Most tender-plant gardeners prefer the accuracy of a hose nozzle. Don’t get me wrong, sprinklers are great for saturation watering, but a nozzle does the job faster and is better for hanging plants. But with so many options available, how do you find the perfect nozzle for your watering needs?

Let’s break it down.

Photo Credit: chefranden

Multiple setting – For your money, a multiple setting nozzle is the best for spot watering of the landscape & garden because it has so many settings. There are usually several types of jet or full force sprays, but also medium and light settings for smaller plants. It’s more expensive but worth every penny, especially if you’ve cultivated an extraordinary garden. (more…)

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Don’t let your summer go to waste! It’s a perfect time to upgrade your house or landscaping with a summer project. One of the best things about completing some (or all) of these assignments is the added value you return to your property. And, of course, the showers of praise from your friends…

Perk up the patio

Photo Credit: eyeliam

The backyard deck or patio is the ideal meeting place for social hangouts & summer barbeques.If yours has fallen off over the years, there are ways to perk it up. By simply planting more flowers and greenery, you change the patio’s entire atmosphere. Pick up some large planter pots, various types of sun/shade flowers, potting soil and a string of cool outdoor lights for after dark. You may also want to add some rose bushes or a dogwood for extra privacy. (more…)

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A pesticide is any chemical used by man to control pests. These intruders come in various shapes and sizes. They include but aren’t limited to: fungus, bacteria, insects, plant disease, snails, slugs, or weed infestation.

A pesticide can attack and kill by touch or ingestion. It can kill immediately or over time. It really depends on what you’re trying to control and the recommended use of the chemical in play. There are significant differences between many common household pesticides, so before you put them to the test, understand what they’re designed to control. It goes without saying, but weed control isn’t going to stop aphids from devouring your rose buds.

If you don’t want to use pesticides, there are alternative methods of controlling pests and producing a healthy garden, which we’ll get into a little below. First, we will focus on pesticides, specifically the differences between two popular types: herbicides and insecticides.

Photo credit: Lorri

An herbicide is used to control weeds or kill unwanted plants. Usually, dandelions in the lawn or crab grass that germinated in the spring. Some herbicides will eliminate every plant they touch, while others are designed to eradicate only specific types. Nonselective types of herbicides are use on railroad tracks or to control weeds around industrial areas. Selective herbicides are designed to kill broad leaf plants and weeds. This chemical is commonly used on lawns and golf courses.

An insecticide is often confused with pesticide. The truth is an insecticide is just one of many pesticides. It’s designed to control or eliminate insects. It kills by touch, ingestion, or both. If a plant is sprayed with an insecticide and is eaten by an insect, the insect will die. There are several variations and uses of insecticides. Most households use a short-term insecticide. This acts quickly and then soon turns into a non-toxic agent. These chemical include: snail bait, ant killer, and wasp killer. Residual insecticides are long-term killers. They’re useful in the control of flies, termites, and roaches.

Now, can we live without insecticides and still produce a superior garden? There are several natural methods you can use that are definitely worth a shot. (more…)

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