November 12, 2008
· Filed under Gardening, Outdoor Living · Tagged Planting a Tree
I have planted a bunch of trees in my life time of which most have lived and a few have not. It has always been my understanding to leave the burlap on the tree root ball, just cut it open and loosen it up so the roots can expand and grow. Because I have loosened up the root ball and cut the burlap open I believe I have had more success then others who simply drop the tree in the ground with the burlap and cover it up.
A neighbor of mine has planted the same type tree for the last three years and it dies every time. We were visiting last week and he has decided not to try again even though he and his wife really want a tree in their yard in this particular place. When I asked him how he planted the tree he got a little bit irritated that I assumed he couldn’t plant a tree correctly. Yet after we talked I realized he is one of the “drop it in the ground and cover it up” tree planters. Though I don’t always totally remove the burlap, I do cut it up pretty good without damaging the root ball. Though the burlap protects the root, once it’s planted it keeps the roots from expanding beyond the burlap because the burlap is treated to help prevent rot. It doesn’t decompose as quickly as it would without the treatment. The easy thing to do is to remove the burlap completely after you get it set in the hole and before you cover up the root with dirt.
October 12, 2008
· Filed under Garden Structures, Outdoor Living · Tagged cedar arbor, garden arbor, garden features, landscaping, lattice, wood arbor
If you’re looking out over your yard this fall and wondering how you can set it apart from your neighbors and friends, think about using a garden arbor. Cedar garden arbors can be used in conjunction with many types and style of fences and easy to incorporate both into a landscaping plan.
Features like arbors bring in a romantic feel to any garden or entrance that you want to set off as a special place. They are great for partitioning off small and intimate sections in a garden or yard where you can set up a small table and a few chairs or a simple bench.
It’s the flexibility of wood garden arbors in and around you yard that make them such a desirable feature to work with. When lattice is placed on the sides it’s a wonderful place for climbing vines and roses. As these plants grow in and cover the top with a canopy of colorful blooms, you will know the wonder of your arbor and be filled with enjoyment.
October 10, 2008
· Filed under Just Fun, Outdoor Living · Tagged exciting, fun, Halloween, Outdoor Living, Pergola
There is a neighbor down the street who creates one of the best home made haunted houses around and he uses his pergola as the entrance into his maze of madness. It’s all in good fun but it does raise some ideas about incorporating your yard features for fun and some mischief during holidays and party events.
Last year as you would go through the pergola, you would have these strings of goop that would attach itself to your face. I never was able to convince him to tell me what that was and don’t know what to expect for this Halloween but I can just imagine what he’s going to hang down for the pergola this year.
As much as I am looking forward to the upcoming haunting, the kids are all atwitter with excitement and anticipation. What great fun can be had by all when someone takes the time to plan a use what they already have. I just wish I had thought about it!
October 2, 2008
· Filed under Outdoor Living · Tagged Decks, Do-It-Yourself, Fences, Greenhouses, grills, growing things, hobbies, Outdoor Living, outside, porch, projects, relax, Sheds, stress free, The American Way
There is nothing like outdoor living! Everything from starting your day with a cup of coffee out on your porch to outside do-it-yourself projects from sheds to greenhouses, fences and decks to ending the day grilling up some burgers and just kicking back and enjoying life. This is the American way and we love it!
Having hobbies that you can do alone, as a family or as a couple are important. It helps you to relax and melt away the stress of your job and it forces you to get your mind off your worries and concentrate on something that, for the moment, is much more important than yourself and your problems. There is something extremely therapeutic about being outside, growing things and accomplishing a goal. We love outdoor living and hope you do too. Let’s learn and enjoy it together.
