All Outdoor Patio Furniture

This is one of those strange weeks, when some prominent beginnings and endings converge, causing a mixture of excitement, wistfulness, anticipation, and melancholy to permeate the air.

First of all, we’re nearing the end of summer, and the indications of fall’s imminent arrival are getting stronger.  In my case, I’ve noticed that my outdoor dining table, patio furniture, and hammock are getting covered with leaves; and when I sit on my porch swing, I’m looking at brown, wilted vines on my arbor and trellises.  I try to tell myself that the leaves are dying early because of the abnormally hot, dry summer, but the truth is hard to deny.

Well, actually, it’s impossible now, because I recently spotted some goldenrod, which is one of the surest signs of autumn.  Then, I saw something else (which, coincidentally, is the same color as goldenrod) that left no doubt about what time of the year it is.  Yes, it was a school bus.

Indeed, that’s one of the things that is fueling this blend of emotions that seems to be affecting everyone right now.  After all, to kids, the close of summer means the opening of school, which is something that they dread.  At the same time, to adults, the close of summer means the opening of school, which is something that they love.

On the other hand, nearly everybody is looking forward to the upcoming holiday weekend.  Because it is widely considered the last blast, and the unofficial end, of summer, it naturally conjures some feelings of sadness.  Still, it is enthusiastically welcomed by kids, who have been working so hard in school for a few days, as well as adults, who have been working so hard all year long, with only a few, brief breaks.  So, it’s an occasion for all to celebrate.

Of course, some people aren’t exactly sure what, or why, they’re celebrating; and many don’t really care, as long as they get a day off, and a chance to use their grills, picnic tables, and Adirondack chairs.  First observed on September 5, 1882, in New York City, Labor Day arose from the labor movement, as a tribute to the social and economic achievements of American workers, and their contributions to the country’s prosperity.

The second Labor Day was held exactly one year later; but, in 1884, the first Monday of September was chosen for the holiday, and the Central Labor Union, which started it, urged similar organizations in other cities to mark it as well.  The idea took hold, and, in 1885, it was observed by many industrial centers across the nation.

In the first proposal for the holiday, it was suggested that it should include a street parade, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of workers and their families.  In the ensuing years, different states adopted it, one by one, before Congress passed an act, on June 28, 1894, declaring it a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

So, take full advantage of summer’s last hurrah, by making it a full day of merriment and revelry.  Have a cookout, relax in your favorite porch chair, go swimming, play some lawn games, such as volleyball, croquet, or quoits, and watch some fireworks.

Remember, it’s your day, and you deserve to enjoy it; and, no matter what, don’t feel the slightest bit guilty about making your outdoor furniture and grill work so hard on a holiday!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chairs, arbor, Croquet, grills, hammock, lawn games, outdoor dining table, Outdoor Furniture, patio furniture, picnic tables, porch chairs, porch swing, Quoits, trellises

Colorful patio umbrellas are such familiar sights, that we rarely give them a thought.  Yet, just like Adirondack chairs and porch swings, they’re integral to outdoor décor, whether on our own outdoor dining tables, or the commercial picnic tables on restaurant patios.  Certainly, they’re everywhere.

The same is true of the beach umbrellas that we see when we visit the shore, or the market umbrellas that are fixtures on outdoor kiosks and street vendors’ carts.  Of course, we all have just plain rain umbrellas in our homes; and many people keep extras in their cars and at their workplaces as well.

Therefore, it’s hard to believe that such a common item was once forbidden to commoners; but it was.  Actually, there was a time when the umbrella was considered to be one of the most important symbols of royalty, and was prohibited for use by anyone but the members of nobility.

Although no one knows for sure where or when the very first one was made, historians agree that umbrellas have been around for thousands of years.  There is evidence of their use in the courts of China and Egypt, between 1100 and 1200 b.c.; and it is known that the ancient Greeks and Romans used an early form of the patio umbrella for shade.  In fact, it was a Roman woman who was the first to oil the cloth canopies of umbrellas to make them more resistant to the weather, and increase their protection from the sun (although I’m sure they weren’t touted as being “UV-resistant” at the time).

The word, umbrella, is based on the Latin, umbra, meaning shade.  Its diminutive form, umbella, was modified, to ombrella, in Italy, where it is first known to have been used, in 1611.  The word, parasol, from the Old Italian, parare, which means, to shield or ward off, and sole, meaning sun, was originally used in 1660.

Umbrellas, or parasols, were status symbols, and, the more tiers that they had, the more important the people who used them.  For example, the Emperor of China is believed to have had a four-tiered parasol, while the King of Siam had one with nine tiers, each of which featured ornate tassels.  At one point, he was described as the “Lord of the twenty-four parasols.”

The Greeks are responsible for the popular use of the umbrella by women.  Following the custom of holding umbrellas over statues of Dionysus at festivals, women began holding them over statues of Athena, and other goddesses, at feasts that were held in their honor.  It is thought that this is where the parasol, as a fashion accessory, got its start.

During the Middle Ages, an umbrella became a part of the Pope’s ceremonial regalia.  It is speculated that the widespread use of umbrellas across Europe began in Italy, in the 12^th century, when Pope Alexander III granted the Doge of Venice the right to have a parasol carried over him.

Naturally, the umbrella would become a must in England, where the weather is famously damp.  As a matter of fact, that’s where the market umbrella was first used, in 1685, to shelter customers of coffee houses.  Then, in 1830, the first umbrella shop opened in London; and it is still in business today.

So, the next time you’re sitting around your picnic table, enjoying a day at the beach, or simply walking in the rain, be thankful that the nobles ever allowed us regular folks the privilege of using outdoor umbrellas.  Indeed, they must have been quite open-minded.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chairs, beach umbrellas, commercial picnic tables, market umbrellas, outdoor decors, outdoor dining tables, patio umbrella, patio umbrellas, picnic table, porch swings

With this nation’s love of outdoor living, it’s no wonder that so many people are reluctant to make complete retreats to closed quarters when the weather gets cold.  It’s also no surprise to find that, each year, millions more are refusing to relinquish their summer lifestyles.  This accounts for the huge resurgence in the demand for sunrooms, as well as the growing practice of enclosing porches, patios, decks, and gazebos.

These indoor/outdoor rooms allow at least a semblance of being in the open air, and help to keep us in touch with nature, and prevent us from getting full-blown cases of cabin fever.  Because of the popularity of these rooms, as well as the increasing trend toward turning our yards into outdoor living rooms, where we spend much of our time during the warmer months, outdoor furniture is no longer a seasonal thing.  These days, people are shopping for porch swings, porch gliders, Adirondack chairs, and accent tables, year-round.

Furthermore, in keeping with the meticulous décor of these living spaces, patio furniture is also available in more styles, colors, and materials than ever.  Of course, there are some kinds that are perennial favorites, such as wicker porch furniture.

Indeed, wicker outdoor furniture has been around since, at least, 3,000 B.C., when it was used in Egypt.  It is also known to have been common in ancient Rome and Greece.  In fact, it arose from one of the oldest recognized crafts, which is basketry.  Apparently, soon after they began using pieces of reeds, rattan, willows, osiers, twigs, and bamboo, to make baskets, people realized that they could weave these materials around stiffer rods, shaped into various forms, and create furniture.

The first piece of wicker outdoor furniture in America actually came over on the Mayflower; but the wicker furniture industry didn’t get started in this country until sometime after 1850, when a young grocer came across large quantities of rattan on the docks of Boston.  Having never seen the likes of it, he made some inquiries, and found that it was a climbing palm that is native to Southeast Asia, and was used in ships that had been to that region, to keep cargo from shifting on the return voyages.

Shortly thereafter, this entrepreneur sold his grocery store, and established his own rattan company.  Before long, his business was booming, and he had his own fleet of ships that he used for importing rattan, which was highly sought-after by basket and furniture makers.  After starting his own furniture business, he enjoyed quite a bit of growth for a good part of the mid-to-late 19^th century, and had nearly cornered the market, until many other companies began making wicker furniture.

Before the turn of the century, the Victorian style, with its ornate curves and intricate patterns, was quite popular.  However, in the 20^th century, people started looking for simpler designs with cleaner, straighter lines.  Although manufacturers changed their styles to accommodate the public’s shifting tastes, the demand for the furniture declined over the next few decades.

In the 1960’s, however, wicker patio furniture began its comeback.  Today, along with authentic wicker, you can even find synthetic wicker pieces that are nearly indestructible.  Available with outdoor furniture cushions that come in every color and pattern imaginable, wicker remains among the most popular outdoor furniture in existence, and is central to the décor of millions of indoor and outdoor rooms.

Don’t you just love a happy ending?

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: accent tables, adirondack chairs, Gazebos, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor furniture cushions, patio furniture, porch gliders, porch swings, Sunrooms, wicker outdoor furniture, wicker patio furniture, wicker porch furniture

A few days ago, I attended one of my favorite annual events, which is my family reunion.  Every year, on the first weekend in August, for as far back as I can remember, we have assembled at Fort Niagara, in Youngstown, NY, just north of Niagara Falls.  We always meet at the same pavilion, and eat at the same picnic tables.  Cousin Jim always cooks on the charcoal grill, and the aunts always bring plenty of outdoor chairs and lounge chairs.

Indeed, no matter how much is changing around us, or in our lives, we know that we have that old, familiar picnic shelter waiting for us every year.  It’s among the few things in life that we can count on; a comforting constant.  It’s that one same that helps to keep us sane.

As it gets on toward dusk, the long (and I do mean long!) good-byes begin, before most of the relatives fade away with the sun.  Naturally, there’s always a group of us, the resistant stragglers, who remain, dodging the park patrol cars until the last possible minute.  Then, another of my favorite annual events is about to begin.

We drive a couple of miles to my cousin’s house, on the shores of Lake Ontario.  After hanging out around the outdoor dining table on the patio for awhile, we head down to the beach.  There, we look out, across the lake, at the passing ships; and, on clear nights, we can see Toronto.

Then, moving on to more important sights, we position ourselves in chaise lounges, steamer chairs, Adirondack chairs, and on blankets, and focus our gazes skyward.  It’s time to watch the Perseids!  Although it’s a few days before they peak (they begin in late July), we always see many spectacular meteors.

The Perseid meteor shower has been observed for centuries; but it wasn’t until 1867 that it was discovered that the “shooting stars” are actually fragments from the Swift-Tuttle comet.  As the Earth passes through the trail of space grit that it left behind, the particles enter our atmosphere, heat up, and create bright streaks, which appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus.

If you’ve never seen this breath-taking display (or even if you have), you really shouldn’t miss it this year, as it promises to be particularly brilliant.  That’s because, when it peaks, around August 12-13, the sky conditions will be nearly ideal, as the faint, crescent moon will be far below the horizon by midnight, causing no interfering glare.

Of course, artificial lights can spoil the show as well; so find a dark spot, with a wide view of the sky, and settle into a lounge chair, hammock, outdoor reclining chair, or a swingbed, with some comfortable outdoor furniture cushions and outdoor throw pillows.  Prime time for viewing is between 3:30-5:30 a.m., when you may be able to see at least one meteor every minute.

Now, if you’re not a nocturnal creature, that’s okay.  You can still see some magnificent meteors earlier in the evening, when, though fewer, they streak across the sky at a narrow angle, and often produce longer trails.

There are many people who have made it a yearly tradition to watch this magnificent meteor shower with their families.  Like our reunions, it’s a comforting constant that we can count on; a same that helps to keep us sane.

On the other hand, there’s no denying that our families can sometimes drive us crazy!  Oh, well, I guess we just can’t have it all.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chairs, chaise lounges, hammock, outdoor chairs, outdoor dining tables, outdoor furniture cushions, outdoor reclinging chair, pavilion, picnic tables, steamer chairs, swing bed

I woke up this morning and my first thought was, “Yay! It’s blog hop Tuesday!”

Okay, that was a lie.  I think my first thought was actually, “It’s early, where’s the coffee…” But, immediately after that one was the blog hop one.  I promise.

If you’re not up to date on our blog hop, we have five talented, creative, and incredibly diverse designers featuring their expertise in crafts, painting, jewelry, beading and more on 5 different Kathy Peterson Adirondack Chairs.  We wanted to take an outdoor furniture staple, and show how it can be made completely unique.

Last week, quilt designer Pat Sloan knocked her chair out of the water. And this week, painter, Julie Fillo, is sure to inspire a ton of creativity!

Julie Fillo has been painting and loving birds and flowers most of her life. She paints in acrylics and mixed media and loves to splash color and portray exuberance in what she calls Contemporary Folk Art. She really enjoys making up flowers and plants and birds, but lately has been collaborating with a Taiwanese photographer, Sushyue Liao, using his bird images in her paintings.

She has been married 35 years, has 3 wonderful children and 2 beautiful grandchildren. She paints in a tiny studio upstairs that looks out on the back garden in a 105 year old home in the North Slope Historic District in Tacoma, WA.

If you’ve never seen, experienced, or looked into Contemporary Folk Art–I promise that her work will get you excited.  She is amazing!

Hope on over to Julie Fillo’s Art Blog to check out all of the photos, design steps, inspirations, and more!  I love all of the little details she included– like a hidden creepy, crawler, friend!

Don’t miss this one! When art, crafts, outdoor living, design, and blogging all come together– everyone wins.

Have Fun!

Hazel.

Tags: adirondack chairs, blog hop, design, Outdoor Furniture

classic Pasisian balconies

If you have a small porch, you may be confronted with the issue of choosing and arranging outdoor furniture that will make the most of this outdoor space.  But, before you start fretting, take a moment to give thanks!  Even a small Parisian balcony is something to be thankful for, as an outdoor space attached to your home is a wonderful gift.

But, now that you’re thoroughly thankful for your porch, it’s time to figure out how to make the most of it.

For you dwellers of the small porch, don’t shy away from adding patio furniture.  I find Adirondack chairs and outdoor rocking chairs the most versatile pieces for smaller porches.  They’re easily transportable, fun to re arrange, and can be grouped or separated as needed.  Try facing all of your patio chairs outward to face the view.  You might be thinking, “My view is of a busy road and a neighbor that frequently mows the lawn in his underwear.” You could look into planting trees or trellis sections along the edge of your yard to block that view entirely with green.  But, we’re focusing this post on porches! So, why not try hanging a multitude of hanging flowers and plants around your porch?  Or, if the situation is serious, see if you can hang durable indoor-outdoor curtains or sheers to help camouflage the view. But, also don’t discount the fun of people watching.  While you may have tired of your exhibitionist neighbor-landscaper, your guests might find it thrilling!

Using a mix of outdoor rocking chairs, Adirondack chairs, patio chairs, and other outdoor furniture, you can arrange them to all face out but cluster them to still encourage conversation.  If you feel comfortable, by all means go for larger porch gliders or garden benches, but don’t over-crowd your porch if the space just isn’t available.

Also, evaluate how you’ll use your porch carefully.  Are you looking for a space to relax or to relax… and eat? Or both?  Your porch might not fit a picnic table, but there are plenty of outdoor bistro sets and trestle picnic tables that are perfect for small outdoor spaces.  Plus, you can pull the chairs or benches from that bistro set over to your other outdoor chairs if you have a few extra people over to sit a spell.

If outdoor dining is really your preferred method of enjoying your porch, by all means go for it!  Survey your options for patio dining sets and outdoor bistro sets until you find something that fits your space, your style, and your budget.  And, don’t be afraid to ask for customized options!

If you have the room, make sure to still craft a little secluded corner for yourself.  Even if you use an outdoor rocking chair you plan to pull over to the larger group when guests arrive, have a home base for it.  Add an outdoor accent table for piling books and setting your drink on, and know that that little corner of the porch will be your special spot.  If you prefer afternoon naps to afternoon snacks… string a hammock in the corner of your porch.  It will give you a retreat, while adding a hint of relaxing whimsy to your over-all design scheme.

No matter the size of your porch though, porch swings will work anywhere!  In fact, you might want to use one  to craft that personal retreat I mentioned earlier.  Find an outdoor furniture retailer that provides customizable lengths, measure the widest part of your porch, and ask them what size they recommend to get the most use from the area.  Don’t forget to also get plush outdoor furniture cushions and throw pillows to make your porch swing a destination!

So, no matter the size, shape, or view from your porch… remember that it’s a blessing! Use your space wisely with expert outdoor furniture arrangement, and you’ll enjoy it for longer!

Have Fun!

Hazel

Tags: adirondack chairs, garden benches, hammock, outdoor bistro sets, Outdoor Furniture, outdoor rocking chairs, patio chairs, patio dining sets, patio furniture, picnic table, porch gliders, porch swings, porches, trestle picnic tables

Many people fantasize about having gorgeous yards and gardens like the ones that they see in magazines but making those dreams come true can be difficult.  For some, the challenge may be that they can’t afford to hire professional landscapers; for others, it may be that they don’t have a lot of room.  Truly, if your yard is not huge, it’s easy to start feeling that your options are limited.  However, garden structures, used properly, can work wonders with small spaces.

First, step back and look at the big (or not so big) picture.  Size up the available area, and, rather than thinking of it as being restrictive, assess its possibilities.  Make a list of the elements that you want to add, and decide which ones you can realistically include.  While you’re at it, see if there’s anything that you can get rid of to make more room.  Sometimes, features that have been there forever seem like they’re built-in, when they can actually be removed.

Of course, your plans may not even be that grand; you may simply want to create a nice, cozy, outdoor living area.  If that’s the case, a pergola may be the perfect solution.  Garden pergolas come in such a wide range of sizes that you’re sure to be able to find one to fit into your design.  Get one that’s large enough to cover a few Adirondack chairs and ottomans, or a settee and an outdoor coffee table, and you’ll have a shady little backyard haven; or put a picnic table under it, and make it a charming outdoor dining alcove.

Naturally, you’ll want a pretty garden, too.  Sometimes, in a confined area, people tend to break things up into sections of tiny flower beds; but too many undersized patches can give a yard a disjointed look, and make it seem even more closed in.  Try making garden beds that are longer and wider, even if you have to take out part of your lawn.

If you’re working with a space, such as a side yard, that’s too narrow to hold garden beds on both sides, use planters.  Place several of them on your porch, along its steps, and down the walkway leading to the yard, to create a sense of continuity, and the illusion of a larger area.

If you really don’t have room for a flower bed, add some trellises, and plant flowering vines to cover them.  You can also use trellises and arbors to camouflage any unattractive landscape features that you would like to take out, but can’t, because they really are built-in (such as exposed pipes or old concrete steps leading to nowhere).  Actually, an arbor can be a dreamy little hideaway, all by itself, if you get one with gates and built-in swings or benches.

You don’t need a lot of room to create a focal point, either.  All it takes is a garden bench situated near a small statue or fountain, or a birdfeeder and birdbath; even a planter bench with a lattice back will do the trick.  Use decorative stones to make a pathway leading to the feature, to help to draw the eye in the right direction.

One thing you definitely don’t want to do, when landscaping a small yard, is to clutter it up with a bunch of lawn ornaments.  So, just say “gno” to gnomes.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chairs, Arbors, birdfeeders, garden structures, ottomans, outdoor coffee table, pergola, Pergolas, picnic table, planter bench, Planters, trellises

I think we’re all guilty of not appreciating what we have.  So often we look out to our porches and outdoor spaces and wish we could have that front page worthy living or dining area.  And then, deciding we can’t completely furnish a new outdoor room, we walk away and let our backyards and patios stay non-functional and boring.

But, on a tight budget, it’s still completely possible to create an outdoor space that you feel comfortable entertaining in.  The first step is to assess what you already have.  Adirondack chairs are great because they can be used in large numbers, alone in the corner, or as a part of a varied outdoor furniture set. If it’s crafted from pine or cypress, you can change the look and brighten it up by adding a coat of paint.  Plus, indoor pieces can often transition to outdoor furniture.  Have a side table that just doesn’t fit into your living room anymore?  Paint it or stain it, then use it in your outdoor space!

When looking at new outdoor furniture, look for pieces that are both versatile and durable.  Going with the most inexpensive furniture you can find might save you money now, but you’ll be in this same predicament by next spring.  Invest now so you can enjoy it for a lifetime.  A good way to see how long-lasting a piece will be is to consider its material, hardware, and construction.  Teak, Eucalyptus, and Cedar are some of the most durable woods available.  While Cypress and Pine also do very well when properly painted, treated, or maintained.  Stainless steel hardware will last you your whole life, and definitely worth looking for, but galvanized steel will serve you well too.  Finally, pieces individually handcrafted from artisans and made in the United State will last infinitely longer than those mass produced overseas.  It’s important to spend your money wisely.  As your outdoor furniture will come into contact with the elements on a regular basis, it’s vital to ensure that it’ll last!

Well, now that you know that criteria… the fun part is picking out your outdoor furniture (of course!)   How do you envision yourself using your outdoor space and who is going to be using it most?  Al fresco dining is fantastic and patio dining sets come in all shapes and sizes.  Looking for just a cozy spot to escape with a loved one? Try an outdoor bistro set that can nestle into a corner.  Hoping to host raucous backyard bashes full of kids and family? Better go with an ultra heavy-duty picnic table that’s big enough to accommodate all the hungry eaters.  Of course, if you’re looking for more of a lounge area than an eating area, you can always take your plates out to the deep seating or patio chairs anyway.  A great deep seating collection is going to be luxurious, hugely functional, and incredibly long lasting.  But, if money’s tight, you can always go with a nice garden bench or patio chair and add an outdoor cushion to still lend comfort.

Outdoor design is not about how much money you can spend.  It’s about getting creative about what you already have and deciding on pieces that are worth your investment.  If you choose your outdoor furniture wisely to serve your needs while mix and matching it with pieces you already have… you’ll have a wonderful outdoor space that you’ll love to come home to!

Have Fun!

Hazel

Tags: adirondack chairs, deep seating, garden bench, outdoor bistro set, outdoor cushion, Outdoor Furniture, patio chairs, patio dining sets, picnic table

If you’re looking for an excellent summer project for you and your family, look no further than the blog-osphere!.  TV designer, Kathy Peterson, is using her exclusive new line of patio furniture, Kathy Peterson Inspired-Outdoor Lifestyles to excite creative mastery in crafters everywhere.

“When I was creating my line of patio furniture, I wanted to offer as many color options as possible,” said designer, Peterson. “But, I also wanted to invite the creative in all of us to participate in the fun, so I crafted each piece from Cypress to allow for easy painting and decorating.”  Cypress, a resilient hard word with natural oil embedded in the heartwood, makes it naturally resistant to insects and decay. When kiln dried, cypress has little tendency to warp or cup. But, beyond its durability, it readily accepts all sorts of paints and stains.  “I wanted to find a way to inspire people to put their own personal touch on their outdoor living spaces,” Peterson commented.

To reach this goal, Kathy Peterson hand selected five diverse designers with talents in all areas of creativity.  Each designer will be putting her own unique decorating touch on an unfinished Adirondack chair from Kathy’s line.  Highlighting a designer project every Tuesday from July 20 to August 17, each blogger will be posting photos, directions, inspirations, and materials for her distinctive spin. Everyone involved is anxious to see the completed projects.  As the coordinator, I can tell you that everyone has been buzzing about how each designer is putting her own creative touch on it.

If you thought that once you’ve seen one Adirondack chair, you’ve seen them all… think again!  Kathy Peterson gathered five incredibly unique crafters and designers that will each redefine how you see an Adirondack chair.  And, seeing them all is as easy as ever!

Just stop by this blog (or any of the designer blogs) every Tuesday to see a sneak peak of the decorated chair and a link over to the featured blog.  Then, hop on over there and see all the photos and inspirations!

These versatile designers include Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter TV personality cracking up readers and inspiring creativity in six humorous how-to design books; Kathy Cano-Murillo, author of the crafting book “Waking Up in the Land of Glitter”; Julianna Hudgins, an HGTV and DIY network regular; Julie Fillo, an off beat painter whose work reflects folk tendencies and soul-searching inspiration, and Pat Sloan, a highly sought quilt designer and master quilter.

Beaders, Jewelry makers, quilters, scrap bookers, glitter enthusiasts? How can you not be dying to see what they’re plans are for an Adirondack chair?! It kicks off with Pat Sloan, quilter, tomorrow morning.  So, stop back to see the creativity and get inspired!

Have Fun!!

Hazel.

Tags: adirondack chairs, blog hop, Kathy Peterson Inspirations, Outdoor Furniture, patio furniture, tv designers

It doesn’t take weeds, or even pests, to spoil a landscape.  Sometimes, people foil their own efforts to cultivate gorgeous lawns and gardens.  In most instances, it’s not because they start to neglect their outdoor chores.  I mean, sure, that does happen every now and then.  After all, it’s summer, and most people would rather be cooking burgers on their grills, hanging out around their picnic tables, and relaxing in their Adirondack chairs and porch gliders, than doing yard work.

However, that’s not the main problem; and it’s usually not that they’re doing all the wrong things, either.  Actually, it’s more likely that they’re doing the right things, but too often, or too infrequently.  For example, many people over-water their lawns.  This prevents the roots from growing far enough into the ground, which causes them to get tangled up among the blades of grass, and form a mat over the soil.

That’s not a good fashion statement, as the well-coiffed lawn is not sporting dreadlocks this year.   It’s also a waste of water.  The best thing to do is to water deeply, and less frequently, giving the lawn about an inch of water each time.  An easy way to figure out how long it takes to reach that amount is to set an empty tuna can on the grass, then run the sprinkler until it fills to the top.  Just don’t fall asleep in your hammock or swingbed when you’re supposed to be timing this, or you’ll have to start all over.

You may find that watering only once or twice a week will be sufficient.  So, before you water, make sure that your lawn truly needs it.  To determine whether or not it does, simply walk across it.  If the grass springs back into place, it’s in good shape; if it stays compressed in your footprints, it could probably use a drink.  Another way to tell is to push a screwdriver into the ground; if this is difficult, it’s a bit too dry.  Color is also a good indication, as thirsty grass may develop a slight blue tinge.

While watering less is a good way to get a healthier lawn, mowing more often will also help, as it will force the grass to grow thicker, enabling it to crowd out more weeds.  Just be certain that the mower’s blades are very sharp, so that they can make clean, even cuts.  This is important, because ragged edges make the grass more vulnerable to disease.

Furthermore, split ends are not in style for lawns, either; and neither is the close-cropped ‘do.  If you cut the grass too short, it will need more water and herbicides, and become difficult to manage (and they don’t make mousse for grass).  Although the ideal length will depend upon the type of grass that you have, as a rule, you shouldn’t cut off more than one-third of its height at a time.  That’s referred to as scalping, and it takes awhile for grass to recover from it (besides, it’s a really bad look).  Mowing it higher will make its roots grow deeper, increase its immunity to disease, and decrease its need for water.

Naturally, when the weather is extremely hot, you should take breaks whenever necessary.  Keep a pitcher of ice water or lemonade on an outdoor dining table, and enjoy a glass as you rest on a patio chair.

If your lawn is wet, don’t mow it, because the blades won’t be able to cut sharply enough.  Moreover, it will compress the soil and crush the roots, so they won’t be able to breathe.  Then, the grass will die, and your lawn will develop bald spots.

And – you guessed it – baldness is not in vogue for lawns, either!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: adirondack chairs, grills, hammock, outdoor dining table, patio chair, picnic tables, porch gliders, swingbed