Home & Garden

2011

! h s i n i F o t t r a t S From

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE DAILY HOME

Home & Garden

2 — THE DAILY HOME, Talladega and St. Clair counties, Ala., Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Selling your home? First impression important

By ELSIE HODNETT Home staff writer

See Flooring, Page 3

but make sure to paint any trim that is faded, crinkled or blistering,” he said. “It makes the house look wellmaintained. If you don’t have any trim, consider adding some.”

Re-stain or repaint the front door, Howard said.

“Another thing to spruce up the house is to replace the outside shutters or repaint them,” he said. “It is not expensive and can accent the home.

If you don’t have shutters, consider adding them. You want to create a pleasant

first impression, so use contrasting colors for your trim, shutters and doors that coordinate well. Make sure it looks good. Again, this is not a tremendous amount of money, but the net effect is the pleasant first impression you want.”

Homeowners should also clean out gutters and downspouts and make sure they are straight, Howard said.

“We recommend gutter guards and plastic extensions for downspouts,” he

said. “The plastic extensions can deter water away from the house and solve some water problems.”

Howard said homeowners should replace any torn window or door screens.

“Keep the driveway blown off and free of dirt and leaves,” he said. “If you want to spend some money, you can pressure wash the driveway, which gives the concrete a fresh new look. If the house has decks, you can also pressure wash or repaint Contact Elsie Hodnett at them.” ehodnett@dailyhome.com.

Easy home projects for weekend warriors (MS) — Few industries have grown as much in the last decade-plus as the home improvement industry. Whereas it was once commonplace for homeowners to have a handyman on speed dial, now homeowners handle not only the routine upkeep necessary to maintain a home, but many home improvement projects as well.

Home expert Danny Lipford, host of the nationally syndicated TV show, “Today’s Homeowner,” and radio show, “Homefront,” said, “Today you’ve got not only an amazing selection of tools to help with every project, but they also shorten the time it used to take to complete the project. When you couple that with all the DIY instruction and programming out there, it’s no wonder we have the confidence to do more on our own.”

As popular as home improvement projects have become, many homeowners still find themselves pressed for time when it comes to tackling projects around the house. For homeowners without much time during the week, Woodcraft offers the following projects tailor-made for weekend warriors.

horizon, the season to relax on the deck and soak up the sun is right around the corner. Homeowners can upgrade their deck and create an incredibly strong wood-to-wood bond with the Kreg Deck Jig System.

Compatible with composite deck boards and ACQ treated lumber, the Kreg Deck Jig System can help homeowners create a beautiful and functional deck surface that’s completely free of exposed fasteners and painful splinters. The Kreg Deck Jig System’s easy grip handles help DIYers gain a secure hold and completely control each and every joint, while the system’s three separate drill guides allow for easy installation of deck boards in a variety of hard-to-reach areas. When combined with a few simple tools homeowners already own, the Kreg Deck Jig System ensures homeowners can vastly improve their deck no matter how pressed for time they might be.

Paint A New Look Inside Spring is often seen as a season of rejuvenation, so why not give your home a brand new look by repainting the interior? Veteran DIYers can no doubt recall when painting took as much Ready The Deck For elbow grease as it did time, Summer Fun but times have changed.

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(MS) — According to home decor experts, 2011 will mark the introduction of a new approach to interior design — the “Healthy Home.” Honest architecture and the mantra of Zen are already playing out in interior spaces that feature natural finishes and clean lines. Making homes a healthier environment to live in is also a prime concern for homeowners, as shown by the demand for low VOC paints, stains and materials, as well as natural wood cabinets, furniture and floorings.

Certain manufacturers are more than answering the call for healthier, eco-friendly home decor options by setting new trends in “green” product innovation.

Mercier Wood Flooring, one of North America’s leading hardwood flooring manufacturers, is setting the tone in the home decor category with its latest eco-flooring innovation that is so healthy and ecofriendly that it actually was awarded the “Children and Schools certification” by world-renowned standards organization Greenguard.

“At Mercier we have long recognized this trend and have made eco-friendliness a core value ever since our first day,” explained Michel Collin, Director of Marketing for Mercier Wood Flooring. “This is why we are so proud of our new Greenguard Generations ‘Children and School’ certified flooring, Mercier’s next generation of flooring.”

Made using 100 percent pure soybean oil, this revolutionary new factory-finished flooring boasts zero volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), is hypoallergenic and offers a comprehensive 35-year warranty.

Pell City, said homeowners should take a good look at the home and yard to see what areas need tidying.

“Stand back and look at your home objectively,” he said. “See what needs to be done.”

Foster said painting the house is a priority.

“If your home needs painting — that’s the No.1 thing,” he said.

Howard said sometimes touching up the paint is enough.

“You don’t have to repaint the whole house,

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A good first impression is an essential part of selling a home. Sprucing up the yard, including mowing the lawn and trimming shrubs, can help achieve that goal.

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A good first impression is essential to attracting homebuyers.

“Sometimes the first impression is the most important,” said Carl Howard, an associate broker with Fields Gossett Realty in Pell City. “If a prospective buyer won’t look at your home because of a bad first impression, you won’t sell it.”

Howard said there are several things homeowners can do to spruce up the outside of their house and their yard to make it more attractive.

“We are getting into the mowing season,” he said.

“If you normally cut your lawn every two weeks, start cutting it every week.

Make sure the lawn looks good.”

Howard said edging around the driveway and along sidewalks gives the lawn a manicured look.

“You are not spending more money — you are spending more time,” he said.

Howard said homeowners should keep shrubbery trimmed, remove any lowlying and fallen limbs and pick up any leaves in the yard.

“Make sure you can walk under the trees in the yard,” he said.

Howard said individuals willing to spend a little money can fertilize the lawn to make it more lush and green, and also invest in a pallet of sod to outline the driveways and sidewalks.

Ronnie Foster, owner of Re/Max Realty Pros in

For vinyl houses, spray the vinyl with chlorine beach diluted with water and rinse it off with a garden hose to kill mildew, Howard said.

“Another thing to consider is adding flowers,” he said. “Not too much, just enough to provide nice accents. Update your landscaping as well. You can look in magazines for ideas, and a greenhouse or nursery can suggest plants that would do well where you live. You don’t want to hide the house, but you can use flowers or shrubs to disguise spigots or a high foundation.”

Foster said putting bark or pine straw in flower beds or around shrubs can improve the curb appeal.

“The upkeep should be ongoing when the home is on the market,” he said. “Keep the home tidy and remove the clutter. Cleaning up doesn’t require a lot of expense, just labor. For that first impression, you need your home at its best.”

Howard said pet owners should be sure to pick up after their animals and keep the pets away from high-traffic areas.

“Make sure there are no standing water puddles — fill it in with dirt or filler of some sort,” he said.

Howard said for individuals considering a more costly investment, a new roof can also make the house look nicer.

“It is like anything else.

You can spend as much or as little as you want,” he said.

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Home & Garden

THE DAILY HOME, Talladega and St. Clair counties, Ala., Wednesday, March 16, 2011 — 3

Projects From Page 2

cut wood, metal, ceramic tile, aluminum, and plastic using a T-shank jigsaw blade. You can operate the BladeRunner on a benchtop or use the convenient wall mount bracket.

Attach the tool’s dust port to your shop vac for easy cleanup.

Prepare Tools In Advance While there are several projects homeowners can complete in a single weekend, no project is likely to be successful without properly maintained tools.

Homeowners should take inventory of their tools before beginning any projects to ensure the tools won’t cause any delays.

The Work Sharp(R) Knife and Tool Sharpener can bring tools back to life in a matter of minutes. This handheld, motorized tool sharpens any knife as well as scissors, tin snips, garden shears, and even lawn mower blades for green Bob Crisp/The Daily Home thumbers. The sharpener’s Metal roofs are easier, cleaner and quicker to install, according to Johnny Stevens, manager for All State Metal Roofing in patented Flex-Tek(TM) belt technology conforms Gadsden. In addition, metal roofs are attractive and will last longer than shingle roofs. to the shape of any blade, practically guaranteeing a sharp edge and ensuring your next home improvement project will start off on the right foot.

From Page 2

Available in all species, colors and finishes, Collin added that with this new product innovation you can create a natural wood floor that offers both a distinct character to your decor, as well as a healthy, eco-friendly choice for your entire family. “We feel our Generation Greenguard flooring answers the need parents have to create healthy living environments in their homes for their children.”

Ideal for kids’ rooms, living rooms, daycares, schools and playrooms, this new generation of flooring is a key step in the process of creating the ideal healthy home. More information on the latest trends in wood flooring is available at www.mercierwoodflooring.com.

It may cost more, but a metal roof will last longer than the traditional shingle roof.

“They will last a whole lot longer,” said John Green, owner of G&G Vinyl Siding and Remodeling in Talladega.

Green, who has owned his metal-roofing business for more than 25 years, said while an ordinary shingle roof may last 10 years, a good quality metal roof can last a lifetime.

“The color will fade over the years, but the metal will hold up,” he said. “Most people aren’t going to get about 10 years with a shingle roof.”

That’s why metal roofs cost a little more.

“It’s worth it in the long run,” Green said.

He pointed out that some homes have had metal roofs for more than 100 years.

“They may be rusted, but they haven’t leaked,” Green said.

He said metal roofs are more advanced than the material used in years before.

“We offer 18 colors,” Green said. “You can get more colors of metal than you can with shingles.”

Metal roofs are colored and coated with a special coating to make them more energy efficient.

Johnny Stevens, manager for All State Metal Roofing in Gadsden, which does not install metal roofs but sells metal roofing and accessories, said all their products have a 40-year guarantee, except for the fading of the roof color.

He said there was a system developed in Florida for restoring the color of metal roofs.

Stevens said metal roofing materials are about the same as shingles now, but last much longer than the traditional shingle roofs.

“You can pressure wash metal and bring it back to life,” he said. “You can’t pressure wash a shingle roof.”

Stevens said metal roofs will outlast shingle roofs by a long shot.

He said shingle roofs are

left on the house as a moisture barrier. He said if the shingle roof is removed, 30-pound felt is required under the metal roof as a moisture barrier.

Stevens said All State Metal Roofing offers 14 different color roofs.

He said it’s much easier to install a metal roof than a shingle roof, and he suggests people use a quality product.

He said the benefits of a metal roof over a shingle roof are obvious.

“It’s a whole lot easier, cleaner and faster to install,” Stevens said. “If you put it on right, it won’t leak.”

Green said a metal roof can be installed over roof shingles, but it depends on how many roofs are on a house.

He said workers can place a metal roof over one

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home & garden

4 — THE DAILY HOME, Talladega and St. Clair counties, Ala., Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Bob Crisp/The Daily Home

A well-appointed kitchen in neutral colors is not only perfect for the homeowner’s use, but would be a selling point.

Current trends: Neutral colors in, but wallpaper out

By LINDSEY HOLLAND

Home staff writer

Paint is in, wallpaper is out. Bold colors are out, and neutrals are in.

If you’re thinking about painting rooms in your house anytime soon, current trends say choosing a neutral color is the way to go.

Debbie Miller works at Sherwin-Williams, and she said she is selling most neutral paint colors.

“Everybody is still in the neutral stage,� she said. “With neutral colors, you can decorate around the walls more. You can change them up, and a neutral wall makes it easier to accessorize. With neutral colors, it is also easier to do a color change, say from red to blue.�

Miller also said if you’re planning to sell your home in the near future, having neutral walls will enhance your chances of making a sale. When walls are neu-

tral and bare, potential buyers can envision the home with their personal dĂŠcor in mind.

Mike Shadrick, assistant manager at Talladega Ace Hardware, said he sells a lot of earth-toned paints, although he said it depends on what room the painter is looking to spice up. “It just varies with person to person and depends on the room,� he said. “With the dining room, you might want a bright

Bob Crisp/The Daily Home

Earth-tone paint colors and tile make a luxurious master bathroom a relaxing retreat.

red or a deeper shade, but with the bedroom and places like that people prefer lighter colors.�

Shadrick said folks in the area typically tend to feel connected to the earth-toned paints.

“Around here lately we’ve been selling a lot See Trends, Page 5

Humble houseplant improves life indoors It turns out they are pretty good at clearing the air of harmful contaminants given off by man-made components in furniture and building materials. Research by scientists at NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center in Mississippi confirms houseplants clear the air of common pollutants like benzene and formaldehyde -- byproducts of the slow molecular breakdown of household items such as carpets, plastics and synthetic fibers.

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Stacks of research show houseplants positively impact moods and help reduce the feelings of stress. A Norwegian study found indoor plants helped reduce coughs, fatigue and headaches among workers with plants in their office

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Scientists found areca palm (Chrysalidocorpus lutenscens), lady palm (Rhapis excelsa), Boston fern (Nephrolepsis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’), English ivy (Hedera helix) and rubber plant (Ficus elastica) to be highly efficient natural air purifiers.

spaces. Other studies sug- your hand approximately and garden centers and When it comes to improv- mon houseplant can’t be retail stores. (Need more ing life indoors, the com- beat. gest being around indoor one foot above it. information? Visit www. plants helps us recover more quickly from illness. sharp shadow (6+ hours easygardener.com.) daily) — direct light FYNBSL DPN Proceed with caution Some of the most popular low-mainhazy shadow (6-8 hours when watering. Too much or too little can bring tenance houseplants daily) — high light disaster. Use your finger include Mother-in-law’s faint but distinct shad- for determining if a plant tongue (Sanservieria trifasciatia), spider plant ow (4-6 hours daily) — needs water. Insert your finger to a one inch depth (Chlorophytum como- moderate light in the soil. If the soil is dry, sum), prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) and vague shadow (8+ hours it is time to water. corn plant (Dracaena fra- daily)— low light Houseplants are readgans).

Adequate nutrition and ily available and affordEven though the above- moisture are also essential able. Care for them propVALUE AND PRODUCTIVITY IN A COMMERCIAL-GRADE ZERO-TURN. erly and they will give you mentioned plants are easy for healthy houseplants. many years of enjoyment to care for, do not be Choose from 22 or 24 hp Kawasaki 7 5XJO FOHJOFT XJUI UIF PQUJPO Take the guesswork — plus clean air, improved deceived. The plants we of 48" or 52" GVMM nPBUJOH 6MUSB$VU 4FSJFT DVUUJOH EFDLT 8JUI commonly grow indoors out of feeding with a moods and reduced stress.

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or two roofs. If there are three roofs on the house, the roofs must be removed. “There would be too much weight up on the roof,� Green said.

Of course, the removal of old roofing will add to the cost of the installation of a new metal roof.

He also said any bad or rotten roof decking must be removed before a metal roof is installed.

Green said homeowners need to think about what is included in the job. Does the job include all the roofing accessories, like trim?

“Our jobs include all the accessories,� Green said, adding that the final touches make for a professional, better looking finished metal roof for a home.

He said residents need to be aware that lower quotes on the installation of a metal roof could be because accessories are not included. “We install screw down metal roofs,� Green said, adding that they use two and a half inch screws to hold metal roofing in place. “It will hold good.�

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Home & garden

THE DAILY HOME, Talladega and St. Clair counties, Ala., Wednesday, March 16, 2011 — 5

Trends From Page 4

of lighter colors such as tan, yellow, brown, green, and some lighter shades of blue,” he said. “Lighter colors give you more feeling of space and openness and darker colors tend to make things smaller.”

He said darker colors like red can sometimes trigger negative emotions, such as aggression. Greens are good for the eyes and browns are calming.

“I love the lighter shades myself, like the browns and light greens and lighter shades of blue.”

Charles McGowan at Sherwin-Williams agrees the current trends are leaning toward brighter, more natural colors.

McGowan said they do sell wallpaper, but not in the store. He said painting is definitely easier than applying wallpaper, although decorating trends are always changing.

“Wallpaper is more decorative and paint is not,” he said. “It’s just a matter of taste and preference, and it changes every four to five years.”

Shadrick said paint is easier to apply and easier to maintain, but wallpaper is going to last longer. He said sometimes both wallpaper and paint can be used, creating a unique combination.

“Wallpaper borders can be used to accent painted walls,” he said. “If you put a border up around the ceiling maybe 6 to 8 inches wide, it helps accent the paint and adds a little décor to the room.”

McGowan said accent walls are also in style. With an accent wall, one wall would be painted a different color, usually a deep, dark one.

He said a high-gloss finish is more popular now than a semi-gloss finish. He

Brian Schoenhals/The Daily Home

Warm yellow walls and a sunny window create a pleasant family atmosphere in the dining room.

said this gives a more decorative feel and the overall result is more elegant than a traditional finish. He said it gives a wet appearance at all times.

Shadrick said painting trends come in cycles. He said the specific types of paint that are available, such as a more durable paint, will last 25 years, as opposed to a cheaper paint that may only last 12 years.

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home & garden

6 — THE DAILY HOME, Talladega and St. Clair counties, Ala., Wednesday, March 16, 2011

How to make a house a home

By AZIZA JACKSON Home staff writer

Bob Crisp/The Daily Home

Caran Wilbanks, a Realtor with Re/Max Realty Pros, says a home that is being sold should be well lit and accented with colors that give the house personality.

is often the heart of the home and the place everyone gathers.

In addition to having a clean, bright and cheery kitchen, Wilbanks believes the rest of the house should be well-lit and accented with colors that give the house personality.

Upgrades such as crown molding, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances can go a long way for a house on the market.

“Crown molding always makes it look more elegant,” Wilbanks said.

“Or if they have shiny brass you can always paint that and make it look fantastic.”

Wilbanks said a can of spray paint in a complementary accent color can turn a plain chandelier or lighting fixture into a piece that looks more expensive.

The designers at “Top 35 Selling Secrets” believe that if one can afford upto-date fixtures and afford to incorporate some minor repairs for their home into their budget, they should go for it.

They said completing small maintenance repairs such as replacing damaged hardwood could be cheaper in the long run than deducting the cost of necessary repairs from the asking price.

“I would tell sellers to finish their to-do list like patch the cracks and paint the trim,” Thomas said.

It is also recommended that homeowners splurge a little on small spaces like bathrooms and buy highend materials such as granite and marble that won’t require a mass amount to renovate the space.

Other quick interior fixes that won’t require any nails or hammers involve good furniture placement, attention to fine details, and cleaning every nook

and cranny to make the home comfortable for potential buyers.

“Scrub all the faucets, all the sinks and knobs,” Thomas said.

“That shows that there is care and maintenance going into that house.”

Something as simple as moving furniture away from walls will help make a room look bigger.

Realtor.com even advises some homeowners to buy storage units for any unnecessary and overbearing furniture while the house is on the market.

Homeowners should also remove distracting and unnecessary furniture from bedrooms in particular because those rooms need to send a signal of rest and relaxation to potential buyers.

Another inexpensive touch for the bedroom is to add a headboard. This small feature signals relaxation by drawing the eyes to the bed.

It’s also recommended that homeowners coordinate colors in the bedroom to match the bedding. This detail is said to add a feeling of luxury to the room.

Closets should be organized to show off storage space.

One of the most important recommendations for showing off the interior of a house is making each and every room count.

From the entryway to

Bob Crisp/The Daily Home

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Although curb appeal is high on the list for a house on the market, local Realtors agree that an impressive interior can make a house into a home.

Potential buyers are looking to see if the inside of the house looks as good as the outside, and vice versa, making it important for the house to either live up to, or in some cases redeem that first impression.

“It’s important to make sure the curb appeal is good and the entrance is clean,” said Sharon Thomas, owner of St. Clair HomeTown Properties.

But what’s inside the house can make or break the sale, she said.

In her 11 years in the real estate industry, Thomas said she’s seen potential buyers either search for enough space to fit their furniture, or quickly asses whether or not they will have to make minor or major repairs to a house. “(Homeowners) don’t have to spend a lot of money,” Thomas said.

“Just make sure they declutter the home and clean it so it’s in tip-top shape.”

According to HGTV. com’s “Designed to Sell: Top 35 Selling Secrets,” the cheapest thing anyone can do to get their house ready to show is to clean, clean and clean some more.

Anything from scrubbing grimy showers to sweeping up dust and dead bugs and de-cluttering those rooms that were used for “temporary” storage could go a long way in prepping a house for sale.

Clutter gives the perception there is not enough storage space in the house, especially for those potential buyers who want to visualize their own furniture in the space.

But according to Thomas, no space is more important to straighten up than the entryway.

A clean, organized and well-appointed entry can make a difference in how positively the potential buyer views the rest of the house.

The designers from “Top 35 Selling Secrets” suggest that a homeowner with a fireplace show off this asset by lighting it on so the homey smell of burnt wood greets potential buyers at the door.

They also suggest baking cookies or bread, and that boiling cinnamon while airing out the house will add a nice touch.

“The next step is to depersonalize and have the law of soft colors,” Thomas said. “Some buyers can’t visualize their furniture in there if it’s not depersonalized.”

In addition to basics like neutral paint and spacious rooms is a small depersonalization tip that Thomas said homeowners rarely use.

“One really quick tip that a lot of homeowners forget is to clean off the refrigerators and to get all the magnets and photos off the refrigerator,” Thomas said. “It gives it a cleaner look.”

Thomas said often potential buyers will focus their attention on what is on the refrigerator instead of the entire kitchen.

Caran Wilbanks, a Realtor at Re/Max Realty Pros with more than 20 years in the real estate industry, said the kitchen is often the heart of a home and should be paid the most attention.

“The wife always looks at the kitchen or bathrooms; the husband always looks at the garage or basement,” Wilbanks said.

She said a nice, appealing kitchen is always a plus, especially since it

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home & garden

By CHRIS NORWOOD Home staff writer

Many amateur gardeners, especially those just starting out, will invest in the various tools they need, but one of the most useful items you can have doesn’t need to cost a thing: compost.

“Really, all you need is a place,” Talladega County Extension agent Shane Harris said. “You start out with a single pile of leaves, grass trimmings and household waste. All you need is some labor, to turn it from time to time.”

If you feel the need to make an initial outlay, you can buy a container for your compost, or make one out of a wooden pallet or chicken wire, Harris said.

“Or you could get out your credit card and get a drum or a tumbler.” You may even want to set up more than one.

Composting is “essentially what nature is doing in the forest every day,” Harris said. “What you’re doing is speeding up a really, really slow process.

In the forest, you’ve got all those leaves and things breaking down, and making new soil every year.”

It does this through the agency of microorganisms that require proper temperature and amounts of oxygen and water to survive and do their work.

“That’s why you want to turn the pile,” he said.

“You want to make sure that every part of it gets exposed to oxygen and water and make the process go a lot faster. When you do that, you’re mixing the ingredients and feeding all those microorganisms.”

Harris recommends turning the pile at least

Chris Norwood/ The Daily Home

To make sure your compost pile produces the best planting soil and doesn’t ever develop an unpleasant odor, it is important to turn the contents at least once a week. Most any yard or household waste works well, but it is also important to keep the contents of the pile balanced.

weekly.

Anything biodegradable will eventually break down, but not everything is suitable for a compost pile.

Meat, oils, bones, vinegar, fish bones and anything with mayonnaise in it will probably draw animals that will eat it. Vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags and even paper towels work perfectly well.

It also important for the pile to have a good mix. “Ideally, you want it to be half green and half brown. That helps it break down faster. That’s really the whole point.

It’s the natural breaking down process with human involvement.”

Once the compost has broken down, it can be

used in vegetable gardens, arond fruit trees, to top dress lawns and to fill in potholes.

“You’re improving the soil structure and drainage,” Harris said. “In most parts of Alabama, the top soil is lacking in organic matter. It’s red clay. People go and buy bags and bags of topsoil, then they just burn them up in the fall.”

And, by the way, urban composters need not worry themselves. A properly maintained pile should not smell at all.

“As long as the ingredients are done correctly, and you keep turning it, that shouldn’t be a problem. If it smells, it’s either not balanced or not being turned

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Compost can improve soil structure and texture and improve the soil’s capacity to hold water.

Eco-conscious green-thumbers love compost because it’s all-natural, while costconscious homeowners like compost because they can improve their lawn and garden without spending a dime.

Adding compost improves soil fertility and can stimulate healthy root development, enabling lawns and gardens to better withstand potentially harsh weather, such as summer heat waves or windy fall and winter afternoons.

Compost is effective because it provides food for microorganisms that contribute to overall soil health. When these microorganisms are fed, they produce phosphorous, potassium and nitrogen. As a result, homeowners save money because they do not need to purchase potentially costly soil amendments to maintain healthy soil.

When making compost, homeowners can use a host of ingredients they likely already have lying around the house. Dead houseplants, for instance, can be effective compost ingredients as long as the plants were not thorny or riddled with disease. Homeowners with pet rabbits, gerbils or hamsters can even add these animals’ manure to their compost. When doing so, include the wood or paper bedding from the animal’s crate.

Another potentially valuable compost ingredient is kitchen scraps, such as carrot peelings, coffee grounds or even eggshells.

When adding these items, be sure to bury them in the compost pile so they don’t attract animals.

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THE DAILY HOME, Talladega and St. Clair counties, Ala., Wednesday, March 16, 2011 — 7

home & garden

8 — THE DAILY HOME, Talladega and St. Clair counties, Ala., Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Gardening tips can be found online

By MATT QUILLEN Home staff writer

Gardeners are using the Internet for a variety of purposes, from informing the public to tips to help get a green thumb.

Taylor Logan, coordinator for the Sylacauga Grows community garden, said garden organizers coordinated with the Get Healthy Talladega County initiative. On the “Get Healthy” website, they provided information about how the garden got started and the reason for doing it.

They also use the site as a way to recruit people to help their neighbors and people who are less fortunate.

“There is not a whole lot we can grow right now,” Logan said. “But as the weather gets warmer, we will be needing volunteers on a daily basis. Right now we are using the Internet, word of mouth and (newspapers) to get the word out.”

The community garden began in March 2009.

The goal was to provide the local Care House with fresh fruits and vegetables.

Some of the foods grown are distributed free of charge to families in need. What remains is sold for $5 per 5-pound bag of mixed vegetables.

Logan said they have already planted several crops, including potatoes and English peas. They are also preparing to plant their spring and summer

crops.

“We will plant all your typical summer crops like tomatoes, squash, peas, corn and others,” she said. “And we have plans to build more raised beds and expand that area. The community can rent those for $5 a year and plant whatever crops they desire in those beds. So it is a way to promote healthy living.

And if you don’t want to have a full garden, a raised bed is a perfect way to go because it is a pretty manageable size.”

Whether working in the community garden or in your own, the Internet can also be a useful tool in maximizing your time with helpful tips.

Using an online search engine, more than 6 million hits come up when entering “gardening tips.”

Even the U.S. Department of Agriculture offers information and links online.

Clicking on “Home and Garden Information Center” will direct you to the University of Maryland’s site dedicated to the topic. Under “Timely Tips,” gardeners can find information about what to plant and prepare month by month.

“Rosemary, thyme, lavender, sage, basil and tarragon seeds can be started indoors in late March,” the site states. “Fresh tarragon, rosemary and mint sprigs can be purchased in food markets and rooted indoors in a soil-less mix to be grown under cool white fluorescent bulbs.

The new plants can then

Matt Quillen/The Daily Home

Even Internet novices can become accomplished gardeners by searching for tips online.

be set outdoors in pots or garden beds in May.” The HGTV website also offers several topics that may be of interest. After clicking on “Outdoors,” scroll over to “Gardening” to find information about

annuals, organic gardening, gardening basics, roses and more.

Under the topic “How to Choose a Gardening Plan,” the site states, “A gardening plan allows you to develop and share

ideas easily with others about how your space can be organized and where various elements should be located. These plans explain the different types and how to use them.”

For more information on any of the websites in

the article, go to: • www.gethealthytalladegacounty.org.

• www.usda.gov.

• www.hgtv.com.

Contact Matt Quillen at mquillen@dailyhome.com.

Identify all those pesky springtime pests come out of dormancy and begin to forage for food and nests. Although pavement ants build their colonies outdoors, they will venture inside for easy food sources. They can be nuisance pests if not quickly tackled. Carpenter ants are large, black ants that are found in and around the home. They build nests and channels in wood, so they can be particularly troublesome to homeowners for the potential structural damage they may cause. If they are seen in number inside of the home, there already may be an established colony inside of the walls.

• Bees: Bees and wasps may overwinter in home attics or eaves and then

come out of dormancy. If a large bee is seen inside of the home, chances are it is a queen looking for a good nesting area in which to lay her eggs and set up her new colony. Treat bee and wasp problems early on before established nests can be created.

• Termites: Subterranean termites swarm when it is warm or in the morning. Swarming termites are those taking flight to create new nests and colonies.

Swarms can be scary for homeowners as they likely indicate a termite problem inside of the house.

Consult with a professional exterminator if termite infestation is suspected.

• Spiders: Where there are other insects, there will be spiders to prey on them.

When building a nest, spiders prefer out-of-the-way places that are dark and comfortable. There are some spiders, like the wolf spider, that will actively attack insects instead of lying in wait for a web to snare them. To keep spiders out of the home, make sure it is pest-free.

Some homeowners like

spiders around the home because they can prevent other insects from becoming nuisances.

• Flies and gnats: Springtime may be a season when certain varieties of flies and gnats emerge from their infant stages and take flight. Certain flies and gnats bite, while others simply are buzzing nusiances.

• House centipedes: It’s likely that homeowners will encounter house centipedes mostly in spring and fall because the insects are either coming out due to the warmer weather or retreating indoors to find a warm place to stay.

These centipedes prefer a cool, damp place to live, like a basement or bathroom, and generally lay 60 or more eggs at one time.

They feed on many different insects and spiders. But their alarming appearance, which includes 15 pairs of feathery legs, makes few homeowners content to share a residence with them.

As humans and other animals become active and

enjoy the warmer weather, so, too, do many insects and arachnids. Springtime is a common season to

encounter many of the “bugs” that dissapeared when winter weather reared its ugly head.

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When the warm weather arrives, people venture outdoors and animals wake up from hibernation.

Many insects hatch or revive from winter slumber and can be commonly seen in and around the home.

Once temperatures rise to about 60 F, many insects start their life cycles anew with eggs or larva hatching and winged and webbed creatures rearing their attenaed heads. It can be frustrating for homeowners facing an insect infestation, especially when bugs are found in quantities inside or around the perimeter of the home.

There are many insects one might see in spring.

• Ants: Small black ants, called pavement ants,

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THE DAILY HOME, Talladega and St. Clair counties, Ala., Wednesday, March 16, 2011 — 9

Safety first when building playground for kids Few things are as enjoyable for parents and grandparents as watching their children and grandchildren play. As cherished as such playtime can be, it can quickly turn into a memory adults and children alike would prefer to forget if an injury occurs.

Playground accidents vary in severity. Some produce just a scrape or a scratch, while more drastic accidents can lead to broken bones or even death. And where those accidents occur might come as a surprise to parents. Ten years ago, a study conducted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission discovered

more deaths occurred on backyard playground equipment than on public playgrounds. A 2009 study from the CPSC found that 40 deaths were associated with playground equipment between 2001 and 2008, the majority of which were the result of hangings or asphyxiations.

Naturally, parents aware of such statistics are concerned, particularly those who want to erect a playground for their children on their own property. When building a home playground for children, parents should consider the following factors.

Location, location location!

A home playground’s location is very important.

When deciding where to put a playground, consider its accessibility. Is the playground easily reached should an accident occur?

Can children be seen playing from a nearby window?

Should an accident occur, is the playground within earshot of the home? Kids often play on a home playground while their parents are inside, so be sure to locate the playground close enough to the home where you can see and hear your kids from the house, and in a spot that’s easy to

get to should an accident occur.

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emergency room.

Equipment Though most parents would love to build their children a home playground that rivals the nearby amusement park, some equipment has historically proven to be more dangerous than others. A 2009 report from the CPSC indicated that climbers were associated with 23 percent of all playground injuries, while swings were associated with 22 percent.

When installing equipment, be sure everything is installed in strict adherence to the manufacturer’s

Surfaces According to the CPSC, 67 percent of playground accidents between 2001 and 2008 involved falls or equipment failure. Most kids are going to fall once or twice when playing on the playground. Parents can plan for such falls and minimize their child’s injury risk by installing impactabsorbing surfaces beneath the playground. Such surfaces are the standard at many public playgrounds and can make the difference between a simple fall or one that results in broken bones or a trip to the

Inspection Kids often like to play rough, and as a result playgrounds commonly take quite a beating. Even if equipment was sturdy at installation and was installed to the letter of the manufacturer’s instructions, parents should routinely inspect equipment to ensure it’s holding up to the wear and tear of children. Ask kids to let you know immediately if anything feels loose or isn’t working properly.

For more information, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission at www. cpsc.gov.

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Parents must consider a host of safety factors when building a backyard playground for children.

Maintain healthy soil through season A lush lawn and garden is a part of many homeowners’ dream home. A lawn that emanates green and a garden that’s home to succulent vegetables is desirable to homeowners across the country.

Of course, such lawns and gardens take time and effort, and a host of factors will determine if a lawn and garden is something homeowners should be proud or ashamed of. One such factor is soil health. Healthy soil helps deliver food and water to plants, allowing them to thrive and add aesthetic appeal to homes.

To maintain healthy soil, homeowners should consider the following tips.

• Get the soil tested.

When addressing soil health, it’s best to first get the soil tested. A soil test will show which type of soil you have as well as its makeup and structure, and just how good or bad it currently is. Such tests can also reveal if the soil is missing any essential nutrients. Some soil tests can be conducted by novice greenthumbers, while others are best left to the local agricultural bureau. These tests are a good investment, as they will remove the guesswork from fertilizing. Without a soil test, many homeowners end up overdoing it when fertilizing, which can prove a costly mistake. Take a soil sample a few months before you plan to plant or landscape to give yourself enough time to apply the test’s recommendations to your lawn and garden.

• Avoid wet soil. When soil is wet, don’t walk or drive over it and keep the kids out of the yard. When wet soil is walked on or driven over, it gets packed down, pushing out air and making it more difficult and sometimes impossible for water to pass through the soil. That makes it hard for roots to grow. Gardeners who plan to plant this gardening season should wait for the soil to dry before planting.

• Use well-drained soil.

Well-drained soil will dry fast and enable oxygen to reach the root zone, helping build stronger roots as a result. Plants with strong roots are more likely to survive severe weather.

• Use compost. Compost can prove very beneficial to soil health. Organic compost is typically loaded with nutrients that, upon maturity, feed the soil and promote soil health.

Biodegradable items like grass clippings, leaves and even excess food like apple cores can strengthen the compost. Even worms, which break down compost quickly and add nutrients, can be a valuable addition to organic compost.

• Don’t bash bacteria.

Bacteria are often seen as a formidable foe, but some bacteria can actually promote healthy soil. Bacteria decompose plant matter, releasing the nutritive value into the soil, and can also break down chemical pesticides. So while the presence of bacteria is bad more often than it’s beneficial, some bacteria are quite useful, particularly when it comes to healthy soil.

• Don’t be scared off by slime. Like bacteria, slime has a bad reputation.

However, veteran gardeners understand that reputation isn’t warranted. Slime mold is ugly, and many new gardeners see it and instantly assume it’s bad for their garden. However, slime molds are good for the soil, helping break down dead wood and leaves. They might not add aesthetic appeal, but slime molds do serve a practical and important purpose in maintaining healthy soil.

• Pests can be an ally to healthy soil. Some garden pests like mites, millipedes and centipedes are incorrectly assumed to be enemies of healthy soil. In fact, such pests can vastly improve soil health. Mites consume dead leaves and additional plant matter, enabling bacteria to more effectively release nutrients into the soil.

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10 — THE DAILY HOME, Talladega and St. Clair counties, Ala., Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Cherry blossoms early sign spring is here Few things are anticipated more in spring than the arrival of new leaves on the trees and budding flowers in the garden. A landscape awash with fresh colors can brighten the spirit and make anyone want to head outdoors.

There are many different plants that begin to show their colors in the spring.

A number of perennials, annuals and trees begin to flower or show new sprouts come the springtime. Here are some plants that can be planted for springtime enjoyment.

Cherry blossoms are one of the earlier signs spring has arrived.

scape. Pink and white varieties are available.

• Impatiens: One of the best-known plants for the garden, these annuals come in scores of colors and can generally tolerate full sun to full shade.

• Larkspur: Belonging to the buttercup family, these flowers bloom in shades of white to violet.

• Pansy: These flowers are some of the earliest spring bloomers, arriving alongside spring bulbs like tulips.

• Petunias: Petunias put on a show of color through the entire season, making them a popular bedding flower.

Perennials These plants will come

back year after year and offer spring shows.

• Cherry blossom: The flowers that sprout on cherry trees are some of the first signs of spring.

Their pink or white buds are often a spectacle, so much so that towns and cities hold cherry blossom festivals.

• Columbine: These

• Jacob’s ladder: Variegated foliage that is dappled with violet-colored flowers can add a sweet smell and visual interest to the garden.

• Primrose: These flowers come in a variety of

Lawn care tips for new homeowners

Find the Right Grass Some lawns might be an eyesore because the grass is not the right type of grass for that particular region.

If a grass is not a good fit for the region and local climate, it likely won’t thrive or will require considerable and often costly maintenance to stay lush.

Bermuda and tall fescue grasses are popular options in many areas of North America, but it’s still best to consult a lawncare professional to determine which grass is best for a given region. Learn the ins and outs of caring for the grass, including which types of seed and fertilizer are the best fit, as well as

Plant Properly Planting new grass might seem like a big undertaking, but it’s actually quite easy, even for first-time homeowners.

Once a person has determined the correct type of grass to install, planting is much more simple that one might think.

• Aerate the soil. Soil compaction is a problem for many homeowners.

Heavy usage often compacts the soil, making it very difficult for the lawn to hold oxygen and water that roots need to grow and absorb valuable nutrients. Aerating increases nutrient, oxygen and water movement into the soil, improving rooting and controlling thatch buildup.

Hand aerators might prove

effective on smaller lawns, but most lawns would benefit from a core aeration machine. For first-time homeowners, it might be best to enlist the services of a professional the first time aeration is done to learn the process.

• Spread seed evenly.

Grass seed should be spread evenly over all tilled areas.

Spreading can be done by hand or by using a seed spreader.

• Add a light layer of soil over the seed. Once the seed has been spread, cover the seeded areas with a light layer of soil.

Some soils are treated, and these treated soils provide nutrients that encourage growth.

• Water well but don’t overdo it. The soil around the seed should be moist until the grass has grown in to its desired height.

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However, avoid overwatering, which can drown the seed and make new grass growth impossible.

Fertilize Fertilizer is a friend to lawns, providing the nutrients a lawn needs to grow in thick. When fertilizing, use a spreader. The type of spreader is up to the homeowners, but know that drop spreaders, which drop the fertilizer directly below the spreader, tend to be more accurate but take more time, while broadcast spreaders, which drop fertilizer in a pattern away from the spreader, are less See Lawns, Page 11

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These plants can selfplant, so unless a gardener wants them to spread, they should be kept contained.

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Start With the Soil Soil is the foundation for any good lawn or garden.

Healthy soil will result in healthy plants and vegetables. Unfortunately, not all homeowners are lawncare enthusiasts, and first-time homeowners might discover their lawn sand gardens need lots of work. That work should begin with a soil test. Do-it-yourself soil kits are available at most major home improvement and lawn and garden centers. For those who prefer to trust a professional, the United States Department of Agriculture has Cooperative Extension System offices in every state and U.S. territory. Such offices provide valuable information to homeowners, and many even provide free or low-cost soil tests. These tests can help homeowners learn more about their soil and what, if anything, they need to do improve its health.

the recommended watering guidelines.

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First-time homeowners can be overwhelmed at the responsibility that comes with home ownership. While some of those responsibilities can be stressful, others can prove therapeutic.

Many homeowners find caring for their lawns to be an enjoyable hobby that helps relieve stress. Time spent outdoors in the warm sun helps improve mood, and a lush lawn and garden can instill a sense of pride in homeowners.

First-time homeowners with no history of caring for a lawn can still turn their lawn into a lush oasis to be proud of.

shades, making them versatile in any garden. They also tend to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

beautiful blooms attract butterflies and can be a nice part of a garden bed.

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Annuals Looking for first signs of color? Look no further than these wonderful annuals.

• Alyssum: Starting in April, this cascading bounty of tiny flowers offers a sweet aroma that attracts butterflies.

• Dianthus: These vivid flowers also attract butterflies and are often a cottage garden staple.

• Gypsophila: Also known as baby’s breath, these delicate flowers can serve as filler in any land-

Myths about your cooling system!

MYTH: It’s mid summer and your air conditioner is off. Wouldn’t setting the thermostat to the lowest temperature setting cool the house faster?

FACT: Doing this when you first turn your air conditioner on is counterproductive. It will cool to a lower temperature than you need and use more energy. Plus, the room won’t cool any faster this way.

MYTH: When replacing your system. Wouldn’t the largest size system get the best cooling?

FACT: Does a glove that’s too large keep your hand warmer in the winter? In the same sense, if your air conditioning is too large, it will kick on and off to adjust the temperature just right. Plus cost more to operate.

MYTH: When you leave for work, you will save money by cutting your air conditioner off!

FACT: When you return home and cut the system on, it has to work twice as hard, putting extra work on the system to cool the home down.

Try using a programmable thermostat to slightly lower the temperature while away.

MYTH: It’s time to replace your system and you have had the same size system for years. Wouldn’t you just need a price on the same size your currently have?

FACT: Most systems are sized incorrectly. The problem is you don’t know this until you receive your energy bill, have to replace a couple of compressors or have a heating and air contractor at your-house more times than you can count. Most local cities now require contractors to perform room by room load calculation on your home to determine 100% the correct size you need. This will save you a lot of money on your energy bills and prevent future breakdowns of your system. 276918

home & garden

THE DAILY HOME, Talladega and St. Clair counties, Ala., Wednesday, March 16, 2011 — 11

Protect your patio from wear and tear more even and solid look, while acid stains provide a more marble-like appearance. While neither is likely to fade or peel quickly, over time an additional coat of stain might need to be applied to counter natural factors like sunlight.

• Cover the furniture.

Patio furniture can vary significantly in price and quality. Homeowners who picked up a few plastic chairs at the nearby grocery store might not feel furniture covers are worth the investment. For those with more expensive patio furniture, durable furniture covers that can withstand year-round weather are a sound investment.

Waterproof and heatresistant fabric is ideal, as the furniture will be vulnerable to spring rains, summer showers and high temperatures during the summer party season. Covers should also fit snugly around the furniture to provide optimal protection.

• Consider retractable awnings. Retractable awnings might cost a little money, but they can also pay homeowners back

over the long haul. First and foremost, retractable awnings protect patio from sunlight and ultraviolet rays in hot weather.

A retractable awning can also protect friends and family members should an unexpected summer shower appear or keep them safe from sunburns during summer afternoons when the UV index is high.

When placed near a window, retractable awnings can lower energy bills. Such awnings can keep sunlight and ultraviolet rays from entering the home. This lowers the temperature indoors, which reduces reliance on air conditioning units to maintain a comfortable temperature.

These awnings can also extend the life of furniture, which tends to fade when placed inside windows that get heavy sun exposure.

• Plant trees. An ecofriendly way to maintain and add to a patio’s aesthetic appeal is to plant trees around the patio.

Trees can protect the patio from sunlight and ultraviolet radiation while providing some shade for friends

Most homeowners can identify with the dilemma of a cracked sidewalk. In addition to being a safety hazard, a cracked sidewalk can also be an eyesore.

Whether you are strolling to the backyard garden or walking to your home’s entryway, a cracked sidewalk can catch your eyes for all the wrong reasons.

Fortunately, repairing a cracked sidewalk isn’t very difficult.

create a stronger bond as directed. When using a between the new concrete pre-mixed concrete patch, and the old. all you will likely need to add is water. For larger • Remove loose mate- cracks, some homeowners rial. Once the crack has prefer to mix their own been undercut, remove patch. When mixing your any loose material, then own patch, you will likely brush the cleaned area need to add sand and/or with a wire brush to be gravel. Follow the cement sure no residual materials manufacturer’s instrucare still there. tions if mixing your own patch.

• Apply a concrete adhesive. A concrete adhe• Tightly tamp the sive isn’t a necessity, but it patch into the undercut will help the new concrete area. All areas should be hold when the time comes completely filled. to lay it down. Once the adhesive has been brushed • Smooth the repaired into the undercut area, area down. As the mixture allow it to dry until it has starts to set, use a trowel a slightly sticky feel. or wooden float to smooth Homeowners who pre- down the repaired area. fer not to use a concrete adhesive should moisten the area that needs repairing with water. Just moisten the area, as you don’t want any standing water on the area that needs to be repaired with new concrete.

• Apply the concrete

Summer can be rough on patios and patio furniture. Homeowners can take several steps to protect their patios from wear and tear.

and family members who want to spend some quality time outdoors on hot afternoons. In addition, trees can create a serene setting to a patio, adding to its relaxing nature.

Conquering a cracked sidewalk

• Enlarge the crack.

The first thing to do when repairing cracks that are bigger than a hairline crack is to enlarge the crack. Use a chisel and hammer to enlarge the crack along its entire length.

• Undercut the crack.

When repairing a crack, you want to undercut it. Undercutting means you will be making the crack wider at the bottom than at the top. When it’s time to lay new concrete, undercutting will help

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accurate but cover large areas in a much shorter period of time. Avoid fertilizing the same area twice, and be patient. Fertilizing might seem like a tedious process, but if done correctly, it should lead to a lush lawn.

When fertilizing, it’s best to do so during the fall and spring. The exact time

to fertilize depends on the region, but it’s generally best to fertilize between April and early June, and then in the fall between late September and early November.

When it comes to lawn care, first-time homeowners should not be intimidated by this sudden responsibility. Caring for a lawn can be a relaxing and rewarding hobby.

• Allow the repaired area to dry. Give the repaired area a couple of hours to dry. After roughly two hours, cover the repaired area with boards or plastic sheeting.

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Patios are typically the go-to spot for warm weather outdoor meals.

Whether hosting friends or simply enjoying a relaxing meal under the evening sky, homeowners tend to spend as much time as possible on the patio once the weather warms up.

Because it’s such a high-traffic area, the patio should be protected from wear and tear. Wear and tear on the patio can result from Mother Nature or be a byproduct of all those spring and summer evenings spent relaxing outdoors. Fortunately, there are a handful of ways homeowners can keep their patios looking pristine through the summer party season.

• Stain the concrete.

Staining concrete protects it from natural elements, which can cause the color of a patio to peel or flake.

Concrete stain penetrates deep and infuses the concrete with a permanent color that’s less likely to fall victim to the elements.

Stains are generally solidcolor stains or acid stains.

Solid-color stains, as their name suggests, provide a

home & garden

12 — THE DAILY HOME, Talladega and St. Clair counties, Ala., Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Peonies: Great showy flowers

By LAURA NATION-ATCHISON Home lifestyles editor

Theirs is a two-acre English cottage style garden; it surrounds the historic home they have lovingly restored and renovated through the years.

It just made sense for Mike and Paula Rushing to choose peonies as a flower for their garden, planting two varieties for two different reasons.

Peonies have a long history. Their origin dates back at least 1,500 years to China, Japan, even Turkey and Siberia, Rushing said.

The peony is named after Paeon (also spelled Paean), a student of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine and healing.

Asclepius became jealous of his pupil and Zeus saved Paeon from the wrath of Asclepius by turning him into the peony flower.

The family name Paeoniaceae was first used

by Friedrich K.L. Rudolphi in 1830, following a suggestion by Friedrich Gottlieb Bartling that same year.

The family had been given other names a few years earlier.

Through the centuries, the flowers became popular in English gardens, often a standard for many in the English countryside.

The gardens of the Rushings’ St. Clair County home hold all kinds of flowering shrubs and trees, but the peonies are a favorite for Paula Rushing when it comes to having plenty of cut flowers to use for arranging.

Of the two varieties, herbaceous, the smaller peony, is the one for cut flowers, she said.

Geni Certain/The Daily Home

This is an heirloom pink peony. The flower dates back at least 1,500 years to China, Japan, Turkey and Siberia.

The herbaceous peony usually grows to a height of about two feet, sometimes a little taller, and the foliage dies back to the ground during the winter months.

The plants start peeking up from the ground in March, and by April and May, they are at their showiest, putting out blooms by the dozens until the heat of the summer sets in.

That’s one thing that makes growing peonies a bit of a challenge in the Alabama climate, Mike Rushing said.

“They prefer cooler temperatures, so they are not good during our hotter months,� he said.

Mild winters can add to the flowers’ troubles in Alabama, as well.

The Rushings have good success with a crinkled white peony of a herbaceous variety, and they are planted in a bed in full sun. These are singleblooming, but some varieties boast double blooms.

Peonies make nice borders in gardens as well, they said. Their height can add a flowering backdrop to other plants.

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Of the first 20 plants the Rushings put in, “not all of them made it,� Paula Rushing said.

The seasons and their severity have a definite effect on peonies. “When it’s colder, the singles do well,� she said.

The Rushings have herbaceous peonies in a variety of colors, from the white to an array of pinks into an almost red shade.

The plants are divided when they are dormant, and the roots are planted shallow during the winter to very early spring.

The old heirloom varieties have proven to be very reliable in most years, Mike Rushing said.

The other kind of peony, the tree variety, has a better reputation for handling the climate in the South. “I’ve been told these will tolerate our heat better,�

Paula Rushing said.

The Rushings have some of the tree peonies already, and plan to add more this year.

With these, Paula Rushing prefers to leave the blooms on the plants, letting them adorn the garden instead of cutting the flowers to bring inside.

The tree peonies don’t die back in the winter months, and each spring, new leaves pop out and the flowers will bud early in the spring.

These flowers are extra large, growing up to eight inches in diameter. “They are great showy flowers,� Mike Rushing said. “We leave them to enjoy in the garden.�

These varieties bloom in See Peonies, Page 13

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THE DAILY HOME, Talladega and St. Clair counties, Ala., Wednesday, March 16, 2011 — 13

Peonies From Page 12

pink and yellow, orange and red and are even available in bicolored blooms.

Most peonies will benefit from staking, Mike Rushing said, because the weight of the blooms can cause sprawl.

The Rushings use compost on their plants but

said they don’t fertilize the peonies or use mulch.

For the winter months, when the peonies want cold, when possible, the Rushings pull back the compost on the plants so the roots can get the lowest temperatures possible.

The blooms may last three to four weeks, and

when the petals drop, the process is a quick one, Paula Rushing said.

“One day they’re there, and the next day, all the petals have dropped, the entire bloom will be gone.”

Contact Laura NationAtchison at lnation@dailyhome.com.

Courtesy of Mike and Paula Rushing

Tree peonies produce larger flowers, and the plant doesn’t die back during the winter.

Geni Certain/The Daily Home

The Festiva Maxima blooms are delicate and fluffy.

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in less-than-perfect soil, however.

Home gardeners can begin planting potatoes in early spring, when the soil is able to be worked.

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Small seed potatoes can be planted as-is. Larger seed potatoes should be cut into pieces that contain at least one or two “eyes.”

Placing the seed potatoes in a warm location can entice them to bud and speed up the sprouting process once planted.

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Potatoes are enjoyed world-over and make a versatile addition to any meal.

Though many consumers purchase their potatoes at the local grocery store, potatoes can be easily grown in the home garden, too. Potatoes prefer a slightly acidic soil and full sun and will produce best in a loose, moistureretentive soil. It is possible to get good potato yields

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home & garden

14 — THE DAILY HOME, Talladega and St. Clair counties, Ala., Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Grass-free landscaping a viable alternative Many homeowners equate a beautiful landscape to rolling acres of pristine lawn. But changes in the climate and widespread seasonal restrictions on water use each year could change the way people think about outfitting their yards.

There are many reasons people choose to forgo grass and opt for different ornamental elements in their yards. Cost is one factor. While grass seed is relatively inexpensive, the upkeep, including mowing, fertilizing, re-seeding, and watering, requires a significant investment of both time and money.

Many homeowners choose to lay down sod to create a beautiful lawn, an expensive option for homeowners with vast landscapes.

The environment is another reason homeowners look for grass alternatives. Grass requires a lot of upkeep, much of which is not environmentally friendly.

For example, maintaining a pristine lawn requires the use of a gas-powered mower and oftentimes the application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Seeking alternatives to grass can be friendly on

trees in the yard. It helps lock water into landscaping beds, decreasing the need for frequent watering.

• Water features: Think about installing a pond in the yard that can be bordered with stones and mulch. This will take up a good amount of space and can create a natural habitat for wildlife and even some low-maintenance pond fish.

• Concrete or patio stones: Although they’re not all-natural materials, patios can take up areas normally consumed by the lawn and create expansive outdoor entertaining areas. It will require an initial investment of the patio material, but once installed, patios don’t require significant maintenance. Homeowners can offset the concrete jungle feel by placing plenty of potted plants and conGrass-free alternatives, such as ground cover mixed with patio stones, can be an option for tainer foliage around the homeowners looking for less upkeep. perimeter. both the wallet and the environment.

Grass-Free Landscaping Alternatives For those who are ready to say goodbye to grass, there are many alternatives.

Climate is a key factor in choosing the right grass Choosing a new grass for a lawn depends on more than just aesthetic appeal. Where a person lives and the type of lawn he or she has should carry more weight than how a lawn looks upon its initial installation.

Climate is often the ultimate determining factor if a grass will thrive or wilt in a given region. Because climate plays such a big role, grasses are often categorized as “cool-climate” or “warm-climate.”

more popular ground cover alternatives.

• Rocks: Decorative rocks intermingled with native plants can add dimension and color to the yard. Once rocks are placed, there is little

A backyard can be a sanctuary for some people.

It’s a place to which individuals can retreat, offering an extension of living space in the great outdoors.

Chances are, a homeowner prefers to have his or her yard fenced in to maintain privacy. But homeowners aren’t always fond of traditional fencing materials.

A natural fence can be an option that offers a bounty of benefits.

The purpose of a fence is to keep things in or out.

Fences are often erected to serve as a barrier between properties and offer privacy.

To achieve these goals, a homeowner doesn’t necessarily have to construct a wooden, plastic or wire fence. Many plants can serve as natural fencing options and be very attractive to look at.

that quickly fills in on the perimeter of the yard. Just be sure to take inventory of the bamboo because it can spread quickly.

Trees How about planting trees on the property? Evergreen trees, like Leyland cypress, may grow quickly. The dense foliage will quickly fill in and can create an attractive border around the house. But evergreens aren’t the only options.

Deciduous trees can also be planted. The thick leaves will form a privacy screen, and in the winter the leaves will drop and let light into the landscape.

Shrubs Much in the same way that evergreen trees can offer privacy on a larger scale, so can shrubs. There are scores of different shrubs that can be as dense or thin as a homeowner desires. Rose bushes can look very attractive and serve as a deterrent to animals and people trying to get through the thorny brambles. The same can be said for holly bushes, which will be prickly

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• St. Augustine grass: St. Augustine grass requires at least six hours of direct sun per day. Best planted in early summer, St. Augustine grass is fastgrowing.

• Zoysia grass: Zoysia grass grows slower than most warm-climate grasses, but some Zoysia species also have a much greater cold tolerance. Zoysia grass has a medium green color and the texture is medium.

The deep root system of Zoysia grass enables it to withstand most difficult droughts. Best planted in early summer, Zoysia grass is resistant to insect problems and disease.

• Shade tolerant fescues: As their name suggests, shade tolerant fescues handle shade very well. These fescues, which include fine fescues and red fescues, typically have very fine blades and can survive extreme cold as well as withstand hot summers.

Shade tolerant fescues are • Centipede grass: Light typically medium to dark green and perform best to medium green in color, when planted in the fall or centipede grass is generally low-maintenance and perduring spring. forms better in shade than Warm-climate grasses most of its warm-weath• Bermuda grass: er counterparts. Shallow Bermuda grass is a very roots make centipede grass popular warm-climate susceptible to drought, but grass, as it’s capable of with- those shallow roots also standing the heat but does make it perform better in not do nearly as well in the poor soil. Centipede grass shade. Common Bermuda is best planted during the grass can be somewhat spring.

• Decking: Another alternative to concrete and stones is a wood or composite material deck. Again, this structure will increase outdoor living space and won’t require the level of routine maintenance needed to keep a lush lawn.

Natural fencing options for yard

Grasses Consider the fast-growing bamboo. It is one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet. Some varieties may grow as much as 40 inches per day! This Climate often dic- tall, dense grass can be an tates which types of inexpensive fencing option grass are successful in specific regions of the country.

coarse and establishes itself rapidly. Golfers would likely recognize Bermuda grass, as it’s commonly used on golfing greens.

When planting Bermuda grass, it’s best to do so in spring.

upkeep except for pulling the errant weeds.

• Mulch: A less expensive alternative to rocks is mulch. Mulch is available in different colors and types and can even be created by a homeowner by chipping trimmed branches from

Wherever you have dust, you are bound to find dust mites. And as some people are allergic to dust mites, it pays the homeowner to pay attention to dust.

Where does all the dust come from?

Dust indoors comes from several sources. Some migrates in from outdoors, and furniture fabric, bedding and clothes release fibers that contribute to indoor dust. Much of the dust in our houses is produced by our bodies. Every living organism sheds cells, which form a type of dust.

It is estimated that humans lose 40,000 dead skin cells every minute. This is a feast for dust mites.

Dust mites are particularly fond bedding because that is where the highest concentration of shed skin cells is found.

Reducing dust mites involves a few tactics: 1. Use a HEPA air filter.

2. Seal mattresses and pillows in impermeable cov-

erings, and change sheets once a week.

3. Vacuum regularly, paying attention to areas where dust accumulates.

but attractive with their shiny, dark green leaves and bright berries. Certain shrubs are even marketed as natural fencing. A chat with a landscaper can yield many ideas of species that make great fences.

vines such as ivy or vinca can be trained to climb vertically. A thin mesh material or vertical slats can be installed and the vines tied to these items before they fully establish.

Flowers and Plants Shrubs and trees aren’t the only fencing options.

Many homeowners like the cottage look of a garden full of wildflowers and other plants. Congregating certain plants on the perimeter of the property can make an informal fence. Trailing

Hardscapes Instead of living natural fencing, rocks and boulders or even water features can also be used as fences.

This type of fencing may be more aesthetic than practical, however, and can be used intermittently with other fencing options.

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Cool-climate grasses • Kentucky bluegrass: The most popular cool-climate grass, Kentucky bluegrass is ideal for lawns that get lots of sun. Because it has shallow roots, Kentucky bluegrass is not very drought-tolerant. If planting Kentucky bluegrass, it’s best to do so in fall or spring. Kentucky bluegrass is medium-textured with green to dark green turf.

• Perennial ryegrass: Perennial ryegrass is generally easy to find and grows quickly from seed.

Commonly mixed with Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrasses are shiny with a medium to dark green color and a fine or medium texture. It’s best to plant perennial ryegrass in the fall.

• Creeping bentgrass: Very low and very fine in texture, creeping bentgrass, like all bent grasses, is susceptible to a variety of fungal diseases, making it one of the more high-maintenance grasses.

Homeowners who plant creeping bentgrass should expect to mow it frequently.

• Ground cover: Homeowners who still desire the look of green can choose among different types of ground cover that will quickly fill in the landscape. Clover, lowgrowing evergreen plants and ivy are some of the

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16 — THE DAILY HOME, Talladega and St. Clair counties, Ala., Wednesday, March 16, 2011

HOME & GARDEN

Heirloom tomatoes Popular because of taste, historical value Heirloom tomatoes are popular because of their taste and historical value, but they are much more difficult to grow than hybrid tomatoes.

An heirloom is a tomato variety that has been passed down through several generations. Its seeds are open pollinated, and it retains genetic characteristics of its parent plants. These can only be grown from seeds that have been saved from earlier heirloom tomatoes.

Many are 50-100 years old. “Many people prefer heirloom tomatoes because of their high-quality flavor,� said Charles Pinkston, regional agent for the St. Clair County Extension Office. “Others may grow the tomatoes because of their historical value.�

Heirloom tomatoes differ from hybrid tomatoes in several ways. Hybrids do not retain genetic characteristics of their parent plants. Also, seeds saved from hybrids cannot be used to grow new plants.

Hybrids are developed to resist disease, pests and viruses, but heirlooms can be susceptible to these dangers, making them more difficult to grow. Fruit from a hybrid is much more uniform in appearance, shape and size than that of an heirloom. Heirloom seeds are also harder to find than are hybrid seeds.

The size and color of heirloom tomatoes depends on the variety of the heirloom. Some

types of heirloom tomatoes are Cherokee Purple, Brandywine, Arkansas Traveler and Mr. Stripey.

The Cherokee Purple has a dark red, almost purple, color. The Cherokee Purple was originally cultivated by the Cherokee Indians, and is believed to be around 130 years old. Brandywine is another popular heirloom variety. It tends to be small in size, but with an acidic taste. The Arkansas Traveler is a soft fruit, and has a medium to large fruit size. The Mr. Stripey variety usually has a medium to high fruit set, meaning it produces more fruit than a plant with a low fruit set.

The fruit set for most heirlooms are lower than that of hybrid tomatoes.

Heirloom seeds should be stored in a dry, cool place such as a refrigerator or sealed jar. These seeds can last three to five years if stored properly. Some seeds may last up to 10 years when stored in a refrigerator. The storage of seeds in an airtight container or in a refrigerator will affect the development of insects or their eggs, if they are present.

Seeds may also be stored with diatomaceous earth to protect them from damage caused by insects.

Diatomaceous earth is mined off the ocean’s bottom and is basically exoskeletons of diatoms, microscopic living things.

Diatomaceous earth is sharp and abrasive, and will cut insects that are exposed to it. It is used to prevent insects from destroying a plant’s seeds.

One variety of heirloom tomato is the Arkansas Traveler. It has medium to large fruit.

Photos courtesy of St. Clair County Extension Office

Brandywine is an heirloom variety that is small in size and has an acidic taste.

“The challenge (with heirloom tomatoes) is growing them,� said Pinkston. “They do have some sensitivity to disease.�

One danger to the heirloom is a disease known as blossom end rot. This is caused by a fluxuation of moisture in the soil.

Pinkston recommends using mulch, pine straw or wheat straw when planting heirlooms because these help keep weeds away and also help prevent diseases.

Pinkston recommends that more of the stem should be planted in the soil than it was when purchased. He said laying the stem down in a 2-3 inch trench, as opposed to a 2-3 inch hole, gives it a better chance of avoiding disease, such as blossom end rot.

Roots that are too wet can cause a plant to become diseased. This is especially true for plants that are “leggy.�

A leggy plant is one that is tall, but with no leaves around the bottom.

Late blight is another disease that can threaten heirloom tomatoes, as well as potatoes. This disease is identified by brown spots on the lower leaves of the plant. If this occurs, the

plant should be sprayed with herbicides. Late Blight is known to quickly kill tomatoes.

Heirlooms should not be planted too early, because they are more susceptible to cold weather than hybrids are. Heirloom seeds should also be planted at staggered times. The reason for this is because if all are planted at once and something happens to them, such as an unexpected frost, all the plants and their seeds will be lost. Staggering the seed planting ensures that if some of the plants are damaged by weather, other seeds will remain. If all seeds from an heirloom are planted and all the plants die, the seeds from the heirloom are also gone.

The average frost date for this area is April 23.

This is around the time the last frost occurs. Heirlooms should be planted after this date. Because heirlooms are more susceptible to cold weather, many times covering the plants in cold weather will not save them from low temperatures.

Pinkston recommends

that heirlooms be planted

by Easter, or at least by early May. He said temperatures in late-May and early June may be too hot for the plants. High temperatures cause blossom problems for the tomatoes.

When dealing with a stunted plant, Pinkston said it is usually better to replace the damaged plant with a new one, rather than trying to recover it.

He said the new plant will grow better and faster than one that has been stunted.

Stunted plants are those that have been stressed, and their development has been slowed down. The plant tends to shut down, it doesn’t grow much and it doesn’t set fruit.

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For more information on heirloom tomatoes, contact the St. Clair County Extension Office at 205338-9416 or the Talladega County Extension Office at 256-362-6187.

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When trying to control insects, Pinkston said the use of pesticides should be moderate because insects can grow resistance to the chemicals, and because beneficial insects may be killed in the process. He also said spraying should be done early in the morning or late in the evening because pollinating insects are most active in the middle of the day.

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Scott Munroe (256) 761-2240

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