Vegetables

Think About Your Garden this Year

Go time to start thinking about what you want to grow in your garden this summer. Now is the time to order seeds because of a limited supply from the growers last year because of the heat and drought.

I am thinking about what worked and did not work in my garden last summer. What did not work: radishes. I have not been able to grow radishes for the last few years. They grow and bolt without forming an enlarged root, and that is even planting early. I will say this and end up planting a few anyway.

Kohlrabi, I wanted to grow because I remember growing it when I was a kid. It came in that free Gurney Seed Packet my mom would always get. So, grew a big patch last year. Do not remember the flesh being so tough tasting like a sour cabbage. I cook some for 45 minutes to soften them, still tasted odd. This will be out of the garden this year.

Heirloom tomatoes just did not produce (many people had the same problem). Some varieties had no fruit last year. As for hybrid tomatoes, more modern varieties produced much more. One plant of “Celebrity” tomato produced more than the heirlooms put together. So this year, more hybrid varieties than heirloom varieties.

Peppers also do great, better than tomatoes. For a sweet pepper, I plant “Cubanelle” which always produces more than I use. Maybe I should not plant 3 dozen plants, but they do freeze easily.

The parsnips and carrots are still in the ground. I remember thinking I had time to harvest (remember the nice, long fall we had) and then the snow came. Hopefully, I get to them this spring before they start to grow.

It seems cucumber varieties “Sweet Slice” and “Sweet Success” did great with a lot of fruits for 6 weeks. The melons also did well with “Ambrosia” and “Dulce” being the sweetest. Remember the sweet, thin rind melons do not last long.

Okra failed because I planted it too soon. We had some night temps down in the mid 40’s which stunted the little plants. Should have pulled them out and replanted them.

Love growing spinach even if it does not last that long, around 3 weeks of harvest. Leaf lettuce is always easy to grow compared to head lettuce. Just cut the leaves off and it will regrow.

Maybe I try some beans this year. Usually, I have not because of the rabbits, however, I place two more strands of electric wire on the bottom of the fence.

Onion plants started indoors and then transplanted outdoors to get much bigger than the sets. It is because you can pick the variety to grow compared to the generic white, yellow, and red onion sets.

The winter squash and even the summer squash did not do well, but I think that was the type of year. There is always hope for the future garden.

Home Improvement, Home Maintenance

Incorporate These Tips Into Your Home Renovation

by Karyn Winrich (financial-literacy.info)

Are you thinking about renovating your home? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Renovations can be a great way to make your home more comfortable and functional, but they can also be time-consuming and expensive. To make sure that your renovations go as smoothly as possible, it is important to know what to expect in terms of timeline, budget, contractors, and more. Shippy Realty & Auction takes a look at some key considerations for any home renovation project.

Do Your Homework

When it comes to renovations, there are many different paths you can take — from cosmetic changes like painting or upgrading appliances to larger projects such as gutting a room or adding an extension. Before beginning any renovation project, it is important to consider how much time and money you want to invest in the project and what type of outcome you ultimately want. For example, if you want to add an extra bedroom quickly and inexpensively, then a loft extension may be the right choice for you. However, if you are looking for something more luxurious and spacious, then perhaps a ground-level addition would be better suited for your needs.

One great idea might be adding an office space that can double up as a guest room whenever necessary. This allows flexibility when entertaining guests while still giving you a dedicated workspace away from distractions. Keep the room functional and beautiful with a sleeper sofa, add storage solutions with cabinets, and bring in a full-length mirror for your guests to use.

Find a Contractor Who’s a Good Fit

Finding the right contractor for your home renovation is a huge decision. To make sure you’ve selected someone with extensive experience and knowledge, ask friends or family for referrals or look online at reviews from previous clients. Also vital: ensuring that your potential hired help is appropriately certified and insured before making any commitments. Don’t be afraid to inquire about their process and timeline either — the more information you have before deciding on them, the better.

Determine Your Budget

The next step in preparing for a home renovation project is establishing a budget. This will depend heavily on what type of improvements are being made as well as how large-scale they are. For instance, smaller cosmetic changes like re-painting walls won’t cost nearly as much as installing new plumbing lines throughout the entire house.

Figure Out Your Timeline

You and your contractor must collaborate to set realistic expectations on the timeline of each stage of the renovation project to ensure it stays within budget. Include all facets, from installing fixtures to painting walls, and make sure there are ample breaks between phases for other projects to start up. That way, you can guarantee a timely completion regardless of how big or small your renovation may be.

Use Tools to Stay Organized

Once all design plans have been created and approved by both parties, digitize these documents using either a scanner or camera phone, so they can easily be stored electronically on cloud storage sites. Then, use a PDF merger tool to combine the documents into one file, which will make it easily accessible and shareable. Once they’re included, you can rearrange them according to your needs.

Give Yourself Peace of Mind

You’ll also want to consider investing in a home warranty, which can help cover the cost of expensive repairs. This provides peace of mind when it comes to things like the HVAC system or electrical work. Check the home inspection report for red flags, and look for existing home warranties to find out what might already be covered. This site could be helpful in making a decision.

The right home renovation project can add value to your home or give you the office space you’ve always wanted. The right home warranty can give you peace of mind as you get started. No matter what your goals are, with a solid plan, you can turn your project into a success.

Home Improvement, Home Maintenance

Paint Color Trends for 2023

Paint color trends over the last few years have been going back to the warm hues of the 50s. Interestingly they come from the outdoors: dark greens to reddish sands.

Some ideas being shared are warm greens that create cozy areas being used in kitchens. Greens create a vibrant area over white rooms.

Dark blues are increasing in popularity. They add sophistication to any room with a soothing effect making them good for living rooms.

Soft reds give the feeling of stone or brick. Many interior designers think that these reds will make a strong showing this year.

Dark browns add a homey, earthly feel to the room. The dark color gives your visitor a cozy and relaxed welcome.

Soft yellows add color to a room without overpowering making them a good choice in a bedroom. Your room will glow during sunrises and sunsets.

Warm neutral beiges create a blank canvas of earth tones. This color choice is good for hallways with pictures or art hanging on them. Good choice if you wish to steer from the white and do not want a lot of colors.

Accent walls are decreasing in popularity, but they are still a good way to break up a small room. If your bedroom a small, try painting the wall at the heat of the bed a bolder color.