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Garden

With the warmer weather finally gracing us with its presence, there’s nothing we can’t do… especially when it comes to all the long, gorgeous summer get-togethers. For some reason, parties seem to be more fun when they’re thrown in the backyard and the easier-to-clean-up aspect doesn’t hurt, either!

Let us tell you a secret

Backyard parties are meant to be cozy and casual, social and fun. Anything that even reminds of those stuffy and formal events that are not only expensive but too stressful to organize (aren’t we all stressed enough, already!) shouldn’t even cross your mind. Instead, focus on the lazy awesome summer jams that will leave you with a smile on your face and so many memories you won’t even be able to count! Essentially, your motto should be: The more casual, the better. Remember that.

In the spirit of what you’ve just read, we’re giving you a few awesome ideas to count on for an unforgettable bash!

Spread the word

To actually have people come to your gathering, you need to make sure they’re informed that there is a gathering, at all… right? Right.

When coming up with the body of invitations: a) be chill and humorous about the content; b) include these four things:

Where should they appear: My place, you know it. In case you don’t… why don’t you? Anyhow, here’s the address: (fill the address in).
When they’ll be eating: The food will be served from 5 to 8. Don’t be late or I’ll give your intended portion to the neighbor’s dog. What they should be wearing: I’ll be flipping burgers, you wear flip-flops. Please don’t show up all formal – sounds about right
What you’ll do if it rains: I hope it won’t rain but if it does, I don’t have a plan. I guess we’ll all scotch inside!

Oh, and – make sure you send out the invitations at least two weeks ahead and have them RSV Ped; these days everyone’s so busy so ensuring your desired guests will pop up is essential. When sending the invites, do it via email, social platforms (Facebook, WhatsApp, etc.) or standard mail.

Pick the backyard theme

If you’re one of the creative souls, you’ll enjoy coming up with a party theme for this summer get-together. Although choosing a theme may sound like a hassle, it actually isn’t. Knowing what style you’ll be going with helps you choose decorations in a much easier way as well as the entire vibe of the event. If, however, you aren’t that keen on theme-picking, go with a traditional yard-decorating: Christmas lights hanging from the trees, pretty paper lanterns, comfy pillows to sit on, a drinks stand and a buffet. Décor is always best done in a Bohemian and funky manner; eclectic is the way to go so no reason to worry about table accessories and matching plates. Jars can serve as glasses, a wooden cutting board can be used for food servings and paper plates may just save you. It’s all cool!

Choose smart music

Always go with songs that have a universal appeal — oldies, retro favorites, hop jazz, chill, instrumental, jazz, beach and summer pop music. Keep the volume moderate so you guys can actually talk… and keep the neighbors happy.

Plan a simple menu

If you feel like barbecuing, then barbecue. It’s simple, it’s easy and it’s fun! You may gather a few of your friends to come earlier and start the grill – you’ll get a chance to chit chat before everyone gets there and you won’t die trying to do everything yourself! If, however, you are into something fancier, then go with that. Our advice though is to choose the simplest version possible.

P.S. Here’s a fun idea: why not ask everyone to bring something to eat and drink? This may actually be amazing, especially if you’ve got a multicultural gang around! If everyone brings something from their culture, you’ll have a wonderful feast together and learn a little bit about each other’s heritage. Plus, along with the food – you’re getting a theme, too!

If you’re among those individuals who are blessed with a lovely outdoor area, then you should do everything you can to bring its décor to perfection. This is the area where you can truly unwind, soak up the sunshine and retreat from the hustle and bustle of an urban city.

Use Fabrics to Accentuate

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Image 1 source: summerclassics.com

When it comes to the most popular outdoor fabrics, get ready to embrace damask, jacquard and linen. If you want to create an atmosphere of elegance and glamour, then you should opt for jacquard – the intricate patterns in different shades of red will give an impression of royal refinement. Damask is a better option if you’re going for a monochromatic look with elaborate patterns. Another among fabrics that radiate luxury is linen that you should use to create a simple, but elegant ambient in your patio. Regardless of the fabric you choose, you should opt for colours that are calming and relaxing, for example, snorkel blue, fiesta, peach eco and limpet shell. The best thing is that these fabrics contribute to an overall tone and ambient; you can use them as accents by layering, hanging outdoor curtains and placing decorative pillows.

Avoid Cluttering Your Outdoor Haven

Don’t give in to clutter, but make sure to keep your outdoor area clean and organised. This is particularly important if you have a small patio, so you don’t need useless items that will take up a lot of space and make you feel cramped. Instead, try to merge style and functionality – you can obtain a lovely seat that has a storage compartment. This is a perfect place for putting aside your blankets and pillows when you go inside. Another practical solution is opting for a beautiful outdoor coffee table with drawers for storing magazines, or mosquito repellent.

Be Eco-Friendly

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Image 2 source: decoist.com

Having a personal outdoor area is a perfect opportunity to reconnect with nature. By forming a connection with natural life, our awareness of the importance of preserving our environment increases and we’re a step closer to protecting it. There are small eco-friendly options for your outdoor area that can make significant changes. Instead of buying new furniture, be creative and reuse the old one. You can easily transform an old bench into a new piece by simply reassembling or painting it, but make sure to use UV-proof and solvent-free colours to minimise air pollution. If there’s a harbour in your vicinity, you can easily obtain old ship sails, recycle them and use them for outdoor furniture. Since the fabric is weather-resistant, you don’t have to worry about it when it rains.

Bring Indoors Out

The idea of bringing indoors out will make your outdoor area completely unique and stylish. You can start by opting for comfortable and luxurious indoor furniture that will reflect your interior design. By adding some accent elements, you can really make a décor statement; for example, you can use a beautiful rug as a focal point in your outdoor haven. You can blend indoors and outdoors by using the same fabrics, patterns and colour schemes or opting for the same theme.

Outdoor Furniture Options

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Image 3 source: gardenfurnitureland.com

If outdoor furniture is more to your taste, you’ll be happy to hear that there are many different options that will create a relaxed atmosphere. The classic choice when it comes to material is wood that you can use in combination with iron, resin, teak and stainless steel. You shouldn’t forget to include a lovely wooden dining set, since there’s nothing better than having lunch with your family outside while enjoying a beautiful day. Principles that you should also consider when furnishing your outdoor area are multi-functionality and flexibility – opt for ottomans that can also be used as side tables for the former, and multiple seating options that you can separate or group as you wish for the latter.

The outdoor area deserves as much attention as the indoors, so transform yours by trying out some of these outdoor trends. Just don’t forget to be creative and eco-friendly!

During summer we spend most of our days outside, hanging out with people or just chilling by ourselves. This is also the time of summer parties and any way you look at it, patio is the perfect place for such events. To make the experience even more comfortable and enjoyable, we can upgrade our patio in many simple ways. When thinking about what you could do to improve the look of your patio, you should choose something that will look nice, be functional and safe, and preferably affordable and low-maintenance. Here are a few of our favourite ideas.

Plants

Although this one is rather obvious, getting plants for your patio should always be your number one task. If you don’t have space to make patio planter pockets, then the easiest way to bring plants in is in container gardens. These can range from small plants to real young trees, like lemon or orange tree, growing in a big flower pot. The best thing about them is that you can keep them indoors all year round and simply take them out to the patio when the weather is warm enough.
Patio plants

Floor cushions

Since you will spend a lot of time on your deck, you want it to be comfy and accommodate many people. In addition to getting soft cushions for your outdoors furniture, you can go a step further and get some floor cushions or even big floor cushion couches, in the Oriental style. Kids will love it and it is a perfect way to relax and chill out outside. Alternatively, you can get a thick rug and put some standard cushions on it, or get a few lazy bags.
Cusions

Hammocks

There probably isn’t a single person who dislikes hammocks. There is just something so inviting and special about them. You don’t need to go to a tropical beach in Thailand to enjoy all the pleasures of a hammock, you can set them up on your patio. There are many versions to choose from – from standard hammock, chair hammock for one person, to hanging chairs. There are even hanging tents if you plan on sleeping outside.
Hammock

Wreaths

Decorative wreaths are a great way to improve the esthetics of your deck. You can make them out of many different kinds of materials, but those made from flowers and branches will look most natural and fit into the outdoors setting perfectly. Luckily, flowers are abundant in summer, so you can use roses or flowers from shrubs like Dogwood, Hydrangeas, Lilacs, Ninebarks and Spireas. DIY wreaths can also be made from old clothes and rags woven into a nice decorative circle, from burlap, old bandanas and cardboard. They can be colored, wrapped in yarn and decorated with small toys and things like cocktail umbrellas.
Wreath

Stones

Arranging stones in decorative patterns on the ground can really create a beautiful setting. You can make various combinations and floor paintings with stones in different colours and sizes. If you don’t mind putting in some extra effort, you can come up with mosaic pathways that will simply look magical.

Stones

All of these simple ideas will transform your patio deck into the coolest place to be this summer, and all you need to add is some music and soft lighting and you are all set for your summer party season. Use it well!

Summer in Canada has almost come and in Calgary the season can be a short one. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t have beautiful, elegant and usable outdoor space to make the most of the sunny summer days and nights.

Whether you have a large yard, wood deck, stone patio or balcony, consider what you really want to be doing in that space. Is it for entertaining, playtime with the kids, feet up with book in hand or all of the above.

Outdoor living

Outdoor Furniture

Gone are the days of the simple white plastic lawn chair. Today’s choices for outdoor dining and seating are limitless. From wood to fabric, consider your needs and how much maintenance you are willing to put into your purchase.

Outdoor living

Any type of patio furniture will last longer with routine care. During cold weather seasons, when the patio is no longer in use, store your patio furniture in a garage, basement or garden shed. If you don’t have a place to store your patio furniture over the winter use a cover or tarp. It will make it last longer as the elements will damage it over time. Calgary winters will not be kind to furniture left to the elements.

During warm weather, wash seat cushions once a month with one part bleach to 10 parts warm water. And a few drops of dish detergent to the mix and let sun dry if possible. If you have wrought iron, wash and wax it a few times a year. For wood, use a gentle solution like Murphy’s Wood Soap to keep clean then oil if necessary.

Outdoor living

Image source

If you plan on buying cushions for your outdoor furniture set also make sure that they have a high UV rating and ventilation slits to avoid sun and moisture damage. Mildew-resistant acrylic fabric is long-lasting.

Outdoor Cooking

The backyard barbeque that your Dad used to grill bratwurst and steak has had a major upgrade. Old black charcoal blocks have been replaced with clean lines, sleek looks and superior aesthetics.

Barbeques are no longer just for cooking. Just as kitchen appliances are now more than utilitarian devices, the barbeque can add a great deal to the look and aesthetics of you outdoor space. So, with the seemingly endless options for grills don’t forget to incorporate one early on in your backyard planning.

And go from this:

Outdoor living

To this:

Outdoor living

Outdoor Accents

And just because it’s the great outdoors doesn’t mean you can’t add beautiful accents and art to make your space even more beautiful. Hang some art. Add some decorative touches. There doesn’t need to be a distinction between inside and outside elegance.

Outdoor living

Outdoor living

Author bio:

Ana Cummings, of ANA Interiors is the only IDRC and CDECA multiple award winning show home designer in Calgary. Her work is internationally published and her studio offers full service interior design and decorating that specializes in original unable-to-leave spaces. Ana is a graduate of Mount Royal University, a member of the Calgary Design Group (CDG), Interior Décor Resources Canada (IDRC), and interim President of the Canadian Decorators’ Association Alberta Chapter (CDECA).

Feature image source: Belderbos.co.uk

The smell and the sight of freshly cut neat grass is a paradise for any homeowner’s senses. It’s not an exaggeration. If you are a fan of minimal landscaping approach, then a simple lawn will do the trick. The fans of lavish landscaping, stop here, this is not a place for you. You reader, who is redoing your lawn for the first time, there are some, mind you, easy things you can do. In order for you to have a great overview of what is needed to keep your backyard and front yard grass under control, we compiled some elementary tips. Let’s start.

Following lawn care tips and mowing regularly

The colours of grass

First step to consider is, of course, the type of grass. Since you’ll be growing from scratch, you will need to consider pros and cons for every grass type. One of the things beginners need to know is to determine the region they live in and buy the grass they feel would fit nicely into their lawn. Some of the types of grass that “enjoy” cooler climate are: Bluegrass, Fine fescue, Perennial ryegrass, & Tall fescue. On the other side, there are those who fall into the category of “warmer” grasses. People in this region should opt for either one of these: Zoysia, Centipede, Bahia, Common Bermuda, & Hybrid Bermuda. Keep in mind the function of your lawn. If you plan on having family activities, then you need a more resistant type so that it doesn’t wear or tear to fast. Kentucky bluegrass, for example, is a great choice for “active” lawns. It is durable and it can self mend.

From soil sprout thee, I command!

This is a really important step, so think carefully how to approach it. Setting the soil is the key component for a successful grass growth. Don’t forget to test the soil. You can get a soil test kit from local experts (cheaper) or you can have them do the gathering of samples. It might take some time to get through this step, but it will save you a lot of money in the long run. You’ll know exactly what to spend on and how much. Next thing you need to take care of is weeds. You need to make a thorough inspection and banish every single trace of it. This process often includes stripping the land of the top surface, usually six inches (roughly 15 centimetres) will do the trick.  Then it’s time to fertilise the ground. Naturally, there isn’t one way to do this, so inform yourself of different composting techniques.

Preparing the perfect soil for your lawn

The best haircut

One thing you should never ever do is cut your grass the shortest you can. Why? It can stress out the grass and make it weaker. Basically, you’ll end up destroying all the effort you put into it. It’s way better to cut it often and a bit longer.

We are great believers in doing everything with your own two hands, so that you can feel the process. However, when it comes to maintenance tips, cut your losses (literally) and use a lawn mower. Why? Go through these advantages and find out:

  • Ease of use – You can have many benefits starting from accommodations to attachments, if you choose ride on lawn mowers. But one of the most important advantages is ease of use. Especially If you cannot strain your body to push things or stand for long. You can drive it like a car sitting comfortably while cutting the grass as per requirement. It is not just that these mowers reduce your physical strength, but these mowers also help you to cut the grasses in an even manner.
  • Easy to start – The ride on lawn mowers are started like a car. Therefore, you do not have to use your body strength to pull chord to start your lawn mowers.
  • Sun shade design – You may be sensitive to sun exposure and so, you feel really exhausted while choosing push lawn mowers under sun. These models can come with sun shade designs where you can rest and relax.
  • Work with precision – If you have ride on lawn mowers, you can cut large trees and shrubs with ease and precision on the first pass. They also come with several attachments which collect the fallen leaves of the trees and turn them into manure through their grinding features.

Apart from the above-mentioned features, you also need to keep comfort features in mind when purchasing ride on lawn mowers. A few important comfort features found in these lawn mowers are:

  • Cup holder
  • Lumbar support
  • Rubber foot pads
  • High back seat
  • Extended leg room
  • Armrests

ride on lawn mowers

The fountain of life

Again, depending on the region you are in, i.e. the amount of rainwater your soil can receive, you will need to water your lawn in order to keep a steady grass grow. What also plays an important role is the soil type. Not every grass requires the same amount of water. Don’t over-do it but also, if you don’t water it regularly it will wither. At the very beginning, be sure to water your grass on a daily basis. As for the watering schedule, the best time to do it is in the morning. Doing it in the evening just won’t cut it, since you will be left with mildew and fungus.

2

These are just some basic tips. There are even some special grasses that require special watering schedule or a very particular soil type in order to succeed. Take into consideration what you read here and always go a step further with your research.

On a hot summer day, your lawn gets thirsty just like you do. While you can grab an ice cold glass water on your own, your grass needs a little help. This is where watering and irrigation come into play. You need a convenient and efficient way to water it, and automatic sprinklers are a great option. There are many advantages to lawn sprinklers, least not of which is its cost-effective addition to your gardening regime.

Watering & Irrigation

One of the best reasons for installing automatic sprinklers is that they’re more efficient at watering than you are. How often have you set the garden hose out with a sprinkler head on it, and forgotten all about it? Hour after you realize your mistake, you find one spot has a puddle and the rest of the lawn is desert-dry. It’s equally frustrating with a watering can. Not sure of how much each flower needs, you can end up making several time consuming trips from the tap. After a few back and forths, you can forget which section got what, leaving you wondering just how much water each of the flowers had.

Watering and Irrigation
A sprinkler system, on the other hand, knows exactly how much water has been used so it can ensure that your lawn gets just the right amount of water. They are equipped with measuring system that keeps track of how long it’s been on. It also has sensors that can tell if enough rain has fallen to penetrate the intricate system of roots. It’s best to program them to turn on for an hour once a week as this schedule will encourage the roots to grow deeper and limit weed growth. Whenever you set your sprinklers, your lawn will always get the right amount of water for healthy, bright green grass.

Automatic Sprinkler Systems

Automatic sprinklers also help to conserve water. You can put them on a timer, and you can set them to water at night, when evaporation is minimized because the air is cooler. In times of droughts and water restrictions, you can adjust them to use less water. Sprinklers can also be targeted to specific areas, so that little or no water is wasted on walks or patios. That’s because the sprinkler from EZ Lawnare fitted with an adjustable rotor head that revolves as it discharges water, giving the lawn maximum coverage for the amount of water used. To learn more about how a sprinkler system can help you save money, you should definitelly check the internet and read online comments and critiques. You can easily find some better deals on the Internet than in your local stores and home centers, so, stoping by www.ezlawnsprinklers.ca is a good start.
Automatic Sprinkler Systems

A sprinkler system can be a great time and money saver, and also make the neighbors think you work on your yard all day. That’s a mean feat when you consider how harsh the summer can be for your lawn. Stop watering the old fashioned way – which is to say, the wrong way. Install an irrigation system and see your lawn flourishes.

Ask any gardener or homeowner who keeps to their garden about their least favorite gardening chore, and the answer will mostly be – weeding. There is a whole industry of herbicides that offer only short-term solutions. Once the effect subsides, weeds keep growing back again and again. What remains is hand weeding, as a safe and environmentally friendly alternative. These tips and tricks will show you how to weed easier and stop weeds from coming back.

Give it an early start

Weeding early in spring has multiple benefits. To start with, weeds are smaller and have weaker roots, making them easier to pull out. Also, the soil is wet, which makes it even easier. Removing weeds with root is important because certain species spread by rhizomes or tubers, instead by seeds. If you remove the weeds early, your plants will develop leaves that will shade the soil, making it difficult for weeds to grow back again.

Cut deep

When the soil dries out, pulling the weeds out complete with the root is near to impossible. Your best ally is a hawkbill linoleum or carpet knife. The hooked tip cuts deep in a single pulling motion, making the whole chore faster. In addition, linoleum knife is perfect for removing grass when you need to create a planting bed. If you don’t have time for full-scale weeding, you can at least prevent them from spreading by plucking the weed flower heads.

Choke the weed

Spreading 3 to 4 inches of mulch will smother all weeds, with no need for manual plucking or cutting. Make your own mulch by collecting wood chips, straw, leaves, pine needles or compost. Find out what mulch works best in neutralizing the pH in your soil. You don’t want to end up with alkaline or acidic garden because of the wrong mulch type. If you spread the mulch in autumn, the next year will be weed-free.

Weed harvest

If you have an acute weed infestation, the only way to deal with them is to clip them all. The key is having the right weeding tools that make clipping the leafy part of the plant easy. Repeated clipping doesn’t disturb the soil, but it depletes the weeds’ energy and causes them to whither. You can use a hoe, shears, a hand scythe or a specialized weeding tool.

No weed, no cry

Another green technique that is effective in fighting weeds is to leave them almost no space to grow. Plant the ground cover plants like rye, buckwheat or clover twice as close, and Uncle Weed soon won’t have enough place to hang his own hat. In addition, these plants will attract pollinating insects and restore valuable nutrients into the soil, helping you protect your organic garden.

Dark times

Weeds are plant like any other, and they need sunlight to survive. That means they can be killed by denying them their sunlight. Sheets of wet newspaper, packing cardboards, old carpets or drapes are all equally effective. You can mask the light-blocking mat with mulch, so it doesn’t mar your garden appearance.

Organic gardening is a philosophy that advocates for the better health of the whole system and the well-being of the environment. To make your garden organic you need to free yourself from all the manmade chemicals like fertilizers and pesticides. The emphasis is on cultivating sustainable and nourishing ecosystem where you can safely grow healthy, chemical-free plants.

What and How?

For this type of gardening you will need plants that are more resistant to diseases and pest problems since you are not going to use any chemicals. You also need to choose plants that are easily adjustable to any spot in the garden in terms of soil, light and moisture. When buying the plants and seeds, make sure to get them from farmers that grew them without using any chemicals. You need a clean start for organic gardening. There are many plants that are easily grown naturally and from a seed, such as cucumbers, annual poppies, sunflower, coriander, sweet peas, squash and many others.

Benefits of organic gardening

Benefits of Organic Gardening

The two biggest benefits of organic gardening are personal and environmental health. The use of pesticides and chemicals is linked to various diseases such as cancer, autism, birth defects, depression, infertility, Parkinson’s disease and many other defects and diseases. So, by growing organic garden you are simply skipping all the risks and saving the environment. Other than skipped risks you are introducing many other benefits in your life. By spending time outside in your garden you are exposed to sun and supplied with more vitamin D which helps you fight diabetes, strengthen your bones and joints and prevent depression. Also, you are exercising your body and reducing stress since gardening is calming activity, plus you have healthy and free fruits and vegetables which cannot so easily be found on the market. Organic gardens are not only beneficial, but they look stunningly beautiful and are actually a new trend in 2016’s landscape design.

Watering organic garden

Cleaning and Watering

It is of utmost importance to keep your new garden clean of dead, fallen foliage and other litter. These things can rapidly spread diseases on your plants, so once in a week you should pick up and clean dead foliage. Also, if you notice any infected leaves on your plants, you can prevent further spread by simply cutting off that leaf or an infected part.

When watering, do it wisely. If you leave the leaves of your plants wet they can easily catch diseases. Avoid using sprinklers, and instead turn to water-saving soaker hose and water your plants directly to their roots. Also, avoid clustering your plants closely together because that can cause the spread of fungal diseases. Give them space to breathe and grow freely.

Organic Gardening

Attract Good Insects

Even though they are sometimes annoying, insects can in great deal help you grow an organic garden. Insects that are your friends and that can help you get rid of real pests are ladybugs, praying mantis, soldier beetle, spiders and many others. So if you see one of these, you should actually be happy to have some help. The best way to attract these little fellows is by planting plants they love such as, daisies, sunflowers, yarrows, marigolds, purple coneflowers and other attractive species. These will look good in your garden and will bring along lots of help.

I also found a lot of interesting stuff at Bren Haas‘s website. She’s a gardening expert that has been growing her own organic food since 2008. Join this new trend and go organic. You, your family and the environment can in great deal benefit from this gardening so why not use the resources and nature smartly.

Having a swimming area on your property is a major boon during hot summer months, especially if your poolside also sports beautiful adjacent foliage for much-needed shade and natural look. But greenery can cost you more than it is worth if not selected carefully: with certain plant types, you are in for blocked filters and tons of dry leaves floating around the pool, which can completely ruin your fun, up pool maintenance costs and force you to spend more time cleaning the leafy mess than enjoying a refreshing dip. That is why choosing the right poolside plants is extremely important for both your pleasure and family budget – and here are some practical tips on how to select the best low-maintenance greenery for your private swimming area.

Poolside plant basics: Dos and don’ts

If you are concerned that chlorinated water may harm your poolside foliage in case of accidental splashes, rest easy: most plants will suffer no damage through contact with pool water and can even be watered with it without a problem. Debris, however, is a force to be reckoned with: to prevent leaves getting into the water, plant low-growth shrubbery at least 6-8 feet away from the pool edge. Also, avoid deciduous trees or else you will spend autumn months straining foliage out of the pool.

Pool garden types: To pot or not to pot

Since pools are normally located in areas of bright sun and their use entails quite a bit of splashing, you should avoid plant species that require extremely dry air or a cool shade to thrive. You can add foliage to your poolside either by planting flora directly into the ground or by using potted plants. Whatever plant species you opt for, remember that large leafy litter is easier to pick up than obnoxious tiny leaves that can easily get anywhere, including the water filter.

  • Dig in: Planting around the pool

For a low-maintenance garden and a tropical poolside look, pick small palms, cycads, or cacti species. Succulent plants such as aloe, yucca and agave love both sun and water and they will not be bothered by extreme heats. Other low-litter poolside plants include cascalote, ironwood, red gum and mastic tree, fruitless olive and Mediterranean fan palm, while low-profile shrubs that can thrive by a pool include Indian mallow, buddleia, mountain laurel, dalea and Arizona rosewood.

  • Potted beauty: Plants for poolside containers

For hassle-free maintenance and appealing look, use large containers or pots to accommodate your poolside garden. In addition to allowing you to relocate the garden if necessary, planters decked with saucers provide relatively good plant protection from heat rising from the tiles and increased light reflection from the water. Plants that love to dwell in poolside pots are desert broom, creeping jenny, lantana, blue euphorbia, germander, penstemon, verbena and tufted evening primrose.

Poolside plant maintenance: Be a good garden keeper

Compared to standard garden plants, poolside foliage needs a little bit more care to survive and stay healthy and lush. Poolside shrubbery will require additional irrigation since both the garden beds and the planters in the swimming area tend to dry quickly because of high heat. If used in pots, each specimen should be allowed ample room for optimal air circulation, and you can also use efficient gardening tools to transplant the plants when the pots become too tight for its growing roots.

Do not let your poolside be a drab blend of tiles, water and concrete: by planting shrubs next to the outdoor bathing area, you will increase your property’s value, add visual interest to the backyard and create a lovely ambiance for your family’s summertime poolside lounging sessions.

One of the perks of living in a house is that you can have your own retreat just in the back. Now, if your retreat currently looks more like Tarzan’s habitat, it’s about time for a makeover and making it Lord John Clayton worthy. By taking small steps, such as mowing the lawn and adding useful sundries you will achieve the garden décor you’ve wanted. If you are still “in the dark” concerning ways of sprucing up your garden, we will try to shed light on the topic.

Remove the clutter

It’s quite commonplace for people to store some things they don’t currently need in the backyard, so don’t blame yourself. Roll up your sleeves and get to work. All the things you don’t need, sell if you can or throw them away. For the rest of the stuff, you can build a small garden log cabin where you’ll store them. After doing that, you may move on to mowing the lawn. The end results should be a clean blank space, where you’ll be able to let your creativity run loose.

garden shed

Set the path

Adding the pathway to your garden will inspire walks and exploration. This venture doesn’t have to be neither expensive nor complicated. With your own two hands and some aged brick, flagstone or pieces of tiles you are halfway done. Aligning them in the direction and shape you want is the second step to take. Let your imagination set the limits. After all, you want an Alice in Wonderland path, not bank driveway. Think about how it will blend with the rest of the garden. If your focus is wood, then why not make a wooden boardwalk?

Planting time 

Adding plants on the bare soil is not just putting them on the ground. Depending on the sorts of flowers, trees and bushes, you’ll need to bring in soil and compost to help them grow easier. After the soil preparation, you’ll need to plant the largest plants first (trees and large shrubs), then featured sections plants (flower gardens) and finally, filler plants to tie it all together. When choosing the plants, make sure the climate for their growth is appropriate.

Garden Path

Think focal points

Every garden needs some parts which will stand out. Those are called focal points. Depending on the funds you’re willing to invest, focal points can be groups of similar plants, furniture, an attractive courtyard gate or fountains and lakes. For the first option, use hedges, clerodendrum or similar trees. If you have more space, you can design different sitting and resting areas with furniture you can even make by yourself. Last, but not the least, lakes and fountains are the finishing touches which will make your garden a true oasis.

Updating home’s exterior

As everything needs to blend nicely, you’ll have to maximize the garden décor by improving the appearance of house’s walls and windows. A brand new exterior wall cladding will beautify your dreamy courtyard, fit into the picture you are trying to present, from nature loving sandstone to mountain feel grey marble. Painting the window frames white will give you the vintage appeal, while some shade of wood, will enhance the nature moment. Window boxes filled with colourful plants will tie the look together.

Backyard Barrel - Garden

There is nothing left for you to do, than to choose the look you fancy and start sprucing up your garden.