Garden Pergola

Garden Pergola: "Pergolas have been around for thousands of years and their earliest use resembled a small archway rather than the large pergolas many people have today. Originally, they were used as supports for climbing plants and flowers which, when the plants and flowers were fully grown and covering the arch, could give people a shaded and protective area to sit under. Pergolas are still used in this manner, particularly in gardens where they are sometimes referred to as a garden arbor. They can be small like the original archways, an archway incorporated into a larger pergola structure, or made without an archway and simply be a large pergola in a variety of styles."

Uncover What Makes Excellent Garden Lanterns

Uncover What Makes Excellent Garden Lanterns: "There are two methods to categorize garden lanterns: the manner in which the lanterns are powered and the style of giving light to the garden. Outdoor garden lamps can be run by fuel, electricity and solar energy.

Outdoor lanterns powered by fuel, resembling antique oil lamps or gas lamps, have small containers to hold the gas or oil. To continually give illumination to your garden, the oil or gas must be replenished."

Bird Window Feeders Give You Entertainment

Bird Window Feeders Give You Entertainment: "Bird window feeders are great for attracting birds into your yards. If you want to see different birds up close in your yard, or apartment building, having window feeders are more convenient than other types of feeders. You can also attract birds with the bird bath.

There are two types of window feeders. One is attached to a window, and the other is put inside a windowsill. The feeder attached to a window is always attached to the glass through suction cups or with Velcro. Generally smaller than windowsill feeders, on-window feeders fit any type of size of window."

No Weeds, No Guilt. Tips for a Toxic-Free Lawn or Garden

No Weeds, No Guilt. Tips for a Toxic-Free Lawn or Garden: "Nothing makes a hard core green thumb madder than weeds in the lawn or garden. They're ugly. They compete for light, water, and nutrients. Sometimes they make you itch or sneeze! It's no wonder that Home Expo Mart has aisles and aisles of chemicals that you can use to kill those weeds before they take over your favorite green spot.

The problem with pesticides is that they don't stay where you put them. Every time it rains, the water runoff washes trace amounts of the chemicals away -- into the nearest creek. These pesticides add up in the water supplies downstream from you. And the green thumbs applying pesticides upstream from you... well, let's just say that here in the DC metro area, tapwater is safe to drink. But using alternative methods to kill the weeds in your lawn and garden is responsible behavior."

Save Energy with Replacement Windows

Save Energy with Replacement Windows: "All of us would jump at the chance to save up to $460 a year on our energy bill. Replacement windows may be the easiest way to lower your energy bill and keep that cash in your wallet!
Windows and doors are the largest source of energy loss in your home. As much as 46 percent of heat is lost through your windows and doors and up to 50 percent of unwanted heat gain happens through your windows. According to ENERGY STAR, new double pane glass windows can save you $126 to $465 a year and new single pane windows can save $27 to $111 a year.

At each season change you should carefully evaluate you windows . If you notice unusual frost or moisture build up on your window panes, it may be time to consider window replacement. It may also be time to buy new windows if you can feel air leaks around the windows or if you see your carpet fading where the sun shines into your home."

Don't Be A Pain in the Drain!

Don't Be A Pain in the Drain!: "There's a small handful of things you absolutely don't want to flush down the drain, such as money or time – and also old cooking grease, unused medicines, and household chemicals.

That's right. Modern American homes are full of things that CAN go down the drain but SHOULDN'T. This article will provide a few tips on what those are – and how to deal with them. Responsibly." ... (Click on title link above to read entire DIY article on things to avoid flushing down your drains.) ...

Amish Gazebos

Amish Gazebos: "Structures made by the Amish are noted for their detail in construction and design. This reflects the values the Amish have always had of building solid and safe buildings for members of their communities and doing it to honor a higher calling. A modern structure that in itself has a venerated history and is generally noted for its detail and quality nature is the gazebo. Combining the serenity of a gazebo with the construction of the Amish can create one of the most magnificent edifices you will ever have on your property." ... (Click on title link above to read entire DIY article on Amish gazebos.) ...

Five Reasons to Pick Up After Your Dog, Every Single Time

Five Reasons to Pick Up After Your Dog, Every Single Time: "Sure, we've all felt the temptation. Maybe you're tired. Maybe you're just not feeling great that day. Maybe the weather is bad and you just want to go home. Maybe you just don't think anyone is looking. But whatever the reason, you're out walking the dog -- and suddenly, you lose your resolve to scoop that poop.

While the urge to leave the dog doo on the ground is normal, even inevitable, it's a temptation that you should resist. Most responsible dog owners pick up after their pets most of the time. But here are five good reasons why ALL dog owners should pick up after their dog ALL of the time." ... (Click on title link above to read entire DIY article on proper disposal of dog feces.) ...

Chicken Coops for sale

Chicken Coops for sale: "Backyard chickens are becoming very popular not only as pets but as a source of food for many homesteaders and urbanites alike. It is important to provide a suitable home for your chickens, especially in more urban environments where aesthetics are a concern. If you do not have the time or desire to build your own chicken coop, there are countless types of chicken coops for sale as well as companies to help guide you to the best one for your needs."... (Click on title link above to read entire DIY article on chicken coops.) ...

Water for Life, Your Lawn, Your Planet

Water for Life, Your Lawn, Your Planet: "If you are a die hard green thumb, then the first sing of spring is when you find yourself gazing out the window at yard and thinking 'that looks awful.' You find yourself rummaging around the shed, inspecting your garden tools, and making excuses about why you need to get out to the Home Expo Mart and linger in the lawn and garden aisle.

And if you are die hard green thumb, then the first sign of summer is when you find yourself thinking 'it's been a while since it rained' -- and you unwind the hose to give your beloved plants a bath."... (Click on title link above to read entire DIY article the importance and proper use and conservation of water.)...

Amish Storage Sheds

Amish Storage Sheds: "The Amish are noted for putting their heart and soul into everything they do, and this includes building sheds, homes, barns, and the like. Our modern society not only pressures us to move at faster and faster speeds but it pushes us to get more and more stuff. The more stuff we get, the more space we need to store it, and soon we may find ourselves needing a storage shed to put it all in. Modern storage sheds can be erected quickly but may give the feel of a lack of quality. Since Amish folk do not share our need for stuff and hurry, an Amish storage shed will be made with patience and quality over quantity."... (Click on title link above to read the entire DIY article on Amish storage sheds.) ...

What are Smart Meters ? and What are their benefits ?

What are Smart Meters ? and What are their benefits ?: "As the energy consumption is increasing day by day it’s an alarming time for us to conserve it and stop its unnecessary usage. Energy conservation will not only preserve the resources for the future generation but will also reduce the global warming. Smart Meters are the need of today’s era. It is highly efficient. It directly measures the energy consumed at the user’s premises with both the quantity and the time of its use. This detailed information makes the user understand the patterns and the volume of usage and giving him the quick access to his current charges. The smart metering is done in two ways communication from the meter to the supplier with a user friendly customer display placed at client’s own premises displaying the consumption, tariff and the other information conveniently. They store the data electronically as well as transfer it to the data collector or the utility company. Not only this the meter can facilitates various preferential tariff options beneficial to the user after analysing the time of use, time of day and the rising block etc. They are able to switch between profiles and tariff remotely. The clients can avoid the ‘Estimated Bills’ as they meter the on-site generation and export prices, hence no overpaying or underpaying."... (Click on title link above to read entire DIY article on smart meters.)...

Three Tips to Save Water and Money at Home

Three Tips to Save Water and Money at Home: "Water. It meets the most basic of needs, necessary for survival by animals (including humans) and plants alike.

And we use a lot of it. Some experts estimate that the average U.S. residents uses more about 70 gallons of water per person, 280 gallons per day per family of four. At that rate, a typical neighborhood is using an Olympic sized swimming pool of water everyday, just to brush their teeth, shower, cook, and flush the toilet! When you imagine how many neighborhoods there are in your city, each drawing that amount of water, it's easy to visualize the strain this puts on your local water supply.

Here are a few tips for how you can do your part to a little less water around your house and leave it a little more of it in your local lake or river for the benefit of nature and wildlife."... (Click on title link above to read entire DIY article on saving water and money in your home.) ...