Now that summer is here, electric bills are skyrocketing with the heat. Air conditioners are coming on by the millions in an effort to cool down. Add that to the electrical appliances, televisions and other electronics that consume power and your electric bill soars. Here are some tips to reduce those costs. 1. Closing your curtains and blinds on the sunny side of your house will help keep it cooler when temperatures are high. You can also apply window film to your windows. This will cut radiant … [Read more...]

Lyme disease is caused by a micro-organism called Borrelia Burgdorferi - a type of Spirochete bacteria. Humans are infected when bitten by ticks that carry the germ. Although the Borrelia Burgdorferi bacteria has been detected in other species of ticks it is only the Deer tick and the Western black legged tick that are known to spread the disease to humans. These ticks spend part of their life cycle attached to animals such as deer and white-footed mice, which are natural reservoirs for the … [Read more...]

A deciduous hardwood tree indigenous to Indonesia and Southeast Asia, teak is extremely dense-grained and highly resistant to rot, warping, shrinkage and swelling. Its high natural oil content acts as a natural preservative to the wood, so it can be left outdoors for decades. The first outdoor teak benches were made of recycled decking from old sailing ships. Many public parks in England are furnished with such teak benches, some of which are nearly a century old. Teak is more expensive than … [Read more...]

Vegetable gardening can be a very rewarding experience. But if you’ve never had a vegetable garden before, the task can seem overwhelming. Here are several easy ways to start your first fruit or vegetable garden. First, some vegetable gardening basics. Most vegetables need full sun, well-tilled soil, and the right fertilizers to bear fruit (or vegetables). Using the wrong soil enhancements will cause your plants to produce leaves and flowers, but little fruit. Most vegetables need long and … [Read more...]

So you want to go organic! Organic gardening does not just mean no chemicals, fungicides, insecticides, or herbicides, it means creating a natural balance in our gardens. Organic gardening starts with soil and that means recycling; recycling plants, weeds, flowers, vegetables, kitchen waste, newspapers and anything else that will break down into compost. Compost is the heart of organic gardening. What goes into the soil comes out as beautiful vegetables, flowers, shrubs and trees. Building and … [Read more...]