3 Tips Under $20 to Decorate Your Gardenby Jeff Deutsch 10/3/2010 1) Candle lighting. The art of using candles to improve the atmosphere and aroma of your garden is an old one that you can really enjoy. A supply long candles can last you a month and cost less than one dinner out on the town. Good, creative placement is extremely important with candles. I often place multiple colors of small scented candles in the pond in our garden. This goes great with some light music, a glass of wine, and some good company. 2) Solar lights. This new technology is great for many reasons. For one, they cost less than most lamps you would buy at a home improvement store, and you don’t have to pay electricity to use them. Also, they are a great conversation piece, and environmentally friendly design is very popular right now. 3) Standing torches. You can buy these at any garden store, and the torches and oil to keep them burning are very affordable. This will give your garden the feeling that you are on a beach in a place like Hawaii or the Philippines to add some spice to your life. The best torches of this kind are made from ... |
Tips for Total Yard Maintenanceby Styla Brite 10/3/2010 Evergreens are always a good choice. Those beautiful trees will change the appearance of your yard. Many people use ordinary trees when landscaping their yards but always use evergreen to feel stability and structured look. Also evergreens are not seasonal so it will benefit your yard for entire year. They remain beautiful in all seasons making them perfect for landscaping ideas. Making your yard attractive and beautiful the whole year is the key to a landscaping design. Another good idea is Hardscape to use at your backyard. "Hardscape" means using some random things like rocks, fences, walls in your backyard. Plants are not the only idea on yard landscaping. Think outside the box and you’ll find a lot more other than trees and plants. No matter if its summer or spring, your yard will look very attractive all year. Those beautiful plants and trees will make your yard beautiful and shine in all ... |
Free Landscape Design Tips for Fall Planting and Mulching!by Durand Demlow 10/3/2010 Hearty varieties of wildflowers, which bloom in mid-summer, "go to seed" (meaning they drop their seeds as the blooms die) as fall approaches and either sprout before winter prohibits, or wait until spring. This all depends on the arrival or severity of winter. In other words, the seeds know what to do. Its a little different in a controlled environment such as your landscaping. Here, you’ll have to take charge and do the work nature was designed to do. One big advantage of fall planting is that its usually more relaxed than spring planting. Generally, except in the Pacific Northwest, you don’t have to worry about timing your seed planting between rains, or have to adhere to a tight planting timetable. Just plant before the ground freezes. The weather in the fall is really more predictable than in spring. Fall planting has one other advantage. The weed seed content in the soil is unpredictable. If your seed planting is delayed until spring, the ... |
Landscaping - It’s Global Warming to Your Plants!by Joseph Perry III 10/3/2010 - Mulch and water the base of your plants to maintain the soil cool around plants. - If you can supply shade, do so. Everyone can recognize a wilted plant. Get water to the roots and grant some coverage for the plant if at all feasible. Remember plants require sunlight, but not continued blazing sunlight, so a mesh type shade gadget will work best -talk to your landscaping company or neighborhood nursery. - Water in the morning on days that are projected to be sizzling. And when cooler temps are likely, you might want to back off on the quantity of watering -too much can be just as problematic as too little. - Look at national climate reports to find out if a heat wave is imminent your way -don’t plant during a heat wave. - Seek advice from your community nursery for correct plant exposures. An inexpensive compass will aid with determining proper exposures (Northern, Southern, Eastern, or Western). - Fall fertilization will aid plants recuperate from a baking summer season. Also spring fertilization will give them a fine start for the summer time. These six recommendations are a excellent starting point for helping your plants survive the dog days of summer -we’ll let the "experts" figure out whether or not this is a pattern due to Global Warming ... |
5 Tips for a Greener Lawnby Jack Howard 10/3/2010 Most homeowners want to keep their lawn looking healthy and green. But your lawn is constantly under attack from various factors, including visitors walking or driving on it, bugs and critters, as well as pets "doing their business!" Even the seasons changing puts wear and tear on your lawn. In the summer, the blistering heat and lack of rain can dry out and turn your lawn brown, while in the spring the melting snow and ice from the winter can drown your grass in moisture. So what is the best balance for maintaining that perfectly lush, green lawn you’ve always wanted? The first step is a lawn mower. This may sound pretty simple, but frequently homeowners will underestimate the importance of the lawn mower in maintaining a healthy lawn. Why is a lawn mower so important? Not only will a high-quality mower maintain an even cut and keep your lawn from becoming an unruly disaster, but also proper mower usage can actually create a thriving, glorious lawn. Ideally, a mower works best with sharp blades, however if working with an older mower, repairs and blade replacements can be easy to come by at a local hardware repair shop. Of course, if the old mower has aged beyond its years and repairs are no longer enough to keep it going, it may be best to spring for a newer model. Some new models are available in John Deere mowers, Craftsman mowers, Kubota mowers, Cub Cadet mowers and dozens of other brands. In addition to ... |
What NOT to Do When Building a Fenceby Ben Anton 10/3/2010 There are many things to keep in mind when planning a wood fence. Many people rush into a project thinking it will be fairly straightforward, only to end up with a botched job or a fence that falls to pieces after only a few years. Doing the job right the first time will save you not only grief, but money and pride as well. To avoid fence builder’s remorse, follow these suggestions for what NOT to do when planning to build a wood or vinyl fence: Don’t make assumptions about your fence’s height. Most people build fences hoping to find a little backyard privacy, whether that means blocking out an ugly view or avoiding the prying eyes of a neighbor. Few things are as crushing as building a fence and then finding out it doesn’t hide that view or block neighbor’s window after all. Neither do you want to install a fence for privacy only to find out it makes your backyard feel too closed in. Before finalizing plans for your fence, make sure it will fit your needs. First, take a look around where you intend to install your wood fence and note the contours of the land around it. Does it slope upward or downward? A fence that sits on property sloping downward away from your home will offer more privacy than if the land slopes upward. Do the neighbors have a deck from which they can peer directly into your yard despite your fence’s height? These are things that ... |
How to Make Your Wood Fence Lastby Ben Anton 10/3/2010 1. Use quality materials. Ensuring your fence’s long life span begins with the fencing materials you use to build it. Although cedar is the most popular Northwest material for wood fence panels, a cedar fence actually has two other important parts that require different types of wood. These include the posts and the supporting rails. Posts: Structurally, the posts are the most important part of your fence. They hold the fence upright and anchor it in place on the ground. Because they’re in contact with the ground, wood fence posts require extra protection against moisture and rotting, which is why all fence posts should be constructed from pressure treated wood. Rails: Rails are another structurally important element, as they hold the fence boards in place. Because they do not come in contact with the ground, they don’t need to be made from pressure treated wood; in fact, pressure treated wood rails tend to twist and cause problems. Cedar, on the other hand, is too soft to use for rails. Choose a harder wood, such as Hem-Fir. 2. Apply stain properly. Upon building your wood fence, let the wood set for at least a ... |
How Patio Covers Protect Your Outside From Weather Damageby Frank D. Thomas 9/21/2010 Patios are a very relaxing place to unwind after a long day as well as to simply enjoy the great outdoors. Outdoor furniture can becomes worn or damaged over time if left without protection against the elements. Patio covers keep the patio and its accompanying furniture pieces from wearing out from weather damage. There are a variety of outdoor coverings available, including canopies, awnings and outdoor umbrellas to help shield patio areas from strong elements. These coverings help to repel the elements that could potentially cause metal-framed outdoor furniture to get rusty over time. In addition, patio protection also keeps the seating dry and comfortable when relaxing outside or entertaining guests. Canopies and other coverings help to protect the patio surface from harsh winter weather, such as heavy snow and ice. The patio as well as the outdoor furniture need covering so they can remain in tact and last for a long time. Pillows and other seat coverings can get water logged and worn when constantly exposed to rain and other bad weather. Outdoor coverings can also protect furniture against strong winds that can blow around the patio area. Summertime is a prime season for entertaining guest for parties, family gatherings and barbeques. Guests can feel comfortable and secure knowing that their items will not blow off the table or that they can still enjoy their outdoor event even if a few raindrops fall. Inclement weather does not have to dictate whether or not an outdoor function takes place or not when there is ... |
Designing An L-Shaped Gardenby Tauqeer Ul Hassan 9/21/2010 Designing an L-shaped garden is not an easy task, especially when one ends up as two separate gardens. The idea behind the L-shaped garden is to join the two areas and the focus is on making the garden in such a way that it looks bigger than it actual size. The garden seat not only provides a pleasant view but also a useful focal point. You can use square or rectangular slabs on these angular patios where apart from 45° angle near the circular water feature, everything else is at right angles. A brick edging 105 mm wide, especially if there was visible brickwork on the house would enhance a layout of slabs. The seat will definitely be under some shade, which is provided by any tree in the corner, while patio will expose to sunlight. As far as shape of the lawn is concerned, it is both formal as well as informal at the same time. The informality arises by curves coming off the patio and a path entering from the left passing the fruit and vegetable garden. You can screen this area with a rustic trellis - about 2 meters high consist of vertical, horizontal and angled poles. Rambling and climbing roses are then screened over these poles with clematis. The front part of the trellis can be decorated with conventional or herbaceous border. Wide grass path and rustic arch is used to connect the side garden to the main lawn. Side garden is a beautiful combination fruit and vegetable ... |
Designing a Wall and Bank Combination Gardenby Tauqeer Ul Hassan 9/21/2010 This article is about designing a garden, which is a combination of walls and a bank. The backyard area of any house is a perfect sunny place and is best place where the paving is positioned. To achieve a particular shape and angling the steps for the sake of extending the left side of the patio, it is essential to get some carved slabs or any of the square or rectangular paving units. A fountain is installed in a formal pool. Different seasonal shrubs cover the edges of the patio or plants and other pots and containers can also be used to give colorful description to one’s patio by introducing different annuals in those pots and tubs. In such gardens, no cutting has been done and it’s merely based on made up ground. This comparatively reduces the height of the fences and the sidewalls literally protect the neighboring fences the filling of the grown plants. However, you can use trellis to reimburse for the reduced height of the fences from the top. Remember, if you need to add trellis to the fence of the neighbor’s boundary, ask for their permission first. Walls and bank partly support the middle area of the terrace. The lawn occupies the majority of the area with the space allocation for shrubs and climbers along the outside. The seat is fixed at the position where you have enough sunlight and both the sides of seats are planted with fragrant plants. As far as the slope of the bank ... |
Landscaping - Giving Your Garden A New Lookby Mark Thomas Walters 9/10/2010 The yard in front of your house is important because it is the first thing that people see when they visit your home. This means that you should take some time to ensure that this area is always well maintained and healthy. Many people spend many hours carefully grooming and maintaining their garden. For new gardeners, the idea of landscaping an entire yard can be very intimidating. These tips will help you know where to start by exploring some simple ideas for landscaping. Color is key for a beautiful garden. Try to find attractive plants that will infuse a lot of vibrant colors into your yard. You may also want to choose similar plants or colors to create a repetitive and consistent look in your yard. This repetition is especially important in the front yard. A patio can be a great addition and should be utilized if you already have one. The patio can be the jumping off point for yard design. You may want to plant flowers or shrubs around the patio or you could do the same to the path leading up to your home. Cement walkways are particularly attractive when surrounded on both sides by flowers or bushes. Selecting plants that are native to your region can also greatly improve a garden. Through this means, you will have a garden that is more water efficient to maintain. Also birds and butterflies will be attractive to these native plants. This added wildlife always adds a welcome touch to a garden. ... |
Adding A Water Feature To Your Gardenby Tim Sousa 9/10/2010 You go out into your backyard on the weekend, or in the evening after work. You sit down in a lounge chair, listening to the sound of the breeze moving through the trees, the sounds of the insects buzzing among the flowers. It certainly is relaxing, isn’t it? But could your backyard oasis be more relaxing? Chances are it could be. There is just something soothing about the sound of falling water. You can add this to your backyard with a pond or a waterfall. Can you just picture yourself relaxing next to a pond, watching goldfish gliding along lazily under the surface of the water, or relaxing next to a soothing waterfall? A backyard water feature may take some work, but the relaxation that it provides is well worth it. Just follow a few simple guidelines, and you can be enjoying your water feature for a long time. One of the big issues with a pond is the problem of algae growth. One tip is to place the water garden in a location where it will not get a lot of direct sunlight. Sunlight is a big factor in algae growth. Adding some floating plants to help shade the water will help. A few fish will also help control the algae, especially if you add a species of fish that eats algae. Make sure that there is not too much chlorine in the water, especially if you have fish. A pump and filter will also help to keep things clean. ... |
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