Ideas for Your Home

Archive for the ‘Garden Ideas’ Category

Asheville, North Carolina (PRWEB) March 29, 2012

Just in time for the spring season, Blue Ridge Bracket Company will be giving container gardening kits to two of their Facebook fans. A container gardening kit consists of a planter bracket set, two pot extenders, a six inch rockit ring, and an eight inch rockit ring. The only requirement to be eligible to win one of these sets is to be a fan of the Rail Rockit Facebook page. Blue Ridge Bracket Company is hoping this will give them a chance to interact with more consumers and meet the market’s needs with new products.

Blue Ridge Bracket Company’s container gardening kits attach to wood, vinyl, composite, aluminum and wrought iron, pickets with no tools required. The brackets have given apartment dwellers new balcony garden ideas that were previously impossible. The no tools, no clamps brackets have found themselves in use to hang flower pots, show off seasonal decorations, and add space for grilling and out door entertaining. Trent Van Dyke, CEO of Blue Ridge Bracket Company says, Our company’s success is due in large to the feedback we receive from our customers. He continues, Just this year, we released the 36 Rockit Hanger based on customer demand. Trent is especially excited about the opportunity to hear more customer feedback. He understands that the consumer’s voice is an invaluable asset to an ever-growing business like Blue Ridge Bracket Company.

Blue Ridge Bracket Company hopes that this will be one of the many ways they reward faithful consumers in the coming years, and urges it’s customers and fans to look for offers like this in the future. For more information, visit their facebook page or go to justrockit.com.

Blue Ridge Bracket Company is based in Asheville, North Carolina and carries products for gardening, birding and seasonal decorating. Blue Ridge Bracket Company ships to hundreds of garden centers, wild bird stores, and hardware stores across the United States and Canada. For more information on Blue Ridge Bracket Company or their products, please visit http://www.justrockit.com. Contact Trent Van Dyke at (828)242-8577 or by mail at Blue Ridge Bracket Company 66C Fletcher Commercial Drive Fletcher, NC 28732

Durham, NC (PRWEB) March 29, 2012

Spoonflower and Robert Kaufman Fabrics have launched a competition to identify eight of the world’s best amateur textile designers and to offer one of those eight a once-in-a-lifetime chance to become a professional with a fabric collection available to crafters everywhere.

Artists and designers from all over the world are invited to visit http://www.fabric8contest.com to learn how to

Seattle, Washington (PRWEB) March 29, 2012

While many people remain active throughout the winter months, Seattle chiropractic center Belltown Spine and Wellness advises caution when embarking on springtime activities.

From outdoor pursuits to spring cleaning chores, the exuberance associated with spring weather often leads individuals to be somewhat careless in reacquainting themselves with activities not done in months. Many of these activities are easy to overlook as mindless chores or low impact athletics and can allow a lack of preparedness to introduce potentially damaging consequences.

The Seattle chiropractor has compiled a brief list of springtime activities to be wary of, as well as steps to take to avoid injury:

Spring Cleaning

We like the results of a cleaned and reorganized living space, but most of us would just as soon forget the work it takes. Cleaning refrigerators and other hard to reach areas can put us in strained, awkward positions. Also, moving furniture and storage devices can put a strain on back muscles. Being mindful of lifting properly with the legs and a straight back can avoid prolonged bouts of early spring soreness.

Cleaning Out Gutters

There are many reasons to take gutter maintenance seriously as a demanding physical activity. Not least of all is the fact that climbing a ladder is involved. Inspect the integrity of the ladder and place it on solid ground. Cleaning anything on a ladder is pretty much the definition of being in an awkward position, so make sure your movements are carefully planned while avoiding over-reaching. Take frequent breaks to allow recovery from straining in awkward positions. Some light stretching will help in between trips up the ladder.

Gardening

Spring gardening is fun and rejuvenating, but can also be problematic when it comes to back and neck pain. Many find gardening to be a relaxing way to reconnect to the soil but repetitive mention can be another danger. Be sure to take frequent breaks and don’t squat for too long. Working with gardening tools requires a good deal of twisting and lifting too, so paying attention to body positioning is very important. Warming up before gardening might sound silly but could save you a trip to the chiropractor.

Lawn Mowing

Push lawn mowers are heavy and demanding tools. It takes a fair amount of strength and technique to manipulate a mower around the yard. Tilting and pivoting, using the rear wheels is a key skill. Depending on the size and contour of the lawn, mowing can be an extremely aerobic activity. Take frequent breaks and remember to stay hydrated, even when the weather is not as warm as you would like.

Golf

Hitting the links full steam after a long winter off is a sure recipe for back pain. Even if your one of the hardcore nuts that slog around in the mud for a couple rounds in late January, the increased number of rounds inspired by good weather can make spring a difficult transition. Always remember to warm up thoroughly, once before leaving for the course, and once after you unpack your gear from the car. Start slow, being careful not to over-swing. Who knows, might even improve your game?

Milwaukee, WI (PRWEB) March 29, 2012

Unseasonably warm spring weather has gardeners across the country concerned and speculating about future problems this growing season. Fear of late frosts, spring snow showers, summer heat and drought and the impact all of this could have on plants is on their mind. We cant change the weather, but we can keep our plants healthy and better able to deal with environmental stresses such as cold, heat, and drought as well as insect and disease problems, says gardening expert, TV/radio host & author Melinda Myers.

Myers shared these tips for keeping plants healthy this season despite weather extremes and other challenges:

Start by selecting plants suited to the growing conditions. Look for the most resistant varieties on the market. Avoiding problems is the best way to save time, money and frustration.

Immunize plants against environmental stress and pest problems with a plant strengthener such as JAZ Spray.This new group of products strengthens plants own stress tolerance mechanism, so they are better able to deal with adverse conditions. Scientists found when plants were stressed or attacked by insects and disease they produced certain natural molecules. They isolated these and applied them to other plants and found the treated plants were better able to tolerate environmental stress as well as insect and disease attacks. By using a plant strengthener gardeners are proactively boosting a plants immune system before environmental stresses hit and ultimately helping it to thrive as it faces serious challenges throughout the season.

Rotate plantings whenever possible. Varying annual flower and vegetable planting designs from year to year helps reduce the build-up of pests. And be sure to start with fresh soil and clean containers each season to avoid problems. This is especially important if problems occurred last season.

Mulch the soil with shredded leaves, evergreen needles or other organic matter to reduce disease problems and environmental stresses on plants. Mulching reduces the spread of soil borne diseases, conserves moisture and moderates soil temperatures.

Monitor plants for insect and disease problems throughout the season. It is easier to control a small population of insects or pluck a few diseased leaves than trying to kill thousands of aphids.

Use barriers of floating row covers like ReeMay or Harvest Guard to protect plants from insects like cabbage worms, root maggots, and bean beetles. Loosely cover the plants with these fabrics and securely anchor the edges to the ground. The fabrics let air, light and water through, but prevent the insects from reaching the plants. These fabrics must be removed when plants requiring pollination begin to bloom.

Use eco-friendly products like insecticidal soap, light weight horticulture oils and Neem when problems arise. Be sure to read and follow label directions carefully.

And always clean up the garden at the end of the season. Remove disease and insect-infested plants to reduce the risk of problems the following season. A bit of prevention goes a long way in creating a beautiful garden that can be enjoyed all season long.

Taking these simple steps will help build healthy plants with stronger immune systems and a natural tolerance to the environmental stresses they will face throughout the season, explained Myers.

Nationally known gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Cant Miss Small Space Gardening. She hosts the nationally syndicated Melindas Garden Moment segments which air on nearly 100 TV and radio stations throughout the U.S. and Canada. She is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and writes the twice monthly Gardeners Questions newspaper column. Melinda also has a column in Gardening How-to magazine. Melinda hosted The Plant Doctor radio program for over 20 years as well as seven seasons of Great Lakes Gardener on PBS. She has written articles for Better Homes and Gardens and Fine Gardening and was a columnist and contributing editor for Backyard Living magazine. Melinda has a masters degree in horticulture, is a certified arborist and was a horticulture instructor with tenure. Her web site is http://www.melindamyers.com

Mississauga, ON (PRWEB) March 29, 2012

Driven by Solar Inc., the maker of the Recharge Mower and Recharge Tools brands, is thrilled to announce that the Recharge Tools model GTLI-10, lithium powered Grass Trimmer/Edger, is now available at Wal-Mart stores in Canada. The Recharge Tools Grass Trimmer/Edger produces beautiful finished results without nasty fumes.

Having the opportunity to partner with Wal-Mart is a great endorsement of our brand says Driven by Solar Inc., President Allan Hechtman. We proudly offer our Recharge Tools Lithium Powered Grass Trimmer to a growing audience of environmentally friendly consumers seeking sustainable solutions.

The Recharge Tools Lithium Powered Grass Trimmer/Edger includes a number of features that set it apart from others. The overall unit, including battery, weighs less than 6 lbs. allowing it to be easily maneuvered. An attached set of coasting wheels relieves the user of the burden of balancing the unit for edging. The memory-free lithium battery pack can be fully recharged in about an hour through the use of the Energy Star rated charger. This same battery is also interchangeable with the Recharge Tools Lithium Powered Hedge Trimmer.

Further setting the GTLI-10 Lithium Powered Grass Trimmer/Edger apart is how it actually trims and edges. Rather than using nylon line that frequently tangles and is the biggest complaint from users, the Recharge Tools Grass Trimmer/Edger operates using Flexiblades. These are easy to replace pliable resin cutting blades that outperform standard nylon line.

The Recharge Tools Grass Trimmer/Edger is now available at Wal-Mart retail locations throughout Canada. It is also available online through Walmart.ca http://bit.ly/z91EWg.

Additional product details are available by visiting the company website at http://www.rechargemower.com

Driven By Solar Inc., the company behind the Recharge Mower and Recharge Tools brands and registered trademarks, was established in early 2008. The company is focused on developing, producing and marketing a growing selection of environmentally friendly lawn and garden tools. The company can be reached at Info(at)rechargemower(dot)com or by calling 905-997-9300. The company credo A greener lawn. A greener planet. remains well entrenched.

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) March 29, 2012

Insect Shields EPA-registered technology converts clothing and gear into effective and convenient insect protection. The repellency is long-lasting and appropriate for use by the entire family with no restrictions for use.

Quick Facts:

Shreveport, LA (PRWEB) March 29, 2012

The Texas Avenue Community Association will host the Spring 2012 edition of the Texas Avenue Makers Fair, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, April 14. The event, which is described by organizers as not your mommas craft fair, will take place in the 800 block of Texas Avenue in downtown Shreveport. Admission is free. The Texas Avenue Makers Fair invites non-traditional crafters, or “makers,” to offer their handmade and re-purposed items for sale to the public. Original artwork, hand crafted furniture, clothing and accessories, limited edition graphics, and made-from-scratch food are only a few of the items to be offered by participating vendors. Vendor registration is open now through Sunday, April 8. For vendor guidelines and more information, visit http://www.texasavemakersfair.com and click Be a Maker.

During the Texas Avenue Makers Fair, local musicians and artists will perform for the entertainment of shoppers. Shoppers are advised to bring cash, as many vendors are unable to accept checks or credit cards. The Texas Avenue Makers Fair is a family-friendly event. For more info, visit http://www.texasavemakersfair.com, email makersfair(at)texasave(dot)org or call 318-762-8946 to speak with an event coordinator.

This edition of the Texas Avenue Makers Fair will coincide with the ASEANA Spring Arts Festival, which will take place in the Asian Gardens located at the corner of Milam Street and Texas Avenue, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, April 14. Both events celebrate art and culture and are free to attend.

For more information on these and other events taking place in Shreveport-Bossier, visit http://www.shreveportbossierfunguide.com.

NOTE TO MEDIA: A gallery of print-resolution images from the Spring 2011 Texas Avenue Makers Fair may be viewed or downloaded here.

Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) March 29, 2012

Celebrity Chef Gen Anderson of Gens Guiltless Gourmet spent the past weekend in Philadelphia preparing hundreds of vegan desserts for local Philadelphia charity ACHIEVEabilitys Food-for-Thought fundraiser. Upon her return to Los Angeles, Anderson calls for her viewers across the country to include charity and community service in their free time and especially in their vacation travel.

I was as excited about making vegan desserts for the fundraiser as I was to see the sights in Philadelphia, Anderson writes on her blog. I love to travel, and whenever I go somewhere, I make sure to check out the local attractions and try the local cuisine. But when I include volunteer work on my vacations, I get to connect with the local community on a much more personal and rewarding level.

With spring break quickly approaching, Anderson has some suggestions ready for those who want to incorporate a service element to their plans. Many destinations at home and abroad offer discounts to travelers who agree to do work on trails, help nurture plant life, or participate in community service projects.

Anderson is especially enthusiastic about the Sierra Clubs volunteer trips, which offer reduced rates and access to restricted areas in exchange for help on trail improvement projects or cataloguing wildlife. Other websites, such as Travelocitys Travel for Good program, or FlyforGood.com offer discounts to travelers in exchange for volunteer work.

The celebrity chef has recently traveled to the National Geographic BioBlitz in Tucson, Arizona, where she led one of the nighttime hiking expeditions, and gave a cooking demonstration on local desert foods. In 2011, she went to Costa Rica with the Corcovado Foundation to help preserve the local wildlife of the bio-diverse Osa Peninsula.

But volunteer vacations dont have to be so far-reaching in scope. Chef Gen also encourages her viewers to try out a volunteer stay-cation. Whether its a week or a weekend, find fun and rewarding ways to participate in local communities, such as walking dogs for neighborhood animal shelters or working in community gardens.

Gens Guiltless Gourmet airs on the ION life network and is coming to PBS family stations in fall 2012. For more information about ACHIEVEability and other volunteer opportunities, visit http://www.gensguiltlessgourmet.com.

New York, NY (PRWEB) March 29, 2012

The crocuses have been up early this year, the air is warming up quickly, so what should you be doing to get your garden ready? Brian Panessa, owner of Hilltop Farms Garden Center in Croton-on-Hudson, offers some tips.

One of the easiest things to do while you’re waiting for the ideal planting day is to clear any leaves or debris that have gathered in drainage areas over the winter. Seedlings always do better in soil that drains well so now is the best time to clear specific areas before bushes and trees begin to sprout. You can use any decaying material for composting.

Early spring is an excellent time to rake the lawn and begin to introduce light and air into the soil for stronger grass growth. Add lime to your soil if it has a pH below 6.2 as it should be added several weeks before planting. Re-seed areas that need it by using a metal rake to break up the hard bare areas and give the seeds ample opportunity to grow and be sure to water often.

Spring is also a good time to transplant any bushes, trees or shrubs because of the relatively consistent moisture in the soil. Be sure to dig down under the root ball to avoid cutting any roots and place the plant into a large enough hole to back fill with soil, compost and organic fertilizer.

Start looking for, and removing, early spring weeds. Roots are shallow now so they are easier to pull. It is also a good time to mulch in any bed areas that are bare to minimize the growth of weeds. Be sure to spread to a thickness of 3-4 inches. Some gardeners use this time to put down plastic sheeting to reduce weed growth, then mulch on top. Remember to keep mulch a few inches away from young trunks to reduce the possibility of rot that could occur around small trees and shrubs.

While we had a mild winter this year, we were hit with that ferocious October snow storm last year and many trees and shrubs suffered broken limbs and trunk damage. Now is a good time to assess the damage and properly deal with any branches or bushes that have experienced a break of some kind.

If you have an established bed, don’t dig; you could disturb a complex ecosystem which is already functioning well. Instead add nutrients from the top and let them work their way down into the soil. If you have perennials in that garden however, this is a good time to split or divide them while roots are still short.

There are several early spring vegetables that you can plant once the ground is free of ice crystals. Peas, spinach, and lettuce all do well planted early. After 2-3 weeks you can plant broccoli, cabbage, kale and other hardy vegetables. Remember to cover anything you plant early with some protection should a frost be predicted. This is also an excellent time to plant bulbs.

Early spring gardening can go a long way to ensuring you have a healthier and more robust landscape this year.

According to various studies, well done landscape design can improve a home’s value by up to 12% and homeowners can see a 100% – 200% return on their investment. For landscape design ideas and outdoor living environment options, contact Hilltop Farms in Croton on Hudson at http://www.hilltopfarmsmarket.com or call 914-358-1531.

Enter to Win a Garden Makeover from Hilltop Farms!

Hilltop Farms located in Croton-on-Hudson is looking for a garden in need of a makeover. To kick off the spring gardening season, they will select one Westchester resident to receive a complete garden bed makeover valued at $ 2,500. To enter, send a photo of your garden and in 200 words or less indicate why you feel your garden should be selected. Submissions should be sent to info(at)hilltopfarmsmarket(dot)com or they can be dropped off at Hilltop Farms located at 2028 Albany Post Road. Entries must be received by May 1st. The winner will be announced on Mother’s Day, May 13th at Hilltop Farm during their Mother’s Day Tea on the Porch event. Questions should be directed to 914-358-1531.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT HILLTOP INCLUDE:

Saturday, March 31, 10am – 11am

Wake Up Your Garden for Spring

Learn how to prepare your landscape for spring, how to sow an edible garden, plant early spring vegetables and cold crops, and how to feed your evergreens.

Saturday, April 14

The Power of Herbs

Bonnie Rogers, local Herbalist & Wellness Coach, will discuss developing a healthier lifestyle through the use of herbs including growing medicinal herbs, herbs for digestive and anxiety support as well as growing culinary spices.

Sunday, April 22

Earth Day Workshops For Kids and Adults!

Celebrate Earth Day at Hilltop Farms. Join Tony from Jonathan Green for an Eco Friendly Lawn Care workshop and at the same time the kids can attend My First Garden workshop where they’ll create their own little garden in an ‘eco-friendly container’.

Saturday, April 28, 10am 11am

Landscape Design for Improving Your Home’s Value

Learn how a well planned and effective landscape design can actually improve your home’s value by up to 12% in a one hour workshop. Bring photos of your home’s site for a brief consultation.

Saturday, May 5, 10am 11am

Creating a Deer Proof Garden

A lively discussion on how to create a landscape you love and one that deer won’t! Topics will include installing deer fencing, using deer spray, and which plant materials are more deer resistant than others.

Saturday, May 5, 11am Noon

Composting for a Healthier Lifestyle

Composting is a wonderful way to help the environment and help your family. Learn how to begin composting with Hilltop Farms experts.

Sunday, May 13

Mother’s Day Tea on the Porch

Hilltop Farms will once again offer “Mother’s Day Tea on the Porch.” Come over and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee from the Hilltop Farms caf

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) March 29, 2012

The new Henley Natural Etsy store is now open for online shoppers to purchase natural soaps and creams. Natural soap lovers can find many wonderful olive oil soaps scented with essential oils and creams made with shea butter.

Avocado Oil Soap – Indulge in the plentiful supply of avocado oil in each bar and enjoy just how wonderful it feels on the skin.

Citrus Soap – Citrus Soap is the perfect gift item for the springtime and is great to use any time of year. Essential oils create an exhilarating blend of citrus scents. Lemon, Bergamot (bitter-orange), lemongrass and clove provide a fresh, clean scent, kindling the senses and toning the skin.

Dead Sea Salt Soap – A natural soap that exfoliates the skin with an inviting lemon-lime scent.

Garden Soap – Bathe with the refreshing scent of peppermint and rosemary and let peppermint leaves and cornmeal exfoliate and revive the skin.

Lavender Oatmeal – Aromatic Bulgarian lavender is the essence that makes this the perfect scent for an invigorating lavender oatmeal soap.

Patchouli Soaps – Patchouli has a strong, earthy, smoky, and musky scent that was enjoyed by the counter-cultural hippies of the 1960s and 1970s. The rise in popularity of the patchouli scent has people still frequently asking for this scent in natural soaps. There are three patchouli soap from which to choose: lime patchouli, orange patchouli and groovy patchouli.

Tea Tree Soap – Tea tree and peppermint essential oils are used to produce a refreshing, natural aroma. Poppy seeds and peppermint leaves are added for exfoliation and rejuvenation of the skin.

Tea Tree Oil Castile Soap – Tea tree oil castile soap has the wonderfully therapeutic and aromatic properties of tea tree essential oil. Henley Natural castile soap follows the medieval tradition of simplicity.

Traditional Olive Oil Castile Soap – Castile soaps are made with 100 percent olive oil, which provides a plentiful supply of moisturizing goodness to help the skin be soft and supple. Traditional olive oil castile soap from Henley Natural is ideal for those who prefer unscented soap or for people with sensitive skin.

Shop at the new Henley Natural Etsy store this Spring for your favorite natural soaps made with olive oil and essential oils. To lean more about the soap makers at visit the Henley Natural Etsy store profile page.

About Henley Natural

Located in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, Henley Natural was founded in 2006 as a maker of natural bath and body products. Products such as natural soap, shea butter cream and shea butter body butter are made in small batches to guarantee freshness. Quality ingredients such as olive oil and shea butter add a rich, silky texture to the products and help moisturize the skin. Products are scented with essential oils and many incorporate selected botanicals and herbs. Large wholesale sizes are available for day spas and salons as back bar supplies. Visit the Henley Natural online store at http://www.henleynatural.com for product pictures and more information. For the latest natural soap happenings, craft show event dates, and more, click the Facebook Like button on the Henley Natural Fan Page.