Winter months are long and dark. As soon as it hits spring we start to plan how we will spend our summers. In this article we look at a project that you can start now so that you can enjoy your hot summer nights. If you are considering doing your own decking, be sure to allow plenty of time because it can be quite tricky.

For your decking you will need:

• A Pencil
• Squared paper
• A metal tape measure
• Some wooden pegs
• Some string
• A strong Spade
• A weed proof membrane, you can use a heavy-duty rubble sack that has been opened out.
• Gravel or other small stones
• Wooded deck boards and joists
• Spindles
• Newel posts
• Handrail
• A saw
• Depending on the size, one or more tins of wood preservative
• A drill
• Some stainless steel or galvanized countersunk screws
• An electric screwdriver
• A long spirit level

Instructions:

1. Draw a plan of your decking on the squared paper. You can use this to work out how much wood, and weed membrane that you will need.
2. Using the pegs and string mark out where you will be putting the decking.
3. Once you have dug the ground over and removed all of the weeds and grasses make sure the ground is level and spread out the weed membrane. Cover the membrane with the gravel or small stones.
4. The next thing to do is create the frame. Start by putting together the joists to the size of the outside edge of the decking. Screw them together.
5. Mark the frame every 400mm for the floor joists.
6. Cut the joists to size. Put the frame and floor joists into the correct position in your garden.
7. Join them together secretly using three of the screws at each end of the joists. Use the spirit level to make sure that all the joists are level.
8. Next you need to place the deck boards on top of the frame. For the stronger decking the deck boards should be placed at a right angle to the joists. Use 2 of the 50mm countersunk screws at each end of the deck board to secure it. There should be a gap of at least 3mm between each board because the wood may swell in warm or moist conditions.
9. Most decking designs include a handrail. To create your own handrail, you will need to create even spacious grooves for the spindles in the handrail, you can either glue or nail them together. Do the same with the newel posts. Attach the spindles to the outside edge of the deck using long nails.
10. Use the wood preserve liberally to cover the whole decking and handrail. This should be repeated every few years to keep your deck in tip-top condition.

Roll on the summer evenings with a good book and glass of wine. …

Read More »

When visiting a supermarket have you never wished you had a few garden fruit trees? Have you ever noticed how purchased fruit these days is bit inconsistent in quality? Sometimes it will be fine, but mostly is tasteless, too hard or too soft. The pears are rock hard, you can push your fingers through the plums, and the peaches start growing mould before they are soft enough to eat.

Some of this has to do with forced growing and artificial fertilizers, and some on picking too early, and being left to ripen during shipping. Much of the foreign grown fruit is picked unripened, and then ripened in the ship’s hold. This leads to fruit with the taste and texture of wet cardboard. Why not grow your own? It is both cheaper and better for you, and the taste is far superior to anything grown and shipped from thousands of miles away, and fed on who knows what.

Even a small garden can be used for growing fruit trees, and there are apples, peaches, pears, cherries and plums suitable for the smallest garden. And these are just a few of what is available that be grown in shapes suitable for training along fences and walls, and up garden mesh and netting. You don’t need a massive orchard for garden fruit trees any more if you know how to train them properly, and what varieties are best for growing in your local conditions.

If your garden is susceptible to early frosts, you should purchase trees that flower later, or you will lose the flowers before they can develop into fruit. Irrespective of your conditions, you should be able to grow a selection of apples, pears, plums and so on and even apricots and peaches if you have a reasonable amount of sun. Even grapes can be grown in temperate climates.

You should buy your stock from a good supplier that knows what you need for the areas in which you live. It is always best to buy local, since if they can grow it then so can you. Many people travel to warmer climates and return with fruit trees that looked great in 35 degrees of sun, but are stunted in your chillier 25 degrees. You should choose a selection of fruits suitable for your climate, and at least two of each. There are some self-pollinating varieties of fruit around, but it is safer to have two trees – you also get more fruit! If you are purchasing more than one variety of each fruit, then make sure that their pollen is compatible. In fact if you are buying two trees for pollination, then they should be different species, but compatible with each other. Your supplier will have this information for you.

You should also check out the fruit provided by each and make sure that it is what you are looking for. You don’t want a Bramley tree if you want a desert apple, and some plums are naturally sour while …

Read More »

Lights are something that are generally considered utility items, mean for lighting up an open or enclosed space. But, this introduction is not enough for garden lights. Of course, they possess the fundamental property of lights, ie, to light, but they are not limited to only this. Garden lights are the perfect amalgamation of elegance and utility. That is to say, they serve the purpose of both lighting and decoration.

Garden lights are quite essential from the point of view of both safety and beauty. This is the reason that they have become an inherent part of the contemporary gardens. The number of styles, designs and sizes in which these lights are available are virtually countless. The primary varieties of these lights are stated below:

Garden Lanterns: Garden lanterns provide an elegant way to illuminate and embellish the garden. Commonly made of metals like iron, bronze, copper and brass, these lanterns can be hung on a tree branch or topped on a pillar. They have two variants, one lit by an electric bulb and other lit by a candle. Each is good at its place and the choice purely depends upon individual needs and preferences.

Lamp Posts: It is a kind of light that is fitted on the top of a pole or stand. They are quite aesthetic in appeal and usually installed in a particular formation. When lit together, these lights lend a magical appeal to the whole garden. The lamp posts are usually made of materials like iron, stainless steel and marble. These lights can be often seen near the boundaries or around the patios and walkways in a garden.

Antique Hurricane Lamps: These lamps are shaped like a hurricane and are also considered an ideal garden decorative item. The hurricane lamps either possess a wick or oil lamp for the purpose of lighting. They are particularly preferred due to their antique designs and styles. These lamps are most appropriate for adding an air of serenity to your garden.

You might be interested in knowing about various types of garden decorative items and accessories, visit: Garden Marketplace . …

Read More »

If you were to think about buying a present for your child then what would it be? Maybe a DVD or the latest computer game? Or maybe something smaller like a chocolate bar or some sweets? With childhood obesity on the rise, matters such as these are now more likely to have greater consideration than they once did.

There can be no doubt that many of the decisions that we make will have a big influence on the lives of our children. That does not simply mean that it could have an impact in the short term. Many habits picked up by young children will continue into their adult lives.

Does that sound worried? It probably should do – children who do not get enough exercise and who have poor eating habits face a greater chance of serious health problems in the future.

All of this can sound but daunting but parents are in a position to make changes. By doing so, we can ensure that we give our children the best possible chance.

In the introduction to this article we made mention of eating habits and also of computer games. Why did they get a mention? The reality is that many children are happy to spend endless hours playing video games or watching television.

Parents may be happy with this behavior, believing that it keeps children out of harm's way. But does it really? Could it be that such forms of entertainment will increase the chances of problems?

Computer games and watching television tend to involve very little movement. As such, they mean that kids taking part in these activities are inadvertently to be getting as much exercise as they really need. Are your children getting outdoors to play more active games?

If not, it may be worthwhile to encourage them to take part in more active forms of play. This is not as difficult as it may seem – many kids love to spend time in the fresh air.

If your own child is reticent to do so then you may be able to help. By demonstrating how much fun can be found in outdoor garden games you can encourage them to lead a healthier life. …

Read More »