Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

........................................................................................................................................................................................

Q: My neighbor suggests that I paint the trunk of the new apricot tree I just planted. Really? A.R., North Valley

A: Fruit tree trunk painting is a time-honored process thatll keep your trees healthier. So, yes, I agree with your neighbor, and there are several reasons why this helps.

In these parts, during the winter months, we have those spectacular days when the sun shines bright and most anything with a southern exposure gets warmed by it. If the tree trunks get too warm, they sort of thaw and can move sap. Then, inevitably, well have a brutal cold snap soon after.

Its that thaw/freeze action that can cause internal damage in the blood vessels, if you will. With the warmth of the sun they expand, then rapidly contract with the cold. That action can cause wee fissures or cracks of the vessels causing the sap to pool internally. Eventually the pooling works its way out of the trunk. You notice the damage as a sticky, sometimes smelly, weeping up on the tree trunk during the growing season. Painting helps prevent sunburn on the trunks during the summer months, too, especially on younger, newly planted fruit trees.

Next, think of the paint as a pest preventer! Bunnies wont want to nibble on your tender young tree if its painted because it wont smell yummy. Then, too, the paint will help to keep your trees from being attacked by borers especially, if youve painted the whole trunk starting at just below ground level.

Scooch the soil away from the base of the tree and you should notice a gentle swelling or collar at its base. Start your painting just below that collar, remembering to push the soil back to the trunk once the paint is dry, and continue up the trunk to the first branches. You can use latex paint (be sure to use latex) for this process since itll allow the tree trunk to breathe, so to speak. Also, you can find tree paint at most nurseries and certainly online, too. I even found a couple of homemade tree paint recipes while poking about the Internet. So your neighbor really is correct. Paint your young fruit tree trunks; theyll be glad you did!

Q: There are a few bare spots in my lawn that I want to reseed. Can I do that now? N.F., Albuquerque

A: I think itll depend on the type of grass you plan on seeding with.

In the heat of the summer, seeding with a warm season grass such as Bermuda or tiff green you should be able to succeed. Rough up the spots and rake them smooth, being sure to remove any old thatch in the spots. If the spots are below grade fill them with a mixture of topsoil and finely milled compost, making sure to tamp it down. Just before seeding, very gently rough up the topmost layer of the spots so the seeds have a way to grab onto the soil. Spread your seed, and then retamp the spots so the seed gets held firmly in place.

See the article here:
Paint on trunk helps fruit trees

The front yard of Dr. L.W. Buddy Nichols and wife, Delores Beery, is filled with white river pebbles, river rock, mountain stone and pavers. Colorful blossoms of crape myrtles, knockout roses, zinnias and petunias pop against the white rock.

Delores Beerys landscaping includes seating areas where guests may stop to enjoy settings such as this birdbath surrounded by hostas, a rambling rose climbing a trellis and fuchsia crape myrtles.

This view from the second-story balcony shows the variety of rock used around the design of the front yards three islands.

Lily pads and a heron-shaped fountain are two elements in the couples backyard pond, where birds love taking baths, Delores Beery says.

Orange and yellow lilies and white petunias are planted beneath a hummingbird feeder.

Delores Beery always had an aversion to mowers, but never more so than when I mowed the end of my second toe off. That accident was the catalyst for a total landscape makeover in which she yanked all the grass out of the front and back yards at her East Ridge home and replaced it with pea gravel, river pebbles, river rock, mountain stone, flagstone and pavers. It is manual labor in which she and husband, Dr. L.W. Buddy Nichols, have invested over four years.

Weve eliminated almost every bit of grass, she says. We dont have a lawn mower and we dont want another. We have one tiny patch of grass on one side of the house where were going to put in a putting/chipping green.

Hes got it all planned that hes going to paint Augustas Amen Corner on the fence behind it, she laughs.

Nichols estimates that the two of them hauled in 60 tons of rock, mulch and topsoil to complete the DIY project. The lawn is white river pebbles mixed with a small amount of pea gravel. Islands of raised flower beds are outlined in stacked rock with flagstone trails winding throughout.

Its a clean, manicured look that the couple says is easy maintenance.

Continue reading here:
Chattanooga couple spreads 60 tons of rock and mulch to get rid of lawn

Chuppas, Gazebos, and Arches
I created this video with the YouTube Video Editor (http://www.youtube.com/editor)

By: just for fun flowers

See the original post:
Chuppas, Gazebos, and Arches - Video

EVANSDALE (KWWL) -

Sunday marks 2 years since cousins Lyric Cook and Elizabeth Collins disappeared while on a bike ride in Evansdale.

The girls were last seen near Meyers Lake July 13th, 2012.

Law enforcement officials and volunteers came together to search for the girls.

Unfortunately, their bodies were found by hunters 5 months later in a Bremer County park.

Evansdale Police Chief Kent Smock says it remains a very active investigation between his department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation even though the case largely remains out of the public eye.

This weekend, hundreds of people will come together to continue to keep the girls' memories alive and push for someone to come forward with information on what happened and who's responsible.

July 13th, 2012 - Authorities search Meyers Lake and the areas nearby for any trace of Lyric and Elizabeth.

Today, there's still activity.

Volunteers continue to work on Angels Park - with memorials to Lyric, Elizabeth, and 3 others.

See the article here:
Ride for the Girls marks 2nd anniversary of disappearance

Arctic Spas Cymru is your local dealership for Arctic Spas. Arctic Spas is a Canadian Company formed nearly 20 years ago to develop hot tubs which would withstand the rigours of Canadian winters. Arctic Spas have developed their unique Heatlock system for superior insulation and economy, recycling waste heat from the pumps back to your spa water to ensure economical running of your hot tub.

As well as its Canadian and UK operations Arctic Spas has dealers in over 30 countries worldwide. Arctic Spas UK facility thoroughly wet tests all spas before despatch to the customer. The facility can also customise tubs to your specific requirements and means we have access to hundreds of spas stocked in the UK which can be delivered to you and installed within only a few days. We can also access spares and consumables within a day or two for you.

Arctic Spas Cymru is built upon two decades of experience in the spa industry and a spa philosophy of the most advanced spa technology put together with world-class construction, professional installation and suburb customer care from installation and for as long as you own your tub. Our extensive warranty ensures your peace of mind.

Its not until you actually sit in the spa and feel your body relax that you are overcome with the sheer enjoyment that this experience provides. Arctic Spas are true to their word they really do perform beyond your expectations. Richard Keys, Sky Sports presenter

Arctic Spas are the way forward! I love the spa especially in the winter.

I have recently returned from a back operation that kept me from playing for the last four months. A major help in my rehabilitation has been using an Arctic Spas hot tub. Tony Windo, Worcester Warriors Rugby Club

I cannot express in words what the hot tub has done for me. Eleven years ago I was unable to walk far, couldn't drive at all and spent 3 or 4 days a week in bed. We met a remedial masseur and she has been giving me a massage once a fortnight all this time which has kept me out of bed, I was able to drive again and walk longer distances, however, after having the spa installed Paula has put me on to once a month as I am able to do all the exercises in the spa which were gradually getting beyond me as the arthritis got worse. I am now sleeping most nights which was unheard of before. So PLEASE GIVE YOURSELVES A BIG PAT ON THE BACK Yours very thankfully, Annette Hughes. Anglesey

Arctic Spa's products brochure link

Coyote Spas products brochure link

Gazebos products brochure link

Read this article:
Arctic Spa's Cymru

Sommergarten - Feng Shui - Kristalle und Spiritualitt
Dipl. Mineraloge Bernhard Watzke aus dem Wrzburger Sommergarten ber Feng Shui, Tantrische Zwillingskristalle, asiatische Philosophie und Harmonisierung. ww...

By: Bernhard Watzke

Continue reading here:
Sommergarten - Feng Shui - Kristalle und Spiritualitt - Video

How to make "Hommy" Home with Master Feng Shui Yohan Suyangga
Another version and more Tips from Master FengShui Indonesia Yohan Suyangga of Talkshow at Radio Cakrawala. Happy Watching, Happy always...

By: Fengshui Indonesia

Read this article:
How to make "Hommy" Home with Master Feng Shui Yohan Suyangga - Video

Witze zum Totlachen, Flachwitz, Feng Shui +++
Witze zum Totlachen, Flachwitz, Feng Shui +++.

By: deppadTV

See the rest here:
Witze zum Totlachen, Flachwitz, Feng Shui +++ - Video

Learning Feng Shui Basics to Improve your Life.
Feng Shui has been used for over 3000 years in China . In recent years more people in the United States are becoming aware of the power of Feng Shiu. By maki...

By: emPOWERme.tv

Read the rest here:
Learning Feng Shui Basics to Improve your Life. - Video

Natural Way to Make a Chair Smell Good : Natural Cleaning Tips
Subscribe Now: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=ehowhome Watch More: http://www.youtube.com/ehowhome Natural ways to make a chair smell good also have the advantage of...

By: ehowhome

More here:
Natural Way to Make a Chair Smell Good : Natural Cleaning Tips - Video