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19 Oddball Things To Bring - Travel Tips For The Minimalist Smart Traveler

By Melinda Brovelli

It’s vacation season! As you pack your bags for destinations yonder, you may want to consider my tried-and-true list of oddball items to include. However, a warning to you…for airplane travel, I am admittedly the quintessential minimalist traveler, strictly adhering to the Rule of One: one carry-on and nothing more. It doesn’t matter if I’m going to San Diego for a weekend or Europe for three weeks; I never bring more than one bag small enough to stash in the overhead.

A strategic layering of clothing worn on travel days, along with a judicious choice of pieces and colors packed away in the bag, can expand your vacation attire dramatically with a minimum of bulk. But beyond a carefully contemplated wardrobe, there are a few items you may be surprised to find in my otherwise edited backpack. Despite my strictly followed minimalist packing philosophy, here is a list of 19 oddball, but essential, things to bring:

1. Money belt – the most important item to bring. Keep all big cash, all credit and ATM cards, passport, plane tickets, cheat sheet (see #2) inside. Wear it always.

2. A “cheat sheet” that you typed up at home listing your itinerary and all hotel info (name, location, phone, directions). If you forget where you are staying or where you need to go tomorrow, just check your cheat sheet. It is also a good reference to show taxi drivers when you do not speak the language. You can also leave a copy for those at home.

3. Day bag - for your guidebook, “day” money (so you don’t fish around in your money belt in public), your small notepad (see #7), phrase book (see #8), camera.

4. Yellow highlighter (to use on maps)

5. Small magnifying glass (to read teensy map print)

6. Small sticky notes (to flag things in your guidebook, leave a message, etc.)

7. Small notepad (to write rather than speak particularly hard foreign words). I have used small notepads to haggle on paper for the price of a handmade Greek tablecloth, confirm with a French ticket clerk about the departure time of a particular train, and record the various flavors of gelato I consumed that day.

8. Small foreign language dictionary/phrase book

9. Compass (especially helpful in Venice!)

10. Small, lightweight flashlight (for after-dark map reading, finding the bathroom down the hallway, exploring dark medieval tunnels, Etruscan tombs, etc.)

11. Moleskin (for blisters from all that walking)

12. Earplugs (for noisy planes and/or hotels) Essential!

13. Safety pins of various sizes (they can fix a multitude of things)

14. Scotch tape (for taping notes on doors, fixing things, mailing things – bring a small half-used roll removed from its plastic dispenser)

15. Large, fibrous (unrippable) envelopes – find them at an office supply store (great for mailing home books and other flat items. Pre-address the envelopes at home and cover the address with transparent tape to prevent smearing. I have mailed home tablecloths in these envelopes.)

16. One thin terry-cloth washcloth (many European hotels don’t offer washcloths at all, or they are of a slick linen material rather than absorbent terry-cloth)

17. Various sizes of baggies: use for double-bagging your miniature-sized toiletries and keeping clothes contained and orderly. Clothing can be grouped: underwear in one bag, blouses in one bag, socks in one bag, etc. Kneel on each bag to squeeze out all air, then seal. This “vacuum-packs” it and reduces size, leaving more room for all those Italian ceramic pieces you inevitably will be bringing home! Airport Security will also like you.

18. Line the bottom of your bag with a strong but non-bulky cloth tote bag. On the trip home, you can stash all your carefully chosen treasures in the tote and store it under your seat. The tote qualifies as a “purse” or “briefcase” which is allowed in addition to your regular carry-on containing your clothes. In extreme cases (an abundance of breakables), I have (on the return trip ONLY) packed my clothes and checked them (usually against my rules), carrying on only my treasures. Once, on my last day in Spain, I bought a large box at the post office, packed it with every stitch of clothing except for my travel clothes for the next day, and mailed it home. This left the entirety of my regular pack AND tote free for items I had collected over the course of three weeks. These flew home with me in the overhead and under my seat. My box of clothing arrived fully intact three weeks later. It was worth the postage.

19. $50 in US cash (for minor airport purchases to and from your destination).

TIP: Don’t bother getting European currently before you leave home. Just pick up your foreign currency at the airport ATM upon arrival in Europe. It’s fast, easy, and cheap. If I happen to have a short layover in one European city, I use the time to pull Euros from the ATM while I’m waiting for my next flight. That way, I’m all set with “bank” when I arrive at my final destination (assuming you’re travelling to another Euro-using country).

Another TIP: Make sure your PIN has only 4 digits and you’ve memorized them as numbers rather than letters. BE SURE to notify your bank that you will be using your card in Europe and not to freeze your account when they see European transactions.

Pack light, pack smart, and plan ahead. Otherwise you could be Sleepless in Siena (see my article by this name). Above all, Buon Viaggio!

My home is northern California, but my heart is European. My paternal grandparents immigrated to the United States in the early 1900’s and settled in the beautiful Napa Valley. Wanting to find out about my mysterious Italian side of the family they left behind so long ago, I searched until I found “un sacco” of cousins I didn’t even know I had! Although I did not begin my European travels until 11 years ago, I now try to fly “to the other side” once a year, as my full-time job and meager finances will allow. I have posted pictures and anecdotes from my most recent trip on www.melindatrips.wordpress.com I love all things Italian. In my spare time, I play with my mini-dachshunds and Flamenco dance.
Travel Tips for the Minimalist (Smart) Traveler
19 Oddball Things to Bring
By, Melinda Brovelli

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Millionaire Analysis - Where Am I Now On My Road To A Million Dollar Net Worth?

By James Lee Valentine

My journey to a million dollar net worth begins with me knowing where I am at this precise moment. This Millionaire Analysis is comparable to a roadmap for success that is designed to enable me to discern my monetary strengths and understand my financial ambitions.

This Millionaire Analysis asks twenty questions that help me get to the truth of who I really am. Each question must be answered wholeheartedly. The deeper I can dig into my psyche, the stronger the analytical groundwork I shall be performing in the construction of my financial foundation.

After writing the answers to these twenty questions, I shall wake earlier, energized and raring to go. This is because I will comprehend my purpose for living and I will be eager to perform the transformational actions that will be an indelible part of my new life.

1. If I could attain one monumental objective during my lifetime, with financial and time constraints not being factors, what would this one objective be?

Here I should write the one overriding aspiration that lights my motivational fires and keeps them burning brighter than anything else could ever do. This one aim must be so awe-inspiring that my passion for its attainment will remain eternally strong.

2. What are the three main obstacles preventing me from attaining this one monumental objective right now?

Here I should list the three greatest challenges to realizing this grandest of goals for my life. I must know what triad of seemingly insurmountable obstacles stand between me and my destination, ostensibly blocking the way to the fulfillment of this tremendous intention.

3. Am I crystal clear on what is my life’s ultimate purpose and, if so, what is it?

This question requires me to plan a mighty purpose for my life, a purpose in which I make a significant contribution to the world and vastly enrich my life and the lives of other people.

4. In how many ways is the life I presently lead a full expression of my life’s ultimate purpose?

This is a reality check to see what I am currently doing to manifest the abundant lifestyle of an ‘Empowered Millionaire’ that I seek. In answer to this question, I need to write the multiplicity of ways that demonstrate my present actions are in alignment with my life’s most vibrant mission.

5. How many income streams do I presently have?

Empowered Millionaires focus on generating vast wealth through multiple income sources, as opposed to having a singular career or just one business that produces a solitary income. They also focus on developing residual income streams that flow 24 hours a day.

6. What is my current net worth?

My ‘net worth’ is how much I own — my assets (such as cash in the bank, property and land, stocks and bonds) — minus how much I owe — my liabilities (such as debts, loans, mortgages). If I desire to have a million dollar net worth, my assets must exceed my liabilities by at least one million dollars.

7. What is the status of my existing savings & investments?

Empowered Millionaires clearly understand why they must have solid savings and investment plans. They are focused on accumulating income-producing assets — assets that generate cash flow, such as rental properties, licensing and royalties, and stocks that pay regular dividends.

8. What will be my net worth at retirement?

Wishful thinking will not get me to the destination of abundant prosperity as an Empowered Millionaire. If my aim is to have one million dollars as my net worth at my chosen retirement age, I must know precisely where I am in the five critical areas of: My current age; My intended retirement age; My present net worth; My monthly investment amount; The rate at which my assets compound.

9. What percentage of my present income do I tithe to charitable causes?

This question verifies whether I regularly give away a share of my income and substantiates what percentage that is. Tithing releases the mental shackles of poverty thinking, enabling me to manifest more of the vast financial abundance of this world.

10. If I designed my ideal lifestyle and it was perfect in every respect, what would it look like?

Here I am encouraged to use my imagination to visualize my life in its most superlative state. When picturing my highest vision, I shall vividly imagine the end result I desire as if that outcome already exists now.

11. In what ways do I regularly take time to improve my physical state of health?

This question verifies the potency of my aspiration to live a long, healthy and youthful life. It checks to see if I possess the wherewithal to attain optimum wellness for me to be able to perform the deeds necessary in attaining financial success.

12. In what ways do I regularly take time to nurture my soul and strengthen my spiritual being?

The road to financial empowerment begins in the soul with inner peace. Periods of solitude are required in which my ability to focus is heightened, as everything I focus on creates a personal success vibration that manifests what I attract into my life. Nurturing my soul enables this heightened focus.

13. What winning qualities do I possess that help to differentiate me from the crowd as a unique and well-respected professional?

People who display the winning qualities of professionalism act and perform like the champions they are. The winners in the game of life develop an environment that is inspiring to themselves and to those people who are in their circle of influence.

14. What can I do to make myself more excellent within all areas of my life?

The quality of my life is in direct proportion to my commitment to excellence. This question verifies whether I possess the wholehearted commitment required to compel myself to a higher standard of performance in every endeavor that I undertake.

15. In what ways do I presently give committed effort to my career or business?

Spectacular results transpire when committed action is taken and things are made to happen. This question validates my commitment to perform all tasks with excellence and go the extra mile to ethically attain the desired result.

16. In what ways do I regularly reach out to assist other people on their path to success?

It is said that the more I give the more I get. This means reaching out with a helping hand of assistance to help other people to live happier, healthier, more successful lives. This question validates if I am taking advantage of my opportunities to contribute to other people.

17. What is my personal description of failure and how does this compare to the Empowered Millionaire’s formula for failure?

Here I shall state my personal understanding of failure and compare it with that of the Empowered Millionaire, which is: “A few simple errors of judgment repeated every day.” These are destructive, dis-empowering habits that are highly noxious to the successful outcomes desired.

18. What simple errors of judgment am I no longer willing to repeat every day that are so detrimental to the successful outcomes I seek?

Illustrations of simple errors of judgment can include: being callous in our attitudes; smoking cigarettes; being late for work; eating foods saturated in fat; displaying an apathetic career approach.

19. What is my personal description of success and how does this compare to the Empowered Millionaire’s formula for success?

Here I am asked to state my own definition of success and compare it with that of the Empowered Millionaire, which is: “A few basic winning disciplines performed every day.” These are constructive, empowering behaviors that are performed every day.

20. What few basic winning disciplines will I now perform every day that will guide me toward the successful outcomes I seek?

Good examples of basic winning disciplines that can be performed every day leading an individual to ultimate financial empowerment include: practicing financial astuteness; yoga; meditation; reading investment literature.

James Lee Valentine (www.jamesleevalentine.com) is billed as an “Empowering Author Extraordinaire” having written more than sixty books on personal empowerment and financial mastery now published in twelve countries worldwide. He is also founder of the Empowered Millionaire Institute (www.empoweredmillionaire.com) which is billed as “The Internet’s Most Value-Packed & Affordable Financial Empowerment Resource Center” and which will help you to be financially empowered for life!

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Producing A Peaceful Haven With Outside Lighting

By Dave Kearsley

Hardly surprising landscape lighting is rapidly establishing itself as one of the most requested services asked of gardening companies. Still, outside lighting is not actually a specialty area that needs extensive knowledge to organize. It is by and large a piece of cake to install and will make a spectacular difference in the appeal of your home after sundown.

Landscape lighting is becoming progressively much used because of the beauty, safety, and security it provides to the outdoor spaces of a home. It is a tremendous way to bring out the exterior beauty of your household’s surroundings. Solar outside lighting can add beauty and charm to your household when installed correctly. Out-of-door lighting is ordinarily a prudent decision, but especially around water features, which pose a special danger after dark and is excellent for highlighting areas. Exterior lighting is used to bring trees and plants to life at night, spotlight focal points around your house, light up footpaths and stairs for safety and security. It is normally simple and safe to install, is safe for children and animals, and it consumes less juice than mainline voltage options. As an accessory exterior lighting is as practical as it is cosmetic, increasing the safety and security of any household, since the home owner and family members are able to move around their property in safely after sunset. Exterior lighting is a simple improvement that should make a huge difference in the safety as well as the security of your dwelling as well its visual effect after dark and is safer to control than traditional mains lighting.

This exterior lighting alternative has been advancing in popularity the past few years. One problem with solar outdoor lighting is that you may not feel it is very effective because they produce very little light and get dimmer as the battery runs out. Yet most solar lighting can be as bright as traditional low-voltage. Solar exterior lighting stores energy captured during the day and then when it becomes dark enough, the outdoor lighting switches on automatically. Solar exterior lighting can be purchased in a mixture of styles from diverse producers offering solar outdoor decor that suit your style.

An additional benefit of solar outside lighting is that it is a breeze to install, and the installer wouldn’t have to dig beneath their walk to run wires. One probable problem is that they often only give off a faint glow that lights a relatively small area. Landscape lighting is the ideal application for solar powered, wireless style lights. However,they must be placed in an area, which gets a lot of sunlight during sunny periods. Solar powered lighting systems do not require any wiring nor do they involve any transformers. All the same, the PV panel used to charge the battery must be in an area where it will receive plenty of direct sunlight. Now that manufacturing systems have improved and prices are dropping, solar lighting has become the red hot product in the garden industry. It is a fast simple option that can transform your garden decor or landscape. Solar exterior lighting supplies many options for you to incorporate into your gardening project including pathway, driveway lights, accent lights, lanterns, fountains, and spotlights.

As with the majority of electrical products, landscape lighting can be manipulated by intelligent switches, in particular timers. By utilising sensors and controllers you can avoid power wastage by your landscape lighting. Preparing the footings for lighting fixtures, setting up of fixtures, or installation of empty conduit for future landscape lighting are chores that ought to be considered ahead of installing your outside lighting.

David is a regular contributor at Landscape Lighting

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Kearsley

               

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How To Select Annual Flowers

By Bowe Packer

Flowers are one of nature’s heralds of the seasons. The various flowers that blossom in the different seasons can inform us what season we are in. For instance flowers like the Poinsettia are known to bloom only during the wintertime season, more specifically during December. Annual flowers on the other hand are wonderful flowers to plant in your gardens.

I know most of us have passed by a nice arrangement of outside florals and wondered - how might I do the same. Well, first we must start by understanding the different types of annual flowers and the which flower will survive in which climate.

You will find that many of these flowers are excellent choices for the garden as they can be grown in the different seasons. The best way to select the type of annual flowers that you want is to decide which flower varieties you want to see. You should buy the annual flowers that are appropriate for the required season otherwise your flower plant will rot even before you have a chance to plant it.

When you start selecting your annual flowers you can purchase stalwart annuals, half hardy annuals and tender annuals. These differences reflect the type of weather and soil conditions that these annual flowers will grow in.

Remember, the selecting process maybe some what challenging at first. However, don’t let that intimidate you, make a selection based on the season and what looks good to you. With experience you will start to understand the other elements, like soil, sun and water, that also have an effect on your annual flowers.

Sturdy annuals are beautiful plants that will produce flowers even in the cold wintertime season. These annual flowers are planted during the spring season or fall season when the weather condition is not that cold. Unlike other annuals these hardy annual flowers don’t like hot weather as they are not heat tolerant.

The types of stalwart annual flowers that you can buy include calendula, foxglove, viola, sweet alyssum, stocks, cornflowers, pansy, larkspur and the many varieties of dianthus cultivars. The half sturdy annual flowers include torenia, snow-on-the-mountain, blue sage, strawflower, baby’s breath, candytuft, bells of Ireland, celoma, love-in-a-mist, and forget-me-nots.

These half hardy annuals don’t mind damp cold weather but they can’t live during the cold fierce months of winter. You will need to plant these annual flowers after the last spring frost. Unlike tender annuals these half sturdy annuals have no need of warm soil conditions for the seeds to begin sprouting.

While some flower species can’t bear lots of hot summertime weather the half hardy annuals may sometimes wilt for the weather but they will perk up in the later summer months. You can select some tender annuals like scarlet sage, morning glory, petunias, begonias, celosia, balsam, nasturtium, and verbena.

These annuals as their name suggests are not well-off in the cold wintertime months so the idealistic time to grow them is three weeks after the last spring frost. Since these annual flowers grow well in warm climates you can expect to see them in all of their glory in the late spring and the warm months of summer.

These are just a few of the many annual flowers that you can grow in your garden, and the riot of colors that they bring will utterly make any garden look great. You will also have the added benefit of flowers that grow in different seasons adding a break up of color right through the year.

Bowe is the information provider for over 40 websites. His sites are dedicated to providing free and valuable information. Visit his Flowers site and Find free flower information.

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Landscaping Is Fun

By Andrew Caxton

I am sure that you have many different landscaping ideas that are inside your mind and heart. This is the best way to find the right landscaping design for your particular yard, because it assures your satisfaction. You, too, can make your lawn into that relaxing and tranquil spot that you deserve and need. You don’t have to be a professional landscaper to make your lawn look great. All you need is some time and energy, as well as creativity, to make your lawn into the oasis that you desire.

Plan Your Landscaping Design

Planning and preparation are the most important parts of landscaping design. You first need to lay it all out on paper. This will allow you to see exactly what you need and how it will work space-wise. Take the time to plan your landscaping design carefully so that you will be properly prepared. Keep trees and buildings in mind when you plan your landscaping design, so that you will not have problems once you start doing the work. Make them fit into your landscaping design now so that you will have a cohesive plan in mind.

Landscaping Ideas From Everywhere

There are many different ways that you can find landscaping ideas. Gardening magazines, stores, or books is one way that you can find some ideas. Online pictures and websites can also help, as well as driving around and looking at other people’s landscaping designs. This will help you to get your own imagination and creativity jump-started.

Evaluate the Landscaping Area

Keep the dimensions of the area and where the area is located in mind when you are determining your landscaping plan. Does the area receive lots of sun or is it shady? This is a very important determination to ensure that you choose the right plants for your area. You also need to see if there are any drainage problems and evaluate how you are going to keep the area watered. All of these considerations are very important to make sure that your landscaping will thrive and not die.

Adding Layers to Your Landscaping

You will find that there is a great variety of materials that are available to use to create artificial walls and borders for your landscaping. You will find that this can help to add texture and interest to an otherwise flat landscape and can help increase the visual beauty of your lawn. You can use many different things, including stones, rocks, lumber, railroad ties, or even cement blocks in your lawn. Some of these items can even be transplanted from other areas of your lawn. Use these materials creatively to help turn your lawn into the refuge that you want.

Taking Care of Your New Landscape

No matter what materials you base your landscaping design around, you will want to make sure that you understand how to care for and maintain the landscaping. If you are using live landscaping materials, then you need to determine how to feed and water them so that they will thrive. You don’t want to waste the effort and time that you spent planting by not taking proper care of your plants or you will have a dead, brown landscape instead of one that thrives. Keep your landscape looking neat and trim by weeding and trimming it as necessary. If your landscaping design is centered around rocks and lumber, then you still will need to maintain it by keeping it clean and neat so that it will last for many years.

With some imagination, creativity, and a lot of time and effort, you will find that you lawn landscaping will give you a great deal of pride and relaxation. Doesn’t that sound great?

Andrew Caxton contributes adding long articles on lawn care for www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com A website with tips on landscaping.

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How Do I Build A Koi Pond?

By Christopher W Smith

If you’ve seen a water garden, odds are, you’ve seen koi fish. The challenge is, how to create the perfect ecosystem for your little friends.

Koi ponds are built so that it can offer the most favorable living conditions for koi fishes. You will find them in backyards in most cases, however, they can also be placed in front yards if there is a lot of available space there. In the process of building koi ponds, the water and oxygen aeration are the biggest consideration. This will of course depend upon the size of the fishes.

Landscaping plays a major role in your Koi ponds. Fortunately, there are plenty of koi pond designs out there for you to choose from. While you may already have some preconceived ideas on how it will be designed, you have to ensure that it fits the whole water garden surrounding perfectly.

Below are some tips on how to build koi ponds based on the kind of landscape that you have.

1. Location.

While you may be tempted to put your Koi pond at the far end of your yard, its important to remember that you will have to continuously monitor its condition. You will have to check the fishes regularly. In addition, you also have to see if the plants are still thriving or if the fish have already feasted on them.

The location of the pond should be suitable for the changing weather conditions. It should not be too exposed during the hot and cold seasons. You can always add some extra protection for the pond in case you are not certain about how it will thrive in that location. Knowing your yard will help you determine where yo can place your koi pond.

2. Space.

Trying to determine the size of your koi pond is not like figuring out any ordinary ponds. This is because of the fishes will get bigger over time. You will be surprised at how much they can grow especially if you are taking good care of them.

The length of the pond is important and will of course depend on the size of your yard, slopes in your yard and overhanging trees, which will decrease the amount of available space.

3. Budget.

You need to have a budget set aside for building a pond for your koi. Take note that some of the fishes and other ornaments for it do not come cheap.

You may want to limit your expenses and make sure you are not overspending for it. Other not-so-important parts and materials can be added later on when you have additional resources. Remember, Rome wasnt built in a day, and neither should your pond.

4. Design.

There are various designs of koi ponds available to be seen over the internet. There will be a wide selection of styles, fishes, and plants, with most of them varying from the traditional to the incredibly unique, depending on the preference of the owner.

The great thing about designing a koi pond is that you can design it so that it compliments not only the rest of your yard, but your home. You can have it curving, square or round; and as a part of the whole landscape scene or let it stand on its own in a particular place.

When you have considered these things, it will be the time to build your koi pond. You have your choice of doing it all by yourself if you have the capability for it. If not, there are specialists out there that could surely build the pond according to your personal tastes and preferences.

Experts suggest that koi ponds should be installed first before the rest of the landscape. That way, problems will be prevented especially if the pond needs or be expanded or extended.

Once you are finished, you will realize that the planning, building and expenses is definitely worth it all. Your koi fish will agree!

Looking for ideas for your water gardens? Learn more about building backyard ponds, water garden care and how to install a liner pond at MagicalWaterGardens .com

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A Quick Guide To Pruning

By Sally Robson

Winter, or fall as they say in America, is traditionally the best time to prune back your plants, shrubs and trees. This is best done while they are dormant and by thinning and clearing old dead sections, the plant is at it’s best, to start to new growth and buds in the Spring. For Southern hemisphere gardens, that time is now. For those living in the Northern hemisphere, get ready and learn a few tips.

There is actually something therapeutic about the task of cutting back and cleaning up those unruly plants in your garden. Not only do you stimulate growth, but you also get the chance to tidy up and get access to the soil.

Many people are afraid of pruning, lest they damage the plants. This seems to be particularly true with roses and fruit trees. Rule of thumb says it is perfectly safe and simple, but don’t overdo your pruning.

The very best time, theoretically, to do your pruning, if you are in the Southern hemisphere, is the 3rd week of July up to the latter part of August.. If in the Northern hemisphere, this would be around the 3rd week of January, through to the end of February.

All types of rose bush can be pruned, except for the Heritage and Banksia varieties. When pruning climbing rosebushes, first untie the stems, remove the old growth, and carefully reattach and support the stems. Remove any side stems from the main plant. With standard roses, cut back stems and branches to about 2 inches and remove all dead twigs.

I am often asked about the angle of the cut. Don’t worry too much about this. A straight cut is best, but not always easy to achieve. Just remember to keep the thick blade of your cutters, or secateurs, facing up and away from you. Failing to do this, might bruise the stem.

Most roses will thrive on being pruned, particularly if they never performed well in the last summer. For most older rose bushes, a light pruning will be enough, especially if you take this opportunity, to enrich the soil with compost.

After you have pruned your roses, it is a good idea to remove all leaves, especially those that do not look healthy. Contrary to common belief, these do not benefit the plant and only serve to attract pests and diseases.

Hard pruning is the term given to the ruthless pruning of old roses and those planted too close together. You will need to regenerate growth, in these plants. Here, you should cut the stems right back, to about 2 inches above the ground and remove all sideways growing shoots, stems and forks.

Most of the plants in your garden, can be pruned without risk of damage. Roses are probably the most temperamental and delicate of all, so if you use these guidelines, you should be alright.

When pruning fruit trees, look at the tree from all angles and you will see where shaping is required. Pruning helps to keep the trees healthy, vibrant and free from dead wood. Again, the principle is to encourage new healthy growth and in this way, to get the best fruit yield.

Cut away all dead branches and twigs and clean out the central growth. You should also remove all messy, sideways growth. Trim the remaining main growth branches, by about two thirds. With peaches and nectarines, be careful not to remove the new stalks, produced in the last season, as these are fruit bearing. Plums, apricots and cherries don’t need much pruning at all.

Well, that is a quick guide to pruning and should help to invigorate your garden. The only tools you will need, are gardening gloves, to protect your hands, a pair of long handled loppers, to reach the higher branches and to give you more leverage to cut thicker branches and the usual pair of gardening secateurs, for normal use.

Sally Robson is an up and coming, South African internet marketer, with a vision of empowering all fellow South Africans and non U.S folk, to have equal opportunity and success on the internet. She and her husband Derek, have started a string of sites, resources, courses and articles, as part of Dersalsites. She also has a passion for gardening.

To remain informed of our progress, by newsletter and mail, to get recommended tools and lessons and to start your journey to wealth, sign up here. It’s free. Click this link: dersalsites.com/newsletter/

For more articles and advice on gardening topics, visit Sally’s website at www.dersalsites.com/gardening/ and her blog at: dersalsites.com/sallysgardeningtips/

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The Benefits of Landscape Lights

By Andrew Caxton

If you are searching for a way to add a touch of color and excitement to your gardens, then you may want to try landscape lighting. They are not only beautiful and stylish. They also help to give your home more security. The good news is that you can add landscape lighting to any kind of landscaping design. They can be easily installed anywhere that you choose, whether it is in your front or back yard.

Security Benefits

Adding landscape lights are an easy way to add some security to your home. The lights will help to brighten up any dark corners of your yard, as well as illuminating the steps or other areas in your landscaping design for ease of use.

Garden Accents

Enhancing your garden area is easily done by installing landscape lights. There is a great variety of landscape lights that will allow you to landscape your garden with style and finesse. They are also relatively inexpensive ways to update a boring garden area. If you need a new feature in your rock garden or flowerbed, then look no further!

Types of Lights

Landscape lights are usually powered in two different ways. One is solar powered and the other is electric. Solar powered landscape lights have a solar cell that takes the energy from the sun and stores it inside of its rechargeable batteries. Solar landscape lights are not very expensive, but, depending upon the solar batteries, they may not shine very long or brightly. They are easy to install, however, and are easy to maintain.

Another option for landscape lights are the ones that are powered by an electrical source. The wires are run underground and they are then powered into your home’s electrical system. This type of landscape light is best used for larger areas and can be installed yourself if you are comfortable with working with electricity.

Decorating With Landscape Lights

Using landscape lights to decorate your yard is a wonderful idea. You can line your walkway with the lights or make a path to your home using the landscape lights. They will not only illuminate your way, but they can also add interest and charm to your home. If you choose the electric lights, then you can change out the light bulbs to go with the seasons - red and green for Christmas, orange for the fall and Halloween, and pastel colors for the spring and Easter. This is a simple way to integrate your lights into your decorating scheme.

Partying with Landscape Lights

If you enjoy entertaining, then you will definitely want to add landscape lights to your yard. Installing lights around your yard will make an ideal setting for all of those outdoor parties. It is also a great way to show of your newly designed landscape.

Landscape lights are a great way to light up your yard and feature the special parts of your landscaped area. You, your friends, and your family will enjoy the ambiance that the landscape lights help to add to your home and yard.

Andrew Caxton is the editor and journalist of many information websites like www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com who has written more articles and newsletters on lawn care. Find more publications about landscape lighting at his website.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Caxton

               

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How To Make Compost

By Enid Edginton

It is easy to learn how to make compost. It is just a natural process that when all is said and done needs very little intervention from you. Compost is one of nature’s best mulches and soil amendments, and you can use it instead of commercial fertilizers. Best of all, compost is inexpensive.

Making compost is all about creating the ideal environment for organisms to thrive in the compost pile. After all compost is in the end is a waste product that results after hundreds of different organisms including friendly bacteria, fungi, insects and worms feed on our waster. After these organisms break down organic matter the rich crumbling brown matter left over is the fertilizer and soil conditioner that you will use to grow big and healthy plants in your garden.

If you just dump waste in a can it will take over a year to degrade into compost If you are wondering how to make compost quickly then you need to know a bit about the heat moisture and air conditions that are used to speed the whole process fast. Yet another key to success when it comes to how to make compost is to make sure that the core of your waste pile (whether it is inside or outside of a composting bin) heat up inside. This happens naturally but you can make it happen faster by adding composting teas that you make yourself or buy at a store. Another good thing about the internal heat inside a compost heat is the way it helps destroy plant viruses, bad bacteria and the seeds of weeds that may have ended up in the pile.

You can use almost carbon-rich materials (brown waste like leaves) and nitrogen-rich materials (like vegetable peelings.) Among the carbon rich materials are hay and wood chips. Nitrogen rich materials are fresh or green, such as grass clippings. To speed up the decomposition of matter when you are composting you need to keep the ration of brown stuff to 25 parts and add just 1 part greens. Using this ratio of green to brown waste will help your compost degrade more rapidly. Achieving the best mix is more an art gained through experience than an exact science.

Leaves are a great thing to put in your composter and should make up the total percentage of your yard waste. One way to make leaves degrade faster is to put them through a chipper or shredder. You can also try laying them out and shredding them by running your lawn mower over them again and again. These leaves will decompose faster then ones that are bigger.

Grass Clippings break down rapidly and contain a great deal of nitrogen. To prevent them from starting to smell in your composter, spread them on the driveway or other surface to dry out in the sun for a day or two. They are ready to throw in the composter when they turn straw like in texture.

You can add all types of kitchen refuse to your compost bin or compost heap as well. Types of kitchen waste that you can throw in include melon rinds, orange rinds, carrot and turnip peelings, banana peels, apple cores and tea bags. However don’t try to compost things like peanut butter or any meat matter as it will slow down the process of decay and cause odors and maybe even a problem with rodents.

Shredded organic materials heat up rapidly, disintegrate quickly, and produce silky, crumbly nutrient rich compost. The decomposition rate increases with the size of the composting materials. Don’t forget that you can add new materials on an ongoing basis to an already heaping pile of compost and to mix it or turn it over with a spade once a week to achieve optimum results!

Learn how to make compost at Bins for Compost.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Enid_Edginton

               

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Advertiser Appreciation: June 2007

I have been posting around the week of the 10th of each month a “THANK-YOU” post, like this one, to all the advertisers from the previous month listed as at month end. That’s a permanent link in this blog, under the category heading which I call .. “Sponsor Appreciation”. I know it’s hard out there trying to figure out where to spend your advertising dollars .. and well .. THANKS for considering the And You Retire blog.

I have compiled a new advertising page for the HART-Empire Network of sites for your perusal.

Please Support Our Sponsors From June 2007

Amplified Phones

Interviewing Interesting Bloggers

T D Hedengren’s Blog

All things MMORPG

Everything Xbox Live Arcade

Raise Capital in 90 Days Online - Now!

Thank-You Sponsors!

               

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