Published on: 08 March 2019
Last Updated on: 03 December 2019
Remodeling is a practice by many homeowners as a way to improve the appearance and increase the value of a house. Home renovations, whether big or small, can become stressful if the planning is not adequate. There is also a possibility that the outcome will not meet the homeowner’s expectations. To know more about successful home renovation, visit home remodeling & renovation guide.
Before undertaking a renovation, there are key planning steps that are crucial to carrying out the plan efficiently and smoothly.
Tips for a Successful Home Renovation:
Look for inspiration:
It is one thing to have a concept in your mind of the renovation outcome, but it is more important for this concept to be on paper. Detailed visuals of your plan, as well as examples of the kind of remodel you wish to have, are a good starting point to create a comprehensive plan for the builder.
It is easy enough to look for inspiration from the internet and magazines. If you are hiring an architect, you can present your ideas and allow the architect to execute the plan by picking up on details that will best suit the area being remodeled.
Set concrete goals:
Part of the planning process is to set specific and attainable goals. For example, how much time can you allow for the remodel? Are you renovating to prepare the house for a sale? Is the remodel meant to make the house more environment-friendly? All these factors need to be considered while finalizing the renovation plan.
Choose a builder:
Choosing a builder is one of the most vital decisions you will make if you plan to remodel your house. If you live in the Coventry area, you will be able to choose from various local builders Coventry offers. One of the main advantages of hiring a local contractor is the general knowledge of the local landscape as well as reduced expenses on logistics. In choosing a contractor, ask for references and check for feedback from clients.
Some established builders have websites or social media accounts you can visit if you are looking for more information about their business practices. It is essential to take time before deciding and choose a contractor that you are comfortable with. Also, you can maintain a professional working relationship once the work begins.
Set a budget:
From the time you start planning the renovation, a ballpark budget needs to be in mind at all times. It is easy for spending to get out of hand when you do not have a set guideline on how much you are willing to spend. If you spend too much, you will get into debt unnecessarily. First, consider the purpose of the renovation and decide on a reasonable amount to spend.
It will also help to compare your options by checking the cost of materials from one supplier to another. You may also ask the contractor for some tips on cheaper alternatives without compromising quality. As much as possible, seek the assistance of everyone who is involved in the renovation so that you can bounce ideas off them. And ultimately come up with a budget that you can afford while at the same time execute the renovation that you have envisioned.
I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.
Flowers represent the happiness and joy to everyone’s life. Flowers signify the fragrance which leaves an impression and graceful impact on anyone’s life. Beautiful flowers also denote the power of love which is good for gifting with these beautiful new love flowers.
Good for Gifting your Loved Ones:
Flowers are good for showing love to anyone you like, so you may gift it when you going to meet a proposal.
Good for gifting these beautiful new love flowers to your fiancé or spouse.
A beautiful gift for your family members when you meeting them after a long time.
A lovely gift for your friends, whom you want to make feel special.
These flowers can be gifted to your mentors also.
Wherever these beautiful new love flowers are gifted leave their remarkable fragrance on one’s mind.
Reasons for Gifting to your Loved Ones:
Reasons for gifting flowers to your loved ones can be many, but the intention can be similar that is to feel them special:
When flowers are gifted the purpose is to make someone feel special.
Gifting flowers is a good way to start communication among persons.
Gifting these beautiful flowers is to leave an impression among the person whom it is gifted.
Also, when you want to start or build up any relationship.
It is a good way of expressing your love and affection to your near and dear ones.
Different Flowers for Different Persons:
Roses are used romantically for the person you love and get surrounded with. Roses denotes the epitome of true love for peoples.
Lilies are the common flowers to show your direct love for someone in a fascinating way. It attracts people with the simplicity it represents.
Orchids flower are mainly known to attract your love. Orchid is rarely available in every color you want. The importance of this flower is that once you gift this flower to your beloved ones your bond will be more stronger than earlier.
Tulips are easily available in many colors. It is said that if you are seeking for a proposal to get converted fast than to gift tulip will do your task to get through with it. Tulip signifies a symbol of your ‘perfect love’.
Sunflower also very important and comes in many colors to brighten your love. Many of us are unaware of the fact that sunflower also represents the symbol of love. If someone is hesitant to propose their love than here gifting sunflower plays a major role to get it to work to achieve your love.
Blue Iris represents love and faith for someone. It communicates deep sentiments and emotions towards the person. This flower has a magical fragrance to attract a new lover on your path.
Carnations represent the love of admiration and appreciation to one another. The bouquet of carnation help to understand the love that the other person admires for.
Highlights the love for someone who is seeking through these beautiful new love flowers is necessarily important to show the love you seeking for.
Beautiful flowers are good gifts for all occasions like house warming parties, birthdays or used in offices. For many reasons it is used in the offices for decorations or in cakes and bakes, to decorate a house, etc.
Different flowers are there which will leave their fragrance all over a person's mind. Different flowers represent the different symbols and impacts of people's minds. They denote as per the requirement in someone's life. People are fascinated by new love flowers very much.
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In recent days, globalization has allowed the world to become everyone’s marketplace. Goods and services can move around easier. People from any country can enjoy products manufactured from halfway around the world. E-commerce has its advantages and disadvantages but sometimes the global competition hurts local manufacturers.
These days, anyone can purchase pieces of furniture from different parts of the world at a very competitive rate. This trend can be a challenge for local furniture makers and can result in inferior quality or shipping damages so it’s important to entertain the idea of buying locally.
Here are some benefits to buying locally-made furniture pieces:
1. Local commerce and economy thrives:
One of the best ways to support and encourage local business is to patronize local brands. If their companies are growing because of local consumer patronage, then they are likely to expand their businesses. Others who have an entrepreneurial mindset who haven’t started their venture yet will get an additional drive to start a business locally.
Aside from that, the money that you earn revolves locally as you purchase local products. The members of a society are interconnected with each other. The effect of buying products made by your fellow resident would affect the earning and purchasing power of those that they employ. Family-run businesses do not answer to outside big corporations. Their profit is at their own disposal thus giving them a choice to provide better compensation to their employees. If this sounds like something you’d support, click here to buy from a family-owned furniture business in Utica.
Your local products showcase your community and culture, and patronizing them would help support their production. If more people in the community engage with business, then it entails availability of variations of products and services to choose from. Also, supporting local products is way more than supporting the business itself; it means you are helping to sustain the identity of the actual products produced in your town or city.
2. Localized and personalized service:
The people behind the pieces of furniture in your house have faces and names that you are familiar with. Some may even be your friends and relatives. If any issues arise with your purchase, you can contact them without going through a lot of hassle.
From the delivery to the installation of your furniture, you are confident and comfortable because you know the people and you know how they work. You can rest assured that you’ll be getting the best pieces of furniture with quality service.
3. Local engagement:
The more you buy locally, the more you get to engage with your community. You help each other leverage the products made by your community and can find ways to work with each other to achieve common goals. There is no better place than a community where everyone helps each other out.
4. Guilt-free purchase:
Safeguarding the environment is a top priority because of the climate change issues that affect all of us. Buying a local product gives you the confidence that the materials are obtained legally and, in many cases, sustainably. You can take solace in the fact that the locally-made furniture was created within the bounds of environmental laws. You can assume that the logs weren’t illegally cut for your beautiful furniture piece.
To add to that, you may be surprised to find that your locally-made chair, bed frame, or table was made with materials sourced from your community or region, which entails less contribution to carbon emissions because there was minimal transportation involved.
5. Labor laws upheld:
It’s a great feeling when you know that you sit on a sofa made by artistic folks who are also well taken care of. They are well-compensated for the beautiful pieces they crafted and have medical insurance to keep them doing what they are doing best. Buying locally-made products oftentimes means enhanced transparency when it comes to the treatment of the workers.
As local owners generally uphold labor laws, safety and security of workers are also guaranteed. They don’t follow laws because they are forced by legislation. They follow them because the people working in their furniture shops belong to the community that they are also a member of. That sense of responsibility comes with the fact that within a tight-knit community, everyone’s welfare is being looked out for by each other.
Conclusion:
It can be tempting to buy imported products for various reasons ranging from affordability to the appeal of owning furniture from another country. Whatever your reason is, give it a thought or two as you decide whether to get your pieces of furniture from a store that sells locally-crafted pieces or those from abroad. Consider the benefits you and your community will reap.
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Basil is one of the most popular and versatile herbs you can grow in your garden or indoors. It has a fresh and aromatic flavor that can enhance any dish, from salads and soups to pizzas and pastas. Basil is also rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants just like cilantro. It can benefit your health and well-being. But how do you harvest basil properly so that it keeps growing and producing more leaves?
If these are some of the things you want to know, I have you covered! In this article, I will answer all these questions and more and give you everything you need to know about harvesting basil! So, keep on reading this blog till the end to learn more…
How to Harvest Basil Leaves?
The first thing you need to know about harvesting basil is when to do it. The best time to harvest basil leaves is in the morning when the plant is still fresh and moist. Avoid harvesting basil in the afternoon or evening when the plant is dry and wilted. Also, avoid harvesting basil when it is raining or wet, as this can cause the leaves to rot or mold.
Steps to Harvest Basil Leaves
To harvest basil leaves, you will need a pair of scissors or a sharp knife and a basket or a bowl to collect the leaves. You can also use your fingers to pinch off the leaves, but be careful not to damage the stem or the plant. Here are the steps to follow:
Start from the top of the plant, and look for the stems with leaf clusters. These are called the terminal buds, and they are where the basil flowers will grow. You want to remove these buds, as they will make the plant stop producing new leaves and focus on flowering and seeding. This will reduce the flavor and quality of the basil leaves.
Cut or pinch off the stem just below the terminal bud, leaving about a quarter of an inch of stem above the next pair of leaves. This will encourage the plant to grow two new stems from the leaf nodes and produce more leaves. You can also cut or pinch off any other stems that are too long or leggy and leave about four to six pairs of leaves on each stem.
Repeat this process for all the stems that have terminal buds, and collect the leaves in your basket or bowl. You can also harvest some of the lower leaves but leave enough leaves on the plant to allow it to photosynthesize and grow. You should not harvest more than a third of the plant at a time, as this can stress the plant and reduce its growth and health.
After harvesting, rinse the leaves with water and pat them dry with a paper towel. You can use them fresh or store them for later use.
How to Harvest Basil So It Keeps Growing
One of the benefits of harvesting basil is that it stimulates the plant to grow more leaves and branches and prevents it from flowering and seeding.
However, you need to harvest basil regularly and correctly, so that it keeps growing and producing more leaves.
Here are some tips to follow. For instance, you must harvest basil:
At least once every two weeks, or more often if you see the terminal buds forming. This will keep the plant bushy and compact and prevent it from becoming woody and bitter.
From different parts of the plant, and not always from the same spot. This will ensure that the plant grows evenly and does not become lopsided or uneven.
Before it flowers. This is because the flowers will reduce the flavor and quality of the leaves. If you see any flowers forming, remove them as soon as possible. You can also pinch off the flowers and use them as edible garnishes or decorations, as they have a mild and sweet flavor.
Before the frost, as the cold weather will kill the plant. You can either harvest the whole plant and store it for later use, or bring it indoors and keep it in a sunny and warm spot. You can also propagate the plant by taking cuttings and rooting them in water or soil and grow new plants for the next season.
How to Harvest Basil Without Killing The Plant?
Harvesting basil is different from harvesting lettuce or other plants. The process is good for the plant and you, as you can enjoy the fresh and aromatic leaves in your dishes.
However, you need to be careful not to harvest too much or too often, as this can harm and kill the plant.
Here are some dos and don'ts of harvesting basil without killing it:
Do harvest basil from the top of the plant, not the bottom or the middle. This will allow the plant to grow stems and leaves from the lower nodes and maintain its shape and structure.
Don't harvest basil from the main stem or cut it too close to the ground. This will damage the plant and prevent it from growing new stems and leaves. Leave at least four to six pairs of leaves on each stem and about an inch of stem above the ground.
Do harvest basil gently and carefully, and not roughly or forcefully. This will avoid injuring the plant and exposing it to diseases or pests. Use a sharp and clean tool, such as scissors or a knife, and make clean and smooth cuts. You can also use your fingers to pinch off the leaves but be gentle and precise.
Don't harvest basil when it is stressed or unhealthy, such as when it is wilting, yellowing, or diseased. This will weaken the plant and make it more susceptible to further damage. Wait until the plant recovers and looks healthy and green before harvesting. You can also water and fertilize the plant to help it grow and thrive.
Do harvest basil when it is young and tender, not old and tough. This will ensure the leaves are fresh, flavorful, and not bitter or woody. Harvest basil when the leaves are about two to three inches long before they curl or turn brown.
How to Pick Basil Leaves?
Picking basil leaves is another way to harvest and use the leaves in your dishes. You can pick basil leaves with your fingers or with a pair of tweezers, depending on your preference and convenience. Here are some tips on how to pick basil leaves. For instance, you can pick it:
From the top of the plant, not the bottom or the middle. This will allow the plant to grow stems and leaves from the lower nodes and maintain its shape and structure.
From the stems that have terminal buds, not from those that have none. This will prevent the plant from flowering and seeding and producing more leaves. You can also pick some of the lower leaves but leave enough leaves on the plant to allow it to photosynthesize and grow.
Gently and carefully, and not roughly or forcefully. This will avoid injuring the plant and exposing it to diseases or pests. Use your fingers to pinch off the leaves or a pair of tweezers to pluck them off. Be gentle and precise, and do not pull or tug on the leaves or the stems.
When they are young and tender and not when they are old and tough, this will ensure the leaves are fresh, flavorful, and not bitter or woody. Pick basil when the leaves are about two to three inches long before they curl or turn brown.
How to Store Basil Leaves?
Storing basil leaves is a great way to preserve and enjoy them for later use. You can store basil leaves in different ways, depending on how long you want to keep them and how you want to use them. Here are some of the best ways to store basil leaves:
Refrigerate Them
You can refrigerate basil leaves for up to a week, by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and placing them in a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container. This will keep them moist and fresh, and prevent them from wilting or drying out. However, you should not wash them.
Freeze Them
You can freeze basil leaves for up to six months, by blanching them in boiling water for a few seconds, and then plunging them in ice water to stop the cooking process. This will preserve their color and flavor, and prevent them from browning or oxidizing. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel, and place them in a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container. You can also chop them and mix them with some olive oil, and freeze them in ice cube trays. This will make it easier to use them in soups, sauces, or dressings.
Dry Them
You can dry basil leaves for up to a year, by hanging them upside down in a warm and dry place, such as a closet or a pantry. This will dehydrate them and concentrate their flavor, and make them last longer. However, you should avoid drying them in direct sunlight, as this can bleach them and reduce their quality. You can also dry them in an oven or a microwave, but be careful not to burn them or overcook them. Once they are dry, you can store them in a glass jar or a spice container, and crush them or grind them before using them.
Make Pesto
You can make pesto with basil leaves, by blending them with some garlic, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and olive oil. This will create a delicious and versatile sauce that you can use for pasta, sandwiches, salads, or dips. You can store pesto in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to six months. You can also customize pesto by adding other herbs, nuts, cheeses, or spices, according to your taste and preference.
How to Cut Basil?
Cutting basil is a simple and easy way to harvest and use the leaves in your dishes. You can cut basil with scissors, a knife, or your fingers, depending on your preference and convenience.
Here are some tips on how to cut basil:
Wash and dry the basil leaves before cutting them to remove any dirt or insects. You can rinse them under running water or soak them in a water bowl with a few drops of vinegar. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel or spin them in a salad spinner.
Cut the basil leaves just before using them, to preserve their flavor and aroma. If you cut them too early, they will lose their freshness and wilt. You can also bruise or damage the leaves if you cut them too roughly or with a dull tool.
Cut the basil leaves according to the size and shape that you need for your recipe. You can either leave them whole or chop them finely or coarsely. You can also cut them into ribbons or strips, by stacking several leaves together, rolling them up, and slicing them thinly. This is called the chiffonade technique, and it creates a beautiful and elegant garnish.
Cut the basil leaves with a sharp and clean tool, such as scissors or a knife, and not with a blender or a food processor. This will avoid bruising or crushing the leaves and releasing their oils and juices. You can also use your fingers to tear or pinch off the leaves but be gentle and careful.
How to Use Basil Leaves?
Using basil leaves is a fun and easy way to add flavor and aroma to your dishes. You can use basil leaves in different ways, depending on your mood and occasion. Here are some of the best ways to use basil leaves:
Fresh
You can use fresh basil leaves to garnish and enhance your dishes, such as salads, soups, pizzas, and pastas. Also you can use fresh basil leaves to make salads, such as caprese salad with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil, or Greek salad with cucumbers, feta cheese, and basil. You can also use fresh basil leaves to make drinks, such as lemonade, tea, or cocktails, with basil, lemon, sugar, and water.
Cooked
You can use cooked basil leaves to flavor and season your dishes, such as sauces, stews, curries, and casseroles. Also you can use cooked basil leaves to make dishes, such as tomato sauce with basil, garlic, and onion, or chicken with basil, cream, and mushrooms. You can also use cooked basil leaves to make breads, such as focaccia with basil, olive oil, and salt, or muffins with basil, cheese, and eggs.
Preserved
You can use preserved basil leaves to store and enjoy them for later use, such as freezing, drying, or making pesto. Also you can use preserved basil leaves to make dishes, such as pesto pasta with basil, garlic, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese, or roasted vegetables with basil, olive oil, and salt. You can also use preserved basil leaves to make snacks, such as crackers with basil, cheese, and honey, or popcorn with basil, butter, and salt.
Wrapping It Up!
Basil is a wonderful herb that you can grow and harvest in your garden or indoors. It has a fresh and aromatic flavor that can enhance any dish, and a rich and nutritious profile that can benefit your health and well-being. By following the tips and tricks in this article, you can learn how to harvest basil properly, so that it keeps growing and producing more leaves, how to cut basil, pick basil leaves, and store them for later use, and how to use basil leaves in different and delicious ways.
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