SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2018 by The Farmville Herald

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N E D R A G & E HOM Benefits of a sunroom Page 4 MARCH 2018

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Simple trends for remodeling BY EMILY HOLLINGSWORTH

hether it’s composite decking on the outside of the home or granite surfaces or “click” flooring on the inside, simple and maintenance-free seems to be the name of the game for home remodeling trends in the Heart of Virginia, home remodeling companies and material suppliers in the area noted. Wendy Marzloff with T&K Homes in Cumberland County said among the trending indoor and outdoor remodeling items the company has sold are granite and quartz surfaces for the kitchen and composite decking for the outdoors. Marzloff said granite and quartz act as a dependable addition to kitchen counters. “They’re solid surfaces as opposed to laminate,” Marzloff said. “You can seal the granite.”

Composite decking has numerous benefits, Marzloff continued, noting that in addition to typically being fashioned out of recycled material, it could also save some elbow grease. “It’s supposed to be mold and mildew resistant,” Marzloff said. “You’re not going to get splinters like you would before. It’s not going to warp like pressuretreated wood.” Rachel Armentrout, with Keysville Building Supply in Charlotte County, noted similar benefits with the composite decking, saying it can be a little pricier than pressure-treated decking but can add up to savings in the long run as it requires less maintenance. Armentrout also noted metal roofing as another popular option. She said homeowners could receive a tax credit for installing metal roofing due to the environmental benefits of the metal storing heat. Armentrout said laminate flooring,

also known as “click” flooring, can look like wood, but will typically cost less to install and can be used for any room in the house. “It clicks together, that way you can put it in your bathrooms, kitchens, basements,” Armentrout said. Bart Berryman with Virginia Marble in the Town of Kenbridge spoke about cultured marble and engineered stone as a welcome addition to restroom decor. Cultured marble is described by Berryman as “made from very small, natural small stone particles combined with a resin which makes it very affordable, durable and easy to care for.” Engineered stone, Berryman said, “is made from pieces crushed stone and some resins provides a homeowner with a more consistent color pattern, but still a natural look. This category of products also includes what is often referred to as quartz, whose appeal comes from its high durability.”

Cultured marble, like the kind pictured here, has enjoyed a rise in popularity over the past few years.

Benefits of the sunroom BY TITUS MOHLER

here are a variety of ways a sunroom can function as a significantly value-added component to a home and its owner. A sunroom can be a great benefit for eyes, souls and green thumbs everywhere. Thomas Grant, of Grant’s Glass Inc. in Farmville, said that during his company’s nearly 31-year existence he and his employees have become experienced in the process of constructing sunrooms. “We’ve done probably a dozen where we do the prefab walls with a roof and everything, and as far as going into, say, a screen porch and turning it into a sunroom, I’ve done probably 50 of them or more,” he said. He explained why the latter

example is the more common application in general. “People have a porch, and it’s either too hot or too cold, and they want the extra space, so they want to close it in and heat it and cool it,” he said. “We do a lot of those. (It’s) kind of like adding a room to your house, but you’ve already got your floors, you’ve already got your room.” One of the biggest benefits of the sunroom is that it’s adding living space. “I’ve got one, and honestly, when I added it to the house, I just extended my roof an extra 16 feet, closed it in with eight-foot windows, and it’s like being outside,” he said. “It’s mostly glass. Honestly, I tell people when you do it, you might as well bring TITUS MOHLER your TV on out here, because Dudley Sauve’s sunroom in his Farmville home offers a comfortable living space and an expansive that’s where you’re going to view of the great outdoors unfolding in his backyard and beyond. spend your time.”

5 Dawn Conrad, a gardening expert in Lunenburg County, emphatically expresses her love for sunrooms. “Sunrooms usually have three walls of oversized windows and are opened up to the home,” she said. “The abundance of windows allows an optimal amount of sunlight to flood the room most of the day, creating a warm and welcoming space year-round.” Alluding to the array of benefits that accompany sunrooms, she said, “Many plant enthusiasts fill them

with a variety of plants and flowers. They make wonderful music/meditation rooms.” As for the possibilities a sunroom creates for plant lovers, Carol Sempowski, a master gardener in Charlotte County, said, “You can grow a lot of indoor plants, of course, in a sunroom. It would probably have to be heated in the winter.” If you wanted to get a headstart on your outdoor garden, “you could start your seeds in a sunroom if it’s

Sunrooms can be a warm and welcoming space that homeowners will want to be wellfurnished because they will spend a lot of time in them.

heated,” Sempowski said, and then plant them outside later. Town of Farmville Horticulturist Jay Wilkerson spoke to the importance of where a sunroom is placed in a house, keeping in mind the needs of plants. “You certainly want to make sure you have adequate light,” he said. “Usually the south side is going to be the brightest side of the house. If not, favor the west side because the afternoon sun is more intense than the morning sun. And if you have abundant light in a sunroom, you can always cut it back. But if you don’t

have enough light in a sunroom, you can’t increase it without adding artificial light.” Conrad said that when building a sunroom, important things to talk about with the builder include energy conservation, the time of day you will most likely be using the room, and what you will be primarily using the room for. “All of these are important things to consider when laying out the plans according to the sun’s position at different times of the day and where in the U.S. the home is located,” Conrad said.

Five invasive plants to avoid BY MORGAN WHITE

hey’re difficult to get rid of, and they invade your gardens. No, we’re not talking about deer, rodents or other creatures. We’re talking about invasive plants. Charlotte County Extension Agent Bob Jones said that invasive plant species aren’t just ornamental plants from overseas. Many are plants people find at the store and buy without researching what they could do to their flower bed and cause harm. This list will focus mainly on plants from overseas brought to the U.S. Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. Lobata) — According to Jay Wilkerson, horticulturist for the Town of Farmville, this extremely vigorous vine spreads by rooting along the ground as it grows and can grow a foot per day. Wilkerson said the vine smothers trees and shrubs, eventually killing them. “In the 1930s, farmers were encouraged to plant this as erosion control,” Wilker-

son said. According to Wilkerson, repeated mowing close to the ground to weaken the vines, grazing animals or commercial systemic herbicides applied during the growing season can control this vine’s growth. “Do not use herbicides when allowing animals to graze, and always read directions and follow safety precautions when using herbicides,” Wilkerson said. Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinesis) — This plant, originally introduced as an ornamental, is another vigorous vine which can kill trees by girdling their trunks. Wilkerson said purple blooms can be seen hanging in trees during the spring. “‘Amethyst Falls’ is a variety of Wisteria that is better for the landscape,” Wilkerson said. According to Wilkerson, removal of small vines and cutting large vines at the ground can help control the vine. “Make sure to dispose of all seed pods

on old vines,” Wilkerson said. “Any large stumps left in the ground should be painted with a stump remover containing triclopyr as the active ingredient to prevent sprouts.” Johnson Grass (Sorghum halepense) — Introduced in the 1800s for foraging, Johnson Grass can be seen growing in roadside ditches and agricultural fields as conspicuously tall clumps of grass, according to Wilkerson. He said it spreads mainly from seed and can be transported easily by farm equipment and mowers. “(It) grows so quickly it can choke out crops,” Wilkerson cautioned. He said it’s not an ideal food source for cattle because it can be toxic. Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) — This large tree spreads rapidly from seed, root suckers and stump sprouts. It can cause damage to building foundations, parking lots and sidewalks. According to Wilkerson, leaves from the tree can have a noxious odor that some have described as smelling like rancid peanut butter. He said this tree was introduced in the late 1700s as an ornamental. To control, Wilkerson recommends “removal of underground rhizomes (root-like structures). Grass-specific

herbicides can be used but are usually expensive and repeat applications may be necessary. Broad spectrum herbicides containing glyphosate ‘Roundup’ are minimally effective and will harm nearby vegetation.” Autumn Olive (Elaegnus umbellata) — This large shrub has silvery scales on the lower leaf surface, and its stems often have thorns. Wilkerson said that this shrub produces hundreds of thousands of seeds that are spread by birds and outcompetes native plants. “(It was) introduced in the early 1800s as an ornamental and erosion control,” Wilkerson said. He said mowing small patches in late spring when food stores are lowest is an option for attempting to eradicate the shrub. “Broadleaf-specific herbicides can be used during the growing season but may harm surrounding vegetation and should be used carefully,” Wilkerson said.

10 ways water will make or break your garden BY RUSTY CARTER

o you planted flower bulbs that you hope to see blooming in your front yard come May. You did everything right: patient not to plant too early, waiting for the thermometer to stay above freezing, even overnight. Mother Nature can handle the rest. But the flowers that emerged from the ground seem to be struggling. The leaves are starting to wilt, and more petals are on the ground than on the flower stem. What happened? The answer is simple. They’re thirsty. Chris Rogers of B&M Greenhouse said the key is to keep the root ball moist. The same goes for transplanted flowers. Give them plenty to drink, just don’t drown them. He suggested a soaker hose or drip tape to do the job. Rogers notes that the signs of thirsty plants are easily spotted — wilting leaves, petals falling off too early.

“Use a visual stress test,” Rogers advises. “Look at the flowers. If you see signs of wilting, act fast and get them some water.” The gardening websites Gardena.com and bonnieflowers.com offer some tips as well with their “10 golden rules for watering.” They cover how much water to apply, how often, even whether to water from above or below. The ideas are simple, but effective. 1. Keep plants evenly moist: Most plants depend on evenly distributed moisture. Slight drying out prior to watering enhances root growth. 2. Less watering, more water: Sounds odd, but the idea is to give your plants a good soaking, just not too many soakings. One or two watering sessions per week is about right for flower beds. 3. Late evening or early morning: By watering cooling soil in the evening, less water evaporates than as would in hot soil when the sun is high in the sky. The plants can draw sufficient moisture

before the next day’s heat. 4. A case of the dry leaves: Wet leaves can quickly become diseased. When leaves remain wet overnight, mold diseases can spread. In addition, leaves that become wet in the sun develop burn marks, a result of droplets magnifying the heat. 5. Give your plants the right amount of water: Water must reach the roots of your plants to do its job. Low quantities of water typically reach only the upper soil. Crop plants are even more dependent on evenly moist soil, particularly until the crops are ready for harvesting. 6. Water soil. Repeat: Water needs time to seep into the soil. Before water in the bed flows away unused, do your plants a favor and water repeatedly in parts. 7. Water the entire plant: Standing in one spot and spraying water may actually harm the growth of your plants. It leads to one-sided root growth and to

poorer nutrient absorption in the soil. Always water around the plant and distribute in the entire irrigation area. 8. Indicator plant: Water your vegetables 2-3 times a week during really hot weather … and be on the lookout for your “indicator” plant, which will let you know when water is needed. It’s the first plant to wilt as the garden dries. 9. Watering potted plants: Use a nozzle on the garden hose, one that has a “shower” setting, according to bonnieplants.com. The setting produces a gentle stream of water that most closely resembles rain. Watch for puddles of water on the surface. Move on, but circle back a few times to ensure the soil is adequately moist. 10. Save water while dousing your plants: It sounds like a Chinese proverb, but the idea is simple: Water as much as necessary and as little as possible. An automatic irrigation system with moisture sensor placed in the bed and on the lawn should help.

A guide to mulching BY MORGAN WHITE

ob Jones, extension agent out of Charlotte County, advised, “To me, one of the most important things is to add organic matter back to soils that we have in Southside Virginia, then follow that up with mulch, and really natural mulch, as opposed to stone and hardscape.” He recommended people use either chips, shredded pine or pine nugget, shredded hardwood for people who have flowers, perennial or annual beds. “There’s all kinds of different types of natural mulches available to folks, and really it comes in a wide array of colors now too, going from black to red to natural,” Jones added. “The overall theme to the mulch is you’re adding organic material to these soils to increase a couple things.”

He said the most important thing is moisture retention. “Clay soils — they’re either wet or they’re dry,” Jones said. “The more organic matter you can add up front, the more rooting area the plants (are) going to have. It’s going to be able to retain and hold moisture a little longer and make it available to the plants during the growing season.” He said it would also free up some natural fertility of the soils that may be tied up otherwise. “We love mulch. Well, we love how it looks, we do not necessarily love putting it down,” said Lindy Tucker, Lunenburg County Extension Office agent, who listed benefits and drawbacks to mulching. “It may comfort your ailing back to know that more mulch does not equal healthier plants. Yes, mulch can degrade and add organic matter (carbon) back to

the soil, and it can cut down on weed pressure by smothering weed seedlings. However, it can have the same effect on our desired plants.” She said many plants are overmulched. “Piling mulch around tree trunks holds moisture against the plant, stressing it and allowing sites for infection from insects or disease pathogens,” Tucker said. “Mulch should never exceed 2-3 inches in depth around plants, and it should never be

touching the base of the tree.” He said additionally, some perennial plants do not like mulch. “Boxwoods are a great example of a plant that we tend to ‘love to death’ (by) mulching their shallow roots,” Tucker said. “Mulching boxwoods will greatly stress them as they require good airflow to their root system. You know your mulch is too deep if you can dig into it and see little roots coming up out of the soil into the mulch.”

Hardwood shredded mulch is pictured.

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Trees: what to plant, what not to plant BY TITUS MOHLER

key element in shaping the tone and appearance of a home are trees, and they come in many different shapes, sizes and types. Some types are ideal in the Heart of Virginia, like natives, and others not so much. Former Town of Farmville Horticulturist David Fowlkes recommends going with a redbud tree. “It’s a small tree, with pinkish-purple flowers, and very early spring, they’re getting ready to color up now, and it is a native,” he said. “Redbud is definitely a tree that’s a good tree to plant.”

He also highlighted the native white oak and cedar trees and put a spotlight on the big shade tree known as the bald cypress. “It’s the one that’s native over in the eastern part of Virginia,” Fowlkes said of the bald cypress. “You see it growing a lot in swamps, but it will grow in wet soil, it will grow in dry soil, any kind of soil.” Carol and Max Sempowski, master gardeners in Charlotte County, highlighted some large shade trees that can work well in the area but need to be planted wisely in relation to a home or structure. Carol noted that a long time ago, someone planted a big magnolia

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tree right in front of the living room of her home. “Now you can’t even see out of the window,” she said. “So, whoever planted that didn’t read the book on don’t plant a big magnolia by the house. … They’re gorgeous trees, but you have to plant them out in the yard.” Additionally, “we have a huge beech that, of course, is a native tree, but somebody planted that way too close to the house, or the beech was there be-

fore the house — it’s one or the other,” she continued. “It takes over the patio and the back door and the roof of the house.” Like magnolias, though, she recommends beech trees, given the proper placement. She also pointed to other good, smaller options. “A good tree that loves the soil here would be a holly, and they don’t get huge,” she said. “You can keep them

10 trimmed. But that’s a good tree, and the deer don’t eat that.” She cited dogwoods as a good choice or any understory trees. Explaining the descriptive term “understory” for trees, she said, “That means they like a little bit of shade, and they don’t get very big.” Gale Washburn, of Lunenburg County, is a retired forester with the Virginia Department of Forestry, and she highlighted another option that might be less well-known compared to the dogwood and redbud. “Fringetree is a native tree,” she said. “It’s not an early spring bloomer like dogwood and redbud. It’s late spring, like mine blooms around Mother’s Day. So that’s kind of a nice time when everything else has stopped blooming. So, I love fringetree. Serviceberry is an early bloomer. It actually blooms first before the dogwood and the redbud.” Washburn said she is always ready to push native plants because, unfortunately, people often do not know them. “When you go to a store to buy plants, you buy what the store has, and you’re at the mercy of (that),” she said. “And so

MAX SEMPOWSKI

On the left a magnolia tree obscures part of the Sempowski home in Charlotte County while a beech tree crowds in the rear on the right. Each tree is praised as an option for this area, but placement further away from structures is recommended.

many people shop at the big box stores, and there’s just no telling what they’re going to be carrying.” She pointed to the silver bell tree, of the genus halesia, as being another good, small, flowering tree. “It’s not specifically native to the central Piedmont … it’s a little bit out

of its range, but it’s still a native tree in the south,” Washburn said, “and I have one outside (on) my deck, and it blooms really, really nicely in the spring.” Jay Wilkerson, current Farmville horticulturist and former B&M Greenhouse employee, said one of the trees he would recommend not planting is the Bradford flowering pear. “It’s one of those trees that you see planted a lot,” he said. “It’s probably blooming pretty close to now, you have the big white flowering trees. And the reason I say not to plant it is that it has very weak wood. So people will line their driveways with 10 of these things, and they’ll invest 10 years into growing these nice, big, pretty flowering pear trees, and then a wind storm comes and snaps two or three of them off, and it’s a wasted decade.” He said the Cleveland Select flowering pear tree would be a stronger choice, but he recommended not planting pears altogether. In addition to the weakness of the wood, pears are “also susceptible to a disease called ‘fire blight’ which has been pretty prevalent the last few

years,” he said. Washburn affirmed Wilkerson’s perspective on Bradford pear trees, noting that they were tried in Victoria and are not a good sidewalk tree. “It breaks up,” she said. “First ice storm, first snowstorm you have once it gets some age to it, it just falls to pieces. Most trees that are very fast growing are also very brittle. Everybody wants a fastgrowing tree, but you sacrifice something. Our slowest-growing trees, the oaks, are the ones that will be around for the longest, so it’s a trade-off.” In terms of good ornamental trees to plant in the area, Wilkerson cited Yoshino cherry trees and any of the flowering cherry trees. “There are Okames that flower early, the Yoshino, which is the middle, and then the Kwanzan that flowers a little bit later, and they’re all cherry trees that are associated with the Cherry Blossom Festival and that kind of thing,” he said. “So if somebody wants a nice, pretty tree, that kind of thing, Yoshino cherry would be good or any one of the Japanese maple, like a Bloodgood Japanese maple.”

Tips on sprucing up the garden BY EMILY HOLLINGSWORTH

ardeners in the Heart of Virginia make note of things they do for their gardens and homes to add a bit of pizzazz for spring and summer. Jeanne Grunert, president of the Heart of Virginia Master Gardeners, said she spruces up her garden by trimming the existing flowers. During the winter she leaves them untrimmed for the benefit of area wildlife. “I trim back any dead flower stalks on perennials such as Echinacea,” Grunert said. “I leave them alone throughout the winter so that the birds can enjoy the seeds, then I cut them off and discard them in the early spring.” Want to replicate your perfect garden? Grunert suggests taking a snapshot. “I take pictures of the garden beds and then print them out on a piece of paper,” Grunert said about her own garden. “I use that as a template to write

down any new plants I want to grow or things to move.” Michelle Anderson, owner of Petal Some Presents, an online tropical plant store in Brookneal, admitted to being an obsessive shopper in the Lowe’s discount section. Perennials are her plants of choice to brighten the garden for spring and bags or boxes of bulb plants. Examples of boxed or bulb plants include daffodils and tulips. “You can get things that maybe aren’t peak flowering, but will come back, especially if they are perennials, meaning that they come back There are numerous fun and inexpensive ways to spruce Rocky the cat explores one such garden. year after year,” Anderson said. “Perennials are going to cost you a little bit more normally, She also noted plant globes as another fun way to enjoy a piece of nature if you don’t want to get them (at a) inside and outside the home. discount, but they do come back year Soil and the plants are stored inside after year.”

JEANNE GRUNERT | HERALD

up one’s garden and home for the spring.

of the clear globe in which are often small enough to fit in the palm of one’s hand. Anderson said one can see the roots inside of the globe.

Plants anyone can grow BY TITUS MOHLER

ost people know that it can be challenging to care for some plants, and they would love to know of options that do not seem to require some kind of major touch or an especially green thumb. Experts in the region have a variety of options that fit nicely in this category. Town of Farmville Horticulturist Jay Wilkerson notes that some indoor plants are remarkably low maintenance. “Probably one of the most indestructible indoor plants is going to be snake plant, or Sansevieria, and (they) absolutely thrive on neglect,” he said. “The only thing (that) can go wrong with this plant is if you over-care for it, overwater it, that kind of thing.” It can exist with no problems in a consistently low-light environment. “It absolutely likes to be left alone as far as watering (is) concerned, very simi-

lar to a cactus or a succulent, that kind of thing,” Wilkerson said. “That’s probably the easiest indoor houseplant.” He also cited what is called a “zz” plant. “That’s another (that can) thrive on neglect, can take medium-to-low light, likes to be a little on the dry side,” he explained. Dawn Conrad, a gardening expert in Lunenburg County, listed pansies as a good option among annuals that anyone can grow. “I like the pansy because it is one of the very first flowers that can be potted up or planted in early spring,” she said. “It is hardy and can take a mild frost or two. Pansies are also super fun because they come in so many different color variations.” Among perennials, “I like yarrow,” Conrad said. “Once planted, it does not require much attention at all. It comes in different colors.” She noted bee balm is another of her perennial favorites that is easy to work

It likes a lot of sun. The with. deer, they’ll chew on it, “It comes in red, pink, but they don’t destroy it.” white (and) purple,” she Sempowski also recomsaid. “It also does not mended another perenrequire much attention. nial called peonies. This plant is in the mint “They can live about family and will spread a hundred years,” she throughout the garden if said. “They just come allowed.” back every year. They’re Conrad also cited a a little more touchy than green ornamental. (Rudbeckia). They like a “The Boston fern is a little sun, but they don’t yearly summer occupant like to be baked. They’re on my front porch,” she just a big, gorgeous, longsaid. “It’s beautiful and, living perennial.” again, super easy in David Fowlkes, former regards to maintenance. Farmville horticulturist, Just keep it out of direct recommended daffodils sunlight, especially in as a good option that the hot summer afternoons, and don’t forget anyone can grow. JAY WILKERSON to water.” “It’s a perennial bulb, The snake plant, or SansevieCarol Sempowski, a so once you’ve got it, master gardener in Char- ria, is an indoor option that you’ve got it, and they thrives on neglect. lotte County, said her don’t really require any absolute favorite easy-tocare, because they go grow plant is Rudbeckia. dormant in the summer and fall, so you “That is otherwise known as browndon’t have to do anything to them in eyed susans,” she said. “Depending on the summer, and they come up in late where you’re from, (they) could be black- winter,” he said. “They bloom anywhere eyed susans.” from February to April, and so that time This is a perennial plant that she said of year, you’re usually getting plenty of anyone can grow “because they just rain, so they’re pretty carefree.” grow in just about any soil. I brought a He said that four good varieties of daffodil were St. Keverne, geranium, sweetplant back from northern Michigan and ness and ice follies. planted it here, and it’s just taken off.

Tips to help your flower garden grow BY RUSTY CARTER

ith the exception of snow this year in late March, each day the mercury seems to rise a little higher in the thermometer outside your kitchen window. Soon, by mid-afternoon the temperature is closing in on 60 degrees. That familiar itch is back, the one that tells your soul it’s time to plant your garden. Your soul is likely wrong. That’s precisely why we contacted area greenhouses, garden centers and state experts to find a handful of great tips to heed before turning the first shovel of dirt. “Don’t plant too early” is the advice of Chris Rogers, co-owner of B&M Greenhouse in Farmville. He holds a degree in horticulture from Virginia Tech. “People get afflicted with Spring Fever as soon as the calendar hits March. Early-to-mid April is fairly safe, so you’ll get those early May flowers.”

Beyond plants to look at, some people are interested in winter vegetables. Billy Nash, who has run Clay’s Garden Center in Blackstone for more than 20 years, says “the hot commodity right now is winter crops.” That roster of greens includes collards, kale, lettuce, turnips and a few other varieties. Nash also cautions would-be growers to be cognizant of the seasons, especially of night-time temperatures that lately have plummeted into the high 20s. “If it’s a little under 40 degrees, bring it inside.” Back to flowering plants. Most perennials left in the same place for more than three years are likely to be overgrown, overcrowded, have dead or unsightly centers and need basic fertilizer and soil amendments. That’s the blunt assessment of the Virginia Cooperative Extension Office. The center of the clump will grow poorly, if at all, and the flowers will be sparse, noted the Extension website. The clump will deplete the fertility of the soil

as the plant crowds itself. Here’s what to do. Divide mature clumps of perennials, and select only vigorous side shoots from the outer part of the clump. Discard the center of the clump. Next, divide the plant into clumps of 3-5 shoots each. Be careful not to over-divide; clumps that are too small will not give much color the first year after replanting. Divide perennials when the plants are dormant, just before a new season of growth, or in the fall so they can become established before the ground freezes. Stagger plant divisions so the whole garden will not be redone at the same time; good rotation will yield a display of flowers each year. Do not put all the divisions back into the same space that contained the original plant. That would place too many plants in a given area. Give extra plants to friends, plant them elsewhere in the yard or discard them. Walmart is not exactly the first stop

avid gardeners have in mind when contemplating a backyard plot, but the store offers some worthwhile advice on its website, especially helpful to beginners. Job one is to prepare the soil, no matter whether you’re planting vegetables, a bush or even a tree. First, clear away all weeds and any old vegetation from the ground you intend to use for planting. Enrich the soil by applying topsoil or new garden soil, then use a pH tester, found at area cooperative extension offices to ensure the levels are adequate for the plants intended to occupy the plot. Use calcium or lime to find the right levels. Plants must be fed. What often happens is the would-be gardener applies garden soil that’s fortified with fertilizer. What’s not generally known is that the fertilizer only feeds the plants for a few weeks. After that, you must assume that duty, applying more fertilizer. Liquid fertilizer sprayed with a garden hose is helpful.

Prepping gardens for the season BY EMILY HOLLINGSWORTH

pring is here, despite another dose of chilly weather. And ready or not, now is the time to prep your vegetable or flower gardens for the spring, according to gardeners in the Heart of Virginia. Jeanne Grunert, president of the Heart of Virginia Master Gardeners, said healthy soil is key to prepping a good

garden. She noted that soil test kits can be found at the area cooperative extension office. “It’s important to have a soil test done each spring so that you know what, if any, amendments you may need to add to the soil,” Grunert said. “A soil test determines the pH of the soil and also analyzes the soil composition and balance of nutrients.” Bob Jones, with the Charlotte County

Cooperative Extension Office, suggested adding organic material to the soil. This can include anything from manure to compost. “Organic matter is gold to the garden soil,” Jones said. “With our claybased soils, adding organic matter JEANNE GRUNERT increases the soil’s Pictured is a raised bed vegetable garden of Prospect resident ability to retain moisture and free up Jeanne Grunert. Soil testing helps prepare the soil for spring available nutrients. planting. Add organic material like compost or manure. You might prepping for spring. need to test the soil to see what nutri“Generally at this time of year, if you ents it needs.” didn’t clean your beds up in the fall, this Lindy Tucker, with the Lunenburg may be a good time to do it before a lot County Cooperative Extension Office, of the new shoots are up and popping said tilling can be a boon to gardening through too strongly,” Anderson said. but noted it may not be ideal for every Grunert lastly noted to make sure garden. She said while benefits include plants are properly categorized to prevent the unpleasant surprise of accidengood soil-to-seed contact and control of tally digging one up. weed pressure, drawbacks can include “It’s so easy to accidentally dig up drying of soil and root penetration loss. tulips, daffodils and crocus bulbs once “Carefully consider these pros and they’re finished flowering and you’re cons as well as your particular situation,” Tucker said. eager to plant annuals,” Grunert said. Michelle Anderson, with Petal Some “Use a permanent marker and a plant Presents in Brookneal, noted cleaning (marker,) and place one in every group beds is another important aspect of of spring bulbs.”

Checking your HVAC system BY MORGAN WHITE

he arrival of a new season can be an exciting time. Homeowners may have renewed vigor to start home renovation projects or even tackle some cleaning and organizational tasks. Before the weather starts to warm up too much, homeowners may want to evaluate their home cooling needs and ensure all equipment is in good working order. Spring air conditioning inspections and tune-ups are essential steps in system performance. Homeowners should not take for granted that a system that performed optimally last year will do so this year when temperatures climb. Putney Mechanical Co. Inc. Co-Owner Parker Terry said something as simple as changing and cleaning your air filter every 30 days can be a great way to keep your unit running. He said those with outdoor units should also clear debris away from it. “Most people around here have heat pumps, so they’re doing double duty as air

conditioning and heat pumps,” Terry said. “There are still some straight air conditioning units, so chances are (the) units run most of the winter.” He said what usually happens is that they find out after the fact that because they’re heat pumps and have electric heat built into them, “some people don’t know that the unit is not running like it should; it has gotten low on Freon because it has got a leak.” He said a leak is the only reason a unit should be low on Freon. “The best test for that is going to be turning it on and using the same thermometer place it at the return and sense the return air temperature, and then place it at one of the supplies and sense the supply air temperature,” Terry said. “That difference should be 15, 20 degrees or greater. If it’s below 15 there could be a problem with the unit in terms of its Freon level.” He said that was the easiest way to check an air conditioning unit besides having it A Freon leak can lead to your air conditioning not working correctly professionally done.