Tag: Garden

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Gardening & landscaping

Vertical garden ideas for small spaces

Want a great way to bring a garden onto a balcony or into a small space? Consider cultivating a vertical garden. These pieces of living artwork are often much lower maintenance than the conventional garden, but still require work to ensure that they remain at their best. They are relatively easy to set up with many vertical garden kits available on the market. 

What is a vertical garden?

As the name suggests, vertical gardens grow upwards, as opposed to flat or over a horizontal area. There are so many vertical garden ideas that are possible such as a climbing plant up your wall, hanging baskets comprising blossoms and plants or a “green wall.” In a vertical garden wall, felt pockets are filled with various plants and then attached to a frame, which in turn is affixed to a wall. These types of gardens are great as they do not need as much space as your standard garden.

Green tiled wall with two hanging boxes of plants. Source: Infin8 Construction P/L
Source: Infin8 Construction P/L

Why vertical gardens are ideal for apartment living and small spaces

When living in an apartment, you likely have very little room overall to have the traditional ground-based garden. Yet, for this type of garden, all you need is an outside wall. You can grow flowers that cascade your balcony or even grow a vertical herb garden for you to use and enjoy.

Unlike a traditional garden, this type is easy to grow. It does not require as much maintenance as other gardens. The automated watering system you will use will feed the plants and there is only some occasional pruning and trimming for you to do to encourage growth.

One of the things that apartments lack the most is a connection to nature. Instead of seeing nothing but concrete when looking out your window or people surrounding your home, this allows you to have a much better view. You’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of the vertical garden by just stepping outside for a moment. 

Ideas for setting up a DIY vertical garden

Choose the right location  

It’s important to choose an area with ample sunlight, but not so much so that they are constantly drying out. Look for an area that gets no less than six hours of sunlight each day, usually on the north or northeasterly area of the garden. Otherwise, choose plants that do best in shaded areas.

Know what plants are best

It is just as important to choose the right plants for your home. For a vertical garden, select plants that will do well in this type of area. Choose a plant that has the right root system as well, such as those that do not have a vigorously growing root system. Some of the types of flowers that will do well in this environment include roses, sweet pea, jasmine, wisteria, marigolds, petunias, and nasturtiums. You will also want to choose plants to group together that need the same types of nutrients and watering. This helps keep the entire process easier for you to manage. Also, it helps ensure a fabulously full flowering garden.

Potting mix choices

In the event that you require soil for your vertical garden, you need to ensure that it is of the best quality with the maximum amount of nutrients so as to promote the healthy growth of your plants. Remember to always ensure that you use a great calibre mix. An ideal would include slow-release fertilisers and soil wetting agents. It is vital for potting soil to be comprised of soil wetting agents as these prevent the soil from becoming too dry between the times that you water it.

The potting soil should also be able to drain adequately to prevent the soil from clogging with unnecessary moisture. Remember that too much moisture in the soil could result in rotten roots and fungi. You should also preferably opt for a lightweight potting mix. This is imperative for a bigger vertical garden as you will need to ensure that your supports are strong enough to withstand the weight of both your soil and plants.

Balcony with a large, leafy vertical garden covering one of the red brick walls. Source: Rcm Projects
Source: Rcm Projects

Providing nutrients

Since the majority of vertical gardens do not use much soil, it is critical to add nutrients with the water. These can be delivered through a gravity-fed drip irrigation system, so ensure that the drippers do not contain blockages and that the nutrients are maintained. Most nurseries have the nutrients you will need.

At its most simple level, vertical gardening can simply involve hanging a pot on a balcony wall, or it can be as complex as a drip-fed wall installation. The latter is based upon the concept of hydroponics, which involves growing plants using very little, or even no, soil, and relying on water that is rich in nutrients. A vertical garden site on a wall will usually comprise a framed and fibrous sheet of hessian or felt (or another similar material) fixed onto the wall onto which the plants will be sewn.

A water system will then trickle down water automatically, irrigating the plants. This water can then be recycled, making it a highly environmentally friendly system. There are various other techniques that can be taken advantage of with limited vertical space, including using plastic columns, tubes, or cylinders. With this technique, several holes are inserted along a column in which the plants grow. A more conventional method, however, is to plant boxes on stands or beds to achieve the same effect. It is important, however, that you give yourself access to the site for occasional maintenance.

Maintaining a vertical garden 

Regardless of the type of plant selected (ferns, flowers, herbs, succulents, veggies), they each require specific care. For instance, pruning and trimming your plants is a must for those that bear fruit or flowers. Dead leaves or flowers must be removed in an appropriate amount of time. Pruning is also important so they grow a specific way. Keep in mind that vertical gardens are still subject to unwanted pests, so make sure to look out for insects. Additionally, constantly check the plants for any indication of disease. If you see some, use natural products to eliminate the disease.

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Gardening & landscaping

A guide to choosing synthetic grass

If your lawn maintenance is taking up too much time and effort, maybe it’s time to get a synthetic lawn. You will save on water, fertilisers and a whole lot of sweat! 

What is synthetic grass?

Synthetic grass is made up of small green synthetic fibres designed and manufactured to replicate the feel and look of real grass. The synthetic grass is “rooted” into a matting that’s manufactured from sand and rubber, giving it a soft, springy feeling underfoot. 

Synthetic grass requires very little maintenance after installation, and you never need to worry about mowing, fertilising or watering it. All you have to do from time to time is rake, vacuum, wash and sanitise it. Since you don’t need to buy lawn products, it’s substantially cheaper to maintain than real grass. 

Green synthetic grass at the front yard of a house next to a gutter and road.
Synthetic grass looks and feels like regular grass / Source: Andrews Lawn And Garden Care

Benefits of artificial grass

It requires no water

For anyone who wants to minimise monthly water consumption and still have a green lawn, a synthetic grass lawn is a great solution. Unlike other lawns, a synthetic grass lawn does not require any water–ever. 

This type of alternative lawn can save you an enormous amount of water every year.

It is low maintenance

Homeowners love to enjoy their lawns on a nice sunny day, but most of them do not want to have to put in too many man hours to maintain that traditional lawn. One of the biggest benefits of having synthetic grass is that you do not need to spend the same amount of time taking care of it. As a matter of fact, all you really need to do is pick up any large debris and sweep it off whenever it gets too messy. No longer will you have to mow, fertilise, or maintain a sprinkler system.

It always looks great

If you have ever had trouble keeping your lawn green and spots filled in, you will appreciate the fact that a synthetic grass lawn can maintain its great looks for up to 20 years. Whenever a drought comes around, your lawn will remain as green as the day you installed it, even while your neighbours shake their heads over their skyrocketing water bills and yellowing grass.

Reducing water means saving money

Depending on where they live, most homeowners save as much as 70,000 litres of water every year after installing synthetic grass. According to studies on the matter, the average lawn at a size of 50m squared will use about 30,000 litres every year. The hotter your climate, the more water you’ll be using, even if you restrict all your watering to the middle of the night. Numbers like these mean that you’re spending hundreds of dollars in a single year just to keep your grass green. Just think of how much money that is over the lifetime of your lawn! With synthetic grass, you’ll never have to worry about it again, and you’ll watch your water bill slowly dwindle down to almost nothing.

It suits the whole family

Finally, a great added benefit of having synthetic grass is that it is perfect for all members of the family. On top of the reduced maintenance, synthetic grass provides a soft enough underfoot surface to allow even the smallest children to play freely without worry. In addition, because the grass itself is mounted with both rubber and sand, even the adults will be able to enjoy the synthetic grass for a long period of time, such as on the weekend or while barbecuing with friends. One of the things that the newer generation of synthetic grass lawns offers is the ability for it to be in the direct heat of the sun and not get too hot to the touch.

Large, well-manicured backyard with synthetic grass, water feature and hedges.
Synthetic grass requires minimal maintenance / Source: Easigrass Australia Pty Ltd

Negatives of synthetic grass

If you’re eco-conscious, you need to know that the process of manufacturing synthetic grass produces carbon dioxide and uses up a lot of energy. In addition, your synthetic grass will need to be replaced at some point, and once it wears out, its thrown into a landfill. It also has underlays that may be virtually impossible to recycle.

Another downside is that synthetic grass gets and stays hotter during the summer, making it more uncomfortable. In addition, as the years progress it can develop gashes and mats that greatly affect its cosmetic appearance and usability.

What synthetic grass is right for you?

Synthetic grass is actually far superior to its natural counterpart. Made from high-tech materials, synthetic grass is very resistant to weathering and UV rays, ensuring that it won’t fade over time or deteriorate. You would obviously want something that closely resembles real grass, so here are some factors to consider when deciding the right synthetic grass for your yard.

Synthetic grass colour

Remember the glaring green Astroturf from years gone by? Today, you have so many more shades of synthetic grass to choose from, so that your garden looks as natural as possible. You can even find some types of synthetic grass having dried blades mixed in with the green ones, for a super-realistic look.

Synthetic grass type

You will see synthetic grass blades of varying lengths and widths, copying the natural grass varieties. It is advisable to opt for a type of grass that can be seen in most yards in your neighbourhood, so that your lawn blends in well with the surroundings and looks more authentic for the type of climate and soil in your region.

Synthetic grass softness

Do you need the lawn to feel firm beneath your feet, or would you prefer it to be soft and bouncy? The answer to this question may depend on how often you use the lawn, and whether your family consists of kids and pets. Bear in mind that a springy lawn does not heat up as easily as a hard surface.

Synthetic grass durability

You will also need good warranty for your synthetic grass, preferably lasting 10 years or more. The turf itself should retain its fresh look for at least 20 years, after which most varieties will start showing signs of wear. The installation technique makes a big difference to the durability, look and feel of a synthetic grass lawn, so make sure you deal with a renowned artificial lawn specialist.

Having deliberated on the several outdoor synthetic surfaces, you are now ready to get an artificial lawn for your home and a new lifestyle for yourself. Without having to water and mow the lawn, and apply fertilisers regularly, you will have much more time on your hands. The best part is that your grass will always look great, bringing compliments from one and all. Considering how long this lawn surface is expected to last, the initial cost of the synthetic grass and its installation will pay itself out eventually.

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Gardening & landscaping

How to prepare your garden for winter

With the drop in temperature and the sun setting earlier, the thought of spending extended time in the garden seems less appealing, not to mention not all plants survive the frost. There are plenty of things you should to make sure your garden is protected through the cold and will bloom again brighter and more beautiful in the spring. Here’s our guide to keeping your garden strong through the winter months. 

Preparing your garden for winter

Take a moment to sit back and look at the layout and design of your garden. Winter is the ideal opportunity to consider what seeds you’d like to plant or how you want to landscape your outdoors.

Place your plants in areas where they can take full advantage of whatever sunlight is available. Winter plants need plenty of room for optimum air circulation, so they need to be placed further apart from each other. This also prevents fungus and diseases from developing.

Source: B.I.G Big Image Gardens

Mulch & weed

The first thing you need to do is lay down some mulch you can think of mulch as a blanketing insulator for your garden. It will protect your plants from the cold and frost, and when the mulch decomposes, it will add all of its rich nutrients right back into the ground. They’ll make your plants that much stronger when they start to grow back.

Next, it’s time to weed. That’s right, get down and dirty in there before the weather gets cold. Yank out every weed that you see, or just treat the area with plenty of weed-killing products. This is a necessity. It reduces the risk of unwanted seeds and spores spreading through the garden, which could take root and disrupt the lives of all of those plants you worked so hard to grow. You want those plants to bloom in the spring – not some undesirable weeds. 

Compose some compost

Begin a new compost heap in the time leading up to the winter months. Throw in all of the organic stuff that your house produces – grass clippings, leaves, plant shavings, household scraps. Over the cold winter months, all of this material will break down, and when spring breaks, you’ll have a heaping pile of compost that will sustain plenty of plant life in the garden!

Keeping up the garden

The time leading up to winter is also the perfect time to do some maintenance tasks – remove old plants and chop off dead and dying leaves or branches. Don’t prune plants (that just encourages growth), unless they’re perennials – those will just grow back stronger. This time is also the time to start rearranging plants and thinking about your garden layout for next year. You can also start to plant bulbs and bare-rooted shrubs, and it’s also the right time to divide up perennial plants. 

Source: All Round Gardening Services

Oh, and one last, very important point – be sure to store your gardening tools for the winter. Clean them thoroughly, oil the blades, and put them away in a secure location. You don’t want the elements dulling the stuff you’re going to need. 

Plants that thrive in winter

Some plants can grow considerably well in the winter so don’t shy away from planting flowers, vegetables, or plants that thrive in the colder months. If you’re interested in keeping blooms and buds around you all year round, here are some tips for planning a lovely winter garden.

Go Native

When planning a winter garden, the best place to start is by looking for native plants that are indigenous to your area. In Australia the majority of native plants start flowering in autumn and continue until early spring. These native flowers help to provide nourishing proteins and carbohydrates to the birds during the winter months.

Here are a few colourful plants you should consider for your winter garden:

  • Grevilleas: These popular plants come in a wide range of gorgeous colours and continue to flower throughout the winter season. You can choose groundcover varieties in addition to different sizes of shrubs and trees.
  • Correas: With more than 30 different varieties of correas, youll be able to choose from colours such as vermillion, green, bright red and pink.
  • Hakeas and banksias: These have gorgeous, show-stopping flowers that produce a heavenly scent.

Winter Soil

For native plants, it’s important to enrich the soil with compost and mulch as well as to aerate it regularly so that the soil will stay loose. If you have clay soil, youll want to loosen it first and then add gypsum, which will help break the clay down to make it more manageable. Fertilisers are also good for native plants, but make sure that they’re low in phosphorous. You can fertilise once or twice every year; the optimum times are early spring, late summer, early autumn and late winter.

Effective Foliage Plants

Because so many plants lie dormant during the winter months, consider adding some colour to your garden by using foliage plants. These come in solid or variegated shades and can bring touches of red, purple, grey, yellow and black to an otherwise monochromatic winter garden. For added drama, chose plants that have a variety of textures and shapes. Spiky-leafed plants, for example, look striking when placed next to plants with broad, curving leaves.

Here are some other flowers that can grow well in the winter:

  • Mahonia
  • Kniphofia or ‘Winter Cheer’’
  • Camellias
  • Pansies
  • Calendula
  • Stock and nemesia

For a garden that blooms all year round, consider also planting some winter veggies

  • Cabbage
  • Radishes
  • Peas
  • Coriander
  • Broccoli
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Cauliflower

Preparing your lawn for winter

Just because winter is coming does not mean you will lose all the work you put into your lawn over the summer. Preparing your lawn for winter is your best insurance for having it come back next spring, as lush and green as ever.

Source: Foresight Horticulture
  • Weed Control: These prolific species are one of your biggest challenges because they are such hardy, stubborn bunches. The fix? Do thorough weeding during early winter and these weed-fests won’t stand a chance in the new season.
  • Breathable Soil: Ever notice how rock-hard your lawn becomes over the summer? This natural tendency discourages lawn growth and encourages weed growth. Over the summer, buy a lawn aerator from a garden supply store. Aerators will oxygenate the soil and balance water flow when the rainy season comes.
  • Fertilisers and Soil Conditioners: Ideally, your soil should have a pH balance ranging from 5.5 to 7.5 – you can check this with a test kit or by taking a sample to a local nursery or agricultural office. Fertilisers are like antioxidants for plants. They spur healthy growth at fundamental stages during winter, spring and summer. Choose a liquid fertiliser, such as Nitrosol or Seasol to use on the lawn. Alternatively, you can add slow release lawn food or a complete lawn food. Consult an expert in your town to test the pH level and to recommend the best products for optimal results.
  • Fill Dirt Patches: A good time for seeding dirt/dry patches is late fall, or you can try transplanting from an overgrowth area of your lawn to fill these patches in.
  • Regular Winter Maintenance: Even when your lawn is near or in hibernation, you should perform regular maintenance. Pick up debris and keep your lawn clear of leaves. Your lawn needs light to nourish it, even in the cold months. A buildup of debris could result in dead spots come spring. Also pull any weeds that pop up to prevent them from spreading. If you have pets, give your lawn a light watering once a week to dilute the urine. This will also help prevent dead spots.