A stupid question about re-defining one's style
7 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (41)
Related Discussions
Truly stupid question re. mulch
Comments (19)Straw and hay both have seeds in them, depending on the machinery and time and conditions when they were baled. Use either one you can get. Laying newspaper down on the surface with the straw/hay on top is good, but just straight straw/hay, deep enough, will do just as well. The trick is to keep the soil covered enough so sunlight doesn't penetrate to the soil to wake up the unwanted seeds. But even if you do have a few that sprout, the soil under the mulch is so soft and moist that they are very east to pull out. Lay the pulled weed on top of the mulch and it becomes mulch, too. If you happen to have chickens, open a bale of straw/hay in their pen and break it into several chunks. They will pull the rest of it apart and pick through it find the seeds. Rake it out in a month or so, and put it on the garden, and you will have very few seeds sprout because the chickies have eaten most of them. Wood mulch wouldn't be so bad if you follow a few basics: The main problem is mixing the chips with the soil: the chips use the nitrogen in the soil to assist in their breakdown, and their isn't enough remaining for the plants. But if you only lay the chips on the surface, the only nitrogen use is where the chips meet the soil. You could even help that by scattering some alfalfa meal (from the feed store -- much cheaper than the garden store) on top of the soil, then putting the chips on top. BUT you have to remember to not to mix the chips into the soil at the end of the season, but rake them off into a pile. You could just let them sit there and reuse what is left next year (still, just on the surface), or you could mix them with alfalfa meal as you make the pile, and sort of make a compost pile with them. But wood chips do very well under perennials. You can still add the alfalfa meal if you want, and put the chips on top. Sue...See MoreStupid Question about GAs container
Comments (4)The old-style can must be kept sealed. Otherwise, gasoline vapors could build up in the garage, possibly sending you into low-earth orbit. The new-style cans don't have a vent, and the spout is stored inside with the cap on. These are safer for attached garage storage....See MoreMy newest stupid question RE canning syrups.
Comments (9)Just an update - we went to largest syrup producer in the state (not far from us), I didn't ask specifically about mold but he said in tour that they get the syrup to 7.1-7.3 degrees above boiling water (so check your altitude but 219-220 sounds right). High-sugar sap at beginning of season doesn't take long to turn to syrup, lower-sugar end of season takes longer so it turns out more brown. But they use a hydrometer to check brix - want it 66-67% sugar. Too much sugar and it crystalizes, to little sugar and it's not legal maple syrup (and I guess it molds, b/c he said they boil the sap the day it's collected, and collect it every day, b/c the high water content is hospitable to bacteria and he doesn't want the bacteria eating all the sugar!). My mom's neighbor was making a batch on her woodfired evaporator last night, again she gets it to 219, puts it right into hot sterilized jars (doesn't let it cool much I guess - she wasn't jarring it when we were there), inverts them. Doesn't BWB but says that you don't want to allow much headspace at all, fill it right up to the top (?) then invert. But she only makes about 5 gallons a year, donates it to church for pancake supper in April so it doesn't get stored long. I imagine she keeps some for herself (3 gallons or so, she gave us about 12 oz in exchange for jars and blackberry jam), but maybe she refrigerates it. Mu mom just poured it into an almost-empty quart of store-bought (pure, not fake!) syrup in the fridge so she could give back the jar today, so I don't know how it would keep....See MoreSeveral really stupid newbie questions about gas fireplaces
Comments (7)the damper should not have any opperation. Most of the time the plate is removed. If you suceed in closing it you will be dealing with co and co/2 gasses in your living space, that is if you are lucky enough to figure that out. Because code requires a damper or means to prevent drafts, openings in your insulation envelope glass doors are required to fullfill that need. In short they are required. No wonder that room is cold in winter. I agree with the other poster that gas log sets provide little heat but a fire look. If your town did it job correctly, and the home being only 7 years old, then the gas logs and there manufacturer should be listed along with lots of other info that went into your home. Once you know the manufacturer and model you should be able to down load the instructions manual and find the answers to your questions...See MoreRelated Professionals
Clinton Township Interior Designers & Decorators · Gloucester City Interior Designers & Decorators · Shorewood Interior Designers & Decorators · Struthers Interior Designers & Decorators · Evanston Furniture & Accessories · Norwalk Furniture & Accessories · Farmington Furniture & Accessories · Fair Lawn Furniture & Accessories · Ridgewood Furniture & Accessories · Salem Custom Artists · Cahokia Lighting · Sacramento Lighting · El Mirage Window Treatments · North Tustin Window Treatments · South Yarmouth Window Treatments- 7 years ago
- 7 years ago
- 7 years ago
- 7 years ago
- 7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
- 7 years ago
- 7 years ago
- 7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
- 7 years ago
Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN12 Great Kitchen Styles — Which One’s for You?
Sometimes you can be surprised by the kitchen style that really calls to you. The proof is in the pictures
Full Story
ORGANIZINGPre-Storage Checklist: 10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Store
Wait, stop. Do you really need to keep that item you’re about to put into storage?
Full Story
DECORATING GUIDESDecorate With Intention: Define Your Style
Creating a clear vision for your home design starts with defining your style. Here's how to begin
Full Story
KITCHEN DESIGN7 Tricky Questions to Ask When Planning Your New Kitchen
Addressing these details will ensure a smoother project with personalized style
Full Story
ARCHITECTURERoots of Style: See What Defines a Craftsman Home
Charming features and intimate proportions have made Craftsman houses an American favorite. See their common details and variations
Full Story
PETSSo You're Thinking About Getting a Dog
Prepare yourself for the realities of training, cost and the impact that lovable pooch might have on your house
Full Story
WORKING WITH PROS12 Questions Your Interior Designer Should Ask You
The best decorators aren’t dictators — and they’re not mind readers either. To understand your tastes, they need this essential info
Full Story
MOST POPULAR8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Meeting With Your Designer
Thinking in advance about how you use your space will get your first design consultation off to its best start
Full Story
ENTRYWAYSDefining Spaces: 6 Ways to Work With an Open Foyer
No entry hall? Here's how to get the look of one anyway
Full Story
LIGHTING5 Questions to Ask for the Best Room Lighting
Get your overhead, task and accent lighting right for decorative beauty, less eyestrain and a focus exactly where you want
Full Story
ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9