How to Make Your Arbor Swing Look It's Best

An arbor swing can be an amazing addition to your backyard, because not only does it provide a swing, but it also allows you to view beautiful flowers while you swing. However, if you want to make the most attractive arbor swing you can, you need to know at least a little bit about arbor gardening. Here are a few suggestions about what plants grow best on the arbor swin and how to grow them:

• Place the arbor in a location where your plants will receive plenty of sunlight.

• Be sure to place your arbor where it won’t block sunlight from other plants in your garden.

• Be sure to check on your plants and water them daily.

• Make sure your arbor is shielded from strong winds.

• You obviously want to grow plants that are vines on your arbor. A few beautiful and popular choices are climbing roses, wisteria, trumpet creeper, grapes, and passionflower vines.

• Keep the base of your plants mulched with four inches of organic mulch, so that the soil retains water better.

• Train the vines to climb up the arbor. You might need to purchase weatherproof garden twine to tie them to your arbor as they grow.

If you follow these few simple tips, you can basically guarantee that your backyard will boast a beautiful arbor.

The Types of Finishes for Cedar Planter Boxes

If you choose to grow flowers in a cedar planter box, it is essential that you finish the wood. Otherwise, rain, snow and other forms of precipitation will damage the box and possibly cause it to rot. Luckily, cedar is a wood that accepts many different types of finishes. So you will have a lot of different options from which to choose.
When it comes to finishing a planter box, the most important criteria in deciding on a finish is the appearance you desire to your box to have. If you were finishing cedar siding on a house, for example, it would also be important to take into account the amount of protection each type of finish will give. However, since this is just a planter box we are dealing with here and not your home, all types of finishes will provide sufficient protection.
There are four basic categories into which cedar finishes can be grouped. They are as follows:

1. Opaque coatings, including paints and solid-color stains.
2. Semi-transparent stains.
3. Natural finishes, including water-repellents and water-repellent preservatives.
4. Oils.

All four of these options will provide excellent protection from the weather to your cedar planter box. Be sure to thoroughly research all four categories before deciding on a finish, so you can find the finish that best complements your personal taste and the flowers you plan to grow.

Why Put a Thermometer in My Garden?

A garden thermometer is a great addition to any backyard or garden. You are sure to find a thermometer with the style, design, and material that is perfect for your personal aesthetic tastes and the decorating scheme in your backyard. Many are round or oval in shape, and are made of various metals. These metals feature a plethora of different beautiful designs. My personal favorite look is weathered pewter, but any of the other metals are equally attractive.
With all of today’s weather technology (television, internet, cell phones, etc.), the primary purpose of a garden thermometer is decorative. However, if you don’t have time to check the news and you want to quickly know what the temperature is, a garden thermometer becomes very useful. With one fast glance, you can determine the temperature outside, which will help you decide what to wear in the morning. Some garden thermometers feature a clock as well, so you can just as quickly find out if you are running late. If the power fails, your computer dies, or your other technology lets you down, you can always depend on your old-fashioned outdoor thermometer to keep you in the loop.
So, buying a garden thermometer is not only great for your decorating scheme, but it serves a practical purpose as well. It can be your quick and easy back-up for your daily weather report.

Create A Luxury Garden Nook

Your garden is a place in which you invest a lot of time. It takes a ton of work to keep your flowers looking beautiful, healthy, and exquisite. You have to be committed to caring for these flowers, and spend a lot of time making them as stunning as possible. So why shouldn’t you have luxury garden furniture to go with your gorgeous flowers?
A flower garden is the perfect location for a lavish little nook where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. And who doesn’t deserve a little luxury? If you put cheap furniture in your garden, it will only diminish the attractiveness of your flowers. However, if you make the extra investment and purchase high quality, luxury garden furniture, it will complement the natural beauty of your flowers and make them seem even more lush than they already are.
You work hard for your garden, so you should show off the fruits (or in this case, flowers) of your labor in the most sumptuous garden possible. You will definitely want to spend all your time in your luxury garden corner.

Choosing a Villa Patio Planter

A Villa patio planter will add a unique elegance to your garden. These wooden planters are of a much higher quality than other materials. Plastic, ceramic, or metal planters are also available, but they will not last as long as wood. They also don’t have the attractiveness of natural wood planters.
Villa planters are a step above the average wooden planter. These sophisticated planters have corner pedestal feet, which not only look great, but also provide proper water drainage and air circulation. I like these the best because they are so attractive, and a large too, so you can plant all sorts of flowers in them. And, they’re really versatile; you can use them in gardens, on patios, in your backyard, or even on a balcony. Villa planters allow you to plant wherever you want; well as long as its outdoors!
I promise that you will have fun with these planters, and they are an easy way to add style and beauty to your backyard. Not only are the Villa planters themselves attractive, but the flowers that grow in them will be beautiful too. Invest some money and a few hours of your spare time into planter gardening and you will reap the rewards in an aesthetically pleasing arrangement of flowers.

Garden Bridge Kits Create Charm!

Nothing adds charm and fun to backyards like garden bridge kits. These kits come complete with everything you need to build a bridge in your garden, and allow you to create a whimsical look in your backyard.
Garden bridge kits are typically made from weather resistant white cedar or southern yellow pine wood. They come in several different sizes, so you pick the size that is right for you. And don’t worry if you are not an expert carpenter; kits come with illustrated instructions that will guide you through the process. Most kits take about two hours to assemble, so building a bridge can be a fun activity to enjoy with your children or by yourself.
You also can choose whether or not you want railing on your bridge. It will take additional time to assemble, and it will also cost you a little more to buy a garden bridge kit with railing. But, you will have the added benefit of railing on your bridge!
If you are searching for a way to add charm and interest to your garden, look no further than a garden bridge kit! These are easy to assemble, fun to use, and will add a unique appeal to your backyard.

Creating the Perfect Nook in Your Garden

energy to cultivate a beautiful garden of flowers. Gardening is a skill and a wonderful way to pass your free time. However, when you’re not working in your garden, it can be the perfect place to get away from the pressures of daily life and just relax! I recommend creating a little nook where you can spend quality time with yourself, enjoying the beauty of your hard work.
High back garden chairs are one the best options for your garden alcove. They have a footrest, so you can put your feet up and really relax. Make sure that you place your chair where you have a great view of your flowers. You’re also going to want some sort of side table, so you can take a cool drink out with you.
It takes a lot of time and
There are so many different things you can do in your garden getaway! You can read, sketch, journal, or think, to name just a few options. Or, if you put more than one chair in your nook, you can make it the perfect conversation spot. Regardless of how you decide to use this space, it is important that you have a chance to reap the benefits of your hard labor. What’s the point of creating a gorgeous garden if you don’t get to enjoy it?

Choosing Annuals for Planter Window Boxes (Part Two)

In my last blog, I started reviewing different annuals from which you can choose to fill your planter window boxes. Here are the rest of your options!
Flowering kale is one of the best ways to add color to your window box during the winter. Kale does not actually flower, but its leaves are shades of red, cream and green, giving the impression of one giant bloom. The plant typically grows to be about ten to twelve inches wide.
Flowering kale is not difficult to take care of, since it only needs sunlight, moderately rich soil, and regular watering. Kale leaves are also edible, and tasty!
Pansies are winter flowers which are much smaller than kale. These plants are very hardy, do not need any special care, and bloom from fall to spring. They come in shades of purple, red, yellow, blue, and orange.
Pansies can thrive in both full sunlight or in partial shade. Although they grow best in rich soil, they can still grow and bloom in poorer soils as well.
If you want to plant annual flowers in your patio box, these plants are the best options from which to choose. The benefits of annual flowers are that you can completely redo the look of your boxes each year, or even each season.

Choosing Annuals for Planter Window Boxes (Part One)

Planter window boxes are a charming feature for any home. You're sure to enjoy your window boxes as much as possible if you pick the perfect flowers for your planter. The first step to choosing the right plants is to consider the climate of your location, the amount of sunlight your planter boxes will get, and the amount of time you have to commit to taking care of your plants.
If you choose to plant annuals, you will be able to experiment with different kinds of flowers each year, You could even switch flowers with the seasons, if you wanted to be really adventurous.
Several excellent annuals to plant are petunias, impatiens, nasturtiums, marigolds, and snapdragons. Pansies and flowering kale grow in the winter and provide color in those dull months.
Petunias grow to be eight to twelve inches tall and are available in shades of blue, white, red, and pink. They will grow in full sunlight or in partial shade. They also do not need a rich soil, and can withstand drought.
Impatiens flowers in shades of white, red, and pink. They grow best in partial shade, and some varieties of impatiens can even bloom in heavily shaded areas. They grow to be ten to twelve inches tall, require little care and do not need a specific type of soil.
Nasturtiums are especially easy to take care of and need very little attention. Their flowers are red, yellow, and orange and are actually edible. These plants grow ten to sixteen inches tall, and thrive best in full sun.
Marigolds also require full sunlight. They can grow in almost any soil, and can survive with little watering. Marigolds grow to be eight to twelve inches tall and bloom inn various hues of orange and yellow.
Snapdragons bloom red, white, rose, or lavender flowers, and will grow in full sunlight or in partial shade. They prefer to grow in a rich soil. Dwarf snapdragons and cascading snapdragons are the best types of snapdragons to plant in window boxes.

Why Do I Need a Gable Vent?

The purpose of an octagon gable vent is to improve your home’s ventilation system. They are typically placed near the peak of your roof on the gable ends of your house.
It is essential that your house’s attic has a ventilation system to get rid of the heat and humidity in the attic during the summertime. If you have no way of venting out this air, it will counterbalance the air condition system, which may cause structural damage to your house. Heat in the attic will also drastically shorten the life of your roof shingles, which could cause your roof to leak, creating water damage in your home. If you have valuables stored in the attic, they may become damaged by the heat stored up in the attic.
Gable vents are important in the winter as well. During these months, stagnant, moist air will build up in the attic. If this air is not vented out, condensation may form in the attic. This condensation will allow mildew and mold to grow in the attic. These growths can cause health problems for you and your family, and are extremely difficult and expensive to remove.
Not only do gable vents look attractive and add charm to your home, they serve the very practical and necessary purpose of ventilating your attic.

What's the Difference Between an Arbor and a Pergola?

Both arbors and pergolas can be beautiful additions to your backyard. However, it can be confusing what the difference between the two is. They both can contain trellises and are a relaxing place to spend your afternoon outdoors.
So, I decided to look up the two on Britannica Online to clear up the confusion. Here are the definitions that I found:
ARBOR: “garden shelter providing privacy and partial protection from the weather. The name is used for a modest garden building of any material; it has been applied to examples as varied as a wrought-iron shelter at Melbourne Hall, Derbyshire, Eng., and houses constructed of pebbles, brick, or masonry. It is more correctly limited to rustic garden houses that are made up... "
PERGOLA: “garden walk or terrace, roofed with an open framework over which plants are trained. Its purpose is to provide a foundation on which climbing plants can be seen to advantage and to give shade. It was known in ancient Egypt and was a common feature of early Renaissance gardens in Italy and subsequently throughout Europe
An arbor is usually a passageway, gateway or a spot with a single bench for protection from the elements or to denote a sense of arrival in the landscape. Kind of like a threshold or doorway in a building.”
So, in short, arbors are more passageways, or smaller arches with just a single bench. It is a place you can enjoy alone or with one special person. Pergolas, on the other hand, tend to be larger spaces. They can provide shelter for a picnic table, and groups of people can gather under a pergola to enjoy the outdoors together.

Tips for Creating the Best Planter Possible

Few things will make your backyard more beautiful than a wooden planter box full of beautiful flowers. Unfortunately, if you don't properly plant the box, your backyard will seem messy and unpolished. So I looked up a few tips for making your planter box perfect and beautiful!
• Make sure you buy the right supplies. First, purchase smaller potted plants at your local nursery. Be sure that they all need the same amounts of sun and moisture.Be sure to choose flowers with different heights, so that you will be able to see all of them at once.
• Before planting, place your planter in the position from which it will be viewed. This way you can be sure to create the most aesthetically appealing arrangement from the angle it will be seen.
• Fill up the planter with loose potting soil, leaving two inches at the top of the planter.
• Plan your arrangement with the plants still in their pots before planting anything. Be sure that you have your whole planter designed before you take any plant out of its pot.
• Make sure you plant the tallest flowers in the back, put the smallest flowers in the front, and plant the medium plants in between. That way you can see all your flowers at the same time, and your view of the smaller flowers will not be obscured by big, tall plants!
• Start by planting the tall flowers in the middle of the back row of the planter, moving outwards and forwards as you plant. Then make indentations with your trowel around your taller plants and place the medium plants in those indentations. Keep working outwards, forwards, and smaller as you plant.
These are just a few helpful hints to making your planter the best it can be. If you want more help, make sure to look at the website where I found these tips.

Tips for Growing on an Arbor

An arbor can be a beautiful addition to your backyard, especially if you have a bench or chair beneath the arbor. However, to create the most beautiful nook possible, you need to know at least a little bit about arbor gardening. Here are a few tips on what plants to use and how to grow them:
• You obviously want to grow plants that are vines on your arbor. A few beautiful and popular choices are climbing roses, wisteria, trumpet creeper, grapes, and passionflower vines.
• Be sure to place your arbor where it won’t block sunlight from other plants in your garden.
• Place the arbor in a location where your plants will receive plenty of sunlight.
• Make sure your arbor is shielded from strong winds.
• Keep the base of your plants mulched with four inches of organic mulch, so that the soil retains water better.
• Be sure to check on your plants and water them daily.
• Train the vines to climb up the arbor. You might need to purchase weatherproof garden twine to tie them to your arbor as they grow.

By sticking to these easy rules, you can pretty much ensure that you will have a beautiful arbor to enjoy in your backyard.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Gardening can be a relaxing, fulfilling, and enjoyable hobby. However, it can also be incredibly frustrating when your flowers don’t grow. And who wants to sit around and look at tiny flowers? Make your garden bench the most enjoyable place in your yard by making sure your plants are properly fertilized.


The first step to picking out a proper fertilizer is being able to read the label. Fertilizer labels should contain three numbers, which represent the respective levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. So if the label says 10-10-10, the fertilizer contains 10 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphorus, and 10 percent potassium.

Each element has a certain advantage to your plants, so choose fertilizer depending upon what benefits are most important for your garden. Nitrogen promotes “green growth,” which makes grass grow and bushes leaf out. Phosphorus promotes root and bloom growth, and potassium is used for overall plant health.

When you first plant your flowers, use a fertilizer heavier on the nitrogen. Then, when your plants are about to bud, switch to a fertilizer with a higher percentage of phosphorus. Make sure that your fertilizer always has at least 10 percent potassium so that your plants will be healthy and lush.

Using the proper fertilizer will create flowers worthy of your garden bench. Give your garden a little extra attention, and it will greatly improve the aesthetics of your backyard.

How to Make the Best Soil for Your Cedar Planter Box

So you've finally found the perfect cedar planter box to transform your backyard into a beautiful garden. The right plants can create the feel of a peaceful field or an exotic jungle. However, it’s not the planter that sets the mood. It’s healthy, beautiful flowers. Weak or sickly flowers change your garden from a gorgeous getaway to an unappealing dump. The secret to healthy plants? Proper care and attention, and the perfect soil.
For the best results, you don’t simply want to use whatever comes in the bag. You can mix together different types of soil and ingredients to achieve maximum results. In my research, I’ve discovered that the best soil for most plants begins with one part sharp sand. “Sharp” sand has angular grains, instead of round grains, and helps improve the drainage in your soil. Next mix in two parts loam. Loam is a very popular potting soil which is a mixture of clay, sand, gravel, silt, and organic matter. Finish off your perfect soil with one part leaf mold or humus (decayed animal or plant matter), and half a part dried cow manure.
Of course, there are many different soil “recipes” available online, and you can find the ideal soil for whatever plant with which you want to fill your cedar planter box.

Storing Soil for Use with Wood Planters

With planting season upon us, many people are planning arrangements for wood planters. You may wish to store extra soil either before or after you plant. Some people may choose to store excess soil in the original packaging. However, after I’m done planting, I typically do not have a large amount of potting soil left over. Sometimes a smaller container is more convenient.

Should you have a little soil left after filling some of your wood planters, you can store it in a container such as a plastic tub. But if you choose to follow this route, it’s wise to punch one or more holes in the container to allow air circulation. Have you noticed that the large plastic bags often have a few small holes in them? That’s what the holes are for—to allow a flow of oxygen through the soil.

Also, if you store soil in a warm place, but the soil has not been sterilized, you might come back to find weeds have sprouted. You can sterilize a small amount by baking it in the oven and then continuing your gardening with any remaining wood planters. For a larger amount of soil, you can sterilize it by baking it in the sun on a tarp. Leave it for a month, flip it over, and leave it for another month. This sterilization process kills both harmful bacteria and weeds. Once the process is complete, continue filling your wood planters.

Soil Mixtures for Cedar Potting Tables

Cedar potting tables provide work space and storage for your gardening pursuits. Many cedar potting tables even include an inset basin or tub for mixing potting soil. If you’re new to gardening, however, you might not realize that different plants prefer different types of soil. Believe me, I’ve managed to kill my share of potted plants by failing to provide the things they need to thrive.

A little research on each plant you would like to grow should reveal what it needs in terms of water, sunlight, and soil.

I have learned about several types of materials that appear in potting soils. Knowing about these materials makes the search for the correct soil mixture a little less mystifying.

• Humus consists of decayed things. It retains moisture and provides nutrients to the plant.


• The manure included in potting mixes has been refined. It also provides nutrients to the plant.


• Peat grows in swampy areas. When added to soil, it retains moisture to keeps the roots moist between waterings.


• Sand does not retain water very well. It makes an excellent soil addition for plants that don’t thrive in wet conditions.

As you prepare to mix the right amount of additives into your potting soil, it’s also helpful to know that these materials won’t hurt cedar potting tables. You can work directly on the surfaces of cedar potting tables without laying down plastic or other materials.

How to Complete a Window Box Mosaic

If you want a window box that’s different than the neighbor’s, try customizing yours with your own design. One way to do this is to use mosaic tiles to create a design on the sides of your wooden window box. I have seen some really stunning mosaics, even on window boxes.

To create your design, line up mosaic tiles along the width and length of each side of the window box that will bear a design. This is an easy way to see how many tiles your design should incorporate. Once you have calculated this number, you can use graph paper to sketch a design for your window box.

Place glue in vertical lines along the length of the side. Use the pattern you graphed to place the mosaic tiles on the side of the window box. When you have finished laying the tiles, apply grout over the surface with a sponge. Then wipe off the surface of the tiles with a cloth to remove excess grout.

Sometimes when I get to this point in a project, where I am almost finished, I lose patience. I want to hurry up and see the finished product. But I have learned that patience pays off to finish correctly. So allow the mosaic design to set fully before you attempt to plant any flowers or foliage in your window box.

Another thing I enjoy is to incorporate variations of a pattern. Sometimes I use the same pattern but reverse the colors. Or I change a couple elements but use a central motif. This brings several pieces together around a common theme.

Rectangular Box Planters and Apartment Gardening

Apartment gardening can be frustrating at first, but rectangular box planters give you a good way to jump in. I’ve recently downsized from a house with a yard and flower beds to an apartment with no outdoor space whatsoever except a concrete patio. I understand the frustration of downsizing.

But apartment gardening actually offers a number of options. A set of rectangular box planters works much like flower beds. Any plants without deep roots should grow successfully in rectangular box planters, as long as the sunlight and water levels, as well as the climate, suit the plants you’ve chosen.

In addition to rectangular box planters, you have a few other options. I have watched how easy-care plants, such as miniature cacti and bamboo, grow well indoors without much fuss. Hanging baskets can also add color to your outdoor area without requiring a soil plot. If you’ve got a fence around your patio, window boxes look nice hung on the side of the fence.

You can group rectangular box planters with several other containers for a miniature garden on your patio. Combine them with hanging baskets, pots, and aquatic plants for a diverse look.

Questions to Consider When You Buy a Planter

With so many choices available in planter styles, how do you know what’s right for you? It’s not an easy decision, but there are some factors you can consider to narrow down the options a little.

Where will you position the planter? When you evaluate the shade, sun, and exposure to water that various locations provide, you can select the best location for the plants you want to display. The size of this location might present certain restrictions for the size of your planter.

Will you need to move the planter? If it’s important that you be able to move the planter easily, this will also present size restrictions. A large planter filled with soil won’t be easy to move.

What materials do you need? You can find a planter in all sorts of materials, including metal, wood, plastic, clay, and terracotta. Each of these materials offers different advantages and weaknesses.

What looks good to you? Do you like something plain or ornate in your garden? Do you need unfinished wood so you can finish the planter to a specific shade? Do you want something that adds bright color without you having to paint? Consider what you like, and how much time you want to devote to the planter.

If you know what you need before you start looking, the process will be less overwhelming and more productive.

Customizing Wood Planters

Wood planters are a great addition to your outdoor scene. They’re pretty, they serve a practical function, and they offer many customizing possibilities. Based on which wood planters you choose, how you customize them, and where you position them, you can use them to either complement existing decoration or work as focal points in your theme.

One of the obvious ways you can customize wood planters is to stain them. Stain allows the natural grain to show but adds interesting colors to the mix. Stain allows you to customize the color but still leaves the wood in a natural-looking state.

You can also add decorations to your wood planters by stenciling patterns on the sides or fastening glass mosaic tiles to the outside.

The way you position wood planters also is a factor in customizing them. Use them as window boxes or as stand-alone planters. Look around your yard. Beside your front doors, along the edge of a porch, grouped around furniture—wood planters can work virtually anywhere. Your design is never limited to the image that accompanies the product packaging.

Vegetable Suggestions for Planter Boxes

Planter boxes allow you to grow your own organic vegetables at lower cost and without much space. What are some vegetables that grow well in planter boxes?

1. Root Vegetables


• Carrots


• Beets


• Turnips


• Potatoes


• Sweet potatoes


• Parsnips


• Radishes



2. Leafy Vegetables
   
• Kale
• 
  Swiss chard
  
• Lettuce



3. Fleshy Vegetables


• Eggplant


• Squash
  
• Cucumbers


• Tomatoes


• Sweet peppers


• Hot peppers

Your primary concerns when you grow vegetables in planter boxes will probably be nutrients and moisture. You can buy specially formulated potting soil to deliver more nutrients to the vegetables. If you maintain your own compost pile, you can also enrich the soil in the planter boxes with the compost. Mix one part compost to two parts soil.

Soil in planter boxes tends to dry out more quickly than ground soil. Check your vegetables every day to evaluate moisture levels. To encourage more water to saturate the soil, try watering your vegetables in the mornings. The water usually evaporates more slowly at this time of day because of lower temperatures and calmer wind.

Fire Pits for the Non-Gardener

If you’re a non-gardener, either by choice or by a woeful lack of skill, consider fire pits as an alternative to troublesome plants. People of every kind enjoy outdoor spaces. Unfortunately, we don’t all possess the same level of time or knowledge when it comes to gardening. Plants and flowers add visual interest to a yard by breaking up the expanse of lawn.

Fire pits, unlike plants and flowers, require little regular care. The initial setup may require some work, but after that, the main work concerning wood-burning fire pits is to sweep up ashes. You also need to keep clutter away from fire pits and trim plant nearby plants. No watering, feeding, fertilizing, composting . . .

Fire pits offer light and warmth to your gatherings. Why would your friends not want to join you when you create such an inviting and cozy atmosphere? Placing furniture around fire pits also encourages a cozy atmosphere. How about a couple chairs and a love seat, with a side table between them? Your outdoor scene certainly doesn’t have to revolve around plants.