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Choosing a storage shed for your yard is easy. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll enjoy having your garden tools and accessories close at hand for years of working enjoyment.

First, evaluate your environment. Do you need to consider weather, such as hurricanes, when selecting what your shed will be made of? Sheds come in lots of designs and can be made from a variety of materials, ranging from wood, to vinyl or plastic, to metal. Metal sheds can stand up to more severe weather, while a vinyl “click-together” shed may be easier to install. You will also want to think about what type of flooring (if any) you would like to have.

Second, think about what you will store in your shed, and how you plan to use your new space. Are you putting a lawn-mower and other yard tools in the shed? If so, measure how much space these items will take up, and plan for even more storage areas if possible. Remember, you will want to store your garden chemicals and fertilizers separately from pool chemicals and your automotive needs. Do you want to work inside the shed? Sheds can be configured to include work areas for re-potting plants, greenhouse areas, etc. Perhaps you need space for the family bicycles, too. Read the rest of this entry »

Containers can often play an extremely important part in a formal garden scheme, especially large ones filled with a single plant. A classic example is agapanthus placed at the entrance to a patio or at the bottom of some steps. Again, plants with a fountain shape, such as yucca or grasses, are ideal subjects for positions such as these. A series of pots set at regular intervals down a path is also a useful device. The pots can contain perennials, annuals, or shrubs, but they should have a neat overall appearance.

Is the maintenance difficult for a formal garden? Compared with many other types of garden, formal gardens are relatively easy to maintain, although at times it is more like housework than gardening. The general design rarely needs changing, so there is little planting unless you are using areas of bedding
plants. With good mulching there should be little weeding, so it is mainly down to trimming and keeping the hard surfaces in good order. Read the rest of this entry »

Most gardeners know that just the right amounts of sunshine & water combined with great soil and hard work bring their backyard oasis to life. Quickly, after the snow melts, the ground thaws and our singing feathered friends return, each spring gardeners across the country look forward to rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty to cultivate their soil to create a garden of their favorite flowers, shrubs and trees.

A gardener’s shovel is to an artist’s brush. A gardener’s choice of colorful flowers, shrubs and trees is to an artist’s collection of paints, pencils and oils.

The choice of garden decor that is placed throughout the landscape is undoubtedly the signature of a gardener. What does that mean? Simply, a gardener that chooses a sailboat weathervane over a rooster weathervane is more likely to be a water loving individual rather than a country or farm loving individual. It’s how they choose to express themselves in the garden. Read the rest of this entry »

Securing your cabin can be a difficult task - especially if you’re “off the grid” and don’t have the easy luxury of electricity and an “alarm system”. But, there are some common sense steps to follow and a couple tricks of the trade, that’ll help secure your property in the off season.

If you’re in the position of not having purchased your cabin or land yet, you might begin by considering the security conundrum right off the top. Location, location, location is imperative here, and if you can avoid purchasing a piece of property that is overly exposed to the public and main thorough fair traffic than you’re definitely ahead of the game. Private access roads and secured gating are both pluses.

If you’re building your cabin from scratch think about limiting expensive building materials. You might also go for the “shabby chic” cabin look over designing with lush curtains and fancy, expensive furniture- these tend to be indicators of more wealth inside. If you must have such luxury items at least store them away as best as possible when you’re away - or take them home!

Think about security as you’re building your cabin and build the home in a way that intruders won’t be able to get in. Read the rest of this entry »

Have you heard of outdoor rope lights? They are great for decorating your deck or patio, especially if you entertain during the summer months. They offer a unique decor and provide light while you are partying at night in your yard. The lights can be hung quite easily and can be taken down and stored when not required.

Unlike most other types of lights, outdoor rope lights allow the installer to be creative. These lights can be hung practically anywhere. They can be arranged to spell out someone’s name or anything you like. If you have a gazebo or a trellis, you can string up these lights to provide added lighting and to give the area a more attractive appearance.

Outdoor rope lights can also enhance your house during a holiday season. Most of these lights use LED lighting now. These particular lights are quite reliable and can save up to ninety percent on your energy costs. To avoid excessive movement of the lights, they should be affixed a regular points to help keep them in place.

Outdoor rope lights cannot be cut. If they need to be cut, it has to be done at the factory.

Another popular use of outdoor rope lights is to light up a driveway. This is especially useful in a rural setting that does not have any streetlights. Many people use them to light their swimming pool at night. Anyone who has a pool knows that a late night swim can be invigorating. Lighting the pool area is also a good safety feature. Read the rest of this entry »