Homefront | Spring 2019

ORGANIZE & DECLUTTER BASEMENT REMODELING

DEFINING HARDSCAPES

! g n i r p S

By Dan Lyksett

Leader-Telegram Magazine

Spring 2019

kitchen basics

GET

fresh

Fresh herbs can transform the flavor of favorite recipes and add a fresh spark to one's palate when used during cooking or as a garnish. People who may not have the space or the inclination to create an outdoor garden should know that many herbs can be grown successfully indoors. Small in size compared to outdoor gardens, indoor herb gardens can be grown on a windowsill or housed in decorative containers, serving double-duty as living centerpieces on kitchen or dining room tables.

Start by finding a container that fits your decor. Punch holes in the bottom, if necessary, to allow for proper drainage. Line the bottom of the container with gravel or perlite to help with drainage, then top with potting soil. Position small herb plants and fill in with extra potting soil. Sage, thyme, dill, and rosemary are good starters, but any herbs will do. Add a top-dressing of peat moss to assist with water retention and help the plants thrive. Place the container in your desired location and enjoy the welcoming aromas and fresh herbs at your fingertips

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Spring 2019

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2019 Pantone Color of the Year

Graphic Designer Angela Rediess Magazine Advertising & Distribution Coordinator Laura.Robertson @ecpc.com 715-833-9239 Next issue: August 2019 Published three times a year by the Leader-Telegram Advertising Department.

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living coral

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kitchen basics

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home paint/decor

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indoor spaces

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home chores

Get fresh

Gray is here to stay in home designs Basement remodeling tips How to recognize water damage Organize & declutter

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home tools

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outdoor spaces

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outdoor garden

Gardening essentials

Defining hardscape

! g n i r p S

By Dan Lyksett

Area landscape professionals weigh in on what to do about the late spring

How to read a nursery plant tag Understand hardiness zones Secrets to an organized shed

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Spring 2019

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home paint

GRAY

IS HERE TO STAY IN HOME DESIGNS

Decorating a home in neutral tones has long been recommended as a way to sell a home quickly. But the color gray also provides a blank canvas for homeowners who have no intention of putting their homes on the market anytime soon.

Beige and white have long been go-to colors for neutral living spaces. But many interior decorators now look to gray as the neutral color of choice.

Design experts advise that gray has a broad range.

Gray can include everything from silver to charcoal to a dusty cloud. According to the trendsetters at Glidden Paints, gray coordinates well with other colors. Plus, the neutral appeal of gray boasts a timeless quality.

Gray is not a clear-cut color that’s simply a 50-50 blend of white and black. Gray has subtle nuances that can lean toward blues, greens, taupes, and more depending on the lighting and surrounding furnishings. That means that homeowners who are ready to replace their furniture or accessories need not necessarily repaint if they’ve previously decorated in shades of gray.

Individuals need only replace small items to produce a big effect in rooms where gray is dominant.

Because gray is so neutral, it works with soft, calming colors in various pastels, but equally as well with bright reds, yellows and oranges, according to Scott Bodenner, a Brooklyn-based textile designer.

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Spring 2019

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home paint For a fresh Spring look pair it with Pantone’s 2019 color of the year, Living Coral

Gray is also a predominant color in natural stones used throughout homes in entryways, bathrooms and kitchens. It can make design sense to maintain continuity throughout by dabbling in gray elsewhere.

Designers have shown how gray does not have to be cold, industrial or gloomy. It can be sophisticated in just about any room of the house. More designers are now leaning toward warmer variations of gray, such as taupes and blends dubbed ‘greige,’ that are beautiful but not as stark as pure gray.

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Before remodeling a basement, homeowners should think about how they want to use the space.

Homeowners must also focus on some potential obstacles in a basement that will need to be addressed so that the area can be as functional as possible.

Basements can be chilly and damp. That means moisture issues and heating and cooling needs must be addressed prior to any construction.

Homeowners may have to consider the installation of a dehumidifier and run venting through the basement to allow for proper climate control. If a basement takes on water, either through the walls or a concrete slab, a professional waterproofing company can come in and fix these issues so they will not damage drywall and flooring afterwards.

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A basement remodeling project can add valuable and usable space to a home. The latest ‘Cost vs.

Value’ report from Remodeling magazine says the average basement remodel can cost around $61,000 with a 70.3 percent recoup rate. In addition, HGTV says architects and contractors indicate the cost of redoing a basement is roughly one-third to one-half less than the price of putting an addition on a home.

The presence of insects and pests also must be addressed. Exterminators can help homeowners figure out which insects are in their basements

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inside spaces

How to recognize water damage

Water damage is a potentially costly problem that can afflict any home. The following are some telltale signs of water damage that should give prospective home buyers pause and compel current homeowners to seek professional assistance as soon as possible.

Stains and how to make the space less hospitable to these unwelcome guests so that the room will become comfortable for human occupants.

Space is often at a premium in basements, which may contain HVAC units, water heaters, filtration devices, ductwork, pipes, and the other appliances. Qualified contractors can suggest solutions for cordoning off appliances and camouflaging pipes and wires so they won’t detract from the finished product. However, building access panels into the design will make it easier to service or repair features as necessary.

Uneven basement flooring will need to be smoothed out and flattened before carpeting or tile can be laid down. A self-leveling underlayment can be applied to fill in gullies, while larger cracks and holes will need to be patched.

Water stains tend to be on ceilings and/or walls. Stains on ceilings tend to be round, while wall stains are straight lines down the wall that may or may not have forced paint to peel.

Water stains are not necessarily indicative of a major problem, but homeowners should have the stains examined by a professional while potential buyers should direct their home inspector’s attention to the stains.

Deteriorating wood Wood around windows or doors that is deteriorating may indicate water problems. The wood might be deteriorating because water is infiltrating the wood during storms. Baseboards and molding that is dilapidated or beginning to deteriorate may also indicate water damage.

Buckled drywall or wood

Once the structure of the basement is addressed, then the design work can begin. Many professionals advise against drop ceilings, which can take away from ceiling height and look cheap. Basements can be dark, so the addition of plenty of lighting can help brighten the room. Small basement windows can be replaced with larger ones to add more light as well.

Drywall or wood that is buckled or beginning to buckle is another potential indicator of water damage. Drywall buckles when it gets wet, and that is often a sign that there is a leak behind the drywall. Severely buckled drywall will feel as if it has ridges. Wood also buckles when it is exposed to excess moisture, and this can usually be felt when walking on the wood barefoot or in socks.

Homeowners can mimic built-ins and architectural details from elsewhere in the home so the basement is aesthetically cohesive and doesn’t seem like an addition. Bookcases and shelving can add valuable storage space as well. Decorate the basement with bright, neutral colors so they make the space feel more inviting.

Odor

With some effort and financial investment, basements can be as beautiful and functional as other rooms in a home.

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Sometimes water damage is best detected by the smell test. Homeowners who notice the smell of mold or mildew in rooms that previously never emanated such odors might have homes that are in the early stages of water problems. The water damage might be behind the walls, where mold is beginning to form thanks to water damage.

Older homes tend to be musty, but call in a professional if you notice that mustiness if more pungent than usual.

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Clutter can be a major source of stress that affects how individuals feel about their spaces. Psychology Today indicates messy homes and work spaces can contribute to feelings of helplessness, anxiety and overwhelming stress. Clutter bombards the mind with excessive stimuli, makes it more difficult to relax and can constantly signal to the brain that work is never done.

Much like losing weight and getting healthy, clearing a home of clutter requires dedication and lifestyle changes. With these organizational tips and tricks, anyone can work through their home room-by-room and conquer clutter.

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Over time, failure to regularly go through belongings and thin the herd can lead to the accumulation of clutter. But clutter can also accumulate if people fail to find a place to put items. Racks for garages, organizational systems for closets and furniture with storage capacity, such as storage ottomans, are some storage solutions that can help people find a place for their possessions.

Utilize vertical space when possible Getting items up and off the floor can maximize square footage in a home. Bookshelves, hanging wall shelves, hooks, cabinetry, built-ins, and other storage solutions that rely on walls and ceilings are simple and effective storage solutions. Unused space behind cabinet or closet doors are some additional places to store belongings. Hang razors or toothbrushes on medicine cabinet walls and curling irons and other hair tools on the interior of cabinet doors in bathrooms.

Create a coding system

Home offices can be some of the more disorganized rooms in a house simply due to the volume of electronics and paperwork within them. HGTV suggests using a color-coded system for important files to keep them organized. Label important

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items, whether they’re paper or digital files, in accordance with your system.

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When you finish using an item, return it to its storage location. This eliminates piles of belongings strewn around the house — and hunting and pecking for missing things. If you can’t put it away immediately, have a few baskets on hand labeled for the different rooms in the house. Pop the items in the requisite baskets and then routinely take each basket around the house to return the items.

Investing in custom cabinetry and organizational systems can also help people organize their belongings. Tackle rooms such as the garage, basements, bedroom closets, and pantries, or those areas that tend to accumulate clutter the fastest.

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home tools Gardening attracts new devotees year after year. While Baby Boomers may spend more on gardening than any other demographic, even millennials are getting on the gardening bandwagon.

A 2016 National Gardening Survey from the National Gardening Market Research Company found the average amount spent on backyard or balcony gardening projects exceeded $400 per household.

More than $36 billion was spent in 2015, and the vast majority of the six million “new” gardening households belonged to millennials.

When it comes to outfitting a gardening shed, gardeners will not want to be without certain tools and gear.

• Digging shovel: A

rounded-blade digging shovel is needed to plant shrubs and trees as well as to excavate areas in a landscape.

STOCK UP ON GARDENING ESSENTIALS

• Rake: A rake can be used to

clear the ground, remove thatch and leaves from a lawn and level soil in a garden bed.

• Hand tools: Hand tools, such as a hand fork and trowel, are essential for small digging jobs, especially when working with flower pots or containers.

• Edging spade: This flat-blade shovel is

handy to have around because of its versatility.

Edging spades can slice turf, edge gardens and cut through roots.

• Pruners: Sharpened pruners can cut through stems and branches effortlessly.

• Hose: Choose a high-quality hose that is

lightweight and durable, as hoses will always be necessary.

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Spring 2019

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RESTORE RUSTY TOOLS Many people may be tempted to discard rusty tools that have gone unused and sat in a garage or shed for a significant period of time. But tools encrusted with rust do not need to be relegated to the trash bin, nor do gardeners have to toil for hours scraping and sanding off the rust.

There’s a much easier way to restore rusty tools that relies on a common household ingredient: vinegar. Pour vinegar into a deep enough vessel to submerge the metal part of the tool. Soak the tool overnight. The next day, use a scouring pad to rub off the rust. If the tool is too big to fit into a can or bucket, simply wrap it with a vinegar-soaked rag and cover the whole tool with a tightly secured plastic bag. Follow the same procedure the next day. After all the rust is gone, rinse the tool in cool water and dry thoroughly. Then return it to regular usage.

outdoor spaces Hardscaping is an industry term that refers to the non-living features of a landscape. These features can include everything from decks to walkways to ornamental boulders. Introducing paths or paver walls to a property helps develop that home’s hardscape.

DEFINING HARDSCAPE & HOW TO USE IT

DIY landscape designers can heed certain tips to make the most of hardscape features on their properties.

CHOOSE MATERIALS. As with many landscaping projects, homeowners must first determine what types of additions they would like on their properties.

Common hardscape features include patios, decks, walkways of pavers or bricks, and retaining walls. Hardscape elements can be functional or simply decorative features that add whimsy to the yard.

CHOOSE A THEME. The right style allows hardscaping and softscaping materials to work together. For example, homeowners may want to give their yards an eastern feel, complete with a koi pond and decorative bridge or trellis. A formal English garden, however, may include manicured paths with stepping stones and ornate topiaries. Mixing too many styles together can take away from the overall appeal.

The pros suggest looking at the overall plan of the design, even if all of the work

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can’t be completed at once. This way the eventual finished project will be cohesive.

THINK ABOUT THE PURPOSE. Hardscaping can look good but also serve key purposes. Pebbles or gravel can mitigate trouble areas that don’t grow grass or plant life well. Retaining walls hold back soil in yards with sharply inclined hills. Mulch can set perimeters around trees and shrubs, as well as planting beds.

Fencing, another form of hardscaping, is essential for establishing property boundaries and adding privacy.

CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL. While many hardscaping additions can be handled by novices, large-scale projects, such as patios and decking, can change the grading of the yard. Professionals can map out how to handle drainage issues and meet building codes.

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! g n i r p S outdoor garden

By Dan Lyksett

When Chippewa Valley residents speak of the winter just past, they tend to say it with considerable emphasis, something like …

“WINTER! GRRRRRR!” And much grumbling about record snowfalls and bitter subzero temperatures follows.

We now cast our eyes to spring, as in “SPRING!” But while we look ahead, gardening and landscape experts remind us to keep one eye in the past, and consider what WINTER has wrought.

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outdoor garden

GET READY: Post-winter garden prep & Early spring landscaping tips

During the cold months of winter, many people stare longingly out of the window dreaming of spring and time spent outdoors. For those with green thumbs, images of tending to the garden and other aspects of their landscapes no doubt dominate such daydreams.

Lawns and gardens can bear the brunt of winter weather and are often in need of tender loving care by the time spring arrives.

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Spring 2019

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“The biggest concern I have is with winter kill, especially in perennials,” said Bob Grinde of Grinde’s Garden Center. “It was a pretty open winter when the polar votex hit, so that cold went deep. There will be some plants out there that just won’t be found.”

Ben Polzin of Down to Earth Garden Center agreed.

“Normally we have more snow to protect everything when the real cold hits,” Polzin said. “That deep freeze could really have caused some root damage.”

Much of the Chippewa Valley had a belowaverage snowpack in January, so when the polar votex descended Jan. 29 and plunged overnight temperatures to 30-below-zero for two consecutive nights, our plants lacked a protective insulating snow cover.

Then came the double-whammy: February’s record snowfall: Eau Claire received 53.7 inches, according the National Weather Service. After nature dumped several feet of snow on our lawns and trees and shrubs, we dutifully went about plowing it and shoveling it into ever bigger piles. The very weight of the snow and the time it takes to melt will compound our spring chore list.

outdoor garden Preparing a garden for spring and summer involves assessing any damage that harsh weather might have caused.

Draw inspiration from those budding crocuses and daffodils pushing through the last remnants of snow and employ these tips to prepare for the upcoming gardening season.

Preemptive strike. One

of the first steps is to apply a preemergent weed killer to get a head start knocking out weeds that can plague the lawn during the growing season. Killing weeds at the roots early on can mean far fewer hassles in spring and summer, and may prevent new generations of weeds from cropping up each year.

Amend the soil so that it is the right consistency - just crumbling when lifting it. Soil that is too muddy after spring thaw can harden, making it difficult for plants to flourish later on.

Speak with representatives at a local lawn and garden center about which types of amendments you can add to the soil in your particular area to enrich it.

Assess the damage. Inspect garden beds and any fencing or barriers designed to keep wildlife from getting into the garden. Before planting, fix any damage that might have occurred over the past several months.

So what sort of guidelines should we follow in this rather unusual Spring? Let’s break it down to the two basics: Lawns and trees and shrubs.

LAWNS: BE PATIENT

“Everybody in the county has cabin fever, so we can’t wait to get outside and do something,” said Dave Longville of Longville Lawns. “But you don’t want to be doing much until that snow is gone long enough to let that ground firm up and dry.”

Great gardens begin at May’s

Lawns go through a transition period in the spring from frozen to partially frozen and damp to firm and dry, Longville said. Doing work on a lawn before it’s ready, like pushing a loaded wheelbarrow across a soggy lawn and leaving ruts, can cause lasting damage to the crown, he said.

The heavier snowpack might lead some residents might see more snow mold this spring, but Longville said it shouldn’t cause lasting issues.

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outdoor garden Check if the front porch, railings or decking need painting and/or staining.

Tackle these projects when the weather is cooler so everything will be ready for those peak spring days.

Fill in bare patches of lawn now by mixing a few shovelfuls of soil with grass seed. Apply this patch to the bare areas, water, and continue to care for the area until the spot fills in.

Clear debris. Garden beds and

surrounding landscapes that survived winter without being damaged might still be littered with debris. Remove fallen leaves, branches and even litter that blew about on windy winter days before planting season. Discard debris effectively so it does not find its way back into the garden.

Do some spring cleaning.

Spring cleaning is not just for the interior of a home. Turn the greenhouse into a clean house.

Cleaning a greenhouse in advance of spring can help gardeners evict any overwintering pests that can threaten plant life once spring gardening season arrives. A thorough cleaning, which should include cleaning the inside of greenhouse glass and washing flower pots and plant trays, can also prevent plant diseases from surviving into spring.

Spend a day in the garage or shed tending to the lawn mower and other gardening equipment. Clean all tools and ensure that everything works, repairing parts as needed.

Give outdoor entertaining spaces a good scrubbing, clearing away dirt and grime that may have accumulated over the winter. Use a leaf blower to blow away any leftover leaves.

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Spring 2019

“I’m not sure it’s going to be any different than most years except it might be a little later in the year,” he said. “Most of the damage is pretty superficial. Just take a leaf rake and fluff it up a bit.”

The exception to the patience rule is anyone applying a preemergent crabgrass preventer, Longville said. Those need to be applied before the seeds germinate to be effective.

“Mostly be patient this spring,” Longville said. “Let the lawn firm up and dry up. Don’t be overly rambunctious.”

TREES & SHRUBS: REPAIR? REPLACE?

Tree professionals have already been getting calls about limb damage caused by heavy snowloads, said John Stuve of Tree Savvy.

“You had the snow melt and the snow avalanched down, particularly on white pines,” he said. “There are limbs broken or bent down. The bent ones, sometimes they’ll bound back up. That’s a wait-and-see thing.”

If tree limbs do need pruning, Stuve recommended not using paint or any other sealer on the cut.

“That can trap moisture and lead to rot,” he said. “Let it heal.”

One exception, he said, is on oak trees where no pruning is recommended after the general date of April 15. Later wounds on oak trees may need to be covered to mask the scent of the sap.

Landscape shrubs and other landscape perennials may take the hardest hits from the deep freeze and heavy snows, particularly those growing where we ended up piling snow.

“There are going to be some snow weight issues,” Polzin said. “You’re going to have plants pulled apart or bent over.

You’ll be able to see what you need to do, whether it’s some pruning or staking.”

Polzin also cautioned about watching for animal damage to trees and shrubs. The heavy snowpack steered rabbits and deer to whatever food sources they could find, including the bark from exposed limbs.

“That’s part of nature, and there isn’t much you can do about it now,” he said. “Be patient, wait to see if the plant recovers. If it’s just some damage, it might shorten the life of the plant some. If it’s completely girdled, you’re probably going to replace it.”

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outdoor garden Check for pests. Speak with

a local gardening professional to determine if there are any local pests to look out for and how to recognize and remove these pests from gardens.

Pests may hibernate in the soil over the winter, and such unwelcome visitors can make it difficult for gardens to thrive come spring and summer.

Assess plant location.

If plants, flowers or gardens have struggled in recent years or never grew especially vibrant, then gardeners may want to assess the location of their plant life before spring gardening season begins. Some plants may not be getting enough sunlight in certain locations on a property, while others might be overexposed to the sun during spring and summer. Moving

Grinde offered the same remedy — patience — when it comes to potential winter kill from the deep freeze.

“Things might be a little delayed this spring, so wait a little and see,” he said.

And experts say January’s extreme cold may leave us with one benefit: Reduced numbers of pests like Emerald ash borer.

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While outdoor gardening may be slightly delayed this spring by soggy soil, the usual procedures apply: Watch soil temperatures before planting and guard against late frosts.

But the experts say more and more people are turning to indoor gardening, either because they lack space for a traditional garden or want to eliminate the variables of testy weather while adding to their home environment.

“Container gardening is really catching on,” Grinde said. “They’re selecting smaller vegetable plants they can grow in containers. They fruit normally and you can get the same types and qualities.”

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outdoor garden plants that are not thriving prior to the start of spring gardening season may be just what gardens need to flourish in the coming weeks.

Think about any annuals you might want to plant in the landscape this year that will complement any existing shrubbery or perennials. Come up with a theme so that the entire yard is cohesive While it may be tempting to take a prematurely warm day as a sign that spring is in full force and purchase a bunch of annuals, it’s better to know the last of the possible frost dates (check “The Farmer’s Almanac”); otherwise, you may waste time and money planting flowers or vegetables only to have them zapped by another frosty day.

“More and more people want plants in their indoor space,” Polzin said. “A lot of the interest is coming from the younger generation. They have a whole collection of plants. Instead of kids or pets, they’re getting plants.”

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Polzin said indoor growing interests range from houseplants like Chinese money plant or fiddle-leaf fig to vegetable plants and herbs.

“Sometimes they’re looking for produce, and sometimes they’re just looking to green-up their indoor space,” Polzin said. “It helps clean-up the air in their home, and sometimes it just makes them feel good.”

And Polzin and Grinde both said a common trend this spring focuses on one attribute: Color.

“They’re looking for anything that has more color,” Polzin said. “They want more and more plants that have longer bloom times.”

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Grinde said he has an idea why the crowds are clamoring for color.

“It was a long, white winter,” he said. “People just want bright colors around.”

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outdoor garden

How to read a nursery plant tag 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 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 REQUIREMENTS

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 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 over-winter and will regenerate year after year.

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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 may also be included.

Plant tags provide important information for selecting and growing plants. When noted, tags help gardeners make the right selections and keep plants as healthy as possible

UNDERSTAND HARDINESS ZONES BEFORE PLANTING

outdoor garden

USDA Hardiness Zone map courtesy of the USDA. View an interactive version at the USDA website.

Gardening benefits the environment in myriad ways. Maintaining natural landscapes and preserving green spaces can reduce the collective carbon footprint of the human race.

Trees, flowers and other greenery filter the air and create welcoming habitats for all species of animals and insects.

Many home gardeners set out each spring to create landscapes that cater to all of the senses. But choosing plants that are unlikely to thrive in certain climates can lead to dissatisfaction and premature plant demise and may require gardeners to use more fertilizers, pesticides and other not-so-Earthfriendly techniques to help plants thrive.

One of the more important steps gardeners can take before spring arrives is to educate themselves about plant hardiness zones.

Hardiness zones are defined by the average climatic conditions of the region and are broken down into various zones. The USDA Hardiness Zone map divides North America into 13 separate zones. Each zone is marked by 10 F incremental differences from the last zone. In some versions of the map.

The National Gardening Association says the USDA Hardiness Zone Map was revised in 2012. The latest version was jointly developed by the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and Oregon State University’s PRISM Climate Group. To help develop the new map, the USDA and Oregon State University requested that horticultural and climatic experts review the zones in their geographic

areas. As a result, the zone boundaries in the 2012 edition of the map have shifted in many areas.

Zone maps are tools that show where permanent landscape plants can adapt.

Home gardeners who are looking for shrubs or perennials to last year after year should recognize that such plants must tolerate year-round conditions, including the lowest and highest temperatures and the amount of precipitation. Snow cover and humidity also can impact a plant’s propensity to thrive.

While zone maps are not perfect, they can be useful in planning and ensuring the survival of future gardens. Plant and seed manufacturer Burpee says that other factors to consider that also affect the viability of plants include wind, moisture and soil conditions. The company offers an interactive zone finder on their website that will indicate the hardiness zone as well as average first and last frost dates. Visit www.burpee.com/ findgrowzone to enter a zip code.

Learn more about plant hardiness at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb.

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outdoor garden Secrets to keeping an organized shed A well-organized shed can save homeowners time and energy, as it’s easy to abandon or delay Hanging a project if you can’t find that items pair of work gloves you stashed.

The first step to any organizing vertically project is to take everything frees up out of the shed and determine more space just what needs to go back in.

Items that do not belong in the in a shed or shed should be moved to their garage. rightful locations or tossed in the trash if they’re no longer needed. Make a pile of anything that will be kept, a separate one for donations and a third for garbage. Take inventory of what you have so you know whether you’re missing any items or you have something and do not need to purchase another.

Now that the entire shed is empty, you can assess just how much room you have. Utilizing vertical and overhead space effectively can free up areas on the floor for larger equipment.

Shelving, racks, pegboards and any other materials that enable you to hang or store items off the floor are good investments. Visit your nearby home improvement retailer to find items that can simplify your storage. You also may be able to put scrap wood to use to make your own storage shelves or a work bench. Extra kitchen cabinets can be installed in the shed to organize additional items.

organization a step further by tracing the outline of tools hung on the wall so they can be placed back in the same spot after use. This also serves as a visual reminder of which tools are missing and which ones need to be purchased.

Don’t forget to utilize shed doors as additional storage space. Hang frequently used tools, such as rakes and shovels, on the inside of the doors so they will always be easily accessible.

You also can repurpose storage solutions designed for other areas of the home. For example, magnetic knife holders can be mounted to a shed wall to keep paintbrushes organized. These holders also can be used to keep many small metal tools tidy. Metal funnels can hold twine and string. Thread through the narrow end of the funnel for a handy dispenser.

Keep dangerous substances off the floor and out of reach. Gasoline, chemical fertilizers and other potentially dangerous substances should be stored high up to keep pets and children safe.

City of Eau Claire Housing Division Housing Rehabilitation Program The City of Eau Claire Housing Division is taking applications for the Housing Rehabilitation Program. The Rehabilitation Make sure the shed floor is sturdy and level.

Program is Federally funded and offers loans up to $20,000. This program is for homes in need of repair, not for This makes it easier to neatly store larger items. extensions or cosmetic renovations.

Roll in the lawnmower, wheelbarrow and any Type of Work: • Roof and window replacement Requirements: • City of Eau Claire resident • Assessed value not to exceed $146,500 • Plumbing repairs or upgrading other cumbersome items. Now that more things • Electrical repairs or upgrading • Property a minimum of 25 years old are mounted vertically, you should find that you • Carpentry repairs • Owner Occupied (at least 1 year) • Heating system replacement • Good Credit History have more area to move around.

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Taking the time to clean and organize a shed can help make anyone more productive.

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