Spring Home Improvement 2018 by Journal Tribune

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Published Saturday, April 21, 2018

Transform a kitchen easily 2

Easy office updates 6

Steamy new color palettes 5

Perfectly imperfect decor 4 Garden bed prep 9

Dream home hunting tips 3

Child-safe home fixes 2

All about hydroponics 9

Secrets to organized families 6 Fence shopping guide 10

Home fixes worth the effort 3

Must-haves for retirees 3 Bathroom remodel savings 7 Smart home tech eco-boost 10

Upgrade with 2018 trends 4 Reading a plant tag 8

Best garden fertilizers 10

Lawn care, made easy 9

Mulching basics 11

Saturday, APRIL 21, 2018

journal tribune Spring Home Improvement

Transform a kitchen easily

features a three-function spray that can handle any kitchen challenge. Paint your cabinets. If replacing your kitchen cabinets is not in the budget this year, repainting BPT them is the next best thing. A fresh As the hub of activity in a coat of paint can dramatically home, the kitchen serves many change the appearance of your purposes: meal prep base, dinkitchen. Select a paint that dries ing area, family gathering place, hard so it can stand up to wear and celebration zone, and entertaintear; choose a satin finish paint to ment center, to name a few. hide imperfections in the Does your high-use, cabinet surface. To heart-of-the-home complete the look, kitchen meet the consider replacchallenges and ing the cabinet needs of your hardware. Pick family life? the style that If not, appeals most then it’s time to you and for a renovaremember knobs tion. A major are more comkitchen remodel mon on cabinets, will recoup 59 handles on drawers. percent, according COURTESY PHOTO Add a backto the same study. The Avery Selectronic splash. Create an With statistics like hands-free pull-down instant wow factor by these, remodeling kitchen faucet from your kitchen has the American Standard fea- enhancing the walls above the work areas potential to be good tures a three-function of your kitchen. The for you now and in spray. use of varying shapes the future. and materials can Replace your really showcase your faucet. For the creative side. Today’s homeowners amount you use your kitchen are choosing larger sized subway faucet, functionality and ease-oftiles, introducing a bit more color use should be top priorities - highto this traditionally neutral-colorlighted with stylish designs lines, ed area of the kitchen, experimentof course. The Avery Selectronic ing with varying tile patterns, and hands-free pull-down kitchen choosing metallic and mirrored faucet from American Standard

Selection. Knowledge. Ideas. Help.

finishes. Extending the backsplash all the way to the ceiling, with the use of shelving instead of cabinets for storage, is a new trend gaining ground. Elevate your faucet. For homeowners who enjoy crafting delectable meals for family and friends, an upgrade provides the perfect combination of modern functionality and high style. It features convenient one-hand operation, full 360-degree sink mobility and two high-performance sprays. Plus, a high-arc faucet features a flexible silicone hose that can be easily replaced in a variety of rainbow colors for an instant kitchen “perk-up.” Change out those cabinets. While repainting cabinets can change the look of your kitchen, replacing them can totally upgrade the room’s core style and functionality. Select new cabinets based on the current needs of your kitchen, considering accessories that can improve functionality. Think slowclose drawers and doors, turntable corner cabinets, pull-out trash can cabinets, plus many innovative storage features. The choice of design styles - framed or frameless - will impact your kitchen’s look. With kitchen cabinets accounting for up to 40 percent of a full kitchen remodeling budget, invest time in choosing the style and function that will make you love your new kitchen.

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Prioritize child-safe home fixes

All family members should be considered when home improvements are being planned, especially the youngest household residents who may not be responsible enough to avoid injuries. According to a recent Vital Signs report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accidental injuries are a leading cause of death among the country’s youth - with one fatality occurring every hour from something entirely preventable. More can be done to keep children safe, and many strategies start at home. Install security systems A security system can be just as effective at keeping little ones inside as it is at keeping unwanted guests outside. Alarms can be set to sound anytime a window or door is breached, which can deter curious children from trying to leave the house without permission. Remove fall hazards Safety devices installed on windows that are above ground level can keep children safe. Stair rails should be secure and in good working order. Temporary gates can block kids from getting on stairways. Anchor heavy furniture The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that unanchored televisions and topheavy furniture can tip over onto children and cause severe injuries and even death. Using anchors to secure furniture to walls for security is a must. Install locking cabinets Locking cabinets can keep medications, household chemicals, home

improvement paints and solvents, and other potential poisons out of reach. Erect fencing around pools and yards Install fencing around pools to keep children from wandering close to the water’s edge. Towns and cities may require certain fence heights or self-latching gates to keep little ones safe. Young children should never be left to their own devices around any source of water, whether it’s a pool, tub or toilet. Test and replace smoke alarms Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are only useful if they are functional. Homeowners should inspect such devices regularly to ensure proper operation and promptly replace old or faulty detectors to improve safety.

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journal tribune Spring Home Improvement

Seeking your dream home? Consider this:

StatePoint The chicken or the egg? Which came first continues to fuel philosophical debates. But when it comes to buying a home, experts are pretty clear about the proper order of things -- agreeing you should fit your mortgage to your finances, not to a house. “Before you even start your search for a home this spring, it’s crucial to know how much you

Five must-have home features for retirees BPT

As we move through the different stages in our lives, our housing needs change too. The home you were excited to move into in your 30s might not be ideal for those now nearing retirement. According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, between 2015 and 2035, the number of people over the age of 75 living alone will nearly double from 6.9 million to 13.4 million.

can afford to pay each month,” says Freddie Mac Senior Vice President, Christina Boyle, who stresses that there are a few important things to keep in mind as you calculate this figure. Start by getting a handle on your finances. What do you earn? What do you spend? How much do you have in savings? Answering these questions will help you better understand how

much home you can afford. Make a budget and use free online tools and calculators to determine how much you can afford. Remember that your monthly expenses go beyond mortgage payments, so leave some room in your budget. Whether it’s a new roof or a leaking faucet, homeownership can mean unexpected expenses. Be prepared to pay for such items, as needed.

General maintenance, combined with utilities (an expense that can vary by home depending on its size and other factors), are added expenses to consider. Some neighborhoods also have homeowners’ association fees to cover the cost of upkeep of common spaces. Your lifestyle can also help you assess whether a particular home is right for you and your budget. Location is key in determin-

ing what you can afford. Some points to consider are whether you want to live in a suburban or urban setting, whether you need to be near specific schools and public transportation, and the potential length of your commute. Remember, getting pre– approved can help you act fast and make a confident offer, so talk to your lender now before you start shopping.

Being prepared for retirement and aging is important, so we’re going to take a closer look at the specific housing features that would most benefit those who are looking to downsize or find that perfect home to “age in.”

Wide doors and hallways Spacious doors and wide hallways do the double duty of making your home look great while providing enough space to maneuver a wheelchair or walker through if needed.

Low maintenance Fixing up an older home with good bones might look fun on TV, but it’s not something you will want to deal with in your retirement. Rather than trying to troubleshoot problem after problem, look for a newly constructed home. Not only will you have fewer maintenance issues, but you can design a flexible floor plan that fits your lifestyle.

them. In addition, make sure the home you purchase is single-story and fits the lifestyle you want for your future. As you grow older, you realize there is no one, perfect dream home. Rather, there are different dream homes for different stages of your life.

Walk-in showers Installing a walk-in bathtub or large shower is a good idea for ease and safety. Having extra room to move is not only aging-friendly, but a timeless trend that is easy to maintain. Clayton, one of America’s largest homebuilders, features optional walk-in showers with benches that are available in many of their homes. This is a feature that’s great at any age.

Open floor plans A home design trend that is perfect for any homeowner age is an open floor plan. But for boomers, an open floor plan is more than just an aesthetic feature. Having wide spaces that allow you to move around is essential to maintaining your independence as you grow older. It also helps add more natural light and is ideal when gathering with family and friends.

A customizable floor plan The features listed so far are part of what is commonly known as age-in-place design. These home features work for people of all ages, but are designed so you can age into

Home renovations worth the effort

StatePoint Building a new home? Overhauling an existing one? Here are three renovation ideas that will add beauty and value.

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 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.

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 fade-resistant reflective black glass liner.

An optional Bluetooth speaker system allows one to hear the fire as well as see it -- making it a focal point for the ears as well as the eyes.

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.

Saturday, APRIL 21, 2018

journal tribune Spring Home Improvement

Mix and Match:

Update your home with 2018 trends StatePoint Are you planning to refresh your home but aren’t sure where to start? Some of today’s most popular design trends encourage mixing and matching favorite home accents within the same space. There is no need to feel limited by fixtures or finishes, according to design expert, Colleen Visage, who is Progress Lighting’s vice president of Product Management. “Homeowners today are not content to have the same look, the same finishes or the same collections throughout the house,” says Visage. “They really want to personalize their spaces.” Coordinating complementary pieces creates a cohesive feel to the home. It can also reinforce a unique style because the ultimate outcome is a custom design. Here are a few ways to master the mix and match trend. • Mix Monochromatic Accents: Tone-on-tone designs are very popular in kitchens, bathrooms, entryways and living areas. Countertops, cabinets and home

accents in varying shades of grays and creams can create a sophisticated statement. These tones pair perfectly with gold, brass or brushed nickel finishes. • Design with Dual Tones: Mixed metals or dual tones are ontrend and very popular in home design today. This look can be achieved through mixing fixtures with different, but complementary finishes. For example, Progress Lighting offers fixtures that feature finishes with contrasting accents, such as antique bronze and brass, antique bronze and natural brass or polished nickel with silver ridge -- adding visual interest. • Pendant Groupings: Pendant groupings are commonly used in a foyer, over a kitchen island or above a dining room table. These versatile fixtures can be mixed and matched to create a custom cluster design for a statement-making look. Take your design vision to the next level and personalize your home’s living spaces by mastering the art of the mix and match trend.

Decor that’s ‘perfectly imperfect’ By KIM COOK Associated Press

AP NEWSWIRE

Refin’s Voyager ceramic tile collection, which was inspired by the aged and rusted metal bridges of Genoa, Italy and the architectural elements of Victorian-era buildings.

“Perfect imperfection” is a trend in furnishings and decor. “It’s a return to the artisanal and the crafted, with narrative and meaning to objects,” says Caroline Till, co-founder of the London design studio FranklinTill. “Fingerprints of process and technique are part of the aesthetic appeal of the finished item.” Her studio got together last year with trend researchers from across Europe and the United States to see what’s percolating in interior design, fashion and architecture. “Perfect imperfection” was one of the design directions they identified. One pavilion at the fair featured artisans working on

dyeing, weaving and other crafting methods. Barrels of inky blue dye stood next to wooden racks draped with cottons that had been given pattern or left to absorb the color naturally. Till says indigo is a lead player on the artisanal stage. “(It’s) embraced by a wave of contemporary brands and designers as they revisit the craft, celebrating the imperfections and graduated hues,” she says. Indigo pieces can be found in abundance at retailers this season. Arhaus has floor poufs wrapped in indigo-dyed, mud-print-patterned cotton. Indigo and white brushstrokes add an abstract individuality to a classic Norfolk chair from Annie Selke. Houston designer Margaret Naeve is on board with the

perfectly imperfect look. “From a messy bed to handmade ceramics and metalwork, I hope to see more people looking for pieces that aren’t necessarily manicured,” she says. “I love curtains that are slightly wrinkled, and vintage African furniture that’s one of a kind, obviously handmade by an artisan. The idea of mixing pieces that aren’t perfect in a polished space excites me,” Naeve says. “There’s nothing more chic than a sophisticated room styled with loose florals and a messy throw, adding a level of approachability to the formality of a carefully designed space.” Perfectly imperfect also reflects a 15th century Japanese aesthetic: wabi sabi. Loosely translated, it refers to an appreciation of the effects

of time, and the humble beauty found in things that are impermanent, old, worn or incomplete. A new wall art piece at West Elm is crafted of aluminum, with a textural indigo finish creating a wave pattern. Spring bedding collections includes flax linen and cotton linen covers in calming hues of pool, slate, blush and a gentle gold shade called horseradish. This relaxed way of decorating also extends to other aspects of the home. Leigh Spicher, national director of design studios for the homebuilder Ashton Woods, in Roswell, Georgia, says it’s part of a “slow living” trend. “People are returning to a simpler lifestyle, and it’s affecting every aspect of life, including home design,” she said.

Saturday, APRIL 21, 2018

journal tribune Spring Home Improvement

Home decor's steamy new palette By KIM COOK Associated Press

While it seems like white, gray and other cool neutrals have taken over many shelter magazines and blogs in the past few seasons, there’s starting to be little rise in temperature. Here and there, dollops of hothouse pink, sultry red and sunset orange are showing up in decorative accessories, rugs and upholstery. Misty Yeomans, PPG’s color marketing manager for Glidden paint, says a recent company survey found that red is one of the most popular paint colors. That may be because of its range. “Each red can give off different impressions,” she says. “A dark red implies sophistication, whereas bright red can be considered more powerful and romantic.” Designers like Amanda Nisbet, Mark D. Sikes and Jessica McClendon have called Benjamin Moore’s Exotic Red,

Sherwin-Williams’ Heartthrob, and Farrow and Ball’s Rectory Red among their favorite versions. “Lighter reds — like pinks — are often thought of as more youthful,” says Yeomans. That may partly explain the ubiquity of millennial pink, which has shown a lot of stamina over several decor cycles. But there are some new kids on the block. “Looking ahead to 2018, we’re seeing a shift toward burgundy, and oranges are becoming brighter,” says Dee Schlotter, PPG’s senior color marketing manager. Orange hues like Olympic Paints’ Orange Poppy and PPG Paints’ Caramelized Orange are cheerful and contemporary, she says. Corals are also starting to emerge as

a transition from the pinks, reports Yeomans, noting Glidden’s Coral Beach and Roseland as examples. Color specialist Leatrice Eiseman, the author of “The Complete Color Harmony: Pantone Edition” (Rockport, October 2017), says decor trends are often an outgrowth of a desire for change. “And color can certainly provide the spark, specifically in the more vivid tones.” A few of her favorites in the “hot” spectrum? “Pantone’s Cayenne, Molten Lava, Fuchsia Purple and Mimosa are all exuberant, dynamic and energizing hues,” she says. For those who want some heat, but not too much, she recommends peachy tones

like Pantone’s Canyon Sunset or Coral Sands. Benjamin-Moore named Caliente, a rich spitfire of a red, as its 2018 Color of the Year. There are lots of ways to bring these energetic colors into a room. “You can easily tap into the trend by adding an accent wall,” Yeomans suggests. “If you’re not ready to add these bold tones to walls, the back of bookshelves, interior and exterior doors and accent furnishings provide great alternative spaces.” Temper the heat with black, navy, gray, cream or green. Not ready to paint? Consider a lamp. Lamps Plus’ Gillan glass base comes in lipstick-rich pinks and reds like Vivacious, Ribbon and Samba. Sleek aluminum is given a coat of juicy orange paint to make a fresh and fun pendant lamp at Houzz. There are some smart little side tables in the hue here, too, in wood, glass or metal.

Did you know? Spring cleaning is a ritual that many people participate in as the last vestiges of winter disappear. Spring cleaning is a time to open windows, deep clean rooms and closets and take down and launder window treatments and linens. Others use spring cleaning as a time to sort and donate or discard clutter that might have accumulated over the winter. Even though spring cleaning seems like a modern invention, the act of spring cleaning is believed to have originated centuries ago. Some say that the ancient Chinese cleaned in preparation for their New Year as they hoped to wipe away any bad luck and misfortune from the previous year. Similarly, the ancient Hebrew practice of thoroughly cleansing a home before the springtime feast of Passover may have evolved into the spring cleaning we know today. Another possible connection is the tradition of “shaking the house clean” in Iran. Iranians celebrate Now Rouz (Persian New Year) with many different rituals, one of which involves buying new clothes and cleaning every corner of the family home to signify renewal.

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journal tribune Spring Home Improvement

A more productive space: Easy home office updates

StatePoint If you work from home, you likely spend a lot of time in your home office, which makes its design just as important as the

rest of your home. If it’s not up to par, it’s time to bring new life to the space. 1. Let in light. Update your window treatment to maximize

natural light and get more direct sunshine, and swap out drab lamps for eye-catching fixtures that offer brighter light. Make sure your office is a well-lit place

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Saturday, APRIL 21, 2018 where you can see what you’re tapestry, cool shelving or an art doing without straining your print that matches your interests eyes. and inspires you crea2. Update your tively. tools. Having 4. Go green. up-to-date It is said that tools makes certain working in plants and your home flowoffice that ers can much promote more effihealth cient and at home. enjoyable. Add some Swap out plants or older tech fresh cut with newer flowers to tools offering the your home office latest advancements, to reap the benefits. COURTESY PHOTO/GoodMood Photo/stock.Adobe.com such as Casio’s HR5. Get organ170RC next generation ized. Flight clutter compact printing calculator. It and make important items and has a host of features, including documents easier to locate with two-color printing (red/black), a organizational tools like filing tax calculation function, a clock/ cabinets, folders and bins. A calendar and a power adapter. clean and tidy work zone will 3. Decorate. Ditch the bare help you to feel more on top of walls and add an interesting your work, and may encourage focal point -- whether it’s a you to form other great habits.

Secrets to an organized family Modern families seem to be juggling more than ever before. When time seems to be a luxury, an ability to stay organized can help families manage the hustle and bustle of daily life more effectively. An online survey conducted by an internal research team on behalf of The Huffington Post polled more than 1,000 American adults in 2013, revealing 84 percent of recently stressed Americans say they worry that their home isn’t clean or organized enough. Within that group, 55 percent cited disorganization at home as a source of recent stress.

Manage mornings Families can usually use more help getting out of the house each morning in a timely manner. Each member of the household should have a designated area where they keep the items they will need for the next morning. Backpacks and briefcases should be prepacked, and lunches made the night before. In addition, sort the next day’s clothes before going to bed. Such efforts should make it easier to get out of the house on time each morning. Sort the entryway Home entryways are usually hubs of traffic. Such areas are

the first and last place family members go when entering or leaving the house. As a result, these areas are in need of some routine organizational attention. Use sorting bins for shoes, hooks for coats, trays for mail or homework, and other sorting equipment to keep things tidy and orderly.

Embrace the purge Take a hard look at what you use and what you don’t use around the house. Holding on to items you rarely use can contribute to clutter and create a disorganized home. Save only a few sentimental items, donating, recycling or discarding the others. Many organizational experts suggest going through items one by one and asking oneself if this is something that has been used recently. If it’s been collecting dust for a year or more, it can go. Sensible storage Analyze what you have and then find sensible storage solutions. Store belongings in the same place each day so items are easy to find when needed. Frequently used items should be easily accessible. Seldom used items, such as holiday decorations, can be stored out of the way.

Saturday, APRIL 21, 2018

journal tribune Spring Home Improvement

Cut expenses, not corners on your bathroom remodel

Kohler’s Bathroom Design Service provides expert advice, 3-D bathroom renderings and logistical guidance. To discover more inspiration for your bathroom, visit ideas. kohler.com, where you’ll find the ideas and advice that will get you started on your journey to your dream bathroom.

Work with a professional Many people who want to save on a bathroom remodel think the most economical way is to go it alone and take the DIY route. However, a professional designer can help you discover the style that fits your personality and budget - and help you avoid costly mistakes. For instance,

A touch of luxury goes a long way One of the most effective ways to create a stunning overall effect is to mix a touch of luxury with quality materials. For instance, coordinate wooden cabinets with a tiled paneling treatment around the bathroom. Also ripe for coordination are choreograph shower panels with stone or porcelain tiles. Focusing and investing in these luxury elements while using quality material will help offset costs and give you the look you’ve dreamed of.

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Select an integrated vanity top sink Looking through your many choices of sinks, showerheads, toilets and other fixtures is downright inspiring, but sometimes it can be hard to know where to start. Of all the options available, consider setting your eye on a vanity top with sink mounted on any number of vanity styles you like. This combines style with functionality in a timeless design and cuts down on clean up and your installation cost.

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Find a focal point You don’t need to have topof-the-line everything to create a stunning bathroom. Think in terms of what piece you want to be the star of your bathroom. Maybe you want it to be the sink, a freestanding bathtub or a spa steam shower. Pick one fixture that will draw the eye in and take center stage. You’ll be amazed at what this does for the overall effect.

Incorporate creative storage solutions In remodeling a bathroom, it’s always exciting to stumble upon a solution that brings together the practical and the beautiful. This happens a lot when you try to figure out how to store toiletries, towels and more. Wall cabinets, wicker baskets, storage ladders and storage towers create charm and keep your essentials orderly.

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BPT When homeowners get the urge to remodel and renovate their homes, two rooms immediately top the list: the kitchen and the bathroom. In the last decade, we’ve seen something of a renaissance in home bathroom design. From an innovative use of materials to radically reimagined bathtubs and toilets, today’s bathrooms offer a dream space with comfort and convenience in a stylish package. This dream, however, comes with a price tag. A mid-range bathroom remodel that includes a steel tub, a pressure-balanced shower, ceramic tile floor, vanity and integral sink could cost almost $20,000, and that’s for a 5-by-7 room. An upscale remodel might cost as much as $60,000! But before this sticker shock scares you away, know there are secrets to saving money and still getting a beautiful bathroom. We sat down with Lynn Schrage, interior designer at Kohler Co. to learn some of her tips and tricks. Here are five of the best.

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journal tribune Spring Home Improvement

How to read a plant tag

Shopping for new plants for a home can be an exciting undertaking. Nurseries and garden centers are often home to dozens of types of plant species that come in various colors, leaf variations and sizes. Such variety can make choosing plants more fun while

also making the process of buying plants a bit complicated, especially for novices. Thankfully, plant tags can help consumers make informed decisions. Understanding how to read plant tags is key to making good choices. Such labels contain a lot

of information, but once a person knows how to decode that data, he or she is well on the way to choosing the right plants.

Common name The common name of the plant tends to be the most noticeable word or words on the tag. This

is the name the plant is referred to outside of scientific circles. Most plants have one or more common names in addition to their botanical name.

Scientific (botanical) name Scientific names are also known as the Latin names of the plant. Such names will be written in italics on the tag and are usually one or two words. The scientific name includes the genus (group) and the species of the plant. Cultivar A plant tag may further describe the type of plant by including the cultivar. A cultivar is the variation on the species. It may describe a size or color variation. The cultivar is listed in single quotations by the scientific name.

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Sun NEEDS The tag should list how much sun exposure the plant requires to thrive. It may be anywhere from full sun to full shade. Height and spread The label frequently includes the maximum growing height and width the plant should reach when mature. This gives gardeners an understanding of just how much room the plant will take up in the

Saturday, APRIL 21, 2018 garden and how to space plants in a landscape.

Water needs How much water the plant requires may be featured on the tag as well. This helps gardeners know if they need soil to be damp or relatively dry. Hardiness or zone Tags that list zones will describe the coldest zone in which the plant can exist. Otherwise, it will give a range. Many annuals will not list a hardiness zone because they are not expected to last beyond one season. Perennial or annual The tag should designate the plant as an annual or perennial. Annuals are not expected to last through the winter and will need to be replanted the following year. Perennials can overwinter and will regenerate year after year. Tags also may list information such as special care needs, drought tolerance, uses for the plant, and when the plant blooms. Some plant labels will inform gardeners if the plants were produced organically or without GMO practices. Trademark information also may be included.

Saturday, APRIL 21, 2018

journal tribune Spring Home Improvement

Lawn care's easier than ever

BPT The snow has melted, flowers are beginning to bloom, and you wake to the sound of birds chirping: all signs that spring is here. Spring means time to give your lawn the TLC it needs, but most of us dread the thought of weekends spent occupied by yard work.

Luckily, in 2018, getting that perfectly green grass and enviable garden does not have to be hard. • Prevent disease and pests - Disease and pests can be stopped before they strike. At the beginning of the season, use your yard rake to remove any dead grass shoots. By removing this debris

early you can prevent disease and pests while also giving your lawn sufficient time to recover. • Water on time - Consistency in watering is an easy way to keep your grass green and lush. Maintain a schedule to prevent your grass from drying out and browning. Sprinklers and outdoor

timers will ensure that your grass does not miss a watering session. • Shape hedges - Anyone can create the perfect hedge shape. Now that your grass is healthy, freshly cut and weed-free, it is time to focus on the rest of your yard.

Preparing garden beds for spring and beyond Begin preparing garden bed soil early for new plants. Gardening enthusiasts may have been thinking about their landscape plans throughout the winter, eager to once again get their hands dirty with soil. Whether a home gardener is making preparations for edible crops or beautiful flowers, he or she must take time to make the soil amenable to planting. To establish hearty, durable plants, gardeners can focus on three main areas: addressing soil composition, cultivating and adding nutrients.

Soil composition Many gardeners prefer growing a variety of plants in their gardens. Such an approach requires taking inventory of the type of soil in one’s garden and making the necessary modifications so that the types of vegetables, herbs, shrubs, or flowers that will be planted can grow in strongly. In fact, according to the plant company Proven Winners, the most important step to developing good roots is prepar-

ing the soil. Take a sample of the soil and examine it to see what is present. If the soil is too full of clay, too sandy, too dense, or too loose, that can lead to problems where plants cannot grow in strong. Work with a garden center to add the right soil amendments to make a rich soil. This may include organic compost or manure, which will also add nutrients to the soil.

Cultivation Cultivating the soil can involve different steps. Removal of weeds, errant rocks, roots, and other items will help prepare the soil.

Mother Earth News suggests working on garden soil when the soil is damp but never wet; otherwise, garden soil can become messy and clumpy. Use a digging fork or shovel to lightly turn the soil when it’s mostly dry. Gentle tillings also can open up the soil to incorporate the nutritional amendments and relieve compaction that likely occurred from freezing temps and snow pressure. Tilling also helps with drainage and oxygen delivery to roots. The DIY Network suggests turning over soil at a depth of 12 inches to work the soil - about the length of a shovel spade.

However, the resource Earth Easy says that existing garden beds have a complex soil ecosystem and simply top-dressing with compost or manure can be enough preparation for planting. Gardeners can experiment with the methods that work best for their gardens.

Nutrition Testing the pH and the levels of certain nutrients in the soil, namely nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, will give gardeners an idea of other soil additions that may be needed. Soils with a pH below 6.2 often can benefit from the addition of lime several weeks before planting. Soil tests will determine just how much fertilizer to add to the soil. Complete fertilizers will have equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Individual fertilizers can amend the soil with only these nutritional elements that are needed. Top-dressing empty beds with a layer of mulch or compost can prevent weed growth and preserve moisture until it is time to plant. If existing shrubs or plants are in garden beds, use more care so as not to disturb roots or dig too deeply.

All about hydroponics Hydroponic gardening can change people’s perceptions of what’s needed to grow vibrant plants. Rather than soil, all you may need for a hydroponic garden is water to grow a variety of healthy, strong plants. Although it seems like a futuristic concept, hydroponics - or growing plants without soil - actually dates back many centuries. The hanging Gardens of Babylon and The Floating Gardens of China are two of the earliest examples of hydroponics. Hydroponic gardening is a method of growing plants in a water-based, nutrient-rich solution. Instead of soil, roots are supported by an inert material, such as pellets, perlite, or vermiculite. Some people use coconut fiber, sand or gravel as well. The key is that the substance not supply any additional nutrition to the plant. In some instances, the roots grow in water alone. Hydroponics works so well because the person doing the gardening can directly control the nutrients, oxygen and light according to what the plant needs. A nutrition-based water delivery system delivers food to the roots in a highly soluble form, rather than the roots having to search through the soil and extract the same nutrients. Absorbing food with very little effort means the plant can divert its energy to growing and flower production. This method of no-soil growth can be used just about anywhere. Although it has not yet edged out traditional farming methods, hydroponics is gaining popularity among entrepreneurs and hobbyists. An added attraction to hydroponics is its efficiency. The gardening resource Maximum Yield says hydroponics is ideal where traditional farming is not an option, such as in large cities where there is little to no access to agriculturally amenable land. Hydroponics can even be merged with vertical farming methods, helping to save space and increase output. Hydroponic gardens can be placed anywhere there is access to water and natural or simulated sunlight. Empty warehouses, rooftops, old shipping containers, and much more can be turned into hydroponic garden locations with minimal effort. Environmentalists tout that hydroponic gardening is also beneficial to the environment because the plants require considerably less water than soil gardening and require fewer pesticides.

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journal tribune Spring Home Improvement

Don't shop fences without reading this first A post-and-rail fence can be sufficient if the goal is to mark off property lines but not obscure views. Fences can improve functionality of a yard and provide extra security and privacy. Some fences are decorative while others are functional. Families with children and/or companion animals also may find fencing is a necessity to keep everyone safe and corralled. With a vast array of fencing materials available, homeowners may find it challenging to decide which material is right for their properties. The following breakdown can help homeowners learn more about fencing and potentially point them in the right direction regarding which material to choose for their properties. Budget Budget is one of the first considerations many homeowners have when installing fencing. Pricing will affect

whether one can afford a chain link fence (one of the most budget-friendly options), wrought iron or ornate wood (more expensive). Pricing out several different types of fences will give homeowners an idea of which material fits into their budgets. Purpose Homeowners install fencing for various reasons. If a fence is an ornamental way to delineate property lines, a picket fence or a post-andrail fence are simple options that can lend a homey feel to a property. These types of fences also can enhance and frame landscaping elements, such as gardens. In many area, laws require homeowners to install fencing around swimming pools. In such instances, chain link fencing that does not obstruct views of the pool might be the best choice. If security or privacy is the main desire, tall fences that make it difficult for neighbors to see into the yard may make an ideal choice. Restrictions It is important to understand local regulations

before installing fencing. Communities governed by homeowners’ associations may have rules in place that dictate the type of fences that can be installed. Townships and other municipalities may have their own rules concerning fence type, property borders, fence height, and other factors that will have to be adhered to so that fencing will meet code. If such rules are not following fines may be imposed and the fence may have to be removed. Homeowners also may need permits to install fencing, whether they are hiring a contractor or doing the work themselves. Maintenance Consumer resource Angie’s List advises homeowners to consider maintenance before choosing a fencing material. Wooden fencing requires the most maintenance due to painting and staining. Aluminum or vinyl fencing requires less maintenance, but it can be harder to repair isolated damage or replace pickets, if necessary. In some instances, the entire fence may have to be replaced.

BPT

Smart home tech gives eco-friendly boost

More and more Americans are shifting to a greener lifestyle, and if you’re one of them, you’re always looking for ways to reduce your impact on the environment. Cutting your energy usage is a big part of that, and the benefits of doing so are twofold: First, of course, is being more environmentally friendly, and second, is the added bonus of lower monthly energy bills. Consider this: The average American household spends $1,300 on energy expenses each year. Installing a smart home system like Iris or Google Home Mini can help you reduce those costs by putting you in total control of the connected devices in your home and making your home more energy efficient. Decide which smart home system is right for you and consider the tips below for using smart home technology to make your home more eco-friendly: • Control your home’s temperature from anywhere. Installing a smart thermostat connected to your home automation system can help reduce your energy costs by 15-30 percent each year. Smart thermostats allow you to program your thermostat based on your daily routine so you can conserve more energy when

you aren’t at home. This way you’re not wasting additional energy heating or cooling an empty space. • Water effectively. Unnecessary watering can waste more than 6,000 gallons of water per month. Installing a smart irrigation system can help you avoid unnecessary watering by automating the watering of your lawn based on weather conditions. You can make final adjustments as the season goes on to ensure your lawn stays fresh and your water usage is manageable. • Dim your lights. Accidentally leaving the lights on in a room you’re not using is obviously a waste of energy. At the same time, you may also be wasting energy simply by using more brightness than you need. Most people don’t need their lights to be on at 100 percent. Installing a smart dimmer is easy and allows you to adjust your lights based on your needs and preferences. Once it’s installed, try setting your lights to 80 percent of their previous usage. You probably won’t notice the difference in the room, but you’ll certainly see it on your energy bill. From your appliances and your laptop to your smartphone, you use technology every single day to make your life easier. So why not utilize it to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle?

Which fertilizer's best for your garden? For plants to truly flourish, the right growing conditions and soil that offers the right nutrients is of paramount importance. Fertilizer enhances soil so that plants and flowers can thrive. However, fertilizer is not a one-size-fits-all mix. Choosing fertilizer can be a little overwhelming thanks to the

variety of formulations available at neighborhood lawn and garden centers. Shelves contain all-purpose products, such as those billed as vegetable fertilizer, and even formulations geared toward specific flower varieties. Others may feature buzz words like “all-natural” or “organic,” and consumers

may not be sure just what they need to keep plants healthy. The following guidelines can help any would-be gardener or landscaper grow more vibrant plants.

Start with a soil test It’s difficult to determine what plants need without an accurate picture of what’s going on in the

ground. A soil test can paint a picture of what’s going on and indicate if any nutrients are lacking. A common misconception is that gardeners fertilize plants. But fertilizer amends the soil that feeds plants, according to the soil-testing lab professionals at Virginia Tech. Soil types vary by region,

and conditions may even vary between spots on a landscape. Testing where the plants will be placed can yield the most accurate results. Soil tests are available at gardening centers and online. Otherwise, landscaping professionals can conduct tests. • FERTILIZER, page 11

Saturday, APRIL 21, 2018

journal tribune Spring Home Improvement

Mulching basics Mulch is available in various forms. Like other land and garden products, mulch can go a long way toward helping plants thrive. Mulch comprises just about any material that is spread over the surface of soil. Its purpose is primarily to help soil retain moisture. In addition, mulch can staunch weed growth, keep soil cool, improve the aesthetics of garden beds, and even improve soil nutrient composition. When the right mulch is chosen, it can reduce the amount of time homeowners spend watering and weeding their gardens and insulate plants from dramatic changes in weather. Gardeners may not realize that mulch also can prevent garden soil from becoming overly compacted, according to HGTV. This can mean beneficial earthworms can move easily through the soil, creating channels for water and

• FERTILIZER, from page 10 Know the N-P-K ratio Most fertilizers will come with information concerning the nutrients within. Most notably it will have a breakdown of how much nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) is in the mix. Judging by the soil test, gardeners can choose a product that will give them the right ratio to amend the soil for the type of plant they are hoping to grow. Complete fertilizers often have NPK in the formulation. Incomplete fertilizers may have only one or two nutrients. This allows a person to customize fertilizer even more without overdoing it with a particular nutrient. Grow plant knowledge A cursory knowledge of the plants being planted in the garden also can be helpful. Gardeners must recognize that some plants will not tolerate excess amounts of a particular fertilizer compo-

depositing their nutrient-rich waste products. Gardeners can choose organic or inorganic mulch. Organic mulches are derived from natural materials that will decompose over time, lending organic matter as well as various nutrients to the soil. Organic mulches also may contain beneficial microorganisms that can fight against plant diseases. Inorganic mulches may be made of stones, landscape fabrics and plastic. Both types will need to be amended or replaced as they degrade. Those who want the most environmentally-friendly mulching materials can choose all-natural mulches instead of synthetic alternatives. To work effectively, mulch should be applied in a two- to three-inch layer of material, state the experts at Old World Garden Farms. This is the ideal amount to

retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth without choking plants. Also, mulch that is too thick may make it impossible for water to penetrate, or it may prevent the soil from airing out, causing continuously wet conditions that lead to root and stem rot. The University of Connecticut Home & Garden Education Center says mulch should not be placed directly against plant crowns or tree bases, as this can

promote the development of disease. It may also serve as a habitat for bark- and stem-eating rodents. The center also suggests watering newly installed bark or wood mulches to prevent fungi from colonizing in dry mulch and causing problems like a water-repellent surface on the mulch. Home landscapers considering mulch types may find that compost, manure and grass clippings (from nonpesticide-treated lawns)

can be inexpensive and versatile in garden beds. The home advice site The Spruce notes that newspaper may also be effective. Many newspapers have switched over to organic dyes, especially for their black and white sections. Newspapers are an inexpensive way to suppress weeds and act like organic mulch in beds. They can be covered with other organic mulch, like shredded bark, for more visual appeal.

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S ROTOTILLER nent, while some may need more. Checking books out of the library, seeking information online and consulting with landscaping experts will help expand homeowners’ knowledge about plant types and the needs of each particular plant they hope to grow.

Solid and liquid fertilizer Fertilizers are generally sold in pellets, spikes and liquid forms. Pellets or granules are dispersed over large areas and will gradually offer nutrients when the soil is watered. Liquid fertilizer is concentrated and fast-acting. These may be used for container plants or smaller areas. Spikes usually are placed in houseplants or to feed individual trees or shrubs. Depending on the formulation, fertilizer may need to be reapplied once a month or more. Consult the product packaging for the correct application advice.

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