backyard greenhouse

     If you are like most gardening enthusiasts, you have probably considered and dreamed of having your very own greenhouse only to find your backyard too small or shady to actually pursue your dream.

          Two of the most important considerations that must be made, though, before selecting any hobby greenhouse are size and location.  If space is limited, a practical option would be a lean-to greenhouse or an attached greenhouse. These greenhouses are physically attached to another building, such as a house, garage, or shed.  Lean-to greenhouses and attached greenhouses are ideal for gardeners who wish to use the greenhouse only seasonally, and who may wish only to grow a small selection of plants. Larger hobby greenhouses are free-standing and can hold more plants, flowers, and vegetables. Larger greenhouses can also support a longer growing season. Importantly, upgrading to a larger size greenhouse can be more expensive than starting with a larger greenhouse in the first place, so thinking ahead to future gardening needs is a must.

     The best location for a hobby greenhouse is a level, well-drained site that gets plenty of sunlight throughout the day. If the local climate includes heavy rains, a well-drained site will help prevent drainage problems in and around the greenhouse. A drainage system may be necessary, though, if a site with good drainage is not available. Sunlight is, of course, a major consideration when locating a hobby greenhouse. To grow plants in late fall and winter, a greenhouse should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. However, if the greenhouse will be used mainly for starting seeds and transplants in the summer, then an area with partial shade would be ideal. Partial shade will help minimize heat build-up in the afternoon. In general, greenhouses should be positioned so that the ends face east and west; this will allow for the best heat gain during the winter and minimize shadowing.

     Happy Gardening and Harvesting!

Infrared Suana

Dr. Oz on Oprah is raving about a hot new way to burn calories and  extend your life!   A person can burn up to 700 calories by using an Infrared Suana for only 30 minutes.

Infrared heat works by heating only the object or person in the path of the heat waves.  In addition to burning calories, this suana can extend your life by adding numerous  health benefits.  The infrared waves penetrate the body, providing soothing relief for aches, pains, and tensions without causing any harmful efffects to the skin.  It can help relieve these ailments: asthma, nervous tension, arthritis, high blood pressure, bronchitis, rheumatism, bruises and burns, sports injuries, common cold, migraine headaches, muscle pain, and influenza.  Using an infrared sauna increases skin & body temperature, causing sweat & oils to be secreted from the body. At the same time, the harmful toxins that are dissolved in these sweat & oils are secreted as well. This cleansing of toxins can help relieve a variety of symptoms and diseases, including depression, stress, heart disease, digestive disorders, asthma, allergies, high cholesterol, muscle pain, anxiety, headaches, acne, and joint stiffness.

Spending just 30 minutes in an infrared heatwave sauna can burn up to 700 calories, thus being a great weight loss tool. The calories are burned in the perspiration process. The fluid lost can be replaced by drinking water, but the calories burned will not be replaced.

outdoor infrared patio heater

The outdoor entertaining area is becoming increasingly popular and we all yearn to enjoy those long warm evenings in our backyards, on the deck or patio entertaining friends and family. Unfortunately the weather does not always allow us to do this. Infrared outdoor heaters make the perfect solution. Infrared outdoor patio heaters will keep everyone warm, even after the sun has gone down. These heaters provide the only form of heat which does not blow away, enabling you to enjoy the tranquility of your patio or garden throughout the year.

Infrared patio heaters produce radiant heat like the sun, warming people and objects and not the air in between, producing the only form of heat that will not blow away. This makes them ideal for any windy areas both inside and out.

Some benefits include

Sandbox Cover

Are you tired of raking out the debris that gets into your children’s sandbox?  Are you looking for a Sandbox Cover or tarp to fit your existing swing set, fort, or free standing Sandbox?

Sandbox Covers are essential for keeping roaming cats and other domestic or wild animals from soiling your sandbox. They also help keep leaves, pine needles, grass, and other natural debris out of your clean sand. Helping kids stay safe during play time in the sandbox means providing the box with a snug fitting cover when the sandbox is not in use.

Posted in Family Fun Tagged: Sandbox Cover, sandbox covers ]]> http://backyardcity.wordpress.com/2009/10/14/sandbox-cover-keeps-debris-out/feed/ 0 amohler Sandbox-Cover-Green-Small http://backyardcity.wordpress.com/2009/10/05/one-tailgating-essential/ http://backyardcity.wordpress.com/2009/10/05/one-tailgating-essential/#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:06:40 +0000 amohler http://backyardcity.wordpress.com/?p=516 ]]>

Safari-Tailgate

It’s the last great American neighborhood  – the tailgating neighborhood.  Where no one locks their doors, everyone is happy to see you and all are together sharing fun, food and football!

And nothing smells better than the mouth-watering aroma of burgers, chicken, or vegetables sizzling and roasting on a grill. Tailgating is  not quite complete unless there is something delicious cooking on the grill.

There are many different sizes and types of  portable grills to choose from-BBQ Grills, Gas Grills, Charcoal Grills. Find one that is easy to clean.  And if you choose a table-top grill, make sure it is sturdy as well as functional.  Most are made for easy storage too.

Almost everyone needs some extra storage space for those garden tools, lawnmowers and leaf blowers etc. and this shed makes the perfect tool and small equipment shed.

Outdoor Patio Furniture Cover

As much as I may want to enjoy my backyard patio, deck, and garden year round, sometimes the weather just gets too cold, or too hot, for comfort. Last year when it was finally time to head for the indoors, I pushed and pulled my patio furniture under my porch and some into my garage.  I can hardly make room for my car so I don’t know what I’m thinking trying to store furniture in the garage too.  There is really no great place for me to store bulky furniture and so each year I watch the rain and snow age it a little more.  By the time I have to buy new furniture because the other is worn out I could have protected it with a cover and saved money in the long run.    Your patio furniture may be weather resistant and able to withstand tough elements like ice, snow, and torrential rains, but you can extend the life of your outdoor furniture by covering each piece with a high quality, durable Outdoor Furniture Cover.  Make sure to buy Protective Covers and  NOT slip covers.  Protective covers are meant to help protect your outdoor furniture and accessories from harsh winter weather. I also found out that these covers are not meant to be form fitting.

In the long run I believe outdoor furniture covers will cover alot more than just my furniture.  They will cover my wallet too because I won’t be shopping for more patio furniture!

Outdoor Fireplace

I want more time in my life to be still, quiet and spent with my family.  “Time” is so precious and unless I consistently review my priorities it can slip away just like that.  I can talk about priorities all day long but until I take action they are just words. 

Certain environments create more of an opportunity for reflection and quiet conversation.  An easy one for me has been to purchase an outdoor fireplace.  They come in a variety of styles and sizes so finding the perfect one for our home was easy.

Sometimes after dinner as the sun sets we will gather around the fire and talk about our day.  My kids usually ask if we have all the makings for smores.  And if we don’t they are happy to roast marshmallows or just sit back and watch the fire.  

What a challenge to make time with my family a priority and when I do the reward is always instantaneous.

How to Maintain Outdoor Patio Furniture

Some types of outdoor patio furniture can be quite expensive to buy but if maintained properly can last a lifetime.  Many of the wooden furniture products sold today are already treated with protective oils and stains but alot of people don’t realize that maintenance should take place annually.

Certain kinds of wood furniture such as cedar, redwood, oak, and pine must be treated with a preservative to prevent decay, which can occur rapidly if exposed to harsh weather environments. Protecting this wood furniture with a water-resistant stain, protective oil, or polyurethane is also recommended. Your local home and garden store ahould be able to assist you.

Outdoor wood furniture should be cleaned once a year. Mix one tablespoon of bleach, five tablespoons of a gentle dishwashing liquid, and a gallon of water, and softly rub the surface of your wood furniture with a soft bristle brush. Wash the solution from the furniture, and allow it to dry completely in the sun. Repainting or restaining wood furniture could be indicated at this time to cover and protect any worn or damaged areas.

The lifespan for any wooden patio furniture depends greatly on the type of wood used and the weather it is exposed to.  Using waterproof protective covers  when your furniture is not in use is strongly advised to keep your wooden patio furniture in good shape.  Outdoor wood furniture makes a quaint, charming, and nice addition to any backyard, deck, patio, or garden, and with care, it will continue to make a great impression for years to come.

Hammock Break

School starts next week and my children are getting ready with new school supplies and books.  Their new shoes will be free of scuff marks for at least a week and their toes will have some wiggle room for a while.

I have been busy planning carpools, grocery lists and everything in between.  The hustle and bustle of every season is actually exciting because change brings an energy of anticipation.

I plan on taking a long hammock break before I dart off in a million different directions next week.  My backyard is a safe haven for me and I am usually energized when I spend time there.  In fact, a hammock nap is on the top of my list.