Trees are an essential component of any great urban landscape. They not only add a touch of beauty to a property but also help urban dwellers by providing cleaner air, cool down buildings and their surroundings, and providing a natural carbon sink. Trees can affect both the micro and the microclimates of an urban area, making them an integral part of any city’s transformational plan. If you want to transform your urban property into an enduring beauty, it’s time to start planting the best trees.
However, while trees will work great for your landscape, they have to endure a harsh environment that can cause lasting damage. Trees have to withstand car accidents and vandalism, increasing microclimate temperatures, paved surroundings, exposure to de-icing salt, wind, and the reflecting glare from buildings. This is where tree grates come in handy.
If you have an urban area or property you would like to landscape, this article explores the role of tree grating, types of grates, and how to expand these installations.
Introducing Tree Grating in Urban Landscaping
A tree grate is a ubiquitous feature in most cities but most people don’t give these landscaping features a lot of thought. This is despite the fact these installations play a critical role in protecting trees from abrasion caused by bustling urban life.
The landscaping installation protects roots that would otherwise become exposed and vulnerable to damage. The grating provides an ideal pit where roots can thrive without any dangers from pedestrians, exposure to glare, de-icing salt, and other harmful materials.
Tree grilles create a greater surface area for natural or supplemental irrigation. These root coverings also facilitate better air circulation within the covered space. Tree grating protects the soil, the rooting system, and sometimes the trunk.
If trees are left to grow without this physical protection, they might not withstand the harsh urban environment. While most people enjoy the beautiful landscaping, they don’t make any efforts to protect these trees.
Other reasons to install tree gratings include:
Enhanced aesthetics: You can choose a tree grate that increases the visual appeal of your landscape. Most of the products on the market are visually appealing and are designed to improve curb appeal. These installations are easy to customize to suit your landscaping needs.
Improving safety: Grates also protect pedestrians against injuries that would be caused by exposed roots.
Landscaping maintenance: Maintaining a green landscape is not easy due to litter build-up from trees. However, grates help by preventing weed build-up around the tree and also make it easier to maintain the area around the trees.
Diverse styling options: You can choose grates in multiple sizes, shapes, materials, and designs. This makes it easier to find that perfect grating system that suits your landscape.
Flexibility: The best grates for your trees should accommodate the tree’s growth. Expanding the tree grates is an important step in maintaining your green landscape. This gives room to your trees to thrive at their different stages of growth.
You can choose grates for your trees from different materials including cast iron tree grates, natural stone, steel, recycled plastic, concrete tree grates, and other materials.
When choosing any tree grilles, consider:
The durability of the material
Theft and vandal-resistance
ADA (Americans with disabilities act) compliance
Ease of customization
Eco-friendly materials
Ease of installation and expansion
The versatility of the tree grills for different tree species.
Steps to Expand a Tree Grate
When designing and installing a tree grate, it’s important to appreciate that the tree will continue growing. This necessitates changes to the tree grille to accommodate such growth.
If a tree grate is not expandable, it might cause more harm than good to the tree. For this reason, always assess how expandable any tree grille is before you buy it.
The best tree grills are easy to expand by removing the inner center rings. This means you can continue expanding the grates as the tree continues to grow. When shopping for a grate, look for one designed for expansion.
Here are the steps for expanding a tree grate:
Check the rate of the tree’s growth and identify the grate rings you should cut.
Depending on the material, use a portable hard wheel grinder with an abrasive wheel (aluminum oxide) to cut off the marked rings.
Cut through with the wheel on thin areas of the grate casting
For thicker areas of the grating, (including casting edges or areas with heavy support ribs) cut halfway through the casting with the grinder.
Use a heavy hammer to remove the marked areas and they should break at the core line. Before applying the sharp blow, ensure there’s sufficient support behind the casting.
Continue the process for all the grates and leave enough room for the tree trunk to grow.
Final Thoughts
Using trees for landscaping has both functional and aesthetical purposes. Tree grates are crucial for green landscaping as they protect your trees against physical damage. These installations fuse aesthetics with function to add visual appeal to an area while also protecting tree roots, managing floodwater and maintaining beautiful, neat and safe sidewalks. With time, you should expand these grates to allow more room for tree trunks’ growth.
Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.
If you are a gardener like me, you must have thought about harvesting greens that you eat at restaurants at your house. One of these days, I was with my friends from my university, and we were discussing the importance of eating veggies for staying healthy. And they could not figure out the best ways to effectively do so. Reading my previous blog about cilantro, Laila asked me, “how to grow and harvest asparagus?”
Well, surely asparagus is one of the most delicious and nutritious vegetables you can grow in your garden. But what a lot of people do not know is that it's also one of the easiest once you know how to harvest asparagus properly.
In this article, I will cover everything you need to know about harvesting asparagus, from when to start, how to cut, and how often to do it. Additionally, I will also share some tips on how to store and freeze asparagus, as well as the benefits of eating this green wonder.
So, keep on reading till the end to learn more...
How Does Asparagus Grow?
Before I dive into the seemingly difficult process of how to harvest asparagus, let me help you grow it.
Asparagus is a perennial plant that grows from a crown of roots that can live for up to 20 years. The crown produces spears, which are the edible part of the plant, every spring.
The spears grow rapidly, sometimes up to an inch per day, and can reach a height of 6 to 10 inches. The spears are harvested before they open into fern-like leaves, which are edible and tough.
Asparagus grows best in well-drained, sandy soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. It prefers full sun and moderate temperatures and needs regular watering and fertilizing.
Asparagus can be grown from seeds or crowns, but crowns are easier and faster to establish. Crowns are planted in trenches about 12 to 18 inches apart and covered with 2 to 3 inches of soil. As the spears emerge, more soil is added until the trench is filled
Benefits of Asparagus
https://giphy.com/gifs/food-asparagus-taylor-lee-nicholson-pejh5q5BBXxi2m4PgF
Asparagus is not only tasty, but also healthy. It's low in calories and high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants just like spinach. It can help lower blood pressure, regulate blood sugar, support digestion, and prevent urinary tract infections.
Asparagus also contains a compound called asparagine, which is a natural diuretic that helps flush out excess fluids and salts from the body. Asparagus is also a good source of folate, which is essential for pregnant women and fetal development
When to Harvest Asparagus?
The first year after planting, you should not harvest any asparagus spears, as they need to grow and strengthen the root system.
The second year, you can harvest a few spears for a short period, about two to three weeks.
The third year and beyond, you can harvest asparagus for a longer period, up to eight weeks, depending on the climate and the health of the plants.
The best time to harvest asparagus is in the early morning when the spears are crisp and tender. You should harvest asparagus when the spears are about 6 to 10 inches tall, and before the tips start to open up. If you wait too long, the spears will become woody and bitter.
How to Plant and Care for Asparagus?
Asparagus is a long-term investment that can reward you with years of delicious harvests. However, it requires some planning and preparation before planting.
Here are some steps to follow to plant and care for asparagus:
Choose the Day
Choose a sunny and well-drained spot in your garden, preferably with sandy or loamy soil. Avoid areas where water tends to pool or where weeds are hard to control. Asparagus also needs plenty of space, so make sure you have at least 4 to 5 feet between rows and 12 to 18 inches between plants.
Prepare the Soil
Prepare the soil by adding organic matter, such as compost or manure, and adjusting the pH to 6.5 to 7.5. You can use a soil test kit to check the pH and nutrient levels of your soil. You may also need to add some fertilizer, such as 10-10-10 or 10-20-10, to boost the phosphorus and potassium content.
Dig it Deep
Dig a trench about 8 to 12 inches deep and 12 to 18 inches wide. You can make the trench longer or shorter depending on how many asparagus crowns you have. Asparagus crowns are the dormant roots of the plant that you can buy from nurseries or online. They usually have one-year-old or two-year-old crowns, which are more reliable and productive than seeds.
Fertilize
Spread some fertilizer along the bottom of the trench, about 2 pounds per 100 square feet. Then, cover the fertilizer with 2 to 3 inches of soil, forming a ridge in the center of the trench.
Placing the Plant
Place the asparagus crowns on top of the ridge, about 12 to 18 inches apart, with the buds facing up. The crowns should be slightly below the soil surface, about 1 to 2 inches deep. Do not bury them too deep, as this will delay the emergence of the spears.
Focus on the Crown
Cover the crowns with another 2 to 3 inches of soil, and water well. As the spears grow, gradually fill in the trench with more soil, until it is level with the ground. This will help protect the crowns from frost and weeds.
Add Mulch
Mulch the bed with straw, leaves, or wood chips, to conserve moisture and prevent weeds. You can also add some organic fertilizer, such as fish emulsion or seaweed extract, every few weeks during the growing season, to encourage healthy growth.
Keep in Mind
Do not harvest any asparagus spears in the first year, as they need to establish a strong root system. In the second year, you can harvest a few spears for a short period, about two to three weeks. In the third year and beyond, you can harvest asparagus for a longer period, up to eight weeks, depending on the climate and the health of the plants.
How to Harvest Asparagus?
Now, coming to the most important part that you wanted to know about. Let us talk about the ways to harvest asparagus!
To harvest asparagus, you need a sharp knife or a pair of scissors. You should cut the spears at the base, about an inch below the soil surface.
Be careful not to damage the crown or the emerging spears. You should also avoid cutting too many spears from one plant, as this will weaken the plant and reduce the yield. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least one-third of the spears on each plant.
You should harvest asparagus every day or every other day, depending on how fast the spears grow. You should stop harvesting asparagus when the spears become thinner than a pencil, as this indicates that the plant is running out of energy.
You should then let the spears grow into ferns, which will replenish the crown and prepare it for the next season.
How to Store and Freeze Asparagus?
Unlike lettuce, which you can store for more than a week, asparagus is best eaten fresh, as it loses its flavor and texture quickly. If you can't eat it right away, you should store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
To keep it fresh, you should trim the ends of the spears and stand them upright in a glass of water or wrap them in a damp paper towel and put them in a plastic bag.
If you want to preserve asparagus for longer, you can freeze it. To freeze asparagus, you should first wash and trim the spears, and then blanch them in boiling water for two to three minutes, depending on the thickness.
Blanching is a process of briefly cooking and cooling the vegetables to stop the enzyme activity that causes them to spoil.
After blanching, you should drain and cool the spears, and then pack them in freezer bags or containers, leaving some space for expansion. You can freeze asparagus for up to a year, and use it in soups, casseroles, or stir-fries.
How to Prevent and Treat Asparagus Pests and Diseases?
Asparagus is generally a hardy and resilient plant, but it can still suffer from some pests and diseases that can affect its growth and quality.
Here are some of the most common problems that affect asparagus plants, and how to prevent or treat them:
Asparagus beetles
These are small, black or red beetles that feed on the spears and the ferns, causing them to wilt and turn brown. They can also lay eggs on the spears, which hatch into larvae that chew on the stems and leaves.
To prevent asparagus beetles, you should keep the area around the plants clean and weed-free, and remove any old or damaged spears. To treat asparagus beetles, you can hand-pick them and their eggs, or spray them with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Fusarium wilt
This is a fungal disease that infects the roots and the crowns of the plants, causing them to rot and die. It can also cause the spears to become yellow, twisted, and stunted. Fusarium wilt is more likely to occur in poorly drained, acidic, or infested soil.
To prevent fusarium wilt, you should plant disease-resistant varieties, rotate crops, and avoid overwatering or injuring the plants. To treat fusarium wilt, you should remove and destroy any infected plants, and apply fungicides to the soil.
Rust
This is another fungal disease that affects the ferns, causing them to develop orange or brown spots and pustules. Rust can reduce the vigor and yield of the plants, and make them more susceptible to other diseases. Rust is more likely to occur in humid, wet, or shady conditions.
To prevent rust, you should plant resistant varieties, space the plants well, and prune any excess or infected ferns. To treat rust, you should apply fungicides to the ferns, and avoid watering them from above.
Crown rot
This is a bacterial disease that causes the crowns and the bases of the spears to become soft, mushy, and foul-smelling. Crown rot can spread quickly and kill the plants. Crown rot is more likely to occur in wet, compacted, or poorly drained soil.
To prevent crown rot, you should plant healthy crowns, improve the drainage and aeration of the soil, and avoid overwatering or injuring the plants. To treat crown rot, you should remove and destroy any infected plants, and disinfect the tools and the soil.
Bonus: How to Cook and Enjoy Asparagus?
There are many ways to cook and enjoy asparagus, from steaming, boiling, roasting, grilling, to sautéing. The key is not to overcook it, as it will become mushy and lose its flavor.
You should cook asparagus until it is bright green and crisp-tender, which usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the method and the thickness of the spears.
You can season asparagus with salt, pepper, butter, lemon juice, garlic, herbs, cheese, or any other condiments you like. You can also pair asparagus with eggs, bacon, ham, chicken, fish, pasta, rice, or salad. Asparagus is a versatile and delicious vegetable that can complement any meal.
Wrapping It Up!
Asparagus is a wonderful vegetable that you can grow and harvest in your own garden. It's easy to care for, once you know how to harvest asparagus properly.
You should harvest asparagus when the spears are about 6 to 10 inches tall and before the tips start to open up. You should cut the spears at the base and leave some on the plant to grow into ferns. It would be best to store asparagus in the refrigerator for later use.
And yes, you should also enjoy the many benefits and flavors of asparagus, by cooking it in various ways and pairing it with different dishes. Asparagus is a springtime delight that you don't want to miss.
Learn More About:
Planting & Harvesting Mint
7 Health Benefits of Black Seed Oil
Spirulina: The Complete Plant Based Protein Source | Health Benefits
Tiles look pretty appealing to visual, but are they long-lasting or not?
There is no doubt that everything starts to damage after a certain period. But when it comes to a house, we must go for the option that looks appealing yet durable at the same time. Tiles on the roof look quite attractive to the sight, but the question is, what is the average life span of a tile roof?
Here, we will discuss the lifespan of various types of tile roofs. So, further ado, let's find out all about tiles roof in detail below.
What Is The Average Cost And Life Span Of A Tile Roof?
The initial installation and up-front expenditures of tile roofs can cost a bit high than other materials. However, tile roofs survive so long before you need to replace them. A tile roof can also save you money in the long term, and you can also save money on roof repairs since you won’t need to hire roof repair contractors in Albuquerque.
1. Concrete Tiles
Concrete tiles can range from $4.00 to $9.00 per square foot on average. Concrete tiles are more durable and heavier than clay tiles. Concrete tiles can last for up to 50 years or more on average, depending on how you take care of them.
Concrete roof tiles also have an interlocking installation feature which can reduce labor time and installation costs. They are lighter than clay tiles, making installation easier and your property safer in the long term if the roof structure begins to deteriorate.
2. Clay Tiles
Clay tiles are less expensive and easier to maintain than other types of tiles. Clay tiles can last for up to 90 years if you keep them properly. Installing clay tiles is more expensive than installing a shingle roof.
The price of clay tiles varies between $10 and $17 per square foot. Clay tiles occur in various styles, and you can pick a design as per your choice. However, one must pay attention to the weight of clay tiles, as with other tile roofs.
Also, make sure your home's current roofing structure and frame can sustain a relatively heavier roofing material.
3. Slate Tiles
These tiles are an environmentally friendly, attractive, and long-lasting roof installation alternative. However, slate tiled roofs can be more costly than concrete or clay. These tiles range from $9 to $16 per square foot.
Also, it requires a lot of labor to install due to its weight and construction method. Slate roofing is impenetrable to extreme weather because it is stone. So, you can anticipate a slate tiles roof to endure up to 100 years or even more.
4. Terracotta Tiles
Terracotta is a tough material that can survive hundreds of years if you take care of them properly. Terracotta is also waterproof and fire-resistant, providing excellent weather protection. A complete, tiled terracotta roof's durability is also determined by how well it is built and maintained.
The terracotta roof tiles installation costs $10 to $25 per square foot. It includes a $5 to $10 per square foot material cost, slightly higher than other materials. Terracotta roof tiles have a life can be of up to 75 years if you maintain them properly.
Even with minimal maintenance, these tiles can last up to 50 years. Terracotta is a heavy roofing material, weighing between 600 and 650 pounds per square foot.
5. Solar Tiles
Solar tiles are a moderately new roofing option that more people consider while constructing their house roofs. The appearance of solar roof tiles is similar to that of a fresh asphalt shingle roof. Solar tiles are pretty expensive, ranging from $20 to $26 per square foot.
These tiles are similar to asphalt in protecting a roof from the elements and durability. Solar tiles can provide electricity for a house directly powered by the sun.
Also, solar roofing tiles can provide anywhere from 14 to 64 watts of energy, depending on the number of tiles available on your roof.
Conclusion
The roof is one of the most important parts of any house. Apart from protecting us from extreme weather, it also plays a significant role in increasing the structure's beauty and aesthetics.
A roof constructed with tiles can be the best option that looks visually appealing and has a good lifespan. It costs a bit high initially, but tiles roof can last for up to 100 years if you take care of their maintenance.
Read Also:
Top Roofing Tips
Does Your Flat Roof Need To Be Replaced? Spot The Warning Signs
Everything You Need To Know About Metal Roofing: Pros, Cons, And Costs
When you start thinking about buying and installing a nice swimming pool, of course, you want to make sure that the installation process goes right. That means accounting for things like temperature and how busy the construction season is.
Summer is pool season, so many homeowners opt to try for a spring installation. But our pool builders in south Florida would caution homeowners that fall is actually the best time for a pool install.
8 Reasons to Build Your Pool in the Fall
You may be thinking that fall seems like an odd time to install a pool, but there are a few good reasons why it is a perfect time. Let’s take a look at 8 of them.
1. Construction Season
Spring and summer are the busiest seasons for construction workers and contractors, including pool companies. By waiting until fall, you are likely to enjoy a much shorter install time. With fewer jobs to bounce between, your pool installers are more likely to be able to devote their full attention to your build.
2. Temperature
Fall temperatures are mild and make it easier to work outside. This is especially true in places like Florida where summer temperatures can be scorching hot. In the fall, your pool construction team will be able to concentrate on the task at hand, rather than feeling overheated or worried about how long they have left in the day.
3. Landscaping
Think about what sort of weather you want to be working outside in. Once your pool is installed, you will likely want to do some landscaping, maybe place some furniture, or do some planting. Why not take advantage of the cooler temperatures and enjoy fall in your backyard with your new pool?
4. Pricing
At the end of the summer season – which is the height of pool season – you may be able to negotiate a better price on materials and labor. Often, pool companies have overstocked items or discontinued inventory that is less expensive. You may also be able to check out pre-owned items.
5. Weather Conditions
Pool construction during spring is often thwarted by rapidly changing weather conditions. This can mean delays in your pool installation. If you are hoping to have your pool installed by a certain month or date, spring storms can be a very real concern.
Related Reads: Swimming Pool Cleaning and Maintenance: Cheap Online Pool Supplies
6. Ready-made Summer Fun
By installing your pool in the fall, you can start enjoying your pool as soon as the temperatures are warm enough for your liking. Or, any time of year if you opt for a heated pool. In Florida, temperatures start to warm up in early spring, and by having your pool installed the previous fall, you have more time to enjoy the warm weather and pool fun.
7. Why Not Add a Hot Tub?
Have you considered adding a hot tub to your pool installation? If so, think about how much you will enjoy the cooler fall and winter evenings in your new hot tub with the view of your new pool.
8. Tax Considerations
A pool is a major purchase and is considered a home improvement. It can also increase your property value. Home improvements like adding a pool can be claimed on your taxes. If you install your pool in the fall, you will be able to claim it on the taxes you file in early spring the following year. Imagine relaxing by your new pool enjoying the sun and the knowledge that you got tax benefits from your installation.
Of course, not everyone wants to miss this pool season in order to do a fall pool install. But these eight considerations are certainly worth considering before you hire your pool contractors. The best way to decide when is the best time is to contact a pool builder in your area.
Read Also:
What is the Right Age to Start Swimming Lessons?
All You Need to Know About Pool Maintenance Services
Risks of Imbalanced Swimming Pool Chemistry
