Homefront | Fall 2019

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HOME&GARDEN SOLUTIONS&PROJECTS

How to protect wood floors Maximize small kitchens Fireplace maintenance

winter-friendly

OUTDOOR SPACES Make a front door pop Add more exterior light Winter deck prep

FALL for your yard lawn care & landscape tips

Leader-Telegram Magazine

Fall 2019

Fall Plant Care Tips with

“The Garden Goddess” from Green Oasis

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outdoor spaces

Make the front door pop Add more exterior light Create a winter-friendly outdoor living space

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outdoor gardens

FALL for your yard lawn care & landscape tips

By Dan Lyksett

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kitchen basics

18

home chores

20

indoor spaces

Table linens

Fireplace maintenance

Maximize small kitchens How to protect wood floors

Graphic Designer Angela Rediess Magazine Advertising & Distribution Coordinator Laura.Robertson @ecpc.com 715-833-9239

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make the front door pop Bold front door color: Color can dramatically enhance

an entryway. The DIY Network says certain colors stand out as favorites. These include turquoise, yellow, red, indigo, orange, and black. The door color should complement the other shades of the home, such as those on siding and trim.

Custom walkway: Guide guests right to the front door with an attractive (and safe) walkway. Stamped concrete or decorative paver blocks may fit the bill.

Contain plants. Landscaping around the entryway should be neat and well-tended. Container plants and carefully curated shrubs can create a neat and inviting aura.

Highlight the address. Make sure the home can be found

easily with bold and decorative house numbers. Consider two different address signs: one illuminated and easily viewed from the curb, and another closer to the front door.

Utilize high-end materials. The relatively small area of real estate by the front door enables homeowners to splurge on more opulent materials that can really add a feeling of luxury. These can include colorful tiles, ornate planters, decorative wooden doors, or elaborate knobs and lighting fixtures.

Add architectural details. Find out which architectural elements will meld with the style of the home and then incorporate them. Moldings, columns, shutters, and trim are areas to consider.

The entryway to a home garners a lot of attention.

Homeowners can enhance their spaces with entryways that really make a statement.

City of Eau Claire Housing Division Housing Rehabilitation Program The City of Eau Claire Housing Division is taking applications for the Housing Rehabilitation Program. The Rehabilitation Program is federally funded and offers loans up to $20,000. This program is for homes in need of repair, not for extensions or cosmetic renovations.

For eligibility information and application call (715) 839-8294.

The hearing impaired may contact this office by TDD at (715) 839-4943.

If there are other specialized needs due to handicap, i.e. sign language interpreter, wheelchair accessibility, reader, please contact this office.

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Type of Work: • Roof and window replacement • Plumbing repairs or upgrading • Electrical repairs or upgrading • Carpentry repairs

• Heating system replacement • Energy saving repairs • Siding repairs or replacement

Eligibility Requirements: HUD Income Guidelines: FAMILY SIZE MAX. INCOME • City of Eau Claire resident 1 $38,550 • Assessed value not to exceed $146,500 2 $44,050 • Property a minimum of 25 years old 3 $49,550 4 $55,050 • Owner Occupied (at least 1 year) 5 $59,500 • Good Credit History 6 $63,900 • HUD income guidelines apply 7 $68,300 8

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ADD MORE EXTERIOR LIGHT Homeowners are realizing the benefits of improving the exteriors of their home, which can be just as valuable as improving the interior spaces. As individuals design picturesque garden beds and cultivate lavish lawns or revamp exteriors with architectural features, they probably want to spotlight these improvements. This is where exterior lighting can be put to great use.

Safety: Trips and falls can

occur at night when trying to traverse walkways and landscapes in the dark. Outdoor lighting can illuminate pathways, entryways and other areas for safer access for homeowners and their guests.

Extend outdoor entertaining: As autumn

arrives, days become shorter.

However, patios, porches and more can get extended use with lighting.

Safeguard security: A

well-lit home may be less likely to be targeted by burglars than HomeFront

one swathed in darkness and shadows. Lights can remain on all evening or be motiontriggered. Setting lights on timers also ensures that the home is illuminated whether residents are home or not.

Create drama: Uplighting in trees, silhouetting techniques to showcase plants and spotlights to show off architectural features are all options for homeowners to consider.

Improving a home’s exterior may be as simple as adding more lighting to improve functionality and beauty.

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WINTER DECK PREP INSPECT THE DECK FOR PROBLEMS. Damaged boards and

loose handrails should be fixed before winter arrives. Fixing such issues in winter and even into spring may be difficult thanks to harsh conditions, so make good use of the relatively calm autumn weather to fix any issues on the deck.

CLEAR THE DECK OF POTTED PLANTS. Even homeowners who

intend to use their decks in winter should remove potted plants from the deck in the fall. Moisture can get trapped between deck boards and plastic, wood or ceramic containers in cold weather, and that can contribute to mildew, discoloration or decay.

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As summer turns to fall, homeowners must take measures to protect their decks from potentially harsh winter weather. to leave some furniture out over the winter. But those with lots of furniture for entertaining guests can likely move the majority of that furniture into a garage or shed for the winter.

REMOVE SNOW, BUT DO SO CAREFULLY. Prolonged contact with

snow and ice can damage a deck. As a result, homeowners should clear snow from their decks when accumulation is significant. Use a snow blower on the deck to avoid scarring. If a shovel must be used, push snow with the planks to reduce the risk of damaging the deck.

Homeowners who take steps to protect their decks throughout the winter months can ensure these popular areas are ready once entertaining season returns in the spring.

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How to create a winter-friendly outdoor living space

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between 2012 and 2017, highlighting just how much homeowners enjoy spending time outdoors.

By taking measures to make their outdoor living spaces winterproof, homeowners can enjoy these areas of their homes even more.

COVER YOUR DECK. Covered decks can protect residents from the sun on especially hot days while also making the space more functional in winter.

An overhead shelter on a deck can be outfitted with heaters (and fans to provide a cooling effect in summer) and allow residents to sit outside and watch snow fall without getting wet.

PLANT THE RIGHT TREES. Coniferous trees prevent wind, which can be especially harsh in winter.

Homeowners who are unsure about which direction wind typically comes from can consult a landscape architect to determine where to plant the trees to ensure they’re most effective.

FIRE UP THE PATIO. A firepit or fireplace can warm up an outdoor living area, making such a space warm and cozy even on a cold winter night. A patio with a built-in firepit can cost a pretty penny, but such an addition can withstand winter weather better than a standalone firepit, which might be vulnerable to being tipped over by winter winds.

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FALL for your yard lawn care & landscape tips

By Dan Lyksett

It’s only September, so there’s plenty of time and some good reasons to ignore the snowblower and think Spring.

Spring as in your lawn greening up hearty and healthy when the snow blanket melts.

Spring as in shrubs coming to life, ready to provide a summer bounty of flowers. Spring as in perennial garden beds poking new life from the soil, reaching for the warming sun.

Experts say the weather in a typical Wisconsin autumn, with shorter days, temperate rains and cooler temperatures, provides the perfect opportunity to ready your lawn and landscape plants for the next growing season.

LAWNS

Think of grass as a bountiful plot of individual plants woven into a living fabric. As with any plant, your lawn requires light, water, food and oxygen to thrive.

Aerating your lawn - pulling out plugs or poking holes in sod - is a great place to start, experts say.

“Aeration is a really good thing to do for a healthy lawn,” said Patty Martin, (AKA Garden Goddess), the garden center manager at Green Oasis. “It helps get air down to the lawn roots.”

Ben Polzin, operations manager at Down to Earth garden center, agrees.

“You get oxygen to the roots, you get moisture to the roots,” Polzin said. “Lawn mowers cause a lot of soil compaction, so it can make it hard for the air and water to get to those roots.”

Cont. on page 10

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Cont. from page 9

Aerators come in a variety of types. Some feature long spikes that poke holes through the turf, while others have hollow tubes that pierce the sod, pull out a plug and deposit it on the ground.

Martin said depending on the size of the yard, homeowners can do the aeration themselves, or they can hire a lawncare company to do the work.

“Some people really enjoy renting the equipment and doing it themselves,” she said. “Other just don’t want to face the hassle.”

Polzin also suggested dethatching lawns as a valuable fall project. Heavy thatch, or buildup of dead plant material between the growing grass blades and the roots, prevents air and water from penetrating to the roots.

“If you’ve got that heavy matting, you should remove that,” he said. “Dethatch and rake up the dead material. You also want to get a heavy dead leaf cover off the lawn. That can smother the grass underneath.”

Fall is also a good time to overseed thin spots in existing lawns, especially if you’re aerating.

“When you aerate you can spread the seed right on top of the existing lawn,” Martin said. “You do want to make sure it has an adequate amount of water.”

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Mid-September also opens an important window for applying fertilizer to promote a heathy lawn. A soil test can help you determine the need. A good winterizer fertilizer is high in potassium, the third number on the fertilizer label.

“Applying a good winterizer fertilizer really helps roots get established to be ready to go dormant,” Polzin said. “It’s also a good time to apply lime if you’re seeing a lot of yellow in the lawn.”

“A winterizer helps those root hair get established, and it provides the nutrients the plants need to get through a rough winter,” Martin said.

You should also adjust the height of your mower for that final cut of the year. Polzin suggested

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cutting grass down to 2.5-inches rather than the normal 3- to 3.25-inches. This will also help prevent matting over winter.

SHRUBS Some deciduous shrubs benefit from a fall pruning. Others you don’t want to touch. The difference is when they bloom “Basically, if they bloom in the spring you don’t want to touch them in the fall,” Martin said.

Spring-blooming shrubs set buds on one-year-old wood, so they should be pruned after they bloom in the spring but before they set buds for the next season. Lilacs, forsythia, viburnums, honeysuckle and chokeberry are all examples of springblooming shrubs.

But summer blooming shrubs like spirea, potentilla, hydrangeas, burning bush and roses, can all be pruned back in the fall because they set their buds on new growth in the spring. But don’t be in too much of a hurry this fall to get that pruning done.

“You do want to make sure those summerblooming shrubs have gone dormant,” Polzin said.

“It’s a good time to really see the plant, see what needs to be removed, and it’s easier.”

And autumn isn’t a particularly good time to prune evergreens, Martin said.

Cont. on page 12

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Cont. from page 11

“They probably cannot heal fast enough, which can dry out evergreens,” she said.

Homeowners should also know the normal shape of the shrub they’re pruning, its present condition and what result they want from pruning before starting. Different plants tolerate different pruning techniques, and the technique used will bear different results.

For example, “thinning” a shrub involves removing about a third of the largest branches, preserving the shrubs basic height and shape and encouraging new growth. But some shrubs require and can tolerate a full “rejuvenation” pruning, cutting the entire shrub back to no more than 10 inches from the ground.

In other words, know your plant and your goal before you start whacking away.

annuals, your fall chore list is simple. Once they go dormant with the early killing frosts, yank them out of the ground.

“Cleaning out those beds helps with disease and bug issues,” Polzin said.

Martin said if the bare spots offend you, try planting fresh fall plants like pansies to give it some color.

For perennial gardens, your autumn tasks might depend on the plants themselves.

“A lot of people leave perennial grasses and some others standing so they provide some winter interest,” Martin said.

For the rest, though, Martin and Polzin recommend pruning the plants back to the ground.

FLOWER GARDENS

“By the end of the season, from the middle to the end of October, trim them right down to the ground,” Martin said.

“You’re helping push more nutrients to the roots.”

If your flower garden is populated with nothing but

Polzin said the old saw about leaving the plant debris through

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the winter to provide insulation from the winter cold doesn’t hold water.

“Snow is actually a better insulator,” he said. “And if you cut them back you have less bug and disease issues in the spring.” But he added some people prefer to leave the dead plant material since it can provide places for desirable bugs to overwinter. It’s an individual choice.

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WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE The final advice offered by Martin and Polzin is pretty simple: Plants need water, even in winter.

“We had a lot of winter damage last year,” Martin said. “It got so cold and very dry, and it impacted a lot of plant roots.”

“A good watering goes a long way to helping the plants make it through the winter,” Polzin said. “It actually helps insulate the roots from the cold.”

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FALL PLANT CARE TIPS with “The Garden Goddess”

With the cooler temperatures, our minds are turning to pumpkin spice, fall colors and decorating too. Let’s not forget about our plants and what we should do to maintain them before Mother Nature starts the next season.

Spring Blooming Plants Do not trim this time of year to avoid cutting off all the blossoms for the following season. Examples of spring bloomers would include; Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Forsythias, Lilacs, and Magnolias. If you have Azaleas or Rhododendrons make sure you give them roughly a half cup of Aluminum Sulfate. This will promote an acidic soil. Best time to prune spring blooming plants is roughly 2-3 weeks after they are done blooming for the season.

Summer Blooming Shrubs With the flowering shrubs finishing their beauty, now is the perfect time to cut them back. Gardening Rule is to trim at least one third off the top. This will help the shrub to properly store nutrients in the root system for the winter months. Fertilizing in fall I suggest using a Root Stimulator. The root stimulator does not produce growth but helps nurture those roots. Species to trim in fall would include; Spireas, Potentillas, Barberries, Viburnums, Weigelas and Roses.

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Blooming Hydrangeas Endless Summer Hydrangeas (Original, Twist-n-Shout, Bloomstruck, and Summer Crush) do not trim in the fall, let them die back naturally during the fall and in spring wait for them to re-leaf and then at that point what doesn’t leaf out, trim the dead canes. If you were to cut them back in fall, there is a good possibility that they will not bloom for you the following season.

Woody Hydrangeas trim back in the fall or leave the natural beauty of their dried flowers thru the winter months. If you do leave the dried flowers on trim those come springtime.

Rose Care During late Fall trim your roses.

General rule for trimming is about one third off the top. I suggest not using the rose cones but using bags of leaves around them.

By using bags of leaves you are protecting them from the harsh elements of our winters. When we have our mid-winter thaw the leaf bags work as insulation so that our roses don’t think its time for spring and try to leaf out.

Tree Care If you have just newly planted a shade, ornamental or fruit tree you will need to take a few extra steps to keeping them looking beautiful. Watering is a key source for a tree’s survival. Rule of thumb is about 10-15 gallons of water per week. Using a 5 - gallon bucket and watering every other day is perfect. Once the leaves fall, I would suggest using a tree wrap on the trunk which will help protect against frost cracking, deer scrapes and rabbits girdling the bark.

Existing trees need to be properly watered for the best maintenance.

Roughly about 10 gallons of water a week. You can help protect the trunk by wrapping it with a tree wrap. Deer and Rabbit repellents can provide some protection.

Evergreen Care During the fall season you do not want to trim your evergreens.

Water them as much as you can to help insulate those roots for the winter months. To help protect your evergreens even more you can wrap them in burlap or spray them with a Wilt Proof. This will help protect them from the sun reflecting on the snow and drying out the needles.

Fantastic Fall Decorating Ideas I’m sure your annual planters look a little sad like mine. Let’s give them a new look! Planting Fall Grass, Mums, Asters, Flowering Kale, Ornamental Peppers and even Rudbeckia can make that planter look AMAZING. When planting your fall containers, use the same potting soil that you have in the container. Treat your fall container like your annuals and continue to water them daily. No need to fertilize your fall planters. Straw bales, Indian Corn, Gourds, and Pumpkins add a great splash of fall to any display.

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How to choose and care for table linens Table linens must be able to bear the brunt of spilled wine, dropped food and even drippings of candle wax. Learning how to choose and care for table linens can benefit frequent party hosts.

SELECTING TABLE LINENS

According to the etiquette and entertaining experts at Better Homes & Gardens, white damask or plain white linen tablecloths are traditionally used for formal dinners.

However, for many other parties, hosts and hostesses can use a variety of different tablecloth materials and styles to fit their decor.

If frequent spills or table service with young children is expected, many table linen materials bead up liquids for easy cleanup. Also, for ease of use, select linens that can be machine-washed and will not require special treatment.

Napkins should match the tablecloth at formal dinners.

Otherwise, have fun mixing and matching patterns and colors.

TABLECLOTH LENGTH

Buffet tables should be set with a tablecloth that reaches the floor. For the dinner table, select a length that drops below the top of the table, anywhere between eight and 18 inches. Err on the larger size so that tablecloths will hang accordingly and not expose the edges of the table.

DISPLAY OLD LINENS

A dinner party can be made extra-special by using antique or passed-down linens. Many of these tablecloths may be made from actual linen. Use care when laundering linens that cannot be tumble-dried, which can over-dry the fibers, advises The Farmer’s Almanac. Line dry and store rolled for the best results. Steam-iron linens so they’ll be crisp on the table.

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The quicker you act, the more likely it is that stains can be remedied and table linens salvaged. Spot-treat the stain during service to remove much of it. Soak the table cloth or napkins overnight in water to release stains. Tough stains may need to be treated with a prewash stain remover before soaking. Hot water is usually acceptable for most stains, but consider soaking items in cool water to treat red wine stains. Also, be mindful of care instructions on cloth products.

Be sure that stains have been completely removed; otherwise, they can be further heat-set by tumble-drying the tablecloth. Many people prefer to line-dry linens to protect the nature of the fibers, particularly for fine linens.

Table linens can set the scene for a dinner party or other event. Proper selection, care and storage can keep them looking beautiful for years to come.

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HOW TO STORE FIREWOOD THE RIGHT WAY Naturally, fueling a fireplace for the season may require homeowners with woodburning units to keep an ample supply of wood at the ready. How that wood is stored is important, as properly stored firewood can prevent waste and other issues around the house.

Wood that is freshly cut has a water content of 60 percent or more. Yet, for best burning ability, wood should be near 20 percent in water content. Green wood is hard to ignite and will not burn nearly as well or efficiently as seasoned wood. Another concern associated with green wood is that it can contribute more to creosote accumulation in the flue of a fireplace. Creosote is a combustible material that may lead to fires if left unchecked.

Homeowners who have an abundance of firewood have to store it somewhere.

Choose a dry, breezy area about 20 feet from the nearest door to the house. This helps avoid hitchhiker pests from coming inside with the wood, such as termites, ants, spiders, and mice. Do not stack the wood flush against a structure. It should be at least a few inches away to allow airflow behind the stack.

Stick to organized rows of wood no more than four feet high. Log racks and pallets and posts will keep the wood up and off of the ground where moisture and rotting can develop. Placing the logs in an unorganized pile will impede air flow and cause the wood to rot rather than continue to dry and season.

Use a cover to protect seasoned firewood from the elements. Position a tarp or plastic sheeting so it blankets the top of the stack and extends a few inches down

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Things to consider before warming up next to your first fire this winter Homeowners should consider a host of factors and safety measures to ensure their fireplaces are safe and ready for the season ahead.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America advises homeowners with fireplaces to hire a CSIA-certified chimney sweep to clean their fireplaces. Professional, certified chimney sweeps have extensive knowledge of fireplaces, making them valuable resources who can let homeowners know if any safety issues developed since fireplaces were last used. The National Protection Agency recommends that chimneys be swept at least once per year.

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A full inspection of the chimney might be in order as well. Chimney service technicians will conduct thorough examinations of readily accessible portions of the chimney exterior and interior and accessible portions of the appliance and the chimney connection.

The CSIA recommends that homeowners who plan to use their chimneys as they have in the past request a Level 1 inspection, which will examine the soundness of the chimney structure and flue as well as the basic appliance installation and connections.

Technicians will also verify if the chimney is free of obstruction and combustible deposits.

Inspect chimney dampers before lighting the first fires of the season. Dampers should open and close smoothly.

If not, a service technician can help fix or replace the damper.

the sides. Keep the sides mostly exposed to air. Others prefer to stack it in a barn or shed or under an overhang.

Green wood is less expensive than seasoned wood. Those who prefer this method should do so in the early spring and let it season over the next several months.

Firewood is another thing to consider before lighting the first fires of the season. The CSIA says that well-seasoned firewood works best, noting that wood that is not well-seasoned will produce more smoke than heat.

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Small kitchen improvements that maximize functionality Many homeowners wish for expansive kitchens. Modernized kitchens that include sought after features and showcase the latest trends go a long way to improving the overall value of a home.

As desirable as such kitchens may be, some homes simply don’t have enough space for a centerfold-worthy kitchen featuring an island, wine refrigerator and walk-in pantry.

However, homeowners with small kitchens can still improve the form and function of their existing spaces.

Reconfigure and revamp cabinetry

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Homeowners whose kitchens are small often lament their lack of storage. Redesigning the layout of cabinets, and possibly adding some more cabinetry, may take care of certain storage issues. The experts at Merit Kitchens suggest utilizing corner space with LeMans units, lazy susans and other gadgets to make access to these areas easier. Going vertical with wall cabinets that extend to the ceiling also can add more storage, as can roll-in work carts.

Work with the walls Small kitchens require clever usage of vertical space. Vertical storage units, hooks, shelving, and more can move items out of drawers and off of counters. Consider an under-the-cabinet toaster oven and microwave to create more counter space.

Use scaled-down appliances Shop with size in mind when looking at new appliances if you have a small kitchen.

Compact versions won’t take up as much space as larger alternatives. Homeowners

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should consider the ultimate function of the kitchen and then think about which appliances will serve them well. Homeowners with small kitchens may not need a large stand mixer or an oversized commercial stove.

Add some glass The DIY Network recommends incorporating glass to improve the perception of space in small kitchens. Glass lets you see through the objects, thereby enhancing the feeling of spaciousness or what designers call “negative space.” Glass also can be reflective, visually expanding the space.

Embrace high-end materials It costs less to renovate small spaces than bigger areas, so homeowners may be able to afford high-end materials that really add personality to a kitchen. Flooring, counter materials and quality fixtures can really set small kitchens apart.

Small kitchens can be culinary havens with the right improvements to maximize the space.

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How to protect wood floors from inclement weather Wood floors are a worthwhile investment that can improve the beauty and function of just about any room in a home. Even though wood floors are durable, and new protective treatments help seal out many of the things that may have damaged floors in the past, homeowners still need to prioritize protecting their hardwood floors.

Certain seasons of the year can be more harsh on wood floors than others.

For example, seasons characterized by moisture and precipitation, particularly the early spring, winter and fall, can be hard on wood floors.

Homeowners need not give up on hardwood if they live in an area that sees all four seasons. They just need to take a few steps to keep floors looking beautiful.

Clean up the salt. Salt that keeps sidewalks and streets clear of snow and ice inadvertently gets tracked inside a home. Hard chunks of salt can scratch wood floors, and, if left to sit, that salt can eventually cause white marks and other stains.

Routinely vacuuming and sweeping up salt is necessary to protect wood floors.

Invest in shoe storage. Wet or snowy boots can create puddles around the house. Have a special mat or tray by the front door where

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HomeFront Fall 2019

wet shoes can be kept. A nice bench in the entryway makes it easy for residents and guests to remove their shoes until it’s time to go back outside.

Use water-wicking mats.

Homeowners will probably need a few extra mats around to tame errant drips and wipe shoes. Any entrance that might be used by people or pets should be protected.

Try to avoid petroleum-based, rubber-backed mats, as they could discolor the wood floor.

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Control humidity indoors.

Cold, dry air in a home can be problematic because the moisture in the wood can eventually evaporate into the air. The heat will suck that moisture from the flooring, causing it to shrink, creak and splinter and become more brittle. Think about investing in an in-line humidifier for the home’s HVAC system that can keep a moderate amount of humidity in the home. Hardwood floorboards are installed to accommodate minor temperature and humidity fluctuations.

Use the right cleaning products.

Avoid excessive water to clean wood floors, and select soaps that are specially designed for wood flooring. Consult with the flooring manufacturer for a list of detergents that are safe to use.

With proper care, hardwood flooring can survive rain, snow and cold weather.

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