American and International Info Resources

Whenever you have gone out to a major park, a natural establishment or even a large garden; you might have probably seen a hexagonal structure with only a roof. The structure would also have all of its sides completely open. It might even have a small place to sit inside of it and the top provides a shape to the bystander. It can be a great little architectural feat that signifies beauty, grace and nobility. This structure is called an outdoor gazebo and they have been fairly common in history.

An outdoor gazebo is like a pavilion structure. It provides a source of rest for the weary body and the weary soul and most of all it provides a shade to the visitor. In many botanic gardens, you will see a score of gazebos, that are placed evenly in the focal points of the gardens. Of course, the main trick is to place the outdoor gazebo in the appropriate places so that the visitor can enjoy their surroundings in peace. If you have a large backyard and outdoor gazebo will allow you to create a nobler looking and a more useful garden. Thus you should consider some ideas and think about placing an outdoor gazebo on your backyard.

Save Time & Money Doing Your Own Basic Electric Wiring

Article from: Nico De Baere

Hiring a professional electrician can be very expensive and is often the reason why people try doing their own basic electric wiring themselves.

I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly results of these efforts and I have come to the conclusion that basic electrical wiring is not something anyone should do without proper guidance, tools and confidence.

It is so important that before attempting any of these basic electrical wiring projects that people are aware of how dangerous electricity is and how important safety is for you and for your family and family home.

90 percent of the time I recommend hiring a licensed electrician over doing your basic electrical wiring yourself. Not doing this will usually end up costing even more money than before and increase the risk of bringing your family into danger without even knowing your doing it.

But doing your own basic electric wiring really isn’t that hard to do
if you “educate” yourself on the topic.

Licensed electricians had to learn the stuff themselves too. So as a
‘do it yourself person’ this isn’t different. There is no escape possible.

You will see that the more you read about it the easier it will
become and the more confidence you will get.

Just to give you an idea, here are 3 questions I recently got from
people just like you who tried doing their own electric wiring:

Question 1: I installed a grounding probe in your aquarium and every
time anyone in the house turns on or off the lights, the fish jump.
What’s going on?

A couple of suggestions:

1. (easiest) Pull out that grounding probe and return it from whence
you purchased it.

2. Check the wiring on your outlet. You may actually have ‘Neutral’ instead of ‘Ground’.

3. Check the wiring throughout the rest of the house. There are some people out there that insist on doing their own home repairs, yet don’t understand basic electrical wiring.

Outlets are easy to check by getting a $7.95 outlet tester from the hardware store. Wired-in appliances, lights, heaters, etc. are tougher.

4. Check all your electrical fixtures to make sure they aren’t leaking some voltage to Ground.

Question 2: What is the NEC? Where can I get a copy?

The NEC is a model electrical code devised and published by the National Fire Protection Association, an insurance industry group. It’s revised every three years.

The 1993 version has been released. You can buy a copy at a decent bookstore, or by calling them directly at 800-344-3555.

The code exists in several versions. There’s the full text, which is fairly incomprehensible. There’s an abridged edition, which has only the sections likely to apply to most houses.

And there’s the NEC Handbook, which contains the “authorized commentary” on the code, as well as the full text. That’s the recommended version. Unfortunately, there’s no handbook for the abridged edition.And the full
handbook is expensive — US$65 plus shipping and handling.

Question 3: Can I do my own wiring? Extra pointers?

In most places, homeowners are allowed to do their own wiring. In some, they’re not. Check with your local electrical inspector. Most places won’t permit you to do wiring on other’s homes for money without a license. Nor are you permitted to do wiring in “commercial” buildings.

Multiple dwellings (eg: duplexes)are usually considered “semi-commercial” or “commercial”. However, many jurisdictions will permit you to work on semi-commercial wiring if you’re supervised by a licensed electrician - if you can find one willing to supervise.

If you do your own wiring, an important point:

Do it NEAT and WELL! What you really want to aim for is a better job than an electrician will do. After all, it’s your own home, and it’s you or your family that might get killed if you make a mistake.

An electrician has time pressures, has the skills and knows the
tricks of the trade to do a fast, safe job. In this FAQ we’ve consciously given a few recommendations that are in excess of code, because we feel that it’s reasonable, and will impress the inspector.

The inspector will know that you’re an amateur. You have to earn his trust. The best way of doing this is to spend your time doing as neat a job as possible. Don’t cut corners. Exceed specifications.

Otherwise, the inspector may get extremely picky and fault you on the slightest transgressions.

Don’t try to hide anything from the inspector.

Use the proper tools. Ie: don’t use a bread knife to strip wires, or twist wires with your fingers. The inspector won’t like it, and the results won’t be that safe. And it takes longer. And you’re more likely to stick a hunk of 12ga wire through your hand that way.

Don’t handle house wire when it’s very cold (eg: below -10C or 16F). Thermoplastic house wire, particularly older types become very brittle.

As you can see, getting the right answers to your questions can make the work a lot easier.

You save time by doing it “the right way” from the first time and you save money because you won’t need to hire an electrician to either do the entire job or to fix your screw-ups.

In any case, no matter what you, be very careful when working on electricity! If needed cut down the entire power of your house just to be sure.

Keep It Safe,

About the author:

Get an answer to 77 of the most burning questions about basic electric wiring and save time and money doing your own wiring in your home. Visit http://www.basicelectricwiring.comto get started.

The greatest find since the discovery of the Neanderthal
Neandertal) Man and the Cro-Magnon Man in France was barely a
few feet over the Italian side of the border with Austria
resting at an altitude of 10,500 feet. A total of four books,
two books popular enough to become paperbacks, have since been
written about “Oetzi,” or “Otzi,” as the ice-mummy has been
named. Uncovering the Life and Times of a Prehistoric Man Found
in an Alpine Glacier, by Brenda Fowler, was published in 2000.
The Man in the Ice was published in 1995, by Konrad Spindler,
the local archaeologist brought in when it became obvious a
modern-day murder victim hadn’t been found. His book was updated
in 2001. Two children’s books have also been published to help
develop their interest in historical science as something
they’ll find “current,” and not “boring.” The intense study of
the “ice-mummy” yielding all the detailed information for these
books was performed at Innsbruck University, and the body is now
on display at the museum in Bolzano, Italy.

Do you see it? The point here is that when you plant trees and
shrubs you aren’t just creating aesthetics, adding beauty, as
implied by “ornamental” in so many of the names. You aren’t just
adding a wind break or privacy screen. You are, in fact, giving
your property additional natural resources.

After all the hours spent on this, and the !%^&@$*%#!
Are/but/a/vitae, I need a break. Now about Viburnums:

Viburnums are the most attractive, versatile, adaptable shrubs
for any landscape. They can be used as hedges or screens and in
mixed perennial and shrub borders. They can also stand as
specimen plants. They usually in the form of shrubs, but can
become small ornamental trees.(sieboldi) They range in size from
the small Dwarf American Cranberry at 2 feet tall by 2 feet
wide, to the Siebold at over 15 feet tall.

Viburnums are plants with year round interest. Viburnums have
white to pink flowers in the spring. Some are fragrant. They
have large, attractive and often textured leaves. Some viburnums
have wonderfully fragrant flowers that are produced in snowball
like clusters in the spring. The flower clusters can be of pink
buds, which develop into white flowers. Some fruits are red and
turn black with age. Leaves are glossy, dark green and turn a
burgundy color in the fall. Midsummer berries are an important
food source for birds. Viburnums are a must for the avid birder.
Viburnums can have colorful red to purple leaves. Some viburnums
can become medium-size trees, especially if they are pruned.
Viburnums are specimen plants or as anchors in mixed borders and
hedges. You won’t find a more versatile group of shrubs for
hedges or for massing in groups, since viburnums hold their own
in every season and landscape. Some viburnums, such as Prague
viburnum, are evergreen and have fragrant flowers. Others, such
as leatherleaf viburnum, are semi-evergreen in colder climates,
losing their leaves when temperatures dip below 10 degrees.

The best features of Viburnums is their adaptability and
durability. While they would prefer full sun and moderately
watered, well-drained rich soils, they will grow very well in
part shade, and clay soils. Diseases and pests rarely attack
them. My kids have run over them with brush hogs and they
survived. In fact, we sold these plants for a premium as they
produced better numbers of desireable stems. Their fibrous root
system makes them transplant easily and propagate. (We do have
more difficulty with the Korean Spice rooted cuttings.)

If you are searching for a sharp hardy shrub consider one of the
many cultivars of the Viburnum family.

Viburnums have long been popular garden plants, celebrated for
their white, often fragrant spring flowers and their fall color.
But it’s the Asian viburnums that are prized. Perhaps the most
widely known viburnums are the Burkwood viburnum (Viburnum x
burkwoodii), and the Korean spice viburnum (V. carlesii), both
of which fill the air with an enchanting clovelike aroma in
mid-spring. (The Mohican is a cross of the two.) Also popular is
the doublefile viburnum (V. plicatum f. tomentosum), valued for
its layered habit, fall foliage, and clusters of red fruits, and
its close relative the Shasta, a gold medal winner. Viburnum
acerifolium (Maple-leafed viburnum) Although I wouldn’t garden
without any of these, I have a special fondness for native
viburnums. They may not provide the flower fragrance of their
Asian counterparts, but I love them for their fall foliage color
and for their fruit displays, which attract birds to my garden
in the fall and winter months. In addition, several are useful
to waterwise gardeners or in urban conditions. They require only
corrective pruning, and none commonly suffer from pests or
diseases.

Viburnums are considered moist woodland plants. In nature they
are found along steam banks from Long Island to Florida. When
you come to our 5275 West Swamp Rd. location ask us to show some
in their native habitat that we found along our stream bank.
These plants perform well under normal landscape conditions. I
especially like the floral display in the spring and these
viburnums that bear fruit in the fall. Winterthur has great red
leaves and abundant fruit in the fall. This cultivar needs a
cross pollinator such as viburnum nudum.

Native Americans used Viburnum dentatum (arrowwood viburnum) for
arrow shafts. There stems are long and strait. This plant will
grow in places many plants struggle. So if you have had trouble
with plants in a harsh location try this cultivar. Other
resources for viburnums:
http://www.seedlingsrus.com/ViburnumScreenInWinter.jpg

http://www.seedlingsrus.com/ViburnumSummerSnowFlake.html

http://www.seedlingsrus.com/Viburnum_bluemuffin.jpg
http://www.seedlingsrus.com/Viburnum_plicatum_summersnowflake.jpg
http://www.seedlingsrus.com/Viburnums.html
http://www.seedlingsrus.com/Viburnums1.html

The silk flower is growing in popularity among young couples and families for many different reasons. Many event hosts or planners struggle over whether to choose fresh flowers or artificial flowers. Silk flowers are non-allergenic, will never wilt and can be maintained as keepsakes for years. There are many more positive effects in ordering or owning silk flowers.

1. Cost
Lots of people notice a considerable price range from real flowers to silk flowers. Artificial flowers can usually be found at any craft store and sometimes even your local dollar store. Most flowers range from $1.00 to $6.00 a stem. Keep in mind that some silk flowers can get pricey, but they are usually large, high-quality silk roses. There is a wide range in colors and types of flowers in silk. Some people argue that faux flowers have no scent, thereby losing some of the mood that they want to create at a ceremony. Use of perfumes or artificial scents can help minimize this short fall in compare to cut flowers. With a huge difference in price range, most believe that this difference is not worth the extra cost and time.

2. Durability
Silk flowers have an amazing economical value. They will not break or wilt when being handled or manipulated into an arrangement or bouquet. This could become a problem with fresh flowers, as they will wilt and discolor over a relatively short period of time. Artificial flowers can be made ahead of time which allows room to fix mistakes or the odd broken stem. This is also great when large volumes and long timelines for preparation are an issue. Silk flowers have a great shelf life. When your event is over, you can store your silk flowers as a keepsake and rekindle your memories of a good time and a job well done. Silk flowers do have an amazing advantage in this area.

3. Create same feeling/mood
Some bride’s-to-be or party planners fret about silk flowers looking fake. Some of this depends on the type of flower you chose. Today, silk flowers have looked more realistic than they ever have. Most flowers are easy to replicate and will provide you with a natural looking flower arrangement or bouquet.

4. Allergies
Everyone knows that allergies can be a pain. That’s why silk flowers are ideal for people with allergies. People with these symptoms can have silk flowers in their home, while still enjoying the wonders of nature. No need to worry about that stuffy nose and runny makeup with silk flowers.

Silk flowers are great for any occasion - weddings, birthdays, funerals and home and office decor. Faux flowers are very easy to take care of, inexpensive and create the same positive feeling that fresh, cut flowers would. For on-the-go decorators, silk flowers are perfect for not demanding attention like real flowers.

With all these advantages, silk flowers are defiantly an option in any special occasion or event in your life.

About the Author

Janna Hagan is the webmaster of http://www.flower-delivery-service-online.com. Great tips and information about flowers, roses, silk flowers, bouquets and arrangements. Purchase your flowers online for easy flower delivery. For more information please visit, htttp://www.flower-delivery-service-online.com

One winter evening I was working on the computer when the power went out. The freezing rain that had been forecast must have been the culprit. It was getting late so I went to bed figuring we would have power again by morning.

Thunder and lightning woke me a couple times, but then I heard something a little different. An explosive popping sound followed by what seemed to be a shower of sparks. In my minds eye I tried to picture the cause of this sound. An exploding power transformer with hot lines arcing around it? There is nothing like a puzzle to keep me awake; but I didn’t want to get up and lose the warmth I had built up under the blankets. Just drifting off again I heard the sound repeated but up the hill behind my house and more distant… more crackly sounding but still accompanied by the sparkling shattering sound my ears were now more tuned in to analyze. Suddenly realizing the impact this freezing rain was having I shot out of bed and ran to the window. Large tree limbs were on the ground. Major branches were bending under the cumulative weight of the ice; then noisily busting sending thousands of 3″ icicles to break with a sparkly shattering sound.

Well the power was out for days for many, and the damage to the trees and landscape is still being cleaned up. After a damaging storm you always see a migration of tree company trucks to the area. Many of the local tree care, and landscape businesses have their hands full assisting their customer base. The city workers are also busy as these crews and residents move debris to the street for collection. The effects of such a storm can be seen in the landscape for years to come. Storms can cause limbs to break and trees to fall. A large damaged tree branch can be extremely heavy and dangerous to remove or trim. Removing large branches from a mature tree safely requires special training and often specialized equipment. Also the way this damage is dealt with impacts on the health of the tree. If you value your trees (yes I know they are all valuable) or fear a tree becoming a hazard, I would suggest you find a certified arborist.

One good first test of an arborist is:

Tell them you need your trees topped.

If they say “Sure, no problem.” move on till you find one that knows what is good for the long term health of a tree.

There are plenty of crews in your town that can carve up your trees for you; but it may take diligence to find a crew trained in the proper pruning of mature trees. Everyone appreciates the hardworking and practical service of the local jobber cleaning up a storms mess, but if you have issues with major branches of a large tree, do generations to come a favor and search out an International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist.

A good certified arborist with integrity will only perform ISA accepted practices. Branches are not removed without good reason. They do not “top” tree’s, remove excessive amounts of live wood, or use climbing spikes on a tree (unless it is being removed). A good arborist knows how to make removal of a desirable tree the last option, and will make pruning decisions that will enhance the health of the tree and reduce possible hazards.

Pruning Cuts on a Mature Tree

Regardless who is doing the pruning or why, final pruning cuts should be made just outside a growth of bark cells called the branch collar. The branch collar is a collar of growth made of parent branch (trunk) tissue where the branch meets the trunk (or parent branch) and care should be taken to not cut or remove it. This is true for dead, damaged or living branches. Do not remove the actively growing cells of the branch collar. These cells are the trees way of closing the wound. The branch collar grows a bit out and angled away from the parent, so if you make a flush cut against the trunk, the branch collar has been removed and the wound will not close. Conversely if you cut far away from the trunk the branch collar is not near the cut where they can grow over the wound.
Improper pruning cuts can hurt your trees.

Take notice of trees with dieback of the bark on branches and down the trunks. Often you can tell it was from a flush cut or an end cut. Other times it may be a storm damaged branch that wasn’t removed and it died back to the trunk and on down.

If removing a large limb, first its weight should be reduced to prevent tearing the bark when the branch falls. Make a shallow cut from the bottom of the branch a foot or so out from the branches point of attachment. Then finish cut from the top, above or a little further out on the branch. This leaves a lighter and more manageable stub. The stub is then removed while taking care to not remove the branch collar. This technique reduces the possibility of tearing the bark.

A garden center manager, writer, musician and webmaster; Lee Goins is often called on as an expert in landscaping and gardening. Residents of Shelby County Ohio have been bringing him pieces of trees, moldy leaves, and jars of bugs for 8 years in spite of the well publicized knowledge he prefers chocolate. His gardening help has been featured on TV, Radio, Newspapers and websites like http://www.shelbylandscaping.com