Jay Wilde
04.12.2023 - 23:11 / goodhousekeeping.com
Cooler temperatures and calm breezes help keep evaporation to a minimum. It also keeps the turf cooler during the hottest parts of the day, which means less stress on the grass. If it’s not convenient to water in the morning, late afternoon is the next best time. Waiting to water until too late in the evening keeps lawns wet overnight, which can make the grass susceptible to diseases like fungus.
Not sure how long to water your lawn for? Conduct the screwdriver test: After watering the lawn, take a long-blade screwdriver and shove it straight down into the ground. The blade should easily penetrate the soil to a depth of 6 inches. If it doesn’t, you’re not watering long enough.
These lawn sprinklers shoot out water horizontally at high velocity, so water is not as vulnerable to wind and evaporation as oscillating types, which spray the water straight up, and then rotate side to side.
EXPERT TIP: Lawns in new housing developments often have compacted soil so hard that water can’t sink in. If this is the case, water for 30 minutes, let the water soak in and repeat to avoid runoff.
Oscillating sprinklers are a gentler choice for new lawns until the grass takes root. For newly planted grass seed, keep the top inch of the soil moist, but not soggy. Monitor and water regularly until the grass is 3 inches high, then water on your regular cycle. When mowing, take wide, slow turns to prevent the mower’s wheels from tearing up the new lawn.
Experts recommend watering clay soils once a week and sandy soils about every three days. Signs of under-watering include brittle, dry or brown grass. Signs of overwatering include mushrooms, weeds, spongy grass and runoff.
You will never need to worry about having to shutoff your sprinkler or
While a light hand is apropos for many pruning jobs, sometimes a judicious but heavy hand is needed. Rejuvenation pruning is a heavy-handed but efficient method to bring overlooked, overgrown, and mismanaged shrubs back to their full potential. It is performed by removing every branch at or a few inches above ground level with a sturdy hand saw, loppers, or even a small chainsaw. For many shrubs in Mid-Atlantic gardens, winter is the perfect time to perform rejuvenation pruning. This is because in our zonal range, most woody plants are dormant and therefore exposed cuts are less likely to become pathways for pests and diseases (which are also dormant). And, when spring weather finally arrives, the shrubs will be perfectly poised to push new, healthy growth.
Those of us who have spent a few years (or more) in the American West know that winter here doesn’t look like winter in much of the country. As far as I’m concerned, this is a good thing; I don’t enjoy days of gray skies and persistent snow cover. Our woody landscape plants, however, would say otherwise.
What’s the Best Water for Succulents?
Jacob Fox
Collaborative post
Collaborative post
As well as being that haloed place where one can enjoy a bit of peace and quiet and a hot soak, the bathroom is also one of the best rooms to grow house plants. Its high humidity is a haven for a lot of indoor plants because so many of them hail from tropical or subtropical forests. There they flourish in the consistently damp, warm air and the light that pours in between the trees. These plants will feel right at home in bathrooms, shower rooms, and kitchens, if provided with the indirect light and average-to-warm temperature that most of them crave.
If you envision your garden as a secluded sanctuary where you can relax and enjoy some peace, it will be of great benefit to improve the privacy of that special place. One way to do that is by strategically planting different beautiful tall-growing plants. They will not only add a touch of botanical elegance but will also shield your outdoor area from curious eyes.
Using a grow light to start seeds or grow houseplants, microgreens, and herbs inside your home is an efficient way to promote healthy plant growth. LED grow lights have become the standard for indoor gardeners for their energy efficiency and long life. Yet with so many options available you might be wondering how to choose the best LED grow lights. Over the years I’ve used many LED light systems to grow all types of indoor plants. Below I share my top choices for LED spotlights, tabletop models, and multi-tier grow stands. Keep reading to learn more.
I cherish my time outdoors, enjoying meals on the patio with my family and soaking in the scenery. However, the pesky presence of flies can quickly ruin the serene atmosphere.
Designing your home is an exciting endeavor—that is until you realize just how many interior decorating styles there are. If you're firmly rooted in a particular style, happy designing. If you're feeling dizzy from the number of choices, don't fret.