You may be curious as to what a living wall actually is? Well that answer is easy enough. A living wall is a wall that is partially or completely covered in living plants. They are also referred to as “green walls”

living wall

Living walls are not only as beautiful as you choose to make them but there are quite a few health benefits as well. They naturally remove toxins and unhealthy contaminants in the air that you breathe. They can absorb sound and heat as well.

There are multiple living wall options and differing ways to install them as well.

One of the most important steps is to decide on what wall your “living wall” will go on and if there is anything in the way to prohibit watering or growth.

Next, choose the appropriate plants for your living space, taking into account the amount of light and temperature.

Living walls

The structures that you decide to plant your plants in are also very important as they will provide the integrity to your wall and make sure that you plants remain where they are supposed to be. Therefore, it is extremely important to find components that are going to be able to support your plants and soil while being able to remain upright on the wall. It may also be a good idea to leave a little space between the rows of plants so that air can flow between and oxygenate them or to at least choose plants that allow for ample air flow.

Succulent type plants do very well in this type of system as they require little water so forgetting to water them is no big deal. They also have shallow roots that allow for maximum water absorption.

Living wall plants

Hope this information helps and that you are now inspired to create a living wall all your own.

Article written by Ashley. When she isn’t writing she can be found reading at the beach or taking photographs.

The post “Living Walls” in the Home: What are They and How do You Build Them appeared first on Patio Furniture Articles.

I am getting ready to pot some flowers for summer. I am sorry for those of you still getting snow in May. I’ll share my easy garden project with you.

I still need some soil and plants to create the flower collages that I’d like but while I have some of the flowers on hand – I ‘accidentally’ came across a little NEST idea for my store potted plants. I used the following supplies. 

1-  14″ plastic tray

2 – old twig wreath – medium

3 –  twig wreath – small

4 – 2.5 QT Viola 

Layer the 4 items big to small.

The plastic tray will hold the water for my little perennial to drink until she’s put into her permanent pot with rich soil.

The layered twig wreaths cover the “store” pot and the plastic tray.

These little black violas were on sale so I grabbed two of them.

This flower nest looks so cute at our backyard gate – the violas might get to stay there a lot longer. Sending sunshine to my friends up north!

Sharing with these link up parties: French Country Cottage, Common Ground, Fishtail Cottage

via Down to Earth Style

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When it comes to creating comfortable and great looking living spaces around your home, the Patio and Outdoor Furniture designers are really making things easy with some stunning styles. With help from some great looking vacation spots and well decorated backyards these latest patio furniture offerings look right at home and ready to be used. From Teak wood and wrought iron to the widely used synthetic woven wicker there is something for every environment and lifestyle. We hope these 100 Must See Designs and Images offer some direction as you plan the perfect place to relax with friends and family. Also see 125 More Picture and Ideas

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1. Ever heard that phrase, “Early to bed and early to rise”? It works the other way around too. Try to wake up no more than two hours after the sun rises. Eat a light but filling breakfast (full of fats and proteins) as soon as possible. One theory suggests that breakfast solidifies our sense of “the time to wake up”. The earlier you wake up, the earlier you will be tired enough to go to sleep.

This image via wikipedia

2. Get off of your computer half an hour before you go to bed. Stop the fast music (your heart instinctively matches the tempo of whatever music you listen to) to calm your heart rate. Have a tiny meal (perhaps a small sandwich with only one slice of bread). Look for fats. Avoid acids or sugars.

3. Don’t consume any caffeine for up to five hours before you go to bed. Some people metabolize caffeine faster than others; experiment with your own metabolism to know exactly what your window of time is.

4. Brush and floss your teeth right before sleeping every night. Sometimes a Pavlovian method works the best. Classically condition yourself to feel sleepy after conducting your nightly oral hygiene.

5. Take melatonin. Melatonin is a supplement that could be found over the counter. It is reported to help users sleep more deeply, so try to give yourself 7-9 hours of sleeping time before taking it. And of course, consult your doctor before regularly taking any supplements.

6. Right before you go to bed, try to write a list of things that you would you like to have done tomorrow. If you have trouble remembering to take your wallet to work, put it in your shoes. No one forgets to leave without their shoes. If you have to take the trash out in the morning, put the can in front of your door.

7. Experiment with noise. There are different types of noise machines that supply different “colors” of noise. White noise has a high frequency and helps you focus; pink noise has a lower frequency and helps you relax; brown noise has the lowest and helps you fall asleep. Trouble falling asleep? Put some brown noise in earphones and lay in bed.

This image via wikipedia

8. Lay in bed and relax all your muscles. All of them. Your legs, arms, torso–even your jaw. Close your eyes and review the events of your past day. Try to replay the entire day in your memory. Be relaxed while doing this. Don’t worry about the details.

9. Try to daydream in bed. Yes, like you used to in math class. Often times, the day dream turns into a real dream.

10. Make your bed a sanctuary. Don’t eat, watch TV, or do any work on your bed. This might keep you from being able to sleep; your mind might want to watch TV or work instead if that is what you normally do.

For more ideas on how to fall asleep, check out this Reddit page where users discuss their own sleeping tips.

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Image via Wikipedia

1. Make Your Place Settings Count!

Nothing brings your fiesta feast table together quite like gorgeous color schemes and vibrant place settings. Truly, this is the area where your Cinco de Mayo design aesthetic is “made” or “broken.” So go all out!

You can find brilliant Mexican table runners made with fine, textured fabrics for little expense on Amazon.com. Also, be sure to check out serape blankets and vibrant table runners in hues like pink, orange, green, yellow, red, and white. The more colorful, the better! Cinco de Mayo decorations are all about pizzazz, razzmatazz, and all that jazz! So mix and match, and let your colors jarabe!
 

Image via BHG

Try to find brightly-colored ceramic plateware and matching woven wicker coasters, complemented by bright, textured napkin cloths. The more vivid colors you have, the more personality it will bring to your celebration!

2. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Spectacular Spring Flowers!

Image via Epicurious

Nothing says “celebration” like vibrant, explosively-colored flowers. And no Cinco de Mayo celebration can truly be called complete without an elegant floral centerpiece! Choose flower hues that are brightly-colored with vibrant tones like vivid purples, oranges, and yellows. You might also choose flowers in the colors fo the Mexican flag: red, white, and green. Zinnias, Gerbera Daisies, and China Asters are all exceptional choices, but if you want a more authentic “South of the Border” touch, keep an eye out for Dahlias, Nasturtiums, Begonias, and Salvias as well. Dahlias are the national flower of Mexico and look gorgeous on your patio table!

3. Ditch the Margarita; Stand Out with a Paloma!

Image via Drizzle and Dip

“Ditch the margarita? Heresy!” you cry out. There’s nothing wrong with margaritas, and obviously if you love them you should have them at your Cinco de Mayo fiesta. But if you want a drink that’s festive but also a little more unique, give the humble Paloma a try. These adult beverages are light, crisp, and bubbly, for an immensely satisfying and refreshing taste that will leave your guests’ tastebuds craving more. This is how you throw these tasty drinks together:

• Step 1: Rim a highball glass with coarse salt, as you would a margarita, and garnish with lime. Fill the glass quarter-up with ice.
• Step 2: shake 1 teaspoon of lime juice with 1 ounce of premium platinum tequila. Splash these contents into your glass.
• Step 3: fill the remainder with Mexican grapefruit soda (Jarritos is classic, though perhaps a bit sweet – ask your local grocer for a drier soda, if desired).
• Step 4: for bonus points, cut a lime in half, core it, and float the lime in the Paloma. Fill the empty cored lime with another shot of a different kind of tequila (we recommend reposado).
• Step 5: Serve, sip, savor, and celebrate!

4. Make your fiesta food fresher with homemade roasted tomato salsa!

Image via Delish-Blog

At this point, Cinco de Mayo seems to basically exist to benefit the Frito-Lay corporation. You will not go to a single Cinco de Mayo party, barbecue, or park fiesta and NOT find the ubiquitous chips and salsa plate. It’s as if, without chips and salsa, a Cinco de Mayo party would just be… well, not a Cinco de Mayo party. So how do you set your chips and salsa apart from the rest? Try making your own! it will not only taste fresher than the stuff from a jar, but you’ll be able to wow your friends with your own great home cooking. Here’s how t make it:

• Step 1: Chop up about 8 or 9 plum tomatoes into small, 1/2 inch pieces. Quarter a large white onion. Procure 3 or 4 jalapeno peppers, as well as 3 cloves of garlic.
• Step 2: Throw all those ingredients into a small roasting pan, lined with aluminum foil, and toss into the oven on “Broil.” Add salt to taste; coarse salt is a must, sea salt is ideal. Broil this plate until the tomatoes are charred, around eight minutes. For smokier salsa, broil for longer.
• Step 3: peel the now-roasted garlic cloves and pluck the stems from your roasted jalapenos. Throw all of the contents of your roasting plate into a blender and puree until you achieve a smooth consistency.
• Step 4: if yo desire a thinner consistency, you may add water to your blend. But this is not necessary. That’s it! you now have some fantastic homemade roasted-tomato salsa that will amaze your friends and family! Bonus points if you make your own tortilla chips (just cut corn tortillas into wedges and pan-fry them in oil; dry over paper towels and serve).

5. Try your hand at a DIY pinata!

Pinatas are fascinating additions to a Cinco de Mayo fiesta for reasons that are largely… existential. No matter how complex or beautiful your pinata is, it only exists to be broken, revealing its treasures to elated children and adults alike. A mainstay of Cinco de Mayo fiestas in the U.S., few things bring out the joy and fun of the holiday quite like a vibrant pinata. But buying a suitable one might prove no small task, depending on where you live. What to do? Well, why not try to make your own! You can make a pinata that is as simple or as complex as you please. Just follow these simple steps for a basic papier-mache one:

Image via Wikipedia

• Step 1: acquire and inflate a balloon. You can shape this balloon however you please with some wrapped cloth around the base, for a more spherical shape, or in the midsection, for a peanut shape.
• Step 2: Cover the balloon in papier-mache paste. To make papier-mache paste, just mix one cup of wheat paste powder with 4 cups of water until consistent. Cover the balloon in a thin layer; you’ll need more paste for the next step.
• Step 3: cut newspaper up into thin strips. Dip each strip thoroughly into your papier-mache paste and then place strips, overlapping each other, around the balloon. Cover the whole balloon and let it dry; once dry, continue to layer strips on top of each other (and let those layers dry) until you are 3 or 4 layers thick.
• Step 4: Cut brightly-colored tissue paper into thin strips. Starting from the bottom of the balloon, glue each strip individually to the dried papier-mache. Work your way up the pinata.
• Step 5: Pop the balloon by making an incision in the top of your pinata; this is your trap door. Make three cuts so you can lift the flap back, then pour candy (or party favor of your choosing) into the trap door. Then, punch a hole in the flap so you can loop some string through it. Make sure you use sufficiently long string to hang the pinata from a branch or other overhang. Presto! You now have a DIY pinata of your very own, perfect for entertaining the kids at your Cinco de Mayo party.

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone! Enjoy tapping into your creativity, enjoy hosting, stay safe, and have fun!

This post was written by Mike Bowman. He may not be Martha Stewart, but he sure knows how to have fun.

The post 5 Tips to Get Your Patio Ready for a Cinco De Mayo Fiesta! appeared first on Patio Furniture Articles.

U.S. Primary Energy Consumption by Source and Sector, circa 2009 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

But with rising oil costs, and with increased global mindfulness of the environmental problems we all are facing, some people have been looking for alternatives. And interestingly, many people have found their ideal alternative by looking backward, rather than forward. Solar power and hydroelectric energy are wonderful budding technologies that reduce our reliance on finite resources and help reduce our negative impact on our environment, but in times of restricted budgets and limited resources, the best way to “go green” and reduce your carbon footprint may be to start using more wood power – firewood power, that is.

Firewood energy: let’s bring it back! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Wood combustion has been the driving energy source behind most all of humankind’s energy needs up until the 19th century. But just because wood energy fell out of vogue in the wake of oil combustion and gas-powered electric generators, doesn’t mean that wood, as an energy resource, was forgotten. Modern technologies with wood farming and combustion make wood a strong-burning, climate-change-combatting resource.

So, how does wood combustion help fight climate change?

First of all, the very nature of wood is carbon neutral. In other words, the amount of CO2 pulled from the atmosphere during the growth cycle of a tree is equivalent to the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere when we burn that wood. This is known as a “closed loop” energy source, because the net CO2 loss and gain in our environment is static.

Wood is a “closed loop” energy source (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Additionally, with advanced wood burning techniques and environmental controls, researchers at Duke University have concluded that the cost of wood fuel is several times cheaper than fossil fuel, in terms of costs per unit of energy produced. Some European researchers and industries have already implemented wood-based energy production with success rates approaching 90% thermal efficiency, and no net carbon footprint. The United States is especially well-positioned for a wood-based energy economy, on account of our many sustainably-maintained forests.

Additionally, we largely ignore our “waste wood” (such as used pallets, packaging, and decrepit or abandoned structures), which is a largely untapped resource. Why waste wood when we can burn it efficiently and use it for energy?

Do you have wood that’s going to waste? (Photo credit: Dermod)

And of course, another aspect of burning wood fuel for warmth that is often forgotten in these kinds of discussions is this: burning wood, aside from being a closed-loop environmental resource, has a certain ambiance and character to it that is lost to other forms of heating. Many restaurants and modern homes with outdoor patios, designed for entertaining purposes, feature propane heaters and other modern channels for dispersing heat and light. While these heaters do tend to warm a larger area than a firepit or outdoor chimney, they also burn lots of fossil fuels and distribute comparatively larger amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere – and because propane and gasoline are derived from fossil fuel resources, they are not a closed-loop.

Burning wood in your firepit can bring people together around a crackling and popping fire with personality to spare, and at the same time, you can rest easy knowing you are providing warmth and comfort to your outdoor home without negatively affecting our environment. When you’re looking for ways to add warmth to your patio, please consider wood fuel rather than fossil fuel – our Earth is worth it.

This article was written by Mike Bowman on behalf of Patio Productions – your source for quality patio furniture.

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Before you get started, here are some basics. From the time they were planted, orange plants take two to three years to harvest. They require full exposure to the sun—shade is detrimental to the growth of a prosperous, healthy tree. Water frequently, and make sure the soil is fertile and well drained.

Oranges produce best in warm areas. Among the different types of oranges include navel, Valencia, and blood. Navel oranges—often more acidic and tangy—are best for eating, while Valencia oranges—often sweeter—are best for juicing. Blood oranges are also tasty and popular. Peeling the skin of one reveals a fleshy red interior.

Most people don’t plant orange trees from seeds, because it can take up to a decade to see any results. Instead of doing that, buy a seedling—those take no more than two to three years to yield.

A young orange sapling. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

To plant a seedling, simply dig a hole at a desired location that is deep enough to fit its roots without bending them. Saturate the roots with fresh water before planting the sapling to maximize their nutrient-acquiring powers. It is also advised to add a copious amount of mulch around the plant—the young tree needs as many nutrients as it can to grow into its full size.

If you water the plant well (a heavy watering once a week if it’s not raining) and add standard fertilizer mixes two to three times a year, it may grow to a height of ten feet or more! Pruning is not needed, so when the tree begins to produce you might need a stepladder (or even a larger one) to pick the oranges near the top.

Watch out for pests. Among the most common is scale, an insect that literally looks like a scale on your orange tree. These insects suck essential juices out of your plant. Some scales are transparent—this can make it hard to monitor for them. A good rule of thumb for scale identification is the presence of ants. Ants (which are themselves harmless to the plant) are attracted to honeydew, which scales secrete. If you see a large number of ants on your tree it might be a good time to grab some foliage cleaner spray. It makes the plant’s leaves slippery and scale simply slides off.

Other pests include mites, which can be identified by curled and brown leaves. If these are spotted early in spring, use some dormant oil to fight the mites. If it is later in the season, you might have to settle with herbicide. Avoid the potential hassle; check your leaves on a weekly basis!

A slice of a blood orange. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

As oranges ripen, they will lose any green color, ending up completely orange. To pick, cut the fruit from its stem or twist it. Damaging a branch could cause a lot of unnecessary headache. Once picked, oranges can sit in room temperature for up to two weeks. Refrigerating them will make them last a bit longer—just make sure to put them in a humidity-free environment. Keeping them in a plastic bag, for example, will make them mold.

This article was written by Michael Ellis.

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There are two distinct types of composting containers out there: in a bin and in a tumbler. They each are great but in their own ways.

Composting Bin:

Composting Bin

Composting bins load from the top, are usually made with thin plastic (unless you make your own), have no bottom, empty from doors near the ground, and allow minimal aeration. These bins can usually be made a little larger and therefore hold a little more compost as you do not have to rotate them as with tumblers. However, they are usually made out of lightweight plastic as they don’t have to hold the weight to allow for tumbling. This makes it harder to maneuver the compost within bins to allow for aeration as it must be done with a pick or shovel. Doing this you risk breaking the plastic by stabbing it with your tools. The lack of aeration causes the compost to take significantly longer to finish the process. It is also quite difficult to remove the compost from the bottom of these bins and you then have to move the compost shovel by shovel.

Composting Tumblers:

Compost Tumbler

Composting tumblers are crafted in a more heavy-duty manner. load and empty from the top, is fully sealed, and aerates when spun. While compost tumblers are generally smaller than bins they are more durable and can be spun. This spinning motion allows for aeration and a shorter time for compost completion. Horizontally mounted tumblers are easier to turn with more weight. Tumblers are also more easily emptied as they can be flipped or rotated. With a wheel barrow under the opening they can be directly emptied into a wheel barrow for easy maneuverability around the garden. Often tumblers will have two compartments. When one is full there is another one to keep filling and to make sure that you always have some compost fermenting for later use. Since this type of composter is fully sealed it also prevents more bugs and pests from getting into your pile.

In general I would recommend a compost tumbler. They allow for better aeration and emptying. However, a bin would be perfect for those of you who are super composters and have tons and tons of the stuff around or for those of you that don’t really have a budget.

Be advised, both types can be made at home with everyday items and can save an arm and a leg.


Article written by Ashley. When she isn’t writing blog posts she can be found reading at the beach or taking photographs.

The post What’s the Difference Between Compost Tumblers and Bins? appeared first on Patio Furniture Articles.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you find an unusually large amount of moss in your lawn, it is often a sign that your lawn is less than healthy. Moss isn’t the cause of your lawn’s deterioration, it is a by-product. Moss will colonize areas that are already bare, or have weak or thinning grass. Simply removing the moss won’t cure the underlying problem. Moss grows in shady areas, as well as acidic soil, that with improper drainage, and lower than normal fertility.

In order to kill the moss, you should use a product that is labeled with an active ingredient such as ferrous ammonium sulfate, or ferrous sulfate, which are specifically for controlling moss. There are soaps available that will kill moss. Use these products according to manufacturer instructions.

The moss should be raked up with a garden rake, and you may want to consider dethatching your lawn. A thick layer of thatch can keep moisture and air from getting to the roots of the grass, which will make it vulnerable.

Mowing the lawn correctly is also important to the health of your lawn. You should keep your mower at the right height for the species of grass that you have, and you should never cut off more than 1/3 of the blade of grass each time that you mow.

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Bzzzzzzzz……… (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you have bees living in a hollow tree near your home, the chances are very good that you can’t remove them safely by yourself. A good example is the home owner in California who decided to simply cut the tree down. (Bees don’t like that.) He called 911, but his dog ended up dying from multiple stings.

The best way to solve this problem is to avoid it. If you have dead or dying trees, cut them down. Not only will this eliminate the possibility of bees moving in, but you won’t have dead limbs falling on your house or car.

If you do end up with bees, call a professional who can either remove them safely through one of several different methods, or as a last resort, kill the hive. While it’s not recommended to use poisons, sometimes you don’t have any alternative.

One thing that you should most definitely NOT do, is grab a can of wasp and hornet killer and play weekend beekeeper (bees have no sense of humor). You will not only be putting yourself in danger, but anyone who may be in the vicinity as well.

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