Creating a Backyard Haven of Your Dreams

In this modern world, most of the population is surrounded with steel, concrete and glass and while it is true that all of these elements come from nature they are seldom encountered in nature in this form. That raises another question. Why is this so important? The answer to this lies in the recognition of the fact that human beings are a part of nature and as such, they feel most at ease and most relaxed when they are surrounded by nature.

A Backyard Haven

However, as mentioned before these havens of nature are quite hard to find in a world of today. With this in mind, it would probably be the best course of action for anyone to create his or hers own oasis of nature in their own backyard. In order to do this, all one needs is a bit of will, determination as well as a thorough research on this topic, still no matter the effort, in the end, results are always worth it.

Planning is the Key

As in any other major endeavor, creating a sound plan, prior to the initiation of all the work is the most important step in achieving this. Make sure to cover both any major works that will need to be done, like the dimensions or patterns to your pavement and the choice of your backyard furniture to the tiniest detail that may require your attention once the works finally commence.

This step is extremely important since, any lapse in the planning phase, no matter how tiny and insignificant it may seem in the beginning, may cause a serious delay or problem later on. Make the list of all of the things you need done in your yard in order to transform it into a true haven of nature, and try to fit it all into the boundaries of your own budget. Of course, there will always be some disagreements there, and while that is something that you need to be ready for, it is crucial that you never let these breechings of the budget become so serious that they create a serious problem.

Tree Selection

Of the major works, that are necessary for you to transform your backyard into a perfect natural getaway, choosing the right trees is one of the most important. When choosing the brush for your backyard, there are several things to bear in mind, from their aesthetic impression and coordination with the rest of your yard, all the way to their maintenance and their seasonal changes. Envision your backyard during the entire year and see if it is the picture that fits your needs.

Gorgeous Pavement

While for the nature lover, nothing tops the feeling of the real grass under your feet, during the rainy season this might not be as good of idea for the entire surface of your backyard. Why not install a nice pavement in order to enable you to maneuver through this green haven of yours undisturbed by mud and puddles throughout the entire year. Just keep in mind that you do not want it to dominate your entire garden and remember to keep it simple and practical.

Furniture

In order to further enhance time spent in your backyard, a choice of garden furniture is a logical next step. Get yourself a nice set of garden chairs and as well as a nice garden table. To further improve your enjoyment of this newly created haven of yours you would be wise to get a perfect marquee for your garden. As we learned from reputed vendors of pop up marquees, their prices are very moderate and they are easy to set up in any garden, thus providing a perfect shelter from both rain and heath of the sun. They also come in various dimensions, so you will be free to select one that fits needs of your garden the most.

For a person who considers him or herself to be a true nature lover, and feels most at ease when surrounded with nature, there is no reason whatsoever why not to do this. Although, at times it might seem as a lot of trouble, through the comfort and relaxation that your garden will give your in years to come, most would say that it definitely pays off. All things considered, this really seems to be a win-win scenario.

Art Shops

Just a short update to start a new week. There are a row of art shops at a traditional market in my city. 

I saw yellow bags for Monday Mellow Yellows

Colorless Agates

Lots of agates can be found at Jakarta Gems Centre (Jatinegara, East Jakarta, Indonesia).

Do you love collecting gems? I'd love to collect gemstones only if I don't have to spend much cash :)

The Weekend in Black and White

Is Your Cleaner Cleaning Your Office Safely?

Finding a group of great commercial cleaners some time is quite a challenge. Cleaning can be very dangerous when you have an unexperienced cleaner. Here are a few tips to teach you how to check if your cleaner is cleaning your office safely.

1.   Safety  signs

Yes, safety signs are the very basic lifesaving things cleaners must have. There are hundreds of injuries that is happing every day all because of people didn’t know about the area is hazardous. So make sure your cleaners do use safety signs when necessary.

2.   Chemical Knowledge

A well trained cleaner should have learnt thenecessary information about chemical safety, and should always know where the MSDS (material safety data sheets) are located. When they not sure about any of the chemical they are using, they know where to check the guide and warnings of them. When you hiring your cleaning contractors you should always check if they have their MSDS and Work place health and safety plan in place. This is a sign of whether you are hiring an experienced and responsible cleaning company.

3.   Equipment safety

Your cleaners should have a solid knowledge about the instructions of how to operate cleaning equipment. Especially some large and powerful cleaning machines. For example, when you are seeking some high pressure washing service, the cleaner must know that commercial pressure washers can cut people’s skin wide open like a knife, so they will need to make sure they restrict the working areas that only the people who is wearing protective equipment can enter.

With the few tips above you should get the idea of where to look and how to check if you are contracting some good cleaners. 

How to Set Up a Garden Storage Container

Investing in a container storage can make the whole gardening experience more pleasurable, as you can have all the tools and materials organized on one spot. You can make a storage from a scratch or order a pre-fabricated one that only needs putting together. Whatever you decide, it’ important to think in advance and choose the best option possible, so that you avoid ending up with a cluttered box full of gardening tools and dirt. 

You Can Store Almost Anything

Garden storage containers are getting increasingly popular because of their versatility. They are perfect for smaller gardens as they don’t require as much space as a shed or garage. They can be used for storing almost anything, from gardening tools, logs, fertilizers, pesticides or anything that you don’t want inside your house. They are ideal with families with children as you can lock away dangerous substances or sharp gardening tools like axes or hedge shears. And finally, storage containers require no maintenance, while protecting your items from elements. 

Keep Frequently Used Items Accessible

One thing you should definitely consider is to install a pegboard near the storage door where you can stack tool that you use often like brooms, rakes and hoes. In this way you can access them I no time and save the interior space for a long time storing. In the same way, you can add a bucket near the door for storing small tools that you use on regular basis, like clippers, trowels, a gardening knife and several coils of rope. If you don’t like that option you can attach a couple of hooks on the pegboard and hang these there.

Install Shelves

Shelves are essential for keeping your storage floor free from clutter. Whether you decide for standing or wall shelves, they are indispensable for keeping sharp tools and chemicals out of the reach of children or pets. Your items will be more organized if you keep things you use frequently on lower shelves and those you don’t on higher ones.

If You Need a Bigger Storage…

Heavier and larger pieces of equipment like lawnmowers, tillers and wheelbarrows are best stored by the back wall of the garden storage. If your needs call for a bigger, more substantial storage option, a good alternative is to purchase a new or retired shipping container. They come in various sizes and perhaps the greatest advantage of storing equipment in containers is that you can cut them apart and modify them to your liking, and they also come with a sturdy and secure pair of doors.

Secure the Bags

If you need to store bagged materials like potting soil, fertilizer or seed, you should dedicate a corner of the storage for that purpose. The last thing you want is to rupture a bag with a falling gardening utility, you you might want to place every bag in a separate plastic container with a lid. Alternatively, you can place a wooden pallet on the storage floor and place the bags upon it, protecting them from moisture and tearing.