Pool algae is an unsightly problem that affects most, if not all, residential pools. Algae spores gain entry to the pool when they are brought in by wind, rain or even equipment that are contaminated. They can also grow under certain conditions such as warm temperatures, out of balance water, sunlight and the presence of nitrates or carbon dioxide. The lack of filtration, sanitation and proper circulation can also cause pool algae to grow.

Hidden Dangers of Pool Algae

Although algae in itself is not dangerous, it does carry with it some problems that can be pretty annoying or risky. Aside from the fact that most people wouldn’t want to swim in an algae-infested pool, the presence of algae can render limited visibility to your pool, making it difficult to figure out debris that may be present in the pool floor and could also make rescue attempts difficult. Likewise, pools with algae can also be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and other micro-organisms that can be dangerous for the swimmers. Other than the health problems that algae can bring, it can also clog sanitation pathways and filters, demanding more backwashing and medium replacement that can be both costly.

Getting Rid of Pool Algae

Algae Identification

To banish the algae from your pool, it is vital that you identify what type of algae has infected your pool before you proceed with your cleaning efforts. There are actually 3 common types of algae that constantly enter pools: green, yellow and black.

Green algae is an extremely common variety which usually occur when there is a change in your pool’s chemistry. It is frequently spotted after a rainstorm with lightning. Lightning does not only reduce the presence of chlorine in the the pool, but it also provides nitrogen, which algae feed on.

Yellow algae which is also referred to as mustard algae usually grow on the shady part of the pool. Just like the green algae it lacks chlorophyll. However, it takes a while for it develop, but once it takes a hold, it can be difficult to eradicate, requiring several treatments, and reinfection is likely to occur.

Black algae is the most dreaded form of pool algae as it is extremely difficult to eradicate due to its strong roots and protective layers that prevent chemicals from destroying the organism’s cell. It usually affixes itself to the pool’s sides and bottoms.

Eradication

Once you’ve allowed algae to bloom in your pool, expect to have a tiresome and expensive battle with the organism. To start with the eradication process, clean the pool thoroughly and shock treat the pool. If you are going to use chlorine, make sure to aim for at least 10ppm (10x the recommended minimum level). Brush the pool and vacuum, then add a potent algaecide that is appropriate for the type of algae infesting your pool. You would also have to balance your pool water. Throughout the process of algae eradication, you would have to check  your filter and do backwashing as warranted by your pressure gauge. If you haven’t been at home for quite some time and the algae in your pool is left unattended,  you would have to drain the pool and acid wash it.

Prevention

Maintaining proper chemical balance and right sanitizer residuals can help prevent algae from infesting your pool. General cleanliness is also important in preventing this organic growth. The use of specialty chemicals or algaecides is also highly recommended to reinforce the sanitation and filtration process you use for your pool.

Article was written by Robert Kirk who does writing work for Ace Blocks a company based in Scotland providing its service of Driveways in West Lothian the company also do landscaping, turfing and fencing.

For instance, there’s the tale of Murphy, a 10-inch high leprechaun from Gloucester, who had stood proudly in the garden of Mr & Mrs Stuart-Kelso for over a decade.

One sad day, they found him gone, but it wasn’t until 11 months later that there was a knock at the door, and there was Murphy, along with a parcel.

Image by Soren Cosmus

One sad day, they found him gone, but it wasn’t until 11 months later that there was a knock at the door, and there was Murphy, along with a parcel.

Inside was a photo album, with pictures of Murphy in the sea in Thailand, climbing glaciers in New Zealand, outside the Taj Mahal and even in the mouth of a shark.  The immigration stamps showed that he’d been to Asia, America and Africa too. I love it!

They aren’t from round here, you know

The impish, humanoid garden gnomes with their floppy bright clothes, pointed hats and grey beards are one of the most popular garden ornaments in the UK today. But in fact, their origins are Germanic.

A guy called Philip Griebel started making them in the mid nineteenth century and they were believed to be good omens; superstitious people had them in their gardens to ward off evil doers, such as thieves.

They were first introduced to Britain by an eccentric man called Sir Charles Isham, who wanted to jazz up his rock garden and had seen these gnomes in Germany on his travels. He put them in his garden in 1847, and they were made of terracotta. One of the surviving gnomes can fetch over £2million today and is kept safe on the Isham estate, safely away from marauding hoarders.

Unfortunately no travels for that particular gnome!

Could they be gods?

The word gnome actually comes from much further back in time, at the time of the renaissance.

It was known as a diminutive spirit, and is well documented in fantasy literature of the time, and even in the modern day.

In Latin, “genomos” derives from the Greek word for earth dweller, and it was widely understood in folklore that these creatures lived underground.

Image by crinklecrankle

Apparently, the mythologies of the time believed that gnomes were sent there to look after the precious treasures to be found underground, such as gold, precious stones and water.

There is even a claim from scholars that the humble little gnome may even be a descendant of the Greco-Roman god of fertility, Priapus, as the ancients would often have statues of him in their gardens, presumably to speed up and encourage the propagation of their begonias, and the reproduction of the birds and the bees, of course!

So next time you pass one of those funny little houses with front lawns covered in little men in coloured coats, either fishing, reclining or just sitting there pondering, remember their history, and if you feel sorry for them, be sure to whisk them away to Skegness for the weekend!

Sarah O’Neill likes to take a sideways look at the stranger things in life. She writes blogs for David Salisbury, where anyone looking for a stunning conservatory for their home or orangery for their garden should visit. 

Water features. Adding a water feature to your deck is one effective way to make it look more luxurious and relaxing. Water features for decks can be as simple as a freestanding copper basin fitted with a drip fountain or something more complex such as built in stream or waterfall. There are numerous budget-friendly water features you can install yourself, or you can have a professional contractor do the job for you. Once a simple filtration system is in place, very little maintenance is needed and you get to enjoy the beautiful addition in your deck for hours.

Fire features. If a water feature does not appeal to you, then a fire feature on your deck is a good addition that will let you and your guest to comfortably enjoy your outdoor space during a cold night. There are different types of fire features from which you could choose from including a simple container fitted with ash screen or a solid brick fireplace. Regardless of your fire feature choice, however, you can expect to have a comfortable deck that will become the favorite hang out of your family.

Pergola, arbors, or pagoda. Any of these decorative frames are sure to give your deck a new look. By allowing woody vines to run up to the trellis, you can have gorgeous natural roof that will provide shade against direct sunlight, making your deck a perfect escape during hot afternoons. If you are going to add pergola, arbors or pagoda on your deck, make sure that you have a professional contractor do the  job to ensure that it is properly attached to the structure of your deck.

Railing light posts. Railing light posts are ideal lighting fixtures that you can incorporate in your deck design to improve both its look, functionality and safety. Light posts for decks are available in various design and price points, though they can also be custom built to achieve specific purpose. You can have them fitted onto the top of your decks rail posts so to provide proper illumination.

Deck spa or hot tub. If you want to achieve ultimate outdoor relaxation without leaving the comfort of your home, then you might want to consider adding a spa or hot tub on your deck. For this feature, it is important that you have your deck properly reinforced so that it can support the weight of your spa or hot tub.

Article was written by Robert Kirk who works as a SEO Consultant for McIntyre Masonry who are a Stonemasonry Company in Edinburgh they supply stonemasonry services throughout Scotland.

Artificial vs Real

The simple fact that, once it has been laid, there is little to no maintenance required makes it ideal for those who may struggle with the upkeep of a traditional lawn. The older generation may find it difficult to maintain a grass lawn, which requires regular mowing, weeding, seeding and watering, especially in the summer months. This could quickly lead to patches of dry or dead grass, an abundance of weeds and a generally quite unpleasant garden

Cost!

They will often overcome this problem by hiring either a local teenager or in some cases a landscaping or gardening firm to look after their lawn for them. This does solve the problem, but becomes pricey over time. While many are put off by the cost of buying and fitting synthetic grass, this balances out over a short period of time when compared to these maintenance costs. In fact, artificial turf quickly pays for itself, and becomes increasingly cost-effective the longer it is around. As it will typically last for fifteen years or more, the initial costs are soon forgotten.

Other Benefits

The wonderfully smooth surface, ideal for wheelchair users or those who find it hard to walk on uneven surfaces – there will never be any divots or weeds to clog up wheels, or things to trip over the partially-sighted, when using synthetic grass instead of real. Also, not having layers of soil and mud underneath reduces the risk of slipping and falling after or during a bout of wet weather. It also means we can send our dogs outside without them tracking muddy paw prints all over the house upon their return.

After retirement it stands to reason that more time will be spent at home, which increases the importance of having a year round outdoor area. Artificial grass doesn’t die off in the winter months, and retains its vibrant colour all year, providing an all weather surface for any outdoor activity, be that feeding the birds, hanging out washing or simply relaxing in a deckchair with the Sunday newspaper. It is also perfect for brightening up conservatories, or for use outside a holiday home, creating a lovely green space that doesn’t require year round care.

This post was written on behalf of Hi-TechTurf.co.uk

Image attribution 1|2|3|4

What to consider with Salty Landscapes

First and foremost, understand that not all beach communities are the same. While most have similar characteristics such as humidity, some are just more or less humid than others. The same applies to salt levels, wind storms, and hurdles of that nature.  However, understanding the need for salt-tolerant plants, proper fertilizers, and the best weed killers for this particular climate could benefit the landscape to an enormous degree.

Weed Control and Fertilizer

St. Autustine is the most common grass in beach communities such as Florida and Southern Texas. When caring for St. Augustine grass, there are a few basics to keep in mind.

First, you need to have a sprinkler system throughout your yard. Either an above-ground lawn watering system or an underground irrigation system composed of parts available at Home Depot or the Sprinkler System Store. If you don’t have an irrigation system then you might as well eat your shorts and get used to mowing weeds. And water as often as you can! If you have to stretch the watering rules a little bit from time to time, do it. St. Augustine requires extensive watering so do your best to run your irrigation system at least 3-4 times a week.

Liquid and Dry Fertilizers

Unfortunately, humid regions are a tough place to grow a healthy lawn and plants. However, with the proper materials and the right amount of determination, you can make it happen.

What you will need:

• Chemicals that Kill Chinch Bugs, Sod Web Worms, and other bugs – it’s important to keep a handle on these guys because they can kill your lawn in a matter of weeks.
• Molestop – Spread this on your lawn twice a year; once in the fall, and again at the start of summer.
• Even mowing the lawn can make or break the health of your grass. If you don’t keep your mower blades sharp, your lawn becomes susceptible to disease so sharpen those blades bi-annually at least!

As long as you keep a close grip on harmful bugs and water as often as you can, your St. Augustine grass might just have a chance.

Salt in the Soil

One of the biggest challenges of landscaping in beach communities is the amount of salt contained in the soil. Plants trying to live in saline conditions are either plagued with leaf-burn or possibly death. For this reason, it is important to choose salt-tolerant plants when working with beach community landscapes. Because every beach community is different, it is advised that you first consult a local nursery to find out what types of plants are currently known to thrive in your community.

For lack of better resources, please refer to the list of plants that are commonly known to be salt-tolerant.

Examples of salt-tolerant plants:

• Lantana Plants: Although lantana plants grow best in full sun, they do well in poor soils. You will see lantana plants all over the place in Florida and make yard plants because they attract hummingbirds and can be treated as annuals.
• English Ivy: Known for their ability to grow in part- to full shade, English Ivy plants do well in humid and cloudy environments that often times encompass beach communities. They make for beautiful decoration when used as groundcovers and when trimmed properly, English Ivy plants can climb to heights of fifty feet or more!
• Flowering Jasmine: If you are looking for a beautiful and fragrant plant for you salty soil, the Flowering Jasmine is an excellent choice. They, too, are climbing vines and do well in humid regions. Jasmines are among the most beautiful of salt-tolerant plants so they make a particularly special addition to any beach community landscape.
• Rosa Rugosa: If you can get your hands on this shrub that is native to Eastern Asia, you will not have to worry about salty soil killing it off. Rosa Rugosa grows successfully in coastal areas, especially dunes, because the species is salt-tolerant.
• Eastern Red Cedar: An excellent “go-to” tree for beach community landscaping is the Eastern Red Cedar. Its genus name is juniperus virginiana  and does very well in almost every climate and soil. However, in poor soils they get very thick and become more like a bush than a tree but still grow to an average height of 20 feet. The seeds they produce come in great numbers and almost look like little, sky-blue berries. These seeds can be messy but are an important winter food for many birds.

Having a beautiful landscape in a beach climate can be difficult but it’s not impossible. If you follow the instructions above and only choose salt-tolerant plants, you will be very pleased with yourself and your yard.

About the Author

Nate Armstrong enjoys learning and writing about all things landscaping and gardening. If you liked this post, you will love him on Twitter and Google+

Whether you’re a green fingered enthusiast or a gardening beginner, the vertical garden is a fun and easy enterprise and it spruces up whatever space you have in your home, on your balcony or, indeed, in your garden. The simplistic and contemporary design means that they are great for city dwellers with little garden space or a rural home with walls to be dressed. The brilliant Fern Richardson (Life on the Balcony) & Stephanie Lawrence (Design*Sponge) were the inspiration for this project. The images are courtesy of Design*Sponge.

The Vertical Garden: How To Instructographic was brought to you by UK gardening experts Bridgman

1 – Royal Empress

When looking for a tree that will grow quickly enough to provide shade and character to any property, it’s hard to beat a Royal Empress. These gorgeous trees grow up to a whopping 12 feet in a single year, easily providing plenty of bang for every buck spent from your landscaping budget. And they are also quite beautiful with their shapely canopies and huge bell-shaped flower blossoms.

Another advantage of the Royal Empress is that it’s hardy enough to grow most anywhere between northern Mexico and southern Canada. It is also fairly resistant to drought and disease.

2 – Hybrid Poplar

A favorite of professional landscapers and new home builders, the hybrid popular is an excellent choice if you desire to plant trees that will quickly take on an “established” look. These beauties grow up to 8 feet per year which means you’ll have a substantial tree standing in your yard in a very short period of time. Hybrid Poplars are famous for being great all-season trees because of the way their thick, shade providing canopies of leaves give way to relatively thin, bare branches that allow plenty of sun to pass through to your home in the winter time.

The Hybrid Poplar is an easy tree to plant and grow. It tolerates most soil types and thrives under a wide variety of growing conditions.

3 – Weeping Willow

The beautiful, flowing whip-like branches of the Weeping Willow make it a favorite of homeowners everywhere. These regal trees also grow up to 8 feet per year, ensuring that you’ll have a tall, shapely and “established” looking tree before you know it. While Weeping Willows are often seen growing near ponds and streams, they actually do quite well in drier places as well. Like the Hybrid Poplar, the Weeping Willow doesn’t boast a ton of gorgeous flower blossoms as with the Royal Empress, but it more than makes up for it with those amazingly beautiful and distinctive branches.

Weeping Willows thrive under a wide variety of soil and climate conditions, making them a good choice for yards in most areas of the United States.

Conclusion

Nothing brings a large, open yard to life quite like a beautiful, shapely tree. By choosing one of the great trees mentioned above you can enjoy all the benefits provided by an established tree without having to wait half a lifetime!

This guest post was written by Gerald Miller, an expert gardener and frequent contributor to RLROUSE Infoblog. Credits: photo courtesy of miheco.

Stay Hydrated

If you really love gardening it is very easy to lose track of the time. And even as you water your beloved green friends it can be very easy to forget to honor yourself with a little hydration every now and then. To avoid heat stroke it is imperative that you listen to your body’s needs, both in terms of heat level and in terms of water consumption. Always keep water handy and be sure to sip regularly. If you’re out on a particularly hot day you might want to also consider timing your projects to be synced up with where the shade is at any moment. Another good trick is to fill a bucket with ice water and rags to wrap around you neck and then change out once it becomes warmed by your body heat.

Watch the Sun

In addition to sticking to the shade whenever possible, don’t forget to apply a high SPF sunscreen liberally and repeatedly. Be sure to apply such protection to the back of your neck, one area that gardeners often forget and later regret doing so. Also remember to wear loose, sun-shielding clothing and a big straw hat as well.

Beware Unsuspecting Dangers

Your yard should be your oasis or haven but it doesn’t mean that you will be completely immune to potential dangers, despite the fact that you’re on your own turf. Before getting your hands dirty be aware of what things like poison oak and poison ivy look like and see if they grow in your climate region. Also beware of the snakes you may encounter, bees, wasps, biting flies. And be sure to put all of your gardening tools back where they belong instead of leaving them out in the yard. Not only will such care extend the usefulness of such items, it can also help prevent an unfortunate accident such as tripping and falling onto a sharp instrument.

And if the weather turns nasty then by all means get inside!

Time out in nature beautifying your own yard can be incredibly rewarding. You can actually find some Zen while creating Zen, but only if you make it a point to remember these simple safety rules. It doesn’t take much to be able to enjoy the Spring safely, it simply takes using a little forethought and being aware of your surroundings – a small price to pay for a lovely yard and beautiful days spent outdoors.

Written by Erin Nolan. Injured in a friend’s yard and need to file an accident claim? www.accidentclaims.org

Natural Pools Reduce Chemical Usage

By installing a natural pool in your garden or backyard, you will have created an excellent place to exercise and relax in. Also referred to as ecological swimming pools, natural pools are normally free of chemicals that are often used to clean or kill bacteria and other nasty organisms, meaning that they are healthier places in which to exercise and play for their owners.

As everything is almost natural in the case of natural swimming pools, there are certain obvious benefits that come with it. First off, their waters are crystal clear, meaning you can definitely see straight to the bottom. Apart from this, the water is soft against the skin as there are no irritating chemicals, for instance chlorine in it. Furthermore, as the water is in constant motion, harmful insects, for example mosquitoes are kept at bay.

Design Ideas for a Natural Pool

Generally, swimming ponds or the natural swimming pools are a true representation of the nature’s own self-cleaning and well balanced ecosystems. There are no additions of harmful chemical sanitizers including chlorine that may turn the one’s hair green and irritate the eyes.

Instead, these types of pools utilize UV sanitation or a balance of microscopic life and aquatic plants to keep the water ultimately clean and clear. As a matter of fact, they use the same natural mechanism that is used by the rivers, lakes and ponds to clean up the animal waste, harmful bacteria and other contaminations from their water. This effectively means that you have to allow or introduce both the natural fauna and flora into a pool and in the area around it so as to naturally keep it clean and clear for a healthier usage.

In a true sense, there are two parts to a natural swimming pool – a regeneration area (the aquatic plant garden area) and the actual swimming area. The aquatic garden area acts as a natural filtering system. The microorganisms in the garden help in breaking down of the animal waste products and the dead plants which are turned into needed nutrients for the grown and growing plants. To help keep the water constantly moving over the plant roots and from becoming stagnant, a good pumping device has to be installed.

Natural swimming pool designs are often open-ended.  The pool can look contemporary or rustic, elaborate or simple depending on its owner tastes, preferences and budget. In some cases, the plants in the regeneration area are incorporated into the swimming area. Other times they are planted just outside the pool area and sometimes on the rim of the pool, the choice as to where they should be planted is the designers or the owners. Whichever the case, an aquatic garden should be as large or as small as the swimming area or the pool itself.

All in all, there are no limits as to the natural swimming pool possibilities. With their many environmental, aesthetic and health benefits, natural swimming pools are a great addition to any home out there.

Mike Murillo is an associate architect with the leading swimming pool builder. He also likes to share his ideas through his blog to help people with pool constructions.

That being said, there is one aspect of camping that I hold little love for, and wily readers who paid attention to the title will have already guessed what that is. The food. Camping cuisine typically ranges from bland at best to disgusting at worst. Campers typically set out with a collection of those ‘All Day Breakfast in a Tin’s, and by day three have resorting to eking out an existence on Mars Bars and whatever sustenance the nearest petrol station has to offer. Further from civilization things can get even worse. I had a friend once who survived four days in the Scottish highlands on a diet of tic tac and coffee; all because she couldn’t endure the idea of another six month old, tinned scotch egg.

But it does not have to be so. The camping stove isn’t the world’s most versatile cooking apparatus, but you can do a great deal more with it that simply warming the contents of a tin. Now worry not, I’m not going to suggest that you go camping with a jar of saffron or a bottle of cooking sherry; I know as well as you that all spirits get consumed on the first night. All of these recipes will be very simple and use only low cost, commonly available ingredients that will store indefinitely at room temperature.

Suggestion one – Spicy Anchovy Pasta

A favourite of mine from my student days, when tinned fish constituted one of the five major food groups (the other four being beer, cheese, pizza with cheese and beer). There are very few foods in the world that cannot be made palatable by red pesto. This meal is actually appetising enough to be worth cooking in the comfort of your own home.

Requires:

• Pasta (any variety)
• Tinned vegetables (peas, sweet corn or whatever else takes your fancy)
•  Tinned anchovies (available from all supermarkets)
• 2tbs of red pesto

Boil the pasta, drain it, and then stir the rest of the stuff in. I told you I was keeping things simple. If anchovies aren’t to your taste then I advise seeking medical attention for your clearly faulty taste buds, but in the meantime you can replace them with pilchards, sardines or even leave the fish out altogether.

Suggestion two – Tuna curry

Unconventional but surprisingly delicious; tuna curry is another testament to what the human spirit can achieve when it’s being forced to live off tinned fish. Like the pesto from the previous recipe, curry sauce is another one of those wonder foodstuffs that automatically makes whatever it is covering taste nice. I’ve even achieved success producing curried SPAM, though if almost anything else is available then I’d recommend it instead. Tuna steaks are my first choice.

Requires:

• 2 tins of tuna steak (sunflower oil for preference, though it hardly matters)
• 1 onion
• 2 tbs of garlic power (or real garlic if you prefer)
• 1 tsp of chilli powder
• 2 tsp of curry power

Obviously the spices can by varied according to taste. Drain the tuna (if you choice sunflower oil then you can use it for frying) and put it aside. Fry the onion (and any other vegetables you feel inclined to add) garlic and chilli powder together for about ten minutes. Add the tuna and mash with a spoon until all the chunks are broken up. Add the curry powder and cook at full power for another five minutes. Serve alongside boiled rice (boil in a bag rice is a handy camping staple).

Suggestion three – Camp fire pizza

The day I discovered that a pita bread could be used as a makeshift pizza base ranks up there with the greatest moments of my life (just between getting married and discovering that I was suddenly affluent enough to purchase bacon whenever I wanted). Ideally you’d want to grill these, but like toast, I’ve found a campfire to be a perfectly acceptable alternative.

Requires:

• Pita bread.
• Passata or prepared pizza sauce.
• Grated cheddar cheese.
• Topping of your choice.

You can probably work this one out. Toast the pita in the fire until firm and golden. Flip and add toppings. There are a great many things you can add to these in order to boost the flavour. Personally I’m partial to more anchovies, but I’ve probably already promoted to wonders of tinned fish enough for one day. Ham and tinned pineapple work quite well as do mushrooms and green pesto.

So there you have it; three simple meals you can easily produce whilst camping that won’t have you wanting to go home as soon as you’ve eaten them.

Neil Park is a writer and walking enthusiast who owns more outdoor clothing and outdoor gear than is reasonable. His garage is loaded full of tinned fish, so when society crumbles he’ll be the one laughing.