Home Garden

When people think about garden benches, they immediately believe that the only place they can be put is in the garden. Well, that just is not the case and even though the garden is still a great spot for one, there are still a number of lovely areas that they can go. Plus, not only would one add a wonderful seating option for you, your family, and guests, but it would also enhance the appearance of any space that it is put in.

Really, any place throughout your outdoor area would be a wonderful spot to put one, but if you are stumped on where you could place a few, gorgeous garden benches, then here are some awesome ideas for you. One idea is in your backyard deck or patio area. It would be not only be a nice way to complement the other furniture that you have, but you could also use it as the main source for your outdoor seating since they are so comfortable. Plus, they have a spacious seating area that would be perfect for a few people, so then during those summer barbecues or get-togethers, you do not have to worry about having quality seating for all of your guests. For even more luxury you can purchase a cushion for the ones that you get and one of the best available options are cushions made from Sunbrella fabric, which is water repellent, mildew resistant, and colorfast. Another idea on where you could place one is on the front porch as a nice spot where you, or a friend, can sit and take in the sights and the sounds of the neighborhood after a long day at the office, or a long relaxing walk. A third spot is just right in the backyard on the lawn, for a comfy place to rest during or after those intense lawn games with the family. You could even put one in your home as a rustic decorative twist, like in an entryway or basement area. Basically, they work well in any setting.

Wherever you decide to put one, you are not only adding a lot of comfort to the space, but also a lot of beauty since garden benches are extremely appealing to the eye with their different designs and finishes. Some can have very plain designs that you would see sitting in the park with just straight wood finishes while others can look very elaborate and feature different flamboyant colors. There are a lot of different options available and when you go to purchase yours, it is important to keep in a few things in mind when trying to find one. Like, what it is made out of because you do not want it to be constructed out of cheap materials since they will not be very durable and stable and will have to be replaced sooner rather than later. Some top quality materials include woods like alder, cedar, pine, shorea, and teak along with metal that includes stainless steel and yet another option is stone or brick. Each is very durable and will ensure that what your purchase will last for many, many years wherever you decide to put it. For an easy way to see all of the available options, check out the internet and all of the online stores. Not only is it an easy way to browse, but you will probably end up finding the best possible prices.

So, the next time that someone starts talking about garden benches and how they can only be placed in the garden, set them straight and let them know they would work well anywhere. And, not only do they offer a comfortable place to sit, but they also add to the appearance of the space that they are in. By purchasing one of these fine outdoor furnishings for your deck, patio, lawn, or porch, you cannot go wrong.

Many fine gardens evolve gradually through the loving attention of their owners with little or no outside help. But when it comes to creating a new garden, or taking over an existing one that has fallen on hard times or that does not suit your taste or needs, it is well worth seeking advice from a professional garden designer.

The issues involved can be surprisingly complex, from drainage and construction through to siting trees and planting a border. How to deal with slopes and levels? How to forge a harmonious relationship between house, garden and surrounding landscape? What materials to use? How large to make a patio or pergola, how to site a water feature, pond or lake? How and where to incorporate outdoor lighting? Might planning permission be needed for any of this, and what order of costs might be involved?

Some of these questions might be answered by a knowledgeable gardener, others by a landscaper or builder, but for professional advice covering the whole process of planning and making a garden it is best to consult a qualified garden designer. Of course, before engaging any professional advisor you should first check their credentials and satisfy yourself that they are someone you can trust to interpret your brief in a sympathetic manner. The Society of Garden Designers, now celebrating its 25th year, is the only professional body in the UK devoted solely to garden design. Registered members have had their work individually assessed and must adhere to a code of professional practice. In the United States the equivalent body is the APLD (Association of Professional Landscape Designers).

A professional garden designer will listen carefully to your wishes before making any detailed proposals; time spent discussing practical needs and your likes and dislikes will help achieve a result that both you and the designer can be excited by. The hoped-for reaction from a client when they see that first presentation plan is “I never imagined anything quite like that, but it's exactly what I want”.

Beautifully drawn plans are all very well, but can they be put into practice? A garden designer will have thought through the practical implications of his proposals, including cost. He will be able to provide detailed working drawings and to source materials and plants, giving you a much wider choice than could be found at your local garden centre or builder's merchant. He will be able to find or recommend contractors to carry out the work, with costs and specifications agreed beforehand.

There is no denying that creating a garden can be expensive: expect to spend about the same on a new garden as on a complete new kitchen. Having detailed plans puts you in control and reduces the risk of unforeseen extra costs. A well designed garden makes good use of space that might have been wasted, making a small plot seem bigger and a large uninteresting space more intimate. The benefits of a new garden go on improving over time - planting typically takes three to five years to mature, for a larger garden ten years or more. Research shows that patients who have access to a garden, even if they can only look at it from a hospital bed, recover more quickly than those who do not, confirming what gardeners have known all along: gardens are good for you.

So, you've got your flower garden set up. You've planted the flowers, some perennials here, a few annuals there. You've added a gazing ball, a bench, and some other accent pieces to help make your garden unique. But you're still missing one thing. You're missing the edging around the garden.

The edging around your garden is almost as important as the flowers. Just like a frame on a picture, proper edging will enhance the appearance of the garden. Edging will set your garden apart from the rest of the lawn. Proper edging will bring out the beauty of your garden, and turn it into a work of art.

Several different types of edging are available for your garden. You need to decide which one best fits your garden. A low brick or rock wall, held together with mortar is a popular type of garden edging. It creates a solid, permanent edge to define your garden. But you may or may not have the money to do this, or you may want a less permanent edging.

Lining up bricks or rocks without mortar is another popular method of edging your garden. If you choose bricks, you can line them up, stack them in a low wall, or set them diagonally, leaning against each other. You can use rocks in the same way, simply lined up or stacked along the edge of the garden. Obviously, the rocks will need to be small enough to move, but large enough to have an impact. Many times, you'll find rocks while you're digging up the garden, or doing other landscaping projects. Or you can find them in a friends yard, or a vacant lot. If you get them someplace other than your own yard, just make sure you have permission to take the rocks.

Your local home improvement or garden store will have a wide array of edging products. They have plastic edging that can be placed vertically into the ground to provide a simple border. There are miniature fences, landscaping timbers, artificial rock borders, and more. Browse around, and see what will look good around your garden. If you choose any of these edges, be sure that they are of good quality, and will last for several seasons. You don't want to be replacing your edging every year!

Border plants are also a good option. You'll probably want perennials, like alpine phlox. You'll want a low growing plant that you can divide and plant again each spring, so that you won't have to buy new plants and replant every year, as you would with annuals. Check the amount of sun that the garden will be getting, and choose plants that will tolerate your climate, and the amount of sun received.

Comfrey is a good choice for an edging plant for a large garden. The thick growth will prevent grass from creeping in on your garden. The leaves can also be used for mulch when they fall. The flowers will add some visual interest to the garden as well. Small gardens will be overwhelmed by the comfrey, so it would only be suitable for large gardens.

Strawberries or herbs are also a good choice for edging a garden. If you plant herbs, you can also use them in cooking. Just snip off whatever you need, and you'll have fresh herbs for your meal.

Whether you choose plants, rocks, bricks, or edging from the store, the proper edging will provide a suitable frame, to enhance and show off the masterpiece that is your flower garden.

Garden sheds are the most popular garden building and they aren’t just a place to store the lawnmower and tools. These days there is a growing trend in alternative uses for the garden shed, such as: playhouses, home offices and workshops. They come in a variety of sizes, prices, and construction material, and are available from online and offline stores.

The different styles and types of garden sheds are based on the roof structures: the most common is the Gable which forms a triangular roof. The Salt Box has a short front gable roof and a gently sloping rear roof. The Hip roof or Cottage Style roof has four sides all angled or sloped, and the Gambrel roof looks similar to a barn.

Garden sheds mainly come in three different types of material. The most common material is wood and they are generally the cheapest to buy. However, wooden garden sheds do need some regular maintenance to keep them weatherproofed. Metal garden sheds tend to be used when long-term strength is needed, as they are sturdy, tough and durable. Again they need to be maintained to protect them from rust. Many garden sheds are also available in a variety of plastic materials and are made from heavy moulded plastics, such as: PVC and polyethylene, and need very little maintenance. There are many different brands and makes, but remember not all sheds are created equal.

Once you’ve decided what material you want for your garden shed, you need to choose the size and style you want. Garden sheds can be made into a centre-piece for the garden, and for the discerning homeowner, some garden sheds come with finials, eaves and verandas. If money is a bit tight but you want the shed to be a centre-piece, choose a shed where extras can be added at a later date, such as: louvre windows, skylight roof sheets and double doors. Garden sheds can also be subdued so they blend in with the architecture of your home and landscape.

Most garden sheds are bought as a flat-pack and can be put together in such a way you do not need to be a professional carpenter to assemble them, although limited carpentry skills are recommended. If putting your shed together is something you don’t want to do, for whatever reason, an option is to have your shed erected by professionals, so you do not have to struggle with the heavy and bulky sections that come with the shed.

If you can not find the garden shed of your dreams, you could always design one yourself or buy designs from you local timber yard, bookstore, or the internet, and build it yourself. Basically there are fours steps to building your garden shed: foundation and floor; frame; siding; roof. The foundation/floor is the solid base for your garden shed and can consist of treated skid timbers, patio stones, concrete base, or pressure treated joist with a plywood floor. The frame is the skeleton of the structure and supports the walls and roof. The siding can be optional and is the covering of a finished wall made from plywood, pine, cedar, or vinyl. The roof is the cover and can be made from asphalt shingles, cedar shingles, aluminium, or metal, etc. At the end of your project you will have had the satisfaction of having built your own shed and saving money at the same time.

Once you have a garden shed, you will wonder how you ever managed without it. They are no longer the domain of spiders and cobwebs, and the uses of garden sheds are limited only by your imagination.