GARDEN-HOUSE TIPS FOR YOUR EVERDAY LIVING

This page is going to be all about garden-house tips. It will have many little known things that can make your life easier around the house. I anticipate constantly updating with interesting tidbits concerning garden-house tips. However I also invite your participation by adding items to this page. You will find a location further down the page which requests your contibution to tips.

I know in my travels around the internet I always find little things that really would not make a whole page but combined with other tips both garden and house can provide some unique information. So don't be bashful contribute and see your name in print on the garden-house tips page.

HOW MANY OF THESE GARDEN-HOUSE TIPS DID YOU KNOW ABOUT?

A sealed envelope - Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed.. (hmmmmmm..)

• Use Empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance needs the cords.
• For icy door steps in freezing temperatures:get warm water and put DAWN dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't Refreeze. (wish I had known this for the last 40 years!)
• To remove old wax from a glass candle holder, put it in the freezer for few hours. Then take the candle holder out and turn it upside down. The wax will fall out.
• Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped in baking soda. Comes off with little effort(elbow grease that is!).
• Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops(like store receipt BLUE!) rubbing alcohol on paper towel.
• Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads,I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to throw away rusted and unused and smelly pads,I finally decided that this would be more economical. Now a box of S.O.S pads last me indefinitely! In fact, I have noticed that the scissors become'sharpened'this way!
• Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry!Just pour a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood.It Works every time!
• Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows.This way you can tell which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean.Don't wash windows on a sunny day.They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.
• Spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in each room when the light is turned on.
• Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawersand your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come.You can also do this with towels and linen.
• Candles will last a lot longerif placed in the freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning.
• To clean artificial flowers,pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!
• To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet,simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove top.
• Spray your TUPPERWARE with nonstick cooking spraybefore pouring in any tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains.
• Wrap celery in aluminum foilwhen putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.
• When boiling corn on the cob,add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness
• Cure for headaches:Take a lime,cut it in half, and rub it on your forehead.The throbbing will go away.
• Don't throw out all that leftover wine:Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces ....... LEFT OVER WINE, WHAT'S THAT?
• To get rid of itch from mosquito bites,try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief.
• Ants, ants, ants everywhere ...Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So, get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.I have not discuss with any ants recently so I don't know if it works!
• Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.
• When you get a splinter,reach for the scotch tape,not the scotch,before resorting to tweezers or a needle.. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, and then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.
• Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer.........Clean a toilet.Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action leaves china clean and shiny.
• Clean a vase. To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.
• Polish jewelry. Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.
• Clean a thermos bottle. Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer,if necessary).
• Unclog a drain. Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, and then run the hot water.
• I think this is good and in some cases valuable information. Makes you ponder,however,about ingesting Alka Seltzer,doesn't it? So there are some garden-house tips for you to review.

IN GARDEN-HOUSE TIPS THINGS PEOPLE REALLY WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THEIR GARDEN

Here is an a quick tip for those of you that are parsley lovers. I know in the Northeast and other areas of the country and the world,what is the prognosis for the winterizing of parsley?

You may or may not know that parsley is a biennal and when it starts its growth in the spring flower stalks will make an appearance and the leaves will become bitter. It will winter over if the roots are not subjected to freezing but it will only be useful for seeds.

How will Mulch impact its staying power? With or without mulch it more than likely will be useful through at least December. A word of advice here is not to touch the leaves when they are frozen as they will go limp. It is better to allow thawing in the sunny midday or better still in the warmth of your kitchen. It is much better to plant fresh parsley in the spring as it grows rather rapidly. If you have the advantage of a greenhouse,that is a whole different story!

BE AN INFORMED PLANT SHOPPER

Shopping for good plants should be the same as shopping for clothes. You look for quality plants especially in annuals. They should be dense and have an even green appearance. Never purchase any shrubs or trees with branches that are dead or some how have been damage in transport.

The nursery should have provided clear definiton of each plant including both the botanical and common names for the plants that interest you. The other information should include the plant's tolerance for both sun and shade,its needs as far as soil and the anticipated size that the plant,shrub or tree will reach at maturity.

You should inquire as to the guarantees that comes with any purchase. A one year guarantee will protect against any survival through the first winter with a replacement if the plant does croak in the first winter.

I would also pay attention to the varieties of plants and those with generic names,without a variety name, it may not grow with the same characteristics as a specifically labeled variety.

Well informed sales personnel should be available to assist the purchase. You,as the gardener, should have also done some homework so that intelligent questions can be asked in order to get the correct answers.

If you follow these simple rules,you should have a better shopping experience for the plants you want to purchase plants.

Ok,as I promised, below is your opportunity to add your own garden-house tips. It will be fun for everyone to read and ponder what the gardeners of the world have to contibute to garden-house tips.

Do you have a great story about this? Share it! Tell us about tips you have been using around your garden and house. It maybe things you just read about that really sound useful for not only you but others as well.

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