Venus

Venus

Sometimes called our sister planet, despite similar properties, this “sibling” is nothing like Earth.

 

This computer-simulated Venus globe contains data from several spacecraft: Magellan; Venera 13, 14, 15, and 16; and the Pioneer Venus Orbiter. Additional Earth-based data from Arecibo fill in some of the gaps.

NASA/JPL

The planet Venus is just 1.1 times smaller than Earth. It lies slightly closer to the Sun (0.7 versus 1 AU), with a similar volume and density to our home. But our so-called sister planet is a harsh, unforgiving place where even our hardiest spacecraft haven’t survived more than a few hours on the surface before experiencing complete system failure.

Venus is enshrouded by a thick atmosphere of carbon dioxide. Beneath sulfuric acid clouds, the planet experiences the greenhouse effect gone wild, with surface temperatures climbing above 880 degrees Fahrenheit (470 degrees Celsius). Not only is the ground a gloomy, hazy place, it’s also akin to standing a full mile (1.6 kilometers) under the ocean on Earth, thanks to the immense pressure exerted by the planet’s heavier atmosphere.

The planet is also an oddball among its solar system brethren save one: of the planets that circle our Sun, only Venus and Uranus rotate retrograde, or backwards relative to the direction of their orbits around the Sun. Even stranger, the year on Venus is shorter than its day: Venus circles the Sun once every 225 Earth days, but it takes 243 days to rotate once on its axis. Furthermore, based on observations taken by different spacecraft over a decade apart, astronomers have determined that Venus is slowing down — over the course of 16 years, its day lengthened by about 6.5 minutes.

Despite its oddities and its harsh conditions, Venus remains a mysterious place that beckons us to return and explore.

Gardening in Containers

Well the garden centers are getting ready for spring with all of the lights, ornaments, and containers. As I get older many annuals are going into containers making it easier to take care of plus the added bonus that you can move them around when you get tired of looking at them in the same space.

You can grow flowers, herbs, and even vegetables in pots. No space? No problem!
Pots, tubs, and half barrels overflowing with flowers add appeal to any garden, but container gardening can serve a practical purpose too. Container gardening is ideal for those with little or no garden space. In addition to growing flowers, gardeners limited to a small yard or only a patch of sun on their driveway can produce a wide variety of vegetable crops in containers. I grow basil, chives, thyme, rosemary and other herbs also are quite happy growing in pots better than in the garden soil, then I bring them in for the winter and keep them on the porch where it is cool and sunny.

Container gardening also adds versatility to gardens large and small. Plants lend instant color, provide a focal point in the garden, or tie in the architecture of the house to the garden. Place them on the ground or on a pedestal, mount them on a windowsill, or hang them from your porch. I know a pair of matching containers on either side of the front walk serves as a welcoming decoration, while container gardening on a deck or patio can add color and ambiance to such outdoor sitting areas. You can use single large containers for outdoor decoration, but also consider arranging groups of pots, both small and large, on stairways, terraces, or anywhere in the garden. A cinder block can contain a collection of my favorite plants, cactus and succulents. Houseplants summering outdoors in the shade also make a handsome addition to container gardening. Window boxes and hanging baskets hanging from the tree limbs like fuchsia basket hanging from the willow tree offer even more ways to add instant color and appeal.

Containers planted with a single species—rosemary or a bold variegated ornamental grass, for example—can be stunning garden accents. Containers planted with a mix of plants are fun to create and offer almost unlimited possibilities of combinations. The best combinations depend on plants that feature handsome foliage and flowers produced over a long bloom season. One easy guideline for choosing the plants to combine in a container is to include “a thriller, a spiller, and a filler.” That translates to at least one focal-point plant (the thriller), such as coleus or a geranium with multicolored leaves, for example, combined with several plants that spill over the edge of the pots—such as petunias, bacopa , creeping zinnias, or ornamental sweet potatoes. Finally, add the fillers, which are plants with smaller leaves and flowers that add color and fill in the arrangement all season long. Good fillers include salvias, verbenas, ornamental peppers, and wax begonias, as well as foliage plants like parsley or licorice plants. You may also want to include a plant for height, such as an ornamental grass like purple fountain grass. Add a trellis or pillar to a container and you can use a vine to add height to the composition. You’ll need a total of five or six plants for an 18- or 24-inch container, for example.
Start a bunch of radish seeds early in the spring in a container like an old wash basin and bring indoors or in the garage during a cold night. Harvest them in less than a month. Any vegetable can be grown in a container.

Container Sizes
Keep in mind that it’s easier to grow plants in large containers than small ones. That’s because large containers hold more soil, which stays moist longer and is less subject to rapid temperature fluctuations. Small hanging baskets are especially prone to drying out, and during hot, windy summer weather, you may have to water them twice a day to keep plants alive.

It’s also important to decide what plant you want to grow in each container. Several factors help determine how large and deep the container must be. Consider the size and shape of a plant’s root system; whether it is a perennial, annual, or tender shrub; and how rapidly it grows. Rootbound plants, which have filled up every square inch of the soil available, dry out rapidly and won’t grow well. Choose a large pot or tub for a mixed planting, one that will offer enough root space for all the plants you want to grow. Light-colored containers keep the soil cooler than dark containers.

The maximum size (and weight) of a container is limited by how much room you have, what will support it, and whether you plan to move it. If your container garden is located on a balcony or deck, be sure to check how much weight the structure will safely hold.

Container Drainage
Whatever container you choose, drainage holes are essential. Without drainage, soil will become waterlogged and plants may die. The holes need not be large, but there must be enough so that excess water can drain out. If a container has no holes, try drilling some yourself. A container without holes is best used as a cachepot, or cover, to hide a plain pot. Cachepots (with holes and without them) are useful for managing large plants and heavy pots: Grow your plant in an ordinary nursery pot that fits inside a decorative cachepot so you can move them separately.
Self-watering, double-walled containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes are available. These are a useful option for dealing with smaller plants that need frequent watering.

Updating Your Home Might Be Cheaper Than You Think

Most of us have a nagging issue or two in our homes that we would like to fix. Perhaps your kitchen is just too dark to work in comfortably, or your bathroom is still living in the 1960s.

Good news: The update might be easier and less costly to make than you may think. Costs will vary depending upon where you live, and whether you can do all or some of the job yourself, but the average price of all the solutions below is around $1,000 or less.

  1. House is too cold or too hot

If your house is too cold in winter, or too hot if you live in a warm climate, here’s a solution that can help fix this issue dramatically: Add insulation to your attic or crawl space.

There are several types of insulation to choose from. Two of the most common types are fiberglass and cellulose. And then you can choose between rolled insulation, which is laid down on the attic floor, or blown-in insulation.

Regardless of what type of insulation you choose, and whether you choose to install it yourself or hire someone to do it, you can expect your house to be approximately 7-10 degrees warmer in the winter, and 7-10 degrees cooler in the summer, just from the attic insulation alone. That’s a noticeable difference!

As an added bonus, you can save up to several hundred dollars per year on your heating and cooling bills.

Adding insulation to your attic can help keep your home at a comfortable temperature year-round.

  1. Kitchen is too dark

The “fatal flaw” of many kitchens is simply not having enough light. Fortunately, you can find several possible lighting updates to install for well under $1,000.

For example, add a beautiful “focal point” pendant light to instantly make your kitchen better lit and more stylish. Or add can lights or track lighting in a working area of the kitchen.

Another option is under-cabinet lighting. It gives your kitchen a more modern feel and makes a great “night-lighting” option as well.

Depending on the size of your kitchen, and what styles of lights you choose, you can possibly install all three of these types of lights for around $1,000.

Combining pendant, can, and under-counter lighting provides the perfect mix to illuminate your kitchen.

  1. Kitchen cabinets are dated

Here’s another way to refresh the look of your kitchen for a modest investment. Update your kitchen cabinets by painting them a fresh new color. Then, swap out the old hardware for something more modern and striking.

You’ll find several brands of premium glossy paint on the market to give your cabinets a professional-looking finish, whether you hire someone to paint the cabinets for you or decide to tackle the job yourself. Visit a local paint store — rather than a hardware store — and ask the staff to recommend a brand and type of paint for your project.

Also, old, tarnished hardware can make your cabinets look older and more dated than they actually are. So, installing some bright, shiny handles and knobs can make a huge difference in the overall look of your kitchen.

A fresh coat of paint in a lively color can wake up a tired kitchen.

  1. Bathroom decor is out of style

Is your bathroom living in the past? Fortunately, you can find many ways to update your bathroom for a reasonable price, and most of these projects can be accomplished by a DIYer.

The changes you make really depend on what your bathroom needs. So, feel free to mix and match which updates work for you. Generally, you should be able to make several of the updates on the list below and keep your budget under $1,000.

Sample list of bathroom updates and materials cost

New vanity: $130-$300

Add tile backsplash above vanity: $6-$17 per square foot

New medicine cabinet with mirror: $50-$300

New toilet: $100-$300

New faucet: $50-$200

For a serene, modern look, stick to a neutral pallet, clean lines, and minimal embellishment.

  1. Front door is a bit dull

Nothing says “Welcome” to your home like a beautiful exterior, and your front door is the focal point. If yours is slightly lackluster, don’t worry about it! This fix gives big bang for your buck.

Option 1: Repaint the door. For a bare-bones update to a wood door, you can always repaint or restain it.

Option 2: Replace the door. Replacing a front door is a great option, and you can find a wide range of styles and types of doors to choose from. You can expect to pay between $600 and $1,000 for a new door, including professional installation.

A bright red door offers a perfect pop of color on a home’s exterior.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a simple update or two can make a big difference in how much you love and appreciate your home.