How To Make An Outdoor Concrete Fire Pit

This modern outdoor concrete fire pit is can be built over a single weekend and is great centerpiece for outdoor entertaining. This is not a difficult project but is time consuming and labor intensive. Concrete fireplaces and fire pits should be constructed carefully. When exposed directly to high amounts of heat the moisture trapped inside concrete can expand causing the concrete to crack and in extreme situations explode. I lined the inside of the fire pit with fire brick and filled the bottom with lava rock to ensure that the majority of the heat form the fireplace is not coming in direct contact with the concrete. Please check out my website for more detailed instructions.

How to Build a Concrete Block Wall

With this video we'll show you how to properly set the corner block and build each course for a straight, level and structurally sound wall. Sakrete makes a number of products for masonry projects. To install a block wall, Sakrete Type S Mortar Mix is a great product. Constructing a wall can be a challenging project.

How Fast Do Woodchips Decompose?

Mittleider vs. Back to Eden

This series is a review of gardening methods that I am using from both the Mittleider Gardening Method and the Back to Eden method.
How fast do woodchips decompose?
Many people have asked how fast the woodchips decompose. This video goes over different sizes of woodchips and how fast they have decomposed and why the differences.
In the video it sometimes says "Two" things and sometimes says "Three".
The three most important things that help speed up the composting of the woodchips in order are:
1. Nitrogen
2. Fungal "Mushroom" spores
3. Mineral Rock Dust

Playground Wood Chips At Dixon Landscape Materials

Raj with Dixon Landscape Materials shows us their very popular playground wood chips, which is made from Cedar and certified for playgrounds. It is also used all around the garden, parks and so on.

Call Dixon Landscape at 707-678-8200 and visit their website at www.dixonlandscape.com

Landscaping Design Ideas For Your New Home

The internet is a great place to go for your landscape design ideas.

Being a homeowner in these hard economic times, you will be looking for ways to save time and money on your yard. There are many ways that you can do this project inexpensive, so you can enjoy your new yard.

Yes you can do this yourself and a great way to start your landscape project is to get design ideas. Look at books and newspapers then gather the ideas. Then you and your family can get some ideas on your yard project for this spring. You may consider buying in bulk to save money. You can have your family and friends help pay when you buy in bulk. This will help when doing some yard projects this year.

Ask around then you may purchase your landscaping supplies in bulk. Mulch is used in most yard projects this is less expensive when buying in bulk. In addition, when your plants have matured such as day lilies and hostas you may divide in to smaller clumps. Then spread into your landscaping garden. Share with your friends and family. My friend did work in a garden center and every spring he would brake up the day lilies and the hostas into smaller pots.

There are many ideas you can look at for your landscaping project. The look of your home may determines the shape and the arrangement of the lawn you can work with. You will need to remember the four seasons of the year, to compliment the types of the plants you plant in your garden; depending were you live.

You can always go to your local garden center and ask for your nearest landscape designer. Here are some ideas, you can put to work. So you and your family can get out and enjoy your new yard.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4131888

Gravel-Lok - Garden Path Installation

Gravel-Lok instructional video featuring tips and tricks from the pros.

Increasing A Homes Value With Landscaping

Landscaping can add thousands of dollars of value to your home according to Cam Merritt, Demand Media. The instant added value grows as the plants grow fuller and mature over time. Plus the true value of landscaping lies in the feelings you get when you pull up to your home. Don't believe it? An article in Miller-McCune mentioned several research studies related to the positive impact of nature. Having plants, going for walks in the park, or even looking at landscapes could produce psychological benefits, reduce stress and improve concentration.

Year after year, home owners spend multi-billions of dollars creating beautiful escapes right in their own properties. Whether you or company, the front of your home is the first to greet you or guests. And your back yard is a get away from the outside world. All this comes at an affordable to a national debt price. So if you don't have your own nation of tax payers to pay for your every whim and fancy, let's start small.

One of the easiest ways to dress up your yard is adding mulch. Adding about a 4 inch layer of mulch around tree bases, or your flower beds to help control weeds. Plus mulch keeps moisture from evaporating. As mulch breaks down it makes a healthier soil that will translate into healthier plants. The preferred mulch depends on how and where you intend to use. Shredded bark or mini-chips are used for walking paths, compacting well and make for level footing. Around trees or shrubs where people won't be walking, larger size bark nuggets can last for years. In warmer areas, inorganic mulches (stone or volcanic rock) keep the ground cooler. When adding another layer, never get to deep as to hamper air flow and moisture to the plants.

When home owners begin to look at landscaping, often they over look the Hardscape elements. (walkways, paths, decks, fences, patios and buildings) Hardscaping is any non-living part of the landscape. Beyond the normal repairing and painting of wood or metal pieces, note what has to be done to concrete or stone surfaces. A simple cleaning and edging can make a world of difference. If your yard is large, adding another path made with mulch, bark chips or stone will break up a large lawn. Paths that curve to a corner garden or park bench gives an estate feel.

Add a decorate fence or trellis to hide unsightly views. (garbage cans, mulch piles, neighbors) Planting climbing vines, flowers or even edible plants create even softer looks. Stone walls give more of a harder dimensional look adding levels to a normally flat area.

Don't forget about gazebos. Most people believe that a gazebo is some huge structure. Today's homeowners simply have to drive over to the local Do-It-Yourself store. Most difficult part of these kits may come down to which one to buy. Instructions have been written to be clear and designed to be easily assembled in less than a day. With screening, you have an extra room to enjoy those summer nights.

Have you ever driven past a house during the day only to think nothing of it? Later, after dark, see it lit up and say WOW! Landscaping lights can make a night and day difference. ( Sorry, just couldn't resist) If you were thinking of lighting, first ask yourself "what do I want to accomplish?" A soft romantic mood. High light a fountain, part of your home or something specific in your garden. Maybe just to accent a path or walk. Not to mention the security aspects. Crooks love shadows. As you begin to focus on the things to be lit, types of light, color and spacing will take shape. There's a great variety of 12 Volt lighting systems to give DIYers the chance to add lighting without the costs of an electrician.

As you create a planting plan, keep it simple. Look around your neighbor hood to get ideas of what mature gardens will look like. You may want to also consider seasonal flowers. If you like fresh flowers, plant flowering plants for each season. Layers of flowers or ground cover. Trees or shrubs. The good news is it doesn't have to be done all at once. You can start with a tree and a couple of plants. The next year, some bushes. As your project gets going, it may even change from the original plan. A special note on trees and to some extent bushes: Think Ahead! Trees and bushes are excellent additions to any landscaping project but they are the hardest to change. A tree which is a great accent when it's 4 foot tall can completely eliminate the view you were trying to promote as it grows. Bushes can over grow walks and paths. When choosing, pay careful attention to growing heights and spans. Trees planted to close to the house can grow to destroy gutters and roof shingles.

The personal touches. Yep! Nomes, globes, metal animal shapes, even wind chimes gives that personal touch. Whether plastic birds or rocks with funny saying, all these are your signature to your artwork.

Lastly, don't forget the yard furniture, lounges, chairs and patio table set. Why would you want to put all the effort in if you and your friends can't enjoy it? Sit back, take a long cool sip and enjoy!



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8457544