Archive for February, 2007
Get your garden ready for spring
Spring at last… nearly! The official first day of spring is March 21, but in many parts of the country, it is beginning to feel like spring is already in the air.For some reason, outdoor jobs that must be done in the spring become enjoyable activities while they’re simply chores at other times o…
How To Tune Up Your HVAC
Without annual maintenance, your air conditioning doesn’t operate at its peak efficiency and is more likely to lead to expensive repairs down the line. Some maintenance checks require a professional, so have one come out every 2 to 3 years to check the coolant level and electrical parts.Outside1. …
How To Fix a Damp Crawlspace and Prevent Mold
The purpose of foundation vents is to allow passing air to carry moisture out of crawlspaces. Except in particularly dry climates, that often isn’t suitable. Even in warm hot summer months the humid moisture laden air will condense on the cooler foundation walls, pipes, ductwork, and even the unde…
Rooftop patio needs vines for privacy and beauty
QUESTION: “We live in San Francisco on the roof top of a 10 story condo building. Our unit features a 16’x30’ paved patio, which flanks our neighbor’s patio, separated by a steel ‘privacy’ fence with holes. We are looking for suggestions for vines or other plants that will survive in con…
Climbing shrubs add zest to bare walls
Some friends of mine recently moved into a new home built on land that sloped away gently from front to back. that meant that there was a fairly large expanse of bare brick at the rear of the home that needed something to soften it up.He asked my opinion and I had several ideas, some more obvious th…
Habitat for Humanity - Give to the Community and Learn
A couple of disjointed thoughts that leads me to that post:1. I just finished reading an composition about homeless dumping and it got me thinking about a couple of things. Chiefly, giving here at home.2. My mom, who gives much to her church sponsored charities, was asked to give to a specific ch…
Deciduous or evergreen? How to tell them apart
QUESTION: “When a description says the plant is deciduous, does that always mean it loses its leaves? Does it lose both its flowers and leaves or just flowers? I plan to landscape the front of our house, which faces east, and down the side of the house, which faces north. My husband and I want col…
