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Idea #1:
Plan a Valentines party for those you love.  Make it a potluck to cut down on the expenses.  Decorate your house with hearts and anything red and pink.  Invite lots of people you care about, such as neighbors, friends, relatives, and their children.  It’s also particularly nice to remember those who have lost their spouses.

Idea #2:
Make Valentine treats and take them to the pediatric unit at your local hospital, a nearby nursing home, or even surprise your friends who might be spending the evening at home alone.

Idea #3:
Event tickets are a unique gift idea, and are enjoyed by almost everyone.  However, these don’t necessarily need to be used on Valentines Day or even shared with you.  Consider purchasing tickets for your loved one so he or she can go to a special event that they could enjoy themselves, such as a women’s lecture series or a fishing and camping show.  Be sure to get two tickets so they can invite a friend who shares their interest!

Idea #4:
Order dinner in and serve it on your good china.  Even better, have a family picnic on the living room floor!  Gather candles from around the house and eat by candlelight, and be sure to include the younger members of the family.

Idea #5:
Plan an evening outdoors, doing something like skiing, sledding, or snowboarding.  If you have children, go outdoors and build a snow fort in the back yard.  Dinner can occur before or after the outdoor activities, and can be something as simple as pizza at home.  End the evening with hot chocolate and cookies in front of the fire to warm everyone up again.

Idea #6:
Recreate the “good old days.”  Visit your favorite old restaurant, if it is still nearby.  If you have since moved away, call the restaurant to inquire if they will freeze and ship your favorite entrees to your home, so you can enjoy them as a special treat.

Idea #7:
Clean things up!  Have your loved one’s car cleaned and detailed.  Be sure to include a full tank of gas and a new emergency kit, if they don’t already have one.  A freshly cleaned car is something everyone can appreciate!

Idea #8:
Sleepover!  Host a sleepover for your grandkids to give their parents a much-deserved Valentine’s Day break.  Everyone benefits-you get to have special time with your grandkids, plus mom and dad have some time alone to rest and recharge.

Idea #9:
Call in the pros!  Give your loved one a gift certificate for a professional housecleaning.  Or if you are brave, surprise them having the house cleaned while they are away.  There is nothing like entering a spotless home when someone else has done all the hard work!

Idea #10:
Say it all!  Make a list of all the things you love about your special someone, including unique quirks and special secrets that only the two of you share.  Write everything down in a beautifully bound book, or write each note on a separate slip of paper, and put them all inside a special box.  This will likely become one of your spouse’s most treasured gifts.

Valentine’s is such a fun and special time of year for anyone who is in love.  Make it really special this year by doing something unexpected.  Your loved one is sure to appreciate your thought and efforts, and it will hopefully create lasting memories for the two of you to share and remember in years to come.

When considering what types of herbs to grow, first ask yourself which herbs you use the most in cooking.  Consult your recipe box; are there any particular herbs that you routinely buy fresh at the grocery store?  If so, these should be your first choices.  Also remember that fresh herbs will taste far better than dried seasonings purchased in little bottles.  While you may not care for the taste of dried dillweed, you may find that fresh dill is a real treat.  When it comes to growing herbs, don’t limit yourself.  They don’t require a lot of space, so start with a variety and see which ones you like best.

When it comes to homegrown herbs, parsley may be one of the most popular choices.  Parsley is routinely used in cooking, and freshly cut sprigs of parsley are also commonly used as a garnish to make a plated meal look more attractive.  Parsley is grown as an annual, so you’ll either have to start new seeds each year or buy young plants from a nursery.  There is a saying that parsley seeds must go to the devil and back seven times before they will germinate, simply meaning that if planted all at the same time, you’ll see germination from your other herb seeds long before parsley will finally appear.  Like many other herbs, parsley is a good choice for growing in containers, and it may be possible to overwinter plants indoors or in a greenhouse.

Chives are a wonderful, almost maintenance-free homegrown herb.  A perennial, they will not need to be restarted from one year to the next.  Get a good start of chives from a friend or neighbor, plant it in your garden, and they’ll keep coming back year after year.  Chives also boast attractive purple flowers that can be a nice addition to a flower garden.

Basil is favorite homegrown herb for anyone who loves Italian food.  If you grow tomatoes, you should grow basil, too, because tomatoes and basil go together like milk and cookies.  Basil is another annual that will need to be restarted each spring, but it can be easily grown indoors from seed and then transplanted into the garden once the soil is thoroughly warmed.  Be sure to keep basil pinched back regularly for full and productive plants.  And when you see flowers begin to appear, remove them quickly so that the plant does not go to seed.

Rosemary is a very attractive herb to grow, and in most areas it will grow as a perennial if treated with care for overwintering.  Rosemary is not easily grown from seed, so to get it started initially, buy a young plant from a nursery and transplant it into your garden or else find a friend who already has some and request a cutting.  Rosemary can be grown in containers, but it will need to be brought indoors for winter.

Mint is another favorite herb that can be used in cooking, dried to make teas, and even crushed and bottled for perfumes or to be sprinkled on clean clothes and sheets.  There are many varieties of mints to choose from.  Spearmint and peppermint are quite common.  For something more unique, try pineapple, apple, or chocolate mints.  Mint is a perennial, so there will be no need to replant in subsequent years.  Take caution, however, before letting mint loose in your garden.  Mint spreads rapidly by underground runners and can quickly overwhelm a garden.  Once mint has been planted in the ground, it can be nearly impossible to completely eradicate.  Mint does grow well in containers, however, and when watered thoroughly before a hard freeze, will overwinter quite well.

The herbs we’ve discussed are just a few choices.  Other possibilities for an herb garden might include tarragon, cilantro, dill, sage, lavender, bay, marjoram, thyme, and more.  Don’t limit yourself!  Herbs are fun and easy to grow, and they don’t require a lot of space in the garden.  Whether you’re an established cook or gardener, homegrown herbs are a wonderful addition to any kitchen garden.

Now consider this: Worldwide, it is estimated that approximately 1.2 billion people lack access to freshwater.  That’s about one sixth of the entire world’s population.  Furthermore, one third of the world’s population has no basic sanitation facilities for bathing and cleaning.  Why is this?

Most of us don’t even realize that there is a lack of freshwater.  In the past, water has always been readily available and inexpensive, and thus we don’t consider it to be a precious resource.  After all, 75% of the Earth is covered in water, right?  This may be true, but most of that water is in oceans, and salt water is not drinkable.  Of all the water on Earth, only about 2.5% of it is freshwater.  And of that amount, much is contaminated and is not suitable for drinking.

Many of us are accustomed now to hearing in the news about various crises around the world.  Wars are being fought, AIDS has become an epidemic, and global warming is causing climate changes that could lead to catastrophe.  All of these are serious problems, but none more so than the lack of clean water.  The difference between freshwater shortages and other issues is timing.  Without freshwater for drinking, humans and animals cannot survive more than a few days.  Furthermore, drinking contaminated water wreaks havoc on an otherwise healthy individual.  The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of illnesses and death in developing countries are caused by unsanitary water.  This is a very real and immediate problem, killing people on an hourly basis.

While this issue doesn’t directly affect many of us in the United States, we must be aware that it will affect us sooner or later.  The U.S. government estimates that within the next 3-5 years, at least 36 states will have to deal with water shortages.  Most of us cannot imagine what it might be like to live without freshwater.  In African countries, many people spend several hours each day in search of freshwater.  It is essential to life, and we must have it in order to eat and live.  Can you imagine taking two or three hours out of your day, every day, to walk several miles in search of freshwater for your family to drink and eat and bathe?

The biggest threat we face today to our supply of fresh drinking water is the world’s growing population.  During the 20th century, the world’s population tripled, and it continues to grow today.  Some scientists believe that within 25 years, half of the world’s population may have trouble finding freshwater for drinking and sanitation purposes.  In China, for example, each year the country is consuming 30 cubic kilometers more water than can be replaced by regular rainfall.  This amount is going to add up quickly as time goes by.

The fact is that water is the world’s most important resource, and it’s been taken for granted and wasted for a long time.  When and if the day comes that we begin to see serious freshwater shortages in developed countries, war will undoubtedly break out over this precious resource.  So while we should be concerned about issues like AIDS, foreign wars, and global warming, we should be just as concerned, if not more so, about the growing issue that may someday become more critical to us than any other: a worldwide shortage of freshwater.

There are two primary deciding factors in whether to start plants from seed.  The first is time.  Starting seeds certainly requires a larger investment in time and effort than purchasing transplants.  However, the knowledge that you have grown the plants yourself from their very inception is also quite rewarding.  The other primary consideration is cost.  Seeds are far more economical to purchase than young plants.  A packet of 50 or more seeds might cost you a few dollars.  Transplants, on the other hand, will cost you that same amount per plant.  In short, if you have the time and the inclination, growing your own plants from seed is a very rewarding and economical way to start a vegetable garden.

Most gardening experts will agree that the best method of starting seeds is in a greenhouse.  Greenhouses provide optimal conditions for germination and growing: long warm days and ample sunlight during times of year when it is still to cold to even consider planting outside.   Many hobby greenhouses also feature auto venting systems that help regulate the inside temperature.

If you’re not ready to invest in a large outdoor greenhouse, consider a smaller portable unit that can sit on a deck or patio.  There are also small indoor greenhouses available that occupy no more space than a shelf or tabletop, and these are ideal for the urban gardener who is limited on space.

It is possible, though sometimes more challenging, to start seeds indoors without the aid of a greenhouse.  A large sunny window facing south is ideal.  If you don’t have such a location, consider purchasing fluorescent light fixtures with full spectrum grow lights.  These can be suspended a few inches over young plants and set on timers to provide the necessary 14 hours of light per day.  Ideally, the daytime temperature should be approximately 75 degrees Fahrenheit and the nighttime temperature around 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.  If plants are in warmer temperatures all day and night, they will grow tall and soft, rather than the stock, robust transplants that are hardier for setting outdoors.

Seedlings also need plenty of moisture for germination and early growth.  Planting in a mixture that contains plenty of peat moss will aid in moisture retention.  In the early stages, before seeds have germinated, fill a spray bottle with water and use this to keep the soil moist.  This will prevent overwatering, which can cause seeds to dislodge and wash away.

The last important step in growing your own plants from seed is hardening off before transplanting outdoors.  Hardening off refers to the process of preparing plants for the rigors of growing outdoors.  Some gardeners harden off their seedlings by placing them outdoors on a deck or patio during favorable weather conditions for a week or so before transplanting is to occur.  Other methods of hardening off include lowering the temperature where the plants are located, watering only when plants show signs of wilting, and placing a fan nearby to blow a gentle breeze on the seedlings.

By following these tips, along with a good dose of patience, any gardener can successfully start their own vegetable plants from seed.  The process may be time consuming, but it is also very satisfying, and you’ll be rewarded with dozens of young plants at a fraction of the cost of purchasing them from a nursery or garden center.

Environmental Benefit 3 - Nutrients are Recycled, Not Wasted
Did you know that over 90% of the waste we produce is actually water?  When the water is removed, and salts are oxidized, only about 3% of the original waste is left.  When this small 3% is properly decomposed, valuable nutrients are leftover, creating a fertilizer that is ideal for plants, trees, and shrubs.  By flushing our waste down the drain, we waste an enormous amount of water simply to transport the waste to another location where those valuable nutrients will be disposed of, instead of recycled back to nature.  A composting toilet, on the other hand is a completely self-sufficient system that does not waste water and uses very little energy.

The primary function of any composting toilet is to first evaporate all the water, leaving behind the very small amount of solid matter.  In a properly functioning composting toilet, this solid matter need not be seen or dealt with directly by the homeowner until it is completely processed (decomposed), at which point it will look like nothing more than inoffensive garden soil.  This compost can then be added to your flower garden, trees, or shrubs, where it will provide excellent growth benefits for those plants.

As anyone can see, composting toilets make a lot of sense when compared to their traditional, water-wasting counterparts.  So if you are someone who is concerned about the environment, or who simply wants to save money on your water bill, and if you need to replace a toilet in the near future, it might be time to give composting toilets a little further consideration and research.  Today’s modern systems are clean and sleek, completely odorless, and very easy to install and maintain.  By installing a composting toilet, you’ll save money in the long run, and you can rest easy knowing that you’re doing something really great for the environment, too.

Environmental Benefit 2 - Use Less Water
Since many composting toilet systems are waterless, and since about 25% of the average American home’s water consumption is used to flush toilets, the potential water savings from composting toilets are huge.  As much as 80 to 90 gallons of water per day, or approximately 32,000 gallons per year, can be saved in a U.S. household simply by installing composting toilets.  When freshwater is saved, this also means that energy is saved-the energy that would otherwise go into wastewater treatment plants where wastewater is made clean again.

Follow-up tomorrow for our final benefits of these great products!

Environmental Benefit 1 - Less Pollution
The disposal of human waste is one of the largest sources of pollution, water contamination, and disease on earth.  In many third world countries, basic sanitation systems are not present, meaning that people are simultaneously drinking from and eliminating in the same streams and rivers.  The health implications of this are obvious.  The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of all disease and death in developing countries is cause by polluted water, with fecal matter being one of the major contaminants of freshwater around the world.

Even in developed countries like the United States, 20% of people are getting their tap water from private wells, which are easily contaminated by old, failing septic systems that owners don’t want to spend the money to repair or replace.  Septic systems should be inspected every 2 years and pumped every 3-5 years to ensure proper functioning and to prevent possible contamination of nearby wells and other groundwater.  Failure to do so can lead to fecal contamination causing dysentery and even hepatitis.

Visit us tomorrow for additional environmental benefits of composting toilets.

Basic greenhouse gardening usually begins indoors with a temporary structure that can be set up when it’s needed and taken down when it’s not.  An inexpensive shelving kit will work well for this purpose, provided you have space to set it up.  Other structures could be a tabletop that’s not in use or an old workbench.  If you are purchasing something new for the purpose of indoor gardening, look for a structure that’s lightweight and that can be easily disassembled for storage.  Consider buying plastic, if you have the option, so that you can easily wipe away any dirt or water that accumulates.

Next, you’ll need to look around your home and determine where the shelf or table will be placed.  If you have a sunny window that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, this is ideal.  Warm, sunny bay windows facing the west or south will usually meet the criteria.  If you don’t have such a window, then you’ll need to consider using a grow light.  This will require a special light bulb that gives off a full spectrum of light similar to the sun’s rays.  While the light cast from these bulbs certainly won’t look like natural sunlight to your eyes, to the plants, it is virtually the same.  Grow lights can usually be purchased quite inexpensively from home improvement stores or garden centers, and can then be screwed into your own light fixture at home.

When setting up a grow light, it’s important to suspend the light as close as possible to the plants.  Particularly if you are using the light to start seeds, you’ll want to place the light within an inch or two of the seedlings themselves.  If you place the light too far away, the seedlings will grow tall and spindly instead of strong and stocky.

An indoor greenhouse can feature a vinyl cover to help retain heat or moisture, or you can simply use the indoor environment of your home as the greenhouse environment.  Ideal temperatures will range from 75 to 85 degrees, so choose a room of your house that is warmer than others.  If you’re using a grow light instead of a sunny window, you won’t be as limited to the possible locations you can choose from your plants.  If you’re using a grow light and trying to determine a warm location in your house, consider an upstairs room and/or a high up location in the room, vertically speaking, such as on top of a high shelf or a tall cabinet.  Heat rises, so the highest place in your home should also be the one with the highest temperature.

If you’re a beginning gardener interested in greenhouse gardening, don’t be intimidated to give it a try.  Getting started indoors is easy and doesn’t cost a lot of money.  With a little time and a minimal investment, you can expand your gardening hobby, grow more plants, and give your green thumb a workout during cooler months!

Tip #5 - Maybe it’s time to downsize?
If all else fails and you’re still having trouble storing your artificial Christmas tree, it may be time to reevaluate all your options.  If you live in a small home or apartment, then maybe that enormous Christmas tree is more than you really need.  Perhaps it’s time to buy something new?  There’s no better way to organize your storage than to downsize your possessions, especially if you are already cramped for space.

We hope these tips have helped you determine the best way to store your artificial tree.  Watch our blog for more holiday related entries & enjoy the season!

Tip #4 - Consider all possible storage locations
When deciding where to store your tree within the house, be sure to consider all possible locations.  Obvious places include closets and storage rooms, but other possibilities might include a dry attic, a storage space under the stairs, or even underneath a bed.  Be sure that you choose your storage container in conjunction with the location where the tree will be stored.  For example, if you want to fit the tree under your bed, then a storage container that measures three foot tall probably won’t work; look for a long, slender container instead.

Follow up with us on Monday for our last of five tips!