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Adding a Water Feature to Your Yard...

Posted by admin in Landscaping on November 14, 2009 | No Comments

If you feel that your backyard is lacking a certain something, a water feature might be just the thing to bring new life to your outdoors.  There are many different types of water features to consider, such as a pond or a waterfall.  Flowing or still water has a peaceful relaxing quality to it, and water features allow you to bring this natural beauty right into your own yard.  You may be thinking that the care and upkeep of a water feature may not be worth the hassle, but they are much less labor intensive as you may think.  By following a few simple guidelines and understanding how your water feature lives and breathes, you can enjoy this natural work of art for as long as you own your home.

Water fountains are considerably easier to deal with then a water garden.  Fountains must be regularly cleaned, but really require little upkeep.  If you want a successful water garden you will probably need to invest a little more time, especially when you’re first trying to get it established.  When creating a water garden, it is vital that you understand the relationships between the plants and animals coexisting in this environment.  If you want your water garden to thrive, you’ll need to take special care to choose the right fauna and flora.

Many new pond owners have problem with algae.  If you don’t want to be cleaning out your pond every few weeks, adding a few fish can greatly help as can floating plants which help to reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the algae.  Ensure you don’t have an excessive amount of chlorine in your water, especially if you have fish.  You may want to install a pump and/or a filter along with regularly checking the pH level of water (should be between six and eight).

If you’re having your pond installed for you, ask the professionals for advice on getting started.  If you are still unsure about where to start you can also buy one of several books which can guide you step-by-step through the process of creating your own water garden.  Once your pond is established you will likely find the upkeep to be quite minimal.

Many people find that adding a water feature to their yard can literally transform their entire surroundings.  Ponds, fountains, and waterfalls add a natural beauty and serenity to any outdoor area, no matter how small or modest.

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Building a Gazebo...

Posted by admin in Landscaping on September 18, 2009 | No Comments

Are you handy? Think you can build a gazebo from scratch? There are plenty of gazebo plans available free in libraries and online.  There are also blueprints available for fees ranging from $8 to $200. The more expensive gazebo plans are architectural blueprints, which are much more specific and best suited to the experienced contractor. But a talented home improvement buff can make good use of the less expensive options available.

A good free gazebo plan is available from the Build Eazy website. There you will find links to complete plans for 5 basic gazebos of varying sizes and styles to suit most tastes and uses. There plans are free.

There are several things to think about before starting to build a gazebo.  You will need some basic carpentry tools such as a level and a screw gun. You will also need a compound miter saw or sliding compound miter saw. These machines afford the angular cutting abilities you will need when fashioning the various sections of the gazebo. The sliding version is best for larger pieces of wood.

You can either bolt the gazebo to a concrete slab or pre-existing wood floor, or you can create the gazebo with a built-in floor. In the latter case, you will need to pour one concrete pier for each post. Contact your local building department to find out how deep the concrete piers should be, and whether there are any underground cables you should try to avoid.

Three kinds of woods are commonly used to build outdoor structures: pine, cedar, and redwood. Pine is the softest and easiest to work with, but it decomposes the fastest. Cedar and redwood are harder and more expensive, but age well.

Alternatively, you can build a metal or vinyl gazebo. But unless you have all the heavy machinery for fabricating the parts, you’ll need to buy a gazebo kit. These come in sections for you to assemble using the included hardware. A level and a screw gun are usually all that are needed. You might need help from a buddy, especially for the roof sections.

There are lots of options when it comes to building your own gazebo, and you don’t have to be a carpentry star to get really good results.  And just think, when you’re done building your gazebo, you can sit inside it and just enjoy the shade.

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Tips To Keep Teak Furniture Looking Its Best...

Posted by admin in Landscaping on September 8, 2009 | No Comments

To survive rain, wind and sun outdoor furniture has to be tough–and no material is as prized for its rugged beauty and legendary durability as teak.

Made to last for decades with absolutely no maintenance, upkeep is more a matter of personal preference than a requirement. While some people prefer the golden color of new teak, others prefer the distinguished silver-grey that teak becomes as it weathers.

Regardless of your preference, just a few steps will make sure your teak furniture stays in tip-top shape for decades. Here are a few tips from Jeremy Smith, president of Wood Classics, a U.S.-based teak furniture manufacturer:

• Make sure you have a top quality product to begin with. Pay attention to the wood quality and construction techniques used in the furniture, as this can affect furniture’s longevity.

• When looking at teak products, make sure they are really teak, not “teak-like” or “as good as teak.”

• Consider the grade of teak being used. First European Quality (FEQ) is the top grade without knots, cracks or pits.

• If you prefer the natural look of weathered teak, you can look forward to virtually no maintenance. If your furniture is left outside, you will want to clean off mildew, sap and pollen annually with Olympic® Deck Wash.

• If you prefer the original rich honey color of teak, there are several steps you can take to preserve this golden color. After thoroughly washing the teak you can treat it with specialized teak cleaners and restoration products. However, using these products is time-intensive. We usually recommend that our customers either allow the teak to age naturally, clean it with a deck wash or hire a professional teak maintenance service to apply the more specialized products.

• If you’re using the furniture indoors, consider finishing it to protect it from stains by sealing or varnishing it. Don’t use teak oil, varnishes or sealers on furniture if you’re using it outside, since this may cause it to turn black with mildew.

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