Published on: 16 November 2016
Last Updated on: 11 September 2024
Whether you are looking for a comprehensive roof repair service for an old building or a new roof installation, employing a professional commercial & roofing company can help you achieve your investment goals in a cost-effective manner. That being said, due to prevalent misconceptions about roofing services, may commercial property owners overlook the importance of hiring a professional roofer that not only enhance the life of the roof but also adds value to overall property investment. This blog post covers five common myths about commercial roofing companies and their services that commercial property owners must avoid to realize the real benefits of commercial roofing companies.
Myth 1: “Roofing is a one-time investment”
Regular roof maintenance program helps in keeping your roof in shape. It also preserves the roof warranty, as many manufacturers nullify the warranty if they find out that the particular roof lacked proper attention. Additionally, having a proper roof maintenance plan in place helps investors in filing a roof insurance claim.
Image source: azhandymanroofing.biz
Myth 2: “All commercial roofing companies are the same”
As a commercial property owner, you should not make a mistake of trusting every local roofing contractor. It is likely that the contractor you hire turns out to be a “storm chaser” who set-up a temporary office in a particular region and then moves to another storm hit location. This, in turn, can affect you in the long run, when you require their assistance for warranty or other services, as they won’t be there for the help. Search for reputable commercial roofing companies that will always be there to assist you at every step.
Myth 3: “Cheap roofing materials can get the job done”
The type of roofing material that goes in your roofing system has a great impact on its long term sustenance. It is, therefore, important to choose the right material suiting your needs, prevalent climatic condition, and the budget. That is when a professional roofer can help you select the right roofing material without having to run from pillar to post.
Myth 4: “Roof repair is a DIY Job”
It is usually less expensive to fix things using a DIY approach, but for a job as complex as a roof repair or installation, DIY is not the right thing to do. The complexity of the project requires expertise, the right set of tools, and safety measures to ensure quality repair or installation. A licensed roofer has required expertise and skills to examine and carry out roof repair in a cost-effective manner.
Myth 5: “Gutters play no role in the roofing system”
You are committing a huge mistake if you overlook the maintenance of roof gutter as part of your roof repair services. While roof shields the home from rainwater, gutters keep the rainwater away from the exterior walls and foundation. Over time, unkempt gutters accumulate debris resulting in clogged gutters that can lead to backward flow of water and ultimately roof leaks. Therefore, regular gutter inspection, cleaning, and maintenance is a must to prevent roof leaks.
Wrapping Up
Regular roof maintenance is important for all type of commercial units. Don’t let the myths mentioned in this post prevent yours from hiring professional commercial roofing companies that not only enhance the life of your roofing system but also add value to your investment. For more details about roofing services and its benefits, get in touch with a reputable commercial roofing company that can help you keep the best foot forward.
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Plants and humans have a long mutual understanding relationship since the beginning of this civilization. Mother Nature has provided us a diverse range of flora that caters to our various requirements of nourishment, clothing, commercially important products, oilseeds and other such things for the growth of mankind.
Not just that, there are other plants that are known to bring good luck, positive vibes, improved health and a host of other such benefits. These good luck plants need to be a part of every home due to their significance and importance. You need to grow these auspicious plants and also send good luck plant to other people. Check out these five best good luck plants that can help in transforming your home environment completely.
The Lucky bamboo plant:
It is one of the most importantly good luck plants that has a great significance in Chinese tradition. This lucky bamboo plant is a part of Feng Shui and is quickly adopted by the people in modern times. This good luck plant helps in keeping the family together and is an effective home décor item. If you are unable to find this lucky bamboo plant in your local nursery, you can easily buy good luck plants online through various stores.
The Four Leaf Clover plant:
This good luck plant is a native of the USA and consists of four miraculous leaves. The plant is a mutant variety of the normal clover plant that is found at rare places. The four-leaf clover is said to bring good luck or fortune and this sentiment is based on a 17th-century belief. According to the ancient belief, finding a four-leaf clover is said to bring a good thing for the person.
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The Tulsi or The Holy Basil plant:
Tulsi is one of the good luck plants that can be widely seen in numerous homes of Hindu families. It is considered as the wife of “Lord Krishna” and is meant as very sacred or pure. This good luck plant is said to possess magical medicinal properties and removes the negative energy from the homes. The significance of the basil plant is also mentioned in the religions like Islam and Christianity which considers it as a “divine plant”. You can even send good luck plant of basil to your close friends and relatives as an ideal gift.
The Snake plant:
This good luck plant is believed to absorb certain poisonous gases from the internal air of our home. Snake plant releases a large amount of water vapor and helps in maintaining the humidity in our surroundings. If you are thinking about how to get this plant, here is the solution for you. You can easily buy this plant from an online good luck plants store without any need to step outside.
The Money plant:
Money plant is an important member of the good luck plant family. It can be easily grown in a jug of water and are seen as creepers in various homes. You need to point the shoot of this money plant in the upward direction in order to bring wealth and good luck to your home.
So, visit your nearest plant nursery or buy good luck plants online from a store to enhance the internal appeal and aura of your homes. Involve these good luck plants as a home décor item and experience their multiple benefits yourself.
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Since lettuce plants grow best in cool growing seasons, most lettuce varieties are classified as spring or fall greens. However, if the longer days are keeping your lettuce plant producing leaves well into the summer and it hasn't bolted yet, here are some excellent tips to follow to maximize your harvest.
Taking individual leaves off the plant is one way to increase its yield. Alternatively, you could sow in succession every two weeks in the early spring or fall to continue the harvest. To offer lettuces shade and protection from the hot summer sun and high temperatures, a third method is to interplant with a taller crop. Lastly, cultivators should seek out cultivars known for their slow bolting, like the looseleaf varieties "Slobolt" and "Sierra."
Here is how to harvest lettuce so you can eat some leaves right away and encourage the plant to continue growing more.
How To Harvest Lettuce?
If you want to harvest lettuce and do not know how to go about it, here are all the details. Follow the steps closely to get the healthiest and crispiest lettuce for your salads and sandwiches.
Plant Looseleaf Varieties
Your lettuce variety should be ready to harvest in 35 days, according to the seed packet, which means you should have large enough leaves to pick a little more than a month after planting. By regularly picking the outer leaves, you may be able to extend the harvest until late June if you sow seeds in March or April.
Begin Harvesting Early in The Season
Young lettuce plants will be harmed by light frost, but mature plants can withstand it. If you live in an area where there is no winter frost, you can plant early and begin harvesting the outer leaves when they get to be 4 or 6 inches long. Your harvest can last up to 30 days longer if you plant and harvest early.
Pick Lettuce in The Morning
It is ideal to harvest lettuce early in the day to avoid the leaves wilting due to the intense heat. The leaves are crispest and flavorful in the morning because they contain the most water.
Look For Plants with Large Outer Leaves
The center of the crown is where the new growth starts on the lettuce. You must remove the largest, oldest leaves that are about 4-6 inches long. You will find these leaves on the outside of the plant.
Cut or Pinch The Outer Leaves
At 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the base, pinch off each outer leaf. To break the leaf off the crown, apply just enough pressure with your thumb and forefinger. Another option is to use a sterile, sharp scissor or snipping tool, though there is disagreement about whether doing so accelerates the browning of cut edges.
Harvest Until it Flowers
When older, mature leaves are consistently removed, the lettuce plant is encouraged to grow new leaves in their place. Harvesting individual leaves is possible until the plant produces a flower stalk, which indicates that it is ready to bolt and set seed. Lettuce turns bitter once it bolts.
When to Harvest Lettuce?
As soon as the lettuce is large enough to pick, it can be harvested. A seed packet will typically tell you how many days it will take to harvest. For the "cut and come again" method of harvesting loose leaves, standard-size varieties are the most effective. When outer leaves are 4 to 6 inches tall, that's the best time to begin harvesting.
There are many varieties of lettuce seeds available, including blends and mesclun mixes. The best varieties to plant for a continuous harvest are called bi-colored, spotted, or loose-leaf lettuces in green and red or burgundy tones. The following are some varieties you might want to try:
Black Seeded Simpson
Green Salad Bowl
Freckles
Lolla Rossa
Gourmet Mesclun Blend
Deer Tongue
Garden Leaf Blend
Loose leaf lettuce varieties yield the best results from the cut-and-come-again method. Red, green, and oak leaf lettuce are a few examples. Additionally, you can wait to pick until a full head has matured or harvest early leaves from loose-heading varieties like butterhead and romaine.
When and How to Gather Lettuce Heads
The growth habit of head lettuce is akin to that of cabbage. In order to form a dense, rounded, or clumped shape, younger leaves emerge from the center, and older leaves form layers. There are two types of head lettuce: loosehead (similar to romaine) and crisphead (like iceberg).
Let the crisphead varieties mature for a single harvest and keep an eye on them in accordance with the days to harvest specified on the seed packet. When the heads are dense and the appropriate size, they are ready to be picked.
If you remove the outer leaves once or twice, loosehead lettuces will still head. However, the size of the fully mature head may decrease as a result. These lettuces can produce a head of looser layering or wrapping leaves (butterhead) or a clump of tall, straight leaves (romaine).
Remove crispheads by chopping off the stem just below the center. Loose heads can be trimmed similarly or removed, with roots and subterranean stems cut back to the leaf base, depending on size.
What Happens If a Flower Stalk Bolts
A lettuce plant will eventually shoot up a flower stalk in the center, a sign that it has reached the end of its life and is ready to bolt, or bloom, and set seed. Though they might still be edible, the lettuce leaves are starting to get tough and bitter. There is no stopping flowering once this process has begun. Throw away the plant and plant again if the weather permits.
Types of Lettuce
There are four types of lettuce you can choose from when choosing which to grow: leaf, butterhead (loosehead), romaine, and head lettuce.
When it comes to cultivation and harvesting, the main distinction is that leaf lettuce crops yield several harvests, whereas head lettuce varieties, such as iceberg, romaine, and butterhead, only yield one harvest. Leaf lettuces are, therefore, a favorite among home gardeners since you can grow them in raised beds, on the ground, or in patio containers.
Keep in mind that lettuce is a cool-season crop, so you should schedule your harvest for the spring when the temperature is still cool. Such temperatures are usually around 70 degrees. Find out when the first frost occurs in your area each fall and plant appropriately. Starting fall crops from seed indoors and moving them outside as the weather cools down may be the best option.
Seek out head lettuce cultivars such as Crisphead and Iceberg that you can grow from seed. In roughly six weeks, the lettuce will reach maturity and be ready for harvest after the seeds have germinated in 10 to 21 days.
One loose butterhead variety that you can grow from seed or seed tape is called Buttercrunch. It takes 65 days to be ready for harvest.
Vivian is one of the romaine varieties that yields soft, flavorful leaves. Directly sow seeds in the garden in the spring. Start seeds indoors in the fall and transplant them to your garden.
Varieties of loose-leaf lettuce grow quickly and are enjoyable to experiment with in salads, sandwiches, and other culinary creations. Look for mesclun mixes and heirloom cultivars such as "Black Seeded Simpson." Many come in simple-to-grow seed tapes that can be harvested in roughly seven weeks.
How to Harvest Leaf Lettuce?
When the weather gets chilly, you can harvest salad from a leaf lettuce crop in your home garden whenever you're ready to eat. You can harvest an entire crop of lettuce at once by waiting for it to mature. However, cutting fresh lettuce leaves off as they grow is the easiest way to prepare them for consumption at any time.
Depending on the variety, lettuce leaves should be harvested when they reach a length of 3 to 6 inches. Gather leaves continuously until the lettuce plant "bolts." This indicates that the plant has focused its energy on developing seeds and flowers, and as a result, the leaves typically develop tough stems and a bitter taste.
How to Harvest a Full Head of Lettuce?
A lettuce plant can continue to grow until it produces a full head of leaves. Use the "one and done" approach when harvesting head lettuce. Just make a clean, above-soil knife cut across the entire head of lettuce at the base of the plant. For this, a harvest knife comes in handy.
Remember the seed packet and note the maturity or harvesting days. As your plants get bigger, keep an eye out for indicators of maturity, which are typically firm, full heads. Harvest in the spring before it gets too hot, usually when the daytime highs hit 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The bitter taste of the leaves and the mushy head of lettuce can result from warm weather.
How to Store Lettuce?
When the lettuce is inside, you can use a colander to wash the leaves and thick cotton towels to dry them so you can use them in salads and sandwiches. In case you cultivate a lot of lettuce, investing in a salad spinner would be wise. It helps dry and wash Lettuce quickly.
Lettuce leaves without water should be refrigerated. For most greens, store the leaves in a loose plastic bag for approximately a week. When the salad greens are ready to be eaten, give them a good rinse in several runs of cold water and then pat dry.
How to Harvest Lettuce Microgreens?
Microgreens are incredibly simple to harvest! When the first true leaves appear, after ten to fifteen days of planting the seeds, they will be ready. When the microgreens are two to three inches long, harvest them if you are measuring them by height.
Investigating the flavor profiles of the microgreens at various heights is enjoyable. Cut the entire plant ½ inch above the soil line with a pair of scissors or grass shears. If you need more inspiration, check out our many other interesting gardening tips for growing microgreens, like growing lettuce microgreens!
How to Harvest Romaine Lettuce?
The leaves of romaine lettuce (also known as cos) have the perfect amount of crunch or crispness. The lettuce plant's outer leaves can be harvested as it grows. The leaves can be chopped off one to two inches above the ground. Gathering these tender green leaves now will give the lettuce more time to ripen before full plants can be harvested.
Before Romaine lettuce reaches maturity, it can take 55–70 days to grow from seed. To determine when the lettuce is ripe, examine it directly. When the romaine lettuce leaves are 6 to 8 inches tall, the ribs are firm and juicy, and the leaves have formed a tightly compacted head, the lettuce is ready for harvesting. To test if the lettuce head is firm, squeeze it.
Overripe head lettuce will be tough, while young head lettuce will be soft. Harvest by making a cut an inch above the ground, saving the crown for a subsequent harvest. You can harvest the lettuce head by digging up the entire plant if it is nearing the end of its garden lifespan.
Read More: Everything You Need To Know About Harvesting Basil!
Loose Leaf lettuce
The harvest window for leaf lettuce varieties is quite broad. After planting, the young, baby lettuce leaves can be harvested 25 days later, and the plant will mature fully in 50–60 days. Make sure your crop is harvested prior to it bolting.
Since you can harvest loose-leaf lettuce more than once during the growing season, it's ideal for repeated harvesting. You can chop the entire lettuce plant 1-2" above the soil line once the leaves reach 4". In 10 to 15 days, fresh leaves that have sprouted from the base will be ready for harvesting again if the crown is left intact. Try spreading out your seed sowings and doing multiple sowings to ensure a consistent harvest all season long.
If you want to preserve the crisp flavor of the young baby greens, you should sow them again. Another method of harvesting involves leaving the inner leaves to grow while pruning the young leaves on the outside of the head for greens. When the plants are 4 inches tall, you can begin harvesting lettuce by cutting them just above the soil line.
Crisphead Lettuce
When grown locally, crisphead or iceberg lettuce makes for incredibly tasty salad greens. You might not get a whole head of lettuce, but this can be a cut-and-come-again harvest. A single harvest is more appropriate for this green lettuce. After planting, there is a 50 to 75-day window for harvest.
Iceberg lettuce can be harvested as soon as the head appears before the outer leaves turn brown and as soon as the center feels firm, and the leaves are compacted tightly. Before the crisp lettuce starts to open and the seed stalk starts to form, harvest it. More importantly, if you see the lettuce beginning to bolt—a common issue in hot weather—or the seed stalk, harvest it right away.
Harvesting iceberg lettuce is best done by digging up the entire plant and then cutting off the stalk. Because of its thick stem, this lettuce plant can be challenging to harvest while it is still in the ground. If you decide to harvest the lettuce while it's still in the ground, please take care not to harm it. You can cut the stem just below the leaves by lifting the lettuce upwards.
Wrapping Up
Nothing compares to the sheer satisfaction of harvesting and regrowing fresh, new lettuce from the same plant. You are far superior to other lettuce owners if you can figure out how to harvest lettuce correctly so that it keeps growing.
Thus, if you want to become a rich lettuce farmer, make sure you constantly and meticulously follow all the above steps! If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask about how to harvest lettuce, then please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you.
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Learning how to sew is one of the most amazing moments in life. Maybe you want to return some of the skills you lost early in life or you are learning the art of sewing for the first time in life. One challenge you could be having is how to choose the Best Sewing Machines for Beginners. The truth of the matter is that the market as a long list of machines that beginners can use. This can cause more confusion but an ideal machine will depend on what you wish to make. Maybe you want to whip up quilts or cushions. This article gives you the best recommendations from leading home sewers all over the world. These machines match the needs or beginners in the sewing industry.
10 Best Sewing Machines for Beginners:
1. Bernina B215 :
This is among the most affordable sewing machines from the Bernina brand. In fact, it is among the easiest computerized machines that you can find in the market. You simply have to press that is adjacent to your desired stitch and you are good to go. It has almost all the features of the machines that we are going to review in this article. However, this brand does not come with the start and stop button. You can also personalize it with vinyl ‘skins’ and you can do this on your own. With the LCD screen, you can view the snap-on presser foot you need to use. The additional accessories and machine feet can be quite expensive but it is worth the investment for any determined sewer.
2. Brother JK4000 :
This machine is normally marketed to individuals who possess intermediate sewing skills but I know of people who started by buying this fully computerized sewing model. In fact, it is one of the best sewing machines for beginners you can think about. The good thing with this sewing machine is that you will be able to grow with it. Therefore, you will not have to buy another sewing machine as your skills advance. It has a long list of features including the start and stops button and automatic foot release. This model really gives you the value for your money. You can easily use the LCD screen and dial to select stitches.
3. Brother Innovis NV15 Electronic :
This model can really change your mind whenever you are prompted to think about computerized devices. You may think that its features are confusing to beginners but you will discover that it has an intuitive interface upon trial. It has sixteen stitching options that include stretch stitches and you have a simple jog dial for selecting. The device has all the essential electronics like the start and stops button, needle threader, speed limiter, and the needle up and down control. Threading on this machine is east and it will even pull the bobbin thread up on your behalf.
4. Brother cs6000i :
This is a sixty-stitch sewing machine that is fully computerized. The model has the ability to satisfy both veterans and beginners alike. It is more valuable to buy this machine because it has more features in comparison to what other beginner devices that are in the same price range offer. Apart from the impressive 60-stitches, you will also find nine presser feet, LCD screen, quilting foot, and walking foot that is mostly found on more expensive devices. Its convenience and ease of use make it fall among the best sewing machines for beginners.
5. Janome DC3050 :
This is another computerized machine that is easy to understand. The good thing with this model is that you will not outgrow it quickly. It has a total of 47 pre-programmed stitches and 3 one-step buttonhole styles to select from. The machine is a genuine workhorse with its capacity to handle a broad range of fabrics with a lot of ease. It can even accommodate the slippery silks and thick coating that most basic machines can’t accommodate. Therefore, it is among the best sewing machines for quilting. The machine does not have several features like other sewing machines in this price range but it will give you real value for your money.
6. Singer 7258 :
This 100-stitch computerized sewing machine is ideal for beginners who have some experience and are looking for a machine that they can grow with. The easy to use features and advanced options in this machine blend quite well. This also includes
the six one-step buttonholes and ten presser feet. It is appropriate for any sewer who is gaining confidence and wishes to experiment with a more advanced machine.
7. Janome 7025 :
This sewing machine is quite similar to the Janome 525 that is used on The Great British Sewing Bee. However, this model is more affordable and ticks all the boxes. It has three dials for selecting the width, length, and type of the stitch. It has an automatic one-step buttonhole with an easy loading bobbin that has a clear cover. Janome 7025 sewing machine has more metallic parts in comparison to other brands and this makes it feel weightier for the price range. Any person who has done some form or sewing will find its set up to be quite easy.
8. Singer 4424 :
This is an extra-high-speed heavy duty sewing machine. The machine is tougher and speedier in comparison to the other sewing machines in the market. It can make 1100 stitches each minute due to its motor that is stronger than usual. The machine has 23 inbuilt stitches with a one-step buttonhole and four presser feet. Some of the features you will find on the Singer 4424 include dial controls, top-loading bobbin, needle threader, adjustable thread length, and a clear case for travel or storage. It’s the best option if you wish to work on thick or rugged fabrics like upholstery.
9. Singer 4411 Heavy Duty :
This sewing machine is specially designed to handle those heavy upholstery fabrics, vinyl, leather, and denim like a dream. It has smooth stitches and you can still use it for lightweight and delicate fabrics. One thing that may put off beginners is that this machine sews at some speed. Beginners may find it quite challenging to sink their teeth in some intricate projects. The ease of use and stitch quality will surely exceed your expectations. You can operate this machine for several days with no struggles at all.
10. John Lewis JL110 :
Are you on a budget and in the process of dipping the toe in the home sewing waters? This brand will offer the best service to you. It has 14 stitching options that can allow you to work on most of the projects. The machine also has a classic setup that allows you to saw at a fairly fast speed by just reading the manual. However, any person who wished to use stretch fabrics for sewing may lose control of the stitch width. The bobbin is also concealed behind a front door and you can really find it tricky to access it once you get a tangle. The beauty of it is that this machine is sturdy and you can find it in a broad range of colors. It is one of the best sewing machines for home use.
Summary :
With all this knowledge, you now have all it takes to pick the best sewing machines for beginners. The most important thing is to pick a gadget that can handle the kind of work you wish to undertake.
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