Gardening Question of the Day for Friday, April 18, 2008
(Via Gardening Question of the Day (from The Old Farmer's Almanac))
What conditions does a neem tree require for growth? (answer).
What conditions does a neem tree require for growth? (answer).
From The Old Farmer's Almanac.
Spray Nozzles: Tips on choosing the right garden hose fittings
(Via Gardening Tips 'n' Ideas)
As a self-confessed gadget obsessive, I'm both optimistic and cynical when new products hit the market. Not that garden spray nozzles are particularly new but as hose fittings they've come a long way since the technological achievements of the twist head sprayer.
In fact, it was probably the twist head that paved the way for these new fan-dangled multi-sprayers. Where once we were excited with the amount of control we could brandish over our watering tasks, we can no longer settle for gradual increments from jet to spray. It always has to be more.
Admittedly I've tried a number of these multi sprayers with varying degrees of success - and obviously contributed more than my fair share to landfill. Which highlights the problems of not choosing your garden hose fittings carefully. The less you spend almost guarantees its destiny with the garbage bin. But then spending more won't necessarily safeguard you against throwing your hands up in despair - and the spray nozzle in the trash.
What to look for in a quality spray nozzle
The best hose fittings usually have similar redeeming qualities, such as;
- Brass Mechanisms - offering more resistance to seizing and rust, brass mechanisms are better able to handle the rigours of service we expect from our garden tools. At the very least, the pin that levers open the nozzle should be brass and if possible the male hose attachment should also be brass (but I've found good ones without the latter option).
- Hard Plastic - especially the lever that activates the brass pin. If this isn't sturdy - and unfortunately it probably won't be recyclable - then you will only ever get one season out of your nozzle.
- Molded Hand Grip - this is a necessity if you plan to spend more than 10 minutes watering your garden each day. Many of the good ones have now added softer grips as well to ease any undue strain on your hands
- Always-on Clip - these are essential for long watering stints. Holding a lever against a spring for long periods can cause stress on your hand muscles. The Always-on clip can be set once you're into your watering process saving copious amounts of pain.
Once you've found a good spray nozzle the next task is deciphering what all those options are used for. Most combinations available today are similar, even if they're not labeled the same and most sprayers will feature 4,6, 7 or 9 differing combinations. Which is best? The jury is still out on that one but for me, I'm enamoured with my 6 pattern.
This is what it offers and how to use each option;
- Jet - while I don't waste precious water hosing down my driveway every week there are always tasks that require a little more pressure than just dribbling water through a hose. Cleaning buckets, tools, the wheelbarrow etc seem to take a little more forcefulness. Plus, this pattern gives you the option where needed to blast some unwanted lichen from your patio bricks or hose down your compost tumbler. In reality, the main purpose of the jet option is for cleaning more than watering.
- Shower - a handy choice for watering your established perennials that can handle some aggressive action. It delivers water efficiently around the root ball of the plant and helps with those where watering the foliage is also desirable.
- Flat - this produces a flat, almost horizontal spray that works much like a water sprayer used on raodworks. It's a great option for bedding in seeds especially in the veggie patch and while you probably won't use this option much, it is handy if it's available.
- Cone - similar to the Shower pattern, the Cone differs only in that it doesn't water the foliage per se. It can deliver water to the roots of the plants in a fashion that's less aggressive than the Shower option and will apply less to the foliage than to the root ball.
- Soaker - I always wondered the purpose of this option until I transplanted some seedlings in the garden. The Soaker option is a must for this chore because it delivers a heap of water very gently around the base of each plant. It does the same for planting any of your plants ensuring that any air pockets within the soil are quickly eradicated.
- Mist - the final option on my 6 pattern is Mist and it doesn't really need any introduction. Useful for container plants and soft-foliage herbs it's a must for any spray nozzle. This option is also great for keeping your seedling trays moist where you don't require a lot of water.
So, just when you thought buying garden hose fittings was a no-brainer there seems to be more to consider than just price. Choose a spray nozzle that will last for your purposes and offers as much as you require.
Bird-Friendly Garden Plants
(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
Want to plant bird-friendly garden plants? We will tell you which plants to choose from a bird's point of view and from a gardener's point of view. We will help you bring nature to your yard!
Want to plant bird-friendly garden plants? We will tell you which plants to choose from a bird's point of view and from a gardener's point of view. We will help you bring nature to your yard!
Good Advice On How To Start A Vegetable Garden
(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
Vegetable gardening has recently become just as popular as walking to the food market for fresh veggies. Vegetable gardening can produce a veggies that are most of the times less expensive than when purchased in a food market, and vegetables from a home vegetable garden are without a doubt healthier. Vegetable gardening is equivalent to growing plants or flowers and if the right directions are used and the young veggies are given the right care they'll grow and develop into very tasty veggies.
Vegetable gardening has recently become just as popular as walking to the food market for fresh veggies. Vegetable gardening can produce a veggies that are most of the times less expensive than when purchased in a food market, and vegetables from a home vegetable garden are without a doubt healthier. Vegetable gardening is equivalent to growing plants or flowers and if the right directions are used and the young veggies are given the right care they'll grow and develop into very tasty veggies.
Midwinter Fragrance
(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
We're reaching the time of year when gardens are put to bed, ready for the first hard frosts and when gardeners can curl up in front of the fire to choose the seeds and plants they're going to plant next year. But I'm still itching to get out there because I know that plants have a lot to offer this time of year - especially fragrance. There are so many winter plants which not only brighten our beds but also provide us with amazing perfumes and scents to surprise us.
We're reaching the time of year when gardens are put to bed, ready for the first hard frosts and when gardeners can curl up in front of the fire to choose the seeds and plants they're going to plant next year. But I'm still itching to get out there because I know that plants have a lot to offer this time of year - especially fragrance. There are so many winter plants which not only brighten our beds but also provide us with amazing perfumes and scents to surprise us.
Water-Wise Gardening on the Southwest Coast
(Via Home and Family: Gardening Articles from EzineArticles.com)
California has the benefit of having a long and luscious growing season. This means there are a lot of plant options for green-thumb Californians wanting to grow a garden. But a challenge to California gardening is water. Water conservation is important everywhere, especially in warm and dry climates. Therefore, choosing plants that don't need gallons of water every day is a good idea. Enter drought-tolerant landscaping.
California has the benefit of having a long and luscious growing season. This means there are a lot of plant options for green-thumb Californians wanting to grow a garden. But a challenge to California gardening is water. Water conservation is important everywhere, especially in warm and dry climates. Therefore, choosing plants that don't need gallons of water every day is a good idea. Enter drought-tolerant landscaping.
