Blog

Tags , , , , ,

The Utilization of Live Stakes In Water’s Edge

Plant Live Stakes Near Water For Fast Growing Trees

If you would like to enhance landscaping and have streams, lakes, ponds, or other wetland areas you would like to preserve, consider using live stakes. Live stakes are taken as cuttings from a live growing plant. Stripped of their vegetation, they are then cut to size and used primarily to stabilize the soil. Their function in landscaping is invaluable. Not only do they effectively control erosion, this method is conducive to providing a habitat for wildlife as well.

 

Image result for live stakes

Live stakes can be used in a number of ways. The most common way to use them would be as a border for ponds, streams, and lakes as well as other wetland areas where erosion may occur. They help to bind the soil together, and the root system they provide will help to stabilize the soil and remove excess moisture.

There are many types of hardwood live stake cuttings. The best ones to choose would be:

Silky Dogwood-This tree grows into a beautiful Spring flowering hedge that will enhance any area. The silky dogwood is easy to grow with a strong root system. River Birch-This tree is an excellent choice for landscaping as it grows well in moist areas. The river birch is easy to grow, and has a good strong root system. Black Willow-These trees will grow to be quite tall and are quite lovely to look at. They are also good shade trees when mature. Choosing black willow stakes would be a good bet as they thrive in moist areas and are known for their strong roots.

The best time to use live stakes would be in the dormant season but they can be planted at any time of the year. To assure a good planting, soaking before planting is recommended. The best adviser for the planting techniques and methods would be your greenhouse supplier or online website. There are many types of live stakes available and there are many reasons to use them. If you would like years of enjoyment and pleasure from your landscaping, consider this option for enhancement. You and your family will be pleasantly surprised to see the beauty and the functionality of these landscaping ideas for years to come. As you look around your property you will be glad you used these options to make your home and property both unique and lovely to look at. If you decide to enhance your landscaping, please consider the choice of live stakes for your wetland areas.

Tags , , , ,

Bare Root Plants Are The More Economical Choice In Landscaping

One of the reasons we have always shipped bare rooted plants is because they are easy to ship and much more affordable to be able to ship them. We have created this content to let our customer’s know why we are a bare root wholesale nursery shipper.

Save Money Buying Bare Root Plants

Homeowners who want to provide themselves with a relaxing and attractive ambiance in their outdoor living space may be concerned about the prohibitive costs involved in purchasing trees, shrubs, and perennials from traditional nursery retailers. Others may want to use their back yards to grow some of their own fruit to keep household food budgets down.

Whatever the reason, buying bare root plants from a wholesale nursery makes good financial sense. Savings can also be enhanced by finding a good online nursery to purchase plant materials from.Bare root plants aren’t as expensive as those that are in containers simply because the consumer isn’t paying for the pots and potting soil necessary to keep them alive. Transplanting is also problematic with certain types of plants, and improper handling of the roots when transferring a plant from a container to the garden can easily result in the destruction of the plant. For example, the tiny, fine roots at the end of larger roots can be essential to plant survival, and they are easily destroyed during the transplanting process.

Image result for bare root plants

Plants that are sold bare root are meant to be planted before they break dormancy. This means that they can easily and inexpensively be shipped to any location on the planet from the wholesale nursery where they originated. In fact, it is better for the ultimate health of the plant to purchase it bare root and plant it before it comes out of its dormant state. Plants are much less likely to experience damage to their root systems during transplanting if they are planted while still in a dormant state

.Examples of plants that can be purchased bare root are most varieties of deciduous trees,  raspberries, blackberries, trees, shrubs, evergreens, and perennials. Many standard border perennials can also be bought bare root and planted shortly after the final frost.Homeowners who desire to have top quality outdoor living spaces, as well as those who want to grow a certain amount of their own fruits, should investigate the benefits of purchasing bare root plants as opposed to those in containers. It’s recommended that those who want to save money yet still retain quality search for an online nursery to fulfill your garden needs. Online nurseries don’t have the overhead cost involved in operating traditional nurseries and are therefore able to offer customers substantial savings.

Privet Hedges for sale
Tags , , , , , ,

Great Choices For Creating A Privacy Hedge

 

Privacy hedges are made up of shrubs and even trees that grow tall enough to block the view. This makes them just right around patios and around pools. Not only does a tall, dense hedge provide privacy, but it makes great noise reducers. Some gardeners find that certain types of shrubs make better privacy hedges.

Image result for privacy hedges

Hemlock

This isn’t the deadly poisonous herb but a shrub of the species Tsuga. As a slow-growing tree, hemlock can grow to over 100 feet tall, but it’s usually allowed to grow to about eight feet tall as a hedge. Because it tolerates shade a bit better than over evergreens, it’s excellent to place around patios or around pools.

Privet

This familiar hedge-plant is deciduous or semi-evergreen. The oval leaf privet is the variety most commonly used for privacy hedges. It produces panicles of pretty white flowers, but some people find the smell of the flowers unpleasant. Also, the fruit is toxic to humans but good for birds. This makes it a good hedge to attract birds. It’s also a food plant for many species of butterflies and moths.

 

Boxwood

Boxwood not only provides privacy, but its dense, small leaves make great noise reducers. The leaves are also aromatic. Normally, boxwoods grow to between three and six feet, but some varieties can grow to 10 feet tall.

 

Other shrubs that provide good hedges are arborvitae, yew, holly, viburnum, and euonymus.One thing about hedges is that it takes a while before they grow tall enough to provide privacy. This is true unless the homeowner buys all the plants fully grown, but the cost of that is prohibitive for most people.The hedge can be staggered or straight. Before the seedlings are planted, the gardener should mark the spaces with stakes. With a staggered hedge, a straight line should be marked with a string line, and the stakes should be placed on either side of the plant.The holes for the seedlings should be planted as deep and twice as wide as their containers and their root balls. The container should then be eased away from the plant, and the roots should be loosened. If they’ve formed a tight ball, they can be trimmed. The root ball should be placed into the hole and soil should be tamped down around it. Then, the plant should be watered in thoroughly.Depending on how quickly the plants grow and how well they’re cared for, a thick, tall hedge should emerge over a few years.

Tags , ,

Growing A Garden 101

How to begin thinking about growing a garden

When you’ve finally made enough space where you can have your own garden. You have decided to have one of those backyards (or front yards) where you can be proud of, and when your friends come over, you can show off your gardening skills. But, it’s not that easy, is it? No, not only do you need to have enough space, but you need to develop steps to plan your gardening.

Image result for gardening

 

First, break down what kind of garden you want to have. Not only are there tons of different types of plants to choose from, but there are many different types of garden plants that you can grow. For sake of time, let’s break them down into edible or non-edible plants. Both serve their purposes, and thankfully, you can actually do both! Edible, of course, has a great function in the sense that you can eat what you grow, so there is no wasted space. Non-edible garden plants are great for decoration and can keep certain critters at bay.

 

Something to think about before you plant anything: what kinds of plants live symbiotically with each other? A symbiotic relationship, especially when talking about garden plants, can be detrimental to your plant’s health. For example, if you plant chilies next to flowering plants, deer, and other creatures will be less likely to eat those flowering plants because of the chilies presence.

 

Steps to plan your gardening:

  1. Make enough room for whatever you want to plant. Make sure you think outside of the box. You can always have plants in hanging baskets or construct vertical trellises for edible and non-edible plants.
  2. What kind of construction do you need to protect your plants? Are you going to need to build boxes or fences to keep the plants in and the animals out?
  3. How much space are you going to need? Sometimes, plants that you wouldn’t expect get very large and can kill other plants because there isn’t enough room.
  4. Most important: keep in mind what the plants need, in terms of light, water, and shade. I had to learn this the hard way with basil. Darn San Francisco weather.

 

Over time, you will have mastered all of the steps above and you can make easy and swift decisions on what kinds of garden plants you want to have. But understand that it takes a lot of practice, patience, and persistence to get it just right and to have a garden that you can truly be proud of. And always remember: gardening is good for your soul and your belly!

Tags , , ,

The Benefits of Buying Trees Wholesale

Purchasing trees can be an overwhelming task. You may be looking to landscape your yard, or you may be in the landscaping business. Buying wholesale trees and shrubs can help you keep your costs down. Low grower prices help to keep the cost lower when you are buying in bulk.

Depending on the grower, markup can range from 80% retail to 200% retail. Grower prices take into consideration marketing, overhead, and transportation of the product. Some growers offer pricing deals. Usually, these deals are “The More You Buy, The Bigger The Percentage Off the Total Cost”. 80% retail is a more attractive price point for people looking to purchase wholesale trees.

When you purchase your trees in bulk, most nurseries sell dormant trees when they ship, it’s the safest time to ship them when bare root. Bare root trees are dormant. This is the state in which your trees will be when they are shipped to you. You also have the option of picking up your own trees. This can help you save on cast.

Wholesale Nursery – Tree Nursery Online
A wholesale nursery offers excellent prices on all types of trees and plants. You can also mail order from most now.

Grower direct purchases are when the grower sells the trees directly to customers. A business to business wholesaler purchases trees from nurseries. These business to business sellers may purchase from multiples growers. You will need to decide between grower direct distributors or the large business distributors when you purchase your trees in bulk.

Buying your trees in bulk may make your order more affordable. You can choose from container grown trees or trees that were grown, dug up, and then shipped to a wholesale distributor or directly to you. Wholesalers carry larger trees than a business buying from a grower.

Tags , ,

Trumpet Vines

Trumpet Creeper

Trumpet creepers, or campsis radicans, is a flowering plant that is native to the eastern United States. This plant is known by several other names including trumpet vine, cow-itch vine, and hummingbird vine. This fast-growing plant is capable of growing up to 33 feet. It is best known for its trumpet-shaped flowers, which range in color from orange to red and are produced from June until September. These plants are also known for their ability to grow almost anywhere and even in poor quality soil. In nature, these plants are most often found in woodlands and near riverbanks. However, their beauty has made these plants a popular landscaping and gardening feature. These plants are most often used on trellises, fences, arbors, pillars, and posts.

Image result for trumpet vine

A trumpet creeper plant can be a great addition to your lawn or flower garden, and not just because of the beautiful flowers that it will produce. When planted appropriately, these plants can serve several purposes. Planted along a fence, these plants can provide additional coverage creating increased privacy in your yard. These plants can also be used as groundcover and work well in areas that are in need of erosion control. This plant’s trumpet-shaped flowers are also a great way of inviting nature into your garden, attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees that will pollinate your entire yard.

Although these vines are very easy to grow, there are still a few things to keep in mind when adding them to your lawn or flower garden. When planting these vines, it is important to allow them plenty of room for growth. These plants will thrive nearly anywhere, without constant watering or the need to use fertilizer. It is also very important to remember the growth ability of this plant. It has the ability to choke the life out of trees if allowed to grow on them, therefore this should be avoided. This vine should be pruned and trained in order to keep it under control and growing only where it is meant to be. Deadheading, or removing dying and dead flowers, will prevent reseeding and growth in other areas as well.

These beautiful vines, with their trumpet-shaped blossoms, will increase the aesthetic value of your lawn or flower garden tremendously. They will add color, create extra privacy, and even bring a small piece of nature onto your property.

Tags , ,

10 Lessons I Learned From Life Off The Grid

Before my wife and I ever got married, we decided that we wanted to homestead. We knew that it would take a lot of research and work; however, we were determined to live off the grid. Five years and two children later, we are living in a homesteading community. We do not miss the high utility bills and stress from modern day living. The National Association of Homebuilders estimates that the average American electric bill is $110.21 per month, which is a lot of money. An off-the-grid lifestyle has taught me several invaluable lessons:

1. Off-the-grid living takes a lot of work

It was not easy to plan a house that is mostly self-sustaining. We had to do a lot of research to find out what kind of power, water, and septic systems were the best for our family. Once we decided on solar power, well water, and a composting toilet, we did all the work ourselves. Fortunately, we have homesteading neighbors who told us how to do it.

2. We did not have to live in the wilderness to live off the grid

When we talk about living off the land, a majority of people picture a little hut in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness—miles away from civilization. While that may be some people’s ideal situation, we still wanted to be close to town. We chose to build in a small community of homesteading families. It is a rural area where everyone has a parcel of land for gardening. There are some chores that we do together as a community. I found that we could live off grid without being hermits.

3. It is possible to survive without modern technology

The first electric lights were put in street lights in 1879, says the historicalarchive.com. Even in the early part of the 20th century, there were still many rural homes that did not have electric or running water. They depended on lanterns, candles, wells, and outhouses. I do not think that our kids are missing out by not having television or the latest video games. We have more time to spend as a family. We work together in our garden, tend to the animals, and tackle DIY projects.

4. Homesteaders are just regular people like anybody else

Not everyone who lives off the grid is a hippie who spends time burning incense and creating yogic poses. I found a lot of ordinary people in our community who still loved comfortable living.

5. I discovered the joy of farm-raised food

Before we began gardening, we bought all of our food at the grocery store. Now, I can see a big difference between the puny produce they sell and the ones that we raise. We use organic fertilizers that are safe for people and the environment. We also raise free-range animals that are fed a natural diet and are butchered humanely. We know exactly what our children are eating.

Image result for life off the grid

6. My family and I have learned valuable skills

Part of living off the grid is making the things the family needs. We no longer buy as many toiletries and cleaning supplies from the supermarket. These things are filled with potentially hazardous ingredients, warns organicconsumers.org. Instead, we make homemade soaps and cleaners like our grandparents did. My wife has learned to sew a lot of our clothes and household items.

7. Living off the grid is not free

Even though I do not have utility bills, we still have to pay for supplies. There are some things that we still have to buy at home improvement and grocery stores like flour, corn meal, milk, soap and medicines. We still have to earn a living.

8. We still use modern technology as needed

Setting up solar panels, windmills, or wells require technology. When we go the library for books, we still take advantage of the free Internet time.

9. Not everyone who lives off the grid homeschools their children

There are several families in our homesteading community who homeschool their children. We also found that just as many of our neighborhood children attend the local public school. After careful consideration, we felt that our children would be fine in public school. We give them a practical education when they are home.

10. Living off the grid is not for everyone

We have a lot of friends who enjoy the grid every day. There is no moral superiority for those who homestead. Not everyone can live off the land. I just appreciate and accept my friends for who they are.

White Ash for sale
Tags , , , , , , ,

Want An Instant Landscape ? Here’s How

Plant Mature Trees for an Instant Landscape
One of the most exciting things about a new home site is framing the new home with landscape plantings. Tasteful landscaping adds a great deal of appeal to a new home, and the landscaping of a new home involves many choices for the new home owner. The owner can enjoy creating a vision in which to frame the home, much as an artist can create a vision on a canvas.
Image result for big trees in landscaping

Most new home sites tend to be surrounded by trees and plants just out of the grower’s pot, and the homeowner must wait several years to begin realizing benefits of the landscaping. The alternative is to find a tree farm that can provide large trees to provide an instant look of maturity, so that the landscape can be enjoyed while the homeowner is still enjoying the newness of the home.

The decision to buy large trees from a quality tree farm means the homeowner gets the completed look of an instant landscape. The homeowner can get much quicker results in all the benefits that mature trees provide, including shade during the summer months, as well as the sheer beauty of the physical presence of a larger tree and leaf displays during the seasons. A decision to buy large trees might include flowering varieties to provide color and fragrance during the growing season. In most cases, immature trees require years of growth before attaining a significant display of blossoms or flowers.

Many homeowners who have chosen young trees for planting have ended up being dissatisfied with the spacing and design of their plantings. Spacing is especially difficult because of the variation in growth rates and end sizes of many varieties of trees. The new landscape that features large trees avoids most of the uncertainty involved in spacing between trees and between the home and the landscape plantings.

Planting large trees in a new home site allows the homeowner to bring the future vision of the property into the present, for instant enjoyment of all the pleasures that nature can add to a new home.

Tags

Travel Bags For Every Occasion

Like me, I must plan to pack a travel bag, especially during the most bussiest season for our nursery business. I always forget something and have to go to a drug store or Walmart most of the time when we arrive in some state in an area I have not a clue where to go to get anything at. I have found out there’s bare necessities one needs to use each time they travel in their bags, here is a list of them:

Image result for travel bags

  1. Headphones or Ear Plugs- In a hotel there’s always some screaming child or someone partying in the next room. I download a branc of running water and plug them in to sleep. Lord help me if a hotel ever catches onfire, I wouldnt hear nothing.
  2.  Commode Wipes- No matter how enticing and clean your room may seem, there are millions of germs on tiolet seats, don’t forget your sanitary wipes.
  3. Snacks- That sugar craving at 11am won’t forgive you without some needed chocolate and energy. Always bring some quick-pick-me- up snacks for the best possible experience. No one wants to awake and track down a snack shop in a hotel
  4. Medicine- Headache, heartburn or pms, always pack some quick meds.
  5. Contacts or Glasses- Oh My! What a disturbance when you needs your bifocals to read some fine print and you forgot them! Always remember to pack your second eyes.
Tags , , ,

Energy With Life Off The Grid

A lot of people want to become more sustainable in how they manage their life. However, it is impossible to do everything alone. That is why it is necessary to get outside help for managing an off the grid lifestyle. Many people who are preppies advocate this as a way to get free of government interference. Actually, off the grid living often puts you in the crosshairs of government regulators. That is why it is important that you are familiar with the expectations that your local government has for people who are not plugged into the community power supply. There are several things to consider.
1. Off the Grid Living Rules
Living off the grid has a lot of benefits. It also brings with it a lot of challenges. Many governments are influenced by powerful real estate and banking lobbyists who want to continue seeing people buying expensive mortgages that keep industry profits flowing in. This means that many cities outright ban off the grid living. Some government agencies like the Department of Energy offer helpful information, but others are quite restrictive. Make sure that you check before investing in off the grid power systems. Some off the grid people have seen their houses confiscated and themselves imprisoned by overzealous government agencies. Do not let this be you.

2. Pick an Easy Location
There are some parts of the world where living off the grid is much easier. Top international locations for living off the grid are those in the developing world. Examples include Latin America, Southeast Asia, India, and Africa. Picking a location there may make it much easier to enjoy your off the grid lifestyle without having government bureaucrats stealing your home. Places in the developed world where off the grid living is easier are rural and politically conservative locations. The top states in the United States for off the grid lifestyle include Idaho, Texas, Maine, Vermont, and Arizona.

3. Work Hard
Off the grid living requires a more independent mindset than most people have. You often have to internalize your food and energy production. This usually requires having a farm and power generating equipment. The benefits are freedom from pesky businesses who demand high prices for their products and services.

Conclusion
Off the grid living is not for most people. It can be lonely when you are out in the wild. Off the grid living in the city creates lawsuits and confiscation for the few who try it. Rural off the grid living requires a commitment to work hard and be more independent than most people want to be.