Decorating Tips for Wrought Iron Plant Stands

Plant stands made from wrought iron can add elegance and interest to any outdoor area. It is important to use the stand correctly so that the decorative elements of the metalwork enhance everything in the area. A few decorating tips will help anyone to use wrought iron plant stands better.

Choose a Liner Carefully

The first tip is to choose the liner for the plant stands carefully. Liners come in a variety of materials and colors. The finish and color of the wrought iron should be considered when picking a liner. A typical coir liner is a safe choice. There are liners available in dark green and black that might provide a better overall appearance. Take the time to choose an appropriate liner since it will have a large impact on the appearance of the plant stand.

Put the Stand near Contrasting Colors

Look at the colors in the areas where the plant stand might be placed. Something to avoid is putting the plant stand in an area where it is going to be practically invisible. The best option is to put the plant stand in an area that contains some bright or contrasting colors. Those contrasting colors will highlight the metalwork and design of quality wrought iron plant stands.

Consider Hanging Plants and Vines

Another tip is to consider placing hanging plants or vines on the stand in order to create a more interesting and natural appearance. Filling the stand with neatly cropped plants that do not extend beyond the edge of the liner creates a very boring and sterile appearance. It is far better to have plants with foliage that will grow out and lean over the liner. Plants like vinca vines can be trained to wrap around the metalwork of the stand to make an impressive display.

Ensure There Is Good Drainage Underneath

A final tip is to make certain there is good drainage underneath the plant stand. Putting the stand in an area without good drainage can eventually cause soil erosion, damage to concrete or other problems. This can make the area very unattractive. Place the stand in a location where water can drain away safely.

How to Decorate with Aluminum Trellises

Many of the plants in gardens today benefit from trellises. Fortunately, trellises come in a range of designs that are attractive and functional. Trellises used in the right way can enhance the appearance of any property or garden. It is important to know how to decorate with aluminum trellises.

Find an Appropriate Space

Start by finding an appropriate space for the trellis. Do not put the trellis by itself in an open area. It will look awkward. The trellis should be part of a large structure of plants, walls or other features. The trellis should be integrated into an environment where the surrounding items or plants have the height as well. Panel trellises can be mounted on a wall or arranged into a long structure that connects to other tall plantings or fences.

Secure the Trellis in Place

The next step is to secure the trellis in place. This is important since wind, weather and even the plants themselves will all apply pressure to the trellis. If it is not secure, then it could come crashing to the ground potentially damaging the plants. Stake a freestanding trellis in firm soil. Earth staples can increase the stability of the trellis. Use solid hardware and a drill to attach panel trellises to walls or fences.

Train Surrounding Plants

The main purpose of aluminum trellises is to support plants. This requires training the plant to grow on the trellis. Training is relatively easy. Start by taking plants and gently guiding them towards the metal bars of the trellis. Use plant ties, ribbons of fabric or clothespins to secure the growing plant to the trellis. Twist the plant around the aluminum bars as the plant continues to grow. The plant will eventually start to grow naturally around the trellis.

Clean Around the Trellis Regularly

The final thing to remember is to clean around the trellis regularly. This is important because weeds could start to climb up and harm the plants. Additionally, the trellis could come loose or debris could damage the finish. Go out and look at the base or mounts holding the trellis in place and ensure that there are no problems.

How to Use Wire Yard Art

Yard art comes in many forms from mirror balls to small sculptures. Something more distinctive is wire artwork in the shape of spheres. These are attractive and interesting to look at. They also have several uses. Wire yard art can be used in a few different ways.

Hidden Accents in a Garden

One way to use wire art in a yard is like a hidden accent in a garden. Although precise arrangements of flowering plants and bushes are attractive, they can be enhanced by adding an unexpected piece of art to the landscape. This is done by finding an area where there are no plants growing or where there are only low growing plants. Place the piece of artwork in a way that makes it less visible from outside the garden. This allows anyone walking through the garden to have a sense of discovery and excitement when running across the artistic piece.

Trellises for Plants

A more practical way to use wire art is as a trellis for plants. Some plants and vines need support in order to grow properly. This is true even for very common vegetable plants like tomatoes and beans. Wire artwork is perfect for this because it is stable, durable and contains enough space to keep the plants happy as they grow and flower. The simplest way to do this is to place the artwork in an area surrounded by plants. Attach the artwork to the ground with pins or earth staples. It is then possible to train the plants up the individual wires during the season. The right types of plants could actually encompass the entire piece of art.

Create a Topiary

A final way to use wire yard art is to create a topiary. This is a sculpted shape made from a bush or tree. The wire art provides the structure and an accent for the topiary. Creating a topiary involves placing the art above the ground on a stake. Another option is to attach the wire art to the actual plant if the central trunk is strong enough. The bush or tree is then trimmed as it grows to fill the art and slowly cover the wires. This creates a unique point of interest in a yard.

The Garden Archway Trellis

Trellises have been placed in formal, rustic and casual gardens for centuries. One of the most attractive designs in trellises is the garden archway trellis. It looks wonderful in traditional Victorian gardens or fanciful rustic gardens. When placed over stepping stones or a garden path, this trellis evokes a kind of nostalgia for the days when quaint garden accessories provided a sense of tranquility.

Archway Trellis Designs for Your Garden
Most trellises today are pre-built. However, they are manufactured in a variety of shapes and designs. Materials of manufacture may also vary widely. For example, a truly rustic trellis might be manufactured from wrought iron or wood. These are the most durable and attractive. The delicate designs from which wrought iron can be fashioned makes trellises spectacular additions to gardens.

Enter Through an Archway Trellis
An archway trellis can be placed in front of a gated entrance or it can stand alone as a picturesque garden accessory that accents a magnificent floral garden. Some wrought iron trellises are ornate in design and allow for more creative ideas on where they attract the most attention. Choose one with a gate attached. Place two small wrought iron benches on the outer sides of the trellis for a cozy retreat to read a book or take in the fresh air and sunshine.

An Archway Trellis Captures a View
Here's a tip to insure that an archway trellis provides a glorious view a garden needs. Stand beneath the trellis. Then, imagine the trellis as the lens of a camera. What view is most idyllic? Perhaps in a very rural area, the view might be a giant dome of blue sky or an emerald field. In a smaller, cozy garden setting, the archway trellis might highlight the conical shape of an evergreen, a tree covered in bright blooms or a riot of colorful flowers. An archway trellis is very much like an artist's canvas. It creates a beautiful view or it can be any view the gardener wishes to share with the world. Make a signature garden statement with an rustic archway trellis.

Bring New Life and Appeal to Any Garden with Decorative Garden Balls

Decorative garden balls are a smart and creative way to enhance the look and function of any garden. They’re multifunctional, so they can be used as a stand-alone object, or to house plants. Depending on the size, shape, and material, they can sit on the ground, or be hung from a fixture. Because there’s an extensive variety available, these garden balls are fitting for any size or type of garden. Additionally, they can be incorporated into any color scheme and design plan.

A variety of materials are used to make these garden balls, including stone, steel, glass, ceramic, and iron. Balls are made either solid or transparent, featuring a wealth of unique designs, shapes, sizes, and colors. Weightier balls are better suited at ground level, where it can serve as a border around a group of plants, a tall fixer, or the perimeter of the garden. Garden balls lighter in weight can also be incorporated into a design at the ground level, but function even better when hung from a tree, a pole, or other tall structure, adding a new dimension to the outdoor space.

Creative design and vibrant colors can take a garden ball from dull to exciting. Solid colors add a bold, uniformed look to the décor. Bright or unusual colors give the visual aesthetics a pleasing pop, while darker or more traditional colors add subtle highlights to the outdoor space. To make garden balls really decorative, the outer shell of the ball becomes blank canvas. Everything from stickers, marbles, and old coins have been used to create individual pieces that can’t be found anywhere else. Decorative garden balls are also a great platform to create some intriguing visual art, including small sculptures, mosaics, and even floral (which is very fitting for a garden).

All About Vintage Milk Containers

Vintage milk containers have a large group of collectors who value them for their rich history. Home milk deliveries started back in the late 1800s. The milk bottles made before the 1930s were shaped round. The 1940s brought square milk bottles that became even more popular. The 1950s brought the waxed paper cartons for half of the milk delivered to the nation. Home deliveries were stopped during the 1960s since most trucks now carried milk to the local grocery store. Many collectors collect milk bottles because it reminds them of a happy childhood.

Collecting is a popular hobby found in America. Almost everyone collects something whether it is stamps, coins, art or milk bottles. Online auctions make items easier to find to collect. However, online auctions makes some items that were previously collectible not as valuable since the market becomes saturated. Milk bottles are harder to find and are still a popular online item.

Back in the days of home milk deliveries, families often had only one car. The mother was traditionally the one who stayed home with the kids. This made going to the store for milk a difficult process. Home milk deliveries ensured that kids could get their daily dose of vitamin D and calcium. The milk man would drop the bottles off at the front door for the homeowner to carry inside.

A great place to find antique milk bottles are online websites that specialize in these items. The prices are fixed instead of determined at auction. This is where you are likely to find rare and unusual milk bottles. The most popular milk glasses are the ones that have the manufacturer’s name on them. You might be able to find one at a local antique mall, but antique road shows are a more likely place to find the kind of milk bottle you collect.

The milk collecting market is likely to grow throughout the next century as these bottles become even more rare.

How to Properly Care For a Wooden Ladder

Ladders are invaluable tools that can be used for a variety of tasks around the home and yard. If the ladder is made from wood, then it needs to be cared for to remain safe and attractive. It is important to know how to care for a wooden ladder.

Replace Old or Rusted Hardware

The first step is to replace old or rusted hardware on the ladder when it will be used as more than a decorative piece. Rusted hardware on the ladder can break easily under a small amount of weight. It also tends to accelerate the deterioration of the wood around the metal parts. This can quickly make the ladder unusable after just a few seasons. Replace the hardware with exact matching pieces whenever possible.

Add Oil When the Ladder Starts To Look Dry and Brittle

If the ladder starts to look dry and brittle, then treat the surface with some oil. The best option is linseed oil although other specialty oil products will work too. It is generally not a good idea to attempt to paint or seal the surface with harsher products since they can make the ladder slippery. One treatment with linseed oil every year or two is usually enough.

Store the Ladder in a Sheltered Place

Avoid storing a wooden ladder outdoors where sunlight, pests and weather can cause problems. This will dramatically shorten the life of the ladder. Keep it in a sheltered location with some temperature control like an insulated garage. If it is necessary to store the ladder outside, then keep it somewhere protected like under a porch or awning. This will prevent many problems such as premature rotting.

Use the Ladder as Intended

A final step is to use the ladder as intended unless it is going to be a purely decorative piece for the home or garden. Do not place the ladder on the edge and sit on the side railings. Move up the ladder slowly. Avoid bringing too much weight onto the ladder. Ensure the feet of the ladder are firmly planted on level ground before climbing up. This will prevent damage from regular use.

Why Wrought Iron Plant Stands Are a Good Choice for Any Home or Garden

Plant stands can add something special to any home, garden or patio. They also serve the important purpose of supporting your plants so that they get proper drainage. Plant stands come in many types of materials today. Wrought iron plant stands have several beneficial properties over other materials that make them a perfect choice for any home or garden.

Strength

Plants in containers can become very heavy. This is especially true after adding in the weight of the water saturating the soil and new growth. Some plant stands made from lesser materials are not going to be able to withstand this weight. They will slowly warp or even break from the strain. Wrought iron stands are incredibly strong. They can support the largest plants or multiple containers without any problems.

Design Elegance

Although wrought iron is very strong and durable in the final state, it is also highly malleable when someone is using proper techniques to create plant stands. This means that the stands available can be created in many different elegant designs. The metal can be woven into elaborate shapes and patterns to create distinctive pieces anyone will enjoy. The elegance of the designs is one of the reasons wrought iron stands are so popular today.

Long Lasting

Wrought iron is a durable metal. It is perfectly suited to spend time outside. Constant exposure to water from rain or watering plants will not affect it like wood. The reality is that wrought iron plant stands can last for a lifetime if they are cared for correctly. This means removing any rust that develops, keeping the surface clean and occasionally treating the surface if necessary. The iron can take on a patina over time that gives the stand an interesting appearance.

Stability

Something every gardener is concerned about is a plant stand tipping over. This can happen due to strong wind, weak materials or a poor design. Wrought iron is a very heavy and dense material. It has a significant amount of weight. This means that plant stands made from wrought iron will be exceptionally stable when placed outside on a level surface. It will be very difficult for wind, rain or a heavy plant to knock the stand down.

Metal Yard Art is a Easy Way to Add Flare to Your Yard

Make your property stand out with beautiful and unique metal yard art. Not only will it make the area more interesting for your family, but it will certainly be a conversation piece with your guests.

Cast Iron Garden Statues

All of this folk art is hand made with their own personalities. Popular animals come in different sizes to fit perfectly into the designated space as well as into your budget. Explore the possibility of adding a butterfly, angel cat, miniature poodle, Scottie dog, owl, rabbit, turtle, frog, bird and others depending on your personal interests.

Fairy or Rustic Gardens

Lawn ornaments, garden furniture, planters, trellises, topiaries in a number of sizes and shapes that accommodate all types of climbing plants and vines, a miniature cast iron birdbath and bird, weather vanes, sundials, an American flag and more create a fascinating miniature setting.

Some metal garden art is accented with beautifully blown glass, which adds vivid color to decorations in your landscape. New wrought iron colors include Clear Coated Rust, Moss Green, Antique White, Creamy Yellow, Turquoise, Satin Shell White, Vintage Brown, Antique Turquoise, Flat Black, Vintage Green and Vintage Yellow.

Cast Iron Wall Art

This fun wall art in cast iron is the perfect answer for those small spots on your wall that need a decoration.

Metal Border Edging Fence

Easy to install connecting Metal Flower Border Edging Fencing is available in a variety of decorative styles and creative designs. Fencing can also be used to go down steps as a railing or can surround your deck.

Metal Screens for Home and Garden

Many screens are modeled from fireplace screens and are hinged to adjust as you desire. Great to separate large spaces to define areas, customers use these in the home, on the patio, or in the garden.

Conclusion

Everyone will love visiting such an outstanding display of unusual metal yard art among the flowers, vines and bushes in your garden.