There are many plans I have for next year. The addition of a new deck, redoing the patio area and finishing repairing the property damage from this years flooding.

photo credit: ricardo-pereira

But whether you have small plans or larger plans, late fall and winter are the perfect time to plan the Backyard Oasis for next year.

Most people schedules let up in the winter and you can see the backyard better when the plants and trees are dormant. Even in the southern climates most vegetation will die down.

This is the the time to make plans for new plants.

It’s also the time to set back and think about what worked and didn’t work in the backyard.

• Are the children outgrowing their play area?
• Is the dog or cat destroying plants and trees?
• Would a new patio or backyard entertainment area add to the atmosphere?
• Would you like to add flowers, shrubs or trees”
• Is it time to downsize the backyard area and make it easier to maintain?

By planning in the winter you can look up new plants, select the best deals and revamp your backyard to make it a more pleasureable area to relax and enjoy with friends and family.

My biggest find recently for the backyard area was a large patio table and chairs. It was up at out local auction and I picked it up for $15. All it needs is a fresh coat of paint and to clean the umbrella.  This will really add to my private garden area.

I have just received several seed catalogs in the mail so will be making plant and shrub selections for the following summer season. I like to order my seeds early while the selection is still available.

I like selecting endangered plants and heirloom plants for my yard. I also look carefully to make sure the new plants are not invasive to my area. Just because a nursery or catalog carries them does not mean they are save to grow in your climate or zone.

What is you biggest concern or area that needs to be redone in the backyard?

If you make a suggestion I will try to do an article for you and your backyard garden plans.

Technorati Tags: backyard oasis, backyard oasis planning, how to improve the backyard

My front yard has a 90-degree angle or slope, from the road down to the house. Now normally that’s not a problem and the slope look nice when its mowed.

photo credit: brewbooks

But this year our abundant rain created quite a problem and when the drain directly across the hill filled with rock from a rockslide my yard turned into a waterfalls.

Four and one half hours of water crossing the road and bringing rocks, branches, dirt, garbage and anything else that fell in it path into the yard created quite a mess. The water current also uprooted a shrub and ripped out all my perennials.

After the chaos was done, I had a rock pile in front of the house, no yard and the beginning of an idea of how to make sure that this would not happen again.

How would I do this? With a raised shrub bed up near the road, a garden area just below that and a retaining wall at the end of the garden on a hill and before the new drive way.

photo credit: mikeporcenaluk

The driveway would also have drainage and a dry creek, just in case I ever had water again. I drew my ideas on paper, started accumulating my needed supplies and knew that a project this big would take a year to complete, if I wanted to keep costs reasonable.

You may also need a garden on a hill to divert or slow water or to create an area that does not need mowed. You can add color and beauty, cut down on yard work and make sure your soil is stabilized in case of a flood or water run off.

To prepare my yard I picked up the biggest rocks that washed in the yard, tried to find what perennials I could salvage then laid down heavy cardboard to kill the grass. I had such a mess this was the easiest way to deal with the problem.

You may want to prepare the soil by removing weeds or any undesirable large rocks or boulders. It is good to leave some large rocks, however, for interest and for ground stability purposes.

photo credit: stereogab

Next I Mixed organic mulch and compost in topsoil and layered it on the cardboard base. If your mixing a the mulch into the ground two to four inches will be sufficient. I used 10 inches of my soil mix.

Next I studied my plant and shrub plan, lightly sprayed the soil to make it firm and let it set for a day. Then I tamped it in place and prepared to lay out my garden plan.

My plan involved shrubs, perennials, and rocks to help direct any excess water.

Next I Dug furrows along the contour of the hill to allow water to flow between the plants rather than running straight down the hill. This will direct the water to flow along the plants, then down and away from your home.

My next plan was to make sure the drive was put in the way I wanted it. Then on to the shrubs and plants.

Part two will follow in a few days

Technorati Tags: backyard design, hillside garden design

When it comes to a children’s play house, the choices you have are practically as varied as when buying a home. They come in many different styles, sizes and materials. Before you try to sift through all the options, there are some decisions to be made first.
photo credit: Paul A Hernandez

Size is a good place to start. Do you want a small playhouse that can be used indoors? Or would you prefer a larger one that can only be used outdoors? How many children need to fit in the house? It should be large enough for your own children plus at least one friend each.

You may choose to either build your playhouse from the ground up, or purchase one that you only need assemble. This will partly depend on how comfortable you are with a hammer and saw. If you are not really handy, you will have far more options with a prefabricated house. If you are handy, then you are far less limited by building your own.

If you are buying a prefab playhouse, think about what type of materials you prefer. They generally come in either plastic or wood. Wooden houses will tend to be more durable and last longer. They are also easier to modify, if you want to add your own touches. Even if you think you want to build your own, it is not a bad idea to take a look at what is available to buy. If nothing else, it may give you some good ideas.

Your biggest decision is going to be the design of the house, particularly if you have more than one child to consider as they may have different tastes, especially if different sexes.

Girls often want a place that is perfect for a tea party while boys may be thinking more along the lines of a command post.

In the case of boys and girls both using the playhouse, you can try to come up with something that both enjoy, like a pirate den or a ranch.

Try to get everyone to take part in the project. Although it can open you up to all kinds of impractical ideas, actually ask the children what kind of playhouse they would like. You will get points for listening if you at least try to use some of their concepts.

Speaking of getting them involved, if you decide to build the house yourself, this is a great opportunity for a family project. Get the kids involved in picking the paint colours and in actually painting the walls. They will feel that much more pride in their playhouse, which may also result in them taking care of it better.

When you have the playhouse itself the way you want it, you can then stock it with furniture and accessories that fit with the theme. Accessories can be added both inside and outside. After all, no pirate den would be complete without a Jolly Roger flying over it.

Whether you buy your children’s play house or build it, your kids are sure to be thrilled. They will have a place they can really call their own. A place where they can use their imaginations and have all sorts of fun whether alone or with a group of friends

There are almost as many selections for a childrens play house as there is for your family home. They can vary according to material, size and style. If you are stuck for options why not check out cheap garden sheds first.

Technorati Tags: backyard childrens play area, gardening, home, landscaping, recreation

Bentwood furniture seems to tie the backyard in with the patio and home area. Bentwood pieces can include benches, planters, rockers and love seats. The Garden areas also benefit from bentwood garden art with the use of trellises, arbors and plant stands.

photo credit: Mike and Kelly Schellhouse

The Amish are on my property this week cutting hickory for their bentwood rockers they are so well known for in this area. They have been harvesting small amounts of Hickory wood on and off for about 15 years from the property.

The rockers have become a family tradition and each artist signs his rocker on the bottom and becomes known for his style. I have two handmade rockers with hickory that has been harvested off my property and used by the Amish to create furniture.

The Amish will be here two weeks collecting small hickory pieces no larger than four inches in diameter. As they collect and drag the branches off the hill they sort them for size then bundle them for transporting home.

Although the Amish use hickory and oak for their style of rocker, many use a softer wood like willow or pine. Basically if a branch can bend it can be used for furniture or garden art.

Harder wood such as hickory holds up better than the softer wood but with proper care all wood branches will work well indoors or out. The branches  need to be dried and treated properly before the furniture is made.

I particularly like the look of bentwood on the patio. It brings nature a little closer to the home and seems to blend the two spaces into one.

The You Tube video below shows Jeffrey Dreisbach creating a unique piece of furniture from branches.

His work is more artistic than what the local Amish make in my area. But the idea of collecting wood and creating furniture and other useful home products is the same.

There is a fun side to harvesting wood and branches from the woods and creating a useful but rustic piece of furniture.

Over the next two weeks it will be a learning to watch the Amish harvest the wood they need and still not abuse the land. The way they trim the hickory trees keeps the trees usable for lumber and shade but still supplies them with branches needed for their wonderful bentwood rocking chairs.

photo credit: navets

Bentwood furniture may be a style that you would like to add to your patio, porch or backyard garden area.

For more information on the Amish rocker check out my article on The Gardeners Rake;  Amish Tradition and Harvesting Hickory

Technorati Tags: amish bentwood furniture, backyard garden area, backyard patio, bentwood furniture

Reading gardens or rooms are taking root across America. Many towns are actually creating reading gardens in parks and community centers.

photo credit: David Masters

Why not create a reading garden in your backyard where you can escape from the stress and pace of today’s society?

Take a look at your backyard. Do you have an area that is not in use or could be revamped to include a clear area and a hammock or bench. And by adding shade or light, flowers and plants, you can create a personal getaway that inspires you.

Will you also want to use this area at night? Proper lighting and a fire pit may also add to your reading area. Color, shape and contrast are also important to take into consideration when planning your design. They all add to the comfort that you are trying to create.

Start your reading room project by clearing out debris, sticks, stones and weeds. Mow the area well and trim around any shrubs and trees. At this time I look to simplify my area by mulching around trees and shrubs so that trimming is not an added chore to the backyard.

When creating your reading room, remember its for reading and enjoyment so choose low- maintenance flowers and plants. And to create privacy and quiet, try a hedge or screen of ivy. Annual and perennial vies and a screen will also help add privacy and create almost a secret garden reading room.
photo credit: mrhayata

A border of flowers, plants, stones or shrubs can set off your outdoor “reading room.” If there’s no tree for shade, try taller shrubs, bushes or ivy on a trellis or a canopy if shade is essential.

And an arbor would add color, shade and privacy if you have the room and want to take on a larger backyard project. Add grapes and perennial flowering vines to the arbor for a unique look and added privacy.

Your reading room design is all about fitting you and your families needs into a space when quiet and resting can be achieved. Open up a book and experience the beauty and inspiration of your reading garden.

Technorati Tags: a reading room, backyard design, backyard oasis, create a reading room, reading garden