Handy Man Fix Home Repair

As our summers get hotter and water gets a lot scarcer, it’s becoming more important than ever to plant trees and flowers that can take the heat. If you want your yard to look great all through the summer, you’ll need to get smart about your plantings and find the best varieties for your area. The best place to start is your local nursery, but here are some great trees and plants that are wonderfully drought resistant.

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 Old Post Promoter

• How to Keep Plants Safe This Winter If you have planted perennials in your garden this year, there are a few things that you’ll have to do to make sure that they make it through the winter. Warmer climates usually do not have this problem, but if your nights do get near or below freezing, protecting this......
• Easy Ways to Increase The Value of Your Home As the housing market continues to struggle, many homeowners are looking into ways to increase the value of their homes. However, a common issue that keeps these homeowners from making improvement is the lack of availability on home improvement loans, and a lack of available funding. Luckily, there are many......
• How to Make a Fenced Yard To help enclose your space and provide some privacy, building a fence around your yard is a good project that doesn't have to be difficult. All it takes is careful planning and the proper execution of the following steps. First, you should find out how tall the fence should be,......
• How to Clean Your Own Gutters If your house is equipped with gutters and you can't remember the last time they were cleaned, it's best to get proactive and do it yourself. While there are services that can come do this for you, it's actually quite easy and just about anyone can do it safely. Before......
• 6 Tips for Getting Your Lawn Ready for Winter Even though you may be done with mowing for the year, that doesn’t mean that your lawn doesn’t need more attention before winter strikes. Whether you live in a warm climate or a cold one, by taking the time to take care of your lawn before winter comes, you can......

• Are the leaves turning where you live? Where I live, the leaves do not turn, but where I'm visiting, they are just beginning to turn, even though the weather is so hot, it feels like the tropics. Indian Summer, indeed! I am enjoying looking at the trees. Every window has a new vista. And there are still......
• Trees, part 6 Skyscrapers of nature: 'Wild Trees' I wasn't surprised today when I found, while looking at something else, an email I had saved that linked me to this book and article. The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring sounds like an intriguing book. Did I mention that Sillett, like many of the other men......
• Update on Michigan ice storm I got an email from a friend in Michigan. She says it is sunny and cold again today. She is going to go out at noon and drive around. Some people, even in her neighborhood, just got power restored. Some are still waiting, running water through their pipes to keep......
• Trees, part 3 ...a divine dimension of life I thought this was one of the most beautiful metaphors/examples of the divine spark that shines through us all. I hope you enjoy it like I did. Karin I got up early one morning to catch the sunrise. There had been some freezing rain overnight, which coated all the trees......
• Cute Country Landscaping Ideas If you are designing a country garden landscape, you are probably already aware of the fact that there are an endless myriad of different things that you can do to turn your landscaping endeavor into something that is truly unique. There are all kinds of different elements in your landscaping......

• Nut Trees Plants, Seeds Bulbs Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living
• Shade Trees Plants, Seeds Bulbs Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living
• Fruit Flowering Trees Plants, Seeds Bulbs Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living
• Trees Plants, Seeds Bulbs Gardening Plants Yard, Garden Outdoor Living
• Artificial Trees Christmas Modern 1946-90 Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles

Window boxes add charm to any home and they are so easy to install that anyone can do it. You’re going to need to get a few things together before you get started. Your tools will include:

• window box
• brackets
• a level that is longer than the window box you are installing
• a power drill
• a screwdriver
• a measuring
• some extra screws just in case

You’ll also need to have your window box and its brackets. Remember, never install a window box that has soil in it. It’s far too heavy and unwieldy. Add that soil AFTER you’re done.

Ok, let’s get going. First, you’re going to need to measure the window where you want to put the box. If you have double hung or normal windows, make a mark about an inch below the sill. If you have windows that open outwards, make a mark around six to eight inches below the sill. Please note that the height of your window box may vary. Allow enough space for your window to open. Measure out the width of your window box and make a second mark below your sill that is the appropriate amount of space under your window.

Now, take your first bracket and line it up evenly. Use that level to make sure that the bracket is plump. (turn the level so that it is facing up and down instead of sideways.) Put the bracket back down and drill the hole into your house first. Now, put the bracket back up and put in the screw. It will bite down into the material under the siding or facing, don’t worry. Check to make sure it’s plumb and add in the remaining screws for the bracket.

Now, grab your second bracket and place it over your second mark. Make sure it’s plumb first, and then turn the level on its side to make sure that both brackets are level. Repeat the above process to attach it to your house. Check one more time to make sure that everything is level before proceeding. It is important to make sure that you are using screws that are rated to carry the weight of your window box.

Once both brackets are in place, take your window box and place it on the brackets. Now, run in the house and open the window. You should not have any trouble opening it. If you do, lower the brackets before proceeding. This makes it a lot easier than testing after you’ve attached the box. Go back outside and make sure that the window box is level.

Attach the box to the brackets and you’re almost done. If you need to paint or stain the window box to fix any holes, do so now. It’s probably best to make sure that most of the staining or painting is done before you hang the box to avoid painting your house by mistake. Fill the box with soil, plant your flowers and you are done!

Photo Credits: 1

If you have a container garden that you’ve been carefully tending all summer long, it’s time to start thinking about what you plan to do with it for the rest of the year. Depending on the types of plants you have, you may be able to enjoy them all year round, simply by bringing your container garden inside. It’s easier than it sounds and with the right materials, you’ll be able to enjoy your garden, even if it’s thirty below.

The first step is to clear out a space in your home where you can place your plants. If you have several, you may want to consider using nesting tables, or a terrace system to help make the most out of your space. Ideally, the plants should be placed near a southern window where they will be able to get the most natural light. However, it is a good idea to make sure that the window does not have any gaps that let in cold air.

Once you have your place picked out, you can start either adding small tables or you can put down a rug to keep your floor safe. It’s not a good idea to place your pots right on the carpet or on wood floors since they may leave stains. If the plants need a lot of water, you may want to consider placing waterproof material down on the floor, under where the pots will be kept. This will keep your flooring safe and make it easier to clean up.

If you don’t have a southern window with good exposure, or you simply have too many plants, you can try placing them around your home in different locations. Many people like to use an extra bathroom for plants since this a little more humid environment and will help your plants stay healthy. If you are dealing with limited space, it may be harder to bring your container garden inside, but with some careful planning and space saving, it can be done. At the very least, you can save your favorite plants.

Once you’ve got your container garden inside, the plants may need a little time to adjust to the air in your home. A humidifier will help keep their soil moist and you may need to water them more frequently when you first bring them in. Light is very important in order to keep them growing, so if you don’t have natural light, you may need to use lamps and overhead lighting to keep them healthy.

Although it is a little extra work, bringing your container garden inside is a great way to keep the winter doldrums at bay and keep your plants healthy all year round. Even if you bring in only one plant, you’ll still have a little piece of summer to get you through the cold grey days that are ahead. Give it a try and see how much fun it can be to have plants around you all year long.

Photo Credits: 1

• Fixing Warped Floors Warped flooring is a major problem for many homeowners. First, it is typically caused by water damage, and can be indicative of a major leak, but it can also be caused by excessive wear, poor original materials or even chance. Warped floors are a bit of a hazard around the......
• How to Keep Plants Safe This Winter If you have planted perennials in your garden this year, there are a few things that you’ll have to do to make sure that they make it through the winter. Warmer climates usually do not have this problem, but if your nights do get near or below freezing, protecting this......
• Green Flooring For Your Home If you are considering installing new flooring for your home, now is the time to consider reducing your carbon imprint. There are many new choices for flooring that are not only eco-friendly but also beautiful, economical and long lasting. Let’s go over some of the most popular choices for green......
• How to Remove Old Carpeting Whether you are ready to replace an old, stained carpet, or you want to completely redo your flooring, it is vital to make sure that you know how to properly remove carpet. By using the right techniques, you’ll be assured of saving not only time, but your floors will go......
• Choosing a New Flooring One of the easiest ways to dramatically change a room is by adding new flooring. Although in the past, many of us drifted towards plush carpeting, if you’re planning on selling your home, it’s time to do some rethinking. Any more, thick carpeting is associated with the 80’s and really......

• Wood Patio Sets Picnic Tables Patio Garden Furniture Yard, Garden Outdoor Living