garden landscape design ideas
You’ve just moved into your house. You look outside at your backyard and suddenly realize there are no trees, there is no lawn and there is nothing but a lot of dirt. The prospect of landscaping your garden may seem daunting, but by following these simple tips, it can reap rich rewards.
Start with what you already have. Keep a list of things you presently like and dislike, as well as your plan for the use of your landscape space. Be sure to bear in mind how your home looks during different seasons, and what you like and dislike about each one. Keep a record of all the good things about your existing landscape, the changes you’d like to make, and the additional landscaping design you would like to have. Ideally, you should do this for one year, so that you can see what you have during each season. A tip to do this is to keep a journal or folder of landscape ideas. Find out what is it that you like and dislike about the current landscape design and write it down in this folder or journal.
Analyze your garden area first – go around your garden and have a look at the plus and minus points of it. Maybe there are areas that you would want to hide and areas that you would want to emphasize more. The soil may not be suitable for growing plants and may need some fertilizers and nutrients added to it. Go over all these factors and see what you will need to do about it by way of first setting the soil right.
Make a note of interesting features – If there are any interesting features around your property like a stream near you or rocks that could make it look more interesting then try and incorporate this into your landscape too. This way you will have a natural feature too in your landscaping.
Landscape gardening designs must be based entirely of the kind of terrain that is under consideration. Whether you are landscaping huge areas like acreage around a building or smaller ones like a households backyard, the type of terrain will determine the final look of the landscape design. garden landscape design tips. garden landscape design tips

There a few things you must consider before purchasing your garden shed plans. If you are a Handyman and plan to build your own garden shed or tool shed consider these tips first.

Decide on the main Purpose of Your Garden Shed:

Before you can decide which shed plans are best suited for your project you must first assess the function of your shed. Will it primarily be utilized as storage for tools? Will you require access for large equipment such as a lawnmower, bicycles, or a golf cart? Will the main use of the shed be a garden-shed, workshop, garage, or pool-house? Once you decide on the primary use of your shed you can move on to the shed plan selection process.

Selecting the Best Garden Shed Style:

There are a few basic shed styles to choose from. For the most part, it is a matter of personal taste and preference which style to select. However; certain types of garden sheds are more complicated to build than others. For instance a shed with a Gambrel Roof may be too complex for a beginner handyman to fabricate. If you are a novice handyman stick to a uncomplicated plan with easy to follow instructions.

Choose an architectural design that compliments your existing home or other nearby structures. You should consider matching materials and a complimentary color as well.

Door Style and Size for Your New Garden Shed:

If you plan to store a golf cart or garden tractor in your shed you will require a large double door. Purchase a door that is 60 inches wide or greater, for easy access. If the purpose of the shed is for small storage only; then you may consider a single door for simplicity and cost. As a minimum width, purchase and install a 36 inch wide door.

Overall Size of Your New Garden Shed:

Bigger is most always better. If you are like the majority of Handyman, you never have enough space for your all of your tools and equipment. Calculate the space you anticipate you will need and add 30 percent or more for growth and new purchases. If you plan to store, bicycles, a riding lawnmower or golf cart in your garden shed, be sure to select a shed plan with sufficient space to walk around the equipment. Common garden shed sizes are 8×10, 10×10, 10×12, and 12×16.

Choosing the Best Windows for your Garden Shed:

In general, smaller windows are recommended for your garden shed. A smaller window provides additional security and also allows for extra storage space and wall space inside your shed. If you plan to use the shed as a workspace be sure to select a window that can be opened to allow for ventilation of fresh air.

Selecting Materials for Construction of Your Garden Shed:

For the do-it-yourself handyman, the obvious material of choice is wood. Select a shed plan with standard 2 x 4 construction to allow for insulation in colder climates. You can purchase metal sheds and plastic sheds but they are very limited when the time comes for a modification, paint color, or repair.

Wood is a very easy and forgiving material to work with for the beginner handyman. Cap it off with a fresh coat of paint for a professional appearance.

Standard asphalt roofing shingles are the best choice for the roof of your shed. Shingles are simple to install, provide excellent weather protection, and are durable with up to a 20 year or more lifespan. Select a shingle color and style that matches the roof of your home.

Accessories and Finishing Touches for Your Garden Shed:

In your budget be sure to include a few accessories such as specialty wall hooks for hanging your garden tools. You should also consider a shed plan that features shelving, or you can purchase ready-made free-standing shelving from your local hardware store.

Handyman Shed Plan Tips:

Tip 1) Clean and prime the wood prior to applying the finish coat of paint.

Tip 2) Select a shed plan with simple, easy to follow instructions, illustrations, and a complete bill of materials list.

Tip 3) Construct it with a friend; the project will go much smoother with an extra pair of hands.

Tip 4) Prepare a cost estimate using the bill of materials prior to starting on your shed project.

Depression can be brought about by many factors: winter weather can trick the mind into believing that thoughts and emotions should be as gray and dull as the world. The death of a loved one can erase hope and quickly turn happiness into despair. The break up of a relationship, the dissolution of a family, the loss of one’s job – the list of causes is endless, and the list of repercussions is as equally infinite.
Depression can tax both on the mind and body. Constantly dark thoughts have driven people to despair, self-mutilation or even suicide. Deep, bottled-up emotions can lessen one’s appetite, or raise it considerably, causing extremely high changes in weight. Inner rage and anger can raise blood pressure, causing body organs to function improperly, or even leading to greater chances of a heart attack.
If you are suffering from depression, you may be subscribed antidepressant medication. This medication, however, can work only with the proper environment and mindset. You may need to modify your outlook or channel your energy into other activities that can help you ease your depression. To turn your blue day into a red letter one, take note of these ten depression-easing tips.
1. Express your feelings through art. Painting pictures of what bothers you can help you devote more energy into the task of making your thoughts manifest. Your concentration will therefore be on turning your work into art, not in focusing on your state of depression. If you are not into painting or drawing, you can also make sculptures.
2. Write poetry. Writing about what you feel can be a way of channeling your energy away from your thoughts, and into making plain words beautiful. If poetry is too difficult for you, you may want to write essays or short fiction.
3. Keep a gratitude journal. At the end of every day, list ten things that you are thankful for. A gratitude journal can change your outlook on life, and allow you to focus on what is good in the midst of what you might believe to be ugly or evil.
4. Do not engage in a menial or routine task too frequently, such as tilling the soil for gardening, or washing dishes. Such tasks can make your mind wander back to your depression. If you are doing such tasks, make sure that you have a friend to perform them with, so that you can conduct a conversation and keep your mind off your state.
5. Do thorough research on your antidepressants. These medicines may have side effects that have not yet been documented in marketing literature, so you may want to check out contraindications.
6. Join an online group that helps depression patients or sufferers share their stories. Support and human interaction can help you through your depression. If you have a local depression support group, then you can also join it and widen your circle of friends.
7. Get out of your comfort zone. You may find the house to be an all-too welcoming haven, or your routine tasks to be comforting. Your comfort zone, however, is also the place where your depression reigns, and you must try to escape it. You will struggle, no doubt, but with patience, you can rise out of your depression. Rising out of your comfort zone simply means that you should do things that you had never done before, such as engaging in sports, watching movies alone, or even eating in a restaurant you have never been to.
8. Clean your house every day and repeat these words to yourself, ‘I am taking away all the sad things of yesterday, and I am putting in happiness for today.’ You may also try variations of the statement, but make the meaning clear: you are cleaning your house free from whatever is shackling you to your depression, so that you can let happiness and goodness enter. Cleaning your house is simply a representation of your resolution to be and do better.
9. Be convinced that you can rise out of your depression. Think positively! Medicine can only go so far, and will need a willing body to be able to work. If you believe that you can get out of your depression, and if you acknowledge that it is only a temporary state, then you will survive.
10. Be patient. You can think positively all you want, but you will find that every day is a struggle. Recognize that you need to take small steps to recover, and that if you recover too quickly, you may sink back into depression again. Great rewards take long to reap, but with patience, half the battle is already won. Depression is only a phase, and with the proper attitude and know-how, you can indeed recover and have a better life.

Most people may find it very difficult to clean their house after a long winter time. Generally, a major cleaning session is time consuming and stressful. To minimize problems, follow some of these household cleaning tips to make the most of your time.

1. Never become a scavenger. Unused things like old, worn out clothes must be removed. Usually, people are keeping it because of the thought of using it in the future. But this is not a good idea unless they have a specialized database or tracking system that can list down each item that they possess. It is advisable to sell it on garage sale or just donate them. Besides earning money, somebody may be able to use it.

2. Top to bottom cleaning process. It’s good to begin cleaning the topmost areas of the house before proceeding downwards. You can start from the ceiling, walls, windows, and floors before dusting off sofas and other furniture. Simultaneous cleaning can be done if many people are doing the job. Never forget to do the final sweeping or vacuum the floors and furniture as the final touch.

3. Family involvement. Remember that other members of the family can help you. Cleaning can be fun if there are others involved. However, if you prefer to do it alone, then you need to expect that the chores can really stress you out and take some time.

4. Chores assignment. Designate specific chores to every person who will join you in cleaning the house. It is much better if you would individually ask them about what they like to do. It includes cleaning the floors, washing the dishes, tending the garden, cleaning the windows, organizing the garage, and others.

5. Avail of commercial or contract cleaning services. There are many companies which offer their services to domestic clients. Professional cleaners can do the job faster because they already know how to operate the cleaning equipments and use various cleaning products.

These household cleaning tips are simple and easy but it can make a big difference. After all, the house is one of the most important investments most people have. So, cleaning and maintaining it really matters a lot.

You are getting ready for your much anticipated cruise vacation. The best way to maximize your cruise travel is to have some of these cruise tips about the little things you should know. Many cruisers have questions about phoning home, seasickness, laundry facilities, and photography while on their cruise vacation. These are not big items that should concern you during your cruise travel but helpful hints nonetheless.
Phoning home always gives one peace of mind when they are on vacation. It is natural to want to check on your children, or check into the office, just remember that ship to shore phone costs can be very hefty. They can cost up to $15 minute, so I if you must, keep it brief. You can use your cell phone but be aware that in some areas roaming charges will apply. Your cell phone will not work in Europe unless you have universal service.
It is very important that you leave the information on how to contact you at home in case of an emergency. When you receive your cruise packet there will be contact information included. Make sure you leave the name of the ship, the cruise line you are traveling with, and the itinerary that you plan to follow. Make it very clear that it is for emergencies only.
There is a way to get around this expense and that is to buy a phone card and call home from your ports of call. The connection will be far greater and your savings too. Be aware that this is where the crew members make their calls home so you may want to venture further from the dock to find a not so busy public phone.
All of the modern ships are wired for the internet so you can stay in touch with email. This is a much easier and cheaper way to but your mind at ease. On some ships if you are a frequent cruiser the internet time is free. If you are not, connections can run from fifty cents to a dollar a minute. Just keep in mind that they are not high speed hook ups so they will be slow. Compose offline and then send your message. Some ships will offer you package deals to save a little money. Here again, if you can wait until you get to port, internet cafes ashore are relatively inexpensive.
Seasickness is almost a moot point on today’s cruise ships. They are so large that you don’t even know you are moving unless you look out the window or you are up on deck. With today’s technology for weather tracking the cruise lines know in advance if any storms are approaching and therefore can avoid the area. Earlier cruise ships had stabilizers but nothing compared fo today’s technology which enables them to counter act any motion the sea has to offer.
If that doesn’t calm your fears about seasickness and cruise travel there are a number of ways to ensure a very comfortable cruise. Take a cruise vacation in an area of the world that has calm waters on a modern ship with the aforementioned stabilizers. It is best to book a cabin in the middle of the ship on one of the lower levels. If just looking at a horizon that is moving sends you into a tizzy, book an inside cabin. A little known cruise tip is to arrange your beds in alignment with the ship, bow to stern. Rocking is always easier to handle than a rolling motion. Once, you’ve got yourself situated on board go up on deck and stare at a fixed position on the horizon to get your body use to the motion.
Your doctor may have some medication you can take, or try the acupuncture bracelets that go around your wrists. If you do feel queasy eat crackers and green apples to settle your stomach. Ginger capsules have been said to work wonders and are available in your health food store. By all means avoid any alcoholic beverages which will only make your symptoms worse.
On board laundry services are very expensive. Book a ship that has an onboard laundry room for passengers so you can do your own. These laundry rooms will be equipped with an iron and an ironing board. An alternative is to pack a small bottle of laundry liquid and a few clothes pins in you luggage, hand wash them in your stateroom and hang them from the shower line provided.
Photography is always a big question. Should you bring a camera or rely on the ships photographer? The answer is to bring your own. If you don’t want to worry about your expensive digital camera, buy a lot of the throw away types. Pick up a few waterproof ones too for when you take you snorkel adventure. Take twice as many as you think you need. If you don’t use them on this cruise vacation you can always use them at the next holiday or birthday celebration.
You could also opt to pick up a cheap digital. You can buy them for about $20.00 and you won’t have to worry about losing it since your expensive one is at home. These are usually smaller than the pricey ones so they are easier to carry around.
On formal nights you will want to get your picture taken by the ships photographer. These pictures are wonderful memories of your cruise but they are expensive. The ships photographer will take pictures of you all through the cruise. Getting on and off the ship, on deck, in the dining room at your table and when you enter the dining room on some nights. Although these pictures are fun, you are not obligated to buy them. If you are on a cruise vacation for a special occasion like a honeymoon or an anniversary, splurge and buy them, they will be more than just memories.
These are just a few cruise tips for the little things you should know about cruise travel. Having this knowledge before your cruise vacation will help you on the way to clear sailing.
Happy Cruising!
Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.
This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.
Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseGold.com http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.CruisingTips.com

While you’re out surveying the yard this spring, deciding what new changes to make, give some thought to making your own fountain. Not only do they make an attractive focal point in your yard, the sound of water is nice and soothing, and the birds love them.With a little planning and a few supplies you can create your own one-of-a-kind backyard fountain during a weekend. If all goes well, you may have time to sit back with a cold drink and quietly relax to the sound of your very own babbling brook. A fountain basically consists of a pipe for the water to flow through, a pump to force the water through, a container for all of this, and some sort of ornamental sculpture or object.Your fountain runs off of electricity, so choose a location within reach of an outlet. Begin with a waterproof container or hole with plastic liner. This could also be as simple as a large, decorative, waterproof planter, an old cast urn or a plastic tote dug into the ground and placed on a light bed of gravel. Also dig a small trench to the nearest outlet to run some PVC pipe to carry your electrical cord to the outlet. Using a string, thread through the conduit and tie to the end of the pump’s plug. Pull through and tape to the end of the pipe, ensuring the cord doesn’t get pulled back through. Lay the PVC in the trench and fill it in. Place a rigid mesh screen above to prevent debris from entering the tub. A material such as composite decking should be placed over the screen to support the body of the fountain. A small trap door should be cut in the screen in case you ever have to reach in, unhook the pump and pull it out. A submersible pump is placed at the bottom of the container. Fill the basin with enough water to cover the pump by 5 inches. Attach a 1/2 inch copper pipe to the pump and run it up through to the top of your scupture or stones. It should be connected to the pump with a 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch compression femaile adaptor, and should have a ball valve that will allow you to adjust the flow of the water. *Handy Tip: To prevent debris and dust from damaging your pump, slip it inside a section of sheer pantyhose and tie off the ends with rubber bands. Maintenance:Always double check the water level in your pump, especially in hot weather. If your pump is noisy, it may be that there is not enough water in the container. Change the water every 4-6 months (more if you live in an area with extremely hard water). Anti-algae and anti-white scale water treaments to help prevent the growth of algae and prevent mineral deposits. A mixture of 1/4 cup bleach to five gallons of water will also help to clean algae from the system. Occasionally you may have to clear your pump of debris. Simply unplug, remove and clean off (soak in vinegar to remove stubborn algae). Remove and clean off the magnetic impeller and replace. The more you keep your fountain running, the longer it will last. The constant water flow helps to keep the water clean and free of buildup, and there is less wear and tear on the mechanical parts by not turning it on and off.

Having a beautiful lawn during the spring summer and fall shouldn’t have to cost you money. By taking advantage of the lawn care tips you find in books and magazines, online and by asking questions of experts at your local lawn and garden store, you can easily take care of many of these jobs on your own. Once you are aware of some basic factors associated with lawn care, you can become a professional in your own right and your neighbors will start asking you for advice. The only requirement is that you spend some time researching how to take care of your lawn during every season of the year and devote some time to the tasks.

Mowing is one of the basic essentials of having a great looking lawn. However, there is a trick to this. In the spring, when you mow for the first time, mow the grass at the lowest level on the mower. This will remove all the dead grass and allow the roots to start producing new shoots. Make sure you rake up the lawn even if there are not many clippings because raking helps to revitalize the grass and the soil. Then when you mow the grass again, you should move the blades up a level. The lawn needs to be mowed on a regular basis. During how weather in summer, you can even have the blades higher so that you don’t mow too close to the ground and cause the grass to burn and turn brown. When you mow the lawn for the final time in the fall, place the blades at the lowest level again.

Watering plays a major part in lawn care. Without water the grass will not grow and will die causing brown patches to appear in the lawn. You have to know the type of grass you have and the type of soil so that you give it the appropriate amounts of water. You should never water the lawn after a rainfall because this could saturate the soil and cause the grass to die. When there is very little rainfall, the best time to water the lawn is in the early morning or just at sunset. This is because there is less chance of the water evaporating before it gets a chance to soak into the soil.

Fertilizing the soil is also important. For this you do need to know what type of soil you have. If you are not sure, you can bring in some of the soil to a garden center and the experts there will be able to provide you with the right fertilizer for your needs. You can also decide whether you want to use organic or chemical fertilizers, but whichever one you choose, you do have to follow the directions on the packaging. Using too much fertilizer can be harmful to the grass.

One thing that people do not realize is that the soil and the roots of the grass need air in order to grow, especially if the soil is compacted. To check to see if this is so, pour a small amount of water on the soil and wait a few minutes to see if it starts to soak down through. If it doesn’t this means you will have to aerate the lawn. What this means is to perform a simple procedure or poking small holes in the lawn a t regular intervals so that the oxygen can reach the roots and the water can get to them. The holes are small and will not be noticeable in the lawn.

There are many houses with a two car garage that have never had two cars in them. Instead of using that space to shield cars from the sun and harsh weather, the garage has become home to a collection of gardening and lawn equipment, tools, woodworking equipment, cast-off furniture and things that are no longer used, but are not throw away.

Finding items that are needed in a cluttered garage is a complicated process. Usually, it starts with edging between the stacks of boxes and miscellaneous equipment. If the home owner’s lucky, they may remember where this particular item was last, or which box it might be in. More often, it’s a process of elimination that involves knowing what went into the garage during which time period and playing ‘hot, hot, cold’ until that person what they’re looking for.

Garages used to be a place to store your vehicle. These days, garages have become an extension of the house. They’re used as catch-all storage units, workshops, laundry rooms, offices and outbuildings. If the garage mentioned before sounds familiar, here are some tips to help you get a handle on organizing your garage into a successful storage area for all the things you need.Getting Back to Basics

Organizing your garage storage starts with having the right tools. In the case of organization, the tools of the trade include hooks, shelves, closets and storage bins.

- Get rid of useless clutter.

Use the two year method. If there is something in your garage that you have not used in two years, chances are good you will never use it again. Spend a day sorting through the clutter in your garage and deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. Once you’ve got it all sorted, pack it into your trunk and take it to the recycling center, thrift store or have a garage sale. When you’re done, you’ll have a far better idea of just what you have to tackle.

- Start with a plan.

Measure your space before you start buying so that you have an idea of how much space you have to work with. There’s no sense in buying shelves and storage boxes that won’t fit the space you have available.

- Decide on storage options that suit what you have to store.

Vertical storage is a great space-saver. That means getting boxes and equipment up off the floor whenever possible. Invest in storage shelves that turn your wall space into storage space. Hooks are another way to get things up off the floor. Specialized hangers that hold handles of gardening equipment are a great way to get hoes, spades and rakes out of that tangled – and dangerous – mess in the corner.

- Invest in utility cabinets to hold smaller items.

Need somewhere to store those jars of nails and screws, extra glass coffee pots and other things that you’re holding onto? Utility cabinets with adjustable shelves will let you arrange your important clutter in a way that makes sense for you. While you’re at it, pick up an inexpensive labeler so that you can label shelves and make it easy for others to keep your space neat, too.

- Collect and Organize tools.

If you use your garage as a workshop, organize with tool boxes and tool chests,

and a workshop table that’s designed with storage in mind.

- Step back to the past.

for an excellent and very low cost method of storing tiny screws, nails and other

essentials. Mount a board above your work space and nail baby food jar lids to the

board. Screw the jars into the tops and voila! Neat, easy to find, and up out of the

way.

- Don’t waste the space above your head.

There are a variety of ways that you can turn unused space overhead into useful

storage space. One of the easiest is with a set of overhead metal hangers that hang

from the ceiling joists. They’re ideal for big and bulky items like lengths of

plywood. Look for specialized hangers for things like bicycles and sports

equipment.

- Make use of garage rafters.

The second way that you can use overhead storage space is to make use of the

garage rafters. Just slide board over them to provide ‘floor’ space and you’ll have

created a ready-to-use attic to store things like Christmas decorations up and out

of the way.

What an amazing plant! Garlic (Allium sativum) has been around for more than 3,000 years. It’s not that surprising really when you look at the culinary and medicinal purposes it boasts. Garlic is not only a staple in the kitchen, but its health benefits are outstanding as it is a natural antibiotic and has antiseptic properties. In the organic garden it is often used as the base for various insect deterrents and it also has antifungal properties. Garlic is also a very useful companion plant. Growing Garlic – Step by Step

1. Choosing the Position. Grow garlic in an open, sunny position. As a companion plant it can get a little lost amongst larger, leafy plants – especially if the stems suddenly die back. Grow garlic as a companion plant, but also have a plot of its own so that you can be sure you’ll have enough to last you the season. A plot about 1m square is big enough to grow about 60 bulbs.

2. Soil Type. Because garlic is a bulb it needs a well drained soil or it will just rot under the ground as the bulb is forming. Soil that is friable with plenty of organic matter is the best. Don’t add fresh manures as they are usually high in nitrogen, which will encourage foliage rather than the development of bulbs. Dig in blood and bone prior to planting or top dress with compost. If your soil is a heavy clay, use raised beds or you can even grow them in pots.

3. Planting Time. Garlic needs to be planted in autumn (fall) and harvested in summer. Planting time depends a little on your particular climate. The hotter the autumn temperatures, the later the planting. If you live in a sub-tropical climate, it may be best to leave it til winter.

Garlic grows in two stages. The roots and foliage grow through autumn and winter. Then in the warmer weather the bulbs begin to develop. By summer the bulbs have grown to a good size and the foliage will start to wither.

4. Choosing your Corms. Each garlic bulb is made up of corms. You pull the corms away from the bulb to plant. These will become your new garlic bulbs. You may have to buy commercial garlic bulbs to start out with unless you know someone who grows organically who is willing to give (sell or swap) you your starting bulbs.

Garlic from the supermarket or fruit and veg shops may have been sprayed with

chemicals to stop them shooting. Some garlic is imported and may have a different

growing season, so will fail. After a few years you will have enough stock to have

supplies for the kitchen and for next seasons crop.

5. How to Plant. Pull away all of the corms from the parent bulb. Each bulb will have between 15 and 20 corms. Gently push each corm into the soil, just below the soil, with the flat base at the bottom and the pointed tip facing upwards. Allow about 10cm / 4inches between corms and 30cm / 12inches between rows.

If some corms pop out of the soil after a week or so it means that the roots are growing.

Just gently push them back below the soil surface and mulch with straw.

Look for my next article, Part 2, on maintenance, harvesting and uses for garlic.

Many people worry a lot when it comes to caring for their plants. When talking about house plants, there is no need to worry. There are just a few things you need to consider.

1. Watering
Overwatering kills most houseplants. Looks can be deceptive, so to see if your soil is dry enough to water, try the finger test. Insert your index finger up to the first joint into the soil. If the soil is damp, don’t water it.

2. Feeding
Foliage plants usually have high nitrogen needs, while flowering plants, K2O is needed. Slow release fertilizers can be mixed with the compost. However, certain plants like cacti and orchids need special fertilizer. Feed plants during their most active growth period.

3. Lighting
Plants like Sanseveria and Aspidistra require no sun. They can be placed away from a window. Spider plants need semi-shade. You can put plants like these near a window that does or does not get sunlight. Check the label to see what your plant needs.

4. Temperature
Houseplants can survive in cool or warm temperatures, but drastic fluctuations of temperature may not be good for them. One thing that most plants cannot survive is gas heating. If you have a plant that likes warm conditions, don’t put it near an air conditioner in the summer.

5. Humidity
Some houseplants require a humid environment. One tip to maximize humidity is to put the pot inside a larger pot and fill in the gaps with stones or compost to keep in the moisture. Grouping plants together often creates a microclimate that they will benefit from. If you want, you can spray them with water once or twice a day depending on the temperature.

6. Re-potting
Some plants require re-potting for optimum growth but there are others that resent having their roots disturbed. Or their roots system may be small enough that they don’t require re-potting. One way to check if your plant needs re-potting is to turn it upside down. Tap the pot to release the plant and check its roots. If roots are all you see, then re-pot. Sometimes the roots will come out of the pot. You should either cut them off or re-pot the plant.

You just need to have a little care for your plants and in turn, you’ll reap the benefits. Indoor plants not only add to the beauty of your décor, but also give much pleasure to the indoor gardener.