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Kitset Garden Sheds – DIY Garden Shed Assembly Made Easy

There is no doubt that kitset garden sheds are popular choices among homeowners primarily for their affordable prices. Furthermore, you can select from a wide range of sizes, designs and materials. Before purchasing a set ready for assembly, however, you should get an idea of what you are getting into. Being prepared will help you complete the DIY project easily in no time.

The kitset garden sheds should come ready for assembly. The package you receive from the supplier must include all building materials which have to be ready for use. The plan of the structure should also be in the package. Most manufacturers provide complete assembly guides and manuals with instructions, diagrams and pictures. Check whether these come with the package or can be found directly online.

Typically, building consent from the local authorities is not required for kitset garden sheds. Still, it is a good idea to check this in advance to be on the safe side. This is particularly applicable if your structure will be fairly large.

Go over all the information on the construction of kitset garden sheds provided by the manufacturer before you start work. Ensure that you know how to do everything. Assemble the necessary tools which you will need for the job. Typically, these are very basic.

It is typically recommended for kitset garden sheds to be built on foundations and not directly on the ground. That way, the structure will be much more stable. Besides, all the items kept inside will be perfectly well protected. A foundation can be easily built with the use of concrete or paving slabs. Wood can be used as a soft flooring material to be placed over the foundation.

The maker of the shed which you have got should provide instructions on how to attach it to the foundation. Keep in mind that the techniques foe wood, metal and plastic structures vary. For instance, wood sheds are not to be placed directly on foundations. They are typically places on pressure-treated bearers that support their full weight.

Assembling kitset garden sheds is not a difficult task as you simply need to put all the elements together. There should be no need for cutting, grinding and treating the materials. Indeed, you should expect any timber materials to be treated appropriately so that they do not rot or get infested by insects.

Some kitset garden sheds are used as workshops which require electricity. It is always best to hire a professional electrician to supply power to the structure in your yard.…

Fast and Easy Tips For Growing Bamboo

If you want to take on the task of growing bamboo, it is important that you learn a few simple rules first. While a bamboo garden can be a beautiful thing when done correctly, it can conversely turn into a nightmare if it is done improperly. Also, bamboo is such a strong and sturdy plant, that it is very difficult to get rid of once it has been planted. So tread carefully.

With that said here are a few tips to follow before starting your bamboo garden.

The first consideration you must take into account is where you live. Do you live out in the country and have ample room, or in the city with a small yard? You must always carefully consider the nature of bamboo. Do you want a clumper or a running variety? If you have a small yard then I would highly suggest avoiding runners, as they can grow a great deal, including underground and possibly into your neighbors yard.

Running bamboo is great for creating a private barrier, much like a fence. You must have a good strategy for containing the plants however. You will need to create a barrier around the plants both underground and above ground using such materials as plastic and concrete. These species of bamboo can take a lot of maintenance and extra work, so be prepared.

The clumper species of bamboo is much easier to contain and a much better choice for those with smaller yards. However, it is still a good idea to install a barrier as well or risk a very unhappy neighbor knocking on your door early one morning!

The best thing about both species of bamboo is that they can be planted all year round. However I would suggest that if at all possible, you plant the bamboo during warmer weather. This gives the bamboo the best chance to grow and survive.

Creating a bamboo garden does take some careful planning, but with a little education and practice it isn’t that difficult to grow bamboo. Not only will you be creating a stunning and beautiful garden using bamboo, but you will be growing one of nature’s great miracle plants and helping the environment!…

Get Your Garden Ready For Summer

Now that we have all experienced a glint of summer and the enjoyment of spending time in the great outdoors I am sure you are all starting to think about getting your garden prepared for all those yummy BBQs. A pristine green lawn does not just happen and unfortunately for many of us we cannot afford to hire someone to give us a hand therefore it’s up to our own fair hands to do get the job done. Your garden should be a space that is enjoyed by you, your family, and friends and reflect your style or taste.

Some simple weeding and mowing the lawn can help turn an overgrown mess into a nice, clean cut space. You should always take into account the amount of space you have to work with, you do not want to put too much furniture in a garden as you will have very little room to enjoy it. People with children may also want to consider what they put into the garden as items which are breakable may not only be dangerous but be rather pricey when you have to constantly replace them. You must also decide how much time you have to dedicate to the up keep of your garden; the more you have the more you will have to prune and maintain the garden.

Many people are now choosing to pave large parts of the garden in order to avoid having to trim too much grass and to allow them to pop a lovely table and chairs down away from the children. For all you sun worshippers you may want to take in account what areas of your garden attract the most sun as this will help you place your furniture.

There are lots of great garden ideas therefore it is just a case of choosing which one suits you. For people who do not have a lot of time you may just want to keep a neat garden with little plantation or if you are a keen gardener then you may want a more extravagant design with bright, bold plants or even trees where appropriate.

Many people however simply want a nice garden that is child friendly, I would then suggest keeping a simple design such as plastic furniture as it is easy to wipe clean and is cheaper so for all those wee accidents that occur with your tiny tots it will not annoy you quite as much. Protect your furniture with a cover and make sure you research how to maintain it as it will not last long if you do not take the right measures.

You can great some great deals on BBQs this year so why not treat yourself; cook some yummy burgers and sit back to enjoy the sun with your family. A BBQ works well for a many occasions so long as you have a nice garden to enjoy it in. When summer is set to be a scorcher make sure that you make the most of it as for many of us that are not lucky enough to go on holiday its the perfect place to get a tan.…

Realize the Beauty of Decorative Outdoor Lighting

Some may think of a few well-placed lights around their home in regards to exterior lighting. But others have a drastically different vision in mind. Through the use of unique lighting, specialists can transform your home’s exterior into something absolutely brilliant. Professionals leverage spot lighting, landscaping lights, garden lighting, and more to completely augment your home’s exterior.

The first realization should focus on the two-folded nature of exterior lights. Yes, outdoor lights serve a practical function – they provide means for night vision as well as serve as tools to deter burglars; yet, if you can find a passionate service provider, exterior lighting can truly become art. Using the right combination of available resources, a professional can make the exterior of your home into a masterpiece.

Those who invested a lot of time and resources towards their landscaping may be most pleased with the work of decorative outdoor lighting. Professionals urge that the correct equipment can accentuate the natural beauty of trees, plants, flowers, and brush. The augmentation can be achieved from the front of a home’s exterior as well as the backyard. In addition, professionals install pool cage lighting in pools to supplement the visual allure of water.

As previously stated, lighting serves practical functions, yet their practicality can be enhanced with the proper implementations. A well-lit home is safer and leaves your family enjoying a greater sense of security. Think about illuminating steps and walkways to avert after-dark accidents. In addition, motion detector lights conveniently light when people are present as well as alert those inside of approaching visitors. Lastly, fixtures that light at dusk and go out at dawn offer another layer of protection from potential intruders.

Professionals will urge you to think about key, architectural elements you would especially like focused upon with exterior lights. Illuminate textured fences, water in the pool, obscure foliage, etc. In addition, low-voltage lighting can transform handrails, benches, and other outdoor seating areas.…

Have You Consider a Potted Herb Garden?

There are many reason to grow your herbs in pots. One really good reason is because you do not have a yard in which to grow any kind of garden. Maybe you only have a patio or a balcony or perhaps you live in an apartment without any outside patio or balcony. That should not be a deterrent, because you can grow herbs in pots.

Consider this… if you grow your herbs in pots you can place them anywhere. You can move them around. If they need lots of sunshine you can place them in an area where they will get all of the sunlight they need. If they do not require as much light you can move them to an area where the sun will not shine on them all day long. If you are unable to place them in sunlight you can use artificial lighting.

They will, of course, need to be watered so if you locate them where they will be easily accessed this will be no problem. You can also move them to where the water is so they can be watered easily.

Once your plants are matured you will be able to have them close by so you can trim them for use in the kitchen either to make tea or season you favorite dishes.

If you do place them outside on the patio or balcony you will even be able to bring them inside during the colder time of the year and enjoy you fresh herbs during the off seasons.

If you grow them inside their beauty will add to the ambiance of the room in which you place them.

So you can see there are many good reasons to grow your herbs in pots. You should not deprive yourself from the joys of growing fresh herbs for any reason. Herb gardening is a relaxing and rewarding hobby which is very good for you health.…

An English Country Garden

Just say ‘ An English Country Garden.’ To most people, the words conjure thoughts of a colorful, scented, peaceful place, but in days of old nothing could have been further from the truth. In fact the English Country Garden was born, half from necessity and the other half by accident.

In feudal England a peasants life was harsh, they were almost slaves and the greater part of what they could grow went to their feudal lord and 10% of all they grew went as a ‘tithe’, for the upkeep of the church and the priesthood. The rest, such as it was, they could keep for themselves.

In 1348 – 1350 The Black Death ravaged England and the surviving peasants demanded higher wages, fewer working hours and even their freedom. As there was a serious shortage of workers the lords of the manor often gave in. Thirty years later a ‘poll’ or head tax was levied resulting in the Peasants Revolt. A slightly better lifestyle followed, and the lords of the manor often gave their serfs a two roomed ‘tied’ cottage with a patch of ground around it.

This small piece of land had to keep the family in as much food as possible, they would have a chicken coop for eggs and the occasional chicken, a goat for milk, and perhaps a pig to slaughter and salt as well as the ‘cess pit’ for waste.

The lady or ‘good wife’ as she was called would plant herbs for medicinal purposes such as chesty coughs, headaches, children’s complaints and of course to cook with. What was left of the ‘garden’ was taken up with vegetables such as onions, peas, beans, as well as greens and small fruit trees. There was no room for flowers. But hollyhocks, delphiniums, red-hot pokers, lupins, love- in- a- mist and many other self seeders all found a place for themselves, no planning or designing, just Mother Nature at her best.

Later, when the peasant farmers realized that adding flowers and herbs to their vegetable plot would help to attract bees to pollinate their crops, the traditional English Country Garden evolved with its deep borders and vibrant mix of scented flowers and herbs, meandering pathways and a rustic bench tucked away in a quiet corner. A bird bath to encourage songbirds, a sundial, even a small water feature would add to the gardens peaceful ambiance, but please, no ruined temples, or Chinese Pagodas, think dry stone walls, chaotic, colorful flowers and thatched roofs for the authentic English country look.

Some plants for the Perfect English Country Garden.

Old fashioned roses, Cornflowers, Hydrangeas, Forget-me-nots, Red Hot Pokers

Hollyhocks, Syringa, Tulips, Pansies, Geraniums

Lupins, Iris, Poppies, Lilacs, Lavender

Climbers

Wisteria, Honeysuckle, Sweet Peas, Clematis, Ivy, Hops

Herbs

Chives, Feverfew, Chamomile, Basil, Artemisia

Lemon Balm, Yarrow, Thyme, Rosemary,Lemon Grass

Dill, Mint, Sage, Garlic, Tarragon…

Herbs and Their Uses – How to Go About Harvesting Herbs From Your Garden

After caring for your herbs from the infancy to adult stages it is now time put these aromatic plants to good use. Most herbs have more than one uses but before they are ready for usage it is imperative that you know the rules for harvesting first. Harvesting herbs from your garden requires a little preparatory effort before they can be used in the home. Time is crucial in harvesting the plant; to ensure that the herb’s intense flavor remains intact.

Fresh herbs are defenseless to the heat and wind during the day, and their essential oils are easily detached by these elements.

On extremely damp days however, very little oils are formed so the most suitable time to crop would be in the morning when the winds are not strong and there is usually no rain. After picking the herbs inspect it carefully and eliminate all damaged leaves. The perfect time to bring in the herb would be after the dew has dried on the leaves. When harvesting it is important that you cut off the right amount of flora, for the plant to grow back well only about one third of the plant should be removed so that there is enough foliage left.

Almost everyone wants to use the herb fresh out of their garden but the next step will be to make sure that the herbs are cleaned properly. To clean get a bowl filled with cold water, place about a tablespoon or two of salt into the water in swirl herbs gently in the water. Salt because of its acidity will kill any hidden bugs. This method works for thinner leaved herbs like thyme and rosemary. The stronger stem plants can be placed directly into the sink. This process should be done repeatedly about two to three times. Remove the herbs from the water place in a towel and pat dry. Store as desired.…