Tradesmen.ie Blog

Hello everyone and welcome to our blog on how to create your own kitchen garden!

Vegetable growing has now become more popular with reported sales of seeds now overtaken flowers! Heres some helpful advice on how to get started growing your own veggies!

First thing to consider is where to put your vegetable patch, choose somewhere with easy access in a nice sunny spot with level ground. Next is what to grow, early potatoes and broad beans are easy to grow, sweet corn can also be bought at garden center’s as plants to get you started. Leeks are anther good one that are easy from seed and easy to transplant as well. Radishes are a fast growing crop and ideal for the beginner.

Herb gardens are also easy for the novice to grow and can be grown from seed or bouht pre planted at garden stores. Next is the layout of your veggie garden. Pots are ideal for window sills or balconies with such vegetables as tomatoes, thyme, basil and parsley.

Small plots would be ideal for lettuce, french and runner beans can grow up trellises or strung up on wooden fences. In larger garden you could take a plot and split it into individual beds divided by paths for walking to be able to apply compost, water and fertilizers when necessary and also to allow crop rotation.(rotating the vegetables you plant from year to year)

When you get started remember to feed and water your vegetables especially when they are seedlings, watering is best first thing in the morning or early evening. You should also protect against pests and diseases such as insects and weeds. Pests and diseases will attack weaker unhealthy plants first so try and keep your produce healthy as can be! Growing your own vegetables and herbs is also trial and error before you learn the better produce to grow, where and how to take care of them properly. So just keep at it and before long you will have your own vegetable wonderland!

For advice or to install any of these recommendations please log onto www.tradesmen.ie and we can source the right tradesman for you.

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Hello everyone and welcome to our new series of DIY tips This week we will be looking at how to wire a plug!

A plug has three screws, two at the bottom holding the cable in place and the centre screw holding the plug itself together. Inside the screw are three wires which are: Earth – Green or Yellow (Previously Green) Neutral – Blue (Previously Black) Live – Brown (Previously Red)

The first step is to cut the wires to the correct length so that they will fit into their connector’s approx 4cm, then with a sharp knife remove the outer insulation on the wire without damaging the inner insulation. Bend back the outer insulation and remove enough for the wires to fit into their connectors so approx 1cm of outer insulation should be removed. You should then twist the wires of each and bend them in half for a secure grip then insert each wire into their appropriate connector. The earth wire goes to the top connecter, the bLue to the Left and the bRown to the Right!

Next tighten the screws over the connectors and you can then put the plug back together starting with the bottom screws to keep the cable in place and lastly the middle screw to fasten the plug itself. Remember you should always be safety aware and make sure the plug is disconnected from the socket and the appliance is switched off and always make sure your plug has the right fuse for the appliance it is connected to. Check with your appliance information for advice on this

For advice or to install any of these recommendations please log onto www.tradesmen.ie and we can source the right tradesman for you. .

Hello everyone and welcome to our new series of DIY tips. This week we will be looking at laying laminate flooring.

Laminate flooring has become very popular in recent years and there are many different types of flooring to suit different homeowner needs.

The first step is to measure the floor area and you should include 10% extra to allow for wastage from cutting the flooring. Then you should lay the foam underlay of which there is also many different types to suit your needs.

Lay the plank connecting to the previous plank by inserting the planks tongue and groove into each other and pushing the plank tightly against the spacer which are set against the wall which to allow for movement and expansion of the floor boards.

At the end of the first row a piece will have to be cut to fit, you should flip the last piece upside down and mark the cutting and cut along the blank side of laminate to avoid chips or scratches.  Remember you should alternate the rows so that the cuttings are all not in same place of every row. This scattering will prevent a weak area of the flooring and will look a more natural floor. So you should start the next row with the cutting from the previous row providing it’s not too short a plank.

When you have finished laying the floor you need to remove the spacers at the walls and cover the gap that is left with flooring trim which should match the flooring. The trim is affixed to the skirting board to allow the laminate flooring to expand and contract naturally. Measure the cut the trim and apply adhesive to the back of the trim and secure it in place

For advice or to install any of these recommendations please log onto www.tradesmen.ie and we can source the right tradesman for you.

Regards

Tradesmen.ie Team

Hello everyone and welcome to our new series of DIY tips

This week we will be looking at painting tips and giving your home a fresh clean look for spring! Painting a room is a cheap and easy way to liven up a dull dark room and give a home a fresh clean feeling.

This week we will be giving some tips for the novice painter and maybe some helpful advice for the more experienced.

Firstly we will look at paint selection. Paints come in a variety of types and brands. To select the type you must consider the room to be painted, for example some paints are designed for kitchens and bathroom specifically for their wash ability and may work well in a child’s bedroom such as semi-gloss and satin finish paints. Brands are completely up to your personal taste and practice will help you with this.

The equipment you will need for the average home project is rollers, trays, brushes and accessories. Rollers are ideal for applying paint to large smooth surfaces and come in different sizes. Paint trays match the roller sizes and come in plastic and metal. Brushes are available in different sizes and suit different needs so you should make sure that the brush is appropriate to the paint you have selected. You should always ask for advice in your DIY store if you are unsure. Accessories can include extension poles for your roller, small rollers for smaller and awkward spaces such as behind radiators, alcoves and doors as well as sheets and clothes for protecting furniture and flooring from drips.

To prepare the room for painting cover the floor and furniture to prevent getting paint on them. Tape up windows frames, door frames and skirting boards to prevent paint been applied to them. Remove or loosen light switches and sockets to make it easier to paint around and avoid splashing paint on them. You should also fill any holes or crevices in the wall with filler leaving enough time for it to dry and be sanded before applying any paint. You should also brush the walls down with a dusting brush or cloth to remove any debris, loose dirt or cobwebs so the walls are clean and ready to be painted.

For advice or to install any of these recommendations please log onto www.tradesmen.ie and we can source the right tradesman for you.

Hello everyone and welcome to our new series of DIY tips

This week we will be looking at spring cleaning your garden!

With the good weather of spring finally here its time to get out into your garden and tackle the mess from winter! It’s a great time to get your garden cleared and tidy and ready for planting for a gorgeous outdoor space in the summer months that you and your family can enjoy.

First task is clearing away the dead plants from winter and getting that lawn mowed. Next is cutting back any plants that retain their leaves in winter such as evergreen or semi evergreen plants so cutting them back in the spring will encourage new growth.

Spring is the best time to tackle any weeds as the soil is still damp and the roots are easier to pull from the ground and all the dead plants, weeds and grass can be put into your compost containers.

For most plants spring is their initial growth spurt so add some compost to encourage the plants and now is the best time for dividing or transplanting as once the weather turns mild they will be quick to grow with the fine weather, nice rich soil topped up with some new compost.

For a clean finish you should edge the flower beds from the lawn, not only does it make the garden look clean and tidy but also prevents the lawn growing into your flower beds.

For advice or to install any of these recommendations please log onto www.tradesmen.ie and we can source the right tradesman for you.

Hello everyone and welcome to our new series of DIY tips

This week we will be looking at how to lay garden decking

Its that time of year again and with the dry weather it may be time to spruce up the garden and what better way than to create a decking area in your garden for all those summer days chilling out with friends and family

Creating a decking is easier than you think and with lots of help on the internet you can have your decking in no time. We have provided some help to get you started!

To create a decking the first thing is to clear the site for the decking and mark its position. Then you should level the site area and compact the surface. You can use concrete pads or paving slabs to support the deck. With your supports in place lay the joists on top of them making sure they are level, then lay your decking boards at right angles to the joists and secure the boards to the joists

Leave similar gaps between your boards and stagger the joints so there is no continuous break across the deck which would create a weakened space across the decking.

You should treat your decking with preservatives particularly those cut edges so they will be treated from weather exposure. You can also pre-drill holes in the boards for the screws to prevent the boards splitting. You can also add steps and spindles to add something extra to your decking!

For advice or to install any of these recommendations please log onto www.tradesmen.ie and we can source the right tradesman for you.