2019 Home, Lawn & Garden

PAGE 2 ■ HOME, LAWN & GARDEN

THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019

Tips for creating the perfect gallery wall

By SIMONE SLYKHOUS Creators.com Think about that big blank wall in your home. You know the one. Maybe it’s the blank space above your bed. Maybe it’s your bare entryway or stairwell. Or maybe your couch is currently the only focal point of your living room. Rather than seeing this blank wall as something to fix or a scary challenge, consider the advice of Argentine comics artist Eduardo Risso: “For me, the blank page to draw on is a window to adventure.”

Those big blank walls are a great opportunity to make a gallery wall. All you need is a level, a hammer, some frame hooks and your art. In making a gallery wall, you will encounter dozens of possibilities for arrangement, color, hanging levels, spacing and more.

This opportunity for creative expression will allow you to play with paintings, family photos, sculptures and whatever else you would like the world to see.

Location The first decision to make is where you would like to have this gallery wall. Do you envision a cascading collection as you walk up or down your stairs? Will this be hung as inspiration in your home office? The design team at Modsy suggests thinking outside the normal spots and instead decorating an entire corner of a room: “Try creating a display with graphic photos, paintings, and prints that hang on both walls of the corner as way to anchor a reading nook or a seating area just below. This take on the gallery wall is perfect for small and awkward corner spaces or even

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Keeping the frames consistent for your wall art allows for a clean, cohesive look. the base of a staircase.”

Small-space dwellers, don’t despair. Rather than shrink the feel of a room, a gallery wall can add depth, height and bursts of color.

This will give your space the feeling of being fully decorated without crowding precious floor space.

Arrangements With a gallery wall, there will be a lot of hammering nails into walls. This can mean a lot of holes to spackle if you need to rearrange things. Rather than risk that, consider laying your artwork on the ground and taking photos after you’ve arranged the pieces to your liking. Try using painter’s tape as a buffer between pieces when hanging. Tape stays even and straight and will help with consistent spacing. Once you’re

happy with the finished product, simply peel it away to reveal your perfectly spaced gallery wall.

You can discover many options for formations as you play around with your pieces. A grid with art that is the same size and shape and arranged in straight lines is a traditional approach. The effect is a clean look with minimal effort. Another arrangement is on the midline. “Usually when hanging artwork, the rule is to pick a midpoint and arrange all your art centered on that line,” say the designers at Modsy. Variations include shifting the balance from a midline to a straight line at either at the bottoms or the tops of the frames. By aligning the art at the bottoms of the frames, you can organically grow your gallery wall out and up. Aligning the art at the

tops of the frames gives the wall a decidedly crisp, modern look.

The success depends on the space you’re filling. For example, the tipsters at HGTV Magazine say: “If you’re creating a gallery above the sofa, start about 6 inches above the back edge. Building from the lowest row allows you to expand your gallery wall up and out without running out of space.”

Frames Frames are the key to a uniform or cohesive gallery wall.

For a modern look, try out gold frames in various thicknesses.

For a sleek look, simple black frames will defer attention to the art. However, don’t be too afraid to mix up the styles of frames.

“The brilliance of a gallery wall is that it is a collection of unique artworks spanning genres, periods and mediums,” says interior designer Ariel Farmer of Homepolish. Balance can be achieved with consistent matboards and well-thought-out ratios. Farmer’s suggestion for ratios is “one extra-large piece, two large pieces, two medium pieces and three small ones.”

Don’t forget that you can play around with more than paintings and photographs. Sketches, sconces, molding, mirrors, busts and other 3-D art can add dimension and liveliness to any gallery wall.

To avoid crooked pieces, many professional services recommend swapping the wire for D-rings.

A gallery wall will bring personality and style to any room in any size home. These tips will help you make a statement rather than a jumbled look. So start collecting your pieces and get ready to create on that canvas.

Author, birder to present program The Invasive Species Awareness Coalition of Dubois County and the Dubois-Jasper Public Libraries are hosting “Plant Native to Attract Birds,” a free program featuring Indiana author and birder Sharon Sorenson. The talk and slide show, featuring Sorenson’s own photography, will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 11, at the theater of Vincennes University Jasper Campus Center for Innovation, Technology and Manufacturing.

Sorenson, in addition to being an author and avid birder, is known for her column in the Evansville Courier, For the Birds, and her website, birdsintheyard. com. She lives in rural southwest Indiana and has been adding native landscaping to her yard and property over the years.

Sorenson’s two books, Planting Native to Attract Birds and Birds in the Yard Month by Month, are

full of photography and downto-earth information.

Sorenson will sign and sell her books starting at 6:30 p.m. before the event and after the Sorenson event as well.

It is suggested that attendees come early to get a seat and purchase a book to be signed.

The (ISAC) of Dubois County is a local partnership that aims to raise awareness and slow the spread of invasive species in Dubois County. Some invasive plants causing problems in the area include Callery Pear trees, Bush Honeysuckle, Wintercreeper vines and Poison Hemlock. As many invasive plants originate as landscaping, selecting native land-

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scaping alternatives is one easy way that homeowners can make a difference.

The group will have an information table at the event and volunteers on hand to answer questions about native and invasive plants. All attendees also will receive a goody bag.

Reservations are not required, and anyone is welcome to attend.

For more information on this program or the Invasive Species Awareness Coalition of Dubois County, visit the website at www. isacdc.org, the Facebook page or call the Dubois Soil & Water Conservation District at 812-482-1171, ext. 3.

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THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019

HOME, LAWN & GARDEN ■ PAGE 3

Grow, baby, grow: Easy kiddie planting projects

By NICOLA BRIDGES Creators.com Gardeners often get the bug from messing around in the dirt as kids. You can encourage your kiddos’ green thumbs with these easy projects that are sure to delight them.

Get creative with containers For your kids’ indoor or outdoor starter garden, let them get creative choosing their own planters — from big old toy trucks to metal lunch boxes to fun-shaped kiddie sandboxes to paddling pools. Clean store-bought vegetable cans are a great choice — with the tops taken off and the sharp edges smoothed. Have the kids scavenge in the yard for small stones to layer in the bottom of the containers for drainage. Then they can get their hands dirty by putting in composting soil and pushing in bean seeds. Water every few days and watch your magic beans grow!

Topsy-turvy recycle, upcycle This project comes from Sayward Rebhal, who blogs at BonzaiAphrodite.com. If you have a deck or porch but don’t have a yard, you can grow tomatoes upside down in large empty water bottles. Cut the bottom off each container and pierce four holes, one on each side of the jug, and push twine or thick string through for hanging. Delicately feed the stems of a young tomato plant through the open bottleneck, and then fill the bottle with potting soil almost to the top. Clear containers are best so your kids can see the soil and spot the roots and stems growing down. Hang low so your little ones can easily reach them for watering.

Grow herbs on a sponge Indoor sponge gardens mean no messy soil. Have your kiddos pick some colorful kitchen sponges from the store. Then, for the container, they can choose a shallow tray, plastic storage tub or even a mug or old teapot. To get really creative, cut the sponges into shapes to make a design. Any-

Spring Cleanup Days set HUNTINGBURG — The city of Huntingburg is conducting Spring Cleanup Days, which will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, April 11 and 12, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at the Street Department, 1103 E. First St. in Huntingburg. Spring Cleanup Days provide city residents the opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted items.

The cost is $5 per car, $10 per truck, $10 per trailer under 8 feet and $20 per trailer over 8 feet. Additional fees apply for items, such as vehicle tires, on rims for $5; vehicle tires without rims for $4; large truck and tractor tires (over 15 inches) for $10; televisions, computer towers and monitors for $10 per item; mattresses for $10; upholstered chairs for $10; and couches for $15. There also will be a $1 fee for each trash bag.

Small loose items must be placed in a trash bag to be accepted. Small items are considered those smaller than 12 to 18 inches.

Items containing Freon, such as refrigerators, dehumidifiers and air conditioners, require a certificate from a licensed plumber stating the Freon has been removed.

With fun, safe and simple garden projects, your kids can grow their green thumbs from an early age.

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thing goes for the container. After soaking the sponges thoroughly in clean water, place on the tray or cut them to snuggly fit a creative container, such as a teapot.

Have the kids sprinkle herb seeds of one kind onto each different sponge. If the seeds are larger, push them into the holes of the sponge. Next, cover with an upturned clear plastic container or (loosely) with plastic wrap. This helps the seeds germinate when kept in a warm location such as a sunny windowsill. Your kids will be delighted when they see the seedlings start to emerge. That’s when they can remove the plastic and watch their herb garden grow.

When the herbs have reached 3 to 4 inches tall, your kids can enjoy helping you cook with them.

Egghead herbs Gently crack the top of an eggshell and discard the egg or save

it for cooking. Rinse the shell and use a pin to pierce a hole in the bottom of each one. Your kids can gently draw faces on the eggshells or write the name of the herb they’ll plant in each one. Then place the shells in eggcups or an empty egg carton. Place a wet cotton ball in each egg, sprinkle in seeds and watch the eggs’ herb hair grow within days. Or place a small bulb in each eggshell with no soil; keep moist and beautiful flowers will start to grow! You can then plant the entire biodegradable eggshell directly in the garden. You can also grow flower and vegetable seedlings in the egg carton itself, with a spoonful of potting soil in each egg compartment.

Flower seed balls This idea comes from KidsGardening.org. Seed bombs are often dropped from planes to help areas of devastation grow back -- for ex-

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ample, from wildfires. Kids will love getting their hands muddy in the clay to make the balls to bury in your own backyard. Pretty much any seeds go. But especially consider wildflowers such as red poppies; milkweed, which is food for caterpillars; and coneflowers, which birds and butterflies love. You’ll need fives parts clay (from your local craft store), one part potting

soil or compost and one part seeds.

First, have your kids mix the clay and the compost, adding a little water to make the mixture sticky.

Then add the seeds and dig in to roll the mixture into spheres the size of golf balls. Let the balls airdry and then plant them in large outdoor containers or directly into your garden. Your kids will love it because it’s messy and fun!

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PAGE 4 ■ HOME, LAWN & GARDEN

THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019

Spring cleaning rejuvenates home for warm months

By CHRISTOPHER CROWN Creators.com

The perfect spring-cleaning job includes getting rid of all the extra stuff in the house.

It’s out in the open, and everyone can see it. People can tell whether you did a spring-cleaning job that merely hit the high points or you actually prepared your home for the warm months.

From clearing out stale winter dust and air to finding those hidden dirty spots and overfilled cabinets, a proper springcleaning can rejuvenate a house, make hosting guests easy and uplift spirits. Done haphazardly, however, a surface-level clean, though saving you time, creates more lingering chores in the long run. Here are some of the most hidden bang-for-your-buck cleaning jobs.

Dusting and vacuuming In a 2016 article on his website, celebrity doctor Andrew Weil states that a dusty home has a substantial impact on health.

Weil cites an article in the journal Environmental Science & Technology that found that typical household dust contains an average of 45 chemicals — 10 of them potentially harmful compounds, such as phthalates, which may disturb reproductive development and cause hormone disruption, environmental phenols, which are associated with reproductive system toxicity, and flame retardants, which can hinder nervous system health.

Many of these compounds come from the plastic, fabric and tile surfaces in our homes that we don’t even think about cleaning.

On her blog, I Dream of Clean, Christine Satterfield notes some often-overlooked tasks: ■■ Dust crown molding and baseboards.

■■ Dust and wash light fixtures and lamps.

■■ Dust ceiling fans.

■■ Vacuum or wash window curtains.

■■ Wash window blinds.

■■ Dust bookcases.

■■ Wipe down and vacuum furniture. (Clean the base and under cushions.)

■■ Clean air vents.

■■ Change air/furnace filter.

Kitchen The task of cleaning the kitchen — from cleaning off baked-on grime to degreasing appliances and investigating mystery foods in the back of the fridge — is of-

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ten the cause of procrastination.

It’s a good strategy to divide and conquer these dirty zones. Below is a hit list from Morgan Hoey, a contributor to Taste of Home magazine: ■■ Clean oven. Try citrus, baking soda and vinegar for a deep clean.

■■ Wipe drawers and shelves in refrigerator and freezer.

■■ Defrost freezer.

■■ Discard old or expired food in pantry, fridge and freezer.

■■ Degrease cabinet doors and backsplash.

■■ Dust top of high surfaces, including fridge, microwave/range hood, cabinets.

■■ Deodorize and degrease the kitchen drain with salt.

■■ Wipe baseboards.

Often-forgotten tasks Satterfield highlights some of the most forgotten boxes on the household spring-cleaning checklist. Although these might not be essential to hosting your first spring party, they will most definitely pay off in the long run: ■■ Touch up wall paint.

■■ Condition leather furniture.

■■ Replace batteries in smoke detector.

■■ Schedule chimney sweep.

■■ Schedule termite or pest control maintenance.

■■ Wash dining room table linens.

■■ Clean shower curtain and liner.

■■ Empty washing machine

drain pump.

■■ Disinfect doorknobs light switch plates.

and

Decluttering No amount of polishing and dusting matters if your house is filled with “stuff.” Many households will focus so heavily on merely cleaning the surfaces in their home that they won’t take an honest assessment of all the junk on the cabinets and in the drawers. In an article for MakeSpace, an online resource for minimalist living, contributors recommend enacting several rules to help amplify the effects of your spring-cleaning: ■■ Go through all your belongings, even the boxes in the garage and attic, and ask yourself, “Did I use this last year?” If not, donate it.

■■ Take out all duplicates and extras. Have two of the same thing? Donate. Have 30 of the same cups but your dining room table only seats 12? Donate.

■■ During that full scan of all your possessions, ask a follow-up question: “Does this item bring me joy (or enough utility to create happiness)?” If not, donate it.

Allow yourself several days.

Clean all those hard-to-think-of

but easy-to-notice surfaces, and remember this classic quotation from the 1999 cult classic “Fight Club”: “The things you own end up owning you.” Make this spring-cleaning the perfect transition into a clean and free-

flowing summer.

On the Net: idreamofclean.net/ the-ultimate-spring-cleaning-checklist www.tasteofhome.com/article/ spring-cleaning-checklist

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THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019

HOME, LAWN & GARDEN ■ PAGE 5

Choose right garden additives to improve soil

By DIANE SCHLINDWEIN Creators.com When it comes to growing plants and vegetables, all you need are dirt, water and sunlight.

Right?

No, not always. Most of the time, planting experts recommend adding fertilizers to dirt; whether they are organic or inorganic is up to you. Moreover, some people are confused about the differences between fertilizer and compost and the roles they play in the garden.

“To put it simply, compost is to improve the health of soil, while fertilizer is to improve the health of plants,” explains Brad Leahy, the owner and vice president of Blades of Green, a Maryland lawn care and pest control company.

“Fertilizers add the nutrients that plants need that soil may be missing, and compost helps make the soil a friendly environment for the plant to thrive.”

And fertilizers are a bit more complicated. “The most important thing to keep in mind is NPK — nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium — with an emphasis on nitrogen that promotes plant growth,” says Leahy. “For gardens, phosphorus is also important, as it helps promote deeper roots and aids in the development of fruits and flowers.” Finally, plants need potassium to make carbohydrates and protein.

“Most people don’t consider the importance of the microbiology in their garden soils,” adds lawn and garden expert Douglas Derick. “One of the most important differences between organic and synthetic fertilizers is their impact on the soil microbiome.

Organic fertilizers help to feed the beneficial bacteria and funguses present in your soil, as well as provide nutrients to your plants.”

According to Derick, “These bacteria not only ward off invasive and harmful microbes, they also act to chelate minerals in the soil, making the nutrients more readily available to your plants, unlike synthetic fertilizers which can be disruptive to the soil microbiome.”

“In the simplest of terms, inorganic fertilizer is going to be cheaper, which is great for those that are focused on short-term results,” says Leahy. “However, the benefit of organic fertilizer is that it is going to continue to improve

the health and balance of your soil over time. Continued applications of organic fertilizer will compound, constantly creating a better soil composition.”

Zach and Iris Nathan, the codirectors of Gingerhill Farm Retreat in Hawaii, are big believers in adding compost to gardens.

They say compost contains many of the same nutrients as fertilizers do, but compost also contains a broad array of beneficial creatures such as earthworms and microorganisms. Just using fertilizer is like taking a multivitamin, but they say adding compost is “like a multivitamin and a probiotic rolled into one.”

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Many organic growers believe in applying animal manure to their gardens as fertilizer. However, even fresh noncomposted manure — a favorite with some gardeners because it is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium — can also damage plants, especially if it contains a harmful amount of salts. That’s why it’s best to use aged animal waste.

Gardeners need to be careful when applying any fertilizer.

Many chemical and inorganic fertilizers are soluble and concentrated. If you get too zealous with the application, you can easily apply too much and damage your plants. Fast-release syn-

thetic fertilizers can be compared to caffeine. (Think of the jolt you get from a strong cup of coffee.)

If you use too much synthetic fertilizer, your plants may begin to depend on regular infusions to survive. So take it easy and don’t over-fertilize.

Leahy concludes that it pays to do your research when deciding on fertilizers. You can ask a master gardener, check with your local Cooperative Extension Service office, look around at your local hardware store or simply go online. “There are many online resources to help find an organic fertilizer recipe that works for you,” Leahy assures.

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Kurt’s Carpentry – 812-683-8506 – Kurt Mullis LAN Concrete Technology – 812-481-2756 – Luke Nordhoff Larry Schmidt Construction LLC – 812-639-2466 – Larry Schmidt Lensing Wholesale – 1-800-264-6060 – Tom O’Brien Little Si’s Construction, Inc. – 812-634-1834 – Steve Stenftenagel Logan Lavelle Hunt Ins & Wealth Mgmt – 812-401-9206 – Trent Hunt Marvin & Toni’s Bargain Barn – 812-367-2112 – Marvin L. Weyer MasterBrand, Inc. – 317-752-5601 – John Kempski Meadowood Apartments – 812-482-5913 – Linda Gerber Mehringer Brothers Plastering – 812-482-9243 – Ed Mehringer Mehringer’s Pl.,Ht., & A/C – 812-482-4425 – Bucket Mehringer Messmer Mechanical, Inc. – 812-482-6766 – Ed Messmer Meyer Truck Equipment – 812-695-3451 – Bryant Kieffner Mullis Custom Homes – 812-544-2848 – Darrell Mullis Mulzer Crushed Stone, Inc. – 812-482-9259 – Greg Hagedorn Neuhoff & Wagner Bld.Supply – 482-7800 – Dave Neuhoff Gene Nigg Construction – 812-634-1021 – Gene Nigg O2EZ Concrete LLC – 812-630-5691 – Tina Berg OFS – 812-683-4848 – Scott Reckelhoff Old National Bank – 812-482-2772 – Nick Stevens Paul Schroering LLC – 812-639-3029 – Paul Schroering Pfaff Construction – 812-630-6221 – Jared Pfaff Precision Stoneworks – 812-683-1102 – Todd Brittain Premier Power – 317-879-0660 – Kevin Templeman Pund Plbg, Htg, Clg, Inc. – 812-367-2337 – Kenneth Pund Rainbow International Restoration – 812-817-3434 – Jeremy Mundy Reinbrecht Homes – 812-639-1385 – Jace Himsel Rees Plastering – 812-482-1248 – Landon Rees RE/MAX Local – 812-817-0970 – Ryan Craig Ruxer,Ford,Lincoln,Mercury – 812-482-1200 – Gary Weinzapel Safeguard Print & Promo – 800-875-9908 – Craig Schneider Schaeffer Specialized Lubricants – 812-482-7656 – Jerry Himsel Schatz Insurance Agency, Inc. – 812-683-0882 – Cassie Lenahan James Schoenbachler Const. LLC – 812-630-2026 – James Schoenbachler

Schroering Plumbing, Heating & A.C. – 812-482-2466 – Phil Schroering Tom Schroering Construction, Inc. – 812-482-5392 – Tom Schroering Schwartz Building Materials, LLC – 812-481-9400 – Joel Schwartz Scott Corn Construction – 812-630-1447 – Scott Corn Sell4Free Welsh Realty Corp. – 812-482-3385 – Gary Schnell Seufert Construction – 812-367-1340 – Scott Tretter Smith Homes – 812-544-2050 – Ron Smith Southern Indiana Propane, Inc. – 812-482-5341 – John Schroering Southern Indiana Supply – 812-482-2267 – Paul Geisler Springs Valley Bank & Trust Co. – 812-634-1010 – Terry Giesler Steinkamp Home Center – 812-683-3860 – Dean Knies Sternberg Automotive Group – 812-482-5125 – Curtis Sternberg Timber Creek – 812-482-3252 – Mike & Pat Hochgesang Thermal Profoam Insulation – 812-631-4949 – Jeremy Burger Tri-Cap – 812-482-2233 – Neil Elkins Tom’s Lawn-Garden & Appl.Ctr. – 812-634-1950 – Matt Mundy Town of Ferdinand – 812-367-2280 – Ken Sicard Testing & Inspection Services, Inc. – 812-848-2056 – Calvin Cash Jr. The Mortgage Company – 812-482-3100 – Darren Patterson Uebelhor & Sons, Inc. – 812-482-2222 – Kurt Haas Uebelhor TV – 812-367-1591 – Scott Uebelhor United Dynamics – Jeff Lockhart – 502-301-0827 Universal Design Associates, Inc. – 812-367-2831 – Thomas J. Schipp Valery Kessens Appraisals – 812-544-3444 – Val Kessens Verkamp Construction, Inc. – 812-326-2535 – Gerald Verkamp Vinyl Concept – 812-683-3221 – Brandon Zehr Voegerl Construction, Inc. – 812-367-1281 – Dennis Voegerl Voges Construction – 812-482-9753 – Allen Voges Wagner Brothers Const. Co., Inc. – 812-482-1794 – Sam Wagner Wagner Painting – 812-482-4034 – Ron Wagner Wehr & Sons Construction – 812-482-1026 – Ernie Wehr Whayne Supply – 812-422-1636 – Matt Bueltel Woebkenberg Construction – 812-367-1949 – Denis Woebkenberg Young’s Masonry, Bldg & Rem. – 812-482-1180 – Mark Young

PAGE 6 ■ HOME, LAWN & GARDEN

THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019

Clothing crackdown: The big closet cleaning

By SHARON MOSLEY Creators.com As the new year wanes and our resolutions weaken, cleaning out our closets seems more overwhelming than ever. After all, we’ve still got a few months of wearing those winter coats, right?

Well, don’t let your good intentions grow cold. Here’s something to get you inspired: It’s the shortlist of the clothes and accessories to hold onto, to get rid of and even to add to your spring shopping list.

Keep cold-shouldered tops. The off-the-shoulder looks are here to stay. The cutout sweaters made the transition to winter, and the peasant blouse silhouettes will be worn by trendsetters come spring and summer. Get rid of oversized drapey knits and crinkled cottons that make you look like you grabbed them off the bottom of the laundry basket.

Keep bell-sleeved blouses. It’s all about the sleeves this coming season. Bell sleeves, kimono sleeves, ruffled sleeves ... It’s all about going with the flow -- or the flounce. Just remember that these billowy sleeves do tend to get in the way when wearing more structured jackets — even more reason to put a lightweight vest on your spring shopping list.

Keep your sequins. Bring back disco and get your sparkle on! Rethink your sequined pieces that you normally wear to parties and pair them with denim for daytime glamour. Or go head to toe with shiny lacquered leather. Get rid of any glitzy clothes that have lingered too long in your closet

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... say, from 1982. Some things just don’t look great the 10th time around the dance floor. And make like Cinderella and try on a new pair of bejeweled shoes to give everything in your closet a little twinkle.

Keep your ponchos. It’s the perfect time of year to wear those “cocoons” that are hanging in your closet. Layer them with turtlenecks and knit tanks for more cold-weather style. Then strip them down for warmer days and nights. Just make sure to pair the roomy toppers with slim bottoms and sleek boots. Skip the chunky cable-knit granny cardigans for

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substantial leggings, then rid your closet drawers of old, worn-out skin-tight pants and stock up on a fresh crop of slim bottoms in knits and denim. They’re the perfect match for spring and summer’s blousy tops.

Keep your pencil skirts. While the A-line skirt is making fashion news, the pencil skirt is still a working girl’s go-to must-have.

Ditch the bell-shaped skirts, which are rarely flattering. And if you really want to update your skirt wardrobe, then invest in a pleated maxi skirt in a shimmering metallic. Stick to fitted tops and jackets to keep it all in proportion.

Keep your sheath dresses. Floral prints are going to be profusely blooming on dresses this year, but you can’t go wrong with a sleeveless dress, even in a solid color.

Try updating them with a faux fur jacket this winter or a sheer chiffon floral kimono this spring. Do retire the shirt dresses that you’ve had since the ‘90s and have a little trouble buttoning.

And never keep clothes that don’t fit. Whether they’re too small or too big, chances are you won’t be wearing them anytime soon. Bleep them out of your closet and give yourself a new fashion lease on life.

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Keep your jean jackets. These are always classic staples. And with the latest trend of wearing denim head to toe, your jean jacket will become even more versatile. If you want something new, try a colorful boxy denim jacket in a springtime pastel like lemon yellow.

Keep your leggings. Pantsuits may be coming on strong, but slim pants and leggings are here to stay. We’re not talking yoga pants here but heftier knits that can go the distance from work to cocktails. If you haven’t invested in a few pairs of the newer, more

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HOME, LAWN & GARDEN ■ PAGE 7

Choosing plants that will thrive

By JEFF RUGG Creators.com Q: I recently retired and moved from South Dakota to South Carolina. I have been looking at garden catalogs and drooling over all the new plants I get to try growing in my garden. I have visited a few garden centers, and I have been told that a lot of the rules that I have grown my garden with, such as using USDA plant hardiness zones to pick plants, no longer apply. What do you think? What should I look for in new garden plants?

A: I usually like finding knowledgeable people at garden centers to get accurate advice for local conditions. Talk to people at several centers, and over time you will be able to tell who is giving you the best information. Even more importantly, check with the local extension service office of the state university to find master gardeners. These offices are set up to give university-researched advice, not to try to sell you products.

No matter where you start out, if you make a long-distance move, the growing conditions will be different, and therefore, the plants will be different. Obviously, the southern third of the country and the West Coast are warmer than the northern two-thirds. For each cold hardiness zone south that you move, spring will be a week

or two earlier, and the first frost of the fall will be a week or two later.

This gives you a longer growing season with which to work.

An earlier spring means planting earlier, but it also means trees and shrubs will bloom earlier. Migratory birds move north up the continent as these plants flower in the spring.

You may know that the south is much more humid than the north. Some plants thrive in high humidity, and some don’t. Fungal disease organisms often thrive in high humidity. Planting diseaseresistant varieties is more important in the south but less so in the arid west.

If a plant tag says the plant needs full sun, you may find that afternoon shade is helpful if you are in the south. Plants growing in full-sun conditions may need a thicker layer of topsoil that holds more water between waterings. This may be helped by a layer of mulch. Irrigation may be helpful on the west or sunny

COULEUR/CREATORS.COM

It’s all about location, location, location: Learn how to choose plants that will thrive in your region of the country. south sides. In the north, plants need protection from the winter cold, but in the south, they need protection from too much sun and heat.

Many of the soils in warm climates are not as good as northern soils. The longer growing season in the south allows decay organisms to decay the organic matter.

Organic matter provides nutri-

ents to plants and helps hold water in the soil, so you may need to add more on a regular basis. Soils in the south are often very sandy and may be orange in color due to the iron in the soil being exposed to the elements. Soils in the north are black from the carbon in the organic matter.

The longer growing season in the south allows perennials and

shrubs to grow longer each summer, so they may grow larger than the same plants growing in northern gardens. The plants are more likely to grow to the larger sizes listed on the plant tag. To fill a flowerbed with perennials, you may need to space the plants just a little bit farther apart than you would in a northern garden.

PAVERS Mon.-Fri. 7 am - 4:30 pm • Sat. 7-11am…beginning Mar. 31st

Rain Garden Workshop scheduled Rusty Schmidt, landscape ecologist, is coming back to Jasper on Tuesday, April 9, to present a hands-on Rain Garden Workshop from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Vincennes University Jasper Campus in the Center for Technology, Innovation and Manufacturing Theatre. The doors will open at 7:30 a.m.

The free workshop is hosted by the Middle Patoka River Watershed, and the Dubois and Pike County Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

Schmidt will focus on existing rain gardens and how to judge their health, and how to do annual maintenance.

Part of the workshop will be outdoors, assessing and performing light maintenance on the campus rain garden.

The workshop is for homeowners, gardeners, master naturalists, conservation and landscape professionals, master gardeners and anyone interested in growing plants while improving water quality.

Schmidt is with Nelson Pope & Voorhis in Melville, New York.

He is an adjunct professor at Farmingdale State University and co-author of The Blue Thumb Guide to Rain Gardens. Copies of this book, lunch and handouts will be provided to workshop attendees at no cost.

The workshop is free, but registration is required. Register online at www.mpwraingardenworkshop.eventbrite.com or by contacting the Dubois County Soil and Water Conservation District at 812-482-1171, ext. 3.

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PAGE 8 ■ HOME, LAWN & GARDEN

THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019

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HOME, LAWN & GARDEN ■ PAGE 9

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PAGE 10 ■ HOME, LAWN & GARDEN

THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019

Kondo, other consultants offer cleaning tips

By KRISTEN CASTILLO Creators.com These days, spring-cleaning is trendy. Sure, it’s still a dreaded chore, but we’re all rethinking our clutter, thanks to the influence of tidying expert Marie Kondo.

The Japanese best-selling author of “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” has a new show, “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo,” on Netflix, motivating viewers to organize their homes.

Her approach, known as the KonMari Method, is focused on tidying items by category. Start with clothes and then move on to books and papers, followed by “komono” (miscellaneous items) and sentimental items. Kondo’s guideline? Only keep things that “spark joy.” If an item doesn’t spark joy, thank it for its service and get rid of it.

“If you’re lacking motivation, I highly suggest watching an episode,” says Kelsey Roadruck, editor of House Method, an online magazine. “Her method will teach you the art of folding laundry, how to categorically organize drawers with small boxes and how to finally purge the piles of stuff that no longer bring you joy.”

Goodbye, clutter Getting rid of clutter seems to be the top tip for organizers.

Marty Basher, a home organization expert for Modular Closets, urges consumers to clean their closets. If you’re struggling with sentimental items, try his threepile method: one pile for items you love, one for items you’re unsure about and one pile that you can donate guilt-free.

“Pack the pile of items you are unsure about into a storage bin for three to six months,” says Basher.

“The next time you pull the storage bin out and go through the items, most personal attachments you have will have vanished. For items that you still cannot part with, you can add to your love pile or try leaving them in storage again.”

Trellis great project

By JAMES DULLEY Creators.com Dear James: I looked at ladder trellises at my garden store, but they are too expensive. The design does not look complicated. If I try to copy and build one myself, what is the proper procedure to make one? — Kandi W. Dear Kandi: Building a ladderstyle trellis is a great project for beginning do-it-yourselfers. The design is relatively straightforward, and being a triangular configuration, it is extremely strong.

Even if you don’t get the nails secured properly, it will still be adequately strong to support the plants.

The name “ladder” trellis pretty much describes its basic design. It consists of two ladders that are connected together at the top, forming an A. Make it just slightly taller than your height. This allows you to get underneath it without too much bending and allows you to reach See TRELLIS on Page 11

the house, wash floors and don’t forget hard-to-clean areas such as baseboards.

“Start by sweeping baseboards to loosen dirt, then go back with a wet rag and either mild soap or a spray cleaner to get them perfectly clean,” says Basher.

Spring is also the time to change smoke detector batteries and make sure fire extinguishers are in working condition and not expired.

MODULAR CLOSETS/CREATORS.COM

Getting rid of clutter is the first step to a clean and organized home.

Purging junk can be overwhelming, which is why Kim Jones, the owner of L+K Home Organization, recommends starting with a smaller, less emotional category. “If you are planning to organize the entire kitchen, start with spices which you can easily tell by expiration date if you should keep or let go.”

She urges the importance of setting aside distraction-free time to organize, even if that’s only in 15-minute increments. Make time for the job and do it right.

“If you are doing a closet, take every single item out to an open space to categorize every item and decide what you want to keep,” says Jones.

Interior When it comes to cleaning, don’t reach for the same old cleaning products.

In the springtime, there’s pollen, and dust and dander go airborne during deep-cleaning. Before beginning, make sure you have allergy-friendly cleaning products.

Wash fabrics such as linens and upholstery with hot water.

Then, while your bedding is in the wash, turn on your bedroom ceiling fan to air out your mattress.

Change your home’s air filters this time of year, too. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, which traps airborne allergens.

Dust thoroughly throughout

W e Open M O R E D O O R S forYou

Exterior Don’t forget to spring-clean the outdoors, too, including gutters, flower beds and outdoor cooking areas.

“If you are cleaning gutters yourself, enlist help for safety,” says Basher. “The main task is to remove debris that makes the gutter heavy and prevents water flow.”

Trim flower beds and add some

mulch. Next, clean the outdoor cooking areas. Basher recommends using Simple Green.

“Use an onion to clean the grill surface when the grill is heated,” he says. “The acid in the onion will melt away debris.”

He recommends using a window cleaner and newspaper for streak-free windows.

Clean window screens with warm water and a mild dishwashing liquid. Scrub each screen with a brush and then rinse thoroughly.

Stay organized Once you get the house clean inside and out, work hard to keep it that way.

“This is key to not only get organized, but to stay organized,” says Jones, who encourages consumers to give every item an easily identifiable space in the house and put those items back when you’re done with them.

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HOME, LAWN & GARDEN ■ PAGE 11

Rescue overwatered plants before they wilt away

By SIMONE SLYKHOUS Creators.com It can take time to realize that you’re ready. Maybe you’ve noticed friends posting about theirs on social media or you have neighbors who have one or two. You start researching all the important questions: What fits in your budget? What size works best for your space? Are there dietary or location restrictions?

And after searching high and low for the perfect one, you finally find it: the houseplant you’ve always wanted.

Once you take your plant home, you want to take good care of it, so you feed it, give it plenty of sun, water it and maybe even sing to it every once in a while.

However, after some time, you notice that it’s no longer the beautiful green plant it once was. It’s starting to look wilted, and a few yellow leaves have fallen off — despite new growth. There is also evidence of edema, blisters on the plant stems and leaves.

These are all signs of an overwatered plant. So, is all hope lost?

Have you killed your new plant

Trellis (Concluded from Page 10) the plants for pruning.

You might also consider making one or two trellises that you can walk under. If you do this with a standard A design, it will have to be quite tall. Instead, connect a third horizontal ladder across the top of the two side ones to provide more free width. This does weaken the trellis somewhat, but it will still be strong enough.

It sounds as though your budget is somewhat tight, so pressuretreated lumber would be a good material to use. It will hold up well outdoors, particularly in a damp garden area that is watered often.

The downside is it will not accept paint well and is not a naturally attractive wood. But if the climbing plants you plan to use have dense foliage, it may nearly cover and hide the wood underneath.

Two other more attractive — but also more expensive — material options are cedar and redwood.

Cedar will weather to an attractive natural gray color, or it can be stained. It resists rotting fairly well, but not as well as pressuretreated lumber or redwood.

Redwood is the most expensive of the three materials, but you still may be able to make it fit your budget. With its excellent rot and insect resistance, the lifetime cost may be less than cedar. You will only have to apply a clear or lightly tinted sealer to the redwood to maintain its beauty.

To lower the overall cost of the redwood, only use the most expensive construction heart grade for the posts that touch the ground.

For the remainder of the trellis, use construction common grade, which is less expensive.

To make the construction simple, build the ladders in your garage and then connect them together in your garden. Building them on a smooth, flat floor makes it easier to keep them square.

Space the rungs about 1 foot apart, unless the plants will have sturdy vines. In that case, place them further apart and save lumber.

Once you assemble it outdoors, dig postholes. A depth of 2 feet should be adequate. First place several inches of gravel in the bottom. Then set the trellis in place and fill the rest of the hole with more gravel.

with too much love? Maybe not.

Overwatering is a very common gardening issue. The most easily recognizable sign of overwatering is wilted, yellow leaves.

Though this is a tell for both underwatering and overwatering, underwatering will cause dry and crispy leaves, whereas a waterlogged plant will feel soggy and soft.

Edema can leave your plants with unsightly brown or white lesions caused by plant cells bursting. Indentations on the top of leaves, near new growth, is an indication of expanded cells.

Another detrimental effect of too much water, root rot, can be hard to identify, especially for novice gardeners. Because the roots are hidden in the soil, it’s important to pay careful attention to the leaves of your plants.

If they look yellow, or if the plant growth is stunted, then they might be experiencing potentially fatal root rot. Sometimes plants are in soil that is too dense for water to escape. Other times, the pot in which the plant is living does not have adequate — or any — drainage holes. When experiencing root

rot, the roots look slimy, gray or brown, and they might let off a rotting smell, unsurprisingly. So why are the roots so important to your houseplant? They are the primary source of food, water and air. When overwatered, plants are getting plenty to drink; however, without air, they start to drown.

After identifying that your plants have been overwatered, the next thing to do is to give them foliage CPR. The first step is to change their location. Reposition them in a shady area, because root systems in shady areas use less water.

Next, check that the pot or planter is draining sufficiently. “If no drainage holes exists add some or repot the plant into a pot with drainage holes,” says Kerry Meyer, gardening expert for Proven Winners website.

If possible, putting your plants into a new container with fresh soil could resuscitate them. If the plants are impossible to move, then even a minor shift could help. Leaving space between the walls of the pot and the roots of the plants will allow for faster drying by creating air pockets. If pos-

sible, gently shift the root ball of each plant by tilting the container and gently tapping the sides until it is released.

According to the experts at BrightView Landscapes, “Check your soil regularly. Don’t be afraid to push your finger about an inch or two down in to the soil to check the moisture.” And only water when the soil feels dry. Don’t fertilize at this point, because overwatered roots are delicate and can be easily burned by fertilizer.

If you have too much love

to give and enjoy keeping your plants well-watered, then it might be time to buy a plant that thrives in a damp environment. Some options include astilbe, sedge, rose mallow, hibiscus, swamp azaleas and viburnum. You can also pull a 180 and find plants that need little to no watering at all. Aloe plants, succulents, deer grass, cacti and others enjoy desert-like environments and can make for great indoor plants. With so much love to give, you will find your perfect plant partner.

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PAGE 12 ■ HOME, LAWN & GARDEN

THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019

Painting: Save time, money and peace of mind

By MARK J. DONOVAN Creators.com Painting is a necessary home maintenance project that few of us enjoy. However, if your home has exterior wood siding, Mother Nature dictates painting the exterior of the home every five to seven years. Between sun, moisture and dramatic temperature changes, exterior house paint begins to fade, crack and peel over time.

The interior walls of the home can take a similar beating; however, instead of Mother Nature’s wrath causing wear and tear, it tends to be that of children, pets and everyday life.

Listed below are my top 10 house painting tips for making your DIY project go a little smoother.

1) Prepare the painting area appropriately. This includes removing items and obstructions from the room or work area, such as curtains, furniture and mechanical hardware wherever possible. Also make sure the room is well ventilated, if you are working on an interior project. In addition, fill all holes or cracks with spackling and tape all items that you do not want to paint and cannot remove from the walls. Wiping down wall surface areas with a damp cloth prior to applying paint is advisable. You would be surprised how much dust clings to wall surfaces.

Finally, if you are tackling an interior paint project, remove all outlet and switch faceplate covers.

You will waste more time cutting around them and will inevitably leave paint marks on some of them.

Make no mistake, no time is more wasted when painting than in shuffling articles around the room, removing outlet covers at the last minute and cycling between taping and painting. When the preparation work is complete, then pull out the paintbrush and rollers.

2) If the old paint on the exterior of the home is chipped and flaking, then scrape the exterior prior to applying new paint. However, before starting to scrape off old paint, make sure it has been tested to confirm that it is leadfree. There are strict federal and state procedures for removing lead-based paint products. Lead is a hazardous material to humans and should only be removed by a

eas that are too small for rollers.

These areas are usually around baseboards, ceilings and corners.

By rolling paint after you cut the corners and floor and ceiling transitions, you can hide the brush marks and achieve a nicer finish.

8) Make sure weather conditions are right for painting. Hold off painting the exterior of a home until you are sure the siding is completely dry. Also make sure the weather forecast is free of rain and fog, and the temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Even if you are tackling an interior home painting project, it

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Save money by doing simple home upgrades yourself. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders. licensed professional.

Also, it is wise to power-wash the exterior of a home prior to painting. Mold and mildew, as well as dirt, rust and other foreign materials, can collect on the walls.

If not removed, the paint adhesion could be compromised.

3) In the event you are using a paint sprayer for painting the exterior of your home, use newspaper and masking tape to cover windows and other large surfaces that do not need to be painted.

4) Use plenty of drop cloths and have a damp rag in your pocket at all times. Attempting to not drip is a time-consuming chore. Unless you want to have a contest while painting to see who drips the least paint, use copious amounts of drop cloths. Having the damp rag in your pocket will save time when you make that minor mistake with the cutting brush, too.

5) Have a sufficient number of ladders with the appropriate height requirements. Running up

and down ladders and constantly readjusting them is time-consuming and tiring. Using the wrong ladder can also be dangerous to your personal well-being.

6) If the walls have never seen paint, prime them first. You will save money on high-priced paint absorption, and you will get a much better finish.

7) Cut first with a small angled paintbrush and then pull out your paint rollers. Cutting in means that you use a brush to paint ar-

is best to paint on a dry and lowhumidity day for quick drying times.

9) If you are using latex paint, clean your brushes thoroughly after use. If you are using an oilbased paint, then use mineral spirits to clean your brushes.

Nothing can be more frustrating to go out the second day on your paint project and find your brushes hard and unusable.

10) Finally, have a radio or iPod player nearby. Nothing helps to soothe the soul more than listening to your favorite music while you paint.

Happy house painting!

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THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019

HOME, LAWN & GARDEN ■ PAGE 13

Lawns go techno: Robotic, upgraded lawn care tools

By CHELLE CORDERO Creators.com Hiring a robot to do your lawn chores may sound like something out of a sci-fi movie plot, but it’s a reality, and it can go a long way in saving you precious time — and backaches.

According to Digital Trends, the average American spends almost 70 hours a year on lawn care. Why bother with mundane chores when you could pick up a new hobby or actually relax in your freshly maintained garden instead? Robotic lawn mowers, weeding robots, electric lawn sweepers and hydroponic gardens are welcome advancements that will improve efficiency, increase your crop yield, have a positive environmental impact and improve your overall lawn care experience.

Similar to robotic carpet sweepers, a robotic mower will run by itself, allowing you to relax in the hammock or tend to other business as it trims away. These mowers run on (rechargeable) battery power, so they are much more environmentally friendly than gas-powered mowers and require less maintenance. While more frequent mowing is required, since their blades cut short grass better, this promotes greener lawns and extends the mower battery life.

Robotic mowers cover less ground than regular push mowers or ride-on mowers, so it is a slower process and usually works best on a smaller yard. You’ll need to set up the mowing area, often by laying a perimeter wire, which can be tedious but will probably only need to be done once per mowing season. In the Digital Trends “Best Robotic Lawn Mowers” article, writer Parker Hall calls out the Honda Miimo 3000 as the favorite on the market, saying, “While many robotic lawnmowers are limited to smaller yards, this model can mow up to an acre with ease. ... One of the real standout features with the Miimo series is the paired app. This allows you to adjust cutting height, start or stop the unit, and also manage a calendar, all from your smartphone.”

If simply lifting a finger to get your lawn care process started sounds ideal, then a robotic mower may be the way to go. Just consider what obstacles it would have to deal with. Is your yard peppered with rocks, brush or water that could prevent it from making clean passes? Is there too steep a slope to where it would lose its footing going down or be unable to climb back up?

Power lawn sweepers are a unique technological advancement, and a great alternative to a leaf blower or rake. When pushed over a newly cut lawn, they sweep all of the debris (leaves, twigs and cut grass) into a hopper for you to conveniently add it to a compost pile and create a healthy lawn mulch. The ES100 Power Brush Electric Lawn Sweeper is the only sweeper on the market powered by a 12-volt fused electric motor.

“This allows for continuous high speed brush pick-up even around tight corners, flower beds, and other landscaping,” says the Sears website. With this, or even a manual sweeper, your lawn will easily be enriched by the beneficial nutrients and retain moisture on hot, sunny days.

Farmers will especially benefit from the emerging weeding robots. They are taught to recognize crops (like lettuce and raw vegetables) and desired flowers and distinguish them from weeds.

Using a spray technology, they can precisely eliminate many harmful weeds with herbicides.

Some weeders are capable of till-

ing the soil around desired plants to keep the rows weed-free. And a few of the newer designs are selfpowered through solar energy.

There’s no need for an herbicide shower or tedious hours of weeding with this smart and easy-touse device.

While robotics certainly seem to be the wave of the future, improved gardening systems is also a growing field. Hydroponic gardening is an age-old method that is still a serious interest for many gardeners given its natural characteristics. Meaning “working water,” plants are grown in a

soilless solution and grow at a rate of 30 to 50 percent faster than traditionally grown field plants. This increases crop size and yield while using less natural resources, such as water. There is no worry about soil erosion and root damage, and pesticides are not necessary in hydroponic systems, removing concerns about chemicals. Most importantly, areas that are suffering from drought, extreme weather conditions and other natural or manmade hazards can benefit by the increased production and controlled environment that a hydroponic system offers.

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PAGE 14 ■ HOME, LAWN & GARDEN

THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019

Easy-to-make plant décor enlivens any space

By KRISTEN CASTILLO Creators.com Having greenery around your home or office can be very beneficial. Studies show plants release oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide and eliminate toxins in the air.

They also boost your mood and your ability to concentrate.

So why not fill your living spaces with lush greenery that doubles as stylish décor?

Up and away According to Pinterest, vertical gardens are one of the hot 100 trends for 2019. Searches for floorto-ceiling green designs are up 287 percent.

Whether you choose to hang plants from a curtain rod on the wall, affix chicken wire to your wall and add vines or repurpose an old shipping pallet and adorn it with greenery, there’s so much potential when you envision creating a vertical garden.

Quail Bell Magazine makes moss animals, which can be displayed indoors or outdoors.

She starts by cutting out an animal silhouette from wood, cardboard or a similarly sturdy material. Next, she preps the surface and paints it green with acrylic paint. Then she glues moss to the surface and lets it dry.

“Decide if you want to add paint, such as a touch of gold or silver,” she says. “You can use metallic spray paint for highlights or a sheer coat.”

After the paint is dry, pick a place to display your moss animal. For an indoor design, spray it with fixative in a well-ventilated area. For an outdoor display, use a weather-proof sealant, such as Liquitex.

Crazy for cacti Succulents are also trendy. Pinterest reports searches for cactus arrangements are up 235 percent.

HGTV says DIY gardeners can make a cactus container garden in an hour in six steps: 1. Choose a shallow container since cacti have shallow roots.

2. Add gravel, followed by potting mix to the bottom of the container.

3. Arrange the plants in their original pots.

4. Once you like the arrangement, remove the cacti from their original pot.

5. Add more potting soil and pat the soil 6. Lightly water the garden. Be careful: Too much water and your succulents can rot.

Japanese inspiration Ikebana, the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging, dates back more than 500 years and is focused on mindfulness and attention to detail.

“What makes Ikebana unique and different from conventional arrangements is the focus on shape, color, lines and symmetry, along with the intentional purpose of placement,” says Franzi Falkenberg of Tourist Japan, one of Japan’s leading tourism information websites.

Ikebana is deeply rooted in seasonality and emphasizes the connection between humans and nature in meaningful and meditative practice.

According to an HGTV tutorial, in Ikebana, flowers are arranged in odd numbers only and by height to create depth in a small area. The first flower is tallest; the second is three-quarters the height and then the last flower should be half the size of the first.

Mad for moss Christine Sloan Stoddard, an artist, author and the founder of

Terrarium time Create your own terrarium.

Pinterest has lots of photos and

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Relax by creating Ikebana, the traditional Japanese art of floral arranging, which is a meditative practice.

DIY instructions on how to make your own terrarium. You’ll need the basics: a clear glass container, potting soil, activated charcoal, colorful stones and your choice of plants. A tutorial on wonderhowto.com says to first layer the stones at the bottom of the container. Then add one-half inch of activated charcoal to keep the water clean, followed by an optional light layer of sphagnum moss to prevent the soil from settling.

Next add a few inches of potting soil before adding plants and decorations. Lightly water your creation and keep it in moderate to indirect sunlight.

You don’t need a green thumb to complete many of these DIY plant projects, but many are more involved than they seem. Start small and simple by first researching the projects and making sure you’re up for the job.

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Refurbish home using money-saving secrets

By MARY HUNT Creators.com If you’ve been putting off updating or sprucing up your home because of the high cost of home improvements, today’s readers are sure to inspire you to do those projects yourself — for less!

Hardwood flooring My husband and I wanted a hardwood floor, but the estimate of more than $3,000 (which worked out to more than $7 per square foot) was out of our budget. We decided to try 4-by-8-foot sheets of veneer plywood at less than $45 a sheet, or about $1.40 per square foot. We installed the plywood and sealed it with 2 gallons of polyurethane. The floor is beautiful and cost about $675 total. — Jenn Shower curtain rescue In a house full of boys who don’t know their own strength, I frequently find the shower curtain torn away from the hooks.

To fix this, I use clear packaging tape to cover the hole, punch a new hole, replace the shower ring and it’s good as new. Double the tape and it lasts twice as long.

— Maureena Vertical blind renew Do not throw away your old, faded cloth vertical blinds. I didn’t want to pay for new ones, so I painted them with the same offwhite paint I was using in another part of the house. Any color latex

paint will work. Just allow a couple of days for them to dry. I discovered that with the extra weight of the paint, they hang more beautifully than ever. — Dottie Outlet cover re-do We recently painted the inside of our house a lighter color.

Suddenly, the almond-color light switch and outlet covers stuck out with their darker color. Instead of replacing all of the outlet plugs and light switches with white ones, we made a cardboard template to go around the plugs and switches and sprayed them white with an epoxy spray paint (must be epoxy to adhere to plastic). We bought it from our local hardware store and chose a nice white color.

This saved an enormous amount of time and money, and it looks really great. — Steve Refinish formica We bought an older house that had old, outdated Formica countertops in the bathroom and kitchen. Instead of replacing it, we very successfully painted it. We used a product called Kilz to prime the Formica. Then we used the color paint we wanted, semi-gloss, and added two or three thick layers of crystal-clear top coat, like Krylon’s, to seal it and protect it from water. For over a year now, it has held up against the toughest of tests, two little boys. It looks beautiful — and all for under $100.

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HOME, LAWN & GARDEN ■ PAGE 15

Tips, tricks for planting wonderful edible garden

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By MARY HUNT Creators.com Planting an edible garden is now trendy — not that being part of a trend is ever a good reason to start or learn something new. But if it helps you move forward by being part of the “in” crowd, then you really need to plant your own edible garden this year.

Provided you remain frugal (it is possible to spend a fortune on a garden, thereby nullifying most of the reasons to do it), you’ll certainly save money. More than that, you’ll know exactly what you’re eating and where it came from.

There are myriad ways to get started. You can grow a garden in a black plastic trash bag, on a deck, in a pot or even on a windowsill. You don’t need acreage and perfect conditions to get started. You can do it now with what you have, right where you are.

There’s something soothing and satisfying about getting your hands dirty and watching stuff grow! Speaking of dirty hands ... once you get going, here is a collection of great tips to further your success and enjoyment: ■■ Clean nails. Keep dirt out from under your fingernails by scratching a bar of soap before beginning. When you’re finished, wash your hands thoroughly. The soap will wash away from under your nails.

■■ No railroad ties. Avoid using railroad ties in or around your vegetable garden. The chemicals used as preservatives to keep the wood from rotting are now thought to be toxic and harmful.

■■ Make it yourself. Control powdery mildew with milk. Dilute 1 part milk in 9 parts water and spray on the plants.

■■ Master’s touch. Gently brush your hands across your tiny seedlings several times a day. This stimulates them to grow slightly slower, resulting in stronger, sturdier stems.

Free weed “cloth.” Use newspapers as weed barriers when creating a new bed. They are printed with soy ink and decompose nicely, and they are simple to replace once decomposed. Don’t use slick colored advertisements or colored pages. Once in place, cover newspaper with mulch.

■■ Free mulch. Coffee and tea grounds make excellent mulch around acid-loving plants. Caffeine is a natural herbicide, but don’t overdo it.

■■ Perfect seed starters. Egg cartons make excellent seed starters. Punch a hole in the bottom for drainage. Fill it with potting soil.

Plant your seeds. And watch them flourish!

■■ Consider conditions. When choosing plants for your yard or garden, analyze your sunlight, soil and climate first. Choose plants accordingly. Any garden center will have personnel to answer questions and help make appropriate selections.

■■ Mosquito-repelling plants.

These plants include citronella, lemon eucalyptus, cinnamon, castor, rosemary, lemongrass, cedar, peppermint, clove, geranium, verbena, pennyroyal, lavender, basil, thyme and garlic.

■■ Potting soil, please. Don’t use garden soil as potting soil in containers. Its quality and texture is variable; it may drain poorly, or be too loose and drain too quickly. It is also more likely to contain diseases, weed seeds and insects. Do it right the first time using a standard potting soil and you won’t be

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There’s something soothing and satisfying about getting your hands dirty and watching vegetables grow! disappointed.

■■ Project head start. Soak seeds to get a jump on the season.

Before germinating, seeds need to drink up moisture, just as if drenched by spring rains. Once they become plump and swollen, the little embryo inside will begin to grow, signaling that it’s ready to be planted.

■■ Seedling protectors. Keep cutworms away from seedlings with the cardboard centers of toilet paper rolls. Cutworms, which are moth caterpillars, creep along the soil surface, eating tender stem bases of young seedlings and cut sprouts off at the roots. That cardboard tube will protect seedlings from these predators.

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KNIES SAWMILL 812-683-3402 Bretzville, IN

G et the energy-efficient custom w indow s you want!

Call today for your FREE ESTIMATE!

812-482-2566

KEXEUSCH TERIO RS

• W indow s • Doors • Lifetim e W arranties • Siding • Stone Veneer • Quality Guaranteed Locally Owned & Operated 403 23rd Street • Jasper, IN

Toll Free 1-800-677-2637 www.keuschglass.com

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PAGE 16 ■ HOME, LAWN & GARDEN

THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019

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