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Home Garden Companion

Ilona's Garden Journal

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cost and value

A Word On Brands

Ilona Erwin

Like most D-I-Y’s, Handyman and I are frugal and like to save money. Sometimes we have been penny wise and pound foolish. Anyone else been there? Over the years I believe we have learned through trial and error that brand name really counts in appliance purchases. We weren’t just bragging when saying we bought a […]

appliances+ cost and value+ D-I-Yourselfers+ Frugal Tips Ilona Erwin

New tools from Home Depot

Handyman

I have acquired some really good professional tools from Home Depot at extremely good prices. They seem to have “specials” on a regular basis. As I mentioned, I got my Milwaukee 14.4v Battery operated drill (including flashlight, extra battery, and case) for only $99. Then I got my Ridgid 18v heavy duty 1/2″ Hammer Drill […]

cost and value+ tools Handyman

My DeWalt 18v drill

Handyman

Got back my “overhauled” DeWalt 18v Battery operated Hammer drill. The overhaul was guaranteed not to exceed $99. That is the amount I paid plus sales tax (the legalized extortionists need their cut). Anyway, the “supposed total” would have been $250 if not for the $99 guarantee. It’s funny how the various parts when all […]

cost and value+ tools Handyman

Battery operated drills

Handyman

Just thought I would put in my two cents worth on battery operated drills: 1. My old faithful is a DeWalt 18v 1/2″ Hammer drill. I purchased this about 10 years ago (maybe more). Aside from routine periodic replacement of batteries, it has served me very well. I use it mostly in my business and […]

cost and value+ tools Handyman

Small Projects::Big Returns

Ilona Erwin

According to CNN Money the D-I-Y person can make upgrades in these areas: tile, cabinets, bookcases, lighting, and shower doors. Most of us know that certain projects have more value than others, like kitchen and bathroom remodels, but we oftentimes don’t account for some of the smaller projects. Technorati Tags: renovations, projects

ceramic tile+ cost and value+ kitchen+ projects+ remodeling Ilona Erwin

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Oh, hi there!

I was a garden blog pioneer, and began writing on this blog in 2003. Before that I had begun a garden website that has been at its own domain since 2006, Ilona's Garden.

I still love writing, gardening, and art after all these years, although travel and grandchildren have become a big part of my life, now.

Ilona Erwin: View My Blog Posts

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About The Plants

red daylilies

10 Best Perennial Plants for Anyone’s Garden

Dependable Blooms to Brighten Your Landscape Everyone wants a beautiful garden, but not everyone … [Read More...] about 10 Best Perennial Plants for Anyone’s Garden

10 Useful Gardening Tips For Spring

I gathered up some expert gardening tips from around the web, from beginners to a few unusual … [Read More...] about 10 Useful Gardening Tips For Spring

more perennials

The thrilling expectancy of Spring is in the air and what better way to feed the anticipation than to visit the Central Ohio Home and Garden Show which opens this Saturday, February 28th? I am so excited to go this year. You have time to hop on over to a Home Depot store and get […]

flowering almond

Witch Hazel ushers in Spring On the whole, deciduous, flowering shrubs get short shrift in modern gardens. We know about lilacs and weigelas, perhaps, but are often discouraged from planting them given “lack of seasonal interest” as the rationalization for such advice. It is true that some of them shine only when in bloom. Flowering […]

Start Spring with a Big Pop of Color   Though the usual sequence is to plant the bulbs in the fall for bloom in the spring, some growers cheat the system by chilling those sold for spring bloom. This is necessary for Southern gardens which don’t get the required cold temperatures. Presented here are some […]

Garden advice

It is increasingly the Holy Grail of garden designs: making a landscape low maintenance. For many reasons, reducing the work load of our outdoor spaces has become a priority. We are busy with many activities We are aging Viewing flowers rather than weeding flowerbeds is preferable That is not the definitive list, by any means, […]

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