Don't Have A Green Thumb? Get One With These Simple Horticulture Tips!


Gardening is a great pastime and could bring many benefits. It does not matter if you grow vegetables or flowers in your garden, growing and caring for the plants in your garden can provide a meaningful and rewarding experience for you. This article can lend you a helping hand, and give you important pointers about horticulture and growing things.

Slug-proof your garden with smart perennial choices. These creatures can wreak havoc on a garden in a short time. They tend to enjoy perennials that have thin, smooth, tender leaves, especially those of young plants. There are, however, certain types of perennials that slugs and snails hate. Most of these varieties either have tough leaves or taste unappealing. Some of examples of these are achillea, heuchera, campanula, helleborus, and euphorbia.

For a garden that thrives, choose the right type of soil. Depending on the type of plants you desire in your garden, your natural soil may or may not be appropriate. It is also possible to set aside a portion of your garden to include just one type of soil.

Fertilize your garden regularly. Manure is a great garden additive, but it is important that you choose a manure that has been composted commercially so that there is less of a risk of pathogens. Many types of fertilizers are available. The type you utilize is not critical; just be sure to use one.

A touch of organic mulch will boost the potential of the vegetable plants in your garden. Mulch helps the soil surrounding the plants remain moister for a longer time. It can also prevent weeds from growing. Your plants will receive extra water and nutrients, and you'll spend less time dealing with weeds.

Consider planting evergreens in your garden that produce berries. These evergreens will color your lawn, even when other flowers are not blooming. Plants which you can purchase that offer color during the winter are the Winterberry, the Common Snowberry, the American Holly, and the American Cranberrybush.

Water your garden carefully. Use a hose with a soaker attachment to save you time, so the garden can get watered while you are doing other tasks. Be sure to keep the pressure of the water on low so that the hose does not damage the tender plants. Let your soaker hose run for a few hours while you do other things.



Gardening is a very interesting and rewarding activity. For flower horticulture, the beauty alone is rewarding. Vegetable gardening adds economic, culinary and health rewards. By assimilating what you learned about gardening into your routine, you can enjoy horticulture and all it has to offer.

Seeds, Shade And Other Perfect Gardening Ideas


There are so many tools and methods to grow an all-natural, vibrant and healthy garden. You just need to learn them and use them.

To prevent shocking your plants, you must gradually introduce new temperatures and other conditions to them. When starting the transition, leave the plants in the sun for just 1-2 hours. Over one week, gradually build up the amount of hours you leave the plants outside. Once the transition is complete, your plants will probably be able to tolerate the outdoor conditions.

When choosing plants, pick those that produce a high yield. Many times, a cold-tolerant or disease-resistant hybrid can have a higher yield versus traditional ones.

Your tool handles can double as measuring sticks. Tools with long handles, such as rakes, hoes, and shovels can be converted into handy measuring sticks. Place the handles on the floor to measure the distance between them. It's a good idea to label distances with a permanent marker. The next time you find yourself in your garden, you will have one large ruler right at your fingertips.

The first thing you can do to ward off garden pests is to ensure you are using healthy soil in your garden. The healthier the plants you grow, the more resistant they'll be to illness, fungus, or bugs. To boost your garden's prospects of giving you the healthiest possible plants, make sure you begin with premium soil devoid of salt-accumulating chemicals.



A set of knee pads is a great investment if your garden has a lot of low-growing plants. Long hours tending your garden can leave your knees sore and achy. With good knee pads, you can stay in the garden longer, and more comfortably.

Your children will enjoy being involved with your organic horticulture endeavors. Growing a garden is a great way to teach your children about nature while allowing you to have time to bond with them.

Preparing the soil for your perennial garden is easy. Simply use a spade or small shovel to get under the grass or turf and flip it over. Then, using wood chips, cover the area to a depth of three or four inches. Wait for a few weeks and plant new perennials in this area.

After your seeds begin to sprout, it is not as important to keep them warm. You should move your sprouted plants farther from the heat when they are past the sprouting stage. Take any plastic film off of your containers because they hold in heat and humidity. Watch your seeds closely to know how to go about this.

Anyone may plant gardens, but only those who are knowledgeable can get more out of their planted crops. Use the organic tips in this article.

The Solution To Your Hiring A Carpet Cleaner Predicament Lies Herein


If your carpets are in need of being cleaned, try a professional cleaning service. A professional can make a huge difference in its appearance. You can get the best carpet cleaning service at a decent price by applying the advice in this article.

Make sure to consider the reputation of any carpet cleaning company you are thinking of hiring. There are a lot of companies out there, and some are more experienced and dependable than others. Ask your family and friends if they can provide a reference, and make sure to also check reviews online to get information. In this way, you can find a good match in a carpet cleaning professional.

When you vacuum your floor, divide it into different sections to make it easier on you. This allows you to concentrate on areas more carefully without repeatedly going over the same spots. If your room is square, for example, separate the room into four quadrants when you clean.

Look into any customer reviews on the carpet cleaning service you are considering. A lot of businesses that have been in business for a while may not be as good as one might think. Do research on your own to ensure they provide their customers with high quality carpet cleaning.

If you are thinking of having your carpets cleaned, make sure that the company that you hire has a brick-and-mortar address. That way, you can always find them if you have problems with their work. You will probably want to look to another company if their listed business address is a P.O. Box.



Have the company try out several different products rather than using a single one. There are dozens of different choices for cleaning your carpets, each with its own unique purpose and carpet type. Once you discover a product that works well, continue using it as long as you have the same carpet.

If you are renting a carpet cleaning machine, be sure to read and follow all instructions carefully. There might be special details on ventilation, materials, and how to handle chemical contact. Before you even turn on the machine, you need to know all this information.

If you don't have family or friends who use professional carpet cleaners, don't hesitate to ask coworkers if they have any advice. Do not rule out anyone whom you interact with, like your doctor, the librarian, and even a friendly store clerk whom you see everyday. Obviously, their advice won't be as reliable as that of a loved one.

It's worth your while to spend at least 30 minutes vacuuming your carpet. When you spend lots of time in each area, you can remove more dirt before the cleaner arrives. You can extend your carpet's life and prevent permanent stains with this practice. The time invested will be worth the results.

Just having your carpets cleaned by an expert one time will stop you from ever doing it yourself again. Finding a company that is reliable and professional is important, and this article has helped you do just that. Let the experts handle your carpet and help bring it back to life!

Learning The Work Of Hydrovac Companies


For years, excavation jobs have been a problem, particularly in highly populated communities. Although this work takes a lot of time to be finished, Hydrovac makes it a lot easier. This is certainly the most recent technique to help you remove the soil from the soil. It uses high pressure water to soften the soil while it's sucked by a vacuum. This strategy will offer a wide range of advantages to the neighborhood so the workers usually prefer this approach. Here are a few things that you should know about the different advantages of hydro excavation.

Hydro excavation eliminates the risks of striking underground utilities like pipe lines or water main. This is the typical problem that lots of specialists are experiencing during the excavation process.



Hitting an underground utility may affect the every day routines of the folks living near to the excavation area. There is a big possibility that you'll hit these pipe lines if you are utilizing excavators and other excavating components.

This new method can be really useful since you are just utilizing water and vacuum to dig. Even if you find any pipes in the ground while digging, they won't be damaged.

If you need a faster approach to excavate underground, hydro excavation is absolutely better than the traditional digging strategies. If you're operating in a highly inhabited area, you're always thinking about the possible disruptions that it may cause if the excavation will last for several days. Traditional techniques are slow because when they suddenly see a pipe line, they have to think of a way to excavate through it. Basically, hydro excavation can finish a normal project within a few hours with no major problems so it is preferred by many folks. Since the excavation will be finished without delay, the people in the community can also go back to their daily activities without delay.

This approach has been very well known as it is non destructive and it's safer compared to the conventional techniques. The laborers will be concentrating on the target region so they do not have to excavate anywhere else. The soil will be taken elsewhere after the project is accomplished so it will not be an obstacle to the neighborhood.

Since the location is not totally damaged, restoration will be quicker. You can prevent mishaps as the area will be totally restored before the day is done.

To discover extra advice on the subject of hydrovac, try this https://www.diigo.com/profile/hydrovacedmonton.

Hydrovac already offers a lot of advantages even if it's a new method for excavation. This is actually the reason why a lot of folks are utilizing this technique instead of the traditional digging equipment.

Knowing These 10 Tricks To Understand Appliance Repair


For several homes out there, appliance repair is extremely essential, notably if you have a wide range of electric appliances within your house. Repair is essential because it's a more fiscally sensible alternative instead of changing the appliances.

You can't prevent repairs regardless of what you do even if you carry out regular routine maintenance. You may anticipate that electrical appliances will wear out while you utilize them.

Some individuals actually believe that they might avoid the repairs on their home appliances, but this kind of thing is impossible. Before you say anything about repairs on your home appliances, here are a few facts that you should learn about this.



There is no way that your appliances will be beyond repair, unless it is destroyed by a huge stone or you decided to totally ruin it. This fact means that your home appliances will almost always be repairable. You simply need to replace the broken components and it will be as good as new. Some folks decided to replace their appliances if the cost of the repair is the same as the value of the new item.

You don't need to spend a wide range of money just to repair your appliances, but the various components are a bit pricey. If it is cheaper to repair your home appliances, it is still much better than buying a completely new one.

Repairs are done on the parts of the appliances so you may state that there's always a big chance of being repaired. If you feel that the physical condition of your home appliances is still good, you may always buy a few parts and repair it. Your home appliances will surely function like a brand new model. This is only possible if you may find a reputable repair expert to do the job for you.

The price of the repairs is generally dependent upon the components that are needed to be replaced and the difficulty of the repairs. You should try to balance everything and see if repairs will be a better choice than a complete appliance replacement.

In the event you need to get even more information and facts about oven repair, visit here

To discover more concerning appliance repair,
check this.

Solid Home Improvement Advice When Trying To Sell Your Home


So you are feeling a bit dejected about your home. Many people go through periods where they want to rip everything out and start over, or they just want to move. The thing is, you can always make your home better. Why not try out a few of the tips in this article?

Don't be afraid to use bright colors in the decor of your home. Paint a wall pink or red if you want to. It's only paint, you can always re-paint it later. The most important thing is letting your own personality shine through in the style of your home.

Generally, when painting a room, you should apply a primer to the walls, to allow for better adherence by the paint. However, now there is an alternative that you may want to try. Many hardware stores now sell products that have a combination of primer and paint. This eliminates the primer step and speeds up the process of painting.

To get more advice about bathroom renovations, click here http://www.alternion.com/users/bathroomzz/

Bathroom

Redoing your floors with new tiles can be a great idea, but adding radiant heat tiles will bring a whole new level of comfort to your floors. These tiles give heat via the electricity and are stunning. Luckily, it's easy to install them yourself if you are able to follow instructions. This is a project that you can do yourself without any help. You'll be grateful you did the first winter morning that you walk into your bathroom.

When replacing flooring, think about the kind of foot-traffic that will be in the room. Stone and ceramic floors are perfect for high traffic areas such as the foyer and bathroom. Areas in your home that have low traffic, such as personal bedrooms, are better suited for flooring that is more attractive but harder to clean.

There are few tasks more satisfying than improving your home. Each improvement brightens your day or makes everyday life easier. You will be proud when friends or relatives visit and notice what you have done. So why not find a little time to carry out one or two of the suggestions that you've just read about? You'll be glad that you did.



To read more relating to home renovating, click through here.

What Are Green Energy Sources And Why Should I Use Them?


We need to understand that taking extra care of the planet is important, this is why we should continuously strive towards green energy. Green energy like wind or solar power can benefit the environment in many ways! Do you want to add some green energy to your life? Read further to find out more.

One way to conserve energy is to make sure your windows aren't exposed to direct sunlight. Another suggestion for window treatments is installing curtains or blinds. These actions will reduce the air conditioning usage during the hot summer months, and yet your home will still remain cooler. In addition to conserving energy, you will be able to save money.

There are government grants available for investing in renewable energy. Speak with the government in your area about these programs. Depending on your local energy programs, you could end up getting a renewable energy system set up for your home for free.

Have solar panels installed on your home for an easy, renewable way to power some or all of your home's appliances. Before undertaking this project however, there are a few things to consider. The major thing you have to consider before going ahead with solar panels is the amount of sunlight your home gets over the course of a day. You can't take as much advantage of solar energy if your house gets a lot of shade rather than sun.

Are you living on a farm? If so, you can rent a portion of it so wind turbines can be installed. The wind turbine will provide free energy without taking up much room. Your neighbors will also benefit from this energy source.

One thing you might consider is heating your water with solar water heaters. If you live in an area where freezing temperatures are unlikely, you can purchase systems that circulate water through solar heating systems before pumping it inside for use. You still should keep your regular water heater as a backup because there may be times when there isn't a lot of sun or you have to use a lot of water that's hot.

Every community offers different energy sources, so research the ones that are available to you. Compare costs and look up regulations on green energy and tax incentives. For instance, you may save on energy costs by heating your home with gas instead of with electricity or by using well water instead of city water.

If you have a dishwasher make sure you only run it when it is full. The dishwasher uses the same energy when full that it uses when empty, but you'll have to run it less often. When you do run the dishwasher, make sure to use the energy saving setting, which will allow your dishes to air-dry.

Green energy helps protect our environment. While all energy comes with some risk, green energy will reduce the environmental impact we have. Becoming a green person has become easier than ever, and if you put this information to use, you will be green in no time.

Some Quick Roof Tips That Will Help Your Home


If you need to fix your roof or need a new one altogether, you need to know what you are doing. This will help prevent bad decisions that can lead to more problems. This is your roof; it's important! Keep reading so you can learn more about the roof over your head.

roofers

Look over your roof at least once per year. Roofs are commonly most damaged during winter months as well as spring time. So, be sure to inspect your roof during or after these troublesome months.

Safety is priority one when roof repair is involved. You can get hurt if you try to fix a leak during a storm. Until the rain stops, use a bucket to catch the water. Later, when the roof is dry, inspect the roof and make any repairs.

Never hire a roofing contractor who cannot provide references. When you speak with the referring individual, inquire about the quality of work and overall satisfaction. It's a good idea to check out the work for your own peace of mind. You can take a look at the work the contractor is capable of.

Always make sure that you don't pay the full amount up front if you don't have to. A 25% deposit is typical, but you shouldn't pay anything over that until the work is completed. If they've already been paid in full, they may be tempted to do an inferior job.

It is very important that roofers have insurance. If your roofer does not have insurance and your property is damaged, you will have to foot the bill. You should ask your contractor to give you a copy of their policy and proof of insurance.

The best roofing contractors are those who are always on top of their licenses, credentials, and documentation. Make sure your contractor has a roofing license. They also need insurance and have other certificates as mandated in your area.

Check your roofing materials thoroughly before installation. Leaks often occur quickly due to improper installation. Be sure your shingles are sturdy and without cracks and make sure your nails are long enough to secure the shingles properly.

Talk to your roofer about what kind of warranty they offer on their work. Some companies may offer you a deal that is a little better. Also, be sure the estimate is written out and includes documentation of the warranty. This way, no one can dispute on the terms of the agreement.

Consider a living roof if you are thinking about putting a new roof on your home and you are environmentally conscious. You can use a living roof for growing flowers and many other types of plants. Living roofs will only work in some climates and on some flat roofs.

Do you feel better knowing what you know now about roofing? You should, and you are now ready to plan that roofing project. Use your newly found knowledge to make the right decisions. Use the ideas laid out here when you start planning.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roof

Need Home Improvement Advice? Try These Great Ideas!


Feng shui can be used to give your rooms a positive energy. Some people believe that having a clear doorway can help bring fortune to your home. The following article gives many techniques to use in your home improvement projects.

You should always obtain a professional inspection before you buy a home. By hiring a professional, you can find out what needs to be fixed without simply relying on the seller's word or what you see. A professional can give you unique insights and suggestions and can provide amicable solutions.

Consider purchasing a combo unit washer/dryer if you reside in a small space. A lot of combo units are as small as a dishwasher. A combo unit washes the clothes and when done switches to a dryer.

To find extra facts about home renovation ideas; visit this site.

If you want just a small improvement, go and buy a gallon of paint. New paint could make your home look new and it doesn't require a whole lot of time or money. If you are aiming to sell your home quickly, a new coat of paint can do the job.

Don't forget about safety. Any project involves risk; therefore, you should thoroughly read over instructions on any power tools you plan on using. If you need help, don't be afraid to ask the store associates to offer you some advice. You can turn to online tutorials, if need be, for further information.

If you want to install a new screen for your window but are unable to find one the right size, it is simple to make one yourself. Frame kits allow you to cut the frame to any size, and the screen can be attached using an inexpensive too and cording. Some windows require a special type of screen, but attaching an external screen is easy with adapters.

Having the right lighting in a room can make a huge difference. A bright room feels warm and inviting. If you need more light, consider installing a second fixture. Adding more light to a dark room can have a big impact on your house.

Finishing your home's basement is, possibly, the best improvement to make. This extra room created is great for your family right now, and it will certainly stand out as a great feature for any family wishing to purchase your home in the future. You buy the needed materials from discounts' stores. Finishing your home's basement can increase your home's resale value by over 30%.

If you live in an area surrounded by undeveloped land or wooded areas, you might want to invest in a tall privacy or chain-link fence for your backyard. This will prevent curious animals such as coyotes, rabbits and skunks away - specifically if you want to have a garden.

Feng shui is the idea that the placement of furniture can impact your home's energy flow and have a difference in your quality of life. The use of feng shui improves your home through the simple concept of arranging your furniture to generate the most fortuitous energy patterns.

If you still want extra insight concerning house renovating, click through here.

Joel Howald - Fort Worth DIY Examiner - Home Improvement.




Fort Worth DIY Examiner



Joel Howald, architect and author, specializes in home and gardening. His ability to include personal sketches with his work is unique. Father and grandfather, Joel lives in Forth Worth where Kenai and Leila, the felines of the household tell him what to do besides his significant other. His life experiences range from Alaska to Miami to Winter Park, Florida. his youth and young adult years were in Corpus Christi, Texas. He is also an Eagle scout. You can reach him at carter.howald@gmail.com.



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Wooden floors or tiles




ryankettposted 4 years ago

I would say solid wood, and I currently have about 19 square metres of the stuff stacked in my bedroom waiting for somebody to fit it in my lounge.



I would say however that you should be very careful when buying. If you are buying a solid oak floor then you should really be looking at buying planks which are at least 18mm thick. Otherwise your run the risk of bowing or splitting and you will soon find yourself replacing.

Some cheaper wood alternatives can be bought a little thinner, Parawood is a good alternative and very hard wearing - 15mm Parawood should suffice. I wouldn't recommend Bamboo flooring - scratches, dents, and marks far too easily. I wouldn't recommend veneered flooring either, as you generally cant extend the life through sanding. Getting a wood floor which can be sanded 3, 4, or even 5 times in its lifetime will make it a fantastic investment. Real wood top layer flooring can be OK, but you are looking at getting just 1 or 2 opportunities to sand down in the future if opting for this.

I have read a lot about wooden floors over the past 6 weeks, maybe I should be writing a hubpage on this lol

Spending $5 extra per square metre can be the difference between a beautiful long-lasting floor and something which will be lucky to last a decade. I can't wait to get mine laid, it looks fantastic.



http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/56996

Technology :: Battery Restoration, Part 1




Batteries are vital in our society, an upper level in the scale of ability for humankind. They give us the power to store and manipulate energy. They are everywhere from our watches, cars, computers, pacemakers to the space shuttles and the space station. The more complex is a society the more omnipresent and the more dependent we are.

A big downside is that most batteries have a limited lifespan and although replacing some is relatively inexpensive, replacing others can be a big blow to our personal economics. Thus anything we can do to reduce that blow is something that deserves our attention. That is the reason for this article.

The subject is such that I divided it in several parts. The first part is dedicated to the lead-acid battery restoration. They are the most broadly used rechargeable batteries today and replacing them has become quite expensive due to the constantly rising cost of the lead and lately the sulfuric acid. We find these types of batteries in our cars, electric cars, golf cars, trucks, motorcycles, airplanes, boats, forklifts, solar systems etc.



Now, to bring an easier understanding about how to restore a battery, we are going to start by explaining simply and briefly about what a battery is, how it works and why it fails.

Let's start by defining what a battery is; in general a battery is a device in which chemical energy is transformed into electrical energy. For practical reasons batteries are classified in two types: a "primary battery", when the battery can only be use once (disposable) because the chemical reaction that happens inside is not reversible by simple means and the "secondary battery", when the chemical reaction can be reversed by applying electrical energy to the battery (rechargeable). This reverse reaction capability is what enables the batteries to be reused as storage devices.

How Does a Battery Work and why batteries fail?



The simplest batteries, better call cells, are composed of two lead plates, one charged positive (lead oxide) and one charged negative (lead), with a chemical solution between them, generally a watery solution of sulfuric acid. The most complex ones have a larger number of cells but the basic principle is the same.

Batteries produce a direct current (DC); it always flows in the same direction. When you use a battery (discharge) the chemical reaction is releasing electric energy through the negative terminal. The reaction of the lead and lead oxide with the sulfuric acid produce lead sulfate, water and releases electric energy (electrons). If you discharge the battery too much you will have mostly water and lead sulfate that in such conditions tends to crystallize.

When you charge a battery, you put electrons (electric energy) into the battery through the negative terminal, that energy activates the lead sulfate breaking it into lead and lead oxide and sulfuric acid. That causes a chemical reaction which stores electricity.

The electric current is produced by the presence of a surplus of electrons from the negative plate that flow toward the positive plate that has a deficiency of electrons via the sulfuric acid.



In summary the chemical reaction which stores electricity in the battery involves transformation of lead sulfate in an aqueous environment into the lead on the negative plate, and the lead oxide on the positive plate, and an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid. Conversely, when the battery is used (discharged) the interaction of the lead and lead oxide with the sulfuric acid produces, lead sulfate, water and electric energy (electrons). These reactions work in both directions.

There is one tragic flaw! Lead can combine with sulfate in two different ways. The first, discussed above, is beneficial. The second way forms a crystal which does have very little or no capability to efficiently conduct electricity and cannot easily be converted back to lead or lead oxide. Every discharge leaves a fine layer of crystals on the plates which little by little reduce the available plate surface (battery's reaction area) and consequently the battery's potential to store and release electricity. As a wider and thicker area is covered with this lead sulfate crystal, the battery loses power until it is not longer worth using.

What can be done about it? How to restore a Battery?

Before covering what things can be done to restore a battery I find necessary to clarify a bit further about two divisions on the types of lead-acid batteries. The Deep Batteries and Starting Batteries, each has their own peculiarities and applications.

Starting batteries are the ones used in Automobiles; these batteries have generally many thin plates. They make the battery capable of providing as much current as it is possible in a relatively small unit. This kind of batteries is designed to be drained small amounts before they are charged again.

Deep-cycle lead acid batteries have thicker plates to aid durability, they resist more deep discharge cycles than the starting ones. Deep batteries are used in Golf carts, electric cars, are recommended for solar systems, etc. A deep cycle battery is designed to provide a moderate amount of current for a long period of time.

If they were athletes the starter battery would be a sprinter and the deep battery a marathon runner.

Car batteries are not designed to deep discharge. When you do deep discharging, active material on the plates is dropped. If you have thin plates very soon you will have holes in the plates and permanent reduction of the plate surface, consequently reduced current output and storage.

Now that we have clarified all this data on the next part we are going to go over the most common methods of battery reconditioning.

http://www.articlebiz.com/article/174151-2-battery-restoration-part-1/

How To Figure Out The Right Schwinn Bike Parts For Your Restoration




So you were helping clean out your uncles garage and you came across this old bike that looked pretty cool but it was missing a lot of parts and you were about to throw it to the trash when you had a second thought. You took it home to check it out and everyone else thought you were crazy to even give it a second thought. It would be a waste of money but it was a Schwinn and you had heard that name before. You wondered if you could even get Schwinn bike parts today.

So you started doing some looking online and found parts for this old Schwinn relic could still be obtained but it was going to take some effort on your part to find the ones you need. With all the online presence of cycling nuts you first thought that finding replacement bike parts would be fairly easy but you soon found out that vintage parts aren't that easy.

There was a lot of information the sellers online were looking for about your bike that you needed to figure out. But being absolutely new to this you were struggling to know where to find out all you needed to know.



Then you discovered a great book the "Schwinn Tech Spec guide version 1.2". It has a huge amount of information on Schwinn bikes all in one place. It truly is the largest and most complete book on vintage Schwinn bikes ever assembled.

The guide on vintage Schwinn bicycles and parts is exactly what anyone needs that is looking the repair or restore a vintage Schwinn bike. It has 500+ pages that are full of information and photos. It has chapters on just about anything you want to know: frames, wheel rims, badges, chainguards, Shifters, Seats, Lights and what may be most important the serial numbers and so much more. So if you are fixing or collecting vintage Schwinn bikes, this is one book you need to own as it is the most complete reference book on Schwinn ever compiled.

Though you can probably find the same information else where I am sure you will have the do a lot more looking.

Once you have the information about your bike and the parts you need it is a lot easier to find them. Well ok you still need to maybe do some looking but you at least have a whole lot better idea of what you are looking for. This labor of love that you are embarking on is no small task and I know there are going to be a million questions along the way but the results are going to be worth every minute.

Schwinn has been manufacturing many very recognized bicycling since 1895. Some of the classic models are Sting-Ray, Varsity and Continental. Restoring a Schwinn bike back to its glory will require finding original parts though some parts could be substituted if you had to often they used nonstandard parts on their bikes.



If you have started on a journey of restoring one of these classics I am sure you are going to want to use genuine Schwinn bike parts as much as possible. Have fun and enjoy the experience.

By: Dave McIntosh

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Dave McIntosh has enjoyed cycling for years. If you are looking for more great information on Schwinn Bike Parts, visit Used Bike Parts.

http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/How-To-Figure-Out-The-Right-Schwinn-Bike-Parts-For-Your-Restoration/2929202

10 Steps to Yard Work Safety - Tampa Bay Holisitc Wellness




As spring turns into summer, more yard work will be required. Whether you are a seasoned gardener who enjoys the outdoors or just a weekend lawn manicurist trying to get the job done, you should always proceed with an element of care. You don't want to become one of the 400,000 people in the United States that end up in an emergency room each year with a yard-work related injury.



Apply these 10 safety precautions to keep yourself and loved ones safe:

Never allow children or pets in the yard while you are using power tools. This includes a lawn mower, weed whacker, edger, hedge clippers, chainsaw, or any dangerous cutting machine. If you do, you may be setting the stage for an accident to happen. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Always wear shoes and long pants when using gardening power tools to protect your legs and feet from flying rocks.

Never wear gloves when using gardening power tools because they could cause you to lose your grip when handling a powerful machine.

Get a lawnmower with a grass-collecting unit. It can help catch small objects that are unnoticeable within the grass, which can be propelled at you.

Always use gardening goggles, even if you wear glasses. Activities such as cutting branches overhead, spading dirt in a flowerbed, and weed whacking around the edges of solid obstacles can cause wood, pointed pine needles, stones, or clumps of dirt to hit or pierce your eyes.

Always wear protective gardening gloves when weeding or using hand tools like an axe, hoe, shovel, spade, rake, or broom to avoid nasty blisters. Otherwise, you will get them before you even notice any pain.

Never use a chainsaw when you have become fatigued. Even if you are in the middle of a cutting chore, save it for another day if your arms and hands are tired of gripping this vibrating machine. Upper muscle fatigue can cause severe injuries to lower limbs with accidental slippage of this dangerous power tool.

Never use a chainsaw or hand saw while standing on a ladder unless someone else is there to help you. Your helper can hand you the tool once you are at the desired height, hold the ladder steady while you work, and lower the tool before your descent, making the job 100 times safer.

Always probe the ground with a spade or shovel in the area you will be using an axe to remove tree roots that are in the way of planting gardens or scrubs. This will help you avoid cutting through water pipes or dangerous cables buried in your yard.

Always clean and put your tools away immediately after using them. This will prevent accidents, such as tripping over tools and garden hoses in the yard, which causes thousand of injuries each year. Properly cleaning and maintaining your dangerous power tool equipment will also keep it from acting up the next time it is in use.



Creating lovely garden scenes, colorful flower beds, and delicious vegetable gardens can be entertaining and rewarding, but don't become a statistic. By applying these simple safety rules you can have a beautiful yard without any accidents.

http://www.examiner.com/article/10-steps-to-yard-work-safety

Gardening :: Rare And Exotic Garden Perennials For Landscape Planting (Page 1 of 2)




The term, 'perennial plant', means simply that the plant returns following severe freezes, to grow again the next year. Trees are cold hardy tested perennials by nature, some trees that are evergreens and do not go dormant, but merely slow down during various seasons, and other shade trees enter dormancy and shed the leaves. Tree growth of shade trees may stop altogether in extremely cold climates, but in the spring, will surge with buds that open to flower and leaf out.

Great difficulties arise in assigning a plant, 'perennial', mainly because the primary determining factor, temperature range varies from year to year; and every century extreme cold temperatures may erase certain plant populations that have survived in areas before for decades or sometimes even centuries. A perennial plant may be a survivor, thus a "perennial" for a given growing area, then suddenly may become extinct in that growing area. The USDA has constructed a zone map that reveals averages of temperatures reached by the location in your State. This map is a nursery tool used to predict whether a perennial will live (cold hardy) in your area.

Agaves are a diverse genus of over 200 species of rosette, spear-like, leafed evergreen perennials. Agave typically grows as low shrub-like plants in dry or well-drained soils of the Southern part of the U.S. from New Jersey down to Florida, and then West to California. Many Agave species, such as Agave americana or Agave tequilana, have sharp recurved, protective teeth running along both sides of the blade of its semi-curved, lance-shaped leaves, with a sharp needle-tip lance at the end. There are Agave species, like Agave attenuata, and Agave stricta, that do not have sharp-teeth at all, but are smooth. The color variations of Agave plants range from shades of green, to silvery-grey, bluish-green, top yellow or white stripes, such is the case with Agave americana 'media-picta'. The bloom of mother Agave plants are a beautiful array of pendulent bell-shaped, creamy-white flowers soaring high above the mother plant on a flower stem that may reach 20 feet or more for some agave species. The bloom period of a mother Agave plant is during the summer and the flower stalk is magnificent to behold, however, this event means the cycle of life ends for mother Agave and begins again for her Agave offspring. Agave plants are an excellent choice for rock gardens or well drained soils that lend themselves well to terracotta or cement planters. Agaves are fairly slow glowers so expect higher prices on these sunloving garden jewels at retail garden centers. Huge specimen agaves can be quickly delivered by semi-trucks.

The ancient Egyptians in 1500 BC grew the Aloe for healing, and while the Pharaoh held all the Jews in captivity, aloes were used as cosmetics and for the sacred healing power of this mysterious perennial. The Book of John, in the New Testament Bible, John 19-39, records that Jesus' body was wrapped in linen cloths and aloes after the corpse was removed from the crucifiction cross before burial. Aloes are evergreen perennial plants that grow as shub-like, climbing or tree-like plants. The aloe plant leaves are fleshly, succulent, long tongue-shaped groups of rosettes, or as star-patterned limbs. Most forms of the aloe, 300 species genus, have toothed leaf blades with soft to piercing hard teeth. Aloe saponaria and Aloe vera are the two most commonly found containerized aloes in homes and gardens. Aloe vera plant extracts have long been used by mothers on their children for fast relief for minor cuts and burns. Aloe saponaria is cold hardy down to freezing temperatures and is widely grown in Southern gardens for the beautiful, coral-colored, tubular blossoms and for the making of medicated soap. Most aloe plants are small, 1-3 foot tall and width, however, a few tropical aloe species, such as Aloe marlothii grow into large, 120 foot succulent trees. Aloe plant varieties may vary enormously in color from yellow, red to blue-greens, or to spotted or striped with random variegation.





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A stray cat had kittens in my backyard, what do I do?


There's this stray cat, a sweet female, who has wandered around my backyard and neighborhood for a few months. I could never catch her or the other neighborhood cats but anyways...over the past two days I've been hearing meowing coming from my neighbor's house, so I assumed that some of the strays had kittens under my neighbor's house. Turns out, that sweet female gave birth to three kittens in my dad's tool shed.

Since the shed has sharp objects, chemicals and charcoal, I thought that it would be too dangerous to let the cat and her kittens stay there. I made her a cardboard house with a blanket and gave her plenty of food, but she decided to carry her babies into my GARAGE when she saw that the door was open. My garage is like...something out of Hoarders but with power tools, so I spent an hour clearing it out to find her and the kittens.

They made it out and settled under my deck, which is really hard to squeeze under. I shoved the cardboard box there in case she'd want to put her babies in there but she won't! Instead she just lets the babies lie on all of the concrete, dirt and webs that are under there. If the mother sees the garage door opens she immediately wants to move them into the garage.



I can't bring the cat inside since my dad is a cat hater who makes threats of hurting them, my mom is afraid that the mother will hurt someone (she is a stray after all so she could be diseased) and my dog would probably use them as a chew toy.



I have no idea how to handle cats and no idea how a cat's mind works. I'm totally clueless when it comes to cats. I've also never had much exposure to cats. So, can anyone please help me out?

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20140309183334AAThUp3