Related News – Page 21

‘I’m a gardening expert – here’s four mistakes that could cause havoc’

You should be way of gardening hacks, according to experts.

With the arrival of summer, Brits nationwide will seize the rare chance to garden in the sunshine.

However, outdoor experts caution against five common mistakes that should be avoided at all costs – despite their virality online.

The gardening gurus at St. Modwen Homes assert that many of these questionable ‘hacks’, often found on TikTok, can result in costly structural damage and potentially attract pests.

Therefore, it’s crucial to scrutinise everything you come across with a discerning eye.

1. Gluing stones

Adding a splash of colour to your garden with glass stones may seem like a good idea, but experts have warned against gluing them down. Despite seeming like a practical solution, it can actually lead to significant problems.

“Glued stones can prevent proper water drainage, leading to water pooling or runoff issues, which can negatively affect plant growth and in some cases, more serious damage,” the experts warned. “Plus, glued stones are permanent, making it difficult to rearrange or remove them if you ever want to change your garden’s design in the future.”

On top of this, many small creatures – like frogs and insects – often use loose stones as shelter. So, gluing these down may ‘disrupt the natural balance of your garden’s ecosystem’.

2. DIY lawn aerating shoes

Next, the experts turn their attention to a peculiar pair of shoes. In essence, these are nothing more than standard walking boots, albeit with spikes on the bottom.

While you can buy these bad boys online, various gardeners are making their own versions by drilling nails into wood and stomping all over the grass. Users generally believe the holes created will ‘aerate’ the soil, allowing more air and water to reach plant roots.

However, the gurus sadly disagree, claiming the spikes on many aerator shoes ‘don’t penetrate deeply enough to provide effective aeration’. They explained: “Achieving uniform coverage is [also] difficult, as the effectiveness depends on how evenly you walk across the lawn.

“Additionally, the spikes can damage the grass, particularly if used frequently or improperly, leading to patches of unhealthy or dead grass. This can ultimately do more harm than good to your lawn’s overall health.”

3. Cardboard garden borders

According to experts, creating cardboard borders is another common blunder. While it may seem like the ideal solution for lining a flower bed or gravel patch without resorting to a shovel, this shortcut can apparently lead to several problems.

The gurus explained: “Are you renting a place and don’t want to disrupt the soil, or simply want to create a beautiful garden border without getting the shovel out? #GardenTok users have turned to using cardboard to line a flowerbed or gravel patch instead of digging a new one.

“Layers of cardboard and organic material can attract pests such as rodents and insects, which may damage your current landscape, and future plants.”

Turns out, rats and mice especially love cardboard and are often drawn to it when nesting or sleeping. “Plus, young plants with delicate roots might struggle to penetrate the cardboard layer initially, slowing down their establishment and affecting their overall growth,” the experts added.

4. Pallet decking

New decking can be seriously expensive, so it’s no wonder gardeners are trying to make their own at home using old pallets. But surprise, surprise – experts once again say this one’s a no-no, due to their ‘low quality’.

“Pallets are often made from low-grade wood that is not treated for outdoor use, making them prone to rotting, warping, and splintering when exposed to the elements,” they explained. “Furthermore, the wood used in pallets generally has a shorter lifespan compared to traditional decking materials.”

If you thought it couldn’t get any worse, the gurus also warn that pallet use can lead to dangerous structural weaknesses and potential decking collapse. This is largely because pallets are ‘not designed to bear significant weight’, unless they’ve been especially designed to do so.

They concluded: “This not only compromises safety, but also results in a less durable and less visually appealing outdoor space.”

Source: express.co.uk

Want a vegetable garden? Here are 5 layouts and spacing ideas for home grown food

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Designing an efficient vegetable garden layout is essential for maximizing productivity and creating an organized and visually appealing space. Proper spacing between plants ensures healthy growth, good airflow, and easy maintenance. In this article, we will explore various vegetable garden layouts and provide guidance on spacing your plants for optimal results.

Introduction: Benefits of Well-Planned Vegetable Garden Layouts

A well-planned vegetable garden layout offers several benefits.

Optimized Space: Efficient layouts make the most of limited garden space, allowing you to grow a wide variety of vegetables.

Better Organization: Organized layouts simplify maintenance, harvesting, and crop rotation.

Improved Airflow: Proper spacing between plants promotes good airflow, reducing the risk of disease and pest infestations.

Enhanced Aesthetics: Thoughtfully designed layouts create visually pleasing and harmonious garden spaces.

Consider the following vegetable garden layouts to find one that suits your gardening goals and available space.

Unsplash/Representational Image

Traditional Row Layout

The traditional row layout is a popular choice for large-scale vegetable gardens. Plants are arranged in long, straight rows with aisles in between for easy access. This layout works well for crops that require frequent tending and harvesting, such as corn, beans, and tomatoes.

To implement a traditional row layout, follow these guidelines:

Parallel Rows: Create parallel rows, leaving enough space between them for walking and maintenance.

Spacing within Rows: Plant seeds or transplants at the recommended spacing for each crop. Typically, this involves leaving a certain distance between plants within the row.

Aisle Width: Maintain wider aisles to accommodate garden tools and easy movement.

Raised Bed Layout

Raised beds offer several advantages, including improved soil drainage, better control over soil quality, and reduced weed growth. This layout is suitable for various garden sizes, including small spaces and urban gardens.

To create a raised bed layout:

Construct Raised Beds: Build raised beds using wood, bricks, or other suitable materials. Ensure the width of the beds allows for easy reach from both sides.

Spacing between Beds: Leave adequate space between raised beds to allow for comfortable movement and maintenance.

Spacing within Beds: Plant crops according to their recommended spacing, considering the width and length of each bed.

Raised beds offer flexibility, as they can be customized to fit your specific needs and preferences.

Square Foot Gardening Layout

Square foot gardening is a method that maximizes space utilization by dividing the garden into square foot sections. Each section is planted with a specific number of plants based on their spacing requirements. This layout is ideal for small gardens and allows for efficient use of resources.

To create a square foot gardening layout:

Divide the Garden: Divide the garden into square foot sections using string or wooden dividers.

Planting Grid: Create a grid within each section, dividing it into smaller squares to represent individual planting spaces.

Plant Placement: Plant the recommended number of plants in each square based on the crop’s spacing requirements.

Square foot gardening is a precise and organized approach that reduces waste and simplifies maintenance.

Unsplash/Representational Image

Companion Planting Layout

Companion planting involves grouping compatible plants together to enhance growth, deter pests, and maximize space utilization. This layout is based on the concept that certain plants benefit from being planted in close proximity to others.

To implement companion planting:

Research Compatible Combinations: Study companion planting charts or guides to determine which plants work well together. Some combinations include tomatoes and basil, carrots and onions, and beans and corn.

Grouping: Plant companion plants together, ensuring that they have enough space for individual growth.

Consider Height: Consider the height of plants to avoid shading or overcrowding.

Companion planting promotes biodiversity, maximizes space, and offers natural pest control benefits.

Intensive Planting Layout

Intensive planting, also known as intercropping or succession planting, involves growing different crops in close proximity to maximize space and harvest yields. This layout is particularly useful for smaller gardens or when space is limited.

To practice intensive planting:

Intermixing: Plant different crops together in the same bed or row, making sure they have compatible growth habits and spacing requirements.

Succession Planting: As one crop is harvested, replant the area with a new crop, extending the productivity of the space throughout the growing season.

Complementary Crops: Pair fast-growing crops with slower-growing ones to optimize space usage.

Intensive planting allows for a more diverse and productive garden while making the most of limited space.

Unplash/Representational Image

Spacing Guidelines for Common Vegetables

Proper spacing is crucial for healthy plant development and optimal yields. While spacing requirements vary depending on the specific crop, here are some general guidelines:

Leafy Greens: Plant leafy greens, such as lettuce and spinach, 6-12 inches apart within rows, leaving 12-18 inches between rows.

Root Vegetables: Allow 2-4 inches between individual root vegetable plants, with 12-18 inches between rows.

Bushy Plants: Space bushy plants, such as tomatoes and peppers, 18-36 inches apart within rows, and leave 24-36 inches between rows.

Vining Plants: Provide sufficient space for vining plants, like cucumbers and melons, allowing 3-6 feet between plants and leaving 4-6 feet between rows.

Always refer to seed packets or plant tags for specific spacing recommendations for each vegetable.

Conclusion

Designing your vegetable garden layout and spacing your plants appropriately is essential for a successful and productive garden. Whether you choose a traditional row layout, raised beds, square foot gardening, companion planting, or intensive planting, ensure that you provide enough space for each plant to grow and thrive. By implementing these layouts and adhering to proper spacing guidelines, you can create an organized, visually appealing, and highly productive vegetable garden.

FAQs

1. Can I combine different garden layouts in my vegetable garden? Yes, you can combine different layouts within your vegetable garden based on your available space and preferences. For example, you can have raised beds for some crops and use intensive planting techniques in other areas.

2. How do I determine the spacing requirements for specific vegetables? Spacing requirements vary depending on the specific vegetable. Refer to seed packets, plant tags, or reputable gardening resources for recommended spacing guidelines. These resources will provide information on spacing between plants within rows and between rows.

3. Can I adjust spacing if I have limited garden space? If you have limited garden space, you can try using compact or dwarf varieties of vegetables or practice intensive planting techniques to maximize space utilization. Additionally, vertical gardening or trellising can help support vining plants and save space.

4. Are there any crops that should not be planted together in companion planting? While companion planting offers many benefits, some crops may not thrive when planted together. For example, avoid planting potatoes and tomatoes together, as they are both susceptible to similar diseases. Research and consult companion planting resources to determine suitable combinations for your garden.

5. Can I adjust spacing based on specific growing conditions or climate? Spacing recommendations serve as general guidelines, but you can adjust them slightly based on your specific growing conditions, climate, and available resources. Consider factors such as sunlight, airflow, and soil fertility when determining the appropriate spacing for your plants.

In conclusion, a well-designed vegetable garden layout and proper plant spacing are crucial for a productive and organized garden. By selecting a layout that suits your needs and following recommended spacing guidelines, you can create a thriving vegetable garden that maximizes space utilization, promotes healthy growth, and simplifies maintenance. Enjoy the bountiful harvests that result from a well-planned and well-spaced vegetable garden.

Source: indiatimes.com

GARDENING COLUMN: What’s eating my petunias?

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One problem I am noticing is holes in my petunias. I have been observing them for a couple of weeks and the problem seems to be worsening.

I had my suspicions as to what was causing the holes, but I confirmed my suspicions this past Tuesday. I was checking out the plants and found the culprit, the tobacco budworm, also known as the petunia budworm.

This green caterpillar with black spots feeds on the buds and flowers of petunias, germaniums, and calibrachoa. The newly hatched caterpillars eat tiny holes in the buds and the leaves. When the flower buds open, there are holes all over the flower.

As they mature, they eat more, sometimes consuming an entire flower quickly. The one I spotted is about a half-inch long and has chewed holes in many flowers. In a few, they ate about half.

The adult moth is one and a half inches wide with light green wings and 4 wavy, cream-colored bands. After about a month of feeding, they drop to the soil and pupate. And guess what, they have a second generation that emerges in the summer and starts all over again.

So, what this means is this: Try to eliminate as many of this first generation as possible. Watch during the summer for tiny holes to appear again in leaves and flowers to get them while they are young.

It is also very important that you stop using the same soil in the same container with petunias or geraniums for several years. It means that if they are in the landscape beds, stop using these plants in these beds for three to five years. Rotate your crop so that you starve out the caterpillars.

Some pesticides can be used and should be used to stop the caterpillars. You won’t likely control the newly hatched as they burrow in the buds and are not affected by pesticides (unless they are systemic).

You can use caterpillar sprays on the flowers and foliage to kill larger instars (stages). Sprays containing pyrethroids with the active ingredients bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, beta-cyfluthrin, etc. on the label are effective but may need to be reapplied. The label will also say for caterpillars and for use on ornamental plants.

I emphasize NOT planting petunias, geraniums, or calibrachoas in the same soil next season. Rotate to something else and starve those critters!

Pamela Corle-Bennett is the state master gardener volunteer coordinator and horticulture educator for Ohio State University Extension. Contact her by email at bennett.27@osu.edu.

Credit: Contributed

Source: daytondailynews.com

Gardening expert reveals six top tips to keep your lawn ‘green and healthy’

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Homeowners are turning their attention to lawn care and maintenance to ensure their grass stays healthy and green throughout the summer months.

With increasing temperatures and the threat of droughts, keeping lawns lush without unsightly brown patches can be challenging.

As National Weed Your Garden Day approaches on June 13, London-based Rainbow Rubbish Removals has issued valuable advice on maintaining a vibrant lawn this season.

1. Water Deeply and Infrequently

Rainbow Rubbish Removals said it is important to conduct deep watering sessions rather than frequent shallow watering.

Deep watering encourages deeper root growth, making grass more resilient to drought conditions.

Watering early in the morning or late in the evening helps reduce evaporation.

For efficient watering, soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems deliver water directly to the soil, minimizing evaporation and ensuring optimal usage.

These methods target the root zone, reducing water wastage and the risk of overwatering while promoting healthier plant growth and mitigating fungal diseases.

2. Mulch Your Lawn

Applying organic mulch, such as grass clippings or shredded leaves, offers multiple benefits: it retains soil moisture, suppresses weeds, moderates soil temperature, and enriches soil fertility.

Aerating your lawn enhances soil drainage and root health by allowing water, nutrients, and oxygen to penetrate deeply into the soil, promoting healthier grass growth and reducing water runoff.

3. Adjust Mower Height

Setting mower blades to a higher level allows grass to grow taller, providing natural soil shade, reducing evaporation, and promoting deeper root growth.

Regular mowing keeps the lawn green and healthy.

With local councils now charging for garden waste removal, employing a waste collection service can help clear away garden waste during the spring and summer months.

4. Choose Drought-Tolerant Grass Species

When planting or overseeding your lawn, opt for drought-resistant grass varieties like Bermuda grass, Zoysia grass, or tall fescue.

These options require less water to thrive, making them ideal for sustainable lawn care in regions prone to water scarcity or drought conditions.

5. Provide Shade

Planting trees or installing shade structures in your yard can reduce direct sunlight exposure, lower water loss through evaporation, and create a cooler microclimate.

This reduces the need for frequent watering while maintaining grass health.

6. Reseed Bare Patches

Filling in bare spots with grass seed helps maintain a dense turf cover, reducing water loss through evaporation and preventing soil erosion.

Source: express.co.uk