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- | Landscaping is simple enough that anyone can do it, but before you go to your local home improvement store to buy equipment, there are a few things you should know and keep in mind. This article contains some sound advice on landscaping that will help you to make your home look amazing.[[http://goarticles.com/article/Excellent-Assistance-As-It-Pertains-To-Landscaping/7430657/|Permeable Pavement Granite Cobbles]] | + | Anyone who has used gas and oil can reluctantly agree that green energy is cleaner, safer, and less expensive. But many people don't know how to implement green energy into their lives. So here are just a few of the many ways that green energy can be good for your home and your life.[[http://fr8pals.com/blogs/145779/263396/reasons-you-should-make-your-new|Composite Floor Deck]] |
- | When you select plants, pay attention to their texture and branching patterns. Color is not everything. Choose plants with different shapes and textures to create an interesting design that you will never get tired of looking at. You should also keep in mind that a plant will have different branching structures throughout its growth. | ||
- | Look to flowering trees to add color and depth to your landscaping design. Trees are a great way to create a border in your design, and a flowering tree adds the benefit of an additional blast of color during certain times of the year. It can add a truly dramatic effect to your garden. | + | Don't throw away that coffee grinds- use them to fertilize your plants. Coffee grinds are rich in nitrogen so these make great, healthy plant food. Using coffee grinds as fertilizer keeps them out of the landfill, makes it unnecessary for you to purchase and use chemical plant food, and make your plants grow nicely, adding oxygen to the atmosphere. |
- | [[http://landscapingideasforyou.wordpress.com/2013/02/01/where-to-find-great-outdoor-landscaping-ideas/|Permeable Pavers Lowes]]Make a list of the things you like and dislike about your current yard. Make sure you include all of your favorite things on your list as well as those you want to change so that you don't make any changes that destroy things you already love about your yard. | + | Turn off the kitchen, bathroom, and any other exhaust fans as soon as you no longer need them. Some people leave the fans on for 20 minutes or so, but it is better to leave them on for no longer than five minutes after showering, bathing, or cooking is finished. |
- | Don't be afraid of using curved lines in your landscaping design. Beginning landscapers often tend towards squares or rectangles when building out their yards. The end result can feel very rigid, and even a bit unfriendly, in its overall feel. Adding some curved lines, or building a circle flower bed, can really soften up the look. | + | Find out more about ground source heat pumps. These pumps are located under your home and pump the natural heat of the earth to keep you warm. This system can be costly but the pumps use very little power and can last up to fifty years. Invest in this system if you are going to stay in a home for decades. |
- | Think about how you and your family use your yard before making any changes to it. Remember that if you plant trees, bushes or shrubs where people usually walk, your yard may not be enjoyable to use. Discuss your plans with your family to make sure that they are pleasing to everyone before you re-do your yard. | + | Get an energy audit of your home. Having your home inspected by a professional is the best way to find out how you could adopt alternative sources of energy. In some cases, the sun or wind exposure is simply not high enough to justify investing in alternative sources of power. |
- | [[http://hreconomics.uni-koeln.de/index.php?title=Read_The_Following_Tips_For_Improving_Your_Landscaping_Skills|Permeable Paving Systems]]When planning a landscaping project for your house, do not forget the importance of having evergreens in your yard. Evergreens are great because not only are they going to look the same year round, but they also are perfect for using as coverage for widespread areas. This is true for ground coverage as well as privacy borders. | + | If you are in the process of, or planning to, design your own home, you can build some green energy sources right into your home from the beginning. Start by looking for land that has a water source such as a creek or room for wind turbines. Another good idea is to choose a roof with solar panels built in. You can even position them to get the most out of sunlight. |
- | When you are planning landscaping for your yard, make sure to use plants, and flowers well suited for the climate you live in. Check the zone rating of plants, and make sure they will do well in your area. Investing in shrubs and trees, and have them die is discouraging, and also expensive. | + | [[http://wiki.argos-nalog.ru/index.php?title=Pros_And_Cons_Of_Choosing_A_Green_Energy_Provider|Composite Floor Deck]] Watch to make sure your refrigerator and freezer are at the proper temperatures. Do not allow them to get too cold. The recommended temperatures are around 37°-40°F for your fresh food compartments and about 5°F for the freezer. If your freezer is separate and used for long-term storage, keep it around 0°F. |
- | When you are purchasing flowers look for perennials rated for your zone. Annuals are great for quickly creating a colorful flowerbed, but they will need to be planted again the following year. Perennials come back year after year and cut down on the work and expense of maintaining a beautiful flower garden. | + | Consider investing in an electric kettle as a means of saving energy. Electric kettles use less energy to boil your water than stove-top kettles, and not only can they be used to make tea, but you can also use them to boil water for smaller meals you plan to cook. |
- | Consider the 'rule of three' when it comes to planting. Many advanced landscapers believe that plantings look best in groups of three, If not three, then any odd number typically looks better than an even number of plantings. This is not a set rule in any way, but a good one to keep in mind. | + | When you purchase new appliances, like refrigerators, ranges, and washing machines, look for the Energy Star label. The United States Department of Energy recommends these products because they save energy. You will also save money by using them. Products that are energy efficient will usually have a star on them. |
- | Carefully determine the quantities of material you will need. It can be very easy to under or overestimate how much of any given material you will need to get the job done. Before you get started, check you math. Get a second pair of eyes or even a professional to take a look at your materials list. | + | Make small changes if you do not have a lot of money to invest or do not have access to the kind of resources you need. Get a small solar power installation to provide power for one room only, and get a few solar cells to charge your cell phone and other devices, for instance. |
- | [[http://www.viewdocsonline.com/document/cnza71|Permeable Paver Cost]]As you may have realized, landscaping has different meanings for those to do it. Some will think of it as a quick touch up job, while others will think of it as a whole artistic process full of style and grace. Using the tips above, any landscaping you do will look wonderful. | + | A very easy and cheap way to save on your high energy bills is to try installing some low flow shower heads and faucets. Switching from the standard, 2.5 gallon/minute shower heads, to the low flow 1.5 gallon/minute ones, can help you save a lot with your hot water energy costs. |
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+ | [[http://www.viewdocsonline.com/document/lv4jzu|Composite floor deck]] Whatever your reasons for wanting to go green, stick with them! Saving money is in everyone's interest, as is working for a cleaner environment. Hopefully, you have learned enough from this article to begin putting green energy to work in your home, to see significant savings and feel better about the impact you have on the environment very soon. |