Garden art and backyard design pieces add atmosphere, fun and creativity to a garden. Even a vegetable garden will have more flair with garden art and a little humor added. This is one reason why scarecrows a re popular in gardens. They may ward off birds but they also add creativity to a garden.
photo credit: A Girl Next Door

Garden art can include everything from a decorative plant pot to a water fountain.

Here are a few suggestions to think about when adding garden art to your gardens and yard.

Use existing structures as backdrops for garden art pieces. Pots with flowers placed strategically on a fence create more of a garden feel to a small backyard. Hang antiques or old tools on the sides of barn or utility shed.

Create a small area to rest in the garden, or by a greenhouse or work shed.

Small tree-filled spaces will look more spacious if you use a three dimensional approach in design. Birdhouses, mini lanterns and wind chimes will create layers of color and interest in the branches.

You can also create mini gardens around the tree bases with flowers, herbs and ceramic collectible pieces. I use collectibles that may have some damage but when placed in a garden area it is not noticeable.

Wide-open spaces in the backyard successfully display larger garden art. Ponds, fountains, a bird sanctuary including a feeder, bath and butterfly garden, or larger sculpture pieces work well here. And make sure you add a bench for relaxing.

By adding garden art you can quickly change the look of a garden or backyard for a party or for the different season of the year. Garden art also looks nice on the patio or balcony and will help blend the indoor space with outdoor space.

The only precaution with adding garden art it making sure the pieces have a common theme and match your landscape or home design so that you have a nice design flow and not a confusing chaotic look.

Technorati Tags: backyard garden, backyard garden design, creative gardening, garden art, landscaping design

At this time last year I decided to start a perennial gardening business. I wanted to make better use of my backyard plus I am plant addicted and feel you really can’t have enough plants.
photo credit: cliff1066

During the summer I collected plants and in the fall I set up a starter garden for the perennials. Theses were for the plants I bought, found or traded for. I divided the perennials that you divide in the fall and covered the soil with a heavy mulch to stop weeds from growing and to protect the plants from heavy frosts.

This spring I worked the mulch into the ground and found more plants to add to the collection. I also divided many of the plants that should be divided in the spring. My plants quadrupled in a twp week times from dividing plants. The divided plats will be ready to sell in the fall.

Last year at this time I had about 150 perennial plants. This year I have 2000 plants that are a good size and healthy. By fall, even with sales I will have about 5000 plants.

My goal was to start a perennial gardening business on a budget by finding or trading plants and purchasing plants that could be easily divided for more new plants. I wanted to set up a backyard business that is enjoyable.

I spent $50 last year and have made $500 this spring just selling a few plant varieties I don’t like to grow. In the fall I hope to have a business that can be run full time.

Where to find Free Plants

From your friends when they divide their perennials
From houses that are going to be torn down. Ask first!
From greenhouses at the end of their season
Along the road and abandoned houses.

This last week stopped at two garage sales and they had beautiful gardens. I asked what they did with their plants when they divided plants and worked in the garden and they admitted they just tossed them. So I made arrangements to pick up their “homeless” plants. I have 4 boxes of plants (about 200 plants and 12 new varieties) and in a few weeks I will be getting more perennials.
photo credit: carterjk

I also plan to sell my bee balm patch that has taken over an old garden. It’s a lovely plant and I plan to keep some of the plants but I have dug up 100 clumps of bee balm and it’s going to a flea market tomorrow. The money I make from the plants will go to buy new plant varieties I don’t have.

Another suggestion that will save you money is to make your own compost for your plants which will cut back on buying soil.

Free  pots and garden containers can be found along curbs that are being tossed out or at garage sales.

So when it comes to saving money on plants, ask around. You will be surprised what plants you can get for free or for trading. It adds to the fun of gardening and makes for a prettier backyard garden area.

Technorati Tags: Backyard Flower Garden, dividing perennials, flower garden, free plants, perennial garden, perennial garden business, perennial plants, plant care, thegardenersrake.com

The hammock is believed to have been conceived in South America over 900 years ago.
photo credit: Living in Monrovia

Even though there is no hard evidence many believe that the first hammocks were made using the bark of the hamak tree and this is how the hammock was named.

As soon as Christopher Columbus landed on the Bahamas he could see the versatility of the hammock and promptly brought the idea back to Spain where it went through some refinements. Like swapping the hamak bark for sisal fibers before it spread throughout Europe.

The main reason hammocks became popular initially in South America is because they are suspended above the floor. This in effect kept the occupant away from insect’s spiders and snakes it also offered dry alternative to sleeping on a wet floor.

The hammock is we know it today really came to prominence in the 16th century when an English navy admiral realized its potential for use in the cramped conditions of the battle ships. Now more people could sleep more comfortably in a smaller space than before.

These crew members became so accustomed to sleeping in a hammock that many insisted on taking them whenever they were on leave, convinced that they would be unable to sleep properly in a normal bed.

Hammocks were used by both the navy and military right up to the Second World War which shows just how versatile and durable a hammock is when it stand up to these conditions.

Hammocks still hold many close ties with South America indeed many of the most popular hammocks are named after south and Central American countries.

Brazilian hammocks are made from cotton, they do not use a spreader bar which allows the hammock to wrap in around the person, making them more secure and less likely to fall out when a sleeps.

The Venezuelan hammock also does not use a spreader bar which also makes it ideal to use for sleeping. These hammocks will have a lot more give and will stretch over time.

Technorati Tags: backyard garden, garden, garden furniture, garden hammock, garden history, outdoor furniture