Tips for Buying and Maintaining Your Catskills Home

Suburban Ecology: Four Tips for an Eco-Friendly Yard

Carolle Huber, Aster Plans

My yard is a refuge, both for me and my local insect and bird populations. Those of us with suburban yards can help our local environment. We are no longer gardening just for ourselves. We need to share our gardens with the local birds and insects because around the globe, we are losing species at an alarming rate, mainly because of climate change and habitat loss. A wellthought-out landscape can provide the habitat and food these important creatures need and help to keep us and our planet healthy.

Here are some easy ways to make your yard more sustainable and restore some of the balance to the ecosystem.

1. Ban Chemicals from Your Property

Insects may be annoying, but they are vital to a healthy ecosystem. The pesticide you spray to attack one pest does not discriminate. When absolutely necessary, use a homemade organic product that will not harm the environment. Google a recipe for soapy sprays for insects, vinegar sprays for weeds.

2. Love Your Lawn, But Have Less of It

Take good care of your lawn by switching to organic fertilizers. Or, better yet, just add a thin layer of compost over it in the fall and a mulch mower in the growing season. Mow high and frequently, never cutting off more than ⅓ of the grass blade. Reduce the size of your lawn if you can. Lawns use a lot of resources, water and fertilizer. Transition some lawn to a wildlife garden, with perennials, shrubs and trees. And don’t worry so much about the weeds!

3. Create a Habitat for Wildlife

By adding more plants to your yard, you can attract more birds and butterflies. Planting densely with native plants like those you see in wild areas provides them with food, shelter, and nesting sites. Remove any invasive species from your garden—Japanese barberry, multiflora rose and Japanese knotweed are the three worse offenders and they don’t support local wildlife the way native plants do.

What we each do in our own yards might seem insignificant, but if we all do just a few things to help the environment, together we can make a difference.

Decorating Your Home

Tonya Martin, Maverick Road

Don’t choose your color scheme before you purchase decor. Instead, stock up on essentials—like rugs, upholstered furniture, and more— and let them inform your palette.

Statement-making pieces can take a home from simple to striking, but snag too many, and you may overwhelm your space. One rule of thumb to follow? Put a single showstopper in every room.

Made in the Shade

Victoria Coyne, Victoria Gardens

Many gardeners find shade gardens a particular challenge, and many people believe that hostas (often munched by the deer) are their only option. I have been landscaping in the Hudson Valley for over 35 years, and I have found there are literally hundreds of plants that thrive in the shade.

Here are a few of my favorites: An ornamental perennial like Heuchera is a shade staple. Also known as Coral Bells, Heuchera is a low growing perennial that comes in an endless assortment of leaf colors from deep purple with black veining, red, pink, green, and gold—plus some combinations that look silvery or peachy. The foliage alone is spectacular, but these plants also bloom with delicate upright stalks of flowers from April to September.

If you have a spot on your property with shade and deer, don’t worry! There are even more options for deer resistant shade plants. I have been a big fan of Hellebores for many years, because they are hardy, deer resistant shade plants, and they are one of the first perennials to bloom late winter/early spring. Many varieties push their delicate blooms up through the snow, and the evergreen foliage is a welcome winter sight.

Epimediums have delicate fairy flowers in the early spring in a wide assortment of colors. For a rare, long-blooming, shade perennial, you can also use Rozanne Geranium—a low growing plant with purple blooms from spring to fall. A fall-blooming groundcover with striking blue flowers, Hardy Plumbago is also deer resistant and thrives even in tough, clay soil.

But flowers are not the only things that can add interest through the fall. Japanese painted ferns and Japanese forest grass offer foliage with color and texture for the shade all season long.

Navigating the Real Estate Market

Debra Danner, Catskill Regional Manager, Coldwell Banker—Timberland Properties

In today’s real estate market, purchasers need to be informed and prepared to make the best decisions. Here are some tips to help navigate the market: Get pre-approved for a mortgage: Before you start house hunting, it’s important to know how much you can afford. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage will give you a clear understanding of your budget.

Research Neighborhoods: Research areas you are interested in. Look at things like schools,local amenities and crime rates. This will help you choose a place that fits your needs.

Work with a knowledgable agent: A knowledgable real estate agent can help you navigate the market and find you the right property. They can recommend reputable services you will need along the way, and will also negotiate your best deal.

Get a home inspection: This way you have a better understanding of the condition of the property. Don’t rush into a decision: Take time to consider each property your interested in. Don’t rush in because you feel pressured or anxious.

Stay within your budget: Do not let emotions or competitive bidding drive up the price beyond what you can afford.

By following these tips and advice, you can feel confident in your decisions and approach the market with a clear understanding of what to expect.

Tips for Looking for a New Home

Thomasine Helsmoortel, Helsmoortel Real Estate

Looking for a home can be fun, as long as you keep an open mind and follow just a few of my tips.

They say the three most important things to think about when buying a home are location, location, location. You can change almost everything else, but you can’t change your home’s location. Be ready to make an offer because if you love this house, many others do also. Have your pre-approval from a mortgage broker in hand. Your offer is always contingent on inspection (unless you waive that right), so you will not lose any money until you are satisfied with the inspection. Know your must-haves. If this is your first home, consider what you can live with and what you can’t. Perhaps the kitchen isn’t ideal, but you know a few appliance upgrades will do the trick. You wanted two full bathrooms, but can you live with one and a half? Know when to walk away. With the market we are in, we can get crazy bidding back and forth, know your bottom line and stick close to it. You want to enjoy your home, you don’t want to be stressed every time your mortgage payment is due. There will always be another home. Know the best investment you can ever make is in real estate. Not only will you have a place to live, but you can also rent it, refinance it for extra cash in hand, and sell it when you have the equity you desire. When buying, think about resale. The location and the improvements to the home you purchase, will allow for a quicker sale when you move on to your next dream home.

Three Top Garden Design Tips

Trista Shultes, Gardens by Trista

I find when planning and designing a garden in the Catskill Mountains, there many variables to consider.

Here are my top three design tips:

1. Locale hardiness and light patterns: Taking note of your exposure and elevation are very important when choosing plant material. There are many micro-climates with quite severe differences within a couple miles of each other. Exposure, winds and soils also should be considered. I take note of native trees and plant material around the property; it is a good clue to as what will do well. Tracking the sun’s path through the different seasons is also helpful when choosing a plant pallet.

2. Implementing a natural landscape: Blending your landscape with the style of your structures is just as important as harmonizing with the natural landscape in the Catskills. With a more formal architecture, you can start with a more traditional design around foundation areas and become more relaxed with the design as the plantings move towards natural borders such as forests, streams and rocky mountain sides. It’s always worthwhile to embrace and encourage the native surroundings. I like to do this by utilizing native plants and inviting pollinators, when possible. Your landscape is an expression of your personal taste and should unfold as such.

3. Give it some time: In a new planting setting, I suggest living in your space for a season to see how the space is used and viewed, both inside and out. Follow light courses during the day and in different seasons to see the shade and sun patterns. Shade in the summer is nice, but sun in winter and early spring are also welcomed and can be achieved with deciduous trees vs. evergreen. Think about areas that need screening and the time of year that is most important. Will you be out on the patio in the winter facing the neighbor or road, or just in spring, summer and fall while the leaves are out? What outdoor activities will you be participating in? What colors do you find pleasing or displeasing? I find by asking my clients these questions, it helps to achieve the dream landscape they are striving for!

Attracting Pollinators to Your Garden

Patricia Charbonneau, Brainard Ridge Realty

Many gardeners are enthusiastically doing their part to support declining pollinator populations by planting nectar-rich wildflowers and host plants, in efforts to provide food and habitat. You can help feed your favorite butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and more by choosing to plant varieties attractive to pollinators. Annual and perennial wildflowers like New England Aster, Black Eyed Susan, Milkweed, Coreopsis and Cosmos provide pollen, nectar and shelter for hundreds of important species.

And to quote Alfred Austin: “The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.”

Top 10 Reasons to Consider Hiring a Lawn Care Professional

Farrand’s Landscapes

Hiring a lawn care professional can have many benefits for homeowners who want to maintain a healthy and beautiful lawn.

1. Save time: Lawn care can be a time-consuming task, especially if you have a large yard or complex landscaping needs. Hiring a professional can free up your time for other important tasks.

2. Expertise: Lawn care professionals have the knowledge and experience to diagnose and treat a variety of lawn problems, from pests and diseases to soil and nutrient imbalances.

3. Equipment: Lawn care professionals have access to specialized equipment and tools that can help them work more efficiently and effectively.

4. Consistency: Professional lawn care services can provide regular and consistent care for your lawn, ensuring that it stays healthy and beautiful all year round.

5. Customization: A lawn care professional can tailor their services to meet your specific needs and preferences, whether you need regular mowing, fertilization, or pest control.

6. Safety: Lawn care can be a physically demanding task, and it can also involve working with potentially hazardous chemicals and equipment. Hiring a professional can help ensure your safety and reduce the risk of injury.

7. Cost-effective: While hiring a lawn care professional may seem like an added expense, it can actually be cost-effective in the long run. A professional can help prevent costly lawn damage and ensure that your lawn stays healthy and beautiful for years to come.

8. Increased home value: A well-maintained lawn can add curb appeal and value to your home, making it more attractive to potential buyers.

9. Environmental benefits: Lawn care professionals can use eco-friendly practices and products to help reduce your environmental impact and create a healthier outdoor space.

10. Peace of mind: Hiring a lawn care professional can give you peace of mind knowing That your lawn is in good hands and will be well-maintained throughout the year.

Overall, hiring a lawn care professional can be a smart investment for homeowners who want to maintain a healthy and beautiful lawn without the time and hassle of DIY lawn care.

Why Garden?

Pat Kerns, Kerns Nursery

When asked to contribute an article for the Guide on gardening, I wondered what to do this time. Hmm. I could “wax Poetic” on colorful joyful annuals welcoming spring? Perhaps shrubs and perennials to bring form and shape to gardens and your home environment? Vegetables, now that’s a good one, right? Everyone wants to eat healthy home-grown food proudly ripening in your own soil cared for with your own hands. Better than “farm-to -table”, it’s “home-to-table”! A short walk, and the freshest food possible, grown by – YOU! Problem is it takes lots of work, lots of good soil. No there’s enough said about that already. So, I tied it up in a nutshell. Just gardening, in itself. Why? Well, this is what happened to me.

I started my enthusiasm when my grandmother had some plants and flowers behind our brick house in Queens. I used to love going out with her. I wanted her to grow corn. Then the back yard got cemented so we could have a pool. Well, no complaints from me.

In college, I would go visit the greenhouses and then bring backsmall plants for my window sill. I became very, involved with cactus. I eventually inherited a beautiful collection of lithopsfrom an expert grower! For my wedding my brother gave me a small greenhouse. I worked in the Windham Greenhouse for Phillip Van Valen, for a few years and Storys’s Nursery in Freehold. No one even sold more than a few perennials back then. Bob was landscaping. With twin babies at home, I startedgrowing perennials and selling them. The first summer I brought in $2000, mostly because of a couple kind neighbors. Then it exploded. Why? Because of loving what I did. Andsince then, I have had so, so, many local young people helping me grow the plants we offer at Kerns. I could teach and pass on this – whatever it is – passion? Now 40 years later. It just feels good to spread annuals, perennials, and more beautiful alive things though out our mountain top and way beyond. I love color and yes as a kid and an artist I had to have the biggest box of crayons! So that is what I cannot help doing with plants – I had to start a nursery to experience as much as I could; color, shape, form, intriguing attributes of each and every living green thing under my fingers.

Top Tips for Home Buyers

Heather Rieker, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Grist Mill Real Estate

First, find a great buyer’s agent to represent you. Your agent will work in your best interest and help you navigate the sometimes complicated buying process.

Before you start looking, have a clear financial plan in place (whether financing or paying cash). If financing, get a prequalification so you know how much house you can afford. Talk to several lenders to see what loan products they offer, and try to use a local lender who knows the local market. Factor in expenses like closing costs, moving expenses, and repairs. Avoid viewing properties that you can’t afford, as that will just add frustration to the process!

Keep an open mind, but be clear on non-negotiables and realistic on which home projects you can take on. Things like flooring, wall colors, etc. can be changed; location cannot. Finishing a basement to create more space might be doable … depending on your budget! Be VERY careful about forgoing a home inspection. Even if the property is being sold “as-is”, you can consult with an inspector to ensure you know what you are taking on.

Don’t be afraid of houses with multiple offers or bidding wars, especially in this market of limited inventory. It can be stressful bidding against other buyers on a house you love, but stick to your budget and make the best offer you can. When deciding how high you want to bid, think about the price at which you would be disappointed if another buyer got the property, versus the price at which you would be relieved you aren’t spending that much.

When negotiating with a seller, try to put your emotions aside and focus on your goals. Your agent can be your buffer to keep things on track.

Powell’s Tree Care

Ian Powell of Powell’s Tree Care began doing tree work over 20 years ago. Prior to opening his own company, Ian worked for the forest service for eight years. He and his wife Shannon later decided to open their own tree business, and 10 years later Powell’s Tree Care is one of the best tree care companies in the Region.

With over two decades of experience, Ian is involved with every job from start to finish. All jobs are cleaned once complete, including any debris. Powell’s Tree Care has modern equipment and the skills to keep your property pristine. We won’t leave ruts in your lawn or oil stains on your driveway.

Ian and the crew are experienced in everything from delicate pruning of fruit trees and ornamental landscapes to large technical removals. Our tree care service knows how a tree should be pruned and trimmed to preserve and promote health. Ian takes pride in tree care, not just removal. Visit powellstreecare.com for more information.

Rachael’s Top Gardening Tips

Story’s Nursery

Don’t rush the season! Putting tender plants out before their time will only stunt their growth. Early planting is okay for cold hardy plants like perennials, shrubs, and cool season vegetables and bedding plants; but you are better off waiting until the soil warms a bit to plant tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and tender flowering plants.

Fertilize when planting. Espoma Bio-Tone is an excellent organic fertilizer for new plantings. It contains microbes and mycorrhizae which helps reduce transplant loss and ensures superior plant growth. For established beds use the appropriate Espoma fertilizer for maintenance feeding such as Rose-Tone, Garden-Tone, TreeTone etc. Organic fertilizers are recommended over chemical fertilizers. They gradually break down for consistent feeding and will not burn your plants. An early spring application is recommended and another in early summer.

Mulch mulch mulch! Mulching around your plants will retain moisture in the soil and help reduce the growth of weeds. Put down a good 3-4” for best results. Straw, composted bark and grass clippings are good choices. Refrain from using wood chip products as they rob the soil of nitrogen as they break down. Also take care to not pile up the mulch around the base of trees and plants which may cause crown rot and disease.

Allow ample room for each plant. We all get a little impatient waiting for plants to fill in. We plant them to close together then wind up having to move them later because they are too crowded. Planting too close to a walkway, deck or patio will result in plants encroaching into unwanted areas. Read your plant tag for the appropriate spacing for each cultivar to avoid this. If you are planting a bed with shrubs or perennials, you can always plant some annuals in between for a season or two until your plants start to fill in.

Gardening is supposed to be a stress reliever. Enjoy the process, take notes and learn from your mistakes. Happy gardening!