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Back to Basics: Fruits of Your Garden Labor

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homeandgardenSure, it’s tempting just to park yourself on a lounge chair and just gaze at your burgeoning garden. But with a little extra effort, you can get more out of your late-summer garden.

Here are seven ways to make the most of your August garden.

1. January herbs.  Take the time to pluck some choice herbs and store them for the winter. On the day of a January blizzard, you’ll be able to whip up some pesto that will give you a taste of summer and remind you of the better weather to come. You can freeze or dehydrate herbs. Find tips here:

•    www.howtogardenadvice.com/harvesting/how_to_freeze_herbs.html
•    www.howtogardenadvice.com/harvesting/how_to_dehydrate_dry_herbs.html

2. Instant gratification. If you’re looking for some instant gratification, consider planting some easy-to-grow vegetables, such as mesclun lettuce and radishes, in containers. They’re a cinch to plant, they’re low maintenance, and you can harvest them before it gets cold.

3. Bumper crops. Gardeners are always anxious to hand off their overload of zucchini. Plan ahead by finding great ways to use the surplus. Recipes abound for breads, salads, pasta toppings. And don’t forget about saving it for later (ponder that January snowstorm again) by freezing or canning it. Here are spots for recipes:

•    www.thelocalcook.com/2010/07/27/what-do-i-do-with-too-much-zucchini
•    www.foodnetwork.com/search/delegate.do?fnSearchString=zucchini&fnSearchType=site

4. Share the bounty. Donate excess produce to local food pantries. Find nearby pantries that accept vegetables.

5. Gleaning. Consider getting a group together to do some gleaning or join an existing group. Gleaners volunteer to pick and distribute produce that would otherwise rot on the vine. Learn more here:

•    www.usda.gov/documents/usda_gleaning_toolkit.pdf
•    www.foodshuttle.org/program/field-Gleaning
•    www.villageharvest.org/harvestingdirectory
•    www.grist.org/locavore/beyond-the-trend-factor-foraging-for-good/

6. Harvest your seeds. Especially if you’ve enjoyed some particularly tasty tomatoes or vegetable, pluck and save the seeds for next year.  Learn how here:

•    www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/saving-seeds-for-next-season?page=0,0
•    www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/top-10-tips-storing-seeds?page=0,0
•    www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_FPgRgmuTY

7. Meals in a jar.  Enjoy your bounty in a creative way by jumping on the meals in a jar trend. You basically layer fresh ingredients in a Mason jar and tote them to school and work. Or you can go the canning route for longer-term storage.

Either way, you’re eliminating plastic, reusing glass, and the lunch fare looks pretty enticing. For recipes and info, see:

•    www.bigredkitchen.com/2011/07/how-to-make-mason-jar-meals-part-1
•    www.shape.com/healthy-eating/meal-ideas/7-must-try-mason-jar-meals

Back To Basics: Curb Enthusiasm

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homeLittle gardens tucked in between apartment buildings and on abandoned urban lots have become ubiquitous.

A lush, manicured lawn, long a staple in boosting a home’s curb appeal, likely will be a turnoff to buyers schooled in the basics of sustainability.

If your house is eco-friendly, be certain that the first impression telegraphs sustainability to prospective buyers.

Here’s how.

1. Natural landscape. Swap turf for low-maintenance, drought-resistant native plants that don’t demand chemical intervention.
Get up to speed on sustainable design principles and creating water-wise outdoor environments that are attractive and require little maintenance.

For information and resources: www.lawnreform.org and www.finegardening.com/blog/sustainable-landscaping.

2. Don’t fake it. If someone takes a peek into your garage and finds it loaded with weed killer, fertilizer, and an array of gas-powered mowers and tools, they’ll know that your eco-friendly curb appeal is just for show. Prospects’ next question might be: What else are these homeowners faking?

3. Light lights. Energy-hungry flood lights hooked to motion sensors send the wrong message. Instead, install solar-powered or LED lighting. And it’s all the better if you can quantify the energy savings of these eco-friendly alternatives.

4. Easy living. Create a sense that a house is in move-in condition. Help buyers to imagine themselves ensconced in your yard and show them they don’t need to do the heavy lifting.

Consider installing a drip irrigation system and have attractive rain barrels and composting bins in place and get gardens and planter boxes in shape with low-maintenance plants, vegetables and herbs, and colorful flowers. Also, create a haven for birds with appropriate plants, shrubs and water. For tips, click here.

5. Color me green. When repainting your garage, front door, trim, shutters, and fences, opt for low-VOC paint. The same approach–non-toxic stains and sealants– applies when you’re rebuilding or freshening up your decks.

6. Outdoor decor. Don’t let your porch and deck be an afterthought. Sustainable decking material and furniture and decorations made from recycled or renewable sources reinforce your sustainable curb appeal.

7. Door decor. Think organic when it comes to door wreaths and introduce fresh, natural scents, such as lavender, rosemary, and cinnamon, and use natural materials, such as dried leaves and fresh balsam.

8. Trash or treasure? Sure salvaged wood and repurposed tires and industrial materials can go a long way in the hands of a skilled artist. But an artistic vibe also can seem junky. Ask a friend–someone who’s honest and has good taste– to cast a vote. Trash or treasure?

9. Talk it up. Be certain to share all your eco-friendly outdoor upgrades with your real estate practitioner so he or she can point out the subtle green features, along with the time, energy and water savings those features will offer to future homeowners.

Back to Basics: Green Your Multifamily Building

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green-secondary-image-formembers2There’s the potential for $3.4 billion in energy savings lurking in the multi-family housing sector.

That’s according to Engaging as Partners: Introducing Utilities to the Energy Efficiency Needs of Multifamily Buildings and Their Owners. The study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and CNT Energy identifies more than 18 million occupied apartments and condominiums in U.S. buildings with five units or more. Renters occupy 16 million such units. During 2009, these building owners and tenants spent nearly $22 billion on energy in 2009, an average of $1,141 per household.

No matter how the multifamily sector figures into your business or personal life, whether you’re advising condo buyers or you sit on a condo board or work with investors who are buying multifamily properties, it pays to be informed about opportunities for boosting the efficiency of such buildings.

Here are some considerations.

  1. Incentives. Utility companies and state energy programs can be your ally, since many offer incentives and services specifically targeted at multi-family properties.Among the programs are Puget Sound Energy, the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority, and Efficiency Maine.

    Search for incentives in your area at www.dsireusa.org.

  2. Skeptical residents? Anticipate resistance to change and be ready to support your energy savings assertions with data that explain the long-term advantages of green upgrades.See “Arm Yourself With Statistical Muscle” in this issue for studies and statistics that illustrate the widening demand for eco-friendly homes.
    Other less tangible advantages to point up are greater comfort and a potential marketing edge. For example, lower operating costs that lead to more stable or lower assessments and rents could be a selling point for buyers.
  3. Case studies. Look to real-world examples to strengthen your argument. There’s no shortage of case studies that illustrate the financial rewards of energy upgrades.Just one from the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority involves the 212-unit Trump Tower at City Center, in White Plains, N.Y. Investing in an array of upgrades allowed residents to slash energy consumption by 21% and generate total annual savings of $300,475.
  4. Make it simple. Make it easy for residents to adopt greener lifestyles and to make responsible choices. For instance, provide clearly labeled and accessible recycling and compost bins and convenient, secure bike storage.Explain the health benefits of responsibly disposing of chemicals, paints, electronics and unused prescription medicine, and offer a list of local recycling centers for such items.
  5. Health and wellness. Outline the health gains that everyone can realize by switching to less toxic cleaning, renovation, and maintenance products, such as low-VOC paint and chemical-free lawn care.
  6. Gateway projects. Start with a low-cost gateway project, such as installing new light bulbs or putting in energy efficient washers and dryers in the common laundry room. Tracking the savings from the switch can serve as a test-case and prove to decision-makers that green changes pay off.When it’s time for costlier projects, the success of smaller projects might make the sell a bit easier.
  7. Get audited. Commissioning an energy study that offers a top-to bottom assessment of a building’s performance can provide a comprehensive overview of a building’s trouble spots. The report also can give board members and owners a roadmap when they’re budgeting for and prioritizing projects.Some efficiency upgrades frequently made in multifamily buildings include insulating basement walls and roofs, sealing air leaks, swapping the existing boiler for a high-efficiency condensing boiler, insulating heating and hot water pipes, installing solar pool heaters, and opting for native landscaping.

Holiday Tips from Barbara Delgleize!

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The holiday season is upon us! It starts with festivities as early as Halloween then the serious preparations begin with Thanksgiving meals, friends and family, house to house. Moving on to December when schools get vacation and we look forward to a longer celebratory time with Hanukkah and Christmas, finally wrapping it up with New Year’s Eve and New Years day.

With additional load on the household, it is best to take a few precautions and during the holiday season. With these simple tips, we can help keep the holidays a time for rejoicing and not plunging! For your holiday emergencies call Crandall’s Plumbing 714-465-7819 Orange County, CA

Garbage disposal – Take the time to run the garbage disposal ahead of time to make sure that it is clear before disposing more food. Run hot water for about 15 seconds before and after use. Once clear take care not to deposit stringy, fibrous or very tough materials down the disposal. For example: Potato peels, pumpkin pulp, celery. Instead, set up a waste basket for excess food in easy reach for children to scrape their plates, then simple take the trash out after dinner. You will be glad you did.

Do not pour oils and fats down the drain. Wipe the pans with a paper towel and throw it in the trash. Keep the hot grease safely out of reach from guests and children.

Treat all of your drains with this environmentally friendly mixture: One cup of salt, one cup of baking soda and ¼ cup cream of tartar. Pour the mixture down each of your drains and follow with two cups of boiling water.

When guests bring “six packs” of soda or beer, please cut through the plastic rings so that wildlife do not get caught in them once the trash is out.

With a house full of overnight guests, spread showers out as best you can. Wait at least ten minutes between showers so that the drains have time to clear.

Test your water faucet temperature with a thermometer that it does not exceed 120*, if it does exceed 120* at the faucet, guests are at risk for scalding and the water heater temperature needs to be turned down.

Check shower pressure before guests arrive. If it is weak pour a cup of vinegar into a plastic bag, place it over the shower head, and soak. Use a twist tie to hold it in place overnight. In the morning, remove the bag and use an old toothbrush to gently scrub off the mineral deposits to help restore water flow.

Consider using a humidifier. This will add moisture to the house and make you and your guests more comfortable. The moisture in the air will make the air feel warmer and save on heating costs.

Run appliances that generate heat at night. During the holidays many people tend to run their ovens or extra loads of laundry in the middle of the day. Run these appliances at night when possible.

 

Tips for making your home more attractive to potential buyers

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Shaping up for selling?

Tips to Help Sell Your Home(ARA) – First impressions are important and the same holds true when you are showcasing your home for a potential sale. While larger home improvement projects are often necessary to catch the eye of someone in the market for a new home, they require a great deal of time and money. Sometimes simple cleaning and organization is all that is needed for your home to become more appealing to potential buyers.

Home staging expert and TLC host Lisa Lynch says giving the perception of clean home is of utmost importance for people looking to sell or rent their homes.

“Presenting a sparkling clean property gives the impression that it was well maintained,” says Lynch. “This gives potential buyers and renters a feeling of security. Often they will pay a premium for a place that has been well-maintained and has a clean appearance.”

Lynch offers these tips to impress your guests and convince potential buyers that you took outstanding care of your home:

Simplify

Begin by de-cluttering your home. By removing personal items that might distract prospective buyers, you’ll help them focus on how they think the home might look when they move in. You don’t want buyers to focus on possessions that you’ll be taking with you when you move.

Neutralize

When showing your home to others, it’s best to set your personal tastes aside by decorating in a way that will appeal to a broad range of people. Think about replacing strong patterns with solid colors on items like bedding, carpets and drapes. It might also be a good call to store that dramatic piece of art somewhere out of sight. You can show it off again when you move into your new house.

A photogenic home

Mr. Clean Magic EraserMany potential buyers will make decisions on which homes they would like to look at by looking at photos posted online. Do whatever you can to make your home sparkle in the images you and your real estate agent select for your listing. Focus on glass and metal surfaces that will add shine to your photos. For other bathroom surfaces, a bath scrubber like Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Bath Scrubber should be used to remove easy-to-spot and unappealing grime and scum from bathtubs and showers. Thoroughly cleaning these surfaces in bathrooms and kitchens can make your home look fresher and newer.

Areas that must sparkle

While it’s important to keep the entire home spotless, there are two rooms in particular that require special attention: the kitchen and the bathroom. In a recent survey, Mr. Clean asked consumers which room they would clean first if moving into a new home. Of the more than 1,000 participants, an impressive 41 percent responded the kitchen and 38 percent said the bathroom. When selling your home, it is always important to make the extra effort in these two rooms; you’ll never know if it will be a make or break a deal.

Scent

Whether they know it or not, people entering your home will notice more than just appearances. Attractive scents can create good feelings. Candles, diffusers, potpourri and cookies all offer inviting and familiar aromas. Use a cleaner with a pleasant scent to keep your home smelling fresh.

Details matter

Eliminate any small imperfections that might cause uneasiness with potential buyers by replacing broken light bulbs, fixing loose doorknobs or getting your closet door moving smoothly on it tracks. Even something as minor as a little mess in the microwave could turn off a prospective renter or buyer, so make sure every place you can think of is squeaky clean.

Since first impressions are so important, having your home properly cleaned and staged will help you make a sale or rental more quickly and net the price you deserve.