Home, Lawn & Garden 2023

Bring nature into interior design

Tips for integrating nature into your home

Story by StatePoint | PHOTO FROM ADOBE STOCK

»Get inspired by the outdoors this spring home improvement season with biophilic design.

“Biophilic design — the concept of integrating nature into interior design — is not only gorgeous, but it fosters a healthy living environment, promotes happiness and comfort and reduces stress,” said Jennifer Kline, multimedia graphic artist at ProVia. “There are many ways to reap these wellness benefits while adding vitality to your living spaces.”

To connect to the natural world within your home, consider these ideas:

Foster tranquility

Taking a stroll through the forest can summon feelings of tranquility. Capture this inner peace at home from the moment you step inside with a fiberglass woodgrain entry door. Engineered for energy efficiency, they’re also a sustainable choice, helping you protect the natural world as you embrace its splendor. Other design choices, such as exposed rustic, ceiling timbers, rich, wooden furniture, warm, hardwood floors and vinyl woodgrain windows can help you carry the forest motif throughout the home while imbuing interiors with richness and warmth.

Let light in

“If you’re lacking natural light, it’s time to open those blinds and drapes and let the sunlight stream through your windows. It may also be time to consider a few enhancements that will help you enjoy more sunshine and observe your natural surroundings, even when you can’t be outdoors,” said Kline.

For kitchens, breakfast nooks, bathrooms and dens, consider vinyl garden windows, which invite more light into your space and include shelves ideal for housing indoor plants, such as fragrant herbs. Their three-dimensional design helps give rooms an airy, spacious feel. Family rooms and bedrooms are great locations for vinyl picture windows, which let in large amounts of light while providing unobstructed views of outdoor scenery.

To brighten your foyer, add an entry door with glass. Energy-efficient sliding glass patio doors also let in sunlight and give you the option to invite fresh air into your home or enjoy the melodies of singing birds on nice days. Skylights can flood small or closed-off spaces such as walk-in closets or bathrooms with light and give you a view of the blue sky.

Let it grow

To give your home a welcoming, fresh feel, add various houseplants and indulge in fresh-cut flowers. A windowsill with small plants of varying shades of green can add texture, while larger potted plants near doorways help guests feel welcome. Fill dark, underutilized spaces with taller plants and place bright, lightly-scented garden flowers in such spots as a kitchen island and coffee tables. Use earthen or wood-carved vases for additional warmth.

Create drama

From the warm brown tones of a picturesque southwestern mesa to the cool, earthy feel of quarried rock, manufactured stone veneer adds rugged texture, intriguing patterns and shapes and a variety of hues straight from the earth’s natural color palette.

Whether you’re creating a focal point in a bedroom with an accent wall, adding character to your kitchen with a stone veneer backsplash, surrounding a tub with stone veneer for a spa-like bathroom or highlighting your fireplace, different stone profiles and grout colors can help you customize the look.

“Incorporating biophilic elements into your interior design can transform your home into a warm respite from your busy life,” Kline said.

SPRing ClEAning OuTSiDE

Story by Family Features Chores to tackle to get your home ready for warmer weather

After months spent largely indoors while harsh elements battered your home’s exterior, many homeowners are throwing open the windows and embracing spring’s arrival. Every home requires ongoing maintenance to ensure its living up to its aesthetic and functional best. This checklist can help you create a comfortable home setting for enjoying the warmer months.

Check gutters

During the colder months, debris can accumulate in the gutters, which can be problematic when the spring rains arrive. Clogged gutters prevent water from flowing efficiently away from the roof and house. When they’re backed up, they can cause water damage in a short amount of time. Faulty guttering can also cause slow leaks that lead to damage you may not discover until major repair work is needed.

Inspect the roof

Your roof takes a real beating from all weather conditions. Making it a common practice to carefully inspect the roof with the change of seasons can help you identify potential problems, while they’re still in the early stages, and before a big storm hits and major damage occurs. Some roof issues can be addressed with simple repairs you can do yourself, while others may require a professional. A roofing expert can help you determine whether any trouble areas can be patched or if a more complete restoration is needed.

Replace the dryer vent

Upgrading your dryer vent is an opportunity to conserve energy and prevent flammable lint build-up in your dryers. One option for updating the exhaust system is a paintable version of InoVate’s Prime DryerWallVent.

Engineered for both vent replacement and new construction, the vent includes features such as a gravity-assist damper, integrated magnets and a drip edge to provide extra protection from the elements, as well as pests. A large, clean opening and a lightweight, angled damper promote exceptional airflow efficiency.

Service air conditioning units

Your heating and cooling system works hard to keep your indoor climate comfortable when extreme temperatures make the outdoors unbearable. That’s why it’s important to have your systems serviced by a professional, and spring is a smart time to do so before the system is hard at work throughout the warmer months.

Repair window screens

Throughout the winter, your home’s window screens can accumulate a layer of dirt and grime that isn’t just unsightly; it blows inside when you open the windows to welcome a fresh breeze. What’s more, if your screens have rips and tears, pesky bugs and other critters can make their way into your home more easily.

OuTDOOR uPgRADES

Projects inspire tips for your exterior renovations

Renovating your home’s outdoor spaces not only enhances the aesthetic but can also provide a host of recreational benefits. Taking a look at award-winning projects can help many homeowners draw inspiration while also identifying capable, reputable contractors to take on the project. For example, selected by a panel of industry experts based on functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, innovation and degree of difficulty, these 2021 National Association of the Remodeling Industry National Contractor of the Year (CotY) Award Winners showcase a variety of ideas for upgrading your outdoor spaces.

Residential landscape design/outdoor living under $100,000

The clients wanted to upgrade a poorly draining, impractical backyard

into an attractive, functional outdoor entertainment space that flowed from the renovated basement. The project included an outdoor area for entertaining, outdoor kitchen, spacious patio with a custom concrete fire pit, oversized ceiling fans, ample storage and landscaping complete with native plants around the perimeter.

“By working on this project, we learned how important it is to take a holistic look at what clients are trying to accomplish with their renovations,” said Thomas Boyce, president of Boyce Design & Contracting. “Often with outdoor-living projects, designers and contractors look at the exterior of the home in isolation. We learned to look at how the interior and exterior of the home connect to each other to make sure the features and floor plan flow and work well together. By taking

this approach, we were able to achieve a better finished product that is more functional and attractive for our clients.”

Residential landscape design/ outdoor living $100,000$250,000

A young, active family was looking to create a distinct, outdoor living space with multiple entertainment spaces that tied in with the existing aesthetic and elevated the home amongst its neighbors. The lowmaintenance backyard now features an outdoor dining area, sunken living room, entertainment area and additional storage space built with the home’s current architectural features while maintaining a large enough yard for the kids and their friends to play.

“The aesthetic of the outdoor areas was designed not only for function, but also to reflect the interiors and keep the inside-outside living feeling continuous,” said Tim Johnson, owner and founder of Livit Site + Structure. “For example, the shiplap used on the fire table is the same shiplap featured inside the home. Likewise, the Douglas fir timbers used on the pergola are the same as the interior ceiling beams.”

Residential landscape design/ outdoor living over $250,000

A 4,000-square-foot project built at four different elevations, this client wanted to include a safe way to move from the upper-level to the backyard without coming through the house, a structure for shade and protection from mosquitoes and a pool with features that reflected the home. Adding a covered screen room with individually controlled wall panels, see-through fireplace, fountain, pool with sheer descent waterfalls, recycled rock walls and staircase from the upper elevation while enclosing it all within a stone wall met those expectations.

“A sound piece of advice for anyone building anything in the backyard: get a plan,” said Ken DePratt, owner of KD Poolscapes Ltd. “Have it match your expectations list. Then, and only then, will you know if it matches your budget. We would recommend doing your research when taking on a pool project of any size. It’s hard to push that hole around once it’s dug.”

Farmer sentiment dips in February

Ag Economy Barometer drops 5 points

Story by Kami Goodwin | Purdue Extension Office

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dipped five points to a reading of 125 in February. Farmers’ perspectives regarding both current conditions on their farms and expectations for the future also weakened. The Index of Current Conditions fell two points to 134 and the Index of Future Expectations declined six points to 121. The Ag Economy Barometer is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. This month’s survey was conducted February 13 through 17.

“Increased concern over the risk of falling output prices, rising interest rates and uncertainty over the future growth of U.S. agricultural exports is weighing on producers’ minds,” said James Mintert, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue’s Center for Commercial Agriculture.

Producers’ expectations for their farms’ financial performance in 2023 compared to 2022 weakened in February. The Farm Financial Performance Index declined seven points to a reading of 86. Farmers continue to point to concerns about higher input costs (38% of respondents) rising interest rates (24% of respondents) and lower output prices (18% of respondents) as their biggest concern for the year ahead.

Agricultural exports have been a key source of growth for U.S. agriculture for decades. Beginning in 2019, the Ag Economy Barometer survey routinely included a question asking producers about their expectations for agricultural exports in the upcoming five years. Since peaking in 2020, when just over 70% of respondents said they expected exports to increase in the upcoming five years, the percentage of farmers looking for exports to grow over time has drifted lower. In February, just 33% of survey respondents said they expect exports to increase, which leads Mintert to suggest that a lack of confidence in future agricultural export growth is contributing to weakened sentiment among producers.

Despite strong farm income, the Febru-

AG ECONOMy bAROMETER

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer is a nationwide measure of the health of the U.S. agricultural economy. On the first Tuesday of each month, the Ag Economy Barometer provides a sense of the agricultural economy’s health with an index value. The index is based on a survey of 400 agricultural producers on economic sentiment each month. Quarterly, the index is accompanied by an in-depth survey of 100 agriculture and agribusiness thought leaders.

ary reading of the Farm Capital Investment Index changed little, rising one point to a reading of 43. This month, 72% of producers said it is a “bad time” to make large investments in their farming operation, while just 15% reported it is a “good time” to make such investments. The disparity between producers’ responses to the question and actual farm equipment sales continues to be focused on costs. Of those who said now is a “bad time” to make large investments, 45% of respondents said it was because of an increase in prices for farm machinery and new construction, while 27% of respondents said it was because of “rising interest rates.”

Producers’ expectations for short-term and long-term farmland values fell in February but remain positive. The ShortTerm Farmland Value Index declined one point to 119 while the Long-Term Farmland Value Index dropped five points to 137. Although both indices remain above 100, indicating a positive outlook on farmland values, the percentage of producers who said they expect values to decline over the next five years reached 19% this month, the highest percentage since this question was first routinely included in barometer surveys in 2019. Still, over half (56%) of respondents expect values five years from now to be

higher than today. This month, just 33% of respondents said they expect values to rise in the next 12 months, while 14% said they expect values to weaken.

Each February, the barometer survey includes a question focused on farm growth, asking respondents about the annual growth rate they expect for their farm over the next five years. This year 49% of respondents said their farm either had “No plans to grow” (33%) or “Plan to exit or retire” (16%). Of those respondents who expect their farms to grow, 19% expect it to grow by “Less than 5% annually,” and 22% said they expect it to grow by “5% to 10% annually.”

Leasing of farmland for solar energy production is a hot topic in many parts of the U.S. Since the spring of 2021, the barometer survey has periodically included questions about the discussions farmers are having with solar companies. In both the January and February 2023 surveys, just over 10% of respondents said they had discussed a solar lease with a company. Of those who indicated they had been in discussions, nearly half (48%) of respondents said they were offered a lease rate above $1,000 per acre, up from a low of 27% and a high of 35% in previous surveys. This month’s survey findings suggest companies have started to increase lease rates they are willing to pay.

Read the full Ag Economy Barometer report at purdue.ag/agbarometer. The site also offers additional resources — such as past reports, charts and survey methodology — and a form to sign up for monthly barometer email updates and webinars.

Each month, the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture provides a short video analysis of the barometer results, available at purdue.ag/barometervideo. For more information, check out the “Purdue Commercial AgCast” podcast available at purdue.ag/agcast, which includes a detailed breakdown of each month’s barometer and a discussion of recent agricultural news that affects farmers.

& home improvements STROng stylish

Brick designs take center stage in renovation projects

like a stacked bond for modern appeal or herringbone for a rustic look.

Kitchen backsplash

One of the most overlooked areas of kitchen design is the backsplash. While its job is to protect your kitchen walls from the never-ending assault of kitchen splatters, there’s no reason it can’t look good, too. Brick backsplashes can accommodate most home designs and styles thanks to the versatility of shapes, colors, finishes and sizes available.

Black or white glazed brick works well with more modern kitchens, while irregular brick containing an abundance of texture and a messy mortar application can complete rustic farmhouse kitchens.

with brick can create a rustic contrast against the bar’s seating.

Fireplace

To change the look and feel of a room almost instantly, you can use brick to give a fireplace a facelift or make it a focal point of your home. Available in a variety of colors and textures, GlenGery’s diverse, premium portfolio of more than 600 brick and stone products can elevate your living room’s style in a big way and create a more inviting area to share with family and friends.

An outdoor fireplace is another option for extending livable space in a cozy way that can be used throughout the year.

Accent wall

brick skirt

lining a bar counter

Create a statement in or outside your home with a brick accent wall. Accent walls can help bring color, texture and beauty to homes by breaking up the monotony of monochromatic color or decor, creating visual interest and dimension. While brick in a running bond pattern is expected, you can spice up rooms with an unexpected bond pattern

For added curb appeal, consider adding a brick skirt around the foundation of your home. Given its resilient, durable and energy-efficient qualities, brick can help provide better insulation and protection, while also adding visual appeal to the exterior of your home through texture, color and contrast. The skirting can also continue through to the front porch floor and steps, helping balance out the elevation of your home.

Mini BuT

MigHTY

»That lush, green lawn most strive for is struggling to survive as our climate experiences “weather whiplash,” meaning abrupt swings in weather conditions from one extreme to another. Last season, drought conditions were so dire in California that billboards shouted, “Brown is the New Green.” This season, despite early, extreme flooding in California, evidence suggests the length and depth of droughts will increase in upcoming years while becoming more frequent and severe.

Outdoor water usage is still astronomical, synthetic chemical use is ever-present and fuel-guzzling lawn blowers and mowers sing all summer. Traditional lawn maintenance is expensive, unnatural, untenable and increases greenhouse gasses, wastes water,

pollutes ecosystems and reduces biodiversity.

Average American families use 320 gallons of water daily, about 30% outdoors, with more than half devoted to watering lawns and gardens, according to the EPA.

Nationwide, landscape irrigation is estimated at almost one-third of all residential water usage, totaling nearly 9 billion gallons daily.

Gas-powered lawnmowers spew pollutants that can cause planetwarming gases, contributing to the climate crisis and drought.

According to the EPA, gaspowered lawn equipment releases more than 22 million tons of CO2 emissions and estimates over 17 million gallons of gasoline are spilled refueling lawn equipment; that’s more than all oil spilled by Exxon Valdez.

There are many issues causing harm to environmental health, from the ridiculous, like billionaires taking 17-minute flights in private jets, producing 2 tons of CO2 emissions, to everyday lawn care wasting staggering amounts of water for aesthetics while polluting the environment through run-off and toxic emissions.

Cash rebates, up to $5,000, are being offered to some for the removal of grass lawns. To get the rebate, other waterefficient options must be put in place. It’s time to take a page from the past; sowing clover seed can create a greatlooking, water-efficient, sustainable lawn. Decades ago, clover was standard in lawn seed mixes. Then, agricultural chemical companies created herbicides to rid lawns of broadleaf plants, killing everything but grass, clovers included, branding them weeds.

“Today, clover is making a comeback,” said Troy Hake, president and owner of Outsidepride.com, offering drought-tolerant grasses, clovers, wildflower seeds and more. “Tik Tok’s #cloverlawn has over 65 million views, evidencing it’s time for sustainable options, like adding ‘miniclover’ or replacing lawns with it. Miniclover (trifolium repens), is one-third to half the size of white Dutch clover, only grows 4-6 inches and produces a thick, carpet-like look that blends well with turf. Less expensive than grass seed, it’s a natural solution for self-sustaining, low-maintenance lawns that look beautiful and help eliminate the need for fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and weekly mowing. It’s healthier for people, pets, soil and waterways. You can’t go wrong with it.”

There’s nothing you can do about those 17-minute private jet flights. However, anyone with a lawn can add in miniclover and redefine what sustainable lawns and responsible lawn care looks like. Sales of miniclover rose dramatically last season, surely an indicator that this lawn renovation trend was well-received and continues to grow.

Miniclover is drought-tolerant, simple, stunning and sustainable with low-to-no maintenance

Story and photo by Family Features

homegrown produce

7 tips to cultivate your own fresh food at home

Story by Family Features

PHOTO BY unSPlASH

»Growing your own produce is an all-around smart practice, from the money you’ll save at the grocery store to the contributions you can make toward a cleaner planet.

Maintaining a garden takes some effort, but it’s a project even a beginner can tackle with ease. Consider these tips to start growing your at-home garden:

1. Select a perfect spot. You’ll want to place your garden in an area where you see it often so you’re reminded to weed and care for it regularly. Find a flat area you can access easily where erosion and other pitfalls (including hungry wildlife) won’t be a problem.

2. Choose between ground and containers. There are pros and cons to gardening in containers vs. the ground, and there’s no universal right choice. Rather, the best garden depends on your goals and preferences. A ground garden usually offers more space and may provide a better growth environment for roots. However, a container garden is often easier to maintain and may be all you need if you wish to grow just a few plants.

3. Understand the importance of quality soil. You

gROw YOuR

may think any dirt will do, but keep in mind the soil you plant in will be the primary source of nutrients for your produce. Not only that, but quality soil provides stability so plants can root firmly and grow healthy and sturdy to support their bounty. Quality soil also allows for ample drainage. Organic matter like compost, leaf mold or aged manure all help improve soil quality.

4. Keep water close. Lugging water can quickly eliminate the pleasure of tending your garden, so be sure you’re situated near a hose. You’ll know it’s time to water when the soil is dry about an inch below the surface.

5. Plan for plenty of sun. A bright, sunny spot is a must, since most vegetables, herbs and fruits depend on six or more hours of sun every day. Remember the sun’s path changes throughout the year, and as trees and foliage grow, they may produce more shade with each growing season.

6. Consider what you’ll grow. Starting with veggies you know and like is a smart starting point, since you’ll be pouring sweat equity into making them grow. Over time, you might add new varieties, but early on, keep your focus on foods you know and like so you can see a meaningful return and avoid waste. You’ll also need to consider what you can grow to maturity within your area’s growing season. If necessary, you might want to start transplants you can nurture indoors before moving them outside when the temperatures allow.

7. Plant according to a calendar. Knowing how long it takes different foods to mature will help you create a planting calendar. You don’t want to harvest everything at once, and if you stagger planting and replant what you can, you’ll have a garden that produces food for your family for a longer period of time.

green thumB

Tips to make your indoor plants thrive

Story and photo by StatePoint

Plants add color, life and vibrancy to your home’s indoor and outdoor spaces and can even improve indoor air quality. However, if you are new to plant ownership, you may be wondering how to make your foliage thrive. Here are three tips for healthier plants.

Make a move

Many plants that do well outdoors in the warmer months can’t tolerate the cold. Don’t wait for subfreezing temperatures to bring planters indoors for the season. Be sure to give your newly transported plants the right amount of light. This may require using special grow lights. Keep in mind though that different types of plants thrive better with different color spectrums and intensities, so group plants under the right lights accordingly. If

your indoor air is dry in winter, you may find that misting the leaves of your warm-climate and tropical plants will help provide needed humidity.

Prevent pests

Unfortunately, keeping houseplants often attracts insects that can harm them and bug you. But, there are steps you can take to prevent a pest problem in your home. One important thing you can do is to be sure you are not overwatering plants. Too much water in effect drowns plants. It can also create standing water that becomes a breeding ground for flying insects. You can also provide round-theclock protection from fruit flies, gnats and flies by plugging a Zevo Flying Insect Trap into a regular outlet near your plants and wherever flying insects enter your home or gather. Rather than chemical insecticides, the

traps use multi-spectrum light technology to attract flying bugs into a discreet glue sheet cartridge. When the cartridge is full, replace it and toss the used one without ever having to touch a dead bug.

Know your lifestyle

There are many plant species that while beautiful, don’t require much care. So if you’re new to owning plants, consider starting out with low-maintenance options, such as succulents or snake plants. Because these plants don’t need much water, they are also great options for those who travel frequently or those who are simply forgetful. Have furry friends? Always check whether a given plant is toxic to pets before bringing one home. Having a green thumb can seem like magic. However, with the right tools and knowledge, anyone can become a nurturing plant parent.

Advice to introduce kids to gardening

Story and photo by Family Features

Warmer months are likely to have the entire family eager to dive into outdoor activities. This year, as you tackle the garden, find ways to get the youngest family members in on the action, too.

Not only is gardening an activity you can enjoy together, but there are also numerous ways to incorporate age-appropriate, teachable moments from counting and colors to responsible care of living things.

Creating a positive first experience with gardening can start with this simple advice:

n Dedicate a spot for a junior garden, which allows you to instill a sense of pride and ownership in the little gardener while protecting your own garden areas from ambitious young hands.

n Provide appropriate tools in child sizes. Just as you would teach a child the finer points of baseball using a bat and glove, demonstrate the joys of gardening with tools such as a rake, hoe and trowel, all of which can be found in sizes more manageable for little helpers.

n Let the kids choose what to plant. Whether flowers or food plants, allow children to make their own decisions (within reason) about what they would like to grow. This can help them engage in the magic of watching items they selected emerge from the ground and grow into their finished forms.

n Encourage exposure to unfamiliar plants that entice the senses with appealing smells and flavors. Herbs such as chives, mint and basil are good choices, or consider edible flowers such as pansies or violets.

n Set an example for your child to imitate by giving regular and proper care to your own garden.

Remember to bring the lesson full circle by enjoying the bounty of your garden together, whether it’s a small, hand-cut bouquet or a meal featuring your child’s fresh-grown produce.