Coastal Home & Garden Magazine: Spring 2015 by Times Publishing Group, Inc.

Coastal Home

&Garden SPRING/SUMMER 2015

MASONRY m e e t s

ARTISTRY TEACHING KIDS

how to garden

APPLE

ORCHARDS in Santa Cruz County

w w w. co a s t a l h o m e a n d g a rd e n . co m

plus

What’s the Point of

Spring Cleaning

Coastal Home & Garden PUBLISHER & EDITOR Patrice Edwards MANAGING EDITOR Cathe Race DESIGN & ART DIRECTOR Fani Nicheva ASSOCIATE EDITOR Noel Smith AD DESIGN Bri Bruce & Fani Nicheva PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Bri Bruce CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Noel Smith, Pamela Sundell, Leigh Ann Gessner, Cindy Jewell MEDIA CONSULTANTS Don Beaumont Eric Mellor Jay Peters

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Coastal Home & Garden Spring/Summer 2015 is a publication of the Times Publishing Group Inc. located at 9601 Soquel Dr. Aptos, CA 95003. Entire contents © 2015 by Patrice Edwards. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without publisher’s written permission.

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GARDEN

super stars

OUTSIDE

features

DRYING

fire pits

keep the home fires burning

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spring/summer

in the home 08 KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING Designing Fire Pits

12 OUTSIDE CLOTHES DRYING 16 WHAT’S THE POINT OF Spring Cleaning

20 BUILD YOUR IDEAL DECK Materials & Resources

24 REAL ESTATE

Freshly Renovated Homes Command Higher Prices

in the garden 26 GARDEN SUPERSTARS for Spring 2015 28 MASONRY MEETS ARTISTRY 30 THE APPLE ORCHARDS OF Santa Cruz County

32 TEACHING KIDS GARDENING

in the kitchen 36 Spring Recipes: BELLISSIMO Blueberry Pie Roll Ups

life style 40 SANTA CRUZ

Dog Friendly Facilities

in the home c oa s ta lho me a ndga r den. c om

keepthe

homefires

burning

o question that purchasing or building an outdoor fire pit can add warmth, style and drama to your backyard, patio or deck. That uniquely relaxing and captivating feeling of sitting around a campfire with friends, family, or a special one no longer has to wait for the annual camping trip. Thousands of people now make it happen right in their backyard throughout the year.

Before you have one designed, there’s one thing you’ll want to consider carefully, so that your new outdoor fire pit provides the kind of warmth, style and drama you’ll want to experience for years to come. Make safety your first priority, especially as it relates to fire and here are just some ways to make your fire pit safe and enjoyable.

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Being careful and using common sense must be considered when designing your new outdoor fire pit. Safety has to be high on the priority list. If not, the potential for injury to yourself and others, as well as damage to your property and that of your neighbors, greatly increases. Plan now to take the following precautions when using your wood burning fire pit, so it’ll bring the right kind of drama and excitement to your backyard. U Keep a fire extinguisher or container of water nearby.

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in the home c oa s ta lho me a ndga r den. c om U Don’t ever leave your fire unattended, and make sure the fire is completely out before heading to bed, even if it means filling a smoldering fire pit with water. U Take special care to keep little children and pets from getting too close, and never ever leave them unattended near a fire. U Don’t sacrifice safety to save a few bucks on an outdoor fire pit, extinguisher, etc. It’s not worth the risk. U Consider the position of your fire pit and keep it at least 10 feet away from flammable materials or objects: lowhanging branches, piles of dry grass, leaves or brush. Make sure you have plenty of space around and above your fire pit. U Gauge placement of your outdoor fire pit according to wind patterns and where the smoke will be blowing. U Don’t overfill your outdoor fire pit with wood or wood substitutes. Likewise, don’t over-gas your outdoor gas fire pit. You don’t want the flames to get too high or unmanageable. U Use a spark screen with your fire pit. U Use a fire pit pad or flagstone underneath your outdoor fire pit or fireplace on wooden decks. U Check the laws in your area before building any outdoor fire. In different parts of the country, those laws vary. Contact your local fire department to find out where fires or grills can be used in your area. Familiarizing yourself with safety guidelines such as these, should go a long way toward ensuring that your outdoor fire pit provides many years of enjoyment and pleasant experiences. Relax and enjoy the moment with those who are special to you.

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Moving up - vacating your current, smallish home for a larger, roomier abode - was the American way before the Great Recession. Now that the economy is trending upwards again, at least some of the people who stayed put during those lean years will be looking to move into larger, nicer homes. The Central coast does have high demand and low inventory, however that may leave many with nowhere to go. Some will rediscover a time-honored space-gaining technique: attic conversion. As home improvements go, converting an attic into usable living space has

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outside clothes drying S av e M o n e y , C u t C a r b o n E m i s s i o n s a n d â&#x20AC;Ś G e t O u t d o o r s ! by Noel Smith

Drying clothes outside is coming back. Using the timeless combination of sun and wind to dry clothing and linens is becoming popular. It reduces your Gas and Electric bill, lowers carbon emissions, helps your clothing and linens last longer by eliminating wear and tear, sunlight is a natural sanitizing agent, it provides a great excuse to get outside, without artificial scents gives your fabrics that fresh outdoor smell, and line drying is kinder to your clothes. Here are some tips about outside drying: FIRST, find out if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s allowed. In many places outside drying is against the rules. If so, work to get the rules changed CLOTHES can be dried on a foldaway rack, retractable clothesline, freestanding rotary frame (umbrella) clotheslines, pulley clotheslines, an old-fashioned clothesline hung between any two poles or walls USE Nylon or cotton rope but even spare telephone wire will work OLD-FASHIONED clothespins are wooden pushdown types, while the modern clothespins are spring clips made of wood or plastic GARMENTS or fabrics that stretch when wet such as wool and loosely knitted garments, should be dried flat on a sweater drying rack placed outside, not on hung on a line HANG whites in the sun, and colored articles in the shade HANG your colored clothing inside out HANGING clothing neatly on the line helps prevent wrinkling A GOOD BREEZE is more important than direct sunlight AVOID hanging clothes on extremely windy days HANG clothes over the line about 3-4 inches and pin at each end, to keep them on the line HANG HEAVIER items one third to a halfway over the line, pin at each end with several pins between HANG shorts and pants/trousers by the waistband HANG DRESSES or skirts from hangers if possible, 12 CoastalHome&Garden I spring-summer 2015

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in the home c oa s ta lho me a ndga r den. c om HANG socks by the toes, bras by the hook end, fold the waistband of underpants over the line and pin either side onto the line, place handkerchiefs in half over the line and pin at each end SHAKE TOWELS with a “snap” then fold them over and pin at each end. Shake towels again when removing them from the line FOLD SHEETS hem to hem so they can’t reach the ground before pinning over the line HANG BLANKETS and other heavy items across two lines, or more WHEN hanging 100 percent cotton items, don’t stretch before pinning CHECK while hanging that all items can’t reach the ground KEEP your clothesline clean and wipe with wet cloth before using WASH off your clothespins regularly FOLD the clothes as you take them off the clothesline DON’T store damp clothes REMEMBER, GET OUTSIDE, hang up those clothes, then sit back and have a cool drink while they dry… and don’t forget your sunblock.

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What's The Point of Spring Cleaning? by Pamela Sundell I grew up in upstate New York, where the arrival of spring was a big deal. When the ice and snow had finally melted, the temperature had risen above freezing, and there was a hint of green on the trees, we were ready to welcome spring. Storm windows were traded for screens, and the windows washed. All the warm winter clothes were cleaned and put away. Heavy blankets and comforters went back in the linen closet, and many more such tasks were done. Here on the central coast it’s a different story. With no drastic weather change, what’s the point of spring-cleaning? I would like to suggest that this is the time to attend to the tasks that are not included in your routine household cleaning, like the practice of checking the batteries in smoke detectors when you reset the clocks at the change between standard and day light savings time. I think that establishing spring-cleaning as the time to take care of these necessary, but often over looked, tasks is a sound practice. Here is a list to consider: UÊ ÕÃÌÊ> ÊÌ iÊ >À`ÊÌ ÊÀi>V Ê« >ViÃÊ i\ÊVi }Êv> Ã]ÊÃ Þ } ÌÃ]Ê light fixtures, the tops of door and window frames, (also the tops of doors themselves), picture frames, and baseboards. Always start at the top and work down. UÊ >ÛiÊÌ iÊV>À«iÌÃÊÃ > « i`Ê>vÌiÀÊÌ iÊÀ> ÃÊ >ÛiÊÃÌ ««i`Êv ÀÊ the season - that is if we have a rainy season. Wet shoes track in much more dirt than dry ones. UÊ i> Ê ÀÊ`ÕÃÌÊÜ ` ÜÊÌÀi>Ì i ÌÃÆÊVÕÀÌ> Ã]Ê`À>«iÃ]ÊL `Ã° UÊ7>Ã ÊÌ iÊÜ ` ÜÃÊL Ì Ê Ã ìÊ> `Ê ÕÌÊ vÊÞ ÕÊV> ÊÀi>V ÊÌ i °Ê You’ll want the sunshine flowing into your home. UÊ i> ÊÌ iÊ Ã ìÊ vÊÌ iÊÀivÀ }iÀ>Ì ÀÊ> `ÊÌ À ÜÊ ÕÌÊ> Ê«>ÃÌÊ`ÕiÊ date items also anything you cannot identify or that has green fuzz growing on it. UÊ*Õ Ê ÕÌÊÌ iÊÀivÀ }iÀ>Ì ÀÊ> `ÊV i> ÊLi `Ê> `ÊÕ ìÀ i>Ì °Ê Carefully remove the dust from the cooling coils because this can affect the efficiency of your refrigerator, which is one of the largest energy consuming appliances in your house. UÊ i> ÊÞ ÕÀÊ Ûi Ê vÊ ÌÊ ÃÊ ÌÊ>ÊÃi v V i> }Ê ì °Ê `Ê vÊ ÌÊ Ã]Ê use the self-cleaning feature. UÊ i> Ê ÕÌÊ> ÞÊ ÌÊLÕ ` Õ«Ê ÊÞ ÕÀÊV Ì iÃÊ`ÀÞiÀÊ`ÕVÌÊ> `ÊÛi Ì°Ê This can be a fire hazard. UÊ iV ÊÌ iÊ}À ÕÌÊ> `ÊV>Õ Ê ÊÌ iÊÃ ÜiÀÊ> `ÊL>Ì ÌÕLÊÃÌ> Ã°Ê Grout should have a sealant applied periodically to keep it clean 16 CoastalHome&Garden I spring-summer 2015

and waterproof. Caulk can lose its seal if mildew starts to build up and that can lead to water seeping behind the tile. Not good! UÊ, Ì>ÌiÊ> `É ÀÊy «Ê >ÌÌÀiÃÃÊÃ ÊÌ >ÌÊÌ iÞÊÜi>ÀÊiÛi Þ° UÊ ÕÃÌÊL Ã i ÛiÃ°Ê,i ÛiÊ> ÊL ÃÊ ÀÊ V >V ÃÊvÀ Ê>Ê shelf, and then dust it and all the items that were on it before putting them back. This would be a good time to sort the books or items to determine if it is time to let some of them find a new owner. You feel great! You’ve done all this work and your house is sparkling and looks wonderful. You’ve also taken care of a number of items that have been on your to do list for ages. Now it’s time to have some fun. I like to suggest the idea changing the “look” of your home for the new season. You can create a lighter more summery look for you place with just a few key steps: UÊ > }iÊÌ iÊV ÛiÀ }Ê ÊÞ ÕÀÊLi`Ê> `ÊÕÃiÊ`iV À>Ì ÛiÊ« ÜÃ° UÊ > }iÊÌ iÊV ÀÊ vÊÌ iÊÌ Üi ÃÊ> `ÊL>Ì Ê >ÌÊ ÊÞ ÕÀÊL>Ì À ° UÊ > }iÊÌ iÊ>VVi ÌÊ« ÜÃÊ ÊÌ iÊÃ v>° UÊ ÕÞÊ>Ê iÜÊÌ À ÜÊÀÕ}ÊÌ ÊLÀ } Ìi ÊÕ«Ê>ÊÀ ° UÊ/ iÀiÊ>ÀiÊ > ÞÊÜ>ÞÃÊÌ ÊV > }iÊÌ iÊ Ê vÊ>Ê« >Vi]Ê> `ÊÌ iÃiÊ are just quick start ideas. Another idea I would like to suggest is to not display all of your art objects, knick-knacks, etc. all the time. Over time they will become part of the background and not noticed or appreciated the way that you would like them to be. If you have quite a few items, this can also lead to a cluttered look. Why not put some away and carefully select a smaller quantity of items to display on a revolving basis. A couple of times a year you can curate a new show from your treasured belongings. So maybe there is a point to spring-cleaning, after all.

Pamela Sundell is the CEO of Calm, Cool and Collected, a home organizing Service. For more information about her please visit www.calmcoolandcollected.net

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in the home c oa s ta lho me a ndga r den. c om customers have taken advantage of Soquel Creek Water District’s conservation programs including rebates, free water-saving devices, and water-wise house calls.

SOQUEL

Learn more about how the District can assist you in using water efficiently, how we’re working to protect the water supply, and see more stories and photos of your conserving neighbors on our website at soquelcreekwater.org.

CREEK WATER DISTRICT CUSTOMERS Inspire CONSERVATION

Campodonico Family of Capitola uses a water catchment system for their waterwise landscaping and drip irrigation for their garden

Dr. Joshua Atiba of La Selva Beach replaced toilets and showerheads in his home with low-flow models

Nicole Douglas of Soquel replaced her lawn with colorful water-wise plants

Susan Drake of Soquel collects shower warm-up water for her plants.

John Ryan of Capitola shortened his post-surf showers

Boots and Carmen McGhee of Aptos replaced their lawn with artificial turf

ast year, our community achieved unprecedented water savings, about a 20% reduction between the summers of 2013 and 2014, thanks to a lot of hard work and more than a few brown lawns. From the bottom of our hearts and wells, we thank you. Your efforts are helping to protect our community’s groundwater from ongoing drought and seawater intrusion. Even when the current drought ends, the Soquel Creek Water District’s long-term groundwater shortage does not. Continued conservation is an important part of the solution. We’re also seeking new water sources, requiring those wanting new connections to offset their water use by funding conservation projects, exploring projects to help replenish the groundwater supply and working on regional solutions with others who pump from our shared groundwater supply. We’ve been gathering and sharing stories of customers who have found workable ways to make water conservation a daily way of life in their homes, gardens and yards. Many of these 18 CoastalHome&Garden I spring-summer 2015

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ininthe me aea ndga r den. om thehome homec oac oas tas talholhom nd ga rde nc.c om

buildyour

idealdeck materials&resources

Do long winter days have you dreaming of a new deck to relax on come spring and summer? Whether transforming an existing deck or building a new outdoor living space for backyard entertaining, now is the time to start turning dreams into reality. Enjoy warmer weather with these easy steps to take your deck from functional to fantastic. 1. Selecting the right decking product A deck only looks as good as its boards, which is why it is important to select decking that is as durable as it is attractive. Many deck products are available, from traditional cedar and redwood, pressure treated lumber products, to composite decking. Be careful to select a material that requires minimal upkeep and provides lasting beauty. Homeowners are looking for outdoor living spaces that will allow them to relax and enjoy their backyards and not worry about cleaning or maintaining their outdoor products regularly. 20 CoastalHome&Garden I spring-summer 2015

2. Take advantage of being outdoors By incorporating level changes, handrails, lighting and the right furniture, you can define areas for eating, socializing and relaxing. For multiple outdoor living spaces, incorporate pathway features and ground lighting to connect these spaces and to help your guests travel smoothly from one area to the other. Use platform decks for hard-to-navigate slopes. Include raised decks in smaller sizes so you can expand usable space. Provide elevated deck areas to enjoy previously unseen views from your yard.

3. Creating drama Get creative and provide artistic focal points to make your deck even more unique. Some of the simplest ways to add distinction to your deck are to alternate the plank directions, create in-laid patterns and inset frames. With moisture-resistant deck boards, you can accent nature in your design by simply encircling a tree near the deck or highlighting a water feature. Similar themes can also be applied to fire pits, planters, built-in seating and storage boxes.

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4. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get boxed in Consider incorporating curves into your deck design. Circles, sweeping arcs and other unique shapes that are juxtaposed against straight lines can add a distinctive touch of customization that will showcase your creativity. Contemporary materials can make shaping deck boards into these eye-catching curves a breeze. Contractors and do-it-yourselfers following manufacturer instructions can rip, route and bend the boards into a range of one-of-a-kind custom shapes.

5. Rails can be romantic Railings are an important safety feature, but they can also double as a romantic decorative accent that takes your deck to a whole new level. You can use color-matched wood, composite railing components, accessories or contrasting colors to create visual interest. Use tempered glass panels, horizontal cables or shaped metal instead of traditional balusters if preserving views is important. Make your deck say something about your creativity, while your family and friends enjoy the outdoor space.

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Freshly Renovated Homes Command Higher Prices

When it comes to the real estate market, a home’s value is relative to many different factors, such as location, comparable home values, and age and condition of the home. While the overall market on the Central Coast is strong, there are and always will be, those homes that stand out and command a higher value. Historically, regardless of the economy and market conditions, homes that have been renovated within five years of the date of sale command higher prices than homes in the area that lack similar updates. There are numerous home renovations that can increase a home’s overall value. It’s no secret that kitchens and bathrooms can make or break a sale. An outdated kitchen or bathroom can turn a potential buyer off just as easily as an updated kitchen or bathroom can sell a home. For a number of years, kitchen renovations topped the list of return for investment in home renovation projects. While the price of a remodel has increased and the return has fallen slightly, the kitchen is the one area of the home people focus on first. If you’re living with an outdated, ugly kitchen or one that is not functional, the 24 CoastalHome&Garden I spring-summer 2015

cost of a renovation will be recouped by personal enjoyment alone but you can also recoup up to 80 percent of the cost if you sell your home within five to seven years. Similarly, bathroom renovations have been in the top five of investment versus return value for years. Today’s trends lean towards the spa-style bathroom, with a preference towards separate showers and tubs, double sinks, and even seating areas. Even in homes where bathroom space is limited, there are a number of improvements that can be made to increase the functionality of the bathroom and the value of the home. Major renovations may be out of reach for some homeowners’ budgets, but some minor renovations can also add value to a home. One of the leading minor renovations in terms of cost and return is the home’s entry door. Replacing the entry door with a mid-range replacement door helps provide curb appeal, a welcoming entrance and energy efficiency all at the same time. Another minor renovation that adds instant appeal, and thus value, is detailed trim work like chair railing, crown molding, and cornice board. Carpeting and paint are also minor renovations that add value and appeal. As more people focus on energy efficiency, replacing major mechanical systems, such as a furnace, air conditioning system, water heater and windows, with energy efficient equivalents can also add instant value to a home. Not only will your energy bills be reduced but the resale value of the home will improve. A new roof and insulation will add to the investment. If you’ve already focused on the inside of your home or are confident that the interior is at least moderately up-to-date and efficient, turn your focus to the outdoors. With this trend came an increased demand for outdoor living space. Decks, patios, and outdoor kitchens conducive to entertaining and relaxation are improvements that are in demand. In fact, like kitchens and bathrooms, decks are in the top five of renovation returns. Investing a large sum of money into home renovation for the sole purpose of resale should be considered carefully and you might want to consult a real estate expert in your area before you decide to invest in a major renovation project.

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Garden Superstars for Spring 2015 New Plants and Garden Accessories Take a Starring Role in Outdoor Rooms This Spring

hort days and long nights lend themselves to dreaming of spring, triggering an itch to get out of the house and into the garden. But while you are fighting a full-blown case of cabin fever, plant explorers and 26 CoastalHome&Garden I spring-summer 2015

outdoor dĂŠcor vendors are turning up a whole slew of new green goods that will arrive just in time to help you scratch that gardening itch. This spring gardeners can find an array of great new plants, garden accessories and green products guaranteed to help them make their outdoor space all their own. From homegrown

vegetables and patio-ready plants to ever-blooming shrubs and funky glazed containers, spring 2015 promises to be an exciting year for outdoor projects.

HIP TO HARVEST FROM HOME Fresh from the garden vegetables and herbs are a true luxury guaranteed to make your summer recipes taste even better. From spicy basil and red-stemmed spinach to super-sized lima beans and tomatoes that look like bell peppers, breakthroughs in breeding are making vegetable gardening easy and en vogue. This season you can dazzle your dinner guests with meals created using ingredients harvested right from your own garden. Look out for specialty veggies including a tie-dyed looking tomato called Red Lightening and Maple Sugar Corn which tastes as sweet as maple syrup.

PATIO READY PLANTS Add an instant punch of color to patios, balconies or terraces with clematis in the. These show-stopping beauties are the first clematis bred to be grown in a container, and are available in bold reds, dark purples and mauve. The long-blooming patio clematis grow only 3 feet, and

provide vertical columns of color from spring through fall. The Clematis patio-ready plants make it easy to decorate instantly for an outdoor gathering. Simply slip the patio clematis into decorative containers and accessorize any outdoor space.

COLOR YOUR LANDSCAPE WITH SHRUBS With so many shrubs being offered on the market, limiting choices to just one or two plants has become extremely difficult. To help you narrow it down, here are just a few must-haves that are sure to turn some heads this spring. Need a replacement for your boxwood, then try the eye-catching shrub ‘Drops of Gold’ Japanese Holly. Ideal as a hedge or foundation plant, it offers striking foliage of bright gold when exposed to the sun. Or perhaps Photinia Pink Marble, a preppy reddish pink and green landscape shrub, known for its extraordinary foliage and low maintenance. With the popularity of Hydrangeas on the rise, new Halo Hydrangeas are the perfect addition to your partly shade garden. Named because of the halo of light color that surrounds the

edge of each blossom, this collection includes seven stunning colors that bloom from spring to fall. And don’t forget shrub roses! The ever blooming and disease resistance Knock Out Roses bloom almost continuously. The flowering plant is available in three colors, and is easy to grow with little to no maintenance needed.

CONTAIN YOURSELF! So you don’t have the time or space for a full-size garden? You can still get the flavor and feel of getting your hands dirty, and create elegant accents inside and outside your home with one or more of the latest “designer” containers. The diversity of container materials and styles reflects the changes in what consumers are looking for in a container. Consumers desire to match specific styles with different parts of the home both inside and out. All varieties of materials can also be fit together to form an overall, different look. Well, if that rash has turned into a fever by now, we’ll understand. It’s shaping up to be one heckuva a garden party this spring! Now go grab a friend and head to your nearest garden center.

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masonry

meetsartistry ow- and no-maintenance features top the list when making over outdoor living spaces because less time maintaining means more time enjoying. Low-maintenance landscaping outranks native plantings, water features and food/vegetable gardens according to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) 2014 Residential Landscape Architecture Trends survey. Landscape professionals love to share their secrets and show off their craft when redesigning outdoor spaces for low or no maintenance. Armed with know-how and using sweat equity, do-it-yourselfers also can employ tips that professionals use for a no-maintenance landscape makeover.

Landscaping with hardscapes Landscape professionals use retaining wall systems for a variety of landscaping solutions. Segmental retaining walls are commonly used to transition elevations, shore up slopes along foundations and define spaces such as creating planters, tree rings and other features. “Hardscape products like retaining walls and pavers are important tools for both landscapers and do-it-yourselfers in creating low-maintenance landscapes,” says Rick Santee of Central Home Supply “With just the standard interlocking retaining wall unit, you can easily create seat walls, curved couches, columns and other features.” Retaining wall systems combined with concrete pavers can be used to create beautiful raised patios, replacing high-maintenance wooden decks, says Arnold. In addition to being as cost effective as a wooden deck, a raised patio offers several advantages. “A deck railing can be replaced with wrought iron fencing or a low seat wall so the view is unobstructed,” Rick says. “Raised patios also look great with a 28 CoastalHome&Garden I spring-summer 2015

contrasting paver course or rock barrier for potted plants, and steps to the ground can be created with retaining wall units.” Retaining wall units and interlocking concrete pavers come in a variety of colors, shapes and textures to complement any landscape design and are often used to create design continuity in outdoor spaces. Tree rings can be coordinated or color-contrasted with raised patios, retaining walls and other hardscapes. Permeable pavers are an environmentally sound and low-maintenance solution when impervious surface limits, storm water management, water quality and water conservation are issues. “Permeable pavers are a best practice for storm water management and quality issues because they prevent runoff and let rain water infiltrate in place naturally,” says Rick. Permeable pavers reduce the need for irrigation in drought-prone areas, unlike poured concrete or asphalt.” It’s best to consult a landscape professional who is experienced in installing permeable paving systems so that they work properly and consistently, according to Rick.

Low maintenance landscaping practices Landscaping practices can make it easier to control weeds and manage lawn care as well. The use of rock mulch and natural rock in gardens

Comfort Craft requires no storage or maintenance other than cleanup with soap and water. Unlike wood, Comfort Craft furniture won’t chip, splint, crack or rot and never needs painting. Hardscape kits - containing everything needed to create a fireplace, fire-pit, water feature or grill island - are some of the most popular low-maintenance landscaping products, Rick says. “Using easy-to-install kits like those from Central Home Supply, homeowners and contractors alike can create beautiful features such as grill islands, bar islands, fire pits and fireplaces that are long-lasting and low-maintenance,” Rick Santee says.

and beds, as walkways and as stepping-stones offers an attractive solution to weed control and also lessens the need for irrigation. At least three inches of rock mulch or four inches of natural mulch will prevent weeds. A landscape fabric under stepping-stones and rock mulch offers even more insurance against weeds. A simple way to cut down on trimming is to add a course of pavers along the bottom of a retaining wall, tree ring or planter so the mower can get close to the wall, says Rick Santee.

Maintenance free outdoor accessories Selecting maintenance-free outdoor furniture and accessories is an easy way to make over a space. Outdoor furniture made of recycled HDPE like

The

Apple rchards of santa cruz county by Noel Smith Secondo Bella & Joe Bella at their home ranch

In 1859, Stephen G. Martinelli, a young Swiss, settled in the fertile Pajaro Valley near Monterey Bay, where the apples were of exceptional quality. In 1868 he founded S. Martinelli & Company, producing bottle fermented Champagne Cider with apples from California’s first commercial orchards. Martinelli’s Cider soon became well known as the finest available. wave of emigration from Europe’s Serbo-Croatian community to the Pajaro Valley began in 1870 and continued briskly from 1884 to 1914. There were just 250 acres of apple orchards in the Pajaro Valley in 1871 when Marco Rabasa planted the first Serbo-Croatian orchard. A devastating outbreak in 1873 of codling moth and scale in the orchards of Santa Clara Valley caused a boom for the Pajaro Valley apples. In 1883, Nick Branac and 18-year-old Luke Scurich started one of the valley’s first fruit packing companies. Scurich was joined by brother Steven in 1884, and planted a 100-acre orchard. Rabasa and L.G. Sresovich established the valley’s first large- scale apple packing, shipping and buying enterprise. In 1890 Martinelli’s Cider was awarded the first prize gold medal at the California State Fair, leading to the adoption of the brand trade mark, “Martinelli’s Gold Medal®.” By the late 1890s the same railroad that carried redwood lumber from the Santa Cruz Mountains to the far corners of the country now began carrying railroad cars filled with apples from the Pajaro Valley.

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In 1895 the following companies were growing, picking, packing and shipping apples in the Pajaro Valley: M. Rabasa, M.N. Lettunich & Co., Scurich Bros., N. Banaz, F.P. Marinovich, J.L. Ivancovich & Co., M. Rilovich & Ro., Puhiera & Strasicich, Gravosa Fruit Co., J.P. Miovich, M. Gerkovich, A.W. Condit & Co., Prettyman & Wolf, and M.L. Woody. Shipments that year (1895) went to destinations such as Denver CO, Butte MT, Dallas TX, Chicago IL, New York City and London England. By the boom year of 1908, apple orchards numbered a million trees on 14,000 acres, the town had 40 packing sheds, including apple driers and vinegar plants. At 2 1/2 million boxes of apples in 1909, the Pajaro Valley was producing and shipping more apples than any area in the world. In honor of the apple, the Annual Apple Exhibition was first held in 1909 reaching its peak with 30,000 people attending its many events in 1912. With the onset of WWI interest waned and the exhibition became history. During prohibition (1920-1933), the Martinelli Company grew by specializing in non-alcoholic apple juice products, including the first non-alcoholic sparkling cider. Today, Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries and Olallieberries have replaced apples where many of the orchards once grew. However, there are still places to buy Pippin, Granny Smith and Jonagold apples grown in the Pajaro Valley… and there still is the faint smell of apple blossoms in the air each spring.

Charlie Bella with sons Chuck & John

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Teaching ardening By Noel Smith

A Fun, Healthy, Green and Nutritious Activity 1) Give them a vision! Make it fun and exciting through planning. Take them to the produce section of the market and show them what the end product will look like. Have them help you find the perfect spot for the garden taking into consideration shade and light throughout the day. Have them help determine when would be the best time to plant, such as early or late spring or even early summer. Then, when you get the seeds or baby plants, remind them what the results of their labor and attention will be at harvest time. Whenever gardening, make it a fun, joint project to keep your children’s interest while building a healthy relationship with the budding gardener.

2) Give them the right gardening tools. Part of the fun for kids is having their own gardening tools and gloves that are made in their size, in wonderful colors. These will encourage kids to stick with it. Show children how to clean and put away tools after use. Make this easy and fun – a bit of splashing about can be a fun part of the cleaning chores.

3) Choose easy to grow plants. While it’s important to involve your children in choosing the plants, make sure they are as trouble-free as possible, especially for beginning gardeners. Also choose a few plants that your children can pick and take straight to the table from the garden. Some good starter choices include: Radishes, Tomatoes (from seedlings), Squash (Zucchini, Spaghetti, Acorn and the ever impressive Pumpkin), Peas, Beans, Strawberries, and Lettuce. Also try some flowers such as Sunflowers, Sweet peas, Poppies, and Pansies.

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in the garden c oa s ta lhom ea nd ga rde n.com 4) Do the hard work for them (at first) - tilling the soil and fertilizing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they can learn about that later. Show your children the basics of planting seeds and seedlings in the ground. Give them the joy of planting, and wait with them for their plants to sprout. Then share with them the excitement when their plants first show themselves above ground. Next, show them how important it is to water, weed and wait for the harvest to begin.

5) Show how to grow plants from cuttings. This will amaze them to see how you can take a cutting and get a new plant. Try plants that are easy to start such as succulents, begonias, pelargoniums and bromeliads.

6) Show how to compost. Use kitchen scraps to demonstrate how to turn waste to fertile soil over time. Get a worm farm. Show them how it works, how to feed the worms and how to handle them.

7) Make things for the garden. Recycle, re purpose and remake things that can serve as decorations or tools in the garden. Here are some possibilities: U Making herb or plant markers from Ice Cream sticks U Paint a planter or flowerpot with bright colors and designs U Make a scarecrow or bird frightener

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using old CDs, aluminum foil or old costume jewelry, clothing, etc. U Make a hanging decoration from bits of wood or shells using thread or fishing line

8) Use the digital age in your gardening. Kids love computers and electronic gadgets. Download a suitable gardening app or two for them to use and help them do online research about their garden and its plants. Use gardening calendars for your planning. If you use social media, encourage the exchange of knowledge and share their achievements in the garden.

9) Make gardening a life-learning experience. One of the lessons it teaches children is that there is a season for everything and that it all cycles again. Learning this can be highly beneficial, especially for children in a society prone to spending a lot of time indoors and in cars going to other indoor places.

10) Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to be a mentor to the young. Children all too soon grow up and out of reach. Gardening can teach many meaningful life lessons to them at an early age such as: patience, persistence, a better understanding of the natural world around them, an appreciation for how food is produced and the value of a healthy dietâ&#x20AC;Ś and that you really could teach them something worthwhile!

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in the kitchen c oa s t a lhom ea n dga rd en.c om

bellissimo Blueberry Pie

Roll Ups with Basil-Lemon Glaze by Cindy Jewell

INGREDIENTS: 3 cups California Giant Blueberries 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 lemon – juice and zest 3 tablespoons fresh basil – minced 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar 12 egg roll wrappers 6 ounces mascarpone cheese – softened 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

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DIRECTIONS: In a medium saucepan, cook blueberries over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until juices are released and berries have popped. Stir in granulated sugar and cornstarch. Cook another 2-3 minutes until thickened while stirring constantly. Set aside to cool. In a small bowl, whisk lemon juice, lemon zest and fresh basil. Add powdered sugar in 1/2 cup increments until glaze is thickened but still pourable. Set aside. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay out 1 egg roll wrapper. Spread 1 tablespoon mascarpone cheese in an even layer in middle of wrapper. Spoon 1 tablespoon blueberry mixture on top. Roll up egg roll wrapper, folding in sides and rolling upward. Seal with your finger dipped in water. Place on baking sheet seam side down. Repeat with remaining 11 wrappers. In microwave, melt butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Brush tops of roll ups with mixture. Bake roll ups for 13-15 minutes until crisp. To serve: spoon glaze over tops of roll ups and enjoy!

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in the kitchen c oa s t a lhom ea n dga rd en.c om

Blueberry Goat Cheese Pizza INGREDIENTS 1 store bought pizza dough 3 tablespoons olive oil 4 shallots 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper 4 cloves garlic 2 teaspoons thyme minced 2 tablespoons basil chiffonade 1/2 cup toasted pecan pieces 4 ounces goat cheese 1 cup spinach cut 1 cup California Giant blueberries 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray sheet pan with non-stick cooking spray. Roll out pizza dough into desired shape. I like a rough rectangle for a rustic feel and no stress about the perfect roll out job. With a dinner fork stab the dough a few times and brush with two tablespoons olive oil. Put in oven for about five minutes until bottom sets. Remove from oven. Meanwhile, heat remaining one tablespoon olive oil in pan. Slice shallots into rings and saute in oil with salt and fresh ground pepper until shallots are soft and starting to crisp. Add garlic and saute for about a minute. Add in minced thyme and basil chiffonade. Stir to incorporate. Spread goat cheese on par cooked pizza dough. Top with shallot mixture. Top with blueberries, spinach, and toasted pecans. Bake for an additional ten minutes until crust is golden. Spray with balsamic vinegar. I put the vinegar in a spray bottle so it gets over every bit of the pizza.

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1/6 H

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life style c o as ta lhom ea n dga rde n.c o m

In Santa Cruz County

Your Dog is

WELCOME By Noel Smith

U For first time visitors, call ahead or visit their website to verify dog rules when lodging, shopping or dining U Set a good example: be aware of and obey local rules and regulations Be sure that wherever you and your canine companion go, you’ll always be welcomed back!

DOG PARKS:

Man’s best friend is not always a welcomed companion when you take them out in public… but in our county the barriers are coming down and dog-friendly facilities are multiplying. Did you know that locally there are numerous dog parks as well as dog-friendly lodging, shopping and, yes, even dining establishments that will welcome you and your dog? Here are some guidelines that you and your dog should follow when you are out in public: U Teach basic commands (“Come!” “Sit!” “Stay!”) so you can control your dog U Make sure your dog is properly licensed U Always scoop poop! Carry a sealable plastic bag and disposable plastic gloves U Don’t assume your dog will be welcome everywhere you go U When approaching another dog, shorten the leash and bring your dog close to you U Remember to immediately recognize and praise your dog’s good behavior, and to correct its bad behavior

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Aptos Dog Park | The Polo Grounds 2255 Huntington Ave, Aptos, 8am-6pm DeLaveaga Park | 850 Branciforte Dr., 8am-8pm Floral Park | on 38th St. between Portola Dr. & East Cliff Dr. Sunrise to sunset Frederick Street Park | 168 Frederick St, Sunrise to sunset Grant Street Park | 180 Grant Street, Sunrise to sunset Oceanview Park | 102 Oceanview Avenue, Sunrise to sunset Pacheco Dog Park | Pacheco Ave. and Prospect Heights, Sunrise to sunset Roaring Camp Railroads | Felton, CA University Terrace Park | 369 Meder Street, Sunrise to sunset Scotts Valley Dog Park | 361 Kings Village Rd., Scotts Valley, Sunrise to sunset Watsonville Dog Park | 757 Green Valley Road, Watsonville, Sunrise to sunset Franich Dog Park 795 Vista Montana Dr., Watsonville, Sunrise to sunset

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life style c o as ta lhom ea n dga rde n.c o m DOG-FRIENDLY LODGING: The Bay Front Inn | 325 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, (831) 423-8564, santacruzbayfrontinn.com Chaminade Resort and Spa | 1 Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz, (831) 475-5600, chaminade.com Motel Santa Cruz | 370 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz (831) 458-9220, motelsantacruz.net Sunny Cove Motel | 21610 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, (831) 475-1741 Hilton (Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley) | 6001 La Madrona Dr., Santa Cruz, (831) 440-1000, santacruzscottsvalley.hilton.com

DOG-FRIENDLY DINING (USUALLY PATIOS ONLY): Betty Burgers 1000 | 41st Ave., Capitola 475-5901 & 505 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz. 423-8190, www.bettyburgers.com Bittersweet Bistro | 787 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos. 662-9799, www.bittersweetbistro.com Café Iveta | 2125 Delaware Ave, Santa Cruz, (831) 423-5149, www.iveta.com Café Limelight | 1016 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 425-7873, cafelimelight.com Café Rio | 131 Esplanade, Aptos. 688-8917, caferioaptos.com Center Street Grill | 1001 Center St., Santa Cruz, 423-4745, thecenterstreetgrill.com Crepe Place | 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 429-6994, thecrepeplace.com Firefly Coffee House | 131 Front St Santa Cruz, CA 95060, 713-5799 Gayle’s Bakery and Rosticceria | 504 Bay Avenue, Capitola, 462-1200, gaylesbakery.com Harbor Café | 535 7th Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-4948, www.harborcafesantacruz.com Java Junction | 519 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-5282, javajunctioncoffee.com Kelly’s French Bakery | 402 Ingalls St., Santa Cruz, 423-9059, kellysfrenchbakery.com Margaritaville 231 Esplanade | #101, Capitola, 476-2263, margaritavillecapitola.com Marianne’s Ice Cream | 020 Ocean St. Santa Cruz, 458-1447 Michael’s on Main | 2591 Main St., Soquel, 479-9777,

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michaelsonmain.net Palapas Restaurant | 2591 Main St., Soquel, 662-9000, palapasrestaurant.com Polar Bear Ice Cream | 389 Coral Street, Santa Cruz Pono Hawaiian Grill | 120 Union Street, Santa Cruz, 426-7676 www.ponohawaiiangrill.com Red Apple Café | 783 Rio Del Mar Blvd. #15, Aptos, 685-1224 redappleaptos.com Rocky’s Café | 6560 Hwy 9, Felton, 335-4637 Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery | 402 Ingalls St #27 Santa Cruz, 425- 49004 santacruzmountainbrewing.com Seabright Brewery Pub and Restaurant | 519 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-2739, seabrightbrewery.com Thai Basil | 210 Monterey Ave. #3 Capitola, 479-8985 Whale City Bakery Bar & Grill | 490 Highway 1, Davenport, (831) 423-9009, whalecitybakery.com The Walnut Avenue Cafe | 106 Walnut Avenue, Santa Cruz, 457-2307

DOG-FRIENDLY SHOPPING Ace Hardware 849 Almar Ave. # D, Santa Cruz, 426-7650, acehardware.com Artisans Gallery 1368 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8183, artisanssantacruz.com Chefworks 1527 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, 426-1351, chefworks-santacruz.com Greenspace 719 Swift St., Santa Cruz, 423-7200, greenspacecompany.com Home Depot 2600 41st Avenue Soquel, 462-5650 Judi Wyant Antiques 1532 Pacific Ave. Santa Cruz, 426-3215 Logos Bookshop 1117 Pacific Ave Santa Cruz, 427-5100 www.logosbooksrecords.com Pure Pleasure 204 Church St., Santa Cruz, 466-9870 purepleasureshop.com Riverside Lighting & Electric 300 Soquel Ave Santa Cruz, 423-7411 riversidelightingandelectric.com. Saffron and Genevieve 910B Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 462-4506 saffronandgenevieve.com Woodworm Party Store 827 Bay Ave., Capitola, 462-0455 www.woodwormpartystore.com

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directory co a s ta lh ome a ndga r den. c om

BUSINESS & SERVICE Banking BAY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION ph 831.479.6000 w BayFed.com Bay Federal Credit Union is a full service, not for profit financial cooperative. We provide personal and business banking services but, unlike a bank, we’re owned by our accountholders and members like you! Our goal is to be better than a bank by delivering outstanding service, competitive savings yields, low loan rates, and many low and no-cost services. Our Board of Directors is made up of unpaid volunteers who spend countless hours ensuring the safety and stability of your money in the Credit Union.

Carpet CARPET KING 6000 Soquel Dr., Aptos ph 831.476.4849 e carpetking@sbcglobal.net Locally owned and operated for over 28 years in Santa Cruz County. Customer service is our #1 goal. Let us help make your home beautiful. Come visit our showroom for a wide selection of handmade area rugs, wall-to-wall carpet or to schedule your carpet cleaning.

Construction PORTER CONSTRUCTION 110 Glen Canyon Road, Santa Cruz, CA ph 831.426.1681 w www.jpcsc.com Porter Construction is an established contracting business with 36 years of experience specializing in Retaining Walls, Drainage Systems, Remodels,

Foundation Solutions, Waterproofing, Woodwork, Fencing, Decking, Driveways, Erosion Control & much more. Call for an estimate.

JOSHUA ZELMON STONE DESIGN INC. 180 Little Creek Rd. Soquel Ca, 95073 ph (831) 818-0111 w www.zelmonstone.com e zjosh1273@zelmonstone.com Since 1994 Joshua Zelmon Stone Design Inc. has been providing beautiful quality stone work at affordable pricing. Our company strives for the highest level of excellence, cleanliness, and precision working skills. We specialize in masonry hardscape, pavens, flagstone patios and walkways, natural stone veneers and much more!

Construction Supplies APTOS LANDSCAPE SUPPLY 5035 Freedom Blvd, Aptos ph 831.688.6211 w aptoslandscapesupply.com Family owned and managed, Aptos Landscape Supply has been in business since 1966. We continue to supply the material for homes of the most beautiful landscapes in Santa Cruz County. We also provide good, personal, friendly service. Our office and sales yard at 5035 Freedom Boulevard is a picturesque place to visit. Come on up and see the abundant amount of material we keep on hand. We look forward to seeing you.

BIG CREEK LUMBER 2 locations: Santa Cruz and Watsonville ph 831-722-7137 (w) ph 831-477-1231 (sc) w www.Big-Creek.com

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Big Creek Lumber Company has been in business since 1946 & remains one of the few family-owned lumber companies in the area. We currently operate a sawmill & wholesale sales department, Five Pro Dealer lumberyards, a forestry department, & a logging operation. Big Creek has a long history of practicing superior forest stewardship — growing, selectively harvesting & milling California redwood and Douglas fir.

CENTRAL HOME SUPPLY 808 River Street, Santa Cruz & 180 El Pueblo Rd, Scotts Valley ph 831.423.0763 (sc); 831.440.0763 (sv) fx 831.423.8613 w CentralHomeSupply.com e services@centralhomesupply.com Service comes first! Central Home Supply vviÀÃÊ ÛiÀÊÓ]xääÊ«À `ÕVÌÃÆÊÌ iÀiÊ>ÀiÊ ÛiÀÊ 100 types of natural stone alone! But most importantly, if we don’t have it, we can locate the unique, the hard-to-find, the unusual....and get it for you. Service comes first!

Custom Woodworking WALLIS WOOD WORKS 2608 Mission St. Santa Cruz, CA 95060 ph 831-460-9183 f 831-460-9184 e walliswoodworks@cruzio.com w www.walliswoodworks With more than twenty years experience designing and creating custom cabinetry and fine furnishings, John Wallis is proud to have earned a solid reputation for producing high-quality products, providing excellent service and attending to every detail. We custom produce built-in cabinetry, fireplace mantels,

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