Spring Home & Garden

• Lawn games are growing in popularity and in possibility

• Local experts offer tips for the lawn and the home

Friday, March 31, 2017

It’s finally spring: Time to get ready for the warm

By Deb Nicklay

deb.nicklay@austindailyherald.com

Spring is the perfect time to check your home and property for improvement over the warm months.

Here are some tips from local and area “specialists” in home improvement: Michael and Justin Hutchinson from Hutch & Son Builders: •Downspouts: Check to make sure they are connected properly — or if you don’t have them at all, check with your friendly neighborhood supplier for new ones. Keeping water away from your foundation prevents leaks and cracks.

•Insulation: Spring is the perfect time to check windows and doors for the proper fit and insulation. Whether it is spring or fall, too much air flow around doors and windows can greatly affect the heat or cooling bills.

•Cracks in concrete and plaster are best addressed during warm weather, but it’s best to wait to fix them until the ground has settled after the spring thaw.

•Keep that grill away from your siding! Control your enthusiasm for getting that burger on the grill by making

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sure your equipment is well away from your vinyl siding. Too high of heat near the vinyl will melt it.

Wondering about a wet foundation?

Lance Schmidt of Complete Basement Systems has these thoughts to consider: •Minnesota has particularly high amount of clay in its soil in many areas, which holds moisture. If your soil is wet and it touches your foundation, your foundation will get wet as well.

“Eventually if your ground is holding water, it’s going to push into your house,” he said. There are several options for a dry basement, but it will take a professional to help you, he said. Solutions could range from dehumidifiers to drain systems to crack repairs.

Tony Close, who operates Advanced Designs Siding and Roofing Inc. says spring is the best time to check your roof for cracked or cupped shingles, hail damage or missing shingles.

And that may take a professional, said Close.

“Sometimes you can’t see damage, but it’s there; it takes a professional to really see hail damage,” he said, adding if the fixes are not made, it could affect the integrity of the entire roof.

With spring in the air, it’s time to get out and complete some home upkeep and improvement projects. Metro image

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Take it to the lawn Variety of yard games available to help enjoy the warmest months

By Jason Schoonover

jason.schoonover@austindailyherald.com

W

ith people set to warm up the grills and clean off the decks and patios after another long winter, many are turning to a growing trend to embrace the warm weather: lawn games.

Several companies are offering a variety of lawn games, from well-known options like beanbags to lesser known games like Kubb.

In March, Lawn Gamez,based in Cold Springs, displayed a few of its games at the Austin Home & Vacation Show.

“I think people spending family time together in the yard has become pretty popular,” said Tim Taufen of Lawn Gamez.

The games are available online or by contacting Several more games are available online at www.lawngamez. com or by calling 970-389-3499.

Lawn Gamez website was down fo r u p d at e s i n M a rch , bu t i t should be back up in early April.

People can arrange to pick up games in Cold Springs or in the Twin Cities or have the games shipped.

Here are a few of their games:

Ker-Plop, $49.99

This take on the g ame KerPlunk features several sticks holding up balls in a large cylinder with wire sides. A simple way to play: The person who drops the fewest balls loses. Or, whoever drops the last ball wins — and multiple people can play.

A lawn version of Connect Four Though cur rently over $100,

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING HOME & GARDEN

Lawn Gamez offers a variety of lawn games: Ker-Plop (pictures far left and bottom right), Kubb (pictured top right), Connect Four (pictured center left), and bean bags (pictured above).

Photos by Jason Schoonover/ jason.schoonover@austindailyherald.com

Lawn Gamez is reworking this and features the official rules. enlarg ed lawn version of the That sells for $44.99. board game classic so it will sell Kubb, $79.99 for closer to $70 to $80.

Each team has five soldiers and Cornhole — or beanbag — a king in the middle. boards, price varies Each player gets six tries to Boards vary greatly in price knock the other team’s soldier’s from stained or painted sets up over. to custom sets.

T h e b e a n b a g b o a r d s a r e Drink holders American Cor nhole Associa Lawn Gamez sells several lawn tion and American Cor nhole drink holders with a variety of Organization certified, with ad- designs, including a popular one ditional accessories available with the insignias for various too. Each board set comes with military branches. eight bean bags, but more than 20 are available online.

Tumble Tower, $69.99 L aw n G a m e z a l s o s e l l s a This game, which is like giant scoreboard for beanbags, which Jenga, will stack up about four comes with two drink holders, feet.

FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017

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Several backyard projects can be completed in a single weekend, like forging a firepit (pictured below) or revamping an old shed (pictured above). Brand Point photos

3 backyard projects you can tackle in a weekend Brand Point

Now that war mer weather has finally arrived, you want to be outside to enjoy it. Your backyard could be the perfect place to bask in the sun, entertain friends or indulge in your hobbies. It just needs a little sprucing up, and the right projects can help.

Best of all, many of these projects are quick and easy. To get you started, here are three projects you can accomplish in a spring weekend - and enjoy all summer long.

Forging a fire pit

Whether it’s an afternoon gathering or an evening under the stars, adding a fire pit to your backyard is a great way to make an enjoyable get-together last even longer. And building one is easier than you think.

Star t by marking the center of your pit in the ground. Spray a cir-

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cle around the center, outlining your pit’s desired circumference - say 5 feet.

Dig this space to a depth of 6 inches.

In your newfound pit, make a similar circle 12 inches in from your outer circle to make the inner wall of your pit.

Fill this area with small stones to serve as the foundation, and lay wet concrete on the ground to solidify and build that foundation. If you do not have the tools you need to successfully make concrete, you can always rent them to eliminate the need for a onetime purchase.

Once the foundation is ready, apply mortar and stones around the ring.

Build up the fire pit wall with additional mortar and stones. After the pit has been built to a height of your choosing, use a brush to remove excess mortar from the inside. You may also spray the inside with a can of spray paint to give your pit’s interior a uniform look.

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Planning the planters

If you’ve always wanted to add a pop of color to your backyard, planter boxes can be just the ticket. They are relatively simple to build yourself.

Start by choosing a wood, like cedar, for your project. Cut four strips with two half the length of your other two, but sharing the same height.

These strips will form the foundation of your rectangular planter. If you lack a saw to cut them with, you can always rent one.

Once your strips are cut, butt the ends together and apply wood glue at the joints to secure the fit.

Drill a screw into each end to solidify the fit. Next, attach the bottom panels with glue and drill a screw through the ends of the bottom panels into the sides for a more secure fit.

Finish by lightly sanding any rough or unseemly spaces on the foundations. Add a touch of paint or stain to improve the planter’s appearance and offer long-term protection.

Shedding new light on the shed

If you’ re going to spend more

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time in your backyard this year, it’s time to finally do something about that old shed you’ve been ignoring for years. Fortunately, something as small as a new coat of paint can have a large impact on your shed’s appearance.

Before applying a drop of paint, inspect the shed to be sure no structural maintenance is needed. Then it’s time to clean it. Rent a pressure washer for a quick clean that will free the building of dirt, debris and cobwebs.

Once the shed is clean and dry, apply an oil-based primer, which will help protect the building from the elements and make it easier to paint.

Finally, it’s time to paint. A longnap roller works well for this project, but you can also rent a paint sprayer.

Choose a color to your liking and be sure to select a paint designed for outdoor projects.

Each of these three projects can be tackled in a single weekend, and each can have a lasting effect on your outdoor space. So, what are you waiting for? Get started on your outdoor DIY project today. To find a rental tool provider near you, visit RentalHQ.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017

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Check off your backyard bucket list: seed, weed and feed Brand Point

From Sunday picnics and impromptu barbecues to games of catch, make your lawn center stage this spring. Everyone longs for a lush, green lawn, but many homeowners aren’t sure how to achieve it. In fact, although 81 percent of Americans do their own lawn care, 69 percent say their lawns could be better, and nearly a third aren’t sure how to grow a healthy lawn, according to a survey by the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

A strong, green lawn can give back to you in so many ways and getting there is easier than you think. The lawn health experts at Scotts(R) say the keys to a great lawn are seed, weed and feed.

Seed

Did winter do a number on your lawn?

Heavy foot traffic, plows, snow shovels and salt can damage your turf, and after the first melt visible dirt spots and dead zones may appear. When spring temperatures reach 60 degrees or higher, seeds will germinate best and it’s time to repair winter damage.

Patch and repair your lawn to fill in bare spots, help crowd out weeds and strengthen your grass to help withstand heat and drought. Start by removing debris and dead grass in the surrounding area, and loosen hard soil, this will help grass seedlings take root.

Evenly apply a quality seed, like Scotts(R) EZ Seed(R), so the bare area is mostly covered, but bare ground is still visible. Be sure to only apply the recommended amount so that seedlings have enough space to access water and nutrients. Scotts(R) EZ Seed(R) is a combination of fertilizer, grass seed and super absorbent mulch that is guaranteed to grow grass anywhere with proper care, whether on a hill or slope, or in a densely-shaded area.

Weed

Preserve your healthy and beautiful lawn by keeping it free of weeds. Common weeds like dandelions and clover can choke out healthy grass. Therefore, it’s important to address weeds in spring so they won’t have a chance to thrive in summer.

Removing weeds can be a challenge, especially if any roots are left behind as they can quickly grow into a new plant.

Get rid of weeds by using a weed-control product like the improved Scotts(R) Turf Builder(R) Weed & Feed. It is formulat-

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Spring is the time to get your lawn ready for the season. Brand Point photo ed with up to two times more powerful control of dandelions and clover compared to the previous formula, so it kills weeds and feeds grass to make it green and thick.

Feed

Continuing to feed your established lawn is critical to its nutrition and overall success. Your lawn requires feeding about every six weeks, and its nutritional needs will vary throughout the season.

Choosing the right food at the right time can help ensure your lawn stays thick and green all spring and summer. For example, if your yard needs a boost towards the end of spring use Scotts(R) Green Max(RM) Lawn Food, it provides your lawn with essential nutrients, like iron, that give grass its rich green color in just three days.

No two lawns are alike. A number of factors including where you live or whether you have a sunny or shady backyard affect how to treat your grass. Not sure which products are right? Download the MyLawn app from Scotts(R) for a personalized care plan that will help you achieve your desired results. To make the most out of your green space, visit www. scotts.com for inspiration and information on lawn care products.

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Outdoor space is increasingly important

By Deb Nicklay

deb.nicklay@austindailyherald.com

Jason Weis of Weis Landscaping and Design of Rose Creek sees several new trends for this outdoor season, he said.

People continue to establish as much outdoor living space as possible.

“That means that people want as many of the inside amenities as they can get outside,” he said, including everything from outdoor kitchens with sinks and stovetops, to elaborate gardens.

“Patio-type spaces, with retaining walls, are becoming more and more popular,” he said, adding patios have lower maintenance than decks.

Pavers — some as large as two feet by two feet — continue to be popular; texturing and coloring of concrete also continues to attract attention. He added even porcelain tile is showing up on patios.

“It’s pretty much whatever you can imagine,” he said.

There are new trends in plantings as well.

There are new sizes and colors of hydrangeas, which continue to be favorite plants, sought for their hardiness and versatility.

There is also an increasing number of people who are showing interest in fruit trees, from apple and plums, to even apricot and peach.

“Add to that raspber ries, g rapes AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING HOME & GARDEN

for those making wine; strawberries, too.”

Some of that increase, he is sure, reflects how people want to grow their food, whether in fruit or vegetables.

Overall, he said, “I think people are attaching a huge amount of importance to personal space,” he said.

The push for more elaborate outdoor spaces is reflected in the number of suppliers for such projects.

“I used to have a price sheet for about 30 dealers; and it all fit on one sheet,” he said. “Now its about 30 pages with 300 dealers.”

On a more laborious note, he said now is just the right time to think about preparing gardens for spring and for cleaning up winter debris on beds.

“Making sure everything is trimmed back — this actually is the best time of year, when plants and bushes are dormant — is best done right now,” said Weis.

It is also a good time to divide perennial plants, such as hostas or lilies, he said.

This is also prime time for just getting rid of the bad seeds in the garden — and by that, he means, axing those plants that have suffered infestation or mold.

On the other hand, adding new mulch to the good plants helps assure keeping moisture where it does the most good — near your plants.

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7 reasons why millennials love gardening And you should, too Brand Point

The stereotype: Millennials spend more time interacting with the digital world than the natural world around them. The reality: Five million of the 6 million people who took up gardening in 2015 were millennials, according to the 2016 National Gardening Survey.

More millennials (people between the ages of 21 and 34) than any other age group are falling in love with gardening. As a hobby, gardening is a great fit for the millennial mindset and lifestyle that emphasize individuality, independence and value. However, the advantages of gardening that attract millennials are also relevant to every age group, and anyone who wants to begin growing a nutritious, healthful food garden.

Here are seven reasons why more millennials than ever are taking up food gardening, and why you should, too:

1. Gardening fosters better nutrition.

Millennials care about good nutrition and knowing where their food comes from. Multiple studies show members of the generation are health conscious, and understand the relationship between the food they eat, good nutrition and good health. Millennials know fresh vegetables deliver great nutrition, and millennial gardeners know that growing their own veggies and herbs also means they can put more nutritious food on the table.

With transplant purveyors like Bonnie Plants offering more than 250 varieties of popular, heirloom, hybrid, new and tried-and- true vegetables and herbs, it’s easy to grow a garden full of healthy, nutritious, economical veggies and herbs.

2. You can save money in the grocery store.

Millennials are into saving money. Eighty percent have a budget, 72 percent are saving for retirement and 51 percent have an emergency fund, according to a TD Ameritrade survey.

Gardening can allow you to spend less in the grocery store produce aisle — and that kind of saving savvy appeals to millennials as well as any other age group!

3. Gardening is good for the environment.

Awareness of environmental issues and a desire for healthful products that contribute to ecological balance are hallmarks of the millennial generation. A Nielsen study found millennials care about environmental issues and find ways to personally support a healthy

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Not only does gardening foster better nutrition, but people can grow a garden anywhere. Brand Point image environment. When you grow your own vegetables and herbs, “food miles,” the distance a food item is transported from producer to consumer, shrinks substantially and includes only the distance from your kitchen to your own backyard. Choose plants in biodegradable containers, like those from Bonnie Plants, and gardening is even more environmentally friendly.

4. You can grow a garden anywhere.

While many millennials are city dwellers, others live in suburbs. The fact that they can garden anywhere — on a city balcony, urban patio or suburban backyard — makes gardening the perfect hobby for them. Using transplants from Bonnie Plants, all gardeners can create a backyard garden plot, a vertical garden in an alleyway between city buildings, or a container garden on a balcony or deck.

time together, working toward an enjoyable, shared goal.

6. Gardening can be a challenge anyone can achieve.

Working toward a goal, and having a vision, are very important qualities for millennials.

Gardening takes time and effort but with the right resources and information, it’s something virtually anyone can succeed at. Millennials turn to online resources, like Bonnie Plants’ vegetable and herb growing guides, gardening how-to’s, videos and recipes to help them achieve and ensure success.

love to cook, and 75 percent enjoy eating cuisine from other cultures, according to a survey

by Barkley. For a generation of adventurous eaters and cooks, gardening can be an opportunity to grow and try new things, from edible flowers and exotic herbs, to new types of vegetables, all the while saving money by growing their own.

With millennials now dominating the workforce, and many starting families and reaching their peak earning years, it’s likely their interest in gardening will continue to grow.

7. Gardening can be an adventure.

Sixty-four percent of millennials say they

5. The garden is a great place to come together as a family.

It’s true that millennials make the most use of digital devices of any generation; they also value deep family relationships. Planting a garden with their children, significant others or friends allows everyone to spend enriching SPRING HOME & GARDEN - AUSTIN DAILY HERALD