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Gardening Information

Archive for July, 2010

General Hydroponics Troubleshooting Questions

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

What is the green stuff growing near the base of my plants?

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 he ‘green stuff’ is known as algae.  It is present in almost all water, even tap, and is a relatively non-threatening presence in your system.  If the algae is present in the water in high amounts it can choke off your plants or their root systems.  Algae grows in the presence of sunlight and nitrogen rich water (they are basically microscopic plants).  The presence of algae is a good sign that you have ideal growing conditions for your plants. The way to treat algae is to do one or all of the following things.

1.)        Cover any sources of light that reach into the water reservoir with an opaque substance.  This can mean putting caps on the top of netpots to prevent algae building up on rockwool cubes or other rooted media that is exposed and moist.  Algae only grows in the presence of light and by removing the light, you will choke off the algae.

2.)        Run low levels of Chlorinated water such as from normal tap water for a few days.  The Chlorine will reduce, but not entirely kill off, the algae and should make it manageable.  Never add large quantities of Chlorine to the water from a pool supply store or you risk killing your plants as well.

3.)        Run low levels of Hydrogen Peroxide in your reservoir.  The HYOX will actually kill most of the algae, but will have little overall effect on plant growth.

4.)        If all else fails, remove your plants and rinse the roots in the sink (if possible), and wash the reservoir out with soapy water or bleach.  Then refill the reservoir with tap water and re-run the system.

 

What height should my water level be?

This is a very common question, and the answer is: ½” of the height of your netpot down to well below the bottom of your netpot.  Ultimately, your plant needs oxygen rich water for the roots.  This is the case whether the plant roots are completely submerged, such as in a DWC (Deep Water Culture) system, in a drip system where water is top fed, or whether they are being sprayed from below using an aeroponic or fogging system.  Keep your roots constantly ‘wet’, no matter which way you choose to grow, and you will have great results.

Note: Never trim roots on healthy or you will kill your plants.  The only exception is removing a completely dead plant, in which case you can remove all the dead root material as much as possible.

 

How often should I water my plants?

If using a hydroponics system then only maintaining the same water level is necessary.  This prevents drastic fluctuations in pH and nutrient concentrations.  When it comes to soil usually watering one to two times weekly is the average, however it depends on the soil makeup.  A good test is to let your soil dry out 80% between each watering to prevent over watering. 

 

How often should I fertilizer my plants?

When using a hydroponics system your fertilizer remains in the water solution from start to finish at various concentrations (see TDS chart in earlier responses).  When growing plants in soil it usually a good idea to add fertilizer to your watering can and fertilize from start to finish with your plants in varying concentrations.  Each nutrient will have it’s own feeding chart that will recommend the amount of fertilizer to add, based on the concentration of it’s formula.

At what height should I start flowering?

That really depends on how large you want your plants to get.  I like to refer to flowering as the “Rule of 2/3’s”.  The rule states that whatever height you start flowering at, your plants will be done growing at 2/3’s the size.  F

For example, if you start flowering at 1 foot tall, then at 3 foot, or 2/3’s addition growth, your plant will be done.  You can initiate flowering by adjusting the lighting cycle, nutrients, etc.. This is true for soil or hydroponics systems.

 

My plant leaves are yellow, what do I do?

This is one of the most common technical support questions and can be caused by multiple problems. 

1.)        The most common problem is improper pH or nutrients.  Usually customers let their pH drop too low, which happens naturally as plants are growing well, or they over fertilize.  If your pH is between 6.5-7.0 and your nutrients are at their appropriate level it may be one of several other issues. 

2.)        If the leaves are yellow at the top of your plant it may be too close to the lighting system and it may be heat burns.  Move the lighting system up to prevent continued issues.

3.)        Insects are the next consideration and can be identified by closely looking at leaves.  If insects are found, treat them according to the pest. 

4.)        Another possibility is poor root health, which is usually visible as brown or slimy roots.  This is caused by a bacterial infection or may be caused by poor water oxygenation.  This can be resolved by adding more bubblers to your water or lowering water temperatures.  Note that some beneficial bacteria’s may change the roots to a light brown color, but the plant may be very healthy, so this is not always a 100% sure fire way of identifying the problem.

5.)        The TDS meter your using may need to be recalibrated, so check by testing the reading from a TDS calibration solution.

6.)        The plants have a nutrient deficiency that requires more frequent water changes, such as a nitrogen deficiency.

7.)        If you’re using soil you may have over watered or under watered your plants, which can show up as yellowing.

 

When in doubt, the best thing to do is run straight tap water for two days (the chlorine helps kill off unwanted infections), and then slowly add nutrients until you reach your desired level for your plant height.  This almost always perks things up and solves the issue.  Foliar feeding with Spray-N-Grow usually helps reduce leaf yellowing as well.  Note: Always foliar feed during the dark cycle or you can scorch your leaves.

 

My plant growth is stunted, what do I do?

Plant growth can often be stunted from the following causes:

1.)        Bushmaster product is overused, resulting in reduced overall height and rate of growth. Stop using Bushmaster and flush with water.

2.)        The lighting system is too far away from the growing tips of the plant. Simple move the light as close as possible without burning.

3.)        The plant is severely under fertilized or under extreme distress.  Add fertilizer and be more adamant about checking nutrient levels.

4.)        The genetics of the plant result in slower, squattier growth.  Nothing can be done in this case.

 

My plants are too tall and overgrowing my system, what do I do?

You should have started flowering at a lower height to prevent this, but now that you have that situation there are a few options.  The first is to simply move the plants around the reflector and let them naturally consume the free space in the box.  Never prune the tops of the plant or you will severely damage them overall.  All you can really do is to let them go and try not to break off any branches. You can used products such as Bushmaster, or there are other inhibitors from Advanced Nutrients.

 

I urinated in my reservoir because my friend told me to do so, is this OK?

No, you should not have done this and you should quickly clean out your reservoir.  Don’t listen to your friends, follow our directions.  Urinating on your plants can cause issues in pH due to the uric acid, causes unwanted smells, can cause hormonal imbalances (depending on the urine content), and other very undesirable effects.  Simply put, don’t do it again, PLEASE.

Leaf Vacuum and Blower

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

When seeking to buy a gasoline lead blower vacuum, there are a lot of different factors you’ll want to consider. This text will get you started so you can also make an informed determination relating to which sort of leaf blower to purchase according to your specific needs. The more you know about what you need/need in a blower, the higher your possibilities will probably be of buying a product that will serve you properly and final a very long time so you won’t need to replace it down the road.

Although there are three different types of leaf blowers, electric, cordless, and gasoline-powered, the latter is probably the best. It does depend although on which sort you really need. You’ll have to think about how much you can be utilizing your leaf blower on common as well as every individual time. This is especially vital to take into accounts if you’re considering of buying a cordless leaf blower, as these do are inclined to have short battery lives and will not final lengthy for those who plan on being outdoors all day blowing leaves across the yard.

Gas-powered leaf blowers get the job carried out well and will not stop on you in the midst of your task. There are many several types of blowers however and they are all made by totally different companies. It’s important that you resolve which company to go along with, because they are greater than only a name. The corporate that makes the leaf blower is an emblem of how properly it’ll work. It’s best to perform a little little bit of analysis on the web first to see that are typically thought-about to be essentially the most reliable so you end up getting as a lot as you’ll be able to on your money.

If you spend a whole lot of time blowing leaves within the fall, then purchasing a fuel leaf blower vacuum is a considerably clever choice. As long as you keep it filled up, you should not have any problems. Fuel-powered blowers generally do not have a variety of mechanical problems both, so you understand that your blower will be good to make use of for years to come. It is good to maintain your options open so far as where you buy your leaf blower. You can go right down to your local hardware store to take a look at the large choice or go online to see more. You may be surprised at the offers you could find on leaf blowers online. Not only can you find a wider variety, but they are usually cheaper on-line in some places than in a hardware store. Buying a new leaf blower is concerning the high quality of the product as well as the amount you spend on it.

At Leafvac.org you will learn about black & decker blower vacuum leaf collection system bv 006 and leaf vacuum systems.

A New Niche in Bug Protection- Natural Products

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Have you ever picked up a can of bug repellant? If you have, then you have certainly noticed the long list of unknown ingredients listed on the back. It has been found that many bug repellent companies are researching natural products to use in their products rather than using  currently sold chemicals which can be unsafe and hazardous  .

Mint oil seems to work well for wasps and taking down their nests. All you need to do is find  a plastic  spray bottle and generously spray the nests for great results. All types of bugs about your home can be eliminated by using natural methods. Mosquitoes, fire ants, slugs and mites can all be wiped out by using natural remedies.

Consumers and the government have realized that the standard bug remedies that we have been using can  likely  cause harm to the environment and pets. Mothers and women, who typically control what type of chemicals is used in and around the house, are also fearful that the chemicals can bear upon human health. Bug remedy manufacturers have listened and they have realized that they need to be marketing safer and healthier products to the public.

Terminix is one of the first companies jumping on board by using a bug eliminator made up of thyme oil and geraniol. Geraniol is an extract that comes from plants, lemons and flowers such as roses. Terminix is not the only company that has found success by marketing and using natural substances to ward off indoor and outdoor pests. Scotts Miracle-Gro has introduced a line that is sold at Home Depot and Walmart called “Ecosense”. The line includes 7 products and has an indoor spray that is made up of soybean oil.

Companies that offer bug and pest elimination services are reporting that when people call, they commonly ask how safe the product is going to be for their children and animals. Several companies across the nation either use all “green” or natural products, or they at least have them available for consumers who want them. Consumers report that they have seen little to no difference between harsh chemicals and natural products when it comes to killing bugs and pests.

The Environmental Protection Agency, which controls the registration of pesticides, notes that chemicals can cause ill side effects to people who come in close contact with them. Side effects can array from a little eye and skin irritation all the way up to more serious illnesses, such as cancer and hormone problems. These warnings, combined with consumers becoming more environmentally conscious is causing the natural bug remedy market to boom. It looks as though using natural remedies is, and will continue to be the way to go in regards to keeping bugs and pests at bay. This is a consumer trend that should be watched over the next few years as it continues to grow. 

Toro Electric Blower Vac

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Bet you’re looking forward to spring, warm climate and entertaining in your home. But, perhaps you are front lawn and yard does not look so inviting. Winter leaves behind dead leaves, twigs and people spring berries can start to fall fast. If yard clean up’s acquired you down, contemplate buying an electrical leaf blower to make your life easier. An electric blower can make yard clear up in a small or giant area extra efficient, less time consuming and less frustrating. They come with powerful followers that blow leaves and debris into piles you (or the kids) can quickly remove. And many also have vacuums and luggage you can connect to the blower.

The vacuum and baggage simplifies yard clean up even more. Simply suck up the particles with a blower and you can quickly eliminate the leaves in eco-pleasant yard bags. Some leaf blowers even have mulcher to turn these leaves and particles into mulch you need to use to beautify your flowerbeds or nourish your vegetable garden. Electric blowers include or and not using a cord. Cordless fashions are better for bigger areas since you’re not restricted by the length of the cord. Most of them might be simply recharged from a socket in your home, they usually’re mild and easily portable.

If you discover you may’t bear the weight of carrying round a leaf blower in your massive yard, you possibly can all the time select a backpack electric leaf blower. Just slip it over your shoulders and you’re able to make your yard clean up nice and easy. Blowers with cords can make yard clear up in a decent space much faster and easier than utilizing a rake. Keep in mind, though, that if the twine is lengthy, the leaf blower can be much less powerful.

Many individuals find electrical blowers are nice for yard clean up. But, the noise level these machines create is not so appealing. Keep in mind, nevertheless, that as far as noise goes, electrical blowers are a lot easier on your ears than gasoline leaf blowers. However, producers and health professionals suggest carrying listening to protection whenever you use an electrical leaf blower. Additionally, you is probably not frightened just about the messy leaves and debris beneath – on your garden or in your backyard. Sometimes, it’s the leaves and other waste that clog up your gutters or eaves troughs. You can even use your blower to clear away this mess during your yard clear up. Keeping your gutters clear helps to protect your private home’s exterior – and it’s environmentally friendly.

Another benefit that electrical blowers present for homeowners is that they are low upkeep, unlike fuel leaf blowers. The most it’s possible you’ll need to do to your electrical blower is clear out the tube on occasion to remove residue, and clean the brushes as soon as in a while. To keep it working smoothly be sure you use a cord with the correct voltage. In case you are seeking to save time and preserve your yard wanting spectacular take into account investing in an electrical leaf blower.

At Leafvac.org you’ll find info about toro electric blowers and toro 51592 super 12 amp 2 speed electric blower vacuum.

Tips on How to Handle Baby Bottles the Right Way

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

If you are planing on bottle feeding your new born or you already are bottle feeding your infant it is important that you handle the bottles correctly to avoid your baby from being unhealthy.  You should want to do anything you can to keep your baby healthy.  Keep your baby’s bottles clean and stored in the fridge to prevent any harmful bacteria or germs that could cause stomach problems.

Be sure to wash the bottles in the dishwasher or in warm water with a mild soap.  When you have washed the bottles rinse then and out them in boiling water for five minutes prior to filling them with formula or breast milk. You may not heard that a 17 year-old kid create a super product called google cash generator.

Before you mix the formula you must boil the water you will be mixing it with and let it completely cool.  This takes the additives out of the water that could make your baby sick.  Use a bottle only one time then clean it again using the same process.

If you have to take the baby out for a long period of time and need formula, make certain that your baby drinks it within an hour if it is mixed formula or if it is breast milk.  Another great option if you are formula feeding your baby is to use powered formula and take the boiled water separately this will let you mix the formula when it is needed.

Any formula that is opened will not keep very long.  If it is a bottle of unused formula it is good for 24 hours after it has been opened.  Ready to use formula is good for forty eight hours after it is opened.  Powered formula is good for one month after it has been opened.  If your baby has not drank all the formula in their bottle, you need to throw the unused portion away, germs will go into the leftover milk.

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Tips to create a wonderful indoor garden

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Indoor gardening has became increasingly popular as the price of groceries rises. Growing your own produce can cut down on your food budget and provide you and your family with healthy and convenient foods year round. You can find beautiful indoor garden ideas all over the internet, but listed below are just a few helpful tips to get you started.

Choosing the right things to grow is essential to having a successful indoor garden. Dwarf plant varieties normally grow more successfully in an indoor environment because they require much less room. Dwarf versions of thins like peppers, tomatoes and root vegetables are great ideas to start your indoor garden with.

While almost any type of container can be used for growing plants indoors it is very important that they are the right size for the plant. Small plants can be grown with ease in small containers, but one that has much bigger roots will in most cases just die. If a plants roots get crowded it cant grow any further and will either stunt and be non bearing or completely wilt and die.

Proper lightening tends to be a major concern for many first time indoor gardeners. The thing you must remember is that every plant will require a different amount of sun light. Research each plant you are planning on growing to find out just how much each one will need. Windows facing the sun rise are generally one of the best places to place any type of plant.

To prevent accidental over fertilization most experts recommend using a potting soil mixture with the fertilizer already added in. This will eliminate the need for any type of fertilizer or growth enhancement for at least the first 2 months.

These are just a few of the many pieces of advice you can find to help make your indoor gardening adventure more prosperous.

Cost of Tree Stump Removal

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Tree elimination prices fluctuate on the type of job or service needed. It additionally is determined by degree of problem needed and the obstacles that affect tree removal. It relies on the working price of the complete service. It also will depend on the gear to be used. The place or location also affects the price. The scale which includes the peak, width and number of branches are further concerns. Taking a look at all these elements would then give anyone the proposition that it is costly in a sense. Getting a service from licensed and expert employees would immediately give anyone the impression that service charges cannot be bargained. As an illustration stump elimination cost varies relying on the scale and stump placement. Pruning services fluctuate relying on the species, age, location and how typically it will be performed.

Typically, trimming massive and mature bushes would approximately cost $500 to $1400 every tree. Large bushes are these with 60-one hundred ft height. This consists of historical maples, walnuts, elms, Black Locust, Red Oak and American Ash. Smaller trees about 30 ft high like Russian Olive, Dogwood or Mulberry price about $one hundred twenty five to $450. Medium dimension timber like Crabapple and Black Gum that are about 30-60 ft excessive are charged about $200-$900. Outdated and dry bushes are rated cheaper value since they are simple to chopped down.

However additional expenses are included for tree disposal. Further costs additionally embrace the following:

o Stump grinding services for small stumps are at $75 and large ones at $170-$300

o Trunk hauling are charged $350. Hauled timber are nice for firewood.

o Department chipping are charged $65-one hundred fifty hourly charge

o Out of nation arborists charged additional driving price and consultations are at $one hundred twenty five/ hour

The going price for tree removal service is $500-$2000. It could actually even go to as high as $20,000. This amount is giant and clearly upsetting the home budget. So listed here are a number of useful tips on how one can decrease down the tree elimination cost.

- Practice regular tree trimming services. It might either be a selection of a yearly/one a year or every other yr service. Regular trimming is cheaper in comparison with permitting timber develop in 5 years. Keep in mind that size affects the cost of tree removal. Maintenance is a key to saving extra in the future.

- Its necessary to identify who owns the tree to be removed. More often than not timber near the road are owned by the city or country. The city is in control of taking it out. Any tree planted in a municipal owned property is just not a personal citizen’s responsibility.

- Do logger advertisements. Maple, fir, oak walnut is lumber materials. Loggers will carry out logging in exchange for the woods.

- Share work with the tree elimination services. Offer to help in cleaning mess after cutting/trimming. Put money into cheap electric chainsaw, and work your approach to do branch trimming. The latest electrical chainsaws are designed to be light-weight and simple to operate. One has to just use it with care and security precautions. Branches might be dropped at wood recycling centers. It is usually finest to invite neighbors to share the wood with.

- Study to perform stump removal with out stump grinder techniques. It is a cheaper alternative but could require persistence and time.

- Get a number of estimates earlier than deciding on getting the service. Bidding must be practiced. Value of each service needs to be written in detail. One can ask for referrals from City Forestry of the city.

At Treetrunkremoval.org you’ll find out about stump removal cost, cost of stump removal,and stump removal costs.

The Advantages of Larson Storm Doors

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Your own home is one in all your most important and costly investments. Taking good care of it is essential to maintain your asset longer. If you must set up added features to guard it, make sure you get solely the very best quality suited on your home. Since entrance doors are liable to put on-and-tear from unhealthy weather, it’s important to find ways to safe them. The easiest way is to install storm doors alongside with your doors. Of the different manufacturers offering this product, Larson storm doors stand out from the rest. Their features are superior to the others. Listed below are the nice features of the fixture to maintain your doors protected.

Better Roll Display screen
In case you are in search of the design where the highest window strikes up and down with a screen hooked up to it, Larson storm doors are the wise alternative. With this function, you may pull down the top window to disclose the screen. The thicker steel makes the inspiration extra rigid and stronger compared to up to date brands. It will probably resist varying climate situations, thus making it the choice of experts.

Variety of Materials
The Larson storm doors offer a wide range of materials. From the most traditional wooden to the PVC and fiberglass, they have it all. Wooden is the conventional material for the fixture. However, due to the necessity to coat and protect it from unhealthy climate, it is becoming much less most popular by the installer. The more common variety now is the aluminum made Larson storm doors. This materials is extra affordable compared to the PVC or the fiberglass. As a result of it offers sufficient protection, it is perfect for many who want to make an funding with it however is on a decent budget. Lastly, the fiberglass kind is essentially the most resistant towards corrosion but in addition the most expensive. Manufacturers can make it appear to appear like the picket type. With its elegance in fashion, the fiberglass-made Larson storm doors are the selection of these with a generous budget.

Most Sturdy
As a result of the primary purpose for the set up of the fixture is protection against the unpredictable climate situations, you need to invest in one thing that will actually serve its purpose. The Larson storm doors come from high quality materials, and professionals do the set up themselves. The inspiration and the casing of the fixture provide steadiness and strong foundation towards fixed movements and hitting. The work of the expert professionals installing it’s sufficient assurance that your funding will last a lifetime. As a result of solely experts set up the Larson storm doors, you could have the reassurance of custom-made set up, and not for generic doors. The supplies and the professionals combined, account for the elevated sturdiness of your fixture.

Larson storm doors are your best option in case you have not installed the fixture in your home yet. With the variety of supplies they provide, you’ll be able to surely find one that will suit your budget. If you’re able to make the choice, call your agent and ask for costs and see the large distinction you’ll get.

Modular Homes Make Cents

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Modular Houses Make Cents!

The next time you see a whole half-home shifting along the freeway, you may want to contemplate proudly owning a modular home. There are various advantages of owning a modular residence to you and to the surroundings wherein all of us live.

Many modular homes are very vitality efficient, which helps cut back your heating and cooling costs. Your own home will most likely be ready to move into a lot sooner than when you look ahead to a builder to construct a home on-website saving you the cost of paying further months of lease if you end up suppose to be moved out already.

Nowadays the place technology is constantly changing, modular houses are constructed at top quality industry requirements , faster, and stronger than the brick and wood houses. Instead of the old style hit the drafting board tape measure and degree building, modular development is in-built a manufacturing environment. In a manufacturing atmosphere, the weather do not embody rain, robust winds, snow, humidity. So the construction is nearly guaranteed to be mildew and pest free.

In case you are searching for a decrease-cost option when building your new dwelling, however you do not need to sacrifice quality or energy effectivity, you might wish to think about a modular home. Modular houses will not be the identical as mobile homes or manufactured homes. Modular properties are constructed in sections inside a manufacturing facility and then transported to the home web site for meeting and permanent attachment to an present concrete foundation. All development is carried out in accordance with local constructing codes, and quality is on par with traditional stick-built construction.

After a modular house is assembled on the house web site, a sequence of finishing stages should be performed. Roof sections should be properly completed to cover seams, plumbing should be related to the foundation’s tough plumbing, and electrical hookups should be completed. Decks and patios could be added to boost the home’s function and beauty. Landscaping, driveways and sidewalks are finishing touches that may be accomplished by way of the homebuilder, or contracted independently through the buyer. Many modular homebuilders give consumers the option to contract the entire finishing work themselves. This provides patrons more management over cost and quality.

The typical cost of a modular home $55-$80 per square foot, saving consumers between 10% and 25% over the worth of traditional stick-built construction. But the financial savings could go beyond development costs. Many modular houses are Energy Star compliant, which means that they adhere to the guidelines set forth by the EPA for superior energy efficiency. This can result in tax exemptions for householders, as well as decrease energy costs on heating and cooling. To make the most of these added financial savings, look for the Energy Star symbol when selecting a modular homebuilder, and remember to examine the tax code before deciding on constructing materials and power environment friendly appliances on your new home.

So, if you are available in the market for a brand new house that can save you money in the long run remember that modular development is the smarter quicker option to build. In the long term your modular house will save you money in utility costs. Although your new house might sooner or later be shipped on the street doesn’t mean your cash has to hit the street after you move in. Weigh the professionals and cons of a modular dwelling and benefit from the financial savings at this time and effectively into the future.

How To Build A Chicken Coop – Get Chicken Coop Plans

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

If you are interested in rearing your own chickens to make them produce fresh organic eggs, then considering a chicken coop is a must. There are several ways to get a chicken coop. One option is of course buying a pre-built chicken coop that comes in many different designs and sized, you can also build your own. It is fairly easy to do and can be completed in just a single day. The basic thing you will need when you decide making a chicken coop yourself is a good chicken coop blueprint that will show you step by step how to complete the task.

You should be aware that a chicken house is not just something to house your birds, to feed them and where they can lay their eggs. It should be a place where they feel comfortable and that protects them from predators. When making a chicken coop there are some things you need to be aware of e.g. size, location, climate, design and of course protection. You need to plan accordingly in constructing the coop because without planning, you may end up regretting or losing the drive to finish it. Furthermore, it may also cost you much more than what you anticipated. Following basic building tips can be a good start. This will enable you to get the project done as soon as you can and will help you avoid additional expenses. The internet is a great place to search for chicken coop building plans, and in most cases you can download them immediately. While anybody can make a nice-looking chicken coop and make it look very easy to create, your chances of finding out all the things and materials that you missed will surface during construction. This is where a chicken coop blueprint comes in handy.

Good chicken coop blueprints offer much more than just photos. It should come with step by step instructions that should include the following:

· A list of the material which you will need
· A cut list
· Diagrams which are easy to read and has specific details
· Footings and foundation information
· Rafter details and roof plans
· A manual or step by step building instructions