News
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Christmas Tree Flocking
Christmas Tree Flocking
We all dream of a white Christmas and seeing the snow mound on the leaves and needles of our landscape creating a magnificent holiday display. Today, those snow-covered Christmas trees come to life with the application of flocking. The Garden Gates take Christmas tree flocking a step further and installs lights before the trees are flocked to make a magical holiday experience.7 foot Fraser Fir Flocked Christmas Tree with Light
What is Flocking?
Flocking is tiny cellulose paper fibers with a corn starch and boron creating a white textured snow like product. To apply the flocking to a Christmas Tree, a flocking machine is used. These machines blow the flocking material through a two-inch hose to the flocking gun. Each flocking gun is attached to a water hose and wets the flock as it is blown onto the tree. A typical Christmas tree that is eight feet tall using between 8 pounds and 11 pounds of the flock.
When Did Christmas Tree Flocking Start?
Christmas Tree flocking dates back to the early 1800's when evergreen trees were decorated with flour and cotton to look like they had been covered in snow. In the early 1930's, homeowners started using varnish mixed with corn starch mica chips. It wasn't until the 1960's when General Mills sold flock kit for home use that Christmas Tree flocking became the mainstream.
How is Flock Made?
The largest supplier of flock is produced in California. The company, Peak Seasons, begins the process with a massive paper roll that is placed in a grinder. This process produces a powder like material that is they combined with other ingredients to complete the process. Flock is sold in large bags that look similar to industrial bags of sheetrock mud or concrete bags.
If you are interested in having your Christmas Tree Flocked, learn more here.
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Christmas Tree Shortage 2017
Christmas Tree Shortage
Alarming as this may sound, there is a Fraser Fir Christmas Tree shortage. Fraser Fir Christmas trees size from five feet to eight feet are sold out all over North Carolina. This is due to the over planting of seedling in the tree farms causing over supply. The farmers were forced to sell the crops below their operating cost forcing the Christmas Tree farmers to leave growing fields empty.
Fraser Fir Christmas Tree Shortage Sizes
The Garden Gates has negotiated with our tree farm to supply all the necessary sizes of trees for our longtime customers but we have to submit our orders no later than August 31, 2017. We need each of our customers to place their orders, select their size, with or without lights, and delivery date during the order process.
We have been cautioned that the large big box stores are trying to purchase our reserved corps. We were notified Tuesday by email of these details. Please order your Christmas Tree today by visiting here. Don't forget we have flocked Christmas Trees with light and without lights.
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Campania International Winter Care Guidelines
Garden Decor Winter Care Guidelines
Cast Stone
Cast stone garden decor by Campania International is a high-density cast stone mix with a strength rating of 7500 psi( pounds per square inch). The cast stone garden decor high-density mixture is 2.5 times stronger than a standard residential driveway. Even though this attention to high quality and durability, it is important to maintain each piece.
Cast Stone Winter Care Guide Lines- Remove all water for birdbaths - cover
- Protect all parts with a cover that could hold water
- Install fountain covers - protect fountain pumps
- Make sure planters can not fill with ice/snow
- Lift benches, statues from ground
- Use pressure treated wood to lift planters or benches
- Install Campania pot risers to life planters and urns
- Birdbath tops store indoors
- Remove fountain pumps
- Remove all fountain tubing/stoppers
The goal is to eliminate the freeze to thaw cycle that happens during the winter months. Durning, the winter months, do not leave planters or urns empty, store in protected areas such as the garage, potting shed, or garden room. Freezing temperatures damage cast stone when water absorbs in the porous material resulting in a cycle of expansion and contraction. The result causes cast stone to develop cracks and ultimately breaking.Polyethylene Planters
These planters are made from recycled raw materials that can handle extreme temperature changes. Polyethylene planters resist the sun, do not fade, and rarely become brittle or crack over. These planters contain micropores allowing plants to breathe. Polyethylene planters do not need to be covered or placed indoors over winter. Note: make sure to lift planter off the ground.Terra Cotta & Ceramic Glazed Planters
Our collection of terra cotta planters and ceramic glazed planters are designed to withstand all outdoor elements. These planters are fired between 990 degrees ( terra cotta ) and 1000 degrees ( ceramic glazed planters ) to ensure quality, strength, and resistance to freezing/cracking. Due to the processes used in the manufacturing of our hand-made and hand-glazed containers, all variations concerning firing, color, size, and crackling are not deemed to be defects but are natural occurrences in the manufacturing process.Terra Cotta & Ceramic Glazed Planter Care- Protect all parts with a cover that could hold water
- Make sure planters can not fill with ice/snow
- Use pot risers to life planters and urns
- If left empty, fill container over - make sure it is not in contact with ground
Cast Iron Planters and Pedestals
The collection of cast iron planters, urns, and pedestals offered by Campania are designed to withstand the outdoor elements. It is important to understand that cast iron is going to rust over time which is part of the inherent beauty of cast iron outdoor decor. Some of these pieces are treated with a wax finish to slow the natural aging. The matte finishes tend to rust faster and can be treated with a sealant to protect the iron from rusting.Use this guide for all Campania International Garden Decor during the winter months. Interested in outdoor garden decor? See more here. -
Campania Patinas & Finishes
Campania Patinas & Finishes
Campania International cast stone offer eleven patinas designed with natural pigments for the best hand applied multi-step process. The team of artisans developed a distinct technic giving each piece a beautiful finish. Campanias patinas are designed to allow the natural aging process to continue in each unique environment.
Understand the impact of harsh materials on the environment, Campania has removed the acid stain component from Pietra Vecchia, Terra Nera, and Ferro Rustico. Taking these steps made our manufacturing facility a safer, healthier workplace, and safer for our environment. Taking these measures required Campania to create three new finishes, Pietra Nuova, Nero Nouvo, and Ferro Rustico Nuovo using a water based pigment.
The application process of staining a wooden table is similar to staining cast stone. There is a degree of color variation based on the amount applied, depth of detail, and how porous of a surface exists. No two pieces look alike due to the reaction of the material with the patinas leaving a broad variable range of tones. These circumstances make each cast stone piece stunning beautiful.
Natural Aging & Efflorescence
Campania outdoor garden decor made from cast stone naturally ages and transforms into a beautiful patina as the years pass. In the beginning, Campania patinas look aged by design.
These patinas have a chemical reaction once applied to the cast stone. This reaction is called efflorescence. Efflorescence is the process which the migration of calcium carbonate moves to the surface forming a coating. The French translation of efflorescence, " to flower out." Over time, raining winding condition promotes the efflorescence process leaving a chalky residue that washes away. The efflorescence process occurs only once.
In addition to the efflorescence process, iron oxidization occurs in some of the Campania birdbaths and fountains. By design, fountains, and birdbaths hold water in the basins. Over the course of time, there is a reaction from the iron that is in the birdbaths and fountains leaving a powdery pink/orange residue that will wash off. There is no internal iron rod or rebar, Campania engineered design does not require those supportive materials.
Weather, humidity, rainfall, and micro environment condition will age cast stone differently. This process is natural and each piece will take on a patina that becomes adapted to the local environment. We recommend cleaning cast stone garden decor with an organic nonabrasive soap and soft bristled brush. If you preferred the look of the cast stone when it arrived, we recommend that you touch up the cast stone piece every two to three years.
Looking for beautiful cast stone garden decor? Start shopping for our collection with Campania Patinas & Finishes here.
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Lightweight Steel Modern Planters
Modern Meets Steel - Campania Lightweight Planters
If you are looking for the classic modern planter that is inspired by an industrial warehouse design, the Campania Lightweight Steel Planter is the right choice. Each of the planters 1.2 mm thick, and the artisans have accelerated the oxidation to achieve the perfect rust coloration.
They are sold in sets and are offered in four styles.
Steel Tall Cube Planter Set of 2 SKU 6990-9602
- Weight 90 lbs
- 22.00"W x 35.00"H
- 17.25"W x 28.25"H
Steel Box Planter Set of 2 SKU 6992-6902
- Weight 94 lbs
- 39.50"L x 19.75"W x 23.75"H
- 31.50"L x 15.75"W x 19.75"H
Steel Tapered Planter Set of 3 SKU 6993-9603
- 28.25"W x 27.50"H
- 20.50"W x 20.50"H
- 17.25"W x 16.50"H
- Weight 103 lbs
Steel Cube Planter Set of 2 SKU 6991-9602
- Weight 90 lbs
- 26.75"W x 26.75"H
- 22.00"W x 22.00"H
Shop for the Campania Lightweight Steel Collection today with free shipping online.
