Proper lawn maintenance plays a crucial part in any landscape design. A beautiful well maintained lawn can make the entire landscape look good, whereas a lawn that is not maintained can completely ruin it’s beautify. Discussed below are a few important lawn care tips that will help you maintain a fine-looking lawn.

Mowing:
This is the most sensitive practice in lawn maintenance because even small imperfections may cause intense problems to the lawn. The key principle in mowing is the height of the grass that has to be mowed. Depending upon the species the height that has to be mowed varies. Considering the widely adapted Perennial ryegrass should be mowed at 2.5 to 3.5 inches. The tall fescue can be mowed at 3.0 to 4.0 inches. Kentucky blue grass or any mixture containing Kentucky blue grass should be mowed at 2.5 to 3.5 inches. The Zoysia must be mowed at 1.0 inch. Mowing below these heights restricts the growth and increases the chances of getting damaged due to insects, drought and traffic increases. Inappropriate mowing also causes weed infestations. In places with moderate sun-light should be mowed 0.5 to 1.0 inch higher than the normal.

Thatch controlling:
Thatch is a tightly intermingled organic layer of dead and living shoots, stems and roots that accumulate just above the soil surface. Thatch is desirable in small quantities, whereas a thick layer of thatch must be avoided. Thatch layer forms due to over-fertilization, over-watering and soil compaction. Too much thatch interferes with water and air movement, reduces fertilizer and pesticide response, and increases disease and insect activity. Controlling thatch can be done by Detaching machines which are power rakes with sharp blades that cut the thatch to the ground surface. As the blades revolve, dead & live organic materials are torn loose and brought to surface. The organic material removed by the dethatcher must be raked, removed, and used as mulch or in a compost pile.

Aerification:
Aerification is the mechanical removal of soil cores, it relieves soil compaction, improving water and air movement into the soil, increasing rooting, and greatly improving grass health. Appropriate aerification will reduce thatch. This process is highly beneficial in compacted areas such as sport fields, heavily trafficked areas next to sidewalks, and areas with intense foot or pet traffic.

Rolling:
Rolling is not a turf maintenance practice.. Rolling is generally not recommended by turf specialists because heavy rolling of saturated or clay soils in spring will cause soil compaction and increase soil moisture stress the following summer. However, rollers do have some fetching in turf. Light rolling is effective immediately following seeding to insure good seed-soil contact. Rolling can also bring good sod-soil contact after sodding.

Growing rose bushes is easy and satisfying. With a little learning you can turn your rose bushes into a perfect bush providing an abundance of roses. Roses are found all over and the most common reward and also the most decorative feature in any occasion. Some of the prominent types of roses are Hybrid tea roses, Floribundas, Shrub roses, Ground cover roses, Climbers

Tips on rose care

• Roses have a great hunger. Fertilize them with any food but the food should be heavier than the phosphorus.
• The class of soil should be good so that it can maintain the water and fertilizer.
• Hybrid tea needs nourished and organic soil. Manure, mushroom compost, and other organic minerals are a must for this particular type of rose.
• Organic mulch is the best option fro improving the soil. It is better not use decomposed wooden chips or bark product as it cause the loss of minerals.
• Sometimes dig the ground underneath a rose plant with hoe to uproot the weeds
• Hybrid tea rose can have severe disease. So it needs special care. Dust them with rose powder to keep the black spot and powdery mildew away.

They are very colorful plant for Indore use. The leaves are large and broad and gradually change color as it matures. They need fairly high light to maintain the vibrant colors. The plants best color will develop in bright light under cooler temperatures. Cold injury normally shows as leaf dropping soon after periods of cold weather.

Pruning Information

Crotons may be pruned closely during spring or other mild periods of the year. Crotons may attain a height of 8-10 feet, and be likely to produce the heaviest flora at the top of the plant. It is wise to cut back rather heavily to force new flora lower down on the stem. It is best to trim about one-third of the twigs, then wait until new growth has started before pruning again. This keeps the Croton plant more uniform in shape and more attractive during the pruning process. Pinching out the tips of Crotons will encourage multi-branching and therefore, a better-looking, fuller specimen.

Growing Information

Crotons develop their finest leaf colors when planted in shifting sun. Plants placed in shade or semi-shade tends to increase a large amount of green color. Soil should be enriched with compost, muck, or peat moss and the plants fertilized regularly with a general purpose fertilizer, preferable one that has a high acidic rating, such as an azalea fertilizer. Also, up until September, use of high nitrogen is favored. After that use a fertilizer that has more phosphorus and potash.

Source: http://www.crotons.org/croton_info.htm

Originally designed for Landscapers, this powerful little 20lb “tiller that could” can and has been doing for gardens, raised beds, for many.

According to Mantis;

“The Mantis Tiller/Cultivator is lightweight, but powerful enough to till through sod and compacted soil. Our unique, patented serpentine tines turn soil into a fine texture, ready for planting, and are guaranteed for life against breakage! At 20 pounds it’s easy to carry - to the shed, to the car, or to your neighbor who can’t wait to try it! Great for senior gardeners, too!”

Here is a video showing the Mantis Tiller in action;