The Best Vegetables, Flowers & Herbs You Can Grow on Your Deck or Patio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have a patio or deck, you probably are wondering what type of plant life would be best for your space. Whether considering planting vegetables, flowers or herbs, according to “Burpee” seeds, there are a few you may want to consider that can withstand the temps of patio life and flourish.

Veggies                                                                    

Didn’t think you could grow vegetables on your patio?  You’d be surprised how many different types of veggies you can grow! For example:

    

Patio Princess - Perfectly sized, petite tomato plants for patio containers.

 

Bush Steak Hybrids – Beef Steak tomatoes that can grow in a container.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bush Early Girl Hybrid - Extra-large, extra-early tomatoes grow on a true bush.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can also grow loose-leaf lettuce, Detroit dark red beets and what is called “Heatwave” blend lettuce.

 

 

Flowers
               

                                                   

  

Flowers, especially hanging flowers, look great on a patio, and can enhance the décor of any outdoor space. However, you need to consider flowers that can withstand the direct sun and conditions on your patio and still look good.

Pansies – A fragrant flower that is great for hanging planters, baskets or even to border around your patio railing.  

Sunflowers – Elf or Teddy Bear bush sunflowers grow well and can be grown in a container.

Nasturtium, Alaska Mix - Colorful, (and edible), nasturtiums tolerate poor soils and heat or cold.

White Wedding Zinnias – A brilliant white flower, similar in appearance to a chrysanthemum.

 

Herbs                                                                 

Wouldn’t it be great to just walk out to your patio and grab some of your favorite herb seasonings fresh? There are many that you can grow on your deck or patio. Think about planting some herbs in planter boxes around the railing of your patio, in between some of the flowers. Just a few of the herbs you can select are:

Thyme – Thyme has a variety of uses. You can use it for meats, poultry, soups—you name it!

Parsley – A favorite garnish and also can be used in a number of different foods.

Chives – Can be used for anything from soups to salads.

Basil – Your favorite pasta sauces, pesto, soups and the like.

Even if you don’t consider yourself to have a green thumb, be adventurous and try your hand at growing. You might be pleasantly surprised at what you end up with!

Make sure you check out the patio furniture, awnings and fire pit selections available at Patio Barn in Amherst, NH and give them a call at 603.673.2716 for great price and variety, or check out the website at www.patiobarn.net.

 

 

                             

 

The Water Store - pH Levels and Drinking Water

 

 

 

 

 

pH levels and Drinking Water

The term pH is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a diluted solution. It can range from 0 to 14, with 7 denoting a neutral value. Acidic water has a pH below 7; alkaline water, above 7. The health effects of pH on drinking water depend upon where the pH falls within its range. The U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), which classifies pH as a secondary drinking water standard, recommends a pH between 6.5 and 8.5 for drinking water.

Low or high pH and pipe corrosion

Corrosion can cause the piping to fail, in some cases in less than 10 years.

The main causes are:

 

	·       Low pH (acid water) or high pH (alkaline water) on private well systems.
	·       Other water chemistry causes, such as high levels of dissolved oxygen, high levels of salts dissolved in the water, and/ or corrosion-causing bacteria such as sulfate or iron bacteria.     High or low pH can lead to a number of poor and even dangerous conditions in water. Health effects are most pronounced in pH extremes. Drinking water with a pH below 4 or above 11 can cause skin, eye, and mucous membrane irritation. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that extreme pH levels can worsen existing skin conditions.
	The Water Store is dedicated to providing clean, safe drinking water for your home and business.   Call us today at 603-899-6680 for a free water analysis, or visit our web page http://www.thewaterstorenh.com/about-us/.

 

Patio Barn - Cleaning Patio Furniture

                                

Patio Barn

Amherst, NH

 

 

Patio Furniture Cleaning

 

It’s May!  Finally time to break out the patio furniture!  Of course having stored all of your furniture, it probably could stand a good cleaning.  Here’s a solution and method for cleaning your plastic pieces.

 

You’ll need:

1 gallon warm water
3 Tsp. automatic dishwashing detergent
a sponge with scrubber
a 1 gallon bucket

1.     Place 1 gallon warm water in a bucket and add 3 teaspoons of automatic dishwasher detergent.

2. Wash down the furniture with this solution.

 
3. Let the solution set on the furniture for approximately 15 minutes

4. Rinse and dry. Note: Clean colored furniture with an all-purpose cleaner and water. Make sure you rinse it well because sunlight and weather will speed up the fading process.

Cleaning Wicker

Unless you live in extreme climates, your wicker patio furniture does not require much care and cleaning.  It’s also quite hardy, so it can be left outside for long periods of time without fear of deterioration.  Wicker patio furniture is easy to care for, but you may need to brush it every now and then to keep it dust free. Dust or other organic material can collect in the crevices of the weave and cause mildew and decay.

·        If your wicker furniture becomes dirty, you may want to vacuum it.

·        If vacuuming is not enough, use a sponge with mild detergent and warm water to remove soil. Rinse and allow to dry completely before you use the wicker furniture again.

·        Hosing off the furniture can work too, but don't use very high pressure. After hosing off, make sure to inspect the weave to see that the pressure from water has not moved it from its place. If needed use your fingers to set it right again.

·        Never use a foam cleaner, as the foam could lodge into the areas between the woven strands and collect there, ultimately causing damage.

·        Never use damp wicker furniture, as you could cause it to sag.

Make sure you check out the patio furniture and fire pit selections available at Patio Barn in Amherst, NH at 603.673.2716 for great price and variety, or check out the website at http://www.patiobarn.net.

 

 

 

 

Savage Engineered Equipment Custom Ovens - Gas or Propane?

Savage Engineered Equipment    

 

What is The Difference Between Gas and Propane?

Perhaps you know, but natural gas is a fossil fuel in a gaseous state that travels through pipes to people’s homes for use as a fuel for cooking, heating and water heating. Propane is a different fuel from natural gas, though the two are closely related. So what’s the difference between these two fossil fuel cousins?

Propane, by nature a component of natural gas, is separated out during the refining process to become a more powerful fuel.

Which Fuel is More Powerful? 

Which fuel source is more powerful, natural gas or propane? The answer is propane. The energy content of most fuels is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs), so if you compare the BTU content of the exact same quantities of both fuels, it gives an accurate comparison of energy content. One cubic foot (ft3) of natural gas contains 1,030 BTUs and one cubic foot of propane gas contains 2,516 BTUs, giving propane about twice the energy content of natural gas.

Savage Engineered Equipment prides itself on designing only the best industrial ovens and equipment in the marketplace today.

Our team has over 200 years of experience in designing and manufacturing industrial ovens & heat manufacturing equipment.

Call us today at (570) 329-6500 or visit us on the web www.savage-engineered.com.

 

 

Forest Ridge Apartments Nashua - Yard Sale Tips

Forest Ridge Apartments

1-B Hampshire Drive

Nashua, NH

1-877-232-8604

                                                     

6 Great Tips For Your Community Yard Sale

On Saturday, May 18^th we will be having or “Semi-Annual” Community yard sale.  Here are a few tips to have a successful (and hopefully profitable) yard sale this year.

A good rule of thumb is to price items in good condition at 25 to 30 percent of their retail value.

Bundling similar items for one price may help things move more quickly.

Consider consigning high-end items such as antique furniture or specialty items, where they will likely generate more money.

If you intend to donate items left at the end of the sale, make arrangements for a charity to pick it up the same day.

• Have a plan for the purpose of what you are selling. Are you selling things to make money or to get rid of them? This question affects everything you do, from how you price things to how willing you are to negotiate. As a veteran of many profitable yard sales, here are some of my top tips:

• Be prepared. Wear comfortable clothing. Have water and snacks at hand. Get plenty of one-dollar bills and a roll of quarters the day before. Move things out early. Good preparation will help things run smoothly.

• Think like a customer. Walk through your sale as if you were there to buy something. How does it feel? Are things clearly marked? Is it easy to move around? Are your books on the ground in boxes? Or are they placed neatly on shelves or tables? Would you pay $10 for that book rack?

 

Be willing to bargain. On the first day, you want to get as much as you can for each item. If they’re bargaining, it’s because they want the item. Don’t be completely rigid, but don’t give your stuff away at the start either.
 

• Do not use a cash box. Carry your money with you at all times.  Use a cheap cloth apron or a utility belt to carry money or a fanny pack or a zippered bank deposit pouch.

• Have a plan for what you’ll do with your unsold merchandise. Some non-profits will pick up unsold stuff, so research this ahead of time. On Saturday, we loaded all of our unsold stuff into a Honda Element and hauled it to a local thrift store.

Have fun, and HAPPY SALES TO YOU!      

       

                                                                               

Twill Fabric & Yarn Nashua - Learn to sew a Pillow.

 

 

Pillow Talk!

Pillows are always a favorite home decorating sewing project, especially for the sewing novice.  A pillow can be easily done in one afternoon and are a great gift idea. You can customize the fabric and design to coordinate with room décor.  Try using various shades of green Kona solids in a log cabin pattern for a pillow cover that is a contemporary classic.

2013 Spring Color Palette  

       

Spring is definitely in the air and spring colors are everywhere!  Whether it’s “dusk blue, tender shoots, lemon zest or poppy red”, spring color is a welcome site.

The prevalence of green this spring is undeniable this season. Similar to the many shades in our natural surroundings, this season's greens offer a stunning foreground or the perfect backdrop for all other hues.  Come in and check out the select of fresh spring greens!

We’ve also been busy whipping up reversible table napkins and table runners. You’ll enjoy the fun and elegant touch cloth napkins make in your home. They are a great alternative for paper and look beautiful on any table setting.  Sign up for sewing classes or our newsletter on-line, or come in and meet the staff.  Check the web site at http://www.twillnh.com for table linen classes.

 

 

Forest Ridge - Decorating your Apartment

Forest Ridge Apartments

1-B Hampshire Dr., Nashua, NH

1-877-232-8604

http://www.movetoforestridge.com/

 

 

What Are Some Inexpensive Decorating Tips For My Apartment?    

 

So, you love your new apartment (or old one for that matter) and you want to decorate or redecorate.  Like most of us, you probably can’t afford to go out and spend loads of cash on throw pillows or expensive artwork, and frankly you’d just rather not spend your money on these things. There are many ways to make your apartment fabulous and high-end. You can customize it to your taste without dropping a ton of cash! Here are a few tips to get you inspired:

 

v Think about “modular” furniture, especially if your apartment is tiny.  You can customize it to fit your space.

v Wall-to-wall carpet?  Sometimes it’s not in the best condition.  Add bright accents and layer on area rugs.

v If you are allowed to paint, consider more neutral colors.  You’d be surprised how much a new coat of paint can make a difference to your apartment, and without spending a lot of money.

v Replace your blinds and dress your windows, perhaps consider roman shades or floor length curtains to give the illusion of a larger window.

v If you collect stuff, like movie posters or vintage collectables, use that collection as part of your décor.  Display things on wall shelves, wall cubes or mount the small things in a Shadowbox.

 

A Few Things To Consider…

 

§  Try yard sales and garage sales.  You can find unique furniture pieces, wall décor and the like. If what you find is not in the best shape you can take them home and spruce them up, or change out the cushions if the piece has good structure. Giving your furniture a makeover (or keeping it looking vintage) gives your items a new life!

§  Browse the discount stores, like dollar stores.  These stores have come a long way and you might be surprised at the treasures you’ll find.

§  Shop consignment.  Consignment stores sell everything from wall art to couches.  All of the items sold on consignment were previously owned and may be in the store because the previous owner ran out of room or moved.  You can often find almost new items and all of the items are in very good condition, plus you’ll pay much less for them.

 

For a tour of some beautiful apartments that have the potential for your creativity to do its magic, check out pictures from some of the community events at Forest Ridge.

 

                                                                     

 

 

Forest Ridge - Questions to ask a potential Landlord

Forest Ridge Apartments

1-B Hampshire Dr., Nashua, NH

1-877-232-8604 or 603-883-7752

http://www.movetoforestridge.com/

 

 

Simple Questions to ask a potential landlord                   

When it comes time to look for your rental apartment, you may not know what questions to ask a landlord.  With so much to think about and consider, some of the most obvious questions might escape your thought process.  Before you sign that list take a look at the list of 10 questions you might want to ask a landlord.

 

 

                     1.      Is the heat included?

                     

                     2.      Is the heat gas or electric?

                     3.      Is the apartment air-conditioned and is it central?

                     4.      Are the utilities included in the rent?

                     5.      Are any of the window fixtures included/come with the apartment?

                     6.      Are pets allowed? If yes, is there a charge for pets?

                     7.      Is parking available and are there any fees?

                     8.      What are the requirements for a full security deposit refund?

                     9.      Who do I call for emergencies or maintenance?

                    10.     Will the apartment be ready at the beginning of the lease?

While walking through an apartment to check for room size and other things you’d want your apartment to have, you may want to also consider the following:

 

                   

                   

                    Are the rooms clean and walls painted?

 

                    Are the carpet and floors clean and in good condition?

                    Are the appliances in working order and clean?

                    Are there enough electrical outlets per room?

                    Are there enough phone jacks

                    Does the toilet flush?

                    Do the faucets work?

                    How’s the closet space?

                    Is there sufficient storage space?

                    Are the hallways and stairways sufficiently lit?

                   Are there laundry facilities in the building, and if not where is the
                   closest laundry mat?

 

You may have more questions of your own to ask the landlord and consider during your apartment.  Remember to check out “Forest Ridge” at www.movetoforestridge.com to view photos and find out about features and amenities.  Or, call them at 1-877-232-8604. With a better idea of what questions to ask and what to look for when apartment hunting, Forest Ridge Apartments is your best bet to finding exactly what you’re looking for in a living space.