JUNE 20, 2018 • Volume 13 • Issue 25
RE WEEKLY RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE • FARM • COMMERCIAL • AREA DEVELOPMENT 515-233-3299 • 317 5th Street, Ames • All REALTOR® ads within are REALTORS® licensed in the State of Iowa
Online at www.AmesTrib.com/realestateweekly
Page RE2 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, June 20, 2018 for container gardening. Easy types to try are beans (bush beans are best), zucchini or summer squash, tomatoes, and bell peppers. NOTE: You’ll need a support system … which could be as simple as a nearby porch railing. Greens like lettuce and spinach also do well in pots.
Best plants for
pots
Bring the lush look of plants indoors or into tight spaces By Laura Firszt More Content Now
T
here are all sorts of great reasons to grow plants in pots. You might live in a condo or townhouse with limited outdoor space. Perhaps the soil quality in your yard is poor. Or you may love the lush look of potted plants clustered around your patio or outdoor living room. Whatever your situation, find out more about the best plants to grow in pots – and the best pots to grow plants in!
General tips • The best plants for potting are those without a deep root system. Look for dwarf species or compact specimens that tend to grow upward rather than spreading outward. • Choose plants that will do well with the amount of sun available. A balcony or deck attached to your house may offer only limited sunshine. A roof garden, on the other hand, could provide extremely strong sun, so you’ll have to create some shade. Wheeled pots allow you to position your plants to catch the rays they need. • Combine an assortment of plants in one oversize pot (or several smaller ones of different heights) for the most attractive effect. Find out what your chosen species want to do — for instance droop, clump, or climb – and mix and match accordingly. • Consider the level of care that the plants you fancy will need. Is it compatible with your schedule and gardening skills? If not, you may want to find a professional gardener to look after your mini-landscape.
Types of plants to grow in pots Vegetables. Most fast-growing, upward-climbing vegetable species are excellent
Flowers. Go for maximum beauty, minimum maintenance. Flowers that are perennials in tropical climes (or invasive) tend to be hardy — perfect for your purpose. If you’re a newbie (or even if not), geraniums are the Number 1 flower for potting. Not only do these hardy blooms thrive in containers, they provide a gorgeous array of color, delicate white to deep scarlet. Bring your potted geranium inside before the first frost, place in a sunny window, and it can live for years. Fruit trees. Yes, fruit trees! They add so much to even a small outdoor space – good looks and with the right TLC, good eating too. Dwarf varieties are best for the confines of a pot. Check whether the fruit tree is self-fertile (such as citrus, peaches, and apricots – best if you only have room for one) or needs a partner for pollination (like apples and pears).
Best pots to grow plants in Size. Plant pots must be deep enough to accommodate a root system — anywhere from 6-8 inches for most herbs, to 18-24 inches for a miniature tree. Potting soil is expensive, so you can add filler to the bottom third; crumbled Styrofoam works well. Make sure the base is broad enough that the pot won’t tip over. Material. Ceramic planters are ideal but tend to be pricey. UV resistant plastic pots are another option. If you want to get creative, follow the suggestion of Rodale’s Organic Life and use galvanized trash cans or wooden barrels for large plantings. Drainage. Whatever your container, ensure you have adequate drainage. Drill holes in the bottom, if necessary. Safeguard your floor, windowsill, etc., against the resulting runoff and condensation so it won’t stain — or rot, in the case of a wooden deck. A saucer under the pot is a good start (TIP: water into the saucer, not the pot itself, for better absorption), but terracotta “pot feet” add an extra layer of protection. Watering. FACT: Plants need more water in pots than in the ground. Cut down watering needs by topping the soil with mulch; great gardeners I know create decorative mulch from acorns, wine corks, or seashells. If you’re planning a large-scale container garden, a drip watering system is a convenient option. For just a few potted plants, selfwatering containers will reduce your workload and are handy if you’re often away from home. Laura Firszt writes for networx.com.
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TIPS OF THE WEEK DECKS
OUTDOORS
TIP OF THE WEEK
SELECT THE RIGHT RAILING
CREATE AN OASIS
‘GREEN’ HOMES ARE DESIRABLE
A deck’s railing adds support, safety and style. Here are some tips from Trex Company for creating the perfect perimeter for your outdoor space. • When selecting a railing color and style, you can coordinate with the decking material, contrast with a complementary color or get creative and customize your color choices. • Aluminum railing offers a minimalistic style to make your view the focal point, while thicker railing posts enhance privacy.
Lowe’s and Julia Engel, lifestyle influencer of galmeetsglam.com, offer these simple tips to turn your backyard or patio into the perfect outdoor oasis. • Striking the right balance of ample seating while not overwhelming a space is key. • By giving your outdoor space a cozy touch of home like a rug or lighting, it will quickly become your favorite spot to relax.
According to Consumer Reports, an energyefficient home is a major selling point with buyers. “Energy-efficient” was second only to “safe community” on the list of features that would most influence a purchase decision, according to a 2015 survey by the National Association of Home Builders. — Brandpoint
DEAR MONTY
Neighborhood due-diligence checklist
RICHARD MONTGOMERY
R
reason you hear so many opinions is that people’s circumstances and life experiences are often very different. The ways we approach life affect what we look for when we choose where to live. Another consideration is mobility. We move for many reasons. For example, 50 years ago if you had a neighbor that was disruptive, nasty, or irritating, you put up with it. Today, some homeowners will merely move. So you may enjoy your neighbor today, but they may be gone tomorrow, and the next neighbor you may never see.
eader question: We found a home we are very interested in buying. We hear a lot of different opinions about how to check out the neighborhood. Do you have a due-diligence checklist for checking out a block?
The value in sleuthing
Monty’s answer: Consider a conversation over a checklist. The
A good reason to poke around is to determine if it fits your family and your lifestyle. Consider making a list
of what is important to you in a location. Another reason to check out a neighborhood is to weigh neighborhood characteristics against potential changes in the value of the property under consideration. Is it likely the home will rise in value, fall in value, or stay the same during your ownership? Finally, consider resale circumstances that may widen or narrow your future market, depending on how long you plan to own the home. For example, some buyers don’t consider school districts when looking because they have no children. But if you are buying a home that is appealing to a family with children, the wrong school district could limit your future market.
Other checkpoints Floodplains, drainage, groundwater contamination, and similar concerns. In case the seller forgot required items on the condition report, you can check the property on the municipality’s website. Find it by typing “<your municipality> GIS maps.” There are layers in the GIS map application that reveal floodplain, topography, environmentally sensitive areas, and much more. Keep in mind there is no perfect neighborhood and that people you speak with have biases that likely creep into their comments. Email Richard Montgomery at DearMonty.com.
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