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Lawn Care And Lawn Maintenance

Is your current lawn old and looking tired and you keep asking yourself the question ‘how can I renovate an ugly old lawn’?

Is it patchy and lumpy looking?

Is your lawn weed infested even after applying weed control products regularly?

If any of these questions are true of your lawn, this article will guide you on the ways you can restore your lawn and get it back to looking great.

Deciding to renovate your existing lawn or scrapping the entire lawn altogether and start from scratch is a difficult decision.

For your efforts to bear fruits, you need to figure out why you want to or need to restore your lawn.

If you do not determine the problem, fixing the lawn can be tough. For instance, when over seventy percent of the grass in your lawn is dead, whether it is because of being cut too short, soil compaction or not receiving enough water, the easiest way to renovate your lawn is removing the grass and starting afresh.

However, if your lawn is infested with weeds or has several dry patches, you can still just concentrate on these areas and make your lawn look great again.

Today we are going to guide you on how to renovate a lawn that is more than 50 percent dead and how to maintain it in top shape.

The first thing to do is contacting a local extension service to test your soil to see whether you will need to amend it. Once you have the results, you can order for compost and amend your soil as per the instructions.

Next, you need to rent some power tools such as the sod cutter that will help you to cut the dead grass and a rotary tiller to blend the amendments.

These power tools can help you to renovate about 1,500-square feet of lawn in one weekend.

The following tips will assist you in renovating your lawn easily.

Getting Started

Remove The Old Grass

Hire a sod cutter and use it to remove the old, dry grass. This power tool will help you to cut the grassroots while making long tiles of loose sod.

This machine is easy to use and helps you to remove old grass quickly and effortlessly.

You can make use of your hoe to eliminate the tight spots around the house.

After cutting the long strips, chop them into manageable pieces with a spade and scoop them into your wheelbarrow.

Take this waste to your compost.

Till The Soil And Add Compost

The next step is loosening your soil.

A rotary tiller will help you to loosen about 2-4 inches of the soil.

For heavily compacted soil, look for a rear line till. However, if the soil is loose, a midline tiller is a better choice.

Then you will need to add compost to improve the drainage and give the grass the nutrients it needs to grow well.

Spread manure about 3-inches deep and add about one inch of sand to clay soil to improve the drainage.

Use the tiller to blend these components with the soil thoroughly.

Grade The Soil

The next step is to smooth out your lawn using a grading rake.

Use the rake to amend the top two inches until no lumps are remaining.

Smoothening and amending the topsoil is easy.

Begin by holding the rake closer to the ground to allow the teeth to blend the soil thoroughly. Hold the rake handle higher until all the soil is smooth.

To avoid fatigue or back pain, take short strokes and complete small patches at a time.

Picking The Right Grass

There is a variety of grass available on the market.

Some of the factors you need to consider include the quality of sod you expect, drought tolerance, how you want to use it, the effort needed for maintenance as well as resistance to insects and diseases.

Always stay away from cheap blends of seeds as this could lead to uneven germination or low-quality grass.

You should also avoid selecting mixes with noxious weeds, annual grasses, and seeds with low germination percentages.

Spreading The Grass Seed

Use a spreader to add nutrients as per the recommendation from your soil testing service.

You can then spread the new seeds with the spreader set at its broadest extension.

For the best results, overlap each pass by a few inches. After spreading the seeds, water the lawn well every day until all the seeds have germinated.

General Lawn Maintenance

Reseeding Small Patches

If there are any holes or low spots, you need to fill them before replanting.

Ensure that your lawn is level and takes care of any other drainage problem.

After the grass has germinated, you may need to reseed small patches that may be left bare.

Here you will require a garden weasel. This tool will allow you to rough the small areas and tight spaces allowing you to make good seed to soil contact.

Mulch Large Bare Spots

Marsh hay or weed-free straw will help you to prevent erosion and conserve moisture.

Some of the other materials that you can use for mulching including paper pellets, wood fiber materials or any other erosion control blankets.

Erosion blankets are very useful especially if you are planting the seeds on a slope.

Most of the erosion blankets allow the grass to grow through them and decompose after some time, meaning you do not have to remove them.

Water Your Lawn Regularly

The new seeds, as well as the young seedlings, require a lot of water.

Ensure the lawn is moist all the time until the grass covers the ground.

When watering the seeds, ensure there is no runoff as this could cause erratic germination.

You can increase the water as the grass continues to grow and reduce the watering interval when the grass has covered the ground.

Fertilize Your Lawn

After 4-5 weeks after seeding, apply 1 lb. Nitrogen/1,000 square feet.

This will increase the shoot density and enhance the color.

Additionally adding this fertilizer will improve the seedlings ability to withstand rust and diseases.

Mowing

After more than 70 percent of the grass has reached 2-3 inches, you can now start mowing.

Mowing will enhance lateral shoot development, increasing the stand density.

While mowing it is important to ensure that your mower blade is super sharp as dull, blades will tear young seedlings from the soil.

Weeding The Lawn

After mowing twice or the grass has covered more than 80 percent of the ground, you can now start using the weed control products.

However, take care as you may still have young seedlings that are not yet hardy to withstand the weed control products.

Using the above tips will help you to renovate your lawn quickly to have a beautiful yard that you can be proud of.

After the grass has fully developed, you can now enjoy your lawn.

You have worked for it, so you can now use it for baseball, parties, picnics or any other outdoor adventure you have in mind.

This article was contributed by Dianne Lampe, a person passionate about all things related to gardening. She blogs about indoor and outdoor planting as well as offering useful information about the best gardening products.

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Outdoor Fountains And Water Features

Outdoor Water Features -beautiful Shower structure waterfall from viralnova

Beautiful shower structure waterfall. Source from viralnova

A water feature in a home garden adds something to the overall ambiance that makes one’s soul feel welcomed and at home. Some people say they could sit and stare at a water feature for hours. The sound of dabbling, dripping or running water has a calming and soothing effect and can help melt away the everyday stress many of us feel under.

There are many different types of water feature, from a simple pond through to elaborate cascading fountains. If you are considering renovating or remodelling your back garden, you really should consider installing a professional water feature, ideally near to where you might be seated when you are entertaining outdoors. There can be some relatively simple and cheap water features, but it is often worth the extra investment to have a pump installed to keep recycling the water through the process.

Well worth it in the long run, and if you choose well (in terms of design)- you will add value to your home, and if you ever do decide to sell, the water feature will have people liking your home just that bit more.

Stunning tornado look water feature

Water feature Source via don gardner architects

Water fountain in the garden or park

Water fountain with abstract background

Cascading water feature Image via 5-livedan330-com

Contemporary patio fountain water feature

Classic water fountain

Diy waterfalls for your garden showing a stunning copper sheet water feature. Image via beesandroses.com

Water fountain creating ripples in the pond

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Playhouses and Huts in The Trees

Beautiful well constructed tree house, built around the tree.

Do you remember back as a kid when you hassled your Dad to build you a tree house? Maybe you were a little more pro-active and took it upon yourself to find some old scrap building materials and built one yourself. The art of building a tree house (if your lucky enough to have a tree in your back yard that is big enough to take a tree house) is something that kids should put their hands to during their growing years.

They create a sense of accomplishment (and as long as all the safety aspects are followed, and a supervising eye from a parent) for the child if they are able to pretty much build it themselves. Then when it comes to using it, there is often a pride of ownership that is distinctly different to their bedroom.

I remember myself building a tree hut in my backyard when I was about twelve, and being so proud of it, I wanted to decorate it with all sorts, curtains, carpet, and even giving it a lick of paint. It was around that time I came to realize just how expensive a lot of decor and decorating items were. The carpet was definitely not an affordable option (even though in retrospect, a small cheap mat may have done the job for the space we were talking about), the curtains were shortlived, but I did manage to scrounge some old unused paint from my Dad’s garage.

A home backyard tree house will build character for your child and provide them with a feeling of having somewhere to escape to when and if they need some alone time. So if your child asks you to let them build one, support them and encourage them, but based on my experiences I would strongly suggest that you work with them and plan a few things first, like access, water proofing and roofing to name a few important ones.

Treehouse on the beach.

Wooden child’s tree house in snow.

Well constructed cuicrcular tropical tree house

Treehouse with open platform and edge railings and walk way at Nay Aug Park

Remote wooden tree house with plenty of wooden steps up to the entrance

Beautifully constructed and built tree house with a staircase and a slide for the children’s games.

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Growing Herbs Indoors For Beginners

Growing Herbs indoors or beginners -Three pots of herbs in a kitchen window Marjoram, Rosemary, and Lemon Balm.

Growing an Indoor Herb Garden with your own indoor growing systems at home can be a real convenience, especially of you’re an avid cook. Nothing comes close to having a selection of fresh (organic) home grown herbs at your finger tips to add to your latest cooking masterpieces.

Growing herbs indoors doesn’t require a lot of space, despite what you may think. You can grow a selection of your favorite herbs indoors in an apartment or a mansion. It makes no real difference.

Typically most people will create a herb garden in tiny little pots that they will sit atop a windowsill in their kitchen. This usually means the plant or plants will get the required daily attention it needs to prosper and grow. It also makes it simple and easy when cooking, to just snip a piece or two from the plant without causing it any undue stress, meaning that there will be plenty more to use at a later date. Herbs are usually quite forgiving when you snip a piece or two here or there. They usually bounce back (as long as you aren’t too greedy and brutal) well.

Even if you aren’t fortunate enough to have a sunny spot in your kitchen, all you need is an another room to grow these indoor herbs provided it has regular warmth and sunlight.

Young lettuce in ecological home garden. Eco-friendly backyard garden, vegetable garden.

Finding The Best Spot For Growing Your Indoor Herb Garden?

When it comes to growing herbs indoors, you should find the sunniest spot in your home because herbs require as much natural light as possible. It’s the old story; give a plant sun and plenty of regulated water, and you’ll end up with a decent crop.

From seeds, you need to plant them in a decent pot of soil and then place them in a sunny spot, ideally near a window so that they are likely to receive at least 4 hours of daily sunshine. Depending on which hemisphere you live in, you’ll want to ensure your windows are south facing (for northern hemisphere people) or north facing (if you live in the southern hemisphere). This will ensure that the plants receive the fullest amount of daylight sunshine possible.

Herbs grow indoors, fresh aromatic herbs in pots on window.

One way to test the amount of sunlight a room (or spot) receives is to turn off all lights in the room and then monitor just how much natural sunlight the room receives during the day. It doesn’t have to be direct sunlight such as full sun rays, however it needs to be light and bright in order to benefit the plant.

Photosynthesis which is the process by which plants turn Carbon Dioxide and sunlight into green foliage is akin to providing any living being with the right energy needs. even us humans require oxygen and food in order to function. On the same note plants need CO2 and sunlight. It is possible to provide plants with plenty of artificial light and this will still result in good quality growth, however, for the best flavorsome end result, you want to provide as close to a natural environment as possible.

Decoration in the garden and plants in the frame

Its exceptionally important that you keep your herbal plants well watered, but at the same time, they must also be well drained. Keeping the little pots sitting on a base, or a saucer, will mean that any drain through won’t damage whatever surface you have them sitting on. It’s important that your herb’s roots don’t sit in ‘undrained’ water as this will rot them, and end up killing your plants.

Be careful and pay particular attention to your plants depending on your own home environment. If you are growing herbs indoors and its winter, then be aware, that the internal heating that you use to keep your home warm can also cause your plants to become dry and stressed. keep them well watered, but not overly so. the should should be damp to the touch but not saturated.

You’ll come to realize that most indoor herbs like the internal climate (assuming you take good care of them). Compared to the outdoors, most homes offer a fairly consistent temperature year round, and for this reason, you can comfortably grow herbs inside most of the year. If you can maintain your inside temperature between about 65 and 70 degrees (F), throughout the year, then you’ll achieve the optimum growth temperature for your indoor plants.

Spring in formal eco home garden. Organic cultivation of herbs and vegetables

During winter, (depending of course on where you live) be aware, that the air next to the window can be considerably cooler and also hotter in summer than your ambient inside temperatures, so be careful with their watering and ensure they aren’t in direct contact with the windows as this can cause temperature shock.

You’ll probably find that indoor herbs aren’t quite as generous as their outdoor counterparts when it comes to the way they grow, nevertheless, you should still be able to get a decent volume of clippings during their life. If you do end up harvesting some of their leaves on a regular basis, a little bit of fertilization once a month can assist in maintaining a good crop.

Spicy chili colorful planting in the garden.

Health Benefits of Common Everyday Herbs That Grow Well Indoors

So what types are easy to grow herbs? When it comes to planting herbs inside, what are the best herbs to grow indoors? This isn’t an exhaustive list and whatever herbs you decide try growing indoors, just give anything a go, experiment, and before long, you’ll know what types of herbs thrive best in your home environment, but here are a few to start you off

Marjoram

Also known as Sweet Marjoram, or knotted marjoram, it is a part of the Mint family. It is also one of the most common and popular herbs used in the Mediterranean. Grown and used for both its medicinal properties as well as its culinary taste, it is commonly used to flavor soups, sauces, salads, and meat dishes.

It has a delicate sweet flavor, along with a subtle slightly spicy pungent taste. It is used as a herbal health remedy for cardiovascular health as well as an anti-inflammatory and also supposedly having neurological and emotional benefits

Spices and Herbs

Rosemary

Native to the Mediterranaean, Rosemary is a charmingly fragrant herb that is the perfect pot herb to have in your kitchen garden. It is one of the few herbs recognized for its health benefiting properties as well as its nutritional value, being a good source of iron, calcium and Vitamin B6.

Also a member of the Mint family, its botanical name is Rosmarinus officinalis, and it was traditionally used as a health giving herb to help alleviate muscle pain, boost the immune and circulatory system, supposedly to improve memory, and also to promote hair growth.

Known as a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, Rosemary has numerous health benefits, and one of the more recent developments concerning Rosemary is that food scientists have discovered that rosemary, oregano and marjoram contain compounds that may have the benefits to potentially manage type 2 diabetes much in the same way as some of the currently prescribed diabetes drugs.

Rosemary, mint, lavender and other herbs in the pot.

Mint

There are many types of mint within the Mint family. Such as spearmint, peppermint, wild mint, along with a number of others. Mint,also known as mentha has one of the highest antioxidant capacities of any food so its no wonder that Mint oil is often used in toothpaste, gum, candy and beauty products while the leaves are used either fresh or dried for teas and in food.

Mint has been studied for its effectiveness in relieving seasonal allergy symptoms, and is proving promising as a possible natural treatment. Mint also contains menthol, which is why it is shown to have positive impacts on colds and because it also a calming and soothing herb it is often used for people with upset stomachs or indigestion, and is a potential preventative for gastric ulcers in susceptible people.

Rosemary in white pot with other white pot herb as background.

Coriander or Cilantro

To avoid the ongoing confusion around the naming of this herb, in the United States, the leaves of the plant are referred to as cilantro (the Spanish translation) and the seeds which are often used in Asian cooking, are referred to as coriander.

A lot of recent studies have suggested that the consumption of herbal plants like cilantro decreases the risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular illness, whilst also promoting healthy skin and hair and increased energy levels.

Cilantro has an high antioxidant content. The oil extracted from the leaves has been shown to inhibit the oxidation process when added to other foods, effectively delaying or even preventing spoilage. The leaves of Cilantro are commonly used in many Asian (and Oriental) dishes. The flavor of the leaves is distinct and very appealing, adding significant flavor benefits to many of these dishes, either during the cooking process or as a garnish whilst serving.

Rosemary bound on a wooden board

Mix of herbs in colored buckets in garden.

Kitchen window garden view plants

Grow Basil pot -Italian Basil growing small plants planted in a garden pot

Basil

This can be a tricky herb to grow. It seems it either loves its environment or not, and that will determine whether or not you end up with a bumper crop or not. Most ‘kitchen gardeners’ yearn for basil in their indoor crop. If you have plenty of sun and the right temperatures indoors, it should thrive, but we would suggest that you don’t keep it on a cool windowsill. Basil leaves don’t like cool air. This will cause the leaves to droop and fade after a short time. It prefers a consistent indoor temperature in the 70s both day and night.

The health benefits of Basil include the reduction of inflammation and swelling with studies Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s annual event showing reductions in swelling of up to 73% within 24 hours following treatment.

Rich in antioxidants, Basil has been shown in other studies to be helpful in preventing some of the effects of aging, by preventing damage to the liver, heart and brain caused by some free radicals.

Herbs on window.

Chives

Chives come from the allium family of vegetables and herbs. (These include the likes of garlic, scallions, onions and leeks) Allium vegetables have been cultivated for centuries, not only their characteristic, pungent flavors but also for their medicinal properties. Chives make a great addition to many culinary foods, such as egg and cheese dishes, potato salads, sauces and as toppings for many soups.

The stiff, hollow, tubular leaves of chives are similar to that of spring onions, but significantly smaller in diameter.

Chives are a nutrient-dense food. They are low in calories but are high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Interestingly, One tablespoon of chopped chives contains only 1 calorie, whilst providing 3% of the daily value of both vitamins A and C. A single serving of chives also contains a small amount other essential vitamins and minerals.

Allium vegetables have been studied extensively in recent times in relation to cancer. Allium vegetables showed some potential to inhibit cancer cell growth in stomach and colorectal cancers, and also in regards to prostate cancers, en with high intakes of allium vegetables appeared to have the lowest risk for prostate cancer.

Herbs in plant pots growing on a windowsill.

Thyme

Thyme herb is packed with numerous health benefiting phyto-nutrients (plant derived compounds), minerals and vitamins that are essential for overall wellness. One of the most popular among the culinary herb plants.

The essential oil of common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) – usually referred to as “oil of thyme” – contains 20-54% thymol. Thymol belongs to a naturally-occurring class of compounds known as “biocides” (substances that can destroy harmful organisms). When thymus is used alongside other biocides, it has strong antimicrobial attributes.

Acne, High Blood Pressure, and some cancers have been shown to be beneficially treated with thyme and its oils. One particular study in Turkey on the effects of Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) on breast cancer activity and reported in the journal Nutrition and Cancer indicated that Wild Thyme induced cell death in the breast cancer cells. The study authors consequently concluded that Wild Thyme “may be a promising candidate in the development of novel therapeutic drugs for breast cancer treatment.”

The flowers, leaves and oil of the thyme herb are also often used by in the treatment of bedwetting, diarrhea, stomach ache, arthritis, colic, sore throat, bronchitis, flatulence and also as a diuretic.

Herbs growing on window.

Peppermint

Peppermint has a long history of use in herbal medicine and aromatherapy. It is also used for adding flavor or fragrance to several foods, cosmetics, soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and other products.

Peppermint oil is a concentrated oil made from the peppermint plant which is extracted by steam distillation from the whole fresh or partly dried plant before it starts to flower. As with many herbs, it is the oily that contains the agents responsible for the health effects.

Many studies have shown that peppermint oil can improve pain management in irritable bowel syndrome. It appears to work by relaxing the smooth muscles in the colon, which relieves pain experienced during bowel movements. It also well renown for helping to reduce abdominal bloating, or indigestion.

There are also some studies that indicate when peppermint is used in aromatherapy, it can help fight nausea. In a study of over 1,100 women during labor, peppermint aromatherapy caused significant reductions in nausea.

Peppermint has also been indicated to show benefits with the following conditions; car sickness, treating colds and flu, relieving tension headaches and migraines, and calming skin irritations and itchiness.

Green grass plant decorating.

Dill

Dill is a unique perennial herb with a pleasant anise-like flavor. Its sprigs (leaves) as well as seeds are employed as seasoning in many cuisines around the world. A member in the Umbelliferae family, a large group of flowering herbs and spices that also include caraway, parsley, cumin, and fennel.

Dill contains many plant derived chemical compounds that are known to have anti-oxidant, disease preventative, and health promoting properties. It is rich in vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, niacin, and pyridoxine as well as also being high in dietary fibre and many minerals like copper, potassium, manganese, iron and magnesium.

Dill leaves and seeds contain a number of essential oils that have shown potential health benefits; such as possibly reducing blood sugar levels in diabetics and antioxidant and antiseptic properties.

Dill herb has all the characteristics to consider it as a very valuable food component. 100 g of dill weed provides only 43 calories, but its phyto-nutrients profile is no less than any other high-calorie food source; be it nuts, pulses, cereals, or even a meat group.

Green dill plants growing on bed.

Parsley

Parsley is a popular culinary and medicinal herb. Parsley is often used to enhance the flavor or presentation of a dish, commonly used as a garnish or as an afterthought. It is quite unique in that it contains antioxidants, and disease preventing properties.

A very leafy herb that grows prolifically, it is a small plant featuring dark-green leaves that resemble coriander (cilantro) leaves, especially in the flat-leaf variety. However, its leaves are larger by size and milder in flavor than that of leaf-coriander.

Parsley has been linked to a number of health benefits. A flavanol found in parsley and known as Myricetin has displayed chemo-preventative effects on skin cancers. Parsley is one of a few foods to contain the highest levels of Myricetin. Parsley has also been linked to having positive effects on other cancer tumors. Myricetin has also been evaluated as a possible treatment or preventative for diabetes due to in vitro studies indicating it may possibly lower blood sugar levels

Parsley and other green herbs and vegetables that contain high amounts of chlorophyll have been shown to be effective at blocking the carcinogenic effects of grilling foods at a high temperatures, so it makes sense to include parsley on your plate when enjoying barbecued foods.

Freshly clipped herbs on wooden background.

Oregano

Oregano is a wonderful perennial culinary and medicinal herb. Long recognized as one of the “functional foods” due to its nutritional, anti-oxidants and disease preventing properties. The herb, whose name means “delight of the mountains” in Greek, is native to the Mediterranean region.

Oregano has been used to treat respiratory tract disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, menstrual cramps, and urinary tract disorders. Being rich in dietary fiber, manganese, Vitamin K, iron, vitamin E, calcium, omega fatty acids, and tryptophan, it is an amazing herb that can aid in bone growth, and maintaining bone density.

It has also been shown to provide antimicrobial properties due to an ingredient called carvacol. Some researchers have even indicated that the essential oil within Oregano can kill hospital superbugs. Professor Vyv Salisbury, who was part of the research, said “We have done a few preliminary tests and have found that the essential oil from the oregano kills MRSA at a dilution 1 to 1,000. The tests show that the oil kills MRSA both as a liquid and as a vapor and its antimicrobial activity is not diminished by heating in boiling water.”

Aside from this, Oregano also displays anti-inflammatory properties, cancer protective properties along with a whole raft of other health benefits. This is certainly one herb, you’ll want to include in your diet.

Freshly clipped herbs on wooden background.

Sage

The sage plant has gray-green edible leaves and flowers. Sage has a long history of medicinal use for a wide variety of ailments ranging from mental disorders to gastrointestinal discomfort. Due to its high antioxidant capacity, sage has been shown to help protect the body from cell damage caused by free radicals.

Sage is one of the more popular herbs. It holds numerous virtues and has long been recognized as the guardian of herbs. It has been used in both European and Chinese herbal medicines for its health promoting and disease preventing properties for centuries.

One particular benefit relates to a study published in Complimentary Theories in Medicine, whereby 40 patients with diabetes and high cholesterol were given a sage leaf extract for 3 months. At the end of the trial, the participants showed a lower fasting glucose, HbA1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL (the bad cholesterol levels), but high HDL (good cholesterol).

Another study of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease who were given either a sage extract or a placebo for 4 months, revealed that those given the sage extract showed an improvement in cognition as well as less agitation compared to the placebo group.

Fresh herbs in the kitchen on a wooden table

Top view on a big bunch of fresh healthy green parsley in an organic vegetable and herb garden.

Please note: Many of the health benefits stated in this article many be subject to further studies and testing. We are not suggesting that any of these herbs are able to treat, prevent or cure any ailment, disease or condition, merely that they have potential positive benefits to overall health.

References: Medical News Today

Wrought Iron Fences

Wrought iron fences aren’t that common anymore. However this picture above shows a classic wrought iron fence used in surrounding a government building.

According to Wikipedia, “wrought iron is an iron alloy with a very low carbon (less than 0.08%) content in contrast to cast iron (2.1% to 4%). It has fibrous inclusions known as slag up to 2% by weight. It is a semi-fused mass of iron with slag inclusions which gives it a “grain” resembling wood, that is visible when it is etched or bent to the point of failure.

Wrought iron is tough, malleable, ductile, corrosion-resistant and easily welded. Before the development of effective methods of steelmaking and the availability of large quantities of steel, wrought iron was the most common form of malleable iron.”

Decorative boundary wrought iron fencing. Image via www.salemfence.com

Wikipedia continues on to say; “A modest amount of wrought iron was used as a raw material for refining into steel, which was used mainly to produce swords,cutlery, chisels, axes and other edged tools as well as springs and files.

The demand for wrought iron reached its peak in the 1860s with the adaptation of ironclad warships and railways. However, as properties such as the brittleness of mild steel improved, it became less costly and more widely available than wrought iron, whose usage then declined.

Gracious old brick home with a wrought iron fence.

Wrought iron is no longer produced on a commercial scale. Many products described as wrought iron, such as guard rails,garden furniture and fences and gates, are actually made of mild steel. They retain that description because in the past they were wrought (worked) by hand.“

Strong detail and lines of black wrought iron fencing that runs along the property line of a home