Energy Efficient Landscaping in Your Backyard
A pretty backyard can only go so far. Many experts have proven that energy efficient landscaping that takes into consideration energy needs, may well save a family more then 30% of their usual heat or cooling costs - either in the winter or summer. These savings could tangibly translate to almost $250 worth of savings in a year.
So what are some of these "easy" ideas? We have listed a few below that won't require the use of an expensive landscape architect.
Making Use of or Protection from the Sun's Rays
You may live in the southern most part of the country where summer days are long, hot and very dry. On the other hand, you may live in the north where the winters are long, very cold and brutal and the days are short. The type of landscape you have surrounding your home can make a huge difference. You may need large shade trees to protect your home's walls from the sun's rays or you may want the sun to warm your home for as much of the day as possible.
Usually, the best way to keep the sun out is to design shade landscaping. Plant deciduous, dense, and broad trees to the south or west of the house, where their foliage can provide shade against the rays of the hot summer sun. Keeping the sun out can reduce temperatures to up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
These deciduous trees lose their foliage over the winter and will give you access more of the sun's heat in the winter when your home's walls and foundations need the heat.
Adding Protection from the Wind
A cold winter wind seeping into the home can rapidly cause a temperature drop. This will also be reflected in your next energy bill.
There are several types evergreens and other trees as well, that can act as excellent wind breaks. A sturdy fence, sturdily set in place, can also help stop the wind.
Comfortable Home Temperatures
One way you can help save energy by making sure the warm or cool air does not escape from your home by adding insulation in the ceilings, gaskets around the doors, vents and windows, and having double pain windows.
The best way to achieve this is by planting shrubbery around the home's foundations. This creates a dead air barrier, keeping the heat and cool inside the home where it matters. Experts have suggested widening the distance between the shrubbery and the house's walls in order to increase this area for dead air.
The end result of your planning should be not only a beautifully landscaped yard, but one that is also energy efficient. Energy effiecient landscaping will save you money and one you can enjoy for years to come.
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Designing Space Around A Patio
If you want your garden to look good, you have to do a little landscaping. The same goes when you landscape around a teak patio so there is always something new to show to your guests.
Both hard and soft materials will be used. The soft ones are namely the plants, the shrubs and the trees. They can be placed on the exterior perimeter of the patio while you use hard materials such as brick, concrete, rock, stone and tiles inside.
So you have an idea what plants to buy later on, it is best to check the condition of the soil since this will determine what type of flowers will survive these conditions.
A general rule when landscaping around a patio is that you have to work on the inside first then work outwards.
When choosing an area for the patio, make sure that this will be done on a flat area of land. Once you have found it, you must first build forms to be able to add height to the patio perimeter. This is important to achieve the foundational support you will need later on. This should be done evenly up to your doorway.
To prevent any incidents of tripping, you should smoothen the edges and make sure that there are no nails sticking out from the sides of the patio.
Once the forms have been completed for the patio, this is the time that you can add curves by using a bender board made from plastic so it can be moved very easily. To keep these in place, you will have to add stakes every 12 to 18 inches.
When it is ready, this is time that you put the stones in. These should be placed one by one so everything will fit nicely into place.
Once the patio is complete, adding flowers, gnomes, or shrubs to make it all look more colorful and eye catching. You can use one color or mix this with several. The important thing is that it looks good.
Those who don’t want to plant flowers around the patio can still add color by using potted plants. You can buy these pots in different colors and designs from the store. The advantage of using this is that you can move them to different locations and during the winter, they can be placed indoors then brought out again during the spring.
For something to stand out all throughout the season, you may choose plants that bloom during different times of the year. Don’t forget to consider the amount of sun that is required for each of them.
You should also get plants of different heights so there is a smooth transition from the patio all the way up to the house. If there are budget constraints, get the smaller ones since these are cheaper. It will just some time before they mature unlike the older plants that are almost ready to bloom.
For decoration purposes to your patio, look to adding insulated patio covers.
Landscaping around the patio is no different than fixing one section of the house. Once you have a plan, it will be very easy to implement. If you are not happy, don’t be afraid to make some changes so it will look better than it did before.
Dingy Patio Furniture? Spruce It Up with These Tips
As summer comes and you are ready to enjoy the great outdoors, or at least your back porch, you may notice that your patio furniture is not as bright and attractive as it once was. The sun, wind, and dust that your furniture is exposed to on a daily basis do quite a number on its looks. If you are looking to learn how to clean patio furniture, here are some tips you should know.
Cleaning Resin or Plastic Patio Furniture
To clean resin or plastic patio furniture that is light in color, make a solution that includes 1-gallon of warm water, three quarters cup of bleach, and 1-tablespoon of laundry soap. If there is any coloring on the furniture, test a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure it will not damage the color. If the color brightens but does not become discolored, you can clean the entire piece.
Use the solution and a scrub brush with soft bristles to clean the entire piece. Then, leave the water solution on the furniture for around 15 minutes. Then rinse it thoroughly.
If the furniture is colored, use a solution made out of 1-gallon of warm water and 1-tablespoon of all-purpose cleaner. This eliminates the bleach, which can damage the coloration of the colored furniture. Again, after washing let the solution set on the furniture for around 10 to 15 minutes and rinse completely.
Unfinished Wood Patio Furniture
Unfinished wood furniture is really abused by the elements. One problem you face when cleaning unfinished wood is the fact that it tends to absorb excess water, which can cause it to warp or crack. To avoid this problem, make a solution out of a gallon of water, 1 cup of ammonia, and three quarters cup of vinegar. Scrub down your wood furniture with this solution, and then rinse it completely. After rinsing, use towels to take up any excess water.
Cleaning Patio Furniture Cushions
The cushions on your outdoor patio furniture are probably one of the most likely items to need a good cleaning. Most patio furniture pillows and cushions are washable, but check the label before you attempt washing them. If they are, wash them with soapy water and a sponge. Make sure that you rinse them well and wipe them as dry as you can.
Cleaning a Patio Umbrella
Patio umbrellas often grow mold. This happens because they get wet and then sit closed in the warm weather, making a moist, warm environment for mold to grow in. Not only is mold unsightly, but it is also a health hazard, so you need to deal with it.
To clean the mold off of a patio umbrella, make a solution with 1-gallon warm water, a squirt of liquid dish detergent, and three quarters cup of bleach. Test the color first on the inside of the umbrella. If it reacts well to the bleach, open the umbrella, don some rubber gloves, and scrub the umbrella using the solution and a brush with soft bristles. As soon as you are done, rinse the umbrella. If you find that the solution fades the colors on the umbrella, look on the tag to see what cleaning agents you can use. Always let the umbrella dry completely before you close it, as this can cause new mold to develop.
Aluminum Patio Furniture
To clean aluminum furniture, scrub the piece down with a plastic scrubber or steel wool using dish detergent. Put in plenty of elbow grease to make sure you get it good and clean. Rinse the furniture completely to remove all of the soap.
If the furniture is baked on aluminum, use a sponge instead of the plastic scrubber. Soak it with the dishwashing detergent. Work the sponge and the cleaner into the furniture and rinse. Dry it using a cloth and then finish with some car wax. Make sure the car wax does not get on the fabric or webbing on the piece of furniture. This will preserve the finish the furniture.
The Benefits of Solar Garden Fountains
Solar powered home electronics, like water and pool heaters are gaining popularity recently. People, who are concerned about our environment invest into solar powered water and pool heaters, and of course solar powered fountains. You can see many benefits to buying a fountain that is solar powered, but there are some things you have to be aware of as well.
How do solar powered fountains for the garden operate?
Usually garden fountains with solar pumps don't requare much installation. Like other solar powered devices they use solar panels with Photovoltaic (PV) cells to collect energy of the sun. Since a fountain pump doesn't need much solar energy, the panels are small.
There are two main types. First are fountains where solar panels are incorporated in the design of the fountain itself. This type is the easiest to install, but you have to make sure that you place your new fountain in a sunny spot otherwise it won't work.
The second type of solar fountain has remote solar panels, which can be positioned several meters away from the fountain. If you chose this type, it doesn't matter whether your fountain is in a sunny or shady spot as long as the panels are exposed to the sun. Most solar fountains with remote panels come with easy to set up mounting system for the panels. Usually you can mount them on the wall, use grass stakes to position them on the loan or use a tall wooden stake to put your panel high up above all the plants.
Pros and cons of solar fountains
There are many plus sides of investing into a solar garden fountain rather than the electric one. The most obvious advantage is that you don't have to pay for the energy and the environment doesn't suffer. An electric pump won't add much to your energy bill in a day, but if you want your fountain to work all summer, you can save a lot by using sun energy instead of electricity or batteries.
Another advantage is that you are not limited by proximity to a power source when selecting a place for your fountain. This gives you freedom to install your fountain whereever you want. You can place your fountain in the farthest corner from the house, as long as the solar panels are on a sunny spot.
Also solar fountains don't requare much installation work. The ones with panels built into a body of the fountain don't require any special installation at all. This type is perfect as a solar pond fountain that sprays water from your pond. Since there is no cord the fountain can just float on the surface.
The main disadvantage of a solar powered garden fountain is that it won't work without sunlight. Most pumps will still work on a slightly cloudy day, but if it is really overcast the flow of water will be much less. And, of course, your fountain won't work at night.
Also, it is best to disconnect your fountain in winter. It would work fine on a sunny day without snow, but snow and frost can damage your pump.
