Archive for July, 2010
Friday, July 30th, 2010
 A recent article in the Daily Vail discusses the value of organic gardening and also lists some very helpful tips for those who are looking to cultivate a part of their yard with sustainable plants. The key elements to this process are creativity and planning.
The first ingredient in an organic garden is healthy soil, which can be supplemented with a compost pile. When arranging the area, the news source recommends planting a taller tree, which will provide roots that act as a system of drainage for water overflow.
Fruit plants are also a necessity, because they will attract insects who pollinate other vegetation. The news provider also advises the use of nitrogen-fixing plans, which can have a healthy effect on the garden.
Maintaining a balance of different plants is crucial to helping an organic garden flourish. However, deer or rabbits may prey on vegetation that seem particularly appetizing, from flowers to vegetables.
Deer Scram is a safe, humane solution to a pesky wildlife population that won’t leave a garden alone. Its special formula is scentless to humans, but will mask an area with a smell that will deter deer and rabbits.
This animal repellent will also function as a fertilizer and its earth-colored powder will blend with the rest of the plants. 
Posted in Deer Scram | No Comments »
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
More and more people are replacing traditional chemical gardening products with organic alternatives. I will admit that not all organic alternatives are as effective as their chemical counterparts, but when it comes to selecting an organic herbicide, organic alternatives are just as effective! Most of you have probably used Round-Up before to kill weeds and grass. Well there are a couple of organic alternatives that are just as effective; Nature’s Avenger and Burn Out II. Both products utilize a citric acid to kill weeds and grasses that is so effective that visible results can be seen in just hours!
Nature’s Avenger has tested their product on weeds and found that it only takes an hour to see dramatic results (see picture above)! With this kind of results being obtained from organic herbicides, it’s no wonder this is one of the most successful organic gardening categories on the market. So why hasn’t everyone switched over to organic herbicides? Price. It is 2-3 times more expensive to go organic. For those of you who are familiar with organic food and other organic products this should come as no surprise. As the popularity of organic herbicides grows, this will lead to production effeciencies that should drive down costs. Will they ever be as cheap as chemical based herbicides? Maybe, but probably not. That is if the chemical variety is still available on the market.
As a brick and mortar hardware retailer and online ecommerce manager I can tell you that every year there is another chemical that is taken off the market by the EPA. In fact Scotts, the largest lawn and garden retailer, is drastically changing up their line to prepare for this. They have eliminated many chemicals from their product lines and are investing heavily into developing a comprehensive organic line of products. When Scotts starts to move like this, you know there are considerable changes on the way for the types of chemicals and organic alteranatives that will be available to purchase online and in retail stores.
For now things are still developing in the organic gardening initiative. If you are willing to pay up a little, I’m sure you will be happy with the performance of the organic herbicides we provide.
Tags: burn out II, burn out weed killer, burnout II, burnout weed killer, natures avenger, organic herbicide, organic herbicides, organic weed killers
Posted in Lawn & Garden, Organic Lawn & Garden Care | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
 Computer desks have become a focal point of many homes. They can often be the place where a person spends hours at a time, even with snacks or meals, and that can mean pieces of food and stains can easily accumulate in the nooks and crannies of any desk.
Dust can also settle in the area, between the tangles of computer cords or on the keyboard. These tiny spaces can sometimes be almost impossible to clean, because so few appliances are small enough to fit the tight crevices.
Luckily, those who own a Miele vacuum can invest in a Miele microset vacuum accessory kit. The small accessories and nozzles that come with this package are ideal for eliminating debris from otherwise inaccessible places.
This kit includes a micro-hose with a combination crevice-nozzle and dusting brush, so you can easily keep desks, as well as bookshelves and other narrow surfaces, sparkling clean. The other items in this package are the extended crevice-nozzle, angled crevice-nozzle and extended dusting-brush.
Not only will the Miele microset vacuum accessory kit enable you to touch up the places where clutter or tight angles have previously made it difficult to clean, the removal of dust from the house may have a positive impact on those with allergies. 
Posted in Vacuum Accessories | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010
 Ross Clark, writing for the Daily Mail, recently addressed the concerns of homeowners who may be living in close proximity to neighbors. Specifically, the question related to how one could prevent roof moss from entering into gutters and clogging drain spouts.
This may be a problem for those whose homes are near another house and underneath part of the roof. Debris can break away and drop into exposed gutters, presenting a constant threat of clogging and water overflow.
Clark suggests that this problem can be solved with the installation of a grid where the roofs meet, something that allows water through, but blocks moss. He admits that this might still result in too much water draining into the gutters and also proposes lining the top of the offending roof with copper strips.
Luckily, there’s an easier solution – the Gutterbrush Gutter Guard. If you’re experiencing a similar problem with overhanging roofs or trees dropping debris into a home’s gutters, this product will be perfect.
The Gutterbrush is placed into the gutter and works to block moss, leaves and sticks from entering drains, but allows water to flow freely. The debris will then be swept away by rain or wind, or broken down in the sunlight.
Posted in GutterBrush Gutter Guard | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010
 I’m sure you’ve used plant supports in your garden for a long time, but I bet you haven’t used anything like Peacock’s Garden Plant Supports. Peacock allow you to customize your plant supports by selecting a plant stake and grow through grid or ring that meets your needs. Simply slide the adjustable coupler up as your plants grow.
At Hardtofinditems.com, we stock a large selection of Peacock Plant Supports. Choose from plant stakes of either 30″, 40″, 50″ or 60″. Each of these stakes comes with an adjustable coupler that connects to any of Peacock’s plant support rings, grids or half moon supports. Once you have selected a plant stake, choose from Peacock’s wide selection of garden supports. Plant support rings are available in 2″, 4″, 6″, 8″, 15″ and 16″. Half moon and 1/3 circle plant supports are available in a 18″, 21″, 25″ and 32″ sizes. Grow through plant support grids are available in 12″ and 16″ sizes. If these options don’t fit your needs, then check out Peacock’s unique garden border support.
All the Peacock Plant Supports we stock are made from galvanized steel and coated with an esthetically pleasing dark green that will blend in with your plants. Plus, no other brand on the market enables your plant supports to adjust with your plants as they grow. Peacock Plant Supports are truely one of a kind!
Tags: adjustable plant supports, garden plant supports, peacock garden supports, peacock plant supports, Peacock Plant Supports, plant supports
Posted in Lawn & Garden, Peacock Plant Supports | No Comments »
Monday, July 26th, 2010
 Design is all about making a space comfortable, roomy and organized. Dylan Kendall, writing in the Huffington Post, claims that our sense of aesthetics can have a significant impact on our overall happiness and even cognitive development.
Smaller residences may have difficulty keeping things out of the way, especially in high-traffic areas like the kitchen. The food, accessories and appliances that are necessary for a whole family can make any room feel cramped and uncomfortable.
The Brabantia brand puts a special emphasis on economically built products, from its ironing boards to drying racks.
One product, the Brabantia Touch Bin, is notable because of its exceptional storage capacity and unparalleled design. Its unique, stain-proof top opens and closes with a mere touch of the fingers, which means that there’s less wear and tear on this bin than those with pedals.
We recommend this product to any family with a garbage can that seems to always need emptying or with one that takes up an entire corner of the kitchen or hallway. The slender, beautiful Brabantia Touch Bin allows homes with limited space to maintain a clean aesthetic. 
Posted in Touch Bins | No Comments »
Friday, July 23rd, 2010
 Many families enjoy renting or visiting houses on lakes. With quiet beaches and calm water, these places can be ideal for relaxation for a summer vacation. The only problem is that lake houses are often secluded and tend to attract other visitors as well.
Some of these uninvited guests may include geese. They may squawk to each other early in the morning, cause mayhem in the backyard, or even scare people away from beach areas. Even if they are docile, there’s a good chance that they will still leave droppings scattered through the grass and on the sand, presenting another kind of risk.
It’s difficult to find a way to humanely deal with geese, but PredaSCENT has a formula that’s guaranteed to ward away the pesky birds once and for all. All it takes is a few capsules of the product, placed every few feet, and you can create a perimeter around the garden, lake house or beach.
PredaSCENT works for up to a month at a time and rainfall actually helps release the key ingredients in this product, so water will make it more effective.
One can also use PredaSCENT to ward away groundhogs, deer, moles and other small mammals. Just make sure you select the right product variety. PredaSCENT has developed three different masking agents, which are specifically designed to ward away different types of animals.
Posted in PredaSCENT | No Comments »
Friday, July 23rd, 2010
 Approximately 80% of adults will at some point experience arthritis in the ankles and knees, planter faciitis, and/or back pain, which inhibits there ability to stand in place for prolonged periods of time. For many people this means giving up their favorite activities, such as a hobby or cooking. The good news is many people have found significant relief by using a Gel Pro Chef’s Mat. Gel Pro Mats are made from a shock absorbing gel that relieves many individuals ankle, knee and back pain.
You may be thinking, I’ve already got a gel like mat. What’s the difference? Gel Pro Chef’s Mats come in a variety of designer styles to accompany anyone’s style! They have patterns for contemporary to traditional homes and light to dark colors. In addition, the surfaces are made from a stain-resistant, water-resistant material. Gel Pro’s combination of syle and comfort is unmatched by any other manufacturer on the market.
The popularity of Gel Pro Mats can be summed up by one statistic. 40% of Gel Pro customers purchase more than one mat (statistic and study conducted by Let’s Gel Inc., the makers of Gel Pro Chef’s Mat). If this isn’t enough to convince you to try one of their mats, check out Gel Pro Chef’s Mats Customer Testimonials.
Tags: Gel mats, Gel Pro Chef's mats, Gel Pro Gel Mats, Gel Pro Mats
Posted in Gel Pro Chef's mats, Housewares | No Comments »
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
 College dorms are cramped living spaces with little room to spare. In one month, a new fleet of college-bound students will be moving into their new homes and trying to make the best of the space they have, which usually includes laundry and trash bags for mountains of clothes.
Many garments can be scattered across the floor in no time, especially if there’s nowhere to hang them. Formal wear may become wrinkled from being crumpled in a drawer or clothes may get dirtied from inappropriate spots on heaters,window sills or desks.
The Brabantia door drying rack is an ideal addition to any college dorm. Its space-efficient design allows it the versatility that is crucial to the dorm environment. This product can hang from a closet or front door, a railing or wall.
This is a particularly handy device for collared shirts or delicate garments that need to be air-dried. It can also hold towels for the beach and the bathroom. With its total 14.7 feet of drying line, all of which can be adjusted, the Brabantia door drying rack will offer anyone precious extra space.
Posted in Drying Racks | No Comments »
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
 It’s simple and easy to host a summer barbecue in the yard, but sometimes it’s not so easy to come up with memorable quirks to offer guests a positive and unique experience.
CountryLiving.com suggests that an effective way to make your food stick out is to cut pieces of parchment into napkin-like shapes and use rubber stamps to declare whether the food is medium, rare or well done.
One can also customize drinks by wrapping cans and bottles in decorative construction paper or scraps of gift wrap. These can help weigh down a tablecloth that may otherwise get ruffled by the wind, but hanging flowerpots from the table can also do the trick, according to the news source.
To be environmentally conscious and stylish, try using large, colorful pails and labeling them as trash or recycling, which may encourage guests to be green while also adding some aesthetic flair to your bash.
The news source also recommends hanging Christmas lights around the railings or posts of porches. One can turn these into twinkling flower vines simply by finding colorful papers and sticking each bulb through the center.
Brown wire light sets can produce a calming, natural backdrop to these summery occasions, and a radiance that can last into the evening as the sun sets. 
Posted in Brown Christmas Lights | No Comments »
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