Autumn Inspiration: Imaginative Spruce-Ups for Your Yard

With temperatures soaring into the triple digits, nothing is more likely to trigger a mile-long smile than a break from the heat. As the final days of summer flicker away, the promise of cool, crisp fall air awaits. With autumn on the horizon, emerge from the AC and enjoy the outdoors with these inspirational spruce-ups for your yard.

Parisian Panache

Create an outdoor dining setting that mimics the romantic, whimsical scene of Van Gogh's painting Café Terrace at Night. Transform your patio into a Parisian-style café by infusing the area with warm colors, sweet aromas and soft lighting. When choosing hues, think crème brulee and raspberry tarts. A rich golden-beige rug will soften the look of hard concrete and splashes of jewel-toned accents add just the right amount of color. Create a cozy ambience by enclosing seating areas with a decorative wall or trellis. Also, consider hanging a gradient-lighting chandelier in place of stark overhead lighting to cast a gentle glow. Complete the setting by dispersing potted plants and flower bouquets throughout the patio to give the air a sweet, natural scent and achieve a jardin-de-Paris look.

Secret Garden

From elaborate ponds to simple container fountains, water works its magic on any garden by providing delightful sound and an atmosphere of tranquility. With a picturesque cascade from an unseen water source, a disappearing fountain presents a unique way to incorporate water into the landscape. These water features are easy to create, require little maintenance and add pizzazz to any yard. Begin by choosing a showpiece object such as a planter or decorative pot to transform into a fountain. Next, select the perfect nook in a garden or flowerbed to nestle the flowing oasis. To make the hidden reservoir of the fountain, you will need just a few materials: a Beckett 35-gallon preformed liner, a fountain pump, a metal grate and decorative rocks - all available at home improvement retailers. It is now as simple as digging a hole, placing the liner in the hole and assembling the pump. Finish by positioning the metal grate over the top of the liner and covering with decorative stone. For more information about making your own disappearing fountain, visit www.888beckett.com.

Practical, Pretty Pathways

Pathways not only make a yard more navigable, they also add purpose, style and order to the landscape. When incorporating pathways into your yard, develop a strategy that will indicate to visitors how to move about the area. Encourage leisurely strolling by placing narrow pathways around flower gardens, allowing visitors to take note of the surrounding scenery. Place wider paths near entryways and seating areas to make these spaces more inviting. When designing pathways, think beyond functionality. While traditional flagstones and brick are the most common elements used, material such as Spanish-style terra cotta, modern slate and Italian glass tiles allow pathways to double as artistic focal points.

On the Border

Because a fence is the canvas for the entire yard, adding color to a neutral fence really makes the landscape pop. Using a premium-grade exterior paint, such as This Old House paint, you can transform the look of your yard in just a day. Furthermore, exterior paint acts as a protective barrier that restores the life of outdoor wood and shields against nature's elements. For more exterior painting tools and tips, visit www.thisoldhousepaint.com.

From the patio to the fence and everywhere between, enjoy autumn weather outdoors - and in style.

Experts offer tips for finding attractive, functional home lighting

With thousands of different types of lighting fixtures on the market, shopping for new lighting can feel like a daunting process. To narrow and refine your lighting search, Kevin Herdt, CLC, with Austin Bluffs Lighting in Colorado Springs, Colo., suggests you articulate your style of décor "so you can focus on something that will complement your interior design."

It is also helpful, he says, to have in hand samples of wood used in cabinetry and flooring, as well as fabrics and colors. That helps the professionals steer you in the right direction.

When visiting a lighting showroom, in addition to having a handle on what style you like, says Kim Green, product manager with Ferguson Enterprises of Newport News, Va., "you need to ask yourself, 'what is it that I am doing in these rooms?'" For example, will the lighting be used for tasks, or will it be mostly ambient or decorative? The answers to those questions will ultimately help refine the type of lamp needed.

Functional or task lighting, continues Green, is essential in places like kitchens, master bathrooms, entry ways and laundry rooms. Food preparation is one of the activities that demands ample lighting.

"This is more specific than just lighting a kitchen," says Joe Rey-Barreau, the American Lighting Association's consulting director of education and a professor of interior design at the University of Kentucky's College of Design.

Usually, food preparation takes place on the kitchen counter or on an island or peninsula. Many houses - even upscale new ones - lack appropriate under-cabinet lighting, and fortunately, it is one of the easiest light sources to add. "Under-cabinet lighting is a good source of lighting because it reduces shadows significantly and it gives you the light exactly where you need it," says Rey-Barreau.

Islands or peninsulas are typically lit with recessed lighting, although in the past few years pendant lights have become popular as they blend decoration with function. Rey-Barreau is quick to add that not all decorative lights can double as task lights.

Grooming is another activity that requires high light levels. Many older homes only have two levels of light in the bathroom - on and off - making them prime candidates for layering. According to Rey-Barreau, unlike the Hollywood strip lighting of old, bathroom lights have been completely updated in the last four to five years.

"Manufacturers have come out with hundreds of designs for bathroom fixtures. Most of the good vanity lights now have higher wattage and the light bulbs are shielded by shades so you don't have a glare problem," says Rey-Barreau. "And, all bathroom lighting should be put on a dimmer.

"The high level of light required for grooming is usually not required for other activities in the bathroom, so I strongly recommend that people use dimmers," says Rey-Barreau. "Most people don't think about doing it, but once they do it's amazing how much they use that dimmer. Dimmers basically take one light fixture that gives you one quantity of light and turns it into a light fixture that can give you almost infinite lighting."

When selecting lighting, really think about what you will be doing in a room. For example, the lighting needs of a family room where the only function is watching television are different from one where people may be reading or doing homework.

Bedrooms generally use softer light levels. One source of ambient light in a bedroom is usually sufficient, accented with table and floor lamps.

According to Herdt, recessed can lighting is still the most popular light source in terms of the sheer number of pieces sold, and is usually installed during new construction or remodeling. Track lighting can achieve the same effect as recessed cans without ripping up the ceiling.

To some, track lighting still conjures up images of the '70s, shag carpeting and disco balls, but, Herdt says, "Track lighting has come a long way. There are some very stylish-looking heads out there now."

One hot new trend is monorail, a variation of track lighting that offers the ability to curve the track into different shapes and which is available in both low voltage and line voltage.

Rick Wiedemer, CLC, president of Hinkley Lighting in Cleveland, Ohio, which mostly manufactures decorative lighting fixtures, says that knowing a room's measurements, including ceiling height, is crucial to make sure lighting is properly scaled to a space. To Wiedemer, there is nothing worse than an undersized chandelier hanging forlornly over a dining table. Blueprints or a scale drawing of a room can help you get the best advice from a lighting consultant.

Quality is a concern for most consumers. "To determine the quality of a fixture you want to look at the way parts fit together, says Wiedemer. "The color and finish should be consistent among all the components, and glass should fit into the holder."

Today's wide array of manufacturers means you can get what you want on a budget. "There are lots of trendy styles out there at affordable prices….Lots of manufacturers offer similar looks and varying price points," says Green. "It's important to have a budget in mind and communicate that with your showroom consultant. The places to splurge are visible high-traffic areas like foyers and kitchens. Because lighting is so affordable, compared to most other kinds of interior furnishings, updating lighting is an easy and innovative way to change the look of a space.

"How best to light a room," says Herdt, "depends on how you want to use the space. If you meet with a person in a showroom who is educated in lighting it will help you identify when to use a wall sconce versus an overhead light, when to use portable lamps in addition to the existing lighting, when to use track lighting - a lot of that is drawn out of the use of the room."

Effortless Summer Decorating Made Elegant

The days of summer have finally arrived, and it is time to throw open the windows and bring life back into the home. The summer months are the perfect time to incorporate a seasonal touch of bright colors or fresh flowers to create a relaxed, welcoming look.

The appeal of summer is that entertaining can be casual, yet infused with elegance and style. And Americans like casual. In fact, seventy-two percent of U.S. adults described their own entertaining style as casual, according to the Sixth Annual Lenox Gift-Giving and Etiquette Survey.

Lenox's gift giving and etiquette expert Denise Dinyon suggests thinking light and airy when preparing your home for the summer months. "Summer decorating is the perfect time to create a relaxed but elegant look for your home that is welcoming to guests," Dinyon says. "Think light colored pieces of furniture paired with bright accessories." She offers some additional tips below.

* Do some restyling around the house this summer. Replace dark colors with lighter, brighter ones. A wicker table and chairs can replace heavier, darker pieces, and dark accessories, such as wool blankets and velvet pillows, should be substituted with light-colored ones to help create a cheery color scheme.

* When planning for an evening with friends, greet guests with a mix of bright-colored place settings on a plain, white tablecloth. Pieces such as Dansk's Coconut Grove or Glasscapes will pop against a white backdrop.

* Revive your home by tossing out old, brown plants and bringing in fresh new ones. Place bright red tulips in the guest bedroom or as a centerpiece on a table to brighten up a room. Place the bouquet in a simple crystal vase to let the flowers' color stand out.

* Swap heavy drapes for light, airy ones that can blow in the breeze on a summer day. Painting rooms in pale yellows, greens and blues for the summer will also help the home appear brighter. Add white wherever possible to open up a room. Lighten up wooden bookshelves by painting each shelf a bright white. Accent the white shelves with a colorful bowl or picture frame.

* Place scented candles throughout the bedroom or bathroom to add a breezy, freshness to the room. Lenox's Calabria Blue Hurricane is the perfect piece to create a tranquil atmosphere for those summer nights indoors.

While making changes around the home to prepare for summer, Dinyon suggests sticking to one theme to keep the décor consistent. Potential ideas include floral, Tuscan, nautical or tropical.

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Bringing the Essence of a Day Spa Home to Your Bathroom

In today's fast-paced society, more people are searching for the perfect escape from the stresses of juggling work, family and other responsibilities. While some head to spas for much-needed relaxation, others want to be able to unwind in the privacy of their own homes. Enter the home spa - a new trend and comforting retreat that's as close as your master bathroom and far away from life's stresses.

Bath product manufacturers are making it easier to bring home the serenity of the spa lifestyle and its health benefits. The comfort revolution that began decades ago with the introduction of personal whirlpools now extends throughout the bathroom. Today, you can enjoy the amenities of a five-star spa in your own home thanks to new, customizable fixtures and products that turn an ordinary bathroom into a haven.

Define Your Space

Less is more when it comes to planning a home spa. This is good news for those who think their bathroom may be too small or too large for spa-like fixtures and fittings.

Bathroom product manufacturers like Porcher offer minimalist and modular solutions for bringing serenity to spaces of any size. Porcher's Tetsu Collection - a Japanese word for "peace" - features exotic natural woods from Africa and the Orient with its collection of furniture, fixtures, accessories and tub surrounds. For example, pre-assembled Tetsu wall-hung units have cabinet doors that open to reveal large grooming mirrors and smaller cosmetic mirrors. The furniture also has built-in plumbing for lavatories or vessel sinks that can be accented with sleek wall-mounted faucets. This means there's no need to tear down and rebuild existing walls.

The key to creating your personal bath retreat is to reduce clutter by selecting products with clean, smooth surfaces. The quieter and more organized the design, the calmer you'll make the environment. One idea: select built-in storage whenever possible. Choices run the gamut from the woody warmth of a Scandinavian-styled sauna to minimal, Zen-inspired spaces outfitted with sleek, modular bath furniture.

Indulge in Special Comforts

The comfort culture in the home spa includes small and big indulgences - everything from soft furniture to wall-mounted towel warmers to built-in sound systems. Porcher's Tetsu Collection, for example, features a comfortable chair with built-in storage and a removable cushion that flips over to become a tray for holding aromatherapy candles or placing a cup of herbal tea.

You can also incorporate other creature comforts into your home spa. Affordable, ultra-thin electric systems offer luxury underfoot by providing radiant heat through stone and tile floors. Customized shower units and tubs with multiple adjustable massaging water-jet heads or hand-held units provide all sorts of hydrotherapy options, as do classic Japanese soaking tubs. Built-in shower seats of various shapes and sizes add yet another level of comfort to the well-designed spa bath. Of course, oils, bath salts and plush towels and robes round out the spa experience.

Set the Mood

Proper lighting that can adapt to the mood and time of day is a must in the home spa. Consider easy-to-install dimmer lights or chromotherapy, a new option that's available in some tubs, shower systems and sinks. Chromotherapy products shine streams of changing color hues and intensities through standing and running water. Painting (or resurfacing) the bathroom walls in a soothing color, such as a watery blue or a soft green, also changes the mood with a few simple strokes. But there's a reason why white remains a classic for hygienic and healthful spaces. It inevitably clears the mind.

Escape and Enjoy

Wellness and well-being are in style. But living well doesn't necessarily mean living large. Today's relaxing bath environment is a place where it's possible to appreciate and achieve all of the luxuries that contribute to physical and emotional fitness. Fortunately, in today's market, there's something to suit nearly every need, preference and budget when it comes to creating your own home spa.




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A Custom Room Without The Cutom Price Tag

Since the first cave dwellers put pigment on the stone walls of their homes, people have used murals to decorate, enhance and make a statement about their living space. Throughout history, muralists have used their talents to tell a story, express religious devotion, beautify their environment and even visualize political protest.

There is almost certainly a spot in your home where you could envision a mural - perhaps a Tuscan-inspired garden scene in your dining room, or a fairytale castle or undersea adventure in a child's room. "Murals stimulate the imagination and can really define the atmosphere of a room," says Ohio-based artist Nicollete Capuano, owner of Beyond the Wall Mural Design. "A mural has the ability to break through and go beyond a flat wall, opening a space to any scene imaginable."

One way to get a mural in your home is to have an artist like Capuano paint a custom design. But if practical concerns - like the amount of time the artist will need to be in your home working (often hundreds of hours), or the cost of a custom mural - have you thinking a mural just isn't right for your home, think again.

"Today's technology can turn virtually any image or work of art into a mural," says Todd Imholte, president of Environmental Graphics, a company that specializes in manufacturing wall murals. "In fact, many artists now create murals specifically for the purpose of being translated into a wallpaper mural."

Capuano was commissioned by www.MuralsYourWay.com to create three fanciful murals appropriate for a child's room www.muralsyourway.com. Each mural - Dragon Kingdom, Fairy Tale Castle and Princess Castle - took over 100 hours to create, and is a unique piece of art. Murals Your Way has turned these masterpieces into wallpaper murals available only through the Web site. Capuano drew from a range of real and fanciful influences to design each mural. For example, the Princess Castle incorporates architectural elements from mosques, Italian Renaissance structures and even buildings in Red Square in Moscow.

Installation of the wallpaper murals is a matter of an hour or two, as opposed to days for an artist to work in your home. Costs range from just under $200 for a small 6-by-4-foot mural to a little over $760 for a giant 11-by-11 masterpiece. In contrast, to have an artist hand-paint the same size mural could cost thousands of dollars.

"Wallpaper murals are also more durable," says Imholte. "While an actual painted surface may require some special care in terms of temperature, moisture and touch-ability, wallpaper tends to be a more durable medium. Plus, when the time comes to move, or if you just get tired of it, you'll feel a lot better about pulling down a $300 mural that you would painting over a $3,000 custom painted mural."

Where you place a mural, and the painting's theme, is limited only by imagination and budget, Capuano notes. "To have a life-size painting in a room really makes a statement," she says. But you can also use murals as an accent to enhance small places, such as an architectural niche or the landing of a staircase. Murals Your Way offers a range of sizes, from small (4 feet by 6 feet) to large (10 feet by 7 feet) and even custom murals with no limit to the size or design.

"Any mural on our Web site can be made in a custom size and shape," says Imholte. "And you will find works by artists for every taste, from classical to impressionist to modern."

To browse the range of artists whose work is available as a wallpaper mural, visit www.muralsyourway.com. Or, call the Murals Your Way hotline at (888) 295-9764.

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Make a Design Statement with Table Lamps

(ARA) - Upgrading lighting is one of the easiest ways to instantly update your home decor. And the most effortless way to change your lighting is by using table lamps. All you need to do is put a plug in an outlet and, voila, instant ambiance.

Joe Rey-Barreau, educational consultant for the American Lighting Association and professor of interior design at the University of Kentucky, says, "We've got probably the most diverse level of design and variety of styles that I have ever seen in the lighting industry and I think it's reflective of the general public's willingness to look at design as a main part of their life." People are more conscious of how they can improve their space, he believes, thanks to shows such as those on HGTV.

As the public has become more design savvy, says Rey-Barreau, it's given the green light for manufacturers to look at table lamps in a new way, "which has created a tremendous explosion in design. . . . The beauty of lamps today is just the extraordinary variety of style - shapes, forms, textures."

Metal finishes are "really exploding in the marketplace," continues Rey-Barreau, citing the variety of finishes from "very polished, brilliant finishes like polished steel to very, very subtle shades like bronze and pewter." Finishes tend to be more textured, which, he says, gives lamps "a lot of personality and a lot of soul, so to speak."

Todd Langner, president of Kenroy-Hunter Lighting Group, a lighting manufacturer based in Jacksonville, Fla., recently attended the High Point Furniture Show where he noticed several key trends. "The most obvious, which has gone on for at least three shows, and is most clearly here to stay, is the use of color." The two most popular color palettes at the moment are Caribbean-inspired with pale orange and aqua hues; and earth tones like burnt orange, olive green, and eggplant.

Dave Director, CLC, president of Connecticut Lighting Center, a Hartford-based retailer, agrees. "What we're seeing is a lot of color, particularly brighter colors, particularly iridescent-y kind of things. People are looking for color to give them that brighter look."

The other trend Langner observed is that "after years of being inundated with very goopy, drippy, fancy, over-adorned resin product that the industry has been pushing, the buyers have made it very clear that they want natural materials and simpler looks." Consequently, Kenroy-Hunter has been focusing on manufacturing lamps in wood, ceramic, brass, and slate.

Dave McKee, COO of Seattle Lighting, a retailer with showrooms in the Pacific Northwest, says that rich bronze tones and rich colors like reds are selling well as are natural materials like iron and marble. "There's been a general swing towards quality and natural materials," he observes.

Lampshades are getting more adventurous and whimsical, both in their shape and in the use of color. Years ago it was almost impossible to sell a shade that wasn't white or cream. Today darker shades are more popular, especially when used as accent lighting. "There's a lot of freshness in the shapes," says Langner, noting that they're veering away from the traditional bell form or pleats.

McKee notes that 60s style drum shades are "hot." "People are becoming more interested in shades," he says. "They're looking for variety, different treatments, and different fabrics." Rey-Barreau says that lampshades made out of paper have become very popular and that paper gives light a "wonderful texture." Murano glass shades are also popular.

The trend for shades adorned with crystal or beads "is pretty much gone," says Langner.

While table lamps can be used for task lighting, Rey-Barreau notes an explosion of "very, very small lamps" used for accent lighting and to "add ambiance." Their diminutive size allows them to be placed on non-traditional places like bookshelves and windowsills.

However, Kenroy-Hunter has taken the opposite tack when it comes to size. Langner says that his retailers are requesting lamps that are a little overscaled - perhaps in response to today's home, which is getting progressively larger. Consequently, most of the company's table lamps are in the 30 to 32 inch range.

In the past, people bought lamps and used them forever. Today, notes Director, more people are routinely buying lamps to update their décor - much like one would buy a new set of bed linens or pillows.

As Director notes, "The price of lamps hasn't gone up, it's gone down." That affordability has made it easier than ever for people to switch out their lamps periodically. It's not economically feasible for most people to keep up with the latest design trends by switching out high-ticket items like sofas, but by changing something like pillows and lamps one can instantly change the whole look of a room.

The first thing people notice when they walk into a space, says Director, is the quality of the light. "Lighting affects us in so many ways. . . . When you flick on [a table lamp] your eye automatically goes to it because it's brighter than anything else in that space."

Rey-Barreau notes that there's even a formula by which one can determine how much lighting a room needs, which is roughly two watts per square foot, so a 12 by 12 room would need approximately 300 watts -- or four lamps with 75-watt bulbs. "As a minimum you should have three lamps per room," asserts Rey-Barreau, "because that really creates this nice triangle of light in the space."

Today, notes Rey-Barreau, people are willing to spend more money on their homes. "More disposable income puts more pressure on manufacturers to create more variety because people are saying 'I can afford it, I'd like to have the option of being able to buy it'."

Ultimately, says Rey-Barreau, "there's such a variety of styles and sizes it's usually possible, if you look hard enough, to find a place for a lamp and to find a fixture that meets your criteria."

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Choosing the Right Tools for the Job

(ARA) - In the beginning, there was the shovel. Then came the pitchfork. And the rake. For decades, homeowners were stuck with basic, multi-purpose tools that attempted many tasks, with mixed results. If a gardener needed a specialized tool designed specifically for weeding, tilling or pruning, they were out of luck.

Times have changed. As innovations advanced, manufacturers began introducing what eventually became a new and growing category in backyard equipment: specialty tools. "Gardening has always been one of the most popular hobbies in the country," says Ron Hazelton, host of the nationally syndicated home improvement show "Ron Hazelton's HouseCalls" and home improvement editor for "Good Morning America."

"Many garden tool companies are developing more effective and unique tools that make the gardening experience much more enjoyable for both beginners and green thumb veterans," he adds.

Today, the category is more popular than ever, and tools designed for specific backyard chores are flying off lawn and garden center shelves. Like the tools laid out for a surgeon, homeowners can now select just the right tool for the job. Need to turn fertilizer or peat moss into the soil? Reach for a tiller. Want to loosen soil between rows of plants? Pull out the cultivator. Got to get rid of some dandelions in the backyard? Put the weeder to work.

Hound Dog Products, the industry's top specialty tool manufacturer, began its business with a single tool, the Weed Hound weeder. The company quickly realized that homeowner demand for specific solutions to yard and garden tasks was on the rise, and expanded its line. Today, 10 years after it debuted the Weed Hound, Hound Dog has sold more than two million tools, including the Poop Hound scooper for cleaning up after pets, the Steppin' Edger for cutting a maintained edge along driveways and sidewalks, and the Bulb Hound Garden Planter, which lets gardeners dig holes for planting without bending over.

"It's all about providing simple solutions without having to rely on a lot of additional expertise or knowledge to get the job done," says Hound Dog Products president Michael Miller. "Folks expect to be able to reach for exactly the right tool for a job, whether it's at the office, in the kitchen, or in the workshop. And now the backyard is no exception. Specialty lawn and garden tools have the expertise built right in."

According to Hazelton, homeowners are hungry for the latest product or tool for backyard chores. "People are time-starved," he says. "They're looking for quality products that are not only innovative, but well built. They want to know that the tools they buy are going to perform well and be around for a long time."

And manufacturers are getting the message. Hound Dog offers a hassle-free warranty on all of their tools. Simply put, if it breaks, they replace it. "We manufacture all of our products to stand up to just about anything a homeowner can dish out, so we rarely need to send out replacement products," Miller says. "But when we do, as often as possible, we talk to the customer to find out how we can modify our tools to better reinforce them down the road. Homeowners expect us to provide a long-lasting solution to any backyard challenge, and that's our mission everyday."

The bottom line: Expertise and experience are important elements when tending to a backyard. But choosing the right tool for the job will make all the difference in determining whether you'll have a lush, thriving lawn and garden each spring.

For more information about specialty backyard tools, visit www.hound-dog.com or call (800) MY-HOUND.

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The Key to Maintenance-Free Landscaping

(ARA) - Soon the barren landscape we've been looking at for months will once again give way to green grass, flowering bulbs, and budding trees and shrubs. The first day of spring (March 20, 2006) is almost upon us.

While most people look forward to the return of all the greenery, it's something a large portion of the population dreads. Why? Because it will also mean the return of weeds.

A weed is defined as any plant you don't want in your garden or landscape. Some common ones are dandelions, thistle and dollar weed. Once established, they are almost impossible to get rid of, which is why early in the season, you should take steps to eradicate them for good.

There are three effective means of achieving this goal. You can use herbicide, pull them by hand or put down landscape fabric. A lot of people shy away from the idea of using chemicals in their gardens, which leaves just two options.

If you dread the idea of spending hours on your hands and knees on a weekly basis pulling these undesirable plants, make this the year you put down landscape fabric. "The great thing about landscape fabric is it's pretty much a permanent solution to your weed problems if you use the right product. It's installed on top of the soil and is permeable to air and water so your desirable plants still get everything they need to thrive," says Neal Caldwell of Dalen Products, Inc., makers of the Weed-X and Weed Shield brands of landscape fabric.

In addition to being an effective weed barrier that prevents the undesirable plants from setting down roots in the soil, landscape fabric also conserves moisture close to the roots, which in turn helps reduce stress on the plants' root system growing beneath it. Some landscape fabric brands are designed for erosion control, but also claim to control weeds. The fabric needs to be very porous for erosion control which is something you do NOT want in a weed control fabric (too many openings for weeds to penetrate), so it's important to use a material designed specifically for controlling weeds.

When installed on top of a new plot, all you have to do is roll out the fabric, cut an 'x' and plant, then put down a 1-to-2-inch layer of mulch over the fabric. If you'll be installing it in an existing bed, you'll need to cut slits or holes to fit around the plants already in the ground.

Because of its permanent nature, landscape fabric is intended for use in beds that don't change from year to year (under shrubs, around trees, etc). It is also effective at stopping weeds under decks and patios; under walkways and paths; around swimming pools and hot tubs; and under sandboxes and backyard children's play sets.

For more information about the benefits of landscape fabric, and detailed instructions on how to install it, log on to www.gardeneer.com. Weed-X and Weed Shield are made with the same patented dual-layer material which has been rated number one for stopping weeds by 8 university studies.

You can find Weed-X at Wal-Mart, and Weed Shield at Ace and True Value hardware stores and through distributors at garden centers nationwid.

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