Archive for August, 2011
Home-made slow-drip system
To make your own version of the Treegator:
For larger plants, shrubs and trees, take an empty soda bottle, poke plenty of holes throughout the body and bury up to the neck in the ground. Keep the opening visible and uncovered and fill with water. This will deliver a slow drip to your plants without the hassle of evaporation or run-off. Put the cap back on the bottle to prevent bugs, rocks and other debris from falling in. When it gets empty, just use a hose or watering can to fill it back up.
For smaller plants and even houseplants, use a small plastic juice bottle and do the same thing.
*The reason we tell you to do it this way, rather than burying a bottle upside down with the water coming out the top is because it looks nicer and is more hidden from view as well as being easier to fill up without making any sort of mess.
You can do this:
But I would recommend doing it our way:
This way, all you can see is the bottle cap, so not only does it looks much cleaner and simpler than the first image, but the slow drip is being dispersed throughout the entire plant because the bottle is completely buried, as opposed to only dripping where the few holes are located on the bottom of the first bottle. Burying the entire bottle ensures that the water will disperse throughout the plant, providing a deep watering. When you want to refill the bottle, simply unscrew the lid, pour the water in and put the cap back on. Easy as pie!
Rock the night away
One of the most important key features to having a successful outdoor space where people can gather and spend time together is seating. If you don’t have a place for your guests to sit, you won’t have many more guests. Let’s just eliminate that horrifying possibility right now and provide some great seating choices that everyone can enjoy.
As you probably guessed based on the title, I am promoting rockers here. Why? Because they’re a classic, that’s why. I mean, rocking chairs are to outdoor seating as baseball is to the American public. They just go together.
Rocking chairs are so classic that they have come to represent many different genres of people and society. When I first think of a rocking chair, I pretty much imagine the picture that is shown on Wikipedia’s page for “Rocking Chair” with an old man/woman sitting in it on/near the porch just rocking away.
I then imagine a family vacation we took to West Virginia were we stayed in a cabin in a State Park and how I sat in a double rocking chair with my granddaddy. Then I imagine his old rocking chair in our basement. That leads to the thought of the rows and rows of rockers lined up in front of every Cracker Barrel you’ll go to.
Other images that come to mind include squeaking floorboards in an old haunted house with voices and empty chairs rocking back and forth. In a completely different direction is the picture of a parent rocking their little baby to sleep.
Or there is a more beachy-type that often comes to mind. The type that just seems to fit in with the sand and the water in the background.
Obviously rocking chairs present many different images, and I’m sure you all have came up with ones other than what I mentioned. Like I said, they’re classic, in many different ways.
Whatever image comes to mind when you hear the words rocking chair, you know what I’m talking about. Experience one for yourself, let whatever guests you have left try one out, get one for decoration. The reason doesn’t matter as much as the fact that you have one or not.
My favorites:
Fly fly fireflies
Snapple fact #878: Only male fireflies can fly
Now, we do not sell actually fireflies, but, due to my excellent skills in the art of researching and coming up with things that correspond with one another, even if it may be a bit of a stretch, I have found a couple things that you might enjoy that I can fit with this wonderfully interesting Snapple fact.
1) The first firefly-related thing is the only thing that comes up on our website when you search the word “firefly” and that would be Firefly Solar Garden Stakes. They are little garden stakes powered by the sun and made into the shapes of different flowers, including Poppy and Calla Lily. Very cute, very eco-friendly. Just like fireflies! You’ll love them!
2) This next item is not really firefly-related unless you actually have fireflies nearby. Canning jars are perfect for catching fireflies during the early hours of the summer evenings. Running around with my cousins and catching fireflies in jars is probably one of my favorite childhood memories. I know that you would not want to deny your children that opportunity, and if you were denied, you’re never too old to chase some bugs around in circles.
3) This product simply reminds me of fireflies and if you look at the picture you’ll see why. The Aurora Glow Clear Solar String Lights look like little fireflies in the dark, except obviously fireflies aren’t blue, but that’s okay. Again, these are solar-powered, making them eco-friendly while putting off a nice soft glow.
The History of the Gazing Globe
An epic tale full of adventure, history, and wealth
As told by Very Cool Stuff
“In today’s gardens, you will often notice beautiful orbs of shiny iridescence. They are often set on top of a pedestal, standing among the flowers and plants. Since the 13th century, gazing globes have been an eye catching feature of gardens. They also have become a signature accent for the spiritual gardener.
The first records of gazing globes show that they were hand made by Italian artisans who crafted them out of mouth-blown glass. Many kings in Europe chose to have these beautiful orbs in their gardens, and believed that they held magical, mystical powers. They were thought to have brought prosperity and good luck to any who owned one.
It was thought that the globe could ward off bad things like disease, evil spirits, attackers, and even ghosts. They were thought to keep the witches away from one’s home. If the gazing globe was placed near the door of the house, the witch would see her own reflection and be scared away.
As time progressed, the gazing globes served other purposes. They gained the nickname “butler ball,” because the servants would use the globes as a mirror in order to see guests approaching. They were also used to see whether or not guests needed help, without having to stare at them directly while they ate their meals.
In other legend, people believed that gazing globes would attract fairies and various other mystical, magical spirits. These beautiful globes became a standard fixture in Victorian gardens, and are still popular today. They add beauty and an almost mystical wonder to outdoor garden areas. Gazing globes can come in a variety of colors, sizes, and styles. Stainless steel gazing globes are versatile and weatherproof, to provide long lasting beauty and enjoyment.
The gazing globe trend found its way to America around the early 20th century. Soon everyone had at least one of these lovely ornaments in their gardens. They became a status symbol, signifying wealth and success. Today, these beautiful orbs are a common sight in gardens all over the world.
While times and thoughts have changed, gazing globes are still a beautiful piece of art that add life and personality to any garden. The stainless steel globe inside can be munted on a pedestal or stake, hung from a hanger, float in a water garden or simply placed on a table or on the ground. It will surely become an important and lovely feature to enjoy for many years to come.”
Get yours today, right here, right now: http://www.yardlover.com/gazing-balls
Don’t forget a stand to match: http://www.yardlover.com/gazing-ball-stands
Building Bridges
One of our more popular items is the classic Deck Rail Planter. It fits over your 2×4 or 2×6 size railing on your deck, you plant your flowers in it, it works and looks great. Easy-peasy.
Unfortunately some people do not have the luxury of wide wooden (or plastic) railings on their deck/patio. Some people have metal railings are made up of thin posts and top railings, making the act of putting a classic Deck Rail Planter on virtually impossible. Because having a planter on a deck railing creates a look of completeness, the inability to have a deck rail planter can be frustrating and painful to those who are forced to go through that experience.
Luckily, the problem has been solved. A new and innovated product so highly compatible with non-traditional railings provides a sense of satisfaction and love of one’s outdoor space for those who were previously unable to enjoy the look that their home offered from the outside.
This wonderful product that has been changing lives all across America: Corsica Flower Bridge Planter. This product is so extremely cutting-edge because it has two adjustable stabilizers that will adjust to fit the exact size railing you have. Never before has that been done in all of history.
Let’s take a closer look, shall we?
This planter is specially designed for narrow railings, balcony railings, chain link fencing, and any vertical divider up to 2.5″ wide.
It features
- Set of two planters comes in same color option
- Choose from 8 color options
- Two growing compartments
- Two stabilizers secure the planter
- 1.5″ deep water reservoir
- Overflow holes for water drainage
- Durable resin for outdoor use
Measurements
- 10.5″ high
- 11.5″ in diameter
- 14.5 oz weight
- 1.9 gallon capacity
This planter makes the completion of your outdoor space one of the easiest and most successful parts of your decorating.
That Bottle’s Lookin’ Good!
Last year I went up to visit my grandparents for a few days. It is my belief that no matter how old you get, your grandparents house will always seem interesting, as in you want to explore because there are so many cool things packed away. I felt this way for a long time until two years ago when they moved to a new home. I loved their old house and I miss it every time I’m in their new one. The new one doesn’t have the same “home” feeling to it as well as everything is new- the furniture, the paint, the carpet, the house itself. It just isn’t as exploration-worthy anymore.
As much as visiting my grandparents has changed, I still like to look around- and by look around I do not mean snoop. I mean look around. So I went into their bathroom (and I was going in there for real reasons as all of the other bathrooms were occupied) and I noticed a pretty glass bottle filled with a purple liquid sitting on the counter. Obviously that got my attention. I took the lid off and I smelled it and it was mouthwash! I was pretty surprised because I expected it to be some kind of perfume but instead it was minty fresh!
Later I asked my grandma about this (only because it did not seem like the type of thing my grandpa would do to spruce up the bathroom a bit) and she said she got that decanter and put her mouthwash in there because it just looked prettier than a giant plastic purple bottle sitting there. And I must say I have to agree with her. It looked pretty cool, kind of like a secret potion. Anyway, the point of this rambling story is that ever since then I was like, “Hm, I want to do that too!” But my problem is that I tend to knock things over a lot, and a decanter would break or the lid would fall out and the mouthwash would be everywhere.
I have found the solution, and by accident nonetheless. I was solving a little issue we had concerning our canning jars, and I came across this:
Make gorgeous gourmet oils and vinegars. All it takes are some herbs and spices, oil or vinegar, and this Bormioli bottle. Perfect for salad dressings, marinades and other condiments. The metal latches are easy to open and seal tight.
Product Features
- Heavy-duty, transparent glass
- Hermetically air-tight and waterproof
- Metal clamp and stopper
- 7 9/16″ H x 3 5/8″ x 1 5/8″
- 8 3/4 Oz. / 1/4 Liter capacity
I thought, “This is perfect! The lid stays on tight, the glass is heavy-duty, making it less likely to break, and it looks cool!” I can use it for my mouthwash but really it’s perfect for anything that you want to display. It also comes in a larger size of 16 oz.
This item definitely goes on My Wish List because I really can use it for whatever I want, it’s cheap, it’s durable and it has an air-tight lid that will not come undone if knocked over.
Cats are ultra-cool
Well, I don’t know if I would say that cats are ultra-cool for certain, but they’re ultra-something that’s for sure.
I’m pretty sure that whether you’re a dog person, a cat person or have a fascination with strange and exotic animals, you don’t like it when neighbors’ pets or stray animals get into your garden or yard. Here is the best thing you will ever hear if you have an unwanted animal problem. Well, an unwanted cat problem at least.
Snapple Fact # 48:
Cats can hear ultrasound.
While the fact simply talks about cats, lots of animals can hear ultrasound, including dogs, deer and rabbits. Use the Guardener Animal Repellent Device to get rid of all those unwanted animals that are getting into your garden or messing up your lawn.
Guardener Animal Repellent Device
Designed to Safely & Effectively Repel Even Stubborn Deer From Your Garden
The Guardener is an ultrasonic repellent with 2 lines of defense-ultrasonic frequencies and water spray- to protect you from even the most stubborn deer. It covers up to 22′ of distance at an impressive 170°.
How It Works
- The Guardener detects the heat and motion of the approaching animal
- It emits ultrasonic frequencies which unsettle and alarm the intruding animals
- If the animal doesn’t leave, water spray is released that’s sure to scare even the boldest of deer away.
Great Features:
- Combines 2 Effective Repellent Methods – Ultrasound & Water Spray
- Solar powered – no power supply necessary, making it portable to any area
- Uses its own water supply – does not need a garden hose connection
- No harmful chemicals
- Does not hurt the animals, only scares them, ensuring it’s a humane product
This is what you want to avoid
