2 • MORNING JOURNAL • L AWN & G ARDEN • SPRING EDITION • THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013
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(BPT) - Maintaining the perfect lawn is easier than you think and with the right tools, you can be both efficient with your yard work and eco-conscious. If it’s lush green turf that you’re after, but you also care about your carbon footprint, there are a few tools and practices that can help you have it both ways.
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Many of the tips for maintaining a truly green lawn can also save you money and time. As you’re gearing up to enjoy your outdoor space this season, here are a few suggestions to follow for a healthy lawn you can feel good about:
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* Give back to your lawn. One of the best treatments for your yard is to let a layer of lawn clippings settle on the top of your turf after mowing. The clippings decompose and replenish your soil, encouraging positive growth. A common misconception is that leaving the clippings on top of your lawn leads to the development of thatch, when in fact it’s usually caused by other conditions. Leaving your clippings only helps your lawn, and lessens the amount of work you have to do. * Go green with battery-powered mowers and lawn tools. Gas mowers’ engines don’t run nearly as clean as more thoroughly engineered car engines and contribute significantly to air pollution, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. If you make the switch to a battery-powered mower, you can start it easily every time without having to worry about polluting the air. With a mower like the GreenWorks Twin Force Mower, you can get the same great performance as a gas mower with up to 70 minutes of run time. The rechargeable 40 volt lithium-ion batteries that power this mower can also be used other GreenWorks lawn tools that include string trimmers, hedge trimmers and leaf blowers, making it possible to take your entire arsenal of lawn care tools off gas for good. * Be wise with your water. With a few strategic adjustments, you can significantly reduce the amount of water you use to keep your lawn healthy. Water less frequently with a good soaking each time, the water you use will go further. Watering in the morning will also help your lawn soak up the water, rather than having it evaporate before it makes it into your soil. Installing a rain barrel is also a great way to reuse the water that runs off your house without ever having to turn on the spigot.
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* Buy a discerning fertilizer. Chemical fertilizers might offer quick results, but organic fertilizers often provide more staying power as they focus more on improving soil quality rather than the quick fix of applying nutrients directly to the plant. To make sure you are effective with your fertilizer use, take a soil sample to a local garden store to analyze it and they’ll recommend the best fertilizing mix for your lawn. * Allow your lawn to protect itself. Mowing too short is a key mistake many people make. A good rule of thumb is to never cut more than one-third of the current height. This will ensure that your grass can develop deep enough roots to thrive and won’t get scorched when summer temperatures arrive. You can have a beautiful, green lawn without putting extra stress on the environment. For more information on environmentally friendly lawn tools that offer gas-comparable performance, visit www.greenworkstools.com.
MORNING JOURNAL • L AWN & G ARDEN • SPRING EDITION • THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013 • 3
Spending tips for spring home improvements (BPT) - Spring home improvement season is on the way, and if you’re like most homeowners you have a list of jobs you want to accomplish. Some will be small, economical do-it-yourself projects. Others may require the services of a professional and a greater monetary investment. However you accomplish your home improvement plans, it’s important to do so as costeffectively as possible. To make the most of your home improvement projects this spring, take these five steps: 1. Define what you want to do. Be precise and detailed in exactly what you want to accomplish. Going into a home improvement project without a clear vision of the end result means you’ll be making decisions on the fly - and that’s the type of decision-making that can become costly. Knowing exactly what the scope of your project will be can help you better estimate the costs and stay on track with your budget and objectives. 2. Decide if you can do it yourself or need to hire a pro. Yes, DIY can save you dough, but only if you can do the job right the first time. Fixing mistakes can cost more in the long run than hiring a professional. Be honest with yourself about your DIY capabilities, and if a project is beyond your scope, look for a pro to help. 3. Make sure you’re hiring a reputable contractor. While the majority of home improvement contractors are honorable and just trying to earn an honest living, there
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are also less reliable ones out there, too. Doing business only with companies or contractors who are licensed and bonded can help you weed out the scam artists. Always seek independent reviews of any contractor you may hire. Don’t just rely on the references he or she provides. 4. Create a budget for your project, communicate it to your contractor and make sure he or she understands you’re committed to staying on budget. Good contractors know how to balance quality concerns and cost constraints and will work with you to avoid cost overruns. Your budget should lay out how much you will spend on materials and labor, with some “wiggle room” left over to cover emergencies or necessary changes. 5. Check your credit. It would be great to pay cash for everything your home needs, but it’s not always possible. It’s likely you’ll need to fund larger projects with credit, so it’s important to understand your credit status before you apply for any kind of loan or line of credit. Knowing your credit score and what’s on your credit report can help you better understand the likelihood of you getting the loan you need and what terms you might expect to get on a loan. Enrolling in a product such as freecreditscore.com offers you the chance to get credit score alerts, identity protection alerts and fraud resolution support. Spring is a great time to make improvements that will increase your home’s resale value and your enjoyment of your home. It’s important to make wise decisions about how you’ll manage and fund your home improvement projects, so that when the work is done, you’re left with a better home - and as little debt as possible.
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OUTDOOR entertaining 4 • MORNING JOURNAL • L AWN & G ARDEN • SPRING EDITION • THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013
(BPT) - As temperatures warm, many of us can’t wait to get outside and rediscover the joys of our outdoor spaces. One of the best ways to ensure the enjoyment of your space all season long is with some spring cleaning and upkeep of your yard and outdoor living spaces.
There are a few spring cleaning projects that benefit every homeowner and make spaces much more inviting for the hours you’ll spend enjoying the summer sun. The home improvement experts at Lowe’s offer the following checklist of improvements that will have your outdoor space looking great in no time: * Take the time to prune. Before the season heats up and the first leaves start to appear, it’s the perfect time to shape up your trees and shrubs. Doing so before the growing season is less stressful for your plants, easier to clean up and will promote the type of growth you envision to keep your greenery looking great all season. Make sure your tools are sharp, as cleaner cuts are easier on plants. The new Fiskars DuraSharp pruners and loppers feature fully hardened steel blades making cutting and pruning that much easier. You can find these at Lowe’s. * Clean up leftover leaves. While you probably spent much of the fall raking and mulching fallen leaves, stragglers collect throughout winter, clogging gutters and drains. In addition to cleaning areas of your yard blanketed with leaves, rake your lawn to rid it of matted leaves that can inhibit healthy growth. Break these chores into separate days so you don’t have to do it all at once. Using a blower also helps you clean up your yard in short order. * Bring out the power washer. Winter tends to leave its mark, and the exterior of your house, deck, sidewalks and driveway can all show grime once spring rolls around. A pressure washer is a convenient way to clean these surfaces. The Generac OneWash gas pressure washer makes this easy for homeowners as it can be conveniently wheeled around the outside of your home to meet all your pressure-washing needs. * Check in on your deck. Once it’s been pressure washed, it’s time to see if you need to reseal it. If you drizzle water on your deck boards and it beads up, your seal is still effective. If not, it’s time to apply another coat of sealant. Pleasant spring days are ideal for re-sealing and staining and once you’re done, you can enjoy the whole season without worry. * Design your dream outdoor room. Once you’ve cleaned up your space, you might realize there’s more that could be done to enhance it. Spring is the perfect time to consider a new patio set, or even a patio extension using decorative pavers. Dress up existing patio furniture by staining wood furniture or buying fresh new covers or cushions. This is also the perfect time to buy that new and improved grill you’ve had your eye on. Spring is an exciting time to get back outside and take care of some of the improvements you’ve been dreaming of all winter. Visit www.lowescreativeideas.com for more inspiration on how to make your outdoor space great this year.
MORNING JOURNAL • L AWN & G ARDEN • SPRING EDITION • THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013 • 5
Tips for creating a greener outdoor living space
Outdoor living spaces remain a popular home improvement, but while you’re planning your patio or prepping your planting beds do you consider the impact these improvements might have on the environment? Creating a great outdoor space can be even more satisfying when you take steps to make your project as “green” as possible. If your spring to-do list includes backyard projects such as building a patio or decorative landscaping, here are some eco-friendly ways to accomplish your goals: Choose greener materials
Long gone are the days when it was difficult to find building materials created with sustainable manufacturing processes. Today, you can find products such as pavers and even paver base - used in patiobuilding - that are not only made from recycled materials, but also are 100 percent recyclable. For example, to build a greener patio, start with Brock PaverBase, which holds the coveted “Cradle to Cradle” certification that recognizes a product’s safety for people and the environment, and design for future life cycles. The overlapping panel system makes prepping the ground for patio pavers quick and easy, eliminating more of the time-consuming and labor-intensive aspects of traditional patio-building - all while delivering a better looking, professional-quality result. You can learn more at www.brockinternational.com. When building products made from recycled materials aren’t available, consider ones that are naturally sustainable. Such products can also provide a unique look. Bamboo, for example, is gaining popularity as a fencing and decking material and it’s eco-friendly because it’s fast-growing and durable. Cedar is another decking and fence product that is naturally “green,” because it is naturally resistant to moisture - making it more durable. It also contains natural oils that prevent rot without the chemical treatments needed by other woods such as pine, and it can be recycled and used for other building projects. Responsible accessories
Energy and water consumption are also important considerations when greening your backyard environment. Opting for solar-powered pathway, deck and accent lighting - rather than traditional electric lights - is a great way to reduce the environmental impact of your outdoor living space, while saving money on your utility bill. It’s easy to find a wide variety of solar lighting styles, whether you look online or at your local home improvement store. Reducing water waste is also important for the environment and your wallet. If you have a lawn sprinkler system, be sure to avoid watering during the hottest hours of the day when water will evaporate off the grass before it had time to sink into the soil. Timers on a sprinkler system can also help conserve water. You can also recycle rainwater to irrigate backyard flowerbeds. Simply set up a rain barrel to collect water. Finally, think about the furnishings you’ll use on your patio or deck. While plastic may seem durable - and cheapest to buy - consider what will happen to the furniture once it’s no longer usable. Furnishings made from recyclable materials like wood or iron may be kinder to the environment in the long run. You can also look for furniture made from recycled products. Or, visit garage sales and give old wood or metal lawn furniture a fresh coat of paint, some new cushions - and a new life in your environmentally friendly outdoor space.
6 • MORNING JOURNAL • L AWN & G ARDEN • SPRING EDITION • THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013
Power outage prevention facts and myths (NAPS)—You can feel more secure that your home can weather any storm if you’ve got a generator to keep the lights and appliances on in an outage. First, however, it helps to understand a few facts about generators. Common myths include:
Myth: Standby generators are clunky eyesores that must be placed in the middle of the yard. Fact: Recent design advancements may give homeowners more placement flexibility. For example, select Briggs & Stratton standby generators meet strict National Fire Protection Association standards, so they may be placed closer to the house than in the past.
Myth: Portable generators and standby generators are the same. Fact: A gasoline-powered portable generator typically powers a few appliances for a few hours at a time. A home standby generator is permanently installed and can keep the power on when the primary power source goes out, so you can run more appliances continually, such as air conditioners, heaters, refrigerators, clothes washers/dryers and lights. Portable generators can power a wide range of essential items and be used in multiple applications, such as camping or tailgating. Standby generators use your home’s existing fuel source (propane or natural gas) and turn on automatically.
Myth: Standby generators require constant care and upkeep. Fact: Standby generators are programmed to exercise regularly—often once a week—to ensure that they are in working condition in the event of a power outage. Myth: Portable generators can be operated anywhere on your property, even inside your house or garage.
Myth: You have to go outside in a storm to start a standby generator. Fact: One benefit of standby generators is the seamless transition of power. The generator goes on automatically within seconds after utility power goes out. When power is restored, the standby generator powers off automatically. Myth: A large, expensive standby generator is necessary to power a house.
Fact: Portable generators must always be operated outdoors and far from doors, windows, vents and other openings to prevent carbon monoxide—a poisonous, odorless, colorless, deadly gas—from getting trapped inside the home or garage. Protect your family with a carbon monoxide alarm whenever running a portable generator. To learn more about safe operation of por table generators, visit www.briggsandstratton.com/safetyfirst.
Fact: Power management systems, such as those from Briggs & Stratton, electronically control electrical loads. This lets you power more with a smaller generator.
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MORNING JOURNAL • L AWN & G ARDEN • SPRING EDITION • THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013 • 7
Container gardening: the right plant for the pot (NAPS)—It’s a growing trend: Twenty-one million households are planting container gardens. It saves space, helps control pests and overcome soil issues, and lets you enjoy fresh, homegrown produce even without a yard. To ensure your success, it’s important to pick the right plant for the pot. Fortunately, seed companies are developing vegetable seeds well adapted for container gardens. “Today’s container gardeners now have access to even more plants that are compact in size, yield more, taste great and feature unique colors and shapes,” said John Marchese of Seminis Home Garden seed. To help you get started, consider these tips from experts at the University of Illinois Extension:
Container gardeners don’t have to sacrifice flavor for a more conveniently grown plant either. “Husky Red is a medium-sized tomato hybrid that has great flavor. We have also developed a cherry tomato hybrid version called Husky Cherry Red that has the potential to set lots of sweet, flavorful fruit,” added Marchese. Other compact hybrid tomato varieties include Patio, which produces about a 4-ounce tomato, and a saladette tomato variety called Yaqui that produces large-sized fruit.
Choosing a Container • Anything that holds soil and has drainage holes in the bottom may be transformed into a container garden for terrestrial plants. • For vibrant plant growth, the containers must provide adequate space for roots and soil media, allowing the plant to thrive.
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Soil • Soils for containers need to be well aerated and well drained while still being able to retain enough moisture for plant growth. • Never use garden soil by itself for container gardening, no matter how good it looks or how well things grow in it outside. • Containers often use soilless or artificial media that contain no soil at all. • When these mixes are used, they should be moistened slightly before planting. Fill a tub with the media, add water and lightly fluff the media to dampen it. • When filling containers with media, don’t fill the pot to the top. Leave about a oneinch space between the top of the soil and rim of the pot.
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Fertilizer • A regular fertilizer program is needed to keep plants growing well and attractively all season. • The choice of fertilizer analysis will depend on the kinds of plants you grow. Highnitrogen sources would be good for plants grown for their foliage while flowering and vegetable crops would generally prefer lower-nitrogen and higher-phosphorous fertilizer types. Choosing Plants For Your Container Garden • Plants that thrive in like soil, watering and light conditions make successful combinations. When combining plants, size, texture, proportion, color, setting and lighting all play a role.
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8 • MORNING JOURNAL • L AWN & G ARDEN • SPRING EDITION • THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013
What’s in for spring
(NAPS)—If you want to get more enjoyment out of your yard, you can consider creating attractive outdoor spaces that are both easy to take care of and good for the environment. American homeowners are increasingly drawn to adding outdoor rooms for entertaining and recreation on their properties. That’s what the most recent Residential Landscape Architecture Trends survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects discovered. The survey results also show demand for both sustainable and low-maintenance design. Landscape architects who specialize in residential design were asked to rate the expected popularity of a variety of residential outdoor design elements. The category of outdoor living spaces, defined as kitchens and entertainment spaces, received a 94.5 percent rating as somewhat or very popular. Ninety-seven percent of respondents rated fire pits and fireplaces as somewhat or very in demand, followed by grills, seating and dining areas, and lighting. Decorative water elements— including waterfalls, ornamental pools and splash pools—were predicted to be in demand for home landscapes. Spas and pools are also popular. Terraces, patios and decks are also high on people’s lists. Americans prefer practical yet striking design elements for their gardens including low-maintenance landscapes and native plants. In addition, more people are opting for food and vegetable gardens, including orchards and vineyards. Good To Know If you’re thinking of joining them, a few food-growing facts and hints may help: • Food gardens can be easy, rewarding and sustainable. For starters, you can use fallen leaves in autumn and grass clippings in spring and summer as mulch and weed suppressant. • Perennial plants can be low maintenance—they come back every year without replanting. Some great examples include asparagus, blueberries, blackberries and rhubarb. • Herbs can make for an especially sustainable food garden, as many prefer hot and dry areas of your yard, with chives, sage and tarragon returning every year.
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MORNING JOURNAL • L AWN & G ARDEN • SPRING EDITION • THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013 • 9
Six ways that public gardens can inspire you (NAPS)—How does your garden grow? It could be one that makes the neighbors green with envy if you turn for inspiration to America’s amazing public gardens. Here are six ways public gardens can inspire: • Landscaping at public gardens can offer suggestions for designing a beautiful garden of any size with colorful combinations of plants in bloom. • Public gardens use efficient watering practices and have industry insight on responsible irrigation systems. Homeowners can learn how to irrigate their own gardens by exploring and consulting with a public garden. • Choosing native plants or plants that have adapted to the local environment can ensure that a garden will be healthy and require less water. Public gardens tend to have huge collections of native and adapted plants that homeowners can be assured will work in their own gardens.
• Public gardens often host plant sales that feature unique plants, flowers and trees, providing top-quality additions to residential gardens. Many public gardens have professional experts on hand to answer questions and libraries and bookstores that can educate home gardeners. Learn More The nonprofit American Public Gardens Association has partnered with Rain Bird, a leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products, to promote public gardens. For more information, you can visit www.NationalPublicGar densDay.org.
• Public gardens have a selection of plants that are right for a variety of seasons. Blooms can happen year-round if the appropriate types of plants or trees are selected. Keeping your garden beautiful can be easier once you see how public gardens arrange their collection. • Public gardens employ a diverse professional staff that specializes in horticulture, conservation, display, research and design. Many gardens offer workshops and programs for home gardeners.
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10 • MORNING JOURNAL • L AWN & G ARDEN • SPRING EDITION • THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013
Seven secrets for a beautiful landscape (NAPS)—Anyone who thinks a low-maintenance landscape has to be plain green and ugly should think again. With a bit of planning, some smart plant choices and the help of these seven garden designer secrets, you can have a yard that’s the envy of your neighborhood—and enough time to enjoy it. 1. Choose plants that will flourish given the realities of your yard. Some plants like full sun while others tolerate shade; some don’t mind freezing temperatures while others are unfazed by relentless heat. Selecting plants that thrive in the existing conditions of your site ensures a healthy, attractive landscape. Observe the light levels around your home—six to eight hours plus of uninterrupted sun each day indicates full sun, four to six hours is considered part shade or part sun, and less than four hours would be a shaded site. Plants at the garden center should have tags that tell you their light preferences. Shopping locally helps ensure that all the plants you see will be suitable for the climate in your yard. 2. Plant drought-tolerant shrubs. These specially adapted plants thrive with limited water once they are established (usually after their first season in the ground). Droughttolerant plants sail through hot summer days easily, saving you the time and money it takes to water the landscape. Read the tag attached to the shrub for information on its drought tolerance or look for visual cues such as silvery-grey leaves, as are found on Petit Bleu caryopteris, and narrow, needlelike foliage, as on Fine Line rhamnus. 3. Spare yourself the time it takes to prune your plants by opting for compact varieties. Compact (also known as dwarf) plants never get too large for the space where you’ve planted them so you don’t have to bother with confusing pruning instructions. Most people’s favorite plants are available in compact, no-prune varieties: hydrangea lovers can try Little Lime or Bobo dwarf-panicle hydrangeas or the tidy Cityline series of big-leaf hydrangea. Rose fans should take note of the low-growing Oso Easy series with its range of 10 vivid colors, all under 3’ high. Even butterfly bush, a shrub notorious for its giant, sprawling habit, is available in a compact 2’ height with the innovative Lo & Behold series. 4. Choose plants with high-quality, attractive foliage. These look great even when not in bloom, beautifying your landscape for months instead of just a few weeks. Colorful foliage, including the dark purple of Black Lace elderberry or the cheery gold of Chardonnay Pearls deutzia, and variegated foliage, such as My Monet weigela or Sugar Tip hibiscus, make engaging focal points from early spring through late fall. Mix them with such evergreens as Castle Spire holly and Soft Serve false cypress for year-round color.
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5. Plant in masses of three, five or seven of the same kind of plant. This gives your landscape a cohesive, professionally designed appearance. Plus, weeds cannot grow if desirable plants are already taking up the space, eliminating that notoriously tiresome garden chore. Planting in groups of odd numbers is a designer’s secret for a bold statement that doesn’t feel too formal or fussy. 6. Mulch. A two- to three-inch-thick layer of shredded bark mulch not only gives your landscape a pleasing, finished look, it conserves water by reducing evaporation. It also keeps plant roots cool and shaded, allowing for healthy, vigorous growth that resists pests and diseases naturally. 7. Don’t be afraid to replace the plants that take too much of your time, or those that you don’t really like, with new, easy-to-grow shrubs. At www.ProvenWinnersShrubs.com, there are so many improved varieties available now that there is little reason to settle for anything else.
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MORNING JOURNAL • L AWN & G ARDEN • SPRING EDITION • THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013 • 11
Moving tips for a great looking lawn (NAPS)—The grass can be greener on your side of the fence if you heed these eight hints on making the most of mowing. 1. Choose the Correct Cutting Height: This depends on the type of grass, the amount of rainfall, prevailing temperature and the lawn’s overall condition. 2. Don’t Cut Your Grass Too Short: Mowing too short can result in weak, thin grass that’s easily damaged by drought and pests. Leaving your grass a bit longer reduces heat buildup and preserves needed moisture. A good rule of thumb is the one-third rule—cut no more than a third of the grass height and never more than an inch at a time. 3. Mow With Sharp Blades: Sharp blades cut grass cleanly and efficiently; dull blades tear at the grass, harming it. 4. Mow When the Grass Is Cool and Dry: Late afternoon or early evening often provides ideal mowing conditions. Don’t mow after rain or even heavy dew and never mulch when the grass is wet. Moist grass can clump beneath the mower deck.
5. Water Your Lawn Regularly: Try to imitate a slow, soaking rain by applying about an inch of water per week. Consider placing tin cans around your lawn so you can check to be sure you’re giving it the proper amount. 6. Use the Right Amount of Fertilizer: A slowrelease fertilizer provides missing nutrients for slow, even growth. When to fertilize and how much to use depends on the condition of your lawn and soil. 7. Aerate in the Spring: Using an aerator to remove cores of soil from the lawn increases clipping decomposition speed and encourages deeper root growth by opening up the soil and permitting greater movement of water, fertilizer and air. 8. Select the Right Mower: The right mower for your lawn depends on the size of the property, whether there are hills and whether you want it to help with other chores, such as pulling a cart for yard work. Once you have your answer, you can decide among a walk-behind mower, a rider tractor or a zeroturn machine.
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12 • MORNING JOURNAL • L AWN & G ARDEN • SPRING EDITION • THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013
Mix and match trend revolutionizing deck design (BPT) - When it comes to fashion faux pas, the only thing worse than clashing patterns is overly matching every item. Mixing and matching creates exciting contrast - and not just when you dress yourself, but also when you “dress up” your home. The trend toward mixing colors and materials has made its way outdoors, with enterprising homeowners getting creative with their decks. When it comes to building a deck, or refurbishing an existing one, options abound. Design choices beyond simple considerations such as wood or composite, square or rectangular, open the door to creative outdoor environments that are truly unique and reflect your personal style. The deck design experts at Deckorators point to several popular looks emerging in the mix-and-match trend: Mixed materials
Retire that old rule that says all the materials you use for your deck must match. Your railing no longer needs to be made from the same material as your decking. Pairing wooden deck planks stained in a natural hue with a metallic railing and decorative balusters creates a fresh, exciting look. Dress up basic wood and vinyl deck posts with fiberreinforced concrete postcovers that provide the look and feel of real stacked stone. An inset of deck stones in the floor creates contrast and interest - as well as a functional, durable spot for outdoor kitchens, grilling areas and raised fire pits.Pairing metal or glass balusters with a wood or composite railing is another striking way to add personality to a deck. The combination is the perfect marriage of rustic and modern, incorporating the classic natural appeal of wood with the modern flair of metal and glass. Playing with color
Metal balusters also allow you to experiment with color. Available in finishes that mimic popular metals such as bronze, copper and stainless steel, as well as basic black or white, metal balusters also resist insect damage and rot - making them practical as well as pretty. There’s also no rule that says all your balusters have to match. For even more personality, try mixing balusters: alternate different styles of glass or metal, or mix regular metal or glass balusters with lighted balusters. Using energy-efficient LED technology, lighted balusters connect to a standard 12-volt power source to create a soft glow.
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Exploring accessories
Accessories like post caps and planters are great ways to enhance a deck’s visual appeal and usability. While metal and glass post caps are traditionally thought of as great complements for metal and glass balusters, they can also add pops of color to a monochrome deck. Available in a variety of colors such as copper, pewter, black and white, metal post caps also coordinate well with wood and composite deck materials. Or, for an even more colorful accent, consider glass post caps. Deckorators offers a line of glass post caps that mimic timeless Tiffany styles. They are also available in basic colors and styles, as well as illuminated versions that coordinate well with regular or lighted balusters. While you’re experimenting with accessories, don’t overlook the opportunity to mix things up with a variety of sizes, shapes, colors and materials for built-in planters and seating. Need help visualizing how your deck might look all dolled up using the mix-andmatch trend? Deckorators offers a simple online tool, the Deck Visualizer, which allows you to mix different decking, balusters and post caps and see in advance how your personalized outdoor space might look. Log on to www.deckorators.com to learn more.
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MORNING JOURNAL • L AWN & G ARDEN • SPRING EDITION • THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013 • 13
Basic care can keep your lawn equipment running (BPT) - Spring is just around the corner, so it’s not too soon to begin thinking about getting your lawn equipment ready. From lawn mowers to hedge and weed trimmers, you want to make sure those items are in good working order before you are ready to tackle the lawn for the first time. Taking the time for seasonal maintenance will mean more reliable equipment and a safer experience for you. Here are some great tips to make sure you’re ready to go for the season. Use fresh gasoline: Most likely at the end of the season you drained the gasoline out of your lawnmower. Gasoline can become stale and when left in the lawn mower fuel system it will break down and can cause starting or running issues, or in some cases, damage to the fuel system. While there are some treatments available to stabilize the gasoline through the winter months, gas should not be left in the mower for more than 90 days of inactivity. The carburetor needs a “fresh” start every time, so using fresh gas is always optimal. Change the oil: If your lawn equipment uses engine oil, changing the oil is an important step in the reliability and life of the motor. Using high-performance synthetic motor oil like Royal Purple SAE licensed and HPS engine oil will provide better wear protection and superior corrosion protection. Check the cables: Be sure to check all cables and levers for wear and proper functioning. Depending on use, some cables may need adjustment. You will also want to check the belts for wear and replace them as needed.
Sharpen the blades as needed: Using lawn equipment that has a dull blade is equivalent to tearing off the ends of each blade of grass. Rough cuts like these can leave the grass vulnerable to sun damage and disease. Take a look at your grass after you’ve cut it, if the ends look ragged you need to sharpen your blade. Blades should be sharpened once or twice a year depending on the use of the equipment. You can either sharpen the blade yourself with the right tools or take it to a dealer who offers blade sharpening services. Clean and lubricate: Clean all of the debris from the motor and deck and lubricate gears and other moving joints. Royal Purple’s Maxfilm is a multipurpose spray ideal for the lubrication of power tools, hinges, chains, open gears and lawn equipment. Formulated with Royal Purple’s proprietary Synerlec additive technology, Maxfilm can make equipment run smoother, cooler, quieter, longer and more efficiently. Taking regular care of your lawn equipment will extend its life and keep your lawn looking healthier. With the right approach, you’ll enjoy your lawn all summer lawn without having to worry about major repairs.
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14 • MORNING JOURNAL • L AWN & G ARDEN • SPRING EDITION • THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013
Easy DIY cures for common concrete problems (BPT) - Have you ever seen a house with a beautiful lawn, lush landscaping, a tasteful and well-maintained exterior - and an ugly cracked concrete driveway? Why is it that even seasoned, proficient do-it-yourselfers sometimes balk at taking care of concrete? “Concrete can be intimidating,” says Bob Schmidt, national product manager for Sakrete, which makes concrete repair products. “There’s an unfair stigma that repairing concrete is a lot of work, but it’s actually not difficult. In many cases, if you can use a caulk gun, you can repair your cracked concrete.” As with other home maintenance tasks, making your own repairs to minor concrete damage yourself can prevent problems from becoming worse - and turning into something that requires costly replacement by professionals. Here are some concrete repair tasks that you can do yourself, and helpful tips for doing the jobs right: Repairing cracks in sidewalks and concrete driveways
Even properly poured concrete can crack over time. Cracks that appear over time can be caused by tree roots pushing under the slab or a shift in the ground under the slab. As cracks develop moisture works its way into minute fissures in the concrete which eventually leads to larger, visible cracks. This is especially severe in winter when the water turns to ice, the ice expands and the cracking process accelerates. Left unaddressed, cracks will worsen, ultimately leading to crumbling and the breakdown of the slab. Repairing small cracks can prevent them from becoming larger. For cracks between one-eighth to three-eighths of an inch wide, use a product like Sakrete’s Concrete and Mortar Repair, which comes in an easy-to-use caulk tube. Slightly larger cracks can be repaired with Sakrete Concrete Crack Filler, a one-quart premixed concrete repair material in a sqeezable container. Cracks should be wide enough to accept the tip of a caulk gun. Larger cracks may require a concrete repair product similar to the one you would use to repair broken or uneven concrete. For any size crack, begin by cleaning the crack and the concrete around it. Use a wire brush or screwdriver to remove loose chips and dust from the crack. Then, using a garden hose, squirt water directly into the crack to force out all loose material. Allow standing water to drain before filling the crack. Once the surface is ready, apply your crack-filling product per the manufacturer’s directions.
Before you pay a professional to perform the labor-intensive task of ripping up the old concrete and pouring new, consider resurfacing your worn concrete driveway, sidewalk or pathway. While resurfacing is a little more work than simply patching cracks, it’s still well within the abilities of most DIYers. Products like Sakrete’s Flo-Coat Resurfacer pour over the existing concrete and, when properly applied, create a durable, visually appealing new surface. Be sure to clean the concrete first - especially if there are oil stains - and follow the manufacturer’s directions for application to ensure the best possible results. Leveling uneven concrete
Concrete slabs that have separated at the joint, leaving one higher than the other are not only unslightly, but can pose a tripping hazard. Rather than tearing up and repouring the uneven area, consider using concrete repair patching material to level the area. A concrete repair material like Sakrete’s Top ‘n Bond can be applied in layers, using a trowel. It allows you to not only fill in cracks, but also level out uneven concrete.
Restoring worn concrete surfaces
While concrete is one of the most durable surfaces in your outdoor environment, like any other material that’s exposed to the elements and vigorous use, it can start to look worn. Pitting and cracking not only look bad, they can ultimately lead to severe breakdown of the surface.
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“Many common concrete problems can be easily and quickly addressed by the average homeowner, using the right products and a little bit of elbow grease,” Schmidt says. “Tackling concrete repairs on your own can save you time and money - and leave you with a great-looking end result, as well as the satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself.”
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MORNING JOURNAL • L AWN & G ARDEN • SPRING EDITION • THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013 • 15
Four ways to drought-proof your yard (BPT) - The past few years have not been kind to lawns and gardens across the country. The summer of 2012 brought severe drought to much of the Midwest and a good portion of the country continues to experience drought conditions. Homeowners have two choices in dealing with drought: try to water enough to keep grass and plants alive and looking good, or implement long-term changes to make yards more resistant to extremely dry and hot spells. Fighting drought can be time-consuming and expensive. With forecasters and scientists predicting warming temperatures and more extreme weather events as the new normal, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that droughts could become more common and severe in the future. Making some changes to your approach to landscaping can keep you from worrying about your water bill and the well-being of your lawn when the weather isn’t quite cooperating.
looks and performs like natural grass that could save 99,000 gallons of water each year for an average lawn of 1,800 square feet. The SoftLawn product from STI requires virtually zero maintenance, can be easily maintained with a leaf blower and is made from 100 percent biodegradable or recyclable materials. Considering the average homeowner spends 150 hours a year maintaining his lawn, you can save a lot of time and money by going synthetic. Examples of synthetic lawns can be found at www.synthetic-turf.com. * Add mulch. Covering the soil around your plants with a layer of mulch or compost can help improve water retention, inhibit growth of water-hungry weeds and cool soil temperatures to keep your plants comfortable when temperatures rise. Natural mulches break down and are absorbed into your soil, which means there’s little maintenance besides adding a new layer when appropriate.
Here are four ways to drought-proof your yard:
* Choose your plants wisely. You may want to choose plants solely based on aesthetics, but picking plants that thrive with less water is the key to keep your yard looking good no matter the conditions. Talk with the experts at your garden center about which types of plants make the most sense for your climate, and which ones might be a little more drought-resistant than others. * Go easy on the grass. For some it’s hard to imagine a picturesque yard without a lush and expansive yard. But the truth is, a green lawn usually requires a lot of water to maintain. The Southern Nevada Water Authority estimates that every square foot of natural grass replaced with less water-dependent alternatives saves 55 gallons of water per year. If you don’t want to part ways with your lawn in favor of natural landscaping that’s more water-friendly, you have another option: synthetic turf.
* Make your water work harder for you. No matter what you do to drought-proof your lawn, you’ll likely still have to do some watering. Drip irrigation systems can make your water go further by applying it directly to the root of plants. If you’re watering by hand, water in the morning when temperatures are cool, and apply water to the soil rather than directly to the plants. Installing a rain barrel is a great way to put the water that runs off your house to good use - and you can use that water even if watering restrictions are in effect. If you’re tired of maintaining your yard when the mercury soars and the rain stays away, it might be time to adjust your planting strategy this spring to make your yard naturally resilient. Most drought resistant improvements are good for the environment too, allowing you to feel good while you also save yourself time, money and effort.
Any sports fan would know that synthetic turf has come a long way over the years, and now looks more natural than ever. Companies like Synthetic Turf International(STI) specialize in providing synthetic turf for residential and commercial uses that
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16 • MORNING JOURNAL • L AWN & G ARDEN • SPRING EDITION • THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013
Digging soon? Call 811 first for safety’s sake (BPT) - With winter forgotten and spring in the air, many homeowners are packing away their snow boots and rolling up their sleeves to get started on long-awaited home improvement projects. Across the country, homeowners and professionals alike will plan landscaping and home-improvement projects that require digging this season. During the transition into “digging season,” Common Ground Alliance (CGA), the association dedicated to protecting underground utilities and the people who dig near them, reminds homeowners and professional diggers that calling 811 is the first step towards protecting you and your community from the risk of unintentionally damaging an underground line. Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a free call to 811. Calling this number connects you to your local one-call utility notification center. Installing a mailbox or fence, building a deck and landscaping are all examples of digging projects that should only begin a few days after making a call to 811. Here’s how it works:
1. One free, simple phone call to 811 makes it easy for your local one-call center to notify all appropriate utility companies of your intent to dig. Call a few days prior to digging to ensure enough time for the approximate location of utility lines to be marked with flags or paint. 2. When you call 811, a representative from your local one-call center will ask for the location and description of your digging project. 3. Your local one-call center will notify affected utility companies, which will then send professional locators to the proposed dig site to mark the approximate location of your lines. 4. Only once all lines have been accurately marked, roll up those sleeves and carefully dig around the marked areas. There are nearly 20 million miles of underground utility lines in the United States that your family depends on for everyday needs including electric, gas, water and sewer, cable TV, high-speed Internet and landline telephone.
Unintentionally striking one of these lines can result in inconvenient outages for entire neighborhoods, harm to yourself or your neighbors and repair costs. Every two minutes, homeowners and professionals unintentionally damage an underground utility line. This number can be dramatically reduced by calling 811 before digging. According to the most recent data from CGA, damage occurs less than 1 percent of the time when the digger has called 811 before a project. To find out more information about 811 or the one-call utility notification center in your area, visit www.call811.com.
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MORNING JOURNAL • L AWN & G ARDEN • SPRING EDITION • THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013 • 17
Spring planting tips
Spring means that the garden centers are packed with people, and car trunks are packed with plants. Everybody has dirt on their knees, dirt under their nails, and are excited about gardening. To make certain that this excitement yields positive results, let's discuss the basics in this article of spring planting tips. Installing new plants and having them grow successfully is not difficult, nor is it as complicated as some would have you think. Is it as easy as just digging a hole and setting the plant in? Yes, it certainly can be. Let's start with B&B plants. B&B is short for balled in burlap. Closely examine the ball on the plant that you have purchased. Did the diggers wrap twine around the ball to hold the plant secure? If they did, you should at least cut the twine and lay it in the bottom of the hole, or remove it completely. Pay close attention around the stem of the plant where it emerges from the root ball, as diggers often wrap the twine around the stem several times as they tie the ball. This is extremely important because if the string is nylon, it will not rot and will girdle and kill the plant two or three years from now. When B&B plants are stored in the nursery for extended periods of time it becomes necessary to re-burlap them if the bottom starts to rot before the plants are sold. If the plant that you buy has been re-burlaped it is possible that there could be nylon stings between the two layers of burlap, check the stem carefully. As long as the nylon string is removed from around the stem of the plant, it is actually harmless around the rest of the ball, and you do not have to remove it. Is the root ball wrapped in genuine burlap, or imitation burlap made of a nonbiodegradable plastic material? Genuine burlap will rot quickly underground and does not have to be disturbed before planting. If you're not sure or suspect a poly type burlap, you don't have to remove it completely, but should loosen it around the stem of the plant and cut some vertical slices around the circumference of the ball. If your soil is heavy clay, I highly suggest that your raise the planting bed at least 8” with good rich topsoil. If you can't do that for some reason, install the plant so that at least 2” or more of the root ball is above the existing grade and mound the soil over the root ball. Keep in mind that plants installed this way could dry out over the summer, but planting them flush with the ground in heavy clay can mean that the roots will be too wet at other times of the year. The “experts” suggest that when planting in clay soil you dig the hole wider and deeper than the root ball and fill around and under the plant with loose organic material. That sounds like a really great idea doesn't it? Some of these experts also recommend that you dig the hole extra deep and put a few inches of gravel in the bottom for drainage. Where do you suppose they think this water is going to “drain” to?
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Keep in mind that most B&B plants are grown in well drained soil. That means that the soil in the root ball is porous and water can easily pass through. Now imagine if you will, a root ball about 15” in diameter, setting in a hole 30” diameter. All around and under that root ball is loose organic matter. Inside of that root ball is porous soil. Now along comes Mother Nature with a torrential downpour. There is water everywhere, and it is not going to soak into that hard packed clay soil, so it is just flowing across the top of the ground searching for the lowest point. When it reaches our newly planted tree surrounded by loose organic matter, it is going to seep in until the planting hole is completely full of water. (Remember my article on getting rid of standing water and the French drain system?) By using this planting technique we have actually created a French drain around our poor little plant that can not tolerate it's roots being without oxygen for long periods of time. Because the bottom of this hole is clay, even though we've added gravel for drainage, there is nowhere for the water to go, and this plant is going to suffer and likely die. If you can not raise the planting bed with topsoil, and are planting in clay soil, I recommend that you install the root ball at least 2” above grade and backfill around the ball with the soil that you removed when you dug the hole. Backfilling with the clay soil that you removed is actually like building a dam to keep excess water from permeating the root ball of your newly planted tree. The plant is not going to thrive in this poor soil, but at least it will have a chance to survive. Once again, raising the bed with good rich topsoil is the best thing you can do to keep your plants healthy and happy. No matter what kind of soil you have, be careful not to install your plants too deep. They should never be planted any deeper than they were grown in the nursery. Planting too deep is a common problem, and thousands of plants are killed each year by gardeners who just don't understand how critical planting depth is. Staking newly planted trees is always a good idea. If your new tree constantly rocks back and forth when the wind blows it will have a very difficult time establishing new roots into the existing soil. Stabilize the tree with a stake. You can use a wooden stake, a fence post, or for small trees I often use 1/2” electro magnetic tubing, (conduit), available at any hardware store. You can secure the tree to the stake with a single wrap of duct tape. In about six months or a year the sun will dry the glue on the duct tape and it will fall off. Check the tape to make sure that it has fallen off. You don't want to girdle the tree with the tape.
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18 • MORNING JOURNAL • L AWN & G ARDEN • SPRING EDITION • THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013
Save money installing your own vinyl fence
(BPT) - If you want the maintenance-free benefits of a vinyl fence but are intimidated by the price tag, you’re not alone. Many homeowners are initially surprised at the cost of a vinyl fence, par ticularly since the installation costs are generally as much as the materials. Recent trends show that more and more homeowners are saving money by installing their own vinyl fencing. In the past few years, the market has surged with DIY-friendly fencing products, making it much easier for a homeowner to install a vinyl fence without the use of specialized equipment. In the past, heavy auguring and cement mixing equipment was required to install a fence, making the project much more intimidating, time consuming and dirty. The modern way is to install a vinyl fence post much like you would a chain link fence post - by driving a pipe anchor deep into the ground. After leveling the pipe, a vinyl post is sleeved over top. The result is a level fence post installed without the labor-intensive process of digging a deep hole and pouring concrete to set the post. “The no-dig installation method makes vinyl fence installation so much easier and cleaner,” says Denise Esser of WamBam Fence, a company that ships no-dig vinyl and aluminum fencing to homeowners all over the country via www.wambamfence.com. “You manually drive the posts with a pounder, but for those who don’t like the idea of manually driving pipe, there are new gasoline powered pounders on the market. Although certainly not required, renting one for an afternoon makes the job even easier.” The no-dig way of installing vinyl fence has been used in Western Canada, where weather conditions are particularly harsh, for almost 20 years. In the past decade or so, it has also gained traction in the States as fencers and homeowners embrace the simpler installation method, particularly after the method passed wind load tests withstanding the class 1 hurricane category winds of up to 75 mph.
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“We believe every homeowner with an average skill set can install their own vinyl fence, which can save their family thousands of dollars,” says Esser. “It’s important to make sure that the fence you buy has detailed installation guides, videos, and technical support available so that if you run into a snag, you’re not left feeling stranded.” This may be one of the reasons that homeowners have been hesitant to tackle their own fencing projects. Along with the labor-intensive and tedious installation method of digging holes and pouring concrete, fencing wasn’t previously sold with installation guides and other helpful resources. Fortunately this has changed with the DIY-friendly fencing products currently on the market. In a day when consumers everywhere are looking to save money, it’s refreshing to see that this is one home project that just got a lot easier for homeowners to tackle.
MORNING JOURNAL • L AWN & G ARDEN • SPRING EDITION • THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2013 • 19
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