One way you can protect your floors is by spraying the bottom of your patio furniture with paint. You lay a chair or table [...]]]> How to Prevent Wrought Iron Furniture from Staining Patios and Decks

The rust from wrought iron patio furniture feet can stain wood decks and concrete patios. But there are ways to prevent staining.

Paint

One way you can protect your floors is by spraying the bottom of your patio furniture with paint. You lay a chair or table on its side and spray a clear coat vinyl spray or clear coat epoxy paint on the furniture feet. Once the paint is dry, lay the furniture upright, and you should have protection from the iron leaking rust onto the floor.

Floor Protectors

You can also try floor protectors.

Chair and table glides are rubber floor protectors that prevent rust on decks and patios and can also prevent wobbling from unbalanced furniture legs. You place the furniture guides at the bottom of chair or table feet with screws or adhesive.

Another method you can try is to place plastic floor protectors called Patio Table Tips under the feet of wrought iron furniture. You would simply lift up a chair or table leg, place the plastic cup underneath, and then set the furniture back down on top of the cup.

Perfect Patios and Decks

You probably use floor savers under your potted plants, and you can also use floor savers under your furniture. When you move your patio furniture and plants, you’ll still have a perfect patio or wood deck underneath.

If you want a serenity garden with a spiritual retreat theme, here are a few suggestions for a winning design. The [...]]]> A patio garden does not need to be big to be beautiful. Even patio gardens of  5’ x 10 ‘ or less can have a grand design. The secret is to design with a theme.

If you want a serenity garden with a spiritual retreat theme, here are a few suggestions for a winning design. The following steps outline the main elements of a serenity garden which offers flexible choices of plants and material.

1. Choose a spot to be your focal point and make it your area of retreat and reflection:

Place a small set of patio table and chairs there; a round table with two to four small chairs made of wrought iron material or all-weather wicker will provide rest, serve as an attractive reading and reflection area; a simple bench made of stone or wood can serve the same purpose if you have less space.

2.  Near this seating area add a small fountain:

This fountain, which you can buy from a garden shop, can be functional or purely decorative in design. It needs to add to the sense of being quiet and joyful. Examples of a fountain design: a fountain stand with a leaping fish at the top, a small cascade with layered rocks, a simple bird bath, etc.

3.  Choose a corner near this focal spot to cultivate your favorite plants:

If it’s a sunny location, plant a perennial variety of ornamental grass such as cloud nine prairie grass or fountain grass. If it’s a semi-shady location, plant a tall variety of hosta or an azalea bush. You can also grow winter bamboo in a large container at this corner.

4.  Establish an inviting walk path from the doorway to your retreat corner:

This pathway doesn’t need to be very wide; it just needs to be safe. Use natural material such as bricks, larger pebbles, or random shaped stone slabs to pave the walkway. Make sure the ground is leveled and the surface is not slippery. This path can have a gently curved shape for a soft look as long as it’s comfortable to walk on.  

5.  Along the sides of this walk path you can play with many options:

Grow long-blooming flowers like marigolds, begonia, or lush evergreens and ferns. Grow edible plants such as chives, basil, rosemary, or other herbs. If you have room for a tree, plant a Chinese pine, a Japanese maple, or a magnolia bush. If you have a fence, you can grow climbing vines like morning glory or honeysuckle. A climbing cherry tomato plant can add delight to the eye as well as the guest table.

Now you have achieved a serenity look for your garden of spiritual retreat. It offers you options of a delightful ingredient in edible plants. It provides you with a restful atmosphere in a textured landscape design.

By C. Spring Stillman

In any recipe calling for herbs, use fresh herbs. Preparing the herbs for your dish is easy. The more tender herbs like mint, parsley, basil and cilantro can be gathered in a bowl and snipped with scissors. This is [...]]]> How To Grow And Handle Fresh Herbs From Your Garden Beds Or Your Container Garden

By: Mary Hanna

In any recipe calling for herbs, use fresh herbs. Preparing the herbs for your dish is easy. The more tender herbs like mint, parsley, basil and cilantro can be gathered in a bowl and snipped with scissors. This is the fastest and safest way to chop the herbs. If your recipe calls for the more hardy herbs like oregano, rosemary, or thyme you should use the stripping method. Hold a branch of the herb upright in your fingers and run the fingers of your other hand down the stalk stripping the tiny leaves free. The flavor will be more intense if you have gathered the herbs from your herb gardens or container gardens because they will be absolutely the freshest herbs available.

The best way to have fresh herbs is to plant and grow them yourself. No longer is there a designated “herb garden”. They can be found in your flower beds, along walkways or in pots on your porch. Many ambitious gardeners are finding new ways to incorporate herbs into their garden beds and their container gardens.

Many gardeners are unaware of the beauty of flowering herbs and never consider planting them within their flower beds. Some herbs that have beautiful flowers are purple coneflower, catmint, bee balm, yarrow, pinks, lavender, pot marigold, borage, feverfew, and nasturtium which is particularly lovely in fresh salads.. Many other herbs, such as parsley are excellent next to flowers of all sorts because of their spectacular foliage. When planting red or blue flowers, place purple basil around them for an artful arrangement.

Another area to consider is to use herbs as ground cover. The herbs that are suitable to this are the low growing oregano, chamomile, woolly and other creeping thyme, mint, and rosemary. Not only will it look pretty but it will be absolutely fragrant. Just be careful of the mint family, they tend to take over everything.

One of the best ways I have grown herbs is in containers. In fact, I like container gardening so much I wrote my eBook “Container Gardening Secrets” (available at ContainerGardeningSecrets.com), so everyone could enjoy this type of gardening. The beauty of a container garden is that it is portable and can be changed at a moment’s whim. When there is no more room in your garden, start a container garden which you can place on your door step or patio. Use them to fill in bare spots that come up during the gardening season or put them on a sunny window sill in your home for easy harvesting. Best of all you can bring your herb containers inside over the winter months and continue to harvest for months to add to your tasty meals or to be used for medicinal purposes.

Another way to employ pots in your garden is to plant invasive herbs such as mint into a pot and then plant pot and all into the ground. This is an easy trick to keep those “creepers” from taking over your garden beds.

Plant a container garden near your door with the cherry pie scented blue flower heliotrope and other fragrant herbs such as rosemary, thyme and basil. Every time you walk by you will be greeted with there delicious scent.

Some herbs that have grown on rocky hillsides over the centuries such as thyme, oregano and lavender are perfect for cracks in flag stone paths or walls and rock gardens. They thrive in hot dry areas with good drainage. Some believe that those herbs grown in these conditions produce much better flavor.

Now is the time to plant your herbs, whether it is in a garden bed, a cracked wall or a container garden. Use your imagination. Consider color height and texture when planting your gardens. Not only will it be visually pleasing but your cooking will improve too!

Happy Gardening!

About the Author

Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. This allows her to grow gardens inside and outside year round. She has published other articles on Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com, http://www.ContainerGardeningSecrets.com, and http://www.GardeningHerb.com

(ArticlesBase SC #39223)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – How To Grow And Handle Fresh Herbs From Your Garden Beds Or Your Container Garden

Tomatoes are easy to grow from seed, can be grown in any size garden that has a warm sheltered area, and are extremely rewarding.

Most tomatoes in the UK though are grown in greenhouses or polytunnels, mainly due to our fantastically reliable weather! That said, outdoor ripening fruit are well worth the wait. There are [...]]]> By: David

Tomatoes are easy to grow from seed, can be grown in any size garden that has a warm sheltered area, and are extremely rewarding.

Most tomatoes in the UK though are grown in greenhouses or polytunnels, mainly due to our fantastically reliable weather! That said, outdoor ripening fruit are well worth the wait. There are varieties of Tomato seed that are suitable for indoor or outdoor, and even some bred for growing in hanging baskets or pots.

One thing is true though, and that is no matter which type or variety you decide on,  they will all need fertile soil, sun, heat, water and food, if they are to produce a nice juicy fruit come harvest time.

Sowing the seeds

Ideally label and fill a 3 inch pot with lightly firmed compost, and water. Scatter the seeds thinly as most of them will germinate be careful not to over sow at this stage. Place the pot on a windowsill or warm light shelf to germinate, and within 2 weeks, you should see seedlings, and they will be big enough in around 8 weeks to move on to individual pots.

Move on by gently holding the seedlings by their leaves and carefully moving them out with the help of a dibber or such like. Make a hole in the new pot already filled with firm and watered compost and gently lower him in.  Firm around the plant making sure the roots are covered, then add some more water, just for luck!

When the roots start coming through the drainage holes, pot on to a 5 inch pot before the final move to the growing bag.

Moving into Growing Bags

Once the first  branch of flowers have come, then it is time to move your tomatoes to a growing bag.  Make sure first that the compost in the bag is broken up enough, so give it a good kicking and punch it, finally knead it nicely to ensure it is broken up. This is strangely satisfying in a caveman sort of way.

Punch some holes in the bas of the bag to allow drainage, and cut out the planting square (these should be already marked for you). Scoop out enough compost so that the top of the root ball is beneath the top of the bag, cover it with compost, firm it and water it. Did I mention that Tomatoes love water? Put a growing bag frame over the bag, and place a cane next to each plant, and with it secured, tie the plant to the cane every 100mm or so.

Ideally tomato plants grow on a single stem (unless you are growing a bush tomato so snap out any shoots that grown in leaf joints, and once your plant has produced four or five trusses of flowers, pinch out the growing tip. Doing this will ensure that all the growing energy is put into producing fruit rather than plant growth. You also need to feed once a week with fertiliser, and water daily, did I mention tomatoes love water?

The key to all of this though is in choosing the right tomato plant for your growing conditions, oh, AND plenty of water (did I mention that?)

About the Author

Seedparade is a Seed store

Based in the UK they are able to supply a large range of seeds for flower, fruit or vegetables, including flower seedsto produce stunning flowers.

(ArticlesBase SC #1960674)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Growing Tomatoes

PVC greenhouses can be a snap and a great deal of fun [...]]]> Pvc Greenhouses Are A Snap To Build

By: Dave PiersonPerhaps the easiest greenhouse to construct requires the fewest parts and the least amount of construction experience.  When looking for an easy solution for your greenhouse desires, your best bet is to use the PVC greenhouse.

PVC greenhouses can be a snap and a great deal of fun to build if you involve some friends or the family.  Of course, your first plan of action is to find the proper materials you’ll need to begin designing and erecting your own personal ecosystem.  Obviously, you’ll need varying sizes of PVC piping.  Depending on the size of your PVC house, you’ll want to look into something along the lines of about 35 inches in length –of course, resizing your PVC pipes according to what part of the frame you’re constructing.  

You’ll need PVC connectors –T-shaped and cross connectors.  These will provide the joints to the framework of your house.  With the joints and the pipes, using hammer and nails are completely unnecessary.  You may want to enlist the help of a rubber mallet, just to fit the pipes into the connectors snugly so they aren’t tempted to go anywhere when the wind picks up.  With your frame built, your next step is, of course, to cover your house.  Plastic covering is perfect for these houses and are quite sturdy.  

Watch out for using greenhouse plastic, however, as it’s rather easily ripped if the weather isn’t ideal.  To keep your plastic covering place you can go as lo-fi as large binder clips or as professional as slitting poly pipe lengthwise to clip your plastic to the frame.  Building a PVC greenhouse is as easy as sticking a pole in a hole, literally.  With the joints and poles construction shouldn’t take more than 4 hours or so.

There are a plethora of PVC greenhouse products on the market to assist you in your quest to create the perfect year-round greenhouse for your fruits and veggies.  There are covers that are specific for PVC greenhouses, there are, of course, various brands of PVC piping and connectors at your disposal, and accessories such as cooling pads to keep your plants at the perfect temperature during the hottest parts of the year.  

Also for the greenhouse novice, PVC house kits are available on the market with all the materials, tools, and top of the line coverings and pipes you could possibly desire.  Kits also come equipped with such things as plant fixtures, environmentally friendly insect control, and ventilation systems –again, to keep the temperature ideal for your year-round plants.

Your PVC greenhouse plans need not be overly complex.  In fact, being the simplest to assemble, these greenhouses are virtually impossible to mess up.  They’re so easy to construct, even a child as young as five years old could do it, with a adult over-sight of course.  As with all construction endeavors, be sure that when you’ve decided to take the plunge you’re aware of what you’re getting yourself into.  Though a snap to build, be sure you get a good set of plans to make the project go as smoothly as possible.

About the Author

Dave Pierson is a master gardener and professional nurseryman who has been teaching others how to build hobby greenhouses for over 15 years. To learn more about how to build your own pvc greenhouses, please visit http://www.gardengreenhouseinfo.com. Our FREE ‘Build Your Own Greenhouse’ mini-course is a tremendous resource for anyone serious about building their own personal greenhouse.

(ArticlesBase SC #1932256)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Pvc Greenhouses Are A Snap To Build

Outdoor entertaining has come a long way from just setting up a barbeque grill on the back deck or a picnic table on the patio. Now the most exciting new room in the house isn’t even in the house: it’s the new [...]]]> Outdoor Entertaining: How to Turn your Patio Into a Year-round Outdoor Room

By: J. Reed

Outdoor entertaining has come a long way from just setting up a barbeque grill on the back deck or a picnic table on the patio. Now the most exciting new room in the house isn’t even in the house: it’s the new “outdoor room”. Creative homeowners are adding gas patio heaters (the kind you see in sidewalk cafes) and even building fireplaces so their outdoor rooms can be used in the winter. They’re arranging special seating areas to entertain guests. Decorating with different flowers, plants, and outdoor art. And, using large planters as well as arbors, trellises, or other simple structures to help define the space.

Where to start with your outdoor room
So how do you transition from a few pieces of lawn furniture to a true outdoor room? We believe the best way is to start with a central focal point and move out from there. Try centering your outdoor room around the one thing that you’ll be doing in it the most – gathering for a meal. Think about it like an indoor room. What’s the most important gathering place in the house? Where do people come together for conversation, drinks, and meals? It’s the dining table. That’s why we believe the best place to start is to put an attractive dining table in the middle of your outdoor room and work around it from there.

Borrowing from a beautiful Mediterranean tradition
You can’t drag your fine mahogany dining table outdoors, but you certainly don’t want a white plastic patio table to be the focal point for your outdoor room. What are the alternatives? You could go with a teak or wrought iron table. But, if really you want to do something special, then borrow from a timeless Mediterranean tradition and gather your guests around an exquisite handcrafted mosaic table. With its colorful, meticulously arranged hand-cut tiles, the table itself is not only a centerpiece for parties, but a delightful focal point for your outdoor room and a unique talking point for you and your guests.

Choosing the right look for your outdoor room
Before you select your mosaic table, ask yourself which colors you want to pick up in the tiles. Do you want to reflect the sunny yellows and blues of the French Riviera? Or the warm ochre reds found in the zillij (tile work) of Southern Spain and Morocco? Then think about reflecting those colors in the table decorations on top of your mosaic table. Accenting them in accessories like pots and planters. And complimenting them with colorful cushions on wrought iron chairs around your mosaic table. It’s not just the table that’s mosaic. You’re really creating your own mosaic out of the flowers, pots, and other accents that go on, above, and around your mosaic table.

Don’t forget that your outdoor room is outdoors
Of course, you want to make sure that everything that goes in your outdoor room can stand the outdoors. So look for furnishings and accent pieces that work well both indoors and out – like your mosaic table. In harsher northern climates, some homeowners will cover their tables when not in use or even bring them indoors to add color as kitchen tables, accent tables, or even dining tables.

Light for the night. Shade for the day.
Once you’ve established your central visual theme, think about radiating outwards with some unique lighting fixtures. Light the night with exotic Moroccan lanterns or hand-cut metal sconces. Also, consider adding some shade to make your outdoor room more inviting during hot summer days. But, don’t just think about umbrellas. Consider using arbors, awnings, or canopies where you can grow flowers and vines to create natural shade. Then, you can use these same structures to hang your lanterns and lights by night.

An outdoor room can fit any budget
There are many ways to create an outdoor room. You can do it surprisingly affordably with just a few simple pieces like your mosaic table, wrought iron chairs, and a few basic flowerpots. Over time, you can add fireplaces, stainless steel barbecue grills, and water features such as a fountain or waterfall. Again, the main idea is to start with a central focal point – like your mosaic table – and add other elements that complement it.

Make your move to the great outdoors
To get started, try looking online at some Moroccan handcrafted mosaic tables. Look at the patterns in the zillij, the colors, and the different shapes. Define the focal point of your outdoor room. Then, start to explore other accent pieces to compliment your mosaic table. Before you know it, you’ll have added a whole new room to your home – a beautiful place to entertain guests, gather the family for a meal, or escape with a quiet cup of tea and a book.

Copyright © 2007 J. Reed and B. Reed

About the Author

J. Reed is an advertising creative director who discovered the beauty of mosaic tables after traveling extensively in the Mediterranean and has launched an online boutique called My Mosaic Table featuring imported home accents.
www.mymosaictable.com

(ArticlesBase SC #249594)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Outdoor Entertaining: How to Turn your Patio Into a Year-round Outdoor Room

California Wine Country residents have enjoyed outdoor kitchens for years, and now this once considered luxurious trend is riding a wave of popularity in warm weather states across the nation. As gasoline prices soar, more homeowners are investing in amenities for enjoying good food and [...]]]> Beyond the Backyard Barbecue: Create Your Own Outdoor Kitchen

Author: Leslie Intriago

California Wine Country residents have enjoyed outdoor kitchens for years, and now this once considered luxurious trend is riding a wave of popularity in warm weather states across the nation. As gasoline prices soar, more homeowners are investing in amenities for enjoying good food and friends at home, including high quality grills, outdoor furniture, outdoor fireplaces, and outdoor lighting. Creating an outdoor kitchen in your own backyard also adds to your home’s value, though you probably won’t want to part with your custom kitchen alfresco and may even find yourself out there grilling on weeknights too.

Today’s outdoor kitchens come complete with built in grills that include stovetop style burners, roasting spits, and griddles; bar and service centers with sinks and refrigerators; storage space for cooking gear and dishes; counters for prep work; even built in lighting and stereo systems. Patio umbrellas, custom designed awnings or arbors protect cooking and food prep areas. Outdoor carpets and special rubber chef’s mats cover the “floor” for standing comfortably while cooking. Outdoor fireplaces, patio heaters, and fire pits provide warmth on cool days and evenings. “Exterior decorating” includes wall art and sculpture, and weather resistant outdoor dining sets, couches, and ottomans complete the comfy indoor feel.

What you include in your outdoor kitchen will depend on your budget and how much you enjoy grilling and outdoor dining. Cost ranges from about $2,500 for the basics: a high quality free standing grill and patio dining set, to well over $25,000 for a top of the line built in grill, bar, sink, service center, and more. More elaborate outdoor kitchens include automatic dishwashers and special wine refrigerators. Outdoor “cabinetry” is stocked with top quality grilling accessories, grilling spices, and wine tools, and all indoor cooking necessities are included, right down to the paper towel holder.

The heart of the outdoor kitchen is the grill, and experts recommend purchasing the best you can afford. Top of the line outdoor grills made of high grade stainless steel, such as Lynx grills and Twin Eagles grills, come with lifetime warranties and provide professional grade heat output, restaurant style searing marks, and special amenities, including griddles and side burners for whipping up breakfast alfresco on the weekends. These upscale grills are fueled by gas or propane. Budget conscious homeowners will find fueling with bottled propane the least expensive choice with no need for running costly gas lines from the house to the outdoor cooking area.

Efficient layout is just as important when building an outdoor kitchen as it is with indoor kitchen design. Grilling with ease makes the outdoor cooking experience all the more enjoyable. Design experts suggest that the grill and sink flank the food prep area, and that an outdoor refrigerator or food cooler be available to keep ingredients fresh as you assemble your meal. Providing for even the smallest storage space will cut down on trips inside to retrieve barbecuing accessories, cooking gear, and serving dishes. However, a short and easy path to your indoor kitchen may be an important consideration, especially if you often entertain large groups, requiring use of both cooking areas. Making the most of a pleasant view and providing shaded seating may also be important considerations.

To create an outdoor kitchen on a tight budget or enjoy the outdoor cooking experience in a less permanent way before installing built in appliances, outdoor kitchen designers recommend opting for a freestanding grill with rollers, side trays, and storage. Pair with a comfy outdoor dining set, and you’ll have the basics in portable form while considering the kitchen and dining layout best for you. You’ll also enjoy amazing grilled meals while planning your ultimate outdoor kitchen

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/kitchens-articles/beyond-the-backyard-barbecue-create-your-own-outdoor-kitchen-950659.html

About the Author:

Sue Capella is a Northern California writer/editor who enjoys writing about home and garden. Sue is a copywriter for Outdora, a retailer that specializes in heightening the outdoor
experience.

Located in Sonoma, California, Outdora is committed to customer service excellence and providing top of the line merchandise at unbeatable prices! Outdora offers an extensive inventory of high-end barbeque
grills such as Twin Eagles and Lynx Grills. This summer, the staff at Outdora is excited to announce the opening of the Outdora Showroom in downtown Sonoma which will continue to offer the top names in barbeque grills including Big Green Egg and Viking.

The first thing to consider when choosing a water feature [...]]]> If your backyard is next to a busy street, you can still have a relaxing backyard by adding a water feature. Not just any water feature will do, however. You’ll need some special considerations for creating a peaceful backyard even if the roar of cars is nearby.

The first thing to consider when choosing a water feature is the location. Sound experts believe that placing a “barrier” either close to the noise or close to the receiver of the noise is best. Therefore, consider a location for your water feature that is close to where you want more peace and quiet in your backyard. You may find that you need more than one water feature.

The location of the water feature will help determine its size. You can either purchase a water fountain or build your own water fall.

When purchasing a fountain, choose one that will produce the most sound. You’ll want fast-moving water that splashes. Be careful of choosing one just for looks. All Garden Fountains will enhance the look of your backyard, but you want to also choose one for the sound it will make. Save the calming, trickling fountains for yards that are all ready quiet.

Building a water fall is easier than it sounds. You can find waterfall kits or be creative and purchase materials to build your own unique waterfall. As with a fountain, a water fall with fast-moving water that splashes will make the most sound. You can also use another technique: build “ledges” down the water stream. When water falls down over a ledge that sticks out, the hollow space underneath acts as an echo chamber and increases the sound of the falling water.

With the combination of water features and plants, you can still have a relaxing backyard regardless of the noise nearby.

By Shannon Mendez