ourbackyards

Landscaping your yard On a Budget

2009-10-24T12:30:00.000-07:00

Is it possible to have a unique look to your yard without investing thousands of dollars to it every year? I truly believe it is. By practicing some basic conservation ideas you can save money and still make your yard look great.

1. The best way to stay within your means when it comes to landscaping is to do the job yourself as with many other areas of budget concern. This would mean doing everything, from picking your plants to weeding and pruning. Now to many of us who really enjoy being out in the yard this is fun. For those of you who question your knowledge and ability, the information age is in full swing and it is not hard to educate yourself well on all the different tasks specific to your yard.

As for the weeds, you are probably going to have to expect a few. If good isn’t good enough when it come to waging a campaign against your weeds (and this is especially true of your lawn) you are going to end up spending a lot of time and money on various chemicals and treatments. These procedures may in the end be doing more harm than good. Be satisfied with some weeds in your lawn, particularly if they have some intrinsic appeal, such as clover.

2. One great new innovation that is all the rage is the art of xeriscaping. Xeriscaping refers to landscaping and gardening in ways that reduce or eliminate the need for supplemental watering. It is often promoted in areas that do not have a good supply of fresh water, but it is also catching on in other areas as climate patterns shift. With water becoming an ever more valuable commodity, many homeowners, when it comes to their yard, are seeking to conserve their water costs by choosing plants that do not need as much water to survive. These plants are available in many different varieties, and they will add a splash of color to your yard while still saving you money. Knowing which plants tend to use a lot of water like cedar hedges, for example, is crucial so they can be avoided. You won’t want to plant any of these if you are concerned about your water costs!

Another way to save money on water is to include material that has good water retention qualities when you’re planting new plants. For example, Peat moss is very inexpensive. When you mix it in with the dirt and bone meal while planting your new flowers or hedges, any water that goes near the area will be soaked up and retained for later use as the plant’s needs dictate.

3. Don’t be afraid to skip the nursery and buy your plants at a box store. A lot of the time, the plants you buy at a big store that carries many varieties of items will cost much less than those at the local nursery. These plants will not have been tended as carefully as the nursery plants, but with some care taken when you’re planting and tending them, they will grow just fine and should grow to the same levels as the plants which cost more but took less time initially in tending. Most do-it-yourself gardeners like to maximize their time outside anyway, so the extra attention these plants may need will help to increase the time spent on your hobby.

4. One way to keep a low budget in your landscaping is to limit your green space. Smaller lawns and fewer flowers mean less materials needed for the upkeep. Watch what you use as your replacement, though some types of landscaping rocks (such as lava rock) can be incredibly overpriced. Bark mulch can be a fairly inexpensive option, but again, you have to be willing to invest a little extra time into its containment and maintenance. I personally don’t like this option because I love my flowers too much but it will save you money in the long run.

There are many more ideas for landscaping on a budget but we will have to wait for a different time to discuss them.

Landscaping On a Budget “by the yard”

Ways to Jazz Up Your Outdoor Living Space

2009-09-26T05:28:00.000-07:00

One of the easiest ways to jazz up your outdoor deck or patio is by using splashes of color. Sometimes it only means investing in a few accent pieces that make a bold statement and your outdoor living space perks right up. You don't always have to buy new – with a little elbow grease and some creativity you can make second hand items look brand new.

Before you begin though, clear everything off your deck or patio and give it a good wash. I don’t recommend power washing but there are some good washes you can add to your water and then scrub it clean. If it needs staining, all the new patio furniture in the world won't help. Bite the bullet and give it a new coat of stain or paint. This is actually a great place to get started with your colorful accents. Now that your deck is ready here are some colorful ideas to help you get started.

1. Try painting your fence posts a bright, coordinating color such as teal, or. Or paint or stain a pattern or border around the edge of your deck.

2. Your deck is for socializing, so show that you are ready for company. The addition of a new patio table is a great place to start. Place a colorful bar cart in the corner and load it up with bright acrylic glassware.

3. Give your old wicker furniture a facelift. Paint it in bright sunny colors, or if you're feeling adventurous, use a stencil and add flowers or other patterns. Just use acrylic paint, but seal it with varnish to protect your paint job.

4. Add a fancy ice-bucket by getting hold of a galvanized bucket or oblong container. Paint it bright blue or orange and add a vine pattern on the outside. Voila, now you have a fancy ice-bucket for all your coolers. Remember, use a rust inhibiting or food-safe paint, or the surface should not come in direct contact with food.

5. Use themes such as the seashore, by incorporating fish, sea shells and beach balls in your accents or stencils. A citrus theme works well by using pale greens, oranges and yellow as colors for chairs or bistro tables. Try painting a slatted table top with two or three different corresponding shades.

6. Your garden shed doesn’t have to be brown and boring. Add colorful window boxes, gingerbread trim and some wild stripes on the walls.

7. New outdoor lighting goes a long way to perking up a patio area. Colorful lanterns or strings of lights can be hung from overhanging trees or beams providing a fun, economical source of lighting.

8. Now what about that white vinyl furniture that's still in great shape? Don’t worry, with paint specially formulated for vinyl furniture and some new cushions you can make your old chairs look brand new.

9. Use your color wisely though by tying everything together with your accessories. For instance take four chairs each painted in a different primary color and add a cushion in a common color such as red or green, and place them around a neutral table top.

Jazzing up your outdoor living space “by the yard”

New Outdoor Furnishings that Help Create a Relaxing Oasis

2009-09-13T09:26:00.000-07:00

Outdoor living is exploding at all levels of interest and price. Even in urban areas (maybe even more so there) where there is precious little outdoor space. People want more than a few potted plants. Consumers are finding stylish and functional designs suited for a compact little place in the sun. Two-seater café sets, small drop-leaf tables and even a mid-height bar with bar stools that elevate a person's sight line just above the typical balcony rail are especially designed for urban outdoor living.

People are increasingly looking to the outdoor spaces around their homes for a tranquil retreat. Research shows, 42 percent of all homeowners think of their outdoor space as "an outdoor room." When asked to list the most important attributes for that space, 86 percent said it should be "relaxing." 60 percent said it should be a place for family and friends to "hang out" and 57 percent wanted "a sanctuary."

The gazebo is one of the most sought-after sanctuaries. They are now more affordable than ever. Today they come with features including removable screens and elegant canopies, plus windows that can be opened and closed.

Our outdoor spaces abound with a soothing palette of spa blues and earthy greens and visual references to Asian symbols of serenity. This look is elegant, tranquil, and harmonizes with our desire for a retreat.

Generously sized sun loungers are a more mobile option that can offers a retreat for one or an intimate oasis for two and coupled with a canopy can provide shade and privacy. The cozy corner of a covered porch is a great spot for that nostalgic symbol of tranquility, the porch swing. When a porch isn’t available there are Pergolas with swing to turn any spot in the garden into a place for peaceful repose.

Other Innovations include:

High-tech cushions which retain their plump looks yet provide excellent support. New filling blends that add softness without sacrificing water resistance.

Innovation in outdoor fabrics also includes a new breathable polyurethane that looks and feels like leather. It's anti-fungal and resists mildew, stains, scratches and fading.

Portable propane fireplaces created for the outdoor living space are extending the season for outdoor entertaining and relaxation. Some have slate or marble tops, as well as faux stone materials. With coordinated seating you have the ability to create comfortable relaxed conversation groups around the fireplace.

If the warmth of a fire doesn't draw guests to gather round, perhaps an outdoor bar or a table with an ice bucket full of cool beverages in the center will.

Provide sun protection for your lounge chairs, swings and hammocks with protective awnings or canopies. Some come with canopies attached. As for the umbrella, new designs rotate and pivot to block harmful rays throughout the day.

There may be more innovative products that are new to outdoor furnishings. Some companies use recycled plastic bottles destined for landfills and remake them into amazingly strong and durable polymer products crafted to look and feel like wood. These poly-resin products won't mildew, crack, splinter, rust or fade. Nearly as durable but without a hint of modern plastics are furnishings made using recycled teak wood products collected in Thailand. Old teakwood yokes, plows, sugarcane grinders and wagons are all finding a second life in outdoor accessories for your outdoor living space.

Outdoor Furniture “by the yard”

Small Space Gardening

2009-08-29T13:35:00.000-07:00

There are many different reasons for people choosing to garden in a small space like on a balcony, patio, or courtyard. For some they have moved from a large house to smaller accommodation, and some have chosen to live in rental property to avoid the high-cost of owning a home. Whatever the reason, this doesn’t mean we can’t garden. No space is too small for a small space garden. You could say that only one plant in a container is a garden. In fact, many gardening options are available in terms of pots, half-barrels, window boxes, troughs, cast-iron planters, recycled materials – the list is unending with possibilities.

Planning a Small Space Garden

When planning your small space garden several steps are fundamental. The first consideration is to determine what purpose this space will serve. Next what do you want to do in it, grow vegetables, herbs; entertain family and friends; meditate; create a place of peace and healing; have a memorial garden – the list is endless. Now, walk around your space and really look at what you have. Where are the doors, sheds, permanent and planters located? Clear out any clutter and start with a clean slate.
If possible, take a chair and sit down, move it around, and think about where the energy feels best for you. Wherever that is, place your seating such as a park bench, lounger, Adirondack chairs, dining furniture, swing, etc. Do you want a formal or informal setting? Think of what features you may want? Features such as water, flowers, wind chimes, wild life, color, etc. These can add the finishing touches to your small space garden. Finally, have a plan particularly if you are going to use large features such as a half-barrel because once filled with soil you will not want to be moving it.

Creating a Small Space Garden

Containers: Generally speaking natural materials such as wood, clay, stone, or cast iron in all their forms make better companions for plants. Remember that wet soil weighs a lot so if you garden is on a balcony you may have weight restrictions. Containers made from lighter weight materials such as fiberglass are ideal for roof or balcony gardens. The styles of containers include hanging baskets, wirework stands and baskets, wood window boxes, sinks, troughs, galvanized buckets, old shoes or boots, and all manner of recycled objects.

Scale: Scale is extremely important in small space gardening. For example, small plants look more balanced in small containers, large plants in large containers. I especially like the effect of vines growing on trellis in half-barrels with smaller plants edging the container. I have found that the effect of scarlet runner pole beans is really a knockout with their gorgeous red flowers and you can eat them too.

Microclimates: You should choose plants according to the conditions suitable for their optimum growth. Plants such as begonia, coleus, and Fuchsia prefer shaded areas while geraniums, marigolds, and petunia prefer full sun. Also if you are gardening on a balcony wind can be a major factor and damage fragile plants. For this you need to choose plants that are wind tolerant such as many of the grasses; the sound of the rustling of the grasses as the wind blows through them is very pleasing to the ear.

Soil: I buy pre-mixed potting soil from garden centers or department stores. These are generally lighter in weight, are sterilized to prevent weed seeds from germinating, and contain a lot of peat moss that helps loosen the soil so that it doesn’t compact in pots.

Watering: Check daily as container plants often dry out more quickly. This is especially true if you are using clay pots. Make sure your pots have drainage holes though, as roots sitting in water will rot. You may even want to empty saucers that are full after heavy rain fall.

Fertilizer: Due to frequent watering, container plants require fertilizer on a more consistent basis than plants in the ground do. I use only organic fertilizers such as blood meal, bone meal, or fish emulsion, as I add the soil to the garden at the end of the season, and chemical fertilizers harm the wildlife.

Function: When you are creating your small space garden you are actually designing an outdoor room. So keep in mind you may want to color coordinated it so it appears as an extension of your home. I also move my indoor plants outside for the summer (which they love) and design these areas as garden rooms.

Focal point: Create a focal point such as a large pot, tall plant or small tree, color, or a water feature. You can also create a sense of mystery by hiding a plant or ornament behind something else to give the pleasure of discovering it.

Color: In a small space, try using three colors such as pinks, blues, and whites; reds, oranges, and yellows; or reds, whites, and purples that provide continuity rather than too many colors which tend to be distracting. Cool colors can make the space appear bigger and brighter while intense colors tend to shrink spaces. A white and green color theme called a ‘moon garden’ is more formal and particularly at night it’s spectacular.

Lighting: I like the small Xmas lights hidden in plants or interwoven throughout a trellis with climbing vines. Small spotlights can focus attention on a particular area for evening entertaining.

Small space gardening is fun and not that much work as you don’t have that much to take care of. But it can have a huge impact on your outdoor living space.

Small Space Gardens “by the yard”

Protecting Exterior Woods Properly is a Growing Challenge

2009-08-23T10:53:00.000-07:00

Homeowners have made wood the top choice for exterior surfaces. So keeping it properly protected is important and a growing challenge, it’s not just siding, but decks, furniture and all the other accessories that are part of the extended outdoors lifestyle.

Homeowners are upgrading their outside living and garden areas with a lot of zeal these days. Americans spend $40 billion annually on their terraces, decks, patios, cabanas, pool houses, gazebos, and outdoor kitchens. This means there is a lot of outdoor wood in our yards that needs protecting.

What's necessary to keep all of this wood in tip-top shape as it faces exposure to the deteriorating effects of Mother Nature?

One of the ways to maintain a natural wood look and protect your wood at the same time is to use outdoor wood stains. When it comes to stains performance is the main thing a consumer should look at and the two main things it should protect from are water and UV rays. It needs to stop water from penetrating into the wood where it breaks down the cells, causing the wood to go soft on the inside and eventually rot. UV rays are what changes the color of the wood and they work on the surface of the wood to break it down and cause it to rot.

Responding to this growing focus on the expanded outdoors lifestyle paint companies have developed new technologies that protect and beautify just about every wood surface. These collections offer a multitude of extraordinary hues, often inspired by organic life and the outdoors world. These stains come in solid colors and translucent (which allows the natural beauty of the wood to come through. When choosing the color of the stain that is best for your house the best way is to make sure it blends well with the existing colors around your house. So you should consider things like the color of your roof, siding, trim, driveway, and surrounding plant life.

When it comes to finishes, a clear finish is ideal for new or well-maintained wood. As I said it reveals the natural beauty of the material without obscuring either its grain or texture. With more opacity, the additional pigments provide additional protection and color selection, but mask the grain of the wood while still highlighting the wood's natural texture. Stains with more opacity are a good choice for older wood that is not in pristine condition or when additional color selection is desirable.

For every type of wood no matter its condition-new, worn, or plagued by mildew or mold, there is a preparation coating that is available and recommended. Woods like redwood or cedar have natural wood protectants right in the wood and stay looking good for a long time. Even though this is true they also can use some help from time to time. To ensure your exterior wood assets are protected, they should be coated evenly with a clear finish, relatively soon after installation. Remember, proper preparation is the ultimate determinant of how long the beauty of a staining job will last.

For the best advice on selecting an exterior stain and preparation appropriate for the type of wood on the exterior of your home or other outdoor project, speak to an experienced professional at the paint store you prefer dealing at.

One last tip: Be sure to test your color selections on the surface to be stained to see if it's accurate and exactly what you want. Remember that the natural color or grain pattern of the wood itself can greatly influence the final color.

Protecting exterior woods “by the yard”

A Beautiful and Healthy Lawn

2009-08-15T13:11:00.000-07:00

It’s time to start working on that beautiful and healthy lawn in your yard. You don’t have to use chemicals to have a beautiful lawn. In fact, your lawn will be much healthier if you ban the use of chemicals. Many communities have and are in the process of banning the use of lawn chemicals (mine already has). The use of chemicals can poison soil and contaminate our water.

Use the following tips to get your lawn off drugs.

• Start off by testing your lawn’s soil, using a soil test kit. This will tell you how much organic matter is in the soil, the ph balance and what nutrients you need to obtain a perfect soil balance.

• Aerating your lawn at this time of year is always a good idea in order to prevent the soil from becoming compacted. This breaks through heavy thatch and allows nutrients and organic matter to reach your lawn’s root system. If water runs off your lawn easily when watering, it’s a sure sign that you need to aerate. Note: The best aerators in the world are earthworms.

• Check your lawn for thatch and if the thatch layer is more than a half inch thick, it’s time to de-thatch. Thatch prevents air, nutrients and water from getting to the soil which can cause a wide variety of problems. If you aerate and rake your lawn briskly, most of the thatch will be removed. You don’t have to get rid of all the thatch as some thatch is beneficial to your lawn as it promotes decomposition of grass clippings and organic matter.

• If your lawn has some bare spots, you need to reseed with a mixture of grass varieties. Most lawn diseases are very selective. By using a mixture of grasses, you will ensure that your lawn will not be totally wiped out by disease.

• You need to learn to tolerate beneficial weeds, such as clover. Clover is a nitrogen magic plant that will enhance the health and beauty of your lawn.

• The best type of weed control is to remove weeds by hand. Around 80% of all weeds are annuals. If you remove them before they go to seed, you will be rid of them. Some lawn weeds are perennials and you need to dig them out by root. It must be the entire root system to ensure they can’t grow back.

• Grass is always healthier when it is a bit longer. Grass should always be two to three inches high. To prevent it from going into shock you should only cut one third of the height of the grass at one time. Taller grass grows longer roots, shades the soil and prevents weed infiltration. It is also imperative that the mower blade is always sharp to prevent grass damage.

• Do not remove your grass clippings from your lawn. This saves you raking your lawn and also acts as natural fertilizer if they aren’t coated with chemicals. To promote the decomposition process though, you need to make sure the grass clippings are not clumped.

• There are several creatures that are the secret to having a healthy and drug free lawn. Invite beneficial micro organisms and earthworms to your lawn, as well as dragonflies, ladybugs, spiders, toads and frogs.

• Water your lawn thoroughly and deeply but only when it requires it. If you water frequently and lightly, your lawn will have shallow roots, which makes it more susceptible to disease and insects.

• Always use natural fertilizers. Organic fertilizer decomposes thatch and grass clippings quickly. Natural fertilizers release nutrients into the soil better and allow it to retain them longer. Sheep manure is one of the best natural fertilizers available.

• Do not use herbicides or pesticides. Chemicals kill birds, insects and earthworms that are beneficial to your lawn’s health. If you practice natural lawn care, you will discourage pests.

Beautiful Lawns “by the yard”

Designing a Japanese Garden

2009-08-06T18:19:00.000-07:00

When designing your Japanese Garden you need to think and act a little different then with other types of designs. You will still need to organize and draw out your garden design, and determine the shape of your landscape and what you desire for your garden. But you should also allow yourself to "go with the flow" and let it "speak to you" as your garden takes shape. Allow for improvisation and ideas to emerge rather than being rigid in sticking to your original design plan.

We in the west often feel compelled to try to control and plan all aspects of design when making something. We don't want to make a mistake. Here you need to make your plans loosely to leave more for those ideas that come and the actual design takes shape. This can be liberating for some but intimidating for others. If you work through the questions below it will help you stay on track.

Before any work begins within the yard itself, a basic garden plan should be drawn up to help you formulate your ideas and the placement of elements. Here are several questions you need to address to help with this process:

1. Do you already have an existing garden in the area where you wish to incorporate a Japanese garden style? If so, what type of garden is it (flower garden, English garden, rustic wildflower garden, etc.)?

2. Do you want to try to integrate your current garden into the new Japanese garden plan? What aspects and features do you want to remain and what has to be moved, replaced, or removed entirely?

3. What style of Japanese garden are you most interested in - tea garden, courtyard garden, stroll garden, pond and island garden, Zen rock garden or a combination of them? But for small areas, you will most likely want to stick to only one style. For those who have a large area to landscape, you can have your choice of any of the styles which compliment your yard and suit your desires.

4. Does the area you’re designing have natural hills and valleys? Are there any design elements, such a stream, already present? How large is the area you are considering using? Take a good visual view of your selected site and note down all the details on paper. Take measurements as well, so you know the exact area size you will be working with.

5. Which elements and features are important to you? Would you like one small area to feature a Zen garden? Is a stepping-stone pathway which leads to a gate appealing? Do you wish to add a feature like a waterfall, water basin, or a rock arrangement?

6. Will you be building this garden by yourself or will you have help? The size, design and amount of work to create your Japanese garden will obviously affect this answer. For example, building a very large stroll garden by yourself would take a long time and may be impractical. Then again maybe you can plan and do it in stages.

7. If you plan to use large boulders or plant more mature trees (rather than saplings), how will you get them into your garden? Is there room and access for large machinery to help with placement? Keep in mind boulders and large trees are extremely heavy.

8. Will your garden be formal, semi-formal, or informal (rustic)?

9. Many Japanese gardens are actually built around a theme. Do you have a theme in mind for your garden? Your theme could even revolve around a smaller replica or area of an original famous garden of Japan. Read books and view photographs of existing gardens to get some ideas. An example of a theme would be a miniaturized version of "The Bridge To Heaven", which is a marble and stone bridge that spans the famous Dragon Beard Ditch in China. This bridge was built over 600 years ago to allow the Ming and Qing emperors to cross over on their way to the Temple of Heaven.

10. What do you want to achieve with your garden? Will it be used primarily for meditation? Do you wish to incorporate a strolling pathway with new visual delights beyond each curve? Do you want the invigorating sounds of water, such as a waterfall or fast moving stream? Will it be a place to sit quietly and contemplate nature? Understanding the concept behind the garden design is important.

If you carefully contemplate these questions and answer them before you begin to put your design down on paper, it will really help you know how to design your garden. Otherwise you could end up with a garden that holds no meaning for you or your visitors. A Japanese garden should have a "reason for being." What are your reasons?

Japanese Gardens “by the yard”

Why do people love Cedar Wood?

2009-07-28T18:24:00.000-07:00

The Cedar tree is a majestic pyramid-shaped evergreen tree that commonly reaches 130’ in height and 30 to 40’ across. The wood itself is hard and strongly aromatic because of the high percentage of essential oil it contains. Northern White and Western Red Cedar are some of the most sought-after woods that are ideal for many outdoor and indoor uses. It is a fine grained wood that is durable and resistant to rotting and insects. This makes cedar a top choice for carefree living, as it can be left natural or it can be painted or stained to match any decor.

Softwood producing trees such as the Cedar contain just two types of cell and have few water conducting vessels meaning it stays dryer in wet conditions than other conifers such as the Yew or the Cypress tree. In their natural habitat, Cedar trees are found in many different environments and climates. They can be exposed to mountain and monsoon climates, and are adept at surviving snow, drought, heavy rainfall and temperatures as low as -25 degrees C.

Not only are Cedar trees aesthetically beautiful, but they produce wood which is aromatic and looks lovely when crafted into furniture. This type of wood is ideal for outdoor furniture as it is resistant to decay because it is protected by its own natural oils and resins to stand up to harsh weather conditions. If left untreated, Cedar wood gradually ages and develops a grayish-silver colour. Untreated cedar is natural and pleasing; however the wood is porous and over the long term may become discolored if left in damp or shaded areas. It also means that the wood will not last as long as it would if it was treated. Therefore, many people prefer to stain or treat their cedar patio furniture every two to three years in order to give it that little extra protection against the elements in order to gain a few extra years of life.

Additional advantages of Cedar are that its low density helps it equalize the moisture within itself and the air around it helping it not to warp or crack as many other woods do. Cedar wood also contains small pockets of air, which means that it doesn’t conduct heat as well as some other woods. This is ideal in summer when the air is warm, and the cedar lawn furniture remains cool despite the weather.

Cedar wood along with its weatherproof qualities and aesthetic appeal is often chosen by carpenters and furniture manufacturers because of its low density and weight. This makes it is very versatile and easy to transport, which also makes it an ideal wood for outdoor furniture.

Western red Cedar wood is often chosen for furniture because of its attractive look. It has a straight grain and an almost terracotta shade. Unlike ‘white’ Cedar, its natural oils also repel moths and other insect pests such as ticks, fleas and termites which make it well suited for other things as well such as outdoor dog and cat houses and small sheds such as beach or pool houses.

Northern White Cedar and Western Red Cedar are some of the most sought-after woods for many outdoor uses. It’s a fine grained durable wood, naturally pitch-free and resistant to rot and insects. These qualities combine to make cedar a top choice for carefree outdoor living.

Cedar Wood “by the yard”

Hammocks – Making The Right Choice

2009-07-19T14:14:00.000-07:00

Hammocks are like furniture used for rest and relaxation. They are like beds that are suspended between two supports like two trees or a manufactured support. Hammocks are often made up of heavy netting or a canvas and are great for spending time in the sun. But not all hammocks give the same level of comfort or length of life.

So what things should we consider when trying to make the right choice when purchasing.

1. Material: There are many different types of hammocks but generally can be thought of in 3 types. These are namely known as fabric or canvas, Mayan (which is woven and can be made of different materials) and rope style hammocks (which also are woven). Most of these can either be used indoors or outdoors. The cotton woven hammocks though are best used indoors as they do not stand up to weather.

2. Comfort: As has already been said rope hammocks are woven with small spaces in between them. They don’t conform to your body as well as the Mayan and there is usually an imprint visible in ones back when you first get off the hammock. Canvas hammocks also don’t conform to your body well during use; on the other hand they don’t leave any imprints. The most comfortable hammock of the 3 is the Mayan since this type of hammock conforms to the shape of anyone who uses it and the weave is tight and comfortable.

3. Strength: The strength of the hammock is dependent on the material used in making it. A rope hammock is made out of quite thick rope and can take a beating and hold a lot of weight, up to 450 lbs or more depending on the manufacturer. A hammock made out of canvas on the other hand is not typically going to hold as much weight though it should have no problem holding the average adult. A Mayan style hammock is a little more sensitive but again the weight it can carry often is determined by the quality of the manufacturer and typically should not have any problem holding an average adult.

4. Portability: The material used in the manufacture of a hammock also will determine its weight. For instance rope hammocks are weaved by hand and are usually made of heavier material making it weigh more than the rest and therefore not as easy to move from one place to another. Canvas hammocks are lighter and therefore easy to relocate. They also usually repel water well and therefore stand up to the outdoor conditions. Mayan hammocks like canvas are also lightweight making it easy to transfer from place to place.

5. Durability & Maintenance: A rope hammock made out of thick rope as mentioned before requires a fair amount of maintenance since it is susceptible to mildew especially in a fairly wet climate. A canvas hammock on the other hand, because its material is very durable, requires a lot less maintenance. A Mayan hammock is like a rope hammock in the sense that it can be very sensitive and can tear more easily which would require more maintenance in order to keep this kind of hammock in top shape.

6. Price: The price of the hammock one wishes to purchase also depends greatly on the type of material used and the manufacturer. And like a lot of things we buy the saying is true “you get what you pay for”. A quick check and you can find hammocks starting around $20 and going up to $200 or more and then if you want a support for it as well it could be a lot more. Similar looking hammocks made with similar material have remarkably different prices. This makes purchasing one difficult. My suggestion, deal with someone you know and you can trust if you want quality. If price is important then shop well. For myself I don’t like cheap and I also don’t have the money to spend top dollar so I try and find a middle road.

Hammocks are a great way to relax outdoors in your back yard or private outdoor living space. They are great for the whole family and a lot of fun.

Hammocks “by the yard”

How to Help Your Lawn Survive a Drought

2009-07-04T14:32:00.000-07:00

With temperatures rising and rain fall decreasing (though there has been more than usual rainfall where I live so far this summer), summer time drought seems inevitable and it putts a serious strain on your lawn. With little rain fall and water restrictions it makes things really hard on your lawn and your ability to take care of it. If you are not careful, your lawn could end up dead.

The summer of 2007 was a very bad year for drought in many parts of the country, particularly the Southeast, which suffered a historic drought. There were widespread mandatory water restrictions, and most lawns in these areas suffered extensive damage as a result.

Work done about a month before a drought period can have a real impact on your lawn's ability to survive. The primary objective is to make the lawn as strong and healthy as possible before a drought hits in order to survive a drought with little or no supplemental irrigation (watering by hose or sprinkler system). A lawn properly prepared to survive a drought will have a deep and extensive root system.

Here are some tips that are sure to help you beat the summer heat and take care of your lawn.

1. Raise the blades on your mower. Taller grass provides more protection from sun and grows deeper roots, which makes it more resilient. Remove only one third of the grass length at each mowing, cutting too much at once stresses the grass.

2. Resist the temptation to bag your lawn and use a mulching mower instead or go over your lawn twice. The clippings will provide a barrier that keeps moisture in your lawn longer. They also provide free fertilizer (at least ¼ of your lawn’s needs) and help your lawn grow greener and denser, and it doesn’t cause thatch buildup.

3. Sharpen your lawnmower blade. Dull blades put your grass under lots of undue stress. Stressed grass needs more water.

4. Most lawns require only 1 inch of water per week, some grasses even less. If you water your lawn every day, you are encouraging shallow roots. By spreading out your watering you can help your lawn to establish deeper roots that will help it survive drought periods. Generally watering deeper, less days per week will encourage deeper root growth and a more healthy lawn.
Water early in the morning and when it is not windy to avoid unnecessary evaporation of your rationed water and remember, that long watering sessions are preferred to short watering sessions for grass.
Watering techniques should be adjusted during the growing season to compensate for precipitation and lengthy hot and dry periods. The amount of water and the duration of each watering period should be adjusted according to soil types and grass types.
Avoid watering in the afternoon because a large percentage of the water is lost to evaporation. Avoid evening watering because the lawn will remain wet for 12 to 15 hours, until the following morning sun dries off the lawn. This prolonged wet period can increase fungal disease incidence.
Use an alternative type watering or irrigation system like a soaker hose. It puts the water in the ground, where it is needed, more efficiently.

5. Use drought-resistant grass. The lawn care industry is filled with innovative products and solutions, including drought-resistant grasses. If you live in a region where summers are long and rainfall is minimal, this is an excellent idea. Rhizomatous grasses like Bermudas have best drought tolerance followed by Zoysias (though these can be invasive), St. Augstines, then Centipedes, Seashore Paspalum and Fescue. Which one of these is best for you depends on where you live. Ask your local garden center.

6. Aerate your lawn twice a year (fall and spring) to keep out thatch and help the roots grow deeper.

7. Do not fertilize in the summer. Experts will tell you that fertilized lawns are more sensitive to heat and require more water.

A green lawn is definitely something to envy in the heart of the summer. Do yourself and your lawn a favor and follow these tips to keep it looking green. Your green lawn will cause your neighbors to be filled with wonder and envy.

Lawns “by the yard”

Gardening with Containers is for Everyone

2009-06-28T14:27:00.000-07:00

Container gardening is fun, fabulous and festive. A terracotta pot on its own is just a container and summer bedding plants are just colorful plants. However, by planting the summer bedding plants in a container, you can create miniature garden-scapes of all shapes and colors. Each container is effectively a miniature garden all of its own. If you put a number of them together you can create a garden that will impress even the most avid gardener. Some people refer to this as container design planting, I just say WOW.

The exciting thing is that the planting of containers allows people who may just have a balcony to enjoy a chance to get their fingers dirty and enjoy a bit of God’s creation up close and personal. Container planting also brings the garden within the reach of a disabled person and is a size that even the youngest child can manage. So it is a type of gardening that everyone can do and enjoy.

Here are a few things that will help you have a successful garden.

Start by cleaning your containers:

If you intend on replanting any containers you used last year and why not, you should get rid of all traces of the soil from the previous year. Wash them thoroughly as particles of previous year’s compost can contain pests, diseases and mould spores. Use a hose to get the bulk off then wash them in water containing a garden disinfectant, scrubbing off any stubborn soil with a scrubbing brush, using this same disinfectant water. Then you need to rinse the containers well under running water and leave them to dry. Use this method on any container you plan to use no mater what they are made of. Not taking care of this properly can cause your planting to finish flowering far too early.

Check your containers’ drainage:

Check to make sure your containers drainage holes are adequate or have not become plugged. Having too few or no drainage holes causes your plants to suffer from oxygen starvation due to excess water. To prevent drainage points becoming blocked with potting soil, use some broken terracotta or polystyrene bedding plant trays over the drainage holes. Broken polystyrene or bedding plant trays crumpled up can also be used to fill the bottom of larger containers therefore reducing the amount of potting soil needed to fill the container.

Don’t overfill your containers with potting soil:

You should fill your container with quality container potting soil which you should be able to find at any garden center then firm it lightly. Your soil should stop about 1 inch below the lip of the container; so there will be room for watering. Some people with more experience have their own or have acquired a good formula for mixing the right amounts of peat and loam-based soil and if you have such a formula that is great but my suggestion if you’re just starting is go for the bought mix. It often comes with some fertilizer mixed in as well.

Getting them in the ground:

Before planting make sure your plants have been thoroughly watered. A good way of doing this is by soaking them in a bucket of water. Watering like this will prevent shock when they are replanted and it will also help merge the plants existing soil with the new soil. To help get a sense of what the container will look like try positioning the plants on top of the container before actually planting them. If you need to make an adjustment now is the time before you get them in the dirt. Plant them from the centre of the container outwards. Create a hole big enough for the root ball of the central plant (It should be the tallest plant). After removing it from its pot place the plant into the hole firming the soil around it. Then, insert the rest of the plants similarly around the edges. You should make sure all the plants end up at the same depth as they were in their original containers.

Watering:

After the complete container is potted water it thoroughly until water starts to flow from the containers base. If after an hour the soil has settled a bit, you top it up. Typically containers need a lot of water Wooden and unglazed terracotta containers usually require much more water due to their porous and absorbent nature. I suggest you apply a mulch of mini-chip bark or gravel to the composts surface, as well as being decorative this will lessen the containers loss of water through evaporation.

Gardening with Containers “by the yard”

Tips For Keeping Your Teak Furniture Looking Its Best

2009-06-23T18:49:00.000-07:00

Outdoor furniture has to be tough to survive wind, rain and sun and no material is as desired for its rugged beauty and durability then teak. Teak wood patio furniture is known to last for decades with absolutely no maintenance. Upkeep is more a matter of personal preference than a requirement. While some people prefer the golden color of new teak, others prefer the distinguished silver-grey that teak becomes as it weathers.

Regardless of your preference, here are a few steps that will help you make sure your teak furniture stays in tip-top shape for decades.

1: The first and most important step is to make sure you have a top quality product to begin with. Pay attention to the wood quality and construction techniques used in the furniture, as this can affect furniture's longevity. The fittings are also important. They need to be solid brass fittings if you want them to hold up outdoors.

2: When you are looking for teak products, make sure they really are teak, not a "teak-like" or "as good as teak product." If you are buying over the internet this may be hard to figure out. Look at the content and see where it is from and/or where it is made. Finally only buy from reputable companies and companies that have stood the test of time.

3: The grade of teak is also very important. We see every day similar products at quite different prices and we wonder why. Well sometimes the reason is the quality of materials they are using. First European Quality (FEQ) is the top grade without knots, cracks or pits and certainly can be trusted.

4: If you prefer the silver-gray color, natural look of weathered teak, you can look forward to virtually no maintenance. If you leave your teak patio furniture outside though, you will want to clean it at least annually of any mildew, sap and pollen that has accumulated or stuck to it. One product that is really good for helping to do this is Olympic® Deck Wash. Just scrub them down with it and you’re all set for another year.

5: On the other hand if you prefer the original rich honey color of teak, there are several steps you can take to preserve its golden color. After you have thoroughly washed the teak you can treat it with specialized teak cleaners and restoration products. Using these products however can be very time-intensive. I usually suggest that people either allow the teak to age naturally clean it with a deck wash or hire a professional teak maintenance service to apply the more specialized products.

6: However if you are going to be using your patio furniture indoors, you may want to consider finishing it to protect it from stains with some sealer or varnish.

7: Finally, if you're going to be using it outside (which most of us will be doing) DON”T use teak oil, varnishes or sealers on your furniture, since this may cause it to turn black with mildew.

Keeping Your Teak Furniture Looking Its Best “by the yard”

Backyard Landscaping is Important

2009-06-14T18:40:00.000-07:00

While the front yard is important because it’s more visible to neighbors and others who drive by, the backyard is no less important. For homeowners around the world, a big part of owning a home is getting the yard just the way they want it. The backyard is important because that is where family and friends gather for barbeques, birthday parties and a place for the family to have fun and play. Special consideration should be given to the placement of the flower beds and the different species of flowers that beautify a backyard as well as the position of the patio or deck and any decorative features in the yard.

The theme of your yard will depend on your hobbies, interests and goals. Flowers, stones and grass are just some of the ways to landscape a backyard. Large shade trees, waterfalls and herbal gardens are some other ways. Whatever your preference, you should make your backyard landscaping fun for the whole family. Actually working on your backyard landscape can be a lot of fun too, especially when you make it personal.

Your yard should reflect your personality and the personality of your home.
1: If you and your family like to entertain, add a bar to your back patio. Clean up the barbeque grill and don’t forget adding some way to keep the bugs away like citronella candles.
2: If you want more fun then maybe you want to build a croquet course, mini golf course, put in a sand lot for some sand volleyball or the favorite of a lot of people a pool.
3: If you are the type who would rather keep your backyard to yourself, then maybe you don’t need to worry about the huge, green lawn. Perhaps you’d rather have a quaint yard with basic backyard landscaping. You can put in some grass, strategically place some shade trees and plant some of your favorite flowers. You may want to include some bigger bushes, if space allows as they will add some gorgeous green to your colorful backyard.

When it comes time to maintain the backyard landscaping then taking care of the yard can be a nice family activity. Large yards will require a lot more maintenance and grooming. There is mowing the lawn, pulling weeds and the kids can help even if they are young. They love water so get them involved in watering the plants. If you have a fruit tree in your backyard, then they can spend some time picking up the fallen apples or cherries. You’ll also need to reserve some time to tend to your garden. It can be surprisingly rewarding growing your own vegetables and herbs and then using them in special recipes that you cook when you’re entertaining friends and neighbors. A smaller more intimate backyard may require as much maintenance as a large backyard, but because of scale not nearly the time commitment.

No matter what your personality says about your backyard landscaping. One thing’s for sure don’t let people tell you how to create your backyard, do it just the way you want to and have fun both creating it and enjoying it.

Backyard Landscaping “by the yard”

A Beautiful Garden is a Work of the Heart

2009-06-08T17:52:00.000-07:00

The satisfaction in creating your own garden plan is immense. You get the satisfaction that comes from a job well done as well as being able to relax or entertain in your garden. Planning and developing a design unique to you, will add to the enjoyment your garden provides for years to come.

But where do you begin in creating the garden of your dreams and one that is unique to you?

Here are some easy steps that will help you work your way through the process.

1. Identify the reason for your garden.
Who will enjoy the garden? How will you use it? Getting input from the whole family on how they would like to use your outdoor space is a great place to start.

2. Don’t forget to do a little dreaming.
Let your imagination have fun with all the possible features in your special space now that you understand why you want it and how you intend to use it. This will help you put your personal touches on the garden. Also decide whether you want a formal or an informal garden. Formal gardens are divided by a strong central axis and cross axes while informal gardens have a more natural look with wonderful flowing curves.

3. Evaluate your yard.
What is the climate? How large is your space? What type of soil do you have? The lay of the land, is it flat or sloping? What are the predominate views and where are your quiet spots? It helps to know your starting point in order to get where you want to go.

4. What are your non-negotiables?
Listing your essentials up front helps ensure important things won't be forgotten. Then walk around your property and take note of everything that is essential. Your final design should balance between dream features and "must haves". Do children need a place to play? What about pets? What about a privacy fence or retaining wall? Where will you need a path?

5. Identify your focal points.
Every garden needs an eye-catching spot that causes you to pause a moment. Understand that when you choose a focal point, you are choosing the direction you want visitors to look and move when they enter your garden. If your list of "wants" included a waterfall or fountain, an arbor or even a special tree then you’re well on your way to identifying your focal point.

6. Choose your plants and hardscape.
What you choose to put in your garden will create the character of your garden, adding interest, movement and visual appeal. Mixing different colors and materials and textures will give your garden a strong sense of space. You may want harmonious colors or strong contrasting colors and different hues, warm or cool.

Though plants comprise a significant part of your garden, hardscape materials contribute variety and texture -- wood arbors, brick borders, gravel paths, bronze statuary, and outdoor benches. Keep in mind that each element needs to fit with and compliment the whole.

7. Draw you plan to scale.
Thus far, you have created a list of your needs and wants and of the trees, shrubs and plants you want in your garden. Now you need to create a scale drawing that shows exactly where each feature will go so you can use this drawing to help lay out the walkways, plant the trees, shrubs and flowers and set the arbors and trellises in place.
You will need a basic map of property lines and your house as well as an overlay sheet that shows focal points, "rooms" and pathways. Using a pad of graph paper will really help you with this and let each square equal one foot.

8. Create a budget.
Once you know what you want and what you need, it's time to consider what you are willing to spend. This dollar figure will influence what features you are able to include in the final garden plan -- trees, plants, hardscape materials and architectural elements such as arbors, fountains, ponds and benches.

Budgets comprise two elements: money and time. In terms of time, can you create your garden over time or does it need to be finished by a certain date? As you develop and refine your plan, you may need to balance time and cash costs. If you can’t afford your wants you may need to spend more time to balance things off.

9. Execute your plan.
With your scale drawing as a blueprint, use a tape measure to position all structures, walkways and plants. Be sure to measure accurately so each element in your design fits its assigned space. Be aware that structures such as decks, patios and retaining walls may require a permit from the local city authority.

You CAN do this. It may sound a bit intimidating but if you follow these steps and let your space unfold you will end up with a space that is right for you.

Arbors Add Beauty to Your Yard

2009-06-02T18:27:00.000-07:00

Garden Arbors are a great way to create a welcoming entry to the home or garden. These simple wooden structures can also be both functional and decorative. They can be used to provide an excellent place to sit and enjoy a pleasant garden view on a garden bench or a couple of chairs underneath the shaded canopy of the garden arbor.

Garden arbors are often set up as shaded places in home gardens or public parks where you can relax and rest. The open frameworks are typically made of latticework or rustic work, functioning also as a trellis for climbing or creeping plants like climbing vines, roses or wisteria. In this way you can blend a useful garden accent into your landscaping plan. As has already been said numerous trailing plants such as morning glory, honeysuckle and grape vines will make use of a cleverly placed garden accent such as an arbor. They can be also used near or on decks or patios to expand your entertainment space.

Arbor designs can also be built using different types of materials but I prefer the wooden garden arbors which give you that stately feel and yet blend well with most garden decor. By using woods like western red Cedar that stands up well to our climates harshness because of its natural oils, you can have an arbor that really lasts a long time. You can choose to leave them as is and let them weather to a faded gray or opt to paint or stain it in the color of your choice.

You might want to create your own unique, eye-catching conversation piece that will be the envy of all your neighbors! You can add a unique and personal touch to your garden that you can admire and enjoy for years to come and save a little money.

Creating a small garden arbor is a fairly easy task. The costs can also be reduced if you are patient enough to shop around and compare prices on the materials you use (The wood, deck screws, crushed stone or gravel, washers, bolts and nuts etc.). No Matter which size you plan the same principles apply, although as the size increases so will the scale and the cost. As an example, using two posts for a small arbor may mean using four posts for a large one, as a bigger arbor would need greater support for strength and stability. The scale or size of materials may also need to increase so that it has proper balance.

Whether you make it yourself or buy one make sure it’s made with wood that will stand up well outdoors like western Red cedar as mentioned before or other cedars or Teak.

Make sure also that you strategically place your wood arbor in your yard so as to accentuate your yard's appearance. You can accomplish this by buying a beautiful one that harmonizes with both your outdoor furniture and your outdoor living space.

Garden arbors are not only lovely to look at, they promise to give you a lifetime of enjoyment. Just picture that upcoming wedding underneath your arbor, with the lovely bride and groom holding hands and smiling.

Arbors “by the yard”

Making your Patio Charming and Beautiful

2009-05-24T17:28:00.000-07:00

After a long cold winter and as days grow warmer and longer, more and more time will be spent out on your patio. A comfortable patio environment will make sitting outdoors even more enjoyable. Whether you are on a budget or shopping higher end there are endless possibilities.

Here are a few ideas on ways to set up your patio to make it charming and beautiful.

For the small patio or balcony: The first thing is the furniture. You need to choose patio furniture that fits the size of the patio area. Café tables or a bistro set are great idea for a small area. A bar table and patio bar chairs are another great idea for saving space and having a comfortable patio. You need to also add a few potted plants and other favorite outdoor design elements like wind chimes and birdhouses for a perfectly quaint patio.

For larger patio setting: There are many great options. Here we are going to break it down to a covered patio or one without a cover.

In a covered patio a few chairs of differing styles, including comfortable chairs like a chair and ottoman as well as a chaise lounge chair or two for lying down and relaxing. Another great idea is a hammock. They can be hung from the corner of the patio and covered with blankets and pillows to make it a truly comfortable outdoor seating. Here you could have some hanging plants around the perimeter as well as some larger pots of plants or even small trees to give the space a sense of walls and its own space.

For an outdoor patio without cover there are many great choices for patio umbrellas that will coordinate with your outdoor patio furniture and theme. Chaise lounge chairs on an uncovered patio are great too for soaking up some sun. An outdoor grill can be incorporated into the outdoor patio and will provide hours of entertaining. Here as well you need some color to add interest and life. This could be done with flowers planted in a surrounding flower bed as well as the potted and hanging flowers as before. Enjoying the outdoors is so much more pleasant when surrounded by beautiful flower beds.

When choosing your patio furniture there are many types to choose from. Some of the decisions will depend on personal preference and how the furniture will be used. For patio furniture that will cost the least, resin or aluminum patio furniture is a great idea. This furniture however breaks down over time and does not stand up well. For less durable but still elegant options, wicker patio furniture is a great option. It looks great but can be fairly expensive. If you take care of it and bring it in during the winter and cover it when it is not being used it can give you years of use. Wood patio furniture is my favorite and here the two top choices for durability and longevity are cedar and teak. Cedar has natural resins that make it great for standing up to the weather and last a long time and is very cost effective. Teak is the premium wood for outdoor furniture. Because of its natural resins it stands up the longest and stays looking great for years. It too is a little more expensive but because it lasts so long it may cost the least in the long run. When you add cushions to your patio furniture it gives you added comfort which is important if you are using your furniture frequently. Cushions can also add color and style to your patio.

Whenever you purchase anything and patio furniture is no different, choose what you want. Spending your money on something that you quickly will be dissatisfied with will only cost you more in the long run. Make sure it fits your personality and style. With a little design savvy and a few personal touches, your patio will be an area you never want to leave.

Charming Patios “by the yard”

A Simple Solution for Bringing your Landscaping Ideas to Life

2009-05-17T08:48:00.000-07:00

There’s nothing better than relaxing outdoors on a warm summer night enjoying your backyard. It is often when I’m doing this that I get ideas of what I would like to do with my yard. Having ideas is great but when it come to doing the work well that can be a lot of effort. Especially if you try re-landscaping your entire backyard during the course of one growing season which can be back breaking, very expensive and requires major planning.

Want a simple solution for bringing your landscaping ideas to life?

Try breaking up your backyard into “rooms” and remodel one room each year. If you’re on a budget this can be especially helpful and you’re results will be much better. Because you will more easily be able to spend the time and money you need to on each project.

This will be much easier than trying to revamp the entire backyard all at once. Although you still should have an overall plan even though you’re landscaping only one section of the yard at a time.

Start by using some graph paper and sketch out the permanent structures on your property including the house, out buildings, deck and trees. Make copies of your sketch and experiment with different designs. Incorporate ideas you like from magazines or gardens you’ve visited. This is also a good time to consider which existing plants and shrubs won’t be a part of the new landscape.

If you like hosting BBQ’s with friends you’ll probably want to keep the center of your yard open with flower beds along the borders. For a more intimate space, you could create island flower beds with walkways in between. Make sure you leave cutouts for a place to relax on some comfortable lawn furniture, and add an accent along the borders with some solar lighting.

Here are some more ideas you may like:

Screening with Plants:
If your yard doesn’t have a fence, you might want to consider planting a row of cedars, juniper, yews, or a combination of these bushes to create privacy. They can also provide a backdrop for future flower beds. You could also use a strategically placed evergreen screen to provide a windbreak from winds or drifting snow in the winter.

Planning a Border Flower Bed:
The hardest part of designing a border is choosing flowers that complement each other both in color and height. The list of perennials is huge and it’s hard to know where to start. If you have the room a six foot wide bed in a mainly sunny situation makes a great border garden.

Use 3 or 5 plants for each kind of flower and allow 16”–18” between each plant. Planting an odd number of plants is more visually appealing than an even number. Allow 20”–22” between the different plant groups. Plant flowers that bloom at different times of the year, with the first flowers appearing in April and the last in October. This will keep your border in bloom all summer. Don’t forget to plant them with the tallest ones at the back of the border and allow sufficient space at the rear of the bed for access. This will also prevent choking off necessary air and light from the plants in back.

Island Beds:
An island bed, as the name implies, is planted in the middle of the yard surrounded by a sea of grass. It can vary in shape and size according to your imagination and available space. Scale the plants from tallest in the center to shortest at the edges.

Water Feature:
Imagine the reflective beauty of a pond or the gentle splashing of a man made waterfall. A pond really adds a lot to a yard and it may be where you want to start but it can cost a fair amount with the liner and pump and stone etc. Make it part of the plan but I would leave it to step two at lest.

Do Your Yard a Favor:
Before you buy any plants, visit your local garden center for advice on drainage and soil preparation. Also, bring a copy of your plan.

Don’t forget by breaking up your backyard into “rooms” and remodeling one room each year you will save yourself some time and energy to enjoy your yard and have something to look forward to next summer.

Bringing Landscaping Ideas to Life “by the yard”

Choosing the Best Plants for Your Yard

2009-05-11T05:44:00.000-07:00

Did you feel excited when you first saw the space in your backyard and thought of what you could do with it? Maybe you ran right out and bought some plants and started planting them. Or did you first consider the kind of soil you have in your garden, or perhaps, think about the kind of plants that would do well in your yard? If you didn’t, maybe now your garden is a mess and you need to rethink what you should do. Maybe you haven’t made that mistake yet and are wanting to avoid making it. Here are some things to think about.

This spring before you buy any plants you should think about where you want to place the plants in the garden.
– shade loving plants for those sheltered areas
– sun lovers for the warm spots
– drought resistant plants for the parched areas which may be either sunny or shaded
– swamp plants for the poorly drained parts.

What to plant? These pointers should help you:

- Start small: You can always increase the size of your garden if you choose to. But do it gradually. This is particularly important if you're on a budget, of course.

- Test your soil: First, you need to determine the pH level of your soil and what kind of nutrients you need to add. You can alter the garden soil's pH, however, it is a lot easier to maintain a garden without having to alter it's soil's pH level. Working with what you have is easiest but it means choosing plants that will survive with the kind of soil your garden has. After you know what condition your soil is in, amend your soil and then add fertilizer before you plant anything.

- Color of the plants: Having the right color scheme is one way to determine what you want to plant and a way of maintaining a harmonious look throughout your garden. Start by imagining the color of the flowers when they are in bloom. Another thing is to look for plants that have different colors for their leaves to add interest. Foliage color is not only confined to green you know. Try experimenting with colors. You can even plant flowers whose bloom colors would not look good together in the same bed, if they have different blooming seasons.

- Plant in groups: Some people think a good green thumb rule is to buy at least one of a number of varieties of plants. This method of plant selection tends to make the garden seem spotty however, whereas plants placed in groups makes your garden fuller and more organized.

- Positioning the Plants: Once you’ve decided your selections it is time to choose how you are going to position them in your garden. Before planting anything, try arranging them while they are still in their pots according to how you plan to plant them in your garden. Grouping them in sets of threes or fives usually looks better than planting in groups of even numbers. Lastly be sure that you have an interesting combination of colors and textures of plants.

Choosing the Best Plants “by the yard”

Wipe Out Those Winter Garden Woes

2009-05-02T12:38:00.000-07:00

Do you look at your garden at this time of the year and wish it were more alive? Spring has begun and life has started but is still not in full bloom. Well, there are ways to make your yard look more attractive and inviting at any time of year!

1. A non-gardening way to pretty up a front yard is to invest a few dollars in some inexpensive path lighting. The push-in mushroom lamps look quite effective when turned on, and will give your front yard some definition. Solar lights don’t even need hydro and give you that accent that you’re looking for.

2. Another thing you want to get rid of is the effect of winter, those dirty and sometimes murky green garden paths. Hose down your paths and wash your deck (don’t power wash the deck as this can do more harm than good) and get rid of that dirt and mold. Also check for mold at the base of your fences and house. This will brighten things up and make them look fresh and clean.

3. If you didn’t do it last fall (and I don’t as it can leave interest for the winter) then clean up the flower beds of the dead wood and leaves of last year’s garden. This always freshens up the yard and makes it look new.

4. If you live in a mild winter area, then you may need to keep cutting the lawn, but lift the mower slightly so that the grass is not cut so short in the winter.

5. You may want to put your potted plants in their ceramic containers on show. If this is the case, keep an eye on the weather forecasts and pop some bubble wrap over them if the weather is going to freeze.

6. Hopefully, you have already invested in a supply of evergreens, if not, now is the time for you to examine your yard and decide where you should plant some. Did you know there are bronze, yellow, silver and variegated evergreens to choose from? And remember to always include some blue spruce. Many of us also forget the brightness of berry evergreens like holly and rowan trees. (Sometimes referred to as mountain ash or Pyrus Americana)

7. Bedding plants such as pansies and forget-me-nots are quite hardy and can add a lot of color at this time of year.

8. There is also a modern day fad for decorative cabbages in cream and purple. These are a hardy decoration in the yard and can sometimes still look quite good from last fall.

9. If you feel you can't wait for your garden to wake up and come fully alive, then be sure to add some of the early bulbs into your planting plans. Most should have been planted last fall but there are some bulbs that can be planted in the early spring. If you can’t find them, there will be bulbs already growing at the nursery in pots that you can pop right in the ground for that fresh spring show. Bulbs like snow drops, daffodils, crocuses and tulips all come out in bloom very early and can be your reminder that summer is just around the corner!

Wiping out winter “by the yard”

Are You Ready To Mow?

2009-04-21T08:15:00.000-07:00

We talked before about fertilizing your lawn and this is great for giving you a good looking lawn, but to keep it looking great and make sure your grass is a cut above your neighbor's, it's important not to let your mower and other power equipment get you hot under the collar because they're not ready to go when you are. Though I know the importance of maintenance it is not one of my strong points and I need to work hard at doing what I know I need to do.

One thing that helps some people is to create a "to-do" list for yourself and make sure you have check boxes to keep tabs of what you’ve completed. One of those check boxes needs to be: Maintain Outdoor Power Equipment. This task is not only essential for the safety and performance of the equipment, but also helps keep your yard healthy and free of disease throughout the summer.

If you are handy, you can do a lot of the basic maintenance on your outdoor lawn equipment yourself in just a couple of hours.

Some steps to follow include:
1: Change the oil and replace the filter. Be sure you dispose of the oil properly.
2: Check and replace worn spark plugs
3: Clean the grass clippings away from cooling fans, air intake screens and under mower deck
4: Inspect air filter
5: Sharpen blade - A sharp blade is very important for keeping your lawn healthy.

Maybe you prefer to be working in the garden rather than working on tools. Or you just aren’t mechanical. Then you need to have a small engine repair shop do the maintenance for you. That’s alright, not everyone likes or is able to perform their own maintenance. Some of these small engine repair shops will even come and fix it at your place or at least pick it up and bring it back to you.
A good repair shop will perform a 12-point (or several point, depending on what type of equipment you have) maintenance & inspection service on your outdoor power equipment.

Some of the steps involved with this service include:
1: Check battery (if it has one) voltage and continuity
2: Clean engine
3: Inspect belts for wear and adjust tension
4: Check tire tread and pressure
5: Test operation of brakes, carburetor, transmission and safety systems
6: Change transmission fluid, engine coolant, oil and filters (certain models)
7: Grease axle and mower spindles
8: Sharpen blades, check balance and straightness to prevent vibration.

Don't let the grass grow under your feet before you perform some basic maintenance on your outdoor power equipment. One thing we all should understand though and that is, don’t cut your lawn too short. We may want a golf course great looking lawn but it is better for the grass if you leave it a little longer. Now that you’re ready to mow and trim and keep things looking good this summer, is the next thing getting yourself in shape for doing it? Well I won’t go into that here but it may be something you need to think about.

Maintenance “by the yard”

A Reading Garden

2009-04-12T10:08:00.000-07:00

One of the newest trends in community landscaping is the "reading garden". What is a reading garden? It's the perfect place to enjoy a great author and the great outdoors at the same time. Community reading gardens are cropping up in public areas ranging from outside public libraries and schools to city parks. They are community spaces where reading and reflection can be grown and nurtured. With a few modifications, you can turn your patio, deck or backyard into your very own reading garden.

Here are some helpful hints for creating a reading garden in your backyard.

Some essentials include a quiet area, a garden bench or hammock, shade and light and flowers and plants for inspiration and beauty. Think of color, shape, atmosphere and scent.

You may also want a weather-proof place to sit, of course, and a place for resting your novel and a cup of tea. Ideally, put the reading area under an awning or in a small gazebo so that a minor drizzle won't send you indoors.

Start by taking a look at your yard and deciding where you do or where you would enjoy sitting. Then design an area around it for privacy and reflection.

Think color: I don’t know about you but color inspires me. So make sure you have lots of colorful plants around the area. If you’re on your patio you may need to use containers to provide a place for those plants to grow. Consider whether you want to spend more time reading or gardening, and choose high or low maintenance flowers and plants to accommodate that. I love perennials but annuals are very colorful and usually bloom all summer so they may be the better choice here.

Think shape: You want a space that makes you feel comfortable and cozy. As mentioned earlier a gazebo is a great way of achieving this, but there are other ways. For privacy and quiet, try a hedge or screen of ivy. A border of flowers, plants, stones or shrubs can set off your outdoor "reading room". If there's no tree for shade, try taller shrubs, bushes or growing ivy on a trellis or pergola.

Think atmosphere: Atmosphere is very important. If this space is not quiet enough then it is not relaxing and it is hard to concentrate on what you are reading. If it is not private enough then you may have the same problem. You want to be comfortable. No one will sit and read long if what they are sitting on is hard and uncomfortable. A comfortable garden bench or a relaxing patio chair and ottoman will fit the bill.

Think scent: There is nothing nicer than smelling the roses so to speak. The fresh scent from your flowers will excite the mind and help it come alive with pictures in the mind created by the words on the page. So it is important to choose flowers that will fill the air with fresh scents.

After you have created your very own reading garden the final step is the simplest. Open up a book and experience the beauty and inspiration of your reading garden.

Beautiful spaces can create beautiful minds!

Reading Gardens “by the yard”

Gardening on a Balcony, Patio, or Courtyard

2009-04-04T14:53:00.000-07:00

There are many different reasons for people choosing to garden in a small space like on a balcony, patio, or courtyard. For some they have moved from a large house to smaller accommodation, and some have chosen to live in rental property to avoid the high-cost of owning a home. Whatever the reason, this doesn’t mean we can’t garden. No space is too small for a small space garden. You could say that only one plant in a container is a garden. In fact, many gardening options are available in terms of pots, half-barrels, window boxes, troughs, cast-iron planters, recycled materials – the list is unending with possibilities.

When planning your small space garden several steps are fundamental. The first consideration is to determine what purpose this space will serve. Next what do you want to do in it, grow vegetables, herbs; entertain family and friends; meditate; create a place of peace and healing; have a memorial garden – the list is endless. Now, walk around your space and really look at what you have. Where are the doors, sheds, permanent and planters located? Clear out any clutter and start with a clean slate.
If possible, take a chair and sit down, move it around, and think about where the energy feels best for you. Wherever that is, place your seating such as a park bench, lounger, Adirondack chairs, dining furniture, swing, etc. there. Do you want a formal or informal setting? Think of what features you may want? Features such as water, flowers, wind chimes, wild life, color, etc. These can add the finishing touches to your small space garden. Finally, have a plan particularly if you are going to use large features such as a half-barrel because once filled with soil you will not want to be moving it.

When Creating a Small Space Garden here are some things to think about.

Containers: Generally speaking natural materials such as wood, clay, stone, or cast iron in all their forms make better companions for plants. Remember that wet soil weighs a lot so if you garden is on a balcony you may have weight restrictions. Containers made from lighter weight materials such as fiberglass are ideal for roof or balcony gardens. The styles of containers include hanging baskets, wirework stands and baskets, wood window boxes, sinks, troughs, galvanized buckets, old shoes or boots, and all manner of recycled objects.

Scale: Scale is extremely important in small space gardening. For example, small plants look more balanced in small containers, large plants in large containers. I especially like the effect of vines growing on trellis in half-barrels with smaller plants edging the container. I have found that the effect of scarlet runner pole beans is really a knockout with their gorgeous red flowers and you can eat them too.

Microclimates: You should choose plants according to the conditions suitable for their optimum growth. Plants such as begonia, coleus, and Fuchsia prefer shaded areas while geraniums, marigolds, and petunia prefer full sun. Also if you are gardening on a balcony wind can be a major factor and damage fragile plants. For this you need to choose plants that are wind tolerant such as many of the grasses; the sound of the rustling of the grasses as the wind blows through them is very pleasing to the ear.

Soil: I buy pre-mixed potting soil from garden centers or department stores. These are generally lighter in weight, are sterilized to prevent weed seeds from germinating, and contain a lot of peat moss that helps loosen the soil so that it doesn’t compact in pots.

Watering: Check daily as container plants often dry out more quickly. This is especially true if you are using clay pots. Make sure your pots have drainage holes though, as roots sitting in water will rot. You may even want to empty saucers that are full after heavy rain fall.

Fertilizer: Due to frequent watering, container plants require fertilizer on a more consistent basis than plants in the ground do. I use only organic fertilizers such as blood meal, bone meal, or fish emulsion, as I add the soil to the garden at the end of the season, and chemical fertilizers harm the wildlife.

Function: When you are creating your small space garden you are actually designing an outdoor room. So keep in mind you may want to color coordinated it so it appears as an extension of your home. I also move my indoor plants outside for the summer (which they love) and design these areas as garden rooms.

Focal point: Create a focal point such as a large pot, tall plant or small tree, color, or a water feature. You can also create a sense of mystery by hiding a plant or ornament behind something else to give the pleasure of discovering it.

Color: In a small space, try using three colors such as pinks, blues, and whites; reds, oranges, and yellows; or reds, whites, and purples that provide continuity rather than too many colors which tend to be distracting. Cool colors can make the space appear bigger and brighter while intense colors tend to shrink spaces. A white and green color theme called a ‘moon garden’ is more formal and particularly at night it’s spectacular.

Lighting: I like the small Xmas lights hidden in plants or interwoven throughout a trellis with climbing vines. Small spotlights can focus attention on a particular area for evening entertaining.

Gardening on a balcony, patio, or courtyard is fun and not that much work as you don’t have that much to take care of. But it can have a huge impact on your outdoor living space.

Small space gardening “by the yard”

The Enduring Elegance of Teak Patio furniture

2009-03-29T09:36:00.000-07:00

Imagine enjoying your morning breakfast and coffee, or afternoon tea on your patio relaxing on some great furniture. It's only natural though, that homeowners should look for natural materials when choosing furniture for their garden or patio, and people who appreciate good quality furniture love to use durable and beautiful teak patio and lawn furniture.

It's not just teak's good looks that have made it a favorite choice for outdoor furniture and accessories. Teak is one of the most durable woods known to man. What makes teak patio furniture worthy of use in your backyard is because teak wood is very strong and dense as well as containing natural oil which protects it from the elements. This means the life span of furniture made from other types of wood such as cedar, redwood and pine pales in comparison to the 75 to 100 years teak has been reported to last. Also most other types of wood need to be treated with a preservative if you want them to last for several seasons.

With high-quality teak furniture, there's no need to worry about varnishing or sanding the furniture to make it look good and hold up. It only needs to be washed annually to remove sap, pollen and mildew. For those who prefer the look of teak in its original golden brown state rather than the silvery grey that outdoor teak becomes as it ages, will need to clean their furniture more rigorously with specialized teak cleaners. Others may consider oiling, varnishing or sealing their teak furniture if they plan to use it indoors.

When you want a cozy addition to outdoor entertainment seating, a teak Wave garden bench adds just the right touch. The curved seat and back adds style and ensures a comfortable spot to sit. Another piece that will enhance any outdoor living space is a High Back Rocking Chair making it not only extraordinary to look at, but extremely inviting to sit in.

A Teak Butterfly Extension Dining Patio Set is sure to add a dash of classy elegance to your Backyard Dining Room. The Teak patio table is durable, versatile and easily seats 6 people. It can also be shortened for 4 people by storing the leaf and sliding the table together with the glides.

It's important to note that there are differences in quality within the family of teak wood. Here are some tips from manufacturers of fine teak furnishings:

1. Make sure that the furniture you are looking at is genuine teak, not those promoted as "teak-like" or "as good as teak."

2. Consider the grade of teak and the construction methods used to produce the product. Is your furniture free of sap, pits, and open knots? Are screw holes recessed and pegged to prevent rust and staining? If so, you have a quality product.

3. Next, consider style, which has expanded significantly from the traditional Adirondack chair style (though it is still a favorite) many people associate with teak. You can now get teak benches, chair and ottoman sets, loveseats and lounge chairs. Teak furniture can also be customized with colorful chair cushions.

The natural characteristics that teak wood has, makes the teak patio furniture resistant to water as well as insect damage. Meaning, you will have it forever. So having teak patio furniture is a good investment. Many people choose to even use them indoors.

When it comes to furnishing an outdoor space, there are many things to consider, such as the number of pieces you will want to purchase, the type of look you want, and what materials you prefer. Each person has his or her own preference for what makes an outdoor space feel just right, and many select teak wood as their material of choice.

Find your way to beauty, style and grace with your collection of smooth, polished teak Patio and Lawn furniture.

Lawn furniture “by the yard”

Tips for feeding your lawn nitrogen

2009-03-21T12:14:00.000-07:00

Do you have one of those neighbors whose lawn just makes you green with envy? You know what I'm talking about, thick, lush, deep green grass without a single weed to be seen. Its one of the things every homeowner would like to have. So what's the secret?

You may know that to have a healthy lawn a good fertilization program is needed. In fact, it's probably the single most important thing you can do for your lawn. Proper nutrient levels need to be maintained for your lawn to achieve optimal performance and health. By far, the three most important nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Fertilizers are rated by these three nutrients. 20-10-10 and 24-6-6 are typical examples. But what kind and formula should I use on my lawn and when should I fertilize?

It'd be nice to think you can go out, find a good numbered lawn fertilizer, and treat your lawn, but this simply isn't true. You may hear a lawn fertilizer ratio somewhere between 3-1-2 to 5-1-2 is a good fertilizer. This is a pretty vague guideline and the only way to know for sure what your lawn needs is to have a soil sample tested. This is not expensive. Some places will actually do the test for free. Simple home soil test kits are also available. You just need to take the time to do it. Your lawn will thank you later.

One of the nutrients, nitrogen, is vital to your lawn. You need nitrogen because chlorophyll depends on it as do other proteins and amino acids. These in turn are what makes your lawn green and causes it to grow well.

Some things to look for to see if your grass has a nitrogen deficiency are; if it turns yellow despite watering, the grass doesn't grow quickly, diseases are present in your lawn, or if the grass turf starts getting thinner.

Depending on the time of year, your budget, and the climate there are three basic types of nitrogen used in fertilizers that are popular to apply.

1. You will find isobutyledenedinurea (IBDU) which decomposes slowly and will feed your grass over a longer period of time. It will often take a couple of weeks to decompose enough for you to see its effects on your lawn.
This is the most expensive form of nitrogen fertilizer because of the way it is manufactured and its uniformity. Its uniformity also makes it very easy to apply.

2. There is also sulfur-coated urea. It depends on how thick the sulfur coating is to determine how quickly it will dissolve and feed your plants.
S.C.U. will release quicker when the temperature is hotter, the lawn is wetter, or if the grass is healthier.

3. The last one I am going to mention is urea, a fairly inexpensive nitrogen. It is the cheapest nitrogen to produce as well as the fastest acting. You can often see results over night, it is that fast. But it gets depleted quickly and if you over apply it you can easily burn your yard up and kill your grass.

Your lawn is just like any other plant you might decide to grow. It requires nutritious food to look its best. And the proper nutrients will help your lawn not only look great but also become more able to adapt to drought, disease, and even pests. So the next time you go shopping for fertilizers with nitrogen (and this time of year is when everyone does) check the labels and ask lots of questions.

Feeding your lawn “by the yard”

Having An Attractive Rock Garden Anyone Would Be Proud Of

2009-03-17T17:49:00.000-07:00

A rock garden can bring instant life, interest and intrigue to an otherwise bland area of your landscape. Many new gardeners think that rock gardens are hard to plan and expensive to make and fill with colorful plants but nothing could be further from the truth. Rock gardening is fun, easy and can be very economical depending on how you approach it. They are very popular and one of the most economical ways to enhance the landscape surrounding your home.

Rock gardens bring with them the assumption of having very few plants, or no plants at all but that’s not true. In fact it is the arrangement of the rocks in your garden, complemented by attractive plants with coordinating colors, that really adds to the beauty of the home and provides a low-maintenance landscape feature.

The first thing to do when starting your rock garden is to carefully check out where you are thinking of creating your rock garden. You should clear the area of unwanted plants, grasses and make sure there are no remnants left. Be sure to dig out the roots as well as the tops, or you may find your rock garden invaded at some later time by an unwanted fern or intrusive perennials.

After you make sure the soil is good (proper PH and well fertilized), then it is time to place your rocks. It is important to not choose rocks of the same size or shape and to not space your rocks evenly. Your want your garden to look natural. Variety in the types of rocks used is as desirable as variety of plants chosen to place in between them.

If you plan to have a lot of plants, then your rocks should be spaced further apart to give more room for the flowers. If, however, you plan to use plants only sparingly, arrange them closer together, but make sure that you allow some room for plants to grow. Try to make the design look as natural as possible, as it will be more attractive. A few large boulders usually look better than a number of small rocks and in a well-designed rock garden rocks are arranged so that there are various exposures. It is also a good idea to mix in some soil enhancements such as mulch, compost, and other compounds as you fill in the soil between the rocks.

It is advantageous, even after you have placed your rocks and decided where you want to put any plants, to wait a while before you attempt to plant the flowers in your rock garden. This will ensure that the soil has settled, and it will give you a chance to make sure that you have gotten rid of any pesky weeds. This way as soon as they make their appearances above the ground you can easily remove them.

It is best when placing the rocks in a garden that is sloped, to start at the low part of the slope and work up. Also try to slope the top of the rock back toward the slope so that water from rain and sprinklers is guided downward. You also want to try and keep the upper rocks from overshadowing rocks and plants below them. The goal is to create a sense of stability both visually and physically by setting each rock so that its widest side serves a base. To build the rocks up you can set a larger rock on top of smaller rocks and then fill in between with soil.

Placing the rocks on flat ground is a little different. Here you want to work from the inside toward the outer edges of the garden. It is always a good idea to lay out which rocks you would like where so that you can ensure your garden is balanced and look natural. It may be necessary, on a flat site, to build up small mounds of dirt in different places to give the rock garden an interesting appearance.

You should be careful to plant your flowers and plant only after everything else is in place, and after you make sure the soil is properly settled. Early spring or early fall are always the best times to do any planting. You want to make sure you choose plants that are suited for rugged terrain and adapted to your climate. The end result will be a beautiful garden that requires little upkeep.

Rock gardens are here to stay. They are a delightful feature in any home landscape and afford the opportunity to create charming pictorial effects as well as to grow a wide variety of plants, including many bulbs, in a comparatively small area.

Rock gardening “by the yard”

Beautify Your Garden with a Bridge

2009-03-01T15:55:00.001-08:00

Have you ever imagined having your own little paradise right outside in your backyard? Smelling the fresh flowers and enjoying the colorful fish in your very own pond. I think all of us want to have our own private getaway to turn off the noise of our busy lives.

A Garden bridge could be just what you need to turn that mediocre garden area into something quite splendid. Just because you don’t have a huge, elaborate garden does not mean you can’t accentuate what you do have. Garden bridges can add either a touch of country or a formal design to a garden.

Why not consider a garden bridge to accentuate your sanctuary and create a focal point to your flower garden. Bridges are often placed over a small stream (either dry or with running water), pond or even over rough terrain. It is the perfect touch for an exquisitely made landscape whatever the setting may be.

1. Personalize Your Garden
These accents can give a more personalized touch in your garden revealing your true character and personality. All the choices and decisions you make in styling your garden are yours and should reflect your own personal taste and style. Having a garden bridge in a backyard is an influence of the Far East where they created quiet locations often for rejuvenation and meditation. Therefore, a good way to rejuvenate in your backyard is to create your own quiet place. Garden bridges can give serenity to your entire garden which can evoke peaceful feelings and help you clear your mind.

2. Bridge Selections
Garden bridges are most often made of wood because it gives an elegant and traditional style. There are three popular choices of woods used for building these bridges: cedar, pine and redwood. They are unique in their features and they each have their own desirable characteristics.

Cedar: Buyers of cedar bridges may be attracted to the timeless natural beauty of this light-colored wood. It is very good for any outdoor furnishing because it resists mold, decay and mildew and repels insects. The two popular types of cedar are the western red and white cedar. Though both have similar qualities, the western red cedar may last longer than white cedar due to lower levels of natural acid which preserve the cedar. Cedar wood ages well because it does not have the tendency to splinter.

Pine: This type of wood is prone to rot if not pressure-treated. If you are good with a hammer and nails you may even be able to make your own garden bridge. Plans can often be found online. Before building the bridge though, make sure that the wood is painted or stained and sealed to extend its life. Pine responds well to staining or painting.

Redwood: Redwood stands up well against the elements and resists rotting. Lack of maintenance and prolonged outdoor exposure though can steal the vibrancy of its color. But this can be easily restored by using a colored sealer. Having a durable redwood garden bridge adds style and elegance in your backyard.

3. Finding and choosing Your Garden Bridge
- Online sites of Garden Bridges provide you with the best choices, great deals and valuable information to help you get started on your backyard oasis.
- You need to choose the right garden bridge for your yard. If you have a smaller garden you will want a smaller garden bridge to draw attention to a specific area. Look at the space you have and decide where a bridge would fit in. Consider more than one area and then choose your favorite.

A garden bridge can be a big benefit for your garden space. There are some lovely gardens that are small in size but large in beauty because garden bridges have been added in just the right places.

Garden bridges “by the yard”

What to look for when buying Bare Root Roses

2009-02-15T12:10:00.000-08:00

Roses are a truly wonderful addition to anyone’s garden, back yard or not. Though you may not be ready to plant them yet, in fact where we live we are still a couple of months from planting but it is the best time for planning. And if you are ordering you will need to order them soon so you have them when you want to plant.

Roses, if properly cared for, can last years. Therefore, do your research in order to be able to gain the most enjoyment from your plants. Spend some time checking out types, colors, shapes and sizes. Check through catalogues, the internet, and if possible go to a botanical garden arboretum this time of year. Maybe you’ve checked out a friend's gardens last summer but try to look at and smell the roses before you buy.

The first thing to look for is the plant's grade.

Nearly all bare root roses sold today are sold in three main grades and are approximately two years old. The Grades are 1, 1.5, and 2.

Grade 2 is the least expensive grade. These plants will have two canes 12 inches long and may be a bit of a gamble.

Grade 1 ½ is the most popular grade and its price is a little less. It should have at least two strong canes which must be at least 15 inches long and 1/8 inch in diameter.

Grade 1 is the best and as a result is the most expensive grade. It will have at least three strong canes, two of which must be at least 18 inches in length and 1/8 inch in diameter.

Where you buy your roses may also determine the quality. There are three main sources for buying roses.

Supermarkets are the least expensive but usually carry a limited variety of plants. They also normally come with their roots wrapped in plastic, therefore you are unable to inspect the roots for damage. The supermarket personnel are the least knowledgeable about what they are selling, and the plants can be treated roughly both by the people that stock them, and also by customers. This leads to a much greater potential for having an unsuccessful purchase.

Mail order suppliers are normally still pretty inexpensive and often have an even greater variety of plants than your local nursery, however you can not inspect the plants before buying and they sometimes arrive damaged due to shipping. Also, although most mail order suppliers are reputable this isn’t always the case and it is hard to discern the difference before you buy. It can also be difficult to return the ones you are unhappy with.

Nurseries are usually the best places to buy your plants. Normally they are a little more expensive but the plants are often kept in sawdust thereby allowing you to inspect the roots. They usually carry a large variety of both new and old varieties and usually provide the best advice as to which plants do best in your area.

So which variety of plant should you purchase? Well that depends on your taste and what is available for your climate. There are hundreds of varieties of roses. The older time proven varieties may not come in as many color variations but they are reliable. The newer varieties are wonderful and sometimes give larger blooms and a bigger show but my determining factor is the smell. I like to smell the roses. How about you?

Roses “by the yard”

How To Improve Your Weekend Gardening Experience

2009-02-07T14:13:00.000-08:00

If you only have weekends to work on your yard and you are looking for a hassle-free garden it's vital to start the process now even though it is still winter. In this article I am going to look at giving you the first steps in helping you to achieve your goal of a hassle-free yard. Your goal should be to create a yard that practically takes care of itself and with some sound advice and understanding of what it takes to be a weekend gardener you can achieve your goal.

Don’t be like many who have never found a way to escape the prison of responsibilities and hard, never-ending work that a high-maintenance garden requires.

If you want to avoid this fate, you need to start by making a critical examination of the maintenance of your present yard and garden.

Start by taking a stroll around your property (if not actually then in your mind. Mine is still 2 feet under snow) and make note of how much time you take to tend to various areas. This can be done by thinking back to what it was like last summer.

• Which plants and areas require the most care?
• Which areas please you and take less care?
• Are there areas that you love and no matter how much maintenance they take you’re not willing to change?
• Can any areas be scaled down in size, or be improved by changing to a low-maintenance design or gardening technique?
• Where is the worst problem area for weeds?
• Where is the most difficult area of your lawn to mow?

There are very specific ways to correct your problem areas. As you think about your current maintenance problem areas you must think critically. Take a tour of your yard with a critical eye and a notebook. Make some notes to yourself about what you see, what you imagine, and what you are currently faced with.

As you do this preliminary overview, remember its okay to note what you "hate" to do, in regards to your gardening work. We want to get rid of these areas or problems first and foremost.

Everyone has a different take on this subject. Some hate mowing the lawn, others actually enjoy the exercise and like getting out in the sun. Some find weeding tedious, others will enjoy the process of grabbing weeds by the fistful and yanking them forcefully out of the ground.

So, part of your ‘yard tour' is to make notes of the areas that require work; how you feel about each one, and list which are particularly time-consuming.

Once you're done, take your list and put a mark (*) next to those items that you intend to keep no matter how much maintenance they require.
Then put a question mark (?) Next to the ones you enjoy looking at, but are nevertheless high-maintenance and take too much work. You will later discover timesaving techniques you can apply to these problem areas.

Now make it your aim to eliminate those areas that have been left UNMARKED. You'll want low maintenance ways to turn these areas into sources of pleasure, instead of drudgery. However, you can't DO anything to lessen the work load until you can first SEE the problems out there in your yard. So do this tour as a first step to achieve true joy and freedom in your gardening experience.

Less work more enjoyment “by the yard”

The Benefits of Organic Gardening

2009-01-25T16:54:00.000-08:00

Looking to do something a little different in your Back Yard this spring? This idea will not only be fun but will be beneficial as well. More and more people are getting into natural means of growing crops because of the benefits that organic gardening brings. Experts agree that the most basic premise that people who are planning to do organic gardening need to understand about the process is how it replenishes the use of natural resources. Meaning, when one does organic gardening, he or she should understand how important it is to use natural components such as composting plants and other fruits peels to feed the soil where the crop will be planted.

How can organic gardening improve lives?

Thankfully today the common perception is that crops from organic gardens are good and that there are many benefits of organic gardening because this is true. Although it can be a tedious task to get started, all you need to do is to set your mind on doing something enjoyable and healthy, and then you can start reaping the benefits of organic gardening.

The following are just some of the benefits of organic gardening:

1. It leads you back to basics. Nature always provides the feeling of health and calmness. The trees, the plants, the flowers, and other elements of nature exude the air of serenity and relaxation. But, due to the dawning of modern age, many people neglected to discover how nature can give ultimate satisfaction and tranquility. But if you want to get back to the basics, you can always create your own organic garden in the comforts of your own space.

2. Healthier food. Creating an organic garden might mean that you have to work a little bit to grow your fruits and vegetables. But the energy spent on these tasks, allows you to harvest fresh produce that most people cannot find in their local stores. You will also realize you’re investing in something that can provide you with a supply of fresh, healthy and sumptuous food.

3. An amazing alternative to save money. One of the great benefits of organic gardening is that it can be a great way to save money. As well as saving money, organic gardening can also help you save by giving you the best quality crops money can buy for free and at the same time contribute to a healthier environment.

4. It serves as a great hobby or past time. For older people one of the amazing benefits of organic gardening is that it can give people who want less stress in life something to do. Since it gets us back to nature, organic gardening can be a leisure activity not just for the elderly but for the younger ones as well.

Before starting your hobby of organic gardening, you should develop a plan. The first thing to consider is the right location for your garden. For instance for a vegetable garden you need to make sure that the location provides enough exposure to the sun and has access to sufficient water for your crop to grow well.

Organic Gardening “by the yard”

Beautifying Your Back Yard With A Bench

2009-01-18T14:12:00.000-08:00

Most homes have back yards. Some of these can be pretty small; others can be as big as those in mansions. Despite the beauty of the flowers, trees and grass that make up your back yard, the one thing that people take for granted is not being able to enjoy watching it longer. When one frequents public places such as parks, campsites, playgrounds, the zoo, one will notice that there are benches for people to stop and view what is there. It also provides a break from walking and allows a person to catch their breath. Often the advice given on making your yard look better would suggest you buy some new plants or make something unique using ceramics. Just like everything else, a Garden bench is an accessory that should also be considered. You can’t really appreciate the beauty of a garden and the surroundings if you’re not able to sit there and appreciate it. That is where the importance of the bench comes in.

1. Know The Areas of Your Yard

Our back yards, as mentioned earlier, vary according to the size of the home. By identifying the places where one can best appreciate your garden or yard, you will be able to decide the right bench to buy for that particular location. The size of the area where the bench will be placed is very important since this will also determine the number of benches you may want to put in that particular area.

2. Find Out What Styles Of Benches are Available

Parks usually have benches made out of wood or maybe marble. I personally prefer wood for its style and comfort. A lot of places seem to prefer wood like Rest areas along the Highway or even in the zoo. After identifying the locations, you can easily check out what is available in the market then see which models are suitable for your yard. Some benches have armrests and others have a table that go with it so you can enjoy a family barbecue in your back yard. Here are some examples of what is available in the market online. Once you find what you’re looking for, just order it then wait a few days for the delivery to arrive.

3. What about Maintenance?

Benches, like almost anything that is for the out of doors, require some maintenance. Benches made out of stone or marble don’t require much maintenance, while those made out of steel or aluminum do. They chip and rust and need to be regularly painted. Benches made out of wood on the other hand, depending on the wood they are made of, may require little or a lot of maintenance. Woods like Western Red Cedar or Teak have natural chemicals in them that allow them to stand up outside with little maintenance and they will last for years. Pines, spruce and most other soft woods and a lot of hard wood just won’t stand up outside and require regular paint and or stain to stand up to the elements. If your bench is made of plastic and it gets dirty, you can simply wash off the dirt and wipe it making it good as new. Though often the cheaper priced ones brake down under UV rays and crack and break.

4. Perhaps the Most Important Factor! How will you be using it?

- To read a book
- Chat with the other members of the family or friends
- Enjoy the view of the yard
- Watch a sunset
- Eating or entertaining outdoors
- Barbecue in style

5. The Ideal Bench - Not Just Any Bench

The best of way of buying the right bench for the yard or garden is to figure out the best possible bench money can buy. This does not mean the most expensive but the one that is there for a purpose and not just for aesthetic purposes, though aesthetic purposes are also important. The other way if getting the ideal bench would be to build one. If you are handy, it’s no problem to build one but you must buy the right materials. You should be careful though with the price of materials today you may not save much money though you will have the fun of building it and the pride to say that you did.

Benches “by the yard”

Five Gardening Tips to Save You Money

2009-01-11T13:30:00.001-08:00

It’s easy to spend a fortune every year creating a beautiful yard. These five tips can help save you money in both this and future gardening seasons.

1. Use perennials in your flower beds rather than annuals. They grow each year so you don’t have to buy new ones every year. (though I still find myself shopping, cause I never seem to have enough but that’s just me) They are a little more expensive to start out with but they multiply so all you have to do is cut them back or thin them out and exchange with your friends. That way you both have lovely gardens and save money at the same time.

2. Compost your kitchen scraps, as well as your coffee grounds. This time of year you can’t get in the garden but you can still work towards having a beautiful one. The end result of composting is much better than any potting soil you can ever buy from a nursery or hardware store. The price is right, and this is definitely recycling!

3. Spend some money now on purchasing better quality gardening tools and you will save in the long run. They will last for years, saving you dollars because you don’t need to replace them every planting season. Same goes for gardening gloves, make sure you buy the best you can afford so they last all season. Now is a great time to look for sales and specials on quality tools at your local gardening center.

4. Instead of using mulch, try pebbles or small rocks over some landscaping fabric as a ground cover in your garden. This will save you lots of cash since you won’t need to buy mulch in the spring and fall of every year. This will also save on how much watering you will have to do in the heat of the summer.

5. If you are planning a vegetable garden, plan yours according to what your neighbors are planting so you can share your vegetables when they’re ready for eating. Often people have too many of one kind of vegetable. If you grow different vegetables than your neighbor of friend then you can give them away and get something different back in return. You can also share them with your local food bank and help out the needy in your area. They are always looking for good fresh vegetables.

Happy Gardening! Well when the weather gets right.

Gardening “by the yard”

Make this a Garden Season to Enjoy

2009-01-04T12:09:00.000-08:00

I came across this article and I thought that is exactly what I wanted to say so here it is:

(ARA) - The catalogues are starting to pile up and the list of landscape improvements grows longer each day. Don’t let this overwhelm or discourage you. Instead spend a bit of time planning now for better results in your garden. You will be amazed how much fun you can have while achieving your landscape goals under budget and within your schedule.

Take some time to look through those catalogues. It is a great way to gather ideas and get some feedback from everyone who uses or enjoys the landscape. You might find if they are invited to help with the planning they might just help with weeding. And no one is too young.

Break out the crayons, paper, pencils, ruler, old catalogues and make garden planning a family event,” says nationally known gardening expert and author Melinda Myers. “Younger children can glue pictures of their favorite plants on a piece of paper while older ones can do the measuring, sketch the garden and help with the planting diagram." And if you are the sole gardener and caretaker, don’t worry. The same process works and you get to make all the decisions.

Once the family has had their input or you created your wish list of plants it is time to make sure your plan is realistic. Check to see if the plants selected will grow in the heat and cold of your region. Make sure they can also tolerate the soil, wind and moisture conditions. Matching the plant to the growing conditions means an attractive landscape and productive gardens with less work. Catalogues, your local Extension service and the Internet are great sources of information. This is great way to fight the winter blues.

Now it’s time to focus on the foundation of the garden, the soil under your feet. Preparing the soil with proper fertilization helps the plants you select grow and thrive. Start with a soil test to find out what type and how much fertilizer and soil amendments you need to add. The soil test results can save you time, money and insure you do the best for your plants and the environment. Over fertilizing wastes money, damages plants and can harm the environment.

While waiting for the results you can keep everyone involved with garden planning. Gather a cup of soil from your garden. Remove any sticks and stones and place it in a clean quart straight sided jar. Fill the jar 3/4 full and add a teaspoon of non-foaming detergent and shake. This is a great way to burn calories or use excess energy our young gardeners often have. Then allow the soil to settle.

You will begin to see layers of the different particles. Check the jar again in two days. The bottom layer is the heavier sand particles, followed by the medium sized silt and last the clay. This exercise will give you an idea of your soil structure. Compare what you found to the university lab results. "I have used this with young gardeners and it is amazing how excited they get about the soil in their garden. Even the more seasoned gardeners seem to enjoy this activity," says Myers.

Now select a fertilizer suited to your plants. "I prefer low-nitrogen slow-release fertilizers like Milorganite," says Melinda. "It is goof proof and safe for gardeners of all ages and experience to use. The organic source of nitrogen does not promote excess growth at the expense of flowers and helps to build stress tolerant plants. The non-leaching phosphorous is good for the environment and non-staining iron encourages a deep green color. Plus one product is good for all your gardening needs."

Incorporate Milorganite into the soil before planting your flower and vegetable gardens as well as landscape plants. The slow release nitrogen won’t burn the developing roots or interfere with flowering.

Give flower and vegetable plants a mid season boost. The organic source of nitrogen in Milorganite will not burn heat and drought stressed plants. And be sure to water thoroughly and only as needed to keep your plants looking good throughout the season.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Hope you enjoyed the article I sure did.

Gardening “by the yard”

Ideas for having a wonderful yard

2008-12-22T18:51:00.000-08:00

Good landscaping ideas are ones that everyone can make use of. There are many different landscaping ideas and most of them are pretty good but to find the one that is right for your yard’s needs may take some searching. Hopefully this article will help you to find the perfect landscaping idea for your yard and home.

One good landscaping idea for your yard is to use evergreens. The use of these fabulous trees will do a lot for any yard. They will add a stately nature to the feel of your home while keeping it welcoming and warm. Many people like to use deciduous trees in the yard and this is always a good idea but it is the evergreens that will give the yard the structure and the stability that it needs for a good idea for your yard’s landscaping and design.

You need to look for a good landscaping idea like the one above that will benefit you all year round. Deciduous trees don’t have the same appeal in all seasons, most perhaps, but not all. Evergreens on the other hand are always fantastic and they look as beautiful in the winter as they do in the summer and this is why they make for such a great landscaping idea.

Another good backyard landscaping idea is to use hardscape. This is the use of things like rocks, fences and walls. These can make your yard look very interesting during all of the seasons. You can have climbing plants on it in the spring and summer and pretty trees around it that will look great in the winter.

Stone walls are one of these good hardscape landscaping ideas that have really caught on like wildfire. Walls are what will frame the whole home. They can be a gorgeous frame to the glorious painting that is your front and back yard. There are many other reasons to have concrete landscaping such as walls as well. These walls are perfect for keeping your pet in the yard. If you have a dog that is prone to run away then it would be good to consider into this kind of concrete landscaping. These walls are also very good for keeping intruders out. The harder your home is to get into the less likely burglars will bother trying. You can also use a wall to keep your soil in place. If there is a part of your yard that is prone to sliding then you can build a retention wall expressly for this purpose.

You can also use concrete landscaping for many different parts of your yard. Most people use hardscape in their ideas and designs for the walkways and paths that wind through their gardens. This is more for those with larger yards but even if your yard is small these ideas can be really effective. You could put in a wonderful concrete patio that you and your friends could enjoy for drinks or a tea. There is nothing more fun than a little party out on the backyard patio on a nice day.

The best thing about hardscape landscaping is that while it can be functional you can make it look as if it is just there for looks. There is so much you can do with hardscape landscaping as concrete is so easy to work with. You can use concrete landscaping bricks or you can use whole solid slabs. You can even get custom made concrete landscaping stones that are in unique and creative shapes and patters. Take some time and see what all is out there in terms of concrete landscaping, you might just be surprised.

When looking for a good backyard landscaping idea you need to look for all kinds of options and combinations of ideas. There is much more to landscaping than just plants and trees. The key to any great landscaping design is to find a good landscaping idea like this that will keep your yard interesting no matter what time of the year it is.

Landscaping ideas “by the yard”

Searching for the Best Gardening Tools?

2008-12-05T16:45:00.000-08:00

Different kinds of gardens require different kinds of garden tools. Hardware stores cater to a wide range of tools with average to good quality. There are shops though, that specialize in the more expensive kind of garden tool that shouts quality. You can find tools like this at your local Garden center. Wherever you decide to shop, here are a few pointers to help you in your decision making.

Do you have small garden or a large one? A small garden will not require the same large equipment that would be of use in an extensive one. A riding lawn mower is unnecessary if you only have a small strip of lawn. Another point to consider is who does most of the gardening? Some tools may be too heavy for use by women.

Pruners
When you buy pruners (secateurs) make sure the blade always stays sharp to avoid damaging the plant. Look for models that have blades that can be sharpened or replaced, models with tension control and with sizes that best fit your hands. Pruners usually cost around $50 - $130. I find there is a difference here. The quality ones stay sharp longer and just work and stand up a whole lot better.

Hedge trimmers
Hedge trimmers or shears are handy - but only if you have a hedge, or plan on growing one. Some hedge trimmers have curved blades to stop branches from sliding out when cut. You can buy manual or electric. If your job isn’t too big I would go with quality manual ones. They are safer.

Forks
Forks are used for turning and aerating compost and breaking up lumps of soil. The cheaper ones are often not strong enough for heavy soil, so go for sturdiness instead of price. Forks usually cost around $30 - $100.

Shovels
A shovel has a scoop blade and is best used to move around dirt and garden soil. A spade has a flat blade great for cutting edges, digging and dividing plants. The edge of a spade should be kept sharpened for clean and efficient cutting and will cause the least amount of damage to plants. These are a basic garden necessity and usually cost from $30 - $50. You can buy expensive ones with shiny blades that look great but don’t work any better than cheaper ones that are given the same maintenance.

Pruning saw
A pruning saw is used for pruning trees and larger shrubs, while pruners (secateurs) are for plants like roses. Pruning saws have a narrow curved blade that fits between stems or branches easily and cuts them as you pull the saw backwards. They are approximately $27- $55. Some are fastened to long poles for trimming small branches from trees. They work great.

Hoes
A chipping hoe is a handy tool for getting rid of small weeds. The Dutch or push-hoe is slightly more user-friendly as the action required to use it does not jar the neck and shoulder quite so much. These must be kept sharp to work easily and properly.

Rakes
A rake is also a basic requirement for the garden. The strong garden rake with the flat head and sharp metal prongs is used for smoothing a garden bed and getting out the last of the bumps and weeds. The plastic leaf rake is used to gather leaves and grass clippings only.

Here are some final thoughts. Gardening tools don't have to be expensive. Flea markets and garage sales can be excellent places to pick up great tool bargains. They may need some TLC but can really be worth the extra effort to get them back into shape. Again think of your garden or the garden of the person you are buying a tool for and buy accordingly. Having the right tool for the job certainly makes a job a whole lot easier and a joy to use.

Gardening Magazines: another great gift for the season

2008-11-27T18:38:00.000-08:00

Gardening magazines are a great source of knowledge for all types of gardeners, from beginner to expert. Invaluable for the person new to gardening, a magazine will provide information and tutorials on everything from checking soil types to using garden tools, plant guides and much more. Even the most seasoned gardeners will have a question about their garden once in a while, and you can bet that beginners will be full of questions. Gardening magazines can help with questions that arise involving nearly every aspect of gardening. Not only will gardening magazines give instructions on gardening, they also provide readers with the latest news in the gardening world.

Gardening magazine subscribers are privy to all of the latest information regarding things such as new gardening tools, fertilizers, and pesticides that are introduced to the market. For example, there are always new programs and clubs for gardeners to join, or perhaps a local gardening class that is available. When new tools are produced, such as a new kind of blower or vacuum or new kinds of lawn mowers or tillers that are available, a gardening magazine is the best place to get all of the information. Not only will these magazines tell you about these products, they will also give you options on where to find them and for the lowest costs.

Gardening magazines offer hints and tips on how to rid your garden of those ever pesky insects. They will also discuss the many ways to recognize and fight diseases that may overtake your plants. The information you get from these magazines could be what ends up saving your garden.

Gardening magazines usually come with a gardening maintenance section that will instruct readers on things like how to prune, when to divide, which fertilizers would be better for your plants, and how much to water. They provide simple, easy to understand instructions on everything from how to deal with weeds to planting tulips.

Gardening magazines give ideas about landscaping and, if enforced, could change the entire outlook of your yard or flower garden. Gardening magazines are loaded with not only landscape ideas, but with beautifully designed living spaces that rival the most exquisite living rooms. Cozy fireplaces grace patio corners, built in grills and outdoor ovens create casual and relaxing eating atmospheres, and pools surrounded with tropical themes give an instant vacation feel to the tired worker returning home. Garden designs can be difficult at best, and magazines can supply gardeners with inspiration and ideas on what will look good and suit their area.

Garden magazines also give subscribers the chance to write questions to be published so that they can get a specific answer from a gardening professional. They also provide gardeners with the chance to share their knowledge and expertise with the public by submitting articles of their choice for publication. One of the highest honors in gardening is to have your lawn or garden displayed in a magazine for everyone to see. It is definitely the pinnacle of gardening.

Gardening magazines provide gardeners with inspiration, ideas, instruction, and even entertainment. Many times gardening magazines will also provide readers with coupons that they can use to purchase items that will either improve, enlarge, or enhance their gardens. Gardening magazines are a primary source for both beginner and experienced gardeners everywhere to get all the latest news and age old gardening traditions at the same time.

Gardening magazines are monthly garden inspiration and are a great option for thoughtful Dad, and yes, it's a gift that keeps on giving. Here is a list of gardening magazines you might want to consider getting a subscription to.

Magazines “by the yard”

Gardening Gifts for the Season

2008-11-09T12:48:00.000-08:00

Gardening has become one of the most popular hobbies people have these days, and you probably know a gardener or two who would love a gardening gift for their upcoming special occasion. There are hundreds of gardening gifts to buy for both the beginner and expert gardener, and the great thing about gardening gifts is they can be bought just about anywhere: online, nursery, feed store, farmer’s market, even your local department store or grocery store.

Gift for a beginner

If buying a gardening gift for a beginner, an instructional or informational book is always a good idea. Books like this will give tips on how to eliminate gardening nightmares like disease, insects, and weeds. They will tell gardeners which kind of plants thrive in different climates, as well as how much sun, water, and nutrients various types of plants require. Books like this can be purchased at nurseries, online, or at your local bookstore. If your gardening friend is a “computer nerd”, a gardening information CD might be a better gift for them than a book.

Plants are always great gardening gift
Whether giving to a novice or expert professional, a plant is always a great gardening gift.
1. Whether buying the traditional gift, like a poinsettia at Christmas, or just some random plant, a plant is sure to be greatly appreciated and enjoyed.
2. Another idea is to buy seeds or just a bulb for someone to transplant. Giving a perennial would be a gift that keeps on giving.
3. Theme gardening gifts using plants can also be loads of fun. An herb can come with an attached card including a recipe using that herb. A plant that produces nectar and will attract butterflies can be coupled with a book on butterflies.

Gardening tools

Possibly the best and most common, gardening gift is gardening tools. This can be anything as simple as a hoe or rake to something more high-tech like an electric blower or vacuum. These are good for removing debris, leaves, or grass from driveways and side walks. Other favorites are gloves, hedge trimmers, and sprinklers.

A calendar
An excellent gardening gift that is rarely thought of is a calendar. Calendar’s can serve dual purposes; it can be decorative with beautiful gardening themes, or can be used to keep up with the moon phase that affects most all plants. A farmer’s almanac is also a good idea, it is full of information regarding the weather, moon phase, when to plant, when to prune; it is the best guidebook to gardening there is.

Gift certificate
The ultimate gardening gift for any gardener is a gift certificate to a nursery or store where gardening tools or plants are available. This way, your friend can get any tool they do not have in their collection, or any kind of plant their heart desires.

Gift giving is a difficult task at best, but if you have gardeners for friends, a gardening gift is an easy way out and makes your gift buying simpler. As we have seen gardening gifts can range anywhere from tools to actual plants and with gardening gifts you have a wide range of costs to choose from as well. You can give an inexpensive pair of gloves or an expensive power tiller. So the next time you go gift shopping, think about a gardening gift for your friends with green thumbs!

Gifts “by the yard”

Fall is the ideal time for planting new trees

2008-10-26T09:06:00.000-07:00

Planting shade trees in your landscape this fall will allow you to bask in the glow of their autumn leaves year after year. From the red and orange autumn leaves of maples to the yellow autumn leaves of aspens, don't miss out on the colorful displays you'll get by planting these magnificent fall foliage trees!

The shade from these trees also cools hot streets and parking lots in the summer. Cities are "heat islands" that are 5-9 degrees hotter than surrounding areas. Shade trees that are properly located on your property can cut summer utility bills by 20 percent or more. For energy efficiency it is best to plant deciduous trees on the west side of your house.

But be careful where you plant them, as trees, like people, grow up. Planting a tree that will grow too large for its location is one of the most common mistakes people make (along with planting too many trees). Find out the mature size a tree will achieve before you plant it. Remember, that a small one when planted will look entirely different after only a few years of growth in your back yard. You should plant most shade trees at least 30 feet from your house and 10 feet from paved areas to prevent roots from damaging foundations. Columnar trees-such as birch and poplar-can be planted a little closer, about 15 to 20 feet from your home's foundation.

Planting a mature tree can be very difficult and costly, if done by a professional which includes their big machinery. At times, a mature tree is badly needed though for a patio or terrace or for screening, in these cases it may well justify the expense.

Planting a tree in the cool weather of Fall or if the weather is still hot in the evening is ideal. For sure the weather should not be blazing hot. Carefully place your tree into the hole you have dug and adjust until the crown of the root ball (or the "root collar," a slight swelling on the stem that develops in the nursery at the ground line, just above the roots) slightly above the surrounding ground. Be sure you handle the tree by the root ball, not by the trunk. In the past it was considered unnecessary to remove the burlap from the root ball of the tree, but loosening the burlap will make it easier for the tree to grow.

Now fill the hole in with native soil only. You do not want to place other amendments — not even compost or fertilizer — in the planting hole. After you have filled and made firm the soil around the tree you will want to give it a big drink. Trees lose moisture throughout the winter, so a good soak is what it needs.

You may also want to mulch around it. This is to protect the roots of the tree not the trunk. Mulch is helpful because it minimizes moisture loss. Mulch also may be used to prevent weeds and slows the freezing of the soil so root growth continues as long as possible.

Wrapping the trunks of thin-barked, young trees in late November helps prevent frost cracks, sunscald, and animal damage, but be sure to remove the wrap in March. Wrapping the tree's trunk is unnecessary for many trees and should be used primarily on new trees. If your tree comes already wrapped, remove the wrapping and inspect the trunk for signs of damage or wounds. Then you may re-wrap the trees trunk.

Planting hardy trees in the fall of the year is ideal, as it will allow the plants to form a good root system before they have to contend with the heat and humidity of our summers. If you had to pick the best time to plant a tree, fall and early winter is it!

Plant a tree today and make a difference for tomorrow!

Planting trees “by the Yard”

An eco-friendly way turn your yard debris into “black gold”

2008-10-18T11:56:00.000-07:00

The evenings are turning cool and the leaves are beginning to turn into a brilliant bouquet of colors. The summer is gone and we welcome fall. But fall is not a time to hibernate indoors yet, there is a lot of work still to be done in our back yards.

Not the least of which is dealing with all those leaves and yard waste. If you’ve avoided composting because,
- you think its too much work and mess
- or you just aren’t sure how to get started.
Then fall is a great time to try your hand at turning this year’s yard debris into next year’s natural fertilizer.

You may already know that composting is the best way to turn those yard clippings, fall leaves and kitchen greens into valuable organic material that your plants will just love. But you may not know that by composting your yard and kitchen waste, you can also reduce the amount of waste you send to the landfill by over one-third. So why not get started.

Composting is nature's way of recycling. When you compost, you convert vegetable scraps, leaves, grass clippings and other materials into a useful soil builder. It is an aerobic process that requires oxygen and under the right conditions, microorganisms grow and multiply, converting the original organic material into a more stable, usable product.

Composting is not an exact science though. It’s a lot like cooking, and the easiest compost recipe calls for blending roughly equal parts of organic materials rich in nitrogen, referred to as GREENS (fresh veggie scraps or grass clippings), while the rest can be lumped together as BROWNS (hay, twigs, dried leaves). Some people think a good general rule of thumb is use 2-3 parts brown to 1 part green. Simply layer or mix these materials in a pile, enclosure or bought composting bin. It is maybe best accomplished with the use of a compost bin as the bin helps to keep the pile neat and rodent free, reduces moisture loss, and retains the heat generated in the pile. Experience will tell you what works best for you.

Community composting is the next best option for those who are unable to compost at home. Community owned sites are an ideal way to keep the waste and the finished product close to where it originates. We have a city run composting site in our city where householders can bring garden waste for composting at no charge. The city also collects it in the spring and fall.

Composting is the natural process that decomposes yard waste and food waste to make a brown, crumbly soil additive that is sanitized; stabilized; high in humic substances and that enhances the health of your lawn and gardens. This organic matter improves plant growth by helping to break heavy clay soils into a better texture, by adding water and nutrient-holding capacity to sandy soils, and by adding essential nutrients to any soil. Improving your soil is the first step toward improving the health of your plants.

Fall, by nature, is an exceptional time to begin composting. Dry leaves, grass clippings and woody materials represent a large percentage of total yard waste. Each offers either the carbon or nitrogen components necessary for the decomposition process that takes place during composting. Add air and water, and you’re well on your way to rich, loamy compost.

Composting delivers many benefits. Modern gardeners face strict waste removal ordinances in many communities. Plus, growing environmental consciousness inspires gardeners to minimize their eco footprint while cleaning up the back yard. It is a cost-effective, eco-friendly way to convert your yard debris into “black gold”.

Composting is so easy and enjoyable it can be part of your daily routine. Whether you own or rent, if you aren't composting yet, you are missing out on a great opportunity to reduce landfill waste and feed your garden with a nutrient rich, all-natural, safe fertilizer for next spring’s planting season.

omposting "by the yard"

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Autumn Yard Work, part 2

2008-10-10T18:20:00.000-07:00

Last time we mentioned that approximately 42 million people seek emergency room treatment for injuries each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many of these injuries happen while homeowners are performing seemingly routine tasks; like fall yard work. In part one we were talking about how to prevent injury from raking leaves. So, now more on safety while doing your fall yard work.
Autumn is a great time to clear out gutters, check roof integrity and wash windows. More than 532,000 people were injured in falls from ladders in 2007, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

2. How to stay safe on a ladder:

a. Choose the right ladder for the job. A step stool or utility ladder is good for working at low levels or step ladders for medium height jobs while, extension ladders are appropriate for outdoors to reach high places, such as washing windows or for when you need to clean gutters or inspect the roof.

b. First of all inspect the ladder and make sure it is safe and free from loose screws, braces or rungs. Clean off any accumulation of mud, dirt or liquids that might make it slippery.

c. If it is a step ladder, make sure all four legs sit firmly on a level surface. Avoid setting it up on uneven ground or soft, muddy spots. If you need to make the ground level, do so by digging one leg into the ground.

d. Before you climb, be sure the ladder locks are in place and safety braces are engaged.

e. Never sit or stand on the top of a step ladder or on its pail shelf. These areas were not designed to carry your weight.

f. Do not stretch or lean to reach your work area. Be aware of your balance; instead reposition the ladder closer to your work.

Another area to think and be safe about is the lawn mower. It will soon be time to store the mower until spring but chances you are still going to mow the grass a few more times before the snow falls. You may also use it to collect leaves or and lawn clippings. Then you will be cleaning it up and storing it for the season. Lawnmowers are powerful tools and they can cause significant injury. In 2007, more than 225,000 people were injured by power, manual and riding lawn mowers, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

3. To avoid lawnmower-related injuries:

a. Make sure you shut off the engine and let it cool off before you refuel your lawnmower or begin to do any maintenance work on it.

b. Never use your hands or feet to clear debris from under a lawnmower, even if the engine is off as the blade can still move and cause serious injury. Use a stick or broom handle instead and you will be much safer.

c. Never remove any safety devices, guards or shields. This is true for any power equipment.

d. Never leave your lawnmower running unattended, though this is more difficult today with the kill switch on the handle of modern mowers.

e. Wear protective clothing like gloves, protective boots and long pants when mowing your grass. Never mow barefoot or in sandals.

f. Never mow while or after consuming alcoholic beverages.

Home safety is no accident. Working safe is not an option. Working safe is not something someone else does for you or to you any time there is a hazard or unsafe condition. It is what you do for yourself. Don’t become one of the statistics. Avoid the pitfalls of fall yard work this year.

Avoiding Pitfalls “By the yard”

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Autumn Yard Work, part 1

2008-09-30T17:40:00.000-07:00

As the weather becomes cooler and the leaves start to turn color, many people start to do their fall outdoor cleanup. One thing you may want to consider is the number of Americans injured doing yard work every fall. Approximately 42 million people seek emergency room treatment for injuries each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many of these injuries happen while homeowners are performing seemingly routine tasks; like fall yard work. These facts may cause you to think that "fall" is actually short for "pitfall". Fall, it seems, is becoming the season for injuries, back injuries, tumbles from ladders and lawn mower accidents.

Here are a few simple tips to avoid common injuries while in the yard this fall.

The leaves changing color is one of the charms of fall, but once they get on the ground, raking them sends thousands of people to the emergency room each year. Raking is vigorous exercise, and you should pay close attention to your arms and back to avoid injury.

So to prevent injury from raking, make sure you:

1. Warm up with some stretching and light exercise before you start to do any raking. Sometimes we think this doesn’t do anything but I work out all the time at the Y and have learned that it does make a difference.

2. Use a rake that is comfortable for you, your height and strength. There are many tools being made today that are more user-friendly.

3. Protect your hands by wearing gloves or use a rake with padded handles to prevent blisters.

4. Wear appropriate clothes. Be aware loose clothes can sometimes get caught in things. Also sometimes your hat can obstruct your vision so you miss low branches, or uneven surfaces. Wear shoes or boots with slip-resistant soles as wet leaves can be slippery.

5. Always remember when picking things up like a bag of leaves, bend at the knees, not the waist. Do not overfill leaf bags, especially if the leaves are wet as they really become heavy. You should be able to carry the bags comfortably to avoid back injury.

6. Change your movement often by alternating your arm and leg positions or switching jobs for a few minutes.

7. Beware of twisting motions as it places undue stress on your back, like throwing leaves over your shoulder or to the side.

Raking leaves is an annual chore, and many people just throw the leaves away. If you just bag your leaves and have them carted off, the nutrients they contain cannot be cycled back into the soil as they would be in a natural habitat. It’s a waste of great fertilizer. Instead run them through a shredder then they can be used as an excellent mulch for the perennial garden. Or instead of raking your leaves at all just use your mower and mulch them into your grass. It is important though to not leave a layer of leaves on your lawn or garden because it doesn’t allow proper circulation of air and water to the plants under them, and can cause irregular growth, or smother what’s below them, especially in lawns.

Raking leaves is hard work and is an unavoidable fall activity but it is a good way to get to know nature and to smell the fresh air of the outside, though jumping in the leaves can be more fun. By taking the proper steps you can avoid the injuries and muscle strains of raking.

Avoiding Pitfalls “By the yard”

Attracting beautiful birds to your yard

2008-09-14T16:02:00.001-07:00

Bird houses and feeders are a wonderful way to decorate your yard and garden. They can add a unique touch of whimsy to your property while attracting beautiful birds that bring your yard garden to life with splashes of color and nature’s music. Attracting birds to your backyard with bird houses and feeding them is an easy way to enjoy wildlife up close and personal. Feeders, and the beautiful birds that perch upon them, can brighten up any garden or yard.

North American birds like Finches, swallows, wrens, and others make their nests in tree hollows and other sheltered environments. This makes cedar bird houses an ideal location during nesting season. Bird houses carry another great benefit: the chance for young and old alike to watch the life cycle and development of the young birds. Birdhouses are popular gifts for year round and are a natural gift for life.

Bird feeders as well are uplifting, relaxing and entertaining. There are many types of birds that have become well-adapted to taking advantage of bird feeders. In fact, according to the National Audubon Society, more than 100 species supplement their natural diets with birdseed, suet, fruit and nectar obtained from feeders. There are a wide variety of feeders to accommodate this wide variety of birds: hopper feeders, platform feeders, tube feeders, suet feeders, Hummingbird feeders; and the list goes on. The birds you desire to feed will determine the type of food you put out and that in turn helps to determine which feeder you should use.

Some feeders work well for a number of different types of food. Hopper feeders and platform feeders are big and bird-friendly. They can hold almost any size seed and a lot of it, so they have to be refilled less often. Hopper bird feeders accommodate several feeding birds at the same time and are attractive to a number of species, such as grosbeaks, cardinals, jays, woodpeckers, finches, chickadees, sparrows and nuthatches. The biggest drawback is because of their open trays, there is substantial spillage. Hopper feeders are a great choice for general feeding. The difference between this type of feeder and a platform-style is the addition of a seed hopper. Hopper feeders come in a wide range of styles and sizes. The miniature barn design is the more traditional hopper feeder style, and with this type of feeder you don’t have to refill it daily because it holds a huge store of seeds.

Tube feeders are ideal for smaller birds like finches and pine siskins because they have small perches that large perching birds like starlings can't grip. Tube feeders are extremely popular and come with feeding ports or holes where the birds access the food. These ports can vary in size in order to accommodate different types of food. A tube feeder with large holes will let sunflower seeds and fruit pieces through, while others with small holes should be used for small seeds like Nyjer.

Suet feeders, which are wire cages specifically made to hold suet, are an excellent way to offer your outdoor pets a variety of dining options. Suet is the hard, white fat on the kidneys and loins of cattle and other animals, and is a favorite of many birds. If it were up to the birds, they would take the entire piece of suet away with them. Thankfully, the suet feeder cage design only allows small chunks to be eaten at a time, which means that desirable birds such as woodpeckers, cardinals, chickadees, wrens, and nuthatches visit more often -- so you get more time to enjoy watching them.

Hummingbird feeders are available in a number of shapes and sizes and are perfect for homeowners looking to attract these cute little creatures. Hummingbird feeders, in particular, are often placed near windows because the tiny, acrobatic birds are fun to watch. Hummingbird feeders, rather than dispensing seed, supply liquid nourishment to hummingbirds, in the form of a sweet mixture often colored red to attract the birds, but this is unnecessary and the food coloring may in fact be detrimental to the health of the birds.

There are a number of helpful resources today that can help you pick out the appropriate types of food needed to attract desirable birds, and the feeders that suit them best. In fact, Web sites such as www.WildDelight.com are becoming a popular reference point for outdoor pet lovers.

Wood is the preferred material for birdhouses and feeders. Western Red cedar, known for it’s longevity in exterior applications, is a primary construction material used in these wood birdhouses and feeders. The elasticity and natural oils found in western red cedar makes it durable to variations in outside temperature and humidity which ensures they will last a lifetime.

Finally, with all the different types and styles of feeders available today, there have never been more opportunities to enjoy outdoor pets and the entertaining hobby of backyard bird feeding.

Discovering wonderful backyard landscaping ideas

2008-09-07T17:20:00.001-07:00

A good backyard landscaping idea is one that everyone can make use of. There are millions of different backyard landscaping ideas and many of them are pretty good but to find the one that is right for you and is just what your yard needs will take some time and research.

Your backyard landscaping is going to involve many different things but the most important one of these if your well being. Most people get into backyard landscaping because they want to change the look and feel of their yard; they want to make it a wonderful place where their family can feel safe and comfortable at any time of day or night.

Backyard landscaping is a great way to add some peace to your life whether you are alone or you have a large family and tons of kids. With great ideas you will be able to create a sanctuary with your backyard landscaping that you have never had before in your life.

This article hopefully will help you to find some backyard landscaping ideas that are right for your yard.

So here are a few ideas.

1. One good backyard landscaping idea is to use evergreens for height or a living fence or an accent. The use of these fabulous trees will do a lot for any yard. They will add a stately nature to the feel of your home while keeping it welcoming and warm. Many people like to use deciduous trees in the yard and this is always a good idea but it is the evergreens that will give the yard the structure and the stability that it needs for a good backyard landscaping design.

It is always best to look for a backyard landscaping idea like the one above that will benefit you all year round. Deciduous trees will not be gorgeous in all seasons, most perhaps, but not all. Evergreens on the other hand are always fantastic and they look as beautiful in the winter as they do in the summer and this is why they make for such a great backyard landscaping solution. The key to any great landscaping design is to find an idea like this that will keep your yard interesting no matter what time of the year it is.

2. When looking for a good backyard landscaping idea you need to look for other options besides just plants. There is much more to landscaping than just plants and trees. Another good backyard landscaping idea is to use hardscape. This is the use of things like rocks, fences and walls. They can make your yard look very interesting throughout all of the seasons as well. You can have climbing plants on them in the spring and summer and different trees around them that will make them look great in the winter.

Walls and fences can frame your property beautifully and using them will just accent all of your other wonderful backyard landscaping ideas. They will frame your yard as a picture frame frames a gorgeous painting.

Look into these and other backyard landscaping ideas as well in your search for the one or ones that are right for you. There are a couple of great places for you to learn more about backyard landscaping such as in magazines and on the internet like on this blog where you can find many good ideas or on another blog that I like Ideas for Outdoor Living .com . You can also get many backyard landscaping books out of the library. These can all help you to make the best decisions as to your landscaping needs. You can also get many do it yourself tips online like at homerenewall.com

A lot of the fun is discovering what you like and then the rest of the fun is doing it. Have fun on your road of discovery.

Landscaping “by the yard”

Flowering shrubs, a great way to add color to your yard

2008-08-28T18:51:00.000-07:00

Flowering shrubs are a great way to add color to your yard or garden. They are becoming more and more prominent in our landscape as people are continuously looking for both a little height and season long color in their yard. Flowering Shrubs are sometimes called landscape darlings because they are relatively inexpensive, easy to grow and require little maintenance. They are perhaps at their best when in bloom as with their masses of blooms they can stand alone used for a focal point, or be grouped together with other shrubs or perennials; they are great any where in your landscape.

Flowering shrubs are major contributors to the garden’s summer color palette. You can have accents of color throughout the garden from glossy Abelia, Crapemyrtle, Butterfly Bush and Rose-of-Sharon, but the predominant player is Hydrangea.

Flowering shrubs are usually deciduous (shed their leaves in winter) and are grown mostly for their flowers. They are often propagated by softwood cuttings. Late spring and early summer are the best times for success with this method. They are best planted in the early spring to give the root system time to take hold before hot summer weather sets in. Flowering shrubs are never pruned in the spring though. They are pruned according to their bloom time. Early bloomers such as Forsythia and Lilac, in fact most flowering shrubs, are best pruned immediately after flowering but before their buds set.

Forsythia is one of the earliest blooming shrubs. It produces an abundance of vibrant yellow flowers that cover its branches. Forsythias can look great when in bloom and then pretty uninspiring the rest of the year. Many of these plants have an optimum age of each cane for flower production, say, canes three or five years old. Forsythias are quite easy to grow as they do well with most types of soil, although they thrive best in rich loose soil, needing only the occasional pruning after flowering.

Lilacs shrubs prefer a fertile, well-drained soil in full sun and provide spring blossoms along with the Forsythia and February Jasmine. Lilac mulching seems to help.

Rose-of-Sharon are slow to get going in the beginning. They're kind of lazy, actually, but they are fairly easy to take care of. They prefer full sun locations but also do well in partial shade. Rose-of-Sharon are much hardier than even the hardiest Hibiscus.

Azaleas are another type of flowering bush. They are often known as the royalty of the garden. Azaleas do best with plenty of organic matter in the soil.

Azaleas and Rhododendrons are really great shrubs, but for me the premier spring-flowering shrubs are the Viburnums. They are the favorite plants of many horticulturists, but are very underused in most of our gardens.

Flowering shrubs are planted in home gardens for a variety of reasons. They are typically sought after for their decorative qualities. They make great garden borders when planted side-by-side or in between other types of plants. Flowering shrubs provide an eye catching framework in any garden design.

Flowering shrubs “by the yard”

What part does water play in our yards

2008-08-22T17:16:00.000-07:00

Water Gardening is playing an ever increasing role in our yards and it's easy to see why. They aren’t that difficult to set up or maintain and really the biggest reason is they bring tranquility to our yard. As a result water gardens are one of the fastest growing trends in gardening and outdoor living. All you need to begin water gardening is a container that will hold water! It can be small or large, ambitious or modest, but for sure it will be fun!

At first glance, it may seem that water gardening is too much work for the average gardener or too complex, but that is just not the truth. Once a water garden is set up, it requires less work than a regular garden to maintain, no watering, and no weeding. They are hard to resist.

A pond can be anything from a teacup to a natural bottom lake but generally, the larger the water garden, the more stable the environment is for the plants and fish in it. I personally have one that is sort of round and only 5 feet across but a 5' x 8' water garden is a good size, however no matter how big you make it, once you have the water garden bug, it will never be big enough. The real question is what size fits in your yard and will be in proportion to everything else?

Here are some points to consider.

1. Clear Water
Probably the main thing that all of us want is clear water. I believe this is best achieved by the pond finding its natural balance. This is done by letting the plants and fish, along with the good algae and beneficial bacteria work together to reproduce a natural setting. Though filters can be used to help keep the water clean they also can help grow the beneficial bacteria. They are sometimes a must for small ponds.

2. How about fish
It is not necessary to have fancy fish or snails; you can have just as much pleasure from having gold fish in your pond. You can buy large ones from your garden center that are meant for your pond. If you want to have some Koi fish that is great, they are a lot more colorful but whatever fish you use be sure to not feed them very much if at all. Feeding them contributes to excess nutrients in the water from their waste and they aren’t encouraged to feed off the natural food that is in the pond like algae.

3. What about the plants
Most people want at least one water lily and that is great but it is best to combine different plants mixing the tall, slender, spiky shapes of the fine-leaved marginal plant like the yellow flag iris with the broad-leaved foliage of say an arrow head plant. You can get great ideas from your garden center that will fit your pond. Most water plants require very little care. Once they are established, all you need to do is remove dead leaves and fertilize them regularly with special water plant fertilizer tablets or stakes.

If you are looking for information on how to install a pond in your back yard check out Installing a garden pond with a flexible liner at homerenewall.com where you will find step by step information.

At the end of the day, are you feeling tired, worn out and stressed? As humans, we are always seeking water to clean, refresh and rejuvenate ourselves. But we are only now learning about the benefits of stress relief and relaxation you will gain from just hearing the sounds of water created in your own backyard. Especially if you are relaxing on a comfortable chair or lounger from Teaks n More where you will find teak wood outdoor furniture that fits you lifestyle.

Water Gardening "by the Yard"

Trees provide focal points and serve as anchors

2008-08-16T13:05:00.000-07:00

Trees provide many positive elements in your yard’s design and choosing the right ones is crucial. Trees provide focal points and serve as anchors for surrounding shrubs and plants. Your eye is drawn to focus in on the trees that have the most pleasing appearance. Trees are a very common method of providing privacy to your yard, both by blocking view, as well as noise and conversation, we all know our neighbors have those good ears! They will also keep street noise levels down. You may also want to consider the energy savings a tree will provide in the summer when cooling your home. A tree will absorb a considerable amount of heat from concrete and will block the sun during hot summer months.

There are many things to consider when choosing a tree for you yard. Begin by asking yourself: Why do I want a tree? For shade? Privacy? Something to look pretty, or block the view of the neighbor's less-than-lovely backyard? Here are some things that will help you make the right decision.

Size
You should take into consideration the ultimate size of the tree and allow enough room in the landscape to accommodate it. Choosing the right size tree will reward you with many years of enjoyment as the tree reaches its ultimate size and mature beauty. Size them proportionate to your yard by using small or medium-sized varieties for smaller houses and yards. On any site, put smaller trees near the house and taller ones farther out in the yard or at its edge. Planting a large tree in a tight area, such as beneath a power line or too close to a structure, can create maintenance problems or property damage. Choose small-spreading trees if you wish to locate them under overhead utility lines.

The Location you choose to plant it
Make sure you allow for branch growth and the full size of the tree in choosing where to plant them. Planting larger trees on the east, south and west sides of your home can maximize energy savings in southern climate and planting on the north side saves energy cost in the winter months in the north. Other things to consider are their root systems, such as willows, for instance, as they are particularly aggressive so they should be planted well away from structures. Ashes, red maples, white spruce, river birch and sycamore can do well in wet conditions if their other needs are met. Also, certain species shed leaves, sap, flowers, and seeds; crab apples and cherries drop fruit everywhere, tempting children and prone to sticking to your shoes. When trees are planted too close together, they cannot develop a healthy root structure as there is simply not enough space for the roots to grow.

The trees' shape, texture and color
There are trees used for privacy, small ornamental and other landscape trees and shade trees all with different shapes and color. They each provide a natural beauty of their own. Like the naturally symmetrical form of blue spruce which allows an attractive Christmas tree shape to often be produced with a minimum of shearing. Japanese Maples are usually quite small with red leaves and very attractive ornamentals. Red Maples are large and provide a large spreading canopy of shade and bring wonderful color to their fall leaves.

Climate and soil conditions
Your climate plays a very important role as to which tree species will grow well. So does your soils pH, which is a measure of its acidity, and your soil’s pH really makes a difference as to which trees will be healthy. Soils with a pH of 7.0 or greater will not grow healthy oaks and red maples. Also if the soils are heavy clay or drain slowly, that will limit species selection because many trees can not survive in these soils.

Lifespan
Different species have different life spans. For example, Maple and Oak will live it seems forever while Laurel Oak only lives about 50 years, and becomes increasingly susceptible to storm damage and disease the older it gets. Fast-growing trees will increase in height by several feet a year but typically have a shorter life span.

Care
Every kind of cultivated tree has assets that suit it for some landscape use. Each also has certain requirements critical to its survival in the yard. Giving your tree the proper amount of care and water will allow the root system to develop properly. A well developed root system means a full, lush, healthy tree! The success of your tree will also depend on how well you prepare the soil and how conscientiously you care for it.

Some people’s method of choosing a tree for their yard is to drive around town and look for ones they like and discover some of the common species that are being planted. This is not all bad but it can lead to less tree species diversity in your area.

You can also ask yourself what trees nurture your soul, fit your lifestyle, and will give you years of pleasure and enjoyment, but be aware a mature plant can look much different than a young one. Many specimens look nice as young plants, but look very different 20 years later. Others are just the opposite - they start off less appealing, but mature very nicely.

Just remember planting trees in your yard will enhance your neighborhood’s environment, produce colorful foliage and beauty and provide many years of enjoyment.

Planting trees “by the Yard”

Residential fencing is both functional and attractive

2008-08-10T15:32:00.000-07:00

Fences are often a major element of a streetscape, and serve to indicate where public and private property meet. Residential fencing is a wonderful way to provide not only security for home, children and pets, but also provides excellent privacy.

We are going to look at four different types of fencing materials. Wood fencing is the traditional fence used around the backyards of most homes. Its functions range from decorative, containment, privacy as well as security and it’s aesthetically pleasing while vinyl fencing has timeless styling and is more intricate than wood fencing. Ornamental fencing, in turn, is high quality, elegant and high in toughness and strength. Chain link fencing is functional and cost effective but can look commercial.

Wood fencing is still one of the most popular fencing materials in North America. Many people prefer the look and warmth that wood offers. It is very rustic and natural looking and when you consider that many people are now concerned about the environment, the idea of putting up a fence made of a renewable resource is very attractive. Custom wood fencing is just that; custom. You can incorporate any design that you can imagine into a wooden fence. Custom Wood fencing adds beauty and value to your home and is a great choice for any yard, pool or garden. Pressure treated southern yellow pine is the most cost effective materials and will also last the longest. Western red cedar, a Pacific Northwest product is generally more expensive than white cedar from Maine and Eastern Canada due to high freight costs but is a desirable wood for fencing. Non Pressure treated wood or cedar generally needs a finish to protect the wood and add to its longevity as well.

Vinyl fencing comes in many styles and sizes and is available in a few different colors. By choosing from a variety of post caps you can further customize your fence. Vinyl is a sound and viable investment in the future of your home. Once your vinyl fence is installed, you will not have to deal with the problems of painting, rusting nails, splinters and rotting boards associated with a wood fence. Newer vinyls even mimic a wood grain look.

Specialty or Ornamental Fencing like wrought iron can also come in aluminum. Aluminum fences in wrought shackle designs are very popular. Aluminum fences are available in a wide variety of styles, designs, colors, and heights. Aluminum fences are priced according to their grade and style of manufacture. Fences for residential use are made of a lighter gauge and are thus priced lower than industrial grade fences. The use of appropriately designed aluminum fences can enhance the looks of your home, pool, yard, or wherever they are used.

Chain-link fencing is an affordable way to create a barrier for pets and children without using a privacy fence. Residential applications come in 4-ft., 5-ft. Chain-link fence is one of the most versatile and widely used fence systems today, but it is not always very attractive. It has become more colorful and stylish in the past few years as it is available in a colorized vinyl coated finish for a much more attractive look. The standard colors of vinyl coated chain link are black, brown and green. Its lattice structure also creates an excellent trellis for vines and bushes.

One mistake you should not make is erecting your fence without regards to legal property lines or local codes. To determine the legal boundaries of your property, it is recommended that a surveyor be hired.

Residential fences really make a difference and can be used to screen off an area of the garden; hide an unattractive spot, structure or object; to grow creepers on or add effect to another wall or surface. The style of your house and the look you are trying to achieve are factors to be considered in the design and type of fence you choose for your yard. They give definition to your yard and add style and value to your home no matter which type you use if it is done right.

Residential Fencing “By the yard”

Hedges are the perfect natural dividers

2008-08-02T05:22:00.001-07:00

Many gardeners want a hedge to maintain privacy in their yard or protection from the wind when the cold weather arrives. But Hedges have many uses in your back yard and can be an important feature of any yard or garden. They are living walls that are restful to the eye and offer smooth contours and texture. They are formed by shrubs or small trees, and can be used to
-block views
- delineate boundaries
-direct pedestrian traffic
-act as barriers
-create garden rooms
-or serve as a backdrop for other plants.

They are also important features for other reasons. They provide habitat for birds and other wildlife, and insects from butterflies to bumble bees. When you incorporate living walls into building development, you create aesthetically pleasing environments, help reduce greenhouse gases, and decrease energy costs.

Hedges are the perfect natural dividers for your garden. They do make great wind brakes, and unlike wooden panels they don't create turbulence behind them. They can be trimmed low to define the edge of a walk or to bring neatness and order to a garden. Hedges make a wonderful boundary, even in small gardens, but they do need regular maintenance, such as pruning, in order to retain their shape. By mid summer, most will have that shaggy, unkempt look and are in need of a trim. They vary greatly in form and species. The ideal hedge should be made of a mixture of species, which do not grow rapidly, thus reducing the need for trimming. Trimming is not only done for visual appeal though, but regular trimming is necessary to train the hedge to grow to its fullest capacity. Managing your hedges is critical to the success of your yard.

Evergreen shrubs are an important choice to consider for your hedge, in order to insure green color presence during the long gloomy days of winter. Evergreen hedges are also easier to grow and require less training and pruning than deciduous hedges. Evergreens are my first choice, think of cedar, yews, blue or white spruce, hemlock, cypress, and juniper. They are, however, more susceptible to damage from heavy snow in the winter months.

Evergreen hedges are almost always used to define spaces and create a visible structure within the garden. These vegetative fences, tall or small, keep the garden organized by subdividing it into compartments that are proportionate to one another.

Deciduous hedges on the other hand can provide a great variety of leaf color and texture, interesting berries and beautiful displays of blooms in season. An example is the Fuchsia which can be grown into low hedges where they will give a spectacular show of flowers and edible berries. Trimming these hedges annually drastically reduces the availability of berries as they are produced on second year growth in woody hedge species, such as hawthorn. Also rotational trimming can save time and money. Cutting interior branches can promote good health but can make the hedge look bad and, if done after the main spring growth, may remain visible for months.

On the down side Hedges can be the cause of disagreements between neighbors. These often relate to the size and tidiness of the hedge, and about cutting the hedge. However if you get along with your neighbors you should be able to come to an agreement with them.

Hedges at their simplest are vertical gardens and are also known as green or eco-walls and as vertical wetlands. In addition to the stunning aesthetic benefits, they also benefit air quality as the plants can help filter our air and are sometimes used indoors as a sustainable method for curing 'sick building syndrome'.

Next time you think of putting up a fence in your yard stop and think of using a hedge instead. It is not as instant but with a little patience I think you will be pleased with the results.

The benefits of Hedges “by the yard”

Designing Foundation Plantings for a Picture Perfect Yard

2008-07-27T06:14:00.000-07:00

This time we are looking at foundation plantings as the next area in designing a picture perfect yard. Foundation plantings are a vital part of good home landscape design and are undoubtedly one of the easiest and most satisfying landscaping elements in your yard. They can be used as backdrops, to define garden beds, and to simply add seasonal interest. Foundation plantings are another way to add appeal to your home by using them to soften, enhance or even hide certain features of your house.

Foundation plantings are often green shrubs intermixed with flowers. Shrubs have many uses within the landscape with foundation plantings being one; others are privacy hedges, and specimen plants. Evergreens can be broad leafed, or have needle-like foliage and can be large or small but whatever kind or shape they are, they are unsurpassed for tying the house to the ground and are desirable in the landscape because they stay green throughout the entire year as they don’t lose their leaves in the winter like deciduous shrubs do.

Designing your planting on paper ahead of time can save time and prevent costly mistakes. There are many ways to plan a landscape and designs can vary from formal gardens, to a naturalistic look, to carefully placed accent plants but one must always give special consideration to beds designed with small trees and flowering shrubs because these plants can get quite large. Plantings may be selected to shade the foundation edge, especially on the southwest corner of the structure and choosing drought-tolerant plantings that will require less irrigation will mean less chance for irrigation water to create a moisture problem in the house. Corners are one of the most important areas of the "foundation" planting. Houses appear awkward and bare without plantings at the corners since they define the outline of a house. Often this definition is created by plants, such as cone-shaped conifers acting like bookends. I prefer using shrubs with different heights and a mixture of foliar colors and forms because it is more appealing to the eye.

The most common mistake in designing foundation plantings is they are usually planted too close to the house because the beds are too small. They should be spaced away from the foundation and properly spaced apart to accommodate them at size of maturity. Typically, you are looking to establish these evergreens space appropriately spaced along the length of the foundation and around corners, approximately five feet out from the house. They not only need space but love good mulch made from well aged bark, peat moss and or pine straw which are all excellent mulches for all conifers.

One problem that people who live in northern climates have is foundation plantings are often injured by snow and ice falling from the roof onto their branches. Injury may be prevented by wrapping cloth or burlap tightly around evergreens to hold branches together. On the other hand avoid planting during the hot, dry months of summer; fall is a much better time to plant in order to ensure good plant health.

Foundation plantings are here to stay. You may want to get a garden designer to work with you on a design that suits both your lifestyle and personal preferences but the work can be done by you with some sweat and effort. It is said landscaping is good for your health and one of the most cost effective tools for improving and sustaining one’s quality of life, whether in the city, the suburbs, or the country.

Designing Foundation Planting “by the yard”

Entryway Landscaping Designs with pizzazz

2008-07-20T06:46:00.000-07:00

The whole idea of Entryway Landscaping is to give the front of your house more pizzazz or presence and to make a connection between the outside and the inside. The front entry door and the spaces connected to it play an important role in setting the stage for the success of the entire house. It begins to establish your home’s personality and suggests how the rest of the house should be.

In landscaping for front door entrances, you are trying to achieve at least three objectives. For instance, you want to:
• Draw the viewer's eye from the street to the front door entrance
• Create an environment that says welcome
• Match the entryway planting to your home’s style and your personal taste

1. One challenge in landscaping for front entryways is that you want the design to blend in reasonably well with the overall landscape design, while still standing out enough to provide a focal point. In landscape design terminology, "focal points" force the viewer’s perspective to a central point. One way to focus attention on the front entryway is to provide an attractive Stone path leading up to it. Stones come in various shades of gray which may have tints of blue, green, tan, brown, rust, and plum mixed with the gray. You can and maybe should individually select the stones to insure quality and the desired color range.

2. As these paths lead to your front door, it is important that they are not only beautiful, but that the entrance to your home finishes their grand plan on arrival. Painting your entry door will help do that and should bring the finishes of the house together. Consideration for the brick, siding, soffit, facia and roof colours should all play a role in choosing the best colour. The owners of the house should be welcomed into their home through a space designed to greet them, to acknowledge them, and to recognize them as the reason it exists. It should make your house more visually appealing and say welcome.

3. Of course, what landscaping you install on the way to your front entryway will depend, in part, on what you have to work with. For instance, if your front entryway is at the top of a slope you may wish to use a ground cover instead of grass, to minimize maintenance. To give you another example, if you have a large open porch for your front entryway, you may wish to make liberal use of containers of flowers on the porch steps. A popular way is to line the sides of the walk way with flowers or small shrubs like boxwood. Gardening is a most important facet of your landscaping design because plants and flowers bring an enhanced and pleasing look to any area.

Numerous entryway landscaping designs and styles have been applied by people and countless other ideas exist in the minds of homeowners that would give an impressive shape and feel to their front yards. Choosing a front entry design which demonstrates the homeowner’s style will make this space in the front yard both usable and enjoyable. When you combine the landscaping (plant life) and hardscaping (walkways, steps, the porch) to create this area of transition and it's done right, the result is amazing.

Entryway Landscaping “by the yard”

The Front Yard Landscape

2008-07-12T12:34:00.000-07:00

Although a home with a few trees and a nice green lawn in front looks fine, there’s a lot to be said for a house that has an attractive front yard landscape design. Curb appeal is something many homeowners only consider when trying to sell their home, it should however, be on the mind of every homeowner who cares about keeping their biggest asset in top condition.

Curb appeal is quite simply the attractiveness your home has to viewers from the street and re-landscaping your front yard is a great way to give a new impressive look to your home. Front yard landscaping can be the most tried form of landscaping because everyone tends to focus primarily on the look of a house’s front yard. Sometime however this can be a problem as we can get caught trying to do things others have done but they may not be the right thing for your yard.
Using different plants is one of the easiest and the best front yard landscaping ideas that you can use. Ideas for plants are numerous and vary widely from person to person. Selecting the best plants is often the most tedious and demanding part of working out your front yard landscaping ideas because it requires knowledge of the plants and depends on things like: - light conditions, wind, and how much time you can spend on maintaining and caring for it. Etc.
You can use flowers to line your sidewalk leading to the front door or along your driveway or in flowerbeds that will accent the front of your home. Flowers of different colors can blend harmoniously in landscape designs and evoke different emotions. In landscaping designs, green is believed to have a healing effect, red and orange rouse excitement and energy, and blue relaxes and refreshes. Flowers are great, but don't forget the characteristics of a plant's branching pattern and foliage. Varying form and texture is one way to bring diversity.

To add scale to the front yard design, you could plant a tree someplace near the middle or one at each end of the yard. Although tree and shrub possibilities are limited by your space, don't despair! Dwarf varieties and slower growing trees such as Japanese maples can, and should, be used to provide focal points though in the confined area of a city garden, you do not want too many features to compete. I definitely like using some nice small evergreen trees as you can frame in the porch or front steps with them, however don’t plant them to close to the house or to each other. Nothing looks worse then overgrown trees covering up the front of your house.

Having a sitting area in your front yard is another idea your might want to try as it can create a wonderful place to visit with neighbors, observe the daily happenings on your street or even watch your kids while they play. Of course you will need something both attractive and comfortable to sit on like a teak wave bench from Teaks n More.

The beauty of home front yard landscaping is that it does not have to be hard and much of it can be done by you. All it will take is a little elbow grease and some time to spare and you can design your own home front yard landscape quickly and easily. Invest a little time and energy to achieve the aesthetic appeal you want for your front yard, and it may turn out to be one of the most rewarding investments you make.

Looking at front yard design “by the yard”

Components of a Beautiful Yard

2008-07-05T07:21:00.000-07:00

What are some of the components that make a landscape "really attractive"? We are going to explore some ideas over the next few weeks. I will begin with some broad brush strokes, and then focus in on some specific areas of your yard.

Whenever you are designing anything, there are some basic designing elements that underlie all design. These basic elements serve as the foundation in the design process. And so it is with landscape design. We must know and learn how to use these basic designing elements if we are going to be effective in our landscape design.

The basic elements of design are:
- Form: Shape i.e. circular, oval, columnar, are examples of form.
- Scale: Is simply the size of one component relative to adjacent components.
- Line: Refers to the how the viewer's eyes move as they look at something.
- Color
- Texture: Is seen as surface quality of an object as coarse, medium or fine.

These same fundamental elements also serve as building blocks for implementing principles for designing a picture perfect yard.

Some of the specific areas of our yards we want to look at over the next while are:
- The front yard, yes I know it isn’t our back yard but it is a very important part of making our over all landscape design one that is really attractive.
- Entryway Landscaping
- Foundation Plantings
- Hedges, Living Walls and Flowering Shrubs
- Fencing to Frame your yard
- Trees, which ones do I use
- What part does water play
- Flowering Shrubs

Some people think they can’t design while others take their designing skills for granted. We all have tastes, likes and dislikes and together we are going to discover what works and what doesn’t in our yards.

While hiring a professional landscaper serves many purposes, especially for large or difficult yards, they can cost a lot of money. So before you go ahead and hire someone, knowing a little bit can help you not only understand what they are saying but help you determine if they really are the right ones to work on your yard. On the other hand, if you only have a small space in your yard, you do not really have to spend so much money on complicated and extensive landscaping designs and with a little understanding and help you can often do it yourself.

Landscaping is a fun way to express yourself and make your home your own. If you aren’t a designer and you can’t afford a professional gardener, there is still a lot you can do, on your own, to make your yard come to life. Next time you can discover how to say, "Welcome to my Home" the way you want by redesigning your front yard.

Looking at Basic Design Elements “by the yard”

Taking the Backyard Back from those pesky Mosquitoes

2008-06-17T19:06:00.000-07:00

I don’t know about you but I am becoming less tolerant in my old age. I love our back yard but during the day the sun gets so hot and then in the evening those pesky mosquitoes come out and I run for the house. How about you? They are annoying first of all buzzing in your ears and flying around your face then the itching and discomfort of being bitten, it’s enough to drive a person to distraction. Now to add to the problem we have to also worry about nasty diseases, including the West Nile Virus.

Whether you’re hosting a backyard cook-out or dolling up for a romantic evening under the stars, we need a solution before we head outdoors for some fun. So, let’s consider how we’re going to solve this problem.

Most mosquito elimination solutions come with some negatives also.

-Mosquito zappers are costly, not very reliable, and it’s unpleasant to be around them.
-Insect repellants can be effective, but are sticky, messy, and smelly and many people do not like putting chemicals on their skin.
-Citronella candles or oil has a distinctive smell that, though unpleasant to mosquitoes, can also be unpleasant to humans. So arranging a dinner party around a citronella candle will most likely not be something your guests will enjoy.
Other solutions:
-Watching what you wear can help as mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors like black and navy, therefore wearing light colored clothing such as beige or khaki can really help.
- Check your backyard for containers that can hold water, even very small ones, birdbaths, pet dishes, tires, toys etc. as mosquitoes prefer to breed in still water, regardless of how small a collection.
-To keep them out of your rain barrel, add a drop of olive oil to the water. The oil creates a thin film that mosquitoes can’t pierce to lay their eggs.
-Marigolds planted in your flowerbeds are also known to repel mosquitoes and other flying insects.
-“Conceal” outdoor mosquito candles are another type of candle solution. These new outdoor candles help keep mosquitoes away from you and your family by blocking your scent so mosquitoes can’t find you and it’s been said they are much more effective.

There are many products on the market today that make claims that we would like to be true. I am not saying they don’t work, I am saying that they often don’t live up to their claims. Are you one of the 78 percent of adults who believe in over a dozen myths about mosquitoes, for example that eating garlic will repel mosquitoes? With the information above you may want to rethink your protection rituals this summer. Eliminating pesky insects may not be possible but controlling them so we can enjoy our yard is what we really want to do.

Ah, now we’re ready to get outside in the backyard and enjoy cookouts and pool parties, so break out the cedar patio furniture and light up the barbeque – it’s time for summer entertaining!

Eliminating mosquitoes “by the yard”

Your back yard can still be an adventure today.

2008-06-08T08:29:00.000-07:00

When you were young all you had to do to go on an adventure was go into your back yard and all of a sudden you were in a brand new world. The same can be true today. Let’s look at some ways of discovering new excitement and joy every time you go out your back door.
The jungle gym with fort or swing was always a favorite place for an adventure. You could be in a far away land discovering new worlds or fighting for your life. There was never a dull moment. Today relaxing on a hammock or comfortable lounger enjoying a sunny afternoon can quickly allow your mind to imagine you’re in some exotic resort relaxing on the beach without a care in the world.
Water play was the favorite activity on a hot summer day, running through a sprinkler or playing in a kiddie pool. Today we enjoy the hot tub or have a small in ground swimming pool in our yard. Back when we were kids our parents couldn’t afford things like that but today they are affordable by almost everyone, and with modern methods they are easy to care for as well. No longer do we have to pack the family up to go to the beach all we have to do is step out the back door and dive into a brand new adventure.
I don’t know about you but I spent hours playing in the sand box building sandcastles or roads to race on. Today I still like to get my fingers dirty playing in and enjoying my garden, don’t you? Gardening is a rapidly growing industry as people enjoy spending more time at home (because of rising travel costs) they are making their back yards a beautiful relaxing place to enjoy and entertain. For me the time I spend making and maintaining my yard helps me relax.

At night the back yard was always an adventure as you sat around a camp fire telling stories which stretched the imagination and took you to far away places. Today it is not easy for most to have an open fire in their back yard. Some places may allow enclosed fires in an outdoor fireplace but we can also give our yard a similar feel but without the smoke getting in our eyes with some of the amazing new outdoor lighting that is available. They can give just the right atmosphere for that romantic evening relaxing on some comfortable cedar outdoor furniture enjoying a drink and remembering stories from days gone by.

Don't allow your summer this year to pass you by without taking time to enjoy some of life's simple pleasures. With some thought and planning, you could be enjoying your paradise adventure right in your own backyard.

Adventures “by the yard”

Tips for a Successful Container Garden

2008-05-31T13:40:00.000-07:00

Summer is here along with warmer temperatures and you're itching to get outside and start planting. But what if you don't have a lot of space in your yard?
Container gardening is an easy way to have fun gardening and add splashes of color to your back yard whether it’s on the patio, deck, balcony or even in the garden itself. Regardless of your gardening experience or ability, it's as easy as 1-2-3.

Here are some tips for having the best looking, and enjoyable flower pots around:

1. Plan
Begin by thinking about what you planted last year, what worked and what didn't. Find out what exciting new varieties are available. Check out gardening magazines for ideas on how you'd like your containers to look. You also need to think about how much sun your plants will get where you will be putting them. Shade lovers won’t do well in sun nor will sun lovers do well in shade. Think about bloom color, toy with interesting leaf textures and leaf colors as well, as variety adds depth to your garden. Herbs are also a popular trend for containers.

2. Plant
First, every pot needs a clear drain hole as pots with clogged drainage holes are plant killers. Some materials used to assist drainage are rocks, broken terra cotta pieces or a much lighter alternative is packing peanuts. These need to be placed over the drainage hole in the bottom of the container. Next fill the pot with potting soil, leaving four to five inches at the top for plants. It's imperative that you use quality potting soil if you want your plants to thrive. For a simple mix for making your own all you need to do is mix a bag of cheap potting soil with some finely ground bark mulch. Mix the two 50/50 and you'll be all set. There are other soil mix recipes that include sand, perlite, vermiculate and lime or you can buy bags already mixed at your garden center.

Next, set the plants in the pot. Start with the taller, wider plants and place them in the center. Then place smaller ones around the perimeter balancing them according to color and size. After arranging them, fill the pots with soil and water thoroughly. I personally love having mixed flower containers rather than containers all filled with the same flower. Though there are garden centers everywhere you look in the spring and early summer with different containers both hanging basket type and planter pots I love collecting my own unique containers for my garden. I have found that buying hanging baskets can save money as they usually contain larger plants than the individual pots and are cheaper by the plant as there are four in each. I then take them out of the hanging baskets, divide them up and replant them into my own containers. I save money and start with larger, stronger, healthier plants and dividing them allows me to mix my plants in the containers for the effect I am looking for. If you are using hanging containers make sure you include plants that hang or trail down as part of the mix.

3. Plant Maintenance
As your containers bloom and grow you will need to pluck off dead blooms and trim leggy growth to keep your containers looking good and blooming well all summer long. You will also need to keep your plants watered and fertilized regularly. Containers tend to dry out fairly quickly and so depending on the kind of containers you have and the weather you may have to water daily or at least every other day and fertilize once every week or two.
That’s it, the only other thing you need to do is enjoy your efforts and the wonder and variety of Gods creation. Enjoy your summer and the beauty surrounding you in your containers.

Container Gardening “by the yard”

Changing your backyard into a spa-like retreat

2008-05-24T14:32:00.001-07:00

With today’s housing market slump, more and more homeowners are updating their current property. For many, this means creating a relaxation destination right in their own backyard. I bet you have been thinking about updating your property this summer?

Hot tubs are one of the leading trends as homeowners are changing their simple backyards into peaceful havens for family and friends to enjoy, and adding a hot tub is much easier than you think.

First of all you need a plan for where it will go. To help you decide where to put it, take a chair and sit on it in different locations see how it might feel.
You will want to consider:
-proximity to the back door: Most hot tubs are used year round and getting to it in the winter could be a bit chilly.
-privacy: How exposed is the spot to the neighborhood.
-view: What will you be looking at when you sitting in the tub.

Planning is critical to designing a successful backyard hot tub project.
-You will want it to be in an esthetically pleasing space not just stuck in some corner.
-It should be integrated well with the landscape elements already in your yard or you will need to do some redesigning of your yard to make them work well together. If you presently have a deck, often the tub is recessed through the deck rather than sitting on top of it. This provides easy access to the tub, integrates it well, and is safe as your present deck probably is not built to carry the weight. If your back yard is on a slope you could tuck the hot tub into the side of a slope, as this would also give it an integrated look. The possibilities are endless.
-Building a decorative fence or placing it beside a gazebo or strategically planting some shrubs near it can provide the privacy you want or need for your intimate hot tub experiences.
-Lighting is an attractive feature that keeps you safe and also sets the mood for your hot tub experience. Don't forget to consider providing adequate (not overpowering) lighting for the pathways to the hot tub for those late night rendezvous.
-Your backyard is unique and so are your likes and dislikes so sometime it is advantageous to hire a professional to help you design a successful hot tub project.

The installation of your hot tub may also require a professional unless you're experienced, in order to install the electrical and any gas lines required for the heater however you should be able to perform all other aspects of the installation on your own.

Hot tubs are perfect for soothing tired and aching muscles and relaxing after a hard and stressful day at work. Are you ready to get started changing your backyard into a spa-like retreat? Why wait? Start relaxing in your very own “relaxation destination” right in your own backyard.

Relaxing “by the yard”

Can Fertilizers be Green?

2008-05-18T10:29:00.000-07:00

As we get increasingly environmentally aware we may decide that we don't want to use manufactured chemicals to give our plants a boost. Today most municipalities across Canada have recently banned chemical based herbicides, making natural and green alternatives the only way to go. Regulators have targeted lawn fertilizers as a source of water pollution and a hazard for people (especially kids) as they walk and play on their lawns. One of the reasons for the ban is Phosphorus from fertilizer can leach into lakes and streams, which causes excessive algae and water plant growth which harms the fish and creates problems for recreational use of these waters, but Phosphorus is essential to sustain life. It is central in how living creatures use energy from food to grow and reproduce and limiting it, limits growth and reproduction. Eliminating it, eliminates life.
Phosphorus is commonly found in the soil, and along with nitrogen and potassium, is one of the three major nutrients in fertilizer that make lawns healthy, lush and thick. It goes without saying that not all fertilizers are the same. Using an environmentally friendly, low phosphorus lawn fertilizer will help protect the Lakes and will not compromise your lawn’s appearance. Controlled released fertilizers release nutrients consistently over 6-8 weeks due to specialized manufacturing processes which prevent them from dissolving too quickly, eliminating the concerns of plant burn, leaching into ground water or runoff into our lakes and rivers that can occur with ordinary lawn fertilizers.
Organic fertilizers work the same way as chemical ones by giving plants the nutrients they need for strong and healthy growth. When plants become healthier, they are less susceptible to pests and you will need fewer, if any, pesticides, and that’s both better for you and better for the environment as well. Organic fertilizers include natural materials such as sewage-based products, animal by-products like manures and bone meals, and plant by-products like corn gluten meal. You can get other types of animal-based fertilizers, such as fish emulsion, but manure is by far the most common. Manure can come from bats, cows, chickens, horses, rabbits and other animals. Today all these fertilizers are processed in a way which controls or removes odors.

Three companies that are doing something about the need for good organic environmentally friendly products and fertilizers are “Milorganite” , “Amaizeingly Green” and “Converted Organics” .

Everyone can do something to help protect the environment. Using environmentally friendly fertilizers on our lawns may cost a little more, but is one way to help keep our lakes and rivers clean for future generations.

Still Going Green “By the Yard”

Another look at Thinking Green

2008-05-11T14:31:00.000-07:00

Thinking Green is all about conserve reuse and renew. It is both thinking and doing something for our environment. By implementing some new practices in our yards we can save water and prevent pollutants from ending up in our air, water, and soil. Some may say why bother or what is my small part going to do?
Well absolutely nothing is likely to change until we correct the difference between what we think and what we do. The "why bother" question comes down to a moral imperative. Once we become convinced that being unfriendly to our environment is wrong we have to choose, we can go on as before and live with it the best we can or we can begin to change the way we live.
So you’ve made the decision you want to lower your environmental impact in your back yard. What changes do you have to make and how do you make those changes? This is not always an easy question to answer as sometimes it’s hard to get good advice on how to conserve reuse and renew given the way some manufacturers make claims.

So you decided it is an imperative anyway and start by changing the light bulbs, you’re recycling and composting your garden and lawn clippings, you’ve installed a low flow or timer to control your water usage, installed rain barrels to collect water, but you want to do more.

-Start by having a brain storming or "green-storming" session with your family and see if you can come up with 10 new ideas to save time and money while helping improve our environment. Reward yourself by planting a small tree or a shrub to remind you to keep thinking green.
-Try finding the best green products, practices and service providers to help you achieve your environmental goals.
-Look for solutions on the web like at the “Go-Green” Initiative which provides the resources you need to get going, including a planning guide, training, and even access to funding.
-Decide to challenge yourself: Spend each day, for the next month or (for an even bigger challenge) year, doing one thing that betters the environment. The idea is to keep doing what you start for the entire time (so if you turn down your thermostat, keep it down), so that by the end of the time, you'll be living as green a lifestyle as you can.

Over the next while I would like to come up with a list of simple and easy ways to Go Green. Want to help? Respond to this post with your ideas, thoughts, solutions, stores and manufacturers that can help us Go Green and let’s help each other make our environment a better place to live and even more for our kids.

I understand that we can think better when we are comfortable so while you’re thinking and planning on how to Go Green do it out in your yard on some of the most comfortable furniture from “Outdoor Cedars” the best place to find all your outdoor and patio furniture needs.

Still Going Green “By the Yard”

Think Green; save water

2008-05-04T10:23:00.000-07:00

With more and more of us thinking Green these days that means we are thinking more about how we use our water. In our North American society we have pretty much a throw away attitude and over the years we have become callous about how we use just about everything. The trend is changing though. The more we see the effects of man on our environment, with climate change and all, the more we know we need to do something. But is it too late?
It is never too late to do something that we know is right to do. If each of us does a little it will add up to a whole lot, and that is what needs to happen “a whole lot” if we want this world to be around for our grand children. You can help by doing your part in thinking Green about the way you use water, right in your own back yard this summer.
(ARA) - "Think green; save blue" will likely be the motto of environmentally aware gardeners and lawn lovers across the country this summer as drought conditions are expected to persist in many regions.
It is possible to grow a thriving garden and nurture a lovely landscape while minimizing water consumption. A combination of native-friendly plants, smart agricultural practices, alternative water sources and efficient irrigation can help keep gardens and lawns growing healthy throughout dry summer months.

Here are some tips for conserving water in your corner of the great outdoors:
* Choose drought-resistant native plants for your landscaping needs. Your options won't be limited to cactus, either. From ornamental grasses to shrub roses, many drought-tolerant native species also offer bright color and visual appeal. Look for plants that do well in the driest conditions found in your geographic region.
* Groom soil for optimum water absorption and retention. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service recommends adding water-retaining organic material to your soil. You can also reduce evaporation by using mulch in landscaping beds.
* Look for alternative water sources other than the outdoor tap - such as collecting roof runoff in a rain barrel for use in flower beds and vegetable gardens.
* Irrigate efficiently with low-volume irrigation systems and smart watering practices. In summer 2007, restrictions on lawn watering were widespread throughout the country. New low-volume micro sprinklers and drip irrigation uses 80 to 90 percent less water than traditional irrigation systems. The key is to apply water only exactly when and where it is needed.
* Design your landscaping to minimize evaporation. Windbreaks and fences slow the movement of the wind over the ground and the evaporation it causes, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Courtesy of ARA content

There are many more ways I am sure you can think of that could help save our precious water. Why though? It seems like such a little thing and living right next to Lake Huron there really does seem like there is plenty. What is everyone worried about? Over the last number of years though the Great Lakes have been at record low levels and I know we have struggled with drought conditions. Thinking Green is thinking about not being so wasteful, reusing where possible, and renewing where we can. So let us all do our part in reusing and conserving our water “Think Green; save Blue”

Thinking Green “by the yard”

Expert Tips for having a Healthy Lawn

2008-04-20T14:51:00.000-07:00

Our lawns are one of the things that people love to spend time on in the spring and summer.
Whether it’s tending to it or laying on it or relaxing by it we love to have a good looking lawn. Not all of us though want to spend the time it takes to have that good looking lawn. Like a lot of things in life these days if it isn’t instant then we don’t have the time for it. Yet we know that if we want it to be good it is going to take some effort. We also know that when we know how the experts do it, it always cuts the time and effort it takes to do the job right. So here are some tips from an expert.

“Turf expert Paul B. Latshaw, superintendent at Muirfield Village Golf Club, Jack Nicklaus’ home golf course in Ohio, says, ‘Turning your attention to the turf in early spring makes all the difference. Just like in golf, a little work now will really pay off throughout the season.’”

Here is some expert advice for keeping your lawn looking great all season:

Make sure your equipment is in good shape after sitting unused all winter, so spring is the perfect time to do a checkup on your mower. Make sure your mowers’ blade is sharpened or replaced, and make sure you change your mower’s oil, air filter, and spark plug. Your local dealer can help you with all the parts you need or you can get him to do that spring tune-up.

Fix those bare spots you might have noticed in your backyard due to disease, pests, or pets. They’re easy to repair by clearing away the dead material from the patches, then sprinkling some grass seed on the newly exposed soil, make sure to add a little fertilizer, and most of all keep the area moist.

Watering is important but we don’t want to waste this precious resource. You may have a drought resistant type of grass but many of us don’t and it will need water regularly. Some people water too little and others more than they have to. The rule of thumb here is: a lawn typically needs 1 inch of rain fall or water per week. If it gets more than that all season then the roots will be too shallow and that isn’t good, if it doesn’t get enough rain or water then it is susceptible to disease and insects. So make sure your lawn gets one good drink once a week.

Aeration is also important and needed to loosen the soil and to let water, air and fertilizers make their way down to the grasses roots. Lawns can often become compacted, reducing the ability of critical nutrients to reach those roots. Aeration often only needs to be done once a year.

Crab grass and other common problems with our lawns, dandelions, plantain, clover, etc. all need to be controlled if you want a quality lawn. Many aren’t noticeable first thing in the spring but that’s the time to do something about them before they start to grow or get out of control. For those of you who are thinking GREEN (and there are more and more of you every year) there are good choices that can help you have that control.

Spring and summer is a time for enjoying the outdoors and having the right tools and techniques will help turn work into pleasure and help you have a quality lawn throughout the year.

Thinking Green “by the yard”

Outdoor lighting, both practical and fashionable

2008-04-13T14:01:00.000-07:00

Outdoor lighting is rare in that it is both practical and fashionable; few things actually combine style and substance, but outdoor lighting does, allowing you to create a beautiful yard that is also safe. You can find outdoor lighting for landscape or accent lighting, deck or steps, path lighting, garden lighting, or to light your pond or pool etc. and they are available in many styles just like interior lighting, so you can easily harmonize the lighting with the architecture of your home. Up until a decade ago, beautifying the nightscape was not a mainstream idea but not so today. Let’s look at several ways people are using outdoor lighting to enhance their back yards.

Landscape or accent lighting has three main goals - enhancing the aesthetic beauty of a home, enhancing the surrounding plantings, and increasing security. A good landscape lighting plan will include a variety of landscape lights to highlight architectural features and scenery plus landscape lights designed for safety and security. Spotlights will make a pretty tree look spectacular at night or properly illuminate the front of your home.

Deck and step Lighting adds a measure of security and beauty to your deck. They can come as hanging lamps, post caps or can mount to the deck posts and they add a great ambiance to the evenings entertaining. Adding some of these accent lights beside your steps eliminates any dark areas and adds that extra measure of safety.

Path lights illuminate dark paths and walkways, providing secure access to your home or that back yard patio without the fear of falling in the dark. They can also deter intruders by eliminating places to hide.

Garden lighting is generally used to bring bushes and flowers to life at dusk. Gardening has always been a past time homeowners enjoy, both for themselves and to raise the “curb appeal” of their home. There are many designs you can choose from some even built into statuary.

Pond or pool lighting are a must for highlighting the water features, which can be a distinct danger at night. Lighting for your Koi or garden pond brings it to life at night showing off this unique Garden element or you can just imagine your pool with a soft reflection of light resting on its waters making it an oasis of beauty and calm after a hectic day.

Having the right Outdoor lighting can enhance your home's beauty and provide functionality as well --you couldn’t ask for more.

If you enjoy using your back yard for entertaining you know how important having the right outdoor and patio furniture for all your guests is. At “Teaks n more” they have the right wood outdoor patio furniture for all your entertaining needs and at a price you can afford. They can provide you with just what you’re looking for.

Lighting “by the yard”

Keeping up with the Latest Trends for our back yards

2008-04-06T08:52:00.000-07:00

For some of us we really like things to stay the same. For the next person keeping up to the latest trend is exactly where they are at. When it comes to our back yards the same thinking is true. But when we move into a new house we all want to change things. We want to make it our own and certainly the way it is, well that was someone else’s idea of what looked good. When we go to change things, we want to know what is in, don’t we, the latest trend. We may not go there but we want to know what it is. Today homeowners are incorporating the latest trends in their outdoor great rooms, living rooms, dining rooms and full kitchens, decorating them just as they would indoors. Well for those of you who have moved recently or are about to or those rare birds who just like to change things, here are some ‘words of wisdom’ concerning today’s top trends for our back yards.

(ARA) -Here are some of the top designer trends today’s homeowners are clamoring to implement:
* Bolder, Vivid Color
After years of blending earth tones with the outdoors, designers are incorporating color into the exterior. Colored glass is being used as an alternative mulch, and colored concrete is being applied in benches, pavers, fencing and related products. Bigger, bolder flowers are making a statement in today’s back yard.
* Pretty Potted Plants
Homeowners are looking for new ways to showcase their flowers and plants, and as a result, potted plants have a newfound popularity. Flowerpots are being offered in a variety of shapes and sizes, from small, subtle circular pots to large, art-inspired pieces. Lighted urns are turning heads as an innovative way to showcase flowers and add light to the exterior.
* Environmentally Friendly Accents
Green living is more than a trend – it’s a way of life. As they spend more
time outdoors, homeowners are applying environmentally friendly practices here too.
“Many homeowners find themselves outdoors at night, as they settle in after work and entertain through the evening,” says Jeff Dross. “Since they’re outside past dusk, they’re leaving their landscape lighting on for extended periods. To help with energy savings, new LED accent lights, deck lights and step lights all offer long life and energy savings.”
* Butterfly Inspirations
America’s love of butterflies has grown to new heights with butterfly-themed products across a variety of fashion and decor lines.
* Trendy Teak
Teak has found widespread popularity in outdoor furniture applications, as the wood is known for its durability and natural oils. Suitable for outdoor use, teak continues to emerge in complementary products, and accessories to the yard.
* Complementary Pieces
Homeowners combine complementary accessories outdoors as well. Patterns from outdoor furniture cushions are being carried over to complementary outdoor table placements, candles and other accents.
These latest trends and influences are bringing homeowners more enjoyment in the outdoors, adding timeless appeal and may very well make their yard the talk of the town. Courtesy of ARA content

If you are looking for some of that Trendy teak wood patio furniture you don’t have far to look. At “Teaks n more” you can find great quality teak wood outdoor furniture at a price you can afford.

Trends for today “by the yard”

Why Build an Environmentally Friendly Deck with composite materials

2008-03-30T16:10:00.000-07:00

Spring is just around the corner and with it comes visions of the great outdoors. Now is the time to plan and build a deck that will extend living spaces to the outdoors and create an environmentally friendly and easy to care for space to entertain friends and family.
Adding any deck can make your home feel brand new, and you can take advantage of previously unused outdoor spaces.
I know when you say environmentally friendly you are saying different things to different people. Environmentally friendly to one means using natural renewable products like Cedar wood, to another it means using products that utilize recycled materials. Whichever way you’re thinking leans, we agree we are not talking about vinyl materials or woods that have been chemically treated with preservatives.
I personally like the natural wood decks that have natural preservatives in them like Western Red Cedar but there are a number of composite deck materials on the market today that are starting to give the natural woods a run for their money.
These composite materials have several advantages over the natural woods not least of which is the low maintenance factor. They are usually made with recycled hardwood bound together with recycled plastic. Some of them look like wood and you often can work with them as you would with a natural wood product, though some do need to be treated slightly different.
Here are some reasons for building with a low maintenance composite material.
1. Its good for the environment. Using a composite product made from recycled hardwood and plastic keeps material out of the land fills, is again recyclable, and lasts for years.
2. Low maintenance decking products eliminate the annual need for staining or painting. They only need the occasional sweep or spray with a garden hose without all the maintenance and hassle of traditional wood materials. That way you can then spend time enjoying your deck rather than working to maintain it year after year.
3. Newer composite decking surfaces will not crack or splinter like natural wood decks so they are even safer with no worries about injuries caused by these natural wood materials problems.
4. Composite decking resists stains (though some composite products can stain) and spills wipe up easily.
5. Composite products are less expensive then a natural Cedar wood deck though they are more money then the chemically treated materials but they will look great and last a lot longer and are worth the investment.
6. A deck can decrease the expanse of lawn and thus reduce the need to fertilize which is not good for the environment and the need to water which is both getting costly and also hard on the environment.
7. With fuel prices rising and travel becoming more expensive why not take a vacation in your own backyard. A deck can create an outdoor living space that makes being in the yard feel like a retreat everyday.
Now is the time to take an environmentally responsible step by creating a great outdoor entertaining space which includes a permanent home for your BBQ next to your patio table and comfortable deck chairs. While you are at it why not get some new wood outdoor patio furniture to complete your deck from “Teaks n more” or “Outdoor Cedars” our two outdoor and patio furniture stores. Some content and thoughts courtesy of ARA content
environmentally friendly "by the yard"

Do You Worry about Cleaning the Harmful Grime and Dirt Outdoors?

2008-03-24T16:48:00.000-07:00

Often we think spring cleaning is an indoor job. We scrub windows, doors, floors etc. Once I lived beside some great people and she went way beyond the norm. In the spring I would often see her out there scrubbing the brick around the whole house, with a hand scrub brush. Some of us today may use a power washer to clean the outside of the house but what about the play equipment, toys and furniture, etc. does it get cleaned? Does it need to or do you think the next rain will wash it clean? Read on you may change your mind.
(ARA) - One of the most overlooked, yet most needed cleaning chores in your home is probably right in your own back yard - outdoor play equipment. When outdoor play equipment -- activity gyms, swing sets, sandboxes, playhouses, little red wagons and even doghouses come out for the summer, it can be a staging area for bacteria-laden dirt and grime.
When the air turned cool, most backyard equipment was consigned, like the lawnmower, to the back of the garage, an unused corner of the basement or storage shed. Most outdoor playthings need a seasonal cleaning to free them from the mold, mildew and just plain dirt they pick up while not in use. Even when it stays outdoors year 'round, as most swings and pet's shelters do, the surfaces easily become contaminated from dust and residue. Playground equipment, like outdoor furniture, is exposed to weather, windblown dirt and the occasional visiting bird, plus whatever grime has stuck to its surface during storage.
CLR Outdoor Furniture Cleaner is formulated specifically to combat the types of dirt and grime encountered outdoors, and this makes it perfect for backyard play equipment. Just spray on, wipe off and rinse. The cleaner fights stains, contains a UV-protectant and is harmless to grass.
CLR Outdoor Furniture Cleaner is ideal for a clean start to the outdoor season. It will give a good feeling knowing children can enjoy the outdoor season with backyard play equipment and outdoor toys that are squeaky clean. This innovative product can also be used to clean any kind of outdoor furniture: plastic, resin, rattan, wicker, wood, wrought iron, vinyl, PVC and canvas.
CLR Outdoor Furniture Cleaner is available nationally at drug and hardware stores in a 26-ounce spray bottle. It is part of the family of quality CLR cleaning products developed originally by Jelmar.
For more household tips, to see what other CLR products can do for you or to locate a CLR Outdoor Furniture retailer, log on to www.jelmar.com. Courtesy of ARA Content
If you have quality wood outdoor patio furniture like you can find at “Outdoor Cedars” and are wanting to take care of it check out this CLR product. It will also help take care of any new outdoor and patio furniture that you might buy. If you are looking for some special new additions to your outdoor living space check out “Teaks n More”.

Keeping it clean “by the yard”

What we need to be doing to get ready for spring

2008-03-16T13:33:00.000-07:00

Well I said last time that we would talk about what we need to be doing to get ready for spring.
This week I came across this article and it certainly is something I need to be thinking about. You see I’m one of those baby boomers and the aches and pains of working (not only in the yard) are becoming more and more real to me all the time. I’m not going to say any more about my aches and pains or all I’ll be doing is talking about me again this time. So here are some very timely tips.

Tips to Make Yard Care Easier on the Body
(ARA) - Oh, our achin' backs. It's no surprise that baby boomers who take care of the yard have plenty to complain about when it comes to aches and pains, including problems with backs, shoulders, arms, legs, hands and feet. And new research confirms what many of us know to be true -- that yard care can be tough on the body, particularly for adults in the baby boomer generation as they spend more time working in their yards.

A study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that the number-one lawn care injury among adults is pain from overstrain. "People tend to really overexert themselves," says Vanessa Costilla, the study's co-author. The good news? Experts say the majority of those backyard injuries are avoidable. "Using common sense is the top thing people need to remember".

No matter your age, taking steps now to put less strain on muscles and joints can help you avoid problems down the road. Here are four ways to help cut down on yard care's stress and strain:

*Know your limits. Simply put, don't overdo it. People with a history of back or joint pain should think twice before overexerting themselves in the yard. And if you start to feel fatigued, take a break. "Know and respect your physical limitations," advises Costilla.

*Ask for help. The Johns Hopkins study found that a considerable number of people are injured while trying to lift their mowers. Never try to load, unload or move heavy equipment by yourself.

*Choose body-friendly equipment. Use equipment that adjusts to the human body -- rather than the other way around. "The mower you use can make a big difference in how your body feels after working in the yard," says Joe Hager, senior engineer for mower manufacturer Lawn-Boy.

*Use stand-up tools. Instead of getting down on your hands and knees to weed, plant or till, use ergonomic tools designed to let you take care of the yard and garden from a standing position. If you do need to get near the ground for occasional close-up work, use smartly designed hand tools and a padded garden kneeler with sturdy handles to make getting up and down easier.

This spring and summer, keep pain and strain to a minimum by using common sense and equipment that works with your body -- not against it. Courtesy of ARA content

I think this is great advice. Don’t you?

Aches and pains “By the yard”

Thinking Spring Maintenance

2008-03-10T18:26:00.000-07:00

How many of you like doing maintenance? No, neither do I. My car goes to the garage when it won’t start or something sounds terrible and my roof gets fixed when it starts raining inside. I am not good at preventative maintenance and I pay the price. Some people reading this just don’t understand this attitude. My mechanic has got used to me and he often does things I have not asked him to do because he is not sure when the next time will be that he sees my van again and I appreciate the fact that he is looking out for me. My excuse is I’m busy and I don’t have time. Well it works sometimes (the excuse that is).
When it comes to our back yards now is the time to do some maintenance (cleaning and sharpening tools etc.). We are not out in the yard yet and in fact unless you are pretty cold blooded or live in a different part of the world it still looks like winter outside here in Canada. The thing is, the time of year tells us that it won’t be long now and we will want to be outdoors in our back yards having fun or relaxing again. So while we have a chance we need to get ready so we don’t miss a minute.
I have often wasted those minutes by not doing maintenance in a timely fashion. I go to do a quick job so I can enjoy the rest of the day and oops it doesn’t work and then I spend half the day getting it fixed or buying a new one and then I miss out on my time to relax. I know you have done the same thing but some of you have learned from those experiences and do things so that it isn’t repeated.
This article did not go where I had planned. I meant to start talking about what types of maintenance we should be doing at this time of year in preparation for spring but sorry I got talking about me again and not a good me either. So over the next few entries I am going to talk about what we need to be doing to get ready for spring and I promise not to tell you things that I am not willing to do. You can check me up on it too.
Well so far I am still thinking but I promise to get started this week how about you? Wait I haven’t talked about what we need to do yet. O well if I can think of something to start on you probably can too.

Maintenance “By the yard”

Adding freshness, life, color by adding flowers!

2008-03-02T11:35:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have been away for a couple of weeks and was not able to complete this design earlier. I went to Ecuador for a couple of weeks to help a couple of churches there in projects that they needed help with. The experience has opened my eyes to new ideas and perspectives that I am sure will change my thinking about a number of things. I almost want to start this project all over again but I think the ideas we have been talking about are good ideas. It is just we could do the same yard in so many different ways. Have you had different ideas as we went along? I am sure you have.
Well I thought we would wrap it up this time by adding some flowers to our garden. I have had some brown space in the plan for a while now and we are going to create some variety, some color, some freshness and some structure to the yard by adding different plant life.
We add structure by adding shrubs which add both height and mass. We want to bring balance to the yard so we need to place these shrubs strategically. If we place some in the corners and maybe by the arbor and pool this will create the structure and height we are looking for.
I also want some color and freshness and if we add perennials between the shrubs I think we can achieve it but only if we do it well. The thing with perennials is they only bloom for specific times so we need to know (or hire someone who does) when each will bloom, so we can have an ever blooming garden. We could also use annuals but the perennials will keep things changing throughout the seasons and keep things fresh and new. They will also add a lot of color if chosen right and that color is both inviting and refreshing.
We have added a lot to this small back yard and I am sure it will be used for both times of relaxing and times of entertaining.
I really like walking into a yard that has been recently redesigned because of it’s new clean look though it sometime takes a year to really come into its own and really look full and good. Most of us want it to just stay that way but that is not how it works. Things mature, they need maintenance and attending to keep them looking good.
So next time we will talk about that. Maintenance what does it take to keep a yard looking good?

“Designing by the yard”

Which surface is best for me?

2008-02-16T14:46:00.000-08:00

We are winding down on this redesign. This back yard says courtyard to me because it’s sunk down and surrounded by terraced flowerbeds and fencing. So my question is what do we do with this court yard? There are several options we could choose. I have been wrestling with this a bit.
We could choose to just grass the area. This gives a great natural feel which fits the yard. It is the least expensive approach. Troubles are that one, for such a small area we need to get out the mower. Two, we really wanted this area for setting out chairs and benches and with the grass the legs sink in and it is hard to mow moving the furniture. Three, the grass is hard on the legs as it keeps the moisture around them.
We could just choose to use an aggregate surface. It could be pea gravel or crushed stone. This would also give us a natural feel but eliminate the problems with mowing and the seating problems. It too has problems with keeping it looking good and it not being a solid surface for walking on. This would not be the choice of some.
Another way we could treat the area would be to use interlocking brick. This solves the problem of shifting under foot and gives a great solid surface to walk on. I think it would look great if it was done in a circle pattern creating focal point in the center. Though this would be the most expensive way of doing it, the least natural and the most formal.
Finally from my perspective here we could use wood on grade. Like making a deck right on the ground. This too would give us a solid surface with less upfront cost than the interlocking brick but more maintenance and less life span.
What do you think we should do? I personally like them all for different reasons that is why I have been wrestling with this. Any one of them done well works. My choice is for the interlocking brick. Why? Because I like to spend money? No. Because of the solid surface and because I really think the circle pattern would look great. Now all I have to do is convince the owners to spend the money.
I think this yard is going to give the owners a lot of pleasure and years of enjoyment.
Looking to give customers what they are looking for.

“Designing by the yard”

Fencing gives definition to the yard.

2008-02-09T13:58:00.000-08:00

When it comes to fences some people are on one side or the other. Pun intended but it is true. We typically have a love hate relationship with fences. If we put it up we love it, but if the neighbor puts it up we hate it. Isn’t that true? Well whether you love them or hate them there are places where they just make sense. Then the question is design.
In the yard we are redesigning we have a street along the side of the yard and the front yard of the neighbor is right behind the yard. What do we do for some privacy? The neighbors are good so we don’t want to wall ourselves in but we want to create a visual barrier (some definition) in order to provide a more intimate yard. Therefore the fence wants to have some openness to it. I think a custom designed wood fence with some lattice opening would work great here about 5 feet high so when you are standing you can still look over it to talk to the neighbors. We will put this fence from the gate arbor back to the back corner and then all the way across the back. I think with the trees the way they are and the need for a bit of a work/ garbage area we will also put the fence from the corner of the shed to the back fence to create this work area with a gate to give access. I think we will also take the fence forward from the gate arbor along the side of the house but with a reduced height. This will give some continuity to the whole yard.
What do you think? Have you got the picture in your mind?
Well I think you have to agree that no matter whether you like fences or hate them a fence here will make this yard a whole lot more pleasant for the owner to sit out, relax and enjoy the yard in one of the lounger from “Teaks n More”.

“Designing by the yard”

Our Back Yard Design –Water gardens are a delight.

2008-02-02T13:44:00.000-08:00

I don’t know about you but having water in your garden is absolutely delightful. More and more people are incorporating water into their back yard. The sound of water is soothing and it can also help drown out the sounds of city. Water attracts birds and butterflies and so much more that we delight in into our yard so I think it really is something I want in this yard we are looking at.
Some people think there is a lot of work to a water garden but there really isn’t. Yes there is some work in digging the hole and getting it put together and set up but once it is there is very little maintenance. I am not going to talk about the garden how to’s in this article any more just to say that I think it is worth all the effort and I’m sure those of you who have a water feature in your back yard will agree.
So looking at our back yard here where would you put one? One of the ways you get to hear the water is if there is a water fall or a stream where the water flowing over the rock give us the sound we are looking for. Another thing to keep in mind is size. It will have to be sized in proportion to our yard.

To this end I think if we can incorporate the water into the terraced area we will be able to get that water fall. I am thinking if we have a small pool in the first level of the terrace in the corner and then right above it between the lower one and the walk way would be perfect. We could have a short stream flowing into the top pond and a falls from it to the lower one. What do you think? They will be small but in proportion and easy to access (ie care for) and right where we can fully enjoy them visually as well.
I am excited about this I know it’s going to be great and make a delightful addition to our back yard design.

So till next time.
“Designing by the yard”

Our Back Yard Design – Easy Designs? Right!

2008-01-26T09:04:00.001-08:00

Designing something takes some time and effort to think things through but often the effort it takes to bring the design to reality requires a lot of work. This is one of those times. As we have been looking at this back yard one of the problems at present is the slope of the yard. There is a 24 inch drop in the ground level from the back of the deck to the back of the lot. This really creates some problems, with that much slope in that short a distance. Have you ever tried to sit in a chair on a slope? If you set it sideways you feel like your going to topple over. If you sit facing down slope you feel like your going to fall out of the chair. The only possible way is to sit facing up slope and then you feel like your sitting in an easy chair. Not all bad but getting out of the chair, now that’s a different story.
To solve this problem we are going to level the back yard. How are we going to do that? This is certainly not going to be easy. There is no access to the yard for equipment so this is going to have to be all done manually.

If you look at the diagram you will see we are going the make a terrace garden just behind the walk way to the side gate with steps down to the leveled court yard across from the deck steps. This will give easy access to the court yard and make it a very attractive yard with the garden surrounding it.
After consulting with the owner we will make the retaining walls out of pressure treated timbers. This will give it a natural look and make it a little less formal with all the formal straight lines that reflect the angles of the deck and steps that are already present.
Now we have a level place to sit and entertain and a great space for some Cedar outdoor and Patio furniture from “Outdoor Cedars” for folks to sit on.

Our Back Yard Design – Planning for People traffic flow.

2008-01-19T08:11:00.001-08:00

Last time we got things on paper as to how things are. Then we started by eliminating everything we didn’t want any longer in the yard so we could sort of start with a clean slate.
This time I want to talk about traffic flow.
People traffic flow is very important. We can make people flow easy so people can move from one place to the other easily or we can make it so they have to take some time working their way through an area. This is great for a wandering path through some trees to force people (ourselves) to slow down and have a look around. But for getting in and out of our home we want to be able to do that with ease so clear straighter paths work the best.

Here in the back yard we are redesigning you can see the back door of the house, the step from the deck and the step to the right to the drive way. That means this is an important traffic flow path. You can also see the gate from the side of the yard through the Arbor. We also want to allow people to travel in that direction easily. So we have designed a path for them to do that. I also want to be able to get to the shed easily for access to bikes and lawn and garden tools etc. The path from the drive way is there and is cement so we will leave that. I like interlocking brick and it is something that with just a little knowledge and a fair amount of sweat anyone can use. So that is what I will make the other paths with and we will get a color that works with the cement.
Now I don’t want to get ahead of myself so we wont put those in just yet till we get the rest of the yard planned out because I think there is going to be quite a bite of work yet to do.
O by the way did you notice on the left I have got rid of some of the grass I think I am going to put that into garden.
If this was your back yard what do you think so far?
By the way now is the time to start thinking about what style of furniture you would like in your yard. Check out our “Teaks n More” or “Outdoor Cedars” store for all your needs in Garden and Patio Outdoor furniture.
Till next time.

Our Back Yard Design

2008-01-12T11:06:00.000-08:00

So here we are ready for a redesign of a back yard.
Step 1- I have looked at the back yard and measured it out. So I know what is there. I have drawn it out to scale on paper so that I can work with it. I have included all the structural aspects of the yard (house, garage, shed, deck, trees etc.). I have also taken note of the terrain (is there a slope to the yard). In talking to the owner I have found out that the soil is sandy with great drainage. We want to know at this point as much about the yard as possible as it may or may not have relevance to the project.

Step 2- is laying it out on paper. As you look at the drawing you will see this is not a big yard. The green space is only 30’ by 32’ between the deck and back fence and the garage and side fence. Here is a little bit of further info. The side fence is along a street that is why the arbor Gate. The back yard slopes down 2 feet from the deck to the back fence this makes setting chairs up on the grassed area difficult. The owner really likes to garden and would love to have some areas to plant perennials. He also would like to incorporate some water into the yard.
Well that is a great start. We have gathered our info. We have it on paper. We know some of what the owner wants to incorporate. Now we need to stop and creatively think about what we have and start to plan it out. We need to think about traffic flow, size, scale, needs, wants etc. There really is a lot to think about as we begin to develop our design. That’s step 3 and we’ll start on that next time.
Where would you start?

Planning for 2008

2008-01-06T09:46:00.001-08:00

Last time I talked about looking back at 2007 and analyzing what you did and what you have. This time we will look forward and plan ahead.
Sometimes it seems hard to think about Spring at this time of year but if we really want to make timely change we need to start planning now. If you haven’t already made a plan (a blue print) of your back yard with reasonably accurate dimensions, and the locations of all structures and gardens etc. that are there now then that is the place to start. The next step is to draw a new diagram with everything you want to change left out of the drawing. With this clean slate we can now begin to look at putting in what we want.
Many of us are eclectic. We buy something we like and start using it and then we see something else we like and the price is right and we buy and use it. There is no plan and we sit back and say this isn’t working. We know it but we don’t know what to do about it.
Each time I start a new project I think about what I want to accomplish. Now I am not as manic as some as I don’t make lists down to the last detail. I personally prefer to make several attempts at achieving my goals on paper first. Talk to your friends and see if they have any ideas. I might also go to a garden center and ask them for some ideas. Looking through magazines often helps us know what we like and what we don’t as far as style is concerned. This is the way to develop the plan.
Things we need to take into consideration.
What do we want to do in our yard?
How big is our yard?
What kind of style do we like? Formal or informal? Sophisticated or rustic?
What kind of furniture do we like?
What kind of garden structures do we want? Arbors? Trellises? Gazebos? Etc.
Do you see any patterns emerging?
To help us in this process over the next while I am going to take a small backyard and redesign it completely with your help. Are you up to it? If any of you want us to work with your back yard then leave me a response and I will give you a way of getting the info to me.
Till next time.

Analyzing Our Back Yards?

2007-12-30T09:43:00.000-08:00

For most of us at this time of year we think a lot about what is or what was. We have the year in review on TV about sports, about the News, and on just about any topic we can think of. We ourselves think about the last year, our weight and the pounds we’ve gained or about our smoking habit and we make resolutions about what we hope to do in the New Year. But for many of us trying to think about our back yards and analyze what is wrong and what I would like to change, is not easy. We know we should do it before we start to change things but it just isn’t natural. For others it is easy and they know exactly what is wrong and what they don’t like but it is hard for them to think about the future and what they really want it to look like. That is life, we are all different.
Some of us try to use software or getting others to do the work for us but that alone won’t do it, no matter how good they are. They need our input before any changes can be made unless we don’t care and we have the money to just say to someone “Just do it”.
So how are your analytics? Have you taken or do you plan to take some time to evaluate what your back yard presently looks like and set new goals for 2008? This is a great time of year to work on it. The easy path and I tend to take it at times and make excuses of “I’m too busy”, is to just keep doing the same old same old. Someone once said that the definition of a fool is “someone who keeps doing the same thing and expecting different results”.
As I think about our back yard there are definitely things I would like to improve on this coming year. I realize that I will never be able to say there is nothing I want to change. That is because I am always thinking of the new and exciting not because I have analyzed it and am making change with a purpose. See that is why I find it harder to do the analytics, I am always looking to the new. I enjoy learning. I enjoy the road of discovery and if it isn’t one thing I find something else to work on. I am looking forward to this coming year. How about you? But to get the best results you need to have a plan and to have the best plan we need to first think about what is in order to have a better future.
Part of that better future could be some new outdoor furniture and you can get whatever you need at one of our two outdoor furniture stores “Teaks n More” and “Outdoor Cedars”. Make them part of your plan.
Next time I will talk about setting some goals for 2008.
Till next time.

What are you thinking of?

2007-12-22T11:58:00.000-08:00

What are you thinking of at this time of year? Gifts, family, friends, Turkey, big meals, how you’re going to get rid of those pounds and I’m sure the list could go on. For some of you, church might be important as well.
What happens to the business? For me my online stores “Outdoor Cedars” and “Teaks n More” are important. I love to do well and I would love to be unconcerned about money but that is just not the way it is for most of us. We work hard and sometimes too hard for what we get back.
It’s hard for me to take a break. Yes I know it’s important but there is just so much to do or that I want to do. At this time of year I find it easier to take a break (of course after the big Day). Everyone else is, so even if I don’t want to there are a lot less things you can do so I will take a break as well.
For a lot of us this is a time to both reflect on the past and look to the future. This last year there has really been some major changes in my business life. This has affected my personal life but my core has not changed.
I try to not mix my faith with business but for true Christ followers there is no real way of separating them. We are who we are. If you are a Christ follower then what you do and how you do it is affected by your beliefs. You can’t say I believe in honesty but then in your business only tell part of the truth about what you are selling. You can’t see the needy and not do something. What you do and how you do it is a reflection of who you really are.
This time of year is more than a Great Season or a time for a break for me. This is a special time (but not the only time) that I remember Jesus came to earth, to live, to die and that he will come again.
Happy birthday Jesus!
To all of you may you discover the true meaning of the Season, this year!
Merry Christmas to all of you!

Have a very Merry Christmas and keep dreaming creatively...

2007-12-15T14:02:00.000-08:00

Christmas is almost here. If you’re in the northern climate like me you’ll see snow blanketing everything that was lush and green, except the Christmas tree you’ve managed to get into your house and decorate brightly. Days are busy getting everything prepared, braving the traffic, choosing gifts that won’t end up “re-gifted” but express something of what you share with that person. Many gatherings beckon and everyone is happy to get indoors to thaw the chill out of their bones. In the evening as you cozy up to a warm fire and as friends drop by memories are refreshed and new ones made over some hot cocoa or apple cider. These are many of the same friends who drop over for a glass of ice-tea in the summer time and enjoy your back yard. Often you dream together of marvelous vacations, cruises, trips that may be far out of your reach financially. But… now is a great opportunity to enhance and “bring home” some of these dreams. How about helping each other create special “oasis” places in each other’s yard? Is it the tropics you yearn for? An indoor/outdoor plant with large leaves or tall grasses could give much enjoyment year round. Or dressing up the picnic table with new brightly colored table cloths, napkins and some of the new splashy plastic dishes? Gift cards for these kinds of items are also a great idea because cashing in on them after Christmas can give double the value with all the sales going on. There are also many attractive accent pieces out there to dress up a get away in your own back yard. Choose items that delight you and your friends. Do they like butterflies? Planter pots? Animal shapes? Frogs by the pond? Or a new lounger to stretch out on as soon as the first warm rays make their appearance? Perhaps different lanterns in all shapes and sizes. Vacations are for taking us out of the ordinary demands of life – your back yard can do the same and much more inexpensively. If you work on it little by little, get rid of the clutter and replace it with items of beauty and appeal, making room to entertain in a very relaxed, yet tasteful way, then every day can hold a couple of hours of “vacation” for you in the spring, summer and fall. And in the winter long hours can be spent preparing new items such as colorful cushions, checking seed catalogues or picking up bargains that will enhance your special outdoor space.

Before this year is up, why not to treat yourself to at least one new piece of wood furniture while it’s on sale, a bench, chair or bistro set in lovely scented western red cedar, or the ever popular teak (a wood which with “benign neglect” turns a lovely silver gray with time). You’ll be able to enjoy this with your friends for years to come. Check them out the links to our stores “Outdoor Cedars” and “Teaks n More” are over to the right.
Have a very merry Christmas and keep dreaming creatively… may 2008 see many of your dreams come true!

The Garden room!

2007-12-08T11:24:00.001-08:00

This is my favorite room full of beauty and solitude. The room I’m talking about this time is the botanical garden room and it could look quite different from yard to yard. I love my flowers and sitting enjoying the sound of water from my water garden, the birds and a breeze in the trees.
In bigger yards than I have there could be a number of trees in the back of the yard with a winding path through them with resting places spaced along the path. These are perfect spots for a garden bench or a couple of wooden chairs just to sit and relax. Some might even like to have a garden glider bench to get into the rhythm of nature. If your yard allows for a more wooded area like this (and my yard right now doesn’t) it is a wonderful opportunity for a garden room that provides a kind of private space. I love the smell of the leaves and forest it takes me away from the busyness of life and allows me to relax and enjoy God’s creation.

This room for me needs color and so I have a lot of perennials that grow and bloom and change with the seasons. The color brightens my spirit and calms my soul. This area doesn’t have to be large but it does need to have a quietness which means a sense of enclosure that is usually created by trees, shrubs and sometime structures like garden arbors or fences which allow us to feel separated from the busier parts of the yard.
Whether there is a lot of space or only a little, the garden room is where I want to be. Every time I’m in a yard with this kind of room I find myself gravitating in that direction very quickly.
If you have this kind of room or are just planning or creating it you can find all the garden furniture you need to make this space special in your back yard at our stores “Outdoor Cedars” and “Teaks n More” the links are over to the right and right now everything is on sale till the new year.

Where can we Play? Part 2

2007-12-01T13:23:00.000-08:00

Last time we were talking about the back yard pool or the “pool room”. This week let’s talk about where the kids might play.
This space often changes with the age of the kids. And will definitely depend on the size of your back yard. For younger kids this could be a swing set or climbing gym of some sort. It could also involve a tree house or fort. I know when I was a kid I loved to build my own but today there are lots of choices at the stores to choose from. The things to look for are that they are well built and safe for the kids to play on. When thinking of our back yards this area needs to have enough room with space so the kids have room to run. Lots of grass is the best as it provides for a softer landing when the kids fall and they always do, fortunately most of the time it is just another little bump on the road of discovery.
The key to this room is that it needs to have some boundaries. It is easy for the kids toys to take over the whole back yard and though when they are young we may think they don’t know any better and that may be true, that is precisely why it is good for this room to have some clear boundaries so that we can still have some room for the things we want to do ie: like our intimate room for when the kids have gone to bed. We also don’t want to be tripping over toys every time we turn around. As the kids get older it could be a place to play catch or a mini ball diamond or soccer pitch. As we boys get older we always find new things to play with and they also seem to require more space.
My back yard is only big enough for a few small rooms and maybe yours is as well. When our kids were young they occupied most of the back yard. Now I get to do with it what I want.
We each have to make these choices and I trust as you think of your yard you can see it evolving over the years as we go through the different stages of life.
The fun room is mostly about space that the kids can have fun in yet helping them to not take over the whole yard. Let’s let them be kids they will have to grow up fast enough.
For us we need some comfortable furniture to relax in while they play. Garden benches, chairs, loungers etc. For Great Garden Furniture check out “Outdoor Cedars” and “Teaks n More” the links to the right.
Next time the “Garden room”.

Where can we Play?

2007-11-24T13:41:00.000-08:00

We are currently talking about designing our back yards as rooms. Areas where we design it furnish it and use it for different purposes just like we have different rooms in our house. This week we will talk about the “Fun Room”. I have been thinking there are so many different rooms we could design here that we need to take more than one time to look at it so this time I am going to talk about the pool room. No not the one with a table, balls and cues but the water playground of the summer.
More and more the pool has become a big part of the back yard and for those who like swimming and sun bathing it provides a huge amount of fun and pleasure. Many times it becomes the focus of activity in our back yards. The thing I don’t like is how they can sometimes take over. I have no problem with having a pool in the back yard but it needs to be sized right so that it allows for other activities as well. So once we get the pool sized right for our yard we can put it where it works. I personally like to see some room between it and the house so we have space for our entertainment and intimate rooms. We also don’t want it to be inconvenient. We need to think safety first so that we need to have the proper fencing and make sure we meet the municipal codes and all. I think there needs to be a good walking area around the pool. This should be 4’ minimum and could be concrete or paving stones if the pool is in ground or decking if it is above ground. All of this takes space and for some of us, we just don’t have enough of that but sometimes a hot tub is the right answer (maybe not for the kids though). The landscaping design around the pool is important and can take a rather plain back yard with a pool to one that is both enjoyable for the kids to play in but welcoming and a pleasure to the eyes as well.
To make it all work right we need to have the right furniture, loungers, chairs and tables for those times when we want to spend time in the sun working on our tan, relax and have something to drink or just enjoying the view.
When you are looking for furniture to meet these needs check out “Teaksnmore” and “Outdoorcedars” they both have wonderful outdoor and patio furniture, loungers and chairs. The links are over to the right.

What’s your idea of an intimate room?

2007-11-17T13:07:00.000-08:00

If you were asked to describe an intimate room in a word or two what words would you use? You might say things like: small, cozy, special, just right for the two of us. All of those things certainly could be true. What I’m not talking about here is the bedroom. So if you were to paint a picture of what the intimate room would look like it might be a small room or area on the deck with a small table and a couple of chairs where you would spend some time in the evening by yourself or with someone else having a great time of conversation along with a glass of wine. We talked earlier in another article about lighting and here is the perfect time to use candles for both lighting and atmosphere. Another time you might use this room would be in the morning reading the paper and enjoying a cup of coffee before your busy day begins. A Bistro set would be perfect for this. It is also a great spot to spend some time with a friend during the day over a coffee or drink. Any time there are only a couple of you this room is the right place to be.
For this room in your back yard you will need an area no bigger than 10 x 10 and it could be a fair amount smaller. The name I have given it really tells you the feel it should have “intimate”. A small gazebo or corner on you deck are perfect. It could be near a hot tub in case the conversation leads in that direction. It will want to have a feeling of enclosure (a feeling of walls if at all possible) so if you don’t have a gazebo then an area that has that kind of feel is what you are looking for.
I personally have enjoyed my times in the morning having a coffee and doing some reading listening to the birds and the sound of water from my water garden. It’s very relaxing.
Think about your back yard and where you could set this room up. Mine is in a corner of our deck. I have flowers hanging around from and overhead beam it feels just right.
If you are looking for a bistro set to set your room off right check out the ones we have at "Teaks n More" in the oak section. The link is to the right or click here. While your there have a look around at all the choices there are of Outdoor Garden Furniture.
Next time we will talk about the “Fun Room”.

Do you love to entertain?

2007-11-10T12:51:00.000-08:00

The first room I will talk about is the entertainment room.
This is the space we will use to entertain our friends or family. The size will depend on our habits, desires and the space we have to work with. Do you entertain one other family at a time with the total number being 20 or less, or are you a “big time” entertainer?
In this room we will need to have a place for a table and chairs for eating. You will also need a place for the BBQ and a place to set the food and/or the drinks on a bar area or side tables. All this means that it probably should be very close to the house for the ease of getting the food from kitchen to our outdoor room easily. Often this room is on the deck or patio just outside the back door. This is not a necessity. If you have the money, some people build a small outdoor kitchen complete with stove and frig, counter space the works so they can do all the prep work outside as well. Whatever the case you want the room big enough so that people won’t feel cramped but small enough that people don’t feel lost. Often the walls are the railing on the deck but if you have a patio or are out on the grass try placing some large pots of flowers around to give the room it’s own space. This works great if you want your room to be able to be sized differently depending on the number you are entertaining.
Having a good table set both attractive and comfortable is a must. Do you remember the picnic tables we used to have, about 4 x 8 with a bench on each side, practical (well sort of, remember trying to get seated at one), but not much to look at? Well the world has changed. The patio sets today look so much better and there is so much more to choose from. It seems like every department store out there has them (in season that is).
The choice you make will depend on your taste. I personally like wood. It is more environmentally appealing in the natural setting and I don’t know but it just makes me feel more comfortable. After dinner it’s time to clean up and play some games or just enjoy a relaxing evening of conversation, so the furniture you use needs to be comfortable. For me the other important factor is quality. There is nothing worse then spending good money on something only to have it break or looking old in a short period of time. Cedar wood or Teak wood furniture is great for this. They both stand up well outdoors and last looking good for years.
Teak costs a little more but needs no finishing and lasts the longest because of its natural oils that protects it from the weather.
Now is a good time to start planning for next summer and start making some purchases so it doesn’t hit you all at once next spring.
Have a look at our outdoor furniture at our stores "Teaks n More" and "Outdoor Cedars". I love the styles! If you are looking for more casual sets you can find them at "Outdoor Cedars". The links are on the right.
Next time we will talk about the “intimate room”.

Making it look Great!

2007-11-06T17:42:00.000-08:00

When you start thinking about your back yard one of the big things to think about is design. Our Back yards are quite varied, big ones small ones plain ones and meticulously groomed or barely groomed and everything in-between.
We all love going to a back yard that a lot of time and energy has been spent on, along with a sense of style and design and we say wow. Many though would not want it for their back yard. Why? They don’t have either the time or the money for it.
Well in this series I am going to talk about design but not a specific design, but a way of thinking about design that will help us make the right choices for us as individuals. This will help us develop our back yards in a way that will get us not only what we are really looking for but one that will fit our needs our desires and our budget.
We are going to talk about our back yards as rooms. So what do I mean? Well like we have different rooms in our house with different purposes so we can have different rooms outside. Each of these rooms will have a definable area. The “walls” may be a couple trees or some scrubs or a flower bed or hanging baskets or the railing on our deck. The room could be the deck or patio or it could be just a part of it. These rooms could be small like 8-10 sq feet or huge. Have you ever been somewhere and felt uncomfortable or lost in a yard or park because the space was so large that it made you feel uncomfortable. What we want to do here is to size our outdoor rooms to the activity we are using it for. In our house often we find a small room or large closet and make it into a room for reading. Why? Because we feel comfortable and cozy there, and we feel lost in the living room when we are there by ourselves. We want to feel comfortable where we are and we sure don’t want to feel lost in our own back yards.
So we are going to talk about how to define our rooms, what we need in the room, where the best place is to locate it, and many other things as we think about this together.
Next time we will talk about the “Entertainment room”.
So til next time keep enjoying your back yard and if you get a chance check out our furniture stores. The links are to the right.

Outdoor Living for all Seasons – Harvest/Halloween Parties for kids

2007-10-30T17:35:00.000-07:00

Hi again! We’ve talked about extending our living space into our backyard and the basic elements it takes to make it enjoyable and fun over the past few weeks. Today I’m thinking of some of the fun ways to use this space to the fullest – parties – and not just for adults – for kids!
Autumn, Harvest time, Halloween all are rich with outdoor fun. Nature provides the backdrop with colored leaves and many harvested items. Cornstalks, Hay Bales, Scare crows, candy apples and pumpkins are some inexpensive, all time favorites. After their trip through the neighborhood your little trick-or-treaters and those of your friends’ can join in your yard for a wonderfully scary trek of Halloween fun. With simple décor such as ghosts made from sheets, spider webs found in dollar stores, dim lighting (if using candles keep them up high and out of children’s reach), spooky jack o’lanterns are great to line walkways, silhouettes of bats, witches or black cats to hide in corners (with some back lighting), add some spooky music and your stage is fully set for some great fun. Since the candy will have revved up the kids you’ll want some fun games to have them spend your energy. Depending on the weather (this is a good time for your outdoor heater to shed warmth) you may be able to combine outdoor and indoor activities. Pin the nose on the pumpkin (tack a large cardboard pumpkin to the wall. In turn blindfold each child and give them a black nose with double sided tape on the back. Have them walk to the wall and pin the nose on the pumpkin), pumpkin penny toss (carve out a large pumpkin, give each child a handful of pennies. Have them stand an appropriate distance from the pumpkin and try to toss the penny in, one at a time. For each penny into the pumpkin the child gets a Halloween candy. Wrap the mummy (divide the children into groups of three to five kids. Select one child in each group to be a mummy. The other children receive a roll of toilet paper and are instructed to wrap the mummy with it, leaving eyes, nose and mouth uncovered. The first group done with their roll of paper wins). Search the internet if you want more games at your fingertips. Wrap up the evening with yummy treats such as hot dogs, apple cider, root beer, caramel apples and other kid friendly snacks. All this should add up to a memorable and safe evening.
I’m sure you can see how in all this planning appropriate lighting, heating and sturdy but attractive furniture will be foundational to making the party a success. Find some great outdoor furniture at either of our sites "Outdoor Cedars" or Teaks n More" (the links are on the right) and create cozy outdoor spaces for all seasons and parties.

Outdoor heating do we need it?

2007-10-20T08:05:00.000-07:00

For years we have sat in Our Back Yards on cool evenings with a fire going to take the chill off.
Most of us would have a fire pit of some kind and enjoy the fire and gain a little heat while cooking some hot dogs and marshmallows.
Today most of us can no longer do this because of city regulations. Today we may have a fire container with wire covers or one of those ceramic gene lamp looking things that will keep the fire contained. Some may have an outside fireplace and they can be quite attractive but expensive to build. Today these are not always allowed in our cities as well. There are other problems with this type of heat. The smoke, I don’t know about you but every time I sit by an outdoor fire the smoke heads in my direction and gets in my eyes. I love the smell I love the heat but I don’t like the sore eyes. Another problem is the wood, where do I get it? It is easy for some but for others finding and buying it is a chore.
So what are some of the other choices today?
For our fireplaces in our homes we have moved away from wood as well. Today we are often making a choice for either electric or gas. These options are available for our back yards as well. There are many attractive designs that can add to your back yard. Often they look like old street lamps which get the heat above us and reflect it down. They are clean so the neighbors can’t complain about the smoke. They are not cheap but can be found in a price range that most can afford. The fuel, propane or electricity is easy to obtain. These seem to be the wave of the future when it comes to our back yards and can be bought at department stores and big box stores as well as specialty shops.
The real thing to keep in mind is the whole concept of extending the seasons of usage of our yards. You can be out earlier in the spring, later in the fall and even in the middle of the summer we can get a cool evening when a little heat takes the chill off and makes it pleasant to sit out and enjoy our company or just enjoy some solitude. If you have had any experience with some of these new heaters let us know.
The other thing that makes our yards comfortable is the furniture we are sitting on. Check out our outdoor and patio furniture stores at OutdoorCedars.com or TeaksnMore.com .

The importance of Lighting!

2007-10-13T10:01:00.001-07:00

Hello fellow backyard enthusiasts,

I don’t know what the weather’s like where you are, but in this part of the country temperatures have dropped considerably and for sure we will have to talk about heaters of various kinds next week.

This week, as promised, I want to talk about the second essential elements to outdoor living in all season and that’s the many facets of attractive and purposeful lighting. Any landscape architect would assure you that well chosen and placed outdoor lighting can transform your property at night, it is also essential for safety along paths and around decks, patios and stairs. I was reminded of this recently when I attended a backyard party where the lighting was sparsely placed and dim and all of us groped carefully around not seeing obstacles or stairs very well. It was a bit unsettling.

I’m sure you would agree that there are two considerations for our comfort, individual style and budget. Yikes – if it wasn’t for budget, the sky would be the limit with all that’s offered out there!

However – it doesn’t take too big of a budget to light your yard with candles. They come in all shapes and sizes. It’s a great idea to collect tall glass containers of various shapes, sizes and colors at garage sales or Art Fairs and place the candles in them to keep them candles burning in the breeze and safely out of reach for children. Arrange them in groups and experience the magic. Lots of attractive lamps that only require tea lights in them are also available.

A number of lantern sets, such as Noma Moonrays can be attractively placed in the yard to backlight plants, highlight ponds, or light the path to the refreshment tables so no one stumbles. An added attraction to these sets of lights is that they require very low voltage one set only uses an equal amount to a 15 watt bulb. Similar lamps are offered in a solar light which eliminates the need for electrical outlets altogether. This kind of lighting makes the backyard look like a fairyland in the wintertime with piles of snow reflecting a soft shimmer throughout.

Magic can also be created with strings of tiny Christmas lights woven through bushes, tree branches, arbors and entryways. These can be picked up quite inexpensively just after Christmas, so keep an eye out if you’re interested.

If budget allows, there are gorgeous tall lanterns on the market, one of the ones I saw is called a Firefly solar light (check it out on the web). It’s a stainless steel stake topped with a delicate hand-blown glass globe. During the day the solar panels charge up re-chargeable batteries which turn the lamp on automatically at dusk providing a wonderful amber glow. They are easy to relocate, help the environment by using a renewable source of energy and are easy on your electric bill.

Many similar sources of lighting are found at art or antique stores. It may take a bit of electrical know-how to bring fresh use to antique lanterns, or it may just take a candle or tea light. The important thing here is personal taste to bring that extra cozy comfort or that flair of elegance you’re looking for.

Mixed in with this continues to be the right choice of furniture. Last week I shared about red cedar outdoor furniture. Another long lasting outdoor choice is teak wood, it is imported from Indonesia. Having been used for boat building over the centuries, it has proven durability and strength. The outdoor teak furniture I’ve seen displays a quiet elegance, even in the most casual pieces. If this is part of your personal taste, teak is a good choice. Go ahead, check out one of my favorite sites on Teak Garden Furniture at, TeaksnMore.com.
Feeding the words "teak wood" into Google will also get you more info about the wood and "outdoor lighting" will get all the endless possibilities for lighting "OurBackYards". Have fun!

We’ll talk about the third essential element, outdoor heating, next time and try to make things comfortable with Halloween just around the corner!

Welcome

2007-10-06T13:41:00.001-07:00

Welcome to “ourbackyards”. I say “our” here because of a couple of things. One I will be sharing the writing with my wife and two I hope you will also contribute to our conversations and therefore share with us some great information as well.
We will be talking about Design aspects, to help make our backyards look GREAT.
We will be talking about functionality, like what it takes to be able to entertain, or maybe it is solitude you are after and how we might achieve that in our back yards.
Maybe a little about gardening and how it can contribute to the overall design and functionality. I am not sure what all we will be talking about but those are some ideas.
We will be sharing hopefully a lot of helpful practical stuff and I am looking forward to your contributions.

Outdoor Living for all Seasons…

2007-10-06T13:36:00.000-07:00

Slowly the muggy days of summer are giving way to autumn. In come cooler, sunny days and we can enjoy the outdoors without those pesky natural pests. Are you thinking that all those fun picnics and barbeques are over for another year? Think again! Our backyard can continue to be a focus of entertainment and fun, all we need to do is build the right atmosphere and we can entertain outside any time of day or year.

What we need is basically 3 key elements:
Sturdy, attractive and comfortable seating, well placed lighting, and a source of heat (for the colder times).

Our first element, sturdy and attractive seating, is available in a variety of materials, such as wrought iron, stone and several types of wood. Canada has huge forests in the north and one of the trees that makes wonderful outdoor furniture is the Red Cedar. Red cedar is affordable and makes long lasting and comfortable outdoor furniture, it also emits a delightful scent. Much of the Adirondack style outdoor furniture has been made from western red cedar. (you might enjoy browsing one of my favorite sites when you have a minute www.outdoorcedars.com) Cedar is a healthier choice for outdoor furniture than wood materials that have been treated with preservatives. It doesn’t warp and its fibers contain oils that help the wood resist rot and decay. This makes it excellent for moist or humid climates and needs very little maintenance. Add a few colorful cushions on the chairs, some brightly colored dishes, the smell of a barbeque on the go and the cheerful glow of candles as evening sets in and your guests may wish to purr with contentment.

And speaking of candles, they provide atmosphere, but there are many other attractive ways to light your backyard space as well to add comfort and enjoyment.

Join me as we talk about this second essential element next week…
T