Thursday, March 29, 2012

Santol

Latin Name: Sandorium koetjape

Other Names: Sentul, kechapi, lolly fruit

Type: Tree

Native to: Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia

Fruit: The round 2" fruits have a tough brown skin. There are 5 segments inside of white pulp.

Size: The santol tree grows anywhere from 50-150' tall.

Hardiness: Zone 10-11

Propagation: Seeds, air-layering

Uses:

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Pro Lawn Care Tips You Can Do Yourself


Achieving a lawn that looks like you hired a pro lawn care specialist to care for is easier than you think. Some of the pro lawn care ideas are simply common sense but people often overlook them when caring for their lawn. Simple things like ensuring that your mower blade is sharpened can make a huge difference in the quality of your lawn.

Dull mower blades can tear and shred grass instead of making a clean cut. When grass is torn or shredded, it leaves the grass open to disease and can stress the grass. When you ensure that your mower blade is sharp you increase the chance that your lawn will remain healthy and disease-resistant.

Raise the level of your mowing blade. Unless you are running a golf course in your yard there is no reason to have your lawn extremely short. One fact that many people do not know is that when you cut your lawn extremely short you are forcing the grass to grow faster. The green grass blades are the source of the food the grass takes in and stores from the sun. Pro lawn care specialists know that if you leave the grass longer it will grow more slowly. This also reduces the amount of times you need to mow your lawn throughout the summer months.

Another pro lawn care tip is to use a mulching mower when you mow your lawn. The grass cuttings that are returned to the soil can replace at least half of the nitrogen your lawn needs to stay green and healthy. If you add an overdressing of compost in the spring you can completely remove the need for fertilizers for your lawn.

Many pro lawn care companies have found that corn gluten is an effective natural weed prevention compound. When applied in the spring it can prevent the growth of most of the weeds that plague lawns. However, corn gluten is not recommended for new lawns. If you are starting a new lawn you may want to try a product like WOW! ® Supreme? Pre-Emergent Weed Control and Lawn Fertilizer. This all natural weed killer is targeted at weeds before they grow and become a problem in your lawn.

Pro lawn care services know that watering can be an issue with many lawns. Most lawns require between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain per week. Many people forget to factor in the amount of rain fall their area has received during the week. Over-watering your lawn can be more damaging than under-watering it. If you do need to water your lawn throughout the summer months, be sure to do a longer soaking once a week rather than several days of light watering. Light watering encourages shallow root growth in your lawn. One deep-soaking watering encourages grass to develop a deeper root system, which then requires less watering.

As you can see, many of the pro lawn care tips are common sense once you get to know the reasons behind them.




For more pro lawn care tips, visit my website.

There, you'll find tips and tricks for getting the greenest, fullest lawn possible. You'll also find business packages, tools and equipment for all your lawn care needs, whether you are a homeowner, property manager, or full-time lawn care professional. Find solutions for all your lawn care issues and needs at http://www.worldoflawncare.com




Sunday, March 25, 2012

Lawn Care Advice Offering Great Solutions


Be it a residential area or a commercial district, a striking lawn can spell the difference in terms of aesthetic value. It's a great thing that you can now avail of lawn care advice from professionals or gardening enthusiasts to help you with setting up your lawn and maintaining it.

Establishments that market gardening products, supplies, and accessories now also offer lawn care advice to their customers. Seedling or garden centers supply plant seeds and guarantee the outcome of your dream lawn. However, once you embark on your lawn project, you may encounter some rough sailing in the course of its maintenance. This is where lawn care advice can be of great help in offering great solutions to your worries.

Gardening specialists provide lawn care advice to existing and prospective clients at no extra cost. A common lawn care advice solicited would be what grass species will thrive in a particular locality. Having had previous experience with other customers, these experts in lawn care advice can very well take care of your needs to create that fine-looking garden and preserve its lush greenery.

Amateur and Professional Gardeners Benefit A Lot from Lawn Care Advice

An attractive lawn does not happen overnight. It takes utmost care coupled with particular skills to maintain one.

Your familiarity with the environment is another aspect to consider. For instance, you come across a very eye-catching lawn. Naturally, you would conclude that the owner is a gardening wizard and therefore a reliable source of lawn care advice. Given a particular type of soil and weather situation in the locality, this person would be able to specifically point out the plus factors needed to achieve the perfect lawn and those that do not.

He would also be equipped with the latest technology and expertise in lawn care that you can adopt in cultivating your very own dream lawn. This is a realistic example of lawn care advice put to action.

You can also refer to newspapers and other publications for lawn care advice. Your town or city might even have local subscriptions on the same subject matter with writers who are local expert gardeners themselves and hence authorities in giving sound lawn care advice.

Their articles would include insights and highlights of their own experiences with their beautiful gardens. A lawn care advice segment may be provided by them. Such publications would also have a directory of the best garden centers in town that offer all the lawn products and supplies you can imagine.

Hence, it is highly recommended that you subscribe to these newspapers or magazines which regularly come out. Definitely, lawn care advice and information that you will find here are fresh and up-to-date.




You can also find more info on Garden Lawn Care [http://www.lawncare-help.com/Garden_Lawn_Care/] and Lawn Care Contractor [http://www.lawncare-help.com/Lawn_Care_Contractor/]. Lawncare-help.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Lawn Care.




Salak

Latin Name: Salacca zalacca, Salacca edulis

Other Names: Snake fruit

Type: Palm tree

Native to: Java and Sumatra

Fruit: The salak is a 2" fruit with brown scaly skin, earning it the name "snake fruit" The skin peels away easily to reveal white lobed flesh. The seed is inedible.

Size: The salak palm tree grows 12-20' tall.

Hardiness: Zone 10b-11

Propagation: Seeds

Uses: The salak can be eaten fresh or preserved.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Marang

Latin Name: Artocarpus odoratissimus

Other Names: Tarap, Johey oak

Type: Tree

Native to: Borneo, Phillipines

Fruit: The marang is yellow-brown, 6-8" long and covered with spines that harden as it ripens. The flesh inside is white. The fruit, as the Latin name suggests, smells pleasant.

The marang is related to the ,breadfruit and jackfruit. It is distantly related to the fig tree.

Size: The marang tree grows about 80' tall.

Hardiness: Zones 10-11

Propagation: Seeds

Uses: The marang is eaten fresh. The seeds can be boiled or roasted.

The Practice Of Organic Lawn Care


As more and more attention is given to the environment and the steps we can take to protect it, homeowners strong in numbers continue to do their fair share. The recycling of glass, paper, aluminum, and plastic continues to be on the rise in homes across the country; and now, families are even turning to ways to make their homes "green" - using solar power, natural fibers, energy saving light bulbs, and water reducing faucets. There has even been attention given to the upkeep of the suburban lawn, as homeowners make an effort to practice only organic lawn care.

Organic lawn care is any practice that nurtures a lawn within the guidelines of that which is good for the environment. In essence, this means the elimination of chemical weed killers and pesticides. Practicing organic lawn care simply means the avoidance of any chemical product that can in any way harm the environment - including animal life.

Instead, those interested in organic lawn care can use organic fertilizer - found in most home and garden stores - mixed with compost for an environmentally friendly lawn; use mulch in landscaped areas; and use only herbal pest repellants when necessary.

When mowing your lawn, organic lawn care stipulates the leaving of grass clippings directly on the lawn where they can break into compost and regenerate the soil. You may even want to think about limiting the size of your lawn, thus conserving a tremendous amount of water.

When choosing plants for landscaping, choose those plants indigenous to your area, thus reducing the amount of water and fertilizer they will need.

A visit to your local home and garden store will yield an enormous amount of information about organic lawn care, including what products are acceptable to use and what alternatives there are to rid your lawn of weeds, rodents, and other undesirables that won't compromise the environment.

Or, you can find quite a bit of reading material at your local library or bookstore that offers tips on maintaining a green home including the implementation of organic lawn care. The Internet can also be a comprehensive resource on organic lawn care and the steps you can take to keep your property within environmental guidelines.




For easy to understand, in depth information about organic lawn care visit our ezGuide 2 Organic Food.




Saturday, March 17, 2012

Get Your Lawn In Proper Shape With These Lawn Care Tips


It has been said that winter is the most difficult part of the year. Many of your properties need what you call weatherizing or preparation for the winter season.

For your car, this would mean checking the battery for cranking power to be able to switch on the ignition, ensuring there is enough antifreeze, and replacing your motor oil. It is usually very difficult to start a car during winter. The engine needs some warming up before you can make it move forward.

Your home may also require weatherizing. This would consist of tasks such as sweeping the chimney, placing the storm windows in order, and installing the heater. The roof of your home should also have some kind of insulation to keep the cold temperature out. Your lawn should also be prepared for the coming cold weather by undergoing some kind of weatherizing procedure.

There are lawn care tips to adopt for your lawn for the forthcoming cold season. This would involve scraping the leaves and eliminating the weeds. It would help if you have an idea on how your lawn would react to extremely cold weather to be able to apply some lawn care tips.

Lawn Care Tips to Counter Winter Effects

During winter, the lawn does not actually expire. It is just in its dormant or inactive state and this will last until the cold season is over. It is therefore of importance that you understand the underlying circumstances so that you may apply lawn care tips to maintain the well-being of your lawn during this time.

Scraping of Leaves

The scraping of leaves during winter is one important lawn care tip. You should make sure that there are no barriers between the grass and the sun. This is to enable maximum sunlight absorption by the grass. Obstacles other than the leaves will also restrict sunlight and nutrient absorption of the grass.

Raking of the leaves will also stimulate the movement of the soil to be able to create that flourishing yard come springtime. Leaves left in the lawn encourage mold growth when the lawn is covered with snow.

Weed Management

Another lawn care tip during winter is to eliminate weeds by applying weed product treatments. Weeds still thrive during the cold season, unlike grass. When this lawn care tip is heeded, the presence of weeds will be diminished when winter bids goodbye and spring is ushered in.




You can also find more info on Lawn Care and Garden Lawn Care [http://www.lawncare-help.com/Garden_Lawn_Care/]. Lawncare-help.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Lawn Care.




Tree and Shrub Differences

As you look at the trees and shrubs around you, you may begin to wonder about the differences between the two. When is a plant a tree or shrub? At what size is it a shrub? A tree?

First, trees and shrubs are plants that have woody growth. Many people, for example, think that banana trees are trees, but in fact they are not; they are considered to be the world's largest herb. Only plants with woody parts are trees and shrubs.

Once you know that it has woody growth, you can determine whether it is a tree or a shrub. The generally acknowledged definition of a tree, according to USU, is a "woody plant having one erect perennial stem (trunk) at least three inches in diameter at a point 4-1/2 feet above the ground, a definitely formed crown of foliage, and a mature height of at least 13 feet."

Shrubs, therefore, are the opposite : a "woody plant with several perennial stems that may be erect or may lay close to the ground. It will usually have a height less than 13 feet and stems no more than about three inches in diameter."

These definitions serve as good starting points for distinguishing between trees and shrubs. However, as with everything in life, there are exceptions. Some trees, such as river birch and Japanese maple may have multiple trunks. Some shrubs can be shaped into a small tree by training one trunk. However, as long as you follow the general definitions, you should be able to decide whether the plant is a tree or a shrub.


Source: What is a Tree?

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Natural Lawn Care Basic Steps


Natural lawn care is one of the best option you can take: it reduces time spending on maintenance and money invested on chemicals.

Natural Lawn Care Basic Steps

First reduce a dependence on chemical fertilizers. Name all the inconveniences is useless, most of us know the dangers and side effects of chemicals fertilizers. So it is better to go naturally to develop a healthy and beautiful lawn, then know how to fertilize and when,generally you should fertilize two times a year and the best moments are according to your zone climates variations. Fall and early spring are the favorite seasons.

Start by improving your lawn soil. An improve on your lawn soil will deliver greener grass, thicker and lasting:First step is to test your soil ph.Your lawn soil ph should be between 6.5 and 7.0,this means that your lawn soil is considered as being a slightly acidic soil, if your soil is too much acidic or not acidic enough, then you must apply a treatment to this problem.There are many natural solutions to it so don't worry about that and find the right for your lawn soil.

Clay, if it happens that you find your lawn soil has a high level of clay, you must know that this may end up compacting your lawn soil, preventing necessary air and nutrient flow freely throughout it.Compacted soil requires aeration , let us tell you that is the name of the is a process of lifting small plugs of turf removing them to let the soil turns more flexible and permeable, an option is that you can rent a aerator or even hire professionals who can do the work without failures if you feel not able or comfortable to perform the work rightly as it should be,maybe you don't want to do the work by yourself, so simply get in contact with someone who can offer you this service.

Watering, When we talk about watering, we talk about a highly important factor. Water can benefit or spoil your lawn grass. Too much water flood on the surface of your lawn grass and end up killing the plants. Lack of water produces poor, weak grass and dry soil, which no favors growth of grass or any plant.

Don't water after rainfall.and remember the best hours to water are between midnight and 8 in the morning, you can set sprinkles, if you have them, to water your lawn at those hours, if this lawn grass are turning yellow or brown is because lacking of water, the remedy is very simple: watering with plenty of water, and more often if it is summer and it's hot and never watering during noon or nap hours because you can spoil the grass.

Proper Natural Lawn Care Techniques

One of the most efficient techniques to care your garden naturally is use the water in a proper and rational way:

The proper use of water is very important not only to your lawn but to the environment , you can treat right the grass seed your are planting without spoiling a precious resource, try to think that you lawn can collaborate to make a better world and restore to the nature all what it takes.

If you are taking into consideration these natural lawn care steps, you will be able to develop and maintain a beautiful and long lasting lawn that you will be proud of showing to your friends and family.




Andrew Caxton is the editor of http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com - A website with tips on cutting grass and type of grass.




Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Pineapple

Latin Name: Ananas comosus

Other Names: Pineapple, Ananas, Nanas, Pina

Type: Bromeliad

Native to: Brazil and Paraguay

Fruit: The pineapples, up to 12" long, are what is called a multiple or compound fruit. It is made up of many smaller fruits that have fused together. Make sure the pineapple is ripe before eating - it is poisonous when immature.

Size: The pineapple plant is 2-5' tall.

Hardiness: Zones 9-11. Can be a houseplant in other Zones.

Propagation: Suckers. You can also cut off the top of the pineapple and plant it.

Uses: The fruit is used fresh or in a variety of foods. The pineapple plant and fruit contains bromelain, which can be used as a meat tenderizer. The bromelain is also an anti-inflammatory; eat fresh pineapple before dental work or surgeries to reduce swelling.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Developing A Lawn Care Business


Without planning meticulously, you just cannot start any business, especially a lawn business. A number of factors have to be looked into, in detail before making necessary investments. Having a proper understanding about the services expected of you and products to be offered, trends of the lawn care industry, types of campaigns for advertisement, modes for raising finances, efficient staff, etc. are the many aspects you need to keep in mind before starting a lawn business. Just like any other business this one too needs a lot of consideration and planning. Significant amount of investment will be involved and hence you need to keep all the impacting factors in mind.

Without adequate finance it is extremely difficult to start the business. A number of fixtures, equipment for lawn care, vehicles, etc are needed. Depending upon the type and quality of equipment, you need to set a budget and make sound investments in quality and durability. Operating costs are mandatory, especially in the first few months of initiating a lawn business. Additional funds will be required for skilled workers to be hired. In case you intend buying a franchise then this too would add to the initial investment along with training, marketing and various other expenses.

Purchasing the right kind of equipment is very essential while starting a business in lawn care. Without long-lasting and sturdy equipment it is virtually impossible to conduct lawn care activities. Some of the tools most necessary for a lawn care job are shredders, chippers, hedge trimmers, chain saws, lawn mowers, lawn blowers, string trimmers that are cordless, lawn tractors, compact tractors, utility vehicles, etc. Besides these, there is a variety of add-on equipment you need to choose from. Depending on the size and needs of your business, lawn care equipment should accordingly be purchased.

Referring to a few guides is a good idea when you intend starting a lawn care business. You are able to conduct the business only when there is a demand for it, so identify the right neighborhoods and access regions. Due to hectic lifestyles people are not able to look after the open spaces around the home well. Availing franchise for maintaining lawns is a good idea. Besides lawns, even golf courses need regular maintenance services, which you could also consider a part of your package deal. Tapping on the right kind of potential, necessary finance, expertise, equipment as well as skills can take you a long way in this business. Obtaining a valid license, promoting your business, advertising your services etc. is a great way to establish your logo and business mission statement.




Starting a Lawn Care Business can be mind boggling but can be beneficial in the end. Getting started is the toughest part and as long as you get the right help, success is just around the corner. Make sure you take the proper steps when getting your lawn Care Business started. For more information you can visit www.barronslawnservice.com




Friday, March 9, 2012

Longan

Latin Name: Dimocarpus longana, Euphoria longana

Other Names: Dragon's eye

Type: Tree

Native to: China

Fruit: The 1" longan fruits have a thin, leathery skin that is very easily removed. Inside, white pulp surrounds a single black seed.

The longan is related to the ackee, lychee and rambutan.

Size: The longan tree can grow to 40' tall.

Hardiness: Zones 9-11

Propagation: Seeds, air-layering

Uses: The longan fruit is usually eaten fresh, and is also used in many desserts and drinks.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Lawn Care - Aerating Your Customers' Lawns


In your lawn mowing business, you're sure to have customers who don't have the thick, luxurious lawns that they desire.  Of course, they'll have all kinds of ideas about watering, fertilizers - even down to the height that you're cutting the grass!  However, the problem may be far simpler - it may just need aerating.

There are a few tell-tale signs that are a clear indicator that aeration is necessary:


Water pooling on the lawn after heavy rain
Bare spots where seed simply won't take
Problem pests getting a foothold
Visible tracks in the lawn
Increasing numbers of weeds in spite of how much weed killer you use
However, the easiest way to get a good indicator is to poke the soil with a stick!  If it's difficult to penetrate, then you should aerate.

Often, this simple process is enough to overcome the compact earth and give your customers' lawn a new lease of life.  Bear in mind though, that if you customer has clay soil or lives in a very dry area, then you'll probably have to aerate more often.

The process of aerating a lawn effectively allows the grass roots to get more nourishment, as well as making it easier for earthworms to move around.  You'll make it harder for weeds to take hold by breaking through their roots and you'll promote the growth of healthy micro-organisms that naturally defend the lawn.  Ultimately, you'll have fewer problems to deal with as part of your lawn care business and your customer will have a healthier looking lawn!

It's important to aerate when the weather's fine.  If it's too hot, the soil will be too hard for the aerator to penetrate.  If it's too wet on the other hand, you'll just make a mess and potentially end up compacting the soil further.  Ideally, you want a weather window where it will be fine for at least a week after your treatment to maximize the long-term benefits.

For your clients in hot, dry climates, you're may need to aerate in the spring already, if the winter was dry.  You'll also have to follow-up in summer and fall to keep the lawn healthy throughout the year.  In cooler areas, stick to aerating in fall as the cooler climate tends to make the lawns eco-system too fragile to tackle in summer.  I always recommend carrying your "stick" with you at all times so that at any time you can quickly check how much the earth has compacted.

If you need to cover bare patches or to fill out sparse lawns, it's great to overseed straight after aerating.  You've already prepared the soil in the best way possible for it to receive the seeds, so do it as soon as you've removed the pulled plugs.  This is also a great time to water as the water can get nice and deep and revitalize the lawn. 

In terms of equipment, you can get aerator attachments for many mowers today.  If you don't have one already, consider renting one so that you can get the feel of the different types and find one that suits both your style of working and your customers' lawns.  Once you've got your ideal aerator attached, simply mow the lawn in the same way as normal, then rake it to remove the plugs.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: a lawn mowing business isn't just about cutting grass - it should be about complete lawn care.  Aerating your customers' lawns will produce hardier, fuller lawns and will purvey you as an expert in your field.  Invest in a good aerator and promote yourself as a lawn care business!




Learn how you too could make a bank managers salary running your own lawn care business at Lawn Mowing Business Tips.




Tuesday, March 6, 2012

New York State Flower - Rose

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Keep Your Lawn Health With These Lawn Care Tips


There is more to keeping your lawn looking great than you may know. No doubt you want a beautiful and healthy lawn, but do you know how to keep it looking that way? Here are some lawn care tips to help you make sure your lawn looks green and luscious.

Tip #1 - Aerate the Lawn - In the fall or the spring, you need to aerate the lawn. This helps to keep soil from compacting and improves soil quality as well. When you do this, it allows the grass to more easily get the nutrients and water that it needs.

Tip #2 - Fertlize - When the lawn is growing, you should fertilize the lawn. Go with a fertilizer that slowly releases nitrogen into the soil for the best results.

Tip #3 - Mow Appropriately - Keep the lawn mowed to about 3 inches in height. Don't cut it any closer then this. As the grass grows fast, make sure you mow on a regular basis to keep it at this height.

Tip #4 - Kill Weeds - Weeds can choke out beautiful grass. Purchase products that will keep the weeds from growing and something that will kill off any weeds you have. Especially make sure you never allow the weeds to seed.

Tip #5 - Keep Grubs Away - Grubs can kill your lawn. Test the lawn from time to time. This can be done by lifting up a foot of your grass and then seeing how many insects you have. If you have more than 5 in a square foot of lawn, you may need to treat with some type of grub treatment.

These are a few easy tips that you can use on your own lawn. They are simple to use and can keep your lawn looking beautiful all season long.




Myloer is a hobby writer who usually updates his blogs every day and writes about all kinds of topics. His latest project is about organic lawn fertilizer and you can also read his articles about lawn rolling by following the links.




Thursday, March 1, 2012

World's Largest Seed

Answer:

The world's largest seed comes from the Coco de Mer (Lodoicea maldivica). Other common names used are Seychelles Island Palm, coco fesse, Maldive coconut, sea coconut, and double coconut. It originates from the islands of Praslin and Curieuse in the Seychelles Islands.

According to Bluepeace, "a single seed may be 12 inches long, nearly three feet in circumference and weigh 20kg". The Coco de Mer is a drupe.

Because it has the largest seed embryo, a tropical tree (Mora oleifera) found in South American tidal marshlands and estuaries is another possibility for the world's largest seed. Palomar College says that "seeds of M. oleifera may be up to 7 inches (18 cm) long and up to 5 inches (8 cm) wide."