Keep Your Bird Bath Clean

Bird baths are a picturesque addition to your garden, patio or yard. However, if they aren't maintained properly, they can become an eyesore. If algae and scum are taking over your bird bath, forget about washing it with harsh chemicals or bleach solutions. There are environmentally friendly solutions to keep your bird bath clean and your feathered friends happy and safe.

The easiest way to keep green algae from building up in your bird bath is to use an all-natural product that prevents scum from forming. These environmentally friendly products won't harm birds and they also won't require constant maintenance.

Bioverse makes a Birdbath Water Cleaner that uses beneficial bacteria and enzymes to prevent stains, mineral deposits and organic build-up. The product reduces the excess nutrients in the water that causes the problems.

It is best to give your bird a thorough cleaning before using the product. However, be sure to avoid bleach or harsh chemicals, which can be harmful to birds and other animals. Simply empty the bird bath and scrub it well with a brush or sponge. A mixture of vinegar and water also may be helpful; and there are a few soy-based cleaners that won't harm the birds. Some very mild detergents can be used, but some birds are sensitive to these, as well, so plain water is preferable.

If you plan on keeping your sponge or scrub brush after cleaning the bird bath, be sure to soak it in lemon juice and hot water for at least 20 minutes. Then spray a disinfectant, such as Lysol onto the sponge or brush, and give it another good rinse.

After giving the bird bath a thorough rinse, fill it with water and add a dispenser of the Bioverse Birdbath Water Cleaner. All you have to do is place the dispenser in the middle of your bird bath and the product will begin releasing beneficial bacteria and enzymes. The dispenser lasts for 30 days, and can be used on bird baths as small as one gallon or even up to a seven-gallon bird bath. The only maintenance required by you is to keep the bird bath filled with water.

In order to keep the water clean and clear, simply remove the old dispenser after 30 days and drop in a new one. It is just that simple to keep your bird bath pristine and sparkling fresh. Your feathered visitors will appreciate the clean bath, too.

In addition to bird bath products, Bioverse also offers safe, all-natural products for Koi ponds, fountains and larger water features. So avoid chemical algaecides and environmentally dangerous products. Bioverse products are safe, eco-friendly and easy to use.

Tags: algae, algaecide, backyard, bird bath, clean water, environmental, Gardening Articles, home improvement, pond, pond algae, pond cleaning, pond supplies

How Disorganized Garden Sheds Lead To Gardening Procrastination

Organizing your garden shed might be the best thing you can do for your garden this summer. If you are met with a jam packed, cob-web filled pile of rusty tools and cracked pots every time you go out to find the rake, perhaps your garden shed is not living up to it's full potential.

If you can't find your tools, and have to dig through half empty bags of potting soil and broken garden ornaments, this may lead to your gardens' worst enemy - gardening procrastination. If you think about your shed like a big closet, and the only way a closet can be useful is if it's organized, then maybe you'll finally decide to get a handle on your shed clutter.

The first step in organizing your shed is to pull everything out. And I mean everything! Garden sheds can often act as depositories for old rusty and broken junk and old paint cans filled with rock hard paint. Once everything has been removed from the shed examine the contents with a critical eye. You will want to discard or give away everything that does not have a specific use. If items have not been used in a year give them away.

Once the shed is empty give it a good cleaning. This is also a good chance to do some annual maintenance on some the shed contents. Sand off some rust spots on your garden tools and apply a new coat of anti-rust paint. Oil any parts that need oiling and generally give everything a good wash. Do not return any item to the shed unless it is cleaned and in working order.

Before putting items back into your shed take the time to add shelves and or hooks. Although an assortment of three inch nails hung your father's gardening tools, times have changed. In my opinion, those nails are an invitation for spiders to create string art in your shed. Go to your local hardware store and purchase some proper hooks. The hooks are inexpensive and sturdy and plastic coated. Proper hooks and shelving are a worthwhile investment.

Now you can put everything back into a better organized shiny clean garden shed. Knowing that everything has a place, and that you've gotten rid of the stock pile of broken tools and cracked pots, will make gardening such a easy chore now. Although it might seem like a lot of work to reorganize and fix everything up, it will be well worth it in the end.

Tags: backyard, Garden, garden shed, Gardening, Gardening Articles, home, home improvement, landscaping, shed, storage, storage shed

Tips For Building A Lean To Shed Using Plans

Have you been wondering why you should bother to use plans to build a lean to shed?

There are several things to take into consideration before you begin. Here are some useful hints to help you get off on the right foot.

Start by evaluating your skill level. Do you have the determination and persistence to understand how to read lean to shed plans? Are you comfortable with using power tools and possibly learning how to mix and pour concrete foundations or footings?

In order to take on the task of learning how to build a shed, you will need to be adept with tools. It will be hard work. You will definitely be up to the task if you possess these characteristics. These type of projects always seem to end up being trickier than they seemed at the outset, so be sure that you can cope with that frustration!

There are many tools you will need when you commence the building process, many of which you probably already have. You may have to buy some extra tools, but don't be put off by that. You will save much more money by building your own lean to shed.

Larger, more expensive tools you will need can be rented by the day. You might even be able to borrow a specialty tool from a neighbor in return for some help on his next project. Better still, they may even help to build your lean to shed.

After you decide on the right lean to shed plans, you need to make a complete materials list before heading off to the local lumber supplier. Once you have chosen your lean to shed plans, you must compile a complete list of all the materials you will need to complete the project.

Once you have your lean to shed plans, know what tools you are going to need, and have purchased your materials, you're ready to start! Just by learning how to read and build from lean to shed plans will save you lots of money and give you the satisfaction of building it yourself!

Tags: backyard, building, construction, diy, Gardening, Gardening Articles, home improvement, lean to shed plans, lean to sheds, Outdoors, shed plans

A Brief Look At Yard Art

One way by which homeowners can express their creativity is by the use of yard art. It is quite different from landscaping in that you also add other ornamentations in order to make your yard even more attractive and refreshing to other people. It is more of creating a 'theme' for your yard.

When you apply yard art, it is as if you are creating a distinct identity for your own yard and giving it its own unique characteristics. This can be done by choosing carefully your decorations and ornaments and placing them in such a manner as to help accentuate parts of your yard.

A natural look is apparently the best when it comes to yard art. A motif can be chosen and materials brought in to create that particular motif. Materials available to homeowners include tiles and sculptures. There are also signs that one can use for this purpose.

Those with lots of plants and flowers in their front yard may find that additional materials are not as necessary. What is needed is decorative arrangement and maintenance of these plants. These already serve as natural decorations, anyway.

You can also choose you own type of yard art depending on the style of your home and where it is situated. Houses with modern designs or modern surroundings may require more than plants or shrubbery to compliment it in terms of yard art.

As far as yard art is concerned, decorations are not just limited to the lawn and gardening spaces. You can also arrange your patio since it is also part of what can be seen when one looks at your yard. Even your walkways, mailboxes and fences can all be arranged in such a way that they come together to manifest your chosen yard design.

One good thing about yard art is that you can also change it in order to suit the season or the occasion. You may add symbols from the particular holiday that you are celebrating. These holidays include Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving and the like. All can serve to bring a new design to your yard.

Always bear in mind that the point of decorating your yard or of using yard art is so that you yard can be enhanced. Filling it with too much decoration will not work as this may overpower your yard's already existing natural beauty.

Tags: art, backyard, deck, design, Garden, garden decorations, Gardening Articles, home, home improvement, Lawn, patio, yard art

How To Build A Lean To Shed From Plans – Tips To Get You Started

Have you been wondering why you should bother to use plans to build a lean to shed?

There are a few considerations before you start.

First of all, think realistically about your skills. Do you have the patience and tenacity it will take to learn how to build your own shed from plans? Do you know how to run a power saw, and are you willing to learn how to mix and cast concrete footings?

Learning to use lean to shed plans means you are going to have to be able to use a variety of tools. You will need to be prepared for a little hard work. You will be able to handle the job if you possess these qualities. These type of projects always seem to end up being trickier than they seemed at the outset, so be sure that you can cope with that frustration!

You are going to need lots of tools for this project, but you probably already have most of them. You may have to buy some extra tools, but don't be put off by that. You will save much more more in the long run by building your own lean to shed.

Larger, more expensive tools you will need can be rented by the day. If you have a good friend who owns a specialty tool you need, ask if you can borrow it, or let them do the work for you.

After you decide on the right lean to shed plans, you need to make a before setting off to the friendly hardware supplier.

Once you have your lean to shed plans, know what tools you are going to need, and have purchased your materials, you're ready to start! If you want to save lots of money and feel pride in a job you completed yourself, use lean to shed plans!

Tags: backyard, building, construction, diy, Gardening, Gardening Articles, home improvement, lean to shed plans, lean to sheds, Outdoors, shed plans

Lean To Shed Plans – The Easy Way To Build A Lean To Shed From Plans

Why should you build a lean to shed using plans?

There are a few considerations before you start. Here are some handy hints to help you get off on the right foot.

First of all, think realistically about your skills. Do you have the patience and tenacity it will take to learn how to build your own shed from plans? Will you be at ease using a power saw to cut the lumber, and maybe having to make concrete for the footings?

If you want to build a lean to shed from plans, you must be able to use various tools. You will need to be prepared for a little hard work. If these are characteristics you possess, you can probably handle the job. These type of projects always seem to end up being trickier than they seemed at the outset, so be sure that you can cope with that frustration!

You probably already possess most of the many tools you will need to build your own lean to shed. Don't be put off if you have to buy some others. By building your own lean to shed you will save more money.

Remember that if you need a big, more expensive power tool for the job you can rent it for a day or even just a couple of hours.

After you have chosen the right lean to shed plans, you need to make a before heading off to the local home supply store. Once you have chosen your lean to shed plans, you must compile a complete list of all the materials you will need to complete the project.

Now that you have your lean to shed plans, your list of tools and materials, you can start your project! Just think of all the money you will save and the pride in building your shed from lean to shed plans!

Tags: backyard, building, construction, diy, Gardening, Gardening Articles, home improvement, lean to shed plans, lean to sheds, Outdoors, shed plans

Garden Sheds For Your Backyard

A trend that I'm seeing this year with respect to backyards is a return to vogue for backyard garden sheds. And it seems that the run of the mill pre-built wooden and metal sheds are not what most customers have in mind. No, the new trend this year is custom garden sheds - storage buildings with style are what people want this season.

Homeowners who are shopping for garden sheds this year are looking for something to make a statement, something to continue their landscaping theme, or a shed which custom fits their backyard hobby. The simple shed-in-a-box with four walls a roof, and a window with nail on shutters is no longer sufficient.

Some of my clients want to make their garden shed into a design element that carries on an old English garden cottage theme, some want a rustic hunting lodge theme, others are looking for a zen garden contemporary style. On the other end of the scale are clients who want to install a totally green eco shed, made with recycled materials, and customized to take advantage of all off-grid components possible - a solar panel and backup batter to run the lights, and a multi barrel rain water system to collect runoff from the sheds roof and gutter system.

One woman asked if I had seen a popular reality TV show featuring a family with eight children. I had not. She went on to explain that in a recent episode a carpenter built the children crooked houses as play houses. She wanted a crooked house theme for her garden shed. She said it was both practical and whimsical and it would make me the most famous shed builder in the area! She is trying to locate a copy of that episode for me.

The other clients that are looking for customized backyard sheds are concerned about functionality more than style. The green thumb house owners are looking for a place to store all their gardening tools and landscaping supplies, as well as provide a space to do some potting and start seedlings in the spring. There are many others with different hobbies that would like a custom built studio for such things as stained glass, pottery, and painting. All of these are ideal uses for a cute backyard garden shed.

Garden sheds; be they wooden or metal, functional or whimsical are all the rage this year. Outdoor living is very popular. Over the past decade we have seen innovations in bar-b-ques and outside patio furniture. We have seen the popularity of backyard decks soar. We have seen the advent of bug zappers and outdoor space heaters. It was only a matter of time before garden sheds took the spot light.

Tags: backyard, decor, design, Garden, garden shed, Gardening Articles, home, home improvement, home;improvement, house, landscaping, shed, storage building, storage shed

Outdoor Spot Lights Have a Multitude of Purposes

Outdoor spot lights could just be the element that is missing from your fabulous outdoor lighting scheme. Installing these specialty lights is much easier than you might think, and the effect your backyard will receive is well worth the effort. Which ever way you look at it, outdoor spotlights add much more than just a small beam of focused light - they add functionality, safety and ambiance to any outside living or business space.

Typically when you think of outside spotlights you probably think of outdoor concerts, or outdoor shows where event planners needed to draw your attention to one specific spot (moving or stationary). Or perhaps you have only really seen spotlights lighting up the sign in front of local businesses. These are ideal uses for the spotlight, but you might not realize that there are many places around your own house that you could install a spotlight to great effect. Think of your backyard lighting scheme, do you have a wonderful statue or birdbath that could be lit up at night? Using outdoor spotlights let you focus attention on objects that would normally be lost in the dark, allowing you to create focal points that add extra dimension to your outdoor lighting scheme.

Spot lights are often confused with flood lights. These two types of lights are different and serve different purposes, however, they posses some overlapping similarities. The most obvious similarity between these lights is that they are generally installed at a significant distance from the subject matter they are intended to illuminate. The most obvious difference between the lights is the focus of illumination. Flood lights disperse the light and light up a large area such as a parking lot. Spot lights narrow the focus of illumination and target a small area of illumination such as a person.

Spot lights can be used effectively at outdoor parties held at night. The proper use of these lights can act as a safety feature and also act as a form of decoration. Spotlights can highlight pathways, food areas, entry ways and exits. Additionally, properly positioned spot lights can highlight garden art. In the alternative, spotlights can be positioned to allow from crossed light beams which are always a nice effect.

Using outdoor spotlights to bump up the safety factor at your home or business is a very wise investment. Motion detector spot lights give you a number of advantages over regular lights. First, they are triggered by movement, so any intruders around the property will be less likely to roam around undetected. Second, they are convenient - you don't need to find a switch or turn them on before dark. And as an added bonus, they will be on only for the time you actually need light, thus saving energy and reducing electrical bills.

You can use spot lights in so many different ways, both for your home or your business. The cost and ease with which you can install outdoor spotlights make this a valuable addition to any outdoor lighting plan. The final effect will be well worth the effort.

Tags: backyard, decorating, entertaining, exterior lighting, exterior lights, Garden, garden design, garden lighting, Gardening Articles, home and garden, house, lighting, lights, outdoor lighting, outdoor lights