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Great Backyard Landscaping Ideas
While the landscaping of the front yard gets a lot more attention, it is important for homeowners not to overlook the importance of the yard at the rear of the home. For most families, the backyard is a prime source of entertainment, and a popular venue for barbecues, summer picnics, holiday gatherings and family get togethers. The back of the home is just as important as the front, and it is important to provide the landscaping needed to make this oasis all that it can be. When it comes to creating this wonderful backyard paradise, it is important to consider...
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Stocking Your Water Garden with Plants
This article will provide a brief how-to for planting aquatic plants once you've decided which plants to add to your water garden. Many people find it easier to add plants to the water garden using special pots and soil for this purpose. You will also want to add about 6 inches of soil to the bottom of your pond for the roots of other plants to embed themselves in. If you are using a pre-molded liner for your pond and it contains a shelf along the top edge, you may opt for the basket method. This shelf will give you...
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How to Build a Backyard Wood Sand Pit for Your Kids
Kids love playing in a sand pit. It is great fun and can feel like a day at the beach if the weather is sunny and warm. Unfortunately, a sand pit can get messy if the sand gets chucked out and scattered. Building a sand pit designed to keep the sand inside the barriers is a good way to protect the pit and prevent you from keep having to top up the sand. Making a sand pit is not at all difficult, but you will require some wood working skills. Step 1 – Planning Plan out where you are going...
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5 Things to Know About Pond Lighting
Pond lighting is a great addition to any backyard retreat. You can install pond lighting to illuminate the spot to make it more romantic or perhaps you enjoy watching the fish and other wildlife partake in the pond. Regardless of the reasons you may have for installing pond lighting, there are some things you should be aware of. The article below will share with you several things about choosing the right pond lighting and how to use it. 1. Ease of Installation When installing pond lighting, the common misconception is that it is easy. The salesman at the local...
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Building a Rustic Cedar Bistro Patio Set
Building a rustic bistro patio set is a great way to design them the way you want, without having to spend a ton of money. It is a very easy task if you know how to weld, form metal, and paint. It is basically a process of heating and bending metal where needed, and then welding the pieces together to form the patio bistro set. After it has been completed, the set then has to be coated with a primer and then painted to make it weatherproof. Step 1 - Cut and Mold the Legs Begin the process of building...
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4 Patio Table Sets that can Withstand Harsh Weather
Patio table sets should be sturdy. Moisture from rain, snow, harsh winds, and the sun’s ultraviolet rays can quickly damage elegant table sets made of thin plastic. Here are the most common types of patio table sets that can withstand harsh weather. They come in many different designs and will match any house’s theme. 1. Aluminum Aluminum patio sets are the most common types of patio furniture because of their stylish designs and their durability. They can withstand snow or rain. They are easy to dust, do not rust and they do not lose their form in extreme temperatures....
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Grass Care in the Summer: 7 Things to Remember
Summer temperatures can play havoc with your lawn grass, so some basic grass care tips can help you keep it lush and fresh throughout all seasons. 1 - Know your Grass Knowing what type of grass you have is the foundation to knowing how to treat it. Grass is either of the cool or warm category and type is determined by the season in which it attains its optimal growth. Whilst different types demand some different treatment options these tips are common to both. 2 - Cool Season Grass Cool season grass which reaches its optimal growth in spring...
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Best Types of Materials for Outdoor Stair Railings
Outdoor stair railings and indoor stair railings generally have the same purpose in that they both assist in providing safer conditions for individuals using the stairs. The major difference is that outdoor railings are subject to weather conditions that normally require the use of different materials than those required for indoor railings. However, there are other considerations you should consider when choosing your outdoor stair railings. Some of these considerations may include the following: stair design, matching color with your home's external walls and trim, materials that will be resistant to weather and climate conditions. There are a variety...
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Installing Garden Pond Pumps
Installation of a garden pond pump can transform your backyard into a peaceful oasis. The sound of running water has been used to relax and soothe for centuries, all over the world, and you can use it too. Most any home improvement center will have multiple sizes of pond pumps, for all different needs. These pumps can range from very inexpensive and simple, to quite costly and elaborate. Choose the one that you feel most comfortable with, because all have relatively easy installation. The pump should be powerful enough to circulate all the pond water once an hour. Step 1...
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3 Patio Table Sets for Homes by the Beach
Nothing makes a home by the beach more welcoming than having beautiful patio table sets. It is already a plus to have a home by the beach, but to be able to invite and entertain guests out on a patio by the beach is an added bonus. Patio table sets work out whether the seasons are hot or cold. There are quite a few different styles and types of patio table sets for any occasion for a beach home. Patio table set accessories are another added bonus. These table sets can be decorated to suit your style and become...
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Refinishing Your Patio Bar Set
An older or damaged patio bar set can be refinished, rather than replaced. Whether it is constructed from metal or wood, you can update the finish, in order to make the furniture look almost brand new. Before you make any changes, consider your color options. If you use a new color, be sure it works well with the rest of your outdoor decor. Step 1 – Safety Be careful using rust removers, paint strippers and other harsh chemicals. Put on your protective eyewear and work gloves before you begin working with these materials. Step 2 – Preparing Your Garden Set...
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Building a Brick Sand Pit
A sand pit is a wide container or depression that is filled with sand in which kids can play in. Sandpits are great places where children can exercise their creativity. A lot of homeowners build sand pits since, unlike other playground equipment, it can be easily constructed. Building a sand pit is very easy, and you do not need to possess extensive carpentry skills to build one. In fact, you can finish making a DIY sand pit in less than a day. Step 1 - Prepare the Area where the Sand Pit will be Built Determine the size of the...
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Painting your Patio Bar Set: 4 Ideas for the Best Design
A patio bar set spends its time outside, and will therefore take a serious beating from the weather over the years. From time to time, you may decide to replace your patio furniture with a new set, but you can also jazz up your old set without spending nearly as much money. Your new look patio set will still have the same comfort as your old set, but will look totally different after a facelift. Step 1 – Jungle Style Paint large leaves on the arms of the chairs and any large parts of the chairs and bar. If your...
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Building a Kids' Play Area in a Small Space
A kids' play area is a necessity for any family with small children. The play space provides an area for recreational activities and keeps the toys organized. You can make your play area even if you have only a small place in which to create your space. This creative home improvement job can be done on a low budget and will require only a small amount of effort. Tools and Materials Blackboard paint A paint brush Wallpaper border Wall decals Hooks Chart paper Pencils Erasers Chalk Crayons Markers Shelving unit Baskets Bins Labels Piano hinges Screws A drill Board...
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Updating Your Patio Bar Set
Update your existing patio bar set, and make it seem brand new. You can make simple and easy changes to your furniture, with the right tools and materials. This home project should take about a day to complete. Be sure to work in a well ventilated area. If you are working outdoors, be sure to check the forecast for a day when you will have good weather. Step 1 – Safety Paint strippers, stains and sealer products can be quite toxic. Be sure to put on your protective eyewear and work gloves before you use them. Apply harsh chemicals in...
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7 Types of Garden Pond Pumps
Garden pond pumps are the heart of all ponds. The pump provides aeration to all living creatures. Thus if you have a pond in your garden or are considering building one, you definitely must have a pump to circulate water. If not, water will become stale and foul smelling. When deciding to purchase a pump, determine the flow rate required in the pool. At least the flow should be half the volume of your water content. For example, a pond of 2000 gallons of water requires a pump that circulates 1000 gallons per hour. For a medium to large...
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Building a Wrought Iron Garden Patio Set
A garden patio set makes the outdoor space look marvelous. Garden furniture consists mainly of a table and chairs. Prices for this type of furniture are exhaustive and might discourage you from including this furniture in your garden. You might therefore be tempted to go for plastic furniture. However, plastic furniture is short-lived and unreliable. On the other hand, wrought iron furniture is everlasting. Therefore, have you ever thought of building your own set with minimal expenses and with the satisfaction of a DIY job? The following easy steps below will help you build your own set with minimal costs....
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6 Grass Care Tips for a Beautiful Lawn Year Round
While grass care and maintenance may be an exact science, it all boils down to six fundamental rules which you have to learn and follow if you want a pristine lawn all year round. 1 - Watering Different soils, grasses and locations all require different degrees of watering. Seasonal changes also affect the amount of water your lawn will need. A good indication that your grass needs to be watered is when you see signs of wilting. If you want your grass to flourish, you have to make sure to provide enough water to reach down to the roots....
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Building a Wooden Garden Patio Set
A garden patio set can be purchased from any department store but this furniture is typically an expensive purchase and it has little customization. You can create your own garden set at home with the right tools and materials. Tools and Materials Saw horses A table saw A router Router bits A drill Drill bits Screws Bolts Nuts Wood glue Screwdrivers Sockets Hammers A tape measure A square A level An electric sander Sandpaper Wood Stain Paintbrushes Wood sealer Protective eye wear Work gloves Work boots A dust mask Step 1 – Safety Put on your protective eye wear,...
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Installing an External Pond Pump for Your Duck Pond
An external pond pump is important to filtrate the water, and at times, to enhance the look of the pond by making the water flow more decoratively. Installing one for your duck pond is not a very difficult task. Here are the detail of what this task entails. Step 1: Decide on the Location First, determine where you will be placing the pump. This type of pump is not submersible. As a result, it has the benefit of operating relatively more efficiently. It also generally calls for less maintenance needs than submersible pumps. Try to place it as near to...
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