Tag Archives: Summer

Summer Garden Pitfalls

March 08, 2025   Matt

Summer Garden Pitfalls

We all love learning great ways to create a summer garden fit to rival them all. What we do not really take the time to check out often enough are the things we should avoid when creating a summer garden. Learning the potential pitfalls of summer gardening can often lead to much better results in the long run while allowing you to learn these sometimes painful lessons from the mistakes of others rather than your own personal gardening flops and nightmares.

One thing that we are all guilty of is landscaping for the neighbor’s enjoyment. If you spend the vast majority of your free time in the great outdoors, this is one thing but if you are like the typical family you spend the vast majority of your time inside your home looking out. For this reason it is wise to plant your summer garden in an area that you can easily view from within the walls of your home rather than in an area that only the neighbors are likely to see on an average day. In other words, garden for your enjoyment and make it so that you actually get to view the benefits of your labor on any given day.

Avoid cluttering your lawn with too much of anything. Keep your summer garden on scale with your lawn. It will look completely out of place if you have too much in garden on a postage stamp lot and will look completely under maintained to have very little landscaping in your summer garden on a lot the size of a grand estate. Try to keep everything in perspective and appropriate to the amount of land available as well as the climate of the area in which you are planning your summer garden.

You should also avoid looking as though you have no plan in your summer garden landscaping and design. Planning is the most important thing you can do for your summer garden. Without a solid plan upon which to build the design of your summer garden your garden is doomed to either fail or look as though it was poorly planned and executed. Invest the largest portion of time and energy towards the planning stage of your summer garden in order to achieve the best possible results.

Another common pitfall when planning and creating summer gardens is failing to consider the long-term implications of the plants and flowers selected for the garden. If you are not interested in heavy maintenance it makes little sense to purchase plants and flowers that are high maintenance by nature. Select plants according to your summer garden needs and not simply because you think they look good in a brochure or on the store shelves.

If you take a little time to make a concerted effort towards properly planning your summer gardens according to your personal tastes and the desired level of maintenance you wish to invest in keeping your garden in top form you will find that you will enjoy your garden much more than if you throw some plants in the ground and hope for the best. One thing to remember is that while there are summer gardens that require a little less maintenance than others there is no such thing as a no maintenance garden. Expect to spend some time and effort keeping your garden looking sharp and in order.

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Make Your Summer Garden Sizzle

July 11, 2024   Matt

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.

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Landscaping Your Summer Garden

December 09, 2023   Matt

Landscaping Your Summer Garden

There are many things that must be considered when planning and planting your summer garden. One of those things is the natural landscape or terrain of your lawn and garden area. It is best, whenever possible to work with the landscape rather than working against it or going to extraordinary efforts to make changes to the natural landscape of your lawn when you could very easily and beautifully plan your summer garden to go with the flow of and work well with the natural terrain of your lawn and garden area.

One way in which this is accomplished is by taking a quick survey of your lawn. This will need to be more than a cursory visual survey. You will need to walk your lawn and the area in which you are planning for your garden space. You will need to measure the terrain and take not of inclines and slopes. While you are at it, you need to study the condition of the soil and any areas that seem particularly inhospitable for planting. If these types of areas are present in your garden you need to decide what you want to do about them. Is it possible to turn this patch into a water feature or some other attractive addition to your garden rather than remaining a bare patch in the midst of your flowers, plants, and/or vegetables?

You should also determine the amount of shade a particular area receive and, if in direct sunlight, how to create shade for those plants, vegetables, or flowers that grow best in indirect sunlight. This can be accomplished by planting them creatively in the shadow of plants, shrubs, or vegetables that grow much taller or by using rocks to create shade or even climbing vines on trellises or fences in order to create an artificial shade.

Once you have a good feel for the terrain and landscape of your summer garden you will need to plan for the vegetables, flowers, or plants that will be used. Vegetable gardens tend to be less aesthetic in nature and are often the easiest to landscape, as it is a matter of need rather than beauty. If you are planting a flowery summer garden however, it is quite likely that you will be planning to achieve some degree of beauty within your garden. Decide now if you want to keep the flowers and plants within a certain color scheme or if you want dramatic blues and greens combined with bright and vivid reds and yellows. This is a personal decision but will greatly affect the appearance of your garden when all is said and done.

You should also landscape your garden according to the amount of time and effort you want to devote to working your garden on any given week. Some plants require more care than others. If you want a garden that is basically sow and go then you need to make sure it is filled with plants and flowers that are suited to that sort of low maintenance. Most vegetable gardens require a good deal of tending in order to flourish and are not acceptable in this sort of situation.

If you are completely lost as to how to landscape your summer garden it may be worth the effort to have a team of professionals come in and do the landscaping for you. When procuring their services be sure to either check into a maintenance program with them in which the upkeep the landscaping or have them provide a low maintenance type of landscaping that you will be able to maintain and duplicate on your own.

Many gardeners find the task of landscaping their summer garden to be the highlight of the summer growing season. If you are not among those, the hope is that the recommendations provided here will provide you with a good start and several helpful tips on getting your garden landscaped and ready to grow.

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Discover The Pleasures Of An Outdoor Summer Camp

November 19, 2021   Matt

Discover The Pleasures Of An Outdoor Summer Camp

For many people, camping outdoors is an experience lacking much to be desired. We are used to having luxuries such as indoor plumbing, electricity and a comfortable bed. Also, many people just try to “wing it” when it comes to going on a camping trip. They have no agenda, no plans for what to do, and no knowledge of the outdoors. When it comes to the children, they are just as lost as the adults, having never been taught how to survive in the great outdoors.

Yet, for those looking for an outdoor experience with planned activities and people who have knowledge of the outdoors, look no farther than one of many types of the outdoor summer camp in operation across the country. These camps have a great deal to offer those who choose to come and visit.

What Does the Outdoor Summer Camp Have to Offer?

At first an outdoor summer camps may look and conduct themselves differently from camp to camp. Every camp is directed differently and may have a different focus for its campers. Yet, across the board, outdoor camps generally offer their visitors a variety of experiences including boating, hiking, biking, fishing, and camping. Often, when children participate in an outdoor summer camp they remember the experience for a lifetime.

They may learn how to row a boat the proper way, tips on hiking and what to bring along, how to start a fire, emergency tips, and other various skills. They usually have scheduled activities, depending on the size of the facility. Some have cabins and lodges to offer their guests, and others provide tents. There is an outdoor summer camp suitable to the needs of most people.

The length of stay may vary from a couple of days to a few weeks, depending on the camp. Most offer overnight accommodation, yet some camps are called “day camps” meaning the participants go home in the evening to sleep. These camps are usually for young children who are not yet staying away from home alone. Chaperones at a camp may be staff or possibly volunteers. Both young and old are hired at camps to do a variety of jobs, such as camp counselor, activities coordinator, and director.

Add the Outdoor Summer Camp to Your Destination List

Attending an outdoor summer camp can bring the rest and relaxation that a busy soul needs. Just “getting away from it all” for a week or two may give a person the rejuvenation they need to carry on with their busy schedules. Children can experience new and exciting friendships with others, as well as glean new life skills along the way. All around, the outdoor summer camp is an experience to be had by all.

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Backyard Fun In The Sun. Learn How To Reduce The Chance For Play Set Injuries This Summer

July 02, 2021   Matt

Backyard Fun In The Sun. Learn How To Reduce The Chance For Play Set Injuries This Summer

Now that the weather is warmer and kids are heading outdoors to play, it is important for parents to take some essential precautions to create a safer backyard play environment. According to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), there were nearly 47,000 injuries to children under age 15 on home playgrounds in the last year studied. The chance of these injuries occurring-ranging from bumps and bruises to head trauma-can be reduced by following some simple guidelines.

“Nothing is more important than active adult supervision to enforce the rules that will help prevent a serious injury on backyard playgrounds,” says Meri-K Appy, president of the nonprofit Home Safety Council. “In addition, parents and caregivers should make sure their children’s play set is age-appropriate and in good condition-and that the surface underneath and around the equipment provides a soft landing if and when their kids do take a tumble.”

Backyard Play Set Safety Tips:

1. Ensure your play set has proper surfacing. Proper surfacing is an important component in reducing injuries due to a play set fall; however, it is often an overlooked backyard playground safety feature. Dirt and grass do not provide the appropriate level of cushioning. Instead, loose fill materials such as wood mulch, wood chips, fine sand or fine gravel is recommended. The material should extend at least six feet in all directions and depth should vary from nine to 12 inches, depending on the surfacing type.

2. Make sure that your backyard play set is sturdy. Lumber sturdiness is also an important element to play set safety. Using four-by-four corner posts will minimize the side-to-side sway motion that less substantial lumber may sometimes cause. Also, make sure that you use A-frame legs to provide a firm footing for the swing beam.

3. Select a backyard play set that meets maximum safety guidelines. Parents also want to choose play sets that meet ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards. Although these standards are voluntary, they can help assure parents that the play sets were designed with safety in mind. One manufacturer that complies with these guidelines is Swing-N-Slide. It has introduced an innovative new bracket technology for play set assembly called the Rapid-LOC system. This system features four special brackets combined with self-drilling fasteners, which provide secure anchoring for deck supports, four-by-four uprights and accessory beams. The interlocking nature of the Rapid-LOC brackets keep the play system’s supports tightly locked-even if a screw comes loose-producing a stronger backyard play set.

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Yard Fun In The Sunlight. Find out Exactly How To Reduce The Chance For Play Establish Injuries This Summer Season

February 22, 2021   Matt

Backyard Fun In The Sun. Discover Just How To Lower The Chance For Play Set Injuries This Summer Season

Currently that the climate is warmer as well as children are heading outdoors to play, it is essential for moms and dads to take some important precautions to develop a more secure yard play atmosphere. According to the U.S. Customer Products Safety And Security Compensation (CPSC), there were virtually 47,000 injuries to children under age 15 on residence playgrounds in the in 2015 researched. The chance of these injuries occurring-ranging from bumps and swellings to head trauma-can be lowered by complying with some basic guidelines.

” Absolutely nothing is more important than active adult guidance to implement the policies that will certainly assist stop a significant injury on backyard playgrounds,” claims Meri-K Appy, head of state of the not-for-profit House Safety Council. “Additionally, parents and caregivers ought to make certain their youngsters’s play set is age-appropriate and also in great condition-and that the surface beneath and around the tools supplies a soft landing if and also when their children do take a tumble.”

Backyard Play Set Safety And Security Tips:

1. Guarantee your play collection has appropriate appearing. Appropriate appearing is a vital part in reducing injuries as a result of a play set fall; nevertheless, it is frequently a forgotten yard playground security feature. Dust and grass do not supply the proper degree of padding. Instead, loose fill materials such as timber mulch, timber chips, fine sand or great crushed rock is recommended. The product should prolong at least 6 feet in all directions and depth must vary from nine to 12 inches, relying on the emerging type.

2. Ensure that your yard play collection is sturdy. Lumber strength is likewise a crucial element to play set security. Utilizing four-by-four corner articles will reduce the side-to-side sway activity that less considerable lumber might often cause. Also, see to it that you make use of A-frame legs to provide a firm footing for the swing beam.

3. Select a backyard play established that meets maximum security guidelines. Parents also wish to select play sets that meet ASTM (American Culture for Screening and Products) criteria. Although these criteria are voluntary, they can aid guarantee moms and dads that the play collections were created with safety and security in mind. One producer that follows these standards is Swing-N-Slide. It has introduced a cutting-edge new bracket innovation for play collection setting up called the Rapid-LOC system. This system features four unique braces incorporated with self-drilling bolts, which give protected anchoring for deck supports, four-by-four uprights as well as accessory light beams. The interlacing nature of the Rapid-LOC braces maintain the play system’s sustains tightly locked-even if a screw comes loose-producing a stronger backyard play collection.

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