Home and Garden Shopping

Welcome to Ebiz247's Home and Garden page.  We have tried to put together some of the most helpful and credible home and garden website links for you to use during your next project.  From the National Arboretum to the United States Government Home Repair Bookstore we link you to sites that will make your next project a pleasure.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
This colorful and helpful map supersedes U.S. Department of Agriculture "Plant Hardiness Zone Map," which was revised in 1965.  This 1990 version shows in detail the lowest temperatures that can be expected each year in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.  These temperatures are referred to as "average annual minimum temperatures" and are based on the lowest temperatures recorded for each of the years 1974 to 1986 in the United States and Canada and 1971 to 1984 in Mexico. 

The map shows 10 different zones, each of which represents an area of winter hardiness for the plants of agriculture and our natural landscape.  It also introduces zone 11 to represent areas that have average annual minimum temperatures above 40 F (4.4 C) and that are therefore essentially frost free.

Virginia Tech Home Gardening Resources
This Virginia Tech home and garden website offers insightful gardening tips for web surfers.  Topics range from annuals, perennials, bulbs, children's gardening, fertilizer, gardening and health, herbs, indoor gardening, outdoor gardening, insects and pesticides, landscapes, lawns, monthly gardening tips, plant diseases, soil testing and more.
 
University of Florida Organic Vegetable Gardens
According to James Stevens at the University of Florida successful vegetable gardens are not accidental. They are the results of planning, constant care, and the will to make things grow. Among the many things a vegetable garden may offer toward a satisfying experience are fresh air, exercise, sunshine, knowledge, supplemental income, mental therapy, and fresh food, rich in vitamins and minerals, harvested at the best stage of maturity.  

Organic gardening differs from "conventional" gardening mainly in the areas of fertilization and pest control. The organic gardener prefers to use natural and organic materials and methods, and avoids using practices and synthetic chemicals that may be detrimental to his health or environment. The information at this website should be beneficial to all gardeners regardless of methods of culture used.

The U. S. National Arboretum Gardening Tips
Are you having a problem with a plant in your garden?  Do you want some pointers on planting conifers or dividing your daylilies?  Are you wondering if one of our trees will be hardy in your part of the country?  Or how to select someone to help with your damaged trees? 

This is the U.S. National Arboretum's online gateway for practical information on a wide variety of commonly asked questions.  Their experts have identified the most commonly asked questions and provided the latest answers.  You will also find a bit of background information about plants and their requirements here, as well as some strategies for finding plants and helpful hints for managing pests and diseases that you might find in your garden now. 

HUD Home Improvement Site
The Housing and Urban Development site is a valuable home repair on-line resource.  Whether you want to fix a faucet or add a new addition to your home, you need to know the facts and the pitfalls of home improvements. They list some sources that can help.

They also have information on household energy efficiency.  They recently completed updating their Home Energy Briefs (HEBs) which are a series of nine practical guides describing what the average homeowner can do to save energy.

U.S. Government Home Repair Bookstore Site
Welcome to the official online bookstore for U.S. Government publications for purchase from the U.S. Government Printing Office. For instructions on placing an order, click here.  To begin shopping, use the search feature below, or browse our publications by subject, special values, or special collections.

U.S. Government Homeowners Resources Guide
This valuable website offers links to home construction, renovation, maintenance, energy, heating, cooling systems, home buying and financing, lawn and garden, home safety considerations and water related issues.