Strawberry Cough

Strawberry Cough

Strawberry Cough is Sativa and Indica hybrid plants, Sativa dominant which contributes almost 80% for its genetics. He found the origin of some parts of North America and some parts of Europe. "Strawberry Cough 'The name explains a lot about this plant. The plant bears buds that dense smoke taste like strawberries. That, strawberry cream buds can make delicious taste of what you need to hit the fat. This is the explanation why the factory has got the' cough 'in its name. the smell of the plant as a whole also found similarities with strawberries. you will be able to feel the smell only when the leaves and dry branches. the smell increases as the plants dry out more. the smell is usually the strongest on the fourth day of drying. the stronger the smell after a few hits of fat.

Strawberry Cough: An Overview
Strawberry cough is a sweet flavored plant which is generally grown indoors. As has already been mentioned that it is a hybrid of Sativa and Indica. Sativa is a semitropical plant which takes quite a long time to flower. Because of the presence of Indica genes, Strawberry cough takes about 2 months' time to flower. The plants grow well in hydroponics or soil set-ups. The plant needs rich supply of nutrients in the initial stage of vegetative growth. On an average, plants of strawberry cough grow to a height of 3.5 feet. This is especially the case with plants grown indoors or in greenhouses. The leaves are hybrids between the leaves of Indica and Sativa. If the environmental conditions are favorable, the plant starts producing buds about 35-40 days of flowering. It gives a second wave of budding that completes at about 60 days. The buds are a little hard, long and resemble narrow pine cones in shape. The branches are strong, firm and sturdy. They can bear even heavy buds well. Strawberry cough plants grown in greenhouses flower a week earlier than those grown indoors. Flowering period is 9 weeks. Harvest time is from third to fourth week of October. According to experts, a density of 1-2 Strawberry cough plants per square foot is ideal for gardening purposes.

Strawberry Cough: Uses
Strawberry cough finds its use both in the field of medicine and ornamental gardening. It is a medicinal herb. The medicines based on its parts are often administered by herbalists in the form of herbal medicine for curing anxiety, depression and fatigue. This lifts up your spirit and gives you an energetic boost without feeling overactive. The plant of the Strawberry cough is mostly bred by health conscious people to derive benefits from its euphoric and antianxiety properties. When included in a garden, it tends to increase the ornamental appearance with its long branches and over-all purple color. The yield is often moderate. However, it is worth growing because of the quality of experience it gives to the gardener.

Strawberry cough needs a little effort from you in its initial stage of vegetation. As it grows, it tends to get firm for survival on its own. Therefore, after some months you only need to water the plant and remove weeds from its surroundings. The strawberry cough plant acts as a main decorative herb in your garden. Its beautiful branches and plants are very attractive to look at. If possible, get a few viable strawberry cough seeds and grow them in your locality. Growing strawberry cough plants is worth all the effort and expenditure.

Growing Bamboo for Profit

Growing Bamboo for Profit

Bamboo is an evergreen plant and real wood and grass family Poaceae. This is the fastest growing plant in the world and has about 1,000 species. Factory bamboo found in various parts of the world, such as East Asia, Northern Australia, sub-Saharan Africa, the United States, Chile and Argentina. Let us understand how to grow bamboo for profit.

Growing Bamboo for Profit
The fast growth of bamboo make it a good crop to be cultivated for profit. Bamboo can grow around 60 cm in a single day. The fastest bamboo growth that has been measured till date is 121 cm in a day.

Climate and Soil: The temperature of 60ºF is best for the growth of bamboo plants. The bamboo plants need support, and thus, clay soil is suitable for their cultivation. Thus, bamboo shouldn't be cultivated in sandy soil. A well-drained soil prevents the plant from getting over watered. Over watering may cause the bacterial infection of rhizoids, and thereby rotting and decaying.

Bamboo Planting: Bamboo cultivation proves to be profitable if planted at a proper distance, i.e. 21 - 30 feet apart. It provides enough space for the plant to grow vigorously. There is no need to spend much on the maintenance of this plant. It is another reason which makes bamboo cultivation a profitable practice. The planting material needed for bamboo cultivation are the shoots with nodes present on them. The nodes are ring-shaped and encircle the shoots of the bamboo plant.

Cultivation: The plants that are cultivated for wood do not need much fertilizers and sunlight. However, if the plant is cultivated for selling the shoots, enough nourishment has to be provided. The use of tools in bamboo cultivation has reduced the cost of cultivation to a great extent. Thus, the earlier form of bamboo cultivation which was labor intensive has become much more mechanized.

Bamboo Farming for Profit
There are many benefits of growing bamboo, which makes bamboo cultivation a profitable affair. The amount of timber that bamboo produces per unit land is greater than any other plants, nearly around 20 times more. It is possible to cultivate bamboo on a degraded land. Bamboo cultivation for wood is very much profitable because of its fast growth. Most of the hardwood species from the tropical region require around 30 years to mature completely. The bamboo, however, doesn't need more than 3 - 4 years to grow from the time it is planted. Nowadays, automated machines are being used for the processing of bamboo. The time required for processing has reduced greatly over time. Thus, the demand for bamboo has risen in comparison to earlier days. The international demand for bamboo is increasing at a fast pace. Countries like Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia and Korea import bamboo on a large scale. Thus, growing bamboo for profit is one of the feasible options to consider.

Markets for Bamboo Cultivators
Bamboos could be used for many different purposes, and one can make profit by selling various products made from this plant. Fresh bamboo shoots are used for edible purposes, and selling bamboo as a food could turn out to be highly profitable. The wood obtained from bamboo is also used as construction material. The use of bamboo flooring is a common practice in many countries. Thus, one should target this section of the market and try to gain profits. Bamboo rugs are also used in many homes. Therefore, one should take into account various uses of bamboo while undertaking its production.

Growing Bamboo From Cuttings

Growing Bamboo From Cuttings

Factory fastest growing on earth, bamboo is a member of the family Poaceae. In addition to the bright hues of the garden, it has become popular all over the world to do with wisdom, strength and longevity. This is because the popularity of which in addition to growing in the garden, people also want to know about how to grow bamboo indoors. In addition to being the most favorite gardening, bamboo is the value for various purposes. From being used as building material, bamboo is widely used to make furniture and craftwork. There are a number of ways in which the bamboo plant can grow. One of the most preferred way is the bamboo that grow from cuttings.

Growing Bamboo Plants

Bamboo plants can be grown using a part of a mature plant itself. While some propagate very quickly, others may take a year or two. The various methods used for growing bamboo plants are layering, cutting, and also by seeds. However, using seeds to grow bamboo is very rare as some species do not seed at all, whereas most have such long flowering cycles that it becomes extremely difficult to procure seeds for growing new plants from them.

Growing Bamboo From Cuttings

Selecting the Cutting: Whatever the mode of propagation, it is important to select a healthy material of the right age and in the correct stage of development. It should be free from any disease and pests. Take cuttings from the middle portion of tall trunks that are not more than three years old. Ensure that each cutting has two complete internodes and a half internode. The internodes should be undamaged.

Preparing the Land: Bamboo growing regions have warm, tropical climate where the temperatures do not fall below 15 degrees Celsius. However, people have been growing bamboo in cold regions as well. In such places, caring for bamboo plants include mulching and erecting a physical barrier that would protect the plants from the cold, dry winds of the winter season. These plants grow in almost any soil that is not rocky. However, light and sandy loam soil is suitable for growing bamboo. The soil should be well-drained, as too much water will prevent the rhizomes from growing. It is important to remove all weeds from the area in which the bamboos will be grown. The soil should also be tilled up to a depth of 1.5 feet.

Planting the Cutting: The best time for planting the cuttings is just before the rainy season, which is also known as the growing season. This is the time around spring or early summers. The cuttings should be planted as soon as they are cut as bamboo plants are sensitive to shock. Any delay in planting the cuttings may lead to poor growth or complete failure of the cutting to grow into a new plant. Plant the bamboo cuttings vertically with the half internode above the ground. Put a layer of moist clay over the top cut end. Do not cover the hole. This layer acts as a disinfectant for the newly cut part.

Pour some water (about two cups) to the top of the cutting. This practice should be continued till the cutting develops roots and fresh green shoots grow in the nodes. While planting the cuttings, ensure that there is enough space between them. For most cuttings a space of 7 to 9 yards works well. However, for bamboo shoots that are grown to produce shoots, require more sunlight than those that are being grown for timber.

Growing the Cutting: Bamboo is a hardy plant that does not require too much care. However, till the plant is established it is important to ensure that the area where they are being grown is clear of weeds. Adding fertilizers will also ensure a good growth. In case your area is a windy one, you could erect some barrier that would protect the plants from tilting in strong winds.

Bamboo is a versatile plant that can be grown on land as well as in water containers. From knowing about how to grow bamboo on land, people are on the constant lookout for instructions on growing bamboo in water. Of the various methods, growing bamboo from cuttings is widely practiced as it is very easy and more convenient than other known methods. 

Growing Bamboo Indoors

Bamboo is a type of grass-woody plant. This species grows in a variety of sizes, from dwarfs to giants, and many regions grow bamboo, from the mountains of ice habitat for tropical humid climates. Among the many bamboo plants of good quality, is that the fastest growing woody plants in the world, and has the ability to grow under harsh conditions. Because there are more than 1000 known species of bamboo, no single set of rules can be applied to grow bamboo indoors. However, these are some guidelines on how to grow bamboo plants indoors.

Selecting a Bamboo Plant: The first step to growing bamboo indoors is to decide what type of bamboo plant you want to grow. The two deciding factors are climate and size. You need to pick a plant that will flourish in the natural climate of the place you live in and also fit into the designated space you have for it. The most popular bamboo plant at present is the lucky bamboo plant, with comes with instructions on growing bamboo in water, as that is almost all the care it needs.

Basic Necessities: Bamboos have the same requirements as most house plants: well-drained and nutrient-rich soil, sufficient light, adequate humidity and fertilizer during the growing season.

Potting: Bamboo plants termed runners, have roots that spread rapidly, and others called clumpers, have roots which slowly expand from the original planting. Indoor bamboo plants are best grown in pots that can accommodate the plants as they rapidly grow. The ideal size of pot is one that has about two inches or more space between the edge of the root ball and the side of the container. If your indoor bamboo plant is a runner with rhizome roots that grow more horizontally, use a wide, tub-like container. However, a tall, deep container would work better for indoor bamboo plants with clumping root systems. As is obvious, large indoor bamboo plants need voluminous containers.

All bamboo plants, after a while, spread within the container and eventually become pot-bound. Thus, they all need periodic pruning, some (such as bamboo plants with rhizome roots) more often than others. When you find that the pot is filed with root and rhizome, it is time to either move it to a larger container, or remove some of the roots (approximately one third of the total) and place it back into the same pot along with fresh soil. Growing bamboo from cuttings is the normal way of increasing your indoor population of bamboo.

Soil: Ensure that the soil a bamboo plant is grown in is not saturated, or over watered. If the soil is saturated, there will be no oxygen, which will cause the roots to rot. The plant should be periodically nourished with high-nitrogen, low potash fertilizer, i.e. water-soluble 30-10-10. Nonetheless, any balanced slow-release N-P-K fertilizer solution will suffice.

Environment: While growing bamboo indoors, you need to try your best to provide it with a climate similar to its natural habitat, i.e. tropical or temperate. Temperate bamboos are exposed to a cold dormancy in the wild. When it does not receive the same indoors, it often results in leaf drop. This means that the plant is "resting", and will consume less water and lower photosynthesis. Tropical bamboos adjust more easily to the indoor environment. They need consistent temperatures and moisture, and should flourish indoors. One rule of thumb to follow is: the higher the air temperature, the brighter the light must be. If it is humidity you need to create, place the pots on a shallow container with pebbles and a little water. Alternately, you could use a humidifier.

Care: Caring for a bamboo plant means trimming it on a regular basis. A tall bamboo plant will need regular thinning and pruning, by cutting off undesired or wilted stems at soil level. If you want to control the height of the bamboo stem, cut it at the place on the stem just above a branch. For aesthetic reasons, it is advisable to keep the lower portions of the stems bare, by cutting off the branches. Misting the plants is another good practice, which helps with moisture and reduces dust settlements.

Indoor bamboo plants can add a lot of aesthetic value to any room. Growing bamboo indoors can be fairly easy, as they come in a wide variety of sizes and grow in vastly diverse climates. Thus one can pick a size they want, as well as a species that would flourish in the given environment. 

How to Grow Bamboo Indoors

How to Grow Bamboo Indoors

Bamboo is actually a plant belonging to the family of grass and varies in length from a few centimeters to a few meters. Bamboo can grow in different places under diverse climatic conditions, but generally the plant flourishes in hot, humid and rainy regions. The lucky bamboo is an indoor variety that is native to Cameroon; but its stems are often imported from countries like China, Taiwan and Korea.

Bamboo is an ornamental plant which is also considered to be a good luck plant. The Chinese believe that this plant is instrumental in bringing fortune and good luck. According to the Chinese art of healing Feng Shui, bamboo can help balance the energy to your home. The number of bamboo stalks signify different good things:

• 2 bamboo stalks bring good luck.
• 3 bamboo stalks mean happiness.
• 5 or 7 bamboo stalks symbolize good health.
• 9 bamboo stalks convey wealth.
• 21 bamboo stalks attract blessings.

How to Grow Bamboo Indoors

Bamboo plants require humidity, light, water and air movement. The first step is to choose a proper bamboo plant, whether tropical or native species. Tropical bamboo plants, when grown indoor adapt more easily. Some precautionary measures to ensure that your bamboo houseplant grows well are:

• Make sure you buy a healthy bamboo plant; check whether the leaves and the stem are strong and green.
• Get a glass container. An important fact to remember is that bamboo thrives in a large container. As the bamboo grows quickly, it is always good to leave at least two inches between the edge of the root and side of the container.
• Put the stones at the bottom of the container, so that the bottom is covered. Add water. Add stones around the stem of the plant. This will help keep the plant balanced and will prevent the roots from getting flattened at the bottom. Instead of stones, you can also use either marbles or pebbles.
• Bamboo requires indirect light. If it gets direct sunlight, the leaves will burn; but at the same time, if it doesn't get enough light, the leaves will lose strength. Hence, the best way to ensure proper light, is to use an energy efficient bulb.
• Bamboo thrives in humid conditions. Hence, it's necessary to see that its moisture levels are always high. This can be done by spraying water on them regularly. It is best to keep these plants in cooler places.
• Keep the bamboo in an area where there is good air movement, possibly where they can get fresh air from outdoors.
• Watering the plant everyday is not required. If leaves start to curl, water frequently. Make sure that there is no chlorine in the water. If chlorine is present, let it settle down overnight, and then water your plant, because chlorine causes leaves to turn yellow.
• When the roots have been in water from a long time, the container, marbles and the roots require cleansing. Take out the roots first. Wash them with water. Wash the container with a detergent. Also wash the marbles and then add freshwater.
• Avoid extreme hot or cold temperatures. Bamboo thrives well at room temperatures between 15 to 25 degrees centigrade.

Once the bamboo plant has been inside the house for some time, it will adapt to its indoor conditions.

Bamboo is a symbol for longevity, health, luck and wisdom. Bring this enamoring plant into your house and feel its aura.

Ranunculus Care

Ranunculus Care

While starting a flower garden, all we can expect is vibrant blooms filling up the beds and brightening the landscape. Ranunculus is known for the same attributes. Yes, it produces bright colored blooms in shades of white, yellow, orange, pink, purple, red and some cultivars have multicolored petals. Unfortunately, it comes with a tag of difficulty in cultivation, and many hobbyists avoid planting it in gardens. The truth is, ranunculus care is challenging in cool areas, but not for moderate warm regions.

Ranunculus Plants: Growing Guide
The term ranunculus is colloquially used to refer to both the common name and generic name of herbaceous plants, which belong to family Ranunculaceae. They are mostly perennial plants, while a few are annuals and biennials. Some appreciable attributes of ranunculus are lacy leaves, long and upright stems, heavy blooms, delicate petals and long shelf life. In order to make your task for caring for ranunculus simple, highlighted below are the basic cultural requirements for growing this perennial flowering plant.

Hardiness Zones:	USDA zones 8-11
Propagation Method:	Woody, clawlike bulbs
Bulb Preparation:	Soaking roots in warm water
Planting Time:	Spring and fall
Preferred Soil:	Well-drained, fertile soil
Light Factor:	Grows best in full sun
Temperature Factor:	Cool temperature
Water Requirement:	Moderate irrigation
Fertilizer Application:	Light fertilization
Plant Problems:	Aphids, fungal attacks and mollusks

How to Care for Ranunculus Plants?
If you are interested in larger blooms, then choose the Tecolote or Jumbo ranunculus bulbs. For cool climatic regions (zones 4-7), it is best to grow ranunculus indoors, about 3 months before the last frosting. Select healthy bulbs and plant in large pots (preferably 6 inches in diameter) about 1 inch below the soil, with the root tips pointing down. For growing it in warmer areas (zones 8 and above), ranunculus bulbs are planted directly in outdoor garden beds in spring, with a spacing of 4-6 inches between them.

• Hoping that you have grown ranunculus plants in sunlit areas and soil with no drainage problems, they will grow luxuriantly. Indoor ranunculus care involves placing the potted plants in bright light, or in the windowsill.
• If the indoor plants lack vigor or appear weak, perhaps it is because of insufficient light. For such a case, consider installing artificial lights to restore normal growth. Make sure they are placed near to the west or south facing windows.
• Coming to the temperature part, it withstands 10-20°F, and not below this range. Accordingly, make the necessary arrangements to protect ranunculus plants from heavy frosting. For container plants, you can bring them indoors.
• The most crucial part in ranunculus care instructions is watering. Yes, keeping the soil moist but not wet is the trick to grow healthy ranunculus plants. Too less moisture and they will wither away, while overwatering increases root rotting.
• Ranunculus cannot tolerate heavy fertilization. Of course, they do require fertile soil and nutrients for producing maximum flower buds. You can use correct doses of bulb fertilizer during the active growth season and just before the blooming period.
• After bloom care for ranunculus plants is the same as before. Do not remove the leaves, instead retain them as they are. The foliage synthesizes food and prepares the plants for next year's flower production. Continue watering to promote photosynthesis.
• After the flowering season is completed, i.e., in summer, the leaves will become yellow. This indicates that the plants are entering dormancy period. At this phase, remove the drying leaves and keep the bulbs undisturbed. They will sprout during favorable weather conditions.
• In case ranunculus is subjected to stressful conditions, it becomes weak, and disease and pest infestations are most likely to occur. The common ranunculus problems include infestations of powdery mildew, rust, aphids, spider mites and snails.

The fall planted ranunculus blooms in spring time, while those planted in spring produce copious blooms in June and July. You can collect the long stemmed ranunculus blooms for making flower bouquets, and also for beautifying home indoors and offices. The ranunculus flowering season lasts for 1½ months, and the plants look awesome during this period. Many people prefer removing the spent blooms to conserve moisture and nutrients for the developing flower buds. 

By Ningthoujam Sandhyarani

How to Make a Flower Bed

How to Make a Flower Bed 

Beverley Nichols said, "To be overcome by the fragrance of flowers is a delectable form of defeat", and Antonio Porchia said "Flowers are without hope. Because hope is tomorrow and flowers have no tomorrow." If you agree with Beverley Nichols, then you're one of those who have been captivated by the breathtaking beauty and lilting fragrance of flowers and absolutely loved the experience. Flowers have that effect on people. And though Antonio Porchia may claim that they have 'no hope', we all know otherwise don't we? Flowers have that uncanny ability to lift up anyone's spirits and put them out of their misery, anger, grief, sadness and to add to their joys and celebrations! Seeing that flowers are so awesome (for lack of a better word? Not really), how would you like to make your own flowerbed and have some pretty blossoms at your doorstep, waiting to welcome you and all your guests? Great idea! Let's see how you can go about doing that. This Buzzle article will give you an easy tutorial on how you can make and maintain your own flower bed. Let's get on with it.

Choose the Spot
As you may have easily guessed, the first step in making your flower bed is deciding where you want it to be. For this, you need to take a good look around the exterior of your house. There are some important things that you need to consider before you decide on a spot. For instance, how much sunlight the place gets. You may already have an idea of what kind of flowers you want in your flower bed. So, you need to keep their sun and shade requirements in mind while choosing a spot for your flower bed. Also, you may want to check how visible the spot is from inside the house as well as from the gate or driveway. There's no point in having a flower bed in some obscure corner of your backyard, which can be viewed only if you step into the yard. You're going to a lot of trouble to make the flower bed. Might as well have it clearly visible! Once you've picked out the area where you want your flower bed, you can mark it out using either a stone border, sand or have a small fence fixed around it.

Get Digging
After you've decided your location for the flower bed and have bordered it, you have to dig the area up. First, make sure that you remove all the grass, dirt, garbage (if any) and weeds that are present in the area. Use a shovel to dig up every inch of the intended flower bed and make the soil loose and free. You'll come across clumps and stones for sure. Throw away the stones, and break up the clumps. If the soil seems too hard, you may want to wet it a bit and get the work done a little faster and with less effort. Once all the soil is dug up and loosened, use a rake and smoothen it out completely.

Gauge the Soil
Now, after you've made the bed area ready, you need to take a look at the soil to gauge how favorable it will be for the kind of flowers you want to grow. Take a sample of your soil and get it tested for its pH level and the content of other nutrients. You can get this done by using a soil testing probe that may be available at your local nursery. It will tell you what kind of soil you have. Using these results and the soil requirement information of the flowers that you intend to plant, you can compare and make the necessary amendments in the soil to suit the flowers you want to plant. (Note that you may not always have to make changes to your soil.)

Plant 'em In: After you have given the necessary treatment to the soil in the bed, and it has been absorbed by the soil, your bed is ready to be planted! Get the saplings or seeds out and begin planting them. You should have an idea of what you want the final result to look like. This will help you in planning the design of the flower bed. Generally, tall plants are planted in the background and short ones in the foreground to give it more visual appeal. However, you can try out new things like having a circular bed with tall plants forming the center and the shorter ones surrounding the tall ones. Or, you can also incorporate vines on trellises surrounding the bed, to give it an enclosed appearance from above. Whatever your choice is, make sure all the plants and flowers are clearly visible once they bloom.

Take Care: After you've planted them, all you have to do is wait and watch your flower bed come to life with its vibrant colors! You need to pay attention to the watering requirements of the plants. Also, if they need partial sun and shade, you can have a retractable shed above the bed (or simply have a green garden net hanging over it when it's sunny). Mulching helps plants grow faster and healthier. So, you may want to try that out too!

So, are you ready to make your own flashy flower bed? What are you waiting for? Just use these ridiculously simple instructions and you'll have your flower bed ready just in time for blooming season, depending on your hardiness zone. Be sure to keep that in mind too! Happy flowering!

Types of Willow Trees

Types of Willow Trees 

Willow is the species that fall in nature and belongs to the botanical genus Salix. It is classified as angiosperms or Magnoliophyta, in a broader division of the plant kingdom, to accommodate the features that interest bearing. This tree is further classified into sub-divisions dicotyledons and then grouped into a sequence Malpighiales, Salicaceae family have owned. Willow is mainly found in the northern hemisphere, where it thrives in moist soils from temperate regions. This tree is basically found in the area, where temperatures fall below zero degrees Celsius during the winter, or touching sub zero. Some of the willow tree between the Tundra biome plants and animals, family share many characteristics of arctic and alpine botany.

Characteristics of Willow Trees
The willow tree is a very noticeable tree, due to its strange yet wonderful physical appearance. The willow tree derives its beauty and attractiveness from its canopy, that tends fall and sweep gracefully, on a very well-balanced set of branches. The weight and balance of the canopy and branches, is very well sustained by a remarkably small trunk with an astoundingly small diameter. This overall structure of the tree gives it a dramatic look, which has a tinge of abstract yet thoughtful sorrow, filled in its get up. Many artists, poets, philosophers and botanists claim that the willow tree 'thinks' and 'wonders' and gives the landscape on which it has been planted, a calm and peaceful appearance.

The trunk of the willow tree is surprisingly thin, as compared to the weight that it carries. The bark of this tree is soft and fibrous, with a huge content of salicylic acid, which appears on the bark as a very abundant and flowing watery sap. The leaves of the willow tree are elongated, in an ovular fashion. Some types of willow trees also have smaller and shorter ovular leaves. The willow tree also bears flowers and fruits, which are however not visible at first glance, as they are often, camouflaged in the foliage of the tree.

Types of Willow Trees
Based upon their physical characteristics and the color of their leaves, the willow trees are often classified into different types. The following are some of the prominent types of willow trees:

• The Weeping Willow Tree: The weeping willow tree is one of the most prominently found willow trees, which is named such, due to its characteristic of expressing a calm sorrow. If we look carefully at this tree, it really does look as if it is weeping. Weeping willow trees are fast growing trees, due to which they are often used in the landscaping designs of huge lawns or the large grassy expanses of large estate manor houses. This tree looks exceptionally majestic and thoughtful when planted on grass plains, which have a moor-like appearance. A weeping willow tree is known by the scientific name salix babylonica. The tree has a sweeping canopy of light green leaves, which magically turns into yellow during the fall, and grows to height of 30 to 40 feet with a canopy spread of 30 feet. It survives in many different types of soils but prefers the habitat of sandy, loam and clay. Often, it is planted on the banks of water bodies, in order to prevent excessive soil erosion. The thoughtful weeping willow tree is a favorite of noted poet and playwright, William Shakespeare, who describes it as a tree of with 'shimmering' leaves.
• The Contorted Willow Tree: The contorted willow tree is known as the salix matsudana in the botanical dictionary. This tree is a close relative of the weeping willow and displays similar features. The contorted willow tree is characterized by a dark green foliage and grows to a height of about 20 to 40 feet. The size of the canopy is about 15 to 30 feet and it has a set of branches, that display different behavior in every season. The change is minuscule yet noticeable, if observed properly. The branches grow at acute angles from the main trunk and the direction of growth slightly changes in cold and hot seasons. The contorted willow with medium-sized canopy, has become a very popular yard tree in many cities, towns and subareas, due to its catchy branches.
• The Black Willow Tree: Among all types of willow trees, the black willow tree is the one that thrives in the wilderness of the cold and harsh expanses. The black willow has a more of a shrub like appearance ,with a topping of green canopy of leaves. The tree is botanically known as the salix nigra, and grows to a height of about 40 to 50 feet. The spread of a mature black willow tree can grow up to about 30 to 40 feet. The thick and scaly ridges that grow and its small twigs, give the tree a very weather beaten and wild appearance.

Some of the other types of willow trees include, the white willow, the goat willow, the hankow willow and the laurel willow. This tree does not require a lot of care, if planted in a garden. Just an annual or six-monthly trim is more than sufficient for it. The grace and the thoughtful sweep of the willow tree, is sure to leave any person spell bound.

Types of Evergreen Trees

Types of Evergreen Trees

Pine trees retain their leaves throughout the year unlike deciduous trees that lose their leaves during winter. They add interest to the garden green all year round, regardless of the season. Species of pine trees actually retain foliage for several months or years. In the former case, the new leaves to grow as the old warehouse, but leaves the original retained in the case then, good for a few years or even thirty years.

How to Maintain Evergreen Trees their Leaves?

Pine trees are adapted to the modified leaf that help to conserve moisture and nutrients, thus allowing them to thrive in conditions of extreme cold or poor nutrition. For example, most species bear leaves that are needle-shaped and coated with wax. These leaves also provide insulation, and played a major role in protecting the branch from the sun and frost. However, you also will find some evergreens have broad leaves.

The tree belongs to evergreen species grow better in different conditions of temperature and weather. So, they are more common in the tropics, compared with temperate regions. Although evergreens can tolerate cold climate conditions, they are rare in polar regions in the world. Spruce, because they are rich in aesthetic value, the most preferred for use in landscape design, and as plant shade and ornamental garden plants. Since most perennial species, they are also used in rock gardens.

Popular Types of Evergreen Trees

The list of evergreen trees includes many varieties; some bear lovely flowers, while others bear inconspicuous blooms. Also, there are non-flowering cultivars too. If you are interested in incorporating evergreens to your yard, make sure that you keep enough space from the remaining vegetation (if any). Since these plants make the soil acidic, they may kill the plants that are planted close to them. For your reference, some of the most popularly opted evergreen tree types are mentioned below.

Cypress Tree
Cypress, due to its soft, feathery texture and symmetrical shape, is one of the most preferred evergreen trees in the United States. It is drought-tolerant and grows about 3 - 4 feet per year. This tree is easy to prune and shows great adaptability. Cypress is mostly used in creating privacy hedges and borders around property. For better growth and development, plant cypress keeping a 6 feet distance between two trees.

Pine Tree
The lovely pine tree needs no introduction for avid gardeners. There are about 115 species of pine. The growth rate of this evergreen tree averages 3 - 4 feet per year. Though these fast growing evergreen trees are drought resistant, they may be either tolerant or intolerant to frost. Most hobbyists prefer growing pine trees as ornamentals (mainly because of their needle shaped leaves), while others planted them for creating shade.

Fir Tree
List for common types of evergreen trees will not be complete without fir trees. Yes, these upright growing, symmetrical shaped conifers are excellent ornamental trees for formal and informal gardens. Once developed, the soft, needle-like foliage remains in the twigs for about 5 years. Growth rate recorded for this evergreen tree is 1 - 2 feet per year. Sufficient spacing (at least 15 - 20 feet between two plants) is required to grow fir trees.

Cedar Tree
A plant having strongly fragrant wood, cedar is another tree of choice for landscapers all across the globe. The tree exhibits a conical shape in the initial years, while the canopy slowly turns more of a flat type in the later years. Depending upon the variety, tree height and growth rate differ. Say for instance, the annual growth rate of atlas cedar measures 1 foot, while Eastern red cedar growth rate is 1 - 2 feet per year.

Spruce Tree
You might be familiar about the Norway spruce (or the true Christmas tree), which is a hardy and large spruce species. Some species grow to over 200 feet in the natural habitat. The thin leaves are arranged in a whorl pattern around the branches. The downward pointing, large cones are another characteristic attribute of spruce trees. With a growth rate of about 2 - 3 feet per year, this majestic tree is sure to catch your attention in the coming years.

Hemlock Tree
Best suited for planting as a specimen tree, you can also plant it in groups to serve as windbreaks. Like other conifers, the pyramidal-shaped canopy and narrow leaves are characters of hemlock tree. When maintained in moist and well-drained soil, this shade tolerant tree grows at a medium rate. The tree height at maturity depends on which cultivar you have introduced in your garden.

Juniper Tree
It shares same taxonomic plant family with the cypress tree. Like other coniferous tree species, the leaves of juniper tree are small and needle-like. You can identify older foliage from the scales, which are absent in young leaves. This is one evergreen plant that can be maintained as a small tree or a bushy shrub. Based on variety, the growth rate is either slow (8 inches per year for regular juniper) or medium (10 - 18 inches for Spartan juniper).

Thuja Tree
For those of you who are looking for rapid growing trees, thuja is an excellent choice. Yes, it is the fastest growing evergreen tree in the world. Once thuja gets established, it grows about 3 - 5 feet annually. Adaptability to varied growing conditions and resistance to pests and drought add to the popularity of thuja as a landscaping tree. When planting thuja as a windshield or a privacy hedge, keep a 5 - 6 feet gap between two trees.

Holly Tree
Of the many identified species of evergreen hollies, the American holly is the most preferred cultivar. Dark green, leathery foliage with spiny edges and bright red berries are the identifying features of holly tree. The growth rate is slow to medium, and you need to plant 3 - 4 hollies to promote cross-pollination and fruiting. During the initial growing years, the tree grows in a thick pyramidal shaped canopy.

Eucalyptus Tree
Eucalyptus is another popular evergreen tree, which grows to a maximum height of 6 feet per year. Almost all the species of eucalyptus are pest and drought resistant. The barks and leaves of eucalyptus are aromatic, and they are used as repellents for insects and pests. A good option for providing shade, you can plant eucalyptus tree anywhere as per space availability and landscape design.

Magnolia Tree
A classic example of broad-leafed evergreen tree is the magnolia. You can find a lot of magnolia hybrids in the nursery center. What is so impressive about this evergreen angiosperm is, bearing of conspicuous and sweetly scented flowers. The growth rate is slow to medium. When allowed to grow naturally, it reaches a height of about 90 feet. Hence, you will need a larger space for planting this beautiful evergreen tree.

Well! These are some of the commonly grown evergreen trees. Other than these, you will find many other species native to your area. So, carefully select the cultivars that will grow best in the prevailing climatic conditions. You should plant evergreen trees where there is enough sunlight and water, or as per the specific requirements of the plant species. If your area is prone to dry conditions, choose only the drought tolerant cultivars.

Purslane Plant

Purslane Plant

Purslane Plant Information

You can identify purslane plant from other weeds by its smooth, reddish prostrate stems. The leaves are alternate and clustered at stem joints. It produces yellow flowers after rainfall. The seeds develop in a tiny pod and disperse when ready. This houseplant has a tap-root system with fibrous roots. This helps the plants survive through droughts, compact soil as well as poor soil conditions. Purslane plant is native to India and is said to have spread to other areas of the world during the Colonial Era. In United States, it is considered as an exotic weed and is cultivated as a food crop.

Purslane Plant Care

Purslane plant needs a well-drained, fertile soil. It loves to bask under full sun. It has the ability to survive a drought season and tolerates warm temperatures. Although it can survive almost any type of soil from poor soil to loamy garden soil. It can even grow in rocky soil and loves fertile soil. You can bring home purslane plant seeds and sow them in your garden. Do not press the seeds deep within the soil. Plant them near the surface as they will not germinate if kept ½ inch below the soil. After about two weeks the seeds will germinate and mostly grow well in the warm month of June.

In summer, you need to water the plants once a week, especially, if there is no rainfall. These plants are succulent and can survive long periods without water. You can harvest purslane plant within 6 weeks of growth. You should cut off young leaves and stems as they are tender and taste like spinach.

In case, your purslane plant turns invasive, you need to carry out weed control. You should pull out young tender plants. This is because it is easier to pull out the young plants then the mature ones. Remove the entire plant, as it has the ability to propagate from stems. You can use a broadleaf herbicide if the plants grow out of hand. Use organic herbicides like acetic acid and clove oil as they do not have ill effects on the surrounding plants like chemical herbicides.

Purslane Plant Recipes

You can eat purslane plant raw or can add it to different recipes. Let us have a look at one of the delicious and easy to cook purslane plant recipes.

Potato Curry with Purslane Leaves

Ingredients

• 3 cups boiled tender potatoes cut into 1 inch cubes
• 3 stalks minced celery
• 1 to 2 diced green onions and stems
• ½ cup sliced bell pepper
• 2/3 cup raw purslane leaves
• ½ to 2/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method of Preparation
Add all the ingredients together along with the warm tender boiled potatoes. Mix well such that all the ingredients cover the potatoes and purslane leaves well. Cover the purslane and potato curry. Place the bowl in the refrigerator to chill and serve when required.

This was a simple and easy to cook salad recipe containing purslane plant. A highly nutritious plant, it contains vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B and carotenoids. It is full of essential minerals like magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron. It also contains high levels of omega 3 fatty acids, beta carotene and vitamin C. This was all about purslane plant care and recipes. You can use purslane plant recipes to increase the nutritional content of your diet. Try growing these simple to grow purslane plants in your vegetable garden and relish the tasty dishes made from these edible plants.

Schefflera Plant

Plants that are in the room can help to keep the air around it pure and clean by absorbing dirt in it. Plants have a calming effect on people who come in contact with them. So, if you plan to reap the benefits of indoor plants, with some indoor gardening, it's one of the best plants you can go to certain schefflera plant. Here we will give you an insight into the house schefflera plant.

Schefflera Plant Arboricola

The scientific name of the plant is schefflera arboricola heptapleurum araliaceae arboricolum and family-owned. It is also called 'dwarf umbrella tree'. Factory schefflera mainly tropical indoor house plants. New Guinea, Australia and Java, this is an area of ​​native plants. However, it is used as a decorative houseplant worldwide. Other varieties schefflera plant, aside from the schefflera arboricola schefflera plant is actinophylla. In fact, schefflera arboricola is a smaller version of actinophylla schefflera. Many cultivars of plants have been created and is quite often used as ornamental plants around the home and office. It can grow to a height of nearly two hundred feet, if stored outside and are not trimmed regularly. It has dark green leaves, with leaves forming a shape that resembles the palm of the radius of the circle. Because of this peculiar form, and shadow is interesting that the leaves are formed when light falls on plants, they are quite popular for decoration.

Schefflera Plant Care

In this section, we will give you information about the different dwarf umbrella tree care measures that you can take to ensure that your plant grows well.

• Soil: The schefflera plant is a very hardy plant and can handle any type of climate but prefers a warm one. As far as soil is concerned, it tends to get a little picky. It prefers a clayey soil which is rich and loose and mixed with a bit of sandy soil. You can use organic fertilizers whenever you think that the plant requires it.
• Light: This is one plant that loves the sunlight. Though bright and direct may not be ideal, the schefflera plant definitely thrives well in indirect but bright light. So place the pot in an area that receives such sunlight for at least 12 hours a day. If you live in a region where your plant cannot get enough sunlight, then you can shop for some grow lights for indoor plants. They will help the plant to grow well and have a glossy green foliage.
• Water: The schefflera plant is quite adjusting when it comes to its watering requirements and has very obvious indicators to state when it should be watered and when it shouldn't. Generally, you should wait for the soil to get completely dry (for at least 2-3 inches into the pot) before you water it again. If you water it in excess, the leaves of the plant will start turning black and begin to fall off. This is how you know that you needn't water it so much. And if the plant's leaves begin to turn yellow, it is an indicator that the soil is extremely dry. So, to be on the safe side, water the soil only till it is moist, and let it dry completely before watering again.
• Pruning: This plant can get quite unruly in appearance. Hence, you can prune it whenever you wish to. Any time of the year is fine as it adapts well and can be given any shape that you desire. Selective pruning works best for maintenance of the shape and the overall health of the plant.
• Re-potting: The plant should be re-potted at least once every year. If this is not done, the roots begin to bunch up into the pot as the plant grows. This could harm the growth of the plant. Hence, re-pot it in a bigger pot every year.
• Propagation: Schefflera plant propagation is mostly done by its leaves. Use leaf cuttings, set up a tropical temperature, use rooting hormones and provide a lot of humidity for the plant's propagation.

Many people wonder, is a schefflera plant poisonous? The answer is that while the schefflera arboricola plant (the plant discussed in this article) is not poisonous, the schefflera actinophylla has some level of toxicity when consumed. The former one is the one that you will be keeping indoors, so rest assured that it will not do any harm to your pets or kids, enjoy this gorgeous plant!

Dracaena Plant Care

Dracaena Plant Care 

Ornamental plants can dramatically change the look of the room. Ornamental plants as an alternative you can choose to decorate the room, then try a dracaena plant, which has many varieties and you can freely choose. There are about 30 varieties of dracaena plants found throughout the world. Here we will discuss about different varieties of dracaena plants and how to care for them.

Dracaena Plant Varieties

There are many varieties of the dracaena plant with their beautiful foliage. Here are some popular varieties of the dracaena plant that you can avail from a nursery and improve the ambiance of a room.

• Dracaena Marginata, is also called the Madagascar dragon tree or red edged dracaena. This can grow up to a height of 15 feet and has narrow pointed leaves, dark green in Color with red or purple stripes. This plant is normally placed in large pots near doors.
• Dracaena sanderiana, or the lucky bamboo plant is quite a popular choice for home or office plants. This is because it is quite hardy and requires less maintenance.
• Dracaena deremensis 'Janet Craig' is another popular variety with dark green foliage, growing up to a height of 2 feet. A smaller variety of this plant 'Compacta' is also available.
• Similar to the Janet Craig variety, Dracaena deremensis 'Warneckii' has sharper leaves with a white border. It grows up to a height of one feet and has 5 to 6 stalks with long dark green leaves.
• Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana', or the corn plant, has wide leaves with a yellow variegation. The leaves of this plant arch beautifully which make it an ideal indoor plant. It can grow very well in low lighting.
• Dracaena reflexa grows as a small bush having dark green foliage with beige stripes. Outdoors it can also grow as a tree, reaching a height of about 30 feet.
• Dracaena Rikki has a beautifully color pattern on the leaves which are aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. With its long, slender leaves, having a yellow band running in the center, this is a favorite plant for interior designers.

Dracaena Plant Care Instructions

If you want your dracaena plant to thrive for a longer period, then you need to care for it properly. Here are some instructions for how to care for a dracaena plant.

• The first step to be remembered for dracaena plant care, is to choose a healthy plant. Discard plants which may have diseased leaves or weak stems. There should also be no yellow leaves, as the plant may not survive for a long time.
• There are some plants, like the lucky bamboo plant, that can grow well even without soil. For this plant, use a wide glass bowl. Check for the alkalinity of water, before placing your lucky bamboo plant in the bowl.
• There are other varieties of the dracaena plant which flourish in a well drained soil. For this, place small shards of a terracotta pot in the large pot where you would be placing your plant. Use a mixture of peat moss and potting soil for your dracaena. Repotting the plant after every five to six years will prevent the accumulation of salts. During the hot months, amply water the plant to prevent it from drying.
• Place the pot in a well light room, away from direct sunlight, as direct exposure can harm the plant. The room should also have a proper ventilation. For fertilizer, you can use plant foods that are soluble in water. A liquid fish emulsion fertilizer can also be used for the plant once in a month.
• dracaena plants get infested with pests that can hamper their growth. If there are any mites, rub the leaves with cotton ball dipped in alcohol to destroy the mites. The plant should always be keep moist to prevent scales.
• Pruning the plant on a regular basis will improve the health and also trigger growth. Pruning is another way of discarding unhealthy leaves and stems. It can also be implemented for shaping your plant in a beautiful manner.

This was a brief overview regarding the dracaena plant and its care. The best thing about the dracaena plant is that it can suit any kind of interior, be it a home or office.

Peperomia Care

Peperomia Care

Are you a lover of plants? Do you love the color green and beautiful plants? If you agree then it is very appropriate if Aaca this article. Here is a description of the plant that is blessed with leaves that have a color display for flower growing with fine bubbles. Peperomia has its roots buried in the global tropics and subtropics. A genus of epiphytic plants, houseplant is suitable for all people who want to decorate their homes with green pastures! Interest peperomia get high on visual appeal. With the unique differences and attitudes, peperomia qualified to be an ornamental plant. If the regimen of care for plants bring in nervousness, rest assured there is nothing to worry about. Peperomia care, it will not get on your nerves!

What Does the Peperomia Plant Look Like?
Peperomia plants take their own time to grow. They are sun sensitive and thrive in an environment that is laden with natural light source invited indoors. The most intriguing feat that the peperomia performs is to prosper in different shades of indoor lighting. They are comfortable in deep shades as well, which make them the ideal choice to uplift your home panorama or sustain the office decor. Indeed, a light lover to the core!

...And Leaves?
Leaves are waxy, stiff and succulent. They could be variegated, rigid, smooth or winkled in their appearance. There are more than a thousand species of peperomia plant.

...And Flowers?
They, in the actual, have flowers, but of a negligible size. They are extremely tiny, hanging at the end of the long, thin stems. The flowers are a color of groovy green cocooned in the variegated foliage.

Handpick the Peperomia Plant - You Have a Choice!
There are three types of peperomia plant you could choose to adorn your house with.

Upright Peperomia
This type of peperomia plant ranges between 5 to 8 inches. They have chiseled thick stems. The peperomia magnoliaefolia variegata is the most popular among the group. They are bottle green in color and are an attractive sight to behold. It has whorled leaves and tropical aura, thus making it a unique piece to possess.

Bushy Peperomia
The bushy peperomia is where the peperomia obtusifolia belongs. This type of peperomia navigates 4 to 8 inches in height with plenty of leaf shapes to rave about. The peperomia caperata are the most widely found adorning homes. Peperomia argyreia is one of the species that has an uncanny resemblance to the watermelon. Wonder how that combination came into the picture! Well, that is nature, amalgamative from within!

Trailing Peperomia
The trailing peperomia is, in the actual a trailer, a creeper of sorts that can be adorned on the office window to deliver a feeling of warmth. There is a variety called the Peperomia rotundifolia. This type has small and circular shaped fleshy green leaves that are solid green. Peperomia prostrata is blessed with an interesting design and that is with leaves having silver or cream marks. It seems as though the stars have found refuge in these greens.

How to Care for Peperomia
On the peperomia care front, all I have to say is they are plants that take the middle path. You don't need to arrange for pampering sessions every single day, nor you can leave them on their own, to find them thriving on neglect!

• Peperomia plant care involves you to place them in an area that is devoid of direct sunlight.
• The peperomia care is convenience personified as they have no troubles in heat-y temperatures and are strong enough to thrive in the normal indoor temperatures.
• They are not very comfortable changing quarters! Yes, re-potting them often is an activity, not appreciated by them. You could re-pot them once or twice, if need be.
• If you consider re-potting them, the peperomia plant care would demand a soil that is rich in peat moss, in order to facilitate good drainage.
• They are plants that personify longevity as well. They live for long, which is why house owners love to grow them. Attachment with the plant can be encouraged, now!
• Keep the peperomia obtusifolia away from snails and diseases by getting rid of weeds and other growth inhibitors. You may gain some more knowledge by browsing through indoor plant care, which will help you take proper care of such plants.

Umbrella Plant

Umbrella Plant

Umbrella known as the foliage of plants that have variegated its rich and delicious in nature. Umbrella plants have been baptized with five other identity to refer to and get along with. They Darmera peltata, podophyllum peltatum, Cyperus alternifolius, Schefflera arboricola and Eriogonum longifolium.

The peltata Darmera also referred to as Indian Rhubarb. This plant is tapped by the presence of leaves and flowers. The flowers bloom before the onset of leaf. The flowers adorn the swaying shades from white to shades of pink. They have a round of five-petaled flower cymes in nature. There are a lot of pink and white flowers that are part of the plant. The leaves are deeply lobed, coarsely toothed with intense veining. Leaves change color from green rich quarters to fuschia red. Podophyllum peltatum ranged from 20 to 30 cm in diameter. They are accompanied by a long lobe having an incision abstruse, it is 5 to 10 in number. This tree is also known as mayapple, wild lemon, apple and vicious wild mandrake to name a few. Cyperus alternifolius is a native of Madagascar. Schefflera arboricola is an evergreen shrub that grows up to 3 to 4 meters. The leaves have leaflets 9 to 20 cm long. Each leaf 7 to 9 leaflets. The umbels have 5 to 10 flowers. Eriogonum longifolium also identified as an umbrella or a wheat crop Harper Harper. It remains in a state where very mature size is concerned. The flowers have stems that develop in full bloom and wither away gradually.

The umbrella plant would look gorgeous in your garden and could be the perfect choice to adorn your home decor. You may be surprised to find yourself noticing the presence of this plant around. With its green and glossy foliage, this plant should be your pick to ornate your house with some greens.

Umbrella Plant Care

• Light is extremely important for every plant and the umbrella plant is no exception to this requirement. The process of photosynthesis can take place when the plant is exposed to sufficient light. Excess of sunlight can also prove harmful for the plant. The leaves may gradually face discoloration. Diffused sunlight is what the umbrella plant requires. You may choose to keep it indoors as it is a houseplant. Umbrella plant requires adequate sunlight to grow, however, direct and sharp sunlight is not entertained by the plant.
• Umbrella plant requires to be pruned from time to time in order to yield a healthy crop. The umbrella plant can grow up to 8 feet in height. However, its height can be controlled and the plant be kept in shape with the activity of pruning. Get rid of dead leaves still hanging on the stems and trim the plant to give its fresh foliage, life to breathe again.
• The umbrella plant does not pose any pest problems. However, when the plant is a part of the garden, there are chances that mealy bugs, scale insects and mites may victimize the plant. If you notice white or brown spots on the flip side of the leaves, you may gather that infestation has occurred. Application or spraying of pesticides is a must to keep them umbrella plant healthy and pest free.
• Seeds cutting and air-layers are the ways in which propagation of this plant is possible. When you bring home an umbrella plant, pot it in the garden where there is plenty of sunlight to bask in. You may shift the plant back indoors where the conditions provide diffused sunlight. This practice will help you attain a thick and lush umbrella crop.
• Umbrella plants are an excellent selection for outlining your hedges and giving your landscape a green aura. The umbrella plant is an apt choice for your garden as the garden looks ornate, this being an ornamental plant.
• The umbrella plant requires moist condition. Your umbrella plant care, as far as the watering schedule is concerned, should be tight and diligent. Water the houseplant thoroughly and be regular with your watering time tables. Excessive water is not what the plant demands. So keep a tab on the force of the hose pipe! Be very cautious when you water the umbrella plant during frost.

This was all about the umbrella plant and its care regimen. Hope this article has not left any doubts in your mind and has sowed the seeds of surety for bringing this beautiful plant home.

How to Install Decomposed Granite

Most people love a beautiful home. We try to organize our homes with things that are environmentally friendly. The outside of the house is the first thing we look to give the impression that ppada our homes. If you're wondering about how you can give the front or rear face lift without spending a huge fortune, decomposed granite is the answer to your request. 

What is Decomposed Granite

For the uninitiated, in this section, we'll tell you what decomposed granite is, and what it can be used for. Decomposed granite, is not actually granite that has decomposed (I have no qualms admitting I thought it was!). In fact, it is a result of the mere breaking of a granite stone. When the granite breaks down, it forms a lot of tiny pieces. These tiny pieces develop a reddish tinge and have a very gravel like appearance. Right from the look to even the feel and texture. So, we can say that decomposed granite is nothing but reddish gravel. If you're lucky, you'll get decomposed granite which has tiny spots that gleam in the sunlight, and make your pathway look like it is studded with little diamonds. Decomposed granite has two main uses. It can be used as a covering material (which we'll be explaining to you in the section below), and can also be used as mulch for plants. Because of the high content of minerals in the gravel, plants tend to absorb them and flourish when mulched with decomposed granite.

How to Install Decomposed Granite

Now that you're familiar with what decomposed granite is, let us take a look at the very simple steps to install it. For the purpose of this article, we'll explain how to install decomposed granite on a walkway. Just go through the instructions given below.

Step # 1: First, measure the length and breadth of your walkway. Once you have your measurements, the next step is to step out and purchase the decomposed granite. Any leading home improvement store should supply it. You can give the measurements of your walkway to the sales person, and he'll give you an idea of how much gravel you'll need.
*Tip: It's a good idea to buy some extra gravel and keep with you, for future use.

Step # 2: Once you have enough decomposed granite, it's time to get down to business. Get your gardening gloves out and make sure you pull out all the plants, grass and weeds that have encroached upon your intended walkway. You'll need to use a spade to pull out the stubborn ones, but make sure you do this. If they're not plucked out from their roots, there are chances that they'll regrow and mess up the place.

Step # 3: After you've picked out all the vegetation, lay a cover that is made of weed blocking fabric over the area. This cover should consist of at least 3 to 4 layers. The more the better actually. Once you've laid them down, you need to drill them into the ground using spikes and a hammer.

Step # 4: After you've laid down the fabric, your walkway is ready for the decomposed granite. Open the packs and simply spread the gravel out onto the fabric until you cannot see any empty spots. Make sure the entire area is covered, because decomposed granite has a tendency to spread a lot.

Step # 5: After you have spread the granite out, you'll want to form a barrier of sorts to keep the decomposed granite from washing away in the rain or getting blown away by the wind. So, you can simply place larger rocks along the borders of the walkway to prevent the gravel from escaping. You can also have bricks lined up to form a border.

Step # 6: You can lightly drizzle some water on the granite to help it set better. After that, just leave it be and let nature do the rest. It will set on its own and give you a brilliant walkway, ready to be used in a couple of hours!

You can make use of decomposed granite in a lot of simple landscaping ideas, to enhance the exterior of your home. If you feel that the effect is reducing, remember those extra bags of granite that you bought? Just sprinkle some of it on the already existing path, and it's as good as new!