While we all find relief under the shady shelter of an umbrella, it’s important to follow a few guidelines. The leading cause of a glass table breaking is leaving your umbrella up and open. All it takes is some strong wind gusts and crack, boom, bang! … Your glass table has broken or your umbrella pole has snapped in half. When you’re not using your umbrella, keep it closed! And if the weather calls for windy conditions, take your umbrella down if possible. This will certainly help you maintain your shade and your furniture!

~ Your Outdoor Furniture Fairy

Teak outdoor furniture is a gorgeous and classic choice but it does require more maintenance than other options such as synthetic woven or aluminum. Many people just let teak weather into a silver-gray. This process usually takes 9 months depending on the furniture’s exposure to rain and sunlight. But if gray is not your thing, you can always protect your new teak to keep the original golden honey color. All teak companies offer some type of protectorate or sealant that will help preserve the color. It usually needs to be applied once or twice a year. Whatever you do, oiling your teak is a big no-no!! Oil can cause mildew or irregular coloring.

~ Your Outdoor Furniture Fairy

April 1 was no joke. It rained. It sleeted. It even snowed in some places. Let’s hope that’s the last of it. Why not brighten your day and give your indoor or outdoor furniture a facelift? An easy option is to invest in some new throw pillows. It’s a great way to change the look without the big price tag. Colors in the orange family are thought to stimulate optimism and happiness. Aqua, green and blue colors are thought to give a sense of calmness and relaxation. Refresh your furniture and your mentality!

~ Your Outdoor Furniture Fairy

Although it may not feel like it, Spring is here and it’s just about time to start prepping your patio! Once you uncover your outdoor furniture, take a look to see if your frames need to be repaired. Then, give your furniture a good wash with a solution of mild detergent and water, rinse with clear water and dry thoroughly. Preserve your metal frames by applying a fine, clear automobile wax. This will help protect your furniture from UV rays and salt water. Let’s just keep our fingers crossed that the warmer weather will be here soon!

~ Your Outdoor Furniture Fairy

One wrong move with the chips and dip and your cushion could be a casualty. No need to freak out! But don’t even think about throwing it in the washer machine. First, brush off any loose dirt. Then just mix some mild dish detergent with lukewarm water and scrub the spot using a nylon bristle brush. Let the cushion air dry.

~ Your Outdoor Furniture Fairy

Hello and welcome to the Dodds and Eder blog, The Garden of Eder! We hope this will become your newest “go-to” spot for information, tips and trends in gardening, home décor, outdoor furniture and ladies fashion accessories.

At Dodds and Eder, customer service is our priority. Whether it’s helping you pick out gift items, an outdoor furniture collection or assisting you with your plant troubles, we’re here to help and we hope to carry this approach through to our blog. We invite you to comment, ask questions and provide feedback!

Check back soon for weekly updates from our Garden Manager, George Thompson and our newest member to the team, Ariana Sant’Angelo.

~ Your Dodds and Eder Family