Posts tagged "landscape"

Why Are Fountains An Unsatisfactory Selection For Pond Management?


Pond Fountain

For many years, homeowners, H.O.A’s, and property managers considered that fountains were the answer to keeping ponds and lakes clean and algae-free. Consumers are now gradually learning that fountains are definitely not a possible remedy, realizing that they can be artefacts of the time when folks were significantly less concerned with energy costs or damaging environmental impact.

We’ve substantial experience with fountains, and might confirm that they can be a really poor technique of abating algae and also other pond fountains problems. Definitely, the Kentucky State Aquaculture Center declares that, “Fountains will not likely typically offer an cost effective or practical source of aeration/water desertification for most ponds.” So, why are fountains not practical? The below may be a list of reasons setting out the insufficiencies of fountain for pond:

1. Minimal Aeration:

By spraying water to the air, fountains rely on air-water contact for oxygen transfer, because the water droplets’ airtime is relatively short, and their surface area relatively small, only minimal amounts of oxygen are imparted to the water. Fine and coarse bubble diffusers, on the other hand, emit millions of bubbles daily, each having a longer rise time and comparably bigger surface area/volume ratio-enabling it to incorporate more oxygen to the entire water column.

2. High Energy Cost:

Propelling water to the air is rather energy intensive. It is always for the similar reason why propeller-driven watercraft gets hold of terrible gas mileage-often below 4 miles per gallon-since moving water around usually requires loads of energy. It is quite normal for a water fountain to consume more than twice the energy as a diffused air system.

3. Minimal Mixing:

Fountains never mix the whole water column when they both draw water from and spray water over the pond’s surface. The much deeper sections of the pond are typically the greatest nutrient (algae food) and oxygen deprived-for that reason fountains fail to pass the part of the pond that needs it most.

4. Chemical Use:

Numerous fountain producers will suggest the use of toxic chemicals like copper sulfate using their products to stop algae development and, hence, limit clogging. This professional recommendation alone shows that fountains are inadequate in the treatment of pond algae. Not only does this chemical idea give a considerable cost with the usage of fountains, but it’s very dangerous for life inside and around the pond.

5. Great Repairs and maintenance Cost:

On the Northern climates, fountains need to be removed every fall and changed every spring since they are unable to function in the cold winter season. During this period, they must also be stored; a lot of individuals pay thousands of dollars per year of these services along with the extremely high costs of electricity and toxic chemicals. What’s more, fountains often clog with algae, plant debris, and waste (i.e. plastic bags), necessitating their elimination and maintenance-often times from a professional.

6. No Winter Operation:

Because fountains found in Northern climates need to be removed during the winter, there is no pond mixing during these months. This allows the surface of the water to freeze over and begin to retain acquiring poisonous gasses which could bring about fish kills.

7. Safety Worries:

Fountains will need electricity to be run into and through the pond, and this signifies a huge safety matter to life around the area when the integrity with the wire is compromised.

For cost effective, eco-friendly replacement for fountains in pond management, look at MARS Aeration Systems. These Double Bubble™ Technology both mixes and also aerates your pond-keeping it vibrant, clear, and algae and odour free.

Posted by thegarden-expert - May 18, 2011 at 11:36 am

Categories: Landscaping   Tags: , , , , ,

Pest Control for Organic Gardening

The idea of organic gardening pest control is not a new theory, and in fact is as old as agriculture. The problem is that since World War II organic pest control has been replaced in civilized countries with man-made pesticides that are detrimental to both the environment and to the people who consume the plants on which the products are sprayed. Today people are returning to organic gardening pest control and choosing to reject, or at least restrict, the use of man-made pesticides. There are varying beliefs on the use of these products, with some people opposing their use only on food crops, whereas others simply try to reduce their use as much as possible.

There are a variety of sensible reasons that appeal to logic for using organic gardening pest control methods. One of the most important is that because insect pests are left alone genetically because of the absence of pesticides, they are not in a position to become resistant “super bugs”. Organic methods tend to be less polluting and blend into the ecosystem around it instead of disrupting it. In addition, because many of the pesticides that are available are derivatives of petrochemicals, their costs are higher, thus making alternatives more attractive. Whatever the reasons may be for avoiding their use, the organic gardener has to be prepared to work in order to make up for the loss of those chemical products that he chooses to abstain from using.

Organic gardeners use a variety of proficient, chemical-free strategies to limit pests in the garden. Using a method known as varietal selection, where pest and disease resistant seeds are used, is one of the easiest ways to avoid pest problems. The cultural control method of organic gardening pest control involves changing your gardening methods in order to reduce the hospitality that your garden offers to pests. This may mean removing or burning diseased plant material and destroying weeds and plan debris that provide hiding places for insects. Using stakes to keep fruits off the ground as well as pruning to remove diseased limbs, removing sickly plants, proper building of the soil, and making sure the plants are in raised areas in rainy seasons also help control diseases and pests. Crop rotation can also help in the prevention of disease and in pest control.

Using non-pesticide methods for pest control may not be as quick as the use of pesticides, but it is safer and over time, these methods will not simply repel the insects for the current season but prevent their reappearance in other corps. Organic gardening pest control may be a longer process, but it is well worth the effort.

Posted by gardening - August 17, 2009 at 3:34 pm

Categories: Gardening   Tags: , , , ,

Growing Hydroponic Vegetables Is Easy When You Have A Greenhouse

Hydroponics is not only an easily-learned method of growing, it is also simple to sustain and is completely eco friendly. Have you ever considered a hydroponics vegetables greenhouse? Even small children have been taught to practice hydroponics in a classroom setting and if they can do it, so can you. 

Hydroponics Is Really Healthy For The Environment And For Your Family As Well

When you grow using the hydroponics method, you save water, reduce the amount of pesticides and herbicides released into the environment and have a constant supply of fresh fruit and vegetables. Lettuce, tomatoes, chilli peppers, bean sprouts are just some of the examples of easy crops to grow. 

When you choose a hydroponics vegetables greenhouse, you will be able to enjoy vegetables and fruits all year round.  Imagine having all the fresh herbs you want.  You can have a continuous supply of your favorite herbs such as basil, oregano, thyme, chives, chervil, parsley, sorrel, mint, sage, cilantro and dill and many other herbs. 

The Advantages of Hydroponics over Field Crops

A couple of advantages that the hydroponics growing method has over conventional field crops is that the roots are always exposed to oxygen, water and nutrients in a controlled environment.  Instead of setting up a sprinkler system or hauling the hose around outside, you can conserve water by growing your plants using the hydroponics growing method. 

For a field crop, the quality of its exposure to water will determine how much oxygen the plants are getting.  Not enough water and the plant will dry up from too much air and oxygen while too much water will not let the plant gets the oxygen it needs.  A crop field can compete with a hydroponics plant for growth only if the soil and watering system is excellent.

Air Fertilization for your Greenhouse

There are some special considerations that are involved with a hydroponics vegetables greenhouse and that includes the fact that during the winter, the levels of carbon dioxide can be lower in the middle of the hydroponics vegetables greenhouse and that means those center plants will not grow as much as the others.  You can remedy this through the practice of enriching the greenhouse atmosphere with carbon dioxide, a practice known as air fertilization. 

No gardening experience is necessary to reap the full benefits of a hydroponics vegetables greenhouse. A hydroponics vegetables greenhouse gives you the controlled environment that can meet your family’s needs.

Posted by gardening - August 14, 2009 at 7:38 pm

Categories: Gardening   Tags: , , , ,

Next Page »