HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-05-03, Page 21(MS) — If your backyard looks
like all the others in your
neighborhood, here’s how to solve
the problem: expand your outdoor
living areas and lose those backyard
blahs with easy project ideas!
• Bloom where you are planted.
Switch out those hardy winter plants
for beautiful spring blooms. If spring
comes early to your neck of the
woods, try mixing purple, green and
gold for a Mardi Gras feel. Bright
red blooms welcome spring back
after a cold winter, while bright
yellow flowers, perhaps accented
with matching floral bows, add life
and color to any backyard.
If you’re more of the gardening
type, consider adding a raised bed to
your current landscape. Planter
benches are easily built, as are
decorative greenhouses.
• Uncover your potential. If your
outdoor furniture seat covers are
looking a little worse for wear, take a
quick trip to your local fabric store.
Beautiful weatherproof fabric is
available in a rainbow of patterns
and colours, so you’re sure to find a
perfect match.
New covers — and perhaps a co-
ordinating table cloth — will give a
brand new look to your backyard
just in time for the outdoor
entertaining season.
• Have a seat! Expand your
outdoor living area with quick and
easy projects. No plastic Adirondack
chairs allowed! A gorgeous southern
pine chair, whitewashed or painted a
bright colour, begs for you to kick
back and enjoy the warming sun.
Place a gazebo off to one side for
some needed shade come
summertime.
A charming swing adds whimsy
and character and offers the family
pet a cool place to rest.
• Get decked out. To completely
change the look and feel of your
backyard, consider adding a wood
deck. If you’re feeling extra handy,
plans are available to help you tackle
the project yourself.
If not, check your local phone
book for a reputable deck builder.
Decks are a wonderful extension of
your style and can add value to your
home.
• Lose the fake stuff! When
fulfilling your weekend DIY
fantasies or tackling the construction
of a deck, why should you choose
real wood? Unless your backyard
includes plastic flowers and trees,
why use plastic furniture and fake
decking?
Pressure-treated wood is the best
option for any outdoor project. It’s
beautiful, strong and durable. It
doesn’t conduct heat, meaning no
burned feet in the heat of the
summer. When treated properly, it
becomes impervious to rot and pests,
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2007. PAGE 21. Spring into the season with easy backyard ideas
Living easy
Expanding your outdoor living area is a great way to turn a
routine backyard into a haven for relaxation. (MS photo)
(NC)—The warm summer
weather is upon us and this means
backyard barbecues and gatherings
with family and friends are
beginning.
To help choose the most
appropriate barbecue for your
family, the barbecue team at
Canadian Tire has put together some
information to make it easy.
There is a wide range of barbecues
available, each with different
features. It’s important to consider
your needs when making your
decision.
Natural Gas –A natural gas
barbecue runs off the gas line from
your house. It is easy to light,
operate and clean.
It also gives you the ability to
control the cooking temperature and
is relatively inexpensive to maintain
because you do not need to purchase
or refill gas tanks.
A natural gas barbecue should
always be installed by a trained gas
technician.
Propane –A propane barbecue
runs off a propane tank and many
are portable and easy to operate.
When considering this kind of
barbecue, keep in mind that tanks
need to be filled and it’s often
difficult to know when they are
going to run out. It’s best to look for
propane tanks that have a gas gauge,
which will let you know when gas is
low.
Try to keep an extra propane tank
around, just in case you run out of
fuel in the middle of grilling or
entertaining.
Finding the right barbecue
TRI-COUNTY BRICK
O/B CO-JIM CORP
Over 500 Different Brick
Phone: 519-482-9622
1-800-265-7057
Fax: 519-482-5999
279 Bayfield Rd., ClintonSince 1977
Enhance your outdoor living with Perma Paving Stones
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Large selection in-stock
Everyday $2.50 S/R
The average 8'x10' room
can be wallpapered for
as little as $30.00
53 Victoria St. S., Goderich
519-524-9671
• Renovations • New Homes
• Sales & Installation
of Windows & Doors
Call Ken
519-887-9857
Brussels, ON
Continued on page 23
Jack & Sylvia Nonkes ~
83189 Scott Line RR #1
Auburn
519-523-9456
Open daily ~ Closed Sundays
We’re Open
Come visit and you’ll discover
❀ baskets ❀ patio pots ❀ annuals
❀ proven winner plants
❀ quality perennials
❀ helpful staff
The award-winning wave series
of petunias are an excellent
choice for garden beds, baskets
and planters. They can spread
2 1/2 - 4' and continue blooming
freely all season with being
trimmed back.
Our special price is
$1.69
for a 4" pot ~ all colours