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Interlock Maintenance

Keep your new brick-work clear from grass clippings, leaves, and other debris. A build-up of organic matter will create a seedbed in which seeds will germinate and grow. As the plants grow, the roots push themselves down between the pavers, causing them to lift and separate. Using polymeric joint sand between the pavers helps limit the available growing area for plants, and the penetration of roots, but when dirt and debris are left on top of the pavers, the plants will start growing there.

Polymeric sand also aides in the control of insects, such as ants, It is a product which, when activated with water, becomes extremely hard, making it very difficult to penetrate.

There are also special sealers which can be applied to your new brickwork. They leave a glossy finish, for an after-the-rain wet look, but they help protect your investment.

Lawn Care

Most lawn problems are caused by lack of care. Lawns require regular maintenance in order to keep them healthy and green. The best defence against bugs, disease and weeds, is a good immune system, and vigorous growth. When grass is growing vigorously, it is able to choke out “weeds” which may sprout, and recover from attacks by disease and insects. Furthermore, all tend to prey on the weak. Some key points in obtaining and maintaining this are:

  • Maintain a grass height of approx. 2” (5cms) during the growing season
  • Regular mowing during the growing season (on average every seven days)
  • Do not remove more than two-thirds the total grass height at any one time
  • Regular watering*, with absence of adequate rainfall
  • Fertilize lawn in mid to late spring and again in early fall
  • Aerate lawn when necessary and top-dress with compost (clean and weed-free)
  • In fall reduce grass height to about ½” (1cm) and remove fall leaves

Watering

In the absence of adequate rainfall, lawns should be watered every three days, applying approx. ½” of water (or about one hour in one location, depending on water pressure. A simple rain gauge cup can be purchased and stuck in the ground while watering to determine the amount of water gathered in a hour, and the subsequent time of watering adjusted accordingly).

The best time for watering is during the middle of the night. Timers are available to enable this, as it is obviously an inconvenient time of day. Alternatively, watering can be done at dusk or dawn. Plants do most of their growing at night, and will therefore absorb water more readily during this time, and are generally dormant during the day to conserve energy. Furthermore, much of the water applied during the day, with the heat and sunshine, will evaporate, instead of being absorbed by the roots.

Gardening

Soil

A beautiful, healthy garden begins with the soil. Soil basically consists of sand, silt, and clay; ideally you want to have a soil which consists of equal parts of these, plus lots of organic matter (compost) - this soil type is called loam. Soil types naturally vary from one area to the next, even in a small yard. So in one part of your garden you may have sandy soil and in another area it may be clay. Top soil added around houses after construction will be different than the subsoil, and may not be very deep - dig a hole and look for the change in soil.

Types of soil:

Sand is very free-draining, and easily dries out. It contains very little nutrient value, and attracts heat.

Clay consists of tiny, densely packed particles which inhibit air filtration, holds very little oxygen, and retains water. It offers poor drainage, and when it dries out, become very hard.

Silt is comprised of both sand and clay.

Loam is the ideal garden soil, combining the first three soil types, plus lots of organic matter (compost).

There are a number of tests and methods of determining soil type; one basic method is to scoop up a handful of moist soil and squeeze it. If the soil does not form a ball, or runs through your fingers, it is sand. If it forms a ball which crumbles, it is loam. If it retains a firm shape, it is clay. If it crumbles easily yet has a greasy feel, you have silt.

Soil can be amended, of course. Well rotted compost and manure are ideal. Mushroom compost is very good, and very popular; but make sure you add lots, a little would only be wasting it!

Mulch

Mulching gardens is a good idea, not only to keep down weeds, but to keep the soil moist and cool. There are various types of mulch available.

Exposure

After determining your soil type, consider the amount of sun and shade your gardens receive. There are four basic classifications:

  • Full sun
  • Part sun/Light shade
  • Part shade
  • Full Shade

Full sun is a location which receives direct sun for most of the day, like a south-facing wall. A part sun garden may receive sun in the morning or evening, but be sheltered from the hot midday sun. A part shade garden would be shaded from the sun for most of the day, with some filtered sunlight. A full shade garden would receive no direct sunlight, such as a north facing wall, or area very well shaded by trees. Plants should be placed where they will receive their preferred amount of sun. Sun-loving plants placed in shady areas tend to become leggy as they reach for the sun; flowering will be diminished, and they will not spread or grow to their optimal size. Conversely, shade plants placed in the sun will bleach, burn up, and even die. Some plants are more tolerant than others, however, and will grow in a variety of conditions.