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Plan Your New Patio This Winter
Posted on October 26th, 2009 No commentsWith winter slowly closing in, the outdoor patio will soon be empty of company. The summer is almost at an end, leaving us to soak up every last ray of sunshine and to enjoy the pleasures of the outdoors as much as we can, leaving the planning of patio improvements at the back of our minds.
Patio improvements, whether building a new one or adding to an existing one, requires some time and careful thinking about how you should go about it, maybe even looking at magazines or other homes for some ideas. For example, when considering the flooring of your patio, would it look better if you stamp it or keep it a slab of concrete? Does the landscaping around your patio need some updates or changes to improve the flow of the design?
People who want a more modern looking porch will often use slate as the rock of choice. If you use slate in the right manner, it can make a gorgeous patio. You should also know that slate won’t limit your choice of colors or textures, so it is sure to be a good choice for most decorating styles. Having a slate patio will also give your home a more upscale feel since it is most often used in highly expensive decorating. Slate isn’t the most inexpensive choice you can make but it you will enjoy it when you entertain, and have all of your guests complimenting the look of your patio.
Now, to get really creative with your patio project, there is one idea that is simply a must: lights! Adding lights to your patio will add that finishing touch, giving your patio that little bit of extra flare. There are many different lights and styles to choose from too, so it’s possible to create almost any mood you have in mind. A benefit of patio lighting is the added safety, making it easier to walk around and illuminating steps and other objects so that your guests don’t wind up tripping over them Lights don’t have to be placed only on the patio, but can also be added to your landscape or walkways, creating a very inviting atmosphere in your back yard.
This is everything you should be considering now in the wintertime, so that in the spring you will immediately be able to start creating your dream patio. Knowing the changes you want to make now will allow you to be sure that you have enough time to get everything done to enjoy your patio by summer.
There are more ideas such as brick patio ideas on my website. Please go to Patio Ideas for more great patio information. You are welcome to reprint this article – but get your own unique content version here.
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Annuals Outdoor Color And Design
Posted on March 11th, 2009 No commentsWhat can we plant in our gardens this spring that will insure plenty of material to fill our vases, bowls and other flower containers this summer? The answer is annuals. Annuals are probably used for cutting more than any other type of flower. They may be used alone or combined with perennial or shrub blossoms.
An annual is a plant which completes its life cycle in one year, or in one growing season. Plant it this spring, and it will bloom this summer – and no more. The term “annual” is also applied loosely to perennial plants which bloom the first year from seeds but do not normally survive low winter temperatures even though they are perennial in warmer zones.
Annual plants of a limited number of varieties may be purchased in the spring. For a much wider selection, seeds should be sown. Plant them at the proper time to insure good germination. Often this information is given in catalogs or on seed packets.
You will learn that sweet peas must be planted very early and in a place where they can climb on something. Seeds that volunteer freely such as annual phlox, larkspurs and China asters can safely be planted in latest fall or earliest spring. Zinnias, cosmos, and dahlias should not be sown until the ground warms up in the spring. For an early start, plant seeds such as petunias, dahlias and salvias in flower pots or boxes to grow in a sunny window until time to set them out in the garden.
If necessary, the growing plants may be a part of the general garden scheme. A better way is to have a secluded area set aside, such as a small shaded patio for a cutting garden. Here they may be grown in rows and the blossoms cut freely without thought of marring your garden designs. They may be cultivated easily with the hoe, and tended like a vegetable garden. The location should preferably be sunny.
A rich soil results in better plants which will produce better flowers. Compost, peat moss or similar material will help the soil structure and enable seeds to push through more easily than in a hard packed soil. After plants are up and growing, mulches such as dried grass clippings, hay or straw may be placed between the rows and around the plants to retain moisture, keep the soil from cracking or baking and discourage weed growth. After your annuls begin to bloom, keep the flowers picked. The more you pick, the more they bloom- and once you let them set seed, the flowers will cease to come.
About the Author:There is much more to explore on the subject of small patio designs. Visit our evergrowing library at http://www.plant-care.com/patioscaping.html.
