MyFurnitureOK.com

Fall-blooming bulbs are not as well known as their spring cousins, but they can brighten up a garden just as most plants are fading.

A good time to plan your impending bulb additions is during winter, while your tulip and daffodil bulbs are lying dormant in the ground. It’s easy to imagine that great burst of color when spring arrives, and also easy to think about how quickly it will end, leaving you a fall garden with little color. Enjoying a few colorful blossoms in the fall is also an option, though. Planting fall-blooming bulbs will give you some color in your garden in addition to the fall reds, yellows and browns.

Finding fall blooming bulbs may be challenging. But seed or bulb catalogues are a good place to look. As you search for fall bloomers, you may also encounter the term “corm.” A corm is similar to a bulb although the shape is slightly different. A corm has a swollen stem base, which acts as the food reserve. Crocus and gladiolas are common corms (although only the saffron crocus variety will bloom in the fall).

Plant fall-blooming bulbs in early spring, or after the danger of frost is passed. The bulbs should be planted four to six inches deep, in well-drained soil. Consider adding sharp gravel around the corms to dissuade pesky garden scavengers. Because these bulbs can be planted so deeply, ground covers or other plants with an open nature will not harm the bulbs buried beneath.

The most commonly available fall bulb is the saffron crocus, also available in a white variety. As fall approaches, the leafless flower stalks of the crocus grow out of the ground and clusters of flaring, four-inch purple blooms appear on the stems. Other varieties of crocus include: medius, pulchellus, and speciosus. Speciosus, or “Showy Crocus” produces violet blue blooms with yellow anthers and deep orange stigmas. The plant will grow to five or six inches high. Also look for varieties of the showy crocus which include ‘Cassiope’ (aster blue flowers with yellow bases) and ‘Conqueror’ (clear, deep blue flowers).

Spring is not the only season that welcomes new life-fall blooms can brighten your yard, and your mood, just at the time other plants are turning brown.

American Homeowners Association (AHA)

Before any home improvement project, you should start off by having some home improvement companies come out to your house to inspect and evaluate what you want done, then have them present you with the home improvement estimates.

If you only rely on one or two quotes you risk paying too much for the job. You should get home improvement estimates from several companies to get a feel for how much you should be paying for the home improvement job. You will also get a good idea of what to budget for the home improvement job. It is important to keep a budget, as it keeps you from overspending and within budget.

If your home improvement is a big project, you should consider getting a loan from loan companies to finance your home renovation project. Home improvement financing is now easier than ever to apply for. If you are working then obtaining financing should not be too difficult as long as you can afford the repayments on the loan. Before approving the loan, loan companies need to check your credit and see if there are any defaults or non payment in your report.

The easiest way to search for home improvement loans is to have a broker search for the best possible deals and loan providers. Ask the broker to seek out which loan companies offer the best deal on the amount you would like to borrow. Of course, you should select the loan company that offers the lowest APR.

No matter what type of renovation you want to do, most home improvement loans can cover it. Loan companies do ask you to specify the type of home improvement you want to do to make sure you are not over borrowing. Loan companies usually give out secured loans, which are loans secured on your house. However, if you have an excellent credit score, you are qualified to apply for unsecured loans.

Entering into any loan agreement with a loan company is a serious responsibility and you have to make sure you are on time with your payments and do not fall behind, or your house is in jeopardy.

Taking out a loan is a serious decision and something you should give serious thought to. Once you decide to apply, your home improvement will be underway, and you will have a beautiful home to look forward to.

For more on Home Improvement visit Home Improvement Project. Susan also enjoys writing at Education and Reference

[tags]home improvement,home improvement loan,home improvement financing,home improvement contractor[/tags]

There’s more to shopping for curtain fabric than seeking out the perfect print of the weave those complements the color scheme to perfection. Furnishing fabrics are not all suitable for every situation. With the wide range of weaves and weighs of cloth available, make sure the one you buy will do the job you have in mind. The two most important factors to bear in mind when looking for curtain fabric are resistance to fading and the weight of the fabric.

Light resistance curtains, being so close to windows, take a lot of punishment from
sunlight. Make sure to close fabrics that are resistant to fading and rotting by the sun’s
rays, particularly for rooms which get the sun throughout most of the day. Look at the
weight and quality of the fabric. In general, all but the lightest curtains are worth
lining, and even some of the thinner softer cloths, which drape well look very limp
unless they are lined.

The after-care of made-up curtains also needs some though when choosing fabric.
Unless a fabric is labeled and sold as pre-shrunk of fixed-finished, shrinkage have
between five and six per cent is considered normal. Fabric needs to be flexible enough
to roll around a wooden dowel. All medium-weight fabrics can be used, but look for
tightly woven cottons for really reliable results. If curtains are going to need regular
washing it is sensible either to pre-wash the fabric, lining and tape, or to make curtain
with detachable linings.

About The Author:

Roger King has been involved in home interior designs for several years, and has been
helping people find and review the best value for interior design solutions. Visit his
web site http://www.all-homeinteriordesigns.com to learn more about this service.

[tags]fabric for curtains[/tags]

Memory foam, the visco-elastic material that temporarily keeps whatever form you press into it, is mostly associated with memory foam mattresses. The most famous memory foam mattress brand is Tempur-Pedic, the very company that helped NASA to develop the material. It is one of the more premium brands, but there are at least two other quality brands worth noting.

Sensus

Sensus memory foam generally has a density of 5 pounds per cubic foot. This makes for a high-density mattress or mattress pad. It will last you at least 10 years, softening a little over time. It has an ILD (Indentation Load Deflection) of 14, which means it is a soft sort of foam. Sensus carries memory foam mattresses almost as good as Tempur-Pedic, at lower prices.

Serta

Serta is a large bedding company, formed in 1931. They decided to start offering memory foam mattresses and mattress pads in the 1990s, and their product quality is high, but their customer service is not very knowledgeable. If you buy a Serta memory foam mattress, go to a dealer or small retailer of their products, rather than the manufacturer.

Tempur-Pedic

Tempur-Pedic is the industry leader in memory foam. They offer three mattresses, each a different thickness, with different levels of firmness. The Classic is the firmest at 8″. It has a base layer of 4.3″. Air is allowed to flow through this base layer and the top two layers, with the top layer being the softest. The Deluxe is thicker at 10″, with a two-level base layer that is doubly aerated for more airflow, thus allowing for a softer and cooler sleep. The Celebrity is over 13″ thick - the softest memory foam mattress Temper-Pedic has to offer. Most other companies offer these variations in memory foam mattresses, but Tempur-Pedic was the first.

Memory Foam Info provides detailed information on memory foam mattresses, mattress pads, pillows, slippers, and dog beds, as well as memory foam product reviews. Memory Foam Info is the sister site of Mattresses Web.

[tags]memory foam, memory foam mattresses, memory foam mattress pads[/tags]

1. Never wrestle with your furnace; you both get dirty and the furnace doesn’t care!

2. Never argue with an idiot; people watching may not be able to tell the difference!

3. It’s easier to obtain forgiveness than it is permission!

4. Don’t ask the question if you can’t live with the answer!

5. If you want a new idea, read an old book!

6. If you don’t know what you’re building, any tool will do the job!

7. Never have a philosophy which supports a lack of courage!

8. Never look back unless you intend to go that way!

9. How you hold your tongue really does make a difference!

10. Renovation is a good excuse to spend the money on tools!

Copyright Gil Strachan - All rights reserved.

Gil Strachan is a professional home inspector, representing Electrospec Home Inspection Services in east-central Ontario, Canada since 1994. Visit http://www.allaroundthehouse.com to learn more about home inspections.

“The Home Reference Book”
You can probably find a home inspection for a little less than what we ask, but you probably won’t find the Home Reference Book. A $60 value, this solutions-oriented reference tool comes free with every inspection we perform.
It’s the first tool you should have around the house!

[tags]basement home,diy home repair,home renovation,home improvement,home additions,diy repairs[/tags]

Fresh air is good for you, but how much time do you spend outdoors?

Since many of us spend most of our lives indoors, we should be aware of what is called “sick-house” syndrome. This sick house syndrome is a byproduct of keeping your house closed up against outside elements. We all want to block out noise, pollution and cold or hot air but this also prevents toxic fumes from getting out of our house!

Harmful fumes can come from paints, cleaning products, air fresheners and even wood smoke if you have a fireplace. Believe it or not, even your furniture and carper can emit dangerous pollutants. Keeping your house “sealed up” to keep out the elements can also keep these fumes inside. Studies show that the air in our homes should be changed ten times per day - anything less causes build up of dangerous pollutants.

Since you spend most of your time in the bedroom, here’s where you should start to freshen up your air. You’ll be healthier and your bedroom will smell better too!

First, open the windows (just a crack is sufficient) when possible, and check to make sure that all vents are unblocked.

Another problem that lack of ventilation can cause is mold and mildew. This is found to be a danger not only to your health, but it can also damage the structure of your house. Especially in rooms such as the master and guest bathrooms, where humidity is likely to be high, proper ventilation is essential. The use of fans in these areas are helpful.

Also, check areas such as the attic, and underneath floors for proper air circulation. If you have a humidity problem upstairs, it probably means that the attic or roof space needs more ventilation. Be aware that some types of flooring can cause structural damage if there is not adequate ventilation beneath it.

Everyone wants a clean smelling bedroom but icky smells happen and you should not overdo it with room air fresheners. Aerosols should especially be avoided as they are not eco friendly and have chemical additives. You won’t be able to create a fresh smell in your bedroom by adding more scent to the air - instead open a window and let the real fresh air in!

A great way to make a safe air freshener and deodorizer for your bedroom is to sprinkle a few drops of vanilla or scented essential oil on a cotton ball. Put the ball in a pretty dresser tray or other open container that you will not mind if the oil touches it. Other ways to freshen up your bedroom naturally include using baking soda, white vinegar or dried herbs. Try putting a bouquet of fresh flowers on your dressing table for a great smell and a great look!

One other thing to be careful about in the bedroom is perfumes and hair sprays. You should keep the use of these to a minimum and try using only natural products if you can.

If you or your loved ones suffer from unexplained drowsiness, headaches or a general malaise, try getting fresher air through the house. Your family and your home will breath easier and avoid the “sick-house” syndrome.

Lee Dobbins writes for Bedroom Designs and Decorations
where you can learn more about
designing your dream bedroom.

[tags]bedroom, design, decorating, interior decorating, bed, interior design, home improvement[/tags]

Rosmarinus officinalis, commonly called rosemary is an aromatic herb indigenous to the Mediterranean area. Rosemary is traditionally known as the herb of remembrance and friendship. Also known as Mary’s mantle and compass weed, rosemary is a lovely, sweet scented, shrubby perennial in Mediterranean countries that can be grown as an annual in Northern climates or as an indoor potted plant. Rosemary has needlelike leaves and delicate light blue flowers. Mature plants can live for over 30 years.

Rosemary grows best in full sun but will tolerate semi-shade. This plant grows best in light, well-drained soil. Let rosemary become moderately dry between waterings, as root rot can be a problem in soggy soils. Mist the leaves every second week. Rosemary grows 3 - 6 feet (1 - 2 m) tall outdoors. Indoors, rosemary benefits by harvesting tip cuttings that will keep the plant fuller and bushier. Rosemary’s leaves are dark green on top with silvery undersides.

Rosemary is slow to germinate and grow from seed so it is best to buy plants or propagate rosemary from stem cuttings. If you are growing this herb indoors, rosemary thrives when moved outdoors for the summer. Leave rosemary in pots in the garden as it seems to be able to adjust to moving back in-doors more successfully. Move back indoors before the first frost, check for insects, and if there is an infestation, spray with a soap and water spray.

Rosemary requires at least 4 hours of direct sunlight a day. If you are growing rosemary on a windowsill, turn regularly to ensure every side receives light. If you are growing rosemary under lights, hang fluorescent lights 6 inches (15 cm) above the plants and leave on for 12 hours.

In the garden, rosemary deters cabbage moth, bean beetles, and carrot fly when planted near cabbage, beans, carrots, and sage. In Italy, rosemary is the preferred herb with lamb, veal, and poultry particularly when simmered with olive oil, garlic, and wine. Rosemary should always be used with lamb as it enhances the meat with incomparable flavour. Other uses in the kitchen include tomato dishes, stews, soups, vegetable dishes, pork, rabbit, sausages, fish, shellfish, finely chopped in custards, egg dishes, pickles, jellies, jams, cakes, cookies, salads, and is an essential ingredient in herb breads and biscuits, including focaccia, the classic Italian bread. Rosemary can be added to the cooking water to enliven cauliflower, potatoes, green beans, and peas. Marinades for fish and meats as well as minestrone, chicken, and pea soups benefit from the addition of rosemary. Rosemary has a strong flavour so use sparingly. Leaves, stems, and flowers are all edible. To release the flavour of dried leaves, crush them just before using. Rosemary stems can be used for herb skewers by stripping the leaves and threading vegetables or tender cuts of meat on the stems for broiling.

Rosemary can be kept in the fridge for a few days either in plastic bags or with the stems immersed in water. The leaves can be dried by hanging fresh sprigs in a warm, dry place. Strip off leaves before storing.

Gwen Nyhus Stewart, B.S.W., M.G., H.T., is an educator, freelance writer, garden consultant, and author of the book The Healing Garden: A Place Of Peace - Gardening For The Soil, Gardening For The Soul and the booklet Non-toxic Alternatives For Everyday Cleaning And Gardening Products. She owns the website Gwen’s Healing Garden where you will find lots of free information about gardening for the soil and gardening for the soul. To find out more about the books and subscribe to her free Newsletter visit http://www.gwenshealinggarden.ca

Gwen Nyhus Stewart © 2004 - 2005. All rights reserved.

[tags]rosemary, growing indoors and out, cultivation requirements, uses in the kitchen and garden[/tags]

A common complaint among gardener is that late in the summer, before the fall foliage, there seems to be lull in garden color. There is, however, no shortage of shrubs which bloom in later in the season. Hydrangeas are one the most versatile. In fact, they are indispensable in the garden for summer color and foliage texture. No shrub border is complete without them.

Hydrangeas prefer part shade and rich organic soil. They prefer morning sun with afternoon shade; this will protect them from the hottest part of the day. If they get shade in the morning and sun in the afternoon they may look stressed due to the sudden rise in temperature. Hydrangeas need lots of water especially young plants since they tend to dry out quickly during the hot weather. After planting be sure to mulch well, this will help the soil retain moisture as well as help prevent weeds from encroaching on your garden. Fertilize the shrubs in the spring and then again in late summer. Adding compost to the soil around the base of the hydrangea each spring will keep the soil rich.

Lacecap and nikko blue hydrangeas are both cultivars of (Hydrangea macrophyllla). Lacecaps are recognized by its ring of flowers surrounding a center of florets and nikko blue by it large pom-pom like flowers. You can change the color of the blossoms of these varieties by changing the acidity of the soil. Add aluminum sulfate to make the soil acid. A pH level somewhere between 5 and 5.5 will result in blue flowers. Alternately, for pink flowers, make raise the pH level to 6.0 by adding lime, making the soil alkaline. You will need to repeat the this 2 or 3 times over the growing season and continue the process for as long as you want the change to continue.

The large (up to 15″ long) white flowers of the PeeGee hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculta) turn to a faded pink in the fall and are great for cutting and taking indoors. Because their large flowers often weigh down its stems, PeeGee hydrangeas require staking.

Oak Leaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) has a much different appearance than the other hydrangeas. Its foliage resembles that of the American oak. Its white blooms fade to pink in fall. Oakleaf hydrangeas grow to about 6′ and can tolerate more shade than other hydrangeas.

Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris) is a deciduous vine which clings to garden structures, walls and fences with aerial roots. Its flowers are white and have the characteristics of the lacecap hydrangea.

Though there are numerous choices when it comes to types of hydrangeas, there are some general rules of thumb to follow when planting and caring for them. When planting new hydrangeas you’ll need to add a mix of compost and peat moss to the existing soil. This will give the plant plenty of nutrients and the soil ability to retain water. Dig a hole approximately twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Place the hydrangea in the hole, making sure the top of the root ball matches the existing grade of the garden. Never install any plant below grade, its often detrimental to the health of the plant. Backfill about half way and water to remove air pockets. Finish filling the hole, water again and mulch. Planting in the spring or fall is best as the hot summer weather can stress hydrangeas.

In the spring prune broken branches and old flower blooms from the previous season. Don’t prune new shoots; they are where the new blooms will be. Prune in late summer, after blooming. Thinning the plant by reducing its number of stems by half will yield larger flower clusters.

Noted for their long lasting, late blooming flowers and their unique foliage, hydrangeas are one of the most versatile shrubs in the garden. Whether among a shrub border, climbing a garden structure or planted on its own as a specimen shrub hydrangeas are a wonderful addition to any garden.

T Hallinan is a landscape designer and builder in Massachusetts. Visit his garden resource website http://www.gardenlistings.com for all kind of helpful information. For more garden guides visit http://www.gardenlistings.com/resources.htm

[tags]Gardening, Garden Guides, Garden Tips, Landscaping, Hydrangea[/tags]

Typically, heavy duty cleaning and organizing is done once a year. When spring rolls around it is nice to open the windows in your house and clean up after hibernating all winter. But why wait until spring to thoroughly clean your home? Follow these tips to help tidy up your home in a few easy steps.

Tackle one area at a time: You will be able to get more done, more effectively by focusing on one room/area at a time. If you try to multitask during cleaning then it actually takes you longer to get your chores done. Also, try starting with the more difficult areas to clean such as the bathroom or kitchen, and then move to easier areas. Getting the more difficult rooms done in the beginning allows you to save some energy for the rest of the home.

Get Rid of Stuff: Getting rid of items that just take up space in your home can make you feel better and can even earn a little money. Again, work on one room at a time. Start two piles in each room: a sell/donate pile for items that are in good shape and a trash pile for items that are in poor condition. Don’t be afraid to get rid of stuff! Chances are that if you have not used it in the past year, you will not miss it when it is gone. This is especially true for clothing, kids toys, kitchen accessories and old books. You will be amazed at the new space that you will have once you get rid of the old and unused.

Deep clean: After you have sorted, purged and organized it is time to clean. Again, tackle one room at a time. This is the perfect time to do those biannual cleaning chores such as cleaning the carpets and washing the inside of kitchen cabinets and drawers. Once those chores are done, you can move to daily/weekly tasks such as dusting and vacuuming.

Other helpful tips:
Sort your paper documents such as bill stubs, medical documentation, etc. Shred any unnecessary documents and neatly file away important documents in a filing cabinet or other storage container.

For out of control craft supplies, separate supplies into logical piles. Since I scrapbook and make hand made greeting cards, my piles were paper, rubber stamps, and miscellaneous craft tools. Consolidate into an easily accessible storage container such as a toolbox on wheels. Many craft stores sell craft storage containers that are perfect for keeping your items organized.
Sort through bathroom cabinets and get rid of any expired medicines, make up, and other toiletries. Using expired items can make you sick!

Keep a purge mentality all year long. This will make your job much easier when the time comes to clean and organize again.
After you have finished, kick up your feet and enjoy your freshly clean home.

Amanda is a writer for The Craft Cafe http://www.thecraftcafe.com Find card making, scrapbooking, free printable projects, recipes and more at The Craft Cafe http://www.thecraftcafe.com

[tags]home improvement, organization, home organization, cleaning[/tags]

If you want to build a Koi pond, then you’ve come to the right place to find out how to do it and what you’ll need. There are many things you need to consider not only for the building of a Koi pond but also for proper maintenance. First of all, a water garden and a Koi pond are not the same thing. A true water garden generally houses both goldfish and a wide variety of marine plants. This particular type of pond is typically two feet deep. A Koi pond is different because it limits the amount of plant life you can have in the water and its immediate surroundings.

A Koi pond is also much larger than a water garden because Koi can grow to be very large in size, some growing to be the size of large trout or catfish. It is recommended that a Koi pond be large enough to hold at least a thousand gallons of water in order to keep the fish healthy. Half of the total area needs to be three feet deep with the other half at least five feet deep, it is also important to keep in mind that aquatic life, such as lily pads, that take up surface space must be accounted for when considering that as they are robbed of important oxygen by the space these plants and other floating object occupy. In other words, if you are thinking Koi pond, you had better be thinking big!

Another consideration is that fact that you will really want to keep your Koi pond close to your home in order to protect it from predatory animals and children that may inadvertently bring harm to your pond, equipment, or fish. This is after all a rather sizeable investment you will want to protect it. You will also want it near an outlet in case you need to run the pump.

These are not typically the most attractive lawn features you can come up with because of the lack of plant life in or around the pond and it is not a good idea to have a Koi pond in an environment that has violent extremes in weather such as a severe winter. These fish are highly susceptible to weather based conditions and simply can’t survive a long winter.

There is no universal guidebook to use when building a Koi pond, be sure to keep in mind however the major differences between a Koi pond and a water garden and know which one you are truly wanting before you make the sizable investment of time, money, and energy. Be sure to consult a professional landscaper with extensive experience specifically with Koi ponds, as he will be aware of dangers that you may not be aware of as well as knowing where the best place to place the pond on your property would be. It is better to make the investment of a professional from the start than suffer the cost of doing it wrong and starting over.

Rob Buenaventura invites you to ArtificialGardens. Here we provide tips and benefits on Koi Ponds. For more information on building a water garden check out http://www.artificialgardens.com

[tags]Water Gardens, Koi Ponds, Pond, Koi Fish[/tags]