All Outdoor Patio Furniture

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

This week our guest blogger is Helen Yoest, owner of Gardening With Confidence.  Helen Yoest is a gardening coach, stylist, writer, speaker and expert.

As a garden writer, she has written for Better Homes and Gardens, Nature’s Garden, Fine Gardening, and Carolina Gardening.  As a field editor for Better Homes and Gardens and their special interest publications, she scouts great gardens as well as presents her work to Martha Stewart Living, Architectural Digest, and other noted publications.

She travels as a  garden speaker to both motivate and teach other enthusiasts on the art of gardening and design.  Her Gardening With Confidence gardening coach service assists clients with all levels of gardening experience to create the design they desire.

This week she is using her wide array of expertise to explain the importance of garden paths and how they can best be created and used.

A journey down the garden path is poetic and practical.

Paths play an important role in the garden. More than a map through, paths fill a void in the garden, particularly in the winter, give sturdy passage, and invite you into the garden.

Chances are, you’ll know where to put a path. Over time, a path will make itself. Cut across the lawn enough times to smell the roses and you will begin to see where a path may go.

Casually sketch your house and garden. Map out where a path might lead. Adding curves will slow the pace and reveal the garden slowly.

Know the purpose of the path and how it may be used. This will help plan the width and path material considerations. Will your path be used by two to journey though or is it for easy access for the wheelbarrow?

Here are five materials to consider when planning a path:

Gravel and Other Loose Material Gravel paths are ideal for budget conscience homeowners. They also provide traction and allow for good drainage. Gravel looks nice too and the sound of the crunch is somehow
reassuring as you journey down the garden path. In more informal areas, paths made of mulch, such as wood chips and bark, will define an area. Paths made from these materials are best in areas not traveled with bare feet.

Brick Brick is probably the most versatile material to use in creating garden paths. Complementing most home styles, brick can be laid in many different patterns and can also accept a gentlearch. Set in sand or mortar, brick is equally suitable for a passage to the front door as it is for a service area. Remember, paths made of brick in moist, heavily shaded areas can retain moisture and form moss, creating a slipping hazard.

Pavers Concrete pavers for paths offer the consumer many options in design. Available in noninterlocking
styles with smooth edges, and interlocking styles with patterned edges to allow the pieces to fit together like a puzzle, as well as, unique shapes needed for complicated patterns. There are circles, hexagons, squares, triangles, and of course, rectangles. Pavers can be laid in sand or mortar making their use versatile and
with many choices to match to your home’s style.

Stone Flagstone and cut stone tile lends a more formal feeling to a garden path. Flagstone is a natural choice to compliment garden plantings. The available colors are naturally subtle, resulting in restful looking paths. Flagstone can be laid in sand or mortar, but if thick enough, flagstone works well laid directly on top of leveled ground. Cobble stone, fieldstone, river rock, and other irregularly shaped stone lend a more relaxed look to the garden path. The use of various sizes in the design allows for some very creative patterns.

Wood Wood can be used as raised decking in the garden or as an edging to other path materials. Boards can be positioned widthwise to visually slow movement or lengthwise to provide a sense of forward movement. A level path can be constructed with wood to line out the dips and valleys irregular surfaces. Left natural, stained or painted, wood lends itself to just about any home style.

Digging Deeper The path width is best determined by its use. If the passage is to only be used as a service area, such as a path from the front yard to back yard, enough space to allow the passage of a single person is all that is
needed; therefore, a width of 2 – 3 feet will be plenty. If the path width is needed for two to travel through, then a width of 4 – 5 feet is needed.

Installing your garden paths this year will be a dream come true for many years to come.

Editor’s Note: Don’t let your garden path rush people out of your pleasant scenery.  A well placed garden bench or patio chair will allow both you and your guests to have a place to stop, rest, and truly enjoy the beautiful garden around them.  If you’re feeling a little bold, try stringing a hammock just off the path for a shaded and serene escape.  Also consider having your garden path lead to more than just through the garden or to the house.  Imagine a rich and long pathway to a secret hide-away in a gazebo or cabana, or under a pergola.  Even a comfortable dining set or patio group would be a fine destination after all of your hard work.

Tags: cabana, dining set, garden bench, garden paths, Gazebos, hammock, patio chair, patio group, pergola

A beautifully-set table is crucial to your holiday entertaining. However, unless it’s a formal affair, you don’t necessarily have to use good china and crystal; and that will be great news to those who don’t have good china and crystal. Furthermore, because some people don’t even have full sets of dishes or glasses, the even-better news is that mixing and matching tableware happens to be a big trend right now.

Actually, all you need is creativity. If you don’t have a Christmas tablecloth, you can easily turn a plain, solid-colored cloth into one, by using Christmas place mats and napkins, along with red, green, or gold doilies. No holiday plates or glassware? Get the doilies in several sizes and put them under plates, bowls, glasses, and between cups and saucers, and tie ribbons around the stems of wine glasses.

A striking centerpiece is essential as well, but, once again, you don’t have to spend any money; just use things that are already in your home or backyard. Fill a clear bowl with ornaments or foil-wrapped party favors, or use evergreen and/or berry branches, and some pine cones, tied up with ribbons. Gild some pine cones to make gorgeous place card holders.

Candles are also important, and can be of different sizes and colors. Place them on mirrors for extra shine, float votives in a clear bowl, or use your odd dishes, especially ones with winter scenes, as candle holders.

Many people have a few, mismatched pieces of Depression-era glass, which, in colors such as blue, amethyst, pink, green, gold, and yellow, will be anything but depressing on a holiday table.

If it’s a sit-down dinner, keep the centerpiece low enough so that people can see each other and converse across the table. If you’re having a buffet and people are scattered throughout the house, don’t be shy about using picnic table benches, patio chairs, folding chairs, or even ottomans, for extra seating. If you have enough space, you can even bring in your picnic table or outdoor dining set, and decorate it, too.

These are just a few of the hundreds – nay, thousands – of things that you can do to make your home, your table, and your party, bright, festive, warm, and welcoming.

In fact, I hope that describes your entire holiday season!

Merry Christmas!

Kathy

Tags: Benches, buffet, Christmas, decorating, folding chairs, ottomans, outdoor dining sets, patio chairs, picnic table, tables

Now is the time when we traditionally reflect upon the many things for which we have to be thankful, but which we often take for granted.  When asked about these, people tend to list the most meaningful ones that they can think of, such as their families, their health, or the roofs over their heads.  While I’m definitely grateful for those, I also want to point out some things that are underappreciated, which everyone enjoys immensely, but surely won’t mention, like, uh, well let’s see… what do we like to talk about here?  Outdoor furniture, of course! 

 Why not?  After all, it plays a big part in most people’s lives.  We all have our favorite porch swings, gliders, lounges, patio chairs, garden benches, hammocks, and picnic tables, where we spend a lot of time.  Whether we use our porch furniture only during certain seasons, or year-round, we love it; and, many times, the thought of getting home to it after grueling hours at work is the only thing that gets us through the day.       

 Indeed, we actually count on it to be there when we need some comfort and relaxation.  Sure, we need our friends and family, too, but, because they also have busy lives, they can’t always be there for us.  Our furniture, on the other hand, exists only to do our bidding; and all we ask of it is to support us and look great.               

 While this may be a lot to expect from ordinary patio furniture, it’s a piece of cake for the kind that comes from CedarStore.com.  We have one of the largest selections of wood, metal, and synthetic outdoor furniture that you’ll ever find in one place.  Furthermore, whether you choose hand-crafted, decay-resistant cedar, pine, oak, cherry, or teak, or everlasting aluminum, vinyl, or polywood furniture, it will be ready to commit to a long-term relationship.  On top of being reliable, it’s available in several styles, and a full range of colors, so it will fit in perfectly with any décor. 

 In fact, a lot of it is so elegant that people often use it indoors.  So, you may actually be having dinner on us this year (of course, that’s just an expression!).   

 Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: garden benches, gliders, Hammocks, lounges, patio chairs, picnic tables, porch furniture, porch swings

So, gas prices are rising again – just as we knew that they would.  There was no way that they were going to stay below $2.00 per gallon.  In fact, the period just before they dropped was what seems to be a ploy that the oil companies use every time they are planning a big increase; they try to condition us to the new rates.  They do this by first raising prices to ridiculous levels (come on, $4.00+ per gallon?!), then lowering them just long enough to get people feeling confident, then, finally, raising them again, but not quite to where they were at their worst, hoping that the new, higher rates will actually look good to us, and we’ll all say, “Well, at least it’s not $4.00 a gallon anymore!” and not complain about it. 

The worst thing about it is that, even though we’re on to their tricks, there’s not much that we can do about it.  Therefore, in one of the few courses of action available, millions of people are staying home on their vacations, and rediscovering the fun that they can have in their own backyards – literally and figuratively.  The figuratively part is, of course, visiting local parks, museums, restaurants, zoos, and other attractions that they’ve never paid any attention to before.   

The literally part is, well, spending time in their actual backyards, which people are doing like crazy these days.  Indeed, backyards are becoming such popular places to spend time, that they are increasingly being turned into outdoor living rooms, with nearly all of the amenities found indoors, and are being furnished and decorated just as meticulously and comfortably.      

In the schemes of these living spaces, which can be quite elaborate, there is no place for the shoddily built outdoor furniture of old, which was often disposable and collapsible, although, in many cases, not on purpose, and at the worst possible times!  No-o!  Today, the demand is for outdoor furniture that’s as fashionable, comfortable, and durable as that in any room of the house.

Furthermore, people are looking for a wider range of choices in styles, colors, and materials, which is why CedarStore.com has emerged as one of the leading sources of outdoor furniture.  If you haven’t seen all of the new designs that are available, stop in and browse our fabulous collection of wood, metal, and synthetic patio chairs, porch swings and gliders, Adirondack chairs, steamer chairs, chaise lounges, rockers, settees, picnic tables, outdoor dining sets, and much more. 

Actually, it might turn out for the best, because you’ll have a fantastic new outdoor living room, and you’ll get to explore all of the treasures in your figurative backyard.  So, not only will you be putting money back into your community, but, no doubt, you’ll find a ton of fun stuff you’ve been missing in your own hometown.  Hmm – fine advice, coming from someone who grew up in Niagara Falls, but has never even been on the Maid of the Mist!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy    

Tags: chairs, dining set, lounges, Outdoor Furniture, picnic table, porch swings

Okay.  Where were we?  Oh, yeah – we were creating a backyard paradise with a pond, a garden bridge, and a lovely gravel pathway leading to a shady spot where you can relax in your steamer chair, settee, or outdoor rocker, or enjoy a meal at your picnic table, while taking in the fantastic view. 

And we were right in the middle of stocking your pond.  Naturally, aquatic plants should go in prior to the introduction of fish or other marine life; but even before that, you’ll have to make sure that conditions are right.  This means that, once you fill the pond with your regular tap water, you’ll have to allow several days for the chlorine to dissipate.  While you’re waiting, go to a pool dealer, pet shop, or garden center, and get a kit to test the water’s levels of chlorine and nitrates, its pH (acidity or alkalinity), and hardness.

Once you get a good balance, you can put in your plants, but give them a couple of weeks to establish themselves and oxygenate the water before you stock the pond.  Goldfish and koi are popular choices, along with mosquito fish, which, with their insatiable appetites for larvae, are great for keeping down the populations of their namesakes.  These are all cold-water fish, which is what you want, as they can adjust to a range of temperatures.  Do not use tropical fish, or game fish, such as catfish or trout.  Including some scavengers, such as snails, tadpoles, and freshwater clams or mussels, which feed on algae and fish waste, will also help to keep the water clear.  

Always consider the amount of oxygen, nutrients, and sunlight that will be available to your pond’s inhabitants, and don’t put in more than it will support.  As a general rule, in a pond that’s 18-24” deep, for every square yard of its surface, you can safely add about 12 inches of goldfish or koi (e.g., three 4” fish, or four 3” fish), enough floating plants to cover about half the surface, two bunches of submerged plants, 8-10 large water snails or freshwater clams/mussels, and about 4 tadpoles.  This formula is based on a pond without a pump or filter; if you have them, you can add more fish, as adequate circulation and filtration will keep the water clear, and aquatic life healthy.

Of course, it’s important to remember that every pond is different, and it can be quite a tricky proposition to achieve the ideal balance; but, before long, you will have an understanding of what works and what doesn’t.  On the other hand, when it comes to stocking your yard, porch, patio, or gazebo with outdoor furniture, there’s nothing fishy about it; just come to CedarStore.com, and everything will go swimmingly.  If you have any questions, don’t be “koi” – just call 888-293-2339 and talk to one of our un-shellfish representatives.    

Sorry about that!  I’ll clam up now, before I give you all a haddock.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy 

When you install a backyard pond and a garden bridge, you have a lot more than spectacular scenery; you have a whole new underground world that you can bring to life with aquatic plants, fish, and other denizens of the deep.  Although you don’t have to stock a pond, remember that there are many undesirables out there that will eagerly take up residence in it, uninvited. 

On the other hand, some carefully chosen tenants can help to keep out squatters.  The right combination of plants, fish, and foragers, such as freshwater clams or mussels, snails, and tadpoles, will create a biological balance that will foster a symbiotic relationship among them.  In turn, they will control the growth of algae, feed on insects, such as mosquitoes (and their larvae), and cut down on the need for chemical treatments.         

Of course, you’ll first want to establish your aquatic plants, which come in four categories: water lilies, bog plants, floating plants, and submerged plants.  Water lilies, which should be potted in the deepest parts of ponds, come in hundreds of varieties, with two subdivisions, called Tropical and Hardy.  Well-known for their slapstick humor, they’ve been traveling the pond circuit for years, making a big splash wherever they go, and…oh, wait – wrong guys.  Sorry!         

But, seriously, folks, tropical (warm climates) and hardy (moderate to cold climates) water lilies have gorgeous blooms and wide leaves that float on the surface, providing shade that’s needed to keep the water cool for the fish, and reduce the growth of algae.  

Bog plants, a.k.a. marginal plants, grow in shallow water on shelves around the pond’s border, where they can hide the edges of the liner, giving it a more natural look.  These plants, which include cattails, lotus, and water irises, can have beautiful flowers or attractive foliage.

Buoyed by their leaves, floating plants dangle their roots below the surface, “fishing” for food, which they extract from the water.  Species include water lettuce, fern, and hyacinth, which also give shade and inhibit algae growth, but can quickly take over the whole surface if they’re not kept in check.     

Submerged plants are grown for the hidden benefits they provide beneath the surface.  Also used in aquariums, these oxygenating grasses provide oxygen for fish, and draw nutrients from their waste, preventing it from fertilizing new algae.  To keep fish from overgrazing on these plants, which include ceratophyllum, anachris, and vallisneria, you can protect their leaves with some bird netting or another fine mesh.

Speaking of another fine mesh, after you put in your beautiful plants, you can sit back, relax in your favorite chaise lounge or patio chair, and watch Tropical and Hardy hit each other in the faces with pies!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy  

If you’re trying to create a magnificent and inviting backyard that’s conducive to entertaining, it’s important to include elements that add interest and enhance the beauty of your landscape, such as flower beds, garden benches, patio chairs, bird feeders, bird baths, garden bridges, and picnic tables or outdoor dining sets.  However, it’s also essential to have a lovely garden walkway to tie everything together, and give visitors an easy way to stroll around and enjoy the scenery.      

Gravel pathways are perfect for this, as they conjure the carefree atmosphere of a country retreat, and incorporate more of the senses, with the pleasing sound and feel of their crunch underfoot.  The best part about it is that it’s easy and relatively inexpensive to install your own gravel footpath (but be aware that if your landscape slopes more than 20º, heavy foot traffic, rain, and gravity can cause the gravel to slide downhill). 

No matter where you live, you should be able to find many different colors and varieties of locally-mined gravel, which is good news, as it’s a lot cheaper than having a heavy load of gravel shipped from a distant region. 

To begin building your path, excavate a base at least a foot deep, and then compact it.  Next, fill it with rough debris up to two or three inches from the top, add a one-inch layer of crushed stone, then compact it thoroughly again.  Although crushed stones are necessary as underlayment, never use them for the actual walking surface, as their sharp edges will look nearly as inhospitable and uncomfortable as they will feel to anyone who should brave walking on them. 

For the top layer, add two or three inches of quarter-inch, river-washed peastone, which has been naturally worn to a pleasing smoothness, compact it, and rake it until it’s even.  That’s basically all there is to installing your walkway.  The only thing left is to put in some edging to hold it in place and make it easier to maintain.  Large cobblestones, tiles, bricks, and decorative rocks all make great edging materials, but you can get creative and think of many other things to use as well.   

And don’t forget that everything else that you need for outdoor entertaining – except the food and beverages (oh, yeah, and the guests!) – can be found at CedarStore.com, along with design consultants and customer service professionals who are always ready to assist you.  Give them a call anytime, at 888-293-2339.

Oh, by the way, what I said about not being able to find guests here isn’t 100% true.  Hey, I’m always up for some revelry – and I’m a real scream at parties!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy           

Tags: path, paths, pathways

1. Hey, I watch television. Every year, he’s there clucking in the Cadbury egg commercials.

2. Who do you think delivers all the baskets and stuff, the little chicks? Doubtful.

3. When I was six, I saw a bunny at the scene of the crime. He put his finger aside his nose, and up the chimney he rose.

4. It was a little cafe somewhere in France, I was young, and yes, I believed everything he told me.

5. Someone is posing for those chocolate rabbit molds, and I think you’re thinking what I’m thinking.

6. Who else has time to color all those eggs? Not me, Jack.

7. Yeah, and Peter Rabbit didn’t think Mr. McGregor was going to catch him in the cabbage patch either — get with the times.

8. I had a pet rabbit in the 4th grade, and he told me it was all true.

9. Once, I put a tooth under my pillow, and in the morning I had a marshmallow Easter egg.

10. Someone has to believe in the Easter bunny.

——–

Have a Wonderful Spring Weekend!

Shari

Despite it being March, the temperatures here on the east coast are still cold.  In fact, if I see one more snow flake, I’ll start rooting for global warming.  Since it is March, I do know that Spring is not far away (which means summer and bathing suits are close, too…maybe snow is good). 

The first thing you must do this Spring is organize your wish list.  Is this the year to decorate the garden with a few odds and ends, or is this the year you add a cedar garden bench, Adirondack chair and canopy gazebo?    Is this the year to just plant a few flowers, or finally lay down a rock bed and a cedar garden bridge? 

Spring is the time of optimism and a Can-Do attitude.  Make a list of your Do-It-Yourself backyard projects.  Circle your favorite, and immediately get to work!  The longer you wait, the closer August gets.  “I should have…” is never a good statement.

You can organize your list in two ways—most important or in order of easily accomplished.  Some people like to start with a couple small items, build some momentum, and then tackle the big one.  Not me!  Bring on the challenge!  I’ll do it now, while I’ve got the energy and desire to get it done.  If I do a few small projects, I’ll take time off and never get back to the real projects.

CedarStore.com presents the best of both worlds.  The projects appear large, such as a Vinyl Pergola, but really, they’re built in only a few hours.  The same goes for the cedar and treated pine arbors.  Spend half a day building the arbor, the other half placing hanging vines or flower pots, and call it a day! 

Another idea is to start the season with a storage shed.  Maybe Cedar Log for that rustic look?  Maybe a vinyl shed for its longevity and economical cost?  Starting with a shed gives you a chance to store all the tools for your upcoming projects in one place, and out of your way! 

Or you may just decide; no work for me!  Add a few pieces of outdoor patio furniture, relax, recline and reset. 

The most important thing is to enjoy the journey! 

Shari 

Tags: adirondack chair, Arbors, garden bridge, outdoor patio furniture, Sheds, Spring Cleaning