There is no better way to relax than lying like a baby in a sling with a light breeze rushing just beneath you as you listen to the rustle of leaves above. Kick a leg over the side and you can give yourself a light push, swaying quietly in the shade. With no distractions but birds chirping and a stare at the clouds rolling by in the sky, I can fall asleep in a matter of seconds. It is the most peaceful moment in my day, especially if I add a cocktail and a good book. I put it right up there with taking a bubble bath or walking the beach, as far as my top 5 girly moments goes.
The hammock is newly installed. It was a clearance item at my local hardware store. It came with the hanging hardware and a big pillow (not shown.) There are better quality hammocks available if you're willing to search, but I took advantage of a deal. I would venture to guess that most seasonal inventories are starting to go on sale now. I just finished staining the pole to match our deck, and hope to plant a climbing vine at the base of it when the weather cools. I was thinking some red Clematis Niobe, like the one pictured below, will brighten things up a bit!
The installation is really quite easy. Find a nice shady spot with a tree that is large and strong. Measure approximately thirteen to fifteen feet from base of tree. Dig a hole about a foot deep, reserving half the dirt. Place a 6x6 pressure-treated post in the ground. Fill halfway with cement and let cure for 3 days. Fill in hole with left over dirt and cover top with sod. Drill a hole in the post and tree for the hooks, about six feet off the ground. Twist hooks deep into wood. Hang hammock. Adjust chain so the hammock hangs low enough that you can easily climb in, but doesn't sag on the ground when you do. Re-adjust until height is perfect and the hammock hangs straight and evenly from its chain. You want to leave some chain slack, as the hammock will stretch over time and need to be raised up. Stain post and add a cap to the top or a decorative birdhouse. If you are lucky enough to have two trees spaced thirteen to fifteen feet apart, skip the post and start process with drilling the holes in each tree. If you have no good trees, plant some! Then purchase a hammock hanger for your hammock until they have grown into mature trees.
This is phase one on the list of many overdue landscape projects. I will keep you apprised of my progress. I hope everyone considers installing a backyard hammock. The entire project cost me less than a $100 and took only a few hours across two days to complete. It truly is worth the investment. Best thing about a hammock, most hold between four hundred and five hundred pounds and some are even designed to hold two people! A special thanks to my husband and father-in-law for helping me with this project!
"I like to sit in my backyard. I go out on the hammock and sit in silence and kind of meditate. Nature is calming, and it's nice to go out there and clear my head." -Devon Werkheiser
The installation is really quite easy. Find a nice shady spot with a tree that is large and strong. Measure approximately thirteen to fifteen feet from base of tree. Dig a hole about a foot deep, reserving half the dirt. Place a 6x6 pressure-treated post in the ground. Fill halfway with cement and let cure for 3 days. Fill in hole with left over dirt and cover top with sod. Drill a hole in the post and tree for the hooks, about six feet off the ground. Twist hooks deep into wood. Hang hammock. Adjust chain so the hammock hangs low enough that you can easily climb in, but doesn't sag on the ground when you do. Re-adjust until height is perfect and the hammock hangs straight and evenly from its chain. You want to leave some chain slack, as the hammock will stretch over time and need to be raised up. Stain post and add a cap to the top or a decorative birdhouse. If you are lucky enough to have two trees spaced thirteen to fifteen feet apart, skip the post and start process with drilling the holes in each tree. If you have no good trees, plant some! Then purchase a hammock hanger for your hammock until they have grown into mature trees.
This is phase one on the list of many overdue landscape projects. I will keep you apprised of my progress. I hope everyone considers installing a backyard hammock. The entire project cost me less than a $100 and took only a few hours across two days to complete. It truly is worth the investment. Best thing about a hammock, most hold between four hundred and five hundred pounds and some are even designed to hold two people! A special thanks to my husband and father-in-law for helping me with this project!
"I like to sit in my backyard. I go out on the hammock and sit in silence and kind of meditate. Nature is calming, and it's nice to go out there and clear my head." -Devon Werkheiser
I am also a hammock enthusiast! Unfortunately I currently do not have access to a tree big or strong enough to support my girlish figure, and two posts would be ok if I had the desire to look like a Maine lobster, post cooking. I am so stoked you have this little corner of heaven in your back yard!
ReplyDeleteTera
C'mon Tera, where there is a will, there is a way! Try a hammock hanger in a shady part of your yard or go out in the evening after the sun dies down. Late evening is my favorite time to use the hammock. Just don't forget the insect repellent!
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