange solution, but hanging your bikefrom the ceiling is perfect when you are tight on both floor and wall space.
Get your hands on a simple pulley system to hoist your bikeon to the ceiling. This is perfect if you live in a small flat withparticularly high ceilings, and is very reminiscent of the clothes pulleys thatare characteristic of Victorian homes!
Using this gap is the ideal way to work towards full optimization of every square inch of your property.
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When Should You Test
It is a good idea to sample a lawn or turf area in the spring or early fall, says Friedericks. This will allow time to make the fertilizer and lime applications either in the spring as needed or to use the results from the fall sample to plan for the year ahead.
- Chill out. Follow the recommendations from the soil pH testing report, but be patient. It could take a year or more to see the results of a lime application, for instance.
- Split the application. Spread the recommended application into two or three applications over a couple of months. Water the lime into the soil.
- Season accordingly. Also split nitrogen applications over the spring and summer to avoid leaching loss and to keep the grass healthy. Apply phosphorus in the spring to help establish a strong well-rooted plant.; Applying some of the potassium in the fall can also help the grass create a good store of energy in the roots to improve overwintering.
- Its a do-over. Keep on top of any problems after the initial test. Experts recommend that you take a soil sample and test soil pH every three to four years.
- Dont soak the samples. Dig your soil samples when it is neither too wet nor too dry, so you get a representative sample.
Work With Experienced Contractors
Damage to your lawn can be minimized when your professional demolition contractors are careful. Of course, some things cant be avoided. But communicating to your contractors about what you want to protect can go a long way in preserving your lawn. Let your renovation crew know which areas you want to protect, and together, you can devise ways to keep them safe from damage.
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Why Use A Growing Medium When Gardening With Hydroponics
Growing plants using hydroponics means you are growing without soil, but it doesnt necessarily mean that you are growing plants without a soil replacement. While not strictly necessary it is usually advantageous to use some form of growing medium.;One very good reason to use a growing medium in your hydroponics garden is to ensure that the roots of your plants are adequately supplied with oxygen. In a traditional garden plant roots gather oxygen from the air trapped in the soil. A growing medium serves the same purpose for plants grown with hydroponics. Growing media are designed to trap air that can then be processed by the plant roots.
Another reason for using a growing medium is to provide a food reserve for the plants. Like air, nutrients from the feeding solution are trapped in the pores of the growing medium and are then available to the plants if needed. This can help to prevent crop failures.;Heres a quick rundown of the kinds of media available to you when gardening without soil.
