You can now forget about the back pains, the blisters and the inconsistent holes you make when using the shovel!

Recently, digging holes has been a lot easier compared to those old days with the use of the classic shovel. Digging holes has now been innovated with use of post hole augers. With this tool, you can dig uniform holes at different spots better, faster, and with less effort compared to the classic shovel.

Post hole augers or simply augers are poles with a screw like body that allows it to dig easily with a constant size. The process is actually simple to understand, as the auger pushes into the ground, soil is collected in the screw. And as it goes up, all you have to do is to remove the collected soil and let the machine work again. Basically, it offers a more efficient and effective digging work.

If you want to dig some holes using this tool, then they are available in stores or rental shops. You can also check them out at gardening stores or rental shops that also rent sod cutters. The rental usually costs around 50 dollars for 24 hours duration. They are offered in different diameters, these are applicable in how wide you want your hole to be. Usually they are available in 4, 6, 8, and 12 inches diameters. The larger the diameter, the harder it is to operate.

Here are some tips in using augers:

• Contact phone, electric and other concerned companies before you try to dig some holes. This is for you to avoid hitting lines that may cause harm to you or inconvenience to the public.
• It is best recommended to have a partner in operating the auger. It is quite heavy, and having an assistant will surely make the work easier.
• When digging, try to remove the dirt every time it accumulates 1 feet of dirt, because if it exceeds pulling it up might be harder and longer.

There you go, with the auger aiding you. You will surely be able to create perfect holes.

A well maintained lawn adds to the overall visual appeal of your property and provides a safe place for your family to relax. In order to maintain the health of the yard you need to follow certain simple lawn care tips which are as follows. Mowing is an important procedure. Do not mow too short because it can weaken the root system. As a rule it is ideal to remove only about 1/3 of the leaves with mowing. Mowing in different directions can be beneficial because you can get rid of the weeds which grow in the direction of mowing. Sharpen the blades of the mower at least once in a year. Otherwise they may damage the leaves and cause other problems. You have to return the clippings when you cut the leaves under dry conditions. The clippings are about 85% water and do not have lignin. The microbes found in the soil easily breakdown these clippings.

The process of decomposition is fast during summer and slow in winter. See to it that the clippings layer does not get thicker than half an inch. If the layer is very thick the fertilizers and insecticides etc will not have proper effect on the soil. Water is also a very important aspect of lawn care. The amount of water you provide depends on the type of soil you have. Do not overwater because it could damage the grass. Use less water in shady areas which receive less than four hours of sunlight. The areas under trees require more water because the roots of the tree absorb more water and the canopy can prevent the rain water from reaching the lawn.

Fertilizers are also very important for the proper growth and development of your yard. You need to fertilize the lawn only when you see the signs of deterioration. The best type of fertilizers is organic matter or compost. This releases the nutrients in a slow process. Organic fertilizers like steer manure or sewage supply provides all the necessary nutrients for the grass. Most of the inorganic fertilizers you buy from the market contain essential elements like nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Always check the package for instructions of usage. Overuse can damage the lawn. To know the exact amounts of nutrients required you can as well get your soil tested by a professional. Following these tips will ensure the good health of your lawn all through the year.

Plenty of back yard gardeners just getting their feet wet when it comes to designing and implementing a live butterfly garden like to ask the question: what am I going to see? Just butterflies? Just one or two species of butterfly?

It’s a fair question. And the answer is that a butterfly garden that’s been show some care and a little love is going to yield a lot more than just a few butterflies here and there. There’s no doubt that butterflies are going to be the number one visitor, but they are hardly going to be the only ones who come by. In fact, your new garden is likley to play host to species as diverse as lady bugs, garden toads and even delicate flighty hummingbirds.

And there is a very good reason for that. Butterfly gardens are essentially created to keep one particular insect alive and well for as long as possible. In order to to this, they resemble little tiny ecosystems. Butterflies can eat, sleep and even lay their eggs in your garden. It’s a home for life.

Because of that, it can be a home for others lives as well. That’s a simple reality about any ecosystem. By definition it is not just good for one species. It can play host to a veritable web of insects, birds and mammals and even reptiles.

The creature you’re likely to see – second to butterflies- is a hummingbird. In fact, you are probably going to see more than one. All those flowers and bushes that you plant are not just sweet nectar for butterflies and bees – they are also one stop restaurants for hummingbirds. And once the hummingbirds get this, they will be paying you regular visits all season.

This is so much the case that a lot of butterfly gardeners are now referring to themselves as hummingbird gardeners. It seems to be a natural fit.

While it’s fun and even educational to have these other visitors on hand in your garden, they also serve other important purposes. Even a predator like a grackle or a crow is helping to keep the insect population at manageable levels. There is a real relationship between the various lives in your garden, each helping the other to exist in healthy balance.

So you aren’t just making a pretty garden for pretty insects – you are creating a little world. And that is something you can be proud of!

For a lot of homeowners, the joy of wind spinners is pretty much limited to buying them and then watching them in your yard or garden or back deck or even your sailboat. And there’s nothing wrong with that! But there is a way to ramp up your pleasure and you don’t need to go anywhere or spend any money to do it.

How about diving into the world of DIY wind spinners?

Making your very own garden wind ornament is nowhere near as difficult as it might seem. They make a fantastic project for kids in any age class room. If you’ve got young kids around, you can ensure an afternoon – and maybe more – of fun making your own spinners. In fact, it’s a perfect undertaking for anybody who feels a bit crafty and has a yard or garden they like to see decorated.

A very simple and basic – but in no way bland – wind spinner can be made with little more than an empty plastic soda bottle. Savor the drink and then – instead of sending the container to the recycle bin – put it to new use.

Be sure that it’s nice and clean. Keep the cap on hand. Then, take a paper clip and twist it until you have fashioned a small hook. Affix the hook to the cap (by poking it through or by using a bit of household glue) and screw the cap back onto the bottle. Next – this is the only thing you might not have laying around – attach a ball-bearing swivel (ask your fishing husband or buddy for one) to the paper clip hook.

Next, use some sturdy string and go tie your brand new wind spinner to a low tree branch or the eave of your garden shed or garage. But before you do so, consider decorating it. A little bit of neon paint, maybe some glitter. Really, the sky is the limit!

And there you have it – a simple but functional windspinner made with your very own hands.

Spring and autumn bring wonders to many gardeners, what with the burst of fresh green and various colors to announce the beginning of a new season. But with the change in weather also comes a change in the environment. In many gardens, the most common lawn care problem that gardeners face is moss, a non-flowering plant that resembles a deep green sponge. It grows on moist, undisturbed soil and can spread out to areas where there is a constant source of moisture. This plant is an invader that will gradually kill and replace grass on your lawn if left untreated. Here are tips on how to remove lawn moss and save your plants:

Eliminate the causes of the growth
Moss thrives in wet, shady areas in the garden. It also grows in acidic soil. You’ll notice them growing in soil that is poorly drained, malnourished or compacted. By keeping the soil at the right pH balance and well-fed, you will make it difficult for these plants to grow. Eliminating sources of standing water and ensuring proper soil drainage will also help keep the grounds healthy and resistant to moss growth. Thick shrubs and trees may also be trimmed to allow more light in susceptible areas.

Use an effective killer
Apply a moss killer to target problem areas in your garden. Allow the product to work (the spongy mass will turn brown) before raking it out. This is to prevent it from spreading its spores further. If your soil is undernourished, choose a chemical killer with a fertilizer formula so you only need to apply one product at a time.

Give your grass a fighting chance
Your lawn grass can fight off moss, as long as you keep them robust. When mowing your lawn, keep the grass at about 1″ high. Mow at regular intervals during spring and summer. In winter, allow the grass to grow taller. Once you begin seeding again, plant more grass to encourage a thicker growth.

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