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By Michael Sanford

Gardening is an activitythe art and craft of growing plantswith a goal of creating a beautiful environment. Gardening most often takes place in or about one’s residence, in a space referred to as the garden. A garden that is in close proximity to one’s residence is also known as a residential garden. Although a garden typically is located on the land within, surrounding, or adjacent to a residence, it may also be located in less traditional locations such as on a roof, in an atrium, on a balcony, in a windowbox, or on a patio.

Gardening also takes place in non-residential green areas, such as parks, public or semi-public gardens (botanical gardens or zoological gardens), amusement and theme parks, along transportation corridors, and around tourist attractions and hotels. In these situations, a staff of gardeners or groundskeepers maintains the gardens.

Indoor gardening is concerned with the growing of what are essentially houseplants within a residence or building, in a conservatory, or in a greenhouse. Plants grown in a conservatory or greenhouse may or may not require more exacting care and conditions than ordinary houseplants. Indoor gardens are sometimes incorporated as part of air conditioning or heating systems. Water gardening is concerned with growing plants adapted to pools and ponds. Bog gardens are also considered a type of water garden. These all require special conditions and considerations. A simple water garden may consist solely of a tub containing the water and plant(s).

In cryptanalysis, gardening was a term used at Bletchley Park during World War II for schemes to entice the Germans to include known plaintext, which they called cribs, in their encrypted messages. It is claimed to have been most effective against messages produced by the German Navy’s Enigma machines

In China, for instance, farmers regularly set up outhouses on the roads to attract tourists to use them, furnishing the farmers with “night soil” (human manure) for use as a fertiliser. These methods make excellent use of calories and minerals and water, but of course violate the aesthetics of most Westerners, who would balk at using stranger’s human wastes on their own gardens. There is thus some conflict between gardening for personal or aesthetic reasons, and for practical food-raising, even for one household.

The living wall is an unusual variant of a living machine and is effectively a vertical garden: water dripping down feeds a surface growing with moss and vines, other plants, some insects and bacteria, and captured at the bottom in a pool or pond to be recirculated to the top. These are sometimes built indoors to help cure sick building syndrome or otherwise increase the oxygen levels in recirculated air.

Gardening is considered to be an absolutely essential art in most cultures. In Japan, for instance, Samurai and Zen monks were often required to build decorative gardens or practice related skills like flower arrangement known as ikebana.

Social aspect

In modern Europe and North America, people often express their political or social views in gardens, intentionally or not. The Green parties and Greenpeace often advise their campaigners to call first on homeowners who have lush chaotic wild gardens, as these are deemed to be more likely to respond to the Greens’ political message than those with AstroTurf or bluegrass lawns. No reliable statistics support such claims, but for many years, in the United States, there was a widespread belief that there was such a thing as a Republican lawn and Democratic lawn.

The lawn vs. garden issue is played out in urban planning as the debate over the “land ethic” that is to determine urban land use and whether hyperhygienist bylaws (e.g. weed control) should apply, or whether land should generally be allowed to exist in its natural wild state. In a famous Canadian Charter of Rights case, “Sandra Bell vs. City of Toronto”, 1997, the right to cultivate all native species, even most varieties deemed noxious or allergenic, was upheld as part of the right of free expression, at least in Canada.

Gardening is thus not only a food source and art, but also a right. The Slow Food movement has sought in some countries to add an edible schoolyard and garden classrooms to schools, e.g. in Fergus, Ontario, where these were added to a public school to augment the kitchen classroom.

In US and British usage, the care, installation, and maintenance of ornamental plantings in and around commercial and institutional buildings is called landscaping, landscape maintenance or groundskeeping, while international usage uses the term gardening for these same activities.

History

Gardening for food extends far back into prehistory. Ornamental gardens are known in ancient times (the Hanging Gardens of Babylon), and ancient Rome had dozens of gardens. See the History of gardening article for more information, including a List of historical garden types, as well as a List of notable historical gardens.

About the Author: For more information on organic gardeningart please visit the organic gardening art resource center at

gardening-help-guide.info

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Here we have short reviews of the top 2011 Keystone Montana fifth wheel RVs. This is not your typical “pros and cons” review as there aren’t many cons for these models. Keystone is the number one RV manufacturer in North America for a reason, so you wont find many cons with these RVs anyway.

Model: 3400RL

This is a 34-foot rear living model. It’s very visually appealing from the outside. The first thing you’ll notice is the bright colored graphics, 4 slides and aerodynamic nose-cap. However, one of my favorite features is the remote control that allows you to lower and raise the power jacks, roll out the awning, turn on the porch light, and level the coach without even going inside. This one is great for full time living.

Model: 3665RE

.This is a 36 foot rear entertainment model with 4 slides, finished in high gloss gel-coat and fiberglass caps on the front and rear. Inside you’ll find features like rounded corners, big tinted windows, and a rear fireplace. The mantel over the fireplace conceals a big-screen TV that slides up for viewing with the touch of a button. Simply press the button again and it lowers away out of sight. This one has lots of cabinets, kitchen peninsula and a 4-door refrigerator. Built for a party.

Model: 295RKD

This is one tricked-out RV, aluminum frame construction with high gloss exterior finish for starters. Inside you’ll find features like a rear kitchen with TONS of counter space. The LCD television is mounted on a articulating arm so you can watch it from everywhere in the coach. I really like the stereo system that controls the speakers (inside/out) it even has built-in DVD player and auxiliary inputs for USB or ipod. It’s even better upstairs… rounded corners, skylight, LCD TV, lots of headroom, and all richly finished with natural wood and soothing fabrics.

Model: 345DBQ

This one is probably my favorite model. It features two bathrooms, sleeping for 8-9 people, 3 TV’s, and an outside cooking station complete with hot/cold running water. Just open the automatic awning, fire-up the exterior speakers for the stereo, and the BBQ is at your house! Great for a family or work crew, and built with convenience in mind for multiple inhabitants. Plus, it’s a Montana, North America’s favorite 5th wheel.

Ok, now the bad part of the review. You have to have a large income to afford any of these, but you certainly get what you pay for.

Article Source: sooperarticles.com/automotive-articles/recreational-vehicles-articles/2011-keystone-montana-rvs-review-149143.html

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Keystone Montana RVsKomfort Resort RVsLance Camper RVsAuthor: Thomas Perreault

By Alyssa Davis

The front entryway and door to your house is what provides people with their first impression about your home. There are some methods you can use to design an entryway and front entrance door that will make a dramatic statement and improve the overall look of your home from the outside.

The Entrance Door Size

The door you choose has a big impact on the appearance of the front entryway into your home. One method of creating a lot of drama is using an oversized door. Although this might take a bit of retrofitting if you are remodeling an existing home, a door that is taller than normal can add a lot of impact to the overall look. This can be especially effective if the home has a foyer area with a tall ceiling, or a grand light fixture hung high inside the entryway to the home. French double doors can also add a lot of style and appeal, again by being larger than your average front door.

Dramatic Colors

Instead of using lighter neutral shades, choose a darker and more dramatic accent color for the front door. Colors that can be extremely effective are burgundy and deep greens, as well as other dark and earthy colors. This is a good way of picking up accent colors from inside your home, as well as outside, and can help to accentuate architectural features both inside and outside your home. For instance, if you have greens in your living room area, choose a complementary color that is a shade or two darker for your front door, for additional emphasis. You can also create some drama by selecting a surprising or contrasting color for the front door. Or, add some color to your front door by choosing doors that feature stained glass, or etched glass areas.

Door Design

If you are shopping for a new front door, consider some of the new styles that include plenty of windows. Not only does this let a lot of light into your home, but it also can let some of your interior design, such as a dramatic entryway light fixture, become visible from outside. Some of these doors include a surrounding framework that is also designed with a lot of style, such as an arch shape with glass panes over the top of the doorframe. Wooden doors finished in rich shades are beautiful, or select from fiberglass door styles which are easy to care for, and provide good insulating properties. There are many door manufacturers that make fiberglass doors in styles that closely resemble the design features and patterns of wood doors.

Accessorizing the Front Door

In addition to the door itself, there are other things you can do to create a dramatic entryway into your home. Select impressive door hardware, and add a beautiful brass doorknocker. Beautiful brass hardware looks especially elegant when contrasted against dark colored doors. You can also increase the drama of your entryway by adding a tasteful wreath to the front door, or by adding some plantings or other types of landscaping to the area immediately surrounding the front door.

About the Author: Metal-Wall-Art.com regularly features articles by Alyssa Davis on decorating with large wall sculptures and butterfly metal wall hangings.

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By Beverly Kane

Your backyard is one of those private retreats where you can just about do any activity to relax and muse. Pool and patio furniture add tremendous value to this little outdoor space. And since its summer, you could probably be in the mood to buy some elegant pool and patio furniture to add more value to this precious space, where you can be just yourself. Sit, swing, lounge , glide or smell the earth, admire nature and all that is around you.

The whole idea is not to pull up a lawn chair and sit by the pool. Exclusive furniture made for the pool and patio add that special touch to your private outdoors. You will perhaps have to spend a little time to shop around and choose the most perfect one for your use. Furniture retailers sell the hot items fast, so if you locate something you fancy, buy it before it is too late.

Pool and patio furniture are available in different styles with varied price range. The standard patio furniture comes with four chairs with optional seat covers, one table and an umbrella. You could also go for smaller sets including two chairs, a matching small table with or without an umbrella. Chaise lounge chairs have adjustable back so you can adjust the leaning angle, to suit your need. These are good for relaxing by the pool and sunbathing.

While you can always buy them individually, they come as part of the patio set as well. Pads meant for these chairs are also available singly or with the set. A swing is a good idea, which adds to your relaxation. These can be put in one corner of the patio or in any corner of your choice. Pool and patio furniture are very sturdy and can withstand all weather conditions. A wise idea would be however to put away the chair pads during extreme weather conditions, or when you are not using it for a long period of time.

If you wondering where you get these furniture, they are available at most home improvement stores in your area. And of course they are readily available at Home Depot or Lowes, at Wal-Mart, Target, Pier 1, and similar stores which sell furniture for garden and outdoors. Buying these furniture online is also a feasible option. Usually shipping costs are included, but this element could be expensive. Remember to go through the return policies when you purchase furniture online, in case these don’t suit your needs and you have to return them.

So go ahead and get yourself the comfort and luxury of pool and patio furniture and enjoy the great outdoors. The enjoyment is unlimited.

About the Author: Beverly Kane is a staff writer at

Home Improvement Gazette

and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including

The Shopping Gazette

.

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