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Many people love square foot gardening because they can get so much beauty from a small space. You can build a square foot garden following an exact square foot layout, or you can garden using a square foot layout and put a few square feet together to make a larger space for vegetables and other larger plants. Here are the basics of what you will need to develop a small Square Foot Garden of your own.

You will need to build or buy boxes that sit above the ground to hold your soil and plants. If you are using more than one box, space them 3′ apart so you can walk in between them. You don’t want to ever step inside the box and damage your plants.

Place your boxes in an area that gets 6 - 8 hours of sunshine daily, and it should sit somewhere close to the house so you can water often. Because you are working with small spaces, you may have to water more often than you do your larger garden.

The soil mixture should consist of 1/3 part compost, 1/3 part peat moss and 1/3 coarse vermiculite.

Remember that your garden will be arranged in squares, not rows (it’s a little deceiving because if you do it right, and all of your squares are the same size, it will look like you have rows. First, lay out your garden in 4′ by 4′ areas, then make a square foot grid on the top and start separating them into 1′ sections.

Depending on what you like to eat, or view, you can mix flowers, vegetables, or herbs in each square foot. It doesn’t hurt to mix the plants, as they will each be planted in their own square foot space. You should plant only 2 or 3 seeds per hole; it doesn’t take much to make a beautiful garden.

When you water, use a bucket of sun-warmed water and water gently by hand. The seeds are very delicate at first, and you don’t want to just spray them with a hose and send them flying all over the place.

Then, sit back and watch everything grow. At harvest time enjoy the fruits of your labor, or the beauty of your garden, and then when everything is done blooming and growing, add fresh compost and replant new crops.

Note: Square foot gardens do not always have to be exactly square. You can get creative and add a little flair by using an Octagon shape, or even round (although round is going to be harder to work with). And, you can also add some small garden art pieces to make it more pleasing to look at while your plants are young. It’s up to you whether you leave the art in as the plants grow. Some people find that when their flowers start to bloom, they like to see the natural look and will take the garden art out. Others just enjoy the beauty of it all.

It’s your garden, and now you should have enough information to make it enjoyable for years to come!

Find Advice on Square Foot Gardening, Container Gardening and Small Space Gardening; Landscaping and Planning your Garden. Plants, Supplies and Accessories (and a Free report) at: http://www.squarefootgardeningtips.com;
http://squarefootgardeningtips.com/blog

[tags]square foot gardening, gardening, gardening tips, container gardening, gardening supplies, flower ga[/tags]

There was a time when many homes had a separate food pantry, or a larder as it was called, located just off the kitchen. They were a way to store food and utensils and a place for storing extra food during long winters.

About 100 years ago a food pantry or larder that was separate from the kitchen was the norm.
Often the pantry was located near the outer edge of the home where they could be at a lower temperature than the kitchen. The kitchen pantry continued to be a standard feature in the home up until World War II. But as kitchens became larger and more modern, the kitchen pantry fell out of favor.

When you have many families now purchasing their groceries in bulk they often find that they simply do not have enough space. Many typical kitchens do not have enough room for storing these bulk items. Many people when planning a kitchen remodeling tend to overlook the problem of storage. This is why in the age of warehouse buying the kitchen pantry, either the walk in type or a large pantry cupboard located just off the kitchen, is starting to make a big comeback.

Whether or not you are a professional chef or you just love cooking, you could certainly use a place for all of your cooking supplies and equipment. Kitchen pantries today can provide many storage solutions regarding everything from food and food preparation and paper products. A well designed kitchen pantry can meet the needs of you keep your family organized, and help to increase the resale value of your home. Also kitchen pantries are helping reduce the need for have so many kitchen storage units located within the kitchen itself.

When deciding on a kitchen pantry design, there are two questions you need to answer first: What will your proposed pantry be used for? Exactly how much space will you have to work with? If you have a small home you may just have room for wall cabinets and put out drawers, or install built-in hutch style cabinetry for storage solutions. Larger homes can accommodate a walk-in pantry, which can be a good thing to have if your kitchen lacks enough cabinetry. Also walk-in pantries are as popular today as kitchen islands as a new kitchen design trend.

Of course you need to think about exactly where the pantry is to be located. Kitchen pantries should be located between either the kitchen and garage entrance into the home or in passageways going from the kitchen and the dining room.

Kitchen pantries generally measure less than 100 square feet with good overhead lighting and electrical outlet for appliances.

Many of the pantries being designed now use custom cabinetry every bit as beautiful and creative as those you would find in the kitchens themselves, including details such as solid-wood cabinetry and sleek state-of-the-art hardware. This creativity can even extend to the design of the doorways of many walk-in kitchen pantries as well.

Having a functional and beautiful kitchen pantry requires some careful planning. Your kitchen pantry should be well designed and well organized to be better able to meet the needs of your family, and providing good storage solutions.

James Mahoney is the author of many kitchen design articles and has a site about kitchen design ideas at Kitchen Designers Ideas.com.
He also publishes a newsletter on kitchen design.

[tags]kitchen pantry, kitchen design, kitchens[/tags]

Kitchen faucets are one of the most important components of your kitchen area. In the past, these were just ordinary parts of the kitchen. But nowadays, these have become more stylish, while retaining their classic functionality at the same time. Many types of kitchen faucets now have some kind of spray or brush attachment to make washing pans and dishes easier. Aside from this, there are now different designs for kitchen faucets so you can include stylish faucets for your next home decorating project.

Kitchen Faucet Buying Tips

Since there is now a wide variety for kitchen faucets, buying the appropriate one for your kitchen can be a daunting task. So, here are some tips to help you when buying kitchen faucets.

First, you have to decide on the design that will best match your kitchen. You can choose from two-handle designs, single-handle design, or cross-shaped design. If you have a bigger sink, you can always opt for the two-handle design. However, the more popular designs are the cross-shaped. These are not only functional but also give your kitchen a customized look especially when matched with unique and stylish handle.

Second, you also have to look into the types of finish. The most affordable finish for a kitchen faucet is a chrome finish. This is not only affordable but it also has an extended warranty on scratches that is why lots of homeowners prefer this. However, if you don?t like chrome finish, you can always choose one with more colorful enamel coatings. Just be reminded that this type is more expensive and is more susceptible to chipping and scratches.

And lastly, you have to know the different types of faucet such as the compression valves, the ball valves, the ceramic disk, and the cartridge faucet. It is important that you know each of these types so that it will be easier for you to determine which one will work best for your kitchen.

These are just some of the tips that you can keep in mind when buying kitchen faucets. Whatever you choose, just make sure that you consider function and style at the same time.

Faucets provides detailed information on Faucets, Kitchen Faucets, Bathroom Faucets, Shower Faucets and more. Faucets is affiliated with Composting Toilets.

[tags]Kitchen Faucets[/tags]

Even a composting neophyte can create top-notch compost with the right recipe. Akin to cooking, composting is half art, and half science. Awareness of these basic factors will help you getting started.

Just like a chef demands high quality ingredients, successful composting needs the best ingredients too. Good materials for composting include these: grass clippings, leaves, plant stalks, hedge trimmings, old potting soil, twigs, vegetable scraps, coffee filters, and tea bags.

Bad composting materials include: diseased plants, weeds with seed heads, invasive weeds, pet feces, dead animals, bread and grains, meat or fish parts, dairy products, grease, cooking oil, or oily foods.

To prepare compost, you need organic materials, microorganisms, air, water, and a small quantity of nitrogen.

Organic material is what you are trying to decompose (see above for Do’s and Don’ts). Microorganisms are tiny forms of plant and animal life, which break down organic material. A small amount of garden soil or manure supplies adequate microorganisms. The air, nitrogen, and water offer an encouraging environment for the microorganisms to produce your compost. You can add enough nitrogen to the compost with small amount of nitrogen fertilizer., which can be purchased at hardware stores or nurseries. Air is the one ingredient which you can’t have too much of. Too much nitrogen can kill microbes; too much water causes insufficient air in the pile.

If microorganisms have more surface area to feed off of, the materials will decompose faster. Chopping your organic materials with a machete, or using a shredder or lawnmower to shred materials will help them break down faster.

The compost pile is your oven. Compost piles catch heat created by the activity of millions of microorganisms. The minimum size for hot, fast composting is a 3-foot by 3-foot by 3-foot. But piles wider or taller than 5 feet don’t permit enough air to reach the microorganisms at the center.

Your compost pile’s microorganisms work their hardest when the materials have about the moistness of a wrung-out sponge and as many air passages. The air in the pile is usually consumed faster than the moisture, so the pile should be turned or mixed up now and then to add more air; this maintains high temperatures and controls odor. Use a pitchfork, rake, or other garden tool can to turn materials with.

Carlo Morelli is a writer at OnlineTips.org, where you can read about the best soil composition for roses and wrought iron balusters.

[tags]composting, compost bin, tips, gardening, fertilizer[/tags]

The kitchen is the heart of the home. It is where the family congregates right before a meal, catching up on each other’s day before heading to the table. It is where you will putter (often working on the table, while waiting for food to cook), and where you will share a cup of coffee with friends. If you plan to sell your home, the kitchen is also the first place that potential buyers will look at, and one of the factors that can dramatically increase (or decrease) your house’s resale value.

These are just some of the reasons why it is a good idea to invest in your kitchen: its appearance, functionality, and general atmosphere. The question, however, is where to start. After all, most people may want to space out their renovations, rather than spend a large amount of money to fix it in one go.

Coordinate your Appliances

One of the easiest ways of creating a sense of harmony is to coordinate the colors of your appliances. You can replace the doors of your refrigerator and dishwasher, and trade in your microwave and other small appliances for something that matches the overall look.

Change your Cabinets

It’s amazing how the small details can make a big difference. Replace your cabinet doors with one with nice panels, interesting woodwork, or beautiful handles. In fact, beautiful cabinet doors can act as a design element while serving a very practical purpose. In a very small kitchen, where there’s little room for d

Personalised children’s furniture is one way to make truly one of a kind pieces for your child. Even if you are not artistic, this process can be simple, fun, easy and you and your child will be thrilled at the results. Perhaps you have been avoiding doing any personalising of the furniture because you are concerned that it is too difficult. If this is the case, try some of the simple suggestions below:

* At a craft store buy the unfinished wooden letters that spell out your child’s name. Using their favorite colors, paint the letters either solid colors or make patterns. After painting finish with a clear coat of varnish to add sheen. Glue the letters using a hot glue gun or wood glue onto the surface of mirror frames, dressers or headboards.

* Wooden cut out designs or silhouettes can be painted and added to any piece of furniture. Pick designs that reflect your child’s hobbies or interests. If they are sports fans team logos, favorite players numbers or other team images can be used.

* Stenciling is an easy way to become an instant artist. Simply purchase a stencil that your child likes, and then, using a stencil glue, spray the back of the stencil. Press it gently against the surface you wish to stencil on. Using a stencil brush, gently fill in the stencil area with the desired colors. Carefully remove the stencil by pulling straight off the surface.

* For many young girls glass “gems” and other silver or gold looking flat beads add style and fashion to mirror edges or picture frames. This look is simple and will only require the items to be added with a hot glue gun. Children can help but will need supervision and should not use the glue gun themselves.

* Art wire can also be used to add details. It can be twisted or twirled to make a pattern across the furniture and then glued on with a glue gun or other spray type adhesive.

* Geometric patterns can be used to personalize items. Simply pick a shape or two and paint them onto the surface. It is great to use contrasting colors and outline the shapes in black to really make them stand out.

* Small inch-by-inch tiles can be used to make a patterned headboard, dresser top or table top for your child’s room. Use colors that are favorites to personalize the furniture. Patterns can be made by simply placing different colored tiles on the surface. It is a good idea to lay out the tiles first before gluing them to the furniture so that any changes that need to be made can be easily done.

* Pictures of the child or the family can be placed on a tabletop or desk area and then covered with a layer of plexiglass or glass. The cover can then be attached to the table or desk with clamps. The great advantage of using clamps is that they can be easily removed and the pictures changed as the child ages or as new photos become available.

Personalising your child’s furniture is a fun and easy activity that anyone can do. Children often have great ideas about how to decorate their furniture, and enjoy working together with the family to create one of a kind items for their room.

Visit TheMagicalRockingHorse.com today for a great selection of stylish, affordable childrens furniture and coordinating kids room decor.

[tags]childrens furniture, kids furniture, kids room decor[/tags]

Have you ever thought of your home as being healthy or unhealthy? While the concept of a healthy home may be new to some of us, it is steadily gaining popularity with homeowners. A healthy home can include a number of elements from building materials used to construct your home to using non-toxic cleaning products. Below is a list of five ways to assist you in creating a healthy home environment.

1. Clean Air and Circulation:

Here are some little known facts from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) about the air inside many of today’s homes:

Indoor air pollutant levels may be two to five times higher than the pollutant levels outdoors.

Indoor air pollutant is one of the top environmental concerns today.

Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors.

Indoor air pollutants such as tobacco smoke, pollen, mold, dust, and animal dander have the ability to create asthmatic and allergic reactions.

Listed below are a few ways to improve the quality of your indoor air:

Consider an Indoor Air Purifier. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) has put forth industry standards for indoor air purifiers. To view results of their standards and testing or to find a certified indoor air purifier, you can visit their website at cadr.org.

For better air circulation, leave doors between rooms open most of the time and open windows when possible to allow for a good supply of fresh outdoor air. You can also install exhaust fans in bathrooms to help remove moisture and chemicals from your home.

Upgrade the air filters on your furnace with the pleated filters that capture smaller particles. Change the filters regularly as recommended by the manufacturer’s instructions.

You can also use indoor houseplants to aid in purifying your home’s air. For example, Boston Ferns cleanse formaldehyde from the air. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas. When present in the air at levels above 0.1 ppm (parts in a million parts of air), it may cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes, nose and throat, nausea, coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, skin rashes, and allergic reactions. Formaldehyde can be found in insulation, particleboard, paper products and many cleaning products.

2. Dust-proof Your Home:

Dust your rooms and knickknacks regularly with a damp cloth.

Dust your hardwood, tile, linoleum, and laminate flooring regularly with a dust mop or a vacuum made for hard flooring.

Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture regularly. Consider buying a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. A HEPA filter is capable of removing a minimum of 99.97% of all particles that are 0.3 microns or larger. In addition, consider using a bag-less vacuum to avoid the exposure of dust when you change a bag.

Encase pillows, mattresses, and box springs in an airtight, dust-proof cover.

Dust/clean ceiling fans regularly to make sure they are not releasing dust in the air every time you run them.

Replace dust-collecting blinds and long drapes with window shades or washable curtains.

3. Use Natural and Non-Toxic Cleaning Products:

One way to assure that the fragrances in your home are clean and fresh is to avoid using harsh cleaning products, which can create fumes that may linger for days. Try using natural ingredients such as baking soda, vinegar, club soda, and lemon juice.

For example, to make a natural glass cleaner, combine:

2 teaspoons white vinegar

one quart of warm water

Mix ingredients together and pour into spray bottle. Spray on surface and wipe dry.

4. Fill Your Home with Natural and Earth-Friendly Products. Below is a small list of eco-friendly products available on the market today:

Organic cotton towels, linens, clothing

Mattresses, bedding, pillows

Cork flooring, wool carpet

Sofas, chairs, ottomans

Toys and games for all ages

Pet products

Soap and laundry detergents

Organic candles, home d

With the current increase in number and intensity of hurricanes and their expanded range, a new focus needs to be placed on preparedness. Obviously, there are certain times when evacuation is the only answer. But, in the mean time, we need to focus on better preparation. Well built structures still need the added protection of hurricane shutters. Without shutters, substantial damage can still be experienced even if the main structure is not affected due to wind breakage and the intrusion of winds and rain. Well designed shutters can result in reduced damages.

There are a number of commercial shutters on the market and various plywood designs. It is important that the public be informed as to which type of shutter is most effective. What are the best shutters? The best kind is those that are affordable, are easy to install an offer the best protection. Which of these properties is most important depends on individual circumstance. Some would prefer an automatic closing or accordion shutter. Those on limited income may have to resort to inexpensive plywood shutters. The most worthless type of protection is in the use of tape over the windows. This does nothing to prevent breakage and could result in larger, more dangerous pieces of flying glass and is very hard to remove after the storm. Some people are using a special impact resistant material with some success. Others are using a new type of impact resistant storm window.

Various commercial storm shutters can be effective but many are untested and have been found to fail in stronger hurricanes. Today all commercial shutters pass rigorous tests before being approved for sale and installation. The shutters range from the most inexpensive, metal corrugated panels, aluminum or steel (heavier but stronger). To electrically operated roll shutters, also effective if properly constructed. Some however can not afford any type of commercial shutter and must resort to using plywood. Many times the plywood can be ripped off in high winds and become flying missiles. Keep in mind you should protect your home with the best hurricane shutters you can afford. After all, your home is your castle and should be protected by whatever means you have available. Whatever type of shutters selected, remember that shutters are only as good as their installation.

Also a shutter cannot fully compensate for a poorly constructed house and or an unprotected garage or other large objects that can impact homes and other structures during a major hurricane. But, with a little preparation beforehand the damage will be minimized. Plywood shutters are an inexpensive alternative to commercial shutters but it should be noted they do not always meet certain building code requirements. You might want to check with your county first before installing them. They do require a good deal of physical labor to install. In many regions people will come together in time of crisis and with a few extra pair of hands, and a little thought in preparing, things will move along at a much higher pace. Whatever type of hurricane shutter you select always use the best you can afford. And, after they are installed be sure to inspect all panels on a regular basis.

For all your shutter needs and special discounts see http://shutters.home-lawn-garden.com.

[tags]shutters, shutter, hurricane shutter, hurricane shutters, home improvement[/tags]

If you are looking for curtain hardware, to add a touch of style and flare to your curtains, or maybe even just simple hardware that you use to hang a curtain with, you might be wondering where you will find them. When you use hardware on your curtains, you attach them to the curtains, or to the rod. The hardware for curtains can be used to slide the curtains on the rod, hold the curtains back and open, or even to hang the curtain rod itself. They come in many available styles and colors, so find the ones that are perfect for your curtains should not be an issue. However, you may be wondering where you should look for such a thing.

While not everywhere that sells curtain hardware, sells curtains, you can also find the hardware in places that curtains are not sold as well. Checking with your local discount store might just bring you right to the hardware that you think will add the perfect touch to your curtains. Be sure that you look around at other things in the discount store as well, you just might find something that you can use in the place of hardware on your curtains, that you like just as much.

Many department stores will sell curtain hardware. Most of the time they are located where you will find curtain hardware, and you will have selections to choose from that will match their curtains that they sell in the department store. While the selections may be limited that you will find in a department store, you still might find the perfect hardware that you need.

Any home decorator store will have curtain hardware that you will find in many styles and colors. Going to a home decorator store will provide you with what you are looking for. This is a great way to find the perfect hardware that you want for your curtains, and you are sure to love the selections, that places such as these will have.

Doing a search online will be very helpful when you are searching for particular curtain hardware for your curtains. This is because when you shop online, you have access to many stores than you would have access to locally. Therefore the selection is much greater, and you have a larger chance of finding what it is that you need. Be sure that you watch the shipping charges on items that you buy online, and make sure that there are great pictures and a detailed description of the hardware you are considering purchasing.

As you can see, there are many places that you will find curtain hardware for your curtains. Knowing where to look will help immensely in your search for the perfect hardware, and you are sure to end up with something that you love and want. However, you will want to be sure that your hardware for your curtains will fit, measure that first so that you get the size hardware that will fit your rod or your curtains.

Gayle is an independent interior designer in his local community. He had worked in a local fabric store for more than 10 years before starting his own venture. Currently, he specialized further by jumping into the home curtains industry. At his weekly updated website, http://www.anycurtains.com , he shows home owners simple ways to use your curtains to spruce up the look of your interior. Visit the curtain ideas website to learn more.

[tags]Curtain Hardware[/tags]

When making home improvements, some homeowners choose to handle the
project themselves. However, individuals with little home improvement
knowledge will have to rely on a contractor. Selecting a good and
affordable contractor is essential. Because some contractors are shady and
charge ridiculously high fees, picking the right contractor requires
research. Here are a few tips to help you pick the best contractor for your
next home improvement project.

Get Referrals from Family and Friends

Asking family and friends for the name of a good contractor may prove
worthwhile. If a relative or acquaintance completed similar home
improvements, and were satisfied with the work, using the same contractor may
speed up the selection process. Trying to identify a shady contractor
is difficult. Using referrals to select a contractor will increase your
chances of finding a reputable home improvement company.

Browse Contractors Listed in the Yellow Pages

If your friends and family cannot refer a good contractor, you will
have to rely on the yellow pages and other forms of advertisements. The
yellow pages include many listings, which makes the selection process
challenging. Rule of thumb: do not hire the first contractor you contact.
Instead, request information and quotes from several companies.

Get an estimate and ask how long it will take to complete the job. Each
company will quote you slight different estimates. It is tempting to
choose the least expensive contractor. However, keep in mind that more
expensive contractors may use better materials or has a reputation for
good work.

Research Contractors with the Better Business Bureau

As you begin your search for a good contractor, contact the Better
Business Bureau (BBB) in your local area. If a contractor or company has
received any complaints from past customers or has developed a bad
reputation, the BBB will have this information. While browsing contractors,
choose one with a flawless record.

Along with researching complaints by the BBB, request references from
the contractor. Ideally, references should be current and include
customers that had similar work completed on their homes. Contact previous
customers to see if they were satisfied with the contractor’s work.

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Home Equity Loan
Companies Online.

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