h'Design on a Dime' puts ideas in new book

h'Design on a Dime'puts ideas in new book
Fans of the HGTV show "Design on a Dime" -- or low-cost decorating in general -- can get a closer look at the show's price-conscious makeovers in the new book "HGTV Design on a Dime."
The book shares some of the strategies used by the show's design teams to redecorate a room in a day for $1,000. Most of the book focuses on individual rooms that have been redesigned for the show, teaching readers how to create similar looks in their own homes.
In all, 21 living rooms, bedrooms, home offices, kitchens and dining rooms are featured, representing a variety of decorating styles. The book includes a room-arranging kit so readers can try out their own ideas on paper.
"HGTV Design on a Dime" is published by Meredith Books and sells for $19.95 in softcover.
Introducing earthwormsinto your garden
Earthworms are nature's soil enhancers. They loosen the soil just by moving through it and boost the soil's fertility by excreting nutrients and minerals.
Gardens Alive, a mail-order company that sells gardening products, has an easy way to introduce or increase earthworms in your soil: Encapsulated Earthworm Cocoons. The cocoons, each containing an earthworm egg, are protected by a coating that allows them to be refrigerated for as long as four months. You just soak them in water to dissolve the coating and plant them much like seeds, and the eggs will hatch in the soil.
The Mailorder Gardening Association recently gave the product one of its 10 Green Thumb Awards for 2004, which recognize outstanding new garden products available by mail or online.
A package of 50 cocoons sells for $12.95. The cocoons can be ordered by calling (513) 354-1482 or at www.gardensalive.com on the Web.