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Build a Garden Tunnel with Extranet Shade Netting

An easy do it yourself project that you can do at home to enhance the yield of your garden and grow fresh fruits and vegetables all year round is to build a garden tunnel using 1.5m x10m extranet shade netting. This is a simple project that you can do in a weekend. There are several different sizes and styles that you can choose from. A garden tunnel is the perfect start for the amateur or professional gardener who is interested in starting a garden of their own, but may be a little unsure of how to get it started.

It is a simple exercise to start your garden. You just follow the simple instructions to construct your garden tunnel. Add dirt and fertiliser and plant your seeds or seedlings. In no time you will be reaping the benefits of gardening with the protection of a garden tunnel. The garden will need significantly less water than an unprotected garden. Your garden will be much less susceptible to weeds. This makes a difference in the time needed to maintain and care for your garden. Less time spent watering and weeding means more time to enjoy the outdoors relaxing.  

A garden tunnel provides total protection for your garden from a variety of threats all year round. The plants in your garden, especially the new ones, sometimes need a little extra protection until they are strong enough to withstand the full onslaught of nature’s elements on their own. Shade netting is the obvious solution.

The best part is that unlike tunnels constructed from PVC or plastic sheeting, it allows air and some sunlight to pass through. Shade netting gives your plants the exact amount of sunlight needed for them to be healthy and for processes such as photosynthesis and bearing fruits.

Another benefit of having a covered tunnel is the moderate temperatures that can be maintained under the tunnel. It can provide shade from the blazing heat of the sun, the driving force of the rain, windy days, and cold nights. Usually in some climate zones, there is a lot of variation between temperatures in the daytime and night time. The shade netting can help to minimise the difference so that it is not so drastic. These are essential elements for the success of your garden and to produce fresh green fruits and vegetables all year round.

The elements are not the only external threat to your garden. As a gardener, you know that a lot of things in nature, such as birds and insects will find your fruits and vegetables delicious as well. It is important to protect your gardens from hungry pests, or your efforts to grow your own produce will go in vain. There is also the risk of falling debris such as limbs that can fall and break the delicate stems of your seedlings or crush small plants. Extranet Shade Netting will provide the perfect barrier between the weather, pests, debris, and your garden.

To purchase 1.5m x10m extranet shade netting visit the Mega Trade Store.

Learn how to protect your garden from the harsh summer sun.

Lee Elwell works for Mega Garden Store. He is known for his knowledge in the field of gardening equipment. You can add him on Google Plus. Please add him to your circles.


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Kids do judge a book by its cover – 3 great ways to get your little ones loving reading!

Babies and children love to browse through books well before they can read, and if children can explore their books independently, it helps to plant a love of books and reading from right from the crucial early years.

Here are some ideas to get your kids loving reading!

  1.  Have lots of books around the house!

Studies show that more books in the home lead to greater academic achievement in children.   8 out of 10 kids who have books of their own at home are more likely to be above average readers*.  And if you’re a confident reader, you’re more likely to do better at school, and love reading more.  Kids love getting books as gifts and treats.  Give kids the feeling of ownership by putting their books in a special kids bookcase or book box.

*Source National Literacy Trust, Book Ownership Report 2011.

 

  1. Let kids choose their own books

“Let children choose their own books, from an appropriate selection. This helps build a lifelong love of reading.” Building Blocks US Dept Health and Human Services

What’s more, kids do judge books by the cover!  They need to see the front covers of books (and the often beautiful artwork), rather than the books’ spines to decide whether it’s worth picking up or not.

If kids can choose what they read, then they enjoy reading more.  Nerdy Book Club has 5 great reasons to get children to take control over what they read.  Publishing expert Michael Norris also advises parents NOT to equate reading with ‘good’ behaviour!

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  1. Read real (print) books together

Reading together is a brilliant way to end the day, to have a cuddle or while away a train ride, and of course, starts children off on their journey of reading.  Despite the hype about ebooks, most parents still prefer print books for their kids.   Print books give young children a complete sensory experience; touch, smell and feel of the pages as they turn them, and which builds up their love of books and reading.

3 out of 4 parents and kids, plump for print books for bedtime stories*.  Kids get to use all of their senses, and often kids’ books use flaps or pull outs to add to the story (like the surprise ending in Abigail by Catherine Rayner, or the classic Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell.

*Source Reading is Fundamental/Macy’s 2013

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What do you think?  Have you made a reading corner at home?  How do you get your kids browsing?

This is a guest post from Tidy Books who make brilliant bookcases that get kids reading.  To find out more, visit Tidy Books.


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