A nice looking patio is useless if you cannot enjoy it properly and some rustic log patio furniture may be just the answer for that. Pine and cedar furniture that is designed specifically for the outdoors not only looks great but it is also extremely functional. Not only will the rustic touch add to the overall image of your patio and garden, but you will also enjoy all the comforts of your home outdoors.

Rustic furniture is one of the hottest trends in home decorating and chances are it will still be fashionable years and years from now. Pine and cedar wood is mostly used to manufacture rustic log patio furniture, but other types of wood might also be used. One of the main concerns related to outdoor furniture is the effect of the elements on the wood and coating, as well as on other accessories and parts. To answer such problems, most outdoor furniture manufacturers offer items that are waterproof and that age in a graceful manner under the sun‘s rays.

Items to consider as your rustic log patio furniture

Chairs are, of course, the number one furniture item that comes to mind when thinking of the outdoors. Enjoy the beauty of your garden in a traditional or Adirondack style chair. You can get an unvarnished wooden chair if you want to keep your home as rustic as possible, or you can go with a soft weathered paint or exterior coated chair. Ottomans are another item of rustic log patio furniture that you could put on your “to buy” list. Not only do they offer excellent comfort, ottomans are also more stylish than chairs and they improve the visual aspect of your patio. Footrests are a popular item to buy alongside ottomans and chairs.

Rocker chairs are exclusive and fun, plus you can use a blanket to make them soft and cozy and spend hours admiring the view of your garden or yard. And if you wish, you can take this even further and purchase a wooden love seat, providing a great place to share memories with the one you love.

Benches, tables and children’s furniture

These rustic log patio furniture items should also be on your list if you wish to have a great looking and, at the same time, extremely functional patio. Log style benches are priceless when it comes to seating a lot of guests. Of course, when you are all alone you can also use the bench as a footrest. Tables and coffee tables are another popular rustic log patio furniture item.

Rot resistant materials are used in all the mentioned furniture items and many manufacturers offer insect resistant ones as well. If you have children, why not let them enjoy the patio as much as you do? You can buy small sized rockers, tables and chairs and you can go for natural wood or a variety of lively colors your kids will love.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2006. All Rights Reserved.

If you are interested in learning more about rustic home decor then you will definitely want to drop by Rustic Adornments.com, a resource that offers tips and advice pertaining to country-themed homes. http://www.rusticadornments.com

Mention metal patio furniture and you probably think of the light, fly-away aluminium loungers of your youth or that half-ton cast iron table and chair set on your neighbour’s lawn.

But metal outdoor furniture has come a long way. Here’s a quick primer on the available types and their care.

Construction Methods

Metal is fashioned into furniture in one of three main ways: extrusion, casting, and welding.

Extrusion forces melted metal through long pipes and forms long narrow tubes of metal, sometimes solid, but often hollow.

Casting metal involves a form, or cast, shaped like the finished product. The molten metal is poured into the form and then the form is removed when the metal has solidified. Cast pieces are almost always solid.

Forging, a process in which metal is heated and hammered into shape produces the type of furniture known as "wrought" metal. It uses pipes and various solid pieces of the metal and joins them together by welding or bolting.

Common Materials

The most common metal outdoor furniture is made from iron or aluminium, although the use of steel, especially stainless steel, is growing.

Iron is a chemical element that is naturally malleable and rusts easily. Vintage pieces, usually in black or dark green, can be found at premium prices and must be carefully maintained to prevent further rusting. Modern reproduction pieces will usually have a rust-resistant finish or coating that protects against chipping, scratching and corrosion. There are a variety of finishes available such as primer and paint, powder coatings and galvanizing. They are available in a range of colors and styles.

Since iron is heavy and solid, it is well-suited for windy spots where light furniture might be blown away. Don’t expect it to be highly portable, though. Well-cared for, iron furnishings can last for 100 years.

Much of the iron furniture available today is wrought iron, rather than cast iron. When you’re buying wrought iron, look for pieces made with solid metal rather than hollow tubing, and that are welded, rather than bolted, together. Generally, the better furniture is North American made.

Iron furniture requires more maintenance than other types of metal furniture. Clean it regularly with warm soapy water and then dry it thoroughly. Wax the smooth surfaces and apply mineral or baby oil to textured surfaces. Oil springs and moving parts once per year. Immediately touch up any scratches or rust by lightly sanding the spot with a fine steel wool. Then apply several thin coats of metal paint, letting each coat dry well before applying the next. If you’re using a spray paint, apply with short light stokes.

Aluminum is a silvery, lightweight and easily worked metallic element that never rusts. Much of the early aluminum furniture from the 1960s was made from hollow-core extrusion tubing. Such furniture was extremely lightweight but not exceedingly wind-stable. Such pieces are still available today and are best used around a pool area. Cast aluminum is better used in outdoor dining or sitting areas.

Whether you’re looking for extruded, cast or wrought aluminum items, there are a few items that indicate a quality piece. As with wrought iron, joints should be welded (preferably full-circumference welds) rather than bolted. If bolts are used, for example to connect webbing, they should be made of aluminum or stainless steel. Otherwise they will begin to rust even though the main frame does not.

Best quality aluminum pieces have a powder-coated finish, which determines the final color of the piece and the durability of the metal. Powder coating is a process in which colorful polyester powders are applied and then baked onto the frame.

If you’re buying aluminum furniture with vinyl webbing or straps, look for vinyl that has been processed with mildew inhibitors and ultraviolet stabilizers. Any wooden pieces mounted on aluminum frames should be treated with a finish to guarantee durability.

Suntan oils, human perspiration, car exhaust and salt spray can all eat away at the powder coating on aluminum furniture. To ensure long life, clean your aluminum furniture twice a month with a solution of mild dish detergent and warm water. Rinse well. You can then apply paste car wax to any smooth finish frames.

Steel, a hard tough metal, is an alloy of iron and various small percentages of metallic elements. The alloys produce hardness and resistance to rusting. Galvanized steel has been plated with zinc; stainless steel has been alloyed with chromium and is virtually immune to rust and corrosion.

Before the production of aluminum furniture in the mid 20th century, steel furniture was common, dating from popular French-made items manufactured in the later half of the 1800s. American companies used solid steel until the Second World War when the heavy military demand for steel dictated the use of lightweight tubular (hollow) steel in outdoor furniture. Vintage steel sets can still be found at flea markets.

If you’re looking at modern steel furniture, be sure the product is either stainless or powder-coated and that any hardware used is also rust-resistant.

Metal outdoor furniture in its many shapes and designs can be a wonderful addition to your outdoor living space. Choose wisely and enjoy!

About The Author

Debbie Rodgers, the haven maven, owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Her latest how-to guide “Attracting Butterflies to Your Home and Garden” is now available on her web site. Visit her at www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on “Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space”. Mail to debbie@paradiseporch.com; paradiseporch@lincsat.com

Hose reels are to watermelons as sunshine to a daisy. If your want prize watermelons, buy them a cool hose holder. Watermelons are very fashion conscious vegetables. Noting makes them sweeter than a sexy motor driven hose reel - with a chauffer. It’s not like watermelons just sit around all day with nothing to do. A recent survey showed watermelons prefer cool hose reels to splash around with ten to one. They get very upset when their motor driven hose reel wants to sleep all day long.

How to Grow Watermelon - Hose Reels Guide

Imagine the most mouth watering watermelon you ever tasted in your life. Then stop to honor the lowly hose holder that watered your prize melon. Growing a prize watermelon is a bit like pig farming. I worked on a pig farm once and we had crummy water hose reels. The pigs didn’t care much… The minute those pigs saw the hose holder, they came running to cool off on a hot day. OK, so a baby watermelon doesn’t come running when it sees a motor driven hose reel, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have feelings too.

Prize Watermelons - Hose Holder Tips

OK, it’s been two weeks and your watermelons already sprouted up and are ready to spread their vines among your hose reels… your cute little melons are THIRSTY!… Most experts agree watermelons grown with a motor driven hose reel are disease resistant and hose reel color is a concern of theirs. So choose gaily painted hose holders, hose reels and motor driven hose reels to grow prize winning melons.

Hose Reels – Color Recommendations

Red hose reel turns out a feisty melon
Brown hose holder a sensitive, but dull melon
Orange motor driven hose reel - great seeds to spit
Yellow hose reel - gives a tummy ache
Blue hose holder - artist, writer or musician
Green hose reel - greedy, selfish melon
Black motor driven hose reel - generous, good dancer

Your average watermelon weighs in at about 20 - 30 pounds or so. Feed the same watermelon with a designer hose holder and it may reach fifty pounds! Odd shaped hose reels lead to weird shaped watermelons… Bush Baby watermelons raised around motor driven hose reels and are very hardy melons. If you have a short growing season, plant seedlings indoors near hose reels in little containers or pots. Your trusty hose reel can moisten the peat pots to reduce transplant shock.

Hope you enjoyed this light look at watermelon growing - stay tuned for Zuchini!

Hydro Industries’ automatic hose reel has made a breakthrough by providing an alternative solution to a common garden related headache- rewinding. Other innovative Hydro Industries products include a new hose holder and motor driven hose reel.

My first apartment was a second-story condo in an urban complex, far displaced from the groomed suburban landscapes and sprawling gardens I had grown up with. My only connection to the outdoors was a small porch, surrounded by brown siding and a fading carpet of artificial turf.

To add a little color to the patio, I adopted a few small tomato plants from a friend who had started his garden indoors, and planted them in large pots near my railing. To my surprise, they started to grow. Soon I had filled the 5’ x 10’ space with more than a dozen ceramic pots, plastic containers, and beach pails filled with peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and pole beans. Before I knew it, my porch was a curtain of green and my meals regularly featured home-grown vegetables.

Well-planned patio gardens allow gardeners to make the most of a small space while maintaining a degree of control not available to those who plant in the ground. If a plant is not getting enough sun, it can be moved. If it is not draining properly, more holes can be added. Healthy plants prevent pests, and some, such as slugs, are not even a factor. Watering is more efficient, because it must be done by hand, making a patio garden ideal in a drought situation. And at the end of the year, even inexperienced gardeners can enjoy a bounty of vegetables thanks to the built-in advantages of garden containers, which include regular drainage and nutrient-rich soil.

Herbs also make great container plants, as they survive in generally drier conditions. Pots offer the opportunity of bringing herbs inside when the weather gets colder. However, many herbs are fast-growing, so it’s best replant the container each spring.

Starting a patio garden is not difficult. Here are a few tips:

1. Start with 4” plants, which can be found at most nurseries. With a little creativity, just about any vegetable can be planted in an above-ground container, however, the most common seem to be tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, beans, and spinach

2. The size of a plant can vary depending on the variety of seedling used. Make sure containers are large enough to accommodate a full-sized plant. Most tomatoes will need at least an 18” square container. Peppers, however, are perfectly happy in smaller pots.

3. Cover the holes at the bottom of the container with small rocks to improve the soil drainage.

4. Part-fill the container with compost. A slow-release fertilizer can be added at this stage to distribute nutrients as the compost dries out. Fill the remaining space with a nutrient-rich planting soil.

5. Water the plants and let them drain. Take them out of their pots and arrange in the container, packing in tightly. Fill in any gaps and firm all the plants in place. Keep the soil below the rim of the pot for easier watering.

6. Water the container well and move it to its final position. Arrange plants according to their needs. Tomatoes prefer a south-facing porch with full sun, while spinach and lettuce are happier near the house in partial shade. Make sure the place where you want to plant gets at least six hours of direct sun every day.

7. Trellises, cages or poles will be needed for tomatoes, cucumbers, beans and other vines. Patio gardeners can also take advantage of permanent features, such as fences and railings, to support their plants.

8. Containers need to be watered at least once a day in summer. They also require regular fertilization. A fertilizer dilutor can be clipped on to the hose to feed plants as you water.

With just a little time and imagination, any drab patio can become home to lush green vines, red peppers, juicy tomatoes, and succulent cucumbers. Why not start today?

About The Author

Jill Homer is a freelance writer who is happy to provide articles for your home and gardening needs. For more information, contact her at jill@biketoshine.com

One of the most important gardening tools of choice comes with the lowest of price tags. In fact, not only can every gardener afford one of these but quite by design, every gardener automatically comes equipped with the single most effective watering tool known to man. I am not talking about curly hoses or fancy watering cans or even denatured, ionized and pre-shrunk water. Nope. I’m referring to the gardener’s index finger. And unless you are missing all ten digits, (they substitute nicely for each other) you have one of these extremely sensitive moisture meters.

The most common cause of houseplant and garden seedling death at this time of year is improper watering but with the use of the common finger, plants can be made 100% safe on their shelves.

To begin with, touch the surface of the potting soil with your finger. If there is any moisture at all left on your finger, if it feels damp at all, then the pot does not require watering. However, if that finger comes away feeling dry then the pot requires water. And water we will by completely soaking the pot so that water runs out the bottom of the pot into the saucer. This soaking ensures all parts of the root ball are wet and makes each root happy, it also flushes out excess salts from the soil. Allow the water to sit in the saucer for an hour to soak up into the pot and then dump excess water.

Do not water again until the soil is once again dry to the touch. Check every few days by touching the soil but do not be tempted to water until your finger comes away dry. Keep the finger in shape and your plants will follow suit.

Doug Green, award winning garden writer, gardens and writes a free gardening newsletter at http://www.beginner-gardening.com.

There is a magical quality to porch swings. In his summertime classic Dandelion Wine, Ray Bradbury describes the "ritual of the front-porch swing."

"In the garage they found, dusted, and carried forth the howdah, as it were, for the quiet summer-night festivals, the swing chair which Grandpa chained to the porch-ceiling eyelets…they sat, smiling at each other, nodding, as they swung silently back and forth, back and forth."

Perhaps it is the soothing rhythm or the reassuring creak of the porch swing that attracts us. Perhaps it is the companionable silence or quiet conversation. Or maybe swings simply remind us of more genteel times.

Materials and Construction

Although porch swings can be purchased in a wide range of materials, the most common are wicker and wood. You can also make your own porch swing from one of the myriad of woodworking patterns available at garden centers, hardware stores, or on the Internet. You can even improvise with a rope chair or a wicker chair with the legs cut off and a support base added.

Whether you are buying or making, here are things to look for:

Installation

No porch?

Don’t despair if you don’t have a covered porch.

So don’t just sit there this summer — swing away and make some memories!

About The Author

Debbie Rodgers, the haven maven, owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Her latest how-to guide “Attracting Butterflies to Your Home and Garden” is now available on her web site. Visit her at www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on “Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space”. Mail to debbie@paradiseporch.com

Bonsai trees are grown and sculpted by millions of people across the globe. While bonsai is a common plant, the care a bonsai tree receives is different from other household plants. For this matter, those who own a bonsai tree much learn basic bonsai care techniques. This ensures longevity. Aside from caring and maintaining a bonsai tree, most bonsai owners gain pleasure from sculpting bonsai. This relaxing and rewarding hobby can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Pruning bonsai trees into shapes and characters is a remarkable talent that requires much practice.

New bonsai hobbyists should start with a beginner bonsai tree. These trees are available from bonsai nurseries or online bonsai stores. Typically, bonsai trees are miniature. However, it is possible to purchase a slightly larger tree. Beginner bonsai trees are very small. Depending on the bonsai style, the branches and leaves may bend forward, backward, or downward. As a bonsai hobbyist, you can sculpt the leaves into shapes and characters. If taking a beginner bonsai tree pruning class, you will learn basic techniques on pruning the leaves. Because it takes a few years to fully master bonsai pruning, be prepared to devote a lot of time to this craft.

Hobbyists can choose many different types of bonsai trees. Common bonsai plants include flowering cherry, pine, juniper, maple, and so forth. Moreover, the different types of bonsai trees are also classified by style. Popular bonsai styles include cascade bonsai trees, informal and formal bonsai trees, and raft style bonsai trees. Bonsai tree differences are identified by the direction of the branches and leaves. For example, formal and informal bonsai are positioned upright. However, informal bonsai have curvy branches. In addition, cascade bonsai trees consist of long leaves that grow downward. Lastly, raft style bonsai trees grow on their side.

Whereas locating a retailer that advertises bonsai trees for sale is easy, finding a good bonsai tree requires effort. In some areas, bonsai trees are commonly sold in grocery stores or plant stores. However, if you are looking for a quality bonsai tree, consider purchasing from a retailer that specializes in bonsai trees. These may include bonsai nurseries or online bonsai stores. Quality bonsai trees for sale are expensive. Overall, you can expect to pay a few hundred dollars for a real bonsai tree.

View my Recommended Bonsai Stores Online here.

First, some background on PINE WOOD. Pine is a naturally soft wood which continues to "breathe", based upon changes in the local (home, office, store, etc.) humidity and temperature. On the individual furniture piece there may be slight defects, such as knots,and shakes(small cracks in the surface of the wood). Some minor shrinkage may sometimes occur. These natural irregularities in pine enhance its overall uniqueness.

Do not place this product next to a radiator or in direct sunlight. Wood is a natural product and will expand if subjected to damp and will shrink and may crack if subjected to heat. This product is made of pine, which is a timber that is common for furniture, but susceptible to temperature changes. With pine furniture it is recommended that an even room temperature be maintained with no sudden temperature fluctuations, up or down.

Do not place HOT or CHILLED items directly on to the surface, use a place mat. Or marking will occur.

For general cleaning use a duster or damp cloth (ALMOST DRY) not wet.

Do not use soap and water or detergents of any kind on this product for cleaning. To maintain the characteristic finish on this furniture, do not use aerosol sprays or any polish containing Silicon. If unsure, try on an area that’s not seen and look for reactions. There is a natural stain and finish on this furniture and it will react to most manmade products.

It will from time to time require the surface re-treating again to maintain its character. You can easily do this yourself using block wax (unperfumed), rubbing it over the whole item, following the manufacturers instruction. After treating your furniture, you may notice it is slightly more waxier than previously. This is normal because wood is a natural product that breathers and absorbs depending on room temperature.

The use of any cleaning materials other materials other than those recommended could damage the surface and will invalidate any claim.

From time to time it may be necessary to tighten fittings. This is normal and regular inspections should be carried out.

Do not place furniture onto a wet or damp floor as staining may occur to your floor.

Indian Sheesham

Furniture made from Indian Sheesham is provided in its natural state. It will appear polished due to the natural oil occuring in the wood. You should wipe your furniture with a damp cloth to remove any dust from manufacturing. The oil on the surface will evaporate after a few days outdoors. It is the oil that remains below the surface that gives the wood its durability. Some of these oils may bleed out following the first few rainfalls, and initially, you will want to bring your cushions in when the furniture is wet. Once the furniture has begun to form the silver-grey patina, it is no longer necessary to bring the cushions indoors.

To clean the furniture without removing the silver-grey patina simply use soap and water. Should you want to maintain the golden brown color, we recommend a teak sealer be applied every 12-18 months. Wood sealers are usually solvent based with water-like viscosity containing mould, ultra-violet light and moisture protection. The Wood protector should be applied after cleaning and drying out your furniture. We do not recommend painting Indian Sheesham as the wood’s natural oils can affect how the paint adheres. Teak has qualities unlike any other wood as it has the ability to withstand the rigors of adverse climates.

About The Author

Steve Hattrick Proprietor 10 years experience

Konteaki Furniture Importers

http://www.hattrick-furniture.co.uk

One of the most common searches on my site is for pictures of landscaping. So I know that a lot of folks rely on photos of other peoples designs to get ideas. But at the same time, while I do have a large picture directory of other peoples projects on my site, the most common questions I receive are still related to specific shapes and design ideas.

It would seem that with as many pictures of landscaping there are to look at online, just about everyone could find a close match to their own property that could be copied. It would seem so…..if every yard was square or rectangular. However, the fact is that most yards aren’t square or rectangular. So even with the endless landscaping ideas and examples out there, it’s still highly unlikely that you’ll find an exact match to the shape of your property.

Don’t tell anyone… but even as a professional, I still use pictures of other peoples landscaping as an educational tool and to get new ideas. However, unlike most people, I don’t search for an exact idea to copy. I look for unique, creative, and new ideas and pieces of the puzzle.

Now here’s a piece of advice and the point to this entire article.

When looking at pictures of landscaping, pay attention to the details, ideas, and principles that are universal to most designs. Look for the things that are common and repeated often by different designers. These are the elements that look good because they are generally based on basic principles of art. These are the things that will probably incorporate well into your own design project regardless of shape.

Other peoples landscaping pictures are a great design tool to help you get your project done. However, instead of hopelessly searching for your exact layout, borrow several ideas from several different designs. You’ll save yourself a lot of frustration and have a much better chance of creating something unique to your own property.

Written by Steve Boulden. Steve is the creator of The Landscape Design Site which offers free landscaping ideas, pictures, and advice to do it yourselfers. Check out his free gallery of pictures of landscaping at http://www.the-landscape-design-site.com/gardenstyles.

Would you rather be sailing or are you strictly a shore bird? Whether you’re land-locked or seaside, you can create a nautical look in your outdoor living space by following a few easy principles. You’ll find that even landlubbers can answer the siren song of the sea.

Although any outside space can be adapted to this motif, wooden decks are particularly suitable. And if you can manage to install a water feature so that the deck overhangs it, you’ll increase the "on-board" feel. Be sure to include the following elements.

Color

For a real yacht-club feel, think navy, as in uniforms. Not only does navy recall the color of the ocean at night, paired with cream accents and brass "buttons", it looks as classy as a ship’s captain. You can also add red accents for additional color.

Fabric

Make cushions of canvas or canvas-like fabric. For a trim nautical look, edge thick square cushions in contrasting rope piping. Blue and white striped mattress ticking also makes great throw cushions.

Use sailcloth or awning fabric for drapes. Trim them with navy stripes and hang with grommets on brass curtain rods.

Rope’s nautical texture can be incorporated in a number of ways. Lay a jute mat on the floor, wrap rope around a plant pot, use rope tie-backs on outdoor draperies, display rope-handled baskets or simply pile a coil of rope in a corner.

Furniture

Ship-board fixtures are often made of sleek, highly varnished wood and always make the most of available space. Replicate the look on your deck with built-in benches. As a bonus, build storage units under the seats.

For additional portable seating, use wooden and canvas deck chairs or captain’s stools.

Lighting

Brass ship lanterns, of course! Although originals are collectibles, there are many attractive reproductions available. Use a traditional oil-burning unit or opt for a candle-lit look.

Motif

The easiest way to carry a nautical theme is with the use of ship-board motifs such as anchors, barometers, weather vanes, sandglasses and seaman’s chests. Other useful motifs for an outdoor space include boat pennants, oars and models or images of sailboats.

Choose one or two and collect them in various materials. Or re-create a ship’s deck by acquiring one of each kind and displaying them in realistic positions throughout your space.

Put your deck in ship-shape this summer, listen to snap of the canvas in the wind and dream on of the high seas.

About The Author

Debbie Rodgers, the haven maven, owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Her latest how-to guide “Attracting Butterflies to Your Home and Garden” is now available on her web site. Visit her at www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on “Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space”. Mail to debbie@paradiseporch.com.