5 Reasons for Choosing Cedar when Buying an Outdoor Swing

 guest writer  No Responses »
May 142009
 
by Mycroft Finlayson

Relaxing on an outdoor porch swing is the perfect way to spend a summer evening.

Pink blossoms
Creative Commons License photo credit: redtype Whether you do so alone or with a family member or friend, it is exceptionally good way to relax and unwind from a day at work and enjoy the warmth and fresh air.

If you are considering purchasing and outdoor porch swing for your home, you will want to consider Cedar. It is the number one option for quality, durability and above all comfort.

Consider the following five reasons for buying a cedar product.

#1 Durability – Many types of wood, when exposed to the sun, rain, cold and heat they way a porch swing is, cracks and/or rots. These woods must be treated with chemicals in order to preserve them. Cedar, on the other hand does not. It is a wood that contains its own natural protection through natural oils and chemicals that preserve and strengthen the wood. Light weight and durable, a outdoor porch swing made of cedar will outlast any other swing made with another material.

#2 Comfort – Cedar is a wood product that provides exceptional comfort when used for porch or patio swings. It naturally maintains an even, cool temperature even when exposed to the heat of the summer sun. Furthermore, Cedar does not shrink and swell with a change in temperature and stays flat regardless of the weather. You will not see any warping and the seat surface will remain smooth and even.

#3 Natural Insect Repellent – How many times have you decided to sit outside during the summer months only to be bombarded by insects and bugs? If you are seated in an outdoor patio swing made of natural Cedar you will not have that problem. Remember your Grandmother’s Cedar Chest? It was used to protect your clothing from moths. An outdoor cedar swing will protect you from insects too. While the aroma of Cedar may send insects scurrying, most people find it a pleasant smell.

#4 Ecologically Friendly – The chemicals used to treat most outdoor furniture often present a health hazard to those using it. They are needed to help preserve the furniture from the effects of the weather and must be applied regularly. Cedar, on the other hand, does not need to be treated with preservatives and protectorants. It is naturally occurring. An outdoor porch swing made of cedar is a product that protects the environment and the owner.

#5 Naturally Beautiful – Cedar is a wood that is rich in color with a soft red-brown appearance that when used in outdoor furniture adds a richness and quality look to your porch or patio. A cedar porch swing will maintain its natural beauty over time. It is a wood that does not fade or dull. Many people buy Cedar for its looks alone without even being aware of all of its other beneficial properties.

Take advantage of the natural beauty, durability, and comfort and consider Cedar next time you are shopping for outdoor furniture for your home.

About the Author:
As a freelance writer Mycroft Finlayson never concealed his excitement about great quality workmanship. In case you’re seeking for a beautiful, long-lasting outdoor swing the author recommends paying attention to a very special collection of outdoor swings here: visit http://tinyurl.com/c6egp5
Posted by Mycroft Finlayson at 9:39 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , ,

The Benefits of a Swimming Pool Cover

 backyard pools  4 Responses »
May 132009
 

Swimming pools have increased in popularity in the last few years and as price increase for traveling this trend will continue. By adding a swimming pool to your backyard you create an area for entertainment for friends and family.  summertime blue
Creative Commons License photo credit: plasticrevolver

A swimming pool also adds to the backyard oasis a feeling of comfort and relaxation.

Whether you are just installing a pool or it’s been a part of the backyard you will want to consider a swimming pool cover.

The addition of a pool cover will save you time from removing unwanted debris, such as leaves from the pool. This can be a difficult and time-consuming task. The cover catches much of the leaves and the cover will also help warm your pool in the beginning months of the summer season.

A pool cover is becoming a popular pool accessory. The covers come in a wide variety of different styles. While each style will accomplish the same goal, they also tend to have different purposes.

Swimming pool cover varieties

Plastic pool covers are lightweight and less expensive.  They are lightweight and float on top of the pool and protect the pool from leaves, insects, and other debris. Plastic covers may be the most affordable but they are not always ideal for homes with small children.

Plastic pool covers will not support the weight of a person, even a small child. This can be a safely concern for families and neighborhoods with small children that are curious and often explore.

Manual vinyl covers are available for in-ground and aboveground pools. They need to be manually covered and uncovered for use on the pool.

Vinyl pool covers are designed for both above ground and in-ground pools. They will hold up to weather conditions better and most vinyl pool covers will hold the weight of several adults. This is a wonderful safely feature for areas with small children. But the vinyl pool cover is more expensive.

One other advantage to the vinyl pool cover is that it may come with an automatic system. This system will allow you to cover your pool with the click of a button. After a long day or a large party this option is easy and convenient.

The cost of a swimming pool cover will depend on the type of pool that you have and the options of the cover you are planning to buy. Where you shop may also have an impact on the cost. So shop around, both online and off to find the best quality and price before making your final purchase

With proper selection, a pool cover will add safety and less work to your pool and will more time to enjoy your backyard pool.

Posted by Denise at 10:31 am  Tagged with: , , , , , ,

Create a Porch Garden

 Small Space Garden  No Responses »
May 122009
 

Many people have limited garden space or want their garden as near to the house as possible. The perfect solution is to create a garden porch. Berkeley porch
Creative Commons License photo credit: hortulus

Your produce will be within walking distance, watering will be easy and you will have the added benefit of creating a garden oasis on your porch that will be enjoyed by family and friends.

The first step to a successful porch garden is to check the sunlight that your plants will receive. For a vegetable garden you will need 6 to 8 hours or sunlight. Flowers and herbs can live with less light but really prefer sunlight.

If sunlight is a problem and you really want the garden you can add fluorescent lighting to help your plants out.

Next it’s time to select containers. A mix of hanging baskets, window boxes, and larger containers for the floor will add a layering of plants which creates a full lush feeling in your garden area. You can choose plastic wood or ceramic containers. For retaining moisture, ceramic and terra cotta are the best.

My porch garden has two upside down hanging tomato plants, two hanging strawberry plants, two window boxes that have been placed on the porch railing, and 4 floor containers for the porch corner that will add height in planting to the garden.

It’s best to keep your plant containers about 16 inches or more in diameter so that the plants will not dry out as fast. It’s also beneficial to have mulch on the soil to keep the soil cool so it will not need as much water. 2 Hearts
Creative Commons License photo credit: Hotash

A trellis will work well for vining flowers and vegetables. Mixing a flowering vine with a vegetable will add color and interest to your porch garden.

It’s amazing what you can grow in a small space garden area. With proper planning you can grow enough produce on your porch to save $500 to $1000 on your grocery bill.

And by adding herbs and flowers you will also be able to grow you own spices for the kitchen and flower bouquets for the house and garden oasis area.

Posted by Denise at 9:26 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

The Backyard Hobby Greenhouse

 Backyard Garden  No Responses »
May 112009
 

The backyard hobby greenhouse has several useful purposes and will benefit many gardeners. With the use of a hobby greenhouse you can extend your growing season if your climate has a short growing season or you can grow specialty plants that need that extra care that a small controlled environment can give them. New Greenhouse
Creative Commons License photo credit: soapbeard

A hobby greenhouse is not large enough to produce vegetables or flowers on a commercial basis but it will provide a place for tomato or pepper plants, fresh salad greens and will create a wonderful area for seedlings and plant cuttings.

They can also work successfully on a balcony garden area or on a patio.

The smallest hobby greenhouse is not large enough to walk into but is accessible for all sides from the outside.  It resembles an old-fashioned phone booth made of glass or plexi-glass and has clear shelving to promote the use of all available light.  This style is designed to hold as many plants as possible in as small a place as possible.

There is also an inexpensive variety of this mini greenhouse that is covered with a zippered tent of clear plastic.  These greenhouses can be used to extend the gardening season and temporarily house new plants, sick plants or additional houseplants. They also work well for over-wintering outdoor plants if you have a patio that can be enclosed or a spare porch area.

The advantages of a mini hobby greenhouse are that they can be used when needed and stored the rest of the year. They also take up less space than a more permanent larger greenhouse.

If you have more room or prefer to leave a hobby greenhouse up for a longer period of time there are greenhouses large enough to walk in and are made or clear glass or plastic. They are usually the size of a storage shed. The “Solar Prism” is a very popular variety of the small walk-in greenhouse.

The design of the solar prism captures the sunrays and will shoot them back into the greenhouse at all angles. This will make the most possible use of any sunlight available, which makes this variety great for cloudy regions or short growing climates.

Larger greenhouses will have misting systems for water and automatic vents for cooling but these will be more costly and also require more room in the backyard area.

The hobby greenhouse will add to your backyard garden oasis by giving you more control over the climate for certain plants and extend you growing season.

Posted by Denise at 5:40 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , ,

Create a Kitchen Garden

 Backyard Garden  1 Response »
May 082009
 

Kitchen gardens were always a part of the backyard plan in the past and with the return of the recession gardens and popularity of the outdoor kitchen area the kitchen garden is again becoming popular. 041709 023
Creative Commons License photo credit: themissiah

A kitchen garden was set up to be small and easy to access from the home and preferably near the kitchen area.

It was also set up to include the favorite vegetables, herbs for cooking and a few fruits.

Basil, oregano, garlic, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, leaf lettuce, rhubarb and strawberries are a few of the items most often selected.

Kitchen gardens can be set up in a very small space or even on the balcony or patio. They are often grown in containers if space is limited.

Here are a few ideas to consider if you plan on creating your own kitchen garden area.

Choose a site that receives full sun during the growing season. This would be at least six to eight hours of lighting. If you live in a cooler climate try to select a site that thaws early. You will be able to work your soil earlier and get in your lettuce and other small vegetables.

Raised beds, using windowsills or container gardening would also help you plant earlier if your climate is cooler

Select a site that will permit access to a storage shed and water so that your gardening supplies will be close by.

The garden area should drain well and have the proper soil mix. Both drainage and soil can quickly be improved if you add compost, peat or fertilizer.

Design your kitchen garden to include the vegetables you use the most but also to be ornamental garden. This way you have the benefits of fresh garden produce but the beauty of a unique garden landscape. This is easy to do with vegetables of different colors, the use of vining plants and including flower, which can be edible, in your garden.The garden one year on
Creative Commons License photo credit: tristanf

One other advantage of a kitchen garden is that it is usually is within easy reach which makes weeding and picking the harvest easy. And if it’s close to the house you shouldn’t have to worry about damage to your crops from deer or other small wild animals.

Add a kitchen garden to your backyard or patio area.

It will add color to your garden oasis and fresh produce to you table. And with planning it will take very little room or time to maintain.

Posted by Denise at 9:52 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , ,
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