Here are a few other reasons why gardening is a great all-around exercise:

#1 – Stress relief. Many of us lead very stressful lives. Gardening is a good way of relieving that stress. It’s a quiet, gentle activity that also helps you connect with nature and clear your mind. There’s something very nurturing about getting close the earth and having a part in helping something grow.

#2 – Great for joints and flexibility. As we get older, so do our joints and mobility. Gardening is a great option for keeping your joints supple and flexible without too much pressure. Simple exercises like bending, lifting and light digging will help your flexibility and muscle tone. All of this will lead to improved health and quality of life.

#3 – Keeps you busy. If you already have a busy schedule then gardening may be something you fit in on the weekends or in short spurts. However, if you’re out of work or retired, keeping a garden is a great way of staying active, fit and healthy. You’ll also feel a wonderful sense of achievement when you see the fruit of your labor.

#4 – Great social activity. Gardening is becoming increasingly popular. Many people are joining community garden projects and schemes. This is a great way to bond with your community. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for swapping home-grown produce and teaching your kids and family about healthy eating. Gardening is a great link for friendships. It’s a good way to meet like-minded people doing something you enjoy.

#5 – Great for children. Children are naturally geared to love gardening. They have an inbuilt instinct for connecting with the earth around them. Give a young child a small shovel and a vegetable patch and they may happily dig for hours. Exposure to gardening also shows kids the importance of food and healthy eating, as well as caring for their environment. Many schools now have gardening clubs and projects to help children get involved as gardeners too.

On the surface gardening seems like a great health activity, and it is, but there are also many other wonderful benefits. Along with getting plenty of fresh air and exercise you can relieve stress, make new friends, show your kids the importance of our environment and keep your joints and muscles supple. It’s a fantastic all-around activity to enjoy.

1. Save water by washing full loads. This handy green tip works for both washing clothes and dishes. Save dirty clothes in a laundry bag or hamper and use that super large setting on your washing machine. The same savings applies to washing dishes. Make sure the dishwasher is full before turning that start dial.

2. Air-dry your laundry. Consider installing a clothesline in your backyard or basement, or use a freestanding clothes rack that folds up when not in use. Drying your clothes will be 100% green with the air-dry method!

3. Use glass food storage containers. Plastic is the least “green” food storage container. But, if you look in most kitchens, plastic is the most often used food container. By switching to glass food storage containers, you take a big step toward living a greener lifestyle.

• Not only does the manufacturing of plastic harm the natural environment, but certain types of plastic are harmful to your health as well.

4. Install a new showerhead. Older showerheads are notorious water-wasters. Switch your old one for a newer model. A new “green” showerhead uses 1 to 3 gallons less water per minute than older models. That’s quite a savings on your wallet, too!

5. Turn off lights when you leave a room. You’d be surprised how many people forget to do this simple action. If no one is in the room, there can’t be a good reason to waste energy to brighten it up! With a simple flip of the light switch, a greener lifestyle is yours.

6. Think before buying paper products. Sometimes paper plates, cups, or napkins are a necessity. Most of the time, they’re not. Even recycled paper products use energy during the recycling process. Look in your kitchen cabinets and you’ll probably find an assortment of little used china and ceramic plates, mugs, and glasses that could be put to good use.

• Also, cloth napkins can make any meal seem like a special occasion.

7. Recycle old tee shirts. Everyone has old tee shirts that are not worthy of donating to Goodwill. Don’t throw them out. Replace your paper towel rack with a stack of tee shirt squares. They’re soft and absorbent and best of all, reusable. Just throw them in the washer and you have an unending supply of cloths for every kind of clean-up chore.

8. Use an old-fashioned broom and mop. Have you ever noticed that most of today’s household chores require some sort of electrical appliance? Well, your local home improvement store still has a supply of old-fashioned brooms and mops on hand.

• Sweeping the floor with a broom gets rid of dust and crumbs just as well as plugging in that vacuum. And mops have been used to clean floors for hundreds of years. Using both makes your house a “green” haven.

Follow these simple tips every day and see how easy it is to live a greener lifestyle!

It can be a tough job since there may be things you’ve been putting off all year long. But in the end, it’ll be worth it because you’ll have a great sense of accomplishment and your house will be looking its best.

Try some of the following ways to get your home into shape during spring cleaning:

1. Do the deep cleaning. Deep cleaning is clearly not something you can make a part of your everyday cleaning routine. During spring cleaning, however, you can take the opportunity to get down and dirty.

• Rent a steam cleaner and clean all of your carpets and upholstery.
• Note the condition of your bathrooms to see if deep cleaning is required there as well.

2. Vacuuming. During spring cleaning, take that extra step to vacuum everything. During regular cleaning, you likely do a quick job in a matter of minutes. However, with spring cleaning, it’s good to take time for the details, crevasses, and under the couch.

3. Time to use the ladder. Spring cleaning is also an opportunity to get to all those hard to reach places. Include ceiling fans, the tops of doors, and light fixtures. Do this dusting first so you can vacuum up the fallen dust later with the regular vacuuming.

4. Wash all surfaces. Take the time to wash every surface you can. There may be certain things that you don’t think need cleaning, but you really never know where dust has settled throughout the year. Grab a cloth and clean your walls, cabinets, and more.

5. Organization. Pay special attention to organization. If you’ve already been using an organization plan, you’ll only need to reorganize things that may have fallen out of place. If you don’t have organizational methods in place, perhaps it’s time to adopt some.

• This is a great opportunity to go through the “junk drawer” and other places where things may have piled up.

6. Sift through the clutter. Find the cluttered spots in your house and deal with those items. If you need them in the house, then find them a permanent home that’s out of the way.

• If you need to keep small items, but aren’t using them every day, find a place to pack them away for the future. If you feel that you can do without it, consider dropping it off for donation.

7. Get your family involved. So much more can be accomplished when it’s a group effort. Have children take responsibility for their rooms. Then, divide up the other cleaning projects among every member of the family.

• Remember to reward yourselves at the end of the day for a job well done! Perhaps you can throw a pizza party for the family.

Remember that getting your house into shape doesn’t need to be too difficult on you; just take everything one step at a time, do what you can, and it’ll all get done.

Start with the foundation. If your patio or deck isn’t in good repair, it won’t do you any good to set your grill there. Clean and make any repairs to the deck or patio so you know you’ll be safe when it’s time to grill.

Check out the grill. If your grill wasn’t cleaned properly the last time you grilled, now’s the time to get that done. Clean out any ashes which were left over. Check the bottom of your grill for rust. Inspect the grates and pans to see if they need to be replaced. Replace any parts which are rusty or damaged.

Remove the racks. Start the night before you clean the remainder of the grill. Remove the racks and place them on newspaper. Spray them down with oven cleaner and leave them overnight. When you come back to clean the rest of the grill, they’ll be nearly done. All you’ll need to do is run a brush over them to remove any built-up residue and they’ll be ready for the first steak.

Clean it up! Covering your grill for the winter doesn’t guarantee it will be free of dirt and grime once spring arrives. Take the time to clean your grill now with warm water, dish soap, and a wire brush. If you’d rather use an environmentally friendly alternative, use lemon juice and salt to remove excessive build-up.

To make cleaning easier, heat the grill up. Why do you want to do that? A warm grill is easier to clean than a cold one. Be careful when you get ready to clean, however. Make sure the grill has cooled a little so you don’t burn yourself.

Don’t forget to clean the outside of the grill. Even though the work is done on the inside, no one wants to look at an ugly, dirty grill. The outside doesn’t have to be perfectly clean, but you don’t want to be embarrassed by it either.

See if you have leftovers. You may have charcoal, lighter fluid, wood chips, or other items left from last year. Check them to ensure they’re ready to use. Charcoal or wood chips may have gotten wet. If you’re not sure about something, toss it out. You can always get more of whatever the items were.

Gather the family together so everyone is pitching in with the work. Your children might not be keen, but once you explain you’re trying to get it ready for summer fun, they may stop complaining so much. Of course, you’ll want to be sure to have people work to their abilities, but everyone can contribute.

Decide what needs the most attention. Undoubtedly there will be a build-up of leaves regardless if you raked during the fall. There may also be limbs which have fallen from the tree due to ice or wind. Check out the garden; what attention does it need? Do you have flower gardens which are about to burst forth with blooms? They’ll need consideration as well.

Try to make the tasks fun. Instead of acting like a drill sergeant, let the children toss leaves while they’re raking. They may even want to make a pile to jump into if there are enough of them. After they’ve had some fun they may be more willing to get back to work and get the leaves cleaned up.

Let the air in! Take time to aerate your lawn. This is important to breathe fresh air into the root system which will allow water and fertilizer to reach the roots. There are many methods to do this: use shoes with spikes on them, a hand tool specifically designed for aeration, or rent a power aerator.

Get your hands dirty. Weed the flower beds and along the sidewalks. Of course, you can also remove dandelions and broadleaf weeds with an ergonomic weeding tool. The point is to remove the weeds, roots and all, from your lawn as early in the season as possible so they don’t grow or possibly spread.

Repair your lawn. It’s almost inevitable that your lawn will have bare or brown patches. Remove the dead or discolored grass and sprinkle in some grass seeds. Then you can add fertilizer. Keep the area moist until the seed sprout and you can see new growth.

Take care of yard tools. You may want to take your lawnmower in for a tune-up. Check the hand tools to ensure they’re not rusted or broken. Replace anything you feel is unsafe or past the point of repair.

Decide what new plants you want to add to a flower garden or if you’ll have a vegetable garden this year. Mark off where the garden will be if you haven’t had one, and then choose what you’ll plant. Spring is the perfect time to lay weed barriers and mulch so you’ll have to do less weeding.

Don’t forget any play items in your yard. Decide if there are other pieces you’ll want to add this year and where you will put them. Check the chains and seats on swing sets. Replace them if necessary. You want your children to enjoy the equipment but you also want them to be safe.

By taking a weekend in the early spring, you can get your yard and garden ready for whatever the spring and summer may have in store. Spring clean your backyard with the help of your family. Once the biggest tasks are done you’ll be glad knowing your yard and garden are ready to enjoy.

Keep a small basket in each room for things that do not belong. Get in the habit of checking the basket as you leave the room for items that might belong in your next destination.

Keep all of your cleaning supplies together, along with rags, paper towels, scrub brushes, and any other items you may need to complete any cleaning task. Using a bucket or cleaning supply caddy will make grabbing the necessary tools a snap when it is time to do your daily chores.

Sort through your mail each day when it is brought in. Immediately throw away junk mail, saving only important letters and advertisements that you are planning to use. Place all the mail in a designated area and file the bills away after they are paid.

When choosing containers for storage, look for lidded boxes, bowls, and bags that are clear. When you go looking for an item, it will be easier to find if you can see into the containers without opening each and every one.

Every night after dinner, make sure that all the dishes are cleaned and put away, or at least rinsed and put into the dishwasher, until there is a full load. Don’t let the dishes get away from you or you’ll find yourself in the midst of a marathon cleaning session.

Wipe counters and tables after each meal, knocking the crumbs to the floor. Sweep up after washing the dishes each night and use a damp rag to wipe up and spots, splashes, or spills on the floor.

Always make sure the sink looks clean and sparkling. After washing the dishes, wipe it out well and dry it to prevent water spots.

Set aside a little time each week or on the weekend to do a more in-depth cleaning. Check the fridge and pantry for expired food, wipe the stove, cabinets, table, and counters thoroughly, and clean the floor well. If you have kept up on your daily straightening ritual, you will be shocked at how quickly the kitchen cleans up.

When you get up the next morning, you will be able to start your day with a fresh start (without having to worry about yesterday’s mess!).

Ready for more Spring Cleaning Tips? Grab your copy of the Hillbilly Housewife’s Spring Cleaning Guide today at http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/ebooks/springcleaning.htm

As soon as you can get out in the warmer springtime weather, you may want to do the following:

* Go through your garden to remove any dead annuals which remained in the garden over the colder weather. You can add these to your compost pile or begin one if you haven’t already done so.

* Now is also a good time to prune back any perennials you have in your garden. Of course, you’ll want to wait until you see new growth at the base of the plant before you prune them back.

* Woody-stemmed plants such as lavender and buddleia are cut back each year to allow for new blooms on new plant growth. Wait until you know there’s no chance of frost or you could kill the plant.

* Trim back any torn leaves from semi-evergreen plants such as hellebores or bearded iris. This will encourage the plant to send out new growth as well as help them look better while you wait for growth.

* Ornamental grasses are generally cut near the ground, within a few inches, to encourage new growth. Since these grasses are hardy, they’ll come up in their own time no matter when you trim them back.

* Pull up any weeds you see in flower gardens while the soil is damp. This will make it easier to rid your garden of the weeds, especially while they’re small. Be careful not to compost these weeds or they may take over your compost pile or possibly spread into other areas where you don’t want them.

* Test your soil to determine if it needs fertilizer. You can also amend your soil with other organic material to get it in the top shape possible.

* Divide or transplant during the spring. The earlier you get this done, the better chance your plants will have to survive.

* Stake out your garden space. You may want to go ahead and plan your garden while you’re at it, too. Planning and staking your garden will train your plants early on, rather than having to struggle with them later in the growing season.

* Place a generous layer of mulch in your garden. This will cool the plant roots when needed, feed the soil, conserve water, and help keep weeds at bay.

* Edge your garden in the springtime and it will prevent your lawn from encroaching into the flower or vegetable garden. You’d also be surprised how much nicer a garden looks when it’s edged.

There’s nothing like a tidy garden to begin the spring. Using these tips to spring clean your garden will get it in tip-top shape while you’re waiting for the flowers to bloom!

Let’s face it, spring cleaning isn’t a one-person job. If you share a house with family members, you want them to pitch in, too. Using these tips to get everyone involved, this may be your chance to get your house cleaned up.

* Make a plan. Start by deciding when your family will do spring cleaning. This will give everyone fair warning to clear their calendar for the time you’ll be busy and let them know you expect them to help. How quickly everyone can do other activities will depend upon how quickly everyone works.

* Decide how much spring cleaning needs to be done. This may mean going through each room in your house and making a list of everything you think needs attention. Post the list of items to be done and the person responsible for each one, on a wall in the room. Create instructions of how each task is to be completed and a place to mark off each one as it’s done.

* Divide the chores up into activities which are in line with their abilities. There’s no sense in asking a 4-year-old to move furniture, but they can wash baseboards which are at their level. Plan for smaller children to work in 20 to 30 minute intervals; older children can work for longer periods of time.

* Put together a cleaning kit for each room. This will ensure there’s no dilly-dallying because someone can’t find cleansers, rags, or towels which are needed. This also means everything that’s needed will be where it’s needed, which could make the process that much quicker.

* Have all of your organizing supplies available. If you know you’ll be putting up most of the winter clothes for the season, have plastic totes, boxes, or other storage containers ready.

* Sort and purge as you go along. Set aside particular boxes or areas in your home to place items which are no longer used, wanted, or needed. Box them up and put the boxes into the car so you can take them to a location which accepts charity.

* Make it fun. Even though cleaning is not a favorite activity, it has to be done. Play favorite music to give people energy while they’re working. Instead of using spray bottles to clean with, use squirt guns to clean windows. Not only will the children have fun, but they may not mind helping you clean so much after all. The less like work you can make the process for the children (and some adults) in the family, the more likely they’ll be willing to help.

Get everyone started on cleaning day with a healthy, hearty breakfast. You’ll know the family is well-fed and should have the required energy to accomplish the day’s tasks. However, you may also want to plan breaks with snacks throughout the day to replenish their energy.

When you’re wondering how to get the whole family involved in spring cleaning the house, you may want to use some of the ideas above. Will these ideas guarantee your family will help with a good attitude? No. However, it may make the process easier and the job less painful for all.

Teak patio furniture is popular because of the beauty of the wood. However, because it’s a natural product it does require extra care. Here are some of the items you’ll need to clean your patio furniture:

* Soft bristle brush
* Laundry detergent with bleach
* Teak sealer (optional)
* Teak protector (optional)
* Teak restorer (optional)
* Clear coating (optional)

When you first get your teak furniture, decide whether you want the furniture to remain the color it is when you get it or if you want the furniture to change with exposure to the sun. Some people are adamant about keeping their furniture the original honey color; others like the silver gray patina it gets from being in the sun. Which choice you make regarding your teak patio furniture could greatly affect how you clean it.

Manufacturers generally provide care instructions with every product. This is also true for those building teak or other wooden patio furniture. They may recommend specific cleaners, but you can do just as well by mixing a solution of 2 parts laundry detergent with bleach in 1 part water. Apply this to the wood with a soft bristle brush to help remove any surface dirt.

Thoroughly rinse the teak pieces by spraying them with water to remove leftover suds or any dirt the brush has removed. If you’re satisfied with allowing the teak to develop the gray patina, this is all you’ll need to do to care for your furniture. Otherwise, you’ll want to use the following methods.

You can remove the patina from teak furniture by using a two-step process and returning it to its original finish. This process normally requires you to apply a caustic cleaner and acid which will remove the patina. Be sure to read the instructions with the cleaner to ensure you remain safe. You may also have to lightly sand the piece to fully restore it.

Seal your teak furniture with a sealer specifically developed for it. This sealant will preserve the natural honey color as well as prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Some sealers can even protect it from developing stains when used around food.

Do not use varnish or non-recommended sealers on teak wood furniture. This could damage the wood and require much more sanding in the future. You also don’t want to allow water to pool on the furniture as it will cause damage.

Knowing these patio furniture cleaning tips will help you keep your teak patio furniture looking great. Remember to follow manufacturer’s guidelines for caring for your furniture or when using chemicals to clean it.

Ponds require regular maintenance. The better care you take, the longer your pond will be enjoyed by your family. There are things you should do during each season of the year, but here’s how you can ensure your pond is ready for the spring.

* Remove the de-icer or heating unit from the pond. Replace the filter and pump, then turn them on.

* Remove any leaves or decomposed organic material. Keep an eye out for algae and remove it as soon as you can.

* If the water appears black, remove at least one-third of it and then replace it with fresh water.

* Purchase the beneficial bacteria, chemicals, and water conditioners you’ll need for the spring and summer. Now would be the time to decide on any new items you’ll add to your pond as well.

* Check the level of the water in your pond and add a small amount at a time so the water temperature or the chemical balance isn’t disrupted too drastically. If you wintered your fish indoors, increase the water and chemical level before returning the fish to the pond.

* Begin feeding the fish once the temperatures reach or exceed 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Since any fish you might have in your pond are cold-blooded, they’ll begin getting interested in eating once their body temperature rises.

* Check the netting around the pond and repair it where necessary.

* Reset any rocks around you’ve placed around the border as well as prune the shrubs and any plants which are around the pond. You may also want to add new plants or features to the pond.

* Clean the filter as recommended by the manufacturer, being sure to clean the water intake more often to keep it from becoming clogged with debris.

If you take the time to care for your pond the way it requires, you’ll be able to enjoy it for years to come. Pay attention to any organic matter that falls into the water and clean it out. You’ll also want to remove any fish which may die.

What else can you do to benefit from your pond throughout the year? You may want to place a bench so you can sit near the pond watching the fish. Another option would be to set up a canopy swing. Then take the time to sit outside by the pond to enjoy being outdoors among nature.