As a landscaper, our landscaping tools are our best weapons. Making sure that they are in their best condition is our responsibility so they will serve us well and never let us down.
There are different types of landscaping tools being used in the garden. We would classify them into two categories: hand and digging tools and power tools. Hand and Digging Tools From the word itself, hand tools require little more than your hands. They are straightforward and easy to use. You should be pretty familiar with these tools as they are used for many basic gardening and landscaping tasks. For buying hand-held tools, here are some general tips:
Make sure to choose a good one since this will be one of the most used tools for digging. Go for a shovel with a stainless steelhead. It should be lightweight, durable, and easy to clean. Hoes are used for preparing or cultivating your soil and removing weeds. Hand trowels are used for digging small holes and are usually used for transplanting plants. Just the same, look for something that is lightweight and easy to use. Pickaxes can be used to break apart rocks or for prying stuff from the ground. Sharpen your shovels, hoes, and pickaxes as that makes them easier to use. Clean them up at the end of the day and don’t leave them out of the shed overnight. RakesThis will be the main cleaning tool for your yard or garden. There are different types of rakes and each one does a specific job. For general garden maintenance, you’d want a leaf rake. Steel rakes would be used for tidying garden beds, gravel, or mulch. Make sure you clean your rakes after use to avoid build-up of dirt and possible rusting. Don’t leave it out in the rain. Garden Shears and LoppersGarden shears will be used for most of your cutting needs in the garden. Any branches shears can’t handle, you use the loppers. Anything too big for the loppers, you can use a proper saw. Shears and loppers will need occasional sharpening as the blades can become dull with use. Wipe the blades of your shears clean after using. Don’t leave sap on the blades. Regularly lubricate your shears and loppers. Power ToolsPower tools are used for heavy workloads that would be too tedious for your manual tools. Here are some of the commonly-used power tools in landscaping. Lawn MowerLawn Mowers are used for trimming the grass on your lawn. A lawnmower can make quick work of trimming grass even on a large yard. Chainsaws and Electric LoppersIf you need to cut trees for a project, you'll be needing a chainsaw. A chainsaw will make felling trees a cinch. If you won't be dealing with trees but need to cut a lot of large branches, electric loppers would be a better choice. It can cut branches up to 4 inches thick which is too big a job for your regular loppers and a chainsaw would be overkill. JackhammersFor breaking apart stuff that is too daunting for a pickaxe like concrete paving, a jackhammer comes in handy. While most jackhammers are built to resist a lot of dirt, it still requires some maintenance. Caring For Power ToolsPower tools are much more complicated compared to hand tools. Keep them clean. Remove visible dirt. Lubricate moving parts. Consult your tool’s manual for specific care needs. You can also contact the power tool manufacturer for maintenance advice. At the end of the day, your tools require proper maintenance and care for them to be effective. If you take care of your tools, they will serve you well for years to come. Do you have any tips you’d like to share when caring for your landscaping tools? Check out original post here: https://iotagarden.com.au/landscaping-tools-basic-care-sheet/
0 Comments
Summer, summer, summer!
It may not always be the hottest summer you have experienced but your garden may still struggle. How often should you water your garden? Is deep watering required for every plant? Here are some tips. Water plants early morning or late in the evening.Watering at these times will ensure your plants absorb enough moisture before the water evaporates in the scorching heat. Watering hot soil during the sun's peak hours isn't efficient. Most of the water would just evaporate before your plants can absorb it. Water evenly and with the proper amount of water.Make sure that your plants receive enough moisture. Slightly drying out the soil before watering again can promote root growth. Also, take note of the amount of water you use. Too much watering can cause the soil to be muddy and can cause root decay. Lack of water can also be harmful to plants. Take note of your plant's water requirements as some varieties of plants need more moisture than others, Water deeply and thoroughly.It is better to water occasionally with plenty of water rather than watering often with little water. Water deeply generally means making sure that the water is able to soak at least eight inches below the soil surface. The main reason behind this is most plant's roots are not close to the soil surface. It worked its way down into the soil to gather enough nutrients. It makes it easier for plants to absorb the moisture if it can seep in up to eight inches. Making sure that the roots are properly hydrated can protect the plants in times of drought in any case that the soil surface dries out. Also, take note that the soil surface dries way faster compared to the soil underneath. Keep leaves dry.Water the soil. Keep the leaves dry. The only reason why you would want your leaves to be wet is to remove dust and dirt. Water can also remove fungal spores and insects that can destroy the leaves. If you don’t have these problems, keep the water off the leaves. Wet leaves can promote leaf-mold diseases while leaves that are left wet in the sun can develop slight burn marks. Use an automatic water irrigation system.Water as much as needed but as little as possible. If given a chance, you can use an automatic irrigation system especially if you don’t have a lot of time to attend to your lawn or garden. Watering plants is a basic task that should never be taken for granted. Watering is important to maintain the look of your lawn or garden. It is a simple task that has a big impact on how your plants grow. Do you have any other tips for plant watering? Original link here: https://iotagarden.com.au/plant-watering-tips-to-keep-your-landscape-thriving/ Mulching is applying a layer of organic material to soil to benefit a plant. When done correctly, mulching is very beneficial for the plants when. Mulching provides a lot of nutrients for plants among other benefits., helps preserve moisture, aids in drainage, protect roots from frost, and improves the condition of the soil.
What Can You Use for MulchingMulching is inexpensive. You can use materials just lying around your home or yard for mulching. You can use tree bark, wood chips, pinecones, leaves, sticks, organic packing peanuts, and any other organic materials. Benefits of MulchingHere are some benefits of mulching:
How to Apply Mulch
Artillery Fungus can also be a problem. It can produce structures that resemble tiny cream or orange-brown cups that hold a spore mass resembling a tiny black egg. Make sure to watch out for this type of fungus. Though artillery fungus isn’t known to kill plants and are not harmful to humans, they can be quite unsightly. Slime mold can also appear as an unsightly bright yellow slimy mass. They are normally harmless but not pleasant for the eyes. To wrap this up, mulching doesn't require much of a budget and comes with a lot of benefits. It’s not a lot of work but even if it is, that's what gardening is all about. How often do you mulch your plants? Check original post here: https://iotagarden.com.au/what-is-mulching-and-why-should-you-do-it/ As summer goes by, an increase in temperature is expected. If you are having doubts the plants in your landscape can survive the heat, here are some ways of cooling off your garden soil. Mulch Mulch is one of the easiest ways to manage soil temperature. It can cool the soil and can prevent frost from getting to the roots. It is also a great way to boost the moisture level in your garden. You can use grass clippings, hay, or old leaves combined with old newspaper as a mulch option. Regular Watering Regular and consistent watering is also a great way of cooling off your soil. Maintaining moist soil conditions would require hard work but will benefit your plants. Just take note to follow proper watering for your plants. Overwatering can only cause more problems! Provide Shade Trellis If you have climbing plants/vines, building a trellis is one great way to provide natural shade to your garden. Trellises are often set up slanted to provide maximum shade where needed. Good Soil and Crop Management Doing proper maintenance work like crop rotation, cover cropping, and composting will eventually make your soil and plants healthy. Healthy plants can better tolerate hot weather compared to those who are already struggling. As you already know, gardening can be challenging. It requires effort and time. Hot weather can be tough for both you and your plants. Make sure to keep yourself dehydrated and wear proper clothing to protect yourself from the heat. How do you expect to protect your garden from the summer heat if you can't protect yourself, right? If you want to share some summer gardening tips, drop them in the comments section. Original article can be found here: https://iotagarden.com.au/cooling-off-soil-during-hot-weather/ As a gardener, what comes to mind when you hear the word “insects''? You’re probably thinking pests?
However, not all insects are pests. Some insects are actually beneficial for your landscaped garden. Some are also harmless and don't even need to be removed. There are three types of beneficial insects in your garden: pollinators, predators, and parasitizers. Pollinators are “garden-friends”. These insects are responsible for pollinating our gardens. Predators are your garden’s guard dogs. These insects are responsible for getting rid of the pests. Parasitizers are somehow similar to predators but in a different and scarier way. They lay their eggs on or in the bad bugs, and when the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the host insect. Here are the commonly known pollinators:
Do you know of any other helpful insects in the garden? Let us know in the comments. Originally posted here: https://iotagarden.com.au/beneficial-insects-in-your-garden/ Hardscaping is the process of adding man-made (non-living elements) to your landscape. Some examples of hardscaping are bricks, paths, walls, concrete, etc. Hardscape elements can be used to define the use of space such as driveways and walkways that can lead visitors through the different parts of the garden, or even a gravel path into a secret part of a landscape! Don’t be fooled. Hardscaping can be hard work but it can elevate the design. Some hardscaping projects may be too physically demanding because of manual labor. At times, it may require the use of heavy equipment. So make sure you have a plan before you add hardscaping elements. Here are some hardscape elements that you can add to your landscape design:
These are just some hardscaping elements that you can use for your landscape design. What other hardscaping elements are you thinking of adding to your design? Share your ideas in the comments. If you are looking for pots and planters, IOTA offers a great range of planters that you can use for hardscaping. The post Hardscaping Ideas for your Garden appeared first on IOTA Designer Planters. Originally from IOTA Designer Planters https://ift.tt/38zX2gF Source: https://ift.tt/3eWlhXw In any design work, landscape, drawing, or even in canvas, there are important elements that you should never forget. These elements, when ignored, can have devastating effects on the outcome of your project. LineThe line creates the flow of the landscape. It connects each part of the project. The way the line is employed in your landscape will affect the flow of your garden. Here are some basic guidelines to utilize lines.
FormThe form is the shape or structure of the plants/objects in your landscape. This depends on the theme of your landscape. Here’s what you need to know about form.
ColorColor might be the most crucial element of a design. A good color scheme will bring life to the garden and will add interest. Colors can be added anywhere from plants to paving, hardscapes, walls, and fences. Some tips when using color to great effect.
These are the most important elements to consider when designing. What other elements do you think are important to a design? Let us know in the comments! If you are currently in need of pots and planters for your landscaping project, you can check our range of planters. IOTA offers a high-quality range of planters that will fit into your project. The post Elements to Consider When Landscaping appeared first on IOTA Designer Planters. Originally from IOTA Designer Planters https://ift.tt/38fdoLq Source: https://ift.tt/32iLhqX Can plants and planters affect architecture?The simple answer is yes! A glimpse of nature in architecture catches the eye. Plants added to a modern home or commercial building adds a special appeal. It makes you feel at ease. It affects your mood as well as your health. Do you know that nature helps to minimize our stress levels? Other than the soothing effect of the “green”, being close to nature calms your mind and brings you inner peace. Placing plants in your office could also help you reduce noise levels. The plants help to absorb noise. Leafy perennials are great stress reducers making it easier for you to focus on what you need to do. The most important thing about placing plants indoors is their ability to improve the quality of air. Plants release oxygen into the surrounding area by converting the carbon dioxide they absorb. Some plants even clean the air by absorbing all the hazardous toxins that we usually breathe. They refresh and revive our environment just by being around. In the aesthetic sense, indoor pots and planters are just beautiful to look at. They can liven up boring areas. You can even use planters to create a pathway Or highlight certain design elements. If you are really into it, a vertical garden would also be a smart choice! Overall, plants undeniably complement the architecture. If you are keen on creating a container, you can check out our range of lightweight pots. They are great for indoor use and easy to move around. We also have a great range of high-quality planters that can fit into your project. The post How can Plants and Planters affect Architecture? appeared first on IOTA Designer Planters. Originally from IOTA Designer Planters https://ift.tt/3878i43 Source: https://ift.tt/3oBmpo1 Landscaping with trees isn’t that easy. It needs great effort and planning. Mature trees bring shade and beauty into your landscape. However, tree roots can draw up all the water and its branches can prevent sunlight from reaching the soil, making it tough for other plants to thrive. Vigorous root growth can also damage surrounding architecture. To avoid such incidents, here are tips if you are planning on growing trees in your garden. Maintain the existing soil level at the trunk.One common mistake that homeowners make is to create a raised border around a tree and then fill it in with soil to create a planting bed. The additional soil around the trunk can cause the bark to rot, leaving the tree susceptible to disease and insect infestation. If you want a raised bed, consider constructing an inside border one to two feet away from the trunk to keep the soil from smothering the base of the tree. Choose plants adapted to the special light conditions under the tree.If you are planning on adding plants under the tree, make sure to choose those plants that survive with limited sunlight. It would be better if you first observe the amount of shade under the tree for a whole day. Deep-shade plants such as ferns and hostas can thrive near the trunk, while semi-sun varieties like lily of the valley and coral bells can grow under the perimeter of the tree’s branches. Never damage tree roots when planting.There are trees that send down deep roots, but there are also trees that have roots just beneath the surface or even above the ground. Make sure to avoid damaging the roots. If you are using planters for the trees, choose the right one.Look for extra large garden pots that are durable. We are offering a high-quality range of large pots that can be used for commercial spaces and public spaces. You need to make sure that the planters you have chosen are made of high-quality materials so that it can withstand the vigorous root growth of the tree. Trees are a great addition to any garden. They can provide shade as well as improve the look of your landscape. However, taking care of burly trees isn’t always that easy. Do your best and provide what the tree needs. Have you ever tried incorporating trees in your garden? If you are looking for other high-quality pots and planters, make sure to check out our pages. The post Incorporating Trees in your Garden appeared first on IOTA Designer Planters. Originally from IOTA Designer Planters https://ift.tt/2TicKUL Source: https://ift.tt/3olr3WM Weeds pop up in every landscape. They show up out of nowhere. Where do they come from? How do you get rid of these unwelcome visitors? There are different types of weeds and identifying them is important if you want to get rid of them. Check out our Simple Weed Identification guide here. Making sure that you have proper control over weed growth in your garden or landscape is a must. Here are some tips for effective weed control: Mulch, mulch, mulch!Mulch benefits plants by keeping the soil cool and moist and depriving weeds of light. Organic mulches, in particular, can actually host crickets and carabid beetles, which seek out and devour thousands of weed seeds. Weed when it’s good.The old saying “Pull when wet; hoe when dry” is wise advice when facing down weeds. Under dry conditions, weeds sliced off just below the soil line promptly shrivel up and die, especially if your hoe has a sharp edge. Gaps between plantsClose plant spacing chokes out emerging weeds by shading the soil between plants. You can prevent weed-friendly gaps from the get-go by designing with mass plantings or in drifts of closely-spaced plants rather than widely-scattered ones. Water the plants, not the weeds.Put drought on your side by depriving weeds of water. Depriving weeds of water can reduce its germination. Overall, controlling weed is one task that every landscaper and gardeners should be doing. Of course, which weed goes and which weed stays depends on the individual gardener. Some weeds can actually be quite attractive in the garden and don’t really bring harm to plants or soil.
For more information on weeds, here’s a helpful Photo Guide to Weeds. If you are looking for high-quality pots and planters for your landscaping project, make sure to check out our site. The post Battling Unexpected Weed Growth appeared first on IOTA Designer Planters. Originally from IOTA Designer Planters https://ift.tt/2T1gCcJ Source: https://ift.tt/3jYCwcp |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
January 2021
Categories |