Physical improvements you can do to make your home less attractive to burglars.

Burglars, thieves, and muggers are opportunists. They prowl about looking for things such as high bushes around doors, windows, or garages to hide behind; open doors or windows for easy access; an inviting open garage door; an accumulation of flyers & newspapers; little or no lighting around entryways and garages; empty big-ticket-item boxes on the curb; a darkened house indicating nobody home.

Have an inventory of your property along with photos or videotape. Store the pictures/video in a secure place away from the house such as a safety deposit box. Include a description of each item, purchase receipts, and any serial numbers (helpful for insurance/recovery identification). Contact your local police department. Many offer a free home security inspection. Mark your property with a code in an inconspicuous spot using indelible ink or an etcher (Some police departments loan etchers for personal use).

Don’t keep all your jewelry in one easy-to-find place.

Burglars and muggers hate light. Have all entrances to your home and garage well lit with fixtures out of reach from ground level. Install lights with motion sensors but be aware they may give false alarms. Use photocell controlled lighting. The lights come on at dusk and stay on until dawn and cost pennies per month. If you have an electrical or fuse box mounted outside, secure it with a strong lock.

Muggers and burglars don’t like to work in the open. If you have bushes or shrubs near any windows or doors, trim them down to clear the view from windows and trim them up 1-2 feet from the ground to eliminate potential hiding places. Trim shrubs around the garage doors.

Keep doors and windows locked at all times, even if you’re in the back yard.

Install a peep hole/wide angle viewer at a height convenient for everyone in the house.

Don’t rely on door handle locks. Experienced thieves can easily open these. Don’t rely on chain locks. They can be easily cut or pulled out. Install deadbolt locks in all outside doors. Make sure the lock has at least a 1” bolt or throw. If you already have a deadbolt, check the length of the kick plate screws. These screws should be at least 3” long to go into the frame. If there is a window next to or in the door, you should have a double cylinder deadbolt (requires a key from each side). That way, a burglar can’t break the window to gain access to the deadbolt lock. Keep the key nearby but accessible only to your family for emergency use. Patio sliding doors are particularly susceptible to break-ins. Use anti-slide bolts or a track bar to reduce track clearance.

For double hung windows, you can purchase locks & clamps that attach to the windows to restrict movement. An alternative is pinning. Drill a down-angled hole through both windows and insert an eyebolt or pin having a head. This is for emergency removal. Drill a second hole no more than 4 inches lower and the window may be opened for air circulation yet not allow access. Louvered windows allow easy access since the panes are easily removed. Replace them with a more secure window type. The most secure basement windows are made of glass block. Before changing basement windows, check fire codes and be aware of emergency exits. An exterior air conditioner should be securely mounted on the inside of the window frame. If possible, remove the air conditioner in cold weather.

There are many fine wireless or wired-in alarms and alarm systems on the market in a variety of price ranges. You could purchase a D-I-Y system or have a professional install one for you. Wireless systems run on batteries and will work during a power outage. Some wired in systems connect you to a central monitoring center through your phone line and have a monthly monitoring fee. Remember, an alarm system will only help you if you turn it on! If you are unable to invest in an alarm system, put alarm warning stickers on doors and windows.

Stay safe

James Hopkins
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-security-articles/uninviting-burglars-make-your-home-less-attractive-to-burglars-pt-1-125474.html

Annuals can be used to great advantage mixed with perennials and shrubs. One big advantage that annuals have over perennials is that they tend to flower over long periods, often throughout the whole summer. So, in a mixed border, annuals can provide a permanent thread of color.

Their temporary nature can also be put to good use. Often it will take several years before shrubs or perennials reach their final spread, and during this time there will be areas of bare earth around these plants. Annuals can readily be used here as attractive temporary fillers until the other plants eventually use up all of the spaces.

Annuals can also add a touch of lightness and almost frivolity to an otherwise staid border. For example, a border predominantly full of shrubs, perhaps planted for their interesting leaves, can be enlivened by massed plantings of bold summer annuals in front of and in between the shrubs. Each type of plant will complement the other.Annuals make wonderful container plants, whether in tubs, window boxed or hanging baskets.

They usually last the whole season, providing constant attractive color through regular watering is a must for continuous flowering. Once the season is over, you can completely change your scheme for the following year simply by changing the plants. You might perhaps try hot oranges and reds for one year, followed by softer, cooler blues and whites the next.Since most annuals grow and flower within the year, hardiness may not see, to be an important factor to take into consideration, but it can be if you plan to grow your own annuals from seed.

Hardly annuals can be sown outside and will withstand late frosts, but half hardly or tender annuals must be raised under glass and not planted out until after the risk of frost has passed. Alternatively, half hardly or tender annuals can be sown directly where there are to flower, but again only after the threat of frost is over.

Sarah Nabila

Developing a great lawn for your garden requires effort and time which one has to endow with some knowledge of lawn care. A well maintained lawn can actually change the look of the house and can add value to the property. Creating a beautiful lawn for your garden shall require complete guidance from professional lawn experts and the same shall help create a wonderful exterior.

Lawn Quality attracts people

Great Lawn can also add value to the garden as the same shall reflect most of the nature which attracts humans and builds an exotic surrounding for the family. The best lawn can also give a feel of the quality house which the homeowner would be maintaining. The exterior depicts the real class of the family staying in that house and it can be maintained easily after some guidance and knowledge.

Lawn care is an important part of home development and the same reflects the quality of living. Most good lawns attract visitors and people like to spend the maximum time in the garden where they can admire the surroundings. The plants and shrubs can add grace to the environment.

Adding equipments

Best quality lawn can improve the look of the garden by aesthetic or traditional designs. Several designs are available to choose from which may also include some fancy designs installing several equipments in the lawn. Some great equipment like birdbaths and fountains are the best part to install in your garden for a quality look.

Some great things that shall help develop your lawn and garden are:

1.Address Plaques: Placing an attractive Plaque on the rocks can develop a country feel to the visitors.

2.Composters: This is the best thing to get rid of all the fallen leaves and weeds.

3.Decorative Sculptures: Some great sculptures shall add value to the garden.

4.Fountains: This can be the best way of regular watering in the lawn.

5.Garden Carts: These should be used for removal of unwanted weeds, leaves and fallen waste.

6.Greenhouses: To separate some small shrubs, this can be the best place.

7.Lighting: Some cool lighting can develop an excellent appearance to the garden.

8.Pest Control: Some equipment should be installed to splash fertilizers in the garden.

9.Potting: This should be done to separate the plants which need extra care.

10.Rain Gauges: These can be used to gauge the water level and covering the garden when more water is not required.

11.Sheds: Extreme heat shall force most lawn care professionals to put plants in this.

12.Watering: Proper watering is necessary to give nutrition to the lawn.

Extreme care and professional guidance is required to maintain a quality lawn.

Lawn Care Professionals

Most Lawn care companies offer professional services which can be availed by contacting them and they can relieve you from the effort of maintaining your garden.

The lawn care by professionals includes:

1.Lawn Mowing

2.Watering

3.Removal of Weeds

4.Aeration

Through these functions, the professionals develop a quality lawn for your home and the same shall add much value to your garden.

Online Assistance

Most professionals can be contacted by searching for their websites online and contacting them, for some real quick tips and guide. The websites feature sample gardens and lawn styles which can be chosen by selecting the style and the same can be made in your home by contacting them.

Joshua Safee

Annuals can be used to great advantage mixed with perennials and shrubs. One big advantage that annuals have over perennials is that they tend to flower over long periods, often throughout the whole summer. So, in a mixed border, annuals can provide a permanent thread of color.

Their temporary nature can also be put to good use. Often it will take several years before shrubs or perennials reach their final spread, and during this time there will be areas of bare earth around these plants. Annuals can readily be used here as attractive temporary fillers until the other plants eventually use up all of the spaces.

Annuals can also add a touch of lightness and almost frivolity to an otherwise staid border. For example, a border predominantly full of shrubs, perhaps planted for their interesting leaves, can be enlivened by massed plantings of bold summer annuals in front of and in between the shrubs. Each type of plant will complement the other.Annuals make wonderful container plants, whether in tubs, window boxed or hanging baskets.

They usually last the whole season, providing constant attractive color through regular watering is a must for continuous flowering. Once the season is over, you can completely change your scheme for the following year simply by changing the plants. You might perhaps try hot oranges and reds for one year, followed by softer, cooler blues and whites the next.Since most annuals grow and flower within the year, hardiness may not see, to be an important factor to take into consideration, but it can be if you plan to grow your own annuals from seed.

Hardly annuals can be sown outside and will withstand late frosts, but half hardly or tender annuals must be raised under glass and not planted out until after the risk of frost has passed. Alternatively, half hardly or tender annuals can be sown directly where there are to flower, but again only after the threat of frost is over.

Sarah Nabila

Gardening is the best exercise or hobby that one can follow. To practice or work out for gardening there is no age bar as person of any age who is interested can do gardening at his/her home. After all, by performing this activity you are surely going to earn rewards but not in monetary terms in fact in terms of satisfaction and pleasure. If you are helping out at your home by doing some work then it’s not a matter of shame or should not feel dejected. It even helps you to relax and heal up your body ache. It’s always beneficial to work in open & fresh air which helps to relieve stress and keep your mind free from tension and worries. It all depends on you, to do some fruitful work by home gardening; you will also reap the harvest of any fruit trees and enjoy that too. With some few garden tips or under some gardener’s guideline you can beautify your home garden. Your hard work can turns into elegant and verdant gardens, a matter of appreciation for all.

Here are some few home garden tips that can help you to decor your garden. Always remember never plant a tree or shrubs too close to your house. Danger or risk lays when you are buying new trees or shrubs and planting them very near to your house. Of course, at first stage when you’re purchasing it’s very small and then after some couple of years it keeps on growing and so slowly and steadily it will start making some problems. This is the root cause of the problem. When it is planted near the house so it will grow and so it’s root which will keep troubling by way of causing damage to underground water pipes or breaking the drainage system of your home. At last, you have to remove the tree along with its root. You are the care taker of your home so you should be the first person to initiate this work of home garden. Before buying a particular tree or plant think each and every aspects of it till its growth. Points to be taken care of are as follows

1. Plant any tree or shrub just keeping a long distance from your house. It may trouble you afterwards by obstructing sun light or be a detriment to your landscaping scheme.

2. Just have a rough idea of what would be the size or width of that shrub or tree at the time of its maturity.

If guidelines not followed then it may cause very expensive enough to get things back to normal condition on the cost of your home and garden.

For the proper maintenance of your home garden try to tie or clip your shrubs so that air can move freely and keep watering them copiously. As all knows, air, water and sunlight are the main essentials that work in the growth of a tree or plant. Moreover, it is required in the process of photosynthesis carried out by plant or tree. So the seeds should be sprouted in such a way that they can easily catch all these essentials and later should reach till the roots of a tree. Proper irrigation facility for supplying water should be taken care of while planting. Go through some plantation schedule under some proficient gardener to gain some rewards in form of enjoyment and happiness.

Same exercise should be continued throughout the whole year. Proper shelter should be build for trees and shrubs in times of rainy season, and more in summer season.

This are some simple ways to decor your home garden to feel the magic of tranquility in your eyes. Enjoy it in return of your hard work.

Bella Mclaine

Plants are the bread and butter of any budding gardener. By using plants in your landscaping scheme you can create a stunning year-round look for your backyard.

Using Plants In Your Landscaping Project
Many kinds of plants that are both easy to maintain yet stunning can be used to great effect for your landscaping project. You can find many species in your local gardening stores, home centers and nurseries: the types you chose will depend on local conditions and specifics of your plot and there are a few things to keep in mind when picking plants for your design.

What Plants To Pick
You want to make sure that the plants you chose for your new landscaping project thrive in your garden. To ensure that this is the case you should give some thought to what plants are suitable for the local conditions and particulars of the place you want to plant them in. It can be costly to buy specimens that have no chance to adapt to your plot because it does not provide them with some of the essentials that they need for healthy growth. One of the key factors to consider is the amount of sun exposure required by each plant versus what is available in your backyard: landscaping plants not only need to fit in with your design scheme but also be suited for the existing growing conditions.

Adding Height And Structure
trees are a great way to define your landscape. For instance you may want to consider planting an oak tree: they come in many different kinds, are disease resistant, very adaptable and offer both shade and stunning foliage colors in the fall. You should be able to find one that is just right for your plot. You can also consider planting a maple tree: they are equally adaptable and display the most vibrant autumnal colors. However you do not have to use trees to line your landscape: flower borders can be equally effective.

Choosing Shrubs
Hedge plants and shrubs are also a great tool in adding structure to your garden design. They can bring the whole scheme together and will lend the garden a well maintained appearance. You can find all sorts of shrubs: some are flowering, some are evergreen and some of the deciduous types can provide a stunning display of color in the fall. As there are so many possible choices it should be pretty straightforward to pick shrubs that would work well with your design and local conditions.

Finishing Touches
Once most of the work is done remember to tie up loose ends by making sure you have made the most of each and every feature. Focal points will be even more effective once accented with the right accessories, such as perennial plants. They are a great option to embellish various areas, give greater definition to paths and terraces and best of all they come in so many shapes and colors that you should have a lot of fun deciding where to put each of them, so long as you keep in mind that they need to work well with the rest of your scheme!

A little bit of attention to detail yields great benefit when implementing a new garden design: whatever your choice of planting, a bit of careful maintenance will preserve their good looks.

Mr.Andrew Caxton
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/the-best-plants-for-your-landscaping-project-135306.html

Traditional gardens are sometimes completely shut off from the natural environment and are often inhospitable to birds and other wildlife. Gardens are part of the larger landscape so becoming familiar with local ecosystems and native plant species enables you to plan your garden. Planting a few well chosen shrubs or trees can turn your garden into a sanctuary for all kinds of birds. Native plants are especially effective since there found in a bird’s natural habitat.

Providing food and water is sometimes enough to attract birds to your garden. However, if you want the birds to stick around you’ll need to carefully plan your garden. In order for birds to frequently visit your garden it must provide, along with food and water, shelter and nesting areas. Providing for more than one bird species is also important. Include in your garden plan a variety of seed and berry producing trees and shrubs, such as Washington hawthorn, mountain ash, cherry and dogwood. Flowers such as hollyhock, nasturtium, and sunflowers produce seeds which also attract birds.

Remember to provide food year-round. In the spring there are many berry producing shrubs which are great for the garden and provide food for birds, such as blueberries and raspberries. In the summer, seeds of perennial flowers provide food and in the fall trees such as dogwood and shadblow produce fruit which birds love. Birds which over winter in your area will need sustenance provided by winterberry or other fruit bearing shrubs.

For birds to find your garden welcoming it should also provide water. If your garden lacks a natural source of water create pool or fill a birdbath. Any water source instantly attracts birds, even wild ducks and gooses. Keep the water fresh by filling it daily. In the winter when the water freezes knock out the ice and replace with fresh water.

Different birds prefer different conditions in which to eat and live. Robins eat at ground level where they search for insects and worms while many other birds prefer to be off the ground a bit in the flowers. Some birds prefer the height of shrubs and others still like to be in the canopy of taller trees. Plants not only provide food for birds they also supply them with shelter. Evergreens and other dense shrubs provide nesting areas. They also provide protection from the cold in winter and a respite from the summer sun.

Along with providing all the things which attract birds to your garden you should also be aware of all the things that might keep birds away. Some birds may stay away because the noise is too loud or because there chased by pets. Others might avoid your garden if it doesn’t seem quite natural enough.

Creating a garden which attracts birds is great for the environment. It provides a habitat for birds as well as beneficial insects and other wildlife. While birds will thrive and will benefit the most from your efforts you’re also providing years of enjoyment for both yourself and visitors to your garden.

anonymous
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/attracting-birds-to-your-garden-87627.html

Quality Homes have wonderful gardens which attract most people. Lawns are a very significant part of our house. Just eradicating weeds and unnecessary shrubs does not serve the purpose; it requires some special skill to turn out a piece of grass into a beautiful landscape. You can also carry out some vital steps like removing undesirable grass, using quality seeds, proper fertilizers, maintenance, water irrigation and lot more. By practicing all these things, you will definitely acquire an attractive lawn that will make you feel contented for years.

Great Quality Gardens

The thick grass creates a calming sensation and makes the moments more memorable, especially when you spend some leisure time with your family and friends, sipping coffee and watching your children play on the bed of the thick green grass. To maintain your lawn for years, the foremost thing is to apply a good quality fertilizer and watering regularly at proper intervals of time.

Steps to assure Great Quality

· The first step is to remove all the unwanted grass, weeds and bushes. These kind of undesirable plants act as a parasite for the new developing seeds, so they should be removed immediately.

· Then comes the seeding part. Usually, the best time to seed is the time of fall or autumn. This time is entitled as the best time for the seeds to grow and will help acquire a completely new look. So you can start seeding in the month of August and September.

· It is recommended to rake with a double duty rake before starting the process of seeding. It helps to grind and pulverize the soil properly so that the new seeds can breathe properly.

· If you are reseeding, it is equally important to loose the soil and for this purpose you can make use of peat moss or gypsum in small quantities. Moreover, use a high quality seed to ensure excellence in the growth of grass and other plants as well. Also, after sprinkling of seeds you should spray some water immediately.

· If you want the lawn grass to grow faster, while reseeding you should cover the area, where you sprinkled the new seeds, with a polythene sheet. This will retain moisture inside the sheet and the seeds will require a less amount of water. However when the seeds start germinating you should remove the plastic sheets, so that these kernels have a proper space to grow up.

· You can also plant some attractive trees, blossoming shrubs, hedge plants, flowers and lot more so that you can make your landscape more attractive.

· Another important idea is to use some mild fertilizers so that the soil remains fertile and free from all kind of pests.

Applying Chemicals

If you want to provide specific nutrient and also want to protect plants from pests, you can bring into play some pesticide management practices that include sound fertilizers. This also helps in maintaining a good groundwater quality. While using these sound fertilizers you should keep in mind some important notions like following all the instructions that are labeled on the covers. If in any case you do not follow these instructions, your garden space may suffer from ineffective treatment. Moreover these fertilizers should be mixed accurately before applying. Apart from this, you can get some excellent ideas on maintaining a great quality lawn, on different websites. So follow these guidelines as these will surely help you to obtain a great quality lawn.

Joshua Safee

Just by considering the use of home security systems, I am sure you anticipate the goal of protecting your property, valuables and loved ones.  Just the peace of mind that goes along with installing a home security system helps take away that insecure feeling.

With this goal in mind, you must establish a strategy deciding what area of your property needs protection and what home security systems are available to do the job for you. Some of the following tips may help you.

The first question to ask yourself, what or whom do you want your property protected from? This could be the first factor in deciding what type of home security system you require.  Perhaps you may feel only a portion of your property needs protection.

Start by considering the outside perimeter of your home.  Motion detector lights are a great deterrent for uninvited people.  If someone is approaching in the shadows when that bright light exposes them, there is a good chance he will think twice about what he is doing.

I should mention to keep in mind the outbuildings on your property, such as sheds, barns, detached garages and pool houses.  Motion detector lights and motion detector alarms are very effective applications when strategically placed.

Doors and windows that are covered by bushes or shrubs and not clearly visible to the street need some consideration from you.  Be aware that they pose a potential threat to your security, as they are an easy challenge for an intruder. Do not forget to check your basement windows for security also.

To view the outside of your home consider the purchase of surveillance cameras and monitor this view on your TV set.  Capture the culprit on tape using your VCR or digital recording device.  This gives your proof to give to the authorities if something detrimental should happen.

If someone should break into your home, whether it is forced entry through a door or window, there are home alarms made just for this purpose.  Very effective.

Only you can decide what strategy will make you feel secure.  Only you know what or whom you want your property protected from. Come up with a strategy and make a plan to incorporate some home security systems. 

Tom Watson
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-security-articles/home-security-systemsusing-a-strategy-713066.html

When selling your home, it’s important to remember outdoor staging is almost as important as indoor staging. Just as you want to create a favorable first impression, inside your home, curb appeal can attract buyers when you least expect them.

When I had my last home up for sale, I was outside gardening when someone drove up and asked me about the house. He proceeded to go home, collect his wife and family and bring them over for a complete inspection, and subsequently purchased our home. I believe this buyer’s mind was made up before he toured the home. In a similar circumstance, I saw a picture of our current home on the internet and decided this was the house for me.

Keeping this in mind, never underestimate the power of curb appeal and its ability to market a home. Here are 10 tips to keep in mind for staging the outside of a house. Most of this is common sense and requires more elbow grease than cash investment.

1. Just as with the inside, clutter on the outside of a home is a definite “no, no”. Tidy the sidewalk and find a home for garden tools, kid’s toys, garbage cans and recycling containers.

2. Add eye catching splashes of color by using hanging planters and containers. Draw people’s attention to the area’s you want them to see by creating a positive first impression.

3. Mulch, mulch and more mulch! The best way to make a garden appear professionally landscaped and well maintained is with a thick layer of mulch. Use it to hide weeds, and create borders around trees and shrubs. Choose from colors such as green, brown, red, and natural cedar chips.

Mulch can also be used to create easy walkways, just add a border and stepping stones.

4. Keeping the grass well mowed. Not only does short grass look neater, the trimmed weeds are hidden and prevented from flowering. You may consider having artificial grass installed in areas where natural grass doesn’t grow well. You’ll be shocked at the overnight transformation into a lush, green yard.

5. Edge the sidewalks and remove any weeds growing between the concrete.

6. Not only should the driveway be cleared of clutter, but cleaned of stains and unsightly spills as well.

7. Do whatever it takes to make your front porch shine. Touch up the paint on the railings, steps and front door if necessary. A poorly maintained porch gives the impression that the entire home has been neglected.

8. Wash all the windows, soffits, windows and gutters.

9. Pressure wash the deck to make the wood look like new.

10. As important as it is to add new plants, be objective about the existing trees and shrubs in your garden. Anything overgrown should be trimmed back or removed.

Josh Sloan
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/10-tips-to-perk-up-your-yard-for-sale-740925.html