C L A N T O N A D V E R TI S E R. C O M
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C L A N T O N A D V E R TI S E R. C O M
I n s e ct s a n d t h e g a r d e n Ti ps o n d e ali n g wit h u n w a nt e d g u ests t his s pri n g
B y J O Y A N N A L O VE S e ni or St aff
Writ er
As t h e w e at h er t ur ns w ar m er, t h o u g hts t ur n t o o ut d o or a cti viti es a n d f or m a n y i n C hilt o n C o u nt y t his i n cl u d es g ar d e ni n g. A g ar d e n er c a n fi n d t h eir h ar d w or k t h w art e d b y a c o u pl e h u n gr y critt ers. G ar d e n p ests c o m m o n t o C hilt o n C o u nt y i n t h e s pri n g i n cl u d e Fl e a B e etl es, A p hi ds, To m at o H or n w or ms, W hit efli es a n d S pi d er Mit es, a c c or di n g t o N els o n D. W y n n, r e gi o n al e xt e nsi o n a g e nt f or t h e Al a b a m a C o o p er ati v e E xt e n si o n S yst e m. W y n n pr o vi d es t h e f ol l o wi n g ti ps f or d e ali n g wit h t h es e i n e cts: — “ Fl e a B e etl e – T h es e i ns e ct n u m b ers ar e hi g h i n t h e s pri n g. T h er e f or e, pl a nt s us c e pti bl e cr o ps li k e e g g pl a nts a n d r a dis h es l at er i n t h e s e as o n. C o ntr ol is n ot n e c ess ar y u nl ess p o pul ati o n is v er y hi g h. We e ds b or d eri n g t h e g ar d e n c a n b e a n alt er n at e h ost. T h er e f or e, w e e d c o ntr ol c a n d ecr e as e t h e p o p ul ati o n. — A p hi ds – A s m all
p o p ul ati o n of a p hi ds c a n b e k n o c k e d off t h e pl a nt wit h a str o n g s pr a y of w at er fr o m t h e g ar d e n h os e. L o o k f or a p hi d i n t h e s pri n g w h e n pl a nts ar e s m all. I ns e cti ci d al s o a ps a n d oils h el ps w h e n s pr a y e d m ulti pl e ti m es. — To m at o H or n w or m – T h es e w or ms ar e l ar g e e n o u g h t o b e pi c k e d b y h a n d. T h e pl a nt s h o ul d b e c h e c k e d i n t h e e v e ni n g wit h a fl as hli g ht. S pr a y b a cill us t h uri n gi e nsis w h e n t h e w or ms ar e s m all. D o n ot d estr o y h or n w or ms t h at h a v e w hit e c o c o o ns att a c h e d t o t h eir b o di es. T h es e ar e p ar asit e c o c o o ns fr o m b e n efi ci al w as ps. — W hit efli es – W h e n p ur c h asi n g pl a nt c h e c k f or w hit efli es a n d ot h er i ns e cts t o a v oi d t a ki n g t h e m h o m e. S pr a y pl a nts wit h i ns e cti ci d al s o a p. — S pi d er Mit es – S pr a y t h e pl a nt wit h i ns e cti ci d al s o a p. Mit es d o n ot li k e m oist c o n diti o ns. T h er e f or e, s pr a y t h e pl a nts wit h w at er or i ns e cti ci d al s o a p a n d c o v er i nf est e d pl a nts wit h a n ol d bl a n k et f or t hr e e d a ys f oll o w e d b y a
s e c o n d i ns e cti ci d al s o a p tr e at m e nt. ” T h es e p ests c a n b e at tr a ct e d t o v e g et a bl e pl a nts li k e tr e es, fl o w ers, s hr u bs, a n d or n a m e nt als. Wy n n s ai d diff er e nt m e a ns of k e e pi n g t h es e p ests fr o m h ar mi n g t h e pl a nt m a y b e n e e d e d d e p e n di n g o n t h e pl a nt t y p e. H o w e v er, h e s ai d t h e m et h o ds h e r e co m m e n ds ar e s af e o n m ost pl a nts b e c a us e t h e y d o n ot us e c h e mi c als. “ R e m e m b er if y o u ar e usi n g or g a ni c or c h e mi c al c o ntr ol al w a ys r e a d t h e l a b el b ef or e p ur c h asi n g a n d/ or b ef or e a p pl yi n g, ” W y n n s ai d. H e s ai d s y nt h eti c i ns e c ti ci d es s h o ul d b e a l ast r es ort. Oft e n a c o m bi n ati o n of m et h o ds is n e e d e d f or s u c c ess W hil e s o m e i ns e cts c a n b e h ar mf ul t o a g ar d e n, t h er e ar e als o i ns e cts t h at ar e b e n efi ci al t o a g ar d e n. “ T h er e ar e a ct u all y i n s e cts t h at ar e b e n efi ci al b e c a us e t h e y f e e d o n h ar m f ul i ns e cts, ” W y n n s ai d. “ T h er ef or e, a g ar d e n er s h o ul d b e a bl e t o i d e ntif y b e n efi ci al a n d h ar mf ul i n -
s e cts. A g o o d b o o k wit h pi ct ur es c a n h el p y o u wit h i d e ntif yi n g i ns e cts. T h e f oll o wi n g is a list of a f e w b e n efi ci al i ns e cts t o g et f a mili ar wit h: l a d y b u gs, b e es, l a c e wi n gs, dr a g o n fli es, w as ps a n d pr e d a c e o us b e etl es. K e e p i n mi n d t h at ... a p pl yi n g s y nt h eti c i ns e cti ci d es c a n d estr o y t h e n at ur al b al a n c e b y killi n g b e n efi ci al i ns e cts. ” T h e Al a b a m a C o o p er a ti v e E xt e nsi o n S yst e m als o off ers a M ast er G ar d e n er h el pli n e t h at r esi d e nts c a n c all wit h g ar d e ni n g q u es ti o ns. T h e h el pli n e n u m b er is 1- 8 7 7- 2 5 2- 4 7 6 9. A d diti o n al ti ps ar e a v ail a bl e o n t h e Al a b a m a M ast er G ard e n er h el pli n e F a c e b o o k p a g e. T h e C hilt o n C o u nt y E x t e nsi o n Offi c e off ers M ast er G ar d e n er cl ass es o n a n n u al b asis. T his c o urs e c o v ers a n e xt e nsi v e n u m b er of t o p i cs. C hilt o n C o u nt y M ast er G ar d e n ers m e et f or i nf or m ati o n al a n d v ol u nt e er o p p ort u niti es t hr o u g h o ut t h e y e ar. F or m or e i nf or m ati o n, c o nt a ct t h e C hilt o n C o u nt y E xt e nsi o n Offi c e at 2 0 52 8 0- 6 2 6 8.
T o p 5 h o m e b uil di n g tr e n ds Fr o m St aff R e p orts
2 0 5- 2 8 0- 4 6 6 3 T oll Fr e e: 8 0 0- 4 8 2- 8 4 4 2 • F a x: 2 0 5- 2 8 0- 3 4 8 9
2 2 2 7t h Str e et S o ut h Cl a nt o n, A L 3 5 0 4 5
F ull S er vi c e H o m e H e alt h Pr o vi d er M e di c ar e C erti fi e d
A c c e P T i n g:
M e di c ar e a n d M ost M aj or ins ur a n c es
T h es e d a ys, h o me tr e n ds ar e a b o ut m or e t h a n g o o d d esi g n a n d a est h et i cs — t h e y’r e a b o ut cr e ati n g s p a c es t h at r efl e ct o ur v al u es a n d ar e m or e c o m f ort a bl e a n d e nj o y a bl e t o li v e i n. Fr o m n et- z er o a n d n et- p ositi v e c o nstr u cti o n
t o ti n y mi ni m alist h o m es, tr e n ds ar e all a b o ut y o ur f a mil y’s lif est yl e. W h et h er y o u’r e s h o p pi n g f or a n e w h o m e, r e n o v ati n g y o ur o w n or cr e ati n g a n e w b uil d fr o m s cr at c h, h er e ar e s o m e of t h e bi g g est tr e n ds y o u n e e d t o k n o w f or i ns pir a ti o n. S ust ai n a bl e d esi g n: T his o n e h as b e e n p o p u l ar f or a l o n g ti m e, b ut gr e e n d esi g n h as e v ol v e d t o b e a b o ut m u c h m or e t h a n e n er g y- effi ci e nt a ppli a n c es a n d L E D li g ht b ul bs. N o w, it’s all a b o ut m a ki n g s ur e e v er yt hi n g i n y o ur h o m e r e d u c es y o ur c ar b o n f o ot pri nt a n d mi n i mi z es a n y i m p a ct o n t h e e n vir o n m e nt. T o tr y t h e tr e n d y o ur s elf, t hi n k bi g a n d g et cr eati v e – i nst all s ol ar p a n els o n y o ur r o of, c h o os e b uil di n g m at eri als t h at d o n’t r e q uir e d ef or est a ti o n a n d u p c y cl e ol d f urnit ur e f or d e c or ati v e el e m e nts i nst e a d of b u yi n g n e w. Dis ast er r esili e n c y: Cli m at e c h a n g e aff e cts us i n s o m a n y n e g ati v e w a ys, a n d o n e of t h e t o p
c o n c er ns is t h e i n cr e as e i n n at ur al dis ast ers. Fr o m wil dfir es t h at l ast f or m o nt hs t o m aj or fl o o ds t h at aff e ct e ntir e citi es, w e n o w n e e d t o pr e p ar e f or t h e w orst w h e n b uil di n g o ur h o m es. S wit c hi n g t o dis ast err esili e nt m at eri als is a n i m p ort a nt first st e p. M a n y b uil d ers n o w pr ef er t o us e str o n g er, m or e e n er g yeffi ci e nt m at eri als li k e i ns ul at e d c o n cr et e f or ms (I C Fs) i nst e a d of m or e tr a diti o n al m at eri als li k e w o o d. F or e x a m pl e, N u d ur a I C Fs c a n wit hst a n d wi n ds of u p t o 2 5 0 mil es p er h o ur ( e q ui v al e nt t o a n F 4 t or n a d o) a n d off er a fir e pr ot e cti o n r ati n g of u p t o f o ur h o urs. O ut d o or li vi n g: M a n y of us ar e n o w c h o osi n g t o f or g o g etti n g a c ott a g e or s u m m er h o m e a n d r e cr eat e t h e e x p eri e n c e i n o ur o w n b a c k y ar ds. T his tr e n d h el ps y o u m a k e t h e m ost of y o ur e xisti n g s p a c e a n d t a k e f ull a d v a nt a g e of y o ur y ar d or p ati o d uri n g t h e s u m m er m o nt hs. Yo u c a n d esi g n a f ull li vi n g s p a c e o utsi d e, c o mpl et e wit h a n o ut d o or t el e -
visi o n a n d c o mf y c o u c h es, as w ell as a kit c h e n a n d r efri g er at or f or e nt er t ai ni n g. C o nsi d er a d di n g a fir e pl a c e or fir e pit t o k e e p w ar m d uri n g c o ol s u m m er ni g hts a n d e nj o y t h e o ut d o ors t hr o u g h s pri n g, f all a n d e v e n wi nt er if y o u’r e br a v e. H o me a ut o m ati o n: T his is a n ot h er l o n g st a n di n g tr e n d t h at s h o ws n o si g ns of sl o wi n g d o w n. It h as als o e v ol v e d t o e n c o m p ass m or e of t h e h o m e t o m a k e lif e e v e n m or e c o mf ort a bl e a n d c o n v e ni e nt. Fr o m a n o v e n t h at c a n b e t ur n e d o n r e m ot el y t o pr e h e at, t o s k yli g hts t h at c a n o p e n a n d cl os e a ut o m ati c all y t o cr e at e t h e p erf e ct a mbi e nt t e m p er at ur e, t h er e ar e m or e w a ys t h a n e v er t o i nt e gr at e s m art h o m e t e c h n ol o g y i nt o y o ur li vi n g s p a c e. Yo u c a n st art s m all wit h v oi c e assist a nt a n d s m art li g ht b ul bs a n d w or k y o ur w a y u p t o a t ot al s m art h o m e s yst e m t h at i n cl u d es h o m e s e c urit y, t e m p er at ur e c o ntr ols a n d all y o ur el e ctr o ni c d e vi c es.
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SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020 PAGE 3
Tips for a summertime body
“Doing anything is better than sitting on your couch,” said Tammy Mims. “One Day or Day One, you decide.” By ELISABETH ALTAMIRANO-SMITH Freelance Writer
New greenery is coming into bud and warm spring temperatures are back beckoning residents to get outdoors. Spring is the perfect time of year to take advantage of being outside. The warm weather is also a reminder that summer isn’t too far away and soon Alabamians will be trying on swimsuits for the beach to beat the heat. While warm sand and sunshine might sound enticing, many people are not so eager to show off their winter body. Staying indoors during the winter and leftover holiday weight has left many round around the edges. Exercising and losing weight for summer can not only help conquer bathing suit anxiety but also improve health. Personal Trainer Tammy Mims of Express Fitness Gym in Clanton began her weight loss journey in 2014. “I had gained some weight that I had previously lost and then went on a vacation with my family,” said Mims. “While I was on vacation, I started getting chest pains and short of breath. My blood pressure was 230/109. My whole family could see it, and it scared me.” Once Mims returned home, she went back to the gym and got serious about living healthier. “After using the treadmill for months, gym-friend Terell Walker suggested that I start using free weights,” said Mims. “I was intimidated to touch any major kind of equipment, and
he showed me how.” After two weeks of using the weights and equipment, Tammy knew that she wanted to be a personal trainer and help people break down barriers and motivate them the same way Walker had encouraged her. In May 2018, Mims completed her Personal Training Certification. When she isn’t working out, she is competing in power lifting competitions or helping others train. Tammy’s tips on getting the best summertime body: 1.Start with your doctor Visiting with your doctor and getting a “green light” can prevent irreversible damage. “Some people may have an old injury in their back or knee and it is important for their doctor or physical therapist to show them how to exercise and what not to do,” said Mims. “There is a difference between pain and being sore.” There may also be other physical issues that keep a person from losing weight, such as thyroid problems or hormone imbalance which will affect the person’s energy level. 2.Be Realistic about your Goals Getting a summertime body is a process. Be patient. There is not a quick fix. “There is a large misconception out there that you can ‘spot lose’ fat from a certain area of your body,” said Mims. “You can tone muscle in certain areas and that will eventu-
ally show once the fat is gone, but you can’t just lose fat specifically in your stomach or arm area. Achieving a perfect body in two months isn’t realistic for most people. Don’t give up. The journey is rewarding.” 3.Start Somewhere “If you are doing something, that is better than doing nothing,” said Mims. People are at different places in their exercise and weight. “I recommend everyone to start out by walking. If you have a hard time moving, work on walking to the end of your driveway and do that for a week,” said Mims. “The next week, walk to the end of your driveway and back, two times. Keep adding and building your stamina. If you don’t have much weight to lose or you are in a plateau, change your diet and workout. You might need to increase your food intake and protein to build muscles.” 4. Support Support tools that will improve your exercise regimen such as a jump rope, resistance bands, dumb bells and balance ball can be purchased in retail stores or online. Having a personal trainer or gym membership will also help to motivate an individual and encourage a new routine. Another tool that can improve your health and work-out is a support buddy. Mims attributes much of her success to the support of her husband, Albert who encourages her to be her best and supports her love of the gym.
4. Be Consistent There will be days that people want to skip and not work-out, but Mims encourages people to press on. “Sometimes the hardest piece of equipment that you will move will be the gym door,” said Mims. “People will call their support buddy and say ‘It is raining today. Do you want to just skip today?’ Rainy days are the perfect time to add in classic exercises like sit-ups, jumping jacks and burpees (the swift change of positioning from a push-up to standing.) You’ll never always be motivated, but you must always be dedicated.” 5. Eat Healthier “I recommend people grocery shop around the perimeter of the supermarket,” said Mims “That is where all of your healthy food is, like produce. I know it is expensive, but you can pay for it now for food, or pay for it later in hospital bills. “I don’t recommend diets that withhold a certain thing “For example, some people will not eat carbs, and they end up breaking that diet because their body needs that to function,” said Mims. Mims also suggests downloading free “macro calculators” apps that will help calculate your physical activity and what you need to do in order to lose weight or gain muscle. Express Fitness is located at 210 7th Street South, Clanton, next to Shoe Show and Factory Connection. For more information, contact Mims at 205-312-7989.
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PAGE 4 SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020
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Preparing for inclement weather
CONTRIBUTED
Being prepared and have essentials ready are important during hazardous weather. By JOYANNA LOVE
Senior Staff Writer
Spring can bring some rough weather to Chilton County. One of the main concerns during this season is the possibility of tornadoes. “With tornadic activity ... it might not be a week in advance (notice), we might have something that just pops up,” Chilton County EMA Director Derrick Wright said. “Those tornadoes that do pop up are usually the lower 0 to EF1, if they put down.” Having a plan and being prepared are keys to staying safe in inclement weather. “Have some way of notification, preferably multiple ways of notification,” Wright said. In addition to having a weather radio and adequate batteries, community members can sign up for local weather alerts at al-chiltoncounty.regroup.com/signup. Wright said these alerts can be sent via email, text or a phone call. “The biggest thing is having some way of being advised that a tornado watch is happening that way if something does happen, you are able to take shelter,” Wright said. Tornado sirens are no longer used in Chilton County. “They weren’t as effective,” Wright said. The county’s several storm shelters are Wright’s top recommendation for where to be in the event of a tornado. These structures have been specifically designed and built to withstand strong winds that other structures may not
be able to handle. Many people with basements will choose it as their “safe place” in a storm. However, flooding can be an issue. “They could get stuck in there and not be able to get out,” Wright said. “Basements are great, but there are also repercussions.” Wright recommended a bathroom or a small closet on the main level of a structure as a good place to wait out a storm because these rooms tend to have walls closer together. Having emergency supplies on hand while in the storm shelter or another safe place is important. FEMA recommends having a first aid kit, medications, cash, flashlight with batteries, non-perishable food and water (enough for three days), matches in a waterproof container and fully charged cellphone and charger. FEMA also recommends having local maps because GPS and internet may not be available after a storm. Tips on building an emergency kit to wait out a storm is available at ready.gov/kit. In presentations to local students, meteorologist James Spann has also recommended wearing a helmet while in a safe place to wait out a storm. He said many people would have survived things falling on them if they had been wearing a helmet. “Make sure that everything in your house is documented that way if something does tragically happen we want to make sure that we get these citizens back as much as possible as far as insurance,” Wright said.
List of local storm shelters in county • Verbena: 3885 U.S. Highway 31, Verbena • Isabella: 1960 County Road 29, Maplesville • Enterprise: 6162 County Road 24, Clanton • Enterprise Fire Station #2: 3255 County Road 49, Clanton • Maplesville: 189 Railroad Street, Maplesville • West Chilton: 250 County Road 42, Jemison • Gap of the Moun-
tain: 468 County Road 55, Clanton • Higgins Ferry Park, 11161 County Road 28, Clanton • East Chilton: 5640 County Road 28, Clanton • Union Grove: 10896 County Road 51, Clanton • Plantersville: Pecan Road next to Noodie’s Barbecue (710 Pecan Road, Plantersville) • Fairview Fire Department: 9597 County Road 37, Clanton
• Clanton City Park: 309 5th Avenue North • West End: 411 14th Street South, Clanton • Lomax: 3824 Old Henry Road, Clanton • Chilton County Transit: 520 Enterprise Road, Clanton (behind building) • San Bentley Park: 355 Alabama Avenue, Thorsby • Collins Chapel Fire Department: 13195 County Road 29, Clanton • Union Grove Fire
Station: 10896 County Road 51, Jemison • Cedar Grove Fire Station #1: 2245 County Road 37, Thorsby
Protecting important documents and identification from being destroyed is recommended. A checklist of documents that need to be preserved is available at fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/133454. FEMA recommends placing these documents in a fireproof and waterproof box or safe. Copies of the documents should be made and stored in a separate location, such as a safety deposit box. FEMA also recommends emailing
copies of the document to yourself or using a digital storage website. Other weather concerns during this season include lightening and straight-line winds. “These straight-line winds can cause just as much damage (as a tornado),” Wright said. “You can have deaths from straight line winds from trees falling on houses. You need to be aware that if there are trees close to your house there is a possibility that those trees could fall through your house
and cause some damage, cause some harm, so don’t take that lightly.” For those who have trees near their house, Wright suggested waiting out the storm at another location or staying in a small room without windows. In 2019, straight-line winds caused roof damage to a barber shop in Clanton. Heavy rains can cause flooding and standing water on roadways. Wright urged that if drivers see flooding on a roadway, then they need
to turn around. “People don’t understand how quickly a car can tip over from water,” Wright said. “They may not realize how deep the water is.” Wright said local roadways usually drain pretty well and do not remain flooded for long. EMA works with local governmental and other emergency organizations to coordinate response in the event of a disaster. “We are kind of the logistical piece of it,” Wright said.
Storm Shelters in the works: Union Grove No. 2, Gap of the Mountain No. 2 and Cedar Grove No. 2 A map of the county’s storm shelters is available at chilton911.org/ storm-shelter-map.
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H o w t o cl e a n w h e n f ac e d wit h a s u p pl y s h ort a g e Fr o m St aff R e p orts
I n li g ht of c o n c er n s a b o ut C O VI D- 1 9, v ari o u s h e alt h or g a ni z ati o n s h a v e i s s u e d s p e cifi c i n str u cti o n s o n h o w t o m ai nt ai n p er s o n al s af et y a n d cl e a nli n e s s. T h e s e r e c o m m e n d ati o n s i nv ol v e u si n g c o m m o n h o u s e h ol d pr o d u ct s t o s a niti z e h o m e s, offi c e s a n d p u bli c s p a c e s. A s p e o pl e t a k e s u c h pr e c a uti o n s, ma n y ar e
st o c ki n g u p o n e xtr a e s s e nti al s — r e s ulti n g i n s h ort a g e s. E v er yt hi n g fr o m h a n d s a niti z er s t o p a p er t o w el s m a y b e h ar d t o fi n d o n gr o c er y st or e s h el v e s, l e a vi n g s o m e t o w o n d er w h at t h e y c a n d o t o r e m ai n s af e wit h o ut s a niti z er s ? T he E n vir o n m e n t al Pr ot e cti o n A g e n c y st at e s t h at c or o n a vir u s e s ar e s o m e of t h e e a si e st t y p e s of vir u s e s t o
kill b e c a u s e t h e y h a v e a n e n v el o p e ar o u n d t h e m t h at e n a bl e s t h e m t o m er g e wit h ot h er c ell s a n d i nf e ct t h e m. If t h at pr ot e cti v e c o ati n g c a n b e di sr u pt e d, t h e vir u s c a n’t d o it s j o b. F or t h o s e h a vi n g tr o u bl e fi n di n g w ellk n o w n cl e a ni n g a g e nt s, t h e s e alt er n ati v e s m a y s uffi c e. H ot w at e r a n d s o a p T h e r e a s o n h a n d-
w a s hi n g i s at t h e t o p of t h e li st of s a niti zi n g m et h o d s i s b e c a u s e it i s s o eff e cti v e at w a s hi n g a w a y vir u s e s a n d b a ct e ri a. Fri cti o n fr o m s cr u bbi n g wit h s o a p a n d w a t er c a n h el p br e a k t h e pr ot e cti v e e n v el o p e, st at e s t h e E P A. S o a p a n d w at er c a n cl e a n all s urf a c e s i n a h o m e, e s p e ci all y w h e n a p pl y i n g a littl e e xtr a el b o w gr e a s e.
H y d r o g e n p e r o xi d e A s p e o pl e cl e ar i s o pr o p yl (r u b bi n g al c o h ol) off t h e s h el v e s, d o n ot di s c o u nt h y dr o g e n p er o xi d e. T he C DC s a y s h o u s e h ol d h y dr o g e n p er o xi d e at 3 p er c e nt c o n c e ntr ati o n c a n d e a cti v at e r hi n o vir u s, t h e vir u s t h at c a u s e s t h e c o m m o n c ol d, wit hi n si x t o ei g ht mi n ut e s of c o nt a ct. C or o n a vir u s i s e a si er t o d e str o y t h a n r hi n o vir u s, s o h y dr o g e n
p er o xi d e m a y b e eff e c ti v e at c o m b atti n g t h at vir u s a s w ell. N at ur al it e m s c a n b e u s e d f or g e n er al cl e a n i n g, b ut h a v e n ot b e e n e n d or s e d f or u s e o n C O VI D- 1 9 di si nf e cti o n. I n li e u of s h ort a g e s, w hit e vi n e g ar, b a ki n g s o d a p a st e s a n d citr u s oil s a n d j ui c e s c o ul d fill t h e v oi d of c h e mi c all yb a s e d cl e a n s er s f or ot h er h o m e t a s k s.
H o w t o i m pr o v e s oil f or a b ett er l a w n t his s pri n g Fr o m St aff R e p orts
A l u s h, gr e e n l a w n c a n v a stl y i m pr o v e a h o m e’s c ur b a p p e al. T hi c k, h e alt h y gr a s s i n di c at e s t h at h o m e o w n er s c ar e e n o u g h a b o ut t h eir pr o p erti e s t o i n v e st t h e ti m e, eff ort a n d m o n e y t o m a k e t h e m b e a utif ul. A c c or di n g t o t h e l a n d s c a pi n g t o ol c o mpa n y Tr o y- Bilt, s oil f ertilit y i s t h e f o u n d ati o n of h e alt h y l a w n s. I n f a ct, t h e q u alit y of t h e s oil i s e s s e nti al w h et h er o n e i s gr o wi n g a cr e s of gr a s s, p ott e d pl a nt s or v e g et a bl e g ar d e n b e d s. N o m att er w hi c h t y p e of s oil a h o m e o w n er i s w or ki n g wit h, t h er e ar e v ari o u s w a y s t o m a k e it b ett er.
ri al i n t h e l a w n e x c e e d s t h e a bilit y of t h e mi cr oor g a ni s m s i n t h e s oil t o br e a k d o w n t h at or g a ni c m att er. A h alf-i n c h of t h at c h i s n or m al. If t h at c h g et s t o o t hi c k, it will n e e d t o b e r e m o v e d. T h e h o m e i m pr o v e m e nt r e s o ur c e DI Y N et w or k s a y s d e t h at c hi n g c a n t a k e pl a c e i n t h e s u m m er, f all a n d wi nt er u si n g a t h at c hi n g r a k e.
A e r at e A l a w n a er at or will cr e at e h ol e s i n t h e s oil. T hi s c a n i m pr o v e dr ai n a g e a n d e n c o ur a g e w or m s a n d h el pf ul mi cr o or g a ni s m s t h at r e q uir e o x y g e n t o t hri v e i n t h e s oil. T h e Bri g g s & Str att o n C o m p a n y s a y s t h e b e st ti m e t o a er at e a l a w n i s d uri n g t h e R e m o v e t h at c h T h at c h i s a ti g htl y gr o wi n g s e a s o n w h e n k n ott e d l a y er of l e a v e s, t h e gr a s s c a n h e al a n d gr a s s r o ot s, st e m s, a n d fill i n a n y h ol e s, s u c h a s ot h er d e bri s t h at a c - s pri n g a n d f all. A er ati o n c u m ul at e s b et w e e n t h e c a n h el p d e v el o p d e e p er gr a s s bl a d e s a n d t h e gr a s s r o ot s f or a h e alt h s oil. T o o m u c h t h at c h i er l a w n. c a n hi n d er t h e m o v e Te st a n d a m e n d s oil m e nt of w at er, air a n d A gr e at l a w n h a s n utri e nt s i nt o t h e s oil. A c c or di n g t o or g a ni c l o a m y s oil, w hi c h h a s a f ertili z er c o m p a n y Or- k e y r ati o of cl a y, silt a n d g a n o- L a w n, t h at c h oft e n s a n d. Silt i s a gr a n ul ar o c c ur s if t h e pr o d u cti o n m at eri al of a si z e b e of d e a d or g a ni c m at e - t w e e n s a n d a n d cl a y t h at
ori gi n at e s fr o m q u art z a n d f el d s p ar. It i s t h e m o st f ertil e of t h e t hr e e t y p e s of s oil c o m p on e nt s. S a n d d o e s n ot r e t ai n w at er, b ut it h el p s t o cr e at e s p a c e s i n t h e s oil t h at p er mit air t o cir c ul at e. Cl a y p arti cl e s ar e s m all a n d bi n d t o g et h er ti g htl y, b ut cl a y i s n at ur all y n utri e nt-ri c h. T h e h o me i m pr o v e m e nt sit e B o b Vil a. c o m s a y s l o a m y s oil s h o ul d h a v e e q u al p art s s a n d a n d silt a n d h alf a s m u c h cl a y. If t h e l a w n i s n ot y et e st a bli s h e d, l o a m y s oil c a n b e cr e at e d a n d t h e n t h e gr a s s s e e d s pl a nt e d. F or e st a bli s h e d s oil, af t er r e m o vi n g t h at c h a n d a er ati n g, t o p- dr e s si n g t h e l a w n c a n h el p. T hi s i n v ol v e s a d di n g a t hi n l a y er of s oil o v er t h e l a w n. It c a n i m pr o v e t h e s oil wit h o ut killi n g t h e e xi sti n g t urf. I d eall y, it s h o ul d b e d o n e i n e arl y f all or s pri n g, a s t hi s gi v e s t h e gr a s s ti m e t o gr o w t hr o u g h t hr e e t o f o ur m or e m o wi n g s b ef or e s e v er e h e at or c ol d s et s i n. H e alt h y s oil i s vit al t o a l u s h l a w n. It t a k e s a littl e w or k, b ut i m pr o vi n g s oil c a n cr e at e vi br a nt, h e alt h y, gr e e n gr a s s.
A l ess o n i n b uil di n g a b a c k y ar d r et ai ni n g w all Fr o m St aff R e p orts Fl at, e v e n l a n d s c a p e s ar e oft e n c o v et e d i n b a c k y ar d s. H o w e v er, fl at b a c k y ar d s ar e n ot al w a y s s o e a s y t o fi n d. F ort u n at el y, v ari e d t er r ai n d o e s n ot m e a n t h at c ert ai n l a n d s c a pi n g pl a n s ar e e ntir el y off li mit s, e s p e ci all y f or h o m e o w n er s willi n g t o b uil d r et ai ni n g w all s. R et ai ni n g w all s h el p t ur n st e e p sl o p e s i n a y ar d i nt o t err a c e d f o c al p oi nt s. T h e y al s o c a n r e d u c e s oil er o si o n i n hill y ar e as a n d c a n b e us e d f or a e st h eti c p ur p o s e s, li k e r ai s e d pl a nt er s, or t o cr e at e m or e u s a bl e s p a c e wit hi n t h e y ar d. W h e n a n i n gr o u n d p o ol or p o n d i s c ut i nt o a b a c k y ar d hill, a r et ai n i n g w all h el p s k e e p t h e r e m ai ni n g p orti o n of t h at hill fr o m c oll a p si n g i nt o t h e c ut- a w a y ar e a. W h e n c o nt e m pl ati n g r et ai ni n g w all pr oj e ct s, a l e s s o n i n p h y si c s a n d e n gi n e eri n g ma y be
n e e d e d. A st ur d y a n d l o n g-l a sti n g r et ai ni n g w all n e e d s t o b e b uilt i n a w a y t h at will t a k e i nt o c o n si d er ati o n t h e f or c e of t h e s oil a n d t h e p oi nt at w hi c h t h e s oil will b e gi n t o sli d e a w a y, a d vi s e s t h e e x p ert s at T h e F a mil y H a n d y m a n. If t h e s e c al c ul ati o n s s e e m b e y o n d t h e s c o p e of y o ur a bilit y, i n st all ati o n of a r et ai ni n g w all i s a j o b b e st l eft t o a pr of e ssi o n al. If y o u ar e r e a d y t o f or g e a h e a d, t h e s e ti p s c a n g et y o u st art e d. H o w e v er, it’s i m p ort a nt t o n ot e t h e p ot e nti al b e n efit s of w or ki n g wit h ot h er s w h o h a v e alr e a d y b uilt a r et ai ni n g w all. • S af et y fir st: C all t o h a v e u n d er gr o u n d utili ti e s pl ott e d a n d m ar k e d b ef or e b e gi n ni n g a n y e x c a v ati o n. • M a p o ut y o ur tr e n c h a n d b e gi n t o di g. T h e tr e n c h s h o ul d h a v e a l e v el, c o m p a ct e d b a s e a s it will b e t h e f o u n d ati o n f or w hi c h t h e r et ai ni n g w all m at eri al s, b e t h e y bl o c k s, bri c k s or w o o d,
sit i n. A cr u s h e d st o n e b a s e will h el p a n c h or t h e c o ur s e s a n d s er v e t o pr o m ot e dr ai n a g e. T h e F a mil y H a n d y m a n s a y s t o b ur y t h e fir st c o ur s e of t h e r et ai ni n g w all o n e-t e nt h t h e h ei g ht of t h e w all t o pr e v e nt s oil b e hi n d it fr o m p u s hi n g t h e b ott o m o ut. • C h e c k f or l e v el. W h e n pl a ci n g bl o c k s or ti m b er s, m a k e s ur e t h e y ar e e v e n wit h t h e fir st a n d p eri o di c all y c h e c k f or l e v el a s y o u g o, a d-
vi s e s t h e h o m e i m pr o v e m e nt r et ail er L o w e s ®. • St a g g er a n d s et b a c k. T h e n e xt r o w of bl o c k s or m at eri al s h o ul d b e p o siti o n e d s o t h at t h e j oi nt s ar e st a g g er e d f or bl o c k s, bri c k s or w o o d. A m a s o nr y bl a d e will b e n e e d e d t o c ut t h e h ar d er m at eri al s; a cir c ul ar s a w will c ut ti m b er. Al s o, w or k a g ai n st gr a vit y b y s etti n g t h e s e c o n d c o ur s e sli g htl y b a c k fr o m t h e fir st t o h el p p u s h b a c k a g ai n st t h e
s oil t h at i s tr yi n g s o h ar d t o p u s h f or w ar d. R e p e at t h e pr o c e s s a s e a c h l e v el i s pl a c e d. M a n y r et ai ni n g w all pr o d u ct s ar e m a d e wit h a li p t o cr e at e t hi s s et b a c k. • G o wit h t h e gr a d e. F or e s p e ci all y st e e p sl o p e s, a gr a d u al st e p- u p d e si g n m a y b e m or e s e c ur e a n d m or e a p p e ali n g t h a n a v er y t all r et ai ni n g w all. E a c h l e v el of a st e p p e d d e si g n s h o ul d b e d o n e li k e t h e fir st. • B a c kfill wit h st o n e
f or dr ai n a g e. U si n g a l a y er of st o n e b e hi n d t h e r et ai ni n g w all c a n h el p s u c c e s sf ull y dir e ct w a t er a w a y s o it will n ot i n cr e a s e t h e w ei g ht of t h e s oil b e hi n d t h e w all a n d p u s h a g ai n st t h e r et ai ni n g w all, a d vi s e s T h e H o m e D e p ot. R et ai ni n g w all s s er v e diff er e nt p ur p o s e s i n a y ar d. B uil di n g s u c h a w all r e q uir e s pl a n ni n g a n d c ar ef ul e x e c uti o n t o e n s ur e t h e j o b i s d o n e c orr e ctl y.
P A GE 6
S U N D A Y, M A R C H 2 2, 2 0 2 0
P e a k SP ri n g Ha r v e S t S M arc h
Gr e e n s
C L A N T O N A D V E R TI S E R. C O M
S e v e n t hi n gs t o c o nsi d er w h e n b u yi n g a s h e d
Still i n p e a k h ar v e st
Ca b ba ge St art s Mi d- A pril
A p ril Str a w b erri e s St art s e arl y- A pril
May Yell o w s q u a s h st art s mi d- M a y
Z u c c hi ni st art s mi d- M a y
Pl u m St art s l at e- M a y
J u ne B ell P e p p er s st art s mi d- J u n e
S w e et C or n st art s mi d- J u n e
P e a c h es st art s mi d- J u n e
T o m at o e s st art s mi d- J u n e
Wat er m el o n s st art s l at e- J u n e
F r o m St aff R e p o rts B a c k y ar d s h e ds c a n b e us ef ul ass ets. S h e ds c a n cr e at e st or a g e s p a c e i n t h e g ar a g e, b as e m e nt or ot h er ar e as of t h e h o us e t h at h a v e b e c o m e g at h eri n g s p ots f or g e ar t y pi c all y us e d o ut d o ors. S h e ds ar e i d e al f or h o usi n g m o wers, t o ols a n d e v e n p o olc ar e e q ui p m e nt. B ut t h e y c a n b e p ut t o ot h er us es as w ell, s u c h as b ei n g k e y s p ots t o e n g a g e i n h o b bi es or e v e n as a c hil d’s cl u b h o us e. Vari o us f a ct ors s h o ul d b e c o nsi d er e d b ef or e b uil di n g or b u yi n g a s h e d. A st or a g e s h e d c a n b e a si g nifi c a nt i n v est m e nt. O n c e pl a c e d, s h e ds m a y r e m ai n i n t h eir d e di c at e d s p ots f or y e ars t o c o m e. T h at m e a ns c ar ef ul t h o u g ht s h o ul d g o i nt o t h e pl a n ni n g pr o c ess. 1. C h e c k y o ur l o c al b uil di n g c o d es first. B ef or e y o u a c c u m ul at e b uil di n g m at eri als or or d er a s h e d, b e s ur e t o k n o w t h e i ns a n d o uts of s h e d c o d es. T h e c o d es m a y i m p a ct t h e s h e d’s pl a c e m e nt, c o nstr u cti o n, t h e m at eri als us e d, si z e, a n d n u m er o us ot h er f a c -
t ors. It’s m u c h e asi er t o a m e n d pl a ns b ef or e h a n d t h a n t o f a c e t h e h assl e a n d e x p e ns e aft er l e ar ni n g y o u di d t hi n gs i n c orr e ctl y. 2. C h o os e pl a c e m e nt wis el y. S p e n d s e v er al d a ys ass essi n g t h e y ar d a n d t hi n ki n g a b o ut t h e us es f or t h e s h e d. If y o u pl a n t o st or e p o ol fl o ats a n d c h e mi c als i nsi d e of t h e s h e d, it s h o ul d b e l oc at e d cl os e e n o u g h t o t h e p o ol t o b e c o n v e ni e nt. L o o k at t h e l a y of t h e l a n d. If t h er e is a s o g g y p at c h of l a n d t h at c a n t ur n s w a m p y u n d er t h e s h e d’s f o u n d ati o n, t h at is a p o or l o c ati o n c h oi c e. If y o u n e e d a c c ess t o el e ctri cit y, pl a ci n g it f ar a w a y fr o m t h e h o us e c o ul d n e c essit at e r u n ni n g e x p e nsi v e wiri n g. 3. C o nsi d er t h e d esi g n. J ust b e c a us e a s h e d is f or st or a g e d o es n’t m e a n a est h eti cs s h o ul d b e o v erl o o k e d. C h o os e a s h e d st yl e t h at c o m pl e m e nts y o ur h o m e. Yo u m a y als o w a nt t o m at c h c ert ai n ar c hit e ct ur al f e at ur es, li k e ar c h e d d o or w a ys or d or m ers. D esi g n als o m a y r e l at e t o pr a cti c alit y. F or i nst a n c e, st ori n g a ri di n g
m o w er i nsi d e m a y n e c es sit at e d u al d o ors t h at o p e n wi d el y. 4. I n v est i n q u alit y m a t eri als. S p e n di n g a littl e m or e a n d usi n g q u al it y m at eri als c a n e ns ur e it l asts l o n g e n o u g h t o b e c ost- eff e cti v e. T h e ri g ht m at eri als will b e r esist a nt t o s plitti n g, cr a c ki n g, d ec a y, a n d i ns e ct d a m a g e. 5. Pr e p ar e t h e sit e w ell. A pr o p er f o u n d ati o n f or t h e s h e d is al m ost as i mp ort a nt as t h e s h e d its elf. Yo u c a n n ot j ust dr o p t h e s he d o n t he la w n a n d l e a v e it, as t h e s h e d c a n si n k or str u ct ur al iss u es m a y aris e if it is pl a c e d o n a w e a k b as e. 6. Bl e n d i nt o t h e e n vir o n m e nt. S urr o u n d t h e s h e d wit h s hr u bs or pl a nts s o t h at it bl e n ds i nt o t h e y ar d a n d c o m pl e m e nts t h e s p a c e. 7. D e c k o ut t h e i nt eri or. Us e e v er y st or a g e t o ol at y o ur dis p os al t o m a xi mi z e fl o or, w all a n d e v e n r aft er s p a c e f or st or a g e. Pl a n w h er e it e ms will b e k e pt a n d c ust o mi z e t h e st or a g e o pti o ns ar o u n d t h os e l o c ati o ns. S h e ds c a n b e a n ass et a n d i m pr o v e st or a g e c a p a bilit y i n t h e b a c k y ar d.
D e c or i d e as t o gi v e h o m es a fr es h l o o k F r o m St aff R e p o rts S pri n g is a s e as o n of r ej u v e n ati o n, a n d t h at s pirit of r e n e w al c a n t a k e h ol d i nsi d e a h o m e. War m w e at h er a n d l o n g er h o urs of d a yli g ht m a k e s pri n g a p erf e ct ti m e t o i m a gi n e a h o m e’s i nt eri or d esi g n i n a n e w li g ht. T h e f oll o wi n g ar e a h a n df ul of d e c or i d e as t h at m a y i ns pir e h o m eo w n ers t o gi v e t h eir h o m es a n e ntir el y n e w l o o k t his s pri n g. • Wall p a p er: Wallp a p er f ell o ut of f a v or y e ars a g o, b ut n e w st yl es t h at ar e n’t s o h e a vil y p att er n e d c a n m a k e f or w o n d erf ul a d diti o ns t o a n y r o o m. L ar g e-s c al e pri nts c a n gi v e a r o o m a w h ol e n e w f e el wit h o ut gi vi n g h o m e o w n ers or t h eir g u ests t h e i m pr essi o n t h at t h e y h a v e st e p p e d b a c k i n ti m e.
A si m pl e, m ur al-st yl e fl or al w all p a p er o n t h e w alls s urr o u n di n g a t a bl e i n a br e a kf ast n o o k c a n bri n g n at ur e i nsi d e. • P ast el c ol ors: N ot hi n g e m b o di es t h e s pri n g q uit e li k e p ast el c ol ors. If c ol orf ul, bri g ht fl o wers d ot t h e g ar d e n i n t h e b a c k y ar d, h o m e o w n ers c a n bri n g t h os e u plifti n g p ast els i nsi d e b y p ai nti n g a n a c c e nt w all or e v e n a d di n g s o m e bri g htl y c ol or e d a c c e nt f ur nit ur e t o r o o ms t h at c o ul d us e a lift. • D e cl utt er: Cl utt er is oft e n c o n q u er e d d uri n g s pri n g cl e a ni n g s essi o ns, b ut h o m e o w n ers w h o w a nt t o cr e at e m or e fr e efl o wi n g i nt eri or s p a c es c a n d o w nsi z e t h eir f ur nit ur e a n d/ or l o o k f or m ulti p ur p os e f e at ur es t h at m a k e it h ar d f or cl utt er t o t a k e o v er a r o o m. Cr e at e m or e o p e n s p a c e i n e nt ert ai ni n g ar e as b y
m o u nti n g t h e t el e visi o n a n d g etti n g ri d of a b ul k y e nt ert ai n m e nt c e nt er. Cr e at e e v e n m or e s p a c e b y r e pl a ci n g r ar el y us e d e n d t a bl es wit h a st or a g e ott o m a n w h er e b o o ks a n d m a g a zi n es c a n b e st or e d t o gi v e a r o o m a fr es h, cl e a n l o o k. • A c c e nt f e at ur es: S o m eti m es t h e s m all est c h a n g es t o a n i nt eri or s p a c e m a k e t h e bi g g est i m pr essi o n. R e pl a c e d ate d a c c e nts li k e v as es a n d t a bl e l a m ps wit h n e w er it e ms t h at r efl e ct t h e l at est st yl es a n d tr e n ds. S u c h a dj ust m e nts w o n’t br e a k t h e b a n k, a n d t h e y c a n gi v e r o o ms a w h ol e n e w f e el. S pri n g is a gr e at ti m e t o r e c o nsi d er h o m e i nt eri ors. T his s pri n g h o m e o w n ers c a n e m br a c e v ari o us str at e gi es, b ot h bi g a n d s m all, t o gi v e t h eir h o m es a w h ol e n e w f e el.