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	<title>valley fever arts &#187; greenhouse plans</title>
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		<title>greenhouse construction plans?</title>
		<link>http://valleyfeverarts.com/greenhouse-plans/greenhouse-construction-plans</link>
		<comments>http://valleyfeverarts.com/greenhouse-plans/greenhouse-construction-plans#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:21:28 +0000</pubDate>
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				<category><![CDATA[greenhouse plans]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[anyone know any good websites on how to build a greenhouse?? with step by step and photos??
Here&#8217;s a couple of links.
http://westsidegardener.com/howto/hoophouse.html
http://www.greenhouse-plans4u.com
Hope it helps.

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			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>anyone know any good websites on how to build a greenhouse?? with step by step and photos??</p>
<p>Here&#8217;s a couple of links.<br />
http://westsidegardener.com/howto/hoophouse.html<br />
http://www.greenhouse-plans4u.com<br />
Hope it helps.</p>
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		<title>Where could I find plans for building a heat sink for a greenhouse?</title>
		<link>http://valleyfeverarts.com/greenhouse-plans/where-could-i-find-plans-for-building-a-heat-sink-for-a-greenhouse</link>
		<comments>http://valleyfeverarts.com/greenhouse-plans/where-could-i-find-plans-for-building-a-heat-sink-for-a-greenhouse#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:21:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[greenhouse plans]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[I saw a tv show about a family that was going green [ it may have even been called "Going Green"] that was from England or Great Britian.
They were doing a bunch of things to live off the land with a smaller eco-footprint. One of the things they did was build a greenhouse that had [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>I saw a tv show about a family that was going green [ it may have even been called "Going Green"] that was from England or Great Britian.<br />
They were doing a bunch of things to live off the land with a smaller eco-footprint. One of the things they did was build a greenhouse that had a glass &#8216;heat sink&#8217; in the floor. It may have had a different name, but it was basically glass bottles that were ground-up by a special machine [so there was no sharp edges] and stored in the greenhouse floor. Somehow, this kept the temperature of the greenhouse much warmer, therefore allowing more plant variety when it&#8217;s cooler outside. I live in the greater Vancouver area, so I think I&#8217;ll be able to grow foods in the winter, but the heat sink will make them grow better. Any thoughts or suggestions?</p>
<p>The following website provides information on do it yourself heat sink. These ones are either water or concrete though. I is likely the same concept except your would be substituting the glass for the rocks. The site does include plans though. You should know that using glass or rock &#8211; you will need 3x the volume versus using water. These sites easy to follow.</p>
<p>http://www.hobby-greenhouse.com/FreeSolar.html</p>
<p>http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/solar-gh.html#storage</p>
<p>The following forum may be of help to you. You can research answers or ask questions and those who have already made one can advise you. There are a few forums on solar greenhouses to check out.</p>
<p>http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/strucs/msg0720404816065.html</p>
<p>You can also find some fabulous <a href="http://greenhouse-plans4u.com/">greenhouse plans</a> online.</p>
<p>Hopefully you will be able to get the information you need from these websites. I commend you on your efforts to recycle products.</p>
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		<title>What Is An Indoor Bonsai</title>
		<link>http://valleyfeverarts.com/greenhouse-plans/what-is-an-indoor-bonsai</link>
		<comments>http://valleyfeverarts.com/greenhouse-plans/what-is-an-indoor-bonsai#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:20:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[greenhouse plans]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[
Indoor bonsai has been described in different ways. Some describe indoor bonsai as a plant grown inside the house, a plant grown in a greenhouse, or a plant grown outdoors but brought indoor during winter. Some experts on the subject even denies the existence of true indoor bonsai as they reason that bonsais, whether grown [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>
<p>Indoor bonsai has been described in different ways. Some describe indoor bonsai as a plant grown inside the house, a plant grown in a greenhouse, or a plant grown outdoors but brought indoor during winter. Some experts on the subject even denies the existence of true indoor bonsai as they reason that bonsais, whether grown outdoor or indoor will always follow its genetic composition &#8211; that is to have enough source of light in order to survive. Whatever the description is, growing bonsai indoor needs special skills and knowledge.</p>
<p>When growing bonsai indoors, the problem most growers encountered is the provision of adequate amount of light. Indoor bonsai plants must be placed in a well-lighted location like the windows. The nearer the indoor bonsai is from the window, the better is the growth of the plant. When a bonsai is placed at the window, rotating the bonsai is a must. As the bonsai ages, its branches and leaves tend to tilt towards the sunlight. Rotating the pot will enable all the parts of the bonsai to receive the amount of light needed.</p>
<p>In the absence of the natural light, artificial lighting can be employed provided the correct lamp or bulb is used. The common household lamps or bulbs do not emit the right amount of energy in order for the plant to undergo the process of photosynthesis. Without proper lighting, the bonsai plant becomes pale, long and limp. An expert advice on the appropriate lamp to use is needed when planning to employ the artificial lighting method.</p>
<p>Plants from the tropical regions thrive well as indoor bonsais. Some of them are conifers, flower-bearing, fruit-bearing and/or leaved plants from the tropical or subtropical regions. The following are some of the plants that can be grown indoors.</p>
<p>1.Atlas Cedar<br />
2.Australian Brush Cherry<br />
3.Bougainvillea<br />
4.Boxwood<br />
5.Buddhist Pine<br />
6.Bunya-bunya<br />
7.Calamondin Orange<br />
8.Camellia<br />
9.Cedar of Lebanon<br />
10.Chinese Bird Plum<br />
11.Chinese Elm<br />
12.Chinese Hibiscus<br />
13.Chinese Pepper Tree<br />
14.Common Olive<br />
15.Dwarf Myrtle<br />
16.Dwarf pomegranate<br />
17.English/Common Ivy<br />
18.Firethorn<br />
19.Fukien Tea<br />
20.Gardenia<br />
21.Heavenly/Sacred bamboo<br />
22.Hedge Sageretia<br />
23.Himalayan Cedar<br />
24.Indian Laurel<br />
25.Italian Cypress<br />
26.Japanese Cedar<br />
27.Japanese/Chinese Privet<br />
28.Lady&#8217;s Eardrops<br />
29.Natal Plum<br />
30.Norfolk Island Pine<br />
31.Orange/Star Jasmine<br />
32.Redwood<br />
33.Rockspray Cotoneaster<br />
34.Rosemary<br />
35.Round Kumquat<br />
36.Satsuki Azalea<br />
37.Thorny Eleagnus<br />
38.Tree of a Thousand Stars<br />
39.Weeping Fig</p>
<p>Fruit-bearing plants developed as indoor bonsais bear fruit when given special care. Fig trees although can be grown as indoor bonsai need more sunlight than what is available indoors. Conifer trees are harder to manage than the other varities. When a grower plans to cultivate fruit-bearing bonsai, special care must be given so that the plant will bear flowers and fruits.</p>
<p>A common misconception about indoor bonsai is that it must be kept inside the house or under the shade starting from the early stage of cultivation until the bonsai reaches its potential growth.</p>
<p>Another misconception is that bonsai grown indoors should not be subjected to direct sunlight. Only those who have taken extra effort to find out more about growing bonsai know that bonsai, whether indoor or outdoor must have an excellent source of sunlight, humidity, fertilizer and moisture content. Too much supply of anything can bring damage to the bonsai. So, anyone who plans to grown indoor bonsai must study the specific needs of that particular plant or tree.</p>
<p> Patrick Desnoyers<br />http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/what-is-an-indoor-bonsai-90657.html</p>
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		<title>Environmental Consulting Firms</title>
		<link>http://valleyfeverarts.com/greenhouse-plans/environmental-consulting-firms</link>
		<comments>http://valleyfeverarts.com/greenhouse-plans/environmental-consulting-firms#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:20:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[greenhouse plans]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[
Environmental Consulting Firms- Environmental Consulting Firms Will Help Your Company Become Truly &#8220;Green&#8221; and Attain Environmental Sustainability

 
I know lots of persons, representing small to large companies, who proudly declare, &#8220;We are an &#8220;ecological&#8221; business!&#8221; This tag is a euphemism that means they are abiding by strict principles concerning ecological sustainability rules and norms. This [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>
<p><strong>Environmental Consulting Firms- Environmental Consulting Firms Will Help Your Company Become Truly &#8220;Green&#8221; and Attain Environmental Sustainability</strong></p>
<p><img src="http://static.squidoo.com/resize/squidoo_images/-1/lens2352258_1230478332vernon.jpg" /></p>
<p> 
<p>I know lots of persons, representing small to large companies, who proudly declare, &#8220;We are an &#8220;ecological&#8221; business!&#8221; This tag is a euphemism that means they are abiding by strict principles concerning ecological sustainability rules and norms. This &#8220;green&#8221; tag is in and it is a worthy aspiration, for sure. A lot of companies are jumping on the &#8220;band wagon&#8221;. They are employing the title as a technique to openly and implicitly promote their services and/or products. However, what does it signify to be &#8220;green&#8221;? And, how can any size business execute a strategy to comply with ecological sustainability norms to be on the way to growing into an &#8220;ecological&#8221; business?</p>
<p>Agenda 21 was the main production of the United Nations Conference on environment and development (the, &#8220;Earth Summit&#8221;). The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) presents norms or offers support on good management norms in encouragement of Agenda 21. The ISO 14001 offers its conditions for an Environmental Management System (EMS) that confirms global significance for all size companies wishing to function under environmentally sustainable processes. It is a globally acknowledged requirement. With the aid of environmental consulting firms, the norms can be appropriate for any business, large or small, whatever its product or service, in any industry, and whether it is a commercial venture, a public administration, or a government department.</p>
<p>The principle elements, stated in an EMS are explained below:</p>
<p>1. Environmental Policy Statement (ecological characteristics and effect of products, activities, and services, including intra-and inter-business processes), <br />2. Planning (ecological characteristics, legal and additional requisites, aims and measurable targets, ecological management programs), <br />3. Implementation and Operation (configuration and reliability, preparation, conciousness, and competence, communication, ecological management process documentation, document control, operational control, crisis vigilance and response), <br />4. Checking and Corrective Action (checking and measurement, non-conformance and counteractive- and protecting- action, documentation, ecological management process audit) <br />5. Management Review</p>
<p>Well, you&#8217;re probably thinking, &#8220;I&#8217;m a little overwhelmed by all of this! And, what can I do to really denote my business is &#8220;green&#8221;?&#8221; It’s completely probable in your business your Environmental Management System is only an approach for doing things that you believe are &#8220;green&#8221;, e.g., turning out lights, recycling, walking or biking to work, etc. (Don&#8217;t get me wrong! These are all important things to do.). But your process isn&#8217;t on paper and likely acknowledged only by one or some persons in management with little or no communication. Everyone has the &#8220;green essence&#8221; and every one is contributing by doing his or her personal action. </p>
<p>Not all organizations will wish to go through the ISO 14000 certification procedure (lots of large organizations do). Businesses that don&#8217;t wish to become certified can execute the norms to be considered as third party compliant. Environmental consulting firms can suggest several methods to execute an &#8220;ecological&#8221; business system that minimizes harmful outcomes on the environment caused by its actions in an effort to attain continual development of its ecological execution:</p>
<p>1. Plan &#8211; Define aims and make plans (examine your company&#8217;s situation, define your general aims and establish your temporary targets and develop plans to achieve them. <br />2. Do &#8211; Execute your plans (do what you defined). <br />3. Check &#8211; Evaluate your outcomes (evaluate/check how far your real accomplishments encounter your set aims. <br />4. Act &#8211; Fix and improve your plans and how you implement them (fix and understand from your errors to improve your plans in order to get best outcomes next time.</p>
<p>The thoughts that go into your strategy are derived from your specialized discipline type. The deepness and detail is also driven by your business&#8217; size, but lots of the similar rules apply: </p>
<p>- Waste and toxics elimination that includes, but is not limited to, product making, materials, manufacturing procedures, distribution, consumer and end of life for products you utilize in your every day business actions or products that you sell to others,</p>
<p>- Toxics decrease and elimination (&#8221;The Ban List&#8221;),</p>
<p>- Decrease Greenhouse gas emanations by performing teleconferencing and web conferencing instead of traveling,</p>
<p>- Location and decrease of wastes,</p>
<p>- Buy automobile hybrids,</p>
<p>- Other Transport (walking, car pooling, biking, public transportation),</p>
<p>- Community involvement and volunteering,</p>
<p>- Decrease utilization of non-biodegradable products (plastics),</p>
<p>- Enroll and contribute with groups devoted to giving control, observing field and implementing obedience,</p>
<p>- Buy from ISO 14000 certified sellers and manufacturers with active plans for soil, groundwater, surfacewater, and air regulations in third world countries that are defensive of human health and the environment (to US Environmental Protection Agency norms),</p>
<p>- Utilize used products,</p>
<p>- Protect resources (e.g., water),</p>
<p>- Substitute ineffective equipment that consumes power,</p>
<p>- Help and support state and local government (towns, counties) to establish and implement ecological sustainability policy, guidelines and regulations for companies that want to run business in their areas,</p>
<p>- Join organizations in your specialized field that help you in executing ecological sustainability for your services and products,</p>
<p>- Take action following Best Management Practices (e.g., reusing).</p>
<p>The objective of any EMS, directing to ecological sustainability, and the goal of environmental consulting firms, is to decrease our carbon trail on the world. I hope I have been successful in increasing your attentiveness, awareness and integrity about what &#8220;green&#8221; means. Today it&#8217;s time for action! In the future after your business builds and executes an EMS program you can be proud to represent that your business is &#8220;green&#8221;.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.vernonenvironmental.com/articles/index.php/environmental-consulting-firms">www.VernonEnvironmental.com &#8211; Environmental Consulting Firms</a></strong></p>
<p> environmentalconsultingfirms<br />http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/environmental-consulting-firms-700137.html</p>
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		<title>Do You Have A Good Garden Plan</title>
		<link>http://valleyfeverarts.com/greenhouse-plans/do-you-have-a-good-garden-plan</link>
		<comments>http://valleyfeverarts.com/greenhouse-plans/do-you-have-a-good-garden-plan#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:18:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[greenhouse plans]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[An attractive garden is a dream which requires proper planning and careful nurturing. To create a beautiful landscape around your dream home you need basic garden plans to begin with. These garden plans are generally provided by a professional garden planner or landscape designer.
The garden plans can be of many types. You can plan for [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>An attractive garden is a dream which requires proper planning and careful nurturing. To create a beautiful landscape around your dream home you need basic garden plans to begin with. These garden plans are generally provided by a professional garden planner or landscape designer.</p>
<p>The garden plans can be of many types. You can plan for more than just beautifying your garden, your Garden plans can also be made to decide the theme of the garden. Some of the popular garden plans are:<br />
* Garden for full sun<br />
* Garden for shade<br />
* Corner of grasses<br />
* Corner of shrubs<br />
* Corner of perennials<br />
* Island bed<br />
* Privacy garden<br />
* Butterfly garden<br />
* Fragrant garden<br />
* Vegetable garden<br />
* Bird-friendly garden<br />
* Clay soil garden</p>
<p>Garden plans give an aesthetic dimension to the garden along with its basic theme. Color schemes, quality and variety of plants, height of the plants, border, flooring etc are done to give the garden its uniqueness. The color scheme of the garden is created blending the different colored and textured plants. The plants are also selected according to their height which creates the contour of the garden and the skyline of the garden. Garden plans also include the kind of plants to be used according to the theme chosen. For example a fragrant garden will contain flower plants or the bird-friendly gardens will have the high trees for the birds to reside. The butterfly garden may have the plants that caterpillars feed on.</p>
<p>It is very important that the garden plans are both beautiful and emotionally restorative. A garden can provide a visual, perfumed, sound and tactile, sensory experience. The garden design needs to compliment the home and connect the interiors with the external environment, making the most of the available usable areas. Master planners know that the selection of plants is of equal importance along with their strategic placement on the landscape. Garden plans also include the planning of the garden gates, arbors, gazebo as well as garden furniture.</p>
<p>Modular design and a unique frame layout can make a simple garden gazebo. The garden gazebo is the perfect place to relax or to hold family dinners, weddings, and other special events. A gazebo in the garden plan ensures a favorite spot to unwind. Another important criterion for the garden is its gate. An attractive gate makes a warm welcome for guests. The gate combined with a proper floor or patio definitely draws one outdoors. The proper garden furniture also comes under the garden plans. The furniture is decided according to the theme of the garden. For example an arbor is inevitable for a bird-friendly garden. With a canopy one can relax in the shade of an arbor garden even during the sunniest days. A greenhouse can be created to protect the outdoor plants from damage by frost and cold weather, if you want to make your own then a good start for <a href="http://greenhouse-plans4u.com">greenhouse plans</a> can be found here.</p>
<p>William McRea<br />
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/do-you-have-a-good-garden-plan-98707.html</p>
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		<title>Greener Houses Can Offset Greenhouse Gases</title>
		<link>http://valleyfeverarts.com/greenhouse-plans/greener-houses-can-offset-greenhouse-gases</link>
		<comments>http://valleyfeverarts.com/greenhouse-plans/greener-houses-can-offset-greenhouse-gases#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:18:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[greenhouse plans]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[
In a recent interview on British TV, Chancellor Gordon Brown called on households to do more to cut greenhouse gases, in effect, by making homes better insulated and more fuel-efficient. The climate change bill ambitiously seeks to cut emissions by 60% by the year 2050. Is this viable in today&#8217;s &#8220;me&#8221; society? Or over time [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>
<p>In a recent interview on British TV, Chancellor Gordon Brown called on households to do more to cut greenhouse gases, in effect, by making homes better insulated and more fuel-efficient. The climate change bill ambitiously seeks to cut emissions by 60% by the year 2050. Is this viable in today&#8217;s &#8220;me&#8221; society? Or over time will we slowly turn into a &#8220;them&#8221; society? Is this compatible with capitalism? And just how easy is it to turn an existing house into a green one? Guy Alexander Bell, editor of the online magazine &#8220;Never Paint Again&#8221; suggests some things we could to make our home, and our lifestyle within it, more green…</p>
<p>With more &#8220;green&#8221; legislation coming into building design and construction, more and more houses and commercial buildings are being built with &#8220;green&#8221; credentials. Things such as solar panels, better insulation, timber from sustainable sources, are just a few of the latest trends in building, but what about existing and older buildings? In this article we look at various steps that the average person can take in order to make their older house a bit more environmentally friendly for future generations. </p>
<p>How can a hundred year old house be green, or made to be green? </p>
<p>Putting aside the notion of actually painting it green (Doh!) and embracing the literal sense, what can be done for old houses? If we consider VERY old house, dating back to maybe 1600, it could be argued that these houses were far more green than modern ones, or even ones built over the past 100 years, but why is that? </p>
<p>When a house was built 400 years ago, it was built with whatever was around (in the literal sense) at the time. So if it was being built near a quarry, it would be made of local stone. If there were reed beds or hay etc nearby, it would have a thatched roof, making use of crops that would have otherwise been burnt or thrown away. If it was near the sea, many of the timbers would be recycled from old ships or boats, and in fact many buildings in established seaside locations in and around the British isles have some surprises in their lofts when you look! Many an old ships mast was made into a staircase, and timbers were used in the roof and for lintels above doors and windows. The global transport infrastructure did not exist then. Goods were sourced locally, or at least brought by sea, river or canal, from somewhere fairly nearby. </p>
<p>When undertaking home improvements on a more modern house, it difficult in todays world to keep your green credentials. For example, what about all the car journeys to go and fetch the new items from the DIY shop? What about the builders turning up in their old van? For a month. (plus in some cases, the amount of methane builders&#8217; emit! Cups of tea are very important to a builder, but not too many, and make sure no egg sandwiches and baked beans are served!) </p>
<p>What about the fact that the items (paint, tools, whatever you buy), have probably clocked up loads of &#8220;carbon miles&#8221; by being shipped around the world, and sometimes from countries with very poor human right records? </p>
<p>That&#8217;s not very green is it? </p>
<p>So how can you make an old house green? </p>
<p>Well if the interior is concentrated on first, steps could be taken such as solar powered heating and power from rooftop or garden based wind power units. Setting them up can be expensive, but the cost is falling all the time. Make enough power, and if you have a surplus, you can sell it back to the national grid, although how long it would be before the government find a way to tax that is another matter, although inevitable, it could be argued! </p>
<p>If we all generated our own electric like this, the need to build new power stations would diminish. You need to take a long term view on this, and it is only the most ardent &#8220;pioneers&#8221; who are doing this at present. Also why not use solar powered lights in the garden? </p>
<p>Interior </p>
<p>You could also hang curtains made from hemp and buy some new green-friendly furniture. You could buy decent second hand curtains or even furniture from a charity shop (many sell nearly new ones at bargain prices), and from an ethical point of view, you&#8217;ve donated to a worthwhile cause. Re-use, don&#8217;t throw away, even if you can afford to buy new, do you really HAVE to? </p>
<p>Buy &#8220;A graded&#8221; energy efficient appliances such as dishwashers, fridges etc and these will save you money too. Take baths instead of showers. During the autumn months, install cheap and effective draught excluders to cut down on heat loss. Have double glazing fitted if you don&#8217;t have it already, although wooden double glazing is better as UPVC manufacture is perhaps not as environmentally friendly as it could be. Or if you&#8217;re rich, get a &#8220;little man&#8221; to do it (!) (The butler?) </p>
<p>Your plans could also include bizarre sounding ideas like chairs and sofas made from recycled bottles and cushions with recycled stuffing, deck chairs made of old milk cartons, and chairs made with removable, washable and replaceable covers. Do you really need to buy brand new furniture? </p>
<p>Also try and find a local workshop or skilled tradesman who could make the furniture locally, preferably from re-used wood. From experience this is harder to find depending on where you live. </p>
<p>If doing an extension or major refurbishment, you could also install wood floors made from reclaimed pallets; you could install long life low emission fluorescent bulbs, and install skylights roof windows or larger windows around the house to minimize daytime lighting needs. And throughout the house why not use non-toxic, water-based paints? </p>
<p>Very importantly, make sure your loft is well insulated. Many local councils in the UK run a &#8220;warm homes&#8221; scheme for people on low incomes. This was in fact a little known piece of government legislation that enabled this and is covered in full under the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000. Take advantage of these. Most heat loss contrary to what &#8220;smarmy&#8221; double glazing salesmen tell you, is through the roof, not the windows! </p>
<p>Exterior </p>
<p>The exterior of the house also needs attention. Use water catchment systems like water &#8220;butts&#8221; to harvest water for watering plants etc. Make sure all your windows are in good condition and are clean to let in the most light. Make sure there are no areas where damp can get into the house. Damp can not only make your house feel colder, it can also very badly affect your health (buy to let landlords take note please).</p>
<p>Make sure the walls are in good condition and get them repainted regularly. One option would be to choose a professional specialist company to apply a long life exterior wallcoating. This specialist high performance paint is installed with either a spray or a roller, depending on the material used. </p>
<p>Not only can it cut down on spending money year after year repainting, it can also stop damp and make the inside of the house warmer due to not only cutting out wind chill, but also insulating properties too. Most of these coatings are far thicker than paint and they don&#8217;t need to be redone ever year, so that&#8217;s about 10 coats of paint at the same time, saving money and the environment in the long term, especially as many are made with natural dyes and resins in small to mid size manufacturing facilities instead of huge multinational factories belching out smoke and chemicals. The best site to find out more info about insulating exterior coatings for houses is the world renowned www.neverpaintagain.co.uk </p>
<p>The other benefit is that the work is done ONCE every 25 years instead of every year, thus less materials used in time, less van and lorry journeys, and less pollution. (and less money) </p>
<p>Do more research about how to make your house greener, get involved. There are plenty of great websites out there that can offer some valuable help and advise to start going green, and staying green, but its anyone&#8217;s guess as to whether the whole world will take note, but its worth a go. </p>
<p>Green lifestyle </p>
<p>There are other smaller things you can do to make your household use less energy and be more green. Consider a hybrid (electric) car. A combination of an electric motor and a normal one. Few cars have them (probably due to pressure from huge oil companies to buy more fuel), but one day these will probably be the norm. If the public transport system in the Uk wasn&#8217;t so awful, you could consider taking a bus or train (where they still exist), although if renovating a house, that&#8217;s going to be pretty hard, but tell that to the government! </p>
<p>Don&#8217;t leave your TV, stereo etc on standby. If you&#8217;re not using it, switch it off. Cup of tea? Don&#8217;t fill the kettle up for one cup, you&#8217;re throwing money away. Off on a plane? With cheap flights it&#8217;s tempting but think what you are doing to the planet. Why not holiday in the UK instead. (no, don&#8217;t laugh!) </p>
<p>Can we move to a society where we can all &#8220;carbon offset&#8221; anything we do that uses energy? Carbon offsetting is whereby if you chop down 10 trees to build a house made of wood, then you replant 10 trees (or even more) to &#8220;offset&#8221; what you&#8217;ve done. A very brave vision indeed, although if society will change for the better, only time will tell. With summer around the corner, traditionally the busiest time in the UK for home improvement, just stop and think for a minute about what you&#8217;re doing! </p>
<p>Unless you&#8217;re mega rich, do you REALLY need that outside spa? Do you REALLY need to buy brand new chain store furniture? And why put a finish outside that you have to repaint every 2 years or so? Whats the point? Evidence from various sources, and from my own analysis, suggest that the housing market in the UK maybe up for a sharp drop in 2008. </p>
<p>As being &#8220;green&#8221; and environmentally sound is becoming far more popular as people become aware of what they are doing to the planet, a &#8220;green&#8221; house, or at least a house that is energy efficient, coupled with one that is in good repair and visually appealing, will be easier to sell, and cheaper to maintain in the long term and will provide instant street cred, with the advantage of helping to save our planet. </p>
<p>So what&#8217;s stopping you becoming green now? </p>
<p> Author<br />http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/greener-houses-can-offset-greenhouse-gases-116454.html</p>
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		<title>Setting Up A Greenhouse</title>
		<link>http://valleyfeverarts.com/greenhouse-plans/setting-up-a-greenhouse</link>
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		<pubDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:18:38 +0000</pubDate>
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				<category><![CDATA[greenhouse plans]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[
If you are a gardener who doesn&#8217;t want your level of success to be determined by the weather, setting up greenhouses may be your solution. Not only will your crops not be subject to damage from the weather, you can actually control the climate in a greenhouse.
Having the ability to manage the environment in your [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><p>
<p>If you are a gardener who doesn&#8217;t want your level of success to be determined by the weather, setting up greenhouses may be your solution. Not only will your crops not be subject to damage from the weather, you can actually control the climate in a greenhouse.</p>
<p>Having the ability to manage the environment in your garden can make it possible for you to cultivate plants that don&#8217;t normally grow in your climate. By controlling the conditions, you can even produce out of season. This is really an avid gardener&#8217;s fantasy. Greenhouses unlock the barriers to gardening by making it viable to grow anything, anytime, no matter where you live.</p>
<p>There are several things that you need to know when planning on setting up greenhouses. Taking care to plan will increase your potential while saving you money. It requires a little research, lots of thought and that loathed process of budgeting, but all in all, it is lots of fun, especially when the planning is done and you can make your ambition of being a phenomenal gardener a reality.</p>
<p>There are five things to be considered in the planning process:</p>
<p>? Different types of greenhouses<br />
? Greenhouse accessories<br />
? Needs assessment<br />
? Location<br />
? Budget</p>
<p>After building the knowledge, determining your needs, selecting a location, and setting your budget, you will be ready to devise a plan and put it into action!</p>
<p>Types of greenhouses<br />
Building your knowledge concerning the different types of greenhouses will make the process so much easier. There are various different types including different sizes, shapes and building materials. Whether you are planning for a huge garden, a small garden, or an herb box, there are greenhouses available for you. Hobby gardening to commercial gardening can be accommodated.</p>
<p>Greenhouses are available in several sizes. They range from a window box to a full-size building. You can select an attached greenhouse (attached to your house or another building), or a free-standing greenhouse. There are even portable greenhouses, or hobby greenhouses, that can easily fit on your porch.</p>
<p>A lean-to shape is common with attached greenhouses, although an even-span can be attached too. A window-mounted greenhouse is a small, attached greenhouse. Free-standing greenhouses can take any shape and size.</p>
<p>What is more to important to some than shape or size is the building materials used in the construction of a greenhouse. The materials used will determine the cost, the durability and the level of maintenance that will be required to keep the greenhouse in good shape. Some materials will require a permanent foundation; while some that are intended to be portable, won&#8217;t require a permanent foundation.</p>
<p>The frame of a free-standing greenhouse can be made of wood or pipe with choices of different grades of wood, plastic, aluminum, or galvanized steel pipe. The type of framing material may be dependent on your choice of coverings. For coverings you may choose tempered glass, fiberglass or plastic film. In selecting the materials, you should consider the pros and cons of each as well as the cost, maintenance requirement and durability.</p>
<p>If you are building the greenhouse yourself, you should check with your local building inspector to find out about recommendations for materials in your area and whether or not a building permit is required.</p>
<p>Greenhouse accessories<br />
It is best to become familiar with greenhouse accessories before you select your greenhouses or develop your budget. In order for your greenhouse to work, there are some accessories that you will definitely need. Other accessories are for convenience.</p>
<p>One of the most important accessories to consider is watering devices, because plumbing may be required. Plumbing can really cut into your budget. So, it is a good idea to check out the options for watering your plants inside your greenhouse. Of course, you can carry water and hand-water your plants if you have the time, but there are watering devices that will automatically water as instructed.</p>
<p>The next most significant knowledge to build is about climate and light control equipment. This includes equipment that will help you to control the environment in your greenhouse. Temperature control equipment such as heating systems and solar panels will allow you to control the heat, while evaporative coolers, humidification devices and shade cloths can help to cool and humidify the area. Ventilation and air circulation equipment may be necessary too. Artificial lighting can be used to compensate for sunlight if the greenhouse doesn&#8217;t get enough sunlight.</p>
<p>Control equipment really adds potential to your greenhouse. It can actually create an environment that best suits your garden, regardless of your climate or the weather. Control equipment can be automated, where it takes care of itself, or it can be manually implemented as needed.</p>
<p>Of course you will need planters, pots or containers, unless you plant right in the ground.  Plant stands and shelves will allow you to plant more in less space. You will also have to have the basic gardening supplies including hand tools.</p>
<p>These are a few of the necessary greenhouse accessories. In your research, you will become familiar with lots of accessories that make gardening in a greenhouse a whole lot simpler and more enjoyable.</p>
<p>Assessing your needs<br />
It is very important that you assess your needs. Otherwise, you will likely end up getting something that doesn&#8217;t meet your needs. When that happens, you will end up spending loads of money to revamp your plan after you find out that greenhouses you have selected aren&#8217;t sufficient.</p>
<p>After you have done all of the research on types of greenhouses and greenhouse accessories, you will know what is available. You will probably know what you want, but you need to make sure that it will meet your needs.</p>
<p>Now is the time to decide if you want a large greenhouse, or maybe more than one small greenhouse. It all depends on what you are planting and the best environment for the plants. For example, if you are planting plants that grow best in dry environment along with plants that require humidity, it will be best to have two greenhouses so that you have the ability to control environment appropriately.</p>
<p>Decide what you are going to plant and do the research to determine the best growing conditions for the plants. This will help to establish what you need in terms of greenhouses and accessories for controlling the environment.</p>
<p>Selecting a location<br />
Location of the greenhouse will dictate what gardening accessories are needed in regard to lighting control. Some plants don&#8217;t require a lot of light, while some require sunlight for the whole day. Positioning your greenhouse will determine whether or not you need artificial lighting. Choose a location where the greenhouse gets sunlight all day if you can. If you can&#8217;t, be sure to plan for artificial lighting to compensate for shady hours in the day.</p>
<p>Budgeting<br />
Budgeting is usually the first thing you do when planning a project. You probably had some idea of how much money you could spend on your greenhouse project, but after doing all the research, you are likely to find that you need more money to get exactly what you want.</p>
<p>Now is the time to separate your wants from your needs. This may include formulating two budgets, one for now and one for later. For now, take your current budget and plan to purchase the things that you need to get your greenhouse going. Your budget may decide whether you will buy prefabricated greenhouses, have your greenhouses built, or built them yourself. It may decide what accessories you can get now, and what conveniences you will have to put off until later. Later, you can always add-on or buy additional accessories to enhance your gardening experience.</p>
<p>Be sure to put your greenhouse plans in writing including drawings of what your long-term plan includes. This will help you or your contractor to remember what you are shooting for throughout the project. With good written plans, you won&#8217;t accidentally place things where they will have to moved or torn down to expand your greenhouse. Of course, things can be moved, but moving them can be expensive and can jeopardize the strength and durability of the materials.</p>
<p>Planning before you start to build greenhouses is vital. It can save you lots of money and make budgeting so much easier. It can actually set long-term plans to create the perfect gardening atmosphere, one that you will be proud of and enjoy working in.</p>
<p>Every gardener has a dream. Make the vision a goal, and you&#8217;ll definitely realize it. Making the gardener&#8217;s dream come true is promising with a little research, a lot of planning, patience, and hard work. It may not be something that you can have tomorrow, but you can start small and build-up over time until you have the garden that you never imagined possible.</p>
<p>If you have done a good job of planning, the future won&#8217;t include wasting your money by tearing down your insufficient greenhouse. Your greenhouse will be an investment in your long-term gardening plans.</p>
<p> David Beart<br />http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/setting-up-a-greenhouse-135874.html</p>
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