Today’s guest post is for all those passionate (or aspiring) urban gardeners (and, well, of course… all those interested in urban gardening)!  LaManda Joy, a Chicago vegetable gardener and avid blogger, brings us her tale of creating a fruitful vegetable garden right in Chicago! Her blog, theyarden.com, chronicles the joys and challenges of urban gardening and reflects the skills and passion of its veteran creator.

Follow LaManda Joy on Twitter @TheYarden and at Facebook.com/TheYarden.

In 2006, after seven very long and gardenless years, my husband woke up one February morning and said, “Let’s go look at houses!” What he really meant was “Let’s go look at yards!”

Finding a sunny yard that isn’t shaded with 100-year-old trees or an apartment complex looking down on it is a bit of a trick in Chicago. We thought we’d seen all the neighborhoods – and were sadly disappointed – when we stumbled upon a secret nook in Chicago’s 40^th Ward.

Long story short… we ended up “buying a yard with a house attached to it” with the sole, myopic purpose of putting in an amazing vegetable garden where we could grow heirloom vegetables, entertain and develop a community of neighbors and friends.

We wanted to install a privacy fence and a deck area over the concrete slab in the back as well as a “boardwalk” to cover an existing, but unsightly, concrete path from the front gate to the concrete slab. We also knew we wanted some “climbing area” for wisteria and sweet autumn clematis…

As you will see here we solved the “climbing area” issue with a pergola. The wisteria is barely visible behind the red chair – it is much more robust three seasons later…

This also created a nice sitting area that is the bridge from the “deck” to the garden… you will notice we bought some very inexpensive burlap and wove it between the slats of the pergola to create a shade canopy (you can see the overlap hanging down on the left side). This worked out to be a great solution to this sunny spot and a favorite sitting area for my husband. As you can see, I prefer the hammock

We liked the pergola so much we ended up putting a matching one by the front garden gate.

This pergola, too, has ended up being a lot of fun! We use the supports to train beans or vines. One year we grew Chinese yardlong beans up and over the pergola so you had to walk through them like the long rags in a carwash. We called it the “snack and slap” and laughed a lot whenever we had to walk the beany gauntlet.

Along with the raised beds, which you see partially in the photo above, we also put in a trellis for more vertical growing space and to block the view of a work area with a very large telephone pole (ah the joys of urban living!)

All of the construction was done with untreated cedar. It smelled great and sometimes still does on a very warm day. However, knowing then what I know now, I would have chosen a recycled wood-like material to avoid having to stain. But, ces’t la vie… perhaps that’s a solution for The Yarden 2.0 – if we can ever find a yard like this again in Chicago!

ABOUT LaMANDA JOY

Awarded honorable mention in Mayor Daley’s Landscape Competition for 2009, LaManda Joy’s 1,700 square foot, heirloom organic garden in Chicago’s 40^th Ward is a laboratory and teaching ground for friends and neighbors. LaManda speaks and writes about diverse aspects of a self-sufficient life in the city, Chicago WW2 Victory Gardens, canning and other related topics.

There are tons of projects for us to do, in and around our homes; but, at least, we get to work with houses that already exist.  Imagine the monumental challenges that our earliest ancestors faced, when, surrounded by wilderness, they had to construct various forms of shelter from whatever was at hand.

Many of those who weren’t lucky enough to find caves to live in (the “high society” crowd), made huts from wood and branches, while others draped animal skins over wooden frameworks, or used the bones of mammoths for the skeletal (literally!) structures, then covered them with the skins.  In any case, it took a lot of effort to build even the most makeshift abode.

Even so, it wasn’t long before people began adding on rooms to these modest dwellings, and furnishing them with chairs and tables that had been crudely fashioned from rocks, wood, and branches.  Outdoor furniture, I guess, was anything that was found lying around on the ground.  Perhaps a felled tree could have been used as a lounge chair, a smooth rock, as a garden bench (or, if it teetered on an uneven surface, a rocker), and an animal pelt tied between two trees, as a hammock, a hammock chair, or even a porch swing.

Naturally, people quickly began accumulating more possessions, in an attempt to keep up with the Joneses – or, the Oggs, as the case may have been.  Then, because of the apparently innate compulsion of the human race to hoard things, even when there’s no place to put them, the first storage sheds were created; and, like many homes, and some inhabitants thereof, they were nothing but skin and bones.

Throughout the ages, they have really fleshed out, appearing in many forms and materials, in virtually every culture, evolving into the good old backyard structures that we’ve all come to know.  In the 21^st century, however, apparently unsatisfied with being used only for storage, the shed has once again changed the way it is perceived in society.

Today, there are several styles of sheds, made from vinyl, cedar, and pine, available with features that include skylights, insulation, window boxes, and dozens of colors of siding and roofing.  Along with their impressive, new looks, garden sheds are taking on daring new roles, as home offices and gyms, studios, playhouses, guest rooms, and hobby rooms.  In fact, because they have proven that they can successfully serve all of these purposes, and many more, sheds have become almost as popular as gazebos.

It just goes to show that great things can happen when you’re courageous enough to shed your old image.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

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

As I was saying, some of the things that people do to keep warm in January include partaking of comfort foods and beverages, sitting by roaring fires, luxuriating in hot tubs, and jetting off to tropical islands.

I also mentioned that sunrooms are great places to stay warm, whether you have one that’s built into your home, or standing separately in your backyard.  But, guess what – they’re not the only garden structures that can shield you from the cold.  No-o!  Gazebos can keep you nice and toasty as well.

Now, I realize that, if you’re picturing the gazebos that stand in town parks, or the ornamental gazebos that are in many backyards, you may be thinking that I’m crazy for saying that; but you would be wrong.  Okay, okay – you’d be half right.  Sure, I may be a bit, well, let’s just say, eccentric (no, you don’t have to be rich to be eccentric!), but I definitely know what I’m talking about when it comes to gazebos!

Believe me, they’ve come a long way over the years.  While gazebos certainly can still be used for decorative purposes, or as shelters for picnic tables, patio chairs, porch swings, gliders, outdoor sofas and settees, or other outdoor furniture groups, these days, they’re available with so many features that people can actually live in them!

If you want proof, just go to GazeboCreations.com.  Right away, you’ll be amazed at our wide variety of cedar, treated pine, and vinyl gazebos, which come in all sizes and shapes.  Then, to further astound you, we’ve enlisted the services of a genuine Gazebo Wizard, who will help you to customize you own gazebo right on the site, by offering you dozens of options, including insulation, storm windows, different kinds of flooring, decorative railings, wiring, built-in benches, ceiling fans, special lighting, cupolas, several types and colors of roofing, and more.

Furthermore, he’ll add each one you choose, instantly, right before your eyes!  Truly!

You know, I really, really hope that you do visit our site now.  I mean, after all that stuff I said about a Gazebo Wizard, if you don’t come and see it for yourself, you really will think I’m crazy!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

This is the time of year when our thoughts are preoccupied with comfort foods, hot beverages, sitting around fires, taking vacations to tropical islands, and anything else that will help us to get warm.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that coffee houses, which are usually pretty lively anyway, are even more crowded now, as they also serve hot cocoa and tons of decadent desserts.  Naturally, in the winter, people also prefer to spend more time in their homes, where their sunrooms are the hot spots.  These two places are so popular, in fact, that many people are actually turning their sunrooms into coffee nooks.

If you want to try this, it’s really easy to do; and you can re-create the tranquil charm of an old-fashioned, mom-and-pop shop, rather than the jam-packed chain establishments that are so prevalent.  To get the atmosphere of a traditional café, furnish it with a wood or aluminum bistro set, accessorized with checkered or floral print placemats and napkins (with napkin rings), sugar bowls, creamers, fresh flowers, candles, and containers with individually-wrapped biscotti.  Make it really authentic by producing colorful menus on your computer, then fold and stand them upright on the table.

Create a lounge area by adding synthetic wicker chairs and sofas with soft cushions in colorful patterns, as well as coffee tables, end tables, and accent tables, topped with magazines.  If the sunroom is big enough, you may want to put in a partition, and have a dining set on the other side, for larger gatherings.  If you prefer a rustic décor, choose cedar or pine furniture; for a more elegant motif, consider a teak or cherry dining set.  Put up shelves and stock them with mugs and cups of different sizes and colors.

Of course, you’ll need the main attraction, too, so get a bunch of brightly-colored containers and fill them with an assortment of specialty coffees and teas.  You won’t even have to worry about being an expert at making coffee, because, with the great coffee, espresso, and cappuccino makers that are available, along with the wide variety of coffees, you’ll soon be whipping up concoctions that are every bit as good as (or even better than) anything you’ll find at even the most popular coffee franchise (not mentioning any names, of course!).

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Every day, we’re faced with tons of choices.  Whether we’re shopping for cars, outdoor furniture, financial services, potting soil, or ice cream (or the toppings that we put on it), we’re offered enough options to give us intense headaches (before we even eat the ice cream!).

It’s funny, though, that with all of these selections, and the fortunes that advertisers spend to make us aware of them, we frequently choose the safe and comfortable favorites that we’ve always known and loved.  Even more interesting is that some of the most prized, sought after, and fought over materials on the planet have held their status for centuries, without a bit of advertising; and not one of them is manmade.      

For example, gold crowns the precious metals.  Among gemstones, the diamond sparkles.  When it comes to food, a certain kind of meat seems to always be what’s for dinner.  In clothing, people may cotton to one particular fabric over the rest; and, in the world of wood, indeed, it seems that cedar supersedes.    

There are so many things that wouldn’t be the same without cedar.  For instance, although storage chests can be made of many kinds of wood, a cedar chest is the most treasured.  Western Red Cedar has always been one of the most popular woods for making porch furniture, picnic tables, and arbors, because of its many desirable properties. 

For one thing, its extreme durability has made it a favorite among architects and woodworkers since ancient times, as evidenced by its presence in structures that are thousands of years old, including the Pyramids (yes, THE Pyramids).  Native Americans used Western Red Cedar to build canoes and totems – many of which are still standing today.  So, I guess it’s no mystery why many of our grandmothers still have the same, comfortable old porch swings and rocking chairs that they had when we were kids – or even before we were born. 

Another thing that makes cedar so attractive to builders is that it’s very easy to work with, giving itself up to saw, nail, and plane.  It produces generous, lightweight lengths of lumber with a fine, porous, tight, straight grain of unvarying texture, which gives it dimensional stability, so it will lie flat, and resist warping, twisting, and checking. 

Cedar also possesses an innate ability to resist decay, a defense system provided by its naturally occurring supply of thujic acid; and it has one of the most well-known and loved fragrances found in nature.  More than simply pleasing to the senses, this aroma can repel moths and other insects, as well as overtake unwelcome odors, which is why so many closets, storage units, and shoe racks are made from cedar.       

There’s no doubt that cedar has legions of admirers all over the world; but its most enthusiastic fan base is right here at CedarStore.com.  Of course, I’m sure that you’ve guessed that by now!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

To start, I thought it best to review one of the most asked questions by our customers, “Which wood is best for outdoor furniture use?”  Read all the way through, and there’s a coupon code for you at the bottom! 

Choosing the best wood seems on the surface to be an easy choice, but there are many different answers to this question depending on your taste, budget and your geography.  Cedar, Pine and Teak have many strengths, and differences.  We’ll sort them out here…

Grade A Teak Furniture

The generally accepted most durable wood for outdoor furniture is Grade A Teak. 

Grade A Teak is a very strong wood, which contains natural oils making it resistant to moisture and extreme weathering.  The downside is that Grade A Teak is expensive.  Only a couple countries in the world are able to export Grade A Teak.  Many retailers succumb to temptation and use Grade B or C, which means the tree had not fully matured and the wood contains much less natural oil.  It may look nice, but it’s not remotely comparable to Grade A, which has matured for 30 years. 

To put it into perspective, the Grade A Teak you buy today was planted when leisure suits and disco were cool…There’s a scary thought!  Teak is the most durable outdoor wood, but I never thought it had the character or “pop” of good Western Red Cedar.  If Grade A Teak isn’t your cup of tea, I’d recommend Balau wood which we carry in our Porch Swings outdoor furniture line instead of settling for Grade B or C Teak.

Cedar Furniture

We are the http://www.cedarstore.com/, so as you can imagine, we sell many Cedar products. Western Red Cedar in particular is beautiful, durable and best of all, an affordable choice for outdoor furniture!  The beauty of Cedar is seen in the wood grain, color and smell.  Remember lifting the lid on grandma’s cedar chest, and smelling the aromatic blend of Cedar?  I bet someone in your family still has grandma’s Cedar Chest—another testament to how long Cedar lasts!

Western Red Cedar naturally offers different colors within its grain, which can provide for remarkably beautiful outdoor furniture, chests and even a gazebo.  Cedar, like teak, contains natural oils which balance it with the environment—preserving the wood from harsh weathering.  Cedar will weather to rustic silver, if left unstained, but it will not loose its strength.  In fact, many of our customers prefer a weathered Cedar look! 

Cedar is also good for the environment because for every one Cedar tree cut down, FIVE MORE are planted!   

Pine Furniture

Last on our list is our old friend Pine.  We use Southern Yellow Pine at our shops, while some west coast companies may use Spruce.  The two species are very similar.  Pine is sturdy, dependable and the most affordable outdoor furniture wood.  What it lacks in weathering protection can be artificially added through the pressure treatment process, creating Pressure Treated Pine.  Our pressure treated pine has a 30 year warranty against rot, decay and insect damage.  It may not have the unique beauty of Cedar, but it’s less expensive and stronger!  It’s also much easier to paint than Cedar. 

So, there you have it.  Which wood is best for outdoor furniture?  That’s your decision, but as always the CedarStore.com is available to guide you through the process and help you select the right product, 1-888-293-2339. 

You’ve made it this far, so here’s your coupon code:  BLOG20.  This discount code will entitle you to $20.00 off of your next purchase of $200.00 or more.

Have a great day!

Shari