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Teak Is Best For Long Lasting Patio Furniture

When you are considering a purchase of outdoor furniture it needs to be carefully chosen. You need to consider the elements that it will be exposed to. You can not go wrong by choosing teak outdoor furniture. It is truely one of the most popular choices of furniture to be placed outdoors.

If you desire durability and hardness than teak outdoor furniture should be your first choice. Teak wood has beautiful tone and grain which makes it a joy to own. It is such a stand up product due to the resin oil that is naturally in the hardwood. This helps to ward off insects as well as making it repel water and the drying effects of the sun.

You will also find Silica in teak, which makes teak outdoor furniture more durable by preventing warping, deforming and rotting. The initial appearance of your teak outdoor furniture is a warm golden color. As it is exposed to the elements of the outdoors, it will eventually lose its shine and change color to grey. Do not worry; it will not lose its durability even as it changes color.

One of the classic ways to choose teak outdoor furniture is to first, of course, check out the wood. If you see that it has cracks or chips or other breaks than that might be a sign of low durability. Since wood damage begins with these sorts of blemishes you want to find teak outdoor furniture that is sealed without any outward signs of stress.

You also need to be sure that the teak outdoor furniture you intend to buy is wholly made of teak. Some manufacturers may insert a different kind of wood in some places far from the discerning eye. It is best to inspect the furniture for wood that may look different (different wood grain, colors and texture) from the rest before you buy it and when it is delivered to your home.

Teak is just like any other tree and it has knots. If you notice your teak outdoor furniture that you intend to buy has high level of knots than consider the long term fact that the knot is a point of vulnerability where decay can start.

Ask your teak outdoor furniture supplier how the teak is dried. Kiln dried is best because this eliminates warping and cracking. Air dried or sun dried wood may result in inferior quality teak outdoor furniture even if the wood is of higher quality. This is because other than kiln drying, other forms of wood drying may not be as thorough.

Many people have heard of the quality and hardiness of teak outdoor furniture but this does not mean that all of it is made of high quality teak. It is best to follow this guide in choosing the right kind of teak furniture for your outdoor needs.

As a major purchase you want your outdoor teak patio furniture to last a long time. Since this is a major investment in your home and an addition to your landscaping scheme. if you choose well than teak makes a wonderful addition to any outdoor landscaping long range planning.

June 27 2008 | Landscaping | No Comments »

Vegetable Gardening – Planning and Planting for Fall and Winter

Most of us think of planting in the Spring and harvesting in the Fall. And, for the majority of crops, that’s right. But species vary, climates vary and indoor container gardening often can be carried out year ’round.

For some crops it is helpful to plant in the fall because it helps enrich the soil for the following spring. And certain lettuce varieties can be planted late in the summer and still be harvested before the first frost.

When to plant depends on the species and your climate zone. Get the best estimate possible on when to expect the first frost. 30-day weather forecasts, Farmer’s Almanac and others are good sources of information.

Be sure to clear your area of any spring or summer crops before planting new seed or transplanting new vegetables. Leftovers decay, encouraging bacteria. Spread a couple of inches of new compost or mulch over the area. Turn the top layer of soil up and water well, then let it rest for a day. Since in most areas, you’ll receive more rain (and sometimes snow) in the Fall, be sure you have well draining soil.

There are many varieties that will thrive if you take these preliminary steps.

Beets do well if planted before the beginning of August. If you intend just to harvest the tops, the date can be extended to the beginning of September.

Broccoli can be transplanted until about mid-August. It will continue to thrive in most climates until Thanksgiving, when it can be harvested for a great addition to the holiday meal. In some warmer zones it may even last as late as Christmas. In fact, Italian broccoli can be planted during the winter in areas with no snow and will produce shoots until spring.

Fall cabbage planting is common in various climate zones. Jersey Wakefield cabbage is often seeded in the first couple of weeks of September and survives throughout the winter to be harvested in late spring.

Since carrots are a root vegetable and grow under the ground, it can withstand seasonal changes. If you plant carrots by mid-July or even in the fall, you can harvest them in the winter. It is important to keep in mind though that in very cold temperatures the ground freezes making digging nearly impossible

Endive does well if planted by mid-July. A light mulch will keep it protected from frost and it can be harvested in winter. Water drainage in the fall and winter months is much slower than in summer so it’s important to make sure the endive doesn’t get too wet.

Romaine can be sown in July, then harvested in the Fall. Since it’s low to the ground and very leafy, it’s important to keep it from being excessively wet. Fungal growth is still possible in Fall, even though temperatures are cooler at night.

You can also plant some peas in early November and harvest them the following June. So with proper planning, you can enjoy fresh vegetables nearly year round.

Enjoy!

June 26 2008 | Gardening | No Comments »