Category - Garden

Garden Plants to Avoid if You Own a Dog

December 17, 2018

While everyone with green fingers would like to plant a beautiful and welcoming garden, it is important to remember that many plants are toxic to animals if ingested. Unfortunately, because we cannot explain to dogs not to eat flowers or dig up and eat roots, dog owners must take the initiative. To avoid risking your dog’s health, pet experts James Wellbeloved advise that all dog owners avoid planting any flowers, trees, and shrubs that are potentially harmful to dogs, and to learn the common symptoms of poisoning in the event of your dog eating something toxic.

Aconitum (e.g. Wolfsbane) and Caladium

Both plants are actually poisonous to humans, let alone dogs. Most dogs are unlikely to eat Aconitum because this family of plants tends not to smell very nice, so dogs aren’t so curious to taste them. However, some dogs won’t rest until they have had a taste of everything, and side effects can include vomiting or developing heart issues.

Caladium is just as harmful but its attractive leaves and nicer taste make it a more likely candidate for your dog to try and consume.

Grape vine

Grapes are very toxic to dogs and can cause acute kidney failure and long-term urinary problems, as well as some of the more common poisoning symptoms. Sadly, dogs don’t know this and will happily nibble at grape vines, so it is safest to remove these from your garden entirely.

Hyacinths and Tulips

It can be hard to resist planting Hyacinths and Tulips. Most gardeners recommend them because they are easy to grow and a great way to quickly add colour and a delightful scent to any garden. Unfortunately, dogs also like the smell of these plants and some breeds, especially Labradors, are prone to eating them. In high quantities, they are poisonous and can cause oral irritation and digestion issues.

Ivy

While many pets will ignore ivy for the beautiful decorative plant it can be, dogs are not one of them, and many will frequently take bites out of it. The plant is extremely dangerous in high quantities and can even lead dogs to fall into a coma.

Oleander

Just a handful of Oleander leaves is toxic to large mammals, so the plant can be lethal for dogs who like to dig up plants and eat whatever they find.

Cyclamen

Similarly, while Cyclamen is less toxic overall, its root is very likely to harm your dog if they dig it up and eat it.

Yew

Dogs will generally not attempt to deliberately eat parts of a Yew tree, but many love to play with sticks. Unfortunately, the bark in Yew trees is full of various toxins which are harmful to dogs, so if they chase or chew sticks from a Yew, poisoning is very likely and can be severe.

Recognise the symptoms of poisoning

This article details some of the garden plants especially toxic to dogs, but there are many more which are also dangerous. While it is important to know if anything your garden might be toxic to your dog, you can also help by being aware of the common signs of poisoning in dogs, including fever, tremors, and vomiting. That way, if your dog shows any symptoms after roaming the garden, you can act quickly and go to the vet, and then find and remove the offending plant later.

Why Grow in a Greenhouse?

October 30, 2018

Garden

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Unfavorable weather, pesky pests and destructive diseases are just but a tip the iceberg of challenges field crops have to endure which is why modern farming is leaning heavily toward the use of greenhouses. Here are a couple of advantages of the greenhouse production of crops and why you should rethink your stance on field production sooner rather than later:

1) You’ll make the most of farming seasons

Popular vegetables like cucumbers and tomatoes have a limited growing season and any attempts at cultivation during the off-period is simply destined for failure as the elements during this time are not quite inviting. With a greenhouse though, you can recreate the necessary conditions such plants need to realize their best and consequently lengthen your production time- and the profits that come with it- well past contemporary planting seasons.

2) It facilitates green farming

Environmental conservation is a critical priority for any farmer worth his/her salt as the earth- which provides residence to plants- and the elements- which provide nourishment for excellent yields- are the very tools of trade in this industry. If you aim to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come, then organic farming is the way to go and a greenhouse provides your best chance of ensuring Mother Nature’s resources are well looked after. By prioritizing organic means of disease and pest control, you’ll play your own small part in championing the cause. Moreover, a greenhouse ensures a watertight umbrella that shields your plants from the contaminants of the outdoor world thereby improving quality and quantity of production.

3) You’ll spend very little on labor

You can set up an automated greenhouse consisting of various systems that would alleviate the need for human intervention and hence the need for extra pairs of hands to look after your crops. Aside from saving your budget from taking a significant hit, these systems have been proven to be highly efficient as they ensure the right amount of service as and when required by the crops.

4) Pest and rodents will be a thing of the past

There is no safer home for your plants than within the secure abode of a greenhouse which implores physical and technologically innovative means of ensuring uninvited guests don’t use your farm as an all-you-can-eat buffet. It does a great job of keeping pest and rodents out and doubles up as a disease bunker that keeps the occupants safe even in the midst of spiraling infections in nearby areas.

5) Your plants are also protected from Mother Nature’s bad side

While plants need sufficient rain, wind, sunlight etc. to reach their pinnacle, too much or too little of one aspect can have the opposite effect. A greenhouse serves to ensure that the former is always the case by incorporating allowances to ensure a nice balance between all the necessary ingredients. From protection against hailstones to protection against blistering heat waves, a greenhouse is a watchful guardian that ensures your plants get what they need in sufficient amounts.

A greenhouse affords many benefits as you can clearly see and over the past couple of years it has proved to the cornerstone of many successful farming empires. If you aimed to succeed as well, it should also be at the center of yours.

6 Rules That Will Keep You Sane When Renting a House With Roommates

July 2, 2018

Garden, Home Decor

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Sharing an apartment or a house may turn out to be an unforgettable experience and at some point of your life you may find yourself living with roommates. In fact, a new study published by The Pew Research Center reveals a 39 per cent increase in the number of people in their 20s and 30s who live with roommates. Whether you are renting a house with strangers or looking for a space with your friends, there is a number of things you will need to arrange for.

In order to ease this process, follow these 6 simple guidelines that will keep you sane when sharing a space with someone.

Establish boundaries

Every household needs some guidelines for harmonious living. Whether you are sharing a space with your friends or strangers, it is important to establish house rules that everyone will agree to follow. Respecting someone else’s belongings and space is necessary, as it establishes trust and sense of security. But respect also extends to taking care of shared property and communal areas such as the kitchen, living room and bathroom. Additionally, you may consider talking with your roommates about overnight guests and parties.

Agree on chores

Household chores such as vacuuming, doing the dishes and cleaning shared spaces always cause a lot of friction between roommates. That’s why, a good idea is to come up with a fair schedule. If, however, you draw a collective conclusion that no one has the time to do daily or weekly cleaning, consider hiring a cleaning service, just make sure everyone agrees on the price.

Get your documents right

While choosing a house to share may seem pretty enjoyable, agreeing on legal issues turns out to be more complicated. Before you sign any documents, gather your roommates and agree on the form of your lease. If everyone is the signatory of the lease, you all have equal rights to the property. You may want to avoid being sole account holder, as then all legal responsibilities will fall on you.

Money issues

The undeniable advantage of renting a house with roommates is that you do not have to pay all the bills alone – you will just split the utilities, cable, water, gas and Netflix bills equally. In order to minimise ambiguities, keep all the bills on the fridge or in a file under the coffee table, so that everyone can access them at any time. Then, designate the person who will take care of writing the cheques and making transfers. Together with your roommates agree on a household budget for cleaning supplies, house repairs or furniture replacements and collect a small amount of money every month.

Safety rules

Emergencies happen when you least expect them, therefore in order to keep your group safe and sound, get together and establish an achievable emergency plan. This could include having an emergency kit in a specified place, closing the windows, locking up the doors, turning off the lights and taking special care of house keys.

House traditions

Last but not least, building house traditions is an essential part of successful cohabitation. Get together regularly, organise a game night or a movie night, cook some delicious food and simply enjoy each other’s company. When you establish a bond and make good friends with your roommates, every problem will become much easier to solve.

Working out strategies for sharing a house can take some time, therefore use those 6 fail-proof guidelines for enjoyable renting experience.

How To Properly Mulch Your Yard In Just A Few Simple Steps

April 4, 2018

Garden

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How To Properly Mulch Your Yard In Just A Few Simple Steps

Having a big yard isn’t an asset most homeowners have nowadays, especially those living in small flats in residential buildings whose outdoor space is limited to a tiny balcony. Those who, however, are fortunate enough to own a proper house usually have a chance to enjoy their backyard in lots of ways, from building a pool to maintaining a perfect garden. Choosing the former may be more enjoyable, but the latter option can also bring pleasure into their lives, as long as they know how to cultivate and grow their grass, plants and flowers in a proper way. The trick is to utilize the power of the mulch, and if you wish to do the same, here are a few tips and tricks you need to take into consideration.

Define the mulching area

One of the most important things in the entire mulching process is learning that not your entire yard needs to be mulched, at least not all the time. That’s why you should designate the mulching area and decide whether you want to focus on just the grass, the flowers, the plants or a few of these areas simultaneously.

For instance, most gardeners, both professional and amateur, pay the most attention to the flower beds – this might also be the most beneficial in the long run – and around walkways, but you can always decide for yourself and do something out of the ordinary.

Trim the edges

Once you’ve made up your mind on which part of your backyard you want to mulch, it’s time to trim this area and get it ready for the mulching process. Designing this space might not seem like the most important thing in the world at first, but it’s actually a vital step that will help the entire mulching process become more successful.

Of course, mulching the entire yard would be the easiest way to go, but just imagine the intricate shapes and forms you can create with just a little bit of imagination and some free time! Trimming the grass around your trees, mailboxes or flower beds, behind your house or around your walkway will help you visualize the future look of your backyard, so this should be your first step.

Get the mulch

After getting everything ready, it’s time to actually get the mulch and start being proactive. There are different types you can choose from – pebble, rock, straw, compost and wood mulch are among the most popular choices – so find the one that suits you and your backyard best. Of course, you can always create your own mulch and thus make sure your yard is mulched with the best and the most natural option out there, which is especially important to all those eco-friendly gardeners who value sustainability above everything else.

Another thing you shouldn’t forget when mulching is to provide some sort of support for the soil in your yard. Some people like digging deeper into the ground, while the others go for a more sensible solution and look into reliable retaining wall drainage that does not only hold the soil, but also looks more visually appealing, so that’s another idea definitely worth exploring.

Find the tools

Finally, before actually spreading the mulch around your yard, you should get your tools ready and double-check whether you’re equipped with everything you need. The protective gloves are a must as they will take care of your hands and help you stay healthy and out of danger while mulching – lots of people forget these, but keep in mind that the gloves are an essential part of gardening.

Next, you’ll need a wheelbarrow, as well as a shovel or, alternatively, a pitchfork or even a garden hoe. All of these tools are amazing for transferring and spreading the mulch, so choose whichever you like the most and you’ll soon learn how to use it most effectively.

No matter how much you already know about mulching, the only important thing you have to remember is how crucial it is for the quality and vitality of your yard. Therefore, be sure to investigate it and find the options that might bring the best results forward and turn your yard into the best one in the neighborhood.