OME
GARDEN GUIDE March 2020
ST R Publications
A Special Supplement to the Star Shopper
FREE
RANGER 570 ENGINEERED FOR WORK
SPring Sales event
• There’s always another job to do around the property. The RANGER 570 comes standard with a versatile cargo box and makes it easy for you to load and unload supplies for the job. • For work around the yard, unlock the rear differential for easier and tighter turns that won’t tear up your lawn. • 1,500 lb. Towing Capacity • 1,000 lb. Payload Capacity • 500 lb. Box Capacity
FINANCING AS LOW AS
REBATES UP TO
1,000 3.99
%
AND
FOR 36 MONTHS
On the spot financing available! SEE US FOR DETAILS!
VISIT POLARIS.COM FOR MORE OFFERS
www.jimssnowmobileandmarine.com Just 20 minutes from Little Falls or St. Cloud on Cty. Rd. 17
HOLDINGFORD 320-746-2165
Offers vary by model. *Rebate and financing offers valid on select 2016-2020 new and unregistered Polaris® RZR®, RANGER®, Sportsman®, GENERAL®, and ACE® models purchased between 3/1/20–4/30/20. **Rates as low as 3.99% APR for 36 months. Examples of monthly payments required over a 36 month term at a 3.99% APR rate: $29.52 per $1,000 financed; and with a 60-month term at a 6.99% APR rate: $19.80 per $1,000 financed. An example of a monthly payment with $0 down, no rebate, an APR of 3.99% APR for 36 months at an MSRP of $12,699 is $374.87/mo. total cost of borrowing of $796.27 with a total obligation of $13,495.27. Down payment may be required. Other financing offers may be available. See your local dealer for details. Minimum Amount Financed $1,500; Maximum Amount Financed $50,000. Other qualifications and restrictions may apply. Financing promotions void where prohibited. Tax, title, license, and registration are separate and may not be financed. Promotion may be modified or discontinued without notice at any time in Polaris’ sole discretion. WARNING: Polaris® off road vehicles can be hazardous to operate and are not intended for on-road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to operate. Passengers, if permitted, must be at least 12 years old. All riders should always wear helmets, eye protection, and protective clothing. Always use seat belts and cab nets or doors (as equipped). Never engage in stunt driving, and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. All riders should take a safety training course. Call 800-342-3764 for additional information. Check local laws before riding on trails. ©2020 Polaris, Inc.
2
2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide | www.star-pub.com
GARDEN ADVERTISERS OME
A&H Concrete Supply & Rental ........................34 Ace Hardware - Sauk Centre ............................11 Advantage 1 Insurance Agency ........................9 Advantage Septic & Drain ................................22 Albany Chrysler ...................................................24 Albany Fleet Mac’s .............................................19 Albany Recycling ..................................................6 Alex Brick and Stone ...........................................25 All Surface Professionals .....................................15 Amps.....................................................................13 Atkinson Well & Pump ...........................................5 Austin Incorporated ............................................34 Austin’s Cleaning Service .....................................5 Bayer Built .............................................................29 Benchmark Real Estate Services .......................28 Billmark’s Insurance Services ..............................13 Blue Stem Flowers ................................................34 Bork Lumber ...........................................................8 Breth Construction and Concrete ....................30 Buck Tree Service ................................................15 Central Heating & Air Conditioning ..................14 Central Lakes Restaurant Supply ......................29 Central MN Realty ...............................................37 Centre Rental ......................................................33 Cold Spring Co-op & Country Store..................38 East West Realty ..................................................33 Ehlinger Lawn Service .........................................17 Elrosa Lumber Company ....................................15 Essler Electric ........................................................27 First Rate Glass .......................................................5 First State Bank .....................................................12 Fleet Supply..........................................................34 Freeport State Bank ............................................18 Gillies Signs ...........................................................27 Green Lawns Turf Care .......................................40 Hennen Floor Covering ......................................19 Hennen Lumber Company ................................18 Hilltop Greenhouse & Produce..........................18 Hoffman Tree Service..........................................22 Home Town Title ..................................................28 Huls Horticultural Services ...................................30 I-94 Classics ..........................................................29 J Wiener Construction ........................................23 Jeff’s Custom Cabinets ......................................24 Jenning Well Drilling ............................................36 Jim’s Snowmobile & Marine .................................2 JT Electric..............................................................16
Kampsen Heating & A/C ...................................22 Kleinschmidt Plumbing, Heating & A/C..............7 Kraemer Lumber Company .................................6 Kutter Insurance Agency ...................................12 Lake Henry Implement .......................................16 Long Prairie Lumber ............................................19 Long Prairie Plumbing & Heating ........................9 Main Street Title & Closing..................................19 Mark’s Plumbing ..................................................13 Mayers Excavating ...............................................5 Melrose Electric ...................................................29 Melrose Implement. ............................................38 Melrose Main Street Repair ................................29 Mid Central Heating & Air Conditioning ..........38 Midwest Asphalt Maintenance ...........................8 Minnesota National Agency..............................22 Minnesota National Bank ..............................20-21 Moritz Septic Service ...........................................31 Mortgages on Main ............................................24 Neighborhood Realty .........................................39 Opatz Metals & Rolloffs ......................................25 Poly Built ...............................................................34 Precision Roadway .............................................27 Rahn’s Oil &Propane ..........................................28 Ripplinger Plumbing ............................................30 Sauk Centre Real Estate .....................................13 Schlangen’s Custom Cabinets ............................9 Schmeez Concrete .............................................14 Schwinghamer Construction .............................28 St. Rosa Lumber ...................................................14 Steiner Lumber Company ..................................33 Steve Moritz Construction ..................................24 Superior Seamless Gutters ..................................23 Surface Specialists ..............................................23 Target Painting.......................................................9 Tree-n-Turf .............................................................35 Tree Top Nursery and Landscaping ..................32 Tri-County Foam Insulation ...................................6 Tri-County Foam Lifting .........................................6 Trisko Heating & Plumbing ..................................24 Update Building Supplies....................................29 Walker Plumbing..................................................33 Waste Management ..........................................22 We Haul For You ....................................................7 West Central Sanitation ......................................15 Worms Lumber & Ready Mix ..............................12
www.star-pub.com | 2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide
3
Get growing, kids! How to garden with children BY SARAH COLBURN STAFF WRITER
SAUK CENTRE – Peggy Raitor grew up on a dairy farm, one of 12 kids, and she fondly remembers her time in the vegetable gardens, working the soil side-byside with her mother. “Crawling along the rows and chatting was probably our only one-on-one time with Mama and me,” she said. “It was a really special time.” As an adult Raitor, a retired school teacher, wants to gift that same quality time to others as she teaches classes on gardening through her Sauk Centre Children’s Garden Club. Her hope is that children
4
inspire their families to get outside and get digging. “It encourages healthy eating, getting kids involved in handson gardens, and [helps them to] enjoy snacking on fruits and vegetables; that’s a huge benefit for the well-being of a child,” Raitor said. Additionally, she said, it’s the perfect way to “sneak” in science lessons from pollination to germination and life cycles. “It’s a really valuable way to introduce kids to scientific concepts, making them curious about how things grow,” she said. “It’s providing food for our earth and we’re learning more and more about the bees and their importance for our food production.” R a i t o r ’ s family grew everything from melons, strawberries and leaf lettuce to cucumbers, beans, p e a s , radishes,
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Peggy Raitor (from left) instructs students Persephone Marthaler and Natalie Marthaler how to dissect a flower at the Sauk Centre Community Garden.
watermelon, cantaloupe, potatoes and corn. She specifically remembers two large garden plots where they cultivated food and flowers for their family. “Gardening with Mama really instilled a real love for nature’s beauty,” Raitor said. “The color of the flowers and the scent, gardening really engages all the senses.” As a family, they canned hundreds of quarts of tomatoes and preserved enough food to get them through a Minnesota winter. “We were doing organic canning before organic was cool,” she said. Here are her tried Persephone and true tips for getting Marthaler little ones out working in enjoys the the garden and growing taste of an abundance of food: a purple carrot fresh • Plan your space and from the pay attention to the kind garden. of light you have in the
area. Having your soil tested so you know what you’re dealing with and how it may need to be amended to create the healthiest plants. Additionally, Raitor cautions against going too big in the beginning and instead, recommends splitting seed packs with neighbors so you only end up with half the plants. “Have quality more than quantity,” she said. • Allow the kids to pick out seeds and determine what they want to grow in their garden. Beans, peas, zucchini and cucumbers are great veggies to start with because they grow quickly. Carrots are also fun, she said, and sunflowers can make a dramatic impact on kids as they can practically see them grow daily, using their bodies to measure the height. Gourds, tomatoes, pumpkins and kale are also good starters.
She doesn’t begin the seeds indoors but instead plants them right in the garden in June. “I encourage (kids) to eat whatever they want right from the garden,” Raitor said. • Set up a routine as a family to care for the garden. She encourages families to spend 10-20 minutes a day depending on the age of the kids. Spend the time tending to the produce, picking out weeds and watering so the work doesn’t build up. Mulching between the rows, she said, can cut down on weeds and reduce the amount of time needed to maintain the garden. • As the produce begins to ripen, make kids a part of the conversation about how to use the food. Ask children how they’d like to prepare the foods and if they’d like to eat them cooked or
Growing page 5
2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide | www.star-pub.com
Growing from page 4
In Business Since 1949 71 Plus Years of Experience Basements, Excavating, Sand & Gravel, Water & Sewer, Site Preparation, Septic Systems and Septic Certifications PHOTO SUBMITTED
37264 Co. Rd. 13 Melrose
Kids of the Sauk Centre Children’s Garden Club harvest vegetables they planted and grew throughout the summer.
raw. They can also assist in researching recipes for the produce. • Encourage kids to keep a journal and track the growth of their plants. “It adds to the excitement and anticipation of harvesting,” Raitor said. Gardening can help children learn to plan and organize as they envision rows and the full size of each plant. They can also plan out which plants may grow well next to one another and the germination time of each variety. “If you can get that love for gardening that’s something they’ll get in their souls,” Raitor said. “It ignites all those senses.” In older kids, she said, it increases self-esteem as they realize they’re capable of growing food. Additionally, gardening is proven to relieve and reduce stress in people of all ages, including the youngest of children. “The psychological well-being is such a huge part of the benefit,” she said. “It’s calming, it gets them breathing fresh air.” For Raitor, it’s all about creating in the moment. She said, “The fact children can create beautiful gardens is less significant than the fact that gardens can help create beautiful children.”
320-256-4479 WE DO LAWN SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
GREAT JOB DONE RIGHT!
0 Dirt Di t • 0 R Rez • 0 Complaints NOW OFFERING: 100% Smiles! Commercial & Residential Carpets Tile • Water Damage Restoration T
Locally Owned & Happily Operated by Kerry & Lynnae Austin O
Carpet Repairs Carpet Re-stretching Odor Control
Cell 320-266-0818 Home 320-351-6489
Atkinson Well Drilling Wellll DDrilling W illi & W Well Service Work
and Owned Family- r 77 Years d fo operate
• New Well Wells • Rehab of Existing Wells Like Li ke us us on • Sealing of o Abandon Wells Facebook Face Fa cebo book ok (320)836-2597 ben@atkinsonwell.com www.atkinsonwell.com
www.star-pub.com | 2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide
5
Earth day April 22, 2020
Enjoy coffee & cookies!
We now take garbage! • Ferrous Metals • Non Ferrous Metals • Appliances • Electronics • Mattresses/Furniture/Garbage • Oil • Scrap Cars • Roll Off Delivery • Open to Public FOR ALL THINGS CLEAN UP Brady Taffe, Sales
320-845-2747
320-760-1681
Conveniently located next to I-94
brady@tricountyfoam.com 320-852-7050
Building Relationships Since 1958
Let us help put your ideas to work for you, your family, and your budget!
• RESIDENTIAL • AGRICULTURAL • LIGHT COMMERCIAL
826 County Road 13 Melrose
320-256-4275
kraemerlumber.com 6
2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide | www.star-pub.com
An expert’s wish list in home design Schwieters shares what his own floor plan would/ would not include BY SARAH COLBURN | STAFF WRITER
MELROSE – Mark Schwieters works side-by-side with customers as they begin their new home build process with Kraemer Lumber in Melrose. His work in sales, estimating and drafting has given him a good basis for trends in the Central Minnesota homebuilding industry. As he works with clients, he encourages them to get an idea of their initial budget and spend some time looking at home plans and Pinterest to see what they’re most drawn to. “We can take a bar napkin all the way to a workable drawing for them,” Schwieters said. Along the way he talks with clients about their budget and how that will impact the design features and finishes of the home. Additionally, he said, energy codes and building codes have an impact on the final price. While both codes add to the longevity and livability of a home, he said, the up-front costs pay off over the long-term. We asked Schwieters to share his thoughts on what he would/would not include if he were to design a home of his own. Based on your experience in the construction industry, if you were to build your own home, what are the top three features you would avoid and why? 1. A small kitchen: Kitchens are the gathering areas of the home and people are in the kitchen all the time visiting and cooking.
2. A northern exposure overhead garage door and entry door: Ice and snow build up during the winter months. Southern exposure increases the chance the sidewalks and driveway will melt. 3. Gutters: For me they mean maintenance. If the basement is waterproofed correctly and the landscaping diverts water away from the foundation, gutters may be unnecessary. You spend a lot of money on getting everything (on your home plan) to look pretty and then hang a downspout and a gutter in front of it. What are the top three features you would be sure to include in a new home? In-floor heat: This is typically done in the concrete so it works well for the main floor of a patio home or in the basement. In-floor heat can be installed under tile and wood flooring as well though it’s more expensive to do it in non-concrete areas. The biggest thing is it’s a very comfortable heat, you can keep you house a little cooler temperaturewise and it feels warmer. Flex garage space: Garages today are being turned into additional storage spaces or entertaining areas and summer kitchens/ canning kitchens. Adding garage square footage is typically less expensive than adding square footage inside the house and it allows for easy entertaining or convenience of on-site storage. Walk-in pantry: A larger walk-in pantry can accommodate an extra refrigerator or freezer avoiding the need to have one in the garage or basement. A larger pantry can not only store extra canned goods and non-perishables, it can also be used as storage for crock pots and pizza ovens. A butler area can provide a space for a microwave and additional counter space and plug-ins for roasters keeping the kitchen mess out of
Professional Movers for Your Home or Business! Full service white glove delivery! GIVE US A CALL TODAY! Product Delivery, Discard & Debris Removal
We strive to exceed your expectations! D.O.T# 11444430
Doug Legatt 320-250-2855
www.WeHaulForYou.com www.star-pub.com | 2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide
Q A
PHOTO BY DIANE LEUKAM
Mark Schwieters works in sales, estimating and drafting at Kraemer Lumber in Melrose. We asked him to share tips in home design, and what his priorities would be if he designed his own new home today.
sight when entertaining. What size of home is the most common now, and what size home would you build for yourself? Size of home most often, is based on the stage of life a person is in. There are more multi-level homes with bigger square footage for families, those can typically run 2,000 to 2,500 square feet. But a one-level patio home might have more actual square footage because everything is on the main level rather than in a basement. What type of floor plan is least expensive/ most expensive to build per square foot of living space and why, i.e., two-story,
Schwieters page 8
Kleinschmidt PLUMBING • HEATING • A/C 223 Main St. S. Sauk Centre Serving Sauk Centre and the Surrounding Area Cell: 320-266-0049 Business: 320-351-4567
Jamie Kleinschmidt Owner Lic #: PM062945
7
Schwieters from page 7 one story, basement, slab, etc. It’s all about choices. If you’re looking at just the cost of a floor plan, the simple straight house with a straight roof and one story would be the least expensive. A fair number of starter homes are split levels. Split levels keep the square footage down because they have multiple levels so the house feels larger. Two stories have more corners and angles and higher ceilings and the options with them are practically endless. Sometimes it’s a simple-build house and other times they add trims, details and tile floors, granite tops, master suites and soaking tubs. What type of home would you build for yourself? For me, a one-story patio home. The kids are gone, it’s me and my wife. That’s what I’d look at. It’s easy to do the in-floor heat, easier to do the larger garage with the footprint. It’s fairly easy to maintain without the steps or additional basement. What advice can you give for saving money when building a home? Take the time to set your priorities, outline them and stick to them. Having a budget is always good and keeping an open mind that the budget may change during construction. You might not have a plan to finish the basement but the contractor on site may explain that it’s not that much more costly to finish it off when the crew is already there. You can choose to finish the space or not but without a plan and an outline of priorities, costs can add up. When it comes to finishes, look back at your priorities; if it comes down to budget, would you rather have a rock-face exterior accent or granite countertops?
LOOKING TO BUILD YOUR
Dream Home
CALL US FOR YOUR
NEW CONSTRUCTION
• BARNS • POLE SHEDS • REMODELING • NEW ADDITIONS/DECKS • INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS • NEW HOMES • GARAGES • PORTABLE SHEDS • FREE-STALL BARNS
HELPING HELP HE LPIN ING G TO BBUILD UILD UI LD Y YOUR OUR OU R DR DREA DREAMS EAMS MS
sales@borklumber.com 18508 County Rd 130, Paynesville, MN 56362 • 320-243-7815 Visit our website for more buildings • www.borklumber.com
EST ASPHALT W D I M MAINTENANCE LLC
320-254-3484 Mike Grundseth, Sales Belgrade • 320-212-3627 midwestasphaltmaint@gmail.com
• Crack Sealing • Air Injection Patching • Sealcoating • Striping • Pothole Repair
HELP WANTED:
Asphalt Maintenance Company in Belgrade is looking for
FULL AND SEASONAL HELP Starting Pay $12-15 per hour Start Date: May 1st or 8th
For applications Contact Mike at 320-212-3627 or Chad at 320-249-0488
* Call for free estimates for maintenance recommendations. Clip this ad out and give to salesman after you’ve received your estimate for a 10% discount *
8
2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide | www.star-pub.com
PHOTOS BY DIANE LEUKAM
The fireplace serves as a focal point in the Imdiekes’ living room, under construction near Elrosa. The room will follow the 60/30/10 color formula where the main color equals about 60% while an accent wall, including the fireplace, will make up 30% and accessories like throw pillows, picture frames and candles will make up 10%.
Beautiful spaces
Imdieke shares tips to take mystery out of decorating BY SARAH COLBURN STAFF WRITER
ELROSA – Kim Imdieke has spent more than 20 years making homes beautiful and though she said trends come and go, there are a few basic rules that can help put the panache in any space. Imdieke is using tried and true decorating rules as she builds a new home outside of Elrosa, on their family farm. She and her husband, Rollie, broke ground in April 2019 and anticipate moving in this March or April. The house offers mainlevel living and Imdieke created it with a custom blueprint, designing a space for her and her husband but also their four visiting sons, their wives/ girlfriends and grandchildren. “So many people over the years ask me what are the colors or new trends. To answer that question, walk through a mall. The fashion industry always pushes the decorating industry,” she said.
10
Currently that means more warm tones – colors with a warm base to them, browns and shades of green from mint to darker green like emerald or teal. Even grays have transformed from cool to warm. Color trends used to last 10 years but now they change every three to five years. However, Midwesterners hang onto trends a bit longer than the rest of the country, according to Imdieke. The Chip and Joanna Gaines effect of white and black, casual farmhouse isn’t for everybody and Imdieke offers a reprieve for those with different tastes. “It’s tough when that’s all you see out there and that isn’t your style,” she said. “You have to dig a little deeper and do a little research.” Imdieke skims through brochures and scours furniture and home stores to discover trends. She has worked for decades teaching people how to decorate, including as a consultant with Home Interiors and Gifts, as an independent home decorator and home stager, and even applying these skills in clothing stores. “Home decorating is like
Kim Imdieke displays samples of paint colors, countertop, tile and flooring for the master suite of the home she and husband, Rollie, are building near Elrosa. Imdieke, who has worked in decorating for much of her life, offers tips for creating beautiful spaces in the home.
putting an outfit together,” she said. “Just like you wear jewelry to pull together an outfit, accessories are like the jewelry for your home. It’s important to do the finishing touches with those accessories.”
Imdieke is building a home she considers traditional/ transitional in style and pays attention to details. For instance, several rooms in their home
Imdieke page 11
2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide | www.star-pub.com
Imdieke from page 10 will feature special ceiling treatments called box-ups with cove moldings to add another layer of interest. Additionally, encaustic flooring in a small bathroom puts a modern-day twist on an ancient paint technique with heavy patterning. “It gives you a wow factor, something a little different than the norm; it just adds some fun, adds some personality to a space,” she said. Here are some of her other tips: • Wood accents provide warmth while metal adds shines. “It’s good to have two kinds of finishes,” she said. “Gold is making a comeback but it’s not your mother’s polished gold, it’s antique or brushed gold.” Splashes of metal can be found on appliances, end tables and other furniture pieces, warming up even gray-tone rooms. Wood flooring, doors and trim can add
warmth and balance. • When choosing a color palette use the 60/30/10 formula. In a typical room, the wall color equals about 60% while a sofa and window treatments make up 30% and accessories including throw pillows, picture frames and candles can make up 10%. “Sometimes people will (put the 10%) on an accent chair but it’s usually things people can take out of the room easily enough and throw in a different color and it won’t cost a fortune,” she said. When choosing a wall color, Imdieke suggests paying attention to the amount of natural light in a space and how the room should feel. “To create a cozy, comfortable feel you might want to go with a darker color,” she said. “But in a dark room facing north, go with a medium to lighter color. Southern exposure spaces can handle a PHOTO BY DIANE LEUKAM little darker color.” • Choose furniture pieces Sample swatches for the living room include the main wooden flooring, a large area rug (top), a gray couch and lighter chairs, accented with pillows that include touches of gold (lower left). Imdieke page 12
Spruce Up For Spring! Ace has all y your p paint needs and any y advice dvice you need need! nee
Come check out our new paint lines from Benjamin Moore and Clark + Kensington!!!!
www.star-pub.com | 2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide
226 12th St. | Sauk Centre, MN
320-352-0309 11
EPOXY FLOORING
WE DO EPOXY FLOORS FOR YOUR GARAGE! Y IN STA & RE
T TAN S I S RE
STU
OI E•M
ABL
R Y DU L E M
Schmeez Concrete and Brick
WITH EDCO STEEL SIDING! • Won’t Rust, Rot, Peel, Chip or Blister • Cuts Energy Costs • Withstands Severe Temperature Changes • Low Maintenance
E
TR • EX
Add beauty and durability billitity ttoo yyour ouurr hhome om mee
SCHMEEZ Concrete
& Stone
Scott Schmiesing 320.241.3805
TRAL HEATIN N G & CE
AIR CONDITIONING Installation • Maintenance • Repair • Heating & A/C • In-Floor Heat • Plumbing Installation • Custom Sheet Metal • New Construction & Remodeling
320-836-2284 • www.strosalumber.com 29033 County Road 17 • Freeport, MN 56331
Quietly keeping your Home Comfortable
C CALL US TODAY FOR F ALL YOUR COOLING CO NEEDS!
David Weber Cell: 320-290-0160 Blair Weiers Cell: 320-290-1840 1180 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN Office: 320-351-4100 Fax: 320-351-4115 • Lic. # 057710-MR
14
2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide | www.star-pub.com
Water from pg. 16 successfully located water for a property at 7,500-feet, the top of a mountain in Colorado. In 2006, they found water for the Crazy Horse Memorial site being carved into a mountain in the Black Hills near Custer, S.D. And, they found water for Deb and Gary Dohrmann, of Foley. Due to an extended winter followed by a lot of early summer rain, the Dohrmanns’ new house was framed and shingled by the time the well drillers were able to get their rig out to drill a well for the property. There were plenty of neighbors in the area with good wells so the Dohrmanns weren’t worried. Three dry holes later, they were at a complete loss and grappling with the thought of this new house without a viable water source. They scheduled a visit by the Kuebelbecks who
PHOTO BY DIANE LEUKAM
Jim and Carol Kuebelbeck operate a water dowsing business, helping land owners find underground water flows that can be tapped for wells.
located a good water source for them when other efforts had not produced a good supply. “We started to think about the worst-case scenario,” said Deb Dohrmann. “When you build a house, you allocate so many funds and nobody plans on having dry holes.” Eventually, after diligently searching a five-acre area of the property and not finding much,
the Kuebelbecks located a flow just near the driveway. The drillers went in and, Dohrmann said, the well is now one of the best in the area. Dowsing is different for every dowser. Some people, Kuebelbeck said, use various types of dowsing instruments, and are able to sense other earth anomalies such as underground water lines, sewer lines and
www.star-pub.com | 2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide
electrical lines, but are not water dowsers. “What they’re really sensing, however, are ‘earth anomalies’ where the earth has been disturbed from its natural state,” Kuebelbeck said. He’s always been able to sense the difference and find the water. “We have a very unusual occupation,” he said. “It’s very satisfying work and we get to meet the greatest people in the world.” Now, the Kuebelbecks regularly work with 10 well drilling companies in Minnesota who are familiar with the process and the Kuebelbecks’ success rate. Additionally, for the past 10-15 years, Jim has been writing articles for the “Worldwide Drilling Resource” publication, where he writes about everything from his most satisfying dowsing projects to his life experiences. “[Dousing] is very interesting work,” he said. “We help a lot of people.”
17
Visit our “PLANT AND GO” station. Bring your own containers, baskets, window boxes, etc. to the greenhouse. Pick out plants and then pot them up onsite! *Potting soil will be available for purchase.
Local Loan Experts!
We have a variety of annuals, hanging baskets, vegetable plants, herbs and seasonal produce!
Whether you are looking to buy or build your home, find the best loan options right here in your community!
Freeport • New Munich • Melrose • Greenwald
Until all plants are sold!
for the Season beginning
SATURDAY,
APRIL 25th, 2020 PROUD TO BE RECOGNIZED BY BAUER FINANCIAL AS ONE OF THE STRONGEST FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE COUNTRY
www.freeportstatebank.com | 800-252-9856 www.freep
18
OPEN DAILY
*Weather Permitting
24649 County Road 40 • Albany, MN 56307
320.310.6163
www.hilltopgreenhouseandproduce.weebly.com
2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide | www.star-pub.com
More than Butterflies can flourish in home gardens BY SARAH COLBURN | STAFF WRITER
Butterflies are more than just pretty insects gently floating on the breeze; they fall into the group of animals known as pollinators that help plants produce fruit and seeds. They are also an important part of the food chain for birds, bats and other animals. “Monarchs are part of a healthy ecosystem and the decline of certain kinds of butterflies and moths can be indicative of a decline in the landscape,” said Julie Weisenhorn, a University of Minnesota Extension Educator and Associate Extension Professor with the University of Minnesota Department of Horticultural Science. Butterfly and bee gardens are growing in popularity as people look for ways to create earth-friendly Julie Weisenhorn landscapes. Though butterflies and bees thrive in similar habitats and environments, there are a few things butterflies enjoy and incorporating ideas specific to them may just attract more of the painted, winged creatures. “Butterflies flit from plant to plant,” Weisenhorn said. “They’re a little more random than bees.” To support them best, she
pretty insects
encourages gardeners to plant a grouping of the same type o f plant. For instance, rather than planting one coneflower she suggests planting six, to give the insects lots of landing space. The University of Minnesota Extension Service offers a variety of online tools to help gardeners plan for their space. Weisenhorn suggests planning out the garden with a tape measure and mapping out the plants accordingly, taking into account their eventual full-grown size. Soil
testing is beneficial to give plants the absolute best start, she said. Butterfly gardens should be placed in a sunny location and offer a variety of perennials, shrubs and native grasses to serve as a food source for the larvae of caterpillars. Ideally, gardeners should plan out bloom times to allow butterflies access to nectar throughout the spring, summer and into the late fall. Plan to have multiple plants blooming in each season, she said. Sun-loving butterflies are attracted
A Painted Lady butterfly pauses for a rest on a Marigold.
to certain colors, much like bees. that initial goal in mind will Butterflies prefer bright colors help dictate the types of plants including red, yellow, pink, white, appropriate for the space. gold and purple. Additionally, He encourages gardeners they like to have access to water to focus on native plants as well – something as simple as a plant as native grasses and said there saucer on a pedestal will work. are a number of local native Alan Ritchie is the pollinator plant nurseries in the state coordinator for the Minnesota who can provide great advice Department of Natural Resources. on plant material. Many carry “Whatever gets people pollinator seed mixes that are Alan Ritchie interested in conservation, whether designed to provide pollen and it be butterflies or bees, we’re all nectar throughout the growing for it,” he said. “The more habitat we season. Gardeners can start from seed, are putting into the ground and the more which takes more time but can people are using their spaces beyond a still produce results in the turf lawn is good.” first year or they can opt He encourages gardeners to think rootstock. about their end goal with the garden “Growing to truly provide a habitat, or provide a diversity of something pretty to look at. Monarchs, f l o w e r i n g for example, need milkweed, and having p l a n t s , preferably native, is key,” he said. “The more diverse the garden, the more you’re going to help butterflies, you’re going to help bees, you’re going to help ecosystems as a whole.” When planting, Ritchie recommends thinking about the complete life-cycle of a butterfly. To maximize the number of pollinators in a space, he said, pruning and clearing of dead plant material should be kept to a minimum in the fall and winter. Many butterfly and bee larva over-winter in tufts of grass, hollowed-out stems, piles of leaves and even old mouse burrows and emerge in the spring and summer as adults. “By letting it go a little bit and not doing all of that end-of-season maintenance that people get involved with, you can provide these habitats in the garden that help out pollinators throughout their life cycle,” he A Monarch Caterpillar makes its way said. across Swamp Milkweed.
Minnesota Values. Financial Expertise.
Sauk Centre 320.352.5211 • Long Prairie 320.732.2133 • mn-bank.com 20
A mature Monarch butterfly sits upon a plant that’s native to North America, the Liatris.
See one of oour ur lloan oan eexperts for your Construction Loans
See us before you make your building plans! Customers tell use how much they enjoy our low cost, in-house decisions, and quick turn around times on their construction loans!
PHOTOS COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide | www.star-pub.com
Kelly llyy Samuelson Samuelso NMLS# 1447790
www.star-pub.com | 2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide
Matt Hoeschen NMLS #1016794
Mike Traeger NMLS #786866 66
21
Jeff’s Custom Cabinets, LLC I Build To Suit Your Needs
• Kitchens and Baths • Custom Furniture • Custom Trim Work
Free Estimates
A CALL FOR FREE ! ESTIMATE
New home construction • Log home construction Pole shed & small commercial construction Remodeling, trim work, concrete, shingling & siding
Jeff Symanietz, Owner 39443 185th Ave. Avon, MN 56310
(320) 746-2701
Lic #BC626260
When it comes to comfort
ll! Give us a Ca 8 320-352-216! G
FINANCIN
We Do Duct Cleaning! Lic.#058497-PM
HOME COMFORT SYSTEMS
AVAILABLE
®
Innovation never felt so good.TM
&
320 Pine Street, Sauk Centre • www.triskoheatingandplumbing.com
24
2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide | www.star-pub.com
ROLLOFF CONTAINERS
G RE AT FO
R: • Remodeling Jobs • Demolition Jobs • Shingles • New Construction
• All Types of Scrap Iron• Household Cleanout (Garbage) We deliver and pick up at any location. We handle any size commercial account!
We are here for FARMS, HOMES and BUSINESSES - Bu
yers of all Scrap Met al • Aluminum • Tin • Copper • Bra ss We are • Stainless • Batteries • Catalyti ng vi gi c w Co no nverters • Farm Machinery • Radiators bids • Autos for demo • Computer Components jobs! • Prepared & Unprepared Me tals
Recycle Today for a Better Tomorrow! Gary, Jordy and Jeremy Owners
z t a p O Metals & Rolloffs
www.star-pub.com | 2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide
120 Washington West, Holdingford Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm; Sat 8am-noon
Phone: 320-746-2819 www.opatzmetalsinc.com
25
PHOTOS BY DIANE LEUKAM
Rhonda Leagjeld stands in the galley kitchen of the Sauk Centre home she shares with her husband, Neal, and their children, Garrett, Gavin and Piper. The couple had planned to build an open concept home, but decided to purchase this home instead.
Leagjelds enjoy galley space in newly purchased home BY SARAH COLBURN STAFF WRITER
is a far cry from the galley kitchens aboard naval ships SAUK CENTRE – The and aircraft. Today, the modern-day galley kitchen kitchen style is a statement
Piper Leagjeld is all smiles sitting in the breakfast nook at the end of her home’s galley kitchen.
26
in efficiency and beauty with a multitude of cabinetry split down the middle with a walkway. “It’s pretty intimate but it’s styled nicely,” said Rhonda Leagjeld of Sauk Centre. “It’s manageable but offers lots of storage; you’re able to organize you cooking utensils and your cooking and baking needs…it’s not so spread out.” For Rhonda and Neal, the style of kitchen didn’t rank super high on the list of benefits to the home they moved into in August 2019. They actually intended to build a new house on eight acres outside of Sauk Centre. With Rhonda having grown up in a two-story farmhouse and Neal spending his childhood in a rambler with a finished basement, the two worked to mesh their styles as they designed their new space. They toured existing homes to polish off their plans and every time, they added more square footage to the home they wanted to build. When they walked into the home they have now,
they realized it was just what they’d been looking for. The galley kitchen was not what drew them to the house. Instead, they were focused on having a home for their kids to grow into as teenagers and eventually, because they hate moving, a space that would work for grandbabies. “We fell in love with this house when we were going through it,” Rhonda said. “We didn’t even intend necessarily on buying it but there were so many things we loved, this made a lot of sense.” Now, the kitchen is one of their favorite spaces. The Leagjelds can often be found talking, just the two of them, at the high-top breakfast nook at the end of the galley, natural light filtering in through the wall of windows nearby. The nook gives them a quiet place to visit while they can see the kids playing in the adjacent room. “Since we’ve lived in the home, I’ve grown in appreciation of it,” Neal said. The kitchen sits in the
Leagjeld page 27
2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide | www.star-pub.com
Home Interior Signs Discuss your idea with Bill TODAY! Bill Gillies Owner
320-352-5734
PHOTOS BY DIANE LEUKAM
A galley kitchen features a line of cabinetry on each side, with no island, creating a walkway through the middle. The concept has grown on the Leagjelds, as they have found it to be efficient for working, while not becoming the focus of the home.
Leagjeld from pg. 26 center of the home but is more closed off from the living areas and can hide the food prep clutter when they’re entertaining or when friends drop by unexpectedly. They initially thought they’d build an open concept home but now they appreciate that their kitchen isn’t the central focus of the main floor. When they moved in the kitchen could be completely closed off with a swinging door which they’ve since removed because it became a play thing for their kiddos, Garrett, 10; Gavin, 8 and Piper, 3. “I like that I can have people in the kitchen with one-on-one conversations without it being like a party,” Rhonda said. The kitchen is adjacent to the living room so people naturally fill that space, and it also grants access to the deck for ease of entertaining. The kitchen features double ovens, a Wolf range
and a built-in wine rack, as well as a vertical plate holder. Most of the cupboards have pull-outs, preventing the Leagjelds from having to crouch down on the floor to search for things. “I like that it isn’t so big,” Rhonda said. “There’s less countertop space for me to clean or get cluttered.” The Leagjelds operate Neighborhood Realty LLC in Sauk Centre and Neal is closing in on 1,000 home sales in his career. Galley kitchens, he said, are not common in the Long Prairie, Osakis, Sauk Centre and Melrose areas he covers, but more so in St. Cloud and Alexandria. “The galley kitchens are unique around our area,” he said. In Central Minnesota, the open floor plan still reigns but for the Leagjelds, their galley kitchen has become a cozy haven. Rhonda said, “It’s certainly grown on us and the appeal behind it is pretty cool.”
Servicing all of Central MN!
Coating!
Ask about our 10% Off Spring Special!
ome and gone and so has your
We Offer:
• Residential & Commercial Sealcoating
• Asphalt Repair Paving • Striping
P: 320.859.2270 • C: 320.808.4053 • 610 3rd Ave. E, Osakis
Sauk Centre, MN Established 1983
Derek Essler, owner
320-351-8658 320-351-VOLT Contractor # EA006249 Master # AM667066
www.star-pub.com | 2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide
RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL • ADDITIONS NEW HOUSING AGRICULTURE FUSE BOX CHANGE-OUTS
STEARNS ELECTRIC LOAD MANAGEMENT
27
Protecting Your Property Rights Closings, Title Insurance, Abstracting & more! WITH OFFICES IN:
St. Joseph
Alexandria
710 County Road 75 E, St. Joseph, MN 56374 Office: 320-271-1111
503 North Nokomis St. Alexandria, MN 56308 Office: 320-763-5288
Sauk Centre
864 South Main Street #3 Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Office: 320-352-5925 Mary Klimek, Sara Bye, Tim Nelson and Katie Gottwald
Fax: 320-271-1114 • www.httitle.com • orders@HTtitle.com
For All Your Real Estate Needs, Call the Benchmark Team!
Paul Kerin Broker/Owner
Deb Meyer Realtor
Judy Frieler Realtor
Marge Haider Realtor
Sean Kerin Realtor
Small Town Loyalty... Big Company Results!
Lic. #BC646827
Traci Becker Realtor
We Want to Sell Your Castle!
Sauk Centre
730 12th St. S. • Sauk Centre, MN
Roger 320-352-6677 Craig 320-761-2847 Chris 320-339-7331
Christy Gregory Realtor
Search all area listings from one website!
www.benchmarkrealty.com
320-351-8001 Melrose 320-256-8000
Always Competitive Pricing!
No Drop Charges, Hazmat Fees or Delivery Fees! Our Tanks Blend In. Pre-Buy Contracts! Our Service Stands Out!
Building or remodeling? You’ll love how our tanks blend in with any color siding, brick or stone finishes.
Our tank sizes: 500 gallon 250 gallon 120 gallon
We Have Underground tanks available for those situations where an above-ground tank won’t work. The MN Propane Assn is offering home owners hundreds of dollars in rebates for qualifying changes & upgrades in propane furnaces and appliances. Call our office for details.
Serving Central Minnesota • Melrose, MN • 1-320-256-3680 28
2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide | www.star-pub.com
Don’t miss out...
• Ornamental Trees • Shade Trees • Fruit Trees
R RIPPLINGER
Plumbing PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW!
LICENSED, BONDED AND INSURED
Responsible. Reliable. Quality Service. PAUL
Lic. #62124
320-746-3070 70
www.hulsplants.com
NATHAN N
Lic. #5647PM
320-573-4400
320.267.9805 • Located in St. Wendel
Call Us Today & Let Us Make Your Building Dreams a Reality!
No Project is Too Big or Too Small! • Pole Sheds • Roofs • Remodels • Decks • Concrete • Windows • Siding • New Construction
Breth Construction and Concrete, LLC 320-260-6977 • 40807 State Hwy 238 - Albany, MN 56307 mikebreth@yahoo.com • Lic.# BC639950 30
Mike Breth Owner
2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide | www.star-pub.com
At-home seed
starting
Experts share secrets for beginners trial and error, the two share their industry secrets to help athome gardeners make the most ALBANY – Anne Smith- of those little seed packets Bleichner and her husband, from the store or catalog. “You don’t need to buy a Jim, spend their winters strategizing about planting lot to do a lot of plants,” said seeds and trying new varieties Smith-Bleichner. She encourages home of flowers and veggies. Each spring Anne sows gardeners to use what they about 5,000 tomato seeds, 3,000 have to germinate seeds, from peppers, 2,000 marigolds, yogurt containers to the plastic several different types of herbs boxes lettuce comes home in seeds and approximately 3,000 from the grocery store. At the brassica seeds such as cabbage, greenhouse, she said, they try to re-use as many trays and kohlrabi, broccoli and kale. The master gardener and pots as possible so they don’t her husband, who refers to end up in a landfill. The keys to a successful himself as support staff, sell the plants they grow from seed seed-starting season are to plan through their business, Hilltop ahead, research when to plant Greenhouse and Produce LLC. each seed, label every single Cultivated from years of potentially growing thing and keep track of plantings in a simple notebook. “People either plant way too early or way too late,” she said. E a c h seed packet contains planting timeframes and home gardeners need to think about when the plants will actually be able to Basil and Marigold plants are labeled with be in the ground their planting date for easy identification and work back and growth tracking. from there. Some BY SARAH COLBURN STAFF WRITER
In Business Since 1996
Moritz Septic Service e
“Where the Royal Flush is better than a Full House”
Septic Pumping Service s 1.320.766.0276
Patrick Moritz • Osakis, MN 56360
PHOTOS BY SARAH COLBURN
Anne Smith- Bleichner discusses various ways do-it-yourselfers can successfully start seeds without spending a lot of money.
plants such as tomatoes need to be started from seed indoors so that they will have enough time to reach maturity in the Minnesota climate. Other plants, like beans or peas, can be directly sown in the garden. The Bleichners don’t recommend planting many transplants grown from seeds outside prior to Memorial Day because the risk of frost is too great. So, they generally use this as an end date. However, transplants grown from seeds in the brassica family such as cabbage, kale, kohlrabi and broccoli can tolerate cooler temperatures and can generally be planted out a little earlier. • Choose the containers for planting your seeds. Small yogurt containers with holes drilled in the bottom set on a cookie sheet, cake pan or other waterproof container work great, or there are commercially-made plastic seed starter trays and small tabletop greenhouse kits available. Most often, seed starting trays have the capacity to hold 200 or 288 seed starts. The Bleichners recommend the 200-seed start size, giving each plant a larger cell size to help the plant develop a more extensive root system. • If using a 200-cell tray, cut the tray apart in order to plant a variety of seeds. Each variety
www.star-pub.com | 2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide
should have its own bundle of cells because each variety of seed germinates at a different time. If the trays are cut into smaller sections, those sections can be removed from the humid germinating environment and placed underneath a grow light as their counterparts continue to germinate. This prevents disease and the “stretching” of the plant as it reaches for light. • Wash the planting containers in a mixture of 1:10 bleach solution to cut down on bacteria. • Fill the containers with a seed starting mix, not potting soil or garden soil. This mix, Bleichner said, is light and fluffy, allowing the seedlings to easily emerge. Pour the starter mix into a large plastic tub (that’s already been disinfected) and add water to the mix, enough so it’s moist all the way through. Add the moistened mixture to the seed starting tray or containers, press down with a second tray to slightly compact the mix. Water the tray again. • Dry the edge of the tray and add a piece of tape; write the seedling type and the planting date on the tape for easy reference later. Write down the planting in a notebook in order to track each step of its care.
Seeds page 32 31
Call Now For Exclusive Pricing!
POLYBUILT, INC.
Now serving Albany, Melrose, Long Prairie, Richmond, and surrounding areas
• • • •
Septic Pumping Sewer Cleaning hydrovac services Thawing frozen sewer lines
ESCAPABLE EGRESS WINDOW WELL COVERS! The domed style is strong enough to keep out snow, debris and critters, yet easy to remove for safe escape!
320-845-6464 www.austinincorporated.com
Three widths to fit your egress well: 42” 50” 67” 36” Projection
See more at polybuiltinc.com or find them in stock at Bonanza Valley Lumber in Brooten, MN
320.291.3532
129 Main St. S, Sauk Centre Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7:30 am-5:00 pm; Sat. 8 am-Noon
CONCRETE SUPPLY & RENTAL
CONCRETE SSUPPLY UPPLY & RRENTAL ENTAL
Serving Stearns County Since 2000!
Spring is a great time to • Sealers reseal your driveway • Concrete Tools
Supplies
• ICF Forms Come see us for • Epoxy Flooring details, we have everything you need!
Time T ime me tto o rrepair epair tthe he llawn awn and plant your garden? Come see us for all your spring rentals; aerators, power rakes, tillers, wood splitters, trailers and more!
Our greenhouse is fully stocked to fill your garden with annuals, trees, shrubs and perennials. And when you’re all finished with your garden and lawn, rent our kayaks and canoes to explore beautiful Lakes Koronis and Rice and the Crow River
www.ahconcreteinc.com
Adam Sunderman Cell: 320-761-9918 Jeremy Sunderman Cell: 320-267-7712
34
Blue Stem Flowers 320-243-2348
480 North Grande Street, Paynesville | www.bluestemflowers.com 2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide | www.star-pub.com
Ellerings from pg. 36 The kitchen includes a stainless-steel table. Jenn’s brother, Jeremy Kraemer, fabricated the tabletop (cut and bent it to the shape the Ellerings wanted) and Ben assembled the table. Why stainless steel? “It’s easy to clean and I had access to it,” Ben said. There’s an outdoor fan for ventilation. Outdoor furniture completes the look, along with a television hung outside on a wall, watched spring, summer and fall. The deck above the outdoor kitchen is waterproof, so they won’t get rained on. “One of the unique things about the
outside kitchen is that it’s waterproof. When we put on the deck, I knew we wanted it waterproofed. Kraemer Lumber had information on that, so I worked with Jody (Wehlage) on that,” Ben said. Sturdy steps with a railing go from the deck down to the outside kitchen. The outdoor kitchen is a place for their children “to hang out,” Ben said. Of course, mom and dad, too. “My favorite part is sitting out there in the summer, even when it’s raining. It’s fun when we have people over,” he said. They use this year-around kitchen, appreciating the fireplace in the winter, when it’s not covered with snow. “You could live out
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
A wood-burning fireplace lends warmth to Ben and Jenn Ellering’s outside kitchen, which includes outdoor furniture and a television. The steps lead to the kitchen from their weather-proofed deck.
there,” Ben said. Ben said the outside kitchen project was easier to do than he thought it would be. “I had an idea and know how to use the
basic tools; I don’t have any special tools,” he said. The Ellerings’ outside kitchen is a big plus for them winter, spring, summer and
Matt Imdieke Broker
fall. “I use the space, but he did all the work building it,” Jenn said. Ben concluded, “It turned out better than I expected.”
320.420.1295
WWW.MATTIMDIEKE.COM • MATT@CENTRALMNREALTY.COM
50 Agents with 10 Office Locations... Sauk Centre, Melrose, Albany, Long Prairie, Paynesville, Cold Spring, Kimball, Spicer, Alexandria and St. Cloud.
Matt Imdieke
LOCALLY AND FAMILY OWNED *Free Market Analysis.
800 Properties SOLD in 2019! www.star-pub.com | 2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide
37
Thinking of selling your home? Navigate the real estate market with a LOCAL expert!
Free Market Analysis
#1 real estate agent in Sauk Centre in 2019! Neal Leagjeld Broker/Agent 320-815-4500
neal@neighborhoodrealtymn.com
Ryan Sorenson Agent 320-250-1038
Rhonda Leagjeld Agent 320-533-0590
Jeanne Kraemer Agent 320-492-8431
ryan@neighborhoodrealtymn.com
info@neighborhoodrealtymn.com
jeanne@neighborhoodrealtymn.com
Janet Byland Agent 320-874-1222
janet@neighborhoodrealtymn.com beth@neighborhoodrealtymn.com
NEIGHBORHOOD Offices in re Sauk Cenotse & Melr
R E A L T Y
1157 Main St. S., Suite 2 Sauk Centre, MN 56378
Beth Gessell Agent 320-815-5759
WALK-INS WELCOME!
NO Administrat ion Fees!
628 Central Ave. South Melrose, MN 56352
Looking to buy? Let us help you find your dream home! Check out our website for all our listings
www.neighborhoodrealtymn.com www.star-pub.com | 2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide
39
Green
Lawns
TURF CARE
PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL LAWN CARE SERVICES.
Chemical applications don’t need to be hazardous, let the Green Lawns professionals do it for you.
What makes us different? Planning, implementation, care, and professionalism. We help make your dream yard a reality. You can count on our experts with many years of experience, great ideas and wide-ranging expertise. Our scope of services is very broad and includes residential, commercial, parks and recreation, schools, and lakeshore.
Our Focus • Weed Control • Fertilization • Slit Seeding • Hydro Seeding • Aeration • Specialty Spraying • Insect control
FREE
ESTIMATES
1-888-972-4522 or 320-634-4063 P. O . B o x 1 3 2 | G l e n w o o d , M N | 5 6 3 3 4 info@greenlawnsturfcare.com
www.greenlawnsmn.com 40
2020 Spring Home and Garden Guide | www.star-pub.com