Hammock retreat
No tropical paradise is
complete without a spot
for a lazy siesta in a hammock.
GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES
■ Hammock, with hanging
hooks and springs
■ 3m x 200mm-dia H4 treated
pine poles (2)
■ Quick-set concrete (2-3 bags
per pole)
■ Cabot's Deck & Exterior Stain
in Merbau
HERE’S HOW
STEP 1 Measure length of your
hammock and reduce by about
one-third. The space between
poles will be determined by this
length. Choose a suitable location
for your hammock, then dig holes,
about 1 m deep, for poles. Concrete
poles in place, checking they are
plumb. Leave to set overnight.
STEP 2 To give poles an aged
hardwood look, you can apply
a coat or two of an exterior stain
or oil. Allow to dry.
STEP 3 Mark 50mm down from
top of poles, then predrill and
countersink for hammock hooks.
Slip a strong rod, such as a
large screwdriver shaft, through
the eye of hook as a lever and
screw in all the way.
STEP 4 Hang hammock in place.
You can add special hammock
springs between hammock and
hook to give it a bit more bounce,
if you like. Now, jump in, relax
and admire your handiwork -
pina colada optional!
festive garden
Water feature
The easiest way
to add your own
fountain is with a water-feature
kit. Installation is a breeze.
STEP 2 Connect pipes and
plumbing securely. Here, the
water pot has a screw-in
flange base to ensure that it
doesn't topple over.
GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES
■ Water-feature kit, with
reservoir, cover, plumbing,
pump and fountain
■ Paving or river sand (optional)
HERE’S HOW
STEP 1 Choose a position for
your fountain and level base.
You may wish to lay a bed of
paving or river sand to make
this easier. Check for level from
front to back and side to side.
STEP 3 Put pump in base and
place cover over it. Position pot,
then connect pump and twist
pot into the locked position.
Make sure none of the hoses
are caught or crimped.
STEP 4 Fill base with water,
connect to power, switch
on and your water feature is
complete. To add finishing
touches, surround feature with
a few lush, tropical plants.
Simple screen
This
screen
is
a
superb way to hide
ugly spots or provide
privacy. Ready-made 26mm-
diameter bamboo roll screens
are very rigid - the bamboo rods
have also been reinforced with
galvanised wire. To complement
this screen, you can add a few
10Omm-diameter bamboo poles
to your garden.
GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES
■ 2.2 x 2.4m x 26mm-dia
bamboo roll screen
■ 90 x 90mm x 3m H4 treated
pine posts (2)
45 x 90mm x 2.4m H3
treated pine rails (2)
Quick-set concrete (4 bags)
■ 57mm, size 8 exterior-grade
screws
75mm exterior-grade bugle-
headed batten screws
■ Dulux Weathershield Low-
Sheen acrylic in High Blue
■ Cabot's Natural Decking Oil
HERE’S HOW
STEP 1 Choose a position for
your posts. They should be set
at the same width as the bamboo
screen, in this case, 2.4m. Dig
post holes to a depth of about a
'A
of height of posts.
STEP 2 Position first post,
checking it is plumb and square
as you concrete in place. Position
second post, checking it is plumb
and square to first post.
STEP 3 Cut rails to fit between
posts at top and bottom. These
rails should be 50mm up from
bottom and 50mm down from
top from where screen will be
positioned. Predrill and screw in
place using 75mm bugle-headed
batten screws.
STEP 4 Paint posts and rails in
desired colour. Let dry.
STEP 5 Position a temporary rail
at bottom on face side to support
and level screen while you fix it in
place. Position bamboo, predrill
and fix in place with 57mm
screws. Do not drive screws in
too far or you’ll split bamboo.
Your screen is now complete.
To preserve the colour of your
screen, give it a coat of a suitable
exterior varnish or oil.
For project supplies,
see Stockists page
76 8ETTER HOMES ANO
GARDENS, MAY 2011 bhg.com.au
Photography Adam Woodhams; styling Melissa Norton; garden design Craig Russell, Jarret Clynick
