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Low Maintenance Gardening for Large Spaces

June 21, 2018DIY / Home Improvement

Having a large outdoor area is a real luxury in so many ways, but it can also be a huge commitment. Recent research found that the average gardening enthusiast spends the equivalent of 53 minutes per week weeding their outdoor space, so just imagine how much time you could rack up pulling weeds if your garden is decidedly larger than average. Sometimes, downsizing can seem like an attractive option, but why give up space when a few low maintenance tactics could help you to make better use of your time? Time and time again, scientific research reinforces the benefits of gardening and spending time outdoors has on our wellbeing, so why not introduce a few simple gardening swaps to ensure that along with staying on top of things, you get to enjoy plenty of downtime too. 

Prioritise your layout

The fewer time consuming garden features you have in your garden, the less you’ll need to tend to them. This means deciding which things are a priority in your space and ditching anything that isn’t. Do you really need flower beds or a water feature? What about those herb pots and your vegetable garden? Your garden doesn’t need to be bereft of interest but you should think long and hard about which features are really providing value for you, which you enjoy the most and which are draining your time. Pots in particular can add hours onto your gardening to-do list as they require additional watering. If you’d really like to hang on to them, think about moving plants in larger pots that can hold more water. Along with streamlining your garden features, think about their placement too. Areas that are more time intensive and require lots of watering or digging may be better placed close to the house to help reduce time spent wandering to and from your property.

Be clever with the basics

Reduce the time you spend doing the essentials and you’ll find it easier to maintain the feature areas you have prioritised within your space. If you can afford to have someone to come in and mow the lawn for you regularly you can reclaim mowing time to be spent on other tasks. Or, why not invest in a top of the range robot lawnmower to get the job done for you? If you’re not too keen on dipping into the world of artificial intelligence, you could opt for a sit-on or wider mower to get the job done more quickly. A reliable diesel generator is another piece of kit that often proves a smart buy by providing reliable power at the bottom of your garden. Adding a dedicated watering system rather than pacing up and down with your watering can be a real time saver too.

If you’d like to reduce that 53 minutes per week spent weeding, you need to get your strategy on track. Your first step is to take action against weeds in early spring before they go to seed. Treat weeded areas with residual weed killer to stop them returning and think about covering soiled areas where weeds may sprout. Mulch and gravel are two simple  options for keeping weeds at bay.

Create a wild area or paved space

Keeping your entire garden pruned and pristine can be exhausting, so why not try leaving at least some of the space to do its own thing? Let the grass grow and the weeds flower and enjoy the wildlife that flourishes as a result. Keeping a meadow area in your garden can save you lots of task time and bring beautiful butterflies and bees in to pollinate your other plants. It needn’t look too messy either. Mow a path through the space to keep it looking curated and purposeful, and sit back to appreciate nature at its best.

If you can’t face the unruliness of a mini meadow, think about paving over some of your lawn instead. Paved areas can provide useful areas for outdoor socialising along with adding structure to landscaped spaces. And best of all, they don’t need mowing!

Stick with hardy plants

If you want a low maintenance garden, it’s time to ditch the needy and delicate plants in favour of more hardy and self-sustaining varieties. For all year round colour, explore the world of evergreen plants along with easy to manage shrubs. Think too about choosing plants that can get by with little water along with minimal attention. Rosemary is a great example, it thrives in the hot and dry Mediterranean environment and can therefore do its own thing fairly comfortably. Plus, it adds texture, colour and scent to your outdoor space. Plant along these lines and you’ll have plenty to enjoy in your garden all year round, without the need for too much effort.

What’s your biggest bugbear about having a large space to garden? Do you hate weeding or would you like to hire in some help to deal with the chore of mowing your lawn?

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January 11, 2023DIY / Home Improvement

How to Restore Antique Glassware

Getting your old antique glasses to look like new ones can be complicated. It involves many steps, from cleaning and resilvering to analyzing the refractive index and displaying the glasses.

Cleaning

Knowing how to clean your ancient glass is essential for preserving its beauty, whether you are a collector or want to exhibit your prized glassware. However, the process can be difficult and cause damage. If there are any damages, you should get them fixed right away by glass repairs Houston, TX specialist.

The correct way to clean glass is to use a soft, non-abrasive cleaner. For example, dish soap, distilled water, and dishwashing liquid can be used. These ingredients are gentle on metals and are effective at breaking up dirt and grease.

The best way to clean antique glass is to use a soft, lint-free cloth. Dip it into a bowl of distilled water and gently wipe down the surface. You can also soak a glass in warm water and dish soap solution.

If the dirt is stuck on the glass, you can use mild acid or vinegar to break it up. You can also use chamois leather or well-rung-out chamois to remove stubborn stains.

Analysis of Refractive Index

During the past centuries, many useful articles were produced from glasses. Besides the standard measurements of the density and bending strength, the analysis of the refractive index of a glass sample is also important. This information helps determine if the material is suitable for the intended use.

Several methods are available in the market which provides indirect measurements of the refractive index. Some of them require the sample to be immersed in liquid before measurement. Others are based on the structural parameters of the sample. However, these methods limit the accuracy of the samples’ refractive index. Therefore, the proposed method aims to directly measure glasses’ refractive index without requiring structural parameters.

This method has two advantages over traditional methods: measurement accuracy and environmental vibrations robustness. The accuracy of refractive index measurement can reach 5 x 10-4.

Removal of Old Silver

A cleaning solution can be a good way to remove old silver from antique glasses. The solution works quickly and doesn’t harm the environment.

A good solution is made of food-grade ingredients. You can find this product at many fabric stores. It would help to have a large container to soak your silver in.

You can also apply a baking soda bath to soften the tarnish. Again, it would help if you used aluminum foil to make this work. You can then polish the silver with a soft cloth.

Some people also use toothpaste. If you do, use a microfiber cloth to rub it onto the silver. Once the tarnish has been removed, rinse the silver with clean water. If the tarnish is still stubborn, you may need to apply more baking soda.

Resilvering

Whether you have an antique mirror or a glass piece, try resilvering it. Silvering is a chemical process that applies a thin layer of silver to the surface of a glass. It is a technique that has been used for centuries.

You should be aware that resilvering your mirror can be expensive. It is common for mirror resilvering to cost around $15 per square foot.

This process is a complicated one and requires the use of toxic chemicals. However, resilvering a mirror is well worth it.

The first step to resilvering your mirror is to clean it carefully. You should also remove the protective silver backing. This will allow you to reapply the silver layer.

Next, you need to apply the silver leaf. You can apply it in several places on the mirror. This will help to cover any scratches or cracks in the silver layer. You should use a soft felt cloth to smooth out any wrinkles.
January 11, 2023Finance

5 Tips for Investing in Fixer-Upper Properties

Fixer-upper properties can be a great way to get into the real estate market. They can be purchased for much less than their full market value, and the profit potential is huge. 

However, investing in fixer-upper properties can also be tricky. There are many costs that you may not be aware of, and there are a lot of hidden problems that could arise. 

Fortunately, today’s guide is here to help. We’re now going to look at some of the best tips for investing in fixer-upper properties. 

Know what you’re getting into 

The first and most important tip is to make sure that you know what you’re getting into. Investing in a fixer-upper property is a big commitment, and it’s important to understand all the risks and rewards that come with the process. 

This means researching and finding out as much as possible about the property before you make a purchase. You should also factor in the potential costs of renovations, materials, and labour. 

Get a professional inspection 

Before making a purchase, it’s important to get a professional inspection. This will help identify any potential issues with the property and ensure it’s a worthwhile investment. 

It’s also a good idea to get a contractor to look over the property as well. This will give you a better idea of the costs associated with the renovations and help identify any potential issues before you make a purchase. 

Budget for hidden costs 

The next tip is to budget for hidden costs. This means taking into account all of the potential costs that may arise during the renovation process. 

This could range from the cost of materials and labour to any permits or even landlord insurance that may be required if you are letting in the interim. It’s crucial to factor in any potential hidden costs before making a purchase, so you’re not caught off guard later. 

Secure financing

It should also go without saying that you will need to secure financing before you make the purchase. This will ensure you have the money you need to complete the project and make a profit. 

There are several different financing options available, so make sure you research and find the best one for your situation. 

Be prepared for the market

Finally, it’s important to be prepared for the market. Once you’ve completed the renovations, you will need to find a buyer for the property. This means researching and finding out as much as possible about the market to get the best price for your property. On some occasions, this may even involve holding tight for a few months – just so the market can settle and you can get the best price for all the renovations you have invested in. A quick look at the recent sold prices in the area and conversations with local estate agents will help you no end.