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Archive for September, 2010

Ten basic rules for gardening 

Rule #1 – Buy plants from a very reputable source–I prefer nurseries over discount stores and warehouse stores. 

Rule #2 – Select plants that will grow in your climate–consider your high and low temperatures. 

Rule #3 – Plant your plants in the right place in your yard–sun-loving plants in the sun, shade-loving plants in the shade. 

Rule #4 – Provide your plants with complete nutrition. Most fertilizers and plant foods don’t. Spray-N-Grow and Bill’s Perfect Fertilizer provide major and minor elements identified by botanists as necessary for plant growth and production. 

Rule #5 – Water your plants properly. 

Rule #6 – Keep your plants bug free. Look for bugs on your plants as often as possible. Apply an organic and environmentally friendly bug killer if necessary. 

Rule #7 – Watch for plant disease. Spray your plants with Physan 20 or Serenade if you see any wilting, black spots, etc. 

Rule #8 – Weed around your plants or use All Down Organic Weed and Grass Kill or Burnout Weed and Grass Killer. 

Rule #9 – Deer, rabbits, squirrels and other animals may try to feast on your plants. If you see evidence of munching, use a humane animal repellants. It may take a little detective work to figure out what type of hungry animal is invading your garden. 

Rule #10 – Gardening is a physical activity–take care of yourself. Wear a hat and gloves. Use sunscreen and watch for stinging insects. Use safe products–many common gardening products are not organic or all natural. To buy garden products mentioned in this article, visit Spray-N-Grow’s website ( http://www.spray-n-growgardening.com ). Their garden products are safe for people, plants and pets.

Tips to Consider while Hiring a Norfolk Roofing Services Company

Norfolk is one of those places in England with some exquisite homes. When it comes to looking after your home the most important part has to be the roof. Norfolk roofing companies are equipped with modern techniques when it comes to roofing. But the appearance of the roof may be destroyed by several factors that are natural or caused by neglect.

Reasons that cause damage to the roof

The most important thing one must determine while hiring a Norfolk roofing contractor is to find out if they are bonded, certified and licensed. The outcome of a natural calamity like a storm or cyclone calls for the services of a roofing company. Also shingle deterioration could be caused by the harmful ultra violet rays. Temperature extremes can result in expansion and contraction of shingles and they could also be blown off by strong wind. Accumulation of rain stress also weakens the roof.

Tips to Consider when hiring roofing contractors

Some do shoddy work, some are not insured and some work just to swindle money from clients. One must ensure that the Norfolk roofing contractor who is hired is knowledgeable about the techniques of construction, and all regulatory and safety requirements. A contractor who has local references is a better option. It is recommended to visit the houses where he has worked to determine the quality of work done. There are certain tips one may consider before hiring a contractor and these include the following:

(1)  Ensuring that the Norfolk roofing contractor has experience in the type of roofing material that is selected. References of similar job can be asked for.

(2)  All damages must be reported to the insurance company at the earliest and a contractor who agrees to work with the insurance company and adjuster must be hired.

(3)  Receiving estimates from several roofing contractors and conducting a comparison not only on the price but also on other details is necessary. Any professional roofing contractor generally performs a thorough inspection of the roof and documents his findings. Warranties must also be compared. The warranty is generally for one year.

(4)  A contract must be given in writing and a guarantee must be obtained for the roofer’s labor as well as manufacturer’s material.

(5)  The contract must be reviewed thoroughly before signing. The attorney should also review the terms of the contract. The contract must clearly specify start date and completion date, materials to be used, labor and material costs, site cleanup and work hours and payment schedule.

(6)  It is also important not to make the entire payment upfront. This ensures that there is no room given for the contractor to take undue advantage by way of excess time or any other factor.

The above mentioned are some of the general tips one must ensure before hiring a Norfolk roofing contractor. These points and a few more may be in need of customization as per the circumstances involved.

Grow a beautiful garden the water wise way

Saving water and enjoying the beauty and environmental benefits of plants are not only possible, but easy says the American Association of Nurserymen (AAN). “Water Wise” gardening is built on some basic, commonsense principles:

Planning

Planning a water wise garden or landscape is as easy and fun-as planning any type of garden. Talk to the professionals at your local center/landscape firm to see which plants will do well in your area. You may be surprised to find that some very beautiful, colorful plants are low on water consumption-and they may fit into your landscape perfectly.

Group together plants that require the same amount of water. Plant trees and shrubs to provide shade to cool buildings, air conditioning units, patios, decks, and other landscape features.  Shelter container plants by moving them to shady areas. Spike or aerate lawns to insure maximum water penetration. Control weeds which compete with useful plants for water.

Soil Improvement

Soil improvement is another easy and beneficial step in building a water wise garden. Soil that is well prepared at the time of planting influences the plant’s initial development and yields the best results. And plants placed in the proper soil will be healthier, often needing less water.

Soil characteristics include texture, structure, depth, and nutrients. To find out more about your soil content, test your soil with the following garden products: Accugrow Soil Test Kit or the Sunleaves Three-Way Meter.  

Wise Irrigation

Efficient irrigation is a critical part of water wise gardening. Your irrigation system can be simple, such as a hand-held hose, or elaborate, such as an in-ground sprinkler system. Consider a drip water conservation system, which can save up to 60% of water used by sprinkler irrigation. Whatever you choose, make sure you plan your watering to get best results.

Deep, infrequent watering, promotes root growth and is the wisest use of water and encourages strong rooting. This provides greater tolerance to dry spells.  Water early in the day, and on less windy days, to reduce evaporation loss. The ideal time is from dawn to 9:00 a.m.   Turn off sprinklers before water is wasted as runoff into gutters and streets.

Mulching

Mulching is always a benefit to your garden and can help prevent soil erosion and evaporation, conserving the water that is available and keeping your plants healthy and strong.

Maintenance

Maintaining your water wise garden means learning how to water all over again. You may find that watering less means having more time to sit back and enjoy your garden. Generally, plants should be watered less often and for a long period of time. Drip, soaker, or deep root watering promotes healthy plants and less water use.

Water Wise Gardening Tips

Follow these handy watering tips from AAN, and you’ll soon be started on your own environmentally sound garden or landscape.  For garden products mentioned in this article, please visit http://www.spray-n-growgardening.com

In the ever accepting world of the throwaway society it’s nice to be able to find a manufacturer like Rational Kitchens whose policy is to manufacture a cabinet that will last at least 25 years. I also supply Miele appliances that have the rational of thought. They manufacture appliances to last more than 20 years. They back this up by keeping spare parts for all models of any appliance for 20 years. It is sometimes hard educating the potential customers that visit my kitchen studio, The Kitchen Store, Sheffield, and Yorkshire that my kitchens will last in excess of 20 years. They sometimes have a cynical approach due to the fact that all kitchen shops are claiming the same. it soon becomes apparent when I start to dismantle one of my displays to show the build quality of the cabinets, after all its all about the cabinet, hinges and drawer runners, not the fancy door that any kitchen manufacturer can put on a carcase to make it look a million dollars.

Rational really are the innovators when it comes to new features. They are constantly striving to better the already fantastic storage solution available and making the kitchen more agronomical than before. With new new ideas, comes new technology and Rational Kitchens are always investing in the new ideas and technology. It’s just a shame that after a year all the competitors have copied the new ideas. And once they have been around for a while, each and every manufacturer did in fact do this first.

I have made a web site to showcase just what is on offer from The Kitchen Store and Rational Kitchens. Please have a look and let me know what you think. Rational Kitchens Please visit my website. The new Atmos and Logic Book matched Oak & Walnut kitchens are absolutely beautiful. The grain runs seamlessly throughout the whole kitchen. If you was to have an island, the grain runs right round, it is amazing to see. It is hand crafted and I’m sure the man who makes this model is very very patient indeed.

They have lots of ranges available. The new Tio range has been developed more for the developer, apartment builder. It’s the same quality as the main luxury range; the difference is a cheaper door and not a lot of variations of cabinets available. They do not produce special sizes like they do in the luxury range. In the luxury range we can design to our hearts content. The options are just endless. We have produced some truly beautiful kitchens. Every single one of my customers over the last eight and a half has been over the moon with the kitchen. And more so as time has gone on. They are realising as the years go by that they really made the right choice in choosing Eddie Grant and a Rational Kitchen.

We are now supplying the whole of the UK. We are mostly supplying Sheffield, Derbyshire, South Yorkshire & Yorkshire. We are supplying London, Manchester, Birmingham and all major cities throughout the UK. We are even supplying kitchens to the likes of Doncaster, Rotherham, Chesterfield and many little villages in Derbyshire, such as Castleton, Barlow. If you need any more information please feel free to get in touch through the web site. Kindest regards Eddie Grant

Modern furniture has a definite character. Of course, knowing this without having any further knowledge may not help you at all. That is why you are offered ten uncomplicated modern furniture decoration tips as exhibited below:

Before you shop, calculate the essential measurements and devise a checklist of all essential items. This will ensure you do not order or purchase items that are too large or too small. It will also reduce the possibility that the decor you select would not sit right in a given space. Prior to purchasing any furniture or accessories, be certain that you have general idea of the color and arrangements you would desire decorate each room. This will further help you create a look that is very pleasing to the eye. If you want to make a strong statement, seek some of the more daring, futuristic and outlandish pieces as you shop. However, make sure you do not overdue it. Two or less unique items can make any plain room stand out. Whether you plan to decorate your home for the first time or again for the tenth time; make it a priority to look at many of the budget modern furniture items. These are sold at almost all online and offline stores. In lieu of investing vast sums of money on employing an interior decorator or other creative professional, take time to do some extensive research on your own. Then begin the planning of your DIY home decoration project. If you desire to accessorize, modern abstract paintings composed of colors that coordinate with the overall décor scheme of a room are a very wise choice. You can be a bit daring as you exercise your creative power, yet employ this simple designing tip. While fine-tuning your whole room display, beware that placing too many extra items in a room can monopolize free living space. You want the room to be as exquisite as possible, but realize that you are decorating a personal home, not creating a worldwide tourist attraction. It should be attractive, but remain as comfortable of a place as possible. If you only have a limited sum of money to invest in furniture remember that it is perfectly acceptable to shop discount stores. In fact, you can also find quality reproduced modern furniture for sale representative of designers such as the following: Arne Jacobson, Eileen Gray, Charles Le Corbusier, or George Nelson. To create an even more special touch, think about using more artistic lighting sources. In many households, people prefer to place a sculpted chandelier, contemporary lamp, or colored lights in a room. To make the rooms of your home stand out more, one suggestion would be to paint the walls with bright colors. Then, place modern furniture of contrasting colors in the appropriate spaces.

Handyman tips-how to install a shower

Having a shower is both luxurious and environmentally friendly at the same time because it helps to save water and is good for the environment. Because of the design of most shower cubicles these days, the shower enclosure can be fitted in most small spaces. To begin installing a shower cubicle a basic understanding of plumbing and electrical installation  and  safety is a requisite.

There are five main steps to fitting a shower and you will need a helper to assist you in fitting the shower. The main steps would involve: extending the water supply to feed the shower, extending the waste supply for the new shower enclosure, mounting the shower tray onto a custom made plinth or wooden frame ,installation of the frame and doors.

Some fundamental requirements of fitting a shower also are: the shower head must be at least 1.5 meters below the level of the water tank to provide sufficient water pressure for a descent flow. The shower must also have its own water supply from the cold water cistern.

The pipe work will need to be run under the floorboards or along the walls, in either case the pipes will need to be supported under the floor or along the walls by a series of pipe clips to stop water hammer caused by the pressure of the water against loose pipe fittings.

STEPS

1.The first step would be to extend the water supply to where you want it to fed the shower, this can be achieved by careful measurement. Tap into the cold water cistern and make a connection to supply the shower, the hot water supply is  then taken from an existing supply line, cut into the pipe and insert a T section to make a new supply to the shower. If the connections are made under the floorboards then make sure that all the connections are tightened properly because if there is a leak under the floor latter on it will be undetected until it is too late.

2.Installing the shower tray: Turn the shower tray so that you can fit the trap, the best type to use on a shower tray is a P trap. Screw the trap onto the shower tray and measure the distance between the bottom of the P trap and the top of the shower tray adding about 40mm to the bottom of the P trap where it will sit on the floor so that you have enough clearance from the floor. The plinth or frame of the shower tray can be made from rough cut sawn timber which is treated. Screw the corners of the frame together-allow for a removable panel to gain access to the trap then screw the whole frame onto the floor to make sure that it is steady and rigid. With your helper ,lift the shower tray onto the frame.

3. Extending the waste supply: Use a hole cutter attached to a drill bit  and make a hole through the wall about the same diameter as the plastic waste pipe. Attach the waste pipe to the P trap using compression or push fit connections. Push the waste pipe through the wall and fill any hole or gap  around the pipe with a cement mix. make you connections on the outside of the wall either into an existing drain or a hopper head.

4.Fitting the doors: Drill holes for the metal frames of the shower doors, use a spirit level to make sure that they are level. Screw all the sides together using the parts supplied. to make sure you have a truly watertight cubicle ,apply sealant to all the sides and bottom of the shower cubicle. Tile the inside of the shower cubicle.

5.Connection:drill holes to fit the shower thermostat control onto the wall, connect the water supply pipes to the thermostatic control, tighten all connections and test the shower