Category Archives: Home

What You Can Do Yourself To Make Landscaping A Cinch

At times, landscaping may just require a simple change that improves the overall appearance of the home. Other times, it can be something quite difficult or complex. Whatever landscaping plans you have, the following ideas can improve the results of your landscaping efforts.

For a fresh update to your landscaping, re-edge your flower or rock beds with soft curves. Using a curved line helps to provide a more modern feel. Edging is an inexpensive technique to beautify lawn areas that will really improve the look of your yard.

Fill your yard with native plants. Local plants are batter able to handle your soil conditions and are less likely to develop problems. That makes them a variety that is easy for anyone in any yard to take care of. Your local gardening store will have valuable information about native plants you can use.

Select good products instead of inexpensive ones. If you always gravitate toward the bargain bin or 50 percent off plants, you might be setting yourself up for a lot of work and trouble. For the best products and advice, shop at a garden or landscaping store. You may pay a little more, but it’s worth it simply because you get quality products and advice.

Many people don’t think about getting products for landscaping online. However, shopping online is simpler to do for many reasons and also provides better prices and more variety at times.

When you landscape, make sure you know the differences between annuals and perennials, you also want to know what kind of shrubs, plant, or flowers work best in different areas. When landscaping, it is important that you are aware of the seasons. You must be aware of this information to ensure that you get the results that you want.

Include many different plant species when you plan the look of your yard or garden. This will be helpful in the case your yard gets invaded by a disease of insect. If there is only one type of plant in your landscaping, you could lose them all with an outbreak of disease or an attack of insects. Landscaping diversity is crucial when it comes to plant health.

If you are doing a major landscaping project, think about talking with a landscape architect who can give you a fresh perspective on your idea and design. A professional will give you key information that will help your project run smoothly. Even though the hourly cost of a consultation can be about $75, the investment can save you time and money.

Consider a watering system that drips instead of flows water to your plants. These systems are simple to install and will allow plants to be watered consistently. This is also a better way to efficiently water your plants effectively.

A mower that chops clippings into tiny pieces is a great way to add nutrients back to your lawn. This will give your lawn vital nutrients it will need when the grass begins to decompose and you won’t need to apply as much fertilizer.

Mulch is a necessary foundation for most flower beds. Mulch is useful for keeping things moist, particularly in areas of excessive heat and sun. Mulch will enable your plants to have access to the water they require.

Do you plan to sell your house soon? In contrast to other types of home renovations, landscape design projects have the potential to bring returns anywhere between 100 and 200 percent. Making your backyard into an appealing and functional space will contribute to your home’s value, while investing your time in beautifying your front yard can produce instant curb appeal.

Remember, your landscape project does not have to be completed all at once. You can always do things in stages, a little bit each season. In fact, it makes a lot more sense from a financial perspective. Make plans for each step and select which can be tackled first.

You may want to choose plants that have leaf textures that are different from most other plants. Working some of these into your design dramatically improves contrast. Be certain to plant them evenly in order to maximize their impact.

Quality products are worth their higher cost. In many stores, you will mostly find the cheaper items. Go to specialtystores to get good products and advices from experienced workers. It’s worth it to pay slightly more for the products and help, since you will get exactly what you need for success.

Get some good advice from a professional landscaper before you launch a serious landscaping project. It may well be worth your while to invest in a little advice that will save you more money in the long run, and quite possibly a lot of effort, time and headaches in the process. A single consultation is usually enough to set you off on the right foot as you start down your landscaped path.

Smaller Plants

Prior to starting a landscaping project, talk to a professional. While you probably do not need to have them work on your entire project, spending a little money for a short consultation could help you avoid making expensive mistakes down the line. If you don’t have a lot of experience with landscaping, this is probably even more important for you to do.

Anyone contemplating the inclusion of large specimens needs to realize that they will create shadows. You can use these plants to create natural shade near your house or to improve the environment for smaller plants that thrive in shady areas. See to it that you don’t place smaller plants in the shadows.

Use your landscaping space wisely. For instance, if you don’t like the sound of passing cars, you can muffle those sounds with hedges. If there are children in your life, you can build the perfect play area for them. You can have a gathering on your land as well.

It is not necessary to make sure you get every grass clipping off your lawn after mowing. This will give good nutrients to the lawn and grass and you won’t need to add as much fertilizer.

Ground-cover plants are a great way to fill up your landscape and make it a little more attractive. Creeping plants or climbing ivy make for amazing focal points, help to keep weeds at bay and even reduce how much grass you have to cut. They also let your landscape have color, dimension, and depth.

Don’t give up on landscaping just because you are unable afford the whole project at once. You can even plan out a larger project and break it into manageable portions of work. You will probably find that the overall appearance of your property will begin improving dramatically after just a few good landscaping additions.

To prevent wasting money, plan your landscape on paper before running out to the nursery. Create a sketch of the landscaping plans to help you figure out the materials you need. Buying things impulsively may be a lot of fun, but it can take a serious toll on your wallet.

For those wanting to sell their home, curb appeal can be greatly increased by modernized landscaping. A lawn that appears healthy and green, a birdbath or landscaping stones, can make your home look more appealing than a colorless landscape and a dead lawn.

To add beauty to your next landscaping project, consider integrating complimentary shapes and colors as you pick your plants and trees. Not every shrub is green. Some will offer colorful flowers with different seasons and others are available in pinks, reds and other shades. Don’t forget that some trees and shrubs have colorful foliage or flowers during part of the year. Incorporate this knowledge into your landscape plan.

If your primarily justification for planting trees is to create privacy, it is wise to buy varieties that grow rapidly. Obviously, fast-growing trees will grow more quickly than other trees. For example, the weeping cherry is one type of the most well-known fast-growth trees available.

When planning your landscape, consider allowing room for plants to grow. For example, a tree planted near the foundation of a house can look nice until it begins to grow and causes foundational cracks. Think about the full size of anything you think of planting so there is the right kind of balance between all the plants.

Clearly, good landscaping can mean different things to different people. Some will think of it as a quick touch up job, while others will think of it as a whole artistic process, full of style and grace. Whatever your landscaping style, these tips will help your project to turn out well.

Adding special structures, like a water garden, will require more spending. It may be worth it to spend some extra cash on materials and plants found at more specialized stores. You will find the employees much more knowledgeable and helpful.

Tips On How To Maintain A Good Garden

Though lots of people assume horticulture is akin to rocket science, the truth is that knowledge is the key to success. Using some basic advice, most people can be great gardeners. You can greatly increase your horticulture skills by applying the suggestions you will read in this article.

Slowly acclimatize your plants to the outside environment to keep from shocking them. When starting the transition, leave the plants in the sun for just 1-2 hours. Throughout the week, you should leave your plants out for a little longer each day. By the week’s end, your plants should then be ready for the big move!

Plants need to take in CO2 to grow and thrive. A higher level of CO2 will help plants grow better. A greenhouse is the best way to create an environment rich in CO2. Make sure to keep CO2 levels high to provide the best growing environment for your plants.

Start your seedlings in pots inside and then transplant them into your garden. This really increases the survival rate of young plants. This method also reduces the waiting time between plantings. The seedlings are ready to go, once you remove the mature plants.

Healthy Plants

When gardening, be sure to look closely for stink bug infestation, especially during Autumn. This insect will gladly devour your tomatoes, beans, and peppers, as well as a variety of other fruits. If left uncontrolled, they can cause substantial damage in your garden, so make plans for how to protect your plants from these pests.

Insects and various garden pests can be avoided by making your soil healthy. Healthy plants can better ward off pests and diseases. To increase your garden’s likelihood of producing strong and healthy plants, use high-quality soil containing minuscule amounts of chemicals, which will eventually collect salts.

Climbing plants make a strong addition to walls, fences or other free-standing structures. Plants that climb are extraordinarily versatile, and can help hide an unsightly wall or fence, usually within one season. Climbers can also be trained to grow and cover an arbor, and they will grow through or around existing trees and shrubs. Sometimes the plants will require being tied to supports, but some climbers will attach themselves naturally. Plants such as clematis, wisteria, climbing roses, or honeysuckle are always great choices.

Make sure you remove the weeds from your garden! Unwanted weeds fight for the same nutrients that more desirable plants do, and they also are unsightly. A simple tool that is useful in removing weeds is white vinegar. Yes, white vinegar actually kills weeds! Load up your spray bottle with some white vinegar, and spray the weeds away instead of breaking your back removing them by hand.

Pick the proper soil in order to get the best outcome. Your soil may not be correct, but it depends on what sorts of plants you want to grow. You can also make an artificial area using only one type of soil.

For flowers throughout the spring and the summer, be sure to plant some bulbs. Bulbs are generally very simple to grow and hearty, as well; they will continue to grow for years. If you choose your plants carefully, you could have flowers in blossom from the first weeks of spring to the end of the summer.

A simple way to lower the alkaline content of your soil is to dilute it with coffee grounds. Coffee grounds are an affordable means of adding acid to the soil so that it is pH-balanced. When you can eliminate excess alkaline from the soil, it makes what you are growing much healthier. This means your veggies will taste better, and your flowers will be more vibrant than ever.

Coffee Grounds

If your soil has a problem with high alkaline levels, mixing in some coffee grounds that have been used is a great solution. Coffee grounds contain plenty of acid to get the soil back to a good balance. By amending your soils, you will help your plants grow and flourish.

Separate irises. Try increasing your stock by dividing your overgrown clumps of plants. If you find any dead irises in your garden, immediately pull up the bulbs. As soon as you pick up the bulb, it’ll split into pieces. That’s okay – in fact, it’s desirable. You can replant the bulb pieces and next year you’ll have a healthy bed of new irises. If you have a rhizome you will need to split it with a knife. Discard the center and cut pieces from the exterior. Divide your pieces carefully; they should each have one good quality offshoot apiece. Set your cuttings into the ground right away.

A set of knee pads is a great investment if your garden has a lot of low-growing plants. Without pads, you may have pain in your knees from spending too much time kneeling on the hard ground. Wear knee pads meant for gardeners so that you’ll be more comfortable when kneeling in your garden.

Try “boiling” weeds to get rid of them. The safest herbicide that you can use in your garden is a simple pot of boiling water. Pour hot water right on the weeds, but do not get any on your plants. The boiling water will damage the roots of the weeds and will usually prevent further growth.

Start a new garden from seeds. When you begin a garden, it’s most eco friendly to do so with seed. Plastics from nurseries aren’t recycled often, which causes them to go into landfills; so try starting with seeds, or buying from organic nurseries.

Try to keep your plants aerated and dry, every day. Parasites are attracted to the moisture on plants. Fungus is a common problem when plants are allowed to remain damp. Fungicide sprays can deal with fungal infestations, but they are most effective if you apply them before a fungus problem becomes noticeable.

Fertilize your garden regularly. One type of fertilizer that really helps plants grow is manure, but be sure to utilize a type that is commercially composted to reduce the chances of pathogens. You must be sure to use some kind of fertilizer. There are many different combinations available for different uses.

Choose a plant as a focal point. A good garden design will have a focal point which captivates attention. You want to choose a plant that will stand out, as opposed to blending in with the other plants adjacent to it.

Your vegetable plants need about two or three inches of mulch placed around them. Mulch will keep soil moist for longer. In addition, it will keep the weeds from growing. You will benefit by not having to spend so much time fighting weed growth.

Broad-spectrum pesticides are really not the optimal choice for pest control in your garden. Besides killing the insects you don’t want, this type of pesticide will also kill beneficial insects. Beneficial bugs are more sensitive to these pesticides than the bugs that are detrimental to plants, so if the good bugs are eliminated, the bad pest population may grow. Your problem will only get worse and you will find yourself using more pesticides.

Young children will love it if you plant strawberries that bear continually, and organic gardens are the perfect place to do it. Strawberries are a favorite of children due to their sweetness. And since they’re so easy and fun to pick, it’s also a healthy, productive, safe activity that children can assist adults with.

Heather can bring you beneficial insects. Bees like heather, and they get their nectar from it early in the spring. Heather doesn’t usually require a lot of tending, so spiders, ground beetles and other good bugs like to call it home. With this in mind make sure you wear some gloves when you are working with the heather.

When you are cultivating an organic garden inside, you should think about the lighting situation. Almost every type of plant you grow requires ample sunlight, so think about how much natural light you home receives or if you perhaps need to supplement with UV lamps. You can also try using artificial lighting to help.

Try to put an aspirin in the water to get rid of plant diseases. An aspirin and a half, dissolved in about two gallons of fresh water, is great for your plants. You simply have to spray the solution on your plants to assist them in warding off diseases. Use this method every three weeks.

As previously mentioned, becoming a skilled gardener is not difficult as long as you know what to do. If you apply the tips from this article you’ll be able to be confident in knowing that you’ve got all the information you need to guarantee your garden will grow!

Interior Decorating Ideas And Inspiration For All

Interior design is not always as easy as it looks for many people. Sometimes, you have no clue where to start. What good luck that you have found this article with many great ideas to update nearly any type of home.

It’s always important to have a design motif in mind before starting on designing. Moods can be bold and outrageous or calm and soothing. Choosing a mood helps give you an overall guideline for what you are going to do in the room.

It’s important to keep what a room is used for in mind when coming up with a new design. For children’s rooms, think about bright, vibrant colors that will match the personalities of the children using the room. But those colors won’t work in a library for instance.

When choosing furniture to place in a small room, look for pieces that have versatility. In fact, you can use an ottoman as a chair or couch. The ottoman not only provides seating but can also be used as a table, making use of the small amount of space you have. Get the most out of items for dual purposes works best in a small space.

Take the time to work out the amount of money you are able to put out on a interior decorating project. Nothing is worse than starting a project that you can not finish because you ran out of money for it. That way, you will be free to design your space without feeling anxious.

When placing your art on the wall, make sure that it stays at eye level. If the art piece is too low or too high it can throw off the balance of the room and make the room seem disorganized.

The best thing you can do to prep for a redecoration project to to remove clutter. Every home can be cleaned up in some way, cleaning up some clutter is the best way to start. Give taking extra things to a recycling center, a yard sale, or a charity.

You should always hang wall art at eye level, since it will have the best look. If you hang the artwork too low or too high on the wall, it can make your room seem off-balanced and may even give the illusion that your room is smaller and poorly organized.

If you are considering re-designing the interior of your home you should investigate the current trends. You probably do not want your walls to be covered by 1970’s wallpaper. Don’t be afraid to peruse interior design blogs, magazines and television programs for inspiration.

Interior design professionals have a lot of advice, take what you like from them and leave what you don’t. You will not manage to create a home that you are truly enjoy unless you learn to trust your own judgment and create an interior planning that reflects your personality.

When designing your child’s room, try to see it through their eyes. It’s easy to forget kids won’t look at their rooms the way you do. Be sure they can easily access everything. Think like a child yourself, and remove any design ideas that could be hazardous to a child’s health.

Redecorating a kitchen is sometimes as simple as trading out some cabinet doors. Try to use glass doors as opposed to traditional wood in order to make your kitchen look brighter. Once the glass is in place, add a few choice pieces you want noticed for additional room appeal.

Make sure you love the new counter tops in your kitchen but do not use any colors or materials that are too outrageous. You could go with granite, but other materials like cork, wood and concrete are also options. Also, these materials will not break the bank, which allows you to use money on other things.

Try and avoid making any room look or feel cluttered when designing a room. Too many accessories or too much furniture can make any room feel smaller and more cramped than it is. Instead, pick some key furniture pieces, and create the most open space possible.

Don’t rush through the wall paint color selection process. If you do, you may wind up with a color that you grow to hate. Look over a lot of different samples of paint, put them on your wall, then give it a few days. See how the samples look in different lighting. After a period of time, the color may not hold your interest anymore.

Save Money

Add wallpaper to half of the wall. When trying to redecorate walls it can be very expensive. Cover half of the wall with wallpaper to save money. Your wallpaper should have a bold border. Once you do this, select a color for painting the rest of the wall. This is a easy way to make you home look stylish, and you will also save money in the process.

Try to avoid outrageous wall colors and wallpaper that may be a detriment when you sell your home. Avoid making any permanent changes that are outlandish while you are attempting to add some personality to your space. If you ever plan to sell your home, your outlandish decor may drive away potential buyers. If you still want to decorate your home with your own unique stamp, then ensure that you can easily reverse your decorations.

Keep in mind your own personal style when designing your rooms. While it should appear nice for company, you’ll be living in it. If you want some crazy decor or frilly pillows to cover your beds and sofas, then do it, as you’re the one who needs to be happy with the living space. If you find it doesn’t suit your tastes, you can change it again later.

Lighting is something that can transform a room completely. It creates a mood. In rooms that need a positive, energetic feeling, such as the bathroom and the kitchen, using bright lights is a great idea. So try to find a balance between bright lighting and dark colors to compliment them. Installing dimmer switches in your living room and bedroom allows you to change the mood of the room at will.

Lights are one of the most important elements of a room. It can put you in a good mood or bring you down. Having bright lights in a room portrays a positive feeling. Therefore, they’re usually an excellent choice for your bathrooms and kitchens. However, bright light can be too harsh for rooms that are designed for subtle mood and relaxation. Try dimmer lights for bedrooms and living rooms, if that’s the mood you desire to create.

Now that you read the above article, you should be familiar with lots of different ideas on what you can do to give your home an entire new look. Interior decorating doesn’t have to be difficult. By using the advice you’ve read here, you are well on your way.

All You Need To Know About Organic Gardening

Organic gardening is a movement that is rapidly gathering satisfied followers. By using the advice below, you will be able to get started in organic gardening and create a thriving and beautiful garden. Continue reading to uncover a number of effective tips for growing an organic garden you can be proud of.

Allow your children to actively participate in planting your organic garden. Toiling together in the garden brings your family closer together and offers many different opportunities to learn new things and instill green values.

Strawberries are a great plant to grow in any organic garden, especially if you happen to have kids or any strawberry lover in your home. Kids really enjoy plucking snacks directly from the ground, and may have greater enthusiasm for the work if they see the results of their labor right away.

It is easy to quickly prepare your perennial garden ground. Turn over the soil in your garden so it will be soft and easy to plant before spreading wood chips around your garden. Allow for at least 10 days to pass, then plant the perennials that you just purchased.

One way to ensure efficiency while gardening is to keep your tools close by. You can keep them in a good sized bucket, or wear utility pants that have plenty of large pockets. Keep your gloves, pruning shears, a hand spade and your other tools handy to quickly and easily do your garden maintenance.

Add aspirin to your plants to help them fight sickness. Try dissolving around one and one half aspirins into around 2 gallons of water for your plants. All you have to do is spray the plants with this solution and you should see good results. Spraying should be one time every three weeks.

Stay on top of your organic gardening to-do list, and don’t let the work pile up. You may not have a lot of time to exclusively devote to your gardening hobby, but you can make the most of the time you do have. Grab a handful of weeds, throw down some mulch, or toss some water on it anytime you walk by.

Compost Pile

If you are growing your organic plants inside of your home or office, it is vital to make sure that the right amount of light reaches them. Ideally, these plants should be kept in a room that offers natural light from a window or glass door. If you want to grow plants that need a lot of light, consider using artificial lighting.

Apply equal portions of dried plant material and green into your compost pile. Green plant material includes grass clippings, spent flowers, vegetable and fruit waste, weeds and leaves. Dried plant material, however, can include items such as cardboard, sawdust and shredded paper. Charcoal, meat, ashes or other diseased plants should not be included in a compost pile.

If you are planting seeds in containers, a good rule of thumb is that the seed’s depth should be around three times its overall size. Some seeds need sunlight and should not be buried. Two of the common examples are petunias and ageratum. If you’re not sure if your seeds need sunlight, you can find out online or through the seeds’ package.

In order to maximize the efficiency of your gardening, ensure your gardening tools are kept close by you. Carry a large bucket with you or wear pants with a lot of pockets. Keep your trowel, pruning shears and gloves handy so you can do your garden work quickly and easily.

When maintaining your organic garden, try lightly petting your seedlings — either with the palm of your hand or something like a sheet of cardboard — once or twice each day. Even though it sounds strange, it will help plants get bigger.

If slugs are disrupting the balance of your garden, you can diminish their population by using a beer trap. To create a beer trap, dig a hole in your garden that is the depth of a glass jar, leaving the mouth of the jar level with the soil. Fill that with beer just under an inch from the top of your jar. The slugs will be attracted to the beer, and will then become trapped within the jar.

Your seeds, once they begin sprouting, don’t need the same amount of warmth as they did before. As your baby plants grow, you can move them from their heat source. Additionally, remove any plastic films that were on your containers. This will keep out warmth and humidity. Check on your seeds often so you catch them when they are ready.

Treated Wood

Build raised beds with untreated stone, brick or wood. Be sure to use wood that is naturally resistant to rotting and that has not been treated. Some good choices you might consider are locust, cedar, and cypress. In a veggie garden, don’t use treated wood since its chemicals can leech into the food crops and soil. If you have to use treated wood, you should line it with a bit of plastic to create a barrier.

Have plastic bags on hand so that you may cover your muddy gardening shoes. You will be able to go in and out without having to keep taking your shoes on and off.

You just have to be patient if you want to get your organic garden into tip top shape. These tips can be put to use so you can see how great growing a garden can be. It doesn’t matter what you’re trying to grow, the tips you learned can help you be successful.

Using The Right Plants In Your Landscaping

As you look out at your own landscape, are you pleased with what you see, or do you hang your head in shame? So many people don’t believe that they have the time or money that it takes to make their yard look great. But in reality, there are some easy steps that can be utilized to make a significant improvement. The tips in this article can help tremendously.

Before beginning your project, make sure to have a list of every item you need. You don’t want to be knee-deep in your project to discover that you’re missing something crucial.

Before you begin your new landscaping project, you should sketch out what you desire it to look like. This can let you really imagine the final results. Plus, you’ll have a much better sense of the materials needed to move ahead. Not to mention that it’s easier to change a sketch than rearranging plants and such once they are planted.

If your landscaping plans include an outdoor kitchen, it pays to use granite as your primary material. While it may cost less with marble or a similar material, granite is good because you place very hot things on it and does not require much maintenance.

Consider a watering system that drips instead of flows water to your plants. These highly-efficient systems are easily installed by the layman, and provide a continuous drip of water. This is also a more efficient way to water your plants, this is because this system drips as opposed to a stream like in a sprinkler system or hose.

Try using native plants when you are landscaping. When planning out your landscape, try to include flowers, trees, and shrubs that are native to your local area. Native plants thrive even in the poorest soils and they could also survive in extreme weather conditions.

Talk to a licensed landscaper before you do any work to your own yard. Although they need not take part in the whole project, paying a little money up front for their advice may mean the difference between a stress free project and one that is fraught with mistakes. If you are new to landscaping or are inexperienced, this expenditure may be of great help to you.

Buy your landscaping supplies online to pick from a bigger selection while also saving money. Plenty of websites offer high quality products, usually at reasonable prices. Check the reviews on the product and retailer before you make your purchase. Make sure you compare prices between websites.

Before beginning your project, be sure to learn the difference between plants–annuals and perennials, hardiness zones, bulbs and seeds. Seasonal variations are an important consideration as well. It is crucial to be informed about this information if you want the best landscaping results.

When mowing the lawn, it’s wise to leave glass clippings as they’ve fallen. This will give your lawn vital nutrients it will need when the grass begins to decompose and you won’t need to apply as much fertilizer.

Peat Moss

Use online resources in order to get the best prices and the widest selection. Many landscaping sites sell high-quality products at great prices, from plants and seeds to tools and other supplies. Be sure to consult the reviews of previous customers before ordering to ensure that you will not be disappointed by the product you select or the manner in which it is shipped. Check several web sites to do comparison shopping.

Peat moss can help to keep your plants thriving. Peat moss gives your plants lots of nutrients that they may otherwise be lacking. Peat moss also looks darker and richer than regular dirt.

If you’ve got a big shade tree in the yard, it won’t be easy to put flowers underneath. You can choose to put a ground cover such as mulch, or perhaps a bench around the base to give it a well maintained look. Ground cover requires minimal care, adding some beauty that is easy to maintain. Some examples of good ground cover under trees include hosta and woodruff.

Measure and get a rough estimate of the square footage of your yard before you buy plants and materials at a landscaping center. It will be a lot easier to gauge the number of plants you need when you have the measurements mapped out. This will keep you from buying too little or too much of any item.

When hiring a professional ask for references. Although price can be a key deciding factor, still take the time to look at pictures of yards they have worked on to see if you like their style.

If you are using trees in your garden as a form of privacy, make sure you buy fast-growing varieties. As the name suggests, these trees grow at an accelerated rate compared to normal trees. For example, the weeping cherry is one type of the most well-known fast-growth trees available.

Stop thinking that spending less is always the way to go. While you can locate inexpensive supplies, the quality can be below what you want or need. If you just started landscaping consider going to a specialty store. Even though it costs more, they will have what you need and can give you some advice.

A water feature can really improve the look of your yard. It is better to spend a bit more but use quality items, such as those found in a speciality store. You will get help from the sales person, which can be very helpful in planning and installing a water garden.

You should know that the type of soil you have is an important factor for your landscape design. Some kinds of soil and some plant species are poor matches for each other. You can replace your soil, however, if it’s too limiting.

Going with the cheaper item for certain things is a good idea. The cheaper versions of items like containers and mulch are just as good. Make sure to inspect the plants before purchasing them to make sure that they have been cared for at the store. Many discount big box stores may not have workers who provide the optimum care to their plants.

Divide up your yard into phases. To save both time and money, split your landscape design into several areas and work from there. Not only will you it be more affordable to complete each project, but you will also find it more enjoyable. This way, you could begin with different kinds of plants or begin in different sections.

Use your landscaping space wisely. For example, if your yard is susceptible to noise from traffic, some hedges are a great way to dull the sounds. Make a play place for your kids. You could also make a place that you can use for grilling or entertaining guests that you might have.

Planting flowers underneath a shade tree won’t be successful. Rather than a fruitless effort with flowers, try using a ground cover. Ground covers are easy to maintain and will add interest to your landscape. Some ground cover options to consider are hosta and sweet woodruff.

Avoid having your yard appear unkempt by keeping your plants trimmed. Many plants grow excessively and can easily get out of shape if not carefully maintained. You can prune them down to mere stumps, and they will grow back and their leaves will fill out before you know it.

You can begin improving you yard today with these helpful tips. You’ll enjoy the look of your home’s outdoor areas and the sense of satisfaction you’ll feel from creating your new garden. It will be just as great to pull up at night and see the amazing transformation. One thing is certain–it’s very well worth the work you put into it!

If you are doing a landscaping project alone, make sure to stop and estimate costs first. Take the time to write out your plan and estimate the cost of each aspect of it. Then decide where you want to or should buy the materials you need. Shop around and try to find the best deals. Figure out where the best deals are and don’t be afraid to ask around for the lowest prices.

Confused About Getting The Right HVAC Help? This Article Will Help!

An HVAC unit can be confusing to many. If you want to learn more, this article can help you. If this sounds interesting to you, then continue reading.

If you have some problems with the HVAC system, check out your home before calling a contractor. Note which of your rooms are hot and which are cold. Figuring this out will the contractor to diagnose the issues and quickly get to work on fixing it.

Before calling anyone to repair your system, know what system you have. Find out the brand and model and, if possible, dig out the maintenance history. This will help you give the new contractor the necessary information.

Before you choose someone to do HVAC work, figure out what they need to do for you. It’s hard to get an estimate since they haven’t look at your system. If you can’t explain changes you’ve made, the process will be even more difficult. Know this stuff ahead of time.

In order to keep your outside condenser fan running efficiently, make sure the coils and the fan blades are cleaned before the cooling season begins. Always shut off all power to your unit for any work beyond superficial cleaning. Keep the exterior of the condenser unit free of debris.

Try to prevent debris from getting in your HVAC unit. Clean outdoor units often to remove leaves. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if debris is blocking this air flow, then your system could suffer.

If you have units that are condensers outside of the home, keep them free of debris. Excess debris can really affect your system’s quality. It may begin to overheat, causing massive damage.

Don’t let grass clippings pile up against your outdoor condenser. Try shooting the clippings away from it. This also applies when you blow leaves, so be very careful near your exterior HVAC units when you move debris.

If you are choosing where to place your outdoor compressor device, try to put it in a place where there is plenty of shade. The cooler air that the unit can suck in, the less work it will need to do to further cool the air.

HVAC units may suffer when leaves are falling off the trees. During this time of year, check and clear off the fan grill on your unit on a regular basis. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if debris is blocking this air flow, then your system could suffer.

To increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit, be sure to keep it in the shade. When your unit sucks in cooler air, then much less is required to cool it further, which saves you money on energy bills.

If possible, put your HVAC in a shaded area if it is outside. This will help you save on your energy bill.

Your HVAC system should be checked a few times a year. Your system should be inspected in Spring and Fall. Even though it may seem as nothing is wrong with the unit, a simple inspection can prove otherwise.

Putting in a programmable thermostat is a smart way to cut back on air-conditioning costs. This will help you to keep the temperature at optimal levels. Some programmable thermostats can even be controlled from a PC or other device.

Turn off outdoor condenser units when weather turns cold. When the temperature drops beneath 60 degrees, it’s time to cut off the unit to prevent damage. Your system will work longer for you this way.

Get your HVAC unit serviced yearly. The service will include motor inspection, oiling of moving parts, and a freon level check. These few simple things will help your system to run at its peak performance.

Your home should never reach a dangerous temperature. Air conditioners can cool a home by just twenty degrees in a short time. If the temperature in your home reaches 100 degree Fahrenheit, it will only reduce it to 80 or more. Depending on what the humidity is, this may not be cool enough to be a safe temperature to sleep at when recovering from the harsh summer heat.

Research multiple contractors before choosing one. Check reputations at the BBB, and read online reviews to gauge customer satisfaction. These simple steps will help make a better decision.

Research multiple contractors before choosing one. Look at review sites and check with the BBB. Doing all of this will make sure you hire the best company for your HVAC needs.

Are you looking at purchasing a HVAC system? There are many things to consider. The systems are generally rated based on the area they cover. It’s always better to buy something just a little bit bigger, as opposed to trying something too small.

Problems with an air conditioning unit happen when it ices up. You may even mistake the frozen drains as an issue for a plumber. If this is something you notice, switch the thermostat in your home to fan only so the compressor is disabled. You should still call a professional to help regardless.

To increase the efficiency of your HVAC unit, determine the direction that your home faces. Strategically placing trees around your home can block some of the heat coming from the sun, preventing your home from overheating. The less heat, the easier time the air conditioner in your home will have.

Make sure that your doors and windows are efficient. Make sure the seal is impenetrable from outdoor drafts, and that none of the air you’re paying to heat or cool escapes either. A professional can also test the windows and many times the testing is free.

Check out how long the HVAV contractor you are considering has been in business. This gives you some history so that you can be sure the company is reliable. If you hire someone that’s new that this then you’ll be risking your money.

Be sure to select an experienced and competent HVAC company. The most reliable companies make sure their technicians stay on schedule and keep appointments. Contractors ought to be able to find the problem quickly. After a quick diagnosis, they resolve issues swiftly.

Now you know a ton about HVAC units. To really understand it all, you should not rush. Use the above tips for help.

Get a handful of quotes before accepting any. This can help you to save money by knowing what people are charging. You want to call at least a handful of contractors to determine what reasonable rates are.

Anyone Can Become Knowledgeable About Hvac With These Easy Tips

You might believe that HVAC is a very complicated topic. There is some truth to the idea that HVAC systems are complicated. However, there is much information available that can help make this topic easier to understand.

Think about what improvements you want made before picking an HVAC contractor. Discussing the problem is simplified if you understand what has happened with the unit. If you are unable to explain the work that needs to be taken care of, the conversation will be even less fruitful. It’s a good idea to learn this information in advance.

Before you contact people to assist you in getting your system fixed, know what kind of system you’re working with in the first place. Write down the make, model, and any maintenance history. This makes sure your contractor will be sufficiently prepared.

Help the outside condenser fan run efficiently by cleaning the coils and fan blades before the summer starts. Before you clean the unit, be sure to turn off the power. Also, be sure to clear leaves and debris from your condenser unit.

Clean the debris on your condenser units. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, and this can foul up the inner workings of your system. Debris like this can cause it to overheat, which could be detrimental to your system.

If you have some problems with the HVAC system, check out your home before calling a contractor. Note which of your rooms are hot and which are cold. Taking this step aids a contractor in figuring out what the problem is and how to repair it as quickly as possible.

Each spring, clean the fan blades and coils on your condenser. Turn the power off so nothing moves. Pull out each of the blades and clean them one by one.

Grass Clippings

Understand what you want before talking to a contractor. You can’t get a decent estimate over a telephone, so disregard those numbers and wait until they view your system. If you are unable to explain the work that needs to be taken care of, the conversation will be even less fruitful. Know the right information ahead of time.

Avoid showering your outdoor unit with grass clippings when you mow the lawn. Make certain the debris goes away from it. This includes grass clippings and leaves.

Turn off your outdoor condenser when it’s getting cold. This should be done when the temperature drops below 60ºF to avoid damage. This will maximize the life of your unit.

Clean the coils of your condenser fan each month. Always turn the unit off before you do anything to it, including leaning. Also, make sure you remove any debris or leaves from the condenser unit outside.

If at all possible, install double-paned windows in your home instead of those with a single pane. You can reduce your energy costs from energy leaking out through your windows by installing window that are double-paned. It also facilitates heat retention in winter.

Having a programmable thermostat installed is a money saving idea. A thermostat that’s programmable is going to save you around ten percent on the heating and cooling costs you have to pay when you turn it back about fifteen percent for a part of the day. Some of these thermostats can even be controlled from your smart phone or computer.

Make sure that you regularly clean debris that might build up on external condenser units. Debris can pile up at rates that increase during rainy or windy weather, and this can foul up the inner workings of your system. It can cause the unit to overheat and break down.

Service your HVAC unit at least one time a year. The motor should be checked, the parts oiled and the freon levels inspected. This will keep you energy efficient and comfortable.

It is possible for air conditioners to ice over. Drain lines can also suffer an occasional freeze, and these are sometimes mistaken for plumbing leak issues. If this happens, disable the compressor by switching the thermostat to run the fan only. The fan setting can help melt some of the ice, but you should still call a professional to check your unit out.

Find a place that is shaded for your compressor. If the unit is taking in cooler air, the efficiency will be boosted since it will not need to work as hard.

Use an HVAC company that has been in business for a while. The older they are, the more likely it will be for you to find out their history, which will help you gauge their quality. New companies are just too risky.

If you need a HVAC contractor, try and get recommendations from family and friends. People usually love to boast about the wonderful work they have had done, so you should be given great leads to follow. This will also help you avoid scammers.

Once it grows cold outside, turn off your outside condenser unit. If the temperature outside is less than 60ºF, be sure to turn off the unit so that you don’t damage it. This will ensure your system stays in good working order every year, saving you money on costly repairs.

Online reviews are a great source of information about HVAC contractors. There are plenty of websites online that offer reviews and referrals for HVAC repair and other important service. This will be an excellent way to locate people you should work with and people that may not work well with you.

This article’s aim was to help you learn and get familiar with information regarding the HVAC system. You can start getting the most out of your unit by choosing to follow the great advice outlined in this article. When things begin working out for you, you will be pleased you did so.

If possible, your single pane windows should be replaced with double-paned ones. You can reduce your energy costs from energy leaking out through your windows by installing window that are double-paned. This will help you save a lot of money.

The Earlier You Start The Training Of Your Puppy The Better

When walking your dog, it is important that your dog follows your lead and doesn’t drag you down the sidewalk. The following article has some great puppy training advice that all dog owners would be wise to follow.

The space you share with your pet should be calm and relaxed. While playtime is valuable for every pet, dogs ought to be calm whenever you come into a room. You can retain control over the environment by allowing a few moments before acknowledging your pet. You are behind the decisions to play or interact.

Positive reinforcement is important when training your dog. Unless you offer treats appropriately and frequently, it’s almost impossible to keep him motivated and interested. Dogs can get confused if they are rewarded at inappropriate times.

Teething is painful, and providing chew toys helps alleviate the pain. Keep items that are potentially more painful out of reach. Then, give it something that it is allowed to chew on if it likes. If the puppy is suffering any pain from teething, freeze a wet washcloth for him or her to chew on.

You must be willing to invest the time required for practice if you want your training to be successful. It is said that a human only masters something when they do it 10,000 times, and dogs are no different, although it should take much less repetitions than that! Keep trying the same commands until your dog remembers it for good.

Timing is essential when you are training your dog, so you want to spend enough time training them but do not want go overboard. Small, focused sessions are necessary at the beginning. End the session as soon as your dog’s attention begins to stray.

It is important to have an appropriately sized dog crate. Puppies will get bigger. You must be able to accommodate the growth your puppy will experience as he ages. A larger crate allows for continued comfort and happiness. Dogs need room to move about and lie down, and they should not be cramped.

In order for your training to be effective, you have to understand that you’ll need to be firm. Yelling at the dog is counterproductive, and it is necessary to balance strictness in response to misbehavior and love in response to obedience. This consistent interaction will lend toward a good relationship between you are your dog.

Make sure that you set a calm tone whenever you set foot in a room where your dog is. Play time is great, but your dog needs to learn to stay calm as his master enters the room. When you ignore the dog on entry, they shouldn’t bother you about playing.

When you discipline your dog, your tone is an important factor. Dogs are very empathic to their trainer’s emotions. Try using a stern tone to really convey your message to your dog.

Know about what kind of grooming your dog may need. Some breeds require a lot more grooming than others, sometimes on a weekly basis. Properly grooming your dog is important to keep them content and healthy.

Stay away from training devices such as shock collars. They don’t often work well and cost more than training methods which are conventional. Plus, using devices like shock collars can stifle your dog and discourage even good behavior. In general, using such techniques produces negative effects.

All the time you spend with your dog will contribute to develop your dog’s personality. You don’t want to undo training you’re worked hard on, so watch what you do at all times. Work on commands at all times to keep them learning the right behaviors.

Training sessions for dogs should stay short. Training for more than fifteen minutes at a time could leave both you and your dog tired and frustrated. After every training session, be sure to play with them and praise them a lot.

In dog training, use the same volume and tone of voice when you state a command. This helps your dog to understand when you are in training mode. Good consistent tones also let your dog know when tones are sharp for discipline or for a command that is not punishment.

Do not allow your dog to pull you around when on a walk. You aren’t alone in this, but it is easy to fix! Head to your nearest pet supply store and pick up a harness for just a few bucks – harnesses dramatically cut down on pulling, and make walks enjoyable again!

For every time that you say your dog’s name when correcting behavior, you should say his name several other times using a more positive tone. This ensures your dog doesn’t associate his name with punishments, meaning he’ll come when you call him in future.

“Leave it” is a very important command that teaches your dog to drop whatever it is holding. This should be the first command you teach. This can help get your dog to stop chomping on your belongings and help keep them safe from hazardous materials.

Consistency is one of the keys to successful puppy training. Make a list of the commands that you are teaching your dog, and be sure that everyone in your household knows them. Behavior should be rewarded or not depending on the affect that is being sought. Having different people respond differently can confuse the dog and make training more difficult.

If agility is an important quality in your next pet, you should learn which breeds are most naturally suited to it. Competitive agility dog breeds include Shetland sheepdogs, Labrador retrievers, border collies and Australian shepherds.

The daily training sessions with your dog should be fun. When you play with your dog, it strengthens the bond between you and them, thus encouraging the pet to stay positive during training. Although training itself is fun, it is good to spend time each day just playing with your dog because you can.

Crib Mattresses

Large dogs that prefer to lie down on their backs or stretch, out should have a big bed to get comfortable in. Think about getting your dog an actual dog bed that fits its larger size; crib mattresses work great, too. There are several advantages to doing this since you are able to change the cover with frequency and ease when using fitted sheets. The crib mattresses are also waterproof which means they are highly durable.

When toilet training your dog, try to avoid accidents! Watch your dog and recognize the signs that he is ready for a trip outdoors. They may pace, sniff, whine or walk in circles. Do not wait more than a couple of minutes. Get his leash and take him out to his designated toilet spot! Good toilet behavior is worthy of praise. Soon, your dog will signal you when he needs to go outside.

If you do not know how to train your dog the right way, you might get exasperated. Although, now that you have read this article and obtained this information, you can train your dog to be a great part of the family.

Want To Learn A New Hobby? Read This First!

Hobbies are a boon in today’s busy society. It helps people relax. However, if you want to really enjoy a hobby you must work to master it. The following tips will help you do just that.

Music makes for an outstanding hobby. You just need to choose an instrument. You can then do your practice with a friend, or use online resources to help teach you. Start slow and work at it when you can and you’ll be where you want to be in no time!

You should think about making music as a hobby. You simply have to determine the type of instrument you want to play. After doing all this, you should train with other people or through books and videos. Start slow and develop your skills until you play like a pro.

If you’re anxious after a day’s work, doing a hobby that’s enjoyable can help relieve some anxiety. A hobby can be totally unrelated to what you do for work.

For relaxation, nothing beats the hobby of fishing. Just find a good place to settle in and wait for the fish to bite. You will also need a fishing license and a permit to fish in specific areas. After you start fishing, you will find that it gets you away from a day that’s too busy.

Fishing is a great, relaxing hobby. Just find the supplies you need and a location to fish on. Just make sure that fishing is allowed in that area and don’t need a permit, otherwise you will have to get one. After you start fishing, you will find that it gets you away from a day that’s too busy.

If you want to transform your hobby into a money making enterprise, you must choose a catchy name. Whatever name you select will be the start of your own brand. Pick a unique name that’s easily remembered and relates to your products.

Turn your love of football into a fun hobby. You can play fantasy football as a hobby. Gather your friends, select favorite players and root for them throughout the football season.

Ice fishing is a cool hobby. Fishing is a hobby that will last forever. It is something that has been around forever. Patience is important with fishing, but when you land a big catch it can be really exciting. You may fish for food or you may catch and release.

Never allow your hobby to become an obsession. Allow yourself the time to work, rest AND play. You may need to cut down on your hobby time if you notice it is interfering with any of your responsibilities.

If you are interested in making money from your hobby but aren’t quite sure where you should begin, think how this hobby is special and unique to you. Do you have skills that other people don’t have? Find something that you enjoy doing, but also something that others dislike doing. This is a fantastic way to get started.

Sculpting can be a relaxing hobby. Nothing is quite like having some clay in your hands while making whatever you please according to the talents you have. You don’t have to sculpt alone either! Find a class that can teach you all the basics.

When you want to drop some pounds and take up a new hobby, you could think about doing both at once. Swim during the summertime with your family and run year round. No matter what you choose, fitness is a hobby that benefits your overall health.

Garage sales and estate sales can be an addicting hobby. You can find so many neat things! Plenty of household items along with art can be excellent finds of some value. Really, it can be just about anything, and that’s what makes it cool.

One hobby that’s addictive is to get out to garage sales and estate sales. There are lots of unique things at these sales. You can find all kinds of stuff that you can use. The exciting thing is that you never know what may be in store.

You do not need to restrict yourself to just one hobby. This will help you become a diverse person. Consider hobbies that can be spread out over a day or a year.

A fun hobby to take up is sewing. You can use your hobby to make things to improve your home or make new clothes. Many people do it.

If you’re always traveling, you should begin making a collection of small items you get when you’re traveling as souvenirs. It could be something as simple as spoons, postcards, or pottery. No matter what you collect, you will have something to remember your trip by. Additionally, you can share your experiences with others by showing off your collection.

When you want to remember a vacation to the sea, start a seashell collection. Sea shells are educational, beautiful and can be used in craft projects and as decoration around the home.

If reading is a passion of yours but have become inundated with too many books, you can think about selling them at a used book store. This will help you to empty out the bookshelf and receive some money to use toward new books, too. Reading is a fun and relaxing hobby.

Collecting seashells is a fun hobby, and it can provide you with great memories of your seaside vacations. You can teach your kids with the shells, about different things that live under the sea. You can also showcase your shells in different ways, so you have a lot of fun projects for home.

As you’ve read, there are many aspects to hobbies that you may not have know about. To better enjoy a hobby you love, you know these things. The advice and ideas here have shown you how to truly appreciate your favorite hobbies.

Excellent Advice For The Beginning Organic Gardener

Do you want plants in your yard that thrive? There are many elements to a lush garden. While gardening is lots of work, it is also enjoyable! The advice in this article will help you learn everything you need to know in order to enjoy gardening.

To keep your plants from getting shocked, you need to gradually introduce them to changes in temperature and conditions. Leave them outside in sunlight for a couple of hours on the initial day. Throughout the week, gradually increase the time they are spent outside. By weeks end, you should have plants that are ready for a permanent home outside with no problem!

Select plants that produce a relatively high yield. Many times, a cold-tolerant or disease-resistant hybrid can have a higher yield versus traditional ones.

Try planting seeds in pots, and then transferring the seedlings to your garden. This boosts the chance that the plants can survive to adulthood. In addition, it lets you tighten the time in between plantings. The seedlings are reading for planting immediately after you remove older plants.

It is a good idea to pre-soak your seeds in a dark environment overnight. Place a couple of seeds in a tiny container, and fill it with water nearly to the top. The seeds will get the hydration they need to start growing. This improves the chances of successful plant development.

Use perennials resistant to slugs and snails. A plant can be completely demolished overnight by slugs and snails. These garden vermin prefer plants with tender, herbaceous stems and leaves, particularly seedlings and young plants. Slugs and snails will leave some perennials alone, particularly those with a bad taste or tough, hairy leaves. Examples of these slug-proof plant varieties include achillea, euphorbia, and helleborus, to name a few.

Using pest-resistant plants or natural materials in your garden is a good way to keep pests away. A border of marigolds or onions around your veggies can prevent slugs. You can also mulch around trees and shrubs with wood ash, which drives away insects. Using methods like these eliminates the need for chemical pesticides, which can be harsh or even harmful.

Peas have a better chance of survival when their seeds are started indoors as opposed to outside, exposed to the elements. If you plant them inside, they might germinate more effectively. Give the seeds enough time to get stronger: growing indoors will make it easier for your plants to resist diseases and the pesky bugs. The seedlings can then be transplanted outside after becoming strong enough to withstand the elements.

When winter arrives, transfer some plants into the house to save them. You may want to save the most beautiful or expensive ones. Carefully dig up the plants, using caution not to disturb the roots, then transfer into a pot.

Heather can be planted to attract useful insects. Bees love heather, and when the heather blooms in early spring, it provides a good nectar source for them. Beds of heather are largely undisturbed and make a perfect living space for spiders, beetles and a variety of other beneficial tenants. If you choose to employ the use of heather, always make sure to throw on a pair of gloves during the pruning process.

Mixing a variety of plants at different heights is how you can make a very interesting English garden. By using plants which are all the same height your garden will appear flat and boring.

Don’t mow your grass too short. By leaving your grass a little taller, you are allowing it to become stronger, as the roots grow stronger and deeper. Short grass leads to more shallow roots and will result in more brown, dried-out patches.

Your children can help you with your garden. Horticulture helps your children learn about biological processes and serves as a social activity that helps the family grow closer while eating healthier.

Planting organic strawberries is a great way to encourage your children to get involved. Kids are quite eager to pick fruit from a garden, and will help with the planting if they get a nice snack out of it at the end.

If your garden includes vegetables, make sure you plant them in a location whether they are exposed to sunlight for a minimum of six hours each day. Most vegetables need that much sun to grow rapidly and successfully. This holds true for some types of flowers.

It’s crucial for you to protect knees when doing gardening work. Bending over while horticulture can be painful and unhealthy for your back. Kneeling is much easier on your body, and helps you tend to your plants without hurting your back. You can buy a knee pad, put it on the ground and kneel on it so that you wont have to deal with knee pain.

Protect cuts from dirt and chemicals, and think about staying away from gardening until they heal. If dirt and grime get into a cut while gardening, it may become infected. Get the appropriate bandages to seal the cut completely.

Do you enjoy your mint leaves, but can’t stand how they dominate your garden? That’s why it’s better to place mint in containers rather than letting it have free rein in your garden. If you prefer, you can even place the container in the ground, but the pot’s walls will prevent the mint from spreading and being a nuisance in your garden.

Pine Needles

For some plants, pine needles makes an ideal mulch. There are many common acidic plants that prefer acidic soil. For these types of plants, pine needles are wonderful for mulching. Using several inches of needles to cover your beds provides acid for the soil as they begin to decompose.

A great garden starts from the seeds and not from the plants. When you grow a new garden, start the environmental way, from seeds. Plastic used in nurseries normally end up in landfills. For an garden that helps the environment, plant seeds directly in the garden’s soil or purchase plants grown in organic packaging.

An old laundry basket works great for gathering produce from your garden. You can also use a laundry basket as a strainer. Rinse your produce while it lays in the basket; any excess water strains off through the laundry basket holes.

To get the most from your composting efforts, aim for a 1:1 ratio of dried materials and green plant products. Green plant material can include old flowers, fruit waste, grass clippings, vegetable waste, and leaves. Dried plant matter, on the other hand, includes shredded paper, used wood chips and straw. Don’t include ashes, diseased plants, charcoal meat, or carnivorous animal waste.

Apply organic mulch generously around your vegetable plants. Mulch keeps soil moist for longer periods of time. It can also prevent weeds from growing. This can prevent you from having to constantly pull weeds.

With these tips, you’re better equipped to grow the most beautiful garden you can imagine. In learning how to create your dream garden, you’ll also be growing as a person. That’s because learning how to nurture your plants will not only help you reach the goal of having a great garden, but it will help you learn to nurture yourself.