Reviewing Benefits And Uses Of Neem Oil For The Garden

 

I love gardening and like pretty much all aspects of it. However what I do not like is when various pests and diseases attack my plants. It is a conflicted point for me however as I do like to garden organically with nature and not generally use pesticides. Many of them will hurt beneficial insects as well somewhere down the line and as I am allergic to many things I have to be careful too.

Nature usually has a way of balancing things out and every pest has a predator and they need the other insects so I prefer to leave the garden to sort itself out and use nothing. 

However, I see my beautiful plants this year in our very hot,  humid summer with little rain really stressing the plants and leaving them vulnerable to disease. Some have suffered and are covered in fungal diseases and attacked by aphids and red spider mite and other creatures that I know will eventually kill the plants. 

Then I know that I have a choice...

Either allow nature to fully take its course and risk the loss of plants that are dear to me, some given by my late parents, or take some action that has the least environmental effect.

So I researched that Neem oil can be a good solution if used safely and with some caveats.

It is antibacterial and antifungal so that will help with the fungal diseases. It also has insecticidal properties which disrupt the feeding and breeding cycles of some insects. I tried it this year for both issues and I have had some very good success!

How To use Neem Oil In The Garden 

If it is used specifically and correctly Neem oil is not toxic to wildlife and pets, but you need to use it properly and carefully.

There are two ways to use Neem oil and I would suggest that you use them both if facing a fungal or insect attack that nature is not solving by herself. 

Never use it in the daytime or in sunlight, this is bad for the plant and bad for the beneficial insects and predators in the garden. 

1. For Drenching The Soil.

First of all give the plant a good soaking of water until it runs out of the base.  The reason you water before hand is so that the soil gets wet, if you pour it on very dry soil it will just run straight through and you will waste the mixture. Then mix about two tablespoons of Neem oil with about a gallon of water and a small amount of mild liquid soap or washing up liquid. Shake it all up, then pour it around the base of the soil. If you don't need that much just adjust the ratios accordingly, it does not have to be too precise. 

2. Spray Leaves

Then next you need to spray the leaves with the same mixture but in a spray bottle. Any spray bottle will do but it must be clean and not contaminated with any other chemicals. It is best to buy a new clear spray bottle and clearly label it. Spray the neem mix on the stems of the plant and both the top side and underside of the leaves. You can spray any left over on the soil around  the plant.  

The mixture needs to be applied about once a week. However if it rains then you need to reapply as soon is convenient once it has stopped raining. Watch for any signs for the disease or attack returning. When you think it is all clear then stop the applications. I have found I need to do it about three times before I can be fairly certain of success. 

You can use pure Neem oil and do the mix yourself, which is what I usually do, or for convenience you can buy a ready made Spray. I have listed both options in this article. 

Neem Oil as Organic Insecticide

Neem oil disrupts the feeding and breeding cycles of many insects. I am always a bit conflicted as I dislike interfering with natures processes, but there are times when I do take the decision to use this more organic method.  I only use it against those that are overwhelming the plant and causing significant damage or will kill the plant.

If they are just a nuisance but do not cause any real damage I leave it. If it is just the temporary look of the plant that is affected I leave it to nature to sort it out.  I prefer to leave natures predators to it. 

If I have to intervene to save the plant, it is said to be effective against many insects considered pests. My main experience with neem oil is with aphids. Neem oil is in my experience most effective against Aphids which this year attacked my Lupins while I was away and came back to an almost decimated plant.

It is best if you first cut away the affected leaves and stems and dispose of them.

 I sprayed with the neem mix three times over 3 weeks and while the older leaves and stems died,  the younger and new growth came through healthy. 

It is also in my experience effective against Whiteflies and spider mites. It acts on their hormones preventing them from laying eggs. I found for me the magic number is to apply neem oil mix three times about a week apart,     both to the leaves and the soil.

Neem Oil As A Fungicide

Neem oil helps with fungal diseases including powdery mildew, rust and black spot.

It assists to prevent fungal spores from germinating and spreading which is especially helpful if you grow plants closer together to help prevent widespread infections. It also usefully provides a protective layer or barrier on the sprayed leaves.

I am happy to use Neem oil under safe conditions for this purpose. In my experience within two or three weeks the situation is under control. 

 Best Naturals 100% Pure Neem Oil, 100% Cold Pressed and Unrefined - 16 OZ (1 Bottle)Check Price Monterey Neem Oil Spray for Plants Ready to Use - for Use on Roses, Flowers, Houseplants, and Vegetables - 32 ozCheck Price

 

How To Use Neem Oil Safely And What To Avoid.

For Plants

• Some plants are very sensitive to Neem oil. It particularly affects those with delicate leaves and is best to avoid. If you do use it on these plants, use a significantly diluted mixture, do a small patch test and watch for a few days.

• Prevention is always better. Ideally, and this goes for all plants really, before any issues arise,  try companion planting with plants that are highly scented and more resistant to the bugs that like to attack. So try Lavender, Garlic, Onions, perhaps Rosemary as companion plants to those you find are vulnerable to pests.

• Never apply in the daytime as it can and will burn and scorch the plant. Wait until dusk. 

• Check over the plant for any beneficial insects before you spray, particularly ladybirds or lady bugs or hoverflies might be on an infested plant. They are predators and do an excellent job of eating pests, so if there are a lot of ladybirds and hoverflies on the plant they may well do the job for you. In that case I would personally leave them to it.

•  However if there is just one ladybird or the plant is clearly overwhelmed with pests, simply remove the one or few ladybirds first. It is another good reason for not spraying in the daytime, wait until the beneficial predators and bees and butterflies are have left or are much less active. 

For Humans 

While generally not harmful to humans there are some important caveats.

• Store it out of reach of children or pets in a safe place.

• Do not have any contact with Neem oil if pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Always wear gloves and protective glasses when preparing and spraying the mix as it is irritating to skin and eyes. As I have extremely sensitive skin, I cover up all my skin when using it and wear sunglasses or protective glasses that wraparound. 

• Do not use or prepare the neem pure or mixture near young children or pets, as it is possible they may inhale, lick or eat some of it when it is still wet, which is not advised. 

For Nature And Animals 

• While pretty much non toxic to much of nature like birds, bees and mammals once dry, it is somewhat toxic to fish and aquatic life. So we must never spray near a pond, stream, water barrel or other water source. However Neem oil is not known to contaminate ground water or run off and is biodegradable.  

•  Do not use neem oil during the day as this is when pollinators and many predators are around on your plants. Bees and butterflies and other beneficial insects are at danger when it is still wet. Bees can carry it back to a nest and it could cause harm. Once it is dry the risk is no longer present.  Hence the need to use only at dawn or dusk when they are much less likely to be around.

•  Personally I only use at dusk because you must use it so that it dries before any beneficial insects and pollinators are active. Most of my issues happen in the summer and as it is light so early the bees are often up before I am! Once it dries, in about an hour, it is then harmless to bees, butterflies etc.

Storing and Using Neem Oil

It must be stored in a dark, cool and safe place as if it is exposed to sunshine or bright light and heat it will go off. 

If you are mixing it yourself only make the amount you need to use on that day, as the home mix goes off quite quickly once made up.  

So while I do not really like to use anything on my garden I will sometimes use a Neem oil mixture. I have worked hard to get a good balance and usually have plenty of predators to balance out the pests. Most of the time I allow nature to take its course with predators and prey in the garden and using companion planting.

However, if one of my treasured or sentimental plants is suffering an infestation or disease and the natural predators and processes cannot get it under control, I very carefully use Neem oil in moderation and as little as possible. In my experience it is an effective and economical product

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Reviewing Benefits And Uses Of Neem Oil For The Garden by Raintree Annie

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Easy Grow at Home Mushroom Kits

 If you like mushrooms, these easy-to-grow kits are an excellent choice for fresh mushrooms. Fran belongs to our local Lakewood Village Women's Club, and last month, they had a guest speaker and demonstration from Barnett's Mushrooms, a local farm in Western New York. You can visit their Facebook page here: Barnett's Mushrooms

Grow at home mushroom kits - Reviewed

Fran was the lucky winner of this Blue Oyster grow-at-home mushroom kit. I was amazed because I've never seen these mushroom kits before. We opened the box and followed the instructions. It looks like a mini bale of hay wrapped in plastic.

It has an X on the front that you cut to open. Then, you place a small bowl in a larger bowl and fill the larger bowl halfway up the smaller one with water. Wrap a dish towel around three sides, not covering the X, and spray with water. The kit came with a spray bottle. Continue to spray the towel several times a day to keep it wet. In about 3 or 4 weeks, we had these beautiful Blue Oyster Mushrooms.

We picked and cut these, sautéed them with butter, onions, and garlic, and served them over a couple of strip steaks Fran picked up at our local grocery store. They were absolutely delicious.

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You can buy these kits on Amazon; they have a variety of mushroom kits. These kits make great gifts for Holidays and gardeners.

Back to the Roots Organic Mini Mushroom Grow Kit, Harvest Gourmet Oyster Mushrooms In 10 days, Top Gardening Gift, Holiday Gift, & Unique GiftCheck the Price

 

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Roll Out Wooden Walkway Reviewed

Ever have THAT problem area of lawn? The part which turns into an unintended walkway from a maintained lawn view versus the reality of a lawn area that is being used as a walkway? Also known as the cut through patch of lawn that everyone has decided should be a path...

After a tough winter, the cut through needed help this spring. It is definitely not fun to walk through the cut through path after rain. Many options were discussed from pavers to cement to stones and all had merit, cost and labor. 

Last year I tried the rubber type artificial pavers? Those were expensive, labor intensive to assemble and install and were ultimately returned. I loved the idea because the pavers were very light and movable, but not realistic either in price or installation.

I have seen the rollout walkway online in many places. Different colors, different lengths, different treads and decided upon one to try on this cut through.

Which Brand?

Many reviews and many different price points for rollout walkways online. As this was a DIY test I decided upon the Yoopin 6 foot walkway. The prices of course increase with the length. This walkway was offered in six and eight feet and in two colors. I chose the brown color. 

Materials

The walkway is made of spruce and rolls up for convenience. The width is 17.5  inches wide and 1.5 cm thick. It is advertised as non slip and I may add a few pieces of reflective tape for night use.

Flexible! I loved that the walkway does not have to be rolled out in a straight line, it can be modified to fit the terrain. It can also be easily lifted and removed to mow the lawn. 

Recommendation

I was admittedly skeptical, but after rolling it out... I decided to purchase another and increase the length of the walkway. The area needs to be leveled with additional topsoil, but as a DIY goes, this was very simple and the purchase fit the problem.

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EZ Straw Seeding With Tack Review

Time to plant grass! Along with the topsoil and fresh seed is what I have termed my secret weapon to ensure the grass seed does not wander and to help the grass seeds thrive. EZ Straw Seeding With Tack is a necessity in this yard to give grass seeds the best chance at sprouting!

Birds and wind are the enemies when attempting to grow grass! I will add torrential downpours to the list as well. There is nothing more frustrating to put down grass seed only to see a flock of birds descend for fresh treats! Or a gale force wind descends to blow around the seed! And my favorite is when the weather forecast is incorrect and the sprinkles of rain are actually a downpour and watch your grass seed turn into mud puddles.

The above scenarios are where the EZ Straw Seeding excels to help your grass seed stay put! The straw with the tack adds a layer of protection over the seed as well as helping protect the seed and keep the seed moist under the straw. 

Spring And Fall Grass Growing

In the north we have two short windows to grow grass or actually three (see below.) The easiest months to grow grass are in Spring And Fall. Summer is possible of course, but high temps and sun require much more frequent watering and maintenance. I usually use one layer of EZ Straw after the initial grass seed planting and then a second lighter layer of of seed and straw about 10 days later. to refresh areas where hay has degraded or grass seed has failed.  If all has gone well after a week to 10 days I will see grass sprouting! 

Dormant Seeding

I will add this method of growing grass as the third window of opportunity; however, the actual timing of putting down the seed varies per locale. In my area this time tends to be mid to late October which is before the ground is frozen and before the first snow. 

Seed and hay are laid right before the first snow as in the weather is watched and if snow is predicted the time is the day prior to lay the seed and hay. If all goes well you are rewarded with early grass sprouts the next Spring! I have succeeded with this method which gives the area a nice head start come Spring before the weather cooperates to lay new seed and hay.

Delivers As Promised

Always nice to have a product deliver as promised. The packaging of the hay is in a compressed square  is not reflective of  the amount in the square once the package is opened. Chances are for overseeding and spot repair there will be more than enough to last for two seasons.

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Reviewing an Attractive Option for Small Space, Indoor Plant Grow Lights

I have added another  tool to my indoor plant garden that has been very helpful. I have a small home and limited space for the amount of plants and seed-starting that I would love to grow.  I need a few tools that work very well rather than large or mediocre systems. My newest addition, a gooseneck, table lamp style grow light is good-looking, adjustable to fit in a variety of spaces, and my pepper starts are growing great with it. 

In 2023, I wrote a review about LED light bulbs that were very helpful for starting and growing plants in my window garden. They are effective. I use an open shelf for the plants and hang the bulbs from the top racks.  I can choose the strength and color of the bulbs to suit the plants and I can adjust the height by loosening or tightening the cords. Imagine a pendant light that hangs from the ceiling and you can choose the height above your work space. These bulbs and cords are very effective but not very pretty to look at.

I have added another light to aid my plants inside. It is the gooseneck, table lamp style. I like that I can set it on a flat surface then move the four light arms, in any direction, to light a specific plant. I ordered the four light, SYEIORAOM brand light. They also have a 6-light version. And there many different brands to choose from; including versions that have a shelf clamp rather than a table lamp base.

The site advertises the SYEIORAOM adjustable gooseneck LED light as:

• LED grow light with full spectrum, Red White light
• 72 LED light beads
• Telescopic pole; adjusts height
• flexible goose neck that can bend and adjust 360 degrees
• 59" long power cord with a convenient on/off toggle switch
• attractive modern style

This table-top lamp is more attractive than my hanging bulbs. It would be attractive on someone's desk at work, in a dorm room, or on a countertop herb garden. I have used this for 3 solid months and I have a planter of pepper plants are that healthy, and happy soaking up the light. 

Previous Reviews:

Single Bulb LED Lights: I wrote about the hanging grow bulbs. I continue to use them due to their effectiveness. You can see that review here.

Miracle LED Grow Lite Bulbs

Hydroponics for Small Spaces: I also wrote about my recent first experience with a small hydroponics system. I am sorry that I waited so long to try this growing system in my small space. I had fresh salad greens during cold months and now I'm using it to start seeds that will be transplanted outside. You can read my reviews of that hydroponics system here:

My First Indoor Hydroponic Gardening System

and the One Month Update here:

Indoor Hydroponics Gardening: One Month Update

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Reviewing Features When Choosing A Garden Hosepipe

 

We have always had a hosepipe for our garden. We generally use it for watering the garden particularly the containers and pots, washing the car and general cleaning of the patio. We also use it for filling up the bird bath and cleaning out the big bins. 

Why Do You Need A Garden Hosepipe?

Hosepipe uses

Are you watering a small or large number of plants in pots or containers, your lawn or other plants?

Do you intend to wash your car or motorhome at home?

Do you need it to clean your patio?

Do you need it to fill a birdbath, child's paddling pool or dog bath? 

Over the years we have had several different types of hosepipes and while we do restrict its use for eco reasons and cost reasons we do find certain tasks are so much easier for us with hosepipe. 

Hosepipes can make everyday tasks like watering gardens, cleaning patios, filling paddling pools, cleaning and filling bird baths and dog baths easier and quicker. However there are different types of hosepipe that may suit different needs, budgets and uses. 

 Standard Hosepipes 

This was my first hosepipe and one I replaced more often than I can remember. Very affordable and widely available, standard hosepipes are within most peoples budgets and do the job. They are usually made of plastic or rubber. 

In my experience while I never expected them to last too long, the biggest issue with them was the constant checking and releasing kinks that prevented proper water flow. 

I understand now that you can buy kink-resistant coils to help with this issue or even hoses with kink resistant features in affordable models. They are a decent affordable option if you buy one with this feature.

Expandable Garden Hosepipes

This was our previous hosepipe and I loved it! These hoses shrink when empty, making them much smaller, lightweight and very easy to store.

 When in use, they expand to their full length as water flows through them. I found it was important to let the entire hose fill with water and fully expand before starting to use. Being expandable meant it was really easy to store and crucially to move around.

 It was so lightweight. I also liked the various spray nozzle features such as mist, fan, cone and shower. The handle on my model however did have to be kept pressed down which if doing a long watering session I found hard on my hand. So I would now always buy one that you can clip in place to stay on. 

We had ours for nearly two years and were very careful about storing it inside in winter. However it did not survive the second winter and split one day beyond repair. 

It was really good for our garden while it lasted and I was very impressed. So easy and light to use. I think that maybe it got too much use and being dragged across sharp gravel and concrete may not have been good for it. I wonder if it is maybe better for lighter duties. Otherwise our expandable was a really excellent hosepipe. If I got an expandable one again I would look for a heavy duty option like the one below.

 J&B XpandaHose 75ft Expandable Garden Hose with Holder - Heavy Duty Superior Strength 3750D - 4 -Layer Latex Core - Extra Strong Brass Connectors and 10 Spray Nozzle w/Storage BagCheck Price

Steel-Core Hosepipes

Our recent purchase is a steel core hosepipe and we spent rather more than we ever have on this one as we wanted durability as a primary function. It is built for strength and to be long lasting. Steel-core hosepipes are reinforced with metal, which makes them much more resistant to annoying kinks and splits or punctures.

 I can certainly say that it feels more robust and copes well with our gravel drive and concreted steps and many changes in direction as I go around the garden. It has not kinked or split or punctured and is easy and fairly lightweight to use. I thought it would be heavier but it is really very easy to move around. 

I love that it has many spray nozzle features such as full, mist, jet, cone spray etc which gives a lot of choice in how you use it.

One of the features is for the spray to stay on when a clip is pulled over so it reduces strain on the hands as you no longer have to hold the lever down. These steel core hoses are certainly more expensive, but the idea and my hope is that they last longer.

 SPECILITE 75ft 304 Stainless Steel Garden Hose Metal, Heavy Duty Water Pipe with Nozzles for Yard, Outdoor - Flexible, Never Kink & Tangle, Puncture Resistant (Sliver)Check Price

Features To Consider In Garden Hoses

• Storage Space. Some Hosepipes come with with hooks and wall mounted features. If you like a tidy garden wall-mounted reels are a great solution for storing the hosepipe preventing damage and tangles. An automatic rewinding device is an even greater feature to make life a bit easier. Or are you happy to store in a bucket or bag? 

• The handle should be a comfortable grip and ideally be able to be held down with a clip or similar. This saves a lot of pressure on our hands constantly having to hold a handle down. It makes watering a lot easier and then only light hold of the handle is required.

• Spray nozzle choices. For me I like a wide range of spray nozzle features to choose from. So I mostly use a mist for plants that need a gentle spray, jet for cleaning the car or patio area, full or shower for general watering and cone for spraying the larger areas such as grass on the lawn or newly seeded areas. 

• 

• Anti kink abilities. Maybe this is a pet hate of mine but i cannot cope with a hosepipe that is constantly kinking and stopping the flow of water, so for me and maybe for you this is important. 

• Durability for your needs. Are you using it for light jobs such as watering pots or heavier use for a range of activities. Will it be dragged across difficult surfaces or a smooth patio or well mown grass?  

• Budget. There maybe a balance cost as you can buy hosepipes very cheaply or rather more expensive. However the higher the quality and guarantee available the hope is the longer they will last, thus saving money in the long term.

Disadvantages Of Using A Hosepipe.

For water saving strategies hosepipes are probably not the best for watering a garden. Water here is expensive now and so using less water has become a mission for many people.

So if you can water your garden with a watering can either via a tap or ideally by using a rain water butt or a trough then you could save money on water bills that way. 

 2 Gallon Watering Can for Outdoor Plants with Removable Long Spout and Stainless Steel Sprinkler Head, Large Plastic Watering Can for Garden Flowers PlantsCheck Price

We may in a hot summer face a hosepipe ban where it is not permitted to use a hosepipe for anything, except in special circumstances. 

Using a hosepipe is probably not the most eco friendly item to use if we are trying to save water.

Using a hosepipe can work out more expensive for your water bills, depending on how you use it and if you are on a standard charge or a water metre.

Advantages of Using A Garden Hose

For me using anything but a smaller watering can to water our garden plants is difficult. I have a back issue and while most of the time now it is under control, there are some things that will set it off and sadly using a watering can full of water and walking down our steps to the garden can and does result in pain for me. I only usually water plants in pots, other plants in the ground can usually survive without watering. 

Equally for my husband who is severe sight impaired it is less dangerous for him to hold a hosepipe and do a lot of watering without having to move too much than it is for him to have to constantly walk up and down to the tap and navigating steps and a gate to do so.

Perhaps for some people with certain disabilities and some people who are older a hosepipe may be a better option than carrying a heavy full watering can. 

Washing our car at a commercial jet wash or car wash involves driving quite a way, then paying for it. At home we can wash the suds on the car using a bucket and car wash and simply rinse off with the hosepipe for a cheaper and more convenient way to wash the car. 

We do not pay anyone to clean our big wheelie bins, we do that ourselves using suds and a brush then rinse it all out with the hosepipe. 

There are many hosepipe options to choose from, including not having a hosepipe at all. I hope I have managed to cover some of the main features and qualities to consider, the basic choices available and main features to help the decision which to buy to suit your needs a little easier.

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Barbara Mays Review Ladies, This Is the Garden Hose You’ve Been Waiting For

Reviewing Features When Choosing A Garden Hosepipe By Raintree Annie

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Reviewing Over Fence Hanging Metal Pot Planters

I love looking for ways to enhance our garden and to expand my areas for planting. Whether you have a small garden or a patio or balcony or a large garden with fences that look more bare than you would like a pot holder is a lovely idea to increase areas for planting and to brighten up the garden. 

These metal hanging over the fence pot holders are usually not very large, but not too small either and have a hole at the base to allow water to drain away.

Reasons To Buy a Hanging Over Fence Metal Pot Holder

Good Looking

They look lovely! Whether your garden is very modern contemporary or traditional, quirky or cottage garden these metal pot holders can fit into the scheme and compliment your garden design. They come in many different finishes from painted metal in many different colours dark or light, vibrant to pastel to natural colours,  to steel and copper. So there is a option that will be suitable for most people and most gardens.

Drainage

When planting into any container drainage is vital for the health of your plants. Without it they may suffer rot and just become waterlogged and die. As these pot holders have a decent drainage hole at the base excess water can flow away . I like to put a crock over the drainage hole or a layer of gravel to ensure that it doesn't become blocked by soil or compost. 

Space Saving 

If you garden in a small space such as a balcony or patio it can be very helpful to make use of walls and vertical spaces. If you have several pot holders you can easily make a beautiful hanging display of flowers or foliage to cover the wall or fence. This can really make a significant impact in a small space. 

Even in a larger garden it is good to cover bare fences and lovely to have more space to fit those smaller plants to make a beautiful display. 

Longer Lasting

These metal planters are more durable than wood or even plastic and are more weather resistant. So we can safely leave them out in rain or snow or brilliant sunshine and they should  be alright.

Planting Options 

You can grow a wide variety of plants in these pot holders. Herbs do well as the drainage is so good. Flowers look amazing. Hanging or trailing plants add a lovely dimension. You could even try smaller vegetables or small salad plants.  As they are portable and easily moved you can move them to where the plants will be most happy for example in full sun or part shade. I like growing herbs in them, particularly sun loving herbs like Thyme that do not need too much water. So if I forget to water them it is not a disaster.

Easy to fit.

Hanging pots are so easy to install in the garden. The ones we bought came already fixed with a hook and are not detachable so we simply planted them up then hung them over our fence with the hook. This took a few minutes and required no tools or knowledge. We had checked that the hook was large enough to fit over the fence.  If you do not have a fence it may mean installing a bracket or something they can hang over but that can be something very simple. If you buy pots that have detachable hooks or other fixings then they may require some assembly. 

 KINGLAKE Flower Pots,10 Pcs Metal Iron Hanging Flower Plant Pots 4'' Flower Holders with Detachable HookCheck Price Dahey 10 Pcs Hanging Flower Pots Metal Iron Bucket Planter Flower Holders with Detachable Hooks, Black, 4 InchesCheck Price

Aspects To Bear In Mind About Hanging Metal Pot Holders

As these pots are quite small you must only fill them with small plants. This might mean that you will need to move plants out of them if they get too big for the pot. You will notice this if you see the roots growing through the drainage hole or roots growing on the surface of the soil. 

In warm weather you will need to water quite often, possibly as often as once a day. This can be seen as a chore, or a lovely way to reconnect with your plants and check them over each day. The best thing to do is to check with a finger if the first inch of the soil is dry, if it is then water. 

It is better to use a gentle watering system like a long spouted watering can or a hosepipe on a very gentle spray. If you use  too forceful jet it will just displace the soil and be a bit harsh on the plant. 

If hanging over a fence in the garden then the drainage is no issue. However if you are hanging them on your balcony or patio you may find it beneficial to have something underneath them to catch the drained water. I feel it is a good idea to have another potted plant underneath, that way you catch the water and water the ground plant at the same time! 

Always check the size of the pots as you want to make sure they are not too small for your needs. Some are round pots with one hook and some are oval shaped or oblong shaped usually with a double hook and more space. Check measurements carefully to ensure they and the hooks will fit your fence or brackets properly.  

Some of the pots have a fixed hook and others a detachable hook. Both are great for this purpose. However if you have a detachable hook then you can use the pot as a freestanding planter on a surface as well more easily. The ones with detachable hooks may need some assembly though, so read each option carefully. 

 LaLaGreen Rail Planter Outdoor Plants(5 Pack, 11.8 Inch) Black Metal Iron Hanging Flower PotsCheck Price 8 Pack Metal Hanging Planters for Railing Balcony 10.6" & 5.1"Multicolor Hanging Flower Pot with Detachable HooksCheck Price

I like to buy pots like these so that they are grouped together in some way so to buy 3 or 7 or more to have a fuller display always looks better to me than a single one. 

Over fence metal hanging pot planters are a lovely addition to any garden whatever your style. They are very useful as you can use the vertical space in your garden which is often underutilised. They are practical and beautiful and really optimise the space in your garden. 

 

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Reviewing Over Fence Hanging Metal Pot Planters by Raintree Annie

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Reviewing Overseeding A Lawn With Grass Seed.

  

Our lawn gets heavy traffic as we are often walking on it, putting garden furniture on it and our late dog and other friends dogs play on it. We nurture our plants, vegetables and flowers and we also need to look after our lawns so that they are also healthy. So every few years we feel the need to revitalise it and overseed.

We usually have good success with Canada Green grass seeds which is a tough mix, but there are many other grass seeds available. It is important we choose the grass seed that best meets our lawn needs, whether in sun or shade and how the lawn will be used for example light or heavy use. As we are on heavy clay soil, part of our garden is mostly in shade and the other part mostly in sun and our lawn is much used most of the year, we want a tough grass mix that can stand up to our activities. 

I have never sown a new lawn from scratch but we do overseeding of our existing lawn and sow over smaller bare patches as well as needed. If the lawn looks like this photo below, with bare patches we could do with considering reseeding or overseeding.

Sowing grass seed onto an existing lawn can help improve its density, health and overall look. We like a grass seed that is tough, fast growing and one that looks nice and green once grown.

Here's how to do it in steps so that it is most effective. You will need to check the instructions on your grass seed packet as each grass type may be a little different. This article covers the general steps we take when overseeding our lawn. 

As usual preparation is key. The best times of year to over sow a lawn are in Spring and in Autumn/Fall. You will need to stay off the lawn for a few weeks after sowing seed so timing is important. 

What You Will Need

• Grass seed appropriate to your lawns needs and use
• A Lawnmower
• A rake to rake the compost
• A fork or spikes to aerate the soil 
• Multipurpose compost 
• A garden sieve - to sieve the compost into a fine tilth
• Watering can or hosepipe, both with a fine gentle spray attachment. 

Steps to Overseed Your Lawn

Step One Mowing The Lawn

Mow your lawn but perhaps a little shorter that you usually do to about one to one and a half inches tall. This is done to make sure the seeds have better access and contact with the soil.

Step Two Raking The Lawn

It is important to rake the lawn removing all debris, bits of twigs, leaves and so forth. Take this opportunity to rake out any thatch as well. This is perhaps the most energetic step!

Step Three Aeration Of The Soil

This is the process of making small holes in the soil. It is helpful to do this every year for drainage regardless, but also for the purposes of seed sowing it helps the seeds get into the soil more easily. How you wish to do this really depends on your size of your lawn, the time you have available, how active you are and if you enjoy it. 

We have a small lawn so we just take it in turns to go over the whole lawn with a garden fork making holes at short intervals probably a foots length. It take us a couple of hours but is not too taxing. If your lawn is bigger you might want to hire a lawn aerator or hire someone to do it with machinery. 

Step Four Spreading The Grass Seed.

It is important to spread the seed as evenly as we can over the lawn. As we have a small lawn we just broadcast the seed, this means taking a small handful and casting the seed out over an area, then repeating. Again if your lawn is larger or you wish to ensure it is perfectly spread a broadcast spreader will do the job well. Check the seed packet you use for how much you need to use.

Step Five Topdressing 

I think this is worth doing for most lawns, which is to spread a thin layer of compost or topsoil over the seeds. This protects them from being blown away in the wind and from having too many eaten by birds. We usually use a garden sieve to gently sieve the compost over the seeds so we get a light even coverage. 

Step Six Watering The Lawn

It is important to water the lawn straightaway after seeding and top dressing. This is to moisten the soil and again to stop seeds flying everywhere in the wind.

It is important to keep the seeds at least damp for up to two weeks after sowing, until they germinate. I usually try to time garden grass reseeding for a day when rain is forecast for several days after. This saves me a big watering job and I like to think that rainwater is likely better at this stage. 

If watering myself it means I need to tread on the new seeded lawn so it is best to put planks down to step on so as not to damage any new delicate roots. Also you need to water lightly and evenly with a good rose gentle spray. Avoid a harsh jet of water as this will only serve to clump seeds together, waterlog the ground and may drown them. 

After about 2 weeks you can reduce the watering to two or three times a week, unless it rains for a few hours two to three days in a week. 

We generally do step four spreading the seed and step five topdressing and step six watering one after the other in rows then step backwards and repeat the three steps for the next row. We find this prevents us trampling all over the fresh seed on the lawn.

Step Seven Ongoing Grass Care

We need to keep off the grass as much as possible for about two to three weeks. This can be a little frustrating but it is important to give the seed a good chance at rooting.  Once the grass has germinated and grown to about three inches, we can reduce the frequency of watering. We just water every other day or every few days depending on the weather, but we make sure it is now a good drink at this stage, rather than a light spray. 

It is important not to think of mowing the new seeded lawn until the grass has grown to at least three inches. Depending on the lawn it can be good to buy a lawn fertiliser and use that according to instructions to keep the lawn in good condition through the year. 

Protect the seed from being eaten. While I love birds it is important to try at least to keep them off the seed, you can put up scarecrow like features of poles with pots on top but in our garden no matter what I do there are always mice and birds and especially wood pigeons who come down to eat some of my seeds! I am relaxed about it though and always think of the old adage.

"Four seeds in a row:

One for the mouse,

One for the crow,

One to rot,

And one to grow."

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So reseeding or overseeding a lawn is quite a big undertaking. However it is not something most of us will need to do all that often. Once a year is generally advised but we often let it go to once every two or even three years. In between we simply address any bare patches that arise. Our lawn is however not an immaculate showpiece but somewhere we use and live on when outside. 

If you want or need a really beautiful immaculate lawn then once a year overseeding is advisable.  However often you reseed, the results are so worth it when you sit out on your lovely green, thick lawn in late Spring and summer and can enjoy it. 

A beautiful, healthy green lawn sets off all the flowers and plants beautifully and is a thing of joy!  

Read More Gardening Reviews on ReviewThisGardening.com

Read Diary Of A Wild Country Garden Blog

Visit Raintree Earth Designs for gifts and cards designed with nature photography

Reviewing Overseeding A Lawn With Grass Seed by Raintree Annie.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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