Gardening Advice - How to Get a Green Lawn

All these instructions on how to get a green lawn and other gardening advice depends on where in the world you live, what climate you have, temperature, sun, rain, snow and so forth. The recommendations is for the northern part of the world such as Canada, USA, Europe, etc where there are "real" winter, spring, summer and autumns. Talk to your garden store about what product to use in your part of the world.

Spring

If you have moss in your lawn, never use a machine to get rid of the moss because you actually risk more moss in your lawn the following year. Instead you can use a pesticide. There are environmentally friendly products to buy. And it is of course possible to use some other water-soluble iron sulfate. When the moss is dead it moulders away by itself and is gone in a couple of weeks.

Fertilize - If you have moss it's because your lawn haven't receive adequate nutrition and therefore regular fertilizing is important. When the temperature is about 50 F (10 C) spread out a lawn fertilizer. There are fertilizer for all growing seasons and you can read how often and how much you should use on your lawn. It is often better to use a little more expensive product. You often don't have to fertilize that often with a good product.

Weeds - If you have weeds - There are products that takes care of deep-rooted weeds and at the same time fertilize the lawn. Also here you should be able to find environmentally friendly products in your country. Use the pesticide on your lawn when the temperature is steady over 60 F (15-16 C). The weeds will disappear after about a month and your lawn will get more green and free from the weeds. The treatment often should take place when the weeds are in good growth and the grass is dry and the soil moist. Talk to your garden store about products and how to use them correct.

Weeds - Before And After

Once the weeds have died, after 4-5 weeks, you should mix grass seed and "lawn dress" (soil). Rake out the "soil-seed-mix" over your whole lawn. It will give your lawn even more nutrition and the grass will be even more green, thicker and stronger. You will see results after about 2 weeks. Don't worry about the soil. Both the old and new grass will take over. Also here ask your garden store about these soil products. You can also use a vertical cutter before you spread out the grass seed and soil. Your lawn will love the extra air. If it is necessary make sure you water your lawn. A real "root soaking" (about 30 mm).

Summer

Once again spread out a lawn fertilizer. Water the lawn when necessary (about 30 mm). The lawn should be cut at least once a week during the growing season. Do not cut more than a third of the height at a time. The grass can be yellow or brown if you cut it to short right away.

Always use a grass collector when you cut your lawn. Don't leave the clippings on to provide more nutrients to the soil. If you leave all that clippings on your lawn the whole season it will only give you more problems like weeds the following year. Experts often say that the grass should be maintained when you cut your lawn because it fertilizes the lawn. Don't listen to them. Much of the weeds disappear with regular mowing and where you collect the grass and weeds. Spreading of weeds in your lawn is almost not possible if you use a collector and in this program we already use a lawn fertilizer product so we don't need more.

Edge Your Lawn

In May - June, it's also time to edge your lawn with a lawn edger or a shovel. It will improve the beauty of your lawn and garden. It's well worth the time and effort. Edge your lawn as often as you want but about two times in the summer or under the growing season often is enough.

Autumn

Use a moss product again/water-soluble iron sulfate on your lawn. This is if you have any new moss. You will also get some protection against fungal diseases. Give you lawn a "fall fertilizer". (See products in your garden store). This will make your lawn stronger and will manage the winter much better.You should add lime about every two year to replace important calcium and magnesium washed away by heavy autumn and winter rain. Many types of lime can be used to correct this situation. You can use lime in spring or autumn. It is important that you properly rake your lawn in the fall. Try to have the lawn as clean as possible when the winter /snow comes.

If you follow this program, you will be amazed what your lawn will look like in August/September and the next year.

Year Two - Maintain Your Lawn

Follow the same program again. But of course you can skip the moss and weed products if there are no moss or weeds in your lawn. Also you don't have to mix grass seed and soil and rake it out on your lawn every year but it sure is recommended if you have the determination (and strength) to maintain your lawn green and beautiful.

Read more about how to get a green lawn. You will also find other gardening advice from professionals. Head online and learn more today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hanks_Somecotton

11 Tips Before Building A Backyard Water Garden Or Backyard Pond

The Pond Warehouse has over 13 years of experience in ponds and water gardens, building and owning a pond, water garden or pond-less waterfall can be an awesome and rewarding experience to enjoy. The Pond Warehouse strongly suggests you think through this list of 11 Tips before beginning your backyard water garden or back yard pond project.

1. Pick an area in your yard that you can make a pond or water feature look natural, preferably not a low area in the yard. Low spots gather rain runoff which can be full of nutrients. Nutrients cause algae blooms and can turn a pond green fast.

2. Do not build your pond too close to a tree. This can damage a trees roots and possibly kill the tree. That is something you do not want to deal with at a later date.

3. Do not build a pond in direct sunlight. This will cause pond algae problems. We recommend no more than 4 hours of direct sunlight. Plants will grow perfectly fine in shaded pond. In shaded areas of your pond, simply use slow release aquatic fertilizer tablets a couple times a year. You can find good Aquatic Plant Fertilizer at The Pond Warehouse. Also, consider using pond plant baskets containers, such as a Round Aquatic Plant Basket. Planting in containers makes it easier to move, divide, trim and maintain unwanted spreading of plants!

4. Make sure there is plenty of room for landscaping around your backyard pond. This will add beauty and help the pond look natural even in the flattest of yards.

5. To layout the shape of your pond, we recommend using a cord, rope or garden hose. You can continue to change the outline in your yard and play with it until you get the pond shape you are happy with.

6. Keep pictures and make notes of the things you like and incorporate them into your water garden pond. Take into consideration water flow. Do you want a gentle waterfall or more a gushing look?

7. You should decide what you plan to do with your backyard pond or backyard water feature? Do you want fish and plants in it or not. A pond with fish and plants requires different design considerations and treatment than a pond without fish and plants.

8. Make sure you check with you local county or township codes regarding any restrictions regarding building your pond, such as pond depth.

9. Placement of the pond waterfall is important. It is best to place the pond waterfall at the back of the pond. This way you can see it and hear it from your view point. There are many items that go into building a pond waterfall, so to make things less complicated The Pond Warehouse has put together 4 different pond waterfall kits based on stream length and width. We even provide a suggestion on how to build a waterfall for those that want a beautiful waterfall but no pond.

10. Proper filtration is a must. We recommend putting all the water in the pond through a filter every hour. This means if you have a 2000 gallon pond then you need a pump that will move 2000 GPH (33 GPM) such as the EasyPro 2200 GPH Mag Drive Pump. You also need a filter that can handle 2000 GPH, such as the EasyPro 2500 Gallon Pressurized Filter with UV or EasyPro AquaFalls biological filter.

11. Once you are ready to build your own dream water garden we strongly recommend you speak with an expert as pond design is critical so that everything works properly. If you do not know an expert in your area please feel free to contact The Pond Warehouse at 877-268-6186 for pond assistance. Also we can share with you exactly what to do in treating your pond with bacteria and water treatment so that you have a healthy, trouble free, beautiful pond that you can enjoy.

The Pond Warehouse has over 13 years of experience in ponds and water gardens. We can help you with all of your pond supply needs. We pride ourselves on delighting you – our customer by providing the pond expertise, highest quality pond products and top notch customer service all at the best value.

By: Paul Cole

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