Outdoor space in the Slope- now what to do with it?

bklynnewbie · September 2009

I just moved into a condo and have outdoor space. I am a total newbie to this. I am hoping that you guys could suggest what kind of outdoor furniture (what material) would hold up outside year around? I would cover it up, but it has to remain outside. I am looking for a moderately priced brand/maker as well..... not cheap of the cheap, but decent quality/decent price. Any ideas?

ljnd · September 2009

Wrought-iron, but you have to repaint every so often. Not expensive, though.

scarlett · September 2009

Def wrought iron with washable removable cushions. IKEA has some. Maybe an outdoor fireplace? Next step: host brooklynian octoberfes(!

veets · September 2009

I am thinking this is the wrong time of year to deal with this at all. Wait till the Spring when full stock on choices is avalable.

Wrought Iron is great and does last a long time even with repainting every other season or so.
Plastic can work... but not white.. shows dirt and yellows. Various composites can be strong.

sleighb76 · September 2009

I have metal chairs with a sort of mesh seat and they are holding up great. Can't tell you where I got them because a friend gave them to me.

whynot_31 · September 2009

benches made from treated wood, likely to be on sale at Lowes or Home Depot because the outdoor season is ending and they need the space for x-mas trees.

no need to remove the cushions when it rains.

mgural · September 2009

Lowes already has the xmas stuff out. I saw it last week. Sad.

veets · September 2009

Yeah.. I was in Lowes looking for seasonal furniture (thinking I could find stuff on sale) 2 weeks ago and they had nothing.
Christmas comes early in Brooklyn.

pitu · September 2009

Smith and Hawken is going out of business - they ceased online immediately, but a few of the stores are selling off their backstock. (I think there's one in Long Island, but the Soho store folded fast.) They have very high quality outdoor furniture.

The IKEA composite plastics last pretty well and are cute...might be seasonal tho

domino · September 2009

I got some vinyl coated wicker at Lowes which has lasted a while (5 years and still going strong) as well as some cast aluminum stuff. The cast aluminum stuff looked better year round - not as summery - esp. when I painted it taupe but the paint chipped off fairly quickly. Question: Is the area sheltered a bit? You might go with the treated wood.

jamzer · September 2009

If I can piggy-back on this thread. I have a backyard space too, but I have no idea what to plant. Does anyone know a great gardner that I can hire to make some recommendations? We've planted flowers and plants, which all seem to do great, but I don't like the way it looks and it could be a lot nicer.

I don't want to redesign the backyard, just pick new plants and flowers. I also want to do the work myself, so I'm looking for someone that would charge by the hour to tell me what to plant and where. Any ideas?

Thanks!

pitu · September 2009

You could post a photo and get all our advice for free...
alternately, I know a guy named PJ that does backyards - pretty sure he'd do the consult thing. I'll pm you if I dig up his details.

edited to add: this guy: http://jaygardens.com

sweet tea · September 2009

okay, this is the best i can find online, but i will vouch for the wisdom and general awesome-ness of Catherine Orrok and Urban Gardens: http://www.local.com/details/Brooklyn-NY/Orrok-C-Urban-Gardens-77203565.aspx

i haven't had opportunity to hire catherine, but i work with her regularly at our community garden, which owes much to her ideas. recently, i've heard her pitch ideas of plants for a redesign of one of our ornamental beds. she's just what you're looking for -- a very knowledgeable person who will help you figure out what it is you want in a garden that then tell you what plants are a good match. i'm not entirely sure if she does consulting without also doing the planting, but it's certainly worth your time to ask. (i'll pm you my real name if you want to say i suggested her.)

joehill · September 2009

wait for the DWR Annex sale in Seacaucus, it happens twice a year. you can get super nice stuff for affordable prices.

teak holds up really well, and you can either let it fade to a silver/grey color, or oil it once a year to keep it's original color.

joehill · September 2009

also, if you're looking for plants, liberty sunset in redhook is the best. super nice and helpful, and way cheaper than chelsea gardens. liberty sunset is on the water a block past chelsea gardens.

if you're getting sod, i got sod from shannon nursery delivered and it was cheaper than both the garden places by a ton.

blinktoe · September 2009

I recommend searching on CL for used patio furniture. Here people move and can't take it with them a lot, and I'm sure you'll find some nice pieces inexpensively.

For sure get a fire table! We use ours all the time.

carnivore · September 2010

^this may be spam, but teak is actually a good suggestion for outdoor furniture. It looks good and weathers well.

booklaw · September 2010

Tarzian on 7th Avenue sells metal mesh furniture that is either painted or coated in some kind of plastic. We bought a table and chairs of such manufacture several years ago, and they have withstood everything Brooklyn threw at them... They are still pristine. They weren't cheap, but whatever the cost, they were worth it.

piano · September 2010

Try Overstock.com for discount outdoor and garden furniture. Hammocks are worth it if you have the space - though hammock stands aren't cheap. Also, a surprising place to get a nice outdoor table is Rite Aid. They have a decent one made of tempered glass with a hole for an umbrella and it doesn't look like something you'd get from Rite Aid. But they usually they only have that in the early summer/spring, so you might want to check out Lowes or Home Depot, but the ones in Brooklyn are disappointing.

As for material, teak is good, as is mahogany, but the best might be a composite. It's pricey, but will last longer - so it matters if you own or rent. Whatever you do, avoid cedar. They will warp split easily, and don't last long.

Need any gardening tips, ideas what to grow?

Outdoor space in the Slope- now what to do with it?

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