Christy Pinheiro, EA is an Enrolled Agent and holds a Bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University. She has over 15 years of business and accounting experience. She was a staff accountant for a private CPA firm and also for the State of California before going into private practice. Her finance and tax articles have been published in numerous periodicals. She is the author of Pineapple Guides’ EA Exam Review book series.
Christy is currently working on her new book. She lives in California with her husband and two children.
Everyone is always looking for a natural way to keep pests and animals out of their garden. There are some wonderful natural pest and animal deterrents that are available right in your kitchen, and they are all safe for children and food gardens.
1. Kitty-B-Gone- To keep cats out of the vegetable garden, you can use a combination of different natural substances. Cats abhor the smell of citrus and black pepper oil. Next time you eat an orange or a grapefruit, peel the rinds and toss them around in your vegetable garden. Sprinkling a large amount of black pepper also works well, although it can get expensive. Black pepper works best in areas that will not be getting a lot of water. You can also use black pepper underneath the porch or other spots in order to prevent a “litter box” area. Chili flakes work well, also, but are probably not a good idea if you have small children.
You can also try planting the Coleus-Canina plant, a weed originating in Europe. It is also known as the "Scardy-Cat" plant because it emits an odor that felines hate. You can request this plant at your local nursery and plant it around any garden that you want cats to stay out of!
2. Natural Aphid Killer- Did you know that you can kill aphids on roses and other plants simply by spraying them with a diluted solution made with household dish soap and tepid water? It’s true! Just put a small amount of dish soap in a squirt bottle with some water and spray away! The aphids die instantly and the plants are usually just fine. This method is so much safer than using pesticides, especially with food plants.
Investing in some ladybugs is also a great way to kill aphids. Ladybugs have a voracious appetite for aphids and other soft-bodied pests. They can help your garden become pest and insecticide-free.
3. Seaweed Mulch- Mulch made from seaweed is good for the soil and also deters pests. Seaweed mulch contains loads of vitamins and promotes healthy plant growth. An added bonus is that it deters slugs and snails.
There is lots of valuable information on the internet for gardeners that wish to plant and maintain gardens naturally. Your garden will become a more natural and balanced place for the healthy production of vegetables and flowers. Attracting and promoting beneficial insects, mulching techniques, and little bit of research can help you have the organic garden of your dreams.
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Buying a Hot Tub This Holiday? Arctic Spas Saskatoon Offers Saskatonians Celebratory Savings
By: Tod Martin | 18/12/2009Arctic Spas Saskatoon hot tubs and spas are designed to handle extremely cold weather conditions. So if Saskatoon gets hit with a snow storm over Christmas (which is quite often the case) an Arctic Spas hot tub will continue to run.
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Free Gas With the New Irs Mileage Deduction!
By: Christy Pinheiro, EA | 25/11/2008 | TaxesIf you are self-employed, you can use the IRS Mileage deduction to essentially get your gas for free. The deduction for mileage is such a great one, too-- it is as if the IRS is giving away free gas to those who keep good records.
Make the Irs Pay Your Gas Bill With Good Recordkeeping!
By: Christy Pinheiro, EA | 23/11/2008 | Small BusinessA disturbing trend is emerging from the IRS-- they are targeting more and more small businesses for examination (audits). According to a Syracuse University study, the IRS has increased audits on small businesses 41% since 2005. The IRS is getting bolder, more aggressive, and small businesses are losing. But did you know that good records can save your hide in an IRS audit, and sometimes even "pay" you back? This article explains how.
Start Your Own Home-based Bookkeeping Business Now!
By: Christy Pinheiro, EA | 14/11/2008 | Home BusinessI'm a big fan of small home-based businesses, and one of the best home businesses is a bookkeeping business. Even with the help of computer software, most people still hate preparing their tax returns and doing their own bookkeeping. Business owners have neither the time nor inclination to manage their own bookkeeping and tax reporting, and virtually every business owner needs some type of financial guidance.
The Taxbook Vs Quickfinder-- Clash of the Titans!
By: Christy Pinheiro, EA | 08/11/2008 | TaxesOkay, it's the clash of the titans! What is going on between these two? A lot of bad blood, it looks like! I used to order the Quickfinder every single year, but now I might try The TaxBook Deluxe Edition. But I have a question... what's the soap opera drama between these two competitors?
5 Tips to Higher E-bay Clothing Sales!
By: Christy Pinheiro, EA | 11/09/2008 | ECommerceIf you have decided to sell clothing on Ebay, there are a number of important tips that can help you increase your sales without substantially increasing your inventory costs. Most of these tips have to do with proper garment display and measurements, in order to make YOUR garment & clothing more attractive to an e-bay shopper.
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By: Christy Pinheiro, EA | 08/09/2008 | TaxesGone are the encyclopedias of old-- no more giant tax volumes-- everything is on a jump drive. I used to have an old 8-track player as a child-- my own kids will probably never even know what one looks like.
What is an Enrolled Agent?
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