Dear Tracy and Mary,
I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful job the two of you did on my daughter’s room. You handled all the details like pros. I must tell you both it was wonderful to come home and see the complete transformation. Her room is truly a work of art!
My only problem is that now my son wants his room done, too. Get ready for the next phase, girls. I can hardly wait to what you come up with next.
Your biggest fans,
Heather and Fred Hanover
San Marcos
How To Plant Flowers and Trees in Pots
There is a large variety of pots is many shapes, sizes and colors to improve the look of your patio. There are, however, some very simple rules to follow when planting flowers or trees in pots to help make your gardening successful. Below are some of these tips.
Make sure the pot is big enough for your plant or tree. It should be large enough to accommodate at least one year of growth.
Use good soil — packaged potting mix may be the best choice. It has been sterilized so you won’t be introducing any soil problems or diseases.
Do NOT fill the bottom of the pot with gravel or other coarse material. Surprisingly, this may impede drainage. A simple curving piece of broken pot over the drainage hole will keep your potting mixture from leaking out.
If the potting mix doesn’t have fertilizer in it, add a little bit. You will want to lightly fertilize most potted plants — indoors and out–every couple of weeks during the growing season. Or use a slow-release fertilizer.
Stir in some polymers to the potting mix. These granules retain water and release it slowly to the soil. That can mean you have to water the potted plants less frequently.
Double-pot to help protect pots exposed to direct summer sun. The inner pot should be terra cotta to absorb water to cool the pot and to allow the plant roots to breathe. The outer pot should be large enough to allow you to put insulation between the two pots to further help control heat. For insulation, use sphagnum moss, coarse mulch, wood chips or crumpled newspaper.
Move planted pots into shade on hot days.
Keep in mind that as the weather heats up, you may still have to water your potted plants two or more times a day.
Lawn aeration involves the removal of small soil plugs or cores out of the lawn. Although hand aerators are available, most aeration is done mechanically. Known as a core aerator, it extracts 1/2 to 3/4 inch diameter cores of soil and deposits them on your lawn. Aeration holes are typically 1-6 inches deep and 2-6 inches apart. Other types of aerators push solid spikes or tines into the soil without removing a plug. These are not as effective because they can contribute to lawn compaction. Core aeration is a recommended lawn care practice on compacted, heavily used turf and to control thatch buildup.
As lawns age or sustain heavy use from play, sports activities, pets, vehicle traffic and parking, soil compaction can result. Soil compacting forces are most severe in poorly drained or wet sites. Compaction greatly reduces the pore space within the soil that would normally hold air. Roots require oxygen to grow and absorb nutrients and water. Compaction reduces total pore space and the amount of air within the soil. It has a negative impact on nutrient uptake and water infiltration, in addition to being a physical barrier to root growth. This results in poor top growth and lawn deterioration. Core aeration can benefit your lawn by:
Awnings can be a great way to add value and curb appeal to your home. In addition to making sure your property is nicely groomed, adding awnings to your home will make it more attractive to prospective buyers and can increase your chances of getting a good sales price from the home.
Aluminum awnings are probably the most popular types of awnings for homeowners. One good reason for installing aluminum is the fact that they are virtually maintenance free. Although canvas awnings can usually last between five and ten years, they will eventually fade with time. Most experts agree that canvas awnings will need to be replaced within ten years. Aluminum awnings, however, can last for an indefinite amount of time.
A major drawback of aluminum awnings is the range of options available. Aluminum awnings do not come in such a wide variety of colors, styles and options as canvas awnings. If you’re looking to add color to your patio and design to your patio, this type of awning may not work for you.
Aluminum awnings usually provide better protection against solar heat. Because they are made of metal, they are more effective than fabric or canvas awnings at reflecting heat away from the home and windows. This reflection proves to be a great energy saver and can greatly reduce energy costs. This is especially true during the very hottest of the summer months.
Home awnings are perfect for a wide variety of uses, on windows, doors, porches, and decks. Retractable awnings allow you to have fun outside without getting burnt by the sun or overheating and help you create a comfortable space outdoors to enjoy in the summer time.
Another benefit is that awnings can actually help keep you cool without having to spend a lot of money. In fact, retractable awnings can save you money on energy costs by cooling your home. Because awnings block the sun’s rays you won’t need the air conditioner as much, and energy costs will go down. Plus, you’re helping out the environment. Retractable awnings also protect furniture and carpets from fading due to excessive sun exposure.
Patio awnings protect windows and doors from weather damage and provide shelter and protection when you leave the house, especially on rainy days. The great thing about retractable awnings is that you can have them custom made to fit anywhere outside your home. Patio awnings, as well as other types, come in a wide range of colors too. It’s easy to match them to your home. And if you purchase a retractable awning for a window or deck, you won’t have to manually put up and take down the awning every time you go to use it.
Awnings can be made of a wide variety of different materials. They are made of canvas, aluminum, and other materials. Aluminum awnings have different benefits and drawbacks compared to canvas awnings - it depends on what you want to use the awning for.
Keeping sunlight out of a home is an efficient and effective way to regulate temperatures and ensure your home is comfortable.
Even if you don’t need awnings to cool your home, they are great additions to the exterior of a home, making it easier to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. Also, stronger fabrics are used for awnings, so you don’t have to worry about the elements taking their toll on the fabric and causing premature fading. Beautiful fabrics make a wonderful addition to any backyard or patio, and you can choose colors and patterns that match your outdoor décor and patio furniture.
Mini blinds should be dusted regularly so that cleaning will be easier. To clean the blinds, take them down and put them in a warm tub of soapy water with some white vinegar. Swish them around a little and rinse with warm water. Hang them to dry.
To keep the dust from collecting on the blinds, try collecting the used fabric softener sheets in a little box next to the dryer. Use the old sheets every now and then to wipe the dust off your blinds. This will create an anti static reaction on the blinds and the dust won’t be able to settle on them.
The old standard for window cleaning still remains as effective as it did fifty years ago—newspapers and straight white vinegar will get windows spotless but often leaves streaks. The formula below leaves your windows clean, without the streaks, and is less expensive than commercially used products.
Dry windows on the outside in one direction (e.g. side to side) and inside in the other direction (e.g. up and down). This will help you see if there is any streaking.
The major complaint with using newspaper to clean windows is the ink stains left on your hands. To avoid this try using large coffee filters. They are lint free and relatively cheap. They also leave a shine that paper towels don’t leave. Many window frames are not only made of a delicate aluminum but are also painted, making cleaning even more of an issue. Window frames seem to pick up some of the most difficult to clean dust. Grease, sticky pollen and bugs are especially attracted to window frames. Always use a mild non-abrasive cleaner with a soft cloth as to not damage the paint or the aluminum.