Posted onJan 19, 2016
Normally we provide you with information on landscape and lawn care. Since it’s winter, however, we will move indoors and provide you with information on the care of your indoor plants, also known as, your interiorscape. Here, are some hints, personal experience, and insights to avoid the most common mistakes made in the care of indoor plants.
One average-size plant can help purify up to 100 cubic feet of air
As many of you are aware, plants give off oxygen while absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They are wonderful air purifiers—one average-size plant can help purify up to 100 cubic feet of air. It seems obvious that the more plants you have in your home, the cleaner your air will be. This is a better idea for those of you in the northern climates. Winter means sealing your house against the cold and drafts of the brutal winter winds. The air can get a little stale, so several, well-placed, houseplants can really help. There are, also, the psychological benefits of being surrounded by living houseplants. They can have a relaxing effect on people, and provide you a chance to keep exercising your ‘green thumb’. Depending on the variety you pick, they can add to the overall décor of your home. Many plants have multi-colored leaves and some even produce flowers while indoors. Your interior environment can be aesthetically pleasing while providing a comfortable, relaxed feeling. It will require some thought on your part to choose plants that will fit the location that you select for them.
The only indestructible indoor plant is a fake one
The only indestructible indoor plant is a fake one. All others require varying degrees of care. Some that are relatively maintenance-free are Aloes, Cactus, Spider Plants, Pothos, and Dracaenas. Unless you are very experienced with indoor plants, you may wish to avoid any requiring special growing conditions such as African Violets and Orchids.
All plants need light to survive. Some plants that can endure low light, such as from a north window, are Chinese Evergreens, Sansevieria (also called Snake Plant or Mother-In-Law’s Tongue) and Heartleaf Philodendron. I can, personally, attest to the fact that the majority of the plants named so far will survive in extreme conditions. I sometimes think that I have conditioned my plants to survive in cave-like conditions. I am actually afraid to move them into better growing conditions for fear they may not know how to survive in the ‘normal’ world of light and adequate water supplies. Most plants that you purchase have a small tag that gives the light and watering requirements, so it is advisable to follow the directions. The Arizona Cooperative Extension Service has a good website to help pick indoor plants. A useful feature of their site is their use of common names for the plants, instead of the unpronounceable Latin names. The site has a comprehensive list of plants and the type of environment that is best suited for them to survive. Unfortunately, they don’t list ‘cave-like’ as one of the choices, so I guess I will have to retrain my plants to allow them to live in a ‘better’ world.
Too much or too little water is the number one factor that accounts for the majority of losses with plants – whether in the yard or in the home. This is the area where I realized that I was making several mistakes. In most potted plants, the roots are growing in the bottom 2/3 of the pot. If I were feeling guilty about the care my plants were receiving and paid serious attention to them, I would water them at least once a week. That may have been too much, as the top dries out much faster than the root zone. The best way to check is to poke your finger into the pot about 2” or up to your second knuckle. If the soil feels moist, do not water, but check again in a couple of days. If you prefer not to get your fingers dirty, there are fancy moisture meters available, but they are about $50. Personally, I would rather get my fingers a little dirty – it reminds me of working in my garden. Some other factors that can affect moisture loss are the type of growing medium or soil that the plant is growing in, the type of pot used, or the amount of sunlight the plant receives. If you water when the soil on top is dry, you will probably over-water the plant.
When you do water, supply enough so that it runs out of the bottom – assuming the pot has a drainage hole at the bottom. It is always best to use a pot that has a drainage hole in the bottom to allow water to pass through the soil. There are two good reasons for this: to ensure the root zone receives enough water, and to allow excess salts (from fertilizers) and other minerals to pass through the soil. You should also be sure to not let the plant sit in the water that runs out. This practice allows the excess salts and other minerals, which were just washed out of the soil, to be re-absorbed. Pour off the excess water from the collection dish. If you do want to use a fancier pot that does not have a drainage hole, then place a smaller pot with a drainage hole, into the larger pot. This will allow the water to flow through the soil and allow you to use a more decorative pot. By the way, if you cannot poke your finger an inch or so into the pot, then it is either really dry or it is root-bound and should be re-potted into a larger pot.
Feed your indoor plants similar to the way you fertilize your outdoor plants.
Feeding your indoor plants is similar to the way outdoor plant and lawn fertilization works. The general rule is to fertilize every two weeks, from March to September. Let the plants rest during the winter and do not fertilize them, unless they have unique requirements that dictate feeding at this time of year. Most indoor plants are imported from the tropics and need plenty of humidity. A humidifier is a good way to increase the relative humidity for the plants. Another way to increase the relative humidity is to set the plant in a tray with a layer of gravel in which an even level of water is maintained below the top of the gravel. As the water evaporates, it will provide an increase in the relative humidity. Misting has not proven to be adequate in increasing the relative humidity for the plants, but it doesn’t hurt to do it. It is better to mist the plants in the morning so they have a chance to dry before dark. This is the same reason that it is best not to water your outdoor plants or lawn at night. Many diseases perpetuate during the cool, dark hours of nighttime. Adding available moisture at that time increases the potential for disease development.
Living plants definitely improve your physical and mental indoor environment. If you choose them carefully and give them a little TLC, they will provide years of enjoyment and provide you with a chance to keep your gardening skills honed.
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Home Sweet Home Snow Removal and Landscaping, Summit County, Colorado
Posted onJan 4, 2016
There is nothing like the scent of mowed grass on a lazy summer afternoon, except when you have grass allergies and other types of fun experiences with chemical fertilizers that are sometimes overused on today’s lawns—not to mention the extreme consumption of water for the ever thirsty lawn.
Some people—an increasing amount, arguably—are starting to think that the grass lawns of yesterday may need to take a backseat and allow a new and improved solution for lawns and what they need. Thankfully there are plenty of possible substitutes for such areas around a home, something that allows everything you’ve ever wanted from your lawn without the need for chemicals, etc.. The following may easily be a solution that works wonders as a landscaping contractor, so you may want to pitch these ideas to some of your clientele.
1. There is nothing better than lying down on a fresh green field on a lovely sunny day, reading a good book, looking at the clouds or maybe having a picnic outside with fresh air around. You may want to consider the importance of eco-lawns and ground covers that will reduce the need for chemicals, constant irrigation, mowing and so forth.
2. Blue Star Creeper, also known as Isotoma fluviatillis, is excellent to use as ground cover due to its fast growth rate and may easily take on the added foot traffic without any issues. You can create a welcoming meadow during the spring and summer seasons you can use without a care in the world.
3. Green Carpet Rupturewort, also known as Herniaria glabra, is also a good choice due to its small leaves, growing flat near the ground for an excellent evergreen carpet. During the winter it will turn red so you can still enjoy it when the snows melt.
4. If you happen to have a lot of shade around your garden area, you can do some landscaping and avoid mowing by introducing moss to it instead. This will require you to get out of your comfort zone in what a lawn should look like, as you likely fought mosses away from your garden until now. Sheet moss, also known as Hypnum is really easy to cultivate and use, and it happens to be quite sturdy to foot traffic as well. It will form a good, solid mat you can enjoy when you’re done with it.
5. If you have a lot of sunny spots instead, you can go with Kidney Weed, also known as Dichondra micrantha, which will easily grow to about two inches in height and loves thriving on hot climates.
6. The Elfin Thyme or Thymus serpyllum will give you a good, solid mat of foliage that blooms with pretty pale pink flowers in summertime. The greatest thing about it? It will easily stand up to foot traffic and it has a really pleasant scent you can enjoy.
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Home Sweet Home Snow Removal and Landscaping, Summit County, Colorado
Posted onDec 14, 2015
Average Cost in Past 12 Years: $1.8 Million-Per Inch
Each inch of snow removal cost New York City an average of $1.8 million in the past 12 years, according to a new report from City Comptroller Scott Stringer.
The city spent $663.2 million clearing snow from fiscal 2003 through fiscal 2014, the report found.
Costs in general were greater in years with lighter snowfall because the city must prepare regardless of actual snowfall amounts. “It’s a lot more expensive on a per-inch basis when we get a little snow because we have startup costs and we have fixed costs. We have to have plows and salt,” Mr. Stringer said.
In fiscal 2003, the city saw 55.5 inches of snow and paid $740,000 per inch in cleanup costs; in fiscal 2012, the city had 6.8 inches of snow and paid $4.4 million per inch.
At a certain point, however, more snow also costs more per inch. Mr. Stringer said the “sweet spot” at which the city gets the best return on its snow-removal spending is between 24 and 56 inches per season.
The comptroller said preparation was also a factor because the city in the past has had to scramble to hire emergency contractors when caught off guard by a winter storm.
In short, the cost of snow removal for New York City is far from a straight line when plotted over time. The old adage of $1 million per year is also rarely true. While costs can dip that low and even lower in certain optimal years, from FY 2003 – FY 2014, the average cost‐per‐inch was $1.8 million.
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Home Sweet Home Snow Removal and Landscaping, Summit County, Colorado
Posted onDec 1, 2015
While snow-covered roofs can make for a picturesque winter scene, the combination of freshly fallen snow with the melting and refreezing of snow can place stress on the roof of your home or business. If more than a foot of heavy, wet snow and ice have accumulated on the roof, you should have it removed.
Snow Removal Tips
Clearing the snow off your roof from the gutters or eaves upwards of three to four feet after each winter storm can help prevent ice dams from forming. Remember to avoid using a ladder in snowy and icy conditions. This can be extremely dangerous and is best left to professionals.
For Flat Roofs:
If your flat roof is easily accessible from an interior stairway, you may want to shovel the roof, but be careful not to damage the roof covering.
Remember to put safety first any time you are on a roof, especially one that is covered in snow and ice. If you have any doubt, leave it to professionals.
For Sloped Roofs:
It may be possible to remove the snow and ice from your sloped roof using a roof rake – a long-handled tool designed specifically for this purpose. Stand on the ground and pull as much of the snow off the eaves as you can safely reach.
If you cannot safely reach the roof, contact a homebuilder, landscaping and roofing contractor, or property maintenance company to remove the snow and ice. Before hiring a contractor, check their references. Always be sure any contractor you hire is qualified, insured and bonded.
The amount of snow and ice your roof can support will depend on a number of factors, including the roof type as well as the age and condition of the structure. But a good rule to keep in mind is if more than a foot of heavy, wet snow and ice has accumulated on your roof, you should have it removed.
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Home Sweet Home Snow Removal and Landscaping, Summit County, Colorado
Posted onNov 16, 2015
Summit County, Colorado
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Advantages of getting a snow removal contract
Home, business and property owners know the benefits to having a snow removal contract from a qualified contractor. Most important among them are that you'll:
Avoid hefty fines: Some cities have heavy fines for home, business and property owners who do not clear their sidewalks and driveways.
By signing a snow removal contract, you can protect yourself from tickets and fines all winter long and know a professional crew will take care of all your residential or commercial snow removal needs.
Get guaranteed service: Some snow removal contractors offer “one shot” services for single snow removal projects, but these are likely to have a waiting list that may take days to pass through.
With an annual snow removal contract, you know a snow removal expert is on the way after every snowfall.
Reduce injuries: By choosing a reputable snow removal contractor, you can help prevent injuries to you and your family.
Professional snow removal experts have the experience to know how to work safely during even the heaviest winter storms.
Get fast snow removal with the right equipment: By hiring a professional snow removal crew for your home or business this winter, you can rest assured that an experienced team is using the latest tools and products.
Your snow will always get cleared quickly and efficiently.
Stay in business: If you own a business, having a snow removal contract could be a sound investment.
With a professional team working at your property, your business can stay open even in the harshest weather.
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Contact us for all your snow removal/landscaping needs at:
Posted onNov 2, 2015
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Snow removal is a necessity in our place of residence, and it can also be a headache if not planned out in advance. We have been in business since 2008, we are local, we are reliable, and when it comes to snow removal reliability is what you need.
As soon as the snow begins to fall, we are ready to assist in any snow removal needs. Contact us before the winter season starts. Our snow removal contracts run generally from November 1st - April 30th, which guarantees our service throughout the winter season. Check out our Snow Removal services page for full details.
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Contact us for your entire landscaping & snow removal needs at:
Posted onOct 19, 2015
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Snow might create a pretty winter wonderland, but it’s an entire other beast when you need to get rid of it on a regular basis. If you manage property in an area that’s prone to lots of snow, removing snow frequently can be a tiring and seemingly never-ending process. However, it’s important to keep the walkways and sidewalks around your property clear and safe lest your tenants slip and fall. Snow removal is a task you need to stay on top of during the winter, like if I am telling most of you something new.
So with that said, you need a responsible company to do the right thing we are your company. Locally owned and operated we are there for you and your personal needs and your business and investment needs also.
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Contact us for your entire landscaping & snow removal needs at:
http://www.homesweethomelandscaping.com/contact