3 Healthy, Easy Spring Recipes For Your Backyard Event!

April 5, 2012 · 0 comments

Easy Spring Recipes

Easy Spring Recipes

Spring is the season of year when everyone flocks outdoors to enjoy the sunshine and warmer temperatures, making it the perfect time to learn some easy spring recipes for a fun backyard event! Whether you’re hosting a Mother’s Day get-together, graduation celebration, birthday party, or bridal shower, no event is complete without some tasty springtime food. Here’s a look at 3 easy spring recipes everyone can enjoy under the cooling silhouette of your patio shade structure.

Fresh Spring Salad

For something fresh and light, serve this easy spring recipe at your next get-together.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup fresh peas
  • 1 bunch arugula leaves
  • fresh mint, sliced into slivers
  • shaved Parmesan
  • raw almonds, chopped
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Directions:

Blanch the peas in boiling water for 10 seconds and rinse with cold water. In a serving bowl, toss the greens with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with cheese and almonds.

Amazing Asparagus Casserole

This easy spring recipe is simple to prepare and always a big hit at springtime celebrations!

Ingredients:

  • 1 tsp salt
  • ⅛ tsp pepper
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 pkgs. frozen asparagus pieces, defrosted
  • 1 small jar diced pimientos
  • 8-oz processed cheese product, cubed
  • 1 ½ cups saltine crackers, crushed
  • 1 cup butter, cubed

Directions:

Mix salt, pepper, and eggs in a bowl.  Add defrosted asparagus pieces, pimientos, and processed cheese product. Transfer to a greased 2-quart casserole dish and cover with crushed cracker crumbs. Top with pieces of butter and place in 350-degree oven. Cook uncovered for 1 hour. Casserole will resemble a quiche, and the cracker crumbs and butter will be toasted.

Tip:

Use a casserole with deeper sides than a square pan since the filling does tend to bubble up.

Shrimp Parmesan

A light pasta is the perfect complement to any outdoor event!

Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup margarine, melted
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup bread crumbs
  • ⅓ cup green onions, chopped
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 1 large clove garlic, chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 lb cooked shrimp
  • ¼ cup parsley

Directions:

Combine the first 7 ingredients. Place shrimp in 1-quart casserole dish and top with the mixture. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 20-25 minutes, or until hot. Top with parsley.

Serve these easy spring recipes at your next outdoor get-together for light dining that’s healthy and simple to prepare!  Your backyard event will be even more fun with a patio shade structure to delight under.  For more information about installing one in your yard, please visit Alumawood today.

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When To Fertilize The Lawn

March 29, 2012 · 0 comments

When To Fertilize Lawn

When To Fertilize Lawn

A patio shade structure is an excellent accompaniment to a green lawn, but a concern for homeowners wanting the greenest grass possible is when to fertilize the lawn. There isn’t one single answer since there are three factors to consider: the type of grass, climate, and the fertilizer you want to use. With these factors taken into account, you will know when to fertilize the lawn for best results.

Grass Type

Cool-season grass dies in the winter due to cold temperatures. This type of grass should be fertilized in early spring and again in early fall; it’s best to use more fertilizer in the fall and less in the spring when you live in a cool climate.

Warm-season grass grows in southern climates and can support green grass all year round. In fact, warm-season grass flourishes better in mild winters than in scorching summers. Recommendations of when to fertilize the lawn is opposite for warm-climate residents; while you should still plan to fertilize the lawn in the spring and fall, you should use the most fertilizer in the spring.

Climate

North America is divided into different climate zones; along the southern United States—from southern California straight across to South Carolina—warm-season grasses are recommended.

The mid-central to mid-southeastern US, along with mid-central Canada, can grow both warm and cool-season grass. This is possible due to transitional weather patterns between humid summers to mild or cold winters.

In the northeast, mid-west, and western United States, along with the rest of Canada, cool-season grass thrives. By understanding your climate and when to fertilize the lawn (based on grass types), you should have a solid idea of whether to use more fertilizer in the spring or the fall.

Fertilizer

The greenest lawns are fertilized four or five times per year, but the ability to have a vibrant lawn depends on the  type of fertilizer you use.

For example, you want to avoid applying nitrogen fertilizers to your lawn when it’s still dormant. Otherwise, you simply encourage the growth of weeds and waste fertilizer. You also want to make sure time-released fertilizers are used up to keep from burning your lawn. Read the label to see if the fertilizer’s effects last only two months or up to eight months. Finally, don’t fertilize during periods of drought as fertilizer needs plenty of water to prevent burning.

Now that you know when to fertilize the lawn, your grass will be greener than ever – you can enjoy your yard even more with a patio shade structure! For more information about installing one in your yard, please visit Alumawood today.

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Perfect Patio Party Ideas for Springtime

March 22, 2012 · 0 comments

Patio Party Ideas

Patio Party Ideas

Any kind of celebration will bring you together with friends and family this spring, so you need stress-free patio party ideas to set the event off without a hitch. From baby/ bridal showers to birthdays and graduations, spring is the popular season for patio parties! Here are some ideas for hosting a patio party your friends and family will adore:

Install a patio shade structure. Your guests will be more comfortable if they can rest in the shade. Small patches of shade provided by trees in the backyard may not be enough, especially as time flies by and shadows move. With a patio shade structure, the entire patio is shaded and every guest can escape the hot sun.

Keep the decorations simple. When thinking of patio party ideas, consider food as the most prominent decoration – then you can affordably garnish the table with flowers or balloons. If the event calls for a cake, make this the centerpiece and plan all other decorations around it.

Provide self-serve cocktails. No patio party is complete without drinks, but that doesn’t mean you need to stock a full bar. This is a patio party idea saving you both time and money while pleasing every guest. Be sure to offer a non-alcoholic option along with the cocktail.

Send home party favors.  When discussing patio party ideas, many people allow guests to savor the memories by taking a treat home with them. Pack up a gift box with French macaroons or another party favorite for your guests to enjoy later.

With all of these patio party ideas in mind, you’re ready to plan a springtime get-together without undue stress. An Alumawood patio shade structure provides the perfect shade to complement your springtime party! For more information, please visit Alumawood today.

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Why You Need Patio Shade Covers!

March 15, 2012 · 0 comments

Patio Shade Covers

Patio Shade Covers

If you love spending time outside, you could enjoy your own backyard even more with the addition of patio shade covers!  There are dozens of designs/materials with different aesthetics and sun-blocking abilities to meet your exact wishes.  Here are four reasons why you need a patio shade structure, whether your backyard is a personal retreat or a place to entertain.

Patio shade covers increase the value of your home.  Homeowners see the shaded patio area as additional, functional real estate and recognize the value of a beautiful, well-designed outdoor living space.

Patio shade covers extend the functional space of your home. By adding shade to the patio or deck, you can enjoy a sheltered area in your backyard all year round. Imagine hosting a barbecue with your family and friends, or envision being immersed in a good book on an outdoor lounge chair. You can enjoy these activities even more when you delight in the coziness of a shaded outdoor living area.

Patio shade covers allow you to enjoy being outdoors in any season. There are a variety of options for different situations and different climates. Adjustable louvered roofs and insulated panel roofs can provide complete protection from the elements, while lattice covers provide partial shade for just the right amount of light and sun exposure.

Patio shade covers protect permanent outdoor fixtures. You can have a patio shade structure installed over a swimming pool (or your outdoor kitchen) to protect from the elements. When you’re using these fixtures, you are also protected from harmful UV rays that damage your skin.

The addition of a patio shade structure doesn’t need to be costly or complicated, and the resulting benefits are well worth the planning required to have one installed. For more information, please visit Alumawood today.

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Patio Landscaping Ideas for Outdoor Enjoyment

March 8, 2012 · 0 comments

Patio Landscaping Ideas

Patio Landscaping Ideas

With proper patio landscaping ideas, you can transform a boring deck into an enjoyable extension of your beautiful home. Use the ideas listed below as an inspiration for your own personal backyard getaway!

Add a patio shade structure. Besides rain, nothing will send you back inside like the sun’s hot glare. Instead of waiting for a nearby tree to grow large enough to provide shade, install a stylish patio shade structure. Various roof options allow for partial to complete coverage for your patio.

Install a fireplace or fire pit. This patio landscaping idea provides a focal point for patio furniture to be placed around. The flickering flames of an outdoor fireplace or fire pit add a homey feel and allow outdoor enjoyment to extend later into the evening thanks to the added warmth. Fire pits even make marshmallow toasting or hotdog roasting possible in the backyard!

Plant greenery around the patio’s border. This softens the transition between the concrete, wood, or stone patio and the rest of the yard. If the patio backs up against your neighbor’s property, a great patio landscaping idea is to plant tall, dense shrubs for privacy.

Plant plenty of flowers. There’s nothing like a bright bed of blooming blossoms to boost your spirits. Select a variety of colors, sizes, and densities for visual interest and a heavenly aroma.

Offer plenty of seating. Outdoor fabrics allow you to make the patio more comfortable with cushions and pillows. When thinking about patio landscaping ideas, consider that built-in furniture has a strong, formal feel while simple chairs and tables are ideal for repositioning furniture depending on the activity or event taking place. A combination of built-in and movable furniture tends to be the most functional and visually appealing.

There are countless ways to design your patio, and an Alumawood patio shade structure is one of the few great patio landscaping ideas to help you enjoy your backyard more than ever! To see some designs and material options, feel free to visit Alumawood today.

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How To Make Your Yard a Pet-Friendly Backyard

February 20, 2012 · 0 comments

Pet-Friendly Backyard

Pet-Friendly Backyard

There are several things to consider when planning a pet-friendly backyard landscape. It is important to identify and avoid poisonous plant species and pesticides. It is also very important to provide plenty of shade for your pet as protection from the hot sun’s rays and inclement weather. Adding a patio shade structure to your landscape plan will keep your pet cool and safe from all the elements.

Some common plants are poisonous to animals. Toxic vines include Morning Glory and English Ivy; toxic plants include Foxglove, Lantana, Hosta, Elephant Ears, Daffodils, Mums, Lenten Roses, and Castor Beans.  There are also several shrubs to avoid, such as Rose of Sharon, Yew, Holly, and Mountain Laurel.  Most trees do not pose a threat to your pet, with the exception of apple trees!  The leaves of the apple tree and its seeds can make your pet very sick.

Many pet owners are plagued with unsightly urine stains in the grass. There are a few ways to avoid or decrease this problem: Using stone and masonry instead of grass alleviates the stain issue, and also prevents your pet from digging up the lawn. Bermuda grass and Kentucky Bluegrass are more durable than other varieties and serve as a better option for homeowners with pets. Clover lawns reduce the required amount of mowing and don’t show urine stains as clearly as regular grass. It is also important to protect your flower beds and tree trunks with some form of fencing.

Pet owners also contend with the worn-out areas along the yard’s perimeter caused by the animal’s instinct to pace around and protect its kingdom. You can install a stone walkway over these areas, which would beautify your lawn and give your pet a track to exercise on!

It is possible to have a yard that is both people-pleasing and pet-friendly. Alumawood can help you plan a pet-friendly backyard landscape!

Alumawood is a family of patio cover systems that have been designed with every detail in mind. Our products provide consumers with an aesthetically pleasing, functional and long-lasting product available a variety of styles and colors. For years, our name has stood for value and innovation in the patio coverings industry. Did you know you can become a dealer of Alumawood products? Find out more here. Stay up-to-date by finding us on Facebook and Twitter. Also, subscribe to our YouTube channel and keep up with our blog for the latest updates.

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