Nisha Muire

Protecting your car from Toronto winters is a very important consideration. While some folks are fortunate enough to have a garage in which to park their vehicles others have only a driveway. While it is always possible to purchase a temporary carport such as a tempo to tide you over during the winter, it is also worth looking into investing in a sturdier more permanent structure. A permanent carport can be a very versatile addition to your property. Not only would it provide protection for your cars from snow and rain, but it could also serve as a place to do repairs, store items you wouldn’t store in a house and can provide shelter for outdoor activities.
 
If you do decide to build a carport on your driveway, you will have to check your municipality’s bylaws to find out what permits you will need. Whether you are building something small or something big, you will definitely need to get permission to do so beforehand.
 
Next you will have to decide on a number of different elements before finalizing your carport purchase. Depending on the uses to which you are going to put it, you might want to consider a single, double or triple-width carport, an extended or regular size and you can also choose to add a side wall or two. The shape of the roof is another element you will need to decide. Currently there regular, boxed eave or vertical roofs from which to choose. Regular carports are the most economical, but will require a lot more maintenance to ensure that snow and water don’t accumulate on them. Boxed evase basically look like an A with legs and the vertical roofs are at the top-end of the spectrum as their design encourages snow and rain to just sluice right off.
 
You will also want to decide on whether to install a permanent or temporary carport. Naturally the beauty of a permanent structure is less work – once it is up, you don’t have to worry about it anymore.
 
The finishes of your carport will also be something to consider – after all, you want something that is going to enhance your home, not detract from it because it sticks out or doesn’t blend in properly.
 
Getting a carport is a smart investment if you are worried about your vehicles being exposed to the elements, don’t necessarily want to dig them out during the winter and want a place to store items you wouldn’t normally keep at home.

Cutting back perennial flowers at your Toronto home really depends on the kind of flowers you have and also the kind of philosophy you follow. While it is clear that some plants benefit from being cut back, there are others that thrive overwintering with their spent foliage and prefer to be cleaned up in the spring.
 
Some of the reasons for cutting back include:
Keeping the garden clean
Removing potential safe harbors for insects and fungi
Reduces the spread of self seeding plants
Lessen work required to get garden ready in the spring
Some reasons for not cutting back include:
Provides protection for new growth
Provides visual interest during the winter
Provides food and protection for birds and wildlife
Helps seed new plants (where wanted)
 
Some plants that can overwinter really well include echinacea, sedum and hostas. Echinacea is a hardy plant and the flowers/seeds provide an excellent food source for birds and animals during the winter. Sedums hold winter frost and snow really well and provide plenty of visual interest during the cold weather when everything else is bare. Hostas aren’t visually pleasing during the winter and don’t provide food for our furry and winged friends but the foliage protects the crown during the winter and promotes growth during the spring.
 
The one time you would definitely cut but a plant is if it has sustained visible damage due to fungus or insects. In that case, you would want to cut it back and get rid of it entirely. Don’t let those infected leaves/stalks compost or fall into your flower beds as it can continue the cycle of disease/pests.
 
Keeping your plant healthy and happy during the winter does require a bit of effort, but seeing their beauty awake in the spring makes it all worthwhile.

If you have lovely evergreens or shrubs on your Toronto property, then you would definitely want to protect them from the damages of cold, wind and snow. Protecting them from the elements is a very useful way to ensure the health and well-being of your green friends and one of the best ways to do this is to wrap them in burlap or one of the newer materials available at your local nursery or garden supply centre. However – beware of plastics as they don’t allow plants to breathe properly.
 
Wrapping your Toronto shrubs is not necessary – you can also cover small shrubs with mulch or leaves, but it is the best solution for delicate plants and for plants that have been meticulously landscaped. Covering plants protects them from winter burn, which is the result of sunlight and not enough moisture in the soil.
 
It is very simple to wrap your plants. The first thing to do is to plant wooden stakes into the ground around your plant so that you can wrap your protective material around them – try not to let the material touch the foliage. Although not terrible, it is best to leave room for the plant to breathe. If you are using plastic then it is necessary to keep it away from the foliage as any freezing that occurs can damage the plant.
 
You should wrap your plants just ahead of the cold season and remove the wraps as soona s the weather moderates. The plants that need protection most are the new shrubs and trees.
 
With just a little care you can have your green bushes and trees looking healthy for many summers to come!

Equipping your Toronto home with smart technology might seem like a very good idea – and for the most part it is. However, there is always the question of privacy to consider when you are heading down the smart home road.
 
With the proliferation of smart home devices that allow homeowners to better control the functions of every life from turning on and off the thermostats, lowering and raising the blinds, turning on the coffee maker and even vacuuming your house, modern life is a lot easier than it ever was, except it does come at a price. All of these devices are collecting and logging data each time they are used. That data is transferred to a the company so that they can improve their algorithms to create better products. However, it also gives them a clear insight into your living habits. When it comes to Alex and the Google Home, both devices are constantly listening – even if they are off and seemingly not doing anything. And, both devices have been known to record conversations and, in some cases, to even send them out as file attachments!
 
The interesting aspect about this questions of privacy is that people who would admantly not post anything private in public, have no trouble using these technologies regardless of the reams of data that they are collecting. One of the reasons for this is that people forget about what truly makes these technologies run. And, people who would never allow a tv camera inside their homes will allow these smart home devices because they are so unassuming and unobtrusive and because they are so convenient. One survey found that when people are required to read through a privacy policy for a device, they feel secure enough to use it – even if they don’t really read through it. They trust that the company has their best interests at heart.
 
Toronto smart home technologies are definitely timesavers and very convenient to have around. However, they do collect plenty of data on you and, while they might be the first of the technologies of the future, it is best to be aware of what they collect and how they use the data that they get from your living patterns and habits.

Smart home technology in Toronto has come a long way in recent years. In just the last little while we have gone from only having home lighting systems being controlled by smart technology to having everything from security systems to home amenities now with built-in smart home capabilities. The one thing all of these systems have in common is the requirement to have access to the internet as that is the means by which you are able to control the system remotely. Each networked device will have it’s own app to help control the settings. Although now with Amazon’s Alexa and the Google Home, automation is becoming more centralized as many devices can now be controlled through the “home assistants”. Naturally, every technology has its pros and cons and we will take a look those inherent in a Smart Home over here.
 
The Pros
 
There is no denying that smart technology is very convenient. It can drastically simplify your life. The small daily tasks that we have to remember can easily be taken care of by programming or can be done remotely in case you forget to do them before leaving the house.
 
Another big pro for smart home technology is the cost and energy savings that can be derived from it. Once installed and programmed, you can easily cut down on your energy consumption. Adaptive thermostats respond to your family’s habits and schedule and adjust accordingly thereby reducing your energy consumption.
 
Smart home technology also allows you to monitor your home remotely – which is very convenient if you have to travel or leave for extended periods of time. Additionally, smart home technology can increase the resale value of your home and some insurance providers do offer reductions on premiums for smart homes.
 
The Cons
 
Although smart homes are very convenient and can be programmed to do everything from opening your blinds in the morning and closing them at night to starting your coffee maker, monitoring your crock pot and even locking your door remotely, the one big drawback with these advancements is that they all rely on a working internet connection. If the internet goes down, then so do the services.
 
Another drawback is the initial cost of installing such a system in your home. Yes, you will likely make up that cost in the long run, but you will have to outlay a considerable sum of money to get a good system in place.
 
If you are not technologically inclined, then the complex programming that these systems require can also be seen as a con. As many devices work on different platforms or through different apps, this reality will require to you know how to download, set-up and operate all of these programs.
 
Lastly, safety is a concern when it comes to smart home technology. The same programs that make it possible for you to lock your doors from across the world, means that, unless your network is absolutely secure, you can be vulnerable to being hacked.
 
Smart home technology is not yet seamlessly integrated into our lives – but it is certainly getting there.

Roofing materials in Toronto are available in many options. While all are fairly sustainable, some are more natural and will provide excellent coverage for an extended period of time, however, costs are always a consideration when looking at roofing. Here will we look at the different roofing materials on the market and what you can expect of them.
 
Asphalt shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most commonly used shingles. Cost effect and easy to install, they have a relatively short life span ranging from 15-50 years depending on the quality of shingle you buy and the installation. However, their relatively low cost, their wide range of colour options and designs make them a perennially popular option.
 
Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is a very durable, cost effective option that is also on the lower end of the cost-spectrum. Usually given a metallic coating to prevent rust, residential options can be found in a number of colours and last a 50+ years. It is also fire resistant and sustainable.
 
Slate Roofing
Slate roofs are on the higher end of the price line, but are a great, custom made alternative to your roofing needs. Cut from actual slate rock, they are usually hand-cut and crafted and last a lifetime. Most slate roofs outlast the fixtures that are used to attach them to the roof and can easily be reused when retiling. They are naturally fire resistant and very eco-friendly.
 
Clay Tiles
Among the more expensive options on the market, clay tiles are also some of the most aesthetically pleasing and among the more durable. The only drawback with clay tiles is that some roofing structure might not support the weight of the tiles. They are also not the ideal choice for cold climates, although they are hailstone resistant.
 
Wood Tiles
Wood tiles are considered rich-looking and attractive and are commonly chosen over other options due to their looks. Natural and eco-friendly, they are not fire resistant and discouraged in areas of extreme dryness and heat. However, they are very efficient at conserving heat, are easy to repair and last longer than synthetic options.

Incomes suites in Toronto are a great way of subsidizing the growing cost of owning a property. Whether you are just starting out as a homeowner or you already have the house of your dreams and are looking to downsize, creating an income suite is a smart investment.
 
Income suites are a clever way of ensuring that you always have a form of income being generated. This income is great for helping you pay down your mortgage, clear up debt or even build your savings account. However, it is important to build the suite properly.
 
Firstly, you shouldn’t invest more than two years worth of rent in the renovation. So, for example, if you are planning to charge $1000 per month, then the total cost of your renovation should be less than $24,000.
 
Next, look for a natural division in your home to create the rental suite in. For instance, if you already have a backdoor that leads to a lower level or if you have a space over your garage to which you can add a staircase or even if you are able to section off your foyer to lead either an upper level or your main floor – these are all very good options. In fact, many seniors are opting to convert their upper level into an income suite instead of downsizing – not only does it provide them with a steady stream of income after they retire, but they get to remain in the home that they have probably come to love.
 
Getting the proper permits to build an income suite is also necessary. You will have to look into your municipalities bylaws to make sure that you are allowed to build a rental property in your home.
 
Lastly, don’t spend too much on fixtures. Although it is essential to get good quality, durable fixtures for the bathroom and kitchen, it isn’t necessary to spend a lot of money on them. Do, however, have a focal point in the home that will help get renters in the door and will help you market your place when the renovations are done.

Protecting your fruit trees from pests in Toronto is actually not all that hard. There are a few very simple precautions that you must take to ensure a bumper crop of fruit throughout the growing season. Since most pests and fungi tend to overwinter to emerge strong in the spring, it is best to take some precautions during the trees’ dormant season which is usually between November and May.
 
Once the trees enter their dormant cycle it is wise to spray them with the proper dormant spray to prep them for the next growing season. By spraying while it’s cold you are also attacking the bugs at their most vulnerable time. The best sprays to use are natural and include dormant oil spray to prevent spider mites and scale on apple and pear trees and a lime-sulphur spray for plum, peach, apricot and cherry trees. The lime-sulphur will also help to control peach leaf curl and plum pocket.
 
In the spring, most pests will emerge from their hibernation and start laying eggs. The best way to beat them is to prevent them from doing this. Traps are the best way to prevent this from happening. An easy trap to deter apple maggots is to place a large ball painted red and covered with petroleum jelly to your apple trees. Apple maggots will be attracted to the ball and will get trapped on them. To prevent coddling moth, use 1 cup sugar, 1 cup vinegar and 1 banana peel. Put all of the ingredients into a plastic container, fill to the top with water, close and shake vigorously to mix well. Then remove the cover and secure to your fruit trees. The insects will be attracted to the mixture and will drown in it. Just be sure to keep filling it up as the summer goes on.
 
The next steps to keep pests away from your trees are basic maintenance. Pruning is necessary to open up the canopy to light and to increase air circulation, so it should be done yearly during the dormant season. The other very important task is to clean up the old fruit and diseased leaves from the ground and the tree itself. Remove rotten fruit from the tree and from the ground to prevent disease from coming back in the spring – the same holds true for diseased leaves. If left to rot on the ground beneath the tree, it will infect the tree again the following season.
 
Ensuring that your trees are healthy and bear plenty of fruit is not very complicated as long as you are willing to put in the little bit of extra effort it requires.

If you love the look of hedges for your Toronto home, but don’t know exactly how to maintain them so that they maintain their healthy, green fullness, don’t despair – it’s actually rather easy. We will take a look at the basics of hedge care below.
 
Planting your hedges should be done in loose, well fertilized soil. Be sure to put them with their branches just touching so that they have room to grow and spread out. If you plant them too close, they won’t thrive. Jiggle the roots around in the ground to make sure that there is no air space between the soil.
 
Once your hedges are established, caring for them is actually quite easy. Just make sure to fertilize them every spring with horn meal and to keep the soil around them loose for maximum aeration. Your hedges should be watered daily – especially when temperatures climb and/or if there is little rain in the forecast. You can trim your hedges to keep them at the height you want and to also shape them as needed. If you do shape your hedges, then they will have to maintained at least three times during the summer season to help them maintain their shape. However, just be careful not to cut into hardwood as it will remain bald and not grow back.
 
In the fall, remove any deadwood and, if the hedges are small and in areas of heavy snowfall, wrap them in burlap to help them keep their shape and to protect them over the winter.
 
As you can see hedges are among the more low maintenance plants around. Not only do they look great, but they are also very easy to care for!

Having a fish pond in your Toronto garden can add serenity and tranquility to your backyard. You can landscape your fish pond to look natural and add benches and sitting areas around it to maximize the return you can get from its beauty. While fish ponds require a bit more care than an average garden, they are not so complex that you cannot master the art fairly quickly.
 
If you have ever owned an aquarium then you already know the basics of maintaining a healthy fish pond in your Toronto backyard. You will have to follow the same kind of guidelines that you would to keep any indoor aquarium life healthy.
 
Here are the recommendations:
 
1 – Don’t overfeed your fish! Fish will eat all that they need within 2-3 minutes. Any leftover food should be removed from the water immediately. Food that isn’t eaten usually falls to the bottom of the pond and rots.
 
2 – Keep a healthy balance of plants around your pond. Your pond should be shaded by plants, but it should be by no less than 40% of the surrounding surface and no more than 60%. Any level that doesn’t fall within those numbers will unbalance the pH level of the water in your pond. You should also remember to keep your pond shaded during the hottest days of the summer. Water temperature should not exceed 75 degrees fahrenheit as then oxygen levels in the water will drop and your fish will have a harder time breathing.
 
3 – Have a good pump. Make sure that the pump you have for your pond is the right size for the area you have. You should always have a good circulation of water going. Reading the specs of the pump on the box will let you know whether the one you have is right for your pond.
 
4 – Keep your pond clean. Make sure that you clean your pond frequently to prevent the build-up debris and decay. When debris starts to decay, it will raise the ammonia levels in the water, which is hazardous to aquatic life.
 
Keeping your pond healthy is not that difficult. As long as you are able to follow the simple guidelines outlined here, you can enjoy your fish friends for years.