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Archive for November 23rd, 2009

Preparing Southern Lawns For Winter

November 23rd, 2009 Thomas Fryd No comments

October is the month for planting many kinds of bulbs, perennials and vegetables in the South. Lawn planting, too, is at its height, especially preparing lawns for winter color with overplantings of rye grass.

We have gone through a rather difficult summer season of extremely hot weather and severe droughts in many areas. This has left garden soils badly compacted, enough to restrict root growth of lawn grasses and garden plants. This calls for deep preparation of the soil and pulverizing it thoroughly. Ample quantities of peatmoss should be added to heavy clay and sandy soils to improve their texture and moisture-holding capacities.

Some bulbs such as Madonna lilies, freesias, ornithogalums, zephyranthes and leucojums must be planted immediately. Get these in first. The latter part of the month will be too late.

Dutch bulbs are ready for planting the latter part of October: tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, fritillarias, muscari, galanthus, scillas, crocus, anemone, ranunculus and many others. Plant your tulips deeper than is normally recommended, 8 inches in fairly heavy soils and 10 inches in sandy ones.

In the Lower South tulips can be grown only when the bulbs are placed in refrigeration for about a month before planting. This applies to North Florida, and the Gulf Coast through Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. Plant paper white narcissus and Soliel D’Or in the garden for generous blooms in mid-winter.

Sandy, well-drained soils are best for bulbs. Add sand or vermiculite to heavy soils to provide good drainage and make a good, friable soil.

Perennials like variegated yucca have finished most of their growth, except the hardy asters and chrysanthemums. To get the most out of your mums give them a last feeding with a complete plant food, preferably a liquid. They will provide many more weeks of color.

Clean up perennials that have finished blooming. Remove dead flower stalks and leaves. Destroy to prevent re-infestations of insects and diseases.

Louisiana Iris – That state is a gardener’s paradise in early spring when gardens and swamp lands are a blaze of color from millions of iris. This month plant some of these varieties with blooms 7 and 8 inches in diameter. The Louisiana iris are among the few that can be grown on boggy, wet lands, although they can also be grown on upland soils. They are very versatile plants. They grow in full sun or semi-shade, acid or slightly alkaline soils. Every color in the rainbow, but green, can be found.

Bearded Iris can still be planted. Select some gorgeous new colors to replace the old, off-whites that have taken over the garden.

For water-edge plantings you will find the Spanish iris colorful. They are grand around pools and along streams where they naturalize quickly. Another great iris for wet, lowland soils is the Oriental or Japanese iris with its giant petals of every hue.

Still another for October planting is the popular Dutch or bulbous type which must be planted in light, sandy soils. It is well suited to all sections of the South and makes a beautiful cut flower. Try some of the giant bronzy varieties which have been developed.

For more details on variegated yucca. Drop by today at http://www.plant-care.com/variegated-yucca-plant.html. This and other unique content ” articles are available with free reprint rights.

Importance Of An Electrical Breaker Box

November 23rd, 2009 Scott Rodgers No comments

When it comes to adding a safety dimension to your electrical framework then the role of an electrical breaker box cannot be underestimated. The electrical breaker box works more or less like the traditional electrical fuses and cuts off the electricity supply when an aberration is noticed in the electrical circuits.

An electrical breaker box is an instrument or an apparatus that saves your home from major electrical hazards by controlling the electricity supply to all the spaces of the home. It immediately makes an area deprived of electricity on account of an irregularity detected.

An electrical breaker box normally constitutes of a number of breaker switches. Each switch represents the state of the circuit of a particular location.

In case of an emergency, the electrical breaker box proves very handy as it cuts off the electricity to the affected spread of the home instantly and hence, reduces the intensity of the damage. Also prior to electrical assignments, you need to switch off the electricity from the breaker box.

In order to turn off supply to a room or a space where an electrical assignment is underway, walk down to the electrical breaker box and separate the concerned switch from the other breakers by turning it in a different direction.

Sometimes you wonder why part of your home doesn’t receive electricity while the other spaces continue to receive the normal supply. The solution to this particular problem may take you to the vicinity of your electrical breaker box panel. You would notice that one of the breaker switch is facing a different direction than the other switches. Turn on the notified switch such that the tips of all the switches point in the same direction. Check the affected area of the home for electricity.

To know the maximum permissible limit of current for a particular area, observe the top of the switch tips in the breaker box panel. The figure inscribed on the tip depicts the amperage level of the particular breaker switch and it’s affiliated area.

If any complication is faced during the handling of a breaker box then valuable suggestions can be derived from an expert roofer. He would also guide you with the general tests of the breaker box to check it’s normal functioning.

Scott Rodgers is a noted author who has been writing on electrical works for a long time now. His exemplary guidance has given motivation to a host of electricians, ranging from Pleasanton Electricians to Deerfield Beach Electricians.