Solarization or sheet mulching uses a plastic tarp over an area to heat up the soil and suppress weed growth. The plastic covering blocks access to water, therefore killing all vegetation underneath. The process also kills some plant pathogens and pests and makes the soil release nutrients stored in organic … Read more
When you set up bird feeders in your backyard, you face the risk of weeds growing under them. Birdseed that falls from the feeder will enable weed growth. Many commercial bird feeds contain a small percentage of seeds that birds find desirable. The rest comprises unfavored components, such as millet … Read more
Weeds are a problem when they grow under pine trees. Pine trees have shallow roots, which makes them more susceptible to competition from weeds. Further, the needle-like leaves create an acidic environment that does not support the growth of other plants. Weeds such as stinging nettles (Urtica dioica), couch grass … Read more
Hydroseeding is a planting method where seeds, fertilizer, soil, moisture holders, mulch, and other stabilizers are sprayed into the ground at once. These elements are mixed in a tank and later pumped into the soil. One of the advantages of hydroseeding is that it helps prevent the spread of weeds. … Read more
Weed control is a crucial component of lawn care. Landscapers have two approaches to weed control: pre-emergence and post-emergence. Pre-emergence manages weeds before they sprout on the surface, and post-emergence kills already existing weeds. Weeds will be eradicated at different times depending on the method adopted by the landscaper. Cost … Read more
Permaculture discourages the use of chemical pesticides due to the potential harm to the environment. Many monoculture systems create the perfect conditions for pests to thrive, requiring high amounts of chemical treatments. Permaculture aims to adopt polycultures, which destroy the mechanisms that support pests. Integrating different species facilitates interactions with … Read more
Permaculture is the design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems that replicate natural ecosystems’ stability, diversity and resilience whereas agroecology is a scientific discipline that studies the interactions between plants, animals, humans, and the environment in agricultural systems. Agroecologists study the ecological processes that govern agricultural systems, and use this … Read more
Greening a desert refers to introducing species that flourish in harsh conditions and improve the landscape by adding nitrogen, biomass, and other essential elements. Deserts are inhabitable ecosystems where it is difficult to set up agricultural systems. With permaculture, desert landscapes can be turned green and more productive. Developing permaculture … Read more
In the first year of a permaculture project, you can expect to spend a significant amount of time planning and designing your system. This will involve assessing the site on factors such as the climate, soil, and water availability, as well as the existing plants and animals in the area. … Read more
Permaculture can be a relatively expensive venture. The inputs of permaculture in the design and establishment phase are high. It is costly for farmers to transition from conventional techniques and adopt the processes and infrastructure required to live a sustainable lifestyle in permaculture. However, in the long-term, it is cheaper … Read more