DIY Home Improvement Tips » Garden

Outdoor Garden Decor to Match Your Style

James Halpert — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:06:45 +0000

Outdoor garden decor should be an extension of the interior design and style of your home. Garden decorations come in a variety of sizes, materials, styles, shapes, utilities, and installations. Some items are more decorative than others but when a good combination is reached the result is a beautiful outdoor landscape that reflects a bit of a homeowner’s personal taste in design and style. Home and garden decor does not have to be cheesy or themed. The market is full of attractive pieces that don’t necessarily seem intended for the outdoors but when combined with other beautiful and functional pieces, the overall look is nothing like that of your neighbors. Garden decor revolves mostly around the types of plants and structural elements you have chosen but it’s the little touches that make the largest impact.

Decorating a garden consists of adding items that enhance the beauty of landscaped plants, flowers, and architectural elements of structures. Lawn and garden decor is better when done in small touches without getting too overboard. The last thing you want is clutter and disorder in your landscape. The curb appeal of your home is greatly affected by clutter because many consider the clutter a reflection of what the inside of your home must look like. The decor should be kept to a minimum with a couple key pieces that have both an aesthetic and functional element. For example, there is nothing more beautiful in a garden then an attractive and comfortable bench. The bench serves the function of providing guests seating while also creating a focal point in the space.

Garden decoration should not be a painstaking process because you can add or take away an item depending on your taste. You can also change things out seasonally. For instance, you can add a sleigh in the winter time or a fountain in the spring. The possibilities are endless and there in an endless amount of items you can choose from. Use the internet to discover what is available and preferably for unique items that are designed to enhance a landscape.

Kitchen Compost Bin Advantages

James Halpert — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:53:10 +0000

Many will say that habits are formed because of convenience. Composting is the process of creating organic fertilizer out of organic waste from your home and yard. The process requires steps that many people can’t find time to do. Much like recycling of other materials, people need the process to be easy or almost effortless. Manufacturers of composting bins are constantly trying to find ways to make a composting bin as convenient and simple as possible. For example, tumblers were created so homeowners can accomplish composting without too much effort or too many extra steps. The tumbler is designed so that the contents of the bin can easily be mixed with a simple turn of the container. The tumbler is supported by a stand and it can spin 360 degrees so the contents shift and aerate properly. The stand allows the container to tilt so the contents can be dumped out when the process is complete.

Placing a compost bin, whether you choose a tumbler or some other kind, in the same area where you keep other trashcans and recycling bins is a sure way to introduce composting to everyone in your family. Keep a small ceramic kitchen compost pail in the kitchen near where you prep and cook food. At the end of each day, the small pail can be carried and emptied into the tumbler bin. Yard waste can also be carried and emptied into the larger bin. For those who only wish to compost yard matter, a garden composter is a good idea because it eliminates bagging up the debris and setting it out on the right day for pickup. Kitchen and garden compost combined together yields a wonderful, high nutrition compost that can be used to fertilize all of your existing plants and grass.

When shopping for a garden or kitchen compost bin, keep convenience in mind and make sure to choose a container that is not too difficult to operate especially if you plan to introduce the process to all of your family members. Small children should be taught to stay away from the container and make sure to purchase a container that can be locked. Older children can learn to take part in the process. Garden Gourmet carries a nice sized composter that is designed for the outdoors. The Garden Gourmet compost bin is made of durable sturdy materials so it should last your family a very long time. The bin is easily assembled and it has adjustable air vents so you can regulate the amount of air that goes into the container. The Garden Gourmet composter has an easy access door at the bottom which makes emptying the contents much easier than other garden compost bins.

Photo Credit: madashell2009

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mygarden2009/

Garden Compster by Garden Gourmet is Affordable and Effective

James Halpert — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:59:43 +0000

The garden composter market is quickly becoming more popular as homeowners look for additional ways in which they can recycle waste. Most recycling is done by accumulating items and placing them out for pickup every week. Garden composters are a completely different process of recycling because not only do you take part in the recycling process, you also get immediate benefit from the end result. The process of composting yard and grass trimmings along with organic kitchen waste yields a helpful substance that can be used to fertilize indoor and outdoor plants. Garden compost bins come in many shapes, sizes, materials, and styles. Some are intended for outdoor use only while others are made of materials that can easily blend with the interior design of your home. Some homeowners prefer to keep their composters inside to prevent animals and critters from gaining access to it.

Garden Gourmet carries a very popular back yard composter that is made of 51% recycled materials. The Garden Gourmet composter is designed to fit blend well with other back yard utility structures and containers. The Garden Gourmet compost bin is easily assembled without the use of tools. The container contains adjustable air vents so you can regulate the amount of air that flows into and out of the compost bin. Good airflow is essential to successful composting. The bin also comes with a sturdy lid that is accessible and also snaps shut for security. The sliding door at the bottom is designed so you can safely remove the compost without having to lift or tilt the container.

The Gourmet composter can be purchased at around $75 and measures 24”x 24” x 36”. The bin can fit 11 cubic feet of waste and weighs a total of 29 pounds. The Garden Gourmet Company ships their garden compost bins in a recycled corrugated box that is 100% recyclable. The company can also accommodate larger orders which arrive by the pallet load with 800 bins. All bins are made of sturdy quality materials that will last you and your family a long time. It is important to teach our children recycling methods that they can continue as adults. Recycling benefits individuals as much as it benefits the planet. There are many ways you can learn to reduce or eliminate the amount of waste your family produces. Use the internet to discover other innovative ways people are incorporating recycling into their daily lives.

Photo Credit: Derek & Kristi

http://www.flickr.com/photos/derekristi/

Compost Bin Reduces Yard and Kitchen Waste

James Halpert — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:40:43 +0000

Composting is a process of creating organic fertilizer from waste ingredients you can find inside and outside of your home. Most homeowners throw away helpful organic wastes like lawn clippings, leaves, fruit rinds, and vegetable peelings. A good compost bin will enable you to turn waste into helpful and nutritious food for your garden and lawn. Composting bins come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and materials. Smaller bins are typically more attractive in appearance and designed to fit into your kitchen. Larger bins are more utility-like in appearance and designed to fit in well with other outdoor items and structures on your property. The internet if full of resourceful information and tutorials that teach homeowners easy and inexpensive ways to compost including how to make a compost bin from scratch at home.

Recycling kitchen waste in a kitchen compost bin is very simple. Once you have purchased the bin of your choice, you should situate it in a warm area that has plenty of air circulation. The ideal temperature for composting is 140 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Compost bins should be well insulated but with enough of air vents so air can freely flow in and out of the bin. Airflow prevents your bin from getting too stinky. The right conditions in a bin and a good mix of ingredients is all it takes to create a good composting atmosphere. Most store bought bins will come with instructions that work best for its specific build. The use of a bin helps the process move faster and it is much more attractive than having a bid compost pile in your back yard.

When deciding which composting bin to purchase, keep in mind that you really can’t go wrong with any size, style, or materials you choose. The function of a bin is way more important than its appearance unless you plan to use a bin within your home. There are many to choose from and if you choose to make your own, you can pick specific materials that work better for the utility and appearance of your bin. Using a compost bin as part of your daily life will reduce the waste your family creates drastically and it also helps our planet. If the smell bothers you and your family, move the bin outside in an area where it will be safe from animals and bugs. You should also keep the bin away from where small children can gain access to it. If you do have small children, you may want to invest in a bin that contains a heavy or latching lid. Composting is a simple, green home improvement idea for your lawn and garden.

Photo by: London Permaculture

http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturewise/

Garden Lighting That is Worth Investing In

James Halpert — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 05:41:22 +0000

Garden lighting does not have to seem like a splurge of money or a waste of energy. There are many alternatives in solar garden light fixtures to choose from. Solar technology offers you a money saving alternative so you can install as many fixtures as you feel is necessary to highlight the most attractive areas of your property. Many homeowners have already discovered that over time, solar garden lights end up being much cheaper than electrical lights because they cost absolutely nothing to operate. Night after night, solar lights come on automatically to provide your property with beautifully lighting that does not cost you a single penny. Outdoor or landscape lighting can be accomplished with various different types of fixtures including post, overhead, wall, spotlight, and recessed lights.

Garden lights should be fairly dim which makes solar garden lighting the best alternative for the outdoors because not only are they energy efficient but they also illuminate with a soft glow versus the almost blinding light of most electrical light fixtures. When installing your solar fixtures, keep in mind that the fixtures will need to be exposed to the sun’s rays in order for the batteries to charge up during the day. Electrical fixtures can be installed in areas that lack sunlight. Solar fixtures whether recessed, post, spotlight, or mounted provide sufficient lighting especially if you situate and reflect the beam in a way that best enhances an area. Try to focus on the most interesting or attractive aspects of your home’s landscape. Flower beds, shrubs, trees, fountains, benches, and even a trellis or pergola can all be extenuated with little beams of light.

When shopping for garden light fixtures for your home, try to find fixtures that are versatile or able to be adjusted to fit more than one installation. For instance, spotlights can be installed in many ways and their beam of light can be adjusted and even dimmed in some cases to fit various lighting needs. Recessed lighting can be installed on walkways, driveways, stairs, and even directly on the side of structures like a deck, pergola, or pool. Outdoor garden lighting is essential for many reasons but most importantly, for the safety and security of your family and property. Adequate lighting reduces the risk of injuries as people come and go from your home while also acting as a deterrent for intruders who are looking for an inconspicuous entry into your home and property.

Garden Lights – Highlighting Your Beautiful Landscape

James Halpert — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 04:29:15 +0000

Enhancing the lighting on your property is a great way to add both value and function to your outdoor spaces. Garden lights can include many different types of fixtures including wall, overhead, post, and spotlights. Small sized spotlights are very effective for highlighting the most beautiful parts of your garden landscape. For instance, spotlighting can be used to bring attention to trees, fountains, and even a structure like a bench. Post lights work well especially if the light beam can be adjusted to reflect a specific area of your garden. Post lighting can be used to highlight an entryway or walkway to your garden. Wall lights are designed to be mounted on a structure. Most homeowners use wall lighting to create a lit perimeter around their homes thus also illuminating any flower beds or shrubbery below. Overhead lighting is typically used to light up covered areas in your garden like a gazebo, trellis, or pergola.

Garden lighting is a great way to make your property more beautiful during the night time hours. Curb appeal at night is just as important as during the day. Lighting the most appealing parts of your garden or landscape does not have to be expensive or a waste of electricity. For instance, solar garden lights are fairly inexpensive to purchase and they are also the most energy efficient choice in lighting because they use the sun’s energy to operate. During the day a solar garden light absorbs the sun’s rays to charge up its batteries. At dusk, the lights come on automatically and only come off once day breaks. Electrical lighting may be needed in places on your property that do not receive direct sunlight. If you do have to use electricity, choose low voltage fixtures because they use minimal power to operate while still providing your outdoor spaces with ample illumination.

Whether you choose solar garden lighting or some other type of garden light to enhance the beauty of your outdoor landscape during the dark hours, you will also be adding more safety and security to your property. Well lit homes are safer for family members that come and go at night and not to mention a whole lot less appealing to intruders as well. Most burglars choose homes that are not well lit so they are less likely to get caught entering or leaving the property. Before shopping for any outdoor lighting, plan out exactly where you need the lighting to go and how you can get the most coverage with fewer fixtures. The internet is a great place to find information about the different types of garden lights that are available and for tips on how to install the fixtures so you get the effect and coverage you are looking for.