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<channel>
	<title>Garden and Flowers</title>
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	<link>http://www.muriellesgarden.com</link>
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	<pubDate>Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:20:19 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>Garden Power Tool RechargeMower Cordless Electric Rechargeable Riding Lawn Mower</title>
		<link>http://www.muriellesgarden.com/garden-power-tools-and-equipment/rechargemower-cordless-electric-rechargeable-riding-lawn-mower.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.muriellesgarden.com/garden-power-tools-and-equipment/rechargemower-cordless-electric-rechargeable-riding-lawn-mower.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:15:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Staff</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Garden Power Tools and Equipment]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[garden]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Garden Mower]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[garden power tools]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Garden Tools]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[lawn mower]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Mower]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Power Lawn Mower]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Rechargeable Riding Lawn Mower]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.muriellesgarden.com/?p=595</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
RechargeMower G1-RM10 27-Inch 36 Volt 38 Ah Cordless Electric Rechargeable Riding Lawn Mower With Grass Catcher

Special Offers Available at Discounted Price with G1-RM10 RechargeMower Riding Lawn Mower
Product Description, Details and Features
This riding lawn mower operates with no gas, no oil, no fumes, quiet operation and is very low maintenance. This is because this lawn mower [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignnone" title="Garden Power Tool RechargeMower Cordless Electric Rechargeable Riding Lawn Mower" src="http://www.muriellesgarden.com/garden/powertoolsequipment/G1-RM10-RechargeMower-Riding-Lawn-Mower.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="400" /></p>
<p><strong>RechargeMower G1-RM10 27-Inch 36 Volt 38 Ah Cordless Electric Rechargeable Riding Lawn Mower With Grass Catcher</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002N5NEH6?tag=cebuislandpro-20&amp;camp=0&amp;creative=0&amp;linkCode=as1&amp;creativeASIN=B002N5NEH6&amp;adid=0Q8XDZZXMD4MQ949K0DP&amp;"><img class="alignnone" src="http://www.muriellesgarden.com/images/order.jpg" alt="" width="138" height="36" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002N5NEH6?tag=cebuislandpro-20&amp;camp=0&amp;creative=0&amp;linkCode=as1&amp;creativeASIN=B002N5NEH6&amp;adid=0Q8XDZZXMD4MQ949K0DP&amp;"><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>Special Offers Available</strong></span></a> at Discounted Price with G1-RM10 RechargeMower Riding Lawn Mower</p>
<p><strong>Product Description, Details and Features</strong></p>
<p>This riding lawn mower operates with no gas, no oil, no fumes, quiet operation and is very low maintenance. This is because this lawn mower is rechargeable and can be operated up to 3 hours in just one charge. Its Smart Charger will automatically stop charging as soon as the battery is already full thus minimizing the danger of overcharging and prolonging the life of the battery. If you want a lawn mower that is eco-friendly, then this mower is perfect for you. The G1-RM10 RechargeMower Riding Lawn Mower is very compact and is easy to maneuver is tight spaces. It has an easy-access driver&#8217;s seat that is perfect for any adult, be they are physically fit or mobility challenged.</p>
<p><span id="more-595"></span>The G1-RM10 rechargeable lawn mower uses three electric motors to keep it moving. It is very easy to use and operated through is simple hand controls. Before using the mower, simply plug it using the provided UL approved Smart Charger to any standard wall outlet overnight and by morning it will be ready to go. This mower has safety designed features that will make your mowing easy and safe. To start, an operator-presence switch prevents the unit from functioning when the operator leaves the seat. The blade engagement switch requires two actions to activate it so there is no danger of accidentally setting it off when the operator is not yet ready. When operating in reverse, the speed of the mower is half the speed of its forward motion. This means that you will not be backing accidentally on things, people and your precious plants.</p>
<p>This lawn mower has two life-long 900-watt electric blades that spin at 3800 RPM for fast cutting. It has also five cutting height selection in half-inch increments so that you can adjust it to the grass height that you like. It has a 27 inches wide cutting path thus you will be done mowing in no time at all and no sweat. It also features and easy to remove grass bag that detaches easily and without using any tool for quick emptying. Built to last, it boasts a resilient body that&#8217;s perfectly fitted over a coated and welded metal frame. Additionally, its sealed 36v38Ah batteries are center mounted to improve balance and weight distribution, while its cutting blades are housed within the metal shrouded deck for extra protection against wear and tear. The Recharge Mower conforms to UL1447 and ANSI B71.1 standards and comes with a two-year limited warranty.</p>
<p>Also Search For: Garden Tools, Garden Power Tools, Lawn Mower, Garden Mower, Rechargeable Riding Lawn Mower, Power Lawn Mower, Mower, Garden</p>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Unique Beauty of a Knot Garden</title>
		<link>http://www.muriellesgarden.com/articles/the-unique-beauty-of-a-knot-garden.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.muriellesgarden.com/articles/the-unique-beauty-of-a-knot-garden.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 26 Jul 2009 07:00:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Staff</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Gardening]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[gardens]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[knot garden]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[knot gardening]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.muriellesgarden.com/?p=593</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Knot gardens went back centuries ago especially during the 14th and 15th centuries when it is the hype. Their unique beauty, not to mention the different designs make knot gardens a one of its kind garden. But what is a knot garden? A knot garden is a garden of low-clipped hedges planted and trimmed in [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignnone" title="The Unique Beauty of a Knot Garden" src="http://www.muriellesgarden.com/garden/knot-garden.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="373" /></p>
<p>Knot gardens went back centuries ago especially during the 14th and 15th centuries when it is the hype. Their unique beauty, not to mention the different designs make knot gardens a one of its kind garden. But what is a knot garden? A knot garden is a garden of low-clipped hedges planted and trimmed in order to create a knotted-cord effect. The different plants come in and out of each other that give the knotted-cord effect. There are two kinds of knot gardens, the open style where in the soil can be seen within the design and the close style where every space of the design is totally covered with plants.</p>
<p><span id="more-593"></span>The one and only time consuming job in maintaining a knot garden is the clipping and trimming of the hedges from time to time so that the design will be maintained. A knot garden is a formal garden that uses different kinds of plant materials. It is therefore important to really delineate your lines and choose the plants carefully. This is more so if you are planning on making an open style knot garden because you have to maintain it so that there will be no visible plants in the open areas, even weeds because it can ruin the design.</p>
<p>If you are attempting to make a knot garden at home, it is advisable to start a small one first and then you can expand your design to your original desired size later once you got the hang of maintaining your knot garden. The first thing you do is to visualize your knot garden and then transfer it on paper. This way you can make the necessary adjustments and your design can be more appreciated. Before deciding on what plants to use, you have to decide first where to plant your knot garden because the sun or the shade will determine the kinds of plants that you will be using. Once you have all of these done, it is time to plot the garden in the actual area. You can use sticks and ropes to mark the specific areas of the garden. Once you have done this, then it is time to plant your chosen plant materials. Make sure to leave a small space at intersections. This will give the impression that the plants are really intertwined. In weeks, your design will start to come out. Continue pruning and trimming your plants as necessary as well as water, fertilize and mulch.</p>
<p>Making a knot garden is a commitment of time, energy, effort and patience. A great knot garden is a work of art.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Pruning 101</title>
		<link>http://www.muriellesgarden.com/articles/pruning-101.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.muriellesgarden.com/articles/pruning-101.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:54:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Staff</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Gardening]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[heading back]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[pinching]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[pruning]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[shearing]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[thinning]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.muriellesgarden.com/?p=591</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Pruning is both a skill and an art. The skill is in making proper cuts that will heal well. The art is in making cuts in the right places so that the plant will develop its potential beauty or produce an optimum crop. No matter how much or how little pruning you do on an [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignnone" title="Pruning 101" src="http://www.muriellesgarden.com/garden/pruning.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="419" /></p>
<p>Pruning is both a skill and an art. The skill is in making proper cuts that will heal well. The art is in making cuts in the right places so that the plant will develop its potential beauty or produce an optimum crop. No matter how much or how little pruning you do on an established plant, the objective is to modify the plant&#8217;s growth. The modification can be done to maintain plant health by removing dead, diseased or injured wood, to control or direct growth and to increase quality or yield of flowers or fruit.</p>
<p><span id="more-591"></span>To understand how to approach the pruning of any plant, you need to know how growth occurs. Since all growth originates in buds, they are the first plant parts to consider. The terminal growth bud develops at the end of a stem or branch. This bud causes the stem to grow in length. Lateral buds grow along the sides of stems. These buds produce the sideways growth that makes a plant bushy. In some plants, there may be latent buds or buds that lie dormant beneath the bark. These will grow after pruning or when injury removes the actively growing part of the stem.</p>
<p>During the season of active growth, terminal buds draw plant energies to themselves and grow, adding length to the stems. This flow of plant energy to a terminal bud is caused by hormones called auxins that are produced within the bud. But if you cut or nip off any growing terminal bud, the steam or branch ceases growing. When you remove the bud, one or more buds below it will begin to produce auxins and thus will draw plant energy. All the kinds of pruning cuts should be made just above some growth.</p>
<p>There are four ways to prune. These are pinching, heading back, thinning and shearing. Pinching is the first opportunity you have to control or direct plant growth. This method is used to remove new growth before it elongates into new stems. This is especially useful with young plants that you want to make bushier. Conversely, if you want your plant to gain height, keep side growth pinched back so that the terminal buds on the main stem continues to elongate. Heading back or cutting back take advantage of the same growth principle which is growth elongates in one direction until it is stopped. The difference is that in heading back, you cut off lengths of stem already grown instead of removing buds before it can grow into stems. Heading back may be done to remove weak or unproductive wood, to encourage growth in the direction that you want, to stimulate fruit or flower production, to prevent wind or snow damage to very long or heavy branches and as a way to revitalize a plant. Thinning is an extreme form of heading back because instead of removing parts of a stem, you remove the entire stem or branch.  Shearing is the only form of pruning that can be called indiscriminate. Shearing is the process that maintains the even surfaces of formal hedges and topiary work. Because the plants that normally are used for these purposes have buds and branches that are close together on their stems, every cut will be close to a growing point.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Garden Tools for Kids</title>
		<link>http://www.muriellesgarden.com/articles/garden-tools-for-kids.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.muriellesgarden.com/articles/garden-tools-for-kids.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:59:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Staff</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Garden Tools]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Gardening]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[kid's garden tools]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.muriellesgarden.com/?p=589</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Gardening is fun and a very worthwhile activity. It is much more worthwhile and fun if you can include your kids in gardening. Aside from having fun together, you will get to spend some quality time with your kids and share the experience of gardening. We all know that kids love to water the plants, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignnone" title="Garden Tools for Kids" src="http://www.muriellesgarden.com/garden/kid-garden-tools.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="422" /></p>
<p>Gardening is fun and a very worthwhile activity. It is much more worthwhile and fun if you can include your kids in gardening. Aside from having fun together, you will get to spend some quality time with your kids and share the experience of gardening. We all know that kids love to water the plants, rake the leaves and help you plant but it can sometimes be frustrating for them. The reason? All the equipments are too big for them. They find it heavy and cumbersome to use. The solution to this is very simple. You buy garden tools that are made just for kids. This way, they can help you in your gardening while having the time of their life. it will also make gardening fun for them.</p>
<p><span id="more-589"></span>There are many stores that sell garden tools that are just for kids. You can find from kid-sized wheelbarrows, tool kits, kid-size aprons, garden totes to Barbie and Garfield Gardening Sets and some fun toys too in your local garden store or specialty store. But before you get excited, keep in mind that safety in kid&#8217;s tools should be your first consideration. Make sure that the tools are not sharp and dos not have sharp edges. After safety comes effectiveness. The functionality of kids&#8217; gardening tools should approximate the functionality of the adult-sized tool. In other words, those that work and don&#8217;t just look cute will go a long way toward sustaining a child&#8217;s interest in gardening. Choose trowels, for example, that are angled enough to actually hold a fair quantity of soil.  Before buying the kid-sized garden tools, let your child try it first. Weight, heft, size and the general feel of tools is as individual for kids as for adults. Many brands have lines that have well-made, long-handled garden tools for kids that are streamlined and ultra-light versions of the real thing. The business ends of the tools are brightly colored steel such as purple hoe, yellow garden rake and green leaf rake and the handles are made of wood. The bright colors appeal to everyone.</p>
<p>Aside from the individual tools, there are also garden sets that are made just for kids. These sets contain a variety of tools like a trowel, a rake, a watering can or a small pail. It all depends on the manufacturer. There are also kid&#8217;s wheelbarrows because kids love having a working wheelbarrow that is just their size. These wheelbarrows are cute but sturdy with solid rubber tires, wooden handles and steel front tray braces and legs. Kid sized aprons are available too and so are kid’s garden totes with tools. These garden totes may contain a trowel, shovel, a rake as well as garden gloves.</p>
<p>Buying your kids some kid-sized garden tools will make them look forward in helping you do the gardening. They will have fun while gardening aside from reaping the benefits of being outside in the sun.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>How to Build and Maintain Your Own Koi Pond</title>
		<link>http://www.muriellesgarden.com/articles/how-to-build-and-maintain-your-own-koi-pond.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.muriellesgarden.com/articles/how-to-build-and-maintain-your-own-koi-pond.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 11 Jul 2009 05:46:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Staff</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Garden Structure]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[fish pond]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[garden]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Gardening]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[koi pond]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.muriellesgarden.com/?p=587</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
There is something about a koi pond that brings relaxation and tranquility. Koi fishes are very entertaining to look at and they are certainly very colorful. Koi fishes are bred originally in Japan and are kept by serious hobbyists and proficient fish farmers because keeping koi fishes demands time, money and effort.
If you are planning [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignnone" title="How to Build and Maintain Your Own Koi Pond" src="http://www.muriellesgarden.com/garden/koi-pond.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="410" /></p>
<p>There is something about a koi pond that brings relaxation and tranquility. Koi fishes are very entertaining to look at and they are certainly very colorful. Koi fishes are bred originally in Japan and are kept by serious hobbyists and proficient fish farmers because keeping koi fishes demands time, money and effort.</p>
<p><span id="more-587"></span>If you are planning to have a koi pond at home, then you will have to start from scratch and t\from the very beginning. You can make your koi pond but you can&#8217;t put the koi fishes, not just yet, especially if this is your first time to keep koi fishes. You have to start with easy fishes first like gold fishes. This way, you will get the hang of maintaining a fish pond before moving on to keeping high maintenance fishes like koi fishes. Besides, gold fish and koi can live harmoniously in one pond.</p>
<p>But before dreaming of breeding koi fishes, you have to build your koi pond first. The first thing to consider is the area where you want your pond to be built. It must be in a big area where you can play with your pond design. If you have decided where you want your koi pond to be, you have to gauge the depth of the pond. The pond depth is important to ensure that your fishes will be protected from raccoons, cats and other animals who loves fish for dinner. The recommended depth is at least 4 feet.  A deep pond also helps to keep water cool in hot summer days.</p>
<p>Next, if you have already calculated the depth of the pond, you have to make your pond as big as you can. Small ponds are not suitable for koi fishes because koi can grow quite large and they will need a lot of space. Also there are so many color variations of koi, that with time you will probably want to add more fish to your pond. So it is better to create a large pond from the start than rebuild it later. About ten thousand gallons is a good size for a koi pond, bigger would be even better.</p>
<p>Taking care of your pond in winter is crucial as well as taking care of it during the summer months. Unlike tropical fish, koi don&#8217;t suffer much from cold; however you should never let your pond freeze completely. Installing a proper pond heater will always keep an opening in the ice. Also keep in mind, that koi only grow when the water is warm, so with a heater your fish will grow faster. When selecting a spot for your pond, make sure it is out of direct sunlight. Also keeping water plants like water lilies in your pond are a good idea, not only they add beauty to the overall design, but they also provide shade for the fish. However, you should avoid building your koi pond under trees. Cleaning a fish pond of fallen leaves is no fun.</p>
<p>Not only land animals love fishes but also birds. There are many birds of prey that would love to steal your koi. Make sure that you can have the option to install a bird net around your pond. Besides, the net is dual purpose, not only will it provide protection from the birds, it will also catch falling leaves and other things. When landscaping your pond, always keep in mind not to use any kind of insecticide or herbicide near your pond. Even a very small amount of common garden poison can kill your beautiful fish.</p>
<p>A healthy koi pond needs proper equipments like a water pump, filtration system, water aerator and an ultraviolet sterilizer. This is especially needed is you koi pond is still because your fish will get sick and eventually die. Koi pond filtration systems are expensive, so as an alternative you can make your own homemade filters.</p>
<p>There is much more to building and maintaining a koi fish pond. In time, you will get the hang of it.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>How to get Rid of Moles in Your Garden</title>
		<link>http://www.muriellesgarden.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-moles-in-your-garden.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.muriellesgarden.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-moles-in-your-garden.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Jul 2009 01:59:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Staff</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Gardening]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[garden]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[getting rid of moles]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[moles]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.muriellesgarden.com/?p=585</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Moles are small but they are considered as huge pests. When they create burrows in your garden and lawn, they leave mole hills behind, destroy your plants and the burrows that they create can be dangerous to walk on. Contrary to what others believe, moles don&#8217;t eat plants, they eat the grub worms and earthworms.
There [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignnone" title="How to get Rid of Moles in Your Garden" src="http://www.muriellesgarden.com/garden/garden-mole.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="447" /></p>
<p>Moles are small but they are considered as huge pests. When they create burrows in your garden and lawn, they leave mole hills behind, destroy your plants and the burrows that they create can be dangerous to walk on. Contrary to what others believe, moles don&#8217;t eat plants, they eat the grub worms and earthworms.</p>
<p><span id="more-585"></span>There are several methods in getting rid of moles in your garden and lawn. First, you can try getting rid of what moles love to eat. You can try eliminating grub worms buy sad to say, moles love earthworms too and you need earthworms on your garden. Next thing you can try to get rid of moles is to scare them away. How? You can use ultrasonic devices that create a high pitched sound that will make a mole think that there is another mole in the area. They are territorial and if they think that there is another mole, they will leave your area. However, this electronic pest control is expensive that other mole removal methods. The upside of this is, you won&#8217;t be hurting anyone, not even the moles.</p>
<p>Another way to get rid of moles is to use mole repellent. Spray the repellent on the ground and it will change the taste of the grub worms and earthworms. The moles will then move to other areas to find tastier yards. Mole repellents don&#8217;t harm your plants as well as the worms. If you find this method not convincing, then you can try poisoning the moles. Mole poison comes in pellets or sprays and applied directly on the mole tunnels. However, if you see the mole carcass, you should place it in a plastic bag and throw it away. If your cats or dogs chew or eat a poisoned mole, they could become ill and die.</p>
<p>If risking your pet&#8217;s lives is too steep a prize to get rid of the moles, then you can try trapping them. Trapping them is by far the most effective method. You should use the proper equipment to trap a mole, such as Nomol, Nash or scissor traps. You may need multiple mole traps. These mole traps will only cause minimal damage to your lawn.</p>
<p>Commercial mole poisons are not cheap and they can kill your beloved pets if they happen to eat the dead mole. You can try making a homemade mole poison from natural ingredients. Mix one-cup of Murphy&#8217;s Oil Soap with one ounce of castor oil and a quarter cup cayenne pepper. Add water to make a two to one mixture. Transfer to a garden sprayer and spray the mole tunnels. When preparing this mixture, wear gloves and make sure that nothing will get into your eyes.</p>
<p>If everything else fails, you can have an outdoor cat or dog. These pets are known to dig the soft tunnels of the moles and kill the pests.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Designing Landscape Using Softwares</title>
		<link>http://www.muriellesgarden.com/articles/designing-landscape-using-softwares.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.muriellesgarden.com/articles/designing-landscape-using-softwares.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:29:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Staff</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Garden Structure]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Gardening]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[garden design]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[software garden design]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.muriellesgarden.com/?p=583</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
We all liked to have a landscaped lawn or backyard to enhance and compliment the beauty of our home. Designing a landscape is no mean feat and some will have to resort to hiring professionals to do it for them especially if they have a large area to landscape. The landscape market is booming nowadays [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignnone" title="Designing Landscape Using Softwares" src="http://www.muriellesgarden.com/garden/garden-design.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="373" /></p>
<p>We all liked to have a landscaped lawn or backyard to enhance and compliment the beauty of our home. Designing a landscape is no mean feat and some will have to resort to hiring professionals to do it for them especially if they have a large area to landscape. The landscape market is booming nowadays and along with it is the market for softwares that helps in designing your dream lawn. These  softwares  are easy enough to use and manipulate to suit your needs. You don&#8217;t need a professional to help you.</p>
<p><span id="more-583"></span>The main advantage of using these softwares to design your landscape is that you will be putting yourself into the design.  It will really be a reflection of your personality as well as your family. Another advantage of using softwares is that you  can change the design as often as you like without spending money, time and effort in actually doing the job. However, it is  very important to understand all aspects of landscaping so that the money is not wasted and also that your landscape architects do not cheat you. Also, it is very vital to understand that the landscape should reflect your personality and not vice-versa. So do not overdo anything. In choosing a design for your landscape, you have to consider many things. For example, you have to consider the geographical and climatic conditions of your area because these are very important. You can&#8217;t plan on planting a lush green lawn if you live in an area where drought is a high possibility. A rock garden in a rocky terrain is a great idea and so is having a water feature like a pond in areas where water is available all year round.  You have to match your landscape with the area that you are planning to develop. Together with using softwares in creating your landscape design, there are also websites that you can browse. Some of these  sites are owned by professional landscapers and their information will be valuable to you. These websites are also filled with garden pictures so that you can have an idea of what will it look like after all the work has been done.</p>
<p>Some of the landscape design software available are:</p>
<p>1. Plan 3D which is and online landscape design service where you can view your design from any angle.</p>
<p>2. Instant Architect Home (Broderbund Software) provides the ability to design your own home or landscape and is very</p>
<p>intuitive in nature.</p>
<p>3. 3D Home Architect Home &amp; Landscape provide easy to use home and landscape design solutions, which also contains a</p>
<p>complete set of landscape design tools. It uses the latest design techniques and technologies to make designing a very</p>
<p>enjoyable experience.</p>
<p>4. 35 Do It Yourself Backyard Project Plans which is an inexpensive software and allows printing of the design plans.</p>
<p>5. Realtime Landscaping PRO (Idea Spectrum) uses the latest in 3D technology to help you visualize even the most demanding</p>
<p>design plan.</p>
<p>6. Realtime Landscaping PLUS (Idea Spectrum) is  a software that is ideal for homeowners as well as professional designers</p>
<p>and a plus point in using this software is that no CAD or prior architectural experience is required.</p>
<p>7. Realtime Landscaping PHOTO (Idea Spectrum) makes it easy to import a photo of your property and design the landscape.</p>
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		<title>How to Keep the Birds Happy this Winter</title>
		<link>http://www.muriellesgarden.com/articles/how-to-keep-the-birds-happy-this-winter.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.muriellesgarden.com/articles/how-to-keep-the-birds-happy-this-winter.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:47:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Staff</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Gardening]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[birdfeeders]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[garden]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[winter birdfeeders]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.muriellesgarden.com/?p=581</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Birds are very resourceful when it comes to looking for their food. They can find it in their natural habitat but in extreme circumstances, they can only manage to find enough to live. But there are birds that rely on what your bird feeders can offer especially to tough months like the winter months.
To keep [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignnone" title="How to Keep the Birds Happy this Winter" src="http://www.muriellesgarden.com/garden/winter-birdfeeder.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="773" /></p>
<p>Birds are very resourceful when it comes to looking for their food. They can find it in their natural habitat but in extreme circumstances, they can only manage to find enough to live. But there are birds that rely on what your bird feeders can offer especially to tough months like the winter months.</p>
<p><span id="more-581"></span>To keep the birds happy during the toughest time of the year, keep your birdfeeders full. Birdfeeders are especially attractive to birds during the cold months when everything is practically covered in snow and natural food supply is very little. Birds like finches, sparrows, titmice and chickadees are seed eaters and many will come to your garden to feed. Your birdfeeder might be a vital source of food for these birds during ice storms or blizzards but only a supplemental food source during normal winter conditions. Considering this, it is important to keep your birdfeeder full.</p>
<p>If you notice an unusual number of birds feeding in your garden, them it is time to use large-capacity feeders or hang more. You have to assign someone in charge of replenishing the seeds in the birdfeeders. Large-capacity birdfeeders are also useful if you will be away during the winter months and just ask your neighbor to replenish the stock once in a while. You can also encourage your neighbors to have birdfeeders in their garden during the winter months. This way, the birds can come and go as they please and they can be sure that they can eat if one feeder will run out of seeds.</p>
<p>If you love having birds visiting your garden, then you have to take care of them especially during the winter time when food is scarce. If you neglect the birds, they will surely leave and you don&#8217;t want that to happen. Many birders are proud of the avian novelties they&#8217;ve persuaded to frequent their feeders by providing an array of food choices so that there will be many birds’ species that will come and visit. If feeders are not maintained, not only will birds lose whatever extra boost they may get from supplemental feeding, but birdwatchers may find that some of their feathered friends have moved on.</p>
<p>If you will be away for a vacation and no one will be able to replenish the stock, then you can condition the birds by slowly tapering off the supply of seeds. This way the birds will not rely mostly on your feeder for food.</p>
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		<title>Garden Containers That Enhances Your Garden</title>
		<link>http://www.muriellesgarden.com/gardening/garden-containers-that-enhances-your-garden.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.muriellesgarden.com/gardening/garden-containers-that-enhances-your-garden.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:00:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Staff</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Garden Decor]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Gardening]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[garden containers]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[garden pots]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[garden pottery]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[gardens]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.muriellesgarden.com/?p=579</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
A good garden design not only depends on the plants that you plant in it and the garden lay-out. Garden pots and other plant containers add beauty and texture to your over-all garden look. They add interest and if you place them in a certain way, you can make a regular garden, a spectacular one. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignnone" title="Garden Containers That Enhances Your Garden" src="http://www.muriellesgarden.com/garden/garden-containers.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="323" /></p>
<p>A good garden design not only depends on the plants that you plant in it and the garden lay-out. Garden pots and other plant containers add beauty and texture to your over-all garden look. They add interest and if you place them in a certain way, you can make a regular garden, a spectacular one. There are many in which you can use garden containers to the advantage of your garden.</p>
<p><span id="more-579"></span>You can use garden pots to define your garden spaces. You can create a &#8220;walkway&#8221; by lining some plants in beautiful garden pots. This &#8220;walkway&#8221; might lead your guest to the showcase portion of your garden. You can also group or cluster together some garden pots to create an intimate space around a garden bench for example. You can also enclose a space or frame a view by placing pots with different shapes and sizes to provide a sense of enclosure.</p>
<p>Mix and match not only your plants but also its containers. It will add more interest and enhance the look of the plant cluster. You can play with the various textures, shapes and colors of the plants as well as the type of container you will use on them. You can also take advantage of the containers as a movable form of garden design. Because you can move the containers, you can change the design of your garden as often as you want. You can create variety by changing the plant groupings.</p>
<p>Aside from using garden pots and containers to create a &#8220;walkway&#8221;, you can also use them to control the traffic in your garden. This will cause the garden visitors to slow down and appreciate more the beauty of your garden. You can do this by placing your garden pots in such a way that it forms nice, tight passageway. You can place aromatic plants in these containers for an added sensory-enhanced stroll. Some of these plants can be pineapple sage, scented geraniums, rosemary, lavender and other herbs. This will make a very nice impression of your garden and your visitors will love it and will want to visit again.</p>
<p>To enhance the beauty of a flower pot, pair it with a plant that will match and compliment its look. Group it together with other potted plants that are annuals, perennial or plants in complimentary colors. If you can&#8217;t find a plant that will compliment your pot, then you can make it as a focal point in a plant cluster or use it to anchor a seating area in your garden.</p>
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		<title>How to Make a Successful Hardscape</title>
		<link>http://www.muriellesgarden.com/articles/how-to-make-a-successful-hardscape.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.muriellesgarden.com/articles/how-to-make-a-successful-hardscape.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:41:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Staff</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Articles]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Gardening]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[gardening ideas]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[hardscape]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[landscape gardening]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[small space gardening]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.muriellesgarden.com/?p=577</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
You are very satisfied with how your new garden grows except for that spot where no matter what you plant, it won&#8217;t prosper and grow. Now, what will you do with that spot? The answer is to put a hardscape on that spot. But what is a hardscape? A hardscape refers to paved areas like [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignnone" title="How to Make a Successful Hardscape" src="http://www.muriellesgarden.com/garden/hardscape.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="351" /></p>
<p>You are very satisfied with how your new garden grows except for that spot where no matter what you plant, it won&#8217;t prosper and grow. Now, what will you do with that spot? The answer is to put a hardscape on that spot. But what is a hardscape? A hardscape refers to paved areas like sidewalks for housing developments but in your case, this will refer to the brick patios, sidewalks, retaining walls and water features. Hardscapes are placed in areas where human traffic is allowed to flow and in areas where there is barren earth.</p>
<p><span id="more-577"></span>There are many things that you can use as materials for your hardscape. You can use stones, bricks, fountains, benches, the options are endless. All you need is your imagination. Once you have decided on what to do for your hardscape, you must plan it well. Look at the whole landscape before you start. Take into consideration the entire area of your garden, backyard or frontyard. You should plan a design for the whole area. Anticipate how your design fits into your future plans especially if you have objects in your hardscape that are hard to move or a fixed object like a retaining wall. Include in your planning the drainage requirements. You must plan how the drainage will be affected when you place, say, a wall or a patio. It may cause puddles or worse. You should plan runoff so you can capture the water and use it on site, instead of letting it hit that concrete and go down the drainage pipe.</p>
<p>Make a focal point for your hardscape and make a path so that when someone will view your garden, their eyes will be drawn to it. As much as possible, develop a good balance between your hardscape and your softscape or your garden. Make all of your elements work together so that it will look natural, as if it has always looked like that and not manipulated by you. It is not advisable that your hardscape space is much, much bigger than your softscape. The garden or some grass and greenery will soften and compliment your hardscape.</p>
<p>It is okay to match your hardscape materials with the materials used in your home&#8217;s exterior but you have to do this carefully. The idea is to find two or three materials that are visually creative and coordinate not just with each other but with the interior and exterior of the house. Make sure also that your hardscape will match the style of your house. It will look awful and will do more harm than good in terms of aesthetics. If you are in doubt and have an extra budget, don&#8217;t hesitate to hire a professional. You will save on time, money and effort spent on your landscape. Hire a designer or contractor that comes with good recommendations and references. Professionals can also do some projects that you have in mind that are complicated such as building a retaining or a structural wall.</p>
<p>When all is set and work is ready to start, you can now buy the materials needed. Buy enough materials at the start because you&#8217;ll never know if the materials will be lacking and there no more available. You can still use the extra materials later as accents like stepping stones or landings. When you consider the materials to be used, take into consideration not only the prize and installation of the materials but also how long the material will last and will it suit the project that you have in mind. It makes more sense to economize by scaling back a project or the number of design elements, with the help of a cost-conscious professional, then to always buy the least expensive materials.</p>
<p>Taking all of the above advice, plus you careful planning, you will be on your way to having a great landscape that you and your family and friends will enjoy for a long time.</p>
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