Throughout the landscape design process, you’ll need to make several important decisions. One of the more important choices you’ll make is what type of materials you’ll use in your garden hardscapes (walkways, steps, retaining walls, etc.). These materials can have a major impact on the overall look and feel of your finished garden space.

Many homeowners opt for some form of stone to facilitate a natural and organic look when it comes to their garden hardscapes. By having a better understanding of the many benefits of using stone in your garden design — as well as the many viable stone options available to you — you can end up with a garden retreat that you absolutely love.

Reasons to Use Stone in Your Garden Design

Why use stone in your garden design to begin with? Consider just a few of the many advantages of doing so.

Cut Down on Care and Maintenance

Compared to some other hardscape materials, stone is extremely durable and can stand up to even some of the harshest weather conditions. As a result, you’ll be able to save on much of the maintenance that would be involved in caring for other types of landscaping/gardening materials. Many exterior stones don’t require any special maintenance aside from occasional sweeping away of debris — and you won’t have to worry about them cracking or wearing down with exposure to freezing temperatures.

You already have enough maintenance to worry about when it comes to the actual plants in your garden. Why should you have to worry about maintaining your garden hardscapes, too?

Create an Eye-Catching Focal Point

While the greenery should always be the highlight of your garden, the reality is that many gardens end up feeling a little lackluster because there’s nothing that immediately draws the eye’s attention. By adding a stone focal point, you can create a truly stunning and unique landscape within your own garden. In many cases, stone can also be used to conceal some less desirable features of a garden space (such as a water line that feeds a sprinkler system).

Provide Extra Protection for Plants

When situated properly, stone hardscapes can also provide some additional protection for your beloved garden plants. That’s because stone is naturally absorbent, allowing it to soak up some of the sun’s harshest rays during the heat of the summer. This means your plants can continue to receive direct sun with some added protection from excess heat.

Meanwhile, stone can provide some added insulation and protection to delicate plant roots during the colder winter months. It’s a win-win all year round!

Three Stone Options for Your Outdoor Garden

There are seemingly endless options to choose from when it comes to stone types for your outdoor garden. Not sure where to begin? Consider a few of these popular stones and explore their benefits and potential applications for yourself.

1. Aggregates

If you’re looking for something versatile that can potentially be used in other areas around your house in addition to your garden, aggregates are a great alternative. Also known as chips and pebbles, aggregates are available in a variety of colors and can be used to create garden walkways and decorative borders around the plants in your garden. Plus, they can even help to keep the weeds to a minimum. If you’re looking for a natural stone that can last for years, requires little maintenance,  and is cost-effective if you’re on a budget, aggregates are an excellent option.

2. Cobblestones

Are you searching for a durable stone to create that extra special feature in your garden? Cobblestones are a perfect choice, especially if you’re interested in creating a raised garden bed. Ideal for high traffic areas, cobblestones have a textured finish that’s naturally slip-resistant and, therefore, safe to walk on even when it’s raining. They also allow you to make a secure and stable border and are affordable and small enough that even a weekend DIYer can tackle the project. Bonus tip: They are low maintenance, durable, and will maintain their look, shape, and color for years.

3. Concrete Paving Brick

Concrete paving bricks are another option you won’t want to overlook when it comes to your garden walkways and paths. They come in a variety of colors and styles allowing you to create a garden that’s completely unique. Plus, they’re a favorite of the do-it-yourselfers because of how easy they are to install on compacted gravel and sand (mortar or concrete is another option).

Whether you’re looking to create a garden path, roof garden, golf cart path, or another garden accent, concrete paving brick is a versatile, strong material that can complement any landscape project.

Which Stone is Right for You?

With so many wonderful stone options to choose from for your new outdoor garden, you’ll want to put some careful thought and consideration into your final decision. Consulting with your landscape designer can help you with your choice, too.

When deciding on a stone for your garden design, be sure to consider the specific application. For example, aggregates may be better suited for a garden pathway or walkway than it would as a retaining wall material. You’ll also want to think about how much maintenance you’re comfortable with doing on your garden stone; while all stones are relatively low-maintenance, some do require a little more care than others.

Finally, you’ll want to be mindful of your budget when selecting garden stone materials. If you’re on a tighter budget, for example, ThinStone can be a very cost-effective option. Regardless of your budget, your landscape designer can assist you in selecting the right materials.

The Bottom Line on Outdoor Garden Stone

Stone can be an excellent choice for your new outdoor garden. From creating a beautiful focal point to providing you with a low-maintenance material for your garden pathways, benches, and more — there are so many different stones to consider for your garden space!

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1. Shovel

The basic tool for any garden is certainly shovel. You will use it to dig pits for planting, for placing mulch, gravel or sand.

When choosing the right shovel make sure that it has a long handle and that it’s not too heavy, because you’ll have to work with it for hours. Smart choice would be to get a round point shovel for digging and planting.

2. Wheelbarrow

You will need something to move the soil, fertilizers and other similar garden stuff, so make sure that you get adequate wheelbarrow. It has to be big enough, stable and lightweight.

3. Pruners

You will need it for pruning shrubs, bushes and trees. For easier handling and better cut, pruners should always be well sharpened, and properly cleaned after using them. You can even find electric pruners in the specialized stores today.

4. Rake

Rake would help you with spreading the soil, leveling the ground, planting, tiding your lawn etc. It is a multi-purpose tool, so make sure that you get quality and strong one.

5. Gloves

If you want to avoid getting blisters every time you do something with your garden tools, you will definitely need gloves. They can be made from different materials, but the best ones for gardening are those made from rubber or leather.

6. Lawn mower

You cannot have a beautiful garden without right weeding tools and lawn mower is an essential weeding tool.

There is a large selection of lawn mowers on the market: mechanical, electrical, gasoline-powered and even lawn mowing bots. The size of your lawn is very important when choosing the right lawn mower. The proximity of the power source, is there a grass collector on the mower or not, are also something that you need to think about when choosing your new lawn mower. For large lawns we recommend small ride-on mowers, because you wouldn’t want to push electrical mower whole day and at the same time deal with the long power cord.

7. Garden hose

In order to have a well groomed garden, especially during the summer, regular watering is crucial. We all know that plants need water to live; the best way to give them that is to buy garden hose and water them regularly. Hose and connectors need to withstand the water pressure, and to be resistant to high temperatures.

8. Bucket

Maybe it sounds funny, but buckets make excellent garden tools. You can use them for watering plants, carrying soil, or fertilizers, gathering garbage or weed and even storing small tools. It doesn’t matter if it is plastic or metal, you will definitely need one.

If you have a yard and you want to turn it into a beautiful garden you will see that the garden tools today are very accessible and affordable, but when choosing tools keep to the essentials. Suggested tools are more than enough if you are beginner in gardening world and you want your little paradise to look nice and inviting.

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Advantages of design own nursery:

• At the initial stage, you need to invest few amounts for design an own nursery. But after few months, you will get the best return on your investment. You can sell the plants, fruits, and herbs in the market to earn some money.
• Private nurseries and government horticulture units depend on the local nursery to purchase the seeds and rootstocks. So, you can easily sell the extraction of seeds and rootstocks to these companies to earn some amounts.
• The private nursery can increase your property value. If you have large garden space, then you can utilize the same to earn money. Apart from that, a private nursery in front of your property can increase the overall look of your house. You can even make a wooden cottage inside the nursery for your recreational activity. Even you can also conduct some small tea party inside the nursery and your guests will feel the natural atmosphere inside your property.
• Plants are the natural source of herbs, fruits, and vegetables. So, you can easily use them for your cooking and you can also design a separate kitchen garden inside your nursery. It will save your cost and you do not need to run to the local market for buying herbs and vegetables every day.
• Apart from that, if you suffer from breathing problem or low immune issue then you can plant some organic trees in your garden. These trees can provide fresh air to your house and they can reduce your breathing problems too.

Music and Its Positive Impact on Plants of Nurseries and Outside

The vibrations of music also rejuvenate soil and produce the good bacteria and fungus in the soil as well as grow healthy vines. This encourages for stronger and better root development, springing in the huge growth of plants and better fruit. Still, there is no solid scientific fact which confirms that good music actually helps in the healthy growth of plants inside nurseries or outside them. But in many types of research, it is found that plants try to move away from rock music sounds.

How Plants Actually Get Affected by Music?

The sound is nothing but the wave that travels through any medium while vibrating the particles of that medium in the process. Similarly, plants can pick up and feel the vibration which is created by sound waves. Positive music speeds up the movement of protoplasm in the cells. This stimulation could affect the plant system and improve their overall growth. This knowledge of music’s impact on a plant can actually help the agriculture of every country grow if used from the beginning when the saplings are in nurseries.

So now you can design your own nurseries in your property and you can earn some amounts from your home. For more information and buying the tools or seeds, you can search for them online. Or even you can also consult with your nearest nursery to maintain your own private garden.

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Before starting work on your garden you need to do a thorough cleaning in it. Gardeners in Chiswick suggest to remove all weeds from the flowers, bushes, trees or anywhere else in the soil of your garden. Cleaning all weeds will let all the plants grow properly and free space for sowing more flowers or other plants. Besides cleaning the weeds, remove all the rubbish in your garden, unnecessary rocks, wastes etc. You will make your garden cleaner and free space for more plants.

One thing, which will definitely make your garden more colourful and beautiful is planting flowers. Choose colours which match each other and will look fine together and place your flowers on different areas according to their types and colours. For example on one place sow tulips – yellow, orange and red, on another- hyacinths in the blue and purple tone, roses, daisies and so on. You can increase the number of trees as well if you have more free space.

Trim the hedges and bushes regularly so they won’t grow too much and look unattractive. You can choose a certain shape for your shrubs and maintain it regularly. You can make the shape on your own or hire a professional and explain him what you want. After that you can keep the shape by yourself. If you want to have attractive garden with many blossoming flowers, well maintained grass, shrubs and hedges you need to water all plants regularly. Different flowers, trees and shrubs require different watering regimen. Some need water more often, others more rare.

Another thing you can do to make your garden a real heaven in the summer is creating a lake in it. It will look great beside all the greenness and plants around it and will cool your garden. You can make a small swimming pool in your garden, which you can use in the hot summer days. Lakes and swimming pool will need professional assistance for creating, which you can find in many companies, offering these services. Once the specialists help you establish a lake or a small swimming pool they can consult you how to maintain it and you can look after it alone afterwards. Place rocks and sea shelves on the bottom of your swimming pool or lake to make it more original and impressive.

To make the garden of your dreams you can create a pathway inside your garden from rocks, pavement or other flooring you choose. Your path should lead beside all the plants so you can use it to walk on it when you clean, water them or go for a walk. Paths with many meanders look better then straight ones. Make a design of your idea for the garden you want and execute it step by step. Hire professionals for the tasks you can’t make on your own and do the things you can cope with alone.

To create a real heaven in your garden this summer you need to have some ideas how you imagine your garden. Design a scheme of the plan you have and implement it using the help of experts in the sphere, garden designers or other professionals. Do the cleaning, regular cares and maintaining by yourself after you learn the proper way each task should be done.

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Moss is soft and spongy and turns your garden into a green deep pile carpet. You never have to take a lawnmower to your moss mats, it never needs fertilising or tending, it just grows in its own contented little way. Of course there are those who no matter what I say will continue to see this furry green wonder as a weed, but honestly, in the right circumstances moss can be beautiful, if not stunning.

What is a Moss Garden?

The idea behind having a moss garden is that it offers you an area of the garden that is quiet and serene; there are no vibrant colours to catch the eye, no plants of different shapes and sizes to distract you and let your thoughts wander. A moss garden is a part of the garden that offers a soft, tranquil place for you to calm your mind and focus your thoughts. There is hardly any maintenance work involved in a moss garden and it will exist happily all year round.

For examples of established moss gardens search online for a garden in Japan called Kokedera. This ancient Japanese moss garden was constructed in the 1300’s and is it a landscape where the only vegetation is the different species of moss, interspersed with trees; it is a homage to eternal life and an area for meditation and relaxation. Your own moss garden should look totally natural, as though you never had a hand in its design.

Placing Your Moss Garden

It is important that you develop your moss garden in the right place, you need to place it in an area where it would otherwise grow naturally. Moss likes dampness and some natural light; it will not grow in darkness. Look for a position in your garden that is slightly shaded, either by trees or by a wall. To achieve the best results you should opt for growing a moss that is native to the area in which you live.

When your moss is happy it will spread itself around naturally on many surfaces such as stone, wood and soil, creating a green and fuzzy carpet.  If you feel that your moss needs a helping hand to get going and start growing, start brushing over the area with either low fat milk or buttermilk to stimulate growth. When it is established and the sun hits it just right, it will make your garden look as though it has been draped in a rich green blanket of velvet.

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And just how can you protect yourself from all the possible harm while you enjoy gardening and family time? Here are some ways to stay smart and safe in your backyard.

Watch Out for the Sun

The life-giving radiance from this giant ball of fire to plants is a big danger to you and your kids. Overexposure without protection can result to immediate dangers of sunburn. And worse, excessive exposure to UV rays can cause premature aging of the skin, pigmentation, temporary blindness, increased risk for cataracts, and heatstroke. It’s also the leading cause of skin cancer. Take these suggestions to help avoid such problems:

• The ultimate skin protection means applying sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30+. Check your drugstore for sunscreen made especially for kids if you’ll have the little ones joining you under the sun. It’s ideal to apply it on your skin at least 20 minutes before gardening. Check if you need another application later on if you’ll be staying outdoors for more than a few hours.
• Wearing the proper attire is a must. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, a broad-brimmed hat and a pair of sunglasses. Your kids will probably love this since it will remind them of days on the beach.
• But the most practical solution is to schedule your garden activities wisely. Garden early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun isn’t at its hottest.

Guard Those Hands and Feet

More than other household chores, gardening can harm your hands, feet, and other parts of your body. This is caused by various factors – from sharp objects left lying on the ground, old malfunctioning tools, and insects, among other things.

Organize your tools and equipment

Place them in proper storage or even in a tool shed, if necessary – and teach the kids how each item should be kept away after enjoying their time in the backyard. Gardening and other similar backyard activities require the use of shears, hoe, rake, and other hard and sharp tools that can give you serious wounds, bumps, and other injuries. A spade might just drop on your head you’ve unthinkingly placed together with all your other instruments in a cabinet overhead.

Wear gloves and boots

Use gardening gloves to keep your hands from being too dry and rough and from having calluses. But wear a pair that fits your hands perfectly. If they’re too small or too big, you won’t be able to move your hands and fingers well; merely grasping a pair of shears will be difficult.

Use the proper type of gloves, too, for every type of activity in your garden. 3 of the common types used are cloth, rubber, and cowhide, and they each have their benefits.

• Cloth gloves are best for preparing the soil, for raking, and for the other light tasks. Its easy maintenance makes it popular to gardeners, since it can be machine-washed. You can also easily find cloth gloves for kids.
• If you have rubber gloves, use them when you’re touching mud and plants with thorns. Buy a PVC-coated kind if you’ve got sensitive skin. It isn’t easy to find one, though, for kids.
• A cowhide pair can make you easily handle rocks, use heavy tools and equipment, and plant trees. It’s much more durable than sheepskin or pigskin. Since kids won’t be doing heavy work in the garden, you don’t need to bother looking for leather gloves for them.

Many gardeners wear flip-flops, moccasins, or rubber shoes while immersed in their favorite hobby. You naturally prefer wearing comfy flip-flops or rubber sandals since you’re working on a part of your home. But this type of footwear won’t protect you from the possible dangers of working in your garden.

• Boots offer the traction that you need when walking on a slippery patio or when pulling some tough weeds or roots.
• The leg covering that boots provide will protect you and the kids from plants with sharp leaves or thorns, insects, and other similar problems. Other boots also have fleece-lined legs that make tending the garden in chilly days easier.

Observe Safety in Equipment and Tools

Leaving lawnmowers, cutters, and other tools and equipment strewn around your garden is already very risky. Not knowing how to use them properly can be doubly dangerous. It’s a must for every gardener to learn the proper use of any tool or equipment that he or she will be handling – more so if you’ll be bringing your kids along for the activity.

• The parents or a hired gardener can teach the kids how to use the tools properly. Letting the kids know about these things will inform them of the possible danger that can happen if they use it when they shouldn’t.
• Kids are notorious for touching things that they’re told not to touch. So make sure you properly put away the dangerous items – if possible in a locked place or somewhere that they definitely can’t reach.
• Never leave the kids, even for just a few seconds with all the trowel, rake, lawnmower, and other potentially dangerous objects within their reach. Always keep an eye on them when all those items are lying around.

Gardening can be a productive way to spend time with the family. It’s also an activity that can teach kids a lot of good lessons in gardening and in life. If you stick to the smart and safe ways of gardening, you and your family can enjoy the benefits of your garden in good time.

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From the perfect garden furniture to lighting that creates an ambiance; we’ve devised a fool-proof list of the biggest summer must-haves to make sure you seize those scorching summer months.

Parasol

We wish for sunny weather all year round, only to complain that it’s too hot when summer finally comes. Propping up a parasol on the patio or children’s play area can provide vital protection from the blazing heat. You’ll also be prepared for the inevitable washout which follows a few days of sun. No matter what the weather throws your way, a parasol will always come in handy.

Garden Lighting

Fairy lights and lanterns create a magical feel to any garden. A subtle low light still allows you to enjoy the evening long after the sun goes down and opens up your garden, creating the illusion that you have more space.

LED lights are extremely energy efficient and use much less power than your regular indoor bulbs. Don’t be afraid to adorn your patio or decking with these twinkling little lights.

Perfect for gatherings and BBQs, there’s no excuse for you to neglect your garden retreat day or night.

Outdoor Furniture

There are 3 key features you should look out for when purchasing your next outdoor furniture set;

• Weight
• Durability
• Customisable

Whether it’s a rattan corner-piece or relaxing daybed, you’re inevitably going to need to move it around the garden to chase the sun rays or make way for guests. Make sure your furniture is easy to fold away or pick up and move.

Durability is a factor that will determine how long you’ll have your purchase for. If you invest in plastic or PVC furniture, you’ll be able to use it all year round and it will stay in great condition even when not in use. Metal garden furniture, on the other hand, is prone to rust. Even when stored in your shed, condensation will likely make its mark on your tables and chairs, leaving them to rust without you even knowing.

The third attribute to look out for is customisability. If you’re buying a larger piece, you may want to look out for one that will allow you to take each section apart and rearrange the shape of the furniture to accommodate guests or create a completely new feel to your garden.

Herb Garden

By growing herbs in your garden such as lavender, mint and rosemary, you’ll be able to cook up some delicious dishes to dine alfresco in the summer sun. Why not use these home-grown herbs to inspire your next meal to serve to your family and friends?

The subtle scent of the flora basking in the sun will help you drift off into another world, making you really feel as if you’ve escaped for a relaxing summer holiday.

Maybe you could even get the children involved by getting them to help you pot the plants and tend to your new garden. You could make a full afternoon activity out of it and get them to decorate labels for each plant, so that you know exactly which herb is which.

Patio Heater

Drawing towards the end of the summer or on those days when the clouds won’t seem to shit, a parasol makes a great addition to any garden. Let’s be honest, it’s not the warmest when the sun goes down, so we’ll need all the help we can get to continue lounging in the garden until the later hours. A patio heater is an investment that you’re sure to make use of at all times of the year.

Whether you’re suffering from the holiday blues, or you’re not going away at all; your garden can become your own private haven during the summer months. Many of these must-haves can be used all year round, year after year. Companies such as Rattan Direct cater for all of your garden needs this summer, so come on, let’s make it the best yet!

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1. Adirondack

Named for the Adirondack mountains, this is a deceptively simple furniture style. The pieces can range from a simple, straight-backed bench to incredibly comfortable loungers and sturdy tables. The various items are made from standard, milled lumber and are sometimes used as shop projects for students.

2. Twig

The term twig furniture is somewhat deceptive, as some of those “twigs” look remarkably like logs! The key feature of twig furniture is that is uniquely styled, and capitalises on the unexpected. The “look” of twig furniture can range from a wild appearance, as if it were just whipped up from random woodlot materials, to items with a sophisticated charm. Mother Earth News published an article about twig furniture. If you would like to make your own, Making Twig Furniture and Household Things by Abby Ruoff is the classic book on this topic.

3. Rustic

Rustic garden furnishings is very like twig furniture, but is just a little bit more practical. It combines some of the principles used in both the Adirondack furniture and twig furniture. A rustic garden bench may combine milled lumber and found materials, but practicality and comfort are the key here. You can view some sample of rustic garden furniture at Rocky Mountain Cabin Decor.

4. Split log

Split log furniture is, well, made from split logs. A split-log bench is a classic garden seat. One that is well made combines the rustic charm of twig furniture with the down-to-earth practical aspects of Adirondack furnishings and regular rustic furnishings. Split-log items tend to be heavy, but hold up well to the weather. Mother Earth News has published directions for making a set.

5. Recycled plastic

Maybe you are not the do-it-yourself type. Maybe you would prefer to keep the trees standing upright for some shade instead of making things out of them. You can still enjoy the look of rough-hewn materials by using patio furniture made of recycled plastic. One company, Poly Wood, Inc., advertises that its plastic is made from post-consumer plastics such as milk and detergent bottles.

6. Folding

For patio furniture that you can store away for the winter, you just can’t beat having something that will fold up. Folding furniture comes in a wide variety of styles, including Adirondack and recycled plastic. It can also be made from light-weight metal with woven plastic strips or covered in canvas or similar fabric. The styles are just as varied as the materials. You can find some samples at the Target.

7. Canvas

Canvas is a natural for outdoor furnishings, and can be used for everything from sling chairs and hammocks to sturdy upholstery for a variety of chair and bench styles. Treated canvas is water resistant. Fabric items can easily be removed from more solid pieces and stored away during wet or cold months. It can also be used for awnings and umbrellas, and even covers for less moveable pieces. Meijer’s Backyard Basics series gives some good uses of canvas.

8. Wicker

Wicker is a superbly versatile material for patio and garden furniture. It can be made from a variety of weaving materials used to create comfortable seats and backs, as well as tables and even storage items. It is a little more permanent than canvas, but not as heavy to move about as some types of outdoor furnishings. It can be made from all-natural substances such as rattan or from recycled plastics. It is receptive to pillows and throws, but can be easily cleaned. This ad from Overstock gives a good idea of just how versatile wicker really is.

9. Iron

Sometimes you want something that is going to last a while. Sturdy iron scrollwork combined with solid two-inch planking makes a lovely garden bench that can be bolted to a concrete base for immovable relaxation. This is especially useful in public areas where it is advisable to keep users from moving things about. Metal work also gives the opportunity to create unique decorations as well as a place to have a nice bit of a blaze to brighten an autumn event.

10: Brick/Earthen

Extend your enjoyment of your garden by building a brick or earthen bench that backs onto a fire-pit or brick grill. Tucked under a gazebo or similar structure, it can become the heart of a gathering or garden party. You can get some ideas for making baked-earth or brick benches from this You Tube video about cob building.

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Basalt is the most commonly found rock on the Earth’s surface. It is more common on the ocean floor than on the surfaces of continents. Basaltic rocks are of various kinds and are used for a variety of purposes.

Listed Below Are 7 Different Ways in Which Basalt Can Be Used

#1. Construction Purposes:

Being a rich source of iron, basalt is used as an ingredient of concrete. basalt rocks find a major part of their usage in various construction purposes. Basalt in its crushed form may be used for making asphalt pavements, filter stones in drain fields, railroad ballast, road bases, concrete aggregates, and suchlike products. From ancient times, basalt has found wide use in purposes like building parts of stadiums and amphitheaters, making seats and other activities. The rock also finds use in mills for the purposes of grinding.

#2. Tiling:

Basalt is also useful in being used for floor tiles, building veneers and other stone objects. basalt rocks are processed and then cut into thin slabs for the above-mentioned processes. Another use of the rock is in making dimension stones.

#3. Rich Source of Minerals:

In a particular kind known as tholeiitic basalt, minerals like pyroxene and plagioclase are present. Pyroxene in their processed states has a glass texture and is used for making gemstones or in ceramics. Plagioclase is used in the manufacture of glass and ceramics. The plagioclase found in basalt rocks is quite rich in calcium and an important source of the mineral.

#4. Magnetic Properties:

There are a lot of accessory minerals present in basalt. The important ones include iron oxides and iron-titanium oxides. The latter compositions include magnetite, ulvospinel, ilmenite and suchlike oxides. The presence of such oxides renders strong magnetic characteristics to basalt once it cools. Because of this magnetic character, basalt rocks are very useful in the study of paleomagnetism.

#5. Agricultural Uses:

Basalt is extremely rich in iron and basaltic soils are normally clay based and extremely rich and fertile for growing crops. Volcanic basalt produces a rock dust that has proved to be very reliable for improving and building soil health. The use of basaltic rock dust proves to be a completely natural way to increase yields of crops, boost root systems, and increase general plant health in a wide range of crops and agricultural conditions. It is heavily relied upon by farmers as a non-artificial and healthy means of improving the health of plants and crops naturally.

#6. Industrial Uses:

A very important application of basalt includes acid-resistant equipment for heavy industrial use. Various other products that are industrially made from basalt include basalt plastic pipers, rock wool, basalt plastic reinforcement bars, basalt fibers, heat insulating basalt fiber, roofing felts, and several other such industrial yields. After being melted, composites of basalt go into the manufacture of rebars and pipes that a particular type may be used in constructing blades of wind turbines.

#7. Medical Purposes:

Basalt rocks find uses in the medical industry as well. Ophitic basalt, that is a kind of texture formed as a result of ponding of lava and undergone slow cooling, has a lot of use for orthopedic purposes in the medical industry.

Judiciously Using Basalt

Being a geological substance formed out of volcanic processes and covering large surfaces of the Earth’s surface especially oceanic beds, basalt is found in abundance. With its right uses detected, this particular geological formation helps in a lot of humankind’s day to day requirements. for knowing more information about basalt rocks, please visit here for further information.

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Different fish have different requirements and your choice of fish can impact on the types of plants you install, selecting the best pond supplies and as well as how much maintenance is required for your pond on a daily basis.

You also need to think about the fish population – are you going to have breeding pairs of different species and if so, what will you do when your pond starts to get overcrowded?

If you are choosing more than one breed then you also need to make sure you choose fish which not only have the same environmental requirements but choose fish which are sociable and able to live together harmoniously.

Here are five top fish to consider for your pond:

1. Goldfish

By far the most popular choice of fish for ponds and fish tanks, goldfish are small, stunning brightly coloured fish which are really easy to look after and make an ideal first fish for your first pond.

There are different varieties of goldfish which can live together so you can have a range of colours and sizes while sticking with the goldfish breed. They vary from around two to six inches long when fully grown.

They are hardy and adaptable fish and live off plants, insects and crustaceans – so for a first time pond owner goldfish is one of the most ideal choices to introduce you to caring for fish.

2. Koi

If you have a larger pond and are looking more for an ornamental style pond then go for Koi. These beautiful fish grow to a bigger size than goldfish and come in a wide range of beautiful colours and striking patterns.

They are also very hardy and won’t require much maintenance. There are more than 100 varieties of Koi meaning you can have a stunning array of different looking fish in your pond which are all actually the same breed.

Koi are more expensive and do have some particular requirements to survive and thrive so would be a good choice for a more experienced pond owner or one who is looking for a more challenging option.

3. Catfish

Another very popular fish choice for ponds is the catfish. These fish are again, very resilient and adaptable and don’t require much looking after. It’s worth checking the breed as they do vary greatly in size and some catfish types can get huge!

They are easy to look after and eat most bought fish food as well as scavenging the natural sources of food which your pond environment will provide. They make an unusual looking addition to any garden pond.

4. Tilapia

Tilapia suit warm weather outdoors and thrive in warmer waters. They are easy to look after and will eat most types of food, surviving mainly on vegetation and plant-based foods.

They grow quickly so make sure your pond is the right size to accommodate them. Also they prefer a lot of light and like their water to be clean so you will need to keep your pond looked after and clear of algae and weeds for this fish.

5. Killifish

These small fish are ideal for a smaller size pond, particularly with moving water features as they prefer this for their environment. They are strong reproducers so if you want to breed your own fish colony then these will work well for you.

They are easy to look after and feed on insects and plant matter as well as algae so they can help to keep your pond waters cleaned for you.

Conclusion

There are literally hundreds of fish to choose from when you are planning to populate your new garden pond so do some research and shop around for the right fish that will best thrive in the environment you have created.

While some fish are hardier than others, all fish require clean water to thrive so you will need to carry out regular pond maintenance to maintain their health and to keep your pond environment positive.

Make sure your pond is the right size for your fish and don’t allow the population to become overcrowded with babies or your pond will quickly become toxic and unhealthy for your fish.

Looking after your own pond can be wonderfully relaxing and as long as you buy the right fish for your particular water feature you will be able to enjoy looking after them for many years to come, and make the most of the added relaxation which sitting gazing at your pond can bring.

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