by Sandy aka Mom

Created on: January 17, 2009

Adding a lawn swing to your garden isn't just picking a pretty place and putting it in; there are several things to consider. Following some basic guidelines will give you several years of enjoyment.

The first thing to consider is the aesthetics of the area. You should take the time to list at least four areas that you would like to put the lawn swing, based totally on what you'll see when enjoying it. From this point the fun work begins on picking the final location.

1. Is the ground even, or can it be evened out securely and easily? A lopsided swing is no fun. Too often the best places in a garden are those that over look patches of natural beauty.
Unfortunately these same places are often too uneven to safely place a lawn swing. Not only do you need to account for the actual space the swing will be, you also need to account for getting on and off, and easily getting to the swing. Can Grandma make the walk to the swing? Evaluate all four areas that you originally picked.

2. After looking down at the ground you need to look up at the surrounding trees (if any). Many trees shed sticks, leaves, sap, berries and flowers easily and frequently, which although can be beautiful, can also ruin your lawn swing very quickly.
Flowers and berries often stain things easily (Mulberry for example) and no one is going to want to enjoy the swing if it's covered in debris. And, if you've ever tried to clean sap off material you'll understand this one even better. Think of each area very carefully and think through all seasons, not just the one you are in.

3. You will also need to take into account the other plants that are around the swing. Plants that draw bees are beautiful and necessary for a garden; however having bees around a moving swing is not a good idea. And bees aren't the only bugs to be concerned with. Ants and spiders can ruin a romantic afternoon on a lawn swing almost as fast as bees can. Also in looking at the plants, how often will you need to tend to the plants that are under and around the swing? For those that mow a lawn you also need to consider the difficulty of moving the swing to get this job done.

4. Finally, in picking the best location for your lawn swing, take the time to sit in each area for about 45 minutes to an hour.
You need this time to determine if your location is really the best one. What do you hear when sitting there? If you hear your neighbors arguing or heavy traffic you may want to pick a different area. How is the mosquito population (or other small biting bugs)? What do you smell? A friend of mine had an absolutely beautiful location, but forgot smell, and didn't realize that the neighbor's septic was close by.

After you've paid attention to the location your last job is to pick the lawn swing itself. Make sure you study brands, makes, and models to truly choose the best one. Don't fall for looks alone. Study how well it's built and out of what kind of materials. Remember that this piece of furniture will not only take the abuse of use, but also the abuse of all seasons. And when you get it home, a little weather proofing goes a long way.

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