Teak Patio Furniture: A Long Lasting Heritage for Your Garden Furniture(Garden)

Teak Patio Furniture: A Long Lasting Heritage for Your Garden Furniture(Garden)

By John Stidolph

Cast aluminum, plastic, metal furniture have been a popular patio furniture landmark for quite a while. However a new trend is taking shape where teak patio furniture has become extremely popular. Its obviously the right choice considering the many benefits of teak furniture.
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Tell me now,what is it about teak patio furniture,that makes it the best choice? Well, the advantages of using teak patio furniture are many. Quality, class, durability, strength, finesse - all these qualities make teak patio furniture extremely popular.

Is it time for your fun tea time on the patio? - relax and enjoy the comfort for your teak patio furniture. Throw in a couple of patio furniture cushions to make it more comfy and you're all set. I've also seen a lot of people tend to have folded tables and rocking chairs made of teak. These are used indoors as well as outdoors. Cool isn't it?
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With being able to find teak patio furniture in a lot of places but its always advisable to do a bit of referencing and research of the places that sell this furniture, since prices vary and its always better to be sensible while buying a quality product of high value. The internet sure has many discounts and sales available for online products available including teak patio furniture. Patio tables, chairs, patio chaise lounges, porch swings - you name it, you got it on the internet. So look around before closing in on a deal.

Are you tired of always cleaning the dust off of your teak patio furniture? You can always get some outdoor furniture covers which will protect your furniture. Of course people who buy teak patio furniture are aware that teak is durable, it does not require too much maintenance and lasts for a very long time.
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With teak furniture on your patio, you'll definitely be the envy of all in your neighborhood. Everyone likes elegant yet durable products and buying teak patio furniture is indeed the right move. Its easy to set up and really creates a 'WOW' effect. So, for reliable, sharp and attractive look, go in for teak patio furniture.


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Teak Deck Furniture: A Tasteful Alternative for Your Garden Furniture

Teak Deck Furniture: A Tasteful Alternative for Your Garden Furniture

By John Stidolph

Lying around on your deck is the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon. Relaxing on the perfect furniture will make you're afternoon all the more better. Going in for teak deck furniture is the perfect choice, since it class, comfort and style are all found in it.
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It's good to get in your head just what it is your want before you get too far into your project. Do you want something where the entire family can get together or something more private and secluded. You will get a better feel for the right deck furniture selections once you determine how the end result is going to be. For example, if it's something for the entire family, you would want to go for something more suited for children. Glass tops should be definitely avoided. For a more quieter and cozy twosome, two good strong chaise lounges would be ideal, a nice teak coffee table with a glass top adds a touch of class. Whatever you plan on doing to you're deck, teak furniture is downright perfect for your deck.

If you're not sure if teak deck furniture is right for you, its advisable to start purchase one piece of furniture first. Try it out and you'll want it all you're life. This is from experience. Not only is teak deck furniture durable and long lasting, its also weather proof to all sorts of climate and maintenance is literally none.
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Popular demand dictates an elevated essence with teak deck furniture over other types of furniture. But you don't want something regular do you? One of the reason's that teak furniture is so expensive is that teak wood is imported from countries like Indonesia, Burma etc. In addition, the various properties of teak wood that make it long lasting and durable is also another reason for its high cost. But price rarely matters when you're going in for a quality product and that's exactly what it is. Teak deck furniture is quality par excellence.

One feature of our deck furniture is the warm and comfortable feel you get, yet something that is durable and strong. Teak deck furniture is exactly that. You can accessories to this furniture to make it wholesome and cool. Throw on a couple of cushions on your chairs, or hang get a outdoor rocking chair, or add some garden benches so that you can have a fun family get together outdoors.
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If you want to buy teak deck furniture you're going to have plenty of options, since there is no dearth of manufacturers. In actuality you will probably have a hard time not knowing what to choose because of the limitless choices of teak deck furniture available. Teak deck furniture lasts an eternity, so you definitely want to choose wisely or else you'll find yourself with something you're not too happy about.

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The More or Less Organic Gardener( Garden )

The More or Less Organic Gardener ( Garden )
By Kenneth Lundeen

Afraid to take the plunge into organic gardening? How about dipping a toe in?

I'm serious. I believe strongly in organic gardening for all the right reasons - healthier, better tasting vegetables and fruits, no danger of residual pesticides, no worries about how many times it has been handled in the grocery store, and last but not least -- no cloned foods. I can't say cloned food is dangerous, nor can I say it's safe. In another five years, after testing on 100 million human guinea pigs, I might even try it.
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In the meantime, although I can't go wholly organic because I can't grow EVERYTHING in my own garden, I will be moving in that direction. I haven't got a big pile of natural compost and soil that is guaranteed chemical fertilizer and pesticide free -- yet!

However, this summer I will be buying or producing some organic compost, planting some organic vegetable seeds, and hopefully harvesting some organic tomatoes, potatoes, corn, green beans, beets, and lettuce. Not a lot -- I only have my wife and me to worry about. We will still be eating a lot of items from the local grocery store and we will still be eating out from time to time - restaurants are not going organic yet for the most part.

Eating organically is a lot like exercise - you don't have to go whole hog to benefit from it. A half mile walk is not as good as a five mile run, but it still beats being a couch potato. Having organically grown salads and veggies does not have the health benefits of a total organic diet from asparagus to zucchini, but it sure beats soft drinks and Hostess Twinkies!
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So, I am a more or less organic gardener this year. Each year I plan to make it shift closer to the "more" side, but I will not feel that I'm a hypocrite because I can't be totally submerged in it right away. I'm still among the working class and even if I wasn't, I like eating out now and then and I am NOT going to bring my own produce into the restaurant and ask them to cook it up for me.

I will grow six organic vegetables this year - maybe next year it will be twelve. I will be eating healthy most of the time and if one morning I decide to have a stack of waffles made with Bisquick, slathered with Land O' Lakes butter and soaked in Mrs. Butterworth syrup, my well-balanced conscience will not trouble me a bit.

Yes, a full glass is better than a half, but a half is better than none. Is organic gardening for you? If you can't dive in right away, join me in dipping a toe in to test the water, then wading slowly and carefully toward the deep end!
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Ken Lundeen is a More or Less Organic Gardener and enjoying it! Learn more about organic gardening by checking out organic gardening videos at http://www.mypureandsimplegarden.com

http://www.mypureandsimplegarden.com

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Efficient Garden Tool Storage Can Extend The Life Of Your Garden Tools

Efficient Garden Tool Storage Can Extend The Life Of Your Garden Tools
By David Bailey

If you want to keep your garden in good shape then garden tools are a necessity. So if you are to maintain your garden then efficient garden tool storage is a must. This will allow the correct care of the tools and will help to extend their life span. As you will agree garden tools can be expensive and anything to extend their life is welcome.
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Efficient Garden Tool Storage Ideas.

The use of efficient garden tool storage is really up to the choice of the individual, however, there are some constants that should be adhered to before using the storage. These are such things as the cleaning of the garden tools and also the lubricating and oiling of the tools prior to storage. This will protect the tools whilst in storage.

Some people consider there toolbox a tool storage unit whilst others see this as their garden shed. However, it all depends on the type of tools that you are wanting to store and also how many you have. Even a cardboard box would be sufficient for some gardeners.
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Although the majority of the tools today are carbon coated or made from stainless steel, it is imperative that you keep the storage free from moisture and dirt. For instance wooden handles on tools will rot very easily if left in damp conditions or left with wet dirt or moss around the garden implement. Just a simple wipe clean will easily resolve this issue and also save money as the tool will last therefore no need for a costly replacement.

It is far easier to store the tools dry when using a garden shed as opposed to a tools box. The shed will have a reasonable amount of air flow whereas the tool box could be sealed and the tools will more than likely be stored touching each other.

Keeping your garden tools in good shape and also your efficient garden tool storage unit clean is a good way of indirectly taking care of your garden. The proper care of your tools will also help you save money from frequently buying new tools.

Looking after your garden tools is the sign of a good gardener. These are your instruments you use to care for your garden and are paramount to your gardening success. Also keeping an efficient garden tool storage can save money as the tolls will not require to be replaced as often.
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If you are a avid gardener like me then visit http://www.uniquegardentools.com/ for information on Efficient Garden Tool Storage and all your other gardening requirements.

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Choosing A Tree For A Small Garden

Choosing A Tree For A Small Garden
By John Ingham

Many of us have small gardens and naturally we want to make the most of them. A tree can set the atmosphere of a garden faster than almost anything else and so choosing the right one can be important. If you choose the wrong one you can spend several years being disappointed and more years waiting for a replacement tree to establish itself.
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The trees you like best will be entirely a matter of taste and personal association but there are other questions which determine whether they will thrive and look right in the situation which you provide. These are questions of soil conditions, exposure, hardiness, shade, closeness to buildings and boundaries, site lines and final height. With all these factors to consider a good starting point is to see what thrives locally in other gardens and parks. If they do well in your neighbourhood they are more likely to thrive in your garden. You may find it difficult to put a name to a tree which you like. Some public parks and arboretums have labelled their trees making the task much easier for you. It is also my experience that people who enjoy their own gardens will happily share advice, so don't be afraid to ask what the tree in their garden is called and how happy they are with it. In addition there are some excellent books and below I list three which have been useful to me over many years.

The conditions in your garden.

Firstly the soil. Some trees will not thrive in acid soil, some not in thin chalky soils, some will hate wet soils and some soils which are very dry. There are many however which are tolerant of a wide range of conditions and I list a few below. You can test your soil using a test kit from a garden centre or send off a sample to an expert organisaion such as the Royal Horticultural Society. I have never bothered because I can see what does well in my neighbourhood and I know that the soil in my small garden has been cultivated for a hundred years and is a couple of feet of topsoil over clay and limestone. Digging a test hole however will give you an idea of the depth of topsoil (topsoil is the darker soil full of decayed vegetable matter which is at the surface of all natural soils), the amount of clay or rock and the dampness. You shouldn't despair if you only have a couple of feet of soil before you get down to clay or rock. Many trees thrive in this amount and the majority of roots of even large trees tend to be in this top layer.
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Hardiness. Within the United Kingdom there is only a limited range of weather conditions but exposure to winds or salt from the sea can greatly effect a tree's chances of survival. Across a continent the size of North America or Europe there is a much greater range of conditions and you may need trees to thrive in the extremes. The books below would give you a good idea of trees for difficult conditions.The Hilliers Manual in particular gives excellent lists of trees and shrubs for many situations and to provide many different effects. Trees for a Small Garden (see below) gives maps of hardiness zones so that you can judge whether a tree is likely to survive.

There are several groups of trees which contain species and varieties suitable for a wide range of conditions and which are unlikely to finish more than 15-30ft high. The most useful are probably Malus (apples including crabs), Prunus (cherries and a large number of related trees), Sorbus (rowans, whitebeams etc), Crataegus (thorns) and Betula (birches). I would add Acers (maples) and Salix (willows) for more particular situations. There are few evergreens amongst these groups and so Ilex (hollies) and smaller conifers may also need consideration.Within these groups is a large selection of many of the most valuable small trees. However, since the selection is so big, you will need to be pointed in the right direction to make your choice. If you don't have the name of a particular tree you will need to either visit an arboretum or other public garden, where trees are labelled for you to judge them, or you will need to look the trees up in books or on the web. There are two outstanding books useful for judging trees (and indeed other plants as well). These are - The Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers published by the Royal Horticultural Society. This contains brief details of most of the most useful trees and garden plants and photos of a huge number of them. It costs around £30 but could save you from making all sorts of mistakes in choosing the wrong plants. It makes a wonderful present.

The Hillier Manual of Trees and Shrubs which covers most of the plants in these categories commonly grown in gardens. The pocket edition costs around £15.

In addition I use Trees for The Small Garden by Simon Toomer, published by Timber Press. It is around £20 or $30
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The Author, John Ingham, works for Impact Plants providing large trees, hedges and living green screens throughout the UK. He also provides free advice.

Impact Plants can be viewed at http://www.impactplants.co.uk

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Planning an Herb Garden( Home and Garden )

Planning an Herb Garden ( Home and Garden )
By Larry Gildea

Herb gardens can be planted for a variety of reasons. Some people plan their gardens for growing medicinal products, skincare products, cooking accents, and so forth. Herb gardens may be both practical and enjoyable from an aesthetic point of view. No matter what reason you have for planting your herb garden, there are a few basics that you should know about herbs and their functions.
( Home and Garden )
Herb gardens should be planted according to personal taste needs and space considerations. One of the most enjoyable parts of planning any type of herb garden is choosing the type of plants you want to grow. Whether you want to grow your herb garden from seeds, or cuttings or propagation, the possibilities are endless, as are the containers and locations where you can grow your herb garden.

There are several basic kinds of herbs; herbaceous, evergreen, and annual. Descriptions of each are offered for you to familiarize yourself with them.

Herbaceous Herbs

Many herbs are herbaceous, which means that they die back and go "underground" in winter. Some of the more common herbaceous herbs are Oregano, Chives, Sweet Fennel, Winter Savory, Tarragon, Bee Balm and Mint. These kinds of herbs don't require a lot of time with pruning, for simply loping off the plant at ground level will do the trick. This is usually done when the plant is harvested or when you cut back to get rid of the flowers. At the very least, you will do this at the end of the growing season. Herbaceous herbs can even be mowed over several times a year if you choose in order to help keep them free from old and dead branches.

Mint is an herbaceous herb as well, but one that should always be planted away from other garden plants, as it is a very invasive plant that will act much like kudzu, so keep it sequestered into its own area.
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Evergreen Herbs

Evergreen herbs are comprised of such varieties as Rosemary, Thyme and Sage. This type of herb will require pruning at least once a year, but in most cases, people grow these for use in the kitchen. However, if you have planted for other than culinary reasons, these herbs need to be pruned in fall or early spring. We'll talk more about pruning needs later, but this is just to let you know that pruning herb plants is not nearly so involved or time consuming as pruning a tree or shrubs.

You only need to prune branches that are old and show no sign of new growth, those that are dead, as well as those lying on the ground or growing across other branches. This process allows additional light and energy to reach the best part of the plant. When harvesting evergreen herbs for cooking cut away only about one section of foliage at a time, and always cut the stem to a section that still has growth showing. Again, we'll talk more about techniques and specifics a little later.

Annual Herbs

Both herbaceous and evergreen are perennial herbs, which means that they will live more than two years, but only if they are properly taken care of! Some culinary herbs are annuals however, and these include Basil, Chervil, Cilantro and Dill. The life cycle of an annual requires that it produce seeds each year before it dies, so the best way to insure a continual supply of these is to plant new plants every four to six weeks during the growing season. This is called continuation gardening, and will also be discussed in a later chapter.

Keep in mind that after an annual starts to make flower, it may be extremely difficult, if not downright impossible, to encourage it to return to merely leaf production. Once an herb has flowered, it won't produce the number of leafs you will need for cooking, but that doesn't mean the plant has to go to waste. Use the flowers and stems for beauty or medicinal remedies instead

Herb gardens may be both practical and enjoyable from an aesthetic point of view. No matter what reason you have for planting your herb garden, there are a few basics that you should know about herbs and their functions. There are several basic kinds of herbs; herbaceous, evergreen, and annual.

Copyright © Larry Gildea, All Rights Reserved.

Dr. Larry Gildea has authored several articles on gardening. Dr. Gildea has created these gardening websites, http://www.gardeningbonanza.com , Gardening Bonanza.com covers many types of gardening, including, bonsai design and cultivation, container gardening, flower gardening, rose gardening, hydroponics gardening and several others.
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http://www.organicgardensystems.com

OrganicGardenSystems.com is dedicated exclusively to organic gardening. And in his blog, http://larryseasygardening.com

Dr. Gildea discusses all types of gardening.

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