Nothing is more distracting from your beautiful fountain than a bright orange extension cord supplying power to it. The garden fountain can be one of top focal points of a good garden landscape scheme.  So get rid of that extension cord and provide permanent power to it.

First off make sure your satisfied with the placement of your fountain.  Recommend trying a few different spots before settling on one location.  Here are a few tips to consider with fountain location.   Find a place where you can easily see your fountain from inside the house.  That way your able to see the birds feed and play.  If possible partial shade will help the fountains finish from harmful ultraviolet rays.  Proximity to existing exterior receptacle power can make the task easier.

OK  so now that we established where the fountain is going.  Lets get started with providing permanent power to the fountain.  You will need a few basic tools ( trenching shovel,  phillips and standard screwdriver, hacksaw, wire strippers, cordless drill, channel lock pliers, receptacle power tester is helpful).   For this example we are going to install a receptacle 34′ away from the house on the back fence post. Lets head over to the local hardware store and gets some parts.

Electrical material lists for a straight 34′ run

• 40′                    1/2″   PVC  Conduit ( Schedule 40)
• 2                       1/2 “  PVC   Terminal adapters
• 2                       1/2 “  PVC    90 degree elbows
• 1 can                PVC   Glue
• 2                       GFCI   Duplex  Receptacles
• 2                       Duplex   In-use Weather-Proof Covers
• 120′                 #12  THHN Stranded copper wire
• 1                       Weather Proof  Duplex Junction Box/ with 1/2″  knock outs
• 1                       Weather Proof Extension Ring / with 1/2″  knock outs

Assuming that your existing receptacle on your house is above landscape grade.  Start your trench directly below the receptacle.  The depth of the trench is required to be 12″ minimum and gfci protected as per National Electrical Code.

1. Trench from the house to the 4″x4″ fence post.
2. Glue PVC Conduit together and put in trench.
3. Screw Weather Proof Junction box to post. Attach PVC conduit to Junction Box.
4. Connect Weather Proof Extension ring on existing house receptacle. Attach PVC conduit to extension ring.
5. Pull Black, White, Green # 12 thhn stranded wire through conduit.
6. Identify existing house receptacle circuit and shutoff at the breaker.
7. Make up circuits and install gfci receptacles and covers.
8. Back fill trench and turn breaker back on.

Now get rid of that extension cord and plug that fountain in.

March 4th, 2009 | Tags: fountain, Garden Fountains, outdoor receptacles, patio fountain, water feature | Category: Outdoor Living | Leave a comment

Starting a garden in your back yard can be an incredibly rewarding  hobby. Many people after starting their first garden find that it becomes a passion for them. It becomes a way to relax and unwind after a day filled with the chaotic activities of the modern life style. Another great thing about gardening is it doesn’t take much to get started. Your first garden can be as simple as a single tomato plant purchased from  your local hardware store. There are hundreds of fantastic books and websites with answers to any question you come up with. Over the next few months I plan to post a series of tips to this site which will hopefully be of some help for the beginning gardener so be sure to bookmark this blog and check back often. In the mean time happy gardening!

February 23rd, 2009 | Tags: back yard, city garden, garden, gardening, plants, simple garden, tomato | Category: Outdoor Living | Leave a comment

At a Glance: Drastic temperature changes, Frosty nights with cool windy days along with rain. Pick up camellia blossoms to control petal blight. Good Bargains for for bare root fruit, flowering and shade trees,  berry and grape vines,  roses and strawberries.

Flowers: Usually a good time to plant the hardiest annuals and perennials, violas,  snapdragons,  pansies,  fairy primroses and calenddulas .

Vegetables: Good time to plant dormant roots of artichokes, asparagus, rhubarb, strawberries, onion seeds, garlic. More Cauliflower,broccoli, chard and leaf lettuce can be planted.

Conclusion: Fruit trees require dormant oil spray prior to leaf growth. Nectarine and peach trees usually sprayed for leaf curl by mid month. Some trees will require pollinator agents. Hibiscus, lantana, fushsias can be pruned. Pre-emergent herbicide can be applied to the lawn for crabgrass control.

February 14th, 2009 | Category: Outdoor Living | Leave a comment

Good harvest benefits are not the only thing that can come from a well kept Garden.  Gardening can also offer a great way to burn calories outside rather than inside a gym.  Many people love gardening for this very reason.

As with any workout sore muscles and stiffness can follow.  Consider some of these tips to help maintain a healthy outdoor workout.

• Warm up your body for the bending, crouching and lifting you will be doing out in your garden.  Do some simple stretches before and after your gardening activities.

• Get in a habit of putting on a little sunblock.  Too many times we tell ourselves “I will only be out there for a half hour”, but if you are anything like me that half hour turns into an hour or more. The spray on sunblock is fast and easy with no oily residuals applied to your hands.  Set your bottle of sunblock right next to your gardening gloves as well as a brimmed hat for sun protection.

• Our green leaved friends are not the only ones that need lots of hydration.  Just like above we lose track of time out in the garden.  A lot of times we fill worn down later in the evening after a day in the garden.  This can be avoided by consuming water throughout the day. If your really hardcore gardener try a hydration backpack they work great.

• Maintain good blood circulation by plotting different activities (planting, weeding, digging, pruning etc…). Within these activities switch up the work positions.  Try switching positions every 5 to 15 minutes this will help avoid cramping and fatigue of the muscles.

• We often forget to lift heavy objects like potted plants, statues, concrete blocks or other heavy items with our legs.  Be sure to keep back straight, with knees bent and then use the legs to lift.

• In order to maintain stamina good form is the key factor.  For example while raking or hoeing use smooth, steady and resistive motions.  Muscle memory and coordination will allow for longer sessions in the future if practiced properly.

• Legs need to do most of the work in digging, similar to lifting. Keep the legs bent and back straight.  Switch from a left handed stance to right handed stance to avoid asymmetrical cramping.  Once again good form is the key.

• As simple as weeding is there is good and bad techniques.  Once again, bending from the knees and not hunched over from the back is a better practice.  Using knee pads, try kneeling down on one knee at a time switching knees every 30 seconds.

Practice these simple tips to maintain a healthy gardening workout.

February 3rd, 2009 | Category: Outdoor Living | Leave a comment

Working hard?  Stressed out?  Would you like tension to flow out of your body?  Try some audio therapy with the tranquil sounds of  running water.  Whether on your patio, balcony or in your garden a decorative fountain can wash away stress and the sound of urban hustle and bustle.   Streaming water can also be visually hypnotic adding to the serenity it provides.  But don’t be surprised if you come home and you find birds in the fountains.  Birds also enjoy bathing, drinking and playing in the fountain.

A nice way to set up a fountain is to put it on a timer.  Set it for your favorite peacetime and then it will automatically shutoff with the predetermined setting.  Or another great way is to mount a motion sensor nearby the receptacle powering the fountain. This will allow it to turn on when in close proximity of the fountain and turn off with a predetermined setting.  This insures maximum satisfaction knowing that in time it will shutoff. Power time clocks and motion sensors  can be purchased at your local hardware store.

Can’t wait to get home to enjoy your fountain?  Try a small ceramic fountain in your office.   Indoor fountains can create a peaceful sound barrier from noisy co-workers and wrap your office in serenity. These fountains have been known to increase productivity by eliminating annoying distractions.  Far better results with  fountain sounds compared to the artificial white noise pulsating through speakers.  You might also find that moving the fountain to new locations from time to time can change the fountain’s acoustics.

January 30th, 2009 | Category: Outdoor Living | Leave a comment

Birds are fascinating to watch in there natural habitats.  From soaring to playing, bird watching can be a very satisfying hobby.  Fortunately I have the liberty to soar with many types of birds while paragliding.  Even when I’m not soaring with the birds.  Often I find myself pulling over the side of the road while driving to watch the birds activities.

Another way to view birds activities is to attract them to your backyard.  Install Birdhouses, feeders and baths in warm, quiet, strategic spots for best results.  I have found the more native types birdbaths to work the best.  Birds are timid by nature and want to feel comfortable in there surrounding environment.  After time repeat visits are common occurrence if everything feels right to the bird.  Hours and hours of enjoyment when the birds start recognizing that your backyard is a friendly place to be.  Once you have your bird sanctuary established be patient there are many variables to attracting birds at home like location, climate, season etc…

January 20th, 2009 | Category: Outdoor Living | Leave a comment

Select furniture for your garden the same way you would for your home. Choose furnishings that match your taste and your gardens landscape, as well as those that offer durability. Your outdoor furniture must contend with weather elements, so buy the best you can afford. Sometimes its easier to start with one item and then base a scheme from there. Or start with a full ensemble, keeping functionality and design in mind. If you entertain frequently, provide items that compliment the dining set. Such as tea carts or beverage coolers. Outdoor furniture with simple and relaxed lines easily winterizes in a sun room or a family room.

December 24th, 2008 | Category: Outdoor Furniture | Leave a comment