Gardening and Outdoor Care Archives

January 23, 2019

To Cut or Not to Cut: Tips for Hiring a Tree Removal Service

If you’re not an arborist or a lumberjack, then you should read this.

We all love our trees, but sometimes they get in our way. Whether it be to clear space for your yard, to keep your kid from falling out of it, or to stop your cranky neighbor from complaining about the leaves in their yard, there are many reasons for tree removal.

Even if you fancy yourself a DIY expert, you may want to think twice about tackling this task. Chopping a tree down sounds pretty easy, right? Just take a chainsaw to the bottom and try to avoid it falling on your house!

Well, not so fast. There’s a reason why tree removal services exist… to keep you from dying!

Tree removal is dangerous and should only be done by a professional. But how do you make sure you’re getting good service?

Here are some tips to consider when hiring a tree removal service.

Tree Tips for Finding a Tree Removal Service

The first thing you should do when looking for a tree service is to obtain estimates from several companies. Depending on the complexity of the job, it could cost a lot and take a lot of time.

If someone promises you they’ll finish significantly faster than the others, be wary. Likewise, if they ask you for money up front, then stay away.

Check the BBB score for any businesses you’re looking into. If they’re an accredited business, you’ll see the BBB seal. Most legitimate companies will also be members of professional arborist associations; the International Society of Arboriculture and the Tree Care Industry Association are two of the bigger organizations.

When obtaining estimates, always make sure you know what you’re getting. Some tree cutting companies will take care of everything for you, down to the last bit of stump. Others may leave you with a bit of work to do. Have them break down where your cost is coming from.

If you’ve found a tree cutter that you trust to do the job properly, the last thing you need to do is ask to see their license and liability insurance. Questionable companies will tell you they have insurance but might be lying to you. You don’t want to be liable for any injuries that may happen on a job like this.

A few of the aforementioned arborist organizations offer certification. The ISOA and TCI both offer certification in arboriculture. Any good tree removal service will have a certified arborist on staff and a certified tree care safety professional on staff.

Once you’ve checked these boxes, you should be all set!

Use Your Common Sense

If a tree removal service makes the effort to look like a legitimate company, then it should be easy to find out about liability, licensing, estimates, and certification.

Look at their website. Search for testimonials and on-the-job pictures to ensure they have the proper equipment. And if you’re in a smaller community, just ask around.

When you’ve found the right company, your tree will be down in no time.

Check out our blog for more pieces on the environment, outdoor activities, and lifestyle advice.

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November 23, 2018

The Best Home Design Ideas for Your Outdoor Living Area

Photo by Vinny Ciro from Pixabay

Creating functional outdoor living areas is one of the major home improvement trends these days. It’s a nice addition to your house, most especially if you love spending time outside or if you frequently host parties.

There are various ways you can utilize your yard. You can use it to create a lounge, dining area or kitchen. You might also want to use it to show off your gardening expertise. If you have a spacious backyard, you can even build a luxurious poolside or a fire pit. If you want to get more details about these ideas, you should read on.

Create a beautiful garden

Photo by Jill111 from Pixabay

For many homeowners, the garden is the most important part of their house. It takes a lot of effort to maintain a garden, but it’s all worth it once you start seeing the blooming flowers. Also, it’s a great conversation starter.

If you don’t have a garden yet, you better start making one now. Gather the gardening equipment you need before you start. This way you don’t have to run around the house or the tool shed just because you forgot the trowel or shovel. Then, choose the plants you want to see in your garden.

When you’re shopping for plants, don’t forget to ask how to propagate them properly. Some plants require a lot of sunlight. While others fair better when they’re grown in shaded and cooler parts of the garden. Once you already have your plants with you, you can start working on the garden plot.

Outline your working area and start digging. Each bed should be elevated to reduce the risk of bug infestation. You will also need to check the soil. Is it good for gardening? Do you see a lot of pebbles? If not, then you need to prepare a garden soil mixture.

After working on the plot, you can start transferring the plants. There should be enough space between each seedling to promote healthy growth. It would take a few weeks to see your garden come to life.

Water the plants every day. Prune and cut them as needed. Also, keep your yard safe for kids, by keeping the fertilizer and gardening tools in your toolbox or shed.

Create a comfy lounge area

Photo by Pitsch from Pixabay

If you love enjoying the outdoor breeze and looking at the lush vegetation around you, you will also love having an outdoor lounge. It’s very easy to set it up. First, consider the type of activities you want to do in the lounge. Do you plan to use it as an extended entertainment area for your guests? Do you only want the space for yourself?

Second, you must measure the area. You need to know the size of the available space you can work with. This way, you can choose the right outdoor furniture. Also, you need to consider the existing design of your house.

Don’t forget your available budget. You don’t need to spend your entire fortune just to have a cozy outdoor lounge. Check yard sales or the flea market. You might find amazing furnishings there. Mix and match the items you buy to achieve the look that you want.

Enjoy dipping in an outdoor bathtub

Photo by Rmac8oppo from Pixabay

Having a hot tub in the house is already awesome. You can easily drown away all your problems and stress in a tub filled with warm water and oil essences. If you want to level up your bathtub experience, consider installing an outdoor hot tub. If possible, install a large one so you can share it with your friends or family members.

Pick a shaded area in your backyard or create a nice gazebo for your tub. If you have money to spare, install wood tiles or build a deck. This will make your hot tub area look elegant and classy.

If you think a hot tub is too small, you can always create a swimming pool instead. Place a couple of plastic or resin chairs and tables for your snacks and personal valuables. You will also need outdoor umbrellas, most especially if you love swimming in the afternoon.

Dine with your family al fresco style

Photo by Jill111 from Pixabay

Nothing beats eating outside and breathing in fresh air at the same time. If you already have an outdoor kitchen, you should consider creating an outdoor dining space too. It can also work even if you don’t have an outdoor cooking area. You can just bring the meals outside once you finish preparing them.

In setting up the dining space, pick sturdy and durable furnishings. Choose chairs that you can comfortably sit in. You might need to add cushions if you buy hardwood chairs so you won’t have a difficult time while you eat your meals. Also, you must add an umbrella, pergola or gazebo so you’re fully shaded from the sun while you eat outside.

Build a fireplace or fire pit

Photo by Free-Photos from Pixabay

If you have an outdoor fireplace or fire pit, you can conveniently spend your day off sitting by the fire and drinking your favorite alcoholic beverage. Both outdoor add-ons can instantly add a unique and romantic vibe to your house. It’s perfect for night activities with your friends or family members.

Contrary to popular belief, it’ not costly to build a fire pit or fireplace. It’s not also hard to make one on your own. You have the option to hire a pro to do it, but if you love getting your hands dirty, try and build a DIY fireplace.

Before you start, you need to check if your city or county imposes specific regulations in using outdoor fireplaces or pits. Some places are super strict with the measurements of a chimney. Take note of the specifications.

Also, you need to consult with your home insurance policy provider. Ask if your insurance policy can cover for any damages caused by your fireplace or fire pit.

Once you have all the paperwork sorted out, you can start with your project. Buy sturdy and heat-resistant materials. Find out what types of materials work best for DIY fireplace or pit. You also need to research the proper specifications and design to avoid catching fire. Alternatively, you can just buy a ready-made fireplace that you can install so you can just concentrate on enjoying a nice and cozy night around the fire.

Are you happy with all the tips above? Which ones are your favorites? What other ideas do you have in mind? Take inspiration from all these design ideas so you can finally create an amazing outdoor space for you and your family.

Author Bio:

Paul Reiss is a home improvement/furniture content creator based in merry old England. By day he works as a content writer for a furniture company, by night he reads and contributes to home improvement blogs. He is fascinated by East Asian art, architecture, and design. If you want to read more of his work, search him up at roohome.com

February 21, 2018February 21, 2018

8 Tips for Growing Lush Marijuana Using Hydroponics

When growing marijuana, the cliché that goes “just an ounce of prevention is worth pounds of cure” is one that may well be overused, however, it remains a good measure. During the setup phase of any hydroponic, grow project, if growers pay enough attention to detail, the chances of having green, and successful crops increases.

Of course, the precise course of action you take all depends on the resources you have, space, and of course, other unique needs of the particular cannabis strain that you wish to grow. Keeping all that aside, know that there are some practices and tasks you should observe when it comes to the hydroponic growing area, such as installing LED Grow Lights to keep your marijuana buds healthy and productive as they mature.

Tips for You to Implement

Start Hydroponics with Sterile Equipment and Tanks

When starting your growing operations, if you can afford new equipment, this step may not be necessary for your project at first, but the truth is eventually, reservoirs, tanks, filters, pipes and other parts of your hydro system will require you to sanitize them. This is important as it helps to prevent the spread and development of pathogens, to be precise root rots. When you start the growing operation, you should keep several bottles of hydrogen peroxide and isopropyl alcohol on hand in order to disinfect your grow equipment regularly.

Start with Pure, pH Neutral Water

In an ideal situation, the water that circulates through the hydroponic system has a pH of about seven (neutral). If this is not the case, an RO (Reverse Osmosis) system will provide and create neutral water. Until you obtain an RO system, you can consider using distilled water.

Install Proper Lighting

Today, numerous types of grow lights are available, with the best ones and the not so good ones in the market. Know that the right Dorm Grow light will help to take your set up to the best level and depends on your grow space, the distance you install the lights, your plants, and the budget you have. Note that HID (High-Intensity Discharge) lights are much better for smaller types of rooms. LED (Light Emitting Diode) light fixtures are suitable for smaller growing areas and they facilitate the growth of cannabis, but they are more costly when compared to CFLs. Regardless of the type of light you choose; make sure that it produces enough light between 400-700 nanometers. As you grow your plants, a relatively inexpensive grow light meter may help you to determine they are doing the right job.

Watch the Grow Space Temperature

In an ideal situation, the water that flows through the system needs to be about 18⁰C (or 65F) to facilitate the nutrient absorption and prevent the chances of algae buildup. However, the air temperature may be warmer. In the grow room, if you are able to achieve 24⁰C (75F), your marijuana plants should be quite content.

Maintain Suitable Levels of Humidity

Based on their development stages, cannabis plants actually do best when the humidity levels vary. When cannabis are in their bud stage (when young), they need about 60-70% of humidity levels. As they develop and move into their blooming phase, they will need 40% of humidity to grow well. A dehumidifier and humidifier will help to achieve the best levels, accordingly.

Understand the pH

The good news is that reading the pH is not a problem since there are so many pH-reading tools now available in the market. Understanding the pH is quite important because if the pH of your water is not really in the right range, your plants will not be able to grow well and eventually, they would even die. For cannabis growing through hydroponics, you should aim for a pH range of about 6.0, but you should allow the range to be between high 5s and low 6s.

Maintain Proper Air Flow/Ventilation

For the best health of plants, keeping the air well circulated is a critical aspect and it aids in keeping a well-distributed temperature. You should mount fans or place them in a way so they can cover most of the unobstructed area. In addition, know that proper ventilation helps to maintain an ideal temperature in the grow space, one that is not too hot and keeps help with the exchange of air.

Find a Consistent Seed Source

The fact is that all the preparation, planning and procuring of the products necessary for the hydroponic project, cannot make cannabis that has poor genetics into a robust and durable strain. Any cannabis plant will only produce the best seeds if the seeds genetically have the power to produce. Attending to its needs and the growing environment ensures that it will come closer to its potential, as soon as possible.

Hydroponics is actually an ideal method to grow cannabis/marijuana. A subset of hydroculture, this is a method of growing plants without any bit of soil, just using nutrient solutions in water solvents. If you are planning to grow your marijuana crops using hydroponics, it is advisable that you follow these tips to get the best, green results.