If you've started your spring cleaning, it's likely that you're reluctant to part with items that seemingly can still be useful. To determine what to keep and what to get rid of, evaluate the last time you used the item: Kitchen - if it has not been used within the last year, chances are that it's not necessary Clothes/shoes - if you go an entire season without wearing an article that is suited for that season, then it's time to purge Tools - most likely duplicates are not necessary when it comes to tools, but often happens through gifts, or buying sets, so remove all duplicates (the average homeowner should be able to fit all hand tools in a standard tool box). Home Decor - this includes linens, throws, and knick knack accessories. Take a look around the rooms in your home and decide whether or not the shelves are looking cluttered. Have you picked up new items without and simply added to the existing? My rule is no more than 3 accessories for any shelf, mantel, or table. Spend the weekend purging your closets, cupboards, and shelves, and tune in Monday for what to do with these unwanted items!
Spring Cleaning
I've always said that spring cleaning is best suited for the cold, wintery days. Though the calendar now says that it is in fact spring, the weatherman can often disagree. While you're waiting for weather to allow you to get outside, take care of the inside of your house. Clean out the closets, cupboards, and pull out all of the items that you no longer need.
Let the fresh air in!!
Did you know? Indoor air is often more contaminated than the air outside? After a long winter, open the windows on nicer days and let the fresh air in. This will also help you to fight off the "change of season" common cold.
BTSH March Garden Tip Week - Day 5
Starting Your Plants from Seeds - Caring for Your Seeds
Water your seeds daily. After a few days, the seeds will start to germinate. Once you start to see some signs of plant-life, you can use some plant food if you like. Allow a couple of weeks for the plants to grow to a reasonable size before moving outdoors, ensuring that the chances of frost are minimal. The beauty of the peat moss pots is that these can be planted directly into the soil, no transferring required. Plant according to directions on the seed packages again, careful to lay out the plants based on available sunlight and their needs. For plants that grow into the ground, such as carrots, poke a few holes in the bottom of the pot to allow it to break through easily. Continue to water regularly. By summer, you’ll have a thriving, healthy garden!
BTSH March Garden Tip Week - Day 4
Starting Plants From Seeds - Getting Started
Now that you've purchased the supplies you need for your indoor and outdoor gardens, it's time to get started planting seeds. It's best to do this 4-6 weeks before last frost, so if you live in cooler climates, you might want to wait a couple more weeks before getting started on this.
All plants will have somewhat varying instructions for planting. These should be printed on the back of the packages of seeds. Be sure to read through these carefully before you begin. Some will also advise how long to keep indoors before transplanting outdoors. You'll need to decide how many pots of each seed you wish to do based on the garden sketch you created earlier. As a safe measure, plant a couple extras for each plant, to allow for some that may not germinate properly. Using your sharpie, label the peat moss pot to easily identify the plants later. Fill your peat moss pots with soil, plant seeds according to the package directions and top with soil as needed. Place pots in the container you’ve chosen (as I mentioned, I simply picked up an aluminum roasting pan and arranged my pots in there). Lightly water the seeds, and place indoors in the sunniest location.
Cleaning Tips on Marilyn Denis with Charles The Butler
This is a man after my own heart! Check him out on last week's episode on the Marilyn Denis show (@MarilynDenisCTV).
Some ideas just never go out of style!!