It's hard to see past the limitations of a basement. The space is often dark, damp and unfinished. But a few talented designers were able to see the potential. If we ever won the lottery, we might try one of these really awesome ideas.
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Your kitchen may hold remedies to some common garden and house plant problems.
Garden designer P. Allen Smith shared with us some solutions you can whip up in your kitchen. He says they're cheaper than commercial pesticides and much easier on the environment.
He also gave us his secret for promoting blooms on rose bushes, using another item you may have in your kitchen.
Smith says chemicals purchased at a garden center will kill anything in their path, and nothing you can make yourself will be as effective. However, by mixing up some common organic and cheap household products, Smith says you can take care of many types of bugs and fungus without hurting plants, pets, the environment or yourself.
Spray Those Plants
When getting rid of pests, Smith tries to use an approach that will have a low impact on the environment. This means he avoids chemicals whenever possible. The first defense he always tries is simply hitting the plant with a hard burst of water in hopes of knocking off bugs. If that doesn't work, he then sprays with the solutions listed above. Chemicals are always a last resort.
Before spraying, make sure the plant is well hydrated. If you are spraying houseplants, you may want to set the plant on a plastic bag. Early morning is the best time to spray, Smith says.
Home gardeners tend to make one big mistake when spraying plants: They often spray only across the top of the plant. Smith says it's essential to get under the leaves where most insects thrive.
Here are a few common pests and some remedies for them that Smith demonstrated on The Saturday Early Show:
Aphids: There are thousands of types of https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRbW3ayDWVQ aphids - tiny pear-shaped insects that suck plant sap and weak en the plant. These pests are drawn to new growth and are typically found along stems or on the underside of leaves. Smith says they are quite "social" and are always found in clusters.
Plants infested with aphids will have curled and deformed leaves. You may also notice a sticky sap on the surface of the leaves.
Smith gave us this recipe for a solution that you can spray on a plant to help combat aphids:
Mealy Bugs: These bugs are white, soft-bodied insects that suck plant juices. They are normally found where leaves join stems or along leaf veins. Mealy bugs cause a plant's leaves to turn yellow and drop.
Because the insects have a waxy coating designed to protect them fro m predators, they can be resistant to liquids and thus hard to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRbW3ayDWVQ get rid of, says Smith.
Smith's homemade solution to combat these pests :
Mix together:
1 part rubbing alcohol
3 parts water
Smith suggests you test this solution on a small area of the plant and wait 24 hours before spraying the entire plant because some plants are sensitive to alcohol.
Black Spot: This is a fungus that attacks roses, particularly in humid weather or climate. Once leaves are damaged they can't repair themselves. But, Smith says, it is possible to prevent the problem from spreading by spraying the plant with the following solution:
Mix together:
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon dormant oil
1/2 teaspoon insecticidal soap or dish soap
1 gallon of water
While baking soda is the essential element of this recipe, the oil helps it stick to the leaves and the soap helps distribute the oil particles, according to Smith.
Bananas and Roses
Smith says he always buries banana peels in the ground before planting his roses. The peels are loaded with potassium, phosphorus and magnesium, elements that contribute to vigorous growth. He suggests chopping up two or three peels and placing them in the hole before adding more compost and the plant. You can continue to add peels to the soil around the flower all summer long.
Coffee Grounds
According to Smith, t hose old, used coffee grounds actually are good for something. They can provide your soil with nitrogen. Sprinkled in your garden, the grounds act as a mild, slow-release fertilizer - similar to fallen leaves decomposing.
Smith suggests spreading the coffee grounds thinly because big clumps of wet grounds can get moldy. They are even more effective when composted first. Compost adds a great humus texture to the soil. Remember that not all plants like the acid in coffee grounds, but vegetables, azaleas and conifers are all good bets.
Egg Shells
Crushed egg shells add calcium to the soil, says Smith. You often hear of people putting lime (calcium carbonate) into their gardens, but egg shells also will work. Calcium is essential for cell growth in all plants, but growing plants quickly deplete the surrounding soil of calcium. Smith recommends washing the shells or composting them before placing them in the garden. Otherwise, you might attract unwanted a nimals to your yard.
Today irrigation system has evolved with the use of latest technologies. It is not only used in crop production but also for dust separation, dry land farming, gardening, sewage disposal and various other https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBmN2PTUB7w areas through the use of wide range of high tech systems.
Drip Irrigation System:
Drip Irrigation System is a method where water is delivered to plants slowly and right at their roots using a network of mainlines, sub-main lines and lateral lines with emission points spaced along their lengths. It maintains an optimum moisture level in the soil at all times with less water lost to the sun and the wind. Drip Irrigation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBmN2PTUB7w System is typically the most efficient method of irrigating as it is very easy to install, easy to design, inexpensive, minimizes soil erosion and specif ically because it uses quite a less amount of water. It is very beneficial for plants in desert areas and is easily adaptable for use in commercial landscapes, agriculture, gardening, greenhouses, and nurseries.
Center Pivot Irrigation Systems and Lateral Move Irrigation Systems:
In center pivot irrigation system, the machine that consists of several segments of pipes, moves in a circular pattern and is fed with water from the pivot point which is located at the center. In Lateral Move Irrigation System, the lateral movement of the machine ensures that the entire field is covered. Whether to select Center Pivot Irrigation Systems or Lateral Move Irrigation Systems depends on various criteria such as water availability, crop type, land type, land topography, operational cost and agrology conditions.
Sprinkler Irrigation System:
Sprinkler Irrigation System is a method of applying irrigation water in the same pattern as natural rainfall does. A typical sprinkler irrigation system consists of a pump, mainline and sub mainline network, laterals and sprinklers. Sprinkler system offers efficient coverage for small and large areas. These sprinkler systems are suitable for almost all kind of crops including vegetables, wheat, grams, pulses, cotton, soya bean. They are applied at various places including farms, hotel gardens, golf courses and various other places.
Pathfinder Drip Tape Irrigation Sy stem
Pathfinder drip tape is an extruded drip tape manufactured with the highest technology. It is manufactured with materials of highest quality providing resistance to chemicals used in agriculture. Drip Tape is a flat tape used for irrigation purpose which has pre inserted drippers. Drip Tapes are used on wide variety of agricultural crops including wheat, rice, beans, peppers, tomatoes.
Pipes and fittings are basically used in irrigation system for transferring liquid, gas or even solid material at times. These industrial pipes and fittings are made from different materials including copper, aluminium, clay, iron, steel, plastic. Polyethylene pipes are flexible because of the elastic nature of polyethylene. Hence these type of pipes can be curved to make turns with ease and avoid complexity an d also the expenses incurred. These kinds of pipes and fittings are mainly translucent and come under various colors. Aluminium pipes and fittings have high strength and hence cannot be twisted or turned. Aluminium pipes and fittings have an extensive application in a host of industries.
There are various irrigation products manufacturer and exporter in Spain that offers irrigation products but you must select the best company for better irrigation facilities.
Designs in London have to take into consideration a number of factors. As with any other gardens outside of London, the size and function of the garden has to be considered. What must also be taken into consideration is that though there are a variety of gardens in London from large to small, from courtyard to front garden, from roof garden to balcony garden they are all surrounded by the city, itself. This means http://www.bhg.com/gardening/ that the majority of London gardens are affected by limited sunlight, particular soils and the surrounding buildings and neighbouring gardens. London gardens are surrounded by the city and it is difficult to merge them into the landscape (although there are good views from some gardens) and they are usually enclosed and shut off from the city and its surroundings.
Designing a Sanctuary
Enclosed gardens in London are popularly regarded as a retreat, a haven, a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city. It is perceived that they should be separate from the city and rather than reflect London occupy a quiet space that contains qualities the city does not appear to possess.
One way in which to create a sanctuary in London is to create an exotic garden. This is done through clever plantation strategy. Ornamental rather than vegetable plantation will create a scene of colour. This can be done with a variety of gardens from rock garden to formal flower gardens. Rock gardens are best suited to courtyar d or at least ground level gardens. It is unlikely that the garden will have a natural rock formation in London so it is best to consult a professional designer about creating an artificial formation as these can be a complex creation. Flower gardens are usually informal in the country as there is greater access to wild plantation which gardens may even blend in with and extend the garden. A formal flower garden in London will bring it colour and life and carefully chosen plants will ensure colour in all seasons.
Container Gardens
Container gardens also work well in London areas in roof gardens and balconies. Containers of plants can look cheap and messy but carefully chosen plants, stylish containers and complementary features can make a garden very attractive. Herb gardens also work well in container gardens and flower gardens as they are functional and add interesting scents. Garden designers can now provide and install features for container gardens such as a water feature in a trough to be placed on a roof garden. This type of garden design is ideal for roof gardens and balconies as the materials used to create the garden need to be light and feasibly moved to a roof or balcony.
Water Water Everywhere
Water designs are very popular as they can both provide Sprinkler System a garden of peace and tranquillity and add some exoticism. Persian gardens, for example, traditionally use water features for irrigation, display and sound. These water features can easily be replicated and reproduced in modern gardens. Water designs are ideal for London gardens as they inspire a place of quiet reflection away from the loud and cluttered city. There are a range of water features to choose from. Ponds work well in ground level gardens but need to be carefully located away from child's play areas and the sizing needs to be very accurate as it is difficult to change once completed. Water features like ponds can also be functional as seating can be incorporated into this (and other fixtures) with the addition of a wide brim making effective use of space. However if the garden is not suited to a pond, fountains, mists and pools are amongst a wide range of water features to choose from. It is now possible to have a Mckinney Sprinkler System water garden anywhere as there are a large number of materials available to construct them. Water pumps, sand, pebbles, hoses, cement, reservoir tank, stone, spirit level and tile are the types of construction material used to create the feature. Garden designers can both advise on the use of such material and also install water gardens. Once the water feature is installed it requires little maintenance creating a lasting impression that does not fade upon completion.
Let There Be Light
What is also key to a garden in London, regardless of planting design and fe atures is the creation of light. Most gardens in London are naturally overshadowed by the surrounding conglomerate of buildings. It is important to introduce light and colour into these gardens to make them look good. This can be done through the painting of the fencing and fixtures in either bold, strong colours or in light colours which artificially enhances the brightness of the garden and can be applied to any type of London garden. Fixtures and fencing are also easily supplied if not already in place and there are a range of designs from stone, fencing, iron railings, hurdling, wood and hedges that can be sourced and used.
In addition to painted fixtures the garden can be lighted artificially through the use of electric lighting. It is important to involve professionals in the installation of garden lighting as it must be protected from water used for plant irrigation and can cause enormous expense if not done properly. It is recommended that ordinary bulbs are not used but solar bulbs and lights chosen from a range of garden lighting. It is also important to remember to ensure the garden does not resemble Christmas all year around and that lighting is effectively used to highlight. Lights for occasional use such as oil lamps for visitors can be used in conjunction with permanent lighting for entertainment purposes.
Lightening and brightening a London garden and creating a luxurious yet tranquil space in the City will create a good London garden
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