by admin on January 28, 2012
Margarita pizza is very popular in Italy and has its roots in Naples Did you know pizza did not become popular in America until after WWII? When soldiers who were stationed in Italy came back home from their service, they spilled the beans on a little unknown secret the Italians gave away. It was the [...]
It is important to know the volume of water in your backyard pond for a couple of reasons. When you are constructing your water feature, you will need to know the volume it will hold in order to get the correct size pump to recirculate the water effectively. Poor water circulation will result in a [...]
Whether for resale value or just the daily enjoyment of your home, sustainable landscaping designs are great investments. Sure, you can create your own garden and landscaping plan. But starting with a professional’s design ensures that all of the latest developments are incorporated. After that initial stage, handling maintenance yourself will be simpler and more enjoyable. [...]
by admin on December 29, 2011
Home Improvement projects often show up high on homeowner’s list of New Year’s resolutions. But without proper planning it’s easy to spend too much or hire a disreputable contractor. Then the home improvement project that should bring you joy turns into a home improvement nightmare. Here’s a list of five New Year’s resolutions that will [...]
When there’s a bumper crop of fresh herbs, the best way to preserve them is in oil. Here’s a great recipe to do this. Pluck leaves from the stems and pack them down in a measuring cup. Place two hard-packed cups of herbs in a blender or food processor. Add 1 cup of good-quality cooking [...]
Going green is all the rage these days, but there’s nothing new or trendy about spending less money on home energy needs. The latest home heating and air conditioning units, as well as water heaters, are more energy efficient than ever – helping soften the impact on the environment as well as a homeowner’s wallet. “Energy [...]
What do you do in the fall when your hanging baskets are spent? You can throw them out or compost the plant material and old potting soil, saving the pot for reuse next year. And while recycling the pot is great, repurposing it and getting another use out of it is my preferred choice. Last [...]
by admin on November 21, 2011
Loosely defined, evergreens are trees and shrubs that do not lose their leaves all at once in the fall. They do shed leaves or needles, but do so a little at a time throughout the year. Pruning evergreen trees and shrubs accomplishes several things: It helps control size and shape of the plant. It helps [...]
Humidity levels vary from place to place. Humidity levels at or around 50%, apart from being uncomfortable, lead to growth of fungus and mold in homes which increase health risks, such as asthma and allergies. Additionally, high humidity is an ideal breeding environment for moths, fleas, cockroaches and termites, all of which can wreak havoc [...]
Interesting activities for children’s garden clubs, cub scouts, brownies or your own children and grandchildren are often difficult to find during the winter months. But there are lots of planting projects right in your own kitchen! Children can learn about Mother Nature by planting the seeds they find in the fruits they have just eaten. [...]
by admin on November 10, 2011
This year’s winter has taken us all by surprise, many of us did not expect to see snow so soon into the winter, and this only points out that this winter’s effects can easily overcome those of last year. In that case, it’s always better to expect the worse, and be prepared. There are a [...]
by admin on November 7, 2011
The magic of a home remodel is taking an old house that was originally built for somebody else and making it right for you. To accomplish this, you need to learn about how your home was originally built and clarify what will be involved in modifying it. Obviously, the less that’s required to make this [...]
The hot sticky days of summer gardening are behind us. The glory of fall and the bite of winter are on their way. Here are some helpful tips for your yard and garden for the fall and winter months. October Garden Tips • Squirrels can’t climb the pole if you use a staple gun and [...]
You can find anything on Twitter! Yesterday we featured resources for kitchen cabinets. Today, in part 2 of our kitchen series, we’ll continue with professional kitchen designers who can help you realize your remodeled kitchen vision. Each of these experts has an amazing website packed with ideas. 1. Susan Serra, CKD, CAPS, @SusanSerraCKD, has a [...]
by admin on October 24, 2011
Even if you have a large vegetable or flower garden, you may be able to start your own winter vegetables in a cold frame. You will save money, raise superior plants, get plants that are directly acclimatized to your locality, and you can produce a far greater variety of plants. A great advantage of starting [...]
by admin on October 17, 2011
Very few gardeners in the United States, other than Martha Stewart use the English method of cloche gardening. However, it is interesting to study the process and perhaps adapt some aspects of this gardening technique in our own home gardens. A cloche looks like a tall glass water bottle with the bottom cut out. The [...]
by admin on October 10, 2011
Almost every yard has a spot that could use a ground cover for one reason or another. It’s a good idea to look over a comprehensive list of ground covers to help select just the right one. Ground covers are a practical addition to the yard and an important asset to the overall landscape theme. [...]
by admin on October 3, 2011
October is a great time to work in your garden as leaves are dropping and that first frost hits. Getting lawns and flower beds ready for winter will make for a beautiful garden in the spring. Here is a list of things to do in your backyard in October. OCTOBER GARDEN TIPS: October Lawn Care [...]
by admin on September 22, 2011
You spent your budget on hiring a landscaper to design and build a backyard pond for koi. It’s been a lifelong dream to be able to enjoy these jewels of the backyard and hand feed them on a nice summer day. Yet weeks after seeing your fishpond become a reality, you notice fish are starting [...]
by admin on September 15, 2011
The Hibiscus plant is an interest one. Not only will some varieties add great beauty to your garden, but some varieties also extra bang for the buck by offering other benefits as well. It is said that the flowers from the hibiscus offers certain health benefits. There are Islanders in the South Pacific that drink [...]