Shredders Which One To Choose

Writen by Val Scaresbrook

Why shred?
When piles of prunings pose a problem, sort it with a shredder -- it's the business for converting heaps to handfuls.

Then what? Add them to the compost heap, spread them around shrubs, or make a trip to the tip.

The ideal shredder
Our ideal shredder has all of these features:

• Versatility to deal with thick prunings and soft waste.
• Inlet wide enough to take branched prunings, so no trimming to fit is needed.
• Inlet at a convenient height.
• Purpose-made prodder for pushing twiggy material down onto the blades.
• Large enough motor to deal with the workload.
• Overload cutout to protect the motor from damage.
• Wide outlet to reduce the risk of jamming.
• Speedy processing of material.
• Material drawn in steadily instead of being snatched out of your hand.
• Shreddings are easily composted slivers or crushed chunks of material (some shredders chop rather than shred, which is OK if you just want to reduce the volume before going to the tip).
• Wheels for mobility.
• Long enough cable to reach the mains socket.
• Secure cable connection.
• Controls that you can operate with gloved hands.
• Reverse-action blades for quickly clearing jams without having to expose the blades.
• Easy access to blades for cleaning/replacement.
• Safety switches to prevent operation when the blades are exposed.
• Quiet operation to protect your hearing and avoid disturbing everyone else.
• Replacement blades readily available.

The pros and cons of hiring a shredder
Hiring a machine makes sense if you've space to pile up the prunings ready for a mammoth shredding session a few times each year. For a smooth-running day, make sure that the machine's been overhauled since last being used, and insist on having the instruction booklet (it's best to arrange this in advance so it's ready for you).

Pros

• Cheaper than buying - if you only have a few days' work for it every year.
• Access to meaty models that you wouldn't dream of buying.
• Heavy duty models for speedy throughput.
• Petrol-engined models for use whatever the weather (unlike electrical ones).
• An opportunity to try before you buy.
• Save storage space.
• No maintenance costs.
• Delivery to your door sometimes possible.
• Supplied assembled and ready to go.

Cons

• Smaller hire outlets only have limited choice -- maybe a too small domestic machine, or a too large industrial type.
• May not be available at short notice.
• May be inefficient or ineffectve due to blunt blades, general wear, or abuse by other hirers.

Co-author: Alec Scaresbrook We're seasoned gardeners, with the theory under our belts and the soil under our fingernails. And we're passionate about helping others to create a garden to enjoy instead of seeing it as a problem. We've been sharing UK gardening information via gardening magazines for 20 years - you name it and we've probably written about it, or photographed it, or both. Our Gardening Masterclass website aims to inform, enthuse and inspire all with our gardening tutorials & product guides, information on shows & gardens to visit, plus Q/A forum.

Wood Fences Installing Wood Fences For The Homeowner

Writen by Carlo Morelli

Wood fences are beautiful and can provide privacy adding to the security and safety of your home. Installing wood fences is usually left to professionals. You can choose a company that will build your wood fence panel by panel. Installing wood fences is a great way to protect your home, your property, and your children. In today's society, many people feel unsafe just letting their children play in the back yard. By installing wood fences, you can rest assured that you have created a safe environment and that your children and their friends can enjoy being in the backyard. Whether it is to play on the swings, swim in the pool, or jump on the trampoline, you can rest easier after installing wood fences.

Installing Wood Fences: Hire a Professional

You'll want your wood fence to be level, sturdy, and durable. Hiring a professional can ensure these things, as well as save you the time and manpower of installing the fence yourself. A team of professionals can accomplish in hours what it will take you days to conquer on your own. When it comes to installing wood fences, a professional is the best way to go. You can even sit down with a professional before placing your order to discuss what type of fence you prefer, what will best suit your needs, and how much the entire project will cost, as well as receive an estimated time frame for the project from beginning to completion.

Installing Wood Fences: Finding a Fence Contractor

When installing wood fences you will begin by choosing a fence contractor. You will need to make sure that the fence contractor is licensed and qualified. You may also need to contact your local city hall to make sure that you aren't in violation of any zoning codes. Once that is squared away, you can begin installing wood fences for your security and safety. Not only will your wood fence give you security, but it will also help give you privacy with your neighbors allowing for you to enjoy the sanctity of your own backyard.

Carlo Morelli writes for OnlineTips.org, where you can read about privacy fence designs and the pool safety fence.

Rose The Flower Of Love And Romance

Writen by Ravikumar Uppaluri

What is the flower that everyone visualizes and associates with love or romance? ‘Rose’ is the instant answer by anyone. The rose is placed on a high pedestal by almost all the ancient civilizations which is indicated by the fact that the flower has been associated with numerous myths and legends. Numerous instances abound in the Greek, Roman, Hindu, Jew and Egyptian mythologies and legends. No wonder, the flower is a delight to the viewer and has made inroads into our everyday lives and true to its importance the rose has been acclaimed as the ‘queen of flowers’.

No occasion is complete with out a rose! be it a happy occasion like wedding or a sorrow occasion like death ceremony, the rose is an inseparable part. The rose offers a wide variety in terms of color, size, shape, fragrance etc to choose from, thanks to the breeding efforts over the last century. There are roses suitable as standards, hedges, edges, borders etc and there are roses suitable for arches, pergolas, espaliers etc. Because of the sheer range rose is a challenge, delight and also an eternal fascination to a gardener.

Though there are thousands of varieties of roses, majority of the present day garden roses owe their origin to ‘Tea roses’ and ‘Hybrid perpetuals’. In the later part of 18th century the combination of these two types gave rise to ‘Hybrid teas’. Again the combination of ‘Hybrid teas’ with another class called ‘polyanthas’ resulted in the ‘floribundas’. Thus the garden roses can be classified into major categories such as Tea roses, Hybrid perpetuals, Hybrid teas, Floribundas, Polyanthas, Miniatures etc.

Though temperate and hilly climates offer the best climate for rose gardens, there are numerous varieties that are suitable to varying agro-climates. Modern technology has paved the way for large scale cultivation in controlled conditions such as a glass house. Nevertheless, the beauty of the sprawling rose gardens in United Kingdom, USA, Switzerland etc. offer the natural beauty of the rose, where it has been bred and nurtured over the decades.

Ravikumar Uppaluri is from Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh State in India.The author Holds a Masters degree in Agricultural Sciences and is cofounder of an organization involved in Nature conservation and sustainable development. The author can be reached at uravikumar@yahoo.com