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Water gardens add beauty, serenity and even monetary value to a home. They range from small, still pools of water to large, elaborate ponds with filters and fountains. Water gardens can even be portable if they are created in containers. Because of the wide variety of types and sizes, specific details for making a water garden vary. The basic steps, however, remain the same. One step involves carpet underlayment, which is used to protect the water garden lining.
An offset smoker can turn out perfectly cooked meats of all types with a rich and hearty flavor. The basic smoker consists of a firebox or damper, which provides the heat, and the cooking chamber. You light a fire in the firebox and smoke pours through a hole between the two areas, which lets the smoke slowly cook and flavor the foods in the cooking chamber. Making your own brick smoker allows you to determine its shape and size.
Brick and stone townhouse facades require periodic maintenance and renovation, as the stones and bricks may crack and the mortar joints may crumble and deteriorate. Brick and stones are also prone to moss, vine and mold growth. Plant roots may invade the facade, compromising its integrity. Mold and mildew do not affect structural integrity, but they are unsightly and very difficult to remove, even with a power washer. Moldy regions must be hand-scrubbed with a bleach and water solution, intended to kill the mold and mildew. Cleaning and repairing a townhouse facade will go a long way toward improving the…
Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, irrigation pipes allow you to create a garden watering system without investing a lot of money. While the lines to the garden may be permanent, you can select PVC irrigation pipes to install on the ground’s surface. You simply remove the pipes at the end of the growing season. That way you can still till the garden, as needed, without damaging the garden watering system.
The simplest gravity garden water system is comprised of a tank with a garden hose attached to a valve at the bottom. If the bottom of the tank is above the level of the garden, gravity will move the water to the garden. Building such a system falls within the ability of most do-it-yourselfers with basic tools and skills.
Standard garden denizens such as lawns, flower gardens and vegetable patches add beauty to home gardens, with bright blooms and foliage. Gardeners who want additional interest, though, add water features such as ponds and stream beds and go the extra step with water-loving plants. Water lilies grow in deep water for surface blooming while water iris cultivars grow as "bog" plants along shores. Plant both cultivars to give your water feature color and variety.
A cistern is a traditional way of collecting what nature provides in the form of water. Not for cooking or drinking, cistern collected water is used to water landscaping, gardens, or for other outdoor uses. In an emergency there is also a ready water supply that can be sanitized for drinking if necessary. A cistern can be underground or above ground, with water most commonly being collected from rain runoff through a gutter system.
Cisterns are required for comfortable living in areas with long dry seasons where water supply is uncertain. A cistern can range from a small above-ground rain barrel to a 2,000-gallon tank that is buried underground. Proper planning of your cistern system can prevent major problems after it is installed. A properly designed cistern system can provide a household with a large proportion of its water needs using only rainwater.
During springtime, many people trim trees and clear away dead brush on their properties. Disposing of this brush not only reduces the risk of wildfires but also improves the appearance of the properties. In some areas, local governments set up collections -- either at the curbside or at a local landfill -- to deal with the large amounts of brush generated. In other areas, especially more rural ones, burning is the easiest method of getting rid of large amounts of brush.
Keeping a well-maintained yard that contains trees and flower beds is something that many homeowners take pride in. Doing this can make your yard a more attractive and enjoyable place to be, while bringing you closer to nature. You can further enhance your yard by building a homemade waterfall. A waterfall provides an active feature in your yard, with the soothing sounds of flowing water and the sight of the water flowing over the rocks.
Into your life some rain must fall, so why not make good use of the water? A cistern is a rain reservoir, essentially a large tank used to store rainwater. How large a cistern you'll need depends on how much rain falls in your neighborhood, and how much of that rain can be collected -- usually via a downspout connected to your roof gutters. Calculate your rainfall, and you'll know how large a cistern to buy.
Storm water runoff causes many problems. It can lead to flooding, spread pollution by absorbing pollutants as it flows and is often a waste of water, as the water runs off before it can be absorbed in the ground and used by plants. You can help ease this problem by trapping the water in rain barrels. This not only helps with these problems, it provides a free source of water you can use on your plants during the hot, dry days of summer.
A beautifully landscaped yard can add both beauty and value to your home. Many homeowners keep well-manicured turf grass, along with trees and flowers, to improve the appearance of their yard. Some people go much further, however, including building their own little stream inside the yard. Constructing a stream, complete with ponds and waterfalls, allows you to bring a more natural setting into your yard. Many people find water gently flowing through a stream to be a soothing sound.
Rain barrels can be useful for any household. Since rain water is naturally soft and generally free from most chemicals, it is useful in watering garden plants and vegetables. In areas with a municipal water supply, using harvested rain to water your plants could save you a lot of money. In areas with a low annual rainfall, harvesting rain water will help you get around water restrictions. Setting up a rain barrel system is cost efficient and requires few supplies, making it a viable option for most homeowners.
A green roof is made from living vegetation and provides an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional roofing and insulation materials. An intensive green roof is a thick layer of living vegetation that can support a wide range of different plants, whereas an extensive green roof consists of a thinner layer of grass or growing vegetation.
When you need to pump 200 liters of water up 80 feet or more there are several factors you have to think about before you can complete the task. First, you need enough hose to reach down far enough to soak up the water and second you need to purchase a pump that can transport dirty water (unless you know the water is clean) and you need a pump that has enough power to pump up that far. The use of a trash pump will make the task much easier.
Natural settings like ponds, streams and waterfalls are enjoyed by many people, who find them peaceful and relaxing. Some homeowners have gone as far as installing features like waterfalls in their backyard to replicate nature closer to home. Building a stream in your backyard that contains ponds and waterfalls is a challenging project which can be fairly expensive, but when it's completed, you'll be able to enjoy your own private waterfall.
Rain barrels are becoming more popular as more people are looking for ways to conserve water for home usage. The rain barrel features a hose at top, called an overflow hose, that allows water to flow out of the side of the barrel before it reaches the top. A relief valve at the bottom of the barrel is a simple faucet type feature that allows you to draw water from the barrel as needed.
Although gardening is beneficial in cutting grocery costs, the practice actually proves disadvantageous to some potential gardeners. Gardening requires investments of both time and money that many potential gardeners may not have to offer. Consider the disadvantages of gardening before you waste time, money and energy starting a garden that you will not have the time or patience to finish.
A cistern is a large underground tank used to hold water. These tanks are used in areas where ground water is not suitable for consumption. A water truck brings a load of fresh water to the home and drains the water into the cistern via a filler tube. If for some reason the water becomes contaminated, you must remove the water from the tank. But because a cistern is usually buried in the ground, there is no drain valve. As a result, you must pump the water out of the tank with a waste pump.
Whether your motivation for constructing a water-trapping device is to save money on your water bill or simply conserve a precious natural resource, these devices allow you to collect runoff from a roof and re-purpose it. While there are commercial water-trapping devices available, you can construct your own system. Whatever your needs - to have a small amount or hundreds of gallons of water in reserve - you can modify your setup to accommodate the required water-holding capacity.
Rain barrels provide an excellent way of conserving water and lowering your utility bill. The runoff from the roof and gutter system is natural water that is actually probably better for your garden than city water, which has been treated and has chemicals added. By catching the runoff from your house, you can direct the moisture where it is most needed or store it until rainfall is limited. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources says building a rain barrel can save consumers 1,300 gallons of water in summer. Some cities even provide incentives for using a rain barrel.
The definition of a cistern is a receptacle used to capture runoff or rainwater for use later for drinking, irrigation or washing. Modern cisterns can hold several thousand gallons of water or a personal home cistern can hold only a few dozen gallons. You can make your own home cistern using a simple containment receptacle, PVC pipe and your existing home gutter system. The amount of water you want to store is only limited by the size of your receptacle.
Over time, the steady growth in worldwide human populations have created a diminishing usable water supply, resulting in coordinated efforts to create systems that maximize water usage at various stages of cleanliness. Clear drinking water is, of course, the most pure type of cleaned water; however, used water generated from certain domestic activities can also have a purpose beyond drinking and are recycled through gray-water systems. Only when water is too toxic and polluted must it be disposed of through black-water systems.
In areas where water is scarce or bans are in effect, collecting and recycling is a good way to water your lawn or vegetable garden. In addition to rainwater, recycled household water, known as gray water, is an option. Gray water gets its name from the gray tint left in water from dish soap, laundry soap or bath soap. Filter before using to remove sodium, food particles and bacteria that contaminate the soil.
A small pond is a versatile landscape element. The sounds of running water can be relaxing and tranquil, even masking unwanted noise from nearby traffic. A pond oriented near a sitting area creates a serene haven after a long day of work. A water source is also an essential element of a wildlife garden, attracting amphibians, birds and mammals. Homeowners may also create a pond for purely aesthetic reasons -- a well-designed water feature can be an incredible focal point in the backyard landscape.
Your backyard is your oasis, your little piece of sovereign earth that you can design any way you wish. Adding a waterfall enhances your landscaping, creates soothing sounds and attracts birds, insects and even small mammals to your yard. Using natural rocks to create that waterfall, whether smooth river rocks or rough hewn boulders, gives more of a back-to-nature feel to your personal outdoor space.
In urban areas, watering with gray water is a way to conserve water and still water your plants and garden vegetables. Gray water is water recycled from dishes or laundry. One of the major drawbacks of watering plants with gray water is that the water contains salt and other contaminates from detergents. Over time, these contaminates can build up in the soil and can cause a decline in the health of the plants placed in the soil. One way to remove the contaminates from gray water is to pour it through a filter.
Installing a backyard pond can be a do-it-yourself project that will provide you with years of enjoyment. Although the thought of building your own garden or fish pond may seem daunting, it is probably a lot easier than you imagine. The most difficult part is simply the digging itself, which could take you a couple of days. Once you have the your pond area dug out properly, there is very little else you will need to do before filling it with water.
Most people would love to have their own pool, even if only to cool off during the hot summer months. The problem is that many cannot afford their own full-size pool. And even if you get a small pool, it requires upkeep and usually needs to be stored during the winter. One solution is to use a horse trough, which is also known as a livestock tank. They're easy to find, cheap, will stay around for years, and have multiple uses if you decide to no longer use them as pools.
It's not unusual to encounter goats atop houses when you're driving the back roads of Europe. This traditional agrarian practice has been around for centuries. While the U.S. came late to the idea of green roofs, it's quickly catching up. You couldn't pick a better time to join the green roof revolution if you're planning to install one. You'll not only cut down on cooling and heating bills, but you'll have plenty to brag about at neighborhood get-togethers. No goats required.
Cisterns have been utilized for generations. They are basically holding tanks which are employed to catch and retain rain water for later use. The earlier cisterns were gravity-fed and required no other power source. For the cisterns which were not geographically positioned to take advantage of the law of gravity, pumps were developed and relied upon to deliver the water. As pump technology improved and spread, so did the use of cisterns. They are still widely used today where there is water need without the sufficient infrastructure to deliver it.
Water is essential to the well-being of livestock. In some cases, the right amount of water can improve milk and beef production. Cows, for instance, that have access to water throughout the day are shown to make more milk. An easy way for animals to have access to water is through water troughs. Troughs do not have to be made out of the traditional wood and nails. They can be made out of any container that provides clean water.
A container water garden is a simple project that will add movement and interest to any space. A container water garden can be set in the garden or on a patio. Anywhere that can withstand the weight of the full container is a great place to add a container garden. A great container to use is half of an old oak whisky barrel. A whisky barrel holds liquids and is large enough to grow a small variety of plants as well as add a rustic feel to any space. Creating a container garden is a fun and easy DIY project.
City dwellers wishing to grow fresh vegetables and flowers sometimes opt to plant gardens on the rooftops of homes, apartment complexes and commercial office buildings. While some roof gardens produce healthy foods and flowers with minimal problems, others experience difficulties.
Creating a water clock requires a steady water flow rate to measure time. Water clocks were among the first timekeepers that didn't depend on observing celestial bodies, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The Greeks named water clocks clepsydras, "water thieves." The tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep I contained one of the earliest water clocks. Water clocks work on the same principle as an hourglass. The measured flow of water from one container to another tracks the passage of time. A homemade water clock offers a garden feature with the tranquil flow of water and echoes…
Drip irrigation delivers a high concentration of water directly to the roots of your plants, eliminating evaporation from traditional watering methods. This means you can use less water and water your garden more infrequently, conserving money and energy. While commercial systems can be expensive, you can easily recycle household items into your own drip irrigation system. The results will be a thriving garden run solely on green power.
Many people enjoy natural settings, such as a forest or stream, and try to replicate that with landscaping projects in their yards. Many people plant trees, flowers and gardens, or put up bird feeders to attract birds. You can also install water features like a fish pond, fountain or waterfall. Installing a backyard waterfall can be a fairly expensive, time-consuming project, but once you have built it, you can sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds of your own private waterfall.
Flood vents allow the flow of water in or out of a building as needed. The purpose is to prevent structural damage to the foundation by reducing the pressure of flood water on the foundation walls. Flood vents are intended for use in buildings located in certain flood plains as determined by the National Flood Insurance Program.
Water for a garden can come from many sources, such as rainwater, gray water or a municipal water supply. However, all of these sources have some degree of contamination. If any of these water sources is used in the garden, removing any contaminants, rather than introducing them into the garden, would benefit both soil and plants. Together, gravel, sand and activated charcoal create an effective means of filtering garden water, as these materials mimic natural systems.
A building with a "green roof" or rooftop garden is an effective tool for creating environmental change in urban environments, where the heat caused by dark rooftops creates extreme temperatures. Garden roofs are useful in mitigating flood damage in climates where flooding is problematic as they absorb excess water. Unfortunately, while a rooftop garden addresses some environmental issues, the difficulty of installing and caring for it can outweigh the potential benefits.
Gutters collect rainfall from the roof of a home or building, diverting it away from the structure and down into a drain. Where the water goes after it’s drained depends on the implemented gutter drainage option . According to Ask the Builder website, during heavy rainfall gutters can release hundreds of gallons of water per hour from the drain spout and onto the ground below. Depending on the location of the gutter this can flood gardens, soak lawns and wash away driveway gravel.
A water smoker uses a combination of water, flavored wood chips and charcoal to cook food using indirect heat at low controlled temperatures. A water smoker can be built out of a variety of materials such as a metal water tank, oil drum, 55-gallon barrel and even an old charcoal grill. For individuals who haven't worked with metal or welding, the easiest water smoker construction to begin with is the charcoal grill water smoker. This water smoker will cost less money and less time to complete.
The sound of running water has had a soothing, mesmerizing effect on people for thousands of years. Adding a water feature to your rock garden is an excellent choice, since a river bed or stream naturally contains rock. A waterfall will provide you with a great design for your yard, as well as adding character and beauty to your outdoors. It will provide an enjoyable spot for you to unwind and forget the cares of the day.
Container gardens are a popular method of water gardening in places where space will not permit an in-ground garden, such as on a deck or patio. A container garden is similar to an aquarium in that the garden is a careful balance of plants, water and fish. One popular method for gardening in containers is to use a half whiskey barrel. A half barrel is more portable than an in-ground water feature. Additionally, a half barrel provides a very rustic look to your deck or patio.
In pioneering times, creating a homestead was a legal process. A live-off-the-land lifestyle is practiced, to varying degrees, by today's homesteaders. Instead of squatting on a section of property and staking a claim to the site by farming, hunting and fishing it, homesteaders must buy or rent their land before working it. They always risk losing it to mortgage, tax or assessment default. Longtime homesteader Sue Robishaw notes that living simply, growing and preserving food, animal husbandry, resource conservation and other homesteader practices combine to create today's rural homestead.
A water garden and waterfall is one way to add visual interest to a landscape. The sound of a backyard water feature can create a sense of calm and serenity right outside your door. You can build a water pond and waterfall with materials from a home improvement store and a garden center. This project may take a month to complete depending on the daily time you have to commit to it.
A water cistern is usually a secondary water source used for irrigation or some other specific purpose.Building a water cistern can be an elaborate process or a simple rainwater catchment system. Collecting runoff water from the roof in a rain barrel is a water cistern system. Adding an underground storage tank or a filtration and treatment is a cistern system, but a more complex one.
PVC pipe is a natural erector set. Besides a variety of pipe sizes, there are a wide variety of fittings that make it possible to fashion things quite easily. Since the pipe fits snugly in the fittings, it is not always necessary to glue them. That way whatever you build can be temporary, and the materials can be re-purposed when you have finished using them for that purpose.
A water garden koi pond can be a stunning feature in your landscape. Ponds containing koi need to be larger and deeper than other types of ponds containing goldfish or only plants. Your koi pond must be at least 1,000 gallons in water volume and 4 to 5 feet deep. When you're calculating the dimensions of your pond and its water volume, make a note of those figures. If your koi become ill or the water quality needs adjustment, you'll need to know your pond's water volume to properly treat the problems.
Even though your garden may not provide the slope necessary for a waterfall or the space needed for a pond, you can still enjoy a water garden. Rills, or narrow canals, wind through a backyard garden adding ambiance and the pleasant sound of running water. Formal rills are made of concrete or masonry and typically employ one type of flower for an elegant effect. Informal rills are similar to natural brooks. Water loving plants, such as irises, are planted along edges lined with stone.
A sloping landscape is a natural boon for pond waterfall construction, allowing for a more natural-looking waterscape and adding several design options. Challenges in waterfall pond construction on a slope include ensuring that the pond sits level and that adequate fill remains in front of the pond to keep it from collapsing downhill. Plantings to control erosion can form an attractive part of your waterfall pond design.
Yard work inevitably means you will have to burn brush, and yard waste. There are times when it is necessary to burn a stump from a cut down tree. Fire safety becomes on issue when doing this yourself. There are tips and precautions that will insure a safe burn.
One way to increase the interest and beauty of your backyard is to add a stone waterfall. One need only think of Claude Monet's garden at Giverny or the lovely Japanese gardens in which water is as much a part of the garden's overall design. Such a centerpiece can add peace and beauty to any outdoor area. In a weekend, you can make your own rock waterfall and turn your own backyard into, as John Keats once wrote, "a thing of beauty...a joy forever."
Serenity now! There are very few things as beautiful as a water garden or as serene as the sound of a gentle waterfall. Water gardens have been around for thousands of years. The very first water gardens were formed from melting glaciers and from areas that experienced heavy rainfall. The rainfall and water from the melting glaciers would run off into depressions in the earth creating bogs and water gardens from which the dinosaurs would drink. There is fossil evidence that the Water Lily is one of the oldest flowering plants, dating back to over one hundred million years ago.…
Gated communities are often associated with wealthy homeowners who seek privacy and security, but apartment complexes and mobile home parks can also be gated. Living in a gated community ensures that someone is available during the daytime to sign for packages on your behalf and that there's a system for your guests to be announced. These communities discourage solicitation and proselytizing. Before you begin to plan a gated community, determine what residents you want to attract and what services those residents will want.
There are plenty of ideas online for building a water barrel that range from extensive to simple design. Lots of people are thinking of conserving water---from using less water in their washing machines to collecting rain water---and generally finding more ways to conserve in all areas of home life. Whether it is motivated by concern for our environment or to save a few dollars from leaking out of our wallets, it is always prudent to stop waste. Building your own water barrel can help you conserve and is also a fun weekend project.
Water walls can be a stunning focal point in your garden or backyard. Building a water wall from rocks, slate or Plexiglas is an easy project that you can complete quickly when you have the necessary materials. Whether you decide to stack slate or glue stones to a garden wall, select the space for your water wall showpiece that offers the best visibility from your home and yard.
Though there are many store-sold kinds of self watering pots, they all tend to have flaws. Most of them are made of plastic, which won't stand up to severe changes in weather. They become brittle and break over time. Also, they tend to be very unsightly, making them a poor decision when one is trying to showcase a flower garden or prize plants. To make a self-watering pot, all one really needs is some water-resistant paint, epoxy gel and two terracotta planting pots--one small enough to fit easily into the other.
The easiest way to build a water garden is to dig a hole in the ground, insert a plastic pond form into the hole, connect it to a pump, and find various water-thriving plants to create an environment. Add a few river rocks and landscaping elements to a water garden with information from a sustainable gardener in this free video on gardens.
A slate water wall is a striking focal point for any garden or back yard. Building a slate water wall is an easy project that you can complete quicker than you may think. Whether you decide to stack the slate or adhere it to an exterior wall, building a water wall begins with a space offering maximum visibility from your home as well as in your garden.
Backyard rock waterfalls add beauty to a garden. The sound and sight of running water creates an atmosphere of serenity and tranquility. A waterfall garden is a place of refuge in a noisy, fast-moving world. Since most sites do not have natural springs, steep slopes and streams, the water in a backyard waterfall has to be moved by mechanical means. Every basic waterfall includes a pump to circulate the water, moving it to the top of the waterfall where it can fall again.
Water tanks allow a homeowner to store a large amount of water in the event of a power outage, bad pump motor or dry spell in their well production. Today, the majority of water storage tanks on the market are plastic; however, concrete storage tanks last longer, are customizable, and oftentimes cheaper in the long run. Building a concrete water storage tank will take less than a week and can cost as little as $1,500, from start to finish. Follow the steps below to build your own concrete water storage tank that will supply all of your water needs.
There is nothing quite as soothing as the sound of water. When it comes to building an aloha pond and water garden, however, the extra island touches accomplish that sensation of feeling far away on a well-deserved vacation. Installing this mermaid's lagoon might sound overwhelming at first, but these guidelines will make the task fly by.
The Japanese culture places great importance on water and gardens. Their gardens come in a variety of styles. Some of them are dry landscapes, while others are full of beautiful waterfalls made from simple designs. Shishi-Odoshi is an ancient technique used to scare away deer and other animals that come near. Made from bamboo, green plants and rocks, these Japanese gardens create loud noises that are sure to keep animals away from your yard. But the Shishi-Odoshi Japanese garden also provides a soothing noise that you can enjoy in your backyard.
Do you love the look and sound of a stream meandering through your property but you are devoid of natural water courses? You can build your own stream with careful planning and hard work, and have a lovely, natural-looking addition to your landscaping.
Build a pole barn in a rural or city setting and use it for commercial, industrial or residential needs. Pole barns are great for housing livestock, parking motor homes and vehicles. Save money by building a pole barn yourself. Once you have cleared and prepared the land, it's time to set the posts.
