Balcony, Patio, and Courtyard Gardening

Posted by admin on May 25th, 2009 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

People choose balcony, patio, and courtyard gardening for many different reasons.  Some are moving from a large house to smaller accommodation, some don’t want the hassle of a large property, and some chose to live in rental property to avoid the high-cost of owning a home.  Whatever the reason, this doesn’t mean we can’t garden.  No space is too small for a small space garden.  One plant in a container is a garden.  In fact, ever more gardening options are available in terms of pots, half-barrels, window boxes, troughs, cast-iron planters, recycled materials – the list is unending with possibilities.

Planning a Small Space Garden

When planning your small space garden several steps are fundamental.  The first consideration is to determine what purpose this space will serve.  Do you want to grow vegetables, herbs, entertain family and friends, meditate, create a place of peace, healing, a memorial garden – the list is endless.  Next, walk around your space and really look at what you have.  Where are doors, sheds, permanent planters located?  Is there any clutter?  Clear out the clutter by asking yourself: ‘Do I love it?  Have I used it in the past year?’  If it no longer serves you, turf it out, paint it or fix it, give it to somebody who needs it.
If possible, take a chair and sit down, move it around, and think about where the energy feels best for you.  Wherever that is, place your seating such as a park bench, lounge, Muskoka chairs, dining furniture, swing, etc.  Do you want a formal or informal setting?  What features do you want?  Features such as water, flowers, vegetables, herbs, wind chimes, wild life, colour, etc. add the finishing touches to your small space garden.  Finally, make a plan particularly if you are going to use large features such as a half-barrel.  Once filled with soil you will not want to be moving it.

Creating a Small Space Garden

Containers.  Generally speaking natural materials such as wood, clay, stone, or cast iron in all their forms make better companions for plants.  Remember that wet soil weighs a lot so if you garden on a balcony weight restrictions may apply.  Containers made from lighter weight materials such as fibreglass are ideal for roof or balcony gardens.  Styles of containers include hanging baskets, wirework stands and baskets, wood window boxes, sinks, troughs, galvanized buckets, old shoes or boots, bathtubs, old tires, and all manner of recycled objects.

Scale.  Scale is extremely important in small space gardening.  For example, small plants look more balanced in small containers, large plants in large containers.  I especially like the effect of vines growing on trellis in half-barrels with smaller plants edging the container.  In the half-barrels I use, I have grown many different vines but have found that the effect of scarlet runner pole beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) is really a knockout with their gorgeous red flowers and you can eat them too.

Microclimates.  Which plants prefer which location?  Choose plants according to the conditions suitable for their optimum growth.  Plants such as begonia (Begonia x semperflorens), coleus (Coleus x hybridous), and Fuchsia (Fuchsia x hybrida) prefer shaded areas while geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum), marigolds (Tagetes erecta), and petunia (Petunia x hybrida) prefer full sun.  Wind can be a major factor and damage fragile plants.   Choose plants that are wind tolerant such as many of the grasses; the sound of the rustling of the grasses as the wind blows through them is very pleasing to the ear.

Soil.  I buy pre-mixed potting soil from the garden centers or shopping malls.  These are generally lighter in weight to carry, sterilized to prevent weed seeds from germinating, and contain a lot of peat moss that helps loosen the soil so that it doesn’t compact in pots.  I also buy organic soil that doesn’t have artificial chemicals added as I dump my pots of used soil into the garden where I grow vegetables.

Watering.  Check daily as container plants often dry out more quickly.  This is especially true if you are using clay pots.  Make sure pots have drainage holes, as roots sitting in water will rot.  When there has been excessive rain or water, empty saucers that are full.  If you garden on a balcony sit plants on something to catch the water so that it doesn’t run down on your neighbours.

Fertiliser.  Due to frequent watering, container plants require fertiliser on a more consistent basis then plants in the ground do.  Use organic fertilisers such as blood meal, bone meal, or fish emulsion, particularly if the soil is going to be added to the garden at the end of the season, as chemical fertilisers harm the wildlife.

Function.  When you are creating your small space garden you are actually designing an outdoor room.  Keep in mind that this can be colour co-ordinated to appear as an extension of your home.  I move my indoor plants outside for the summer (which they love) and design these areas as garden rooms.

Focal point.  Create a focal point such as a large pot, tall plant or tree, colour, or a water feature.  Perennial vines such as Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) will grow in a large container and come back year after year.  Create a sense of mystery by hiding a plant or ornament behind something else to give the pleasure of discovering it.

Colour.  In a small space, use three colours such as pinks, blues, and whites; reds, oranges, and yellows; reds, whites, and blues; or reds, whites, and purples that provide continuity rather than too many colours which tend to be distracting.   Cool colours make the space appear bigger and brighter while intense colours shrink spaces.  A white and green colour theme called a ‘moon garden’ is more formal and particularly at night is spectacular.  Many white flowers are fragrant at night as well.

Lighting.  I especially like the small Xmas lights hidden in plants and interwoven throughout a trellis with climbing vines.  Up lighting with small spotlights can focus attention on a particular area for evening entertaining.

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)

Dry Foam Carpet Cleaning

Posted by admin on May 22nd, 2009 in Carpet - Flooring | 0 comments

The dry foam procedure is mostly rather than dry as the name infers, although the content of moisture is so low that it can actually be referred to as dry foam (90% air – 10% liquid).  The dry foam machine is equipped with a pressure tank, which you will pour a solution of water and shampoo into.

A compressor will work to convert the solution into foam which is then dispensed all over the carpet using a revolving cylindrical brush.  The brush will work to comb the foam through the piles of the  carpet so that each individual fiber of the carpet is cleaned.

To achieve success, you must make sure that the bubbles being produced are of uniformed size so the foam can complete the cleaning process before it is dispersed.  Once it has dried, the carpet is then thoroughly vacuumed to remove the dried crystals of dirt that have been left behind.

Below, are the steps to the dry foam procedure:
1.  First of all, vacuum the carpet and remove all the stains that you possibly can.
2.  Mix the dry foam solution according to the directions of the manufacturer.
3.  Shampoo the carpet then once it has dried, vacuum the carpet.
4.  Depending on the type of carpet you have, groom the pile to speed the drying process.
5.  Complete the work by using a furniture leg pad or block to eliminate furniture stains or rust.

Advantages
The process of dry foam cleaning is capable of covering a lot of area in a very short amount of time.  There isn’t really any danger involved in saturating the carpet simply because the moisture content is low.  This will also help you to
minimize the problems that are commonly associated with over wetting.

Disadvantages
The dry foam method is capable of removing average levels of soil.  There is however a possibility of excessive residue and soil build up if the machine you are using has inadequate extraction capabilities.

Dry foam is the ideal method of choice if you have older carpet if you want to get your carpet as clean as possible.  You can rent a machine at your local department or carpet store if you don’t think you’ll use it enough to buy it.  They don’t cost that  much to rent, which is great for those who just want to give it a shot and see what happens.

Dry foam carpet cleaning isn’t that hard to do, as you’ll be fine even if you have no experience with these types of machines.  The above information will help you greatly, and if you follow it, you shouldn’t have any problems.  Dry foam can make a carpet look spectacular, as long as you follow the manufacturers directions on mixing the dry
foam solution.  Once you’ve finished cleaning your carpet with dry foam, you’ll probably find yourself falling in love with the results.

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)

Kitchen Equipment: The Right Tools

Posted by admin on May 18th, 2009 in Kitchen | 0 comments

A basic kitchen needs a selection of pots and pans, some basic gadgets, and a collection of common spices and condiments.

Pots and Pans:

A minimum set includes a small frying pan, a one-quart saucepan with cover, a two-quart saucepan with cover, a large frying pan with cover, and a large pot (for spaghetti, stew, pot roast, or homemade soup.) If you are cooking for more than one person, get two each of the frying pans and saucepans. Covers are optional for the frying pans, but try to get a cover to fit at least one.

Good quality pans spread the heat evenly so that food does not burn in area of the pan and stay undercooked in another. The bottom of a good pan sits flat on the stove. Cheap pans wear out fast and cost more in the long run. Stainless steel pans with a porcelain coating or a copper bottom are excellent. Stay away from aluminum pans. They get bent out of shape easily and do not last. There have also been some health warnings about cooking in aluminum, but no real proof of any danger.

When using pans with a non-stick coating, turn the heat up only as far as is necessary, and only use wooden or plastic tools. Wipe the pan clean in soapy water. A plastic or nylon net scrubber can be used, but never use steel wool pads. If you do not burn the food onto the pan, and you wash it while the food is still fresh and moist, it will be easy to clean. If you have birds as pets, you may want to avoid non-stick coatings. If you use them, be sure not to overheat them. The coating can release fumes that can kill a bird.

Some other useful tools are a slow cooker, a wok (for Chinese cooking), toaster, microwave, blender, food processor, electric mixer, and an electric knife. There are also bread machines available at reasonable prices that produce a fresh hot loaf of bread rapidly. Most machines also have a delay setting to allow one to place the ingredients in the machine hours before the bread is needed, so the machine finishes just in time for dinner.

Basic Gadgets:

You will need some wooden spoons. Get a selection of sizes and handle lengths. These are always handy and they will not damage your non-stick coatings. Unlike metal tools, they do not get too hot to handle.

You will also want a collection of spatulas in different sizes and shapes. The lightweight spatula that will flip an egg may not be strong enough for a hamburger. Sometimes a narrow spatula is all that will fit in a pan, and sometimes a wide one is needed to get under whatever needs to be turned or lifted.

Whisks come in various sizes. They are very handy for mixing lightweight ingredients quickly, and are easier to get out and later to clean than a blender or mixer.

Get a good set of knives. Cheap ones make the job of cutting more difficult and they wear out fast. With the knives, you will need a good cutting board. A cutting board provides a flat working surface and protects your counters. Plastic cutting boards are easier to clean than wooden ones. Never cut vegetables that will be eaten raw on a cutting board that was used to cut raw meat unless you thoroughly clean the board first.

You will also need a selection of measuring tools. Measuring cups for dry ingredients and measuring spoons come in sets. Get a set of each. You will need a measuring cup for liquids, too. A one-cup measure is probably sufficient, but two-cup and quart measures are also useful. If you want to be precise in your measurements for dietary requirements, buy a food scale and measure your portions until you get used to the sizes and can estimate accurately without weighing everything.

A lot of canned products are now being packaged with pop tops, but get a good can opener for the others. There are some electrics that sell for reasonable prices and do a good job, but get a manual one too. When the power goes out, it can be frustrating not to be able to open the cans.

Spices and Condiments:

Salt and pepper go without saying. Some dried minced onion peps up a lot of recipes. Garlic is available fresh or in dried, chopped form or as a powder. Caution: make sure you know the difference between garlic powder and garlic salt. Garlic powder makes great garlic bread; garlic salt makes VERY salty garlic bread.

Oregano or “Italian Seasoning,” gives an Italian flavor to anything. A bay leaf cooked in stew brings out the flavor of the other ingredients. Paprika is a red powder used mainly for appearance, but it has been linked to some health benefits. If you like things hot, try sprinkling some cayenne pepper or chili powder on your food.

Basic condiments include ketchup, mustard, relish and mayonnaise. There are all sorts of mustard varieties available. You can probably find traditional yellow mustard, Dijon, spicy brown, honey, and hot Chinese mustard, just to name a few. Explore your local market and see what looks good. Be adventurous, but buy the smallest size, so you do not have a lot to discard if you do not like it.

Other condiments to try are steak sauces, barbecue sauces, tartar sauce, and various stir-fry sauces. Read the labels. If sugar is one of the first few ingredients, forget it. Ingredient labels list the ingredients in descending order. The main ingredient is first, then the others, with the least one last.

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)

Installing Acoustic Ceiling Tiles

Posted by admin on May 15th, 2009 in Home | 0 comments

Installing acoustic ceiling tiles is an option to consider when you have decided to change the type of ceiling you have in your home or office. Acoustic ceilings earn their name from the sound-absorbent properties that “soften” the surface of the ceiling in order to deaden reverberating noise from throughout the room. Not only does this reduce the sound reverberation within the room, but it also helps block sound transmission to other rooms as well. While noise reduction is a major component to acoustic ceilings, it is not the only advantage acoustic ceilings offer. When acoustic ceiling tiles are suspended from the ceiling grid, they are definitely handy for concealing wires and pipes, and also allow easy access to those utilities when a repair or a remodel is needed.

Acoustic ceilings have been seen as a style that went out long ago. But over the years, the acoustic ceiling industry has changed. This style of ceiling is no longer relegated to that boring, plain style of ceiling tiles that were found in department stores or government buildings. These days, acoustic ceilings offer various colors and styles that can bring in a wide variety of options that range from conventional perforated surfaces to textures that look like slate, stucco, or materials with the consistency of corduroy. Ceiling tiles that interlock can create a diverse, elaborate, and decorative pattern that you can be proud of. If you are working with suspended tiles, different edge treatments are obtainable to vary the look of the tiles.

Because of these changes in the industry that offer so many options, now might be the time to replace that old acoustic ceiling that you have been thinking about remodeling. Maybe your family room lets a little too much sound through when the kids are in there being noisy and having fun. Perhaps you have one room in the house that seems to echo. Installing acoustic ceiling tiles can have a big effect on the noise level in that room that echoes.

There are many aspects to consider when choosing the tiles for the room in which you plan to install acoustic ceiling tiles. The first thing you need to decide is on is the type of tiles you will need. Style, texture, and color are things to take into consideration when you are selecting tiles. Besides these aspects, you should also consider the material properties of he tile you are planning to install. Read packaging thoroughly and find out any maintenance that might be required. For example, some tiles can be washed, some can not. If you are looking to paint your tiles, BEWARE! Most tiles are difficult if not impossible to paint properly. The holes that give the tile acoustic properties can not be filled up with paint, or the tile will lose its acoustic ceilings properties. You must also consider the range of sound-deadening capabilities. Some types of acoustic tiles make more of a difference in sound than others. These noise reduction properties all depend on the surface characteristics, as well as the weight and density of the material. The amount of noise reduction is measured by two ratings, NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) which is the noise absorbed and the CAC (Ceiling Attenuation Class) which determines how well acoustic tile blocks sound through itself. The best NRC rating is up to 80 percent. The highest CAC rating is 40 to 44.

Tiles that are specified for suspended-grid systems are the most widely used products in the market today. 12-inch interlocking tiles are available, and they offer a stylish almost seamless appearance of the ceiling. A drawback to interlocking ceiling tiles is that once they are up, it is tough to restore the previous ceiling surface. Future ceiling style changes will also be tough, while if using a suspended grid, this is not the case. If it is time to repair a suspended grid, just remove the old tiles and install a new ceiling. Whatever type of acoustic ceiling you decide to install. Just know that the most important thing is to do your homework; research your plan.

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)

How Carpet Is Made

Posted by admin on May 11th, 2009 in Carpet - Flooring | 0 comments

The carpet that is made today is a mix of old world craftsmanship and a touch of 21st century innovation. By combining the two, carpet is able to become the household feature that we all know and love – and get tired of cleaning.

Carpet can be manufactured in one of two ways; weaving or tufting.  Carpets that are woven are primarily wool and are very durable, and very expensive as well.  The woven carpet types can be hand produced, as it has been for centuries, or by machine.  No matter what method is chosen, the same procedures are followed.

The yarn for the carpet is woven through or around vertical fibers known as warps, and then locked  into place with horizontal strands known as wefts. The woven carpets can utilize a variety of colors as well to create intricate patterns in the  highest quality of carpets.

Tufting machines can also be utilized as well, as they use computers to determine the patterns, styles, construction, and density.  No longer does someone have to do everything by hand or mentally, as the tufting machines will take all of the guesswork out and make things easy on the operator.

Once the fibers have been locked into place, the carpet is dyed using a variety of methods that  will create patterns or effects.  For cut pile carpets, the final stage is stretched,  cutting the pile loops.  This is an important stage, as it will determine the softness and feel of the carpet.

The carpet will also receive a secondary stretch backing as well to give it stability and allow it to be stretched during the installation  process.  Most of the carpets of this day and  age will receive stain protection as well, which happens during the manufacturing phase.

The way that a carpet is made will greatly affect how the carpet is installed.  In the past, the creation of carpet was a very complicated process, as there were no computers or technology to do most of the work.  Back then, it was all
done by hand.  The carpets were great, although there wasn’t any colors or textures that we have to choose from today.

The carpet manufacturers of today have a lot of technology at their disposal, which makes life at the plants easy.  Operators can watch and operate machines to do a lot of the work, which makes their job a lot easier.

The continuous fibers found with carpet are heat set and twisted at the mill to give a tightly twisted product that is commonly found with  frieze carpets.  This type of yarn is less bulky although it will hold its shape for a long period of time, which is great for those who don’t like to replace their carpet every couple of years.

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)

Page 1 of 212»

Entrecard Drop

Recent Posts

Categories

Archives

Alexa Rank

Subscribe This Blog

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Visitors

Real Traffic Feed

Directory

OctoFinder

Personal blogs

TopOfBlogs

Blogroll

Networked Blog

Recent Posts

Powered by Wordpress | Designed by ElegantThemes