The Importance of Garden Decor
March 31, 2008
The Quest for Significance
People are looking for ways to add significance, peace of mind, a quality experience, and an escape from the "rat-race" in their lives. Stated differently, people want to add depth and meaning to their lives. One way to accomplish this, it is asserted, is to make or purchase decor for your garden.
Make Your Garden Unique
Garden decor, along with things related to gardens, provides a return to nature, a sense of spirituality, and a return to the earth as people journey on their quest for significance and ultimate meaning. Moreover, through the use of decorations, gardeners reveal their quirks and shortcomings, their wit, their creativity, and their desire to make their gardens unique.
Transform Your Life
Gardens and their ornaments are symbols of enchantment, of mystery, of meaning, and of ultimate being. Another way of looking at this is to see that gardens and garden accents provide the power to transform one’s mood and one’s life. To be sure, garden accessories can become symbolic reminders of life’s blessings as they encourage people to enrich their surroundings by transcending the mundane.
The Gardening Imagination
A Compost Primer
March 30, 2008
Most gardeners and landscapers will agree almost unanimously that the single best thing you can do for your lawn is to add compost. Good, organic compost can remedy almost any problem you have with your soil. If you soil is too acidic, adding compost will help neutralize it and bring it back to a proper pH level. If your soil is too alkaline, ditto! Adding compost will help balance the alkalinity in the soil. If you live in an area with a lot of heavy clay, adding compost will help loosen and aerate the soil. If you live in a coastal or southern area with a lot of sand, adding compost will help bind it together. Soil lacking nutrients? Add compost to add new life to overworked soil.
So how do you make compost? It’s easier than you can imagine and cheaper than anything else you will do. How cheap? How about free! All composting is, is the natural decomposition of organic matter. Walk through a dense forest and take a deep handful of soil from under your feet. Notice how black and rich it is. It didn’t get that way from fertilizers or manure. It got that way from all the decomposing organic matter. A forest takes care of itself by recycling. It recycles every leaf, branch, berry, and bush. It does this quite simply. All the organic and living matter in the forest decomposes into compost which feeds the existing plants (and some animals!).
Riding Lawn Mowers
March 30, 2008
Most riding lawn mowers are machines fun ride and extremely cool to look at. However, they are just a dream for many gardeners who can not afford one of these powerful gardening equipment. A riding mower can be a practical time saving machine for professionals as well as for beginner or amateur landscapers. If you are on of those homeowners, lucky to maintain a large yard, it can be a good idea to invest in a riding mower. We will explain first the type of mowers on the market and then which one would fit better with your current needs. Basic riding mowers are actually those featuring rear engines. They use to come with small horsepower engines, usually mounted under the operator’s seat. These mowers have reasonable power sized cutting blades and fit perfectly into small lawns with less than 1 acre. The next level up is for medium horsepower riding lawn mowers; these mowers use to include their engines at the front; there can fit larger engines due to the space. They have a stronger and faster cutting capacity. Medium riding mowers provide better performance on hilly gardens and are the perfect complement for yards between 1 and 3 acres. Commercial riding lawn mowers are designed for really large yards, including sport fields, they can be extremely expensive for homeowners and won’t really provide their best performance in yards no bigger than 3 yards. Riding Lawn Mowers Types Here you can find some important points to have in mind before you decide on the most suitable model that would better fit with your necessities. The final choose will depend basically on: ? The type of terrain of your mowing area as well as the size of it. And what other tasks would you like to do with your new lawnmower?. It is also very important to know whether or not the area includes slopes or hilly areas. The most flat is your mowing area the better performance you will get from the machine. ? It is always extremely important to select a comfortable seat, especially when you will be sitting for a long time. You will save a lot on back injuries and other common diseases related with sat jobs. There is no choice with that, it’s preferable that the mower’s seat be comfortable enough, don’t make the mistake that most do, it worth. ? Does the garden include trees or rocks that require permanent change of direction during the mowing process? It’s very important to find all the finishing touch to choose amongst steering wheels and tires. ? There are different bagging or recycling grass options; here you have mainly to mulching or to bagging. While mulching will cut the grass into fine clippings and then give it back to your lawn, providing nutrients to it, the second will just fill up a rear bag, being easier for the rider to empty and replace it with new ones. ? There are many attachments on the market to choose from. You probably just need a riding lawnmower including normal features. In addition, you can usually attach other features, like the ones to remove snow during winter time.
Teak Outdoor Furniture - Where Function Meets Beauty
March 29, 2008
The wonderful thing about choosing teak outdoor furniture is that you have such diversity. From chairs to benches to tables and more, teak is the perfect wood for outside entertaining.
Grown in tropical rainforests, teak is naturally saturated with oil, making this an extremely durable wood. In addition, teak is strong so you have the confidence of using this as your outdoor furniture week after week. Although you will usually spend a little more for teak outdoor furniture, knowing each piece will last and last, it is well worth the small investment.
One of the most beautiful additions to any deck or patio is a full patio set. With teak outdoor furniture, you get a sturdy table and matching chairs. Depending on the manufacturer you buy from, such as Kingsley-Bate, you could choose from styles in-house or buy a one-of-a-kind style.
Regardless of the choice you make, you will love the beauty of teak wood. Some people prefer to let teak wood season naturally in the sun, adding a light coat of sealant as protection. However, some people will actually paint their teak outdoor furniture although most manufacturers cringe at the thought of painting teak.
The Amazing Hummingbird
March 28, 2008
Without a doubt, hummingbirds are beautiful and interesting creatures.
Those living in the wild usually have a lifespan of 3 to 5 years. However, in captivity, hummingbirds can survive for more than 10 years!
They feed off of insects, taking down an average of 400 to 500 per day, even more when it rains. They also eat more when they are about to migrate, sometime even doubling their weight for the long flight ahead. Hummingbirds also feed on flower nectar, helping the flower out at the same time by pollinating it.
For this reason, the Portuguese gave the hummingbird its name meaning "flower kisser." There are even North American plants that depend on hummingbirds for pollination.
They can hover above the flower or feeders thanks to their unique wings; in order for them to make forward and backward strokes consecutively their wings rotate at their shoulders.
Some hummingbirds’ wings flap as slow as 18 times per second, and some can beat them at an astonishing 70 to 80 flaps per second. They breathe an average of 250 times per minute. These small birds have speed, flying at speeds over 45 mph, and with bodies ranging from 2 ¼" to 8 ½", they are also quite agile.
Think Vintage for Your Garden
March 27, 2008
Container gardeners take note. Tired of clay pots? Think vintage, because when you do, there’ll be lots to choose from. Most likely vintage items will be worn and chipped which will only add charm to your garden.
Raid the Bathroom.
Forget about a relaxing soak in the tub. Vintage claw-foot bathtubs can be a gardener’s delight. They work well because they are big and deep so they can hold a lot of flowers plus all that earth will retain moisture. Just make sure that you are happy with where you’ve positioned them because once full of soil, they’ll be too heavy to move.
Search the Garage.
Galvanized pails and watering cans can make great planters. Vintage bicycles with wired baskets to hold flowers are eye-catching.
Go to the Kitchen.
Enamelware ? wash basins, pots, colanders, teakettles - work well in the garden because enamelware can handle the elements. Plus any rust or chips simply add character. Even the kitchen sink can add some whimsy to a garden. Wicker baskets can be moved outdoors for garden duty.
Clean the Closet.
Old worn boots, cast off suitcases and trunks can take on a new life outdoors.
Garden Delights For Midsummer
March 26, 2008
We have once again reached the wonderful magical time of midsummer, when the garden is aglow with sensational blooms and a fantastic array of colors. Many of these wonderful blooms fill the air with their tantalising perfume.
I often pause for a while especially at twilight when the scent from the blooms are at their stongest, and I feel extremely proud of the effort that I have put into my garden.
This is when I really appreciate how worthwhile it has all been.
No doubt your garden is looking really special as well, but if by any chance you feel there are any gaps, or plants that you think could be doing better, might I suggest that you take some inspiration from some of these wonderful blooms which I find truly magnificent.
In my opinion these are some of the blooms that will enhance any garden and delight the senses with their combined scents.
Rose eglanteria - This sweet briar rose is valued for the strong apple aroma which comes from the leaves, but there is also much more than a pink flower in summer, it is followed by a deep red in the autumn. I think that it is an extremely handsome bush, and it also makes an impenetrable hedge.
Why Teak Coffee Tables Are Essential For Your Outdoor Space
March 25, 2008
One of the best ways to bring together the many pieces of furniture in your outdoor space is to accessorize with teak furnishings such as teak coffee tables. By placing a teak coffee table in your space, you create a feeling of completeness and hominess that is just not captured by most who try to decorate their outdoor spaces.
When you furnish an outdoor space, whether it is a garden, pool, porch, or deck, your ultimate goal is to create an outdoor room for entertaining and relaxing. Most of the time, it takes more than just simply putting a chair here and there to truly accomplish your goal. The truth is that it takes just as much thought and effort to decorate your outdoor spaces as it does to decorate the indoor ones. And just as you use many pieces of furniture, design elements and accents to pull your indoor spaces together, the same should be done for your outdoor spaces. And the best way to do that is to furnish and accessorize with teak furniture.
Teak Planters - Accent Your Outdoor Space with One
March 25, 2008
Do you want to add something to your outdoor space that will take it from beautiful to breathtaking? Do you have all of the right teak furniture but feel that something is missing, some accent that will truly make your space unique and worthy of only the highest praise? If so, maybe you should accent your outdoor space with teak planters.
Teak planters can be a gorgeous addition to any outdoor space whether it is a formal garden, porch, poolside or entryway because they are beautifully constructed with the highest quality of standards using only the finest Javanese teak.
When selecting furniture and accessories for their outdoor spaces, many people purchase pieces made with teak which is a hard strong durable yellowish-brown wood. Teak is both resistant to the elements and requires little maintenance.
Teak grows in the region of Southeast Asia, mainly in Java, Indonesia, and is harvested from the surrounding forests and teak plantations by the locals and the Indonesian government. The wood of the teak tree is naturally resistant to insects, warping, splintering and the elements, which makes it an ideal wood for creating planters. With teak planters, there is no sealing, no staining, and no finishing.
Teak Patio Table - Why You Need One
March 24, 2008
Do you love to cook outdoors but end up having to dine on makeshift outdoor furniture or maybe even inside because you simply do not have the furniture to properly entertain in your yard, deck or patio? Would you love to find the perfect patio table or set to transform your empty space to an elegant outdoor dining room? If so, maybe you should think about enhancing your outdoor space with a teak patio table.
Teak patio tables are crafted using the finest Javanese teak and come in a wide range of styles that can be easily matched with your personality, décor and budget. Far from just being exquisitely beautiful, teak patio tables and teak furniture are also very functional. In addition to teak tables you can choose teak furnishings such as benches, chairs, tables, swings, dining sets, sofas, chairs, rocking chairs, gliders, and chaise lounges; each one beautifully sculpted and handcrafted for optimal quality and style. You can also accessorize with teak tea carts, planters and spa accessories to create an outdoor entertainment space that dreams are made of.
Teak is often called the premium wood for outdoor furnishings and there are very good reasons why. Teak is a hard strong durable yellowish-brown wood that is both resistant to the elements and requires little maintenance.
