The Powertool Shed

Often people get confused regarding the type of garden furniture to buy. And many get disheartened when they get to know about the exorbitant prices at which garden furniture is sold by the garden furniture stores. However, it is possible to get quality garden furniture at discounted prices.

First method is to approach the stock clearance section that is present in almost every major garden furniture store. In this section, outdated designs and slightly damaged furniture are sold at discounted prices. While buying damaged furniture, one should always make sure that the damage is just a scratch, a dent or a small hole that can be easily filled. These stores also provide discounts and rebates on certain brands so as to promote their market value. Apart from these, some manufacturers have their own specialized outlets in certain selected cities. Price of furniture at these outlets is generally outlets in comparison with retailers and distributors. Also, certain manufacturers also arrange for year end sales at discounted prices in order to sell of the stock that is out of fashion. Since fashion styles change every year, one can obtain a variety, which was once a top seller, at almost 50% of the price during these sales. Another good thought is to opt for online shopping sites that sell quality garden furniture. Since these online stores need not spend any extra penny on infrastructure development, they usually sell items at a very less price.

Sometimes you just get tired of using the same old recipe that tastes the same time after time. But we are all so busy we are looking for easy ways to spice up are repertoire. One way that many cooks forget is to use blends of herbs to add subtle flavor distinctions. The French have been doing this forever.

The French never use just one herb in there dishes but rather a blend of herbs that they call a “bouquets garni”. Don’t be put off by that fancy name, it simply means a bouquet of herbs. The blend of herbs adds subtle but distinct flavors to every dish you prepare. The trick is to get the right blend for so no one herb dominates the dish. You want the flavors to be delicate.

With just a few herb bouquets you can change the taste of a recipe instantly. Now, old recipes have added spark and will get you plenty of “This is Greats”. Your aim here is to create a complex flavor that is balanced making each guest want to instantly take another bite. Of course there is different garni for each recipe. You want to achieve the right herbs and spices that compliment each other. You want to use the right relationship between quantities of each herb you are using.

For meat based casseroles, stews, stocks and soup, the old tried and true garni of parsley, thyme and bay leaf still apply. But go one step further and add a twist of citrus (lime, lemon, or orange) for a little zip. The formula for this garni is 3 sprigs of parsley, 1 sprig of thyme and 1 bay leaf. Get a piece of cooking string and tie the bundle together. Viola, just add the bundle to your dish and remove it before serving. Please use fresh herbs, they’re so much better. If you have to use dried, sprinkle the herbs into a patch of cheesecloth and tie the cloth together with the string. .Fine Herbes and Herbes de Provence are to other bouquets that the French use in their cooking.

You can buy these at the grocery store or a gourmet shop but why not make your own. Finely chop fresh oregano, thyme, marjoram, savory, and marjoram for Herbes de Provence. Add one tablespoon of each to your dish. This combination can also be used in salads, meat dishes and vegetables.

The English version of Herbes de Provence is sage, rosemary, marjoram, Italian parsley chives, tarragon and thyme. Mix them all together and use on lamb, pork or in stuffing.

For Fine Herbes, mix together chopped parsley, tarragon, chives and chervil. Experiment with the quantities. Be adventurous! Keep careful notes when you are experimenting so that you can duplicate the successes and toss the disasters. Remember that creating beautiful tasty dishes is a more of a craft that an art.

You will need to identify the flavor and strength of each herb so that you can group them into either mild or robust. Examples of mild herbs are basil, bay leaf, chervil dill, and marjoram. These herbs combine well with most other herbs and their flavors become milder during the cooking process. With mild herbs you can use larger amounts and with more variation. They can also be used in salads and other dishes where the leaves are not cooked or briefly cooked.

Your robust herbs stand up to cooking. Often, they are used for braised or roasted meat or domestic fowl, soups, stews and even grilled foods. You will have work on the recipe since sometime the herbs alter subtly during the cooking process. They will either become more muted or in some cases intensify. They can always be combined with the mild herbs. Robust herbs include sorrel, rosemary, garlic, oregano, sage, tarragon and thyme.

Another cool easy to use fresh herbs is to flavor oil or vinegar with a blend of either mild or robust herbs. You will need pretty glass jars (preferable dark) and a tight seal. Simply put your combination of herbs in the jar, add the oil or vinegar, seal and let it sit for several weeks. Oils should be stored in the refrigerator. The herbs will add a subtle flavor to the liquid and will be delicious in a variety of ways.

You can make really healthy tinctures with fresh herbs. But I would urge you to master the cooking with herbs before you branch out to other areas. By know exactly how each herb flavors each dish you will instinctually know what to use in tinctures.

Again be adventurous, mix and match, keep trying new things and keep notes so your successes can be repeated. After you have mastered cooking with herbs, who knows? Maybe you will start an herb garden so you will always have fresh delicious herbs on hand.

Here’s to Good Cooking!

Copyright © 2006 Mary Hanna All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

About the Author
Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. This allows her to grow gardens inside and outside year round. She has published other articles on Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com, www.ContainerGardeningSecrets.com, and www.GardeningHerb.com or contact her at mary@webmarketingreviews.com

Chinese oak is a very dense, and fine-grained hardwood, with a heart that is a lighter shade of brown, lending those sections a pinkish tone that is reminiscent of Western Red Cedar. Tannic acid is a natural substance in the Chinese Oak, which acts as a deterrent to fungus and insects, in the same manner as resinous oil does for teak, and tannin in cedar, as well. It looks very much like a quality teak wood, and is considered to be slightly harder than the Red Oak. Oak is a traditional choice for outdoor furniture, and is generally considered a good value.



Cedar is a material that many people prefer for both its rustic and “down home” appeal. A softwood, cedar has the same tannic oils as Chinese oak, which prevents attack by mildew when the wood is consistently wet, deep down. A very durable wood, it’s estimated to have 80% of the strength of oak, but is a much lighter material, important when it comes to moving chairs or seats for mowing the lawn. Natural Red Cedar is extremely popular, so much so, that it is often reproduced out of other materials, so check and make sure your furniture is real red cedar, and not a look alike. Northern White Cedar is also popular, and provides a lighter, brighter look to your patio sets and swings or loungers. If you acquire plain wood garden furniture and want to finish it, try a single coat of a semi-transparent stain that has sun-screening properties. Otherwise, it can be left to age to a natural silver-gray.



Teak is an extremely durable, tight-grained hardwood, that is not only strong, but extremely attractive, and comes in a range of natural shades. The rubber and natural oil content provide extra protection against fungus that can set in when the wood is wet for prolonged periods. It’s so impervious to the weather, that some people leave their garden furniture outside, year-round without covers. Natural teak that is relatively “new”, has a sheen from the oils released in the cutting of the wood. This disappears after a few days outdoors, and unfinished teak that is left to age, will turn a lovely, silvery-gray color. At that point, it may look as if it needs paint, but paint is not likely to adhere properly, due to the natural oil content of the wood.



Mahogany is more a choice for indoor than garden furniture, but it certainly adds a touch of class to the patio. Known for its strength and weather-resistance, this hardwood produced in the tropics is naturally resistant to rot, insects and fungus. The natural color ranges from a rich, deep brown, all the way up through deep, dark reds and even sometimes to a purplish tinge. There is minimal shrinkage with weathering, and if you choose to put some maintenance work into it, instead of leaving it to weather on its own, try regular applications of a water-repellant.

About the Author

Johann Erickson is a contributing writer for sites such as Helpful Home Ideas. Please include an active link to our site if you’d like to reprint this article.

Arbor swings - Taking up anywhere from 20 to 30 square feet when
assembled, an arbor swing provides a handsome focal point and a
way to enjoy the idle moments of the seasons, swinging outdoors.
Arbors with swing parts are generally sold in pieces or panels
that require simple assembly. When you shop online, take a look
at the various materials available. You will find when comparing
different swinging options that materials, size and
craftsmanship play a factor in price.

Deciding which arbor to buy

A backyard arbor is one thing, and a garden arbor with a swing
is another. A scouring of the internet for swing arbors will
lead to specialty merchants selling outdoor wood furnishings and
accessories, and, in many cases handcrafting the arbors and
swings themselves. This of course, can benefit the consumer by
selling perhaps, higher quality arbors swings (though not
necessarily so) made from top of the line weather resistant and
fungal resistant woods such as western red cedar and teak.

While other woods especially hardwoods like cypress make good
choices for outdoor swing arbor sets, so too does pressure
treated pine, which is the material used in the popular Uwharrie
chair Keep America Beautiful series.

Another thing to compare are components, make sure the hardware
is high quality and resistant to corrosion.

Most swings can accommodate two adults comfortably, but if you
have several young kids around you may find them swinging away,
making it difficult for you to sit yourself down.

If ordering online, swing arbor sets are generally shipped by
freight. For more information about arbor designs, please visit
http://www.everything-patio-furniture.com/garden-arbors.htm