What do you do with all of those pesky leaves once you’ve raked them from your lawn?  This situation creates a yearly dilemma for many people because yard waste, including autumn leaves, makes up for about 20 percent of what is dumped into our landfills.  Tossing those leaves into the trash is not something that most homeowners wish to do.  Some communities, mine included, allow homeowners to burn yard waste.  This is neither a healthy or environmentally safe option.  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Burning leaves and other yard wastes pollutes the air and can lead to uncontrolled fires. Leaf smoke can make breathing difficult for people who suffer from asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or allergies.”  

Alternatively, some communities offer yard waste recycling, which is the best option, but it is not always ideal.  In my own community, we are only permitted to put out two yard waste bags each week for pick up.  We don’t have a forest of trees in our yard, but the few that we do have shed enough leaves to fill at least six or eight yard waste bags.  The challenge is finding space in our garage to store the full bags until the next time yard waste is picked up.

Another way to recycle those fallen leaves is to compost them.  Composting leaves, along with other yard waste and kitchen scraps, not only helps to get rid of a messy problem, but provides valuable mulch — for free — that can be used to cover and protect garden beds over the winter months.  Many compost bins can be used year-round, too, so over the winter, you can “stock up” on mulch to use when spring comes around again.

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/2009/10/10/storagetrak-shed-garage-storage/ http://backyardcity.wordpress.com/2009/10/10/storagetrak-shed-garage-storage/#comments Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:38:32 +0000 smay51571 http://backyardcity.wordpress.com/?p=520 ]]>

Winter is on our doorstep.  Yard work is coming to an end for the season.  What will do you do with all of the spare time you’ll have once the garden has been put to bed until spring?  OK – maybe you won’t have a significant amount of free time this winter, but I bet you’ll have just enough to organize your storage shed or garage.  Perhaps it’s a project you’ve been wanting to accomplish for a while, but you haven’t found enough time.  Winter is the perfect time to clear out the old and unused yard and garden tools and organize what’s left.  With a storage system like StorageTrak, you can install and organize your yard gear in less time and with less money than if you used any other kind of storage system.

StorageTrak is a modular storage system constructed of steel grid wall panels that allow you to take advantage of unused wall space.  StorageTrak is lightweight, can be installed in just a few minutes, and is sturdy enough to hold heavy equipment, unlike other storage systems.  Hang your yard tools, golf clubs, bicycles, and any other equipment that usually gets in the way and takes up precious floor space in the garage or shed.  StorageTrak works well in basements, pantries, and pool cabanas, too.

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.

After you take the time to prepare and cut your firewood for the cold months of winter, you’ll need to store it properly to keep it dry.  Stacking firewood on the ground next to a shed or garage is a common approach to storing firewood all winter, but moisture, termites, and other insects can easily damage the wood, spoiling your hard work and reducing the amount of usable firewood you have.  The best solution is to use an Outdoor Firewood Rack.  These sturdy racks keep firewood raised off of the ground, away from moisture and insects.  Plus, raised outdoor firewood racks help firewood dry for easier and safer burning.  A variety of sizes are available to meet each home owner’s individual firewood needs.

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.

Many home owners are reluctant to retreat indoors when the weather begins to grow cold.  Winters can seem extraordinarily long sometimes, so extending the time we can spend outside in the cooler months is a natural desire.  A number of options exist for keeping warm on the back patio, but probably the most beautiful one is the chimenea outdoor fireplace.

Traditionally, chimenea outdoor fireplaces have been constructed of earthen materials like terra cotta and clay.  Unfortunately, these materials can crack and crumble over time and with exposure to the elements.  A beautiful alternative is a chimenea made from a sturdy metal, such as cast aluminum or cast iron.  Metal chimeneas can withstand the elements, and they come in a wide variety of attractive shapes and sizes.

Fall is on our doorstep, so it’s time to hit the road for some serious tailgating.  What is a football game, college or pro, without a parking lot party beforehand?  Juicy burgers and monster bratwurst are on the menu, along with grilled veggies and some ice cold beverages.  No tailgating party can be complete without a portable grill to cook all of that delicious food.  You’ll make fast friends with everyone within range of the tempting aromas your grill creates.

Whether you prefer cooking on a gas grill, charcoal grill, or infrared grill, portable grills rival any full sized grill in cooking quality, plus you can take them just about anywhere you go.  If tailgating parties aren’t your cup of java, then you can bring your portable grill on your next camping or boating trip and nourish your family and friends with a hearty breakfast of pancakes and bacon as the sun rises over the horizon.  Or, you may prefer to travel only as far as your own balcony or back patio.  Apartment dwellers and homeowners with small patios appreciate portable grills for their ability to save precious space while allowing the residents to enjoy the same delicious outdoor delicacies that only a grill can produce.

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!