DIY Network

Finishing Touches Finishing Touches From "Weekend Landscaping" episode WKL-204

	Teach your children the proper way to handle and care for delicate baby chicks.
	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

A postage-stamp lawn completes the look of the playhouse area.

1. Till and amend the soil area to be planted. Amending the soil is a process of mixing both soluble and insoluble nutrients together for the purpose of fertilizing the soil. This aids the sod roots in lying down and penetrating the soil easily.

2. Sod is easy to install. Cut the strips to fit with a serrated knife or cutting tool supplied by the sod company.

3. Fit the pieces snugly together until they cover the area (figure A). It is crucial that the sod make a firm connection with the ground underneath in order to develop a strong root system. If it does not, you will end up having to repeat the process. Rent a sod roller to push the sod firmly into place (figure B), then allow three to four weeks for the root system to establish. Keep foot traffic off the lawn during this time.

4. If the sod turns grayish green or the blades start to curl, it's time to deep water.

5. Lay steppingstones on top of the sod going to the playhouse (figure C). Use a sharp knife to edge the sod around steppers. Lift up stepper and remove circle of sod. This allows the steppers to lay flush with the sod.
   

A small chicken coop, complete with chicks, is added to the play area (figure D). As soon as children are old enough to follow you around, they are old enough to begin to learn how to take care of animals. The secret: because children learn from adults, the better job you are at caring for animals, the better they will be. Until the chicks grow up, the play area is guarded by a ceramic "guard" rooster.

This play area is next to a gardening area designed for senior members of the home (figure E). Hopefully it will give both grandparents and grandchildren time to visit while doing things they love. Play date, anyone?

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RESOURCES :
Child's Outdoor Playhouse
Basic model with Dutch door
Dimensions: 5'9"W x 8'L x 6'9"H
Approximate cost: $1,185.00
KinderHomes
DBA - EZ Systems
PO Box 1835
Oregon City, OR 97045
Toll-free phone: 800-501-2737
Toll-free fax: 800-501-2129
E-mail: info@kinderhomes.com
Website: www.kinderhomes.com

GUESTS :
Nan Sterman
Email: nsterman@plantsoup.com
Garden Writer & Teacher

Sherman Sylvan
Encino, CA 91316 E-mail: smsylvan@aol.com