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Livingston Farm

It’s easy to enjoy your backyard deck on a sunny Sunday afternoon, but how about at dusk when the sun and temperature goes down? It’s times like these that an outdoor fire pit would come in handy. Whether it’s a full-fledged outdoor fireplace, or a well-designed fire pit, this backyard feature will keep you warm and entertained throughout the night.

If you are looking for a new fire pit, consider this beforehand:
Should I buy a gas fire pit?
Gas fire pits are quickly becoming one of the most common options for outdoor fire pits — after all, they require less maintenance, are environmentally friendly and fairly affordable. Unlike wood-burning units, they don’t release smoke into the atmosphere, which increases air quality and makes the outdoor experience more enjoyable (no smoke in your face!). Gas products are also extremely easy to operate. Simply turn on the gas, light, and start enjoying your personal outdoor heater.  If you want your gas fire pit to look like a wood burning pit, they can easily be custom built with stone giving your gas fire pit a natural feel.
Is a wood-burning fire pit for me?
The smell and nostalgia of a traditional wood-burning fire bowl cannot be beat. For the eco-conscious, as long as you’re using your fire pit with moderation, your carbon footprint will still be intact. Many new styles are even designed to incorporate firewood storage for added convenience. Better yet, with a wood-burning fire pit, the restrictions of gas lines or outlets are not even a factor.
What about portable fire bowls?
Ease and multi-function is what it’s all about if opting for a portable fire pit. While you may think that this limits you to a wood-burning fire pit, think again. Many portable varieties come complete with propane fuel tanks discreetly installed in the body of the product. Now, not only can you move the heat as the outdoor party progresses, but you also don’t need to worry about lugging a steady supply of wood with it. Many fire pit table designs can also double as outdoor coffee tables too!

What happens to all the milk jugs that have been recycled throughout the years? They are being turned into beautiful, colorful, outdoor furniture, that’s what!  Our Poly furniture was developed from an idea from a few high school friends who noted the high performance characteristics of plastic and its use in outdoor applications.  They discovered they could extrude recycled milk jugs and other plastic containers into plastic lumber. That lumber could then be used to design and build outdoor furniture with fundamental performance qualities.  Here at Livingston Farm, we remain committed to using the most environmentally friendly products, while eliminating waste and delivering what our customers expect.  Livingston Farm’s commitment to quality allows for many relaxing seasons at the beach, in the yard, or on your patio. Sit back, relax and forget about it.

Earth Friendly Furniture is a great way to help protect the planet in comfort. Safe for everyone from small children to grown ups. Comfortable and attractive. Durable and Stylish. We have a wide array of colors and styles to choose from . Contact us today .

A few fun facts about Livingston Farm:

*Our name was once Livingston Farm Landscape Products and Storage, then changed to Livingston Farm Landscape Products and Excavation, phew those were a mouthful, we are so much happier answering the phone now…

*When Livingston Farm began, there were 2 employees, we now have 11.

*Livingston Farm as we know it today began in 1998 when Dave and Stanley sold the cows.

*At one point, Livingston Farm had 4 employees named Dave working at the same time and currently has two employees named Tyler.

*The original Livingston Farm once had a Pig named George which happens to be Dave’s middle name.

Father’s Day is fast approaching, this Sunday in fact! What will you be getting Dad to show your appreciation of all that he does and has done for you? It can be a difficult thing trying to figure out that gift especially if you have a dad like mine who seems to already have everything.  I’ve done the sentimental, hand-made gifts, the customary tool box, and a man can only have so many fishing lures. I know he would appreciate any gift I would give him but this year I wanted to get something he really wants and needs.

Then I thought, what do you get the man who has everything? Well, something to put that everything in of course! Livingston Farm carries incredible sheds readily in stock or I could even bring Dad in and design our own with one of Livingston Farm’s friendly associates. You could go big or small with options like the Royal Victorian 2-story, a Standard 6’x8’ A-frame, or a Dutch Barn Garage. He could get exactly what he needs; storage, a workshop, and a man cave all in one! Livingston Farm provides customizable options such as workbenches, lofts for extra storage, screened patios to relax outside in after a long day, and electrical packages so he can even hook up a big screen out there. Even better, Livingston Farm now provides financing for purchases just like this so I can fit it in my budget.  http://livingstonfarm.com/financing/.

Make a grand gesture this Father’s Day and get your dad his perfect workspace, storage area, or man cave with Livingston Farm’s amazing sheds! You can check out more of the options here: http://livingstonfarm.com/outdoor-structures/.

With the warmth of summer our flowers, fruits, and veggies are in full bloom but so are the weeds. Want to get rid of these pesky buggers? Instead of turning to toxic weed killers for the solution try one of these 13 natural weed killers. They are safe to use and most can be concocted with simple household products.

1.Boiling water: Probably the oldest trick in the book. This simple but effective solution is tried and true, safe for your other plants, has no chemicals, and is extremely cost efficient. Simply pour the boiling water straight onto the weed. Give it an extra punch by adding a pinch of salt to your boiling water to quickly raise the temperature or add in some vinegar and lemon juice. Just be careful when carrying it out to your garden.

 2. Add a pinch of Salt: Another price effective trick is to add a pinch of regular table salt to the base of each weed.  It will kill the weed and dilute away after a couple of rainfalls. The downside to this trick is that it makes the soil uninhabitable for a couple of months. So make sure to use it sparingly and only where absolutely necessary. Keep away from your grass and other plants.

 3.Vinegar:  Vinegar destroys the leaves and stocks of a weed, quickly bringing it to an end. You can apply this weed killer with a spray bottle, brush, or pump sprayer. Like many other weed killers, vinegar does not differentiate between weeds and plants. To prevent contamination and the destruction of the plants you’ll want to keep apply it early in the morning when the wind is low. The killing power of vinegar is triggered by the sun so this application would be most successful on a sunny day.

 4. Sprinkle Cornmeal: Cornmeal is, apparently, birth control for plant seeds. It doesn’t kill weeds technically but rather prevents them from growing altogether by stopping the seed from germinating. Be careful though, it will also prevent other plants from seeding. Use this technique until your plants are established and you have finished planting seeds. This technique is best used as an after treatment.  Just sprinkle the cornmeal in your garden and voila.

 5. Mulching it up: Mulching your yard is a great weed deterrent (check out our previous blog Much on Mulch). It not only prevents weeds but has many benefits such as soil temperature regulation, moisture retention, it adds nutrients back into your soil as it decomposes, and it looks beautiful. Cover your planting area in mulch about three inches (be sure to leave open rings around your plants to allow for watering). It will prevent weed seeds from reaching the soil and sunlight from reaching the seeds already existing in the soil.

6. Newspaper:  Newspaper works much in the same way as the mulching. In fact, many people use them in a combination. Laying a thick layer of old newspaper will block the sun and stop the seeds of weeds from sprouting. Wet the soil thoroughly, lay down your newspaper, wet again, and then place your mulch over the top for a prettier finished look. This technique encourages earthworms to make your garden their home and hey, you get to recycle.  YAY!

7. Herbicidal Soap:  Speaking of mixtures, DIY herbicidal soap is a great weed killer. Most people have all these products readily available at home and it really packs a punch. Mix together in equal parts salt, vinegar, and dish soap. Put this mixture in a spray bottle and release your arsenal on the offending weedy culprits. Be careful though, like the vinegar, this mixture is unkind to all plants it touches so spray gingerly.

 8. Weed Torch:  Go Rambo on your weeds with this natural destroyer of weeds. The weed torch works probably just as you imagine it would. It heats the water in the cells of the plant.  When the water steams the cells explode and the plant will die. Charring the weed isn’t necessary, just wilting them will do the trick. It’ll take some practice to wield this weapon of choice but it is undeniably effective. WARNING: Do not use on poison ivy or other poisonous plants as it can release poison oils into the air and into your lungs. Believe me; you don’t want that to happen.

9. Water Weeder: Another handy tool to use is the Water Weeder. Just like the boiling water trick this tool’s rapid jolt of water to the plant ends it immediately. You can easily pluck the offending plant right out after spraying it. Even better, the water filled hole will drain and settle leaving your lawn looking smooth just minutes after treatment. Safe for the rest of your garden, easy to use, and fast this is my favorite tool. You can even use it to make quick seed holes during the planting season.

Photo via Lee Valley Tools

10.Good Old Fashion Pulling:  There is nothing like hand to hand combat.

There are so many natural, harmless, and cost effective ways to get rid of weeds that it seems silly to spend a fortune on poisonous weed killer. Next time try one of these natural techniques and save those pretty pennies for plants instead.

Flagstone patios are a stunning addition to any home. Their organic puzzle piece appearance adds interest, visual texture, and a great place to relax with family and friends. Basically maintenance free, they can even boost your property value. The cost of having a patio installed by a professional can be high but if you are willing to put in the time and energy you can easily do this project yourself at a much lower cost.

Laying flagstone in sand is not difficult but the stone can be heavy so you will want to use some protective materials such as gloves, goggles, and possibly a back-brace. Flagstone comes in a variety of sizes. The smaller stone will be easier to handle but the larger, heavier stone will be more stable and stay in place easier. Flagstone is a natural stone so there will be variance in thickness throughout each piece. By following the helpful tips and hints below you can create your own gorgeous flagstone patio.

First:  Getting an even surface is key. This is probably the most common problem when putting in a flagstone patio. Unevenness can be caused by a variety of things such as variance in thicknesses of stones, an uneven base, and settling but with good planning and prep these common issues can pretty much be avoided.

Outline your patio:

• Measure before you do anything. To get started, mark the point where the patios’ surface will reach on the wall where it joins the house. Use a tape measure to determine the desired grade of the patio, than mark it on the wall with a pencil.
•  Continue making small guideline marks down the length of the wall, using a level to keep the grade consistent.
• Mark the perimeter of the patio and path using landscaper’s spray paint or stakes and string.

Second:

Dig out the foundation:

•  The most labor-intensive step is digging the footing for the patio. Begin by using a square-nose shovel to outline the patio perimeter.
• Loosen the soil within and scoop it out, tossing it either in buckets or a wheelbarrow so it can be easily relocated. You may want to level the ground with a tamper, this can also be done at later step.

Third:

Create the framing for your layout:

• Use lengths of a bender board to create the framing for the layout, flexing them so that they follow the marked curves.
• To hold the framing in place, simply insert stakes into the ground at regular intervals along the outline then nail the bender boards securely to the stakes.

Fourth:

Install the irrigation:

• If you live in an area with a lot of rain fall like here in Vermont, you should consider installing a drainage system before you lay down the flagstone. Otherwise settling over time may result in an evenly installed patio becoming uneven.
• It’s important also to lay in-ground access sleeves or pipes prior to installing a patio; otherwise, any electrical or water lines that need to be added later may require digging up the patio.

Fifth:

Spread the crushed stone:

• To fill in the framing and create a solid base for the flagstone that will be laid in place next, use a filler mix of sand and crushed stone. We suggest a ¾” clean stone. This type of mix will create a compact, supportive base for the flagstone and will also facilitate drainage.
• Make piles of gravel in the pit at roughly the spots you expect they’ll spread evenly. Using the back side of a garden rake, start spreading an even layer throughout the pit. Pack the gravel down using a tamper.

Sixth:

Spread the sand:

• Like the 3/4″ stone, you can create piles of sand for even distribution.
• Using the back of the garden rake spread the sand evenly over the gravel. You’ll be adding more sand in later steps, so don’t worry about adding too much on this first layer.
• Building up the sand layer in certain spots is also a good way to raise any pieces that feel too low or un-level.

Seventh:

Set the flagstones

• Begin laying the flagstone next to the house, working outward to fill in the area. It’s a good idea to get help for this phase because of the labor-intensive work involved. Perhaps a flagstone laying party or just a good buddy that you can return the favor to later.
• Position the flagstone pieces so that the best-fitting edges are next to one another, eliminating large gaps; larger pieces are laid in “heavy-traffic” areas, then surrounded with smaller pieces. It’s best to go for narrow, uniform spacing between the stones.
• As you assemble the flagstone puzzle, step back frequently to take a look at how the overall picture is emerging.
• Try to avoid sharp changes in grade from one stone to the next.
• Study each piece carefully so that the “best” sides are laid face-up. After positioning each piece, press it down firmly by hand to help it stay in place (a rubber mallet also works well for this purpose).
• Extra-small pieces are used to fill in some of the larger gaps.
• Finally, spray the entire area thoroughly with water to help settle the stones in place.

Eighth:

Fill in the gaps

• Pour more sand over the stones and sweep it into the gaps between them. Stone dust or Rock Fines can also work for this step. This adds stability to your patio.
• Once the sand is between the stones, use a garden hose to lightly wet the whole patio, rinsing off the stones and settling the sand in place.

Livingston Farm has a variety of irregular stone to choose from when selecting the look you would like for your flagstone patio as well as all the material you’ll need for the prep-work and fill. Check them out here:

http://livingstonfarm.com/stone/patio-walkway-stone/.

http://livingstonfarm.com/landscaping-products/summer-landscaping-materials/.

Creating your own patio is a great D.I.Y. project. It may feel overwhelming at first but follow these simple steps and you’re sure to create a patio area you can be proud of and even better boast that you did it yourself.

In honor of the men and women who have given their lives for this country’s freedom and liberty, we will be closed this Monday, May 26th in observance of Memorial Day.

Our nation’s soldiers remarkable sacrifices are beyond measure. Their relentless commitment to the defense of this great country and the ideals on which she was founded is the ultimate level of patriotism and it is our duty as citizens of this nation to  uphold these values that they gave their lives for. We have a voice to speak our opinions because of them, we can choose to do what makes us happy because of their sacrifice, and we can create change for a better life because they gave theirs. Many times we forget the true meaning of this holiday. It is not just a three day weekend packed full of barbecues and summer sales.  Memorial Day is a day to remember the costs of our freedom, to celebrate and to honor those who have protected it for our sake.

Please take a moment from your barbecues,  super-saving sales, and launching of summer excitement to remember those men and women who have given their lives so that you could live yours freely.

“Who kept the faith and fought the fight; the glory theirs, the duty ours”

Wallace Bruce

When it comes to mulching your yard the possibilities are vast. There are natural mulches, synthetics, and everything in between. Which is best for your yard? How much do I need? When should I mulch? These questions and more are sure to arise when deciding which to use. In this addition of our blog we will try and decipher which will be the best for you to use for your landscape and particular needs.

Let’s start with the different types of mulches Livingston Farm has to offer. We carry organic mulches which have many benefits that Inorganic mulches do not.  Organic mulches slowly decompose, enriching the ground underneath with nutrients and helping to loosen the soil. This improves root development and increases water infiltration while also attracting beneficial organisms such as earthworms. Livingston farm has a wide variety of landscaping materials that can be used as mulch depending on the look & feel you desire and what your necessity is. Some of the materials we carry are:

•  Premium Hemlock Bark Mulch
•   Forest Blend Bark Mulch
•   1 ½” Clean Stone Mulch: Blue, White, & River Stone
•  ¾” Clean Stone Mulch: White, Red, Blue, Green, Sunset Blend, & River Stone
•   Mexican Beach Pebbles
•  Kewanee Stone
•   Compost

Bark Mulches: 

Our Hemlock Mulch as a border for trees, supplying nutrients, retaining moisture, & keeping temperatures consistent.

Our Vermont Made Mulch is made right here at Livingston Farm. We double grind our bark mulches ourselves to have optimal quality control. Our bark mulches have many benefits.  Bark mulches are also the easiest and least expensive to install. They are great for adding organic matter back into your soil as it decomposes especially when mixed with some of our Composted Cow Manure. Bark Mulch also provides moisture retention for your soil, prevents weeds from popping up, and moderates soil temperature; cooling your soil in the summer and insulating your roots in the winter. Not to mention it looks great!

We carry two varieties:

Premium Hemlock, a natural mulch that is slower to decompose, and features a rust brown tone that is fade resistant, adding rich & vibrant color to your landscape. Hemlock is known to contain a high level of nitrogen, an essential plant nutrient, so it’s particularly good for feeding your soil as it decomposes. It is also less likely to sliver making it easy to handle and great for areas around kids

Forrest Blend, an organic mixture of pine and hardwoods that gives it a deep brown color that looks natural in any yard. It is fibrous and knits together well which inhibits soil erosion and weed germination while retaining moisture. It is a popular variety that is less expensive than other mulches yet still provides similar benefits. Pine mulch breaks down reasonably fast improving the organic content of the soil which is great for plant beds.

Stone Mulches:

Livingston Farm has a large variety of stone that can be used for mulch. Rock Mulch is any type of decorative gravel used as groundcover.  Gravel pieces can range in sizes from pea-size to fist-size and come in a variety of colors. Stone mulch is resilient and resistant to all weather conditions. Heavy rainstorms will not affect stone. They will stay embedded in place, and they will not cause your soil to become impacted, which will greatly benefit your plants. Stones are also safe for pets, other animals and other plants near the ones you lay them around. Rock mulch conserves water by shading the soil and slowing evaporation. Gravel-sized mulch is most effective during a hard rain because it allows water to be pulled down into the soil and reduces runoff. Unlike bark mulching materials that absorb a lot of rain water, gravel mulch lets all the water flow through to the soil below. The longevity of stone mulches is their greatest appeal.

We carry several varieties of stone mulch:

1 ½” Clean Stone Mulch & ¾” Clean Stone Mulch, these varieties of stone come in a range of colors. They are “clean” stones meaning they are screened to remove the smaller fragments allowing for better drainage. Great for Rock Gardens

Our Kewanee and Mexican Beach Pebble Stones are large rounded stones that can be placed in your garden randomly or in interesting patterns. They are easy to move as your planting needs change.

Mulching season is upon us now that the frost has ended. Stop by today and one of our friendly associates will be happy to help you decide what mulch will be best for you this season.

Though it may not feel like it quite yet, spring is finally here and we have launched a new website just in time to help you with your outdoor projects. We took great care with every detail of this site to make the experience perfect for you, so feel free to explore what we have to offer! If there’s something you can’t find here, reach out to us through email [email protected] or give us a ring at 802.382.0992.

We are gearing up for a big year here at Livingston Farm, so be sure to stay in touch with us through this blog or by connecting with us through Facebook or Google+!