Any peeling paint or stain left untreated will grow to be a bigger headache next year.  Stay ahead of the game by fixing small spots before winter sets in. On a hot, dry day Sand off loose or peeling stain and/or paint.  Wipe or wash area clean.  Paint primer on wood and allow it to dry, then stain or paint the wood.

If the soil holds together without packing densely, it’s just right. It means the soil is slightly moist, and forms a weak ball with rough surfaces, no water staining on fingers, and a few soil grains break away. If the soil crumbles apart when you open your fingers, it’s too dry. When it’s too wet, it forms a ball with well-defined finger marks, light to heavy soil/water coating on fingers, ribbons between thumb and forefinger.

Take cuttings of favorite annuals or sow seeds in pots for winter flowering indoors. The following bedding plants root easily: coleus, geraniums, impatiens, wax begonias, and fuchsia. Plant calendula, ageratum, marigold, stock, impatiens, and snapdragon from seed. 

When washing windows wipe horizontally on the outside of the window, vertically on the inside.  That way if you see a streak, you’ll know which side of the window it’s on.

If fruit flies are taking over your home try placing saucers of wine around the kitchen or where the flies frequent.  The wine can be red or preferably white Chardonnay!  The flies come in for happy hour and never leave.

Here’s a great green alternative to weed control.  Lay 4-6 layers of newspaper over the soil.  Wet with water.  Cover with mulch and you’re done.  The newspaper will keep the sun from getting to seeds and any germinating sprout will be smothered.  This weed barrier will last about 2-3 years and eventually decompose into the soil. 

Put your newspaper to work in your garden. Spread six layers over garden bed, overlapping the paper as you go. Wet it down, then spread mulch over the top. This works wonders for smothering aggressive weeds and preventing seeds from germinating. The paper will eventually decompose and can be tilled into the soil.

A streakin’ mess. Nothing worse than trying to wipe off a streak that isn’t there! When washing windows follow this rule: Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal strokes for the inside. This way you can tell which side has the streaks.

Wash windows on a cloudy day. Otherwise the hot sun will dry cleaning solution too quickly and leave more streaks than when you started.

Mix 1-2 tablespoons of liquid dishwashing soap into 1 gallon of water. Put into a spray bottle and spray plants affects with small pests such as aphids and mites. In order for the soap solution to work, it must be targeted on pests. It doesn’t work as a preventative