Gardening 101: Start a Garden this Spring

Spring is a time of growth and renewal: following a long, harsh winter, blades of grass are beginning to shoot up from the ground, buds are bursting out on tree branches, and birds are busily constructing nests for their soon-to-be-laid eggs. Everywhere you look, life is starting fresh. Why not be part of it this spring with your very own vegetable garden? Even if you’ve never planted a seed in your life, this how-to can help you plan and grow your very first vegetable garden.

Start Small

It can be tempting to want a vegetable garden that takes up your entire backyard, but if you’re just beginning to garden, it’s best to keep your garden small until you know how to control it. Planting too much too soon is a common mistake made by new gardeners, and can become problematic when harvest time comes and you have way more veggies than you’ll ever be able to use!

Sunny Side Up

Plan your garden in a sunny location, so that your vegetables can get the 6 hours minimum direct sunlight per day that they need. More sun equals a more bountiful harvest and better-tasting vegetables!

Mind the Soil

Good, loamy soil is ideal for planting your vegetable garden. Making sure the soil is properly drained and enriching it with compost will help provide exactly the right amount of water and nutrients to your plants.

Space Out

Pay attention to the directions on your seed packets for spacing requirements. If you plant your vegetables too close together, they won’t get enough sunlight, water or soil nutrients to properly thrive.

Packet Up

Make sure to purchase high-quality seed packets from reputable companies. Also, pay attention to the expiration date on the packets and make sure the seeds are from this year. Seeds that are past their prime are unlikely to germinate, wasting your time and money.

Any gardening tips for newbies? Please share in our comments section.

Save Money on Air Conditioning in Your Home

In these hot summer months, it becomes a necessity to crank up the AC and keep yourself cool. But how do you effectively cool down your home without breaking the bank? Read on for some helpful tips to keep your cool without sacrificing all your cash.

Keep Air Filter Clean- A dirty air filter makes your AC work harder and use more energy, which translates to a higher electric bill. Changing your air filter every three months will help keep your air conditioning unit from having to work overtime to cool your house.

Invest in a Smart Thermostat- Thanks to modern technology, several “smart thermostats” now on the market can learn your household’s schedule over time and adjust the AC and heat accordingly. Also, these thermostats offer smartphone apps that allow you to adjust the temperature even when you’re not at home. Now that’s smart!

Buy an Energy-Efficient AC Unit- Central air conditioning units marked with the Energy Star symbol are designed to use about 14% less energy than minimum government standards. Not only that, but energy-efficient air conditioning units may qualify for a tax credit, increasing your savings even more!

How do you plan to keep your home cool this summer? Let us know your AC lifehacks in the comments section.

Grilling Tips for BBQ Season

Summer is upon us and with it comes barbecue grilling season. When you gather friends and family around and fire up the grill this summer, keep these handy tips in mind:

Don’t forget to preheat- Like an oven, your grill needs a little head start before you try to cook anything on it. Preheat your grill for about 15-25 minutes to ensure that the temperature will be high enough to kill any bacteria on your meats. A nicely preheated grill will keep the insides of your grillables succulent and juicy while searing the outside and improving the flavor of the meat.

Brush as you go- The best time to use your grill brush is while it’s hot, so grab your wire grill brush and go to town after you’ve preheated but before you begin grilling the current meal. Then brush again once you have finished using the grill. Simple!

Skip cooking spray- To ensure a non-stick surface, you can oil your preheated grill by rubbing a paper towel coated in vegetable oil over the rack with a pair of tongs, but whatever you do, don’t use cooking spray on a hot grill, as that can be potentially hazardous.

Practice food safety- To avoid an unfortunate food poisoning situation, watch out for cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods by using separate cutting boards and platters, and always refrigerate meats when you are marinating them.

Follow these helpful hints and you will be crowned Grill Master by your friends and family!