I wanted to repeat this post. I feel it is very important.

Are you ready for Halloween?

Are you ready? You may have the candy bought and the costumes are ready, but what about your yard? There are a few precautions you can take to be certain everyone has a safe and happy Halloween.

This occurred to me because every year when we take our kids trick or treating the same things happen. Leaves cover the sidewalks which makes it difficult to see any unevenness or any other obstacles. I have almost fallen myself when walnuts covered the sidewalk under a walnut tree. Add those to the fact the sidewalk was covered with leaves and it is not real safe when trying to keep up with your trick or treaters.

Clear paths are always best. Leaves can be slippery under hurried feet. Wet leaves can be even worse. Is there any trees that may drop anything besides leaves on the walkways? Walnuts or crab apples or anything like it can cause accidents. A simple raking or sweeping of the sidewalks can go a long way in keeping everyone safe.

Is the sidewalk area well lit? I know Halloween is about the dark and spooky but a little light will go a long way to keep the trick or treaters safe. If you have solar landscape lighting it may be as easy as temporarily relocating a few extra lights near the front of your house.

Do not forget to keep your steps clear of leaves and anything else that may make them slippery. Make sure the pumpkins are situated so they can not get knocked over. This is especially true if they are lit with candles. A few safety precautions can help make it a fun evening for everyone.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

October 27th, 2008

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I have already begun to see cut trees thrown out of the house and kicked to the curb. I would hope that their final destination is a tree recycling center. They will be chipped and will serve a second purpose as mulch. But there are other uses for that tree without it leaving your yard.

The tree can be left out for the winter as an extra home for birds or other small animals. It can simply be left against a fence or other structure or staked up near the bird feeder. The staking option will look much neater if there are neighbors near.

Another option is to cut the limbs off and use them as additional mulch for tender plantings. If you use this option, it is smart to leave some length of limbs left on the trunk. ( Imagine something looking like a hat rack. ) By doing this, you will have a great base for a backyard craft. It could be converted to one or more bird feeders. You could also use it as a rustic pole in the spring. Bury the end and use it as a pole for growing vines, whether for flowers or vegetables such as beans. It would work for gourds as well.

The limbs that are cut off now or in the spring can be cut up and added to the bottom of a new compost pile.

I will be posting directions soon as to how to make bird feeders from the trunk. It is simple to do and it is a fun project to get the kids involved with.

Whatever you choose to do, please make it an environmentally friendly choice.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, from our backyard to yours.

And I heard him exclaim
as the winter winds blew hard
Happy Christmas to all,
I’ll see you in the backyard!

I just want to bump these two posts up. I think they may be of interest with Christmas fast approaching.

http://www.blogsmonroe.com/backyard/?p=643

http://www.blogsmonroe.com/backyard/?p=535

I hope they are helpful.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I have begun crafting an array of Christmas centerpieces. These always seem to be a later venture. When the wreaths are mostly made, it seems the centerpieces start.

I had already added a tip or two regarding centerpieces here:
http://www.blogsmonroe.com/backyard/?p=639

I just want to take a moment to add a few more. I craft miniature trees out of boxwood. I suppose they could also be made from other material but boxwood works well for me. I cut the bottom off a water bottle or other similar sized container. Floral foam is put in the container and watered well. Starting at the middle with a tall sprig, begin shaping a tree. Prune as necessary to make your desired shape. When the tree is formed, cut a square of burlap to cover the base. Draw up the burlap around all sides and tie it off with a piece of twine. I usually leave them as is, but they can also be decorated.

Pinecones or any other natural decorations are useful in the crafting of centerpieces. Containers of multiple sizes can also be useful. After filling your plastic container with floral foam they can be placed in other containers such as baskets and tins. Just use enough greenery to hide the internal container.

I hope you enjoy the chance to be creative this holiday season.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Sometimes it is hard to buy for the gardener on your list. I am listing some general ideas that may help point you in the right direction. Some of these, especially the real expensive items, come off my own wish list. My wife tells me to keep wishing.

The fifty dollar and under items are going to be the most popular, I would imagine. There are plenty of good choices.

Don’t overlook gift cards. They are a wonderful option. You just need to show thought in the gift card selection. A nice touch would be buying someone a bird feeder, along with a gift card and a note saying “this was easier to wrap than bird seed”. This type of gift shows thought, yet the recipient can still use it for whatever they desire. Gift cards can also be a way to allow someone to buy items for their yards and gardens. Specialty stores, home improvement stores and farm stores are good options.

Books on gardening subjects are always appreciated. Magazine subscriptions also make great gifts for gardeners. Mother Earth News is one of my favorites. Feeders for birds and squirrels, hand tools and rain gauges are also nice gifts.

There are many items available in the up to two hundred dollar range.

Garden carts can be a nice choice. Smaller power equipment can be found in this price range also. A new convertible string trimmer would be well received, I am sure. A chainsaw meant for light use is also in this price range. This is a great opportunity to give a cordless tool kit. Many brands are available in this price range that perform well. These can be used for lawn and garden use as well as many other things. I happen to use the 18 volt Black and decker series. There are tool available especially for lawn and garden. I a have been looking at a cordless chainsaw to add to my collection. I added a link to these tools below. I do not think the chain saw is listed, but it is available. Hedge trimmers and edgers are available also.
http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGuide/CategoryOverview.aspx?cPath=4575.4576

Another thoughtful gift in this range would be a small home weather station.

Gifts costing up to five hundred dollars include power equipment such as a small rototiller or a lawn mower. Supplies to build a nice pond should be able to be purchased within this amount also.

Gifts costing over five hundred dollars would include a larger rototiller with more features, a riding mower(or even a top of the line push mower), and many accessories for an existing lawn tractor.

Here are two samples from my personal wish list. These fall in the “way over five hundred dollars” category. The walk behind tractors below have an amazing array of implements. You can mow, till, blow snow, split wood and even bale hay with some of these tractors. They are capable of many other things as well.
http://www.earthtoolsbcs.com/
There are other things that could fall in this category. Maybe a nice side by side utility vehicle or any other brand of tractor.

What good would a fancy new tractor or utility vehicle be without a new barn to store it in? There are many companies that put nice packages together. This site is one of my favorite places to dream of a new barn. They have many other interesting items as well. I want a nice barn with a full loft.
http://www.sawduststudio.net/barns.htm

I hope this gives you a few gift ideas as well as a few things to dream about.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Whether you cut your own or buy one pre cut, here are a few things to consider.

Height and width: Trees always seem smaller on the lot or in the field. It may be a good idea to bring a tape measure with you to be sure you are choosing the right size.

Measure the spot the tree will go before you get one. Any branches remaining if you have to remove them at home can be used in craft projects. But trees are priced by height. Buying a tree too tall could be an expensive way to gain a few greens.

Long needle or short needle: This is just a personal preference. I happen to like a tree with shorter needles.

Soft needle or sharp needle: Another personal preference, although many trees with sharp needles tend to have stronger branches. The stronger branches will hold heavier ornaments.

The most important factor I would consider is needle retention. The longer you want to keep a cut tree up the more important it is to have a tree with good needle retention. I have always had good luck with Concolor Fir. That is my Christmas tree of choice.

There are three varieties of trees grown in our area for use as a Christmas tree. Pine, Spruce and Fir.

Aside from the Norway Spruce, which holds needles for two to three weeks, any tree should be fine for three weeks. Frasier Fir, White Pine and Scotch Pine will hold their needles longer. They will hold for up to six weeks. This is a general guide and the trees must be watered regularly. A tree cannot go dry in the stand.

When bring your tree home use caution. If you plan on bringing it home on top of your vehicle you should always place it cut end forward. This prevents the wind from beating the branches. It is always helpful to have your tree baled if this is offered. It aids in bringing it home and more importantly, into the house.

If you are not putting the tree up immediately, a new cut should be made on the trunk. This opens up the tree to allow water to be drawn up. Once the cut is made you should put the tree in it’s stand or just place it in a bucket of water to keep it hydrated.

A good stand is very important. Choose one that holds a large quantity of water and offers ample support for the tree. Christmas tree farms often offer better stands than the stores do.

Please ask if you have any other questions. I will be happy to help in any way I can.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

The first tip I can suggest when working with live greens is to use small pieces. I hate to waste anything more than most people, but large pieces do not do a nice job. If a branch is large, use it for a larger project or add it to the compost pile after you cut it up into smaller pieces.

When making a live greens wreath it is best to add greens in small portions. Filling in a little at a time seems to make a fuller, fluffier wreath. Save some small pieces to use as filler at completion. I like to use 20 gauge craft wire. I can work with it without fear of it breaking.

Using a mixture of greens can really add new dimensions to a centerpiece. Boxwood, Yew, Juniper and Arborvitae are good choices. Pine, Spruce and Fir are other options. Do not forget to use floral foam with the live greens centerpieces. I always cut it in the size I need, put it where it is going and then water it in. It seems less messy that way.

Just be careful with the live greens around children and pets. They should not be accessible where they could be chewed on or swallowed.

Happy crafting.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I added a few photos of some of the wreaths and centerpieces I have begun making.
http://www.blogsmonroe.com/backyard/?page_id=42

Look for more photos soon. I will also be adding tips for anyone who might want to try making their own.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Will anyone be cutting a live Christmas tree this year? Next weekend will begin the season. I will be posting some thoughts and tips in the next few days.

Do you have a favorite variety for a cut tree? Will you be cutting one for the first time?

Feel free to ask any questions you may have regarding a cut tree. I will try to answer them as well.

I’ll see you in the backyard!