As all gardeners – even novice ones – know, the key to a beautiful garden is the soil. You can create enticing arrangements and surprising ornamental designs, but if you want to ensure the health of your plants, it’s important to know a few basics about the optimal levels of nitrogen in the soil. Here are a few things to keep in mind on how to prepare plants for nitrogen rich soil to maintain the beauty of your garden.

Why Is Nitrogen Important for Plant Growth?

Just as we need food and sleep to function, plants need light, water, and nitrogen to thrive. Nitrogen is a fundamental macronutrient that plays a vital role in making plant cells work. Moreover, as a component of chlorophyll, nitrogen takes part in photosynthesis, the process by which plants turn sunlight into energy to fuel their growth.

How Can You Prepare Plants for Nitrogen Rich Soil?

Balancing the levels of nitrogen in the soil is essential for your plants. The right level of nitrogen in the soil makes them vigorous and improves their appearance. But nitrogen is volatile, which makes it difficult to maintain appropriate levels in the soil. It can evaporate in the air or dilute if plants are watered more than necessary.

What Are the Signs That Show a Nitrogen Imbalance in Your Plants?

If your plants seem to grow slowly, have poor foliage, and turn yellow, they might be nitrogen-deficient. Too little nitrogen inhibits plant development. On the other hand, nitrogen excess can lead to plant burning. Yellow, shriveling leaves that eventually turn brown indicate too much nitrogen in the soil. Reddish leaves also suggest that the amount of nitrogen might be too high. However, when you see that the leaves of your plants are turning yellow or brown, don’t rush to pour a bucket of water on them. You might be dealing with a nitrogen deficiency or nitrogen excess, which needs to be corrected.

Need Gardening Tips?

Want to find out more about how to improve your garden? Or maybe you need a professional landscaper for your gardening projects. Visit TalkLocal. This way you can find the info and the professional help you need in no time. For free.

Weeds are the biggest adversaries of a gardener. That is the reason there are so many different ways of controlling weeds like crabgrass that gardeners commonly use. Pre emergent weed control is one of them, and is a highly preferred medium among a large number of gardeners. However, there are a few basic instructions and precautions you must keep in mind when using pre emergent weed control.

Choose the Right Pre Emergent Weed Control

It’s crucial that you kill only the weeds and not your grass and plants. That is why it is extremely important that you pay attention to the herbicide you are choosing. Pick one that targets the common weeds in your region.

Read the Label Instructions Carefully

Every herbicide comes with its own set of safety precautions and instructions, the reading of which is extremely important. Failing to carefully follow each of these instructions during application can potentially kill your grass, too.

Apply the Herbicide at the Right Time

This is vital. In order to properly use pre emergent weed control, you need to be well acquainted with the life cycles of different weeds. Only then will you be able to effectively curb them right in the seed. You could get expert information off the Internet or consult a seasoned gardener, and make sure you apply the herbicide at the time of germination.

Adequately Aerate the Ground Prior to Applying Pre Emergent Herbicide

Proper fertilization and aerating the lawn are important for your grass, but doing so after applying the pre emergent weed control would render the herbicide inefficient. That is why you must aerate the lawn prior to applying the herbicide.

Never Use Pre Emergent Weed Control on New Sod

Because new sod is extremely sensitive, exposure to the herbicide will cause it to wither and die. That is why you must never ever use pre emergent weed control once new sod has sprouted above the ground.

Taking care of these instructions will ensure that you make the most of your pre emergent weed control while your grass grows lush and beautiful.

Get Professional Pre Emergent Weed Control

There’s always a professional solution for problems you do not have the time for. Get in touch with us at TalkLocal and we will make sure your lawn and garden are efficiently taken care of by the most experienced and trained professionals who know very well how to work the weeds and grow the grass.

Stone Patios for Your Home

Stone patios are beautiful and affordable landscaping features that add beauty to your home and your garden. They are typically made of bluestone or flagstone. These stones are flat and can be cut to fit the shape of your patio. They are also easily maintained throughout the year, in any weather. Stone patios are a great way to save energy using landscaping. The average cost of a stone patio depends on size, type of stone, and other factors.

Factors for Cost

Along with labor, there are other costs associated with building a stone patio. You have to pay for the delivery and installation of the stones. Aside from these, you also have to pay for the preparation of the site before the stones are installed. A small stone patio will cost you $3,600 or less, while a more elaborate patio will set you back up to $30,000. Bluestone and flagstone cost about $15 to $18 per square foot.

Additionally, if you decide to use irregularly shaped flagstones for you patio, you can expect to pay more. Where you source your stones from will also affect the cost. If you decide to order stones that are located far from where you live, the delivery costs will be quite expensive.

There are different types of patios, and stone patios are just one option. Flagstone patios that have gaps in them, meaning they have open joints, are less expensive than fully jointed patios. There is some variability to the shapes of stones, so experienced contractors will usually order 25% more stones than the estimated area. This is to cover the gaps in the patio.

Where to Get Professional Help

Seva Call can help you find a suitable contractor in your area. We will connect you with up to three, reliable professionals in your area, giving you the option of which one to go with for your project.

What Types of Fruit Grow on Vines?

The typical answer to this question is usually grapes, but did you know that kiwi and passion fruit also grow on vines? Kiwi climbs a pergola pretty well and can be harvested in late autumn. Passion fruit, on the other hand, has a rampant growth rate and can be harvested in late spring to early autumn. Growing fruit vines is not difficult. With this in mind, growing these types of fruit is easier than growing espalier trees.

How to Grow Fruit Vines

Growing fruit vines is ideal for small, cramped gardens because vines grow vertically and don’t require much space. Of course, growing these types of plants depends on your climate and growing conditions. With the right climate and type of soil, you may be able to enjoy harvests yearly. When planting grapes, for example, you have to pay attention to the roots. Don’t let them dry out. You can keep them in a bucket of water for up to a day while you look for spots to plant them.

Grapes, like other fruit vines, grow well on fences and trellises. Water your plants frequently. Again, this is done so that the roots don’t become dry. Passion fruits, the same with grapes and kiwis, need full sunlight to grow well. Keep them in a spot with plenty of sunlight. It is best for these types of plants to grow in slightly acidic soil as well. It also helps if you prune your plants each spring. This will help them grow more vigorously. Check the variety of plants that you take care of, as pruning depends on the variety.

Where to Get Help

Professional landscapers will be able to help you grow fruit vines. TalkLocal will connect you with landscapers in your area. Contact us today!

Types of Wood

Some decks, namely the more complex ones, are more expensive to build. The type of wood that you use to build a deck determines the average cost of a deck. Yellow wood can typically cost you $4,000 to $6,000 for an average-sized deck. That is, a deck that is roughly 400 square feet. For the same size deck, redwood or cedar would cost you $7,200 to $8,000. If you choose to use tropical hardwoods, the same size deck would cost you $8,800 to $9,600. A cheaper alternative would be plastic composite wood, which would cost you $5,200 to $8,000.

Factors for Cost

Not only do you have to consider the type of wood that you will use, but you also have to consider other costs associated with building a deck. Labor, if you ask someone else to build your deck, may be costly. You may then opt to build a gazebo versus a deck. Labor costs will set you back by $500 to $900. This cost can be eliminated if you choose to build the deck yourself, but you need basic knowledge of how to build a deck.

If you add railings and steps for your deck, the cost is around $16,000 to $25,000. This is for a 400-square-foot deck. Of course, this would also depend on the type of material that you use. Besides these costs, you would also need to factor in costs for supplies such as nails, screws, and posts. Building a deck takes time and effort, which is why you should consider the costs before deciding to build a deck.

Need More Help?

Contact TalkLocal today if you need more assistance. We can help you find landscapers near your area to assist you in your needs. We will connect you with up to three landscaping professionals in your area in just minutes, so you can find someone to build your dream deck at the right price for you.

The average cost of a gazebo depends on a few factors, primarily the material being used to construct it. Regardless of the cost, though, gazebos can be a great way to accessorize your yard or garden and enjoy the outdoors in style. Commonly made up of wood, these structures are usually octagonal or rectangular in shape. They can be made open and airy or closed. As the open and airy structures use less material, they are usually cheaper than the closed gazebos. Depending on the material you choose, shape, and size of your gazebo and the labor costs in your area, the average cost of a gazebo could be anywhere between $2,000 and $15,000. Here are some of the most common factors that will affect the average cost of a gazebo.

Material

Choose your materials wisely. Gazebos can be constructed using a variety of materials, with wood being the primary choice. The other options you could use are vinyl or metal. Some people also like to use stone columns.

Cedar wood is the most preferred type of wood used to construct gazebos. It is lightweight yet dense and is highly resistant to moisture and decay. It’s extremely durable and long-lasting, making it absolutely worth your money. Other options are pressure-treated wood, bamboo, and redwood. The average cost of the gazebo would vary depending on the type of wood you use.

Roofing

The average cost of a gazebo also largely depends on the type of roof you would like to have. Generally, gazebos have a classic hip roof that slopes on all sides. Alternatively, you could have a pagoda roof, curved roofs, ornamental, or slotted roofs. These roofs also could be made of various materials such as wood, shingles, slate, or tile. Many people also like to go for thatched roofs.

Shape and Size

Quite obviously, the average cost of a gazebo would increase with the size. So a 12’ x 20’ gazebo would certainly cost you more than a 8’ x 8’ one.

Open vs. Screened

While most gazebos are usually left open to allow an undisturbed view of nature as well as plenty of air and light, you may prefer to use some kind of screen to protect from insects, bird droppings, and tree debris. You could go for glass or polycarbonate screens, and your choice would directly affect the average cost of a gazebo.

You need to keep all of these factors in mind when constructing a gazebo. Choose materials and other determining factors based on your budget and preference.

Get Expert Help

If you wish to have any of your questions answered about building gazebos, or would like someone to do it for you, let TalkLocal help you find the best professionals for the job. We help you find professionals who will build you the best gazebo ever.

Trees are important elements of any landscape. They provide shade, beauty, and habitats for wildlife. However, poorly cared-for trees can make even the most well-designed landscape look shabby and run-down. Here are some basic tree care tips.

Water Generously

Many trees grow very large very quickly and require a lot of water to do so. If you’re stingy with watering, young trees may experience stunted growth, poor foliage development, and greater susceptibility to pests and diseases. If your area does not get regular rainfall, give your trees several inches of water per week during their active growing season.

Pruning

Like most other plants, trees benefit from proper pruning. It keeps their foliage dense and bushy, stimulates new growth, and can actually improve their resistance to illness.

Remove suckers, drooping branches, and limbs that overhang buildings or obstruct walkways. Using clean, sharp pruners is a must. Dull blades cause extensive damage to healthy tissue, while tools that aren’t cleaned between uses can introduce harmful pathogens into a healthy tree.

Furthermore, one of the best tree care tips is to not over-prune. Topping and other methods that involve heavy removal of healthy growth are extremely damaging to trees and can be fatal to them.

Sealing Wounds

Whether caused by a violent storm or careful pruning, branch removal leaves a gaping wound behind. Much the same as in other organisms, this encourages infection by bacteria and viruses. In order to decrease the chances of your tree becoming diseased, seal up all large wounds. Many experts recommend the use of flat black spray paint. The paint creates a waterproof coating over the exposed area, while its fumes discourage pests from taking advantage of the weakness.

Fruit Trees

Fruit-bearing trees often require more care than ornamental varieties. When they’re young, it’s important to pick the immature fruit off the first two or three years. This allows the sapling to put more energy into growth, which means you’ll get better yields down the road.

Need Further Assistance?

Having great looking trees takes time and effort, but the benefits are well worth it. Basic tree care doesn’t always require a lot of special knowledge or equipment, but many jobs, especially on larger trees, are better performed by professionals. You can use TalkLocal to find an experienced tree care service in your area. We will connect you with up to three professionals within minutes.

A deck can be a great place to rest and enjoy your neighborhood, or even entertain guests during cookouts or special occasions. It can also be a unique addition that sets your home apart from others.

Before you decide to start building, it is good to know the cost of a new deck. This way, you know what to expect and can set a budget accordingly.

Here’s how to calculate how much a deck will cost you.

1. Measure the area where you want the deck built. Measure the length and width and multiply the two figures together to determine the square footage of the area. This will tell you how many boards you will need. Deck posts cost about $6 a piece depending on the type of wood you choose. Deck boards can cost anywhere between $1.25 and $3.00 each.

2. Decide if you want to build the deck yourself or if you plan to hire a contractor. The price of a contractor can vary and can cost you anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, depending on the size of the deck and the details involved. If you plan to build it yourself, you can save a lot of money on the cost of a new deck, but you also run the risk of committing a costly error.

3. Add in any extras you plan to have on the deck. These can include banisters, railings, steps or even a roof. All of these things will cost you more money and should be calculated. You can price these items at your local home improvement store to get an accurate estimate of the total cost to build the deck of your dreams.

Don’t let the cost of a new deck surprise or scare you. Do your research and take the time to calculate the cost before you begin the project. Look for inexpensive ways to build your deck if possible to help you save money.

Where To Find Help

There are men and women in your area who can take care of this job for you — you just need to find them. TalkLocal is perfect for that. We bring consumers together with the companies that suit their needs. Try it out. You will be chatting with someone on the phone in minutes.

Riding lawn mowers are convenient tools that allow you to mow your yard with ease. Riding mowers can mow a lawn much faster than a traditional push mower and are also much less strenuous to operate. This allows you to mow your lawn more often and keep it looking in tip-top shape.

If you have a riding lawn mower you wish to sell or simply want to know how much it is worth, you need to determine it’s value. If you want to recuperate the cost of a riding mower when you sell it, you should use these tips to calculate its current value.

Damage

Inspect your riding mower for any damage or make note of any mechanical problems that you are aware of. Any of these things will reduce the value of a riding lawn mower. If you have taken care of your mower and made any necessary repairs, it will be more valuable.

Age

An older mower, in most cases, will cost less than a newer one. Consider how long you have had the mower and calculate the depreciation of the mower due to age. Most riding mowers depreciate about 14 percent every year. You can calculate the depreciation of the mower and subtract it from the original cost of a riding mower to help determine the value.

Initial Cost Of A Riding Lawn Mower

The amount you pay, or initial cost, of a lawn mower should be where you start when trying to determine value. When you deduct from the value to account for repairs, damage, or other things, you can subtract the deduction amount from the original cost. This will allow you to sell your mower for a fair price without feeling like you lost a lot of money on it.

Some basic riding lawnmowers go for about $700, but the more heavy-duty models can soar into the thousands of dollars.

Riding lawn mowers can be expensive, and if you are ready to get a new one, you may want to sell your old one. Before you put a price tag on your mower, make sure you have determined the value accurately and are selling it for a price that is fair to both you and the buyer.

If You Want To Pay Someone To Cut Your Grass…

Maybe you want to save both the money AND time by simply hiring a professional landscaper to buzz through and mow your lawn every week. If this is the case, find a local landscaper with TalkLocal. We will connect you with up to three professionals in your area, in just minutes. Searching through the phone book and other online referral sites are a thing of the past. Our new service is the quickest and easiest way to find professional help you need.

Espalier trees are trees that have been pruned, shaped, and trained to grow in a specific pattern against a flat surface. Both fruit trees and flowering trees can be used in this manner, and both can be eye-catching and impressive if grown right.

Knowing how to grow espalier trees is essential to making them look perfect and keeping them healthy. Here are some tips to help you.

Start with a fruit tree that is young and healthy: The healthier the tree, the more likely it is to survive the pruning and shaping. Make sure the trunk of the tree is strong and green and the branches are small, green, and healthy. Starting with a tree that has small branches will make it easier for you to prune and shape them.

Plant your trees in the appropriate amount of sunlight: Some trees thrive in constant sunlight and others like shady areas. If you do not give your tree what it needs, it will not stay healthy and will eventually die.

Choose the wall or area where you want the plant to grow: Do not plant the tree right next to the wall. Instead, dig your hole about a foot away from this area. Make sure the hole is big enough to cover the root ball.

Tie the branches in the pattern you want the tree to grow in: This can be one of the hardest parts of learning how to grow espalier trees. You will need to work with these branches often to get them to grow into the right pattern. You will also need to prune new branches to help get the desired shape of the tree.

Water and fertilize your plants often to make them healthy during the growing season. Do not fertilize once the ground has frozen. If you learn how to grow espalier trees properly, they will continue to grow and become beautiful, creative works of art.

Do You Give Up?

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