What Are Weeding Robots? A robot weeder is exactly what it sounds like: a machine that does the work of removing or killing weeds. It is an autonomous vehicle that moves through fields selectively eliminating weeds. Types of Weeding Robots There are several ways a robot can deal with weeds. Types of weeders are based on how they destroy the weeds and by the crops they are designed to work around....
A lush, healthy lawn is naturally resilient against issues such as disease, weeds, and pests. So, timing your post-winter mowing just right will make lawn care easier in the long run. Bear in mind that knowing when to start mowing the lawn is more about observing the signs it is ready, rather than a precise date. “The exact timing for when to start mowing the lawn will depend on factors that often change, especially in current environmental conditions,” explains Fantastic Gardeners’ lawn care expert Ionel Giuran....
There are numerous flowers to plant in August to make a start on next year’s garden but with a bit of effort, you can extend this year’s growing season. Even the longest flowering perennials need some attention if they are to keep on blooming, If you have been deadheading earlier in the summer then you should have already been treated to a season of vibrant flowers. However, taking a more aggressive approach to cutting back perennials in August can reinvigorate plants and force them to flower again....
5 Lawn Mowing Myths A beautiful, healthy, green, weed-free lawn is an attractive addition to the landscape. It is also potentially a resource abuser and can cause environmental problems. The goal is a healthy lawn, but often our desire to have a perfect lawn goes awry through several common lawn care legends, passed from generations of gardeners. Modern research has debunked many of the old rules of lawn care. Here are our top five....
A standard fruit tree can reach 25 feet (7.6m) in height when mature. If it is situated in the front yard, that presents issues, including blocking views, creating fruit litter, and shading out other plants. Most importantly, a giant tree in the yard will dwarf the home and detract from its curb appeal. So the best fruit trees for front yards are small enough to harvest effectively and diminish debris, will not block the sun, and will accent the garden display rather than take it over....
Annual Flowers for Iowa For Iowa gardens, you can hardly go wrong with these blooming annuals: Dahlia – The stunning variety of bloom shapes and colors is reason enough to grow dahlias in the garden. As striking as they are, they are also easy to grow, especially in containers. Zinnia – Another cheerful bloom is the humble zinnia. It doesn’t have as much variety as dahlias, but these flowers are attractive and easy....
White-Breasted Nuthatch This funny little bird is unique for the way it moves up and down tree trunks looking for insects to eat. I work at a desk by a window and outside is a medium-sized walnut. Most months of the year I see nuthatches on the trunk. They move up and down in circles and upside down, sticking their bills into the bark crevices to fund food. Rarer in my area is the red-breasted nuthatch....
Climate Change and Trees Maybe your backyard is already filled with trees and shrubs. There is certainly something compelling about foliage that sways and rustles in the breeze, offers shade in the summer, and welcomes birds and other wildlife into your garden. But today there’s another reason to consider a plant-filled yard, and that is climate change. One of the best ways to combat climate change is to plant trees, shrubs and almost any plants, since they all are capable of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere....
Are Tomato Plants Toxic to Dogs? As a member of the nightshade family, tomato plants contain both solanine and tomatine. These toxins are found primarily in the stems and leaves of tomato plants, with lesser amounts in the roots and unripe fruit. These parts of the plant are considered poisonous to dogs. Although veterinary sources indicate dogs would need to consume a large amount of foliage or green tomatoes to become ill, it’s best to be prudent whenever your pet is around tomato plants....
Edible landscaping is a thing, growing crops in a home garden. Space can sometimes be a problem, but that’s a challenge that can be solved with container gardening and vertical design. Which Fruit and Vegetables Are Good for Urban Gardens? Not every crop is perfect for small, residential spaces. But that’s not a surprise, since every garden has its own, limitations. You always have to select plants based on the size, sun exposure, soil type and weather....
What is Electroculture? Electroculture is the study of electricity’s effects on biology – specifically plant biology. Prior to the initial studies of the late 1800’s, Mother Nature shockingly hinted at her ability to increase crop growth. In Japan it was observed that mushrooms increased growth and propagation after a lightning storm. If only this energy could be harnessed… and of course it was, in the 1740’s! But by then another scientist, Pierre Bertholon de Saint-Lazare, had reinvestigated his contemporaries’ experiments on plants and electricity....
You Need These Practical Garden Tools Selecting the right types of tools for gardening may seem like a simple task, but you will need to consider your size, any special challenges, the task level, the manufacturer, and the materials used. Choosing the right garden tools can spare you a lot of pain and money. Here are a few of our favorite most basic accouterments to buy, gather or borrow as you begin your gardening adventures....
calcium A mineral used to amend soil so as to provided a needed nutrient to the plants growing there. cambium The thin membrane located between the bark and stem of a plant. carotene A pigment in plants that causes them to look yellow. catkin Slender, cylindrical flower clusters. chlorophyll A pigment in plants that causes them to look green. When present, it usually masks all other pigments. clay soil Soil that has a high clay content....
These easy-to-grow plants require only a little care, but need consistent moisture throughout the season to bloom their best. Our gardening visitors often ask us, “Do mums need a lot of water? How often should you water mums?” Here we show you how to give your plants the best chance of thriving with some simple watering tips and tricks. How Much Water Do Mums Need? Determining how often to water your mums depends greatly on weather conditions....
What Keeps Mosquitoes Away? Mosquitoes are inevitable to some degree, but you can take measures to keep them at bay if you understand them better. First, mosquitoes need water to complete their life cycle. Eliminating standing water in your yard is essential for prevention. Mosquitoes are drawn to people mostly by scent, although they also use temperature, visual cues, and movements to target you. What keeps mosquitoes away from you is anything that disrupts these cues....
The Importance of Urban Gardening An urban garden is a space that community members use to grow plants, often food. Community and urban garden benefits are numerous. These spaces are important for several reasons: They bring community members together, promoting social interactions and ties.They provide nutrition in areas of food insecurity.Urban gardens beautify and renovate otherwise abandoned, overgrown, or even dangerous spaces.They improve the local ecosystem and environment, even encouraging wildlife....
A diversity of environments makes the Pacific Northwest ideal for birds. Many species of borers, hummingbirds, songbirds, fishers, and predatory birds make their homes there. Our national bird, the eagle, features prominently in the region. Great herons, Anna’s hummingbird, flickers, and several charming varieties of chickadee call this part of the United States home. Oregon Birds Oregon’s coast provides habitat for many fishing birds. The common gull is a frequent sight, but there is also the Brandt’s cormorant, tufted puffin, Northern storm petrels, and the occasional brown pelican....
Making more of plants that don’t rely on constant irrigation is one key way we can enjoy our gardens while being more switched on to sustainable living. Thanks to their natural drought-tolerance, the sedums in this selection thrive in a range of hardiness zones, poor soils and gardening projects, in places where you might struggle to grow many other plants. You can plant sedums in rockeries and gravel gardens, on slopes and in compact containers, within the cracks of crumbling walls, as part of inventive xeriscaping plots, and even on green roof gardens....
History of Garden Gnomes These little guys have been around for a long time. The traditional garden gnomes that have been popping up in garden beds for many years originated in Germany in the 1800s. They are cheerful little men with long white beards and pointed hats. The history of gnomes, however, is much older and comes from northern Europe. The ancient origin of the name gnome likely comes from Greek for “earth-dweller,” which is fitting....
The best small front yard landscaping ideas can create an intimate and personal garden space. But designing a small garden comes with its own set of challenges. One of the first considerations is the mature size of your chosen plants. Don’t go on how they look at the garden center – think about how large they’ll grow in the years to come. Oversized plants can quickly dominate a small space, blocking light from windows and crowding out other plants....
