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Snoqualmie Valley Record • April 27, 2011 • 9

SNOQUALMIE VALLEY

&

HOMES GARDEN

PUBLISHED AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE SNOQUALMIE VALLEY RECORD

Ready to add a patio? Page 11 Look at your neighborhood to balance value

Great projects for spring, Page 12 From the floor to the roof, ways to get started

Time to start composting, Page 13 Cut down on waste, make things grow

Worry-free vacation prep, Page 13 Protect your home before the trip

Pets: It’s a cat’s life, Page 15 354474

Meet a Snoqualmie breeder’s feline friends

SPRING

2 0 1 1 Back to garden basics with The Nursery at Mount Si, see page 10

10 • April 27, 2011 • Snoqualmie Valley Record

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Back to the basics Valley icon The Nursery at Mount Si growing with health, beauty amid challenges, changes

At her secluded work table at The Nursery At Mount Si, the skillful hands of Christine Earl settle new plants into living soil.

Filling a custom container, Earl has mingled the dramatic pink-tinged leaves of a spiky dracena with the cascading tendrils of lobelia. But, as a bare patch of earth testifies, there’s something missing.

“I’m not finished yet,” said Earl, who is pondering the perfect verbena to draw out the colors in the other two plants.

Filling custom orders are a regular duty for Earl, the manager and head buyer at The Nursery at Mount Si. Regular customers have long relied on her green thumb to get them started, come springtime.

“They know me, I know them,” Earl said. “They’ve been really happy with the performance of the plants. We use quality soil, quality fertilizer and plants that we have grown.”

The basics

Seth Truscott/Staff Photo

Working under the face of the mountain, José Larios, handyman and customer helper at The Nursery at Mount Si, readies a tray of plants.

Good soil, fertilizer and plants are the basics of a healthy garden. The Nursery at Mount Si is focusing in those basics this spring, a year after one of the most challenging seasons that the garden center has faced in its 13-year history.

One year ago, nursery employees watched a mild spring turn into a 48-day blast of cold, wet weather, dampening what could have been a promising season. Then, as summer turned to autumn, the nursery’s annual family pumpkin-picking tradition had to be canceled after a herd of wild elk took up residence in the patch, devastating the business once again. The Nursery at Mount Si closed early for the season. Staff regrouped in January for another go.

Now, with another wet spring in the offing, owner Nels Melgaard and his staff of six are watching the skies, optimistic for sunshine. To Melgaard, it’s a make-it or break-it year, but after all he’s put into the business, he’s not holding back. This

year, the Nursery will again offer its summer concert series, replant the pumpkins and offer the finest plants, organic garden products and some new treats.

Strolling out to the back lot, Melgaard is greeted by his latest addition. Several dozen hens come running from a coop, hopeful for a feed handout. Melgaard adopted the hens so that the nursery can offer fresh eggs. After all, it already is a drop-off site for organic produce from local farms. The eggs from these curious hens just make for a more balanced meal.

Live soils

The nursery started out years ago as an organic farm, so it takes the healthy approach very seriously, starting with the soil.

Melgaard emphasizes what’s under all the blooming bulbs, cherry trees, perennials and other signs of spring: rich, living dirt.

Springtime is the season to improve your soil, and in his industry, there is a huge emphasis on live soils, as opposed to chemically treated, sterile soil.

“We evolved from a certified organic farm. We didn’t know a lot about chemicals, and we tried to learn as little as possible,” Melgaard said.

All soils at The Nursery at Mount Si are inoculated with lifegiving or living materials, such as organic bonemeal, worm castings or old-fashioned manure. Melgaard said every measurement shows that beneficial soils mean healthier plants.

“The amount of rooting of a plant in live soil is huge,” he said.

Innovation is good, but Earl also goes with the tried and true: the plants that she knows are going to grow in the Valley’s unique microclimate.

Backing up to the mountains, “we have more rain here than other places,” Earl said. So the nursery has a focus on hardy native plants, and also provides a big selection of trees, berries, seeds, veggies and flowers.

With most customers “in the know” about garden needs and trends, Earl and fellow garden center staff make sure they understand the unique challenges that the Valley gardener faces.

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Snoqualmie Valley Record • April 27, 2011 • 11

Add value with a porch, deck

Sheep to Shawl Open House at Dog Mountain Farm

Keep outside improvements in line with your neighborhood, local lender advises

Join School of the Lost Arts for their annual spring open house, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at Dog Mountain Farm in Carnation.

The theme of this year’s open house is “Sheep to Shawl” and will feature demonstrations of sheep shearing, washing and carding raw wool, felting, spinning, knitting, and crocheting.

Guests will also have the opportunity to tour the farm, feed alpacas and llamas, learn about upcoming culinary programs, and more. A $5 donation per car is suggested.

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Keep children safe from common household poisons (StatePoint) Each year, approximately 2.4 million people—more than half under age 6—swallow or have contact with a poisonous substance, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The most dangerous potential poisons are medicines, cleaning products, antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, pesticides, furniture polish, gasoline, kerosene and lamp oil.

Most child poisonings occur when parents or caregivers are home but not paying attention, so it’s important never to leave poisonous substances within reach of children, even for a minute. If your child comes in contact with a poisonous substance, and is unconscious, not breathing, or having convulsions or seizures due to poison contact, call 911 immediately. For mild or no symptoms, call your poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

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Sweet spring air is sweeping across front yards around the nation. And many argue that there’s no better place to enjoy a glass of tea and a chat with the neighbors than on a porch.

In this article, we’ll look at the benefits and drawbacks of adding a porch, deck, or patio to your home.

The first thought that springs to mind for many potential “porchers” is money. How much will this new addition cost? The answer is that it varies. A large multi-tiered deck will, of course, cost more than a simple stone patio. A 10-by-12 foot wood deck will probably set you back anywhere from $500 to $1,000, if you do the work yourself.

But labor and materials are extremely affordable right now. So even if you are not an ambitious do-it-yourselfer, you could still have a new addition for less than a couple thousand dollars. The more expensive supplies, like redwood and teak decking, however, will add cost to any project. They mean a 10 x 12 deck will suddenly be bumped into the $6,000 or $7,000 range.

Does a porch add value to your home? Will you make money back during resale? The answer to both questions is yes! If you add usable, livable space to a home, you add value.

The key is to keep your improvements in line with the values of your neighborhood. If you add a $20,000 redwood

deck to your home, you can’t expect a buyer to pay $20,000 more for your home when they can buy a comparable home with a regular deck for a fraction of the cost. You want to keep up with the Joneses, but not outdo them.

And if you keep your improvements in line with the comparables of the neighborhood, then you’ll be sure not to over-improve yourself for resale.

And patios can be another great alternative, especially if you have a level backyard. Paver, brick and flagstone patios have grown by leaps and bounds in popularity over the last decade. But don’t forget about the newcomer—stamped concrete!

MSN real estate says, “Outdoor living spaces can increase your home’s appeal at a lower cost than an additional room.”

According to the annual Cost vs. Value survey, a site that compares the average cost for 35 popular remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale, a typical American homeowner who adds a wood deck could recoup 72.8 percent at resale. This is a higher return than for bathroom or kitchen remodels. In fact, it is one of the best returns found in the whole survey. (You can see more values at the remodeling site.)

All figures and numbers aside, it really comes down to the joy of a porch. Having a space to enjoy nature comfortably is always an asset, no matter the price.

• Submitted by Heidi Green, Cobalt Mortgage. Contact her at (425) 974-6965 or e-mail to heidi.green@cobaltmortgage. com.

12 • April 27, 2011 • Snoqualmie Valley Record

NURSERY FROM 10 “We are very careful when we are suggesting plants,” Earl said. “We wouldn’t suggest that someone put in an orchard without some kind of fence to protect it from elk.”

The Nursery at Mount Si sends out an e-mail newsletter to some 3,600 friends of the nursery, who receive updates about classes, workshops, concerts and events. Also passed around via the e-newsletter are special ‘Internet-only’ offers via coupons and seasonally appropriate garden tips and chore reminders.

This summer, the nursery resumes its series of outdoor concerts.

Occasionally, the garden center hosts weddings.

Melgaard also offers a curriculum of garden classes yearly, including basics on vegetable gardens, containers and how to let your garden go comfortably dormant in autumn.

Meet the staff Every employee brings his or her own own unique knowledge and experience to The Nursery at Mount Si. For starters, there’s Christi Bishop, a Mount Si High School horticulture

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program grad who’s been at the center for three years.

She has an instinct for the business, for plants and for customers.

Then there’s the backbone of the business, jacksof-all-trades Jose Larios and Beto Bueno. Larios and Bueno are the multitalented crew members who do everything from helping customers to caring for plants, heavy lifting and construction.

New to the center is Sarah Winslow, who comes with training at Lake Washington Technical College and has deep landscape and industry skills.

Earl, as buyer for the center’s garden art and sculptures, is lucky enough to be able to attend a Las Vegas convention annually to pick out the latest hot garden goodies.

To Melgaard, the industry will always have its challenges, but the Nursery at Mount Si remains an oasis of beauty in the Valley.

“It’s an iconic place,” he said. “It’s a meeting ground,” where neighbors meet and the community comes together.

“People see it as the most idyllic situation: a beautiful place to work with plants,” Melgaard added. “It’s our job to keep it that way.”

While his favorite place

Welcome spring with home projects

on the grounds is the center’s tranquil pond and surroundings, Earl feels most at home in Greenhouse 1, a secluded spot that smells of earth, water, plants and life.

The scent takes her back to her girlhood days, visiting her grandfather’s big Bellevue nursery.

“When I was a child, I played in these greenhouses,” she said. Earl’s love of plants “has gone from generation to generation.” Her mother and sister are gardeners, and for Earl, the job “just clicked. It seemed like the right thing to do.”

What makes The Nursery at Mount Si special? It’s in the name: Mount Si. “There isn’t a nursery that sits where we sit, with beautiful pastures and happy cows on one side, and a gorgeous mountain on the other,” Earl said.

“We have the most incredible view.”

(StatePoint) For many Americans, the warmer weather of spring means it is time to focus on all those home improvement projects that would be inconvenient during winter.

Adding an extension, sanding wooden floors or replacing a roof are a lot easier when you’re not worried about the weather and diminished day light. Also, contractors are less likely to have weather-related delays that blow timelines, making spring renovations run more smoothly.

Here are some home improvement projects you may want to start this season: • Replace the Roof: If your roof is starting to leak or you notice dramatic increases in heating or cooling bills, it may be time to replace it.

The best time to do so is when the weather is warm and dry. Keep in mind the U.S. Department of Energy recommends light roofing colors, which will keep down cooling costs and help reduce global warming. For more energy-saving home improvement tips, visit www.energy.gov.

• Check the Perimeter: Inspect your home’s exterior, making sure to check your siding. Mold and cracks can be a sign you

Learn more To sign up for the e-newsletter, contact the nursery at www.thenurseryatmountsi.com or e-mail Nels Melgaard at nels@ thenurseryatmountsi.com.

The Nursery at Mount Si is located at 42328 N.E. 12th St., North Bend; call the nursery at (425) 8312274.

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Some improvements can enhance both indoor and outdoor spaces. need to re-paint or replace boards. Also, now may be a good time to repave your driveway. Asphalt needs the right factors of temperature and moisture to set properly.

Better weather leads to better driveways.

• Add a Fireplace: Fireplaces are great focal points to any home, and now homeowners can double their impact by adding seethrough fireplaces that can be installed between rooms or even to warm a patio.

Versatile fireplaces, like the Montebello See-Through by Lennox Hearth Products, can be installed between a kitchen and dining room or between a living room and patio, creating a dramatic effect. You can learn more at www.lennox.com.

“An indoor/outdoor installment is a great way to enjoy your fireplace yearround,” says Bill Wetzel, product manager of Fireplace Systems for Lennox. “After all, who wants to spend money on home improvements you can only use half the year?”

• Tinker with Plumbing: Because bathroom and

kitchen renovations often require plumbing changes, the warmer months are the best for these projects. Now is the ideal time to expand that half-bathroom with a shower stall, or to upgrade your master bathroom with a whirlpool tub. And there are many choices of ecofriendly fixtures from such brands as Delta, Kohler, American Standard and others.

• Install Skylights: With longer days and clear, starry nights, it’s the season for gazing at the sky. But allergens can make sky gazing difficult for some. Consider installing skylights in your home this season.

• Sand the Floor: Most people think of floor maintenance as a cool weather activity, but floor sanding kicks up incredible amounts of dust. In warmer weather, you can throw open doors and windows and set up fans to suck the dust outward.

The better weather makes almost all home improvement projects more enjoyable. So take advantage of the season to upgrade your home!

weather warms, Americans spend more time in their backyards and gardens, taking advantage of their outdoor living and dining space.

Recent decorating trends are helping homeowners create inviting outdoor spaces. It’s no longer about simple picnic tables on patios or decks. There now are many new ways to create welcoming ambience.

More homeowners are using innovative products for the backyard and garden made with recycled materials—a small way to make a big difference. For example, recycled plastics are being used in functional yet stylish decking, vertical gardens, flower pots, bird houses, furniture and more, diverting this valuable material from landfills.

For more tips on how you can help “close the recycling loop” by using recycled products to create a greener sanctuary for your home and garden, visit www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com.

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Protect your home before going on vacation

Composted soil is great for your garden. what you can and cannot add to a compost pile.

Many everyday items can be used, including fruits and vegetables, yard trimmings, eggshells, coffee grounds, teabags, and certain paper products. For example, Chinet’s Classic White and Casuals lines of paper plates are 100 percent biodegradable and endorsed by the U.S. Composting Council. You can also add dryer and vacuum cleaner lint, pet fur and fireplace ashes.

Other biodegradable materials, like hay, straw, grass clippings, saw dust and leaves can also be added to compost piles, with the exception of black walnut leaves, which release chemicals that are harmful to plants. Also, don’t include diseased or insect-ridden plants, or plants treated with chemicals or pesticides; these, too, will make the compost harmful or toxic.

Be sure to avoid adding food and organic matter that will make the compost pile smell, such as dairy products, egg yolks (whites are okay), fats, grease, lard and oils. Meat and fish scraps are compostable, but make sure they do not contain parasites or bacteria.

“The average American produces four pounds of landfill waste daily,” says Happell.

“Composting is a simple solution to reducing your family’s ecological footprint.”

For more tips on composting and other environmental activities, visit www.mychinet. com and click on “Environment.”

(StatePoint) While the warmer months are the most popular time for travel, they’re also the most popular for home burglaries. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 65.8 percent of burglaries are residential and occur in 8 to 12 minutes. Burglars also search for homes that are unoccupied.

Since nothing ruins a vacation more than worrying, make sure you’ve taken sufficient measures to deter burglars and thieves from entering your home.

Here are some tips to keep your home safe and secure while you’re away: • Never indicate that you’re away from home on your answering machine message.

Turn down your telephone ringer volume. Unanswered telephone calls can alert burglars to an empty home.

• Show activity in your home while you’re away. Keep a car in the driveway, and keep interior and exterior lights on a timer. Consider a randomized version to turn your lights on and off at various intervals so they don’t all come on at once or always on the same schedule).

• Eliminate easy entry points by keeping entry doors, windows and the garage door closed and locked while away.

To secure sliding doors, invest in a door security bar that prevents unauthorized entry,

such as those made by Master Lock.

• Suspend newspaper and other deliveries while you’re out of town. Also, visit www. usps.com to hold your mail service.

• If you’re worried that people who may have access to your house keys—contractors, babysitters, former roommates—might try to enter while you’re away, a new product called NightWatch can help secure your home. With an ingenious locking mechanism, this deadbolt prevents anyone from opening a door from the outside, even with a key. Install them on all doors except one while you’re away, to prevent unauthorized keyed entry.

• Most people hide their valuables in one of three places—a dresser drawer, the bedroom closet, or the freezer.

Thieves know this, so it’s better to invest in a proper home safe to protect jewelry, firearms,

cash and other valuables.

• Given the rise in identity theft, consider installing password protection software on your home computer to deter tech-savvy thieves. For example, Master Lock Vault is a combination websitemobile application that keeps all your usernames and passwords safe and secure, free of charge.

• Give your lawn one last trim, or ask a neighbor to do it for you while you’re gone. An unkempt lawn can encourage thieves.

• Lastly, good neighborly relations are a great deterrent to crime. Offer to keep an eye on your neighbor’s property while they’re away and they’ll likely do the same for you.

For more information on how to keep your home safe while on vacation, visit www. masterlock.com.

Once you’ve secured your home front, you can rest easier on your vacation.

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Time to start composting for your garden (StatePoint) Ecological experts have proposed countless ways to improve the environment, but something as simple as changing the way you dispose of your trash could have a significant impact on the future of our planet.

By composting biodegradable materials such as yard trimmings, food waste and disposable paper products in a pile or bin, a nutrient-rich soil is created that can be used for gardening. This soil reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, is better for the environment and will save you money. It also promotes healthy foliage and growth—a boon to gardeners everywhere.

“Few Americans realize that nearly 50 percent of the waste from their home is compostable,” says Eric Happell, Director of Fiber Business Unit at Huhtamaki, the makers of Chinet paper products. “If every American household composted, we could reduce our solid waste stream by more than 60 percent.”

Here’s a step-by-step guide to starting a composting pile at home: • Select a convenient spot for composting.

This spot can either be indoors in a compost bin or outdoors in a semi-shaded and welldrained area. Don’t put your compost pile under acid-producing trees like pines.

• Combine organic wastes such as yard trimmings, food scraps and biodegradable products into a pile, then add bulking agents such as wood chips to accelerate the breakdown of organic materials.

• Let nature take its course. Typical compost will turn into rich soil in two to five weeks.

A properly managed compost bin or pile will not attract pests or rodents and will not smell bad. Therefore, make sure you know

Snoqualmie Valley Record • April 27, 2011 • 13

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