Scotch Pines are a great landscaping choice that not only look great, but they are incredibly hardy. They'll be able to withstand hot summers as well as cold winters and they need a minimum amount of water to survive. These trees also grow incredibly quickly and can provide a great wind break or natural fence for your property. They usually reach between 25 and 35 feet in height and are a great addition to any property.

Cedar Trees also work well, but there is a downside. These trees are actually pretty thirsty, but do well in hot conditions. This is due to the fact that suck an amazing amount of water out of the ground. If you've got a lot of plants around your cedar trees, they are going to suffer from this. In addition, grassy areas around cedar trees can get a bit parched due to this trees thirsty ways. If you're going to use cedar trees, make sure that your other plants are far enough away so that they don't suffer too.

There are several varieties of roses that are drought resistant as well as blight resistant. Ask your nursery if they supply any of the known varieties, or you can also purchase them online. These roses usually have the upside of being able to withstand winters without being protected, so they are well worth the extra money.

Perhaps the prettiest drought resistant tree is the Russian Olive. This is a terrific shade tree and can enhance any yard. Surprisingly, despite its size, it is one of the few trees that does not need a large amount of water. It is also not picky about the soil it's in and can thrive just about anywhere. They grow to about 25 feet in height and also attract birds throughout the year.

If all else fails, consider trying a desert garden complete with cacti and rocks. It's a lot cheaper in the long run and it should be able to survive even in the most water deprived areas. After all, if they can make it in Death Valley, they should be able to take the heat in your yard.

If you're still finding it difficult to keep your lawn and trees alive, consider recycling water. You can reuse rain water, or even in extreme cases, your bath water if you do not use a lot of scented soaps. It's a little odd, but if you're facing an extreme water shortage, it is in an option if you don't mind carting water around.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-08-11 05:52:14. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• New Complete Guide to Landscaping: Design, Plant, Build by Better Homes and Gardens If you want to increase the value of your home, one of the best ways to go about it is to have your home professional landscaped. However, this is pretty costly and many homeowners, especially those with green thumbs, like the satisfaction of being able to do it on their......
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At the center of your location, drive a stake into the ground to mark the location of the pit. Tie a string to the stake and attach another stake to the other end about two feet away. Then, use the string and stake to mark out a circle around the center stake, using flour, or land safe spray paint. After marking the circle, remove the grass and other features from the inscribed circle, and dig out a depth of about a foot, keeping the sides as straight and vertical as possible. In the center of the hole, dig a square hole, half a foot square and a foot deep.

Scrape the bottom of the hole and add about four inches of pea gravel, filling the center hole all the way as well. If on an incline, utilize the pea gravel to level it out by adding extra gravel to one side. The gravel is there to ensure proper drainage of the fire pit, and the center will act as a sump to improve the drainage capabilities of the fire pit. A top the gravel, add around three inches of sand to help protect the exposed roots from any fire that may reach them.

At this step, surround the pit with two rows of pavers that are stacked atop each other. Do not use and adhesive, and dry stack them to ensure that any that break can be replaced. Right now, a choice should be made, as to whether you wish to use a container for your fire, or to have an open pit. Using a container, a flat bottomed barbecue grill works well to hold the combustibles and ensure easy clean up of ash and debris. An open pit is just the fuel placed upon the sand. Either choice, begin by soaking the sand and surrounding area with water, helping to ensure the prevention of the fire spreading. It is a good idea to have a large bucket of water or fire extinguisher around just in case something happens.

There are many ways to enjoy your new fire pit. On cooler days, a fire pit is a nice way to get warm outside in the beauty of the outdoors. Marshmallows and hot dogs cook well over the fire pit, and nothing can beat s'mores in the later evening. So long as you make sure to put the fire out completely, get rid of the ash and other unburned material, a fire pit is a safe and enjoyable adornment to a back yard.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-12-15 05:11:49. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Making the Home More Accessible When you start having to live with a family member and close person in your life, you find your perception of everything around you shifts, especially if your loved one is mobility impaired. You could be looking at the sidewalk, intersection, storefront, many differing places whose accessibility is poor. While......
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1. Fertilize in Fall.

Fall is actually the best time to fertilize, and it won’t matter as much if you do get some browning from your efforts. This will give the fertilizer plenty of time to sink down into the soil and it will be nourishing your grass seeds all winter long. Yards that are fertilized in fall are usually the ones that are the greenest come spring.

2. Feed your yard.

Your yard will also benefit from getting the right kind of food. Check at your local hardware store, or your local greenhouse for yard food that can easily be applied. You may have quite a few choices, but the key point is to find at least one product that will help keep your lawn healthy throughout the winter.

3. Protect your plantings.

If you live in a very cold area, you will need to take measures to protect your plantings during winter. Whether you are dealing with roses, or delicate perennials, taking the time to shelter them will help them come back even stronger the next year. There are many different products that will help you accomplish this, from Styrofoam covers to simple landscaping material that can be placed over your flower beds. These should be applied before the first frost, or when the plant has gone dormant for the winter.

4. Maintain

your sprinkler system. Fall is also the best time to maintain your sprinkler system and make sure that everything is operational. Many homeowners find out too late that they have a problem with their pipes that does not become apparent until winter when they break. Have a professional flush out your sprinkler system one last time before winter to ensure that all of the pipes will be free of water.

5. Cover your outdoor furniture and grills.

The back yard also needs a little attention before winter strikes as well. If you have patio furniture or grills, they should be cleaned one last time and either stored, or properly covered. This will help reduce the risk of rust, or mildew in the case of patio furniture and will help keep your investment looking great. If you have wooden patio furniture, it may be best to store it inside where it will be safe from the elements.

6. Start planning your new garden.

Winter is a time when it can seem as though spring will never come back – but if you use this time to plan out new landscaping or garden plots, it will go a lot faster.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-10-23 05:57:52. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Taking Care of Stained Wooden Floors Whether you live in an old house that has original wooden floors, or if you have a pet problem with staining, taking care of stained wooden floors doesn’t have to be difficult. Before you think about replacing expensive wooden floors, there are a few options that you can try that......
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First, you need to decide what kind of automatic sprinklers will work best for you. If you have a small lawn that really won't require a very large spray pattern, you can save money by choosing stationary sprinkler heads. These don't vary in spray or move, and have a limited reach but are perfect for a small area.

Oscillating sprinkler heads oscillate and so can cover a fairly large area with multiple streams of water. Rotary sprinkler heads have a spray arm that goes in a circle, with the spray designed for a medium or large area. And pulsating sprinkler heads, which can go in part-circle or full circle patterns, use lower pressure but discharge more water with their pulsating pattern. Less water is lost to wind or evaporation with pulsing heads because the spray is so close to the ground.

If you're planning to install automatic lawn sprinklers over a large area, it might be best to use one or two different types of sprinkler heads depending on the landscape in order to use only as much water as you need and get efficient coverage. You should map out your property on paper and plan where your sprinkler heads will go before you start, so that you can make sure your coverage will be complete and that you don't spend time and money water things like walls or driveways.

Installation Tips

While your automatic lawn sprinklers will come with thorough installation instructions there are some tips that can make the process easier, as well as give you a better finished product.

Use a built-in check valve on the sprinkler in the lowest part of the lawn. This will make sure that the water drains out properly when the flow is turned off, and prevent problems like freezing and breaking in the wintertime.

Flexible nipples or swing joints on risers cost a little more but can save you a lot of time digging and replacing them later. When a sprinkler head or riser are damaged, you have to dig around them and replace them, which isn't expensive but can be time consuming and cause more problems if dirt or debris get into the piping system. Flexible nipples or swing joints will absorb the impact if the head is bumped and help prevent riser damage.

Be sure that your automatic lawn sprinklers don't stick up too far above the ground. That's just asking for feet and lawn mowers to break them or the riser beneath. But it's also important to make sure they're not so low that dirt and debris are going to cause problems with their operation. If you're worried about damage, a donut of natural materials or decorative concrete can go around your automatic lawn sprinklers to protect them.

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Photo Credits: Mykl Roventine

Originally posted 2009-09-14 03:36:03. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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1. Go Green.

Installing energy efficient appliances is perhaps the easiest way to increase the value of your home. Look for the Energy Star label since you may be eligible for special cash back rewards. These new appliances are remarkably different from older models and many of the new refrigerators will use about the same amount of energy as a light bulb.

There are many other ways to go green with your home. Try installing a new “green” flooring system, such as bamboo or cork. These floors will add beauty to your home and you’ll feel good about your choice. You can also install energy efficient windows and more to your home to save on your energy bills.

2. Landscape Your Yard.

One of the best ways to installing increase your curb appeal is by landscaping your yard. Whether it’s a single shade tree or an elaborate garden, landscaping gives you the opportunity to have fun and improve your yard. Anyone can landscape, and with the right tools, you’ll get professional results.

3. Refresh Your Kitchen.

The kitchen is the heart of your home and for many DIY’ers, this is the place to start. From replacing cabinet doors, to adding new fixtures, there are many ways that you can make that old kitchen look brand new. If you’ve got the budget, you can tear out your old cabinets and completely overhaul the space.

Today’s kitchens are more efficient and easier to keep up, thanks to new materials and designs that make the most out of the space in your kitchen.

4. Add a Room.

Whether it’s a brand new addition, or a new way to use an old space, there are plenty of ways that you can get more out of your home and make it worth more money. Building on to your home is a great way to save money and get more space, without having to purchase a new house. Your new addition can even be something as simple as a converted garage or basement.

5. Add a Deck, or Screen in a Porch.

Looking to take advantage of outdoor space? Adding on a deck or a patio gives you a whole other room and plenty of chances for fun. Anyone with basic building experience can make a deck, and this is a great addition to any home.

A screened in porch can also be very useful, especially as a three season room. If you’re not quite ready to build on, but you still need some extra space, this is a great solution and it’s easy to do!

These are just a few ways that you can add to the value of your home and get more use out of it.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-09-11 05:58:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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