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Simplifying a Difficult Senior Planning Decision - The Family Home

By Robert Cavanaugh

As Father Time marches on, the question of what to do with the home becomes a greater concern. In some cases, ruminating on the alternatives can dominate one’s thinking. If a person is aware of the various options and chooses a path that makes the most sense, peace of mind can often be the result.

Studies have shown that 90% of married couples and 62% of single persons reach retirement owning their own homes. Coupled with non-monetary considerations of whether to stay or sell, one major objective is how to convert the equity in the home to an income.

In some cases, selling the home is the most attractive option. However, remaining in the home could be simpler and less stressful. Many people are too quick to jump to the “sell” option because they are not aware of all the options that would allow staying in the home and extracting the equity as well.

Weigh each of the following options against selling before throwing in the mental towel and listing the home.

An AARP study done in 2000 showed that more than 90% of seniors wanted to stay in their homes for as long as possible. Almost 82% still wanted to stay even if they needed care.

That is a very loud vote. Therefore, I would recommend looking at long term care insurance that either only provides home care or a more comprehensive plan that includes home care. Many seniors balk at the topic of long term care because they figure they will never go to the “home.” Statistically, 50% of them are right. What many fail to realize is that at some point almost everyone will need some kind of help. Home care benefits may provide the needed assistance while allowing the person to remain in their home.

As seniors age, the upkeep of the home may become overbearing. The lawn still needs cutting, the bushes trimmed and the flower beds kept free of weeds. The inside needs dusting; the carpet needs vacuuming and the windows need washing. Eventually, in many people’s minds, these become reasons to sell.

I would invite you to put a pencil to this. Look at hiring someone to come in and clean. Hire a lawn maintenance company or the teen-ager down the street trying to pay for his car. Having these things taken care of in this manner is a lot less expensive than moving to a retirement home.

If the home is too big, close some rooms off. If it cost too much to heat or cool, seal the vents in un-used rooms.

Sometimes it may make sense (both for the senior and the child) for one of the children to move in and serve as a caretaker, cook, lawn-cutter and/or pool boy/girl.

There are several ways to get the equity out of the home, while continuing to live in the home.

First, the home could be re-financed. Mortgage interest rates today are low. Properly invested, the funds released could cover the new mortgage payments. If not, the difference could be less expensive than rent. Depending on the person’s age, putting a part of the proceeds into an immediate annuity may even cover the mortgage payment and then some.

If the person has a retirement plan that mandates required minimum distributions starting at age 70 1/2, the interest deduction on the new mortgage could be a welcome offset to the RMDs, which must be included in taxable income.

For large estates subject to estate taxes, placing the home in a Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT) can potentially remove the home, and any appreciation from the date of the transfer into the trust, from the taxable estate. Proper trust drafting can also provide for the housing needs of the survivor of a married couple and, ultimately, leave the home to the children.

Selling the home to the children is another option. By structuring the sale and lease back according to the rules, the $250,000 single person or $500,000 married couple capital gains tax exclusion could apply. Here, again, the parents would continue to live in the home and pay rent to the children. This removes the home from the taxable estate as well.

A gift-leaseback is an alternative. The value of the home will use up part (or all) of the lifetime unified credit. Consult a tax attorney if the value of the home is large and this option is one of the ones on the table.

If the homeowner(s) are age 62 or older, a reverse mortgage may be a viable option. The National Council on Aging calculates there are 13.2 million seniors who could qualify for a reverse mortgage of $20,000 or more. The average would be $72,000.

Reverse mortgages can reduce or eliminate the children’s inheritance. Today, there are Federal Rules for reverse mortgages and about 90% are federally insured. Fees can be high and will differ among lenders. Shop around.

Prior to making the decision to stay in the home or sell, each of these options should be part of the discussion among the senior, their children and financial advisors.

Robert D. Cavanaugh, CLU is a 36-year financial and estate planning veteran and author of the free newsletter, “The Estate Preservation Advisor”. For cutting-edge, easy-to-understand financial planning resources and techniques to increase your income, reduce taxes and preserve your estate, go to theestatepreservationadvisor.com/freevideo.htm

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5 Things You Need To Do After You Retire

By M.J. Joseph

Although you no longer have to worry about going to work every day, you can still find many ways to keep yourself busy. Many people think that once they retire, they will be bored because they are used to working every day. However, there are many different activities that you can get involved in once you are retired. Here are five things you should do after you retire:

1. Stay involved with competition
By joining a retirement community, you can get involved in new activities you have never participated in before. Or pick up those you enjoy but haven’t had time for. Many people always want to play more golf. When you retire, you can hit the links more than ever, especially by joining a community that is on or near a golf course. Many retirement communities also have tennis courts that you can play on. Try playing bridge, bingo or other sporting activities. Some communities host tournaments, where those who still have their competitive spirit can once again play for that top spot.

2. Collect something
Many seniors pick up a new hobby when retired. Some collect coins, stamps, cards or even cars. Collecting anything, no matter what it is, activates a new passion for something in your life. With the way the internet has evolved, collecting things has become much simpler. Web sites such as eBay offer a wide variation of different stuff for anyone, and it is a very simple interface to use. As many people always say, one person’s junk is another person’s treasure.

3. Learn something new
Retirement is a great time to learn something new. Take classes about the internet. Or take an online course and learn a particular degree of study that you always wanted to learn. Go back to school and earn that college degree you always wanted. Watch the History Channel, go to the library and find a book or go to the zoo and learn about animals. Knowledge is power, and even the most intelligent people can learn something new everyday. Keep your mind active; an active mind is never bored.

4. Adopt a pet
There are many animals that go unadopted each year. By adopting a pet, you can not only get a new friend, but help an animal in need. Now that you are retired, you can adopt that cat that you have always wanted. Cats make very good pets because they are very independent and low maintenance. Or you can get a new companion in adopting a new dog. However, you should always make sure you have the time, money and sufficient area to have a pet. For more information on adopting a pet, visit The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

5. Relax
You have worked your whole life. Take a long and much needed break from the busy life of work. Go on vacation and visit the islands you have always been wishing to see. Sit on the beach in the shade and take in the nice weather. Go sight-seeing at the Grand Canyon or in Italy. Or just relax with your significant other and a candlelight dinner. Either way, after working all your life, you deserve a break sometime. After all, retirement is the one way ticket to relaxation.

Try one of these five things after your retirement. However, five is not nearly enough. There are many other things you can do after your retirement. Try joining special interest groups in your area. Go sight-seeing. Take a train ride across the country. For the daredevil types, bungee jump or sky dive. Volunteer at a shelter, church or for a political campaign. Go to the movies. Retirement doesn’t have to mean sitting around the house all day. With so many opportunities to stay active, retirement can actually be all it’s cracked up to be.

M.J. Joseph is a freelance writer from Kansas City, MO. You can read more of his articles about retirement communities, senior care and senior activities at Find-RetirementCommunity.com. For more information about online degree programs, visit Seek-OnlineCollegeDegree.com. For more information about a program of study at a college in your area, visit CollegeSearchEngine.net.

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Retirement Communities: 6 Questions to Ask When Searching for a Place to Retire

By M.J. Joseph

When deciding on a retirement community for you or a loved one, there are many factors to take into consideration. Where do you want to live? What type of community do you want to live in? How much can you afford? Here are several of the many important questions to ask yourself or your parents when trying to decide on a retirement community.

1. Where do you or a loved one want to live?
Location is the key to beginning a search for a retirement community. Do you want to stay in the same town, city or state that you live in now? Many seniors decide to move to a warmer climate to enjoy their retirement. However, some seniors would rather experience all four seasons or would rather stay in their area. Whatever your choice, deciding what part of the world you want to live in is very important in trying to find a retirement community.

2. What type of community do you want to live in?
There are many different types of communities that are now available for retiring seniors. Try learning more about these communities and deciding which is best for you:

Active Retirement Communities

Assisted Living Retirement Communities

Independent Living Retirement Communities

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Alzheimer’s Care Communities

Skilled Nursing Care Retirement Communities
After you find what type of community you want to live in, check out the cost. Also, make sure to check accreditation, licensing and the credentials of each prospective community. You want to be living in the best place for you, and need to be extra safe in doing the research for the community.

3. How are the local services?
When searching for a retirement community, look for grocery stores, gas stations, churches, hospitals, salons, pharmacies and different shops to make life easier for when you do move.

4. What are some living amenities?
Many retirement communities offer different types of housing for seniors. Many seniors prefer to choose places with elevators, wide hallways, shower chairs and good lighting that include meal plans and wheelchair accessibility. Some seniors choose to live in a community that offers a very active lifestyle. Many of the active lifestyle communities include golf, tennis and swimming activities, and concentrate on health and fitness to help you enjoy your retirement. Some of these might not apply to you, so just write down the living amenities you prefer to live with, and use that as a frame of reference when looking for a retirement community.

5. Is this place safe?
It is always important to keep safety in mind when looking for any home. Ask the following questions:

Is there security personnel on staff at night?

Is the retirement community located within the confines of a gated community?

How are the locks on the main door?

When finding a new place to live, it is nice to get to know what the neighborhood is like before moving so you are not caught off guard a week after you move in. Most of the time, you can tell whether a place is safe by looking at. Be sure to check during different times of the day. Ask could-be neighbors, gas station clerks, staff members or check with the local police department to see if the community is an ideal place for you.

6. Is the staff friendly?
An important aspect of a retirement community is a friendly and helpful staff. Many times people overlook the staff members when deciding on a retirement home. Remember, these people will be a major part of your life! Make a visit to the community and speak with actual staff members. As you walk through the community, observe how staff members and residents interact with each other. You want your retirement to be enjoyable, and it can be a lot more fun if the staff members in your community are easy to interact with.

Just as you would tour a house or apartment before buying or renting, you should tour a prospective retirement community to see where you fit in. After all, this is going to be a place where you plan on enjoying your retirement! Be sure it is right for you!

M.J. Joseph is a freelance writer from Kansas City, MO. You can read more of his articles about retirement communities, senior care and senior activities at Find a Retirement Community. For information about retirement communities in your area, visit Find-RetirementCommunity.com.

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Where to Find Reliable Retirement Planning Advice - Don’t Blow Your Retirement Planning

By Tim Gorman

The word retirement is accepted favorably by some and with trepidation by others. It means one thing to you and probably something completely different to your neighbor. Some people look forward to pursuing new hobbies or interests while others look forward to relaxing. Regardless of what retirement means to you, one thing always holds true - you need a retirement plan if you want a secure retirement. You need some retirement planning advice.

Take a little time to consider who you want to spend your retirement and begin moving toward the plan of action that will take you comfortably into your later years. Once you have defined your retirement goals, you need to consider which direction to take your financial resources so that you can make sure that you have a comfortable retirement. There are places you can check out that have solid financial planning and retirement planning advice.

Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab can help you plan for your retirement by giving you valuable advice and the necessary tools to make it happen. You can request their free “Retirement Planning Guide” or contact a Schwab retirement specialist for retirement planning advice. They will make sure that you do everything that you can to strengthen your retirement income.

MetLife

The MetLife website has a wealth of information in their “Life Advice Series” as well as other areas within the site. The retirement planning advice is practical and solid. There is a “Retirement Toolbox” that can help you plan for your retirement. “MetLife Retirement” offers some excellent advice for people who are already retired or those who are a long way from retirement, you just choose your category and MetLife has the answers and advice that you want.

Ameriprise Financial

Ameriprise has a “Retirement Planning” section on their website. You can learn about the retirement stages, and there are lots of answers to common questions about retirement from social security to how much you will need to save in order to retire. You can find a wealth of retirement planning advice on this website.

Retirement Plan Advisors

If hands on planning is more your thing, then Retirement Plan Advisors (RPA) is the company for you. The offer personal service in a wide range of financial planning services including retirement planning advice. They can help you get your retirement planning on track, regardless of where you are on the retirement path.

Third Age

Third Age is a website that is devoted to “older” adults. That is, people who are approaching retirement age or who are retired. They have practical financial information and retirement planning advice that you can definitely use. Check out their “Retire Well” section for great tips.

There are many, many great sites that can help you plan for your retirement. In fact, you may even find it helpful to combine the retirement planning advice from several areas to find the plan that works for you. The important thing to remember is to select a retirement plan that suits your lifestyle and sets you on a path to achieve the type of retirement that you really want.

Don’t delay your retirement another day by not properly planning your retirement with retirement planning software and by not visiting www.bestretirementplanningresources.com, a retirement planning website that provides tips, advice and retirement resources to include information on retirement planning services and the extremely popular retirement blueprint

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Gorman

               

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Tools for Planting and Cultivating

By Robert Gettle

Shovels come in small, large, round, or square, scooped or flat. You’ll have to have one to dig up soil and move it around. Choose a light weight one that has a comfortable hand grip. A small bladed shovel is easier and less tiring to handle.

A spade is a flat sharp straight edge blade shovel designed for slicing into the soil. It is excellent for edging garden beds and slicing through tough roots beneath the soil. A spading fork is useful for digging up the soil. It is heavy tined fork with a D-handle, a great tool for dividing perennials.

A trowel is a short hand held scoop that you use to dig small holes for transplanting and planting. It is also great for dividing plants and working the soil.

A long handle cultivator is a handy tool to break up chunks of soil and remove weeds due to the small pitchfork tip at the end of it. Pull towards you from back to front. It is excellent for loosening the soil around your vegetable plants.

With a long handle and a stirrup like hinged blade that moves back and forth when you push it through the soil. The oscillating stirrup hoe has two edges to disturb the soil in two directions. It is an excellent cultivator that will cut through weed roots and other vegetation. Other pattern hoes are worth mentioning here, they are the basic hoe, onion hoe, it is a 6 inch blade that is 2-3 inches deep. They were originally used to cultivate in onion fields. The diamond is a rugged tool that erases weeds easily with a push pull motion. The razor-sharp 8 inch diamond steel blade makes the task of weeding a smooth, almost effortless motion. It should last you a lifetime. When you need to make furrows for seeding the warren is the tool to reach for. It has a triangle type blade, that produces perfect depth furrow for seed planting.

Robert Gettle bob@bobgettlelandscaping.com www.bobgettlelandscaping.com 25 years experience in landscaping.

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What’s the Ideal Retirement Age?

By Jeffrey Hauser

I was incredibly lucky. I was hired on to a major corporation at age 30 and worked for 25 years. They offered a buyout to anyone with 25 years service and who also reached the age of 55. It was a lump sum offer equal to 3 years income. Now that may not sound like much, but without revealing the actual offer, with conservative investing it would reach a million dollars in 10 years. So, at age 65, I could draw social security and have a $50,000 a year income with a five percent investment strategy. Not bad considering also I have no mortgage or other payments. But, let’s go back a few years to the summer of 2004 when that event occurred.

After a brief retirement party and I drove home, I was now technically unemployed, albeit with a tidy batch of money fully invested. My wife worked as a professor at a local college and we could get by nicely. I spent a few weeks goofing off as I became acquainted to; not driving to work, attending, meetings, checking voice and emails, and dealing with clients. I had been in commissioned sales and formed a bond with many customers. I still called them on occasion to make sure the rep that followed me was treating them right. But that was my only contact with the old job. Anyway, one can only read, play online games, or go to the store just so often. What was I to do? I was a 55 year old bum.

I had met some people younger than myself that were also retired. Most had started businesses at a young age and either sold them or been bought out. One was an inventor that made millions. Another sold his stock in a company of which he was CEO and also made millions. They were both a few years my junior. The both had jumped right back into a variety of businesses. It obviously wasn’t for the money. They both simply needed to work and get out of the house. Assuming good health, they could live as a retiree for 40 years or more. That’s a long time without the need of being employed.

My generation had figured we would be retired at 65 , collect our social security for 10 years and pass on. That was before modern medicine. Organ transplants, miracle drugs, better health care, and early warnings on various diseases and ailments had altered the landscape considerably. Now we were expected to live into our late seventies or at least 80 and beyond. There was another big change with the corporate scene. Retirement didn’t have to wait until we were 65. Many workers that were hired around age 25 or 30, like myself, could retire by 60 at the latest. Now they were facing 20 years without employment. It’s both good and bad. It’s good if you have a plan to cope with all that time and bad if you are clueless and flounder. Of course your own particular financial picture dictates a lot of what will happen. For instance, if you are economically set, you can do a lot of traveling and fun things. If not, you go out and get another job to cover your present expenses.

Getting back to my situation, I talked my wife into retirement so we could both stay home and start a website together. It’s called the www.thenurseschoice.com and offers health information and doctors referred by nurses and patients for a small membership fee. We spent a year designing it and still manage to do a lot of traveling. It can provide additional income while our nest egg is growing.

So, what about my thoughts on an ideal age? They are as follows. If you are young and in good health, retire ASAP. Then start that second career like we’re doing and take time to enjoy your spouse, home, hobbies, or whatever interests you. I’m learning the guitar, collecting art and coins while my wife is learning to draw and paint. She’s younger than myself but I’m somehow keeping up, thank goodness.

If on the other hand, you retire at an older age, then skip the second career and head straight for the travel websites to plan your next trip. Start reading, writing, exploring, and having fun again. Enjoy the freedom and stress-free lifestyle. You’ll find that you’re never too young or old to reap the rewards of retirement. It’s a wonderful time of our existence and one that simply goes by too quickly.

Jeffrey Hauser was a sales consultant for the Bell System Yellow Pages for nearly 25 years. He graduated from Pratt Institute with a BFA in Advertising and has a Master’s Degree in teaching. He had his own advertising agency in Scottsdale, Arizona and ran a consulting and design firm, ABC Advertising. He has authored 6 books and a novel, “Pursuit of the Phoenix.” His latest book is, “Inside the Yellow Pages” which can be seen at his website, www.poweradbook.com and he is currently the Marketing Director for www.thenurseschoice.com a Health Information and Doctor Referral site.

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Choosing A Grass

By Chris Harrison

Before choosing a grass for your lawn, it’s best if you spend some time understanding your wants, needs, and surroundings. It’s best to choose a grass that will require the right amount of work versus one that will require more than you bargained for. With that being said, there are basically three types of grasses that you can choose from…

* Cool Season Grasses
* Warm Season Grasses
* Native Grasses

Cool Season Grasses

Cool Season Grasses perform their best in the north and in higher elevations in the south. They stand up to cooler springs and falls, but don’t perform as well during the hot summer months. Their main growth period is in the spring and fall when the temperature falls between 60 and 70 degrees. Some of the more common Cool Season Grasses include…

* Kentucky Bluegrass
* Tall Fescue
* Fine Fescue
* Perennial Ryegrass

Warm Season Grasses

Warm Season Grasses perform their best in the southern regions. These types of grasses are happiest in the hot summer months and have a tendency not to do as well when temperatures begin to dip. Main growth period corresponds with the increased heat of summer when the temperature ranges between 80 and 95 degrees. Some of the more common Warm Season Grasses include…

* St. Augustine
* Bermuda
* Zoysia
* Centipede
* Bahia
* Carpet Grass

Native Grasses

Native grasses are more of a survivor type of grass and not necessarily meant for planting in a yard. They require very little maintenance and provide a grass cover that is more open and natural in appearance than traditional turfgrasses. These types of grasses grow best during hot summer months and are best suited for the grasslands of the Central Plains. Some of the more common Native Grasses include…

* Buffalo Grass
* Blue Grama
* Crested Wheat Grass

Chris Harrison is an avid lawncare enthusiast and the author of the “EZ Lawncare Companion”. For more information on lawncare related topics please check out his website at www.ezlawncarecompanion.com or email him at info@ezlawncarecompanion.com.

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Assisted Living Assistance

By Will Robins

One of the unavoidable facts of aging is that the bodies gradually lose the faculties which enabled us to live independently and take care of ourselves they way we could when we were younger. Memory lapses, decreased hearing and vision, and loss of cognitive ability may affect us so that we require help, either from family members or from assisted living services.

For people who have no family nearby, or those who don’t want to be a burden to their relatives, but want to remain as independent as they can, assisted living facilities may be an answer. Assisted living is exactly what its name suggests; it allows people to do as much as they can for themselves, and assist them with those tasks which have become too difficult.

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is ideal for those seniors who do not require full-time medical services, and are still fit enough to enjoy social activities and physical exercise. The assisted living providers will do an in-depth analysis of a client’s situation to determine the appropriate degree of assistance.

Assisted living centers will analyze each resident’s needs and provide the services they need; meals for those who can no longer cook; transportation for those who can no longer drive; and as much housekeeping as necessary.

Assisted living facilities are becoming increasingly popular in the United States, as the Baby Boomer generation is approaching its twilight years. Many retirement facilities may call themselves things like adult living and active seniors’ communities, but the one thing they have in common is that they are designed for older people who are determined to remain as independent as they can for as long as they can.

Many seniors who would fight being placed in a nursing home are willing, and even grateful, to go into an assisted living facility, for the security it will offer them. The no longer have to worry about how they will get through the more difficult tasks with which they have been coping, and can relax because help will be there, but only if they really need it.

Is Assisted Living Right For You?

There are, however, many elderly people for whom assisted living is not appropriate. These individuals are the ones who need ongoing care for condition, and are physically or mentally incapable of caring for themselves. Even their families may not be able to provide the around-the-click assistance needed to keep them safe and comfortable.

Many assisted living facilities have agreements with full-care facilities so that, when one of their residents deteriorates beyond the assisted living stage, he or she can be transferred to full care, with new caretakers who are fully informed of his or her needs.

If you are considering assisted living, either for yourself or a loved one, be advised that no all assisted living services are the same. Make sure the one you decide on is tailored to meet your specific needs.

You can also find more information at Retirement Homes and Senior Living Centers. Seniorliving-review.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about Senior Living.

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Consider Drainage When Landscaping

By Bill Prudehome

One of the most common and sometimes costly mistakes that is made when creating a new landscape is not paying attention to or having a drainage plan.

Through the desire to create an aesthetically beautiful property the homeowner may inadvertently forget that water comes from numerous sources. Rainwater not only wets the property directly, but indirectly as well. Rain falling on the roof of a home, generally collects in rain gutters and then is directed to down pipes. The down pipes then send the water through a spout to the lawn or driveway. If the landscaping has not been designed to direct the water away from home foundations, sever basement flooding and wall damage may occur.

Many properties have lot line grading, which allows for the flow of excess rainwater to be channeled between homes to roadways that have storm sewers others may have their backyards graded to allow for water to flow to the far end of the backyard and then be directed to a storm sewer. Inadvertently changing the grading, even by a few inches can channel the water in a different direction, such as your basement or worse, your neighbors.

If you are re-grading your property as part of your landscape project I would highly recommend the use of a laser level. Place the laser level at the corners of the buildings on your property and point them towards the direction of the drainage. If you discover objects, such as mounds of earth, planters, steps or walkways that are higher than the position of the laser level on the property you can do one of two things. Lower the level of the obstruction or make sure that there is an adequate drainage path around the obstruction.

The same problem exists for raised flower and vegetable beds. Water must drain naturally from these beds in order to avoid water collecting just below the surface of the ground and rotting the roots of the plants. Gravel bases should always be placed at the bottom of any earth mound to give the water a place to drain. Water relief channels should always be provided in retaining walls to avoid water collection that can cause walls to lean and if they are made of lumber the water will cause the lumber to rot. Excess ground water can also cause walkways to lift.

As with any landscaping project, proper planning is the key to success.

For additional information on landscaping your home or other renovation projects, visit Renovation Headquarters.

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Tips For Preparing Your Garden For The Season

By Dave Truman

Weeding

Though many gardeners prefers mulching to weeding, there are times when you have to think about weeding anyway. When the plants are very small, and before you apply any summer mulch, you need to get right there and pull out (or snip out) the weeds which may come in to choke your little new perennials or annuals, or the little shrubs you may decide to grow from seeds.

Since many weeds are truly beneficial - either for good influences from their root exudates or plant aromas, and in certain instances for food for the gardener - it pays to be cautious about your attempts to eliminate them. Good deep-rooted weeds will bring up into the topsoil and into plants’ stems fine supplies of nitrogen. When you till them in, weeds will supply the soil with good nutrients, nitrogenous and otherwise, and will supply nutrients of the sort certainly needed by the young plants which will grow in a healthy way to maturity.

People who want to make gardens that are geometrically neat and unchanging will have a tendency to blot out all weeds. I do not think that organic gardeners garden that way. Their technique will be to nurture those weeds which will benefit the garden, and to use mulches to get the others to subside.

Garden Insects

You do not have to go into a lot of work and trouble about pest control aside from the normal, sensible garden practices which tend to keep pests at a minimum. This means things like giving plants plenty of room and air; seeing to it that they are not too damp, unless they are water plants or bog plants; planting in the sun if that suits them or the shade if that suits them; and are well provided with the nutrients they require.

Always select disease-resistant varieties and use companion plants. Just as important are practices which create a harmonious environment of living creatures: bees on the flowers; birds in the air and in the trees and bushes, for they are notorious consumers of insects; beneficial bacteria in the soil, for they and the molds and fungi living in the soil provide antibiotics of various sorts; predators other than birds, like the beneficial praying mantises, trichogramma wasps, lady bugs and lacewings which we know consume unwanted pests like aphids (or even the ants who farm and milk aphids for their honeydew).

Berried shrubs and bird houses are good to attract birds; lady bugs can be bought, and so can the tiny wasps and the egg cases of praying mantises. Sprays can be made from garlic, hot pepper and botanicals such as the plants which have rotenone, pyrethrin andryania in them; and certain plants can be planted together which have the effect of repelling pests one from another in the practice called companion planting. And then there are the mechanical devices like traps with molasses and bran baits, or like tanglefoot as a gooey substance to put around the trunk of a tree, or like black lights to attract flying insects at night.

Are you looking for garden design ideas? The Vegetable Gardeners website offers many ideas and tips for planting your vegetable garden. Get your free copies of our 3 special reports on how to grow a successful garden at www.vegetablegardeners.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Truman

               

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