Category Archives: Yard & Outdoors

Make Your Summer Garden Sizzle

Make Your Summer Garden Sizzle

Most people spend a great deal of time and effort planning their summer gardens. Whether you are planning a summer garden that is designed to awe and amaze all those who manage to capture a glimpse or simply trying to construct a summer garden that will inspire you when you manage to take a moment and glance around, taking in the fruits of your labor there is no reason you should skimp on the planning stage as it may prove detrimental to the overall effect. If you are looking for ways to make your summer garden sizzle the absolute best way is to give it the careful planning and attention to detail it deserves.

First and foremost you need to plan more than the plants that will go in your summer garden. Whether you are planting flowers, trees, shrubs, greenery, fruits, or vegetables you need still need to plan the boundaries, bordering, landscaping, and layout of your summer garden. You should also consider the accents in your lawn and garden area that will showcase certain aspects of your summer garden while diminishing the effects of less attractive features of your summer garden or the natural landscape of your lawn.

Arrange your summer garden in a manner that is attractive. Whether you are using traditional rows for a vegetable garden or raised landscaping boxes in select areas along the exterior of your home there are plenty of opportunities to present your summer garden in as attractive of a manner as possible. Take great time and care that you do just that when planning your garden. You want your summer garden to be a place to show off to friends and neighbors. Arranging it attractively so that it doesn’t detract from the remainder of your landscaping efforts is a wise move-even if your summer garden is intended to be merely functional as a vegetable garden.

Use lawn furniture, birdhouses, water features, and other clever landscaping tips and tricks in order to provide additional focal points throughout your summer garden area. Provide plenty of distractions so that visitors may see something different every time they stop by. Be careful that you do not make your summer garden seem gaudy or overcrowded though. There is a fine balance between having too many gaps in scenery and overloading the senses. Take care that you do not cross that line.

Use lighting so that your summer garden may be enjoyed even when dusk is imminent. There are many ways this can be accomplished. I recommend using solar powered lighting along pathways and walkways within your summer garden and overhead lighting in common areas where there is seating and that are meant for congregating and socializing.

Create pathways within your gardens and mark them with pavers and stones. These pathways provide visitors a walking path through your garden area and keep feet from compacting the soil and inhibiting the growth in your garden. This is also a great method for keeping your garden attractive in appearance and from looking overgrown in areas that aren’t readily accessible for mowing.

Install a water feature such as a goldfish pond or waterfall for a little dramatic flare. These are not only beautiful but allow the opportunity for a social area and a little more lighting in your garden area. If you enjoy birds, it also gives the water a little room in which to flit and flitter to the delight of young and older kids alike. For a really sizzling summer garden it needs to be a garden that people want to enjoy and where they wish to congregate. Little touches such as those mentioned above make a huge difference to visitors and increase the enjoyment of summer gardens exponentially.

Plan your summer garden to attract visitors and keep their attention and you should have no shortage of flattering comments about your green thumb or your gardening efforts. Remember to keep the plants looking healthy and beautiful though of you may find the opposite of the desired effect is the case.

Home Security (5)

Home Security

You may not believe it but most burglars do not plan their break ins. They are crimes of opportunity. They pick what appears to be a simple target. If they see a greater risk than they anticipated, they move onto a safer target. Therefore the more effort you take to keep your home from seeming to be a simple target, the safer you will be.
A multilayered structure is the best way to approach arranging your home security, and the first layer is the landscaping and other features of your yard.
Landscaping and Yard Security
A few simple changes to your landscaping can help to protect your home from would be burglars. They are looking for a home they can get into and out of quickly; the more time they spend in your home the more chance of getting caught. Their best target is a home surrounded by tall hedges and shrubs, which restricts visibility from the street and your neighbours’ houses.
Trim your shrubbery and trees so that your doors and windows can be seen by neighbors, and from the street, by forgoing a little privacy you will not be providing a hiding place for a burglar. If you have more than one floor, prune trees away from upper floor windows to prevent an intruder using them as a ladder, also make sure any trellises won’t provide a convenient ladder to gain entry to the upper floors.
All planting close to the sidewalk, driveways, doors or gates, should be kept low say no more than two feet in height. As you move further away from the sidewalk you can increase the height but keep it down to no more than four feet.
Any plant under the window should be kept below the windowsill.
Trees should have their lower branches trimmed to at least seven feet off the ground.
Be sure to keep your lawn trimmed; an uncut lawn will indicate to a potential burglar that you have been away from your home for some time.
By placing gravel on the ground under windows you will be warned if someone walks on it, this can be a useful psychological deterrent. Remember not to have any large rocks or stones near glass windows or doors. There’s no point in providing a burglar with his tools!
Plant spiny (thorny) plants along fences and under windows, and on border fences, roses are ideal. Protecting your home with spiny plants is as good as using barbed wire, and it looks a lot better too.
Street Numbers.
Make sure your house number can be seen easily from the street. This can save time for the police and emergency services if they need to find your home.
It is best to use numbers made of reflective materials, or alternatively black on white, they should be at least six inches high to facilitate visibility from the street. Keep the number clean and trim any plants, so it can be seen. The number should be illuminated and near the front door or the garage entrance.
Limiting Access to Yards and Store Rooms:
The main thing burglars are looking for is an obstruction free and speedy exit. Fences will stop burglars from carrying away your larger processions, if the gates are locked. Gates should be locked at all times!
Make sure that any ladders and tools are stored in a garage or a storage shed, and these should be locked when not in use. To increase security chain your ladder to the wall of the garage when it is not being used.
The idea is to use the landscaping to control access to your property. Proper fencing hedges etc. create barriers that will make a potential burglar feel uncomfortable as they approach your home, but will not prevent a neighbour or passer by from seeing any unusual activity.
I will be covering additional steps you can take to improve your home security in the next article in this series.

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