Long before we considered white pine outdoor furniture a style, we used thick conglomerations of earthy wood to make everything from patio chairs and picnic tables to garden benches and planters. Nowadays, with plenty of manmade options attempting to conquer the market, we’re seeing the about-face towards whole log outdoor furniture as the most natural way to achieve rustic beauty in natural, high quality materials that can play easily with colorful cushions to create a comfortable deck or yard design.

Blend Wood Furniture Into its Natural Environment:  The best part about using rustic white pine or cedar patio furniture is that the stage has already been set. No need to match colors, patterns, or infuse textures into your patio design – with whole log furnishings, you automatically mirror the beauty of the trees and plants that surround your yard. Open up your back door and enjoy the seamless beauty of the planet earth as a functional patio seating arrangement or cozy garden bench.

White Cedar and White Pine Furniture Understand Nature:  If you’re concerned about weathering materials, the logical solution is to infuse hearty woods that understand what it is to reside outdoors in their natural state. With pine log and white cedar log furnishings, you obtain some of the highest levels of resiliency in wood. Each piece – rain or shine – will look bright and new year after year, with proper care and maintenance.

Add Comfort With a Cushioned Effect:  Since we speak so highly of its durability, wood is naturally not going to be the softest material to sit on while reading or laying out while the kids play for hours on end. For this reason, the easy addition of colorful outdoor furniture cushions is a great way to bring in the soft, comfortable qualities that don’t take away from your ability to breathe in the fresh air for extended periods of time. Look into cushions that blend in with mellow, neutral tones or stand out with bright, solid colors or patterns.

The unison of nature and patio furniture comfort blends together perfectly with rustic outdoor furniture built to last.

Whether you’re putting your porch furniture in the storage shed, or under some outdoor furniture covers, if you’re hosting a large party for Thanksgiving, it’s a good idea to keep some of it handy.  After all, you may need a few picnic table benches, patio chairs, or outdoor folding chairs, for extra seating.  Moreover, if you have a kids’ picnic table, the problem of where to seat the children is already solved.

Of course, before the big day, you’ll still have to get your home and yard ready for winter.  As for the vegetation, if you’re going to take any of it indoors for the season, make sure that no unwanted houseguests come along for the ride.  Check the leaves, stems, and the topsoil, for stowaways; and wipe off the bottoms of the planters.

As the decreasing sunlight eliminates the need for extra nutrients at this time of the year, your houseplants won’t have to be fertilized.  Most of them won’t require as much water, either; but, because the air inside of your home is likely to be very dry, make sure the soil stays moist, and give plants an occasional misting.

Before putting planters, window boxes, and flower boxes into storage for the winter, remove all debris, and clean them with a solution of mild soap and bleach. To keep garden hoses from freezing and cracking, drain them and store them in the shed, too.  Put insulation on all outdoor water connections, to prevent the pipes from bursting, which is one of the most common – and most disastrous – cold-weather troubles.

Naturally, leaves are in abundance now; and if they’re still on the trees, sporting their autumn colors, they’re adding to the scenery.  However, if they’ve already fallen, as most have by now, they may be contributing to some ugly scenes, depending upon where they have landed.  For example, if they’re piling up on sidewalks, they can be dangerously slick, especially when wet.

If they’re left lying on the lawn, in thick mats, they may kill the grass underneath them; but, you can always run over them with a lawnmower and turn them into mulch.  You also have the option of raking them up, putting them into a compost pile, and letting them rot for the winter, so that they’ll be ready for your garden in the spring.

Another place where leaves may be gathering, and conspiring to cause havoc, is on your roof.  One of their favorite tricks is to use rain as a waterslide, which will take them into your gutters.  There, they will form clogs, and prevent the gutters from doing their jobs, which is to drain the water from rain, and melting snow and ice, away from your home’s foundation.

Therefore, cleaning gutters is another one of those chores that should be done before the weather gets nasty.  While you’re at it, prune the branches of overhanging trees, and you may be able to keep some of the leaves from falling onto the roof in the first place.  However, because they can blow in from all directions, this may not eliminate the problem completely.

You know, when you think about it, it’s ironic that they’re called leaves.  I mean, they never go away!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

As I mentioned, this is the perfect time of the year to start feeding the birds; and it’s important to place birdfeeders in spots where they will have shelter from the wind, and refuge from predators.  Although shrubs and trees are ideal, garden structures, such as arbors, trellises, pergolas, and gazebos can do the job as well.  Multi-paneled garden screens will provide good coverage, too, as will gated arbors, and arbors with extensions.

Another alternative is to create a makeshift row of hedges, by getting some planters, and filling them with small evergreens; even artificial ones will work.  You can also use planter trellises, or planter benches with lattice backs.  Anything is better than nothing; in fact, if you’re not going to store your patio furniture in the garden shed during the winter, protect it with some mildew-resistant, easy-to-clean outdoor furniture covers, and let the birds use it to shield themselves from the elements.

As for the birdfeeders, there are many types to choose from, including tube, platform, hopper, fly-through, post-mounted, and hanging.  Whichever you select, make sure that it will keep the food dry, so that it will not become moldy.

When you’re shopping for food, keep in mind that sunflower seeds appeal to the widest variety of birds.  Black-oil sunflower seeds are the favorites, and are enjoyed by every kind of backyard, seed-eating bird.  Their rich oil content makes them a high-energy food, and their thin shells make them easy to crack.  Although striped sunflower seeds are also great, they have heavier shells, which are tough for smaller birds to open.

You can also get sunflower seeds that have been mechanically hulled; and, while they cost a little more, there will be no waste, and no mess.  On the other hand, with in-shell sunflower seeds, the hulls account for up to 45% of the product weight, and will be left lying around on the ground.

Nyjer seeds, which are tiny and black, draw all sorts of finches; and, because of their high oil content, they make wonderful winter food.  Imported from Africa and Southeast Asia, they are slightly expensive; but a bag of them will last awhile.  Moreover, nyjer seeds leave absolutely no waste; and, because they’re steril­ized at all U.S. ports of entry, they will not germinate.  Cracked corn and millet are quite affordable, and will attract many ground-feeding and game birds.

Always read the labels on bags of bird food, and avoid brands that have large amounts of milo (sorghum), wheat, or oats.  Although they may be cheaper, these ingredients are merely fillers, which most birds won’t eat; so, buying products that contain them will be a waste, in more ways than one.

Suet, which is loved by all kinds of birds, comes in an assortment of flavors.  Naturally, birds are wild about nuts, too, particularly peanuts, walnuts, and almonds; and, luckily, these are available in many high-quality bird foods these days.

Of course, you may pay a bit more for these mixes, but, believe me, if you’re nuts about birds, it’s worth it.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

There’s no doubt that the things that you can find in your own backyard and garden, on a nature walk, or during a visit to a farmers’ market, can be used to make some spectacular outdoor décor.  After all, that’s what they are, anyway; you’re just gathering, arranging, and exhibiting them in strategic places, in and around your home.

At the same time, like most people who are dressing up their homes for fall, you will probably use artificial embellishments as well; and that’s understandable.  In fact, it’s necessary in some situations, such as those in which an item that you wish to use won’t hold up in a long-term display.  Luckily, however, a good number of autumn’s natural elements are quite hardy.

Pumpkins, as we’ve established, can often last through the entire season; that is, as long as they’re left intact.  I mean, once they’re carved, even the most menacing-looking, sharp-toothed, jack-o-lanterns will, after about a week, begin to resemble old men who have misplaced their dentures.  Twigs, berries, corn stalks, hay bales, Indian corn, pinecones, gourds, and acorns, are also extremely durable; but, alas, the multi-colored leaves, which are autumn’s proudest emblems, are also the most fleeting.

Therefore, we must take pleasure in them while they last.  Aside from hiking in the woods, or driving through the country, we can, of course, enjoy them from our porch swings, hammocks, and patio chairs.  Unfortunately, with the sun going down earlier every day, by the time we’re finished with work, and other obligations, it’s nearly dark.

Here, again, store-bought decorations can come to the rescue.  For example, we can string miniature, twinkling bulbs through our vine-covered arbors, pergolas, and trellises.  This will afford a twofold advantage, as it will prolong the time that we have for viewing the foliage, while allowing us to see it, literally, in a completely different light.  Indeed, as lovely as those crimson, bronze, and golden leaves are during the day, they’re absolutely dazzling after dusk, when highlighted by a soft, orange-white glow.

Actually, once you adorn your garden structures with lights, you may even start looking forward to the early sunsets.  Not only does this enhance the beauty of your landscape, but it automatically creates a festive atmosphere.  This is especially exciting when you’re hosting an outdoor dinner party, where delighted guests can enter through an arbor that’s sparkling with lights.

To make things even more striking, you can illuminate the path with walkway lights, put post cap lights on fences, and wrap strings of lights around trees, shrubs, and planters.  You should also have lots of candles, along with outdoor lamps and lanterns, on picnic tables and outdoor accent tables, in the main party area.

Now, if you have a gazebo, it will be, at least, a stunning focal point; but, if it’s large enough, you may be using it as the center of the gathering.  Whatever the case, if it’s decked out with lights, and other fall decorations, the effect will be downright spell-binding.

So, if people start asking how you managed to conjure such a magical evening, you can just tell them that you have your own, personal Gazebo Wizard.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

When you’re decorating your home’s exterior for fall, don’t forget to cover outbuildings, such as garages, storage sheds, pool houses, and cabanas.  Naturally, this also goes for gazebos, arbors, trellises, pergolas, and garden bridges.  Just as they bring fresh dimensions of splendor to your yard and garden throughout the year, they can add new elements of excitement and festivity to every season.

Pumpkins, gourds, squash, mums, acorns, pinecones, berries, apples, leaves, twigs, corn stalks, straw, hay bales, and Indian corn, are among the most popular items that are used in fall decorations.  Moreover, in many cases, you can use the real things, instead of buying artificial versions.  In fact, the only unnatural embellishments that you may need to enhance their beauty will be some twinkle lights.  These can be quite striking when you string them around porch and gazebo railings, and entwine them in latticed garden structures.

You can also use lights on an autumn wreath, to make your front door look warm and welcoming; and if you have an enclosed gazebo, place a wreath on the gazebo door as well.  Dried cornstalks also look great around the railings of gazebos and porches, and on mailbox posts.  Just use twine or wire to hold 15-20 stalks together, then tie them with a ribbon in a fall color, such as burgundy, orange, or bronze.  Place some hay bales nearby, stacked on patio chairs, outdoor accent tables, or picnic table benches, and set some pumpkins and Indian corn on top of them.

Another wonderful way to dress up your porch, patio, deck, or gazebo, is by using planters.  Fill them with ornamental grasses in reds, oranges, bronzes, and plums, and place them next to doors, and along railings, steps, and walkways.  You can make them all in one color, or create dramatic combinations, and throw in some fall flowers, such as mums, and a few small pumpkins.

As I’ve mentioned before, it’s a good idea to get a large assortment of pumpkins, in all sizes, and put them everywhere.  One of the best things about them is that you can use them whole, as part of your outdoor décor, for most of the season, and then, if you’re so inclined, transform them into some signature fall edibles, including the number-one favorite, pumpkin pie.  If you’re planning to do this, however, you’ll have to select some pumpkins that are suitable for cooking.

You won’t be able to use the larger, jack-o-lantern types for this purpose, as their pulp is too watery and stringy, although you can still bake and eat their seeds.  Indeed, if you want to turn them into pies, breads, soups, muffins, or cookies, you’ll have to get some of a smaller, sweeter variety, known as the sugar pumpkin.  Because this kind is not always featured in pumpkin patches, you may have to visit a farm, nursery, or roadside stand.  Furthermore, while you’re at it, don’t overlook all of the other gourds that are available now; like pumpkins, they’re as good for decorating as they are for digesting.

By the way, if you’re feeling funny about covering your home with vegetables, don’t worry about it.  Botanically speaking, you’re using a bunch of fruit; and there’s certainly nothing strange about that!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

The end of August beckons pencils, notebooks, school buses, and that fated end of summer.  As children and teachers prepare to head back to school, it’s hard to not assume your endless afternoons of family outdoor living are headed toward a close. But, rather than bidding farewell to your outdoor furniture, why not plan a party to bring everyone together to celebrate one last “hurrah!” Encourage your children to invite friends that will soon be classmates and their families.  That way, you can meet any neighborhood parents that you have not yet had a chance to get to know.

This is always the time that it feels like the Summer season got away from us.  And as many parents have a tinge of sadness as the Autumn season puts our children out of reach for nearly 8 hours a day, this is a wonderful time to bring everyone together.  Lounging in outdoor rocking chairs and porch swings will give the parents a no-stress occasion to talk about the upcoming year and perhaps solutions for car pooling to athletic practices or play rehearsals. Meeting the families of your kids’ classmates is an important part of getting involved with their overall education, so let this be a time to celebrate the end of summer and prepare for the upcoming school year through good food and meaningful introductions.

Especially if you’ve missed opportunities for outdoor entertaining, crafting a dinner party for a time other than Labor Day weekend is a grand idea.  That way, guests that have already committed to family reunions or other engagements will still be able to attend your event.

Try to strike a balance between Summer and Autumn.  This gathering will be your opportunity to start to bring in Autumn decorating influences, while still celebrating summer.  Decorate picnic tables with vases or planters that mix daisies and hydrangea with mums and asters.  It’s not time for pine cones and pumpkins yet, but past due for Fourth of July décor.  Have fun mixing and matching your more subdued summer and autumn outdoor décor for an End of August celebration that hits the nail right on the head.

Give the kids, and yourself, a grand opportunity to enjoy that casual summer fare.  Keep it simple with hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill and potato salad. This is also a great opportunity to use a lot of the vegetables and herbs that your garden is producing too fast for you to use!  Tomatoes, cucumbers, and green beans will all do terrifically in a big salad created from your homegrown lettuce.  Share the bounty of your garden with guests to celebrate what an amazing summer we’ve enjoyed this season.

If the weather is right, it might even be a chance pull your outdoor dining sets out from under your porches or gazebos, and out further into your garden.  Try setting up a few outdoor bistro sets or your picnic table as deep into the greenery as possible.  If you’re worried about the state of the food, you can always keep the eating under your pergola or other usual spot, and simply move your patio chairs or garden benches out into the yard.  Desserts and conversations can move seamlessly out into your late summer blooms as the longer summer day turns to dusk.

Give everyone something to take away with them to remember the experience.  If you have any seeds that your flowers have begun to produce, make little bags for guests to plant for next summer.  If you still have vegetables or herbs left over from your garden, this is a wonderful opportunity to give them as gifts.  Encourage new acquaintances with classmate-children to exchange contact information.  The end of August is the perfect time to allow families to spend some last quality time together before the start of school, as well as meet and greet the parents you’ll be sure to see throughout the school year!

Have Fun!

Hazel.

Okay, so you’ve determined what purpose your patio will serve.  The next step is to settle on a color scheme; and, if you wish to add a theme as well, figure out what it will be.  For the former, you may have fewer decisions to make, as you’ll simply (yeah, simply) have to choose some hues.  In the latter instance, however, you will further be committed to finding supporting accessories; and that can be quite time-consuming.

On the other hand, it can be a lot of fun; and, besides, you’ll be searching for the definitive items for your outdoor décor, no matter what.  It’s just that your selection will be somewhat broader if you’re not limited to things that must tie in with a specific subject.  Of course, if you declare your theme to be eclectic, you can throw in anything you like, and no one will question it.

One potential advantage of featuring a particular topic is that it is sure to be one of your passions.  Therefore, you may have already collected many related pieces; and many of them may be sitting in closets, collecting dust.  If so, this is the perfect opportunity to display them.  For example, if you spend all of your vacations at the beach, it’s likely that you’ve picked up lots of shells, beach bags, and other maritime-associated souvenirs, in your travels.

Well, now they can be part of your patio décor; and they’ll fit in splendidly with a beach, or a tropical, theme.  Furthermore, you can use them as creatively as you like, as you’re not bound by any rules.  For instance, there’s no law that says that arbors, trellises, and pergolas can be covered only with flowers.  No-o!  You can drape them with fish netting that’s filled with shells and sea glass, or hang starfish, and multi-colored (fake) fish from them.

Place potted flowers into upside-down beach hats, old beach bags, and pails, and use them as planters.  Then, for a nice, finishing touch, push some little, plastic shovels into the soil, just far enough so that they’ll stand at a slight angle.

If you’ve managed to acquire any bar or restaurant memorabilia, such as menus, glasses, signs (chairs, tables, kitchen sinks), or anything else, by whatever means (I know nothink! I see nothink!), incorporate them as well.  Not only will they look great on your outdoor dining table or patio bar set, but they’ll be sure to spark some interesting conversations and stories (like the ones about how you got them!).  Top off your outdoor tables with cheery patio umbrellas, and use beach umbrellas or market umbrellas in other spots, to provide more shade – and atmosphere.

When it comes to finding outdoor furniture, you’ll have another wealth of choices.  Wicker patio furniture with outdoor furniture cushions in bold patterns or stripes, and some wicker accent tables, will really complement the beach theme.  To make things even more festive, you can add some polywood Adirondack chairs and ottomans, in various colors.

Naturally, lighting is important, too; and there are dozens of fun styles and types available.  You can string your garden structures with twinkle lights, put torches around your patio and yard, set citronella candles on picnic tables, and use outdoor table lamps, lanterns, pendant lights, tree lights, solar lights, and decorative post caps.

So, how can you find all of these wonderful outdoor décor items?  Just do a little surfing on the ‘net, of course!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Now that you’ve cleaned and repaired all of the concrete and asphalt around your house, it’s time to relax for awhile.  So, invite a few friends over, throw some steaks on the grill, and get the picnic table ready.  After you eat, sit back on your porch furniture and socialize, or take a snooze in the hammock.

Once you’re well-rested, you can start surveying the landscape again, with fresh eyes, to see what other tasks there are to be done before summer fades away.  For one thing, you may want to get a heads-up on the tree situation, as low-swaying, dead, or diseased branches can be quite hazardous, especially in cold, stormy weather.

For example, they can rub against, and damage, your roof, siding, and gutters, while steadily dumping loads of leaves and sticks.  They can also hurt other outdoor structures, such as garages, gazebos, sheds, cabanas, and pool houses.  Furthermore, in high winds, or when laden with ice and snow, they are famous for dropping entire limbs, or dropping entirely.  On top of that, they act as natural bridges and ladders to your home, for rats, mice, and squirrels trying to find places to hole up; and you don’t want to have these worries hanging over your head all winter.

Therefore, in order to preclude the impending peril posed by these precarious perches, it’s imperative that you pinpoint and prune them, pronto.  Identify the ones that are the biggest threats, and, as long as you can get to and remove them safely, cut them back, or cut them off completely.  If you see any branches that are obviously dangerous, but out of reach, or any that you’re not sure about, you may have to call a certified arborist and/or tree removal service.

This is also a good time to take another look at your deck.  By this point in the summer, it has probably been continually supporting a lot of people, pets, patio furniture, and planters; and it’s been constantly exposed to the elements.  If it has been treated regularly with a sealer, that shouldn’t be a problem; otherwise, it may have taken on a great deal of moisture.

Moreover, if it’s left to endure a winter of ice, snow, and rain, the wood will repeatedly absorb water, as it expands and contracts, and will develop cracks.  As they deepen over time, the water will penetrate further, and the deck will get weaker.  If you can’t remember the last time you sealed and/or stained it (or if you’ve recently moved in, and haven’t done it yet), do a quick test.  Just pour some water over the boards, and if it beads up, you don’t have to worry; but if it sinks in, the deck needs another treatment.

Besides looking for cracks, and making certain that it’s water-repellent, examine your deck, top and bottom, for loose boards.  Shake the railings to ensure that they’re secure, and inspect the stairs, too, as the expanding and contracting of the wood can also dislodge hardware.  Any nails or screws that are sticking up should be refastened, or replaced with galvanized deck screws.

There’s no over-emphasizing the importance of keeping decks strong and healthy, considering how many of them collapse every year.  So, remember – a check of the deck prevents a heck of a wreck!

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

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

Any home on the market today absolutely must have curb appeal.  If it doesn’t, its owners may be in for a lot of drive-by viewings.  However, getting people to stop for a better look is just the first step.  The next is even more significant.  They have to get out of the car; but if the yard is unattractive, they may not even go that far.

Indeed, the landscape of a house can make all the difference in potential buyers’ decisions about whether or not to take those first steps, and then, to continue to the front door, for the full tour.  The problem is that there are so many aspects of it to consider, that it’s difficult to get everything right.

Sometimes, home sellers are so wrapped up in getting the insides of their homes show-ready, that they don’t give the exteriors all of the attention that they need.  Certainly, they’ll cut the grass, prune the hedges, and weed the garden beds; but it takes a lot more than a lush, well-kept lawn, neatly-trimmed shrubbery, and beautiful flowers, to entice people to explore further.

Of course, they want to see a place that’s charming, inviting, and picturesque; and they want to be able to put themselves into that picture, living the good life.  Outdoor furniture can contribute greatly, in that regard.  Porch swings, gliders, outdoor sofas, lounge chairs, and hammocks can really make a house look warm and welcoming.

Other outdoor décor items can influence people as well.  While a few birdfeeders, birdhouses, and some planters are fine, yards that are cluttered with too many garish lawn ornaments, such as plastic deer and geese, gazing balls, and the dreaded gnomes, can be repellent.  It’s best to let the interested parties see the gorgeous greenery.

Actually, though, even if the grass, plants, and trees all look spectacular, there can be other elements that people find disturbing.  One thing that can instantly detract from the impression of a meticulously-maintained landscape is the sight of weeds or grass growing in the cracks of pavement, or between the bricks of patios and walkways.  This can be taken as a sign that the inside of the house may not have been kept up properly, either.

On top of that, if the cracks are in the concrete, instead of between separate, solid sections, it shows, without a doubt, that the property is in need of some repairs, and, apparently, the pavement is not the most pressing issue.  This will get people thinking about all of the other things that they may have to fix; so, it’s definitely worth it to replace broken or cracked driveways and walkways.

After working so hard to get people moving toward your front door, don’t let them step on a crack on the way there.  It may not break anyone’s back, but it could break the deal.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy