The AnswerBank Articles

Saving Energy in the Kitchen Guide

The kitchen is the hub of any house; if an army marches on its stomach then most family homes operate in a similar way. It’s the beating heart of a house which gives warmth, light, and sustenance to a family. It is, of course, also the biggest user of energy in the home. While this simply has to be the case &ndas...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Water Garden Guide

A water garden can be a beautiful feature of your garden’s design – or if you are particularly into water and water-features, it can be your whole garden! You may like a small, cool, section at the back of the garden – divided by an ivy covered trellis – which can be a safe haven for the Sunday ...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Rose Garden Guide

The rose is a symbol of love and beauty as espoused by poets throughout the ages – and with good reason, these beautiful flowers are likely to bring any garden out into huge bursts of colours. A whole garden of these wonderful plants will astound guests in summer months and keep the head gardener (whether that&rs...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Growing Tomatoes Guide

We all know that the quality of your cooking relies heavily on the quality of the raw produce. One way to get the freshest produce is to do it yourself. Growing your own food can one of the best ways to keep a complete control over what you eat – knowing exactly how your food has been treated can be invaluable. ...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Growing Gooseberries Guide

A gooseberry bush can be one of the easiest fruits to grow in your garden. If you have a small garden it can be ideal as it is easy to grow, produces plenty of fruit and doesn’t mind being in partial shade. They are hardy plants which can withstand cooler areas and harder winds. Another great thing about gooseber...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Formal Garden Design Guide

For those with enough space and time you may have considered changing your garden design into something more refined. A formally designed garden can be visually pleasing, easy to maintain and allows managing a garden efficiently. For those who are keen on gardening this is the perfect way to show off your expertise. ...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Beneficial Garden Wildlife Guide

Gardening is an endless struggle to control and craft nature into pleasing forms for the human eye. Yet this relationship need not always be combative. Of course it does feel like war sometimes; against the endless growth of grass and the constant need for pruning. And then there are slugs. While we may have spent s...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Apple Tree Pruning Guide

To get the fullest and tastiest fruit from your apple tree you will be required to do some selective pruning.  The advantages of pruning are in the quality of the fruit and controlling the shape and the size of the tree – the latter can be vital in smaller gardens. By pruning you are attempting to limit t...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Apple Tree Guide

Most of us like to have some fruit in our garden. While we might not be able to have some of the more exotic fruits which we have come to enjoy and take for granted, we can always rely on a crisp and fresh apple. As the apple is native to Britain they usually thrive with a little attention. There are several things to ...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Herb Garden Guide

We all use herbs and spices in our cooking. A lot of the time we can settle for dried herbs out of convenience – but sometimes the difference between a fresh herb and one from a pot is vast. With your own herb garden you have access to all your favourite herbs, fresh, right on your doorstep. Assuming they are wel...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Climbing Plant Guide

For those of us who have little room for hundreds of flower beds climbers can be a great way to get a colour into the garden. All climbers use vines to grow upwards when there is something of enough strength to support them.  The reason that these plants use vines is that in the wild they are engaged in a race to ...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Paved Garden Path Guide

For those of us who prefer garden design and landscaping with clean lines then brick, tiled or vertically defined paths may be the best option when it comes to garden paths. This suits any gardener who is attempting to keep their garden looking clean, stylish and minimalistic. If your garden has a focus on pristine law...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Self-Sufficient Energy Guide

Many of us are concerned about the environment, even more are worried about the price of gas and electricity. One option for cutting out both your carbon footprint and your electricity bills is to attempt to be self sufficient in terms of the power you use. Creating your own electricity can even earn you money if you c...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Keeping Chickens Guide

Most of us have thought about becoming a little more self-sufficient – usually when stuck in the queue at the supermarket for the sake of a loaf of bread, a paper and a dozen eggs. Yet, while this is a daydream, it can become a reality if you have the time and patience for it. While growing a few lettuce and c...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Stone Garden Path Guide

A garden path is the way we control how our garden is viewed. It encourages anyone in the garden to follow certain routes and see the garden from predetermined points. They also offer a divide in the garden, allowing separating lines and contrasts between each side to be drawn. Garden paths come in many styles, and no...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Sustainable Garden Guide

The best way to design a garden which is low on water consumption is to use the landscaping practice of Xeriscaping. Aside from the issue of pronunciation the biggest question surrounding Xeriscaping is, of course, what is Xeriscaping Xeriscaping is a form of sustainable and low maintenance gardening or landscaping d...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Wood Flooring Maintenance Guide

Wood Flooring Maintenance Guide Having natural wood in your home is once way to give a house a sense of peace and calm. On top of this wood flooring is usually durable and will last for years as long as you look after it. Cleaning Wooden Floors The simplest and best way of keeping your wooden floors in good co...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Reducing Clutter Guide

Reducing Clutter Guide We all have busy lives, work and family vie for our time constantly, and while this is all going on we would sometimes like to keep the house tidy too. This task proves to be monumental as clutter seems to simply seep from the floor, from between the cracks in the floorboard and gestates in th...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Outdoor Lighting Guide

Outdoor Lighting Guide Outside spaces are often neglected in the evening. It is very rare, outside of Barbecue season, for much to be going on in the garden after dark besides maybe a few hedgehogs rummaging around. Using your garden in the evening can be a great way to extend your enjoyment of the space – of ...15:36 Mon 24th May 2010

Ornamental Grass Guide

Ornamental Grass Guide While most of us may feel that we are in a constant war with grass – the lawnmower being our main weapon – some find grasses to be perfect for a stylish edge in their garden. They can offer a great accompaniment to brighter blooms with their subtle and delicate colours and flowers....15:36 Mon 24th May 2010