Support the Health of Your Pond with Aeration

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Having a pond on your property is a wonderful luxury. It provides your landscape with beautiful scenery, and having a body of water of your own is a treat that everyone doesn’t get to enjoy. Such a treat does not come without responsibility. It is important to be sure to make the most of your pond, and keep it in its best condition. Not only are you maintaing a body of water, but you are responsible for the thriving of an ecosystem. If you have fish in your pond, this is especially important. One of the best methods for maintain your pond is through aeration, the process of dissolving oxygen into the water.

Methods of Pond Aeration

Pond Fountain

One of the most popular and attractive ways you can provide your water with aeration is with a stunning pond fountain. Pond fountains come in a wide range of spray patterns and designs, and they always produce a constant show of water design.  You can even accent the design with LED lighting. Available in a plethora of colors, they are a great way of adding an extra flair to your nighttime scene.

Pond Aerator

A pond aerator is a great choice for the pond owner who doesn’t want to put on as much of a show. Pond fountains and aerators both achieve the process by pulling water from the top few feet of the pond and shooting it upward. When the water lands and breaks the surface tension, the oxygen in the air near the surface mixes with the water, achieving the desired goal. The difference of the aerator is that is doesn’t shoot the water up so high to create a visual. The water stays near the surface, moving enough to mix with the air but not to create a scene.

Benefits of Pond Aeration

Health of Fish and Other Animals

If your pond contains wildlife or pet fish, it is important to aerate their environment to keep them healthy. Fish need oxygen to survive, and their only source for it is what has been dissolved into the water. If you keep your water properly aerated, you will be able to support a larger and healthier population of thriving fish.

Aerobic Decomposition

Whenever there is vegetation or other organic material in your pond, it must go through a process of being broken down. With a source for oxygen your pond will be able to achieve this process much more efficiently through aerobic decomposition. Aerobic decomposition utilizes the oxygen to rapidly break down organic material; anaerobic decomposition, on the other hand, takes much longer. This slower process produces undesirable organic compounds and acids that give off foul smells.

Be sure to avoid all of the consequences that come along with a lack of dissolved oxygen in your pond. Create a healthy and thriving ecosystem by giving the environment what it needs: air. Your fish will be healthy and abundant, and your algae will be tame and controllable. Enhance the beauty and health of your pond.

Five Water Features that Will Transform Your Backyard

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Every once in a while it’s great to make your surroundings feel new again. Has the time come for you to make some changes to your landscape? The options are endless. Installing a water feature outside of your home is a great way to enhance the look and feel of your space. There are countless ways of using water design to improve your landscape. We’ve compiled a list of popular outdoor options to consider if you are thinking of installing a water feature at your home.

1. Garden Fountains

Do you have a garden at home? One of the best ways you can enhance your garden space is with a beautiful garden fountain. There are many styles to choose from. You may opt for a classic tiered fountain to evoke an elegant feel. Or, maybe a more contemporary and unique design is more your speed.

2. Floor Fountains

There are many fountains that are designed to stand freely on your patio or deck area. These pieces are great for adding a decorative accent to your space with a unique work of art. They come in many designs, from simple urn and jar shapes, to intricate modern art designs.

3. Ponds

A great way to complement the natural setting of your yard is by installing a small pond. Ponds are great for creating a peaceful and relaxing scene. You can even introduce fish and other wildlife into your pond to make the experience even more enjoyable. There are also pond fountains that help to aerate the water while creating a beautiful design.

4. Spillways

If you are looking for a more sleek and modern look, spillways are definitely a choice to consider. These special pieces allow the water to flow as one single smooth sheet, creating a stunning visual effect. They are great for accenting patio spaces, or even connecting to pools or ponds.

5. Waterfalls

There is nothing quite like watching water cascade freely over a rocky over a tower of stones. You can recreate the wonderful setting of a waterfall in your own backyard. There are designs that allow you to have a simple waterfall that flows directly into a basin, or you can also install them with your pool or pond.

Water features are a great way of enhancing the look and feel of your home. With all of the choices available, it can be hard to narrow down the decision. There is a fountain that works for every style of home. Whether it’s for your garden, patio, or lawn, you can transform your home with an outdoor water feature.

Five Ways to Use Water to Enhance Your Home

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Many people change the setting of their home on a regular basis. Some even redecorate with the change of every season. Redecorating and landscaping is a great way of bringing a fresh new energy  to your home. There are countless ways of enhancing the look and feel of your home, but accenting your space with water features is in a league of its own. Whether you are looking to accent a small indoor space or a large outdoor space, there is sure to be something for your area. There are many indoor and outdoor options available in a wide range of sizes and styles.

1. Table Fountains

A great way to accent a study or office is space is with a small tabletop fountain. They are a great accent to a quiet space for concentration. Their small desktop design takes up very little space and is a great enhancement to your office. The steady sounds of the water will help to mitigate unwanted noises and support focus.

2. Wall Fountains

Another great indoor water feature is the wall mounted fountain. Wall fountains and water walls are stunning ways of transforming your indoor scene. They are great alternatives for hanging art, and the steady water flow even helps to humidify and purify the air in your home.

3. Garden Fountains

Outside of the home, the water feature options begin to expand. Many people have gardens or decorative landscaping outside of their homes. A beautiful way of enhancing those spaces is with a special outdoor fountain. You can choose a small accent piece or grand centerpiece, ranging from classic tiered designs to modern abstract styles.

4. Pond

If you are looking for a more drastic outdoor change, one of the best things you can do is to build a pond in your yard. Having a private pond is a great way of completely transforming your home. The options for size and shape are virtually endless. You can even accent your pond with a fish, a pond fountain, or LED lighting.

5. Waterfall

Another great accent to use with, or without, a pond is a waterfall. Waterfalls are some of the most impressive outdoor water features. They can be built over pools, ponds, and basins in a wide array of settings and designs. Installing a waterfall in your yard is like painting a beautiful picture that your get to experience in real life.

Whether you are looking to make a subtle indoor update or embark on a major outdoor landscaping project, there is certainly a water feature that is appropriate for your new space. With the many options and styles, there is a fountain that fits is almost any setting. When you’re making plans for updating your space, consider the improvements a water feature could make!

 

How Indoor Fountains Help to Reduce Stress

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The world can be an endless source for stress and anxiety. With all of the responsibilities that come along with having a career, maintaining a family, and living everyday life, it is easy to get lost in the negative side of things. It’s important to take the time to relieve yourself from that type of stress. One of the best things you can do is to create a space in your own home that is able to help soothe your mind. You can inspire peace and tranquility in your home with the right indoor fountain. They are able to help reduce stress in a few ways.

White Noise

One of the most calming and relaxing things you can do is to expose yourself to a steady source of white noise. The soothing qualities are so subtle that people sometimes only notice the sound once it is gone. The white noise creates a constant sound to create a serene atmosphere where you can relax, study, or sleep. Indoor fountains are a great source for this type of noise. The sound of the flowing waters cascading and splashing over the body of the fountain is sure to create a much less stressful space.

Noise Mitigation

Another great quality provided by the white noise is its ability to mitigate unwanted surrounding noises. Indoor fountains aren’t so loud that they drown everything out and become a distraction. Rather, their subtle, steady sound is perfect for blending sounds into the background and ridding your environment of distractions. This is perfect if you live near traffic, or if your neighborhood isn’t always as peaceful as you would hope.

Negative Ions

The soothing sounds provided by your indoor fountain aren’t the only qualities that will help to reduce your stress and anxiety levels. There is also another lesser known effect that an indoor fountain can have on the air in your home, and that is their ability to diffuse negative ions. Negative ions are produced in nature and are known to reduce stress and anxiety while balancing serotonin levels. Electrical devices and appliances inside the home are a source for positive ions, which can leave you feeling less than your best. You would be surprised at what a little water can do for your stress levels.

Indoor fountains are not just for show. They actually serve many more benefits than just being a simple form of decoration. If you deal with stress in your life, they can help to relieve the negative energy in your world. As a source of white noise, with their ability to mitigate unwanted sounds, and diffuse negative ions, indoor fountains are a surprisingly helpful addition to your home.

Maintaining Your Outdoor Fountain

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Outdoor fountains are loved by people all over the world, and they have been for very many years. The love of fountains has even grown to see fountains in people’s own backyards, creating a beautiful  personal environment. If you have a fountain at your home, you are aware of their many benefits. The beautiful visual, the soothing sounds, and the refreshing feeling are just a few. If you are familiar with these benefits, you may soon be aware of a few consequences if you don’t take proper care of your outdoor fountain. There are a few regular tasks you can do to be sure your fountain is clean and fresh.

Cleaning the Pump

Sometimes, people won’t notice the severity of the buildup in their fountain until it is too late. It is easy to forget that your fountain can begin to experience buildup and clogging before you see it. This is why cleaning your pump is so important. All of the water flows through the pump, and that can begin to take a toll on it. There are many times when the buildup begins there, unseen, and it only gets worse from there. Nip your problems in the bud with a regular cleaning of your fountain pump.

In-Depth Cleaning

Every so often, it would be wise to clean the entire fountain in depth. This may be a little time-consuming, but it is very worth it. You definitely don’t want a buildup of algae, hard water, and white scale in your fountain. To clean your fountain, be sure to turn it off and drain all the water with a pump of wet/dry vacuum. After the pond is off and drained, you’ll want to clean all of the separate pieces, including rinsing off any rocks or stones that may be a part of your fountain set up. Be sure to clean all of the fountain parts in depth, using fountain cleaning chemicals if necessary.

Fountain Chemicals

While there are products available to help you in during the cleaning process, there are also preventative chemicals that you can use for your fountain. There are many choices, and it’s important that you choose the right one. Household cleaners normally just won’t do the trick. Many of the fountain cleaners require that you simply add a small amount to your water supply. Once you do that, the chemicals will flow through all of the pieces of your fountain, keeping bacteria, algae, and hard water at bay.

Your outdoor fountain is the highlight of your outdoor environment. You want to make sure that it is in the best condition possible. A little maintenance is all you need. With regular pump cleaning and deep cleaning, along with the right fountain chemicals, your fountain will be in tip top shape!

Learn How to Clean Your Wall Fountain

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Wall mounted fountains are a beautiful additions to to your interior design. Their sleek design, and steady water flow are a great way to create a unique and stylish indoor setting. They even help to humidify your home and remove dust and debris from the air. Understandably, they will eventually need to be cleaned from time to time, usually every few months (at least twice a year). A regular cleaning of your fountain will help to keep the water in your fountain and the air in your home clean and fresh. Cleaning a wall fountain is not a difficult task. After a few simple steps, your fountain will be in great condition.

Step 1: Drain

Before you do anything, you’ll have to turn off your fountain and drain all of the water out. This is a fairly simple task. The easiest way to accomplish this is by using a wet/dry vacuum. Use the hose to remove as much water as you can, and then your cleaning process can begin.

Step 2: The Pump

The first thing that you will want to clean is the fountain pump. This is probably the most important thing that you will clean. If your fountain pump is not properly cleaned, it can lead to a wide range of problems, including algae and white scale buildup, and clogging. Disassemble your pump and use fresh running water and a brush or pad to refresh the condition of your pump.

Step 3: The Tubing

Your next task will be cleaning the tubing in your fountain. This is the piece that connects to the pump and carries the water up through your fountain. This is a also a place where you could experience clogging or buildup if you don’t regularly clean it. Simply remove the tubing and rinse it, using a brush if necessary.

Step 4: Wiping the Surface

The final thing you’ll want to do is wipe the face and base of your fountain clean. Wall fountains are made with several different materials, all of which can be wiped down with a clean wet cloth. Glass faces can use a bit of window cleaner, if necessary. You may be surprised at how smoothly the water cascades down the face of your fountain after a good cleaning.

You’re All Set!

Now that you’ve disassembled and cleaned the most important parts of your fountain, you can put the pieces back together, and fill your fountain with fresh water. Some people even add a bit of preventative fountain cleaner to make the next cleaning process even easier. Doing this a few times a year will help keep your fountain strong and beautiful for years!

Designing a Private and Secluded Outdoor Space

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With all of the distractions and stresses that come along with working, having a family, and just living everyday life, it’s nice to take some time out for yourself every once in a while. Private alone time is more valuable that people realize, and it’s a thing that many people often take for granted. Don’t allow yourself to be one of those people. Be sure that you take time out to relax and center yourself whenever you need a break. A great place to relax is a secluded outdoor environment. Create an environment like this in your own home with a type of fence or wall, the right outdoor furniture, and a soothing fountain or spillway.

Setting Your Boundaries

To create a place of seclusion and privacy, there must be boundaries. There are several options and styles available for you to keep your scene separate from the outside world. You can choose to have a privacy fence installed if you would like to separate your entire yard. If you are looking to create a small location within the confines of your yard, you can choose to install a few trellises around your space and grow vines on them, making them more like walls. You can even use chain link fence, which is fairly inexpensive, and improve the look with vines.

Outdoor Furniture

A necessary component in your outdoor relaxation space is furniture. After all, how else will you truly be able to relax with nothing on which you can relax? With all of the choices out there, it can be hard to narrow it down. A good place to start is by considering how you’ll be spending your time there. If you’ll be sharing your space with loved ones and close friends, you may opt for outdoor seating and a table to accommodate 2-4 people. If you’re going to be spending time there alone in full relaxation mode, you can even consider installing a hammock in your space.

Fountains and Spillways

One of the best things you can do to create a space that is soothing and secluded is by installing a fountain or other water feature. The right water feature will create a relaxing and steady sound with the flowing of the water. This sound is not only relaxing, but it helps to mitigate unwanted noise surrounding to place of privacy. If you live on a busy street, or in an active neighborhood, this can be a definite life-saver. With all of the many styles of fountains, ponds, and spillways, there is sure to be something to fit perfectly in your scene.

Take some time out  for yourself. Many people miss out on valuable lessons that can only be learned when spending time alone in a calm environment. And, sometimes, you just need to get away. Create a space where you can do just that. With the appropriate boundaries, the right outdoor furniture, and a soothing water feature, you can have the perfect secluded and private outdoor area.

Build a Natural-Looking Outdoor Setting

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The weather has finally broken, and many people are beginning to take on those outdoor projects they had been fantasizing about all winter. When it comes to redesigning your outdoor space, there are endless possibilities to choose from, and a wide selection of accessories to help you create your vision. Sometimes these choices can be overwhelming. With all of the different types of fountains and water features, some people find it hard to settle on a single theme. One of the best themes you can choose is a scene that simply accentuates the beauty that exists in nature. With the right waterfall or pond, a collection to beautiful wildflowers and plants, and a couple of stone benches, you’ll be ready to create the perfect natural setting.

Waterfalls or Ponds

When it comes to choosing which type of fountain or water feature to use in your outdoor environment, a waterfall or pond is best for the person looking to evoke a natural feeling. What better way to accentuate the beauty of nature than recreating processes that occur naturally. There are a wide range of waterfall and pond kits to get you started. You can choose from many styles and sizes. If you are looking to make a major installation, contact your local professional. There are plenty of dedicated people out there who are willing to help you create your vision.

Wildflowers and Plants

One of the most enjoyable things about having outdoor space at your disposal is the possibility of growing your own plant life. Many people enjoy growing vegetables and herbs, while some people enjoy the simple gratification of growing a bed of flowers. When deciding on plants for your natural scene, remember to keep it simple, but diverse. Choose a collection of some of your favorite flowers and greenery, and plant them in a seemingly random design. To create that all-natural scene, some people even mix seeds and allow plants to grow where they may. The trick is to not be too precise. Mother Nature will help you along the way.

Stone Benches

To better enjoy the time spent in your newly built home oasis, it would be beneficial to have seating for you and your guests. While there are a wide range of outdoor furniture and seating options, not all would complement a more natural-looking setting. If you are looking for something that will accent your outdoor scene, opt for classic stone furniture. There are a wide range of benches, stools, and tables made from quality stone, such as granite, jade, marble and more.

When it comes to cultivating the perfect scene, don’t let the endless options send you into a fit of frustration. If you enjoy being outdoors for the simple fact that it’s the outdoors, decide to build a scene that accentuates those properties. With the right water feature, greenery, and stone furniture, your natural oasis will be complete in no time!

Create the Perfect Classic Garden

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Building a garden and cultivating a collection of plant life is one of the most gratifying feelings a person can experience. There are so many choices for what you can do with your garden space that it can be hard to settle on a certain style or theme. The simple, classical theme is one of the most beloved styles when it comes to garden design. The classic garden allows the visual and the atmosphere to speak for itself. To create a beautiful classical scene, opt for shrubs and flowers, a classical tiered fountain, and hand-crafted stone outdoor furniture.

Flowers and Shrubbery

The composition of a classic garden scene is actually fairly simple. The intricacies and details come from how the plants and flowers are arranged. When choosing plants for your classic garden, keep your list fairly short. All you will need is a collection of shrubs and selection of a few of your favorite flowers to add a bit of color to your space. The main design of your garden should be determined by where your shrubs are placed. You can even design them in a way that your garden has deliberate pathways. You can then accent your setup with the colorful flowers and vines.

Classical Tiered Fountain

When it comes to choosing a fountain for your classical garden, there is one main option that overshadows the rest. This option is the classical tiered fountain. A classical garden will seem nearly incomplete without the presence of a grand tiered fountain to finalize the look and feel of your space. Taking nods from ancient Rome and on, these amazing structures evoke an old-world feel while creating a scene that is welcoming and soothing. There are a wide range of sizes and styles to choose from, some complete with sculptures and figurines. There is sure to be a fountain that is perfect for your scene.

Stone Outdoor Furniture

Your garden is a place of peace and serenity. To better enjoy your time there, it is important to choose some outdoor furniture so that you can have a place to sit and absorb the beauty of your space. While they are countless styles and materials used to produce outdoor furniture, one of the best options for a classic garden setup is the use of stone furniture. The right stone benches, stools, and tables are perfect for complementing your scene. There are options made from granite, jade, marble, and more. The designs, ranging from smooth and basic to textured and intricate, are all great accents to a natural scene.

With all of the styles and designs that are always becoming available, sometimes the most desirable option is the simple, classic one. When it comes to designing a garden, the classic look is always a good choice. With the right plants, a beautiful fountain, and some classic stone furniture, you can have a classic scene in your own backyard.

 

Design a Modern Indoor Environment

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Every so often, the time comes when you must change your scenery and embrace a new environment. Has the time come for you to create a new scene inside your home? There are a wide range of options and techniques out there for cultivating a brand new scene. The first thing you must decide is what type of scene you want in your home. When it comes to renovations and interior design, one of the most popular settings that people go for is the modern and contemporary style. If you are looking to create a setting like this, there are a few ways you can be sure to accomplish this goal. With minimal accents, simple furniture, and a sleek water wall, you can totally transform your space.

Accents

When it comes to creating a modern style, it’s important to remember that the key to contemporary style is simplicity. The time of gaudy embellishments and overwhelming color schemes is (thankfully) in the past, and now it’s time to let the space speak for itself. Choose a color scheme that involves a maximum of three colors, one of those colors being an accent color. When you’ve chosen your accent color, by a *few* items in that shade. A shelf, a couple of pillows and a lamp is plenty to add that pop of color to your space.

Simple Furniture

Again, be sure to keep simplicity in the forefront of your decision making. There are lots of fancy pieces of furniture out there, even some ornate antique works of art. But, if we are going for a modern look, ornate and antique are two things we want to definitely avoid. When choosing the furniture for your contemporary indoor space, be sure to choose very minimal designs. Look for pieces that seem to have only the intended purpose in mind, with no need to add unnecessary design.

Water Walls

The accents and the simple furniture will definitely evoke a more modern feel in your home, but there are ways to can definitely take it to the next level. One of the best ways of doing this is by installing a sleek water wall as an accent in your new redesigned room. There are many styles and sizes of water panels for your wall; some hang and take up the space of a poster, while others can be installed to cover your entire wall. These will create a contemporary, and even futuristic, look with its smooth sheets of water cascading steadily down the walls.

Forget keeping up with the Joneses. They’re old news. These days, it’s more like keeping up with the Jetsons. If you are looking to create that more modern look in your home, it is very doable. With minor accents, simplistic furniture, and a water wall to accent it all, your home will be up to date and more!

Redecorating? Let Mother Nature Be Your Muse

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Has the interior of your home become all too familiar? If it has, it must be time for some redecorating! Every once in a while, it’s great to just change your scenery. It reminds you that life is always changing, and everything can progress if you simply put some work into it. There are so many styles and settings you can choose from, that the decision can be completely overwhelming. If you are looking for a little inspiration for your interior design, just take a step outside and allow the elements of nature to fill you with ideas. There are several ways you can bring the beauty of nature into the style of your home. With a earthy color scheme, natural wood flooring, and an indoor waterfall, you’ll second guess the presence of your own roof!

Color Scheme

Just take one step into the painting aisle of your nearest hardware store, and it will be painfully clear that the options for your color scheme are nearly endless. If you have decided on a more natural style for your home, you choices have been narrowed down quite a bit. Shy away from colors that are too bright and vibrant. Instead, opt for subtle earth tones. Dark greens, browns, tans, and even some shades of red will work for this type of setting. This type of color scheme will evoke a feeling of relaxation in the heart of any nature lover.

Flooring

If you are making major renovations to your home, one of the main things to consider is how you want your floors to look. There are endless options for carpet, countless styles of tile, and so much more. But, if you are going for a style that is inspired by nature, the best option is likely to be hard wood flooring. The design of the wood grain is immediately reminiscent of the outdoors, and this type of flooring is an absolute breeze to clean.

Indoor Water Features

Build your natural indoor setting by bringing the elements inside with you. A great way to create this type of scene is by installing an indoor water feature. There are several options available for accomplishing this goal. You can install a wall panel that hangs, or even devote an entire side of a room as a water wall. There are options of indoor waterfalls and plenty of standalone fountain designs. The steady flowing sounds produced by one of these pieces will bring a natural sense of peace and tranquility to your home.

Be inspired in the most natural way: by Mother Nature herself. Allow the colors, textures, and sounds of the outdoors fill you with inspiration for your own home’s interior design. With the right earthy color scheme, wood flooring, and indoor water features, your home will be just as beautiful as the great outdoors!

Low-Maintenance Tips for the Busy or Lazy Gardener

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Gardening is a very rewarding activity. But, it can also be very time consuming. To some people, gardening is reserved for retired women who enjoy their golden years taking taking care of flowers and herbs. They believe that the rest of us couldn’t possibly find the time to devote to being responsible for maintaining life. But, these people are truly mistaken. There are options out there for those of on a strict time budget who still would love to have a bit of extra life in their homes. To build the perfect low-maintenance garden, use planters instead of your yard, grow low-maintenance succulents, and confine your garden to a small space.

Planters

One of the most time-consuming and involved aspects of building a garden is preparing the location. For many people, that includes, tilling, digging, fertilizing, and more. The process of preparing your soil for growth is an entire project on its own. You can skip this process entirely by opting to grow your plants in containers instead of in the ground. This way, you can set up your garden in no time. You can simply organize your planters however you’d like, fill them with fertile soil, and begin the planting process.

Succulents

When it’s time for the planting process, you must decide which plants you would like to grow in your garden. This is another thing that discourages the busy gardener. Many people believe that growing plants is a high maintenance, time-consuming task. For some, this is true. But, it doesn’t have to be that way for everyone. For the gardener with limited time and resources, succulents are a great family of plants to choose from. Cacti are a type of succulent, but don’t let that lead you to believe that they are not beautiful. There are many different variations of succulents, growing in many colors, shapes, and sizes. They require little water and maintenance, and look wonderful in an outdoor setting.

Limit Your Space

Sometimes, when growing a garden, people often get a bit too excited. They pick a huge location in the yard and plan to grow every little thing that piques their interest. This seems fun at first, but it can quickly become extremely overwhelming. Be sure to avoid this issue and save yourself plenty of time and frustration. When planning your garden, deliberately limit your available. You may even want to place you planters on a balcony or patio. This will ensure that you save time setting up and maintaining your new garden.

Gardening isn’t just for the people who have the whole day at their disposal. Some of us have busy lives, but would also enjoy having a little plant life around to keep the energy fresh in our homes. There are options for the busy or lazy gardener. If you use planters, grow succulents, and limit your growing area, you’ll hardly have to do any work to have your garden.