Shi 4 11

Spring home

improvement

CommunityAdvocate April 11, 2014

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2 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 11, 2014

Herb gardens W

Even beginners can make them thrive

hen it comes to growing herbs in a garden, many people who grow vegetables and flowers are intimidated.

“People look at books and magazines and see elaborate herb gardens on estates that require large staffs to maintain,” said Jim Martin, horticulturist and executive director of the Charleston Parks Conservancy in South Carolina. “They think it’s too daunting because they don’t have those resources.”

It shouldn’t be the case, according to Lance Walheim, co-author of “Vegetable Gardening” and a garden expert for Bayer Advanced lawn and garden products. “You shouldn’t be afraid,” he said.

“Many herbs are tough and will survive.”

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Walheim recommends choosing a sunny spot with well-drained soil for an herb garden. Some herbs, such as rosemary and lavender, will do well in poor soil. Herbs also can be grown successfully in pots, e.g., half a wooden barrel filled with potting soil.

“Growing herbs doesn’t have to be the biggest deal,” Martin said. “The important thing is to just do something. You can start out in a box or barrel, but it should be at least 36 inches across, or else the herbs can’t grow and you’ll have to water them every day.”

Martin recommends that first-time herb gardeners think about what they use in the kitchen.

“If you use a lot of basil when cooking, you might want to grow it. I make floral Herb gardens page 3

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Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 11, 2014 • 3

Herb gardens Herb gardens Continued from page 2

arrangements and often use mint, which looks good with flowers and has a nice aroma,” he said.

Walheim suggests that people who already garden think of the vegetables in their gardens and what herbs would go with them.

“For example, a tomato lover should think about what can be used with them and maybe grow oregano,” he said.

He recommends considering the ease of access when deciding where to put an herb garden. If it’s close to the kitchen or grill, it’s likelier that the herbs will be picked and used. Martin agrees.

“I think one of the most important things is to grow herbs near where you will see them day in and day out,” Martin said. “Maybe it’s by the driveway or outside the kitchen -somewhere you will see them and enjoy them every day, not

just on weekends.”

Martin also encourages people to integrate herbs with their other plantings. “The beauty of the herbs can add to the beauty of the rest of the garden,” he said. He suggests rosemary plants as edging in a garden. And he thinks lemon verbena is a good choice for beginners. “It’s a shrub that you can’t kill, and the aroma is subtle,” he said.

Though books and seed catalogs are good sources of information, they can be overwhelming to a beginner.

Martin recommends that first-time herb gardeners visit local garden centers to see what kinds of herbs they carry.

“Find the best local garden center in your area, and check out what it has. That should give you a good idea of what grows locally and at what time of year,” Martin said.

Local garden tours are another good resource for beginners.

“Many of the owners are extremely knowledgeable and are glad to talk to you,”Martin said.

Though many gardeners start their crops from seeds, plants may be the best choice

for beginners.

“Start out with a healthy plant and set yourself up for success the first year,” Martin suggested. “Try to grow from seed the next year.”

“Once you get used to fresh herbs, you’ll never go back,” Walheim said. “Herbs are generally more forgiving than vegetables. They are the type of garden that keeps on giving.”

If you use a lot of basil when cooking, you might want to grow it.

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4 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 11, 2014

A/C checkups Clean air conditioners save money and energy A

ir conditioning is a relief on a hot, humid day. So you want to ensure your AC unit is working well.

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) said the HVAC system (heat-

ing, ventilation and air conditioning) is “most likely the single biggest use of energy in your home.”

Since energy use is expensive, efficient energy use from your AC means lower bills.

“Just like going to the doctor

for a regular physical checkup can help you catch issues before they’re too large to easily fix, regular AC checkups are fundamentally important in maintaining your system’s performance,” said Konrad Witek, director of engineering

Spend the time and money to have your air conditioning unit serviced before spring.

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Regular checkups and maintenance can help you avoid potential problems with your AC unit. For example, dirty AC coils trap dirt, debris and mold, which can end up in the air you breathe; clogged drains back up and leak into your home; old or bad wiring could result in a house fire.

Overall, maintaining your air conditioner can give you quality indoor air and help you save energy and money. It also gives you peace of mind that your system is safe.

Plus, regular checkups help protect your manufacturer’s warranty.

“HVAC tune-ups should be done at least twice a year,” advised Brandi Andrews, owner of NationalAirWarehouse. com. “This is especially important because most manufacturers will void your warranty if you don’t have written proof of at least two maintenance tune-ups per year.”

What’s Involved?

While you can have an AC checkup at any time, it’s most common to get one at the start of the cooling season (pre-summer) and again at the end of fall.

The checkups typically last one to two hours and “will ensure the ref riger-

ant circuit is free of leaks or blockages; make sure all fans and blowers are free of obstructions and operating correctly; ensure filters are clean,” Witek said, explaining that the technician also will check for proper air flow, look for clean condenser and evaporator coils, and make sure controls are working properly.

After the checkup, the technician will let you know about any recommended repairs, which can be made at additional expense.

DIY Maintenance A professional should do most AC maintenance, but there’s an easy fix that you can do frequently. “ The best ‘tune-up’ a consumer can get is one they do themselves, which is regular air filter changes to keep adequate air flowing across the indoor coil,” said Kevin Konnis of Quantum Climate Control Services, who recommends using a low-cost pleated filter that can be changed monthly during heavy summer use.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can improve your AC’s energy consumption by 5 to 15 percent just by replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one.

A/C checkups page 5

Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 11, 2014 • 5

Landscape design...

The key to beauty and low maintenance Good landscape design can add value to your home, dramatically increase your outdoor living space, and contribute greatly to an improved lifestyle.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE VERON COMPANY

to, think about working out the final design first, and then break the project down into manageable phases. Otherwise, you may end up re-doing

A/C checkups A/C Checkups Continued from page 4

Cost Don’t wait for a problem with your air conditioning unit to get the system serviced. Regular checkups and maintenance can “add several years to the life of an HVAC system,” Andrews said.

Those checkups are likely worth the cost. For example, according to ACCA, many manufacturers estimate that a 10-percent refrigerant loss could mean your system will be 20 percent less efficient.

That ’s wasted money, especially if you could have prevented the issue with regular checkups.

“On average, an air conditioner tune-up will cost in the range of $79.99 to $129.99,” Andrews said.

“You can always look online for specials and promotions f rom local companies to get lower rates.”

Be wary of pricing specials and deals, though. A cheap tune-up, like a $20 checkup, often results in a sales pitch to upsell you a new air conditioning system.

the smaller projects. And be sure to use pictures and walk the property so that your designer can capture a clear understanding of what you want.

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But now, many homeowners are deciding to spend more time in their backyards and investing in some designer features. That does not necessarily mean spending “big money.” There are several ways to enhance your outdoor liv-

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Landscape designers have an eye and often an education for design and a love for the customer. A landscape designer creates a design with key factors in mind such as the location and size of the property, the climate, maintenance feasibility, budget and most importantly, the customer’s desires. A landscape designer can bring a homeowner’s vision to life while adding in their professional knowledge of the plants, walkways and overall sustainability of the project.

Finally, one of the best pieces of advice I can give, is to look at the big picture when working with a designer on your landscape projects. Often homeowners just do small projects over a long period of time, which is great. But if you have an idea of what you would like the end project to evolve

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6 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 11, 2014

Yard birds Attracting birds to your yard W

hether you enjoy bird-watching year round from the comfort of your den or take a steward’s role for threatened bird popu-

lations with supplemental feeding, a few simple guidelines will encourage your native species to stay nearby and thrive. Wade Kammin, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited,

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: Should I feed just during harsh weather seasons when natural food supplies are reduced, or all year?

a

: Feeding all year will bring people the greatest enjoyment. Birds are not “dependent” on feeders, but they are a nice boost for birds during stressful times, including the spring-summer nesting season.

q a

: Does it matter what kind of food I put out?

: Food definitely matters.

The wrong foods will not bring in the species most people want to see. Avoid blends with “filler grains,” such as milo, wheat or oats, as few birds will eat them. Instead, look for blends or singleingredient bags of sunflower chips, peanuts, safflower, oil sunflower and suet.

q

: Are some foods particularly important at certain times of the year?

a

: Harsh weather isn’t the

only stress for birds. Raising a family is also a high-energy ordeal. Many of the same high-fat foods used in winter (nuts, sunflower, safflower, suet) will be utilized during breeding season, as well. One additional requirement is calcium, needed for strong eggshell and bone development.

Provide crushed, sterilized eggshells or oyster shells, or offer calcium-fortified birdfood blends.

q a

: What about water?

: Food will be the biggest

draw for many species, but fresh water will draw species for drinking and bathing to keep feathers clean and resilient, including those that may not eat seed. It is also a big boost in dry weather.

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: Not all species like the

same foods and feeders, so the more choices provided the more species one may see.

For example, a woodpecker may love clinging to the side of a mesh-style peanut feeder and needs no perches, while a cardinal (who doesn’t cling well) would much rather sit on a wide, flat tray feeder filled with safflower seed.

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Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 11, 2014 • 7

Yard birds: Attracting birds to your yard Yard birds Continued from page 6

styles of feeders for the small gold finches, medium-sized wrens and nuthatches, and the bigger cardinals?

a

: For viewing purposes,

there are benefits to clustering feeders together. But overall, birds will be happier if they have a bit of space between feeders. Some species are more forgiving than others, and some experimentation may be needed in any given backyard.

before refilling.

For more information from Kammin about bird species, when to feed and how to attract specific birds, visit www. wbu.com/springfieldil.

Bird’s-Eye View Schoolteacher Judy Williams lives in an older residential neighborhood with

q

: Is there

anything else I can do to attract birds to my yard?

a

: Fresh food

and water are just two of the four requirements for long-term bird survival. Shelter and places to raise young can be provided in the way of diverse plantings (trees, shrubs, vines, etc.) and via birdhouses, which double as winter sleeping spots.

In addition, part of being a good steward to nature is keeping bird-feeding stations clean. Dirty feeders are not good for birds. We recommend washing feeders at least monthly with dish soap and a good scrub brush, followed by a bleach-water soak to disinfect. Rinse and dry feeders

established trees and teaches in a school where she can keep birdfeeders full throughout the school year. Williams said she enjoys watching cardinals, blue jays, Carolina wrens, nuthatches, chickadees, downy and red-bellied woodpeckers, sparrows, gold finches, juncos (in the winter), and hummingbirds (in the spring, summer and early fall).

To encourage a wide variety of birds, Williams provides a variety of foods, including safflower, nyjer (thistle), suet and peanut pieces in a combination of raised-tray and tube feeders attached to trees and

poles spread out with enough distance to allow the “shy birds” to feed away from the trays, she said. To provide the most energy for the birds and to get an occasional view of them feeding, Williams refills the feeders at home in the late afternoon for early evening and morning feedings.

As for the squirrel population, Williams uses baffles on the poles and provides squirrel houses away from the bird feeders.

She also plans to install a squirrel feeder.

Williams’ favorite birds? “I love them all, but probably the woodpeckers because their color patterns are so unique,” she said.

“And gold finches -- there’s nothing like their bright ye l l o w t o s a y ‘Summer is here!’”

colors. Feeders with a central tube are designed to keep ants and bees out. Keep that central receptacle filled with plain water. During warm weather, check your feeder every week or so to ensure it isn’t cloudy, full of bugs or fermenting.

If so, empty the old mixture,

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Make a high-energy food by bringing to a boil 1/2 cup of sugar and 2 cups of tap water.

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8 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 11, 2014

Breathing room Make bedrooms look and feel bigger A

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Here are the top tips for making your bedrooms look and feel bigger: 1) Choose beautiful wall colors. Stephanie Saul, design blogger at the Fab You Bliss website, said, “Light and brightly colored walls are more reflective, so painting your small room with such colors can go miles in making a space feel open and airy.” Saul said that lighter, more neutral colors open up a room, while dark hues tend to make a room feel

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Breathing room Breathing space Continued from page 8

contrast between colors on the larger elements of the room -- walls, bed, furniture -- the eye blurs the dimensions of the room instead of seeing blocky colors that minimize the space.

3) Use lots of glass. Saul suggests a glass coffee table, since glass tables reflect light and “help maintain a sense of airiness in the room.”

And decor elements made of glass, including lamps with glass accents on the base, also work toward enlarging the space.

4) Hang mirrors.

By reflecti n g light comi n g in f rom

This clean appearance goes a long way in making bedrooms appear larger.

windows and from lighting fixtures and lamps, mirrors can create a spacious look, espe-

cially when hung across from each other on opposite walls.

Saul says that a mirror hung in a dark corner isn’t ideal, so look for the lighter spaces in the room and let a mirror work magic there.

5) Add more light. Wall sconces, skylights and torchieres can open up a room.

Hanging a pretty chandelier above the bed or over a sitting space by windows has become trendy. And switch from heavy curtains to sheers so that more natural light can get in through the windows.

6) Choose light-colored flooring. Lowe’s design experts say that light oak or a light-colored carpet can make a room look bigger and brighter, whereas a dark rug and dark hardwood floors work against your spacecreating efforts.

7) Choose furniture in ideal sizes. A big, heavy dresser will shrink the space and may create an unbalanced feel in a room filled with smaller pieces. A king-size bed still has a place in a bedroom, since all of these steps create the effect of added space.

8) Use round furniture. Saul says that round pieces can “cut the rigidness and allow for more flow in the room.”

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*apr=annual percentage rate. 1.99% introductory rate for six months followed by WSJ Prime plus 0%, currently at 3.25%. Auto-withdrawal from MSB Checking Account is required. Minimum line amount is $25,000, maximum line is $200,000. $10,000 required draw at closing. After 6 month introductory rate, rate is WSJ Prime + 0%. Equity Lines of Credit have a floor rate of 3.25%, maximum rate of 18%. HELOC’s are variable rates subject to increase after consummation, adjusting monthly to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Prime Rate plus 0%. However, rate is locked at 1.99% for the first six months. An early termination fee of $500 applies when a home equity line of credit closes within 3 years or property is sold within 1st year of account opening.Equity lines and loans are for 1-4 family owner-occupied with an appraisal, maximum loan to value is 80%; for a 1-4 family, maximum loan to value is 75% with an existing first lien greater than $417,000, maximum loan to value is 70% for condominiums. Property insurance required. Consult a tax advisor about tax deductibility. Not available for homes currently for sale or intended to be sold within 6 months of closing. Appraisal fee may be required. Rates & terms subject to change and restrictions may apply. Properties in Trust may require additional closing costs to have a legal review.

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10 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 11, 2014

Light up a room Home improvements can bring a breath of fresh air

By Valerie Franchi Contributing Writer

nature and natural light into your design by taking advantages of windows. It’s a great thing for the whole family.”

And what you use to accentuate those windows can go a long way.

In addition to wall and floor coverings and decorator fabrics and reupholstering, Porro’s Custom Interiors specializes in custom window treatments. It is a Hunter Douglas Centurion dealer, offering that firm’s complete line of window fashions.

“The new Lite-Rise blinds and shades are very popular,” owner Eileen Gareau said, “lifting easily from top or bottom with no cords. And the Duette shades are our number-one seller. The cellular construction provides great insulation and they are available in a wide range of colors.”

A project often starts with

Region – Spring cleaning in the home often involves much more than just cleaning. For many, it is a time for a change – whether it be the addition of new colorful pillows or a complete renovation of a kitchen or bath.

No matter what the budget, there are many improvements that homeowners can make to brighten and rejuvenate the interior of their home.

One place to start is where the additional sunlight of the season enters the home – the windows.

“After a winter like this, it’s important to try to bring in as much natural light not only into your kitchen but also other parts of your life,” said Fran Garafoli of Kitchens by Design. “Sunlight is healthier for your psyche. Try to incorporate

Light up page 11

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Light up a room Light up Continued from page 10

a call from a client to discuss their needs, then an in-home consultation with product samples.

“We can help customers prioritize what they want to do, depending on their style and budget,” Gareau said.

“Homeowners today are taking a more eclectic approach to interior decorating, Gareau noted. “Years ago, everything had to be matching traditional mahogany pieces.

Now people will take antiques they may have inherited and add contemporary pieces, accenting with interesting artwork. Their home reflects who they are.”

Artwork can be a great way to give a room a new look.

“Being stuck inside from the cold for so long makes one want to redesign their walls with a new ‘warm feeling,’” said Ed Turner, owner of Art and Frame Emporium in Westborough.

The frames are just as important as the art or photograph inside them.

“When getting a new frame, be careful because the new industry standard of those ‘great frame deals’ is to sell you composite frames,” warns Turner. “This is like combining sawdust and glue to make a frame for your walls. These frames are known for coming undone and will fall and break something else on the way down. Make sure you ask before you buy. Using real quality wood products with the best designed custom picture frames will prevent any of those problems.”

Of course, many homeowners

are in need of more than just a few new pillows or pictures.

Rooms with a View in Westborough offers a wide range of ways to upgrade the surfaces in your kitchen or bath.

“The new rule in design is that there are no rules,” said Nicole Bucher, who works at Rooms with a View with her mother and owner Kate LaCount. ”Homeowners are embracing an eclectic feel by mixing different styles such as traditional with contemporary.

In the ‘80s and ‘90s, people were forced to commit to one style, now they are encouraged not to commit.”

Rooms with a View can help homeowners navigate the enormous selection of flooring, countertops, backsplashes and cabinetry.

“There are so many options,”

Bucher said. “It’s more fun than it’s ever been, but it can also be overwhelming.”

She added that because of all the choices, it is possible to update a kitchen or bath with any budget. “We can do a backsplash for $900 or $14,000, depending on the budget,” Bucher said, adding that they can also coordinate with existing fabrics and woodwork.

The Rooms with a View showroom is very hands on, Bucher said, and appointments are encouraged.

Another, possibly lower cost option for updating a kitchen or bathroom, is refinishing.

“We can refinish a bathroom for a fraction of the cost,” Keith Tetrault of Ultimate Reglaze, Inc., said, noting that he can make a bathroom

Contact information for the vendors listed above: Porro’s Custom Interiors www.porroscustominteriors.com, 508-754-7692

Kitchens by Design www.kitchensbydesign.com, 508-835-6300

Ultimate Reglaze, Inc. www.ultimatereglaze.com 508-393-6715

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filling in chips using an acrylic paint similar to those used on cars. Any surface made of porcelain, ceramic tile, fiberglass, acrylic, cultured marble or laminate can be refinished in a variety of colors.

Whatever improvements you choose, spring is the best time to get started, so put that tax refund to good use and freshen up your home.

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12 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 11, 2014

Superior shrubs How to maintain your shrubs, bushes and hedges M

ake a statement with stellar shrubs, blossoming bushes, and stately hedges. They add a lot of curb appeal without a lot of work.

“Bushes, shrubs and hedges dress up the exterior of homes, and they are very easy to maintain. You need only to water them regularly, trim them yearly, and spray for bugs, if needed,” said professional landscaper Jan Ornsten, co-owner of American Lawn Corp., in Detroit.

These easy-to-care-for plants soften the harsh lines of a home, quickly fill in gaps in landscaping, and mask air conditioners, utility meters and water outlets.

“Bushes, shrubs and hedges are like living statues,” noted master gardener Jos Zamzow, vice president of TerraLife, a manufacturer of all-natural fertilizers in Nampa, Idaho.

“They become the anchors of

the landscape. As they grow, they become more dramatic over time -- and, if you pick the right variety, shrubs can require very little maintenance.”

The secret to success is in the planting stage. Plant bushes and shrubs in the early spring as soon as the soil is thawed so the plants have as much time as possible to establish their roots before the hot summer months arrive.

“Don’t wait until the Fourth of July weekend, when most of the available stock already is root-bound and it is too hot for the plant to establish itself easily,” Zamzow said.

Fall is also an ideal time to plant shrubs and bushes. Get them in the ground before the soil freezes and they’ll have all winter to get established.

Once the shrub is in the soil, fertilize and water with care -- and be patient. It may take a while to see new growth, but Shrubs page 13

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Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 11, 2014 • 13

Superior shrubs Trimming round bushes and shrubs simply requires a sharp eye.

“There is really no special technique to get a perfect, rounded bush. It truly comes with practice,” Ornsten said.

“Beginners should trim a little bit of the bush at a time and keep stepping back to inspect their work.”

Shrubs Continued from page 12

that doesn’t mean the shrub isn’t thriving.

“Remember that a shrub is spending all of its energy the first year just adapting to its new surroundings,” Zamzow said.

“We say: ‘The first year, shrubs weep. The second year, they creep. The third year, they leap.’”

Spring is perfect time to de-clutter Especially if you want to sell your home

S

pring means many things – warmer weather, longer days, more sunshine and light.

It’s also the perfect time to tackle those clean-up projects that you have been meaning to do for so long.

Many worthwhile organizations hold recycling events in the spring, where you can donate all sorts of things from electronics, clothes, bicycles and even Styrofoam. Be sure to keep an eye on the Community Advocate’s website (www. communityadvocate.com) for local listings of such events.

And if you are hoping to sell your house this spring, it’s imperative that you get rid of clutter.

“In the current market, buyers prefer to look at the condition and quality of the house over size. It is important for buyers to be able to picture themselves in the home,” said local Realtor, Tina Bilazarian, CRS, ASP, SRES. “With that in mind sellers need to declutter - removing personal items, making necessary repairs/updates and creating a neutral atmosphere that sets their sale up for success.”

Think of it this way – less clutter will also make less stuff for you to have to move when you move on to your new dream house!

For more tips on how to prepare your house for sale, contact Bilazarian at 508-826-2197 or tina@bilazarian.com or visit www. bilazarian.com.

Shape It Up “Trim your shrubs and hedges at least yearly unless they are fast growers. Be sure to use sharp hand shears or electric shears -- and do not scalp them,” Ornsten said.

Trim in the late spring or early summer, after the danger of a hard freeze has passed.

Once the new growth has

hardened and changed color, it’s OK to clip, he said.

For squared-off hedges, use a guide line for a level trim.

“Place stakes in the ground at each end of the hedge. Then run a taut string between the stakes with the line level.

Follow the string for hedgetrimming perfection,” Ornsten advised.

Add Nutrients Most bushes, shrubs and hedges require a shot of fertilizer only twice a year, according to Frank Jager, owner of Jager Landscaping, in Oakland, N.J. In northern climates, avoid fertilizing in the hot summer months, when plants are more active and more susceptible to fertilizer burn. Instead, treat the plants in the spring and in late November, Jager said.

In southern climates, bushes and shrubs can handle fertilizer year-round. Just be sure to space the treatments evenly; every six months is ideal, according to Jager.

With new plants, be sure to fertilize the surrounding area,

in addition to the roots.

“If you create an especially nutritious environment around the roots, the root will stay inside the planting hole,” Zamzow said. “In a few years, the plant will be completely root-bound. Adding fertilizer to the surrounding soil is like dangling a carrot.

It gives the roots an incentive to climb out of the hole.”

To encourage slow, healthy growth, Zamzow recommends a 5-5-5 nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium blend rather than a higher-grade fertilizer.

“Avoid encouraging shrubs to grow too quickly. You aren’t trying to increase yield, as you might in a vegetable garden,” he explained.

Don’t worry too much about the watering schedule. Shrubs and bushes do best with less.

Think summer downpour rather than light drizzle.

“Longer, less frequent waterings are better than short, frequent waterings, but thoroughly soak the shrub when you water it,” Zamzow said.

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14 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 11, 2014

Tips for dining room interior design D

ining rooms are stellar rooms for drama. Just think of the exquisite scenes set in “Downton Abbey’s” dining rooms.

For foodies and aficionados of interior design, dining rooms are often the most important room of the house. Whether you love intimate dinners or enjoy large dinner parties, there are certain considerations. Do you entertain often, or do you have a hectic schedule and mostly serve pre-prepared foods? Whatever your scenario, the decor of your dining room is as important as the food that is served there.

Many older formal homes have separate dining rooms, whereas others are part of a great room or just a dining area.

Whatever your home layout or decorating style, you have choices.

The shape and size of the dining table says a lot about the homeowners’ lifestyle and entertaining preferences. Choosing wisely will enhance the diners’ experience. Generally, rectangular tables are better for a large number of people. Oval

,

For foodies and aficionados of interior design, dining rooms are often the most important room of the house. or oblong tables are ideal for medium-sized groups of five or six. Square or round tables work best for those who prefer intimate dining. Most everyone loves a round table. However, remember that when a round table increases in size, it gets wider, thus making it difficult for guests to talk to and hear one another across the table.

A round table also needs to be larger than a rectangular table to seat the same number of people.

A general rule in choosing the

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area. There should be sufficient room to pull out chairs (at least 36 inches) and move around.

Conversely, if the table is too small, the room will look out of proportion.

Materials used for the dining table are often dictated by the style of decor. For example, more traditional styles rely on

traditional woods, whereas contemporary styling might suggest a metal or glass table.

The style of your dining room should reflect the look of the rest of the home and, above all else, your lifestyle.

Joseph Pubillones’ weekly column, “The Art of Design,” can be found at creators.com.

New England Clean Energy provides money-saving solar power Region - If you have the resources to invest in home improvements for spring, there is an option that can actually pay you back.

“Solar energy adds a lot of value and decreases resale time,” said Susan Boucher, marketing director of New England Clean Energy.

But is also can add money in your pocket.

“In terms of people considering how to spend their home improvement dollars,” Boucher said, “solar energy pays you back and can keep paying for decades.”

Most solar users are able to pay their entire electric bill, depending on how large an area they cover - and some can even pay part of a neighbor’s or relative’s bill as well.

“If someone produces more energy than they need, they can apply it to a nearby relative’s bill,” Boucher explained.

New England Clean Energy installs solar panels all year round weather permitting, but spring and summer are busiest time.

“People want to capture the sunlight,” Boucher said.

For more information, contact New England Clean Energy at 978567-6527 or visit www.newenglandcleanenergy.com.

Elizabeth Hanson

Alan Burke Alan BurkLandscape Contracting www.alanburkelandscape.com

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shape and size of the table is to follow the architecture of the room. For example, have your table be similar to the shape and proportion of the room a square or circular table for a square room, a rectangular table for a rectangular room, etc.

For those who entertain often, the trend today is to use two smaller round or rectangular tables instead of one large table. This way, while entertaining, the hostess can sit at one and the host at the other.

It also adds an intimacy that is lost at one large table.

A more casual and current approach to dining is a higher table (with higher chairs).

Inspired by bar seating, this is popular among young families and singles who don’t want a formal dining look. Countertops are also used for dining in order to make the best use of small spaces.

The most important factor when choosing a dining table is the size of the room.

A table that is too large will make it difficult for guests to get in and out of the dining

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Get your lawn ready Spring preparation equals summer relaxation

By Valerie Franchi Contributing Writer Region â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Summer is the time to enjoy the outdoors â&#x20AC;&#x201C; backyard barbecues, cocktails on the patio â&#x20AC;&#x201C; so spring is the time to get your lawn and yard ready.

According to Roger McCarthy of McCarthy Landscaping,

preparing your lawn is just as important as maintaining it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to ďŹ rst give your yard a good, hard raking and remove all the dead grass and the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;snow moldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; that has accumulated over the winter,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Snow mold is a type of fungus that looks like circular 3- to 12-

inch patches of dead and matted grass, McCarthy explained. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The next step is to dethatch your lawn before you put on crab grass preventative. That preventative acts as a barrier and sealer so you deďŹ nitely want to do the necessary ďŹ rst steps before you put that on your lawn,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then you can

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Steve Stratton of Templeman Tree Service agreed, adding â&#x20AC;&#x153;when the snow clears take stock of storm damage, such as broken branches and other debris.â&#x20AC;?

A landscaping company can help with the removal of dead trees or branches and give your yard a general spring cleanup.

After youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve cleaned and prepared your lawn for spring, you may want to add some features to make your yard a place to really enjoy for the summer.

Contact information for the above mentioned companies: McCarthyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Landscaping and Irrigation, 508-842-7110, www.mccarthyslandscaping.com MSF Landscapes, 508-615-7765, www.msflandscapes.com Templeman Tree Service, 508-839-5961, www.templemantree.com

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MSF Landscape can add patios, water features, decks, outdoor lighting and ďŹ re pits for family barbecues and parties. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We do the actual design work all winter long,â&#x20AC;? said Mark Forge. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As soon as the frost is oďŹ&#x20AC; the ground, we can start construction.â&#x20AC;?

Forge said if you are interested in adding an outdoor feature, plan early. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be done in a day,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Start now so that you can enjoy it for the summer.â&#x20AC;?

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16 • Community Advocate • Spring Home Improvement • Friday, April 11, 2014

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