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Keeping your copper sinks in beautiful shape is fairly easy, and in most cases, it is also maintenance free. The copper metal in your sinks changes over time reacting with various elements. Your copper sinks over time will age and look even more beautiful as more time passes. It develops a natural patina that is rich and beautiful to look at. There are a few simple guidelines to follow to keep your copper sinks looking beautiful for many many years to come.

You might think that you would need to buy and use copper cleaners to keep your sinks in the best condition. The fact is, you don’t need any type of cleaner. Actually, you should avoid using any abrasive materials or harsh chemicals on any copper sinks as these may harm the surface and the finish. However, to keep your sink bright and shiny, you will need to periodically clean and rebuff your sinks with a copper cleaner such as Wright’s Copper Cream. After cleaning your sinks, you should then protect the surface with a wax coating or you can also chose to lacquer it with a clear lacquer. As we said in the first paragraph, if you want the copper finish to change with time and acquire its own unique and natural patina, then all you need to do is wait and the sink will slowly age.

If you have hard water, keep your copper sinks and drains dry by wiping it with a soft cloth after every use to avoid the hard water spotting. Hard water will affect copper as it would any other type of metal, and it will be difficult to remove after they affect into the finish. You can further protect your copper sinks from these minerals by periodically applying “Renaissance Wax”. This will help maintain its luster and provide better water runoff. You can also slow down the patina process by applying the “Renaissance Wax” to the copper surface periodically to help maintain the luster and provide better water runoff.

Don’t leave any acid based foods in your copper sinks for a prolonged period of time such as tomatoes, oranges or lemons. The acid in these foods may produce a shiny spot on your finish. If it does occur, clean it with soap and water and wait for the finish to recover its patina. The spot will blend back with the rest of the copper over time.

Mexican Copper are the creators of beautiful handmade copper sinks, including kitchen, bathroom, bar, farmhouse and vessel sinks. All of our copper sinks include FREE SHIPPING, and we also offer FREE CUSTOMIZING. Please view our online catalog offering many sink choices or contact us for a custom design.

[tags]copper sinks, copper kitchen sinks, copper bathroom sinks, vessel sinks[/tags]

Enjoy a warm and cozy atmosphere in your living room throughout the winter season.

Redesign the space and greet the New Year with an inviting and comfortable living room. An intimate conversation area will inspire gatherings for long chats over a warm cup of cocoa. Texture, natural elements and light create a tangible ambience. If you have a formal room, relaxing the atmosphere a bit with some of the casual comforts suggested will help create a room that feels cozy and inviting.

To create a conversation area, bring the sofas off the wall if necessary, allowing no more than 8 ft from the front of two parallel sofas or a sofa and two armchairs. If you have enough furniture to create “U” formation, make sure that there is at least 18″ between the coffee table and the furniture gathered around it. Bring in color and texture with a throw and pillows. The idea is to create a place where someone would love to sink into and read a book or have a long conversation.

The coffee table is an important “grounding item” in the conversation area, it allows family and friends to have a place to set down their reading, drinks, or even play a board game. Even the suggestion of one of these activities displayed on the coffee table will both liven up and relax the room. Punch up the color and texture with candles, a collection, natural elements like pinecones in a bowl or basket, antique books or other tabletop display. Unify the look by placing the coffee table accessories on a large tray or plate. Woven fabric works nicely too.

A throw rug or carpet underneath the furniture will tie all the pieces together and add another layer of texture and warmth, boosting the “cozy” factor of the room.

Side tables can also be used next to the chairs and sofa, taking care not to block off easy entrance into the conversation area at least through one end. Side tables give another opportunity to personalize the space with accessories, and are needed to hold a lamp or candles for both beauty and function.

By bringing in natural elements, rich textures, and a personal touch with pictures or collections, you room will become interesting and inviting. Let the conversations be dreamy or deep, and enjoy the indoors when it is too cold to go out.

Copyright © Julianna Hind, 2005. All Rights Reserved

Julianna Hind, I.R.I.S.
Roomspinners Redesign, LLC

http://www.roomspinners.com

Roomspinners Redesign is located in the Greater Puget Sound area of Washington State. The team at Roomspinners specialize in one-day redesigns, transforming your home with existing furniture and accessories. Staging for Real Estate and Decorator Classes are also available.

[tags]Living Room, Redesign, cozy, winter, accesories, New Year, seating area, conversation area, decorate[/tags]

You have as much chance of getting expert advice on home renovation materials and installation methods at a “Big Box” retailer as you do in winning a major lottery. Of course if you do win the lottery you can always hire experts to help you choose the materials and provide the installation.

In most cases the poor advice given is due to a lack of specific product training and having little if any actual experience in the profession. The greatest number of clerks at any of the big box retailers are part-time employees who either work at the big-box to augment their incomes or because they are going to school to become something that has nothing to do with home repair or renovation. The primary function of a clerk at a big box retailer is to ensure that the products are stacked neatly on the shelves, that aisles are clear of debris and to point customers in the right direction within the store on where specific merchandise is. All big box retailers merchandise the products that they sell in order to promote self service.

Where are the biggest areas of poor advice? I can only speak for myself, but I find that it is specific application of materials. Following are some areas that I have encountered where the wrong product, for the application, was recommended. Luckily, I read the label before buying the product.

Would your child’s room benefit from some fresh design ideas and reorganization? Most could, but it can be hard to know where to begin and what concepts to use. Obviously, the age and personality of your child, not to mention your budget, will dictate much of the design concept. But where and how to begin? With these easy-to-follow tips, you will be ready to dive right in and decorate.

A room with a viewpoint

Every piece of furniture, wall-hanging and accessory in a child’s room contributes to an overall feeling conveyed by the room. A sports theme conveys excitement, while soft white clouds against a light blue sky add a relaxing, inspirational touch. Choose the design that is right for your child by having a conversation with each object and piece of furniture before you place it in the room, asking what it could contribute and where it would like to be placed. Ask the room what color it would like to be painted, or the walls what they would like hanging on them. Stay open-minded and you will realize the answer to each question is within you.

Give your child the room of his or her dreams - literally
Did you know that children sleep for up to sixteen hours a day and sometimes more, depending on their age? For child development, sleep is as vital for health and well-being as food. So your first consideration when designing your child’s bedroom should be to create a space that feels comfortable, warm and safe. Keep this in mind when planning to decorate, since creating an atmosphere where your child can sleep peacefully is more important than adapting the latest hot design trend.

Minimize distractions, maximize peace of mind

Messy, cluttered rooms add a subtle layer of stress to the inhabitant, and can inhibit proper relaxation. Keep your child’s room well-organized, with as few distractions as possible. Before you begin to decorate your child’s room, remove all furniture, toys, clothes, and wall-hangings. Clean the entire room, using natural cleaners that won’t irritate your child’s sensitive nostrils and lungs.

Color me beautiful

Paint can transform an ordinary room into a world of your child’s own. Color will influence how your child feels, so choose shades or combinations that promote relaxation, security, happiness and love. Green, blue, pink, pastel orange, and beige are all good choices. Let your child help pick the color, but stay away from bright reds and yellows which can be overly vibrant, making it hard for your child to relax, and from dreary grays, browns or black, which can be depressing and may affect your child’s mood. Paint should be freshened every two to four years, and should provide a nice backdrop for the rest of the room.

Bed sheets, blankets and bumpers should also be soothing to the eye, so steer clear of bright, dominant colors. Pastels of any color work fine here, as does plain white or cream. When it comes to room accents, you can be creative with colors. A child’s chair or step stool can be painted in bright primary colors, eliciting feelings of excitement, while a large soft teddy bear or rug can be light blue or pink, enveloping your child in comfort and love.

Clear that clutter!

Once the paint is dry, bring back in the bed. Place the bed in its ideal location, then one by one, fill out the room with the other furniture pieces (see Feng Shui Tips, below). If the room starts to look cluttered, do not feel you must fit in everything. Trade the chest of drawers for a closet organizer, wire or wood systems.

Clothes that no longer fit should be donated, passed to a friend in need, or stored in waterproof storage boxes in a garage or storage space, along with clothes that are out of season. (Make sure if you are storing these clothes to clearly mark the outside of the boxes for easy identification.) Limit toys and books to those the child makes use of daily and weekly. Give away unused toys, or store them in waterproof boxes in a garage or storage space. The more clothes and toys you get rid of, the more room you will have for future fashions and fun activities.

Feng Shui tips

You may have heard or read about Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art of object and furniture placement. Feng Shui explains that each area of a room attracts a different type of energy from the other areas. Implementing Feng Shui in your child’s bedroom design can maximize the effectiveness of the furniture and art you are already planning to use. For example, Feng Shui teaches that a bed should be placed in the corner of the room farthest from the door. Your child’s head should be at the end of the bed where the door can be easily viewed, and there is no chance of getting startled by an unexpected visitor.

The northern section of your child’s room promotes stillness, so this would be an example of an ideal placement for the bed. The desk should be placed far from the door, in the Northeast part of the room if possible, since this is the Knowledge/Education Sector. This area is also a great place for educational posters, such as letters of the alphabet or a picture of Einstein. Select artwork carefully, taking time to notice any hidden messages. Each image gives off a specific vibration, so only choose the most positive pictures for the walls.

Of all the activities your child will do in his or her room - including grooming, relaxing, studying, and playing - in mind that sleep is most important and must be supported by the design of the room. Take your child’s personality into consideration, as well as his or her hobbies and special interests. Still, keep all d

Ornamental grasses for dry gravel and prairie style plantings. My six very best recomendations.

If you have ever thought about a drought resistant low maintenances garden with tough disease free easy to grow plants but still want a garden that’s attractive and with long season charm then you must have considered ornamental grasses.

Many grasses are undeniably elegant and graceful adding structure and form to a garden. In the breeze they bring movement and sound. Many have beautiful flowers and later seed heads that last right through the winter season.

I am pleased to highly recommend the following six ornamental grasses as some of the most attractive and interesting specimens available today. You can view images of these grasses at both the Pot and Grass Company website where you will find a wealth of information on growing and planting ornamental grasses and bamboos and garden design ideas or at www.grassgardens.co.uk in the gallery.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Imperata cylindrica’Red Baron’

“The Japanese Blood Grass”. This Japanese grass is famous for producing the only genuinely red grass in cultivation. Unique and breathtakingly beautiful. The pale green leaves emerge in late spring gradually turning red in the late season sun when they are blood red like claret. Bolt upright. H 45 cm. W 90 cm.

Elymus Magellanicum a.k.a (Agropyron.M)

“Blue Magellan Wheatgrass” From the Magellan straights of South Americas Cape Horn (named after the navigator Magellan and from whom this grass gets its name) This tufted clump former has the most intense blue foliage of all the grasses. Its colour is so strong other traditional bluish grasses pale into insignificants. A cool season grower it needs sharply drained soil especially in wet winter areas such as the SW and welcomes some light shade to relieve the summer sulks. Drought tolerant and loves the seaside. It makes a superb container specimen. Zone 6 Hardy.

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’”Eulalia Grass”

‘Zebrinus’. Horizontally stripped. The original Zebra Grass. Loose arching clumps of fresh leaves. Very attractive. H 240 cm.-W 120 cm. Large, bold, hardy, drought tolerant, easy to grow. greatly appreciated and loved by the prairie style garden disciples. They are perennials with a long flowering season, outstanding autumn colours and winter interest. They are unfussy about soil types, free draining to heavy but not waterlogged.

Pennisetum orientale”The Fountain or Foxtail Grass”

‘Orientale’. A slightly smaller cultivar. Produces long thin mauve-pink flower heads all summer and autumn flowers appear from mid summer on tall stems topped by a bottlebrush or foxtail of pink hairs. Sun or light shade and sheltered. Most soils except waterlogged. Is drought resistant when established.

Stipa arundinacae a.k.a Anemanthele lessoniana”The New Zealander”

This comes from guess where? The needle type leaves emerge chocolate brown and aging to olive green with coppery overtones. Autumn flowers. Stipa’s have tremendously presence in the garden. Clumps of attractive narrow leaves abundant flowers for long periods. They do not cope with shade. Full sun. they are exposure and drought tolerant. Free draining to dry soil, impoverished with sand is good. Has low nutrient needs.

Nassella Tenuissima a.k.a (STIPA Tenuissima) Mexican Feather Grass.

Probably better known by its old classification Stipa Tenuissima this has proved I think to be our most popular grass to date and it deserves to be. A native of Mexico Texas and Argentina it is at home on dry rocky slopes, open woodlands and dry open spaces. It is one of the finest ornamental grasses. Fountains of fine hair like leaves and threadlike stems terminating in a silvery inflorescence. A cool season grower supposedly, but whose ever heard of a cool blooded Mexican.

We hope you enjoy your grasses and your gardens and find peace and happiness within.

Peter Corbett. Is a collector of rare grasses and ornamental bamboos and written several articles on the subject. Peter advices and assists his wife Heather who runs the Pot and Grass Company Nursery and mail order company specialising in bamboos and grasses. Peter has a keen interest in Chinese metaphysics and has lived and travelled extensively through SE Asia and mainland China. Peter has written a book on Feng Shui “Qi Concepts for energy engineering” which is available for purchase from the Pot and Grass company online store or available as a free down load to customers.

[tags]Grass,Grasses,Dry gardens,Stipa,Miscanthus,Elymus,Imperata,Lessonia.Nassela,Festuca,plants.prairie.[/tags]

Do you wake up each morning feeling like you have not slept a wink? Do you wake up throughout the night tossing and turning? How about do you suffer pain throughout the day in your back or neck? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you should consider getting a new bed. You should consider replacing your sagging mattress with an adjustable bed.

We have compiled this article to give you the top seven reasons we think you should consider an adjustable bed. Of course, just because we think this, does not mean everyone will. An adjustable bed should be a purely personal decision, but we are here to help you make that decision.

ONE: First, people often suffer from many different side effects that result from poor sleep and habits. It is proven that some health issues can arise from poor sleeping positions and habits. Issues such as back problems, neck and shoulder pain, gastric reflux, arthritis, snoring, circulatory problems, and breathing problems can all result from sleeping poorly on an old and worn mattress. Investing in an adjustable bed could help with these health issues.

TWO: The number two reason, the most common reason people do not sleep well during the night is simple from tossing and turning. Why do we toss and turn at night? Well the main answer to that is pressure points. Our trusty coil and spring mattress tends to put pressure on various areas in our body, which then causes restricted circulation to the areas of pressure. This causes us, without even really being aware of it, to turn to a new position when we become uncomfortable.

THREE: We concluded the number three reason yet is again, tossing and turning. This time we focus on improper spinal alignment. Most of the traditional mattresses are flat; however, our bodies are not. Our bodies curve and these traditional mattress that we are used to, fail to offer enough support , thus allowing your lower back and hips to sink below the rest of your body. This again results in pressure and discomfort, causing your body to turn to a new position.

FOUR: So here we are to number four, are you convinced yet? If not, good thing we still have more to tell you. Adjustable beds offer you various wonderful benefits. Obviously, the adjustable base is just that, an adjustable base. To maximize the benefits of having an adjustable bed you need the proper mattress to team up with it. The team together creates a pressure free zone while you snooze. Studies show that if you keep your heads slightly elevated this will allow for easier breathing. Additionally, the proper team keeps your knees naturally bent and elevated slightly above your heart, taking pressure off the spine and increasing blood flow to the heart. If you were not aware of this, this could be the single most important reason to consider an adjustable bed.

FIVE: We are getting closer; reason number five is, in its own right, an excellent invention. In comes the invention of the mattress genie. The mattress genie allows you to turn any bed into an adjustable bed. This is for a fraction of the cost of a traditional adjustable bed. It features an air bladder that sits flat under your mattress until you are ready to use it; an air pump that pumps up the air bladder elevating the head of the mattress, and a handheld remote that simple allows you to access all of this with the touch of a button. It is small and excellent for travelers.

SIX: Reason number six, is geared towards the busy lifestyle. More and more people today use their bed as a relaxing point for watching television or reading. An adjustable bed gives you the opportunity to do so in a comfortable and healthier manner. Have you ever lay in bed reading a good book, having to turn frequently to remain comfortable? Imagine this, with an adjustable bed you are elevated properly, reducing stress on the back, neck, and arms and reading without interruption, an excellent idea considering all the benefits.

SEVEN: Finally, here we are at reason number seven, we have shown you that only an adjustable bed can mimic the extremely comfortable and healthy positions. Keeping your body in the natural sleep position will reduce the pressure on your skeletal frame more than 85% enabling you to get the deepest, most restful sleep you have only dreamed about.

Ethan K. Roberts writes on a variety of topics not limited to adjustable beds. Also available are more articles on adjustable bed frames and discount adjustable beds.

[tags]adjustable bed,adjustable beds[/tags]

Many people shy away from organic gardening because they believe that their plants will become infested by insects if they do not spray them with the correct “poisons.” The truth is, there are plenty of natural ways to keep bugs off of your plants - that is, there are lots of ways to keep the bad bugs off while attracting the good ones.

No matter what you plant, all gardeners have one thing in common - trying to control the weeds in your garden! Instead of pulling your hair out, take a few minutes and design a plan to get rid of and control the weeds.

Technically, a weed is any plant growing where it is not wanted. This could include what we normally think of as weeds, or it could include self sowing perennials or annuals. Weeds can either grow from seeds or runners. Runners are roots or stems that originate from the parent plant and sprout new growth further along the runner. The biggest problem with runners is that even when you remove the parent plant, the runners will continue to sprout (and create their own runners!). Like any plant, weeds need the basic nutrients to grow: sunlight, water and nutrients. To control your weeds, you can remove any of these three things.

When starting a garden bed from scratch, controlling weeds will be easier in the future if you get rid of them now, before planting. First, remove all unwanted plants from your area. Then, dig up the soil and underlying roots. At this time, work the soil using a rototiller. Leave the garden bed alone for several days, you will notice new seedlings sprouting. Turn the soil again, exposing their roots to the sun. You may repeat this process if desired, to make sure as many weed seeds as possible are removed. Or, you could spray a non selective herbicide over the area, which will kill all vegetation.

In established beds, removing existing weeds takes more effort. You want to remove the weeds, but not harm the plants you want. You can either remove the weeds by hand, making sure you get all of the roots, or use a chemical herbicide. When removing weeds by hand, first water the soil if it is dry. Then wait about twenty minutes before pulling the weeds. The damp soil will allow the root system to come out of the ground more easily, with less chance of leaving some behind.

When using an herbicide, make sure that you are using one the is correct for your situation. There are pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides. The pre-emergent keep weed seeds from germinating. The post-emergent kill growing weeds. For best results, contact a garden center to see which product is right for you. If using a non-selective herbicide, the easiest way to apply it is directly onto the plant with a foam paintbrush. That way you won’t accidentally spray plants you want to keep.

For new beds and established beds, a great way to control weeds is with mulch. Mulch will act as a barrier to light and suppress weed growth. Another benefit of organic mulch is that it can add nutrients to the soil for your desired plants. A good tip when mulching is to lay strips of newspaper down over exposed soil before mulching. While adding some nutrients, it will also help suppress weed growth even more than mulch alone. Stay away from plastic weed barriers. Not only will they trap heat under them, which can essentially ‘bake’ any beneficial microorganisms, but any organic mulch placed on top will decompose to top soil and weeds will sprout in it.

Once you have a good weed control program in place, only little maintenance will be required. There will be much less weeding and more time for you to enjoy your gardens!

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Gardening

[tags]gardening[/tags]

One way to save money is by doing kitchen cabinet installation yourself. If you have some skill in home remodelling, you may be able to save up to a few thousand dollars in labor costs. A guide comes with the cabinets to help with the job. Read this guide thoroughly and make sure you understand it before you start.

Cabinet Installation

Check your cabinets when they are delivered. Make sure everything is there before you start. Check all cabinets carefully for damage. Once you are sure you have all the necessary cabinets, be sure you have all the tools you need for installation.
Check to be sure you have the right fasteners and screws for the job. These need to be suitable for the cabinets and the area where you will be fastening the cabinetry. You will need screws. Be sure you get the right size for the job.

Tools Needed for Installation

o Carpenter square o Carpenter level o Tape measure o Hammer o Straight edge o Drill o Drill bits o Chalk line o Screw driver (power driver is best) o Masking tape o Utility knife o Jigsaw o Miter saw o Step ladder o Furniture clamps o Shims o Circuit tester o Bit sander

Kitchen Cabinet Installation Safety

Stay safe when installing kitchen cabinets. They are bulky and heavy, so you should have someone helping you. Wear the right clothing for safety when doing any remodelling project. This would include good shoes and safety glasses to protect your eyes. Keep the work area clear of debris and clutter to avoid slipping.

You will need to turn off appliances and utilities before you start. Turn off electrical power in the kitchen and double check with a circuit tester to be sure it is off. Once the electricity is turned off, unplug and move the appliances out of the way. The oven will often have its own breaker, so make sure this is off as well.

You will also need to turn off the water to the sink before removing it. Turn on the faucets until no water is coming out to be sure it is off. Disconnect the line for the water and the garbage disposal.

Your job will be easier if you are using the same layout. If you are planning to change the layout of the kitchen, you will need to move the utilities. Hire a professional for this part of the job. This includes moving electric, water or gas lines. Mistakes can be dangerous and end up costing a fortune.

Installing New Cabinets

Before you install new cabinets, you will need to remove the existing ones. If you are replacing the floor, you won’t need to worry when you are removing the old cabinets. If you are planning to keep your current floor, protect it with heavy cardboard taped down.

Empty the cabinets before taking them down. Remove the top cabinets and then the bottom. Remove the moldings. If you are planning to replace the floor, this is the time to take up the old floor. Once the cabinets are removed, repair any damage to the walls before installing the new cabinetry.

Follow the instructions in the guide for installation. Read through the guide a second time before you start the installation. If you have any questions, you can call customer service before you get started.

Clinton Maxwell reveals many articles for the http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com internetsite. The publisher is also focusing on tips about kitchen cabinets.

[tags]kitchen cabinets,kitchen remodeling,home improvement,cabinets,[/tags]

I will freely admit that I devour every article that I can lay my hands on which deals with anything related to gardening. Everyone has something which they are passionate about in life, mine is my garden.

My friends tell me that I am obsessed, and maybe I am. I think my partner is obsessed, in his case it’s golf, but as yet I haven’t heard any of his friends telling him that he is obsessed.

The compelling joy of being a gardening enthusiast is the creativity of it, because you can see really tangible results for your labour. Watching your favorite roses blooming, or the pleasure of eating your own home grown vegetables, well, I think that takes a lot of beating.

However each to his own!

One of the reasons why I enjoy writing articles on my passion, is because I know that they will be read by people who most likely share my enthusiasm, and can relate to what I am talking about.

One hears the term “Organic” so much nowadays, that I decided to do some deeper research into the suject, and I am sharing with you in this article some brief findings from that research.
So the following paragraphs summarize some of the work of various gardening experts who are completely familiar with all aspects of gardening. I must say that I found some of the information totally fascinating.

Since we are discussing the term “Organic” in a gardening context, it might be a useful start to define exactly what that means, so here it is, “Organic gardening is the way of growing vegetables and fruits with the use of things only found in nature”.
Really simple isn’t it, but most certainly not commonplace any more in today’s world I suggest.

Having led up to all of that, a good question might arise as to exactly why you would want to indulge in organic gardening as such! Well, as the title of this articles suggests, here are six good reasons why you should do so, in my opinion at any rate.

1. You can easily make compost from garden and kitchen waste, alhough this is a bit more time consuming than buying prepared chemical pesticides and fertilizers. However it certainly helps to put garbage to good use, and so helps the environment.

2. Organic farming does not use chemicals that may have an adverse affect on your health, which is especially important when growing vegetables. The chemical companies do tell us that the chemicals we use are safe, provided that they are used according to direction.
Research has shown however that even tiny amounts of poisons absorbed through the skin can cause such things as cancer, especially in children. Quite a sobering thought is it not!

On average, a child ingests four to five times more cancer-causing pesticides from foods than an adult, which could lead to various diseases later on in the child’s life. Remember, pesticides contain toxins that have only one purpose, which is to kill living things!

With organic gardening, these incidents are lessened.

3. Less harm is caused to the environment, because poisons are not washed into our waterways to give but one example, causing death to the native fish and polluting their habitat in most cases.

4. Organic farming practices also help prevent the loss of topsoil through erosion. The Soil Conservation Service says that an estimated 30 - 32 billion tons of soil is eroded from United States farmlands every year, and that’s only one country.

4. Cost savings, because you do not need to buy costly chemical fertilizers and pesticides with organic gardening. Many organic recipes for the control of pest and disease come straight from the kitchen cupboard, and sometimes other plants can even be grown as companions to the main crop. One example of this is the marigold, which helps to repel aphids from vegetables.

Mixing 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap, and 1 cup of cooking oil, can make a cheap garden pest spray for example. Put 3 tablespoons of this mixture in 1 quart of water and spray on to your plants. You will find this to be very effective!

5. A simple mulch of pine needles will help to suppress the growth of weeds, as well as keeping the moisture in. Another simple and much safer solution!

6. Organic gardening practices are much more likely to help keep the environment safe for future generations, and all of us who are responsible ciitizens, should always bear this in mind

The whole subject which is part of an on going worldwide debate, is far too complex to cover in such a short article, but I do hope that at least I have left you with some food for thought.

Imagine the overall benefits to be had in our environment, by many people undertaking even some small changes.

Marie K Fisher is an avid gardening enthusiast with a passion for exotic flowers and wonderful colors. She is a regular contributor to Garden Center Showplace, a leading online Garden Center Nursery. For details of their superb product range, and many more free gardening articles, visit http://www.gardencentershowplace.com

[tags]organic gardening,garden center nursery,environmental changes,free gardening information,[/tags]