Trimmed Rounded Boxwood Hedge

Early Warning Signs Most People Miss

Interior Needle Browning

Don’t be fooled by a green exterior. Push aside the outer foliage and examine the interior branches. If you’re seeing excessive brown needles inside a cedar hedge while the exterior looks green, you’re witnessing the early stages of hedge decline. This often occurs when hedges are trimmed too aggressively, preventing light from reaching the interior. In cedars, this manifests as “flagging” – where entire branches turn brown and die.

The “Morning Test” Failure

Here’s a professional diagnostic technique: Run your hand along branches in the early morning. Healthy hedges should feel cool and slightly damp from dew collection. If branches feel dry despite morning conditions, your hedge is likely struggling with water uptake issues. This simple test is particularly revealing during summer months when water stress is most common.

Root Zone Warning Signs

Check the soil around your hedge’s base. Healthy hedges should have visible fine root development in the top layer of soil. If you’re seeing exposed roots or soil pulling away from the hedge base, this indicates serious water stress or root system problems.

The 3-2-1 Trimming Method: Professional Shaping Technique

Trimming of a Laurel Hedge

This systematic approach has been refined through years of hedge maintenance in a challenging climate:

3 – Make three passes on each face of the hedge

• First pass: Remove bulk growth
• Second pass: Establish basic shape
• Third pass: Fine-tune and detail work

2 – Maintain a 2-degree inward slope from bottom to top

This slight angle is crucial for:

• Allowing sunlight to reach the hedge’s base
• Preventing snow and ice damage during winters
• Ensuring proper water runoff

1 – Leave one inch of new growth each trimming session

This preserves the hedge’s ability to photosynthesize and maintains a healthy growth pattern.

Timing Is Everything: The Truth About Hedge Trimming

The biggest mistake I see is people trimming cedars in late fall. This leaves hedges vulnerable during cold, wet winters. The optimal window for major hedge trimming in our climate is between late June and early August. This timing allows:

• Sufficient recovery before first frost
• Reduced risk of fungal issues common in our wet climate
• Proper hardening off before winter stress

Professional Tool Combinations That Make the Difference

My tested tool sequence for the best trimming results:

Stihl HS 82 R hedge trimmer (30″ blade) for initial shaping

• Perfect for establishing clean lines
• Anti-vibration system enables precise cuts
• Ideal for reaching higher sections

ARS KR-1000 hand shears for detail work

• Essential for precise shaping
• Reduces damage to individual branches
• Perfect for tight spaces and detail work

Corona Razor Tooth pruning saw (13″) for interior thinning

• Necessary for removing dead interior branches
• Enables better air circulation
• Critical for maintaining hedge health

Recovery Protocol for Struggling Hedges

Cedar Hedge With Rhododendrons

If you’ve identified decline in your hedge, implement this proven recovery protocol:

Deep Root Feeding

• Apply 30-10-10 fertilizer in early spring
• Focus application 12 inches from trunk base
• Water deeply after application

Irrigation Management

• Install drip irrigation 6 inches from trunk base
• Water deeply twice weekly during dry periods
• Adjust based on rainfall and season

Structural Rehabilitation

• Remove dead interior branches
• Thin selectively to improve air circulation
• Maintain natural shape while reducing size

Ongoing Maintenance

• Monthly applications of chelated iron during growing season
• Regular soil moisture monitoring
• Mulch application to retain moisture

Remember: Recovery requires patience. Even with perfect care, expect 2-3 growing seasons for full revival of a severely stressed hedge. The key is consistent observation and proactive care rather than reactive treatment.

Prevention remains the best strategy. Regular maintenance using proper techniques will keep your hedge healthy and vibrant for decades. In today’s climate, hedges can thrive with the right care, providing both privacy and aesthetic value to your property. By following these professional guidelines and staying attentive to early warning signs, you can maintain hedges that not only survive but flourish in our unique Pacific Northwest conditions. We always employ these techniques at Blossom Landscaping, my landscaping company in Vancouver and consistently see results. So, try for yourself!

Photo Credits

Photos by Blossom Landscaping – All Rights Reserved

Guest Author Bio
Wyatt Lambert

Hi, my name is Wyatt and I am a co-owner of the landscaping company Blossom Landscaping in Vancouver, British Columbia. We are a company with a day to day focus on work from full landscape overhauls to small things like hedge trimming.

Yet, there’s a big difference between surviving and thriving. This post will cover some practical, beginner-friendly tips for helping your small garden thrive this growing season.

Choose the Right Plants

Planning out your garden and choosing the right plants is a lot of fun. However, while growing birthday flowers bursting with color or an eye-catching bean pole teepee is creative and entertaining, you must be intentional if you want your garden to thrive.

Some plants don’t grow well together. For example, if you have plants that love a good soaking, like peppers, you shouldn’t plant them near drought-tolerant plants, such as Swiss chard.

Similarly, planting tall, sun-loving plants near short sun-loving plants can create a shady patch that leaves the smaller plants stunted.

Conversely, some companion plants grow incredibly well together. Marigolds repel pests that typically attack lettuce, and petunias do the same for peppers. Don’t overlook the value of having flowers and vegetables in the same plot!

Finally, choose plants that are indigenous to your area and cultivation zone. Planting foreign plants can negatively impact the ecosystem and often require additional resources for care.

Start with Healthy Soil

Just like we need a balanced diet to stay healthy, plants require essential nutrients from the soil to flourish.

The soil is a lifeline, providing plants with water, air, and the necessary elements to support their growth. So, how can you ensure your soil is up to par? It all begins with testing its pH and nutrient levels.

Test your garden plot’s pH levels to determine if your soil is acidic or alkaline, as this factor affects nutrient availability. You can get a soil testing kit from your local garden center or order one online.

You can also use the old farming trick of mixing a bowl of soil with baking soda and water and another bowl with water and vinegar. If the bowl with baking soda fizzes, the soil is acidic. If the bowl with vinegar fizzes, the soil is alkaline. No reaction indicates neutral soil.

Once you have the results, you can take action! You can amend your soil with organic matter like compost or manure if it needs a nutrient boost. These additions contribute valuable nutrients and improve soil structure. Using fertilizers or other soil amendments tailored to your plant’s needs can help optimize its growth potential.

Water Wisely

Determining your garden’s water needs doesn’t have to feel like cracking a secret code. First, take a good look at your plants. Are their leaves drooping or turning yellow, or have you experienced a rainless week? In that case, your plants will definitely need a drink.

Creating a watering schedule or using an irrigation system can be your garden’s best friend. You can even use an app like Garden Manager: Plant Alarm to remind you when to water your plants and to help you avoid overwatering; it’s like having a personal gardening assistant.

One of the best things you can do for your garden and the environment is rainwater harvesting. Take advantage of those dreary days by setting out collection containers or placing a barrel under your downspout. Use this water to keep your garden fresh on hot days without increasing your consumption habits.

Rainwater harvesting also helps you avoid causing damage with chemically-treated water from your taps or hose. Consider covering open vessels with a screen to prevent bug infestations — mosquitos love standing water.

Provide Adequate Sunlight

Providing your plants with the right amount of sunlight is essential for a happy, thriving garden. Place your garden in an East or South-facing area for plants that need a lot of sunlight.

It’s important to note that the saying is true: too much of a good thing isn’t a good thing at all. Several plants like partial sunlight and struggle after prolonged exposure to the afternoon sun. Place these plants in a shaded area, or strategically place taller, sun-loving plants near them to provide shade as they grow.

If your options for finding a sunny spot are limited (patio gardeners often have this issue), use reflective surfaces to redirect light into your plot.

Garden mirrors are effective when used safely. Place them in an area that reflects light into your garden without focusing the sun on dry patches of grass to avoid fire hazards. Avoid overly reflective, transparent surfaces if possible, as these can be confusing for birds.

Water features are another excellent option for reflecting light. Fountains or ponds can help brighten a shady garden and give the plants more sun exposure to promote growth.

You can address the sources of shade by pruning back trees or hedges to let more light shine through.

Control Pests and Diseases

Believe it or not, having pests and critters visit your garden is a good thing. If the pests aren’t attacking your plants, the plants you’ve chosen are harmful to the local ecosystem.

That being said, pests can be a gardener’s nightmare. Companion planting is a practical, natural way to deter pests. Certain species of tulips are deer and rabbit deterrents. Many organic gardeners will also use vegetable oil or cayenne pepper as a natural pest deterrent.

Proactive weeding and removal of debris will also help limit plant-harming insects from entering your garden. When all else fails, you can also give caterpillars and their partners in crime a quick blast with the hose.

Constant vigilance is a must when keeping your small garden pest-free. Look at your plants every few days, removing rotted or damaged produce as needed.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, with some love and attention, your small garden can become a thriving oasis of green goodness. Start by nourishing your soil, choosing the right plants, and providing them with adequate sunlight and water. Monitor your garden and ward off pests with clever companion plantings and natural deterrents.

The secret to success lies in observing your garden’s needs and adjusting your care accordingly. So go ahead, get your hands dirty, and watch your small garden flourish.

Photo Credit

Photo by Akil Mazumder on Pexels

Guest Author Bio
Kyla Stewart

Kyla is a former content writer, who decided to start her own blogging site and become a digital nomad. She managed to create a platform where all her previous clients are gathered – so they can merge and learn from each other! Her main motto is “sharing is caring” and her goal is to see the world from different perspectives!

Website: The Blog Frog

So if you’re thinking about taking on indoor gardening as a hobby, we’ve listed five top plant choices for you to start with. This selection of plants is considered low-maintenance and easy to grow, making them perfect for beginner indoor gardeners.

Snake Plants

Snake Plants are undeniably one of the easiest plants to keep inside. These hardy plants won’t need much from you, as they thrive in low light conditions with minimal watering. Beyond that, they are also elegant, vibrant, and easy to propagate with cuttings below leaf nodes.

As if that’s not already enough to convince you to get a Snake Plant or two for your home, these plants are also excellent oxygen producers, and they do so at night as well, so you can keep Snake Plants in your bedroom for a better night’s sleep.

Spider Plant

Spider Plants require a well-draining potting mix, although they grow with a lot of ease indoors. These vibrant green plants with long droopy finger-like leaves should be kept in sunnier spots of the home, as they prefer medium to bright indirect light. These plants thrive with a little more than weekly watering when kept in the right place.

Swiss Cheese Plant

The Swiss Cheese Plant is an exceptional choice for a denser leafy green plant. This tropical plant grows well in bright indirect light but only needs water once a week. Furthermore, they’re pretty easy to propagate and can grow quite large, making them excellent accent decor statements in any room of the home for a tropical look.

Ripple Peperomia

The Ripple Peperomia Plant is quite an interesting-looking piece of nature. The emerald green leaves appear to have indented ripples, and the underside is a rich red. This vibrant house plant also blooms long white flowers, and it’s elementary to care for.

This plant will thrive in low-medium light settings with weekly waterings and well-drained soil.

Philodendron Heartleaf

The Philodendron Heartleaf is quite an adaptable plant that thrives in indirect light. Moreover, it’s pretty straightforward to grow in your home. This plant does enjoy frequent watering, although bright direct light is damaging.

Even if you have forgotten to care for your Philodendron Heartleaf for a while, it’s relatively easy to revive with a bit of extra attention. These plants also grow outward like loose vines, so they are great for shelves.

Keeping plants inside does bring about several pleasant benefits. Although, not everyone has a green thumb, which can make getting your indoor garden started a bit tricky. For this reason, it’s always best to start with low-maintenance plants until you have adopted a plant care routine that enables these plants to thrive.

Photo Credits

Snake Plant – Wikimedia Creative Commons

Spider Plant – Wikimedia Creative Commons

Swiss Cheese Plant – Pixabay

Peperomia – Wikimedia Creative Commons

Philodendron – Wikimedia Creative Commons

Guest Author Bio
John Moran

John Moran is an American who enjoys the fine art of living well. His interests include anything wine, food or nature related especially when enjoyed with friends and family.

We could all use a little comfort right now. And to find it, you need to look no further than your local nursery or even your own back door. Now, more than ever, people of all ages, from Millennials to seniors, are discovering the psychological and social benefits of plants.

Nurturing to Be Nurtured

One of the greatest perks of caring for plants is how soothing a hobby it can be. Whether you’re tending a little garden or nurturing your indoor houseplants, there is a Zen-like quality to working the soil and watching the little green forces of nature grow.

In fact, gardening in its myriad forms has become so popular as an antidote to the stress, loneliness, and worry of the pandemic that even young people have become aficionados. For Millennials, in particular, raising little “plant babies” has become more than just a coping mechanism, it’s become a rewarding way of life.

And it’s not difficult to understand why. There’s already vast and growing scientific evidence to show that tending plants is good for you both physically and mentally. Studies show, for example, that indoor plants can reduce stress, increase focus, and even help you recover from illness more quickly.

Mindfulness and Mental Sharpness

Working with plants is an ideal way to practice mindfulness. It’s virtually impossible to ruminate for too long on past pain or future worries when you have these little green lives depending on you. To ensure they survive and thrive, your plants will need your attention right there and then, centering you in the moment as you plant, prune, and nourish your tender buds and green shoots

It’s perhaps not surprising, then, that gardening has been shown to be protective not only from a psychological perspective but also from a cognitive one. In fact, studies show that gardening can help protect you against dementia.

Both the physical activity associated with the act of planting and tending a garden and the mental acuity required to keep that garden alive and growing are precisely the behaviors that can help keep the brain healthy and plastic. You’ll be engaging all the senses, which is a true workout for the brain, and you will be learning as you go (and grow).

Creating an Oasis, Both Inside and Out

The benefits of plants extend beyond the mental and physical rewards, however. There are also important social benefits as well. For instance, tending a garden also means creating a warm and inviting backyard space that can be ideal for social gatherings.

There are few things more soothing than being surrounded by bright and fragrant blooms or more welcoming than a verdant patch of well-loved greenery. And that means that your backyard garden can quickly become the ideal gathering place for the people you love the most.

Best of all, you might choose to transform gardening into an activity that you can share with your dear ones. For instance, you might decide to turn your green space into a communal garden, inviting family, friends, and even the neighbors to participate.

And because you and your fellow horticulturists get to eat what you grow, you’ll have the benefits of physical activity and fresh, healthy, affordable food.

Even if you don’t have a perfect outdoor space for gardening, you and your guests can still benefit from the beauty and serenity of nature inside your home. Populating your interiors with indoor plants can be a terrific way to lend warmth and welcome to your house.

For instance, placing an easy-to-care-for plant in the entryway will make a great first impression for any guest. After all, nothing says “home” quite like a live and obviously well-loved houseplant or potted tree.

Similarly, hanging plants or a tiered plant stand in the bedroom will not only help to freshen the air, but it can infuse the space with the sense of serenity that only nature can provide. And that’s going to turn an ordinary bedroom into a restful haven.

The Takeaway

Plants aren’t just good for welcoming new neighbors or offering support in times of sickness or loss. Plants are also enormously powerful agents for physical and mental health. Tending a garden not only provides beneficial physical activity, but it can also help safeguard against dementia. At the same time, tending plants, whether indoors or outside, can also help reduce stress, elevate mood, and increase mindfulness. Plants can help support social wellbeing. Outdoor gardens can serve as perfect gathering spaces, while well-placed plants in entryways and interior living spaces will create a warm and inviting environment for entertaining. Best of all, gardening with friends and family isn’t just an ideal pastime, it’s also a way to share the many rewards of plants with the ones you love.

Photo Credits

Seedling from pixabay
Living Room Plant from pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Jori Hamilton

Jori Hamilton is a writer and journalist from the Pacific Northwest who covers social justice issues, healthcare, and politics. You can follow her work on twitter @HamiltonJori, and through her portfolio at Writer Jori Hamilton.

To avoid becoming a victim of tree service phonies, there are certain tips you will read about in this article that are good to consider when picking a proper tree service.

Insurance
Making sure that the company you hire has the appropriate tree service insurance should be one of the first things you check by simply asking for written proof of their insurance policy.

The carrier should send the certificate directly to you since many companies are known to produce and pass fraudulent certificates to customers.

Besides insurance, make sure it also has worker compensation coverage. If an accident happens, and they don’t have the proper insurance, you’re the one liable and could be facing a lawsuit. You would also have to cover for the repairs to your property.

Reputation

Researching the tree service will always be worth your time. It’s not a bad idea to inquire about their reputation in the neighborhood. Go online and read any reviews you can find and check whether the tree service provider is a member of respectable trade associations, like the Tree Care Industry Association or the International Society of Arboriculture.

Ask around how long they’ve been doing this and if there are any complaints about their work on online forums or discussion groups. You can even ask the company for references if you feel like you need that extra assurance.

Ask for Prices

People love a good bargain but if a price seems too good to be true, then it most likely is. A tree service that offers very low prices probably lacks experience in this industry, or the proper insurance and certifications, or only plans on completing a portion of the project.

Scammers usually offer extremely affordable rates and use smooth-talking salesperson tactics that persuade you to accept such low-priced services.

But, the same also applies if the price is outrageously expensive. If you’re surprised by the high prices, go ahead and compare different estimates from other service providers to determine what the average price is.

Even though you want to catch a good bargain, seek out multiple estimates in your area to judge the expertise and professionalism of the tree service to be on the safe side.

Compare Apples and Apples

When considering different estimates, compare what you’re offered. You should take into account if one tree service is offering extra services or benefits. For instance, one company might plan on taking a tree down whereas another one might be ready to remove it in sections.

It’s a lot easier to take down a tree and doesn’t require a lot of time, but, in turn, it’s much more likely to cause more damage to your property. If the trees are taken down in pieces, it causes less damage to your property but requires more effort and time which makes it the pricier option.

However, remember that the price isn’t the most important part. Trust your instincts and choose the option that works best for you and your specific needs.

Check for a Better Business Bureau Seal

You should check to see if the tree service company is accredited with a Better Business Bureau Seal and if it is, it’s an excellent sign that it is a reputable company by meeting the BBB standards.

This is a good indicator of a proper service that offers transparency, integrity, commitment, responsiveness to customers, privacy, and honest advertisement. You also want to know what rating the company has and its reputation.

Be Cautious After a Disaster

Con artists usually appear after natural disasters and can be the reason why you’re forced to hire suspicious door-to-door contractors. If you urgently need to hire a tree service, be cautious and make sure you’re not overcharged.

There are many examples of tree services that charge excessive rates after a hurricane or ice storm although the service needed is simple and easy. In addition, always ask that the company provide the necessary certifications and insurance coverage.

Conclusion

There are numerous tree service companies on the market, but you need to be careful when choosing one if you want to avoid scammers. You can easily detect scammers by following the above-mentioned tips and ensuring that you receive a high level of professionalism, presentation, and expert knowledge.

Everything comes down to choosing a trusted company with a good track record that’s ready to deliver top-quality services and that will get the work done.

Photo Credits

First photo is from Pixabay

Second photo by Jimmy Chan from Pexels

Author Bio
Victoria Berman

Vicky is a Food & Lifestyle Blogger at AvocadoPesto, where she specializes in healthy living and cooking. She is also a world traveler and has visited over 60 countries.

Do you want to add some more flower beds? Do you want a veggie patch? Do you want to have some animals to roam around? Whatever it is, we have some ideas that might help you build a solid plan. 

If you want to enhance your garden, take a look at the following six ideas for some inspiration!

1. Try Composting

If you already have some plants and shrubs growing and you want to maintain them, then this is something you might want to try. It’s one of the easiest projects to start. You need minimal equipment, and it allows you to cut down on food waste and create rich, organic soil that your plants will love.

Best of all, you can compost on both large and small properties. There are even methods available for indoor composting. Grab yourself a composting bin that will suit your available space and try it out today!

2. Go Vertical

As you can imagine by the name, vertical gardening means growing your plants on a tall suspended frame. Despite its sudden trendiness, the technique dates back thousands of years to ancient civilizations farming the hillsides.

This method requires structures like trellises and garden netting or twine to get started. You will also want to purchase a climbing plant – for example, honeysuckle or sweet peas. 

Vertical gardening is often utilized by people in apartments, small homes, and condos but will still suit larger spaces. Pretty much anyone can create a vertical garden.

3. House Chickens

If you have the space for it, housing a few chickens is a great way to live sustainably. You’re able to gather fresh eggs, fertilize the surrounding soil, and kill sustainably and ethically for meat. Plus, chickens eat ticks, steering these small creatures away from your family.

According to Dalton Engineering Ltd, you’ll need the right equipment to build your coop. You will need plenty of time on the weekends for this project but consider it an investment.

4.Hang Patio Plants

So, what do you do if your garden space is virtually non-existent, but you want to add a pop of color or grow some veggies? Fear not, because you can still be a gardening whiz. You need to be a bit creative and use patio plants.

Patio plants are great as you can use pretty much anything as a pot – an old bucket, water butt, or even something ornate. Garden centers will sell a vast range of seeds and potted plants that will thrive, even in a planter on a patio. 

5. Work with Low Maintenance Plants

If you aren’t sure how involved you want your project to be, consider planting low maintenance plants. This is a good solution if you’re going to enhance your outdoor space without all the responsibilities of, say, a vegetable garden.

A few examples of good low maintenance plants include shrubs, such as spirea, weigela, and hydrangeas. You may also want to explore perennials such as peony, geranium, and coneflowers. 

6. Repurpose Materials

If you’re just getting started in the art of growing and want to save money on materials, consider repurposing. Take old or broken materials from around your home and use them in your garden.

Old sink parts could be turned into an excellent wall planter. A forgotten frame could be the perfect structure for a hanging planter. With enough creativity, the possibilities are endless. Plus, a quick Google search will reveal any number of DIY opportunities discovered by others.

Conclusion

No matter how much room you have, it’s important to dedicate time to filling the space with quality plants and features. A garden doesn’t just bloom in a day; put in some extra hours to this project on the weekend and you’ll soon have a beautiful garden that grows plants, veggies, and eggs!

Image Credit

Pots Image by Milada Vigerova from Pixabay

Flowers Image by cablemarder from Pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Trenton J. Smith

Trenton is an aspiring writer who loves to research and write about a wide variety of topics. When he is not writing, he enjoys gardening and long walks with his dog Boomer.

You think you’ve done all the hard work. You took the effort to start your own seeds. You carefully prepared your garden soil. And your vegetable plants are starting to grow. It’s time to sit back, relax, and get ready to reap the harvest. Well, not quite. Like most things in life, your vegetable garden needs regular care. That’s if you want to grow strong, healthy plants that give you the best harvest of vegetables. Don’t worry. It’s not difficult. Follow these steps to maintain your vegetable garden and you’ll get the best out of it.

1) Give Your Plants The Support They Need

Some plants are like kids. They need support to grow into the strong, healthy beings they can become. Plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, and pole beans like to sprawl around the garden. But it’s much better to give them support like a trellis or bamboo canes. Some of these plants will vine along the support but others need to be tied to the support every few inches. The benefit of supporting plants is you can grow more plants in less space with vertical gardening. Since the leaves and fruits are above the soil, they are protected from several pests and diseases. Since the foliage has more exposure to sunlight, they produce more chlorophyll which means your vegetables taste better. And it’s a lot easier to harvest the vegetables when they’re ready.

2) Give Your Plants The Resource They Crave

Your plants need water. Some more than others. You can check how dry the soil is. If there’s no moisture, it’s time to water the plants. They need at least an inch of water every week. They might need more water in hot weather especially if you’re growing in containers. You might need to water the plants several times a day. If your plants don’t get water, the foliage will wilt and the fruit will rot away. And if your plants get too much water, the roots will rot. You can’t just rely on rain to do the job. It’s unpredictable and not good for the plants. The best things to do is have a timed drip irrigation system that can water the roots without wasting water. If you’re on a budget, you can water the plants yourself but remember to do so. You can plant your garden near a water source so you’ll be reminded to water them as you walk in the garden.

3) Feed Your Plants The Nutrition They Deserve

Plants love to grow in soil that has rich, organic matter. If you’ve done a good job preparing the soil, you’ll have added compost to it. You must have tested the soil to understand if there are any deficiencies in the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. And you must have corrected such deficiencies by using a fertilizer with the right balance of these three nutrients. Now that your vegetable plants are growing, you need to provide them with the right nutrients. The organic matter in your garden will keep reducing as plants take in the nutrients. So it’s best to keep adding compost when the level goes down.

It takes time for the compost to work so it would be beneficial to add some fertilizer to your garden as well. You can use an organic, water-soluble fertilizer but make sure to water the soil well before you use it.

4) Provide A Natural Blanket To The Soil

Mulch is the thick layer of organic or inorganic material you blanket your soil with. This layer helps keep the soil temperature regulated without extreme fluctuations. It also keeps the right amount of air and moisture in the soil. The thick layer of mulch does not allow weed seeds to sprout and kills them. Predatory insects thrive in such mulch and eat up the pests that can harm your plants. You can use organic mulch such as grass clippings, hay, straw, and wood bark. They will protect your garden plants and slowly decompose forming rich, organic matter. So you’ll need to replenish them periodically. If you use inorganic mulch like stone pellets or plastic sheets, you don’t need to replace them for a long time. But they don’t help provide organic matter to the soil.

5) Remove Unwanted Guests From The Garden

Weeds can be a real pain. They choke up your plants and steal nutrients and water from them. The best thing you can do is remove the weeds before you plant your vegetable garden. And once you have your garden, lay a thick layer of mulch that will prevent the weed seeds from sprouting. Check your garden every few days to see if there are any weeds growing. Pluck them out and throw them in your compost pile.

6) Grow Plants To Feed Your Plants

You’ll grow vegetables in your garden during the growing season. But for the rest of the year, your garden will be empty. And an empty garden attracts unwanted pests and weeds. The weather elements tend to erode the soil and drain the nutrients from it. But there’s something you can do to prevent this problem. You can grow cover crops in the fall. The cover crops will protect your garden from weeds and keep the soil enriched. Before they can go to seed, you need to till the cover crops into the ground. They will decompose and provide your garden with organic matter for the next growing season.

7) Take Out The Plants You Don’t Need

You planted several seeds in your vegetable garden.  And there are several plants that have sprouted from them. But this can be a problem. The plants close to each other will compete for nutrients and water. So it’s best to thin them out. This means you keep the healthiest plant and pluck out the remaining so the single plant gets all the resources. If you have root vegetables, you can trim the leaves so most of the nutrients go to the root. If you have vegetables that bear fruit like tomatoes, you can trim the leaves and suckers, so the plants spend most of their energy on growing fruit.

CONCLUSION

These steps are easy. Follow them and you’ll have the best vegetable garden. Your plants will grow strong and healthy. And you’ll get the harvest of fruits, vegetables, and roots that you deserve.

So go out to your garden and start working!

Photo Credits

Photos are from DepositPhotos.com

Guest Author Bio
Kevin Rodrigues

Kevin Rodrigues is a developer-turned-blogger that helps people learn about gardening. He posts tips and guides about growing your own vegetables on his website.

Website: Gardening Mentor

Every summer there comes a time when I feel like I’ve had enough. But on the bright side, every winter comes a time when I’m really thankful that I did do all that work. There is nothing more satisfying than sitting down to breakfast with pancakes topped with your own jam, or a steak dinner garnished with your own pickles, or pickled green tomatoes.

Most recently, I added another task to my already busy schedule: drying teas. I know I’m crazy. But this past winter was the first one I spent with a mug of my own herbal tea and I’m not going back. Why?

Because it tastes like my garden when the weather outside is horrible and cold, and it’s not the season for anything in particular. I curl up with a good book and a pot of fragrant mint tea and automatically start planning for next year. If jams, jellies and pickles are meant for fast and immediate satisfaction, then teas are for the more meditative and thoughtful enjoyment of the fruits of your labor. 

The plants I started growing for tea include chamomile, mint, peppermint, dandelion (alright, so I didn’t grow it on purpose, but now I wait a while before ripping it out of the ground!), nettles, blind nettles, plantain and rose. 

Now bear with me – most of the plants I mentioned most consider weeds. This doesn’t mean they’re not good for you and good for tea. So put that weed killer away – your garden and your pantry will thank you. I will include the recipe for the weediest weed of them all: dandelion. Hey, imagine a tea like this being actually sold in an online tea and coffee store and in herbal stores! You have a treasure at your arm’s reach.

Dandelion Tea

How and when to pick:

Pick the flowers when they have just bloomed. Most of them in the early spring. This not only makes delicious tea but prevents them from spreading all over your garden. I dry them in a dehydrator. You can also spread them on a baking pan and dry them on a low setting with the oven door open. 

Harvest dandelion roots in the fall. They are not as bitter when you harvest them in the spring. Wash them very meticulously, and dry them using the same method as the flowers. The root can be made into tea later by simmering it in on a low heat for 15 minutes. 

This is a very healthy tea that is a very powerful detoxifier and antioxidant. Happy gardening!

Nettle Tea

Another plant that we consider a weed – but one which is absolutely full of benefits. It can lower blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol. It helps to fight infections and decrease oxidative stress. Nettle is a strong diuretic. It contains vitamin C, Vitamin B, Vitamin K1, not to mention that 10 grams of nettle contain 290 milligrams of calcium and 86 milligrams of magnesium. Just to compare with the famed spinach – 10 grams of it contains 10 milligrams of calcium and 8 milligrams of magnesium. Eat that, Popeye! Bet you never knew that, did you? It’s best to pick nettles before they flower – that’s when they’re at their nutritional best both for tea and if you’re planning on using them as vegetables. (Blanch them for stews and soups!). I keep them trimmed back all year long, so they have a chance to grow back and I can get multiple harvests in. No need to tell you to wear gloves. 

Pick them and dry in a warm place where there is free air movement, tied into bunches.  I often mix nettle tea with green tea – so I can mix the flavors and benefits of both. They go surprisingly well together, especially if you have a green tea with added fruit lie quinces, apples or oranges. 

A few things about tea storage:

Store your tea in a airtight jar. If possible, do not crush the tea – the stuff you get in tea bags is really inferior quality and turns to dust. Store the dried plants in large pieces if possible. This helps to retain their goodness and oils locked inside until you actually brew it. Before brewing, crush the leaves in the palm of your hand. You will get a very aromatic cup that smells like summer. 

An important thing to remember is to make absolute sure your herbs are dry before you seal them in a jar, or an airtight bag. If there is any moisture they will develop mold – a very sad surprise if you’re looking forward to brewing a pot. I have learned the hard way. 

I hope this article inspires you to take an appreciative look at the weeds in your garden, and makes you think about how there is a use for everything. If you don’t want to go to the trouble of drying and packaging your own “weed” tea, you can get them in professional tea stores.

Photo Credits

Hot house – Creative Commons by Thomas Verbruggen
Feature image by Tomas Jankovic on flickr – some rights reserved
All other photos by Charlotte Klassa

Guest Author Bio
Charlotte Klassa

Charlotte is a long time food industry professional, and now a stay at home mom of two. She loves sharing natural recipes, gardening tips and creative foodie advice with the world.

Planting a garden doesn’t have to translate to fruits or veggies. Gardens can include potted plants, shrubs, ivy, flowers, herbs…anything green goes! Before you plant anything, check with your local nursery to find out which greenery grows best in your area. Some plants need more sun or water, while others thrive with little maintenance and certain grasses may even be drought-resistant (win/win!).Whatever you decide to plant, your green contributions may help your health. Here are eight ways gardening may promote healthier living:

1. We eat what we grow

If you’re taking on a produce garden, you’ll of course want to eat what you grow. This means that you may up your intake of healthy veggies or fruits. Fresh grown herbs also taste so much better than those we buy in the store. Enjoy the fruits of your labor, and know that your body is benefiting from those homegrown nutrients.

2. Gardening may increase our activity levels

Tending a garden requires physical activity. You’re digging, pulling weeds, maybe lifting bags of soil or fertilizer. Gardening isn’t just a lay back and smell the flowers hobby, it takes work. And gardening is an easy way to encourage more outdoor activities if you tend to be sedentary. Just don’t forget to wear sunscreen!

3. Gardening may broaden your horizons

If you’re more of a wallflower, gardening may help you branch out socially. There are many local gardening clubs or groups that you can join to find helpful tips, expertise and new friendships. Grow your garden and your social circle!

4. Green is calming

The color green helps invoke a sense of calm. So surrounding yourself with greenery may help soothe you. This is why, as CNN notes, that the color is used in hospitals and schools.

5. Gardening may help reduce the risk of dementia

According to a study, gardening was shown to lower the risk of dementia by 36 percent. In addition, researchers at UCLA and the University of Pittsburgh also found that gardening may help lower the risk for Alzheimer’s–researchers theorize that the link is tied to the physical activity of gardeners.

6. A daily dose of vitamin D

Exposure to the sun encourages our body to produce vitamin D. So heading outdoors to tend to a garden is a simple way to venture out into the sun. Again, though, remember to protect your skin with SPF 30 and wear sunglasses!

7. You may benefit from a healthier BMI

A study that looked at the benefits of community gardens noted that gardeners have a lower Body Mass Index (or BMI) and “lower odds of being overweight and obese.” An individual’s BMI is one way doctor’s help gauge health; according to the National Institutes of Health National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, BMI “is a measure of body fat based on height and weight.”

8. Gardening may help lower your stress levels

Maybe it’s the beauty of the outdoors, the soothing hue of greenery or all that fresh air, but gardening may help lower stress! According to CNN, a study out of the Netherlands had participants complete a stress-inducing task then read or garden. The group that tended to a garden had decreased levels of cortisol…and they felt happier!

It’s the perfect time to think about adding greenery to your backyard. Head to your local nursery and talk to the staff about what plants and flowers work best for your lifestyle and climate. Then get out there and garden…your health will thank you!

Photo Credits

All photos from Shuterstock

Guest Author Bio
Amy Williams
Amy Williams is a free-lance journalist based in Southern California and mother of two. As a parent, she enjoys spreading the word on positive parenting techniques in the digital age and raising awareness on issues like cyberbullying and online safety

After all your hard work to add a beautiful water feature the last thing you want is for annoying mosquitoes to ruin the tranquility. The team members at Moxie Services are Denver pest control experts that have seen this problem in the Mile High City. In fact, it can happen just about anywhere in the country during the spring and summer months. 

The Moxie pest technicians say it is possible to enjoy outdoor water features without being bugged by mosquitoes. You just have to take a few precautions and keep up with maintenance.

Mosquito Larvae

Get Rid of Standing Water

Mosquitoes only need one inch of stagnant water to lay eggs. And that’s all it takes for the eggs to develop and hatch. Unlike humans, mosquitoes reproduce rapidly laying around 100-300 eggs at a time. Those eggs will become larvae in a matter of a few days. 

The best thing you can do to prevent a mosquito infestation is to get rid of all standing water:

• Remove bird baths
• Remove debris that can collect water
• Don’t overwater the yard or potted plants (some mosquito species also lay eggs in damp soil)
• Fix grading issues that allow water to pool
• Fix gutters so that there are no clogs and water drains well
• Make sure outdoor faucets and hoses aren’t leaking
• Fix broken sprinkler heads

After the next rain, go outside and check the yard for problem areas. Make a note of anywhere you see at least an inch of standing water and take action to correct the problem immediately.

Keep Your Fountains Flowing

Another problem that can lead to stagnant water is a fountain that ceases to work. If the water is flowing and circulating there’s no way for the mosquitos to lay eggs that will mature. But all it takes is a few days for the problems to start.

One of the most common issues is pond or fountain pumps going out. Because they run continuously, pumps are notorious for burning out rather rapidly. There are two things you can do to help improve the longevity of a water pump:

Choose the appropriate pump size – Pumps that are undersized are going to be overworked. Before choosing a pump, determine the flow rate. Generally, you want a flow rate of 50%. That means the pump is capable of pumping half the volume of water per hour. For example, if a pond contains 1,000 gallons of water the pump should circulate 500 gallons per hour. 

Clear debris out of the water – You’ll need to clean the pond/fountain daily and/or use a filtration system to clear out debris that can clog the pump. 

But what if you go out of town? Again, it only takes a few days for mosquito eggs to hatch. You may want to have someone go by and check on it every few days. 

Treat the Water With a Larvicide

Another thing you can do to control mosquitoes while you’re at home and away is to treat the water with larvicide. Treatments with the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) will kill larvae within a few days of hatching without affecting other animals. Insect growth regulator (IGR) is another treatment that can be used to kill larvae before they turn into adults. 

If you don’t like the idea of putting chemicals in the water of your ponds and fountains there’s something else that could help. Top-feeding minnows are mosquito predators that will eat the eggs before they hatch. However, that means you’ll have to take care of the fish, and more frequent cleaning will be needed. 

Use Mosquito Deterrents Around Water Features

There are also a few things you can do to keep mosquitoes from getting near your water features: 

• Plant insect-repelling flowers nearby.
• Strategically place citronella candles.
• Put bug zappers near your water features. 

Water features are a beautiful addition to the backyard, but they require special maintenance to keep mosquitoes at bay. Take the precautions above and you’ll be able to relax without worrying about getting bit. 

Photo Credits

Larvae – wikimedia creative commons

Fountain – Max Pixel public domain

Contributing Author Bio
Ashley Andrews

Ashley Andrews is an entrepreneur and blogger.  She now lives in San Diego, CA and is happily self employed.  She enjoys writing about anything that catches her interest, especially tech and entrepreneurship.