Fun Gardening Activities for Kids

The future of our society relies on the kids of today. At an early age, it’s essential to teach them the significance of sustainable living through gardening. When it’s difficult to grab their interest in gardening, you can create fun activities to spark their curious minds. 

Getting out in the garden is a great way to bond with your kids. Apart from being physically active, gardening teaches kids about sharing, organising, creativity and responsibility. Beyond that, it helps them connect with nature and local wildlife.

As many children are into gadgets, letting your kids play a part in your garden provides a place for them to think, relax and recharge. No matter how big or small your garden is, there are plenty of activities that they can learn while enjoying.

At holidays and weekdays, you can grab your shovel and trowel with your kids. On that, here are the fun garden activities for kids of all ages.

Make a Worm Composting Bin

As early as it is, teach your kids on the importance of composting. If you don’t have ample space in your garden, you can do composting using worm bins. The generated compost from this activity is useful for supplying your plants with the nutrients they need.

Fill half of your container with newspaper strips and moisten it. Opt for red wiggler worms for your bin as earthworms from your outdoors don’t like to live inside the containers. Add food scraps into it, but never include dairy products, oil and meat.

Let kids participate in checking the bin regularly. Ensure that the container is not overly wet and not dry while placing an extra newspaper for bedding. As the castings build up after several months, only scoop the organic material and add it to the soil around your plants.

Planting a Family Tree

It’s beyond amazing to plant trees with kids. Let the kids participate in taking care of and watering the trees in your garden. Such activity will create memories and deep connections between trees and kids as time goes by.

DIY Hydroponics

Kids usually see plants growing on your flower beds and garden. But the non-traditional way of planting like hydroponics can capture kid’s attention and make them excited about gardening. As prefabricated hydroponic units are pricey, you can opt to do-it-your own activity that is ideal for creating active participation for the kids.

Cut the one-fourth top part of a soda bottle and invert the top of the bottle into the bottom. After that, place 2-3 seeds of lettuce in a small square of cotton balls or rockwool diluted with hydroponics solution. Once the lettuce seeds start to germinate, transfer it to your bottle filled with nutrient solution.

Wrap the plastic with aluminium foil or any dark plastic to discourage algae growth. Let your kids help you change the solution every two weeks or so. With such activity, kids will enjoy gardening more than ever.

Creating a Butterfly Garden

Butterflies always amaze everyone with its beauty, especially kids. Encourage children to create a garden consisting of a colourful array of nectar-producing plants. With the right planting materials, your garden will attract butterflies and offer plants to feed the caterpillar stage of their life cycle.

The best way to attract butterflies in your area is by selecting native plants. Also, make sure you planted flowers consisting of colours such as purple, red and yellow that inevitably draws in more butterflies. With this fun activity, it’s an opportunity to teach children about the life cycle of butterflies and understand each stage of growth in great detail.

Build Homemade Bird Feeders

Another fun and exciting activity you can do with kids is feeding the chirping creatures in your garden. Winter is the toughest period of the year for wild birds, so it’s the best time to create a bird feeder. Providing food for birds is an excellent activity for your kids in helping your local wildlife. 

Kids need adult supervision upon creating a bird feeder. First, melt the lard in the saucepan and add the bird seeds. Next, punch a hole in a yoghurt cup, place a long thread in the middle and then put the mixed ingredients in it. 

After putting it in the freezer overnight, the mixture is already set. You can cut away the pot and get ready to tie your bird feeder outdoors. On that, more birds will visit your garden providing a view that kids would enjoy.

Paint Stones for Decoration

Painting stones for your garden is possible for kids of all ages. Any kiddie paint will work fine in this activity. Try creating character figures in stones or applying colours in rocks. As you place the artworks of your kids to decorate the garden, it will make them proud and happy, which encourages them to enjoy and visit the area more often.

Make Your Vegetable Garden

One of the best adventures you want the kids to try is to grow food and vegetables in your garden. With this activity, children will love vegetables more as they understand the difficulty of cultivating it themselves. As children get involved in making a vegetable garden, they will feel the joy of reaping the real rewards of their effort.

Burying Time Capsule in Your Garden

There are many fun activities that kids can enjoy in your garden, but burying a time capsule is the most unique. Let your kids find special toys and objects they want to open in the next decades to come. Creating the time capsule is very special as it will let your kids reminisce good childhood memories once they get older.

Conclusion

Gardening can help kids develop lifelong values. Aside from the idea that gardening is fun, they must learn different things at the same time. Beyond learning and values, it guides kids to preserve and conserve the environment for a brighter future.

At Trees Down Under, we can help you setup and maintain your garden space that your kids will enjoy. Our expert team also offers tree removal and tree pruning services to keep your garden safe for your kids and family. After all the fun activities, we can collect and dispose of your green wastes to keep your outdoors spotless. 

Call us today at 0475 463 597 for a free estimate. Trees Down Under provides garden maintenance to make your dream garden perfectly vibrant and safe. We are the perfect answer to all your garden needs.

How to Properly Plant Flowers in a Flower Bed

The wonders of nature are evident anywhere. In spring, the vast numbers of plants blossom in gardens of many households in Sydney. As you plan to uplift the face of your outdoors, flowers are the best elements to create a vibrant garden that will stop anyone on their tracks upon seeing it.

Planting flowers in your garden promotes an active lifestyle. The multiple sizes and colours of petals never fail to create a relaxing and alluring garden. But incorporating these plants in your garden requires proper planning before the actual planting until its full growth.

Moreover, planting flowers is usually done in a flower bed. Before seeing your flowers bloom, good soil prep is your key to successful gardening. Most importantly, your creativity in matching flowering plants will set the picturesque view you wanted.

On that, this article will guide you on how to plant flowers in a flower bed properly.

Flower Bed Preparation

Before planting flowers, bed preparation is the first step to do. See to it that there are no utility or irrigation lines buried under the location you opt to build your flower bed. You can call your local council to solve this problem.

Here are the steps in preparing your flower beds:

Weeds Removal

If you have an existing flower bed, you don’t need to do this. But when you’re building a new one, it’s necessary to remove the existing vegetation. The common notion of weed removal is by using herbicides. Still, it might remain active in the soil for days after application.

If you’re removing a small number of weeds, it’s ideal to do it manually. Even if you remove these weeds, expect that some of them will grow after planting flowers. On that, you can do the next step, which is digging the soil.

Digging Your Flower Bed

A little moisture on the soil can help you dig it easily. You can use a tiller to turn the ground to a depth of 6-8 inches. If you have a shovel, then you can do a ‘double digging’ to a depth of 18 inches which is better for the plants.

Use Mulch and Weed Barrier 

Once you’ve turned over the bed, add mulch or organic materials into it. Opting for compost can add nutrients and improve the soil structure. Spread a layer of compost two to three inches thick over the bed and mix it with the soil. 

Moreover, avoid extremely fine compost as they tend to break down quickly. Applying thicker mulching such as bark products over your flower bed deter the growth of weeds. But if compost and other mulching materials are not available, you can use woven landscape fabric as the weeds barrier.

Planting Your Flowers

After preparing your soil, you’re ready to plant flowers. See to it that the land has enough moisture, but not too wet. A soil with poor water drainage can induce the rotting of the plant’s roots. Here are some of the considerations you need before planting your flowers:

Visualising Future Growth

Visualising the full growth of your plants is necessary. Flowering plants need ample space to strive and grow ideally. If possible, consider the spread and thickness of mature plants in providing spaces in your beds.

Light Intensity

Flower beds receive sunlight abundantly. Many flowers thrive well in full sun but not all. Do some research if the flowers your planting tolerate full sun to light shade so that you’ll be successful in creating an impeccable garden.

Seasonal Growth Cycle

The seasonal growth cycle of flowering plants is vital to determine when you should plant them. Aside from that, planting the flowers in the right condition and time will help them bloom fully. Combine these three seasonal flowers to create colourful beds at different seasons:

Annuals

Annual flowers grow, produce flowers and seeds, and die in one year. As they last for only one year, it’s best to know when to plant them before buying and planting the seeds. They are usually planted in summer and fall so they can bloom from spring to late summer. 

Planting annuals require a depth of the hole that is at least 6-8 inches while the spacing between each plant is between 4-5 inches. Soil that clumps easily like clayish ones is not good in cultivating annual flowers. Some examples of annuals are petunias, zinnias, coleus and begonias.

With such quick growth, annuals are effective in changing the colours and setting of your flower beds. 

Biennials

Biennial flowers take two years to complete its life cycle. In the first season, they grow from seeds to establish themselves. In the second season, they become larger and produce flowers. Some popular flowers that belong in this category are foxglove, angelica and varieties of evening primrose.

Perennials

The perennial flowers take years to establish and bloom in full beauty. When planting these in flower beds, it’s vital to place them in a spot where it will grow for the following years to come. Examples of perennials include colourful varieties of lavender, lobelia and datura that are useful for decorating your beds.

Follow the Layering Technique

The typical colour scheme in beds is the combination of blue, purple and gold flowers. However, matching the colour and texture will depend significantly on your style and taste. Aside from that, the proper planting focuses mainly on layering your flowers from front to back of your beds.

Use Low Plants at the Front

You don’t want to put flowers at the front covering the view of your entire flower beds. You can opt to plant fescue grass and Angelina flowers that grow low enough in the front row.

Use Middle-Height Plants for Middle Row

The flowers at the middle row need to be taller than plants in the front but shorter than the back row. The ideal plants to use here are salvia varieties including Victoria blue, May Night, Caradonna, Blue Hills and Royal Candles.

Plant the Tallest at the Back Row

The tallest flowering plants serve as the backdrop for your beds. You can plant Blue Star juniper, King’s gold cypress and Emerald n’ Gold euonymus shrubs in the back row. You can also grow particular plants at the back that interest you, but with the consideration that it is the tallest in your flower bed.

Water Deeply and Add Mulch

Proper planting includes the correct watering of your flowers. You can soak the soil around your newly planted flowers. If the flowers don’t receive enough rain, you can add 1 to 2 inches of moisture every week. It’s best to water your bed deeply but less often to avoid waterlogged soil which might cause the rotting of your flower’s roots.

Over time, the flower bed will run out of the needed nutrients for proper growth. On that, it’s essential to add mulch or compost twice a year to your flower beds. Adding a layer of mulch will also help slow down evaporation that will reduce how often you should water your flowers.

Conclusion

Flowers are part of the wonders of nature that never fail to beautify gardens. But planting flowers doesn’t end after you stick the plants on the soil. It requires proper techniques and thorough planning to create the perfect garden you wanted.

Moreover, preparing the soil and beds are essential to successful flower gardening. You also need to consider the shading, seasonal growth cycle and layering techniques as part of proper planting of flowers in your flower beds.

At Trees Down Under, we can guide you in building the best flower bed for your home. When you need to clear vegetation in creating beds, our team has the equipment and skills to remove trees and weeds. Our expert team can also tailor the designs and colours of flowers to uplift the scenery that your garden deserves.

Call us at 0475 463 597 today for a free estimate. We’ll help you maintain colourful and vibrant flower beds and garden. We are the perfect answer to all your garden makeover needs.

The Best Rock Garden Ideas 2020

Creating a perfect garden is not limited to plants. Aside from the greenery, many yards in Sydney incorporate rocks to enhance their outdoors into a whole new level. A rock garden is achievable regardless of location and space you have.

Rocks can withstand high and low temperatures that can look great all year round. Also, you don’t need to live in a desert and mountains to create your rock garden. Moreover, rocks need less maintenance than foliage to keep a picturesque view of your yards.

Rocks and plants are almost present everywhere. Using both elements can help you connect with nature while keeping an impeccable garden. On that, here are the best rock garden ideas in 2020 that you can apply on your own.

Mediterranean Dry Rock Garden

If you’re an avid fan of sweet-smelling flowers, the Mediterranean-style is the best design for your rock garden. You can use different colours of rocks to surround your blossoming flowers. If you’re not fond of flowers, you can opt to use lavender and purple fountain grass to match your rockery.

Desert-Inspired Rock Garden

With the barren and rough appearance that rocks provide, it’s easy to create your desert-like garden. The abundant sunlight in your garden can help succulents and cacti thrive in your yard. Using rusty, brownish coloured rocks can elevate your backyard into a typical desert. 

Zen-style Japanese Garden

Beyond aesthetics, nothing can beat a calming and peaceful garden. Such a garden is possible with the zen style that draws inspiration from nature. The build of this garden usually has few boulders matched with green shrubs and pebbles.

Moreover, the few boulders provide miniature mountains in your rock garden. The style usually has greenery on the sides and middle to brighten the mood of your garden. Most importantly, the serene design is always suitable whether you have a large or small yard.

River Rock Garden

Creating a mini river is another best idea for your rockery. The design requires a specific arrangement of pebbles to create a beautiful stream of water. All you need is to be creative enough to mix and match the rocks to come up with a unique design you’ll admire for your garden.

Rocky Pond Landscapes

If you’re not into arranging pebbles for a mini river, then you can opt to have rocky pond landscapes. The water formation is a perfect centrepiece in a small or larger garden. If you want an innovative idea, you can use the rainwater from your rooftop to supply your pond.

A carefully planned pond can become the favourite spot of anyone who will visit your garden. Aside from the significance of rocks for this one, water plants are also crucial in creating a perfect pond. The type of plants you can opt to will depend on the water’s depth of your pond.

Placing plants in your pond can deter the growth of green algae. Here are some of the pond plants you can choose:

• Bog Plants (Planting Depth: 0-15 cm) – Pitcher plant and Corkscrew rush
• Marginal Depth (Planting Depth: 0-15 cm) – Papyrus and Mars Marigold
• Submerged Plants (Planting Depth: 15-40 cm) – Hornworts, Sagittaria
• Deep Water (Planting Depth: Over 40 cm) – Water Lily, Water Violets
• Floating plants – Water Lettuce and Water Hyacinth

Rock Boulder Formation

Boulder formation adds simple yet great aesthetics to your rocky garden. The simplified setup of this uses three boulders at the centre, which is an alternative replacement for statues. Also, adding smaller rocks are ideal in the spaces surrounding your greenery.

Buddha-Inspired Rock Garden

Such a design is easy to pull off if you have a Buddha statue lying around. If you don’t have one, other large objects can replace the figure as a centrepiece of your rock garden. Bamboo and other large plants are ideal for matching the overall oriental design.

Rock Mulch

Mulching your garden is a technique used to cover the soil with organic materials that can help keep moisture and temperature. Aside from dried leaves and crushed woods as mulch, rocks are ideal for mulching as well.

Covering the surrounding empty spaces of your garden with rocks can help you eliminate weeds. But the use of stones for mulching is more of a design rather than functional for your garden. You can create spiral patterns and other arrangements of these rocks to attain an impeccable flower bed.

Rock Garden on a Low Hill

Of all the sloped rock gardens, the low hill idea is the most common. Building this can help you imitate a natural outcrop or a bedding plane at a relatively lower price. All you need to do is fit the stones and plants in a way that they look great and appealing.

Rocky Entryway

A rocky entryway creates a stunning and magnificent passage for your garden. As if you see a portal to another dimension, the structure needs strong adhesion so that stones won’t fall easily. Also, this top-tier rock garden idea requires more work and a pro’s skill to complete.

Conclusion

Aside from greenery, rocks can offer aesthetics in achieving a perfect garden. The usage of stones can keep your garden lively all year round as it can withstand extreme weather and needs less maintenance than plants. 

Moreover, any rock garden requires thorough planning and skills to create an astonishing output. Thus, an expert’s guidance is necessary. Despite the trends in the rockery, you must apply your tastes for a unique design.

At Trees Down Under, we can help you build your dream rock garden. Our team has the expertise to guide you on the ideal plants, rocks and designs for your outdoors. With more than 30 years of experience in beautifying gardens across Sydney, we can help you meet your vision of a beautiful home garden.

Call us at 0475 463 597 for a free estimate. Trees Down Under will help you build an exceptional rocky garden. We are the perfect answer to all your garden makeover needs.

Is It Time To Remove Your Tree?

Some trees in your backyard may have been there since you were born and have grown with you. That’s not impossible since trees are stable, sturdy, and they can live for a very long time. 

Despite the longevity of trees, external factors can cause them to break apart or be uprooted. When a tree is at risk of falling, it should be immediately acted upon to prevent any accidents and significant damage to properties when it suddenly collapses. This may be hard to accept, especially if the tree has sentimental value for you, but it may be time to have your beloved tree removed.

Signs that You Need to Have Your Tree Removed

There are many instances wherein a tree just falls down without any signs, such as during a storm or earthquake. However, there are also many circumstances wherein the tree shows indications that it will topple down soon. 

Below are the common signs and symptoms that your tree poses risks and, hence, needs to be removed immediately.

Rotten or decaying tree trunk and limbs

Significant decay of a tree’s trunk and limbs may cause it to easily break apart and fall. Trunk and limb decay can be caused by disease, fungal infection, and pest infestation, thereby making the tree part fragile and easier to collapse.

Old age

Generally, old age can make trees brittle and more susceptible to snap off and break. That’s why it is ideal to know the age of the trees in your yard to know which are at risk of falling down. Moreover, you may also want to replace such old trees with young thriving ones for a healthier and youthful garden space.

Leaning

Although it’s normal for trees to have an inclination, trees may lean abnormally and it’s usually a sign that your tree is at risk of collapsing. Check the tree from every angle so that you can see it wholly and examine any leaning that has just recently occurred. Any unusual disposition in your tree indicates that it would soon fall down.

Decaying roots and unstable ground foundation

The roots of your tree reflect the overall wellness of your tree. Having a good check of the condition of the roots underground can help you assess whether your tree is unstable and is at risk of falling down. Aside from the roots, it is also recommended checking the integrity of the soil base that the tree is rooted in to judge whether it can still hold the entire tree upright.

Should I Remove the Tree Myself or Do I Hire Tree Removal Services?

If you have the guts to perform a tree removal, why not? However, that’s not the only thing you’ll need to carry out such a dangerous and demanding job. Removing a tree is a time-consuming task. Moreover, it’s also a dangerous task, so you must possess the necessary protective gears, proper equipment, and skills to handle the job as safely and efficiently as possible. 

In conclusion, unless you have all of these things, you should discontinue your tree removal venture and just hire professional tree removal services.

Tree Removal Services in Sydney

Hiring a tree removal company can save you tons of money and a lot of effort. 

At Trees Down Under, we strive to ensure your safety around trees. Our team of expert arborists and tree fellers can check up on the trees in your premise that pose the risk of falling down and prevent that from happening. We offer immediate tree removal services so that you and your family are safe from any injuries and your properties safe from damages.

Trees Down Under, we provide 24-hour tree removal services for your needs. Feel free to contact us anytime on 0475 463 597, and we’ll gladly take down risky trees at your place.