on March 9th, 2010

Sailing into the sunset is one thing, but with a modern sail shade available for your home, garden, patio, pool or workplace, you can enjoy the sun at any time of the day without the worry of harmful rays, or the discomfort of heat.

A sail shade offers a solution which addresses several issues at the same time, and is such a diverse and adaptable product that its uses are wide ranging. Whether you enjoy your garden or patio, an outdoor swimming pool or spa, or perhaps even a children’s play area, sail shades provide up to 90% protection against UV radiation.

It is essential that in this country we are aware of the dangers of UV radiation, because it’s all too easy to write our weather off as being soggy and grey most of the time. Admittedly our winters aren’t much, but during the spring and summer, and increasingly even into autumn, we are experiencing rising temperatures, and more hours of sun.

This inevitably means that we are exposed to more UV radiation, and the fact that cancer is on the rise, with skin cancers totalling half of all diagnosed cancers in the UK, it’s a problem that’s very real indeed.

A sail shade protects not only our skin whilst we’re out gardening, relaxing on the patio, swimming, or even enjoying a barbecue with friends, but perhaps even more importantly sail shades help to protect our children’s skin.

We’re all very much more conscious of the fact that our children need to get out, but many of us are hesitant about letting them wild on the streets and out of our sight. That’s why gardens and patios are becoming play areas, with sand pits and garden toys to keep the children happy, active and enjoying fresh air rather than being stuck inside watching television and playing on the computer.

But whilst we can list the dangers of using computers for too much of the time, and are aware of dangers that may be lurking round every street corner, we can become alarmingly ignorant of the more tangible dangers of letting our children play in our own gardens for hours at a time.

Children’s skin is very sensitive and even more prone to sun damage than our own. For this reason having a sail shade fitted to provide shaded areas within our garden or patio spaces is essential in helping to protect their skin.

The alternative is either to lather them from head to toe in factor 50 every half hour, insist that they sit under a parasol, plant an orchard or go through several months of negotiation with the council for planning permission to build a huge gazebo or patio shelter.

But because sail shades usually require no planning permission, can be installed within a couple of hours, provide up to 90% UV protection and are large enough to cover significant areas of space, they represent the most cost effective, practical solution. But even more than this, sail shades represent one of the most attractive, stylish and contemporary ways of adding a design feature to an outdoor area.

Whether you choose a square sail shade or a triangular shade, and whether you choose one single sail shade or an arrangement of several to create a striking three dimension structure, the one thing you can be sure of is that the result will look fantastic.

Style, protection, practicality and security all available in a single solution which is affordable, quick to install and incredibly easy to maintain, sail shades are the outdoor solution for the 21st century in the UK.

Able to withstand almost any weather our climate can throw at them, sail shades can be left up for most of the year, and need only a quick wash with a hose pipe to keep them looking ship shape. From gardens to community centres, workplaces to playgrounds, pools to schools, a sail shade is one of the most versatile ways to enjoy the outdoors and the sun safely and comfortably.

Shaded Nation

Shaded Nation offer a range of sail shades to keep you cool this summer. Those who follow gardening as a passion can also make the best out of a garden shade. A sail shade protects not only our skin whilst we’re out gardening, relaxing on the patio, but perhaps even more importantly sail shades help to protect our children’s skin. For more information please visit http://www.shadednation.com/

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Why does anyone want Egyptian cotton bed linens?  The fact is a high quality set of Egyptian cotton bed linens will last for decades and become softer with each laundering.  Besides these two compelling facts, three strong reasons are presented below for purchasing the very best in bed linens.

1.  Egyptian cotton bed linen is the smoothest and softest cotton in the world.  These qualities are because the cotton in Egyptian cotton bed linens is made from the longest cotton staple or fiber of any cotton variety.  Egyptian cotton fibers also have very small diameters or thicknesses.  When these long, yet very thin fibers of Egyptian cotton are twisted into small threads or yarns, a strong, smooth yarn results with longer lengths of continuous fiber than the other cotton varieties.  Once these thin, fine, Egyptian cotton yarns are weaved into a fabric, the result is a finer textured material which feels very soft and smooth.

2.  Moisture absorption capacity and breathability of Egyptian cotton is great.  Moisture absorption and breathability of bedding is important for a sleeping person to stay dry and comfortably while sleeping.  During a sleep, a person’s skin gives off small amounts of perspiration, but Egyptian cotton bed linens are capable of absorbing this moisture and transferring it to the air in the room due to the cotton’s ability to breath.  By staying dry and comfortable throughout the night, Egyptian cotton bed linens insure a sound night’s sleep despite a person’s naturally perspiring body.

3.  You – yes, you deserve some pampering and luxury in your life.  Although, most people cannot afford the luxury of owning a Mercedes-Benz automobile, purchasing quality, Egyptian cotton bed linens is affordable.  By the way, pampering yourself with fine Egyptian cotton bed linens is a better choice than purchasing an expensive luxury automobile.  Which do you spend the most time in each day; your own bed, or your automobile?  A person typically spends about one-third (1/3) of their life in bed while very few people spend one-third of their life or day in their automobile.  Remember also, the softness of fine Egyptian cotton bed linens improves with age and washing, while an automobile typically depreciates and wears out with age and use.

So after looking at these three reasons why you want Egyptian cotton bed linens, please indulge and pamper yourself in the luxury of 100% Egyptian cotton bed linens.  Enjoy the softness and smoothness of them against your skin and experience their dry, cozy, and comfortable feeling while you sleep.  When considering their long life, the luxury of 100% Egyptian cotton bed linens is very affordable.  So splurge a little, and have a great night’s sleep.

Dale Avery

Dale Avery writes for ClassyBedLinens.com.  Find a great selection of high quality, fashionable, 100% Egyptian cotton bed linens, or an Egyptian cotton bed set for smooth and soft luxury at affordable prices.

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Roses are a very beautiful flower, so it is nice to have them in your landscape. However, a lot of people worry about rose planting and care, thinking it must be very difficult to do. However, this really isn’t the case. It just takes a few simple steps to plant a rose bush.

One of the most important things to consider when you are planting a rose is the location. This can really determine whether or not your rose is going to flourish and be filled with flowers. When choosing rose planting locations, you want to find a spot with good drainage that gets a lot of sun, preferably full sun. �Make sure that your new rose will have plenty of space so that it can grow without being crowded. You don’t want your rose to be exposed to a lot of wind though either, so take care and choose just the right spot for your rose.

Another concern with rose planting is the soil. You want it to have the proper nutrients and drainage, as well as the right pH level (around 6.5). If your soil isn’t just right, you can amend it by mixing the required nutrients into the soil that you plan to put back around your rose bush.

Once you have chosen your site, prepare your rose for planting. If you have a bare root plant, you should soak it in water overnight to rehydrate it before planting. Some people recommend putting a small amount of bleach (one cup per five gallons water) in the water that you use to soak the plant in order to kill off any harmful microorganisms that might be present. Bushes that come in a pot of soil do not need to be soaked.

Dig a hole for your rose that is a bit bigger than the pot that the rose is in, or bigger than the plant that you have. You will want to put back a cone shaped pile of soil so that you can put your new plant in at the right depth and spread the roots out a bit. The correct depth for planting really hinges on where you live. The union should be one inch underground if you live in zones five or six, at ground level if you are in zones seven or eight, and above ground if you live in zones nine or ten. Fill the hole in with the rest of the soil.

Make sure that your newly planted rose bush gets plenty of water, but not too much. This type of plant really prefers to get less frequent but deeper waterings. Water them about once a week with enough water to make the soil wet about ten inches deep. Wait until the soil is dry before you water the plant again. Too much water too often will make it so that the plant does not have enough air circulating near the roots, so it is important to avoid making this mistake. When you follow these simple steps for rose planting, the results will be beautiful rose blooms.

Valerie Knotts

Valerie Knotts is a rose gardening expert and author who enjoys teaching others how to plant and grow beautiful roses. For more information onrose planting, visit http://www.guidetogrowingroses.com

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on March 9th, 2010

By Kathy Moran

Gazebos continue to increase in popularity.  Well beyond the days when they functioned mainly as focal points in town parks, or strictly ornamental garden structures, they are now answering a higher calling.  In fact, they’re serving many new purposes.

Today, more people are equipping their gazebos with every comfort available, including electricity and plumbing, and using them as guesthouses, home offices, hobby rooms, studios, cottages, and just about anything else imaginable.  Some are even installing hot tubs, and turning them into backyard spas.  It’s also becoming quite common for people to integrate gazebos with their decks.  Indeed, this trend is so prevalent, that it has given rise to the term, gazebo deck.

Whether or not you’re going to put a gazebo on your deck, you should inspect it occasionally, to make sure that it is structurally sound, and adequately weatherproofed, which will help it to stay it intact.  If you can’t remember the last time you stained and/or sealed it, you can test it quickly, by pouring a glass of water over the boards.  If it beads up, the wood is water-repellent; but, if it’s absorbed, the deck needs another treatment.

First, wash it thoroughly, either with a deck cleaner from a hardware store, or a solution of household bleach and water.  If it’s extremely dirty, you may need a high-pressure washer.  Get one with an output of 750 to 1,000 psi, and you’ll be able to do the job with plain water; just don’t forget to put on your safety goggles.

Wearing a dust mask, use a sander, or sandpaper, to smooth rough areas, then sweep away the sawdust.  Remove any sap stains completely, because they’ll be even more noticeable when coated with clear sealer or semi-transparent stain.  If you can’t get them off with the sander and cleaning solution, try using mineral spirits.

Next, apply a clear or staining sealer with a brush, or a pump garden sprayer.  While some think that a brush helps the sealer to get deeper into the wood, others argue that a sprayer is the quickest and easiest way to get the product between the deck boards.  One drawback to a sprayer, however, is that you can use it only on windless days.  Moreover, you’ll need a brush anyway, to put a second coat onto the boards’ coarser, more absorbent, ends, and to smooth out any pools of stain/sealer, lest they remain sticky for weeks, before starting to peel.

Once your deck is all safe and sound, the next step, of course, is to go to GazeboCreations.com, and customize your own treated pine, cedar, or vinyl gazebo.

At GazeboCreations.com, in a few, easy steps, you can select the material, size, and style that you want, then choose from dozens of options, including insulation, screens, storm windows, decorative railings, wiring, ceiling fans, built-in benches, cupolas, different kinds of flooring, and several types and colors of roofing.

GazeboCreations.com also has professional design consultants and customer service representatives who are always ready to assist you.  To contact them, call 888-293-2339, or e-mail cs@gazebocreations.com.

Hazel Jennings

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on March 9th, 2010

You work hard all day and need to come home to an oasis of peace and tranquility. When you pull up in your driveway the first thing you want to see is a beautiful Grass lawn even if opening the front door is utter chaos.

The first step to creating a perfect garden is the lawn. If you choose the wrong grass you will risk having all your hard work of building the perfect garden go to waste. Those pretty annuals will not look so pretty next to a weed infested desert of brown dead grass. A beautiful lawn is a pleasure and does not have to be difficult to maintain. With a little knowledge you will be on the way to choosing the right grass for you.

The first thing you need to understand is climate. Do you reside in a dry dusty area? For dry areas you may want to consider Sir Walter Buffalo. Sir Walter Raleigh is considered to be drought resistant and low maintenance. It tolerates being walked on frequently. This makes it ideal for folks with kids as children abuse grass.

You will also wish to consider any trees you may have. Some grasses love shade while others can not tolerate a lot of shade. For instance a fine fescue likes shade but does not like to be walked on.

Watering needs also rank in extreme importance. If you live where there is heavy rainfall you will want a grass that can handle a lot of water. A dry drought prone area will need a grass like Sir Walter Buffalo Raleigh. The right grass will actually save you time and money.

A PH test can also go a long way toward choosing the right grass for you. You should test the PH in your soil before doing anything else. You do not want to plant a lawn that is perfect for you and your climate only to find it will not grow in your yard.

What are you going to do on your lawn is another important question to ask. Do you have children who play soccer in the yard? Do you have barbeques where a lot of people will walk in your garden or do you prefer to just sit on the porch and watch it grow? Some grasses tolerate being walked and played on while others prefer to be looked at.

Considering the color of green you prefer as well as the texture of the grass is also rather important. Nothing in the world feels as good to the bare feet then the right grass.

Last but not least is maintenance. Some grasses grow faster then others. Some will need expensive fertilizer. How much time do you really wish to spend maintaining your lawn?

There is nothing in the world like coming home to a beautiful lawn. The smell of fresh cut grass is one of the simple luxuries in life. With a little thought and consideration you can choose the perfect lawn for you. Choosing the right lawn will add value to your property and save you money on water and fertilizers. With just a little thought and a PH test you will be on the way to years of happy grass.

Visit Jimboomba Turf at www.jimboombaturf.com.au for more handy hints on choosing the perfect grass, Laying Turf and all about Landscaping Turf.

Nicholas Reay

Author writes regularly about Sir Walter Raleigh, laying turf, Grass, Landscaping Gold Coast and Legend Couch Grass topics. To know about more about turf, grass supplies, landscaping turf, sir walter turf, buffalo grass, turf prices from Author visit – http://www.jimboombaturf.com.au

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