Shop Online for Inexpensive Indoor and Outdoor Furniture Items

Are you searching for online sites to get inexpensive patio furniture? Here is a list of some online stores that have great patio furniture at economical rates.  

1.  e Bay

If you plan to buy outdoor furniture off eBay, then do your homework. Check on the shipping fees and also see if the description of the patio furniture includes full disclosure of its condition, and brand name if available.

EBay facilitates users with a search option for local auctions—it tells how many miles you're willing to drive to pick up your winning item. It comes handy if you want to completely avoid shipping charges for heavy-weight items.

     TreasureBox

This site has everything for its users whether you are renting or buying a house or in search for furniture that is according to your budget and your taste. In TreasureBox there is a wide variety of furniture choices and the most considered things are the style and functionality of the patio. User can find all ranges from living room furniture, bedroom furniture, dining room furniture, to outdoor furniture nz. Hence, you can find furniture that will blend with your home décor at very economical rate. 

2.      Craigslist

In order to find outdoor furniture on Craigslist, go to the main page and find your area. Other than providing other services—like job listings and personal ads—Craigslist is more like local classifieds section of newspapers, with more detail. Like newspaper classifieds, people use abbreviations, the photos aren’t like Architectural Digest quality but the stuff advertised is easily available.

Amazon

Amazon like other eBay have furniture at different rates. One can check the variety on their site. However their prices often change so if you find a set out of your price range, check back periodically to see if it has been lowered.

3.      Kijiji

This site seems is somewhat like eBay and Craigslist.  While Kijiji is searchable by terms—"wrought iron patio furniture" or Brown Jordan patio"—are a couple of suggestions, it lack many listings as eBay or Craigslist. They serve only in Canada.

4.     

5.      E Crater

E Crater is an online marketplace that showed up in 2004. If you search for patio furniture on E Crater then you can find from a pair of entryway lion statues to several new patio sets. Though most of the listings seem to be for newer items but still, it's worth a look, who knows what you might find.

6.      Oodle

Oodle is a user friendly online site where posting an ad is free. It operates a network of online marketplaces with more than 15M monthly unique users.

Through regional search the user can inspect the outdoor furniture personally and avoid paying shipping and handling fees, which can be quite costly for furniture.

7.      Bonanza

Bonanza is a colorful site that certainly grabs users’ attention with its bright green graphics. Items here are categorized and easy to find. The term "patio furniture" resulted in different designs, prices and from different locations. Like many of the other sites, the user can adjust the search options to help you narrow down the selection and help in finding your product.

The 6 Best Summer-Flowering Bulbs

Summer bulbs can offer some of the most stunning summer flowers.  Summer Bulbs will give you years of perennial bloom and more bang for your investment bucks!

1. Crocosmia

Crocosmia is an exotic, beautiful plant that's a cinch to grow. Its summertime flowers appear in a cluster like freesias in dazzling shades of red, orange, and yellow. The swordlike foliage is handsome, too. Plus, it's a great cut flower.
How to Grow It:  Crocosmia grows best in full sun and moist but well-drained soil. Zones 6-9.

2. Dahlia
Dahlias are one of the most versatile bulbs for the summer garden. Dwarf types of this summer flower reach only a few inches tall; the monster "dinnerplate" varieties grow more than 6 feet (and feature flowers bigger than your head). Dahlia blooms come in nearly every color of the rainbow and a range of flower forms -- from daisy-like singles to more alienesque quilled types.
How to Grow Them: Dahlias appreciate a spot with full sun and moist but well-drained soil. Stake taller varieties to protect them from the wind. Dahlias are hardy in Zones 8-10; in colder climates, dig the tubers and store them a frost-free place for winter. Or treat them as an annual.

3.  Gladiolus
Gladiolus has rightfully earned its reputation as a top cut summer flower. The blooms (up to 40 of them) burst out of an upright spike and hold up as well in the vase as they do the garden. They run the gamut as far as flower color goes -- from bright, bold colors to soft pastels. And they come in different sizes; miniature gladioli stay under 3 feet tall, but larger varieties may exceed 6 feet.
How to Grow It: Gladiolus does best in a spot with full sun and moist but well-drained soil. Stake it to keep it standing straight and tall. Zones 8-10; in cooler climates, dig and store them a frost-free place over winter. (Or replant every year.)

4.  Oriental Lily
The lily tribe is a big one, but there's no overlooking the Oriental varieties of these summer flowers. The most dramatic lilies, they bear large, star-shape flowers in shades of white, yellow, crimson, and pink. These blooms are ideal for cutting. And many are perfumed with a spicy scent detectable from yards away. Dwarf varieties stay about 1 foot tall; traditional types can grow more than 6 feet.
How to Grow Them: Oriental lilies grow best in a spot with full sun and moist but well-drained soil. Stake them to keep them standing straight and tall. They're hardy in Zones 5-9.

 5.  Asiatic Lily
The easiest lilies to grow, the Asiatic varieties bloom in early to midsummer in a very wide range of colors on tough, hardy plants. Their star-shape summer flowers are great in the garden and last a long time in the vase (so grow a few extra to cut and bring indoors). Most types grow 2-3 feet tall.
How to Grow Them: Asiatic lilies grow best in a spot with full sun and moist but well-drained soil. They're hardy in Zones 3-8.

6.  Gloriosa Lily
Gloriosa lily is a perfect plant for growing in a container on a deck or patio. One of the few climbing bulbs, it produces exotic summer flowers in shades of red and yellow. The flowers are reminiscent of fireballs -- definitely garden showstoppers! They climb to about 6 feet tall and bloom in summer.
How to Grow It: Gloriosa lily grows best in full sun and moist but well-drained soil. Zone 10; in cooler areas, dig and store them in a frost-free place for winter.

9 Ever Blooming Flowers for Your Summer Garden

Who doesn't enjoy flowering plants? Their intoxicating scents, eye-popping colors, fancy shapes and textures are truly beautiful. Yet, with so many flowers for the garden and types of flower gardens that can be grown, where does one start. These unfussy, long-lived plants pump out beautiful foliage and flowers year after year. Plant in fall or spring when cooler temperatures help them get a healthy start.

Nicotiana is a genus of herbaceous plants and shrubs of the family Solanaceae, that is indigenous to the Americas, Australia, south west Africa and the South Pacific. Various Nicotiana species, commonly referred to as tobacco plants, are cultivated as ornamental garden plants.  Nicotianas were popular in early America and were planted by Thomas Jefferson. This tall variety produces flowers that open in the day; the colors range: pink, red, lavender, rose, and white. These are easy to grow and cause a splash of color.

Named after the ape-like rare creature that legend says inhabits the Himalayas, these white Yeti nasturtiums are rare indeed. Not just things of folklore, here is a creamy-white flowering variety that blooms on long trailing vines that have large leaves. In my garden they are a light yellow not white.
One of the most rewarding direct-sown flowers you can grow. Light, silky blooms float above rounded leaves on vining or bushy plants. Blooms and buds are edible too, a peppery or mustard-like addition. In the case of nasturtiums, it's convenient because you can plant them right where you want them to grow and never have to transplant. Just wait till the danger of frost has passed. To prevent accidental weeding, mark the planting site with a label. Because of the distinctive foliage, nasturtium seedlings are easy to spot. In zones 8 -10 they are self-sown and will come up every year.

Mallow Zebrina is a magnificent plant with spires of bi-colored flowers. Blooms all summer and fall for great color. (Malva sylvestris)An old Cottage-garden favorite, this cousin to the Hollyhock has similar satiny flowers in a soft lavender-purple shade, exotically striped with deep maroon veins. It forms an upright, bushy mound that may need to be staked if grown in rich soil. This is a short-lived perennial or biennial, often flowering itself to death in the first year, but coming back the next year from self-sown seedlings. Excellent in containers, or the sunny border. In cold regions this is well worth growing, because of the long blooming season. Flowers are attractive to butterflies. Also known as Striped Mallow.

(Formerly Chrysanthemum maximum) No sunny border would seem complete without the familiar presence of Shasta Daisies. This is a very tall selection that exhibits excellent tolerance to summer heat and humidity. Flowers are large single white daisies with a yellow eye, valued in the garden and excellent for cutting. Divide plants every 2 to 3 years to maintain vigor. Removing faded flowers regularly will greatly increase the blooming time. May require staking if grown in rich soil. Attractive to butterflies.

Nothing completes a country bouquet like great zinnias.Zinnias are annuals, shrubs, and sub-shrubs native primiarily to North America, with a few species in South America.  Most species have upright stems but some have a lax habit with spreading stems that mound over the surface of the ground. They typically range in height from 10 to 100 cm tall.^[8] leaves are opposite and usually stalkless (sessile), with a shape ranging from linear to ovate, and pale to middle green in color. The flowers have a range of appearances, from a single row of petals, to a dome shape, with the colors white, chartreuse, yellow, orange, red, purple, and lilac

A native to the eastern United States, purple coneflowers are found in many flower gardens. Planting purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) in the garden or flower bed draws bees and butterflies, ensuring that nearby plants have plenty of pollinators. The plant also provides a tall background or repeating rows of large (often 6 inches across) purple, daisy-like flowers. The sturdy stalks, which may reach 5 feet in height, rarely bend or require staking for an upright appearance.  Coneflower plants may actually display pink flowers, when the cultivar Echinacea purpurea �Pink Double Delight� is planted.  Purple coneflower plants grow best in poor or lean soil. Rich or heavily amended soil may result in lush foliage and poor flowering.

A reminder of things Victorian and a graceful accent in arrangements. Amaranthus caudatus is a species of annual flowering plant. It goes by common names such as love-lies-bleeding, pendant amaranth, tassel flower, velvet flower, foxtail amaranth.  Many parts of the plants, including the leaves and seeds, are edible, and are frequently used as a source of food in India and South America  where it is the most important Andean species of Amaranthus, known as kiwicha. The red color of the inflorescences is due to a high content of betacyanins, as in the related species known as "Hopi red dye" amaranth.

The growing and care of lantanas (Lantana camara) is easy. These verbena-like flowers have long since been admired for their extended bloom time. There are several varieties available that offer a multitude of colors. Depending on the region and type grown, lantana plants can be treated as annuals or perennials. Grow lantana flowers in the garden or in containers. Trailing varieties can even be grown in hanging baskets. Lantanas also make a great choice for those wishing to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden.

Gaillardia is more commonly known as blanket flower and produces daisy-like flowers all summer long. Blanket flower is a short lived perennial that tends to reseed prolifically. There are several schools of thought about preparing blanket flower for winter. Some gardeners feel pruning blanket flower plants back and mulching is the way to go. Others do not prune, but deadhead, and do not mulch. Let's discuss how to winterize blanket flower. Blanket flower starts readily from seed and will produce larger and larger patches of the flower over the seasons just from seed. The plant prefers excellent drainage and hot sunny locations in the garden. It will die back as temperatures drop in fall and that is when some blanket flower winter care comes into play.

10 Unusual Colored Roses for Your Garden

'A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.'  ~ from Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare
America's most popular flower is also one of the very oldest flowers in cultivation. There are over 2,000 different rose varieties to lure us with their history and fragrance. This is because the rose, like the orchid, cross-breeds readily a trait exploited first by nature, and then by horticulturalists. Today, we can choose from old-fashioned favorites, as well as modern varieties that are the result of intensive breeding programs throughout the world. The rose is a flower with a rich past, and an exciting future. The important thing is to select a rose that you find beautiful, and that suits your garden.
Through hybridization some very  exciting unusual colored roses have been created and made available to the public. Below I have listed the 10 most different colorations in my opinion.  Enjoy.
 
1.  IRISH CREME:  Hybrid Tea, Bred by Astor Perry (United States, 1999).
Introduced in United States by Certified Roses in 2000 as 'Irish Crime'.
Buff to light apricot.  Moderate, spice fragrance.  Average diameter 4".  Large, full (26-40 petals), borne mostly solitary bloom form.  Blooms in flushes throughout the season.  Medium, upright.  Medium, matte, medium green foliage.  Height of 5' (150 cm).  USDA zone 7b and warmer.  Can be used for cut flower or garden.  Disease susceptibility: susceptible to rust . 

   
2.  ENCHANTED EVENING: Hybrid Tea, Introduced for 2009 by Jackson and Perkins this 3-4 foot lavender floribunda is being touted as one of the best lavenders ever. With glossy green disease resistant foliage and a strong citrus aroma the large clusters of lavender blooms make this rose perfect for beds; rose or perennial, containers or as a hedge.


3.  MEMPHIS MUSIC:  Miniflora rose,  Wells 2006.  A striking dark red sport of Memphis Magic that has bright yellow flecks throughout each petal. The rose definitely exhibits as evidenced by several queens of show in 2012 and 2013. It also makes for the most beautiful English Box entry one could ever want. Unfortunately, this miniflora rose tends to be very unstable and it is not uncommon to find Memphis Magic and Top Contender on the same bush. We do not ship a plant until we see it bloom thus trying to insure that what you order is what you receive. This novelty rose will last forever on the bush with the petals turning brown if not timely cut but, seeing an open bloom is not likely. Disease resistance is exceptional with a regular spray program.


4. PURPLE TIGER:  Floribunda, This is an extremely novel beauty with  every petal a varying masterpiece of amazing purple, lavender and white stripes, streaks, flecks, dots and dashes. Plus there's a powerful perfume of citrus blossom and rose. She's a little fussy to grow as roses go. But each blossom will convince you to keep up the effort Comments: Best flower size and purple color in cooler conditions. Color: Striped and flecked purple and white.  Hybridizer: Christensen-1991 Parentage: Intrigue x Pinstripe


5. BLACK BACCARA:  Hybrid Tea,  Hybridizer: Meilland, 2000.   While bred for the florist trade, this one of a kind hybrid tea also has what it takes to flourish in outdoor gardens. The velvety texture of the petals and unique burgundy-black color of the blooms is an instant success in any cutting garden. The flowers last up to 2 weeks in a vase. Semi-glossy dark green foliage lines the long stems. Enjoy flushes of these beauties throughout the season. Grown own root. Flower Size: 3-4". Fragrance: None.


6.  Barbara Streisand Rose:  Hybrid Tea, Hybridizer Carruth, 2001. This impressive rose shares star qualities with the dynamic woman for whom it is named. The striking foliage and healthy habit of the bush command a dramatic stage presence, but it is the masses of deep lavender buds gradually opening into layers of lavender tones that will turn all eyes. She asked for fragrance and got it. Flower Size: 4-6". Fragrance: Strong rose.


7.  Variegata Di Bologna: Bourbon rose, Italy 1909  Variegata Di Bologna Large, cupped 5" flowers (petals 60+) of creamy white cleanly striped with purple crimson. One of the most striking of the striped roses providing a fantastic display and only a few later blooms. A strong upright repeat blooming bush that will benefit from training up a support (like a pillar rose) to make it a standout in the garden.


8.  Crested Moss: Moss Rose, Though technically a Centifolia, we list it here as a Moss. Fully double, very fragrant, cabbage-style 2" blooms of rich pink with heavy mossing on the buds. A strong, upright once blooming bush with light green foliage. Also known as Chapeau de Napoleon, as the mossing on the buds resemble Napoleons Hat. Fragrant.

 

9. BULLS EYE:  Shrub rose, bred by Peter James of the United Kingdom. A hybridizing breakthrough developed a reblooming Rose with an "eye". Petals marked with red at the base form an unusual, strikingly beautiful reddish violet center in each ivory semidouble blossom. This vigorous Shrub Rose has a sweet spice fragrance, is nearly thornless, and very resistant to black spot.The cranberry eye zone set at the base of each creamy white petal might remind you of 'Rose of Sharon' and it keeps that novel marking until the flower finishes. This bushy plant has superb black spot resistance. Better habit and bloom capacity in colder climates. One of the first ever repeat-blooming Hulthemia roses, Bull's Eye, , represents years of hybridizing in an effort to capture the novelty of Hulthemia persica blooms with the repeat-blooming characteristics of modern roses.

10. Paradise:  Hybrid Tea Rose, Hybridizer: Weeks, 1979. Nirvana is not far off when you encounter this rose. Breathe in its light fruity scent as you gaze at the enormous, unusual blooms, and it will be apparent why it's called Paradise. This continually-blooming, easy-to-grow, disease-resistant plant never ceases to amaze. Its clean, true lavender blooms open to reveal loads of petals tipped in magenta-pink. Flower size: 4". Fragrance: Moderate, fruity.

Summer Rose Care Tips

Summer is the time of year when short shorts rule, blue skies reign and outdoor activities dominate the weekend. Gardeners hale the season in by spending more time in the garden. But when it comes to roses, summer weather can create some stressful conditions for plants, including heat and water stress, foliar diseases and hungry insects.
Try these summer rose care tips to reduce summer stress for roses.
Q: Do the warm days and cool, damp nights pose any problem for roses?
A: But moisture on the leaves and the flowers under those conditions will encourage foliar diseases and flower problems.
None of us can stop the rain, but we can plant our roses where there is good sunlight and air movement. During the summer, avoid water on the foliage as much as possible and always keep the area around your roses free of plant debris. This will reduce the chances of any diseases being splashed onto the foliage.

Q: How often should roses be watered in summer?
A: Because we live in the rainy Pacific Northwest, many gardeners think that their roses don't need a lot of water. However, during the months of June through August, roses are often thirsty for water. Be sure to water your roses at the base during these months. Established roses need 2- to 2.5-inches of water once a week during the summer months.
Keep in mind that soil, temperature and surrounding plants do affect how much water a rose needs. In temperate climates, weekly watering is usually enough; two inches of water a week may be all that is needed. If the soil is sandy or the garden is hot, dry or windy, more frequent watering may be necessary.

Q: What's the best way to tell when roses need to be watered?
A: A great way to check if the roses need water is to scratch around the base of the plant and outside the "dripline" of the rose about 2 inches to 3 inches deep to see if the soil is dry. If it is dry, then water; if it's wet, wait a day or two to water again. The active feeder roots are not going to be near the crown of the rose, but rather out and away from the "dripline" of the rose.

Q: So then, what method do you recommend when watering roses?
A: The best way to water roses is to provide a nice slow soak so that the water goes deep into the soil profile. Roses can have feeder roots as deep as 12 inches and will need water to keep those roots alive and well. Watering deeply in that area all around the plant will help your rose healthy and beautiful. Do not sprinkle the foliage if at all possible. Wet foliage encourages leaf spots and disease problems. Watering from overhead can also damage the flower buds and reduce the beauty of your roses.

Q: It sounds like drip irrigation or soaker hoses are great way to water roses. What about sprinklers?
A: Many gardeners set their automatic sprinklers to water their roses heavily when the plant is young. However, they often forget to adjust their sprinklers when the plant is older and established. This causes wet or soggy feet for the roses. Established roses should be watered when they need water and generally not on a "sprinkler system schedule." This is problematic for the myriad of people who now set the timer and walk away.

Q: Summer weather and insect problems often go hand-in-hand. Any organic methods that you recommend to control pest insects on roses?
A: With many gardeners also growing their vegetables near their roses, we recommend using organic ingredients to tackle common Pacific Northwest insects that attack roses. There are many products on the market along with predatory insects that can be used to get rid of damaging insect pests. The first thing to understand is you have to determine at what threshold you are ready to get rid of the insects. Are you okay with a few aphids here and there or do you require your roses to be completely free of aphids? No matter how you want your roses to be, organically controlling the aphids will require patience and endurance.
Ladybugs are a great way to reduce aphids and there are several other predatory wasps that will also reduce the aphid population. The unfortunate side effect of investing in predatory insects is that they are not necessarily loyal to you as their owner. They may fly away and take care of your neighbor's yard just when you need them the most. A great way to seriously reduce the number of aphids attacking your plants is to use soapy water spray. Create a solution that is one part dish soap to nine parts water to take care of those critters. This solution will not cause damage to you, your animals or your plants.

Q: Should we deadhead spent flowers regularly? And what's the best way to deadhead?
A: Deadheading seems like an awful lot of work, but it is well worth it. Once the blooms have completely opened and the petals are just starting to fall or when you think the flower has pretty much finished being a good flower, it is time to remove them. In order to get another flush of flowers that are as big and wonderful as the first flush it is important to prune them off correctly.
The best rule of thumb is to go down the stem until you find the first leaf with five leaflets. Make your cut just above that leaf and a new shoot will soon appear with a rose bud on it. The more often you deadhead the prettier and tidier your roses will look.
There are some rose types that have self-cleaning flowers and it is not necessary to deadhead these. If you want to enjoy the varied colors, sizes and shapes of rose hips throughout the winter months, do not deadhead the last flush of flowers and they will produce an abundance of rose hips for you to enjoy and will be food for the birds.

How to Design a Cottage Garden

Is there anything more picturesque than an English cottage  garden? The flora typically found in these gardens are soft, romantic and bursting with life. These gardens encourage images and thoughts of charm and whimsy, making them a perfect retreat from our hectic everyday lives. The Cottage Garden style is free form, but there are certain consistent elements in every cottage garden. Take a long look at your yard, and then draw a sketch of the perimeters and put your thoughts on paper first. It is a lot easier to use an eraser than re-digging with a shovel. Try to incorporate some soft flowing curves so when you are walking each little turn should bring a surprise. Plan your Cottage Garden to meander with curves. A curving walkway delivers more photographic interest than a straight path and accentuates the garden around it. Construct curves around points of interest like a scented tree or bush, Boulder, and a lush floral container planter.

 

A Garden Cottage is whimsical and naturalistic, and it speaks to you, Come, stroll, stay awhile.

A good cottage garden design will incorporate many elements, including a butterfly garden, a small water feature, curved  paths, quiet sitting areas, seasonal plants and a herb garden. Cottage Gardens tend to clutter plants and they have a burst of color from traditional cottage garden plants, hollyhocks, foxglove, four oclock, delphiniums, daisies, coneflowers, Echinaceas and last but certainly not least is the lovely roses.

The first steps in planning your  cottage gardens is to make a list of the elements and ideas  you want in your cottage garden then draw your cottage garden on paper (it is easier to erase than transplant)

  

 Make a list of trees, plants and seasonal plants to buy. Plant the trees first as they take longer to mature and will give immediate interest and form to your Cottage Garden. 

If you have the room and can afford it, include a small Garden shed in your Cottage Garden. This one element will give you more joy and satisfaction than all the other elements put together. I do not have a large yard, as most yards in planned communities are rather small, but I found a spot in the corner for an 8x10 Garden shed that I call my she shed.

Plant rhizomes, bulbs and perennials next as they will take a year to grow and become lush and bloom.

 

Hanging baskets are always a nice touch as they bring your eyes up and they overflow and give color to the garden walkway. I order the fuchsias in the baskets from The Earthworks Fuchsia Nursery in Northern California. The catalog list hundreds and hundreds of varieties.

  

Plant a pot with a Specimen Plant maybe a tree rose.

       

   Add lots of containers, this will fill in the voids as you    wait for the Cottage garden to mature and also allows you  plant interesting hard to grow perennials or annuals that  may have to be nurtured to obtain peak performance.  Citrus trees such as my lemon tree on the left,  and a pot of  squash adds distinct blooms and bears fruit for the table.    The Martha Washington geranium I ordered from  Geraniaceae Nursery www.geraniaceae.com in California.  They offer a tremendous catalog of different types and  varieties of geraniums, not you typical big box store plants.

The reflective garden is an essential element, as it gives you a place to sit and  meditate or reflect on your inner most thoughts, a quiet place with only a trickle of water from the small water feature.  This area is often an a hidden private spot just for you. 

A spot where you have a good view of the rest of your garden

A place to sit and a place to dine outdoors.

 

Last but not least in importance, is making your cottage garden interesting to look at. Have many different plants, textures, heights, shapes, yard art, color combinations, scents, varieties and features, make your garden a pleasure not only for you to sit or stroll through but also for your guest to be delighted in visiting.

All pictures in the article are taken by Judy Kopittke (the author). This is my personal Cottage garden. If you copy any of the pictures please give credit or ask for permission.Thanks