Gardening Basics | Fine Home Gardening

<h1 style="text-align:center;">Gardening Basics</h1><p>

<h1>Are Mosquito Repellent Plants Effective? [YR]</h1><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1656682446487___END___</p><p>___SNIPPET___AuthorSnippet#1652300581031___END___</p><p>___SNIPPET___SharingBarSnippet#1649855804354___END___</p><p>___SNIPPET___TocSnippet#1649855804354___END___</p><p style="margin-left:0px;">Mosquitoes can be a nuisance, especially during the warmer months when they are most active. One way to try to deter these pesky insects is by planting mosquito repellent plants in your garden or around your outdoor spaces. But do these plants actually work to repel mosquitoes?</p><p style="margin-left:0px;">There is some evidence to suggest that certain plants can have a repellent effect on mosquitoes. For example, citronella is a commonly used mosquito repellent and is found in many commercial products. It is also used in some plants that are marketed as mosquito repellent, such as citronella grass and citronella geraniums. These plants can release a strong citronella scent when their leaves are crushed or when they are burned as a natural insect repellent. Some people find that the scent of citronella helps to keep mosquitoes at bay.</p><p style="margin-left:0px;">Other plants that are thought to have mosquito repellent properties include marigolds, lavender, and basil. These plants also have strong scents that may help to deter mosquitoes. However, it's important to note that the effectiveness of these plants as mosquito repellents can vary. Some people may find that these plants are effective at keeping mosquitoes away, while others may not notice much of a difference.</p><p style="margin-left:0px;">In general, it's important to keep in mind that using plants as a mosquito repellent is not a foolproof method. Mosquitoes can still find their way into your outdoor spaces, even if you have mosquito repellent plants present. To reduce the risk of mosquito bites, it's a good idea to use other methods of protection such as wearing insect repellent, using mosquito nets, and eliminating standing water around your home.</p><h2 style="margin-left:0px;">Mosquito Repellent Plants</h2><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1656682977770___END___</p><ul><li>Because the leaves of lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) and citronella grass (C. nardus) contain citronella oil, both of these types of grass are effective at warding off mosquitoes. Crushing the leaves and rubbing them on exposed skin is an effective method for warding off insects that bite. People living in areas with cooler winters need to keep their tall tropical grasses, lemon grass, and citronella grass in pots and bring them inside when the weather gets more relaxed in the fall. These grasses are the only ones that can live as perennials in areas that do not experience frost.</li></ul><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1656683099752___END___</p><ul><li>The herb lemon thyme, scientifically known as Thymus citriodorus, is also a citrus-scented herb that has the potential to be used topically as an insect repellent. Burning sprigs of lemon thyme, for example, on an outside grill, is another efficient method for warding off pest insects and keeping them away from a specific location.</li></ul><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1656683149476___END___</p><ul><li>Both lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and lemon thyme (Taraxacum officinale) have an aroma that is disagreeable to flying insects. It should be used topically. If you want to cultivate lemon balm, you should be aware that it is a member of the mint family. Because of this, you should grow it in a container, so it does not become invasive.</li></ul><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1656683208845___END___</p><ul><li>The pungent aroma of lavender may be used to ward off pests such as moths, flies, fleas, and mosquitoes. You may either use it fresh, dry some of the blossoms to hang about the home, or mix it with your clothes to keep insects at bay. This is how you create sachets with lavender in them.</li></ul><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1656683312004___END___</p><ul><li>Garlic is effective in warding off more than just vampires. However, for the cloves to be effective against insects, they must be rubbed into the skin, and this practice may be more unpleasant to other people than the insects themselves. (Unfortunately, there is no evidence to suggest that eating garlic can keep insects at bay.)</li></ul><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1656683393296___END___</p><ul><li>Rosemary may keep mosquitoes and flies from spoiling a picnic. If the insect problem is severe, you may try throwing a few rosemary sprigs on the grill; the smoke from the rosemary will have a pleasant perfume, which will help keep the mosquitoes at bay.</li></ul><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1656683472622___END___</p><ul><li>Basil, also known as Ocimum basilicum, is used in cooking and has the added benefit of warding off insects like flies and mosquitoes. It is one of the most aromatic herbs; you can even smell it without crushing the plant's leaves. Basil is your best pick if you're searching for an insect-deterring plant that you can "set and forget" about in your garden.</li></ul><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1656683552547___END___</p><ul><li>In laboratory tests, the chemical compound known as nepetalactone, which is contained in catnip (Nepeta cataria), was discovered to be even more efficient at warding off mosquitoes than the widely used pesticide DEET. Unfortunately, when the crushed leaves of catnip were applied topically, it seemed that catnip had little to no impact on insect repellency. Due to this fact, you shouldn't rely on this herb to keep mosquitoes away from your home.</li></ul><p>Even while we are confident that there are additional plants that have earned a reputation for their ability to ward off insects, we wouldn't rely on just a few plants to keep insects out of our yards. By eliminating standing water in an area or reducing the number of places where mosquito larvae can breed, you can take a few simple steps to reduce the number of mosquitoes in a room.</p><p>___SNIPPET___AffiliateProductSnippet#B00YT3RWQ4___END___</p><p>Finally, I want to introduce you to mosquito repellent plants, as you might now know what they are. Would you be able to suggest some ways I can keep mosquitoes and other insects are known to carry disease at bay? How would you feel about this article?</p><p>___SNIPPET___FaqsSnippet#1672184070083___END___</p><p>___SNIPPET___RelatedArticlesListSnippet#Mosquito___END___</p>

The Effectiveness of Mosquito Repellent Plants: What You Need to Know

Are Mosquito Repellent Plants Effective? [YR]

<h1>Grass-less Areas? Here Are Landscaping Ideas Where Grass Won't Grow</h1><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1662575061349___END___</p><p>___SNIPPET___AuthorSnippet#1652300581031___END___</p><p>___SNIPPET___SharingBarSnippet#1649855804354___END___</p><p>___SNIPPET___TocSnippet#1649855804354___END___</p><p>What can be done about grass that won't grow? Did you try everything to grow grass in a particular area of your yard, but it didn't work? Don't worry! You may be able to cultivate something else in its place. Since we know how difficult it can be to grow grass in certain spots, we have compiled a list of some of our favorite alternatives to grass that can be used to cover bare land. First, let's talk about <a href="https://www.finehomegardening.com/article/landscaping-ideas-1652472721549">Landscaping Ideas</a> Where Grass Won't Grow.&nbsp;</p><h2>The Failure Of Grass To Grow For 4 Reasons</h2><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1662576309598___END___</p><p>The following are some of the potential causes of grass that have died off or become barren:</p><h3>1- A lack Of Preventative Maintenance</h3><p>Throughout the year, grass requires consistent watering in addition to the application of vital nutrients and fertilizer. It's possible that if you don't give your grass the attention it needs, it can shrivel up and die. If you cut the grass on your lawn too short, it might damage the grass and prevent it from growing the way it should.</p><h3>2- An Elevated Degree Of Acidity</h3><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1662576414598___END___</p><p>The elevated acidity levels in the soil may also prevent grass from growing. The pH level of your soil should ideally be at around 6.5, although many kinds of grass may withstand levels of acidity that are either lower or higher. It's possible that your variety of grass isn't getting the nutrients it requires because it can't tolerate changes in the soil. An annual application of lime may assist in resetting the pH level of your soil, so be sure to take advantage of this helpful pro tip.</p><h3>3- A Lack Of Exposure To Sunshine</h3><p>Most grasses require an average of six hours of sunshine each day, while certain types of grass need as much as eight hours of direct sunlight per day. It's possible that your grass won't grow as it should because most of its location is in the shade.</p><h3>4- High Volume Of Pedestrian Traffic</h3><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1662576511429___END___</p><p>There is a possibility that the nutrients in your yard are being depleted due to the frequent activity on your grass caused by visitors, children, or dogs. Your grass will not be able to flourish if it is not provided with the necessary nutrients. Your grass should be able to recover over time if you get it cared for by a competent lawn care service. You may be frantic for a remedy to the dead spots of grass on your lawn; nevertheless, if there is no hope, there is none, to begin with. In such a case, we have some suggestions for your property that you might find helpful. Take a look at these other options for your landscaping:</p><h2>5 Alternatives In Landscaping That Can Use To Cover Up Areas That Will Not Support Grass Growth</h2><h3>1- Artificial Grass Fields 1.</h3><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1662577051639___END___</p><p><strong>Synthetic grass</strong>&nbsp;is artificial turf designed to look and behave the same way as genuine grass. In addition, its maintenance requirements are substantially lower than those of traditional grass. You have your choice between the following three varieties:&nbsp;<strong>Polyethylene turf grass</strong>&nbsp;<i>is noted for its characteristics of being soft, durable, and the color of brilliant green.</i>&nbsp;Strong and able to tolerate high temperatures,<strong>&nbsp;nylon grass</strong>&nbsp;is an excellent artificial lawn option. Conversely,&nbsp;<strong>polypropylene grass</strong>&nbsp;is the choice with the lowest price point; nevertheless, it is not as long-lasting or challenging as the two types.</p><p>___SNIPPET___AffiliateProductSnippet#B081GVVRYR___END___</p><p>Purchasing turf grass may at first appear to be a costly investment; nevertheless, this is an investment that is well worth doing if your grass is unable to grow. Since turf grass is built to last a lifetime, you won't need to worry about replacing artificial grass soon.</p><h3>2- Grow A Garden</h3><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1662577092761___END___</p><p>Create a bright and lovely garden by planting a wide range of plants, including flowers, shrubs, and other plants. It is essential to consider the height and weight of the things you are planting to ensure that they are spaced apart appropriately. If you don't do this, your plants may end up competing with one another and stealing nutrients from another, leaving you in the same position as before! When planning out your garden, it is crucial to keep in mind the benefits of perennial plants, which include their ease of care and low level of upkeep requirements.</p><h3>3- Give It Some Thought</h3><p>Mulch is another popular choice to conceal the dead grass in your yard. Mulch is used for various reasons, including preventing erosion, retaining heat and moisture, controlling weeds, and protecting the root system. In addition, they may make mulch from a wide range of materials, including wood chips, shredded bark, sawdust, straw mulch, pine needles, and even rubber. Use mulch in your landscaping to spark your imagination, and experiment with the many varied textures and hues available. Expert Advice: Rock or stone mulch is an alternative to bark mulch that you might want to consider. Please take a look at this article before choosing a choice because both options have positives and negatives associated with them.</p><h3>4- Construct A Water Body</h3><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1662576640980___END___</p><p>Ponds add aesthetic value to <a href="https://www.finehomegardening.com/article/terrace-gardening-ideas-for-home-1662660548345">the surrounding landscape</a>, require little upkeep, and foster ecological balance. In addition, they can potentially improve your property's aesthetic appeal significantly. It is recommended that a fiberglass liner or concrete be used when constructing a pond since these materials require very little upkeep. When you are building a pond, make sure that you dig it very deeply to keep the water from freezing during the winter. To finish creating the ideal habitat, line the pond's perimeter with stones, pebbles, or a boulder.</p><p>___SNIPPET___AffiliateProductSnippet#B074JSH24R___END___</p><h3>5- Construct Or Install A Patio</h3><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1662576701908___END___</p><p>Patios are not only aesthetically pleasing but also need little upkeep and provide a soothing environment to socialize and barbecue. Many terraces are available, including concrete, wood, clay bricks, gravel, flagstone, and patio pavers. While some are more do-it-yourself friendly than others, getting a professional's opinion is still a good idea before creating your patio. In addition, there are many methods in which you may exercise your creative side with your design, particularly regarding concrete. If you hire a professional that specializes in concrete or patios, they will be able to change your landscape and hide those annoying patches of dead grass. Then all you need to do is put some seats and a fire pit outside, and you've got yourself a brand new outdoor haven. So we have listed some landscaping ideas where grass won't grow and the causes and solutions to the problem. Is It beneficial?</p><p>___SNIPPET___RelatedArticlesListSnippet#landscaping___END___</p>

First, let's talk about Landscaping Ideas Where Grass Won't Grow 

Here Are Landscaping Ideas Where Grass Won't Grow

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Easiest Way To Launch A Market Gardening Business

<h1>How To Select The Best Heavy Duty Hoes</h1><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1667562558724___END___</p><p>___SNIPPET___AuthorSnippet#1664414223255___END___</p><p>___SNIPPET___SharingBarSnippet#1649855804354___END___</p><p>___SNIPPET___TocSnippet#1649855804354___END___</p><p>When people pull weeds, excavate, or cultivate, the error that occurs most frequently is choosing the incorrect heavy duty hoes for the task. That is the mistake that individuals make more often than any other. As a result, you will exert more effort than is required, which will, in turn, put tension on your back.</p><p>Consequently, one of our key goals is to make it as simple as feasible for you to choose the appropriate hoe for every one of your assignments, regardless of the particulars of the circumstance that you will be working in.</p><p>Keep scrolling through the list of gardening hoes that are now available for purchase on our website. You will eventually find a chart that explains the numerous duties that gardening hoes are utilized for. Check out the second rationale for why your hoe needs to have a long handle (or click the links).</p><h2>What Is A Garden Hoe?</h2><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1667565384838___END___</p><p>Garden hoes are multipurpose implements used for various tasks, such as weeding, digging, and cultivating the soil. The length of the handles ensures that the person using them will not be constrained in their movement and can maintain an upright working position for the duration of their shift. The type of hoe used most frequently for weeding is known as a weeding hoe, which has a blade that is sharpened at an angle and sliced along the top layer of soil to either cut weeds or uproot them. The most common way to use a hoe for weeding is to slice it along the top layer of soil. The type of hoe utilized most frequently for the task of weeding is known as the weeding hoe.</p><p>Other types include cultivating hoes with tines that can dig down into bare soil to till it, stir it, loosen it up, or aerate it. Other purposes for using such a tool include planting seeds and weeding. Another digging hoe has blades that are set in a manner that is perpendicular to the handle of the device. This type of digging hoe is easily recognizable by its sharp edges. This particular model of the Digging Hoe can be employed to chop or otherwise fragment the soil and the sod while digging or tilling. You can do this regardless of whether the sod is present or not.</p><h2>What Are The Uses Of A Garden Hoe?</h2><p>You can accomplish the tasks with their assistance: tilling the garden, cultivating the soil, preparing seedbeds, producing furrows, shifting mulch, and weeding small gaps between crops. Other tasks include preparing seedbeds. In this specific situation, the three most crucial things that need to be done are to dig, grow, and weed, and digging is the most critical activity.</p><p>___SNIPPET___AffiliateProductSnippet#B082BWMLCD___END___</p><ul><li>When someone uses the verb "to dig," they refer to activities such as creating a fissure in the ground or digging into the sod. (it is suggested that either a Grub Hoe or a Pointed Hoe be utilized in this endeavor)</li><li>Cultivate - till, stir, or loosen bare soil. (the employment of a fork hoe is highly recommended in this situation)</li><li>To get rid of weeds, you need to pass through the earth's surface, and then you can either uproot them or chop them down. (whether you go with a Grape Hoe or a Switchblade Hoe is up to you, but either one is OK)</li></ul><h2>Use This Chart To Help You Choose A Gardening Hoe</h2><p>There are a lot of gardening tasks that gardening hoes can be used for. Here we will explain the most common types of hoes you can use and show you which one is right for the job you have in mind.</p><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp; &nbsp; Tool / Task&nbsp;</td><td>Grub Hoe&nbsp;</td><td>Grape Hoe&nbsp;</td><td>Fork Hoe&nbsp;</td><td>Pointed Hoe&nbsp;</td><td>Switchblade</td></tr><tr><td>break sod&nbsp;</td><td>Yes</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>Yes</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td>till a garden&nbsp;</td><td>Yes</td><td>No</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td>dig a trench&nbsp;</td><td>Yes</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td>break hardened soil&nbsp;</td><td>Fair</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>Fair</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td>lever stones &amp; roots&nbsp;</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td>chop thick roots&nbsp;</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td>cut pasture weeds&nbsp;</td><td>Yes</td><td>Fair</td><td>No</td><td>Yes</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td>weed large areas&nbsp;</td><td>No</td><td>Yes</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td>clean garden paths&nbsp;</td><td>No</td><td>Yes</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td>weed small, tight spaces&nbsp;</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>Yes</td></tr><tr><td>deep cultivation&nbsp;</td><td>Yes</td><td>No</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td>shallow cultivating&nbsp;</td><td>Fair</td><td>Yes</td><td>Yes</td><td>No</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td>prepare seed beds&nbsp;</td><td>No</td><td>Fair</td><td>Yes</td><td>No</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td>create furrows&nbsp;</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>No</td><td>Yes</td><td>No</td></tr><tr><td>move &amp; turn mulch&nbsp;</td><td>No</td><td>Fair</td><td>Fair</td><td>No</td><td>No</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><h2>Why You Should Be Using A Long-Handled Hoe</h2><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1667565405766___END___</p><p>When you are digging, cultivating, or pulling weeds, a standing position is the most ergonomically sound position for you to maintain. If you can use a tool with long handles, you will be able to keep this position. If you were to use a tool such as a shovel or a spade with a shorter handle, this would signal that you would need to exert less effort and put less pressure on your back as a result of the task that you were doing. Most people immediately realize the benefit of having a longer handle on hoes built explicitly for weeding, which is why longer handles are becoming increasingly common. On the other hand, when it comes to digging and cultivating hoes, people frequently confuse them with other shorter-handled tools or shorter variants used in different regions of the world. That is because digging and growing hoes have longer blades than other tools with shorter handles. That is because digging and developing hoes have blades significantly longer than other instruments with shorter handles. Immediately following this, we will provide some further elaboration.</p><h2>What Is The Ideal Length Of The Handle?</h2><p>The most comfortable posture for the hoe handle you use is one in which you have adjusted its height so that it lies halfway between your armpit and your shoulder. That is the ideal position for it to be in. As a result of the adjustable design that is included in all of our products, the length of the hoe handle may be altered so that it more closely corresponds to the specifications you desire. It is possible to shorten the long handle's length without affecting the diameter. That is made possible because the diameter of the long handle remains constant throughout its entirety. If the rounded end of your grip is an excessive length, you may easily lop off part of the excess length by cutting it with some scissors. That is an option if the size of the rounded end of your handle is excessive. You can use a sander or the tried-and-true method of whittling with a pocket knife to re-round the future that has been hacked off. Either way will accomplish the same goal.</p><h2>Why Are Some Tools' Handles So Short?</h2><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1667565470527___END___</p><p>It is possible to do the operation with a shorter handle; nevertheless, doing so makes the task less ergonomic, puts more strain on your back, and requires more effort. We suggest you obtain some experience using your hoe while it still has its original, suitably sized long handle. You can try it while it is still in its original condition. You should get some experience using your hoe while it still has its original, appropriately sized long handle. Rather than quickly chopping it down to a shorter length because you believe it will seem more natural, you should get some experience using your hoe while it still has its original, long handle. When using a hoe, having the appropriate length determines the labor's effectiveness.</p><h2>What Makes A Shorter Handle Feel More Familiar?</h2><p>Axes, hatchets, sledgehammers, and picks with shorter handles are the power tools most people feel at ease employing. To complete high-impact duties such as breaking up concrete and chopping wood, they are given a full-body swinging arcing motion to perform. That suggests that the instrument is swung with significant energy from above to the ground below it. On the other hand, a large hoe is a tool used for digging soil instead of breaking concrete, and you should NOT swing it from above. That is because there is a possibility that it will cause the tool to become damaged in some way.</p><h2>How Heavy Or Light Should The Hoe Head Be?</h2><p>___SNIPPET___ImageSnippet#1667565507476___END___</p><p>It is vital that the edge of the hoe that cuts into the soil be robust for digging and cutting into the ground (a half pound per inch of width is best). On the other hand, the head of the hoe may be designed to be quite a bit lighter while it is being used for weeding compared to when it is being used for other purposes. It is a regrettable reality that the models sold in today's big-box stores, such as the hoes available at Lowes, are excessively lightweight, uninteresting, and built inexpensively. That is especially true with the hoes sold at Lowes. That is especially true about the hoes that are available from Lowe's.</p><p>On the other hand, garden hoes can be purchased from our company, Easy Digging, through our online store anytime. These hoes are durable tools that have been sharpened to a razor's edge and feature efficient designs that were developed back in the day when manually hoeing, digging, and tilling the soil were commonplace tasks on farms or in family gardens. These hoes are ideal for use on farms and in family gardens, and the use of these hoes is perfect for agricultural settings or in home gardens.</p><h2>How Heavy Or Light Should The Hoe Head Be?</h2><p>If you intend to dig into the dirt or chop through thick weeds that have been growing for a long time, then you should invest in a heavy-duty garden hoe to serve you for a very long time. That will ensure that you have the proper tool for the job. It is a significant pain to have one of your tools break down on you during a stressful workday because it disrupts your workflow and causes additional work to be done. Additionally, it is a waste of money to buy several inexpensive ones and then break them, rather than investing in a single forge-made eye hoe of exceptional quality that serves the user for an exceptionally long time. That is because the forge-made eye hoe will help the user for an unusually long time. That is because the forge-made eye hoe will provide its user with a long service life.</p><p>___SNIPPET___AffiliateProductSnippet#B0B3HFVSXF___END___</p><p>On the other hand, specific duties, such as those mentioned above, are better served by a type of weeding hoe that is not as heavy and more sensitive to its surroundings. For instance, if you want to perform detailed weeding between closely spaced plants, you will need a tool with precise control, such as our Switchblade hoe, a gardening hoe that is compact, light, and pointed. If you want to learn more about our Switchblade hoe, feel free to visit our website. Visit our website if you are interested in gaining additional knowledge concerning our Switchblade hoe. Because of heavy duty hoes, you will have greater accuracy when eradicating weeds from your garden.</p><p>___SNIPPET___FaqsSnippet#1667566200484___END___</p><p>___SNIPPET___RelatedArticlesListSnippet#Heavy Duty Hoes___END___</p>

Because of heavy duty hoes, you will have greater accuracy when eradicating weeds from your garden.

Gardening Basics

Are Mosquito Repellent Plants Effective? 2023

Here Are Landscaping Ideas Where Grass Won't Grow

Easiest Way To Launch A Market Gardening Business

How To Select The Best Heavy Duty Hoes