Spring 2015 Home and Garden

H ME SPRING

& GARDEN kpcnews.com

THE

HERALD

REPUBLICAN

2015

The

THE NEWS SUN

2

Spring Home and Garden

kpcnews.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.

Welcome It’s that time of the year again when residents of northeast Indiana start preparing for spring.

It’s finally here!

In this special section you will find timely information on preparing your home for the coming pleasant weather months. We are presenting a water-themed issue this spring, with many tips on how to harness the power of water and use water wisely on your property.

On the cover, Kelsie Duehmig, left, and Shayna Anglin of the Kendallville Park and Recreation Department set up “Lake Life” by Lisa Gulick last summer on North Main Street in downtown Kendallville. The hand-painted rain barrel, sponsored by the Main Street Business Association, was one of 18 placed in the downtown business district as part of an exhibition last summer.

There’s a story on rain barrels and a program that’s coming up in our area that you can take advantage of to build your own.

Plus there are other stories about water and many other issues you will hopefully find informative.

March 20, 2015

Harvest rain water from your home

BY KATHRYN BASSETT kbassett@kpcmedia.com

AUBURN — Harvesting rainwater in rain barrels for use during dry months saves money and can be part of the solution when water supplies are running dry.

Todd Sattison, program coordinator for the city of Auburn, said historical records show that rainwater was collected in simple clay containers as far back as 2,000 years ago in Thailand, and throughout other areas of the world after that.

“We have some arid summers and people would like to conserve and save and this is a way they can do it,” Sattison said.

A rain barrel collects water and stores it for when it is needed most to water plants, wash the car, top off a swimming pool, or other uses.

Rain barrels are available for purchase See RAIN WATER page 3

KPC FILE PHOTO

Kendallville Park and Recreation Department summer day camp counselors and kids painted some of the rain barrels that were displayed along Main Street in the downtown business district in Kendallville last summer. From left are Morgan Sage, counselor; Lilly Meyer, camper; Dezaray Barr, counselor; and Jenna Rusmisel, counselor.

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March 20, 2015

RAIN WATER From page 2

from many outdoor and garden supply stores. Building your own rain barrel also is an inexpensive option.

Plastic 55-gallon drums are recommended for safely collecting water with minimal leaking. Free barrels are available from the city of Auburn Water Pollution Control Plant, Sattison said. He also provides a supply list and instructions on how to build a rain barrel.

“You’ll have about $20 to $25 in materials if you get the barrel for free,” Sattison said.

The water pollution control plant will partner with the DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District, Auburn Parks and Recreation Department and Northeast Indiana Solid Waste Management District this spring to present workshops on building rain barrels.

Workshop dates are April 18 at 10 a.m. at DeCamp Gardens, 1165 N. C.R. 75E, Albion; April 21 at 6 p.m. at the JAM Center, 1200 E. Houston St., Garrett; April 23 at 6 p.m. at Rieke Park

Lodge, 1600 N. Indiana Ave., Auburn; April 28 at 6 p.m. at a location to be determined in Butler; and April 30 at 6 p.m. at the solid waste district office, 2520 W. C.R. 800S, Ashley.

Participants will construct and take home a rain barrel. Barrels, tools and fittings will be supplied free of charge.

The workshops are free to the public and are limited to 10 participants at each location. Register by calling 925-5620, ext. 3.

Rain gardens also collect rainwater and are planted with native plants and flowers. The garden fills with water that comes off the roof of a house or building, Sattison explained. A rain garden should be located at least 10 feet away from buildings and where it will collect the maximum amount of rainwater run-off.

“They are aesthetically pretty,” Sattison said. “It’s another concept that’s starting to grab a hold.”

An example of a rain garden being used to collect water from a municipal parking lot can be seen at the corner of North Martha and East Gilmore streets in downtown Angola.

Spring Home & Garden

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The Raintainer, a commercially produced rain barrel provided to residents a few years ago by the Steuben County Soil and Water Conservation District, includes a wick that steadily waters a planter on the lid.

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Spring Home & Garden

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Tips for homeowners on their first renovation projects METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Home renovations are typically exciting, as homeowners get to see the visions of their dream homes come to light right before their very eyes. Turning an outdated bathroom into a modern oasis or an empty basement into the ultimate man cave strengthens the sense of attachment homeowners have with their homes.

But few home renovation projects go from start to finish without experiencing a few bumps in the road along the way.

Such bumps can be difficult to handle for homeowners working on their first renovation projects, but there are many ways for novices to navigate the sometimes murky waters of home improvement projects and come out relatively unscathed on the other end, where a newly renovated home awaits.

• Plan well and know what to expect.

When working with contractors, get all agreements in writing and spell out exactly what you desire in a home renovation. Photo references can help guide contractors and architects. Ask for the full picture of what

can be expected with the work, from demolition to the punch list. Knowing what lies ahead can keep you grounded throughout the project.

• Discuss work each day and set payment schedules. Make payments contingent on work completed. This can help keep contractors on schedule. Paying for all work upfront leaves homeowners at a disadvantage, as it does not provide incentive for workers to be timely and efficient. Check in with workers to get daily progress reports.

• Have reasonable expectations. A renovation project may exceed its budget and take longer than initially expected.

Understanding that these potential setbacks might be part of the process will make it easier to handle them when the foreman speaks to you about any issues that arise.

• Accept the mess. Construction work is messy. There’s no way to maintain a pristine house when contractors are entering and exiting all day. Dust is bound to be See TIPS page 6

METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

A home that is undergoing a remodel can be a less than comfortable environment. But homeowners who have never before lived through a renovation project can take several steps to make the process go as smoothly as possible.

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March 20, 2015

Man cave can be really deluxe, quiet METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Enjoy a jam session or watch an intense sports game with the boys without disturbing the rest of your house. Soundproofing your man cave will ensure that the noise of male bonding, deep voices, loud music and cheering doesn’t disturb the entire household.

A simple solution to controlling noise is acoustic insulation. A mineral wool product offers sound absorbing qualities that will let you crank up your subwoofer and cheer and jump around when your favorite team scores.

Installing mineral wool insulation on the interior walls of your man cave or media room will control sound, delivering a place you can call your own sanctuary to hang out with the boys.

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With the right products and some planning, a man cave or media room can be quiet, leaving the rest of the household undisturbed from jam sessions.

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TIPS From page 5

generated, and tools can fill up rooms.

A home in disarray can be stressful, but continue to visualize the end result and the mess won’t bother you so much.

• Establish a contingency plan. Bathrooms and kitchen renovations are typically the most disruptive home improvement projects.

Going without a kitchen can make it difficult to enjoy meals at home, while a bathroom remodel may require you to navigate water shutoffs. If your project is scheduled to take several months, establish a contingency plan to deal with the consequences of your renovation project. Speak with family members about using some of their home amenities, and prepare and freeze meals in advance so you can reheat them later on when you don’t have access to your stove.

• Plan your escape. Sometimes the constant work and mess of construction is too much to bear. Afford yourself time away by visiting relatives or staying at a hotel.

Even a single night away can provide the relief you need.

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March 20, 2015

Spring Home & Garden

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Preserving soil is important in environmentally responsible lifestyle KPC NEWS SERVICE

Does your lawn have patches of mud where grass once grew? While many new home additions incorporate swales to handle water runoff, homes in older, established communities do not.

Homeowners can avoid soil erosion — or in other words conserve soil — with many simple solutions.

One major source of erosion is due to impervious surfaces such as paved driveways and patios that allow precipitation to flow freely, Using paving stones instead of concrete slabs for driveways and patios allows water to percolate into the soil, said landscaper Craig Lepard from The Flower Pot in Garrett.

In some drought-prone areas, porous concrete allows water to drain into an underground storage tank to be used for watering plants, he added.

Installing retaining walls or incorporating terraced areas in the lawn also

slow down erosion.

Terraces can create several mini-gardens in a steep sloping area. They prevent erosion by shortening the long slope into a series of shorter, more level steps. This allows heavy rains to soak into the soil rather than run off and cause erosion.

Slopes that are hard to mow can be handled with groundcovers instead of grass. Many types of plants can be adapted for a wide variety of light and moisture conditions, such as juniper, pachysandra, wintercreeper, English ivy, periwinkle, cotoneaster, Potenentilla, heathers and heath. Ornamental grasses also hold down root systems to impede soil erosion.

Different types of trees also lend themselves to reduce soil erosion, Lepard suggested cypress, sycamore, swamp white oak and river birch trees for wet areas.

See SOIL page 8

IOWA STATE EXTENSION

Soil erosion due to urban development often exceeds 40 tons per acre per year, whereas typical agricultural land is usually less than 10 tons per acre per year, says information from Iowa State Extension.

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SOIL From page 7

Windbreaks prevent soil erosion by slowing the force of the wind over open areas. Planting trees or shrubs will not only prevent soil erosion, but can prevent snow from drifting into your driveway and your home from wind damage.

Bob Putt of Classic Lawn and Landscape suggests incorporating shallow dry riverbeds with rocks on

the bottom to carry away any extra water from your yard. Planting irises and other wetland adaptable perennials along its borders allows for an attractive, low-maintenance way to handle extra precipitation.

A mini-wetland in your backyard will temporarily store, filter and clean runoff water from your roof and lawn. It will provide habitat for many interesting creatures such as butterflies and bees, salamanders, toads, frogs and birds.

Most wetlands do not require standing

March 20, 2015

water to grow successfully, and will survive even if the area appears dry during most of the growing season. Even homeowners who do not have a natural wet spot in your yard, you can establish an area to grow many beautiful plants associated with wetlands.

A natural depression or ditch that tends to stay wet is an ideal place to develop a wetland. For safety reason, select an area that is unlikely to attract unattended children and check with local ordinances to determine if a fence in

required for the specific depth.

Sites should be away from foundations, out buildings, neighboring properties. Landscape plants to consider include those adapted to wet conditions and to light conditions such as cattails, Joe-Pye weed, ironweed, goldenrod and blue flat iris for sunny conditions, Bee balm, arrowhead, royal fern, turtlehead and fake hellebore for shady spots.

Taking steps to preserve soil is an important part of following an environmentally responsible lifestyle.

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Spring Home & Garden

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Consider drip irrigation for your garden

BY JACOB KLOPFENSTEIN jklopfenstein@kpcmedia.com

For people who want to give their lawns and gardens an extra hydration boost, in-ground, programmable sprinkler systems can be very expensive.

But DeKalb County Purdue Extension Educator Elysia Rodgers says there are other options to get water to your yard or garden that won’t cost as much.

A drip irrigation system allows water to seep out of a buried rubber hose at a slow rate. Using a drip irrigation system gets water directly to plant root systems and avoids leaving excess water on the leaves, Rodgers said.

While using sprinklers or hoses to water plants might be 60 to 70 percent efficient, Rodgers said drip irrigation often exceeds 90 percent efficiency.

A basic drip irrigation kit would cost about $50 at a home improvement store, Rodgers said. Most kits require self-installation.

“It’s basically a network of plastic pipes,” Rodgers said. “You can add as

many as you need to do the job.”

Since the kits are self-installation, many require tearing up the ground.

Rodgers said drip irrigation probably isn’t the best option for getting water to grass in the yard.

“Typically a sprinkler would be the normal way to go for watering lawns,” Rodgers said.

Using a sprinkler or a garden hose works best for watering early in the morning or late in the evening, when evaporation rates are lower, Rodgers said.

Plants typically need about an inch of water per week, so if your plants aren’t getting that from rain, alternative watering is the way to keep your yard and garden hydrated, Rodgers said. Rain barrels are a good way to conserve water, Rodgers said.

It’s good to do one or two good long soaks per week, Rodgers said. Otherwise, the plants might end up with shallow roots and depend too much on alternative watering for hydration. Space out watering so that roots can still get water on their own, she said.

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A drip irrigation system and additional tubing is shown in this Wikipedia image of a banana farm.

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Spring Home and Garden

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March 20, 2015

Safety devices help out around the lake, pool ANGOLA — Safety around water is a must, whether you’re at the lake or at the backyard or community pool.

Here are some tips from eHow for making sure your lake property or poolside is safe for all to enjoy.

Safety lines and flotation devices Use a safety line or rope in a pool to separate the shallow end of the pool from the deep end. These are hooked to the edges of a swimming pool and float above the water so that people who can’t swim in the deep water are aware of their boundaries.

Flotation devices are safety equipment that include life vests, or jackets, and ring buoys. A life vest should fit tightly around the person wearing it to prevent it from slipping off. A ring buoy is used in case you need to help someone out of the pool.

It is a flotation device with a long rope attached to it, which should at least be as long as the width of the pool. It’s thrown See SAFETY DEVICES page 11

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Rescue hooks such as these are good to have poolside or at the dock to help rescue someone from the water,

especially children.

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March 20, 2015

to a person in need of it so that she can hang on and be pulled to safety.

equipped with a self-closing, self-latching gate that you can lock. Additionally, you may want to install safety pool nets or pool covers to prevent children from drowning if they accidentally fall in the pool.

Reaching pole and telephone

Alarms and first-aid kit

A reaching pole with a double blunt-end crook is similar to a ring buoy as they serve the same purpose. Ideally, a reaching pole should be at least 12-feet long. Keep these and flotation devices at poolside and at the dock.

Keep a cordless telephone or cell phone nearby in case you need to make a call during an emergency. For residential pools, having a phone outside and near the pool is important so you don’t waste valuable time having to run inside your home to get to a telephone. While putting a phone in at your dock might not be practical, keep a cell phone nearby in the event of emergency.

Alarms may be used for both your pool and for the gate around your pool.

A pool alarm sounds off when it detects that someone has fallen into the water, and a gate alarm sounds when the gate is opened.

You also should have a first-aid kit in case of emergency, and, if possible, always have someone around who knows how to perform lifesaving CPR. Keep a first-aid kit in a waterproof container near the dock, if possible.

SAFETY DEVICES From page 10

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Inspect your roof in the spring to prevent future problems METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Many homeowners do not think twice about their roofs. But when leaks develop, roof repairs and the subsequent costs of such work shed light on how important it is for homeowners to pay closer attention to the roofs over their heads.

Though certain roof issues, like shingles lost to inclement weather, are unforeseeable, many problems can be avoided with routine roof inspection.

Checking roof conditions twice a year can help homeowners avoid potentially costly repair work or even more expensive roof replacement projects.

Spring is a good time to inspect roofs, which are often at the mercy of harsh conditions throughout the winter.

Heavy snow, ice and biting winds can do significant damage, making spring the perfect time to assess if any such damage occurred and address any issues. â&#x20AC;˘ Start the inspection in the interior

of the home. Before breaking out the ladder and climbing up to the roof, inspect the homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interior, pinpointing potential problems that may indicate roof damage. Check for stains on the ceiling which may indicate leaks that need to be addressed. Homeowners with attics should enter their attics and look for signs of water damage, making note of any damp or wet insulation. This will let you know if water has been entering the attic all winter. Pay attention to the location of any wet spots or stains so you can match them up to the exterior of the roof later on. Musty smells also may be indicative of moisture problems, even if there are no visible leaks. â&#x20AC;˘ Inspect the roof outside. Grab a set of binoculars and inspect the exterior of the roof. Look at the roof flashing, including around the chimney and other areas of protruding pipes and vents.

If the flashing is warped or damaged, moisture might be settling underneath.

See ROOFING page 13

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ROOFING From page 12

Sealant around dormers or skylights can also degrade, resulting in leaks. Check for spalling on masonry, such as the mortar of chimneys. Porous areas will allow water to infiltrate.

• Go directly on the roof and check.

Work with a partner and carefully climb on the roof while someone holds the ladder below. Walk on the perimeter of the roof, looking for peeling or warped shingles, missing shingles, holes, or scrapes. If the roof is compromised in any way, it will need to be repaired. The problem will only grow more significant and repairs more expensive if damage is ignored.

Sometimes a repair can be as simple as patching a leak with a new shingle and roofing cement. Popped nails can be pounded down and any curled shingles can be nailed or cemented back into place.

• Consult a roofing expert. If you are unsure if your roof has made it through the winter unscathed and would like a second opinion or if you find there is considerable damage, contact a roofing contractor. This person will offer a professional assessment of what can be repaired or if the roof should be replaced. If your roof is metal or features clay tiles, you may not have the expertise to make repairs yourself and will need to hire a professional.

• Check the gutters, too. While you are up on the roof, inspect the gutters and downspouts as well. Cracked or damage gutters will cause water to leak down the side of the home, potentially damaging the foundation. Clear any debris or leftover leaves from the gutters to ensure the rain can wash through unobstructed.

A post-winter roof inspection can protect homeowners and their families from the elements and reduce the likelihood of potentially costly repairs down the road.

Spring Home & Garden

10 Things You Can Do to Prevent Stormwater Runoff Pollution Use fertilizers sparingly and sweep up driveways, sidewalks, and gutters Never dump anything down storm drains or in streams Vegetate bare spots in your yard Compost your yard waste Use least toxic pesticides, follow labels, and learn how to prevent pest problems Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces; consider a rain garden to capture runoff Take your car to the car wash instead of washing it in the driveway

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Redefine a space with an interior decorator’s help METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Though it may seem like interior decorators are a luxury reserved exclusively for the rich and famous, interior decorators work with people of all budgets and there are many in northeast Indiana who can lend a hand.

Homeowners sometimes wrestle with the practicality of hiring a decorator, wondering why they should spend the money when they can do the work themselves. But just like homeowners may hire professional electricians or landscapers, hiring a professional interior decorator can ensure the job is done right, within budget and completed within a reasonable amount of time.

Those who have already invested quite a bit of money into their homes but want to add some finishing touches would be wise to hire interior decorators or designers.

Homeowners often have no idea where to begin when attempting to establish flow from room to room in their homes.

Decorators can help homeowners tailor

the interiors of their homes to the homes produce the desired vibe.

Hiring a designer can help a person avoid making potentially costly design errors. An aesthetically appealing house also can increase the home’s value, setting a property above others in terms of appeal.

Even though the designer will charge a fee, the investment may be well worth the expense when the room is done right the first time.

Interior decorators have numerous resources at their disposal. Fine tuned to the world of design, they understand which trends will come and go and also which design ideas have staying power.

In addition, decorators will be in touch with vendors in the industry, connecting homeowners with the best of the best in terms of providing furniture, housewares, photography, and additional special touches that help make a house a home.

In addition to expertise and resources, interior decorators have eyes that will be trained on things homeowners may not

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Interior decorators have the expertise and connections to help homeowners realize any project.

have noticed or even realized can be done.

A designer may envision removing a room to create more space or knocking a wall down to let more natural light into a room.

Designers and decorators are trained to

think differently and spatially to achieve concepts homeowners may never have envisioned for themselves. They can help tell stories through design and improve spaces immeasurably.

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Spring Home & Garden

15

How to close up a fireplace for the season METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

A roaring fireplace on a chilly day provides a welcome, aesthetically appealing respite from the cold.

Fireplaces are typically used throughout winter, but when spring rolls around, many homeowners no longer feel the need to light a fire. As fireplace season winds down, homeowners can take the following steps to close their fireplaces for the warm weather seasons ahead.

catches fire.

A professional chimney sweeping also reduces the amount of dirt and odor that will continue to enter a home after the fireplace has been retired for the season. Damp spring weather can moisten soot trapped in a chimney, causing it to smell. Cleaning and deodorizing can help keep rooms fresh.

Ask for an inspection

Repeatedly lighting fires results in an accumulation of ash and residual wood debris. Clean out what you can by hand and discard the soot. To conduct a more thorough cleaning, use a high-powered garage vacuum to clear out any remaining ashes from crevices and other parts of the firebox.

Ask a chimney sweep to inspect your chimney in addition to cleaning it. A sweep can look for leaks and cracks, and he or she should also look at the flashing system and rain cap, which can prevent water infiltration.

You don’t want to learn your chimney is in poor shape during a heavy spring rainfall.

Ask that the pipes, brickwork and damper also be checked for functionality and good repair.

Hire a chimney sweep

Close the damper

A fully functioning fireplace chimney should be swept annually by a certified chimney sweep, of which there are many available in northeast Indian. He or she will remove soot and any creosote from the inside of the chimney. Creosote is highly flammable and can cause considerable damage if it

Homeowners should close the dampers on wood-burning fireplaces when closing their fireplaces for the season. Doing so prevents animals from making nests inside the chimney and possibly gaining entry into your home. Closing the damper also makes the home more efficient by not letting air escape

Begin the cleanup

through the chimney.

Those with gas fireplaces should leave the damper open at all times to prevent a gas buildup in the home in the case of a gas leak. However, homeowners may want to extinguish the pilot light for a gas fireplace in the spring to reduce energy usage.

Make it attractive Some homeowners choose to dress up

a fireplace to make it look more appealing in the offseason. Flowers, plants, candles, or decorative accents can be placed in the firebox to add style to a home.

When closing a fireplace for the season, homeowners can benefit from hiring a professional to ensure everything is done correctly and the fireplace will be in top shape and ready to warm everyone up next winter.

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Spring Home & Garden

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Garden-inspired decor brightens spaces and mood METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Many homeowners take up gardening to transform their homes with beautiful flowers and foliage, while others do so to yield fresh fruits and vegetables.

But gardening can be more than just a weekend hobby. In fact, it may be especially beneficial for homeowners to surround themselves with more plants and natural decor, whether in the yard or in the home.

Studies have indicated that gardening can be good for the mind and body. In addition to improving mood and reducing stress, plant life and gardening also may help people have a more hopeful outlook on life. If reaping the benefit of a beautiful landscape is not reason enough to get into gardening, elevating your mood and coping with depression or illness may be even further motivation to start developing your green thumb.

Home-design trends seem to be following suit, offering individuals more opportunities to surround themselves with potentially therapeutic plants.

Explore these emerging and established garden décor trends to try in and

around your home.

• Living wall planters: A living wall planter can add greenery to any décor without taking up floor or table space.

Ideal for outdoor structures, these planters also can be used indoors if you safeguard against leaks and dripping. A living wall planter is a framed device that houses plants in a manner that enables them to be vertically mounted to a wall surface. While there are commercially available models, you can create your own design and paint or stain it to match the existing décor. Use a soil-free potting substrate to avoid the mess that regular soil may create.

• Combining fish with gardening: Enjoy the best of two relaxing worlds by installing a water feature in your yard.

Garden retailers offer ready-made kits that can make fast work of establishing a pond or other water feature in the backyard. Otherwise, there are plenty of water garden companies and installers who can suggest a design and put in your desired water features. Add fish suitable for outdoor life to your pond. These include koi and certain goldfish varieties.

Game fish are discouraged because they

can destroy pond plants. If an outdoor pond is more maintenance than you desire, consider an indoor aquarium with a combination of fish and live aquarium plants.

• Creative furniture designs: Maybe you’re a person who appreciates the unique and whimsical? Tables, benches and chairs can be built with planting channels that enable you to have greenery and garden décor in one piece. Envision a picnic table with a cutout down the center for a thin row of plants or decorative grasses. This is a project the entire family can get behind, as the more creative ideas the better.

• Improved outdoor lighting: People who like to spend time in their gardens and yards may not want to be limited by sunrise and sunset. By incorporating different lighting sources, you can create a retreat that is welcoming at any hour.

Although flood lights and overhead lights can illuminate a space, consider ambient and decorative lighting to create the desired ambiance.

• Functional fire pits and places: A blazing fire creates a cozy spot to gather

on chilly evenings, but fire pits and fireplaces also can be used as impromptu cooking spots for s’mores or frankfurters on a stick. You can purchase a stand-alone fire pit from any number of retailers or build your own with patio pavers and fire bricks to line the interior of the fire pit.

Outdoor fireplaces require more work, and you want to hire a mason to ensure proper installation.

• Enjoyable yard additions: While plants and seating may take center stage, some people still want to have fun in their yards. There’s an increased demand for yard designs and décor that can put the fun in backyard living. Bocce courts, ring- or horseshoe-toss setups, as well as bean bag-toss boards, can be incorporated into landscape designs, giving you yet another reason to spend a few hours in the great outdoors, where you can experience a few healthy laughs in the process.

Gardening and spending time outdoors are great hobbies and may even boost your mood. Homeowners can explore the popular trends in garden décor and natural elements that they can enjoy inside and outside of their homes.

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Explore the alternatives to granite countertops METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

Granite has long been a popular countertop material for homeowners looking to combine functionality with aesthetic appeal in their kitchens.

But granite is no small investment, and homeowners looking to refurbish their kitchens should know there are a multitude of countertop materials available to those working on a budget or those who simply want to give their

kitchens a different look.

• Solid wood: Wood countertops create a warm, homey interior. Butcher block counters are less expensive than granite and do not necessarily need to be ordered from a speciality retailer.

But wood can stain and dent and can even burn when hot kitchenware is placed atop it. Regular application of oil can help homeowners maintain the appearance of their wood counters for

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• Marble: Marble tends to be less expensive than granite without sacrificing aesthetic appeal. However, marble is softer and more porous than granite, so it can stain and be etched.

Diligence in wiping away spills, routine sealing and a gentle touch is necessary for those who choose marble countertops.

• Soapstone: This is a natural stone composed mainly of mineral talc that gives the stone its smooth feel.

Soapstone ranges from black to gray but can sometimes have a green shade to it.

Other materials in the stone can produce veining. Although softer than granite, soapstone is still high-density and will hold up well. It’s impervious to stains and bacteria, and exposure to chemicals will not damage it.

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• Quartz: Quartz is a manufactured product made of stone aggregate and polymers compressed under high pressure. It has the look of natural stone but requires less work to maintain.

Quartz has consistent colors and patterns and is a nonporous material, so it will not need routine sealing and resealing.

• Glass: Glass countertops are back-painted, so homeowners can order just about any color they want. Glass will be tempered, so it is safe and heat-resistant. Glass can scratch, though, so it is not as impervious as other materials.

• Concrete: Concrete is another material that can be colored to match homeowners’ whims. Concrete is relatively inexpensive compared to other countertop materials, but it can crack or chip.

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Spring Home & Garden

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