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Organic Pest Control

Posted on By Willy Green No Comments on Organic Pest Control



Organic Pest Control 

Have you been searching for an effective solution that’ll keep those annoying pests away from your precious vegetables? Are you tired of the regular chemical pesticides and you want something more natural for your garden? Organic pest control has proven to be not just cheaper, but safer and better than many other pest control procedures.

Organic sprays can be made with simple products that can be found right in your kitchen. It’s so easy to make and yet very effective. In recent years, many gardeners have embraced a healthier garden experience with organic pest control. I’m sure you want to be part of this!

And I’m willing to help you as well. Right here, you’ll be learning how to create organic pest control sprays for a vegetable garden. I’ve also included 3 powerful tips that’ll keep you a step ahead of these unpleasant pests.

Which Is Better? Organic Vs Non-Organic Pest Controls

If you’ve been searching for ways to control pests and reduce health and environmental risks to your family and pets, organic pest control is for you. These days a lot of gardeners are fast switching to the organic lifestyle to prevent allergies, grow healthier vegetables, and  to protect their younger children and pets.

Generally, organic pest control methods can be more efficient than regular pesticides. In fact, most pest control companies are now using organic methods in their professional services. In the long run, organic pest control will save you a lot more money unlike the quick fix chemical pesticides will give you.

Although both organic pest control methods and regular pesticides are effective at keeping pests away from your garden, they actually work quite differently. While chemical pest control methods may seem to work a lot faster, they may be harmful in the long run. On the other hand, organic pesticides work effectively if given the time and efforts required to take effect. That’s why you may need to apply them several times before you start seeing results.

But here’s the catch, if you’ve finally decided to stop buying vegetables sold in the markets, and grow them yourself for you and your family, wouldn’t it be great to grow them naturally? Won’t it be nice to live that healthier life you deserve? Won’t it make more sense to avoid harmful pesticides?

If you’ve finally realized that a safer and healthier life is completely worth your time and effort, then let me welcome you to the club! You can decide to get some of these organic pesticides in the market or simply make them yourself. It’s not a hard task at all. Here’s how you can do it faster.

how to create organic pest control for your vegetable garden

A Step By Step Guide on How to Create Organic Pest Control for your Vegetable Garden

There are several organic and natural remedies for different pests in your garden. The key is to find out which pests are bothering your vegetables and make an organic pesticide that’ll deal with them accordingly. Sounds good right?

There are numerous organic pesticides currently available. But here, I’ll be leaving you with a recipe that has got a lot of organic ingredients that’ll work for tons of pests.

We’ll be using household ingredients like onions, mint, and cayenne that repel these pests far away from your garden. You’ll be amazed how these disruptive pests can easily be killed by simple and safe ingredients that you already have laying around your home.

Organic all-in-one bug spray

Garlic, onion, and peppermint oil are very powerful ingredients that pests hate. You can use them to create an organic pest control that’ll effectively drive away garden pests such as beetles, leafhoppers, and spittlebugs.

What you’ll need

  • 2 cups of Water

  • 1 medium-sized onion

  • 4 cloves of garlic

  • Peppermint essential oil

  • 2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper

  • 2 tablespoons of natural liquid soap (Avoid liquid soaps that contain bleach or any harmful chemical)

Procedures

Step 1

Peel your garlic and onion, then puree them with the cayenne and peppermint oil.

Step 2

Now, strain the mixture and allow it to stand for a few hours, some gardeners will leave the solution to soak overnight.

Step 3

Simply pour the mixture into a container and then add in the two tablespoons of soap and 2 cups of water. Then, mix the solution very thoroughly.

Step 4

Now, pour this mixture into a spray bottle. Your organic pesticide is ready for use! Spray it on the affected areas 1-2 times a week to keep bugs away. You can even preserve the remaining  mixture in the fridge. Just make sure to mark it clearly as this isn’t something you want to ingest.

Organic oil spray

This oil spray would be great to ward off pests like spider mites, aphids, and whiteflies that’ll give anything to suck the saps of your plant. This amazing mixture would make a perfect homemade oil spray that’ll keep your garden pest-free.

What you’ll need

  • Water

  • Vegetable oil

  • Natural liquid soap (Avoid liquid soaps that contain bleach or any harmful chemical)

  • Baking soda

Procedures

Step 1

Making this oil spray doesn’t require much. Simply mix all of the ingredients together properly. Mix 1 cup of vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap. After mixing the ingredients, add 8 ounces of water and mix thoroughly.

Step 2

You don’t need to bother letting the mixture sit for some time as you can instantly pour the mixture into a spray bottle and start using it right away. You should use this spray once or twice a week to keep those nasty pests away.

What you need to know about organic pest control

Before applying organic sprays in your garden, be sure it’s something you want to do and make sure the damage the pests are causing is really a problem. Just like chemical pesticides, organic pest control would get rid of all bugs, this includes other helpful insects like ladybugs and bees that help out in the garden.

Make sure to try out your organic spray on a small portion of your plant first, it could be just a single leaf. Find out if there are any negative results. If there’s no damage then you can now fully use it on the entire plant the next day.

At the time you make your organic spray, if you’re not ready to use it, keep it in a dry and cool place.

I generally prefer to spray my plants before the sun comes out in the morning. You should do this to prevent burning or damaging your plants. The combination of the intense heat of the sun and the oils in the sprays are not good for your plants.

Also be careful not to apply too much of these sprays to your vegetables. You don’t want to end up with a slightly different flavor. Only use this for the portion of your plant that is mostly affected.

Tips For Keeping Pests Out Of Your Garden

While garden pests are almost unavoidable, there are a few tips that can help you keep them in check. You want to avoid creating a pleasant environment for them by taking the 3 powerful steps I’ll be discussing with you here.

Give your plants the best growing conditions possible

Water your plants and do it consistently in the morning. This way, you make your plants less prone to pests. Watering your plants in the morning time keeps them healthier and prevents them from being damp in the evening when pests love to strike.

I’ve found out that these pests mostly attack weak plants. Consistent watering will prevent your plants from wilting and will help them to get larger yields. Take your time to remove all of the dead and or diseased leaves. If they are not removed promptly, then they’ll become an attractive site to pests. Do you know what else could be attractive to these disturbing pests?

Weeds! yes, these unwanted plants can provide a convenient spot for pests in your garden. So you should take weeds off as soon as you see them. Not to mention that weeds will steal nutrients and water before the plant can use them.

 

Feed your plants according to their feeding schedule. Keeping your plants properly nourished will also help to keep your plants healthy and resistant to disease and pests.


Space your plants properly

I used to have a small garden in a previous home. I love to grow my fruits and vegetables organically so I always ended up trying to squeeze too many vegetables into a small amount of garden space. I thought I’d get bigger yields that would last longer for me. But guess what happened? I actually caused my yields to be smaller and I attracted those annoying pests.

If you’ve been doing this same type of thing and you’re still struggling with pests, then consider spacing your plants better. It really will do your garden good! Trust me, your vegetables will get more airflow and you will easily notice any pests before they can cause much damage. It will also help you to see those weeds popping up sooner so that you can get rid of them right away.

Use plants!

Several plants can deal with your pest problem for you. Aromatic herbs like citronella, lemongrass, and basil will ward off annoying critters and also attract their predators. If you ask me, this is a really good strategy. Find a good spot in your garden where you can plant these herb. They will save you a lot of stress and you will end up with a few more options to use in your kitchen.

FAQ

What is the best organic pesticide for vegetables?

There really is no perfect pesticide. What is important is choosing a pesticide that’ll effectively drive out the pests you have while doing little to no damage to your plants. However, Neem oil is one powerful organic pesticide that seems to work for most pests that you will face in your garden.

You may want to give it a try. It acts against a good number of garden pests by disrupting their life cycle and preventing them from feeding on your vegetables. You can find this active pesticide in garden stores, make sure to follow the instructions on the container and effectively spray the affected areas.


What are organic pesticides?

Organic pesticides are mixtures that are made from natural substances or natural ingredients. They are mixtures that are made from simple and natural soaps or ethanol.

Conclusion

I’m sure you are pretty surprised at just how simple it is to create your own organic pest control for a vegetable garden. And I’m happy I’m able to put you up to speed with some organic pest control options and solutions. If you are going through all of the work that it takes to set up, maintain, and harvest your garden, then isn’t it worth it to do the little things that will bring you success? Pay attention to the small details as they will turn into bigger details if you ignore them.

I wish you a healthier and better gardening experience this year and in the years to come. You can purchase already-made organic sprays if you don’t think you have the time to produce one yourself, although it really isn’t difficult to produce at home. Thank you for reading How To Make Your Own Organic Pest Control For A Vegetable Garden

Have you been using organic pest control methods? Share your experience! Did you find this step-by-step guide helpful? Share with your family and friends!

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Garden Pests, Gardening, Gardening How to, Plant Problems

How to replace an axe handle

Posted on By Willy Green No Comments on How to replace an axe handle

How to replace an axe handle

Swinging a large-impact tool like a splitting axe, it is natural that sometimes you will miss. Each miss has takes a huge toll on both your hands and the handle of the splitting axe, whether wooden or fiberglass. The result is that the handle will give way (or break) or the head of the maul will loosen. Wooden handles are more predisposed to breaking while fiberglass handles can last indefinitely. However, a broken axe handle is not the end your log splitting work or the usefulness of the tool.

Have you ever had an axe handle break and then you suddenly realize you don’t really know anything about replacing an axe handle? The vast majority of splitting axe owners will think of finding a professional repair person to do the job while others will think of just tossing it and buying a brand new splitting axe. What may not be apparent to you is that replacing an axe handle by yourself really isn’t that complicated if you just knew the process. The best thing about replacing a splitting axe handle is that you can fix your axe with a new, stronger handle.

So, just exactly how do you go about replacing a splitting axe handle? Rather than replacing your old or broken wooden handle with a new wooden handle, you can replace it with durable fiberglass handle. Fiberglass is costly but it will not require replacement as frequent as a wooden handle would (sometimes as frequent as once yearly). Here is how to replace an axe handle.

The Things You Will Require

  • Power or hand saw

  • Power drill

  • 1/4-inch drill bit

  • Hammer

  • Vise grips

  • Bolt or chisel

  • Fiberglass maul handle kit

  • Degreaser

  • Sandpaper or wire brush

Preparation

  • Step 1: Saw off the maul’s old handle close to the head leaving just about 1/4-inch of the wood projecting from the bottom of the head. A power saw or a simple handsaw will do the job.

  • Step 2: Open the vise grips such that the opening is wider than the width of the handle but narrower than the head of the maul. Put the head of the over the vise grips with the remnant of the handle over the open space. The edges of the maul head should rest on the sides of the vise. This way, the top of the maul head will face upwards allowing you to drive the wood out in the same direction it was installed.

  • Step 3: Drill a number of ¼-inch holes through the wood remain in the maul head. Be careful not to drill into the metal wedges in the wooden handle. The holes serve to relieve pressure on the wood from the wedges. This pushes the wood tightly against the inner side of the maul head.

  • Step 4: Hold a large chisel, bolt or similar tool, in the central part of the wood and tap it gently with a hammer to push out the remnant wood from the maul head. Frequently repositioning the chisel or bolt in different places, remove the entire wood.

  • Step 5: Remove the vise grips from the maul head and then clean the handle hole thoroughly to eliminate any grime or grease. In case there is a build-up of gunk and grease then you can spray with degreaser to eliminate them. You can then use sand paper/wire brush to remove all debris and prepare the inside surface of the maul head to receive the new handle.

Installation Process

  • Step 6: Insert your new fiberglass handle in the hole from the bottom end of the splitting maul head. You can then flip the handle and head over. Holding the maul head in your hand, tap the handle from its bottom on a hard surface few repetitions until the top of the handle is level with the top of the maul.

  • Step 7: Rub caulking cord sealer in both of your hands to warm it so it adheres well to the handle. Rub the sealant continually until you form a strand equal in length to the circumference of the handle. Encircle the caulking cord sealant around the handle at the point where the bottom of the maul meets it. Force the sealant down space where the two objects intersect to create a seal that stops epoxy from leaking.

  • Step 8: Now you can slip splitting maul head over the handle so that the top side of the head faces up. Then mix two units of epoxy together in a container prior to opening (each new fiberglass handle comes with epoxy). The delivery comes with instructions to help with how to use the epoxy ingredients.

  • Step 9: You can then pour the epoxy mixture into the hole that is between the fiberglass handle and the maul. Ensure you pour the epoxy slowly initially while checking if the caulking cord sealant really reaches the bottom of the handle and there is no leaking. Go on pouring the epoxy in the hole until the epoxy is flush with the upper part of the handle and top of the head of the maul.

  • Step 10: Once you are sure that the epoxy is well poured and everything is done well, go ahead and set your repaired splitting maul in a cool, dry location with temperature ranging from 75 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit. It should stay free for up to one week to allow the epoxy to cure properly. Ensure you do not use the splitting maul before the epoxy fully cures.

And now you can say that you really know How to Replace a Splitting Axe Handle

Note: The fiberglass handle might be too long for the splitting maul head. If that is the case then you can use a rasp to try to file it down until it rests flush with the top part of the splitting maul to look presentable. Thank you for reading about replacing an axe handle. Here are some other articles you may enjoy reading.

Best Splitting Maul​​​

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Gardening How to, Gardening Tools, Lawn Tools

How to Start a Garden for Beginners

Posted on By Willy Green No Comments on How to Start a Garden for Beginners




How to Start a Garden for Beginners

Gardening is both an art and a science. Even the most experienced gardeners and horticulturalists had to start somewhere and they still make mistakes from time to time. If you have decided to start a garden, but don’t know where to begin, don’t worry, as with all things, you have to start from the ground up (pun intended!)

Why should you start gardening?

Gardening offers a range of benefits. Starting your own garden not only allows you to create beautiful floral displays, it also provides an opportunity to grow your own nutritious fruits and vegetables. There are also a number of other, often overlooked,  benefits:

Vitamin D Exposure

Being outside more regularly is excellent for your health. The sun allows you to naturally increase your vitamin D levels, which, in turn, increases the body’s ability to absorb calcium, which further strengthens bones and the immune system. Gardening is a fun way to ensure you get the direct sunlight exposure you need - even if the temperature is cold outside! (It’s a good idea to  wear  sunscreen and sunglasses to protect your skin and eyes from excessive sun exposure).

Mind-Boosting

Gardening has been known to boost positive  brain activity, allowing you to be creative when designing your outdoor space, while reducing stress levels. It has also been found to reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) levels as you are able to switch off from life’s daily stresses   and concentrate on your planting.

Increased physical activity

You’re exercising without even realizing. Gardening is a dream for those who want to be more active but feel they don’t have the time. Pulling up weeds, twisting, turning and bending while planting, even digging a hole - all these (and much more) will work many muscles in your body and help with your strength, flexibility and stamina.

These health benefits alone make gardening the perfect hobby for all of us (regardless of age, interest and ability). Popularity in this art is growing and, although there are no hard and ‘fast’ rules, there are 12 steps that all beginners should take to get started. Now is the time to grab your gardening tools and follow these simple steps:

 

1. Know your soil

One big mistake many first time gardeners make is purchasing plants before understanding the importance of the soil they have available in their garden.  Soil contains everything your plants need to grow healthy.

Plants will thrive depending on soil type. If you’re unsure, try to seek the advice of a neighbor as soil tends to be consistent with surrounding areas. To help you understand more, below is our mini-guide to help identify your soil.

The 6 most common types of soil

Sandy Soil

Sandy soil tends to be light, warm and dry. It is usually quite acidic and is low in nutrients. It has a higher percentage of sand and very little clay. These soils are quick to drain water and quite easy to work with. They are quicker to warm up during springtime (than clay soils) but tend to completely dry out in the summer.

Clay Soil

 Clay soil is a heavy soil type with plenty of nutrients. This soil type tends to remain wet and cold in the winter but dries out easily in the summer. These soils tend to consist of around 25% clay which is spaced out throughout the area. Clay soil can really test gardeners due to the slow draining of water and the cracking/drying that happens during summertime.

Silt Soil

Silt soil is light and retains moisture well. This is a soil with a high fertility rating. Silt soil usually contains medium sized particles which drain well and hold moisture for a long period of time. The particles tend to be finer allowing them to be compacted more easily. Adding organic matter to silt soil can bound it into more stable clumps.

Peat Soil

Peat soil is very high in organic matter and is excellent for retaining moisture. This type of soil is rarely found in gardens and tends to be imported to provide an optimum soil base for planting.

Chalk Soil

Chalk soil can be both light and heavy. It will always contain a high percentage of alkaline due to the calcium carbonate or lime within its structure. These soils will not support plants that thrive in an acidic environment. If there are white lumps within the soil, it is impossible to ‘acidize’ and you will have to stick to plants that need alkaline soils.

Loam Soil

Loam soil is a mix of sand, silt and clay which has been combined to avoid any negative effects of each individual soil. This means that Loam soil is very easy to work with and incredibly fertile. These soils tend to be the perfect balance for particles and are often considered a gardeners ‘best-friend’.

2. Choose the right location

First time gardeners should start small. Consider plots that can be managed easily while you get to grips with the basics of your new hobby. We advise that an 8x8 foot space or smaller is an excellent starting point to getting green fingered. You could also start by using raised beds or containers as you begin to learn how  to care for your new plants and understand their  growth habits.

Where you place your plants is very important. Attention should be paid to the amount of sunlight and shade the areas you have available to you are exposed to. Most annual flowers, vegetables and plants need full sun for part of the day. If you have more areas of shade you will need to find the right plants that can tolerate these conditions. You should also consider the various changes in climate within your geographical location.

The best location is one that is in close proximity to a water source, amount of sunlight it receives, and protection from wind and frost. The soil quality is also important. If you are planting on the ground, the soil should be well drained and fertile. Ensure you have enough room for your plants depending on the particular vegetables you want to grow.

Also Read: ​9 Healthy Reasons to Grow Your Own Food – Is It Worth The Effort?​​​

 

3. Plan ahead and play with garden designs

Before you start picking up a shovel, digging fork or rake - you need to think of the bigger picture. The design of your garden is just as important as the plants that are going to go in it.

We mentioned earlier that gardening is also an art, and artists always prepare before putting their paint brushes to canvas. Using some graph paper and tracing paper, draw a rough outline  of the available space you have to play with, how you want your garden to look and which plants you want to go where. Make sure you map out where the light and shaded areas are to ensure you plant wisely.

Once you have  decided on placement, we advise physically mapping out your design by putting your new bulbs and plants on the surface of the soil and moving things  around until you’re totally satisfied with how it looks and feels. . Once you’re happy with placement - get planting!

How to Start a Garden

4. Plant the Right Seeds

The quality of plant seeds you use has a direct relationship with the yield of your garden. High quality seeds have an excellent rate of germination and are resistant to diseases. Furthermore, seed packets are quite affordable when compared to individual plants.  When it comes to what vegetables to grow, you may contact your local cooperative extension for a list of crops that can grow well in your area.

Different seeds have different needs, so pay attention to the environment when planting, as this can have an impact on successful or unsuccessful growth.  When you’re starting out, determining the seed depth can be tricky, so follow these general guidelines:

  • Seeds should be planted at a depth of two times the width or diameter of the seed

  • Tiny seeds should be placed on the surface and barely covered

  • Soil should not be firm but not too compacted when planting seeds

Most seeds, vegetables and fruits require covering with soil. These include:

  • Broccoli

  • Cabbage

  • Cauliflower

  • Tomatoes

  • Spinach

  • Peas

  • Beans

  • Peppers

Other seeds need light to germinate. These tiny seeds need to be placed on the surface but not covered, they include:

  • Lettuce

  • Dill

  • Coleus

  • Petunias

  • Sweet Alyssum

When purchasing seeds, they tend to have instructions included on how you should plant them,  what environment they thrive in and general care and guidance.

5. Plant at the right time

Different plants do better at different times of the year. This is why (before supermarkets) a lot of food was ‘seasonal’.  It is therefore important to know the right time to put your plants in the ground to ensure maximum productivity.  Planting calendars can be downloaded online and provide recommendations based on your location and area.

 

6. Treat your new plants with love

Your new plants need to be treated with love. If you don’t take care from the initial removal of plants from their pots, you could end up bruising or breaking their stems.

The best way to remove a plant from its pot is as follows:

  • Gently squeeze the sides of the pots

  • Slowly turn the pot upside-down

  • Use your other hand to catch the plant as it slides out

An alternative option is placing the pot on a hard surface and pressing sides as you rotate. The plant should slip out easily when you upturn the pot.

 

7. Let your plants breathe

It can hard to resist the urge to place all your plants and shrubs near a fence or a wall, but it’s to understand that plants don't just grow one way. Sometimes they can be completely unpredictable in their growth patterns.

Plan for all possibilities of where and how your new plants can grow. Giving your plants plenty of space is advised. Opening up areas and spacing out appropriately provides the perfect environment for growing your garden. If you place your plants too close to each other, they could interlink, interfere with each other and, in some cases, could fail to grow at all.

 

8. Soak your roots

When plants are incorrectly watered, something can occur at the root of the plant known as ‘dry root balls’.  In order to avoid this when planting a newer plant, make sure to thoroughly soak the root ball and surrounding soil  with water before it goes into the ground. . One great way to do this is to fully saturate the roots in a bucket of water. When air bubbles stop appearing on the surface, this indicates the soil is wet through. Then you will want to place your plant in the prepared hole and soak the soil. Allow the surrounding soil to soak up all the water and repeat if this absorbs quickly. Now you’re ready to fill in the hole with more soil and firm up the ground around.

The hole in your soil needs to be bigger than the root ball. If not, you could damage and kill the plant before it’s entered the ground. The act of soaking your roots accelerates the plant's process in spreading out to find rich nutrients within the soil and maintain the moisture.

 

9. Be mindful when watering

Most plants are designed to live outdoors. They draw moisture from the natural earth without the need for daily artificial irrigation. Droughts and heatwaves are the exception to this rule.

To know whether your plants need watering, look out for the following points::

  • Touch the surface of your soil and check for any irregularities with moisture

  • Poke your fingers into the ground (approximately 2 inches)

  • Feel around to gauge the dryness

If there is little moisture from this method, it’s highly likely that you need to add some additional water.

Container plants are a bit of a grey area when it comes to watering  as there are lots  of them in a finite amount of soil - this means they will need to be watered regularly.

10. Kill the weeds

In short, a weed is any plant growing in your garden where it shouldn’t be. Some weeds can be highly aggressive, such as Wisteria (Japanese and Chinese), whose vines will strangle and damage the plants you have worked so hard to nurture and grow. Don't be fooled by a weeds' pretty exterior, some of the worst weeds will take over your garden quicker than you can say the word 'weed'!

Having a weekly weeding schedule is a good idea to ensure you keep on top of any potential, unwanted growth. Ensure to remove the weed at root. If there are seeds clinging to the weeds, be careful, do not put them in a compost heap as you’ll end up re-seeding the weeds and spreading them around your whole garden.

The best way to identify a weed is by really knowing what's in your garden. You should have an idea (a clear one by now if you have followed our previous steps) of what you have planted and where. If something looks a little out of the ordinary,  or you fail to recognize the plant growing - take a picture and search online. Identifying weeds is usually done by taking note of its characteristics. There are guides available to help you understand how to deal with their safe removal and what damage that particular weed could do to your garden.

11. Label your plants

 

First time gardeners are far from expert botanists. This is a learning process and it’s important you give yourself the best opportunity to improve your planting knowledge.

You will forget what you have planted and where, but don’t panic. This is where labelling your plants will be crucial to keeping your garden in order

You can buy or print labels (a lot of garden centers even provide a free label when you buy their plants) you design your own. Once you have labelled everything, simply pop it into the ground next to the bulbs or seeds.

 

12. Relax and enjoy

Gardening is a hobby and hobbies are meant to be enjoyed.Embrace your new skill, have fun and experiment with different plants and garden design.

You can play around with different shapes, sizes, colors and placements. Don’t be afraid of getting it wrong, you can always move plants to suit your creativity.

Most plants and shrubs can be uprooted and replanted depending on your preference. Smile, relax and play with your new surroundings.

Following these simple steps will ensure you have the best chance of starting an elegant and productive garden at home. Many people started their gardening journey by using these simple steps, and now enjoy the fruits (or vegetables) of their labor season after season. Now you have a plan to on exactly How to Start a Garden for beginners in 12 Steps.

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Gardening, Gardening How to

How to Use a String Trimmer like a Pro

Posted on By Willy Green 3 Comments on How to Use a String Trimmer like a Pro



How to Use a String Trimmer like a Pro

 

Buying the best string trimmer is one thing, but using it properly is something else. A high-quality weed eater / string trimmer will deliver the best performance and professional results only if you can use as instructed by the manufacturer. So, how do you use a string trimmer like a pro? Are there safety precautions to take? This post will provide you with some insights on how to get the job done like a professional.

Get to Know Your String Trimmer

A vital step in using a weed eater is to become familiar with your tool and all of it's functions. Take your time and do your research on the common features of your trimmer, where to find them, and exactly how they function. The reason for this is there are many different types of weed trimmers currently available and while they are similar, their controls will all differ slightly. All these tools use the same mechanism, but will operate differently. The parts or elements to take note of are engine/motor, shaft, line and a line cutter, start switch, handle, harness, guard, and spool.

Safety Precautions When Using Your Trimmer

The trimmer is a rapidly revolving cutting head featuring a hard trimming line trailing from the end. The cutting potential of the trimmer is great and you will appreciate this if you have ever seen someone operate the tool. To prevent unnecessary injuries here are some valuable tips to help you stay safe:

Wear Protective Gear

The trimming line of weed eaters can spin at speeds of up to 3000 revolutions per minute. Imagine what would happen if the line snaps? You need to protect your eyes, ears, hands, legs, feet and the rest of your body by wearing protective gear. Protect your eyes and your face using the right helmet and or goggles. Use sturdy trousers and a pair of tough gloves. And no matter what style of trimmer you use (gas or electric), you absolutely need to wear a set of quality hearing protection.

Mind the Cables / power cords

Most Electric trimmers these days feature cables or cords for power supply. While these trimmers are generally not as powerful as their gas-powered counterparts are, they have enough cutting power to damage cable insulations. With time, the effect can reduce the efficacy of the cables leading to short circuit. Be careful about tripping and slipping hazards. If you don't want to deal with those cables / cords getting in your way, you can consider looking into getting a battery powered trimmer. They have really come a long way in recent years.

Watch Your Surroundings

When using your trimmer, you will need to be mindful of your surroundings. Flying debris such as stone and pebbles may hit and injure bystanders or pets that lurk around. Buildings with glass windows and doors of buildings and cars are at risk and so you need to avoid working close to them. Be aware of cars driving by as well as people and pets.

Care for Liquid Fuels and Fumes

The most powerful string trimmers are those powered by gas. However, these tools use highly flammable fuel and produce exhaust emissions. You need to be extremely cautious because of carbon monoxide. This dangerous mission is invisible and very poisonous. Therefore, you must not use gas powered string trimmers in enclosed rooms with poor ventilation. This is another reason to consider looking into a battery powered trimmer.

Also Read: Top 7 Best Lawn Mower Lifts [Buying Guide]

Using a String Trimmer for Professional Results

How to Use a String Trimmer like a Pro

Once you know your weed eater and understand the important safety precautions to take, it is time go out and apply what you have learned. First, you need to prepare to use your trimmer. You do this by reading your instruction manual very carefully and thoroughly, preparing your garden by removing hazardous debris and stones, wearing your protective gear and starting the trimmer.

Here is how to go about using a string trimmer like a pro:

1. Consider the cutting direction

Have you ever seen a circular saw work? I'm guessing you probably have. Sawdust ejects from one direction. A trimmer ejects or displaces grass and debris from the line and spool. The direction of displacement depends on the spinning direction of the spool. If the spool rotates clockwise, then the debris will eject on the right side and vice versa. This knowledge is important because you need to eject debris from where you are cutting.

2. Where Is The Cutting Power

A string trimmer is designed to use high-speed centrifugal force to perform the cutting process. The faster the spinning speed, the stiffer the line and this leads to greater cutting potential from the trimmer. Many people believe that they can do the cutting just by hovering your trimmer over grass. This is not accurate. The cutting power is focused at the very ends of the trimming line. You must know the sharp point of a cutting tool to use such tool properly.

3. Master the trimmer cutting techniques

A string trimmer is a very versatile tool. It features four basic cutting techniques. If you master these techniques, chances are that you will have professional results. The techniques include edging, screening, scything and tapering. Each of these has its own uses as well as unique aesthetics depending on your desired results. Here is a brief discussion of each of the techniques:

  • Edging: You use this technique where two surfaces are flush. It gives you sharp, clean cut finish. An example where edging would be necessary is the area between your lawn and driveway and areas where your flowerbeds meet your lawn. You achieve this by keeping your trimmer spool flat and parallel to the ground. All you need to do is choose your desired cut height then get into a comfortable working position and then walk into your cut path. The tool easily ejects stones and debris and so you must beware.​

  • Tapering: Tapering is somewhat similar to edging in some ways, but not identical. The technique will help you treat the edge along walls, fence lines, trees, and curbs. Tapering requires that you hold your trimmer in such a way that its string strikes the grass at slight angles.

  • Scything: The word scythe simply means an obstruction. Scything is the technique you will use on longer grass and weeds. It is only possible if you are using a powerful trimmer such as the gas-powered models. The technique allows you to cut around awkwardly placed obstacles. To achieve this, you must take a long stance and bring the trimmer in and out of the cutting area in a shallow “U” shape.

Gardening Tools, Lawn Care, Lawn Care Basics

Why a Garden at Home is Necessary

Posted on By Willy Green 13 Comments on Why a Garden at Home is Necessary



Why a Garden at Home is Necessary

Nature definitely has many solutions to all of the challenges currently facing humanity. And home gardening is one of the ways you can use nature to fight some of those challenges. If you are conscious about reducing your overall carbon footprint, then it is time you seriously consider starting a home garden. You may not fully realize it, but growing vegetables and other plants in a home garden is a great step towards achieving that goal. Conserving energy is an excellent reason to plant a home garden. However, the benefits do not stop there. Here are five additional reasons why a garden at home is necessary.

1. Better health

Better health is probably the most obvious reason why a home garden is a great investment. Let’s face it. Almost everyone needs to eat better these days. We are surrounded by both fast food options and processed food options. Healthy food options are improving, but we definitely have a long way to go. Plants help us to breathe better, eat better, and even drink better, but there are also the health benefits we gain from growing the foods that we consume. And that is not limited to just our physical health. There are mental health benefits that we will get as well. For example, the vitamin D that we will absorb from the sun while we are tending to the garden will directly contribute to feeling better. Health experts and Doctors both recommend that we eat a solid amount of fresh fruits and vegetables consistently. The home garden will help to provide the very best source for these organic foods. Furthermore, garden activities such as watering, trellising, weeding, mulching, pruning and harvesting are some great ways to augment your daily exercise regimen without even realizing it. It will give you a reason to get up off of that couch and go outside everyday for 10-15 minutes, but before you even know it, you will be out there for much longer especially as the growing season gets closer to harvest. As your fruits and vegetables grow, so will your excitement! Then finally your harvest comes and you get to try everything that you have nurtured over the past six month!

2. Lower your grocery bill

Yes, if you haven’t thought about it, a home garden absolutely will lower your grocery bill. A vegetable garden in your backyard is an excellent way to put a positive dent on your monthly grocery bills during the growing season and even later. Consider this fact: a single pound of tomatoes will cost you at least $2 at a grocery store, if not more these days.  A single tomato plant grown in a home garden can deliver up to 10 pounds of tomatoes or more at a very minimal cost. A quick calculation will tell you that you can save up to $100+ a season just on tomatoes if you have five tomato plants. When you think about that, and then include all of the other things that you will be growing, you see how much money you are going to end up saving each season.

3. Teaches your kids about healthy living and nature

In the current world we are living in, where science & technology seems to be taking over our daily lives more and more, having a home garden is going to be one way to teach your children about nature and get them started on a path towards healthy living. Children will be more willing to eat what they see growing out of their gardens. And anything that will get kids more willing to try vegetables has got to be a good thing! They will be excited to watch the seedlings sprout out of the soil and grow into mature fruits and vegetables. They will look forward to the harvest and all that it will bring. They will be genuinely interested to taste these things that that just grew for the last 5-6 months. Then they will look forward to the next spring so they can plant more stuff and do it all again. And the memories that will be made along the way will last a lifetime.

Home gardening is the best way to deal with children suffering from the so-called nature deficit disorder (​​NDD). Nature deficit disorder describes a behavioral disorder that describes a child’s increased alienation and stress resulting from growing up without being able to interact with nature. Your children will have the best opportunity to play in the garden and observe animals and plants. This way, the children will learn important lessons about living things and their personal relationship with the environment.

4. A good way to help conserve bees

Why a Garden at Home is Necessary

If you like the taste of honey, I believe you have a reason to like bees. Well, bees are important not only for making honey, but they also play very important roles as excellent pollinators. The majority of plants depend on bees for pollination and having plenty of them in your garden can guarantee you excellent crops and excellent yields. Our bees suffer from what experts call “colony collapse disorder.” Having a home garden is a perfect way to help save bees from the brink of extinction due to this disorder and thereby help to protect the environment.

5. Personal satisfaction

Who doesn’t find it satisfying to watch plants grow? I’m sure there are a few out there, but I am definitely not one of them. I genuinely enjoy all of the stages of growth. The planning, tilling, planting, tending and watching your crops grow can definitely fill you with highest levels of satisfaction and pride. Doing it repeatedly makes it become part of your daily routine and truly a lifetime hobby. The more you practice home gardening, the better you will become acquainted with the process, and you will eventually just know what to do and what to look for throughout the growing season. You will learn all of the little tricks that will take your skills to the next level. And you will most likely grow better tasting food than anything you could buy at the store. You will now have access to the freshest ingredient’s just steps from your kitchen. And in turn, the food that you cook each day will taste better because it will be better!

FURTHER READING

 

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