Organic Gardening News

Hydrangea leaves looking yellow? Some folks think rusty nails or rusty water can save sick hydrangeas – but if you’re smart, you’ll try this quick and nifty trick instead

Learning how to grow potatoes is as fun as it is easy! Here's everything you need to know to plant, care for, and harvest tons of delicious spuds.

Create a cozy outdoor reading nook with this budget-friendly hammock chair.

Forget copper tape, beer traps and even nematodes: cost per slug captured, this cheap and easy hack is my best-ever method of controlling slugs and snails in my backyard.

April is the time to wake clematis vines up and get them growing. But how you do that depends on which type you have.

Flowers earn their place on the must-grow list not because they’re trendy, but because they always deliver. Gardeners in the know can't pass up these classics.

Roses have all sorts of different scents from sweet honey to spicy cloves, with fruity as well as floral notes, so use your favorite perfume to guide you to the exact right variety that will fragrance your backyard with an aroma you love.

It’s a great-value buy, but success depends on how you use it – get the setup right, and it can support healthy, productive climbers.

Forget the nectar – your hummingbirds are craving a meat course this month. Here’s the protein-rich refueling treat to keep them happy and humming in your backyard

A few simple April tasks can transform your Monstera –encouraging faster growth, stronger stems, and those iconic split leaves.

Space is at a premium in many Canadian households, and my home is certainly no exception.

What started with a treadmill in the garage had slowly expanded to include a stationary bike, a power tower, free weights, and other assorted workout accoutrements. My home gym was steadily taking over an area where space was already in short supply.

And something had to change.

After searching for ‘home gym solutions’ online, I stumbled upon an interesting idea: the gym shed.

The project proposed the creation of a functional workout space on a budget, in a relatively contained structure, that doesn’t require any city permits. Check, check and check.

While we often look to outdoor sheds as a hideaway spot for patio furniture or garden supplies, the small structures are increasingly being reimagined as creative extensions of our main living spaces.

“We’re seeing Canadians rethink how they use their outdoor space, with sheds becoming a natural extension of the home,” says Jennifer Tang, online merchant, seasonal at The Home Depot Canada. “What started as ‘she sheds’ and backyard offices has evolved into wellness-focused spaces like home gyms, yoga studios and meditation spaces, reflecting a growing focus on convenience and multi-functional living.”

Rather than a repository for old outdoor gear or the lawn mower, I imagined a curated workout space that would offer privacy, as well as a reprieve from my current garage clutter.

Checking on building size limitations for my area, I knew the gym shed could have maximum dimensions of 10×10 feet or 8×12 feet. Leaning toward a structure that was easy to assemble (read: didn’t take too much skill with power tools) and also had water-resistant capabilities, I selected the Keter Resin Outdoor Storage shed . Billed as a medium-sized structure, the model measures a sensible 9×7 feet.

Made from the company’s composite material, which features a 10-year limited warranty and will not peel or rot, the stylish shed features functional details such as a steel-reinforced roof that can withstand a snow load of up to 50 kg/sqm, upper windows for natural light, a locking double door that opens wide for added ventilation and more.

“Shed kits like the Keter model are designed with ease-of-use in mind,” says Tang. “The panels are designed to snap and lock together intuitively using the innovative groove‑and‑lock system. Once the main structure clicks into place, you just secure it with screws. This makes for a reliable and low-stress experience for customers who want to take on a backyard project without needing advanced construction skills.”

Beginning my shed on a pre-existing concrete slab (as with any structural project, an even and flat base is essential), I kicked off my gym shed project around 9 a.m. on a Sunday and was finished about six hours later.

“It’s manageable enough to complete in half a day, and many people turn it into a shared project with family or friends,” says Tang of the design.

Once the structure was completed — and suitably admired — I put down interlocking rubber mats. I chose an option that was both durable and lightweight . It was easy to find a layout that provided ample coverage while also adding comfort for mat-based workouts such as Pilates or yoga.

In the preplanning stages of my gym shed, I’d measured the workout machines and gear that I already had, so that I was sure the shed I’d selected would provide enough space to fit everything inside. After a bit of playing around with the arrangement, I was able to fit my folding treadmill, stationary bike, power tower, and small collection of free weights inside with enough room to still have space (when the treadmill is in its stored position) to workout on the mat.

Electricity is essential in a gym shed, unless you’re going to just do mat-based or weight training workouts. Knowing I also wanted to add a small light source in my gym shed so that I could work out after hours, I purchased a heavy-duty, multi-prong outdoor extension cord that I could run from the side of the house to the shed. An easy solution for an electricity source, I like that I can also easily store the cord inside the shed when not in use.

As with any do-it-yourself project, there’s some room for personalization in a gym shed space. Upping the style factor of my project, I added a plug-in pendant light with a geometric metal design . I even added a small faux plant and a decorative storage basket to keep my yoga mat, resistance bands and bike shoes inside the shed.

Who says gym sheds can’t also be a little bit glam?

“With the right decor and storage, from gym flooring to mirrors and shelving, small touches can turn them into a functional, well-designed retreat,” says Tang.

While a workout space might not be everyone’s version of the ideal shed project, the flexibility afforded by different sizes and prices permit the freedom to create a flex space at home via a shed that can suit a variety of different needs and properties.

“As long as you consider safety precautions, weight limitations and community bylaws, you can let your imagination take over and use the shed in a way that uniquely works for your home,” says Tang. “It could be a meditation space for one, a crafting studio with a painting setup, or even a quiet book nook.”

Aharris@postmedia.com

Related

• Container gardening: Best time to transplant vegetables to ensure healthy growth
• How designers are embracing historic design features in contemporary homes

Monstera is an extremely popular houseplant for good reason! These tropical beauties add instant drama to any home. Here's how to help yours thrive indoors.

With this plant stand, you can create a private outdoor oasis without blocking the summer breeze.

Avoid HOA fines before you embark on landscaping projects. Even something as simple as a trellis could spell disaster.

A few simple tasks done in April will help your lemon tree shine this summer.

Repotting can actually set back certain houseplants that like to be root bound. Find out if your plant is one them and discover if they really need a new pot.

Want the taste of homegrown tomatoes but don't have a yard? These containers are cheap, easy to store, and actually great for plants.

Hanging baskets are a beautiful addition to any backyard, but are they hard work? Not if you add these little extras that take all the stress out of growing a stunning suspended container.

These stunning indoor orchids aren’t just beautiful; they each carry a symbolic meaning tied to your birth month...

April is a make-or-break month for dahlias, and these insider secrets can help you buy more flowering time and multiply your blooms for the ultimate summer borders