{"PictureModel":{"ImageUrl":null,"ThumbImageUrl":null,"FullSizeImageUrl":null,"Title":null,"AlternateText":null,"Style":null,"ExtraField":null,"Id":null,"UserFields":[]},"WorkingLanguageId":"617cccc47b40d711a5631fd6","PagingFilteringContext":{"Month":null,"Tag":null,"CategorySeName":null,"SearchKeyword":null,"FirstItem":41,"HasNextPage":true,"HasPreviousPage":true,"LastItem":50,"PageIndex":4,"PageNumber":5,"PageSize":10,"TotalItems":51,"TotalPages":6},"BlogPosts":[{"MetaKeywords":null,"MetaDescription":"Learn how to best prepare your lawnmower or tractor for winter storage. ","MetaTitle":"Winter Lawnmower Storage Tips","SeName":"how-to-get-your-lawn-mower-ready-for-winter","Title":"Getting Your Lawn Mower Ready for Winter","PictureModel":{"ImageUrl":"/assets/images/thumbs/61dd38e4e71dd5843d212482_getting-your-lawn-mower-ready-for-winter_750.jpeg","ThumbImageUrl":null,"FullSizeImageUrl":"/assets/images/thumbs/61dd38e4e71dd5843d212482_getting-your-lawn-mower-ready-for-winter.jpeg","Title":"Show blog post for Getting Your Lawn Mower Ready for Winter","AlternateText":"Picture for blog post Getting Your Lawn Mower Ready for Winter","Style":null,"ExtraField":null,"Id":"61dd38e4e71dd5843d212482","UserFields":[]},"Body":"\r\n

    We get it. You’re not ready for the snow to start (or keep) falling. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get your equipment ready for the cold though. You wouldn’t head outside in winter without putting on your coat and hat, would you? Getting your lawn mower ready for winter is just as important. ( ↑ the above picture is a good example of what not to do…)

    If you live in an area where you won’t be using your lawn mower for months at a time, it’s important to make sure it’s taken care of – before you put it away. The owner’s manual that came with your mower is a great resource if you have any questions about getting your specific lawn mower ready for winter. Here are some general tips to get you started.

    Clean it off:

    Making sure your lawn mower is clean before you put it away will make sure you have a seamless start up when the temperature comes back up above frigid again. Making sure the deck is clear of any debris is super important before you let your mower sit. Wet grass left to sit on the deck can cause rust and corrosion over time. A good spray down with the garden hose will knock any fresh clippings away. If the debris has had a while to sit and harden, you may need to take something like a plastic paint chipper to scrape off the grass buildup.

    Get it ready for next year:

    Save yourself a little bit of time when spring comes by getting your mower ready for use now. Keeping your mower blades sharp is great practice to make sure you’re getting the best performance from your mower. If you notice some large chunks, dings, or general damage on your mower blades it may be time to replace them. If you’re not sure what you need check out our blog on Choosing Mower Blades for some guidance.

    Get your lawn mower ready for winter storage:

    Storing your lawn mower in winter isn’t quite as simple as finding a dry place to park it (even if we wish that were the case). Before you store your mower for winter it’s important to stabilize the fuel in the tank. Fuel that’s left to sit without being stabilized can wreak havoc on your engine. All you have to do though is fill the tank with fuel, and then add a fuel stabilizer. There are great options available at your local auto parts store, or even the big-box stores like Walmart. Check the instructions on the back of the bottle to be sure, but generally using fuel stabilizer is as easy as adding it to the fuel in your tank and running the engine for a few minutes. Quick and painless! The same general process applies to getting your Cyclone Rake ready for winter storage. Check out our aftermarket parts website for our Engine Maintenance Kit that includes fuel stabilizer.

    Getting your lawn mower ready for winter is easy with these tools under your belt. Now you can sit back and relax until spring. Stoke the coals in your fire place, cuddle up under a blanket, and sip on some hot cocoa. Until it’s time to go out and shovel that is…

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    How should you go about recycling a Christmas tree?

    With the new year in full swing and Christmas (sadly) behind us, it’s time to start thinking about what to do with the tree that’s started to wilt in your living room. Now, in the past you’ve probably just thrown your tree in the trash with the stale popcorn wreaths and tinsel. But consider the alternative. While recycling a Christmas tree may seem daunting, here are just a few ideas on what to do with your tree now that Santa has gone back to the North Pole.

    See if any of your local furry friends need a snack.

    Give a local farm or petting zoo a call and ask about donating your tree. Animals like goats love to snack on your left-over holiday cheer. Besides being just a fun treat for the animals, your left-over Christmas tree is a great source of vitamins and nutrients.

    \"\"Use it as a fire starter.

    Your old Christmas tree is a great source of kindling if you have an outdoor fire pit. Or, if your pit is large enough, throw the whole thing on the fire and listen to the needles pop. The liquid in the needles rapidly heats up causing them to expand with an audible pop. It’s a great way to entertain the kids, especially if you bring some marshmallows to roast over the fire.

    Keep in mind it’s very important to only use your Christmas tree for outside fire pits. Burning them in an indoor fireplace or wood stove can cause the build up of a chemical called creosote, which can result in a chimney fire. Before burning outside it’s always a good idea to check with your local forest and fire agencies to make sure there aren’t any burn bans in effect in your area.

    Start a compost bin.

    Pine needles and branches take a long time to decompose, which makes them great as a base for a compost pile. If your compost pile is outdoors a base layer of Christmas tree branches and needles can add a great layer of insulation to help keep it warm in the colder months.

    \"\"Recycle it!

    Most areas have curbside pickup for your Christmas tree. All you have to do is kick it to the curb and they’ll come take it away. If you don’t have curbside pickup, there are drop off locations you can bring your tree to. Not only will they take it off your hands, but they’ll make it into mulch to reuse.

    Get a little crafty.

    If you’re looking for a creative way to recycle a Christmas tree, the internet is a wealth of ideas. Cut the trunk of your tree into slices with a circular saw and the possibilities are endless. Make some rustic coasters, paint a wooden snowman, you name it and you can make it.

    Whether you decide to feed your local goats, make some fun decorations, or start a composting pile, you’re sure to put your Christmas tree to good use. When you’re recycling a Christmas tree, the cheer doesn’t need to end with the holiday season!

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    Not Sure About Winter Lawn Care?

    We know the basic ins and outs of lawn care when the weather is warm: mow your lawn, gather your leaves, keep the gunk out of your gutters. Generally pretty simple, right? But what about winter lawn care? Do you ever wonder what happens to your lawn and grass when the snow starts to fall? Or if you live in a warmer climate, what happens during the colder months of the year?

    The first thing to keep in mind is that just because your grass’ color has been leaning more towards a brown lately, rather than it’s normal vibrant green, doesn’t mean it’s dead. There’s still hope! The brownish tone to your grass just means that it’s starting to do what we all like to do in the winter: hibernate. Or more accurately, it’s going dormant. It’s not getting as much sun, nutrients, and water as it does in the warmer months. Your grass needs to conserve what little water and nutrients it does have to survive the winter. Your grass will bounce right back to the green you know and love once it gets the nutrients and water it needs.

    How to Help Your Grass Spring Back (…pun intended) When it Thaws?

    Most of your winter lawn care preparation should actually happen before winter. Before it frosts, you’ll want to give your grass one final cut. It’s important not to cut the grass too short, or leave it too long. Cutting the grass too short can expose the crown – which is where the blades meet the root. It’s also equally important to be sure not to leave the grass too long which can lead to the grass smothering itself. When the temperature drops below 40° F the rate grass grows slows down considerably, so it’s important to get the right length before the temperature drops.

    Before it snows or frosts, you’ll also want to be sure to remove any remaining leaves, branches, or other debris you may have left over from the fall. When leaves become wet and heavy they can suffocate, or invite harmful diseases to your grass. If you’re interested in a quick and easy way to remove the leaves from your property, with a product that has over 20 years’ experience, check out the different Cyclone Rake models.



    What if You Don’t Have Snow?

    If you live in a place where your lawn is being buried under snow every winter, you probably aren’t thinking too much about lawn care during those months. But if you live in a warmer climate where your grass is still going into this dormant state, but isn’t buried under snow, here are some quick tips on how to care for it.

    \"\"

    With these tips and tricks you’ll be able to give your lawn a fighting chance this winter. Stay warm out there as the days get colder and the snow gets deeper!

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    \"\"

    1. Aerate

    You might want to aerate your lawn before it gets cold outside so that you do not have so much hard ground to plant. You will get much better results in the fall because the ground has been rained on so many times. The aeration only takes an hour or two, and you are much more ready for the cold season.

    1. Clear Debris

    You must clear debris from your lawn that could get in the way when the grass tries to grow again. People who leave debris out have it compacted into the soil over the winter with rain or snow. You want your lawn to be clean so that the grass and seeds can stay in the right place and not get covered up or washed away.

    1. Trim The Hedges

    Your hedges will still grow in the fall or winter because they are getting some kind of nutrition during that time of year. You should use this time to cut down the hedges as much as you can. The hedges can begin to grow again in the spring when they are cut down so low because they are trying to grow out of the long branches that were left behind.

    1. Trim Tree Branches

    Trim tree branches that you have around the lawn, and remember that you can use the this clear space to get more light in the lawn. You will be much more comfortable in the lawn because you will not have branches falling on you. You can keep leaves out of the house, and you might find that the lawn is much safer. The trees will not lean so much in the heavy wind of the winter, and they do not leave extra debris on the house.

    1. Rake The Whole Area

    You must rake the whole area because you want all the straw and spores to be removed from the area so that they do not grow if you get a sudden warm snap or prolonged period of rain. You must have a clean lawn that will simply grow in the spring. You must be certain that you have used the rake allow over the lawn, cleaned the area completely, and thrown out all the different things that you find in the pile.

    1. Pull Up Weeds

    You must pull up all the weeds in the yard because those weeds will cause problems in the spring when they are still there. It is smart for you to clear the lawn completely, and you will feel as though you have a lawn that has nothing in it. That means that you can start seeding and fertilizing the lawn over the course of the spring.

    1. Conclusion

    The lawn care that you do will prepare you for the spring by making your lawn clear and clean. You can do anything in the spring when the lawn has been prepared, and you must be certain that you have taken all these steps before expecting to have grass grow in the middle of the spring with normal watering and/or cutting.

    Author Bio : Sarah works for Yourgreenpal and she loves to write about lawn care and garden.

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    Taking good care of your yard involves keeping your grass well-trimmed and maintained. In fact, in some communities failure to keep your lawn mowed can result in healthy fines. But there is actually far more to mowing your lawn than just keeping it looking neat and tidy. How you mow your lawn can actually have a direct effect on the health of your lawn. Here are 5 great lawn mowing tips that will help you have a thick, lush green carpet of grass all summer long.

    1. Don’t cut it too short

    While it can be tempting to want to cut grass as short as possible (sometimes called scalping) thinking this will lead to not having to mow it as often, you might want to rethink this strategy. Not only does this make your lawn more vulnerable to diseases, but it also offers a prime invitation for weeds to move in and take residence. Scalping your lawn exposes the soil and exposed soil allows weed seeds to burrow in and take root. In addition, a sparse lawn also allows critical sunlight to reach the weed seedlings to give them a turbo charged boost. If you don’t want a large patch of weeds in your front yard, then resist the urge to cut your grass to short. Last but not least, cutting your grass too short keeps strong root systems from developing. During the heat of the day or when you forget to water, roots can reach deep into the soil to wick up moisture. The closer to the surface roots are, the less access they have to critical moisture.

    1. Mow your lawn when its dry

    While mowing your lawn when it is wet doesn’t do any damage to the lawn, wet grass can fill up and clog a mower deck. As you mow, wet grass can also tend to fall over and clump, which leads to an uneven cut. In addition, any wet clumps that fall off the mower need to be removed or they essentially create a mulch covering that can keep the lawn under it from getting much needed sunlight. While mowing wet gras is fine, make sure that the soil underneath it is not soggy, however, or you risk creating permanent ruts in your lawn with the lawnmower.

    1. Mow when it is cloudy or cooler

    Remember that grass is actually a plant and cutting it places stress on the plant. When you cut grass in the heat of the day, it loses more water, which causes it to recover much more slowly than if you cut it when it is cloudy, cool or in shade. The cooler it is when you cut your grass, the less water it loses and the more quickly it rebounds.

    1. Change up your mowing pattern

    While some lawns are easiest to mow in the same pattern or direction each time, this isn’t actually best for your lawn. When you mow in the same pattern or direction each time, you risk creating ruts in your lawn. In addition, mowing in the same direction each time compacts the soil. Not only do weeds thrive in compacted soil, but compacted soil also further encourages the formation of ruts.

    1. Grasscycle

    Leaving your clippings behind when you mow is not only better for your grass, it also saves you time and money. Grass clippings can actually provide up to 25% of your fertilizer needs, so you save on that as well as on bags and collection fees. There’s no need to buy a special mower either. You can buy a mulching blade which cuts the blades of grass finer, allowing them to decompose more quickly.

    Summer lawn care is an important part of keeping your home neat, tidy and well maintained. Not only can taking good care of your lawn help keep your property values high, it can help maintain good relations with the neighbors as well.

    Author Bio : Sarah works for YourGreenpal and she loves gardening and Lawn care.

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    Water-wise landscaping is designing outdoor spaces to minimize irrigation needs while also creating an aesthetically pleasing landscape. Also known as xeriscaping, this eco-friendly practice offers benefits including reducing the environmental impact of human landscapes, lowering water bills for homeowners, and improving the aesthetic appeal of homes, businesses, and public spaces.

    Xeriscaping got its start in drought-stricken areas where lawns are impractical. Maintaining turfgrass in hot, dry heat requires massive amounts of water, driving up bills for homeowners and threatening the regional water supply. In response, communities turned to xeriscape to conserve water without sacrificing the beauty of the natural environment. However, the same principles can be applied in any climate — and it doesn’t have to mean giving up your lawn. You can create a beautiful, water-wise landscape by following just a few rules:

    1. Know Your Needs

    How do you intend to use your landscape? If you’re an older couple, perhaps you’re looking for a well-designed landscape where you can get your gloves dirty in the garden and enjoy a cup of coffee on the patio. But if you’re a family with kids, you may want open spaces and a patio with clear lines of sight. Your needs will influence the overall design of your home landscape.

    1. Work with Your Landscape

    Designing a landscape that doesn’t suit your land and climate is setting yourself up for an uphill battle. Make use of natural features like slopes and low points to minimize irrigation needs by clustering plantings around naturally wet zones. Consider the way man-made structures impact water flow as well; you may be able to redirect runoff from a downspout or patio toward garden beds.

    1. Rethink the Lawn

    Not everyone needs or wants a large expanse of lawn. And even if you do, there’s a good chance you’re not using all of the space. Most people keep activities to one area of lawn, while areas along homes, fences, driveways, and patios receive little to no foot traffic. If you want to reduce your landscape’s water impact without giving up the lawn completely, these marginal areas are a perfect place to start.

    1. Don’t Waste Water

    Overwatering your lawn and landscape isn’t just wasteful, it’s also bad for plant health. According to the Missouri Botanical Garden, overwatering causes roots to decay and makes plants more susceptible to fungal disease. However, that’s not the only way to waste water outdoors.

    How you irrigate matters. Sprinklers are less efficient than drip irrigation because they water everything in their reach, including weeds. Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the planting area and nowhere else. Using sprinklers also increases water loss due to evaporation, although this can be avoided with early morning or late evening waterings.

    Drip irrigation can be hidden by burying it under mulch. This is not only more attractive, but mulch also helps retain moisture to further reduce irrigation needs. It’s also important to improve soil over time; healthy, rich soils hold water better than poor soils.

    1. Go Native

    Finally, choose plants that thrive with natural rainfall. Consider both the amount of rain and when it falls. Rainfall that’s dispersed throughout the growing season is easier to work with than rainfall that’s concentrated in one season.

    The simplest way to choose water-wise plants is by purchasing native plants. Since native plants are adapted to your specific region, they’ll grow with minimal fuss. Regardless of where your plants are from, be sure to hydrozone them. As eXtension explains, hydrozoning is grouping plants together based on water needs. Set irrigation controls accordingly, so low-water plants are watering less frequently than high-water plants.

    Water-wise landscaping is great for the environment and it’s also a great way to stand out in a sea of lawns. However, creating a gorgeous xeriscape isn’t just a matter of putting plants in the ground. If fine-tuning an irrigation system and constructing hardscapes is out of your DIY wheelhouse, let the pros step in to ensure your landscape lives up to your vision.

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    As the winter season finally subsides, you should prepare your garden for new growth. Spring is the perfect time for new plants due to the temperature becoming warm once again. To ensure that there won’t be any hurdles to optimal growth, check out our guide on how to get your garden ready for planting this spring.

    \"cleaning

    Tidying Up

    It isn’t just the winter season that can wreak havoc on your lawn — debris can pile up as early as fall. There will certainly be a lot of fallen leaves, twigs, branches, and other natural debris, so get your rake and remove them all. This is always the first step in preparing for a spring planting. By keeping your garden beds and rows free from debris, you reduce the chances of accidentally stepping on seedlings.

    Pruning

    Both shrubs and trees should be pruned. In particular, flowering plants that will bloom in summer should be pruned early in spring. These shrubs include beautyberry, smooth hydrangea, butterfly bush, crape myrtle, and vitex. Don’t worry about accidentally removing any of the buds that developed last year — the impending blooms will rely on woods that will form this spring.

    As for spring flowers including lilac, viburnum, azalea, and rhododendron, it would be best to prune them once they have bloomed. For the other trees and shrubs, you should check if they have been damaged back in winter. Some branches might have been broken or were damaged by storms. The cold winter could have also led to some of your evergreens suffering from tip diebacks. Thus, you should remove these tips immediately.

    See if any of your perennial flowers such as veronicas, Russian sages, blanket flowers, and asters have any dead and discolored foliage. Remove these leaves to encourage new leaf growth. Likewise, you should cut away any overgrown parts that come in contact with other plants. This helps your plants to grow without any obstructions. Of course, pruning and shaping also improve their visual appeal apart from keeping them healthy.

    Here is a video of pruning perennials:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pirdi5Klnc

    \"\"

    Clean Your Gardening Tools

    It’s essential that your cutting tools are sharp. Any dull blades won’t lead to clean cuts and they can expose the foliage to diseases. Sharpen these blades or consider replacing them altogether. Moreover, any dirt on the tools must be rinsed away using soapy water. Apply any paint thinner or mineral turpentine on the wooden parts to limit the risk of having splinters.

    Conduct Repairs

    The structures that will support both mature and new plants should be kept stable. The board used for a raised garden bed could be unbalanced after winter. This is due to the wooden stakes becoming rotten in the cold and wet soil. Repairing the planter is as easy as replacing the rotten stakes and realigning the planter after digging up the soil around it. Consider using screws or nails to firmly attach the stakes to the board.

    Prepare the Garden Soil

    Good soil ensures that the root systems of your new plants will be firmly established. First, get a rake to turn your garden soil over. Remove any pesky weeds that you see using the same tool, or you can pull them with your bare hands. Ensure that the roots are also pulled up to prevent further growth. Removing weeds in the summer is more difficult since the soil will likely be dry and compacted.

    Afterward, improve the organic content in the soil with an application of well-rotted manure or compost. Do this some several weeks before your spring planting to prevent the compost or manure from damaging the developing roots. On a similar note, using fertilizer can be tricky in spring, but you can do it properly with proper timing. Wait for the ground to be completed thawed. This means that no snow and ice have remained in the soil. Use a granular fertilizer for your garden beds.

    In conclusion, preparing your garden for spring planting involves several activities. For one, you should keep the area clean through raking. Similarly, pruning trees and shrubs alike will provide enough space for new plants to grow and receive sunlight. Lastly, prepare your garden soil by removing weeds and making it fertile. We hope that our guide helped you out. Feel free to send us a comment if you have any queries.

    Image Sources:

    https://pixabay.com/en/rake-rob-raking-foliage-autumn-2876079/

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/pleuntje/5809787537/

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    Spring is here which means that it’s time to see beautiful flowers popping up across the landscape. Unfortunately, it also means allergies are going to be kicking into full gear. More than 50 million people across the nation are affected by seasonal allergies with pollen inflicting a majority of those. But don’t worry, just because you have allergies, doesn’t mean you can’t have a great looking garden. There are many low-pollen plants available which will make your space look fantastic.

    One rule of thumb (though not always the case) is that those plants which aren’t as showy can be some of the worst pollen producers. As they don’t have the colors to attract insects for pollination, they must rely on the wind to carry their pollen.

    \"\"

    Hydrangeas are a favorite among gardeners everywhere for their beauty, and their hardiness. The good news for allergy sufferers is that they have sticky pollen which means that it isn’t going to go flowing about your yard. They also have the added benefit of being able to rebloom throughout the spring and summer which adds a great look to your garden. Another advantage? They are really resilient to most pests and diseases.

    While they do carry pollen, roses are an allergy-sufferers friend. This mainstay flower’s pollen is generally too heavy to be taken by the wind and generally do not become airborne. Roses come in hundreds of varieties and are always great attention grabbers.

    \"tulips\"

    You know its spring when you see tulips sprouting. These extremely bright flowers also have a low pollen count, and flowers with large bulbs such as theirs will attract bees, making the need for flowing pollen less likely. This perennial flower is generally a favorite of gardeners everywhere.
    Azaleas are easy to care for and can be grown in almost any garden and also rely almost solely on bees for pollination. The azalea shrub has beautiful blooms which can last several weeks. A similar plant, the Rhododendron, which is generally found in the Appalachian region of North America, is also an attractive bushy plant which can also bring some brightness to your garden. You can find pretty much any landscape situation for these two.

    \"begonia\"

    Begonias have been around for ages and rightly so. They can really spice up a garden, as they can produce stunning foliage and can be grown to fit pretty much any space. The begonia comes in a variety of colors, with leaves ranging from dark green to red, and are generally easy to care for.
    The lily is another suitable choice for those with allergies, as they contain no pollen. These flowers are well known for their large and showy flowers and are also extremely fragrant and easy to grow, requiring minimal care.

    \"geramium\"

    A longtime favorite of gardeners is the geranium. This hardy plant comes in a range of colors including bright blue, pink or magenta flowers and is another low-pollen plant which will have your garden looking fantastic.
    So see? Don’t avoid the outdoors this spring. Embrace it!

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    You’ve got your seeds, your garden journal and your tools ready. Now it’s time to plant! In spring, you want to make sure you are getting all of your vegetables in the ground at the right time in order to maximize your yields.

    \"Garden

    Most plants won’t be able to grow in temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, so you might want to start some of your seeds, such as lettuce and leafy greens, indoors. Generally, you can begin sowing these seeds indoors about six weeks before you transplant them to your outdoor garden. When you do plant these started seedlings outside, it’s a good idea to keep them about a foot apart to make room for growth.

    If you aren’t planning on starting seeds indoors, there are some great seed choices that can be sown straight into the ground at this time of the year too. Don’t worry if the final frost of spring hasn’t occurred yet. As soon as the soil in your area can be tilled up, you can generally begin your planting – specifically onions, spinach, and peas, which like a little bit of cold to get them going. You can generally get those seeds into the ground starting in early March.

    If you are using raised beds, the ground is warmer, and your planting can begin sooner than if you are putting them straight in the ground.  A good test to tell if the soil is workable is to make a ball of soil in your hand and poke it with a finger.  If it crumbles, it is ready. If the soil is too moist, the ball stays together leaving only an indention from your finger. You don’t want this because working the soil when it is too wet will ruin the structure of the dirt and cause compaction for any plantings.

    \"vegtable

    So, what are some good seeds to get in the ground starting in March? Now is when you would probably want to start your veggies such as lettuce, beets, carrots, radishes, celery, and potatoes. If you are looking to get a head start on April, think about starting seeds indoors for vegetables such as cabbage, kale, cauliflower and broccoli and when April finally rolls around, you can get these plants set in the ground. April is also time to set your seeds for corn, eggplant, gourds, mustard, okra, and pumpkins. In the waning stages of spring, you can break out your seeds for beans and kale and as Memorial Day grows closer, think about getting out your warm-season veggies like melons, cucumbers, and squash.

    Make sure to keep your garden watered and weeded. If your seedlings are properly cared for, you will certainly enjoy the rewards of gardening come harvest time!

    \r\n \r\n","BodyOverview":"You’ve got your seeds, your garden journal and your tools ready. Now it’s time to plant! In spring, you want to make sure you are getting all of your vegetables in the ground at the right time in order to…","AllowComments":false,"NumberOfComments":0,"CreatedOn":"2018-03-10T19:00:00","Tags":[],"Comments":[],"AddNewComment":{"CommentText":null,"DisplayCaptcha":false,"Captcha":{"ReCaptchaChallengeField":null,"ReCaptchaResponseField":null,"ReCaptchaResponseValue":null,"ReCaptchaResponse":null},"Id":null,"UserFields":[]},"Id":"61dd4c1ce71dd5843d2156ec","UserFields":[]},{"MetaKeywords":null,"MetaDescription":"Keep track of your garden's performance with a well-managed journal. ","MetaTitle":"Keeping A Garden Journal","SeName":"keeping-garden-journal","Title":"8 Tips for Keeping The Perfect Garden Journal","PictureModel":{"ImageUrl":null,"ThumbImageUrl":null,"FullSizeImageUrl":null,"Title":null,"AlternateText":null,"Style":null,"ExtraField":null,"Id":null,"UserFields":[]},"Body":"\"\"

    Gardeners have many questions when growing their produce. One of the more popular is “wait, what did I plant where?” This time-honored query is one of the many reasons why a gardener should keep a good garden journal. Maintaining a journal can go a long way toward making you a more efficient grower. And, if you’ve created one in the past, late winter is the perfect time to look back at previous seasons to make any needed changes for the upcoming season.

    Keeping a garden journal is a great way to maximize your efficiency and enjoyment while minimizing your mistakes. Here are some good tips for your journal:

    \"gardening

    1. Know why you’re keeping the journal. A good garden journal should include not only what and where crops were planted, but also the date you watered them, types of fertilizer (if any) were applied and what pests you might find. If you treated for pests the previous year, also make note of what worked and what didn’t. Have you used crop rotations in the past? Look at your journals to see what has turned out to be the most prolific combinations.

    \"gardening

    2. There are plenty of journal types. Some are old-fashioned notebooks, some are more professional and include items such as graphing paper to map out vegetable placement and expense sheets, while some gardeners use various tablets and apps. Experiment with all kinds and then use what works best for you!

    \"garden

    3. Thinking about something new for the upcoming year? List them along with their bloom times and any specific care they might need. It’s best to get this research out of the way before spring so you’re not trying to make seed purchases on the fly or are late planting and/or starting seeds.

    \"garden

    4. For the financially conscious, make a record of your expenses. This is especially important if you plan on selling your vegetables or plants.

    \"garden

    5. Keep track of any pests and diseases that have affected your plants in the past. Were your treatments effective? Did your solutions work the next year too or were they unsuccessful? Journaling will help you determine what solutions will protect your garden in the coming years.

    \"garden

    6. A great long-term project is to keep track of milestones, such as weather, frost dates and when you completed the first tilling. Looking back at patterns over a period of years will give you a great perspective of what the future could entail.

    \"\"

    7. Keep a fertilizing schedule. Did you use the best fertilizer you could have? Did you apply it at the right time?

    \"\"

    8. Gardening can be a lot of fun. Make note of some of the enjoyable moments you’ve had. When something goes wrong (and inevitably, it will), these moments are great to look back upon before tossing your gardening gloves and calling it quits.

    Whether you are a professional gardener, or just someone who likes to get out and enjoy the soil with your family, keeping a journal is always a great idea. What you record is entirely up to you, but a yearly journal will not only help you maximize your proficiency but make gardening a better experience overall.

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