Backyard Pavilions

One of the main benefits to having a backyard is being able to go outside and sip on a beverage and enjoy the fresh air. Whether you live in a hot area or a cold one, a rainy climate or a dry one, you want to be able to take advantage of the space and privacy provided to you by your backyard. There is a wide range of backyard pavilions, from the sturdy high-end design that can accommodate a kitchen and shower, to the ephemeral structures that children build to house tea time for their dolls. Let’s examine two of the basic types that you might be interested in setting up in your backyard.

One popular type of super low-tech pavilion is the so-called “tent pavilion,” which is great for kids. This works well if you have more than one child, and want to get them to go outside instead of sitting in front of the television all day. Give them some old blankets, and a couple of tent poles or stakes of wood, some tape or strong twine, and maybe some cardboard or thick paper stock for constructing decorations. You can then help them set it up as you would a tent. Drive the stakes into the ground and secure the old blankets by taping them to the stakes. This will protect your kids from the elements and provide a space where they can be creative without the need to resort to electronics. Encourage them to decorate the sides of their new fort with the card stock. This can eat up quite a bit of time on its own. If you have a cooler you can fix them some lunch and stick it out there with them. And if they must play with their electronic devices, hand held game players or mobile phones can be used.

At the other end of the spectrum is the barbecue equipped pavilion. This is great if you frequently entertain at your house during the warm months. A backyard pavilion that has the space to house a nice grill, a few chairs, and a table can really enhance the atmosphere of any party. If you are really ready to take it to the next level, run electricity to the pavilion and hang a television so that you can watch the big game. This is likely to be a fair investment of time, but is actually a very straightforward construction for someone who is good with tools.

If you are looking for a way to take advantage of your outdoor space, and want to distract your kids or step up your ability to entertain guests, a backyard pavilion might be just the thing for you. You can chose from the ultra-minimalist tent for your kids, or the high-tech, electricity-enabled BBQ pit. Either way, make sure that the design of the pavilion is appropriate for your needs, that it matches the existing decor of your home and backyard, and that it fits into your budget.

Glenwood 10x12

Ezee Shed 8x6

Alternative Pest Control – Safer Methods You Can Use

There is a lot of concern about the environment that leads people to try alternative pest control. There is good reason for this because many of the chemicals we use are dangerous. You can take steps today to use methods that are better all around and get great results in the garden.

Some of these methods are easier to use than others, so keep in mind the amount of time and money that you have to spend on your gardening. No matter which method you choose you can rest assured that you’re doing the right thing!

The absolute cheapest but most time consuming way is to take the pests off by hand. Obviously this works best for larger pests. A good spray of water will also knock many of them off.

You can also structure your garden in a way that is uninviting for pests. Think in advance about where they might live or come from. You can erect barriers or find out where they are living and hamper their access to your precious plants.

A special trick that many top gardeners use is to place a bowl of water in the garden (or several of them). The water will attract some of the predatory insects that will leave your plants alone but feed on the pests.

You can even try mixing your own alternative pest control. Try a mixture of 1 part liquid soap and a cup of vegetable oil. This works especially well on aphids.

If you’re about to start a new garden or are ready for a complete and “pest free” makeover you might consider organic soil. Not only will your plants grow better but they’ll be able to withstand pests a lot more easily. You can use the compost from your compost pile to create a healthier growing situation as well.

If you want to save time but still control pests organically you can invest in a natural pest control product. There are several of these on the market that you can compare against each other. Better yet, seek out reviews of people who have used these to see if they live up to the guarantee. You’ll be surprised at how well they work.

One thing you might want to look into is getting species of plants that aren’t prone to getting pests. Plants that are more natural to your area will have less of a problem because they’ve developed defenses over time. Check with your local gardening center for tips on which to choose from.

Alternative pest control is a great way to protect yourself and the environment. There are a wide range of different ways that you can take advantage of more organic methods.

Glenwood 10x12

Ezee Shed 8x6

A Backyard Sanctuary

Your backyard is a special place that you can go to get away. It’s a sanctuary. You can help make your backyard and even better place to be when you choose decoration, a backyard theme, gardens, lawn furniture and more to make your backyard your own.

One way to help spruce everything up in the backyard is to get a storage shed. There are so many different types of storage sheds and garden sheds that you can find the right one to meet your needs and budget and use it to decorate your backyard as well as to keep everything organized just for your needs.
When you have a storage shed, you can put in the items you need to keep your backyard sanctuary looking great. You will have everything here in one great place where it’s kept out of the way but it’s within reach when you need it.

Your backyard needs to be a place you can feel comfortable with. It can’t be your sanctuary when you don’t feel completely at peace with it. If you have a mess in the backyard, if tools and toys are lying around, you need to find a place for them.

If the landscaping is off, or basically nonexistent, you need to work on this as well. You want to have your lawn kept nice and if you have a garden, you need to be sure it’s not overrun and that it always looks as best as possible. You will want to have some shaded areas in your backyard so if you don’t have trees to provide this, you might consider a canopy of some type.

All of these elements combined make the difference when it comes to your backyard sanctuary. A backyard shed is a great way to help you do this because you can keep everything organized right where it belongs and it’s always there when you need it.

Glenwood 10x12

Ezee Shed 8x6