When planning a landscape design, garden structures such as arbors and pergolas are wonderful elements to incorporate. These structures not only provide a strong focal point in the landscape, but they can also be utilitarian as well, serving many purposes that vary depending on the size and design used. Garden arbors and pergolas can range in size from as small as 24 inches to as large as 10 or 20 feet across. In this article, we'll discuss some varying arbor and pergola designs, and how you can use these structures to your advantage when planning an overall landscape or garden design.
When we talk about the design of a garden arbor or pergola, we're talking about the material as much as anything. The type of material used in making the structure will have a big impact on the look and use of the end product. There are three primary materials used for garden arbors and pergolas: wood, metal, and plastic. All three materials have their pros and cons, as we will explain.
Wood is probably the oldest type of material that has historically been used for constructing arbors and pergolas. It is inexpensive, readily available, and can be easily cut. Furthermore, wood can be stained or painted to match another existing structure, such as the house, shed or garage. One downfall of wood is that it does decay over time. Wood can also harbor certain types of pests, and it will eventually rot, splinter, and crack. The types of wood that can be used in an arbor or pergola are almost endless, but generally it's a good idea to look for a wood that weathers well and resists decay, such as cedar. For a rustic look, consider using log cedar. For a very basic, rudimentary structure, you could even use fallen timber, branches, and twigs tied together.
Plastic arbors and pergolas can be purchased in almost every color imaginable. When choosing a vinyl unit, be sure to look for a plastic that is treated with a UV inhibitor, so it won't fade or discolor over time. Vinyl is a good choice if you want your end product to be relatively maintenance free, because it won't need to be stained or painted. A vinyl arbor or pergola typically lends itself to a clean and modern design. White vinyl can be an especially attractive choice for an outdoor wedding in the spring or summer.
Metal arbors and pergolas are probably the most durable and long-lasting choice. In terms of their design and style, many have an almost gothic appearance, and they tend to mesh well with wrought iron gates and fences. There are many types of metal to choose from, including iron, steel, and aluminum. Depending on the type of metal chosen, you may encounter rust on the structure over time. A good powder coat paint finish will slow this process. Aluminum can be a good choice because it will not rust like steel, and it is also lightweight and extremely durable.
Another consideration that will play into your design choice is whether the arbor or pergola will serve a functional purpose. Arbors and pergolas can be merely aesthetic design elements, placed in the corner of a yard or garden simply because they are visually pleasing. On the other hand, if you design them correctly, they can also provide an excellent support for climbing plants and vines. Consider designing an arbor or pergola with horizontal pieces beginning close to the ground and continuing upward. Climbing plants such as morning glory, trumpet vine, and clematis will quickly make the structure their new home, adding another dimension of beauty. Arbors and pergolas can also be used to shade a patio or walkway. If you build a structure large enough to span a deck or patio, consider planting grapes or some other vine that will quickly encompass the structure, as this will help shade the area underneath. Arbors and pergolas can also be designed with garden benches or swings underneath to provide an additional seating area in the yard.
There are as many different ways to design a garden arbor or pergola as there are uses for the structures; the choices are almost endless. By taking into consideration the type of material that best meets your needs and the purpose, if any, that the structure will serve, you will come up with a design that compliments your yard beautifully. Remember, an arbor or pergola is a large and important element in your landscape design. Take the time to choose a unit that's right for you, and you will be rewarded with a beautiful structure that will grace your garden for years to come.
By: Ellen Bell
Ellen Bell works for Home Products 'n' More, a retail website offering a wide selection of garden arbor kits and pergolas. Visit us at www.homeproductsnmore.com/Garden_Arbor_s/629.htm
Friday, June 12, 2009
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
How Long To Make Garden Compost?
Compost can easily be made in a just in a heap out in the open. This is the traditional compost heap used by farmers since time immemorial. A huge pile of organic waste and animal manures layered together and heaped up high then left for months or even years to break down. If you have the space an open compost heap like this built in about a five foot cube will take six months to a year to decompose fully into usable, hummus rich garden compost.
Most gardeners though, need to conserve space so rely on enclosed areas to contain their compost heaps. How long your compost takes to make will depend, in part on the weather. Heat helps get all those micro-organisms working to break down your compost. Cold temperatures slow them down, and in severe cases could kill them altogether.
Moisture levels need to be favorable too. A too dry heap, and the bacteria will not be able to work to their full potential. A very wet heap and the bacteria basically drown and the whole heap may turn to fermenting sludge. This is only usually a problem with compost heaps made with huge volumes of compacted sappy green matter such as lawn clippings. Make sure this kind of content is layered thinly throughout the heap.
So long as the contents of the heap are varied in size and texture you should get lots of air pockets which will help the compost pile remain free-draining. Then, if you do have torrential rainfall, the water will drain through the heap rather than being trapped there.
There are ways to help your garden compost reach its full potential quickly though. If you build, or buy a garden composter which is keeps out the worst of the weather, but still lets air in you will speed up the composting process significantly. Plastic garden composters are great at keeping their contents moist. In fact, with these you should need to add no extra water at all. Likewise fitting a plastic sheet or tarpaulin over a wooden compost bin will achieve the same job. As the compost warms up and breaks down, it gives off moisture. The plastic traps the moisture, which will condense and drop back down onto the compost. So your garden compost should never dry out.
A well constructed garden composter should be giving you fine rich garden compost within three to six months.
By: Lec Watkins
For more information regarding garden recycling and whether to use a compost accelerator visit Garden Composter.
Most gardeners though, need to conserve space so rely on enclosed areas to contain their compost heaps. How long your compost takes to make will depend, in part on the weather. Heat helps get all those micro-organisms working to break down your compost. Cold temperatures slow them down, and in severe cases could kill them altogether.
Moisture levels need to be favorable too. A too dry heap, and the bacteria will not be able to work to their full potential. A very wet heap and the bacteria basically drown and the whole heap may turn to fermenting sludge. This is only usually a problem with compost heaps made with huge volumes of compacted sappy green matter such as lawn clippings. Make sure this kind of content is layered thinly throughout the heap.
So long as the contents of the heap are varied in size and texture you should get lots of air pockets which will help the compost pile remain free-draining. Then, if you do have torrential rainfall, the water will drain through the heap rather than being trapped there.
There are ways to help your garden compost reach its full potential quickly though. If you build, or buy a garden composter which is keeps out the worst of the weather, but still lets air in you will speed up the composting process significantly. Plastic garden composters are great at keeping their contents moist. In fact, with these you should need to add no extra water at all. Likewise fitting a plastic sheet or tarpaulin over a wooden compost bin will achieve the same job. As the compost warms up and breaks down, it gives off moisture. The plastic traps the moisture, which will condense and drop back down onto the compost. So your garden compost should never dry out.
A well constructed garden composter should be giving you fine rich garden compost within three to six months.
By: Lec Watkins
For more information regarding garden recycling and whether to use a compost accelerator visit Garden Composter.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Growing Vegetable Plants From Seed
If you're one of the many Americans who will be cultivating a vegetable garden this year, one of the first decisions you'll have to make is whether to grow your plants from seed or purchase transplants from a nursery. In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons to both methods, and we'll provide a basic how to guide for starting your own plants from seed.
There are two primary deciding factors in whether to start plants from seed. The first is time. Starting seeds certainly requires a larger investment in time and effort than purchasing transplants. However, the knowledge that you have grown the plants yourself from their very inception is also quite rewarding. The other primary consideration is cost. Seeds are far more economical to purchase than young plants. A packet of 50 or more seeds might cost you a few dollars. Transplants, on the other hand, will cost you that same amount per plant. In short, if you have the time and the inclination, growing your own plants from seed is a very rewarding and economical way to start a vegetable garden.
Most gardening experts will agree that the best method of starting seeds is in a greenhouse. Greenhouses provide optimal conditions for germination and growing: long warm days and ample sunlight during times of year when it is still to cold to even consider planting outside. Many hobby greenhouses also feature auto venting systems that help regulate the inside temperature.
If you're not ready to invest in a large outdoor greenhouse, consider a smaller portable unit that can sit on a deck or patio. There are also small indoor greenhouses available that occupy no more space than a shelf or tabletop, and these are ideal for the urban gardener who is limited on space.
It is possible, though sometimes more challenging, to start seeds indoors without the aid of a greenhouse. A large sunny window facing south is ideal. If you don't have such a location, consider purchasing fluorescent light fixtures with full spectrum grow lights. These can be suspended a few inches over young plants and set on timers to provide the necessary 14 hours of light per day. Ideally, the daytime temperature should be approximately 75 degrees Fahrenheit and the nighttime temperature around 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. If plants are in warmer temperatures all day and night, they will grow tall and soft, rather than the stock, robust transplants that are hardier for setting outdoors.
Seedlings also need plenty of moisture for germination and early growth. Planting in a mixture that contains plenty of peat moss will aid in moisture retention. In the early stages, before seeds have germinated, fill a spray bottle with water and use this to keep the soil moist. This will prevent overwatering, which can cause seeds to dislodge and wash away.
The last important step in growing your own plants from seed is hardening off before transplanting outdoors. Hardening off refers to the process of preparing plants for the rigors of growing outdoors. Some gardeners harden off their seedlings by placing them outdoors on a deck or patio during favorable weather conditions for a week or so before transplanting is to occur. Other methods of hardening off include lowering the temperature where the plants are located, watering only when plants show signs of wilting, and placing a fan nearby to blow a gentle breeze on the seedlings.
By following these tips, along with a good dose of patience, any gardener can successfully start their own vegetable plants from seed. The process may be time consuming, but it is also very satisfying, and you'll be rewarded with dozens of young plants at a fraction of the cost of purchasing them from a nursery or garden center.
By: Ellen Bell
Ellen Bell works for Home Products 'n' More, a retail website offering free shipping on greenhouses to get your seedlings started. Or, for information how to build your own greenhouse, visit us at www.homeproductsnmore.com/Wholesale_Greenhouse_Supplies_s/146.htm
There are two primary deciding factors in whether to start plants from seed. The first is time. Starting seeds certainly requires a larger investment in time and effort than purchasing transplants. However, the knowledge that you have grown the plants yourself from their very inception is also quite rewarding. The other primary consideration is cost. Seeds are far more economical to purchase than young plants. A packet of 50 or more seeds might cost you a few dollars. Transplants, on the other hand, will cost you that same amount per plant. In short, if you have the time and the inclination, growing your own plants from seed is a very rewarding and economical way to start a vegetable garden.
Most gardening experts will agree that the best method of starting seeds is in a greenhouse. Greenhouses provide optimal conditions for germination and growing: long warm days and ample sunlight during times of year when it is still to cold to even consider planting outside. Many hobby greenhouses also feature auto venting systems that help regulate the inside temperature.
If you're not ready to invest in a large outdoor greenhouse, consider a smaller portable unit that can sit on a deck or patio. There are also small indoor greenhouses available that occupy no more space than a shelf or tabletop, and these are ideal for the urban gardener who is limited on space.
It is possible, though sometimes more challenging, to start seeds indoors without the aid of a greenhouse. A large sunny window facing south is ideal. If you don't have such a location, consider purchasing fluorescent light fixtures with full spectrum grow lights. These can be suspended a few inches over young plants and set on timers to provide the necessary 14 hours of light per day. Ideally, the daytime temperature should be approximately 75 degrees Fahrenheit and the nighttime temperature around 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. If plants are in warmer temperatures all day and night, they will grow tall and soft, rather than the stock, robust transplants that are hardier for setting outdoors.
Seedlings also need plenty of moisture for germination and early growth. Planting in a mixture that contains plenty of peat moss will aid in moisture retention. In the early stages, before seeds have germinated, fill a spray bottle with water and use this to keep the soil moist. This will prevent overwatering, which can cause seeds to dislodge and wash away.
The last important step in growing your own plants from seed is hardening off before transplanting outdoors. Hardening off refers to the process of preparing plants for the rigors of growing outdoors. Some gardeners harden off their seedlings by placing them outdoors on a deck or patio during favorable weather conditions for a week or so before transplanting is to occur. Other methods of hardening off include lowering the temperature where the plants are located, watering only when plants show signs of wilting, and placing a fan nearby to blow a gentle breeze on the seedlings.
By following these tips, along with a good dose of patience, any gardener can successfully start their own vegetable plants from seed. The process may be time consuming, but it is also very satisfying, and you'll be rewarded with dozens of young plants at a fraction of the cost of purchasing them from a nursery or garden center.
By: Ellen Bell
Ellen Bell works for Home Products 'n' More, a retail website offering free shipping on greenhouses to get your seedlings started. Or, for information how to build your own greenhouse, visit us at www.homeproductsnmore.com/Wholesale_Greenhouse_Supplies_s/146.htm
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