DIY Garden Tips

Do-it-yourself gardening is all about equipping yourself with information, experimenting with what you know, involving in the process and experiencing the joys of gardening. Here are a few ‘do-it-yourself’ suggestions that could be tried in any garden.

Home made plant mixes

It’s always wiser to mix up home made soil boosters instead of picking up pots of chemicals that pass off as fertilizers. Follow a simple method and use your kitchen blender to concoct the mix.

·         Take two garlic bulbs and liquefy them and add about one and a half cups of water to it. You have with you an effective insecticide that wards away pests from the plants.

·         The garlic tea can also be used with a seaweed fertilizer and a dash of vinegar.

Use habanero peppers blended in water as and insecticide. The dosage is strong, so it is to be used only in case of an active pest growth.

·         Black spots can be cured with fungicide that is made out of 4 tablespoons of baking soda, a teaspoon of mild soap and a gallon of water. Use only when required as this solution might alter the pH of the soil.

·         Wrap aluminum foil around stems of plants to protect them from cutworms. Broken eggshells planted close to tomato plants give a calcium boot to the plants and prevents the blossoming end from rotting.

Clean your flower beds

DIY Garden Tips

Clean to your flower bed to provide space for vegetables. A secret to adding vegetables successfully is to retain the landscape structure that you have already. You can trim overgrown shrubs; pull weeds and clean debris to create space.

Work on the soil

The soil can be enriched with compost, so layer it carefully without damaging the existing roots in the bed. Ensure that the layer of compost is at least 3 inches thick. Next, use a garden fork to loosen the soil and turn it inward. If the ground is very dry, dampen it with some water. Allow the water to drain and work on the soil when it is lighter.

When a fertilizer is used, the dampness of the mud helps dissolve it. Use a granular fertilizer that is well-balanced to aid the growth of new plants. Fertilizing the plant bed ensures that the soil is packed with the right nutrition by bringing back the levels of salts such as phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium.

Mulching the plant bed

To give your plant bed a seamless finish, hardwood mulch can be added. It is usually used in landscaping but can be used for your home garden too. Evenly spread out the hardwood mulch so that it layers the bed with a 3 inch thickness. A gap of about an inch should be left around the plant stems to enable air circulation at the roots.

Andy6 is an expert belonging to the Addingtons. The company  is a service provider in Northampton that has a highly professional team of landscape gardeners.

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How to add Add Professionalism to Your Business

Telephone etiquette has the potential to make or break a business deal. Your callers will have a good impression about your business if their calls are answered in a professional manner. Transferring a call may be a small thing, but it is much more than simply knowing the buttons on your telephone system that must be pushed. The way in which you answer calls will portray the image of your business, so it is important to ensure that proper phone etiquette is observed when you answer a call.

The growth of your business may be determined by the way in which you handle customer queries, complaints and calls. If your customers are not pleased by your employee’s telephone etiquette, they may never call you again. You don’t want to risk losing customers because of an employee's bad manners, and you don't want to waste the time and money it took to train the employee. If you want professional receptionists to manage your client calls with consistency and efficiency, you can avail an Off Premise Reception service.

 

Off Premise Reception services have been growing in popularity in recent times. You can avail this service to provide excellent customer service to your business. With this service, you can get live professionals to handle your calls and messages. They can provide any necessary information to your customers if you're not available, and they can deliver your messages to you through a convenient method. The personnel answering the calls are well trained and experienced, so you can be sure that your calls are handled in a professional way.

Any appointments, sales, or grievances are coordinated by these professionals. Off Premise Reception agents take on the responsibility of filtering and transferring your calls correctly and promptly. When you avail this service, you also get internet-based scheduling software service to help you get accurate real-time access to your schedule. This software helps you book appointments, cancel them, or change them as required.

Client retention and client referrals are enhanced when you hire an off premise reception provider to assist you with answering phone calls. Maintaining first-class telephone service for your clients shows them that your company is reliable and successful. Your customers will definitely be impressed with your company’s professionalism and this in turn, will result in an increase in revenue.

By hiring the services of an Off Premise Reception provider, you can be certain that all your calls will be answered promptly and that your customers will receive the information they want with relative ease.

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Great Tips on Maintaining the Top 4 Commonly Used Home Appliances

Our homes are filled with multiple electrical appliances. These appliances are essential for innumerable day-to-day activities. If they are not maintained properly then you might have to spend a small fortune on their repairs. But if you take good care of them you can not only save on the repair costs but also extend the life of your devices.

How to maintain your refrigerators?

If you look at the refrigerators in some of the houses they will resemble a dumb-yard that hasn't been cleaned since its purchase. A refrigerator is an expensive appliance so you should make sure that you take good care of it. If you don't then you will have to spend a big amount of money on getting it repaired again and again.

If you do simple things such as cleaning your fridge by emptying it out at least once a month you will avoid problems like clogging. Around twice a year you can use a vacuum cleaner to clean the bottom part and the back of the fridge. This will remove all the dust from the coils. Towards the end of the year call the company professionals to service the fridge as well. If you take all these steps then your fridge will run smoothly for a long time.

How to maintain your microwave?

We generally use a microwave several times during the day. Yes, it makes our cooking very convenient but we need to use this appliance very carefully. First and foremost make sure you keep your children away from the microwave. Children tend to put all kinds of materials into the microwave, this can lead to untoward accidents sometimes.

You need to keep in mind that the microwave doors are lightweight. So you shouldn't shut them very hard. This can damage the appliance and can disrupt its functionality. Also make sure that you don't overheat the microwave. Once you are done cooking keep the door open for sometime so as to allow some air circulation.

How to maintain your air-conditioner?

The most important thing that you need to keep in mind while maintaining an air-conditioner is to clean its filter regularly. If you don't replace the filter regularly the cooling unit in the air-conditioner will get over worked. This can lead to clogging and many other problems. Make sure the air is easily passing through the air-conditioner at all times. Otherwise your air-conditioner will might start working like a blower.

How to maintain your dish washer?

Since the dishwashers usually clean themselves we don't take any efforts to maintain them. But you need to keep in mind that proper maintenance can increase the dishwasher’s life. To avoid calcium deposits from the usage of hard water you can use a rinse aid along with high heat in the washer. Make sure you clean the drain of the dish washer regularly to avoid clogging or foul smell in the house.

AUTHOR BIO :

Grace is an expert associated with tester.co.uk which is a part of Pass Ltd. Pass is a UK based agency that deals with multifunction testers and calibration services since 2001.

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Electrical Testing Tips

Batteries to appliances – testing electrical equipment is easier than most would imagine. Electricity is converted into other forms of energy by electrical devices. Small and large appliances such as telephones, computers, lighting, etc. convert electricity into cold, heat, light, images, sound and other important and useful services. A low-cost multimeter or a continuity tester is all you require to undertake testing of electrical appliances at home. You can purchase a continuity tester from the nearest hardware store for less than four GBP. A multimeter can be purchased for around 15 GBP.

The amount of power being applied (voltage), electricity being used (current), and the resistance required to complete the task are the units that a multimeter measures. Power is counted in volts (V), resistance in ohms (O) and current is measured in amps or amperes (A). ‘Watt’ is a term most of us are familiar with, and defining it will prove beneficial when fixing your electrical appliances. The amount of power used by a running electrical device is called a watt. A toaster, for instance, will use around 750W of power to toast your sourdough, rye or wheat bread each morning.      

 

Using a Continuity Multimeter

 Electricity flows in a continuous circuit or path, from one point to another. If a path is blocked, electricity will not flow. Continuity testers are used to check wires and cords to ensure that electricity is conducted. When you get a continuity tester, the cord must be disconnected from the source of power (electrical receptacle). Ensure that the switches on the tester are on. The clip of the tester must be placed on one point of the cord and the tester’s tip must touch the other point. Light will be produced by the tester if there’s continuity. 

 

Using a Multimeter

 A volt-ohmmeter (VOM) as it is also called, a multimeter is an alternate way to test continuity. The amount of direct current or alternating current can be measured using a multimeter. Voltage can also be checked using a VOM. For instance, it can tell you if a battery has been fully charged or if there are 120V in an alternating current circuit. A multimeter can also be used to check resistance.

 VOMs can be used to test switches, motors, controllers and a host of other electrical devices. A multimeter can be used by anyone to check for defects in a gadget or appliance at home. To use a VOM, make sure that the cord is disconnected from the source of power if a live circuit is being tested. The test leads must be plugged into the tester and then you must choose the function (resistance or DVC or AVC). The range must also be selected and then the probes must be connected to the appliance component or the cord. The meter will give you a reading which you can interpret referring to the appliance manual. The manual will have tips on how to identify what is wrong with the device and how to fix it.   

 AUTHOR BIO :

Grace is an expert associated with PASS Ltd., providers of safety services and tips for electrical testing of portable appliances. For more information, you can visit http://www.pat-services.co.uk/megger-mft1710-multifunction-installation-tester-1785.htm

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How SEO and Social Networking site Such As Instagram Can Complement one Another

Social networking site such as Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, have often been distanced from the SEO world. However, more people are beginning to realise that SEO and social networking sites are valuable for one another. Users are searching for businesses through the social networking sites, and deciding who to use, in non conventional methods.

SEO was traditionally used to rank higher on the Internet, and people would use keywords to locate the business they wanted. Social networking sites were used for interaction, and people did not consider them to be a marketing tool. However, as more businesses are joining social networking sites, you will soon discover that this has become an incredibly useful tool.

Businesses that use social networking sites such as Instagram are able to target a wider audience, and attract potential customers. Through the process of followers and likes, you will be able to build business, and attract a high quality of customers. You may initially be concerned that you do not have enough followers, which is why people buy Instagram likes.

You need to ensure that you understand how to use the site effectively and only post top quality pictures and images. This will guarantee that you attract the correct followers, who will share your images, and ensure that you are promoted. Building your brand is essential, and you need to make sure that more people see your brand and like what you offer.

SEO and Social Networking Sites Vs Instagram

The more traffic that you can encourage to your website the more likely you are to attract potential customers. Applications such as Instagram have made this far easier, and ensure that you no longer have to rely on the need to purchase Instagram followers. You will be able to build your community, offer them fantastic images to enjoy, and encourage them to buy your products.

Top quality businesses; understand the need to produce quality goods, images, and services for every single customer, regardless of what they want to spend. Building your community may take time; however, top quality followers are far better than poor followers, which have no interest in your product.

Alongside your participation on the different social networking sites, you will need to ensure that you promote them on your website. Everything you do needs to cover both your website and the social networking sites, which you use. Coordinating everything together is essential, and will guarantee that more people will be able to find you easily.

Placing your brand name on everything you post is a tool that proves to be successful time and time again. You can include the brand in the images that you post on Instagram, and by using tags, hashtags, and location tags, you will provide people with easy access. The easier you make it for people to find you, the more interested they will be in your product.

AUTHOR BIO :

This guest post by Tommy Stretton of www.buyinstagramfollowers.co.uk. A site to go to have more Instagram Followers and get more likes.

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Service is the King of Web Hosting

If you are a business owner, especially an online business owner, then you most certainly have your own website. How could you really do business otherwise? Where you decide to keep that web site makes all the difference in the world as many business owners can tell you. You simply can’t afford to put your trust into just any web hosting site to help decide the fate of your company can you? Of course not! You must have a web hosting company on your side that honestly understands that the service that they provide is the best and most important thing that they have to offer their customers.

No one can argue the fact that technical things matter. The speed of the server, the server’s reliability, the software and the hardware are all important facets of any web hosting company. This is what business owners look for in a good company; a company that they can trust with their most important asset. These are the features that will be the deciding factor in how quickly your online company will be able to expand and grow. Having said that, you should not switch web hosting companies once you have built up your business. That is simply bad form for your company. Unless something horrible occurs, stay with the same company you stated with in order to make things easier and more profitable. (This is why choosing the right provider is so very important in the first place.)

Have you ever heard the term that time is money? If so then you know just how true that statement is! All too often, customers tend to overlook the web hosting companies’ services and go directly to the prices of their plans. But as you may have already learned in the past, money is not everything. In fact, it should be the last thing you look at when searching for a hosting provider. While getting a good deal that does sweeten the pot, what you really need to be examining are the services that the company offers since that is what will make or break your business. You want good customer service, excellent support, a toll free phone number for 24/7 help and a consultant to work directly with you on solutions for your company. After all, without your business they would have no business either! This is the way that you make your money to support your family and lifestyle, so do not leave anything up to chance here. If the provider you are looking at gives services at an awesome cost then it may be too good to be true. Cheap web hosting companies may give good deals on prices in exchange for poor customer service and support, so keep your eyes open for signs of poor service and steer clear of any web hosting company that offers you more in the way of deals and discounts than it does in the way of features, support and services. In the end it will be a huge waste of your precious time.

Author Bio :

Steffany Kellam is graduated student from economic university. She loves writing technology), Internet and mostly web hosting (as the Swedish asy webbhotell) related articles.

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In-Depth Look at Green Technologies

Green is in; individuals and businesses are looking for ways to get by while using less energy. Whether the goal is to save money or to help the environment, the popularity of green technology is continuing to rise. These technologies, however, can be a bit complicated. Here is some information about a few different types of green technology.

- Solar cells

Photovoltaic cells are becoming more powerful each year. Using what is called a photodiode, these cells directly convert light energy into electrical energy. They have been around for decades, and are becoming more efficient every year. In addition, their prices have dropped considerably; today, the largest cost associated with photovoltaic cells in electrical plants is labor fees. For this reason, they are being used in large numbers in China and other parts of the developing world where labor costs are low. They do have one major problem: storing energy for use when it in cloudy or after night has come.

- Wind turbines

Wind turbines have been used for centuries to generate energy, and they have recently been used to generate electric in large plants. These turbines are humongous, and they use fairly simple technology to convert mechanical energy into electricity. They are great for supplementing other electrical plants, but they can only generate electricity when winds are blowing. Without energy storage technology, they cannot fully replace coal, natural gas and nuclear plants.

- Energy storage

There are a number of options being tested to allow plants to store energy generated from wind and solar energy. Some plants have tested batteries. While batteries work, they generally can only last for approximately 500 charging cycles. As a result, they must be replaced every two years or so. Others have tested large flywheels to store energy mechanically, and this technology holds some promise. Large-scale installations, however, have not yet been attempted. Another strange option being considered is to melt salt to store energy. Once the salt is allowed to form into a solid, energy can be extracted from it. While none of these technologies have proven to work, they do give hope for green energy generation in the future.

- Efficiency

People often think of green energy in the large scale, but there are a number of green technologies that can make a dramatic impact on how efficiently energy is used. Simply painting roofs white in hot regions can dramatically reduce electricity bills as white roofs reflect light energy and heat away from the building. Engines have become significantly more advanced as well, and drivers may see cars that can travel 75 or 100 miles for every gallon of fuel they use in the next decade. While these technologies do not have the breakthrough impact some are looking for, they are valuables tools in the fight to introduce less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

About the Author :

RowenaKang is a writer and the Director of Content for the Morgan Law Firm, an Austin, Texas divorce firm. Please visit the Morgan Law Firm Blog for additional content.

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Tips On Video Game: Borderlands 2

If you have played the previous version of Borderland, you would agree that this game has a lot of attractive features. The hostile creatures, the powerful skill trees, the diverse missions and the abundant loot, the freshness of all these features is still extremely appealing and grows on you instantly. But has Borderland 2 lived up to the standard of its predecessor or does it fail to surprise us? Lets find out.

Features OF The Game

The most notable difference between this version and the previous one is the vibrancy of Pandora. This version has a lot more entertaining characters that make Pandora seem realistic. A lot of the old characters are retained in this version such as Scooter, Moxxi and Claptrap. The playable characters from the first edition are also present in this version and they have more lines. The game has some new character editions as well such as Teenage Demolitionist, Tiny Tina, Arrogant Antagonist and Handsome Jack. The addition of all these characters and the excellent voice acting quality make this version very appealing.

The visuals of this edition are much better compared to the previous one. The aesthetic appeal and the color palate used is eye-catching. The humor of the writing extends to the visuals as well so you will have fun throughout the game.

The mission feature has been slightly changed from the previous edition. You now have the choice to check the progress of your mission during the game using the onscreen checklist. You will be able to see the progress even if your current actions don't facilitate your current mission.

This new version also has an expanded range of challenges along with the missions. If you complete all these challenges successfully you get rewards like burning kills. As you complete each of the challenges with success, your rank in the game keeps increasing as well. Your rank also has certain benefits attached to it. If you have a higher rank then you get benefits with reference to fire rate, gun damage and shield recharge delay.

The major portion of the game is the loot and this version has some exciting features for it. Grenade mods, shields, guns, all give you the chance to intensify your combat. In this version, you have the option to mark the items as junk in your inventory list. This makes your selling process less time-consuming. The rest of the core combat skills remain pretty much the same as in the previous version.

Limitations

Even though this version has more characters, challenges and a better aesthetic appeal, it is in a lot of ways just like Borderland. So this edition doesn't reach far beyond the first version.

On the whole this version betters the experience of playing the game. The content and the characters make the game a lot more appealing and interactive. So you can spend a lot of your free time playing it.  

AUTHOR BIO:

Grace  is an expert associated will www.cheapbbguns.co.uk, online dealers of BB guns. They also have an Airsoft shop uk that supplies Airsoft BB guns UK.

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