We can’t believe that summer is almost over! To celebrate summer’s last hoorah, we had a Luau party here at the Solutions office. Noho’s Hawaiian Café in Portland, Oregon, catered delicious food, which included their famous macaroni salad and Kalua pig. Traditional Hawaiian music set the mood for the afternoon, followed by a best and worse Hawaiian T-shirt contest, a Hula competition and a relay race. It was a gorgeous 70-degree day with a perfect cool breeze.

But we weren’t the only ones enjoying the party. Bees seemed to be attracted to the Hawaiian food. Amy, our Merchandising Director walked around and placed zip loc bags half-filled with water on each table. Apparently the light reflecting on the bags either blinds the bees or threatens them. We all watched patiently to see if the water bag tricked worked, but the jury is still out. Let us know if you’ve had any success with this method. We’d love to hear from you!

This spring I decided I was tired of all the mismatched planters on my deck. So, before I filled the pots with soil, I crafted a solution to my planter dilemma that was quick and cheap.

I didn’t want to replace my perfectly good pots so I decided to buy a can of dark brown spray paint. I sprayed a thin coat of paint on each pot, let it dry and repeated—until I had three full coats of paint.

As you can see from the picture above, the results were surprisingly good. Both the terra cotta and plastic pots coated well, albeit with slightly different shades of brown.

Mesh Pool Lounger

Temperatures are heating up, which means it’s time to whip your pool into swimming shape! So before you inflate a raft or do your first cannonball, follow these steps to make a safe and healthy splash this summer.

Step 1: Remove your winter pool cover (if you have one).

Tip: To avoid spilling dirty water and debris into the pool, first raise the water level to the middle of the skimmers. Then, with two people, each grabbing a corner at the shallow end, drag uniformly.

Tip: As you pull, fold the cover like you would a fan, folding it on top of itself every five feet or so.

Step 2: After cleaning and drying your winter cover, store it in a dry location.

Step 3: Decide if you’ll prep the pool yourself or hire someone.

Step 3a: If you hire someone, dig out your bathing suit.
Keep in mind that bringing in a professional can run about $500, depending on your pool. Maintenance can usually be arranged for about $50 a month.

Step 3b: If it’s all you, ensure you have the proper tools and chemicals.
Tools include a pool brush, skimmer/net and some kind of vacuum system. Depending on your system, chemicals can include chlorine and bromine to sanitize the water and destroy harmful bacteria, and possibly muriatic acid to set the right pH balance.

Step 4: Close or replace drain plugs opened or removed last fall/winter.

Tip: Don’t empty the pool to refill with new water, especially if yours is a vinyl-lined pool as these are designed to remain filled.

Step 5: Use a commercial-grade net to remove any leftover debris.

Step 6. Turn on pilot light in pool’s gas heater.

Step 7: Get water moving to check the filtration system.

Tip: Let the filter run for 24 hours. This allows the water on top to mix with that on the bottom so you’ll get more accurate water chemistry test results.

Step 8: Check the water’s chemical levels.
There are four levels you need to check:

• pH level – measures the base and acid levels
• Alkalinity – measures the water’s resistance to changing pH levels
• Calcium hardness – measures how hard or soft the water is
• Chlorine content – measure chlorine levels

Tip: Most pool-supply companies will test your water samples for free and provide a detailed analysis.

Tip: If you use an in-home testing kit, replace the testing chemicals each year.

Step 9: Balance the chemical levels.

Tip: The proper pH range is 7.2 to 7.8, achieved by adding pH increasers or decreasers (available at pool stores). (Note: A low pH can damage a pool’s interior and corrode the copper tubing inside the pool heater. A high pH can lead to mineral buildup.)

Tip: Low alkalinity can be increased by adding a pH increaser, such as baking soda. High alkalinity can be reduced by adding acids like a pH decreaser.

Step 10: “Shock” the pool.
To shock the pool, add a sanitizer like chlorine to kill any algae or micro-organisms.

Tip: Generally, it takes one pound of shock chlorine for every 10,000 gallons of water.

Tip: The pool should be shocked weekly.

Tip: A heavy chlorine smell can mean chlorine is too low, not that there is too much in the water.

Step 11: Keep the pool clean.

Tip: Establish a weekly cleaning schedule that includes brushing the pool’s walls, skimming and vacuuming.

Tip: Use a pool cover to keep the debris to a minimum. The cleaner your pool is, the less time and money it will need.

Tip: Clean the pool’s skimmer basket(s) daily or weekly as necessary.

Tip: Test your water weekly. Have it professionally tested every three months.

Tip: Add algaecide weekly.

Step 12: Start swimming!

Shop our entire selection of Pool Accessories at Solutions.

Originally Posted May, 2008

If you’re like many of us, you have busy schedules and limited space. Patio gardening can be a great alternative. It gives you easy access to your plants so you can remember to water them daily. Plant varieties that are labeled “patio, pixie, dwarf or baby” are ideal but not required for small-space gardening.

You can grow vegetables in almost anything that can hold soil and has proper holes in the bottom for drainage (make sure the container’s large enough for the plant’s root development). Have fun with it and choose colorful pots to brighten up your patio. Terracotta looks nice but dries out quickly.

If you don’t have holes, it’s easy to create your own. You can use baskets lined with garbage bags to hold in water, milk cartons or anything creative you can think of!

Most importantly, don’t forget sun. Most vegetables want six hours or more of direct sun per day, so choose a sunny part of the yard. Leaf-crops are one of the things that can grow with limited sun. In addition to making sure your vegetable plants have proper sunlight, make sure to invest in nutrient-rich soil and a dedicated watering routine. If you overlook any one of these areas, it can create an environment more inviting to bugs.

Visit Solutions.com for a unique collection of pots and planters.

Summer’s around the corner, and it’s a great time to start thinking about outdoor entertaining. Here are some quick ideas to help you create that perfect party.

1) Host a potluck-themed event and prepare foods in advance, as much as possible. It will save time and work!

2) Clean your yard and make sure there’s enough seating for everyone. Place blankets on the grass for kids.

3) Grill skewers: Grilled vegetables make a great side dish, are easy to prepare ahead of time, and take a few minutes to cook.

4) Keep your guests cool! Consider a portable fan to keep outside during hot summer days.

5) Set out a few yard games to play so your guests have some fun activities to choose from.

6) Create an inviting atmosphere with lights for nighttime. Consider natural bug repellant candles to keep the insects away.

7) Add some color to your table with vibrant dishware. Top it off with an eye-catching centerpiece. Fill up a glass bowl with colorful fruits, such as bright lemons and limes, or fill glass jars with fresh-cut flowers.

Don’t forget to relax with your guests and enjoy all your efforts!

It’s spring! Time to get your hands dirty. As the sun continues to shine and plants start budding, this is the time of year when you should be making garden adjustments and judgments. Whether you plan to do the gardening yourself or have a landscape service come in, you should plan to take a quick walk around your garden beds to assess the winter damage.

What to look for:

• Plants not budding yet that may need replacement
• Plants you wanted to move or replace last season
• Which plants need trimming before the big grow season
• Which beds are in the most need of weeding and cleaning

Taking on the whole garden can be intimidating. By selecting certain plants that need to be transplanted, removed or trimmed, you will give yourself an idea of what work is ahead. First, choose your worst bed to start weeding, and go from there. Your task will soon feel more manageable. Gardening should not be viewed as a one-day project, and hopefully the results will last for many seasons ahead!

After your bed inspection, you will have a better idea of what needs to be done in your gardens this spring. If you plan to hire a landscaper, you will be more aware of what works need to be done. And you can save money by making suggestions and keeping a watchful eye.

Small space gardening can be a rewarding process. Whether you’re decorating a patio or looking to add fresh vegetables to the dinner table, we have some easy tips to get you started.

Container Gardening
Container gardening is a simple and portable form of gardening that can produce great results. Find a small space on your deck, balcony or entryway to place containers (ranging from 3 to 10 gallons). A 3-gallon container will fit one group of vegetables, where a 7-gallon will fit two or three. The larger the container, the more plants you can add.

Find a place around your home with good sunlight for the container placement. Once you have your containers arranged, line the bottoms with newspaper to prevent soil from falling out of the drainage holes when watering. Fill the containers 3/4 to the top with potting mix. Add some compost and add a small amount of slow-release fertilizer. (Try and avoid granular fertilizer when container gardening). If you use potting soil, add either vermiculite or sphagnum moss to aid the soil with draining water. The soil in your pot should be mixed well and sit 2 or 3 inches below the rim of your container once prepared.

Place your plant selection in the middle of the container and water generously. Having your containers close to the house, will make it easy for you to check them daily. This will also allow you to easily snip herbs for cooking. Expect to water the containers every other day—depending on the weather, and container size you choose.

Jump Start to Container Gardening:

• find containers—3 gallons per plant average.
• arrange your containers in a sunny location close to a door, for easy access to water and any picking of vegetables or herbs.
• line the bottom of your pot with newspaper to prevent soil loss through drainage holes.
• fill your containers 3/4 to the top with potting mix, then add some compost and a slow- release fertilizer. Mix this well, it should settle down to 2 or 3 inches below the rim of the container.
• place your plant selection in the center of the container and water evenly and throughly. You’ll probably have to water every other day, depending on your container size, as well as the weather. You can add water soluble fertilizer to your watering can once a week if you choose.

Picking a Container
Ideally you’re picking a container that fits both the size and style of the setting around your home. If you choose a dark colored container, it will heat up more in direct sunlight—so make sure to consider the color that will best suit your climate and plant. In addition to the style of your container, you should be looking for some growing benefits. You want a container with wide openings for your plant to expand and grow. Glazed ceramic pots will last much longer than plastic, which tend to take a beating from UV rays. Terra cotta pots dry out faster and take water from your plants. If you want a wood look, use either Redwood or Cedar, which are both fairly rot- and stain-resistant. Make drainage holes about a 1/2 inch wide at the bottom of your container (if it doesn’t come with holes already). This isn’t necessary, but drainage holes are helpful.

Would you like your Poinsettias to outlast the holiday season? Keep reading for some helpful tips that will help your plant last longer—maybe even until Valentine’s day.

Proper Temperature
The ideal temperature should be easy to reach at about 65 to 70 degrees.  The placement of your plant, however, takes more attention. Avoid placing it near a window with a cool draft or near a heat duct. Your poinsettia will enjoy a moist environment, such as a nearby bathroom or kitchen sink.

tip: a sign that your flowers are lacking humidity: The leaves turn yellow or brown and the buds begin to drop.

Watering
Your poinsettia will need to be watered once a week, on average, to keep the soil moderately damp to the touch.  If your plant is located in a warmer location or in direct sunlight, it may need to be watered more frequently.

tip: the foil wrapping around your poinsettia may cause a soggy bottom.  Poke drain-holes into the foil and place it on a plate or tray to drain.

Light
Poinsettias like lots of light but NOT direct light.  Choose a location wisely, airing on the side of too much rather than too little.