Looking for a quick housewarming gift? Fill a basket, bucket or box with essentials that any new house might need. Get creative an include something for every room. You can include dishcloths, light bulbs, kitchen gadgets and even cleaning products. You might also want to throw in any useful local neighborhood information for those who are new to the area.
You can even pick a themed gift basket, such as a garden basket filled with gardening tools.
Small space gardening can be a rewarding process. Whether you’re decorating a patio or looking to add fresh vegetables to the dinner table, we have some easy tips to get you started.
Container Gardening
Container gardening is a simple and portable form of gardening that can produce great results. Find a small space on your deck, balcony or entryway to place containers (ranging from 3 to 10 gallons). A 3-gallon container will fit one group of vegetables, where a 7-gallon will fit two or three. The larger the container, the more plants you can add.
Find a place around your home with good sunlight for the container placement. Once you have your containers arranged, line the bottoms with newspaper to prevent soil from falling out of the drainage holes when watering. Fill the containers 3/4 to the top with potting mix. Add some compost and add a small amount of slow-release fertilizer. (Try and avoid granular fertilizer when container gardening). If you use potting soil, add either vermiculite or sphagnum moss to aid the soil with draining water. The soil in your pot should be mixed well and sit 2 or 3 inches below the rim of your container once prepared.
Place your plant selection in the middle of the container and water generously. Having your containers close to the house, will make it easy for you to check them daily. This will also allow you to easily snip herbs for cooking. Expect to water the containers every other day—depending on the weather, and container size you choose.
Jump Start to Container Gardening:
find containers—3 gallons per plant average.
arrange your containers in a sunny location close to a door, for easy access to water and any picking of vegetables or herbs.
line the bottom of your pot with newspaper to prevent soil loss through drainage holes.
fill your containers 3/4 to the top with potting mix, then add some compost and a slow- release fertilizer. Mix this well, it should settle down to 2 or 3 inches below the rim of the container.
place your plant selection in the center of the container and water evenly and throughly. You’ll probably have to water every other day, depending on your container size, as well as the weather. You can add water soluble fertilizer to your watering can once a week if you choose.
Picking a Container Ideally you’re picking a container that fits both the size and style of the setting around your home. If you choose a dark colored container, it will heat up more in direct sunlight—so make sure to consider the color that will best suit your climate and plant. In addition to the style of your container, you should be looking for some growing benefits. You want a container with wide openings for your plant to expand and grow. Glazed ceramic pots will last much longer than plastic, which tend to take a beating from UV rays. Terra cotta pots dry out faster and take water from your plants. If you want a wood look, use either Redwood or Cedar, which are both fairly rot- and stain-resistant. Make drainage holes about a 1/2 inch wide at the bottom of your container (if it doesn’t come with holes already). This isn’t necessary, but drainage holes are helpful.
Ever wonder how to make your special roses last longer? A few extra minutes of care can extend the life of those flowers.
Preparing your flowers:
When you get home, cut off at least ¼” of each rose stem (use a clean knife or scissors) and place immediately in room temperature water. They can stay this way until you have a few minutes to finish caring for them.
Put fresh water in a CLEAN vase. Many bouquets die from bacteria left over from former “tenants.” Wash your vases in hot, soapy water. You can also clean vases with a mild bleach solution and rinse. Inexpensive vases can go on the top shelf of the dishwasher.
Add the floral “food” that is usually attached to the bouquet. If your store doesn’t provide it, try this homemade recipe (2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon household chlorine bleach, 1 quart warm water ).
Treat each rose separately. Cut another ¼” to ½” off the stem. Cutting them at an angle allows more surface area for water absorption. Remove all leaves that will placed below water level. Arrange each rose into the fresh, treated water.
In the vase:
Keep roses in a fairly cool spot, out of direct sunlight.
Every 2 to 4 days, cut ¼” to ½” off the stems and place flowers in fresh water. You’ll be amazed at how long they will last.
This technique works for most flowers.
How can I tell if the flowers I buy are fresh? One thing to look for in roses is a tight bud. If the roses are open, they won’t last as long. Also look at the leaves. If the leaves look yellow or dry, the flowers may be older.
Are you wondering if LED lights are really more efficient and less damaging to the environment than other household bulbs or devices? The answer is “yes” to both. The comparisons below are based on a higher-quality LED bulb, which could cost as much as $15—but the difference in energy consumption and lifespan clearly mark LED lights as a winning technology.
Energy efficient & maintenance free: LED-based devices are highly energy efficient. LED devices save up to 70% electricity, in comparison to conventionally lit devices. That’s equal to 10 -12 years of continuous operations.
Low power dissipation: LED devices offer high-energy efficiency, which means they emit less energy as heat dissipation, compared to conventional lighting.
Eco-friendly product: LED lights do not contain mercury like their counterparts, incandescent and fluorescents lights. Without poisons, these lights help to reduce toxic waste.
Quick Facts Life Span (How long will the light bulb last?)
Would you like your Poinsettias to outlast the holiday season? Keep reading for some helpful tips that will help your plant last longer—maybe even until Valentine’s day.
Proper Temperature The ideal temperature should be easy to reach at about 65 to 70 degrees. The placement of your plant, however, takes more attention. Avoid placing it near a window with a cool draft or near a heat duct. Your poinsettia will enjoy a moist environment, such as a nearby bathroom or kitchen sink.
tip: a sign that your flowers are lacking humidity: The leaves turn yellow or brown and the buds begin to drop.
Watering
Your poinsettia will need to be watered once a week, on average, to keep the soil moderately damp to the touch. If your plant is located in a warmer location or in direct sunlight, it may need to be watered more frequently.
tip: the foil wrapping around your poinsettia may cause a soggy bottom. Poke drain-holes into the foil and place it on a plate or tray to drain.
Light Poinsettias like lots of light but NOT direct light. Choose a location wisely, airing on the side of too much rather than too little.
No need to hire a painter, electrician or interior decorator when you want to give your home a new look…these easy updates from Solutions refresh any room in minutes!
Instant Pendant Light: If you have recessed lighting and know how to screw in a light bulb, you can install this attractive, clever fixture in less than five minutes! So simple, you don’t need an electrician (or even any help)…it replaces the light bulb in an existing, recessed light fixture. Choose from a variety of shades. Display as-is, or dress it up with a decorative Pendant Light Adaptable (87876/86877).
Elastic Table Covers: Tables get a colorful lift, and spills wipe away easily! You won’t give a second thought about spilled punch or drippy dip when your table is protected with this vinyl table cover. Plus, it dresses up the table instantly.
Rainbow Mat: Practical in the entry, kitchen, hallway and bedroom, this mat instantly brightens any space. The thick nylon pile holds up well under daily use, and cleans up easily in the washing machine. Nonslip backing means you won’t need a separate pad.
Have your own 5-minute makeover? Share it with us in the comments or on the Solutions Facebook Page.
Silk flowers need watering, too! When dust makes them droop, use the hose (mist setting) to perk them up. Don’t want to take an arrangement outdoors? Blow the dust away with a hair dryer. A lamb’s wool duster also works well to sweep dust from large silk leaves.
Decorating for the big game is easy with these guys! Just plug Tiny or Bubba in, and the internal inflation fan will quickly blow him up to full size. Stake him in the yard or prop him in a corner of the family room. When the game’s over, just unplug him!
Fill a basket, bucket or box with essentials that any new house might need. Get creative an include something for every room. You can include dishcloths, light bulbs, kitchen gadgets and even cleaning products. You might also want to throw in any useful local neighborhood information for those who are new to the area.
No need to hire a painter, electrician or interior decorator when you want to give your home a new look…these easy updates from Solutions refresh any room in minutes!
Decorating for the big game is easy with these guys! Just plug Tiny or Bubba in, and the internal inflation fan will quickly blow him up to full size. Stake him in the yard or prop him in a corner of the family room. When the game’s over, just unplug him!