Spring Home & Garden 2011

SPRING HOME & GARDEN 2011

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APRIL 17, 2011

2

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Attractive and eco-friendly way to put rainwater to work Spring showers certainly may bring flowers, but they can also bring something very valuable for many homeowners -- an easy and inexpensive way to offset your water bills and your eco footprint while keeping your landscape green.

A rain barrel harvests rainwater that flows off of your roof and through your home's downspouts. The amount of water that can be collected is astounding. A 1000 square foot roof feeding a downspout can produce up to 600 gallons of collected rainwater from a one-inch

rainfall. That's enough water to fill an average hot tub.

Harvesting rainwater is a viable option if you're looking to save money and reduce your eco-footprint. Collected water can be used to water plants and lawns, which is a boon if you're a gardening enthusiast who often has to contend with no-water drought restrictions and the fear of a shriveled, brown landscape. In addition, collected rainwater is naturally low in sodium and chlorine, making it a healthier option for plants. Rainwater can also be used to wash your car or

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The money saved by using rainwater in lieu of municipal water for some applications can quickly add up. Who wouldn't want to find a reduced water bill in the mail, especially during these trying economic times?

Many people are interested in harvesting rainwater but think a collection barrel could be an unattractive option in their yard. Others worry about overflow and potential water damage to their home. Fiskars has developed a series of rainwater harvesting systems that offer peace of mind and aesthetic appeal for the landscape.

These smart rain barrels by design feature a distinctive and decorative design with a worry-free downspout connector. The downspout connector kit allows rainwater to

flow from the downspout into the barrel. Once the rain barrel is full the water is diverted automatically back down the downspout away from the home's foundation as it is meant to -- no risk of overflow.

The attractively designed rain barrels rest flush up against your home in neutral colors that blend seamlessly with the landscape and most home exteriors. A handy threaded spigot located on the front of the barrels is at the perfect height to easily fill a standard watering can or connect a garden or soaker hose.

Just a small investment of time and money is needed to add a rainwater harvesting system to your landscape. The reward is a reduction in your eco-footprint, healthier plants, and a savings on your utility bill over time.

For more information on

Fiskars Rainwater Harvesting Systems, visit www.rain-barrel.com.

Harvested rainwater collects in an attractive Tuscany model barrel. Fill up a watering can to water plants in your garden.

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Sunday, April 17, 2011

Welcome Spring with a Real Backyard!

As temperatures begin to climb, thoughts turn to the backyard: is it ready for spring? If your outdoor living space needs some serious TLC before the flowers bloom, here are some great ideas for creating a natural, authentic backyard oasis.

ducer, and a licensed contractor, offers a few ideas: "Think outside the box and create a lovely little outdoor living room for your family and friends. Start with a nice, quiet spot under a tree or off in a corner. Add a garden bench and a couple of wooden chairs, plus a fire pit or chiminea, and top it off with a deep arbor covered in a climbing vine. Involve the entire family by building a simple bench and chairs, and let Mom pick out the perfect flower for the arbor. Then, sit back, toast some s'mores and enjoy the fruits of your labor!"

Keep it real. Your deck and other outdoor living projects should mesh with your backyard and be a seamless partner with nature. Unless you have plastic flowers and trees in your yard, why choose fake decking? Truth is, pressuretreated wood is the best option for decks and outdoor projects. It's beautiful, strong,

Get decked out. The heart of any backyard is a solid wooden deck. It's the perfect spot for grilling, sharing family meals, relaxing with friends, playing with the dog, and enjoying nature. Whether you have a deck that needs a little updating or you're thinking of building a new wood deck, download the free Authentic Deck Guide at www.realoutdoorliving.com for information on upkeep, construction and building material selection.

Add an outdoor room.

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Great! So what's next for your yard? Brad Staggs, HGTV and DIY show host and pro-

durable and affordable. Wood doesn't conduct heat like other decking materials can, meaning no burned feet in the heat of summer. When treated properly, wood is impervious to rot and pests. And treated wood is proven to be peopleand pet-safe. Sure there's a little bit of upkeep -- no building products are truly maintenance-free. Every spring when you clean your home and wash and wax your car for the first time, take a look at your deck and see if it needs a little cleaning or perhaps another coat of sealant.

That's all it takes.

Concerned about our forests? Choosing wood for any home improvement project is a very wise environmental decision. Thriving, sustainably managed forests create a healthier environment for all of us. Choosing forest products -- wood -- encourages US landowners to keep replanting trees. The forest industry plants more trees than they harvest every single year, ensuring wood will be around for generations to

come. Wood is one of the only naturally renewable building products available, and the only energy it requires to manufacture it comes from the sun. You can't get much more green than that.

To learn more about wood, download free do-ityourself project plans and podcasts, check out some inspirational photos, download the Authentic Deck Guide and much more, please visit www.realoutdoorliving.com.

Welcome spring with a real wood deck for a natural, authentic backyard oasis.

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Sunday, April 17, 2011

Create Homemade Outdoor Crafts As families await the arrival of warmer weather, there are things they can do to prepare for a season of fun in the sun. Engaging in some craft projects are ways to beat cabin fever while dreaming of warm, springtime weather to come.

There are many craft projects families and children can tackle, but ideas that involve projects that can be put to use outdoors may be the most fitting. Fortunately, there are a number of ideas for crafty projects to involve

everyone in the household.

• Birdhouse: Head to the hardware store and pick up a few supplies. Otherwise, chances are items that can be made into a birdhouse probably can be found from scraps of materials already around the house or in the garage.

Scraps of wood, metal, tiles, plastic, and the like can be used to craft a bird house or feeder. Even an empty plastic bottle can be used. Some nesting material, such as pieces of yarn or cotton, can be placed inside the house to entice

birds to take up residence once the weather warms.

• Stepping stones: Stepping stones can be a whimsical way to dress up the outdoor garden or yard. A trip to the craft store for some plaster or even a quick-set cement can be the medium to use for the stones. Experiment with shapes that can be used as molds, and gather different materials that can be embedded into the stepping stone, such as pebbles, marbles, beads, etc. Use a pencil or

another pointed tool to engrave a message or name on the stepping stones before allowing them to dry and harden.

• Kite: The beginning of the spring season often arrives behind a burst of wind. Make the most of blustery conditions by crafting a kite from a kitchen trash bag, some sticks and string.

• Garden gnomes: Craft stores often sell unfinished pottery that can be painted and sealed. See if garden

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gnomes or other whimsical creatures can be found. Use acrylic paint to decorate the figurines in your favorite colors.

• Outdoor games: A large piece of plywood or fiberboard can serve as the game board for a number of different activities. Use spray paint to stencil on alternating squares of red and black for a larger than life checkerboard or chess board. For those with more time and creative stamina, use large stones to pain on letters and make an outdoor Scrabble® board for fun times with family and friends.

• Painted flower pots: If the colors and designs at the local garden center don't fit with a particular design scheme, buy unfinished terra-cotta or plastic pots and paint them with the designs and colors that coordinate better.

Getting crafty doesn't have to mean knitting sweaters or decoupage hat boxes. By making items that can be put to use outdoors, families can usher in the spring season a little early and reap the rewards for months to come.

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Sunday, April 17, 2011

Sand that stands still Polymeric joint sand withstands the test of time Polymeric joint sand effectively removes that singular reasonable argument against owning an interlocking concrete pavement and allows jobs to withstand the test of time.

Invented by a company called Techniseal, it is a hightech mix of graded sand and binder. Activated by a misting of water at installation, the polymeric molecules form a strong yet flexible bond with the sand. Polymeric sand has

more than a decade of stellar performance in the most extreme freeze-thaw climates in North America as well as more moderate climates.

"Representing, on average, less than 3 percent of the overall cost of a paver project, polymeric joint sand is quite simply the best solution there is when it comes to erosion control, weed inhibition, insect resistance, and overall surface response to movement," explained Rick

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With this innovative product you also retain the flexibility of your paver installation, meaning no cracking or heaving in the spring. Available in both tan and grey, polymeric sand can even enhance the aesthetic appeal of your paver project.

More information on polymeric sand is available at www.techniseal.com.

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For most homeowners with concrete paving bricks on their driveway, patio or path, the onset of spring usually comes with a recurring and upsetting discovery: the erosion of paver joint sand.

If there is a valid argument against selecting a properly installed interlocking concrete pavement, it is that the joint sand used to stabilize the pavers creates ongoing maintenance issues. It erodes with rain and wind, ending up in a number of places other than between the pavers. Joint sand can also be fertile ground for airborne weed seeds and an inviting home for nearby ant colonies.

This is especially true with the popular high-end, tumbled pavers with irregular edges and rounded corners.

Larger spaces between bricks mean a greater chance that sand will wash away. It's a real problem, but there's a fix.

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Sunday, April 17, 2011

Must-Have Tools For the Outdoor Handyman (or Woman) Spring has sprung for most areas of the country and the average homeowner's "honey-do" list likely has its share of outdoor landscaping tasks that need to be tackled.

The right tools can make easier work of outdoor chores.

A report from the Associated Landscape Contractors of America titled "Economic Benefits of Landscape" states that landscaping can add as much as 14 percent to the resale value of a building and speed its sale by as much as 6 weeks.

Homeowners looking to sell their home or just improve its market value will want to consider landscaping a viable investment. A March 2003 article in Smart Money noted that homeowners can expect to earn back 150 percent or more of their landscape investment through the value it brings to a property.

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• Soil cultivator: A multipronged tool that breaks up clods of soil and grass to provide easier planting.

• Various garden hoes: Hoes can be used for breaking up soil, weeding, cultivating, aerating, and many other purposes.

• Spading fork: Another tool that loosens soil with straight tines that dig through dense soil.

• Shovel: A multipurpose shovel can dig through dirt, gravel and the like.

• Rake: A steel-pronged rake will till soil and spread out mulch and other organic matter in planting beds. A flexible rake is good for collecting leaves and thatch.

• Edger: Available as manual or gas powered, an edger

Landscaping can add value to a home. The right tools make most jobs easier. gives planting beds and the edges of lawns a clean look.

• String trimmer: Weeds can easily be trimmed with a string trimmer that can work around bushes and other hardto-reach areas.

• Gloves: Avoid blisters and insect bites with durable gloves that protect the hands.

• Lawn mower: To maintain a healthy lawn it will have to be trimmed to the correct height. A manual or powered

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lawn mower is the essential landscaper's tool.

• Collection bags/bins: To properly dispose of organic matter like leaves and branches, it pays to have recyclable or reusable bags on hand for transporting waste.

• Hoses: Drip irrigation hoses can deliver water right to plants' roots where they need it most. A regular nozzlepowered hose can be used for cleaning and misting plants and surrounding hardscapes.

• Compost bin: "Black gold" is the ideal landscaping supplement. By creating compost from discarded food, a homeowner can generate the prime fertilizer needed to keep plants healthy.

• Wheelbarrow: Trans-porting gravel, rocks, mulch, shrubbery, and many other garden essentials is made easier with the help of a wheelbarrow or a garden cart.

• Branch pruner: A durable branch trimmer/ pruner can cut through thick or thin branches and keep landscape items tidy. Pruning also helps promote growth of many flowers and shrubs.

• Overhead pruner: Errant branches in hard-to-reach areas can be trimmed with an overhead pruner with an extendable arm.

Depending on specific interests, homeowners can stock up on trowels, bulb planters, chain saws and other items that will get jobs done around the exterior of the home.

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Sunday, April 17, 2011

Spalling a Sign Replacement Is Needed be harder to match.

Next, carefully scrape at the existing mortar around the spalled brick. Use a chisel and a hammer to knock out the damaged brick. If this doesn't work, use a masonry bit to drill several holes in the face of the brick and then chisel out the pieces, cleaning out the smaller debris.

Mix the mortar chosen and wet the area that will be

patched. Add the mortar to the area and the brick and slide into place. Tap until the replacement brick is level with the others. Use a trowel to scrap off the excess mortar and create a mortar joint that looks similar to the existing.

Allow the mortar to cure and then examine the handiwork.

Pitted bricks are a sign of moisture infiltration and weakening. Smaller jobs could be DIY. Larger jobs may need a professional mason.

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Crumbling or pitting of surfaces on bricks and concrete is called spalling, and chances are it means a repair or replacement project is in your future.

When concrete or brick become too soft and porous, it can absorb water and begin to crack, chip and cause pieces to break off. In most cases spalling occurs in small sections at a time, so it can be an easy repair project. But if spalling is widespread, it likely means replacement or resurfacing -- and that could involve hiring a professional mason.

For a small brick job, a do-it-yourselfer can usually handle the project. First find a brick that will match the color and pointing style of the existing work. This may take a little research, and bricks that have aged significantly could

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REMEMBER BEFORE YOU START THAT SPRING PROJECT YOU MAY NEED PROFESSIONAL SURVEYING & ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR: • New home construction • Shrubs & tree planting along property lines • Septic system design & repair • Property map survey for town record or filing • Decks

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