The Creation of Garden Gnomes

gnomes would help in the garden and are were very skilled with plants. It’s no wonder that they are strongly associated with gardens today. In the mid-1800′s a man named Philipp Griebel created the first garden gnome. In the town Grafenroda, Germany, he turned these myths into terracotta statues, so that people could bring some of the magic to their own garden.

The popularity of gnomes spread to the United Kingdom in 1847, when Sir Charles Isham brought 21 figures back from Germany to decorate his garden. Out of those 21 only 1 remain intact. “Lampy”, as he is called, is insured for 1 million pounds.

Griebel’s ancestors still make gnomes today, but the majority of the production comes from manufacturers in Poland or China. There is some slight controversy regarding garden gnomes, some people think that they distract from the appearance of a garden. For example, the Chelsea garden show in London, England has banned garden gnomes. This has cause some people to call them classist snobs, since gnomes are very popular in the working classes garden.

Whether or not you like these classic or not, there is no denying that they are a very popular piece of decor for the garden.

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Backyard Greenhouse

Build your own backyard greenhouse and save a ton of money. There are no special skills needed. Basic knowledge is all that is required to build your own greenhouse. Once you have chosen a location, style, and size you need to choose a cost effective structure and location. If money is not an option then you can use any of the materials below to build your backyard greenhouse. However if cost is getting in the way of building your own greenhouse it does not have to.

The structure of your backyard greenhouse can be made from any of the following:

  • Galvanized iron
  • Aluminum
  • Wood
  • PVC pipe

Galvanized iron and aluminum are your more expensive options. For a business these are better options than wood or PVC.

Wood and PVC pipe are much cheaper options. They are also easier to work with. For the avid home gardener or hobby gardener these should suit your needs just fine.

When deciding on your frame structure you also have to keep in mind what you are going to enclose your frame with. You can choose to cover your backyard greenhouse in any of these options:

  • Glass
  • Polycarbonates (Plastic sheets)
  • Plexiglass
  • Fiberglass reinforced panels
  • Polyethylene Film

Glass, polycarbonates, and, plexiglass are the more expensive options. Glass is also heavy so you need to go with a better frame structure to support the weight of the glass.

Fiberglass reinforced panels and polyethylene film are much cheaper options. Both can be used as enclosures for wood or PVC.

As you can see you do not have to have a lot of money. Enjoy gardening all year round when you build your own backyard greenhouse.

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A Garden Gazebo

Why? Well, let’s explore some of the reasons why a garden gazebo can benefit you and any garden.

First of all, just what is a gazebo? A gazebo is a freestanding structure with a roof and open sides. They are intended to provide shade, shelter, a place to rest, or even just a feature in a landscaped garden.

So, why should you have one in your garden? Protecting yourself from the sun has become a huge issue in recent years. Spending too long in the sun damages your skin and can, in later years, lead to skin cancer. Applying sun cream lotion reduces the risks dramatically, but the sun’s rays can still affect you in other ways. If you spend too long in it, it can cause you to suffer heat stroke and dehydration to name just a few.

By providing shelter in your garden you can prevent any of these from happening. You can have guests round for that summer barbecue, and you can relax knowing that you have done everything in your power to keep them comfortable. And you can allow your children to enjoy the fresh air without worrying about their health. A nice summer’s day isn’t something that should be missed because of a fear of the sun’s wrath.

The usual gazebo is a four legged structure with a roof. However, some can even have sides that shelter you from the on-coming wind as well as the sun. You can choose to have one side, two sides, or even three, depending on your preferences and circumstances. Having sides can also be beneficial if you are serving food outside. The wind can bring airborne contamination, as well as bugs, that can ruin any food. By protecting it you reduce the risk of any contamination, keeping your guests happy.

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Solar Water Fountains

Are you looking to spice up your lawn? Maybe you have always wanted a water fountain but do not want to waste all the energy on something so silly. Well, it is not silly and now you can have one without having to pay an energy bill to do so.

No, I do not plan on scamming anyone out of money so you can have a water fountain in your garden. I am talking about solar energy. On top of other useful products, you can now have a water fountain that runs on solar energy.

This fountain will run on rays from the sun instead of using our earth’s nonrenewable resources. That means you can safely and unselfishly decorate your lawn.

There are all sorts of makes and models for these fountains. You can find pumps and lighting options as well that run on solar. Landscaping options include anything from residential and commercial landscaping to farming. You can find complete fountain kits to make an assortment of waterfalls for your lawn décor.

These crafty solar fountains are easy to install and easy to use. They come all ready to go and in complete kits. They are hassle free with no batteries or wiring. Remember, they do not need anything but the sun to run.

If you want to add some drama to your lawn without having to use electricity, consider a solar water fountain. Not only do they look great in any garden, but they are harmless to the environment.

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