The naturally rugged beauty of wooden furniture is just one of the many reasons gardeners are finding ways to incorporate these functional and affordable designs in their landscapes. Master gardener Paul James discusses the variety of woods to choose from and the proper way to maintain wooden garden furniture.
Teak furniture is both the longest lasting and most expensive of all woods. The reason teak is so expensive is because teak trees--which have been cultivated in Indonesia since 1816--take about 60 to 100 years to reach harvestable size. With proper care, teak furniture may last anywhere from 60 to 80 years, making this popular wood an excellent value.
"If you place a teak bench in a sunny spot, its color will gradually change from brown to silvery gray in about six months," says James. "At that point, you can do nothing or, if you prefer the brown look, you can scrub the wood with a stiff, nonmetallic brush and soapy water to remove most of the gray, but you will have to repeat the process every few months, which is why most folks learn to live with, and actually prefer, the gray or silvery look--myself included."
Even if you prefer the silver tone of the weathered wood, caring for teak furniture requires an annual cleaning--ideally during the spring--to remove any mildew, sap or pollen buildup. Combine five tablespoons of liquid dishwashing soap with one tablespoon of bleach in a gallon of water. Rinse off the mixture with water. Some of the gray may be removed, but it will return in a little time. Be sure to protect your investment by placing teak furniture in the sun and away from any damp, shady locations, which may ultimately lead to rotting.
Other wood choices include mahogany, cedar, redwood and pine, but these woods should be treated with a preservative to ensure a lifetime of more than a few seasons. While cedar and redwood are both inexpensive and naturally rot-resistant, neither will outlast teak unless they have been treated with a preservative. Pine is the cheapest of the woods mentioned and requires a preservative to last just a few seasons.
According to James, mahogany is most similar to teak in terms of price, longevity and care. "Although I love teak, I actually have a preference for cedar, and for a variety of reasons," says James. "It's grown in the United States, it takes only 15 years to produce, it lasts at least a couple of decades if properly cared for and it's a whole lot cheaper than teak or mahogany or redwood."
Like teak, cedar will turn a silvery-gray tone when left in a sunny spot to age for about six months. And cedar should be routinely cleaned, as well. Because untreated cedar tends to rot, especially along the bottom of the legs where it comes in contact with the ground, it is important to place small sections of cedar fence material beneath the feet of the furniture. New cedar may be treated to preserve its original color, the aged gray tone, or stained and coated with polyurethane for a desired look.
Because of the pliable quality of willow limbs, willow furniture may present a unique and interesting focal point for the garden. "But willow doesn't hold up well outdoors, especially in damp, humid environments, " says James, " which is why I suggest you use it only in sheltered locations."
And if you use wood birdhouses and feeders, don't treat the wood because the chemicals in the preservatives can be toxic to birds. Experts suggest birds actually prefer untreated feeders and houses.
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