CASTLEMANAGER

Garden Route Travel Options

Few coastal stretches in the world can claim the beauty of the Garden Route, so named for its lush, green, indigenous forests, golden beaches and rushing rivers. An abundance of bird species and wildlife can be found here and the area’s pristine beaches, lapped by azure waters, are home to seals, dolphins and whales (the latter from June to October to calve in the warm Indian Ocean).

Occupying a slender coastal plane from the Gouritz River near Mossel Bay in the west to the Storms River mouth east of Plettenberg Bay, the Garden Route meanders for 350km along the N2, its main arterial road.

While often compared to the Lake District in England, the Garden Route’s climate is considerably more temperate. Summer temperatures average 27 Celsius and the winter average is 14 Celsius in the daytime. The region’s Mediterranean climate and natural splendour are complemented by excellent amenities catering for the most diverse and discerning of travellers.

Nature lovers will be in the their element. Hikes along the craggy coastline takes you through pristine forests and remote beaches with shimmering rock pools and waterfalls along the way. The popular Otter Trail is a five day hike that follows the coastline from Storms River Mouth to Nature’s Valley in the Tsitsikamma National Park. It’s essential to book well in advance as places are limited.

If hiking is not for you, there are many other ways to experience the natural splendour of the Garden Route from horseriding in the Plettenberg Bay mountainside to paddling canoes around the Robberg peninsula. More sedentary options include packaged safaris offered by a variety of game lodges and dolphin and whale watching boat trips.

Needless to say, the Garden Route offers something for everyone and its accommodation is equally varied. Whether its a wooden tree house in indigenous forest, surrounded by monkeys and bird life, a rustic beach house, or a sunny penthouse suite, you’ll find what you are looking for and so much more.

A popular option to see the Garden Route is to hire a car in Cape Town and drive up the coast, stopping at charming seaside towns along the way.…

Top Tips for the Maintenance of a Perfect Lawn

Following the basic steps below can improve a lawns health. For those who prefer to maintain the lawn themselves rather than hiring garden maintenance services, these steps are easy to follow for a perfect lawn all of the time.

1.) Fertilizing: A well balanced diet of fertilizer can promote the health of any lawn. The experts recommend fertilizing the lawn four times a year; in the spring, summer, fall and then again, just after the first frost. Those who live in hot climates should not fertilize in the summer. Too much fertilizer can easily kill the grass because the soil becomes sterile. Grass will not grow if the lawn is over-fertilized. Be sure to follow the directions carefully to avoid over-fertilizing.

2.) Watering: Over-watering the lawn can easily cause more damage than under-watering. The best time to water grass is early in the morning, never after dusk. Mould can grow on the soil if it isn’t allowed to dry before night time. Watering in the hot sun can burn the grass and diseases can grow on soil that is watered at night. For those who don’t know how to measure how much water the grass is getting, purchase a rain gauge. A lawn only needs 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water each week.

3.) Mowing: Grass should not be cut any shorter than 2 to 3 inches, always being sure you lawn mowers blade is sharp. To avoid burning, especially in the heat of the summer, keep the grass within this range. It is tempting to cut the grass shorter to cut down on mowing but it also may destroy the grass. To prevent suffocating the soil it is best not to cut the grass when it is wet. The soil needs to be able to breathe, plus it will keep your mower blade sharper for a longer time.

4.) Herbicides: For a lawn that is full of weeds and bare spots an herbicide may be needed. To kill just a few weeds a dandelion tool can be used. A tool with a forked end can easily pull weeds from the lawn. A small tank sprayer may also be used to kill weeds or pests that cause bare spots in the lawn. When purchasing an herbicide read the directions carefully before applying. Spot spraying is best rather than spraying the entire lawn unless professional garden maintenance services are used.

By following these few simple steps a beautiful lawn can be maintained quite easily. Mowing, fertilizing, watering and spraying techniques and instructions can be found in any lawn and garden store.…

Divine Providence, RI: Turn Over a New Leaf by Tending Your Own Community Garden Plot

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 15 per cent of the world’s food is grown in urban areas comprised of backyards, self-contained pots on roof-tops and balconies, and community garden plots spread over slopes, river banks, or vacant land which otherwise would be unproductive. Rhode Island’s own capital city of Providence has a plethora of divine, fruit-of-the-vine, communal gardens:

Amherst Street – 125 Amherst St.

Burnett Street – Burnett and Bucklin

Chapin Street – Chapin and Sycamore St.

City Farm – West Clifford St.

Communal Garden – 219 Pearl St.

Dexter Street – 564 Dexter St.

Early Street – Early and Niagara St.

Feinstein High School – 544 Elmwood Ave.

Fertile Undergound Glenham Street- 31 Glenham St.

Fox Point – Gano and Power St.

Grove Street – 111 Grove St.

Manton Avenue – Manton Ave. and Pope St.

Mt. Hope – 65 Knowles St.

Mystic Miner – 112 Miner St.

Peace and Plenty – 89 Peace St.

Potters Avenue Park and Garden – 179 Potters Ave.

Prairie North – 468 Prairie Ave. St.

Riverside Park – Aleppo and Pelham St.

Sessions Street – 160 Sessions St.

Somerset – 85 Somerset St.

West End – Bridgham and Westminster St.

Wilson East and Wilson West – Wilson and Gilmore St.

Urban Environmental Lab – 135 Angell St.

Statistics cite the capital city’s South and West side neighborhoods as having high unemployment rates with low median household incomes. Also noted is the loss of full service grocery stores in these areas, leaving corner stores with limited fruit and vegetable selections for healthy eating. The Community Gardens Network Initiative made up of volunteers offers training programs in growing sustenance, facilitates city-wide coordination of tool banks, bulk purchases, composting, and fund raising activities. During these tough economic times, the community gardens provide a significant amount of food with less of a strain on household food budgets.

Community gardens are not solely for low income residents in the Providence metropolis. Apartment dwellers without a plot of land to plant may take advantage by renting a slice-of-heaven haven. For instance, Fox Point Garden was founded in 2006 on Providence city property as part of a bond initiative. There are 100 plots with yearly dues of $25 for one. There are common work days to help maintain the garden, several potluck dinners throughout the growing season, and an annual fundraiser. The organization conducts several gardening workshops on subjects such as: seed starting, vegetable garden planning, collecting rainwater, alternatives to Miracle Gro, how to tap maple trees, composting, cooking demonstrations, and seed swaps. Planting in Rhode Island begins as early as the first of April for the likes of: broccoli, kale, lettuce, parsley, onion, and potatoes. Generally, other vegetables are planted late April to mid-June. Hoe, hoe, hoe-it’s time to sow!

Wherever you choose to sow a row in divine Providence, ye shall reap much with a harvest of plenty by forging a connection with the earth. The quality of life improves for every participant working communal farmland through the benefits of physical exercise, eating nutritious and tasty produce without chemicals, and fostering a cooperative spirit among gardeners for a common cause. Saving money at the supermarket is yet another dividend from working fertile ground.

Just as the individual gardener reaps what he sows, the planet also benefits from community gardens. High density development of the land improves air quality, while reducing noise and air pollution. Gardening beautifies and utilizes vacant land that would otherwise have gone to waste. Soil erosion is prevented through a network of roots which take hold.

Come spring, don’t be a couch potato. Gather a few gardening tools and tend your own community garden plot. Mind your peas and watch your urban garden grow. Cultivate a sense of pride, stemming from working the land in divine Providence.…

Gazebo Canopy or Real Gazebo: What’s the Difference?

Gazebo and gazebo canopy are often referred to as the same thing but in reality, are very different structures. They both provide shade and protection from the elements but their size, strength and construction are very different. Let’s compare these two to see some of the differences.

A gazebo canopy is very similar to a shade canopy or garden canopy. These are all simple structures with four metal posts for legs and fabric canopy tops. They are very versatile and portable due to their lightweight design and simple construction. Some of the fancier ones have more complex legs and valances which give them a gazebo type look which may account for some of the confusion.

These canopies are perfect for backyards, parks or other outdoor functions that require lots of time in the sun. Their portable shade is a welcome relief. They come in many different styles and colors to match any backyard or patio decor. They are usually quick to setup and take down which makes them perfect for parties, bar-b-ques, picnics or wherever you need portable shade.

Some varieties are referred to as pop up gazebos as the fabric top is already attached to the poles allowing for quick and easy setup. Other designs can be semi-permanently mounted and left up for the whole summer. You’ll need to be careful here as high winds and other violent weather can easily rip or tear the canopy top. Replacing a canopy top is fairly common and many stores carry the gazebo replacement covers.

Real gazebos are usually larger and more sturdy. They are most often permanent structures and can be found in parks and other public gathering areas as well as backyards. They are usually made of wood or vinyl and built to withstand the weather. They are often mounted on cement pads to insure a solid and level anchor to the ground.

Gazebos come in many different shapes although the octagon and oval are the most common. They can also be built small for residential backyards or very large for outdoor public parks or as a centerpiece in a town square.

They are enclosed by waist high railings but always open for plenty of fresh air. They can be screened if for bug protection if that’s a problem in your area. Real gazebos will often have a cupola on the top which adds to their attractive design and gives them that distinctive gazebo look.

You can see that a gazebo is quite different from a gazebo canopy. Both structures provide shade and can enhance your backyard although a real gazebo will cost more and require a more permanent place to be erected. A gazebo canopy, on the other hand, is very versatile and great for trips the park, beach or perhaps a booth at the local art fair. Either way, the word gazebo brings to mind a stylish and attractive structure that is sure to enhance any backyard or landscaping project.…