Small Backyard Design: Window Boxes

 backyard design  No Responses »
Apr 252009
 

Window boxes add to any backyard and particularly to decks, balconies and small space garden areas. And the window box is perfect for the urban gardener who needs to use every inch of garden space available.
Creative Commons License photo credit: thebittenword.com

With proper planning you can grow most of your garden produce in a window box garden set up. And by mixing vegetables, flowers and herbs you can grow a large variety of plants to fit every need.

The you tube below will show you how to make your own window boxes, which may be helpful to those that are working with small backyard design.

The next you tube has planting ideas for your window boxes that you made or purchased. I like to mix window boxes with hanging baskets to get a layered look, which add depth to your garden area and makes better use of the small space that you have for a garden area.

Mini gardens add to any backyard or balcony and give the area an oasis feeling. By using window boxes and hanging baskets in a layering design you will create a lush garden and more privacy to your backyard oasis paradise.

Posted by Denise at 10:47 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , ,

Building a Pond

 koi fish  No Responses »
Apr 242009
 
by Ricki Geotti

Think about how great it would be to add a pond to your garden, it would definitely enhance your garden. Imagine sitting in your garden admiring the sound and sight of a well stocked pond full of happy fish.himeji garden
Creative Commons License photo credit: [3/4 of zer0]

With a pond you will create a focal point in your garden that will be admired by all. Ponds are peaceful and serene whilst also being an enjoyable hobby.

You can go for a wild life pond where you will not put any fish in or you can opt for the full fish experience. What about the type of fish that you might want to keep. Some people just have Koi so there whole pond is all about Koi, which are a beautiful fish and are not as hard to keep as some would have us believe.

Goldfish are a worthy contenders for any pond, they come in many different forms from the fancy Oranda’s, Black Moors and Comets and there are many more, right down to the common goldfish. There are a lot to checkout.

That greenish coloured Tench that has change to a beautiful Gold fish with blue grey fins and darkish red eyes through years of breeding now named quite rightly the Golden Tench. The Tench is a great fish to consider for your pond.

What about the Golden Orfe these are a very lively fish that are fast swimmers and on occasion have been known to jump clear of the water. I like the orfe’s because they are so active.

Before you start to dig your garden over there are a lot of things that need to be thought about before you take the plunge into building a pond. A pond plan is what you need if you want to get the pond of your visions. The more information you can put in your plan the better, it will help you decide such things as whether your pond will have a water feature, how big you want your pond and what plants you want in your pond.

For your pond project to be the success that you want it to be, it is going to take proper research that will make up the blueprint of your pond which you will enjoy for so many years in the future.

About the Author:
Do you want to create a pond to your garden so you can enjoy all the pleasures they bring to your home life. Then may be its time to see how Ricki Geotti can help you with his online pond center that will help you through the pond building process to the choice of Fish so you can plants. Take a look Right Here Right Now

Posted by Robyno Jamison at 9:50 am  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , ,

Small Backyard Designs, Bentwood Trellis

 backyard design  2 Responses »
Apr 232009
 

A free standing garden trellis or flat trellis added to a wall will add growing space, artistic design and pattern to your small backyard design projects.Car-Blocker
Creative Commons License photo credit: greengardenvienna

Bentwood trellises are also fun to make and if you have smaller brush on your property you will have a free supply of material to use. If you don’t have small brush, ask you neighbors. They may have a small overgrown area of property that they would gladly let you trim.

On my property I have a nice supply of hickory, apple (better for small projects), willow and pine. The area needs cleared so I have no problems using the live branches for arbors, arched trellises and flat trellises.

This you tube will give you an idea of how to do make a trellis. I will add the best time for using branches is in the spring before the sap in the wood rises. You can use the branches after spring but it will be best to apply glue where you nail. The reason is that after sap is in the wood the wood will expand. After the wood is cut it will dry and the nail will not be as secure. You can stop this problem with a little glue where you nailed.

Bentwood trellises are fun and easy to make. They make a great family project and are very reasonable to make. And the best reason to make a bentwood trellis is that they add to you garden art and accessories and being handmade you can tailor the size and shape to any location you have. They are perfect for the small balcony garden that needs to utilize every inch of space to its fullest potential.

Posted by Denise at 7:34 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , ,

Quick Backyard Design Makeovers

 backyard oasis  1 Response »
Apr 222009
 

When your backyard needs redesigned but time or money may be an issue there are a few quick pick me ups to give the backyard a new look and welcoming atmosphere. With a trend in people vacationing at home, this is the year to make those changes.

Fire pits will quickly become a gathering point for family and guests to warm themselves and have outdoor cookouts. The light from the fire will stretch the time you spend outdoor into the evening hours. Your children may even want to pitch a tent and invite friends over for the evening. Fire pits can be hand made or store bought.

In the next year or two you may want to enhance the fire pit area with an outdoor fireplace or kitchen room.

Outdoor lighting adds to any backyard or patio area. Light a pathway, one of one your trees, backlight a plant with interesting foliage as a focal point, or wash a wall with light. This looks particularly pretty if it’s a rock wall or has a trellis with flowers and hanging baskets in front of it.

Tikki lights also add to backyard lighting along with mini lanterns placed in trees and on posts.

Today’s solar lights are getting better and low voltage lights are more affordable too. Theses solar lights places along gardens, paths and near water ponds add an atmosphere of relaxation to the backyard paradise.

Water ponds, water gardens, mini waterfalls and fountains are easy to set up. They can be store bought or made from items purchased at auctions and garage sales. If you have small children you may want to set up a child-safe pond-less fountain.

The addition of gardens, new plants or hanging baskets will brighten and change the look of the backyard quickly. Many people are setting up container gardening for just this reason. The pots can be moved around every week for a new look to the backyard garden area.

For the small backyard designs the addition of a mini table fountain and a trellis for plants will fit on a patio or balcony and add beauty and comfort to these small spaces. ButterflyWorld.041909.21
Creative Commons License photo credit: bunnygoth

New patio furniture will also give the backyard a new look. Nice furniture can be picked up at sales and an auction for a few dollars. With a new coat of paint and cushions that match the colors in your backyard you will make an area to read or relax that also creates a design flow in your garden area.

These are just a few fast and modestly priced ideas for a quick and easy backyard design projects.

Posted by Denise at 10:07 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

Create a Mini Water Pond

 backyard design  2 Responses »
Apr 212009
 

Water features are a wonderful addition to any backyard, garden or indoor living space.  The sound and flow of water adds instant relaxation to any area, particularly a small space design area. Mini gardens or apartment dwellers that have a small porch deck or balcony can easily create a backyard oasis feeling with the addition of a small water pond created in a garden pot. Unknown water lily
Creative Commons License photo credit: SuperFantastic

First select a glazed ceramic pot without a hole in the bottom. You can purchase one at a store or add to the fun and challenge by picking one up at an auction or garage sale. Select a style that will fit with your home design or go for a natural garden look.

Wash the pot well with a natural soap without perfume or chemicals and fill the pit with water. Select a few varieties of aquatic plants and perhaps a dwarf water lily. Your selection of water plants will be based on the size of the pot and whether you plan to add dirt to the pot. Your local pet store or garden center will be able to help you with your selection.

A quick guide for water plant selection is that some plants do well planted in a plastic plant basket filled with compost and topped with gravel. Others float freely on the surface of the water and are known as floaters. If you choose a water lily, which needs soil, place the basket on the bottom of the pot and the leaves will naturally float to the surface. Water lilies are one of the more popular water plants because of their beauty.

If your planter is large enough you might want to add a few small fish, but due to the size of the mini water pond you are creating the fish must be small and only purchase a few. The plants will keep the water clear in your mini water garden and give the fish oxygen and shade.

If you add fish, remember to feed them according to directions on the food container, check the water regularly and don’t purchase Koi fish for a small mini pond. They can grow quite large and will outgrow their home very quickly.

If you live in a cold area you will need to protect your mini water garden from freezing during the winter, especially if you have fish in the container. If you have room in your home you may want to bring the mini water pond indoors. It will definitely add to the atmosphere. If you leave the pond outdoors, cover it and in cold areas find an indoor home for the fish.

Each spring you will need to clean the pot thoroughly and prune the plants to a manageable size. During the seasons keep the plants groomed by removing any sad looking leaves and dead blooms. This will keep your mini water pond healthier and your plants blooming all season long.

One final note, place your water pond in an area that gets about 8 hours of sun and remove any leaves that blow into the pond.

This small mini water pond will add to any patio, balcony garden or even the indoor living area. With proper care and cleaning it will be productive for many years.

Posted by Denise at 9:36 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , ,
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