Eco Friendly House Plan
Look at the pictures of this house; not only is it flat out cool but the house is designed from the ground up to eco friendly, both during construction and after it’s occupied. From the start; the house was designed to take maximum advantage of its orientation. When positioned right the house blocks cold winds in the winter to keep warm and summer sunlight to keep cool. The roof is even angled with solar panels in mind and is even designed with collecting rainwater in mind. Aditionally the whole thing is elevated to have minimal impact to the natural drainage of the site. I know this would be a bit more of a gift for most people than say, a garden gnome; the Eco Friendly House Plan sells for $1,895 from Clean Air Gardening. But if you looking to build a house maybe think of this as a gift to your children; to all our children.
Maybe it’s safer. A beige ranch rambler on a street named after a whatever kind of tree was growing there before some developer ran a fleet a bulldozers over the land and dropped a couple of hundred carbon copy houses off the back of a very large truck. I drive down streets like that all the time; the more creative developers have three, maybe four different sets of plans they switch between on any given street.
Or you can find one of those neighborhoods that still have craftsman or art deco houses from the good old days. The good old days when a 400 dollar electric bill was something only a baseball stadium might get. I’ve lived in some neat old houses and paid the utility bills to prove it. With our current energy situation this is more than a financial issue. Our future and our children’s future depends on it.
Inside the house is open to allow for natural airflow to make heating and cooling more efficient. Rooms requireing extensive plumbing (kitchen, bath, and utility room) are centrally located.
Friday ~ December 12, 2007 by Steve W Posted in Uncategorized | Add Your Comments
The Solar Torch Light
For that we have the solar powered torch light. Now, you aren’t going light up a stadium with these things but they sport hand blown phosphorescent glass, an LED light source, and a powder coated stake to place into the ground so they stay where you put them. They glow for around 6-8 hours a night recharge from the sun during the day. The Solar Torch Light is available from Gardeners supply for 34.95.
There is no law that says that solar powered garden lights have to be functional industrial looking hunks of plastic. I’m not knocking functional industrial looking décor; I kind of dig that really. But some times you just want something different, or you know, attractive.
Monday ~ December 12, 2007 by Steve W Posted in Uncategorized | Add Your Comments
Toro Power Sweep Leaf Blower
The Toro Power Sweep leaf blower is a great tool for fall and winter chores in your yard and garden. This is a high powered blower (140 mph of air force) that is also environmentally friendly and inexpensive to use and maintain. It requires no gas and won’t belch out exhaust like gas powered blowers. Simply plug it in, recharge it, and take it out to your yard! It weighs in at only 5 pounds and costs around $45.00.
Tuesday ~ October 10, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Uncategorized | Add Your Comments
Brookstone Bubble Gel Garden Kneeler
Garden in comfort with this excellent Bubble Gel Kneeler, available on the Brookstone.com website. The gel-filled bubbles on this garden kneeler will keep your knees protected, even when gardening on rough ground. The kneeler is also easy to clean and water won’t damage it! This is a very practical gift for all gardeners. 
Tuesday ~ September 09, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Uncategorized | Add Your Comments
Everyone Needs Garden Tape!
Garden tape may seem like a weird gardening gift, but it is one of those essential pieces of equipment in the garden. The thing is, you can’t use just any tape in the garden, you need something that stretches so that it doesn’t strangle your shrubs and trees as it grows, and that is resistant to extreme weather. Vinyl garden tape will do the trick. Golden Harvest Organics sells garden tape for $1.95 a roll, so stock up! 
Tuesday ~ July 07, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Uncategorized | Add Your Comments
Rittenhouse Garden Forks
Rittenhouse, a gardening store that’s been around since 1974, offers these excellent garden forks. These are great tools for turning compost, shoveling leaves, and a variety of gardening and yard chores. This garden fork is made of stainless steel, making it an attractive and durable garden tool.
Monday ~ June 06, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Uncategorized | Add Your Comments
Unique Watering Can Rain Chain
The Watering Can Rain Chain is a handy gardening gadget that works like a downspout. Attach it to your gutter, and the unique watering can design slows the flow of the water as it rains. The attractive design will be a conversation piece for friends and neighbors as well!
Monday ~ June 06, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Uncategorized | Add Your Comments
Bat Guano, Natural Fertilizer
Bat Guano is a 100% natural fertilizer that will make the plants of your garden very happy. Bat guano has a high humus content, which makes it an excellent soil builder. Before the advent of artificial fertilizers, bat guano was the fertilizer of choice for many gardeners. Bat guano is also 100% safe for the bats. This bat guano comes from the Bracken Bat Cave in Central Texas. 
Thursday ~ May 05, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Uncategorized | Add Your Comments
Foxgloves, Inc.
Foxgloves, Inc. offers a variety of very cool gardening gloves. They’re made of SUPPLEX® nylon which means that they’re comfortable and durable. You can use Foxgloves for a variety of gardening chores and other tough jobs in the house and yard. 
Wednesday ~ May 05, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Uncategorized | Add Your Comments
Lawn Aerator Shoes
Aerating your lawn is a ritual you should already be doing every year so that your grass will grow green and healthy. With these lawn aerator shoes, you can actually combine your mowing with your lawn aerating! Just strap these sandals over your shoes before you mow and continue mowing! They work great!
Monday ~ May 05, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Uncategorized | Add Your Comments
Another Great Selection of Gardening Gifts
Need to buy a gardener friend or relative a gift but pressed for time? You should check out this website for a series of excellent ideas for every budget. From tool sets to compost bins, you’ll find something for every interest.
Sunday ~ April 04, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Uncategorized | Add Your Comments
Super Trowel!
Check out this extra-wide, award winning garden trowel. This excellent trowel recently won the National Home Gardening Club’s “Member Tested and Recommended” Seal-of-Approval. If you’re looking for a first class trowel, this is the one!
Friday ~ April 04, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Uncategorized | Add Your Comments
Collecting Rain for the Garden
Summer is just around the corner! It’s a perfect time to invest in a rain barrel so you can start taking advantage of the summer rains to store water for the garden and cut back on your water bill. You can find dozens of styles of rain barrels out there, from whiskey barrels to high quality and extra durable plastics. Whatever model you choose, the addition of a rain barrel to your home will help your plants and help the environment at the same time.
Friday ~ April 04, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments
Cool Wind Chimes
Wind Chime Pavilion has an amazing collection of wind chimes for every taste. There are hundreds of options to choose from including feng shui wind chimes, wood, glass, and even wind chimes with religious themes. They seel accessories such as wind chime brackets, too.
Wednesday ~ April 04, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Uncategorized | Add Your Comments
Martha’s Gourds
Martha?s Gourds sells a wonderful collection of handmade products for the home and garden. Martha also runs Bloom?s Nursery, which is a good source of gardening books, plants, and more! Check out their sites for lots of gardening gift ideas.
Saturday ~ March 03, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Uncategorized | Add Your Comments
Compost Guide
This compost guide is a best selling handbook that packs more tips into 32 pages than you can imagine. This is a small self-published book that is a must for anyone interested in making their own high quality compost. It’s available from the Compost Guide Store. 
Wednesday ~ March 03, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Uncategorized | Add Your Comments
Plant Kits for Kids
The Butterfly and Nature Gift Shop sells a variety of unusual plant kits for you or your kids. You’ll find venus fly traps, instant window box gardens, a Dinosaur Garden Kit, among other unique products. There’s definitely something for everyone here!
Thursday ~ March 03, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Uncategorized | Add Your Comments
Soil pH Tester
Do you know your soil pH? You should! Having the correct soil pH can make the difference between thriving flowers and veggies or struggling ones. One of the best ways to monitor your pH is with an electronic soil tester. This handy tool allows you to gauge not only your pH, but also other important factors such as soil moisture and light levels. One of the best ways to maintain the correct pH is with the addition of organic compost.
Monday ~ February 02, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Uncategorized | Add Your Comments
Biodegradable Bags for the Garden
When you’re collecting scraps from your kitchen for your compost, try out these biodegradable biobags, made from corn. They breathe to allow moisture to escape, which also reduces odors. These bags contain corn from countries that don’t allow GMO, so they’re guaranteed GMO free! They will fully decompose in 2-3 weeks. This is a fantastic product made by the leader in biodegradable technology.
Friday ~ February 02, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Uncategorized | Add Your Comments
Patio Furniture
Beautiful patio furniture is the specialty of Caluco.com. They have a huge variety of chair, tables, benches, couches, you name it! Comfortable, attractive, and durable, they have something for everyone! Wholesale supplier of patio furniture for over 30 years!
Friday ~ February 02, 2006 by kswanson56 Posted in Uncategorized | Add Your Comments
