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mulch & stone

By JENN WILLHITE | PHOTO By ADOBE STOCK

Inexpensive and easy to apply, mulch remains a popular go-to to spruce up any landscape. And for those looking to add a bit of personality to their project, dyed mulches and various types of rock are trending as a great alternative.

“In the last several years, a lot of the industry has moved more towards dyed mulches,” said Josh McCarty, owner of McCarty Mulch in Greenwood. “One of the advantages of dyed mulch is its longevity.”

With traditional, natural mulch, the color can fade within weeks of application.

Dyed mulches use a nontoxic, safe ingredient like what is used in cosmetics and lipsticks, McCarty said. Once the mulch is laid down, it just takes a good three to four days of nice, dry weather for the mulch to cure. After that, it should remain rich in color and last least a year.

“With natural mulch, you will see a graying or fading after about eight weeks or so,” McCarty said.

Cost for dyed mulches, which come in an array of colors, including brown, red and gold, is generally about 30 percent more than an undyed option.

Homeowners who are tired of replacing their mulch annually can opt for landscaping rock or decorative gravel.

“It is a one-time application and a little more expensive on the frontend,” McCarty said. “But you don’t have to replace it every year. It is a one and done.”

From an affordability standpoint, local native river rock and gravels are the most cost effective. Used in many commercial applications, Indiana river gravel is considered the most neutral in its distinctive colors of white, gray and tan with individual rocks generally averaging about the size of a golf ball.

As some folks prefer something with a bit different look and feel, decorative gravel and rock from other locations in the United States can be a great option.

Whether trucked in from Wisconsin, North Carolina, Virginia or any other state, nonnative rocks generally carry a higher price tag due to shipping costs.

On average, the cost for Indiana river rock starts around $60 per cubic yard. If you opt for an imported rock, plan to spend a bit more depending on from where the rock is sourced.

In addition to mulch and rock, niche landscape coverings are also an option.

Pine straw, which is popular in southern states, like Florida and Georgia, offers a neutral groundcover derived from the byproduct of fallen pine needles, McCarty explained.

There’s also recycled, ground-up rubber mulch if you are looking for a mulch-like product that offers both durability and longevity.

When shopping, consider longevity of the product, its insect resistance and what color will work best with your home, McCarty recommended. And don’t forget to take measurements beforehand to ensure you have enough product to cover the intended area.

“Landscapers are good resources to help you navigate those issues,” he said. “At the end of the day, it really comes down to personal preference.”

SpRiNg piLLOw ReFReSH

The art of the mix and match

By KATIE LAUGHRIDGE | PHOTOS By TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

AAs we welcome the arrival of spring, it’s the perfect time to refresh our living spaces with vibrant patterns and fresh fabrics. Although bunnies and tulips reign supreme when you think of decorating for spring, fabrics offer a plethora of options to infuse color and personality into your home decor. From soft pastels to bold florals, the possibilities are endless. It can seem daunting at first, but with a little creativity and guidance, mixing patterns can transform a room into a lively and dynamic space.

A FOCAL PATTERN

Choose one standout pattern as the focal point of your room design. This could be a large-scale chinoise, a bold geometric print, or an intricate damask. Once you have your focal pattern selected, you can then layer in other patterns to complement and enhance it.

Selecting a focal pattern is a pivotal step when it comes to pattern mixing in interior design. Your focal pattern serves as the anchor of your room’s aesthetic, setting the tone for the entire space. When choosing a focal pattern, consider selecting one that speaks to your personal style and reflects the mood you want to create in the room. This could be a bold floral print that adds a touch of whimsy, a classic stripe that exudes

timeless elegance, or a vibrant geometric pattern that injects a modern flair. The key is to choose a focal pattern that resonates with you and sets the stage for the rest of your design.

Once you’ve selected your focal pattern, use it as a guiding force when selecting complementary fabrics and patterns for the room. Your focal pattern will dictate the color palette and overall style direction of the space, so be sure to choose fabrics that complement and enhance its aesthetic. Consider incorporating fabrics with coordinating colors or complementary patterns that play nicely with the scale and style of your focal pattern. By selecting a focal pattern and building your design around it, you can create a cohesive and visually appealing space that reflects your unique sense of style.

GROUNDING ELEMENTS

Solid colors act as anchors amidst a sea of patterns, providing visual relief and preventing the room from feeling overly busy or chaotic. Incorporating solid colors into your pattern mixing can help ground the space and prevent it from feeling too overwhelming to the eye. Solid colored pillows work as lovely companions to their patterned counterparts without

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“The Protection you deserve”

stealing the spotlight. Using solid fabrics on your pillows also allows you the opportunity to further customize them to your taste with various tapes and trims. Your pillows aren’t the only place to incorporate solids for a well-balanced design however, you could use solid-colored furniture pieces, rugs, or draperies to break up the patterns and provide visual relief.

TEXTURE IS A PATTERN

Textural fabrics, though often one single color, do also offer another pattern option and can add another layer of interest to your pattern mixing. Incorporating different textures alongside your patterns helps to create a rich and inviting room. Mix in textured fabrics like velvet, linen, boucle, or faux fur to add depth and dimension to your space without getting too pattern-crazy.

PATTERN MIXING

One of our favorite ways to mix patterns is by incorporating different scales. For instance, pairing large-scale florals with smaller geometric prints or classic stripes can create a visually stimulating and harmonious composition.

When it comes to mixing patterns in interior design, considering scale is crucial to achieving a harmonious and visually pleasing result. Scale refers to the size of the patterns relative to each other and the overall size of the room. A general rule of thumb is to mix patterns of varying scales to create visual interest without overwhelming the space. For example, pairing a large-scale floral print with a smaller geometric pattern can create a dynamic contrast that adds depth and dimension to a room. Similarly, incorporating patterns of similar scales can create a cohesive and balanced look,

especially in smaller spaces where too many large-scale patterns may feel overwhelming. There is something to be said though, of bending or breaking the “rules” and mixing all small-scale patterns or pairing stripes with more stripes to achieve different looks — all can be done in a tasteful way to achieve just the right look and feel!

COHESIVE COLOR PALETTE

And our final tip of the day is an underrated, but exciting way to mix patterns. One way to ensure that they mix harmoniously is to stay within the same color family when selecting your fabrics and finishes. By sticking to a cohesive color palette, you can prevent the space from feeling disjointed or overwhelming, allowing the patterns to coexist harmoniously while still adding visual interest. Color palettes can be made of soft, quiet neutrals or loud, bold colors or anything in between — all of them can guide you as you play with patterns for your spaces.

Incorporating pattern mixing and spring fabrics into your home decor is all about embracing creativity and expressing your personal style. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations and have fun with the process. Whether you’re drawn to bold and eclectic designs or prefer a more subtle and understated look, there’s no wrong way to infuse your home with springtime charm.

Katie Laughridge is the owner of Kansas City interior design destination Nell Hill’s. For more information, contact Katie at info@nellhills. com.

bRANcHiNg OUT

How to choose the best trees for your property

By JENN WILLHITE | PHOTOS By ADOBE STOCK

AAs with any home improvement project, it is best to do some homework before diving into it. However, if you are planning on planting a tree, it is especially important, area experts say.

From the obvious beauty and shade they offer, trees also add value to property and help lower energy costs in the summer when planted in the right location. When it comes to planting trees, situation and location are essential basics to start with, said Ben McCallister, urban forestry specialist in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources with Purdue West Lafayette campus.

“Just like people, trees come in different shapes, colors, sizes and forms,” McCallister said. “So not every tree fits every location.”

Trees don’t go everywhere, especially when trying to plant in urban environments built up with concrete, infrastructure and sparce, spacious natural green spaces, he cautioned.

Many times, homeowners, especially those in urban settings, are looking for

tree cover, McCallister said, but you have to be mindful of power lines and utilities. Similarly, you don’t want to plant too close to a house or structure either.

“You don’t want a large growing canopy tree growing near power lines,” McCallister said. “It may be cute now at five or 10 feet tall or so, but come 15 or 30 years down the line, it will be full sized and go right through the power lines, then the power company will cut it down.”

One hot topic brewing is planting native trees.

“It is best to do your homework to see what would grow best in your area, as far as species,” said Daniel Brown, owner of Brown’s Tree Service in Franklin. “You can’t get a tree that would grow well in Colorado, because it wouldn’t grow well here.”

Remember, trees can either add value to or devalue a property, Brown said. So, selecting the right tree is always a good idea.

Take a look around just about any community in Indiana and you are likely to see an abundance of maples. Aside from their ubiquitousness, there are some varieties, such as the Norway maple, that are invasive, so it is best to sidestep the maple if it’s already established in the area.

You can’t go wrong with a hardwood, like the mighty oak tree.

“Anything hardwood would be the best optimal tree to increase value on your property,” Brown said. “The only drawback to a hardwood is they are slower growing and don’t mature as fast as a softwood would grow.”

McCallister said hickories are another very cool option.

Among his favorites is the shag bark hickory tree that sports a scruffy-looking bark as it matures.

“And if you are into helping out with wildlife, it is one of the few species of trees for the Indiana bat,” he said.

The Indiana bat, a federally designated endangered species, makes its home under the loose bark of the tree.

The ginkgo tree is a great nonnative option. Hailing from Asia, the ginkgo tree brings 65 million years of experience and is essentially a living fossil, McCallister said.

“They have a huge, fan-shaped leaf that is a gorgeous green, and in the fall, it turns this beautiful golden color,” he said. “There are no pests you have to be worried about, so they are a fantastic urban tree.”

Another benefit of the ginkgo tree for homeowners is when its leaves drops, they do so all at once. You will still be raking leaves, but it will be in one fell swoop rather than a trickling shower over time.

One word of caution, if you opt for the ginkgo tree, purchase a male sapling. The female tree produces seeds and fruit that are foul in fragrance.

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Dogwoods are a beautiful option to add color to any landscape. They prefer partial shade and do well when planted under a larger tree, Brown said.

Though few, there are some tree species that should be avoided, Brown and McCallister agreed.

Ash trees top the list, due to issues with the invasive and destructive emerald ash borer, Brown said.

Sycamores and elms are aesthetically appealing; however, they tend to be messy, are high maintenance and are prone to storm damage. Additionally, Bradford pear trees are not a good option as they are invasive and prone to storm damage, as well.

Willow trees are also messy, but can be a good choice if they’re planted in a wet area, McCallister said.

“They like to have their feet wet with moist soil,” he said. “If you have an area where you want tree cover, but the area is always wet, willows are a good choice in that case. They can take some work and can get messy, but they are great if you have the right soil structure for it.”

It is best to plant trees in the spring or in the fall when they’re

dormant, Brown recommended.

If you had a tree removed – be it due to illness, age or storm damage – and the stump and root structure remain in place, you won’t be able to plant over the top of that. New trees should be planted at least five to 15 feet away from the stump.

If the previous tree’s stump has been ground up, it should be fine to replant in the same place, McCallister said.

“If you have something that came down because of some form of illness or infestation, you might want to wait nine months to a year before replanting in the same location,” McCallister added.

Shopping with a reputable nursery can help alleviate some of the mystery surrounding what would work best for your purposes. Like flowers, trees are tagged with their vital information, including if they require full or partial sun and wet or dry soil, pests to look out for and their anticipated size at full maturity.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the people at nurseries,” McCallister said. “Like me, trees are their lives, and it is what they love.

tips for planning a bountiful garden

By FAMILy FEATURES | PHOTO By UNSPLASH

Whether you’re a novice just learning to cultivate a magical display or an avid gardener with years of experience, early planning can help bring this year’s garden to life.

These simple tips can help you start planning, and before you know it, you can start putting your plans into action.

Assess your environment. Determine what factors may aid or hinder your garden’s success. what do you know about the soil? Lighting? exposure to threats such as hungry or curious wildlife? Uncovering potential roadblocks early can help you identify potential solutions or alternatives that may help you bypass issues altogether.

Create a mental image. Look through seed catalogs, magazines and books, and browse the internet for inspiration. Vibrant colors and textures are the hallmarks of a beautiful spring garden, but spend time learning exactly what appeals to you most. Take notes, particularly as you identify new species you may want to introduce. You’ll need to do additional research to ensure their growing requirements are consistent with your environment.

Put it to paper. Transferring your vision to paper can help you plan appropriately and ensure you’re not overfilling or leaving unsightly gaps in your garden. Understanding where each plant will go and how much each needs to flourish before you turn a spade of soil can help make planting a breeze. Remember it is easier to change your mind with a pen and paper in hand than with fragile vegetation.

Create a calendar. Timing is critical to maximizing the time you are able to enjoy your garden. Understand the growing season for each plant and map it all out on a calendar so you can stagger when new varieties emerge and keep your garden active and thriving. be sure to give yourself some wiggle room for unforeseen circumstances, such as weather, that may prevent you from planting exactly as you’ve planned.

7steps to growing produce at home

Growing your own produce is an allaround smart practice, from the money you’ll save at the grocery store to the contributions you can make toward a cleaner planet.

Maintaining a garden takes some effort, but it’s a project even a beginner can tackle with ease. Consider these tips to start growing your at-home garden:

1. Select a perfect spot. You’ll want to place your garden in an area where you see it often so you’re reminded to weed and care for it regularly. Find a flat area you can access easily, where erosion and other pitfalls (including hungry wildlife) won’t be a problem.

2. Choose between ground and containers. There are pros and cons to gardening in containers vs. the ground, and there’s no universal right choice. Rather, the best garden depends on your goals and preferences. A ground garden usually offers more space and may provide a better growth environment for roots. However, a container

By FAMILy FEATURES | PHOTO By UNSPLASH

garden is often easier to maintain and may be all you need if you wish to grow just a few plants.

3. Understand the importance of quality soil. You may think any dirt will do, but keep in mind the soil you plant in will be the primary source of nutrients for your produce. Not only that, but quality soil provides stability so plants can root firmly and grow healthy and sturdy to support their bounty. Quality soil also allows for ample drainage. Organic matter like compost, leaf mold or aged manure all help improve soil quality.

4. Keep water close. Lugging water can quickly eliminate the pleasure of tending your garden, so be sure you’re situated near a hose. You’ll know it’s time to water when the soil is dry about an inch below the surface.

5. Plan for plenty of sun. A bright, sunny spot is a must, since most vegetables, herbs and fruits depend on six or more hours of sun every day. Remember the sun’s

path changes throughout the year, and as trees and foliage grow, they may produce more shade with each growing season.

6. Consider what you’ll grow. Starting with veggies you know you like is a smart starting point since you’ll be pouring sweat equity into making them grow. Over time, you might add new varieties, but early on, keep your focus on foods you know you like so you can see a meaningful return and avoid waste. You’ll also need to consider what you can grow to maturity within your area’s growing season. If necessary, you might want to start transplants you can nurture indoors before moving them outside when the temperatures allow.

7. Plant according to a calendar. Knowing how long it takes different foods to mature will help you create a planting calendar. You don’t want to harvest everything at once, and if you stagger planting and replant what you can, you’ll have a garden that produces food for your family for a longer period of time.

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