If you've just finished your major landscaping and garden planting for spring, you know that creating the right growing environment can be a delicate process. But if you've had a difficult time getting your garden to thrive, it might not be due to your planning -- it could be due to your supplies, particularly of water. An irrigation system leak or blockage can really affect how well plants do, potentially drowning or dehydrating them and making gardening more of a chore than a pleasant pastime.
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Cracked patios don't have to be a fact of life. Installing the patio correctly is the first step to preventing cracks, followed by selecting the right patio material and maintaining it properly. The following tips can help keep your patio crack-free and attractive.
#1: Install the Base Properly
Whether you use poured concrete or pavers, the base is the key to preventing future cracks. In most cases, excavating to a 10-inch depth and filling it with a sturdy substrate, such as pea gravel, creates a base for the patio that can handle the natural expansion and contraction of the soil during freeze and thaw cycles.
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If you are someone who likes the idea of a private island, but don't have the money to purchase a real one, you might think that you're out of luck. But depending on the size of your backyard, you can create your own island. Whether you're going to use it as a place to escape or as a beautiful floral centerpiece for your yard, building an island is not as difficult as it seems.
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Whether you want to add detail to your property, hide inherent imperfections with the turf, or camouflage your home's foundation, a border is an excellent and very-natural way to achieve this. The options are endless when it comes to different types of borders, from flowering to foliage, seasonal to year-round. Depending on your distinct needs and preferences, the right border can give the property a manicured, landscaped look on practically any budget.
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The best time to plan on edging your lawn or green-space is in the spring, when the ground is soft and easy to dig. After you have reshaped or formed your garden beds in the summer, plant to install your edging. Keep an eye on new edging after heavy rain, and re-edge or repair in the fall after the last mowing of the season.
Some different types of lawn edging to consider include the following suggestions:
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