Plant Gardens 101

Many of those people who take care of their gardens want them to be beautiful not only during the day but also after the sunlight is gone, during the night. Those people usually like to spend warm, summer evenings in the garden. That is the moment when we need good garden lighting.

We should think about the lighting that would give our garden more charm and accent its character. We can light the paths, parts of the walls, water ponds and elements of garden architecture – all to make it look more wonderful, peaceful and original.

But there is one important thing about garden lighting – that we should think about it before we even start planning the garden and its design. If not all our garden design might get destroyed by need of digging trough it to put electrical installation. (more…)

The three things that all plants need to survive are food, water, and dirt. The food for plants is created when enough light is provided. The water and dirt part of the equation are pretty straight forward as long as you follow the recommended care instructions and don’t forget to water your plants. But how do you ensure that your indoor plants are getting enough light? Finding the right location in your home may require some trial and error before you find the perfect spot.

Before deciding on what type of plants you will have in your house, look into the light requirements. The four categories that describe the different light requirement for plants are low, medium, high, and very high. If you have a sunroom or skylights in your home and can position your plants in or under them you can purchase plants that need high or very high light exposure. Be aware that some plants can get too much sun, in which case the light that comes in from a regular window should suffice. (more…)

The efficiency of the solar panels including the reduction in their size coupled with the quality of the batteries they charge and the length of time they last has made the purchase of solar lights very economical.

The Old Way

Once upon a time if you wanted outdoor lights, you had to assemble the lights, dig ditches, run wires, find and outlet for the transformer(these were low voltage systems using 12 volts), connect the light connections to the main cable, cover the ditches and set back to enjoy the fruits of your labors. Assembling the lights could be a major effort in some of the less expensive kits. The tolerances allowed are great and the manufacturers take advantage of this. Then you need to have the strength of Hercules to attach the wiring system Solar Outdoor lighting has made improvements by leaps and bounds over the last decade. . Digging the ditch can be an affair if you have a tight soil. If there was a sidewalk or driveway involved, then the work had just begun, trying to get your main cable across these obstacles. They worked great until the bulbs started getting older, then they would fade a little, burn out or their connection would corrode and need occasional cleaning and reinserting. Looking for a bad connection can and does require a lot of time and effort on the do-it yourselfer. (more…)

Fountains are a popular addition to most landscaped yards. Solar fountains give you the benefit of traditional fountains without running up your electrical bill every month.

Sprucing Up Your Garden With Solar

Mention solar power and people get an image of large, bulky solar panels on the roof of a home. This stereotypical view is really incorrect as large panel systems are now going the way of the dodo bird. Current solar technology is all about small size and unique applications. Heck, they even make them for kayaks now.

Solar fountains may sound like a fairly complex landscape addition. They really aren’t. Solar technology has advanced to the point where most landscaping items are now best run on solar technology. This includes solar lighting used for paths, overhead lighting, bird deterrents and general ambience. (more…)

Lighting and watering your greenhouse are two of the most important factors in running it.

You will need a good soil for planting seeds. Compost, potting or gardening soil and a little sand or perlite are a good start. Read all directions in your seed packets.

Keep some of those black plastic flats that nurseries use to display their plant containers. These are useful for starting sees and transplants.

Benches in greenhouses are essential, as they hold trays of plants that have already sprouted from seeds.

Styrofoam cups – have several of these handy. Seeds sprout quickly and once they grow large enough to move into separate containers, they can be gently lifted and transferred into ordinary Styrofoam cups.

You can also use yogurt plastic cups, and large commercial type containers that can hold more than one plant. In fact, any container you can think of will be suitable.

Other materials you should have on hand are broken clay pots, cracked walnuts, marbles, charcoal or gravel. These help in proper drainage. Be sure to soak clay pots in water a few minutes before using them. This will prevent the clay from absorbing the moisture from the potting soil.

If you want to have trellises inside your greenhouse, you can make them out of coat hangers, which you can bend to any shape your heart desires.

Herbs are perfect for keeping pests at bay. They are what one writer calls “nature’s insecticides”. Have a variety of them inside your greenhouse. You can make a natural insecticide by adding onions or garlic to a jar of water. Leave it for a week and spray on your plants.

Other garden tools that will help you run your greenhouse efficiently are air coolers for the hot summer. This is to maintain the temperatures at desired levels. Power vents in the roof are also a good idea to release hot air that can build up suddenly in the summer.

In the winter, a good heater would be nice to warm the greenhouse. Other accessories you need are a humidifier, a CO2 generator, and a mister.

Greenhouse lighting system.
A type of light called high intensity discharge lighting (HID) used to be employed by commercial growers in large greenhouses. However, the idea of artificial lighting to stimulate plant growth became increasingly popular.

H.I.D. lighting not only adds to natural sunlight, but can actually serve as a substitute during long winters when natural sunlight is in scant supply. They are energy efficient and operational costs are low. Here are just a few of the benefits of HID lighting:

Increases the health and strength of plants, and stimulates growth and yield rates,

Supplements natural sunlight; by using HID lighting, you also extend “day length”,

Enables container outdoor plants on decks and patios during the summer to be moved indoors during the winter,

Are definitely more powerful than conventional fluorescents.

Greenhouse tables, shelving and plant holders

These are indispensable, especially when you need to work inside your greenhouse and to maximize and organize your greenhouse space. As your plant varieties grow, you will need shelves and tables and plant holders to facilitate your gardening. One popular type of bench that greenhouse hobbyists like is the cedar double layer bench. They are durable and efficient to use.

For shelves, you can opt for two and three section lengths made of aluminum.

Given that watering your plants is an essential – indispensable -part of any greenhouse gardening, a good watering system is required. You can choose either the automatic or hand held watering system to make your watering needs more efficient.

For automatic irrigation systems, there are models that come equipped with an automatic drip irrigation and fertilizer system. Day or night, they regularly water the plants and adjust the flow of fertilizer. Some have a tank in which the water and fertilizer are mixed and are distributed to plants via hoses, Y-connections and drip pins.

Greenhouse garden coil indoor/outdoor watering wand

This is a “self-coiling” garden hose made of rugged and durable polyurethane tubing. It produces ultra-fine mists and sprays in soft, gentle streams. Some wand models extend to as long as 50 feet. No hassle storage because of self-coiling mechanism.

Greenhouses constantly evolve in style and design. It follows then that tools and accessories will grow in number or existing ones will be considerably improved. Manufacturers are probably inventing more tools and accessories this very moment that will make our work in greenhouses easier and quicker.

Remember that you are not limited to a certain variety of plants to grow in a greenhouse. Bear in mind, however, that your preference for certain fruits, vegetables and plants will determine the type of greenhouse you like to build. “Know thy crop” is an important factor before deciding on the greenhouse type you will install.

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About Gerald Mason
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If you want to bring out the very best in your garden this summer consider your outdoor lighting. While it’s important that exterior areas such as those areas directly outside the home in both front and backyard have fixtures to provide lighting for visibility and security (homeowners can choose from a wide range of exterior fixtures such as wall mounts, post lights); it is also a great idea to incorporate lighting into the garden. If you are thinking about doing so, remember that there are a number of options to consider.

Choices in Landscape Lighting:

Basically, there are three ways to add lighting to your garden: line voltage, low voltage and solar. And, for most homeowners, especially the do-it-yourself kind, the final 2, low voltage and solar, are, in most cases the best choices. Why? Both can be installed quickly and safely, without risk of electric shock. These lighting types are also low or no energy consumers. As far as lighting options go, with a low voltage system you can accent or create visibility lights to decks, pathways, stairs, and garden beds. You can do the same with solar fixtures; however, there may be less choice. see: http://www.chandeliers-and-home-lighting.com/outdoor-lighting.htm (more…)

Tapping the limitless solar energy is a simple, economical and a profitable way to save depleting natural resources. Solar energy, a relatively new multifaceted concept in energy harnessing, provides us with low cost alternative to traditional lighting systems. The energy of the sun is stored by solar panels or generators by charging long life batteries and discharge of this electricity is stopped by sophisticated proprietary charge regulators when batteries are fully charged. This enables the solar outdoor lighting to work even on cloudy or rainy days.

Solar outdoor lightings have progressed from earlier models using incandescent bulbs burning out faster without producing enough light to the present models with LED or light-emitting diode light bulbs and nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal-hydride batteries. These use less electricity and last longer. Another reason for growing popularity of solar outdoor lighting is that it is cost efficient and maintenance free unlike traditional electricity system. The solar panel backed by warranty and personalized power plant energized by sun is not dependant on generating stations, substations, switches, transformers or transmission lines. Secondly solar outdoor lightings are self programmed and if one fails the other light is not affected. A one time installation cost as opposed to running costs towards cables, trenching, metering equipment, construction and electric bills tilts the verdict in favor of solar lights. (more…)

If you take pride in your property and decorate it with tasteful trees, shrubbery and flowers, then why not enjoy the space by night as well as by day? Landscape lighting is growing in popularity and has become very affordable.

The right outdoor lighting will allow you to enjoy your garden after dark and it provides better safety and security. In this article, we’ve got some great tips about installing and placing lighting to enhance the outside beauty of your home.

When purchasing landscape lighting, decide what you want to light, select the appropriate lighting techniques, select the appropriate lighting fixtures and accessories, select the appropriate bulbs, and choose the power supply. It’s a good idea to draw a rough plan on paper for a shopping list or take some digital pictures. The best way to decide where the lights should go is to go into the yard at night with a good flashlight and try lighting different areas from different angles. (more…)

Creative outdoor lighting can transform a boring backyard or patio into a private, nighttime oasis. Wall sconces, deck lights and deck step lights provide the perfect illumination for quiet evening conversations or midnight stargazing. The soft glow and stylish designs can make your deck a favorite place to relax and enjoy warm summer breezes.

Landscape lighting is growing in popularity and has become very affordable. In this article, we’ve got some great tips about installing and placing landscape lighting to enhance the beauty of your home.

When choosing the fixtures and accessories for your outdoor lighting, get the highest quality equipment and materials that your budget will allow. The fixtures will last longer and offer more options. However, don’t be afraid to use beautiful ornate pieces that suit your style. (more…)

All plants need appropriate light to grow. If you are doing hydroponic gardening, you will also need excellent light for your plants. Here is what you need to know about the different types of lights that work well for growing plants indoors.

HID lights most closely mimic sunlight, and they make excellent lights for using when growing plants hydroponically. HID stands for High Intensity Discharge, and it puts out a very bright full spectrum light. The light spectrum is important depending on what growth stage your plants are in. Young plants need blue light, whereas when you need your plants to flower and fruit they perform best under red and orange light. Providing both of these types of lights in one light bulb will provide your plants with everything they need in terms of light appropriate for any stage of plant growth.

These grow lights come in two different types. Metal halide HID lamps come in some varieties featuring blue light and some that offer more in the red/orange light spectrum. Metal halides are sometimes less expensive than other HID lights. High Pressure Sodium bulbs put out a great light in the red, orange and yellow spectrum. They last twice as long as metal halide light bulbs, and emits a brighter light. (more…)

The art of garden never fails to transform an idle tract of land into a beautiful and lively environment. Gardens feed the spirit’s longing for beauty and grace as it provides a venue to witness the wonder of nature and the comforts of home. While plants and trees are enough to make a garden delightful, the landscape can surely be enhanced by installing garden décor.

There are many types of garden decors each having unique features and purposes for your garden. Here are some garden decors:

Arbors, Pillars, and Gazebos - these are large structures that can add a good focal point to your garden. Having large structures can create an illusion of having a large space. These structures can also serve as platforms for aerial plants. Climbing foliage such as vines may also cling to these platforms, creating an elegantly classic garden effect. (more…)

The other day I was in a client’s garden and was struck by an outdoor fixture I had never seen before, it was a solar spot light. The spot light was positioned within a beautiful round planter containing an architectural looking succulent. The fixture stays-put because it is designed with a stake at its’ base but the lamp itself can be swiveled to adjust to the desired position for washing light up upon the succulent. The solar panel is attached to the head of the fixture.

This fixture, I noticed was positioned in a sunny spot; essential for powering a solar light fixture. At dusk, the spot light should go-on because a sensor within tells it to do so. Darkness will spark the sensor to switch the spot light on, dawn will turn it off. Each day the process continues provided that there is enough sunlight to power and charge. It is best to have direct sunlight for stronger light. To achieve a bright floodlight effect, this solar powered spot light contains several LED bulbs (light emitting diode), about 7 or 8 LED’s within the lamp. For power there is a solar panel along with several replaceable and rechargeable batteries. (more…)