Spring
Home, Lawn & Garden 2020
The Herald â– YO U R C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R S I N C E 1 8 9 5 DUBOISCOUNTYHERALD.COM
DUBOIS COUNTY, INDIANA
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 SECTION B
PAGE 2 ■ HOME, LAWN & GARDEN
THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020
Refinish countertops to look like real granite By JAMES DULLEY Creators.com Dear James: I have an old laminate kitchen countertop still in good shape. I want to refinish it myself so it looks like real granite. What options do I have? — Sandra N. Dear Sandra: There are several do-it-yourself refinishing kits you can buy to provide a durable, real-granite or stonelike appearance. They are available at most home center stores for between $150 and $200. Typical kits can cover about 40 to 50 square feet of counter area that is in good condition. My own house is about 45 years old and had butcher block counters. There is one large, Lshaped one with the sink and three smaller ones by the range and refrigerator. They total about 55 square feet, so I needed two kits. I wanted a golden-toned granite look to compliment my kitchen cabinets. I chose a SpreadStone countertop refinishing kit because of the color and the real stone particles in the surface. Making your old countertops look like real granite is a three-step process. Plan on this project taking a couple of days total. This gives each layer time to dry before preparing for the next step. As with any of the refinishing kits, clean and sand the old laminate surface with 80-grit sandpaper. Don’t worry if you can see scratches after sanding. The base layer is very thick, almost like icing, so it covers any scratches. This also works well on wood or concrete surfaces. When applying over tile, a bonding coat must be applied first. If you have several countertops, start on a small one. There is a short learning curve, so learn on one that may be used to set a microwave oven. The kit includes a medium brush, miniroller and matching paint tray. Using the miniroller is recommended, except for space-restricted spots, where the brush is needed. Stir the base coat, roll it on, and allow it to dry. A second coat is recommended but not needed if the first coat totally blocks the color of your old countertop. The base coat is just being used for color and as a primer, so its thickness does not affect the finished surface. Next, apply a colored coat, which includes the tiny real stone particles. Roll this on fairly thickly. You will see and feel the tiny stone particles when dry. Put on another coat of the stonefilled coating, and even add a third coat if there is enough left in the can. Once it is thoroughly dry, sand the surface with 120-grit sandpaper. Sand it in a circular pattern. This really makes all the natural stone colors stand out. If
Do-it-yourself refinishing kits can give countertops a durable, granite or stonelike appearance. DOKARYAN CREATORS.COM
you have an orbital sander with a vacuum, the sanding takes less time. You will be sanding actual stone, so there will be a lot of fine dust. Wear a breathing mask or respirator. You can sand it down as smooth as you like. While trying to get it too smooth, I accidentally (the learning curve) sanded all the way down to the base coat in a few spots and had to touch them up with more of the stone coating. This is where three layers of stone coating really helps; the layers provide more thickness for sanding smooth without going through it. My finish has a slight texture to it. When you have it as smooth as you like, roll on a clear sealing coating. It is very thin, almost like water, so it does not get cloudy or puddle on the surface. This brings out the stone color even more. Apply a second thin coat, and wait a day to use the counter. Another type of simulated granite countertop kit, Transformations, uses an adhesive base coat, special wetting agent, decorative chips and two-part finish coating. This kit includes a special sanding block, a stone particle shaker and a spreader. This is best done as a two-person project because you must work fast when applying the chips. Roll on the adhesive coating evenly, and make sure it stays wet by spraying on wetting agent. Using the chips spreader, turn a crank
handle, which throws a spray of chips out the front. Cover the surface evenly with chips. When dry, vacuum off loose chips and lightly sand the surface for evenness. Stir the two topcoat liquids together. You will have about four hours to use it before it sets up. Another kit from https:// www.gianigranite.com also used a base coat for the background color. Once this dark coat is dry, use sponges from the kit to dab colored chips in a liquid base and onto the surface. There are several colors, so you can determine the final pattern and appearance. Each counter will look slightly different. There is a practice test sheet included. Finish the surface with a clear topcoat. When using any of these kits, it is wise to slightly round sharp edges with sandpaper. For better durability, I used a small brush to put a third sealer coat along the rounded edge where there will more contact and wear.
James Dulley writes “Here’s How.” To find out more about James Dulley and read his past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www. creators.com.
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HOME, LAWN & GARDEN ■ PAGE 3
Bring wildlife to your backyard with habitat By JEFF RUGG Creators.com I am often asked how a landscape can be changed or added to so that it will attract more wildlife. Usually, this means birds and butterflies and not pesky mammals. Birds and other wildlife live in areas that give them the proper food, water and shelter. We call these areas habitats. Ducks live in lake habitats. Squirrels live in forested habitats. Bison live in prairie habitats, and so on. When different habitats come together, they create a hybrid habitat called an edge habitat. Edges have some animals and plants from each of the contributing habitats and some that live only in that edge habitat. Edges with large areas of pure habitats on either side have the largest number of species. Birds that spend the summer in one kind of habitat in North America may spend the winter in a different habitat in South America. We rarely think too much about what our birds are doing down there, but as more research is being done we are finding that they play an important role in the ecosystem of both continents. They help to pollinate flowers and contribute to seed dispersal in many plant species up here. Some South
of birds and butterflies will come to your property. Flowering shrubs and trees are not only pretty for us to look at but they also provide nectar and attract insects for migratory birds to eat. Later they will provide seeds or fruit for the birds to eat while migrating back south for the winter. Shelter from storms, cold and wind must be provided. Evergreens and thick shrubs do this well. Shelter for raising a family is also provided by evergreens and thick shrubs, but some species will benefit from the addition of birdhouses. The feature in a landscape that will attract the most birds is water. Even a simple birdbath is better than nothing. A shallow beach area on the edge of a water garden will attract the most birds.
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With the right landscape, your yard could be home to birds, butterflies and squirrels. American plants are also dependent on our birds for these botanical functions. Many of our pure habitats have been shrunk to very small sizes. At the same time, the edge habitats have greatly increased. Animal species that depend on large areas of the same kind of habitat have declined along with their
habitats. Animals that tolerate or prefer edges have prospered. A large woodlot is often viewed as the perfect place to build a home and enjoy living in the woods. Once the streets, parkways, lawns and backyards are all in, there is no longer a woods, but there is lots of edge. Subdivisions built in farm fields start out with
little diversity, but as time goes by and plants are added, the diversity comes. Subdivisions change from something like a prairie to a large edge habitat. By planting a diversity of plants on your property, you are creating more habitat. You will have more food sources and more nesting places, so a larger variety
Create beautiful garden with small price tag By MARY HUNT Creators.com
Build soil ■■ Fireplace ashes. Spread wood ash from your winter fires onto the garden beds. Also known as potash, it will gradually build the soil, adding potassium as well as 32 trace minerals. And it’s free! ■■ Increase acidity. Drench wet soil with full-strength white vinegar (or drench dry soil with a 50-50 vinegar and water solution) to increase the acidity of the soil for plants like azaleas and gardenias.
The only difference between gardeners and cheapskate gardeners is the amount of money they spend to achieve the same results. The truth is, like no other hobby, gardening is actually more productive when the cheapest — even free — supplies are used. Control weeds Newspaper. It is inexpensive and works beautifully. Cover the area with 10 layers of newspaper, and then spread mulch or compost over the top. Plant whatever you like by poking a hole in the paper for the seed or plant. Homemade weedkiller. Dissolve 2 cups salt in 1 gallon white vinegar, and add 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap. Move some of the vinegar to another container so you have room to get all that salt in there. Then replace the amount you removed and add the soap. Apply with a spray bottle. Caution: Repeated use will sterilize the soil to where eventually nothing will grow. It’s ideal for driveways, paths and walkways. Keep cats away ■■ Ammonia. Sink small open containers (baby food jars are good) into the soil up to the rim throughout the garden, and fill with household ammonia. Cats hate the smell of ammonia. ■■ Pepper. Sprinkle the garden with ground black pepper. Purchase it in bulk at a warehouse club or bulk grocer, and apply liberally to the affected area. It won’t harm the cats but rather simply irritate their paws, so they’ll go somewhere else to dig. ■■ Plant flowers. Marigolds have a pungent odor that repels cats and other bugs and animals. Plant them among your vegetable and flower gardens. Feed lawn, plants Homemade Lawn Food 1 cup Epsom salts 1 cup antiseptic mouthwash 1 cup liquid dish soap
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Spread wood ash, also known as potash, from your winter fires onto your garden beds to build the soil. 1 cup ammonia 1 can beer Mix the following in a large container. Fill a hose-end sprayer jar that mixes its contents with water. Attach to the hose, and give your lawn a generous dose. Yum. (Set the dial so this recipe mixes with 20 gallons of water. You can figure that out. I know you can.) Promote new growth To guarantee the healthiest plants in town, when planting trees, shrubs and evergreens, scat-
ter 10 unused match heads and 1 cup of Epsom salts in the planting hole. This promotes new growth and helps strengthen stems and roots. ■■ Cheap fertilizer. Add 2 teaspoons plain household ammonia to 1 gallon water. Allow it to sit in an open container (and out of reach of kids looking for a drink) for a full 24 hours. Use on plants instead of commercial fertilizer. Caution: If you use more ammonia, it will be too strong, and you will burn your plants.
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PAGE 4 ■ HOME, LAWN & GARDEN
THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020
Design peaceful, productive work environment By SHARON NAYLOR TORIS Creators.com There are many reasons you might want a home office. Perhaps you’re growing tired of commuting to your workplace during hazardous weather days or when you’re feeling under the weather — but in both cases, you still want to get work done. Perhaps you’ve arranged for a flexible schedule at work, giving you newfound freedom to work from home. Perhaps you’re selfemployed, and setting up your laptop at the kitchen table just isn’t cutting it anymore. Luckily, you can get all you need in a small space. Desha Peacock, author of “Your Creative Work Space: The Sweet Spot Style Guide to Home Office and Studio Décor,” says, “You don’t need an entire spare room to have a home office. There’s a lot of talk about tiny spaces in the design realm, so look for corners that can be transformed with organizing supplies, such as a family control-center desk in the kitchen where you can organize family members’ schedules and bills and have space for a laptop.” Another small space that can easily be turned into a home office is a closet. “Empty it out, take off the outer door, and install a thick board for a desktop and additional shelves in a design that works best for you,” Peacock advises. “Paint the interior of the space a color you love. If you live in an apartment, you can opt for stick-on wallpaper in fun and exciting colors and patterns.” Stickon wallpaper or decals let you change out your design anytime you’d like, and you can, of course, use these in any number of closets to turn them into functional, small-space work zones. “There is also the fun option of using chalk paint inside the space, perfect for jotting notes, doodling, lettering an inspiring quote and so on,” says Peacock. The key to any home office space — closet-sized or larger — is organization. You want a controlled, clutter-free area with easy access to all your materials. The key is to design a space with an efficient storage system. “Be sure you start by planning for dedicated shelving or drawers where you can stash paper, journals, pens, clips and everything else you need to tackle tasks quickly,” says Pea-
It’s not overwhelming, and it allows your home office space to work for you.” No matter how much time you plan to spend in your home office each day, choose a chair with good support, and set it to place you at the perfect ergonomic height in front of your desk so your neck, arms and back will be protected. You can even hire a local chiropractor or ergonomics expert to come to your home and arrange your desk chairs for optimal comfort. When designing your workspace, choose a location near a natural light source, such as a window. Peacock undertook some professional construction to replace a window with French doors for a flood of sunlight. “For lightbulbs, skip fluorescent bulbs entirely, and instead use 4100-Kelvin, color temperature, soft white bulbs. A cooler lightbulb helps you boost serotonin,” says Peacock, and natural light is kind to your eyes. If you don’t have windows in your space, Peacock says to create the illusion of a bigger space
with mirrors. Air-purifying plants are favorites in home offices, and healthy plants can be mood-boosters. Also consider electronic air purifiers to keep indoor air pollution and allergens down. Don’t overdecorate. A handful of family photos on a shelf or wall connects you to your inspiration and purpose, but a collage of every old comic strip, greeting card, sticky note and collectible creates visual stress. An inspiring quote can live in a pretty frame; a sliver of geode can add some natural beauty to your space; a new coffee mug can complete your home office design for the better. Ask your accountant for assistance in assessing your space for any home office deductions. Bear in mind you always want the most current deduction information. Check the IRS website for their latest literature on home office deductions. Say goodbye to long commutes and cramped cubicles. With these simple steps, you can have a stylish and productive workspace in your very own home.
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This fresh home-office design was featured in “Your Creative Work Space.” cock. Select desktop organizing trays, cups and baskets to help you organize the small things. Make sure everything has a home so you don’t fall into spacedefeating habits like dropping papers or supplies on the dining room table every day. “Declutter often,” Peacock says. “Put the task in your calendar to stay dedicated.
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HOME, LAWN & GARDEN ■ PAGE 5
Grow and maintain sustainable vegetable garden By CHRISTOPHER CROWN Creators.com If you’re a DIY hobby champ or an organic-only food snob, you know that nothing parallels the taste of your own freshly grown vegetables. Despite this romantic, bucolic urge, starting a garden — especially one that bears produce — can seem very daunting. From size and species to soil and season, there are a lot of variables that play into a successful harvest. With the right information, a student mentality and a little planning, however, maintaining a sustainable home vegetable garden is a hobby well within reach. The first task is assessing your resources: How much space do you have? How much of it do you want to allocate to a vegetable garden? How much are you actually willing to tend? The best plan is one you’ll actually follow, so this last point becomes quite important if you’re on the fence about your willingness to weed, water, trim and prune in your free time. According to Better Homes and Gardens magazine, beginner gardeners often go overboard on their first attempts. Imagining a cornucopia of all their favorite species (melons, zucchini, asparagus, berries, turnips, radishes, peppers, and so on), newbies will literally dig themselves too deep, allocating a patch of land that is well beyond their ability or interest to manage. Better Homes and Gardens recommends a first-season gardener set aside a 10-by-10 patch of land in their backyard for their first garden. This will not only ensure that the time necessary to tend the plot won’t ruin the fun of the hobby but also allow gardeners to add more space after honing their skills. Once you’ve determined how much space to use, you’re ready for the fun part: deciding what to grow. This is what many imagine when they first think of gardening, the first of two simple steps in a larger equation: picking what they want to grow, and then magically harvesting it. In a 2019 article on The Old Farmer’s Almanac, contributor Catherine Boeckmann recommends ample research when picking plant species. From size to sunlight requirements to your soil’s acidity, it’s critical to select a species that will thrive on your land. Boeckmann recommends the following easy-to-grow resilient starter crops to choose from: tomatoes, zucchini, squash, peppers, cabbage, bush beans, lettuce, beets, carrots, chard and radishes. Additionally, if you also plant some marigold flowers within your beds, you will gain a helpful natural pest repellant — and some beautiful flowers to intersperse with your vegetable foliage. Pick veggies you want to eat and cook with and then use garden centers, online resources or seed catalogues to help you pick varieties that work for your space and climate. Gardener’s Supply Company recommends keeping records of what worked and what didn’t when it comes to crop choice, season and plot placement. Next comes your soil. New plant roots prefer soft, permeable soil and will oftentimes not take root in hard soil, clay or sand. Spending some time to till and adjust your soil to the highest quality is a long-term investment toward your harvest. The Compost Gardener website recommends purchasing a soil pH test kit to make
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Accessing the advice of several gardening resources can supply the information needed to get your first harvest of healthy, fresh homegrown produce.
sure your soil isn’t too acidic or basic; this is often a hidden variable that can really affect plant growth. Additionally, Amy Andrychowicz, garden specialist for the website Get Busy Gardening, recommends thorough and frequent mulching. Mulching using compost, grass clippings, pine needles and other yard waste is often free and helps infuse soil with extra organic compounds and nutrients that will help your new plants flourish. Finally, Better Homes and Gardens recommends selecting vegetables that will provide you with both warm- and cool-weather harvests. This will not only cycle your crops, preventing soil nutrient loss, but also keep your hobby alive year-round. This will force you to maintain your plot, build your skills and keep healthy, fresh produce in your kitchen for more months out of the year. Potatoes, cabbage and kale make good fall crops. Use this primer of knowledge to kickstart your research as you plan and plant your own home vegetable garden.
PAGE 6 ■ HOME, LAWN & GARDEN
THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020
Take time to organize kitchen for maximum efficiency By KRISTEN CASTILLO Creators.com There are lots of benefits to having an organized kitchen: You know your inventory, can easily find what you need and are not overwhelmed with clutter. But getting organized can be a challenge as family needs, storage options and other factors differ from house to house. Organization experts share their tips for tidying your cupboards, pantry and drawers so your daily life flows smoothly and you get the most out of the space. Katy Winter, who runs the home organizing service Katy’s Organized Home, says the first thing to do is to go in the kitchen and take everything out, as that’s key to helping you “reimagine and rethink your space.” Next, sort items into categories, such as baking, snacks, breakfast, pasta and grains, etc. Then sort your prep items such as spices, oils, utensils, cups and dishes. The key to staying neat and lessening waste is to see all items at any given time. “You don’t want items to be placed behind other items in a deep cabinet,” says Winter. “They easily get lost, forgotten and expire.” Use risers or Lazy Susans in your cabinets so you can see what you have in the back. Make sure bins are easy to access and pull out. Use organizers to keep drawers neat and store utensils or spices. “Keep the items you know you use often easily accessible,” says Adriana Dikih of the Willamette Transplant blog, which focuses on DIY home projects. “Maybe even store them within arm’s reach in decorative containers appropriate to live on the counter.” She says navigating your pantry should be easy and convenient. For example, store cooking and baking items separately. When you’re preparing a savory dinner, you shouldn’t have to fumble through sweet ingredients like baking sugars to find what you need. If you buy in bulk, Bri Bell, registered dietitian and kitchen expert who runs the Frugal Minimalist Kitchen website, recommends labeling your food or taking items out of their original packaging. She uses mason jars to items such as nuts, quinoa and beans. Bell suggests doing a quick in-
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Keep kitchen items you use often, such as cutting boards, near your workspace so they’re easily accessible. ventory before you go shopping. Knowing what you have will help you avoid buying duplicates. And only buy what you plan to use in the next few weeks so there is less waste and more space in your cabinets. Regularly emptying and rotating items in your pantry “saves time, money and efficiency in the kitchen,” says Dikih. She often finds at least two dinner options hiding in her pantry, such as rice, beans, lentils or polenta. Move existing items to the front, and place new items in the back to see what else you can cook up that you may have forgotten. Productivity expert and bestselling author of “Listful Living: A List-Making Journey to a Less Stressed You,” Paula Rizzo recently redid the pantry in her apartment, planning the project step by step and sharing details on her List Producer blog. In just 30 minutes, she chose a
date to clean the pantry and made a list of kitchen essentials. She spent an hour on that chosen day clearing out the pantry, throwing out unused or expired items. Similar to tidying expert Marie Kondo’s approach to decluttering, Rizzo held each item and decided what earned a place in the pantry. For example, she decided to get rid of a juicer she received years ago as a gift but had only used three times. After the pantry purge, Rizzo spent 30 minutes buying organizational items including containers, reusable labels, a spice organizer and scoops. Reorganizing the pantry and putting everything back together took one hour. “Before I started stuffing things back in the pantry I thought about how we live and what we use most,” she wrote. “I have six shelves and baskets on the door for extra storage.” The top shelf holds extra pans and serv-
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ing dishes; the second shelf is for the crockpot and bulk items. The third shelf, one of the most used, hold snacks and breakfast essentials like oatmeal. Spices, oil and vinegar are on the fourth shelf;
cans and jarred items are on the fifth. The sixth stores frying pans and sheet pans. Now Rizzo and her husband know where everything goes. They feel lighter and more organized. “I’m happy I don’t have to dig through things to get to the one thing I need,” she says. “I don’t like over buying and now I won’t.” Kitchen tidying is as easy as you plan it to be. Use these four tips as a guideline for your project, and see how you want to customize from there: 1. Empty the cabinets, and then clean and vacuum the space. 2. Get rid of items you don’t use. 3. Sort storage containers, making sure each one has its matching lid and that they aren’t stained or cracked. 4. Designate a place for everything you have in the pantry. Home should feel like home, and messiness can get in the way of that. Organizing your kitchen is a guaranteed way to be less stressed and more efficient so you are freed up to do more of the things you love.
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HOME, LAWN & GARDEN ■ PAGE 7
Composting has many benefits By KRISTEN CASTILLO Creators.com Composting is a sustainable way to get rid of yard waste and food scraps that would otherwise end up in a landfill and repurpose them for plant care. The composting process breaks down organic matter. The resulting nutrientrich material, known as humus, is good for soil and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, providing for healthy plants and solid harvests. While composting might seem intimidating, the process is inexpensive and easy. Stacy Caprio is a consumer who has been composting for two years. She was inspired to start composting because her grandmother has always done it. The best part is “knowing you are not putting food garbage directly into a landfill and instead being able to contribute to the earth’s natural lifecycle,” she says. For this do-it-yourself soil boost, all you need is the right materials and equipment. Compost 101 Composting is only for organic material. The better variety of organic food scraps you add, the more compost you will have, and the more nutrient-rich it will be. “These organic materials are either carbon based or nitrogen based,” says garden blogger Mindy McIntosh-Shetter. Brown materials like dried leaves or cardboard are rich in carbon, while green materials like vegetable and fruit scraps are high in nitrogen. She says the ideal ratio is 30 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen. Tatyana Rodriguez, creator of the blog Florence’s Flowers, suggests adding tea leaves, coffee grinds, banana peels, dry branches and clean, broken eggshells to compost. Countless other materials can be added. Use whatever you happen to be cooking up in the kitchen for inspiration. There are a number of materials to avoid, however. Don’t add weeds, because they’ll just produce more weeds. Avoid processed foods, meat products and dairy products, which can give off an odor or attract unwanted animals. While fruit is good for the compost pile, steer clear of citrus peels, and remove fruit pits, as they can take a long time to break down. McIntosh-Shetter says to leave out foods from the nightshade family, such as tomatoes, potatoes and peppers. Their roots can have nematodes, a garden pest that will feast on your compost. She also suggests not adding grass clippings, since they can be slimy and stinky. As for paper products, leave out glossy paper, which likely contains a plastic-like coating and won’t break down. And when using cardboard, first remove any stickers and tape. Still not sure what to add or leave out? Follow McIntosh-Shetter’s advice: “Do not add anything that Mother Nature did not make.” You can add items to the compost pile whenever you have them.
Some people add kitchen scraps to the bin once a day. Other composters use a layering strategy: First, add cardboard. Add a layer of green matter, and then add a shovel full of garden soil. Repeat the layers until the bin fills up. Maintenance Keep the compost moist, especially during the spring, summer and fall. One way to do this is to position your compost bin in partial shade. If you live in a dry climate, you can water the pile. Or if it’s uncovered, allow rain to permeate the pile without oversaturating. Add a shovel’s worth of garden soil twice a month for beneficial bacteria and fungi that will help the decomposition process. Every two to four weeks, turn the compost pile so it aerates properly. “If you turn the compost more frequently, you will produce compost more quickly,” says Rodriguez. You’ll know it is ready for a turn when you no longer see steam coming from it. Compost tips “Once your compost is broken down, use it, but do not use it all,”
says McIntosh-Shetter. “Set some aside to reintroduce the healthy bacteria and fungus that is required for decomposition.” She urges composters to have two bins available: one to be filled this year and another to be started next year. This rotation will allow the compost to break down completely. If you want to speed up the breakdown process, before you place kitchen scraps in the bin, cut them into small pieces, or freeze them to make them mushy once they thaw. Compost bins aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing, but try to keep them nice. “Do make your compost bin, regardless if it is DIY or commercially made, a decorative part of your landscape,” says McIntosh-Shetter, noting you can train flowering vines to grow up the sides of your bin for color and shade. Soil is an important life force of a garden, so improving your soil is guaranteed to bring a great return. A compost rich in organic materials is one of the best garden investments, and a one-way ticket to beautiful blooms and bountiful harvests.
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THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020
Inexpensive dehumidifiers zap high humidity woes By MARY HUNT Creators.com Humidity, or the lack thereof, is always a popular topic. Where I live in northern Colorado, it’s dry. We have no humidity. Well, not exactly, but it averages in the low- to mid-20% during the summer and fall months. We have a humidifier in our home, and it runs 24/7 year-round for health and comfort. Recently, many readers have inquired about how to deal with the opposite: high humidity, which can get pretty miserable. What Is a Dehumidifier? Think of a dehumidifier as a vacuum that sucks the air from a room, removing the moisture and blowing dry air back into the room. The condensation drips into a collection tank inside the machine that must be emptied from time to time. Many people find that a dehumidifier works together with the air conditioning system to keep rooms comfortable even on the hottest, most humid days. Others
rely on a dehumidifier in place of an air conditioner. Dehumidifiers come in a variety of sizes, typically rated according to how many square feet they can dehumidify and how many pints of water they can produce in a day. Most home dehumidifiers are controlled by thermostats and humidity sensors so you can make the room as hot and dry as you wish. The signs that you need a humidifier are: ■■ Discomfort: High humidity is just plain uncomfortable. It’s that hot, sticky feeling you just can’t shake. ■■ Wet windows: If your windows are wet on the outside, chances are pretty good it’s raining. But when they’re drippy wet on the inside? That’s humidity, baby! An accumulation of condensation on the inside of windows is a clear sign of unreasonably high humidity. ■■ Mysterious water stain: You’ve checked the roof and all the pipes and can find no sign of leaks. Still, you have what look
like ugly water stains on the ceiling and/or walls. Those may be another symptom of excessive humidity inside the house. Water that condenses in these areas can eventually lead to peeling paint and even damaged drywall. ■■ Mold: Discovering mold and mildew climbing the walls in your home — and driving you up the wall — is another sign that it’s just too humid in there. That condition is inviting airborne mold spores to take up residence where they are free to multiply. ■■ High humidity: It’s one thing to feel hot and sweaty, but it’s another to see the exact relative humidity level. In the same way a
thermometer checks the temperature of a room, a humidity gauge — also known as a hygrometer — shows the current humidity expressed as a percentage. In general, when the outdoor temperature is over 50 Fahrenheit, indoor humidity levels should not exceed 50%. Dehumidifiers come in a variety of sizes and capacities -- from whole-house units that tie into the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system and dump water right into a sump pump to portable units that are self- contained and can be moved from room to room. Whether you’ve got a humid
office, garage, closet or bedroom, there’s a dehumidifier that can handle it all. The smallest dehumidifier that I recommend removes up to 30 pints of moisture from the air per day with its 3-liter water tank capacity. It’s recommended for small, indoor spaces like closets or offices up to 1,000 square feet. A 50-pint capacity dehumidifier is built to handle a 1,000 to 2,500 square foot area and works well for bedrooms or common spaces. A 70-pint capacity dehumidifier is intended for rooms from 2,500 to 4,000 square feet such as basements, cellars or other large spaces.
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THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020
Stylish home can be sustainable, eco-friendly By SIMONE SLYKHOUS Creators.com Some people have large houses with many rooms. Some people have studio apartments. Some people live in RVs, yurts, villas, co-ops or even boats. But I’ll share a secret with you. Are you listening? We are all living in the same home, planet Earth. Coming from this perspective, it would make sense to want to fill our living quarters with eco-friendly furnishings and décor. More and more often, people are searching for sustainability. According to furniture and décor company West Elm, “About 85 percent of millennials seek out responsibly sourced product.” However, it can be difficult to know what to purchase and from where, or if you should be buying something at all. Here are some tips on decorating your home while considering the planet. Think local Though purchasing furniture from a big-box store (think Target, Walmart, Ikea) or an online retailer (Amazon, Wayfair) can seem the easiest route, it also puts more money into the hands of corporate entities thousands of miles away. And it takes a great deal of plastic, packaging and fossil fuels to have that side table delivered to your door. Consider supporting local retailers and businesses instead. Home-
grown businesses typically reuse materials and work with nearby retailers and suppliers, creating a “green ripple” effect in your neighborhood. This influx of business will support jobs and reduce shipping and packaging. Plus, buying works from local artisans means your home decor will be unique rather than cookie-cutter. Materials matter When searching for furniture, aesthetics are important. Luckily, the most beautiful and chic choices are often the most ecofriendly. According to Briana Nix of Decorist, “Furniture designers are getting creative with materials like concrete and bamboo, making pieces that are eye-catching and inspiring while keeping the environment in mind.” Bamboo is incredibly fast-growing. It can grow 18 to 47 inches in one day and release 35% more oxygen than a typical forest tree. Though bamboo is a grass rather than a tree, it is extremely durable. It is as strong as mild steel. Other sustainable options include teak, walnut, eucalyptus, rattan and cane. When purchasing wood furniture, look for pieces made from timber harvested using Forest Stewardship Council guidelines. Newer isn’t always better According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans throw out more than 12 million tons of furnishings and
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furniture each year. Think of all that wood, fiber, metal, carpet and plastic. Instead of adding to the pile, consider giving these pieces a second life. Look for shops that offer secondhand furnishings and décor such as thrift stores and consignment stores. What’s the difference between the two? According to Neil Kokemuller for the Houston Chronicle, “A consignment shop accepts goods from patrons, merchandises them for sale and pays a portion to the contributor.” Often, thrift stores are run by nonprofits. “The Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries are among the
Minimalism When in doubt, consider whether you need a new item in the first place. Minimalism is very on trend. Reducing clutter has been shown to reduce stress, and fewer items in your home means less environmental impact and greater appreciation of your personal space and our planet. A commitment to sustainable home furnishing doesn’t have to be hard. Whether you are seeking an all-out redesign or simple home accessories, take advantage of sustainable home products and trends that fulfill your desires and protect our world.
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HOME, LAWN & GARDEN ■ PAGE 11
Vertical, innovative structures optimize space By KRISTEN CASTILLO Creators.com
down in a pot or on a trellis, maximizing water efficiency. Get creative with plant placement. Sothern suggests placing plants that grow a couple of feet out of the wall up high, so they can provide shade for the ones below. Pay attention to those plants on the bottom, too, making sure they don’t get too much water.
The concept of a vertical garden — a garden that grows up a trellis or wall, as opposed to a horizontal garden that grows on the ground — is nothing new. But modern-day gardeners are embracing the style for its beauty, space-saving ability and environmental benefits like water efficiency and improved air quality. It’s particularly popular for gardeners in urban areas and those living in homes with small yards. Don’t be overwhelmed by the idea of starting your own vertical garden. “You do not have to go all out. Anything is better than nothing,” says award-winning designer and environmentalist Pablo Solomon. “Any greenery you can add to your space, whether in the concrete covered cities, the suburbs or the country, is a step in the right direction.” For example, he suggests attaching a few flowerpots to an outdoor wall or garden fence. You can also plant vines to grow up a wall or fence. Easy gardening Emma Sothern and her husband run GardenZoo. They love helping new gardeners find joy in the outdoors. The couple used to live in the city, where their gardening was somewhat limited. Nowadays, they have a countryside home, and they’re fascinated by vertical gardens. “It’s super easy to make a vertical garden, much easier than you might think,” says Sothern. “Once you have your materials, you can construct the frame and hang your wall in just a few hours. Vertical gardens are pretty low-maintenance, as they water themselves, if you’ve set things up properly.” For best outcomes, make sure your vertical garden gets enough light and shade. Not all plants will survive long term since their root systems may not take hold. Sothern says some plants may only last six months or a year. Getting started Sothern has a four-step approach to designing a vertical garden. First, choose a wall. “Pick one that’s unattractive or not bringing you much joy,” she says, noting the plants you choose will depend on how much light that wall gets. Next build the garden’s frame, using a three-layer “sandwich” structure with a frame, plastic sheeting and fabric. She says PVC pipe, elbows and four-way joints work better than metal or wood
Plan ahead for runoff by planting a flower bed or herb garden below your vertical garden. And make sure to avoid rot. If your wall is wood, such as a trellis or fence, be careful about rot. Solomon suggests keeping drips away from the wall or putting a protective layer between the wall and the plants.
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Choose a wall that is rather plain or doesn’t bring much joy for a vertical garden. frames. The plants will live in the fabric. Sothern recommends carpet padding or jute cloth or anything that holds water without rotting. The fabric must be wider than the frame on the long sides. You’ll need the extra material when pinning it to the plastic. The third step is setting up an irrigation system to keep plants hydrated. You can buy an irrigation system or make one out of poly tubing with fittings that lock. Sothern says it’s “a tube of water at the top with intermittent holes for water to drip through.” The last step is choosing and inserting plants into the vertical garden. Choose plants that are native to your region. Using a knife or a razor blade, make a horizon-
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tal cut in the fabric. Clear the soil around the plant’s bulb and place it into the cut. Then, use a staple gun, nails or pins to secure the fabric to the plastic backing in a semicircle around the root. “It’s like a little pocket for the bulb,” says Sothern. Best practices Solomon reminds gardeners that vertical gardens can be down, as well as up. For example, tomatoes and other plants can be planted upside
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PAGE 12 ■ HOME, LAWN & GARDEN
THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020
Reclaim space: Make home refuge of relaxation By CHELLE CORDERO Creators.com Does walking into your home make you feel overwhelmed by all of the stuff taking up space? Are you constantly making excuses to not have people over, and even avoiding your own abode as much as possible? If so, it’s time to get organized. But where do you even begin? “The simplification of life is one of the steps to inner peace. A persistent simplification will create an inner and outer well-being that places harmony in one’s life.” — Peace Pilgrim, an American spiritual teacher, mystic, pacifist, vegetarian activist and peace activist. Here are a few simple rules for keeping your home and your life in order: ■■ Stop buying stuff. If you don’t have an immediate need for it, don’t buy it or accept it. ■■ Find your motivation and then set a goal. What would you like to do with your space? Some ideas include setting up an office or a reading nook. ■■ Determine where to begin. What room or corner bothers you the most? ■■ Declutter every day. Don’t give things a chance to pile up; spend 15 minutes every day doing a little bit of cleaning. ■■ Remove the clutter immediately. Toss, donate or fold it as soon as you pick it up. When Rachel and her husband were moving from the house they raised their family in to a smaller retirement home, they desperately needed to downsize. First, Rachel collected all of her children’s school art projects she had saved for sentimental reasons, pulled her digital camera out and took pictures of the cardboard dioramas and collages so that she could store the memories in a compact photo album. Rachel found it difficult to toss many “perfectly good items,” even though she had no use for them, so she donated household goods, books and even some excess groceries to worthy charities, some of which actually picked these items up from her yard. Roberta always tackles the buildup of clutter one corner at a time, especially with two active youngsters running around the house. Each clean corner encouraged her to tackle another one until her whole house was done. She also found that by storing items in the areas of the house where they were used made it much easier to put them away afterward. She kept cookbooks on a shelf in the kitchen, board games in the den where the family enjoyed game nights, etc. By keeping these “use areas” specific, she made it incredibly easy to put things back where they belong after each use. Janet labels the clothes hanging in her closet with the date of last wear. With the exception of special party clothes, if she hasn’t used the clothing hanging in the closet for one year or more, she’ll get rid of it. If she’s not sure, she’ll give it two months (or until the next season) before tossing. She gets rid of clothing that doesn’t fit, especially because she recently lost 30 pounds. Her rule is to have enough clothes for a few weeks’ worth of outfits every season. She gets rid of clothes that are beyond repair or she just doesn’t like anymore. If the article of clothing no longer does the job, she throws it out. If the clothing is usable, she’ll donate it.
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Elizabeth Wissbaum, the owner of Loving Rose Psychic, uses vision boards to help her focus. “If you’re not familiar with those, they are visual representations of what we want to manifest and bring into our lives. I use pictures of what I want my house to be, as well as positive words and statements. Just get-
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How to choose the right fertilizer for your garden By DIANE SCHLINDWEIN Creators.com How does your garden grow? If your answer is, “Not so good,” it might be time for fertilizer. Simply put, to be healthy, plants require nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium — sometimes known as the “Big 3.” Nitrogen makes sure plants are healthy and nutritious; phosphorus supports photosynthesis and helps plants to grow and develop normally; and potassium protects the plants by strengthening the root system and preventing wilt. Brad Leahy, owner and vice president of Blades of Green, a Maryland lawn care and pest control company, says that fertilizers help improve plant health by replenishing these primary nutrients plants need to flourish. However, before you start adding fertilizer, consider what will work best for your soils and plants, and whether you should choose commercial or organic fertilizers. “Generally speaking, organic fertilizers are processed minimally,” says gardening expert and writer Jane Clarke. “They are made from plants, animal waste and minerals and are sold as a soil conditioner. Inorganic fertilizers are more processed — usually made from petroleum products and rocks. Also, in the long term, inorganic fertilizers will damage the soil and the organic ones will improve its condition.” Homesteader Anna Miller prefers using organic compost made from food scraps to feed her soil. “The best thing to use is what is already available for free,” she says. “Don’t buy special fertilizer from
the stores unless you have to. Use grass clippings, leaves and food scraps. If you do get pre-made fertilizer just read the instructions. I am not worried that fertilizer is bad for my health, but just believe the less chemicals the better.” Simple ingredients like coffee grounds and eggshells are especially effective in the garden. Coffee grounds are mildly acidic and provide a small amount of nitrogen. They also create a looser, well-hydrated soil, but they should be balanced with greens, such as grass clippings or leaves. Meanwhile, eggshells are packed with a variety of minerals, especially calcium. Crush them, or break them
up, and spread them in your garden as a slow-release fertilizer. “Adding compost to gardens is a good idea, in addition to fertilizer,” says another expert gardener, Douglas Derick, who runs a landscaping service in New York. “Adding compost is similar to fertilizer but not the same. Compost mostly adds humic substances, which can house valuable bacteria and fungi as well.” “Fertilizer packs more of a macronutrient punch,” Clarke says. “Although fertilizer adds nutrients to the soil, it is not a balanced addition of nutrients. When the soil is suddenly inundated with nutrients, the plants do get
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Clarke agrees: “Basically, I think it’s better to use organic fertilizers as they are biodegradable, renewable and eco-friendly. Also, you can make them yourself. However, you have to keep in mind you won’t see the result immediately and you’ll have to be patient.” No matter what fertilizer you choose, don’t go overboard. When it comes to plant health, you’ll likely find the most success by tending to your soil as Mother Nature does: in moderation with all-natural ingredients. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, however, so see what’s missing, and then formulate a fertilizer plan for optimal garden health.
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D O B U S IN E S S W IT H A M E M B E R ! Astro Security – 812-389-1111 – Doug Fischer B & A Construction & Design – 812-683-4600 – Roger Thacker Dean Becher Plb. & Htg. – 812-367-2796 – Dean Becher Beckman Construction – 812-630-6213 – Matt Beckman Bettag Plumbing & Heating, Inc. – 812-367-1561 – Adam Steckler Brad Popp Inc. – 812-309-1028 – Brad Popp Bramwell-McKay Masonry – 812-631-5925 – Robin Brooks Brosmer Land Surveying & Engineering, Inc – 812-482-9819 – Brad Eckerle Buechlein & Associates – 812-482-3535 – Mark Buechlein Buschkoetter’s Nursery – 812-482-5577 – Scott Buschkoetter Carpet Warehouse – 812-482-5692 – Dan Cooley Cash Waggner & Associates – 812-634-5015 – Calvin Cash II Central Concrete Supply, LLC – 812-481-2331 – Brad Persohn Choice Builders, Inc. – 812-482-1105 – Bill Sermersheim Christmas Lake Golf Course – 812-544-2255 – Tom Nelson Corbin’s Drapery Inc. – 812-482-4040 – Gary Corbin Counter Design Co., Inc. – 812-477-1243 – Alvin C. Tretter Dubois County Block & Brick, Inc. – 812-482-4444 – Bart Persohn Dubois County Construction Salvage – 812-639-8753 – Jeremy Betz Dubois County Garage Doors, Inc. – 812-683-3243 – Ryan Heltsley Dubois County Tire & Supply, Inc. – 812-482-2020 – Steve Brescher Dubois Rural Electric Coop., Inc. – 812-482-5454 – Matthew Brames Dupps Construction, LLC – 812-556-5184 – Jeff & Jason Dupps Eck-Mundy Associates – 812-634-8001 – Joe Cozza Edwards Concrete Construction Inc. – 812-424-7888 – Randy Edwards Englert’s Home Comfort Center – 812-482-2246 – Joe Englert Ettensohn & Co. – 812-547-5491 – Joe Ettensohn Farm Credit Mid-America – 812-738-1960 – Matthew Schickel Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. – 812-481-1468 – Michelle Ferrero Fifth Third Bank – 812-482-3800 – Brian Seibert Fischer Electric, Inc. – 812-389-2418 – Mark Fischer Fleck Construction, Inc. – 812-326-2800 – Jerome Fleck
Fleck Roofing, Inc. – 812-482-6798 – Jon Fleck Freedom Bank – 812-634-0091 – Tracy Lee German American Bank – 812-482-1314 – John Schroeder Gudorf Plumbing Heating Cooling Electrical – 812-634-5101 – Mike Gudorf H & R Aluminum Co., Inc. – 812-367-1415 – Dave Hoffman Hasenour Construction Co., Inc. – 812-634-1819 – Gary Hasenour Mike Hassfurther Construction, Inc. – 812-634-9774 – Mike Hassfurther Russell H. Bldg. & Rem. – 812-367-1816 – Russell Hassfurther Headquarters, Inc. – 812-482-3411 – Andy Fritch Hedinger Roofing Co., Inc. – 812-482-5066 – Kurt Hedinger Helming Bros. – 812-634-9797 – Joe Helming Home Depot – 812-482-3533 – Lorel Carroll Hoosier Business Machines – 812-482-3736 – Lee Horney Hoosier Hills Credit Union – 812-481-2282 – Arlene Erny Hopf Equipment – 812-683-2763 – Ron Fleck Hulsman Electric Co Inc. – 812-482-7090 – Brandon Hulsman Hulsman Refrigeration – 812-634-1492 – Andy Hulsman Hurst Custom Cabinets, Inc. – 812-683-3378 – Jon Hurst Hutson Inc. – 812-634-1717 – Nathan Meyer IMI of Dubois County – 812-683-4444 – Jason Berg Impressions Printing – 812-634-2574 – Kurt Mehringer Industrial Tool Sales & Service – 812-482-7895 – Jeff Hanebutt Randy Jacob Construction – 812-634-2538 – Randy Jacob Jagoe Homes – 270-684-0639 – Scott Jagoe Jamniczky Contracting, Inc. – 812-683-0860– Matt Jamniczky John’s Trim Shop – 812-683-4419 – John Kempf Josh Gogel Drywall – 812-630-2432 – Josh Gogel K & K Industries, Inc. – 812-486-3281 – Merlin Wagler Kerstiens Homes & Designs – 812-482-5072 – Todd Kerstiens Keusch Exteriors – 812-482-2566 – Matt Schwenk Knies Construction, Inc. – 812-482-1024 – Joe Knies Krempp Lumber Co. – 812-482-1961 – Brady Albright
LAN Concrete Technology – 812-481-2756 – Luke Nordhoff Larry Schmidt Construction LLC – 812-639-2466 – Larry Schmidt Lensing Wholesale – 1-800-264-6060 – Tom O’Brien Little Si’s Construction, Inc. – 812-634-1834 – Steve Stenftenagel Logan Lavelle Hunt Ins & Wealth Mgmt – 812-401-9206 – Trent Hunt Marvin & Toni’s Bargain Barn – 812-367-2112 – Marvin L. Weyer MasterBrand, Inc. – 317-752-5601 – John Kempski Meadowood Apartments – 812-482-5913 – Linda Gerber Mehringer Brothers Plastering – 812-482-9243 – Ed Mehringer Mehringer’s Pl.,Ht., & A/C – 812-482-4425 – Bucket Mehringer Messmer Mechanical, Inc. – 812-482-6766 – Ed Messmer Meyer Truck Equipment – 812-695-3451 – Bryant Kieffner Mullis Custom Homes – 812-544-2848 – Darrell Mullis Mulzer Crushed Stone, Inc. – 812-482-9259 – Greg Hagedorn Neuhoff & Wagner Bld.Supply – 482-7800 – Dave Neuhoff O2EZ Concrete LLC – 812-630-5691 – Tina Berg OFS – 812-683-4848 – Scott Reckelhoff Old National Bank – 812-482-2772 – Nick Stevens Paul Schroering LLC – 812-639-3029 – Paul Schroering Pfaff Construction – 812-630-6221 – Jared Pfaff Polytec Solutions, LLC– 812-631-4949 – Jeremy Burger Precision Stoneworks – 812-683-1102 – Todd Brittain Pund Plbg, Htg, Clg, Inc. – 812-367-2337 – Kenneth Pund Reinbrecht Homes – 812-639-1385 – Jace Himsel Rees Plastering – 812-482-1248 – Landon Rees RE/MAX Local – 812-817-0970 – Ryan Craig Ruxer,Ford,Lincoln,Mercury – 812-482-1200 – Gary Weinzapel Safeguard Print & Promo – 800-875-9908 – Craig Schneider Schaeffer Specialized Lubricants – 812-482-7656 – Jerry Himsel Schatz Insurance Agency, Inc. – 812-683-0882 – Cassie Lenahan James Schoenbachler Const. LLC – 812-630-2026 – James Schoenbachler Schroering Plumbing, Heating & A.C. – 812-482-2466 – Phil Schroering
Tom Schroering Construction, Inc. – 812-482-5392 – Tom Schroering Scott Corn Construction – 812-630-1447 – Scott Corn Sell4Free Welsh Realty Corp. – 812-482-3385 – Gary Schnell Seufert Construction – 812-367-1340 – Scott Tretter Smith Homes – 812-544-2050 – Ron Smith Southern Indiana Propane, Inc. – 812-482-5341 – John Schroering Southern Indiana Supply – 812-482-2267 – Paul Geisler Springs Valley Bank & Trust Co. – 812-634-1010 – Jason Schmitt Steinkamp Home Center – 812-683-3860 – Dean Knies Sternberg Automotive Group – 812-482-5125 – Curtis Sternberg Timber Creek – 812-482-3252 – Mike & Pat Hochgesang Tri-Cap – 812-482-2233 – Neil Elkins Tom’s Lawn-Garden & Appl.Ctr. – 812-634-1950 – Matt Mundy Town of Ferdinand – 812-367-2280 – Ken Sicard Testing & Inspection Services, Inc. – 812-848-2056 – Phil Kegley The Mortgage Company – 812-482-3100 – Darren Patterson Uebelhor & Sons, Inc. – 812-482-2222 – Kurt Haas Uebelhor TV – 812-367-1591 – Scott Uebelhor United Dynamics – 502-301-0827 – Jeff Lockhart Universal Design Associates, Inc. – 812-367-2831 – Thomas J. Schipp Valery Kessens Appraisals – 812-544-3444 – Val Kessens Verkamp Construction, Inc. – 812-326-2535 – Gerald Verkamp Vinyl Concept – 812-683-3221 – Brandon Zehr Voegerl Construction, Inc. – 812-367-1281 – Dennis Voegerl Voges Construction – 812-482-9753 – Allen Voges Wagner Painting – 812-482-4034 – Ron Wagner Wehr & Sons Construction – 812-482-1026 – Ernie Wehr Woebkenberg Construction – 812-367-1949 – Denis Woebkenberg Young’s Masonry, Bldg & Rem. – 812-482-1180 – Mark Young
PAGE 14 ■ HOME, LAWN & GARDEN
THE HERALD ■ FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020
Everything you need to know before buying a home By RON WYNN Creators.com Question: If I’m making upgrades to a new home, is it reasonable to pay for the upgrades in advance? Answer: Yes, it is totally reasonable for a developer to ask for payment in advance of the requested modifications, as the builder is changing the home to your specific needs and would likely need to remove many improvements if you were to fail to complete the purchase. On a scheduling note, it is important to understand that making changes to a design package will slow down the project and proposed date of completion. Q: Can you buy from a developer and make your own upgrades? A: It has become very popular for a buyer to jump into the purchase of a new home shortly into the home’s framing. Even though the floor plan is set, it may not be too late to combine two rooms or create an office alcove or partition off an area. A buyer could certainly change finishes and have input for countertops, floors, fixtures, hardware and smart home technology, which is generally all a buyer needs to feel that the home suits his or her personal needs. Q: Does it make sense for a private party to buy a fixerupper and build a home for themselves? A: Building a home has always been a dream for many people. First you need to acquire a fixerupper/teardown. Then you need an architect, a civil engineer, a structural engineer, a builder, a landscape architect and a landscape installer. A home generally requires over 20 different trades all coordinated by a builder. Construction financing is difficult to obtain and complicated to understand. There are also many time considerations and risks. Q: Does every new home provide the same warranty? A: Not every new home is covered by a 10-year builder’s warranty. For example, if the developer applied for a remodel permit and saved a wall of the previous structure, the developer not only skirted many fees that are “new build”-specific but also skirted the obligation to provide a 10-year warranty. The developer will typically provide a far less compre-
hensive warranty for a period of time at the discretion of mutual agreement between the developer and the buyer. Be sure to read and understand the warranty so you know what is covered and what is not. Perhaps have the warranty reviewed by an attorney if you feel the language is unclear or ambiguous. Q: What is hot, and what is not? A: What is really hot these days is a home that is walking distance to a coffee shop or café. Also popular are homes with spectacular views of the ocean or the city, the canyon or the treetops.
People are drawn to homes that have loads of privacy and a beautiful yard, although the “perfect” backyard is becoming very difficult to find with so many properties encroaching on sunlight and privacy. One final big must-have is privacy. Q: What should I do if my neighbors’ tree roots are lifting my driveway? A: Immediately contact your neighbors and let them know of the damage to your property. Ask them to take responsibility. If they aren’t willing to take responsibility, you may need to seek legal advice. You can decide to kill the
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HOME, LAWN & GARDEN ■ PAGE 15
Build low-cost, sweet-smelling garden trellis By JAMES DULLEY Creators.com Dear James: We built a new home, and we need several attractive trellises near our garden and patio. Our budget is just about exhausted. Please give me some simple do-ityourself construction ideas. — Missy H. Dear Missy: If you are not an experienced do-it-yourselfer, building a simple trellis is an excellent starter project. Even if you make a few mistakes, in a year or two, the vining plants hide all the blemishes better than makeup. It is not necessary for each trellis to be identical, so begin with the simplest design — a ladder trellis. This is basically two vertical ladder sections, set in the ground, that are connected by a horizontal top ladder section. Two attractive and stable types of wood to use are redwood and Western red cedar. Redwood is somewhat more expensive, but it is the most attractive wood and resists rot and insects extremely well. Although you can paint it, use just a clear or lightly tinted sealer on it. Pressure-treated lumber is a durable lower-cost option, but it is not nearly as attractive and it does not take paint well. It has a high
ALEX BLAJAN/CREATORS.COM
Building a simple trellis is an excellent starter project for any gardener.
Design your home with art in mind By JOSEPH PUBILLONES Creators.com No design project is quite finished without art. It’s the final touch, like putting on jewelry. The selection of art is truly personal. Much like beauty, it is the eye of the beholder that qualifies art as meaningful or valuable. Are there correct ways to hang art? Well, yes and no. Some think there are rules to be followed, while others who feel rules are to be broken. Conventionally, art may be placed above a couch or at eye level. But so what? Ultimately, placing your coveted works of art is an art itself. Here are a few ideas: ■■ Framed photos in black and white on the walls of an all-white foyer can be quite dramatic when there’s a black-and-white floor underfoot. Add a splash of an unexpected color in an upholstered bench or chair and it’ll be a winning room. Another sophisticated idea is to place framed engravings in all sizes and styles above a beautiful antique chest topped with a lamp and other objets d’art
or maybe a silver or cut glass bowl. ■■ Hallways can be interesting and functional for home galleries. A row of pictures across a long wall calls out: “Slow down! Look at me!” A mix of art and mirrors in a cluster or geometric arrangement warrants attention and can sometimes enhance a space that’s void of architectural interest. If your halls have tall walls, a pair of extra-large framed artworks can either hang on the walls or rest against them. ■■ Living rooms and dining rooms are the rooms where art is center stage. In your living room, rather than place a painting above the couch as expected, why not rest two paintings on a ledge behind the sofa? This is not only chic but also offers a very relaxed attitude about living and can be changed at whim to allow the room to always have a fresh feeling. Similarly, a symmetrical play of mirrors and art can act almost as windows to a room. ■■ Dining rooms can offer the best place for a captive audience to admire your collected works of art. A single large painting can of-
fer a very sumptuous background, but up the ante and do a gallery wall. Create a mix with personality by hanging works of different mediums, sizes and genres to entertain diners for hours and hours. ■■ In bedrooms, select art that is, above all else, unobtrusive and tranquil. Generally, the expected place for art in the bedroom is the wall on which the bed rests, above the headboard. It is OK to forgo that expected location in favor of the side walls or the wall across from the bed beside — or in place of — the ubiquitous television. ■■ Finally, bathrooms are also a place for art. A single portrait on a wall can do the job, but why not consider a whole series of identically framed paintings or engravings or mirrors? Hung on the wall in a gridlike manner, they’ll give that wow factor to a sometimes boring space.
moisture content, and any paint stands a good chance of blistering and peeling. The preservative chemicals may not be good for the plants. Even though your budget is tight, you can still use redwood. Use a high-quality grade, construction heart, for the posts on the vertical ladder sections only. This grade of redwood comes from the center of the tree and contains a high concentration of natural rot and insect resistant chemicals. For the rest of the trellis, use cheaper construction commongrade redwood. It is often somewhat lighter in color and may contain noticeable knots, but it is still attractive and durable. This is acceptable for any pieces that do not come in direct contact with the ground. Now that you have selected the wood to use, the fasteners (screws and nails) are the next material decision to make. For a total of about $15 more than standard fasteners, buy stainless steel screws and nails. Redwood has a tendency to develop black stains over time when standard fasteners are used. Plan on doing the majority of the construction and preassembly work in your garage or basement on a stable flat floor. It may be pleasant to work out in the
back yard, but it will be virtually impossible to make the many necessary accurate saw cuts on the irregular ground. The spacing of the rungs on the vertical side ladders can probably be further apart than on the top horizontal ladder. This will be somewhat dependent on the type of plants you plan to use. Some plants have much stronger stems and can span longer distances without support. Once you have all the pieces cut to size and drilled for assembly, treat them with a preservative sealer. Completely coat every surface, especially any ends that were sawn across the grain. After the sealer dries, assemble each of the three ladder sections. Predrill assembly holes where you will bolt the sections together. Assemble the entire unit. If all fits well, have a helper assist you with carrying it to its final resting place. Dig the post holes about 24 inches deep and fill each with 3 inches of washed gravel. Place the legs of the vertical ladders into the holes. Fill with more gravel to 5 inches from the top. Finish filling to ground level with crushed gravel that locks itself in place.
James Dulley’s column, “Here’s How,” can be found at www.creators. com.
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