DIY, gardening, How to

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New Ideas for Coffee Grounds in Your Garden!

Coffee Grounds in Your Garden

Your garden is your haven and refuge, a place to escape the humdrum of everyday life. A gazebo or pergola in the garden can make it look stunning and also offers a place to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends. Make sure your garden oasis stays vibrant and alive by using something that you would normally discard – coffee grounds in your garden! Coffee grounds in your garden Here are some amazing ways to use coffee grounds in your garden and give your garden a much needed perk-me-up without resorting to chemicals.
  1. Make Your Compost More Nutrient Rich
Coffee grounds are filled with garden-friendly nutrients and properties. They contain nitrogen, lighten and loosen soil, attract earthworms and acts as a deterrent against garden pests. In addition, coffee grounds have a pH anywhere from neutral to acidic and this can prove to be a boon for soils that are alkaline.
  1. Fertilize Your Garden
As coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, you can fertilize your vegetable patch with them. They are an excellent natural fertilizer that replenishes the lost nitrogen in the soil. Sometimes, coffee grounds also contain a high volume of carbon and this too can work wonders with the soil.
  1. Give Acid-Loving Plants a Treat
If you grow tomatoes, azaleas and rhododendrons, they will thrive on coffee grounds. These plants love acidic soil and when you feed them with a coffee ground solution, they will give a better yield. Just soak the coffee grounds in plenty of water and the following morning use the solution to water your acid-loving plants. Coffee Grounds in Your Garden
  1. Show Some TLC to Roses
If you are a lover of roses, give your rose plants something to feel happy about. Feed them coffee grounds and watch them bloom in abundance. The neutral to acidic pH and nitrogen in the grounds are like a feast for roses.
  1. Make Organic Mulch
Use coffee grounds as an organic mulch. They will prevent weeds from growing, help the soil retain moisture and protect against soil erosion. Just make sure you put a fine layer of coffee grounds on the soil. If you do not, it will attract mold that could wreak havoc with your plants and garden.
  1. Keep Tabby at Bay
While cats are not really pests, they can threaten the birds and other wildlife in your garden and also leave behind a stinking mess. If you want to deter cats from getting comfortable in your garden, putting coffee grounds on the soil is a good way to keep them at bay and prevent them from digging up the soil or eating plants that could be potentially dangerous for them.
  1. Protect Your Plants from Fungi
Coffee grounds can protect your plants from fungal diseases, such as wilts and rots. According to some experts, coffee grounds have the ability to create their own type of fungus, which is extremely helpful to the common gardener. So, use the grounds in your garden and enjoy healthy and disease-free plants.
  1. Alter the Color of Your Hydrangea
As weird as it may sound, coffee grounds have the ability to change the color of hydrangeas. If the soil is alkaline, you will get pink blooms. However, most gardeners yearn for and desire blue blooms, which only grow in acidic soil. Add coffee grounds to the soil and watch a miracle happen – change in the color of your hydrangeas.
  1. Boost the Yield of Carrots
Just like coffee stimulates you, the grounds can stimulate carrots to increase their yield. When you plant carrot seeds in your vegetable patch, mix dried coffee ground with the seeds. Not only will the yield increase, you also will be able to protect the seedlings from pests.
  1. Keep Nasty Pests as Bay
There is nothing more disturbing and frustrating than finding pests gnawing away at your plants after all the hard work you have put in. Instead of using chemicals to keep away those creepy crawlies from your garden, use coffee grounds. Just place the grounds around the plants that are favored by snails and slugs. You also can put the grounds around ant holes to prevent them from invading your garden. That’s right, coffee grounds in your garden ward off bugs too!
  1. Give Your Vermicomposting a Nutrient Boost
Gardeners who vermicompost claim adding coffee grounds can give the compost a nice dose of nitrogen and other soil-friendly nutrients. However, there is a lot of debate over this addition. Anecdotal evidence shows adding a little bit of coffee grounds into the vermicomposting pit does not harm the worms. So go ahead and try it, give your compost an injection of nutrients like never before. Can coffee grounds paint your house? No, sorry, they cannot do that. Garden Coffee Grounds Now you know of some weird but helpful ways to enrich your garden soil using coffee grounds. Use these tips so that the next time you are sitting in your gazebo or pergola, you will feel thrilled at the vibrantly colored blossoms thriving and flourishing around your yard.
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backyard, DIY

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10 Tips to Improve Your Garden

improve your garden As soon as winter arrives, you should start thinking about your outdoor space and what you can do to improve your garden for better next year. This is the time to think about getting rid of old furniture and flower pots that have seen better days and what new plants and flowers will look best in your garden. Your outdoor space is an extension of your home, which is why you need to make sure that it looks picture-perfect. With the right tips, you can improve your garden and make sure that it looks breathtaking next year. Here are 10 things to do to improve your garden and give it a whole new look:

1. Decorate Your Boundaries

Now, the first thing to think about: how do your boundaries look? By looking out of your windows and considering what is out there, you can decide if your boundaries look good as they are or can be made to look more pleasing. If it is a boring old fence or wall, you can use imagination and give it a makeover with wood treatment or spraying it with some paint to give it a nice color.

2. Plan Your Garden Borders

This is another good time to start thinking about garden borders. Did you really think they looked good this summer or did you keep them around for sentimental reasons? If you are not sure, it is best to start anew and freshen up the soil and get in some new bulbs too. Look around for ideas on how to plant a garden border.

3. Prune Your Trees and Shrub

prune trees and shrubs You can create a new look for your garden without spending a fortune by pruning and training your trees and shrubs. Keep in mind that these plants should be compatible, so that the look you create has coherence. You should consider the options you have for seasonal changes such as color, leaf textures and shape, blossoming flowers as well as fruits and berries and then create the new look.

4. Choose Pots and Containers Carefully

Every garden needs pots and containers and make sure that you always choose big ones for yours. Plants need a lot of space for roots as well as water and wind stability. There are many options when it comes to pots and containers; you can go for galvanized ones or coopered wooden ones that have steel banks. Italian terracotta also looks great. High-quality pots and containers are worth the money you spend as they can last years.

5. Make a Veggie or Herb Beds

herb garden There is nothing like picking food from your own garden and it is quite easy to make veggie or herb table beds. They are also manageable and easy to move when you need to. Remember to use netting to protect your table beds. You may also consider building an outdoor kitchen. A pizza oven is a great option as it can also be used as a fireplace when you are not cooking.

6. Include Things for Wildlife

Birds, butterflies, squirrels, bees and other wildlife are always a part of gardens and there are many things on the market that will encourage these creatures to come to your garden. However, remember that there is nothing like a great design and clever planting to encourage wildlife. Birds, butterflies, bees, and other creatures, not only pretty up a garden, but also eliminate pests and do other good stuff for it.

7.Think About Surfaces

The surfaces in a garden play a role in how it looks, so it is important to think about them. It may be easy to get cheap concrete paving but getting good surface is important as it can alter the quality completely. Decking is a poignant option and you can also go for patterned concrete tiles or encaustic ones. Gravel is another top option, especially if you have uneven ground and want to avoid large amounts of leveling.

8. Create Beautiful Views

There are always parts of a garden that do not have a great view but you can create one by using a little imagination and creativity. Boundaries, as mentioned earlier, are connected to views. Do not try to block a bad view; it is a better idea to fade it out by using a few tricks. Consider a gauzy shrub like Genista aetnensis that can help soften and eliminate an ugly view or make a good one even more intense.

9.Add Structures

garden structure pergola A pergola or gazebo is a fantastic way to improve a garden and create a space where you can unwind after a long day. Such structures add beauty and purpose, so having one, even if it is not too big, is a great idea. Garden sheds too add a little something extra to a garden and you can find one at a DIY store, ready to be dressed up as you like.

10. Add a Pond or Fountain

Water is an essential in every garden and you need to make sure that you have it in your garden. A Japanese pond with stones of different sizes will look amazing. You can also make a little pool with an old washing-up bowl. Fountains add beauty while giving your garden the water, it always needs. It is important to make sure that your garden has water features, so think of a great way to get one that looks beautiful and works at the same time. It does not have to be a grueling task to improve your garden . A few simple ideas can help you obtain a wonderful garden that looks beautiful. With intelligent planning and a bit of creativity, you can have an outdoor space that you can be proud of.
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DIY, How to, sheds

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How to Build a Storage Shed

outdoor storage shed An overcrowded garage can make it difficult to park the cars your family owns. Moreover, it becomes difficult to locate tools, gardening equipment, and other items all stored together in the garage. Instead, you can build a storage shed that will contain the space to neatly organize gardening equipment and yard tools which will also increase the value of the property.

Constructing the Frame of your Outdoor Storage Shed

The first step to building a garden shed is to construct the frame. For this begin by clearing and leveling the ground where the shed is going to be placed. Now place cinder blocks at the four corners, four feet from each other. Next cut 4×4 pressure treated posts to the desired lengths making sure to cut the ends at a 45° angle. Place the posts over the cinder blocks and ensure that they are level using a 4-foot level or any size of level for that matter.

Construct the Deck of Your DIY Storage Shed

Once the frame is in place you need to construct the deck of your DIY storage shed. This comprises pressure treated 2×6 pieces that are set vertically on the frame. They should be attached to the frame using a framing nailer. Begin by installing the two nine foot side pieces. Now, place the two four foot side pieces next to each other and mark of the joist locations at 16’ intervals. Now you can secure the end pieces. The next step is to cut the 2’ (’) into 6’ joists to the right lengths and nailing them to the frame. After the joists are secured, lay the 5/4’ decking on top and secure the decking to the joists using a screw gun. The first decking edge should overhang the deck frame by half an inch. diy storage shed

Building the Walls of Your Storage Shed

To build the walls of your storage shed, lay the wall pieces – the top plate, bottom plate, and studs and use a nail gun to secure the pieces together. Use this method to construct all the wall panels. Build two narrower wall panels for the wall which will have the door.

Nailing the Walls of your Outdoor Storage Shed

Now nail each wall panel to the decking as well as to the adjacent wall panel. To ensure that the walls form a square, you need to use a framing square. On the side of the shed that will have the door, build two narrower wall panels and strengthen them using 2x4s.

Strengthening the Framing

Once you have installed all the walls, you need to strengthen the framings. For this nail 2x4s across the walls at the top such that they will form a double top plate.

Exterior Siding for Your DIY Storage Shed

Once the wall frames are strengthened, you are ready to hand the exterior siding. Just hang the 4ˈx8ˈ OSB sheets on the outside of the storage shed to form the siding.

How to Build a Shed Roof

The next step is to add the roof to the shed. Cut 2×6 boards for the roof rafters and fix them to the headers. The roof rafters are attached using OSB cleats. Now add 1×6 strips on top of the rafters so that the rafters will be tied together and provide support to the corrugated roof. The roofing sheets should be nailed to the rafters using self sealing nails and washers that have been designed for this use.

Adding Shed Windows

Now that the roof has been fixed, you can cut the walls to locate the shed windows and recessed storage boxes. When cutting the walls you need to make sure that the studs are not damaged. Now you can fix the doors for the windows and the main entrance as well as the storage cubbies you have cut out. You can also add a potting bench to your storage shed to make gardening easier. The doors should be made from 3.4’ plywood, while the doors for the storage cubbies can be made from 1.2’ plywood. Depending on your interest you can paint the interior of the shed in contrasting colors to mark the storage cubbies.

Vinyl Siding for Your Storage Shed

vinyl siding storage shed You are now ready to add vinyl siding to the exterior of the shed. Begin applying the siding from the edges with the decorative trim and work your way to the center.

Adding Ramp to the Outdoor Shed

The final touch for the garden shed can be ramp at the front entrance. This will enable you to easily move mowers and wheelbarrows into the shed.

DIY Storage Shed

A DIY storage shed is a fairly simple project that can help move a lot of essential yard tools and gardening equipment away from or outside of the garage. Apart from freeing up garage space, this shed will help you to properly organize and store all gardening supplies and tools in a single place that is easy to access from the garden. With a cutting saw, nailing gun, and the right types of wood, a diy storage shed should be easy to construct and you will have bragging rights over your neighbors for years.
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DIY Outdoor Projects that You Can Complete in Less than One Hour

DIY outdoor projects If you have an outdoor space and you don’t know what to do with it, we may have a few answers that will totally blow your mind. These amazing DIY outdoor projects don’t need a whole lot of time or money to set up, and the best part is that your outdoor space will be completely transformed. Here are ten of the best one-hour long DIY outdoor projects to turn your outdoor space into an area that is sure to impress.

DIY Indoor Vertical Garden

You don’t need acres of land to create a green space for your living area. If you have a bit of sun exposure and a little area to spare, you are good to go. In fact, why not use some everyday items as the starting point for your indoor vertical garden? If you have an old canvas shoe organizer, that will work perfectly to transform itself into a DIY indoor vertical herb garden. Hang it up in a place that receives some sunlight during the day and plant some of your favorite herbs like oregano, chives, rosemary, and so on. You can even add a rustic charm to your garden by installing a hydroponic watering system. A wooden pallet to create your vertical garden and grow plants like citronella, which works well to eliminate those pesky mosquitoes.

How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes

Speaking of pests, they can truly ruin an evening spent outdoors, especially those annoying mosquitoes we spoke about. If a vertical citronella garden doesn’t do it for you, why not try making your very own citronella candles to get rid of mosquitoes? How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes You could even take an empty wine bottle and transform it into a pest-busting torch. Of course, a simple way to get rid of bugs of all shapes and sizes is to plug in a table fan.

Play Music Outside

Your outdoor space is where you chill out, unwind, and relax. Maybe you have a pool to splash around, a Jacuzzi to laze around in, or a barbecue pit to cook some delicious treats. Either way, entertaining guests in your outdoor space would be incomplete without sterling music. You can choose to build audio components into an outdoor table or use Plex to stream music to your mobile phone. Don’t forget to hook your phone up to a set of outdoor or portable speakers to amplify the sound. And if that is not unique enough for you, you could even make a set of floating waterproof speakers!

DIY Outdoor Movie Theatre

Who needs Dolby Digital when you have a backyard? This DIY project will not take more than an hour to do and costs under $10. All you need is a portable projector screen, which you can use both outdoors and indoors and get ready for a movie experience unlike anything you have ever witnessed before!

Outdoor Yard Games for Adults and Kids

Love Jenga and other such addictive games? Now, you can use your outdoor space to set up life-size versions of some of your favorite games! Is there anything better? Outdoor Yard Games

DIY Outdoor Oven

You don’t have to make do with just your barbecue pit for an authentic outdoor cooking experience. A DIY outdoor oven can be handy and be used to whip up so many amazing treats. All you need is a metal bucket, a few terracotta pots and a little sand, and you have a reasonably priced tandoor, which you can use to make soft, fluffy flatbreads, and delicious naans. Some cardboard can even be used to make a solar oven which works just as well.

DIY Smoker

If you love meats with that wonderful smoky flavor, you don’t have to spend tons of cash to buy it. You can make it yourself! All you need is a few old flower pots. You could even turn your old grill into a cold smoker.

DIY Outdoor Canopy

You don’t need to make a large hole in your pocket to be able to afford a fancy outdoor canopy that is aesthetic and weather-resistant. All you need for your DIY outdoor canopy are four poles, a drop cloth and you are ready to go! The drop cloth is weather-proof and protects your guests from any sudden, unexpected weather. Setting up this canopy is quick, easy, and super cheap.

DIY Mason Jar Outdoor Lights

Nothing looks more beautiful than flickering amber lights in an outdoor area. Again, mood lighting doesn’t have to come to you at a premium. All you need for DIY mason jar outdoor lights are a few old mason jars, some battery-powered LED garden lights and you’re all set!

DIY Mini Fire Pit or Flaming Bowl

There’s nothing that draws attention more than a mini fire pit or a set of flaming rock bowls. These are eye-catching pieces that will invigorate pretty much any deck or patio.
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DIY, sheds

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Of “She Sheds” and “Ma-am Caves”

She Shed Man caves are passé. The fairer sex now are getting their creative juices going to design their own personal spaces. Apparently the inside of the entire home was not enough! After all and furthermore, it’s not only the men who need the peace and quiet of a retreat. Fueled by the popular interest generated on Pinterest women all over are excited by the idea of a “she shed”. It’s the perfect place to get away from the drill of daily chores and family responsibilities. A little time out helps to recharge your batteries, clear your mind, and boost that motivation before getting back to the grind. Your backyard shed need not be a just old room that you generally use for storage anymore. “She sheds” are a fantastic reflection of your personality. Your imagination is the limit to create a place that defines you. There are endless ways to let out your girly decorating fantasies that you couldn’t fulfill in your house. It’s not about running away from anything, everyone needs time for themselves and women running a family hardly have any time or space of their own. The basic idea is that no one except you is allowed in. Some women find that having this little hideout helps them emotionally and gives them a sense of stability and control. It’s no surprise as it provides an opportunity to pursue their interests. It’s a fantastic thing in a world where so many compromises are made by women for the sake of family.

What You can do in Your She Shed/Ma-Am Cave

Use your imagination to convert it into your perfect getaway. If you are artistically inclined or you work from home or take up projects, you can use it as a place to focus and get into the zone. If you are a painter you can use it to make a gallery of sorts and house all your artwork as well as use it as a painting space. Stock it with books if you are a bookworm and escape into the literary world. Some people have chosen to use their backyard sheds as eateries and pubs. It’s also a fantastic place to just chill out with a cup of tea, or some wine if you prefer, and unwind. A rendezvous with your old girlfriends can be so much fun here. Some women just use it as a place to find peace, meditate on the questions of life, and find their old selves. What you use your shed for is totally your choice. The best part is that you have your retreat a stone’s throw away. She-Shed-conversion

Use Your Imagination

Always wanted to decorate your room in pink and lace but found it too girly for the tastes of your family? If you are a DIY aficionado then you will love doing up your shed. Freedom to decorate is completely unhindered. Paint it white for a Victorian look, personalize it with memories from your past, reuse and give new life to old unused furniture. This is this perfect opportunity to go green and recycle all those odd things lying around. Love gardening? Cover it with flowering creepers, put pots of flowers on the window sill, and make a nice walkway leading to it. Paint the walls, hang lanterns, and wind chimes, light it up with some soft golden lighting. The whole idea is to let yourself loose and create a blissful haven for yourself. Think your old shed is too worn out? Think again. Old sheds are brilliant chance to bring out that rustic look. All it needs is a little sprucing up. Install large windows and paint them white. Plant some bright tulips or the like around it. Build a sit-out and hang out some lamps. Have a bird bath. If you need any ideas, take inspiration from what other people have done but toss in some of your own ideas as well.

Getting Started

You are lucky if you already have a backyard shed. Now all you need to do is to set it up to your liking. Giving it a fresh coat of paint is what makes it come alive again. Decide what you would like to do with the space and have a wonderful time decorating it. You can always build your own backyard shed. There are a lot of DIY shed options available. Your shed need not be made only out of wood. Having a glamping tent is a sterling low cost alternative to the shed if your budget is tight.

Happy Times

These sheds make a magnificent place to host an outdoor party from. It provides the perfect ambiance for birthdays, anniversaries, and family gatherings. It’s a majestic place to enjoy your garden from as well too. Spend evenings here watching the rain with some biscuits and tea or just staring out of the window. Make it your own happy place. Sort of like those magical places we always read about. “She sheds” are not really meant as a response to man caves. It just fulfills a very real need for women to tune out of the stress of everyday life.
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How to Create a Kid-Friendly Backyard

how-to-create-a-kid-friendly-backyardWhen you have kids, you want to ensure they spend sufficient time outdoors to exercise and expend surplus energy. Your backyard can turn into a thrilling and fun adventure for your kids if you incorporate the right elements. Of course, you can do this without disturbing your flowerbeds or landscaping. There are simple and affordable ways to make your backyard kid-friendly.

Jungle Exploration

Plant tall grasses and weeping trees in one corner of your backyard. Lay stepping stones to create a winding pathway through this “jungle” where kids can let their imagination run wild. You can even plant giant sunflowers and place a large boulder for your kids to climb on. This inviting and fun jungle will definitely get your kids outdoors, away from their computers and TVs. This can also create some hiding spots for dangerous critters so you keep the grass short and the plants to a minimum.

Scribbling Area

Screw a large outdoor chalkboard to your fence and you are done. That way, you can easily let the kids use the chalkboard to scribble and draw. If you’ve ever tried to remove chalk from cedar fencing, you know it can be a pain. This way, your fence will not be sullied with their artwork and the kids will still have a place to get their creativity out.

Bring the Beach to Your Backyard

It can be fun to recreate the beach in your backyard. Instead of going for the ubiquitous sandpit, dig a shallow undulating pit in your backyard. Cover it with landscaping plastic and then fill it with sand. Even out the sand and in the middle place bricks to make a bonfire in the evenings. It will be a place for the kids to roast their marshmallows in the evening while you sit on your bench and sip a glass of wine or some iced tea.

Haven for Creatures

haven-for-creaturesKids are fascinated with those colorful butterflies, bees, squirrels and birds. They can spend hours looking at them and laughing at their antics. So, make your garden creature-friendly by planting colorful flowers and hanging a birdfeed to a tree branch. You can easily use a terracotta flat-bottomed container and use jute ropes to hang it securely to a branch to create a homemade birdfeed. Then watch your kids improve their power of observation!

A Place to Rest and Recoup

After all the running around, exploration and playing, kids need a shaded area to catch their breath, sip a cool glass of lemonade and get their energy back. You can easily install a gazebo. No, you don’t have to spend a lot of money. Just press the button for a DIY gazebo kit. It is affordable and comes with precut pieces that you can join to erect the most beautiful cedar gazebo. If you like, you can even go in for a three-season or all-season DIY gazebo kit. This way, the gazebo can be used by your kids and you even when the weather outdoors is cold. Place outdoor comfortable outdoor furniture in the gazebo and a few potted plants and you will have a wonderful sanctuary to rest and rejuvenate. gazebo-kit

Bring Out the Beethoven in Your Kids

Music can make you feel happy and also let you be creative. Encourage this in your kids by creating a music wall in your backyard. Use a portion of your fence and fix pots, pans, xylophone, and wind chimes that kids can use to make sweet (and sometimes not so sweet) music.

A Marvelous Way to Push Kids to Eat their Veggies

All parents know what an ordeal it is to get kids to eat their vegetables. But this could be a thing of the past if you teach your kids to grow their own vegetables. Designate a patch in the garden for your kids to grow the veggies they like. Help them with the sowing, caring, and watering and watch the delight on their faces when they see first veggie appearing. Pick easy vegetables that require minimal care and maintenance and also ones that grow quickly.

Fun Splash Area

Forget those expensive splash pads that you get in stores. You can create your own for a fraction of the price. Lay out a tarpaulin in the middle of your backyard and wet it with the garden sprinkler and your splash pad is ready. Just be around to supervise the kids, so that they don’t fall and hurt themselves.

Swinging for the Skies

If you have kids, you definitely need to have a swing in your backyard. Use an old car tire to make a swing. It will upcycle the tire and also serve the purpose. Alternatively, you can saw off the legs of an old chair and use it to create a swing with armrests and backrest. Paint the chair in colorful oil paint to make it attractive and vibrant. Just make sure the swing is securely tied to tree branch and is sturdy enough to take the weight of your kids. These are some ways to make your backyard kid-friendly and these ideas quite inexpensive. So, even if you are on a tight budget, you can still get your kids moving and being physically active regardless of the weather outdoors. And off those machines!
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backyard, DIY, outdoor living

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Landscaping Ideas for Small Backyards

Landscaping-Ideas-for-Small-Backyards Is your small backyard causing you planning problems? Not sure how to make the most of the space? If you have a small backyard, you may be wondering how to design your garden and still have enough space for kids and friends. You needn’t worry. There are many ways to enjoy nature and the great outdoors, even if you have a small backyard. With well-arranged flowers, decorative pottery, and small shaded areas for entertaining, you can transform your small, cluttered yard into a beautiful oasis.

Small Backyard Plans for Simple Living

People today are leading busy lives. This hardly leaves time for things we enjoy. So people are choosing an avenue towards simple living. Taking this concept a little further, and set the stage for simple planting. This basically means not cluttering up your small backyard. Instead, space out the tree and shrubs in such a way that there is still sufficient space to move around and create a haven that becomes your escape for privacy, quiet, and tranquility when you want it. Moreover, when deciding your small backyard, be sure to pay attention to the type of shrubs, trees, and flowers you want in your garden. Take into account, their growth pattern, as it could crowd your backyard and make it appear even smaller than what it is. Remember the maxim – less is more in this case.

Small Backyard Landscaping

Before you start landscaping the backyard, check it out from all angles. Write down the features you want to get rid of and the ones you want to showcase. Here, you also need to take into consideration the architecture of your home, so that you plant shrubs and flowers that complement the style and design. Small-Backyard-Landscaping Remember a small backyard requires more formal gardening than a sprawling one, as you are dealing with limited space. This lets you maximize the usage of space and still have sufficient space for entertaining and relaxing. You can go with a classic look, and fence your small backyard, so that you can get the privacy you need and also use the area along the fence to create flowerbeds for vibrant flowering plants.

Small Yard Ideas and Themes

There are many themes that are ideal for small backyards and you can use them to recreate a garden to your vision. Here are some themes to get your creative juices going:

Tropical Getaway

Use the space along the fence to plant bananas and heliconias. Along the wall of the main house, erect a trellis and let vines climb up. Get a small water fountain for the side to add a water element. The musical sound of the water will relax you and ease away the rigors of modern life.

Relaxing Backyard

Even if you have a small backyard, you can still install a pergola. Get a customized DIY pergola kit that comes with precut parts and all the hardware and instructions you require to set it up. This is perfect for homes that want to have a place for entertaining without using up precious space to installing an outdoor patio. Select a customized DIY pergola kit that uses Western Red Cedar, as this wood is durable, gorgeous to look at, and naturally repels pests. Once the pergola is up, you can decorate it with flowering pots, have a portable barbecue and a few cushions and pillows where you can sit and relax. You can paint the pots with glow-in-the-dark paint and get the illumination you seek. Alternatively, place many candle stands and use candles to create a romantic ambience.

Romantic Backyard

Install a hot tub under a Red Cedar gazebo. Make sure you have a privacy fence around the backyard. Plant hibiscus, passion flower, and other sweet-smelling flowers around the gazebo for that romantic feel. Use tiki torches to light up the backyard in the evenings. You don’t have to install the gazebo from scratch. Just invest in a DIY gazebo kit designed for hot tubs and you are done. It will take you just a couple of hours with a helper to get the gazebo up and over your hot tub.

Family-Friendly Backyard

If you have kids and an active family life, such as barbecues, you should choose a pergola with a retractable canopy. This way, you can enjoy your garden, even when the weather is not your best friend. Use this space to add a portable barbecue, music system, and a few strategically placed outdoor furniture pieces to ensure adequate seating. Focus on planting perennials in flowerbeds to enjoy vibrant colors and a relaxing fragrance. A small backyard actually gives you many opportunities to showcase your taste and personality. It hardly takes a couple of weekends to get the landscaping done and you will be able to enjoy your handiwork for years to come. Use these tips to make your small backyard into a haven where you can create outstanding memories and increase the value of your property simultaneously.
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backyard, DIY, How to, outdoor living

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How to Keep a Lawn Fresh and Green

How to keep a lawn fresh and green Lawns are part of your social heritage; and most of you have probably inherited lawn-care ideas and how to’s from your predecessors, or your knowledgeable family members. You rarely let your gardener or lawn caretaker give you guidance on how to take care of your lawn. Interestingly enough—back in the 50’s, chemical pesticides were generously used—so much so that the “legacy of overusing chemicals in lawns” led to legislation. In the United States, though a large number of chemical pesticides are still in use,  American citizens are gradually becoming concerned about the negative impact of chemicals on their environmental eco-system and are learning the keep their lawns fresh and green using greener methods. Good lawn-care practice constitutes regular mowing, watering, feeding, and fertilizing. If the soil content is carefully monitored, then automatically the health of your lawn will improve and naturally resist weeds and pests. You will rarely come across pest or weed problems in a well-soiled, watered, fertilized, or properly mowed lawn. Watering  During the summer, water the lawn more frequently than during the winter. This is obvious but there is a reason for stating this simple fact. Overwatering can easily lead to rotting roots, so be careful about how frequently you water the lawn. A little under-watering can lead to temporary browning of grass during the summer months, but the grass will quickly recover once it starts raining again. If you have just planted new grass, then you may have to water the lawn on a regular basis such as once a week. A prudent way to keep the grass moist at all times is to use a water sprinkler a few times a week or set up a water system which will require a landscaper to complete this project. It is up to you how much you want to invest in your lawn. Everyone is in their own financial situation. Aerating Aerate when the soil is moist, usually after a rain or after you have watered the lawn. You will usually aerate when the grass is growing. Aerating enables loosening of the soil and, and prevents thatch buildup. You should never aerate when the soil is dry and hard, because the aerators will not penetrate the soil layers properly. You can aerate any time between spring and autumn. Feeding or fertilizing Feeding the soil is directly related to the soil condition in your lawn. You can incorporate the help of a professional to determine how much soil feed or fertilizer you need for the lawn at any point of time. Also, depending on your geographical location, certain types of fertilizers will be more effective, which a professional can help you select from a lawn care business. Additionally, if you leave the grass clippings on the soil on a schedule, then that will help to enrich the nutrients of the soil. You will also have to use a fertilizer—minimally once a year or more when necessary. Typically, summer and spring soil feeds are very high in nitrogen for growth of the grass. Remember to manually water your lawn within three days’ of feeding if it does not rain. Mowing Throughout the year except winter, you can mow the lawn whenever the grass grows high. Depending on the type of grass you have planted, and depending on the soil and weather condition, the grass on your lawn will grow at its own pace. You have to keep an eye on its growth and come out with a regimen for lawn mowing, based on the needs of your lawn. During the spring, you may have to mow more frequently since this is when plant life springs upward and outward. While mowing, use some container to collect all the clippings for composting. From summer to autumn, the growth rate of the grass varies widely, so the lawn mowing schedule will have to be adjusted accordingly. Once a week is usually pretty good. Weeding Options Generally, you will need to have the soil’s pH checked to determine when to start weeding. The normal rule of thumb is the more acidic the soil, the greater the chance of weed growth. You can use any standard weed killer product to maintain your lawn from the summer to autumn. In the winter, you can deploy some calcium nutrients to check the weed growth. You can also engage a gardener to manually uproot weed or fungus during the winter months. You could also just hire a neighborhood kid to complete some of these tasks. Seasonal care In the summer, increase your mowing frequency to keep the grass looking neatly trimmed. Very hot and dry weather can affect the growth and health of the grass. In autumn, the rate of growth will gradually decrease. You may need to mow only once a fortnight (every other week) during this time. Better if you trim the edges to keep the lawn looking properly trimmed. In the winter, do not feed the grass since that may lead to premature growth and destruction of the lawn in severe cold weather. In the spring, the grass will automatically start growing again. Allow the lawn to recover after the winter, and then begin to employ a trimmer or a lawn mower about once or twice in a two week span.
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backyard, DIY, How to, outdoor living

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Backyard DIY Projects for the Backyard Entertainer

Backyard DIY projects for the backyard entertainer If you cannot afford that dream deck or grand cedar gazebo or in-ground pool, there are still ways to create a backyard to keep you and your guests entertained. Hang solar lamps from tree branches Remove the light bulbs from your old chandelier with cheap solar lights and hang them from a tree branch in the backyard. You will have spectacular outdoor lighting without the need for having to run power to the lights. Stuff suet feeder with yarn You can place scraps of yarn in a suet feeder and birds will use them to make their nests. For this you will need a cheap bird suet feeder and scrap yarn cut into lengths of 4-8 inches. Stuff the scraps in the suet feeder and you have created an ideal nesting place for all the birds in your area. People have been doing this for years while you can imagine the joy of seeing a strand of yarn meticulously woven into a nest. Wind chime from old keys and acrylic paint For this you would need old keys, drift wood or stick, string or fishing line and acrylic paint. Paint the keys and string. Tie a string at either ends of the stick to hang it with. Tie a string to the painted keys and the other end of this string should help the key to remain suspended from the stick. Do it for all the sticks.  All keys should be closely suspended from the stick so that they chime when the wind blows. Each time the wind blows you are guaranteed to hear different soothing sounds. Splash pad made out of tarp While the sun continues to beat down with intensity during the summer, it is wise to find ways to stay outdoors rather than be confined to indoors. It is usual to turn on the sprinkler and let the boys cool down and have some fun, but you would also want your girls to enjoy it. Try using a clean, unused tarp from the garage for your slip and slide. Spread it out in the backyard, put a hop-scotch sprinkler mat and you have a large area for the kids to hop, skip and splash around in. The water remains on the tarp and becomes a sort of slip n slide for the children while you get to sit on the tarp with and stay cool with all that water under your feet. Pool noodles for kickball croquet Kids are so fidgety, you better find something to keep them entertained when they are at home to avoid them getting into trouble. Pool noodles could be just what you need. Cut pool noodles into half down the middle so that each pool noodle is sufficient to make two arches. These can be held in place on the lawn using garden stakes. Just collect a few kick balls and kick it through the course in croquet fashion. The first one to knock or transition their ball to the finish wins. Backyard movie theatre For this you will need a DVD player, a projector, speakers, a large surface to project on, and of course, popcorn. You can have the theatre in the backyard if you have access to power and sufficient physical space. Usually, you will want enough room to place the screen and provide enough space to stage a seating area. Also bear in mind that you need space for things other than people. With a projector, speakers, and DVD player, it is certain that you will need to find room for tables and other such knick-knacks. A worthwhile tip would be to free up a surge projector since the audio/video gear will require lot of power. You can always run the surge projector using an extension cord. You can bury this cord or cover it with white plastic chord piping. You may want to have a fly swatter out there too, perhaps more than one of them. Also, a mosquito killer or some poison could help you enjoy the times watching sports and so on outside as well. Backyard scrabble How does a five foot square scrabble board in your very own backyard sound? This can be made with a wooden frame and concrete poured into 3¾-inch squares separated by ¼-inch joints. After the concrete has been cured for a month, you can start painting the squares. Then make 100 3¼-inch square letter tiles from baseboard trim. Buy pre-cut, adhesive-backed vinyl letters and numbers at a sign shop, paste them to the tiles and seal each one with spray lacquer. Preserved in a canvas bag, the lightweight letters fit on metal trays which can be purchased from a metal artist. On summer evenings, games go on late into the night and you will be surprised to find better and newer words strike you in the outdoors rather than the indoors. Human perception based on a person’s surroundings is fascinating.
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backyard, DIY, How to, outdoor living, playhouse kits

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How to Maximize Your Backyard Space for Play

How to Maximize your Backyard Space for Play Research states that children love to play outdoors and they should play outdoors as well when they can, and preferably, in natural surroundings. Children also show a marked fondness for natural creations like flowers, plants, animals, or insects when selecting play mates! Thus, natural spaces like back yards have tremendous potential for offering a suitable playground for children. Researchers White and Stoeklin believe that given an opportunity, children would design play grounds in open, outdoor spaces—richly decorated with plants, flowers, a small pond, fish, turtles, birds, or whatever else their wild imagination would include. So, now you may explore how you can free up some space in your crowded backyard to provide a play area for your children. This article will not only provide you tips on freeing up space in your back yard, but also some marvelous design ideas for building an attractive play area for your children. Cut off trees or bushes If your back yard has too many trees or bushes, this is definitely the time to clear them out. An open, green lawn with a shed on one portion of the yard may be more amenable to designing a play area. You can redesign your yard by cutting off long trees or bushes, planting multi-colored, flowering plants, and trimming your grass. This will not only free up space, but also create a clean, clutter-free look for children to enjoy. Clear rotting plants or weeds As you review the ground in your back yard, you have to ensure that all the rotting plants or are cleaned out to recoup space to build the play area. Unless your ground is maintained well, you cannot design a flower garden or a pond. Research states that children are easily attracted to bright, open, colorful spaces—so ideas of a flower garden, a fountain, or a sand box may be right on. Remove odds and ends In most families—odds and ends such as toys, broken bicycles, lawn mower, gardening tools—fill up much of the space in the back yard. You may have to identify all such odds and ends, and remove them to an attic, to a basement, or to a closet to make space in your back yard. You could also take items that do not work and that could be a hazard to the dump or to a recycling operation. After removing all the unnecessary items, you will regain some free space in your back yard. Place foldable furniture This is another poignant idea for freeing up outdoor space. Although wood is the popular choice of furniture in back yards, you may want to replace them with foldable, plastic furniture. This way, whenever the furniture is lying unused, they can be folded and tucked away in the covered plastic shed for storage. If you manage to discover foldable, outdoor furniture in another material, you are free to choose that rather than plastic outdoor furniture. The idea is to create free space. Enlist the support of children Now that you have created space for the children’s play area in your back yard, involve the children in your household to complete the next few steps. Your children, with their natural creativity, are ideally suited to provide you with some awesome design ideas or tips for building a functional and attractive play area. If you are planning to go ahead with the next designing steps, encourage the children to voice their ideas at this stage. The best ideas, as you know, are always born out of collaboration. Create a shed  Once you have the necessary amount of space for a play area in your back yard, the next step may be to build a shed. A plastic shed is practical and suitable, but you may select another material such as western red cedar to build the shed out of. A shed comes in handy for storing stuff. At other times, children can even use the furniture in the shed to relax or play board games as the long as the furniture includes a table. Multi-level beds or steps One unique design philosophy that rules outdoor play areas for children is “multi-level platform.” These ideas can take the shape of multi-level flower beds, multi-level sitting areas, or simple steps to enchant small children. So depending on your available back yard design and available budget, you may think of creating some steps around a small pond or a two-level concrete platform for sitting and playing with nature’s creations. Install hardware for play area Once you have all those ready, now you can carefully select a special area, and install some hardware items to add to the functionality of the play area. Most surveys on children prove that children have a fascination for water and sand; so you can certainly add a pond, or a fountain, or even a sandbox. You can add animals, birds, insects, or whatever else you think your children would love to play with. If your ground is ready for hardware installation, you can think of installing a swing, or a seesaw. Children should have more alternatives than just video games to play with.
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