Home Improvement

Water-wise “naturescapes” offer savings

When it comes to watering your lawn and paying water bills, sound gardening practices can cut down homeowner investments of effort, time and money, reports the American Association of Nurserymen. And, you don’t have to turn your lovely colorful landscape into a rock garden featuring a sprinkling of cactus plants.

This well loved approach to water management and water-conserving landscape design has been commonly known as Xeriscaping, and because the term comes from the Greek for “dry” many people assume it describes desert landscapes. That couldn’t be further from the truth. In contrast, the approach focuses on working with nature’s guidelines to make a lush looking landscape. As a matter of fact, “naturescaping” can be another way to describe this water-wise landscape design and management.

Turning your yard and garden into a “naturescape” requires some common sense and plotting. That entails choosing the best plants, soils, locations, and irrigation systems for efficient water use. Some of those water-wise plant materials include vibrantly colored perennials and lush varieties of shrubs.

The keys to “naturescaping” involve how, when, and what you water in taking care of your property. Low-volume irrigation systems such as drip-watering devices reduce water use by 50 percent. Early-morning watering cuts down on evaporation.

Water-wise “naturescapes” offer savings. Grouping plants by water requirements is a smart way to guard against overwatering some plants and underwatering others. Save water by replacing leaky parts of irrigation devices and positioning sprinklers to shower areas of vegetation, as opposed to the driveway, garage, or deck.

A constant among guidelines for being water-wise is maintaining the health of your plants. Strong plants don’t need as much water as weak ones do. We have many reports from gardeners that Spray-N-Grow helps their plants withstand drought much better than those not sprayed with Spray-N-Grow. That’s because Spray-N-Grow helps plants develop a better root structure-more roots that are larger and longer. Plants that have a better root structure are more able to “find” any available moisture.

Be sure to add the needed soil amendments and mulch around plants to keep the roots moist. When adding to your landscape, don’t forget to include drought-resistant plants and grasses to those you already have.

Before you start plotting your new “naturescape” or plotting how to convert your current landscape into a more water-efficient one, be sure to check with the experts at your retail nursery/garden center. They can offer the most valuable help for getting the best results.

[www.earthgardenonline.com] Earth Garden & Landscaping (Philippines) is a professional design and build landscape company for residential, corporate, commercial, recreational, and industrial establishments. We are also a supplier of ornamental plants, flowers, trees, palms, grass, garden soil, stones, pebbles, rocks, garden accessories, landscape materials, and other garden needs. Address: 296 Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes, Parañaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines Website: www.earthgardenonline.com

The use of sleek, modern lines and sharp angles mixed with attractively crafted wicker usually makes the look of elegance and comfort. The finest selections of rattan garden furniture can add quite a bit of life to a no matter outside each piece is place. 

The Purpose 

Nearly all individuals use rattan garden furniture to produce a warm and inviting atmosphere that can benefit you, your family, as well as your guests. This furniture, especially those that come with soft cushions are noted to be very comfortable. 

Numerous people use this furniture to offer comfort for their guests. At the same time the most modern models are quite attractive. Consequently, many people (whether subconsciously or consciously) use this décor to “show off.” 

Wicker garden furniture more often than not is used in outside areas. Still, certain up-to-date models of this type of furniture can easily be used to add life and flair to any interior space. For instance, sometimes people very thoughtfully set this type of furniture in a lounge area or sun room. 

The Product (General Review) 

There is a rather lengthy assortment of models of wicker garden furniture that include items chairs, glass top coffee tables, and sofas. Although some of them may be of very low quality, some models are known to be far greater than others. 

It is to your advantage if you take time to seek the ones that are made from the most durable materials obtainable. All the same, it helps if you seek the ones that are as lightweight as achievable so they are simpler to go around and place in storage. 

If you can seek the ones of which the frames and/or legs are constructed from lightweight aluminum that is coated with a protective coating these would be your best choice. That way, each piece will be easy to transport and will also is highly unlikely to ever rust or wear out. 

Certain models of rattan garden furniture are UV treated and can be placed outside all year round with no the expectation of fading, splitting, or cracking of the rattan.  Most of these pieces are supplied with an outdoor waterproof cover that saves each piece when it is not being used. 

Recommended Models 

The appropriate models of rattan garden furniture can be mixed in such a means to make precisely the right affect. These contemporary pieces are more often than not combined with different styles of furniture to make a show, which will exhibit your unique tastes. 

Sets of recommended models include the following (pending current availability): The Juniper Garden Set which is noted for its black base and frame against bright colored 12mm cushions, The Saturn Rattan Garden Furniture set which is constructed of thick, white padded cushions, and the Havana Rattan Garden Furniture Set which is known for its rich dark brown color and sharp corners. 

As brought to your attention previously, select examples of contemporary rattan garden furniture are very durable. Furthermore, these are made of the choicest materials and were arranged by some of the most talented architects, as well as assembly persons. 

A garden tour of garden writer Doug Green’s garden landscaping project. Shots of the plant trial area as well as main cottage garden area.

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