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A special supplement to the Daily Journal • Friday, March 6, 2015 • Section E

SPRING HOME, LAWN & GARDEN

DAILY JOURNAL

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SOUTHERN GARDENING

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

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3E

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T

here are a lot of different traditions and customs when it comes to predicting the weather. Just last month, we looked to that venerable weather creature, the ground hog Punxsutawney Phil, to tell us how many more weeks of winter before we can expect spring to arrive.

Personally, I like to listen to the predictions of Oma Desala.

Oma is more commonly known as Mother Nature, and in late winter, she provides subtle GARY clues to the arBACHMAN rival of spring.

In the coastal counties where I live, the red maples have started to show their bright red flower clusters – three weeks earlier than they did in 2014. A more conservative indicator of spring is the yellow jessamine.

But when it comes to the landscape, I like to believe in Oma’s really optimistic clues that the end of winter is close at hand.

These clues occur early every spring in our landscapes after we have had several warm and sunny days. At first, this plant has just a little color peeking out of flower buds, but then all of a sudden, there is a rush of color ranging from the faintest of pinks to the boldest purples. Saucer magnolia is this eternally optimistic plant.

It normally flowers in the middle to late spring, usually past the risk of late frosts. With the many selections available, some may bloom earlier and some later.

With the margin of error in any weather prognostication, I don’t recommend that you go out and start planting your tomatoes based on the flowering of your saucer magnolia.

Saucer magnolia is by far the

most popular of the flowering magnolias. It is a cross between different deciduous magnolias dating back to the 1820s in Europe. The story goes that the saucer magnolia was developed to bring beauty back to the European landscape after the Napoleonic Wars.

Saucer magnolia is considered a small tree, and it may eventually reach 20 feet tall by 20 feet wide.

Driving around Mississippi, I have seen specimens that have achieved much larger sizes than this. I think multistemmed specimens are the most attractive.

You can maintain and control the size of the plant by pruning.

The best time to prune this spring-flowering tree is immediately after flowering.

The leaves can be quite variable, depending on the selection, and add textural interest. They PHOTOS BY GARY BACHMAN have an elliptical shape and can The buds and blooms of the saucer magnolia are fairly reliable early indicators of spring in Missisbe up to 8 inches long. sippi. Below, the huge flowers on saucer magnolias can reach up to 10 inches across and can be But since they bloom before the leaves emerge, the flowers on white, pink or bold purple, depending on the variety. saucer magnolias are the main attraction. They are huge! Some selections can have flowers up to 10 inches across. The colors vary from white to pink to a bold purple, depending on the variety.

There are many selections and cultivars to choose from, and your decision on which one to choose may be hard to make.

Saucer magnolias are a good landscape choice as a low-maintenance, easy-to-care-for plant.

Be sure to plant it in full sun in well-drained soil. Make sure the soil doesn’t dry out completely, as drying out causes the saucer magnolia to drop its leaves prematurely. The flowers buds also don’t develop as well during droughty conditions.

Irrigate deeply during times of drought stress to ensure a beautiful spring next year.

GARY BACHMAN is an associate extension and research professor of horticulture at the Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi.

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Saucer magnolia flowers early signal of spring

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SPRING HOME, LAWN & GARDEN

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

Rosemary

DAILY JOURNAL

Basil

If you plant them, they will grow Several herbs thrive in Northeast Mississippi landscapes

BY GINNA PARSONS

• Basil • Bee balm • Chives • Mint • Parsley • Rosemary • Sweet fennel • Sweet marjoram

the main reason herbs fail to flourish is poor drainage.

“Be sure you plant in a place with good drainage,” she said. “Herbs like sage, rosemary and oregano do not like wet feet. They’ll get root rot.”

Most herbs want full sun, but a few will tolerate light shade, she said.

she said. “We can harvest armloads of basil, lemon balm, Texas tarragon, catnip, German chamomile, Spanish lavender, chives, mints and many others.”

Some herbs, such as English lavender, French tarragon, sage and thyme, can be a challenge in grow in our hot, humid climate.

Even though they are perennials, they might not produce but three to four years here, Kelly said.

As for site preparation,

Kelly said many herbs are easy to grow from seeds, which should be planted in the ground after the last chance for frost, about the middle of April for our area.

“Sweet fennel, a perennial, is one that’s easily grown from seed,” Kelly said. “It’s a pretty plant so it also has ornamental value.

You can also grow coriander/cilantro from seed easily. They’re the same plant: Coriander is the seed and

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STAFF WRITER

VERONA – If you want to put something in your garden that’s more than just a pretty face, you need to plant some herbs.

“Herbs are a group of plants that are multi-purpose,” said Lelia Scott Kelly, an extension horticulture professor at the North Mississippi Research and Experiment Station in Verona.

“They’re attractive, they smell good and they’re useful for cooking, crafting and medicinal purposes.”

And there are a lot of herbs that thrive in Northeast Mississippi, Kelly said.

The keys to success are plant selection and site preparation.

“We are blessed with a climate that allows us to grow many types of herbs,”

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cilantro is the foliage.”

Basil, which Kelly said is the No. 1 seller at garden centers, can also be grown from seed, but she doesn’t recommend it.

“It’s an easy herb to grow and you don’t need a lot of plants – just two or three is enough,” she said. “You can grow it from seed, but why when it’s so easily obtained in so many varieties at garden centers?”

Kelly said there are many advantages to growing your own herbs.

“One is the satisfaction you get when you know you’ve got quality control,” she said. “Another is availability. You don’t need to run to the grocery store and buy a handful of basil for spaghetti. It’s cheaper to grow your own herbs than to purchase them at the store. And if you’ve ever

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Those who are considering planting herbs, but don’t have space for an herb garden, need not fret.

Herbs can be grown anywhere, Kelly said.

“You can give them a place all their own and have an herb garden,” she said. “Or you can intermix them into a perennial border or other landscape plantings. Or you can grow them in containers.”

At Kelly’s home in Corinth, she grows herbs all three ways.

“I’ve got a little raisedbed herb garden outside my kitchen door,” she said.

“I have them in containers that I change out. And I have them in my landscape. I really enjoy herbs. I grow all my plants because they bring me pleasure.”

Kelly said one of the biggest mistakes people make when planting culinary herbs is not putting them close enough to the house.

“Today’s busy cooks probably won’t walk a long way into the backyard to retrieve some sage to go in their dressing,” she said. “If the herbs are not where you can quickly and easily get to them, chances are you may not use them as often.

Every gardener should try to incorporate some herb plants into their landscape.

These versatile, useful plants have much to offer.” ginna.parsons@journalinc.com

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4E

SPRING HOME, LAWN & GARDEN

DAILY JOURNAL

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

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5E

Grow cutting garden in your own backyard

BY GINNA PARSONS

TUPELO – There’s nothing quite like being able to walk out in your backyard in the summertime with an empty vase and a pair of clippers and come back in with a beautiful bouquet of cut flowers.

But it’s not always easy to know what flowers do well in a cutting garden in Northeast Mississippi.

Mark Summers, owner of Lakefront Gardens, a full-service garden center on Veteran’s Boulevard in Tupelo, says there are several varieties of flowers that have staying power in arrangements.

Three of his favorites are summer phlox, liatris and crocosmia.

SUMMER PHLOX: Grows 2 to 4 feet tall; needs sun with plenty of afternoon shade; plant in moist, well-drained soil; blooms pink, white, magenta, blue and red; attracts butterflies and hummingbirds; perennial.

“This is different than creeping phlox that you use in rock gardens,” Summers said. “This one has an erect stalk and a little wad of flowers at the top.”

LIATRIS: Grows 16 to 36 inches high; needs full sun; plant in welldrained, slightly moist soil; blooms pink, purple and white; attracts butterflies; perennial.

“Some people call this gay feather,” Summers said. “It’s like a staff with a spiky flower at the top. If you want a brilliant, true purple cut flower, this is it.”

CROCOSMIA: Grows 2 to 3 feet tall; needs full sun; plant in moist, welldrained soil; blooms orange, red and yellow; also called monbretia; peren-

Phlox

Liatris

There are several varieties of flowers that have staying power in arrangements. nial.

“The leaves on these look like those on a daylily, only a little longer,” Summers said. “It puts off a flower shoot that lags over – little bells that hang down. It’s great for the foliage and the flower and it’s fragrant.”

Other varieties that do well in a cutting garden include zinnias, blackeyed Susans, shasta daisies and snapdragons, Summers said.

“And don’t forget roses.

Roses are always nice in a cut flower arrangement,” he said. “Use them as a base or anchor in a cutflower garden design.

Then circle them with perennials and plant little pockets of annuals. For a more formal garden design, boxwoods make the color of the flowers pop out very well.” ginna.parsons@journalinc.com

Crocosmia

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STAFF WRITER

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FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

SPRING HOME, LAWN & GARDEN

DAILY JOURNAL

ADAM ROBISON | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM

Jessica Meyers of Mid-South Nursery in Tupelo shows off a fairy garden she created using miniature plants, fencing, a birdhouse, a weathervane, flowers, stepping stones, a dog and, of course, a fairy.

Small-scale life

Fairy gardens let you create miniature, whimsical worlds Next, you might want to add live miniature plants that are also about 2 inches TUPELO – What do you tall, such as mondo grass, call an area where you can creeping fig, polka dot fit a house, yard, picket plants, coffee plants, citrus fence and even some pets plants or small-leaf ivies. in a space the size of a din“You can use small-scale ner plate? plants or you can tuck the A fairy garden, of course. fairy in among regularThese miniature homesized plants,” she said. “You steads have been popular want to use varying texin Tupelo for about a year tures to mimic shrubs and now, said Jessica Meyers, an trees in the landscape.” employee at Mid-South You might also want to Nursery. add some type of tiny “People started asking for spreading groundcover in them and they’re really in your garden, such as creeptrend right now,” said Mey- ing Jenny, creeping Charlie ers, who majored in landor club moss. scape horticulture at “You can also use sePurdue University in Indidums or other succulents ana. that require less water,” You can build your fairy Meyers said. garden in anything, she And don’t forget little said: a teacup, flower pot, pebbles or gravel to make bird bath, wheelbarrow, pathways, or dried mosses shallow metal tub, a plate for added texture. or a terra cotta saucer.

“You can also put one TINY FUN BEGINS right in the ground when Meyers said the real fun it’s warmer,” she said. “In begins when it’s time to add your garden, you have accessories to the fairy garmore choices – you can go dens, which can be disa little bit bigger.” played inside or outdoors.

The first thing you want “It’s neat to brainstorm for your garden is a fairy. the scene you want to “Most are about 2 inches make,” she said “You can tall,” Meyers said, but you buy pre-fabricated accescan go larger if you wish. sories or you can make

BY GINNA PARSONS DAILY JOURNAL

Accessories include everything from watering cans and flower pots to croquet sets and puppies. your own.”

Many people start with a house and then maybe add a table and chairs.

“That gives the fairies an area to rest,” she said.

After that, the sky’s the limit when it comes to tiny amenities: purple martin houses, watering cans and pails, birdhouses, mushrooms, flower pots, gazing balls, stepping stones, tool

This fairy garden has a pumpkin-shaped house, sunflowers, mushrooms, a mailbox, a chicken, mosses, plants and a windmill.

sets, bridges, wheelbarrows, wishing wells, fencing, doghouses, croquet sets, bicycles and even garden gnomes.

Pre-fab accessories run anywhere from $2 up to $20 “This is a fun way to get kids involved and interested in gardening,” Meyers said. “We have a lot of women coming in with

their grandchildren. It’s really the same idea as setting up a doll house – you’re just taking it outside.”

You can make your fairy garden have a farm theme, with a barn, silo and miniature animals, such as pigs, sheep, cows and chickens, and even tiny vegetables, like cabbages and carrots; or you can have a whimsical pumpkin-shaped house

with a white picket fence, puppies in the yard and a pair of miniature retro metal lawn chairs with a table in between on a carpet of moss.

“The main idea behind a fairy garden is that the fairies will tend your garden,” Meyers said,“and bring good luck to your plants.”

This garden features a fairy getting a smooch from a squirrel.

ginna.parsons@journalinc.com

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6E

SPRING HOME, LAWN & GARDEN

DAILY JOURNAL

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

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7E

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The Yard Dogs!

8E

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SPRING HOME, LAWN & GARDEN

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

DAILY JOURNAL

It’s time to prep your home’s outdoor spaces for the season ahead. From the yard to the garage to the deck, getting these areas tidy is all part of a thorough spring cleaning.

1 2 3

DE-CLUTTER YOUR WORKSPACE

IDENTIFY MULTI-TASKING TOOLS

DO SMART YARD MAINTENANCE

Your shed, your garage, your toolbox – it’s time to take stock of what you’re storing in these key areas.

Broken tools, piles of junk – these are items that will get in your way and slow you down all season long. So before you get to the nitty gritty of your outdoor spring clean, take the time to organize your workspace.

Throw out what is junk, donate what you aren’t using, and organize the rest into categories. Vertical storage can save crucial room, so install tall shelves and use walls and the ceiling to install organizational systems. Now is also a great opportunity to perform routine maintenance on your lawn equipment and tools to improve their efficiency.

Check out innovations on old tools that can make your versatile workload easier. For example, you can upgrade your conventional pressure washer for a newer model with more diverse functionality.

Remember, different surfaces require different cleaning techniques. Whether you’re cleaning up tough mold and mildew stains from your deck or patio or washing the more delicate surface of your car, you can switch modes or apply soap directly from the nozzle. This feature eliminates the need for switching attachments or walking back to the pressure washer, making an afternoon of diverse to-dos manageable. Just be sure you’re using the proper mode for the task.

If you have a larger yard, consider a riding mower to save time and energy on maintenance. Remember not to over mow your lawn. It can be a time suck and increase your carbon footprint needlessly. Likewise, only water your lawn and garden when necessary. During periods of rain, you can ease up on this chore. The most efficient times of day to water your lawn are morning. When the sun is strongest, you will lose more water to evaporation.

While working outdoors can be fun, don’t spend more time than you need to on your household spring cleaning tasks. Finding simple ways to be more efficient will give you more time to enjoy your home’s outdoor spaces.

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Spring cleaning tips for a home’s outdoor spaces

SPRING HOME, LAWN & GARDEN

DAILY JOURNAL

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

|

9E

BY ROSE COLUCCI

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE

Donna Smallin’s book “Clear the Clutter, Find Happiness” (Storey Publishing, $10.95) is practical. You can open to any page and find a quick tip that will help you get a handle on the things you own - and shouldn’t.

A professional organizer since 1999, Smallin is the author of seven books on the subject, all of them filled with one-minute tips to getting out from under your belongings and organizing your life.

These easy reads are perfect for people who want to get organized quickly.

Smallin believes that the less you own, the easier it is to maintain and the more you can enjoy what you have.

“It isn’t about living like a minimalist,” she said in a phone interview. “It is more about what William Morris said, ’Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.’”

As an example, she says every time she settles in a new place, she brings out her antique Japanese teapot for decoration.

Smallin says that organizing in small chunks can

make a big difference. Her book shows how 10 minutes a day adds up to 60 hours in a year, and a lot can be accomplished in 60 hours.

“One of the easiest ways to tackle clutter is while watching TV,” she said. “If you have boxes that you can organize, watch TV and work your way through the box.”

She says a good question to keep in mind is: “What is the worst possible thing that could happen if I let this go?”

The author’s mantra of living with less took on a whole new meaning when she and her husband, Mike Kuper, purchased an RV in the fall of 2012 with the intent of visiting family and friends from their home base in Michigan. Plans changed and now they live fulltime in the 300-squarefoot motor home.

“We finished downsizing in July of 2013 and took to the road fulltime,” she said.

The process of deciding what she needed forced her to evaluate everything. “You ask yourself, ‘What can I not live without?’ It is not a lot of stuff.

We have everything we need. I feel abundant,” Smallin said.

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In fact, she says the RV has bright, beautiful things that fill their world.

She works from the road, writing books and running her website, www.unclutter.com Her husband writes a blog about life on the road, www.flyingthekoop.com The process of selling her goods led her to update a previous book, “How to Declutter and Make Money Now.” It was scheduled to be released in January. Her husband writes a blog about life on the road, www.flyingthekoop.com The process of selling her goods led her to update a previous book, “How to Declutter and Make Money Now.” It was scheduled to be released in January.

“So much had changed

since I released the original and did this,” Smallin said. She’s also updated her first book “Unclutter Your Home,” and it has been re-released for Kindle. “A lot has changed since 1999.”

Decluttering will leave you renewed, she believes. “When you make space in your life, you are refreshing your life and allowing yourself room to grow and express yourself instead of wasting so much energy, taking care of things,” Smallin said.

She says that her Facebook page and online support group sees a lot more activity in January.

“People want to start moving and making progress. The hardest part is getting started.”

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Minutes a day can clear clutter in your home

10E

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SPRING HOME, LAWN & GARDENX

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

DAILY JOURNAL

Clean it, stash it, trash it to help home sell faster

BY GINNA PARSONS

TUPELO – In this time of slowing home sales, you might be looking for ways to make your house a little more appealing than the one down the street that’s also for sale.

Christa Estes, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Southern Real Estate in Tupelo, gives the following 10 tips to help give you the edge.

CLEAN IT. “Buyers are turned off by the smallest amount of uncleanliness or odor. What a buyer tells us is when they go in a home and it’s not wellkept, they’re thinking if the homeowners aren’t keeping the surface stuff clean, then they’re not keeping things you can’t see maintained, like plumbing and electric.”

DECLUTTER. “Those stacks of newspapers and magazines – get rid of all that. Get bills organized and put out of the way.

Don’t worry about putting family photographs away. I think photographs are fine. What you want that buyer to see is family and they’ll think, ‘Hey, they’re just like mHe.’” ORGANIZE CLOSETS AND CREATE SPACE. “Many of us have so many clothes in our closets that we don’t wear. Get rid of them.

People see a crowded closet and think, ‘Oh, no, they’ve already outgrown this space. It’s not big enough for me.’”

CLEAN OFF KITCHEN COUNTERS. “Put away small appliances and knick-knacks. If you don’t use your toaster oven every day, get it out of the

COURTESY PHOTO

If a home is not appealing from the outside, it doesn’t matter what’s inside, says Christa Estes with Coldwell Banker Southern Real Estate. Plant seasonal flowers in beds, keep hedges trimmed, keep the yard mowed and put some color at the front door. way. It makes counters look cluttered. Now, if you drink coffee every day, leave the coffee pot out there. It’s the items you don’t use every day you want to put away.”

TAKE EVERYTHING OFF THE FRIDGE. “Get is as clean as you can. If your children insist on keeping a lot of their pictures, compromise and leave just a few.”

Settin’Stone Concrete

M&M

flowers in beds. Keep hedges trimmed. Keep the yard mowed. Put some color at the front door. Keep kids’ toys and bikes picked up and put away.”

TOUCH-UP PAINT THROUGHOUT. “But be careful not to have spots all over the wall. You don’t want it to look like touchup paint. You may just need to clean. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser takes scuff marks off baseboards and

M

Stamped Patios • Driveways

takes care of scratches on the walls.”

CLEAN WINDOWS. “The dreaded windows. Sometimes, it really does make a difference when you clean them. If you’ve got the blinds open and the windows are nice and clean, you can actually see outside, and not see dirt and crud on windows. Also, leave all the blinds open when you’re showing the house. Let the natural light in. It

makes rooms look larger.”

DO A WALK-THROUGH EVERY DAY. “Make sure the little things are picked up off the floor and off the furniture. Make sure everything is in its spot.

You want good walk areas. Keep the beds made, the dishes done, all those basic housekeeping chores you normally do every day.” ginna.parsons@journalinc.com

HEATING and COOLING, Inc.

Concrete Countertops

CRAFTSMEN IN COMFORT

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Sales • Service • New Installations • Change Outs (All Makes) Custom Ductwork • Zoning • Free Estimates w/Equipment Change Out and New Construction • Light Commercial • Service Agreements Fully Licensed and Bonded • Financing Available w.a.c.

We can help off your spring checklist.

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1255 Nelle Street ■ Tupelo

Cut back Ornamental Grasses

844-0270

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Scott Mattox, Owner

Landscape Lighting for Decoration & Security Yard Work, Maintenance Services Free Estimates on all Spring & Garden Needs Licensed & Bonded

© JPC-2015

• • • •

CLEAN THE FRONT DOOR AND PAINT IF NEEDED. “Give it a fresh coat of stain if it’s wood. Give it a fresh coat of paint if it needs to look fresh. The first appearance is very important.”

FRESHEN UP FRONT ENTRANCE LANDSCAPING. “The first appearance is the drive-by. If it’s not appealing from the outside, it doesn’t matter what’s inside. Plant seasonal

(662) 538-4223 • New Albany, MS Dewey Davidson

GREEN’S CONSTRUCTION “You Design It We Can Build It” Sales – Installation Repair – Parts

• Custom Gunite & Vinyl Pools • Above Ground Pools • Vinyl Liner Replacement • Safety Covers & Auto Covers • Pool Openings & Closings • Auto Cleaners Tony Green - Owner

662-844-1308 Mooreville, MS Cell: 662-231-0349 © JPC - 2015

Services are: Weed Control & Fertilization Disease Control Fire Ant Control Lawn & Landscape Insect Control Core Aeration Bed Weed Control

1804 North Parkway Corinth, MS 38834 (662) 287-5551

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DAILY JOURNAL

SPRING HOME, LAWN & GARDEN

DAILY JOURNAL

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

|

11E

What to know about replacing your mower Now is a great time to take stock of your lawn equipment, and assess whether your gear can withstand another season of wear and tear. If you’ve determined it’s time to replace your toolshed’s most valuable player – your lawn mower – get informed so you can make a savvy decision, as mower technology has changed a lot in the past several years.

Whether this is your first mower, your old mower is on the fritz or you’re simply looking to upgrade, these tips and considerations can help you make a decision that’s wise for you and your lawn.

BUDGET

The first thing to take into account is your budget. You need the most dependable and durable mower that you can afford. However, keep in mind, you may not have to pay the entire cost of the mower upfront.

Some brands offer various financing options that allow you to make payments over time. Whether you’re seeking low minimum payments or you want to minimize interest payments, ask your dealer about your options.

Take into account the size of your property. A smaller lawn requires a smaller machine.

For properties under a half acre, a 21- to 36-inch walk-behind mower should be ideal. For smaller lawns, consider a small zero-turn mower.

If you live on a larger plot of land, don’t rule out a commercial zero-turn mower, which is more durable, tends to be more comfortable to operate, and offers increased productivity with more professionallooking results. Keep in mind, properties of more than an acre may warrant a mower with a 60- to 72-inch cutting deck.

MOWER ENGINE AND FEATURES

After you’ve considered your budget, lawn size and terrain, you’ll want to look at the engine and features offered.

Many models come with a variety of engine types and configurations, including eco-friendly models that can save you money on fuel.

Mower accessories can include mulching, bagging and striping kits. Decide what your priorities are and get a model that’s right for you.

STATEPOINT

By tackling your lawn with a low-maintenance, durable, easy-to-operate mower, you can save time, money and energy. So do your research before making a purchase.

BREWER TREE SERVICE Insured • Trimming/Removal

844-7737

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DIVISION OF CONCRETE INDUSTRIES, INC.

401 Elizabeth St., Tupelo • 662-842-7305

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Beauty and Color Made Easy

home, family and financial future.

To make sure the home you love is properly protected, choose GuideOne Homeowners Insurance.

In addition to providing outstanding comprehensive coverage,our policies offer multiple options to tailor a plan for your specific needs.

• Property coverage that protects your residence, garage, adjacent structures and personal possessions against many causes of loss; • Personal liability coverage to protect against accidents, injuries and potential lawsuits.

• Optional coverages such as personal injury, identity theft protection, valuable possessions, watercraft, and much more.

Call for a free quote!

Eddie Sullivan • 844-4065

2531 S. President Ext., Tupelo (Intersection at Cliff Gookin)

Chris Riles • 842-9670

1600 West Main St., Suite C Tupelo

Tina Bailey • 407-0009

779 Holly Hill Drive Tupelo

Jon Sullivan • 844-4065

2531 S. President Ext., Tupelo (Intersection at Cliff Gookin) GuideOne does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap or familial status.

See us today for trees,shrubs,flowers, ground covers,garden accessories and all the advice you need to create your oasis WITT MARION’S

Mid South Nursery “QUALITY PLANTS & SERVICE SINCE 1953”

339 COLEY ROAD • 842-4194

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MOWING PROPERTIES

STATEPOINT

|

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

Grow your own

SPRING HOME, LAWN & GARDEN

DAILY JOURNAL

For true green thumb bragging rights, grow your garden from scratch. Just be sure you know the tricks of the trade.

Big Green Egg The World’s Best Smoker and Grill!

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Wake Boards, Skate Boards & Accessories

662-844-0308

¥Guns ¥Gear

¥Supplies ¥Bottle Fills

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12E

SPRING HOME, LAWN & GARDEN

DAILY JOURNAL

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015

|

13E

How to plant your garden from scratch Planting a garden from scratch can sound like a daunting task, especially for those who are new to the hobby. But with the right knowledge, you can plan a successful, fruitful green space and expect to have a great harvest.

One way to get a head start on your garden is to start your seedlings indoors and then transplant them later into an outdoor garden. This timetested technique can save you hundreds of dollars annually.

Here are some tips and tricks to make the most of this method:

• Don’t start your indoor plants too soon. They can grow in about four weeks or less if you use a high-quality garden starter. Check seed packages to learn when to plant outdoors in your area, and then start them indoors one month earlier to your transplanting date outdoors.

• Consider using a seed-starting system that takes some of the gardening guesswork out of the equation. There are systems that allow you to start up to 66 seedlings indoors with no dirt or mess, nurturing seeds with optimal amounts of water and nutrients for reliable germination

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Time To

Fix-Up For

• Before transplanting, seedlings need to be hardened off. Skipping this step will almost certainly result in some or all of your plants dying. Hardening off seedlings eases their transition to the outdoors, where they will be exposed to the elements. The process involves gradually exposing plants to the outdoors, protectand healthy growth. ing them from full sunlight, • Add new nutrients to the temperature variations and seedlings every two weeks and wind. keep the water at full level. Feed• Don’t let sprouts get too big ing your plants more than the before transplanting them outrecommended amount will not doors. Ideally they should be make them grow faster. In fact, it about 4-6 inches tall. If possible, could hurt the plants. wait to plant your seedlings on a

With the right knowledge, you can plan a successful, fruitful green space and expect a great harvest.

cool, cloudy day. If your seedlings get too large before weather will allow transplanting outdoors, transplant them into small pots with high quality potting soil. Keep fully watered in a sunny space until weather permits transplanting outdoors.

• After transplanting seedlings outdoors, be sure to water them daily for the first two weeks, especially if the weather is dry and sunny.

• Save and reuse your seed starter tray for the next season.

Once the spring plants have been transplanted outdoors, you will be free to get a head start on your summer crop.

Why Add Outdoor Lighting To Your Business?

• Increased Visibility • Increased Security • Increased Profits Outdoor lighting is very affordable, and studies show it’s effective in reducing crime, vandalism, and accidents due to tripping. Your customers will feel safer and more secure in a well-lit parking lot.

Outdoor lighting adds visibility and an inviting atmosphere to your business - enhancing its appeal to your potential customers.

Don’t be left in the dark! Call us at 841-6460 and learn how your business can benefit from outdoor lighting.

SPRING! Large, In-Stock Selection of:

Lamp Size Monthly Charge 400 Watt Spot/ Flood (Luminaire) . . . . . . . . . . .$21.15 400 Watt (Luminaire) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$17.85 100 Watt (Luminaire) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$7.25 Additional $2.75 fee if 30-foot wood pole is needed.

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LANDSCAPE

MAINTENANCE CERTIFIED

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LANDSCAPE DEPARTMENT 5119 CLIFF GOOKIN BLVD. TUPELO, MS 38801

842-1267

©Daily Journal-15

GET 120 FREE $

Here’s how to get a FREE $120 Rebate.

TUPELO WATER AND LIGHT DEPT. Call 841-6470 after Installation of new electric water heater. Upon verification of installation and proof of purchase the rebate will be paid.

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