Cichlid tank

Discover How You Too Can Quickly and Easily Have The Perfect Cichlid Tank That Will Keep Your Fish Healthy, Happy, Disease Free and Thriving For Years to Come.

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Grow your own organic food

Learn how to grow incredible mouth-watering organic tomatoes, as well as many other gardening and permaculture tips for growing your own food.

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Backyard Ideas: Convert Your Old Shed Into Your Favorite Getaway

Do you have an old shed sitting in your backyard that has seen better days? Has it past its life expectancy? Has the original paint job made way for a more prominent color called rust? Well, if you have answered yes to just one of these question, I would like to share a weekend project with you that will turn that old shed into your favorite getaway.

Don’t get rid of that eye sore of a shed that has taken over the back corner of your backyard. Stop being embarrassed every time you have guest over because no matter how nice the rest of your yard is, that rust bucket keep screaming “look at me, look at me. ” Well, it is time you give visitors to your home a good reason to look. In just one weekend you will have created a backyard oasis that not even you will be able to resist. Have I convinced you to give that large piece of garden sculpture a chance at a new life? Good. Now let’s get started.

One word of advice, GET AN EARLY START! This is without a doubt a weekend project. The earlier in the day you start, the better time management you will have.

Get rid of the old and make way for the new:

The first thing on the agenda to do is clean out that old shed. Get rid of everything. You need to start with a clean slate. The best way to tackle this task is to find a new home for these items and instead of stock piling everything over to the side, go ahead and place them in their new permanent storage location. This will prevent you from having to do a lot of extra work later on. Besides, when you finish creating your new backyard getaway, you don’t want your old storage items blocking your view.

Purchase all the items you will need:

Unfortunately, this project will cost you a little money. But , to your surprise, you can accomplish your goals for under $200 depending on how many of these items you already have.

1)You are going to have to paint the shed in order to breathe new life into it. Buy a gallon of GOOD primer and a gallon of EXCELLENT exterior paint. The qualities of these two items are vital for establishing longevity of your paint job. This is not the area where you want to try a save a few bucks. If you do it right today, your shed will still look like a great backyard getaway and be just as inviting fifteen years from now.

Be careful to purchase paint that the manufacturer has created specifically for the material your shed is made from. If your shed is made from metal, you will need a paint designed to cover metal. If your shed is made from wood, you will need a paint designed to cover wood. No matter what your shed is made from, you will need to purchase exterior paint and not paint created for interior surfaces.

This is the time to choose a bright color to paint your shed. Choose a color that will draw the eye of your guest to the shed. Do not be afraid to use color. Your best option is to pick a color that will contrast against the color of your planting material.

2)Purchase 6 LARGE potted plants. These will be used to create a lush garden appeal as well as draw the eye of the visitor to your shed. Try and purchase plants that are, or will be in a very short amount of time, at least five feet tall (including the pot). They should have a look of maturity, be lush and full in nature, and very healthy. DO NOT purchase trees. They will grow to be too tall and eventually overpower the space. You want to create something that is at eye level. Some suggestions are flowering plants or palms.

3)An alternative to the 6 potted plants would be to purchase climbing roses or one of your other favorite vines. Plant them in the ground and allow them to climb up both sides of the shed. Either a store bought trellis or a trellis you have created from scratch would be ideal for achieving the desired effect.

4)Purchase decorative pots to house your large potted plants. The larger the pots the better. Keep in mind that your potted plants need room to grow so buy large, very large pots. Make sure they can withstand the changes in the outside climate. If you live in one of the northern states, your pots must be able to withstand extreme cold. If you live in one of the southern states, your pots must be able to endure heat waves.

Do not be afraid to mix and match the colors of your pots. Purchase bright colors that catch the eye from a distance and have interesting detailing on them. Do not go for plain and boring. You are trying to create the WOW factor and playing it safe is the last thing you want to do. Now is the time to take advantage of the use of color.

5)Purchase additional planting material to fill in the gaps between the large potted plants. These should be plants that are planted directly into the ground. Plant as much flowering plants as you can squeeze into this space. The idea here is to create a lush garden along both sides of the shed. Do not worry about over-crowding, as the plants out grow the space you can dig them up and plant them somewhere else in the yard. You want your garden shed getaway to have that mature look today, not two years from now.

6)Purchase flooring for your new shed. This is optional and should only be purchased if your budget allows. If your shed is already sitting on a concrete slab you could lay decorative tile down, stain it, or have it resurfaced and stamped. There are many decorative styles your concrete slab can be stamped in. However , this is a job for a professional and by far the most expensive method I have mentioned. If your shed is sitting on the ground, indoor/outdoor carpet might be a good option.

7)You are going to need a small table and two chairs. These are items you may already own. If you must purchase them, be sure to consider the inside space of your shed. There is only so much space inside a shed. You do not want to purchase a table and chair set that is too large.

8)Purchase two outdoor wall candle lanterns and one outdoor hanging candle lantern. Two will be used to light the entryway into the shed (place one on each side) and one will be used to provide lighting inside the shed. The Candle Lantern Shop has excellent choices of outdoor hanging candle lanterns that sit on its own stand.

Now it is time to convert that old shed into your backyard getaway

a) Prime the inside and outside of the shed.

b) Paint the inside and outside of the shed.

c) Lay your flooring material.

d) Place your potted plants on both sides and in the front of the shed. Begin by placing one potted plant on each side of the entryway. Be sure they are centered and attractively invites your guests in. Then place two on the left side of the shed and two on the right side of the shed.

e) Fill in the spaces between the potted plants with the additional plant material you have purchased. The more flowering plants you install the better. You are trying to create a focal point using the color from the flowering plants and contrast created by the large scale of the potted plants.

f) Install the outdoor wall candle lanterns (one on each side of the entryway) at least 12 inches from the doorway.

Placement of the wall candle lanterns is extremely important. You do not want to be more than 12 inches from the entryway because the candles are open flame and will cause a safety hazard. You do not want to be too far away from the entryway either. After all, the idea is to provide a lighting source for safe entry into the shed during the evening hours.

Be sure to carefully measure the distance from the ground to the height where you will be drilling a hole for the screws that will hold the candle lantern up on the wall. You want both wall candle lanterns to be of equal height and distance from the doorway. Repeat the measurement that was used on the left side to the right side of the entryway.

g) Add your table and chairs inside the shed

h) Place your outdoor hanging candle lantern within close proximity of your table

i) If your shed has electricity, place a nice table lamp on the table. If your shed does not have electricity, consider purchasing additional candle wall sconces or a candle chandelier from The Candle Lantern Shop and install them within the shed.

j) Add a small potted plant here and there to bring the outside in. Fill a decorative pot with a mixture of colorful flowering plants. This is a great way to add seasonal color.

k) Take a step back and look at what you have created. Add any additional accessories you may need to help create a warm and welcoming environment. Look at the shed as though it is an outside “garden room. ” Because accessories will be protected from the weather, consider items from around the house that will help you transform the shed into a place that is calm, soothing, and inviting. You want this to be a place that you will enjoy having your morning coffee or reading a good book or just a place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

As you can see, converting your old shed into your favorite getaway can be accomplished within ten easy steps. So , the next time you look out your kitchen window and see that old garden shed of an eye sore, do not get dismayed. Go to your local garden center, pick up a few items, and transform that worn down shed into a refurbished oasis.



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Garden design ideas 2011. Landscape decoration with designer made ceramic products.

Organic Gardening and Why It Is a Good Idea

Organic Gardening and Why It Is a Good Idea
By Shaun Swilling

Having an organic garden is something that will give you a lot more than just healthy food. It will give you give you an opportunity to connect with your creator that is almost religious.

Recent studies have proved the diabetes is the fastest growing disease on the planet and the simple reason why this is happening is because of processed food. Our bodies are just not able to deal with the highly processed foods that we eat on a continuous basis.

When you plant and grow your own organic vegetables you will get REAL FOOD that not only gives you all the real nutrients that your body needs but also does not have any chemicals added. If you plant your food garden correctly you will be able to harvest every day.

But it takes a bit of practice because harvesting every day on a small piece of land like your back yard is something that needs attention at least twice a week. If you want to harvest every day then you need to split up your little patch of food garden correctly.

This means that you need to plant at least once a week in order to harvest every day. So it requires a bit of planning and obviously there are many ways that you can do what is known as "companion planting". Companion planting is something that saves space because you will get plants to grow together.

For example having corn and tomatoes planted at the same time will result in the tomato plant using the corn to support itself as it grows. But there are many examples of this and you can easily do research on the correct time and types of veggies that work well together.

There are ways of getting rid or pests without using pesticides or insecticides and you will find that most of these are very effective. Often these natural pesticides can look very good as planting Marigolds has proven to be an effective pesticide for aphids and other pests.

The maintenance of an organic garden is usually something that takes a bit of time to set up correctly and it also depends a lot on the type and quality of the soil that you have. But you will find that if you follow good advice it can be very maintenance free once you get going.

Using worm castings is a good example of getting good results as you will not only be getting the valuable worm casting added to your soil but you will get the aeration and loam effect that you want. But that all depends on the type of soil that you start with because it is completely possible to start building you own soil from scratch.

If you go to this website you will get all the advice and tips you need on a continuous basis for effective and practical organic farming in your back yard: http://createorganicgarden.blogspot.com/
Thank you for reading this.
Shaun

Where Can I Locate an Indoor Water Feature in My Home?

Where Can I Locate an Indoor Water Feature in My Home?
By Francesca C Wainwright

When Frank Lloyd Wright built a weekend retreat home on top of a rushing stream in rural Pennsylvania it created a sensation, and ever since then "Falling Water" has become an inspiration for millions of people who sought out ways to bring flowing water features into their homes. Bringing flowing water features into the home connects us with nature and brings us peace, serenity, quietude. They create a visual spectacle and impart a calming effect upon all who enter.

A thoughtfully positioned indoor water feature can act as a natural room humidifier making the air in any room healthier to breathe. It can also generate soothing sounds of splashing, cascading water that surprises and delights children. You can almost hear the tranquility emanating from the piece as it adds charm, beauty, and grace to interior living spaces. One very common choice for those who crave the sound of flowing water inside their home is a waterfall installation, enjoyed the world over, especially for the endless pulse of energy it symbolizes.

Once you have decided to bring flowing water into your home, you next need to decide where to locate your new indoor water feature. The foyer is an interesting place to install a flowing water piece because that area of a house commonly features hardwood or tile floor surfaces that possess appealing acoustic properties that differ from most other areas of the house. If you are a student or follower of Asian philosophy, and the power of Qi energy is important to you, then you surely want to take into consideration the ancient Chinese discipline of feng shui when positioning and orienting your new water feature. This means that you should consider placing your unit as close as you can to your front door.

If you should instead desire to situate your indoor fountain or water wall in the living room in order to bring tranquility into that space, then you should choose the north side of that room which is according to the principles of feng shui associated with career success. The next best choice would be the southeast area of the room. Today, many people are choosing to make one room the centrepiece of their home, and in that room they like to make an indoor water fountain the centrepiece of that room. If you choose to pursue this line of thinking, then you will want to make sure that after you locate your piece in a way that nothing can obscure it. Make sure that anyone can see it from any point in the room. If there will be furniture in that room, then you should consider arranging the furniture pieces in a circle or semi-circle configuration around the piece.

For more information on indoor water feature providers, garden fountains, sphere water features or any of the other topics raised in the article, visit UK Water Features, who are experienced in the relevant field.

Treating Skin Conditions in Dogs and Cats

Treating Skin Conditions in Dogs and Cats
By Chris Redhead

Skin conditions are among the most common health complaints suffered by dogs and cats. This article looks at the common causes and symptoms of these conditions, and also looks at some of the treatments that are available.

Causes

There are a very large number of factors that can cause skin complaints, so it can often be hard even for experienced vets to identify what triggered a particular complaint. However, there are some very common causes that are known to be responsible for a large percentage of cases, such as fleas, and allergies caused by bacteria, food and environmental factors.

The problem is that deciding what treatment to use depends often on identifying the cause, which involves checking for parasites and making efforts to find the source of any allergic reaction. Other than allergies and fleas, the most common forms of skin conditions in dogs and cats are dermatitis, eczema and pyoderma.

Symptoms

Typical symptoms that indicate a skin complaint include inflammation, itchiness and redness on areas where the coat is thinnest, like on the belly or under the armpits. Another sign is hair loss, which can be brought on by the cat or dog continually scratching to relieve the intense discomfort. If the condition gets serious, you may see symptoms such as pustules or broken skin, which should be taken as a signal that treatment is required as a matter of urgency.

Treatments

There are various treatments recommended for skin problems. One approach is to alter your pet's diet, as this often has an effect on the condition. Red meats and foods containing colouring and flavouring agents can be a cause of allergic reactions, so a cleansing diet containing only white meat or fish and boiled rice is sometimes recommended for a month or so, or continued for a longer period if the animal is particularly susceptible to food-based allergies.

Herbal medicines have been found to be of particular use in controlling skin complaints, because of their healing properties that tackle health problems in a holistic way. A combination of garlic and fenugreek can be used to deal with minor skin infections, and is often given along with mixed vegetable tablets, which help to relieve irritation and cool down hot, inflamed skin.

Evening primrose oil is another commonly used herbal treatment. It is used to deal with the hair loss caused by scratching, as it maintains the skin while encouraging coat re-growth. There are also a number of natural formulas that can be applied to dry, damaged and sore skin to help it to heal quickly and avoid infection.

Herbal medicines on the whole have a high success rate for treating cats and dogs suffering from skin conditions, and have the added benefit that they can be given along with any other conventional medication and have no major side effects. If you are unsure about the best treatment for your pet, the best solution is always to seek the advice of a trained veterinary surgeon, as they will be best placed to identify the problem and suggest an effective remedy.

Dorwest Herbs have 60 years of experience in supplying natural remedies for dogs and cats. They have a range of treatments available for canine skin problems and many other ailments.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Redhead
http://EzineArticles.com/?Treating-Skin-Conditions-in-Dogs-and-Cats&id=7081394

Gourmets Get Ready for Induction Cooking

Get ready, a Cooking revolution is at the kitchen door. What the cell phone did for the telecommunication industry, induction Cooking is now doing for the food industry. While the technology has been around for decades, in recent years it has been greatly improved upon, already taking hold in Europe and Japan. There can be no doubt that magnetic induction promises to be the most attractive Cooking option on the market. In this article we will discuss how induction Cooking works, how it differs from electric and gas stovetops, and explain the advantages and disadvantages of the new technology.

Up until now, there have been two basic methods of Cooking food. Both methods follow the same basic principles. In the chemical method, a combustible material—such as wood, coal, or gas—is burned to generate heat; while the electrical method accomplishes the same thing by running a current through a coil, or more recently, a halogen-filled bulb. (A third, oven-only option for generating heat needed for Cooking is microwaving, which generates the heat within the food itself.) Magnetic induction is a completely different technology.

A crash course in basic physics explains how it works. When a conductor is placed in the presence of a changing magnetic field, electricity is produced in the conductor. The result is an electromagnet. In induction Cooking, an electromagnet is placed under the Cooking surface. When turned on, an alternating current runs through the electromagnet, producing a magnetic field. A large metal object on the surface will pick up the current and generate heat. Voila! Now we’re Cooking!

The biggest difference between induction Cooking and its counterparts is where the heat is generated. Gas and electric stovetops produce heat on a burner. The heat is then transferred, more or less efficiently, to a Cooking vessel and its contents. In contrast, induction cook tops generate heat in the vessel itself, while the burner stays cool. Since there is no transfer of heat from burner to pan, there is virtually no wasted heat. Studies have shown that induction Cooking may be up to 90% energy efficient, compared to electric and gas Cooking, which are 47% and 40% energy efficient respectively. In addition to efficiency, induction Cooking is the superior choice when it comes to safety issues. Because the Cooking surface stays cool (i.e. room temperature) there are no more burned hands or hot pads and there is no open flame sending potentially dangerous fumes into the air. Best of all, with the heat focused in the right place, the kitchen--and the chef--stays cool and comfortable.

But the real luxury of induction Cooking—the things that sets it apart as the Porsche of cook tops—is the precision and control it gives the chef. By varying the strength of the magnetic field, the heat generated in the pot responds instantly. This means water boils in half the amount of time it takes electric and gas stoves. Low temperatures work as well as high ones—meaning you can toss out your double boiler! One experiment showed chocolate chips melting at such a low temperature they held their shape until spread with a spoon. Induction warmers are great for caterers as well, since they hold low temperatures and keep food warm better than any of the alternatives.

Unfortunately there are a couple big disadvantages to induction stoves. For the pan to conduct energy it must be magnetic—that is, it must contain iron. Therefore, cast-iron and steel pots and pans are necessary. Test your cookware by passing a magnet across the pan. If the magnet sticks, the pan will work. Some cookware, made with layers of aluminum and copper for distribution, will still work beautifully on an induction cook top, as long as the surface of the pan is steel.

The second disadvantage is unavailability. For some reason, induction Cooking has been slower to take off in America than it has across the Atlantic. Therefore, it’s still hard to find, and models are more expensive. (Prices start well above a thousand dollars.) However, as the market increases, look for prices to steadily fall. If you can’t wait, there are several websites where you can order an induction cook top and have it delivered to your home. Installation is relatively easy.

After using an induction cook top, it’s easy to imagine the day when we will look back on electric or gas ranges with the same astonishment and nostalgia as we do grandma’s old wood stove.