Do you do container gardening outdoors? Depending on the type of pots and planters you have, special care must be taken to ensure they don’t get damaged during the harsh winter months.
When autumn ends, some of you might have emptied your pots and planters. If you have plans on pausing for container gardening this winter season, here is how you can store your pots and planters for the winter. Proper Storage of Pots and Planters Storing your pots and planters is a must. Not storing your planters properly can damage them. You will then find yourself having to spend more money to buy new planters in the spring. If you store planters the right way, they can last for decades. Empty Your Containers Before anything else, you need to empty your containers. This is the initial step if you want to store your plant containers. It might be tempting for you to re-use your potting soil but it is not always the best case. Reusing potting soil can promote the spread of diseases and pests. If the plant you had in the pot was healthy and had no pests, then you can keep and reuse the potting mix. If the plant was diseased and had pests, dispose of the potting mix. After emptying the pots, inspect them for any cracks or damages. You can repurpose damaged pots if they can no longer be used to hold plants. Cleaning Your Containers After emptying, cleaning is the next step. Remove any build-up from inside and outside of the planter. For most pots and planters, you can use a ten percent bleach solution, warm water, and scrub for deep cleaning. This solution can clear out fungi and bacteria that were left out in the containers. Rinse and dry afterward. We do not recommend scrubbing your pots and planters if it has a matte paint finish. A rough scrub can damage the paint. You can use a soft cloth to wipe these planters clean. Storing Your Planters Terracotta These types of containers absorb moisture making them brittle. Make sure to store them in a shed or garage that has a temperature above freezing point. When exposed to freezing point temperatures, moisture in the pots will freeze and will cause it to crack. Make sure to dry it out first before storing it. Ceramic PotsSimilar to terracotta, ceramic pots need to be cleaned and dried before storing them indoors. They do not do well in freezing temperatures. GRC, Fiberglass, Fiberstone These types of planters can actually withstand high or low temperatures. They are frost-proof but if you have an empty shed, you can store them there. ConcreteYou can leave this type of planter outside. Concrete pots are durable at different temperatures. It can withstand any temperature, especially commercial-grade pots. Moving them inside can only cause chips or cracks from moving them. Plastic PotsPlastic pots do not need to be stored indoors during the winter though you might want to cover them as the sun can cause the paint to fade. Not all types of planters can withstand the changes in temperature. Taking care of your pots and planters is a must. If you are not sure about your containers, you can contact your suppliers and ask for their advice. Originally from: https://sigmaplanters.com.au/how-to-store-pots-and-planters-for-winter/sigmaplanters.com.au/how-to-store-pots-and-planters-for-winter/
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Eight Manhattan charcoal trough planters were situated at this parking lot in St. Josephs Tobruk Memorial School. Each planter measures 200 × 50 × 40 cm. The eight extra large planters could cover at least a 16 meter walkway. In this case, you can see that the planters were able to cover the full length of the walkway.The planters were effective at separating the parking area and the walkway. This would prevent pedestrians wandering to the parking area. This would help keep pedestrians safe. At the same time, it would also help keep parked vehicles from being unintentionally damaged by people passing by. You can also see that beyond the walkway is a playground for children. Parents would be delighted to know that the addition of the planters add an extra layer of protection to the playground. The planters have been planted with low lying shrubs. This helps to keep a consistent shade of green all over the school premises. There are a lot of tall trees in the area but the addition of the planters allowed for planting in the paved location. Since the planters are weather-proof, little to no maintenance is needed. A quick wash would have the planters looking like new in the event they are splattered with mud or dirt. The shiny polyurethane paint finish ensures that the paint won’t fade even in the harsh sun. Originally from: https://iotagarden.com.au/st-josephs-tobruk-memorial-school-uses-charcoal-trough-planters-to-differentiate-walkway-and-parking-lot/ Carbone Developments, in one of its recent projects, has installed nine lightweight concrete rectangular planters at Stafford Central at Stafford Road in QLD.
The planters which you can find at 240 Stafford Road have been positioned at the front of a local café and grocer. They helped to differentiate the walkways with the surrounding parking space. This also helps to provide protection for pedestrians. Whether you place them with wood and concrete, the rectangular planters complement the design in the commercial complex. They add an elegant feel to the design and provide a great means of adding foliage to the area. The Florence range of concrete planters are both lightweight and durable which make them appropriate for commercial spaces with high foot traffic. The grey weathered look of the planters means they work well with various design themes. The planters are made mostly with a combination of unsaturated polyester resin sand stone, powder stone, talc powder, and fiberglass. This makes the final product resistant to damage. This post was originally from: https://iotagarden.com.au/9-florence-trough-planters-commissioned-at-stafford-central-commercial-complex/ An irrigation system is a great investment for your garden landscape. It will cost you but it will help you in maintaining your yard. If you already went and installed an irrigation system, you should make sure it is working properly. You can do this with proper maintenance.
In order to get the best return on your investment in your irrigation system, you'll want to create a proper maintenance plan to keep your irrigation system working in optimum condition. Best practices for Irrigation Maintenance Seasonal Adjustment As seasons change, and temperatures change as well. Your plant’s watering needs are likely to change too. By adjusting your irrigation system for different seasons, you can optimize your system to meet the needs of your landscaping. Physical System Check Seasonal adjustments are also a perfect opportunity to make sure that your system hasn't developed any issues. These are some things that you should check for:
Sprinkler Adjustments Make sure all of your sprinklers are watering your plants and not your driveway. Adjusting your sprinkler as your plants grow ensures that your irrigation system is doing what it was meant to do. Check Water Pressure Installing a pressure device can help you regulate water pressure and prevent issues. If the pressure is too high, high pressure misting can happen. Water will turn into tiny droplets that can be easily carried away by the wind and miss the spot that it's intended to be watering. Water When Necessary Follow your watering schedule. If you don't have one, create a watering schedule. This will save you water and help you avoid overwatering. There is no need to water your landscape if it just rains or the temperature is below freezing. Visit original article here: https://iotagarden.com.au/irrigation-system-maintenance/ Can rocks be used in landscaping? Definitely.
Landscaping rocks come in different shapes and sizes. They can add a special touch to your garden. With creative combinations, rocks can give you a classic look. Rocks provide a constant and permanent visual presence compared to foliage that changes throughout the seasons. Rocks are versatile. They can provide texture and contrast to your plants without piling on the maintenance tasks. Here are some ways on how you can use rocks on your next landscaping project. Choosing the Right Landscaping RocksJust like ornamentals, rocks can add a unique touch to your landscape. You can use it for creating a path, covering plain walls, decorating a fountain, adding a focal point in dull areas, creating division, and more. Decide which rock shape, color, and texture to go for. This will save you a lot of time.
Rough and Tumble Riprap This is one of the most basic and inexpensive landscaping rocks. It can range in different sizes but always comes with many flat and angular sides. This type of rock is perfect for building a simple rock wall. Crushed Granite It has a natural look that designers like to use along pathways and creates a nice blend between pathways and plants. It also provides a good drainage condition. Boulders and Monuments These are large, irregular-shaped stones that make for great focal points in a landscape. They give out a sense of strength if placed properly. If you are using big rocks, bury a part of it for proper support. Doing this can prevent accidents. Igneous or Lava Rocks Lava rocks are volcanic rocks that are made out of real lava after cooling. They are normally lightweight and good for preventing soil erosion. It requires less maintenance to the point that you can add it in your yard and forget about it. Flagstone Flags are thin, flat rocks that can be used for paving paths and patios. They come in a variety of colors and is a natural alternative to concrete paving. They last for a long time if installed properly. River Rocks These are small rocks that became smooth over years of being underwater. They are perfect for any water features in your garden. You can also use it for a Zen garden effect or use it to fill up spaces between large river rocks. There are many more rocks that can be used in landscaping but these are the most common ones. How do you use rocks when designing a landscape? The walkway is one of the areas that is being ignored when designing or renovating occurs. Never underestimate the appeal of pathways. A great pathway can define the different areas of your landscape while also connecting and unifying them.
Having a great walkway leading to your home or office will leave a great first impression. Here are some ideas on How to Enhance Your Walkway
Enhancing your walkways isn’t that difficult. Think outside of the box and put your creativity to work. Put yourself in your visitor's shoes, try walking on your walkways while looking around. What would you do differently? Visit original post here: https://iotagarden.com.au/7-ideas-to-enhance-your-outdoor-walkway/ Improper plant spacing is a common mistake in a lot of gardens. Beginners usually fall victim to this. They design their landscape with a lot of plants clumped together. The end result, the plants don’t grow healthy since they compete with each other for resources.
Don’t Overcrowd Your Garden? Properly spacing your garden prevents your plants from competing for soil nutrients, sunlight, and water. The result is your plants grow to be healthier. Proper spacing can also make maintenance jobs such as weeding out and cleaning your garden easier. Factors in Plant Spacing Garden Space Spacing your plants relies on how much space you have in your garden, the plants you intend to plant, and the design you are going for. After figuring out your garden space, you should decide on what proper garden layout you are going for. The most common layout is a series of parallel rows spaced at regular intervals. These intervals will provide space for your plants to spread and give you room to work with. Soil Depth and quality of soil are the biggest factors for proper plant spacing. The perfect soil for optimal growth is deep, well-draining, high in compost, and has the right pH for proper plant development. In this type of soil, roots can grow quickly. Plants can be grouped more closely in this type of soil. When you have compact and shallow soil, make sure to give your plants extra space since their roots grow by spreading wide rather than going deep. Plant Roots You should also be aware of how much space each plant root needs and how its roots form. Fibrous roots spread wide. Plants with fibrous roots often get the majority of their nutrients in the upper parts of the soil. Taproots grow straight down drilling into the soil. However, if the soil is shallow, they grow wide instead and end up like fibrous roots in appearance. Top Growth When spacing plants, you should also be aware of how your plants grow above the ground. Make sure to provide enough space for its leaves to collect sunlight for photosynthesis. Some plants spread wide and some grow tall. You can’t group together plants that grow wide as they will be competing for space and sunlight. Consult with Your Local Nursery If you need expert advice on the proper spacing of your plants, it’d be best to consult the experts. Your local nursery should be able to provide good expert advice on the topic so don’t hesitate to ask. Reasons for Proper Plant Spacing Better Plant Health Proper plant spacing promotes healthy plants. The soil spaces provided for each plant give them the nutrients they needed. If proper space is afforded for each plant, they won’t have to compete for nutrients and they will grow healthy. Proper plant spacing makes weed management easier. If your plants are too close together, weeds that grow in between your planter may be more difficult to remove. Weeds will add even more competition for the nutrients in the soil. Improved Disease Management Just like in a normal room, one sick man can infect everyone else. Spacing out your plants reduces the risks of spreading diseases. Overcrowding reduces air circulation, which helps prevent diseases. This makes your plants more likely to be infected. Arrangement and Orderliness Pretty much sure you don’t want your garden looking like a jungle. With proper plant spacing, you can make arrangements in your landscape to make it more eye-pleasing. You can plant out trees in open areas of your landscape to provide shade during noon. Plant trees a good distance from the house. You can also group ornamentals to create some focal points in your landscape. Proper plant spacing is essential to promote healthy plants and create a stunning landscape. How do you apply proper plant spacing in your landscape? Originally posted on: https://iotagarden.com.au/make-use-of-proper-plant-spacing-for-healthier-plants/ Autumn is just around the corner. and it can be one of the most enjoyable times to get in the garden. Temperatures gradually decrease and days are getting shorter.
Autumn is a great time for getting some garden tasks done like pruning, fertilising, and planting fast-growing plants. But this season is also the time of the year when pests become troublesome. Beneficial insects are abundant but there are also autumn pests that can wreak havoc and destroy the aesthetics of your yard. Aphids There are many aphid species and around 250 of them are pests. These pests are identifiable with their pear-shaped bodies with long antennae. They can be white, green, yellow, brown, black, or even pink. They can destroy your ornamental plants. How to Identify an Aphid InfestationYou’ll know there’s an aphid infestation when you see the following signs:
How to Get Rid of Aphids:
Grasshoppers Straygrasshoppers aren't really considered but in excessive numbers, they can cause major damage to your landscape’s aesthetic. Grasshoppers normally feed on broadleaf plants. How to Identify if You Have a Grasshopper Problem
How to Get Rid of Grasshoppers
Snails and Slugs Snails and slugs will target plant leaves. They are nocturnal pests and thrive well in moist places. How to Identify Snail and Slug Infestation
How to Get Rid of Snails and Slugs
What other pests do you encounter in your yard during autumn? Post originally came from: https://iotagarden.com.au/autumn-pests/ We are still in the midst of summer and here we are talking about wrapping up your summer garden. Being prepared is always a great thing. A good end-of-season cleanup is a great first step for the new season.
Remove Dead Plants, Diseased Plants, and Weeds Not all plants grow healthy. Some might have died or have been infected with the disease. Remove the dead plants and add them to your compost bin. You can also start deadheading the wilted blooms. For diseased plants, separate and place them in a bag. Throw them out to avoid cross-contaminating other plants. Remove weeds to prepare your garden for the autumn season. Clean Your Garden Pots and Planters and Tools After clearing dead plants and diseased plants, this is also the best time for you to clean your pots and planters. Give them a good spray of water. For some materials like fiberglass, you can give them a good polish using wax if you want them shiny. Clean Your Tools You probably don’t clean your gardening tools often. Clean and do maintenance on your garden tools from time to time and they will serve you for years, even decades. Give your digging tools a good wash. Make sure to dry them out before storing them to avoid rust. For tools with moving parts like your garden shears, give them a good cleaning to remove sap and other foreign stuff. When that’s done, oil them up. Review and Plan out Summer flowers are out. Autumn flowers like begonias, salvias, and daisies will bloom soon. Plan out your garden for autumn. Decide on what plants you are going to grow for the Autumn season. As you choose your plants, think of what garden theme you would go for. Trees Fruits may begin to fall in the upcoming season so make sure to keep your ground tidy, especially around your fruit-bearing trees. Make sure to collect fallen fruits before it rots and invite insects or diseases. Final Mowing Enjoy the final mowing of your lawn. When is the final mow? As soon as the grass stops growing. Mowing lawn before winter prevents mold fungus. Keep your grass in check before the cold weather hits. Do you have any questions or want to share other tips for wrapping up your garden for the end of summer? Let us know in the comments. Original post can be seen here: https://iotagarden.com.au/wrapping-up-your-summer-garden/ A garden landscape is a perfect place to unwind. A place where we mostly spend our free time to connect with our environment.
If you’re looking for some great inspirations and ideas, you should consider visiting some of these gardens. Adelaide Botanic Garden One of the best gardens in Australia with about 50 hectares of well-maintained gardens and stunning architecture. You can find a lot of different plant species in this garden. The Garden of Health is located in the western part of Adelaide Botanic Garden. Coming from the name itself, this garden shows the great contribution of plants to pharmaceutical and modern medicine. You can also find an Australian Forest with a great diversity of Australian plants and trees from over 150 years ago. First Creek Wetland, also at the Adelaide Botanic Garden, was launched last 2013 to help inform the community about wetlands and how important they are for the environment. Alice Springs Desert Park Alice Springs Desert Park is a great way of showing how diverse Australia’s central desert is. Here, you can learn how plants, animals, and humans blend in the arid regions. You can find animals like frogs, spiders, kangaroos, owls, and many more in this desert park. You can also go here for a Nocturnal Tour. Australian National Botanic Gardens The Australian National Botanic Gardens have a wide scientific collection of native plants from different parts of Australia. They also cultivate plants that are threatened in the wild. In this way, they can protect the plants against possible extinction. They are also able to learn how to effectively propagate them in the wild. With almost 83,000 plants scattered across 40 hectares of land, the Australian National Botanic Gardens have the largest scientific collection of Australian native plants. If you want to know more about the gardens and the various plant species, you can visit their site here. Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria An award-winning garden that has made great contributions to the conservation and protection of rare and endangered plants. This is divided into two diverse sites at Melbourne and Cranbourne. Just like any other botanic garden, their main purpose is to gain more knowledge and insight about nature and to share it with the community. You can check out their website here. Blue Mountains Botanic Garden This garden is well known because of its "blue haze" and can be found in Australia's Blue Mountains. The garden can be found 1,000 meters above sea level with 28 hectares of manicured gardens for cool climate plants from different parts of the world. These gardens are only some of the most diverse gardens that can be found in Australia. Have you ever been to any of these? Original post here: https://iotagarden.com.au/best-gardens-from-australia/ |
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January 2021
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