FARM & HOME 2017
EQUIPMENT
IMPROVEMENT
GARDENING TIPS
Make the most of a short growing season TIPS FOR THE HOME GARDENER BY KAYLA LASURE
C
ooler weather in the mountains means a shorter growing season for farmers and at-home gardeners. On average, the last spring frost occurs in the middle of May, said Richard Boylan, alternative agriculture agent for the Watauga and Ashe Cooperative Extension. The first frost of the season usually happens around mid-October to early November, he said. Even with the disadvantage of cooler weather, gardeners can still take steps to make the most of their gardening season. Half hardy, or cold weather crops such as salad greens, are what Boylan recommends for those who want to start gardening before the last frost. “As early as March, people are planting faba beans, garden peas and sugar snap peas,” Boylan said. “Moving on into April, you can start planting out broccoli, collards, spinach and kale.” Currently Boylan has some collards he put out last summer, is harvesting garlic and is even gardening an edible rudbeckia — a plant in the sunflower family — by the name of Sochan. Half hardy crops won’t survive a solid frost but can withstand some frost and temperatures that dips into the 20s, Boylan said. Crops such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplants are cold sensitive and will die once the temperature goes below 32 degrees and even will struggle in the 40-degree range. Greenhouses and hoop houses help with alleviating frost and temperature damage to crops but can be quite expensive, Boylan said. For those wanting to protect outdoor crops from cold temperatures, Boylan advised using a dark plastic or synthetic material — such as Agribon or Reemay — to stretch over the top of crops. Boylan said it could be as simple as wire stretched into half
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Home gardeners can create homemade greenhouses to warm the growing environment and extend the gardening season. Photos submitted
circles over the crop, with the non-woven fabric over the crops and weighted down on the edges. This will provide 10 to 15 degrees more heat for the plants. “Some people are using what they call caterpillar tunnels, which are essentially maybe an inch and a quarter PVC pipe every 10 or 12 feet with greenhouse plastic stretched over it,” Boylan said. “Those hoops are tall enough to walk under and you might have two or three planting beds inside of it.” Other gardeners in the area choose to start growing plants inside on windowsills or in a seed starting structure with indoor lights, Boylan said. This allows the gardener to start the plants two or three weeks early and then transplant the crops outside when the weather warms up. However, Carol Coulter, executive director of Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, said some crops
don’t transfer well and grow better when directly seeded. This is the case with crops such as squash, cucumber and okra. Some local gardeners kept heaters in their greenhouses over the winter and were able to harvest tomatoes through the colder months, Coulter said. However, she warned, this could get quite expensive. Coulter said gardeners can get an early start on the season by planning ahead on what crops to put into a garden and how big they plan for the garden to be. For those just starting to garden, she recommends starting off simple with a small number of crops. Looking through a seed catalog can help a gardener decide what variety of plant they want to grow and will even indicate how many days the crop takes to mature, Coulter said.
“I would be looking for the short season ones; things that come in, in 50 to 72 days as opposed to things that take 120 days to get ready to pick,” Coulter said. “Peppers take a really long time, tomatoes come in a little sooner and cucumbers and squash are pretty fast. Everything has its own unique personality.” Next, she recommended gardeners getting their soil tested. “Soil is the key to everything,” Coulter said. “If you have really good soil, you can mess up really bad and still have a great garden. If you have really poor soil, you can be a really great gardener and really struggle.” The area in the mountains creates rocky and acidic soil, Boylan said. He said making sure the pH level of the soil is adequate is important to gardening, as acidic soil will prevent crop growth. Gardeners can get free soil testers with instructions from the Cooperative Extension. Some secrets Coulter uses for her garden soil at home are composting goat manure and sometimes spreading ashes from her fireplace. She said the goat manure is organic material for the soil and the ashes perform as a neutralizer for the acid in the soil. Boylan and Coulter both urged gardeners to plan ahead for irrigation needs in case they run into a dry growing season. “Whether it’s just a hose and hand watering, a sprinkler or drip irrigation,” Boylan said. “You can certainly push your garden along and accelerate the ripening of crops with good consistent water.” For those who want to garden but may not have the space, Boylan recommended reaching out to the Cooperative Extension or the community to try to find community gardens. Tending to a garden takes a lot of attention and effort, Coulter said. It requires weeding, watering and being really involved with the growing process. However, she said she much prefers growing her own food over buying produce from the store. “Being able to eat what you’ve grown, to me, it’s very rewarding,” Coulter said.
Crops such as salad greens are more tolerant of the cooler temperatures at the start and end of the High Country growing season.
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FARM & HOME 2017 3
HOME MAINTENANCE
Summer Spruce-Up
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ummer is a good time to tackle maintenance projects around the house. Tackle minor touch-ups as well as preemptive moves, that could save money in the long run. Allstate recommends taking care of everything from gutter cleaning to paint repairs in the summer months.
CLEAN OUT THE GUTTERS They’re probably one of the last things you think about when it comes to home maintenance, but gutters play a critical role in your home exterior and landscape. Gutters divert thousands of gallons of water off your roof and away from your home. If they’re not clear, all that water ends up near your foundation and can cause leaks or roof damage. Use a ladder tall enough to reach your gutters safely, and make sure the ladder is secure before climbing up. Scoop out any wet leaves and debris, and wet caked-on dirt so you can scoop out the mud with a trowel. A water hose also can be used to gently flush out any small debris, after larger items have been removed. To prevent debris from piling up in your gutters, mesh covers can be installed. Even if you use these “guards,” however, you still should check the gutters at least once per year to ensure they’re flowing smoothly.
MAKE SURE YOUR DECK IS HEALTHY Keeping tabs on your deck can save a lot of time and maintenance, so Allstate recommends taking a close look to visually inspect the boards for curling, cracked or rotting wood. If you see a damaged board, remove it and replace it with a board cut to fit the same space. Take the time to inspect underneath your deck to ensure the support system is in good shape. The boards may look good on top, but a problem underneath could still cause a major collapse. Have a pest control service check underneath, to ensure you don’t have animals digging up and nesting under your deck or porch. If your deck is finished, some experts also recommend retreating the deck every few years with new waterproofer and sealant. This can give an old deck a new look, while providing much-needed protection.
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TODAY WE GIVE THANKS
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Cub Cadet Utilities Vehicles (UTV’s) are intended for off-road use by adults only. They are neither designed nor equipped to be registered as motor vehicles for public roadways. Always use extreme caution when operating UTVs, and carefully follow all operating, maintenance and safety instructions and warnings. Please see the operator’s manual and the warning labels posted on the vehicle itself for more details.
*0% APR for 48 Months with Equal Payments: Minimum purchase amount of $2,500 is required to qualify for this offer. There is a promotional fee of $125 for this transaction. The monthly payment is calculated by dividing the sum of the purchase amount and the promotional fee amount by the number of months in the offer and will pay off the balance if all payments are made on time. Other transactions, including fees and other charges, may affect your overall monthly payment amount. Minimum interest charge is $2. Offer expires 06/30/2017. Purchases that do not qualify for this offer may be subject to the standard Purchase APR, currently 27.99% for new accounts and 27.99%-29.99% for existing accounts. This offer may not be combined with other special financing offers. Prior purchases excluded and account must be in good standing. Offer only valid on Garden Tractors, XT2 Fab Deck Mowers, Commercial Zero Turns, and Z-Force. Offer subject to credit approval on a Cub Cadet credit card account. See store associate for more information. **Product Price — Actual retail prices are set by dealer and may vary. Taxes, freight, setup and handling charges may be additional and may vary. Models subject to limited availability. Specifications and programs are subject to change without notice. Images may not reflect dealer inventory and/or unit specifications. $ Price Match is on exact Factory Model Number that is advertised in print at a lower price. See store associate for more information.
6-Year Limited Warranty FARM & HOME 2017 5
CATTLE
Shipley Farms cuts own path in choice meat market BY THOMAS SHERRILL
O
verlooking the 115 acres of his farm from the top of a ridge where cattle roam, Bob Shipley hopes his late father, R.G. Shipley, is smiling when he looks dow.
“I ask myself if he would be proud of us,” Bob Shipley said. “I believe he would be.” R.G. Shipley passed away in August 2015 at the age of 103, shortly after R.G. Shipley Signature Beef was founded. Selling premium meat is the latest endeavor of the Shipley family, which has been farming in the High Country since 1872. The decision to go into the beef business was not made lightly, Shipley said: “The market is cyclical. For the longest time, it was more economical to raise cattle for their milk.”
Shipley Farms stands out for several reasons. First, the farm doesn’t use any steroids to enhance growth. In doing so, Shipley Farms notes they’re part of the 3 percent of American farmers who don’t use steroids on their livestock. “We begin with a commitment to quality, with beef free of any steroids or other additives to provide you the same healthy and delicious meat our family has eaten for generations. We only use antibiotics in rare circumstances and for limited periods when required for a temporary illness —
just as you do for your children,” Shipley said. Also, Shipley Farms only breeds and selects purebred cattle, livestock with known heritage to get the best possible genetics and increase the quality of beef. “The mapping of a human genome was a game changer for us,” he said. Shipley, who can look at a cut of beef and tell who the parents were, says him and his son studied how to properly raise cattle for beef. “We tried to minimize mistakes, still made some
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6 FARM & HOME 2017
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The steers of Shipley Farms line up almost on cue for a photo. Photos by Thomas Sherrill
though, but small ones,” Shipley said. Shipley farms has Angus and Hereford cattle, although the black Angus cattle are more plentiful. “Raising cattle has its own challenges, as there are different ways to raise them,” Shipley noted. The late R.G. Shipley at the age of 102 helped pick out the first steers. The process of impregnating the heifers involves synchronizing their ovulations by using heat. “We can get an entire herd of heifers to ovulate within 10 hours of each other,” Shipley said. The heifers are artificially inseminated from a collection of bull specimen taken from specific bulls, usually no more than five, according to Shipley, as to provide the best lineage for the best possible meat. “We try to control as many factors as possible, but until you see it yourself after slaughter, it’s up in the air,” Shipley noted of the selection of bull specimen. Shipley says the best time for heifers to calf is in January and February due to the grass growing by the time the calves can be weaned off bottle feeding to grass feeding, but notes it can be tricky due to the weather. “During calving season, they’re checking often, because the calf needs to get warm quickly after birth.” The size of the calf at birth if important. You don’t want a calf too big, because it could lead to a difficult birth and injure the calf. Also, larger-sized births typically don’t lead to the calf growing like it could, Shipley said. “You want a good-sized calf to be born, they have the best potential to grow,” he said. The farm uses a “rotating grazing” method with moving electrical fences to keep the cattle moving and help grass grow when that field isn’t being used. Currently, Shipley Farms in Vilas has around 200
Part of the 115 acres at Shipley Farms in Vilas, including the barns and homestead in the center of the picture.
livestock, with 13 of them being steers. Livestock can weigh around 1,000 pounds at the time of slaughter. “They do good to keep their weight up,” Shipley said. “We have to provide them with hay in the winter months though, so that can be difficult.” The commitment to care goes from birth all the way to the slaughterhouse, as the farm uses a number of different local butchers, but makes sure to use those who are USDA-certified. “When animals are distressed — from lack of food and water, noise or other agitation — the stress breaks down and uses up the glycogen in the muscle fibers, which affects the meat tenderness and quality,” a quote from Shipley Farms website reads. “We make sure the animals are as calm and comfortable as possible, and work only with slaughterhouse operations who have successfully demonstrated a priority on animal care and quality.”
R.G. Shipley’s Signature Beef ranges from ground beef to choice steaks. Packages and pricing are available at www.shipleyfarmsbeef.com. Shipley knows he’s in a niche market, but believes in the quality of his product. “People are becoming more conscious about what they eat,” Shipley said. So far, feedback has been mostly positive. Shipley recounted a food expo in Chapel Hill in March where several food critics heaped praise over his choice cuts. “It tickled me how much they enjoyed our product,” Shipley said. “It shows what we’re doing is right.” As for the future, Shipley knows there will be growth, but he doesn’t want to grow too fast. “We’ve got 115 acres here,” Shipley said looking over his land from the crest of a hill, “We can only put so much livestock out here, but we’re ambitious.”
FARM & HOME 2017 7
TRACTOR AND LAWN MOWING SAFETY
Not all terrain is as flas as this. Many tractor and mower accidents happen on uneven ground. Photo by Troy Brooks
Season of farming and mowing safety BY TROY BROOKS
A
s the growing season rolls in, farm tractor and lawn mower safety becomes essential as operators are always out and about.
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The following are some key safety tips to keep you and your family members safe while operating farm tractors and lawn mowers this season.
BE AWARE OF ROLLOVERS The most dangerous thing that can happen while operating farm tractors or lawn mowers is a rollover, which can result in the operator being crushed or seriously injured by the equipment itself, especially on a farm tractor. In addition, the use of a front end loader can cause a tractor to tip over if not driven with caution. Safety belts should always be worn while operating equipment.
To avoid rollovers: • Avoid driving or backing up on steep hillsides • Change speeds gradually and provide stabilization for the unit • Makes sure all loads are hitched correctly • Avoid turning at high speeds to prevent sideway rollovers
KNOW THE TERRAIN Many tractor and lawn mower accidents in the region are a result of a lack of caution while driving in rough, uneven and steep terrain. Operators should always be aware of the possibility of a rollover when operating on steep terrain and should be prepared to dump the load out of the loader instantly if needed. “Being in the mountains, one should always be cautious of running lawn mowers,” said Connor Hart, a spokesperson for Hart Power Equipment in West Jefferson. “Always go by the manufactures owner’s manual for the manufacture’s limitations on the unit. Extra caution should be advised for lawn mowers as most are not designed to work on steep or unstable terrain.” Lawn mower operators also need to be aware of their surroundings while mowing around the house as flying objects, such as rocks and pieces of wood, caught in the mower’s blades can be flung out to hit family members and pets and also damage nearby structures. Items caught under the mower can also damage the blades. Operators are advised to keep other people and pets away while mowing. Hart also advises clearing the area of any debris before
work. “Accidents are preventable with a little bit of care and being safety oriented,” said E.T. Weaver of Weaver Equipment in Jefferson. “Awareness is key.”
KNOW AND MAINTAIN YOUR EQUIPMENT Maintaining equipment is also key to preventing accidents. According to Hart, one should always service their equipment regularly. Normal service can prevent accidents and failure of parts. A few components to check include: • Make sure all safety switches are working • Check brakes for wear and tear and replace them if needed • Inspect tire pressures and conditions to avoid blowouts • Check the engine’s performance and transmission • Make sure there are no steering issues before operating • Be sure that the driver’s seat is mounted property on the machine Weaver also said that people should also be wary whenever they defeat safety switches or make changes to a equipment’s design to exceed design limits. If people modify their machines to defeat safety purposes, others should be aware of its modifications before operating that machine and should exercise caution.
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1 Offer valid from March 1, 2017, through May 1, 2017, on the purchase of any new 1025R Tractor, X394 Lawn Tractor or Model Year 2016 XUV825i Utility Vehicle. Get $400 off 1025R Tractor, $300 off X394 Lawn Tractor and $400 off XUV825i Utility Vehicle. Offer, prices and savings are in U.S. dollars and available in the U.S. only. Ask your dealer for details. *The engine horsepower and torque information are provided by the engine manufacturer to be used for comparison purposes only. Actual operating horsepower and torque will be less. Refer to the engine manufacturer’s website for additional information. **Beginning January 1, 2016, all compact utility tractors purchased new from an authorized John Deere dealer come standard with a 6-year/2,000-hour, whichever comes first, powertrain warranty. See the LIMITED WARRANTY FOR NEW JOHN DEERE TURF AND UTILITY EQUIPMENT at dealer for details. ***Term limited to years or hours used, whichever comes first, and varies by model. See the LIMITED WARRANTY FOR NEW JOHN DEERE TURF AND UTILITY EQUIPMENT at JOHNDEERE.COM for details. John Deere, the leaping deer symbol, and green and yellow trade dress are trademarks of Deere & Company.
FARM & HOME 2017 9
EFFICIENT POWER
T
Home Energy Tips he most obvious way to keep things cool in the summer is to crank up the air conditioner, though the U.S. Department of Energy has some tips for how to chill out a bit more efficiently.
USE YOUR WINDOWS If you live in a climate where it cools off at night, turn off your cooling system and open your windows while sleeping. When you wake in the morning, shut the windows and blinds to capture the cool air. Install window coverings to prevent heat gain through your windows.
USE YOUR THERMOSTAT EFFICIENTLY When you do have to crank on the air conditioning, do it wisely. Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. Keep your house warmer than normal when you are away, and lower the thermostat only when you are at home and need cooling. A programmable
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thermostat can make it easy to set back your temperature. Avoid setting your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense.
USE FANS AND VENTS To help move some of that cool air around, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4 degrees Fahrenheit with no reduction in comfort. Turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room. Remember that fans cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect. When you shower or take a bath, use the bathroom fan to remove the heat and humidity from your home. Your laundry room also might benefit from spot ventilation. Make sure bathroom and kitchen fans are vented to the outside (not just to the attic).
DON’T CREATE MORE HEAT On hot days, the DOE recommends you avoid using the oven. Instead cook on the stove, use a microwave oven or grill outside. Install efficient lighting that runs cooler. Only about 10 percent to 15 percent of the electricity that incandescent lights consume results in light; the rest is turned into heat. Take advantage of daylight instead of artificial lighting, but avoid direct sunlight. Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes. Consider air drying both dishes and clothing. Take short showers instead of baths. Minimize activities that generate a lot of heat, such as running a computer, burning open flames, running a dishwasher and using hot devices such as curling irons or hair dryers. Even stereos and televisions give off some heat.
OUTDOOR LIVING
Choosing Patio Furniture
B
uilding a nice patio is one thing, but it won’t do you much good without furniture for relaxing (or partying).
for ideas on the different types of furniture, then make a list of the different pieces you’d like to have, with the choices driven by what will fit on your patio. A longer, couch-style piece and two chairs? Or a table for eating outdoors? The options are limitless, so think long and hard about how you’ll actually use the space. You might like the look of a certain chair, but if you plan on eating breakfast on the patio four days a week, you might want to go with the table and chairs set.
While you’re shopping for the perfect patio furniture, Better Homes and Gardens has a few tips to make the right choice for your space.
Here’s the fun part: Go shopping! Once you figure out what you’re looking for, take your time and try out some different sets and pieces that fit what you want. Think long and hard about the materials, too. Is you patio covered, or open air? The materials (seat cushions, etc.) make a big difference. Aim for something as low-maintenance as possible. Better Homes and Gardens notes most metal, teak, cedar and all-weather wicker pieces are unfazed by
FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU WANT It seems obvious, but the first step is to gauge your available space and visualize how you want to lay it out. Check out Pinterest or design magazines
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY
whatever nature throws their way. Going with one of these materials should keep your patio looking fresh for years to come.
DON’T FORGET ABOUT STORAGE With some savvy design, your patio can double as storage for all those grilling tools and other outdoor items you use in the warmer months. It can help keep those items handy, and safe from the elements. Thinking beyond storage, you might want to also consider creating a space to store your patio furniture when it is out of season. That furniture won’t get much use in the winter anyway, and that’s also when some of the most damaging elements come into play. If you have a basement or shed accessible, it could be worth it to set aside some space to keep your patio furniture safe and dry.
FARM & HOME 2017 11
MAXIMIZING SPACE
Plant a Small Garden
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hile a garden will provide you with healthy, rich produce throughout the warmer months, it also can consume valuable space. You may think your yard lacks extra space to contain a large garden, but you can grow an efficient garden in a smaller space. Small gardens can hold many different types of produce. They also can be easier to manage. Even a small garden plot will require a lot of maintenance, so, don’t think you need to plant a large, overwhelming garden to get rewarded.
LOCATION When choosing a location for your small garden, keep in mind that most vegetables require a minimum of five hours of direct sunlight per day. Your garden will need to be planted facing south on your property. This will ensure your plants get the amount of required sunlight. Before you begin prepping your land for a garden, analyze the plot during the sunnier parts of the day. If you notice shadows appearing on your plot, you will need to either move the obstructions causing the shadows or choose a different spot. Moving obstructions may not always be feasible, especially if the shadows are caused by permanent fixtures such as a fence or tree. You also should avoid planting near trees. Not only will the shade hinder your gardens’ growth, but they also have deep roots, which may get in the way of your budding plants.
BUILD A RAISED BED Raised-bed gardening is great for keeping your plants contained in one small area. It also is effective at keeping out pests due to the tall border. To build a raised-bed garden you must first determine how much space you plan to use. Next you will need to lay the frame. Either set up concrete blocks around the perimeter or piece boards together with screws. Lay weed resistant cloth on the floor of your new bed. This is to keep weeds from entering your garden. Fill the bed with a 50/50 mixture of soil and compost. Leave about 2 inches of space between your mixture and the top of your frame. Vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, radishes and onions will do great in a raised-bed garden. You can still even use trellises for plants that require support, like tomatoes or cucumbers. Avoid planting melons or potatoes because they require a large amount of room to grow properly.
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MODERN TOUCHES
Classic Stone Works
The Kitchen & Bath Gallery
“We’ll help you create your own masterpiece”
Create a Tile Backsplash
A
well-designed kitchen will offer many benefits for your home’s appearance. Overall value also should not be ignored. Your kitchen is likely a high-traffic room used to host gatherings for family and friends. Consider upgrading your kitchen with a tile backsplash this spring. You may not be getting the most out of the space between your countertop and cabinets. A tile backsplash will complement your home’s cabinetry and become a talking point for your guests.
USE YOUR SURROUNDINGS A colorful tile backsplash will add a tremendous amount of flair to your kitchen. It is important to consider your existing kitchen design first. Traditionally a backsplash is used to add an impressive view that joins your countertops and cabinets together. Be sure to choose a tile that mixes well with your other fixtures. Consider the color of your countertop when
deciding on a tile color. A colorful countertop will benefit from a neutral backsplash color but can shine if you mix it up with patterns. Remember, neutral colors such as black, blue and white create stunning results when blended together.
COMPLEMENT YOUR CABINETS Keep in mind that changing the color of any room will cause an instant transformation. This transformation will add or take away from your kitchen’s design, depending on how the colors mesh together. Your cabinets will be another factor in deciding which tile color you choose. Amber-colored cabinets look great with a neutral-colored backsplash. Using a mixture of blue and gray tiles will create a warm and welcoming appearance. Oak cabinets will pop when featured with a redceramic tile. Be sure to choose a lighter shade of red if your cabinets have a dark finish.
CHANGE IT UP Don’t choose a tile color that is too similar to the rest of your fixtures or you may find yourself with an uninspired backsplash. Using different shades of your kitchen’s primary colors can tie your kitchen’s design together and show off an extravagant flair. Experiment with different shades and tones to achieve the tile backsplash that works best for your home.
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FARM & HOME 2017 13
MAINTENANCE
Edging Your Yard
C
lean edges around your flower gardens and walkways give your borders a neat, attractive appearance. Creating these edges is simple with the right tools. This spring, shape up your flower beds by learning how to create edges and maintain them. THE RIGHT TOOLS
Chances are you already have a spade in your garage or shed. While it may take more work to complete the job with this tool alone, it is possible. There are a couple downsides of using only a spade. If you are creating edges for a large garden, it will take much more time and elbow grease to do it with a hand tool. Plus, it is harder to cut curves with a spade, which is a big aspect of an attractive edge. A gasoline-powered edger is best for large jobs. There is no wait time to restart once you run out of fuel, and it will be stronger than an electric edger. An electric edger is efficient for smaller jobs. As the battery drains, its strength will be reduced, and it will not be restored until it is placed on a charger. This can make edging take longer, as you will need to allow the tool to rest until it is fully charged.
CREATING THE EDGE Creating a new edge can be an easy task but requires a little hard work. You will need a spade or edging tool and, to make it easier, a garden hose.
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Here are a few simple steps to a perfect edge: • Lay out the garden hose along the border of your garden. The hose will easily flex to be used as a guide to cut attractive curves. • If you’re using a spade, cut into the sod to a depth between 4 and 6 inches. • Once you have one side of your border cut, follow your slice again on the other side. This is to sever all roots from your edge. • Using a powered edger is as easy as guiding your tool along your desired border path. Guide your tool slowly as it may get away from you and create sloppy edges.
MAINTAIN AN EDGE The edge itself won’t require much maintenance, but it is important to keep its surroundings sharp and intact. Plants within the bed may begin to grow over the edge. Prune these plants so they stay in the bed. The lawn on the other side of the edge also should be mowed regularly. Any grass or weeds that grow over the edge should be eliminated.
SAVING ENERGY
Heating and Cooling
H
eating and cooling is crucial to human comfortability and, even more importantly, survival. Unfortunately, providing these two key elements can cause big problems to Earth’s environment and its natural resources. In this modern age, it is easier than ever to lessen the amount of resources your heating and cooling system requires. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that space heating and cooling takes up half of a home’s energy use. It is in your best interest to lower your home’s reliability on a resource so important and costly as energy.
MAINTENANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE There are several things you can do to make sure your heating and cooling systems are running properly and efficiently. Some of these actions can be easily performed as DIY projects, while others should be left to the professionals. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star department recommends a few of the following maintenance procedures:
DO IT YOURSELF • Clean or change air filters. Examine your system’s air filters at least once a month. Dirty filters can restrict air flow and create long-term damage to your system. • Check thermostat settings. Lower your thermostat levels when you are away from your home. Programmable thermostats can be used to set the temperature to comfortable levels before you arrive home.
• Inspect system cycling. Make sure your system kicks on, cycles and turns off properly.
CALL A PROFESSIONAL • Check refrigerant levels. Incorrect levels of refrigerant will increase energy costs and reduce the lifespan of your AC system.
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• Lubricate moving parts. Parts that aren’t lubricated may cause friction in motors that increase energy use and damage important components.
•Augers 4" - 36" 1 man, 2 man and hydraulic •Excavators •Hydraulic Bush Hogs •Jack hammers air and electric •Rock drills •Stump grinders •Cut off saws •Light towers •Fert/Lime spreaders •Pressure washers •Trenchers •Dump trailers •Tillers •Mini Skidsteer
• Check gas connections. Proper gas pressure and burner combustion is crucial for safe and efficient operation.
WHEN TO UPGRADE It might be time to upgrade your current heating or cooling system. Your local HVAC company can show you your best options for an update. Financing also is usually available. According to the EPA, agreeing with any of the following statements means it’s time to consider upgrading: • Your heating and cooling equipment is more than 10 years old. • Your equipment constantly requires repairs and the bills are going up. • Some rooms are too hot or cold. If you are experiencing any of these issues in your home, do yourself and the planet a favor by inquiring about an energy-efficient upgrade.
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