Avspringhome2013

Home & Garden Dakota County Tribune & Sun ThisWeek Newspapers 4•26•2013

AFFORDABLE CONCRETE REPLACEMENT

651-688-3048 ableconcreteraising.com

Page 2 Spring Home & Garden • Friday, April 26, 2013

SunThisweek.com

+(/2& XQWLO 0D\ $35

FXUUHQWO\

GARAGE FLOOR COATINGS

$35

/HW XV VDYH \RX PRQH\ WRGD\

Residential & Commercial • One Day Installation • Non-Skid • Chemical Resistant (salt, oil & gas)

Kyle (952) 406-0222 • Josh (952) 923-7611 www.polyteksurfacecoatings.com FREE E S T IMATES Price

quotes up to one valid for year!

COUPON

Exterior Painting

% 15 OFF SAVE 15% on any complete EXTERIOR painting job

4-YEAR WARRANTY ON ALL WORK.

Deck replacement & maintenance free materials

651.308.3599 johnfordconstruction.com info@johnfordconstruction.com Serving the greater Twin Cities metro area

10% OFF Floors Completed in April or May!

Custom Decks All-Season Porches Finished Basements

Your Tropical Hardwood Expert

Stronger than Epoxy!

Restore cracked & broken concrete to a smooth finish!

~ Free Estimates ~

Ĺ? ZZZ VKDUHSRLQWFX FRP Č˜ Ć˝ ——žŠ•ȹ Ž›ŒŽ—Â?ŠÂ?ÂŽČą ŠÂ?ÂŽÇŻČą Â˜Â–ÂŽČą šž’Â?¢ȹ Â’Â—ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?Čą ›ŽÂ?Â’Â?ȹǝ ÇźČąĹ˜ÇŻĹ&#x;Ĺ&#x;Ć–ČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â–Â˜Â?Â’Â˜Â—ÂŠÂ•ČąÂ›ÂŠÂ?ŽȹŽ—Â?ÂœČąĹ›ČŚĹ—ČŚĹ˜Ĺ–Ĺ—Ĺ›Ç˛ČąÂ?‘Ž›ŽŠÂ?Â?Ž›ȹ Â?‘Žȹ ȹ ’••ȹ‘ŠÂ&#x;ŽȹŠȹÂ&#x;Š›’Š‹•Žȹ›ŠÂ?Žȹ’—Â?ÂŽÂĄÂŽÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ?‘Žȹ ›’–Žȹ›ŠÂ?ÂŽÇ°ČąÂŒÂžÂ›Â›ÂŽÂ—Â?Â•Â˘ČąĹ™ÇŻĹ˜Ĺ›Ć–Čą ÇŻČą Čą ȹ ’••ȹ—ŽÂ&#x;ÂŽÂ›ČąÂŽÂĄÂŒÂŽÂŽÂ?Čą Ĺ˜Ĺ—ÇŻĹ?śƖȹŠ—Â?ȹ ’••ȹ—ŽÂ&#x;ÂŽÂ›ČąÂŽÂĄÂŒÂŽÂŽÂ?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ‘’Â?‘ŽœÂ?ČąÂŠÂ•Â•Â˜Â ÂŠÂ‹Â•ÂŽČąÂ›ÂŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂ?Â‘Â’ÂœČąÂ?Â˘Â™ÂŽČąÂ˜Â?ȹŠÂ?›ŽŽ–Ž—Â?ČąÂŠÂœČąÂ?ÂŽÂ?Ž›–’—ŽÂ?ČąÂ‹Â˘ČąÂŠÂ™Â™Â•Â’ÂŒÂŠÂ‹Â•ÂŽČąÂœÂ?ŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ˜Â›ČąÂ?ÂŽÂ?Ž›Š•ȹ •Š ǯȹ ÂœČąÂ–ÂŠÂ˘ČąÂ˜Â—Â•Â˘ČąÂ‹ÂŽČąÂ Â›Â’Ä´ÂŽÂ—ČąÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂ‘Â˜Â–ÂŽČąÂ’Â—Čą ȹŠ—Â?Čą ÇŻČą ‘Š›Ž ˜’—Â?ȹ ’••ȹ™Š¢ȹÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂŠÂ•Â•ČąÂŒÂ•Â˜ÂœÂ’Â—Â?ČąÂŒÂ˜ÂœÂ?ÂœÇ°ČąÂŽÂĄÂŒÂ•ÂžÂ?’—Â?ČąÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂŒÂ˜ÂœÂ?ÂœČą Šœœ˜Œ’ŠÂ?ÂŽÂ?ȹ ’Â?Â‘ČąÂ–Â˜Â›Â?Â?ŠÂ?Žȹ›ŽÂ?Â’ÂœÂ?›ŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂ?Š¥ȹŠ—Â?ČąÂŠÂ™Â™Â›ÂŠÂ’ÂœÂŠÂ•ÇŻČą Â&#x;Ž›ŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂ–Â˜Â›Â?Â?ŠÂ?Žȹ›ŽÂ?Â’ÂœÂ?›ŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ČąÂ?ÂŠÂĄČąÂ’ÂœČąÂ‹ÂŽÂ?Â ÂŽÂŽÂ—ČąÇžĹ—Ĺ–ČąČŹČąÇžĹ˜Ĺ›Ĺ–ÇŻČą ‘Žȹ ŠÂ&#x;Ž›ŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂŠÂ™Â™Â›ÂŠÂ’ÂœÂŠÂ•ČąÂŒÂ˜ÂœÂ?ČąÂ’ÂœČąÂ‹ÂŽÂ? ŽŽ—ȹǞŗśŖȹȏȹǞŚŖŖǰȹ‹žÂ?ČąÂŠÂŒÂ?ÂžÂŠÂ•ČąÂŒÂ˜ÂœÂ?ÂœČąÂ–ÂŠÂ˘ČąÂ&#x;Š›¢ȹ‹¢ȹ Â™Â™Â›ÂŠÂ’ÂœÂŠÂ•Čą Â˜Â–Â™ÂŠÂ—Â˘ČąÂŠÂ—Â?ȹ ’••ȹ‹ŽȹÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÂ›ÂŽÂœÂ™Â˜Â—ÂœÂ’Â‹Â’Â•Â’Â?¢ȹ ˜Â?ČąÂ?‘Žȹ–Ž–‹Ž›ǯȹ Â˜ÂŠÂ—ČąÂ›ÂŠÂ?ÂŽČąÂŠÂ™Â™Â•Â’ÂŽÂœČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ—ÂŽÂ ČąÂ•Â˜ÂŠÂ—ÂœČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ’ÂœČąÂ—Â˜Â?ČąÂ&#x;Š•’Â?ČąÂ?Â˜Â›ČąÂ›ÂŽÄ™Â—ÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂ’Â—Â?ČąÂ˜Â?ČąÂŽÂĄÂ’ÂœÂ?’—Â?Čą ‘Š›Ž ˜’—Â?ČąÂ•Â˜ÂŠÂ—ÂœÇŻČą Â˜Â–ÂŽČą šž’Â?¢ȹ Â˜ÂŠÂ—ÂœČąÂ?‘ŠÂ?ȹŠ›Žȹ™Š’Â?ČąÂ˜Ä›ČąÂ Â’Â?‘’—ȹÂ?Â‘ÂŽČąÄ™Â›ÂœÂ?ČąÂ˘ÂŽÂŠÂ›ČąÂ Â’Â•Â•ČąÂ‹ÂŽČąÂŒÂ‘ÂŠÂ›Â?ÂŽÂ?ČąÂŠÂ—ČąÂŽÂŠÂ›Â•Â˘ČąÂ™ÂŠÂ˘Â˜Ä›ČąÂ™ÂŽÂ—ÂŠÂ•Â?¢ǯȹ ›˜™Ž›Â?Â˘ČąÂ’Â—ÂœÂžÂ›ÂŠÂ—ÂŒÂŽČąÂ›ÂŽÂšÂžÂ’Â›ÂŽÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜Â›Čą Â˜Â–ÂŽČą šž’Â?¢ȹ Â˜ÂŠÂ—ČąÂŠÂ—Â?Čą ›ŽÂ?Â’Â?Čą Â’Â—ÂŽÂœÇŻČą ž‹“ŽŒÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂŒÂ›ÂŽÂ?Â’Â?ČąÂŠÂ™Â™Â›Â˜Â&#x;Š•ȹŠ—Â?ČąÂ–ÂŠÂ˘ČąÂ›ÂŽÂšÂžÂ’Â›ÂŽČąÂ’Â—ÂŒÂ˜Â–ÂŽČąÂ&#x;Ž›’ęŒŠÂ?Â’Â˜Â—ÇŻČą Â?‘Ž›ȹ›ŠÂ?ÂŽÂœČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ?ÂŽÂ›Â–ÂœČąÂŠÂ›ÂŽČą ŠÂ&#x;Š’•Š‹•Žǯȹ žœÂ?ȹ‘ŠÂ&#x;ŽȹŽ’Â?Â‘ÂŽÂ›ČąÂŠÂ—ČąÂŠÂŒÂ?Â’Â&#x;ÂŽČą ‘Š›Ž ˜’—Â?Čą ‘ŽŒ”’—Â?ČąÂ˜Â›Čą Â’ÂœÂŠÂŠČą ›ŽÂ?Â’Â?Čą Š›Â?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂ›ÂŽÂŒÂŽÂ’Â&#x;ÂŽČąÂ™Â›Â˜Â–Â˜Â?Â’Â˜Â—ÂŠÂ•ČąÂ›ÂŠÂ?ÂŽÇŻČą ŠÂ?ÂŽÂœČąÂŠÂ—Â?ČąÂ?ÂŽÂ›Â–ÂœČą ÂŠÂ›ÂŽČąÂœÂžÂ‹Â“ÂŽÂŒÂ?ČąÂ?Â˜ČąÂŒÂ‘ÂŠÂ—Â?ÂŽÇŻČą Š——˜Â?ČąÂ‹ÂŽČąÂŒÂ˜Â–Â‹Â’Â—ÂŽÂ?ȹ ’Â?Â‘ČąÂŠÂ—Â˘ČąÂ˜Â?Â‘ÂŽÂ›ČąÂ˜Ä›ÂŽÂ›ÇŻČą ‘Š›Ž ˜’—Â?ČąÂ’ÂœČąÂŠÂ—ČąÂŽÂšÂžÂŠÂ•ČąÂ‘Â˜ÂžÂœÂ’Â—Â?ȹ•Ž—Â?Ž›ǯȹ 쎛ȹŽ—Â?ÂœČąĹœČŚĹ™Ĺ–ČŚĹ˜Ĺ–Ĺ—Ĺ™ÇŻ

4X

Peterson Painting Service Not valid with any other coupon or offer.

Expires Oct. 31, 2013

COUPON

Interior Painting

15% OFF

Our professional painting services will give your home a lasting look of beauty. Using the highest-quality supplies, we go the extra mile to ensure superior results, from the prep phase to application of the final coat.Through daily cleanups and inspections, we ensure the job is done neatly with proper coverage and finish.

EXTERIOR.

INTERIOR.

• Power Washing • Paint, Stain, Varnish • Scraping, Sanding • Caulking • Roll & Brush • Enameling • Airless Spraying/Backbrushing • Wallcovering • Airless Spraying • Brushing • Priming • Staining • Color Consulting • Deck Cleaning & Staining • Wallpaper Removal

• • • •

INCREASE the value of your home ENHANCE the beauty of your home PREVENT future maintenance costs LOWER your overall energy bills Where quality wor professi kmanship an hand w onalism go had ith disc ount prnd in ices.

SAVE 15%

on any complete INTERIOR painting job Peterson Painting Service Not valid with any other coupon or offer.

Expires Dec. 31, 2013

RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, INTERIOR, EXTERIOR PAINTERS

Jamie Peterson & Gary Kuehl LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED OFFICE: 952-440-6642 CELL: 612-282-8670

Spring Home & Garden • Friday, April 26, 2013 Page 3

SunThisweek.com

LAWN GONE ...

Some residents choose to let their lawns go native, among other alternatives to traditional turf

BY ANDREW WIG Sun CURRENT Newspapers

Michelle Kalantari has a front-row seat to the beauty and drama of nature. Except, it’s in her backyard.

Along with her cat, she watches the ac-

tion from a screened-in enclosure at the rear of her Richfield property, one of those tiny “postage stamp” yards common in the city.

She hasn’t let the size stop her.

“It’s like a mini nature preserve,” Kalantari observed. It is a product of a yard

gone native, a conscious decision Kalantari and other Twin Cities nature lovers have made in recent years.

Kalantari noticed the difference when she made her first native planting, the violet meadow blazing star, in her Richfield yard about seven years ago.

“It was the first time I started getting butterflies,” she said.

And it wasn’t just the Monarchs and other sundry varieties. Having planted a series of native bushes, such as those yielding gooseberries, winterberries, snowberries and hazelnuts, she’s attracted 24 varieties of birds she hadn’t seen in the yard before.

“I’ve been growing my own bird food,” Kalantari said.

With the birds flocking to the new food source, the natural drama in this mini, suburban ecosystem has ramped up, because along with the birds come the bird hunters, namely hawks. While she understands her yard is an intricate food web, a predator-prey microcosm of nature, Kalantari does play favorites as a backyard spectator, firmly on the side of her chirpy friends.

“Fortunately, my shrubs provide cover for them … but sometimes they’ll get a bird,” she said. When the hawks do preLawns continues page 7

After: When she converted her backyard to a garden of native plants, Michelle Kalantari of Richfield built a screened enclosure to observe the plant life and the wildlife that appeared to her her property.

(Sun staff photos by Andrew Wig) Before: The backyard of Richfield resident Michelle Kalantari, before she covered the property with native plants.

Page 4 Spring Home & Garden • Friday, April 26, 2013

SunThisweek.com

UMore gardeners offer knowledge

FED UP WITH HIGH HEATING & COOLING BILLS? LIMITED TIME

UP TO

Bryant 13 SEER Air Conditioner Installed Starting At $

2,195

$

1 ,350 *

CASH BACK!

Bryant 80% Gas Furnace Installed

Starting At $

1,795

Rosemount location to offer programs throughout the year

FINANCING AVAILABLE

952-894-7939

Serving The Metro Area Since 1990

BURNSVILLE MN • andersonairmn.com

by Tad Johnson Sun Thisweek

*On qualifying units. Unit(s) must be purchased between March 1 and June 30, 2013 and installed before July 15, 2013 to qualify. Call for details.

OPENING SATURDAY, APRIL 27TH

SOUTH CEDAR GARDEN CENTER $ HANGING 6 OFF COLORFUL Purchase of $30 Or More BASKETS Over 50 Varieties

Dakota County Tribune

Dakota County residents looking to add landscape trees, plants and flowers to their yards have access to one of the state’s greatest resources for horitcultural education.

The Master Gardener Education and Research Display Garden at UMore Park

in Rosemount dispenses knowledge and dazzles visitors with great frequency in the warmer months.

The Dakota County Master Gardeners offer several programs throughout the year and are available for consultation on an individual basis.

Among the programs are those that appeal to experienced and novice adult gardeners and youths who are just getting their start in plant education.

The Research Display Garden is filled with perennials, annuals, vegetables, Gardening continues next page

PATIO POTS

South Cedar Garden Center Expires May 14, 2013

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE

South Cedar Garden Center 23111 Cedar Ave. So. Hours: M-Fri 9-6 | Sat 9-5 | Sun 11-5

South Cedar at Buck Hill 15400 Buck Hill Road Hours M-Fri 9-7 | Sat 9-5 | Sun 11-5

16’ x 7’ Raised Steel Panel Installed Pricing

FREE ESTIMATES

Why Great Garage Door?

Award-Winning Service Since 1985 Quality Doors in a Variety of Price Ranges Locally Owned Work Done by Company Employees Stock Doors Installed in About a Week A+ Rated by BBB Super Service Award Winner

#

1

Service Quality Value

$

635 $765

Non-Insulated Steel

Insulated with Vinyl Backer

910

$

Full 2” Thick Insulated Steel Front & Steel Back

FREE ESTIMATES Removal & Recycle of old door additional.

Premium Deluxe 1/2 HP Opener

$

275

There will be a plant sale May 11 at the Master Gardener Education and Research Display Garden in Rosemount. (Photo submitted)

00 Lifetime

FREE Estimates

Warranty

Services We Offer:

Installed

Until 5/18/13

WE REPAIR

Springs • Cables • Tracks Photo Eyes • Door Adjustments Operators • All Brands

2 Springs S i on Double D bl Door D $189 2 Cables on Residential Door $129 Gear Kit Changes $139

Service on ALL Brands

Sears, Ideal, Chamberlain, Clopey, Liftmaster, Amarr, Genie, Stanley, Reynor, CHI, Haas, etc.

Service Prices Include: Trip, labor & parts. In the Metro area during standard business hours.

FORMERLY JOHNSON’S RICHFIELD BLACKTOP

• Complete Driveway Removal and Replacement • New Construction • Parking Lots

$200 OFF

john@johnsonsblacktopdriveway.com www.johnsonsblacktopdriveway.com

150,000 Happy Customers Lic. #L30350516

952-890-8668

Bonded & Insured

Spring Home & Garden • Friday, April 26, 2013 Page 5

SunThisweek.com

Tips to avoid injuries while spring cleaning StatePoint — Cleaning your home from top to bottom this spring? Do so with care. From falls off ladders to muscle pain, heavy-duty chores can be hazardous to your health and wellness if you’re not careful.

So before you roll up your sleeves and get into the thick of it, take a moment to review some essential safety precautions:

Avoid outdoor mishaps When mowing the lawn, wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Clear your lawn of stones, toys and other potentially hazardous debris before you begin, to prevent flying objects. Keep children away from your yard while you’re mowing.

Reduce the risk of a ladder fall by always using a stable ladder. Be sure to use the correct height ladder for the job and follow all weight restrictions. Only set ladders on level surfaces. Pay close attention to what you’re doing and climb up and down the ladder slowly and deliberately.

Treat muscles right From lawn work to scrubbing floors, unusual repetitious motions can really

take a toll, resulting in muscle pain or bruising. Treat your spring clean like a workout and stretch your major muscle groups before you get started.

When lifting those boxes in your basement and any other objects with heft, bend at the knees to avoid throwing your back out. If a chore is causing you pain, stop what you’re doing.

“Start out slowly to avoid placing a sudden demand on your muscles that are not use to this activity,” says Dr. Anne Meyer, who focuses on sports rehabilitation medicine.

If you feel stiff or sore after a long day of reaching, bending and lifting, Meyer recommends minimizing physical activity, elevating an injured arm or leg, and treating the first sign of muscle pain by applying a quick absorbing topical muscle pain reliever.

Remember to take frequent breaks.

And end your long day with a relaxing bath.

Roofing-Siding & Windows

Family Owned/Operated 30 Years Experience 952-469-5221 www.allsonsexteriors.com Lakeville, MN 55044 MN License # BC 639318

DĂŬĞ LJŽƵƌ ĚƌĞĂŵ Ă ƌĞĂůŝƚLJ͊ ŶũŽLJ ďĞĂƵƟĨƵů ůŝĨĞ ŵŽŵĞŶƚƐ͕ ǁŝƚŚŽƵƚ ŵŽƐƋƵŝƚŽƐ͕ ŝŶ Ă ǁŽŶĚĞƌĨƵů ϯ ƐĞĂƐŽŶ ƌŽŽŵ͊ >> &KZ ƌĞƉůĂĐĞŵĞŶƚ ĚŽŽƌƐ͕ ǁŝŶĚŽǁƐ͕ ĨĞŶĐĞ͕ ĚĞĐŬ Θ ƉŽƌĐŚ ƌĂŝůŝŶŐƐ͕ ƉĞƌŐŽůĂƐ ĂŶĚ ŐĂnjĞďŽƐ͊

Clean safely Cleaning products can be extremely stringent, causing irritation to your eyes, nose and throat. If opting for natural al-

Gardening continued from page 4 shrubs and daylillies.

If it can be grown in Minnesota and would be a perfect addition for your landscape project, it is probably at UMore.

The mission of the Master Gardener program is to teach others in the community about horticulture. In Dakota County, there are more than 130 active Master Gardeners who volunteer several thousand hours per year.

One of the first Master Gardener programs of the year, is the Spring Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 11, at the Education and Research Display Garden.

On sale will be perennials, annuals, fruits and vegetables, including heirloom tomatoes and shrubs. People are encouraged to arrive early for the best selection.

The sale will be held regardless of rain.

The Tuesday Evenings in the Garden schedule for 2013 has not been set yet, but the classes are offered most Tuesdays from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Education and Research Display Garden.

The classes allow people to expand their gardening knowledge, sharpen their skills and learn the latest techniques on topics including digital photo editing, creating a sustainable landscape, a fairy garden or saving seeds and more.

ternatives, such as vinegar or lemons is not an option, use the harsher stuff with care.

Open all windows when using harsh cleaning products, especially ammonia.

Wear gloves and consider protecting your nose and mouth with a surgical mask.

Place products out of reach when you’re not using them if you have pets or small children.

By following a few safety measures, you can make your spring cleaning a rejuvenating experience.

Class fees range from $10-$40 depending on supplies. Call (651) 480-7700 to register for classes.

From May to July, Master Gardeners will hold Plant Health Diagnostic Clinics to help identify plants and insects and to diagnose common plant diseases.

People can bring in a weed or ornamental plant, fruit, vegetable, tree sample, shrub sample turf sample or an insect for identification and recommendations for cultural control.

Clinics are from 6-8 p.m. unless otherwise specified and will be held in various locations throughout the community.

The schedule may change to include additional dates. More information is at www. http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mgweb/dakota.

• May 11 and 25, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Valley Natural Foods in Burnsville • June 11, July 9, Aug. 6 and 20 at the University of Minnesota Extension Office in Farmington • June 25, July 23 and Aug. 13 at the Burnhaven Library in Burnsville For more information or to request an application to become a Master Gardener in Dakota County, contact Peggy Madden, Master Gardener support staff member, at (651) 480-7700 or margaret.

sŝƐŝƚ ŽƵƌ EĞǁ tĞďƐŝƚĞ͗ ttt͘> Z^ E/E h^dZ/ ^͘ KD ϴϬϬͲϱϰϰͲϬϰϳϱ 'ŽŽĚŚƵĞ͕ DE

$149 RADON TESTING CALL TODAY! 612.369.1422

IN MINNESOTA, ONE IN THREE HOMES HAS RADON LEVELS THAT POSE A SIGNIFICANT HEALTH RISK. LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO RADON CAN LEAD TO LUNG CANCER.

RadonDefenseSystems.com | 612.369.1422 Beginning with this issue of your SUN Thisweek Newspaper and continuing for the next five weeks through May 24th, watch for our full color Spring flyers inserted in this newspaper.

These inserts will contain timely special offers and suggestions that you will find useful.

Those of you who are familiar with these inserts know what we mean so be sure to look for these inserts every week. See you soon. !

Visit with Anna Risan - well known Fairyologist extraordinaire - now on-staff.

Annual Flowers, Perennials, Shrubs, Pottery, Tropicals, Soils and Mulches, Fertilizers, Vegetable and Flower Seeds, Water Plants, Organic Supplies, and Concrete Fountains & Statuary.

nks Tha

Lakeville’s Favorite Garden Center 2013

your garden center for all seasons

20230 Kenrick Avenue Lakeville, MN. ph. 952-469-3506 www.terragardencenter.com

Page 6 Spring Home & Garden • Friday, April 26, 2013

SunThisweek.com

Decisions can reduce remodeling cost No one likes to cut a budget, especially when it’s his or her own, but when it comes to planning a remodeling project, homeowners must establish a realistic budget and actively manage it, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

Preparing for a remodeling project is a lot like preparing to buy a car, NARIMinnesota officials say.

Homeowners may know the room and style they want, but the options they choose may drive prices higher than they can reasonably afford. But NARI officials say there are ways to stretch the remodeling budget and end up with stylish results within budget.

Minnesota NARI offers the following tips for those looking to complete a remodeling project.

Getting started The most important step is finding a professional remodeling contractor.

NARI has a member directory on its website at www.narimn.org.

The association encourages homeowners to hire a professional contractor who is familiar with local building codes. Updating work that does not meet code can be extremely expensive.

A well-written contract can prevent costly mistakes or additions to the scope of your project. It is a critical step in maintaining a budget.

People can save money by planning ahead.

Homeowners should undertake a design process first and choose everything they want to include in the new room or rooms, from appliances to light fixtures, etc. This will define a budget and prevent hasty (and costly) decisions later in the project.

People should include all product and

LAKEVILLE

952-469-2996

www.friedgeslandscaping.com

Landscape Supplies/Materials

All Shrubs, Trees or Flowers

Off regular prices at retail store only.

Coupon valid through 7-1-13.

In our greenhouse with any landscape material purchase. Coupon valid through 7-1-13.

Remodeling tips

There are often multiple solutions to accomplish a design objective, some more expensive than others. Homeowners are urged to be creative and discuss various options with a contractor.

If all the room needs is a facelift, make the most of changes with paint, as opposed to structural changes. Changing the color of a room can revitalize it. This is the easiest way to bring life to a room on a budget.

Heavy or textured wallpaper is another option. Homeowners can save money by wallpapering a slightly damaged wall rather than replacing it. If the wall has grass cloth wallpaper on it, consider whitewashing it for a new look. Several layers of whitewash (in various shades of white) produce a clean look.

We specialize in: Pavers & Natural Stone Patios/ W Walkways | Trees, Shrubs & Perennials | Mulch | D Drain Tile | Decorative Rock | Retaining Walls | B Boulders | Mini Skidloader Work | Finish Grading & Bobcat Work | Brush/Buckthorn Removal

9380 202 Street W.

10% OFF 25% OFF

material selections in the contract to avoid confusion and unnecessary change orders.

The model, size, color, and other specifications should be included. It is also wise to save 10-20 percent of a budget to allow for items added to the scope of work.

The No. 1 way to decrease the cost of a remodeling project is product choices.

Homeowners should shop around to determine whether a similar look can be achieved with a less expensive product.

In addition, homeowners should pay attention to how labor intensive some design features may be, for example laying ceramic tile on kitchen countertops and the backsplash.

Products and prices should be compared before final decisions are made.

Homeowners should keep an open mind when discussing product and design ideas with a contractor.

Decisions should be made based on value and quality, not just price.

No Job Too Big or Small

/ D Q G V F D S H V

www.landscapesbylora.com Lakeville, MN 612-644-3580

Design D i & Install I t ll

Spring Home & Garden • Friday, April 26, 2013 Page 7

SunThisweek.com

Native and organic yards can reduce yard work for homeowners Lawns continued from page 3 vail, Kalantari hopes it is a non-native bird they manage to pluck from the ground.

Natural healing

A few miles to the west, another mini suburban oasis is taking shape. For Marilynn and Tom Torkelson, it started when they installed rain gardens in their front yard. Rain gardens allow storm water to infiltrate the ground instead of becoming polluting runoff.

With the rain gardens came a large selection of native plants such as the regent serviceberry bush and big blue stem grass.

Next, the Torkelsons turned to their backyard and their pondside shoreline, where they took advantage of city grants to re-introduce plants such as native grass-leaf arrowhead and swamp milkweed, which are meant to take over the invasive reed canary grass that lines the lake.

As they watch their yards transform, both the Torkelsons and Kalantari must refrain from old habits in order to maintain their personal spheres of diversity.

“As a gardener,” Marilynn Torkelson said, “I used to look at any bug as a bad bug.”

Except for invasive insects like the Japanese beetle, she has learned to become more tolerant, concluding that all the living things in her yard will find a way to coexist.

“If you promote biodiversity in your yard, it’s all going to balance. You’re going to have very little damage,” Torkelson said.

Despite the aesthetic and environmental benefits of a yard gone native, these native evangelists will find it challenging to convince their neighbors to take such measures. A green lawn, with space for children to play and for dogs to run, may just be too entrenched in the suburban lifestyle.

The organic alternative

A man who calls himself Organic Bob, and others like him, offer another alternative.

Bob Dahm promotes organic lawn care with his St. Louis Park-based business. He went organic in 1986, when he worked as a groundskeeper for a now-defunct children’s psychiatric hospital in Minneapolis.

Having grown up in a farm family in Iowa, he had not forgotten losing both his father and grandfather to cancer, which he blamed on the toxic chemicals that were part of their everyday lives.

Dahm refused to use chemicals on the hospital’s playground. Other hospital staff were supportive of the stance, but soon the playground was a mess, and the children were coming in from outside caked with mud.

“The administration said, ‘OK, now you have to fix this,’” Dahm recounted.

So Dahm searched for a solution and began his career as an organic landscaper. When chemicals are used, lawns become dependent on the fertilizers and herbicides as their microbial base is depleted, Dahm explained. Weeds

such as creeping Charlie and dandelions can be a sign of a pH imbalance, while 95 percent of chemically fertilized yards, he added, are compacted.

It takes about a year to relieve a yard of its chemical dependency, Dahm said. Aiding that are practices such as top dressing the lawn with peat moss and compost, and infusing it with a concentrated dose of soil microbes through aeration.

Proponents of both native and organic yards say going those routes can actually reduce their amount of yard work. For those who are tired of mowing, Dahm promotes a “no-mow fescue,” which grows to about 6-8 inches before flopping over, giving the appearance of guinnea pig hair. A clover lawn is another alternative, he said.

A recent snow melt revealed beds of dead leaves that Kalantari and the Torkelsons hadn’t bothered to rake.

The leaves provide habitat for insects, and worms will actually pull the natural litter underground, Kalantari explained. She also leaves other organic debris, such as dead logs. Those, too, serve as habitat for the bugs that attract the vibrant birds.

And, of course, there is that weekly ritual of summer that Kalantari has ecshewed. “I didn’t enjoy mowing anyway,” she said.

A Cooper’s hawk finds a landing spot in the Richfield backyard of Michelle Kalantari. The property, covered in native plants instead of a traditional lawn, has become a magnet for birds — and the larger winged creatures that hunt them.

(Sun staff photo by Andrew Wig)

Marilynn Torkelson inspects her Eden Prairie yard prebloom. Torkelson’s front yard in Eden Prairie became a piece of certified wildlife habitat after she replaced the lawn with a covering of mostly native plants.

(Sun staff photo by Andrew Wig)

Page 8 Spring Home & Garden • Friday, April 26, 2013

SunThisweek.com

READY FOR A WORRY-FREE E ed FREIn clud

ALL SUMMER LONG?

or Rain Sens e a $99 valu

Check out this great deal: Ch www.greenlawndeal.com

• Installed this summer - beautiful lawn all season long • No estimate needed - this is the price!

Industry Best 5 year warranty on All Parts

$

2095

Completely

Installed

$500 OFF

Regular Price of $2595

Serving the Twin Cities Metro Area

Underground Sprinkler System

(651) 438-3135

Completely Installed • Expires 5/31/2013

www.mdconcrete.net • Stamped & Colored Concrete • Standard White Concrete • Driveways FREE ESTIMATES

• Patios

Matt 952/985-5516 Mike 651/437-7345

• Steps & Walks

Owners on jobsite

• Athletic Courts

Locally Owned

• Garage Aprons • Pool Decks • Fire Pits