Spring Home & Garden 2018

2018 A Special Section of

Gulf Coast Media Tips for starting your own spring garden!

Plus‌

Guide to house plants Tips to organize your home Raising backyard chickens Cleaning with vinegar & more

Table of Contents

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10

4

4

Ready... set...grow!

8

Rules to organize your home

10 Agriscience program at RHS 14

The art of Feng Shui

it home 16 Worth renovations

18

10

20 Gardening questions?

21

18

Love your houseplants

16

22

Check the app!

Vinegar – as a cleaning agent

22 Backyard chickens

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2 Spring Home & Garden 2018

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Spring Home & Garden 2018 3

“Ready...Set...Grow!�

When the gardening fever hits most of us in late winter, many gardeners are inspired, at least, a little, to go out and DOOLEY grow something. For BERRY many folks, this fever Beyond wallops them as they the Garden Gate pass a garden center or nursery or when buying tools at a mega home center and happen to glance down a long aisle and glimpse all of those fresh green plants beckoning.

What begins as an inspiration to grow flowers or vegetables can end up as a lifelong hobby with years of enjoyment. However, it could also end up in frustration and disillusionment by the time summer rolls around. Some who fail at first may just decide that they have a brown thumb and just can't grow anything. Nothing is further from the truth. We all can have green thumbs because we humans were made to garden.

4 Spring Home & Garden 2018

The difference between happy, productive gardeners and those not so fortunate is really an understanding of some horticultural basics and a commitment to learn and put that knowledge into practice.

One of the best things about gardening is that we can keep getting another chance to get it right. If plants turn brown and rot, just pull them up and replant.

Each season is a new chance to learn, so just experiment and gain expertise. There are few things in life where you can fail so miserably and then start over with a clean slate.

Gardeners are some of the world's biggest optimists and every new season is the start of the best ever! If you are having fun, there is pleasure in every row and each day. Our gardens do continually change and even disease and pests give us opportunity to learn and improve.

There are no guarantees for an always productive garden, but there are some basics that can help get us started in the

right direction. Here are some common sense tips to follow that may help guide you past some common pitfalls in the garden.

1. Build on a good foundation and prepare the soil before you ever plant Your soil may be low in organic matter, so build it up by adding a few inches of compost and any needed nutrients. A soil test is a good thing to let you know what might be lacking. Properly prepared soil will only enhance chances of success.

Compost is a wonderful thing. Use it to build up the soil after each gardening season. Soil building is an ongoing part of fulfilling gardens.

2. Ensure good drainage We know when the heat of summer descends and the soil dries up, we can always water. But, how do we handle things when the rain won't stop? Plant SEE GROW, PAGE

6

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Spring Home & Garden 2018 5

GROW CONTINUED FROM 4

roots need oxygen and don't do well sitting in waterlogged soil. Building raised beds can definitely help here. They warm up faster in the spring and give a headstart on the season.Raised beds help insure that those roots receive needed air and don't drown.

3. Pick a spot where the sun shines in Select a good site for planting because, for a productive garden, sunlight is a must.

Crops grown for their fruit (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, melons) or root crops (carrots, radishes, turnips) prefer at least six hours of sunlight. Crops grown for their leaves (lettuce, collards, spinach, chard) will tolerate a bit of shade.

4. Choose proven varieties adapted for your area and that are known to grow well there Experienced local gardeners and the Baldwin County Extension Office can offer suggestions for varieties known to be well adapted for this area. Build your garden around these old faithfuls, but be willing to try new varieties, as well. Often, these new varieties, over some years in the garden, turn into old faithfuls.

5. Plant vegetables at the proper time.

There is a small window of time, in early spring, between the freezes and frosts of winter and the blazing hot days of summer. If tomato plants are set out too late, the yield will be low, at best. If coldtender new vegetables are planted too early with no protection, a late frost may steal the show. Try to plant outdoors after the predicted final frost date-usually the first or second week in March.

6. Purchase good, healthy transplants that are already actively growing Avoid stunted, spindly plants that have not been well cared for and will never turn around. Spend money on quality plants from a reputable nursery that knows how to care for them. Local master gardener groups hold plant sales in the spring to offer healthy, well-tended specimens.

When you plant these new babies, give them a good drink of starter solution to 6 Spring Home & Garden 2018

get them up and running. Fish emulsion, seaweed, compost tea or soluble fertilizers get plants on their way.

7. Resist overplanting (Think zucchini and squash) Unless you are an experienced gardener of many years or have a soup kitchen to support, it is best to start small. A lot of stuff can be grown in a small 4 by 8 foot bed. If you attempt to take on the back forty, you may end up disillusioned with a giant weed patch come June. Make sure your little garden is near a water faucet and close to the house. If you have to see the garden every day, you are more likely to venture out and keep things in order. With time and experience, your garden plot can grow to whatever size you like.

8. Provide plenty of nutrients Healthy plants (like yours) grow fast, produce well and are less bothered by a few pests here and there. Fertilize plants lightly but regularly to keep them growing strong. Cottonseed meal, bloodmeal, fish emulsion or seaweed solution add a boost.

A special treat of animal manure will really help plants pop out of the ground.

9. Detect pests early There is a saying that the best pest and disease control there is, is the footprints of the gardener. Pest and disease problems

left to reach epidemic levels are much more difficult to control. Stroll through the garden every day and look things over.

Turn over a leaf or two here and there to check for pests huddled there and planning their invasion.

10. Stop weeds before they start Weed seeds are hiding out there in the soil just waiting to spoil the best laid plans for your bountiful garden. Those tiny weed seedlings in spring can turn into giant monsters that quickly overrun. If you hate pulling and hoeing weeds, prevent them. When they first appear, cover the soil surface with about four to six inches of newspaper. Quickly spray it with water and cover the paper with leaves or pinestraw to pretty things up and prevent the paper from blowing away. This will virtually eliminate weeds for that growing season. By the end of the season, the paper will be mostly decayed and can be tilled into the soil to finish decomposing.

Vow to deal with weeds early on, In just a few weeks, their roots grow strong and will be much more difficult to control.

So, here’s to your best garden ever! Try these bits of wisdom and you will soon be sharing all of that bountiful produce. If it flops, just blame it on the tough winter weather, all the bugs around here, or that darn brown thumb!

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4 rules for a more organized home STATEPOINT There are plenty of reasons why people obsess over organization and resolve to master it at home. Household items become easier to find. Rooms all of a sudden seem bigger and more welcoming. Each walk past a tidy linen closet -- where there was once an avalanche waiting to spill forward -- comes with a small sense of accomplishment.

Whether you’re after smarter storage or looking to cut clutter, success begins with a thoughtful approach.

1. Think Small While it’s fun to dream about a large-scale routine reset, smaller sustainable actions are key to lasting change. Take it one room or even one drawer at a time to keep momentum positive and to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Doing so also allows you to focus, leading to more creative solutions for taking advantage of under-utilized areas. For example, you may find using overthe door organizers to be a great way to free up space in home offices and craft rooms.

2. Say “No” to Clutter Everyone has items they keep around for no real reason that aren’t particularly meaningful and don’t serve a purpose. Being able to objectively identify these items makes everything easier.

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cardinal shaped cookie jar that you’ve always been on the fence about? It would make an incredibly thoughtful “just because” gift for an ornithology-obsessed aunt. Often, less can literally be more: Consignment shops and eBay make it easy to turn four or five pieces of furniture you “kind of like” into one piece you absolutely love.

3. Keep a Place for Everything Nobody likes wasting time gathering or searching. Make storage more convenient and efficient by streamlining. Items frequently used together should be kept together, from coffee supplies to vehicle maintenance tools.

4. Make a Plan Create a schedule so nothing is overlooked. Knowing which project is next gives you time to prepare and purchase any storage items you might need. When scheduling, designate specific rooms and spaces for certain seasons. For example, the first warm days of spring are made for cleaning out the shed or garage.

More organizational inspiration can be found by visiting improvementscatalog.com.

Successful new habits can become part of your lifestyle.

Deliberately choosing to incorporate small acts of organization on a daily basis will pay off tremendously over time.

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Spring Home & Garden 2018 9

How does your garden grow? >>>>

Agriscience program taking off at Robertsdale High School

BY JOHN UNDERWOOD john@gulfcoastmedia.com ROBERTSDALE — How does your garden grow?

At Robertsdale High School it all begins with a state-of-the-art greenhouse system, which is tended to by more than 90 students in the school’s agriscience program.

“Right now we’ve finished up our winter crops and are preparing for spring,” said RHS agriscience teacher John Manning.

Students are working on four different varieties of tomatoes and four different varieties of lettuce in various stages of growth in two different systems.

Tomatoes have been growing in a bucket system for about three weeks, while other tomato varieties, and the lettuce, are in various stages of seed germination in a tray system, which takes the plants from the germination stage through to harvest.

Each system circulates water through a series of tubes to keep the plants hydrated and growing.

“We’ve found that it works best when you start the seeds in soil, then you can transfer the plants into a container system,” Manning said.

A few years ago, RHS received a $300,000 federal grant, which was spent on equipment and materials to build two greenhouses on campus and students were invited by local farmers to observe and copy their hydroponics system.

The program remains a teaching system, Manning said, encouraging students to experiment with various types of fertilizers in varying levels to see what works best, learning through trial and error.

“Our goal right now is to have enough by the end of the semester to have a plant sale,” Manning said, “inviting the students’ parents and faculty members to purchase whatever we are able to grow.”

In a 2017 interview, Manning said 10 Spring Home & Garden 2018

JOHN UNDERWOOD / STAFF PHOTOS

RHS agriscience instructor John Manning instructs students in transferring plants from soil into potting containers. Pictured are, from left, freshman Kevin Herronen, junior Breeana Camit, sophomore Cierah Yohn, freshman Morgan Barnhill and sophomore Kenneth Rider.

the entire system is broken down and rebuilt each semester so that a new crop of students can learn the cutting-edge techniques.

“We start out in the classroom,” Manning said. “Everything we do is safety first, so we spend a lot of time on safety and proper technique before students are ever allowed to use the equipment.”

Time is also spent developing a plan for what students will be growing and how to grow it, Manning said. Students then begin to work the plan, from germinating seeds in a tray system, to planting in a bucket system, which circulates water through the system, to harvesting plants.

In all, Manning said, the school’s agriscience program includes about 190 students. Students from Jeff Kelley’s classes from the South Baldwin Center for Technology, which also includes students from Foley, Gulf Shores and Fairhope, also participate in the program.

The program also includes two garden plots, a small 40-foot square plot located in front of the school, and a 100-foot, by 40foot plot located behind the RHS baseball/ softball complex.

Plants grown in the Robertsdale High School hydroponics greenhouse program are flourishing.

There is also a pond system on campus which can be used for aquaculture, Manning said.

In addition to greenhouse management, Manning also teaches lawn maintenance and sports field management classes.

They assist in maintaining all of the school grounds and ballfields and are in the process of developing a three-acre driving range.

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Spring Home & Garden 2018 13

The art of

BY ALLISON MARLOW allisonm@gulfcoastmedia.com When we moved into our home four years ago we knew the older home needed lots of TLC. And a new roof, and a new paint job, and updates to every single dated interior room.

We’ve plowed through a decent amount of the “to do” list but the do it yourself, fix-it clutter is a daily fixture – ladders huddled in corners with tools precariously perched on top and buckets of paint and primer hidden below.

It was time for a change, time to bring peace to this needy, constant changing space.

Feng shui it is!

Feung shui is the art of intentionally using elements to bring good energy, called Chi, into your home. I’ve heard it mentioned so often among friends that I thought surely this must be the trick, the easy trick.

Two hours later and elbow deep in websites trying desperately to help me interpret the classical school of Bagua and I was closer to binge drinking then peace and prosperity.

The art that appears so careless and simple is actually pretty complicated.

The Bagua, or BTB grid helps you define areas of your home and how they are connected to your life.

Realizing that my youngest kids shove their dirty socks behind the bookcase and that the cat has managed to turn the 14 Spring Home & Garden 2018

inner lining of the couch into her personal hidden lair is not exactly what counts as Bagua.

Instead, for example, in traditional feng shui the Southeast area of our homes is connected to the flow of money energy. On our property the southeast corner is where the dogs go outside to do their business, a fitting match for the flow of cash through our house.

As I dug deeper into internet lore to unlock the feng shui secrets, I learned there are five elements to create order and balance.

And that you need to research your birth element, for best results. Your birth element dictates the best colors and shapes to use in your home.

And with that, I was out. Now four hours into the research process, the kids had feng shui’d their own space by dragging the elements of mud in from the backyard, overflowing water from a toilet filled with too much TP and sugar by devouring the last of the week’s snacks.

Today I would not feng shui.

Instead, I would take a few tricks I picked up from my readings to help bring more energy, more light and more peace — the busy mom’s feng shui, if you will.

Open the windows — allow in as much

natural light as possible Fill your home with plants — and don’t forget to water them.

Close your bathroom door — Feng shui dictates that water is related to wealth and this is the one room where water is being flushed away. Keep the door closed and the toilet lid down. Tying this task to your children’s allowance demonstrates the effect perfectly. Your boys will never forget to put the seat down again.

Our home is not perfectly balanced.

Our lack of feng shui may throw off your chi. But our windows are open, our rooms are bright and we’re trying every day to be confident and cheerful. It may not be textbook feng shui but it feels pretty good to me.

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3 major home renovations >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> STATEPOINT Building a new home?

Overhauling an existing one?

Here are three renovation ideas that will add beauty and value.

1. Expand Your Living Space Don’t let that basement sit unfinished and unused.

Substantially expand your home’s livable areas by turning your attention to the bottom floor. Finishing a basement is an involved

that are worth the effort

project, potentially requiring electrical and plumbing work, insulation, drywall and more — but the end result is worth the effort and expense.

What’s more, some of the less technical aspects of this renovation could even be DIY-ed.

Before getting started, consider what type of space would most benefit your household long-term. You may even be able to recoup some cost of the investment.

For example, turning your

basement into an at-home fitness center means ditching the costly gym membership.

Want to reduce time and money on your commute?

Your basement may just make an ideal home office.

2. Add a Focal Point Is your interior design in need of a little something?

The right eye-catching elements can make a room pop while adding vitality to your living spaces. A fireplace, for example, adds ambiance

and comfort while also creating a natural gathering space.

What’s more, new models pair the charm of a traditional open-front fireplace with the design flexibility of gas models. The Phoenix TrueView from Heat & Glo offers the convenience of gas without the glass, giving homeowners an unobscured view of the flames against the traditional brick or faderesistant reflective black glass liner. An optional Bluetooth

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3. Boost the Backyard If you find that your household spends very little time in the backyard, figure out why. Is there a lack of shade? Are there not enough places to sit? Take a poll so you can diagnose the problem and take steps to correct it.

Consider also how to make this space usable for a larger portion of the year, such as adding a fire pit or an enclosed, heated patio. Lastly, consider aesthetics. A bit of landscaping can make your backyard as visually appealing as your home’s interiors.

This season, consider the renovations that will go furthest to boost your home’s livability, beauty and value.

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Bring the outdoors inside with houseplants >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

BY SU JIN PARK ACES.edu AUBURN, Ala. — Made popular in the 19th century, houseplants come in many shapes and sizes and usually do not take up too much space in your home. Most people use them to lighten up a space or give a cozy appearance to a room.

First, let’s distinguish between houseplants and outdoor plants.

Rhonda Britton, a regional Alabama Extension agent in home grounds, gardens and home pests, said a variety of plants can be placed in both inside and outside environments.

Always, pick a plant for size, light and temperature needs.

“Most common houseplants don’t tolerant the cold,” Britton said. Also, many popular ones are adapted to the low light levels found in homes and other indoor spaces.

Like any other plants, houseplants require regular care. Britton said the watering needs may vary depending on the plant, size, location and soil type.

“Plants will show wilting when they need water,” Britton said. Test the soil with your finger to a depth of two inches. If the soil is dry, it probably needs to be watered.

“Plants grow toward the light so rotating on a regular basis will help it to grow evenly,” she said.

Yellowing may be cause by overwatering or insufficient light.

However, Britton said plants will show signs of yellowing if in need of fertilizer.

A once a month fertilizing is adequate for most houseplants that are actively growing or flowering. Additionally, plants do not need fertilizer in winter when growth slows dramatically.

Common houseplants Many choices are available at local nurseries or garden centers. “The most common are foliage plants,” said Gigi Bullman, an Alabama Master Gardener in Madison County. “They are more tolerant of lower light conditions in most homes.”

Six common houseplants are: • Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura)

18 Spring Home & Garden 2018

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• Snake plant, mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria) • Peace lily (Spathiphyllum species) • Rubber plant (Ficus elastica) • Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia hybrids) • Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) Peace lilies and pothos are often purchased as gifts, Bullman said.

Although houseplants are known to be air humidifiers and remove air pollutants, they also serve additional benefits. Houseplants act as a design element and serves as an enjoyable hobby, especially for the homebound or those in bad health.

Some studies say indoor plants improve work attendance as well as improve concentration.

Whether you are looking to purchase an indoor plant or just needing some aesthetic appeal for your living or working space, houseplants are an affordable way to serve your needs and beautify your home or office. Check your local nursery or fresh market to find one that meets your needs.

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Need help in the garden? >>>>

There’s an app for that!

BY ALLISON MARLOW allisonm@gulfcoastmedia.com It can be hard to get good gardening advice along the Gulf coast. The climate and growing season here is different than anywhere else in Alabama.

The Baldwin County Extension Office has help ready, with local garden tips at your fingertips.

The Sow App has been available in iTunes for nearly three years and was designed by James Miles, a commercial horticulture agent in Southwest Alabama and Ellen Huckabay, county extension coordinator for Baldwin County. The pair was looking for a way to put information direction into their clients’ hands.

Auburn University took their idea for an app, Huckabay said, and ran with it.

She said she knew gardeners needed a simple guide because the cumbersome extension website held so much info that it could be hard, and daunting, to sift through.

“We wanted to take all the useful vegetable gardening

publications and have them all in one place instead of having to search through a whole bunch of stuff,” she said.

Now the Sow app, which is free to download, includes a simple list of vegetables and fruit you can plant now, videos of garden basics such as planting seeds and transplants, a list of farmers markets, and a tab to keep track of what you plant and when.

The reaction has been positive.

“People who download it love it,” Huckabay said.

It is so well loved that other states have requested help adapting the app to fit their own state.

“We quickly got requests from other states to help them adopt it for their state,” she said.

Huckabay said the extension hopes to continue to add to the app and make it more interactive.

Currently, there is a spot to directly email your question to an extension agent.

“That was a great way to have more interaction with people,” she said. “In the spring we get a good bit of email. It just depends on the time of year.”

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Vinegar

>>>>>>>

as a cleaning agent

BY EMILY GOODMAN www.aces.edu AUBURN, Ala. — As today’s society fixates on organic and all natural products, homemade cleaning supplies have become a trend that dominates the world of green products.

Vinegar has become a popular cleaning agent replacement for people trying a more natural approach to store-bought cleaners. The acidic-based chemical is a healthy and cheap option when you compare it to some store-bought products.

Vinegar is also a cost-efficient, environmental friendly ingredient. It has countless uses for cleaning that are as simple as adding water or baking soda to eliminate odors.

“It is a low-toxicity product that can be used alone or also with other low-cost products to clean the home. People interested in green cleaning find vinegar a useful product,” said Donna Shanklin, a regional Extension agent for Alabama Extension.

Many people don’t believe in the value of homemade cleaners.

However, using a little patience and some elbow grease, these cleaners can be as effective as any brand-name spray. The trick is to understand which at-home mixtures are the most effective to use and when to use them.

“Vinegar is primarily used for cooking, but it is also a key ingredient in many homemade cleaners. The acid-based product is useful for breaking down difficult stains and also rust. Acidic cleaners break down rust, mineral deposits, water stains as well as mold,” added Shanklin.

Vinegar cleaning recipes >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Always begin by using mild recipes. These recipes mostly include vinegar and baking soda. Use stronger formulas for tougher stains but don’t overuse, as this might be harmful.

• Mix vinegar, baking soda and hot water to create a mild allpurpose cleaner.

• Combine vinegar and water to create an all-natural window and mirror cleaner.

• Mix borax, vinegar and hot water to create a stronger all-purpose cleaner needed to get those tough-to-reach areas.

• Combine baking soda, castile soap, water and vinegar to create an effective tile cleaner.

• Mix white vinegar, baking soda, castile soap and hot water to make a strong recipe for all-purpose cleaners.

• Combine vinegar and baking soda to create a toilet bowl cleaner.

• Combine hot tap water, vinegar, castile soap, borax, tea tree oil and essential oil to create an efficient mildew cleaner.

Hide the scent >>>>>>>>>>>>>> One major flaw to this multi-use ingredient is the pungent odor vinegar gives. By simply adding lemon juice or essential oils, the smell can be transformed to something less potent.

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Spring Home & Garden 2018 21

Raising backyard chickens offers family bonding, educational opportunities Backyard poultry ownership is a growing phenomenon in recent years as Americans have taken control over their family meals with an all-natural, homegrown food source. Now experts say more and more people are making the jump into backyard poultry for an added benefit: family time.

Raising poultry is the perfect activity to promote bonding and interactive educational experiences for the entire family. “I’ve been raising chicks with my family for the past year, and I can already see the benefits it’s instilling beyond our backyard — just like what I repeatedly hear from our customers,” said Neely Green, a mother of three and Tractor Supply Company’s national marketing manager. “In addition to creating opportunities for our family to have fun, unplugged time together, this experience has taught us important lessons in responsibility, reaping the rewards of hard work, and how to eat well and live sustainably.”

To help families get started raising poultry, Tractor Supply is hosting Chick GulfCoastNewsToday.com

Days at stores nationwide, including the Robertsdale location, through April 29.

The 10-week springtime event features live baby chicks and ducklings along with the supplies and expertise needed to begin or grow a backyard flock.

“As parents, it’s our job to teach our children personal responsibility and healthy behaviors,” said Green. “Raising backyard poultry provides parents with so many teachable moments, like collecting the eggs, caring for live animals and proper handling guidelines — including the importance of washing your hands — to ensure the safety of your flock and yourself.”

New this year to Chick Days, families can get started with backyard poultry by purchasing a minimum of four chicks in select states with the flexibility to mix and match with ducklings. In addition to purchasing chicks and ducklings on-site, the event features a one-stop shop for all the items needed to begin the process, including starter kits, feed, bedding, heat bulbs and lamps, coops, and more, along with the guidance of expert Tractor

PHOTO COURTESY OF TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

The new family time:

Supply team members.

Outside of Chick Days, Tractor Supply stores are stocked year-round with the items needed to properly raise and care for backyard poultry. Enthusiasts can visit TractorSupply.com/Poultry for an expanded selection and year-round availability of poultry products and live birds.

Visit TractorSupply.com/Chicks for expert information on safe handling and care for poultry, building a chicken coop, and more. Backyard poultry rules and regulations vary by city, county and state, so check with your local government before purchasing. Learn more about in-store chick and duckling arrivals by following Tractor Supply on Facebook or visiting your local store, which you can find at www.

TractorSupply.com/ StoreLocator.

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