Archive for June, 2008

Easter Lilies, and the Number One Gardening Question Right Now

Sunday, June 22nd, 2008

By Doug Green Everybody asks about Easter lilies! Can they go outside; can I plant them in my garden? And to this I reply, “Why not?” Like other bulbs, there are two options if you plant your leftover Easter lily bulbs - either they will live and flower for many years (it is perfectly hardy into zone 4) or they will immediately die. If you don’t plant the bulb, it will definitely die. So you have nothing to lose by planting. Once the Easter lily bloom has faded in the house, cut the stem back as far as you can. Grow the plant in a sunny windowsill, keeping it moist (not sopping) and feed weekly with houseplant food. After all danger of frost has passed wherever you live, you can plant it outdoors. Planting outdoors is as easy as digging a hole and planting so that the top of the bulb will be three inches below the surface. Add a shovel of compost and a shovel of peat moss to the planting hole and ensure the soil is well loosened. Remember it is necessary to dig a large enough hole to spread the lily roots out and to ensure it is at least eighteen inches from another plant. Place the bulb in the bottom of the planting hole and backfill the soil up to the neck of the bulb do not cover the green leaves. Covering the green leaves at this time could rot them. Wait until the leaves have turned yellow and faded before totally filling in the hole. After you’ve planted the bulb, water it thoroughly. Carefully water and turn the area into a mudhole so no air spaces are left around the bulb.The original foliage may die back immediately after planting. If this happens, cut the foliage right back to the bulb and then backfill the hole. Do not be surprised to see a new set of leaves emerge from the hole. Water thoroughly after backfilling. The key to success with growing Easter lilies is to give the tops full sun but to shade the roots. Hot tops and cold feet would describe this growing condition. Also, excellent drainage is essential for bulb success. Poor drainage or clay soils will rot the bulb over winter because of excessive moisture. Remember the normal time for the lily to bloom is mid-summer. The first planting year you may see a bloom in mid-summer but the likelihood is that the bulb will wait for next year to bloom again. Your job is to grow the bulb. Do not cut off leaves until they are well faded and quite yellow. Do not pin them up so other plants can grow next to the lily. You want those leaves to stretch out and absorb as much sunlight as possible because they are feeding the bulb and making next year’s flower bud. And next year’s Easter lily bulb is what you’re looking for, and the one after that, and the one after that too. If you’re looking for other bulb information, check out this website. To contact the author, use the email form at http://www.flower-garden-bulbs.com/gardeningtips.html copright Doug Green 2005 Doug GreenAward winning garden author http://www.flower-garden-bulbs.com Blog:http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/gardens-gardening-news.html * * * * * * Permission is given to use or distribute the above article in accordance with ezinearticles.com terms of service Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Doug_Green http://EzineArticles.com/?Easter-Lilies,-and-the-Number-One-Gardening-Question-Right-Now&id=20631 what online medical transcription courses offer student loans private student loan no faxing payday lenders in mexico free money to pay off nursing school student loans

Hot Tub Maintenance - Keep Your Water Sparkling Clean

Thursday, June 19th, 2008

By Louis Zhang Hot tub maintenance is required to keep the water sparkling and clean. This will enhance your enjoyment of your spa. Although maintenance may take some time, it is well worth the effort to have a clean and healthy spa in which you can soak in after a long day at work. There are many reasons why water in the hot tub can be cloudy, too foamy, discolored or cause skin irritations. Most of these can be cleared up very quickly with testing and adding the proper chemical component to the hot tub water. A few tips will enhance your enjoyment of the hot tub… Cloudy Water - Try cleaning the filter to remove any dirt and particles. - It also may have a high Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) level. If this is the case, it is recommended that the hot tub be completely drained and refilled. - Test for the pH level in the tub. If it is not at the correct level, use the pH solution to bring it to the correct level. - If it has a high calcium level, drain the tub halfway then refill.- If there are dissolved solids in the water, add a bit of clarifier to do the trick. - If you have a high bacteria level you should add some sanitizer to the water. Discolored Water - If the water starts to get a brown, green, yellow, discolored or dingy look to it you may have several problems. - You may have a high mineral count to which you will need to add a stain and scale preventative. - Test the alkaline level and add pH or Alkalinity Up to the hot tub water to clarify it. Yellow water typically means there is a low pH and pH or Alkalinity Up should be added.- Check the sanitizer level and add some more if it is low. Green water may indicate algae growth that can be deterred by adding sanitizer. White Scaly Deposits - White scaly deposits indicate low sanitizer level in the water. This can be improved simply by adding some. Excessively Foamy Water - Water is very soft. - Water is contaminated. - Water has a high TDS level. - Add a stain and scale preventative, pH or Alkalinity Up and sanitizers to the water. Ring Around the Hot Tub - Filtration problems. Check the filters and clean them thoroughly. This is the most common reason. - Too many oils present in the water. Add a chemical cleanser such as Natural and Clear or Scum Bug to clear up the ring quickly. Skin Irritations after Soaking - Reduction in the sanitizer level. Test for this and add sanitizer if necessary. If your skin is sensitive to this, always wait twenty minutes before entering the hot tub. - Staying in the hot tub too long or soaking for too long at temperatures that are too high. Check with manuals, dealer or doctor for duration of use and temperature. And you thought you’d be working all night on the hot tub :) Do wear proper protective gear when handling spa chemicals and cleaning filters. And, do wait the recommended time after the addition of chemical or cleansers. But most importantly, do rest from your labors and enjoy the benefits of your now pristine, sparklingly clear hot tub. Copyright 2006, Hot-Tub-Supplies.com ________________________________________ At Hot Tub Supplies, Louis Zhang helps you choose a hot tub that you and your family can enjoy for years to come. You can get more hot tub maintenance, safety and health tips at Hot Tub Maintenance Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Louis_Zhang http://EzineArticles.com/?Hot-Tub-Maintenance—Keep-Your-Water-Sparkling-Clean&id=251408 sba loans for realestate investers e s cash advance portland oregon loans online iowa payday loans cash advances with no faxing

How To Make A Wrapped Wire Loop

Sunday, June 15th, 2008

By Jennifer Thoden For many of your bead patterns, you will need to know how to make a wrapped wire loop. A wrapped wire loop is medium thick wire wrapped to form an enclosed loop that you use to string beads and dangles. To create a wrapped loop you should use 20 guage wire or a head pin. You would use a head pin if you only need one side of your bead(s) to have a loop. You would use the wire if you need to create loops on both ends of the bead. As you can see, a head pin is perfect for creating dangles for earrings and for dangles to hang off your necklace. A loop on each end of a bead allows that bead to be hooked on both ends for creative design purposes. The instructions here for a wrapped loop will show a 2″ head pin… but you can use this method on your wire of choice. Step 1. With your flat-nose pliers, grasp the wire at least 1″ from the end. Step 2. Using your finger, press the wire over the pliers creating a 90 degree angle Step 3. With your round-nose pliers, grasp the wire close to the bend, with the wire close to tips of the pliers. (Where the wire is located on the round-nose pliers will determine the diameter of the loop. You should have the wire where the arrow is pointing in the photo.) Step 4. Roll the pliers toward the bend… use your finger to press the wire around the pliers to form a loop… with the tail of the wire laying at a 90 degree angle across the bend. Step 5. Grasp the loop with your flat-nose pliers, so that the intersection of the wire on the bend is inside the pliers… and the nose of the pliers is pointing in the same direction as the tail. Step 6. Using your finger, bend the tail tightly around the wire. Vist http://www.beadpatternsonline.com to read this article with detailed photos and diagrams. Happy Beading! Jennifer Thoden Discover free bead patterns, beading instructions and an online bead store directory. Visit http://www.beadpatternsonline.com to enjoy free designer bead patterns, detailed step by step bead instructions, dozens of beading related articles and a growing online bead store directory to help you find the beading supplies you need. http://www.beadpatternsonline.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Thoden http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Make-A-Wrapped-Wire-Loop&id=124378 your personal loan bad credit car loan peabody oasis cash advance flamingo rd las vegas nv chase personal loan

Knitting - My Passion

Saturday, June 7th, 2008

By Holly Burnham I always wanted to be good at something, no not just good, I wanted to excel. Everyone does, whether they admit it or not. Through the years Ive tried all the needle arts, painting, sewing, cooking, gardening. Once, and this is a secret..I tried to write a book. Knitting seems to be my niche. I get compliments on my knitting. I like getting compliments and so I knit more. My first few attempts were very sad. My sweet daughter once wore a sweater for an entire winter that, because I had run out of yarn and bought something close enough, had one sleeve a different pink than the rest of the sweater. My son wore mittens with the thumbs so misplaced his entire wrist was exposed to the snow and cold. I knit two ugly sweaters for friends of ours one Christmas and proudly wrapped and presented them. Understandably, I never saw them sport them. I am better now. I produce decent garments for my grandchildren. This current generation owes a lot to the previous one. I knit for pleasure..my pleasure, and that is a good thing. As I get older I clearly see its important to take care of yourself. Knitting takes care of me. I experience a soothing sensation as I pick up my needles and start fondling the yarn. I preen with pride when someone enthusiastically admires something Ive knitted for them. I enjoy the camaraderie of fellow needle clickers. I want you to learn to knit because I cant imagine life without this past time, but more importantly, I want you to find something that fills you with joy. I want you to find your individual passion. Humans are, by nature, creative beings. Our lives are so full we sometimes neglect to find time for our personal pursuits. In my opinion, the secret is to try anything that interests you. You will be good at some and fail at others. Somewhere in your heart is a passion you need to nurture. Holly Burnham is a self admitted yarn addict. The addiction will be life long and there is no hope of remission. Her constant knitting has put the cleanliness of her home in peril. Her yarn stashes are havens for generations of moths. At the risk of contracting this affliction, visit her at http://www.knittinghaven.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Holly_Burnham http://EzineArticles.com/?Knitting—My-Passion&id=250084 35000 personal loan real bad credit personal loans pay day cash up to 600 buy used car with no credit check

How To Lose Weight Naturally

Sunday, June 1st, 2008

By Dawn H Robertshaw Short of quitting smoking, weight loss is probably the single most important factor determining the quality and duration of your life. Weight loss is often treated as a quick fix or short-term goal. The key to successful weight loss is making changes in your eating and physical activity habits that you can keep up for the rest of your life. The first step needed in natural weight loss is to adapt to new eating habits and to not rely on diet drugs. Today diet and weight loss is successfully achieved through a change of lifestyle and eating habits rather than a two week quick fix. Make sure that you eat a well balanced diet: Eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Remember, a glass of fruit juice counts towards your recommended daily allowance. Choose a variety of lean meat, poultry and fish, these are all good sources of protein.Nuts, seeds and pulses are a good source of fiber. Avoid eating deep fried foods as they are high in fat and low in nutrients. Use alternative ways of cooking your food, for example boiling, grilling, poaching. Opt for low-fat or fat-free foods. Allow yourself a treat occasionally. Follow a calorie-reduced, but balanced diet that provides for as little as one or two pounds of weight loss a week. unsecured business loan or grant business loan but i have bad credit american general loans online dallas unsecured small business loans