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The Benefits of Hiring Professional Chicago Commercial Cleaning Services

Businesses looking to maintain a clean and healthy work environment often turn to professional commercial cleaning services. Companies worldwide have long since realized that hiring an experienced and qualified team of cleaners can bring numerous benefits to their workplace. With this in mind, let’s look at some of the major advantages of investing in Chicago commercial cleaning services.

Improved Employee Health & Wellbeing

One of the main reasons why many organizations opt for commercial cleaning services is because it can help improve employee health and well-being. Studies show that employees who work in hygienic surroundings are more productive when compared to those who don’t. A good quality deep clean will remove any dirt or dust particles from carpets, furniture, windowsills, and other surfaces, which reduces the chances of people getting sick or having allergic reactions due to contact with bacteria or allergens.

Reduced Risk Of Property Damage & Losses

Another advantage of relying on Chicago-based commercial cleaning services is that it reduces the risk of property damage and losses. The cleaners use specialized products and techniques which ensure that all surfaces are cleaned thoroughly without causing any harm to them. For example, powerful steam cleaners can be used on floors and walls with minimal water usage. At the same time, professional tools such as an oscillating brush machine are great for scrubbing hard flooring surfaces like tile or terrazzo without causing any scratches or marks.

Enhanced Working Environment

A neat office space creates a pleasant working environment for everyone. It also helps create a positive impression when customers visit your premises, as they can tell how seriously you take cleanliness standards within your organization. Hiring a reliable team of professionals allows you to keep your office spick and span 24/7, giving visitors an even better impression of what you do as a business owner or manager.

Improved Safety Standards

Working in dirty conditions increases the risk of accidents due to slippery floors, poor lighting or loose cables, etc. However, regular cleaning can help reduce this danger significantly by quickly removing any obstacles or potential hazards from walkways and desks before anyone gets hurt. This is especially important if your company deals with hazardous materials on site, too as keeping things organized is key to preventing mishaps from occurring during daily operations.

Cost Effectiveness

Last but most importantly, opting for reputable Chicago-based cleaning services help businesses save money in the long run by eliminating the need for costly repairs caused by neglecting basic maintenance tasks like vacuuming carpets or mopping floors regularly enough, etc., something cleaners will take care of during, their visits so you won’t have to spend time worrying about these sorts of jobs yourself anymore!

Conclusion

As can be seen from above, there are plenty of benefits associated with relying upon experts when it comes down to keeping your company premises clean at all times – improved safety standards, enhanced working environment, reduced risks, etc., not forgetting cost effectiveness! Therefore if you’re looking for ways on how best manage your business’s hygiene requirements then certainly consider investing in professional commercial cleaning services today!

5 Questions To Ask Before Hiring Movers In Arlington Heights

Moving can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be if you know the right questions to ask when hiring movers. If you need moving services in Arlington Heights, IL, make sure to research your options and ask the following five questions before making a decision:

1. What Services Do You Offer?

Before settling on any moving company, make sure they offer all the services you require. Do they provide packing services? Are they willing to move appliances and other large items? An experienced and reliable mover should have a wide range of available options to meet all your needs.

2. How Much Will It Cost?

When searching for movers in Arlington Heights, IL, always get an estimate of how much the move will cost before agreeing to anything. Make sure the quote is accurate and comprehensive – it should include labor costs, supplies like boxes and tape as well as any additional fees such as for stairs or bulky furniture. Additionally, note whether there are any hidden fees or additional charges that may arise during the move.

3. Are You Licensed & Insured?

Don’t hire a moving company without first verifying their licensing and insurance information. Reputable companies should carry liability insurance covering damages due to negligence and worker’s compensation insurance protecting their employees while on the job. Furthermore, most states also require professional movers to have special licenses certifying them as qualified professionals within this industry – double check with your local DMV before signing any contracts with potential movers.

4. How Long Have You Been In Business?

To determine whether or not a particular mover is reliable and trustworthy, find out how long they’ve been operating in Arlington Heights, IL – look for customer reviews online if possible! Generally speaking, more experience usually translates into higher quality service as these companies have had time to perfect their processes over time through trial and error – choose a company with at least 3 years experience in the field for best results!

5. Can I see your references?

Any reputable removal company should be happy to provide references from previous clients on request – call around and ask about their experience of working with each company to ensure you’re choosing someone who puts customer satisfaction above all else! Also, don’t hesitate to contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB) if you’re looking for extra peace of mind – BBB-accredited providers are required to adhere to strict standards of excellence when providing goods/services!

The bottom line

Hiring professional removals companies can save you time and hassle throughout your move, but only if you choose one that is able to meet your individual requirements. Asking these five key questions beforehand can help ensure you receive a quality service from start to finish, so don’t forget to do your due diligence!

Winterizing Your Plumbing System: How to Prepare for the Cold Weather Ahead

When winter approaches, it’s important to make sure your home plumbing system is ready to face the cold temperatures. Taking steps ahead of time can save you from emergency υδραυλικος visits and costly repairs. Here’s a guide on how to prepare your plumbing system for winter.

1) Insulate Exposed Pipes:

One of the most effective ways to prevent freezing pipes in your home is by insulating all exposed pipes with foam or fiberglass sleeves. If done properly, this will help keep your water lines above freezing temperatures and prevent them from cracking due to extreme weather conditions. An experienced plumber can help ensure that all pipes are insulated correctly and securely wrapped.

2) Clean Gutters and Drains:

During fall, leaves and other debris may clog up drains and gutters near the house, so it’s important that these areas are cleared out before winter arrives. A professional plumber should be able to check the condition of these areas, as well as make any necessary repairs if needed.

3) Check Heating Systems:

You must have an efficient heating system for those frigid winter months, otherwise, frozen water lines could be a problem. Before turning on your furnace, a licensed plumber can inspect your air ducts for dust accumulation or potential blockages caused by pests or rodents during the summer months. An inspection like this should also include checking gas connections, filters and thermostats too in order to avoid carbon monoxide leaks or fires within the home due to faulty wiring systems.

4) Unplug Outdoor Hoses:

Ensure all garden hoses are removed from outdoor faucets before temperatures drop below freezing levels. Leaving them attached may cause pipe breakage due to ice buildup inside the hose nozzle. It’s also important that you shut off valves leading into these outside hoses in order to prevent flooding when temperatures start rising again come springtime!

5) Keep The Heat On Low:

When preparing for colder weather, it’s recommended not to turn the heat off completely, but instead set thermostats at 55 degrees Fahrenheit day and night to maintain heat inside pipes throughout the winter months – especially if they’re not properly insulated or located near exterior walls of homes, which tend to receive less heat circulation than other parts of the house! This will help reduce the chances of having frozen pipes later down the line as well as potentially saving energy costs in the long run too, as running furnaces continuously uses a lot of electricity overtime compared to when they are only running intermittently (such as at lower temperature settings).

6) Monitor water pressure levels:

As snow piles up outside during the winter season, there is a chance increased pressure could build up around the main supply line, which then leads to burst pipe fittings inside the home if left unchecked; therefore, monitor water pressure levels regularly (at least once a month) while ensuring correct readings each time (ideally between 40-60 psi), be sure to contact local authorities immediately if high numbers are detected – as this potentially means serious damage has already been done internally causing further complications down the road without proper intervention soonest possible!

7) Install emergency valves:

Last, but certainly not least, installing emergency valves near water mains helps immensely in dealing with unexpected issues that arise such as broken pipes during harsh weather conditions – in fact many cities now require the installation of certain types of valve systems before issuing permits for new housing developments, construction sites alike due to their effectiveness in preventing flooding both residential and commercial properties alike, while still allowing access for pipe repair work even in the worst case scenarios where isolation is needed, fast response times matter most! By taking the preventative measures mentioned above along with adhering to local regulations applicable regarding installation & maintenance of such devices accordingly, one should easily protect themselves peace of mind knowing their family is safe no matter what Mother Nature throws their way each year comes around again after another…

Unlocking The Possibilities Of 3D Printed House Regulations

3D printing is a rapidly emerging technology that has evolved from simply being able to make small items like toys, to now having the potential of constructing entire homes. This promises to revolutionize the construction industry by drastically reducing costs, increasing speed and efficiency, and allowing for greater design creativity. However, with this new technology comes a whole host of challenges and opportunities related to regulations surrounding 3D printed houses.

Understanding Building Regulations

As with all new construction technologies, building codes and regulations must be followed before a structure can be considered safe and habitable. These rules exist for safety and aesthetics; some local governments may have rules about what type of materials can be used or how much square footage certain structures can occupy on a given piece of land. Understanding these building regulations is essential in order to ensure that the 3D printed house meets all requirements.

Navigating Planning & Zoning Regulations

In addition to understanding building regulations, developers need to consider any planning or zoning restrictions that might apply in their area when considering an application for a 3D printed house. Every region has different rules regarding where certain types of buildings can be located and what kinds of activities are allowed within those areas; these restrictions should be taken into account when designing a 3D printed home so as to avoid running afoul of local laws.

Exploring Funding Options

Building a 3D printed house requires significant upfront capital, especially if one wants to utilize specialized equipment such as robotic arms or advanced software programs to print out the structure. Securing funding for such projects can prove difficult because most traditional financial institutions have yet to become familiar with this new technology and thus may hesitate before investing money into it. As such, exploring alternative funding options such as crowd-funding campaigns or government grants is often necessary for developers to move forward with their project.

Minimizing Environmental Impact

The environmental impact of 3D printed houses also needs careful consideration during development. While they offer many advantages over traditional construction methods (such as using fewer resources), they also require large amounts of energy, potentially harming the environment if not managed properly. Taking steps such as using renewable energy sources or recycling materials wherever possible will help to minimize any negative environmental impact caused by the construction of 3D printed homes.

Drive adoption through education and outreach

Finally, developers and local authorities alike need to promote awareness of this innovative new technology through education and outreach efforts aimed at both builders and consumers.This will help increase adoption rates by making people more comfortable with experimenting with something unfamiliar, such as 3D printed homes, rather than relying solely on traditional methods, such as stick and brick construction, every time they decide to build something new.

Reaping the benefits of new technology

Ultimately, the adoption of regulation around 3D printers offers builders – whether they’re individual homeowners embarking on DIY projects or larger contractors looking to increase production – the opportunity to reap all the benefits associated with this cutting-edge technology: faster completion times, lower costs, creative designs, reduced environmental impact, etc. With continued innovation, we will soon see even more exciting developments in what we can create with 3D printers.

Relocating Moving Services Make it Simple

When the time comes to move, you have a lot of different things to take care of. From packing and moving boxes to transferring utilities, setting up mail forwarding, and more, relocating can be stressful. That’s why many people turn to professional relocation moving services for help. With the right team on your side, relocating can be simple and stress-free. Here’s how Lake Forest Movers makes it simpler:

Full-Service Packing Solutions

One of the most tedious parts of any move is packing up all your belongings into boxes. But with full-service packing solutions from Lake Forest Movers, that task becomes easier. They provide all the necessary materials: boxes, bubble wrap, tape, and labels – so everything you own stays safe during transport. The team will even come in and pack items for you if desired!

Secure Storage Options

Another challenge those relocating face is finding secure storage for their items while transitioning between homes or offices. Thankfully, Lake Forest Movers offers top-notch storage options that are perfect for short-term or long-term needs – whether that includes furniture or important documents. Plus, their climate-controlled facilities ensure everything inside remains protected from extreme temperatures or humidity levels as well as theft or vandalism.

Specialized Vehicle Transport

From cars and motorcycles to boats and RVs, specialized vehicle transportation is essential to any successful relocation plan. Fortunately, Lake Forest Movers is experienced in safely transporting a wide variety of vehicles, no matter how large or small! They also offer door-to-door collection and delivery, so you don’t have to worry about working around someone else’s schedule when moving day arrives.

White Glove Delivery Services

For those looking for white-glove service when it comes to moving their belongings or furniture, look no further than Lake Forest Movers! Their professional movers specialize in ensuring that each item is handled with extreme care at every step of the moving process – ensuring that nothing is damaged along the way! This type of service is perfect for art collectors looking to move fragile pieces across town – or anyone who wants peace of mind when moving valuable possessions from point A to point B.

Comprehensive insurance cover

No matter what mode of transportation is used during a move, accidents do happen. For this reason, Lake Forest movers are proud to offer comprehensive insurance coverage throughout the relocation process – giving clients true peace of mind knowing that their personal belongings are fully covered should anything happen along the way.

Professional relocation assistance

One thing that really sets Lake Forest Movers apart from other companies offering similar services is that they also offer professional assistance in planning a big move! Their experts can help draw up floor plans, coordinate loading times, and even assist in obtaining permits for certain locations – all while providing helpful advice on how best to deal with any unexpected problems during transit!

Expert Unloading & Set Up Services

Last but not least, Lake Forest Movers also specialize in providing expert unloading & setup services at both ends once the move has arrived at its final destination. No longer will customers have to spend hours trying to figure out where exactly to place each box or piece of furniture – because these experienced professionals know just what to do to make quick work of the task at hand!

Moving home doesn’t have to be a stressful ordeal thanks to the dedicated team at Lake Forest movers. With an array of different packages available based on individual needs, their full suite of services guarantees hassle-free transitions whatever situation arises! So next time you’re looking to simplify your next big move, contact them today to get started.

The Benefits of Less is More: Master Dumper Junk Removal Helps You Declutter Your Home

Decluttering your home can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With the help of Master Dumper Junk Removal, you can easily downsize and declutter your home with minimal effort and maximum results. Follow these simple steps to get started on your journey toward an organized, uncluttered space.

1. Create an Action Plan

Before you start tossing items in a trash bag or donating them to charity, take some time to create an action plan for yourself. Think about what areas within your home need the most attention and focus on those first. Set realistic goals that are achievable in short periods of time so that you don’t become overwhelmed or discouraged during the process.

2. Take Inventory

Once you have established your goals, it’s time to take inventory of what needs to go and what should stay put. Make three piles — “keep”, “donate/sell” and “trash/recycle” — as this will help make sorting easier and faster. Don’t forget about items stored away in closets, cupboards or attics either! Out of sight often means out of mind when it comes to clutter build-up over the years.

3. Purge Unnecessary Items

It will be tempting to hang onto certain things because they may hold sentimental value or could possibly come in handy at some point down the road; however, if something has not been used over the past year or two then chances are slim that it will ever be used again so let it go! Remember though that getting rid of clutter does not necessarily mean throwing everything away – consider donating items such as clothes, furniture and books to local charities who would appreciate them more than letting them collect dust in your basement or garage!

4. Invest in Storage Solutions

Now that you have gone through all the unnecessary stuff taking up space around the house, it’s time to invest in storage solutions for all your keepsakes! Consider investing in quality shelving units with doors or drawers so that everything stays neat, tidy and organized – plus it might even save you money since buying one large piece instead of several small ones could potentially cost less overall! Plus hidden storage solutions like ottomans with lids provide extra seating without sacrificing style points too much either – win-win!

5. Use labels & containers

Labeling boxes is a great way to keep track of where things go around the house – it also makes it easier for everyone to find things quickly when they need them, which makes life just a little bit easier! Also, using containers (plastic bins/wicker baskets) for smaller items such as jewelry or toiletries will prevent them from getting lost amongst the other clutter around the house – bonus points for keeping things both visually and practically organized!

6. Recycle & reuse what you can

There is no need to throw away perfectly good materials that can be recycled into something completely different – think old T-shirts turned into cushion covers instead? If ideas don’t come to mind, look online for ways people have reused their own material possessions – the sky’s the limit! Also, donate any usable items such as electronics etc. instead of leaving them to gather dust – someone else might find a better use for them anyway 🙂

7. Find a local rubbish removal company to help you with the cleanup.

Master Dumper Junk Removal offers professional services that include helping homeowners remove unwanted junk from their homes safely and efficiently – giving customers more free time while transforming their spaces back into beautiful havens! The company’s experienced staff ensure that customers receive nothing but first-class service every time – making sure that every job taken on is done correctly and without any hassle! So no matter how big (or small) your junk removal project may be, rest assured that Master Dumper Junk Removal has got your back!)

8. Reward yourself for a job well done!

No matter how big (or small) a project is, rewarding yourself afterward always helps to motivate further progress toward future goals! Celebrate the completion of your project by inviting friends over for dinner and drinks, going shopping for new furniture now that you have some space to work in, or taking a hot bubble bath after a late night’s work… the possibilities are really endless 🙂 So treat yourself, my fellow declutterers – you deserve it!

Summerhouses Make the Perfect Home Offices

After suffering months and years of commuter travel which eats into your life at both ends of the day, it’s maybe easier if you can work from home and save yourself the expenses and stress, let alone your damage to the carbon footprint.

Working from home does present a number of obvious difficulties. If other people live in your home during the day and young children are allowed to play wherever they want, you will probably be worried that you might not be as productive as you would like to be.

The answer to this problem could be to add a log cabin summerhouse in your garden so you can be taken away from your home and all its distractions, like daytime television, and work quietly and efficiently making good use of fresh air and the lack of car fumes.

There are many cheap summerhouses on the market as well as many available in the good quality build bracket. If your company isn’t providing any finance towards your perfect home office, then the budget for your choice of summerhouse will be down to you, but a great log cabin summerhouse can be used for many purposes apart from a Home Office and can add substantial value and purchaser attraction in the future.

Choosing where to sit in your new log cabin summerhouse might be decided after a trial and error period because you won’t want to be distracted by watching the butterflies and birds spending the day in your garden you won’t want to be in full sunlight when it does show.

Decorating your home office space will make it feel like home with a balance of using the area as a home office summerhouse. Because it is your work area you will be able to paint in any colour scheme that suits you because you’re the only one that will need to look at it.

The only exception to this rule is to consider the value of painting full-size rainbows across your walls, when your managing director comes to visit to check that you are working properly.

Unless you are going to operate everything wirelessly from your home, which would include your telephone, your computer and your printer, you will need a supply of electricity to at least manage your lighting in your home office.

Adding a log cabin summerhouse to your garden gives you the opportunity to add solar panels to the roof to provide all of your electrical needs in your home office.

Choosing a summerhouse to relocate to your home office will add hours to your day which might mean you can be more productive in your work, which might mean more money from your company or you might choose to reallocate those hours to your family so you can spend more time together.

You should also think ahead of the times when you won’t need to use your log cabin summerhouse as a home office, so buy a summerhouse that is big enough to cope with any of your future thoughts.

If you maintain your log cabin summerhouse correctly, it will give you years of good use. If you keep it clean and tidy and office like and keep sufficient supplies in your office so that you don’t have to keep visiting your house for coffee or reality game-shows, your work ethics can only get better.

Soil

Many gardeners understand that a plant in a container cannot rely on the potting soil for nutrition, at least not forever. Outdoor plants that are growing in the yard are naturally replenished to some extent, by plants and old leaves that are slowly decomposed by rain and microbial action. This accumulated plant debris is a natural fertilizer.

Nutritional supplements are commonly called plant food or fertilizer. The term “plant food” has often caused hostile reactions within academic horticulture circles. Although it helps to think of fertilizer as plant food, it’s not. Technically, plants manufacture or produce their own food by photosynthesis. This natural process within the plant portions that contain chlorophyll converts carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight into sugars that are the building blocks of green tissues. The mineral nutrients that are found in fertilizer are necessary to stimulate photosynthesis and therefore make food production possible.

Houseplants or plants that are grown in containers are quite isolated from the natural fertilization cycle. They struggle enough in their pursuit of light and water. Only when the nutritional needs of the plant are met by the conscientious grower, can plant vigor be insured. A vital and yet integral part of any plant maintenance program should be a regular fertilization schedule.

Most houseplant nutritional problems can be controlled with three major fertilizer elements.

The first element listed by number on the plant food package is nitrogen (N). It is the most important to overall plant growth. It also is the quickest one to dissolve in water and He available through the roots. Unfortunately, nitrogen is also the Element most quickly removed or leached out of the soil. Often much of the nitrogen disappears out the drainage holes before it is absorbed by the roots.

Within the plant, most of the ingested nitrogen is utilized in the manufacture of leaf tissue. A plant that has received an adequate supply of this vital nutrient will exhibit lush green leaves and plant parts. The lack of adequate nitrogen may result in lower-leaf drop, stunted growth, and an overall faded-out appearance. Too much nitrogen, however, can result in an overabundance of lush foliage or leaves. Tomatoes are a prime example of too much foliage with few fruits as the result of too much nitrogen. The leaves that are produced with an abundance of nitrogen are often soft and therefore weak. They are less likely to support strong plant growth and are often more susceptible to disease and insect attack.

Phosphorus (P) is the second number on the fertilizer product label. This figure is representative of the percentage of phosphoric acid, not just pure phosphorus. Plants need less phosphorus than nitrogen and also soils lose less phosphorus to leaching.

The presence of adequate phosphorus insures a vigorous root system and a sturdy stem. The element’s major importance is in speeding plant maturation and therefore development of flower buds.

Many flowering plants like hibiscus, vinca, lantana, purslane, bougainvillea and allamanda require high phosphorus fertilizers for adequate bloom count. The lack of phosphorus can result in stunted growth as well as lack of flowers.

Potassium (K) is the third major fertilizer element. Potassium combines with oxygen to form potassium oxide which is commonly known as potash.

The presence of potassium in the plant encourages flowering and plays a key role in seed quality. It also is essential for plant vigor and health. Cold- and disease-resistant qualities are enhanced with adequate quantities of potassium.

The regular use of fertilizer should be an integral part of your plant care, regardless of what kind of fertilizer you use. Never over-feed, but be consistent and observe your plants’ reactions to the fertilizer you are using.

Cost Of Home Remodeling

What is the Cost of Home Remodeling? It is important to figure out the cost of home remodeling before you decide to start tearing down walls. You should run the numbers of your home additions cost to decide whether your project is a smart investment. These numbers should include how much money you have on hand to pay the cost of home renovations, what you can afford to finance, any tax benefits, the cost of a reputable remodeling contractor and the materials you plan to use. Before you decide to carry out your remodel plans, you should ask yourself a few questions: Would it possibly be cheaper to buy a new house than carry out your remodeling plan? Will your remodel increase the value of your home?

A “home improvement” project, such as painting the walls or installing new carpet might make your house look more attractive, but won’t really do anything for the value of your home. On the other hand, adding a room or rooms or adding a second floor, DOES affect the value of your home. How is the market value of homes in your area? Are they holding up? Great. You don’t want to sink money in a money pit, even if you love your home. If you aren’t going to see a return on your remodeling investment, think long and hard about remodeling. If however, your house’s value is holding up, remodeling your home might be a great idea to increase the value and have a nice, renovated home to live in. Bathroom and kitchen remodels are especially effective at raising the value of your home.

A bathroom or kitchen remodel cost can be higher than remodeling your living room because of the plumbing and fixtures involved in those rooms. When figuring your kitchen remodeling costs, you will need to decide on the quality of fixtures you are going to use. Cost of Home Remodeling Start with a budget. Know what you can afford to spend, then figure out what you will do with the money. You can create a budget worksheet to help you figure this out. Possible things you might want to include in your remodeling costs of home additions worksheet: any new real estate you need to purchase, your foundation, framing, roofing, doors, windows, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, insulation, exterior treatments, walls, painting, ceilings, kitchen and bath fixtures, laundry, lighting, garage, deck, patio and so on. There are many estimators to help you estimate cost of home additions available online. Try several and see which one is easiest to work with and the most accurate in your estimation. Most of them will allow you to enter your home zip code to pull local numbers.

If you are going to need to finance some or all of your remodel, you must protect and build your credit score and understand financing. This is a topic too large to go over here, but it is very important. Well, there it is. Now you know that you should do your homework to see if the cost of home remodeling will increase the value of your home. If it will, then go to the next step and use a cost of home remodeling calculator to find out what your plans might cost in your area. If you are planning a remodel in the mountains around the Big Bear, CA area, we can help you figure out your remodeling costs. We have years of experience and many of our customers are very glad we helped them come up with an accurate estimate. We can help you too. Click here to return Home from “Cost of Home Remodeling”

Drawing Up a Vegetable Garden Plan

After you have chosen and measured your garden area, spread out a large sheet of paper—shelf paper will do. Use a simple scale, such as one inch for one foot. Draw lines every 3 inches across the paper to represent walkways 3 feet apart in the plot. Picture the space between the walkways as slightly raised beds. Down each of these beds you can run two rows of small-to-medium sized vegetables or one row of larger types. Extra-large vegetables, such as melons and squash, must be given two or three full beds to sprawl across. Seed packets give you some clues by listing heights and recommended spacing between plants, but also consider the points that follow.

1.Visualize mature height and spread

Such perennials as rhubarb and asparagus grow very tall and can be harvested for only a relatively short time.

They should be placed in the back of your garden so that they’re out of the way after harvest. Plant tall vegetables on the north side of the garden and shorter ones on the south side. Sweet corn, pole varieties of beans and peas, and tomatoes are all tall-growing vegetables.

Bush squash and eggplant can reach two and a half feet in height. Place them in the middle of the garden. Most other vegetables—bush beans, beets, carrots, and turnips, for example—grow no more than 14 to 18 inches high and equally wide.

Don’t be misled by the descriptive term “bush” when it’s applied to summer squash, eggplant, and okra. Bush varieties are more compact than the runner types, but even they can grow 30 inches high and 4 feet wide. Another misnomer is “dwarf” okra; in rich soil this plant can grow nearly 6 feet tall by the end of summer. Double-check the mature size of dwarf and miniature vegetables in the seed catalog or on the packet before you buy.

The size of some mature plants, such as Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage, is not the same as the size of the heads at produce counters. Outer leaves on late-maturing cabbage, for example, can cover a 24 to 30-inch span. Cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli can grow to 24 inches high and equally as wide. Kale and collards don’t form heads like cabbage; instead, they develop tall, upright plants.

2.Think short rows

Divide each row into short segments, about 4 feet in length. This will keep you from planting too much of any one vegetable at a time. Plant long rows of vegetables only if you intend to can or freeze them or if they are a type you can leave on the plants for a vvhile after they mature. Vegetables that can be stored on plants include winter squash, potatoes, turnips, rutabagas, onions, and beans grown for dry seeds.

3.Interplant to save space

Interplanting lets you harvest more vegetables from a small garden. Instead of planting individual rows of quick-maturing vegetables (leaf lettuce, radish, curly cress, onion sets, spinach, turnips, and mustard greens), scatter a few of these seeds among young plants of larger or slower-maturing vegetables, such as sweet corn, peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant. Some gardeners never plant separate rows of radishes; they just plant radish seeds among the slow sprouters, such as parsley and carrots. The radishes are eaten before the parsley and carrots are more than an inch or so high.

You can use the same space to grow two or three crops in succession in a single season. Combined with inter- planting, succession cropping can help you harvest more from a given area. When you take out an early crop. plant another one as soon as you can work amendments into the soil.

Here’s a typical sequence of succession planting: plant peas or spinach in very early spring. As soon as these crops are out of the ground, rework the bed and plant warmth-loving vegetables, such as beans. In mildwiriter climates you can pull up ‘the beans and plant carrots, radishes, turnips, lettuce, or cole crops for fall and winter harvests.