INCREASE YOUR HOUSE VALUE You might not want to update your bathroom to an ultra modern bathroom but even the smallest of bathroom renovations need to be planned. Our bathroom renovation has gone on a little longer than I had anticipated because I didn’t predict problems along the way. Even the best project planning will be met with some issues so it’s imperative to leave room for completion dates if you need a project done by a certain time. This summer was no exception in the fact that I started yet another planned undertaking around the house. After completing a full installation of the central vacuum system the en-suite bathroom was next on my home renovation list. En-suite designs and planning We didn’t suddenly decide that the en-suite bathroom needed updating because the tiles clashed with my underwear or some other ridiculous excuse. The shower cubicle which is of a plastic and aluminum construction which has quite literally done its job and after 20 years of service needs be put out of its misery. The shower faucet leaks, the toilet has to be flushed 3 times even for the simplest of excuses, the cheap steel sink is […]
How to grow your own fruit at home
HOME-GROWN FRUIT U-PICK Many people enjoy going to the market to buy local produce but what’s even better is growing your own fruit trees and vegetables at home if you have the space to do so. Although you can easily buy fruit trees at your local garden centre, understanding how to properly plant and care for them takes a bit of research and sometimes trial and error. Growing up on the farm I was lucky enough to enjoy eating homegrown fruit from fruit trees such as crab apples, pears, bushes of elderberries, grapes, blackberries, currants and raspberries. They were all easily accessible and enjoyed by my family and our grandparents. My grandma made many elderberry pies over the years that we had the pleasure of eating. Having the opportunity to pick fruit from our own backyard is like nothing else and you certainly save money. The only drawback was the mess that some of them left behind, particularly the larger fruit trees. The beautiful flower blossoms add some vibrant colour to the spring landscape but once they begin to drop their fruit and leaves the mess and clean up begins. Cleaning up the fruit and leaves can not only […]
Why you should enjoy local produce or pay the price
KEEPING IT CLOSE TO HOME If you open any refrigerator most people have some form of fresh produce readily available to prepare daily meals. Why? That’s easy because it’s part of a healthy diet. Have you been thinking about growing your own vegetable garden? If so, now may be a good time to start, here’s why…… If purchasing fresh produce is part of your weekly grocery budget be prepared to see the costs increase over the next few months. California is a major exporter of fresh produce including grapes, melons, peppers, tomatoes and avocados. They are currently experiencing the worst drought they have seen in a very long time. Canada currently imports approximately $5 billion worth of produce from California every year. The majority of the organic produce we see on the shelves of our grocery stores in Canada is imported and the bulk of it is shipped in from California. How could this impact us in Canada? While it is uncertain exactly how much of an impact it will have, paired with the declining value of the Canadian dollar the drought that has hit California hard this year. It is expected to increase the cost of purchasing fresh […]
How to create flower beds for your home
SPRUCE UP YOUR YARD Flower beds are often used as beautiful focal points on the front lawns of many homes. People associate gardening with a lot of work and while flower beds will always require some maintenance, planning ahead can help to limit just how much. Now that spring has finally sprung you may be thinking about how you are going to spruce up your property this year. Adding a flower bed to your front yard or even in the back is a great, quick way to add some colour and liven things up a bit. Don’t worry, if you don’t know how to make a flower bed I’m going to share almost all of my secrets with you today. Think about the amount of maintenance it will require after the garden is installed and are you willing to commit to the upkeep. Why waste the money if you can’t maintain your flower beds? How much time are you able or willing to devote to maintaining the landscape of your home? The perfect shape for your flower bed After deciding on the location of your new flower bed you are going to have to decide what shape […]
