Landscaping

Tips to Store Landscaping Equipment in Cold Weather

According to statistics, about 90% of Australians who own a yard believe in its proper maintenance practices mainly because it is found around their houses. In most cases, over the summer, these lawns are not maintained and hence the tools which were previously used e.g. a lawn mower, ground shovels and hand held trowels need to be cleaned and stored properly for future use. The following four tips are very important in preparing your landscaping tools for storage:

 

storing landscaping tools

 

Stabilise Fuel

Before storing your machinery, you should drain the oil that was left in the tank because it can cause inefficiency or shorten the engine life if left for a long period of time. Therefore, lawn mowers and trimmers should be drained off their fuel and oil to avoid reducing the life span of the engine.

 

Replace or Repair Damaged Parts

To be certain that your equipment will run again come spring, you should check out for worn out, damaged or missing parts to do necessary maintenance. Before storing your equipment, you should do a thorough check up before storing your items to avoid future complications when you are in dire need. You should be very keen to either repair or replace the following or any other faulty part:

  • Worn out lawn blades, belts or pulley system
  • Missing nuts or screws
  • Leaking fuel or oil tank
  • Dirty air filters
  • Faulty spark plugs

Keeping an eye on these parts makes your equipment run perfectly next season. However, if you happen to store your equipment without repairing it, you may not even remember the cause of the problem or amplify the problem after storing the faulty equipment.

 

 

Clean Dirt and Rust Before Storing

If you ask any landscape designer, one of the basic principle of storing tools and equipment is regular and proper cleaning. When storing your equipment, remove any dirt or soil thoroughly using water and then leave the equipment to dry to avoid rusting because moisture predisposes metals to rust. This prolongs the lifespan of your tools while still maintaining their efficiency when using them.

Poorly maintained tools wear out fast, are ineffective and may cause harm to the user causing injuries or blisters because they are not fit for use. Landscape tools and equipment e.g. rakes, trowels, mowers, hoes, chain saws and ground shovels should be thoroughly cleaned to make sure they will remain in a good condition after their storage.

 

Use a Self-Storage Unit

To ensure safety and safe storage of your equipment, you should look for a self-storage unit which is easily accessible 24-hours a day and the following additional amenities:

  • Climate-control unit- the storage unit should be able to control weather conditions to prevent your tools from rust or water damage which is a common occurrence in long term storage. These might cost you a little extra but you can rest assured knowing that your landscaping tools will be safe and secure.
  • Premium security- The storage unit should have reliable security and surveillance to safeguard your equipment
  • The storage unit should have various unit sizes to successfully store a variety of equipment in relation to size

 

By just following the tips listed above, you can store your landscape equipment for a long period of time without causing any damage to either of them. Consequently, you should read equipment’s specific manual guide to become knowledgeable about their maintenance and operational procedures for better and safer use.

Before spending a lot of money on buildings or land, it is advisable to do some thorough research into the storage market. One of the most challenging decisions to make when setting up a facility for storage is choosing a site. The ideal site is the one located on a major road or city and is clearly visible. You will also consider the level of competition around the area, whether the service is in high demand in the area, and whether the area is already flooded with storage facilities. If the number of storage businesses in the area exceeds the number of customers, chances are you will invest and end up having empty containers almost always, thus a loss.…

Compost

Compost Turner Tines are Crucial for Making Quality Compost

Many people don’t realize this but the health and quality of compost turner tines is crucial for making high quality compost. If you are into creating high quality compost, you must remember to check the compost turner tines from time to time to ensure that the tines on your compost turners are not bent or worn. If they are, they might not be able to enhance the quality of the compost.

 

australian-compost-turner

 

Removing the Bad Stuff

Tines that are well maintained and of superiors quality would always help to get the bad stuff out. You must remember that it is vital for you to practice good CO2 management if you wish to retain the health of the windrow. Good CO2 Management can be done by replacing the carbon dioxide.

The replacement is possible if the design, durability and placement of the tines mounted on the turner drum is right. When the billions of microbial critters in the pile break down the organic matter, CO2 is generated and it’s a waste product.

To keep control over CO2, you need to measure it with a CO2 kit and ensure that the gaseous exchange taking place during a pass of the compost turner must not result in 4% of CO2.

 

 

Regular Checks

Tines do get old and useless with time. So you must check them for wear at regular intervals of time. The timeframe depends on how much you use them. The microbial health in the windrow is largely dependent on the efficiency of the tines as worn tines may not be able to turn the pile effectively.

Worn tines also use more power to move the compost turner through the windrow. It can further increase the wear on your drive train. The result, your operational costs will increase.

 

The 3/8 Inch Rule

If your tines are worn more than 3/8 inch, you have no other option than to replace them. But if they are not that much worn, you can turn them around to get some more life out of them. After you turn them around, you need to install them at the opposite end of a drum.

 

Use High Quality Tine

It would also be smart to use abrasion-resistant steel tines that have a hard faced bead which is welded on the tip. You need to also ensure that the bead is maintained by paying a visit to a welder once in a while.

 

Get Started Now

If you have realized that the tines you were using are actually worn more than the 3/8 inch rule then you need to replace them as soon as possible. It will always help you keep the bad stuff away and good stuff in and it will keep the CO2 levels down from now on.

 

Look Out for the Balance

Here’s some valuable advice, when you have replaced the old tines with new ones, you need to ensure that the dynamic balance between the drum and tines partnership is not harmed by operating the compost turner.…

Landscaping

Why Installing Wrought Iron Cages for Planter Boxes is a Smart Idea

wrought-iron-planters

Window planters have become a kind of fashion these days. They are widely used in home and some commercial complexes have adopted them too. They enhance the beauty of your home and add more charm to it. They are mostly used in homes that have more than one storey.

If you think that these planters need much maintenance then you are not altogether right. The fact is most planter boxes installed on window ledges are commercial planters that come with a self-watering feature and other irrigation systems.

 

Try the Wrought Iron Cages

When you are out for buying these planters, it would be a good idea to have a look at the wrought iron cages. These cages would allow you to have multiple planters at your window and your home will look more beautiful. Having many planters that attract the eye is always a better option than having a single one. You can also decide how many of these you want to keep to add a variation to their line and size to create an amazing effect with the help of wrought iron cages.

 

 

Things to Remember while Shopping for Wrought Iron Cages

The Designs

There are many options available to you if you are looking for wrought iron cages. They come in various designs that include but are not limited to European, French, arched or lattice. The designs would make the planter liners look more amazing.

 

Spacious and Rust Proof

When you are looking for wrought iron cages, make sure you buy rust proof ones to save yourself from the hassle of replacing them over and over again. You can also opt for buying a bit larger wrought iron cage if you have a choice because a large one would allow you to move the plants easily.

 

Customization is the Key

When you are out for buying these cages, make sure you visit a shop that can customize a design for you. You can look for design ideas over the internet and have a wrought iron cage made just for you. You can also ask the creators to visit you and measure your windows so that no mistakes are made.…

Landscaping

How To Be A Successful Waterer And Maintain A Beautiful Landscape

You are a very busy person and you don’t get enough time to water your plants. This is an excuse made by many landscape owners in Australia who wish to have a pretty landscape but they are not willing to put effort into it. If you are also the same then you need to change now.

 

woman watering plants in her garden

 

Here we can tell you how to be a good waterer because your plants will literally die without your watering efforts.

 

  1. Take a Walk

One of the simplest things every good waterer does is to take a walk in the landscaped area to see which plants are more vulnerable to sunlight and which are doing fine. This gives you an idea on which plants need more water and which of these can do without water for a day or two.

Take this walk after work every day and you will get the added benefit of relieving some of the stress you accumulated through the day.

 

  1. Feel It

Sometimes the dry plants do not show signs that they need more water from a distance. You have to make the effort and touch the soil of the plants so that you can know which plants need more water. It would also be smart to get an idea of what type of soil do you have, is it dry, sandy, moist or soft.

If it is dry and sandy, you need to enhance the watering process and if it is too soft or wet, you need to cut back on the watering some.

 

  1. Don’t overdo it

Overdoing the watering process is not a good idea. If you have got some plants that need to be watered every day, it would be wise to water them very lightly for a long period of time so that the soil can absorb the water.

If you just pour in water buckets and think you are done, you might be making a mistake as water will not be absorbed but it will run off.

 

  1. Water More During Summers

Plants become drier in the summers because they sweat too. No, not like humans but the plants have tiny pores called as stomata that dot the surface of the plant. These stomata help the plant to get rid of extra water through a process called transpiration in which up to 97 or 99 percent of water absorbed by plants is evaporated.

There is more transpiration during the summer nights so you need to water them regularly and often in the summers.

 

  1. Know the Plants

The easiest way to keep your plants well watered is to know what the plants like. Some plants may like dry soil while others may prefer moist soils. The information regarding the soil preferred by each plant is easily available on the internet.

Look it up to know how much water is needed by which plant and act accordingly to be an awesome waterer.

 

If you follow these steps, you will not only be the owner of a wonderful landscape in which all the plants are in the full bloom but your life would be better. Most people find watering the plants to be a process that soothes their minds and helps them to get rid of some tensions in life.

It also assists people to unwind after a long day and people often see it as a necessary part of their lives rather than a chore that needs to be done.

Source: https://www.thegardencontinuum.com/blog/7-habits-of-successful-waterers…

Landscaping

Easy Tips for Maintaining your Land Mower in Sydney

Land mowing is a vital step for maintaining a landscape’s beauty and its overall look. Land mowers are used by people to deal with the problem of rapidly growing lawn during summers.

There are a number of land mowers available in the market today and if you are a landscaper in Sydney, you probably own a land mower. If you do, this article will let you know how to take care of it so that it lasts for many years and works fine for you.

 

  1. A Perfect Place

The first thing you need to remember while maintaining a land mower in Sydney is that a land mower would always need a perfect place where you can keep it. This place must be sheltered so that the changing weather conditions have no impact on it. Rain and cold winters do the worst damage to a land mower.

  1. Finding the Perfect Place

A perfect place for the land mower to be kept while not in use is your garage or any other insulated shed. To offer extra protection, you can cover it with a thick plastic sheet or a heavy cloth. You can use an old cloth available at the home or you can buy a protective cover at the nearest hardware store. Both are really good options.

 

  1. Cleaning is Vital

You cannot let the land mower get dirty and full of dust. You need to clean it to ensure that the leftover grass and other particles are completely removed. You must also remember to clean the blades of the device properly to ensure efficiency in the overall performance is not affected as the clogged blades won’t work as well as they should.

  1. Empty the Bag

No matter how tired you feel after using the land mower, you cannot afford to not clean its bag properly. Leftover grass can lead to overfilling and breaking of the bag.

  1. Engine Checks

Conduct engine checks on the land mower from time to time. It will ensure that the engine runs smoothly. Checking the oil is also a good idea because the performance of the engine heavily depends on how well oiled it is. If the oil is not checked, the engine may malfunction in the future or worse it can be permanently damaged.

 

  1. Other Checks

It would also be a good idea to check all the nuts and bolts so that nothing falls off when you are using the land mower. The wheels of the device must also be checked to avoid any injury. The blades must also be checked for accuracy and sharpness because dull blades would need you to put in an extra effort. Take precautions while checking the blades to avoid self-injury.

What to do when a land mower brakes down?

If your land mower needs any part that is loose, you need to contact the original supplier of parts and buy it from there. In contrast, if the mower just needs a repair, you can try to fix it by reading the instruction manual that comes with the mower.

You can also ask the experts to come in and fix it for you. Don’t keep the land mower in a bad condition for long as it may worsen with time.…

Landscaping

Six Quick Landscaping Tips From The Pros in Sydney

It is amazing how much a well-manicured lawn or garden can change your home appearance. It is not just good for the eyes but for the overall health as well. With a little research and creativity, you can transform their driveway without spending a fortune. Here are some tips that will guide you in your quest of landscaping in Sydney, Australia.

 

a professional female landscaper checking a plant pot in her backyard in SydneyUse what you have

If you already have a wooden fence, paint it. If you have an old truck wheel, use it.

Landscaping is as simple as transforming what you have to beautiful features. Keep your grass watered and green and utilize corners with berms and bushes.

 

Select the Right PlantsCamellia (Camellia Japonica)

If you want your lawn to look appealing all year long, it is important to choose plants and flowers that look good no matter which season it is. Keep in mind the climate of Sydney while picking your plants. Having different species and types of plants can help too.

This way you will have them blooming at different times. Go for plants that are easy to plant and maintain. With a little watering, light and pruning, a good plant should remain beautiful and not die.

 

 

Create Edges

Since a natural landscape is mostly in straight lines, create curved edges to add some style. You can do this in the garden on the sidewalk and around the house. These curves will have to be corrected every now and then but they are worth it.

 

Use Artificial Landscaping Products

paved patio
While traditional landscaping meant well-tendered plants and flowers, today we have many options. These are just a few of the products you can put around in your lawn and your garden to have maximum appeal:

 

  • Lighting – put some attractive lights along your lawn. LED lights are the best option and if possible, look for solar lights that will be charged by the sun. Focus on using different colors of bulbs that will reflect well on your plants.

 

  • Patio Stones – these are small but well-shaped rocks that are lined along your lawn or around your garden. These stones are then painted with a beautiful color preferably white. Patio stones provide not just curb appeal, but protection for your plants too.

 

  • Flag Stones – these are similar to patio stones but serve better around the garden.

 

  • Flower Pots – you can have several plants in decorated flower pots placed all along the lawn. Hanging flower pots will also give a beautiful appeal if you do it strategically.

 

 

Integrate a Water Featurewater fountain in the backyard

A water feature adds excellent appeal to any area if done right.it doesn’t have to be a waterfall, even a simple tap or fish pond will do. Surround it with rocks matching the color of your house and all the attention will go to it.

 

Set up a Patio

Set up a small square or round table with a few chairs around it for outside sitting. This patio should be placed under a tree for shade and appeal. For maximum effect, paint the seats and the table with matching colors of the house.

 

Bottom line

At first thought, landscaping in Sydney might seem pretty easy. But this is not always the case. In some cases, you might want to consider consulting professional landscapers, who have the right equipment to test the soil PH, as well as computer programs and expertise to enhance their job.…

Live Plant FAQ

Live Plant FAQ

Kickstart your garden with healthy, disease and pest-free transplants.

Our premium quality plants are grown in a temperature, humidity, and atmospherically controlled environment ensuring healthy and vigorous plant development in its early stages. We ship plants, each in premium organic compost mixture, pre-hardened and ready for transplant. Live plants are guaranteed non-GMO, untreated, disease and pest free. Our pots are 100% biodegradable, natural, and made from composted manure that will actually feed your plant as it breaks down.

The ultimate soil

We practice biodynamic farming and use the highest quality soils and compost which include ingredients like peat moss, coco fiber, and perlite for optimal water management. Organic nutrients such as earthworm castings and bat guano, fish bone meal, kelp meal, and alfalfa meal. In addition, we add beneficial bacteria and trace minerals. From seed to transplant our plants grow in the best soil and fed the best organic nutrients.

 

We grow year-round

We offer many popular varieties year-round. Some varieties may take 4-8 weeks to ship and are generally available throughout the growing season. If the variety is offered as a live plant, the option will appear on the product information page and will generally ship by zone, unless otherwise noted. If there is a particular variety you would like us to grow, please contact us.

No minimum order

All of our vegetable plants are sold by the 2-pack, and do not require a minimum order.

Are live plants more expensive than seed?

For mid-sized and smaller gardens, live plants are an excellent choice. Save time and money by having us germinate and prepare your plants for transplant directly into your garden. This process usually takes 4-8 weeks and you save on seed cost, water, soil, fertilizer, electricity, and all other costs associated with starting plants from seed. Certainly if you have a large garden or field you wish to cultivate, the more economical choice would be sowing your own seeds.

How do you ship live plants?

We take extreme care when it comes to growing, packaging, and shipping our plants. Most varieties are shipped between 4-8 inches tall, in a 3-inch or larger container, including organic compost and slow-release organic fertilizer. Each plant is prepared to retain soil and moisture throughout shipping. We recommend letting plants adjust for a few days in a room temperature environment with lots of light.

What if my plants arrive damaged?

Our plants are shipped directly from our hands to your garden and do not sit in large warehouses or home centers. Although we pre-harden and thoroughly water before shipping, large temperature changes and the stress of shipment can damage or kill a plant. It is normal for plants to arrive wilted with dry soil, and in need of watering. If after a day or two the plant does not recover, we will gladly replace it or credit the item to your account.