tipsandsolutions : recreation

Tip of the Week - Charlie Nardozzi

katie — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Keep Checking Back for Gardening Tips from Charlie Nardozzi

Charlie Nardozzi has worked for over 20 years to bring expert gardening information to home gardeners through radio, television, and the printed page. Charlie serves as senior horticulturist and spokesperson for the National Gardening Association (NGA). He also writes national gardening news for the Regional Reports Newsletter and worked as an editor for National Gardening magazine for 12 years.

Planting a Tree - November 16, 2009

Fall is the perfect time of year to plant a tree. Select a tree with the ultimate height and spread to fit in the area you plant. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball of the tree and three times as wide. Remove the container or burlap and place the tree in the hole. Back fill with the original soil. Only amend the soil with compost if it’s of very poor quality. Water the tree well and mulch with a 2- to 3-inch thick layer of bark mulch, keeping the mulch away from the trunk.

Spring Yard Cleaning

Charly — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:16:00 GMT

Spring Yard Cleaning

After the cold gray months of winter, you’re more than anxious to get out and do some yard work when spring finally rolls around! With the sun on your face and the bright green grass under your feet, the spring temperatures are perfect for getting a jump start on your yard work.

At Lifetime we have the equipment you need to get the job done: wheelbarrows, yard carts, composters, and utility trailers. It’s time to rake up all the dead leaves out of the flowerbeds and collect the debris the winter winds have blown into every nook and cranny. Gusty gales may have also scattered limbs and twigs around your yard—but no problem! Spring Fever has your adrenaline pumping and you’re ready to tackle it all!

Checklist of Equipment and Supplies

A Lifetime wheelbarrow or YardCart
A Lifetime composter
A Lifetime utility trailer
Large Lawn & Leaf garbage bags
A rake
A thick pair of work gloves

Utilize Your Resources

If you don’t have a composter, check with your city office to see if they provide a shredding service if you haul your limbs to their facility. You may also be able to rent mulching machines from an equipment rental company, if you’d rather do the mulching on site. You can then use the shredded bark in your composter or spread around flowerbeds and newly planted trees to keep in the moisture.

When it comes to lawn care and gardening there are lots of free resources you can turn to like your local library and online web sites, but one good source of information that you may not be aware of is your own county extension offices. Your county extension offices will be happy to mail you some helpful brochures about gardening and lawn care that are specific to your area, like:

When should I apply fertilizer to my lawn?
When should I plant my vegetable garden?
What kinds of trees and flowers do well in this area?

Get to Work

With the right equipment from Lifetime, the education you’ve gleaned from information resources, and the inspiration of a beautiful spring day, you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work! Before you know it, you will be sipping iced tea on the porch rocker, enjoying the satisfaction of a job well done. While you’re taking in the view, you may envision a new flowerbed here or a flowering shrub over there. Now that the cleaning is done, you can add your artistic touches with some spring potting or planting. Oh, the possibilities!

Make Your Own Kite

Charly — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:12:00 GMT

Make a kite and let your spirit soar!

After the long, cold winter, the warm weather welcomes us outdoors with sunshine and gentle breezes—perfect weather for kite flying! Kite flying is a relaxing way to fill a couple of quiet hours in the park, at the beach, or an open meadow. Learning the technique of kite flying is a satisfying experience. But if you’re a do-it-yourselfer, you will find a special satisfaction in actually making your own kite!

Kites come in all shapes and sizes—some of them truly magnificent feats of engineering! But if you’re a first time do-it-yourself kite maker, you’ll probably want to start with a simple design. This is an enlarged model of the "20 minute kite for kids" from the Big Wind Kite Factory in Hawaii. http://www.molokai.com/kites/20kidskites.html

Checklist

Craft Table
Lifetime folding chairs
1 sheet of brightly colored paper 25.5 inches wide x 30 inches long
1 25 inch wooden dowel for horizontal support
1 30 inch wooden dowel for additional vertical support if necessary
1 roll 1/2 inch wide tape
1 roll of string, 6 - 10ft. long
1 inch x 3 inch piece of cardboard or an empty bathroom tissue roll on which to wind the string.
Scissors
Hole punch (optional)

Steps

Fold paper in half to 25.5 x 15
Mark point 1/2 inch from the fold at the top
Mark another point 3 inches from the fold at the bottom
Draw a diagonal line between these points
Fold paper back along this dotted line and tape down the new fold line
Then tape down 25 inch wooden dowel between top corner points
Tape down 30 inch wooden dowel on the vertical fold for additional structural support
Attach 10 feet of ribbon to the bottom of the kite with tape
Flip kite over and bend the flap back and forth until it stands straight up
Tape a small piece of tape 1/3 of the way down from the top of that flap and punch a hole through it.
Tie one end of the string through the hole and wind the rest of the string onto the cardboard or toilet paper roll

Safety Tips

Never fly your kite around power lines, telephone lines, overhead electrical wires.
In order to avoid attracting electricity, do not use metal parts in the construction of your kite.
Do not use fishing line or wire for your kite string.It will cut your hands.
Be aware of your surroundings. Since you will have your eye on the sky, don’t fly near ditches, steep hills, or obstacles that you may trip over.
Avoid flying too close to trees and other kite flyers.

Instructions Diagram

Diagram for Kite

Tetherball

Charly — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:12:00 GMT

In Tetherball, fun is just a swing away!

Tetherball brings schoolyard and summer camp fun right into the backyard. It is fun for children and novices, but provides a competitive challenge for older players as well. A portable tetherball system easily rolls to any space on the lawn or driveway, and because it does not require a cement base, it is quick and easy to setup. With your own tetherball system, you can hold a tournament, form a league or just get a fun workout right in your own backyard.

Facts

Tetherball has long been enjoyed on schoolyards, playgrounds and summer camps across the country, evoking fond memories for the many who have played it. There are various "facts" about the game and its history, but because of thetherball's recreational nature, few are formally documented. We are proud to share some of the more popular tidbits from the sport's history:

Some maintain that tetherball originated with the horrible activities of the Tartars in the 9th century.They would string up the decapitated head of the enemy to a primitive pole and smack it around. That's HORRIBLE...so let's move on to the next one.
Tetherball was likely developed after 1895, the year volleyball was invented. Since then, the game has become a favorite in backyards, schoolyards, and summer camps.
Swingball, an alternate version of American tetherball, is popular in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. In this game, players strike a smaller, softer ball with racquets.
Tetherball continues to remain an informal sport. Leagues are extremely rare, and professional tetherball organizations do not exist (until Lifetime creates one!)
On May 20, 2007, a group of San Diegans tried to change that, with the first-ever San Diego Tetherball Tournament. Nearly 80 participants competed on three courts, and two were named co-champions.
Though it lacks professional recognition, tetherball is commonly referenced in popular culture: the game appeared in episodes of The Simpsons and South Park and was a major part of the 2004 comedic film Napolean Dynamite.

Sources: Wikipedia.com, NationMaster.com

Rules

Traditionally, the rules of the game have varied from player to player. There are limited resources available online, but with the introduction of the Lifetime Tetherball system, we present a new set of standardized rules.

Set-up: In the most basic form of tetherball, a ball similar to a volleyball is tied to a 10-foot vertical pole by a slender rope.Two players, each confined to one half of the court surrounding the pole, try to hit the ball repeatedly in one direction so that the rope wraps completely around the pole.

Players: Tetherball requires only two players - one on each side of the court.

Court: The standard tetherball court consists of a 12-foot radius circle with the tetherball system placed in the center of the circle. The circle is divided into two equal halves with a line separating the two halves. Each player will play in one half of the circle. A player is not to cross the center line at any point during the game as this will result in an off-sides penalty (see penalties). If a player steps out of the circle during play, no penalty is assessed.

Games and Matches: A game is won when one player has wrapped the rope as far as it can go in his/her own direction.The outcome of each game is powerfully influenced by which player serves, as explained below. For this reason, a match consist of several games, with the players taking turns at serving. The players can choose how many games must be won to win the match, but the margin of victory must be at least two games; otherwise, the player who serves the first game will be at a disadvantage. Lifetime recommends a five-game match.

Penalties: All violations, intentional or unintentional, result in immediate stoppage of the game.When one player commits any of these violations, the ball is stopped and returned to the place it was wrapped when the violation occurred.Both the number of wraps and their height should be re-created. The other player gets to serve, then either player can hit the ball from that point on.If a player commits three unintentional violations, in any combination, the opponent wins the game.

Stepping off-sides. If a player steps across the center line at any time during the game, the game is stopped.
Touching the rope. If a player touches the rope, intentional or unintentional, the game is stopped.
Carrying or throwing. When hitting a ball back against the direction from which it comes, the ball should bounce off the hands immediately with no lingering contact. When hitting a ball that as passed the opponent and continuing it on its way, the ball still cannot be carried or thrown.
Double hitting. A player can hit the ball only once per rotation around the pole, except if the ball hits the pole between hits.
Grabbing the pole. A player cannot grab the pole. The penalty is immediate loss of game.

If both players commit a violation at the same time, then they perform a "pole drop". Both players place one hand on the ball, holding it three feet out from the pole, directly above the line dividing the forward ends of their two sides. They release the ball simultaneously. Once the ball hits the pole, either player can hit it, and play continues normally.

Wikipedia.com, Toteth.com

Cooking at Camp with Lifetime

katie — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:57:00 GMT

All that fresh air and sunshine can work up a mighty appetite!

Camp meals are one of the most memorable aspects of a camping adventure. If you enjoy camping and outdoor cooking, Lifetime offers some great equipment and helpful hints to make outdoor cooking a satisfying and enjoyable experience. As with any activity, especially one that takes you away from the convenience of home, careful preparation is the key. The following are some helpful hints and tips to ensure that your camp kitchen is a success.

Outdoor Camp Kitchen Cooking Station

Lifetime Camp Table
Lifetime Utility Table
Lifetime Picnic table
Propane stove
Metal cooking sheet for grilling
Frying pan w/lid
Small pot w/lid
Big pot w/lid
Cooking utensils such as a spatula, big spoon, hamburger tongs, knife
Pot holders
Canopy cover for protection from the elements

An efficient cooking space is essential to an enjoyable camping experience! The Lifetime Camp Table provides that space. And because it’s portable, it’s easy to pack and store along with your camping equipment. The camp table is designed with a wire rack to accommodate a propane stove, an attached side table for food preparation, hooks for hanging your utensils, and last, but not least, that all-important paper towel holder. There’s a place for everything, so you can keep everything in its place. If it is not possible to set up your camp kitchen beneath some kind of bowery, I suggest erecting a canopy over your cooking station. This will provide shade on a hot day as well as some protection for your equipment on a rainy day.

Outdoor Camp Kitchen Cleaning Station

Lifetime 4ft. utility table
Two small plastic tubs
Dish soap
Dish drainer
Dishcloth, dish towels

In addition to a cooking area, you will need a clean-up area. This is the area where you will set up your dishwashing station. The Lifetime 4ft. folding utility table is a great table for this purpose because it’s small, lightweight, and easy to clean. All you need is a couple of small plastic tubs—one for the soapy water and one for the rinse water. You may wish to bring along a small dish drainer as well to let your wet dishes air dry while you go do something more fun, like hiking or swimming!

Make A Permanent Grocery List

Make a list of the dry ingredients and a list of refrigerated ingredients on the front and back of a large index card. Keep this list in a safe place to use as an inventory check list prior to embarking on all your subsequent camping adventures. I suggest keeping it in your dry food storage chest, as well as laminating it or covering the card with strips of scotch tape to protect it. Now you will have a Permanent Grocery List so you won’t have to re-plan one every time you go camping.

Dry Food Storage:

Keeping a dry food storage chest always packed and ready to go will mean one less thing to worry about when the urge to head for the hills grabs you. Of course you can always purchase special treats or snacks for each camping trip, but with this basic food storage pre-packed, you will have the peace of mind knowing that you at least have the basics you need to eat well while you’re camping. Some suggestions are cereal, crackers, pasta, canned goods such as tomato sauce, olives, vegetables, canned meats, cocoa, and cookies. Remember to pack your cooking oil, salt, pepper, and other seasonings. Pack all your dry ingredients into a large storage chest. Make sure to label this chest so you can easily locate it in your garage, shed, or closet the next time you want to go camping. You may only have to pack this chest once every camping season. If you run out of anything, be sure to replace it before the next camping trip!

Cooler Foods:

With your dry foods already packed in storage, the cold foods are all you really need to worry about packing on the day of departure. For subsequent camping trips, your Permanent Grocery List will have already been written (and stored in a safe place where you can find it), so the menu planning has already been done. All you’ll need to do on subsequent trips is to make that trip to the grocery store. And don’t forget the ice!

Handy Tips:

For the sake of economic thriftiness as well as a space-saving technique, try to use recipes that share common ingredients but which can be prepared in a variety of ways (like restaurants do). For example, ingredients such as pasta, hamburger, tomatoes, onions, olives, cheese, & tomato sauce can be used for hamburgers, Sloppy Joes, omelets, goulash, spaghetti, taco salad, and sandwiches simply by adding one or two additional ingredients (such as eggs or corn chips, or cold cuts).

You should be able to get by with one large chest for all your dry ingredients, but you will most likely need a couple of coolers for your cold foods, especially if you plan to take a gallon of milk along. Remember, half of your cooler space will have to be used for ice. Some people break open the ice bag and fill up the cooler with loose ice chunks in an effort to squeeze more into the cooler. Others prefer to keep the ice intact inside the plastic bag to eliminate the very real possibility of getting water from the melted ice into food packages. Beware of eggs in cardboard cartons! Once the cardboard gets wet, it will fall apart. Use a Styrofoam carton or relocate your eggs into a sealed plastic container.

Garden Composting

Charly — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:00:00 GMT

Composting is an excellent way to reduce, reuse, and recycle!

Don't throw away your kitchen and garden waste! Composting these organic materials creates a rich, black fertilizer full of nutrients and conditioners for your garden. Why spend money on expensive fertilizers when you already have all the ingredients you need to make a wonderful soil conditioner--ingredients that would otherwise end up in an already overflowing landfill?

Compost heaps may be contained in a homemade bin, a commercial bin, or simply in an open pile near your garden, but bear in mind these materials will rot and will therefore create an odor. For that reason, you may prefer an enclosed bin.Storing the material in an enclosed bin will also create much more heat, which will speed up the decomposition process.

Checklist

Lifetime composter
organic vegetable matter from your kitchen, including coffee grounds and egg shells
manure
grass clippings
dead leaves
sticks and twigs

Starting Your Compost Heap

Keep a plastic bag or container in the kitchen to store your vegetable peelings, fruit rinds, and egg shells for later disposal into your compost heap.
If possible, use a bag on your lawnmower so that grass clippings can be easily dumped into your compost heap.
Rake up those dead leaves and twigs in your lawn and flowerbeds and add them to your compost heap.

Maintaining Your Compost Heap

Regularly mix the materials in your compost heap to distribute the heat that is necessary to decomposition. This can be done with a pitchfork or shovel if you are not using an enclosed commercial bin If you are using a commercial bin, the material can be easily rotated within the tumbler with a few turns of a handle.
It will take a few weeks for your compost material to decompose into a rich, black crumbly loam that is ready to be spread onto your garden.

Important Tips!

Some organic material is not suitable for composting and can actually harm your plants.Do not put the following materials in your compost heap!

Meat (including grease) and dairy products because they create a very strong odor that will attract pests and insects to your garden
Yard vegetation that has been chemically treated with pesticides because that is harmful to the organisms in your compost
Dog or cat *** because they may contain parasites harmful to humans
Black walnut leaves and twigs because they release a substance that may be harmful to plants
Coal or ash because it might contain a substance that is harmful to plants
Diseased vegetation because it may transfer diseases or bugs to your garden plants

Camping With Kids

katie — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:32:00 GMT

Round 'em up and move 'em out!

Camping can be a great family activity. It’s an opportunity to get away from it all, spend some one-on-one time with your kids, and teach them about the great outdoors. But beware! Camping comes with some unique challenges (besides figuring out how to set up that new tent). How are you going to keep the kids entertained if you can’t just turn on the TV, pop in a movie, or send them next door to play? Here are some ideas to keep everyone fairly content and reasonably comfortable in your temporary “home away from home” setting.

Camp Reservations

Choose a campground nearby in order to keep travel time to a minimum and that offers opportunities for activities your kids will enjoy, like hiking, swimming, fishing, or canoeing.
Make reservations to assure that you get a site that fits your needs.Most online campground websites have a map of the campground so you can choose a site that's near the restrooms and shaded.
If you'll be camping at a beach or sandy area, it would be wise to choose a campground with shower facilities--no one will get a good night's rest in a sandy sleeping bag!

Special Camp Supplies for Kids

A Lifetime sports table is perfect for food preparation and craft projects
A baby carrier, a stroller, and a playpen are basic equipment when camping with an infant
Long-sleeved shirts and pants will reduce the amount of dirt and mosquitoes that come in contact with your child's skin.
A large, plastic totebox makes a great bathtub for infants and small children
Toys like balls, a badminton set, or a kite (if you're camping in a suitable area) are traditional favorites for outdoor recreation. You should also bring "rainy day" activities like coloring books and card games.

Camp Activities for Kids

Make A Natural Car Air Freshener- Cut out a cardboard shape the size of the average car air freshener. Punch a hole in the top to loop a piece of yarn or string through to hang it. Cover one side with tacky glue and press on fragrant plants and flowers.
Make a Leaf Tee - This is fun and easy craft for older kids that makes a clever camp t-shirt! It involves bleach so be sure to use provide adult supervision, and use a Lifetime Table, as they are bleach resistant.
Grab some binoculars and go bird watching.
Give the kids a disposable camera to "document" the family outing. When you develop the film, ask to put it straight to CD so you can look through the photos and print only the ones you want.
Go hiking. After breakfast is an ideal time to go on a hike to get everybody's blood pumping.
Watch the sun rise. Though it can be hard to get them out of bed early, nothing beats hiking to the nearest hill or lake and watching the sun spill it's light over the land. Bring a camera for some fun silhoutte or "holding the sun" photos.

Camp Snacks

Walking Tacos - A fun, filling portable snack. Everyone will need their own bag of corn chips. Just cook up some ground beef and add taco seasonings. Mix some hamburger into each bag of chips and add grated cheddar cheese, black olives, and diced tomatoes and onions. All you need to provide is the spoons!
Banana Boats - So easy!So filling! Just peel a banana and slice it lengthwise, being careful not to slice completely through your "boat". Spread peanut butter down the middle of the "boat" and top with chocolate chips.

Let's Go Camping!

Charly — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Let’s Go Camping!

Aaah… fresh air, beautiful scenery, peace & quiet. Getting back to nature is a wonderful way to relax with family and friends. Whether you’re tenting it or RVing, heading for the woods, or heading for the beach, camping makes for good times and great memories. Regardless of how well you’ve planned a camping trip, one thing is for certain. Things never go as planned! But some thoughtful foresight & careful packing will make everything run more smoothly. The first rule of camping is to be flexible and go with the flow.

First, Make Camp Reservations

Make reservations at a campground of your choice. Nothing’s more disappointing than traveling many miles to get to a campground only to find there’s no vacancy, or being forced to settle for a less than desirable site. You can make reservations online or by phone. So which campground should you choose? Campground websites are an easy way to compare which amenities are available at different campgrounds.

Do you want a site that's close to the restrooms?
Are you satisfied with just toilet facilities? Or do you insist on a shower?
Are water spigots good enough, or do you need hook ups for your RV?
Do you want a shaded site, or a sunny one? (Most campground websites will also indicate which sites are shaded and which are not).
What activities are available? Hiking? Swimming? Fishing? Boating?
Do you want to have cell phone access? (Some campgrounds do, some don't)
Are dogs allowed if you should want to bring yours?
*If you make your reservations on line, print out your receipt and take it with you.

Second, Make Lists

List of Camping supplies –Be sure to include the basics like small lightweight tables, chairs, flashlights, a lighter or matches, and firewood. Firewood can be purchased in bundles at convenience store/ gas stations or supermarkets. Sometimes firewood is available for purchase at the campground itself. Don’t forget garbage bags for trash and dirty laundry, and a bucket for hauling water, if necessary.
List of Groceries - what you plan to have for each meal of each day, as well as snacks.
List of Cooking Equipment - what you’ll need to prepare those meals (don’t forget the can opener and seasonings!)
List of Hygienic and Medical Supplies.

Third, Pack

To cut your packing time in half, pack up all of your camping equipment and non-refrigerated foods the day before departure.You'll want to include:

A large Lifetime table for food preparation or as a wash-up station for pots and pans, faces and hands.
A Camp Stove (propane)
Sufficient bedding (remember, it gets cold at night even in the summer if you’re at a high altitude)
Gather the refrigerated items you’ll be taking and bag them together in plastic bags in the refrigerator so they’ll be ready to just grab and go the next day.

Time to Go!

On the day of departure, all that should be left to pack is the refrigerated items. Fill ice chests half full with ice and pack the refrigerated items in them. Be sure to bring plenty of drinking water. Give yourself enough travel time so that you will not arrive at your destination too late and have to make camp in the dark!

Tips

Use containers with snap tight lids to keep out water from the melting ice, curious wildlife, and insects.
Keep your ice chests in the shade or set them in a shallow creek if your site has one.
Once you've set up camp,relax.Camping is an adventure, not a military execution.Time for spontaneous fun and quiet meditation.

Make a Pine Cone Bird Feeder

katie — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:33:00 GMT

Build a neighborhood fast food stop for your feathered friends

Pine cone bird feeders bring nature right to your door. Most birds eat both seeds and insects, and will see your feeder as a convenient stop for ‘fast food’. Hang it on a tree visible from your window so you can watch all winter long. Make a few of these feeders and hang them at different heights to attract a variety of birds. Now you and your kids can enjoy beautiful birds while they enjoy a welcome treat!

Checklist

Lifetime Table
pine cone
yarn or wire
scissors
paper plate
butter knife
peanut butter
margarine or lard
bird Seed

Steps

Find a clear workspace. A Lifetime table is easy to clean afterward.
Tie the yarn or wire to the top of the pine cone, creating a hanger.
In a shallow dish or plate, pour some birdseed about ½” deep.
Hold the pine cone by its hanger and roll it in the birdseed, until evenly coated.
Put in the freezer until set (about an hour).
You’re done! Hang it outside on a tree or by your back door, and enjoy the new friends you’ll attract.

Tips

You can buy pine cones at any craft store, or prepare ahead of time and pick them up off the ground for free.
If you can, buy a seed mix with Niger and Safflower. This will attract goldfinches, cardinals, chickadees, and downy woodpeckers, if they are native to your area. Try not to get a mix with red millet; most birds won’t eat it.
Pine cone feeders work best in the fall and winter, but they can also be used in the summer. Cold weather just helps the peanut butter to keep from going bad.

10 Steps to a Total Yard Makeover

katie — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:01:00 GMT

The most important element of your yard is the feeling it creates.

Whether you go outside to relax, work, entertain, play, or pursue your hobbies, you want a yard that sets the right mood and is easy to care for. Sound at all like your current patch of land? Don’t worry, there’s no better time to start than now, and most can be done in ten easy steps! So cuff your sleeves, break out gardening tools, and prepare to create the ultimate lawn.

Checklist

Lifetime Trailer
Lifetime Shed
Lifetime Yard Cart
Rake
Shovel
Garden spade
Soil
Grass Seed
Lawn mower
Broom or Hose
String trimmer
Long pruning shears
Black spray paint
Compost or fertilizer

Steps

Clear the Clutter: Your kid’s sun-bleached plastic wagon, the forgotten patio furniture, rakes from last autumn—you’ve got to either move it or lose it. Look at all the “stuff” taking up residence in your yard, and then decide what to keep and what to get rid of. Make 3 piles: one to keep, one to throw away, and one for the local charity or thrift store. When it’s time to haul a load to the dump, or donate those larger items to charity, you might purchase a trailer that suits your needs. We recommend the Lifetime Fold-in-half trailer, built to handle big loads and it folds to 29” for easy storage.
Organize: Now that you have everything you want to keep, it’s time to assign it a home. Storing summer toys, rakes, and additional patio furniture against the house not only looks bad, but it’s also dangerous and these things can take up lots of space in your garage. If you need extra space, we recommend a Lifetime storage shed. Choose the best fit for your yard: 8x10, 15x8, 11x13, or any size in-between. These polyethylene plastic sheds are easy to care for, and have shelves and pockets great for storing rakes, shovels, and your other important “stuff.”
Break out the Lawn Mower: Mow the main lawn area, cutting off about 1/3 or less of the grass blade. Grass blades, like any other plant need their leaves to take in sunshine. Mow while the lawn is dry, and try not to go the same direction every time (which makes the blades grow at a slant.) If you took our advice and purchased a storage shed, try using it to store your mower. In the future, you can pull out right onto the grass to start cutting.
Even things out: Rake up fallen leaves, twigs and other debris so nothing stands between you and the lawn. Next, get a garden spade or shovel and level the high and low spots in your lawn by cutting down bumps and filling in holes with topsoil and grass seed. To remove bumps, use a garden spade to cut an “X” shape into the raised area. From there, use a shovel or garden-hoe (if it’s small enough, your hands will do) to peel the back the sod and dig out enough soil to let the area lay flat once again. Lay the sod back in place. While you’re at it, sprinkle grass seed mixed with soil into any bald spots. Break out the Lawn Mower: Mow the main lawn area, cutting off about 1/3 or less of the grass blade. Grass blades, like any other plant need their leaves to take in sunshine. Mow while the lawn is dry, and try not to go the same direction every time (which makes the blades grow at a slant.) If you took our advice and purchased a storage shed, try using it to store your mower. In the future, you can pull out right onto the grass to start cutting.
Edging: This is a simple but important step that gives your lawn a clean, manicured look. Use a string trimmer to cut tall grass along the edges of your lawn, and grass shears around trees. Use a broom or hose to brush clippings into piles, you can either throw them out or use them for nutritious mulch somewhere else in your yard. Eliminate weeds- Like party crashers; weeds are uninvited guests that rob your plants of nutrients and sunshine. You can pull out weeds with your hands or use a shovel to dig them out. Taking loads of weeds to the compost pile can be laborious. Use the Yard Cart from Lifetime to save time and effort. Various chemicals will kill weeds without harming your other plants. You may also think about laying down a weed barrier mat in real problem areas, keeping weeds from even breaking through the soil.
Lighten up: Now, go pour yourself a tall glass of lemonade, and take a few minutes to relax. Once you’ve taken a load off, do the same for your trees and shrubs. First, find out the best ways to prune each of your trees. Each type of tree reacts differently to pruning; there is much information to be found online. First, with black spray paint, mark the places you should cut. Then use long pruning shears or a saw to cut the branches down and up, forming a point in the direction you’d like it to start growing again. Finally, spray all the clipped edges with the black paint to keep away wood-eating bugs. Haul off your clippings to the dump, or rent a mulching machine and turn it into nourishment.
Check your Watering: One of the primary causes of brown spots is improper watering. If you have a sprinkler system, check suspicious areas for a blocked sprinkler head. It’s often as simple as identifying a shrub or tree trunk that’s blocking flow to a certain area. The best times to water are in the early morning and late evening when water does not evaporate as quickly in the sun. Also beware of over-watering. Watering too much can leach nutrients and cause fungus or runoff.
Get Flower Power: Nothing lends beauty quite like the color and versatility of flowers. If your yard already has a flower bed, revitalize it by pulling out weeds and replanting your favorite flowers. If you’re starting from scratch, decide where you’d like flowers in your yard, and start digging (call a locator service to be sure you’re not digging into cables or pipes.) Dig down about 1-2 feet, and as wide and long as you’d like the area to be.
Remove any chunks of sod or unwanted plants: Mix in compost or a good fertilizer, and rake the area smooth. Finally, pick out what plants you’d like to have. A good rule of thumb is to choose a bush, some medium height flowers, and ground cover, so that your plants vary in height and are more visually interesting.
Make a maintenance plan: Now that you’ve got your lawn right where you want it, it’s time to draft a feasible plan to keep it that way. For most of us, yard work is not a welcome chore. But by breaking down the upkeep into small steps, and setting a simple schedule, you can enjoy a beautiful lawn year round. One great system is to assign each family member one chore, and get together every Saturday to work. (I.e- mom-weed, dad-mow and prune, son-rake, daughter-edge.) Be sure to keep the seasons in mind. So the chore of raking becomes snow shoveling in the winter, and clearing out sticks and rocks before mowing in the summer, etc.

Tips

Looking for additional ways to add color and varitey to the yard? Check out our potting and planting article.

Spring Potting and Planting

katie — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:42:00 GMT

Bring Spring’s vibrant colors to your house and backyard

Add dimension and color to any area with potted plants! Potted plants will liven up your home whether they sit in your living room, on the porch or patio, or out in the garden. All gardening enthusiasts know that potting expands your growing area and is a great way to make your favorite plants into portable bouquets. Take advantage of Mother Nature’s color palate, and create beautiful, vibrant displays you can enjoy anywhere.

Checklist

6-foot Lifetime table or the Lifetime Workcentre
1 bag of potting soil
Pebbles
Pieces of a broken pot
Desired pots
A garden spade
Variety of plants and flowers

Steps

Pick your plants- Pick plants that have just started to grow; they have roots that can adapt to transplanting. Think about the colors, textures, and themes you’d like to incorporate in your house or yard. If you’re looking to place the potted plants indoors, be sure to find species that can handle shady conditions.
Pick your pots- Find a container that is the right size for your plants. It’s a common temptation to use a large pot your plant can “grow into”. But oversized pots can lead to overwatering and sour soil. Some plants will not produce flowers unless they sense they are bound inside a pot, and will not grow actively when they have too much room.
Keep it clean- If you want to reuse flowerpots, be sure to clean the inside walls thoroughly, removing any old soil. New feeding roots have a difficult time breaking through the caked residue left in old soil. Soak clay pots in water for a few hours before potting, so they don’t leach the water intended for your plant!
Make a drainage Layer- pieces of a broken pot, followed by a layer of pebbles along the bottom of your empty pot. This will prevent the soil from plugging up the drainage holes built into the pot, and keep the soil fresh.
Fill with soil- Fill the container about one quarter full with damp soil. Place the plant’s roots in a natural position, spread over the soil. Fill the pot with potting soil to about an inch of the containers rim, covering the roots. Pat the soil down so that it’s firm, but not so dense that the roots cannot get air through the soil.
Water- Be sure to water well after planting, or if the species of plant is succulent or downy, mist it with water for some extra pampering.
Making an easy adjustment- When a plant is first brought inside, or repotted, keep it in dim light with little sunshine so that it can adjust.

Tips

Plants potted in the spring enjoy taking a dip in the garden. If you don’t mind having them outside, dig appropriate sized holes for each pot, and place some gravel at the bottom. Bury the entire pot in the soil, showing only the pot’s brim. The gravel will serve as additional drainage, and discourage earthworms from entering through the pot’s bottom hole. This is a great way to let yout plants enjoy the refreshing spring season before moving them into the house.
Beware of potting in the winter, roots are dormant and will not grow into new soil. March, April, and May are ideal potting months.
Make it a Party! Set a date and contact friends and family. Invite them to bring pots, plants, and a garden spade. Let them know you’ll provide the dirt and workspace. Or shake it up and invite each person to bring a palate of one type of plant from the nursery, and trade with each other until you have the perfect arrangement. Potting with friends gives you the opportunities to trade ideas, gardening tips, exchange plants and seeds, and use your extra potting soil.

5 Family-Fun Basketball Games

katie — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:49:00 GMT

All-Star Shoot-out, Around the World, play them all in the Driveway or Backyard

Everyone loves to shoot hoops out in the driveway or backyard. It’s the perfect way to get your exercise, practice your jump shot at home or just blow off some steam. But as much fun as it can be playing alone, it is much more fun with family and friends.

Since Lifetime revolutionized the game of basketball by bringing the game home to you, it would make sense that we are experts when it comes to playing the game it was meant to be played – with family and friends, and at home for fun! Here are our top picks; the most popular Family basketball games you can play right in your own driveway, backyard, or patio.

Checklist

A Lifetime basketball hoop – portable or in-ground
A beautiful day – or even an okay day
A basketball (any ball that bounces will do, actually)
An assortment of family and friends, the number depends on what game and who’s available
A cool beverage (it’s nice to stay hydrated and refreshed)

Games

H-O-R-S-E The game of H-O-R-S-E is an old time favorite that anyone, of any skill level can play. The set-up is simple: you need two or more players, a hoop and a ball. The first player chooses a spot on the court and takes a shot. If the shot is made, the next player must repeat the exact same shot. If the shot is made, the process is repeated. However, if the second player does not match the first player’s shot, then they receive a letter – in this case, an “H.” If the first player misses their shot, then the second player takes the lead shot, and if it is made, the first player must match player two’s shot. And so on. This is repeated until one player misses five shots and receives all five letters that spell out the word H-O-R-S-E! This is a great game to test your outside shot, or even simple layups. You’d be surprised how many times the player behind you may miss a layup! It’s also fun to try the wackiest of shots to see if you can put ‘em away early. Try a “behind-the back” lay-up, a shot from behind the backboard or a shot from way out beyond the driveway. The game can also be altered to a shorter version. This version is usually called P-I-G.
Lightning! Lightning is a game that tests your ability to shoot a free-throw while under pressure. This game is best with three or more players, and is truly more fun with a large group. It requires two basketballs. The set-up is easy: create a free-throw line at any distance you like (the regulation free-throw line is 15 feet (180 inches) from the backboard). Line everyone up single-file just behind the line and give the first two people in line each a basketball. The first person in line takes a shot. As soon as that person releases their shot, the next person in line can take their shot. The object of the game is for the person taking the second shot to make the basket before the person in front of them. If the first person taking the shot makes their shot, they pass the ball back to the next person in line, move to the very back of the line and the game continues. If the first person misses their shot, they must rebound the shot and make a basket before they can pass it to the next player. However, if the person immediately behind them makes the shot before the first player can make a shot, the first player is out of the game. This pattern follows until all but one player is eliminated. The last player standing is the winner. Lightning is fast-paced, highly excitable and the more players you have, the more fun the game. You can also add more basketballs to increase the craziness, but generally two should do it. This is a game that tests your ability to shoot under pressure and it can leave you quite winded.
Twenty One Twenty one is a simple variation of a game of one-on-one, with the winner being the first player to reach 21 points. It can be played with two or more players, with each player keeping their own score. The game starts with one player starting out with the ball at the designated “three-point line.” This line is pre-determined and is based on how much room you have around your hoop. The game begins when the first player dribbles out and tries to score. The other player(s) tries to stop the first player from scoring. No player has any teammates. The player with the ball may take any shot at any time and if the shot is missed, may go for the rebound and shoot again. If the shot is missed and the defensive player rebounds the ball, the ball must be “cleared” by dribbling beyond the “three-point line” before taking a shot. If the offensive player makes the shot, the defensive player takes the ball beyond the “three-point line” and dribbles out and tries to score. This is repeated until one player reaches 21 points. Scoring rules vary, but the most common scoring method is by awarding two points for a shot made inside the “three-point line.” A player may take a shot outside the “three-point line” and if it goes in, is awarded three points. You can shake it up by allowing free-throws for made shots, giving the offensive player the ability to win the game on consecutive free-throws. All typical basketball rules apply, so if a ball goes out of bounds or a player “double-dribbles,” the ball is given to the defensive player and they must dribble out from behind the “three-point line.” Standard foul rules also apply, so call your own fouls.
Around the World Around the World is a great shooting game that can be played by two or more players. In this game, a player must make a series of shots arranged in and around the key. When a shot is made from one position, the player moves onto the next position, and after making that shot, they move on again. And so on. Every shot must be made in succession in order for a player to be crowned the winner. It’s a great game of endurance and accuracy and can go on for quite some time if you’re not accurate with your shots. The game begins with a designated number of “stops” arranged around the basket. It typically starts at a corner of the key and each “spot” is located in a circular motion around the key. You can mark these spots on your driveway using sidewalk chalk. We recommend five “spots” around the key to begin with. From there, place “spots” at the free-throw line and, finally, underneath the basket. Some may also want to place “spots” outside the key towards the three-point line, but this all depends on the skill-set of the players. When a shot is made, the player moves on. However, if the shot is missed, the player gets one “chance” to take the shot again. If they make the shot, they move to the next “spot.” Only one “chance” is allowed per player, per game. If the player misses the “chance” shot, or decides not to take their “chance” shot, they have to start over. The first player to make a shot from every “spot” on the court is the winner.
All-Star Shootout All-Star Shootout is taken from an old professional basketball exhibition game. The game is for two or more players and involves gathering points by taking shots from different scoring circles around the court. To prepare the court, select 10-15 “shooting circles” around the basket. These should be in different locations and each requires a different level of shooting prowess. Assign each circle a point value (one point for a shot under the hoop, two points for a free throw, three points for a 15-footer in the corner, 5 points for a shot beyond the typical three-point line, etc.). We recommend using a small piece of paper or side-walk chalk to designate each circle and its point value. One player begins with the ball and dribbles to a circle out on the court. If they make a shot from that particular circle, they are awarded the point value given to that circle. Each player is given ten shots and has the option of taking their shots from any circle on the court. After the ten shots are taken, the player adds up their points. The shooter with the most points is crowned the winner. An extra player may stand under the basket and rebound the ball for the shooter, as well as helping keep score. You can also give each shooter a time limit, just to raise the stakes. It’s always fun to create one “shooting circle” with an high point value in a crazy place on the court (behind the basket, across the driveway or patio) to tempt players with the ability to make a lot of points with one shot.