1933 PAQUITA DRIVE, CARPINTERIA CA
Resting on approximately 1.5 acres in the foothills above Padaro Lane and Santa Claus Beach, this mid-century style classic California ranch home offers stunning ocean and mountain views, and an open floor plan celebrating spaciousness and light. Living, dining and great rooms, classic kitchen, wine room, safe room, multiple fireplaces and vaulted ceilings. Nearly unobstructed ocean vistas from many rooms, as well as the expansive deck and pool. An airy pergola hosts a built-in grill and outdoor kitchen and is perfect for dining alfresco. Separate workshop, raised flower or vegetable beds, and garage space for four cars. Gated and fenced for privacy, security and serenity. The ideal home or home away from home for entertaining family and friends year-round. Property has the possibility of adding an ADU or SB9.
Cristal Clarke is the #1 Agent. Locally and Globally. *
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It’s a good idea to hire an HVAC company to inspect and do mainte nance on your system every fall and spring. They’ll do things like inspect and clean the wiring and mechanisms of the air conditioner and furnace, which are a bit more challenging for the average homeowner.
But you can prolong the life and increase the efficiency of your system if you follow these simple HVAC suggestions.
Here’s an easy, doable preventive maintenance checklist to keep your heating and cooling system in top shape.Some things you should do imme diately; other tasks only need to be done seasonally or once a year.
1. Buy a better filter if you haven’t already. The new high-efficiency pleated filters have an electrostatic charge that works like a magnet to grab the tiniest particles — even those that carry bacteria.
2. Replace the filter at least every 90 days. But check it monthly. If it looks dark and clogged, go ahead and change it. If you have pets, you’ll prob ably need to change it monthly.
3. Make sure there’s at least two feet of clearance around outdoor air-condi tioning units and heat pumps.
4. Remove debris, such as leaves, pollen, and twigs weekly during spring, summer, and fall from top and sides of outdoor air-conditioning units and heat pumps. Don’t allow the lawn mower to discharge grass clippings onto the unit.
5. Monthly, inspect insulation on refrigerant lines leading into the house. Replace lines if missing or damaged.
6. Make sure unit is level. Annually, ensure that outdoor air-conditioning units and heat pumps are on firm and level ground or pads.
7. Stave off clogs. Annually, pour a cup of bleach mixed with water down the air-conditioner condensate drain to prevent buildup of mold and al gae, which can cause a clog.
8. Never close more than 20% of a home’s registers to avoid placing un necessary strain on the HVAC system.
9. Replace the battery in your home’s carbon monoxide detector annually.
We all know that HVAC systems are not cheap. It behooves every one of us to take care of our systems as much as possible to alleviate the big repair bills or worse yet, having your entire HVAC system replaced. Ask your local trusted REALTOR® for suggestions regarding a qualified professional to inspect your HVAC unit.
Hello Mr. Richardson,
I live in a relatively new development. Until a few months ago, the builder had control of the board. We had elections and now have resident board members. We have the same management company that existed before the residents became elected. This management company still wants to control everything — run the meetings, prepare the minutes, plan all the community events, and submit all the financials.
The board members have been told we are not allowed to meet to discuss anything among ourselves. We are un happy with many things about the cur rent status, but feel powerless to improve the situation. A friend on another board says that they have “study sessions” with no votes taken, but consensus reached on various topics without the management company in attendance. Is this ok?
– Regards, G.P.
Your management company should be helping and advising, not control ling.The HOA is allowed per Corpora tions Code Section 7210 to delegate the management of the corporation to a person or company, but that power is still ultimately under the control of the HOA board. Perhaps, the board could take some training from your local Com munity Associations Institute Chapter to be more confident in directing your management and better serve the HOA community.
As to “study sessions,” no — it doesn’t matter what you call it. If a quorum of the board discusses anything under the board’s authority in person, telephoni cally, or electronically, it is a “board meeting” under Civil Code 4090; and all the Open Meeting Act requirements of Civil Code Sections 4900-4955 apply to that discussion. These statutes actually
protect the board from being “on call” 24 hours a day — outside board meetings, you’re “off the clock.” Stick to discussing HOA business in HOA meetings, and you’ll find the board work less demand ing on your time as volunteers.
– Thanks, KellyThanks for your informational HOA articles. The 4-day notice period for board meetings is highlighted in a number of places but the legislature did not specify if 4 days equals 96 hours. We are left to assume the requirement is four calendar days. My HOA management firm places notices in the mail after Friday’s pickup to provide notice for a meeting scheduled on the following Tuesday, making ad vance notice nearly useless. Are you able to offer any specifics on when a notice period starts the day count?
Thank you for your contributions to helping average homeowners like me un derstand the ‘rules of the road.”
Civil Code Section 4920 refers to four days advance notice, which under Civil Code Section 10 is calendar days, and so could be less than 96 hours. Announce ment of board meetings may be given by “general notice,” which under Civil Code Section 4045 includes postal mail, posting in a “prominent location” in the HOA, or posting on the HOA’s website. Mailing the meeting announcement and agenda is an unnecessary expense and is slower, giving members less time to de cide if they wish to attend. So, for both reasons, ask your manager to post the notice in the HOA announcement ar eas and website. Also, make sure that all members are informed about how meet ings and agendas are announced.
– Best, KellyBob Walsmith, Jr. can be reached at 805-720-5362 or emailed at Bob@BobWalsmithJr.com
Question:
Ed: I’m installing a new toilet and because of your previous toilet tip columns, we plan to get a high-efficiency model. Along with water-saving options, what are some other working options that we can include with our new toilet? – Brent
Answer:
A quality high-efficiency toilet can flush with power and save you water. That’s a good working option, and along those lines, here are a few other toilet options that can also “work” for you:
1. Toilets that clean as you flush
Load the special tablets into the built-in tank activator system when needed. Then, just flush as you go to add cleaning power to your bowl. Some toilets even feature a slippery clear coating on the bowl surface to help with the flush and wash concept of these toilets.
2. Wider footprint toilet
Flared styling at the base of these toilets can help cover old floor marks from a previous toilet.
3. Semi-skirted toilet bowl
Inspired by the full-skirted models, concealed trapway or semi-skirted toilets feature some smooth flat areas on the outside of bowl for easier cleaning. But unlike most full-skirted toilets, no extra installation requirements are usually needed for these versatile and attractive toilets — proving once again that a miniskirt can be an eye-catching option.
Master Contractor/Plumber Ed Del Grande is known internationally as the author of the book “Ed Del Grande’s House Call,” the host of TV and Internet shows, and a LEED green associate. Visit eddelgrande.com or write eadelg@cs.com. Always consult local contractors and codes.
©2022 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Adding new insulation is an excellent winter job.
Arturs Budkevics/Dreamstime/TNS
The colder months after the holidays, especially January and February, will be here before you know it. These tend to be times when we put a lot of home main tenance out of mind. But winter can be an excellent time for home renovations. Pros are less busy, certain supplies experience less demand and thus cost less, and you’re not likely to be planning big events around your home for a while after New Year’s. Read on for six renovations you can start preparing right now.
Average cost: $80-$200 per square foot
Adding a new room or rooms likely tops the list of things you didn’t think you could or should do in the colder months. But winter provides several advantages for building additions. Humidity is low, and the ground is very dry, which makes the work easier for remodelers. Plus, it’s easier to protect exposed sections from snow than rain, so your pro will spend less time keeping the elements out of your work.
As with home additions, the cool, dry air provides considerable advantages for flooring work. This climate allows adhesive to dry more quickly and prevents gap ping between freshly placed boards.
Flooring receives a great deal of wear and tear during the holidays, so this may already be on your mind. You’ll also see an immediate benefit, as new hardwood provides better insulation than worn-out flooring.
For a less intensive remodel, you can refinish an existing floor, which gets the same benefits from the cool, dry air and costs about $1,800.
Bathroom remodeling is quite popular in winter, and it’s no wonder. After all the use it gets and the guests who’ve been in and out of your house, you may have been considering how you want it to look in 2023. So, it’s a great time to update that bathroom with new fixtures, tubs and sinks, or even a complete overhaul. The cost of your remodel will, of course, depend heavily on the extent of your plans.
Interior painting
Average cost: $2,000
You probably don’t want to put a new coat of paint on your exterior walls in February, but winter is an excellent time for interior painting and giving your rooms a quick spruce-up. Once again, lower humidity plays a role. Paint tends to dry more quickly and evenly in low-humidity conditions, so whether you’re hiring or DIYing the work, you’ll probably get it done faster.
As a bonus, whatever furniture you need to move around to finish the work will give you a head start on spring cleaning.
Finish a basement
Average cost: $18,400
Winter makes the job more manageable if you’ve been thinking about turn ing that stone-walled basement into a comfortable living area, game room, craft zone, or just plain hang-out space. Basements are prone to mold, but the cooler temperatures make that less of a problem and thus one less thing for remodelers to look out for. In a few days or weeks, you can turn a beat-up storage area into a part of your home you look forward to spending time in!
Average cost: $5,800
Insulation provides one of the most vital lines of defense for keeping hot and cold air on the right sides of your walls. Renewing your insulation could make a significant difference in both comfort and energy bills all year round. And winter isn’t too late to get this work done. Talk to an insulation contractor who can ana lyze your space, offer you the best options and figure out where you’re most losing air. Your cost will be most affected by which insulation material you select.
©2022 Ask Angi. Visit at angi.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Special shower stall water filters come in many styles and price ranges to fit most shower fixture setups, including hand showers.
Photo courtesy Kohler/TNS
I have rented in the same community for several years, and my lease is renewed yearly. A few weeks ago, management left a note on my door saying I was rude to a staff member, but I honestly don’t know what I did. Then I got a note telling me they would not renew my lease. I called the manager, but they did not give me a meaningful reason for not renewing. Do I have any recourse?
Ed: For cooking and drinking water we have a water filter at our kitchen faucet and a second filter on our refrigerator ice maker line. I would like to add a third filter for showering, Do they make water filters for showerheads?
– Tony
First, I’d like to mention that filtering water to several home plumbing fixtures could also be accomplished with a whole-house water filter. A professionally installed whole-house water filter can be piped in on the house side of a plumbing system and installed according to local codes.
Since these water filters are usually located on a central cold water line inside your home, multiple fixtures may benefit from this one larger wa ter filter setup. In many cases this could be a more convenient solution over having a few separate point-of-use water filters located throughout a home.
But if you feel that for some reason a whole-house water filter may not be your best option, I do have good news.
Getting back to your original question, dedicated showerhead water filters are available. These special shower stall water filters come in many styles and price ranges to fit most shower fixture setups, including hand showers.
Bottom line: If you’re looking to filter the water that cleans you up in the shower, explore all your home water filter options first before making a clear choice.
Master Contractor/Plumber Ed Del Grande is known internationally as the author of the book “Ed Del Grande’s House Call,” the host of TV and Internet shows, and a LEED green associate. Visit eddelgrande.com or write eadelg@cs.com. Always consult local contractors and codes.
©2019 Tribune Content Agency, LLC Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
– MaryYour lease agreement is a legal contract, and you and your landlord are bound by what it says.
Some leases give the tenant the right to renew their lease if certain conditions are met, such as paying the rent on time, while others require a new lease agreement each year.
Check your lease to see what your rights are. If your lease gives you the right to renew, follow the steps to do so.
That said, if you must sign a new lease each year, you may be out of luck. Gener ally, nothing requires a landlord to offer their tenant another year, just like nothing forces the tenant to stay longer than the lease’s term.
Your lease may require that your landlord give you a certain amount of notice they are not renewing.
Even if your lease does not have this requirement, many jurisdictions have laws requiring a landlord to give several months’ notice when ending the relationship at the end of the agreement’s term.
Your situation may be caused by a misunderstanding that can be cleared up with effective communication. Since you want to continue living there, try to speak with the manager again, in person, if possible.
Try to clear the air, explaining that you do not understand the issue but that you would not be rude to anyone on purpose. Since you like living there, it is worth trying to smooth things over.
Gary M. Singer is a Florida attorney and board-certified as an expert in real estate law by the Florida Bar. He practices real estate, busi ness litigation and contract law from his office in Sunrise, Fla. He is the chairman of the Real Estate Section of the Broward County Bar Association and is a co-host of the weekly radio show Legal News and Review. He frequently consults on general real estate matters and trends in Florida with various companies across the nation. Follow him on Twitter @GarySingerLaw.
©2022 Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
By Katie Laughridge
Every year in January, the team and I make the trek to market in Atlanta in search of the finest baubles and jewels to adorn our shop for the holidays. I know what you are thinking: Who in their right mind is thinking about Christmas in January? But, we are!
We keep a keen eye out for timeless styles, rather than trends, and scour through floors and floors of decor to curate themes and items.
For months, boxes of Christmas decor have been arriving. I always love watching the magic of the items we lovingly picked one by one become a co hesive, beautiful display. Old World rustic was the first Christmas theme that came together on the floor this year – and it immediately became a favorite. While collecting my thoughts for this piece, I reminisced with the members of our team who collaborated on the look. Our lovely product coordinator shared, “We loved the different textures that evolved, from shiny to galva nized and birch to fur, it all just came together.”
I’m immediately struck by the details that come together to make this hol iday scene. Like the little pop of the citrus-inspired deep oranges and yellows. I love a classic dried fruit element, and these colors speak to that without be ing too literal. The colors add some dimension to this organic look.
The tree is the cornerstone of this holiday look, and this one is certainly dressed to impress. Wanting to re-create the look at home? Our team has a few different approaches, all of which lead to a beautiful end result. This method is easy to follow and leads to a well-balanced design.
When building this tree, we began by layering with picks to make the tree fuller. I like the organic elements found in the weepy white branches and
cranberry-colored stems placed throughout – very rustic. Next we anchor the larger elements to the tree: a jolly Santa, fur-trimmed sleighs of varying sizes and showers of galvanized bells. We saw the potential at market right away, and our visuals team had some great ideas for their use, like tucked into a tree, collected in a basket, perched on a coffee table or nestled into the mantel.
After the larger elements have found their places dispersed throughout the tree, it’s time to add your ribbon. You can cascade it down the tree, or weave throughout depending on the look you prefer. Once your ribbon is placed, start at the center point (or fo cal point) of the tree and begin placing the smaller ornaments and work your way out from there. Small loops of ribbon can have a large impact if you aren’t wanting an ornament heavy tree.
We carried this theme throughout the room, incorporating both natural and elegant accents for a look that is both rustic and re fined. A wood and metal lantern paired with a shimmering golden reindeer, dressed up with greenery and ribbon make for the perfect coffee table vignette. Add some candle sticks and a smaller lantern for a larger space, or pare down by removing a piece or two that doesn’t work for you. Play until you have the right mix, one that gives you the right amount of volume and movement.
I just adore the depth and texture this look offers. It’s the perfect theme to kick off our Christmas features, too! Stay tuned – over the next few weeks, we will be featuring many more holiday looks.
Adapted from nellhills.com. Katie Laughridge is the owner of Kansas City interior design desti nation Nell Hill’s. For more information, contact Katie at info@nellhills.com.
©2022 Tribune Content Agency, LL
This is a partial list of all recorded residential sales in Santa Barbara County from November 21 thru November 31, 2022. While these recordings are public record, the News-Press receives this information from an outside source. This list does not represent all sales that occurred over this time period. Consult your REALTOR® for further information regarding home sales in your area of interest.
AREA ADDRESS SELLER
BUELLTON / SOLVANG 2023 ALAMO PINTADO RD HART SUSAN
CARPINTERIA 1457 CAMELLIA CIR MONTOYA DAVID EA
FIRST STEPS ENTERPRISE $2,375,000 11/28/2022
CORNET DANIEL EA $1,350,000 11/30/2022 6315 CARPINTERIA AVE RINCON OCEAN VIEW, LLC A3J INVESTMENTS LLC $2,000,000 11/30/2022
CUYAMA 4706 CEBRIAN AVE NOLAN MICHAEL EA VILLA HECTOR $260,000 11/22/2022
GOLETA 29 DEARBORN PL 9 BRAY JANNICE EA
AGUIRRE CALEB EU $535,000 11/23/2022 241 MATHILDA DR CLARK SARAH HOESTEREY JUSTIN EA $627,500 11/30/2022 451 CANNON GREEN DR A RITCHIE WILLIAM EA ZHAO SHOU EU $835,000 11/30/2022 566 SPRINGBROOK CT HAWKES FREDERICK EU BECKER HARVEY EA $949,000 11/21/2022 6056 SUELLEN CT BANNON COLLEEN EA HERRERA BEVERLY $1,004,000 11/22/2022 6219 NEWCASTLE AVE AYALA BARBARA HENSON MARY EA $1,300,000 11/30/2022 359 CAMBRIDGE DR DESOTO COURTNEY EA WAGNER MARTIN EU $1,330,000 11/22/2022 760 KRISTEN CT SMITH GEOFFREY EU LYNN AARON EU $1,560,000 11/30/2022 32 ARROYO VISTA DR WIENER DAVID EU MENDELSON DAVID EA $1,668,000 11/30/2022 935 N KELLOGG AVE WOLFF MICHAEL EA KAMMEYER JENNIFER EU $1,850,000 11/30/2022 487 WHITMAN ST BREESE LAUREN EA WEIDL LORENZ EU $2,100,000 11/30/2022 4834 SAN GORDIANO AVE D BASSAN JEREMY SBSR LLC $2,125,000 11/29/2022
GUADALUPE 4908 SANDPIPER LN JONES LISA EA GUZMAN CARMELA EA $515,000 11/28/2022
LOMPOC 905 N A ST USA DEPT OF HOUSING EL CAMINO MANAGEMENT CO $363,500 11/21/2022 519 N E ST BRECKENRIDGE PROPERTY FUND NICANOR GUILLERMO EU $463,000 11/22/2022 1020 N LUPINE ST ESTRADA DAVID ORTIZ ANTONIO $470,000 11/23/2022 1000 N EDWARDS PL LOPEZ GUSTAVO EA CISNEROS JAVIER EA $525,000 11/22/2022
MONTECITO 29 SEAVIEW DR PREVOST RONALD EU JOSEPHSON JAMES EU $3,175,000 11/30/2022
LOS OLIVOS 3009 WOODSTOCK RD TRENDACOSTA ANTHONY GFM WEST COAST INVESTMENTS $2,300,000 11/30/2022 3160 LONG CANYON RD BURTON DEBRAH EA BLOCK TIMOTHY EA $2,550,000 11/30/2022
SANTA BARBARA 1134 E HALEY ST PETERKIN JULIUS EA GILSON MICHAEL EA $690,500 11/22/2022 805 ALAMEDA PADRE SERR LEIDERSDORF ERIC SLAUGHT CROSBY $813,500 11/30/2022 2316 DE LA VINA ST UNIT B BOYD CONNIE EA KITA MATTHEW $895,000 11/29/2022 1315 SAN ANDRES ST SANCHEZ RAPHAEL NOE RONALD EA $950,000 11/23/2022 1240 E YANONALI ST A FISHAUF EDWARD EA HARRIS MARGARET EA $1,200,000 11/22/2022 1321 CHINO ST BELL CRAHAM STOLL LUAREN EA $1,225,000 11/29/2022 610 FREEMONT PL SPM SANTA BARBARA LLC MABRY PAMELA $1,375,000 11/21/2022 1428 LAGUNA ST UNIT B CERF JOSH EU WALKER CHARLES EA $1,535,000 11/29/2022 219 SAN JULIAN GAVELEK DAVID EU SMITH JEFFREY EU $1,880,000 11/22/2022 3020 PUESTA DEL SOL FRANZ BARBARA EA
BROWN CHARLA EA $2,432,000 11/28/2022 1315 STATE ST BUECHE SUE EA 1315 STATE ST LLC $2,700,000 11/29/2022 1964 LAS CANOAS RD P3 SANTA BARBARA LLC CHRISTUS VICTOR LLC $7,618,000 11/29/2022
SANTA MARIA 3490 SANTA MARIA 204F GAMA SILVESTRE EA
MACINNES KASEY $335,000 11/30/2022 1509 N SCHOOL ST KOSS NANCY EA LEON CARLOS EU $425,000 11/29/2022 131 E SUNSET AVE MINTON JEFFREY EA PARMA PROPERTIES LLC $430,000 11/21/2022 821 N BARBARA ST BRECKENRIDGE PROPERTY FUND VARGAS CRISTINA EU $458,000 11/23/2022 3495 GREENACRE DR ALLEMAN ROBERTA EA DOUGHERTY ROBERT EU $472,000 11/28/2022 844 W PATTI LN SANCHEZ ROBERTO MARTINEZ-BAUTISTA EU $473,000 11/29/2022 1205 NAVAJO PL SPEARS LISA SHAW STACY EA $485,000 11/23/2022 910 W CAMINO COLEGIO BRECKENRIDGE PROPERTY FUND DIAZ RAULBERTO EA $500,000 11/23/2022
Hope Ranch ocean front bluff top estate on 1.22 acres. Don Shar pe, AIA, contemporary design. Ocean and island views! The main residence offers a large living with soaring ceilings, fireplace and doors to the patio. Separate dining room opens to the large contemporary kitchen with vaulted ceilings. There are two master suites. Downstairs master has large sitting room with fireplace & French doors, walk-in closet and ensuite with shower, tub and dual vanities. Additional first floor bedroom with it s own bath and walk in closet. The entire upstairs is a large master retreat with a sitting room, fireplace, balcony, walk-in closet and en suite. Detached 3 car garage with its own 1 bedroom, 1 bath guest suite. Hope Ranch offers riding trails, tennis courts and private beach. Private security patrol.
from
629 Central Ave. Unit B
2/1.5
12-2 $622,000
Need a buyer for this move in ready condo. Over a 1,000sq.ft small development only 16 units. HOA $223.00
Village Properties
Nancy Rizzo 805-403-2700 # 1031367
Linden Ave.
1/1
12-2:30 $795,000
rare opportunity to own a newly renovated condo just blocks away from the ‘’world’s safest beach’’ and all of the shops and restaurants that Carpinteria has to offer.
Village Properties Jena Harris 805-331-3683 # 1930435
373 Northgate A
3/2
1-4 $995,000
Beautifully remodeled ground floor, single level, 3 bed, 2 bath condo
Village Properties
Pranav Shastri 805-729-7993 # 2152010
1401 Brodiea Ave
4/3
1-4 $1,499,000
Be Prepared to be Impressed! Luxury estate living in the trendy coastal town of Ventura Ca.
Village Properties
Lynda Bohnett 805-455-5001 # 1268751
1407 San Pascual St D
1/1
1-3 $599,000
2/2
733 Bath St First time on the market! Townhome in a four-unit complex located in a central area of downtown Santa Barbara.
12-3 $1,095,000
Village Properties Madisyn Graham 805-450-4032 # 2166282
351 Moreton Bay Ln #3
2/1.5
12-3 $649,000
A great location in Encina Royale, this downstairs, corner unit features a private front patio and lovely rear patio.
Village Properties Curtis Swan II 805-607-9709 # 2049218
Great location on a quiet cul de sac on the West side. Convenient to stores and services. In a 4 unit complex with all other units owner occupied.
Village Properties
Gabe Grandcolas 805-450-4723 # 2136492
PERRY LINDA POSELL JORDAN EA $1,580,000 11/22/2022
1114 Linden Ave.
1/1
1-3 $795,000
A rare opportunity to own a newly renovated condo just blocks away from the ‘’world’s safest beach’’ and all of the shops and restaurants that Carpinteria has to offer.
Village Properties Justin Corrado 805-451-9969 # 1356799
1701 Anacapa #26
2/2
2-4 $850,000
Wrap this cutie up for the holidays! Perfect Pied-aTerre living in Downtown Santa Barbara! So close to all the fun, restaurants, shops & theaters!
Village Properties Dianne and Brianna Johnson 805-455-6570 # 00947199/01943572
733 Bath St
2/2
12-3 $1,095,000
First time on the market! Townhome in a four-unit complex located in a central area of downtown Santa Barbara.
Village Properties Madisyn Graham 805-450-4032 # 2166282
351 Moreton Bay Ln #3
2/1.5
12-3 $649,000
A great location in Encina Royale, this downstairs, corner unit features a private front patio and lovely rear patio.
Village Properties Curtis Swan 805-607-9709 # 2049218
turnpike/
2/1.5
2-4 $859,000
Village Properties Brittany Lough 805.455.5736 # 1905525
3/2
373 Northgate A Beautifully remodeled ground floor, single level, 3 bed, 2 bath condo.
2-4 $995,000
Village Properties Pranav Shastri 805-729-7993 # 2152010
1401 bordiea ave Beautiful Ocean on City views! 1-3:30
Lucky is the gardener that has window boxes. This one, features African iris as the thriller, Rockapulco double impatiens and Wojo’s Jen vinca.
This holiday container designed by Lori Hitchcock features red cyclamen, holly fern and Wojo’s Jem vinca.
Mojo’s Gem and Illumination offer the gardener great creamy-gold and green variegation
I remember the day we were filming “Southern Gardening” as part of my duties with Mississippi State University. Friend and garden designer Lori Hitchcock presented an urn for the front porch of the historical home in Kosciusko, Mississippi. It was all decked out for the holidays with red cyclamen, holly fern and a Wojo’s Jem Vinca, which was a new plant to me. Each plant succeeded with its purpose, and although I had a deep love for cyclamen, the original Christmas plant, it was the Vinca with the funny name that was capturing my interest.
Whether you are thinking about designing mixed containers for the holidays, the winter season ahead or simply looking to add pizzazz to your warm season designerstyle AquaPots, you need to remember the name Wojo’s Jem. This is an exceptional variegated gold, cream and green Vinca that gives an incredible performance as a
Wojo’s Jem is a variety of Vin ca maculata, or greater peri winkle, which we have pre viously used as a ground cover. Now, thanks to Wojo’s Jem, we look at Vinca vine as a thriller spiller plant for large mixed containers (it’s a spiller so beautiful it’s a thriller!).
In the holiday urn designed by Lori Hitchcock, she plant ed the red cyclamen, which by the sheer na
ture of its red color evoked excitement and passion. Red’s opposite color is green, and we often assume the leaves are enough to get the job done. But in this case, holly fern, which is cold-hardy to zone 6, was the perfect choice. After all, we think of hollies at Christmas, and the fern’s name says it all. But the long strands of Wojo’s Jem Vinca hanging down was the perfect finishing touch.
In a hanging basket, no matter the season, do much the same. If using sphagnum moss-lined baskets, you actually will plant in the bottom of the basket, letting the foli age hang down. Hang the basket high enough to create a great vertical element, with the Vinca growing downward 3 feet or more.
As spring rolls around, lucky is the gardener who has window boxes. You could not ask for a better cascading plant. Wojo’s Jem, African iris as a thriller with its spiky foli age, and Rockapulco double impatiens is a combination made in gardening heaven. Let your imagination run wild with your mixed containers. Angelface angelonia, Artist Ageratums, Diamond Frost Euphorbia and Flambe Yellow Chrysocephalum are just a few plant choices waiting for your touch, but the Wojo’s Jem Vinca will be there at the finish.
In these containers, use a light, airy mix that drains well but does have a good mois ture- and nutrient-holding capacity. Heavy potting soil is not a good buy. Necessary daily watering during the summer months means more frequent feeding will also be needed.
Wojo’s Jem Vinca makes great ground cover plantings, too. Filtered light seems to give the best performance, though morning sun and afternoon shade are also quite ac ceptable. Space them 8 to 12 inches apart. This is a great choice under trees where roots have grown above the soil surface. They are cold-hardy through zone 7, with many gardeners touting them as returning in zone 6 as well.
I have raved about the boldly variegated foliage, but also note that they will oc casionally produce almost iridescent blue-violet flowers. This simply adds a wonderful complementary color combination with the gold and cream in the variegated leaves.
It’s time to design your holiday containers, so plan a visit to your garden center. Remember to pick up some Wojo’s Jem Vinca for the artistic touch to your designer containers no matter the season.
A bee enjoys nector from a flower almost past its season. And below we see a garden made just for pollinators.
Photos courtesy Dreamstime
The colder months after the holidays, especially January and February, will be here before you know it. These tend to be times when we put a lot of home maintenance out of mind. But winter can be an ex cellent time for home renovations. Pros are less busy, certain supplies experience less demand and thus cost less, and you’re not likely to be planning big events a What’s a green-leaning gardener to do in the fall? As little as possible.
We like to tidy up and button down before winter. Come fall, we rake our yards of leaves, bag them and haul them away. We yank out all of our annuals and cut perennials down to the ground.
While that may make us feel good, it isn’t good for our gardens — or the birds and pollinators that populate them and the world beyond our own back yards.
“I wish people would get over this idea that every thing has to look so pristine,” says Val Cunningham, a Twin Cities birding expert. “If you’re cutting back
your garden, you’re doing nothing for the insects, and if you’re doing nothing for the insects, you’re doing nothing for the birds.”
Many perennials have seed heads that provide birds food during the winter. And any plants left standing can also catch the snow and provide overwintering birds places to nestle out of the cold.
But it goes beyond helping birds, according to Erin Buchholz, integrated pest management special ist for the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
“The beautiful, picturesque, storybook lawns and gardens might look pretty, but it’s harmful to our en vironment,” she says.
Garden plants left intact provide winter habitat for several species of bees, butterflies and other pol linators. Some lay eggs in hollow stems, others over winter in garden matter and leaf piles. If we clear-cut our gardens, “we let down bees and butterflies when they need us most,” Buchholz says.
Raking the yard completely free of leaves deprives
plants of a natural (and free!) insulating mulch that can protect your plants from harsh winter cold. When those leaves break down, they feed the soil.
What’s a green-leaning gardener to do in the fall? As little as possible.
• Leave annuals and perennials standing, unless they are diseased.
• Rake (or blow) leaves into your garden beds. Get out the hose and give those leaves a good soaking. That’ll help them stay in place and will also give the garden a nice shot of moisture.
• Do pull spent vegetables as soon as they’re done producing. (Many are disease-prone.)
Come spring, you’ll likely find garden cleanup much easier. And you may just notice that the resi dent birds, bees and butterflies seem happier and healthier.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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• Prepare to start early. Collectors and antique dealers like to show up early in the morning.
• obtain a permit if required
• Clean up your space. People like clean and neat places.
• Gather lots of shopping bags. Gathering Items
• Test any electrical items to make sure they work.
• Collect your items and sort it by type. (clothing, toys, tools, etc.)
• Take time to clean or repair your items.
• Wash all the clothes so they smell fresh.
• Tools: Guys love it all, any kind.
• Baby items of all kinds, especially clothing.
• Kitchen appliances.
• Clothing: Kids and adult.
• Items missing safety parts.
• unused prescription drugs or medications.
• Personal hygiene items.
• halogen floor lamps.
• old baby cribs or playpens, incomplete child safety seats.
• Tell your friends, family or coworkers about your sale. Word travels.
• Place a classified ad in the Santa Barbara NeWS-PreSS!! remember to check the publication’s deadline.
• In your ad, give lots of details. Include the address, day(s), time of your sale. list major items such as “lots of kids clothes.”
• Check your local ordinances.
• list your address and sale date on all signs.
•
• use same colors and writing on
• Keep a list of where you posted your signs. It will be helpful when it’s time to take them
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