There are many who are afraid to approach their neighbors about putting up backyard fences. In a way that is understandable, though there really is a benefit to doing so. Some think that putting these up makes for bad relations between neighbors, but that actually is not true. It tends to make things much better for a variety of reasons. I am glad there are fences between my yard and the ones next door, and I think if the fences were not there we would have more problems than we do. As it stands, we get along perfectly fine.

Having backyard fences installed works out better because there are not disputes between neighbors about property line. This is why both neighbors should have input, and why someone should come to determine the property line before the fence is put in. Problems arise when someone just puts one up and the other neighbor thinks the property lines are wrong. If both are in on it, there is no cause for question later, especially with the professional being involved.

There can be problems when backyard fences are a shared expense however. This leaves much open when something happens to the fence, or a part of it. Who pays for it? Who repairs it? What color is it going to be? The people putting up the fence should pay for it entirely, as it was their idea. That way it is obvious that if something happens to it they are the ones that pay for it. However, if the neighbor does something to it, they will know they owe the other. It sounds a little complicated, but one buying makes more sense and makes issues easier to sort through if things go bad.

The act of putting up backyard fences actually helps relations. Each of the neighbors feel as if they have more privacy, and they feel more free to enjoy themselves in the yard. I wish the fence in my yard went all the way around both sides so that people from the street were not gawking at us, but at least I know my neighbors and I can be outside at the same time and we do not have to stare at each other if we do not want to. It makes things more peaceful and I also know that when my daughter’s ball goes over the backyard fences they will return it without problem. If she were constantly running to their yard all the time, that might not be the case.

Percy Troughton’s runs his own garden center as well as running several shopping based websites. His particular speciality is gardening equipment. Check out these great href="http://www.gardenresourcesworld.com"> Garden Resources or these href="http://www.gardenresourcesworld.com/landscape_gardening.html"> Landscape Gardening advice and tips.
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Cooking meals with fresh ingredients has several positive benefits. First and probably most important is the taste. Some individuals, particularly children, can be pretty picky when it comes to what they’ll eat. Parents want to prepare healthy meals that taste great and with an indoor herb garden that’s easily done.

If you’ve ever visited the grocery store in search of fresh oregano, mint or rosemary you know how pricey it can be. All too often people forgo the fresh variety and instead settle on a bottle of the dried herb. If you do this you are losing all the nutritional value of the herb not to mention the burst of flavor fresh provides. An indoor herb garden can fit into any space and it saves the cook a lot of money.

Don’t believe for a second that you need a green thumb to be able to grow your own fresh herbs at home. You don’t. You simply need a really sunny spot to place the indoor herb garden, some water, a few simple instructions and some tender loving care.

Purchasing the plants when they are already sprouting is one approach that many people take. The reason these fit well into an indoor herb garden is that you can usually begin using the herb within a few days or weeks. Most garden centers will have a healthy selection of plants that are ideal for an indoor herb garden. The best time of year to buy them is during the spring and summer months.

Some people decide to jump onto the fresh cooking bandwagon once winter rolls around. If you decide in the frozen cold of November that you want to begin growing some herbs inside you can. Many websites offer year-round availability of plants that can be used in an indoor herb garden. You simply pay to have them shipped right to your home. Once they arrive you will have an already growing indoor herb garden that you can enjoy throughout the winter and the rest of the year too.

A less expensive route but one that requires a lot of patience is planting the seeds and growing the plants yourself. This simply requires pots, potting soil and the seeds. If you enjoy gardening to this degree and you are not in any rush to enjoy your indoor herb garden, this can be a rewarding approach.

Regardless of which approach you ultimately take you can certainly take advantage of the warmth of the summer sun and put your indoor herb garden outside for a few weeks. This won’t harm the plants in the least as long as you bring them back indoors before the frost arrives.

Percy Troughton’s runs his own garden center as well as running several shopping based websites. His particular speciality is gardening.
Check out these great href="http://gardenresourcesworld.blogspot.com/">Garden Resources and articles.
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Do you live in a region where spring arrives in late March or early April? If that is the case, that makes you an “early spring” rose gardener. But, if March or early April still has people skiing in your area then you will only be able to use our rose garden tips once the cold season has passed and spring has arrived.

The beginning of spring is the moment that will have you actively arranging your rose garden. As you get ready to see the gorgeous rose buds that should appear magically in the next few days. In short, here is a rundown of things to do so that your roses will have a great year.

Start by removing from your roses the dirt you may have covered them with or any other protective items. Your roses will have to adapt again to the warm sun and mild rains of the coming months.

You may find damaged and dead canes that did not subsist the winter on your rose bushes. Cut them off before starting your spring pruning. Remove any residue or debris that may be around the base of your bushes.

To nourish your rose plants add some organic compounds to the soil. You can mix up your own by using a blend of composted manure or mushroom compost, or any of the usual meal blends which can include alfalfa, cottonseed, fish or blood meal. Don’t want to get your hands dirty outside of your regular gardening tasks. Buy a pre-packed mix from a garden supply store.

Break up the dirt around your roses to allow water to reach the roots. Winter cold may have hardened the soil. Rose bushes need well drained dirt to flourish.

You are now ready if you like to add new rose plants to your garden.

Opinions diverge on what is the best time to start your regular fungicide treatment. We recommend you start immediately. Others say to begin 14 days after you finish pruning.

Use different fungicides throughout the year to stop any fungi from obtaining immunity to a specific brand product.

The use of pesticides should be avoided. Only use them if you notice apparent damage. Keep on the lookout for aphids. Use a strong spray of water to remove them or put an insecticide to the infected area.

Your rose garden is now all set for spring, but your work is not over yet. Summer will soon be here. Read our Spring Rose Garden Care article to learn how to prepare your roses for the coming summer.

To find more tips on early spring rose gardening visit http://www.rose.myzury.com, a site that focuses in giving rose gardening advice, tips and resources that you can use to grow a beautiful rose garden.

Dutch Gardening sounds new, but is it? According to Wikipedia, “The Dutch garden is distinguished by its dense atmosphere and efficient use of space. On an international level, a garden with tulips is also easily labeled as a Dutch Garden.”

The placement of flowers and shrubs in the Dutch garden is non-linear and informal, though still efficiently making use of space and light.

Because the Netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries, gardens are generally small - and because houses are placed right next to each other, there is not very much light available. Because of these restrictions, a distinguished style of garden design emerged.

It sounds like Dutch Gardening is not that different than Square Foot Gardening except that in Dutch Gardening there are no little squares to put plants in. At least, that’s what I thought at first after reading the online dictionary explanation of a typical Dutch garden.

However, Dutch Gardens in the Middle Ages (500 - 1550) were more functional than pretty. They usually consisted of vegetables, fruits and herbs. These gardens were square or slightly elongated rectangle, and usually divided by a cross-shaped path with something placed in the center of the cross (like a water feature or tree). This square shape was then subdivided into smaller beds to separate the plantings (is this starting to sound familiar yet?)

The Dutch Classical Garden (1630 - 1690) was also a big hit. This time, gardeners everywhere started to incorporate designs into the gardens. The Dutch classical garden was surrounded by walls, or hedges. It was then divided into several mazes, shapes and designs. Low growing ornamental plants were used during this time period, mostly thyme, carnations, chamomile and other flowering plants.

Fountains and small water features were usually always used. Normally, they were slightly hidden in the flora so people thought they were finding something special when they noticed them. Gardens like these became elaborate and beautiful pieces of art.

Today, there are a few different recommended plants for this garden, if you’re serious about putting a little Dutch culture into your garden; here are the sort of plants to consider:

Tulips, Anemones, Calla Lily, Narcissus, Roses, Snowdrops, Crocuses.

I was surprised to see Roses on the list because my roses tend to grow tall and out of control sometimes. You will have to remember to select the smaller varieties in order to maintain the small space gardening concept.

I think the largest Dutch Garden is the Keukenhof Garden in Lisse, Holland. If you ever get to Holland, it’s a must see!

Most of the pictures of Dutch gardens that I’ve seen have seen are very colorful, which is why they are so popular. In some gardens, there are quite a few colors put together in a very small space. Most of them include several varieties of blue flowers as separators, making the reds and yellows really stand out!

After looking at a bunch of Dutch Garden pictures - I’m dying to get a hold of some of those blue flowers!

I’m really not sure where the “informal” part comes from in the online description. It seems to me that the colors and plants are all plotted carefully to make a visually appealing Dutch garden. If photographed, many of them would make an excellent picture for over the fireplace.

One possibility is because there are a lot of plants in one space; I’m just not sure, but what I do know is that a small Dutch garden will appear someplace in our yard this year!

Find more Advice on Square Foot Gardening, Container Gardening and Small Space Gardening at the Garden Blog: http://www.squarefootgardeningtips.com/blog and visit the Web Site at: Square Foot Gardening Tips

Would you like to have a private area in your backyard for relaxation? Consider adding a hot tub gazebo. A hot tub gazebo can provide you with a place for day or night luxury as well as a beautiful decoration for your yard.

A hot tub gazebo is becoming a popular backyard addition to many homes. A hot tub gazebo is exactly what the name implies: it is a gazebo that encompasses a hot tub. A hot tub gazebo can be constructed in any shape that a traditional gazebo comes in. It can have a round appearance by being six or eight sided, or a square or rectangular appearance by being four sided. The shape you choose for your hot tub gazebo is a matter of preference.

If you have an existing hot tub and would like to enclose it with a gazebo, it is possible. There are kits available for doing just this. The best shape for your hot tub gazebo in this case would be to match it to the shape of your hot tub. For example, if your hot tub is round, you should choose the hexagon or octagon shaped hot tub gazebo rather than a square design.

So what are the advantages of a hot tub gazebo over a plain hot tub? A hot tub gazebo makes it possible to use your hot tub regardless of the weather since it is enclosed in a structure. Another advantage is the privacy that you are able to enjoy in your hot tub with a hot tub gazebo.

Be sure to learn more about the advantages that a hot tub gazebo can offer you.

Raised Bed Gardening What do you mean by raised beds? A raised bed is a framed planting area which the soil exists above the surrounding ground level. The bed size is anything that enables you to work on without stepping directly onto the bed of soil itself. Why have raised bed gardens?There are many reasons people decide to make use of raised bed gardens. For example: raised bed gardening gives you much better soil conditions. Pests are far easier to control. If the raised bed is at least 2 feet or 60cm high then you will have a better back with far less bending to dig or harvest crops. And finally you will conserve water as more water reaches the plant roots meaning you use less. Every time you walk up and down a non raised bed garden you gradually compress the soil.

Eventually the earth becomes hard and compacted creating various problems for plant roots, drainage problems and of course future digging difficulties. How do I make a raised bed garden?You can make frames out of old railway sleepers for that chunky look or old floorboard planks. However it is better to use pressure treated timber. As this will last longer and there will be less danger of damage to the crops from using preserving treatments like creosote. Mark out where you would like to place these raised beds by using flour, sand or even lay out a hosepipe. Then knock in some short stakes of 12 inches or 30cms at each corner. Tie string between the stakes to work out your levels.

Then fix the frame to the stakes. Remove any vegetation by digging it out or by using sheets of old cardboard. The cardboard can be left in place for a few months and then removed or if it is thin enough it can be left there as it will eventually rot away. The frame can now be filled with soil up to the level edge of the frame.Try not to make the bed more than 4ft or just over a meter in width. Or if you do then you must have a plank of wood to stand on that is long enough to rest on the edges of the frame. You can have the length any with the only limitation being the length of the garden or plot. For low growing crops it is best to have the beds in a north south orientation as this way the plants will get maximum light exposure on both sides of the bed. Taller crops such as runner beans would be better in an east west configuration with ground level crops on the south side.Here is a project for you this weekend. The simple guide to creating a raised bed garden.

S Dorn has been a keen gardener for 30 years and is the owner of http://www.shops-flower.com for your wedding flowers.

Gazebos bring to mind summer days sipping from pitchers of ice cold lemonade and time spent with family, everyone reminiscing about old times. Would you like to have a gazebo? Do you know someone who is good with their hands? If the answer is yes, then maybe a free gazebo building plan is something you should look into.

Buying a gazebo and having it installed can run into some big money. You are limited in your choices as well because you are choosing from what the dealer has in stock. You can save money buy using a free gazebo building plan as well as having quite a bit more options. Keep in mind that building a gazebo is a physically and mentally challenging job, but if you are excited about building things, it should be a pleasure to put together. You can ask a friend or relative to help and make it a weekend get-together. You can make this fun and a chore that is looked forward to all week. There is nothing quite like sitting back and seeing your work and this can happen if you use a free gazebo building plan to accomplish your desire.

When you are looking for a free gazebo building plan, you will find many variations of different styles of gazebos. Do you want a large gazebo or a small one? Do you want to add it to your existing deck, or build it in a site all of its own? What use do you plan for your gazebo? Will you be using it for entertaining or simply for a relaxing place to sit with your family at the end of the day? There are many things for you to consider before you choose the free gazebo building plan that is right for you.

Another factor you will need to consider before you get started is what type of wood you are going to use. Different types of wood have different properties as well as different prices. If you do a bit of research on your own, you will be able to find a plan, a price and ingenuity to get you started building the gazebo you have always dreamed of in your own backyard.

Want to learn more about Free Gazebo Building Plan?, feel free to visit us at: http://www.gazebos-land.info

No doubt keeping your pond looking clean and beautiful is a priority, and one important thing you can do to keep it looking great is to add a filter to your pond. While pond filters are very effective and can keep your pond look and smelling great, there are some natural things you can do to your pond that will help your filter in keeping your pond clean. Why not let nature take over and do some of the hard work for you and your filter to keep your pond at its best.

Add Water Lilies - One thing that you can do to help keep your pond looking great without putting all the pressure on your pond filters is to add water lilies to your pond. Although water lilies are well known for being so amazingly beautiful, believe it or not, they also are great for keeping your pond clean as well. Water lilies will easily spread out across your pond, and if you keep at least half of your pond covered with water lilies, or another similar plant, it can help to get rid of that funky green water that is such an eyesore.

Use Other Water Plants In Your Pond - Another great thing that you can do to help your pond filters keep your pond looking great is to use other water plants in your pond as well. Not only will these water plans make your pond look gorgeous, but they will also help filter your pond naturally as well. Having plants in your pond will help to get rid of organic waste materials that may be making your pond look and smell bad. It is best if you use both submerged and floating plants for the best effects.

Install a Waterfall - Installing a waterfall into your pond will not only look amazing, but it will also aid your pond filters in keeping your pond clean as well. A waterfall will keep the water moving in your pond, which will increase the amount of oxygen in the water, transport other materials, and keep your pond from getting stagnant. This will help promote the beneficial bacteria that are so important to keeping your pond at its’ best.

You may want to consider pond salt which assists in fish health by discouraging parasites and helping the fish maintain their shiny coat.

While these natural things can definitely help you keep your pond clean, they should be used to help your filter, not as a single method of filtering your pond. Pond filters are designed to filter out toxic wastes that can be harmful to your pond and any fish you may have in it. Purchasing a great filter is necessary to keeping up your pond; however, you can make things a little easier on your filter if you use natural methods of filtration such as water plants, water lilies, and a waterfall as well.

If you want a beautiful backyard garden pond, then you’ll need tips on water garden container, japanese water gardens, backyard ponds & waterfalls. Visit MagicalWaterGardens today.

These annual, perennial and sometimes shrubby plants are often grown by amateur gardeners, and cultivated for their culinary and sometimes medicinal uses, although they can make attractive specimen plants in mixed borders. In most gardens, a small plot can easily be set aside for growing a few choice herbs. Large or medium Patio style planters and hanging baskets, near the kitchen, using cultivated herbs is fast becoming a popular hobby, as healthier lifestyles are sought throughout the world. The aromatic fragrances are also so refreshing on those balmy summer days as you lay basking and relaxing in the sunshine, enjoying your iced lemon teas.

Generally, herbs need a light, fertile, well-drained soil or compost, in full sun. They can easily be grown in odd corners in the garden, but if space allows, a designated herb garden is the most convenient and can be a most attractive way of grouping them. The ancient Romans, Greeks and indeed even the great traditional English gardeners, all enjoyed and treasured their herb gardens in there many shapes, sizes and complexities throughout history.

Ideally the site should be a south facing position, and on a slight slope to aid drainage. Herb beds should be arranged and planned to make access easier to each group of plants, placing the taller varieties to the back or centralised, where they won’t overshadow the smaller ones, and keep moisture loving varieties to the bottom of any slope. Raised bed culture is also ideal for an herb garden feature, add a waterfall or running water and enjoy the relaxing aromatic tranquility it creates.

Many herbs can be grown from seed in window boxes, on patios, in pots on outside windowsills, hanging baskets or that old discarded wheelbarrow. Use John Innes potting compost No 1 or 2, or a similar good quality brand from your local garden supply centre, and put a good layer of broken crocks or small polystyrene pieces in the bottom to ensure good drainage. Keep the compost just moist during the growing season, and give a liquid feed occasionally, to encourage good growth. The actual windowsill or patio should preferably face south or west, so that the plants receive direct sunshine for the greater part of the day.

The culinary and medicinal uses of individual herbs is beyond this article, but generally the best and fullest flavours always come from the freshest of your picked herbs which will keep for only a limited period in well sealed, and dry air tight plastic containers in your refrigerator. For winter use, herbs must be dried or frozen. Certain evergreen herbs, such as chives and dill, are not suitable for drying and ideally should be frozen or the plants re-potted up for growing indoors, within a conservatory, glasshouse, or on a sunny windowsill.

HARVESTING AND DRYING YOUR HERBS

The time off harvesting individual herbs varies according to whether the herbs are being grown for their leaves, flowers, seeds or stems.

Plants grown for their leaves and stems should be gathered in the young leafy stage before flowering begins for best flavour. Harvest flower heads whilst in full bloom, and the seeds when the pods begin to open and split naturally as they turn yellow or golden brown.

Always choose a dry day for harvesting your herbs, and gather then early in the day before the sun becomes hot, but just after the morning dew has evaporated, to lock in the flavours. Handle the leafy shoots and sprigs carefully to avoid bruising. Large leaves can be stripped from the stems before drying but small leafed types are best left intact. Discard all damaged and discoloured leaves, and if possible wash the remainder gently in cold water. Spread the leaves thinly in flat shallow containers, ideally on cheesecloth-covered frames, which will allow air to circulate. Place the containers in a dry, airy and warm place out of the direct sunlight. An airing cupboard or the warming drawer of a cooker is suitable provided there is reasonable ventilation. Leave for at least 4 to 5 days turning the herbs once a day. They are ready for storing when they become brittle and rustle slightly when touched.

An alternative method is to tie into small bunches and hang upside down in a shaded, dry, warm and airy place. These will take a little longer to dry out completely. You can dry out your herbs quicker in front of a fire, or within an oven on low heat but some of the aroma and flavour will be lost.

The leaves should be completely dry before storing. When completely dry large leaved varieties should be stripped from their stems, small leaved, and fine-stemmed herbs such as rosemary, thyme and bay, retain their flavour better when stored whole and crumbled before use. Discard as much chaff (waste) as possible and pack the leaves or sprigs into small, preferably opaque containers. Clear jars should be stored in a dark place. Remember to seal and label each jar immediately.
Herbs both dried or frozen, may be stored separately according to variety, or as your favourite mixtures and combinations. It is often labour saving to make up your herb bouquet, tied in muslin bags at the drying stage.

The procedure for drying flower heads and seedpods are the same. Loosen seeds by rubbing pods between your palms until the seeds drop out. This is best done outside with a slight breeze present as this will blow away some of the chaff. Once separated dry your seed for a further week and once completely dry store in the same way as for the leaves.

FREEZING YOUR HERBS

Freezing is an excellent way of preserving and storing your herbs, especially chervil and parsley, which have tender leaves unsuitable for home drying. Gather and wash your herbs and place them in a metal colander. Blanche the herbs by immersing your colander in boiling water for 1 minute, then into cold water. Leave to thoroughly cool, drain and freeze immediately, storing in small plastic bags, ice cube making or plastic containers, kitchen foil or even waxed cartons. Frozen herbs need not be thawed before use in soups, stews or gravy’s and can actually be chopped more easily whilst frozen. Frozen herbs are best used for flavouring as they become limp when thawed, and so useless as garnishes. Never refreeze.

OTHER USES FOR YOUR DRIED HERBS

Apart from their culinary and medicinal uses which is beyond this article to explain in any depth, your dried herbs may also be used to make sachets, pot-pourri’s and pomanders, which give off a long lasting aromatic fragrance to rooms, airing cupboards, drawers and linen closets. Lavender sachets are so well known, but many other herbs and flowers make pleasant mixtures.
Particularly pleasant fragrant and aromatic mixtures include:-
1/. Lemon thyme with verbena.
2/. Fragrant leaved geraniums with rosemary.
3/. Lavender, rosemary and a few cloves with a piece of orange, lemon or lime zest.
4/. Equal parts of peppermint, lemon verbena, lemon balm, rose geranium and rose petals.

Well my friends I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s “Over The Garden Wall with Oaky”… it’s off to the potting shed for me, as an amateur gardener’s work is never done no matter what time of year it is… “HAPPY GARDENING” until we meet again.

John Elliott aka Oaky Wood together with Luella May co-founded http://thecorner4women.com

John has been an avid Amateur Gardener for over 25 years and is now “Motivating & Empowering Women, in the Home, for Business, Health & Leisure” through his informative articles

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If you have ever been lucky enough to behold a Japanese Garden then you’ll surely know what it is to truly want something. Everyone who has ever seen one of these gardens wanted one in their home simply because they are that beautiful. Well good news, it’s not that hard so don’t wait any longer, now you can actually have it!

A Japanese garden can be quite versatile although the overall landscape is fundamentally Oriental. But it can include anything from a fish pond with Koi fish to a rock waterfall and even a stream depending on how much space you have and how much of a true Japanese garden you want.

The first task is to dig a ditch for the pond for the Japanese garden since no garden is complete without this. After weeding the desired area and making a sizable ditch, it is wise to go down to your local home and garden store to see what kind of materials, pond molds and other things that you’ll need for the garden to keep it well maintained and healthy even after you complete the project. Pond molds are black containers that are used to protect fish and other livestock from being contaminated but cement and soil that are used in the garden project.

A nice addition to a Japanese garden is not just a fish pond but also to furnish the pond with oriental style plants. Plants like reeds and short filler plants work extraordinarily well with the Japanese garden since these are very easy to maintain and don’t grow very fast.

These plants can be tied into the garden using small pots or flat stones. Pond stones can be purchased or if you live close to a stream you can find a great selection there also. Placing these flat rocks around the rim of the pond will took care of not just the oriental plants but also it will help keep the pond mold in the ditch more firmly in place.

Next up is the task of decorating the Japanese garden. With an actual Japanese garden, less is more. Because plans and rocks are very eye catching, too many of them will overcrowd the balance and take away from the garden as a whole so it’s best to limit the amount of plants and other ornaments like statues and statuettes. Another nice addition is a small Dojo house and an oriental statue, something that perhaps symbolizes peace or tranquility.

Absolutely everything you need for your Japanese garden can be found online but because of the popularity of these gardens in recent times many local home and garden stores carry a wide range of plants, ornaments, statues and other Oriental things that will complete your garden. Just remember that less truly is more and do leave a lot of space in between your decorative ornaments so that you don’t hide the beauty of your garden.

A Japanese garden is simple to make and it is relatively inexpensive. In fact with the right amount of looking around and creative thinking you can put together your very own low cost Japanese garden that looks like you imported it directly from Japan!

One Final Piece Of Advice: Get as many ideas as you can before starting any project so do visit home improvement ideas a site offering resources on issues like landscaping with rocks, laying ceramic tiles and even about low voltage landscape lighting fixtures.