While it is true that there are a large number of different homes available in the market, most of them are not going to be anything close to your dream homes. If you want to have the home that you have always wanted, it is very important that you consider building a custom home. This is a great way for you to customize your design and ensure that everything is according to your specifications. All you should do is learn about the building a custom home process. Listed below are the various steps that you are going to have to go through if you want to build the perfect home without any unnecessary stress.
Get Your Finances in Order
This is something you should do right off the bat because you are probably going to need a large amount of funds in order to start building your own home. Do you know exactly do you want? Are you budgeting for unexpected events that may occur? When I built my home, the garage door broke down right afterwards and was not under warranty because of some modifications we made. We were forced to contact a Garage Door Company to have it fixed.
The process can be very expensive indeed, and you are going to need to funds to be as regular as possible otherwise you might end up getting delayed without warning. If any financial mishaps were to occur, your home is going to end up being a lot more difficult to build than it would have otherwise. Hence, before you embark on this journey you have to analyze all of your assets and settle all of your debts in order to make this as smooth as possible
Find the Right Architect
You are not going to be building your home with your own two hands. Chances are you don’t know a lot about home construction in the first place, so if you truly want to be able to make the most of what this opportunity has to offer you have to think about hiring a professional. These professionals have a knack for understanding what it is you really want, and they can help you get the job done as quickly as possible. They can also give you some suggestions in order to make your home the best that it can be.
Spend Time on Design
One of the biggest blunders that people end up making when they are trying to build their own homes is not spending enough time on design. If you want your home to look truly beautiful, you have to be willing to put the sort of time necessary to make it the best that it can be. It can be frustrating to have to wait until your home is ready, but waiting for a good home is better than getting an inferior home in a shorter period of time.
Find the Right Neighborhood
The next thing you are going to should do is find a neighborhood that you feel like you are going to fit into nicely. Your neighborhood will form a big part of whether or not you like your new home, so make sure that it has everything you need. It needs to be close to good schools, in a beautiful area and the people you will be living with need to have similar ideas as you so that you can spend the rest of your days surrounded by people that are going to give you positive interactions that you can keep coming back to.
Buy Land
Now that you have found a neighborhood that you have fallen in love with, the next thing you are going to should do is buy land in this neighborhood. Empty plots are available in a large number of places, and you have to make sure that the plot does not have any problems with it. Try to sweep the plot to find any discrepancies, and find out the history of the plot as well so that you can be sure that there will be no surprises making it difficult for you to enjoy your new home as much as possible.
Stick to a Schedule
The great thing about making your home is that once the process is over, you will be at the end of your journey and can start enjoying the rest of your life. However, it is very important that you stick to a schedule. This is going to allow you to get your home on time. Delays are something that can often not be avoided but you should try your best to avoid them anyway otherwise things might end up becoming a lot more difficult for you in the long run.
Building
a swimming pool in your home is a very fantastic thing. This is because you
will give your loved ones a chance to enjoy their leisure time in a very
relaxed environment. In Brisbane, when
you own a swimming pool in your home or even in the commercial centres, you are
required to ensure that you have fenced the swimming pool with immediate
effect. This is because an exposed swimming pool poses a danger not only to the
people around you but also the animals that you keep or even the wild animal. To
avoid this loss, you must ensure that you fence your swimming pool. Since most
people have swimming at homes, they are also advised to make sure that the
fence the pools appropriately so that they can keep the pools out of reach of
children.
When
it comes to fencing the swimming pool, there are so many materials that you can
use in fencing. However, the most used material in Brisbane is glass. There are
so many reasons as to why the people of Brisbane choose to use glass pool
fencing but all in all it is beneficial. This means you will enjoy so many
benefits for using the glass pool fencing over the other fencing materials. In
this article, we will discuss the benefits of glass pool fencing in Brisbane:
1. It ensures guaranteed safety.
One
of the benefits of glass pool fencing is that it ensures that the pool I safe
for everyone in your home compound. This is because the glass pool fencing
consists of glass layers making it very difficult for anyone to break. The
layers of glass also ensure that even if someone knocks the glass fencing, it
does not shatter into pieces that can injure someone, and hence, it ensures
safety to everyone using the pool.
2. Glass pool fencing is very durable.
The
other benefit of using glass pool fencing in Brisbane is that the glass pool
fencing usually lasts for a very long period as compared to other fencing
materials. This is because the glass
pool fencing is made of several layers of glass making it very difficult for
the glass to break. However, the glass pool fencing can crack if you hit it so
hard, but it cannot shatter into so many pieces. In case you are looking for the most durable
fencing for your pool, you need to consider installing glass pool fencing.
3. The glass pool fencing is easy to
maintain.
When
it comes to maintaining the glass pool fencing, you only need to clean the
glass using some warm water and soap. However, other materials that are used in
making pool fences require to be painted regularly and also to be greased. The
fact that glass does not rust makes the glass pool fencing to be the easiest
pool fencing material to maintain
4. They are easily affordable.
The
other reason that makes many people in Brisbane love glass pool fencing is
because it is very cheap when it comes to buying and installing. For this
reason, glass pool fencing is easily affordable.
5. They give your backyard a new look.
When you compare your backyard when it has the glass pool fencing and when there is no glass pool fencing, you will realise that it has a different look. Installing glass pool fencing ensures that your yard is very attractive since it adds its aesthetic value. This is also another benefit of using the glass pool fencing in Brisbane.
If you are interested in adding a glass fence to your swimming pool, contact Glass Pool Fencing Brisbane for information.
While
searching for a furniture store to buy your furniture products, keep in mind a
few points; quality, prices, and proximity to the store. If on a budget, try to
shop around as you draw comparisons between stores in terms of price, finally
you will get a satisfactory store that will sell you quality but cheap
furniture. It makes less sense to buy furniture from a distant store where
transportation of goods will add tremendously to the expenses. Finally, buy
your furniture that has all-round items under one roof. This way, you will
bargain more and ask for quantity discounts from the vendor.
There
is a large range of furniture to look out for when you want to spice up your
home with quality furniture. The following is a list of items to look out for
in a store:
1. Lounges and sofas
If
there is one thing you never want to miss in a dining or living room is the
lounge or a sofa. It provides essential functionality to your living room, for
example, it provides a comfortable place to chat with friends to cuddling up
with the loved ones, reading good books, and watching TV shows to taking a
sneaky snooze. Surely a sofa is one of the most important furniture pieces you
never want to miss in your living room. They come paired or single and with a
variety of designs that provide extra functionalities like sleeping areas, a
place to hold bottled drinks to a mini dining table. Sofas can be made from
diverse materials like leather or clothing material of different textures and
qualities.
2. Bedroom furniture
You
should treat your bedroom like a sanctuary; it is, in essence, a place where
you get rejuvenated after a long toiling every day, bedroom furniture ought to
be ergonomic considering the sizes of most bedrooms. They are furniture that
will allow you to rest shortly before you surrender to bed to those that are
used to keep linen and other bedroom stuff. Your bedroom should be equipped
with furniture that blends with decor and promotes relaxation.
3. Living and dining room furniture
These
include dining tables, dining chairs and all sorts of furniture found in the
living and dining room. This furniture adds functionality and comfort while
enjoying meals as a family or an individual. You will find them in different
sizes, shapes, and functionality. You will find modern styles or colonial
styles to traditional rustic themes. While shopping around, be sure to find
those that are convenient fuss-free packages ideal for your home decor and
setting.
4. Outdoor furniture
Australian
sunshine tropical climate is ideal for outdoor entertainment and relaxation.
You should strive to transform your exterior unit with lounges and sofas that
are ideal and adds taste to the outdoor setting. Look for a range of designs
that fits the outdoor space and adds entertainment intuition. This kind of
furniture should be kind enough to blend in with the exterior and interior
decor.
5. Home office furniture
Your work from home adventure should be a nice experience for you to be productive. Furniture that fits your posture while working is good for your health. Avoid unnecessary back pains resulting from uncomfortable furniture you bought your home office by stocking it with stylish and ergonomic furniture that promotes a recommended working posture as well as adds aesthetics to your home office.
When
walking on the streets of Sydney, you will realise that the number of
homeowners and commercial business owners using roller shutters has increased.
This is because roller shutters enhance the security and safety of the property
that you value most. For this reason, you should not worry about the valuables
that you have since there is a solution for you, and the solution is installing
roller shutters on your windows, doors, and also storefronts of your homes and
commercial buildings. However, there are so many types of roller shutters in
Sydney, and selecting the best roller shutters is a great challenge to many
people, especially if it is your first time to buy them. For this reason, be
careful is one of the things that will help you to buy the right roller
shutters. The other thing that will be much helpful is ensuring that you
consider the following factors:
1. The size of roller shutters
One
of the things that you need to consider before purchasing roller shutters in
Sydney is the size of the roller shutters that you need. This is because roller
shutters come in different sizes, and you will need to buy the roller shutters
of the exact sizes of your windows or doors. For this reason, you will need to
measure your windows and doors before you go to the market to buy the roller
shutters. This will help you to avoid buying roller shutters that are too small
than the windows or doors that you want to install them on.
2. The material used in making the roller shutters
The
type of material that is used to make the roller shutters is also another
factor that you need to consider before you purchase your roller shutters. This
is because roller shutters in Sydney are made from different materials like PVC
and metal. For this reason, you need to do research and find out the material
that makes the best roller shutters.
3. The price of the roller shutters
The
other important factor that you need to consider is the price of roller
shutters. This is because roller shutters in Sydney have different prices, some
of which are too expensive while others are cheap. For this reason, you need to
find out the amount of money that you are willing to spend buying the roller
shutters so that you can know the type of roller shutters that you can afford
and at what price. The amount of money the roller shutters will cost will also
be determined by the quality of the roller shutters. This means that you will
need to spend more if at all, you need quality roller shutters.
4. The security levels they provide
The main reason as to why you are buying roller shutters from Defence Shutters is to ensure that your property is safe. For this reason, before you buy any roller shutters in Sydney, you need to be assured of its levels of security. This will be determined by the value of the property you are securing. For this reason, you will get the chance to choose the roller shutters to buy, depending on the security levels you want to achieve.
5. The mode of operation of the roller
shutters.
Roller
shutters can either be manually or electrically operated. For this reason,
before you buy roller shutters, you need to decide how you wish to be operating
them once you have installed them in your commercial building or at home.
Improving or maintaining the
aesthetic or practical functions on the grounds of a property aptly describes
landscaping. The exterior part of the home is said to be the landscaping part
of the property. You engage in landscaping if you landscape or do some
improvements in your outdoor space.
A fixed feature in your outdoor space
that affects the overall function and aesthetics of the property can be seen as
part of its landscaping.
In Sydney, landscaping a property has
become important, both for practical and aesthetic reasons. This is why
landscaping Sydney should be considered even when practical functions such as drainage
systems remain unseen.
Different kinds of Landscaping
Landscaping comes in varied forms.
They are all wonderful additions to an outdoor space even when they are not
completely implemented in a property.
Fences
The varied types of fencing options
can challenge any homeowner. The choices range from the traditional and
highly-popular white picket fences to the modern industrial types such as steel
fences. Whatever the choice, fencing not only adds monetary and aesthetic
value, it also serves as protection for the property.
Flower Beds
A newly planted flower bed may not
look aesthetically attractive but guaranteed to look amazing in a few months. A
garden planted with flower beds will eventually become an outdoor space full of
colourful, fuller, and taller mass of either one kind or different kinds of
flowers.
Lawns
Excessive thatches can make your
garden look unkempt and unattractive. The best way to check out excessive
thatches is to properly and regularly water your lawn. A lawn that is properly
tended, watered, and fertilised has nowhere else to go but give you green and
healthy-looking grass.
Walkways
A garden acquires a rustic charm when
stone walkways are made a part of the design. DIY installation walkways can be
as simple as using sand set paths. Doing this only need to lay a stone onto a
bed of sand and filling the gaps between using either gravel or sand.
Fountains
A fountain strategically placed in
the outdoor area becomes THE focal point. Constructing a fountain can either be
a DIY project or one that can be done by a professional. It’s best to have the
experts design and construct a fountain if you are unsure of your skills.
Flowering
Trees
Perhaps the most highly-prized design
of a garden is the presence of flowering trees. Having one in your garden is
already a statement by itself. Notwithstanding, flowering trees also provide a
practical function for their flowering often foretells the return of warm
weather. While other plants may make a garden look beautiful, they cannot match
the pizzazz of a flowering tree.
Ponds
Ponds can help you experience other
types of plants that you might miss when it is not part of your garden. Pond
plants are attractive plants that can only grow in natural water settings.
However, ponds are not easy DIY projects for natural water has to be sourced
for you to be able to grow pond plants.
A beautifully-landscaped garden not only adds aesthetic value to a property, but it is also a great stress-reliever. Nothing can relax the mind and body than looking at the best gifts nature has to offer right in your backyard. Eloquent Landscapes are Sydney landscapers who can design the garden of your dreams.
When
you are looking for a home to buy and move in, it is advisable to seek guidance
and assistance from a real estate agent, because they are the experts in that
field and familiar with every aspect of owning a home. They will strive hard to
find you a home that best suits your budget. They will not relent in offering
you the best advice that will influence your choice of the home right from
initial stages to the final homeownership and settling in. They will assist you
in handling the paperwork involved and all the legal stages involved in a
property exchange.
Finding
a perfect dream home today is easy, real estate agents contact the current
homeowners who wish to list their homes for sale due to reasons best known to
them, which may include moving to a much bigger house or retirement downscaling
to a smaller home. They connect prospective homeowners on the other side to
find the homes of their choice and within their budgets. With your current
budget, no matter how small it is, you will get the best fit for you. Of course
with a little or rather a hefty commission for the middleman.
Features
of a good home
A good home presents to its occupant’s satisfaction without factoring in the locality or the vicinity of the home. A home is not a house; a house becomes a home when it fulfills its owner’s satisfaction and gives them a reason to go home at the end of the day schedule away from home. There are some of the essential elements that qualify and need to find a place at the top of your home shopping list.
1. Single level houses
Single
level houses are popular because of their ease of reach without the need for a
staircase to reach the upper storeys. Everything is within reach, especially
when performing minor home repairs. It is also easy to regulate room temperatures
in a single level house. It is an ideal choice for those who wish to spend
their retirement and aging people because staircases are difficult to climb.
2. Nine-foot ceilings
A
nine-foot ceiling is far better than eight-foot ceiling homes, the amount of
lighting and airflow is sufficient for its occupants. It also creates a
comfortable atmosphere to relax in.
3. South exposure
A
south exposure of a home, especially during the winter season helps let in the
sunshine which leads to heating free from cost. The lighting from the sunshine
enhances the moods of the home occupants. On the other hand, during summertime,
planting trees against windows will help shield the room and keep it cool as
well as improve the air quality flowing in.
4. Outdoor living space
It
is healthy and enjoyable to have your living space outdoors. Spending some of
your time outdoors helps reduce stress levels. Homes with outdoor space tend to
fetch more money for their owners when listed than those without. Adding a
patio or a deck to your home will earn you more money than all-rounded space
living rooms.
5. Maximized insulation
By maximising insulation in your home, you reduce the amount of energy needed to keep indoor temperatures constant. You will feel comfortable staying in a well-insulated room. The return on investment of your home insulation is easily realised.
Do you like sitting outside to enjoy the view? Do you often
entertain guests at home and prefer to do the entertaining outdoors? Have you
wondered how you could avoid the sun beating down and making you feel all hot
and flustered? Entertaining outdoors is all fun and enjoyment until the
temperatures start soaring. The answer is to install outdoor blinds. These
offer protection from the sun and allows you to enjoy yourself outdoors no
matter what time of the year it is.
However outdoor blinds can have other benefits as well.
These include the following:
Outdoor blinds offer
much needed privacy and security
All home owners value their privacy. Outdoor blinds provide
much needed privacy. If your home is situated in the middle of other houses
chances are you are usually worried about invasion of privacy. Also
neighborhoods where homes are built too close together might have a similar issue.
Using outdoor blinds allow you to enjoy your time spent outside without having
to worry about prying eyes.
Helps keep the dust
at bay
Outdoor blinds prevent dust or other debris from bothering
you. No matter what kind of weather its outside you can enjoy your time spent
on the porch or patio with your friends and loved ones. Plus it’s a good
measure for protecting your home from extreme weather conditions as well. if
you have furniture placed on the patio you may worry if it starts raining too
hard or if there is blowing wind which might wreak havoc on your furniture. The
blinds offer some degree of protection and ensure that the furniture isn’t
directly exposed.
Helps keep your
indoor space clean
Dust from outside normally accumulates inside the home. The
result is no matter how often you dust your furniture there’s bound to be a
layer of dirt. Outdoor blinds prevent the dust from entering inside your home
and helps it stay clean and fresh.
Improve aesthetics
Using outdoor blinds can add a touch of grace and class to
your surroundings. These actually improve the aesthetics of your outdoor space
and create a great impression for anyone visiting your home. It somehow helps
create an outdoor space which looks like a separate entity from your home. Its
ore like an outdoor room where you can have all the privacy that you want and
entertain guest whenever you like. Plus the binds can be lifted when the
weather is great thus allowing you to have control all the time.
Outdoor blinds are
environmentally friendly
Outdoor blind are an environment friendly option. They help
conserve energy by cooling your home and blocking out the sunlight. This allows
your home to stay at a cool temperature on the inside. This in turn can help
lower the electricity bills because air conditioning unit doesn’t have to work
twice as hard during the hot weather.
If you are looking for Gold Coast outdoor blinds installation, make sure you contact a trusted and reliable service.
Making decisions on what best suits your home can seem like
a rigorous non-ending project. Often, you will find yourself in a position of
doubt on whether you should hire a professional for the next step of the
project, or you can wing it.
You need to note that for quality
results, you will need to invest both financially and physically into the
process of creating your dream home. Professional painters are available for
all painting tasks, whether residential or commercial.
Despite the size of the project, they pride themselves in
coming up with exemplary results giving your property an aesthetically
commendable façade. Although painting your own house might seem like a
cost-saving opportunity, you will find that some elements of perfect painting
results are overlooked.
Advantages of Hiring Painting Services
When you employ the services of professional painters in
Melbourne, you are assured of;
Having a dedicated team working on your project
throughout. Unlike you, they will be able to focus fully on the painting
job until it is done. They will conduct coordinated activities that string
together to give you elegant results within the specified time.
You get a precise budget and quotation with complete
estimations on how much the entire project will cost you. Painting
services are highly experienced, and their skills allow them to range the
amount you will spend. That way, you do not have to run to the store for
emergency supplies or add on to the expenditure.
They use the best materials and tools in the market.
Doing your painting means you need to either utilise the already existing
tools or purchase new ones. This defeats the purpose of cost-saving since
you buy tools and materials that you will not be using again. Professional
painting services ensure that they have the relevant tools for the job.
Also, they buy the best paint and materials which lasts long.
While
the painting service you hire focuses on making your home as aesthetically
appealing and cosy as possible, you get to work on other relevant
projects. This way, you save on time and energy as your project is
completed even as you pursue other things.
All the perks that come with hiring painting services are only fully achieved if you play your role in the project. The job of the painters is to actualise the vision you have for your house or business.
Factors to Consider When Hiring Painting Services
Preparation is key to the attainment of any goal one has in
a project. Thus, you need to be fully equipped to deal with all that is
required in painting your house. First, you need to identify the spaces that
need painting. Measure the area or have the painting service do it. This will
allow you to get an estimate price of the project.
Decide on the paint you want to use. You get to select the
colour for each space. Be as bold as you need to be. You can use different
coats for different walls or decide to blend. The type of paint in terms of
base and the duration it takes to dry are also crucial decisions. However, for
all the choices you need to make, ensure you consult your painting service to
get expert advice.
The first question to consider when
planning your new home is whether to work with a production builder or custom
home builder. A great home can be delivered to you with the excellent options
provided by both types of builders.
The home designs and choices are the
deciding factors that could influence your choice. Choosing between production
or custom home Maryborough builders becomes simple if you know their
differences.
Simultaneously built homes with a
variety of floor plans with limited personalised options are handled by
production builders. One-of-a-kind home designs built on a single lot area is
the typical job description of a custom home builder.
Custom Home
Builders
Aptly named, custom builders build a
less scripted home to include:
Your home can be built on land you’ve acquired or land you
own
You can commission specific floor plans or supply a floor
plan
You can work separately with a builder and architect or you
can go with a design-build company that offers both construction and
architectural services
You can make any decision on the design of the home and more
involved in the process
You can choose any product within the range of your budget
The process of
Custom Home Building
Building a custom home will cost more
than going for the production home type of the same size and floor plan.
Contrary to popular belief, custom
homes are not only pictured as expensive and large models. It can be a
simple-styled home with a more elaborate design to fit your lifestyle.
You can work with an architect to design
your home or supply your floor plan. You get to work closely with your selected
builder using the details you have in mind. These details can include the exact
placement of your windows to get the best views or a floor plan that includes
existing trees on your property.
There is no limit to the choices in a
custom home except perhaps the budget. The key to this is to stick to a
realistic budget.
Production Home
Builders
Most production home builders’
services include:
Package deals of home and land
Provides a variety of home plans to choose from
Presents a menu of several product categories and allow you
to choose your favourite design/style from it
Provides home prices for luxury, first-time, and move-up
buyers
The process of
Production Home Building
Less expense for the same size home
can be usually delivered by a production builder. The volume purchase of both
land and materials is the reason behind the cheaper price.
The big strategy tool used by
production builders is purchasing the right kind of land. Huge and
master-planned communities are the plans involved in the construction of homes.
An appealing mix of homes provides a
big advantage to the production home building. This presents buyers multiple
choices of home floor plans and models to choose from. The placement of gables
and windows and the shape and size of the porch can be changed to make a home
different from their next neighbour.
Both custom home and production builders offer many advantages. Choosing between them depends on your wants and budget. Ask for referrals regarding Maryborough builders and read reviews to help you choose the best one.
Is your house or office in need of an electrical
consultation? You might have noticed the hanging wires or flickering lights, or
maybe the fuse just blew. All these are indications of the need to call an
electrician. Old houses are also candidates for electrical renovations. With
the advancement in technology and the diminishing ability of the time,
electrical wiring in domestic, commercial and rural premises need to be fixed.
Professional electricians offer an array of services to
their clients while ensuring customer satisfaction in whatever need they have.
Electricity is potentially fatal; thus, you need to critically vet the person
you are giving the job to. There are several factors you need to consider when
selecting an electrician.
Qualities of a Good Electrician
Firstly, their level of professionalism should be commendable. This means they should be polite in the way they address you, do their work and communicate about issues. Also, they should be transparent about arising issues. If any threatening situation comes up, they should not only fix it but also notify you.
Secondly, they should have the required qualifications and licences. It takes a lot of learning and practice to be efficiently skilled in an area. Ensure you analyse an electrician’s qualifications before you hire them. They should also exhibit knowledge of electrical strategies and trends in safety protocols.
Also, their regard for customers should be reflected in their customer service approach. They should display organisational skills and exemplary communication abilities. Furthermore, they should portray the ability to think on their feet and provide solutions for issues that come up while they are working.
Finally, their work ethic should be of a high standard. They should be keen on providing the best services while observing timeliness and critical adherence to the stipulated budget. All expenditure should be clearly accounted for.
Services Rendered
Most electricians will offer services on large- and small-scale projects. So, whether you need electrical services for your domestic needs or for commercial, they always prepared. Electrician Canberra will check for issues and offer immediate fixing; supply electrical material and install it.
They also offer real-time updates on the projects they are undertaking. This gives the client a chance to weigh in on decisions and make adjustments where necessary.
From electrical alarm systems, lighting consultations, to air conditioning installations, you will find a qualified professional. Clients get to work with reliable electricians who are well insured. The electrical solutions offered incorporate feedback, and this ensures things are done to the satisfaction of the customer.
For services like light adjustments, the end result is both aesthetically pleasing and well executed.
Marketing strategies are at per with technological advancements. Quotations and estimates are calculated on websites, and you get to pick the electrician who works best for your budget. Some even offer free consultation services to potential clients.
With regard to safety, these electricians navigate your
space while paying attention to all your electrical needs. They then provide
long-lasting solutions. Further, whatever you need them to do, these
electricians will provide quality.
Customer satisfaction is the greatest measure of success.
Electricians do their level best to satisfy the client’s expectations and at
times, go well beyond them. The rates offered are competitive and accommodating
to all budget ranges.
It’s tempting to charge ahead once
you’ve found your dream home. But it will be financially and emotionally
worthwhile to take a closer look at the property before you sign on the dotted line.
Extra costs, as well as a lot of
headaches, will be avoided when a building inspection services are hired before
you gear up to make an offer.
Building inspection Gold Coast has
professional architects, builders, and surveyors that are in the best position
to provide you a standard property report. These professionals are trained and
experienced to know exactly what needs to be looked at by following specific
guidelines.
The inspectors will be able to tell
you facts about the property’s impact on your future plans. This could include
adding in a second storey in the future. They could also advise you to hire a
separate pest inspection to find out more about the condition under those
perfectly polished floorboards.
Reasons for hiring a Building Inspection
The purchase of the
property becomes smart and savvy when you hire the services of professional
building inspectors. Here are the reasons why:
An objective
look at the property
Your judgement gets clouded up when
you take an ocular look at a property that meets your preferred design. You get
carried away when you see a room that’s perfect for a study or the sight of
lovely kitchen cupboards.
The little details that an untrained
eye will not be able to see can easily be understood by a building inspector. For
instance, is that rising damp being cleverly masked by a good paint job? Or is
there some pressure being built on the ceiling to eventually make it buckle? Is
the cracking on the walls a result of some movement? Or are the waterworks
working as they should?
A standard walk-through will never
see these underlying problems. Yet, these issues can become major financial
problems if left unchecked and uninspected.
Future
repair costs
Not everything about a building will
necessarily need to be repaired or fixed. However, your decision to go ahead
and purchase the property will be based on the content of the inspection
report.
The report could contain some areas
in the property that may require repairs. The inspector’s report can make you
understand potential repair costs if you go ahead with the plan of purchasing
the property. The report will also give you an idea of the amount of loan you
need to borrow.
Enhance your
bargaining power
Enhancing your bargaining power is
often the advantage overlooked in a building inspection. It is only in auctions
that this bargaining chip may not work. However, a building inspection report
will put you in a good place when the property is through a private sale.
Your bargaining power gets a big
boost when you get to understand the findings contained in the inspection
report. The structural issues of the house as reported in a formal inspection
report can potentially save you thousands of dollars in the negotiating table.
The inspection report can also make
you decide whether to go for the property, go elsewhere or negotiate a good
price for it.
The bottom line
A decision about a property can become an informed one when armed with a formal inspection report. The various aspects of a potential property covered by an inspection report can only be accomplished by a licensed and qualified inspector. Make Gold Coast building inspections a priority before acquiring a new property.
The
process of air conditioning involves regulating the temperature and humidity of
air in a room or enclosed space. Under ideal conditions, it accomplishes all
this simultaneously. The most common objectives of conditioning are to increase
or reducing the humidity and temperature of the air, despite the procedure can
likewise include filtration and refreshing the air. It is one of the most used
electrical appliances today, mainly in the summer for the simple reason that it
effectively helps to cool the air that is used either in the office or at home.
There is another type of refrigeration which is considered industrial, since it
serves to cool large areas such as industrial refrigerators, which are
associated with maintenance chambers of edible products such as fruits, dairy,
among others. As the taste and desire for satisfaction increases, humans have
sought ways to improve and control both the external and the internal factors
affecting a comfortable living.
Components of the air conditioning system
The air conditioning system has the
following components, including:
Indoor unit or Split: Contains
the evaporator, which extracts the hot air from the room and transmits it
to the refrigerant gas. This unit also has temperature sensors that are
connected to the thermostat.
Outdoor unit: Contains the
condenser and the compressor. This unit is the one that releases the hot
air and, in it, the refrigerant gas passes from gas to liquid.
Other components: Apart from these two units, you can
also find, inside an air conditioner, other components: an expansion
valve, a compressor, refrigerant gas, and a thermostat.
The functioning of an air
conditioner
In general, an air conditioner uses
a refrigerant circuit, not to bring cold air into the room, but to extract hot
air from the room. The compression refrigeration system is the most commonly
used, both domestically and commercially. This system follows several steps:
The compressor in the outdoor
unit compresses the gas. The gas, when compressed and change to the liquid
state, increases its temperature.
This coolant goes to the
condenser, and the subcooling process is carried out, emitting heat to the
outside, like a radiator. It absorbs the heat from the liquid and converts
part of the liquid back into a gas, leaving another part as a gaseous
liquid.
This mixture passes to the
expansion valve, which lowers the pressure and temperature of the gas.
Then, the mixture with the
decreased pressure and temperature passes to the evaporator, which reheats
the gas in a process called superheating. This happens because the gas has
a lower temperature than the temperature of the room, so the heat leaves
the room to cool the gas and leave it at the same temperature.
Hot air enters the circuit,
goes to the evaporator and transfers its heat to the refrigerant gas,
cooling the room.
Then, the compressor absorbs the heat of the
refrigerant gas and expels it to the outside.
Broadly speaking, this is a process that continues, and that is repeated step by step until the room cools. Then, the thermostat detects it and stops the device until its heat sensors detect that the temperature has risen and the entire circuit is activated again.
You might be building a house or a huge office complex and are looking to have the best resources for it. What you need to know is that you don’t just need the right materials and the right permissions to construct such buildings, you also need the right architect.
An architect ballarat gets you a perfect plan to build your structure so that it is sturdy and can withstand any problems and natural disasters while making it look highly aesthetically appealing as well. Hence, why it is important to almost always hire one to get the perfect construction.
When you are looking to hire an architect, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
Credentials
The first and foremost thing you need to look at is the architect’s credentials. Architects are ‘licensed professionals’ and they obtain this license after they have completed a degree and have gotten a certification as well. All of this makes them highly skilled and competent enough to handle your building.
When you are looking to hire an architect, you need to check their credentials beforehand along with their years of experience as well. This will show you their level of skills and how efficiently they can work.
Accessibility
Before the construction of the building begins, you will have a long to and fro conversation between you and your architect. Many a times, architects hold one meeting with you and then they assign the project to one of their juniors and vanish. This is especially troublesome when the project is quite big and the resource is not that competent.
It is important to always go for an architect that is available to answer your calls and is there to help you out when you need it. They should be willing to hold update meetings with you and ready to provide feedback and advice on what you want.
Price
Price is probably one of the biggest things you need to look at because architects do tend to take up a major chunk of your budget. The common practice is that architects figure out their prices on the square foot of the building that they are going to design. Some of them also have an hourly rate but that is not common.
What you can do here is that you can first estimate the price based upon the two rates yourself so that you can have a clear idea when an architect quotes you their price. It is best for you to know things yourself otherwise you will get stuck in a situation that you can’t get out of.
When hiring an architect do keep all the above mentioned points in your mind so that you can make the right decision before you start on with your construction.
Growing hostas can be very satisfying for a gardener – they’re beautiful, hardy, and grow in a variety of climates. But sometimes, these perennials can grow enormously large, which is when you start thinking, “Maybe I could split this plant to fill in a different spot!” This, of course, is called “dividing”, and it’s a relatively simple task for any gardener and one that I have done countless times in my own garden, over the years.
Hostas are tough and will survive division just about any time you do it, often without much wilting at all. However, hostas divided in the spring or summer often fail to make handsome garden plants until the next year. They’ll show signs of the inevitable damage to buds or leaves all season, which is why the end of summer (at least a month before your first frost) is the ideal time to do this job. The plants will have ample time to develop new roots before winter and will unfurl unblemished leaves in the spring.
To divide a hosta clump, begin with a shovel or spade, cutting all around the clump then prying it from the ground with a digging fork. Shake off as much soil as you can, then move the clump where you can rinse all the soil from the roots with a hose. Removing the soil makes it much easier to see where you could make your divisions with minimal damage to leaves and roots.
Start by dividing the clump in half. If the hosta is a spreading variety, it should be fairly easy to pull apart by hand or to pry apart using two digging forks back to back. If it’s the sort that makes a tight crown, use a knife to cut down into the crown from the top. Be sure to steer clear of the large stems and don’t cut so far that you slice off roots beneath. Once you’re nearly through the crown, you’ll be able to pull it apart.
If you want more divisions, rinse away the soil in the exposed center of the plant, and divide the pieces in half. Proceed in this way until you have the number of pieces you want, right down to single shoots. As you work, cover the divisions with a damp cloth to keep the roots and leaves from drying. Replant the divisions immediately.
How many divisions should you make? Well, hostas are among the few perennials that are happiest and look best if never divided. So if you’re dividing the hostas to develop a new planting scheme, divide the clumps into just two or four pieces so the garden will have a finished look in a year or two. Single-shoot divisions can take several years to regrow leaves of full size. I have a five-year old clump grown from a small piece whose leaves are only half the size of a mature specimen planted next to it at around the same time. Your smallest divisions, especially the really tiny ones that inevitably break away are best planted in a nursery bed to grow on to full size.
If you take care to do the work carefully, dividing a hostas plant can help you spread the beauty of this hardy beauty to other corners of your garden. And if you need further help doing this work without damaging the plant, check out this Youtube video that features the entire process from beginning to end.
When you find that some of your favorite perennials did not survive a bad winter, leaving your garden with a big bare spot, you don’t have to wait to bring color back. You need to find a fast growing perennial that will bloom as early as possible. Fortunately, there is a large variety that are fast growing and will produce flowers in the first season. There are fast growing perennials that can be used as ground covers, borders, bedding plants and vines and the blooms come in every color on the spectrum. You can find fast growing perennials from cold zone 2 to warm zone 9.
Ajuga – Chocolate Chip is hardy in zones 3 to 9, grows to about 4 inches high and 18 inches wide. It has blue flowers and in the fall the foliage turns chocolate brown. It makes a great ground cover or container plant and does best in shady areas.
Aster – Sapphire is hardy in zones 4 to 1, grows 15 inches high and 24 inches wide with lilac/blue colored flowers. It will bloom in August and September, likes full sun but is tolerant of a bit of shade.
Black-eyed Susan – Goldsturm is hardy in zones 3 to 9 and is deer resistant. It grows to 24 inches high and 24 inches wide, like full sun and had bright yellow flowers.
Russian Sage – Little Spire is hardy in zones 4 to 9 and grows to 36 inches high and 18 inches wide with lavender flowers and silvery colored leaves. It loves the heat and sun and is drought resistant.
Sedum – Angelina is hardy in zones 3 to 1, grows to 6 inches high and 14 inches wide with yellow flowers and golden yellow leaves. It needs well drained soil.
Sedum – Neon sedum spectabile ‘neon’ is hardy in zones 3 to 9, blooms in the fall, grows to 24 inches high and 24 inches wide, likes partial sun and has pink flowers with light green leaves that turn yellow in the fall.
Veronica – Royal Candles Speedwell is hardy in zones 3 to 9 grow to about 15 inches high and 18 inches wide and have blue flowers with deep green leaves. This one has a long growing season, from June to September
Hollyhock – Peaches ‘n Dreams is hardy in zones 2 to 8, produces double flowers that are peach colored with tints of raspberry, pink and apricot. They need full sun and well drained soil.
Geranium – Tiny Monster is hardy in zones 4 to 11, grows to about 12 inches high and has a spread of about 40 inches and magenta colored flowers that turn bronze and purple in the fall.
There are a number of indoor plant problems that can plague your garden. Bugs, fungus, and mold are the most common issues that develop in an indoor garden. These indoor plant problems often go unnoticed because of today’s efficient hydroponic setups. It is not necessary to hand-water and inspect your plants as much if you have the right timers and pumps. Checking your crops periodically for the following indoor plant problems will help prevent a major infestation in your garden.
Why they occur
Growing conditions for indoor gardens are quite different than those found outside. Outdoor crops must face a variety of weather conditions, from gusting wind to extreme heat. The challenging environment makes outdoor plants stronger as they go through the various seasons. Indoor plants do not get the benefit of these environmental stressors, which makes them more vulnerable to damage. Compounding the problem is the controlled, warm environment of most indoor gardens, which is perfect for fungi and bugs.
Inspect the leaves
Check your plants’ leaves first as this is the most obvious place to find indoor plant problems. Dirt or other debris on the surface of the leaves can interfere with the plant’s ability to receive sunlight for photosynthesis. If you are able to remove individual plants from your indoor garden, it is best to wash off any dirt or dust in the sink. Use a slow stream, so you do not blast the plant’s leaves with water. A watering can with a sprinkler-type faucet also works well for cleaning off your plant’s leaves, especially if you cannot easily take the plants out of your indoor garden setup. Make sure to wash the underside of the leaves as well, since many insects lay their eggs there.
Insects
If you have seen signs of bugs or damage on your plants, you need to figure out what type of insects you are dealing with. Different insects require different types of removal or insecticide. Removal by hand and a thorough cleansing will be safer for your plants than using chemical-based pesticides, but this is very time-consuming and may not keep insects from returning if you have a major infestation. After picking or scraping off the insects by hand, rinse the underside of the leaves with a moderately forceful stream of water to remove any eggs. Scrape off any eggs that remain on the leaves, if you can see them. Some insects lay eggs that are too small to see with the naked eye. You can use a magnifying glass to
Soil infestations
The soil itself may be the source of your indoor plant problems. Some types of infestations work their way up from the soil into the plant’s roots. Flushing out the soil is the only way to get rid of these infestations without transplanting the entire plant. Thoroughly drench the soil with water and let it seep out the bottom. If your plant needs nutrition, this is a good time to add a bit of diluted liquid fertilizer.
Deer resistant landscape trees many not seem like an important investment, but if you live in an area with a heavy deer population, you’ve seen the damage that a hungry deer can do. Just like any other danger to a tree’s survival, deer can eat on the bark and leaves of a tree making it unsustainable for growth. Fortunately, there are deer resistant landscape trees that will allow you to have a vibrant and thriving yard design. These five deer resistant tree suggestions will keep your lawn looking its best all year round.
#1 Blue Nest Spruce
The Blue Nest Spruce is a slow growing, dwarf size evergreen that has blue and green foliage. If you have a rock garden that facilitates your landscape design, a Blue Nest Spruce will thrive in those surroundings. Due to its magnificent color and hearty design, the Blue Nest Spruce will add an eye-popping element to your landscape. This dwarf variety hosts an attractive globe of richly colored needles and requires minimal watering, fertilizing, and pruning. Due to its versatility, It is also a fantastic addition to a shrub borders. The Blue Nest Spruce enjoys a sunny habitat with well-drained soil. The Blue Nest Spruce is an excellent tree for adding depth, color and texture to your landscape design. Best of all, it is known for being completely deer resistant.
#2 The Gingko Tree
This ageless wonder makes for the perfect deer resistant addition to a landscape design. The Gingko tree can have a lifespan up to several hundred years, so it is known for its superb structure and stability. The foliage on the Gingko tree turns bright yellow in autumn making it a showpiece for the yard. In addition, the Gingko tree produces fruit that is an orange color when it is ripe. In addition, this tree can grow to be quite tall, so pruning could be a necessity depending on your yard’s needs. The Gingko is indigenous to China, Japan, and Korea, where it first found its place in the mountain regions. Today the tree is often planted in suburbs, populous cities, and highly trafficked areas due to its resistance to urban emissions and wildlife.
#3 The Mimosa Tree
The Mimosa tree, known for its silk features, is known for its dramatic ornamental features. Of all the deer resistant landscape options, the Mimosa tree could be the most lovely. The gorgeous scented fluffy flowers and dramatic fern-like foliage make this one a real eye pleaser. Due to the fragrant characteristics of this tree, it is attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds. Typically, the Mimosa tree grows to about twenty feet in height thus making it a wonderful complementary asset for a landscaped yard. Mimosa trees grow very quickly but don’t have an extremely long life span. Interestingly, each leaf is made up of many smaller tiny leafs that are covered in little white fuzzy hairs. That is why the tree is known for its silk like appearance. Due to its deer resistant nature, it makes for a superb addition to a thriving landscape design.
#4 The Sassafras Tree
Versatility and widespread appeal make the Sassafras tree a perfect fit for any landscaped garden area. If you want a yard design that looks quite natural and ethereal, the Sassafras will incorporate into the scheme quite appropriately. The Sassafras tree can be found in a wide range of regions and climate zones within the United States including Maine and Texas. A unique characteristic of this deciduous tree is that it has leaves that are shaped like a fluffy glove. Its yellow flowers bloom in the spring and omit a lovely fragrance. The foliage of the Sassafras tree are a soft green color and and turn vibrant colors during the fall. Deer resistant landscape trees might not be appealing to deer, but their beauty and attractive fragrance makes the Sassafras a people’s favorite.
#5 The Red Maple Tree
If you are in need of a taller landscape tree for the corner of your yard, the deer resistant Red Maple tree is a likely alternative. This lovely deciduous tree can grow up to forty feet in height. Due to the variegated light and dark green leaf combination, the Red Maple tree adds drama and color to a landscaped yard. In early spring, red flowers encompass the branches of the tree making room for the fresh leaves that are preparing to form. Additionally, the leaves of the Red Maple turn a beautiful red color during the fall season. Due to the Red Maple’s quick growth, sap can be used to make syrup but its flavor is not as tasty as that from other maple varieties. The attractive red colors and deer resistant qualities make it a beautiful addition to a landscaped yard.
Deer resistant landscape trees are critical to the maintenance and design of a well-planned yard. Chewed pieces of bark, damaged leaves, and broken branches are not an eye-appealing feature of an outdoor yard design. These tree varieties can help you have a landscape that is a true neighborhood showpiece. And if you wish to have your unwanted trees removed and new ones planted the way it should match perfectly with your landscape, call for tree removal services near you. They can assist you and even give you great deals and tips on keeping a 5-star yard.
Plants with fragrant leaves will add a lot to your garden scene. Ornamentals that have a rich perfume such as stocks, narcissus, carnations and comparable subjects, are of course, well-known. Creating the same kind of an environment but with foliage plants will prove an interesting gardening adventure.
One of the most delightful fragrances in the plant kingdom emanates from the leaves of the diosma, often called coleonema by nurserymen. This ornamental is more familiarly known as “breath of heaven” which is an apt description. Two varieties are available: Alba, which produces white toned flowers and Purpurea which develops blooms of a purple-pink tinge. The plant has somewhat the appearance of a heath and demands a spot out in the sun. Rubbing the leaves together causes the fragrance to be more pronounced.
For a clean fragrance that will remind you of the great outdoors, choose Libocedrus decurrens. This is a California native and as such is sure to succeed in your garden. It has what is known as a “woodsy” smell; it is like bringing the mountains to your garden. This incense cedar is well adapted for the average landscape, being neither too large nor too small . At maturity, the tree should approximate a height of from 40 to 50 feet.
Libocedrus decurrens is somewhat on the formal side and this characteristic should be kept in mind relative to its surroundings. The tree has a stately shape and is well proportioned. The foliage is dense, the tree being quite full in the center. It assumes a pyramidal type of growth. The aromatic smell should aid in wiping out gasoline fumes that may blow into your garden from the street.
A somewhat taller tree is eucalyptus citriodora, so named because of its lemon-like scent. This specimen grows to around 70 feet high and gets there rather rapidly. One distinguishing mark of the eucalyptus citriodora is its white trunk that, because of the smoothness of the surface, appears to be polished. The leaves which are slender in shape have the exact pungency of a lemon.
Myrtus communis, the myrtle of Roman times and well known throughout the pages of history, is one of Southern California’s most popular hedge plants; and deservedly so. The foliage is shiny in appearance and highly aromatic in fragrance, the small white flowers give way in early spring to blackberries.
For hedge purposes you have a choice of two excellent myrtles: The common type is the large-growing specimen, going from four to eight feet. Variety compacta, which in late years has become increasingly more popular, ranges from three to six feet. Both varieties are hardy down to 15 degrees temperature and tolerate a great deal of pruning. This allows shaping the plants as wished. These myrtles also perform well as specimen plants. They require very little care.
Salvia officinalis, the green sage of the culinary arts, is as important in the kitchen, as an herb, as it is in the garden as an ornamental. Housewives who take their cooking, or seasoning, seriously are well acquainted with the magic powers of the leaves of a sage plant. It is a perennial and will continue on in your garden for many years. The blooms which appear in racemes are purple, blue and white.
We prune trees for their health and for our aesthetic pleasure. While major tree pruning is a dangerous job best left to professionals, pruning small trees is a job that can be handled by any gardener. Any job that can be managed with large secateurs or a pruning saw and does not require the use of a tall ladder or climbing equipment is suitable for the amateur.
Late winter and very early spring is the best time to prune trees. This is just before their growth period begins. All the tree’s stored energy is available to heal the wound made by pruning. If you prune later in the year, it is harder for the tree to recover. Of course, if a branch is damaged, it can be pruned in any season, the clean cut from a pruning saw will heal better than the splintered ends left by wind damage or an accident. Quick healing is desirable because open wood is an invitation to infestation and infection.
Pruning is desirable for the tree’s health. Cut out dead wood and diseased branches. Also, remove any branches that rub against each other. Constant rubbing will wear the bark away, leaving a raw spot that is vulnerable to infection and to insects. If two branches are crossed, cut out one of them before they begin rubbing against each other. When you have accomplished this, you will have a far healthier tree.
Pruning can also increase the gardener’s comfort in the garden and the pleasure he finds there. Any tree branch that crosses a path and constantly annoys walkers should be removed. If a tree casts heavy shade and you want to grow flowers beneath it, you can increase available sunlight dramatically by removing the lower limbs.
A tree can also be pruned to make it more beautiful. You can remove a misshapen growth that resulted from earlier damage (or someone else’s inept pruning). You can thin out the branches to make the tree appear more graceful. You can remove some top growth to encourage blossoms and fruit on the lower branches. Follow the natural growth pattern to enhance the tree’s shape, and see how beautiful it can be!
Where to cut the branch? Never, never cut half-way down the limb. The branch will die back to its base anyway, and the dying wood will invite pests and disease. Always cut at the base of the branch. If you look closely, you will see a bulge at the spot where a twig meets a branch, or a branch meets the trunk of the tree. This is called the branch collar. Cut just outside the branch collar, and the wound will heal very quickly.
Twigs and small branches can be removed with secateurs. Larger branches require the use of a pruning saw. Don’t try to use a carpenter’s saw for this job. The large, deeply-cut teeth of a pruning sew are especially designed to cut cleanly through green wood. If you are pruning a large branch, start by cutting from upward on the bottom of the branch, just past the branch collar. Then cut down from the top until the branch is sawn through. If you don’t make the bottom cut first, the weight of the falling branch is likely to tear a large strip of bark from the tree, leaving a wound that is difficult for the tree to heal.
Gardeners were once advised to paint or otherwise seal the stump. This isn’t really necessary if you’ve cut just beyond the branch collar. The tree can heal an incision at that spot very quickly, and paint will only delay healing.
So go ahead and cut out any dead or diseased wood. Cut out crossed and rubbing branches. Cut out unsightly growth. Arrange a junk removal service if you can’t handle it, then walk away. Remember, you can always prune more branches later, but you can’t replace the ones you cut by mistake!
Prune properly, and enjoy the healthy trees in your beautiful garden!
When it’s bitter cold outside and there’s a foot of snow on the ground, it’s difficult for most of us to think much about our backyard vegetable gardens. But to the true garden enthusiast, sitting next to the fireplace with the new seed catalog that just arrived in the mail is a great way to spend a blustery winter evening, and the thoughts of what and when to plant are a source of pure enjoyment.
Even the novice gardener may be aware of the fact, however, that in many parts of the country, the garden soil can be worked as early as late February and certainly by mid-March. If they get that “green-thumb fever,” they may be curious to know what types of plants can be started early, even if they have to wait until after the last frost before setting out most of the regular crops.
Here’s the good news…
The good news for those who just can’t wait to have something to tend is that there are some cool weather plants that actually do quite well in late winter and early spring. In fact, some of these need to be both planted and harvested before warm weather comes around. Obviously, setting plants out and burying seeds will always be subject to the complete thawing of your topsoil. Where the ground in the garden can be worked in early March, however, here are a few ideas that might work to satisfy those eager gardeners who can’t wait to get started:
1. Onion Sets. Most types of onions do quite well when they are planted directly in the garden as onion sets in mid-March. At the garden shop, the small, partially grown bulbs are usually packaged as bundles. For most backyard vegetable gardens, one or two bundles of each onion color will be plenty.
2. Radishes. Radishes can be a great fix for the gardener who is so anxious to get the season started. Planted as seeds in a shallow furrow, radishes love the cool weather, and are good selections for March gardening. Both the round red varieties (like the Cherry Belle) and the long white root types (like the Icicle) radishes can be purchased in seed packets at the store.
The gardener will want to watch these closely, however, because these guys will germinate, grow, and be ready to harvest in a short time, often as quickly as three weeks. But that’s another great advantage. Plant as many as you like without worrying about garden space. Radishes are harvested so soon after they’re planted, they will be out of the way before it’s time to work with the warm weather plants.
3. Lettuce. Leaf lettuce is a wonderful cool weather garden crop that can be seed-planted in March. The garden shop will probably have several varieties to select from, but Black-seeded Simpson is probably the most popular. Lettuce won’t be ready as quickly as the radishes were, and may take around 45 days before the gardener can begin to rob the plants for a fresh salad. You may want to consider staggering the planting of the leaf lettuce rows by several days, so the entire crop doesn’t mature on the same weekend.
4. Spinach. Another garden crop that can be planted from seeds, spinach grows well in the cool weather. A fresh salad with a mixture of spinach leaves and some of that leaf lettuce from the next row can be a real treat when those early garden crops are ready to harvest. The garden store will likely have several varieties to choose from, but Olympia and Bloomsdale are two of the more popular types, and will be ready to eat in about 48 days.
5. Carrots. Gardeners may want to wait until the latter part of March for planting carrots, but direct seeding about three to four weeks before the last frost will provide a wonderful homegrown treat in about 80 days after planting.
6. Peas. The list of crops that can be planted directly into the garden in late winter or early spring should always include peas. Peas are tolerant of the occasional frost and extended periods of cooler weather that are typical for the season. Assuming that the seeds will reach maturity after about 60 days of growth, the gardener may wish to set out several sections of peas, a week or so apart, in order to have more than one harvest when the time comes.
7. Others. While the short menu of plants mentioned here are varieties that can be placed directly into the garden in March, a great many others can be started indoors under a grow light, and then set out when the danger of frost is nearly gone. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, beets, and even some early-maturing tomatoes can be transplanted to the backyard garden bed when the weather is more favorable.
This is so true…
Regardless of where one lives, gardening can be a year-round project. Even in the colder months, planning and preparation for the busier season can keep the enthusiast occupied. For many, however, seeing something green pop out of the ground in those early months is the only absolute cure for garden fever. That is why a mini greenhouse investment in your front or backyard will definitely give you all possibilities without compromising losing any of your crops.
One of the best parts of gardening is being able to share what you know and grow with other gardeners or people you meet. Tips and tricks you have used in your own garden just might be the information another gardener needs to get their trouble plant flourishing, and a plant you noticed in a neighbors garden might be ready to divide and shared.
These are all good reasons to organize a plant swap among your friends or in your own neighborhood. At a plant swap you can share information on the plants that you have had success with or those plants that do not do well in the area with newbie gardeners. A swap takes place among gardeners who have divided up plants in their garden that have become to big for the space they are growing in or need to be transplanted.
The first thing you are going to need in order to have a successful plant swap are other gardeners to swap with. Talk to your gardening pals in the neighborhood, you know, the folks that you stop and talk to on walks through the neighborhood to admire their garden. Next, talk to the gardeners in your neighborhood that you haven’t yet met but noticed that they have some plants that need dividing. Finally, stop at your local public places to see about posting flyers for a plant swap, depending on the size of the swap you want to have.
When to Swap
Deciding when to host a plant swap is not hard, the growth of your plants and when they are ready to divide pretty much dictate the schedule. The best time of year to host plant swaps are going to be in the spring and again in the fall. Spring bloomers should be divided and swapped in the fall and summer bloomers divided and swapped in the spring.
What to Swap
Popular plants to swap include those that can always be used in the garden to create borders, fill shade and add color. Perennial favorites like Hostas, Purple Coneflowers, Asters, and Lilies are always wanted by gardeners. Other plants to include in the swap are any new varieties you have introduced to your own garden that have performed well.
Besides plants that you divide in your garden you can swap any leftover seedlings you grew for your own garden and seeds that you have collected. Make sure you include any information about planting and care that you have for all of the plants that you swap.
How to Swap
There are several ways to go about swapping your plants. You can swap using a lottery system or let members exchange among themselves. I prefer a lottery system because that way every member gets an equal chance at bringing home some of their favorites. Make sure that all gardeners involved are comfortable with whatever swap method is used before you begin.
Things to Remember
Remind all gardeners involved that the plants they bring to swap should be healthy and disease free, no one wants to introduce an unhealthy plant into their otherwise disease free garden. Include details about your plant to potential gardeners, like if you have used chemical fertilizers or if all gardening was done organically. And finally, have fun and take the time to glean as many tips and tricks from other gardeners to use in your own garden.
Growing a greener garden is part science, part art, and part chance. There isn’t much you can do about the element of chance – the weather might be ideal one year and disastrous the next. Then there are those people who just seem to have a knack for producing the prettiest blooms and heartiest plants. But even if you weren’t blessed with a proverbial green thumb, you can have a healthier garden if you understand some of the science behind growing things.
With all the interest in green, environmentally friendly methods, composting is a great way to utilize kitchen and lawn waste to produce the perfect soil additive without chemical fertilizers. Producing your own compost just makes sense because the ingredients are free and you’ll be making the most of materials that would otherwise go down your garbage disposal or worse, become part of the mountain of trash at a landfill.
There are several different styles of compost structures, from free-standing piles that can be manually turned over, to pre-fabricated rotating bins. The size of your compost pile will depend on the size of your yard and on the amount of waste material your lawn and kitchen produce. Compost piles should not exceed around six feet in height because if the pile is too high, decomposition will not occur at the deeper layers. Also, if a compost heap is too tall or massive, it will be difficult to turn over.
Turning over your compost is a method of mixing the layers which will be at different stages of decomposition. This is accomplished with a simple pitchfork or shovel. Pitchforks are the best tool for composting since they are not as heavy or cumbersome as shovels. Garden rakes are typically not durable enough for the job, since decomposing compost becomes quite weighty.
In order for decomposition to occur, your compost pile must include both green and brown material. Green matter refers to any fresh waste material such as green leaves, grass clippings, fresh wood chips, and vegetable, fruit or other organic scraps. Brown matter includes dead branches, dried wood chips, dried pine cones and needles, and even shredded paper scraps. A word of caution: do not add meat, fat or oil to your compost pile since this will attract vermin as well as create quite a stench!
If your compost pile includes this combination of materials and is at least a foot or more in depth, with time, the magic of decomposition will turn what would otherwise be trash into a rich soil additive. You can tell that decomposition is occurring by reaching your hand deep into the pile. If the center of the heap feels much hotter than the surface, that means the magic of decomposition has begun. In fact, the center of your compost heap should be nearly too hot to touch.
You might notice a variety of insects in and around your compost pile. Actually, at the hot center of the heap, instead of earthworms and beetles, tiny microorganisms will be doing the real work of breaking down material.
When your compost begins to resemble rich coffee grounds, it is ready to be used as a soil additive. Good compost can help turn overly alkaline soil into healthy balanced soil by adding a mildly acidic element. You can test the pH level of your soil with a simple tester device, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of around 6 or 7 ideal. The crumbly texture of compost can turn clumpy, clay soils into workable garden dirt. Using compost also helps conserve water usage in the garden because mulch compost placed around plants holds water and inhibits evaporation. Even without rainfall, mulch will draw and hold moisture from the morning dew, releasing it throughout the day to thirsty plants.
If you have a garden, your plants are sure to reward your composting efforts with brighter blooms and tastier treats.
If you have a small garden space, a full-sized greenhouse may be out of the question. However, if you do much gardening, a well-made mini greenhouse is a purchase you will never regret. Ideal for use on patios, decks, balconies, courtyards and small yards, mini green houses offer the same benefits and many of the same features as their full-sized cousins, yet take up very little space, typically around six square feet!
Main Use of a mini greenhouse
A greenhouse can be used to start seedlings before the recommended frost date for your area. When the weather warms up, your healthy, robust plants can then be transplanted into the garden. This allows you to start harvesting your crops much earlier than gardeners who wait to direct-seed. There’s a much wider selection of seeds available than plants, so you can grow things that your friends won’t have, which makes sharing your produce with them a lot more fun!
A good selection of herbs, and nearly all varieties of lettuce can be grown successfully in a mini greenhouse all year long, as can greens such as Swiss chard, kale, and spinach. Think how great it would be to serve your guests a salad of just-picked greens in the middle of winter!
You can use your greenhouse to protect tender perennial plants from frost, ice and snow. Transplant them into containers and they’ll live happily in your mini greenhouse until spring, and then they can be moved back outdoors.
Consider giving your houseplants a welcome change of scenery by putting them outside in your miniature greenhouse for the summer months. The greenhouse can also provide a humid micro-climate for tropical plants.
Mini greenhouses will make the most of the heat available from the sun, while protecting your plants from wind, rain, destructive insects and other garden pests like rabbits and deer.
Some minis are designed to mount to a wall, garage or shed rather than be a free-standing unit in the garden. This ensures that they won’t get knocked over by rambunctious pets or kids, or blown over by a strong wind. There are also kits which allow you to build a small greenhouse in no time, with complete instructions provided by the manufacturer. They range from one- to three-shelf designs, and are relatively inexpensive.
What size do you really need?
Even if you have the space for a full-sized greenhouse, it may still make sense to go with a mini greenhouse instead. If your main use will be to germinate seeds, grow a few plants and provide winter protection for less hardy specimens, a smaller greenhouse will suit you just fine. But if you plan to grow a lot of flowers or vegetables all year long, then a full-size, insulated greenhouse would probably be worth the investment. However, don’t forget that full-size greenhouses have different heating, lighting and cooling requirements than miniature ones, which makes them much more costly to maintain and use.
Greenhouse-gardening offers many practical advantages and money-saving benefits for gardeners, and if all you have the space or money for is a miniature one, this is still much better than not having a greenhouse at all! A mini greenhouse may well prove to be your best gardening expenditure, and will certainly bring you years of enjoyment.
As you may already know, a gazebo is a multipurpose freestanding structure that can be used in gardens, out on a lawn or as a covered gathering area in some other location, such as a park. When gardening in or around a gazebo, there are several factors to take into consideration. This includes how much light is available and where the light occurs, as this will affect which plants will thrive in the garden.
As a general rule, full shade plants should be in an area that receives more than 6 hours of shade. Meanwhile, partial sun/partial shade plants require an area that gets less than six hours of sunlight a day; while a full sun plant requires a minimum of six hours a day of full sunlight. Of course, there are also exceptions such as certain plants may only require full, but indirect sunlight.
Climbing Plants
Climbing plants require the use of a structure, either man-made or natural, to thrive. Climbing plants generally cannot support themselves and thus will rely on a secondary structure, such as a gazebo, for support. Various ivy vines, morning glories and climbing hibiscus plants are all options. However, be sure to choose a climbing plant that suits your specific region and its weather, as well as the specific type of soil, light and watering that will be available to the plant in your yard.
Annual Plants
An annual plant is defined as any plant that can complete an entire life cycle-from seed to full grown, reproducing plant-in a single growing season. Annuals can thrive in full sun, full shade or part sun/part shade. Examples of popular annual plants include wax begonias, impatiens, dwarf salvias and coleus; all of which thrive in shade. Annual plants that thrive in full sun include cosmos, geraniums, zinnia and rose moss.
Perennial Plants
Perennial plants are plants that live through several growing seasons. Most perennials will experience some type of die back during the winter, but will regrow during the following season from the existing original root system.
Like with annuals, some perennials will prefer full sun while others prefer full shade or a part sun/part shade combination. Examples of full sun perennials that can be grown in a gazebo garden include the garden peony, the daylily, the bearded iris and the blanket flower. Meanwhile, full shade perennials include bleeding heart plants, lilies of the valley, wild violets and wild ginger.
Final Notes
Surprisingly, many will find that depending upon the climate, some perennials will act like an annual, just as some annuals can act like perennials. For example, the Black-Eyed Susan will perform like an annual plant in Louisiana while up in Ohio, that same plant would grow like a perennial (notes from the Aggie Horticulture department at Texas A M University).
Lastly, if you own any pets, especially pets that are allowed outdoors, be sure to choose plants that are pet-safe. Check out the ASPCA’s Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database, though keep in mind that not all plants are listed and be sure to research your specific plants to ensure your pet’s safety.
References: Texas A M University: Annual, Perennial, Biennial? | University of Missouri: Annuals for Sun | University of Minnesota: Gardening in the Shade by Deborah L. Brown
Hi, my name is Angela and I’m a proclaimed garden enthusiast. I do talks in our small community on all the things I learned and get to learn about gardening and beautifying my garden for years. It has been my passion ever since I discovered my ‘power’ to bring life to plants and even to those that are dying. I inherited this ‘green thumb’ from my granny who became the main reason why I fell in love with this craft.
Check your plants’ leaves first as this is the most obvious place to find indoor plant problems. Dirt or other debris on the surface of the leaves can interfere with the plant’s ability to receive sunlight for 
One of the most delightful fragrances in the plant kingdom emanates from the leaves of the diosma, often called coleonema by nurserymen. This ornamental is more familiarly known as “breath of heaven” which is an apt description. Two varieties are available: Alba, which produces white toned flowers and Purpurea which develops blooms of a purple-pink tinge. The plant has somewhat the appearance of a heath and demands a spot out in the sun. Rubbing the leaves together causes the fragrance to be more pronounced.
A somewhat taller tree is eucalyptus citriodora, so named because of its lemon-like scent. This specimen grows to around 70 feet high and gets there rather rapidly. One distinguishing mark of the eucalyptus citriodora is its white trunk that, because of the smoothness of the surface, appears to be polished. The leaves which are slender in shape have the exact pungency of a lemon.
The gardener will want to watch these closely, however, because these guys will germinate, grow, and be ready to harvest in a short time, often as quickly as three weeks. But that’s another great advantage. Plant as many as you like without worrying about garden space. Radishes are harvested so soon after they’re planted, they will be out of the way before it’s time to work with the warm weather plants.
These are all good reasons to organize a plant swap among your friends or in your own neighborhood. At a plant swap you can share information on the plants that you have had success with or those plants that do not do well in the area with newbie gardeners. A swap takes place among gardeners who have divided up plants in their garden that have become to big for the space they are growing in or need to be transplanted.
Popular plants to swap include those that can always be used in the garden to create borders, fill shade and add color. 
Turning over your compost is a method of mixing the layers which will be at different stages of decomposition. This is accomplished with a simple pitchfork or shovel. Pitchforks are the best tool for composting since they are not as heavy or cumbersome as shovels. Garden rakes are typically not durable enough for the job, since decomposing compost becomes quite weighty.
You can use your greenhouse to protect tender perennial plants from frost, ice and snow. Transplant them into containers and they’ll live happily in your mini greenhouse until spring, and then they can be moved back outdoors.
Climbing Plants
