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Of course, most importantly, you will always want to be sure that your patio décor is weather resistant, even though it is recommended that you bring your patio décor to shelter when bad weather occurs, you may want to consider that bad weather may strike at a time when you are not at home and will not be able to get home for awhile. All good patio décor is made to withstand harsh weather.

Benches:

There are many kinds of benches, so if you are looking for an elegant or luxurious look you can easily find benches that will give your patio some class. However, there are also plainer, more comfortable benches available that are not without great style.

Some patio benches are beautiful and perfect for seating guests comfortably. Such benches make great patio décor, especially when used with a table for grilling out and eating on the porch etc.

Chairs:

Just like with your indoor décor, patio décor includes reclining chairs or chairs sold with separate footrests for the ultimate relaxation. There are also folding chairs that can work well as patio décor. These chairs look nice, they are convenient and they are easily put away and stored when not in use.

If you have a table and a bench, folding chairs or any other kind of extra chairs may serve to assist you when there are more guests than seats on your patio benches, pull your chairs, the extra patio décor, up to the table so that everyone has a place to sit down.

Tables:

Tables are wonderful patio décor especially if you have the space to eat outdoors on your patio.

Coffee tables:

The best part about coffee tables on the patio is the comfort and familiarity of it. You almost imitate the living room while enjoying the outdoors.

You will also want to consider larger tables. As I mentioned before, tables can serve a great purpose, especially if you use your patio for cookouts and get-togethers.

And lastly, in regard to the tables for patio décor, you may also want to check out the taller tables available, those which are smaller, and which one could use for reading, coffee etc. But most often when just one or two people are using the patio.

Lamps and lighting:

Lighting is a very important part of patio décor. Especially when nightfall comes up on you quicklyand you want to stay outside!

It can be quite luxurious to have tall lamps around your patio area as part of your patio décor. These look like street lamps only they can be found with more unique attributes such as colors or designs along the poles that will show off your personal taste.

Another way of lighting your patio is to get some nice, bright burning candles. Just make sure that they give off enough light. Candles can actually be very elegant patio décor if you buy more elegant types of candles. But there are some candles that also serve practical functions such as citronella candles to help keep the bugs away.

And, of course, there is lighting patio décor (if you want to call it that) such as a bug zapperwhich can also be very entertaining!

There are so many types and styles of patio décor you can use to accentuate your patio, make it more comfortable, and be of use to yourself, your family, and other visitors. Enjoy the outdoors this season with great patio décor.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on outdoor furniture please visit Patios and Gardens.

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It is important to understand that a lawn that is easy to care for and gives you the health and beauty you desire is dependant on several steps including those that occur before you make your first application of fertilizer.

St. Augustinegrass, the type of grass in most Florida homes, comes in many subtypes called varieties and have different characteristics that make them more or less suited for various conditions like shade tolerance and others. The term lawn or turfgrass as found below will be used interchangeably to refer to St. Augustinegrass.

1. Turfgrass Establishment:
Successful turfgrass establishment is important because without it lawns perform poorly and become infested with weeds that later can be difficult or impossible to selectively control.
Proper soil preparation followed by the selection of quality sod that is of the appropriate variety (cultivar) for your general shade conditions, combined with properly installed irrigation all contribute to the success of turfgrass establishment.

Neglecting any of these important steps can lead to necessary corrective action in order to maintain a healthy desired lawn.
This action can include removing sod from an area that is too shady for grass to grow and replacing it with a more shade tolerant plant material, pruning a tree to allow more sunlight, adding or moving sprinklers, or removing the existing weed infested areas and re-sodding with the appropriate variety following proper soil preparation.

2. Mowing:
St. Augustine grass should be mowed frequently enough to never remove more that one third of the grass blade and always with a sharp mower blade.Mowers should be set on the highest setting for all varieties other than semi-dwarf varieties such as Seville and Delmar, which should be mowed at about two and one half inches high. When mowing once per week, this practice can be easily followed during the slower growing cooler months but becomes more difficult during the fast growing rainy summer months.

A dull mower blade will split and tear the grass blades that will eventually die from their wounds. Split and torn grass blades can thin the grass, encourage weed growth, cause an entry point for fungus and detract from the overall appearance of the lawns color by combining dead grass blades with green healthy ones. Grass clippings should be mulched and returned to the grass to be used as an additional source of nutrients.

3. Irrigation:
Proper irrigation conserves both water and fertilizer and contributes to a healthy lawn by encouraging healthy root growth while discouraging weeds that thrive during constant wet conditions. Irrigation should be performed as needed by recognizing temporary wilt symptoms and then applying three-quarters of an inch of water. If a regular frequency is desired and you are in the St. Johns Water Management District, you must follow the irrigation requirements that allow watering only two times per week and only on specified days that correspond with your street address.You should then apply only three-quarters of an inch of water. Ask your Dr. Jack’s horticulturist for a free irrigation gauge to help you determine how long you need to water each area (irrigation zone) and set your timer (controller) up accordingly.

4. Fertilizing:
Fertilizer is a lot like vitamins. There are many different opinions on what fertilizer is the best and what the frequency and rate should be.

Turfgrass experts will all agree that St. Augustinegrass must receive additional fertilizer other than grass clippings in order to be healthy and have a good green appearance. Most turfgrass experts will also tell you that St. Augustinegrass in Central Florida requires 4 to 6 pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet per year.
Most will also agree that nitrogen should be applied at 1 pound per 1000 square feet, and that formulations should contain some slow-release fertilizer. We recommend that as much as 50% of the nitrogen applied should be a slow-release form.

Do not be fooled by the term organic!
Organic can be an expensive slow release synthetic or natural long feeding product, or it can be a cheap quick release synthetic or natural slow feeding product. The important key word again is slow-release.

Since our soils in Central Florida usually contain adequate amounts of Phosphorus, and because Phosphorus is detrimental to the health of our lakes, it should be applied in smaller amounts than Nitrogen and Potassium or eliminated from the fertilizer completely. Potassium is important for root growth and should be included at rates close to those of Nitrogen.
Micronutrients such as Iron and Manganese help with turf color but can cause staining if applied to paved surfaces.

Generally, you get what you pay for when it comes to fertilizer.
The cheaper the fertilizer the more you will need to buy and the shorter time it will last. This will ultimately cost you more than if you buy a more expensive fertilizer that requires you to use less but feeds your turf far longer.

Good quality broadcast spreader types are the easiest to use and achieve the best results. Avoid getting any fertilizer on paved surfaces and if you do, blow or sweep the pellets back into the lawn area to avoid potentially staining paved surfaces.
It is also important to apply fertilizer in a manner that can be utilized by the grass and not wasted or cause pollution to our lakes. Many of our paved surfaces drain into lakes and can carry misapplied fertilizers into our waterways during rainfall.
All fertilizers are harmful to our lakes so you should always follow Florida’s Best Management Practices (BMP) when making fertilizer applications. You can learn more about fertilizing and other Best Management Practices by visiting:
http://tinyurl.com/eypua
In conclusion, you need to determine several things before you apply fertilizer. Have you purchased the desired blend? Are you going to apply the right rate evenly so that you achieve an even, rich color that you desire while avoiding damage to the lawn from applying too much fertilizer? And most importantly, are you avoiding any detrimental environmental impact?

5. Pest Control:
A certain level of expertise is required to properly identify the different pests that can harm our St. Augustinegrass turf before you decide to use a pesticide.
You can view pests that damage St. Augustinegrass by visiting: http://www.pestweb.com
Proper identification of insects, diseases and weeds will help you decide if a pesticide is required and if so which one should be used.

You need to read and understand the label before making any application of pesticides. There are several things you can do to reduce the need for pesticides on your site. These include proper watering, mowing, fertilizing, reducing traffic where possible, and avoiding any other stress to the grass.
If you are unsure about what you are attempting to control, you should consult or hire a professional.

Any pesticides that are unused in an application should be stored safely away from children, always kept in their original container with the label attached, and never disposed improperly by pouring them into a sink drain or body of water.

6.Change Your View and Perspective:
If you think your lawn doesn’t look as good as you think it should, or it is not as green as your neighbors across the street, try walking across the street to view your lawn.

There is no such thing as the perfect lawn and sometimes we see things up close that aren’t apparent from further away. You will probably find several things wrong with your neighbor’s lawn up close that were not apparent from your home across the street.
Having a residential St. Augustinegrass lawn that looks like a closely mowed Bermudagrass hybrid that you play golf on is an unrealistic goal.
Remember, the grass is always greener on the other side of the street!

For more information, please visit www.greengrassnow.com

Dr. Jack’s, a Central Florida Plant Care & Pest Control company, was founded in 1972 by Dr. Jack Reinhardt (Plant Pathology). The family owned and operated company provides high quality lawn & ornamental lawn care, termite protection, and pest prevention by degreed horticulturists. Jim Reinhardt, Jack’s son, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida. Jim’s brother, Rick Reinhardt, president of Dr. Jack’s, obtained a degree in Horticulture. Jim has been a licensed Florida Pest Control Operator since 1985. He has served on the Orange County Agricultural Advisory Board and many tasks committees with the Bureau of Entomology an Pest Control (division of DACS).

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One of the evils naturally attending any landscape endeavor is the fact that weeds need to be taken care of. There are plenty of ways to keep the weeds out, but chances are that at some point you are going to have to do some weeding. Even the best herbicides and the best-laid plastic liners are not full proof. Inevitably it will be necessary to pull weeds by hands. But by making sure that you remove the offending plants, you will have a better-looking landscape over all, and can maintain a well-groomed yard.

The proper way to weed by hand involves getting close to the weeds. This means getting down on your hands and knees and using your hands or maybe a small handheld tool to remove the weeds. Getting close to the weeds allows you to attack each individually while causing very little, if any, harm to your more desirable plants. Additionally, while you are down there, you might as well look at your plants to ensure that they are in good health. Weeding can serve two purposes: getting rid of interlopers and allowing you to be aware of problems to your own plants before it is too late.

You should pull even the smallest of the weeds. It is easier to pull them when they are small. Their roots are less developed, and they have less chance to wreak havoc on your own plants. After all, a weed takes moisture and nutrients that are intended for you plant and then hogs them for itself. If you get the weed when it is small, then it does not have ample time to weaken your plants. It is best to the pull the entire weed out, including roots. Merely snipping them at the base leaves the main problem still in the ground. You can us a small trowel to help you get under the weed. It also helps to water your garden a few hours before hand to help the soil give a little.

Pulling weeds early in the day will help you, as it is cooler and you can start the day off with some invigorating exercise. You should weed regularly, once or twice a week. You could weed every day, but many people do not have time for that. But by setting a regular weeding schedule, you can make it part of your weekly routine and make sure that small weeds do not grow into large, ugly monsters. Dead weeds can be added to the compost heap, as they do not decompose into more weeds. They merely break down into helpful organic material.

Another thing that can help keep weeds down is mulch. Mulch keeps weeds out and it retains moisture in your garden. It is possible to use plastic mulch, and this will almost entirely keep all weeds out. However, it will not return nutrients to your soil, nor is it environmentally friendly. Organic mulch, created from the compost pile, can keep weeds down as long as it is applied thickly. Any weeds that do happen to poke through the mulch are very easy to pull. Paper can be used in mulch, as long as you let it sit in the compost pile with everything else, and it adds extra weed protection. Organic mulch is environmentally friendly, and it acts as a natural fertilizer. Effective composting practices can save you a great deal of money in your landscaping efforts.

Of course, it is possible to use weed killers and herbicides to get rid of weeds in your landscape, or to keep them out. They make use of chemicals and are often the fastest way to get rid of weeds. They are very effective: often the most effective ways to get rid of weeds. Additionally, they require very little effort to apply. It is important, however, to be careful. The chemicals are harmful and if improperly applied can damage your plants. They can also cause you trouble. Be sure that all weed killers and herbicides you use are legal and approved by the government. And read the labels to ensure that you apply them properly and that you utilize proper protection to yourself, as some of the chemicals are harmful if you breathe them in or if they come in contact with your skin.

You Don’t Have To Hire An Expensive Landscaping Professional To Enjoy The Garden Of Your Dreams! You Can Do It Yourself - To Save You Thousands Of Dollars That You Would Otherwise Spend! You may reproduce this article only if you include the hyperlink.

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How do you know which stone is the best stone? Before heading to the showroom to pick out your stone, consider these things to make sure you get the best stone for you.

Is the stone right for your project? While onyx and marbles are quite beautiful with their translucent colors, bright whites, and intense swirls and markings, think twice if you are putting in kitchen countertops. If you love to cook or have children, this isn’t the best of combinations. These stones, as well as travertine are best saved for lighter trafficked areas.

Granite and soapstone are both very durable natural stones and work wonderful for kitchen countertops. These will last many life times with heavy use in your kitchen. Think about how you will use the stone.

Once you know the type of stone you are going to use, narrow down your color preferences. How do you choose a color or narrow it down? Look at color charts and samples to get a feel for what you like. When you’re out and about, pay attention to what others have done with color. Think about what color makes you feel good.

Do you like dark stones? The darker stones tend to be harder, and shinier with less chance of staining or discoloring. They also need to be sealed less frequently, if even at all! But, they tend to show fingerprints and dust more readily. If you have a smaller kitchen, a dark stone may make your kitchen appear smaller.

If you love the look of lighter colored stones, they will expand a small room and make it seem larger. Dust and fingerprints aren’t so apparent. But, lighter stones are more apt to stain and they need to be sealed more frequently.

Look at the different patterns… solids, swirls, dots. There are so many to choose from, you’re bound to find one that’s totally you. Other than choosing the right type of stone for your project, color is important. You will look at it every day. Go with the look and color you love. Take your time.

Think about the thickness of your stone. A 3/4 inch stone is best suited for vertical wall applications and fireplace surrounds while 1 1/4 is preferable for countertops.

Have you thought about your surface finish? I prefer polished for its shine, ease of care, and maintenance but I know it’s not for everyone. If you don’t like a shiny look, a honed finish may be for you. This matted surface does take a little more maintenance and care and it’s more susceptible to stains and aluminum markings.

A flamed or brushed finish still has a shine but it is more dimpled or rough to the touch giving your stone a natural look. This finish isn’t a great choice for countertops because of the textured surface. It will be harder to clean. Ask your fabricator about the pros and cons of different finishes for your project before heading out to look at stone. Then, make the appropriate selection.

Your fabricator will tell you how much stone you need, as in how many slabs. Do you know What size slabs you want or need? This is so you are able to minimize your seams. Slabs of different stones come in many different sizes. Since stone is a natural product, there is no such thing as “one size fits all”. If your countertop is 100 inches long and the slab is only 80 inches long, you will have a seam.

With this information in hand, you’re off to the stone yard/ showroom.

About the Author

Darren fabricates and installs natural stone near Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is also co-author of http//www.natural-stone-interiors.com, a site dedicated to helping homeowners choose natural stone. For tips, hints, and ideas every month, go to http//www.natural-stone-interiors.com/the-stone-circle.html

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If you love being outdoors, you should pick lawn furniture that you love! It should be more than practical and functional. It should add to the very experience of being outside. There are so many options in lawn furniture, and you are sure to find something to fit within your budget.

Does your family host a lot of picnics? If so, there’s no doubt a picnic table in your future. Picnic tables come in a lot of varieties ranging from plastic to cast iron. This is one piece of furniture that can truly fit into any budget. If the picnic table will be used predominantly by adults, a cheaper plastic variety might suit your needs. But if kids are planned guests, think about investing in something just a little more sturdy that can hold up to a flurry of activity that usually follows kids.

If a picnic table and benches are not your style, don’t despair. Look into other tables. Choose a heavy glass and concrete pedestal table. Mix and match chairs to get the lawn furniture look you want. Or buy a set. Your lawn furniture fashion options are endless!

You can find lawn furniture at a number of stores ranging from your local discount or “big box” store to the woodworker who custom designs lawn furniture specifically to your liking. And don’t forget the Internet as a source. You have a world of lawn furniture at your fingertips and can even shop from home while wearing your pajamas!

No matter where you plan to buy your lawn furniture, there are a number of items you should check before making a purchase. First, if there happens to be a model on display, try it out. Sit in the chairs. Put pressure on the table top to see how sturdy it is. Does it tip easily? There is only one way to find out! If you buy a lawn furniture set that needs to be assembled, do an inventory of the contents of the box as soon as you open it. If you find that you are missing a part, call the store immediately and let them know you will be coming for either a replacement for the missing part or returning the set you have for a complete one. Once you get the complete set, follow the manufacturer’s directions for assembly.

Speaking of assembly, if the thought frightens you, ask the sales clerk if the store offers an assembly service. You can expect to pay extra for the service, but if saving time means something to you, the assembly service is worth considering.

Once you have constructed your lawn furniture, you are ready to start enjoying it. Maybe you already have the perfect place in mind for it. If not, just pretend your yard is a big room. Move your lawn furniture around to experiment with placement just like you would in your house. Once you find the spot, settle in. You’ll be happy with your lawn furniture purchase for a long time.

Bob Benson is the founder of Furniture online. You can check out our website at http://www.my-wood-furniture.info

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Changing the Type of Foundation on your home:

Almost any house plan can have its foundation changed. It’s common for people to design a different foundation if the available foundations do not suit their needs. If you are currently working with a builder you may want to ask them if they will take care of making the foundation changes for you. Sometimes with foundation design it may be helpful for somebody who is near you to do those changes because they will have more knowledge about your local soil conditions and the slope of your lot.

When changing foundation types, pay attention to where you will put the furnace, water heater, and stairs. If you need to add basement stairs, the basement stairs can usually be put under other stairways or you may be able to replace a closet or small room with basement stairs. Another common place to put basement stairs is to replace a mechanical room with stairs and move the mechanical items (such as the furnace and water heater) to the basement. Sometimes space near the laundry room, or space near the garage can be used for a basement stairs. Larger walk-in closets are sometimes reduced in size to allow space for basement stairs. You can often add a basement stairs to a plan without increasing the size of the plan. However, sometimes space may need to be added to a plan to provide room for a basement stairs.

It should be noted that it is the owner’s full responsibility to check with his/her local and state building authorities, his/her builder, and the designer of the house plan to ensure that the home meets all applicable building codes and requirements.

About the Author: Mark Mathis is a building designer and publisher of several stock house plan websites and informational resources including http://www.HousePlanCentral.com,
http://www.HousePlanGallery.com, and http://www.moneytalks-bswalks.com. Be sure to visit each site and subscribe to our eNewsletters to receive special offers, promotions, and subscriber-only features.

Source: www.isnare.com

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