Hammock set up in a garden is there anything more relaxing than lying in a Garden Hammock on a breezy day with your favorite tipple in hand looking up at a clear blue sky? Just the thought of it can send me into a deep, restful sleep. In these tough times, don’t we all deserve a little relaxation?
When we talk about hammocks, I must admit that I am biased. I have owned and enjoyed garden hammocks for as long I remember. They have always been a fixture in my home. My wife likes them too, but not as much as a warm bath and some scented candles. For me, it has always been hammocks.
The History of the Hammocks
If I seem a little obsessed, that’s okay, because I’m the perfect person to explain to you how to select the right garden hammock for your home. Before that, let’s take a brief look at the history of the hammock. Hey, I told you I was a fanatic.
No one knows for sure who actually invented the hammock. Some claim it first appeared in Greece in the 4th century BC, while others maintain that it arrived a few centuries later in South America. What we do know is that hammocks were first brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus who had been given several of them as gifts by the natives of the Bahamas.
Shortly thereafter, hammocks were adapted for use on sailing ships, because they not only saved space, but also insured that the sailors wouldn’t fall out of bed if the waves got rough. This practice was revived by a few Navy vessels during the Second World War.
Choosing a Hammock for Your Garden
Now that you know a little bit about the history of our comfortable little sling, I’m going to explain exactly what you should look for when shopping for a garden hammock.
How Many People?
The first thing you need to decide is if you are shopping for a one-person or a two-person hammock, or maybe even one for the whole family? A one-person hammock can often support about 250-300 pounds, while a two person hammock holds anywhere from 400-600 pounds.
How Much Space?
Another thing you must consider is the size of the garden hammock you are looking for. This often depends upon where you want to hang your hammock. If you want to hang it between two trees that are twelve feet apart, then your size options are fairly limited. If you don’t have any trees or solid structures to hang your hammock from then you will need to get a stand, most hammocks don’t come with one so unless you buy a package deal this is something that you are going to have to budget for.
Just make sure you get an exact measurement before you go shopping so you can make sure it will fit in your desired location. If you plan to follow the sun around your garden then make it easy on yourself by getting a stand with wheels.
Types of Hammocks
Generally speaking, there are about four or five different kinds of hammocks that you can buy: –
- The Spreader Bar
- The Mayan
- The Brazilian
- The Nicaraguan
- The Venezuelan
The spreader bar hammock includes two wooden bars at the head and the feet of the hammock to spread it out and make it easy to use and to get into. All of the other hammocks are simply separated by the materials they use or small differences in style. My personal favorite at the moment is my quilted hammock – indulgent and fantastic.
Similar to garden hammock there are other types and styles of hammock available for outdoor enthusiasts.
Cotton or Nylon
Though most traditional hammocks are made from high-quality cotton, many people who use outdoor hammocks prefer new weatherproof hammocks that are often made of nylon. These hammocks dry off quickly and will not get dirty, soiled, or stained. It goes almost without saying that a traditional garden hammock is far more intricate and impressive than a nylon one. But the choice is yours.
Do you want a hammock you can use every day or one that requires a bit more maintenance but will make your garden a much more pleasant environment?
How to hang a Hammock?
Lying back in a hammock can be an incredibly relaxing experience. Whether you are enjoying a nap in the sun or simply listening to the sounds of your own backyard, a hammock is a great choice for a laid-back afternoon. However, you will need to know how to install a hammock before being able to use it. The difficulty of installation can vary depending on what kind of hammock you buy. Here are a few ways to install different hammocks.
How to hang a garden hammock?
Find a spot in the shade with a decent breeze to set up your hammock. When you install a hammock in a tree or a post, you won’t be able to change your mind about its location later but in garden you would have option to change the location.
How to put up a garden hammock?
- Be sure the tree or wooden post you use to install your hammock is hardwood. Trees should be at least a 12 inches in diameter, and posts should be at least 4 by 4 inches.
- Before you bury the posts in the ground, drill holes and screw in the hooks.
- Make sure there is enough room between the posts for your hammock to hang. A good way to do this is to add two feet to the length of the hammock.
- The posts should be set in holes that are at least two feet deep. If the ground is sandy, make the holes deeper. Put concrete in the hole around the post and let it dry overnight before setting up your hammock.