Do it yourself in a weekend

PERFECT FOR reading, napping or spending time with someone close, there’s nothing like a lawn swing when it comes to relaxing outdoors. The only drawback is that a free-standing lawn swing is a pretty ambitious do-ityourself project — at least it was until now. Believe it or not, even an amateur with a few basic tools can create this comfortable, sturdy, attractive and affordable lawn swing in a weekend.

Made entirely from about 100 feet of inexpensive, heavy-duty, schedule 40 PVC pipe — plus some canvas, PVC pipe joints, glue, chain and a little bit of common hardware — you won’t believe how quickly and easily the project comes together. In fact, it’s so simple you just might make two.

To build, cut the pipe to length and assemble the base, seat and cover separately.

Garden Notes

STOCKBRIDGE Botanical garden programs

Berkshire Botanical Garden presents:

• Thursdays, March 2 to 23, “Tree Care for Gardeners,” 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. This course is designed for those who want to better understand the largest plants in the landscape. Learn from arborist Tom Ingersoll the basics of tree biology and identification, the tree’s role in the ecosystem, proper selection, siting, planting considerations, pruning of young trees, fertilization, pest identification, and when to call in the professionals. Cost $200 members, $225 nonmembers.

• Saturday, March 4, “An Introduction to Greenhouse Management,” in-person at

Monument Mt. High School Green house, 9 a.m. to noon. This compact course, led by landscape designer Bill Florek, will focus on the fine points of controlling the greenhouse environment. Whether maintaining a conservatory collection of ornamental plants or producing greenhouse crops, participants will learn how to grow, care for and maintain plants in a greenhouse setting.

SEE NOTES, PAGE F4

Next, attach the seat fabric and hang the seat. To finish, cut the cover material to size and fit it over the frame and add standard seat cushions of your choice.

The finished project measures about 5 feet by 6 feet at the base and stands 6 feet high.

The PVC Lawn Swing plan, No. 678, is $9.95 and includes complete step-by-step instructions with photos, detailed construction diagrams and a shopping list and cutting schedule.

Please include $3.95 per order for postage and handling and allow about two weeks for delivery.

To order by mail, clip this article and send it with a check or money order to U-Bild Features, c/o The Republican 741 Olive Ave., Vista CA 92083.

To order by credit card, visit U-Bild on the web at u-bild.com.

Lee Reich | In the Garden