HOME & FARM 2021
Page 2 • Mountain Times Publications
HOME AND FARM
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
The cooling capacity of room air conditioners is measured using British Thermal Units. Depending on the size of your room, your unit will need a minimum BTU rating.
A rain barrel attaches to your home’s gutters to collect runoff water from your roof, and repurpose the water that would otherwise be lost, for use in your garden, landscaping or even indoor plants.
Conserve during the summer There’s no better time than summer to think about ways to conserve resources. Air condition-
ers get a workout and take stock of our habits we’re constantly watering and improve them. our gardens and lawns, Here’s list of ways to making it a great time to make your home a bit
greener this season. 1. Install a rain barrel. SEE CONSERVE ON PAGE 3
More ways to conserve energy during the summer As the weather warms up there are a number of measures residents can take to make their homes more energy efficient and save money on their electric bill, according to Renee Whitener, director of public relations for Blue Ridge Energy. Costs for cooling your home can make up a large portion of your summer electric bills, so focus. Stay cool and save money with these energy efficiency tips. Consider the following tips this summer: • Close shades and drapes during the day to help keep heat out on summer days. • Take short showers rather than full tub baths. A normal tub bath will use up to twice as much hot water. You’ll save on total water consumption as well. • Install a programmable thermostat
to save up to 10 percent on cooling and heating costs. • Set thermostats to the highest comfortable setting. • Change to new and improved light bulbs. Reduce energy use from about a third to as much as 80 percent with today’s increasing number of energy-efficient halogen incandescents, CFLs and LEDs. • Clean or change filters regularly. A dirty furnace or A/C filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder and use more energy to keep you cool. • Schedule service for your HVAC system. Find out what maintenance is required to keep your heating and cooling system operating efficiently. • Seal air leaks and properly insulate
to save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling bills, while also increasing home comfort. • Pool pumps can use significant amounts of electricity. If pumps operate by a time clock, check to make sure it is operating properly. • Wash clothes in cold water when possible and save up to $63 per year. • Air dry dishes and clothes when possible. • Utilize microwaves, slow cookers and grills to heat or cook food instead of larger appliances such as an oven. • For longer term planning, plant trees and shrubs that will grow to shade the exterior of your home in summer. For a full list of energy efficiency tips, visit www.BlueRidgeEnergy.com/101.
Choosing a room AC unit If your home doesn’t have central air conditioning, a room unit can help cool things off. There are many available models to meet various needs, so you’ll need to do some research to pick the right unit.
New Features An EnergyStar-certified room air conditioner can cost less than $75 per year to operate, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, with new variable speed technology saving more energy than in the past. EnergyStar-certified units include more sealing material around the opening than other models, to better keep cold air in. There are even models available with smart home-type features
that allow the user to turn them on and off remotely, set temperature schedules and get information about how efficiently the unit is operating. Many units also are capable of “smart grid” features, allowing them to be cycled on and off by the power company to provide savings to the customer and conserve energy during peak demand.
Sizing The cooling capacity of room air conditioners is measured using British Thermal Units. Depending on the size of your room, your unit will need a minimum BTU rating. For example, a 200-square-foot room will require a unit SEE AC ON PAGE 3
Mountain Times Publications • Page 3
HOME AND FARM
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
efficient and less prone to air leakage, according to HGTV.com, and buying an CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 EnergyStar-certified model with a minimum 6,000 BTU can save 30 percent on coolrating, while a 500-square- ing costs. Some models also foot room will need 12,000 can provide heat, as well. BTUs. Additional factors Ductless AC units are, to consider in the calculahowever, considerably more tions include whether the expensive than window room tends to be sunny units, making them a or shaded, as well as how long-term investment for many people typically use which you’ll have to wait the room and how the room to see a return in the form is used. View the EPA’s of lower energy bills. They sizing guide at https://bit. also require monthly filter ly/2V10BUA for tips on maintenance. measuring the room and Ductless units are recto calculate which size unit ommended for small new you need. additions to a house or for adding AC to a house where Ductless Systems none exists. This is because A ductless air conditioneven with the added cost ing unit is a wall-mounted for the units, it still can be unit that uses an outdoor less expensive than running compressor. They are very ductwork.
AC
inexpensive and save valuable water. 3. Water wisely. According to CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 Iowa State University’s extension service, the best time to water A rain barrel attaches to your your lawn or garden is between home’s gutters to collect runoff 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. This allows the water from your roof, and repur- water to dry quickly, preventing pose the water that would other- fungal diseases, while avoiding wise be lost, for use in your garrapid evaporation that happens den, landscaping or even indoor when you water later in the day. plants. This can save thousands Watering at night is not a good of gallons of water each year and idea because the water will likely reduce the amount of stormwater sit on the plant longer, leading to runoff that hits lakes and rivers, disease. and reduce peak water demand. 4. Control indoor temperaSome local governments make tures. Keeping blinds and currain barrels available at an aftains drawn during the hottest fordable price to help homeown- part of the day can help keep ers conserve. Check with your your home cooler and reduce the local forest preserve or other workload on your air conditionlocal government bodies, or buy er. Ditto for using ceiling fans, a rain barrel commercially. but be sure they are rotating 2. Check for leaks in hoses. counterclockwise. Water hoses that leak simply 5. Lower your water heater waste water. The repairs can be temperature. Heating water
CONSERVE
accounts for 18 percent of energy used in a home, according to the Department of Energy. Reducing the temperature to the “warm” setting, (120 degrees Fahrenheit) can prevent burns and save energy. 6. Tune up your AC. At an average cost of $100 to $200, an air conditioner tune-up might seem like an expense you’d like to avoid. If your AC isn’t running in its top form, however, you could be paying higher electric bills all summer. Having it done once a year can also help you avoid costly repairs, which can reach into hundreds of dollars. 7. Lighten up your bedding. It might seem like common sense, but don’t use the same bedding year-round. Opt for lighter blankets and sheets made of natural materials to keep you cooler in the summer and reduce the demand on your AC.
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Page 4 • Mountain Times Publications
HOME AND FARM
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
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Summer is a good time to tackle many maintenance jobs and be sure your home is ready to weather the winter.
Prepare for exterior summer jobs When the weather is warm, consider catching up on outdoor maintenance projects. Summer is a good time to tackle many of these jobs and be sure your home is ready to weather the winter. 1. Check driveways, walkways and paths for cracks, loose pavers and settling. Heat and humidity can be hard on them during summer months. Fill small cracks yourself, but contact a local pro
to help remedy any bigger issues you notice. 2. Check your trees, shrubs and plants for any issues. Remove dead limbs and pull out dead shrubs. Address any brown patches in the lawn. 3. Check windows for missing caulk and leaks. Open all windows and inspect the frames and seals. Wash windows and screens.
4. Late summer is a good time to prepare your pool gear for storage in the fall and winter. Deflate inflatable toys, wash out face masks and be sure everything is put away dry. 5. Inspect siding and other coverings for any needed repairs. If you plan to repaint, tackle any prep work, such as repairs and sanding, before adding a new coat of paint.
6. Check your deck or patio for any needed repairs. If your deck needs to be resealed, now is the time. It will be better prepared for harsh winter conditions. Give the porch a good cleaning with a water hose. 7. Inspect your roof to be sure it is in shape to face the winter. 8. Check rain gutters. Late summer storms can put them to the test, so the time is now to be
sure they are in good shape. 10. Have your chimney inspected to be sure it’s operating properly. This will give you time to complete any needed repairs before the weather turns cold and you need it to be functional. 11. Clean the grill. If you’ve given your grill a workout during the summer months, it’s a good idea to wash the grates and clean out the pit. Wipe down the outside.
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
HOME AND FARM
Mountain Times Publications • Page 5
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Page 6 • Mountain Times Publications
HOME AND FARM
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Power washing basics Summer weather means spending more time outside. And while you’re out there, you may notice that the winter months took a harsh toll on your exterior surfaces. Fortunately, power washing can get most of your surfaces sparking again. Keep reading for more tips on how to choose a power washer and use it safely.
Types of Pressure Washers
Cleaning a terrace with a power washer, a high water pressure cleaner on a wooden terrace surface.
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a variety of nozzles to do a variety of jobs. These may include: 0 degree nozzles: the most powerful, concentrated nozzle setting. 15 degree nozzles: used for heavy-duty cleaning. 25 degree nozzles: used for general cleaning. 40 degree nozzles: Used for vehicles, patio furniture, boats and easily damaged surfaces. 65 degrees: A low-pressure nozzle used to apply soap and other cleaning agents. Always read the instruction manual that comes with your pressure washer and make sure you know how to how to quickly turn it off and release the pressure. For safety’s sake, stand on a stable surface while you’re pressure washing. Wear eye and ear protection and never leave a spray gun unattended. Never point the spray gun at people, animals or plants and keep the spray away from electricity.
Pressure washers take low-pressure water from your garden hose and push it out through a nozzle at high pressure. Pressure washers can be powered by electricity or gas. Electric pressure washers usually cost less and run quieter than gas-powered models, but the trade off is that they’re less portable (you’ll need to have power) and usually less powerful than gas-powered washers. Gas pressure washers are good for larger jobs such as decks, patios, sidewalks and siding. You can get gas washers with an electric start to make it easier to start up. With Maintenance gas washers, you’ll need to be sure to follow Follow the manufacturer’s instructions manufacturer’s instructions for mixing the oil and gas for the machine. You may even have for proper maintenance of your machine. In to vary fuel types depending on your climate. general, you may need to regularly maintain the washer’s pump and, for gas motors, you’ll Nozzles also need to tend to the air filter, oil and A pressure washer will usually come with spark plug.
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HOME AND FARM
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Mountain Times Publications • Page 7
Spark a conversation Wood-burning fire pits are wonderful focal points for the gathering space in your yard. Bonus: They’re easy to build in an afternoon. Here’s how.
a circle where you want the pit to go. The diameter you draw out should be slightly larger than the outside dimensions of the fire pit ring you’re going to build. Clear out the sod and dirt down to a depth of about seven Select a Site inches and keep the area level as you Before you even look at your yard, work. Pack the remaining dirt down you need to check with local restric- solidly with a hand tamper. tions, building codes and homeWhat You’ll Need owners association rules to make You’ll need trapezoidal blocks, sure you can have a fire pit. You’ll which are more narrow on one also need to read your homeownside to allow the edges to fit snugly ers policy to make sure it doesn’t together in a circle. The bottom of affect your coverage. Choose a site well away from the house and with the fire pit will be crushed gravel paver base, available at your local plenty of room to sit around the fire. Clear away any plants an debris hardware store, that’s about five inches thick. Put the gravel down from your site. and then wet it with a hose and Get Ready to Build tamp it down. Make sure the surTo make a circular pit, put a stake SEE SPARK ON PAGE 8 in the center of the site and mark out
Wood-burning fire pits are wonderful focal points for a gathering space.
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Page 8 • Mountain Times Publications
HOME AND FARM
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Set a summer table In the same way we decorate the dinner table with a nice centerpiece, there are ways to make your patio table inviting for summer meals. Whether you’re having a simple family dinner on a weeknight or hosting guests, why not put a stylish touch on your outdoor dining table this season. It can be as simple as a vase with fresh flowers or as involved as an all-weather runner with coordinating placemats, flower arrangements, glassware and linens.
From the Garden Summer is a great time to use the bounty of the season in your centerpieces. Fill a tall vase with lemons or limes and add watcher, with matching fresh flowers on top. Slice the fruit for extra detail. Whether you’re having a simple family dinner on a weeknight or hosting guests, why not put a stylish touch on your outdoor dining table this season? A simple option is a cake stand or pedestal platter holding a selecKeep it Simple crystal bowls filled with fruit Add plain white napkins tied with tion of fresh, washed fruits. such as white calla lily, paired If you’re just looking to punch with plain white tableware and burlap string to complete the look. down the length of the table. Add A Natural Look Achieve a different natural-look crystal goblets and linens in jewel up your meal a tad, buy jewlinens. Other ways to bring rustic, el-toned glassware in an array tones and crystal taper candle centerpiece with a wood bottle If you do nothing else to spruce natural touches to your patio table carrier. Fill each compartment of styles. Pair the glassware holders. Another chic look is a up your outdoor space, use a conare to use a simple jute or burlap with simple white tableware centerpiece made of a garland of with a Mason jar or glass soda tainer you already have in your runner, topped with a galvanized lush greenery, accented with gold and linens for a simple, colorbottle filled with fresh flowers. backyard — a galvanized waterbucket planter filled with blooms. ful aesthetic. Another simple candle holders with white caning can, a wood crate or a metal Glamour This pairs nicely with plain white look is a plain glass vase with dles, glass goblets and matching lantern — as a makeshift vase at For a glamorous look, place tableware and simple glassware. a few wide-stemmed flowers green and white linens. the center of the table.
fire bowl or ring to check the fit. Make sure the lip rests on the edge and adjust the CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 positioning as needed. After face remains level. you’ve checked to make sure Put down the first layer it fits well, then reassemble of blocks around the hole, the blocks with construction checking that it remains level adhesive. Test fit each layer as you work. If you need to, before you add adhesive. add leveling sand beneath Follow the manufacturer’s blocks to keep it straight. Asinstructions for your adhesemble the next row of blocks, sive to determine how long it staggering the joints. Before needs to cure before you can you add adhesive, put in the use your fire pit.
SPARK
Do you need help installing a fire pit? According to Shane Humphrey, vice president of Humphrey Masonry Supply Inc, most standard fire pits could easily be installed at a novice level. “Once the area is prepped for where the fire pit is, most can be installed in minutes,” Humphrey said. “Although, more in-depth fire pits, such as ones lined
with firebrick, may warrant consultation with a mason or someone skilled in the trade.” But many are easily classified as DIY, he said, and as for materials, “You can use anything that is made from concrete material. Most fire pit kits come with metal insert rings that help absorb the heat and less likely to deteriorate the
block. You can also line one with firebrick and or refractory mortar to help the longevity of the fire pit even more.” And for those who need a bit of advice, Humphrey Masonry Supply can help. “We can provide the materials to make square or round fire pits with our assortment of size and colors to make them out of,”
Humphrey said. “We can also get the actual fire pit kits. Most of them include metal ring inserts or even a grill grate insert. We can provide professional advice on installing them or refer to installers for the consumer that isn’t the average do-it-yourselfer.” Visit www.humphreymasonry. com.
HOME AND FARM
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Mountain Times Publications • Page 9
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From pool accessories to garden supplies to outdoor dining necessities, an active outdoor lifestyle comes with a lot of gear.
Outdoor storage ideas A plethora of multi-functional outdoor storage options have come on the market in the past few years, playing to consumers’ need for pieces that make their outdoor spaces functional. From pool accessories to garden supplies to outdoor dining necessities, an active outdoor lifestyle comes with a lot of gear. Keep it all tidy with a storage piece to suit your needs, or if you’re handy, make your own.
If you know some basic woodworking, HGTV offers a DIY tutorial for making a hanging bar from wood pallets at https://bit. ly/2USxMtw.
Pool gear
Stand a wood pallet on its side to store tall pool supplies, such as pool noodles and skimmers. Add coat hooks to the front to hand wet towels and goggles. Use stackable, open plastic storage bins to round up small Garden Supplies items, such as diving sticks and rings, floaties An old hutch or a baby’s changing table can and small toys. To wrangle inflatable pool be repurposed as a potting bench. If you have rings, install small flagpoles on the side of a garden shed, install a hanging canvas shoe your house or shed. Keep clean pool towels at rack on the door to store small garden tools hand in wall-mounted bath towel holders. and supplies, such as gloves and nippers. Add Storage Everywhere You can also install bathroom towels bars to When purchasing outdoor furniture items, the inside of the door to hold small tools by look for storage features that can help the a hook. backyard tidy. Any existing outdoor piece can Food and Drink be turned into a place to store things, such as A storage cabinet with a hutch can be raised garden planters or beverage carts. Store converted into a bar and serving station. Use extra patio furniture cushions under a coffee the lower drawers or shelves for storage, table. If you need extra outdoor seating, turn or remove a lower shelf to make room for a a sturdy solid wood bookcase on its side to small refrigerator. Add a stemware rack. make a storage bench and add a cushion.
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Page 10 • Mountain Times Publications
HOME AND FARM
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Rent out your summer home If you tend to travel a lot during the summer, it might make sense to rent out your home to vacationers, particularly if you live in an area that attracts lots of summer tourists. Doing so, however, is no small task, and there is a lot of legwork to do before making a decision to become a landlord.
The Law In many localities, zoning laws might prohibit you from renting out your home at all. This is the first thing you should check when weighing the renting option. It’s also possible that your homeowner’s or condo association rules prohibit offering the property for rent. Consult a real estate attorney about what’s allowed and how to address any hurdles.
The Money Renting out your home might sound lucrative when you look at the local competition’s nightly rates. But there is a lot to consider to get the full financial picture. If you rent out he property for more than 14 days during the year, the Internal Revenue Service considers you to be a landlord and you will need to claim the income on your taxes. You also will likely have expenses that you haven’t considered, such as paying a property management company or online listing service such as airbnb, advertising the property, keeping up on maintenance and making repairs. You also likely will not have a 100 percent occupancy rate, so check into the local market to find out how much
income to expect. You’ll also need to be sure your homeowner’s insurance protects you from loss while renting, and if not, purchase additional coverage.
The Prep Work Renting out your home will likely require prep work, such as making any needed repairs before listing, as well as buying necessities such as guest linens and cookware. You also will likely need to have professional photos taken. You also will want to find a reputable property management company to handle matters such as conducting background checks on renters and working up a good rental agreement that protects Renting out your home might sound lucrative when you look at the local you in case there is damage or competition’s nightly rates fraud.
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Mountain Times Publications • Page 11
HOME AND FARM
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Building a water feature Adding a water feature to your yard or patio adds a cooling, relaxing element to your environment. It can serve as a focal point of your outdoor living space and also as a pleasant scene setter for outdoor parties or even just a relaxing evening with a book. Here’s how to build your own water feature with steps from the DIY Network.
a tick liner that’s unlikely to tear but still flexible enough to mold to the shape of your pond. Don’t be afraid to use more than one piece so it doesn’t leak. Your liner should completely cover the pond with excess liner on all sides, up and over the border you made with sand. Put rocks down to pin the liner in place and then cut it to size.
Pick a Spot Choose a flat spot in your yard and remove any existing plants, rocks and debris. Dig out the shape of your new pond. For a natural shape, make your pond with rounded edges.
Sand It and Layer It Once you’ve got the pool dug,
Rock It A pond in landscape design.
add a layer of fill sand that’s about an inch or two thick. This will act as a cushion for your pond linger and keep it from tearing on rocks or other debris in the soil. Build
up the sand around the edges to be a little bit higher and taper it off around the sides. Next, lay down the pond liner to keep the pond clean. Choose
Wash off your rocks with a hose before placing them in and around your pond. The pond liner should be covered with small to medium-sized stones, with larger rocks around the edges for contrast. Roll them into place if you can
and don’t be afraid to flip them around to find the best look for your space.
Put Down Roots Plants around the edges of your pond will soften the look of the stone and bring in some color. Choose native plants that are friendly to pollinators and use a range of colors and sizes. Install drip irrigation to keep your plants healthy and watered.
Finish It Up Add a store-bought fountain and water. Fill the pond up with water per your pump’s instructions and keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t empty out in hotter months.
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Page 12 • Mountain Times Publications
HOME AND FARM
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Among those are the scourge of the summer months, the mosquito.
Plants to repel mosquitoes While you should welcome some insects to your gardens — remember those pollinators? — there are other pests that are less welcome. Among those are the scourge of the summer months, the mosquito.
dengue fever and others are spread from mosquito bites. In humans, mosquitoes appear to prefer people with type O blood, heavy breathers and pregnant women. Most mosquitoes feed during dawn or dusk and rest during the heat of the day.
What are mosquitoes? Mosquitoes cause the most deaths of any other animal taxonomy per year, killing more than 700,000 people annually. Mosquitoes feed on the blood of host animals, including humans, and transfer pathogens from host to host. Diseases such as malaria, Chikungunya, West Nile virus,
Repelling Mosquitoes There are a host of mosquito repellents on the market. Candles, bracelets, sprays, zappers, they all work, usually with some chemical help. But there’s also a natural way to go. Many plants will help keep mosquitoes from invading your space. Here’s a list of plants with
mosquito-repellent properties to help keep your garden pest-free this summer. • Lavender and marigolds. These flowering plants emit a smell that deters mosquitoes. You can grow both of these in pots and they give you gorgeous blooms to boot. • Citronella. You may be familiar with the citronella candles, but those things get their distinctive smell from the citronella plant. It and other lemon-scented plants repel mosquitoes. • Rosemary, basil and sage. These kitchen herbs also keep mosquitoes and other pests away from your home. Both do well in containers or in the ground.
• Bee balm. This pollinator-friendly plant also keeps mosquitoes away. Crush the leaves to release the repellent oils. • Allium. These bulbs are the family that brings you garlic and onions. They release a strong smell that mosquitoes don’t like.
What Else Can You Do? While making the environment inhospitable to mosquitoes is a great way to keep them away, you also need to make sure you aren’t doing them any favors. Eliminate standing water as much as possible and treat pools and ponds to keep mosquitoes from laying their eggs there.
Professional help for summer pests According to George Ligon, the branch manager of Terminix Triad in Boone, mosquitoes are indeed a problem through the summer, and Terminix offers a mosquito service — and services for other summer pests such as carpenter ants and termites — through the warm months that includes a free inspection and customized plan for the property. In addition, homeowners can keep mosquitoes at bay, he said: “The biggest thing a homeowner can do is eliminate areas around the house that hold standing water — things like planter boxes, toys and tires.” Visit Terminix Triad at terminix-triad.com.
Mountain Times Publications • Page 13
HOME AND FARM
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Signs of garden pests When all your care and hard work in the garden is bested by a pest, it can put a damper on your summer. It can also be challenging to spot the problem. If you think your plants are under siege, consider this list of common signs of pest problems to help find the culprit.
made by blending two cups of garlic with 10 cups of water, then boiling and letting the mixture sit overnight. Mix one part solution with three parts water, and use a spray bottle to wet plant leaves. This method works not just for grasshoppers but for other feeding insects, as well.
Large Holes in Leaves
Small Holes in Leaves
Large holes in the foliage of a plant is a sure sign something has been helping itself to a taste. A common culprit is grasshoppers, which unfortunately travel in packs. They like to munch on grasses, lettuce, carrots, beans, corn and onion, according to TheSpruce.com. The website recommends introducing natural predators to grasshoppers, which include swallows, praying mantis insects, small snakes and toads. Another natural solution is a garlic solution
Small holes in the middle of leaves can be a sign of a Japanese beetle infestation. The beetles chew a telltale lace-like pattern in leaves, and left unchecked, they can do great harm to a plant. Adult beetles attack more than 300 kinds of plants, including roses, beans, grapes and raspberries, and are known to be hard to control. The most effective way to rid your garden of the beetles is to pick them by hand, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Traps can be effective but might
attract beetles from your neighbors. Another strategy is attracting parasitic wasps and flies — natural predators of Japanese beetles — to your garden to attack the larvae, though this alone may not be enough to control the population.
Leaves that Curl Up and Fall Off When leaves curl and fall off, aphids are often to blame. Aphids suck the moisture out of leaves, causing them to die. Home improvement pro Bob Vila offers a solution: a homemade insecticidal soap that controls the bugs without harming plants. To make it, mix a few teaspoons of liquid dish soap into one quart of water, then spray or wipe the solution onto the leaves, stems, and buds of the plant. An early warning sign of aphids can be frequent sightings of ladybugs, which love to feast on aphids.
Large holes in the foliage of a plant is a sure sign something has been helping itself to a taste.
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Page 14 • Mountain Times Publications
HOME AND FARM
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
USDA’s planting zones.
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Know your planting zones Let’s say your thumb isn’t exactly green. Let’s say it is, in fact, more gray or black than anything. That’s OK. You, too, can still have a gorgeous garden by following the USDA’s planting zones.
previous versions throughout the United States. Partially, the USDA says, this change comes from more thorough and sophisticated climate data that improved the accuracy and detail of the map.
What Are Planting Zones? Factors in the Zones
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The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map helps gardeners determine which plants are more likely to thrive in a given area. It’s based on the average annual minimum temperatures, divided into 10-degree zones. You can type your ZIP code into the USDA website and find exactly what zone you are. The latest USDA map was created in 2012 and represents a change from the previous 1990 version. The newer version of the map is generally one five-degree half-zone warmer than
Though the map is categorized by minimum temperature zones, the USDA also took into consideration other factors. These include light, soil moisture, duration of cold weather and humidity. Also bear in mind that the map covers the entire country and while accuracy is better, it still isn’t precise for any given area. The map is based on averages, not the lowest or highest temperatures ever, and your more delicate plants may still need to be protected in extreme weather.
Likewise, if a new version of the map comes out and you switch zones, that doesn’t mean you need to rip out all your existing plants. What’s doing well in your yard will likely to continue to do well, as specific plants may develop hardiness to different conditions over time.
Get Experience The best thing you can do to keep your plants alive, in addition to consulting the map, is to get more gardening experience. Start by asking the experts at your local nursery what plants would do best in your area. Take note of the light exposure in your garden, any specific pests you have to battle, and be honest about your gardening experience and the amount of effort you’re willing to put in.
Mountain Times Publications • Page 15
HOME AND FARM
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Perk up for pollinators Bees and other pollinators — bats, butterflies, beetles, wasps and birds, among others — play a critical role in nature and in our food production system. According to the USDA, more than 100 different crops worth $18 billion rely on pollinators. But some pollinator populations are in rapid decline.
Because the problem was recognized, honey bee populations are recovering. There’s still work to do, however, in bringing bee and other pollinator populations back.
Ways You Can Help
One thing everyone can do is to choose landscaping and gardening projects that include native species that flower at different Colony Collapse Disorder According to the USDA, more than 100 different crops worth times of year to provide $18 billion rely on pollinators. The Western honey bee, a steady food source for in particular, is vulnerable pollinator populations. to colony’s collapse disorqueen and some nursemaid in the environment, such as Bees and other pollinators der, a condition that causes bees to care for babies. The pests, disease, pollutants, prefer clumps of flowers in worker bees to disappear, USDA says the disorder is nutritional deficits and different colors and shapes. leaving behind only the likely the cause of stressors cloak of habitat. If you live in an area that
hosts a monarch migration, plant milkweed in your yard to provide food for caterpillars. In addition to good groceries, you can also provide nesting sites. Butterflies such as the monarch prefer specific plants for hosting their larvae, like the milkweed, while hummingbirds like trees and shrubs. Bees like to build nests in the ground on in wood or dry plant stems. Provide nesting sites for bees by leaving ground nesting sites that are well-drained and face south so they get the most sun. Dead or hollow stumps and plant
stems also make great bee habitat, or you can buy artificial nesting sites that are attractive additions to your garden.
Bee Better Program Bee Better Certification is a program funded through the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. It certifies the use of pollinator-friendly conservation practices on farms. Manufacturers that qualify can use the Bee Better certification logo on product packaging, giving consumers an option to support farms that support bees.
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Page 16 • Mountain Times Publications
HOME AND FARM
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Seven easy tips to lower your energy costs Clean or change HVAC filters regularly to improve air flow and efficiency.
Use the microwave to cook food faster and reduce energy use. Or, grill outdoors in nice weather.
Switch to energyefficient bulbs, like LEDs, to reduce lighting costs by as m much as 80%.
Set your our water heater temperature rature to 120° and choose showers over baths.
Wash clothes in cold water and do full loads.
In Install nstall a prog pr programmable rogra ramm mmab able le thermostat save t to sa ave v up to 10% on cooling li and d heating costs.
Check out Usage Tracker, too! This FREE tool shows your usage and costs, even factoring in the weather. You can also set a daily usage level and receive
Adjust your ceiling fans to turn counterclockwise in summer. Then, bump up your thermostat setting to save on cooling costs.
notifications if your home exceeds it. You’ll find Usage Tracker under “My Account” at BlueRidgeEnergy.com or on the Blue Ridge Mobile App.
Visit BlueRidgeEnergy.com/101 for even more ways to save from your trusted energy advisors.