Published on: 08 June 2021
Last Updated on: 21 December 2024
You may not expect that it is necessary to do yard work in the winter, but it is more important than you think. Properly preparing your lawn in the beginning months of cold weather and even though snowy conditions will ensure you have the best-looking lawn come springtime. These four tools are essential in maintaining a healthy yard during the winter.
4 Essential Tools For Maintaining Your Winter Garden
When you love to spend your leisure time in front of your lawn. The maintains of your garden is quite an important task to preserve the beauty of your favorite garden. Every time seeking professional help is costly so better look at how you can maintain a garden in winter using some simple tools.
However, you need to understand that maintaining your garden during winter can be a tough affair. Not only will freezing temperatures deter you from engaging in outdoor work, but the tools and machines can become non-operational. This is why a good idea would be to engage an expert to do the needful. Tree Service Round Rock can maintain your garden during the winters and ensure that you stay safely and cozily within the warm confines of your home.
Here are the names of four tools to maintain a garden in the winter season.
1. Aerator:
Cool-season grass, which is the most common type, should be aerated in the early spring and late fall. For those of you that may not be familiar with this machine, it digs small plug-like holes out of the ground. This helps the grassroots have access to more water, nutrients, and air. The point of this is to make the roots deeper and healthier so the grass has a stronger foundation to grow.
Use this equipment on a day that the ground is slightly moist, maybe the day after rain, for the best results. It will relieve the soil from compaction that causes the roots to be starved and suffocated. Making sure your grass gets all the nutrients it needs before it is covered in snow will help it grow back better when the weather warms up.
2. Chainsaw:
Pruning your trees and bushes during the wintertime is an essential part of a healthy yard. Plants will waste too much energy trying to send nourishment to dead limbs which affect the living ones. Investing in a chainsaw would be beneficial so that you can cut down the dead branches.
If you are a seasoned expert, you will know to not only trim dead branches but also cut any that are rubbing together. Damage to the tree from the rubbing can create an entry for bugs to get inside. When it comes to finding a good quality chainsaw, get this it works! The better the quality of equipment, the less risk when it comes to the safety and wellbeing of your yard.
3. Drop Spreader:
Fertilizer is the basis for giving your lawn what it needs to look its best for next year. There are winterizing products that slowly release nitrogen during the offseason. Using a spreader makes this task time-efficient and well done. It allows you to evenly distribute the fertilizer throughout the lawn, maximizing the benefits of this product.
Putting grass seed down at the beginning of the winter can help maintain your yard as well. You will use the same drop spreader to put this down, but you’ll want to make sure you set the amount it is releasing slightly less than recommended. In doing this, you can overlap your passes, so nothing is missed, and you still have enough to do the whole yard. As a pro tip, it is encouraged to spread a thin layer of compost before laying the seed. Combining the seed and the compost keeps your grass moist and germinated during dry and cold weather.
4. Rake:
Before a snowfall, it is crucial to clear your yard of any leaves, branches, or debris. When this waste sits on your grass all winter it will cause these patches to brown or die. Simply raking every once in a while will prevent dead spots and inconsistency in height and color. Raking will also help mix in any seed or fertilizer you have laid down in the soil previously.
Something to keep in mind is to make sure you are not raking when the ground is frozen. The protective layer in the frozen blades of grass gets destroyed from the pressure of footsteps. While this will not kill the grass, it may cause it to be brown when it grows back in.
Get a leg up on those who do not know to still maintain during the winter months. Investing in these tools will ensure you have the lushest green grass on the block come spring and summertime.
Wrapping It Up:
Maintain Garden is simple when you are already having the essential tools to do the job. But the professional touch every time required. When you already have these tools your hard work related to garden maintains in the winter is becoming a much easier process. So what is your opinion? Are you going to maintain your garden on your own? Or do you seek professional help? Do not forget to share your opinion with us.
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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
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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.
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Asphalt roofing is a type of residential roofing that is being used in 80% of The Homes that you will get to see all over the United States. However, this might look very attractive to the eyes, but it is essential to give and keep in mind that you will have to replace it after some time.
If you want to reduce the frequency of the replacement of the roof of your home, then there are certain measures you have to take for that. The solution for this is to work with professional roofing companies, and it is going to bring multiple benefits along with it as well.
What Are The Advantages Of Taking The Help From Residential Roofing?
In this article, we will discuss why you should use a residential roofing company for your home. Keep on reading to find out more information below about longrun companies.
1. Quick
The first major benefit of working with a residential roofing company is that they are going to get the job done real quick. Whenever you are looking for a quick roof replacement, then you can get in touch with them, and they will get the service done within a few hours instead of weeks or days.
Nothing is that you cannot reside in your home when the roofing replacement is going on, and you need to find some other place to live for some time.
However, that is not going to be a problem for you whenever you get in touch with a professional residential roofing company because they will get the job for a few hours. You only need to be out of your house so everything will return to normal.
2. No Damages
Commonly, many times different areas of houses get damaged whenever they are getting the residential roofing replacement job done because the companies are not professional now.
And another benefit that you are going to get when you get in touch with a professional residential-looking company is that they are not going to damage your property.
There is no damage cost that you have to face, and there is no additional money that is going to go into repair, especially when you are getting your roof replacement done by my professional company.
3. Warranty
You never know when things can go wrong, then that is why you need to make sure that the service that you are getting is covered by a warranty. The warranty ensures your residential roofing cost remains under the budget.
Usually, every service covers the roofing work under warranty. Before taking the services, always go through the warranty papers' terms and conditions. And ask about the extension policies of the terms and conditions.
A professional residential roofing company is always going to provide you with a warranty that you can claim, and they are going to make sure that they will go the extra mile to provide you with the quality materials and the quality roofing that they are installing in your home.
4. Safety
Then it's the benefit of working with a professional company, they're going to get the job used securely, and there is no risk. You cannot get this job done by yourself because it is a dangerous thing to do, especially when a ladder is involved.
Working with professional residential roofing companies is always going to be a breeze because there are going to be no accidents involved.
Breakable residential roofing is causing serious trouble for homeowners. Through residential roofing, you can minimize the chances of any sudden coming accidents.
5. Upgrade The Roof Quality
Residential roofing is more like a new warranty on your roof. Even if you want a new roof makeover, this will also be a great choice. Your residential roofing will save the roof of your house and give your roof a stunning makeover.
Often the roof areas are getting destroyed due to heavy rainfall or snowfall. So the best way to recover the roof's health is to call professional residential roofing services, and that’s all.
Your roof quality, along with the look both getting upgraded. Your residential roofing is going to enhance the quality of your roof along with the outstanding look. So if you want to upgrade the look of your house, this will be a pretty smart shortcut process.
Wrapping Up:
Residential roofing and commercial roofing are different. Residential roofing requires minor touch-ups as regular residential places do not have any protective layer. But the residential places require top-to-bottom roofing constructions to protect the area from snowfalls and rain.
Additional:
5 Myths about Roofing Services to Avoid
Roofing Painting Contractor Leads: Ask Before Hiring One
The Top 4 Health Benefits That You Can Get From Wall Soundproofing!
Everything You Need To Know About Metal Roofing: Pros, Cons, And Costs
In the design of your kitchen, you're sure you're thinking about the style of cabinets, floors, and appliances. What many do not know is that the kitchen sink can have a big role in its design. Although it is only used to wash dishes, rinse food and wash hands, the kitchen sink has an impact on the design of the kitchen. There are many old styles, but also in these last years, a lot of designs and different functions have appeared. And in fact of all the accessories and appliances, the kitchen tap is probably the one we use the most.
It is said that the average family uses the Kitchen Faucets more than 40 times a day. So when you choose a tap you have to be one that at the same time falls well with the design of your kitchen, that does its job well and that it is durable. Now we will see the elements to consider when choosing your future kitchen tap.
What to see in the best kitchen faucets :
Take a look at your current sink to decide if you want to maintain the same design and functions when choosing a new faucet. If you are going to keep the sink, then you have to be able to use the holes that are already on the surface of the sink. From there you can decide if you want to add a spray hose or a dispenser. You can also decide to buy a new sink, especially if you choose a tap mounted on the deck and the current one is mounted on the wall.
When you start your search you will have to make decisions between peak type, height and number of shooters. Many people are opting for the peelable spray system for the type of nozzle, but you can always get a side-mounted spray hose. The height can vary from 10 to 18 inches so choosing the right height will be based on the size of your sink. You can always get cold and hot handles but most of the pull-out faucets have only one handle. The style of the beak is something to consider. The "swan neck" or high arc taps are a trend since it allows more space for cleaning large pots or other tasks.
Everyone will have their own style and sure you too, for example, the chrome-plated brass is a popular finish that many choose. The solid brass keys with ceramic disc valves are used to control the flow of water and this makes it last longer. Again, make sure the kitchen design matches the tap style. The taps can also vary in their angles, curves, and details. When choosing materials and finishes whether nickel, bronze, black, stainless steel, etc., be sure to buy accessories such as soap dispensers from the same collection because if they are from different manufacturers, the finish varies slightly.
For a more durable faucet, choose stainless steel, solid brass or a faucet with a ceramic disc valve. A heavier tap will indicate better quality. The solid brass ones last longer. Faucets with plastic parts do not last, are cheaper and over time you may have to replace it with additional cost. We already saw the tips for choosing a kitchen tap, now I want to emphasize more about some types of faucets and how each one can serve you.
Read Also :
List of Most Durable Kitchen Flooring
Installation of Kitchen Cabinets: Best Way to Give Your Home a Perfect Facelift
All Comments
Ailey
I curious more interest in some of them hope you will give more information on this topics in your next articles.