How To Choose the Right Greenhouse Design for Your Garden

Choosing a greenhouse isn’t easy. You need to take into account the structure of it, whether or not it is suitable for the size of garden that you have and even what you plan to grow in there as well.

Light Exposure

When placing your greenhouse, try and find somewhere that has plenty of light but also somewhere that is protected from strong winds. You will also want to make sure that you don’t put it close to any tall trees, as leaves will make the glass look dirty and block out any light. When you have decided on the positioning for your greenhouse, you can then go on to find out how big your greenhouse can be and what shape you need.

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Glazing

When choosing your glazing, remember that glass lets in the most light and it also lasts much longer when compared to polycarbonates. It can be replaced if it gets broken and you can even add a transparent film onto the glass. This will help to stop the glass from shattering and it is a brilliant way for you to protect your family should there be an accident. Toughened glass is also another option, and even though it can still break, it doesn’t pose as much of a hazard if you do have children.

Dimensions and Framework

The structure for a good greenhouse should be at least 6ft wide. You should have it around 8ft wide if you plan to have some staging at either side. You can choose from timber greenhouses and even aluminium greenhouses as well. Of course, timber greenhouses are much more aesthetically pleasing and you can even choose from a huge range of colours as well. This will really help it to fit in with the rest of your garden.

 

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Vents

You need to make sure that the glazing you choose has various vents as this will help you to ensure that you have the best growing conditions. If you combine the area of the vents when open, this should equate to a fifth of the total floor area. Vents you can choose from include side vents and even louvre vents as well. Automatic vent openers are ideal for larger greenhouses and they consist cylinders that are made out of wax. This opens the vent when it is too hot, and then closes it when the temperature drops.

Roof Shape

A traditional roof that slopes is quite possibly the easiest for you to fit if you plan on having guttering. You should also consider having curved or even angled sides on the greenhouse as this lets in much more light when compared. The roof shape will somewhat depend on the size of greenhouse you have and the positioning, and the roof you choose will vary the amount of light that is let into the greenhouse at any one time.

Eaves

There should be 1ft of space above your head while standing in the greenhouse. If you plan to grow taller plants, such as tomatoes then you need to have at least 5ft of space from the base of the greenhouse to the eaves. This will help you to ensure that you get the best result out of your growing potential and the time that you spend in the greenhouse itself.

Mistakes to Avoid When Moving into a New House

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Are you getting ready to move into a new house? Once you have dealt with packing everything up and moving it to your new place, it can seem like all of the hard work is done. However, it’s only just beginning. After all, you need to make your new place seem like home. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the common mistakes you should avoid when moving into a new house…

  • Overspending after the move – This is one of the easiest mistakes to make. After all, you are excited, and you want your home to look exactly like you envision it. There are so many shiny accessories and decorations that are calling your name. However, overspending at this point is risky business. You need to have an efficient post-relocation budget, and you can always buy things as and when you need them.
  • Not exploring your new surroundings – You should start exploring your new city as soon as you can. Learn the whereabouts of vital places. This will make it easy for you if you need to go to the shops and get something, or if you fall ill and need some medical advice. The last thing you want is to have the hassle of searching for stuff in an emergency.
  • Missing the deadlines for important paperwork – It is not easy to get organised after moving. After all, there are many different things that need to be taken care of. However, if you miss the deadlines for vital paperwork, you are only going to give yourself more hassle in the long run.
  • Not securing your new home – This is something a lot of people don’t tend to think about immediately once they have moved, but you should. There are a number of steps you need to take to secure your property. This includes childproofing your entire home, purchasing a first-aid kit, keeping your property in good condition – i.e. check the condition of the gutters, roof, chimney, window shutters, fence, etc., install smoke detectors and fire alarms, and change the locks and install burglar alarms.
  • Unpacking the wrong way – You may think that there is no right or wrong way to unpack, but there most certainly is. Common mistakes include discarding packing materials as garbage, trying to reassemble furniture or set up appliances on your own, procrastinating, and rushing things.
  • Forgetting to inspect the boxes that have been delivered – It is vital to check the boxes you have received to make sure everything matches up with your inventory list. Double check that everything is sealed correctly and in good condition.

So there you have it: some of the key mistakes you need to avoid when moving into your new place. From making sure you don’t spend too much money once you have moved in to not exploring your new surroundings, if you can avoid the errors mentioned above, you can make the experience run a lot more smoothly.

Holiday Prep with BIZ

Disclosure: I am a brand ambassador for BIZ and have received compensation for today’s post. The opinions are my own.

Many of us dedicate November and December to holiday preparations. This includes decorating, shopping for groceries and gifts, and holiday baking.  Of all the things on our holiday to-do lists, I believe that cleaning is probably the least exciting, but sometimes you have to take the good with the bad!  As I work to clean my home for company coming over, I try to remind myself that it’s all for a good cause.  I remember just how much I enjoy hosting holiday events and how much everyone seems to enjoy themselves, and that makes things seem a little easier.  Another thing that makes the work easier, is having the proper cleaning products and supplies on hand. For our laundry needs, I am happy to have BIZ® as my little helper!

All year I’ve been partnering with BIZ and telling you, my readers, how much I like having this product as part of my laundry routine, and when it comes to holiday prep, there is no exception.  Today I’m going to give you a few examples and tips on how BIZ can assist you with your holiday cleaning and preparations.

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Easy Hacks To Make Your Bedroom a Sleep Haven

There are so many studies that confirm that the environment that we sleep in has a big impact on the quality of the sleep that we have. But even when we all know this, there are so many of us that still sleep in super cluttered, messy, and uncomfortable bedrooms. So here are some easy hacks that you can do to make a change to your room, to make it a proper sleep haven. Try them and see the difference for yourself.

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Eliminate Natural Light

Natural light is all good for our Instagram snaps, but when it comes to sleep, we want to have the room as dark as possible. When you have a dark room it will mimic the natural setting of the sun, so it will help your body and your brain to give a signal that you should be ready for sleep. You could choose some thick drapes or curtains, as well as blackout blinds to help to mimic this. It can make a massive difference. [Read more…]

5 Must-Do’s in Your New Home

 For most of the population, no matter what country, buying a house is most probably the most costly and important purchase of their lives. Although this has been the case for quite some time now, within the last decade or so, the prices of properties in big cities have been skyrocketing to absurd amounts. In cities like London, you can find yourself paying as much as a whopping one million Dollars for a mere 25.2 square meters of space, making some houses cost around 14.75m British Pounds. Keep in mind this is not the price of a giant villa with an enormous garden, just a nice house somewhere in Belgravia. With prices like these, it is no wonder that the large majority of the population can only afford to buy one house within their lifetime. Now with such a costly purchase out of the way, chances are you want to keep your house in the best shape possible, as long as possible. Like an expensive MacBook, maintenance is possible, but usually costly, let’s have a look at some things which are a must-do for everyone who finally possess their very own piece of the world.

 

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House Recon

No matter how well you thought you might have checked, no matter how much you saw through the tricks of whoever was selling you the house, some imperfections are eventually going to show after daily life in your new home. While this may be inevitable and just a part of buying property, there are things you can do to minimize the long term damages. [Read more…]

Hashbrown Casserole and Clean Up with Scotch-Brite® Scrub Dots

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ScrubWithDots #CollectiveBias

With the holidays right around the corner, it’s time to brainstorm recipes and menu ideas and prepare for that big holiday grocery outing.  While preparing your shopping list, it’s just as important to add cleaning products and tools that you will need.  Enter Scotch-Brite® Scrub Dots Previously I’ve written about the Scotch-Brite™ Brand and how their wide range of products helps me with my household cleaning.  Recently I purchased their new Scotch-Brite® Scrub Dots sponges and dishwands.  Today I’m going to share these products with you and show some examples of the products at work in my kitchen, including how I used Scotch-Brite® Scrub Dots to clean up after making a Hashbrown Casserole. (Recipe included!)

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Instant Savings on Huggies® at Sam’s Club + Baby Changing Supplies Organizer

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MoreHuggiesMoreSavings #CollectiveBias

As many of you know, my Simply Sweet Home will be even sweeter about a month from now, as we welcome our newest member, Baby Thaxton!  I am currently 35 weeks pregnant. As you can imagine, I am in the middle of final baby preparations: cleaning house, packing hospital bags, purchasing last minute supplies, and getting everything organized.  Phew!  One thing I don’t have to worry about right away is diapers and wipes.  Thanks to Sam’s Club, we have stocked up on plenty of those for a while!

Sam’s Club is THE place to stock up on must-have supplies for your family or small business.  In the past, I’ve saved a lot of money on health and beauty supplies, pet items, office supplies, and cleaning products.  Now that I’m pregnant, I get to take a peek at the must-have items for baby!  Sam’s Club has everything from baby toys and clothes, to essentials like diapers, wipes, and formula!  Today I’m going to talk about why Sam’s Club is a great place to shop for baby essentials. I also have information on an instant savings deal with Huggies® at Sam’s Club and a tutorial to help you organize your baby changing supplies! [Read more…]

Clean Air for a Healthier Pet-Friendly Home

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Are your pets safe in your home? You probably already know that you need to keep harmful materials like cleaners stored where your animals can’t reach them. One of the most important things you must do to keep your pets happy and healthy is to provide clean air. You may not think about it, but the air you and your pets breathe inside the home every day can affect everyone’s health.

Performing regular maintenance on your heating and air conditioning systems is an effective way to create a healthy environment in your home. Find a trusted, local HVAC service provider that offers affordable maintenance plans. That way, you’ll know that your system will always provide clean, fresh air for you and your pets. Routine maintenance includes cleaning the ducts and changing filters. Ask your HVAC provider about air cleaners that continually circulate fresh air throughout your home. HEPA air cleaners can also remove allergens like pet dander from the air.

Other ways to create a pet healthy home include checking your landscaping and houseplants for any species that are poisonous to your four-legged friends. Household items you use every day can also hurt different animals that share your home. Did you know that non-stick cookware is unsafe for birds? Other common items like string and yarn should be kept away from dogs and cats. Taking some simple precautions can help you create a safe environment for all of your pets. Check out the following four steps to a pet-friendly home.

4 Handy Plumbing Tips for Homeowners

Being a homeowner can be a great joy but also quite a headache. You never know when a problem will surface which is why it is a good idea to identify professionals before you need them. This way, you can have them on speed dial in case a problem was to arise. However, sometimes the problem is not that easy or there is not extra room in the budget to hire someone to come over and fix the issue. There are times that as a homeowner, you have to get your hands dirty and do the work yourself. This article will provide some handy plumbing tips for new homeowners.

Turn off the water. If you notice a leak and you want to explore the problem, be sure to turn the water off to the area. This can save you from adding to the problem with additional leakage. This will also allow you to look for the leak without worrying about getting soaking wet or wasting additional water.

Fix the running toilet. We have all been there, whether you have lived in an apartment or in your own home, it is inevitable that you will experience a running toilet at one time or another. Before trying to fix the toilet, make sure that it is not clogged with debris, toilet paper, or waste. Once you have confirmed that the toilet is clear, lift the lid off of the tank. Check the flapper to make sure that it is still intact and in good condition. Believe it or not, they do wear out from time to time and need to be replaced. Another thing to look for is if the water is very high in the tank. If the water is high, turn the valve off that is below the tank and take off the rubber flapper. Dry the area and install a new flapper.

De-clogging drains. A clogged drain can happen to anyone. Over time soap builds up in a drain along with hair, lint, or other debris. A clogged drain can be easily remedied by purchasing a plastic snake-like tool from your local hardware store. Simply place the snake in the drain and dig out the contents that are causing the clog. It may be tempting to dump drain-o or other plumbing solutions down the drain but try to avoid doing this as it can have a negative effect on your plumbing.

Take good care of your garbage disposal. It may sound strange but your garbage disposal can malfunction or quit working at any moment. Take care of your disposal by cleaning it often with garbage disposal cleaning solutions that can be found at your local hardware or grocery store. In addition, keep silverware, bottle caps, and other metal objects out of the drain as they can damage the blades or cause the disposal to not work at all.

If you have tried all of these tips are you are still having trouble, we recommend this plumber that can help you out.

 

Why You Need Biz and Why Biz Works

Disclosure: I am a brand ambassador for Biz and have been compensated for this post. The opinions are my own.

Biz

As a wife and mom, I like to send my family out in to the world, not only feeling but also looking great.  For me, looking great starts with clothing.  I know that people often get initial impressions of us based on what we are wearing.  Even people we’ve known for a while will take notice when we get dressed up or wear something new.  Whether you’re wearing a dress shirt or an old tshirt, the key is to have on clothing that is bright and clean.  In our house, I achieve this objective with Biz.

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