All Around the House

Fleas are never welcome house guests. Whether they arrived by way of your pets, your guests, or as hitchhikers on your clothes or shoes, fleas can be a nuisance. They multiply quickly so it’s important to take action at the first sign of a flea. Following are some tips to de-flea your home, your pets and yourself – without the use of harsh chemicals or toxic sprays. 7 Nontoxic Flea Control Tips Wash everything. Wash pet beds, any pet linens and your own linens if your pets spend any time on, in or near them. Fleas lay their eggs everywhere, so destroying their environment will greatly help to reduce the flea population in your home. Fleas drown in water so it’s important to wash all fabrics and upholstery early and often. Bathe your pets. Bathe your pets regularly to help get rid of fleas. No special shampoo is needed – since fleas drown in water, a gentle, non-irritating pet shampoo will do the job. Vacuum. Vacuum your carpets and rugs, especially around any pet beds. Vacuum ...

Many houses have 8 to 10 feet of land on one side or the other between the house and the property line. Garden homes or town homes often have a narrow, fenced plot of ground in the front or back. These areas can be challenging to landscape because the space has awkward proportions, and sunlight may be scarce if there are adjoining houses. Proper planning and experimentation with different plants and gardening techniques can create stunning gardens in these often under-utilized areas. Narrow Space Landscaping Ideas Espalier a Tree or Shrub This space-saving method of training a tree or shrub to grow flat against a wall or fence adds a classic, old-world touch to a small garden without using up valuable ground space. Espalier designs may be casual and free flowing or structured and formal according to taste. Slow-growing plants such as sasanqua camellia keep pruning to a minimum and make ideal plants for espalier. Fruit trees are popular choices for this technique, but they require a...

Bathrooms can be a haven of relaxation, however if mildew is growing, counters are overflowing, and hair and dust balls line the floor, the idea of lingering in this room is not appealing. Even if the idea of a clean bathroom is appealing, the idea of a three or four-hour cleaning regiment might not be the motivation needed to complete the bathroom’s spring clean. Instead of trying to complete the cleaning project in one day, spread the chore over several days in 15-minute segments.   Daily Bathroom Cleaning Schedule The first day Clean out any drawers, cabinets, or closets in the bathroom area. Usually items are found that are unnecessary, outdated, or no longer used. Throw away or recycle any material, products, or linens that fit one of these categories. The second day Take items off of the countertop and decide what should be kept, thrown out, or recycled. Try to store most items in the drawers, cabinets, or closet in order to eliminate the clutter. If it is too ...

One should be aware that plants properly placed in our landscapes can save both energy and dollars. As you plan your landscape or add to an existing landscape, consider locating plants where they will save energy and money. Windbreaks have long been used on farms to help divert wind and control conditions. Even in the home landscape, a small planting to divert the wind can be beneficial. Evergreen plants placed to the north or northwest of a home to break the prevailing wind can reduce heat loss and fuel consumption. Where adequate space is available, several rows of trees may be used. However, in a limited area only a few are still helpful, although less effective. Where adequate space is available, the ends of a windbreak should extend 50 feet to each side of the area to be protected. A windbreak is effective for eight times its height, so even before the plants become as high as your house they will provide beneficial effects. Pines can be used for windbreaks, but because they ten...

Whether you are installing ground covers or planting a new flower garden, soil preparation is often a major hurdle. Not only do you have to eliminate weeds and/or lawn grass, but you also need to spread organic matter over the site and dig it in along with other soil amendments. Spreading compost and digging it into the soil is a major workout, and is great exercise, but it can be very bad for your back. By planning ahead and waiting a few months between preparing and planting, it’s possible to eliminate most of the back-breaking work. No-dig Supplies and Scheduling At the very least, you’ll need a pile of newspapers and a pile of mulch such as shredded bark or bark chips to use this method. If your soil is extremely clayey, compacted, sandy, or poor, add a generous supply of compost and even some topsoil to the list. Watch the weather, too. You are going to be spreading newspaper, so select a day when it isn’t too windy. Use this smothering method any time, but you’ll need to plan...