If you look in the wood specialty shops or watch fine craftsmen on the television, you might get the impression that the router table has to be a complicated thing with an almost incomprehensible fence composed of many pieces.

Living in a house that is eighty or more years old presents a series of unique advantages and challenges.

Adding houseplants to your home’s interior provides color and life. Many species help ‘scrub’ the air while adding the benefit of a living thing to the home. The sight of a healthy, growing plant gives a lift that can be provided in no other way.

Buying a houseplant and caring for it takes time and effort. The rewards are a lovely addition to the home that adds a bit of life to the decoration scheme. But there are additional rewards to be had by growing your own plants from seeds or cuttings.

Choosing a pot is one of the most important decisions anyone interested in indoor gardening has to consider.

Outdoor plants are relatively self-regulating. They get most of what they need from the surrounding air and soil and often require no feeding aid. Indoor plants are much more reliant on the gardener’s tender ministrations. But it’s possible to overdo it.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of having houseplants is the opportunity they provide for doing interior design. A home can be lovely with good furniture, fine table-top items and beautiful paintings. But adding indoor plants can expand the choices enormously while moving the decoration into a whole new dimension.

How you prepare the soil for planting seeds or cuttings, or for repotting, depends on the type of plant involved. There are considerations that are generally true for almost all houseplants, and specific items and measurements that are unique to a species.

Many plants will do equally well indoor or out. But some thrive best in the protected environment of the house, while others won’t flourish unless they are in the elements. Anyone considering a bit of indoor gardening and decoration with houseplants will want to do a little research to find out which falls into which category.

Most plants receive their nutrients solely from the soil and air. They take up nitrogen, water and other needed materials by capillary action. They soak it up through the roots and distribute it through the stem and leaves. But carnivorous plants supplement their ‘diet’ with insects and even occasionally small reptiles. That’s what makes carnivorous plants all so interesting – their difference.

Most houseplants require some care year round. But exactly what you do is heavily influenced by the season. Most houseplant species have an active growing season in the Spring and early Summer, followed by a tapering off in the Fall. Many become dormant in Winter, even though the temperature in the house remains relatively warm.

There are millions of species that feed on houseplants. But there are a few that are found in almost every area.

Jade Plants provide a great option for indoor gardening, since they’re hardy and easy to grow. They thrive in containers and enjoy warm, dry conditions. As succulents, they tolerate low-water conditions well and require very little fertilizer.

The Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum) makes for an excellent houseplant. They’re attractive and easy to care for. Though, as with any houseplant, it’s possible to over or under water, they’re much more tolerant than most. And they live practically forever!

Having potted plants around the home provides lovely decoration and a healthy atmosphere. Not only do many indoor plants help ‘scrub’ the air, but the sight of healthy growing things provides a nice mental lift as well.

There are about 60 different species of the Genus Sansevieria, variously known as Snake Plant, Mother-In-Law’s Tongue and many other names. Many are natives of Africa, but it can be found in Australia, China, Japan or Hawaii as well as other areas. These beautiful plants make for an excellent addition to the indoor garden and they’re very easy to grow and care for properly.

Houseplants are living organisms and get attacked by other living things that produce diseases. Here are some common symptoms and tips on how to treat the diseases they indicate.

Bamboo makes for one of the more interesting houseplants. It’s decorative, hardy and can spread like wildfire, so it makes for a beautiful but challenging plant.

Palm trees are often associated with the tropics. Images of banana bearing trees come readily to mind, swaying in the breeze under a hot sun. But it’s also true that there are many palms that tolerate cold very well. That adaptability, along with their attractive appearance and easy care, make palm trees an excellent houseplant.

The Braided Money Tree (Pachira Aquatica) is a beautiful and unusual plant that makes for an excellent addition to any home. The tree is composed of several trunks that wind around one another, reaching anywhere from a foot to several feet in height. The bonsai version is around a foot, while full sized trees reach up to seven feet.

The overwhelming majority of houseplants get most of what they need by their own efforts, from decent soil and adequate sunlight. But, unlike their outdoor cousins, houseplants are very much at the mercy of their owners for proper watering.

Tropical plants are among the most popular indoor gardening choices. They’re often drought tolerant and easy to care for and there are many beautiful species.

Most lawn and garden tools have at least some parts that are prone to rust. The alloys used typically contain iron, which combines readily with the oxygen in air and water and produces the familiar reddish paste, iron oxide. Iron oxide is rust. Actually any metal which oxidizes is said to be rusted, but aluminum oxide, zinc oxide and others are not usually a large problem with tools.

Sharp shears are a necessity to avoid ripping those stems rather than slicing them neatly. It also decreases the muscular effort required to make the cut, saving your hands. Fortunately, keeping shears sharp as new is simple with the proper tools and technique.

Having an array of lawn and garden tools is a must for proper care. But no matter how many hoes, shears or shovels you have one thing remains true: lawn care uses chemicals.

Most tools have metal parts, making them subject to oxidation that weakens them. Wooden parts, too, can suffer an early demise if the coating is worn off by neglect. Keeping lawn and garden tools including gloves clean maximizes their lifetime and usefulness.

What could be simpler than moving a lawnmower over the grass? Why would anyone need advice on that? Well, like anything, there’s always more to it than appears at first glance.

Shears are among the most versatile tools for lawn and garden care. Though similar to garden scissors, they differ in several important ways – ways that make life easier for home lawn care workers.

Apart from your lawnmower, the trimmer or edger may be the tool you use most. Very few lawnmowers will get everything, since most lawns butt up against a wall, patio bricks or have trees in the lawn. As a result, the only way to keep that lawn looking really neat is to finish the job with an edger of some kind.

The type of hose repair needed depends, of course, on the type of leak you have. Here are two different possibilities for a leak, and how to fix them.

For a variety of lawn and garden tasks, both shears and shovels are essential. In both cases, the tool is designed to remove unwanted plant and earth from one place, so you can put it in another.

The metal parts of shovels, hoes, pole saws and other lawn tools with wooden pole handles always seem to outlast the handle. A broken handle usually renders the tool useless. Sometimes total replacement is the least expensive alternative, but it can be frustrating when the tool is relatively new. To replace just the handle can be simple and inexpensive, and satisfying, with the right tools and technique.

A rotary-blade power mower cuts grass by slicing it off at high speed. The blades on many move around 2,500 revolutions per minute. But that high speed becomes ineffective if the blades are dull or nicked. Fortunately, keeping them sharp is easy and takes only a few minutes with the proper tools and technique.

If you have a small yard, or few deciduous (leafy) trees, a rake may be good enough for your needs. But larger properties, or those with several trees may be more easily cleared with a power assist from a leaf blower. Keep in mind, too, that your tree may not be the only one putting leaves in your yard or driveway. The neighbors can contribute, thanks to wind.

Spreaders are handy for laying down weed killer, fertilizer and other lawn care products that help you maintain the yard or garden. They come in two basic types – broadcast spreaders and drop spreaders – and you may find it helpful to have at least one of each.

A watering can sounds like such a simple device that one wonders how there can be any difficulty in picking one. But, thanks to the ingenuity of contemporary designers, there are a dozen varieties. One may suit your needs better than another.

Some people garden and perform lawn care their whole lives using no gloves at all. But apart from the calluses and the dirt, some of us mere mortals require a little help from technology. Fortunately, the technology of gloves has come a long way in the past 50 years.

A hose is indispensable for nearly every lawn and garden. Even in areas that get regular rain, there are often dry spells that can be dangerous for plants. No matter how good your automatic sprinkler design, there are usually areas that don’t get enough, causing dry spots. And, there’s no good substitute for cleaning up spills or mud run-off from the patio.

It’s only been just over a hundred fifty years since grass was cut with a hand scythe – if it was cut at all. That was about the extent of lawn care then. Now, there are a dozen tools – some hand, some power, that are considered essential for keeping that green carpet in shape.

Sooner or later, anyone who has to mow the lawn every week or two for several months will begin to long for a ridable mower. These small tractor-style units are a true blessing for anyone with a 1/4 acre or more to keep neat.

Invented in 1830, the original lawnmower would be recognizable to day. The same basic parts were in place at the beginning. Though not gas or electrically powered, the twisted set of blades did an admirable job of keeping grass low. The reel mower was a welcomed replacement for hand scythes, though of course it took a while to catch on.

Most herbs are very hardy, surviving winter well and thriving in relatively poor soil. But people and plants may find it more comfortable to carry out their actions inside the greenhouse. Fortunately, there are several herbs that take to that environment readily.

In these three we have herbs that smell great and make for an essential addition to any chef’s toolkit.

Creating an herb garden is fun and practical. The aromas are wonderful, the view is beautiful, and many can be used as medicines or for cooking. Growing them is easy. They’re hardy and thrive well in all kinds of soils. But for optimal results, it’s helpful to keep in mind a few things about each specific one.

Container gardening can have a dozen advantages over ordinary, outdoor gardening. You can bring plants indoors for winter, or grow them in the house all year round.

Herbs have been used as cooking additives for thousands of years. They may be spicy or salty or tangy or just plain delicious, but whatever your recipe there’s an herb to suit.

Herbs are often used for seasoning in dishes or for medicinal purposes. But they are just as delightful creating wonderful aromas in the garden or a potpourri bowl. Many of those useful for cooking are so because of the oils contained in the leaves. That same oil gives them a scent that can be a pleasure just to smell. But even when you wouldn’t think of eating them, aromatic herbs are a treat for the nose.

Growing herbs is easier than most plants. They’re hardy, enjoy lots of sun and are amenable to soil that is too poor for many other plants. Dig up a few inches of earth and place one into the soil and you’ll have to do very little else. They require only modest watering and rarely need fertilizer.

One of the most common reasons people grow their own herbs is to use them as fresh additives to food. Though easy to grow, they still require care just like any plant. But the rewards are great when it comes to harvesting time.

There’s a large overlap between herbs that do well in an outdoor garden versus those that thrive inside. Many will perform equally well in either setting, provided they’re cared for properly.

Few places house more junk science than in the advertisements of herbal medicines. Near miraculous claims are made that haven’t been tested or substantiated. Nevertheless, some herbs have, in fact, been used for thousands of years to help treat a number of conditions.

What good is an herb you can’t eat or use as medicine? Well, it’s certainly true that the majority are useful, in the sense that they make a fine seasoning or provide a cure. But some things are valuable that have no ‘use’ at all, other than to simply look beautiful.

Some herbs are grown simply for their beauty and fragrance in the garden. But once grown, many herbs are harvested for what they were grown for: medicines, seasonings, aromatics and so forth. That requires proper preservation techniques, usually drying.

Whether outdoor or in a container, good soil is fundamental to the health of your herbs. From the sun, they receive the energy needed to perform all the activities that makes possible growth and reproduction.

Growing and harvesting herbs has been carried out for thousands of years in all cultures around the world. But in medieval Europe it was raised to a high art. Devoid of medical knowledge and technology that was known even to the Greeks, the Middle Ages depended heavily on herbs for medicines. Their practice was a mixture of experience and nonsense, but they also knew much that was valid.

Herbs require very little care compared to many plants. How many times have you had to spray your roses or trim your orchids? Herbs, by comparison, do well in poor soil, require little fertilizer and only modest watering.

Spring is just around the corner. Have your herbs gotten the news?

Winterizing your herb garden isn’t difficult, but the actions you take will differ depending on the type of herbs you have planted. Just as with other plants and flowers, some are annual others perennials. That means they either die off with the cold weather or simply become dormant, to rise again the following spring.

Creating an herb garden is fun and practical. The aromas are wonderful, the view is beautiful, and many can be used as medicines or for cooking. Growing them is easy. They’re hardy and thrive well in all kinds of soils. But for optimal results, it’s helpful to keep in mind a few things about each specific one.

The beginning gardener will find herbs a great choice for those early experiments. Herbs are very forgiving, doing well in poor soil and requiring little or no fertilizer. They’re insect resistant in many cases, and don’t require constant pruning.