Have you run out of moves when it comes to where to pack your stuff? Are you about to move out and have no idea what to do to avoid the unexplainable high cost of hiring a moving company? If the answer to these questions is a resounding “yes,” then renting a moving container/POD storage can be a great thing to do.

If you live in Edmonton, hiring portable storage and moving service is not only easy but also way less expensive. That’s why we bring you all you need to know to choose the right Pod Storage and the best service in order to have a less stressful moving experience.

Choose the Right Moving Container Service

Broadly speaking, most moving containers are made of strong and reliable materials that make them capable of resisting hard weather conditions. However, moving containers also come in many sizes, so it is essential to know how much space you will need to pack all you need to pack.

Each company will provide a different service, depending on the circumstances. So before picking up the phone and calling them, ensure that you’re clear about your moving needs and conditions. Some services these companies provide can cover the following scenarios:

• Weather-resistant
• City moving
• Overseas shipping
• Personalized schedule
• Personalized payment methods
• Different size containers

Prepare Your Stuff for Storing

When it comes to storing, these containers are mostly reliable boxes that allow the storing of any object. Nevertheless, there are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind if you want to optimize your storage and get the most out of your moving container.

First of all, make sure you have the right set of tools to begin with the storing process such as

• loading straps
• paper and furniture pads
• dolly

These tools will not only keep your items protected, but they will also allow you to move heavy and fragile objects with ease.

When it comes to storing sequence, the right order can make or break the efficiency of your moving container. It is highly recommended that the heaviest boxes and items go in first and leave the smallest items/boxes for last. Also, make sure that the items are tightly packed as this will reduce the risk of shifting and breaking during transportation.

Packing Process

To be successful at this, you’ll need to know the basics of proper weight distribution as well as adequate packing techniques, so you don’t end up suffering the consequences of lousy packing. On the weight part, make sure to even it out by placing similar weight objects throughout all the corners of the container to get the right balance.

Also, make sure you don’t include the following items in the container as these are of high risk or value and should be carried out with you directly.

• hazardous material
• highly perishable items
• living things
• personal documents
• work documents
• electronic devices (PCs and laptops)

Even though most homeowner insurance policies cover the loss of valuable items, a contents insurance policy purchased from a third-party insurance company will sometimes be required. This can apply in case you decide not to move right away and have the items stored in the moving company’s warehouse.

It’s All About the Money

Calculating the total price will depend on the kind of service and the size of the container you’ll need. According to the website movers.com, POD’s come in three sizes, and the estimated price of monthly rent according to each size can be stated as follows:

• 7-foot containers – $116 USD
• 12-foot containers – $170 USD
• 16-foot containers – more than $170 USD

Beware though, because the charges don’t end up there. Besides the monthly rent, most POD’s companies tend to charge an initial delivery fee of $90-100 for delivering the container to your home. If you are looking for shipping the container, an extra $100 – 225 will be added as well.

However, wait, because those prices only apply for local moves. If you’re planning an overseas move, the prices will go higher.

Depending on your destination, the company can charge a fee per mileage that goes between $6-9. So, if you are planning on moving 100 miles away from your home, the total cost of a 12-foot container can cost you up to $1,000.

Way Better Than a Moving Truck

I know many of you may say at this point that renting a moving truck might be a little less expensive, but in the end, it is also way riskier and less convenient.

Not only would you need to drive the truck by yourself, if any items get damaged or ruined during the moving process, nothing can save you, and you will have to be 100% responsible for paying the caused damages.

What’s worse, if you don’t have a truck driver license, consider yourself out of that option. So, you’ll end up paying more money to hire a licensed truck driver that drives the truck for you.

A POD storage service is the least expensive and safe moving service that a moving company can offer. Besides, it gives you the advantage of controlling how many and from which size the PODs you desire to rent need to be, something that you can’t do with a truck.

Best Pod Storage Services (Edmonton)

Finally, here is a list of the best three companies in Edmonton that will provide you with the best quality services and the best POD containers for your needs.

1. ALTA Storage – Portable Pod Storage: They offer an excellent service that according to Google ranks, gives them the perfect score of 5/5 stars.
2. Cubeit Portable Storage: Besides Edmonton, it covers other areas such as Alberta, Quebec, British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba and Nova Scotia, among other regions. Opinions on Google ranks also gives them the perfect score of 5/5 stars.

3. BigSteelBox Moving & Storage: The professional and client-oriented service they offer has given them mostly positive reviews, giving them a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars according to Google.

You’re not alone if you are feeling under pressure or depressed. According to research carried out by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), moments of anxiety or depression will be experienced by almost a fifth of UK adults. The ONS has also revealed that more women will report their problems than men, though the fact that depression can come on from a major life event, like a family bereavement, or from overthinking situations means that the issue can affect anyone. This being said, certain genetic variations can mean that some individuals will be more at risk of suffering from depression than others.

While prescribed anti-depressants will be used by many people when they are depressed — acting as ‘mood enhancers’ — these don’t work for all individuals. As an alternative solution, have you considered gardening? After all, reports have suggested that 87% of people who spend time gardening for over six hours a week feel happier. Here’s a look at four reasons why that might be the case…

1. It gets you around plant scented flowers

The feelings of stress and depression can drop by inhaling the scents released by plants such as lavender. On top of this, scientists in Japan claim that gene activity being altered. Aromatherapy, for example, is used as a form of alternative medicine and relies on scents such as this.  

Jasmine’s fragrance is also claimed to help you sleep, so make an effort to get this plant somewhere within your garden. Rosemary will be beneficial too, as it is said to improve air quality, memory function and banish anxiety.

1. It allows you to grow your own produce

When you choose to making gardening a hobby, one activity that should be towards the top of you to-do list is to grow your own veg. It is believed that producing your own food can help you reconnect with our planet, its seasons and rhythms. Not only this, but tending to your crops will provide enough light exercise — at your own pace — to boost your endorphin levels.

When you feel you’re not in control, depression can be a result. With that in mind, growing your own fruit and veg can help give back some of that power. It’s also thought that folate-rich foods, such as kale and spinach, can help lift your morale. So, what better way to boost yourself than growing it yourself?

When you’re harvesting your own crops, dopamine may be released into the brain — with this often referred to as the ‘pleasure chemical’. This will, in turn, trigger a state of bliss. This release can be caused by sight, smell and actually plucking fruit, so be sure to plant as many different edible options as possible and get that dopamine flowing!

1. It’s an activity that can involve the entire family

Make gardening a family activity and you will have the chance to socialise somewhere that you consider a comfort zone. This is especially important when you consider that your confidence can be drained when you suffer from depression. Most kids love the garden — and spending time with you — so by creating fun tasks to improve your garden, they will instinctively have fun which will help lift your spirits.

According to scientists, soil contains various forms of friendly bacteria that work to boost your immune system too. In effect, this process will work in a similar way that anti-depressants do.

1. It keeps you busy

Without the requirement to becoming too much of a chore, gardening is a hobby that will help keep your mind and body busy. Tasks such as digging, mowing and planting can keep you occupied for hours on end and always thinking, while being outdoors can increase serotonin in the brain. On top of this, the relaxing ambience provided by being outside can leave you feeling rejuvenated.

“While I haven’t come across anyone claiming that gardening has single-handedly overcome their depression, as part of a wide set of tools, gardening can be beneficial in the battle against depression,” points out Dr Sheri Jacobson, Harley Therapy’s clinical director and a psychotherapist, to Huffington Post.

“Being in the outdoors in more natural surroundings can help lift our mood as it brings a sense of simplicity and tranquillity which is therapeutic for many people.”

Gardening can still seem like too much hard work for some people though, despite these advantages being spotlighted. However, with so many potential benefits, it’s clearly worth trying to get into this hobby. Remember though, you are not alone in your struggle, so be sure to talk to professionals and those closest to you if you are depressed. There are many people out there to discuss your feelings with.

Sources

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jun/19/anxiety-depression-office-national-statistics

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/0/22020430

https://www.rachel-kelly.net/gardening-helps-depression/

https://www.rebootwithjoe.com/fruit-and-vegetables-may-help-fight-depression/

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090722110901.htm

https://www.serenataflowers.com/pollennation/plants-anti-anxiety-benefits/

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/07/16/gardening-helps-depression-_n_3602877.html

If you have been gardening for any length of time you will have come across field or house mice. Possiblely one of the quietest creatures in the garden they can be devastating to your gardening ambitions eating your favourite plants and seeds.

You are never going to completely remove the problem of mice in your garden especially if you live in a rural location but here as a few ideas to help insure you do not get over run with a mouse problem in your house and garden.

• Keep a tidy garden. Unkempt gardens are good for wildlife and as mice are definitely wildlife an unkempt or untidy garden will encourage mice as well as other wildlife. So you have a strike a balance, maybe keeping the part of your garden for wildlife away from your house and greenhouse.

• Feeding your garden birds. It’s a popular pastime feeding your garden birds but be careful the clear up all the seed that drops from your bird feeders as this seed if left will encourage both field and house mice.

• Compost heaps. Install a fine wire mesh netting around you compost heap to prevent rodents such as house and field mice from entering the heap and making it a home.

• 4. Sowing seeds. Field mice love freshly germinating seed especially the more expensive seeds so if you are germinating seeds in your glasshouse make sure the seed trays are protected with clear lids or netting.

If you have a problem with a mouse or mice control can be quite difficult. The 3 main methods the GardenAdvice team use to control mice in the garden or house are.

• Traps – simple mouse traps are the quickest and most effective method of controlling both field and house mice.

• Poisons – The GardenAdvice team have found poisons are not as effective as traps and have the added risk with wildlife such as hedgehogs and family pets such as cats eating the poison

• Baits – After traps our favourite method. We create our own baits using sweet corn and thick molasse sugar mixed together and placed in a clay plant pot set on its side. Field mice, house mice and rats have a hard time digesting sweet corn and will die from serious indigestion after eating this bat. The benefit being that its harmless to most other family pets and wildlife plus your children.

If you you find yourself with a mouse problem in your house or garden it’s always worth doing a bit more research to keep you up to date with the latest control methods.

Source

When seeking to add value to our homes, we often think about renovating the kitchen or converting the attic, but one great way of dramatically increasing the value of your home is to pay attention to your landscape. If you wish to create an outstanding garden design, you must come up with a concept which is low-maintenance and aesthetically pleasing.

Target Market
If you are planning on selling your home and you’ve decided to renovate your garden space, it is vital that you design a landscape which appeals to your target market. If you work out who is most likely to purchase your property, you can create a plan to design a garden which appeals to your audience. It can be difficult to establish your target market, one easy way of finding them is to look around your neighbourhood.
– Ask yourself who is buying other homes around you?
– Are they a specific age or ethnicity?
– Do they have kids or are they couples with no children?
– Is your area populated with mostly older adults or first-time buyers?

If you think your target market will more than likely be a family with 2 kids, then it is important to cater for their needs. That means designing outdoor play areas that are low maintenance, durable, enjoyable and safe. If you are looking for ideas or you’d like to purchase products, you can select from Huws Gray landscape supplies. They stock a wide variety of gardening accessories from artificial grass to stylish storage sheds.

Artificial Grass
Turf is relatively inexpensive and can be purchased from garden supply specialists for an affordable price. It is low-maintenance and perfect for landscapes which experience heavy footfall. When a family is looking for a new property to purchase, they’ll look favourably upon a home which has artificial grass in the yard. It means the parents have less work in the garden as the kids won’t damage the lawn if it is covered in turf and not real grass.

Add Plants
Everyone likes to see plants in their garden, especially buyers who are looking to purchase a new property. If you’d like to create a more private setting, you can use plants to block off busy roads or noisy neighbours, they can be used to cover up a lot of your property’s shortcomings.

Pruning and Maintenance
If you want to add value to your home, it is important to pay attention to your landscape. A buyer will immediately notice the state of your garden, if it isn’t properly maintained you could lose a buyer in an instant. You should prune your landscape conservatively, if you get carried away, you could destroy the look of your garden.

If you need high-quality garden supplies, it is important to visit a professional landscape supplier. You want to make a good first impression when potential buyers view your property, so you should invest in affordable, quality items for your garden. Maintaining your garden and creating a design that attracts your target market can add a considerable amount to the value of your home.

Scaffolding has been around for many years and for good reasons. It has been trusted by builders since ancient times for its strength and durability. It is suitable for big and small jobs and helps workers negotiate the job better. Its main function is of course safety and it has been keeping workers in the UK safe for generations and will continue to do so for generations to come. There are quite a few different kinds of scaffolding available to builders and contractors depending on the type of job they are going to undertake.  It is commonly relied upon in all facets of the building industry for the following reasons.

1. Safety – This is scaffoldings main advantage. Before scaffolding peoples lives were at risk every day as they negotiated extreme heights and angles. It gives you a really stable platform on which your workers can work and guarantees their safety even at great heights. A lot of work takes place on the outside of a building and due to the UK’s inclement weather, workers need to be protected from wind and rain on a daily basis. Scaffolding allows multiple workers to move around all at once without the risk of falling or causing an injury. It also keeps the public below safe as well as extra sheeting and netting can be added to it to catch any falling debris or tools that may fall from the scaffolding.

1. Ease Of Access – Accessing certain parts of a building can be tricky, especially if the area you are looking to work on is on the outside and is high up. Trying to use a ladder for the job just won’t work because you would have to continually come down the ladder and move it along. Also the rungs on the ladder do not provide sure footing and there is a higher chance of someone falling and hurting themselves. Scaffolding however, provides a continuous safe area to walk on and even put your tools for the job. A scaffold inspection takes place daily to make sure that the area is clear and the scaffolding itself is firmly in place.

1. Additional Tradesmen – If the job requires more workers than initially estimated then this is fine as the scaffolding can accommodate additional workers with relative ease. If necessary, additional scaffolding can be added to the current structure to create more space for people and tools. Many tradesmen can all work together on the same scaffolding and get the job done quicker and better. As the bricklayer lays his last block, the plasterer can come behind him and begin his work. Scaffolding is so easy to set up and current scaffolding can be aluminium frame which is very light but strong. It can be set up quickly and taken down just as quickly.

Scaffolding is great because it is perfect for short and long-term jobs. It is easily set up and provides safety and accessibility to any job. Look into scaffolding today and make your workers lives easier and safer.

British people tend to spend an average of £30,000 on their gardens over a lifetime and this figure includes anything from landscaping, building sheds or installing decking. However, having and maintaining a garden doesn’t have to eat into your budget, especially if you invest some imagination into ways of saving cash while creating a unique space to spend time in. Designing a garden on a budget can be done easily, from using cuttings to sourcing affordable furniture. Plus it doesn’t matter whether you’re an old garden hand or a novice gardener, you can still ignore the urge to spend a fortune and spruce up your garden at the same time.

Recycling for planters and containers

The garden world really is your oyster when it comes to recycling everyday items for planters and containers as pretty much anything can be re-purposed for this. If you have any old kitchen items such as sieves and pots, they can be reused for planting, as can painted tyres, canning jars, plastic bottles, worn out baskets and even old guttering makes a perfect growing area for strawberries. Disused shutters or material shoe racks are also ideal planters for trailing plants and can save money on gardening. Anything you can’t find lying around the house, or for when you need garden tools and furniture, look online and in local centres for shopping discounts or vouchers to help you get the most out of making your budget go further.

Taking care of your plants

If you haven’t already got a compost pile, it’s probably about time to start one. This way you’ll be able to use your kitchen waste and help your plants grow better at the same time by improving the soil. You can use anything from banana peel, coffee, eggshells and all uncooked waste to add essential nutrients to make organic garden soil. Similarly, you can reuse your gray water for saving money on your water bills, and use plastic bottles and containers for keeping your plants hydrated. Simply, punch holes around the base of the bottle, then bury it inside a hole next to a plant and fill up with water to create a slow release watering system.

Keeping the weeds at bay

It’s every gardeners nightmare to find ways of keeping weeds out the garden and strangling or taking control over other plants. If you have an old blanket or carpet, don’t throw them away, instead lay them out in areas where weeds are prevalent. Even better, recycle old pizza boxes or thick stacks of newspaper for the same reason by adding a mulch of leaves or grass clippings over them so they will naturally decompose into the soil and form a weed barrier. You can also make your own weed killer by spraying white distilled vinegar over them until they eventually die. Additionally, making your own weed killer, pest remedies and fertilizers will ensure that no nasty chemicals are lurking in your soil too.

Gardening is an activity that naturally lends itself to recycling, reusing and reducing, it’s just a question of learning what works for you and your garden so that you find inventive ways to re-purpose items that would otherwise be thrown away.

Achieving sustainability is a difficult task. Whether you’re starting with a blank canvas or reinvigorating your garden, there are plenty of useful and innovative ways to create a sustainable outdoor space that looks marvellous too. Sustainability is not only crucial in supporting our planet, it can also help you save money in the long run.

1. Compost Your Waste

Composting if the first easy step you can take to achieve a sustainable garden. Too often we can be guilty of getting rid of waste that could have been recycled and used for composting – beneficial to our gardens and wallets. In fact, there are countless waste products that can be used on your compost heap, including: plant trimmings, tea bags, leaves and uncooked vegetables. You can dedicate a space for your compost heap, ideally at the end of your garden, and add your components throughout the year. Once you have utilised all of your compost, simply start the process again.

1. Invest In All-Weather Furniture

Summer wouldn’t be the same without spending quality time outside with our loves ones. BBQ’S, family get-togethers, and alfresco dining is what summer is about. But what happens to our garden furniture when the rain season descends upon us? You could try and fit it in the shed, bring it indoors even, or leave it outside with a cover on and hope for the best. It can be a hassle finding beautiful garden furniture but having nowhere to keep it safe in the winter months. That’s where all-weather wicker sofas comes in, with rain proof material -ideal for all year round it’s the perfect addition to any sustainable garden.

1. Create Your Organic Garden

Organic produce has never been more popular, with healthy eating and leading an active lifestyle having an impact on how people live their lives. It’s becoming increasingly important to think about what we are consuming and putting into our bodies. It’s significant to know where our food comes from; has it been covered with chemicals, is it fresh, and does it contain the nutrients your body needs? That’s where growing your own comes in. You can see your food lifecyle from beginning to end, overseen from start to finish. Not only is this an extremely fun and satisfying experience, but it also encourages you to eat more of your 5-a-day. This is especially ideal for vegetarians and vegans, or anyone who wants to incorporate more fresh food into their diet.

1. Use Old “Junk”

There is such a thing as a fashionable garden. You’d know it if you saw it – the ones with an old wheelbarrow as a plant pot, a rustic illusion garden mirror, old cuts of slabs as mosaic wall art. It looks impressive and complicated. But it’s not just for professional gardeners or artistic landscapers – you can do that too! If you get creative, you can easily think of ways to recycle any old furniture or items that you would otherwise throw away. A fantastic tip is having a look in charity shops or scrap heaps. If you stumble upon an old table or unloved chair; sand it down, give it a fresh coat of paint and there you have it – shabby chic furniture with an eco-friendly journey. The perfect addition to your stylish garden.

1. Save Your Seeds

Perhaps one of the most obvious but underused way of creating a sustainable garden is to consider re-planting from old seeds. This a simple fundamental way to help you in your sustainability journey. Once your plant is mature, it will produce seeds before it eventually dies out. When you notice your plant producing seeds, don’t let them go! Keep them, save them, and re-plant them for another flourishing garden next year. There is absolutely no need to purchase new plants every year, when you can salvage usable seeds and become self-sufficient. It also means you will be saving money at the same time.

So, there you have it, 5 top tips for creating a sustainable garden this summer. Try out your favourites and see how you get on. Living a fully sustainable life has never been so easy.

With a few hot days under our belts, it feels like summer is finally around the corner – let’s hope we are starting to see the back of the cold weather! Over the wet months your lawn may have started looking more like a wild meadow then a nice inviting patch of grass; if so, it is time to turn your attention to garden maintenance. Before you start on the plants and lawn, you might want to turn your attention to your lawn mower.

No matter how well it has been stored, the winter months will have taken their toll on your lawnmower; therefore, you should take some time to give your mower the once-over before using it to cut your grass. If you take it out of the shed and it looks a bit rusty around the edges, consider buying new lawn mower parts rather than replacing it altogether. There are many lawnmower spares available and they are easier to replace then you think; in the long run, this will be a more cost-effective solution.

Hopefully you will have cleaned the lawnmower before storing it for the winter, but it is still worth giving it another thorough clean before using it again. Clean any debris and rust that has built up and tighten any nuts, bolts and screws.

Start to check each lawnmower part thoroughly. Check the electrical cable for nicks and cuts, as it may have been subject to gnawing teeth over the winter months. Replace the entire cable if any wires are exposed.

Next check the blade. If it is very rusty and worn, it is worth replacing this at the beginning of the season. These are easy to replace, but always refer to your manufacturer’s instructions. Lawnmower spare parts are readily available, but make sure any new blade you buy is compatible with your machine.

The air filter is another area that gets clogged up with use. A clogged filter will affect performance and can cause the machine to cough and splutter. This lawn mower part may be trickier to replace, but again you can refer to your manufacturer’s instructions to find out whether it can be done on your machine.

Most lawnmower spares are available if you look around – before thinking about replacing your machine, check out which lawn mower parts are available. This is by far the cheapest way to extend the life of your machine and is better for the environment in the long run.

Landscaping projects during summer range from growing blooming shrubs to facilitating your yard with an incredible fire pit. After all, your building might be your castle, but instead of keeping it clumsy in the hot weather, it would be great to provide your outdoor with a makeover to add color, texture, and warmth to the place you have invested a fortune. There are many creative and wonderful ways to give your home an appealing and inviting look.

While planning for the makeover of your outdoor space, you have to think about how it can uncomplicate your living rather than complicating it further. For instance, think about outdoor landscaping ideas that can add space to your yard so that when you host a party, guests can easily sit and relax. With that being said, take a look at these landscaping ideas outlined below that are both functional and attractive, as well as, goes fine with all kind of properties.

Orchestrate an Arbor Bench

Why not build a couple of deck chairs in your yard for an unplanned event where you will need some seating arrangement? A great way to organize some seats in your backyard is devising a cedar bench. A cedar bench, when shaped with the help of an arbor, provides you with a great spot in your yard to relax and unwind on a bright sunny day. You can also include a sophisticated architectural element to make it look tasteful. An arbor bench, when framed with a classic touch, will not only provide you with a backrest but will also display your taste preferences. You can also surround the bench with artificial greenery that makes it eye-catching.   

Light Up in Style with Firepits

Every building especially the residential ones are focusing a lot on drafting outdoor fires. When the world is indulging itself heavily in science and technology, most of the property owners are going ultra-retro with their backyard and getting warmth from fire pits placed into the earth. If you are thinking about remodeling your exterior by adding a place to sit and enjoy the warmth, why not think of lighting your ring of fire in style? Just consult the professional landscaping companies and they will help you out with building fire pits.

Bloom Your Driveway with Planters

Regardless of their size and usage, planter boxes can brighten up your day, dividing an overextending patio, or giving your entrance a striking feature. Planters, when availed in pairs or in a singular pattern, can easily impart a splash of color to your backyard. Opting for weather-resistant planters seems to be a healthy option given the fact that they are made of cellular PVC, which will never rot. Moreover, these types of planters can hold up well and are easy to cut, as well as, offer you an immaculate space for your favorite bloomers. You can also opt for artificial plants as they are quite affordable and require low-maintenance.

Double Your Sitting Space

A little bit of extra sitting space will not do any harm to your outdoor space, in fact, it helps you in making your landscape look great and enjoyable. You might not have a very large area to mark off, but at least you the make the most out of your existing building space. Focus on your flower beds and patios by checking if they still need a border. If they deserve a border, it would be a great option to customize the space in such a way that you can also use it a place for sitting. Bring some cast concrete blocks and build a wall to give it an appearance of a stone that will make it aesthetically pleasing. The sitting wall is very easy to frame, particularly when your planting season is limited to the weekends.

Add Personality to Your Garden Space with Garden Arbor

Garden arbors, when placed perfectly in your garden, can offer you several benefits that you cannot even think of. It can act as an entrance to an outdoor place and take your climbing plants to great heights. The ideal material for this outdoor landscaping project requires a cedar that is resistant to corrosion. When you apply a coat of paint, you will be amazed how this outdoor landscaping element will become n personality enhancer.

Monitor Your Hand Tools with Potting Bench

In spite of the fact that you like gardening, dividing patios or repotting plants can often feel like a huge burden if you have to look for tools in the messed up corners of your garage. For solving this issue, you can place your gardening supplies on a dedicated workstation so that the next time when you need them, you can access them without even breaking a sweat. Watch out for a potting bench in the market that comes with a wire mesh backing, which can help you in putting your hand tools right beneath your nose. As soon as you will start using the potting bench, you will recognize the facilities it has to offer.

Planter Bench

There is lawn furniture, and then there is a breathtaking landscape furniture that can be your outdoor custom seating built in your backyard. This has to be an absolute must in your outdoor landscaping projects since it has the ability to form a little oasis in your backyard, as well as, on your deck.

Build a Garden Fountain

Thinking of sitting in a natural setting where you can enjoy the tranquility of nature, feeling the breeze and hearing the birds chirp? If yes, then it is the right time to add a fountain to your standard garden. Even though if you lack a backyard brook, a fountain in your garden can definitely be the next valuable landscaping project that you can think of.

Surround Your Bench with Artificial Greenery

Every property owner when contemplates exterior landscaping projects, the first thing striking their mind is to have the best view of their outdoor landscape. Building a comfy garden bench in the central spot under the shade can be your ideal place to take relaxing breaks. You can also think about adding some artificial trees and tropical plants beside your bench that come with low-maintenance. Created by professional and seasoned horticulturists, these faux plants, trees, and foliage can exhibit a realistic look and give your outdoor landscaping a naturally stunning look.

Concluding Remarks

Ultimately, in order to conclude your landscaping projects for your buildings, you will be needing to stir your imagination. The key fact to keep in mind is that the purpose of your outdoor landscaping project is to make your exterior look amazing and creating new spaces.

Technology is changing in all areas of our lives, and gardening is no different. The GardenAdvice team have been looking at some of the established and new technologies for helping gardeners to grow and care for plants.   

Heated propagators

Many gardeners wish that they could grow their dream garden, with plants and vegetables from around the world. But often, our climate doesn’t allow for it. That’s where the heated propagators come in.

A heated propagator allows seeds to germinate earlier and more successfully (meaning that less go to waste). When innovations like this first came out, it was heated greenhouses and heated benches that were on the market. But, they can add to your energy costs as the heat can quickly dissipate and therefore must be on all the time to be successful. Instead, the propagator has walls and a lid which can retain the warmth.

You can often adapt the temperature between 5°C to 30°C to grow a range of plants and flourish your vegetable seeds. Some of the more exotic seeds and hot chillies require warmer temperatures and it could be impossible to grow them in cooler climates without this piece of technology. Being able to grow from seed is more cost-effective than buying an already germinated young plant too — saving you some pennies!

Many heated propagators have a light installed too. This can help seedlings and cutting grow healthily and provide high output for low energy as often the propagator contains a reflector that can reflect lost light and diffuse light deep into the plant leaves.

Handy apps

There’s an app for everyone and their hobbies nowadays! And as a lover of gardening, you’re no exception. Which apps should you consider downloading?

• GrowIt! — If you’ve just moved to a new house or are getting used to gardening in your area, this could be a useful app for you. It can connect you with local gardeners who are used to the climate and soil type and can give you some advice. You can also upload photos of your own plants to share your gardening knowledge with others.
• Garden Compass — If you’re looking for other like-minded individuals to share your gardening snaps with, this could be for you. With this app, you can upload photos to the website, ask questions to horticultural experts and create your personalised garden care calendar.

Multi-pot watering

Although we don’t like to admit it, sometimes our busy schedules take over and we forget to water our plants outside. But, with the help of a pot watering kit, you don’t need to worry about letting your mind slip.

These kits can water up to 25 plants automatically and can sense what time of the day it is to water your plants. You can set up the gadget so that it slowly releases water to the root of the plant which will save you the effort! Connect it to your outdoor garden tap for even less hassle.

Olloclip pro-lens

With the rise in social media and the ability to photo share with others, you want to be capturing the best photos you can take! Often the beauty of the plant is in the detail of its leaves or perhaps you enjoy watching the wildlife in the garden. Either way, to take the best photos in the garden you should invest in an Olloclip Pro Lens.

This piece of technology can fit nicely onto your iPhone. Simply clip it over the lens of your phone and it combines with your phones digital zoom — letting you take macro photos with up to 100x magnification. It’s ideal for capturing the details that aren’t visible to the human eye or even monitoring insects as they enjoy your garden. You’re guaranteed to get some wonderful shots without the need for purchasing a professional camera.

Monitoring your plants requirements

Unfortunately, your plants can’t let you know what they need. You have to make the judgement yourself, based on the climate and soil-type in your garden. But there is one gadget that can help — the Parrot Flower Power plant monitor.

It understands the essential needs of your plant, has 7,000 plants in its database and a battery life of six months. Simply place the monitor into the soil next to your plant and the monitor can detect; sunlight, temperature and fertilizer. This information then is sent straight to your smartphone, so you know when to water them or add more fertilizer.

As you can see, there’s a range of technology out there to meet your gardening needs! From making the germination process that little bit easier, to being able to water your 25 pots at once, there’s not a lot that technology can’t do these days.

Technology in the near future for gardeners

With the fast pace of technologies new ideas and innovations are becoming available to both new and experienced gardeners. At GardenAdvice we are currently working on systems that use assisted artificial intelligence combined with our Climate Net system to predict events in your garden and individual crops such as nutrient requirements, pest and disease attacks so that timely feeding and prevention of diseases can be undertaken improving both gardens and crop levels.

Sources

http://www.suttons.co.uk/Gardening/Garden+Equipment/Propagators+and+Propagating+Equipment/Geopod+Heated+Propagators_MH4723.htm

http://fortune.com/2017/03/30/garden-gadgets-green-tech/

http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/house-garden/best-gardening-apps-tech-hozelock-olloclip-ue-megaboom-netatmo-a7013496.html