Friday, 30 April 2010
English Country Garden - England countryside gardening uk summer botanical
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWxOLLhYTbA
Animal Pests in the Garden
Most home gardens in early summer are full of lush green plants overflowing with vegetables and herbs for the family, with much produce to spare for neighbors and friends. But animal pests in the garden can quickly turn a bountiful garden into a gardener's nightmare. Common pests that can be found trampling through the garden during the growing season include: dogs, cats, rabbits, deer, raccoons, squirrels, moles and a host of other pests. To help control some of these pests, you need to learn the most effective ways to prevent them from entering your garden and harvesting your hard-earned garden bounty.
Dogs in the Garden
Dogs can quickly do serious damage in your garden beds. The best way to keep dogs out of your vegetable garden is to fence off the area with wire fencing where you will be planting. You can also use electric fencing to keep dogs out of the garden, but you'll have better success with using multiple strands of electric wire at various heights rather than just one strand. Some dog repellents are available on the market to keep dogs out of the garden, but the majority of these require the gardener to reapply the product after any rainfall, limiting the time for you to just enjoy the gardening experience.
Cats in the Garden
One of the biggest pests in the garden is cats, mainly because they find the loose garden soil a prime area for relieving themselves. If you have cats as pets, your best control option to keep cats out of the garden is also going to be wire fencing or electric fencing. If the cat visiting your garden is a stray or a neighbor's cat, it would be wise to either have the stray caught and taken to the local humane society and for the neighbor's cat, have a nice talk with the neighbor and express your concerns in a polite way.
Deer in the Garden
Probably every gardener's worst animal pest in the garden is the deer. Deer are very fond of virtually every plant growing in a vegetable garden. From bean plants to corn to a nice big head of lettuce ready to harvest. "When you see one deer, watch out for more!" A herd of deer can quickly diminish your vegetable garden overnight. The only true way to keep deer out of your garden is to build a very tall wire fence, about 8 feet in height, or alternatively 6 feet with two strands of electric fence at the top of the wire fence. Commercial repellents are also available to repel deer, but again, most of these have to be reapplied after any rainfall amounts.
Rabbits in the Garden
Rabbits bothering your vegetable garden plants are mostly a concern to those living and gardening in rural areas. Since using firearms in rural areas is mostly permissive, this is the most often used form of prevention for keeping rabbits from eating vegetables from your garden beds. A more humane alternative is to trap them in a wire cage and release in a more secluded spot.
Raccoons and Squirrels in the Garden
Again, those living in rural areas find the best control for raccoons and squirrels in the garden to be the use of firearms. The alternative for either of these pests is also to trap and release. Raccoons can be kept out of most garden beds with several strands of electric fencing, but the gardener needs to be aware of any overhanging tree branches where the raccoon pest could make their way into the garden for a late night snack. Dogs are also a known deterrent to squirrels.
Moles in the Garden
While we might not typically group moles in with all of the other animals mentioned here, moles are certainly a pest of the garden in their own right. These little vermin love rooting through the roots of your most treasured garden plants searching for their favorite meal, a grub or earthworm. This makes it very hard for plants to set forth crops that you intend to harvest as the roots of your plants are disconnected from the soil in which they grow. Mole kill traps are an effective prevention measure for many gardeners, as are poisons created specifically for killing moles. Since live trapping and releasing of moles is prohibited in most states, it is better to just rid them from your garden completely.
© Bluegrass Gardens
Visit the author's website to learn more about garden plants, where you'll also find more how to garden articles like how to control Japanese beetles.
Dogs in the Garden
Dogs can quickly do serious damage in your garden beds. The best way to keep dogs out of your vegetable garden is to fence off the area with wire fencing where you will be planting. You can also use electric fencing to keep dogs out of the garden, but you'll have better success with using multiple strands of electric wire at various heights rather than just one strand. Some dog repellents are available on the market to keep dogs out of the garden, but the majority of these require the gardener to reapply the product after any rainfall, limiting the time for you to just enjoy the gardening experience.
Cats in the Garden
One of the biggest pests in the garden is cats, mainly because they find the loose garden soil a prime area for relieving themselves. If you have cats as pets, your best control option to keep cats out of the garden is also going to be wire fencing or electric fencing. If the cat visiting your garden is a stray or a neighbor's cat, it would be wise to either have the stray caught and taken to the local humane society and for the neighbor's cat, have a nice talk with the neighbor and express your concerns in a polite way.
Deer in the Garden
Probably every gardener's worst animal pest in the garden is the deer. Deer are very fond of virtually every plant growing in a vegetable garden. From bean plants to corn to a nice big head of lettuce ready to harvest. "When you see one deer, watch out for more!" A herd of deer can quickly diminish your vegetable garden overnight. The only true way to keep deer out of your garden is to build a very tall wire fence, about 8 feet in height, or alternatively 6 feet with two strands of electric fence at the top of the wire fence. Commercial repellents are also available to repel deer, but again, most of these have to be reapplied after any rainfall amounts.
Rabbits in the Garden
Rabbits bothering your vegetable garden plants are mostly a concern to those living and gardening in rural areas. Since using firearms in rural areas is mostly permissive, this is the most often used form of prevention for keeping rabbits from eating vegetables from your garden beds. A more humane alternative is to trap them in a wire cage and release in a more secluded spot.
Raccoons and Squirrels in the Garden
Again, those living in rural areas find the best control for raccoons and squirrels in the garden to be the use of firearms. The alternative for either of these pests is also to trap and release. Raccoons can be kept out of most garden beds with several strands of electric fencing, but the gardener needs to be aware of any overhanging tree branches where the raccoon pest could make their way into the garden for a late night snack. Dogs are also a known deterrent to squirrels.
Moles in the Garden
While we might not typically group moles in with all of the other animals mentioned here, moles are certainly a pest of the garden in their own right. These little vermin love rooting through the roots of your most treasured garden plants searching for their favorite meal, a grub or earthworm. This makes it very hard for plants to set forth crops that you intend to harvest as the roots of your plants are disconnected from the soil in which they grow. Mole kill traps are an effective prevention measure for many gardeners, as are poisons created specifically for killing moles. Since live trapping and releasing of moles is prohibited in most states, it is better to just rid them from your garden completely.
© Bluegrass Gardens
Visit the author's website to learn more about garden plants, where you'll also find more how to garden articles like how to control Japanese beetles.
7 Tips To A Successful Garden
A beautiful garden is one of the most sort after additions to any home. A beautiful garden takes many hours of dedication and hard work but can be achieved by not only gardening experts but beginners as well. One of the most important gardening tips for any avid gardener is to have good gardening advice. Below are some basic gardening tips to get you started on creating your dream garden.
Gardening Tip 1. Consider your plants health as well as your own. Ensure you keep yourself well hydrated whilst gardening. As most gardening is done in the sun, involves physical labor and is very engrossing, it is easy to work away for hours on end without noticing the time flying by. Keep drinking lots of fluids and make sure you are wearing adequate sun cream and a hat. Your garden will only suffer if you are in bed for a few days with dehydration or sun stroke. Remember, skin cancer is still one of the top killers so dress appropriately.
Gardening Tip 2. Design your garden before you start digging. Your time and energy is precious so don't start digging holes and planting plants without having a garden design first. You may choose to employ a professional garden designer or you may just want to draw your desired garden on a piece of paper yourself, depending on your budget. Either way if you have a plan of what you are doing and what you want to plant where, you will save yourself many back breaking hours digging and planting unnecessarily.
Gardening Tip 3. Make a list of the tools and materials you will need. After creating your garden design, list the tools and materials that are required to create your masterpiece. You may need specialist equipment like heavy earth moving machinery that needs to be hired and booked in advance or you may wish to plant exotic plants that need to be ordered and grown specially. You don't want to get half way through your project only to find you cannot get a piece of equipment on hire for 2 weeks. When this happens it is very frustrating and can sometimes hold up the entire job.
Gardening Tip 4. Plan your gardening activities with small tasks and regular breaks.
You will no doubt be full of enthusiasm and excitement about your new gardening project but do not over do it. Gardening is an extremely good method of exercise and is good for your health as you are outside in the sun and fresh air. Make sure you break your activities into small achievable tasks and take breaks in between those activities. This way you will not burn yourself out and your gardening will be more enjoyable.
Gardening Tip 5. Use the correct gardening tools for the job. Some gardening tools are designed for specific tasks and can save the gardener a great deal of time. If you need to purchase gardening tools you can compare prices and makes quickly and easily over the internet. If possible purchase tools with long rubber handles as they are easier on your muscles and joints as they are less prone to jarring.
Gardening Tip 6. Consider the maintenance requirements of your garden. Before creating your garden you need to decide how much time you want to spend in the future maintaining it. If you want an easy maintainable garden you should investigate ideas like weed suppression methods in your flower beds. This can be achieved by using a special mesh that allows water and moisture to permeate through but doesn't allow plants (primarily weeds) to grow through. Bark mulch is another good method of weed suppression and gives your flower beds a professional and natural look.
Gardening Tip 7. Choose the correct plants for your gardens location. Some plants are very choosey about where they live. Some like hot weather and lots of sunshine, whilst other plants prefer a cool, shaded and moist environment. Before purchasing your garden plants do some research on whether those plants or plant types will grow in the location in which you are going to plant them. If the plant does not like where it is planted it will be stunted in height and of poor appearance and in the worst case will die. Probably not the look you are after.
Gardens can become the show piece and social gathering point of many homes and communities. No matter where you live or what type of garden plants you like with some basic planning and design you can create a wonderful garden that you and your family and friends can enjoy for many years to come. The most important thing about creating your garden is that you enjoy yourself whilst doing it.
Nigel is a successful webmaster and publisher of an Online Shopping website. This site showcases, among other topics, the UK's leading Garden Equipment and Garden Supply stores.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nigel_M
Gardening Tip 1. Consider your plants health as well as your own. Ensure you keep yourself well hydrated whilst gardening. As most gardening is done in the sun, involves physical labor and is very engrossing, it is easy to work away for hours on end without noticing the time flying by. Keep drinking lots of fluids and make sure you are wearing adequate sun cream and a hat. Your garden will only suffer if you are in bed for a few days with dehydration or sun stroke. Remember, skin cancer is still one of the top killers so dress appropriately.
Gardening Tip 2. Design your garden before you start digging. Your time and energy is precious so don't start digging holes and planting plants without having a garden design first. You may choose to employ a professional garden designer or you may just want to draw your desired garden on a piece of paper yourself, depending on your budget. Either way if you have a plan of what you are doing and what you want to plant where, you will save yourself many back breaking hours digging and planting unnecessarily.
Gardening Tip 3. Make a list of the tools and materials you will need. After creating your garden design, list the tools and materials that are required to create your masterpiece. You may need specialist equipment like heavy earth moving machinery that needs to be hired and booked in advance or you may wish to plant exotic plants that need to be ordered and grown specially. You don't want to get half way through your project only to find you cannot get a piece of equipment on hire for 2 weeks. When this happens it is very frustrating and can sometimes hold up the entire job.
Gardening Tip 4. Plan your gardening activities with small tasks and regular breaks.
You will no doubt be full of enthusiasm and excitement about your new gardening project but do not over do it. Gardening is an extremely good method of exercise and is good for your health as you are outside in the sun and fresh air. Make sure you break your activities into small achievable tasks and take breaks in between those activities. This way you will not burn yourself out and your gardening will be more enjoyable.
Gardening Tip 5. Use the correct gardening tools for the job. Some gardening tools are designed for specific tasks and can save the gardener a great deal of time. If you need to purchase gardening tools you can compare prices and makes quickly and easily over the internet. If possible purchase tools with long rubber handles as they are easier on your muscles and joints as they are less prone to jarring.
Gardening Tip 6. Consider the maintenance requirements of your garden. Before creating your garden you need to decide how much time you want to spend in the future maintaining it. If you want an easy maintainable garden you should investigate ideas like weed suppression methods in your flower beds. This can be achieved by using a special mesh that allows water and moisture to permeate through but doesn't allow plants (primarily weeds) to grow through. Bark mulch is another good method of weed suppression and gives your flower beds a professional and natural look.
Gardening Tip 7. Choose the correct plants for your gardens location. Some plants are very choosey about where they live. Some like hot weather and lots of sunshine, whilst other plants prefer a cool, shaded and moist environment. Before purchasing your garden plants do some research on whether those plants or plant types will grow in the location in which you are going to plant them. If the plant does not like where it is planted it will be stunted in height and of poor appearance and in the worst case will die. Probably not the look you are after.
Gardens can become the show piece and social gathering point of many homes and communities. No matter where you live or what type of garden plants you like with some basic planning and design you can create a wonderful garden that you and your family and friends can enjoy for many years to come. The most important thing about creating your garden is that you enjoy yourself whilst doing it.
Nigel is a successful webmaster and publisher of an Online Shopping website. This site showcases, among other topics, the UK's leading Garden Equipment and Garden Supply stores.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nigel_M
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