HOME LIVING

Article by Oz Gardener

Background

Rain gardens are planned gardens that capture, and filter, rain water that would otherwise run off, or through, your property.

Runoff is a serious problem where increased development has replaced land with impervious surfaces … roads, roofs, patios, etc. that preclude rainwater from soaking into the ground.

Problems Associated with Rainwater Runoff

Pollution of streams and water supplies as rainwater picks up chemicals from roads, lawns, farms, and parking lots

Erosion of surface soil and subsoil, sometimes resulting in sinkholes and structural damage

Reduction of replenishment of groundwater supplies

Benefits of Rain Gardens

You’ll help the local environment and improve the beauty of your immediate surroundings. Once established, rain gardens are nearly maintenance-free and very attractive.

The Basics

1. Locate your rain gardens at least 10 feet from your house to prevent water accumulation around your foundation.

2. Don’t put it immediately over a septic system.

3. Your rain garden should be 4 to 8 inches lower than the surrounding surface of the lawn, to trap rainwater for a short period of time, allowing it to seep into the soil

Plan Your Rain Garden

Select a location where water runs off or through your property.

Then, decide how big your rain garden should be.

For very sandy soil, plan on 20% of the total area of impervious surface.

Gardening doesn’t simply have to be just your flower bed or vegetables growing in your yard anymore.  Now it can be a full fledged vacation.  Here are some destinations that you can travel to if you want to get away and still enjoy your love for gardening.

The Butchart Gardens
Nestled on 55 acres on Vancouver Island, it ranks as one of the world’s greatest garden spectacles.  Started in 1904 by Jennie Butchart, she began sculpting the landscape to meet a Victorian style.  The Butchart Gardens boasts 26 greenhouses, and a variety of flowers that bloom throughout the year.  You can go on self guided and group tours as well as eco-friendly boat tours.  They boast a gift shop where you can buy seeds of the flowers they grow as well as a knowledgeable staff to help you in your own gardening ventures.  If you love gardens, this is a great one to see.

National Gardens in Washington, DC
Beyond the many historical and governmental attractions of the nation’s capitol sits the newest addition to the botanical gardens which opened in October of 2006.  The National Gardens has four gardens, which consist of a seven bed regional garden, a first ladies garden, a formal rose garden and a butterfly garden.  The gardens have a great backdrop of the US Capitol and best of all there is no cost to go in to see them.

How to Create a Raised Garden






Share your Knowledge




Hi, please
Log In or
Log in via
or
Join now









Publish Content
Featured Content
Get Help





Categories
Art & Entertainment
Business & Finance
Culture & Society
Events & Holidays
Fashion & Beauty
Health & Nutrition


More
Automotive
Education
Family
Food & Drinks
Hobbies & Crafts
Home & Garden
Internet
Pets
Relationships
Religion & Spirituality
Reviews
Science & Technology
Self Improvement
Sports & Fitness
Travel




You are in:
Home » General » How to Create a Raised Garden







How to Create a Raised Garden

Raised bed gardens are a popular trend in gardening for a variety of reasons. The raised bed allows complete control over soil, making it an ideal option for backyard gardeners plagued with poor soil or insufficient drainage. The walled border around a raised garden adds a clean, modern look to the garden, and can also keep pets or children from accidentally marching through the crops or flowers. In addition, the 12 or more inches of garden height is 12 less inches that gardeners need not bend over when working, putting less strain on the back. A raised garden is a relatively easy project that can be completed in an afternoon.









Instructions




1

There are many people who are anxious to go outside when springtime finally arrives. One idea for getting out and enjoying the weather is to work on a garden! Of course you will need garden tools to use in the garden. The tools include a shovel, spade, trowel, and water spray bottle. You can find the tools in various sets, which is great for buying everything you need at once. Some sets offer three tools while others offer as many as seven tools. Some sets will even offer more! Most of the tool sets will come in a bag, apron, or case. This is helpful for carrying and storing the tools. You can even find garden tool sets for children as well.

You can find tools for the garden in many stores that carry gardening products. The retail stores you can check out for your tools include Home Depot, Lowes, Wal-Mart, Target, Sears, Big Lots, and Kmart. The online shopping websites to check out include Amazon, eBay, and the official websites of retail stores. The tools and prices may vary per store, but there is a wide selection of tools to choose from. This will give you a better chance at finding everything you need for your garden.

Are you looking forward to working in your garden this spring (and even in the summer)? Here are a few sets of garden tools found on Amazon. You can the tools and a few of the sets in other stores as well.

Well, it’s that time of year again. The garden is in harvesting mode. How to keep up with it all can be quite an ordeal. Having a big freezer helps. We have been able to put all of our berries for jelly making in the freezer for the time being. We will get to those later.

Waiting for the pickles has been starting out a little slow so any that are going soft in the fridge are getting made into bread and butter pickles. Those are going to be soft anyway. When we get a better harvest we will make our dill pickles.

It looks like we didn’t plant enough peas this year so we have been picking and eating them right out of the garden. You can’t beat the taste of fresh peas.

We planted a little late this year so our corn is just starting to come along. The scarecrows are keeping the crows away but it is getting time to put the dog hair (left over from grooming) down around the garden to keep the opossum and raccoons out.

This is a first time trying this so I hope it works.

Article by Garden 4less

A garden is defined as a planned space, usually outside, that is set aside for the display, cultivation and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. There are many uses for your average household garden which range from entertaining to quietly enjoying the natural surroundings. In our opinion a garden should be an extension of your home. A house wouldn’t be a home without adding your own personal touches to the decor and furniture much like an outdoor space wouldn’t be a homely garden without adding items that represent your own individual style.Garden ornaments are a fabulous way of adding some of your personality to your garden design and the vast choice of garden statues means that you can create your own personalised haven. The most popular garden ornaments are garden animals, Garden 4 Less have searched high and low to find the best range of garden ornaments, garden statues and garden gnomes to bring your garden to life.Creating your own bespoke garden couldn’t be easier with Happy Henry Hippo, one of the happiest hippos you will ever see this garden ornament will welcome any visitor to your garden. Or create a whimsical garden theme with cherub garden statues and sleeping pixies delicately crafted out of stone. Some people prefer gardens to be a hub for nature with birds visiting alongside other garden creatures. Bird baths are the perfect accompaniment to any nature focused garden and will have birds flocking to visit. Bird baths are now available as garden ornaments which are perfect to personalise your outside space.Garden Gnomes add an element of fun to any garden and also make the ideal gift as a single garden gnome can some up anyone’s personality. If you have a hobby or your loved one has an interest choose from golfing, building, cricketing or painting garden gnomes to add a splash of colour to your garden.Garden 4 Less offer huge savings on garden ornaments, garden statues and garden gnomes allowing you to choose a selection of designs to transform even the most tired of gardens into a magical and enticing space. Take a look at the full range and grab yours in time to make over your garden in time for summer.