Posts Tagged ‘spring’

Seasonal Home Maintenance – Get Ready for Summer!

Monday, May 31st, 2010

Certain home maintenance tasks should be performed on an annual or semi-annual basis. Appropriate tasks for spring or early summer include ensuring that window screens and the cooling system are ready for the impending warmer weather, checking for water damage around the home or garden and performing a seasonal check on home safety equipment such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

[credit: kaiton]

Inspect each window screen and remove for a thorough cleaning, if possible. Repair small problems or completely re-screen, if necessary. Consider switching to finer mesh screening in areas where midges are a nuisance. (more…)

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Gardener’s Calendar for April

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

April is a month of unpredictability and change. Although the days may be sunny and warm, the threat of hail or frost is ever present. During the month of April, the gardener must be vigilant in protecting any delicate seedlings from damage.

Use this time to finish tidying the garden and prepare for the busy growing season ahead. Ensure that all pruning has been completed and prepare the strawberry beds. Finish planting fruit trees, canes and bushes and renew the grease band around fruit trees, if necessary.

[photo by: Tie Guy II]

Due to the warmer weather and increasing amount of light, rapid growth can be expected in the garden during April. Take advantage of dry days to finish digging and preparing the garden for sowing and to hoe between crops that have wintered over. Early crops may be safely planted if protected by cloches. (more…)

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Spring Inspired Home Decor

Sunday, March 28th, 2010

The desire for cheery brightness in the home often accompanies the coming of spring. Looking around outside, it is easy to see seasonal changes everywhere. Although the weather may still be unsettled, the promise of warm sunny days fills us with anticipation. Use the beauty of spring as inspiration to dispense with the dreariness of winter and change your home’s decor to match this glorious season!

Spring_Decor (more…)

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Adorn Your Home with a Handmade Spring Door Wreath

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

With the changing seasons, it’s time to add the beauty and colour of spring to our homes. Whether you live in a house in the country or a flat in town, make a decorative spring door wreath to greet guests and lift the spirits of all passers by.

Take a leisurely walk and gather pussy willow or other branches. If gathering plant materials locally is not an option, purchase the desired items from a florist.

[photo by: Hot Meteor]

Making a beautiful and festive door wreath is easy and requires just a few materials. Follow these steps and start enjoying your wreath today! (more…)

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Spring Wild Flowers

Friday, March 19th, 2010

There is nothing more welcome and refreshing after a long and dreary winter than the lovely flowers of spring. Planted and tended with care in the garden or sown wild by Mother Nature in a meadow, spring flowers are a beautiful sight to behold.

While primrose is often the first flower to appear each spring, it is quickly overshadowed by the luscious fragrance of violets. Enjoy the early violets while you may; those that appear later, while every bit as lovely, are much less aromatic.

(more…)

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Gardener’s Calendar for March

Thursday, March 11th, 2010
Tomato

Image via Wikipedia

March is when things start getting busy in the garden. The hard, cold days of winter are gone and the weather is warming. It’s time to put the plans and dreams of February into action.

You Shall Reap What You Sow

An abundance of fresh produce is the gardener’s reward and now is the time to begin planting some of the early crops. Start garden favourites, like tomatoes, peppers and tubers on a sunny windowsill or in the greenhouse. Early vegetables may be sown under cloches, which will warm the soil to allow germination and protect tender seedlings from cold night-time temperatures.

Examine existing fruit trees to ensure that grease bands are in place and in good condition. Work manure into the ground around all trees and evaluate where grafting may be desired. Put container grown fruit trees, canes and bushes into the ground and mulch well. Tend to the strawberry patch and prune raspberries, if needed. (more…)

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