By providing birds with the right bird house design, you are sure to attract the type of bird you want to your property. Different variety of birds will require different styles of shelter. Along with the proper shelter, also be sure to provide clean water and food.

Giving birds shelter will keep them safe from the outside temperature. By building a safe haven the birds will be able to nest, and be safe from predators.

Before you begin building, research the variety of birds known to migrate to your area. Be aware of the bird house size and location that will meet the birds need.

Once you are aware of the types of bird in your area, you can look for bird house plans that will meet their needs. The most common wood used for building bird houses is cedar. Cedar makes an excellent material to use, it doesn’t need to be treated, stained, or painted. Always try to avoid painting, especially around the entrance hole.

Drill the proper entrance hole. It is important to know the size of the entrance hole for the birds you are attracting. Researching online for information on birds is a great place to start. Another good place for information is your local library.

Adding a perch to the bird house is not a good idea. Having a perch will give predator birds a place to wait for the bird to come out. This can result in the bird becoming trapped inside, with fear.

It is important to place the bird house in a good location. When choosing a location, keep in mind how weather and predators such as cats will affect your new guest. Choose a place where there is not to much human activity. Make sure you will be able to see and enjoy the bird house from the location you have chosen. The height should be around three to ten feet high. The bird house can be hung on a tree, or mounted to a pole or tree limb.

Provide food for the birds, especially in the winter, food is hard for them to come by. Find out what kind of bird food and treats you will need for the bird variety you are trying to attract. You can experiment by placing different food in different feeders, this should give you an idea what they prefer to eat. Building a basic bird feeder is quite simple. You can find plans online, or by going to a library or bookstore.

Birds are also attracted to water. Water for drinking and bathing is another necessity that birds require. Any shallow container to hold water will do fine. A good location to add water containers is close to the feeders.

Remember to start out by researching the types of birds in your area, so that you can find the right bird house plans. There are many web sites that offer free plans. Also try your library and bookstore for the right plans. Building your own bird house can be a great new hobby, while providing the birds in your area shelter and protection.

Building your own bird house is a great way to attract birds. You can see my free bird house plans at my site http://www.mybackyardplans.com/birdhouses.php I have added pictures and instructions.

Having a good set of plans is essential to achieve good results. With the right plans, building a pergola yourself will save you time and money.

If you have made the decision to build your own pergola, doing a little research will be the first step. Begin by finding a good location where you will be building. Next you will need to figure out the design and size that will work.

Some common types of pergola:

Free Standing Pergola: A free standing pergola will be away from your home, and consist of four corner posts. This style is more common and preferred for overall appearance.

Attached Pergola: An attached pergola will be attached to one side of the house, while the other side will rest on two or more outer posts.

You can find free plans by going to your local library and looking for D.I.Y. pergola books. By looking at some books you can get ideas of the style you will want. Allot of times these books will have plans and will usually have a material list.

Searching online is another great source for plans. There are many sites that offer free plans. By doing a little research you can find just the right design. One of the drawbacks with free plans is finding the size you need. Because of the simple structure, modifying plans to achieve the size you want should not be a problem. If modifying free plans is an issue, invest in some plans. When buying plans, they will be available in many sizes, and the price is low, it is a small investment to get the best results.

Choosing a simple design such as a square or rectangle shape can be built by most do-it-yourself ers. Most plans will come with a cut-out list. Take your time to go over it, making sure you fully understand it before you begin. Once you are ready, cut out all the material. When measuring, be patient, take your time to make sure everything is accurate. Cut all the pieces and assemble according to the plans you will be using.

Having plans with a material list will give you a good idea how much this project will cost. If you don’t have the time, or you feel you don’t have the carpentry skills, show the plans to a contractor or local handyman to get some estimate.

If any digging will be involved make sure you are aware of any utility lines. Be aware of utility lines to avoid damage or injury to yourself.

Also research the material you will be using. Wood is the most common material, always choose the best lumber your budget will allow. Select lumber that works for your climate, and you will also want to keep in mind the maintenance requirements. Redwood and cedar are excellent choices, it looks good, and it will last many years.

Most of the tools used for this project are pretty common. If you find yourself buying some new tools, invest in the best tools your budget will allow. These tools will be a long term investment for building other projects.

Building a pergola is not a hard task. With proper research and preparation, most homeowners can do it themselves. Building it yourself will not only save you money, it will give you the satisfaction of knowing you have a well built pergola that will last many years.

Thinking about building your own pergola? Start by looking at my list of free pergola plans. I have also added a list where you can purchase plans. http://www.mybackyardplans.com/pergolaplans.php

Building a shed is fairly simple, only basic carpentry skills are required. This can be a project many homeowner can do themselves in a couple of weekends.

If you have never built anything before, learning how to build a shed for the first time should be no problem. A shed consist of a fairly simple structure. You can easily learn the kind of construction that is involved by surfing the net for free shed plans. By doing so you will get a good idea of what is involved in the building process. Once you study some plans you should get a good idea if you will be able to take on this project.

If you feel building a shed is beyond your carpentry skills, consider a pre-fabricated shed kit. All the parts will come pre-cut, and ready for assembly. A shed kit will include all the frame, siding, doors, and windows. The most common materials used for these shed kits will be wood, vinyl or metal.

Another option to consider is finding a design you like, and buying the plans. You can show the plans to some of the local handymen in your area, and get some estimates for the labor.

Once you are ready for the construction, finding a good location will be the first step. Finding a place that will blend in with your home and landscaping is ideal. Also keep in mind the style of your shed for best results. Avoid locations were there might be utility lines. Having the shed on top of utility lines will make it difficult to get to in case repairs will need to be made.

Determine what the shed will be used for, to get an idea of the size you will need. Walk around your property with your tape measure, and choose a location that will be adequate. Clear and level the area you have chosen.

If you will be constructing on a skid foundation, digging four inches down and filling it with gravel is recommended. By adding about four inches of gravel the foundation will have less moister and last longer.

In conclusion, most homeowner should be able to take on building a shed from scratch. The tools required are common to most households. Make sure you have the time and the patience.

Find some plans, you will find many different styles of plans online. Find the best design that will fit your landscape, and will not be to difficult for you to build. All plans should come with detailed drawings, dimensions, and a material list.

Before you begin, take your time to study the plans. Get familiar with the steps involved. Go over the material list to get an idea how much this project will cost.

Study and get a good understanding of the plans and material list, take your time to measure and cut all of the parts. Once you have all the material cut, assembly will be a breeze.

Building your own shed will not only save you money, you will have the satisfaction knowing it was built by you.

Always remember to check if any permits will be required. Different cities have different requirements, so remember to find out your requirements, or if a permit will be needed.

For some free shed pans, and instructions on how to build a shed , visit my website www.mybackyardplans.com

Houston Texas is one of the most difficult and challenging climates to design and build landscape gardens in the country. We have heavily compacted soils that when inundated with torrential rains suffocate plants and low lying flood areas that if not installed with a proper drainage system could flood a house. In Houston our temperature extremes from summer drought and 100 degree days to humid fall and spring weather causes plant stress and diseases. These weather extremes also can take their toll on outdoor building elements such as pool and deck surfaces, arbors, and night lighting fixtures. In hiring Houston Landscape Designers, you want not only creative ideas but material know-how, local construction standards, and someone who knows the durability of materials as well. Below we will present the four types of Houston Landscape Designer services available with their positive and negative perspectives as to what they bring to the table for your particular project.

The “design-only” landscape designers

This would be an individual who will meet and provide a design for your landscape but is not involved in the supervision, construction or maintenance of designed elements.

Positives:

• The positive here is that you could get an overall design of your site or master plan for the property to phase in over time and get alternate bids from various landscape contractors for proposed design elements.

Negatives:

• Some of the plants, materials, and design ideas may not work if the landscape designers do not have regular experience with construction, maintenance and plant care.

• Construction of some elements may be cost prohibitive if budget is not taken into consideration with the design.

• Another understandable problem is that the designer is not responsible or does not have to concern themselves with the implementation of proposed elements.

“Landscape Contractors” as “landscape designers”.

A landscape contractor is usually at the other end of the spectrum from the landscape designer in that they may know how to implement and install a garden but may lack design experience.

Positives:

• The positive is that you know what it will cost and a landscape contractor will be able to cost out several options or make several proposals to finally arrive at an acceptable budget.

• Another positive is there may be a cost savings and scheduling may happen much quicker because they may do 80% of the installation.

Negatives:

• The negative is that an overall design is often missing.

• The quality of craftsmanship is questionable even with a portfolio.

• The implementation from proposal to built vision might not be fully realized which are conveyed in design plans, material and construction methods chosen.

Horticulturalist as landscape designer. This might be someone who works at a nursery or local garden center. This person have lots of knowledge about soil and plant health as well as the right plant for the right location. A horticulturalist or plants man may not have an overall design vision, knowledge of irrigation systems, drainage systems, patios and walks.

Positives:

• The positive here would be the variety of plants and proper soil preparation and planting of plant material.

Negatives:

• There could be too much plant variety.

• Could be too much of a plant lover’s garden rather than simple overall home aesthetics.

• Overall design layout of patio, walk and lawn areas might not be as strong.

Landscape Design-Build Company as “designer” and “installer”. In this category responsibility is taken for the overall design, supervision, management and implementation of the landscape plan through completion of all elements to their maintenance.

Positives:

• Design ideas must be able to be implemented.

• Overall costs are based on actuality.

• Flexibility to phase the project in many ways.

• Intent of the design is carried through the construction process.

• Knowledge, understanding and responsibility for the project as the property continues to be maintained.

Negatives:

• May be some additional costs for over sight and general contracting of elements.

The Design-Build process is the most ideal scenario because all design decisions, construction, installation, costs and maintenance of the entire project are taken into consideration representing the most experienced view.

Conclusion

Choosing Houston landscape designers is a difficult task. Considerations including like ability of the designer and fit with their style of work are all essential. In the end analysis one has to decide if compromising price is also compromising quality and value of work.

Jeff Halper is passionate for Landscaping and wants to share infomation about that passion. At Exterior Worlds you can read more about Landscape Designers

Design and installation are the first steps in your landscape design. Then comes the week-in, week-out care and consideration of the landscape. Houston lawn service is a year-round affair which requires attention to maintain the overall design intent, plus some particular tasks caused by our climate and environment.

The Elements of Houston Lawn Service

• Lawn Service

Residential landscape maintenance begins with the lawn. Houston lawns require mowing and trimming weekly from March through October and bi-weekly from November through February. Rotary lawn mowers are the most common type used in Houston because of the prolific use of St. Augustine. Reel lawn mowers are used on zoysia, Bermuda or 419 Tiff varieties. Dethatching, the process of removing thatch or excessively thick grass, promotes healthy lawns. It is done with machine or by hand.

Over-seeding with winter grass (also known as rye grass) is a great way to keep your lawn beautiful throughout the winter months. The local temperature range normally dictates that winter rye seed can be spread in early to late October. It is important to know, however, that rye grass has some disadvantages. For example, the rye grass can compete with the St. Augustine grass for space and nutrition, which makes it difficult on the St. Augustine in the spring. This struggle is particularly apparent in shaded area where grass already has a hard time growing.

• Fertilization

Types of fertilizers include organic, semi-organic, fast release, slow release, winterizer and low salt. Two other important treatments are insecticides and fungicides, which help control fungus and insect infestations, an always present danger in Houston lawn service care.

• Lawn Aeration

Lawn aeration, also known as core aeration, is a recommended lawn care practice for compacted, heavily-used turf and to control thatch build-up. Lawn aeration involves the removal of small soil plugs or cores out of the lawn by a core aerator. The aerator extracts

A fountain bird bath is a great way for both you and your backyard birds have more fun out in your yard. Not only will also add a wonderful ambience to your garden along with the soothing sounds of trickling water, but it will also attract a huge variety of different species of wild birds.

In fact, birds cannot resist the trickling water that can be found in these types of bird baths. And there is nothing more fascinating on a hot summer day and watching birds frolic under the water of your phone while they enjoy a refreshing bath.

There are a few things you want to look out for when buying a fountain bird bath. First of all, you might want to opt for a solar powered one so that you don’t have to worry about where to plug in. However if you do get one that needs electricity you want to be sure that you have a source close by.

Another thing to consider is the depth of the birdbath bowl. Don’t get one that’s too deep because birds prefer shallow bowl and will actually avoid one that is deeper than 3 inches. That being said, if you do find one that you fall in love with and it is deeper than that , you can always fill it up with little stones or pebbles to make it shallower.

The other thing, is that you want the surface of the birdbath to be little bit gritty so the birds can grip it and get a good purchase on the edges.

Finally, you want to choose one that enhances your garden. If you have a big traditional garden, you might want to pick a tiered fountain bath but if your garden is small, you can by smaller bird baths that attract birds just as well but don’t overwhelm your garden. Choosing a fountain that goes with the landscaping will help to make it look like it belongs right in your yard.

Of course, the location that you install the birdbath is critical because you wanted to be a place where birds feel safe and comfortable so that they can let their guard down and really have fun in the bath! Make sure it is in a somewhat sheltered spot where other animals can’t sneak up on them.

Once you have your bird bath installed and working properly, you want to be sure that you keep it clean. Cleaning out at least once a week is imperative that you might want to clean it every day during summer. You wouldn’t want to be that dirty water and neither do your birds. Keeping it free of mold and algae will help ensure that it is a safe environment for your feathered backyard friends.

If you situate your fountain bird bath in the right place and keep the water clean, you will find that it soon attracts a huge variety of wild birds. You may see birds that you have never seen in your yard before as most species love a good bath. Not only will your birds appreciate the bird bath, but you and your family will enjoy their antics all year long.

If you want to learn more about choosing a fountain bird bath as well as see a great variety of bird baths, all you have to do is click here!

Storm Drainage

We are barely into the 21st century and already the Houston area has dealt with Tropical Storm Allison and Hurricane Ike—not to mention other countless, nameless storms. This reality means that a Houston landscape design pretty much demands a well-thought-out storm drainage system. Like irrigation systems, a storm drainage system is an unsung hero of your property. Both systems help your landscape flourish, come rain or shine.

Expertise Required

In addition to the antics of Mother Nature, storm drainage issues are very serious in Houston due to our flat topography, dense clay soils, and heavy forested lots compacted by years of construction that have increased impervious surfaces. These factors have caused more streets and homes to become flooded during the heaviest rainfalls. Consequently, local ordinances are beginning to follow the model used by the Memorial Villages that require minimum pipe sizes, flow rates, temporary drainage systems, engineered drainage plans, calculations, topographic maps, and as/built plans.

“If drainage contractors embark on a drainage project without a thorough understanding of these demands, homeowners may find themselves drowning in a big mess that can cost thousands to rectify,” says Jeff Halper with Exterior Worlds.

Storm Drainage: Parts and Pieces

• Gutter downspout tie-ins. Downspout tie-ins are designed to take water from the gutters to the landscape drainage system. These connections are made of plastic, metal or brass and sometimes have a side cleanout with a see-through grate so they can be easily inspected for clogs.

• Catch basins, or yard drains. Catch basins can be placed under downspouts when it is undesirable or not possible to tie into the gutter. They tie into a PVC main drain line instead and carry water out through the landscape drainage system. Catch basins are usually a plastic or concrete box that uses a plastic or metal drain grate cover to filter out leaves and other waste debris.

• Channel drains. These long narrow strip drains are used between main structures and paving or at the edge of a patio or deck.

• French drainage. Designed to take water away from saturated soil, French drains are small ditches that are filled with undersized rocks or gravel.

• Deck drains. Deck drains are installed in patios, decks and walkways so that water is either sloped toward drains or drained into the landscape beds. They have special drain covers, usually decorative, made of metal, brass or stone. Deck drains are smaller in size than catch basins and are only intended to drain patio surface areas.

When installing a yard drainage system, it is recommended to hand-dig trenches around trees to minimize damage to them. It is best to tunnel under tree roots by using compressed air. This tree preservation method exposes tree roots so they are not torn. Alternately, water can be used to dig deep trenches and expose roots, which also minimizes damage.

Storm Drainage: Affect on Other Systems

Drainage systems and irrigation systems can work in concert with each other. Landscape designers or landscape architects can develop a whole-system approach so that the nuts and bolts of both systems are hidden as much as possible. When that is not possible, the use of custom decorative drain gates can be used to reduce the negative visual impact. The design and location of the two systems should be seamless with the rest of the landscape design.

Storm drainage impacts residential landscape maintenance as well. Since it drains water from low-lying areas, it prevents standing water that can cause slippery surfaces, mosquito breeding grounds and drowned landscaping. A proper landscape drainage system is essential for the care of your lawn as it moves water off of your property in a timely manner, thus encouraging healthy grass and allowing your maintenance crew to perform their regular lawn service duties.

Jeff Halper is passionate for Landscaping and wants to share infomation about that passion. At Exterior Worlds you can read more about Houston Storm Drainage

Everyone knows intuitively what a “normal” sunflower looks like. Tall and bright, they take on an almost majestic appearance by the time they’ve grown to full height. Mexican sunflowers are striking in the way they look, but many passersby would be surprised to discover that the plants are actually part of the sunflower line. They look different, they’re shorter, but they look no less regal than their taller brethren.

In this article, we’ll explore growing Mexican sunflowers (it’s scientific name is Tithonia rotundifolia). I’ll describe some of the traits that are exclusive to the breed as well as how to plant and care for them to encourage the best crop.

Their Appearance

They typically grow to a full height of only 5 feet. Some varieties have been known to reach 8 feet while others only reach 2 or 3. In most cases, the plant is relatively short when compared to a regular sunflower at twice the height. One of the reasons why people don’t realize that they’re part of the same breed is because they look completely different. Tithonia have heads that are only a few inches in diameter and they boast a deep orange-red color. Through cross-breeding, some varieties have been grown with yellow heads, though most growers prefer the distinctly sharp orange or vibrant red.

The leaves of the Mexican sunflower are usually coarse and reach a length between 6 and 8 inches. They’re green, shaped like a spade, and have a noticeable fuzz across their surface.

Traits Of The Breed

Tithonia love the sun and grow quickly under full exposure. They have 2 flowering seasons: one in the summer (from July to the middle of September) and one during the fall (from October through the end of November). When grown to harvest, they’ll only yield approximately 50 seeds, a tiny amount compared to the several hundred seeds produced by a regular sunflower. Most gardeners who grow them do so for their appearance rather than their seed yield.

How To Plant Them

Most varieties of Tithonia are extremely easy to grow as long as they have direct, plentiful access to sunlight. They’ll develop well in fertile soil that has been drained properly, but can also thrive in sites that haven’t been drained or offer less fertility. Like regular sunflowers, they’re resilient. That said, they should be planted after the last trace of frost has disappeared; while the plant can withstand arid or dry climates well, it can’t tolerate frost.

Also, it’s important to note that Tithonia are soil scavengers. Because they tend to scavenge the nutrients within the soil and grow outward, they should be planted approximately 3 feet apart. That will prevent them from cannibalizing the site.

How To Care For Them

Mexican sunflowers need plenty of water when they’re grown in extremely dry climates. However, take care not to drown them. They absorb water well and don’t need a constant supply. When you first plant them, you should water them daily. After a week, watering them every other day is sufficient. Also, consider using a compost or fertilizer mix, especially if the site in which they’re planted isn’t particularly fertile.

You may also want to mulch the soil around each plant and stake them once they’ve reached nearly a foot in height.

A Dazzling Display

Because this variety has such a vibrant color, it makes an ideal ornamental plant. When used within an outside garden, only a few are necessary to have a noticeable impact. When used in a bouquet of flowers, 1 or 2 heads in the middle can have an unparalleled intensity. Inside or out, in gardens or bouquets, Tithonia captures attention and makes an unforgettable impression.

This sunflower information is brought to you by The Sunflower Guy, the best way to send sunflowers anywhere.

Sunflowers have always been the target of disease. Even though some of them are most dominant in certain locations in the U.S., others manifest wherever the crop is grown. For example, head rot is prevalent throughout California, but downy mildew can be found on crops harvested across the entire country. Over the past few decades, more than 30 diseases have been found on crops (though most of them either won’t cause severe damage or can be controlled easily). Below, we’ll explore a few of the most important diseases and the type of damage they usually cause.

Rust

Rust is a constant thorn in the side of commercial growers because it evolves, making it difficult (though, not impossible) to cultivate resistant hybrids. It’s caused by a fungus called Puccinia helianthi and shows up on sunflower planted throughout the U.S. In mild cases, you’ll notice auburn-colored spots showing up on the leaves and stems. When an infestation has occurred, rust can show up on the backs of the heads.

The damage caused by rust can be substantial. It can lead to reduced seed count, smaller seed size, and less oil content. The most effective way to prevent an infestation is to plant resistant breeds, though again, it’s hard to keep up with the fungi’s evolution. Also, it’s worth noting that some types of fertilizer can make the problem even worse.

Downy Mildew

Another disease that affects sunflower crops nationwide is downy mildew. It’s usually found in places where the soil is either water-logged or has a significant amount of clay. For years, professional growers were able to use resistant breeds to keep it at bay. However, new strains of the parent fungus (Plasmopara halstedii) have caused growers to revisit their methods. Most hybrids that are used commercially can resist a couple of different strains of downy mildew. However, 9 strains have been identified in the U.S.

This fungus often takes hold at the seedling stage. When that happens, it stunts the growth of the crop and causes the heads to face skyward (as opposed to nodding late in the growth cycle). If the infection spreads across the entire crop, it can have a significant impact on seed yield.

Spots

Spots can appear on the stems and leaves of sunflowers due to 2 different fungi: Alternaria helianthi and Alternaria zinniae. They’re dark brown and can gain control quickly during the flowering stages. The infection is mostly seen in crops that are grown in the Northern states and is associated with high humidity and warm temperatures. If you plant sunflowers in soil that is already infected, there’s a good chance you’ll see spots during the early growth stages.

There are a couple of fungicides that can be used on crops to prevent an infestation. But, most growers prefer to use crop rotation methods. When they notice sunflowers that are infected with spots, they’ll typically bury them, so they’ll decompose quickly.

Disease Management

The strategies that are used to manage the onset and spread of diseases vary by grower. Some use fungicides and seed treatments. Others rotate crops. Most professional growers make use of hybrids that are resistant to specific infections. That said, there’s an ongoing challenge to develop resistance to new strains of the most prevalent fungi. In all cases, it’s important to limit the rotation of sunflowers in the same soil to at least 4 years. Not only does that help minimize the spread of diseases throughout the crops, but it also helps increase yield and soil productivity.

This sunflower information is brought to you by The Sunflower Guy, the best way to send sunflowers anywhere.

Your drying strategy will depend on whether you’re growing sunflowers for crop yield or in a personal garden. Today, we’ll focus on a large harvest. The time required to dry the crop is going to be influenced by the moisture content, temperature of the drying room, and the humidity to which your harvest is exposed. Variances in any of these factors will change the dry rate. For example, raising the temperature a few degrees will cause the moisture level of your sunflowers to decline, thereby shortening the time needed to dry them. Below, I’ll provide a few helpful tips that you can use when drying your next crop.

#1 – Use A Moisture Meter

You’ll need to invest in a reliable moisture meter. If you’re a hobby grower, you won’t need one. But, assuming you’re harvesting a large crop, a meter is essential for measuring the level of moisture contained in the seeds. It’s only by taking this measurement that you’ll be able to accurately judge the approximate drying period. If you’re already an experienced grower, you’ll probably already own one. If not, plan on spending $200 or more.

#2 – Don’t Overcompensate

If you grow other crops that need to be dried (for example, corn and grain varieties), take care not to over-dry your sunflowers. Compared with a lot of other crops, lower quantities of moisture need to be removed from them. At any given temperature, it’s easy to overdo it. If you’ve harvested your crop early to prevent bird and disease damage, they’re going to have a higher moisture content and require more time to dry. Even so, keep a close eye on the dryer and take several moisture measurements with the meter.

#3 – Watch For Fires

Sunflowers always present the potential for a fire if you’re using a dryer with an open flame. The reason is due to the fibers. The seeds have fine hairs and fibers that invariably rub loose when you’re handling the crop. When they get caught in the flame, they ignite in the burner. If the hairs and fibers are consumed by the flame before touching the rest of the harvest, there’s no chance that a fire will spread. The best way to manage the risk is to place fans that blow across the sunflowers, away from your dryer. That way, the fibers are pushed in the opposite direction of the burner.

#4 – Maintain Consistency

A common mistake made by both new and experienced growers is to neglect drying consistency. If you’ve harvested a relatively small crop, this won’t be much of an issue. However, larger crops are susceptible to “patch drying” where certain areas of the facility receive more exposure to air flow than others. When that happens, you’ll find that some of your sunflowers will be dried out while others retain too much moisture. Make sure that the fans and blowers you’ve set up deliver a consistent flow across the entire facility.

Confluence Of Small Factors

There aren’t any secrets to drying sunflowers. It’s mostly a matter of applying a number of smart tactics and adhering to common safety measures. By using a moisture meter and taking steps to prevent overdrying, you’ll enjoy a higher yield. And by setting up fans in the right positions (blowing away from your dryer’s open flame), you can reduce the always-present risk of fire. Finally, apply a consistent flow of air. If you do those 4 things, you’ll have a higher yield with better quality.

This sunflower information is brought to you by The Sunflower Guy, the best way to send sunflowers anywhere.