All Outdoor Patio Furniture

As I was saying, in March, your gardening opportunities will depend upon where you live.  While some people can do a lot of planting now, others are still dealing with frozen soil; but either way, it’s okay, because winter is simply running out of time.  Indeed, this is a month of drastic changes, wherein many cooler regions commonly experience significant spikes in temperatures, sometimes, to the point where they become unseasonably warm.

So, even if your world looks all white and brown and gray today, by the time April arrives, it may be verdant, and bursting with color.  Heck, a few weeks from now, you may even be complaining about weeds, rather than snow.  Yep, March could come in like a lion, and go out like a dandelion (or, thousands of them!).  Furthermore, instead of seeing it through closed windows (that may be covered with plastic), you may be taking in the scenery from your porch swing or glider, or your favorite lounge chair.

Therefore, now is the time to plan your garden.  Decide on a design, look through seed catalogs, and visit some nurseries.  Perhaps, by the time you’re finished, the temperatures will have risen sufficiently, the danger of frost will have passed, the ground will be thawed, and, well, you can dig it!

Of course, the planning stage is important, no matter what kind of garden you have, or where you live.  Still, many people skip it, and end up disappointed with the results.  To avoid this, first of all, make sure that you know the dimensions of your garden.  Write them down and take them to the nursery, along with a picture of the area that you’re shopping for, and let a professional help you to select the ideal number of plants, in the right sizes and colors.

When choosing flowers, it’s easy to get excited about how gorgeous they’re going to be when they’re blossoming; but consider how they’ll appear for the rest of the year.  Pick some with spectacular foliage, or add some ornamental grasses, to keep the beds looking great throughout the seasons.  Oh, and don’t buy plants that are already in full bloom.  Get ones with healthy leaves and plump buds, and let them peak in your garden.

It’s also crucial to establish a color scheme.  While virtually all of the flowers that you’ll see at the nursery will be lovely, they won’t necessarily look stunning together, so organize an ensemble that adheres to your scheme.  After all, your garden is no place for making strange bedfellows, right?  If you see some irresistible flowers in non-complementary colors, use them as striking accents for your porch, gazebo, yard, or walkway, in planters, planter wheelbarrows, planter trellises, planter tubs, or planter boxes.

That way, your theme will be intact, and there won’t be much ado about hue (I suppose that would be called a “hue-ha-ha”).

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: gazebo, glider, lounge chair, planter boxes, planter trellises, planter tubs, planter wheelbarrows, Planters, porch swing

March is finally here; and rarely has a month been so anticipated by so many people across the nation.  After the record-breaking, branch-breaking, and back-breaking amounts of snow that fell on much of the country in February, millions of people have been waiting for the weather to break, so that they can do some serious ground-breaking in their gardens.

Although there are lots of places where it will be safe to start planting this month, there are also many regions that can have frost, and even more snow, well into April.  So, if you live in one of the latter locations, even though spring is just a few weeks away, and even if the temperature is rising, and the forecast calls for it to continue in an upward trend, you’ll still have to resist the temptation to start putting things into the ground too early.

Of course, as I always say, if you can’t plant, plan.  Start by designing the structure of your garden, and don’t forget to include your garden structures.  Whether you already have arbors, trellises, or pergolas, or are going to install any, make sure that they’re properly placed before putting seed to soil.

This Planter Bench is all ready for spring!

This is even more crucial when it comes to gazebos, pool houses, cabanas, and sheds, as it’s common to give these backyard structures some special landscaping of their own.  Furthermore, if you don’t have one yet, but intend to get one, some of your newly-established plants and flowers may be wiped out during its construction.

You can also tend to your compost pile, which may very well have been neglected – and, indeed, even forgotten – if it has been buried deep beneath the snow.  Begin turning it regularly, to get it all heated up and ready for action.  If you don’t have a compost pile (or if you accidentally shoveled or plowed yours away with the snow), start one now.

Your tools will also have to be ready for peak performance, so have your lawnmower’s blades sharpened, oil changed, bolts tightened, and other parts inspected and/or cleaned.

Sharpen your garden tools, using a file on trowels, hoes, clippers, and shovels, and a whetstone on pruning shears.  Once they’re sharpened, coat the metal with some penetrating oil; and, if they are moving parts, a heavier oil as well.  Sand rough spots on wood handles, and then apply some linseed oil.

In my next entry, I’ll have some more suggestions for March gardening projects.  I’m anxious to get started on mine, too, but, at the moment, I’m sitting here looking at a patio that remains covered with at least a foot of snow.  So, I’m still waiting for that big break!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: Arbors, backyard structures, Cabanas, garden structures, Gazebos, Pergolas, pool houses, Sheds, trellises

If you thought you were shopping around for outdoor furniture, patio dining sets, or even a gazebo for yourself… you might be missing an important factor.  Studies show that your children need more time outside than the majority of them are getting.  If you’re saying, “I know that… but they have this X-box 360 I can’t seem to conquer!” perhaps you should consider this:  give your children a place to play outside and they probably will!

1. Nature Deficit Disorder:  Recent studies have shown that children not exposed to the outdoors enough are suffering from a specific series of concerns.  Most likely fueled by a more media-centered society and parents fearing that their children will be less safe outside… many effected children are suffering from a marked lack in creativity, anxiety and depression, attention deficit problems, and long-term inabilities to cope with stress.  And, of course, it goes without saying that these children are also much more likely to suffer from childhood obesity; a condition that will undoubtedly affect them for the rest of their lives.  Luckily, this is a problem that can be easily fixed.  If you have a mandatory amount of time your child is required to spend reading, doing homework, or even working on chores… consider extending this to spending time outdoors.  Even if it’s not playing, doing homework on a porch swing or at a picnic table instead of at their desk will do wonders.  They will be more aware of what is going on around them and better able to evaluate a variety of senses at one time.  Being outside offers changing stimuli, unlike the constant décor of their bedroom, and the more time children spend outdoors, the more time they will yearn for the fresh smell of the open air. And remember, children build their immune systems as they’re developing.  Kids that are kept away from any sort of dirt and germs will be unable to cope with them as they grow older.  Studies show that adults that spent more time outside as children were less likely to suffer from allergies.
2. Exercise… both mentally and physically:  It’s clear that children are getting less exercise with every generation.  Not only does this lead to a lot of pent-up energy, it leads to a long list of health concerns.  But, children are little balls of activity, and giving them a place outside to expend that is good for them.  Climbing trees, swinging on monkey bars, running, and jumping are all great for their health.  A few minor bumps and bruises may occur, but this is a natural part of being a kid!  Youngsters have an innate need to be active, it’s the constant push from the media encouraging docile sit-in-front-of-the-screen behavior that turns them off of it.  The earlier you foster their love for wind blowing in their face as they sprint after a little brother, the more they will love it as they grow older. But, the physical exercise is not where the importance stops.  Playtime outside will cause your children to develop their own story lines, create their own games, and pretend an old, scary witch is plotting great destruction from that rocking chair, or a far-away princess is sleeping on the chaise lounge.  Let your child’s mind deviate from the plot lines of their video games, the characters on their cartoons, and even the lessons in their schools—let their brains develop correctly by entertaining their active imaginations!
3. Foster team work:  Children who play together, learn together, and teach each other how to develop successful interpersonal skills will be much better off later in life.  If children are constantly left to their own devices to make afternoons fun and full of laughter… they’ll find a way to make sure everyone is involved because, it’s true, “the more the merrier.”  Say goodbye to phrases like, “does not play well with others.”  Through pre-determined team sports like soccer, quoits, kick ball, croquet, bocce ball, and football… your children will learn the value of team work, as well as gracious winning and losing.  Youngsters who learn how to deal and play with a variety of personality types will be less likely to get in fights in high school and more willing to explore new places and ideas. And if you don’t have a horse shoe set, don’t fret.  Many outdoor games are incredibly inexpensive, and even if that’s not in your budget this year… kids can make a game out of almost anything.
4. Learn responsibility:  Giving your children their own space to take care of will give them a sense of ownership that fosters responsibility.  Whether this is their own playhouse or simply a section of the garden with a garden bench, explain that they are responsible for taking care of their little bit of earth.  Teach them to weed and take care of their section of garden or plant flowers in the playhouse’s flower boxes.  Learning to cultivate nature will teach them that they are responsible for taking care of the environment and that their hard work produces beautiful things.  Learning this kind of responsibility will not only be good for their work ethic and behavior, it will also instill a love and accountability for the environment.  Just think, if coming generations know that taking care of the earth is an important responsibility… maybe our fragile planet isn’t doomed.
5. Get selfish; make time for yourself:  Do you often feel like you can’t think over the blaring television?  Do you wish you could get on the family computer to read this blog, but your daughter is too busy playing an online video game? Are you constantly trying to find some way to have a few moments to yourself?  Fostering a love of the outdoors in your children will do just that.  Imagine your kids walking home from school, dropping their book bags at the door, and racing outside to their playhouse, or even just to their section of the yard or garden.  Picking up a soccer ball on their way, you’ll be free to do the things you need to do.  Or, of course, to sit back in your Adirondack chair or porch glider and watch your children run, jump, play, and laugh their way to better holistic health!

See you (and your kids!) outside!

Hazel

Exhausted after a long day of playing!

Tags: adirondack chair, chaise lounge, Croquet, garden bench, gazebo, Outdoor Furniture, patio dining sets, picnic table, play houses, playhouses, porch glider, porch swing, quoites, rocking chair

Among the many indoor projects that people are working on at this time of the year, painting is one of the most common.  This is understandable, as it’s a great way to give a room a whole new look, without the expense of remodeling; and virtually anyone can do it.  For first-timers, however, the myriad choices in paints can be rather confusing.  Heck, it’s difficult enough just to pick from the millions of available colors.  Then, after you make that monumental decision, you have to figure out whether flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, or gloss paint, will best suit your purpose.

So, if you’re not familiar with these terms, remember that flat paint has a matte finish, with no sheen, shine, or shimmer.  Because it doesn’t reflect light, it can hide some minor imperfections; but it’s less durable, more porous, and harder to clean, than glossier types.  This makes it more hospitable to mold and mildew growth, so it shouldn’t be used in high-humidity rooms, such as bathrooms and kitchens, or in backyard structures that aren’t insulated.

Eggshell has just a slight hint of luster, but can add a bit more depth and warmth to a room.  Easier to clean than flat paint, it still disguises small defects, and is less attractive to mildew.

Smooth and somewhat shiny, satin paint is much more durable than flat and eggshell varieties.  Very easy to clean, and resistant to mold and mildew, it’s great for use in bathrooms and kitchens, as well as high-traffic areas.

With its beautiful, sparkling finish, semi-gloss paint is extremely durable and easy to keep clean.  It’s used mostly for trim, doors, and bathroom and kitchen cabinets; but it’s highly reflective, and will draw attention to even the slightest blemish.

Gleaming, glistening gloss paint is mainly for trim, wainscoting, and cabinets; but it can also make a home look stylish and welcoming when used on the front door.  Because it spotlights every imperfection, however, wherever, whenever, and if ever you use it, be sure that whatever you put it on has no flaws whatsoever.

Once you’re done with the indoors, you can start planning a fresh look for the outdoors.  Adding patio furniture to your porch or lawn is a great way to add an entirely new living space to enjoy.   Of course, with the thousands of patio chairs, porch swings, garden benches, swingbeds, picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, chaise lounges, hammocks, accent tables, gliders, outdoor dining tables, garden structures, and ottomans available, there’s practically as many varieties of outdoor furniture as there are paint colors!

Luckily, though, this will cause you no consternation.  Because materials can be easily split into two categories; cedar, pine, oak, cherry, teak, eucalyptus, and cypress, verses aluminum, synthetic wicker, polywood, and vinyl.  Your decision is simple: either you wood, or wood not.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: accent tables, adirondack chairs, aluminum, backyard structures, cedar, chaise lounges, cherry, cypress, eucalyptus, garden benches, garden structures, gliders, Hammocks, oak, ottomans, outdoor dining tables, patio chairs, patio furniture, picnic tables, pine, polywood, porch swings, Swingbeds, synthetic wicker, teak, vinyl

As we anxiously await the arrival of spring, it’s being reported that all of the lower 48 states have snow at this time.  So, it looks like Punxsutawney Phil was dead serious.  In fact, he seems to be downright angry, for some reason.  Well, I don’t know what happened to displease him, but it appears that there’s nothing more dangerous than a vengeful groundhog.

One thing for sure is that we all want to put this behind us, and welcome the warmer days, when we can put out our patio furniture, picnic tables, porch swings, hammocks, gliders, and outdoor sofas, and get back to some refreshing outdoor living.

However, the recent, crippling winter storms, which caused week-long power outages, impassable roads that took days to clear, and nearly-empty store shelves, have taught us that it is possible to have trouble surviving in our own homes.  That’s a lesson that is worth remembering, because, even without snow, at any time of the year, many things can happen, from natural disasters that affect millions, to individual emergencies that occur in our homes.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to have an emergency survival kit, which will include many things that you already have around the house; you may just have to stock up on some items.  Although, in most cases, you’ll probably just have to get through a power outage, you should still be prepared for the worst.

Naturally, the first thing you’ll want is a supply of batteries and flashlights.  Yes, you can use candles, but they pose a real danger, especially when people light a bunch of them in every room, to try to keep their entire houses bright.  Forget about that.  After all, you’re supposed to turn out the lights in empty rooms anyway, so it’s better to use only flashlights, or battery-powered lanterns, particularly with the powerful, long-lasting, LED flashlights that are available today.  Having a portable generator can be a blessing; but it has its own, long list of hazards and safety precautions, so make sure that you know how to use it properly.

You’ll also need a source of heat.  Even if you’re not in danger of freezing, you’ll still want to be comfortable, so, for starters, dress in warm layers, and always have plenty of extra blankets on hand.  If you have a fireplace, that’s great, but make sure that it’s clean and safe to use.  In fact, that should be a part of your yearly routine maintenance.  Kerosene and propane space heaters are also excellent for providing heat, but they, too, require many safety measures, and must be clean, fully operational, and constantly attended.

You should also have a supply of non-perishable foods, such as energy bars and canned goods (make sure you have a manual can opener) on hand.  Try to get things that can be eaten – and enjoyed – cold.

I know, right now, in many areas, it seems like everything’s cold, and impossible to enjoy; but spring will come soon, and winter will be a distant memory.  You know, I’ve heard that they may be making a movie about this month of monstrous storms, which they’ll call “Snowmageddon.”  Hmm.  I prefer, “The Wrath of Phil.”

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Don't worry, you'll be using fire places for marshmellows instead of warmth quite soon!

Tags: gliders, Hammocks, outdoor living, outdoor sofas, patio furniture, picnic tables, porch swings

Most people are familiar with using Treated Pine, Red Cedar, Teak, and even Oak for outdoor furniture.  If you’re looking for more information on long-loved patio furniture materials that have stood the test of time, check our Shirley Bovshow’s Eden Makers Blog for tips and advice!

While traditional and time honored garden furniture materials will always be appropriate, beautiful, and well-respected, many designers are starting to use some unlikely candidates to craft their outdoor pieces. Today, I have five reasons to start looking at Eucalyptus Wood for your outdoor furniture!

Growing Eucalyptus Helps the Earth: Unlike a lot of vegetation, an abundance of Eucalyptus trees will offer a helping hand to many surrounding species.  We all know that Koalas love their sweet leaves, but the trees’ rich flowers also provide a large source of food to pollinators such as insects, birds, and bats.  Further, Eucalyptus trees draw a tremendous amount of water from the soil in order to grow, so planting them in places where architecture or human interference has caused damage will lower the water table and reduce soil salination.  This is also a sparkling use of the earth’s water as the tree naturally cleans it of toxins to both release it back into the water cycle and create valuable oxygen.

Growing Eucalyptus Helps People: Eucalyptus trees have become economically important to many groups of people by becoming a cash crop in poor area of Africa, The Andes, and parts of South America.  Not only does this cultivation bring prosperity to poorer communities, it also helps to maintain their health.  The process of transpiration that causes Eucalyptus trees to use an incredible amount of water in their growth has caused many areas to plant Eucalyptus in overgrown swamps.  Swamps that have developed over too large of a region create dangerous and outsized areas for mosquito larvae to foster.  Using Eucalyptus trees to naturally downsize these overgrown swamps significantly reduces outbreaks of malaria.

Eucalyptus is a Sustainable Product: Eucalyptus is incredibly sustainable.  First of all, the tree grows exceptionally fast and can be chopped at the root to grow back again.  Because of its quick growing cycle and ability to re-grow from the roots, many wood production companies use plantation grown and carefully managed Eucalyptus trees instead of logging in native and valuable rain forests.  And, this can continue for many decades, as well-managed plantations produce soil that can sustain endless replanting.  Further, we can use more than just the Eucalyptus wood.  Eucalyptus oil can be steam distilled for sustainable, natural cleaning and deodorizing products, and small quantities can have healing effects in cough drops and decongestants.  The oil even has natural insect repelling properties for commercial mosquito repellants. Eucalyptus nectar is used to make high-quality monofloral honey, and all other parts are employed to make sustainable and natural dyes for fabrics. A plant with several attributes that can be used across industries makes it valuable, efficient, and better for the earth.

Eucalyptus is Durable and Weather-Resistant: With naturally occurring oils that contain insect repelling properties, this wood is perfect for outdoor furniture.  When pre-treated and kiln dried, it is renowned for its excellent resistant to all variations of weather, insect attacks, and decay.  It’s not just the oil though; Eucalyptus hardwood has an incredibly tight gain with a very high density.  These attributes make the timber strong and resilient to all kinds of normally damaging outside factors.  While a weather-resistant and durable wood is good for any product, outdoor furniture benefits from these characteristics more than most.  Using Eucalyptus wood is not only helping the earth, animals, and people in developing countries… it’s helping you make sure you choose a material that is sure to last!

Eucalyptus is Gorgeous and Lustrous: If you checked out Shirley Bovshow’s Blog, you saw that Teak outdoor furniture is absolutely the most revered.  Teak is enormously breathtaking in beauty, and has a density and durability that makes buyers flock.  But, one of the reasons Teak wood boasts such a high price tag is the years and years it takes for the Teak tree to reach the maturity it needs to produce such a high-quality wood.  But, premium grade Eucalyptus has the same resilience and beauty of Teak, with a much faster growing process that drives the prices down.  With Eucalyptus, you can get a lovely natural luster in your wood that will last for decades—without breaking the bank!

Whew!  Now that you know more about Euclyptus than you probably ever imagined you would before reading, you know that when choosing your next outdoor furniture set… Eucalyptus hardwood is a great material not only for you and your family, but the world and its eco-system as well.

See you Outside!

Hazel.

Tags: Eucalyptus Wood, garden furniture, oak, Outdoor Furniture, patio furniture, red cedar, teak, treated pine

There are places where people are going to be grilling hamburgers and chicken tonight, and having dinner at their picnic tables.  Certainly, somewhere, there are people who are looking forward to getting home from work and relaxing on their porch swings and gliders, having cocktails at their outdoor bistro sets, lying around their pools on chaise lounges or steamer chairs, or napping under shady trees in their hammocks.  Indeed, I know that all of these things are happening somewhere.

A February Evening... for some!

But it ain’t here!  No-o!

In Western Pennsylvania, and many other parts of the country, from the Midwest, to the East Coast, we’re buried under a few feet of snow.  Furthermore, even as utility crews work around the clock to clear roads and restore power to millions of people left in the dark by this past weekend’s storm, round two is dumping several inches on top of what we already have.  Now, meteorologists are saying that even more is on the way this weekend.

Worse yet, besides electricity and heat being out in many places, the shelves in some grocery and hardware stores are almost bare; and even gas supplies are getting low.  Suddenly, so many different types of calamities are occurring, that people are realizing that it can actually be a struggle to survive in their own homes.

Undoubtedly, the cold and snow can wreak all kinds of havoc, from knocking down trees and power lines, to causing roofs to collapse and pipes to burst.  These things can happen in an instant, so it’s important to know where all of the main valves and circuit breakers are in your home, and what controls what.  So, if, for instance, your home is suddenly being flooded, you’ll know how to shut the water off at its source.  Then, at least, you won’t have one catastrophe on top of another.  Make sure that everyone who lives in the house also knows where these things are, and how to operate them.

It’s also a good idea to put together an emergency home survival kit.  Next time, I’ll have some tips on what should go into one.  This can really be a worthwhile project.  Even if you never see a single flake of snow, cheer up; there are tons of other disasters that can happen, so you may still get to use it.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: chaise lounges, gliders, Hammocks, outdoor bistro sets, picnic tables, porch swings, steamer chairs

We’re having an uncommon winter, here, in Western Pennsylvania!  Normally, we just get a few inches of snow, here and there, now and then.  In fact, I rarely even store my outdoor furniture for the season, because I often use it on milder days (I love the cold weather!).  I simply throw some furniture covers on my picnic table, porch swing, outdoor sofa, and Adirondack chairs.

This winter, however, is the real deal.  Along with a good portion of the East, we just got slammed with about two feet of snow (some areas got more), with another foot coming later.  As I mentioned, shoveling snow can be dangerous for those who aren’t used to strenuous physical activity.  So, here are some tips for doing it safely (of course, you know I’m not a doctor, and these are just common-sense measures, not medical advice).

First of all, anyone who has heart trouble, or other high-risk factors, such as high blood pressure or cholesterol, should probably avoid shoveling altogether; and those who smoke, lead sedentary lives, or are truly out of shape, should use extreme caution.

Even if you’re completely healthy, and get regular exercise, one false move can strain your back, or something else.  So, warm up first, by walking for a few minutes, or marching in place, then doing some stretches; your muscles will work more efficiently, which will lessen the chance of injury.  You should also dress in layers.

Start slowly, so there’s not a sudden demand on your heart, and take frequent breaks.  Avoid stimulants, such as caffeine and nicotine, which can increase your heart rate, and cause blood vessels to constrict, placing extra strain on your heart.  Instead, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Keep in mind that shovels with smaller blades will prevent loads from becoming too heavy, and plastic shovels will be lighter, and less likely to allow snow to build up on them.

Remember, if you do it correctly, shoveling can be a great workout; and you may get one very soon, if you’re about to be dumped on again, as we are!  Or, you can just slip the kid next door a few bucks to clear your driveway, then sit back and enjoy a hot toddy by the fireplace.

And, hey, if you don’t even feel up to building a fire, that’s okay – with a hot toddy, the fire is optional

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chairs, furniture covers, outdoor sofa, picnic table, porch swing

The tasks that await you in your yard and garden in February will depend upon where you live. However, for everyone here, in the Pittsburgh area, along with the huge chunk of the Eastern United States that just got covered with two or more feet of snow, I can make one blanket statement about your main outdoor chore now: just shovel! (As if you needed anyone to tell you that!)

Now, I happen to love all of this snow, and, for some reason, I thoroughly enjoy shoveling, which I did for more than five hours straight on Saturday. Naturally, though, there are some down sides to this weather. For one thing, it makes it difficult for wildlife to find food; so, besides filling my birdfeeders, I cleared the snow off my picnic table and put some ear corn and bread crumbs out for deer and squirrels. Because animals desperately need fresh water, too, I placed some shallow bowls of it on my patio chairs and tables.

Unfortunately, this storm has also caused many hardships for people, leaving millions without electricity (mine has been going off and on for days) and heat. Furthermore, shoveling, which is a great form of exercise, can also be dangerous for those who are not used to heavy physical activity, as it puts a sudden demand on the heart, and causes a rapid increase in heart rate and blood pressure. In fact, people who are normally sedentary can experience, in only a few minutes of shoveling, a rise in heart rate that’s higher than recommended during aerobics.

The situation can be made worse by the colder temperatures, which make it harder to breathe while working, thus putting extra strain on the body. Then, there are the risks of hypothermia and back injuries. Luckily, with the proper precautions, all of this is entirely preventable. For some people, that may mean no shoveling at all, while, for others, it can be a matter of making simple modifications, and going at the task slowly.

So, in my next blog, I will have some tips for protecting yourself while doing this chore. If you live anywhere in the already-dumped-upon areas, you’re going to need them, because another front is coming through, which is predicted to drop up to another foot of snow.

Yikes! It’s a good thing I really know how to shovel it!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: birdfeeders, patio chairs, patio tables, picnic table

I hope I’m not pigeon holing our readers too much… but as I spent much of my weekend glued to the weather channel, it seems that the majority of our fine nation was dumped on with snow recently. Here in Pittsburgh, we’re still in a state of snow emergency… with the national guard and over a hundred out-of-state workers trying to dig us out.

But, enough about us… I’m sure you’re much more concerned about your gardens and lawns than the city with six superbowl rings (congratulations Saints)

So, when looking out your windows how, exactly, will you deal with all of that snow and ice covering your garden and landscaping?

Determine Snow-Type: Natural coverings of snow, from falling and drifting, are actually not damaging your flowers and vegetables. In fact, it serves as an insulating layer, and slow melting will provide a lot of much-needed moisture to winter’s dry vegetation. The problem comes when snow plows, snow blowers, and even shuffles pile dense and heavy snow that are slow to melt and too heavy for most trees or shrubs. If your snow removal is within your control, do your best to keep it away from any kind of growth.

Evaluate Trees and Shrubs: Even natural snow in large amounts can be too much for tender branches. To avoid damage to your tress or shrubs, take steps to protect the branches from drooping, bending, or even snapping. Leave you shovel on the driveway and pick up a broom, car brush, or just your gloves to gently sweep the snow from the branches. Remember, a broken branch is like a broken bone, so be careful! Don’t ever shake the plant as the brittle and stressed branches may snap. And, brush in an upward motion to avoid using force to further bend or break a branch. You’ll find best results if you do this before too many inches of snow accumulate… the more often you clean off your trees, the better off you’ll be. A word to the wise: these are great steps to take with snow… but ice is a different story. If the branches are already covered or incased in ice, no matter what you do, any sort of interference will cause more damage. Just let them be to melt naturally.

Protect Structures and Furniture: Though the snow piling up on the arms of your adirondack chairs or atop your accent table look comical and help to really define exactly how much snow has fallen… it’s best to remove the accumulation as quickly as possible. If you can do so safely, sweep snow from the roofs of gazebos, cabanas, and sunrooms. So much weight isn’t good for even heavy structures. If you have any arbors or lattice, you would be surprised at the immense weight piles of snow can boast, and should protect these more delicate garden enhancements. Sweeping the snow from your patio groups, dining sets, and picnic tables should be much less work and require less attention to safety measures… so don’t avoid cleaning them off. While the most durable of woods may not show damage from days under snow piles and ice…such heavy levels of moisture aren’t good for any material. Protect your outdoor furniture so it will serve you best in the spring!

After braving what many newscasters have called, “snow-magedden,” make sure to hang all wet and snowy clothes to dry fully without collecting mildew or mold from being stuffed back into closets or drawers, and make a hot cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. No matter how intelligent our weather-predictors get, you know (perhaps from years of trying to manipulate your garden to produce prize-winning flowers) that nature will always win over human strength. Shovel as you can and don’t let yourself be overworked. In fact, make sure to pull your family and snow-friendly pets out from under their beds’ blankets to make snow angels, snow men, and maybe even adventurous snow tunnels. Protect your lawn from the snow… but don’t forget to enjoy it as well!

now that’s a way to warm up!

See you Outside!

Hazel

Tags: accent tables, adirondack chairs, Arbors, Cabanas, dining sets, garden enhancements, Gazebos, lattics, patio groups, picnic tables, snow removal, Sunrooms