Outdoor Furniture

Author: Tamara Williams

Article: Taking care of outdoor furniture is a very important thing to do if you plan to use for some time. Here are some practices that will help you preserve your outdoor furniture and keep it always as good as new.

Of course, I am not talking about those cheap plastic chairs and tables you will find in your local market; they are not meant for durability. I am talking about quality outdoor furniture, designed not for cheapness but for durability, that kind of furniture that makes your garden even more beautiful.

There are two different kinds of quality outdoor furniture: wooden furniture and half-metal-half wood furniture.

The first kind is usually the most beautiful, but also the most difficult to maintain. They require constant care to avoid corruption and preserve them from weather. Fungicide paint, anti-bug wood polish and other products will be needed in order to keep your wooden table or bench always radiant. You will need to paint your wooden furniture every two or three months, but this time is sensibly shortened in case rain or adverse weather surprises your piece of garden furniture.

The other kind of outdoor furniture is a little easier to take care of, because generally metal is more durable and less fragile than wood. However, wooden parts must be painted and maintained on a regular basis. There are some anti-rust paints that will be good for the metal parts too.

Your garden is an outdoor extension of your house, and you must think about your garden furniture as an extension of your indoor furniture, cleaning it and taking care of it just as you take care of your living-room armchair or your kitchen table. Doing so will ensure a long life for that quality garden furniture you have, saving you money and keeping your garden gorgeous.

About the author: Tamara Williams is a successful author and writer for <a href=""http://www.theoutlettree.com/""><b><i>Outdoor Furniture</i></b></a> Information on the latest outdoor furniture for your patio and garden.

Flowers Online - Be Safe With Payments

Author: D. L. Randolph

Article: The Internet has made the world into a global community. No longer is there a need to expend even the price of a phone call to send flowers across town, across the country or to the other side of the world. All you need is an Internet connection and a way to make payments. The result is that you can send flowers to anyone in a matter of minutes.

But is it safe to use online florists to send flowers? The biggest issue is security of your online payment, and there are some things you can do to be sure that's done as safely as possible.

Start by looking for a reputable florist. The names really aren't going to give you much help here because you'll find international flower conglomerates with names like ""Flowers Are Us"" and with contact information like ""1-800-Flower."" There are some names you'll recognize and those are going to be your best options. A company doing two-bit scams isn't likely to spend thousands of dollars advertising on television and online.

Instead, look at services offered by these companies to help you decide. Extremely limited delivery services and times may be a tip that this is something less than a reputable florist, as are too-good-to-be-true promises like ""we deliver in an hour or less.""

The actual delivery may be something to consider. If you're delivering to an office or some public place, you probably have nothing to worry about. But don't overlook the fact that you have no idea who will be delivering the flowers you send. If you're sending flowers to someone's home, it's vital that you use a well-known florist who has been more likely to screen their delivery people. A florist who is working out of the basement of his or her apartment building may very well be hiring the wino around the corner to deliver orders!

Take a minute to look for a privacy policy. There should be one posted on the website. If not, beware! This is another reason for choosing well-known companies - they're more likely to take privacy seriously and to be careful of sharing your information or allowing breaches to their security.

One of the biggest advantages of ordering flowers from an online company is that you have the ability to look for the bargains. But finding an online florist with ridiculously low prices may not be in your best interests. Are you trying to impress someone? Sending wilted carnations probably isn't going to scream, ""I like you."" Some online florists will count on the fact that you aren't going to see the flowers you send, and that the recipient isn't going to tell you that the flowers were second-rate.

Choosing an online florist may take more time than actually placing the order. But keeping your personal information safe while you make that good impression is important.

Copyright 2005 by D. L. Randolph. All rights reserved.

About the author: Looking for information about florists? Go to http://www.infoflorist.com. Info Florist is a Florist Information Directory and Resource Site which provides a consolidated listing of the best Florist and Flower sites in one easy to navigate location.

History of Bonsai

Author: Rob Mellor

Article: Bonsai as the name suggests is formed from two words, 'bon' meaning tray or dish and 'sai' meaning tree or plant, so its' literal translation is 'tree planted in a dish'. A bonsai is thus a miniaturized tree grown in a dish, resembling in all respects its larger counterpart in nature. In a nutshell Bonsai is a tree or shrub grown in a container

First origin Bonsai first appeared in China over a thousand years ago, where it was the practice of growing single specimen trees in pots because it was considered as an expression of the harmony between heaven and earth, man and nature. These early specimens displayed sparse foliage and rugged, gnarled trunks that often looked like animals, dragons and birds. Through growing a bonsai plant a person experiences a new rhythm of the seasons, and nurtures within him the power of creativity as he shapes and miniaturizes his trees. No doubt, cultivating a bonsai tree requires some care and attention, but as a reward it brings tranquility to the mind, a feeling of being refreshed and, inner peace.

Travel to Japan Many years later with Japan's adoption of many cultural trademarks of China - bonsai was also taken up. Once bonsai was introduced into Japan, the art was refined to an extent not yet approached in China. The word bonsai also is actually taken from a Japanese word 'pun-sai' which means a tree planted in a container without any landscape. But over time, the simple trees were not just confined to the Buddhist monks and their monasteries, but were also introduced to be representative of the aristocracy, a symbol of prestige and honor. For the Japanese, bonsai represented a fusion of strong ancient beliefs with the Eastern philosophies of the harmony between man, the soul and nature. The 'Japanese elite' also brought bonsai indoors for display at special times.

Evolution as an art form Over time, bonsai began to take on different styles. Finally, in the mid-19th century, Japan opened itself up to the rest of the world. Word soon spread from travelers who visited Japan of the miniature trees in ceramic containers which mimicked aged, mature, tall trees in nature. Due to this phenomenal upsurge in the demand for bonsai, the now widely expanding industry and lack of naturally-forming, stunted plants led to the commercial production of bonsai by artists through training young plants to grow to look like bonsai. Several basic styles were adopted, and artists made use of wire, bamboo skewers and growing techniques to do this - allowing the art to evolve even further. The Japanese learnt to capitalize on the interest in this art form very quickly - opening up nurseries dedicated solely to grow, train and then export bonsai trees. Different plants were now being used to cater for worldwide climates and to produce neater foliage and more suitable growth habits

Importance as of today In Japan today, bonsai are highly regarded as a symbol of their culture and ideals. The New Year is not complete unless the tokonoma - the special niche in every Japanese home used for the display of ornaments and prized possessions - is filled with a blossoming apricot or plum tree. Bonsai is no longer reserved for the upper class, but is a joy shared by executive and factory worker alike. These complex plants are no longer permanently reserved for outdoor display but have become an important part of the life of all by being displayed on specially designed shelves.

About the author: Rob Mellor owns www.lost-bonsai-secrets.com This website helps people find out more about the <a href=""http://www.lost-bonsai-secrets.com"" title=""bonsai tree"">bonsai tree</a>. Please visit the site for more information on <a href=""http://www.lost-bonsai-secrets.com "" title=""bonsai care"">bonsai care</a>