Balcony, Patio, and Courtyard Gardening

People choose balcony, patio, and courtyard gardening for many different reasons.  Some are moving from a large house to smaller accommodation, some don’t want the hassle of a large property, and some chose to live in rental property to avoid the high-cost of owning a home.  Whatever the reason, this doesn’t mean we can’t garden.  No space is too small for a small space garden.  One plant in a container is a garden.  In fact, ever more gardening options are available in terms of pots, half-barrels, window boxes, troughs, cast-iron planters, recycled materials – the list is unending with possibilities.

Planning a Small Space Garden

When planning your small space garden several steps are fundamental.  The first consideration is to determine what purpose this space will serve.  Do you want to grow vegetables, herbs, entertain family and friends, meditate, create a place of peace, healing, a memorial garden – the list is endless.  Next, walk around your space and really look at what you have.  Where are doors, sheds, permanent planters located?  Is there any clutter?  Clear out the clutter by asking yourself: ‘Do I love it?  Have I used it in the past year?’  If it no longer serves you, turf it out, paint it or fix it, give it to somebody who needs it.
If possible, take a chair and sit down, move it around, and think about where the energy feels best for you.  Wherever that is, place your seating such as a park bench, lounge, Muskoka chairs, dining furniture, swing, etc.  Do you want a formal or informal setting?  What features do you want?  Features such as water, flowers, vegetables, herbs, wind chimes, wild life, colour, etc. add the finishing touches to your small space garden.  Finally, make a plan particularly if you are going to use large features such as a half-barrel.  Once filled with soil you will not want to be moving it.

Creating a Small Space Garden

Containers.  Generally speaking natural materials such as wood, clay, stone, or cast iron in all their forms make better companions for plants.  Remember that wet soil weighs a lot so if you garden on a balcony weight restrictions may apply.  Containers made from lighter weight materials such as fibreglass are ideal for roof or balcony gardens.  Styles of containers include hanging baskets, wirework stands and baskets, wood window boxes, sinks, troughs, galvanized buckets, old shoes or boots, bathtubs, old tires, and all manner of recycled objects.

Scale.  Scale is extremely important in small space gardening.  For example, small plants look more balanced in small containers, large plants in large containers.  I especially like the effect of vines growing on trellis in half-barrels with smaller plants edging the container.  In the half-barrels I use, I have grown many different vines but have found that the effect of scarlet runner pole beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) is really a knockout with their gorgeous red flowers and you can eat them too.

Microclimates.  Which plants prefer which location?  Choose plants according to the conditions suitable for their optimum growth.  Plants such as begonia (Begonia x semperflorens), coleus (Coleus x hybridous), and Fuchsia (Fuchsia x hybrida) prefer shaded areas while geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum), marigolds (Tagetes erecta), and petunia (Petunia x hybrida) prefer full sun.  Wind can be a major factor and damage fragile plants.   Choose plants that are wind tolerant such as many of the grasses; the sound of the rustling of the grasses as the wind blows through them is very pleasing to the ear.

Soil.  I buy pre-mixed potting soil from the garden centers or shopping malls.  These are generally lighter in weight to carry, sterilized to prevent weed seeds from germinating, and contain a lot of peat moss that helps loosen the soil so that it doesn’t compact in pots.  I also buy organic soil that doesn’t have artificial chemicals added as I dump my pots of used soil into the garden where I grow vegetables.

Watering.  Check daily as container plants often dry out more quickly.  This is especially true if you are using clay pots.  Make sure pots have drainage holes, as roots sitting in water will rot.  When there has been excessive rain or water, empty saucers that are full.  If you garden on a balcony sit plants on something to catch the water so that it doesn’t run down on your neighbours.

Fertiliser.  Due to frequent watering, container plants require fertiliser on a more consistent basis then plants in the ground do.  Use organic fertilisers such as blood meal, bone meal, or fish emulsion, particularly if the soil is going to be added to the garden at the end of the season, as chemical fertilisers harm the wildlife.

Function.  When you are creating your small space garden you are actually designing an outdoor room.  Keep in mind that this can be colour co-ordinated to appear as an extension of your home.  I move my indoor plants outside for the summer (which they love) and design these areas as garden rooms.

Focal point.  Create a focal point such as a large pot, tall plant or tree, colour, or a water feature.  Perennial vines such as Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) will grow in a large container and come back year after year.  Create a sense of mystery by hiding a plant or ornament behind something else to give the pleasure of discovering it.

Colour.  In a small space, use three colours such as pinks, blues, and whites; reds, oranges, and yellows; reds, whites, and blues; or reds, whites, and purples that provide continuity rather than too many colours which tend to be distracting.   Cool colours make the space appear bigger and brighter while intense colours shrink spaces.  A white and green colour theme called a ‘moon garden’ is more formal and particularly at night is spectacular.  Many white flowers are fragrant at night as well.

Lighting.  I especially like the small Xmas lights hidden in plants and interwoven throughout a trellis with climbing vines.  Up lighting with small spotlights can focus attention on a particular area for evening entertaining.

Using Vines to Decorate your Garden

A great way to decorate your garden is the use of vines. They are very low maintenance and look good on almost anything. If you’ve got a fence or separator that really stands out in the field of green that is your garden, then growing a vine over it can be a quick and aesthetically pleasing solution. However, there are many types of vines for different situations, whether you are trying to grow it up the side of a house, along the ground, or up a tree.

Many different ground vines are available. These types grow fast and strong, and just inch their ways along the ground. They are very easy to direct, so they can make a border around your garden, or just weave in and out of the plants. I suggest using these as a hardy ground cover if you just want some green on your dirt or mulch. Usually you can find a variety that is resistant to being stepped on. It’s like a leafy, nice alternative to grass. Even if you have kids and a dog, it should have no problems staying alive.

Another type of vine that is available is a “twining” vine. This refers to their method of climbing. Twining vines require a lattice or equally porous surface to climb up, since they are not sticky at all. They just climb by sending out small tendrils to loop around whatever is nearby. I suggest using this type of vine for climbing up trees, or any type of mesh. Usually you have to guide them a lot more during their early stages, and after that they will go wherever you want them to.

Vines not only look good on the ground or on lattices, you can blend them in to the very architecture of your house. This is usually achieved through the use of vines with small tendrils that have adhesive tips. They extend from the vine and attach themselves to almost any surface. If your garden is adjacent to your house and you want something to camouflage the big unsightly wall, it’s a great idea to start out a few vines near the base. If you have a vine like the Virginia Creeper growing, then your entire wall will be covered in a matter of months. However I have seen situations where the vine got out of control. After that, you have no choice but to watch the vine take over your entire house.

One of the vines that you would probably recognize is Ivy. You see it around a lot, generally because it is so adaptable. Out of the types I mentioned above (ground, twining, and sticky pads), Ivy can fill in for pretty much anything. It makes a great ground cover, and will grow up about any surface you put it on. Although it grows quick and strong, I wouldn’t suggest growing it up your house. This is because recently, buildings which have had ivy for many years have found that it has been deteriorating the building.

So no matter what you want to do with a vine, you should have no problem getting it to grow. You should always do your research beforehand and find out about any negative qualities the vine has (such as its ability to destroy buildings, in Ivy’s case.)

Battery Powered Chainsaws

Battery powered chainsaws are fairly rare in the United States, but if you are interested in a battery powered chainsaw you can find them.  It may take some digging to do.  There is one brand currently being offered that claims a single chain blade can cut 4,000 pieces of PVC pipe with only a small amount of oil required.

This saw has a chain tip guard to prevent kickback and extend chain life.  The electric brake stops within ½ second of releasing the trigger.  It also has hand guards.  A hex wrench allows for rapid blade changes and adjustments.

The chain guard allows fast entry to the blade and motor housing area.  The 12 V.N1-MH battery gives you a longer operating time. You can buy an optional handle if you will need a longer reach.  This 4.6 pound dynamo cuts through a variety of PVC piping diameters.

We found two other brands of battery powered chainsaws.  One made in China has a 12 volt battery and a shock absorption system. The other brand has an 18 volt battery and a 10 inch chain.  There is little information currently available on these saws and most of what is available is anecdotal.

On one message board we found a discussion thread on cordless battery operated chainsaws.  One participant said he made 12 cuts and took down a five inch sugar maple. Another said he got one and it wouldn’t cut a two inch twig – he had the chain on backwards. Overall it looks like the ideal chainsaw for the occasional user who wants to do some light pruning or to take down small trees.

Some Helpful Floor Cleaning Tips

Cleaning is important to the durability of your floors. Now days, there are several types of floorings available in the market. Each specific type of flooring has its own cleaning measures.

Hardwood floor:

Like any type of flooring, if they are not maintained they will deteriorate much quicker. However, they are not difficult to look after. Here are some basic tips to keep your hardwood floors looking beautiful:

• Sweep frequently with soft bristled broom

• Vacuum with soft brush a couple of times a week

• In high traffic areas consider placing carpet runners to reduce wear and tear

• Vacuum runners frequently

• Mop spills immediately as liquids and wood floors do not mix

• Avoid wearing high heels on floors

• Do not drag heavy objects across floor

• At each entrance there should be floor mats to prevent dirt and grit from getting tracked across the floor as best as possible

• All furniture should have pads under each leg

If you have a new floor installed, find out the hardwood floor cleaning and maintenance tips from the manufacturer or installer. Hardwood is finished with different products. These products include:

• Wax

• Varnish

• Polyurethane

Vinyl Flooring:

•Vinyl is a commonly used type of flooring.

•It is also one of the common types of flooring which is easy to clean.

•Most floor cleaners’ tip is to simply polish vinyl flooring with floor maps washed or dipped in soap and water. There are ready-mixes of cleaning solution made especially for.

Wood flooring:

Cleaning depends on the type of wood your floor is made of.

•Generally, it is recommended for you to use a mild alkaline solution.

•Most importantly, you should not forget to rinse your wood flooring with water after you have applied cleaning solutions into it.

•By doing so, water absorption of the wood will be prevented that will make your flooring last.

Ceramic type of flooring:

•Like wood flooring, meticulous water rinsing is also needed if you have.

•This is a must undertaking especially if you will be using acid-based cleaning solution. The acid-based solutions attack grout, which weaken the ceramic type of flooring.

Marble flooring:

•If acid-base solution is apt with ceramic floorings, it is not recommended with natural marble.

•Floor cleaner solutions, which are acid-based, weaken marble that will result to damage flooring.

•Alkaline lightens the color of marble flooring. Too much use of alkaline cleaning solutions can also bring negative effects.

Rugs and Carpets Floorings:

It is a known fact that everyone and then you accidentally drop or spill liquids on them. Later if you have managed to clean or wipe up the spills, you will have forgotten about it, thinking that all is well because you don’t see any stains. What you do not know is that mold and mildew thrive on damp surroundings and if you are not careful with the drying up after cleaning then your house may eventually get carpet mold and mildew.

•Once you have discovered the presence of mold and mildew in your carpets, it is essential that you immediately remove these disease-causing organisms.

•Mold and mildew have been known to cause allergic attacks and may even damage your lungs and other internal organs. You also have to be careful in picking out the right products for removing mold and mildew because ordinary mold and mildew killers contain harsh and toxic materials that are not exactly safe for handling.

•Always make sure that the products you buy do not give off chemicals that might pollute the environment not to mention endanger the well-being of your loved ones.

For more information please visit our website: www.choiceful.com

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Your Floor Cleaning Solution: H2o Mop

Are you boring with cleaning the floor everyday? Are you still using the traditional cleaning tools to clean your house by costing your so much effort and spare time? Tell you a floor cleaning solution (http://www.asontv.com/). That is H2O Mop.

 

 

H2O Mop is a unique cleaning tool that vanishes into thin air and converts water into steam for a deeper and safer clean without the need for abrasives or toxic chemicals. Steam kills dust mites and bacteria. H2O Mop can help you eliminate all types of dirt on any surface. What a wonderful cleaner.

 

It is the only mop that does not use soap or detergents to remove dirt and grime – just water converted to steam. The steamer generates pressure and loosens dirt on the surface while the microfiber pad wipes the grime away. Then the included microfiber pad immediately removes filth once it gets in contact with the surface. This pad is super absorbent which can make your floors stay dry. Since the H2O Mop uses the active power of steam without the use of detergents or soap, it is also environmentally friendly.

 

H2O Mop is lightweight and electric-powered. It has arrow swivel head that makes it easy to maneuver and work on tight corners. It is proven effective for cleaning marbles, ceramic, stone, linoleum, sealed hardwood floor and parquet. Using the H2O Mop doesn’t take too much effort. Just fill it with tap water using the included measuring cup, plug it in, turn the switch on and glide the mop on the area wherever desired. If you use disposable pads, you can throw away after using.