The Grassroots of Business Success

Since Garden Direct was opened for business within 1996 it has with speed become one of a profitable mail order suppliers of garden plants, tools etc. And in the company’s twelve years that Garden Direct have been open GardenDirect.co.uk currently have two million clients that have been pulled in with real convenience, champion charges, superb value for money and constantly high quality plants. The companies range are so wide ranging; Garden Direct is constantly praised in their unique shrub types that can be found continually added to its’ range, which additionally includes garden tools and extras that help buyers to buy the very best for their garden. They sell over 130 million greatest choice flowers each year, the huge majority developed on their own nurseries, this enables one to be confident about one’s buy and know that what folk have ordered are of the highest standard. Garden tools from Garden Direct, they stock all the garden tools you might require to make the most of your garden.

The business of course offers the choice of a catalogue aimed at folk to inspect through & get from in a little of your own time. Garden Direct have an exciting choice from classic favourites to additional unique breeds you yourself might well not buy around the best part of the garden outlets; the catalogue will often furthermore integrate a variety of seasonal deals too. GardenDirect.co.uk sell particular options of plants which one might acquire from Garden Direct’s site. One might often either go for a plug, ready or super seeding. Each of which are entirely different, plug shrubs, sold at 4-6cm tall in a plug of compost all these can be found the best the greatest value for money, you then have the larger ready shrub plants that are supplied at 6-8cm high and being also more aged will probably be planted straight into the garden, finally you have super plants these are idyllic for those who have less time to spare, distributed at 9-11cm high they furthermore can be directly set into the precious garden.

Along with plants the online store provide the conventional gardening products that one might acquire; these consist of gardening tools, garden sheds & gardening shears along with lots of others.

Spring is the time when nature and your garden awakes and comes alive after the long winter. That first spring flower or that first green leave is the sign that winter in coming to an end and that a new growing season has arrived.

Spring and Flower gardening is almost synonymous. Spring is the time to interplant perennials, shrubs, roses and plant or transplant your annuals.

It’s time to shape up your soil, loosen the mulch around your plants and prune your early blooming shrubs. Rake and remove leaves and debris from your garden. Without a good planting medium your flower garden will never be at its best.

Perennials will save you a lot of work in your flower garden. So keep perennials high on your list. These hardworking beauties eliminate yearly replanting and will still give you that spring and summer color that you are longing for. It’s best to choose varieties that don’t need a lot of staking or frequent division. Notorious sun lovers are daylilies, sedium, and speedwell. Plants like hosta, fern, sweet woodruff and columbine feel more at easy in the shadow.

Flower Bulbs add a splash of color to your spring garden. “Sprinkle” some crocuses, daffodils, and of course tulips between your flower beds. Flower bulbs are almost essential in a spring flower garden. If you haven’t planted them last spring make sure you do so coming fall.

An important part of spring gardening is getting on top of the weeds. Most weeds are fairly easy to control when you start taking them out from early spring on. At that time they still have a shallow root system and because they haven’t bloomed yet they haven’t reproduced either. Taking care of them in spring will pay off big in summer.

Spring, its really the growing season, and for a gardener its perhaps the most beautiful and promising time of the year.

Linda is the leading author of http://www.gardening-guides.com/ and http://www.lawnmower-guide.com/.

Americans want better drinking water — and are doing something about it

(ARA) - Did you know nearly 90 percent of Americans have a serious drinking problem? The problem? Significant concern about the quality and taste of their drinking water.

That’s according to the results of a new 2001 National Consumer Water Quality Survey which analyzed respondents’ perceptions about their household water supply and other home water quality issues.

This study, conducted and released in May 2001 by the Water Quality Association, found that nearly nine out of 10 American consumers have serious, overall concerns about their drinking water. In particular this included:

• Two-thirds have aesthetic problems with their water: its smell or taste, hardness or appearance

• More than half are concerned about possible health contaminants

• Almost half are worried about sediments in their water

In addition, nearly half of all respondents (49 percent) believe federal drinking water laws should be stricter, and one in every three Americans (32 percent) believes household drinking water isn’t as safe as it should be.

The study also noted a significant increase in both the uses of bottled water and home water treatment devices (the latter now up to 41 percent compared to 38 percent in 1999, and up from 32 percent in 1997). Respondents said they purchased and used filtration devices because they not only wanted to improve the taste of their tap water, but also because they believed it was safer.

“Water, Water Everywhere, Nor Any Drop to Drink”

The above cry was from a thirsty sailor at sea made famous in S.T. Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” and that cry now echoes the feelings in close to half of America’s homes, as evidenced by their purchase of some type of water filtering device. That number doesn’t even include all the consumers who purchase bottled water, which is now close to being a $5.2 billion-a-year industry, according to the New York-based consulting group, Beverage Marketing Corp. However, home water treatment systems are gaining in popularity because of not only the high cost of bottled water, but also the ongoing maintenance of purchasing and transporting large bottles or heavy cases of the wet stuff.

This is why today’s consumer has so many options to get better tasting and healthier water, thanks to a vast number of home water filtration devices now available. These come in varying degrees of style, convenience, filtration features, prices, and have different features and levels of necessary maintenance.

All are good for improving water taste and decreasing odors, with some also designed to filter out lead, chemicals and potential health risks like bacteria. Before purchasing a unit, check with your community’s local water utility or have your water quality checked. Then you can look into a water treatment system that will meet your filtration, budget and lifestyle needs.

Some of the more popular options, and their ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ include:

• Water pitchers or carafes: These allow you to directly pour water into them, then wait while the water runs through a filter.

  Pros: This is the largest portion of water filtering category, because pitchers are cost effective (they start at under $20), and require little maintenance and no installation. Brita, Culligan and Teledyne are some of the more popular models and all provide varying shapes and sizes of pitchers as well as different levels of filtration.

  Cons: Pitchers can take up considerable room on the countertop and in the refrigerator. Plus, there’s often a lot of neglect refilling them (like the, “Hey, who didn’t fill the water pitcher?” factor). It can take more than 7-10 minutes to filter just one or two gallons.

• At-The-Tap systems: These models are faucet attachments that convert tap water directly into filtered water.

  Pros: Also cost-efficient, tap attachments are usually available from $30 — $100, and now, too, offer different levels of filtering. They provide filtered water with just a knob turn, and are fairly easy to install. PUR, GE and Culligan are among market leaders.

  Cons: Perceived as big and clunky, faucet attachments tend to stick out, and usually do not mesh with most kitchen decor. They also provide a very slow flow rate, often under a half-gallon per minute.

• Filtering faucet systems: One of the most recent introductions, these are single-unit faucets with filters directly built in the faucet.

  Pros: These systems provide significant convenience — Moen’s PureTouch system, for example, filters cold water directly through a separate port and provides filtered water at the touch of a button. It also has a visual indicator to let you know when its filter needs to be replaced. These and other filtering faucets provide great tasting water with style and functionality, including some models with pullout and multi-function spray patterns. The filters tend to be easy to change, as they are often located right in the spout.

  Cons: Initial cost on these units starts at $175, depending on choice of style, function and finish. But over the long run, they can actually save money compared to purchasing bottled water. In fact, they can produce filtered water for 95 percent less per gallon than the bottled kind.

• Undermount systems: These models directly connect to the water supply lines and fit under the sink in the kitchen or bathroom.

  Pros: These systems often feature larger, longer-lasting filters, which can also filter out more impurities. This means fewer filter changes, and increased filtration to eliminate more chemicals and contaminants. They sometimes provide a faster flow of filtered water as well.

  Cons: You have to go under the sink to change filters, and they require installing a separate water spigot — usually an unattractive, generic-looking fixture. However, Moen’s new AquaSuite provides filtered water with a stylish faucet fixture available in 12 durable finishes (this system also provides great tasting water in the bathroom for taking medicine, brushing teeth or meeting those late night “can I have a drink of water?” requests).

• Reverse osmosis systems: Available as under-the-sink or whole-house conditioning systems, these are multi-filter devices which push the water through a series of membranes to achieve filtration and require a separate water spigot.

  Pros: These systems provide a very high level of filtration, particularly when coupled with whole house conditioners, to achieve one of the highest levels of mineral and bacteria filtration. This combined system, available from manufacturers like RainSoft or EcoWater, can include filtered water for not only drinking purposes, but even for bathing and washing clothes.

  Cons: A complete system is very costly, starting at well over $1,000, although there are less expensive ones for drinking water only (their manufacturers usually recommend complementing these with whole-house softeners if you have hard water). These also require more maintenance than other systems and can waste two to five gallons of water for every purified gallon produced.

“So, What’s The Right System for Me?”

When purchasing a water treatment system, remember to keep in mind the unit’s ease of maintenance, as well as the length of time between filter changes and amount of water they filter. Look for units that signal when their cartridges need to be replaced, provide easy-to-find replacement cartridges, and can even supply replacement parts, if necessary.

It’s also important to look for units that are certified by the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation), which qualifies filtration claims made by manufacturers. Different levels of filtration are available among these systems and vary, depending upon the homeowners’ choice of filtering needs and costs.

While the primary consumer concern is to eliminate water odor and improve taste, which usually means filtering out chlorine, other materials buyers want to filter out can include minerals and chemicals (lead, lindone, atrazine, mercury, turbidity, arsenic), microscopic cysts (cryptosporidium and giardia), and other bacteria.

The National Consumer Water Quality Survey noted that 95 percent of its respondents said they were satisfied with the effectiveness of their home water treatment system, with another one out of 10 looking to add a system. So it looks like the people have spoken — no matter how you filter it, the drinks are on the house.

For more information about Moen’s PureTouch filtering faucet and PureTouch AquaSuite, contact Moen Incorporated at 25300 Al Moen Drive, North Olmsted, Ohio 44070-8022, call toll free 1 (877) DRINK-H2O (877-374-6542) or visit its Web sites at www.pure-touch.com or www.moen.com.

About The Author

Courtesy ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com; e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com

EDITOR’S NOTE: For more information, contact Ginny Long, director of Public Affairs, Moen Incorporated, (800) 321-8809, Ext. 2019, or Chris R. Lynch, Robert Falls & Co. Public Relations, (216) 696-0229.

Moen Incorporated is one of the world’s largest producers of residential and commercial plumbing products. Moen is the #1 brand of faucets in North America. The company manufactures a complete line of single and two-handle faucets in a wide assortment of styles and finishes. It is also a leading producer of residential and commercial sinks, a variety of shower accessories, bathroom accessories and a complete line of plumbing parts and accessories (sold under the trade names Moen, Chicago Specialty, Cleveland Faucet Group, CSI Bath Furnishings, Dearborn Brass, Hoov-R-Line and Wrightway Manufacturing).

Moen Incorporated is an operating company of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO, www.fortunebrands.com), the consumer products company, with headquarters in Lincolnshire, IL.

The Water Quality Association is a nonprofit, international trade association representing retailers, dealers, manufacturers and suppliers in the household, commercial, industrial and small system water treatment industry. For more information about home water treatment issues, from an interactive search engine that helps “diagnose” contaminants in water to an overview of water treatment technologies and their capabilities, visit the WQA Web site at www.wqa.org.

When the spring comes and we get the lawn mower out again, we have to check few things before we start the mower.

Use fresh gas. If you forgot to drain the gas tank last fall then you should replace the gas. Gasoline that is older than a month has lost some of its energy and can lead to problems with the carburetor and engine.

Change the engine oil. Find the drain plug and drain the oil to a container, replace it with clean SAE-30 engine oil. Check the owner’s manual for oil recommendations. The oil should be changed at least once a year.

Replace the spark plug. You can take the old spark plug to your local gas station or service shop or find the type and gap information in the owner’s manual. A new spark plug is inexpensive and can save you a lot of trouble later.

Check the air filter. Tap the filter on a flat surface or carefully clean it with pressurized air. If the filter is very dirty, it should be replaced. Only foam filters should be cleaned with water.

Have a look at the blade. Is it dull? Is it broken or bent? If so then replace the blade. A dull blade can be sharpened with a file or grinder but never try to do it on the mower. Some blades are dual-edge and can be turned over but most blades have to be replaced or sharpened.

Check the drive belt. If your lawn mower has a drive belt then check it for wear and lack of tension. You should be able to move the belt sideways about half an inch with one finger if the tension is correct.

Clean the mower deck. Disconnect the spark wire from the spark plug to prevent engine from starting. Use water and a soft brush to carefully clean the outside of the mower deck around the engine.
Turn the mower 90 deg on its side, with the carburetor facing up and clean the inside of the deck, using a wooden stick to remove heavy grass build-up.

Bjorgvin Arnason is a marine-engineer, electrician and the owner of Lawn Mower Expert.com, a website dedicated to lawn mowers and lawn keepers.

Choosing plantation shutters for form or function? Plantation shutters offer both to today’s homeowner. These unique window treatments trace their roots to ancient Greece. The Greeks used them for both privacy and security. Interior shutters were used to close windows. Along with imposing columns, shutters are hallmarks of Classical Greek Architecture. This ancient order and form in building design later influenced buildings and architecture throughout the Western world.

Before the widespread use of glass, shutters were used to close windows. They were used to protect the interior of the house from the weather and from intruders as well as provide privacy. They could be opened to allow sunlight and fresh air into the building or home.

Elements of Greek architecture are seen in many buildings and homes from the late 18th century, the 19th century and the early 20th century in the United States. It was especially prevalent in banks, office buildings and many public and government buildings. The plantation mansions of the old South borrowed heavily on the architecture of the Greeks. The antebellum mansions of the great plantations from South Carolina to the western edge of Mississippi borrowed heavily from the building concepts of the Greeks. A number of these grand old mansions have been restored and preserved at Natchez, Mississippi.

Just as did the ancient Greeks, plantation owners used shutters for both their beauty and their function. By closing the windows in this manner, these homeowners were able to add a level of security to their homes. This was important because in the era before the Civil War, the agricultural areas of the South were only sparsely populated. Plantations were largely isolated. Plantations were also symbols of wealth, making them targets for bands of robbers. There was also the potential of attack from revolting slaves.

Times have changed and today’s homeowners use shutters primarily for their beauty or form rather than for security.

What are plantation shutters?

Plantation shutters are louvered interior shutters. They cover the entire window. They are most often made from wood, although modern materials including PVC and vinyl are also being used with growing acceptance. The shutters are hinged and can be opened or closed and latched. In addition to swinging open, some models have moveable louvers that can be opened and closed. Other models have stationary louvers. There is great flexibility in being able to partially or completely open the shutters and/or partially or completely open the louvers. This allows tremendous control in directing the inflow of outside air as well as sunlight.

Typically the panels of plantation shutters range from 15 inches to 36 inches wide. Louvers are available in several widths, ranging from 1-3/4 inches wide to 4-1/2 inches wide, appealing to different tastes and fitting with a variety of decors. The width of the louver has a practical application as well as aesthetic. The wider the louver, the more air or sunlight will be allowed to filter through.
These shutters are often used in series. Rooms with a number of windows, several adjacent windows or large picture windows look especially good with plantation shutter window treatment.

Pine is frequently used in construction of hurricane shutters as well. Contractors and do-it-yourselfers can find them both pre-finished and unfinished. Unfinished allows the contractor or diy to finish with any paint or stain color desired.
PVC and vinyl panels come in colors, including white. These panels may be plain or have embossed wood graining. PVC and vinyl are excellent choices for rooms where there can be high levels of moisture or steam. They are good for pool rooms, bathrooms and utility rooms.

Shutters with moveable panels have the added advantage of providing privacy at the same time they admit light and air. You can adjust the louvers in such a manner that light and air is allowed into the room while at the same time preventing outside passersby from seeing inside.

Some tips for selecting shutters for your home

1. Consult your carpenter or contractor. Determine if the present window casings will support the weight of the hinged shutters when opened and closed, or whether additional framing will be required.

2. Consider the width of the louver. The louver width affects the appearance as well as the function of the shutters. The wider the louver, the more light and air will be permitted to flow into the room.

3. Choose between wood and vinyl. Wooden, especially faux wood shutters can give the room a warmer feeling. Vinyl shutters work well in rooms that have high moisture or steam content. Vinyl shutters are easy to clean and will not warp.

4. Choose between moveable and fixed louvers. If you want to use the shutters primarily for privacy and security, you may wish to use fixed position louvers. If you want to be able to open the shutters to admit light, ventilation or see through the window, you will want to select adjustable louver shutters.

5. Read the reviews written by home improvement consultants and also by consumers. These reviews are posted on websites and are published on home improvement websites and in home decorating magazines.

6. Choose a reputable company with a reliable warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

Tips for installing shutters

1. Measure the window and make sure that the window opening is square. If the window is not square, you will be required to taper the shutter to fit the opening.

2. Cut the shutters to fit the opening. If you cannot find a shutter that will fit your window exactly, choose a shutter that is slightly larger than the opening. If you need to trip more than ¾” from the shutter, cut all of it from the left or bottom sides. If you need to trim more than ¾ inch from the side, cut half from each side. Use the same procedure in trimming the height of the shutter.

3. Hinge the shutter with non-mortising hinges. Use two shutter hinges for shutters 30 inches or less in height. Use three hinges for shutters from 30 – 48 inches high. Be sure and place the hinges on the opposite side of the desired shutter opening.

4. Install the latch on the opposite side of the hinges. The latch is often installed in the centre of the shutter. In some applications it may be desirable to install the latch near the top or the bottom of the shutter. For example, in a room used by small children you may wish to install the latch near the top of the shutter.

5. The installation tools needed include a mitre, radial arm or table saw; a jointer, planer or a hand plane; screwdriver; square, paint brush; tape measure; pencil; the shutters, non-mortising hinges, screws, fine sandpaper and touch-up paint or varnish.

Today’s homeowner is going to use plantation shutters more for beauty, but they are also important for privacy and security. Shutters are often an excellent choice for living rooms, sitting rooms, dens, home libraries and home offices. There is a special feeling that comes from sitting or working in a room dominated by the rich warmth of wood. Sunlight, ventilation and artificial lighting can all be adjusted to provide just the right atmosphere.

About the Author

For more information you can reach the freelance writer John Beker at the internet site at http://www.shades-blinds-shutters-guide.com where you should also come accross additional material and tips.

Home and garden accessories make the difference between house and home. Unfortunately, quality accessories can be notoriously expensive and in today’s economy, finding beauty at a price one can afford is sometimes difficult but can be done. The difference between an empty backyard and a lush garden oasis comes down to the details. Visual and aural grace notes can transform any space.

Creating a relaxing atmosphere has as much to do with sound as with visual details. For instance, a simple white hammock suspended between two trees or a solid-wood swing becomes a perfect spot for Sunday afternoon naps and quiet conversations. Accompany that with tea-light candle lanterns, arranged attractively on a treated outdoor cocktail table placed next to a rose bed makes a perfect place for morning coffee. Hang a wood and steel wind chime nearby, hung high in the trees, sending pleasant notes over the air. Depending on the materials used in construction, wind chimes can sound like tinkling bells, or have rich, sonorous chimes. Finally, place a gently flowing fountain just behind is always an elegant finishing touch. Voila. You’ve incorporated all the elements: fire, water, steel and wood, and created your own Feng Shui paradise.

For those fond of outdoor pieces, like garden statues, birdbaths and fountains, be sure to take the height of the surrounding plants (if any) into consideration. If you have a lush garden, full of tall grasses and flowering plants, consider foot tall or higher plaster statues of children gathering flowers, angels whispering to one another, or playful rabbits. Small plaster statues in the form of either sweet cherubs or amusing gargoyles (believed in ancient times to keep evil spirits away) are very charming when placed in garden beds featuring low growing border plants.

When choosing home and garden accessories to enjoy in your backyard wonderland, don’t forget to think of the very birds, bees and butterflies which also call your backyard home. The friendlier a backyard is to flora and neighborhood fauna, the more inviting it is to people, too. Watching robins in the spring, hummingbirds in the summer and sparrows in the fall is one of the more relaxing aspects of backyard living.

Outdoor garden decor is as reliant on lighting as it is on comfortable, all weather furnishings. After all, you want to be able to enjoy your beautiful outdoor living room in the evenings too. Though the most impressive lighting systems can be very expensive in ground, electrical solutions, the experts at Backyard Wonderland want to remind you that sometimes simple, old fashioned candlelight is the most romantic and beautiful lighting of all.

For those with outdoor gazebos, or trees with limbs strong and low, the selection of a candle-bearing chandelier can be breathtakingly beautiful. Similarly, tea-candle lanterns, hung on low branches create mysterious and romantic lightscaping. Asian lanterns, with frosted glass panels, and Moroccan lanterns, with colored glass panels, create environments simultaneously festive and romantic.

Of course, nothing beats a set of impressive table-top candlesticks. Strong carved wooden options, standing over a foot tall, make any outdoor dining experience more formal instantly. Brass, bronze, and metal sticks convey style and strength, and make dramatic impact. Ornate candle centerpieces set a beautiful table, and can be either fancy in polished metals, or whimsical in novelty designs.

Statuary is not relegated only to outdoor environments. A beautiful bronze statue in the style of Remington, Rodin, or Michelangelo always makes an impressive statement in living and dining rooms. Patriotic sculptures and statues, too, are enjoying new-found popularity.

Robert Gravestock
Backyard Wonderland

About the Author

In today’s economy, finding beauty at a price one can afford is difficult. Providing our customers with this opportunity is our highest priority. At Backyard Wonderland, we strive to offer our customers the finest backyard accessories at the lowest possible prices and first-rate customer service.

Interior Design today is all about customizing your built environment with conceptual planning, aesthetic sense and technical solutions applied to achieve the desired result. It goes beyond just the visual or ambient enhancement of an interior space, it seeks to optimize and harmonize the uses to which the built environment will be put. Between you and me, this jargon simply means dressing up your closed spaces to make them look their best. And just as you would dress for the occasion, your interiors need to be “dressed up” for a specific intended purpose or use. And that is where technical expertise really helps.

Interior Designs should reflect your needs.

Each space is unique with its own dimensions, construction, design potential and, of course, - limitations. Are you going to use that space for work or leisure, entertainment or learning, worship or healing? Can you create the ambience that you wish to convey - be it power, authority, wisdom, and achievement, a sense of security, playfulness or serenity, as required by that space?

Consider the practical aspects. Is access easy, lighting adequate, acoustics soothing, and seating comfortable? And have you worked out strategies for wise storage space without forgetting special needs - especially health and safety? Sounds a wee-bit difficult, isn’t it? Despair not! You as user are the only one who can come up with all the right answers. Look for interior design ideas - they are available aplenty. It’s just this small matter of putting things together judiciously. Who knows? There could well be a Le Corbusier hiding somewhere in your persona!

Mike Yeager

Publisher

http://www.a1-interior-design-4u.com/

mjy610@hotmail.com

As Adult Purple Martins begin their migration and start arriving
in the southern most parts of the eastern U.S. by mid January.
Our thoughts turn to becoming Martin landlords.

This migration will continue northward with colonies nesting
primarily east of the Rockies through early may. Sub-adults,
those in their first breeding year, arrive 3 to 6 weeks after
the adults.

If you’ve ever consider attracting Purple Martins to nest near
you, now is the time to learn what you need to know to be a
successful Purple Martin landlord.

Unlike most backyard birds, It’s not as simple as placing a
Martin house up and walking away.

The location of the house, height, habitat, water, and many
other considerations need to be taken into account.

Becoming a landlord to Purple Martins shouldn’t be taken
lightly. If not taken seriously, you could be causing more harm
than good to the Martins you are trying to attract. House
sparrows and European Starlings compete for nesting sites with
Purple Martins.

A martin landlord must be diligent towards these non-native
species. Removing any nesting material or eggs that these two
species may bring or lay in the martin house.

This may have to be done twice a day and continue until the
martins have established themselves. These non-native species
are more aggressive than martins at claiming nesting sites.

When starting a new colony it’s important to know that
sub-adults are the ones you’ll be trying to attract. Exsisting
colonies (those that nested in previous seasons) will generally
return to the same houses each year. One more reason to attract
these insect eating birds to your home.

New Martin housing should not be raised before the expected
arrival of the sub-adult birds. Tracking arrival times, can
easily be done by visiting www.purplemartin.org. This site does
a great job at providing all the information needed to become a
Martin landlord.

Types Of Housing

There are many types of Martin Houses available. The most common
types are made from wood, aluminum, and plastic. Heat absorption
is a primary consideration when selecting houses for Martins.
Dark paint colors hold more heat and should not be used. Ease of
lowering the house to perform monitoring checks should also be
considered.

Personally I prefer the telescoping poles. These are made to
slide into each other keeping the house level at all times.
Pulley systems can be more costly, and any type that tilts the
house can cause eggs and birds to slide out.

Gourds can also be used. These can be natural or commercially
made.

When choosing to purchase a Martin house, buy from those who are
familiar with birds. At the very least, learn from the experts
first, then shop for the best price. Start small and build up as
you establish your colony.

Attracting Martins comes with no guarantee. Even when all
conditions are met, you still might not successfully attract
them the same year you start. But do not dispair, keep your
houses up and maintained through the fall migration. Sub-adult
Martins may take note as they migrate southward. The following
season may surprise you. It takes patience to attract martins.
Although many have success their first year.

Get Started!

If you’ve considered becoming a Purple Martin landlord, the time
has come to get started.

It’s easy to put it off year after year, we all think up excuses
only to regret it later as the season ends… what might have
been.

The Purple Martins can use our help, and the reward of watching
them soar through the air, catching insects on the wing, and
feeding their young, well… how does one measure that benefit.