5 DIY Garden Projects for Fall & Winter

By Katherine Oakes

Great landscaping, hardscaping, and beautiful gardens are just a few different ways that we at Archadeck of Nova Scotia love to update and add value to our homes. So when the temperatures start to drop and gardens droop, bringing the outdoors in is a great way to brighten things up. Not sure how to start? We rounded up 5 DIY garden projects from Modernize that you can do during fall or wintertime. Get creative and keep your thumbs green all year round.

Kitchen Microgreens

Microgreens are the first stage of growth in a sprouted seedling. Flavorful and easy to grow, they are the perfect DIY project for the novice gardener or expert who wants a fun project to take indoors during the colder weather.

To start your edible microgreen garden, choose seeds that you love the taste of and that work well as a garnish—like mustard greens or radishes—then find them the perfect spot. Since they need plenty of sun and circulation, a covered porch or well-lit window ledge will do; just make sure it isn’t too drafty or cold. Then keep them healthy and nourished by spritzing them with a water bottle every so often. After a short while, you’ll have sprouts that you can continue to clip and grow all throughout the season. And once the warmer temperatures move in, transfer them to your garden to enjoy as full-grown plants. Learn more about microgreen kitchen gardens here.

via Food52

Bring Your Garden Indoors

Creating seasonal wreaths, boughs, and floral arrangements help to preserve the beauty of the season by bringing it indoors for everyone to enjoy. Go to your local farmer’s market or natural food store, or even forage around in your backyard or nearby park to collect materials for your assemblage. Allow yourself to draw inspiration from the colors and textures that are naturally occurring outdoors and keep in mind that you’ll need something sturdy enough to give your structure a base, something to give it shape and form, and additional pieces for decoration.

Get inspired by these wreaths from The Merry Thought.

via Gardenista

Save and Store Your Seeds

One of the benefits of having a flourishing garden during the warmer months isn’t just the produce that it yields—it’s the seeds that each plant produces at the end of the harvesting season that can reward you for years to come. Follow this simple and easy tutorial on how to properly save your seeds for next year. Then create a charming seed bank to keep and to share with others with these creative storages ideas.

via Modernize

Preserve Flowers and Plants

If you had some luck with a bountiful garden this year and can’t bear to part with some of your beautiful plants, preserving them is a simple and fun DIY project to do in your home. If you don’t have anything of your own to salvage, this can be done with plants bought at flower shops or markets as well. Pick sturdy greens like eucalyptus and cut them to a manageable size. Combine two parts boiling water with one part vegetable glycerin oil in a jar then set the bouquet in the solution to set anywhere from 2-6 weeks depending on your plant’s process. Wait until the leaves have gotten harder and smoother until the plant is fully preserved and snip the ends when you’re done. Decorate or hang wherever and however you like for some truly festive décor!

DIY Terrariums

This DIY project is great for adults on their own, or to do indoors with small children when the weather is too cold. Repurpose a wide-mouthed jar or old fish bowl (make sure it’s clean!) and cover the bottom with a mixture of sand, dirt, gravel, and pebbles. Use an arrangement of succulents, moss, and ferns to fill up your terrarium and then get creative with small decoratives to fill in the gaps. How you design and style your mini garden is up to you, so have fun with it and try something new. 

Gas or Wood Fired, What’s Best for Your Outdoor Fireplace or Fire Pit

One of the growing trends in outdoor living is fire features. More homeowners in Halifax are including either an outdoor fireplace or firepit to their decks, porches and patios to allow them to use the space more often. At Archadeck of Nova Scotia, we design both fireplaces and fire pits that work seamlessly with your outdoor structure.

When considering an outdoor fireplace or fire pit, one of the questions that commonly comes up is: should it be gas or wood fired? While some people have strong feelings for or against an option (I can’t blame someone who loves the smell of a wood fire), here are some questions to consider as you make your decision:

Where do you live? Wood burning fireplaces or fire pits aren't made for all parts of the country. If you live in a dry area of the country, you may not have easy access to firewood, making gas a better option. Conversely, gas is usually a better choice for heavily wooded properties as well. If there isn't a clear opening above the fire, you’d want the control of a gas fire feature as opposed to wood. Wood fires give off more smoke and embers that shouldn't go up into branches from trees.

What will be the cost of running it? Wood fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are more cost-effective to have if you have easy access to firewood. If your property abuts a wooded area for instance, you could probably grab wood for the fire for free. Conversely, with gas fires you do have to pay for fuel costs.

Do you need easy control and convenience? This question is especially important if you have any small children that may be around the fire. Gas flames are much easier to control and use. They are easy to turn on, off, up or down. So, if you need to turn it off in a hurry, you can. Additionally, there is no smoke and you don’t have to clean up any ashes. Wood burning fires cannot be easily turned on or off and there is always smoke. You have to watch it more carefully to make sure it isn't getting too big or hot and from time to time, you will want to clean out any built up ashes.

Are you adding it on to an existing space? At Archadeck, we try to plan for all parts of your outdoor living space (even future additions) when we design a deck, porch, patio, etc. When you plan ahead, the choice of gas or wood can be easier due to gas lines. If you know you want a gas fire pit on your patio in the future, for example, you should have the line put in as you build the patio. If you are adding a fire feature to an existing space and hadn't planned for it, it may cost more if anything needs to be torn up for a gas line. In that case, a wood burning fire feature may be your best option.

Is the flame important for you? Personally, I love the sound of a crackling fire and I love the smell of wood burning. A gas fireplace can’t give me that. If having the characteristics of a real fire isn't important to you, however, you’ll be happy with what a gas fire pit or fireplace can provide you.

If you are looking to enhance your outdoor living space with a fire feature, please reach out to our Halifax office. With our knowledge and expertise, we can help you to create a space that you can’t help but love. (902) 444-DECK (3325)

DECK SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT

ARCHADECK OF NOVA SCOTIA URGES HOMEOWNERS TO “CHECK THE DECK” THIS FALL TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS

Halifax Deck Builder Provides 7 Easy Tips to Tell If Your Deck Needs Help Now

Halifax, NS

Nov. 6, 2013

Aging deck structures, harsh storms and a lack of routine maintenance due to limited financial resources in a difficult economy are all factors that can put Halifax homeowners with decks at serious risk of injury for themselves, their families and guests.

There are more than 40 million decks in Canada that are more than 20 years or older, according to the Canadian Deck & Railing Association and hundreds of reported deck accidents occur annually. 

The experts at Archadeck of Nova Scotia www.novascotia.archadeck.com part of the largest outdoor living company, recommend checking the structural integrity of decks each spring and fall to ensure safety, especially for decks that are more than 10 years old. 

To help homeowners determine if their deck is safe, Archadeck of Nova Scotia is sharing seven deck safety inspection guidelines with the acronym of “BE SAFER”: 

• Boards:  Check deck boards for rot, softness or major cracking.
• Every Connection:  Inspect every hardware connection on the deck.  Look for screws and/or nails backing out, red rust and other signs of corrosion on metal connectors that can weaken the integrity of the deck.
• Structure:  Look at the posts, beams and joists that provide the structural framework of the deck. Is there any noticeable sagging between supports?
• Attachments:  Most deck failures occur at the attachment site to the home. Ensure that the deck is attached to the house with bolts and proper flashing for water protection. NEVER use nails!
• Foundation/Footings:  The foundation and footings support the weight, or load, on a deck and the columns that bear on them. Look for sinking or noticeable sag.
• Exits:  Check deck’s exit areas, usually stairs.  Are the stair stringers, treads and risers ok?  Do the stairs require a handrail?  Is there adequate lighting to safely use the exits at night?
• Rails:  Look at rail posts and railing sections to make sure that they aren’t loose or wobbly.   All pickets/balusters should be fastened securely and spaced no more than four inches apart.

DECK SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT

For a professional deck consultation, contact Archadeck at (902) 444- DECK (3325) or visit www.novascotia.archadeck.com

Low Maintenance, High Style! Archadeck of Nova Scotia and TimberTech team up to provide low-maintenance Outdoor Living.

Our Halifax, Nova Scotia based customers were remodeling their home inside and out. Both with demanding schedules as professionals in the health care industry, they wanted us to provide a solution that allowed them to spend their down time enjoying their backyard, not maintaining it.

A properly maintained wood deck will last longer than most people own their homes, But with today’s lifestyles, who wants to clean and treat it every few years?

Customers are increasingly choosing alternative decking materials for a variety of reasons, besides being virtually maintenance-free. Homeowners like the fact that it won't splinter or warp, and environmentally conscious customers appreciate that it's made from recycled materials. And, some people just prefer the way it looks.

This particular project called for a rich dark color decking to contrast the new siding and trim. A white low-maintenance railing was also requested by the homeowners.
We recommended TimberTech’s Walnut Earthwood decking with concealed fasteners for a rich, clean look on the decking and TimberTech’s Radiance Rail for a railing solution.

Low-maintenance decking presents most of the same opportunities for design and construction as pressure-treated wood, allowing customers to take full advantage of the custom-design expertise of Archadeck of Nova Scotia.

Outdoor Kitchen Dining, the New Backyard Barbecue

Archadeck of Nova Scotia explains how standard indoor kitchens are extending outdoors to make the backyard party more entertaining

The kitchen is a common area where people choose to renovate, whether to change the look or to make it more convenient with upgraded appliances and cabinetry. More recently, however, the kitchen has actually extended into the great outdoors – also known as the backyard – as more people inquire about how to make outdoor entertaining more enjoyable and convenient.

Long gone are the days when people simply looked to their grill for backyard entertaining. Now, the big thing is outdoor kitchens. This trend has been front and center; we have seen increased interest over the past few years. People are spending more time outside and using the kitchen as a big part of their entertaining.

Outdoor kitchens make it easier for people to really take advantage of outdoor living. In many cases, when people have traditional backyard parties, they have to keep going in and out of the home for cooking that has to be done on stoves and in ovens, or to grab items out of the refrigerator. And, when it turns to evening, it may get a little too chilly to stay outside. But now, fire pits are being installed and outdoor kitchens are designed with numerous appliances as part of the yard scheme.

The thing about the outdoor kitchen trend is that people don't just want a kitchen outdoors, they are interested in a kitchen that enhances other amenities in their backyard. It's not just a stove and 'fridge that is being incorporated. It's a pizza oven, wine cooler – all next to a gazebo or outdoor room. It all depends on the individual's needs, what the weather is like in their region, and how much they are willing to invest in the project. And, typically, many people who want outdoor kitchens are willing to invest a lot into it.

The sky is the limit when it comes to the many choices homeowners have. For example, kitchen units can be bought pre-made, but most of the time people request something that's customized so that it can match the design of their home. Whether it has a wood finish, or stone veneer, there is a range of aesthetic options they have to choose from, including kitchens made with low-maintenance materials. In addition, roofing and pergolas are usual choices for those interested in protecting their outdoor kitchen from precipitation or from the harsh rays of the sun.

For each project we do, we try to get an idea on how the person is going to use the space, functionally. Then, we show them pictures and give them different design options, including aesthetic choices, and we discuss with them how much they are comfortable with spending. After that is all done, we take care of all the plans and building – from start to finish; it's a turnkey solution.

For more information about Archadeck or outdoor kitchens, please contact Maurice Meagher at Archadeck of Nova Scotia at (902) 444-DECK (3325)
or online at mmeagher@archadeck.net, www.archadeck.com