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A Quick Guide On How To Maintain A Fireplace

Making sure that your home’s fireplace is in top-notch condition isn’t simply about keeping it well stocked with wood and clearing away the ashes. If you have an active fireplace in your house, you will need to maintain the fireplace and the chimney to ensure that you are warming your home safely and efficiently. This will also ensure that you are not heightening fire risk or potential damage to the rest of your home.

So, if you have just moved into a property with a fireplace you are eager to use, or you have just had one installed, here are some tips on maintaining an active fireplace.

 It’s Your Fireplace – Keep It Clean

 The first step in keeping a fireplace safe and functional is to keep it clean. This will mean keeping it free from debris and making sure that it not only looks clean but is also regularly wiped over inside. Any ash and dirt around the fireplace will present a potential fire hazard; therefore, you will need to make sure that your firebox is clear by cleaning it out regularly.

If you are looking for an easier-to-care-for fireplace, check out specialist fireplace stores like stonewoods.co.uk for a few ideas.

  Call In A Chimney Sweep for Deep Cleaning

 It may sound like something out of Mary Poppins, but when you have an active fireplace, you will need to call in a chimney sweep as part of its maintenance. These professionals will look for blockages by shining a torch up the chimney and using special tools to remove any potential issues if they see them.

As well as clearing away the soot that has built up, the professional chimney sweep can also check for structural problems with the bricks and mortar, so they are well worth calling in at least once a year to maintain your fireplace.

 Fit Carbon Monoxide Detectors Throughout Your Home

 Every home should have carbon monoxide detectors – especially properties with an active fireplace. In fact, carbon monoxide will be produced in greater quantity if your fire is not maintained correctly or the chimney is blocked.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is difficult to detect – but it can be deadly if not addressed. As such, be sure to fit a carbon monoxide detector around any fireplace, so you will be alerted if the gas is detected.

 Look After The Surroundings During Burning

 You will also need to ensure that the fireplace’s surroundings are kept looking like new to keep the fire where it needs to be. If the surroundings are made of stone or marble, they are just as susceptible to dirt and grime as other materials in the home. You also need to seal the stone to ensure that it does not become damaged by the fire.

Only Burn Wood and Check Out Creosote Logs

 Only burn wood in your fireplace, preferably dry logs. You can also periodically use those creosote logs often sold in the grocery store. Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use. By reducing moisture content, you can also avoid tar building up in the flue and potentially causing problems. Dry logs also burn more efficiently, but you should never burn combustible materials like paper, painted wood, or plastic in your fireplace – all of these can release toxic fumes, which can harm you and cause issues with the flue.

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[angelinaddorsey]

5 Ideas for Landscaping With Artificial Grass

There are many options when it comes to landscaping, but none are quite as low maintenance as artificial grass. With artificial grass in Oregon, you can avoid muddy lawns, mowing, and toxic chemicals used to keep weeds and pests away. All of this can be your reality, while still maintaining a bright green lawn all year long.

The opportunities for landscaping with artificial grass are endless. It can be used to frame the rest of your yard, create a play area for children, or bring life to a once unusable or uncomfortable portion of your property. With a company like Sportech to help with proper installation, you could be enjoying the outdoors more than you ever did before.

Here are a few ideas for how you can do landscaping with artificial grass in Oregon.

1. Play Area

If you have children, you know how important it is for them to have access to the outdoors. With artificial grass in Oregon, you’ll be able to create just that. One of the many possibilities for artificial grass is to create a designated play area in your yard where your children can go to enjoy themselves. This can be as big or as small as you wish, but the artificial grass will allow it to stand out from the rest of the yard, while also being extremely easy to maintain.

You won’t have to worry about the ground getting overly muddy from all the Oregon rain or melting snow. You also won’t have to worry about your children inhaling toxic pesticides while they’re enjoying your yard.

You can find comfort in it being a softer surface for your children to fall on, which all kids ultimately do. The natural padding included in artificial lawns can be more forgiving than hard-packed soil under a natural lawn and definitely gentler than the mulch playground surfaces some people choose for play areas. Children will love it and so will parents.

2. Rooftops

Rooftops are another area that can significantly benefit from artificial grass. If you own a building that has a usable rooftop, artificial grass can make it even more useful. It can be a more comfortable place to sit than a hard surface would be and open up new landscaping opportunities you didn’t consider before.

This can be even truer if you live in an urban setting where your personal outdoor space is limited. Because many urban homes are limited to one small rectangular yard, incorporating a rooftop into usable space can double your outdoor options. Your rooftop may soon become your go-to area since it’s a private space and won’t require as much upkeep as a natural lawn. Artificial lawns don’t have to be watered, weeded, or mowed, and those are just some of the many benefits of artificial grass that you can enjoy. You simply need to have it installed.

3. Framing

Not every person who loves to garden loves taking care of the grass. For some people, the highlight of their yard is their plants and flowerbeds. Flowers and ornamental plants are allowed to take center stage in your yard, and there is a way to focus solely on that without having to manage grass upkeep too.

Artificial grass is the perfect option for people who don’t love taking care of grass but still want the look. It can be shaped and placed to fit in between your yard spaces that aren’t used for plants and act as a framework to help those things stand out more.

Conveniently, this type of framework will require no lawn mowing, no spraying of pesticides, no fertilizers, no weed control, and no dry patches. It also won’t compete with your plants for natural resources as grass and weeds would. You’ll be able to enjoy a bright green lawn all year that nicely frames the rest of your landscaping.

4. Poolside

If you currently have or are looking into having a pool installed in your yard, then you should definitely consider artificial grass as a landscaping option. Pool owners often have grass outlining their pool, as it’s an option that looks appealing next to the water. With artificial grass, you’ll get the same, if not a better look, with a few added benefits.

Artificial grass around a pool can be a great landscaping option because you won’t have to worry about it getting muddy or wearing down due to foot traffic. Natural grass can become muddy and damaged when splashed which is often the case when laid out around a pool. That mud then gets tracked into your house and your pool. Artificial grass doesn’t need dirt and therefore won’t become muddy. Plus, a contractor such as Sportech in Oregon will install a proper draining system to prevent pooling on top of your artificial grass, making it the perfect landscaping option for pool owners.

5. Decks & Balconies

Just because you don’t have convenient access to the ground level of your building doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy greenery in your space. There are ways to incorporate artificial grass in places you wouldn’t typically see natural grass or where it would be impossible to maintain it. In these spaces, artificial grass has quickly become a hot item, as the natural appearance is more popular than ever, especially in Oregon.

Outdoor decks are the perfect place to have artificial grass installed. They can liven up the deck area of a home or an apartment balcony area, which is often high above ground level. Imagine walking outside to your apartment’s deck and having the exterior area filled with a lively green color that beckons you outdoors. It can transform the space and give you even more reason to get outside and enjoy some fresh air.

There are tons of landscaping options available to you when you choose artificial grass. With less maintenance and year-round beauty, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t make the switch sooner.

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[angelinaddorsey]

Is AC Water Good for Plants

It’s a question that has plagued gardeners for years – is it better to water plants with cold tap water, or water them with air conditioning (AC) water? There are pros and cons to both, and the answer ultimately depends on the plant itself and the environment in which it is being grown. On the surface, it seems like a good way to conserve the water you would otherwise waste. But is there any risk to your plants?

In this blog, we’ll discuss AC water condensation and the effects of using it for your plants so let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

What is Air Conditioner Water?

The Pros of using AC Water on Plants

The Cons of using AC Water on Plants

AC Water From Your HVAC System vs. Tap Water

How Can You Tell if Air Conditioning Unit Water is Right for Your Plants?

What kind of plants do well when watered with AC Condensate water? Tips on Using AC Water for Your Plants Should you use AC water for your plants?

What is Air Conditioner Water?

AC water is the condensation water that is produced by air conditioners. When an air conditioning unit in your home cools warm air, it creates condensation which is directed away from the unit and can be directed safely to your plants. Irrigating with air conditioner water may be used to water a few pots or an entire bed, depending on the quantity of your equipment’s usage and the temperatures.

Some home gardeners believe that air conditioner water works better for plants that tap water because it lacks the chlorine added to municipal water supplies. However, it’s not as simple as it may seem as there are pros and cons in using condensate water, which will be discussed in detail below.

But first a quick note on safety. While it is true that this water is distilled, it is absolutely NOT SAFE for humans or animals to drink. We verified this info with Michael Whitley of All American HVAC Services to get an expert opinion. According to Mike: ‘The surface of your air conditioner coils may be covered in bacteria that’s harmless to plants, yet potentially fatal if ingested. Be sure to only use it for the irrigation of ornamental plants and never for drinking.’

The Pros of using AC Water on Plants

There are several reasons why using AC water to water plants may be beneficial.

Air conditioner water is usually cooler than tap water in your home, and many gardeners believe that using cooler water to water plants helps to keep them healthy.

Water from air conditioners is often more oxygenated than cold tap water, which can be helpful for indoor or outdoor plants that need lots of oxygen.

Water from the AC unit in your home can be helpful for plants that are sensitive to temperature changes.

Using condensate from your cooling system to water your plants is a great way to use the byproduct of your portable air conditioner – one of the best ways to conserve water which is a precious resource.

AC water is pulled by your HVAC system from the air. Therefore it is pure, free from chlorine and other chemicals that are present in municipal or tap water.

The Cons of using AC Water on Plants

Watering your plants with water from your air conditioner seems to be a great idea. And although it is, there are a few considerations that you need to keep in mind.

Water from air conditioners are essentially distilled which means it lacks minerals that can help plants to thrive and grow healthier.

Additionally, since AC water is devoid of minerals, it can deplete the quality of the soil, especially in small containers. This is easy to prevent though by mixing AC water with rainwater, which should balance the minerals and keep your plants healthy.

AC water is also considered corrosive although it only affects metal and not organic material like plants and soil organisms.

Air conditioning water that came straight out of the tubing or pipe can be extremely cold, which can shock the plant and damage its roots. You can avoid this, however, by aiming the irrigation to the soil and not directly onto the plants leaves or too close to the roots.

AC Water From Your HVAC System vs. Tap Water

The most notable difference between tap water and water from an air conditioner is the temperature. AC water is typically cooler than tap water, and this can be beneficial for plants in hot weather.

The cooler water can help to lower the temperature of the plant leaves, which can protect them from heat stress. It can also help to cool the roots of the plant, which can be beneficial in hot weather.

How Can You Tell if Air Conditioning Unit Water is Right for Your Plants?

Well, it depends on the plant. Some plants thrive when watered with air conditioner water, while others may wither and die. The best way to determine if condensate is right for your plants is to test it out.

Try watering a few plants with AC water and see how they respond. If they seem to be doing well, then AC water is probably a good choice for them. If they start to wither and die, then you may want to try another method of watering.

What kind of plants do well when watered with AC Condensate water?

There are a few plants that do particularly well when watered with AC water. These plants include:

Cacti

Succulents

Bromeliads

African Violets

Cacti and succulents are two types of plants that thrive in hot weather. They love the sun and don’t mind the heat. Being desert plants, they’re also accustomed to drastic temperature shifts between day and night.

Watering them with AC water can help to keep them cool and prevent them from wilting in the heat of the day.

Bromeliads are a type of plant that is native to tropical regions. They love humid climates and thrive in hot weather. Watering them with AC water can help to create a humid environment for them and prevent them from drying out.

African violets are a type of plant that is native to Africa. They prefer warm climates and do well in hot weather. Watering them with AC water can help to regulate temperatures and the slightly acidic pH of the water may be beneficial for them.

Related Post: Changing Soil pH

Tips on Using AC Water for Your Plants

Now that you know a little bit more about condensate water and how it can be beneficial for your plants, here are a few tips on using it:

Try to use water that is as clean as possible. If your air conditioner has a condenser coil that’s outdoors, clean it regularly. This will also help you save money on your power bill!

If possible, water your plants in the morning. This will give them a chance to absorb the water before the heat of the day sets in.

Be sure to test the water temperature before you water your garden plants. You don’t want to shock them with water that is too cold or too hot.

Should you use AC water for your plants?

It depends on the plant and the climate. If you live in a hot climate, then watering your plants with water from your air conditioner can help to keep them cool and prevent them from wilting in the heat.

If you live in a tropical climate, then watering your plants with AC water can help to create a humid environment for them and prevent them from drying out.

Ultimately, it is up to the gardener to decide if AC water is right for their plants.

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[angelinaddorsey]

How to Move House With Your Plants

A recent poll found that 64% of people would say that moving house is one of the most stressful events they have ever experienced. From packing up your entire home to organizing all of the small, practical arrangements, there is so much to think about when you are moving house. For plant lovers, there is an added concern – that is, how will I get my plants to the new property without damage? 

This guide is here to help you learn all you need to know about keeping your plants safe during your upcoming move. 

1. Prepare in Advance 

Anyone who has ever moved house before will tell you that there is a lot of planning in advance that needs to occur, and this should extend to moving your plants too. There are a number of preparations you should make before the moving day itself; these include: 

Avoid watering

You should give some time between watering your plant and moving, as watering your plant right before a move will make it heavier to transport and increase the chances of leakage. 

Prune the leaves 

A few weeks before the move itself, you might want to consider pruning your plant down so it is less bulky. 

Think about protection

It is a good idea to give your plants some protection while you are moving to avoid unnecessary damage. Protection for your plants while moving might include placing them in a supportive box or simply wrapping them with fleece or paper. 

Insulate When Necessary

If you are moving during the winter, then you might want to think about insulating some of your more temperature-sensitive plants. 

2. Find The Right Movers

There is only so much you can prepare when it comes to making sure your plants are safe during the moving process, which is why finding the right removals partner is so important. You should make sure to check the past reviews of any mover you are working with so you can be confident that they will take care when moving all of your possessions. 

3. Make Your Plants At Home 

After a long day of moving, taking your plants out of their protective wrapping is likely going to be one of the last tasks you feel like doing, but it can make a big difference to their health. You should make sure you unpack your plants as soon as is reasonable to avoid them having to sit in the dark for too long. 

The placement of your plants in your new home is also important. Of course, you will want to find a situation that allows your plants to receive their desired amount of natural light, but there are other considerations to make. For example, you should try to put them somewhere out of the moving madness to avoid moving damage and environmental stressors. 

It is also recommended that you wait a few days before feeding your plants to give them time to acclimatize. You should try not to feed, prune, or repot your plant for the first couple of weeks after the move. If your plant requires water, try misting the leaves.

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[angelinaddorsey]

Garden Themed Wedding Ideas to Inspire Your Big Day

Are you planning a garden themed wedding? If so, you’re in luck! We’ve gathered some of the best ideas for flowers, food, and decor to help inspire your big day. Whether you’re looking for elegant centerpieces or fun ideas for your wedding cake, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for more inspiration!

Choosing the Right Garden Location for Your Wedding

Of course, location is everything! If you’re going for a garden theme, choose an outdoor venue that’s filled with growing plants, no matter if it’s a veggie garden or a beautiful field of flowers. If you’re getting married in the spring, take advantage of all the blooming flowers and use them to your advantage.

Fill vases with daffodils, tulips, succulents or hyacinths for a colorful and fragrant touch. You can even add some greenery by placing potted plants on the tables or lining the aisle with trees.

This outdoor venue is located at Douglas Manor.

Greenery Themed Invitations

For your invitations, choose greens for your color scheme. You can even find beautiful paper that has real leaves pressed into it! As for the food, why not get a little creative? If you’re having a brunch wedding, serve up some egg dishes and fresh fruits. For dinner, how about a green salad with grilled chicken or fish? And of course, no garden themed wedding would be complete without a living wall as a backdrop for your ceremony. Just imagine saying your vows in front of a wall of lush greenery!

Saying ‘I Do’ In a Floral Dress

If you’re coordinating your bridesmaids outfits, why not go green here as well? There are so many beautiful shades of green that will compliment any skin tone. Plus, it’ll help them stand out against your white dress. For an extra touch of glamour, have them carry bouquets filled with greenery and white flowers.

Floral Shoes

If you’re not too keen on the idea of steering away from the traditional white dresses, you can at least keep the theme going with floral shoes! There are many options you can purchase online that are both elegant and coverend in beautiful flowers.

Don’t Forget the CAKE!

As for your wedding cake, there are endless possibilities! You could go for a simple design with leaf and pedal designs or go all out with a multi-tiered cake that’s covered in flowers. If you really want to get creative, why not have a garden themed wedding cake? You can even make your own by using molds to create flower shapes.

Sending Your Guests Home With Their Own Starter Garden

Why not design your own seed packets and send your guests home with the resources to start their own gardens? After all, if they feel inspired from your event, they just might pick up a new hobby of growing things!

Catering Fresh Produce to Your Wedding

Find a local farm to table vendor or get a catering company to source fresh local produce for an added touch. This can be a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and support local businesses at the same time on your special day.

Conclusion

No matter what ideas you choose to incorporate into your garden themed wedding, the important thing is that you have FUN!

We hope these ideas have inspired you as you plan your own garden themed wedding. With a little creativity, you can make your big day truly unforgettable. Thanks for reading!

What are some of your favorite garden themed wedding ideas? Share them with us in the comments below

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[angelinaddorsey]

How to Make the Most Out of Your Small Garden

Not everyone lives in a home with a huge back yard. Many people don’t have a garden at all, let alone a massive one. For those who are fortunate enough to have an outdoor space but aren’t so lucky as to live somewhere with acres of land, it can be difficult to figure out how best to make use of a small outdoor space. With larger back yards, you can experiment with different landscaping, water features, planting sections – the list is almost endless. However, just because your garden is small doesn’t mean it can’t be a source of great joy and pleasure. Take a look at these tips to help make the most out of your small garden.

 Give it a Purpose

 While larger back yards can afford to give space to a vegetable patch, a play area, a lawn and a pond all in one, smaller gardens don’t have the luxury of excess room. This is why it can be useful to decide upon one or two purposes and make your garden excel at those, rather than try to squeeze too much into such a tiny area. If you have young children, for example, you might want to dedicate the space to outdoor play and forego the dangers of a water feature. If you see your garden as a sanctuary from the busy world, turn it into a peaceful paradise with mood lighting and comfortable furniture.

 Keep it Clean and Neat

 With a smaller space, whether it’s outdoors or indoors, keeping it tidy is especially important. Smaller spaces are more susceptible to appearing cluttered or unclean since they don’t have the luxury of distance between objects. Just as you would keep your home clean, it’s also necessary to maintain a healthy garden. Pests can threaten your plants and even venture into your home if they aren’t caught in time. Gulf Coast Exterminators has provided reasonably priced and very effective pest control in Kingwood Texas for over 20 years, offering to help keep your garden and home protected.

 Use Clever Space-Saving Solutions

 If you want to pack as much into your small back yard as possible, try using a few space-saving tricks. Use weather-proof shelves to plant small stacks of flowers or find multi-purpose furniture that you can easily stow away when not in use.

 Fill it with Plants

If you can’t decide on a purpose for your yard, you can’t go wrong with filling it to the brim with greenery. Learn which types of plants are most likely to thrive in the specific environment of your garden and take into account temperature ranges, humidity and soil quality before choosing what to plant. Perhaps you would prefer to grow your own vegetables or spices. Different flowers can attract interesting insect life to your garden. Once you have a better idea of what you are able to sustain in your home climate, you can decide more specifically what you would like to grow.

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[angelinaddorsey]

How to Create the Perfect Garden Backdrop for Your Home

When designing your garden, you often think about how it would look as you stand outside surrounded by it. What sort of feeling and atmosphere does it create, and how does your back garden flow? But what you may also want to consider is how your garden looks in terms of a backdrop for your home when you’re inside. If you have windows that overlook the garden, why not design the kind of gardenscape that can be enjoyed outdoors and indoors?

Here are some ways you can create the perfect garden backdrop that can be seen from indoors as well.

Think About Height and Density

The first thing to be mindful of is height and density when it comes to the garden foliage. Try standing at various windows/doors in the home that look out at the garden. Pay close attention to how much of the area is visible from indoors when sitting and standing. You’ll likely need various heights of greenery for it to be visible indoors.

The density refers to how much you will pack into a garden, and how deep it will go. This is also where height will be important so that each item pops and stands out, and doesn’t end up buried.

Play-Off the Home Décor and Design

Here’s a tip straight from the professionals, but why not take design elements from the home and use them to inspire your garden? Maybe you’re in the process of redesigning a kitchen, family room, or bathroom – those same colour palettes and concepts can be applied outdoors in a creative way. All you have to do is walk through a professional showroom, such as the bathroom showroom at St. Albans, and you will start to get an idea of how colours can play off each other. You’ll see that the use of texture can make elements pop and you can then apply that to items in the garden. The result is interior and exterior designs that complement each other and create more of a whole-home vibe.

Bright Colours Will be the Most Noticeable

When it comes to the colours you choose, bright items will be the most noticeable from indoors. However, it’s important to note that you can also end up going overboard. If everything is bright and you have a huge array of colours, it starts to get busy and then nothing stands out. Just as you would with interior design, choose a couple of focal points or main features and the rest should be secondary. You may want to stick to two to three main colours as this will be enough to add interest but not overload the senses.

Choose Items that Move with the Wind

The final tip is to pick some items that move with the wind. Movement helps to create a sense of peace and nature as you’re peering out the window. Leaves and branches that are gently blowing in the wind are extremely comforting. You are setting a scene with the garden, so you have to think about how it appeals to all the senses.

All of these tips will help you to create the perfect garden backdrop that you’ll enjoy for years to come.

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[angelinaddorsey]

3 Tips for Designing an Outdoor Kitchen

Few projects can make as big of an impact on your garden as an outdoor kitchen space. This could be perfect if you like to entertain or simply like to cook without filling your home with grease and smoke. Building an outdoor kitchen is not as complex as it seems and you could build one on your own or with professional assistance if you have the skills. It’s all about knowing how to build a functional space and following through. Here are some tips for designing the perfect outdoor kitchen.

Think About Functionality First

Your main goal with building an outdoor kitchen should be functionality. As long as you use good materials, the outdoor kitchen will look good, so focus on that instead of going for some design you saw on the internet that might look good but be impractical.

Going with Cheap Materials

There are some things that you’ll be able to do on the cheap and the basic structure of your outdoor kitchen shouldn’t cost too much to build. But, if you want professional-looking results, you have to at least be willing to pay for some top-quality worktops. 

Not only will your worktops be the first thing you’ll see when looking at your kitchen, but it’s where you’ll be doing a lot of your preparations, so they have to be functional and easy to clean. Another thing you have to consider is that your kitchen will be exposed to the elements, so you have to choose materials that can withstand things like rain, snow, and fluctuations in temperatures.

If you want to get worktops you’ll love working on, you should start looking for granite worktops Bury suppliers if that’s where you’re located. Granite is one of the best materials for a kitchen, whether it’s inside or outside. Look for suppliers who’ll be able to install the worktops straight on top of your existing structure. This will allow you to save on costs and get professional-looking granite worktops that will withstand virtually any weather condition.

Complement Your Home’s Design

One of the issues with picking a random design you saw online to build your kitchen is that it may not work with your home’s design. Your outdoor kitchen will occupy a lot of visual space, and if it doesn’t match the landscape and the rest of your property, it could become an eyesore. So, make sure that the style of your kitchen works with the rest of your home for a more cohesive look.

Also, you should consider building your kitchen as an extension of other elements. If you can build your kitchen in a way that would give you easy access to both your pool and your patio, do it. This will make the entire space more functional and help you make the most out of it.

These are all tips you should follow if you want to get the outdoor kitchen you’ve always dreamed of. Make sure that you invest in good materials and plan your project carefully for the best results.

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[angelinaddorsey]

5 Tips for Designing a Gorgeous Garden Room

A garden room can be a wonderful addition, not just to your garden but how you live in general. For some people, it will host a few potted plants and be used to store all their garden tools and accessories, whereas others may choose to make it more multi-functional and perhaps use it as a green living space.

 It’s not unusual for people to use these spaces as a home gym, an art studio, a small library, an office space and so forth. It’s a versatile space that you can use your imagination with.

 As you start to form an idea in your head of what you want your garden room to look like, here are five tips that will ensure you design a gorgeous space.

 Decide How You Will Use the Garden Room

The first thing you need to decide on is how you will use the garden room. Will it be used as its name implies, i.e., for garden tools and accessories, or do you plan to use it in another way? Your answer will determine the size and layout of the garden room. Keep in mind that, to be considered a garden room and therefore unlikely to need planning permission, it needs to be kept to a certain size.

Do You Want to Use It Year-Round?

Another important factor to consider is whether or not you want to use the garden room year-round? If so, it’s going to need insulation. Insulation does a great job at keeping a constant temperature, which means keeping the cold air out in the winter, and the hot air out in the summer months. And of course, you may also need to consider heating the space to ensure it’s truly useable year-round.

How Many Windows Do You Want?

Natural light will be a great addition to the garden room and will help address the lighting issue in general. With that said, be sure to factor in how many windows you’ll include in the design and where they will be located.

Choose the Perfect Flooring

To help add a sense of comfort and pull the design together, you want to be sure you choose the perfect flooring for your garden room. As you browse through the options a few things to consider include:

The budget

How durable the material is

How easy the flooring is to clean

What sort of texture, colour and pattern options you would like

How it fits in with the overall aesthetics 

How it works with your lifestyle and how you plan to use the room

 You can check out options such as these – Balham Carpets. Remember, when it comes to flooring, it’s what makes it perfect for you and your needs.

Don’t Forget Décor to Finish the Space

To create a sense of beauty, the final step should be to use décor in the space to bring a design concept together and give it a unique personality.

By factoring in all these tips, you’ll be able to create a gorgeous garden room that is exactly as you had envisioned.

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[angelinaddorsey]

Your Garden Can Help You Sell Your Home (and this is how)

Are you thinking of selling your home in the near future? If you are thinking of how to upgrade your home to get the best price, an often missed area is your garden!

Why Gardens Are Popular

For most homeowners, an area of outside space to call their own is important, and any good home selling agent will tell you that a garden is one of the most often requested must-haves from potential buyers.

If you look at houses for sale online, especially high-quality houses from agents like Broadhurst Property, mature gardens are a sign of a well-maintained home.

If you’re looking to upgrade your garden area and get ready to sell your home, check out these tips below.

Make It A Feature Area

If you want to take your garden from good to great, it is worth upgrading the main features. Try planting some vibrant annuals and perennials in your garden beds. This is the easiest way to give your garden a boost, and there are plenty of plants out there that are suitable for this kind of task. After all, buyers love color!

Trees, shrubs, and hedging can also play a big part in making your garden the envy of the street. Choose versatile plants that work well as both features and plants that will fill out the rest of your garden. This will make your garden look more appealing to anyone looking at it online and in person.

Landscaped or Lawn?

For older house buyers, gardens with lawns tend to be more popular than those with landscaped areas. However, with the rise of the smaller ride-on and easy-to-use lawnmower, adding a few landscaped features is easier to do, making it more appealing to young families with young children. This is something you should definitely consider if you’re looking to attract younger buyers.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with a lawn, and some gardens look better without the added clutter that landscaping can bring. Remember that if you’re planning on selling your home in the near future, your choice of design will be dependent on who you think will be viewing your home.

Lighting Your Garden

Don’t forget about lighting! Bright and attractive lighting outside can make your garden appear much brighter than it actually is. If you are planning on doing some nighttime entertaining, then take the time to ensure that your garden is well illuminated.

Lighting can also be used to highlight important features, like a pool or decking area. You might want to cover one wall of your garden with wall lights and use spotlights in the corners for maximum effect.

An Area For Entertaining Guests

Entertaining outside when the weather is right is always fun, and it’s a great selling point for potential buyers. If you want to impress future homeowners, add some added features to your garden that make it more appealing to visitors and prospective buyers alike.

Building a decking area is one of the best ways of doing this as well as adding in features like lighting and a fire pit into your existing garden. This will make your garden appear more modern and give future homeowners plenty of space to enjoy themselves outside.

Looking for More Gardening and Landscaping Ideas?

Check out a few of our recent posts on landscaping ideas you can DIY on a budget to get your home ready to sell!

Tips for Filling Out Your Garden Bed With Bright Flowers

Designing the Perfect Landscaping Around Your Pool

Fun DIY Tire Planters for Your Backyard

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[angelinaddorsey]

Choosing the Right Climbing Plants for Your Property

Growing climbing plants over your property is one of the best natural ways to improve your home’s look!

Depending upon which climbing plant you use, the process can help your home look more romantic, brighter, or even produce fruit. This guide is here to help you learn all you need to know to start growing beautiful climbing plants on your property.

Table of Contents

 Choosing the Right Variety

Consider Climbing Habits

Think About Growing Conditions

Consider Size and Strength

Understanding the Potential for Property Damage

How to Choose the Right Climbing Plants

The first step to growing climbing plants over your property is to choose which plants you will be using. You will need to consider many factors when you are finding which climbing plant is right for you. First and foremost, let’s take a look at different kinds of climbing plants to help you choose the best fit for your property.

Consider Climbing Habit

There are two main types of climbing plants, these are self-clinging and twinning plants. Self-clinging plants, like Ivy, Campsis, or Hydrangea Petiolaris are easier to grow, as they naturally adhere to a surface using aerial roots or adhesive pads.

Twinning climbers like Jasmine, wisteria, and honeysuckle grow by wrapping themselves around wires, pikes, or trellis. Twinning plants will require more upfront work as you will have to build a structure to support their growth.

Think About Your Growing Conditions

Before deciding which climbing plant you are going to be growing, you will need to consider its growing demands, specifically, the amount of sunlight it requires. You should consider where you are planning on planting and what aspect this surface has. The direction that a surface faces will determine how much sunlight your climbing plant will receive and how warm the temperature will be.

North–facing walls tend to receive the least amount of sun and warmth, making them the least ideal spot for most climbing plants unless they can thrive in the shade. East facing walls can be difficult as the morning sunlight can cause plants to quickly rise in temperature, causing damage. West and south-facing walls are ideal for the less hardy plant as they retain heat throughout the night.

Remember Size and Strength

You must remember to consider the size and the hardiness of the climbing plant you are going to be using. Growing a climbing plant that has a height and spread that is much larger than your property can cause issues with other plants and properties in the surrounding area. Therefore, you should try to choose a climbing plant that suits the size of your property to ensure you can get the desired look without risking spread onto your neighbor’s property.

Be Wary of Potential Property Damage

When a climbing plant has a very thick trunk that is very close to the wall, this can cause issues, as the roots dig into the structure of the property, causing settlement or undermining the foundations. In addition, a climbing plant mustn’t grow onto the roof. This can dislodge tiles,

causing holes and cracked timber, which, as any roofing company will tell you, can be very costly.

Think of Aesthetics

The climbing plant that you choose will eventually define the external look of your property. Therefore, it is also important that you choose a plant that you find beautiful to continue to enjoy the growth over time. Use trellises or proper lattice panels to protect your home’s structure while adding curb appeal and much needed shade on a hot summer’s day.

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[angelinaddorsey]

3 Key Tips for Raising Healthier Animals and Livestock

Whether you’re raising a clutch of chickens in your back yard or hundreds of animals on a farmstead, it’s important to raise them right. This is the case from a business point of view: healthier animals tend to sell better – but also from an animal welfare point of view, seeing as a healthier animal is always going to be a happier animal. In this short guide, it will take you through the three key tips you’ll need to focus on to raise healthy and happy animals from your home or farm.

Food

There’s no factor more important for the health and vitality of your animals than the feed you give them. Each time your animals eat – be they chickens, pigs, or cows – they’ll apply that food to grow and develop, helping them become stronger and more valuable animals. As such, this isn’t an area that you should be scrimping on: it’s where you should be spending to produce healthier and more valuable livestock.

One of the ways to produce excellent feed is to enrich your animals’ normal meals with additional nutrients. Animal nutritional products can be found online from specialist providers who’ve made excellent mixtures to suit each type of farmyard or backyard animal. Many of the best are plant-based and eco-friendly. Invest in these nutritional packages to get more out of your animals.

Space

Gone are the days in which battery farming was seen as the most efficient and effortless way to farm animals. With consumers swaying towards organic produce – or at least those animals that have been given free rein to roam local fields and pastures – it’s looking like the days of granting no space to livestock are truly coming to an end.

In their stead is raising the idea that space and natural grazing is, in fact, wonderful for your animals. It produces healthier specimens that you can sell at a higher price. It makes your farm more of a visitor’s attraction as well as a business. And it’s a key way to differentiate your products from those competitors who are still granting their own animals less space to live.

Individual Health

You’ll often see your animals as a group rather than as a set of individuals. This is only natural, seeing as you’re constantly herding them into pens and counting them up until you’re sure your herd is at the right number. But doing this also neglects the fact that your animals may all be susceptible to individual health issues that it’s best to try to get on top of.

If you’re caring for over a dozen large animals, you’ll likely have some experience of what to look out for when an animal’s ill. You may well have a vet visit your farm or facility from time to time to check up on all of your animals. It’s important that you remain vigilant and invest enough time in the health and well-being of each of your animals if you’re to make your farming as efficient and healthy as possible.

These three tips will help to underscore the importance of space, feed, and individual health monitoring for your animals, helping you sell them for more when the time comes.

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[angelinaddorsey]

What Can I Do If a Neighbors Tree is Damaging My Property?

Featured image by: https://www.shutterstock.com/g/hikaimoon

Living in a neighborhood with many trees can be a big selling point for future homeowners. It can also cause potential problems between property owners. Having a tree on your property is a larger responsibility than many people realize and keeping up with that kind of maintenance isn’t always taken seriously. For this reason, many people find themselves in an awkward position where a neighbor’s tree is damaging their property—or vice versa.

Learning that a neighbor’s tree is or could potentially cause damage to your property can be a discouraging discovery. If you find yourself in this situation, know that it’s best to stay calm and do your research. Mr. Tree and other professionals are able to safely assist you with things like pruning when needed and can be a big help in avoiding any further or more serious damage. If you find yourself in this situation, these few pieces of advice could help guide you through it.

Know About Ownership Laws

Depending on the circumstances, there are a few things that you can do to help prevent a neighbor’s tree from further damaging your property. This includes taking matters into your own hands for the pieces of the tree that are over the property line. Though this can be an easy solution to your problems, not doing things the right and legal way could end up costing you big time. Before any cutting, trimming, or professional tree services are scheduled, you should know what you’re allowed to legally do on your own to rectify the problem.

One of the most important things to know about a tree is that wherever the trunk resides is who the ownership of the tree resides with. That means if the trunk is on your neighbor’s property line, the tree legally belongs to your neighbor, and you are not able to cut it down or damage it without facing consequences. The rules change if the trunk is split between the two properties. If any part of the trunk of the tree in question is on your property, you then have some rights over what happens to it and also some of the responsibility for any damage caused.

What About Branches?

Ownership is determined by where the trunk resides, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have some control over other parts of the tree. There are parts of the tree that you are legally able to get rid of even if the trunk is not on your property line. If there are branches that go over the property line and are hanging over your property, you have the right to trim them if they’re the cause of damage to your property.

As far as things like leaves and acorns falling into your yard from a neighbor’s tree go, they don’t usually count as damage. They may be a nuisance, but they’re considered natural occurrences, as are branches that were undamaged before but fall into your yard after a storm. Those things are considered out of the control of the tree owner, and the damage that they inflict will typically be the responsibility of the yard owner to correct.

Another important thing to know is that even if a fruit tree’s branches are hanging over your property, you are not allowed to pick that fruit. It may be tempting to grab a delicious apple off a branch hanging in your yard, but that apple legally belongs to the tree owner, so grabbing it may not be the best idea unless you’ve already come to an arrangement with your neighbor. As far as fallen fruit goes, you’ll have to look into your specific state and local laws for who is responsible for that cleanup/damage.

Regardless of how much or what kind of damage is done to your yard from a neighbor’s tree, it’s best to cover all of your bases before taking any action. Before you make any moves that you’re unsure of, you may want to contact legal professionals to ensure that you don’t accidentally break any laws.

Go to Them with the Problem

After learning about your rights, the next step you should take when a neighbor’s tree is damaging your property is speaking with them about the issue. In most cases, a neighbor will understand if their tree is causing you or your property any grief, and they’ll do their best to amend the issue. Though this may not always be the case and can be an awkward subject to bring up, you’d be surprised at how many people are willing to accommodate their neighbors to help keep the peace. Go to them calmly and explain in clear language how their tree is causing your property damage.

Offer a Solution

When you approach your neighbor about their tree, it’s a good idea to also offer them a solution. Not everyone is well-versed in tree maintenance, and they may feel like they’re stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to figuring out how to accommodate you. Offering them the contact information of your local arborists can make it easier for your neighbor and make them more inclined to move forward with correcting any issues. It can also discourage them from trying to fix any big issues on their own, which can cause even further damage or injury to themselves and others.

If the tree causing the damage is severely damaged itself, it may be at risk of falling, which can not only damage property but potentially harm the people living on and around the property. If this is the case, professionals like Mr. Tree can safely remove the tree from the property and trim down any remaining stump so that your neighbor is left with a smooth, leveled-out surface.

Mr. Tree is also able to provide trimming and pruning services, which can significantly decrease the risk of damage to both your property and the owner’s. Having the necessary contact information can make it more appealing for your neighbor to help solve your problems.

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Six Mistakes First-Time Gardeners Shouldnt Make

Having a garden is a great gift that can significantly improve your life. It is something that one can tend to constantly, giving great mental and physical benefits in the process. However, there is a whole load of mistakes that first-time gardeners can be prone to making. Whether you are a first-time gardener or simply interested in the topic, then you are in the right place. This guide’s been created to list a whole bunch of mistakes that you should definitely avoid making. Read on now in order to learn all about it.

Growing Too Much, Too Quickly

When you are tending to your garden for the first time, it can be tempting to turn it into a proper jungle. Nonetheless, by putting in a lot of plants too quickly, you could end up having far more than you bargained for. With too many plants growing in one place, they will be fighting each other for nutrients, potentially killing them all. It is a much better idea to start as small as possible, so you will be able to manage any issues that could come up. Additionally, if you bring plants indoors, it could end up being unhealthy for you!

Buying the Wrong Materials

A gardener is often only as good as the tools that he uses while gardening. That’s why it is absolutely crucial that you make sure that you buy the right tools that can help you to do your job to the best of your ability. Without the right tools, you may find yourself rather overwhelmed too quickly. For materials that you can rely on, check out the amazing selection available at arbourlandscapesolutions.co.uk.

Watering Your Plants Too Much

While you may want to give your plants as much love as possible, one of the biggest mistakes that you can make is watering them too much. While water sounds like a good idea, this means that too much water can rot the roots of your plants, actually killing them in the process. As a result, you should definitely make sure that you only give your plants the amount of water that they genuinely need. It is also worth bearing in mind that the amount of water that you should give your plants will differ depending on their type. Do your research first before you commit to watering your plants.

Planting Too Close Together

Similarly tied to the issue of planting too many plants, too quickly, planting your seeds too close together can spell absolute disaster for your garden. It’s worth bearing in mind that while your seeds look very small to begin with, this will definitely cause your plants to bunch together, causing all types of diseases and not giving them the opportunity to grow properly. If you are confused by how you should space out your plants, it’s worth simply following the instructions that are available on your seed packet. In addition to this, you should also consider alternating your spacing between plants whenever possible.

Choosing the Wrong Soil

Soil is very important for a number of reasons but none more so than its ability to retain moisture. If your soil isn’t fertile enough it won’t be able to keep water in which means that your plants will wilt and dry out during the hot summer months. High quality soil is always recommended if you hope to achieve good results during the growing season. Match your soil type to the plants you’re trying to grow, or you’ll have a really tough time getting them to thrive! Check out this guide by the agricultural department at MSU for more info on soil types.

You’ll not only need good soil for seedlings but for mature plants as well. Be sure to purchase some compost from a nursery or garden center that can help nourish your plants and improve their vitality over time. Compost and other amendments are critical for getting organic matter into the soil for the long-term health of your plants.

Conclusion

Did you enjoy this article? if you’re looking for more gardening tips to get you started, be sure to join our newsletter! If this article was helpful, please take a moment to share it with your friends and family!

References

https://www.arbourlandscapesolutions.co.uk/

https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/watering-newly-planted-trees-and-shrubs

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/potting_soils_and_seed_starting_mixes_for_your_garden

Thanks for reading, Please leave any comments below!

For more information on Vegetable Gardening: Check out the other short articles in this series below as well as our full library of gardening tips!

20+ Small Space Gardening Ideas

How to Grow Bedding Plants

DIY Plant Food!

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[angelinaddorsey]

Gardenia Plant Care [2022 Edition] Including Our Review of the Best Gardenia Plant Fertilizer

Table of Contents

General Information

Indoor Growth

Outdoor Growth

Selecting Fertilizers

Soil pH and Watering

Problems and Diseases

Winter Care

Where to Buy

Getting Started

Are you thinking of planting a gardenia in your yard? These trees are a top choice for southern gardens where they thrive with the right ratio of soil acidity and a weekly watering regimen.

Gardenias are one of the most popular flowering plants grown for their flowers, and if you’re interested in learning more about how to care for them, then keep reading!

In this blog post we’ll cover everything from planting tips to watering schedules.

How to Care for Gardenia Plants

Gardenias are a heat-loving shrub that’s commonly grown for its fragrance and beautiful flowers. Gardenia plants can be picky about their growing conditions, so it’s important to choose the right location and amend the soil if needed. Selecting an area with full sun to light shade is preferable in most cases.

The best time for planting a gardenia is either the fall or spring when temperatures are mild. Dig a hole at least twice as wide and deep as the root ball, then loosen up any clumps of dirt before adding them to it. Water thoroughly after transplanting and keep a close eye on your gardenia for the next few days so it doesn’t dry out. Growing requirements will be different if you choose to grow gardenias indoors, so let’s look at those next.

Indoor Growing Requirements

Gardenias are native to subtropical Asia, where they survive in the humid climates. They prefer more temperate weather which is why you’re likely to find them thriving on the coast of California or Florida. These flowers need a lot of light indoors so make sure that there’s an ample amount of natural sunlight nearby for your gardenia plants!

The best time of day to water gardenias is in the morning. If you’re not sure what a good watering schedule looks like, it’s usually around one-half cup of water every seven days or so. The soil needs to be moist but not saturated with moisture because if there are too many nutrients and they can lead to fungus growth!

If your plant has leaves that turn yellowish green then this means that it probably doesn’t have enough light or humidity – find new growing conditions for it quickly! As long as these flowers get plenty of natural sunlight and proper plant food, then you should see them thrive immediately.

Outdoor Growing Requirements

Specific to growing gardenias outdoors in dryer climates is the need to mulch heavily. Use between 2-3 inches of mulch around the base of the plant and entire root zone to help maintain moisture in the soil.

Mulching will not only help ensure water availability for your gardenia, but it will aid with weed prevention as well. For those that are looking for a quicker fix, you can use fabric row covers over plants during dry seasons; this provides an excellent barrier against wind and sun while still allowing air circulation.

What is the best fertilizer for gardenias?

Gardenias are an amazing flower, but they require a lot of nutrients to produce their beautiful waxy blossoms. They need fertilizer in the spring and again in the fall – use something acidic like azalea or camellia fertilizers, or a combination of blood meal and fish emulsion for organic gardeners!

Since they’re acid-loving plants, you can also supplement by adding spent coffee grounds or tea bags directly to the soil. For our pick, click below to check the current price on the Perfect Plants offering that’s specifically formulated to fertilize your gardenias:

 Our Pick

How often do you fertilize a gardenia plant?

As we already mentioned the two primary windows for fertilizing your gardenia are spring and fall. During those months, you can fertilize gardenias every 2-4 weeks.

Watering Gardenia Plants

So, how often do you water a gardenia plant? What’s the right soil pH? You might have heard their heavy drinkers and that’s a reputation well-earned…Gardenia bushes need a lot of water!

Water them deeply at least once a week, and make sure to water the ground around their base.

The soil should be moist for several hours after watering.

If your gardenia bush is wilting or drooping, it’s probably due in part to lack of water – check its roots by pulling back some soil from the base of the plant with your fingers. If you don’t see any moisture just below the surface, then give it more!

Around November, reduce frequency to every other week as the temperatures continue to cool off.

Don’t let your gardenias dry out before they’ve gone dormant for winter though! Use mulch over their root zone year-round to make sure they don’t ever dry out.

Common Problems and Diseases

Root rot is one of the most common diseases that gardenias face and it’s usually caused by a fungal overgrowth in the soil. Although there are many different species capable of causing root rot in this plant, it is more commonly Phytophthora which is especially bad in South Carolina. Yellowing leaves is the most commonly observed symptom of root rot in gardenias. Additional problems include powdery milder and an occasional issue with nematodes.

In each case, the most likely cause is improper watering, so be sure to adjust your watering schedule as needed to prevent an overgrowth of fungus in the soil

Gardenia Care in the Winter

Gardenias grown anywhere colder than USDA Zone 8 will need to be brought indoors during the winter months. If you’re not able to bring your gardenia inside, then consider covering it with a frost cloth or similar item which can help keep its temperature up and prevent any damage from cold weather.

When growing gardenias in higher latitudes of North America, It’s important that they receive at least four hours of direct sunlight throughout the winter.

Where Can I Buy Gardenia Plants Online?

Are you looking to get some plants now so you can start growing gardenias? There are a number of online gardenia retailers. Check out these options below:

Gardenia Plants on Amazon

Wilson Bros Gardens

Plants by Mail

If you’re looking to buy your first gardenia plant now, then we recommend going with the simplest types you can find. That’s likely to be this frost proof option that’s available in a 1 gallon pot.

Now you have everything you need to know for the successful growth of your tree.  If you’re still looking for more design ideas for gardening though, you can read our entire collection of gardening content on our blog or check out an article from the list below:

 Read More Gardening Articles:

 Keeping Succulents Happy on your Balcony

Caring for Elephant Ears

Pool Landscaping Ideas

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[angelinaddorsey]

How to Make Tire Planters

Introduction:

How to Make Tire Planters

One way to reduce your carbon footprint is by repurposing old tires that are taking up space in landfills or maybe even just laying around your garage. Tire planters are a great idea because they use discarded materials to make something new and useful (for growing plants!). If you’re interested in giving it a try, read more about how to make your own raised gardens out of upcycled old rubber tires.

Table of Contents:

Materials Needed

Tools Needed

Instructions

Tips and Tricks for Success

Troubleshooting guide

Frequently Asked Questions

The end results!

So, just how do you use an old tire as a planter? That’s easy, but before we learn how to build a tire garden, is it really a good idea to upcycle your old truck and tractor tires into garden planters?

Don’t worry, you’re definitely helping out the environment when you make tire planters! Think of the many benefits that will come from repurposing your tires and using them again versus letting them rot unused in a landfill. You’ll save yourself money by not buying the new materials you’d otherwise need, so these DIY planters are also good for the pocketbook!

Materials Needed to Build Your Own Creative Tire Planters From Old Tires

Tires make a great wall for holding your garden together. You can either use old tires you already have taking up space in your garage like I did, or you might check with a local junkyard. That’s where I picked up my tires for as cheap as $2.50 each! After a quick introduction and a chat about the hanging rope planters we were planning to try out, the owner was happy to part with several old tires that couldn’t be resold for road use. Even with nail holes and worn tread, these tires make great garden containers!

I’d go there first if you’re looking to save some cash. Just be sure you know what size of tire is required for which type of planter, since larger tires will make bigger planters and smaller ones can be fitted around them to create a uniquely tiered garden. Plan your space and have several general sizes in mind. Once you get your new tires home it will be time to start preparing them for use following the steps outlined below.

Tools Needed – Drilling Holes in Tires for Drainage

There’s only a few tools you’ll need to get this job done and most of us already have them laying around anyway. Make sure you have access to the following before picking up your tires:

Garden Hose (Related)

A Bucket of Soapy Water

Battery Drill

1/4 in. or Larger Drill Bit

(Optional) Paint

Plus everything you need for planting your garden:

Soil, compost or soil mix

Gravel or something to help with drainage

(Optional) Decorations and glue as described below

 Don’t have a drill for this project? Here you go…it’s DEWALT!!! My dad swore by this shit. It’s a good brand and it’s only 99 bucks at the time of writing, so there you go!

Used tires will be quite dirty and you don’t want to introduce anything gross or toxic from the road into your garden, so I like to wash mine out thoroughly before using them. Let them dry before deciding where to drill drainage holes.

For tires placed directly on the ground or stacked with others, I like to drill the holes in the side walls centered from the edge of the tire. This allows drainage so your plants don’t drown and may also help prevent issues with mosquitoes. If you plan to hang your tires and plant inside the inner tire like this image below, drill your holes at the lowest point of the road surface.

A lot of people think that tires aren’t good for use as planters because they’re unsightly, but that’s where a good exterior paint can help! I used to work in a paint store so I was able to get a great discount on exterior acrylic paint. If you’re planning on keeping the tires outside, be sure to read the can label for product specific curing times. What’s the best paint for tire planters you ask? Choose an acrylic paint that’s designed for such applications.  You can use either a spray paint or get some small brushes if you need to make finer details on the sides of your tire planter. Here’s a few options we suggest:

ACMI Certified Non-Toxic

Selection of 20 Vivid Paint Colors

Trippy Luminescent Designs!

Eight Color Selections.

US Art Supply Kit.

24 Vibrant Colors.

Instructions on How to Make Your First Tire Planter Flower Pots

Now that you have your tires washed, the holes drilled and everything’s been painted to your best design, the next step is to place and fill your tire planters. Start by spreading some potting soil or compost mix into your bottom of the tire planter. If there’s grass growing in the area, you may want to cover it with black plastic 2 weeks prior. This will burn the grass and help prevent weeds from popping up through the tire planter. Once the entire tire is full, make sure to pack the soil in gently. If you want to add a decorative touch, place small rocks, shells or other items on top of the soil for added visual appeal and functionality. You can even glue decorations to the wall of the planter, so that should give you plenty of ideas on how to create a tire planter you’re sure to love.

Next we’re going to plant it! Dig down level with the top rim of your tire planter wall, creating a hole large enough for your smallest starter plant’s root ball to fit comfortably inside. Put that baby in there and back fill around it with more potting mix. Water as needed and there you have it! A simple DIY garden project for beginners – a beautiful looking unique garden like this one:

More Tire Planter Ideas: Check out these great sites

Need more great inspiration for your build out? We rounded up some of the best DIY planter ideas in the gallery below and if you’re looking for other unique, beautiful ways to spruce up your outdoor space, check out these related posts in our blog:

Succulent Balcony Ideas

20 Small Space Gardening Ideas

All The Plants That Repel Bugs

Tips and Tricks for Easy DIY Success in Your Garden

Because what can go wrong…will go wrong! There’s a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when making a DIY tire planter: 

If you’re using tires to grow plants in, keep them out of direct sunlight for the first couple of days to see how they respond. Rubber tends to heat up in the sun quickly. Plant accordingly – you can use this to your advantage and get an early start in the colder months. You could also take advantage of the hotter and faster drying soil by choosing plants like succulents and cacti.

Try to find a good source for used tires. The kind I got were free from my local tire shop and I was able to fill up my pickup truck bed with 12 discarded tires! Besides looking cool once they were all painted up and planted, they were exactly what I needed for a large raised garden bed. Who says a garden has to be expensive, anyway? Mine’s not! But getting back to the idea of using old tires, the ability to stack them on top of each other without needing any kind of framework or support is nice as well. Overall, I like my tire planters just as good if not better than the expensive one we build from retaining wall stones.

Keep in mind that the top planters will drain the fastest and that might dry out some plants. You can help with this by placing one of those glass drip bulbs in the middle of the planter, to slowly release some of the water and give it more time to get soaked up. I also added a layer of clay pot shards between each tire to make sure there would be good drainage around the bottom layers of each tire.

If this all seems like way too much work, you can buy these ceramic imitation tire planters on Amazon.

DIY Tire Planter Troubleshooting Guide

You shouldn’t run into too many issues with these tires as long as your drainage holes are large enough to prevent standing water. If that is the case, then there should be no mold forming. If you do notice it, you’ll need to tear it all down and add more drainage holes. That’s why it’s best to place them every few inches and you may need to clear out any rubber flakes that could clog it up.

Are There Any special instructions for planting your new planters?

More than anything else, just make sure that you plan correctly so that plants don’t remain too wet or dry. Don’t over water and don’t let this thing dry out completely! Use a moisture monitor to help keep track of things for the first few days and also as the seasons change in your area. It’s easy to make a mistake early on, so pay close attention to the plants in your tire planter for signs of distress.

Frequently Asked Questions About Using Tire Planters

Here’s some of the more frequently asked questions from our readers on these DIY tire planters. If you’ve got anything to add to the list, be sure to let us know in the comments below.

How Long Do Tire Planters Last? Years? Decades?

One of the benefits of tire planters is that the rubber will last a lot longer than even treated wood. Plus, painting the tire surfaces exposed to the sun’s UV light might keep them around for decades instead of just years.

What Color Should I Paint My Tire Planter?

The color around your garden is just as important from a design standpoint as it is to the health of your plants. If you don’t want the planters heating up too much in the midday sun, choose a lighter color that compliments the rest of your garden decor and any flowers that may be growing nearby.

If you’re worried about the color fading in a few months, you can always paint them with an outdoor sealant at the end of each growing season, and simply start over again the next year.

What Do You Put in the Bottom of a Tire Planter?

Choose a coarse gravel that won’t be small enough to get stuck in the drainage holes you drilled in the sidewall of the tires. The size of the gravel will vary depending on what size drill bit you used. You can also opt to skip this step and just leave the bottom open. Your plants will have access to the soil below and they’ll get all the water they need from that top layer.

What Kind of Soil do I Fill My Tire With?

This really depends more on what you’re planting than anything else. If you’re using a deep planter for a small tree or shrub, use potting soil and make sure that it has lots of organic material. For plants that like a drier environment like succulents, add some sand or purchase a specially prepared cacti and succulent soil mix.

How Much Soil Should I Put in Each Tire?

In order to get an idea of how much soil you’ll need, we recommend figuring out what size tire planter you’d like to use and measuring its capacity by filling a single tire up first. Once you’ve seen how much soil mix it holds, then figure out how many more bags you’ll need for the rest of the tire planters.

Soil is definitely one area where you will spend some money on this project! It might even be a good idea to have a truckload delivered if you have enough tires for it.

Is it Safe to Grow Veggies in Tire Planters

This is so controversial, I almost don’t even want to go there. One source says it’s okay while others list the valid concerns about heavy metals commonly found in old tires. The fact of the matter is no one really knows if toxins leach out of the rubber, or at what rate. Some say that it’s perfectly safe, while others say there are dangers associated with growing food in rubber tires.

If you choose to go ahead and grow your own veggies in tire planters anyway, then I recommend doing as much research as possible into the toxicity of rubber tires! They often contain heavy metals like lead, which is known to cause neurological issues in high amounts. This is just my opinion, but I would stick to flowers and ornamental plants.

How to Cut a Tire Planter & Make a Unique Planter Design

If you want to get really creative you can cut patterns into your tire planters. One really great idea is to cut out the bottom of a tire planter and flip it over, creating a bowl-like shape.

Another idea is to use sidewalk chalk to draw a pattern on and cut carefully along the lines. Use a sturdy utility knife or a heavy-duty box cutter, but be sure to wear safety gloves! This is a dangerous job and it will require a lot of work to get the look you want. (Note: I’m not responsible if you cut yourself! I did so TWICE so be careful!!!)

Having said all that, doesn’t the outcome look great???

The End Result! Share Your Garden Photos

Once you get all set up and planted you’ll have something to be proud of for sure! The tire planter will certainly stand out in your yard or garden and it’s a really fun project. If you come up with something really cool, we’d love to see it! Feel free to email us your project photos and we’ll add them to the gallery above.

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We have plenty of other gardening and lawn care articles delivered right to your inbox each month! You’ll love it and so will your garden. Check out a few related posts from our blog below and be sure to let us know what you think in the comments section!

5 ‘Good’ Bugs to Keep Around Your Home

How to Grow Bedding Plants

Homemade Plant Food – A DIY Guide

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Succulent Pups How to Grow and Care For Your Succulent Pup Cuttings

Succulents are one of the most popular plants to grow. They’re easy, low maintenance and don’t require a lot of light. But did you know that succulents can also be grown from cuttings? These “succulent pups” are like baby succulents for those who want to start their own collection or add to it without waiting for seeds to sprout!

Table of Contents

What are Succulent Pups?

What to Do With Succulent Offshoots?

How to Transplant Succulent Pups

How Do You Remove an Offshoot From a Succulent Leaf?

How to Propagate Succulent Pups After Transplanting?

Water Propagation of Succulents – Is It Possible?

Separating Succulent Pups – How to Separate Succulent Pups

How Often Do You Water a New Succulent Pup?

Should I Fertilize My Succulent Pups? If So, When?

How Much Sunlight Does a Succulent Pup Need?

Succulents That Make Good Pups

15 Assorted Cuttings

DIY Rooting and Propagation

Easy Care Leaf Cuttings

Perfect for Terrariums

 What are Succulent Pups?

This is just another way of saying a cutting or clone of the parent plant. It is interesting to note not all plants produce offshoots or pups, but those who do pretty much replicate themselves on their own thanks to cloning!

Not exactly what people mean when they say ‘succulent pup’ but this article would not be complete without our furry friend here!

Aloe Vera and some haworthia species are among the types of succulent plants that have this ability. They grow from the mature plant and produce other little plants on their own! You can identify succulent pups easily because they will usually appear as a clump of roots on an existing stem’s new growth, or they may look like tiny versions of the parent plant growing right next to the main trunk. When you see the tiny little plant growing on your succulent, there are few things to consider. Is it a pup? Or is this just normal growth for my succulent? Since each plant species if different, it’s probably best to look up images of the pups for your specific variety of succulent to make sure it’s indeed a pup you can propagate. For instance, the Pink Butterfly Kalanchoe is known to produce pups on existing leaves but other succulents produce pups in the soil near the base of the main plant. Once you confirm that it is in fact a pup, you’ll want to keep reading to learn how to propagate succulent pups successfully into new plants.

What to Do With Succulent Offshoots?

Succulent offshoots are often commonly referred to as pups as we’ve already discussed. While you may simply leave them alone, it’s definitely a good opportunity to create a new plant either for your garden or as a gift to a friend. They’re easily propagated by snipping off the pup from the mother plant, removing any damaged leaves or roots to prevent rot. Make sure it has at least two sets of leaves and that there are no flowers on them as succulents can only be propagated in this manner when they aren’t flowering.

How to Transplant Succulent Pups

So, planting succulent pups in a new container is the same process as planting any other succulent. Fill a pot with soil, place your offshoot on top of it and cover with more soil until only the tips are poking out. Once you’ve trimmed your pups, make a small hole with your finger about an inch deep into loose soil mix combined with potting soil (or use a special cacti/succulent dirt mix) for baby plants like these little ones pictured here!

Succulents in Ceramic Pots

Rooted Two Inch Succulents in Planter

Planter Pot with Bamboo Tray

Live Succulents in Cacti Soil Mix

Then insert the cutting so that just a small piece is sticking out of the ground–the idea’s to have less work required for root growth and more stability given how delicate cuttings are.

How Do You Remove an Offshoot From a Succulent Leaf?

This is a delicate process where you have to be careful not to damage the mother plant. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut off any leaves around the succulent pup, then gently remove it by pulling on one of its stems (similar to when you’re removing plants from soil).

How to Propagate Succulent Pups After Transplanting

Propagating succulent pups is easy. They need the right medium to grow, a sunny spot (though they can also be propagated indoors or on a balcony), and water 2-3 times per week. All you have to do is take a cutting or roots of a healthy plant – preferably with leaves already growing on it – and trim off any flowers that are present so as not to interfere with propagation efforts. Plant your cuttings in loose soil mixed with potting soil for baby plants like these little babies pictured here!

Then insert the cutting so that just a small piece is sticking out of the dirt – ideally less work will be required for root growth and more stability since these delicate cuttings are mostly under the soil where they can produce new root growth rapidly. Another possible option that’s becoming more popular lately is water propagation of succulents.

Water Propagation of Succulents – Is It Possible?

Many home gardeners are reporting success with this method, in spite of the common knowledge that succulents do not like excess water. However, this may actually not be the case so much as it is that they get exposed to bacteria, mold and mildew in damp soil that harms their roots. Water propagation has the added benefit of working a little bit faster and it does not seem to harm most succulent plants because there are none of the soil pathogens that can cause issues, assuming you use a clean water source that’s free of chlorine or other harsh chemicals.

Separating Succulent Pups – How to Separate Succulent Pups

So, how do you separate a succulent puppy or offshoot that’s entangled with another one close by? The do tend to grow densely around the main plant, and this can present a challenge. You have to start by separating the roots. The roots are the part of a plant that take in water, nutrients and minerals from the soil. You can separate them by hand or use a spade to cut through their root ball – whatever’s easiest for you!

The next step is to gently separate any entangled leaves minimizing damage to either pup, then add new potting mix around each individual pup in a new container just like we described above. This will help keep it stable while rooting takes place on its own.

How Often Do You Water a Succulent Pup?

Once they’re planted, make sure your succulent pups get watered thoroughly once per week and misted every other morning so that their pots stay slightly damp but not when you check up on them in the afternoon. It’ll be worth it-these little guys grow really fast! Once they have a solid root system you can move on to watering them once per week. Eventually, you may need to stretch that time out a bit more. While each succulent has its own very specific watering needs, all of them require dry times between watering as that’s what they experience in their natural desert environments.

Should I Fertilize My Succulent Pups? If So, When?

That’s a great question now that we’ve covered watering requirements and yes, you should eventually fertilize your new plants. Wait about 4-6 weeks so that you don’t shock the young root system. In general, succulent plants do not require a lot of fertilizer as noted by the MSU Extension, but new plants may benefit from an added boost of nutrients as the establish themselves. Here’s a few options specifically formulated to fertilize succulent transplants:

OMRI Listed Organic Product!

Fertilizer Spikes Last All Year!

Feeds Every Time You Water!

For Cacti, Succulent, Jade or Aloe.

Apply Direct to Soil.

Feed Every Two Weeks.

How Much Sunlight Does a Succulent Pup Need?

Pups can be a great way to grow new succulents without having to wait for seeds to sprout, but it is important that you know how much sunlight your pup needs. Succulent pups need less light than their adult counterparts and may scorch with more than 6 hours in a given day.

Succulents That Make Good Pups (Top 3: Echeveria, Jade Plant, Aloe Vera)

Not all succulents produce offshoots, so it is important to know the types that are best for propagation. There are some succulents that are especially suited for this style of transplanting and frequently produce viable pups for transplanting. Here’s a list of the most common ones starting with the top 3 shown above.

Aloe Vera

Jade Plant

Echeveria

Faucaria

Mother of Thousands

Pink Mother of Thousands

Mother of Millions

Sedeveria

Aeonium

Crassula

Haworthia

Agave

Hens and Chicks

Living Stone Plant

Graptosedum

This article was brought to you by the writing team at Fertilizer for Less. For more info about us, click on the image below to view our website homepage.

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There may be more succulents out there that produce offsets, so feel free to let us know of any succulent pups we missed in the comments below!

Succulents in Ceramic Pots

Rooted Two Inch Succulents in Planter

Planter Pot with Bamboo Tray

Live Succulents in Cacti Soil Mix

Today we’ve been talking about succulent pup propagation and how to take care of them. We hope this article has helped you learn more about the process, as well as a few tips for caring for your new little cuties! Did you enjoy our blog post? If so, please share it with your friends on social media or in person by telling them all the incredible things they can do with succulents (and their offshoots!) Stay tuned for future posts from us here at Fertilizer for Less where we will be covering topics like plant care, pest control, and lawn care.

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