Decorate Your Outdoor Spaces on a Budget!
January 31, 2008
Many times when the weather becomes sultry, the only place we want to be is in our favorite chair on the porch, sipping ice-cold lemonade! So, if we are to spend our summer months languishing with Mother Nature, why not treat our “outdoor room” to a little freshening up, and make our time outdoors more enjoyable! Here are some great, easy ideas you can use to add your own personal style to a much used “summer home”!
Treat your outdoor space just like an indoor room when you think about decorating it. Mother Nature has got the ceiling covered in most cases, but you should think about floors, furniture, accessories, color, and, yes, walls, just like any other project! Choose a theme, even if it’s just color!
Use existing fencing, tall plants, trellising, etc… for your walls, or just imply that walls exist by arranging your furnishings as if they did!
Dress up old patio furniture with cushions (easily made out of leftover fabric), a little paint, and maybe some stenciling or stamping. Details bring that “homey” feeling to the space. If you don’t have furniture, buy those inexpensive resin chairs and make cushions out of a bright cheery fabric.
Bonsai Trees - Our Own Little Forest
January 30, 2008
Bonsai trees have been grown in China and Japan for centuries. Buddhist priests were the ones that created them and, in some centuries time, everyone could enjoy the little trees. And, by little we mean little: a bonsai tree can live up to hundreds of years without being more than 1m high. By regularly cutting down the branches and by shortening the roots, the growing is stopped. More, by not providing the full required elements to grow, the trees remain little. Those really interested in Bonsai trees should know that this is a hobby that requires a lot of responsibility and time, because they are living trees, not some dead wood.
Everyone should consider the fact that, especially during the growing period, there are some really important things to take care of. When it is only about a small collection of Bonsai, it is enough to just water the plants. The soil must be slightly moist most of the time. Leaves must be controlled from time to time, in order to prevent bugs and diseases. When this happens, you have to take the plant out from the tray. In the summer, during the growth period, they must be cut to keep their shape. In the winter, the Bonsai tree doesn’t require some special care, but they should, still, be provided a free space outside, where they should not freeze. More, every few years, the plants need to be moved in bigger trays. These few lines might not show how important it is to take care of your Bonsai trees, but regular care is very important, including the holidays, when you might leave.
How to Create a Zen Garden
January 30, 2008
When you hear the term “Zen Garden” the picture conjured up is of a dry landscape with rocks surrounded by carefully raked gravel which invites you to withdraw from the noise of the world outside and to enter into silent meditation. Some say that zen priests adopted the dry landscape style in the eleventh century as an aid to create a deeper understanding of the zen concepts, but others hold that the Japanese Zen Garden is a myth. They claim that it is a late 20th Century western creation that has nothing to do with the Japanese Garden Tradition and that the dry garden style is not unique to zen temples but can be found associated with many other buildings.
Whatever your view it is undeniable that there is something rather special about this dry landscape style which is generally known as a Zen garden. The main elements consist of rocks representing mountains or islands surrounded by flowing water in the form of sand or gravel.
Vegetable Growing for Beginners
January 29, 2008
If you have never grown vegetables before the first thing that you need to decide is where to plant them in your garden. Most vegetables need 6-8 hours of sunlight a day although greens can manage with less. Choose a site in an area that will not be shaded by buildings or trees and one that is near to a water supply. You will not want to have to cart water any further than absolutely necessary. Protect the site with a fence to keep out dogs, rabbits and other animals which can damage your crops.
To grow vegetables successfully the soil needs to be fertile, deep, friable and well drained. Unless you are very fortunate your soil is unlikely to meet these criteria, but over a period of time you will be able to increase the fertility of the soil by following good cultivation practices.
The first task is to dig over the whole of your site. Dig to a depth of 8-10 inches and continue working the soil making it loose and friable. Do not dig when the soil is too wet. How do you know? Squeeze together a handful of soil. If it sticks together in a ball and does not readily crumble under slight pressure by the thumb and finger, it is too wet.
About Window Ledge Gardening
January 28, 2008
The growing of flowering or foliage plants on window ledges is a form of gardening in which most people can indulge. Those who live in flats, and others who have no gardens, and especially invalids who are confined to their rooms, derive an enormous amount of pleasure from this form of gardening.
Window ledge plants would be more popular if it were not for the fact that a considerable amount of work is involved in filling and emptying the boxes. In addition there is the watering problem, drainage water dripping on to the heads of people in the streets is liable to cause some annoyance. By taking proper precautions in constructing the containers and setting them in position, most of these difficulties can be overcome.
Suitable Window Ledge Plants for a Spring Display
Some of the most popular plants for spring are as follows:
Arabis albida (double variety)
The procumbent stems of this plant are clothed with grey hairy leaves and bear spikes of double, white flowers.
Aubrietia
It is more compact in growth than Arabis and forms a close carpet of blue, pink or purple flowers.
Bellis perennis flore pleno (Dwarf Double Daisies)
Vermicomposting - Worm Composters For Eco-Friendly Waste Disposal and Recycling
January 27, 2008
Worms are not only the gardener’s best friend, they are also the recycler’s new found best friend as well. Nature’s little waste disposal experts have found a new place in eco-conscious household’s across the globe as more and more people are catching on to the idea of using worms’ special talents to dispose of their organic household waste. If you have ever pondered on the idea or are in the least bit interested in giving your world environment a helping hand then you might like to delve a little deeper into the world of worms…
Why Vermicomposting?
It is estimated around 30% of all household waste is the kind of organic material which worms thrive on. If everyone composted in this way there would be 30% less waste going into landfill sites, 30% less waste being transported on the roads with all the associated fuel emissions which coincides with this and subsequently less costs involved in the disposal of waste. In addition, you as a householder get a free source of fertiliser and liquid plant feed, cutting down on the use of chemical fertilisers and saving you money into the bargain. Vermicomposting makes sense!
How Does It Work?
It?s Gardening Season!
January 26, 2008
It’s gardening season again! Are you ready? Whether you are a seasoned gardener, or are looking to start gardening, you will likely need supplies and plants. If you shop smart, and use the tips below, you can get that garden running with very little money. And you can save a lot of money on your grocery bill as well.
There are many different types of gardening, but it is important to learn the basics of the activity. Below you will find a list of my tips to planting a garden on a budget.
Learn as much as you can about gardening. Don’t pay for gardening books, use your local library. It is free, and you can get a wide assortment of books to get you started. If you find something useful like a planting schedule, photocopy that particular page to keep it in your files. There are many hobby gardening sites online as well, so try to do a Google search for "gardening."
Agio Patio Furniture
January 25, 2008
The fresh air of the early spring solstice and the celebration song of the earth call us to leave the safety and comfort of our indoor winter haven. We venture forth to explore the new life that is springing up all around us, and habitually look for a place to relax and absorb the sounds and smells swirling through the air. Agio Patio Furniture may be just the answer to true enjoyment of the new season’s arrival.
We all have our ideas of what the "perfect" outdoor furniture setting looks like. Some enjoy a rustic outdoors woodsy look that will endure the weather with stoic indifference. Others fancy a Victorian wicker patio set that combines comfort and appearance into an attractive setting. Still others go all out for a grand weave of grace and charm that envelopes the user in a rapture of comfort. What do you consider to be the "perfect" outdoor setting? Whatever your personal preference, there’s Agio outdoor furniture on the market that will fit your ideal setting.
Patio furniture sets the tone for your backyard experience. A rustic, wooden patio set invites the family outdoors for an evening of roughhousing and fun. Meanwhile, across town, an Agio patio furniture set begs a father to fire up the barbeque grill for a neighborhood cookout.
Cast Aluminum Furniture
January 25, 2008
In days gone by, outdoor furniture was cast from iron. Today, cast aluminum furniture is used more often. Cast aluminum carries all of the grace and charm of cast furniture, but avoids the blight of rust and peeling paint.
The process by which this gorgeous furniture is created begins with a model carved from wood. This wooden model is then used to create a metal mold. A mold is formed by pressing the wooden replica into casting sand, and then pouring molten lava into the impression created. As the molten metal cools it forms a cast which is used to create the beautifully ornate cast aluminum furniture that we often see gracing outdoor settings.
Cast aluminum furniture sets traditionally European scene. Bistro sets consisting of small tables and two chairs evoke the picture of an outdoor French scene. These graceful settings are perfect accents for balconies, gardens, or any small nook.
Cast aluminum furniture is available in a wide variety of furniture pieces. Armchairs, sofas, side tables, love seats and loungers all carry the intricate designs of the cast aluminum furniture. These settings make picturesque arrangements that carry an old world charm.
Basic Lawn Care - Mowing, Scarifiers, Aeration, and Watering Tips
January 24, 2008
The arrival of summer heralds a time of increased wear and tear for the average garden lawn. Children’s yard games, barbecue parties, outdoor sports and generally more activity in the garden means your lawn is set to come in for something of a beating and without a little TLC is likely to start showing more than a little worse for wear. Stomp all over any living thing and it doesn’t respond too kindly but with a little help, your lawn can remain looking great all through summer and beyond!
Fertiziler
For a lusher, healthier, faster-growing lawn you can’t beat a bit of fertilizer. Test your soil type and choose a fertilizer to compliment this for best results. Most lawns will benefit from around three to four fertilizer applications through the year, with the first around a month before the start of the growinf season to give your grass a kickstart and then up to three more with approximately a two month gap in between applications can give good results. You can either spread the fertilizer by hand if you have a smaller lawn area to cover or use a specialist spreader tool for more even coverage, using a drop spreader for small lawns or a rotary/broadcase spreader for bigger areas.
