Post & Voice Spring Home & Garden 2015 by Katie Pettigrew

HGoaamrnddeen 2015 Spring

POST Voice The Pender-Topsail

Page 2

Pender-Topsail Post & Voice - Spring Home & Garden

April 2, 2015

Secrets to keeping an organized shed Despite other intentions, homeowners often turn their garages into storage centers for random, little-used items, leaving little to no room for the tools and even vehicles that actually belong in a garage. Such homeowners may turn to sheds to store their garage overflow and keep yard equipment at the ready, but storage sheds are not immune to clutter, and homeowners may find the very structure erected to keep them organized requires a bit of organization itself. A well-organized shed can save homeowners time and energy, as it’s easy to abandon or delay a project if you can’t find that pair of work gloves you stashed. The first step to any organizing project is to take everything out of the shed and determine just what needs to go back in. Items that do not belong in the shed should be moved to their rightful locations or tossed in the trash if they’re no longer needed. Make a pile of anything that will be kept, a separate one for donations and a third for garbage. Take inventory of what you have so you know whether you’re missing any items or you have something and do not need to purchase another. Now that the entire shed is empty, you can assess just how much room you have. Utilizing vertical and overhead space effectively can free up areas on the floor for larger equipment. Shelving, racks, pegboards and any other materials that enable you to hang or store items off the floor are good investments. Visit your nearby home improvement retailer to find items that can simplify your storage. You also may be able to put scrap wood to use to make your own storage shelves or a work bench. Extra kitchen cabinets can be installed in the shed

to organize additional items. In order to remember where items go, label or sort them accordingly. Some people like to take organization a step further by tracing the outline of tools hung on the wall so they can be placed back in the same spot after use. This also serves as a visual reminder of which tools are missing and which ones need to be purchased. Don’t forget to utilize shed doors as additional storage space. Hang frequently used tools, such as rakes and shovels, on the inside of the doors so they will always be easily accessible. You also can repurpose storage solutions designed for other areas of the home. For example, magnetic knife holders can be mounted to a shed wall to keep paintbrushes organized. These holders also can be used to keep many small metal tools tidy. Metal funnels can hold twine and string. Thread through the narrow end of the funnel for a handy dispenser. Keep dangerous substances off the floor and out of reach. Gasoline, chemical fertilizers and other potentially dangerous substances should be stored high up to keep pets and children safe. Make sure the shed floor is sturdy and level. This makes it easier to neatly store larger items. Roll in the lawnmower, wheelbarrow and any other cumbersome items. Now that more things are mounted vertically, you should find that you have more area to move around. Taking the time to clean and organize a shed can help make anyone more productive.

XT2 LX42 KW Lawn Tractor • 18 HP Kawasaki® FR® V-Twin OHV Engine • 42" Mowing Deck with Manual PTO • Foot Pedal Auto Hydrostatic Drivetrain

XT2 LX46 KW

XT2 LX54 FAB

RZT L 42

• 21.5 HP Kawasaki® FR® V-Twin OHV Engine • 46" Mowing Deck with Electric PTO

• 23 HP Kawasaki® FR® V-Twin OHV Engine • 54" Fabricated Mowing Deck with Electric PTO

• Foot Pedal Auto Hydrostatic Drivetrain

• 22 HP Kohler® 7000 Series V-Twin OHV Engine • 42" Mowing Deck with Dual ZT-2200 Dual Hydro-Gear • Over-sized lap bars with full length comfort grip

Lawn Tractor

STARTING AT: $

1,79999*

(1) SUBJECT TO CREDIT APPROVAL ON A CUB CADET CREDIT CARD ACCOUNT. NOT ALL CUSTOMERS QUALIFY. ADDITIONAL TERMS MAY APPLY. PLEASE SEE YOUR LOCAL CUB CADET DEALER FOR DETAILS. * 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. As rated by Kawasaki, horsepower tested in accordance with SAE J1995 and rated in accordance with SAE J2723 and certified by SAE International As rated by Kohler, all power levels are rated at 3600 RPM per SAE J1940 gross. Built using the highest quality components sourced locally and globally. ** XT Series Limited warranty – 5-year chassis and front axle, unlimited hours. 3-year and 4-year powertrain (engine and transmission) unlimited hours. Normal wear parts 30 days. For full warranty details, visit cubcadet.com or see your local dealer. Certain restrictions apply. Specifications and programs are subject to change without notice. Images may not reflect dealer inventory and/or unit specifications. The Best Buy Seal and other licensed materials are registered certification marks and trademarks of Consumers Digest Communications, LLC, used under license. For award information, visit ConsumersDigest.com. © 2015 Cub Cadet

STARTING AT: $ 1,99999*

Lap Bar Zero-Turn Rider

STARTING AT: $ 2,99999*

STARTING AT: $ 2,39999*

Wallace Outdoor Power Products 1321 North Norwood Street Wallace, NC 28466 910-285-5030 lll#lVaaVXZdjiYddgedlZgegdYjXih#Xdb

April 2, 2015

Pender-Topsail Post & Voice - Spring Home & Garden

Find the best method to treat warm weather insects Homeowners know that the arrival of spring also marks the re-emergence of insects. While not every insect is harmful, if an infestation grows considerably or if insects begin to move from the outdoors into a home, it may be time for homeowners to call in a professional. The Entomological Society of America points out that homeowners cannot count on bitterly cold winters to help control the numbers of insects in their yards. Insect ecology is affected by various factors and is not solely dependent on temperature. Furthermore, what occurred one year certainly may not be repeated the next, as homeowners who have had various insect infestations in their yards can attest. One year a yard may be overcome with ants, while the next year it may suffer through an earwig infestation. The first step homeowners looking to curtail insects in their yards can take is to determine if the insects they see are genuine threats to their lawns. Some bugs emerge and swarm early in the season, but then gradually disappear as spring turns into summer. Other insects may come out of hiding if a homeowner is doing a lot of yard work or construction around a house. Practice a wait-and-see approach to determine if you really have an insect problem or just have stirred up activity. Homeowners also must decide if it is bearable living with the insects. If insects are not doing any damage or if they can be controlled relatively easily, then you might be able to avoid calling in the professionals. However, if critters like termites and certain species of wood-eating insects are invasive and damaging your yard, you may need to take action. Anyone concerned with the side effects of pesticides and insecticides can first try to remedy the problem naturally. Sometimes it’s just a matter of making a yard less hospitable to insects. Remove leaves and clean up debris close to the house, as these can both encourage infestations. Piles of rotting wood or leftover firewood can be a food or shelter source for a number of insects. Inspect water spigots for leaks and improve suspect drainage on your property, as these things can be welcoming to bugs that like moist surroundings. Remove standing water whenever possible to eliminate spots for mosquitoes to incubate larvae. Remember, natural predators, such as birds, bats, spiders, and larger insects, feed on nuisance bugs. Keeping these helpful predators around may be an effective and natural way for homeowners to control annoying pests. If an insect problem seems out of control or if you need a professional opinion about the damage being done to your home or landscape, consult with an exterminator. Licensed exterminators have the training and expertise to assess insect concerns and create a plan of action that will minimize the risk to inhabitants of your home and nearby wildlife. An exterminator will know what it takes to treat insects and maximize the chances of removing the problem promptly and effectively. Warm weather is synonymous with many things, including the return of insects. Homeowners may be able to treat unruly bugs on their own, but especially problematic infestations may require the help of experienced exterminators.

Your Local Heating & Air Conditioning Service Provider

PLEASANT AIR INC.

Studies by Energy Star and others have found that most duct systems over 10 years of age show about 20% leakage, which means that you are only beneﬁtting from 80% of what you are paying for. If your cars gas tank had a leak and was losing 20% of what you were putting into it – would you seal that leak? We have an economical solution to this energy losing problem. It is called

AEROSEAL

Visit us at PleasantAir.com and then give us a call for your free consultation.

910-270-3934

CREATIVE CONCEPTS

Custom Screenprinting Owned & Operated by Pender County Residents

Your Logo HERE

Let us help your business or organization look it’s best! TEAM UNIFORMS

Complete line of Jerseys, Pants, Hats & Socks

Special Discounts for Church & School Groups

FAMILY REUNION SHIRTS Your Design or Ours! Call Today for a Free Quote!

130 W. Main St. • Wallace, N.C. 28466 crtcnpts@embarqmail.com 1.910.285.0390 or 1.877.893.8091

Get Ready For Spring! Tri-County

Pest Control, Inc. RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Locally Owned & Operated

Do It Yourself Pest Control... Get the flies & bugs out of your house. Come on by and see what we can do for you!

Serving New Hanover, Pender & Onslow Counties All Work Guaranteed • Financing Available

FREE ESTIMATES

Page 3

MILITARY DISCOUNTS Active • Veterans

10% OFF

15200 US Hwy. 17 • Hampstead • www.tri-countypestcontrol.net 910.270.1190, Hampstead • 910.392.3275, Wilmington

Page 4

Pender-Topsail Post & Voice - Spring Home & Garden

April 2, 2015

How to spot an unhealthy tree Fencing serves many purposes. Some homeowners erect a fence for pri- barrier, chainlink could be the way to go. vacy, while others do so to contain pets and children. Because fencing can * Picket fencing: A wooden picket fence is another inexpensive fencing be expensive, some homeowners look for ways to cut costs, which can be material. The pickets can be purchased in various heights, and this fence relatively easy, especially for those homeowners willing to consider vari- may be used as garden border fencing or to mark a property line between ous materials when erecthomes. Spacing the ing their fence. pickets widely apart Traditional fences may cut down on the are available in materinumber that need als ranging from wood to be purchased, to vinyl to metal. Homfurther keeping the eowners have other opcost down. tions at their disposal *Bamboo: Bamif they prefer a more boo is a rapidly natural fence. Different growing grass that shrubs, trees or grasses produces a hard can be planted to crewood-like mateate a barrier between rial that is used in properties or within the many building approperty. plications. Bamboo When choosing a wood can be used fencing material, considto build a fence, but er that even a less expenthe natural plant KUB1365-ZD300 ADBUILDER 1/4/07 4:53 PM Page 3 sive material may prove also can be planted more expensive in the living C M Y to CM form MY CY aCMY K long run if it needs sigfence for privacy. nificant maintenance or *Stockade fenchas to be replaced in just ing: A stockade a few years. Therefore, fence is one of the the most cost-effective more basic wood fencing material may fencing options. not necessarily be the Wooden slats are least expensive one at placed alongside the store. Here are some one another to form This new zero-turn runs circles around performance. materials homeowners an effective and can consider. affordable privacy fence. Stock- ade fencing can be ADBUILDER 1/4/07 4:53 PMtoPage 3 *Found material: Re- purposed wood or metal can be KUB1365-ZD300 crafted into a russtained or painted preserve it. Many home improvement retailers sell tic, one-of-a-kind fence. Materials can be found that are no cost, requiring panels of stockade fencing youMYcan C so M that Y CM CY make CMY K fence installation a do-itonly the cost of labor. Should you build it yourself, this can be next to noth- yourself project. ing. Sometimes existing fences on another property can be disassembled *Vinyl fencing: Although vinyl fencing is one of the more expensive and re-built on your own property for little to no cost as well. fencing materials at the outset (it costs about twice the price of a wood *Chainlink/chainwire:Chainlink fencing is one of the most economi- fence), it does pay for itself rather quickly thanks to minimal maintenance. cal types of boundary fencing. The fencing comes in a variety of diamond Unlike some other materials, vinyl will not rot or discolor. You also won’t ADBUILDER PM Page cleaners 3 sizes and is fixed to galvanized pipes spaced across the perimeterKUB1365-ZD300 of the have to purchase stain,1/4/07 paint 4:53 and expensive for a vinyl fence. That property. Although it is some of the least expensive fencing, it does not of- means once you make the investment, you will have years upon years of fer much privacy on its own. But if you are looking at fencing simply as a maintenance-free enjoyment.

GOT WEEDS? FREE FREE

& & SERVICE Service freeweeds lawn, Call ustoday todayto tostart starttaking takingcare careweed ofthose those weeds Call us of QUOTE! Quote! CALL US TODAY! &improve improvethe thebeauty beauty&&health healthof ofyour yourlawn! lawn! & Call us today to start taking care of those weeds

OFF Your Spring Treatment OFF Your Early Summer Treatment YourTreatment Early Summer Treatment OFF Your Early Summer

OFF

Offer for new clients only. May not be used in combiOffer Offerfor fornew newclients clientsonly. only.May Maynot notbebeused usedinincombination combination with other discount offers. Offer expires 5.4.12

Offer for new clients only. May not be used in combiwithwith other discount offers. OfferOffer expires 4-13-15 nation other discount offers. expires 5.4.12 nation with other discount offers. Offer expires 5.4.12

“Working in unison with nature”

910.270.0227

www.freedomlawnsnc.com

Your Pender County in Neighborhood “Working “Working in unison unison with with nature” nature” Lawncare Professionals

910.270.0227 910.270.0227

CMY

This new zero-turn runs circles around performance.

ZD300 Series

Sales Parts Service Nash Equipment Co.

Engineered for commercial power, durability and performance, ZD300 Series zero-turn mowers feature 21, 26 or 31 HP, long-life, fuel-efficient Kubota diesel engines. A smooth HST transmission, a new deeper mower deck, an 11.9-gallon fuel tank, and a hands-free hydraulic deck lift ensure the high quality and ease of operation demanded by commercial operators and landscape professionals.

& improve the beauty & health of your lawn!

$ 20

This new zero-turn runs circles around performance.

LAWN LAWN HAPPY WITH GOT WEEDS? NOTYOUR ASSESSMENT ASSESSMENT LAWN? FREE We’re here to help! & SERVICE SERVICE & FREE LAWN For a healthy, Lawn QUOTE! QUOTE! ASSESSMENT Assessment vibrant, more

ZD300 Series

1190 NC53W Burgaw, NC 28425 ZD300 Series (910) 259-5134 Co. Nash Equipment Engineered for commercial power, durability and performance, ZD300 Series 1190Kubota NC53W zero-turn mowers feature 21, 26 or 31 HP, long-life, fuel-efficient diesel 1190 NC 53 W. • Burgaw, NC 28425 • (910) 259-5134 Burgaw, NC 28425 engines. A smooth HST transmission, a new deeper mower deck, an 11.9-gallon

NASH EQUIPMENT CO. (910) 259-5134

fuel tank, and a hands-free hydraulic deck lift ensure the high quality and ease of operation demanded by commercial operators and landscape professionals.

910.270.0227 www.freedomlawnsnc.com www.freedomlawnsnc.com www.freedomlawnsnc.com Your Your Pender Pender County County Neighborhood Neighborhood Lawncare Lawncare Professionals Professionals

www.kubota.com www.kubota.com

Nash Equipment Co.

1190 NC53W Tractor–Corporation, KUB1365 – ZD300 2007 TIONAL ADBUILDER – 3.788 X ©Kubota 5 – 4 color 12.15.062007 Burgaw, NC NA 28425 (910) 259-5134

©Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2007

April 2, 2015

How to soundproof your home What’s the first step in sound proofing your home? Finding which rooms have the least amount of sound resistance. To do this, make sure everyone is out of the house, unplug all electronics and close all doors and windows. Take a quick walk through your house and pause for a few moments in each room to evaluate which ones are the noisiest. Now consider if you’re installing a media room or teenage recreational room where volumes will be blasting on TV’s and stereos. With this information, you should have a good idea of where you need to soundproof and create barriers against noise. Here are some tips to help you achieve the optimal result of peace and quiet: • Plant trees and hedges along the exterior of your home, perhaps along a fence. Not only do trees and hedges help with the environment and provide a good amount of privacy, they also slow down the travel of noise from the neighborhood into your home. • Insulate your walls and ceilings. Better insulation in your interiors and exteriors won’t just drive away excess noise, it will also reduce your heating and cooling bills during the hot and cold months. For the best sound proofing and easy installation quality, a professional-grade product by ROXUL called Safe‘n’Sound is very popular. • Seal up all cracks and holes around windows and doors, and add double glazed windows to your current glass panes. Once you’ve selected the best soundproofing method, implement it and enjoy the bliss of silence throughout your home.

Pender-Topsail Post & Voice - Spring Home & Garden

Page 5

CULINARY AMBITION THE FIRST INGREDIENT IS KITCHENAID BRAND

1500

RECEIVE UP TO A

PREPAID CARD WITH PURCHASE OF SELECT KITCHENAID BRAND APPLIANCES

MARCH 1–JUNE 30, 2015

VISIT US TODAY FOR GREAT DEALS. *See store associate for rebate form with complete details. Only valid at participating KitchenAid brand retailers. Consumer may choose one model per appliance type up to a maximum of 6 models, with a maximum rebate amount of $1,500 per household. Rebate in the form of a KitchenAid brand MasterCard® Prepaid Card by mail. Additional terms and conditions apply. ®/™ ©2015 KitchenAid. All rights reserved. To learn more about the entire KitchenAid brand line, please visit kitchenaid.com. CCP-17558

RETAIL INFORMATION HERE

Page 6

Pender-Topsail Post & Voice - Spring Home & Garden

April 2, 2015

Finished basements save energy and deliver more living space By finishing your basement, you can gain more living space while reducing the amount of energy loss from downstairs. Basements that are not fully finished typically do not have insulated walls or covered flooring. This can result in heat loss and cause your furnace to work overtime. A remodeled basement offers more than additional storage space. It can provide a lot of extra room for a growing family, such as space for a gym, home theatre, office, guest suite, or a playroom for the kids. To ensure a comfortable and inviting basement, there are a few project components to consider: • Insulation will make sure your space warm and comfortable. For the best results, install a stone wool insulation product, a measure that can be done easily with the ROXUL ComfortBoard IS. This product is mechanically fastened or adhered to the concrete foundation wall, offering you a higher R-value and better acoustics. • Drywall will help define the space and make it feel like a part of your home. If you haven’t tackled drywall before, consider hiring a pro to ensure your walls are seamless. • Flooring should be water sealed and covered with an insulated material. There are many products on the market, but consider laying padding before carpet or in-floor heating before tiles. • Personalize it with finishing touches. Select furniture that can fit down a typically steep staircase and choose items that complement the rest of your home’s décor.

Soundproof that man cave Enjoy a jam session or watch an intense sports game with the boys without disturbing the rest of your house. Soundproofing your man cave will ensure that the noise of male bonding, deep voices, loud music and cheering doesn’t disturb the entire household. A simple solution to controlling noise is acoustic insulation. A mineral wool product, such

as ROXUL Safe ‘n’ Sound, offers sound absorbing qualities that will let you crank up your subwoofer and cheer and jump around when your favorite team scores. Installing mineral wool insulation on the interior walls of your man cave or media room will control sound, delivering a place you can call your own sanctuary to hang out with the boys.

Farrior’s Flooring & Interiors £ÓäÊ7iÃÌÊ > Ê-ÌÀiiÌ Wallace, NC 28466

Come see our new Spring Specials on HGTV Carpet and Flooring! 910-285-2299 www.farriors.com \ääÊÕ Ì Êx\ÎäÊ °Ê Ê À °ÊUÊ£ä\ääÊÕ Ì ÊÎ\ääÊ->Ì°

April 2, 2015

Pender-Topsail Post & Voice - Spring Home & Garden

Page 7

The many benefits of hiring a professional landscaper The flowers are blooming, and the grass has begun to grow anew, making spring a great time for homeowners to once again turn their attention to landscaping. Those who arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t looking forward to dusting off their lawnmowers and rethreading their string trimmers may want to hire professional landscapers to tend to their lawns and gardens. A recent joint study by the National Gardening Association, Residential Lawn and Landscape Services and the Value of Landscaping found that homeowners spend roughly $45 billion per year on professional lawn and landscape services, as nearly 30 percent of all households across the United States use at least one type of lawn or landscape service. The rising use of lawn care services is indicative of homeownersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; appreciation of the convenience and craftsmanship professional services can provide. While the impact professional landscapers can have on a propertyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aesthetic appeal is considerable, homeowners also benefit from working with professional landscapers in various other ways. â&#x20AC;˘ Time savings: One of the biggest benefits of leaving lawn care to the professionals is the amount of time it will save for the average homeowner. Lawns generally need to be mowed once per week during the spring and summer seasons and, depending on the size of the property, that can take an hour or more. Add the time it takes to clean up clippings, mulch landscaping beds and edge the property, and homeowners can expect to devote a significant chunk of their weekends to caring for their lawns. Lawn services employ a few workers who make fast work of the job, leaving homeowners time to enjoy their weekends however they see fit. â&#x20AC;˘ Reduced risk for injury: Maintaining a landscape is hard work, and those unaccustomed to this type of activity may find themselves winded or at risk of injury. Improper use of lawn equipment also is a safety hazard. Leaving the work to professionals can help homeowners avoid strained backs, lacerations, pulled muscles, sunburns, and any other dangers that can result when tackling landscaping projects. â&#x20AC;˘ Financial savings: On the surface, hiring a landscaping service may seem like a costly venture. However, after crunching some numbers, many homeowners realize that doing the work themselves may cost more in the long run than hiring a professional landscaping service. Homeowners who decide to go it alone must purchase expensive equipment, and those lawn tools will require routine maintenance, which costs additional money. Inexperienced homeowners may incur extra fees to â&#x20AC;&#x153;fixâ&#x20AC;? mistakes that occur during the learning process. Each year, new seed, fertilizer, mulch, pesticides, and other supplies also must be purchased. But professional lawn care services typically charge a set fee per month, and that fee covers the maintenance of both your property and the equipment needed to keep that property looking great.

â&#x20AC;˘ Know-how: Many professional landscapers know how to address lawn care issues that may arise throughout the year. They will know how to deal with dry patches of lawn or poorly draining areas, and they also can make recommendations on plants that will thrive under certain conditions. â&#x20AC;˘ One-stop shopping: Certain landscaping services provide many different options for prospective customers. Basic lawn cuts may be one package, but there also may be services for seasonal seeding, weeding, leaf clean-up, and winterizing. â&#x20AC;˘ Consistent maintenance: Homeowners who frequently travel or spend much of their summers away from home often find that lawn care companies are a wise investment. Established weekly schedules ensure the landscape always will look its best whether homeowners are home or out of town. Spring is a great time for homeowners to decide if hiring professional landscaping services is in their best interests. The time and money saved, as well as impact professional landscapers can have on a property, makes landscaping services a great investment for many homeowners.

Mulch, Garden Soil, Decorative Gravel, Firewood, Compost *We Install ALL of the Above* Fred Eike

www.hampsteadmulchandstone.com 53 (WY s (AMPSTEAD .# /FlCE s &AX

Page 8

Pender-Topsail Post & Voice - Spring Home & Garden

April 2, 2015

Quality Products • Competitively Priced Professionally Installed

Guaranteed!!!

Custom Vinyl Windows / Entry Doors Patio Doors / Premium Vinyl Siding wilmingtonwindowcompany@yahoo.com www.windowswilmington.com Ofﬁce: 910-791-6221

Marshburn’s Ace Hardware

Hampstead Landscaping, Inc. Design/Build Contractor

Your Complete Hardware & Paint Studio 605 S. Norwood St. • Wallace, NC 28466-0159 Phone: (910) 285-3341

Sammy Marshburn

Design • Installation • Irrigation • Maintenance • Custom Woodworking Decks • Arbors • Pergolas • Low Voltage Lighting Custom Stonework • Waterfalls • Koi Ponds • Patios • Walkways

(910) 270-4395

www.hampsteadlandscaping.com NC Landscape Contr.# 1148 • NC Irrigation Contr.# 080 • NCAN Certiﬁed Plantsman • NC Licensed Pesticide Applicator

Carolina Solar Security Serving the Area for 25 Years. www.carolina-solar.com

910.791.5820

Sun Control Window Films 063MWF060_Final_RSVP_PC_OL.indd 2

9/20/07 8:56:24 AM