http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/raised-bed-gardening-pros-and-cons_1.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/raised-bed-gardening-pros-and-cons_1.html Tue, 10 Feb 2009 08:53:54 -0600
Pros:
1. If you have poor soil, raised bed gardens allow you to prepare your own rich mix of soil above ground for growing your plants.
2. Your gardening areas will be easier to access because you won't have to bend over as much, thus reducing fatigue and injury to the knees and back.
3. Raised beds are also ideal for elderly or disabled gardeners who are unable to reach down to the ground, and they can be constructed at almost any height to meet the gardener's needs
4. Plants are easy to keep organized. For example, you can plant tomatoes in one elevated section and peppers in another.
5. Dead leaves and other garden debris will be confined to their own area, helping you maintain a tidier look in your yard.
6. You can prepare special beds of soil tailored to various plants. For example, plants that need a highly acidic soil can be grouped in one area, and you can prepare the soil to the right pH specifically for their needs.
7. In heavy rains, there is less chance of soil erosion.
8. Rabbits, moles, and other garden pests are less likely to be able to access your plants.
9. Raised bed gardens are ideal for longer rooted crops such as carrots that need several inches to a foot of good quality soil.
10. Raised bed gardening is a great option if you have very little space. Elevated planting areas can even be constructed on a small deck or patio area for growing a collection of herbs, vegetables, or flowers.

Cons:
1. Any tilling will probably have to be done by hand. It's difficult to use tractors or rotary tillers in elevated planting areas.
2. The initial up front cost of constructing raised bed gardens is more expensive than simply tilling a traditional garden into your soil. However, kits can be purchased online that make the construction process faster and easier.
3. The edges or borders of the planting areas must be well reinforced during the initial construction, or they may begin to break down over time, creating and ongoing maintenance issue.
4. If you live in a very dry climate, raised beds will dry out faster and require more frequent watering. On the other hand, if you live in a very moist climate, your plants will be less susceptible to root rot from over watering.
5. Elevated planting areas are not suitable to vining or sprawling plants such as pumpkins, squash, watermelons, or various climbing plants such as morning glory, clematis, or trumpet vine.
6. The materials used for constructing raised bed gardens should be carefully considered. Treated lumber or railroad ties soaked in creosote should not be used. These chemicals will leak out into the soil over time, poisoning and killing your plants.

Putting in raised beds can be a big investment in time and money, but it will also pay you back in better plants, more gardening room, and easier access to your gardening areas. A careful evaluation of all the pros and cons will help you make the right decision for you and your yard. Whatever your decision, careful planning is always the key to successful results in the garden.

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Let Home Products 'n' More help you get started with raised bed gardening! We offer free shipping on raised bed garden kits and garden edging.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/climbing-plants-five-types-of-climbers-to-know.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/climbing-plants-five-types-of-climbers-to-know.html Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Tendrils:
Tendrils are tiny, spring-like growths that extend out from a plant's stem. In fact, tendrils are almost like small stems of their own, expect that they are much finer and more pliable than the plant's main stem. A tendril reaches out and grabs on to the supporting structure by curling and winding around it. Peas are a climber that utilizes tendrils in its upward growth. Climbing vines with tendrils will do best when they are given a narrow support to climb, preferably a diameter no greater than 1/4". Simple trellises made of narrow strips of bamboo or other thin branches work quite well. Or, consider making your own trellis by constructing a frame and then using large mesh or netting inside it.

Twining:
Twining climbers such as morning glory and clematis use their own leaves and stems to reach out and "grab" onto a supporting structure. Twining plants, depending on the species, will consistently twine in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Some twiners will wrap around their supporting structures loosely; others wrap very tightly. Beware of tightly twining plants, as they can literally choke the life out of any other living plants around them. Also keep in mind that some twiners can grow quite large and heavy, and it's important to provide them with sufficient support. Wisteria, for example, is a twining climber than is known for collapsing structures like porches and decks.

Scrambling:
Scrambling climbers are actually unable to grow up a structure on their own. They often times have stiff branches or thorns that they may use to prop themselves up on another plant or structure. Roses and raspberries are examples of scrambling plants. If you want a scrambler to climb a trellis or pergola, you will probably have to assist the plant by tacking or tying it to the structure. Take care, though, that you don't tie the branches too tightly, or you could choke the plant to death. Look for a trellis or pergola that has special training clips designed for this purpose.

Adhesive Pads:
Adhesive pad climbers can be both pervasive and invasive. Have you ever wondered how Boston ivy can climb up the face of a brick wall? Well, Boston ivy is an example of an adhesive pad climber that uses small, sticky tendrils to adhere onto almost any surface. When an adhesive pad climber comes up to an obstacle, they can just as easily climb sideways. Be careful about planting an adhesive pad climber near a building, as these plants have been known to cause damage to brick mortar and other siding materials.

Clinging Stem Roots:
Climbers that use clinging stem roots to grow include climbing hydrangea and English ivy. These climbers actually produce small sticky roots that grow directly out from the stem. These sticky roots will cling to virtually any surface, smooth or porous. Clinging stems can be just as damaging to buildings as adhesive pads, so be careful where you plant these vines. Clinging stem root climbers should also be trimmed back regularly. They will rapidly grow out of control when left unchecked!

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Ellen Bell works for Home Products n' More, a company dedicated to providing high quality products for your home, garden, and auto. Home Products n' More offers a complete line of trellises and pergolas to support your climbing plants.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/trellises-so-many-to-choose-from-but-which-is-best.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/gardening/trellises-so-many-to-choose-from-but-which-is-best.html Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Generally, wood trellises are the most affordable option. Wood trellises purchased from gardening supply stores can vary in quality. Most inexpensive wood trellises will not hold up for long-term use. Keep in mind that some types of wood will rot, and weather and outdoor elements will speed the decaying process. Furthermore, many commercially available wood trellises are held together with tiny tacks or staples that loosen easily, which could lead to a trellis that's falling apart even before the wood begins to rot.

If you like the look of wood, but want something sturdier than a commercially available wood trellis, you might want to consider building your own. When constructing your own wood trellis, be sure to consult with the experts at your local garden center before choosing the type of wood you'll use. Some treated woods may contain harmful chemicals that can kill your climbing plants.

Plastic trellises are also widely available and come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. A plastic trellis will probably cost you more than a wood trellis; however, a plastic trellis will probably hold up a lot longer. When looking for a plastic trellis, be sure to find out if the plastic is UV stable. That is, you want to be sure that the color won't fade or yellow over time as it is exposed to the sun's powerful UV rays. Plastic trellises constructed of PVC vinyl are usually a good bet. PVC vinyl is a sturdy material that will hold up against the elements.

Metal trellises are another good option. Metal trellises were once shunned within the gardening community because of a myth that the metal can become too hot and "burn" your plants; however, many gardeners have realized this is not entirely true. When shopping for a metal trellis, consider the color. A lighter color will not absorb as much heat, and thus won't get as warm. In particular, white can be very reflective of the sunlight. A metal trellis that is painted white will not harm your plants.

When looking for a metal trellis, aluminum is probably the best material choice. Aluminum is a lightweight, yet incredibly durable material. When painted, aluminum will not rust like steel or copper. Furthermore, many metal trellises are hinged in such a way that they fold down compactly for storage, a benefit you won't easily find with a wood or plastic trellis.

Finally, be sure to consider the type of climbing vine you intend to plant, as this will have a bearing on the type of trellis you purchase. If you're planting an extremely heavy climbing vine, be sure you purchase a trellis that is large enough and strong enough to stand up to the weight. For more information on climbing vines that are ideal for trellises, visit Home Products n’ More.

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Ellen Bell works for Home Products n' More, a company dedicated to providing high quality products for your home, garden, and auto. Home Products n' More offers a complete line of plastic trellises and aluminum trellises, all with free shipping and handling.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-security/lock-bumping-a-scary-phenomenon-you-need-to-know-about.html http://www.articletrader.com/home-and-family/home-security/lock-bumping-a-scary-phenomenon-you-need-to-know-about.html Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500
History of Lock Bumping
The technique of lock bumping is not new. According to ALOA (the Associated Locksmiths of America), locksmiths have been bumping locks for about 75 years as a way to bypass damaged key cylinders. In more recent years, however, common thieves have begun to take up the practice, thanks to the wide availability of bump keys for sale online and many internet resources that provide detailed depictions of the practice. Lock bumping was first recognized as a security threat in 2002, when a German man brought it to the attention of the media. Since then, many news media and publications in the United States and around the world have reported on the issue.

How does it work?
A bump key is simply a key that has been filed down in a certain way. When the bump key is inserted into the lock and tapped lightly with an object such as a hammer or screwdriver, the lock will open. There are many videos on the internet depicting the process of lock bumping, and it is frighteningly easy to do. One local U.S. new station even showed a young child that was successful at bumping a lock after only a few attempts.

How to Protect Yourself
Because bump keys can be used to open all door locks of a certain profile, and there aren't that many different types of keyway profiles out there, most people are at risk of lock bumping. There are a number of door locks on the market today that are advertised as "bump proof." For the most part, these locks may be slightly more secure, but in many cases they only make bumping more difficult, but not impossible.

It is important to note that as of yet, there has been no standard established for what truly constitutes a "bump proof" lock. For the best security, consumers should look for door locks that have no keyway on the exterior of the door. After all, you can't use a bump key when there's no place to insert it!

For more information on lock bumping and a link to a news commentary on the topic, please visit Home Products n' More.

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Ellen Bell works for Home Products n' More, a company dedicated to providing high quality products for your home, garden, and auto. Home Products n’ More offers a complete line of bump proof and bump resistant door hardware, all with free shipping and handling.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>