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Decorative Concrete

Concrete is a widely used construction material. Decorative concrete is the use of concrete with added touches of unique patterns, finishes, and/or coloring for the purpose of visual appeal and design. Decorative concrete includes everything from colored concrete to stamped or stained concrete, stenciling, and exposed aggregate, and it’s the hottest trend used in patios, floors, countertops, pool decks, garden paths, garage floors, and more. No longer plain, grey and boring, concrete is now thought of as a beautiful decorative element adding beauty and stain resistance to a home. As a material, concrete offers skid resistance, improved indoor air quality, …

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Perfect Pairings for Containers A ‘Done in a Day’ Spring Project

Spring is the perfect time to add a pop of color to your outdoor space. Bold blooms and bright leaves are emerging, offering a colorful canvas of plant choices. Picking the right pairings for your container plantings can feel intimidating with so many options to choose from, but simple strategies offer perfect pairings for containers every time! A great general rule for container plantings is to use the “thriller, filler, spiller” formula. Thrillers add height and drama to the planting. They can be placed at the center or back of the container, depending on the viewing angle. Both foliage and …

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Pretty Patio Furniture

Patio Furniture 2021 One of the benefits of the global pandemic is that homeowners have rediscovered their homes and what they love about the space they have created. It’s also been an opportunity to live in spaces that weren’t used to full capacity. One of those spaces is outdoor space. For 2021, homeowners want the comfort and quality of their inside furniture to extend to their outdoor living space. That investment is about balancing quality, beauty, and durability. New trends in outdoor furniture reflect the reimagined importance of the outdoors as a place that combines fresh air, natural light, and …

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Native Plants for Your Garden

by Shanna Jones, Plant Collections Manager at Cheekwood What constitutes a native plant? The general opinion of what defines a native plant summarizes that it is indigenous or naturally occurring in a specific location over a long period of time. However, there is the the human element to consider. Human intervention has influenced what trees and flowers we grow for shade and aesthetic enjoyment as well as what crops we grow for nourishment. We humans, over time, not only transferred plants from one region to another, but we learned how to transfer pollen and, therefore genetics, creating hybrids. And so, …

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4 Steps to Spruce Up Outdoor Spaces

The combination of heat, precipitation and use can dull the appearance and function of different outdoor spaces like textiles, light fixtures, furniture, decks and more. Try these cleaning solutions to spruce up outdoor living areas and get them in shape for patio season. Find more cleaning tips and a limited-time discount code for a S1800 electric power washer at Briggsandstratton.com/OutdoorCleaning. SOURCE: Briggs & Stratton

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Custom Pools & Spas

When it comes to getting ready for summer, there’s nothing that says summer more than a pool. From planning to execution, the addition of a pool or pool/hot tub combo makes even the most mundane outside space into something special. When designing or renovating a home, creating spaces for enjoyable outdoor living is just as important as the interiors. Designing a backyard space is as unique to the homeowner as it is to the space. Who will be using the space, adults, children, grandchildren, pets, how will it be used, family fun, entertaining, evenings, what is the property setting, architecture …

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Cheekwood Orchids

A blooming orchid is an elegant way to brighten up your home over the winter months, yet the plants remain rather unapproachable to the average home gardener and decorator. Where to find orchids along with credible information about growing orchids is the first step to installing your first potted beauty on that empty kitchen windowsill. Find your first orchid at one of the five places described below and break down the barriers to the unnecessarily elusive plants. Don’t be afraid to buy orchids from the grocery store, unless they’re blue. Bright blue orchids are no more exotic than your third-grader’s …

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3 Tips for Caring for Poinsettias

The rich, velvety red and white foliage of poinsettias have become a staple of any holiday display. But there are a few things to keep in mind when caring for your plants to keep them looking their best. Understanding the plants’ needs will keep your holiday display healthy all season long. Poinsettias are native to Mexico, and if you have ever vacationed to the Mexican coast over the holidays you likely enjoyed warmer temperatures, sunshine, and minimal rainfall. These are the cultural conditions that your poinsettias need to thrive. Use these three tips as your guide to a successful poinsettia …

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How to Turn Your Rubbish into Garden Gold

A Simple Breakdown of Compost: How to Turn Your Rubbish into Garden Gold By Shanna Jones, Plant Collections Manager at Cheekwood Banana peels, eggshells, coffee grounds, leaves. These are a few of my favorite things…to throw into my compost pile. Integrating compost into your garden’s soil is the least expensive, most helpful thing you can do to improve the overall health of your garden. Learn how to start and nourish a simple compost pile, making good use of materials you would otherwise throw away. The Location First, build your rubbish pile directly on the ground, and you can contain it …

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