~ DIY ~ Do It Yourself
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 Click Image to Inlarge Spill fountain water features are a great way to add moving water to your landscape without the maintenance of an in-ground garden pond. They are made from large decorative pots of any shape or size which display the illusion of spilling water. A spill fountain water feature will create a spectacular focal point in any landscape, yet is small enough to assemble in just a few hours, making this an easy do it yourself project to appreciate the sights and sounds of flowing of water. A spill fountain water features effect of spilling water is created by burying a plastic container in the ground to catch and circulate water flowing from a decorative pot. To conceal the mechanical workings of the spill fountain, a piece of wire mesh covered with a layer of pebbles and stones sits at ground level covering the plastic container with the decorative pot directly over the top. To make a spill fountain water feature for your landscape you will need the following materials. Large decorative pot with drain hole Small and large pebbles and stones Vinyl tubing 1 ½ the length of pot Wire mesh Silicone sealant Plastic base container (at least 3 inches wider than pot and deep enough to support submersible pump) Cinder block or bricks Shovel Submersible pump Level Tin snips Dig a hole for your spill fountain water feature that is 2 inches wider than the width of your plastic container and deep enough to bring the rim of the container to landscaped ground level. Place the level in the center of the plastic water feature container, and place the container in the hole . Adjust the dirt beneath the spill fountain base to make it level with the landscape. Using the excavated dirt, backfill the hole to support the sides of the spill fountain base tamping it down for support and check again for level with the landscape. A cinder block or bricks placed in the center of the water feature container will elevate and support the weight of the spill fountain. Place the submersible pump in the container and run the vinyl tubing from the pump toward the center of the container, kinks in the tubing will interfere with water flow use only enough tubing to accommodate the spill fountain. Run the power cord for the pump out of the container and to an electrical power source. DO NOT plug the pump into an electrical outlet until the spill fountain construction is complete. Running the pump dry will damage the unit completely. The wire mesh should be at least 6 inches larger than the spill fountain base, trim the mesh with tin snips to adjust the size as needed. Lay the wire mesh over the spill fountain base and using the tin snips, cut a hole in the center of the mesh large enough to pass the vinyl tubing through. Cut and bend jagged pieces of mesh away from the tubing to prevent damage. Lower the spill fountains decorative pot over the wire mesh covered container and gently guide the vinyl tubing through the hole in the bottom of the pot, trim the tubing halfway up the inside of the pot. Using the silicone sealant, spread enough sealant around the hole at the bottom of the pot and let it set up according to the manufacturers instructions. Check the spill fountain pot to make sure it is level and make any necessary adjustments if needed. Spread the pebbles and stones over the exposed wire mesh to conceal it and trim any excess mesh if needed. Once the spill fountain has been assembled and the sealant is set and dry according to the manufacturers instructions fill the pot and the container base below it with water and plug the pump into an electrical outlet. When the pump is turned on it will circulate the water forcing it to flow up and over the rim of the spill fountain pot, disappearing into the hidden container below the pebble covered wire mesh creating the illusion of a never ending flow of water. To keep the spill fountain pump running smoothly for years to come, remove it from the water before the first frost of autumn and place it in a container with enough water to completely cover the pump. Store the container indoors where there is no threat of freezing. If the water pump housing gets dried out it will become brittle and crumble apart, rendering it useless. With a little imagination and a few hours, anyone can make a decorative spill fountain water feature to enhance their landscape. |
 Click Image to Inlarge Making and laying concrete garden stepping stones is easy, all the materials that are required are readily available at most hardware and home improvement stores. All the tools and materials required for making your own garden stepping stones are as follows. Large bucket Mason's trowel Float Edger Shovel Rubber gloves Dust mask Molding forms (* no less than 1 1/2 inches deep). Vegetable oil Fast-setting concrete mix Sand Polished stones, broken pottery, decorative stamps 1 x 4 inch piece of wood 3 inches longer than molding forms Select a container for your garden stepping stone that is no less than 1 1/2 inches and no more than 2 inches thick. The thickness of your stepping stone is important to assure the stone is capable of supporting the weight of the person stepping on it in the garden. Houseplant drainage trays are great molds for making garden stepping stones; the bottoms have elevated sections, which assist in providing a tight connection between the ground base and the stepping stone. Cardboard boxes may be used as molds for garden stepping stones. If the cardboard is not very heavy, the corners of the box may be reinforced with silver water resistant tape to assure durability for the molding process. Trim box down prior to filling with concrete. Fast-setting concrete mix can be tinted any color, one 40 lb bag of concrete mix will make one 18 x 18 inch garden stepping stone. When mixing concrete, follow all manufactures instructions. Concrete mix is capable of burning, wearing a dust mask and rubber gloves is the recommended safety equipment when mixing, pouring and handling the material. If contact occurs, wash all residues from skin with a mild detergent as soon as possible to avoid injury. The concrete for your garden stepping stone setting time is 20 to 40 minutes. The drying process can be slowed down lightly misting the surface with water, do not over saturate mix. Concrete weakens when it is overworked. To avoid weakening the concrete stepping stone arrange all patterns before mixing the concrete for your stone. Before you begin to pour any concrete, coat the molds with a heavy dose of vegetable oil, cover the corners and edges of your garden stepping stone mold generously. Fill the garden stone forms with the mixed concrete and using the1 x 4 inch piece of wood 3 inches longer than mold, drag it across the top of the form to fill in gaps and remove excess concrete. Let the concrete for your garden stepping stone set up, as the concrete sets all the heavy materials in the mix settle to the bottom of the form forcing the water to raise to the top. It is important that you do not smooth the finish of the concrete until all water is dry. To smooth the finish, glide a clean smooth piece of wood with gentle pressure across the top of your garden stepping stone. If a les polished finish is desired, a stiff paintbrush may be used to give the concrete stone a textured surface. Decorate your garden stepping stone using polished stones, worn pieces of glass, pottery or any ornamental item; press them into the molded concrete until firmly set. Smooth the concrete around the edges of the ornaments as desired. Large rubber stamps pressed into the concrete will embed an image or pattern into your garden stepping stone. Let the cement dry overnight, and remove the garden stepping stones from the molds. A concrete sealer can be used to protect your stepping stones, follow all the manufacturer instructions when using a sealer. Place the concrete stepping stone in desired location and dig out the ground below the stone. The hole must be at least 2 inches deeper than the thickness of the stone. Example: 2 inch stone equals a 4 inch hole. Pour a 2 inch layer of sand into each hole to compensate for the thickness of the stepping stone. Extra sand may be added to bring the garden stepping stone flush with the ground level or higher if desired. The possibilities are endless in creating these wonderful personalized concrete garden stepping stones. |
 Click Image to Inlarge An organized potting service area could be a portable garden wagon outfitted with a seat for comfort tending an herb garden to an entire structure complete with frost proof plumbing and greenhouse orchids. When planning a potting service area, location is very important. A northern site of the property is best if you plan on spending a lot of time in the garden a sunny atmosphere will keep your spirits up and your new plantings growing in no time. If a water source is required for your potting service area a garden hose can be directed or may I suggest placing a water barrel under the downspout of your homes gutter to collect rain water. If you choose to run permanent water lines hire a professional plumber. If you have gardening in your blood you may want to work in your potting service area at night, adding an electrical source is a wonderful way to work in the evening hours. Hanging a simple bug net over the service area will shield your from being eaten alive after sunset and protect the environment from harsh chemical bug repellent. Get organized, make a list of features you would like your potting service area to have. One of the most recommended features is overhead protection from sun and storms. Lattice works very well for this and if structured correctly can be a beautiful addition to your organized garden. Organized storage should be on the top of your list. Extra pots, tools, various additives and soils, not to mention the vast array of tools and hardware that will need a place in the potting service area to call home. A basic potting bench is essential and can be comprised of anything from a couple of sawhorses and a piece of plywood to an elaborate shelving system. Old milk crates can be stacked in different ways to create organized storage in the potting service area and a card table can be used instead of a bench. Create a space within the potting service area for recyclable materials and another for trash. A compost heap should be placed on level ground with good drainage screened from outdoor living areas and accessible from but not close to the garden. Kneeling in the garden is fun when you're planting but preparing your plantings in an organized potting service area expands the experience on the days you can't get down and dirty, but would like to feel some dirt between your fingers. Another way of organizing a potting service area for your garden is to clean up after yourself. After a hard day of working in the garden the first thing you will want to do is take a hot shower, but your potting service area will not keep itself organized. Cleaning up after a day in the garden will not only keep your potting service area organized, it will keep you wanting to use it more often. A clean workplace is a happy work place, so keep your potting service work area clean and the organization will take care of itself. |
 There are no secrets to a beautiful lawn; consistent tender loving care is the only way to maintain a healthy lawn. Hiring someone to maintain your lawn for you is always an option but satisfaction is better with hard work. Watering to maintain a healthy lawn Watering is important, a healthy lawn requires at least 1 inch of water per week depending on rain. To find out if your lawn is getting enough water you need to check the soil, sandy soil requires less water. To check the soil dig about 5 to 10 inches down to make sure the soil is soaking wet. Feeding to maintain a healthy lawn To make plants healthy and strong fertilizers will help the lawn crowd out weeds and withstand drought. In the spring use fertilizers with a 2:1:1 ratio of nitrogen to phosphorous and potash, in the fall use a 1:2:2 for healthy growth during the winter months. Roughly 3 pounds for every 1,000 square feet, a slow release fertilizer is suggested. Weed and pest control to maintain a healthy lawn A healthy lawn will prevent weeds from growing but in some cases weeds will grow where they may. Most garden and home improvement centers carry weed control systems. When using any chemicals or fertilizers to maintain a healthy lawn follow all manufacturer instructions and safety precautions. Leveling a lawn to maintain a healthy lawn A good spring clean up can change the level of a healthy lawn, tree removal, heavy traffic, pests and freezing/thawing can all damage the health of a maintained lawn and make the job of mowing tougher. Low spots can be raised by soil or sand and peat directly spread on top of the grass, no more then 1/4 of an inch thick and it must be deeply saturated. Continue adding 1/4 of an inch until the lawn is level. For deeper spots remove the healthy sod, fill the empty space in with rich soil tamped down firmly and replace the healthy sod and water deeply. Reseeding bare spots to maintain a healthy lawn In early spring or fall reseed bare spots on your lawn; some spots may require fresh sod. If seeding, rake any debris and remove weeds to prepare the soil. Loosen the soil and add fertilizer. Smooth it all out with a rake and spread seed, tamp it all down and moisten with water. Keeping the soil moist until the seeds germinate will insure a healthy maintained lawn. Mowing to maintain a healthy lawn To keep your lawn healthy and neat, mowing is critical. Mowing during the wet season should be done once every week, during the dry season every 2 weeks. During active lawn growth the grass should be cut to about 2 inches, otherwise 3 inches. Mowers you can push, turn and change blade heights are recommended. If you mow to maintain a healthy lawn often clippings can remain on the lawn, if you are trimming more than an inch from the lawn catching the clippings is recommended. If you follow these basic steps you will have no problem maintaining a healthy lawn. |
| Properly cleaning and servicing clogged house gutters will save a home owner $200 or more per year. Clogged gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year. If the roof is located directly below trees more frequent cleanings may be required. To properly clean clogged gutters and assure safety on a ladder or roof, only tackle this project if the roofs height is a single story. Hiring a professional is recommended for homes that are two stories or higher. Ladder choice and placement are an essential safety precaution when cleaning clogged gutters. While using a ladder, the ground surface should be firm and level. If using an extension ladder never lean the ladder against clogged gutters, there is risk of the ladder slipping and a possibility of damaging house gutters. A tall step ladder is safe and effortless to work with; it supports the body evenly parallel to the clogged gutter, as apposed to an extension ladder which will be on a slant forcing the body to curve in order to gain access to the gutter, which may throw the body off balance causing unnecessary injury. Maintain good posture and balance by keeping hips and waist between the ladders side rails, do not lean the body passed the sides of the ladder when cleaning clogged gutters and never stand on the top two rungs (steps) of any ladder. Working from the rooftop is another option when cleaning clogged gutters. Depending on the pitch of the roof, access to the house gutters may be easier than using a ladder. When working on a rooftop, wind, water and icy conditions are unsafe, only work on a roof when weather conditions permit. Never lean over the edge of a roof or work under or near power lines, nonslip shoes are recommended. When using a water hose on the roof the hose should be long enough to anchor at a point higher or even with the location of the work. Water hoses can pose the threat of pulling a person over the edge. It is recommended to wear heavy, waterproof work gloves to protect against clogged gutters sharp metal edges and joint fasteners. Also safety glasses are recommended. If the house gutters have cover systems, be sure to safely remove them before cleaning. The following is a list of recommended materials and tools for cleaning clogged house gutters. Ladder Strapped cloth sack or bucket Blunt and narrow scoop or trowel Extra long water hose with controllable water pressure nozzle Heavy waterproof work gloves Plumbing snake/wire hanger (occasionally needed) Gutter sealant caulk (optional) Clean clogged house gutters beginning at the drain opening and working toward the middle of the gutter, this prevents further clogging of the leader the drain empties into. Place debris in strapped cloth sack or bucket emptying as frequently as needed for safe mobility. Using the water hose, clean out each gutter forcefully working the runoff toward the drain opening keeping a safe enough pressure as to not damage the gutter connection to the roof. A stiff brush can be used gently to remove stubborn buildup if needed. To assure a clear drainage path check all drainpipes. If debris obstructs water flow, hold the hose directly over the drain hole in the clogged gutter and continue to flush the pipe until the clog is free. For stubborn clogs use a plumbers snake or wire hanger to clear the pipe at ground level. To be sure your house gutters are functioning properly allow water to flow through the system. During this process inspect the house gutters by checking for leaks near jointed areas. If leaking areas are discovered clean then caulk the inside of the gutter with sealant. Properly cleaning clogged gutters is a big job and when maintained properly gutters will provide years of protection for your home. |
