Swimming pools provide hours of enjoyment for the entire family. Besides keeping the children occupied they add to any family event such as parties and get togethers. They turn your backyard into the oasis that you always dreamed of.

photo credit: sflovestory

But a pool is a large investment, takes time and space though, so selection and price is very important. You will also have to consider your property value and landscaping needed for the project.

These are a few points to consider when selecting a pool.

Decide what type of pool you want to buy. Above ground pools are less expensive and can be made nicer looking with a deck and landscaping. They can also be removed relatively easily if needed.

In-ground pools are more expensive and will usually increase your property value. But you must carefully consider where you plan to place it.

Shop for the best-priced pool. Try local pool companies and look online for deals.

Make sure you get several references from the companies you contact. Also check with the check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure they’re trustworthy and have a good rating.

Get three quotes to five quotes in writing. Make sure the quotes include all installation costs and any extra costs.

Swimming pools can cost more than you expect. So leave room for unexpected expenses. So when shopping try to buy a swimming pool for $1,000 less than your set budget. This extra money will absorb any unexpected costs.

photo credit: Schantzilla

Budget the extras right into you pool costs and budget. Once you add a pool you will need the area landscaped. Possibly a deck, outdoor kitchen or patio placed near the pool area and safety features. Safety features would include a fence, pool chemicals, equipment, pumps and filters. Pool toys will also be a consideration.

Figure out how much money you’ll have to put away each month or week toward your swimming pool. If you have children they may enjoy putting money toward the pool too. It will give them a feeling of accomplishment.

And you may want to put the money in a higher interest account. It will increase faster if you put the money into a mutual fund or credit union with a higher interest rate.

Once you have the money for the pool be prepared to have a new life and look to your backyard.

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Here is a fun and easy way to add fresh color and a spring like feel to your indoor plants and gardening. Try coaxing or forcing spring flowering bulbs into blooming in the mid-winter months.

photo credit: robynejay

There are dozens of bulbs that will add beautiful spring color to your home in the winter. Some bulbs will require minimal effort, while others require planning. So when selecting your bulbs to force take effort and time into consideration.

Many bulbs require a cold period to stimulate growth and flower production. If you have such bulbs place them in the refrigerator for a few weeks.

Not all bulbs will require a cold period. Amaryllis, freesia, and tropical narcissus are a few that do fine without chilling the bulbs.

How to force spring bulbs into winter bloom without pre-chilling the bulbs.

• To force spring bulbs into winter bloom, pot the bulbs in either potting soil or water. Potting soil gives you the garden look and you can create more indoor decor with the selection of the container or garden pot.
• You will keep both growing styles indoors. The bulbs will not survive outdoors in cold weather.
• If you are potting in the bulbs in water, squeeze as many bulbs as you can fit into a shallow pot so they are secured. Pour enough water over the bulbs to cover the bottom half of the bulb. You can also anchor the bulbs with pebbles if you are unable to hold them down by squeezing them together in the pot.
• By planting bulbs in pots or vases you get a modern look that emphasizes the container, bulb and flower. I think planting done in this style have a delicate look.
• The spring bulbs should sprout within a week or two of potting them. This pertains to both growing methods.
• Once the plants have sprouted, keep them in indirect light and in a cool place where the temperature is about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
• You will want to keep the sprouted plants in the cool room with indirect light for two weeks. This gives the bulbs a feel of cooler outdoor climates.
• After two weeks in the cool room with indirect light, move the pot into bright, direct light where there will be warmer temperatures.

photo credit: robynejay

The plants should flower within 4 weeks. Flowering bulbs in the winter add such color and life to indoor living. It seems to speed up the arrival of spring.

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Spring is just around the corner for many of us and this is the perfect time to prepare your yard for spring.

photo credit: robynejay

What makes spring a perfect time for sprucing up the backyard, gardens and shrubs or trees? That spring feeling of energy and new growth and the fact that with your backyard area coming back alive it’s easier to see debris and evaluate your plants.

Start by raking your leaves and any dead grass. Add this to a compost bin so that you can create your own healthy compost for gardens. Small sticks can also be added, particularly if you can chop them up.

Trim any shrubs or trees and pull off the dead heads from any flowers or plants. While doing this take a good look at the property. You will see if you need to trim around any
Flowerbeds or gardens. Make sure they aren’t being overrun by grass.

Give the yard a fresh look by cleaning mulch in the yard. Remove the top layer or mulch, pull any weeds and put down a fresh coat or your favorite mulching material. I use pine needles, tree chips or leaves, depending on what area of the yard I am working on.

Mow the lawn if it is tall in some areas, but don’t cut it as short as you normally would in the summer. The first mowing is always my favorite. The smell of fresh cut grass and the bright green color makes the spring season special.

Clean up after any pets if you have them.

Till any gardens, move, redo or remove any garden area that you didn’t like. This is also the perfect time to prepare pots for new plants and flowers. Some plants may have to be potted indoors so they start out healthy before moving outside.

Patch any bare spots in the yard with grass seed. You may want to add slow release fertilizer and/or weed stopper to your yard. If there are big brown spots, consider doing a ground test and adding some nitrogen. Brown spots may also be a pet problem too.

Plant some spring flowers and add any window boxes. Window boxes can hold spring bulbs or early spring flowers.

Bulbs are the most versatile of spring flowers and will do as well in pots as the ground. I grow mine in pots now to protect them from small animals and so that I can bring them in or mover them around the patio or porch areas.

Clean and spruce up your porches, patio or entertainment areas. Bring out the lawn furniture and fire pit if you have one, and enjoy spring and the promise of summer that follows.

Technorati Tags: backyard planning, backyard spring cleaning, spring flowers

Pathways add to a backyard or garden area. They can be used for utility purposes to stop wear and tear on a yard. They can also be used to divide the backyard into garden areas or separate areas for specific uses.

This you tube video shows how to create a pathway

Its important to get the pathway flat and any rock edges even so that people will not trip.

If you concerned about weeds coming through later you can place plastic or cardboard under the rocks. I use cardboard and have had much luck with it controlling weed growth.

This next you tube video shows how to spruce a walkway or pathway up with moss and ground covers. This look is particularly nice near gardens.

Pathways serve a utility purpose but also add the the landscape design. With proper layout they will add value and beauty to your backyard.

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The large backyard creates a totally different set of concerns than a smaller piece of property. From personal experience I have learned you need to break the area down into sections and work on them separately.

photo credit: get directly down

First of all with a big backyard you have more time that is needed to work the property, so “simplify!” Use mulch, put in a pond, plant an orchard or tree stand. Create areas that use space but are manageable. And to tie the areas together make use of matching color, shrubs or trees or pathways.

Break down your large backyard into manageable areas.

One idea is to create one to several island of flowers to attract butterflies, hummingbirds and other beneficial insects. How many you create will be decided on the size of your backyard.

But remember in your backyard planning – keep it simple. Drought resistant and naturalizing flowers will be easy to care for and attract the natural insects, butterflies and birds. Ground covers will stop weeds and cut down on watering and mowing.

Your garden area will be a focal attraction and add color and interest to your yard. You may consider adding a bench or two for relaxation near the garden areas.

A large backyard can be arranged to create a campfire or camping area by surround he area by shrubs or small trees that grow 12 to 15 foot tall. This area could be used for camping, parties or as a secluded area to get a few quiet moments to yourself.

A grove of trees or a small orchard will also make use of an acre or two. Just select trees that are hardy and will not add time to your backyard work schedule.

photo credit: thisisbossi

And to tie your backyard designs together and make walking your property easier add pathways.  Pathways with a width of approx. three to five feet are better for circulation and maintenance along with children being able to use them for bicycle trails.

Technorati Tags: backyard design, large backyard