It is important to clarify, right from the outset, that what we refer to as ‘fertilizers’ in this context are the chemical formulations that are meant to be ‘fed’ to soils, with the intention of making the soils more fertile. A soil is termed as being fertile when it can easily provide the plants that get planted on it with the nutrients that they need for their well-being. Plants, like other living things, need a variety of nutrients to survive and thrive.

If we may recall, in the case of animals, the most crucially needed nutrients are proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins; with various other minerals being required in smaller quantities, but with their supply also being essential for the wellbeing of the animals. In the case of plants, the situation is the same, with the only difference being in terms of the specific requirements: where the main nutrients required are nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, and a host of other minerals in smaller quantities. Plants make their own food from the energy they tap from the sun, hence the difference in nutritional requirements between them and animals.

Now in an ideal situation, every soil should provide the plants that grow on it with all nutrients that they need. These nutrients would be originating from the chemical composition of the soil (the soil being the result of long-term rock fragmentation), as well as originating from dead and decayed matter on the soils. Unfortunately, it is not always the case that a given soil would provide the plants that are planted on it with all the nutrients they need. Sometimes, this deficiency is caused by the soils inherent chemical composition. Sometimes, it is caused by the situation where the nutrients get eventually depleted by generation after generation of plants sown on the soil without nutritional replenishment.

So it is toward the replenishment of the soil with the various nutrients that various fertilizers are applied. In most cases, the application of fertilizers turns out to be a successful strategy for soil nutrient replenishment. With the application of the right type of fertilizer in the right way, we tend to see a soil that could hitherto barely support a plant being in a position to not only do so, but actually do so in a superior manner; to leave us with thriving plants.

Unfortunately, the application of fertilizers has been associated with a number of negative environmental impacts. Indeed, fertilizer usage is seen as contributing quite a great deal to the global environmental crisis we currently find ourselves facing. But is also clear that we are not about to give up on fertilizer usage, it being an important element of modern agriculture. So the question we end up with is the one on how we can mitigate the negative environmental impact associated with fertilizers.

As it turns out, one way to mitigate the negative environmental impact associated with fertilizers is to use them sparingly. Ideally, before deciding to use a fertilizer, you should subject the soil to a nutritional analysis, work out what nutrients (if any) it is really deficient in, and then ensure that you only use fertilizers that bridge that deficiency and no more. It is established that a lot of fertilizer usage today is superfluous and it is this that is to blame for the negative environmental impact.

Applying the fertilizers in the proper way will keep them from leaching into the environment.

Using the fertilizers at the right times is another way to mitigate the negative environmental impacts associated with them. A wrong time to apply certain types of fertilizers could be when it is raining heavily, when certain types of fertilizers could be washed to end up in water bodies where they wreck havoc.

Using organic fertilizers wherever possible is another strategy through which the negative impact associated with the fertilizers could be mitigated. These organic fertilizers and manures provide the same nutrients as the (purely synthetic) chemically formulated fertilizers, but at a much lowered negative environmental premium.

Modern lawn care management entails the use of appropriate fertilizers and sprinklers to ensure conservation of resources and yet get the best output.

Deciding to build a dry laid field stone wall is not a decision that should be taken lightly. It will require a great deal of your time and a huge amount of physical effort to complete the work. There are several things to consider before you start your project and the least of them is the cost.

You must first choose the type and color of stone you are going to use to build your wall. There are literally hundreds of combinations of stone types and colors available today. If you have access to free field stone or cobblestone, that can save many hundreds or perhaps thousands of dollars. A heavy duty truck is required to carry any real quantities of this stone as an auto can be easily overloaded and can even be dangerous to drive..

Dry laid field stone walls can be very beautiful when completed and will last for many, many years with a minimum of upkeep. An occasional check to assure that no stones have been knocked loose or removed by children at play is all that is required. Dry laid means of course that there is no mortar used to hold the stones together and instead dry laid walls depend on gravity to hold and keep their shape over time. If you see a country stone wall, stop and take a good look at the wall. You will see that both sides lean slightly in towards the middle of the wall and the top is slightly concave as well.

In most cases it took farmers many years to construct their walls from the stones removed from their fields as they plowed for new crops each spring. Winter freezing and thawing pushed the stones to the top of the ground for the awaiting farmers plows to find them. These stone walls were not constructed for their beauty but of necessity to mark the boundaries between farms as well as to keep the stones from injuring their horses feet as they pulled the plows.

If you are using natural stone for your wall, remember that the faces of the wall will not be perfectly flat as when using man made stone or masonry units. There will be some ins and outs as the stone rises above the grade. If you are placing the wall along a property line it is suggested that you hold the wall back a few inches to allow leeway in the layout and to be assured you are not building on your neighbors land. One of the best ways to do this is to use wooden stakes or steel pins at each end of the proposed wall and placing a string or dry line between them. Tie a loop on one end of the string and place over the first pin and then pull and wrap the line on the second stake as tightly as possible. Whenever you lay a stone, the stone edge simply cannot cross this string line. Get as close as possible but never cross it. Keeping the stone faces as close to the string at all times will assure as even a face of your wall as possible. Keep raising the string as your work progresses. As your ability and eye grows with the work you will be tell if a stone does not fit correctly or look as good as it should.

After your pins and string lines are installed, take a step back and see if the line is really where you want the finished wall bottom to be at the end of the work. You will not want to tear it down and move it later believe me. If the location is good, excavate a trench the width of your wall, to an average depth of the diameter of your largest stones. If your largest stone is six inches in diameter, excavate six inches deep. The trick here is to slightly slope each one half of the width of the trench slightly downwards into the middle of the wall. Slightly means just slightly. You want the base stones to tip inwards but try keeping the tops as level as possible at the same time.

Now start laying your base stones. These will generally but not always be, your largest stones. Many stone masons prefer to place some of the largest stones randomly throughout the face of the wall to add character and interest to their finished work. True stone masons also do not use hammers or stone saws to shape the stones they use. Each stone is turned over and over to view and then choose the best face to place to view and the best side to fit on top of the stones laid below. Each stone must nestle into the adjacent stones and not rock back and forth. Keep the larger stones to the outside face and then fit the smaller uglier stones into the center out of view. Do not be tempted to place small chips to hold stones in place. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles will cause these chips to move or fall out and cause your wall to fail. Placing small stone chips and fragments into interior voids is fine but do not let them become a structural part of the finished work.

As your wall starts to progress upwards keep laying new wall in front of you. Do not finish a ten foot section for example and then start another section. Your end result will be a bunch or ten foot connected sections instead of one long smooth wall. As your wall height increases, the wall width actually becomes thinner than the width at the base. This can be as pronounced as you wish or as slight as you can make it but in any case all stones must tilt slightly towards the middle of the wall. The reality here is that when the ground freezes and heaves, the entire wall is lifted upwards causing the stones to push outwards from the middle. Due to the built-in inward tilt of the stones, the stones may reach an almost vertical state on the face but as the ground thaws and sinks, the stones simply return to their original placement shape due to good old gravity and the wall is safe.

Do not be afraid to step back every once in a while to admire your work as it progresses. You may see a stone or stones that would look better somewhere else or may look better turned a little and now is the time to fuss before the wall is finished. Do not get discouraged with your work progress either. Stone walls take a good long time to build but will last a good long time as well and will far surpass the life of any wooden fences you could build.

A well laid stone wall can take many weeks or months to construct but is an enduring piece of the landscape and will remain as a legacy of your work. Do it right and your great grand children will be able to admire your work. You will not be sorry.
Pete
Your Friendly Building Inspector

http://www.Wagsys.com

BICES-Building Inspection & Code Enforcement System Software

Pete Ackerson is a 30+ year building inspector with experience in both public and private construction industries. From schools to treatment plants, from private homes and condo projects, to large residential landscaping projects, he has worked both in the building design areas and field construction in the Eastern US. In 2006 he formed along with two other building inspectors, Wagsys LLC which produced software for municipal agencies in the fields of building departments, planning boards and Zoning Boards of Appeals.

If you have an outdoor patio area you might be interested in looking at the many different styles of awning and canopy shelters for the outdoors. The construction of these shelters is such that you don’t need to have any type of roof area over your patio or deck in order to use them. They can attach directly to the exterior wall of the house and extend over the designated area. Some of the designs allow you to retract the shelter through the use of a handle. This means you can control when you want the patio to have shade or sunlight.

You can also opt for one of the many tent type canopies as well. These are usually set up as temporary shade areas and can come with a simple canopy roof or a total enclosure. They usually come with an easy to assemble metal frame that can be assembled or “popped” into place. The pop up styles of tents are the easiest to put up. The frame basically just unfolds itself to be in the shape of the structure. You then attach the cover to it by means of the clips which are provided.

The different types of awning and canopy options available come in many fabrics and color choices. You can choose a covering that is a solid color or one that has stripes or prints on it. You can even find products that allow you to create an elaborate pavilion type structure in your yard. The basic function of these items is to provide an area of shade. The amount of shade you want depends on what you intend to use it for. If you want an area where you can fit a picnic table, a standard size will do the job. Whether you use an awning for a patio or a tent canopy structure, you’ll have shade to sit under and enjoy spending time outdoors.

Mildred Schaefer writes about awnings canopies and tents for home use including outdoor canopy tent tips.

Copyright 2010 – Mildred Schaefer. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, give author name credit and follow all of the EzineArticles terms of service for Publishers.

It is hardly surprising that aluminum fencing is one of the most popular types of fencing – it is versatile, attractive and long lasting. Aluminum fencing can be used effectively for both commercial and residential use and is specifically designed to effectively contain a pool, animals, or property; in fact, its most popular uses are for backyards and pools. Apart from being strong and secure, it also looks good – many homeowners choose it for its visual appeal and its ability to last, as well as its need for almost no maintenance.

Aluminum fencing comes in four basic standard grades, and although its most popular use is for pool and backyard fencing, it can be used just about anywhere. The four grades are classed as residential, residential wide, commercial and industrial and they differ in the number and size of the pickets. As the name suggests, for most home use, residential is more than adequate. Aluminum fencing is also available in varying heights, depending on your preference and individual needs.

There are several advantages to aluminum fencing. It is often more affordable than some other types of fencing – a big advantage if you have a lot of property that needs to be enclosed. Aluminum fences designed for residential use are usually less expensive than those that are designed for industrial use, as they are made from lighter gauge aluminum. An aluminum fence also tends to last longer than a wooden fence, which is more prone to weathering and at some point will have to be repaired or replaced. Most aluminum fencing comes with a powder coat finish, which eliminates the need for painting and reduces the chances of the fence rusting, unlike an iron fence.

Aluminum fencing is considered to be more attractive than other types of fencing; it’s an effective way to enhance the appearance of your property and to help increase its value over the long run. It is available in a wide range of colors, styles and sizes and also comes with matching gates of different sizes and various ornamental extras, such as scrolls, rings and even solar light caps. It can also be adapted easily to provide railings for balconies and decks, or to fit stairs.

Aluminum fencing is virtually maintenance free and it won’t rust or weather like other types of fencing. It also doesn’t chip or crack easily; and another big advantage is that it is lighter than wood or wrought iron fencing, making it not only easier to install, but to carry as well. Prefabricated aluminum fencing is now popular and widely available, which is even easier to install, even on land that is sloping or hilly. It is widely used on commercial and residential properties all over the country, and meets the approval of most homeowners or community groups.

It can be difficult to choose the right type of fencing. If you are looking for fencing that is both durable and attractive, as well as being inexpensive and easy to install, aluminum fencing is an obvious choice.

A garden water feature like a backyard pond can be an enchanting feature in any garden, big or small. There can be nothing better than sipping a cool drink on a summer’s day whilst relaxing next to your own piece of heaven – the tranquility and beauty of your pond and its aquatic life.

A successful pond requires regular maintenance and upkeep to help ensure that fish are happy and healthy and to ensure plants continue to flourish. In winter for example, you need to do safety checks like cutting back folliage, removing fallen leaves, moving smaller fish to aquariums and covering the surface of the pond to protect it from cruel weather conditions. Furthermore, in spring time, it is important to check for fish infections, as a result of coming out of winter dormancy. As temperatures begin to rise towards summer, fish get hungry, which is a great sign, but this increase in appetite can mean increased waste matter in the water, which in turn results in too much ammonia which can be damaging to plants and fish.

Early Springtime is often the most appropriate time to clean out your garden water feature. This way, the pond will have time to revitalize itself in time for the warmer, summer months when the fish are going to be their most active. Ignoring the fact that your pond needs a good clearout can be damaging. After all, during the year sediment will have built up considerably and your pond plants will most likely have grown substantially, leaving less and less room in the water (not to mention oxygen) for other aquatic life.

There may have also been fish infections in the pond that should be completely disinfected before the vibrant summer months. Clearly if you have a preformed unit it may be easier to clean as generally you can take it out of the ground. Even if you don’t have aquatic life, giving your garden water feature a spring clean will make it neater and more attractive!

The following 6 steps will help you clean out your backyard pond sufficiently:

1. For those with fish, catch them carefully and transfer to an indoor aquarium or protective environment.
2. Pump out the pond water or bail out the water with a bucket. You should also look to remove any snails or dragonfly larvae as these should not be left behind.
3. Make sure you divide and re-pot marginal plants and waterlilies – these will have overgrown their current pots during the year and their roots will need room to grow further.
4. Remove any silt with a spade – don’t waste it, instead try sprinkling it on your flower beds. Also hose out the bottom of the garden water feature.
5. Start to refill the pond with a suitable amount of water conditioner (see product for the required amount).
6. Make sure you let the water temperature rise before adding your fish back to the pond as they may become stressed by the sudden change in temperature (as any human would too!).

Following these key steps will help you maintain a healthy and attractive looking pond.

Many people consider gardening as the best hobby to relax, be with the nature, and a great motivation to learn about reaping the rewards of dedication and hard work done from their side. If you want this experience to be the very best for you too then you will have to use the right gardening tools for achieving your desired target. The type of gardening tools you acquire and need would mainly depend on the kind of garden you are looking forward to develop, and the type of vegetables, flowers and plants you want to grow in your garden.

If you are more of an indoor gardener, and you want to grow all of your favorite plants inside your greenhouse or inside your home, you wouldn’t need to buy any rakes or spades, which is of course common sense. You would need watering cans, sprayers, clippers, and shears for your indoor gardening supplies, whereas outdoor gardening requires gardening tools like hoes, rakes, spading forks, and shovels etc.

All these basic things are essential for every gardener out there, because proper tools something without which you cannot maintain your garden properly. You would need to pick out weeds so that they don’t suck out all the essential nutrients from your soil. So, you would surely need tools for weeding too.

Maintaining your garden tools properly is very essential as well. You should make sure that they are oiled every once in a year (because metal rusts, you know, and you would be exposing your tools to a lot of water as well). Also, you would want to make sure that at the end of every gardening season you clean out your gardening tools, whenever you find time. You should also mend any if they need a hand and make sure they are in perfect conditions all the time.

It is true that every trade has its tools, and those tools are really essential to the cause of the trade. Similarly, in gardening, your tools are your best weapons and defense for your plants, as they would do really well if the soil is properly mixed, you do the weeding regularly, and the seeds are sowed in the right place. I cannot wonder why gardening is considered as the favorite time pass for many, because of the fact that it is really relaxing and rewarding to watch your own hard work grow into those beautiful plants that you can eat (in case of vegetables or fruits) or decorate with (in case of flowers). Besides these, your gardens would also make your home look really different and beautiful at the same time as well. Neighbors and friends would visit you often in order to enjoy the peace and beauty of your garden.

So, you must not overlook the importance of gardening tools and you must pick the ones considering the type of gardening you want to perform.

When it comes to landscaping there are many things which can be done in order to make it look impressive. There are many different features and ideas to try and one thing that is sure to go down well is landscape lights.

The great thing is that there are quite a few different lights which you can get for the landscape in order to cater for everyone’s needs. Also, the great thing about them as well is that they are very easy to install so everyone can enjoy them with no hassle and no fuss.

What Can Landscape Lighting Do For You?

There are some great benefits of adding lights to your landscape area. Not only do they add a touch of class but they can add a sense of security to the area and even the house. The lights can really help to brighten up any dark areas around the yard and they can also make it easy to see at night whilst you are out in the garden. They also help the landscape to look extremely impressive and it adds that little something extra to the balance. They really are an inexpensive way of adding extra charm and style to any landscape.

Different Types of Landscape Lighting

When it comes to the lighting for the yard area, you will find that it will be powered from two different sources. The first option is that the lights use a line voltage fixture, which will be connected to the power supply from the house. The great thing about this option is that the wires will be underground so they will not be sticking out and causing a safety hazard. You will find that this type will be used for the bigger landscapes and also by people who are experienced with electrics. It is always best to get someone professional to do it if you are not sure yourself on how to do it.

The second option is where the lights use solar light fixtures to absorb the energy from the sun, in order to charge up the batteries in the light. These are very easy to use and easy to install as well as being cheaper too. So, that makes the second option the safest and the easiest for most people.

Landscape Lighting Is a Great Idea for entertaining

It is a great idea to add lighting to any landscape and it can come in handy for when the nights draw in. It allows people to stay outside in the warm months and enjoy socialising or relaxing in the garden. They are absolutely great for entertaining and it really does help to make people feel very welcome. Overall you really cannot go wrong with a little landscape lighting.

If you are thinking about landscaping, you may well be wondering just what equipment you will need in order to help you. By providing yourself with the right equipment, you will enable yourself to do the job a lot faster and it will also make things an awful lot easier too. So, if you do have a lot of ideas as to what to turn your garden into, always ensure that you do purchase the right equipment for your needs.

The Landscape Equipment You Will Need

There are various types of landscape equipment which you are likely to need. The first being garden tools. Things such as a rake, a shovel and spade and shears will really help you when it comes time to do all aspects of landscaping. They are basic tools which every keen gardener should have and you can buy them readily from garden centers and even online.

Other equipment which you will need is the actual materials which you are going to use. For example, if you have decided to use gravel you are going to need to have gravel on hand. Stones are also readily available and they can really help to spruce up the garden where you can use them as borders, small walls as well as walkways.

Another common material you will need includes plants. Now plants are the basis of most gardens and they really do add that little extra something. Adding color, class and homeliness, you really cannot go wrong with a few plants in your landscape. Just make sure that you know exactly what it is those plants need before you purchase them otherwise you could end up with something which is really high maintenance. Obviously you will need a spade to help you plant the flowers and a watering can to help you water them.

If you do want to build a small wall, as well as stone or bricks you will also need some cement in order to keep them stuck together. If you do not build the wall properly it could be a safety hazard and you could potentially end up having an accident. You can buy cement and anything else which you need form local garden centers.

Overall there are various materials which you will need and you should really purchase them before you start landscaping. Landscape equipment is fairly reasonably priced and they can be found in garden centers local to you.

If you are struggling for ideas on how to decorate your landscaping project, using plants could really make a big difference. They are simple to care for and they also can look amazing too. There is such a huge range of plants available so it will really be down to personal preference on which ones you go for. You really will be spoilt for choice if you choose to use plants within your landscape.

What to Consider If You Use Plants for Your Landscaping Project

If you do decide to use plants for your landscape area, then there are certain things which you should take into consideration. Firstly, it is an idea to know what type of plants you are after and then you should try to find out as much about them as possible. This way you can find out if it will suit your landscape and you will also find out how to look after them.

It is a good idea to know what area will suit certain plants, otherwise the plants that you get may not grow very well or they may not look as good as they should. It always pays to do the right amount of research needed otherwise you could simply just waste money on plants which do not suit your landscape. It is a good idea to choose a plant which will compliment the area that you are putting it into. Also, try to make the plants compatible with everything else that has been placed into the landscape otherwise it could throw the balance completely off and effect the overall look.

What Conditions Or Requirements Do The Plants Need To Flourish In Your Landscaping Project?

When you get a plant for your landscape it is important to consider just how much sun or shade will be in the landscape area. If you have an idea of this it will help you make a better decision on which plants to purchase. Certain plants will only grow in certain conditions and if they don’t get the right balance, they will not grow properly or they will die.

Shrubs can be used in your landscaping plans and they can add a bit of creativity as well. They help maintain the overall look and they are a great way to bring the design of the landscape together. There is a selection of what shrubs to get for the landscape area but it is a matter of finding one that will suit your landscape the best.