Garden decking

Sometimes, you will want to be able to walk on part of your garden without walking on the grass, essentially creating a floored area at one end of the garden and perhaps also a path through it. The most common way of doing this used to be concrete patios, but they are fast falling out of fashion. Today, more and more people are instead opting for wooden decking.

Decking can be built either straight over the top of grass, or on top of an existing patio. It is not difficult to build yourself: normal decking is just a grate-style frame with beams every metre or so, and then planks of wood fixed to the top. If you’re unsure then you can buy the parts from a garden centre, but if you have built things out of wood before then decking is really a surprisingly easy project. It is best to leave the decking unpainted and natural, both for maintenance reasons and because it tends to look better.

When you assemble your decking, a good tip is to use screws and an electric screwdriver, instead of nails. Not only does this save you some effort, but it is much more likely to hold up against the elements and other wear the decking will get.

If your decking is going to be raised high up above the garden, however, then the assembly will not be quite so simple, as for safety reasons you will also need to fit a balustrade. Balustrades are the ‘safety bars’ structures you get on things like balconies, coming up to about stomach level, and if your decking is high enough up that children or pets could be hurt by falling off it then you definitely need them. While you could build one yourself, there would be no guarantee of its safety, which is why it is better to buy one from an experienced supplier that conforms to all the relevant safety regulations – it will have been manufactured using industrial techniques to make it much more secure and resistant than one you could build yourself.

Flowers moss and salt and pepper

When I was a young apprentice oasis foam was a new idea and the traditional method of using sphagnum moss and wire fro funeral tributes was used. As a trainee part of the day was spent mossing which meant attaching the moss with twine or wire to metal frames there were the standard wreath hearts cushions and letters but you could obtain any shape you liked. In Covent garden flower market in London a very talented man would work with wires and soldering iron to create any shape requested I would watch mesmerised as aeroplanes ships and even animals would be produced nothing seemed impossible. Back at the shop the frames would be packed with moss and there trained florist would attach the flowers using stub wires.

It was also part of my duty to serve the customers one regular client was a lovely elderly Irish lady. She has always remained in my memory as she had a rather strange ritual she would choose her flowers and as we prepared to wrap them for her she would remove a small silver salt and pepper pot set from her handbag and would sprinkle the flowers with both condiments before she left the shop. As a junior I found this absolutely hilarious and hard to keep a straight face but was warned by my boss never to ask questions. I would love to find out why she did this and if anyone knows why it would answer a thirty year mystery.

It s time to select your snow blower

A snow blower is a good investment. It may possible reduce doctor’s bill by going easy on your back. There are some considerations to be thought about before you go in the market for a snow blower, (also called snow thrower in some areas).

Consider the amount of snow and the density of snow that you will have to deal with. Take into account the total number of days of snow and the inches of snow per day. Also consider if the snow is fluffy or hard when you have to deal with the snow.

Take your machine for a test drive. Some showrooms have arrangements for testing the snow blower in their back yard. Going for a demonstration gives you the feel of the machine.

+ Snow blower costs

The following discussion gives you an idea of costs involved. Remember that the costs change significantly as it is a market play that determines the cost.

A single stage machine can be purchased from $350 to $800. A two-stage machine would cost you upwards of $1000. The costs would change depending on the throw distance of each machine and capacity of the machine

+ Varieties Of Machines In Market

Apart from the obvious variety of single stage and a two-stage machine, there is the variety of drive. The gasoline powered drive and electric driven machines are available in the market. Gasoline engine driven machines are generally two stroke engines and are noisy and polluting. Electric driven machines have the disadvantage that their power is limited. They cannot be made as two-stage machine. Where the snowfall is heavy, the electric machines will not be useful as the gas machines.

+ Snow Blower Safety

Safety is an important consideration while operating a snow blower. Take following precautions while operating a snow blower.

Never allow children to operate the snow blower. Serious injuries and even amputation of hands can take place if it encounters the rotating impeller of a two-stage machine.

If the blower is electric, the normal precaution when using electricity should be taken.

When a two-stage machine is working, it is as if there is magnet for children. A powerful throw from machine creates a good visual impact. If children are present, keep them at a sufficient distance so they do not come under the snow being thrown.