10 Organic Gardening Tips

• All-natural and organic fertilizers supply much-needed nutrients to plantings. Natural and organic fertilizers generally have a slow release so nutrients last over time.


• Mulch your flowerbeds and vegetable garden to retain moisture around plants. Mulch supplies plants with necessary moisture throughout hot, sunny days.


• Create a bird habitat by placing birdhouses, birdbaths and bird feeders in your yard. Birds are fun to watch and naturally control the insect population.


• Use only natural and organic gardening supplies such as Insecticidal Soap, Horticultural Oil or Organic Disease Control to keep your garden naturally healthy.


• Natural predators such as praying mantis and ladybugs are great organic insect controls.


• Rain Gardens recharge our groundwater supply and prevent water quality problems called polluted runoff (nonpoint source pollution).


• Container gardening is good for planting your favorite flowers and vegetables when space is limited! Use large containers such as steel buckets and wooden barrels for creative container gardening.


• Plant vegetable gardens in isolated or uphill areas of your property to eliminate lawn chemicals and insecticides from polluting your New Jersey landscaping.


• Compost, an all natural soil amendment, is made through the use of composters. Composters break down organic materials such as leaves, grass clippings, and food scraps to make a 100% organic, all natural soil additive.
• Push reel mowers are a great way to be organic! Push reel mowers use no gas or electric --- only your own physical energy.

Most importantly --- have fun!

Remember, all natural supplies make organic gardening easier and more enjoyable.

• New Jersey Landscaping ideas with native plants and grasses improve the overall function of the ecosystem. Hardy natives require less water and maintenance.


• Planting the right tree in the right place can save energy. Trees offer protection from wind, plus they provide shade and cool air around the home.


• Try Xeriscape gardening, which is gardening with plants whose natural requirements are appropriate to the local climate. Lavender, juniper, sedum, and thyme are commonly used in Xeriscaping.


• Decrease the size of your lawn. Little or no lawn--which saves gas in lawn mowing--leaves space for a larger habitat for native bees, butterflies, and other fauna.


• Save roof rain run off with a rain barrel. Install a drip irrigation system for watering.


• Compost, compost, compost! Compost your own yard and garden waste.


• Grow your own vegetables. Get children involved in planting and maintaining the garden and create a connection to the land.


• Use a rain sensor for your irrigation system and reduce water consumption by up to 10%.


• Switch over to high efficiency sprinkler heads to reduce water consumption by 45%


• Plant perennials. They are a great investment, cost less, and grow at a fast rate. They can also be divided for new plantings.
.

• High Efficiency Pool Heaters

  High efficiency gas heating systems that are 89% - 97% efficient are now available for your inground pool. Heater efficiency is the ratio of usable outputto energy input. Efficiency has doubled in recent years with innovation in hydraulics, heat exchanger technology, forced draft combustion systems, and pilot-less ignitions.



• High Efficiency Pumps

  Replace older pumps/motors with new properly sized pumps and motors to significantly lower electrical consumption of pool operating costs. Put pumps on timers so they can be turned off during off peak hours once the pool water has been completely recycled.



• Choosing the Right Pump

  Consider a high efficiency, variable speed pump at the correct horsepower rating. Run on low except for vacuuming and backwashing since the low speed is much quieter and consumes less electricity.



• In Floor Cleaning Systems

  Reduce common surface collection of chemicals on the pool bottom with an in-floor cleaning system by Cyclean --- a circulating nozzle system that claims a 99% clean pool. Multiple nozzles on the pool floor and steps both clean the pool and maintain a consistent distribution of chemicals while circulating heated water. The in-floor cleaner re-circulates water from the bottom of the pool to reduce heating cost by 45%, cleaning by 45% and chemical usage by 45%.



• High Flow Return System

  Don’t want to invest in an in-floor cleaning system? Cipriano Landscape Design introduces a high-flow return system to significantly increase energy efficiency.



• Pool Covers

  Auto covers reduce heating costs. Evaporation is the largest source of energy loss for an inground swimming pool. See a savings of 50-70%.



• Wind Breaks

  Add windbreaks. A 7 mile per hour wind across the surface of a pool can increase heating costs by 300%. Trees, shrubs and fences often reduce crosswinds and improve heating efficiency.



• Reduce Heat

  Save 20% on heating bills by reducing pool temperature by 6 degrees. Instead of heating your pool to 84 degrees try 78 degrees.



• Less Chemicals

  Salt water chlorinators reduce chemical costs by up to 25%; they are a natural alternative to harsh pool chemicals. Use natural alternatives instead of chemicals to clean water and to remove damaging chlorine from air and groundwater.



• High Efficiency Lamps

  Replace inefficient incandescent lamps with high efficiency, compact fluorescents that consume 1/2 to 1/3 the amount of electricity and last 10 times longer. Replace standard fluorescent ballasts and lamps with high efficiency bulbs to reduce electric consumption by 30%.

Enhance your aquatic wellness in 2009 with the best health and safety features available for your custom swimming pool.

The arrival of a much-anticipated New Year also brings enthusiasm for spring weather, resolutions, and of course the swimming pool trends for 2009. The perfect time to renovate a home or landscaping lays on the horizon, and with it comes the reality that custom swimming pools are not like the pools you remember as a child. Standard rectangle pools are being revolutionized to accent your lifestyle, provide safety, and support a green-conscious, organic way of living.

On December 19th, it became mandatory in all new swimming pools, to include the Safety Vacuum Release System, an automatic suction force release system, on all new New Jersey inground pools. When a pool drain becomes blocked, the SVRS provides a rapid vacuum release. This quickly releases anyone whose body is trapped on the main drain. Also on the 19th the new swimming pool main drain product safety standard goes into effect. The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act stipulates that all new swimming pool and spa drain covers, available for purchase in the United States, must meet specific performance requirements. For anyone concerned about the safety of their pool, start by having a certified building or service professional perform a safety inspection and provide the appropriate options and alternatives.

Swimming pool auto covers now take on a more lucrative role; saving energy, housing extra heat, and retaining water and chemicals are all accomplished by one modernized product. The U.S. Department of Energy names swimming pool auto covers one of the most effective methods of reducing pool heat loss. Some measurements reduce gas usage by forty-five percent. Conservation of both natural gas and expenses becomes most useful during classic summer heat. Water evaporation can typically consume 180-gallons each week and 720 gallons each month. These dramatic evaporation levels include dissolving gallons of pool chemicals and chlorine.

Most swimming pool auto covers now have the capability to hold several people on top of it at any given time, reducing the risk of an accident if a child wanders unexpectedly onto the cover. Simple features like this are really the central focus for households with small children.

Owners that insist on safety without a cover can opt for a system designed to detect the fall of a child or pet into the swimming pool. SonarGuard provides the ability to detect a disturbance within a pool or spa of any size or shape with only one system. With the accuracy of this system, homeowners find security in the ability to differentiate between pool toys and a child mistakenly falling into the pool. When the alarm mode is set, an underwater sensor creates an invisible net. Breaking this net then signals an alarm allowing maximum time to assist any victim.

Swimming pool and spa chemicals are only as effective as the spaces they reach; depths and corners which typically breed bacteria are often overlooked. An in-floor cleaning system by Cyclean, with the circulating nozzle system, claims a ninety-nine percent clean pool. It also helps reduce the common surface collection of chemicals on the pool bottom. Multiple nozzles on the pool floor and steps not only clean the pool and maintain a consistent distribution of chemicals but also circulate heated water for a more heating efficient and cleaner pool. Typical systems that include constant skimming, cleaning, or vacuuming result in time focused on maintenance rather than enjoyment. The traditional ways of cleaning will never need to be used again. Chemicals costs are reduced by fifty-percent, and heating costs by forty-percent.

The elimination of hazardous swimming pool chemicals in the home is desirable to many New Jersey homeowners. Choosing a more organic approach, saltwater pools are a healthy alternative to excessive chlorine treatments. Using a diluted saline solution and a chlorine generator, saltwater pools only use approximately 3500 parts per million of actual salt content. With precise measurements, this alternative may hold the answer to a clean swimming pool free of any potentially harmful chemicals.

When the salt passes through the generator, it creates the exact same form of chlorine used to eliminate algae; it performs the same tasks as any other form of chlorine, such as tablets. The main difference is that this product is much safer then the chemical concentrate form. Fortunately, these saltwater chlorinators eliminate the need to store it in your home around children and pets.

With fast moving outdoor trends, catching a homeowner’s attention becomes more difficult then in the past. No longer holding the status of just a “swimming pool,” yards now hold the capability of a private oasis retreat. Customary traveling vacations are limited in a busy family’s schedule. This makes the most valuable entertainment place their home, which also makes safety and health facets exceptionally significant. Our next custom swimming pool and spa edition will include water treadmills, unique glass tile, and state of the art underwater sound systems. But an efficient and safe swimming pool tops the trends for 2009.

• Insist on visiting completed custom projects. Also, visit projects that are under construction. Seeing the projects in person will give you a sense of the company’s craftsmanship and viability, and it will help weed out contractors who are not credible. Beautiful swimming pool and landscape pictures are great; however, you must be sure that they belong to the company you are interviewing and are not just deceitful advertisements.


• Research landscape design firms on the Internet. Search by name and see what recent information was posted. A simple Google search will go a long way in avoiding bad contractors. Check for current licenses, better business bureau standings and rip-off reports.


• Only accept bids from firms with the best credentials. You wouldn’t let a proctologist perform brain surgery on you! Certified Building Professional is the top credential for custom swimming pool builders. Certified New Jersey Landscape Architecture credentials can be confirmed on the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs website, njc onsumeraffairs.gov. If you’re looking for an outdoor kitchen, fireplace or unique swimming pool, you will want to see numerous examples of each component. For example, a stone masonry expert will have thousands of feet of natural stone patios or veneered walls for you to view. He may also claim to be a custom pool builder, but without the right expertise, his work may result in people getting injured or killed because safety standards were not kept! Review every portfolios, projects, and credentials for every service offered.


• Use a contractor who will perform the work themselves. Avoid losing control over sub contractors whose quality may be questionable. Subcontractors may not be in business a year from now and they tend to be harder to hold accountable for future problems. A “we do it all” claim implies there are little, if any, outside contractors used on the job. To protect yourself, make certain you get a list of any subcontractors listed in your contract prior to signing in order to avoid grey areas.


• Select a financially secure contractor. Avoid large upfront payments; no more than 5% should be due at signing. Have set milestones based on completion of work. Always ask for vendor references to check their financial status and to ensure you are not investing in a sinking ship!


• Watch out for misleading information. If any part of the presentation or contract seems deceptive, avoid that swimming pool or landscape design firm.


• Make sure your contractor has the right insurance. It is imperative to be named on a certificate of insurance for liability and workers comp. For custom pool builders, it is essential that they hold a swimming pool policy or endorsement! If it is not listed, the contractor is not covered and, as a result, you are now liable. A landscape gardeners policy will not cover pool construction.


• Avoid the “free” design trap! If you have ever done any sort of home renovations or new construction, you know that if you have a poor set of plans, your extras end up costing you more than the original contract! Professionals get paid to do their due diligence. A good set of plans prepared by a Certified New Jersey Landscape Architecture office will include the necessary detailing to avoid the “unforeseen” pitfalls and unexpected expenses. Remember, a free design means you pay more later.


• Hire a luxury pool or landscape design company that has the owner involved in the day to day construction process. The best customer service comes from an active business owner. Don’t buy from a salesman. After he has made the sale, he is gone and is harder to hold accountable.


• Make sure your contractor has a good and fair contract with little or no grey areas. A good contract should include start and finish dates, payment schedules, termination agreement and warrantee information. Also, agreements for dispute resolutions should be clearly defined.

• Plan Ahead

  Start with landscaping plans prepared by a certified landscape architect. A detailed landscape plan will minimize costly project overruns by holding the contractor accountable.



• Recycle

  Reuse the organic soil in the construction zone. By removing the layer of organic soil prior to starting your landscape or pool project, the amount of screened topsoil needed to plant beds and lawn areas will be reduced.



• Recycle More!

  Reuse existing plant material. Healthy trees and plants should be cataloged and stored in a well-protected nursery area. The plants should then be reinstalled as part of the new landscape.



• Prioritize Materials

  Reuse existing plant material. Healthy trees and plants should be cataloged and stored in a well-protected nursery area. The plants should then be reinstalled as part of the new landscape.



• Think Deep

  Use plants that have deep rooting habits. Utilizing native plants in your landscape with deep rooting habits will reduce water consumption.



• Less is More

  Reduce plant sizes or quantities where necessary. Use smaller-sized material and fewer quantities in low priority areas including side yards and other areas out of the primary view.



• Low Maintenance

  Use low maintenance plant material. Landscaping ideas with plants such as the norway spruce, spirea, ornamental grasses and vinca all require very little maintenance and are



• Choose Wisely

  Be smart with material selections for your New Jersey landscape design. Material choices can double the cost of your landscape project; natural stone can cost 5 times more than concrete pavers. Inform your landscape architect of your preferred choice for more affordable materials.



• Seed Don't Sod

  Homeowners who seed in the early spring or fall will save up to 70 percent as compared to the common practice of installing sod.

• Strategy

  Trees planted next to the home can reduce electric bills by shading the residence from the hot summer sun. Trees also reduce home heating costs by acting as a windbreak in the winter months. It is important to choose a tree with a small branching habit that won’t pose a threat to the house once it matures.