The Brogue Hog

Remember When . . .

In the not too distant past, the words “outdoor rug” referred to something like a small patch of Astroturf that one placed out on the patio. Those old outdoor rugs were basically utilitarian, and they sure didn’t add anything aesthetically pleasing to the landscape. But then again, few people cared much about what patios looked like at the time.

Outdoor Rooms Come into Their Own

All that is changing. Now, it is not uncommon to hear decorators, architects, and outdoor enthusiasts talk about “outdoor rooms,” showing that patios and decks are much more than just somewhere to store a grill. They have become integral parts of the home, and as such are treated like any other room in the house. Of course, along with this exalted view of outdoor rooms came the desire for higher quality and more stylish outdoor products. Enter braided outdoor rugs. An improvement over the older models, braided rugs were more pleasing to the eye, and, being made of polypropylene, they were also water, UV, mold, and rot resistant.

Indoor / Outdoor Rugs

Recently, though, there has been an even bigger leap in outdoor rug manufacturing. Now, polypropylene threads are actually woven, as would be done to make a normal indoor rug. The result is rugs that are tough enough to withstand outdoor use, but comfortable and beautiful enough for indoor use, especially in high traffic areas. And because they are available in virtually any imaginable color and pattern, they can easily be matched to any home decor.

One advantage of these indoor / outdoor rugs is how easy they are to clean. Usually they can simply be hosed off, and even if they get especially dirty, all that is needed is some mild soap. Thus, in addition to patios and decks, woven all weather rugs are also ideal for kitchens and mudrooms, where spills and messes are common.

Indoor / outdoor rugs are one more step in blurring the traditional distinctions between the inside and outside of homes. These amazing rugs can take comfort and elegance outside, as well as bring rugged durability inside.

Trey Collier is owner of BackyardCity.com, North America’s finest Outdoor Casual Living Store, designed and created to help fashion the outdoor living space, deck, porch, or patio you’ve always dreamed of having. Since 2001, BackyardCity.com has offered internet customers quality outdoor living products at very reasonable prices.

What’s a perennial garden plant that blooms in the winter? A hellebore! It is an outdoor plant that is shocking to see blooming sometimes in the snow. There are many varieties. They are perennial which means they come back year after year.These are best planted in shady areas, but where they will get sun in the winter, for instance under leafed trees or something of that nature. What is so unusual about hellebores is that they bloom somewhere between Dec. and March. There are very few plants that do that! One variety is called a Christmas Rose. These plants usually must be puchased at a nursery. Check out your local nursery for this wonderful family of plants.

Another plant you’ll surely want to try is called Sweet Annie. This is actually an annual herb, in the worm wood family. The seed is very fine and you sow it in direct sunlight in the spring after all danger of frost is gone. Sweet Annie can get up to 6 feet tall. It’s fragrance is wonderful! My favorite use for Sweet Annie is in the fall to cut it to the ground and dry it. It can be used as wonderful, fragrant filler for dried flower arrangements, and it can also be bound with fine wire to form a wreath base of its own. Simply tuck in other dried flowers here and there around it and you’ve got a beautiful dried floral wreath with a fragrance to die for!

Another unusual one is called Kiss Me Over the Garden Gate. Yes, this really is the name of a plant! It’s official name is Polygonum orientale. It’s an old-fashioned annual knotweed used for bold effect. It has large heart shaped leaves and pendulous clusters of small pink flowers. In rich, moist soil and full sun it can go to six feet tall. Best to sow the seed in fall or early spring where it is to grow.

Lastly another unusual plant to try is the Balloon Flower. These are perennial, meaning they will return year after year. The latin name for these are: platycodon grandiflorus. They are very hardy, durable plants and very beautiful. Balloon flowers are about the size of a ping pong ball and look like little “balloons”. Once they fully open up they split and you can see the center portion and the bloom then resembles a star. They usually come in shades of purple, pink and white. Very cute, the plants only get about 2 feet tall. Try one!

About The Author

By Valerie Garner-Visit Home Tips & More at http://www.angelfire.com/wa/hometips

rgarner722@hotmail.com

Using landscaping ideas can be an effective way to attract wildlife, such as birds, to your yard and neighborhood. Thoughtfully placing bird feeders or houses around your yard can make it an inviting environment for different types of bird species. There are several advantages to utilizing landscaping ideas to increase wildlife populations around your home.

First, if these birds are spending time nesting in your yard, the less of a chance they will have to be eaten, killed, or harmed in some way. While they are there, your yard serves as a safe haven. The more they come to your yard and the longer they stay, the more protection they will have against predators and hunters.

The second advantage of trying out different landscaping ideas to attract wildlife populations to your yard is that you can enjoy bird watching with your children, grandchildren, or spouse. Bird watching is a wonderful pastime and can also be educational. You and your children can enjoy watching these magnificent creatures and at the same time you can let them in on little facts about each species.

Not only that, but you and your children or grandchildren can also use what you learn to do projects together, like making homemade birdfeeders to go along with the bird houses you put together using your landscaping ideas. Now, that is family time that you can be proud of. It sure beats watching TV, where there is no interaction with one another.

Lastly, another great reason to attract birds to your yard using landscaping ideas is because you can take beautiful photographs of every species and put together a wonderful book to share with your friends. Maybe you will even get enough to enter a few wildlife photography contests!

When looking for landscaping ideas, it is always best to visit a site you can trust to help you out. My personal recommendation is www.thelandscapingpro.com, it will help you with all of your needs. Remember, a beautiful and inviting yard will draw more wildlife to your neighborhood then you ever could have imagined.

About The Author

David Dunlap is the founder and owner of The Landscaping Pro, an online resource for any sized landscape project. For more information, visit http://thelandscapingpro.com or email at david@thelandscapingpro.com

Your outdoor plants have worked hard for you all summer, making your yard a place you’re proud to call home. Properly winterizing your lawn and garden is an important step toward healthy soil, lush grass, and happy plants next year. Remember to take care of your outdoor accessories, including your lawn equipment, gardening tools, and all of your lawn and garden decor. A little time spent this autumn will make your gardening and landscaping efforts easier and more enjoyable next spring!

Let’s start with the easy jobs - First remember to store all of your lawn and garden decor including fragile planters, gazing balls, and your deck furniture. Unglazed terra cotta planters left filled with soil outside will often break in the freezing temperatures so it is best to clean them and place them in a storage area where they are protected from the elements.

Autumn is the time to find your birdfeeders and to start stocking your winter feeding pantry. Soon your many feathered friends will be flocking to your feeders for that nutritious morsel. Remember to keep your feeders full through the winter as the birds need reliable food sources through the winter months.

Now that you’ve done the easy tasks, let’s move on to the more mundane winterizing chores. Start by simply cleaning up the vegetable garden. After the first hard frost, remove the year’s annual plants and the dead vegetation. You can add this material to your compost pile, but make sure you’re not adding material from diseased or pest-infested plants. You’ll want to pull perennial weeds before you mulch your garden down for the winter.

The best part of fall landscape chores is planting the spring-blooming bulbs. Crocus, tulips, and daffodils are a beautiful addition to the early spring landscape.

In the yard there’s the major job of raking leaves. These are great either in the compost pile or as direct mulch on the garden. Perennial flowers may be smothered by a heavy layer of mulch, however. Also, wait to prune your trees until later in the winter.

After the ground freezes you can mulch your perennial flowers and newly planted trees. Certain shrubs will need to be wrapped in burlap to protect them from wind damage, sun scald, and other winter injury.

Moving on to the mechanical tasks of winterizing your lawn and garden - While you might try to procrastinate on these jobs until spring, you’ll be well rewarded for the maintenance you perform this fall. Drain the gas from your lawnmower and string trimmer. Actually it’s best to let your mowers and trimmers simply run out of fuel. If you don’t want to ‘waste’ that little bit of fuel, add a gas conditioner before the long winter. Be sure to follow directions. Also, take the same care with your gardening equipment such as your rotary tiller.

Clean all of your landscaping equipment before you store it away for the long, cold winter. Wash with soap and water, clean the air filter, and change the oil. You’ll find that first lawn mowing job in the spring a little bit easier if you take time to sharpen the blades now. You can protect that freshly sharpened blade by applying a little spray oil to the blades. You can also apply light spray oil to other moving parts such as cables and the throttle controls.

Lastly, drain all of the water from the garden hoses and turn off the taps. Be sure to store your insecticides, herbicides, and fertilizers in a safe storage area that will not freeze. Make sure these materials are kept away from children and pets!

© Copyright www.bestlawnandgarden.com, All Rights Reserved.

John Biondi is a frequent contributor to Best Lawn and Garden. For more Articles and tips on Lawn and Garden care, Gardening and Garden Decor visit http://www.bestlawnandgarden.com