How to Choose a Mulch for Your Organic/Vegetable Garden?

Mulch is a ground cover to the plants which gives various benefits if you use it for vegetable garden. But, it depends on the type of mulch that you choose for your garden. The type of mulch that you choose for your organic garden will depend on the crop, soil type, weather conditions, etc. So, here we have listed few types of mulch by taking the above measures into consideration. Read through this article and know the type of mulch that suits your vegetable garden.

Based on the type of the crop: Vegetable garden consists of various types of plants and the growing conditions of the each plant varies. Some plants like tomatoes, peppers etc. requires plastic mulch and some cool weather crops require paper mulch, straw etc. So, it is suggested to group the similar types of plants that requires the same type of mulch and perform mulching. If you want to perform the mulching for your entire garden grouping and mulching the similar types is the good idea though it is expensive thought.

Based on weather conditions: The type of the mulch that you choose will also depend on the weather conditions that you are living. For ex, if you are in hot area avoid plastic because, it may burn for more heat and affects the plants. So for such areas, use the cool mulch like shredded leaves. It is recommended to change the type of mulch used for your vegetable garden depending on the weather changes, so that you can protect your plants from various affects.

Based on the type of the soil: Before selecting the mulch check the conditions of the soil, because most of the vegetable gardens doesn't require too much moisture and heavy soil because, they are not able to grow in such conditions. So, better avoid using the mulch that is of thick and moisture-retentive and use plastic. But, if you are growing the plants in the soil that is dry and sandy better use the moisturized mulch.

There are various types of mulch like plastic, straw, shredded leaves, crushed stone, gravel, landscape fabrics etc. Along with this you should also check the factors of the mulch that you are choosing i.e., whether it is cool, hot, water resistant, etc. So, based on the above things you need to select the right type of mulch for your vegetable plants. Right mulch brings several advantages to your plants growth. This is how you need to choose the mulch for your vegetable garden.

Natural Looking Water Fountain in Your Garden Landscape

Fountain requires very less maintenance unlike waterfall or fountain and it also adds beauty to your landscape. So are you planning for a fountain in your garden? Then this article will help you in making your garden landscape beautiful with fountain.

Choosing the fountain
There are various types of fountains available, whether it may be for backyard or frontyard. Some of the fountains that you can use for outdoor garden theme or landscape are ceramic planter fountain, stone assembled fountain, plant pots water fountain, etc. They come in various sizes, colors, materials and shapes. Some are made out of natural materials and some are of artificial. If you want to enhance the earthy look of your garden you can go for a stone fountain.

Make it a focal point
Once you purchase the fountain make it as the central piece in your garden landscape to attract the butterflies and birds. Gardens having the focal point enhances the look of the landscape.

Decorate the fountain bed with stones and water plants
Add stones to your fountain bed to give it a natural look. Collect or gather the natural gravel stones of various colors and sizes and gather them around your fountain. Stones give natural appearance if they are placed around the recirculating fountain.

Lighten-up the fountain
Lights make your fountain more beautiful at the night time. Various colors of lights can be placed near the fountain. Water flowing out of the fountain appears in the color which you used for lighting. For your stylish garden lights give smart look.

Benefits of fountain in a garden
Fountains not only adds beauty to your garden, but the soothing sound of the fountain makes stress relief to the people, purifies the air and reduces the air pollution, drinking sources for pets or birds, etc. So, get set your fountain and enjoy its benefits making your landscape beautiful.

Impact of Gardening on Individual, family and communities

Gardens provide higher quality of life and benefits to society. Researchers observed that openness to nature was the most important factor in supplying pleasure to life after the marital role. Yard care and gardening activities helps in developing individuals, strengthening families, and building communities.

For Individuals:
Gardening provides exercise, stress reduction, and relaxation to an individual. For many Americans, gardens provide a creative channel, a sense of skill, and the gardener's personal attachment to nature. Unlike popular video games, gardening demonstrates that life does not always provide rewards instantaneously but the result comes after some time in the future for one's efforts. Gardening is progressively used for its rehabilitation therapy in jail or prison systems.

Family bonds become stronger as families come together and work on yard care and gardening activities. It helps children to learn work skills and team skills by using gardening projects.

Building Communities – Gardening conversations and activities gathers neighbors together, reducing differences between racial and cultural groups. Gardening is a powerful tool to gather neighborhoods. Community gardens and urban forestry projects helps to reduce levels of domestic violence.

Businesses:
Business owners have many positive aspects provided by maintenance of landscaping, trees and plants. They are:

• • Helps in increasing employee productivity, morale, and pride at workplace
• • Attract customers or new business holders or tenants
• • Play major role in creating a corporate image
• • Some times add value as a marketing tool

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