Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween Safety Tips Everyone Should Know about by faststride

All of us have heard or learned about Halloween safety tips. There is a very good reason for you to know all the aspects of safety. You will find that a lot of teenagers and children may experience sickness, injuries and even die as a failure of ensuring safety on Halloween.

Halloween is certainly a fun holiday for everyone, but you need to take safety measures in order to make sure it's not a dangerous one, too.

I have done many years of research on this particular topic, and I want to share the Halloween safety tips that I've found that are the most important which I have placed in this useful guide.

It doesn't really matter what your role is, whether you are a parent, teacher, friend, neighbour, or anyone who deals with children and parents. Make sure you share this information with everyone you encounter. Following these safety tips may save a child from being injured, even fatally injured.

Most importantly, parents should not let their children eat anything they've gotten until all items have been carefully gone through and inspected to make sure they're safe; only a trusted adult should do this.

There have been several incidents of sickness and even death that have happened because of tainted candy or other treats the children have eaten before their parents could inspect what they had. And adults, too, have sometimes suffered injury and even death from these treats.

Inspect all candy to make sure that it's in its original wrapper and has not been torn, manipulated, opened, or tampered with in any way. And unfortunately, those lovingly made homemade cookies should probably be tossed out, too, unless your children have received them from someone they know well. Even fruit should be discarded.

Children should only be allowed to go to homes that are familiar to you; this will add security of you knowing that they are going to collect safe treats.

Your child's Halloween costume, too, should have certain features to keep him or her safe. Flame retardant Halloween costumes are a must, to make sure no fire hazards happen. It should also fit properly so that your child can see where he or she is going and won't trip over a costume that's too large, for example. The costume itself should also be bright and reflective to make sure people can see your child easily.

You will find that by doing these small measures you will ensure that your children will not trip over costume's that may be too large for them. It also allows them to see the area in which they are walking in. Also it is very important that others will be able to see your child while they are out trick-or-treating

Paying special attention to these safety tips will help make sure your child has a safe and fun Halloween.

If you are in the quest of a great place discover new ideas on Halloween costumes, Halloween decorations or any resources and information on Halloween then check out spookynite.com so you can create a night of scary tales

Article Source: Halloween Safety Tips Everyone Should Know about

Top 5 Horror Movies From The 80's

Top 5 Horror Movies From The 80's And Mens Halloween Costumes by parrott trap

Time heals all wounds... except for those inflicted by mass murderers and psychotic slashers. Despite some of these movies being over thirty years old, they're still just as terrifying - and just as perfect for Halloween outfits - as they were during their debut. Here are our top five horror movies of the 80s.

5: Poltergeist (1982)

Never underestimate the power of a haunted house. While it wasn't the first of its kind - "The Amityville Horror" premiered three years earlier - Poltergeist became famous for both its on-screen thrills and the mysterious deaths associated with its production. To this day we aren't sure of the origins of "The Poltergeist Curse." We just know that two words left such an impression on moviegoers that they became one of the best-known taglines in horror movie history:
"They're here."

4: Children of the Corn (1984)

Playing whack-a-mole with many of our base fears - religious blasphemy, rural isolation, creepy kids - Stephen King's "Children of the Corn" was such a success that it not only terrified millions worldwide, but it put him on the map as the master of horror. What's the only thing scarier than a bunch of child killers? Child killers in cornfields, apparently.

(As a bonus, Children of the Corn also makes for great mens Halloween outfits. They're simple, cheap, and even if you have to explain the significance of the farmer's hat and/or pitchfork, at least it gets people talking!)

3: Hellraiser (1987)

With the first appearance of the dark, menacing Pinhead, "Hellraiser" brought a whole new meaning to your grandmother's knitting needles. It was also one of the first slasher flicks that dared to give its villain a voice and backstory - many of the killers before Pinhead were completely mute (Michael Myers, Frankenstein) or wise-cracking and deliberately funny (Chucky).
If you're looking for Halloween Outfits that are semi-obscure and yet instantly recognizable, Pinhead is worth the stitches.

2: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Freddy Krueger slashed through our screens and brought with him a terrifying concept: that we aren't even safe when we sleep. Who can stop their dreams?
Maybe it's that kind of terror that makes him such an iconic figure in Hollywood and party shops alike. A perfect blend of scary and nostalgic, The Freddy Krueger costume is one of the best mens Halloween costumes you can buy... because sometimes even three decades aren't enough to numb the nightmares.

1: Friday the 13th (1980)

Perhaps *the* the most successful horror movie franchise of all time, Friday the 13th was the debut of the silent, predatory Jason, who would go on to change the meaning of hockey masks forever. His character is instantly recognizable (and a staple of mens Halloween costumes) and his influence is still felt in modern cinema today. He even battled Freddy in a 2003 remake!
For power, popularity, and the endless potential of its Halloween outfits, "Friday the 13th" is our #1 horror movie of the 80s

Mens Halloween Costumes that come direct from the movies. Halloween is the most popular time for dressing up in your favourite characters costume. Shop early for your Halloween outfits and avoid disappointment
For The best ideas for Freddy Krueger Costumes

Article Source: Top 5 Horror Movies From The 80's And Mens Halloween Costumes

Tips On How to Use a Reel Mower

Tips On How to Use a Reel Mower by Daryl B. Chapman

For people who are living in busy streets of the city, perhaps they are not accustomed with reel lawn mowers. Probably, after the sheer cutters, the reel lawn mowers are the first lawn mower "machinery". They were handy before and were very popular when it was first introduce in the market. Then came the power motored lawn mowers and the reel mowers were forgotten.

But because of the campaign for cleaner air and more green equipments, the prevalence of reel lawn mowers are slowly picking up its pace. A lot of people who have tried using reel lawn mowers before are surprised about the new features of this very basic garden tool. Is is easy to operate. The blades are so precise. Now if you are already thinking of joining the cleaner air campaign and quieter environment at the same time, here are some tips on how to use reel mower.

It's In The Walk
When you are mowing the lawn, walk at a steady and even pace. If using the manual lawn mower, the engine is the one pushing the machine. You will determine the pacing of the mower and the pacing of the blade. The faster you go, the faster the blades will turn that may cause the mower to miss some spots that are either slightly elevated or slightly deep. Channel your pace and the blades will work for you. Besides, it is also a good way to exercise.

Repeat and overlap the rows
When you are already working your rows in a steady, even pace, ensure you overlap part of the row that you have already mowed. This makes your mower a lot lighter to push because part of the row had already been mowed. This will also give you the chance to mow spots that you might have missed.

Do Not Let The Grass Grow Too Tall
Once you have initially mowed your lawn, make a schedule to mow your lawn. Most lawn mower do not operate well when the grass is already too tall. Make sure you cut your grass regularly.

Adjustments and Screws
Adjust the blades accordingly. A quarter turn can mean more sharper cut so be sure to check.

Proper Maintenance
If you want your reel lawn mower to last, be sure to properly maintain your machine. Your first item on the menu must be the wheels. You should check the mower's wheel every once in a while to see whether the inside rubber is already in need of substitute. There are times you'll feel really frustrated with your reel mower because you will not be able to push it as lightly as you did before. If this happens it is time to check whether your mower needs some grease, screw replacement and others. Reel mowers are pretty easy to maintain provided you do regular check up with its not too many parts.

Reel lawn mower is pretty easy to use and maintain. This is now the trend today, going back to basics for us and for the environment. You may find a lot of advantages that comes with reel lawn mower if you look closer and be more optimistic. One great example is that you can mow your lawn any time, any day because you will not create any disturbing noise to anybody. Think about it and mow your lawn the easy and friendly way.

An honest look at the Reel Lawn Mowers. Find out the distinctive features and functions of the Fiskars Reel Mower.

Article Source: Tips On How to Use a Reel Mower

Landscape Maintenance Needs

Landscape Maintenance Needs by Kevin Germain

The weather here in Michigan is changing and with that comes a change in the needs of our landscaping. The four seasons bring with it a mix of snow, rain, heat, humidity and dry spells. Is it possible to maintain the health of your lawn with all that this brings? Yes, however it is important to recognize that your lawns care and needs will change throughout each of the seasons. It is up to you to keep up with these changes or to hire a landscape company to come in and maintain the landscape.

The fall is upon us here in Michigan. Laws start to go into a semi hibernating state in which they trap the minerals and nutrients to stay alive throughout the chilly, sunless days of winter. When looking into fall lawn maintenance it is important to think about it in terms of wrapping the year up.

Lawn fertilization is a must during the “closing” of the lawn season. When you do this you give your lawn the basic nutrients it needs to stay healthy through the winter. When fertilizing you will want to first make sure debris such as leaves is removed and the grass freshly cut. Then before you fertilize you will want to aerate the lawn so that the fertilizer is able to seep deep into the lawn. This provides what the lawn will miss out on through the cold, sunless winter.

The next thing to think about in fall landscape need is pruning. Many flowers and shrubs need to be pruned back to allow for the new growth of the spring. It is important to note though that not all trees will benefit from this. Some trees do not need trimming of any kind and will continue to grow. The same is true with many plants. Fall is also the time for removing bulbs that are damaged in the freeze and plant those that need the winter to develop and grow in the spring. Burlap should be applied to all shrubs that are especially fragile and that the frost will damage. Plants, shrubs and trees can also benefit greatly from some extra food in the form of fertilizer.

Raking the leaves that have accumulated on the lawn is often a huge task. There are two schools of thought in leaves being raked or allowed to live as they lay. This is up to individual homeowners. Leaves can act as a great fertilizer in their own right. From experience leaves allowed to decay within the Lily of the Valley in the yard act as a major growth hormone for them. Literally the plant uses that acid break down of the leaves to flourish. Use discretion when allowing leaves to accumulate on grass. It is not beneficial to allow all of the fall leaves to stay piled on the ground as they will absorb the little bit of sun that will attempt to get to your lawn throughout the winter.

Fall landscape needs are similar to spring landscaping needs. We do clean-up in the spring to spruce the lawn up and clean-up in the fall to allow for hibernation and re-growth. Landscaping needs also vary depending on the region in which you live. The plants that survive and grow here in the North are not the same viable plants that exist in Arizona. Can you imagine a cactus here soaking up the rainfall that we receive here in Michigan?

If you have enjoyed this article from Kevin Germain at CPS on landscape maintenance please visit http://www.bladerunnerslandscape.com/landscape_maintenance.php today. You will find useful information on landscape maintenance.

Article Source: Landscape Maintenance Needs

Sometimes Hiring A Pro Is The Answer

Some Things Are Better Left To The Professionals by Kevin Germain

It is one of the most daunting tasks homeowners must do to keep the homes aesthetic value as well as dollar value up. Landscaping tends to leave many homeowners overwhelmed as it is often difficult to keep up with the growing list of ways to improve your home landscape. It is so overwhelming that most of us hire professional landscape design companies to come in mow the lawn, prune the bushes, plant flowers and clean up yard waste. Having a company handle your lawn care does not mean you can have total hands off approach. Here are some tips to help guide you when you are out in your yard.

The first tip I give to anyone attempting a project on their own without the professionals is to purchase all the materials for the project at hand upfront. This is something professional landscapers do also. There is nothing worse than finding out you are missing a crucial part of the project mid way through. Planning can also save you money as you tend to get better pricing from larger stores. When you are missing something you tend to run to the local hardware where the markup is double.

As you work through each section and phase you purchase the goods needed to complete that section. This can prove to also benefit you because you may find after the completion of one section that the yard is complete and not want to move on to another project within the original design. For example, if you are planning for a rock garden with a natural pond flowing into and notice once the pond is complete that the rock garden would be overkill that you have not wasted time or resources on the second, unneeded phase. It saves from the hassle of retuning extra supplies or worse cluttering your shed with leftover unused materials.

Landscaping with a water element is always appealing and a crowd pleaser. These are not easy to manipulate on your own and often need the care of a professional to help with this landscape design arena. If you are tempted to try and install a water feature within your own landscape start small. Smaller pools, pumps and fountains are easier to handle and maneuver if mistakes are made in the original design. It will be a smaller mistake to correct with smaller items. Using water plants around the small pond space can make it appear larger and will allow for easier maintenance.

If you are attempting to add in plants, shrubs, flowers, trees or berries it is best to ask the professional that has worked within your space. These options are often difficult to sustain if not properly planted and cared for. It is a waste of money for you to add a plant into your landscape without knowing if the soil, sun and water requirements will be met.

Landscaping is not something all people are born to do or are even good at. Some people enjoy tinkering about in the yard. The curb appeal of your home is one of the most important aspects when it comes to the resale of your home. Make sure your home is appealing. Hire a professional landscape company to come in if not every week for regular lawn care than at least twice a year to help prepare the landscape for the summer and winter seasons. Fall landscape maintenance and spring yard clean up are the most important times of the year for your yard. Do everything you can to protect your investment going into the harsh winters and hot summers Mother Nature brings the North.

Bladerunners Inc. offers a variety of lawn care, landscaping and snow removal services. You will discover more online at http://www.bladerunnerslandscape.com/.

Article Source: Some Things Are Better Left To The Professionals

Outdoor Water Fountain

Maintaining Your Outdoor Water Fountain by Cedric Loiselle

If you have an outdoor fountain, you have probably realized that maintaining it is a tough job. Outdoor fountains are subject to dirt, rain, snow, bird droppings and other elements. Cleaning is necessary to preserve the artistic value of your fountain.

Turn off the water pump when you clean the fountain. Then, empty water from the fountain. You should also take out the water pump and clean it. Dirt can get clogged inside the pump, so, wipe the inside or brush it. Cleaning the pump is the first thing to do to so that the water will continue to run smoothly. This should not take too long.

The fountain itself is never hard to maintain, although its actual maintenance could eat some of your time. Basically, you would only remove dry leaves. Occasionally, you need to clean the fountain to remove algae and dirt that has built up on the surface of the stone, as well as bird droppings that can be found in the water or even on the surface.

Maintenance of outdoor water fountains also includes inspecting of the water. If you live in subtropical or tropical regions, mosquitoes can breed in the water. Mosquito larvae bloom in fresh water. Your water then becomes a medium for disease-causing mosquitoes. So, check to see if there are wigglers. If there are, remove the water or apply a mosquito larvae killing solution.

If you want to keep your fountain in a good condition, you may need to invest in a number of products. For people who do not like to frequently clean, algae inhibitors are useful. Be careful when using these products, though. Algae inhibitors may contain bleach, which can ruin the look of your mini waterfall. At the same time, the chemical could also harm birds that may drink from it.

In order for you to reduce the frequency of conducting cleaning and maintenance, place this decoration in a good, favorable location. If you put it in an area where people stay or pass frequently, you will have to maintain it often. You don’t have to place your mini waterfall in a secluded area where no one would see it, as long as it is within a safe distance from passageways.

There are other factors to consider when it comes to maintaining your outdoor water fountains. If it has been standing for quite some time, you will notice a scale buildup on the surface. This buildup is calcium deposit, which can be removed by simply applying white vinegar. However, do not apply vinegar if your chosen mini waterfall is made of limestone or marble.

In places where winter brings freezing weather, these certain outdoor decorations should be prepared for the cold, icy season. Water expands when it freezes and this expansion could damage the pumps. So, drain the liquid before the temperatures drop. Take off the water pump and store it indoors or in any warm place. When warm weather resumes in spring, clean the fountain and restore the liquid and the pump. Then, run the pump and the fountain to see if it’s working.

For more information about Outdoor Fountains and Water Fountains visit our website soothingwalls.com.

Article Source: Maintaining Your Outdoor Water Fountain

Halloween Costume Ideas

Halloween Costume Ideas by Penny Casablanca

Here are a few ideas gathered over the years from Halloween costume parties. You can use these ideas to inspire you to create better ones.

Firstly we have the five minute costume.
Dress entirely in black. Attach a light mirror of 5 inches square to a wire. Now hang the mirror around your neck, facing outwards. Go as everyone else at the party.

Next is the floor of a movie theatre.
This one was picked up in Boston about 10 years ago. Start by putting on a black leotard. Failing that, use a black t/shirt and pants. Now stick or somehow attach 12 sweet wrappers to your shoulder and chest. Crumple up a few fizzy drink cans and hang them around your neck. Do the same around your waist. Now spray some bubble gum all over the outfit. Finish off by gluing popcorn to the outfit. Now you look like the floor of a cinema.

Here is the Bag of Trash Theme.
Get together some empty fizzy drink cans and wash them well. String together of few and do the same with some old yogurt containers. Now create a crown from crumpled paper and tin foil. Before you leave for the party, take a large draw string rubbish bag and cut holes for your legs. Step inside and pull it all the way up to your neck and tie it tight. Put the strings of empty cans and containers onto your head.

The voodoo doll theme.
Wear a funky skirt and a brightly coloured sweater. Braid your hair so it sticks up in lots of small braids and poke wooden barbecue sticks through your sweater to make it look like someone has stuck pins in you. Some glue will help to keep everything in place.

Finally we present the bomb squad trainee.
Visit your second hand shop and buy an old suit. Burn holes in the sleeves, lapels and pants. Now take it outside and dust it down. with a light layer of black spray paint which will make it look scorched. Print a name badge that says "Bomb squad trainee". Buy a pair of used glasses and break them up a little so you can still wear them. Finally spike your hair with some strong gell and smudge some black makeup on your face.

Penny Casablanca organises children's parties and supplies halloween costumes Justin Lee organizes party games and supplies products for a range of parties. Halloween costumes are a growing favorite.

Article Source: Halloween Costume Ideas

Halloween Is Near

Creating a Halloween Graveyard Everyone Will Enjoy by faststride

If it is Halloween and you are planning to decorate your house under the Halloween theme, you may be wondering about making a Halloween graveyard in your own yard. You might have answered this question with a ‘yes' but stopped short of implementing it because it would require too much effort or too much spending on your part. However, you need not hesitate anymore because there is a simple and affordable way of making a Halloween graveyard.

Making a Halloween graveyard requires you to have certain basic things. The following is a list.
1. Hay
2. Cardboard
3. Thermocol sheet
4. Gray paint
5. Black marker
6. Surgical glove (optional)
7. Gelatin (optional)
8. Coat arms (optional)
9. Stick (optional)

The following are the steps for making a Halloween graveyard on your own lawn or in your yard.
1. Take the hay and set it up in such a way that it looks like a grave mound. This can be done by making the hay mound and then covering it with a sheet and dirt.

2. After this you need to cut cardboard and thermocol in the shape of the tombstones that you need. The cardboard will need to be pasted on the thermocol to make it smooth while the thermocol is being used to make the tombstone a little beefy.


3. Paint the half done tombstone with granite paint. You can also use black paint to make it look old and aged. Once the paint dries, you can write some choice epitaphs on the tombstones. The content of the epitaphs depends upon your preferences. For example they can either be scary or funny. This tombstone can now be placed at the head of the grave mound.

4. You can also make the graveyard even scarier by doing the following:

a. Take some coat arms and fill them with hay and a stick to make them look like arms.
b. These arms would end in surgical gloves filled with gelatin.
c. You can place this newly conjured up arm on any one of your graves to make it look like a dead body is trying to climb out of the grave.
d. It should also be noted that gelatin will make the hand move at the slightest of disturbance like wind or a pet. Also, you can place the hand at multiple angles in order to give a varying effect.

If you repeat the above steps multiple times then you can turn your courtyard or lawn into a ghoulishly scary Halloween graveyard. Moreover, even your children would enjoy helping you with this whole venture as the dead arm is going to be a source of a lot of fun for them. Graveyards and graves are an intrinsic part of Halloween and every child should have one for at least one Halloween of his childhood. Now you can provide your child with fun filled memories of him playing with his friends in the graveyard made by his father or mother.

Halloween is a fun night for everyone let spookynite.com help you with Halloween Decorations , Halloween Costumes and all your Halloween needs to a great night of spooky fun.

Article Source: Creating a Halloween Graveyard Everyone Will Enjoy

Your Lawn In The Fall

Tending To Your Lawn In The Fall by Kevin Germain

When the air starts to cool down and you start to enjoy hot tea instead of ice tea you know it is time to start thinking about fall lawn care. Fall lawn maintenance is important to keep your lawn growing healthy year round. When you properly mow, fertilize, water and seed in the fall your lawn will be a glowing indication in the spring when the air transitions from crisp back to balmy. This article will give you fall lawn care tips to take you through the season and prepare your lawn for the fall and winter seasons.

Mowing is essential to keeping the exterior of your home looking its best. The curb appeal of your home is what sets your home apart from the rest of the homes in the area. You want people to drive by and be inspired and in awe. A healthy fall lawn needs to continue to be cut. Just because the weather is chilly does not mean that you stop mowing the lawn. You will however need to adjust the length in which you cut the lawn.

When the temperatures are hot we tend to leave our lawns a bit longer to avoid burning the grass and root with the heat of the sun’s rays. Once summer comes to an end and the rays of the sun are farther away and less intense it is time to start mowing the lawn to about two inches. Don’t go any shorter than this as you will run the risk of killing the grass.

The grass in the fall naturally stays greener in the fall then the summer even without constant water. This however does not eliminate the need for watering your lawn throughout the fall season. Normally the water levels are naturally higher when the weather turns colder. If however the rainfall is less than an inch a week you will want to go back to watering your lawn with the sprinkler. Water is needed to keep your fall lawn lush and full.

The next area we will look at is fertilizing the lawn. This process should be done in late fall perhaps the perfect time would be the end of September through the middle of October. When you fertilize your lawn it is better suited to handle the harsh winter weather and become a healthy lawn quicker in the spring. Fertilizer gives the lawn a high nitrogen content that will help achieve all of this for your lawn.

You will want to fill in any areas of grass that have thinned throughout the summer by adding seed that will help to fill in bare spots and make the lawn more lush in the spring. The temperatures and rain fall levels in fall are usually ideal for the seeds to germinate. There are two schools of thought with fall planting. One is to plant the seed in September so that it is able to germinate for this year the other is to plant it in mid October when it will stay dormant and establish itself when the spring season comes around. In late fall birds and seed eating critters are less likely to steal the seed allowing a greater chance for more seeds to become viable.

Bladerunners Inc. offers a variety of lawn care, landscaping and snow removal services. You will discover more online at http://www.bladerunnerslandscape.com/.

Article Source: Tending To Your Lawn In The Fall

Simple Ways You Can Have a Wonderfull Garden Area

Simple Ways You Can Have a Wonderful Garden Area by Cedric Loiselle

Having a beautiful garden is something that every homeowner dreams of. A well arranged and landscaped garden can definitely add to the aesthetic appeal of a residence. Not only that, the garden area is generally considered as a place to relax, spend quality time with friends and family, and to simply enjoy the beauty of nature. With all that said, it makes a lot of sense for you to find ways you can create an attractive and heavenly garden area. Below are some tips you can use if you are to start designing your own garden.

Design Tips

- Plan the kinds and sizes of plants you are to place in your garden. Ideally, you would want a plant that is tall enough to become the focal point of the garden. Around this plant, you can then put some medium height ones and then a couple of trailing plants on the edge. This way, your garden will not look disorganized and will have a sense of harmony in it.

- Take note of the bloom times of your plants. Make sure that you will include different summer, spring and fall bloomers in the mix. Be creative also and try to mix different colors of blooms into your garden.

- Consider having a natural stone garden pond. One of the classic garden design ideas is the creation of ponds, waterfalls, steppers, and wall stones. There are many types and colors of stones you can choose from for your garden. Your choice will depend on the size you want and the atmosphere you want to create.

Maintenance Tips

- To deter weeds and conserve water, you should mulch the garden. Of course, there will be weeds appearing in it, but they will surely be much easier to pull and get rid of if your garden soil is mulched properly.

- Remove dying and dead blooms every once in a while. Keep in mind that whatever flowering plants you have, they perform best when they are free from dying and dead blooms. Deadheading them really helps them produce more blooms. And of course, your garden will look much better and well cared for if you do this regularly.

- See to it that there are drainage holes in your planters. If you are using containers or pots, make sure they have holes to prevent the soil from retaining water for a long time. It is also important for your garden area to have an appropriate drainage system. You can use natural stones also as pavements or drainage path just to be sure too much water doesn’t stay in the plant bed for too long.

If you happen to be a beginner in planting or gardening, it would seem really complicated to get started with designing your garden. While there are many things you should take into account in undertaking this project, you may also get a lot of help from the internet. All you need to do is visit a couple of gardening sites to access valuable information from the experts.

For more information about natural stone and natural stones visit our website msistone.com.

Article Source: Simple Ways You Can Have a Wonderful Garden Area

Growing Apples On The Balcony

Growing Apples On The Balcony by Ella Schwartz

Karen opened the door to her apartment balcony and sighed as the city air greeted her with that all too familiar scent of exhaust fumes. She crossed to the sunny corner of her balcony and smiled as she checked on the progress of her apple tree.

Her friends had often called Karen mad for attempting to grow her own apple tree on the balcony of her eleventh floor apartment, but Karen knew that it could be done. When she had moved to Dallas for work, she had been forced to leave her roots in the country behind herself.

Regardless of where she resided, Karen knew the importance of having fresh fruit available to her. Apples were her favorite food, and she knew how expensive fresh fruit was here in the city. It was no small decision to take the step from thinking about it, to actually trying to grow her own apple tree, eleven floors in the air.

A Big Pot for a Big Tree

Karen knelt beside her apple tree and admired the large ceramic pot that she had invested in. Her grandmother had told her that a tree grown in a pot would need a lot of room for the roots to grow around in the soil. The tree would only grow as large as its roots could spread, so a large pot was needed to give the tree some growing room. She had likewise been warned that if the tree were not given a large enough pot, its roots would eventually break through the pot itself to find more room to grow.

The pot that Karen had chosen was a mosaic of red and blue tiles in a striped design. Not only did it give the apple tree plenty of room to grow on her balcony, but it matched the cushions on her porch chair as well. Karen checked around the soil of her tree, making sure that no intruding insects were bothering her balcony resident. She hummed to herself as she went through this nightly ritual.

An Apple Tree Needs Water

Once she was satisfied that her apple tree was free of pests, she turned back toward her apartment. Karen grabbed her two gallon watering can and measured out the weekly dose of organic fertilizer mix into the can's bottom. She filled the can with water and returned to her balcony again. Karen hefted the heavy watering can and tilted it over the edge of the pot slowly. She watched as the water flowed in around the soil, and paused as the water seemed to overrun the soil's surface.

Karen waited patiently while the apple tree soaked up all of the nutritious water. Experience had taught her that the plant needed time to let the water soak in before more was added. When she watered her tree too quickly, the nutrient-rich water simply spilled over the sides and out the bottom of the plant, resulting in her tree not getting enough to drink. Only once the water soaked in did Karen add more, pausing again when the water reached the overflow threatening point.

Nutrients

When the entire watering can had been successfully fed to the tree, Karen returned the watering can to its usual spot. Any plant that is grown in a pot only has a limited amount of nutrients available to it, her grandmother had warned when Karen began this experiment. If Karen wanted her tree to produce large, healthy apples, it would need a weekly supply of nutrients added to the soil, with regular water added every day as well. This would allow her apple tree plenty to eat while it grew.

Light

Karen took care to always give her apple tree everything that it could need, including dragging it around her balcony to where the sunlight was strongest during different times of the year. Already, she had small apples beginning to grow from where the old flowers had withered and fallen from the tree. Come the Fall, she hoped to have a multitude of apples available to be eaten every day.

Ella C Schwartz is a writer for Hunterstruct Construction, offering small home design and building services throughout Southwest British Columbia, including the BC interior and Sunshine Coast. Known for its functional and great looking cottages, this small home builder in White Rock, BC showcases its best small homes on the Hunterstruct.com website. We love building, and it shows!

Article Source: Growing Apples On The Balcony

Ventilate Your Greenhouse!

What is the Best Ventilation System for my Greenhouse? by Vincent A Rogers

A greenhouse can be a great idea for growing beautiful plants. There are many options available and the size can range from a small greenhouse to ones that are quite large and provide the space for growing many types of flowers, plants and other types of foliage.

The greenhouse will require a ventilation system to keep the air flowing from one end to the other. This will help to regulate the temperature of the air and allow your plants to be healthier. Everything that lives needs air. How do you know what type and size of ventilation system you need for your greenhouse? The size is usually calculated using the cubic foot per minute of air flow system and manufacturers will include this information with the ventilation system.

These systems can include everything from fans to an electronic opener that automatically vents the greenhouse when the air temperature becomes higher than the level that is set. This is especially important in the summer months as the greenhouse can become quite warm. The plants that are inside will suffer without the use of a ventilation system.

With the increased awareness of conserving energy, some people may opt for solar powered exhaust fans as part of their ventilation system. The solar type will use roof vent openers powered by the sun. They basically work by using expansion and contraction that is typical when something is heated and cooled. There are some types that utilize a sort of chimney to exhaust the heat when the greenhouse temperature rises.

There are roof vents that are available for use with electric ventilation systems that open when the temperature exceeds a level which has been pre-set on the controls for the vents. Side vents will work on the same premise. Many of these are louvre vents.

Misting is important to the health of the plants in the greenhouse. This provides the right humidity which is part of maintaining the temperature needed for optimal growing conditions. This will generally include misting systems, sprinklers, timers and filters that can be used to provide the right amount and quality of water needed. Many of the additional accessories that can be used to help provide the right temperature are a matter of preference.


Ventilation systems are crucial to the plants you will be growing in the greenhouse. The environment that is provided in this space will allow plants to grow that you would probably have a difficult time growing outdoors. The climate required for many plants is only available in certain areas, so the greenhouse will provide the right climate for these plants.

There are several features that can be added to the ventilation system including evaporative coolers, such as swamp coolers that use water to operate. The use of automatic vent openers, as mentioned and circulation fans will also help keep the greenhouse temperature that is needed. This will allow you to grow beautiful plants as well as vegetables that can be enjoyed all year long.

Vincent Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For quality aluminium Greenhouses Vincent recommends Robinsons Greenhouses.

Article Source: What is the Best Ventilation System for my Greenhouse?

How to Sell Your House Faster

Pristine Lawn Care Helps to Sell Your House by Jimmy Calhoun

Just making sure the grass is cut regularly is enough for a yard, but if you are trying to sell a house and want a pristine landscape that gives your house real curb appeal, then you should consider a professional lawn care service. There are so many homes available in the current market that you need to make sure the home you are selling is a demonstrable cut above the rest. When potential buyers approach your "for sale" sign you need to grab their attention and admiration at the curb and not let go until they sign the papers.

Usually when people upgrade or remodel a home for the purpose of selling it they spend almost all of their budget on the inside flooring and new kitchen appliances and leave very little for the lawn care, which is the first thing a buyer sees. It has been said that a first impression may be the last so you need to address this issue if you really want to sell your house. A seller may have the very nicest house on the block inside the doors but if the yard is little more than green, or possibly brown, grass you have not presented the appealing picture that you could be presenting.

Why not budget a little for a professional lawn care service to help you design an attractive frame to display your house and then continue to do proper lawn care on it until it is sold? You can negotiate with a professional lawn care service for a short term open ended contract to do landscape maintenance that suites your specific needs and relieve yourself of the physical work. While you are upgrading the inside they will be beautifying the outside. By the time you have finished the inside, the outside should also be ready to sell. If the outside is finished before you are, that is even better. You will be drawing buyers to your house before you put up the sign.

The landscape design you give your lawn care service should be attractive but not overdone. It also should not be underdone, which is more often the case. If the planting beds near the foundation of the house have well maintained shrubs and flowers, and there is one other planting area near the street that harbors a beautiful tree along with some low growing shrubs or large boulders along with flowers or cactus strategically planted around them the rest can be beautiful green grass. All this greenery needs to be fertilized, watered regularly and mowed weekly. The weeds need to be pulled and dead leaves removed on a weekly basis, too. Even in winter someone should be walking the yard each week to make sure potential buyers see only an attractive landscape where ever they set foot in the front or the back of the house.

The skilled staff of a professional lawn care service is suggested because the task of truly keeping a lawn in tip top shape can be a challenge for the average busy home seller. Since homes do not normally sell "quickly" in today's market you may need to provide for the yard service for a few months. You never know when the perfect buyer will be walking or driving by, and if your yard space and lawn are kept attractively maintained during the entire selling period, you are more likely to generate interest and make the sale sooner because your house is just so darn pretty they can't let it go.

Precision Lawn Care, Inc. will work within your budget and has provided high-end landscape maintenance in the Atlanta area for more than 16 years. They introduced their specialty, which is reel-cutting to create healthier grass, in 1994 for home owners, commercial and industrial properties, and home owners associations. Their detail-oriented landscape crews are devoted to creating and maintaining the healthiest, most beautifully manicured "curb appeal" that a buyer could desire.

Article Source: Pristine Lawn Care Helps to Sell Your House

Are You a Senior Interested In Gardening?

Gardening for Seniors by Yardshare.com

Ask gardeners in their golden years why they still garden, and you’ll probably receive a variety of answers.

“I love it, and it keeps me going.”
“It gives me something to get up for each day.”
“My garden is my pride and joy; it’s been with me for many years, and I intend to give it loving and tender care as long as I can.”
“My garden warms my heart. It gives me pleasure and serenity”
“You’re never too old to garden. Gardening has added years to my life.”
Those are just a few remarks you might hear from these active seniors, these dedicated gardeners. But some of them are also quick to add, “I can’t do as much as I used to do. I’ve had to slow down, but I’m not giving up.”

Gardening is a healthy, stimulating physical activity that, with some consideration for ways to lessen the load, to continue gardening with a little less effort than we put forth in our earlier years, can be enjoyed on into our eighties and nineties. Here are a few suggestions and ideas to help you keep enjoying the fun of gardening as a senior gardener.

Benefits of Gardening in our Senior Years
Let’s first look at the benefits of gardening, the reasons why you should keep on, keeping on.

• It is a most enjoyable form of exercise that can increase levels of physical activity and help to keep you mobile and flexible.
• It continues to improve our endurance and strength.
• It can help to prevent diseases like osteoporosis.
• Reduces stress and promotes relaxation.
• Provides a sense of a job well done, an accomplishment.
• Provides a background for enjoying nature and the outdoors.
• Gives nourishment to our souls as well as our stomachs (as in edible gardens).

Customizing Your Garden for Your Senior Years
The garden you tended in the past may prove to be too daunting today. You may want to rethink your garden space and plan for a smaller, more selective garden. How much time do you want to devote to caring for your garden? How much physical exertion can you do without risking the pleasure of gardening? If you’re creating an edible garden, forget about the neighbors and grow only those plants that provide you with food you really like and grow just enough for you. Forget those extra vegetables that will need to be canned or frozen.

Consider gardening in raised beds or containers. A sunlit porch or an open deck makes a great “garden plot,” with rows of deep containers that are easy to weed, water and care for.

Adaptive Tools
There’s a new word in the gardening vocabulary; it’s ergonomics, which is derived from the Greek words ergon (work) and nomos (study of work). Thus, ratchet action pruners, adjustable rakes that offer back relief, garden kneeler seats and lightweight carts can be purchased at garden centers or ordered on the internet. These newly designed tools offer much-needed assistance in performing gardening chores.

Keeping Safe While Gardening
Here are a few suggestions for keeping safe and accident free in the garden:

• Warm up by walking and stretching a bit before beginning to garden.
• Prevent sun exposure by working in the garden early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
• Wear a hat and sunscreen.
• Have water or juice available to quench thirst and stay hydrated.
• Rest often; take small breaks to sit in the shade.
• Use power tools with caution
• Make sure your garden paths are free of obstructions and that they are flat and not slippery.
• Tend to cuts or insect bites immediately.
• Don’t touch your eyes or face after handling garden soil; wash your hands as soon as possible.

Some Final Words of Special Consideration
Some physical, mental and age-related conditions should be considered when older people work in the garden.

• Your skin becomes more fragile as you age, and thinning skin is more susceptible to injury from bumps, bruises, cuts and sunburn.
• Your vision is changing, and the loss of peripheral vision and diminishing eyesight can restrict some activities.
• Your thought process and memory abilities may be affected by the aging process.
• As you age, you are more susceptible to temperature changes. Be careful of dehydration or heat exhaustion.
• Your balance is often not as good as when you were younger, and falls can be more damaging to the aging body.

Don’t let the aging process stop you from gardening. Just be selective in how you garden and how much you garden. Keep enjoying the beauty of the outdoors and the special smells and sights of your garden. After all, retirement is for doing what you love.

YardShare is an online community for homeowners, professionals and amateurs alike to find creative landscaping ideas including front yard landscaping ideas and DIY tips. You can also find creative ideas with landscaping pictures for landscape design, garden design and yard projects. We encourage people to share their gardening and landscaping creations with a virtual community of likeminded people.

Article Source: Gardening for Seniors