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Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, April 25, 2017/Page 12

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Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, April 25, 2017/Page 2

Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, April 25, 2017/Page 11

Shade-Tolerant Plants Help To Complete Landscapes Plants need sunlight to thrive and grow, but some need less sunlight than others. People who find their landscapes are less supportive to sun-loving plants can choose from a variety of shade-tolerant plants, shrubs and trees. Shade tolerance refers to a plant's ability to withstand low levels of light. Certain plants have adapted this feature to survive in the wild. Plants that grow at the base of forest floors, for example, will get less sunlight than others outside of the tree canopy. Such adaptations enable a wide variety of foliage to grow even though they are not exposed to much sunlight. While sun-loving plants often have broad leaves and expend significant energy to capture sunlight for photosynthesis, shade-tolerant plants expend less energy and tend to be more efficient consumers of soil nutrients and sunlight. Penn State Extension's Plant and Pests division says the amount of shade a plant is growing under will directly affect the density of the foliage and

the plant's flowering and fruiting characteristics. Blending shadetolerant plants into the landscape can be an effective use of space. Before choosing plants for an existing landscape, it's important to assess the level of shade or sun the plants will receive. • Heavy shade: Heavy shade is when no direct sunlight reaches a plant. This occurs at the base of northernfacing walls or beneath thick tree canopies. • Full sun: Areas that receive full sun enjoy direct sunlight between six and eight hours per day. • Moderate shade: These sites have reflected sunlight that may come off of water features. • Light shade: Plants in these areas will get partially filtered or dappled sunlight. Once homeowners understand which type of shade they are dealing with, they can then visit plant nurseries and select their plants. Most greenery comes with care instructions that include recommendations regarding

the amount of shade/sunlight the plant will need to do well. If further assistance is needed, a knowledgeable employee can make suggestions based on landscape needs. Those who are looking for some preliminary guidance when it comes to selecting shade-tolerant shrubs, plants or trees can consult the following list. • Bleeding heart: Bleeding heart, or Dicentra spectabilis, is typically found in woodlands. It's a perennial in the poppy family that produces mounded foliage and arching vine-like stems of heart-shaped flowers in the spring. • Amethyst flower: Browallia hybrids offer star-shaped blooms of blue and violet. These plants will billow out of hanging baskets or containers, and they prefer warm shade or filtered sunlight. • Coleus: The coleus, Solenostemon scutellarioides, is another perennial that can have a variety of different leaf colors and striations. • Witch hazels: These are a genus in

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Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, April 25, 2017/Page 10

Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, April 25, 2017/Page 3

Post-Winter Garden Prep Lawns and gardens can bear the brunt of winter weather and are often in need of tender loving care by the time spring arrives. Preparing a garden for spring and summer involves assessing any damage that harsh weather might have caused. As temperatures climb, gardeners can heed the following post-winter garden preparation tips in an effort to ensure some successful gardening in the months ahead. • Assess the damage. Even if winter was mild, gardens might still have suffered some damage. Inspect garden beds and any fencing or barriers designed to keep wildlife from getting into the garden. Before planting anew, fix any damage that Mother Nature or local wildlife might have caused over the past several months. • Clear debris. Garden beds and surrounding landscapes that survived winter without being damaged might still be littered with debris. Remove fallen leaves,

branches and even litter that blew about on windy winter days before planting season. Make sure to discard any debris effectively so it does not find its way back into the garden. • Turn the greenhouse into a clean house. Spring cleaning is not just for the interior of a home. Cleaning a greenhouse in advance of spring can help gardeners evict any overwintering pests that can threaten plant life once spring gardening season arrives. A thorough cleaning, which should include cleaning the inside of greenhouse glass and washing flower pots and plant trays, also can prevent plant diseases from surviving into spring. • Check for pests. Speak with a local gardening professional to determine if there are any local pests to look out for and how to recognize and remove these pets from gardens. Pests may hibernate in the soil over the winter, and such unwelcome visitors can make it difficult for

Expect the Unexpected When Renovating a Home gardens to thrive come spring and summer. • Assess plant location. If plants, flowers or gardens have struggled in recent years or never grew especially vibrant, then gardeners may want to assess the location of their plant life before spring gardening season begins. Some plants may not be getting enough sunlight in certain locations on a property, while others might be

overexposed to the sun during spring and summer. Moving plants that are not thriving prior to the start of spring gardening season may be just what gardens need to flourish in the coming weeks. Spring gardening season is right around the corner, so now is an ideal time to prepare gardens for the warmer seasons ahead

Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies estimated that spending on remodeling and repairs in 2016 would climb 8.6 percent to $310 billion.

So what can homeowners expect during a renovation? The following are a few issues that might arise during home improvement projects.

Tackling any renovation project is an exercise in patience. Renovations can impede on daily activities and cause a certain level of upheaval in homeowners' lives. Homeowners planning renovations also may find that they must have some wiggle room when it comes to both their budgets and their expectations. Remodeling, particularly with regard to older homes, may unveil unforeseen issues that only arise in the face of the renovation.

• Dirt and noise: Homeowners can count on dust, debris and noise throughout the renovation process. Dust appears when walls come down or go up, and construction teams typically erect temporary walls or tarps to contain the debris. Air filtering systems also can limit dust particles. Noise is unavoidable. If it becomes troublesome, arrange to be outside of the home when the bulk of the construction is taking place. • Delays or schedule changes: Even

the best contractors cannot control every aspect of the job. They rely on subcontractors and vendors to do portions of the work. Materials may not always arrive on time, or they may fall short of homeowners' expectations. This can push back the project schedule. Homeowners should hope for everything to be done on time, but it can be less stressful if homeowners anticipate delays and be a pleasant surprise if there are no delays. • Hidden issues: Contractors may uncover all sorts of issues that need to be addressed before a project can progress. Examples include the presence of asbestos (common in older

homes), plumbing problems, incorrectly wired electrical systems, and leaks or moisture issues. These problems also can impact the cost of the project, so set aside some money in the budget for unforeseen expenses. Chances are you are going to need some extra money to handle a few surprises during the project. It's important to expect the unexpected when embarking on home renovations. Budgeting for hidden costs, expecting delays and coping with the upheaval to daily schedules are par for the remodeling course. However, the end result is often well worth the time and effort.

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Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, April 25, 2017/Page 4

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Home Improvements that Increase Home Value When granite countertops or shiny, stainless steel appliances beckon homeowners from the display areas of home improvement stores, it's tempting to gear remodeling thoughts toward the items that will add flair and decorative appeal to a home. Even though most improvements add some measure of value, deciding which are the best investments can be difficult. Return on investment, often referred to as "ROI," varies depending on the project. Frequently, the projects that seem like the best investments don't bring the greatest rate of return, while those that seem like smaller projects bring substantial returns. Real estate professionals routinely weigh in with their expert advice, and homeowners can couple that advice with Remodeling magazine's annual "Cost vs. Value Index" to reap the

greatest financial impact from their renovations.

wall color changes, new cabinetry and flooring offer the biggest ROI.

The following were some of the projects that garnered the greatest ROI.

· Dreaming of a new bedroom. Creating an attic bedroom to increase home value. The ROI of an attic remodel that adheres to code can garner an 83 percent ROI.

· Open the door to improvement. Region by region across the United States, installation of a new steel door on the front of a home can have a large impact on the resale value of a property. The ROI ranges from 123 percent at the highest, to 86 percent at the lowest - which is still a considerable investment return for such a simple project. Match the door's style with the style of the house for the best value. · Turn up the kitchen heat. An attractive kitchen can encourage buyers to overlook some of a home's less attractive components. In the kitchen, replacement countertops,

· Home maintenance projects. There's little good to improving the aesthetic appeal and functionality of a home if there are existing structural or maintenance issues, warn experts. Siding replacement, HVAC system repair or replacement, a new roof, and basement dampness prevention solutions can be smarter investments before other flashy remodels. Many buyers have a strict budget for a house, and those buyers may be more likely to buy a house with little or no maintenance issues. Such buyers will then upgrade the kitchen or baths

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themselves. · Worthy window replacement. A home services review and referral resource, has found that the average ROI of new windows is 77 percent. The cost of installation and energy savings tend to offset at around the 10-year point. If remodeling is on the horizon, homeowners should give strong consideration to ROI before choosing a project.

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Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, April 14, 2009/Page 8

Problems That Can Lead To Lawn Damage A beautiful lawn is a goal for many homeowners. Some homeowners may find that lovely lawns may last momentarily, only to disappear when damage — be it pest-, weather- or child-related — sets in. While well-established turf can be resilient, even the most well-maintained lawns can be vulnerable. Preventing lawn damage first involves getting to the root of the problem. • Lack of sunlight: All plants need the proper ratio of sunlight to grow. Too much sunlight and plant blades can scorch. Too little sunlight and grass may turn brown and die. Although there are shade-tolerant varieties of grass, homeowners also can explore alternative landscapes. Work in a garden bed or create a design that utilizes gravel or mulch. Avoid aggressively pruning back trees to give the lawn more sunlight in that area, as this may just damage the trees. • Chemical spills: Gasoline and fertilizer spills and pesticide applications in high concentrations can cause the lawn to yellow or brown in spots. Carefully refill lawn gas tanks and fertilizer spreaders on the sidewalk or driveway to avoid overflow onto the lawn. If spills occur, flood the area promptly with water to dilute. • Foot traffic: Lawns can take a pounding from foot traffic, leading to compaction and spots of dead lawn. Try to redirect the traffic elsewhere to give worn down areas a break. Aeration

can relieve soil compaction. If a certain area has become the de facto pathway, install a paver, gravel or concrete walkway in that spot. • Debris: Leaving a tool, kids' toys, piece of wood, or any debris on the lawn can quickly suffocate the grass beneath and cause the lawn to die quickly. Make sure that no items are left on the lawn for an extended period of time. • Mowing patterns: Running the mower in the same pattern over and over can cause ruts in the grass that lead to damage, so avoid mowing in the same direction on consecutive cuts. Avoid mowing on very hot days or when the lawn is soggy. Both can cause tracks to form in the lawn. • Mowers: Dull lawn mower blades can damage lawns, as can mowing too fast. Grass blades can be torn, snapped and more, resulting in brown spots. • Wildlife: Animals and insects can destroy turf roots. Animals or insects may feed on the grass from underneath its surface, compromising the lawn's ability to procure nutrients and water. Animals like moles or raccoons may feed on grubs in the lawn, and treating for grubs can alleviate torn-up turf. Lawns can be hearty, but they're also highly susceptible to damage. Even seemingly harmless things can compromise the integrity of a lawn. Understanding the causes of lawn damage can help homeowners protect their lawns.

The Benefits of Hiring Professional Contractors The DIY movement has inspired many homeowners to tackle home repair and remodeling projects on their own. DIY projects can be rewarding, and many homeowners who have embraced the DIY movement have discovered talents they never before knew they had. But no matter how simple popular home renovation television shows make remodeling projects appear, homeowners should know that such undertakings are far more difficult than they appear on television. Homeowners who overestimate their abilities and the time they have to complete projects can cost themselves substantial amounts of money. In fact, there are a variety of reasons homeowners might want to work with professional contractors when tackling home improvement projects. Experience A trial and error approach can work with various projects and problems. But applying such an approach to home improvement projects is risky and potentially dangerous, not to mention costly. Experienced professional contractors with strong track records (seek recommendations from friends or neighbors) won't have to go through trial and error and are therefore more

likely than DIYers to complete a project on time and on budget. Inspiration One oft-overlooked benefit of working with professional contractors is the likelihood that they can draw up ideas for projects that homeowners might otherwise never have thought up on their own. Homeowners without specific ideas in mind can ask contractors to come up with various scenarios before committing to a particular one. Veteran contractors can draw on years of experience to create designs that DIYers might be incapable of coming up with and/ or incapable of seeing through to completion.

homeowners because contractors buy in bulk. So while labor costs might be lower on DIY projects, the cost of materials can offset those savings.

potential problems down the road, some buyers might be put off by homes that were remodeled by DIYers and not professional contractors.

Resale value Many homeowners renovate their homes with eyes on improving the resale value of those homes. But if homeowners want to showcase a newly remodeled kitchen when selling their homes, they should be prepared for prospective buyers to ask who worked on the project. Fearing

Renovating a home on your own can be a rewarding project for homeowners. But it's important that homeowners recognize the many benefits of working with professional contractors before making any final decisions with regard to who will tackle their next project.

Cost Conventional wisdom suggests it's less expensive to do something yourself than to hire someone else to do it for you, but that's not necessarily true of home improvement projects. Labor costs typically account for a substantial amount of professionally contracted projects, but homeowners can cut those costs by volunteering to do some of the simpler tasks themselves. In addition, contractors often purchase materials at a much lower cost than individual

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HOLIDAY WEEKS: If there is a holiday during the weekday, and your recycling day falls on or after that holiday, your recycling day will be one day late that week. Holiday Weeks noted in Red Italics .

Homeowners who want to take care of their lawns and gardens in an eco-friendly way may want to consider composting. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, food scraps and lawn waste make up about 20 to 30

percent of what we throw away each year. Composting such waste can enrich the soil in homeowners' yards while also reducing the size of local landfills, where food scraps and lawn waste contribute to the production of methane, a potent and harmful greenhouse gas.

their hand at composting can consider the following advice from the EPA. · Purchase the right tools. Composting is not expensive, but you will need a few tools to help maintain your compost pile. A pitchfork or square-point shovel will be necessary so you can periodically mix or turn the compost. In addition, a water hose with a spray head can help maintain the pile.

Composting is relatively simple and serves as a cost-effective way to enrich soil and suppress plant diseases and pest infestations. Homeowners who want to try

· Choose the right spot. A compost

pile or bin should be placed in a shady area close to a water source. Shade will help ensure the pile does not dry out too quickly, especially for those homeowners who live in warmer climates. Those who live in colder regions may want to locate their piles in spots that get some sun exposure to trap some solar heat in their piles. Build the pile over lawn or soil instead of over surfaces like asphalt or concrete. · Add materials as you collect

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FGREEN reebWEEK orn Cou nty 2 aste M GOLDWWEEK a

Freeborn County 2

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Holiday noted 29 30 223 9 29 3030 22 23 24 Weeks 25 26 27in Red 28 Italics. 19 2029 30 21M31o22 23EKS 24 2526 27 28 17 18 19 2024 25 21 26 22 BAGS n d a 31 y Manchester, Twin Lakes, Wildwood Estates : C2016 Su Mo Tu larks GRecycling Freeborn 29 30 31 26 27 28FridCounty 29 24 We 25 Th 26 Fr 27 Sa 28 29 Su 30 Mo T rove an Calendar ay: 30 d Alden, F GREEN WEEK GOLDWaste WEEKSManagement 1-888-960-0008 GREEN WEEKS r 1 WEEK 2 e31 5 6 7 e3bNO or n 4 ConGREEN PERMANENT RURAL RECYCLING SITES FOR RURAL RESIDENTS TO DROP OFF RECYCLING: ger, WEEK M Monday: is Clarks Friday: Geneva, Glenville, GOLD WEEK Recycling pickedGrove up a EVERY OTHER WEEK GOLD Em nand chFreeborn mo10 PLASTIC e s t n 8 9 11 12 13 14 5 6 e s r , , Friday: Alden, Conger, Emmons, Hartland Hayward and HollandaleNO Hartla ALBERT LEA Transfer Station ALDEN Maintenance Shop CLARKS GROVE B.P. (Gopher Stop) wyour in Lrecycling HOLIDAY WEEKS: If there is a holiday during the weekday, T and fallsBAGS on or after thatnholiday, akesday d ,noted Manchester, Twin Lakes, Wildwood Estates W17 il your recycling day will be one day late that week. Holiday Weeks in Red Italics . d 15 16 18 19 20 21 12 13 PLASTIC CONGER Highway 12 & 17 GOLD WEEKS EMMONS Waste Treatment Plant FREEBORN City Hall Alley GREEN WEEKS wood Estat ERMANSITES FOR RURAL RESIDENTS esDROP OFF RECYCLING: PERMANENT RURALPRECYCLING TO ANO LBERT L FEBRUARY JANUARY MARCH26 E 22 23 24 25 27 28 19 20 N GENEVA County Shop Building GLENVILLE City Garage Building HARTLAND 1/2 mile North of Town T BAG E R Monday: Clarks Grove and Freeborn Su Mo Tu We Th ALBERT Geneva, A TraFriday: Station Maintenance Shop CLARKS S ALTuGlenville, Fr Sa LEACTransfer Mo Tu We Th SuUR Mo Fr SaGROVE B.P. (Gopher Stop) nsALDEN RPlant fFrer SSataWaste EWe OSu CYCThLIN PLASTIC N G CONGER Highway 12 & 17 EMMONS Treatment FREEBORN City Hall Alley E t 1 2 R 29 30 31 26 27 io H G HAYWARD Across from Creamery City HallEmmons, Hartland MANCHESTER Township Maint. Bldg. n ig S Friday: HOLLANDALE Alden, Conger, Hayward and Hollandale h IT w E S Fmile of Town GENShop 3 4 5 6 7 GENEVA 8 9 County 1Building 2 3 a4y GLENVILLE 1 2A 3 HARTLAND 4 5 1/2 125 &617City Garage Building ORNorth E R V L U D A BAGS R E C N o9 un10ty 11 NEWRY Township Hall MYRTLE County Bldg.WildwoodNUNDA L RESID HAYWARD City 6Hall 7 10 11 Township 12 13 14Hall 15 16 Across7 from 8 Creamery 12 13 8 9 10 MANCHESTER 11 M 12ain Township Maint.ABldg. Manchester, TwinShop Lakes, Estates te anc S HOLLANDALE HAY14 EN o19p B20uCounty WHall 18 19 20 21 NEWRY 22 23Township 13 14 17M 18 19 Bldg.15 16EM NUNDA TownshipnHall e Shop A15RD16Ac17 18hMYRTLE ildinShop O N g OAKLAND Township Hall Waste Management Facility (2 miles N of17 Albert Lea, off County Road 22) S r W o 24 25 26 27 28 OAKLAND 29 30 NTownship 21 Hall 22 23 24 s25 26 27 20 Facility 21 22(2 miles 23 24 25 26Lea,aoff s Waste Management N of Albert County Road 22) s f t E r e o W m DROP Treatm GL 31NVIL R TRESIDENTS Cream27OFF PERMANENT RURAL RECYCLING SITES FOR RURAL TO RECYCLING: ownship 31 28 Y 29 29 30 E ent Pla GOLD WEEKS LE City ry28RESIDENTS: CITY OF ALBERTeLEA OAKLA nt Hall G CITY OF ALBERT LEA RESIDENTS: a H ragday. O N L e Build L D ToMaps A ALBERT LEA Transfer Station ALDEN Maintenance Shop CLARKS GROVE B.P. (Gopher Stop) N Check the Recycling on our website or call us at (507)377-5186 to determine your recycling D w Monday: Clarks Grove and Freeborn A in nship H L APRIL MAY JUNE E g C it y Hall M RTLFr Sa Check the Recycling Maps on our website or call us at (507)377-5186 toSudetermine your recycling day. Su VisitMohttp://www.co.freeborn.mn.us/177/Recycling-Household-Hazardous-Waste-HHW all Mo Tu We Th Waste Fr Sa We Th Fr FREEBORN Su Mo Tu Hall We YTh E Coun Hartland QUESTIONS: or call 507-377-5186 CONGER Highway 12 & 17 EMMONS TreatmentTuPlant City Alley Friday:Sa Alden, Conger, ty S 1 2 hop Bld WastEmmons, e 3 an4of g. GENEVA County Shop Building Building HARTLAND 1/2 mile North 3 GLENVILLE 4 5 6 or call 7 City 8 Garage 9 1C 7 1 Lakes, 2 M he2 ck 3th 4 5 6Manchester, agTown QUESTIONS: Visit http://www.co.freeborn.mn.us/177/Recycling-Household-Hazardous-Waste-HHW 507-377-5186 Twin Wildwood ementEstates e R F 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 8 9 10 11 e 12cy13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 a c il c it li y (2 m ng M a CITY OMaint. Bldg. HAYWARD Across from Creamery HOLLANDALE City Hall MANCHESTER Township JULY Su Mo Tu We Th

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Suppliers of Quality Kiln Dried Hardwood Lumber

Supplement to The Freeborn County Shopper/Tuesday, April 25, 2017/Page 7

Freeborn County 2017 Recycling Calendar

How to Compost at Home Many homeowners spend substantial amounts of time and money tending to their lawns. A lush lawn can be a point of pride for homeowners, and wellmaintained landscapes also have a positive effect on property value.

GOLD WEEK