How to Build a Drip Irrigation System.

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How to Build a Drip Irrigation System

Lawn Irrigation Sprinkler Valve Repair

How to Prepare Sprinkler Systems?

Tips to Design Irrigation Systems

Novice gardeners are often confused at choosing proper irrigation system for their landscape and gardening. Here are some guidelines how to design irrigation system as an effective watering solution.

Always choose appropriate lawn or garden irrigation systems for supplying level of water that your plants require. A variety of watering alternatives are available in the market to choose from. This range may include drip irrigation, lawn & irrigation sprinklers/garden sprinkler to automatic sprinkler systems and rain birds for your garden.

In order to get more information, you can pay visit to an experienced gardener. You can also browse through various websites to learn about drip irrigation systems. Each system is designed for delivering water supply in a different mode. The best plan for garden irrigation can be one that consists of a blend of various methods.

Designing Sprinkler Systems

For your easy task, you can design a garden sprinkler system keeping in mind the need of your landscape. Below mentioned guidelines may help you prepare your own irrigation system:

1. Make observation of your landscaping and plan accordingly prior to putting your pipes on the ground.

2. Think abut where your lawn areas will locate and decide where your trees and shrubs will be. Classify plants which are of similar watering requirements. This will help you while supplying water.

3. You don’t need your low water-use shrubs to get the similar amount of water when you turn on a valve to water your grass.

Proper decision concerning how you will design and prepare your watering system is best thing you can do. Inappropriate designing and uncontrolled use of irrigation supplies/irrigation systems can waste water. There are few precautions you should know for getting best watering results.

Tips to Consider: Dos and Don’ts

1. Plan the same plant types in each watering zone and install the same sprinkler heads.

2. Do not install rotor head and spray head on the same valve if you wish to have the best result. Diverse head types put out different amount of water in the same span of time.

3. Avoid using diverse types of heads together, otherwise you will have to over-water your certain areas to get enough water to the entire zone.

Gardening With Less Water

By Kent Higgins

Nowadays, everyone is talking about lowering our footprint on the earth. Many are pointing out the limited resources we have, including fresh water. With droughts and uncertainty, a lot of gardeners are changing their lifestyles to match. What about your gardening techniques? Water is one of the most important resources for your garden and is becoming increasingly regulated by cities and counties nationally as it becomes scarce due to droughts.

Luckily, there are many techniques that can be used to lower the amount of water used in your garden without reducing the yields you expect or the beauty you want. Here are some of those techniques to help you reduce your water usage in your garden.

Use Mulch

If you haven't already been mulching your plants, do so now. Mulch helps to limit the amount of water that evaporates from the soil and organic mulches like clippings or wood chips ad organic matter and nutrients to the soil, giving an extra bonus to your plants. Plastic mulches can limit evaporation, but are not usually tillable, so consider the options besides the price tag. All mulches limit infiltration soil loss from erosion as well, so mulching is a great boon to the gardener.

Distribute Water Wisely

Most gardeners know that sprinklers and sprayers are not very efficient at distributing water the garden, though they enjoy widespread use. They are easy and cover large areas, though. Sprayed water, however, lands mostly on foliage (which does no good) while much of it evaporates into the air before ever even hitting the ground. Soaking techniques and tools, like soaker hoses, flood irrigation, drip systems, and similar methods, are much more efficient at distributing water in quantity. You'll find that your overall water usage can be cut by 25% or more if you use these methods rather than sprinklers.

Water That Which Needs It Most

Focus your watering on plants that need it the most, such as newly-planted or transplanted seeds and plants. Plants with limited root systems or high humidity requirements should also get attention first. Most well-established plants (especially natives) will be able to withstand a drought. They still need water, of course, but you may be able to cut back on how much without seriously affecting their yield or beauty.

Water At The Right Time

Watering in the early morning or late evening cuts out much of the loss from evaporation as the heat of the day is not there to facilitate it. Early morning is best, as the night coolness still clings to the air. Morning watering also helps keep plants cool throughout the day.

Supplement Your Water

Collecting water from downspouts during rains is a great way to supplement the water you're using in the garden. Plus it's free! If you use chemical-free water to clean buckets, garden pots, wash your car , wash your dishes, etc., you can save the runoff to give it to your garden. When washing the car, position it so that most of the runoff water will go into your garden or onto your lawn.

These are a few ways you can deal with drought and help save precious freshwater sources while still tending and caring for your garden. Happy gardening!

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Growing Mints in the Garden

By Briscoe White

Mints are found throughout the world, but the center of their distribution is in the Mediterranean. In Greek mythology, Pluto was attracted to Minthe. When his wife, Persephone, discovered his transgressions, she transformed poor Minthe into the herb.

Mints come in so many varieties, and all tend to cross breed with each other. Classifying mints is a botanist's nightmare, for they hybridize with stunning ease (and frequency). There are said to be over two dozen true species, and literally countless hybrids (and botanists are still trying, with genetic research, to sort out which is truly what)--one source refers to over 200 named varieties. This has led to a lot of confusion and even herb experts do not always describe the same species in the same way. Make sure that you buy from trusted herb growers to ensure that you are buying plants that are closest to the true species.

Growing:

Mint is very easy to grow. Mint likes full sun but will tolerate some shade. It's not fussy about soil. Unlike so many other herbs, mint likes it moist, so water it often and well and try not to let the soil get dry (it can survive some drought--it can probably survive a direct nuclear hit--but it does better in moist soil). Also, unlike many other herbs, mint can use some good fertilizing annually; that's probably best applied in late summer.

Plant different varieties a couple of yards apart to avoid cross-pollination. The first thing to remember when planting mint is that it is highly invasive. In small gardens, confine mints to tubs or pots buried in planting beds. Plants in the mint family are very hardy perennials with vigorous growth habits. Mint, left to its own devices, will spread quickly and become a nuisance. However, it is very popular as a flavorful herb and the plants can be grown easily. Just try to choose a spot where you won't mind the rampant growth or grow it in a confined space. Mint really wants to be a ground cover. The long branches grow upward and then flop over and root, spreading the plant wherever it can reach. Don't be afraid to cut and prune ruthlessly, even right down to the soil (you can, and perhaps even should, do that a couple of times a year, to keep it from going woody). Use only freshly harvested leaves: mint's flavor does not well survive attempts to dry or preserve it. When harvesting from any mint, the best leaves to use are the top bud and first two leaves; pinch out the growing tip rather than cut a whole stem.

Uses:

The key to wise acquisition of a mint plant or plants is to decide the likely culinary use of the herb. Of all the mints, peppermints have the strongest flavor and offer great versatility for those who love mint. This variety does have hint of pepper and is high in menthol; it is good in cooked dishes, jellies and mint sauces and makes a stimulating tea. Spearmints are milder and sweeter than peppermints and are good in salads or wherever a light flavor is desired. The aroma, sweet citrus flavor and small leaves of apple mint make it good in confections, candy and punches. Orange mint is highly perfumed with a strong citrus flavor similar to that of Earl Grey tea. It is good in iced drinks and as a tea; perfect for fruit preserves, buttes, desserts and fruit salads.

Even more so than with many other herbs, it is critical to the culinary use of mint to add it to a cooked dish only at the very last possible instant; not only do its essential oils vaporize quickly, but it blackens very easily in heat.

In 1985, Briscoe White opened The Growers Exchange in an abandoned Texaco station on a busy urban street corner in Richmond, Virginia. In 1987, Briscoe opened a nursery in Charles City County, 25 miles east of Richmond along the shores of the historic James River. Currently there are 5 distinct growing environments with 5 acres under cover and it allows him to grow a variety of plants: herbs, perennials, annuals, fresh flowers and produce.

The past twenty years have been spent growing an environment within the store and the community that encouraged an exchange of plant and gardening information. In the summer of 2005, he closed the doors to the local market, and moved onto the Internet. The company is now based at our facility in Charles City, and have been connecting and exchanging with gardeners all over the country. Visit anytime: http://www.thegrowers-exchange.com/

Briscoe has over 25 years of gardening experience. For further information on gardening products or gardening tips please contact Briscoe White at bwhite@thegrowers-exchange.com

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Garden Hose Buying Tips You Should Know

By Terry Edwards

Of course, we all know that having a garden hose is necessary for anyone who has a garden or shrubs and plants around their home. But, not everyone knows what to be aware of when it comes to buying a new garden hose. Here are 3 quick tips you should know before shopping for your next hose.

1. Buy a long enough hose.

Always be sure that you buy a garden hose that is long enough for your needs. I know that sounds pretty basic, but you would be surprised at how often I hear about folks who try to save a couple of dollars by purchasing a shorter hose, only to discover they can not water the plants in the back of their yard. This is one case where having too much hose can be a good thing. You'll save yourself some frustration of having to go out and spend more money on buying more hose.

2. Buy a quality garden hose.

Spend a little extra money on a good quality garden hose. You will be much happier for it in the long run. Prices can vary widely, but generally you will be looking at $30 for a quality 50 foot hose.

Another thing to keep in mind is that cheap garden hoses will only aggravate you over the course of a summer. They constantly kink up, leak, and cause other unnecessary problems as well. Look for at least a 6-ply rubber hose, but an 8-ply hose will be your best bet.

3. Look for other features.

Any high quality garden hose will come with a warranty. But, be sure to look at other features as well. Things like burst strength and the quality of the couplings are items that can really make a difference.

Having a good quality garden hose will make your outdoor watering much more enjoyable. Keep these tips in mind when you are shopping for your next hose.

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By the way, you can find out more about Garden Hoses as well as much more information on all types of garden hoses and garden hose accessories at http://www.GardenHosesA-Z.com

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