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Annuals or Perennials that's the question
Do I Need Annual or Perennial Plants? The crocus delights us in early spring as it dares to peek through the snow and lift its face to the sun . Soon after follow tulips, narcissus, iris, lilacs… all perennials that welcome spring with vibrant...
Horticultural Therapy
Horticultural Therapy Thomas Ogren The idea of using gardens and plants as “tools” for therapy is growing fast these days. Makes perfect sense, too. There is a great deal of evidence that working in gardens is wonderful for our mental health. ...
How to Grow Ornamental Grasses
You are welcome to use this article on your website or in your newsletter as long as you reprint it as is, including the contact information at the end. Website URLs must be active links. You are welcome to use this article with an affiliate link, ...
Plan for Winter Plantings
Part four in a series It’s hard to think about winter when our gardens are in full bloom and the vegetables are ripening on the vine! But we must keep winter in mind when we are planning our landscape. Afterall, we have to look at our landscape all...
Simple balcony makeover
That drab concrete balcony is often the last area to be addressed in any apartment makeover. Maybe it’s just too small to justify a procession of tradespersons traipsing through the apartment day after day to lay ceramic or terracotta tiles, grout...
 
A Compost Primer


Most gardeners and landscapers will agree almost unanimously that the single best thing you can do for your lawn is to add compost. Good, organic compost can remedy almost any problem you have with your soil. If you soil is too acidic, adding compost will help neutralize it and bring it back to a proper pH level. If your soil is too alkaline, ditto! Adding compost will help balance the alkalinity in the soil. If you live in an area with a lot of heavy clay, adding compost will help loosen and aerate the soil. If you live in a coastal or southern area with a lot of sand, adding compost will help bind it together. Soil lacking nutrients? Add compost to add new life to overworked soil.

So how do you make compost? It’s easier than you can imagine and cheaper than anything else you will do. How cheap? How about free! All composting is, is the natural decomposition of organic matter. Walk through a dense forest and take a deep handful of soil from under your feet. Notice how black and rich it is. It didn’t get that way from fertilizers or manure. It got that way from all the decomposing organic matter. A forest takes care of itself by recycling. It recycles every leaf, branch, berry, and bush. It does this quite simply. All the organic and living matter in the forest decomposes into compost which feeds the existing plants (and some animals!).

In the forest, when leaves fall from the trees, they all gather on the forest floor. In storms, branches may fall, as well as entire trees. This creates layers of organic matter on the forest floor. Eventually it rains


adding fuel to the mixture. The rain aids the microbes that begin to eat the organic matter, eventually turning it into the rich, thick carpet you see on the forest floor. This compost feeds the living trees and other plants providing nutrients that rival the best fertilizers.

You can emulate the forest by creating your own compost. Avoid store bought compost, especially those made from manure. There’s nothing natural about spreading rotted and decomposed cow feces on your lawn or garden. It’s actually pretty gross! Especially considering the number of chemicals and steroids that are given to cattle and cows in the United States. If you must purchase or acquire compost from somewhere else, call your local municipal office. Many municipalities have their own composting facilities and they give away the compost to their residents for free! In our township, for example, all the leaves that are gathered in the fall from the local streets, are mulched up and composted in a huge field. In a year or two, once the leaves have thoroughly composted, we are permitted to haul away as much compost as we like! The only catch is that we must load it ourselves, but this is a small price to pay for free, organic mulch.

About the Author

Dean Novosat is an avid gardener and landscaper. He has transformed many boring yards into beautiful landscapes. He has several websites including http://www.the-garden-doctor.com and http://www.dr-landscape.com.

 

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Great Lakes Environment: Greenacres-Green Landscaping
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Landscaping - homesite.com.au, Australia’s No.1 home and garden web site.
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H2ouse.org : Tour : Landscaping
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Content Menu
  • 10 ways to survive building or remodeling your home

  • 12 considerations when choosing contemporary lighting

  • 3 great reasons to shop for home lighting online

  • 3 tips in landscaping your garden

  • 5 external climatic factors that affect an interior design project

  • 5 reasons fireplace owners think early spring is firewood time

  • 5 styles of rug hooking to choose from

  • 7 easy steps to attract more birds to your yard

  • 8 lawn care tips for your garden

  • about boxwoods

  • acid loving plants

  • adding climbing roses to your landscape

  • adding value to your home with landscaping

  • add some splash to your garden with a fountain

  • all about riding lawn mowers

  • annuals or perennials thats the question

  • arborvitae a multi use plant

  • are your houseplants safe

  • are you new to garden fish ponds

  • asthma friendly gardens

  • attracting wild birds

  • avoid the how much hassle when buying firewood

  • avoid transplant shock

  • a compost primer

  • a dozen tips for producing low allergy gardens

  • a guide to outdoor gas fireplaces

  • a hobby greenhouse will get you growing

  • a look at flower bulbs for sale

  • a new outdoor craft idea for all ages

  • a quick guide to fish pond bridges

  • basics of landscape design

  • basics of pruning

  • beware of toxic mulch

  • bluebirds

  • blue wild flowers for your garden

  • brick patio weed control

  • brighten your path by installing decorative landscape lighting

  • building a garden from nothing at all

  • building liner ponds

  • building or decorating your home requires house plans

  • build your own storage sheds

  • burnings bushes brilliant fall foliage

  • butterfly gardening

  • butterfly gardens for your region

  • caring for and planting a balled in burlap christmas tree

  • caring for a living christmas tree

  • choosing roses for your landscape

  • choosing the right roses for your garden

  • common landscape problems and how to fix them

  • complete home rehab in 10 days

  • composting the easy way

  • concerning mulch part one

  • concerning mulch part two

  • concrete cutting the unknown niche

  • constructing water walls a guide to common mistakes

  • construction loan basics

  • container gardening indoors and outdoors

  • container gardening in the metro

  • courtyard gardens planning tips

  • creating a budget for your landscape

  • creative landscaping with railroad ties

  • daylily a perennial favorite

  • decorating around the garden

  • decorating with rocks the beauty of rustic decor

  • decorative stone uses for landscaping

  • deer dont eat dragons

  • developing the perfect landscaping idea

  • do it yourself landscape design where to begin

  • do it yourself preformed pond kit project

  • dream yard

  • driveway landscaping

  • easy fall propagation techniques

  • edible trees and plants

  • enhance your garden with beautiful edging

  • enhance your home

  • enjoy rose gardening

  • environmentally safe ways to remove weeds

  • evergreens to use for landscaping

  • evergreens you can use for landscaping

  • extending the living space outdoors working with color

  • fall the best time to plan next springs landscape project

  • features of landscape design software

  • feeding your plants

  • fertilizing to create more blossoms on your flowers flowering shrubs and trees

  • finding anything you need about landscaping on the net

  • finding a flower bulb company

  • finding cheap plants for your landscape

  • find a building contractor to remember

  • fine gardening secrets revealed

  • flowers are a great gift

  • freestanding and lean to greenhouses

  • free plants seeds and flowers

  • gardening creating your own private paradise

  • gardening for birds

  • gardening information and design ideas

  • gardening tips and tricks for late autumn part one

  • gardening using bulbs in your landscaping

  • gardening your personality the greens of growth

  • garden fencing

  • garden furniture a natural extension of the home

  • garden furniture a touch of exuberance to your landscape

  • garden gnomes to add whimsey to your garden

  • garden moss how to make moss on your landscape rocks and garden statues

  • garden supplies are the gardeners paint and brush

  • gazebos to build or not to build that is the question

  • geomantic rules in the living room

  • geranium plants

  • getting raw land not a raw deal

  • getting the best price for your home includes landscaping for curb appeal

  • getting your hands on a good pair of gardening gloves

  • give your garden a rippling effect add a tranquil pond

  • granite might of stone info and facts

  • granite preformed rock pond kits

  • growing and caring for rhododendrons and azaleas

  • handcrafted garden bridges builds traditional arched span bridges with modern flair

  • have you been looking for the best advice in relation to landscape designs

  • help your backyard plants get the nutrients they need

  • hidden costs of landscaping

  • hillside landscaping properly watering hillside and sloped landscapes

  • hills and holes not part of your landscaping design

  • history of bonsai

  • history of wild roses

  • home floor plan designing for your future home

  • home improvement loans

  • home security your yard is the first line of defence

  • horticultural therapy

  • how and when to plant roses

  • how to attract butterflies to your garden

  • how to attract butterfly activity

  • how to build a simple potting bench

  • how to build a waterfall

  • how to care for your outdoor water fountains

  • how to change a rooms dimension using wall pictures

  • how to choose a gazebo

  • how to choose a riding lawn mower for your property

  • how to create an oasis of serenity with a backyard garden hot tub

  • how to decorate your space with wall art

  • how to finance a new extension

  • how to finance a new kitchen

  • how to get rid of standing water in your yard

  • how to grow blueberries

  • how to grow flowering dogwood trees from seed

  • how to grow japanese red maples from seed

  • how to grow ornamental grasses

  • how to grow wildflowers

  • how to keep your brick patio weed free

  • how to make a weed dabber

  • how to make money at home growing small landscape plants on 1 20 acre or less

  • how to make money growing rooted cuttings and selling them wholesale

  • how to make your own moss landscape rock and garden statues

  • how to modify your landscaping to protect your house from burglars

  • how to plant a tree

  • how to plant rose bushes in landscaping your garden

  • how to use annuals in landscaping your garden

  • how to use biennials perennials in landscaping your garden

  • how to use color in your perennial garden

  • how to use flower beds in landscaping your garden

  • how to use hedges in landscaping

  • how to use home decor accessories to create a new look in a room

  • how to use vines in landscaping your home

  • hummingbirds jewels of the air

  • improve your homes landscape in 6 easy steps

  • improving curb appeal

  • index

  • installing landscape lighting

  • internet marketing and advertising for the green industry

  • irrigation installation maintenance time savers

  • is a landscape architect really necessary

  • is landscape fabric even necessary in landscaping

  • japanese barberry a multi use plant

  • japanese gardens basic design questions that should be addressed

  • japanese gardens vs western gardens

  • japanese garden styles which one is the best for you

  • jump start your garden with seedlings cuttings

  • keeping soil healthy

  • keeping your water garden clean

  • kick start your landscape with winter gardening tips

  • landscape design

  • landscape design creating balance in home landscaping

  • landscape lighting design ideas to showcase your home

  • landscape plans resolved

  • landscaping 3 ways to use concrete in your yard

  • landscaping an american pass time

  • landscaping for winter fuel saving

  • landscaping how does your garden grow

  • landscaping ideas discover desert landscaping plants

  • landscaping ideas using landscaping rock for maximum effect

  • landscaping stone

  • landscaping to attract birds

  • landscaping with roses

  • lawn care tips

  • lawn edging

  • lawn tractors safety

  • layer your plantings

  • laying out your landscape part two

  • laying out your new landscape

  • light up your garden and brighten your life

  • light up your kitchen with the right lighting

  • low cost home landscaping tips

  • makeover magic how to remodel your deck or patio in less than a day

  • making your garden bloom with flower gardening

  • managing pond motives and expectations

  • minimizing runoff and erosion along your lakeshore stream or river property

  • mosquitoes in your garden try planting these

  • mosquito farms is that what water gardens are

  • mow edge the basics of lawn care

  • mulch your flower bulbs in the fall for a beautiful spring display

  • new for 2006 granite flexible preformed rock ponds

  • online gardening catalogues at your disposal

  • organic gardening going back to the basics

  • organic lawn care

  • ornamental plants that improve bird habitats

  • outdoor lighting fixtures great selection available online

  • outdoor patio furniture exploring the benefits of teak

  • patios the new trend in home remodels

  • patio design and patio furniture the use of focal points

  • patio design expanding your home outdoors

  • patio ponds

  • perennials versus annuals

  • pictures of landscaping using other peoples ideas to design your landscape

  • planning a serenity garden

  • planning a water garden

  • planning next years garden

  • planting and caring for flower bulbs

  • planting white pine seedlings

  • plant hardiness zones

  • plan before you plant

  • plan for winter plantings

  • pond pumps vs pool pumps

  • preparing to build wooden fences in the landscape

  • pre spring garden planning

  • professional decorating tips for fireplace mantels

  • protecting your landscape from insects

  • pruning basics

  • pruning weeping cherry trees and other grafted and budded ornamentals

  • putting passion back into home decorating

  • reliableremodeler com

  • riding lawn mowers machines fun to ride and extremely cool to look at

  • rid your garden of slugs

  • river birch trees

  • rooftop deck makeover

  • rotator

  • safety steps for riding lawn tractors

  • save money on home improvement projects

  • saving energy by planting nursery stock and windbreaks

  • secrets of hydroponics gardening

  • seeing the light

  • selecting roses for the garden

  • selecting the right water feature for your garden

  • selling your house mow your lawn

  • selling your house trim your shrubs

  • simple balcony makeover

  • site drainage problems

  • some thoughts on planting roses

  • spring into lawn mowing

  • spring is around the corner how is your garden

  • spring planting tips

  • starting a shade garden

  • staying focused on the project

  • store seasonal items in your own self storage unit

  • summer gardening tips

  • summer lawn care tips

  • teak furniture the ideal furniture for lifelong outdoors use

  • terrace gardening and landscaping ideas

  • there is an art to perfect landscaping

  • the 7 schools of feng shui

  • the advantages of edible landscaping

  • the american cranberry bush

  • the art of landscaping your garden

  • the basic principles of landscape design

  • the beautiful rose of sharon

  • the benefits of landscaping

  • the birth of a small container flower garden

  • the dawn redwood tree beyond fast grow

  • the enduring alluring gazebo

  • the gardening tool you need

  • the good the bad and the buggy

  • the importance of bedroom design in a home decoration project

  • the incredible daylily

  • the magic of flowers

  • the many types of palm trees

  • the minimal garden

  • the pollen trapping power of a lawn

  • the secret of rooting cuttings

  • the terrorists favorite weed castor bean

  • the true beauty of climbing roses

  • the versatile reciprocating saw the power tool of your dreams

  • the viburnum blackhaw

  • things to consider while designing a guest bedroom

  • things you should know about gardening

  • three easy garden designs you can create

  • tips for backyard fish ponds care

  • tips for building a song bird bird house

  • tips for choosing a landscaping firm

  • tips for keeping costs down when landscaping

  • tips for planning your landscape

  • tips for preparing a planting bed

  • tips for saving water for your landscaping

  • tips for shopping smart for the garden

  • tips on how to plant roses

  • tips to improve the functionality and atmosphere of your patio with plants

  • trades and barter are my favorites

  • training beautiful flowering shrubs into unique flowering trees

  • tranquility in your own back yard

  • transplanting tips

  • trees in the home landscape

  • tree and shrub care programs

  • tree pruning tips

  • turn your patio into a voluminous vegetable garden

  • tylers lock wedding venue extraordinaire reborn from the ruins of a canal pumphouse

  • types of roses to use for landscaping your home

  • types of vines for landscaping your home

  • using landscape design software

  • using the propagation technique known as budding to grow beautiful ornamental trees

  • viburnums have been around a long time

  • viburnums landcape and garden wonders

  • viburnums shrubs with all season interest

  • virburnum dentatum chicago luster viburnum

  • water conservation for gardeners

  • water conservation in the yard

  • weed control facts winning the battle of the weeds

  • whack o matic

  • whats in store for national home gardening club members

  • whats underfoot a quick guide to patio surfaces

  • what are light fixtures used for

  • what is the right plant and where do i put it

  • what to look for in landscape maintenance service

  • what type of gazebo is right for you top questions you need to ask

  • what you need to know about planting roses

  • wheelbarrow buyers guide

  • where are all the good contractors

  • which lamp should i choose

  • why buy a candig mini digger

  • why choose a home improvement loan

  • winterizing tips for your lawn and garden

  • winter gardening fun

  • wooden garden furniture

  • working with landscape contractors

  • wow outdoor tile murals any image any size