As cedar deck design and construction enthusiasts, we propose holding your next Earth Day planting party on your cedar deck. A cedar deck is a great place for an Earth Day party because it's a stable, flat area that's easy to clean up post-soiree. Here are our tips on how to throw a fun, inspiring Earth Day planting party on your cedar deck.

Tips on Hosting a Cedar Deck Planting Party

1. Getting Ready: DIY Cedar Deck Safety Inspection

Experts estimate that almost half of American cedar decks are unsafe due to structural issues. To protect your guests' safety, ensure that your cedar deck is architecturally strong by assessing it for wood rot. Examine all areas of your decking, particularly the ground posts and the ledger, the area where the cedar deck joins exterior walls. One way to establish a deck's stability is to hoola hoop in the middle of it. If the "hoola hoop test" turns up any unsteadiness, it's time to call a cedar deck design and construction guru. Make sure your cedar deck is safe before hosting a garden party.

2. Getting the Word Out: Interesting Earth Day Party Invitations

Once you know that your cedar deck is safe and sound, you can disseminate the 411 about your Earth Day party! Those who like to hand out physical invitations might get a kick out of seed envelope invites. Miniature envelopes with string clasps are available at office stores. Stick a gardening- or earth-themed sticker onto the front of each envelope; this sticker should include the basic information about the party - where, when, why, etc. The beauty of this kind of party notification is that each invite doubles as a take-home container for extra seeds left over after the planting party.

3. Preparing the Space for your Planting Party

Your first step is to remove debris by sweeping your cedar deck. Design an effective flow for your bash by determining where to set up the planting table, where attendees will mosey about and socialize, and where refreshments should be arranged. This may also be a good time to weed around the flora surrounding your cedar deck. Lastly, be certain to guard your cedar deck by placing waterproof tablecloths or a tarp down where planting will occur. This simple step will defend your cedar deck from unsightly scratches.

4. Assemble Planting Accessories

A watering can, seeds or starts, compost/amendment, and planting soil - these are the basic ingredients you will need for your Earth Day planting party. Soil amendment such as compost will encourage your guests' new seedlings to flourish. Shortly before the party, combine soil and amendment in a big bowl, which should be placed in the planting area on your cedar deck. To avoid confusion, place each seed variety in its own container near the soil bowl. Planting directions should be listed for each seed. Place a full watering can nearby. Remember, freshly planted seeds and starts need a drink shortly following planting. If you're feeling munificent, you can also set out planting containers. Alternatively, you can direct guests to bring their own planting containers.

When a guest arrives, show her or him to your planting area. It's wise to arrange the planting materials on a generous table at one end of your cedar deck. Design the gardening "buffet" so that all items are within reach.

You don't want to keep your useless tools in your storage right? You will only fill up the room with broken tools, so you feel you want to throw everything out. Wow, that's really a good way to throw out money.

Try not throwing out your tools from the storage by fixing and maintains it properly. Even if it is not broken, maintaining your tools is one way to help you having long lasting equipment. What ever it is, tools are so significant for you to have and has been used since stone era.

Britannica Encyclopaedia said tools began perhaps a million years ago when man learned to walk erect. His hands were then free to grasp objects of wood and stone. He used these to kill animals for food, and they became the first tools. All tools have vast advantage. It's really amazing how those tools helping people to do their everyday life. You will be lured to own your set of tools too.

Not just keen to buy, but maintaining is also important. The better a tool works, the less you'll have to use your energy to do the work. Tools that are in good working order will last forever. Maintenance tasks are easy to do and typically for garden tools are required only once a year. If the tasks are done at end of the season, the tools are ready to use when the season starts, and they are better protected from corrosion during storage.

Before your start keeping your tools, let's check these checklists:

After you use your tools, and you expect to use it again in a long run by keeping it in the storage, better you replace blades or sharpen tools that cut or dig, lubricate moving parts and oil materials that tend to dry out.

When a repair is not a safe option, replace the broken parts before you keep your tools in the storage. Don't try to glue or tape a broken wooden handle.

Before you start fixing your tools, gather all your tools to assess the damage or maintenance needs on the worktable that already cover with newspaper, so it will not be dirty from dirt and oil.

Write down which tools need to be fixed and which one only needs to be maintained.

You should wear heavy gloves for your work. Files rough-sharpen digging tools and to sharpen nicked or very dull cutting tools; sharpening stones are required to hone and maintain sharp edges on cutting tools.

If a metal file doesn't have an integral handle, buy a handle for it. The tool will be much safer to use for the next work. Better you keep it diligently.

It's really amazing how those tools helping people to do their everyday life, especially when your tools are maintained very careful.