Buying Teak Wood Furniture Responsibly

Teak has many qualities that make the indoor and outdoor furniture made out of this a coveted high value asset. They last for generations. The durable nature is due to the hard grain nature of the tree. These are a high demand items in many parts of the world. The prices are sky-rocketing and unless you get it from the source you are going to pay a huge price to add this to your Home Collection. The products made out of teak wood have a pleasant smell unlike other untreated wooden furniture. The hard nature of the wood makes it easier to work with by the craftsman creating unique patterns and designs. You could have come across the priced museum collections of old south Asian kingdom there is teak in most of them. This has the ability to create smooth patterns and complex designs because of the properties of the wood. They don?t create splinters like other wood and hence the furniture is safe. The smooth finishes created by the craftsmen can be enjoyed by many generations as it is more resistant to rot and other damages.

A quick look at the Teak industry shows that the majority of the plantations are from south Asia. Unlike the rain forests these tress are from the dry regions making it more environmentally friendly to use. The Timber industry also claims that the amount of wastage out of the teak usage is minimal in comparison to other wood. Every aspect of the teak wood right till the saw dust finds use in one way or the other. The main problem like other wooden furniture use is you have contributed to the chopping of a tree at a minimum. But this can be made right when you understand the following factors. The first is the farm raised trees are better as they were done just for this purpose. This also ensures the trees in the wild are not used and hence are less damaging to the natural habitats. There are a few folks who argue that wooden furniture should never be used. Hmmm, the simple counter argument is what else to use. The softer nature of wood is preferred against iron or other metals. And such we have to end in plastic. Plastic causes a lot more harm to the environment in the long run than the lack of a farm raised tree in the face of the earth.

There are a few manufacturers that even go on to guarantee that the trees that are farm raised are once again replanted. This makes sure the tree that was raised finds a replacement in the face of the earth. This is unlike the trees in the wild, where there is no guarantee a chopped tree will be replaced by another sapling. Some of the common furniture made out of teak is:

1.Teak Patio Sets
2.Teak dining Sets
3.Teak Benches
4.Teak Chairs
5.Teak Tables
6.Teak Loungers

The next time you buy one of these make sure you ask where the wood comes from and the re-plantation policy of the wood?s source.

You can find one wholesale company which can guarantee this at Teak Select. Make sure you replace your plastic furniture with the teak furniture, teak patio furniture and teak garden furniture.

Author is a freelancer accessible through the no fee free freelance website freelancefree.com

Good Tools and Hard Work is What Creates EyeCatching and Functional Gardens

Gardens are not made by sitting in the shade. -Rudyard Kipling

Sweat and toil along with gentle showers guarantee ? pleasant flowers and pleasing fruits and consoling shade. As Rudyard Kipling says, Gardens are not made by sitting in the shade. It involves getting into the dust without hesitation. Long gone were the days when human beings consumed just what the earth produced. Now we have learnt to produce what we like to consume. It must have been an interesting episode for human beings to make the first association of plants and trees with water and rain. It must have been a tough lesson to grasp for our forerunners that there are seasons for everything, to sow and to reap. It must have been an even tougher lesson to calculate about season and off season. Along with these realizations, came the need for gardening tools. Because, when they consumed just what the earth produced, they did not have to do much other than gathering, but when they started producing what they wanted, they had to take control of the natural processes. In this newly learnt venture of gardening and cultivation they started utilizing simple tools to dig, to weed and to reap. The world of horticulture has now evolved a whole new generation of horticultural tools.

Though it is not the ideal way to classify gardening tools, I classify them under two categories - useful and nice but not necessary!!! Some of the useful traditional tools are, Garden shovel, Spade, Spading Fork, Hoe, Rake, Trowel, Digger, Pruning Shears, Lopping Shears, and Hedge shears. These are the basic tools of gardening. You can see gardening stores and gardening catalogs crammed with a huge number of other so called sophisticated, fancy, power tools that are ?Dollar Driers?. These equipments keep you busy in maintaining them rather than helping you maintain the garden you are tending!!! However, carefully selected garden tools though basic they are, will certainly make life easy.

Another factor that enhances your garden and gardening is Liquid fertilizers. Not many who realize that rain water in itself is one of the effective liquid fertilizers. Besides this natural liquid fertilizer, there are a variety of artificial liquid fertilizers that give your plants a quick nutrient boost because plants assimilate liquid fertilizers through their roots and as well as their foliage pores. Liquid fertilizers in the form of foliar sprays are found to be most effective during the flowering and fruiting stage of plants. However, one has to be extra cautious in following the instructions carefully especially in conforming to the dilution formula and to the application method, lest you may spoil your crop. Liquid fertilizers sprayed in the early hours of the mornings and in the early evening hours prove to be safe as they will be absorbed most quickly saving the plant from foliage burn.

A good gardener always knows it is just not tools and fertilizers that make a successful garden but patience and consistent care are the essentials of effective gardening. Effectively used gardening tools and moderately used liquid fertilizers blended with tender care will make you a happy gardener.

For some great resources on gardening tools and liquid fertilizers please visit the following website seramishydroponics.com. This article was coauthored by CC. The author does freelancing for some the best websites in the world.

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Low Maintenance Teak Furniture

In all likelihood you have heard of teak furniture and have wanted to know why it's such a big deal. This article contains some simple info regarding the building material that seems a little mysterious, even has a weird sound to it, but dominates the market of outdoor furniture.

Teakwood furniture is especially suited to use outside the home because of its super high oil content and resistance to insects and warping. Teak is a hardwood tree indigenous to the east and south of Southern Asia and much of Southeast Asia. Teak is nowadays frequently planted in tropical environments and is exported around the world to furnish gardens and patios as well as for shipbuilding materials. Teakwood furniture ages in the weather and gains a silvery color without requiring any shelter or care at all. Just leave your teak furniture on the patio during all four seasons and you will end up with furniture that looks elegant in a natural environment and also affords comfort and durability. Look for teak furniture built with mortise and tenon joints for the utmost quality build.

Teak furniture typically has a distinctively simple style of design. Clean lines take advantage of the beautiful texture of the wood. When you start looking for outdoor furniture, you'll discover a very large selection of teak chairs, tables, and accessories to choose from. Because teakwood furniture can be left outside without being sheltered or cared for 365 days a year, the majority of teak tables and chairs are heavy, causing them to be super durable. Teakwood furniture is commonly made to increase comfort and style since there is no need for storing it away!

The focal point of your collection will be your table. Teak tables typically come in a slat style, offering texture and interest to the eating surface. Pick from round, square, rectangular and expandable teak tables to fit your outdoor dining setup.

What could be more critical than a comfortable chair when you're looking for furniture to purchase? Teak chairs come in a wide variety of styles, some folding, some armchairs, and lots of attractively simple side chairs to accommodate a crowd. Go all out and try a teak steamer or Adirondack chair. You will not want to get up!

If your style is a more upbeat outdoor party, bar-height teak table and chairs are the best selection. Add proportion to your teak furniture collection by owning these bar height teak tables and chairs and get your guests mingling. In the garden or by the pool, teak bar furniture is compact and practical no matter how many people you have invited over.

The simple truth is, teak furniture is the best choice for your garden, deck or patio. It will last a lifetime. You will be happy in your teak bar chair and dozing in your steamer chair with no fears about care.

Virginia Bryson writes for Belle Abode about home furnishings and design, and consults on interior design in the Atlanta, GA area. For more information about teak furniture and patio furniture, visit http://www.belleabode.com/

Synthetic Lawns: The New Choice For Lawn Care

It?s very important for homeowners to maintain and keep beautiful lawns. Today, most houses are located in communities managed by associations that require regular lawn maintenance. If lawns are not maintained, homeowners are charged additional fees.

However, the task of caring for a lawn can be very difficult. This especially true for the average working adult, who does have the time to water, fertilize, and cut the grass. Landscapers are equipped to manage lawns, but their fees are increasing every year with the price of gas.

To save money in the long run and keep a well-maintained lawn, homeowners are replacing sod with synthetic grass. Synthetic grass, also referred to as artificial grass, is made of plastic fibers. These fibers are made to look like grass blades found in real grass such as Bermuda, St. Augustine, Kentucky Blue, and Fescue. Synthetic lawns are virtually maintenance free and only require an occasional dusting with a stiff broom. There is no need to water, mow, seed, or fertilize synthetic lawns, which is the perfect solution for busy homeowners.

Installing a synthetic lawn is a wise investment that typically increases the value of a home. Synthetic grass is also a huge selling point when homeowners choose to put their house on the market. Although this alternative may cost a little more initially, the benefits and long term savings are ideal.

Vondre? Whaley is a marketing director with www.mysyntheticgrass.com, a company that offers free information kits to consumers looking to purchase synthetic grass. Are you looking to have a great looking lawn all year long without doing much work or paying high landscaping fees? If so, get our free information kit at www.mysyntheticgrass.com

Garden Furniture

Gardens now serve as an integral part of a home?s living space, so it only makes sense to invest in garden furniture. When shopping for pieces, remember to look past the aesthetics and go for functionality, too. Here are some tips:

Remember: safety first. You don?t have to be living in a windy city to know that as a precaution, garden furniture (together with outdoor play furniture such as swings) should be properly assembled, and if possible, anchored to the ground. This is especially true for bigger garden furniture, such as arches or tents. When major weather changes (such as storms or light hurricanes) suddenly occur, bring garden chairs and smaller garden furniture inside the house to keep them from being blown away by the wind and causing harm to people or damage to property.

If your garden furniture is made of wood, make it a habit to regularly check for splintered wood or cracks. They can wound you if left un-repaired. If your garden furniture is made of metal, regularly check for rust. It is easier to treat smaller corrosion spots, so don?t wait for them to become bigger and obvious. You may have to replace the whole set if this happens.

Be environmentally friendly. Make sure that the garden furniture you are buying is made from renewable resources. Be extra careful when buying wooden furniture. Make sure that the manufacturer uses only sustainable sourced timber.

Invest in maintenance. Garden furniture does not come cheap, and to keep it looking new, it?s a good idea to purchase tools that can protect it from outdoor elements. For as low as $30, you can buy garden set covers (for patio furniture, etc). These covers are usually made of woven polyethylene. Get those that are washable and do not tear easily. Also be sure to check the stitching ? it should be firm and long-lasting. Buy only garden furniture covers with big eyelets so that you can secure them to the ground during windy or stormy conditions.

Garden Furniture provides detailed information on Garden Furniture, Teak Garden Furniture, Outdoor Garden Furniture, Patio and Garden Furniture and more. Garden Furniture is affiliated with Stone Garden Bench.

Planting a Tree

The principles of tree planting are similar whatever the size of tree. The idea is to try to disturb the tree as little as possible, place it in an appropriate hole and in a situation to which it is suited. An acid loving tree should not be planted in chalky soil, nor a sensitve tree in an exposed location. Some trees need good drainage or are less tolerant of frost or sea spray. Aftercare and staking are then designed to help it settle in. Larger trees of course will need more expert handling and those in pots over about 70litres in size may need moving and planting using machunery.

To prepare for planting, a hole a little larger than the pot needs to be prepared. In heavy clay this would need to be broken up around the edges and bottom to prevent it from turning into a sump filled with water which would suffocate the tree roots. In other soils this is not necessary. Neither is it necessary to feed the tree at planting or provide rich compost as it is useful to encourage the tree's roots to search for nutrients by growing into the surrounding soil. The tree should be planted so that the ground level is close to the level of the surface of the compost in the pot.

STAKING. Most trees will need some staking to prevent the wind from rocking the tree loose. It's necessary to take into account both the size of the tree and how exposed it will be to strong winds. Tree sizes are usually measured by their girth (which is their circumference in cms at 1m above the ground) if they have a single stem or by their height and pot size. For most trees up to around 16cm girth in a normal garden situation staking is by using a single stake driven in at around 45degrees and facing into the predominant wind which is often from the south west. The stake must be driven firmly into the ground avoiding the rootball as far as possible. It will usually cross the stem of the tree about 60cm above the ground. A well cushioned adjustable tree tie is attached and it should be loosened as the tree grows. Generally it can be removed after 2 or 3 years. For larger trees double staking is used (and occasionally guying and ground anchoring for larger trees or difficult situations) which consists of using two tall vertical stakes.These would be either side of the stem and outside the tree's rootball. The stakes are joined by a cross-piece which is attached to the tree by a cushion and tree tie. For very flexible young trees it may be necessary to use a taller single stake which can be reduced in height as the tree establishes. The general principle is that trees get stronger by flexing and adapting to adverse circumstances just as the muscles of an animal do. Over-staking therefore tends to produce weaker trees in the long run.

AFTERCARE It is surprising the extent to which weeds and grasses can compete with tree roots for nutrients and water. For trees planted into lawns or meadows therefore it is important to leave a clear circle about 1m in diameter until the tree is well established.. Mulching with a mulch mat or with about 50mm of bark can help both to keep weeds down and to maintain moisture levels in the soil. It is of course essential not to let the rootball dry out for at least the first year (see below). Pruning of laterals (small side branches coming from the main stems) and of dead or diseased branches can be carried out at planting.

WATERING. It is always important to remember that a large percentage of the losses in the first year or two are caused by allowing the roots of the tree to dry out. Periods of drought are especially dangerous. However watering little and often can encourage the roots of the tree to stay near the surface instead of spreading to seek new sources of water. The spreading of the roots will also, of course, stabilise the tree long after the stakes have been removed. For these reasons it is sometimes better to water trees through tubes sunk at the time of planting which provide water to the roots a foot or two below the surface. Failing this, surface watering systems such as leaky hoses can be useful especially when combined with mulches (although there are also trees, even species such as yew native to our better drained soils, which do not thrive if the soil is damp and mulched around their roots).

The author has been a gardener, landscaper and designer for more than 25 years. He now sells large trees, plants and hedging throughout the UK from his company site www.impactplants.co.uk. This allows both professionals and interested enthusiasts to source large plants and trees which are often not generally available. Larger nurseries, providing excellent plants, often do not deal with smaller customers except through companies like mine. I also offer professional garden advice from my page at www.impactplants.co.uk/advice.html. This might involve site visits, drawing up designs and plant lists, sourcing plants and supervising contracts. It might also just be a chat to help simplify problems which might seem insurmountable to a beginner.

Your Step By Step Guide To Planting The Perfect Lawn

Starting a lawn from scratch can be an intimidating prospect for the average homeowner. But if you take the time to do it right, it will pay you back many times over with a lawn that is much easier to care for then it would be if you cut corners along the way. Of course, the very first place to start is with the soil that you plan to use for your new lawn.

If you're creating a lawn for a newly constructed home, you may want to pay particular attention to the kind of soil that has been left behind after construction is finished. Sometimes the topsoil has almost been completely removed, and in that case you'll need to bring in a good layer of topsoil for the entire yard first.

For most homeowners though, you'll be using the same soil that you've had for a while. So the very first thing that you want to do is to test that soil. There are a couple of ways to go here, one being that you can buy soil testing kits at your local lawn and garden store to test the soil yourself. Another alternative is that many nurseries and garden stores will test your soil for free or for a very small fee, and often that solution will provide the overall best results.

One of the most important soil tests is the PH level of your soil. If your soil turns out to be too acidic, then you need to add lime, and on the other hand, if the soil is too alkaline, then you need to spread sulfur on the soil. One advantage of using a local nursery or garden shop as your soil tester is that they will often be able to tell you exactly what product you need to add, how much of it needs to be added, and then how often you need to continue to add more in order to make sure the lawn grows like it should.

Once you have your soil prepared, it's time to decide on what kind of grass seed you're going to use for your new yard. Often you can ask your local garden store for advice on what seems to grow best locally, or you may even wish to ask a few people you know that already has a nice lawn to see what kind of grass they use. Of course you need to keep in mind that how much sun or shade your particular yard receives will affect what kind of seed you need to choose as well.

The next consideration is when you should plant your seed. For those in warmer southern climates, you'll probably be planting a warm season grass seed which can be put down in the spring. For those in northern climates, you'll probably be using a cool season grass seed, and these should be planted in the fall for the best results.

Spreading the seed can be done either by hand, a broadcast spreader, or a drop spreader. If your yard is small to medium sized, perhaps the broadcast spreader will work best for you. If you have a very big yard, you may want to use the drop spreader instead. After this seed has been planted, be sure to water the yard at least a couple of times every day to help the seeds germinate quickly.

Other alternatives to seeding a lawn is to use either grass plugs or sod to start a new yard. There are some advantages to using these methods too, but keep in mind that they are usually much more expensive than grass seeding.

So in review, the steps for planting the perfect lawn are to test your soil, get the PH where it needs to be, make the choice of which seed you wish to use, spread the seed, and then water and care for the area as it germinates. If you follow these simple procedures you should wind up with a thick, beautiful new lawn that you can be proud of.

Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including home improvement. You can find lawn mower reviews and lawn tractor reviews by visiting our Home Improvement website.

Southern Flowers

I?m a Southern girl by birth. I live in Colorado now, but you know what they say: ?You can take the girl out of the South, but you can?t take the South out of the girl!? I recently spent a couple of months in Georgia with a friend this past spring. I definitely do not want to live there. Humidity and mosquitoes are enough to drive me away, but oh those southern flowers!

I grew up with two huge gardenia bushes outside my bedroom window. Gardenias are my very favorites. Southern flower, bar none. I love them. Yes, they can grow in Colorado some, but I hear it?s a bit hard to keep them healthy here. They require a lot of care and I?m not so good with high maintenance plants and bushes, so I haven?t really tried it. I miss them.

So, while I was in Georgia, I took a lot of walks for the sole purpose of smelling the flowers. The magnolias were in bloom when I arrived. Delicious! When I lived in Dallas, I had a magnolia tree in my front yard. Those are grand, as well. Second only to gardenias, you know. Magnolias, of course, are a much larger flower. Their scent smells a bit more like lemon, and not quite as sweet as the gardenias.

Both flowers must be handled with care. They will turn brown where you touch them. So, pick them and hold them by the stem only. You can place them in bowls of water indoors to bring those wonderful sweet scents into the house. They?ll actually last a few days that way.

Yes, there are lots of other flowers in the South: hydrangeas, azaleas, irises, etc. But to me, there is nothing to compare to the sweet scent of the gardenia and the magnolia! Maybe one of these days, I?ll try to grow one in Colorado.

Wanda Mettarod is a housewife who writes romance novels under a pseudonym in her spare time. She loves to do the research to make the settings of her books a little more real. You can read more articles about flowers at Flower

Theme Gardens

Flower gardens are for enjoyment. They provide you with visual beauty, the joy of working with soil and plants, and the pride of showing others what you have created. As a gardener, one is always experimenting and learning anew what delights a flower garden may bring forth. This enjoyment can be intensified by creating your garden, or a room within the garden, with a theme.

Think of the old formal gardens with their hedges uniquely designed to provide a visual appeal that has survived the ages. Think of the Japanese Garden with its calm Zen-like quality. Theme gardens can be based upon a historical time or place or special types or colors of plants. They can be created for the wild creatures we hope to draw to our garden such as butterflies or hummingbirds.

Each type of garden has an unique appeal and some even more pleasing gardens can be had by using combinations. We Americans are famous for being the Melting Pot, for combining things we have brought from the rest of the world. Imagine having a butterfly garden surrounded by old rose varieties. Imagine a vegetable garden with a Zen garden in the middle. The combinations are endless.

The book Theme Gardens by Barbara Damrosch is a great starting place. She has several types of theme gardens with pictures and layouts. Use these plans to create your own just like her suggestions. Or lay out a garden that is uniquely yours using these plans as a starting point. There is no real right or wrong way to lay your garden out, so learn as you go and have fun.

? 2005, Sandra Dinkins-Wilson.

Find more articles for Flower Garden Lovers at our informative website, http://flowergardenlovers.com.

Zoysia Grass Instead Of St Augustine

Zoysia grass has always appealed to me. I saw it many times before I actually realized it. Zoysia is commonly used on many golf courses and more recently on baseball fields. Well, through happenstance one summer afternoon, I came across the real thing- Zoysia grass.

My wife and I were at a local grass farm looking to buy some St. Augustine sod grass for our new home. Unfortunately, many home builders these days in an effort to keep their costs down do not sod the backyard. New home builders- now that is a subject that I can write about all day long and I don't mean just sod grass. Let me keep moving on with my grass buying experience.

Our first exposure to Zoysia grass was when we were shown the pallets of St. Augustine and Bermuda grass. We were not interested in Bermuda, but the person showing us the facilities of their grass farm thought we might consider it as an alternative. Next to the Bermuda sod was a single pallet of Zoysia Emerald sod cut in 18 inch by 24 inch rectangles. As he was giving us the prices and delivery options, I could not help but notice how beautiful the Zoysia was.

From that point forward, all questions were on Zoysia. A few basics about the type we were looking at which was Zoysia Emerald were:

1. the price was almost double that of St. Augustine
2. it grows much slower than St. Augustine and even slower than Bermuda
3. it does not recover quickly
4. it is best mowed with a reel mower rather than a rotary mower

Noting three out of the four on the list were negatives I felt we should rethink buying Zoysia.

The hesitation was short lived. It was just to pretty. I couldn't help but think of how nice the whole yad would look covered in a carpet like grass. Family gatherings often mean barbeque in the backyard.I know young and old alike would enjoy the soft cushion feel from the short Zoysia grass during a leisure outing. Envisioning a few moments like that was all it took to convince myself that whatever the negatives were the outcome would be worth it.

So, we placed our order for four pallets of Zoysia Emerald that day before we left the grass farm. It arrived the following day and two days later we had our new golf course like lawn. Four years later, we are still receiving compliments from friends as well as strangers passing by. With all the trials and tribulations of the related lawn maintenance, I can say we are still very happy that we made the decision of laying Zoysia Emerald grass instead of St. Augustine.

Loman has been an online author since 1999. He began writing for a small group of 20 health related websites and now contributes articles like Zoysia Grass Instead of St. Augustine Grass regularly to more than 200 sites of mixed categories including HowToLawnCare.com.