Outdoor Furniture Plus' Blog

If you live in an area out in the desert, you know the flora and weather is drastically different from tropical and temperate regions. Trying to plant a successful garden can be frustrating for any number of reasons, but the addition of an arid climate and nutrient-poor soil only magnify the difficulty. Don’t lose hope, though, intrepid green thumb. A lush oasis can be yours, even the in the middle of the desert.

Climate
A primary concern in desert areas is the weather. The Southwestern part of the United States is prone to a searing, dry heat during the daytime, with drastically cooler temperatures in the evenings. The temperature fluctuations from day to night are much more pronounced in desert areas over temperate areas. Hence, plants need to be hearty and adaptable. To that same end, deserts obviously receive much less rainfall, so water-conserving plants and succulents thrive over many other species.

Soil
The next major obstacle for desert gardeners is the soil content. Nutrient-poor, high in alkaline and salt, and often mixed with a high sand content, it’s simply a struggle getting the right mix of nutrients to your plants. Also, with sandy soil, it’s harder for plants with shallower roots to stay in place. The best way to micromanage your soil, if you will, is by controlling the environment, i.e. making your own. Planters are great for a variety of reasons. Not only can you decide what exactly goes into your soil and how much, you can control pH levels, and even how much sunlight, shade and water your plants will receive by moving your mobile gardens to wherever they are best suited. If you choose to leave your garden on the ground, make sure to invest in a fertilizer that’s chockfull of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, the main nutrients plants need to be healthy.

Pests
One of the few advantages to planting in arid regions is that there simply aren’t as much bugs or pests around to eat and destroy plants. That’s not to say that random critters won’t go in for the occasional nibble, but the use of harsh and toxic pesticides is usually not needed.

Plants
So what exactly can you plant in the desert? Some of the heartier vegetables include the following: broccoli, brussels sprouts, celery, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes and pumpkins. All of these and more can take both the daytime heat as well as the chilly nights.

Then there are some plants that will succeed in mixed to fully sand soil conditions. These include many types of grasses, gum trees, myrtle, grevillea, banksia and much more.

Living in even the hottest parts of the world does not mean having to forego your love of fresh vegetables, beautiful flowers and the enjoyment of getting your hands dirty. With a little perseverance and know-how, you can prove that not only does life find a way, but it can in fact flourish in even the harshest environments.

Swings. They’re everywhere, from parks and playgrounds, schoolyards and more. You might even have one in your own backyard. From porch swings, to gliders and kid swings, swings are relaxing and fun. But did you also realize the health benefits of swinging? Scientific study into what was once only considered a recreational activity has unveiled some fantastic results, from therapeutic, to physical, even mood altering.

1. The Power of fresh air
Sometimes, a healthy step can mean simply get out of the house. Take a break from the TV, rest your eyes from staring at the computer, just take a fresh air break for no reason. Being out in the sunshine is a natural high, boosting one’s endorphins and leading to an elevated overall mood. At the same time, the act of swinging reduces stress, promoting a strong immune system.

2. Back pain
As one type of swing, hammocks are sometimes prescribed as part of a patient’s physical therapy from those suffering from chronic back pain.  By stretching oneself out, the hammock conforms around the body, thereby evenly distributing one’s weight over a wider surface and taking some of the strain off of muscles and joints.

3. Concentration
The motion of rocking has been shown to improve concentration by stimulating the cerebral cortex, the area of the brain that controls the ability to focus. Recently, therapists have been experimenting with swings as a tool of controlling and better understanding ADD and ADHD.

4. Disabilities
Swings sometimes offer a temporary escape to children and adults who are disabled or otherwise physically impaired. Playtime and socialization is an important part of a child’s development, and when a physically impaired child is unable to play with and run around with his or her peers, it can lead to depression and problems socializing. To combat this, scientists have been looking into specially designed equipment. One innovation, the Liberty Swing, is an extra large modified swing that can accommodate an entire wheelchair.

5. Child Development

Swinging has been proven to positively affect child development in a number of ways. For one, swinging as part of an active playtime routine promotes overall health and cardio fitness. Swing sets as part of a greater jungle gym also aid in social interaction. Overall movement, spatial awareness, metal representation and sensory integration are all heightened as a result of regular turns on the swing. In young children, the rocking motion helps with learning to balance and linking different pathways in the brain for general advanced development.

6. Circulation
Swings and rockers are great tools for the elderly and pregnant woman, as the gentle swaying movement of the legs helps with circulation. In addition, it reduces the likelihood of unsightly and painful varicose veins.

While your friends are out celebrating the holiday, you’ve got more pressing matters to attend to today. Namely, now’s the time to start thinking about investing in some new patio furniture. To be sure, all of the luck o’ the Irish won’t help in what can be a difficult decision.

One way in which you can ring in the holiday is to go green– figuratively speaking—by choosing eco-friendly poly resin furniture. Sure, wood, metal and wicker, are all popular and classic choices for patio furniture, but resin has come a long way from the flimsy plastic furniture of yore. Easy to clean, store, lift and maintain, resin may be the best thing that’s happened to your backyard in a long time. And did I mention that it’s good for the environment? Here’s why.

1. Recycled materials
A lot of resin furniture is made partially or entirely from PCW (post-consumer waste) recycled plastics. The high-density material found in packaging, milk jugs, detergent bottles, garbage cans and more is perfect for transforming into durable, waterproof outdoor furniture.

2. Renewable resource
Unlike wood, plastic is a synthetic, renewal resource. It can be cheaply and easily reproduced in mass quantities without causing deforestation, destroying natural habitats and causing unnecessary harm to the environment, as is the case with over-logging and bad lumber harvesting practices.

3. Green companies
Some companies, in their effort to be even more eco-friendly, will “green” their practices, meaning that they try and find ways to use the least amount of energy and emit the smallest amount of ground and air pollution as a result of their production. For example, many companies donate to the Carbon Fund, use energy efficient machines and recycled packaging, and monitor their waste output. You too can help in the green initiative by supporting local businesses, thereby limiting the carbon emissions and gasoline consumed when shipping products across the country, and oftentimes farther away than that.

4. Long-lasting
Because resin is such a durable and long-lasting material, you won’t have to waste resources (or your money!) buying new furniture every few years. And being so easy to take care of, you will save money in the long-term on cleaners, paints and finishes required of other patio furniture.

So this St. Patrick’s Day, going green can mean a whole new you. Even if you’re not in the market for new furniture, greening your routine can be as simple as switching out your old light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs. After all, every little bit helps!

There is something undeniably charming and quintessentially southern about wicker. It makes one think of balmy summer days and lazy afternoons drinking mint juleps. But aside from being beautiful, wicker is a popular choice for patio furniture throughout the world. However, unlike its hardwood, metal and resin peers, wicker requires a little more care and upkeep to keep it looking its finest. The elbow grease is worth it though. Here are a few ways to maintain wicker furniture.

Types of wicker
Wicker is composed of delicate woven fibers, but there are actually multiple varieties of wicker, some stronger than others. Wood wicker is the most common type found in furniture, but there’s also cane, bamboo and paper fiber wicker, the latter being the weakest but also rarest. These days, synthetic wicker has also grown in popularity, being more durable, waterproof and easy to clean. Up close though, there’s no beating the texture and look of the real deal.

Placement
Because wicker is the most vulnerable of all types of patio furniture to the elements, it’s best suited for sunrooms, covered porches, or in regions of the world that don’t see much rainfall. Extreme temperature fluctuations will also affect the strength of wicker. Some moisture won’t harm most types of wicker, but prolonged exposure will cause the fibers to weaken and rot.

Finishes
Adding a sealant coat or paint to wicker furniture adds a modicum of added protection and helps to waterproof the fibers underneath. If you don’t want to cover the natural coloration of the fibers, use a clear finish. Spray-paints work especially well to get into all the little cracks and crevices throughout the woven surface. The only problem with paint is that is usually needs to be reapplied every few years, as it tends to crack and blister, especially when exposed to direct sunlight over a period of time. Oils, such as linseed oil, are another option that both protect the surface and keep the fibers from drying out, which can lead to cracking.

Cleaning
Small bristle brushes work best with the woven material, while small handheld vacs are great for picking up loose dirt or dust. Hoses are only recommended for use on synthetic and wood wicker, but even then, do not use a power hose, which will strip off the outer layers of the wood. For stains, a damp, (not wet) washcloth and soap will work. For more stubborn spots, use a mixture of bleach and water, but thoroughly rinse the area when finished, as the bleach will eat away at the fibers over time.

In conclusion, wicker patio furniture requires more work than, say, poly resin furniture, but the classic look is stunning, it’s rewarding work, and for a seasoned outdoor enthusiast, maybe one could say it’s even a pleasure, rather than a chore, seeing your hard work pay off for a beautiful backyard.

Cedar is just an all-around awesome wood. Its lush reddish hues and intoxicating fragrance make for beautiful furniture, scented drawers, great mulch, carved ornaments and more. It’s at once versatile and durable. It’s also affordable. This is due in large part to its being a wood native to North America. Want to do your part to stimulate the economy? Buy American-logged furniture!

Like many types of tree, the cedar family actually encompasses multiple species, each with their native growing areas and distinct characteristics. For example, when you buy Eastern white cedar, you will definitely notice how different it looks from Western red cedar. Here are some of the various types and a little about them:

Port Orford Cedar
Native to Oregon and Northern California, Port Orford Cedar has a more yellow coloration than other varieties. Interestingly, it’s also more shock-resistant than other cedars. This makes it perfect for doormats and other solid pieces that might take a beating. However, it’s also prone to shrinking more, and despite its pleasant gingery smell, is not one of the more popular choices for furniture.

Atlantic Cedar
This wood is native to southeast coastal regions of the United States. The coloration varies from white to light brown, and even a faint pink hue. With a fine texture, the grain is not well-suited to the bending and compression required in furniture making, although it takes a coat of paint nicely.

Western Red Cedar
This is the most common type of cedar around and is consequently the most often seen in patio furniture. The trees can be found in the Pacific Northwest and boast a medium, reddish-brown tone. Although it’s the most common, that’s not the only reason it’s so predominant in the furniture scene. A straight grain that’s perfect for crafting, along with being rot and shrink-resistant, make this extra large tree the perfect choice for the wear and tear of outdoor living.

Incense Cedar
The creamy white to reddish brown variety of cedar is also the oldest, with some trees dating back half a millennium. The native growing regions are more varied than some other species, from Oregon to Southern California and even areas of the Mexican Baja Peninsula. Maybe because of this, they are well adapted to temperature fluctuations, and the straight grain and a resistance to shock and decay make it an easy wood to work with.

Eastern White Cedar
Smaller than Western Reds, the Eastern White Cedar ranges from light brown to reddish hues and can be found in the Northeast part of the country, as well as in parts of Canada. The wood is soft and lightweight, and great for woodworking. The straight grain takes nails, stains and glue particularly well, and the heartwood is rot-resistant.

Northern White Cedar
Similar to the Eastern White, the Northern White Cedar is also indigenous to the Northeast and Canada, but its coloration exhibits darker brown tones. This species is unique in that it has the lowest density of any commercial wood. At the same time, it takes paint well, and is naturally resistant to termites. It’s the choice wood in many canoes.

Southern Red Cedar
Last but not least, the Southern Red Cedar can be found in North Carolina and Florida to points as far west as Texas. The dullish red wood is weaker and softer than other species, making it less optimal for woodworking. However, it’s particularly aromatic and because of that works as a great insect repellant.