DIY NO SEW Doggie Beds!

If you have a dog or dogs... you probably know by now that dog beds are OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive.  The bigger the dog, the more expensive. We have FOUR medium to large dogs and honestly, as often as you have to wash or replace the beds, I can't afford $50-$100 for a dog bed for EACH dog.  I looked around on Pinterest and found this great tutorial....

http://luigiandme.wordpress.com/2012/07/15/diy-dog-bed-super-easy-no-sew/

I decided to modify it for myself and my dogs (much bigger than this dog).

Bear (and all my dogs) love this bed!

You will need...

1. Scissors
2. Fleece blankets or fleece material bought at your local fabric store.
• I bought my fleece blankets at Fred's for $4.00 each... But I have found a TON of cheap fleece remnants in all colors at Hancock Fabrics.... they also have tons of cute patterns on them.  
• This will allow you to pick out your own style. No more UGLY dog beds!!!
• http://www.hancockfabrics.com/Fleece_stcVVcatId537261VVviewcat.htm
3. Old scrap material, old clothes you can't wear (holey t-shirts, etc.), or I went and bought $3.00 pillows at WalMart... super cheap and easy to use!

That is it... Scissors, Fabric (I used a single $4.00 fleece blanket I bought from Fred's and for another I used an old fleece blanket from WalMart that my dogs had already had smelling like hounds!), and something to stuff them with!

Step 1:   Take the blanket (or material or fleece) and cut it to the size (and shape) that you want.

I just took the $4.00 blanket and folded in half to save myself some cutting!  But it all depends... bigger if your dog spreads out... You know your dog... make it to fit! 

Step 2:   Begin cutting slits around the edge of the material.  About 3 to 4 inches long (long enough to tie together later). 

Cut slits all the way around the material. (if you fold in half, you only have to cut slits on 3 sides.)  

Step 3:   Start tying all the pieces together. You will tie in a knot (easiest method... but there are other methods you can google). You will either have the material folded over and tie together, or you can lay one piece on the other and begin tying the slits together (aka no sew). 

Make sure that you don't tie all sides until we stuff it!

Step 4:  Stuff your bed.  Take your stuffing material (t-shirts, old blankets, stuffing, or cheap pillows) and put it in the place you left open on your bed.  Don't over-stuff!

Step 5:  After you have it stuffed, finish tying your pieces together.

Below are some DIY No Sew dog beds I found online... you can get some ideas!

  

Understanding the Numbers on your Fertilizers

Buying fertilizer can be confusing!  What do those numbers mean on the bag? What should I get? 

There are several ways to interpret, but I will help you understand the world of fertilizers!

First, there are 3 numbers on all bags of commercial fertilizers.

They are always in the SAME order.

N-P-K, which stands for ...

N-Nitrogen
P-Phosphorous
K-Potassium

This should take you back to chemistry class.  Well, gardening is a lot like chemistry!

This is 13-13-13

NITROGEN

The first number is Nitrogen. This promotes healthy growth of the plant.  It also helps create a green color in plants.  

If you want dark green grass, you want a high Nitrogen number.  

PHOSPHOROUS

The second number is Phosphorous. This helps promote flowering in flowering plants, bushes, and trees.  This. also, promotes healthy roots and seed development.

So, if you have new grass or new bulbs, a high phosphorous number on a fertilizer will help establish roots!  If you want your flowering plants to bloom and bloom... use a high in phosphorous fertilizer.

POTASSIUM

The third number is Potassium.  Plants use potassium for overall health.  It helps turn Carbon Dioxide into Oxygen.  This will promote root and stem growth.  

So let's recap! 

For new grass:  13-13-13

For grass that is overrun with weeds: weed killer and 13-13-13

For established lawns:  29-0-5 (just use a high Nitrogen level, low Phosphorous level, and small to medium Potassium level)

All purpose plant food (shrubs, flowers, vegetables): 12-4-8

Roses: 9-18-9

Flower BLOOM BOOSTER: 10-16-10

Tree & Shrub: 15-10-9

Tomatoes: 18-18-21

Fruits & Vegetable (general): 9-4-12

Indoor Plants: 6-12-6

Cacti & Succulents: 2-7-7

Just remember, check the numbers and know what you are going to use it for. Fertilizer is a key to beautiful grass, flowers, and a prosperous garden!

Happy Gardening!

About Me....

This blog is about my adventures in home improvement, DIY, and landscaping.  My mother was a woman who LOVED gardening, using power tools, and being creative.  She loved doing hands-on projects and to this day, I remember being out in the yard or garage watching her work.  I was mesmerized by my mother's ability to do just about anything.  She could wallpaper a house, use a table saw, and paint anything with a steady hand.

When she passed away in January of 2010, I began doing a lot of DIY and gardening.  It made me feel close to her.  Sometimes it is the only time I can picture her face, concentrating on the project at hand.  This blog is, in many ways, a tribute to her.  She always had Southern Style and Grace and did it all on dime.

How-To Guide for Fixing a Weed Overrun Yard

Here is my "How-to Guide" on killing weeds without having to spend a fortune. 

My weed killer said to use 2 oz per gallon. Well, when I do something, I do it right the first time. My mixture is half and half with a little diesel and dawn dishwashing liquid (helps the weed killer stick to the weeds). Below I have pictures of the weed killers that I have mixed. I chose two separate types for a reason. Each has different weeds that it kills. Yellow nutsedge is the hardest to kill, and most yards will have it. Below is a photo of yellow nutsedge so you can see if you have the same problem. My Spectracide has a yellow nutsedge killer.

Bayer makes a great and inexpensive concentrated weed killer. Under $9.00 at Lowes.

I chose Spectracide to mix with Bayer. I think mixing two kinds will kill a wider variety.  This also kills my all-time yard nemesis, Yellow Nutsedge.

My Nemesis!!!! Yellow Nutsedge.

NOTE: You do not have to use as concentrated as I did. I would suggest doubling the concentration suggested for fastest and best results.

You have to plan ahead for optimal results. I planned it perfect. It had 12 hours to cure and now a light rain will help soak it up in the ground. If you aren't expecting rain, water after 12 to 24 hours, LIGHTLY! Do not do this in weather exceeding temperatures of 90 degrees. 

NOTE: Best time is March and April. This will ensure a beautiful lawn by summer!

Today I will go over the lawn with household vinegar. I will boil it first to create a more concentrated version. (Most household vinegar is mixed with water to dilute, they are usually 5%. By boiling, it will increase the concentration by boiling off the water.)

NOTE: If you want to be eco-friendly and not use chemicals, Vinegar is a GREAT weed killer, but beware, it will kill all vegetation. If you just need spot killing, put in a spray bottle. If your yard is too far gone, fill up your yard sprayer, but keep away from bushes and plants you want to keep. Also boiling water can spot kill weeds for you as well.

I am waiting on my lawn aerator shoes! They will be here Wednesday. Zack Bryant and I both have a pair. We will aerate the lawn by strapping the aerators to our garden shoes. This helps oxygen, water and SEED get into your soil.

$16.00 on Amazon.

Next I will lime (most lawns that have a lot of weeds have a pH level that will hinder grass growth. You can do the pH test, but I lime the lawn... if you have weeds... your pH level is probably off).  You can find bags of pelletized lime for under $5.00 for 40 lbs at you local Lowes or Tractor Supply. 

Next I will overseed (or reseed) the lawn. I bought a 50 lbs bag of seed from Tractor Supply. Best and least expensive place to find grass seed. Chose a seed that will grow well in you climate zone. In Northwest Arkansas, I chose a Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue.

Then you will use a triple 13 (13-13-13) fertilizer.

Triple 17 (17-17-17) if you want to spend the extra cash and if you can find it. This is great for new lawns and reviving weed overgrown lawns. The Triple 13 will really thicken your grass and you will have to mow a lot more. But your lawn will have a beautiful thick carpet like feel. I use the fertilizer in April, May, and sometimes again in June. Apparently I like to mow.

Last and most important step, WATER! Your yard needs to be watered. Especially if you have hot and dry summers. 

NOTE: Buy a good mower that bags.  BAG YOUR CLIPPINGS! If you don't, you will find dead spots. 

My favorite and easy to use mower (great for all size lawns because it is self propelled and you get a good walk in!)

By summer we will have a fabulous clean lawn.

Total Cost:
    
     Bayer Weed Killer = $8.97
          Spectricide = $8.47
          Vinegar = less than $8.00 for the big jug
          Aerator Shoes = $10-$20.00 on Amazon
          Lawn Lime = $3.99/40 lb bag (you may need 2 bags depending on yard size)
          Kentucky Fescue = 57.99/50 lb bag (you may need a smaller bag! check the sq ft,    
                                                        but this is the best deal by far at Tractor Supply)
          13-13-13 Fertilizer = 16.99/40 lb bag (I usually buy 2 bags)

Total= appx $120-$145 for a lawn make over!  

With the lawn service companies, they charge you at LEAST $250.00 for a season.  Once you have you weeds under control, it won't cost you this year after year.  Blog on a lawn schedule to come!