What I have found to be a life saver is the time I save by hiring out professionals. In what I do, time is money so any time I save means I am usually either making more money or spending it with my family. The other huge plus for me is what I call “the frustration factor”. This is the frustration that I go through trying to figure out the best way to go about a job I am not familiar with by doing internet research or reading through magazines and books. This alone has taken up more time than some of the projects I have done! The bottom line is to get the help that you need before you create a disaster!

This is the very first fall since we added a pergola to our backyard that we have gone through and I have been surprised how much we are still using and enjoying it.  I had thought that we wouldn’t do much outside once fall arrived but this great pergola has changed our behavior as a family.  My wife created a sitting area under it and we have gotten in the habit of sitting out in the yard and enjoying the sunsets.  We just went from iced teas to hot chocolate!

I know that a pergola is not going to be for everyone but for those who are thinking about putting one in their yard, I highly recommend it.  They are beautiful features that really stand out in a yard.  Once you plant climbing vines and let them go, they grow and cover the top to create a wonderful canopy of color and smells.  It’s has really been a great experience and all I can say is that I have come to love pergolas!

So you want a fantastic garden year-round?  You can have it as long as you understand that the shape and look of your garden, just like your body, is highly dependent upon the underlying bones that support the wonderful flora.  Winter will expose those bones and give you an entire season to envision keeping what you like and changing what you don’t.

Look at the framework of your garden; the structures that you either use or would like to use along with the trees, shrubs and vines that grow in and around your yard.  You can use the style of your house to pick and choose what will look best in your garden, either man-made or natural.  Using natural plants is wonderful and you will need to keep in mind the size and expansion of the plants as they reach full bloom or full growth.  Whatever you do, choose your bones carefully so when they are laid bare they still look incredible in the dreariest dead of winter.

Pergolas are terrific out in a lawn area, entwined in a garden or covering a patio.  They give just enough protection form the sun without blocking all the light and in time, with a little planning, can be covered with your favorite vines and blooms to be the addition to your backyard space you have always wanted.

The Wallington Pergola goes one step further and gives you the ability to create an outside covered picnic table that will delight the cook in the family and give you additional seating outdoors.  No more moving the lawn chairs about and balancing your plates on your lap.  You now have a sturdy, secure place to eat that is remarkably beautiful as well as functional.

Think about mixing natural elements to build the entire space.  If you have wrought iron furniture, get some wood and stone elements in the mix whether they are planters, window boxes, candle holders or patio flooring or decking.  There is such a variety of options these days to choose from for both garden and patio furniture.

Another growing trend is concrete work.  There are some fantastic concrete stains and stamps that can be done to enhance your outdoor space as well as birdbaths and planters that are beautifully done.  If you also have a shed, greenhouse, arbor or pergola, think about how to accent these outdoor structures with wind chimes, trellis’, flowers and planters and window boxes. 

You will find this a fun and exciting way to add enjoyment to your yard.  Accents can be used to soften up hard edges of masculine up a very feminine yard or visa versa.  You can always place planters with lovely blooms as accent pieces around your outdoor furniture and bring the beauty of your garden to your patio and oh the smell…

For many years, that bench has been a reflecting spot for me. On warm summer nights, I enjoy sitting out there relaxing. I will take a glass of tea or a favorite book and just plop myself down. It is my quiet time that belongs to just me and no one else.

My children no longer knock on the front door, but come directly to the backyard. They already know where their mom is and usually have a good laugh at my expense. It does not bother me. I know one day they will look back fondly on these times. I already do, when I am sitting alone on my bench.

It is so enjoyable to step out in the morning, coffee in hand, and watch the animals frolicking away in the birdbath. Boy did I get more than I ever expected. In the afternoons, you will find the animals taking a break from their play and wetting their whistles once again. They are never boring to watch.

Just adding the birdbath to our backyard has changed its entire atmosphere. The garden surrounds it, the animals sit on it, and it is quite majestic. Who knew a small bit of concrete could add so much happiness to one woman’s life? I sure didn’t or I would have done it years ago.

It doesn’t matter how hard you try to keep it all separate, you end up hunting for something you know is in there!  Have you ever given up, gone and bought a replacement tool, only to find the original tool digging out Christmas supplies?  If this happens several years in a row, you could almost pay for a small garden shed with what it cost to replace the misplaced tools!

Sheds that are built especially for the garden are normally a little taller to accommodate the handles on rakes, hoes, shovels, etc.  Many of them have accessories available to hang those awkward items such as trimmers and clippers.  If you need a potting area, look for the potting sheds that have some garden storage as well.

There are many different shapes and styles to fit your every need and if you can’t seem to find what you want, there are some custom shops that will build to your specification.  For those of you who would rather do-it-yourself, there is some great garden shed plans available as well.

If you go this route, make sure the shed plans come with good illustrated pictures, a material list, a cut list and good customer service to help you if you have any issues during building.  You may pay a little more, but in the end, it will be worth it.

There are a lot of different coverings you can use to replace the old skin, from different plastics to glass.  They come in all shapes and sizes and are shipped from UPS to freight.  You can get one layer or double walled, custom to one size fits all and all you have to do is find the one that fit’s your frame and your budget.

If that sounds too hard, you can cover it again with cheap plastic and replaced it again next year.  It will tear, sweat, leak and mildew just like it always does.  You most likely pay more to cover that frame every year than it would be for a long term solution.  Some guaranteed up to 8 years.  Of course, you may like covering that thing every year.