Teak Benches - Charming and Chic

To add elegance and comfort to any patio, deck or porch, a
teak bench is a perfect choice.  Teak benches come in an
array of sizes, lengths, styles and designs.  They are
weather and water resistant and last for years.  With their
handcrafted beauty and durability, a teak bench complements
all areas in and around any home.

One of the most appealing features of teak benches is the
variety of styles in which they are made.  Choose from
armless and backless benches or ones with straight or
curved backs.  There are even rounded benches which can be
wrapped around trees and add grace to gardens of any size.

Backless and armless chairs are one of the most versatile
choices and less formal than their counterparts.  This type
of teak bench looks great indoors and out.  Placing one in
a garden complements lawns of all sizes.  Adding one to a
foyer allows for convenience and comfort when returning
from work or a jog. This style of teak bench also looks
great and fits perfectly with a teak dining table.  Unlike
chairs, benches allow more people to enjoy a meal together
and the bench easily slides under the table for added space.

Teak benches with arms and backs are also perfect for
indoor and outdoor use, but create a more formal appearance
than the armless and backless benches.  Choose from backs
that are straight, curved, half-moon shaped or slatted.
Slatted teak benches look great with a teak coffee table
and carved back benches are ideal for adding elegance to
any patio or porch.  Half-moon teak benches are open and
inviting, while straight-back benches are perfect for
lounging.  Teak benches with curved backs are excellent for
creating a classic look.  All styles are comfortable, so
choice depends on an individual's personal taste.

Glider teak benches not only refine a garden or deck, but
add romance as well.  Many people enjoy the smooth swaying
of a glider teak bench with a loved one while others enjoy
this type of bench by themselves for relaxing moments of
solitude.  Since these benches come in a number of sizes,
they can accommodate families of any size.

The Spirit Song teak bench is one of the most unique and
stylish types of teakwood benches available.  These benches
are extremely appealing to the eye, are original and
luxurious.  Mimicking the contours of the human body, these
benches, although armless, are exceptionally comfortable.
Carved in a variety of styles, including backless and
curved, Spirit Song teak benches are both furniture and
art.  Quality constructed and handcrafted this type of teak
bench will enhance any home's interior or exterior.

All of these benches are perfect poolside.  Whether used to
relax and catch some sun or after an intense swim, a teak
bench makes for a spectacular outdoor experience.

Bench cushions are available in various shapes and sizes,
ideal for enhancing the comfort of any teak bench.  Plus,
there's even a teak bench that stores cushions of multiple
sizes which keeps them dry and organized.

So make the teak bench choice, and make your porch or patio
a more inviting place.


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Jesse Akre, owner of numerous sites specializing in
Furniture for your patio or garden, offers the online
consumer information when looking for perfect Teak Patio
Furniture or a classic coffee Teak Table. Finish your home
in style-Visit today: Teak Furniture at
http://www.MoreThanTeak.com

 

Koi Pond: Biological Filters

Contrary to common belief, biological filters do not
process or filter the solid waste of fish in your koi pond.
 They continue to build up and putrefy, creating a breeding
ground for harmful species of heterotrophic bacteria which
are pathogenic to koi fish. As stated, the biological
filtration process utilizes Nitrosomonas bacteria to break
down ammonia into nitrite and nitrobacter, further
converting nitrites into nitrates, which is less harmful to
koi fish.

Plants now utilize the nitrate and phosphate for
fertilizer; if you have not provided an adequate ratio of
water plants to koi fish, "hard" algae (growing on rocks
and koi pond walls) and "free- floating" algae use nitrate
and phosphate to reproduce.

The key to preventing this condition, called "algae bloom,"
is to provide enough non-soil bearing plants such as water
lettuce and hyacinths to compete for the nitrate and
phosphate.  Since these two plants are tropical and can
only survive in warm climates, hardier varieties such as
Elodea and Anacharis will perform well in cold climates.
These plants are commonly used in bio-filter ponds.

A bio-filter pond is used in conjunction with shallow koi
ponds with small populations of koi fish.  It will also
eliminate the need for a mechanical bio-filter and  a
second pump to operate it.

The bio-filter pond is located higher than the main pond
for two reasons. It prevents the koi fish from eating the
plants and it allows the water from the waterfall to be
filtered as it passes through the plants prior to spilling
into the lower koi pond.

An adequate ratio of plant cover for the koi pond's surface
is approximately 20 to 30 percent.  This is a basic rule of
thumb and many factors can change this equation.

For example: koi fish population, water temperature, and
debris accumulating from leaves or over-feeding the koi
fish. I have said many times that the Koi Pond is the koi's
living room, dining room and toilet.

If you do not have a bio-filter, that could explain why
your koi pond is a tad green, stinky, or cloudy, and why
your finned family is gulping air on the surface. Trust me.
 That will not be for long. Fish gulping air to survive
would be like you -- in an attempt to avoid breathing
poisoned air -- gulping water to survive.

If you do not already have a biological filter, I can not
encougage you enough to abtain one. If your pond is over
eight hundred gallons, and you are using an above ground
pump that produces over 3500 gallons per hour, I suggest a
pressurized bead filter. I cover the topic of biofilters in
greater detail in another article.        Happy koi, peace
and joy.


----------------------------------------------------
Douglas C. Hoover; CEO of Aquamedia Corp, master Waterfall
Builder, freelance writer and author designer, architect,
inventor, engineer, writer, author and builder of over
1,900 waterfall and ponds in California or the past 26
years. Read my other articles at:
http://www.ezinearticles.com  Have a question?
http://www.askdoughoover.com

 

Organic Container Gardening: Healthy plants with a limited amount of space

If you would love to grow healthy, fresh vegetables and
vibrant, beautiful flowers but have limited space, organic
container gardening can be the answer you've been looking
for. This creative type of natural gardening can be done
just about anywhere and it can even be easier than
maintaining a traditional garden plot.

Here are three things to consider for simple organic
container gardening, regardless of the amount of space you
may have.

Start With Organic Soil

It only stands to reason that for any successful venture in
organic container gardening, one would need organic soil. A
regular, outdoor garden begins with the soil or dirt that
you already have and then organic materials are added to
increase nutrients. But you'll be ahead of the game if you
start with organic soil to begin with.

With organic container gardening, you won't have any
sub-soil to help retain water which in turn prevents the
roots from becoming too wet. The best way to correct this
problem is with simple peat moss. Peat moss can either be
used alone or added to your organic soil along with compost
or composted manure and the result is an excellent soil
mixture for organic container gardening.

Use Plain or Creative Containers

Put your imagination to the test as just about anything
that will hold soil and water can be used for organic
container gardening. While some gardeners prefer to take
the natural route and use pots made from clay or wood, you
are really only limited by your own resourcefulness.

Although, pots and containers that won't fall apart when
they get wet and that will also drain properly work best
for organic container gardening. If needed, you could
always drill holes into the bottom of the container and
then add about an inch or so of gravel to aid with
drainage. Also, a few layers of torn newspaper or leaf mold
atop the gravel will help retain water just enough to keep
the soil moist as well.

Plant Your Crop

With the use of organic container gardening, you can plant
the same plants and vegetables that you would in any other
garden such as tomatoes, peppers, beans or herbs. The key
is using containers appropriate in size to what you are
planting. For instance, zucchini plants will need the same
amount of room in the container as they do out in the
garden, so be sure to have something that will allow the
plant room to grow healthily.

Organic seeds and plants will work best with organic
container gardening, and you will also find that you'll
rarely have a problem with most garden pests while using
this particular method. It's much easier to keep pests at
bay and keep an eye on leaves and stems with organic
container gardening rather than with a large, regular
garden. Ladybugs will still help with insect infestation
and diatomaceous earth can still be used to deter slugs
from destroying your plants.

Basically, the same practices you would apply to
traditional gardening can be used with organic container
gardening. And anywhere you may have a sheltered area that
receives enough light; you can enjoy the fruits, or
vegetables, of organic container gardening all year long.


----------------------------------------------------
Janet is the publisher of
http://www.easyorganicgardeningtips.com
where you can find advice, tips, and recommendations for
your organic gardening needs.