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How to Use a Lawn Roller

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:17:42 +0000

A lawn roller may not be a staple item found in most homeowner’s tool or garden sheds, but lawn rollers can be an effective way to keep your lawn looking its best and add to the look of your garden decor. A lawn roller works by smoothing out the surface of your lawn so that it looks great and grows well. Lawn rollers not only smooth the surface under the grass or sod that is laid but they also help to urge new growth by helping the seed or sod adhere to the soil beneath so that strong roots can begin to develop.

How do you use a lawn roller?

Using a lawn roller is a fairly simply process. If you already have an established lawn but find that you have bumps or bulges in the ground that you would like to flatten out, cut into the lawn just outside of the bulging area and gently pull back the area of the lawn where the bulge occurs. Remove enough extra soil so that when the section of lawn is replaced it lies flat. Then use a lawn roller to completely flatten the area to make it level with the surrounding area and to reestablish a good connection between the grass and the soil so that the roots can continue to develop well.

If you are getting a new lawn going from scratch, a lawn roller is a smart way to get your yard well established. Whether you are planting from seed or laying sod, a garden lawn roller should be used to smooth out the dirt before seed or sod is initially laid. Then once it is laid out, the seed or sod should be watered and then a lawn roller should be used to gently push the seed or sod into the underlying soil so that a strong bond is formed. This will help with strong root development, will ensure that grass seed will not easily blow away and will help sod to adhere to the underlying soil for healthy growth.

What type of lawn roller should you use?

There are a variety of lawn roller types and which type you use will in part depend on what you are doing to your lawn. If you are purchasing a lawn roller to occasionally smooth out sections of your lawn or to keep your lawn looking its best, you can probably get away with a push lawn roller. These are not quite as heavy or effective as a commercial lawn roller, but if you are not reseeding or sodding your whole lawn, they should do the trick. For very small sections of lawn, you can even use a hand lawn roller to smooth out the areas.

If you need a more heavy duty lawn roller because you are embarking on a large project or have a very uneven lawn, then you may want to consider a commercial lawn roller rental, since they are rather expensive to purchase and unless you are using them over and over probably do not pay to buy. Commercial models include heavy steel lawn rollers and concrete lawn rollers.

If you are only using a lawn roller for an occasional project, even if it’s not a large project, you may still not want to go out and purchase a new lawn roller. In that case, you can sometimes find a used lawn roller for sale, either at a yard sale or advertised online through a site like craigslist or a similar type site. Another option is to make a homemade lawn roller. If you can find a large drum or round container, you can fill it with dirt, sand or water to weigh it down and then roll it across your lawn. This will not be as easy as a professional model, but will work well for small areas without the expense of having to buy or rent a lawn roller. Water filled lawn rollers are the easiest to construct because the water can be easily added and removed when needed and water offers the weight required to smooth out the lawn.

Another option is a lawn mower roller attachment which is available to attach to some models of lawn mowers. The lawnmower roller allows a heavy cylindrical roller to be attached to the lawn mower so that the mower can be used to propel the lawn roller. This is not an option that is widely available on many lawn mower models, however.

Other uses for a lawn roller:

Another use for a lawn roller is as an aerator. A lawn roller aerator is a device that looks like a lawn roller but has evenly spaced spikes along the cylinder to remove plugs of grass and soil in the lawn as it rolls over it. This is beneficial for the health of the lawn because lawn aeration helps lawns to breathe and aids in strong root growth.

Lawn rollers can also be used to smooth out areas of dirt or soil before laying patio slabs or other block paving stones.

Buy lawn rollers here.

Garden Décor: An Informal Process

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:43:17 +0000

Garden décor comprises everything in your outdoor space or garden that creates a mood or sets a style for the space. Similar to interior décor, outdoor garden décor sets the theme for what you want your space to look like and different aspects of the way you set up and decorate your backyard or garden will add to that theme. Home and garden décor aren’t really that different in principle, although with lawn and garden décor, you are dealing with a more open and expansive space and it is generally a more informal process.

Outdoor garden décor encompasses everything from whether you have a deck, patio or pool to whether you have loads of beds loaded with wildflowers or a well manicured lawn. But it’s the finishing touches that really set the tone for the style of your backyard – the little accessories placed around the yard that bring in the personal elements that are all your own.

For example, if you are into a whimsical garden décor theme, you may want to place gnome garden statues throughout your flower beds to add some charm. If Asian garden décor is more your thing, then you will tend towards a more manicured look with Asian-inspired accents to give you the feel of the east. Those who like a more rustic garden décor theme may opt for more natural objects made from wood or those with a more classic charm.

When it comes to lawn and garden decorations, there is no end to what you can find if you are looking for it. Home improvement stores, warehouse stores, lawn and garden stores, online retailers and a variety of garden décor catalogs offer loads of different types of garden decorations. From metal garden décor, comprising statues, wall hangings and small or large objects to place around the yard, to theme related items, such as frog garden décor or dragonfly garden décor (two very popular themes!), there are lawn and garden decorations to suit any decorating style. There are also more utilitarian items, such as garden fencing or lighting, that can be found to suit different decorating styles .

Making your garden decorative can be an informal and fun process because many of the rules for interior décor can be lightened up a bit. Unlike the more stringent rules, such as how objects should be placed in groupings or what colors go together well, outdoor garden decorations can be selected piece by piece or simply because you like them or bought them on a whim. There are no rules – after all, your garden space is a place to relax and let loose a little, so the more color and the more interest that graces the nooks and crannies of your backyard, the better. A garden decoration “works” in a space if it makes you happy to look at it. It’s really as simple as that. No fancy experienced decorator needs to tell you that – a garden is a much more informal space than a living room (although there are those that enjoy formal and manicured gardens, and in that case, what makes them happy may be a bit more reserved and streamlined.)

If you are looking for garden décor ideas, peruse through home and garden magazines, spend some time surfing the net, pick up a garden décor catalog, or simply stroll through your favorite stores. Then, when you find something you like, add it to your garden or yard in a place that seems logical and sit back and enjoy the view!

Buy garden decorations here.

Porch Awnings Offer Protection From the Elements

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:22:39 +0000

If you have a front or back porch on your home, then installing a porch awning may be a wise choice for offering protection from the elements. Porch awnings come in many forms and many homes with porches on them already have awnings installed when the porch is built. But, if your porch is an open area or your existing porch awning is in need of replacement, then you can choose from among the variety of styles of porch awnings currently available on the market.

Porch awnings are beneficial because they provide cover from the grueling effects of the sun, shield homeowners and belongings from the wind and provide a cover from rain or snow. By installing porch awnings on your home, you offer yourself the opportunity to get more use out of your porch area without having to be a slave to the effects of the weather. A porch awning is also helpful in protecting your outdoor patio furniture from shading or premature wear because the furniture is shielded from the harshest effects of the weather. The awnings also often add value to your home.

If you are in the market for front or back porch awnings, then consider some of the different styles available before making a decision to purchase. These awnings can also be used over decks, patios, windows or doors as well. When they are installed over patios, they are often referred to as patio covers.

Types of Porch Awnings:

Aluminum Porch Awnings – Aluminum porch awnings are among the more popular types of awnings for porches that you will find. This is because aluminum is a sturdy material that is also low maintenance and well priced. Aluminum porch awnings can be ordered in many custom colors, and most manufacturers bake the color right into the aluminum which makes them hold up well and resists fading and flaking of the color.

Metal Porch Awnings – Metal porch awnings are similar to aluminum in the style and construction of the awning, but metal is a sturdier (and sometimes pricer) option. Metal porch awnings are a good choice in places where there is more severe weather or in more commercial structures that receive a lot of wear and tear, although they are also perfect to use if you are looking for a front porch awning or something for the backyard as well. Some people even use this type of awning as a carport, to provide a covered space to park their car or extra vehicle.

Canvas Porch Awnings – If you are looking for a more custom look for your porch, deck or patio, then canvas porch awnings may be just what you are looking for. With these types of awnings you can choose from among a variety of colors and patterns to best suit the style and décor of your home. A canvas porch awning is lightweight and affordable. The awnings are also easily customized to fit any shape or size and to contain different finished edges which will offer a unique and custom look. Canvas porch awnings can be protected with a variety of finishes that repel water and avoid mold, mildew and dirt build-up on the awning.

Retractable Porch Awnings – A retractable porch awning offers the best of both worlds because the awning can be opened up when protection from the elements is needed or rolled up when it is not. Retractable porch awnings are among the most versatile of awnings because they allow homeowners to use the awnings only when needed. Retractable awnings usually have canvas coverings and there are a variety of options available for operating the awning.

Caravan Porch Awnings – If you are looking for an awning for your camper or caravan, rather than your home, then a caravan porch awning is just what you are looking for. Caravan porch awnings allow owners of caravans, campers or RV’s to set up a porch space that offers some respite from the weather. Caravan porch awnings are available in the same types of materials and styles that home porch awnings are offered, but the construction of them is slightly different to accommodate attachment to the caravan or RV itself. Caravan porch awnings are typically collapsible or retractable so that when you are ready to hit the road, there is not a long process needed to disassemble the porch awning. The most popular materials for caravan porch awnings are canvas or vinyl, rather than metal or aluminum.

Porch awnings are usually custom ordered to the specifications of the porch or other area you are looking to cover. When you are looking to provide shelter over your front porch, back porch, deck, patio or other area, it is best to call a local company that specializes in porch awnings. They will usually come out to your home to measure the space, offer material and finish options, discuss pricing and provide installation information. It is always good to talk to a few different porch awning specialists prior to purchasing, to check references or to ask for recommendations from others that you know have purchased porch awnings so that you can feel confident that you are ordering from a reputable and quality company.

Buy porch awnings here.