Captain Yard - Outdoor Living Products & Supplies

Put a Lid on It--Roofs for Patios & Decks

2007-01-02T22:35:00.000-05:00

If you have an open patio or deck, you've doubtless enjoyed many sunny days in your outside space. But you've also likely wished at some point for some shelter from the sun's rays -- or raindrops. What are your roofing options?

Umbrellas
One of the fastest and easiest ways to provide outdoor shelter from sun and rain is with a market umbrella. These are sold in sizes that range from 6 feet to 12 feet across (1.8 to 3.6 metres). Think beyond the obvious picnic set with umbrella and create a shady nook with your favorite lounge chair and side table, or provide your outdoor chef with protection from the elements.

Market umbrellas are not designed to withstand extremely high winds and should be anchored in a cast iron stand, in a metal deck mount, directly in the ground or in a large bucket of rocks. You should also leave the umbrella closed in the event of strong wind or if you are not home.

Giant umbrellas, often used in commercial establishments, are also available for home use. Although they are pricey, they form part of a permanent outdoor installation (most being sunk into a ground socket). Ranging in size from 12' to 26' (about 3.5m to 8m), certain models can withstand winds up to 45 mph (70 kph).

Similar to umbrellas, polyethylene canvas garden pavilions with open sides are a quick and easy solution to providing needed shade.

Awnings and Sunshades
Awnings, a slightly more fixed solution than a market umbrella, come in a variety of styles and materials. They are generally installed on a wooden or steel tubing frame. Many are retractable so that winter snow weight need not be a worry, and so that they can be rolled up during especially strong winds.

Awning fabrics have been greatly improved over the last few decades and now stand up well to rain and sun. If you are constructing your own awning, look for Army duck -- a specially woven canvas that is chemically treated to resist mildew and fungus -- or a vinyl-coated canvas. Plain canvas is relatively inexpensive and also wears fairly well, and polyester and acrylic-based fabrics resist mildew.

Choose from a variety of colors and thicknesses (determined by weight) and be certain to stretch the fabric tightly over your frame to avoid wind damage.

New windshades or windsails anchor securely for resistance to breezes. Or for easy temporary shelters, attach Indian saris or even sheets to walls, trees, or frames.

Pergolas
Perhaps the most popular style of roof deck is the pergola -- an open roof of cross rafters supported on posts or columns. When they are covered with vines (such as grapes, silver lace, trumpet and so on), they can provide a great deal of cool shade, especially since the greenery itself helps lower temperatures. Most pergolas, however, offer only limited protection from the rain.

Although pergolas are most often attached to a ledger on the side of your house, you can be innovative and make freestanding pergolas. For example, anchor two arbors six or eight feet from each other and attach beams to the tops of them to form a tunnel. Then close in one or both sides with lattice and you have a small and charming free standing structure over a patio or portable decking to relax in.

I'll discuss pergolas in more detail in a future issue of Tales from the Porch Swing.

Closed Roofs
The variety of roofing materials available for decks is dizzying. Depending on your climate, you can choose reed or bamboo rolled roofing material, corrugated plastic, corrugated polycarbonate or tinted fiberglass sheets, clay tiles, wood shakes, or several types of shingles.

Again, I'll cover more details of roofing materials and how to build a deck roof in a future issue, so stay tuned!

Shelter is a basic need for outdoor spaces, increasing the pleasure you can derive from outdoor living. Today, there are countless options available -- so, go on, put a lid on it!

Article By: Debbie Rodgers, The Haven Maven
http://www.paradiseporch.com

Bugs Out, Breezes In: A Screened-In Room

2007-01-02T22:32:00.000-05:00

Do you love to sit outside in the fresh air, but find you just can't abide the mosquitoes and other biting critters of summer? Consider a screened outdoor area. It may be easier than you think.

Building Your Screened Room
A screened in "room" consists of three surfaces: a floor, a roof and the walls.

The floor might an existing porch or deck, or it might be a brick patio or newly poured concrete slab. It might even be the ground itself if you use a pre-fabricated free-standing screened-in room.

If you're starting out with an existing structure that consists only of a floor, be sure to obtain the necessary permits from your municipality for constructing a roof. Roofing is available in a wide variety of materials including fibreglass panels, translucent sheeting and solid roofing materials such as wood and shingles. Your roof might also be an awning, or a pre-fab screened room canvas.

Assuming you have a permanent structure, once the floor and the roof are up, you can get on with constructing the walls for the screening. There are many books, such as Great Decks and Porches by Rick Peters with detailed directions for building a typical screening frame of 2x2s and 2x4s.

You can install the actual screening using the traditional method of stapling the screen to the frame and covering the staples with batten.

Or you can use an updated product such as ScreenTight which uses a rubber spline to lock the screen into a patented base molding which is then covered by an external cap.

A third method is to use a screen product fitted with Velcro® commercial fasteners. Available in three screen types as well as clear PVC film, each panel is crafted to the exact size and shape of your openings including triangles and trapezoids. This system is designed so that a PVC panel can be installed over a screen panel for rain and wind protection. When not needed, the PVC panel can be rolled up and stored at the top of the opening.

If you don't install PVC panels, you can use wood panels that screw or hook to the frame in order to board up the space during winter months. Of course, commercial windows that slip in and out are also available. These glass panes make the most practical screened rooms as the rooms in which they are installed can be used for more months of the year than any other configuration.

Decorating Your Screened Room
Screening not only makes an outdoor space more usable by eliminating bugs, it also provides a sense of enclosure. Your space becomes a true room -- an extension of your home and a transitional space between indoors and outdoors. Thus furniture is often more formal than you might use on a deck or patio, yet still has a garden feel.

White wicker pieces are a very traditional screened porch look, but dark green wicker also makes a dramatic earth-toned statement. Wooden furniture such as a white porch swing, or twig chairs are also very appropriate to the look.

Since a screened area makes an ideal sleeping porch -- whether to escape hot, humid nights or to catch a catnap in the afternoon-have somewhere to stretch out. It could be cots for the kids, a hammock or a daybed stacked high with comfy cushions.

A screened porch is also a great place for container plants because they'll be protected from harsh sun and weather extremes. Fill your room with living green plants and flowers to enhance that sense of outside that lies just beyond the room's borders.

Whether you use an outdoor screened space as an extra dining room, bedroom, sitting room or greenhouse, you'll be sure to gets lots and lots of enjoyment from it -- without being bothered by pesky bugs!

Article By: Debbie Rodgers, The Haven Maven
http://www.paradiseporch.com

Designing the Deck of Your Dreams

2007-01-02T22:23:00.000-05:00

Decks are the most common outdoor living space in suburban North America. The (American) Forest Products Society estimates that there are over 30 million residential decks in the U.S. alone and more than seven million new ones are constructed annually. In addition, about once every decade, homeowners upgrade, expand or replace their existing decks.

That's a lot of deck building! Are you ready to build a new deck or give your existing one a major overhaul? Here are some tips to help you design your ideal outdoor living space.

1) Verify the Codes
Before you plan anything, make sure you know the deck building codes in your area. Most municipalities have limitations on property line and street clearances, and stipulate certain railing and stair safeguards. While you're at it, determine if there are restrictions on fire units or water features such as pools or spas.

2) Location, Location, Location
The biggest decision you'll make in designing your deck is its location. Obviously, you'll want to have easy entry from your house but don't forget convenient access to the rest of the yard.

Don't be limited in your planning by previous structures, whether an older deck or an existing patio or concrete slab. Consider taking in part of the lawn or garden area. Imagine a curved outline-a shape naturally found in the outside world and not nearly as difficult to build into a deck as you might think.

Once you have an idea of where you'll place the new addition, outline it with stakes and string. Still happy with what you see? Then measure the dimensions of the space and make a scale drawing. On this diagram, sketch in the outline of the house, property lines, trees and gardens and any other features that may be pertinent to your plan.

3) Make Some Lists
First, stop and think about what uses you'll have for your new space. Does it need an area where the kids can play, maybe on rainy days? How about a quiet reading or meditation spot? Maybe what you see is a lively gathering of family or friends, around scrumptious outdoor meals?

Based on the uses you've established, inventory the features you think you'd like. Many people dream of an outdoor spa tub; others fancy a built-in grill; some want lots of built-in storage space for pool equipment or kids' toys.

Take into account your climate - not only the weather where you live, but also the micro-climates that every home has - the brick walls that collect and radiate the summer heat, the lake breeze that's a little too cool in late summer evenings. Often, several different zones co-exist in one outdoor living space. You may want to include heating or cooling units on your wish list.

Make a note of any other factors that will affect the use of your new living space. For example, you might feel like you're in a fishbowl because of surrounding two-story houses or open fence lines. In that case, you'll want to include ways to create privacy.

4) Let the Plan Take Shape
Now make several copies of your planning diagram. That way, you can change your mind several times as you work out the details of your dream deck.

On your sketch, you've indicated a floor area. Next consider walls and a ceiling. These will help delineate the spaces, perhaps dividing it into areas for various purposes, and provide privacy. You can also use walls and ceilings to adjust your mini-climate areas.

It's not likely you'll want barriers around ALL sides of your deck and not all walls have to be solid. Think lattice, plants, or drapes. You may choose to install an awning, pergola or umbrella over just a portion of the living space (perhaps the tub or the dining area), leaving the rest open.

Bearing in mind the uses and features that you've decided on, indicate where built-ins such as a fire pit, grill or tub might go. Remember to mark where electrical outlets, lighting and spigots for watering plants and washing would be useful. Add furniture and décor and you'll be living easy.

Don't let a tight budget stop you from ending up with what you want-with a good plan in hand and a clear picture in mind, you can work toward the finished products in logical stages. So, go ahead -- design the deck of your dreams!

Article By: Debbie Rodgers, The Haven Maven
http://www.paradiseporch.com

Top 10 Outdoor Havens in the Movies

2007-01-01T23:29:00.000-05:00

Outdoor living spaces, such as porches, patios and balconies, are integral components of our homes -- and movies. Can you imagine any of these memorable films without their signature outdoor space to set the scene?

1. The absolutely most wonderful outdoor space in all of movie-making history must be the quintessential Adirondack-style screened porch in On Golden Pond. Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn's portrayals of Norman and Ethel Thayer earned them Academy Awards in 1982.

2. Childhood dreams came to life in the musical number that Liesl and Rolfe danced around that fabulous gazebo in The Sound of Music. Nominated for ten 1966 Oscars, this musical saga of the von Trapp family took away five statuettes including Best Picture.

3. The widow's walk that Colonel Behrani added to The House of Sand and Fog played an integral part in the plot of this 2003 drama. Who can forget Ben Kingsley and Shohreh Aghdashloo's last afternoon together, watching the sun set from their precious balcony?

4. Last moments together play a recurring theme in movies and outdoor spaces. In the 1999 version of Anna and the King, Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat danced together in the royal gazebo the last time he held her in his arms.

5. Porch swings have often been associated with old-time courting, and so the scene in Witness in which Rachel and Daniel sat silently rocking spoke volumes; no dialogue was needed. Witness won two 1986 Academy Awards.

6. Hark! What light through yonder window breaks? The most famous balcony scene in history is over 400 years old. Willy Shakespeare would no doubt have loved Franco Zeffirellis's adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, which copped two Oscars at the 1969 ceremonies.

7. Although the plantation setting might suggest lots of activity played out in outdoor living spaces, Gone with the Wind's most memorable porch scene was when Melanie caught sight of Ashley's return and fairly flew off the steps to run into his arms. GWTW was nominated for a phenomenal 15 Academy Awards in 1940 and won nine - including, of course, Best Picture.

8. Much of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner is set on Matt and Christina Drayton's elegant terrace overlooking San Francisco. At the 1968 Academy ceremonies, Katherine Hepburn won her second of four Oscars for this picture.

9. Forrest Gump and his mother lived in a rambling southern country home with one of movies' most beautiful white painted verandas. It was from here that Jenny stepped down on her wedding day. Among the six 1995 golden statuettes that this movie won was an award to Tom Hanks as Best Actor, and Best Picture.

10. Titanic swept the box office and the 1998 ceremonies, winning an astonishing 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. But wait, this movie was set on a boat. Where's the outdoor haven? Of course -- Jack declared himself King of the World -- all the while standing on the deck.

Article By: Debbie Rodgers, The Haven Maven
http://www.paradiseporch.com

Winter Care of Garden Fountains & Accessories

2006-12-29T22:59:00.000-05:00

One of the most common questions we hear is what to do with a garden fountain or accessory in areas where freezes are common. Proper winter care is required for all cast stone, fiberglass, ceramic, and terracotta products to protect them from the freeze/thaw cycles that occur during the winter.

Any garden fountain or statuary that can hold water, snow, or ice, such as a planter or birdbath can be damaged by the winter freeze/thaw cycle. Below are some suggestions for minimizing the possibility of damage to your garden fountains and accessories.

1. Original Placement
Try to always place your statuary, benches or birdbaths on a firm, solid foundation and not directly on open soil, grass, or uneven surfaces. While this seems basic, consider that accumulated water or ice can make a fountain or birdbath imbalanced, and cause it to topple.

2. Concrete and Cast Stone Birdbaths, Benches and Statuary
If at all possible, a birdbath top should not remain outside in winter because if it fills with water, snow, or ice and freezes. The natural expansion effect will cause the top to crack. All birdbaths should be stored indoors in winter, whether in a garage or garden shed.

Concrete or cast stone bench legs, decorative statuary, and garden fountains should be raised off the ground in winter to avoid the possible damage that can result if the product freezes to the ground surface.

3. Concrete and Cast Stone Planters
For planters to be left in place, with plants in them, over the winter, here are a few suggestions. First, raise them off the ground. This can best be accomplished by placing two pressure-treated wood planks under the edges of the planter. Take care not to block the drainage hole. Contact with the wet ground during a freeze/thaw cycle could cause your planters to crack, chip, or crumble.

Second, if possible, bring the planter indoors during the winter. Even if it is in a cold, unheated garage, at least it will be dry. Third, if you must leave an unplanted container outdoors during the winter, turn it upside down, on the aforementioned treated lumber stripes, and cover with burlap or other absorbent material, and then cover with thick, dark plastic, like a lawn and leaf trash bag.

4. Polyethylene Planters and Statuary
Poly garden planters (those made of plastics) and decorative statuary are lightweight, mostly durable, resistant to extreme temperature fluctuations, and UV resistant. Some color variation is common due to the molding production process but they should otherwise do fine through the winter. Keep them clean and dry, and if a poly planter or fountain is left outside, cover it to keep water from accumulating.

Copyright © 2004 Garden Fountains
For more information, visit us online at http://www.garden-fountains.com.

Gardenscape On A Shoestring

2006-12-29T22:51:00.000-05:00

Many of us flip through garden magazines, all the while thinking that it takes years, a professional, or tons of money to landscape the gardens featured in the glossy pictures. This isn’t necessarily true. You can design a breathtaking garden and be the envy of the neighborhood by following some of the following tips.

Know What You Like and What Works
Drive around your neighborhood and see what’s out there that grows well in your zone. You can jot down what you see on index cards, so they are organized and handy. Start gathering page clippings from magazines and collect some pictures of the designs that interest you. This can help you decide what garden style you like. You’ll have an easy reference for plants and placement too.

Select Location and Color
Next, look at your notes and clippings and choose the color scheme you‘d like to have in your garden. Don't forget to keep in mind if you’re designing and planting in shade, sun, or partial shade or partial sun. Are you looking for something bright and vibrant or something more calming and soothing? Consider starting with a foundation of shrubs and accenting with some perennials, bulbs, ornamental grasses, and annuals for more seasonal color. Perhaps, you want all flowers. Decide on a shape that compliments your house style. Straight styles give a more formal appearance while curves give a more informal feel. If you don’t feel confident selecting colors, you can use a color wheel to help pick contrasting and complimenting colors.

Budget and Create a Plan
Decide how much you are able to and want to spend on your new garden. Do you want to start with a foundation and add to it gradually? If so, start with purchasing your most expensive plants and shrubs first. Use these as a focal point for your garden. Start watching for sales and discount plants at garden centers and nurseries. Tell everyone you know that you’re starting a garden and would love it if they could give you divisions of their perennials or seeds they have saved from their garden. Let family and friends know that you have a wish list of plants that would be the perfect gift idea. If you have access online, do a search for seed swaps. Many gardeners love to help a new gardener. Many are willing to send seeds for the cost of postage or will trade for something else that you may have that they are looking for. A great resource for free items is http://www.freecycle.org Look for a group in your area, join the group, and post letting the group know that you would be interested in garden plants and seeds. You may get lucky and find that a member of the group has already offered some plants up for grabs. Don’t forget to ask your local garden club when they are having their sales too. You can also start some plants from seed yourself. Many seeds are very easy to direct sow and a little can go a long way.

Here’s a partial list of easy to grow seeds:

Candytuft
Asters
4 o’clocks
Sunflowers
Pansies
Violas
Impatiens
Dianthus
Larkspur
Salvia
Cupid's Dart
Morning Glories
Moonflowers
Zinnias
Calendula
Marigold
Cosmos
Sweet Alyssum
Bee Balm
Poppies
Nasturtium

Don’t forget if you decide to sow into containers, there are many inexpensive containers such as yogurt containers, milk jugs, egg cartons, and plastic ice cream buckets. You can also call your city and see if they have free mulch available. Don’t hesitate to strike up conversations with your neighbors while you’re out for a walk. You never know, the topic of gardening may come up and they might be more than happy to offer you some seeds or divisions.

Design Away
Now you’re ready to design. You can sketch out your idea beforehand. Keep the following in mind as you design.

Scale- Judge the size of the area and choose plants that aren’t going to be too large, too wide, or too small for the area. Keep in mind the plant’s size when it’s met it’s mature growth.

Balance-Don’t place your plants where one area is too compacted with plants and another area is too airy. Try and achieve a good balance of small, medium, and large plants. Balance offers visual stability. It can be created with space between plantings or the visual weight of your design. This can be created with lines so that your garden is pleasing to look at from all angles.

Focal Point- Your focal point will be the area that your eye is drawn to first. This can be your prized flowers, tree, or shrub.

Rhythm- This is visual flow. The eye wanders throughout the entire garden design, but comes back to the focal point. It can be achieved with repetition and contrast.

Harmony-Unity- This is when plants have a way of appearing connected and a part of one another. This can be achieved with color, texture, groupings. Unity is lost when your plants look too separate or your color choice makes one plant look lost amongst the rest.

Color- Color impacts the entire design process. Use a color wheel if you don’t feel confident selecting colors that go well together.

If all of this is too confusing and overwhelming, check out some garden catalogs. Many have suggested designs. It’s also best to place your containers out and arrange and rearrange where you want to plant them before you start digging.

Accessorize (homemade garden art)
To add some interest and whimsy to your garden, consider some homemade items or trash to treasure works of art. Ideas such as making your own stepping stones, garden markers, terra cotta bird baths or toad houses, painted rocks and pavers, and fun wind chimes are simple projects that can add a lot of interest to your garden area. Look around for unique items you could add to your garden such as milk cans, wooden chairs, ladders, tricycles, wagons, trunks, roofing shingles, mailboxes, or even dressers. The sky is the limit on what you can create. Use your imagination.

There you have it and you didn’t have to hire a pro, spend thousands of dollars, or take years to achieve a pretty garden. You won’t be a new gardener for long. Soon, it will be you sharing starts, cuttings, seeds, divisions, and tips.

About the author:

Sara Noel is the Editor/Publisher of and
Visit both these sites for tips on budgeting, gardening, homesteading, supplemental income, crafts, organizing, and simple living.

Easy Steps to Building a Potted Fountain

2006-12-28T18:36:00.000-05:00

These instructions are for a fountain using two flower pots and pebbles. The principles are the same for building large or more elaborate units.

1. Choose the pots you want to use. You will need two different sizes. The larger will be the holding pot and must NOT have a drainage hole. If it does, seal the hole with silicone adhesive. If needed, cover the hole with a pottery shard and silicone around the edges of the shard.

The smaller pot MUST have at least one 1/2" drainage hole. Drill it if necessary. You may want additional water to escape from the top of your fountain. If so, drill small holes around the rim of the smaller pot.

2. Consider how high your completed project will be and what type of water flow you prefer. Purchase an appropriate sized pump and tubing. As you assemble your fountain, try to hide the pump, pump cord and tubing as much as possible. Depending on what materials you use, you may choose black or clear tubing.

3. Place your pump in the bottom container. Attach the tubing and keep the electrical cord over the rim of the pot. If you want, you can use pot shards to hide the pump. Partly fill the pot with pebbles. Thread the tubing through the drainage hole in the smaller pot from the bottom and set the smaller pot in the pebbles. Position firmly and completely fill the bottom pot with more pebbles, shells or marbles.

4. Hold the tubing upright in the smaller pot and fill the pot with pebbles. Cut off the hose off an inch or so below the level of the rocks.

5. Fill the large pot with water about halfway up and fill the small vessel to the top. Plug in the pump and enjoy!

Article By: by Debbie Rodgers, Paradise Porch
http://www.paradiseporch.com

© 2004 Paradise Porch
Paradise Porch helps you transform simple outdoor spaces -- such as porches, decks, balconies & gazebos -- into enriching areas you'll love to spend time in. Check out our basic Quick Draw service and how-to guides.

What's Underfoot? A Quick Guide to Patio Surfaces

2006-12-19T18:31:00.000-05:00

Patios and terraces have always been popular outdoor spaces. Whether a Parisian courtyard or a rooftop alcove, only porches and sunrooms beat out these paved (or semi-paved) retreats in a recent survey of my readers as the most ideal outside living space. Let's examine some of the wide variety of patio surfaces.

Patio Stones Somteimes called flags or slabs, patio stones are flat square or rectangular blocks of pressed concrete. Standard sizes generally include 2' x 2', 2' x 2' and 2' x 3' (60 x 60 cm; 60 x 75 cm; 60 x 90 cm), with a 2" (5 cm) thickness. They are a very well-known and popular choice for both homeowners and home builders and are favored both for their ease of installation and low price.

Once only grey or greyer, patio stones are now available in a range of colors. Choose a color that blends with your garden or house, or make a patterned floor with two different colors. Patio stones are especially attractive when combined with an edging of a contrasting material. On my web site, I have some suggested patterns combining them with bricks, but you can use a rot-resistant wood such as cedar, landscape rocks, or even aluminum.

You can also purchase patio stones with different surface textures, including those with exposed aggregates. Although these often retain the characteristically consistent thickness that makes for their ease of installation, they are usually somewhat pricier than plain stones.

Stone and Slate Stone and slate, also called flagstone, are natural materials whose availability is often driven by local resources. They are also usually cut in standard widths and lengths, but the thickness of the pieces will vary with the stone and the cutting. The variable thickness makes the material more challenging to install. Natural stone and slate pieces are more expensive than manufactured patio stones.

Often, people think of flagstones in terms of "crazy paving," that is broken pieces of stone set in attractive, random patterns. This type of patio surface is the most difficult to lay properly. Because the mortar joints of a patio are the weakest point, the stone pieces must be as tight as possible to each other. This requires breaking and trimming the irregular shaped pieces. Experienced installers can break stone by hitting a piece of rebar or pipe that they've placed along the desired break line. I recommend you don't try this at home, boys and girls!

Bricks Bricks are a popular building material for patios and terraces. A standard brick used to measure 2" x 3" x 8" (5.7 x 9.53 x 20.3 cm), and be red or yellow. There are many variations these days. Your choice is really personal except for the weather rating. If you live in a cold climate, be sure to get SW (Severe Weather) rated bricks that won't crack in the cold and snow. They cost more than MW (Moderate weather) and NW (Nice Weather -- well, it's officially Negligible Weather, but I think not having freezing cold five months of the year would be very NICE.)

Gravel Gravel is frequently disparaged as the poor cousin of outdoor surfaces, but gravel courtyards can be not only inexpensive but comfortable and very charming as well. As with other paving materials, gravel also is available now in a range of color choices and textures. You can edge the patio area with rock slabs, bricks or pavers to give your yard a more finished look.

Poured Concrete Poured concrete surfaces are the most popular professionally installed patios. They're usually less expensive than natural stone, brick or tile to build, are extremely durable when properly installed and treated, can be shaped to any pattern, and can be finished in a wide variety of colors, textures and styles.

Proper installation of a concrete surface includes laying rebar or steel rods in a cross-hatch pattern in the body of the concrete. Once the concrete has hardened, it should be sealed to resist weather and stains.

With such a dizzying array of patio surfaces available, how can you choose the right one for you? Of course, budget will play a large part. But also consider the style of your house and garden, and the use you'll make of the space. It's harder to place furniture on some of the rough textured surfaces. If you have children riding tricycles, or elderly friends or family who might trip, be sure to avoid anything that might produce an uneven surface, even after some years of settling.

Whatever you select, be sure to spend time on your patio and make happy memories in your outdoor space!

About the author: Debbie Rodgers, the haven maven, owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Her latest how-to guide Attracting Butterflies to Your Home and Garden is now available on her web site. Visit her at http://www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space.

Patio Design - Expanding Your Home Outdoors

2006-12-15T21:30:00.000-05:00

A patio can be just like another room in your house. Effective patio design can mean that your increase the floor space of your home, by adding an outside room that allows you to entertain like never before. A patio can just be a rectangular slab of concrete with some plastic chairs and griller, but it can also be so much more.

What comes to mind when you think of a patio?

Patio design gives you the opportunity to create an outside living area an extension of your home for entertaining and relaxing all year round. For instance, people who like to entertain may want to consider a patio with an undercover kitchen and dining area. By adding a barbecue grill, a built in fridge and some quality outdoor furniture, the patio can, in itself, become a feature of your home.

When commencing a new patio design, it is important to remember that your new outdoor entertaining area does not need to be expensive. There are a variety of different patio surfaces to fit a particular style or budget, including concrete pavers, natural clay stones and bricks. There is no need to stick to one type of paving or surface - experiment. Pebbles, gravels, bricks and tiles, can all be incorporated. A contrasting brick edge can also be effective. Similarly, patio shades need not be extensive, just enough to cover the main cooking and eating areas; after all, why block out the view of your gorgeous garden in the midday sun or the stars in the sky on a clear night.

Consider textures, colors, and materials before starting

One of the most important considerations of patio design is landscaping. Plants help to soften the hard surface of a patio floor by providing color, texture and fragrance and they set the mood for an outdoor living space. Further, you might also like to consider the use of a water feature and some soft low voltage lighting or candles, to create a stunning patio setting for night time entertaining.

Finally, selecting the right furniture is the key to the perfect patio design. There is no need to spend thousands of dollars on the right setting; more importantly you want to select items that are durable, basic in color and rich in style and sophistication. Consider resin coated wicker or rattan pieces that can be dressed up with different cushions and throw rugs. These items can be changed regularly to cater for a themed party or more simply, to match the changes in your flourishing flower beds.

A patio design can be as elaborate or as straightforward as you want it to be. Patios can be arranged in any shape and size and can be refreshed regularly just like the interior of your home. Outdoor entertaining is an increasing pastime enjoy it with family and friends!

About the author: Nicholas Webb is the owner of http://www.allabout-patio.com A site that providing user-friendly patio furniture and patio accessories consumer tips and buying advice for the outdoor lover. Check it out before parting with your money.

The Joys Of Garden Decks

2006-12-12T21:05:00.000-05:00

Decks form an extremely inexpensive way to extend your indoor living space out into the backyard. If you want to spend a perfectly comfortable day sitting outside, or want to entertain your friend's outdoors, then there is nothing more convenient than the garden deck. Make most of your garden by adding a classic garden deck.

As extensions of indoor living areas, patios and decks form the ideal spot for reading, relaxing or lazing in the warm afternoon sun. This beautiful outdoor experience will urge your family to spend more time outdoors together. Decks are very suitable for children's use - especially if balustrades/railings are utilized as part of the scheme. They literally open and extend your home outdoors, providing a wider space for entertaining or dining your friends.

Decking patios are warmer in the winter than paved patios and also cooler with fewer glares than paved patios in the hot weather. To make these spaces as joyful and attractive as possible, people are remodeling their decks to create modern living areas and small full-scale kitchens to serve as entertaining areas. These modifications can be done on a very reasonable budget.

You can add practicality and a touch of elegance to your garden by designing and building, stunning, high quality decking systems to your exact specifications. You can choose from an extensive range of garden decks in various designs. There's an amazing range of these deck designs available on the Internet, in catalogues, downloadable guides, books, and CD-ROM's to guide you and help you to pick the deck suited to your pocket and taste.

Garden decks also require a stable and good foundation like that of a house. Metal post saddles embedded deep into poured concrete forms the basis for a solid foundation. Decking can often be constructed with minimal disruption to existing ground levels, and can of course, be a great 'leveler' where there are a number of levels within the garden or over the existing patio. Garden decks attached to the main house should be built in such a way that it prevents the entry of water into the house.

Give your garden decks and patios the softening touch provided by greenery and flowers and remove the stark look. Make most of your garden by adding a classic garden deck!

About the author: Tamara Williams is a writer for the Outdoor Furniture Site which provides up to date news on outdoor furniture and accessories. Get read for summer with top of the line outdoor products.
http://www.theoutlettree.com/

In the Veggie Path - December (southern hemisphere)

2006-12-10T16:24:00.000-05:00

Sit back and enjoy the festive season this month. Hydrangeas make a wonderful Christmas display with their giant "mop heads" in shades of white, blue and pink. Often it's too hot to do too much in the garden now and Christmas shopping seems to take precedence anyway. Many of you might venture on a summer holiday around now, so I've included a few handy tips before you go.

Holiday Care

Take care of your precious work in the garden by ensuring that a neighbour or friend can do some watering if you go away.Make sure the garden is heavily mulched with at least 5cm (and preferably 7 or 8cm) of straw, sugarcane mulch, compost and pea straw. If you use fresh grass clippings don't lay them as heavily or it may go sludgy.Keeping the garden covered in a thick layer of mulch will keep down the need for watering so much and will also keep out the unwanted weeds. Soak all of your pot plants for several days leading up to your departure and place them in a shady part of the garden when you leave. You could try to rig up some shadecloth temporarily over sensitive plants or areas of the garden if you're concerned about them. And don't mow your lawn too low before you go, otherwise you might find it completely dead by the time you get back.

What to sow

Start sowing your winter crops this month. This includes all of your cabbage family plants like cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and Chinese vegetables. By the time they're a reasonable size for planting out, the weather should be starting to cool down. Carrots, beetroot, parsley, celery, leek and silverbeet are all winter crops so they can be sown now too.

Special care of seedlings needs to happen over the next few months to make sure they survive the heat. Be vigilant with daily watering and sometimes twice a day in really hot weather. I plant my seedlings out with cardboard milk cartons around them. This gives them a bit more protection from critters and gives a bit of extra shade.

Successful veggies

You should be able to harvest a few "new" potatoes now if you can't wait. New potatoes are the young ones just under the surface, simply forage around under the topp layer of soil and pick a few off. The bigger ones can be dug up all at once after the tops die off later on.

Tomatoes start to come on from now also. They'll stay green until the weather is consistently warm to ripen the fruit. If you got in some early plants then you'll have some lush red tomatoes for Christmas lunch. Mulch around the tomatoes and corn to give them constistent water and nutrients. Keep picking things like cucumber, zucchini and leafy vegetables to encourage more cropping. You can almost watch zucchinis growing before your eyes!!

Successive planting means planting out seedlings every month to get a continual supply of veggies. So even if you have a few plants producing a crop now, still sow what ever you can to extend the harvest for a few months more. An easy way of getting another tomato plant quickly is to take a cutting by snipping of one of the "laterals" (or side shoots) with a clean cut, dip it in some rooting powder, stick it in a small pot of seed raising mix, tie a plastic bag over it after giving it some water and wait for about a week. Roots develop quickly and you'll have a new plant ready for the garden in a short time.

Pinch out growing tips of cucumbers, pumpkins and squash to encourage side shoots. These side shoots produce more flowers and keep the plant contained. Give regular liquid feed for all of your vegies especially leafy crops. Steep some chicken manure in water and use that for your leafy crops since it is full of nitrogen. But remember to dilute it to the colour of weak tea and apply it only after you've watered the garden, otherwise you risk burning the roots.

The Flower Garden

Hydrangeas give a fantastic focal point to a shady part of the garden. They like to be kept moist so keep the water up to them now. Did you know that you can change the colour of your hydrangea flowers depending on whether your soil is acid or alkaline?From about July, just keep adding lime to the soil to make them pink or add sulphur to make them blue.Do this for a few months and they'll be right for a December display.

Don't be fooled into thinking that there is something wrong with your poinsettia in the garden because it isn't red like the ones in the shops. Poinsettia turns red in cooler months and are used for a Christmas focus in the Northern hemisphere. So the plants you see in the nursery are all ""forced"" into what you see. Large blinds covering green houses simulates winter, as does temperature controlling. These plants are then sprayed with dwarfing hormone to produce the showy little Christmas features that we often see. Get away from our northern hemisphere legacy for Christmas this year and make a garland of gardenias instead. Gardenias' heavenly fragrance alone is enough to bring about a state of peace and joy for all mankind at Christmas!!

Dig up spring bulbs and store them over summer in a cool airy spot. Otherwise split them up and reposition them around the garden if the clumps are getting too big and not flowering well. Some bulbs, like tulips and daffodils need a cold winter to produce a good flower display. If you don't get really cold winters then you'll need to dig the bulbs up and "force" them into flower by putting them in the crisper section of your fridge for a few weeks next April.

Pest alert!

Use milk sprays for fungal problems by diluting some milk with water at a rate of one part milk and 6 parts water. Keep it up every couple of days until it's controlled. This is good for rust, black spot and mildews - in fact, try it on anything that's got spots on it, it cant hurt!!

Use seaweed solution to strengthen soft new growth, it won't be as easily affected by either pests or diseases.

Fruit fly becomes a problem from now on especially on tomatoes, capsicum and fruit and they're particularly hard to control organically. Use a combination of controls like lures to trap male flies as a first measure, then use splash baits if necessary on branches and leaves (not the fruit). Ask your nursery for the traps and baits available. Always keep the garden free of fallen fruits that harbour eggs and larvae, this way you'll help stop the reproduction cycle.

Make a boundary of sawdust, coffee grounds or eggshells to deep snails and slugs off garden beds.

Treat bean fly with pyrethrum if you have to but apply it at the end of the day when the bees have gone home so they won't be harmed by it. Dipel is great for tomato grubs too.

Fruit trees

Scale can attack citrus and ornamental plants so spray with white oil or pest oil to control it. It may take a few applications to penetrate the hard shell before you see any difference. Just make sure it's not a really hot day when you apply it or you could scorch the leaves.

Give your strawberries plenty of liquid feed now to keep up good supplies and vigorous new growth.

Don't overwater melons otherwise they'll be watery and tasteless.

Keep an eye on brown shrivelled fruit on stone fruit trees now and get rid of them in the garbage. Don't compost diseased or infested plant material. Give stone fruit good water and nutrients as the fruit develops and the tree puts on new growth. All next year's fruit will develop on this year's growth.

About the author: Toni Salter is the 'Veggie Lady'.
http://www.theveggielady.com/

Winterizing Tips for your Lawn and Garden

2006-12-06T14:57:00.000-05:00

Your outdoor plants have worked hard for you all summer, making your yard a place you're proud to call home. Properly winterizing your lawn and garden is an important step toward healthy soil, lush grass, and happy plants next year. Remember to take care of your outdoor accessories, including your lawn equipment, gardening tools, and all of your lawn and garden decor. A little time spent this autumn will make your gardening and landscaping efforts easier and more enjoyable next spring!

Let's start with the easy jobs - First remember to store all of your lawn and garden decor including fragile planters, gazing balls, and your deck furniture. Unglazed terra cotta planters left filled with soil outside will often break in the freezing temperatures so it is best to clean them and place them in a storage area where they are protected from the elements.

Autumn is the time to find your birdfeeders and to start stocking your winter feeding pantry. Soon your many feathered friends will be flocking to your feeders for that nutritious morsel. Remember to keep your feeders full through the winter as the birds need reliable food sources through the winter months.

Now that you've done the easy tasks, let's move on to the more mundane winterizing chores. Start by simply cleaning up the vegetable garden. After the first hard frost, remove the year's annual plants and the dead vegetation. You can add this material to your compost pile, but make sure you're not adding material from diseased or pest-infested plants. You'll want to pull perennial weeds before you mulch your garden down for the winter.

The best part of fall landscape chores is planting the spring-blooming bulbs. Crocus, tulips, and daffodils are a beautiful addition to the early spring landscape.

In the yard there's the major job of raking leaves. These are great either in the compost pile or as direct mulch on the garden. Perennial flowers may be smothered by a heavy layer of mulch, however. Also, wait to prune your trees until later in the winter.

After the ground freezes you can mulch your perennial flowers and newly planted trees. Certain shrubs will need to be wrapped in burlap to protect them from wind damage, sun scald, and other winter injury.

Moving on to the mechanical tasks of winterizing your lawn and garden - While you might try to procrastinate on these jobs until spring, you'll be well rewarded for the maintenance you perform this fall. Drain the gas from your lawnmower and string trimmer. Actually it's best to let your mowers and trimmers simply run out of fuel. If you don't want to waste that little bit of fuel, add a gas conditioner before the long winter. Be sure to follow directions. Also, take the same care with your gardening equipment such as your rotary tiller.

Clean all of your landscaping equipment before you store it away for the long, cold winter. Wash with soap and water, clean the air filter, and change the oil. You'll find that first lawn mowing job in the spring a little bit easier if you take time to sharpen the blades now. You can protect that freshly sharpened blade by applying a little spray oil to the blades. You can also apply light spray oil to other moving parts such as cables and the throttle controls.

Lastly, drain all of the water from the garden hoses and turn off the taps. Be sure to store your insecticides, herbicides, and fertilizers in a safe storage area that will not freeze. Make sure these materials are kept away from children and pets!

Copyright BestLawnandGarden.com, All Rights Reserved.

About the author: Cheryl Summer is a frequent contributor to Best Lawn and Garden.

The Secrets Of Winterizing Your Garden

2006-12-05T15:36:00.000-05:00

If you're like most people it isn't the thought of winterizing your garden that gets you, it's figuring out where to start. There's just so much to do that it can sometimes be hard to know where to begin!

Well, relax. The harvest is in and putting your garden to bed, so to speak, is one of the more fun parts of gardening. You have a nice full cellar and pantry. The hard work is done, and you can relish the idea of preparing for next year's garden.

Which is the perfect place to start winterizing your garden. One of the first things you should do is clean all the debris from your garden. Get rid of dead foliage, leaves, roots, stakes and row markers. The debris you clean from your garden can be added to your compost heap which will be a big help come spring. You want to be sure, though, not to add any diseased debris or pest infected dead leaves or stalks in your compost pile. You don't want to accidentally spread a disease from this year's garden to next year's.

And now that you're in cleaning mode, get out the rake and attack those fallen leaves scattered across your lawn. Why is it so important to remove leaves from your lawn? Because the grass underneath the leaves still needs all light it can get. Raking leaves from your lawn also lets adequate air and moisture get to living plants in your yard. After all, you don't want any of your lovely grass and plants to suffocate!

Winterizing your garden also means mulching. You want to spread a light layer of mulch, just a few inches of it, around your trees and shrubs. This helps keep the underground temperature more stable throughout the winter, as well as offers much-needed protection to roots underneath the surface. Careful, though, too much mulch will become a home for rodents, which is the last thing you want. Mice just love to chew on bark, so don't give them a place to hide while they munch away.

When winterizing your garden, you will also want to take the time to plan next year's vegetable garden. After ridding your vegetable garden plot of debris, old leaves and roots, plan where you want to put next year's vegetables. Take a pad with you out to the garden and make a sketch of where you want to put all your lovely vegetable plants in the spring. Doing this helps you make the most use of your garden area. No space goes unused if you take the time to plan--which means more delicious vegetables for you next summer and fall!

You'll also want to be sure you've taken proper care to winterize your garden equipment and tools. Drain the gas from your lawnmower's tank, weed eater and other garden equipment. You may also want to put the battery from the lawnmower and any other garden equipment into storage where it will remain at a steady, above-freezing temperature. This will help lengthen the life of the battery, which is good, because there's nothing worse than getting ready or needing to mow only to find your lawnmower battery is dead.

Take the time to put your tools and gardening utensils away for their long winter's nap too. Make sure they're stored where mice can't nibble on the handles (they like all kinds of wood, you know). Also make sure they're all cleaned before you store them away. And yes, please throw away any tools that are worn out and replace them or start dropping hints to your family and friends about tools and equipment you need for gardening. This not only gives your family ideas for holiday gifts, it ensures that you won't be all excited and ready to start next year's gardening only to have tools breaking on you left and right, leaving you frustrated and having to make extra trips to the local home improvement store.

Now that your garden tools are ready for winter, the next step in winterizing your garden is to hit the local bookstores (or favorite online gardening site!). Yes, you read that correctly. Once the work of winterizing your garden's behind you, it's time to curl up on the sofa in front of the fire with a lovely stack of gardening books beside you. Because the only thing that comes close to bringing you the same enjoyment that being in your garden does is being engrossed in a great book about gardening!

About the author: Scott J. Patterson is the owner of Wow Gardens Weekly, a newsletter filled with fr*e gardening tips and information. For weekly gardening advice and a fr*e rose gardening ebook, check-out the following link: http://www.wowgardens.com/wg.html

How to Care for Outdoor Water Fountains

2006-12-03T20:14:00.000-05:00

Garden lovers around the world love putting fountains among their flowers, plants, bushes and shrubs. And with the Christmas season upon us in the U.S., many garden lovers may get their very first fountain as a gift this year.

Fountains make wonderful gifts year round. They're beautiful to look at, and fit well with almost any landscape. They're also quite serene and have a wonderful calming effect. So if you're getting or giving an outdoor water fountain for a gift this year, here are a few caretaking tips you'll want to have on hand...

Many outdoor fountains are made of concrete, and concrete expands and contracts in cold weather. If at all possible, you should move your concrete fountain indoors for the winter.

If you're not able to move it indoors, check it frequently to see if there's water collecting in it. You should keep it completely dry during the winter months.

If your fountain will stay outdoors throughout the winter, you also need to remove the pump and store it indoors. Fill, wrap, or cover the fountain with blankets, burlap bags, tarp or other protective materials to help shield it from severe cold. Be sure you have the fountain covered entirely for maximum protection.

During warmer months, you'll want to clean debrise - leaves and twigs for example - from your fountain at least once each week. Take particular care to clear any debris from around the pump as well, so it doesn't clog.

Add a small touch of bleach or special algae removing solution to your fountain regularly, to keep the water clear and prevent residue or algae buildup around the sides. If your fountain is accessible to pets and animals: do not use bleach. Instead, be sure to use an animal friendly cleaner such as Microbe-Lift Fountain Clear (http://www.buy-outdoor-fountains.com/Microbe-Lift-Large-Fountain-Clear.php).

Following these simple maintenance tips will help keep your outdoor fountains in tip top, beautiful condition for many years to come.

About the Author

Fall for Outdoor Entertaining This Autumn

2006-12-03T19:25:00.000-05:00

Aaaah, autumn! It's the perfect time to entertain outdoors -- most of the bugs are gone, the sun isn't scorching even though it's warm enough to enjoy an afternoon or evening al fresco, and there's a bounty of good things to serve for an outdoor meal.

Because the days are shorter in the autumn, outdoor entertaining in the fall calls for special attention to lighting and temperature.

Lighting

The earlier sunset will afford you an ideal opportunity to bathe your outdoor space in evening lights. Use soft light, but use plenty of it. Try dozens of votive candles in jars and glasses to protect the flame from the wind, hurricane lamps, or kerosene lanterns set on low. Create cozy seating areas and equip each with a glowing light source.

Heating

The method you'll use to chase the chill from the night will vary depending on your climate and your outdoor space. If you have a yard (and community by-laws allow), a campfire is a wonderful informal party setting. In smaller gardens, consider self-contained fire pits or a chimenea.

For a more formal affair, you can install a propane-powered heater. These units are available in a range of heating powers and prices. Or, drape attractive throws or quilts on each chair for your guests to wrap around their shoulders to ward off the night air.

Of course, you'll want to take advantage of the wonderful colors and textures of autumn in your decorating scheme and table settings.

Color

Autumn's colors are deep and rich -- russet, crimson, burnt orange, gold, dark green, and the color of hay. Use these hues repeatedly in tablecloths and settings, flowers, centerpieces, and even the food. Scoop out pumpkins and other squash and fit them with containers of water to make vases. Mass potted mums in vivid colors. Use orange Chinese lanterns, bright rosehips, stems of red or orange berries, or chilies. Wrap vibrant maple or sumac leaves around votive candleholders or napkin rings. Sunflower heads can be strewn on the tabletop, or left on the flower stalks in a container.

Texture

The textures of fall are earthy and rustic. Especially play these up if your gathering is informal -- a corn roast, a bonfire, a jeans and sweater evening. Use burlap or rough cotton to cover your buffet table, and dish towels as napkins. Weigh down your tablecloth with apples or pears hung on rough twine. Or use rattan placemats and wicker baskets. Terracotta pot saucers make great paper plate holders.

If you're hosting a fancy sit-down outdoor dinner, use the subtler textures of hydrangea blossoms and colored leaves on a linen tablecloth. Try bringing your indoor dining table outdoors for the evening-it will add unexpected elegance to your setting. Paint gold lettering on small gourds to use as place cards. Grace your table with late-blooming roses in crystal vases.

Whether you hold a harvest hoedown or a stylish sit-down dinner party for eight, fall for outside entertaining this autumn!

About the author: Debbie Rodgers, the haven maven, owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Her latest how-to guide Attracting Butterflies to Your Home and Garden is now available on her web site. Visit her at http://www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space.

Captain Yard Goes Blogging!

2006-12-02T16:59:00.000-05:00

Captain Yard has started up a blog for updated gardening tips and product reviews. We will be updating our blog frequently so check back for more interesting tidbits brought to you by Captain Yard.