Home and Garden Expo

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FebruarY 9-10, 2019 braZos countY expo complex

sAturdAY 9 AM – 5 PM sundAY 11 AM – 4 PM

Table of Contents

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Bringing you experts in the Home and Garden Industries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3 Exhibitors List Booth Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Seminars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Outdoor & Exhibit Hall Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Improve your home’s energy efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Checklist for finding, hiring a builder or remodeler. . . . 9 Hot Housing Trend: Outdoor kitchens. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Turn your yard into an edible landscape. . . . . . . . . . . . 11

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Home & Garden Expo

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Home & Garden Expo Bringing you experts in the Home and Garden Industries

By Randy Ripple Senior Vice President, Commerce National Bank Brian Windham Owner, Sunspace Texas 2019 Home & Garden Expo Co-Chairmen We are excited for all of you to join us for the 40th Annual Home & Garden Expo, February 9th and 10th.

Over the past year we have been hard at work to bring you experts in the Home and Garden Industries.

We would like to thank our Title Sponsor EcoZapp A/C Efficiency, for being the title Sponsor once again this year.

The Home and Garden Expo is your one stop shop to learn about building, renovation, banking, insurance, gardening, pools, outdoor tools, patios and so much more. With many experienced vendors, you’re sure to leave with new ideas and inspirations.

We have a great list of the indoor seminars lined up for you.

You can hear about things from vegetable gardening to the home building process and remodeling of your home. You can gain lots of

T H E BRYA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N EA G L E

Randy Ripple

Commerce National Bank

Brian Windham sunspace texas

insight from the experts, and then walk right out of the seminars and meet with the professionals that can make your dream projects a reality!

Located at the Brazos County Expo Center, we have something for the whole family. Make sure you don’t miss the indoor seminars by the Brazos County Master Gardeners, and if you come to the Expo with an appetite, you might even find a few food trucks hanging around the exterior of the Exhibit Hall!

The Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association invite the local and surrounding communities to come and be a part of the 40th Annual Home & Garden Expo on February 9th and 10th!

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exhibitors list

booth assignments Company

Booth #

AGGIELAND CARPET ONE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301 AGGIELAND OVERHEAD DOOR & FIREPLACES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 AIRE SERVE OF AGGIELAND. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 & 203 ATMOS ENERGY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307 AUDIO VIDEO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404 AW FLAG & FLAGPOLE COMPANY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906 BARKERS HEATING AND COOLING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 508 & 607 BATTERIES PLUS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 801 & 802 BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY/CALIBER REALTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 & 313 BINGHAM CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 BIRD’S NEST GIFTS AND ANTIQUES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 BOULDER DESIGNS/BORDER MAGIC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OUTSIDE LEFT OF ENTRY BRAZOS VALLEY GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 512 BRYAN BROADCASTING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 BRYAN TEXAS UTILITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 BUDGET BLINDS OF COLLEGE STATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 807 & 808 BUILT GREEN CUSTOM HOMES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 BRAZOS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WEST WING CAMPBELL HOMES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 CENTURY 21 BEAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 CERTAPRO PAINTERS OF CS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311 COLLEGE STATION UTILITIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 510 & 609 COMMERCE NATIONAL BANK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413 CUTCO CUTLERY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305 ECOZAPP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Title Sponsor ESKIMO INSULATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 503 GUARANTY BANK & TRUST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 702 HEARNE ACE HARDWARE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704 & 706 HOB KNOB INTERIOR HARDWARE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 614 HOWDY HOME FURNITURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EAST WING INVISIBLE FENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 705 J5 TRACTORS, INC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OUTSIDE LEFT OF ENTRY JAMES HARDIE BUILDING PRODUCTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314 JM BUILDINGS, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 JOHNSON SUPPLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306 & 308 KESSLER INSURANCE AGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 411 KITCHEN CRAFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 606, 604, 602 LEAFFILTER NORTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312 LP BUILDING PRODUCTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208 4 | f e b r u a ry 8 , 2 0 1 9

Company

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MADE IN THE SHADE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 412 MAGNOLIA OUTDOOR LIVING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 803 & 804 MIRACLE METHOD OF BRYAN COLLEGE STATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 504,506 MY MASSAGE PILLOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 OAKWOOD CUSTOM HOMES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 PELLA WINDOWS & DOORS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 & 207 POWER HOME REMODELING GROUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 603 & 605 PREMIER POOLS AND SPAS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 505 PROFOAM INSULATORS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 QCB CUSTOM HOMES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 611 ReBath of Central Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901 & 902 RENEWAL BY ANDERSEN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 & 206 RICHMON HOMES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 712 RM Mullinix HVAC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310 & 409 RNL Homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 406 ROCK-CRETE FOAM INSULATORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514 SHARP PROPANE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309 SIEGERT ONE HOUR HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 701 & 703 SIT MEANS SIT DOG TRAINING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 805 & 806 SOLAR X OF TEXAS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 & 209 SOUTHWEST HOMES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 905 STAMPEDE COATING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 408 & 507 STATE FARM, COURTNEY BORING, AGENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 SUDDENLINK BY ALTICE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212 SULLY’S POWER WASHING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 SUNSHINE FUN POOLS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 903 & 904 SUNSPACE TEXAS COMPANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 414 & 513 SUPERIOR SLEEP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 502 & 601 SUPERIOR WINDOW COMPANY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 708 TAILORED LIVING OF BRENHAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 809 & 810 TEXAS PROPANE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 The Mader Way/ NORWEX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 710 TITAN SECURITY SOLUTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405 & 407 UNITED AG & TURF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 711, 709, 707 UNIVERSITY ELECTRIC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402 & 501 VANGUARD ENHANCED CONCRETE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 613 WC TRACTOR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 907 & 908 WEATHERFORD DOORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 WRI TRACTORS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410, 509, 511

Home & Garden Expo

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2019 Home & Garden ExpO

Educational Seminars saturday, feb. 9

garden SERIES

HOME SERIES

10 AM – Garden Design: Planning with Pollinators in Mind Charla Anthony

11:30 AM – Outdoor Life (Pools, Patios & Sunrooms) Sunshine Fun Pools/Vanguard Enhanced Concrete/Sunspace Texas

11 AM– Spring and Summer Vegetables in the Brazos Valley: Eat What You’ve Planted Kate Kelly 1 PM – Texas Superstars, Gems in your Garden Sandra Lovering

12:30 PM – The Home Building Process Southwest Homes/Campell Homes/ Richmon Homes

2 PM – Shady Characters: Low Light Plants for the Garden Janet Madsen

1:30 PM – Buying and Selling Your Home Panel of Local REALTORS®

3 PM – The Secret of Free Plants: Grow Your Own Using Simple Propagation Techniques Debbie Diamond, Sue Schuelke, Jim Kracht

2:30 PM – Remodeling: Steps for Success Campbell Homes/Richmon Homes

sunday, feb. 10

garden SERIES HOME SERIES Noon – Best Management Practices for Home Lawns and Similar Environments: Take Care of Your Little Piece of Texas Dr. Becky Grubbs

12:30 PM – Home Energy Efficiencies Barkers Heating & Cooling/Rock-Crete Insulation/BTU/ CS Utilities

1 PM – To Soil Test or Not,

1:30 PM – Remodeling:

That is the Question Sam Feagley

2 PM – Plants for Brazos County Nilah Wright

Steps for Success Campbell Homes/ Richmon Homes

2:30 PM – Mindful Furbabies: Dog Training Tips Sit Means Sit Dog Training

Richmon Homes

Best Home Builder

From designing and building your new custom dream home, to designing and renovating your existing home to look like new.

Come out and see us at the Home Building Seminar on Saturday Celebrating our 19th year as a show participant!

RichaRd Palasota

Richard and Monica Palasota give each customer individual service with unmatched quality and professionalism. That’s the way our families have been doing business in the local area for over 100 years.

Monica Palasota

www.richmonhomes.com / 979-731-1134 T H E BRYA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N EA G L E

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40tH annual Home & Garden expo Feb. 9 - 10, 2019 braZos countY expo

outside exHibitors and Food trucKs

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Wing

County Master Gardener

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MAIN EXHIBIT HALL LAYOUT

Annual Home & Garden 40tH annual Home &Expo Garden expo Brazos County Expo Feb. 9 - 10, 2019 braZos countY expo PLEASE NOTE: Booth layout is not to scale. The Associaon reserves the right to alter the locaon of exhibitors, or of booths as shown the official if deemed the best interest of the exposion.

PLEASE NOTE: Boothonlayout is floor not plan, to scale.

TheinAssociation reserves the right to alter the location of

exhibitors, or of booths as shown on the official floor plan, if deemed in the best interest of the exposition.

T H e b rya N - C O L L e G e S TaT I O N e a G L e

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Improve your home’s energy efficiency with technology

By National Association of Home Builders

home buyers highly ranked features that improve a home’s efficiency, including multi-zone heating, ventilation and airToday’s home buyers are looking for conditioning (HVAC), lighting controls ways to incorporate home technologies and a programmable thermostat.

By incorporating the following that increase the long-term value of their house but also provide convenience, technologies, home owners can save safety and comfort. In fact, a survey money on their utility bills: conducted by the National Association QQ Automated HVAC systems can of Home Builders shows that most maintain a more energy-efficient home buyers desire an energy-efficient temperature while the home owners home and are willing to pay more for it. are away at work, but switch to a more NAHB’s consumer preferences comfortable temperature prior to their survey of more than 3,600 recent and arrival home. Zones can also be created prospective home buyers examined to heat or cool only the areas most the features, products, amenities and used by the occupants, keeping other areas, such as guest bedrooms, shut layouts preferred in a new home.

In the home technology category, down until they are needed. According

to ENERGY STAR, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, programmable thermostats can save consumers about $180 per year in energy costs.

QQ Tankless water heaters – which save energy by heating water only when needed – are comparable in cost to traditional gas water heaters but are 30% more efficient, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

QQ An automatic dimmer, which adjusts to the home owner’s needs based on time of day or occupancy, will lower electricity bills and increase the life expectancy of light bulbs. Lighting can make up 10-20% of the total electrical

usage of the home.

QQ Blinds and drapes can be programmed to close during the hottest part of the day to block out the sun; keeping the house cooler. In the colder winter months, they can open up to allow the sun in to warm the house, which helps regulate the room temperature.

By incorporating technologies that help make your home operate more efficiently, ENERGY STAR estimates that home owners can save $200 to $400 annually on their energy bills. To learn more steps that you can take to improve your home’s efficiency, visit ENERGY STAR’s website at www.energystar.gov.

Home Equity Loans Low rates, Flexible Terms

From home remodels to education expenses, tapping into your home’s equity is a great way to cover the costs.

Let our team of professionals find terms that suit your budget. As a not-for-profit, financial cooperative, we are here to serve you.

Check rates and apply online. gtfcu.org | 800.749.9732

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Checklist for finding and hiring a builder or remodeler

By National Association of Home Builders Use this checklist to help you select a home builder or home remodeler to work on or build your home.

QQ Contact your local home builders’ association for the names of member builders and remodelers: gbvbuilders. org. You can also ask family, friends or coworkers for recommendations.

QQ Make sure the builder or home remodeler has a permanent business location and a good reputation with local banks and suppliers.

QQ Find out how long they have been in the building business. It usually takes three to five years to establish a

financially sound business. You want to make sure they will be around after the construction is complete to service any warranties.

QQ Check out the company’s rating and if there have been any complaints filed with your local Better Business Bureau: bbb.org.

QQ Make sure the builder/remodeler has sufficient workers compensation and general liability insurance. If not, you may be liable for any constructionrelated accidents on your premises.

QQ Ask the builder/remodeler to provide you with names of previous customers. If they won’t, beware. If they do, ask the customers if they would hire the builder/remodeler

again.

QQ Ask if you can see the builder/ remodelers work, both completed and in progress. Check for quality of workmanship and materials.

QQ Do you feel you can easily communicate with the builder/ remodeler? Remember you will be in close contact with them throughout the construction process and afterward as you live in your new or remodeled home.

QQ Make sure the builder/remodeler provides you with a complete and clearly written contract. The contract will benefit both of you. If you are having a new home built, get and review a copy of the home warranty

and homeowner manual as well.

QQ Be cautious of unusually lowpriced bids. If the builder/remodeler is unable to pay for the materials and labor as the project proceeds, this may indicate a potential problem. Keep in mind that less expensive does not necessarily mean better!

QQ Verify that your remodeler is an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Renovator if you are planning work in a pre-1978 home that will disturb more than six square feet of painted surfaces inside the home or 20 square feet on the exterior of the home. To learn more about the EPA’s lead paint rule, visit www.epa.gov/lead/protect-yourfamily-exposures-lead.

Residential & Commercial Services • Title Insurance Real Estate Closings • Escrow

www.ltc-bc.com 1450 Copperfield Parkway • CS

979.776.3600 T H E BRYA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N EA G L E

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Hot Housing Trend: Outdoor kitchens

By National Association of Home Builders Many home owners enjoy the summer months – and sometimes spring, fall and winter, too – with the sizzle of their outdoor grills. But running back and forth between the kitchen and the barbeque can be a hassle.

Outdoor kitchens make life easier for those who enjoy grilling their meals and entertaining outdoors, making your deck or patio an extension of your family’s living space. It also can enhance your home’s resale value.

With proper planning, you also can enjoy your meals in the great outdoors.

Here are some factors to consider when determining if an outdoor kitchen is right for your family.

What works best in your space?

Typically, there should be three feet of space on either side of the grill for work Outdoor kitchens can be as elaborate space and food preparation.

— or as simple — as you’d like. But to make the most of your new space, you How often will you use need to carefully consider the design. your outdoor kitchen?

Think about how the space will be This will determine numerous used. Do you want guests to eat outside factors, including the equipment you or just mingle while you cook? What purchase. If you will not use your features (pool, trees, etc.) are already in outdoor kitchen year-round, a grill with your back yard and need to be worked wheels can be moved into the garage and around? Is there enough ventilation area protected from the elements once the so smoke from the grill can blow away? seasons change. These types of grills are Have a professional check the patio the most common and come in a wide or deck where you plan on building variety of sizes and prices with a range your outdoor kitchen. While most can of features. support the additional weight, you may If you want to use your outdoor need to add structural support. kitchen year-round, consider a built-in Make sure there is plenty of space for grill. Look for one with side burners in people to gather without getting in the the base unit that allow for cooking at way or being too close to open flames. different temperatures simultaneously.

Metro Creative Connection

Outdoor kitchens make life easier for those who enjoy grilling their meals and entertaining outdoors.

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Home & Garden Expo

This base can provide extra countertop and storage space.

Make sure the grill is in an area that can withstand high temperatures and is impervious to stray embers or sparks, such as a stone patio. You won’t be able to take it with you if you move, so think carefully before investing a lot of money in a permanent grill.

Take into account your lighting needs. If you eat or entertain into the dark evening, you’ll want direct light for the work area so you can monitor the progress of the meat. Softer lighting works well for socializing areas.

What other equipment do you need?

Standard grill accessories include griddles for grilling fish and vegetables, a meat thermometer and tongs. An exhaust hood for a built-in grill will keep smoke out of your guests’ eyes.

Refrigerators with ice makers are ideal for storing beverages and food that needs to be kept cold. An outdoor sink makes prepping and cleaning veggies an easy task. Unless you plan on washing dishes outside, a cold water connection is all you need.

For small appliances and stereos, you’ll need outdoor GFCI outlets.

Consult with a professional electrician for local code requirements. Consider purchasing patio heaters or an outdoor fireplace if you plan on grilling in the chilly months.

For those days with inclement weather, you’ll want to get a cover for your grill. Select weatherproof materials for countertops, cabinets, and other elements of your kitchen.

Stainless steel, slate, tile, stucco and stone all work well. A covered patio, large tent or outdoor umbrella can cover your guests and equipment and provide shelter from the sun or rain.

T H E BRYA N - C O L L E G E S TAT I O N EA G L E

Turn your yard into an edible landscape

By National Association of Home Builders Eating healthy, shopping at farmers’ markets and planting gardens are more popular than ever. Many families want to grow their own food, but are challenged by a lack of space for a full-sized garden in their yard.

Think about edible landscaping: You can have an attractive-looking yard or patio that also provides fruits and vegetables your family can eat.

Oregon State University Extension Services defines edible landscaping as “the use of food-producing plants in the residential landscape.” It can combine fruit and nut trees, berry bushes, vegetables, herbs, edible flowers and ornamental plants into aesthetically pleasing designs. These designs can incorporate any garden style and can include just a few, or be completely comprised of edible plants.

Some reasons to include edible plants in your home’s landscaping include: QQ Pick and eat fresh, fully-ripe fruits and vegetables QQ Control the amount of pesticides and herbicides used on your food QQ Save money by buying fewer fruits and vegetables at the grocery store QQ Grow unique foods that may not be available in the store QQ Save the hassle of mowing and maintaining your lawn Many edible species are not only functional from a food-on-your-table perspective, but they are also attractive.

For example, some flowers, such as begonias, day lilies, carnations, pansies, peonies and roses can be eaten. They also make a colorful addition to salads or as a garnish on plates. Red and yellow tomato and pepper plants add a splash of color to ornamental beds.

Additionally, raspberry or blackberry

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bushes make a great border around your yard, and fruit trees provide shade. Just make sure you consider where you are placing them, as cleaning rotten fruit or berries that have dropped onto your patio can be a frustrating and messy chore.

More ideas for edible landscapes include: QQ Put pots of herbs on the patio QQ Include cherry tomatoes in a window box or hanging basket QQ Build a grape arbor QQ Grow nasturtium, violas, borage, or calendula and include flowers in salads QQ Grow Red-jewel cabbage QQ Plant colorful pepper varieties alongside flowers QQ Tuck lettuce, radishes, or other shortlived greens into a flower bed QQ Replace a barberry hedge with gooseberries QQ Put basil together with coleus in a planter

QQ Try yellow or “rainbow” chard QQ Grow chives around the mailbox QQ Train raspberries up your fence Before you begin turning your yard into a garden, make sure to do your research and know how much sunlight and water each plant requires, what type of soil will best support that species, and how much maintenance you will have to do to get the fruits and vegetables you desire.

The Brazos Valley Master Gardeners are a great resource. You can get more information by visiting Brazosmg.com or Texas A&M Horticulture Department at aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu.

When you are done, don’t be afraid to show your edible landscape off to your friends and family. Post pictures of it on Facebook and Instagram, and send pictures into Pinterest. Who knows how many other people will pin them on their gardening boards?

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