A backyard play area is an important part of your backyard, particularly in the summer months. There are several elements to take into consideration when planning a play area.
photo credit: √oхέƒx™

Age is a big part of your play area design. Are your children close in age in interests or is there an age difference that will influence the play toys and equipment you add to the backyard?

Ask your children what interests them and ask for ideas. You may find that a fort or tree house fits most of their ideas. Or they may want a camping area and tent.

If the children are small a mini pool and sandbox may be a perfect idea. Just make sure to locate it close to the house and within eyesight.

Include elements and design that children can change and use for multi purposes. Old boards can be built into a temporary fort. Blankets can be made into a house with clothesline and clothespins. An old table can be used for painting, crafting ideas and for working on toy models. And a pile of sand or dirt has many purposes to a child.
photo credit: Travis Hornung

Plan for rainy days. A play area on the porch or patio may be a perfect solution. When I was growing up we had a rainy day box filled with paint, paper, books  and toys we rarely played with.

Swings,  play equipment and mini pools or a water hose will also add to the backyard play area. Yard games such as ring toss or horse shoes will also add a change to backyard activities.

Create a place for your children to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Their own table and chairs or a hammock in the shade may encourage them to read a book or watch clouds or the stars at night.

You could also create a small garden area for your children. Let them choose a few flowers or vegetables. If they are grown in containers close to the house the children will be able to watch them grow and keep them watered easily.

Above all else, make sure your backyard children’s play area is safe. Check any play equipment for rough or sharp edges. Also check for sharp rocks or broken glass.

And if there is a pool take extra precautions to keep your children are supervised and safe.

Technorati Tags: backyard Childrens Area, backyard oasis, backyard play area, childrens fort, create a childrens play area

Spring has arrived, the weather is great and your friends are starting to wonder when you plan to invite them over for your first cookout.
photo credit: mahalie

Maybe you’re like me and it’s those gatherings with the people who really matter in your life that makes spring and summer complete. You aim for perfection, but you know there’s always some nagging little hurdle to overcome.

Having long ago accepted the inevitability of the unexpected problem cropping up, I tend to prepare in advance of any outdoor gathering. Just before the event I ensure the grill has plenty propane available (even purchasing a spare tank if things are questionable) and I test light it and let it burn for 10 or 15 minutes.

I run through a quick check-list to cover available beverages and food (always buying a bit extra for the additional guest who may accompany one of my planned visitors). Finally, I check the fuel in my tiki torches and test light them.

Did he just say he tests his tiki torches? Yes he did. Though you may think that’s a bit unusual, setting a mood is one of those subtle but critical elements to hosting a great party and I’ve been unpleasantly surprised by my lighting choice in the past by torches that wouldn’t light, so they’re part of the check list.

It’s the little things that get you in the end. Though there isn’t much to tiki torches beyond a wick, fuel reservoir and the stick to hold them up, these deceptively simple critters can suffer from performance anxiety for several reasons. The obvious one being lack of fuel, but that’s not the only reason. So, lesson learned, I test them.

But is all really lost just because a few lousy torches wouldn’t light? Of course not, but my goals won’t be met as lighting plays such a critical part in the overall design of my yard.

A dramatically accent-lit yard pulls everything together. Whether its a tropical paradise (what I’m shooting for), or painting with light in a formal setting elegantly lit by professional landscape lighting, you really lose something when it’s missing.

It’s a little like erasing Mona Lisa’s hint of a smile or fixing the foundation under the Leaning Tower of Pisa. What you’re left with is still beautiful and artistic, but diminished for the absence of that special something that makes it memorable. The devil is in the details, folks.

And that’s just the day-of prep. For advanced, dig deeper. This is the opportunity to look beyond the food you’ll be serving and think about atmosphere.

Lighting, particularly in-ground lighting, requires taking the time to plan. Do you want something classy? Perhaps the mysterious or fanciful is more your speed. Whatever setting you’re going for, try to make it an escape from everyday life for both you and your guests.

Evening events depend on lighting both for the safety of your guests but also for the atmosphere the lights create. I use tiki torches because I want to set a tropical feel, but in-ground, low-voltage lighting can amazing results. Invest the time to learn about various lighting techniques such as accent lighting and moonlighting and then build your paradise.

In taking the time to plan and carefully implement your landscaping and outdoor lighting objectives well in advance of entertaining guests, you present an event that becomes supremely memorable.

Rather than just raving about your mastery of the grill, your guests will leave your event feeling they’ve just enjoyed a vacation from their everyday lives. And guess what they’ll be daydreaming about the following Monday at work. Providing, of course, you remembered to test your lighting before they arrived.

Technorati Tags: garden, gardening, home and garden, home improvement, landscape lighting, landscaping

I’m always looking for something a little different for my backyard garden oasis. And it’s challenging to find or make unique and artistic garden pieces.
photo credit: faeryboots

I have an area just off the patio that needs redone and a unique garden gate seemed to be what I needed. After a weekend of sales and a few “salvaging finds,” I found several unique free windows that would be perfect. The windows I chose to use for this garden gate had old wooden panes but no glass.

You could use window with glass, screen, lattice or nothing in them at all. You could also add mirror or weather proof fabric. This is a versatile project that is only limited by your ideas.

This window garden gate took about one hour to assemble from start to finish.

How to Create a Window Garden Gate

• First decide the location for your garden gates. Next measure the width of the windows to figure how big your opening is going to be.
• Dig holes deep enough to install your side poles. For this step a post hole digger would be helpful.
• Place each pole into a hole. Hold the poles up straight and pack the dirt around the pole and tamp in place. Saw off any excess length for the side poles. I prefer to use a quick crete mix for refilling the postholes to ensure that they will stay in place.
• Make sure your poles are level by using a using a leveling tool. If you are going to add cement or quick crete make sure the poles are level and straight first. Once this step is done its time to add the window garden gates.
• Mark each pole at the spot you have decided to place the windows. Make sure the mark on each pole is identical so that the gate will hang even.
• For the size window I am using (about three foot) I Will use two hinges on each window. When deciding where to put the hinges make sure they are even lengths apart on each window to help distribute the weight of the gate evenly.
• Install the hinges on the windows first using a screwdriver. I use an electrical screwdriver; it’s faster and easier.
• Hang each window door at the spot you want them to hang on your poles. It is extremely important to make sure that your windows are hung level or they will not close correctly.
• Add a latch if you want.

This gate is mainly for show in my small patio garden area. I plan to add flowering vines to the poles and let them cross over onto the window gate area. Next year I may decide to fill in the window panes for a different look and use it as more of a garden gate.

Technorati Tags: backyard garden oasis, backyard oasis, backyard projects, create a garden gate, garden art, garden art design ideas, old windows, small patio design

There are many theme gardens that people use in their backyard garden planning. A theme garden is popular because it usually takes less space than an ordinary garden and acts as a focal point in backyard design.
photo credit: fotologic

With the trend in outdoor kitchens and the popularity of barbeque pits a barbecue garden is a must for many garden areas.

Since most outdoor kitchens use creative landscaping design ideas and Barbeque centers are kept on the deck or patio. It makes sense to grow this theme garden in containers and close to the cooking area.

The Barbeque garden is set up to take limited space and it uses only three potting containers. Two containers should be 24 inches in diameter and one, at least 15 inches in diameter. You will also need potting soil, compost or organic fertilizer.

Plants for your Barbeque Garden

1 tomato plant
1 Red pepper plant
1 Habanera plant
1 flat leaf parsley plant
1 upright rosemary plant
1 trailing rosemary plant
1 Chive plant
1 Dill plant
1 Mint plant
1 Oregano plant
Thyme plant – French is a good culinary variety
3 Basil plants
photo credit: Tambako the Jaguar

When placing your garden remember it will perform better if it’s located in an area that receives at least 6 hours of direct sun.

Start designing your Barbeque garden by checking the bottoms of the garden pots or containers you selected to make sure they have good drainage holes. I would also suggest pots or containers with color since your garden is all about growing herbs for the kitchen. Make your containers spicy and creative like your garden herb selection.

Fill all three pots with potting soil and lightly pat the soil down. Its best to leave three or four inches of space between the top of the soil and the top rim of the pot. This acts to catch water, plus I like to add mulch to the top of the container to help keep the soil moist and conserve on the soils moisture.

Add organic fertilizer or compost to the potting containers. Mix lightly into the soil with a fork and pat the soil back down.

In the first 24-inch pot plant the tomato towards one side of the pot. This will become the backside of the planting design. Next, plant two of the basil’s in front of the tomato toward the center of the pot and the thyme at the very front edge.

Add the dill plant to one side of the basil/thyme and the parsley on the other side. For the final step place a tomato cage or trellis around the tomato. If you are using a trellis place it behind the plant. I like the look of a trellis in this garden design.

For the second 24-inch pot, plant the pepper plants, side-by-side at the “back” of the pot. Space these plants one foot apart.

On one side of the container plant the trailing rosemary. And on the other side plant a basil and mint plant. Add the tomato cage or trellis where both peppers can use it.

To create a nice design I place the third medium sized planter in between and in front of the larger planting containers. This will create a triangle shaped mini garden.

In the medium 15-inch pot, plant the rosemary towards the “back” of the pot. Next place the chive and oregano in front and space accordingly.

Water all of the pots thoroughly and add compost or mulch to the top or each planter. This will shade the soil and help retain moisture.

You can add a few small growing flowers, edible flowers or trailing flowers to the plants in front for color. There are also several different varieties of the herbs I suggested that have more color such as Golden thyme or purple ruffles basil.

You might consider adding two small pots in the front of the planters off to the side of the medium planters for flowers.

One edible flower that I consider a must for the barbeque theme garden is the nasturtium.  They are easy to grow, colorful and have a peppery taste which will compliment any barbeque meal.

This mini theme garden is practical and colorful. It will make a great addition to your backyard oasis paradise and kitchen garden area.

Technorati Tags: backyard design, Backyard Garden, backyard oasis, barbeque garden, herb garden, herbs, small space design, Small Space Garden, small space theme garden

With the summer season approaching and swimming pools becoming the focal point in many backyards pool accessories are becoming an important decision for the home.
photo credit: chaps1

It’s fair to say most family members enjoy the pool but for some reason a swimming pool seems to hold the teenagers attention more than other backyard activity.

Teens can easily keep themselves entertained but pool accessories purchased with the teenager in mind will add to the enjoyment of the pool.

When purchasing pool accessories for the teen start by reviewing some of the most popular pool accessories on the market. And as with any purchase the teens age and personality and the way they use the pool will determine which accessories you decide to add to the backyard pool.

If your teen uses the pool mainly for relaxing you may want to consider purchasing floating rafts or floating chairs. Teenage girls seem to enjoy floating furniture for relaxing, reading and working on the “perfect” tan.

Pool toys bring fun and excitement to the swimming pool. They also appeal to all ages. Popular inexpensive pool toys, for teenagers, may include, swim rings, beach balls, basketball hoops, and volleyball nets.

Pool fixtures are more expensive and care must be taken in selection and installation, but family and friends will enjoy a diving board or a pool slide.  Before purchasing one of these items its best to the teenagers feedback will help to ensure that the slide or diving board will be used.

After you have decided on what pool accessories you wish to purchase its time to shop. Department stores, dollar stores, discount stores, pool supply stores and online retailers are places to check and compare prices.

Water slides or diving boards may only be available for sale at pool supply stores or online. And with their selection check safety features and the quality of the item for durability, shape edges and how they are assembled.
photo credit: vauvau

Having a wide selection of pool toys on hand will give the teen and families the opportunity to relax, have fun, or entertain friends.

Technorati Tags: backyard oasis, backyard pool, backyard swimming pool, pool toys, pools, swimming pool, teenagers and swimming pools