A GARDENING expert has an Amazon item that could tell you if your garden needs more water or not.
A rain gauge is a cheap but essential instrument that can make gardening a little easier.
The meteorological instrument is used to calculate the amount of rain that falls in a particular amount of time per unit area, per Science Direct.
The essential product goes for about $9 on Amazon.
It will also take some of the stress out of watering your plants this summer, which is critical when the heat is at its peak.
Gardening experts recommend while you're taking care of your lawn and trying out new tricks, try to keep a log of everything you plant each year and how they performed – that way you'll remember for next year.
Read our Gardening Tips live blog for the latest news and updates...
- Amanda Castro
When should basil be pruned?
Trim your basil once it has grown to a height of at least six inches.
There is no specific period to trim basil; it is done when the plant has grown to the point where it can be pruned.
Rather than following a timetable, like with other herbs and year-round vegetables, this is about observing and reacting to what your plant need.
- Amanda Castro
Cost of a 2022 garden makeover
The cost of a garden makeover varies greatly, but it may rapidly add up depending on how much area you have and what you want to do with it.
First and foremost, determine your budget and ensure that you stick to it.
Costs will also vary based on the type of garden you choose.
Even a little yard renovation may cost approximately £5,000, according to experts.
- Amanda Castro
Can my fence be taller than my neighbor’s?
Because of the slopes in the ground, the height of the fence is measured from your ground level.
When you reside in a house with a garden fence on either side, it might be difficult to figure out who owns which fence and who is responsible for its upkeep.
Many people assume that if you stand with the home behind you, the fence to your right is the one for which you are accountable and own. This isn’t correct; if the fence’s post is on your land, the fence is also yours.
You should also evaluate if a fence borders on a public walkway since some types of fences, such as barbed wire fences, are prohibited because they represent a risk to individuals walking by.
- Amanda Castro
How high can a garden fence be?
A garden fence can be as high as 100 meters, contrary to popular belief, however, any fence greater than 2 meters requires planning clearance.
Any fence that is less than 2 meters in height does not require planning clearance.
However, there are a few snags to be aware of.
If you’re considering front garden fences, keep in mind that fences along a driveway can only be 1m or 3ft tall.
If you want to build a trellis on a 2m fence, you’ll need to seek permission from the city.
However, if any plant you grow on that trellis grows to a height of more than 2 meters, you do not need to get a permit for the growing plant.
- Amanda Castro
Why do dogs eat garden plants?
Dogs may eat your garden plants for a variety of reasons, similar to why they enjoy eating grass.
The following are some of the reasons why your dog eats plants:
- They like the flavor
- Deficiency in nutrients/Pica
- Nausea
- Gas/discomfort in the abdomen
- Boredom/Curiosity
How to know if a plant is poisonous to dogs?
Unless they are experts, most individuals are unlikely to know if a plant is dangerous or not to their dog.
Keep an eye on your dog to determine whether he or she is eating plants on a regular basis.
Also keep an eye out for any indications of sickness.
Poisoning symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and loss of consciousness.
Which plants should I watch my dog around?
While there are many plants that can be harmful to dogs, The Kennel Club has compiled a list of the most prevalent.
It’s better to consult a plant specialist if you’re not sure if a plant is harmful to your dog.
- Aconitum
- Amaryllis bulbs
- Asparagus fern
- Azalea
- Bluebells
- Cyclamen
- Daffodil bulbs
- Day lilies
- Delphiniums
- Dog’s Mercury (Mercurialis perennis)
- Foxgloves
- Hemlock
- Hyacinth
- Hydrangea
For a complete list, the Sun explains which plants to worry about around your furry friends.
Dollar Tree hack revealed
Whether you’re protecting your plants from pests or looking to make an incredible terrarium, Dollar Tree’s plastic cloche domes will get the job done.
In outdoor gardens, cloches are used to cover plants while offering protection from things like harsh weather, and pests.
They can also be used to create a warmer climate that will nurture germinating seeds and young plants in colder weather.
Easiest herbs to grow revealed
Boston chef Jason Jernigan has his own rooftop garden, where he grows multiple herbs and vegetables.
He named the two easiest herbs for first-time gardeners to grow.
“The first thing I started growing was basil. It’s just such a versatile herb, and it is easy to grow,” he told local ABC affiliate WCVB.
Another easy herb for fire-time growers, according to Jernigan, is mint.
“Mint is one of the things that you can definitely start off with. It is very hearty.
“It is forgiving, so if you forget to water it, just like anything else, it is going to let you know. It smells great.”
- Amanda Castro
Blue grass means no recovery
Silver or blue-colored grass is the worst news for a gardener.
Sean said: “When turf turns a silvery blue, it is dead. At this stage, there is no recovery.”
- Amanda Castro
Rust disease turns grass orange
Orange is an alarming color for your grass and means that a fungus is loose in your lawn.
Expert Sean Lade explained: “Orange is not a natural color found in grass. This is a sign that your grass is suffering from rust disease.
“The orange color comes from the fungi spores on the leaves. This comes about in wet and warm conditions and when the grass has not been cared for properly.
“This can kill the leaves of your turf, but in general, will not kill the entire turf plant.
“To control this, invest in some lawn fertilizer, mow your turf properly, maintain good drainage, and water your turf properly to the guidelines above.”
- Amanda Castro
Take action on a red or brown lawn
A lawn with a brown or red tinge is not in great shape and Sean explained that this means you need to take action straight away.
The expert said: “This is a sign the grass is stressed and you should take action as soon as possible.
“A brown color is usually a sign that the grass is dormant, a natural protection mechanism for grass to withstand weather changes.
“Grass is very tolerant and can recover from stress with just a bit of care and a regular watering regimen.”
- Amanda Castro
Yellow means your grass needs water
If your lawn is yellow it probably means it’s been too hot and needs some more water.
Gardening expert Sean Lade said: “Your lawn is deficient of chlorophyll and could do with a little care.
“This is to be expected in hot and dry conditions. Now would be the perfect time to give your lawn a good soaking to get it looking its best.”
- Amanda Castro
Green grass is a green light
Different colors of grass have different meanings, and it’s pretty obvious that green grass is the best sign of a healthy lawn.
Not only a good sign on traffic lights, green means all systems go in the garden too – as it means you’re doing a great job.
Gardening expert Sean Lade said: “The darker the green, the healthier your lawn is.
“You shouldn’t expect your grass to be a dark green 24/7, but this is a sign that your lawn is very happy and healthy.”
- Amanda Castro
Prevent blossom end rot with the right soil
According to Walliser, it’s necessary to ensure the plant is absorbing sufficient levels of water, which in turn helps allow the plant to get enough calcium.
“The calcium is there; your plants just aren’t getting it,” she said.
“Blossom end rot is especially common in container-grown tomatoes or during years of inconsistent rainfall.”
If you water your plants consistently and have high-quality soil, you’ll help avoid the rotting problems.
- Amanda Castro
Blossom end rot is a disorder
According to the gardening expert, blossom end rot is not a disease or something that is caused by insects – this type of rotting is actually a disorder with the plant itself.
“It is a physiological disorder thought to be caused by stress combined with a lack of calcium in the developing fruit,” expert Jessica Walliser wrote in the blog post.
As she explains, if the plant is low on calcium, which is needed in high amounts as it grows, then the fruit breaks down.
A few issues that can contribute to the lack of calcium include not having enough calcium in the soil itself, but typically it has to do with soil that isn’t retaining steady moisture levels.
- Amanda Castro
Blossom end rot explained
Blossom end rot is a problem that can foil your plans of eating vegetables straight from your garden.
This type of rot has a “distinctive appearance” and while speaking with the website Savvy Gardening, expert Jessica Walliser described it as “blackened, sunken cankers appear on the bottom (blossom end) of the fruits.”
Often the tops of the vegetables will look as if they are totally fine, only to have the rotting flesh on their underside.
“They are always on the blossom end of the fruits, never on the top,” the expert warned.
- Amanda Castro
Aerating your lawn can be fun
If you have $20 to spare, you can purchase a pair of aerator shoes that make it easy to poke holes in your lawn.
Aeration allows water, air, and nutrients to reach the grass roots in your lawn, making for healthier grass.
Slip your feet into a pair of aerator shoes and go for a walk around the lawn to get some cardio in and improve your grass’s condition.
- Amanda Castro
Give your lawn a quick fix
Gardening experts say that you can use a rake to dethatch the surface of your lawn.
Dragging the rake across your grass will loosen a layer of dead grass from under the new growth – that dried-up grass is known as thatch.
“The goal is to remove a thick layer of built-up, dead plant material, and allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the soil again,” said Blythe Yost, co-founder and CEO of landscape design company Tilly.
“It’s one of the best ways to stimulate lawn growth quickly and naturally.”
- Amanda Castro
Light levels explained
Each light level is determined based on the hours of sun or shade the area receives.
Below are the number of sunlight hours each light level receives, according to Almanac:
- Full sun – six to eight or more hours of direct sunlight
- Partial sun – three to six hours of direct sunlight
- Partial shade – three hours of direct sunlight
- Light shade – bright sun filtered through leaves
- Full shade – less than three hours of direct sunlight
- Deep shade – no sunlight
Light levels revealed
When growing a garden, it is important to keep in mind the light requirements for each plant.
The gardening website, Almanac laid out the common terms for light levels:
- Full sun
- Partial sun
- Partial shade
- Light shade
- Full shade
- Deep shade
- Amanda Castro
Best places in the US to garden year-round
States including California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, and other southern areas are known to support year-round gardening.
This is because these climates do not experience cold winters.
Hunker described that in these areas, the first crop is usually planted in January, and the second in late August.
The outlet added that warm-season crops can be grown from April to early winter.
- Amanda Castro
Best places in the US to grow tropical fruit
Fruits like mangoes and pineapples grow best in warm climates with considerable rainfall.
Hawaii and Florida are the best locations in the US for these fruits.
While some midwestern states are warm enough, they do not receive enough rain to grow tropical plants, according to Hunker.
- Amanda Castro
Best places in the US to grow vegetables
The top five states for vegetable production are California, Idaho, Washington, Wisconsin, and Florida, Hunker also reported.
According to USDA Economic Research Service, California produces 60 percent of US fresh vegetables.
Idaho and Wisconsin produce the most potatoes, the outlet reported.
- Amanda Castro
Best places in the US to grow fruits
If you are looking to grow fruits such as oranges, apples, lemons, avocados, peaches, and grapes, California is the best state to do so.
The state ranks highest in the production of many fruits, Hunker reported.
Florida is ranked second for orange production, and New York is second for apple and grapes.
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