ontheteam - How is the 4 foot hoop spacing working? And about how far do you push them into the ground? I was thinking either 4 or 5 foot spacing, with a piece of conduit running across the top. And I thought I should push them in about a foot. I'm also wondering if it would be easier to ventilate 2 or 3 shorter tunnels, instead of 1 longer tunnel. I'm thinking I might not have to worry about rolling up the sides if they're short enough. Maybe slugs won't be a problem, since it won't rain inside the tunnels. I have a lot of slugs, so I'm considering lining the bottoms with row cover material. That might at least slow them down, if they become a problem. So I now have 3 long tunnels... we used an iron bar driven in to the ground to make the holes to put the rebar in. At this point I do not "vent" per say but have the tunnies coverd on the north side w/ the original tuff lite bad the south face is the agribond. I use big spring loaded clips at the top of the arch where the materials meet and then use them every few feet on the bottom to keep critters ot. I usually have slugs galore.. but so far so good.. I did use LANDscape fabric on the ground. one lg roll from Costco was just wide enough to cover the whole floor in width and in the 3 40 foot long tunnels. I started tom seedlings right in the tunnels in late March They are now a respectable 4-6 inches tall . Here is a link that might be useful: links to p ics...

Years ago I sprayed faded hunter green resin chairs and a loveseat with Fusion paint. The cost was hard to swallow as it required many, many cans. Did they come out okay, yes. But certainly weren't as new looking as I had hoped. What I have had great results with however is exterior house paint. I have many white resin chairs that are now 22 years old. I clean them well and paint with a brush or foam roller. The exterior house paint repels weather and stains and in the case of the white chairs the gloss white paint I use stays shiny for years. Recently a neighbor stacked up several very badly stained and weather beat resin chairs and a round resin table on the curb destined for the landfill. I hauled them home, rolled and brushed on some Zinser 1,2,3 primer and painted the collection with a smoky olive exterior semi-gloss paint left over from another project. The chairs and table look fabulous and will weather for years before another coat of paint will be necessary. This weekend I am painting several more resin pieces for a friend in Sunflower Yellow, again exterior paint. Try it! I think you'll be pleased. At least 2 coats maybe three may be necessary but it is a great way to extend the life of the chairs, use up leftover paint and save space at the landfill.

Hi no-green-thumb!~You really do have a lot of hidden potential. It has been a long winter; I am in IL, so I know how different winter and spring can look! Still waiting for plants to "pop" here, although a little green is finally peeking through. I did a paver installation in my landscape construction class. They need a gravel base, and proper grading. Their installation makes them more impervious to water than flagstone, which will heave slightly, so IMO flagstone is not the best choice for a patio right next to the house. They tend to be somewhat expensive. BUT the cost of installation of your existing patio included the flagstone itself, which you still have and can re-use, so don't despair! We have a flagstone patio in the far corner of my backyard, and I think that could look lovely with your forest backdrop. It is really not expensive to do, just labor intensive. Many nurseries have staff that might be able to do the job or recommend someone, so if DIY is not an option, you should get several bids before proceeding. Or, this is what I would do if it was MY yard... I think it would be best if you had a deck installed; one without steps, just a walkout that extended from the corner all the way to the purple fence to the left of your ac unit. Replace that panel with six foot cedar fence panels, to hide the AC from view. To add interest, stagger the fence heights. The deck would have an octagonal cut-out for the tree, and low wide steps to the flagstone path connecting it to the cement patio. The flagstone path would be wider at the steps and narrower towards the patio, but it would be at least three feet wide, four feet would be better. I wouldn't touch the stone edged bed of hostas and ferns, except to maybe trench the edge slightly, so that the stones "sink" and are no longer a problem when you mow. I really dig (no pun intended) the natural stone and flagstone combination. However, the wooden deck and cement patio are both more practical surfaces for grilling and eating, more sure-footed. I agree that the cement patio is one logical place for your existing grill. Since that was also expensive to install, why not re-use it? Have you seen these type of gazebos, they're a great way to define the eating area from the lounging/bar area closer to the house? They are designed to be taken down and stored in the winter. Here is a link that might be useful: Gazebos

Sonicmom - The chairs feel like they did before they were painted. If you want smooth, start with a smooth chair (sanded if necessary) and apply maybe three thin coats of paint. If you want to decoupage, there will be raised areas and how raised depends on the thickness of your cutouts. If they're wallpaper they will be a little thicker but if they're tissue paper or napkins they will be thinner. CEFreeman, I have three terracotta pots I fill in the summer and keep in the garage in the winter. I did latex and spar varnish inside and out and they've lasted for years. The decorations on them I used acrylic craft paints. These were something I just threw together fast just to get some color on my porch steps. I'm thinking these would be a great Girl Scouts project for Mother's Day! The checks were done with a flat brush and the dots were done with a q-tip. I quit using the saucers because when it rained or I sprinkled they held water and were drowning the plants. Then I have two matching ones I painted the same and I think I did not coat the insides all the way -- trying to remember. They stay out all the time. They got wet and then froze, then thawed, then started to disintegrate. :( I need to replace them now but they each have plants in them and they're not small pots. The other mistake I made was hand painting a small detailed design on them. You can't see it from the street. Duh me. Anyone know what I should replace them with? I'm thinking plastic is what will endure the weather. Does this cracking up happen to all terracotta pots? I love that your creativity is going. Be sure to post pictures! Grlwprls - My neighbor lost her bird bath in the same winter I lost my pots. I'll tell her about your dad's secret, thanks! Thanks about the chairs, too.