Recently I must have had sucker tattooed on my forehead because just when I thought my summer gardening season was winding down into a nice relaxed not hard labor kind of fall a friend baited me into a conversation about their landscaping and the outcome was I ended up helping them redesign a garden. Some where along the line the topic shifted from trucking in new dirt to build up the flower beds and improving the soil quality to pathways, accents and decorations. Dirt I'm certain when it arrives will involve a little bit of my own effort and sweat.

The good news is that the area was already was being used as a garden space. She had a beautiful collection of withering plants, a robust and abundant weed collection, and mulch that hadn't been topped or refreshed since dinosaurs roamed the earth.

After talking for a while about hearty plants since my friend claimed to be cursed with brown thumb rather than a green one. We quickly determined some of the problems with the existing space. The plantings were random, some of which “were itchy” and well she had a busy life and while their family enjoyed the beauty of a garden they weren't they type that wanted to do a lot to keep it up.

Now in all fairness I have a few flowerbeds that I let run their natural course outside the use of fresh mulch every spring, fertilizer or bone meal twice a year and on occasion during a long hot summer dry spell a few drops of water.

So the determination was hearty resilient plants would be in order and we settled on a mix of decorative grasses for the back drop. After all they'd only need looked at once a year at most to cut down the previous years growth. With the border and sides lined with Moon bean Coreopsis to add a touch of yellow with the flower's daisy like playfulness . Leaving about a 5 ft wide patch down the length of the garden.

So after a bit more debate we decided that a flag stone walking path fit her style after all stones don't need much maintenance and additional stones would be used in sections of the flower beds giving her a solid surface to place planters and urns filled will annuals. As a matter of fact they could be changed to fit the season. A bright and early spring mix that could be added to the compost heap as they wilted and turned to straw. OK who am I kidding pulled out and dumped in some out of site spot but the same effect in short they plats will break down. Then refresh the soil in the planters and a hearty summer mix. By this time next year what ever color Mums strike her fancy.

At first glance the thought is that planters are more work than jut putting the flowers in the ground. After all they dry out quicker that means watering. Add to that planting three times each year. But it also adds the ability to go buy the local nursery and grab what ever is in season ensuring a spring summer and fall filled with color and scent. Planters all but eliminate the concern of what it it doesn't grow? Forgot to water, found a way to kill it, and things aren't going so good the answer is simple go buy another mix for a few dollars. Planters and urns can add a touch of personal style to any design from formal to casual and with the selection available today from classic to modern in design. Quality planters should last years if not a life time when cared for properly and can always be used in other area's of the home garden or patio.

So let's hope for clear skies and nice cool fall weather for the next week end or two because I have a feeling my calloused hands will be spreading a bit of mulch digging a little dirt, and probably lugging a ton or so of flag stones through someones yard this coming weekend. Not that I'm complaining she usually feeds me well.

If you’re planning to attain proper lawn maintenance, there are actually lots of tips about lawn care that you should deem. However, there are several things that you may need to know first about the lawn care itself. Here, there is some valuable information that you may need to know. Read on!

Lawn Care - Fertilizing
Actually, fertilizing is the most essential components of lawn care that you should understand. Surely, you should always deem this if you desire to keep your lawn healthy. When nutrient intensities drop below what is needed to keep your lawn in a healthy condition, all you should do is fertilize it.

This signs that you should test the soil on a regular basis, to be certain that the levels are proper and then supply it with what it needs if that is the case. It’s essential for you to remember that the type of soil, grass, age of the lawn, weather conditions and lots of other factors are going to play a role here. Because of these, you may need a lawn care professional to help you out with this.

Lawn Care – Thatch
Thatch is another very vital lawn care component and one that lots of homeowners do not understand. This is a layer of dead and living shoots, stems as well as roots that builds up between the green vegetation and soil surface. Thatch resists microbial breakdown as it has high lignin content. In addition, thatch tends to accumulate if the growth of the crowns and lateral stems exceeds their decomposition.

Lawn Care - Watering
Definitely, most of us already know about the importance of watering to lawn care. However, did you know that over watering can be just as bad as not watering at all? If you water too often you will end up drowning the grass and it will not have the effort to push up and grow.

You really should look after the weather, how often it rains, when you’re going through a drought period, and many more. With these, you will know when your grass needs watering. The smart idea, especially if you do not have a green thumb, is to have an irrigation system installed. This way you will have all the watering taken care of for you and you will never have to worry about watering the lawn yourself.

These aforesaid guidelines on lawn care will be the most essential thing that you should keep in mind if you’re willing to have healthy lawn. With them, you will be able to take care of your land and maintain its healthy and immaculate condition.

Do you still want to know about lawn care? Here is the answer!

By: Alicia Gandez

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

It’s all about your style. Whether it is classic, contemporary or shabby chic it needs to make your garden a place you want to enjoy. One great way to add a little style and fun to your garden or yard is with a garden weathervane amongst the lush greenery.

Who wouldn’t want a whimsical witch watching over their garden or a sailboat alongside their pond? No matter what your interest there is a garden weathervane that will match it. From pigs to fish you will find the best selection of garden weathervanes online. Don’t waste time trekking from store to store instead shop from home and find exactly what you have been envisioning with just a few clicks of the mouse.

Displayed on a post you can put it anywhere in your yard or even in a planter. You’ll always know where the wind is coming from for your next golf outing or bike ride. And you’ll love the classic charm it lends your garden.

From roosters to dragons and everything in between you’ll find any weathervane you can imagine online. And they will last for years. The most traditional material for weathervanes is copper which can last for many years. Choose from a polished shiny finish and watch it weather to a gorgeous blue-green patina or if you don’t like waiting try one that is already aged with an antiqued blue-green patina finish. Some weathervanes can be made of rust-proof aluminum where you can choose from three finishes; verdigris, antique copper or black. Still others are made of steel and finished in antique copper. No matter what type of weathervane you choose you are sure to enjoy gazing at it in your garden.

Maybe you want a weathervane that represents something you already see in your garden like a humming bird, a butterfly or dragonfly or maybe the moon? Or perhaps you want a weathervane that represents something more whimsical that you wouldn’t see every day? In that case try a cherub or the cow jumping over the moon. You can even support your alma mater or favorite college team in your garden with a collegiate weathervane. You’ll never find a more fun and stylish way to say, ‘Go Badgers’ or ‘Rah Blue Devils’. You can even show your support for the armed forces with a garden weathervane in your choice of the army, navy, air force or marines’ logo.

So, whether you like to grow vegetables or flowers you’ll enjoy sprucing up your green garden with a weathervane. And the great thing is that garden weathervanes can add flair to your garden the whole year through. Don’t hesitate to peruse the vast selection of garden weathervanes online to find the perfect one for you. From birds to trees and things from the natural world to creatures of the imagination you’ll have fun populating your garden with a weathervane that suits your motif and makes your yard complete. Indulge in a bit of traditional beauty for your garden today and enjoy it for many tomorrows.

What better to enhance your garden and accentuate the beauty of your carefully chosen plants than garden décor in the form of plaques, garden sculptures, statues and tastefully designed bird baths and bird feeders. Décor that would enhance any garden!

Many people own front yards and gardens with fabulous potential, and then fill them with flowers and shrubs of all sizes and colors. However, they can still tend to look bare. Why is that? Because there is nothing to break up the vegetation, and provide something different for people to look at. Flowers are very beautiful, but a well designed garden needs that extra something to set it aside from all the other gardens in the neighborhood.

How about a bird feeder in form of St. Francis, or even a dragonfly, that you can attach to a wall or a tree, and attract birds in the spring and summer while feeding them in the winter. Many birds will come to rely on you for their food source when they need you most. Place a few stone stepping stones in the flowerbeds to allow you to enjoy them at their best without getting dirty feet. You can use the stepping stones to reach the feeders on the wall in order to refill them. You will attract a wide variety of songbirds to your garden that will provide you with tuneful pleasure all year round.

Does it rain a lot in your part of the country, or is it generally hot and sunny? In either case why not have a thermometer and rain gauge in your garden, tastefully sculpted in the form of a drinking frog or sleepy owl. If it never rains, just have the thermometer in the form a fairy sitting contemplating your flowers as she enjoys the sun. You can find out how much it rained during the night, or just how hot it really is.

Statues are always popular in gardens, and provide a great focal point to break up a lawn or provide a conversation piece in winter and fall when the flowers have died down. Statues in the form of frogs, angels, cats, dogs and even tortoises make a change from the ubiquitous gnome. Everybody has gnomes, but how many have wish fairies or pixies? Be different and stand out from the crowd. Be noticed!

You can also use inexpensive concrete cast stones around your borders, that come in a wide variety of designs, and finished so beautifully that cannot tell it from the real thing. And they are durable! Stones come cast in the form of angels, fairies and a wide variety of angels and birds. These would enhance any garden, and all are available online. You don’t have to go down to the garden center to get your hands on these, just find a suitable online retail site and have them delivered.

Walls generally look a bit bare in the garden unless you have some climbing plants. You can provide a bit of decoration by means of stone plaques that are available in a wide variety of designs. Many are in the form of faces – the sun, for example, or a wide variety of leaves and vegetables with funny and grumpy faces displayed on them. Just the thing to keep the kids happy and amused. Cover them up with a few climbing plants, and watch them begin to appear in the fall.

Another great idea is to have wall plaque personalized as you want it. You have your name put on it or your address, and put it outside your backyard gate. Have a memorable date inscribed, such as the date or year you moved into your house, or the date of your wedding. I am sure you can think of lots of ways in which you can have your plaques personalized.

A few statues or stone animals placed in and around your fountain would make a change, or a large stone planter would look great on the patio. There are so many lovely garden ornaments available to transform your garden into a work of art, and so many talking points that you can place at strategic points around the garden. All it takes is some imagination and the will to start.

Don’t stare at the neighbor’s garden with all its garden décor and garden sculptures that make it look a more complete garden that yours. Do something about it, and design your own with garden décor that will enhance your garden, no matter how large or small. Don’t think about, just get up and do it.

Are you a homeowner who has your own garden? If you do and if you are like many other garden growers, there is a good chance that you take great pride in your garden. You may not only spend a large amount of time working on it to make it beautiful and full of life, but you may also spend a lot of time just relaxing in your garden area. If you are, have you ever thought about outfitting your garden area with teak garden furniture? If you have yet to do so, you may want to think about giving teak garden furniture a close look.

When it comes to teak garden furniture, there are many individuals who wonder exactly what is so special about it. If you were to talk to a lawn and garden expert, there is a good chance that they would recommend teak garden furniture to you. One of the reasons why teak garden furniture comes so highly rated and recommended is because of its dependability. Teak garden furniture is made from some of the best materials on earth. As long as you carefully choose your teak garden supplier or manufacturer, you should have pieces of furniture that may, literally, last a lifetime.

In addition to its dependability, teak garden furniture is also well-known for its beauty. Teak garden furniture is beautiful beyond what many words explain. Its beauty creates elegance and luxury; elegance and luxury that may be perfect for your garden, especially if you are interested in turning your garden into a private, luxurious getaway. Teak garden furniture can transform a traditional or an average garden, into a thing of breathtaking beauty. The natural beauty of teak garden furniture makes it the perfect fit for your garden. Tweak garden furniture doesn’t look “out of place,” as most other pieces of cheap plastic or metal lawn and garden furniture often does.

Although we often associate gardens with peace and quiet, gardens are also home to many social gatherings. If you choose to have a social gathering in your garden, even just a small one, there is a good chance that you are proud of your garden and its beauty. If that is the case, why ruin that beauty with traditional metal or plastic lawn and garden furniture? Instead, you will want to complement the beauty of your garden and what better way to do that than with teak garden furniture. With teak garden furniture, you are sure to get nothing but compliments from your garden gathering guests.

It is also important to mention the choices that you will have, when it comes to outfitting your garden area with teak garden furniture. If you are interested in doing so, you can only place one or two pieces of teak garden furniture in your garden or you can add a whole teak garden furniture set; the decision is yours to make. When making that decision though, you may want to take the size of your garden into consideration, as well as how much free space you would like your garden to have. Many prefer not to “clutter,” their garden too much and you may want to be careful about doing the same.

If and when you decide that you would like to outfit your garden with teak garden furniture, you will want to start shopping. This is where the fun really begins. When shopping for teak garden furniture, you will find that you have a number of different options. For instance, you may be able to choose from teak garden chairs, teak Adirondack garden chairs, teak garden benches, and so forth. You actually have quite a selection of teak garden furniture pieces to choose from. What is even more amazing is that each piece of teak garden furniture comes in a number of different sizes, shapes, and styles. What does this mean for you? It means that you may actually have a difficult time deciding which piece to buy! That is why a large number of garden growers actually buy multiple pieces of teak garden furniture and sometimes even a whole garden set.

If you are interested in buying teak garden furniture for your garden or even if you are just interested in seeing what type of garden furniture pieces are available for sale, you will want to check out TeakWoodPatioFurniture.com. With a large selection of quality discount teak garden pieces, you are sure to find exactly what you are looking for and more at TeakWoodPatioFurniture.com.

Children absolutely love rocking toys, especially wooden rocking horses! And, I don't blame them one bit!

Rocking horses have been enchanting both the young and the young at heart since the 17th century. A rocking horse is a captivating toy, a beautiful addition to any room, and a future heirloom. Rocking horses are also an excellent heirloom.

We were privileged to have no ordinary rocking-horse. Ours was a rocking horse with wheels! I really think that they are the best! I still have photos of my sister and myself both rocking and pushing it along. In fact my parents could not stop me pushing it in order to get a picture of me, so you see they found a boulder and set in front of the front wheels. Now, that picture really makes me laugh. I was so annoyed to see the obstruction that I was obstinately still pushing against that immovable object when they took the photo and my expression is quite comical!

Each child will adore a rocking horse for a period, and then grow out of all such things. That is no reason at all for not buying your children one, besides adults are constantly charmed by seeing them. It takes them back to a time of innocent enjoyment in their own lives. Is there any wonder that it is a memory to treasure, and many adults will buy themselves a rocking horse to adorn their home, even when there are no children around.

After the child no longer enjoys the horse, it is stored away in the attic until the next child comes along. The seeking it out again dusting and cleaning it in anticipation of the joy of its new owner, is a delight for so many adults and children. What are attics for, if not made for such objects?

Rocking horses in the 19th century were made of timber in block sections. The body and head were of softwood, usually yellow pine which was easy to carve, while the legs were made from hardwood, commonly beech, with ash used by choice for the rockers.

Rocking horses date back to the Middle Ages and are thought to have been made in Germany. Medieval knights practiced jousting on wheeled horses, but wooden horses made for children came later. Their popularity rose in the 1800s when they began to resemble the sculpted creations we recognize today. The Victorian rocking horses were crafted by hand, but as the Industrial Revolution progressed, the rocking horse became a mass-produced item.

Rocking horses and other similar rocking toys have been around are some of the best classic toys there are. The best examples make wonderful collectibles.

But what is about rocking horses that make them so well loved through the generations? I would say that physically, the rocking motion naturally soothes every child and also helps their development of balance and vision. But, that is only the half of it because in the child’s imagination comes all the association with horses, and beyond that to the magical stories, legends and fables of riders and horses which while gently rocking, the imaginative child can picture and re-live in their minds.

Rocking horses also evolved into spirited racing steeds with lowered heads and outstretched legs. These horses were effective training devices as the young rider could easily be thrown if not riding correctly.

Which brings me to make the point in this age of safety worries, that rocking horses as well as any other baby toys should always be chosen according to infant safety criteria and age limit. For small babies, about 4 months old and up, a rocking horse shall have a special seat, these are best if removable and washable.

Children are rough on everything, especially in their developmental years, before they learn the benefit (and necessity) of taking care of their belongings. As a result, choose children’s furniture which has been built to withstand the constant interaction of children.

By: Steve Evans

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Raised bed gardens are a great way to start gardening without a lot of the pain. You can either make a raised bed garden from scrap materials, or build one from kit. Here's a look at some of the options.

Some of the biggest problems with gardening are finding a good spot with good soil to get started, and the ongoing need to spend a lot of time in the garden bending and stooping to prepare the soil, and weed the garden. In addition to this, you may have issues with your soil like poor drainage or soil borne diseases. One way to get around most of these problems is to use a raised garden bed.

One other advantage to using raised gardens is that the crop yield will tend to be higher because you will be using intensive gardening techniques like wide row planting or square foot gardening. This cuts back on the amount of watering and fertilization needed for gardening as well. You can get higher yields because you don't need space for the rows to walk in between plants, and the closer spacing of the plants helps suppress weeds. In addition, since you aren't walking on the soil, your avoid soil compaction, so over the years you enhance the root development of your crops.

You can build raised bed garden yourself from scrap lumber, although you may find that your scrap lumber doesn't hold up as well as more expensive wood like cedar. If you choose to build your own, one common way to simplify the job is to use raised bed corners. Making sturdy corners is the hardest part of the job of building a bed, and these cut out a large part of the job. They also make it easy to stack boards to increase the height of the bed. With these you can easily tailor the bed to your specific needs, even building a bed that has some shape other than rectangular. Hex shaped beds are a popular option, useful for building around a featured item in the landscape like a tree or a flagpole.

If you want to buy a raised bed garden kit, you'll find that cedar bed gardens are some of the most popular. Cedar is a long lasting wood, it resists insects well, and is quite attractive. These beds are also found as raised planters, and beds raised to almost waist height can really eliminate the pain associated with working in the garden. Add a small platform underneath, and you don't even need to walk to the shed to get your tools.

For something a little less expensive, take a look at the vinyl or plastic bed kits. Some are made from recycled plastic, and come in a number of colors so they can blend with any yard. The brown is often fashioned to look like a real timber bed, but come in sections that can be extended.

For an interesting change of pace, some plastic raised beds are built to look they are built from rock. Coming in straight or curved sections, they are made of a lightweight composite, but appear as natural rock. Much cheaper and easier than rock, but definitely a change of pace from traditional raised gardens. These typically come in gray finish.

The process of planning out a new greenhouse is almost as big of a job as building the structure itself. There are so many questions to answer! How big should your greenhouse be? What is the right location? What type of greenhouse is right for you? Will you build your own structure from scratch, or will you purchase a ready to assemble greenhouse kit? The planning stage alone can take several months, plus the additional time and sweat work of actually building the greenhouse.

But once all this is done, then the real fun can begin! So once you've got your greenhouse built, what is the next step? How do you set up your greenhouse and get ready to begin greenhouse gardening?

Determining the types of plants you want to grow is usually the first step. Are you growing tropical plants that will have to remain in the greenhouse year round? Or are you starting plants from seed early in the spring, with the intent of moving them outdoors when the weather warms up? The types of plants you grow will have an impact on how you set your greenhouse up, including the type of shelving and work spaces you will need.

When purchasing shelving and work benches for your greenhouse, look for fixtures that can fit right into the greenhouse itself. For example, if you've bought a greenhouse kit, you may also be able to purchase shelves that snap right into the greenhouse walls. This type of shelving is a good choice because it saves space and is usually easy to install. For a work bench or potting surface, look for something sturdy and durable. A slatted surface is nice because soil can fall through the cracks and onto the ground, or into a collection bin you place below. On the other hand, a smooth surface makes for easy cleanup.

Once you've got your shelving and work surfaces in place, it's time to begin greenhouse gardening! Soil preparation is a very important first step in this process. Visit your local garden center and talk to a professional about what type of soil you need. Different plants will require different soil pH levels, and tester kits can be purchased inexpensively at garden stores. Usually, a good bet is to purchase a commercial potting soil mix to build your base up in the gardening trenches of your new green house. This is an excellent way to get started, because the soil mix will be rich in nutrients that your plants need. Be sure your new soil mixture includes sand, peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, and fir bark for adequate drainage.

Another possibility for getting good soil is to begin your own composting system. Garden composters and tumbling bins can be found through mail order catalogs or online stores, and they will produce the richest, most fertile soil you can imagine, and your plants will grow better than they ever have before.

Soil should be watered only on an as-needed basis. Over watering inside a greenhouse may cause plant death due to the climate control system inside the greenhouse. Drip irrigation systems are good, but most greenhouse owners prefer to water plants manually to prevent getting too much water in the soil. Water only when the soil feels dry. If you are going to be out of town for a few days, document your watering habits for a week or so before hand. This way, if you ask a friend or neighbor to water for you in your absence, you'll be able to tell them exactly how often they'll need to water.

Greenhouse gardening is a wonderful hobby and a great way to improve your gardening skills. Once the hard work of planning and assembling the greenhouse is done, you'll be rewarded with years of enjoyment spent in your greenhouse. Plus you'll have bigger and better plants to show for your efforts. Happy greenhouse gardening!

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If you love gardening, it would be great to learn the ideas, advices, and tips that will enhance your creativity in building an attractive garden. Of course aside from the Internet, books and magazines can be a great source for you. But the most recommended source would be gardening magazines, which can be very expensive when purchased. The least thing that you can do is look for sources that offer free gardening magazines. Sources may come from old book stores or shops and even on the Internet where it can be downloaded without charges.

Free gardening magazines are helpful for those who have the talent in gardening and yet cannot afford buying all those expensive magazines related to gardening. These magazines contain same ideas, advices and tips than that of the regular expensive gardening magazines.

Free gardening magazines on some Internet sites offer regular fresh updates when it comes to its articles and newsletters, which are very informative for gardeners out there. Some articles and newsletters even offer online tutorials to the subscribers. Some even provide the latest and up to dated news, plant introductions and techniques related to gardening.

Some free gardening magazines on the Internet are operated by some professionals of the garden industries. Some are even operated by regular level of gardeners who have the knowledge and plenty of solutions related to gardening. Being able an amateur or professional gardener, the magazines help enhance your gardening education as you explore and learn new techniques and plant varieties. You can also learn more about organic, herbs, roses, flower and vegetable gardening. If you are a collector of your own garden journal, the magazines can be of great help as you collect photos and articles that will help you get inspired for your gardening.

Some of the most popular online free gardening magazines are the Garden Design, Country Home Magazine, Total Landscape Care, Organic Gardening, Ideas Magazine, Weekend Gardener, Water Garden Magazine and Fine Gardening. These magazines offer one year free digital subscription as the gardener learn more on the technical aspects of the wonderful garden designing. Some just give free issues every month.

Free gardening magazines are not just available online via the Internet. They can also be borrowed from public libraries, bought from any yard sales, old book shops or scour free cycles. Public libraries are usually enriched with gardening magazines and books. It even allows borrowing of reading resources at no costs as long as the borrower lives within the area location of the library. Yard sales are also best sources of gardening magazines and books. It sometimes offers the magazines and books for some pennies or free.

Free gardening magazines are also offered in some free-trial offers by some magazine subscription where the member or subscriber can be able to enjoy at least one to three months of the privilege of subscription.

Candis Reade is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

To learn more about Free Gardening Magazines, please visit My Gardening Fun for current articles and discussions.

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Whether you have small or big backyard or garden, with beautiful grass, flowers, and trees, having outdoor garden benches is a great addition. Placing benches on your patio, under a tree, in the entryway, or your garden, will add beauty to your landscape as well as a wonderful place to sit and rest.

Perhaps you have noticed public gardens, parks, playgrounds, etc. with benches to sit and rest or enjoy the view. Then why should your backyard or garden be any different? Adding garden benches will be a great addition to add to any home landscape. Setting up your bench in your favorite spot can be a great way to enjoy a sunny day, get some fresh air and enjoy nature.

You can make your garden look beautiful by planting flowers and trees, but to really appreciate the scenery you will need a place to sit. This is when you will need to consider building or buying some outdoor benches.

Today there are many designs and materials to choose from. Depending on your landscape and budget you will need to choose the best garden bench that will look best in your landscape. You can buy benches made out of wood, plastic, concrete or wrought iron. Depending on the style, size and material the price will vary. Price will usually be higher for a bench that has allot of details. A bench with no backrest will cost less than one with a backrest A simple bench will be more economical.

If you are handy with tools you can consider building some wood benches. Having plans with step by step detailed instructions you will be able to build beautiful looking wood benches. Cedar wood is among the best, and most common choice of wood to build or buy benches.

Building your own outdoor projects can be a very rewarding weekend hobby. If you have never built anything before, begin by looking at bench plans. You can find lots of plans online, many sites will have them for free. If you feel this is a project you can build, you will certainly save a lot of money and have a well built bench.

Although building your own benches will save you money, if you are just starting out, you might need to buy some tools. Buying your own tools can be a good investment, you will be able to build many outdoor projects. When buying tools, always invest in the best tools you can afford. High quality tools will do a better job, and last longer.

When working with power tools you will need to be careful. Read and understand the safety and instruction manual. Always be extremely careful when working with power tools or sharp tools. Know how to use these tools properly to avoid any injuries.

Weather you will building or buying your outdoor garden benches, this is something any gardener will enjoy and should not be without. Having benches placed in just the right location for yourself or guest will make your landscape pleasant and inviting.

If you’re trying to select garden designs or trying out a new landscaping idea, the right garden plants and accessories will set the mood you’re trying to reach. Landscape design styles come and go, but certain century-old garden styles continue to preserve their attraction.

Choosing a garden style that is right for you is a matter of choice. If you design your entire garden according to a particular style, but sometimes just a few sensibly elements call to mind a style.

Any style whether Asian, cottage, formal, and others has its own characteristic details such as particular plants, water features, and materials. Numerous features are so strongly identified with a specific style that they immediately evoke the proper mood.

Look below at these three lasting and respected garden styles, then incorporate these style elements into your garden design for the look you want.

Asian Gardens
In the Asian tradition, landscape contemplation - in the wild, in a garden, or in a scroll painting serves as a sacred experience. The Chinese and Japanese usually held sacred the space within a garden and deemed the world outside profane. A number Japanese garden designs offer a rustic landscape and contain wet or dry streams and waterfalls, bordered by ferns, moss, and contorted pines.

Lake and island style gardens, developed in China, influenced Japanese garden designs. Islands symbolized the dwellings of immortal spirits and consisted of carefully placed earth or jagged rocks set in an imitation pond.

Cottage Gardens
The informality of cottage garden designs lends them an exuberance lacking in most garden schemes, never the less the gardens are neither nor sloppy when the overall design is caringly structured.

These gardens express cheerfulness and gusto for individual plants. Cottage gardens began centuries ago as modest, fenced-in pieces of land kept by cottagers who respected treasured wild-collected plant life for its usefulness. Livestock and vegetables, berry bushes, fragrant flowers, and herbs for crafts, cooking, and medicine packed the areas.

Formal Gardens
While a love of plants or nature inspires cottage and Asian gardens, formal garden designs express the humanistic worth of people as the center of the universe. A formal garden design looks it’s greatest near a traditional-style home so the garden exaggerates the home’s architecture. Formal garden designs are symmetrical though the main alignment often leads from a specific position near the house (a balcony, front door, a stone terrace) to a focal point further away such as a pavilion, bench or sculpture. By continuing the geometry of the house outdoors, a formal garden layout makes a transition to a wild or informal landscape at the edge of the property. property’s edge.

By: Patkee

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Flower garden plants can be used effectively to produce a stunning garden that has blooms the entire season long. The type of garden plants used should figure prominently in your garden design. Annuals, flower bulbs, ornamental grasses, perennials, biennials and climbing vines are all excellent flower garden plants. These plants will have their own growth requirements and will only grow in specific conditions. Additionally some plants may require special treatment to grow properly.

Flowering plants that last year after year are called perennials. These plants will return every year but they only produce flowers for about two to four weeks a year. You can chose perennials that bloom at different times of the year so your garden should have a mix of early, mid and late blooming perennials in order to have blooms all season. Perennials will multiply on their own, so you can plan on dividing yours and having new plants for another part of your garden every 3 years or so.

Annuals are flower garden plants that only last for one season as their whole life is contained within one season. These plants produce colorful flowers that will last the entire season. Some popular perennials are nigella, sweet alyssum, blue salvia, spider flowers, marguerite daisies, Brazilian verbena and cosmos. These flowers do produce seeds each year so they can grow again.

Biennials are similar to annuals but their life span lasts for two years. The first year they grow leaves and then it is during the second year that they produce flowers. Despite the fact that they die after two years many gardeners love biennials, as their flowers are exquisite. Verbascums, foxgloves and hollyhocks are all very popular biennials. Many times you will find biennials next to the annuals in your garden store.

Tuber and corms are also called flower bulbs and these plants hibernate underground. Each year they store energy for the following year in their bulb that is stored underground. In order to grow the next year they need to go through a cold season though some bulbs, mainly summer bulbs cannot tolerate temperatures under freezing. Tulips, crocuses, daffodils and snowdrops are all early blooming bulbs and gladioli, dahlias, begonia, calla lilies and canna lilies are summer flowering bulbs. If you live in a very cold climate and want to plant bulbs that can’t tolerate the freezing temperatures, you can dig them up in the fall and overwinter them in your cellar or a cold area, then plant them again in spring.

If you have a small yard and need to focus on vertical space then climbing vines are the flower garden plants for you. These plants are great on a trellis. Some easy growing vines that have lovely flowers are the hyacinth, sweet peas, morning glories and clematis. Ornamental grass is also a different type of flower garden plant as it is mainly used to add texture to a garden. The grass will change color throughout the year while flowering in the fall and it moves when touched by the smallest breeze.

Garden wall fountains are becoming an extremely popular amenity when it comes to adding or adjusting garden themes that may be large and small, simple or highly detailed. The serene flow of water can help block out outdoor background noise, and significantly enhancing the peacefulness and the tranquility in most outdoor areas. There are so many different options available when it comes to garden wall fountains, ranging from large and dramatic fountains, to small and space saving outdoor wall fountains.

By adding the element of water to an environment, you can greatly enhance it. There are a number of ways to add water to a garden, but by adding gorgeous garden wall fountains you can experience a tremendous garden enhancement without requiring that you invest an arm and a leg. If you are simply looking to add the element of water to your garden design, but do not have any interest in installing a fully functional pond or even a pool, then implementing your own outdoor wall fountains can be an exceptional idea.

There are a wide variety of garden wall fountains, including large and dramatic fountains that are made from premium quality cast stone, to small space saving wall mounted fountains that are created from lightweight cast resin. There is a great selection of different garden wall fountains available in most nurseries and other shop locations specializing in these stunning water based elements. Learn more about how you can incorporate garden wall fountains with your home garden at http://33isthenew23.blogspot.com/2007/11/looking-for-fountain-to-spruce-things.html.

Garden wall fountains come in sandstone finishes, weathered stone finishes and a variety of other finishes that are quite suitable both for indoor and for outdoor use. Fountains typically run using UL listed variable speed recirculation pumps, engineered in a way that allows them to offer maximum utility in conjunction with great beauty and tranquility without requiring a lot of maintenance. This is what makes outdoor wall fountains such an exciting proposition, and offers water based elements that are inexpensive which easily adds excitement to a garden that needs a little something added.

The greatest thing about garden wall fountains is that their numerous styles are available for virtually any garden setting. Therefore, you won’t run out of selections to choose from for your outdoor water fountains. If you have an idea of what you are looking for when it comes to adding something special to your garden, then you should have absolutely no difficulty at all when it comes to locating the absolute best garden wall fountains for your purpose.

There are a variety of different types of garden wall fountains, but there are just as many considerations that you need to make when it comes adding outdoor wall fountains to your property. Wall garden fountains make it easy for you to install garden fountains, especially for pet owners who have to protect their pets from trying to drink out of the fountain. By implementing a garden wall fountain, you can make sure that your pets will not try to get into your fountains and drink the water that may not be safe for them to consume. Learn more about outdoor fountains at http://shopazone.blogspot.com/2007/11/garden-foundations.html.

Now is the perfect opportunity for you to choose and install garden wall fountains if you are looking for a little bit of stunning architecture without paying an arm and a leg for a nice, beautiful change.

The summer season will be here sooner than you know it. You know what that means don't you? You better get your backyard patio all cleaned up and ready for summer barbeques and outdoor family gatherings. It isn't difficult at all to get your backyard in party condition. All it takes is a few simple decorative touches such as new patio furniture or adding outdoor soapstone stoves to cook on.

Decorating your outdoor patio is fairly easy. The most difficult part is deciding on just one idea from the thousands of different ways to liven it up. Some people choose to transform their patio into a cooler, pleasant looking one while not spending that much money to do so. All you need is a little imagination in coming up with a design and theme. Most do this with patio furniture from umbrellas to shelter you from the sun or rain to soapstone countertops to set your summer drinks on.

The first step is to invest in some really good quality patio furniture. You need somewhere for everyone to gather, after all. Patio furniture can be found in a wide range of materials such as plastic, wood, wicker, resin, aluminum, chaises, metals and glass. You'll want outdoor furniture that is built to withstand the outdoors too. Make sure it is both water and sunlight resistant.

One of the most popular types of patio furniture is the lounge chairs. These classic chairs never go out of style. These chairs make us feel like we are floating on air and are sold in a variety of eye catching colors. No outdoor deck or backyard is complete without at least one lounge chair. We have a pair set up next to our fireplace made of soapstone for those cool spring nights.

Among the different types of furniture for the outdoors, resin furniture is the hardiest and requires the least amount of maintenance and care. We use two resin chairs next to a soapstone counter as a place to eat lunch. If your resin chair is looking a little dirty, simply spray it clean with some water and let it dry off. Most scuff marks can be removed using a gentle abrasive.

If your furniture is hard to sit in, try adding a cushion to your chairs. Try to keep a storage place in mind when you’re done with these cushions. We try to keep ours in a space underneath our soapstone countertops. This is a cool, dry place which helps limit the amount of cleaning needed for them.

By: Anne Harvester

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Your backyard should relax and refresh you, but it should also delight you! Choosing garden art that reflects your personality and makes you feel good is an important key to creating the ultimate backyard.

Art can mean many things to many people but basically there are 3 types:

1. Formal Art

Think larger stately pieces that you see in more traditional backyards, like a classic sculpture of a Greek goddess or a stone angel. Heavy iron garden ornaments like obelisks and sundials also work well with most backyard landscape designs.

These pieces create an old-world feel and lend a sense of drama to the yard. Others might include columns, carved fountains, birdbaths, and classical architectural salvage.

2. Semi-formal

This is the most popular type because it suits so many styles of backyards. It‘s more relaxed in theme, a little more nostalgic and decorative.

For example, light hearted sculptures of animals or children in concrete, resin or bronze, contemporary metal sculptures of flowers and insects, stained glass stepping stones, artistic birdhouses, and hand painted garden pots, copper wind chimes.

3. Informal Art

I call this art “your imagination gone wild”. Everyday objects are placed in the garden to create art that is fun, whimsical, and even campy.

I‘ve seen all kinds of items used as garden décor like: old rubber boots planted with flowers, a nostalgic wire bedroom headboard , an antique window frame, an old-fashioned bathtub, a dressmaker’s dummy, and fancy china plates.

Remember that the type of art you choose should be in keeping with the feel of your backyard but it should also be an expression of you.

The most important thing is that you should feel some emotional attachment to your garden art.

Tips for placing Garden Art

In the garden, art becomes a focal point. Your eye is naturally drawn to it and it commands your attention. So where you place it is important. Put garden art:

• In a boring, bare part of the yard to add interest and stimulate conversation

• At the end of a path to add drama

• In any area to add comic relief. I have a cute bronze frog lying on a back on a lily pad beside my waterfall and pond.

• In front of an ugly spot to hide dead patch

• Directly in line with an unwanted view of the neighbour’s yard to create privacy

• On a wall or fence to visually break up the long monotonous line. I have a beautiful concrete painted face hanging on one part of my fence and a mirror hanging on another to add interest.

• In front of a colourful burst of foliage to punctuate the space. My classical white bird bath looks gorgeous just in front of my huge pink rose bush

• Hidden behind some greenery so it just peeks out a little to create a feeling of antiquity. This will put plants in the spotlight.

• Within the frame of a beautiful view to enhance the view even more. My backyard is on the lake and the view is made even more beautiful by a large fountain of Poseidan the sea God that we have made part of the view.

• In a rock garden to create feeling of garden gallery. The rocks are natural pedestals for the art and create a wonderful playground for eye to bounce around in and land on art.

Don’t forget about the view from inside. Take a look out your window to see where you might place art so that it draws you out into the backyard.

Finally, less is more. Too much garden art will make your backyard look junky. All you need is a few interesting pieces to personalize your backyard and give it a sense of place.

Deborah Boland © 2006 All Rights Reserved

Creating a butterfly garden is a fun hobby with an amazing pay-off. You get to enjoy the beauty of many different species of colorful butterflies that visit your garden once your butterfly bush begin to bloom and grow. It is a popular hobby because it is not difficult, it is great for the environment and it is something that pretty much anyone can do.

Choosing Plants for Your Garden

There are specific butterfly attracting plants that you will want to include in your butterfly garden. If you are looking for plants, you will want to look for the specific term “butterfly” or the Latin term “buddleia”. This will let you know that this is a plant that will attract butterflies. Usually you will easily find plants labeled “butterfly bush” so you will know that is the plant you need.

Luckily, there are a wide range of choices in colors and types of butterfly attracting plants. You can find blue, ruby, pink, purple and red plants of the buddleia species to make your garden a rainbow of color. The butterfly bush grows flowers that look like a bottle brush with the stem in the center and flowers coming off on all sides. The length of the flower can range from 3 to 10 inches, depending on the variety.

Here is a short list of some butterfly bushes that you might want to add to your butterfly garden:

Adonis Blue: Grows to 4-5 feet tall, bushy, prefers full sun, rich blue flower color

Bicolor: Grows 5-6 feet tall, needs pruned in spring, features lavender, peach and yellow shaded flowers

Black Knight: Grows 4-6 feet tall, needs full sun, attracts butterflies and bees due to honey fragrant deep purple flowers, needs pruned in spring

Honeycomb: grows 4-5 feet, yellow flowers that grow in a honeycomb shape instead of a spike, requires full sun

Miss Ruby: Grows 4-5 feet tall, deep pink flowers, may have moderate growth compared to other varieties

Planting your Garden

Planting your butterfly garden requires you pick a spot that has good drainage. Butterfly bushes prefer a moist, but not wet soil. You should be aware that these plants grow rapidly. They will need plenty of space and you should only choose a minimal amount of plants to cover an area. Butterfly bushes grow fast, so you do not have to worry about having bare spots in the garden.

The garden will do fine in a sunny spot as the sun will not scorch or discolor leaves. Even in the hottest of times the plants will still thrive.

With a collection of butterfly bushes in your garden you will be able to behold the beauty and fragrant delight of these plants while also attracting butterflies and hummingbirds who will love to feed off the flowers. As you have found out, creating a butterfly garden is actually quite simple. There are plenty of butterfly bush varieties from which to choose, they are not picky about where you plant them and they grow hardily no matter what area of the country you are in. Starting a butterfly garden is something you could do with a few butterfly bushes and a small area of land, so why not get yours started today?

About the Author

For further information and free tips on growing and the care of your butterfly bush join us at Butterfly bush.net

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A flower garden can be a peaceful and beautiful refuge from the rest of the world. Sitting in the midst of fragrant flowers while reading a book or strolling along paths lined with flowers in cheerful colors can help you to wind down after a busy, stressful day. With some planning and work, a lovely flower garden can be yours to enjoy.

Planning Flower Garden Designs

Creating beautiful flower garden designs takes much planning and consideration. You will need to consider the types of flowers and combinations of colors you desire for the garden. You will also need to think about the placement of borders and shrubs as well as seating and ornaments. It is a good idea to choose an overall style for the garden and stick with it. When you begin your flower garden designs project, you should make a scale drawing of the design to help visualize your concepts.

Shapes in Flower Garden Designs

Decide upon the shape and pattern for your flower garden designs. Rectangular flower garden designs are a traditional shape and always popular. Circular shaped gardens add interest to the standard rectangular lawn. Flower gardens planted on a diagonal to the house can make a lawn appear larger than it actually is.

Styles of Flower Garden Designs

There are a number of styles of gardens that you can plant, and many of them are not too difficult to achieve. Some favorite flower garden designs are listed here.

Rose Flower Garden Designs

Rose Gardens are easy to plant and beautiful to see. In addition to modern roses, include fragrant, old-fashioned varieties of roses whose scent will delight. Plant bulbs in the beds and border them with seasonal flowers to keep the garden full of color during the blooming seasons.

Cottage Flower Garden Designs

Informal cottage gardens have an old-fashioned, rustic look about them. These flower garden designs incorporate the use of flowers, plants and vegetables.

Shade Flower Garden Designs

Shade gardens are good flower garden designs for spaces with many trees blocking the sunlight. There are many flowers that do well in shady areas, including impatiens, begonia, azalea, hosta and viola. The lack of leaves on the trees in spring allows spring bulbs to grow, filling the space with color.

Wildflower Flower Garden Designs

Wildflower gardens are flower garden designs that feature plants indigenous to the area where the garden is located. These gardens tend to require less pampering than some of the other types listed here, usually not requiring much weeding or amendments to the soil.

Butterfly Flower Garden Designs

Butterfly gardens are delightful flower garden designs, planted with flowers known to attract butterflies. Plants such as marigold, lilac, coreopsis, lavender, black-eyed susan and goldenrod are all good choices for butterfly gardens.

Hummingbird Flower Garden Designs

Likewise, hummingbird gardens are a good choice for those who enjoy spotting these small birds. Hummingbirds like richly colored flowers with sweet nectar and a tubular shape. Red and fuschia flowers in particular tend to attract hummingbirds. Some hummingbird garden favorites are morning glory, petunias, azalea, rose of sharon, delphinium and honeysuckle.

Mold is a fungus growth , which starts with a microscopic spore. Damp materilas like food and wood are most prone to get mold. It can be beneficial; for example, the antibiotic penicillin is a mold. Mold grows all over, but can become a problem when it grows in large areas inside a home, school, or workplace.

As I mentioned above mold grows anyplace that dark and dank conditions that permit them to spread . When you attempt to destroy them, they take to the air, spreading themselves with no forethought to the damage they can trigger . They are simply trying to live through.

Spores can be inhaled, absorbed by means of the skin or ingested on our food.And, because some people are more susceptible than others, one person may turn into injured by exposure to mold in the house, another person sharing the same surroundings is largely unaffected.

Infants, the elderly and anyone with immune system deficiencies due to disease, chemotherapy, etc. are particularly susceptible to life-threatening illness following exposure to microbial contamination .

Many people are disturbed about the impending health issues concerning mold in their homes. In particular, stachybotrys chartarum, which you may have heard about as “toxic black mold”, has been blamed for causing health troubles. It is greenish-black, slimy, and can spread in homes with water damage.

Black mold is exceptionally treacherous to the fitness of human being and it can initiate terrible diseases. Common effects from molds such as stachybotrys atra, penecillium, cladosporium and numerous strains of aspergillius, are asthma, pneumonitis, upper respiratory problems, sinusitis, dry cough, skin rashes, stomach upset, headaches, disorientation and bloody noses. Many of species of mold are also toxicand they are well known carcinogens. Repetitive exposures to the mold can initiate inside bleeding, kidney and liver failures and presence of mold inside a home is a genuine concern to the occupants.

Contamination of residential properties by toxic mold and mildew is becoming more and more prevalent. Our people in the past days knew that mold exists in all wet areas but in recent days only we begun to understand how dangerous its existence to us. You are in danger if you think that mold exists only in old buildings.

Black mold is exceedingly dangerous to the health of humanbeing as is is a unsafe fungus which leads to toxic symdrome . Block mold was accountable for the deaths of infants in last couple of years. This toxic mold is not something to take lightly, especially if you suspect that you have it in your home. There are solutions!

The interior air quality of any home affects the inside nature of home. Clean air is obtained by prevent black mold and mildew from developing anywhere in your house.

By: Drago Marx

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Now that spring is here, it's time begin selecting the best plants and flowers for your garden. But before you do, have you ever been guilty of buying plants on impulse only to discover after planting them they look like the forgotten step child, making your garden look ackward? The goal of this article is to teach you how to plan a backyard garden...right now.

Step 1 - Starting with a Solid Plan

Take the time to assess your garden environment. Determine how much sun and shade your garden gets. What type of soil do you have? Is it the well draining type or does it get waterlogged easily? Take note whether your garden is sheltered or exposed to the sun and wind. Now that you have completed your homework, it's time to buy the best plants for your situation.

- Tips at the nursery:

Remember shade-loving plants need a sheltered area, plants that love the sun thrive in warm spots, drought-resistant plants can should be located either in sunny or shaded areas and don't forget that swamp plants are terrific for the poorly-drained areas of your garden.

- Soil Testing

I recommend testing your soil first, to determine the pH level of your soil and what type of nutrients you need to add is a good idea. You want to find out if the soil is acid or alkaline. There are inexpensive testing kits available and it's not very difficult to do. Most plants prefer soil that is slightly acidic, but there are some that must have alkaline soil to grow. You can alter the soil's pH level, but it's much easier to simply plant for the soil you have.

- Design your layout

As you are planning your new garden how will you organize your plants and flowers? Will you group them or will they be random? Grouping your plants create a sense of organization and can be pleasing to the eye especially with vivid colors. On the otherhand, random planting if done with a natural look can also make your garden look quite beautiful.

- Experiment with your design

Now that you are ready to begin planting, put your chosen plants around the garden bed and step back to see how they will look. Experiment and move them around until you are satisfied. By grouping plants in small sets of threes or fives can visually look better than groups of even numbers. Place tall plants towards the back or put them in the center if you have a walk way around your garden.

- Picking Your Colors

Select interesting combinations of color and texture of plants. To avoid color clashes, you can still plant your flowers side-by-side but be sure they have a different blooming season. Another important aspect regarding color is that foliage have colors ranging from silver, grey or purplish and are just as attractive as the flower. Plan ahead as you will still have attractive plants past the blooming season.

Finally keep your plants away from trees as their roots will steal the necessary nutrients and moisture your flowers need. So with a little planning, plus choosing the best plants and skillfully selecting the right color scheme you will create your beautiful garden for all to enjoy. Now that's how to plan a backyard garden,

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