The first thing in garden making is the selection of a spot. Without a choice, it means simply doing the best one can with conditions. With space limited it resolves itself into no garden, or a box garden. Surely a box garden is better than nothing at all.

But we will now suppose that it is possible to really choose just the right site for the garden. What shall be chosen? The greatest determining factor is the sun. No one would have a north corner, unless it were absolutely forced upon him; because, while north corners do for ferns, certain wild flowers, and begonias, they are of little use as spots for a general garden.

If possible, choose the ideal spot a southern exposure. Here the sun lies warm all day long. When the garden is thus located the rows of vegetables and flowers should run north and south. Thus placed, the plants receive the sun's rays all the morning on the eastern side, and all the afternoon on the western side. One ought not to have any lopsided plants with such an arrangement.

Suppose the garden faces southeast. In this case the western sun is out of the problem. In order to get the best distribution of sunlight run the rows northwest and southeast.

The idea is to get the most sunlight as evenly distributed as possible for the longest period of time. From the lopsided growth of window plants it is easy enough to see the effect on plants of poorly distributed light. So if you use a little diagram remembering that you wish the sun to shine part of the day on one side of the plants and part on the other, you can juggle out any situation. The southern exposure gives the ideal case because the sun gives half time nearly to each side. A northern exposure may mean an almost entire cut-off from sunlight; while northeastern and southwestern places always get uneven distribution of sun's rays, no matter how carefully this is planned.

The garden, if possible, should be planned out on paper. The plan is a great help when the real planting time comes. It saves time and unnecessary buying of seed.

New garden spots are likely to be found in two conditions: they are covered either with turf or with rubbish. In large garden areas the ground is ploughed and the sod turned under; but in small gardens remove the sod. How to take off the sod in the best manner is the next question. Stake and line off the garden spot. The line gives an accurate and straight course to follow. Cut the edges with the spade all along the line. If the area is a small one, say four feet by eighteen or twenty, this is an easy matter. Such a narrow strip may be marked off like a checkerboard, the sod cut through with the spade, and easily removed. This could be done in two long strips cut lengthwise of the strip. When the turf is cut through, roll it right up like a roll of carpet.

But suppose the garden plot is large. Then divide this up into strips a foot wide and take off the sod as before. What shall be done with the sod? Do not throw it away for it is full of richness, although not quite in available form. So pack the sod grass side down one square on another. Leave it to rot and to weather. When rotted it makes a fine fertilizer. Such a pile of rotting vegetable matter is called a compost pile. All through the summer add any old green vegetable matter to this. In the fall put the autumn leaves on. A fine lot of goodness is being fixed for another season.

Even when the garden is large enough to plough, I would pick out the largest pieces of sod rather than have them turned under. Go over the ploughed space, pick out the pieces of sod, shake them well and pack them up in a compost heap.

Mere spading of the ground is not sufficient. The soil is still left in lumps. Always as one spades one should break up the big lumps. But even so the ground is in no shape for planting. Ground must be very fine indeed to plant in, because seeds can get very close indeed to fine particles of soil. But the large lumps leave large spaces which no tiny root hair can penetrate. A seed is left stranded in a perfect waste when planted in chunks of soil. A baby surrounded with great pieces of beefsteak would starve. A seed among large lumps of soil is in a similar situation. The spade never can do this work of pulverizing soil. But the rake can. That's the value of the rake. It is a great lump breaker, but will not do for large lumps. If the soil still has large lumps in it take the hoe.

Many people handle the hoe awkwardly. The chief work of this implement is to rid the soil of weeds and stir up the top surface. It is used in summer to form that mulch of dust so valuable in retaining moisture in the soil. I often see people as if they were going to chop into atoms everything around. Hoeing should never be such vigorous exercise as that. Spading is vigorous, hard work, but not hoeing and raking.

After lumps are broken use the rake to make the bed fine and smooth. Now the great piece of work is done.

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People have different tastes in how they want to light the interior of their home. Some folks like low levels of light for closeness and intimacy and lower energy costs. Several types of lamps provide this type of light, such as table lamps, floor lamps, or subtle track-lighting. Other folks like a well-lighted room that appears to be lit by the sun with daylight. These folks may enjoy reading or working on hobbies in the evening or may merely prefer a bright room. The best type of lighting for this preference is the chandelier. A chandelier is a lighting fixture that hangs from the ceiling and has either a few or many small light bulbs. Chandeliers came into being during the days before electric lighting. Since candles and oil lamps emit a very faint light, rooms tended to be dark at night. But if a collection of candles were arranged on a candelabrum and hung from the ceiling, a greater amount of light became available to illuminate the space. In those days, the chandelier was hung from a rope or a chain so that it could be lowered for lighting. If the room decor is in a traditional style, a traditional chandelier is the best choice. On the other hand, in a modern room, a modern chandelier is the best choice.

The first location for a chandelier is over the dining room table. This is a good lighting solution because it emits a good amount of light for the diners without taking up precious table space with a light source. A dimmer switch is often installed in the dining room so that the level of light can be varied according to the preference of the day. The dining room chandelier is usually of a smaller shape. A popular style in a traditionally decorated home is the Tiffany-style lamp with leaded or stained glass. Another popular style of dining room chandelier reflects the beginnings of the chandelier, with a resemblance to a grouping of candles. The small light bulbs that are shaped like a candle flame are easy to find in the electrical department of department stores, drugstores, and supermarkets.

Another popular placement for a chandelier is in the entry hallway or foyer. The main consideration is that the size of the chandelier must match the size of the foyer. In a large home with a dramatic foyer, the ceiling may be as high as the second story. Here, a large, dramatic chandelier can shine down with lots of twinkly light bulbs. There are two drawbacks to this type of lighting, and both involve a long step ladder. First, to keep the twinkle shiny, you need to clean the chandelier regularly. Dust and cobwebs hide the glitter and must be removed. Second, occasionally, a light bulb will burn out and need to be replaced. This latter bit of maintenance can be eliminated as LED lights become more commonly available and less costly. And this type of light is the ideal use for LED light bulbs.

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It is a known fact that choosing the correct lighting scheme for your home can be a daunting task. However, unlike popular belief, it is not a herculean activity. With some amount of time and effort, you can certainly get it right. Also, the current advances in technology and growth in the market has made it possible for us to select from the enormous variety of lightings made available by home lighting providers like Kichler.

The first step to achieve the perfect lighting for your abode would involve research and gathering of information. There are a great number of books and magazines that provide excellent lighting suggestions. The best resource would, however, be the Internet that not only offers advice for lightings and fixtures but also offers information relevant to lighting companies and solution providers. Some websites even offer user ratings that help you in comparatively evaluating the various providers and prices. This will allow you to strike the best bargain. For a more personalized guidance, you could try out a different method. If you have a friend or associate who is an interior designer, make sure you take advice. Nothing works like professional suggestion. Knowing you and your home personally helps in getting lighting recommendation that is perfect for you.

Now that you have all the advices and details you may need, you are ready to begin. There is no point in trying to implement all the ideas you have received or come up with. Select the ideas which best fit your requirements and forget about the rest. Now you are all set to procure all that you need to realize your plan for lightings and fixtures in your home.

While buying your lights and fixtures, you will find a huge range of products. From sophisticated chandeliers and pendants to cheaper LEDs and solar-powered lights, the market has it all. However, you must remember that, no matter how beautiful a particular light is, it may not suit your lighting plan. Choose carefully, as you will not wish to spend your hard-earned money on something that you will regret later. There are people who, in order to avoid wastage of money, would perhaps put-up the lightings in their home inspite of realizing the misfit. This would again be a bad decision. Your choice of lightings and fixtures should be based on the objective they will serve. A dim light in your bedroom could create a romantic ambience. Similar illumination in your library could lead to bad eyesight. Hence, make sure you purchase your lights wisely. Your budget will also play a major role in your choice of lights and your purchase.

There are a lot of factors that go into making up a good lighting scheme in your home. Create a well researched plan and make an effort to adhere to it. Seriously consider all pros and cons at the planning stage, and put in all possible effort, at the execution stage. This will help you to light up your house in a way that will make you proud.

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