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By providing birds with the right bird house design, you are sure to attract the type of bird you want to your property. Different variety of birds will require different styles of shelter. Along with the proper shelter, also be sure to provide clean water and food.

Giving birds shelter will keep them safe from the outside temperature. By building a safe haven the birds will be able to nest, and be safe from predators.

Before you begin building, research the variety of birds known to migrate to your area. Be aware of the bird house size and location that will meet the birds need.

Once you are aware of the types of bird in your area, you can look for bird house plans that will meet their needs. The most common wood used for building bird houses is cedar. Cedar makes an excellent material to use, it doesn’t need to be treated, stained, or painted. Always try to avoid painting, especially around the entrance hole.

Drill the proper entrance hole. It is important to know the size of the entrance hole for the birds you are attracting. Researching online for information on birds is a great place to start. Another good place for information is your local library.

Adding a perch to the bird house is not a good idea. Having a perch will give predator birds a place to wait for the bird to come out. This can result in the bird becoming trapped inside, with fear.

It is important to place the bird house in a good location. When choosing a location, keep in mind how weather and predators such as cats will affect your new guest. Choose a place where there is not to much human activity. Make sure you will be able to see and enjoy the bird house from the location you have chosen. The height should be around three to ten feet high. The bird house can be hung on a tree, or mounted to a pole or tree limb.

Provide food for the birds, especially in the winter, food is hard for them to come by. Find out what kind of bird food and treats you will need for the bird variety you are trying to attract. You can experiment by placing different food in different feeders, this should give you an idea what they prefer to eat. Building a basic bird feeder is quite simple. You can find plans online, or by going to a library or bookstore.

Birds are also attracted to water. Water for drinking and bathing is another necessity that birds require. Any shallow container to hold water will do fine. A good location to add water containers is close to the feeders.

Remember to start out by researching the types of birds in your area, so that you can find the right bird house plans. There are many web sites that offer free plans. Also try your library and bookstore for the right plans. Building your own bird house can be a great new hobby, while providing the birds in your area shelter and protection.

About the Author:
Building a basic bird house is quite simple. Visit my site to see my bird house plans. I have added lots of pictures with instructions. http://www.mybackyardplans.com/birdhouses.php

Keyword tags: bird house plans

Having a good set of plans is essential to achieve good results. With the right plans, building a pergola yourself will save you time and money.

If you have made the decision to build your own pergola, doing a little research will be the first step. Begin by finding a good location where you will be building. Next you will need to figure out the design and size that will work.

Some common types of pergola:

Free Standing Pergola: A free standing pergola will be away from your home, and consist of four corner posts. This style is more common and preferred for overall appearance.

Attached Pergola: An attached pergola will be attached to one side of the house, while the other side will rest on two or more outer posts.

You can find free plans by going to your local library and looking for D.I.Y. pergola books. By looking at some books you can get ideas of the style you will want. Allot of times these books will have plans and will usually have a material list.

Searching online is another great source for plans. There are many sites that offer free plans. By doing a little research you can find just the right design. One of the drawbacks with free plans is finding the size you need. Because of the simple structure, modifying plans to achieve the size you want should not be a problem. If modifying free plans is an issue, invest in some plans. When buying plans, they will be available in many sizes, and the price is low, it is a small investment to get the best results.

Choosing a simple design such as a square or rectangle shape can be built by most do-it-yourself ers. Most plans will come with a cut-out list. Take your time to go over it, making sure you fully understand it before you begin. Once you are ready, cut out all the material. When measuring, be patient, take your time to make sure everything is accurate. Cut all the pieces and assemble according to the plans you will be using.

Having plans with a material list will give you a good idea how much this project will cost. If you don’t have the time, or you feel you don’t have the carpentry skills, show the plans to a contractor or local handyman to get some estimate.

If any digging will be involved make sure you are aware of any utility lines. Be aware of utility lines to avoid damage or injury to yourself.

Also research the material you will be using. Wood is the most common material, always choose the best lumber your budget will allow. Select lumber that works for your climate, and you will also want to keep in mind the maintenance requirements. Redwood and cedar are excellent choices, it looks good, and it will last many years.

Most of the tools used for this project are pretty common. If you find yourself buying some new tools, invest in the best tools your budget will allow. These tools will be a long term investment for building other projects.

Building a pergola is not a hard task. With proper research and preparation, most homeowners can do it themselves. Building it yourself will not only save you money, it will give you the satisfaction of knowing you have a well built pergola that will last many years.

About the Author:
Need help finding free plans? Take a look at my site, I have listed sites with the free pergola plans and also a list of sites that sell pergola plans. http://www.mybackyardplans.com/pergolaplans.php

Keyword tags: pergola plans, pergola design, build pergola

It can be difficult to think about what your responsibilities are when you are in the midst of a crisis, but chances are you`ll still want to respond appropriately to things like sympathy flowers and letters. When someone has taken the time to select something beautiful to send along and let you know that they`re sorry for what you`re going through, it`s always nice to acknowledge this.

Displaying Sympathy Flowers

One very nice way to make sure people know that their gift is appreciated is to display the flowers. You can do this in your home, a hospital room or even on a gravesite, depending on the situation. When the person who sent the arrangement visits, they will be pleased to see that you are using the flowers.

Keeping sympathy arrangements on display isn`t required, however, so don`t feel obligated. If you are receiving too many bouquets to keep around, you might want to simply replace them every couple of days, or ask friends and family to take some with them.

Sending Notes

To properly acknowledge the reception of sympathy flowers, etiquette requires a note. There`s no need to get wordy, it`s quite acceptable to keep the thank you short and sweet. You can use the same note for everyone who sends flowers, so there`s no need to come up with something special for each person. People will understand that you aren`t up to writing a full letter at this point.

Thank you notes can be written on nice paper or a simple card. Thank you cards are readily available in any stationary store, all you need to do is add a short note and send it off. This can be particularly helpful for anyone who doesn`t have much time on their hands.

While the note doesn`t have to be long or detailed, be sure to address the person you are speaking to. If printing off notes on the computer, it`s only polite to sign your name afterwards, to make it a little more personal.

If you are feeling quite overwhelmed and aren`t sure where to start sending notes, then you might consider doing it by group. For example, you might send one note to the church, where several people have sent flowers. This note can be publically displayed.

Keeping Track of Sympathy Flowers

To ensure that you don`t miss anyone; keep a manila envelope on hand. Each time a flower arrangement arrives, take the card or tag with the sender`s name and tuck it into the envelope. When you are ready to send out thank you cards, you can simply sort through the notes and get it all done at once.

It also helps to keep track of any addresses, so when applicable, keep the sympathy card in the envelope it came in so you won`t have to search for addresses to go with each name at a later date. It`s a good idea to assign someone close to you to look up any mailing addresses that you don`t have on hand. This frees you up to worry about more important things and relieves some of the stress. You can also ask friends to help you fill out the envelopes.

Sympathy, funeral flowers, unlike sympathy cards or notes, do indicate the need to send out a thank you. It doesn`t have to be anything complicated, though. You shouldn`t have to stress over the response to sympathy at this point, when you have so many other things to focus on. So, keep it short and sweet, just a couple of lines in a thank you card, and people will know that you appreciated their thoughtfulness.

About the Author:
For all your flower needs, we are the online florist and Toronto flowers shop of choice. Exquisite fresh flowers and arrangements and flower gifts for every occasion including sympathy flowers. Specializing in same day Flower Delivery. http://www.tidysflowers.com

Keyword tags: flowers,toronto flowers,online flowers,sympathy flowers,funeral flowers,wedding flowers

Building a shed is fairly simple, only basic carpentry skills are required. This can be a project many homeowner can do themselves in a couple of weekends.

If you have never built anything before, learning how to build a shed for the first time should be no problem. A shed consist of a fairly simple structure. You can easily learn the kind of construction that is involved by surfing the net for free shed plans. By doing so you will get a good idea of what is involved in the building process. Once you study some plans you should get a good idea if you will be able to take on this project.

If you feel building a shed is beyond your carpentry skills, consider a pre-fabricated shed kit. All the parts will come pre-cut, and ready for assembly. A shed kit will include all the frame, siding, doors, and windows. The most common materials used for these shed kits will be wood, vinyl or metal.

Another option to consider is finding a design you like, and buying the plans. You can show the plans to some of the local handymen in your area, and get some estimates for the labor.

Once you are ready for the construction, finding a good location will be the first step. Finding a place that will blend in with your home and landscaping is ideal. Also keep in mind the style of your shed for best results. Avoid locations were there might be utility lines. Having the shed on top of utility lines will make it difficult to get to in case repairs will need to be made.

Determine what the shed will be used for, to get an idea of the size you will need. Walk around your property with your tape measure, and choose a location that will be adequate. Clear and level the area you have chosen.

If you will be constructing on a skid foundation, digging four inches down and filling it with gravel is recommended. By adding about four inches of gravel the foundation will have less moister and last longer.

In conclusion, most homeowner should be able to take on building a shed from scratch. The tools required are common to most households. Make sure you have the time and the patience.

Find some plans, you will find many different styles of plans online. Find the best design that will fit your landscape, and will not be to difficult for you to build. All plans should come with detailed drawings, dimensions, and a material list.

Before you begin, take your time to study the plans. Get familiar with the steps involved. Go over the material list to get an idea how much this project will cost.

Study and get a good understanding of the plans and material list, take your time to measure and cut all of the parts. Once you have all the material cut, assembly will be a breeze.

Building your own shed will not only save you money, you will have the satisfaction knowing it was built by you.

Always remember to check if any permits will be required. Different cities have different requirements, so remember to find out your requirements, or if a permit will be needed.

About the Author:
For some free shed pans, and instructions on how to build a shed visit my website http://www.mybackyardplans.com/gambrelstorageshed.php

Keyword tags: how to build a shed, shed plans

Houston Texas is one of the most difficult and challenging climates to design and build landscape gardens in the country. We have heavily compacted soils that when inundated with torrential rains suffocate plants and low lying flood areas that if not installed with a proper drainage system could flood a house. In Houston our temperature extremes from summer drought and 100 degree days to humid fall and spring weather causes plant stress and diseases. These weather extremes also can take their toll on outdoor building elements such as pool and deck surfaces, arbors, and night lighting fixtures. In hiring Houston Landscape Designers, you want not only creative ideas but material know-how, local construction standards, and someone who knows the durability of materials as well. Below we will present the four types of Houston Landscape Designer services available with their positive and negative perspectives as to what they bring to the table for your particular project.

The “design-only” landscape designers

This would be an individual who will meet and provide a design for your landscape but is not involved in the supervision, construction or maintenance of designed elements.

Positives:

• The positive here is that you could get an overall design of your site or master plan for the property to phase in over time and get alternate bids from various landscape contractors for proposed design elements.

Negatives:

• Some of the plants, materials, and design ideas may not work if the landscape designers do not have regular experience with construction, maintenance and plant care.

• Construction of some elements may be cost prohibitive if budget is not taken into consideration with the design.

• Another understandable problem is that the designer is not responsible or does not have to concern themselves with the implementation of proposed elements.

“Landscape Contractors” as “landscape designers”.

A landscape contractor is usually at the other end of the spectrum from the landscape designer in that they may know how to implement and install a garden but may lack design experience.

Positives:

• The positive is that you know what it will cost and a landscape contractor will be able to cost out several options or make several proposals to finally arrive at an acceptable budget.

• Another positive is there may be a cost savings and scheduling may happen much quicker because they may do 80% of the installation.

Negatives:

• The negative is that an overall design is often missing.

• The quality of craftsmanship is questionable even with a portfolio.

• The implementation from proposal to built vision might not be fully realized which are conveyed in design plans, material and construction methods chosen.

Horticulturalist as landscape designer. This might be someone who works at a nursery or local garden center. This person have lots of knowledge about soil and plant health as well as the right plant for the right location. A horticulturalist or plants man may not have an overall design vision, knowledge of irrigation systems, drainage systems, patios and walks.

Positives:

• The positive here would be the variety of plants and proper soil preparation and planting of plant material.

Negatives:

• There could be too much plant variety.

• Could be too much of a plant lover’s garden rather than simple overall home aesthetics.

• Overall design layout of patio, walk and lawn areas might not be as strong.

Landscape Design-Build Company as “designer” and “installer”. In this category responsibility is taken for the overall design, supervision, management and implementation of the landscape plan through completion of all elements to their maintenance.

Positives:

• Design ideas must be able to be implemented.

• Overall costs are based on actuality.

• Flexibility to phase the project in many ways.

• Intent of the design is carried through the construction process.

• Knowledge, understanding and responsibility for the project as the property continues to be maintained.

Negatives:

• May be some additional costs for over sight and general contracting of elements.

The Design-Build process is the most ideal scenario because all design decisions, construction, installation, costs and maintenance of the entire project are taken into consideration representing the most experienced view.

Conclusion

Choosing Houston landscape designers is a difficult task. Considerations including like ability of the designer and fit with their style of work are all essential. In the end analysis one has to decide if compromising price is also compromising quality and value of work.

About the Author:
Jeff Halper is passionate for Landscape and wants to share infomation about that passion. http://www.exteriorworlds.com

Keyword tags: Landscape Designers, Landscape Architects, Landscape Plans

Every day, more and more news is coming out on just how damaged the environment has actually become. We are finally awakening to the fact that we have severely damaged our planet and we are looking for ways to live better and not deplete our precious natural resources.

One simple way to help the planet is by planting trees. Trees have a natural ability to convert carbon dioxide that is present in the air, into oxygen. Another way to help is to conserve water so there is enough water for all humans, plants and animals.

Here in lies a paradox. How can we achieve a balance between giving plants very little water while trying to conserve it, yet giving those plants enough water to survive?

Scientists are hard at work trying to develop plants that are genetically engineered to require little water to grow, but we can also do our part. One way is through a gray water rerouting system.

What is Gray Water?

Water that is generated from our baths, dishwashing, hand washing and laundry is called gray water. Black water is water that is generated from our toilets. It is estimated that an average family of four, generates nearly three thousand gallons of gray water weekly. This water is wasted down the drain and could be reused.

The gray water that is discarded does contain soaps and detergents and often bleach. These soaps and detergents do contain certain minerals that can actually help plants, but the gray water also contains chemicals that may harm plans and the soil. Bleach is especially dangerous as it damages the roots and can actually stay in the soil for a long time.

It is possible to reroute the gray water that is now going down the drain and reroute it to your garden. This is done through a series of treatment tubes and a filtration system. This will help the environment by permitting more plant life to grow and you are conserving water by reusing water that would have gone to waste.

The following tips will help you get started to use gray water for your garden.

If you are planning to use gray water to water your garden, then take note of the following tips before you start. Check with a local plumbing supply house or repair shop to see what products are available to reroute gray water.

Drip irrigation systems that direct gray water directly to the plants are available. These types of units are very efficient as they direct water to the root system of the plants where it is needed and best absorbed.

Most gray water does not require treatment, but a filter on the system will help keep dust or debris that may harm delicate plants, out of the water. Your plumbing supply will be able to assist you on how to treat the water. A stop at your local gardening supply center or landscaping professional will be able to give you information on whether or not you can use gray water on the plants you have in your garden.

Most gray water contains phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen, all of which benefit plants. These chemicals are found in organic soaps and shampoos. Check the labels on the products you purchase and look for natural or organic products. Avoid products that contain toxic chemicals and bleaches. If you notice that your plants are suffering damage from the gray water, stop using it and consult a horticulturist or gardener.

Research is needed before you can use gray water. Every garden is different and has different plants with different growing conditions. If your passion is gardenias, you may not want a gray water recycling system as gardenias to not like soap products, and can damage them severely.

If all this sounds expensive and beyond your ability, remember that you can still recycle gray water by keeping a bucket handy whenever you do your laundry, wash your dishes, or take a bath. If you use organic soaps, you can use this otherwise discarded water on your plants.

About the Author:
Beverly Saltonstall is an environmental writer. Visit http://totalrecyclingwebsite.com for news, podcasts, articles and guides covering many aspects of recycling. To understand recycling, read Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Recycling, But Never Dared to Ask. (available on website)

Keyword tags: easy recycling, recycling, graywater, organic products, environment, saving water, natural resources

Design and installation are the first steps in your landscape design. Then comes the week-in, week-out care and consideration of the landscape. Houston lawn service is a year-round affair which requires attention to maintain the overall design intent, plus some particular tasks caused by our climate and environment.

The Elements of Houston Lawn Service

• Lawn Service

Residential landscape maintenance begins with the lawn. Houston lawns require mowing and trimming weekly from March through October and bi-weekly from November through February. Rotary lawn mowers are the most common type used in Houston because of the prolific use of St. Augustine. Reel lawn mowers are used on zoysia, Bermuda or 419 Tiff varieties. Dethatching, the process of removing thatch or excessively thick grass, promotes healthy lawns. It is done with machine or by hand.

Over-seeding with winter grass (also known as rye grass) is a great way to keep your lawn beautiful throughout the winter months. The local temperature range normally dictates that winter rye seed can be spread in early to late October. It is important to know, however, that rye grass has some disadvantages. For example, the rye grass can compete with the St. Augustine grass for space and nutrition, which makes it difficult on the St. Augustine in the spring. This struggle is particularly apparent in shaded area where grass already has a hard time growing.

• Fertilization

Types of fertilizers include organic, semi-organic, fast release, slow release, winterizer and low salt. Two other important treatments are insecticides and fungicides, which help control fungus and insect infestations, an always present danger in Houston lawn service care.

• Lawn Aeration

Lawn aeration, also known as core aeration, is a recommended lawn care practice for compacted, heavily-used turf and to control thatch build-up. Lawn aeration involves the removal of small soil plugs or cores out of the lawn by a core aerator. The aerator extracts ½- to ¾-inch diameter cores of soil and deposits them on the lawn. Other types of aerators push solid spikes or tines into the soil without removing a plug, a procedure known as spiking. Spiking is not as effective as core aeration because, with Houston’s soil, spiking can actually contribute to compaction.

• Irrigation

Watering long and less often ensures deeper water penetration, which gives your plant material stronger root systems and healthier plants. It also makes for a more drought-resistant lawn and you can water less, thus saving money. In the fall and winter months, you should run your irrigation system in the late morning to reduce standing water, which is a perfect breeding ground for fungus.

An investment in an irrigation system can be a time and energy saver for your Houston lawn service program. However, quarterly inspection of your system is required since irrigation systems, like all machines, break down and need repair from time to time. This regular survey prevents the loss of water from undetected leaks, something that is important for the environment and your pocketbook. Attention to this detail is extremely important on large properties or for commercial landscape maintenance. In short, proper lawn maintenance requires proper irrigation system maintenance.

About the Author:
Jeff Halper is passionate for Landscape and wants to share infomation about that passion. http://www.exteriorworlds.com

Keyword tags: Lawn service, lawn Maintenane Houston

A fountain bird bath is a great way for both you and your backyard birds have more fun out in your yard. Not only will also add a wonderful ambience to your garden along with the soothing sounds of trickling water, but it will also attract a huge variety of different species of wild birds.

In fact, birds cannot resist the trickling water that can be found in these types of bird baths. And there is nothing more fascinating on a hot summer day and watching birds frolic under the water of your phone while they enjoy a refreshing bath.

There are a few things you want to look out for when buying a fountain bird bath. First of all, you might want to opt for a solar powered one so that you don’t have to worry about where to plug in. However if you do get one that needs electricity you want to be sure that you have a source close by.

Another thing to consider is the depth of the birdbath bowl. Don’t get one that’s too deep because birds prefer shallow bowl and will actually avoid one that is deeper than 3 inches. That being said, if you do find one that you fall in love with and it is deeper than that , you can always fill it up with little stones or pebbles to make it shallower.

The other thing, is that you want the surface of the birdbath to be little bit gritty so the birds can grip it and get a good purchase on the edges.

Finally, you want to choose one that enhances your garden. If you have a big traditional garden, you might want to pick a tiered fountain bath but if your garden is small, you can by smaller bird baths that attract birds just as well but don’t overwhelm your garden. Choosing a fountain that goes with the landscaping will help to make it look like it belongs right in your yard.

Of course, the location that you install the birdbath is critical because you wanted to be a place where birds feel safe and comfortable so that they can let their guard down and really have fun in the bath! Make sure it is in a somewhat sheltered spot where other animals can’t sneak up on them.

Once you have your bird bath installed and working properly, you want to be sure that you keep it clean. Cleaning out at least once a week is imperative that you might want to clean it every day during summer. You wouldn’t want to be that dirty water and neither do your birds. Keeping it free of mold and algae will help ensure that it is a safe environment for your feathered backyard friends.

If you situate your fountain bird bath in the right place and keep the water clean, you will find that it soon attracts a huge variety of wild birds. You may see birds that you have never seen in your yard before as most species love a good bath. Not only will your birds appreciate the bird bath, but you and your family will enjoy their antics all year long.

About the Author:
If you want to learn more about choosing a fountain bird bath as well as see a great variety of bird baths, all you have to do is visit http://www.birdbathbuys.com

Keyword tags: fountain bird bath

Storm Drainage

We are barely into the 21st century and already the Houston area has dealt with Tropical Storm Allison and Hurricane Ike—not to mention other countless, nameless storms. This reality means that a Houston landscape design pretty much demands a well-thought-out storm drainage system. Like irrigation systems, a storm drainage system is an unsung hero of your property. Both systems help your landscape flourish, come rain or shine.

Expertise Required

In addition to the antics of Mother Nature, storm drainage issues are very serious in Houston due to our flat topography, dense clay soils, and heavy forested lots compacted by years of construction that have increased impervious surfaces. These factors have caused more streets and homes to become flooded during the heaviest rainfalls. Consequently, local ordinances are beginning to follow the model used by the Memorial Villages that require minimum pipe sizes, flow rates, temporary drainage systems, engineered drainage plans, calculations, topographic maps, and as/built plans.

“If drainage contractors embark on a drainage project without a thorough understanding of these demands, homeowners may find themselves drowning in a big mess that can cost thousands to rectify,” says Jeff Halper with Exterior Worlds.

Storm Drainage: Parts and Pieces

• Gutter downspout tie-ins. Downspout tie-ins are designed to take water from the gutters to the landscape drainage system. These connections are made of plastic, metal or brass and sometimes have a side cleanout with a see-through grate so they can be easily inspected for clogs.

• Catch basins, or yard drains. Catch basins can be placed under downspouts when it is undesirable or not possible to tie into the gutter. They tie into a PVC main drain line instead and carry water out through the landscape drainage system. Catch basins are usually a plastic or concrete box that uses a plastic or metal drain grate cover to filter out leaves and other waste debris.

• Channel drains. These long narrow strip drains are used between main structures and paving or at the edge of a patio or deck.

• French drainage. Designed to take water away from saturated soil, French drains are small ditches that are filled with undersized rocks or gravel.

• Deck drains. Deck drains are installed in patios, decks and walkways so that water is either sloped toward drains or drained into the landscape beds. They have special drain covers, usually decorative, made of metal, brass or stone. Deck drains are smaller in size than catch basins and are only intended to drain patio surface areas.

When installing a yard drainage system, it is recommended to hand-dig trenches around trees to minimize damage to them. It is best to tunnel under tree roots by using compressed air. This tree preservation method exposes tree roots so they are not torn. Alternately, water can be used to dig deep trenches and expose roots, which also minimizes damage.

Storm Drainage: Affect on Other Systems

Drainage systems and irrigation systems can work in concert with each other. Landscape designers or landscape architects can develop a whole-system approach so that the nuts and bolts of both systems are hidden as much as possible. When that is not possible, the use of custom decorative drain gates can be used to reduce the negative visual impact. The design and location of the two systems should be seamless with the rest of the landscape design.

Storm drainage impacts residential landscape maintenance as well. Since it drains water from low-lying areas, it prevents standing water that can cause slippery surfaces, mosquito breeding grounds and drowned landscaping. A proper landscape drainage system is essential for the care of your lawn as it moves water off of your property in a timely manner, thus encouraging healthy grass and allowing your maintenance crew to perform their regular lawn service duties.

About the Author:
Jeff Halper is passionate for Landscape and wants to share infomation about that passion. http://www.exteriorworlds.com

Keyword tags: Storm Drainage Systems Houston

Watering requirements for your lawn will depend on a lot of different factors and will vary considerably from lawn to lawn and area to area. In general, in the hot summer months, lawn made from bluegrass or ryegrass will need about 2 ¼ inches of water every week. less in cooler weather. If your lawn is made from fescues less frequent watering is needed as this type of grass has a deeper root system and can store more moisture between waterings. Buffalograss and blue grama grass also require less watering and can often stay green for weeks between watering even in the hottest summer months.

If your lawn is protected from the wind or is shaded it will also require less watering than a more exposed lawn. However large trees and mature bushes and shrubs compete with the grass for any available water so lawns surrounded by these may require more water. A healthy, well fertilised lawn also needs less frequent watering than a neglected lawn.

Applying Water

Before watering it is a good idea to find out how deep the roots go as this is the depth you need moisture to penetrate. Take a soil probe, stick or a shovel and check out the root depth. The first time you water check the depth that the water has penetrated and the time this took and use this as a guide to the length of time needed to apply water in the future. The type of soil will influence how long and how much water it takes to sufficiently penetrate the soil. A heavy clay soil will be harder to penetrate than a light sandy soil. Take care not to over water which is especially easy for a sandy soil.

How Often To Water

The frequency of watering is again dependent on the soil type. Heavy clay soils retain water much more efficiently than light sandy soils and need much less frequent watering. It is better to use less frequent watering where possible as evaporation wastage is less and this also helps to discourage weeds.

Water is best applied slowly to prevent wastage by run off, particularly on clay soils or heavily thatched lawns. using a sprinkler is an efficient way to water, easier to do and the sprinkler can easily be moved to different areas. Water is absorbed better by the soil and roots and run off is minimal. run off can also be minimised by aerating the soil. particularly if it is heavy clay, and reducing thatch by raking.

When to Water

The lawn will take on a wilted appearance and may look gray or purplish blue when watering is needed. Another way to tell is if footprints stay instead of the grass springing back up fairly quickly. Small areas of wilting often develop and these can help you predict when watering is needed. If you see spots develop do a spot water and expect to water the whole lawn in the next two days.

Deep irrigation and less frequent watering can ‘harden’ a lawn so that it stands up to short periods without water more easily. However even for a hardened lawn don not allow it to go too long between watering as this may make it more susceptible to diseases and weeds.

Watering in the fall or winter may still be necessary but will, of course, be needed much less frequently than in the summer. Provided the ground is not frozen a good interval between watering is about four weeks. Take special note of lawns on shallow soil or those on exposed south or west facing slopes as these may require more frequent watering.

The Time of Day

Watering in the late evening or early morning is ideal as it tends to be less windy and more humid at these times so loss due to evaporation will be less. It is often thought, incorrectly, that watering in the evening encourages diseases. You should also find out if there are any by-laws in your area that restrict the use of hose pipes or sprinklers to certain times of the day.

About the Author:
More information to help you care for your lawn at http://lawn-mower-reviews.net/category/lawn-mower-reviews-articles/ and lawn mower reviews at http://lawn-mower-reviews.net

Keyword tags: Care for your lawn, lawn watering care tips, lawn mower reviews