Spring
Home & Garden
— Photo by Wesley Beeson| The Sanford Herald
March 2014
2 HOME & Garden Saturday, March 22, 2014
Green Thumb Gardening
Growing tomatoes in the home garden be disease resistant. Heirloom tomatoes ensure a good taste that is hard to beat. Some can hat first fresh tomato even be grown in containers if sandwich of the summer is something Southerners space is limited. A soil sample will indicate dream about, especially since if lime or other nutrients are this past winter has been needed so that they may be unusually cold. Tomatoes incorporated into the soil seem to taste even better before planting. Wait until knowing that you grew them all danger of frost has passed yourself. Whether you start your own seeds indoors or buy and plant deeply into the soil about two-feet apart. If you are transplants from your favorite planning on staking the tomato, local garden center, growing tomatoes at home doesn’t have do so at this time to prevent root damage later. A layer of to be a daunting task. mulch will help regulate the Select a spot with soil temperature and keep the well-drained soil that gets at soil evenly moist. Water the least six hours of sun each day. Choose a variety that suits plants to a depth of six-to-eight inches once every seven days. your taste, or choose several If possible, refrain from wetting varieties to have available all the leaves, as this tends to through the season. Many increase the presence of pests tomato varieties are grown to By gail griffin
extension master gardener
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and diseases. It’s best to plant in a different location every other year, since many diseases overwinter in the soil. Check your tomato plants often to determine their needs and realize that there are environmental conditions that are beyond your control. Too much rain and extreme heat can affect the plant and the quality of the fruit. Backyard wildlife, such as squirrels and birds, also enjoy the fruits of your labor. Spring is nearly here. It is a good time to seriously think about planting your own tomatoes and dream of that first sandwich of the summer. For more information on growing tomatoes, contact North Carolina Cooperative Extension at (919) 775-5624.
Solving blossom end rot
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By Jim Janke
ast year we had numerous questions about tomatoes
in the disease. These include: • Soil pH outside the ideal range of 6.0 to 6.5, so that the calcium in the soil is not fully available to the plant. • A sudden period of drought. Lack of water shuts down the transmission of calcium from the roots to the fruit. • Disturbed roots from cultivating the soil too close to the plant. • Heavy soils interfering with a good root system. • Too much nitrogen fertilizer, causing foliage growth that the roots can’t keep up with. • Too little calcium in the soil.
starting to rot on one end before they are ready to be picked. A small, water-soaked spot appears on the blossom end of immature fruit; the spot darkens as the fruit develops. It’s a classic case of blossom end rot. Tomatoes are not the only crop that can get blossom end rot. It can occur on peppers, eggplants, melons, cucumbers and squash. Both commercial and home gardens are vulnerable. Fungicides and insecticides will not cure or prevent the problem. Fortunately blossom end rot does not spread from plant to plant in the field, or from fruit to To prevent blossom end rot: fruit in transit or storage. Often the first • Plant in loose, well-drained soil. fruits of the season have the disease, • Have the soil tested. If the results but later fruits are normal. In other show that lime is needed, treat as cases 50 percent or more of the harvest directed. This will add calcium to may be lost. the soil. If lime is not recommendSo what is the cause and what is the ed, add a commercial calcium supcure? Blossom end rot occurs when plement. These soil amendments calcium doesn’t get to the developing should be added a few months fruits. Any of several factors may result before planting, so plan ahead for
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• • •
next year. Water regularly and deeply. This gives the plant adequate moisture for transmitting minerals to the fruit. Mulching will help keep the soil moist during dry periods. Cultivate carefully around the plants so that feeder roots are not disturbed. Use fertilizers with a lower first (nitrogen) number, like 5-10-5. Spray the foliage with a calcium chloride solution. The spray will not heal already damaged fruit but should prevent additional damage. Read and follow the directions carefully, because spraying too much or for too long a period can cause other soil problems. Calcium chloride sprays are recommended only for tomatoes. They are available under several brand names at home centers and nurseries.
Jim Janke is a Master Gardener Volunteer in Haywood County. © 2014 NC State University.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Handy Home Improvement
HOME & Garden 3
Tips for spring cleaning your closets
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kay, so I’m a little obsessed with organizing. I love stripping everything out of my closet about once a month and placing everything back into an organized fashion. You wouldn’t believe the stress relief I find — and outfits! Here’s my list of tips to get your closet in tip-top shape this spring — and beyond.
because you want to lose weight and wear think of other ideas to accommodate your closet. it again, get rid of it. I know that’s not going Items I recommend to keep you organized: to happen with me. I’d rather shop for new • Cubbies with canvas drawers: These clothes. GET IT OUT! cubbies are a great way to organize while neatly Coordinate Your Clothes tucking away scarves, belts and other small Organize by color — separate black items. Cubbies are a great place to store your shirts, white shirts, red shirts, green shirts Hangers jeans. (you get the idea), into piles. Place Use one type of hanger. Too many • Shoe boxes: Cover your shoe boxes with bright colors toward the back of different types of hangers can get tangled scrapbook paper so they’ll match your room. your closet, because they are easier or simply take up too much room. I like Larger boot boxes are a clutter-free way to store to see than dark garments. Also, plastic store hangers. They hold straps in your purses. separate your garments by length. place and clip my pants without wrinkling Spring clean inside your closet • Plastic organizer bins with drawers: Grab Hang your blouses and other them. Ironing is not my thing. That’s why First things first, remove a stash of Mod Podge® and use scrapbook shorter items of clothing apart we have dry cleaners. everything (and I mean everything) paper to cover the drawers. No one will see from longer dresses and pants. from your closet. Remove all what’s inside. (Sharing closet space? Organize Cubbies of those clothes, shoes, purses, Laura • Over-the-door shoe racks: Use them with a “his” and “hers” side.) Place your shoes in cubbies or racks to keep even those empty hangers, and Powers for flip flops, ballet flats, slippers and small As you do this, say sayonara them organized. If you have seasonal shoes place them to the side. Examine The Sanford Herald handbags and clutches. to those clothes you know you’ll that you’re not wearing at the moment, place the space you have to work with, A little reminder — as you remove items on never wear. Donate, consign or them farther away so they won’t take up space including shelves. hangers, place the hangers in a space reserved give them to a friend who’s been keeping for what you need now. Use pool noodles in Next, conduct a walk-thru of your your boots. Cut them into the correct size to fit for unused hangers. Nothing drives me crazier house. You’ll likely find items that can aid in her eye on that dress. It’s inevitable that than to see random hangers crammed onto a you’ll encounter items you just can’t throw inside. This will keep them upright and allow organizing your closet. For example, I use rod of clothes. You can be a hot mess, but please more space for other items. As you start to canvas drawers, storage racks and cubbies. away, but seriously consider the reason not your closet! why it’s so hard to part with them. If it’s see things come together, you will readjust and When placing the these items inside your closet, leave space for long dresses and pants.
4 HOME & Garden Saturday, March 22, 2014
Green Thumb Gardening
Use mulch wisely or problems can arise By Jim Janke
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ulch makes all the difference in the landscape. This wonderful garden resource can prevent weeds, conserve moisture, improve appearance, minimize erosion, simplify maintenance, and provide winter protection. But used incorrectly mulch can do a lot of damage. Here are some tips for using mulch correctly around trees and shrubs.
Mulch problems:
A too-deep layer of mulch suffocates plants by creating a waterlogged, oxygen-deficient soil zone around the roots. Symptoms include yellowing leaves, poor growth, and dieback. By the time these symptoms appear, however, it’s often too late to save the plant. Mulches close to the main trunk are great homes for rodents like mice and meadow voles that gnaw on bark at the soil line. Once the trunk has been girdled (more than 50 percent chewed around the circumference) the plant is as good as dead.
Bark decay is common when mulch is allowed to contact the stem of the plant at or above the soil line. Often the plant appears normal, then suddenly falls over in a high wind because the stem has rotted away.
Bark Decay Waiting to Happen
Mulches like pine bark and pine needles are quite acidic, and will lower the pH of the area as they decompose. Hardwood mulches start out acidic, but raise the soil’s pH as they decompose, creating the opposite problem.
Guidelines for using mulch:
Keep the mulch at least four inches away from the stem of the plant to prevent bark decay. Discourage rodents by installing a circle of crushed rock around the plant. Prevent oxygen deficiency and minimize rodent issues by keeping the mulch depth at three inches or less. For poorly drained clay soils use only an inch or so. Double-ground bark and other fine mulches should also be limited to one- to-two inches.
Consider the pH requirements of the plants being mulched. For example, don’t use hardwood mulch around acid loving plants. Every year or two remove the mulch out to the drip line of the plant. If you see exposed roots keep the mulch away from that plant during the growing season. I use pine bark around trees and shrubs for erosion control, weed control, and appearance. Using pine bark on plants next to the house adds acidity that counteracts leaching of alkaline chemicals from the concrete foundation. On steep slopes where bark would not be stable I use pine straw, anchoring the straw to the hill as necessary with sod staples. These mulches need to be touched up annually, and completely renewed every several years, at considerable expense. So as I get more plants established on the slopes, the less mulch I have to buy. (“Yes, dear, I know these plants are expensive. But think of the savings in mulch!”) Jim Janke is a Master Gardener Volunteer in Haywood County. © 2014 NC
Jim Janke Photo
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Handy Home Improvement
The latest design trends for 2014
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e’re all looking forward to a fresh start at the beginning of the new year: Whether it’s an updated fitness regime, pursuing new hobbies or getting organized, there are a slew of resolutions to try. In 2013, why not make a few changes to not only yourself, but also your home? By incorporating cutting-edge design trends, you’ll add style and color that’s perfect to kick-start the year.
Patterns that pack a punch
“No one wants a house that lacks personality,” says HGTV designer and television personality Taniya Nayak. “The easiest way to infuse your style - while being on-trend - is with an impactful pattern.” According to Nayak, there are a few prints to be on the lookout for in 2013: • Chevron: a bold, dramatic, V-shaped pattern • Geometrics: graphic, colorful shapes, delivering a vintage-modern look and feel • Ombre: subtle color gradation of similar shades that’s extremely versatile • Ikat: tribal, swirls and diamonds reminiscent of tie-dye • Moroccan: culturally-inspired, timeless and exotic motifs “These powerful patterns can be easily achieved with a fresh coat of paint and a premium painter’s tape, like FrogTape Multi-Surface and Delicate Surface,” adds Nayak. “Treated with PaintBlock Technology, FrogTape can be used to create these new, intricate patterns for a haute interior just in time for the new year. And best of all, FrogTape will help deliver sharp lines, making your handiwork look like that of a professional.” When using bold patterns, it’s best to find the right pairing of both the color and the print to not overwhelm your space. If you’re looking to use bright colors, incorporate the patterns onto one accent wall or window treatments. If you’re using neutral hues, try using a pattern on a larger scale, around the entire room
or even a piece of furniture. “You don’t want the elements of a space to fight each other,” advises Nayak. “Considering the color, scale and intensity of any pattern in relationship to the rest of your decor will leave you with a finished space that is perfect for 2013 and beyond.”
Mixing up materials
“The key to updating your home with the latest trends is finding a balance,” says Nayak. “It’s all about making it personal and adding elements that fit your lifestyle and design personality, without breaking the bank.” One great way to make a big impact on a small budget is to mix materials, creating a blend of polished and raw in a room with modern and industrial elements. Mixing materials can also mean utilizing different finishes throughout a room. In the kitchen, using contrasting materials makes your space look personalized. Try a mix of wood and painted finishes for a more layered and collected feel. By resisting the urge to perfectly match every piece, you’ll have a space that looks current and works nicely together.
Look for the unexpected
“Just because a product is made for a specific purpose, doesn’t mean you can’t reimagine how it could be used,” says Nayak. “For example, hanging materials on the wall that are typically used as flooring can be breathtaking. Wood planks or concrete panels, featured vertically and not just on the ground, add richness and texture.”
Finishing touches
“The key to incorporating any trend is to make sure it accurately represents your style,” adds Nayak. “The finishing touches are the final way to infuse personality into your updated space.” Whether it’s utilizing accents like pillows, throws and frames in your favorite colors, or a rug that reminds you of a beloved piece of clothing, your home will truly come to life when it depicts who you are in its designs.
HOME & Garden 5
6 HOME & Garden Saturday, March 22, 2014
Green Thumb Gardening
Using garden chemicals wisely is critical avoids waste and optimizes soil conditions for your plants. Save money by buying pesticide concentrates. y chemical engineering training gave me a I use insecticidal soap frequently. But the ready-to-use healthy respect for chemicals, and I do my quart spray bottles are expensive. So I bought one spray best to minimize their use. But sometimes bottle and refill it using concentrate. chemical fertilizer, lime, sulfur, or a pesticide is The ready-to-use quart spray bottle (two percent active needed to solve a specific garden problem. ingredient) costs about $8. A gallon of concentrate (40 Using the right amount of these chemicals is percent) retails for $40 and will make 80 quarts of the two extremely important. Too much fertilizer is worse than percent solution. To mix your own add three tablespoons too little. Applying pesticides incorrectly can cause a multitude of problems. And the wrong quantity of lime or of concentrate to the quart bottle and fill with water. By the time you have used up the gallon of concentrate you sulfur can change your soil pH from bad to worse. will have saved over $500! Shelf life is three-to-five years. Here is an easy way to add the correct amount of You can do this with any pesticide you use regularly. solid chemicals each time, and how to save money on The added advantage is that, if you have a large area to frequently used liquids. treat, the concentrates can be used without dilution in a Add the correct amount of solid chemicals every hose-end sprayer at the recommended sprayer setting. time. Take a sturdy 16-ounce plastic cup, put it on a You can’t do that with ready-to-use products. kitchen scale, and zero the scale. Then add exactly one Different concentrates are available with varying pound of 10-10-10 fertilizer. Mark the level on the outside percentages of the active ingredient, so calculate the of the cup with a permanent marker. Do this again for correct amount to add to the spray bottle each time (or triple superphosphate (0-45-0), lime, and sulfur. Now if your soil test says to add so many pounds of one enlist the help of a math-savvy teenager.) A couple of handy conversion factors: of these materials to a given garden area you can easily 1 ounce of liquid = 2 tablespoons = 6 teaspoons. calculate how much to add. Using the correct amount
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By Jim Janke
Remember to read, understand, and follow the label for any chemical you use in the garden or around the home. If you need more information than the label provides, a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) exists for all commercial chemicals. MSDS are available at retailers and online. Jim Janke is a Master Gardener Volunteer in Haywood County. Š 2014 NC State University.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
HOME & Garden 7
Handy Home Improvement
Create a clutter-free crafting zone Family Features
each different hobby or craft, will help you find what you need efficiently.
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hen creative inspiration strikes, you need to seize the moment and create. But if supplies are strewn from one end of the house to the other and clutter reigns, you may battle a real cramp in creativity. Even for the most free-thinking minds, a little organization can go a long way to let your artistic aspirations soar. The key is accessibility. Follow these three simple tips from the organizational experts at ClosetMaid to get your space uncluttered and let your imagination run free.
2. Maximize your resources
Particularly if you’re working with a small area, it’s important to utilize every inch of space. Don’t limit yourself to the floor, think vertically. In a closet, using a custom organizer such as ClosetMaid’s ShelfTrack Wire Shelving Organizer Kit, will allow you to customize and reconfigure shelf locations as often as your needs change. You can also find a variety of hanging organizers for the back of the same door you once simply closed to hide the mess.
1. Dedicate your space
Whether you’re able to allocate an entire room, a closet or even just a corner, allow yourself to hone in on the true purpose of the space - crafting. Store unrelated
items elsewhere and establish a designated work zone. You can also achieve versatility with mobile storage. Portable containers and rolling carts
allow greater flexibility in how you use the space, while giving you easy access to your crafting supplies. Organizing like items, with specific storage areas for
3. Keep comfort in mind
Set the mood to get inspired with comfortable seating and décor that energizes you and appeals to
your artistic senses. A cozy arm chair makes for far more appealing seating than a standard desk chair, especially if your chosen craft requires extended periods of sitting. If you expect to have guests visit the space, be sure to provide seating for their comfort, such as a cushy couch or loveseat. There are myriad options available when it comes to storage, so you can find just the right size container for each and every item. This helps ensure you’re using every inch of space wisely. And, using right-size storage bins helps ensure you are protecting valuable supplies from damage that can result from cramming into too-tight places. For more creative ideas to transform your space into a clutter-free craft zone, visit www. ClosetMaid.com, www.StorganizationBlog.com or call (800) 874-0008.
Faux wood tile leads hot new trends
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BPT
ake and faux are far apart. Fake is meant to deceive, but faux is intended as a tribute or a toast to something great or beautiful. Faux wood tile is one of the hottest trends in home remodeling and home decorating. Paying tribute to beautiful hardwood flooring, faux wood tile is a ceramic tile that combines the rich, textured finishes and warmth of real wood with the durability, functionality and design flexibility of tile. And, it costs a fraction of what real hardwood flooring costs. “The strong trend toward faux wood tile is due to its contemporary, sophisticated look and durability,” says Kirsty
Froelich, design director with The Tile Shop, the nation’s leading retailer of high quality, premium manufactured and natural stone tiles from all over the world. “That’s one of the reasons why you’re noticing it in upscale boutique hotels. The other reason is more practical. Because it’s water-resistant, you can use faux wood in parts of the home where moisture and water make real wood impractical, such as bathrooms, kitchens and foyers.” Designers and homeowners love the abundance of available finishes in faux wood tile, from natural, earthy tones to colors that many homeowners would never dream of staining in hardwoods, like washed-out whites and light grays. These
lighter colors have become increasingly popular in contemporary homes with open, light-filled spaces that bring out the tile’s visual wood-grain texture. Just because faux wood tile looks like a million bucks, doesn’t mean it costs a fortune. The price per square foot is a fraction of what a homeowner would pay for real hardwood flooring, a point that has undoubtedly added to its appeal and rise in popularity. Beyond faux wood, Froelich points to other hot tile trends, including:
Commercial style
Large-size tiles, typically seen in commercial or industrial settings, are all
the rage in upscale homes. Large 12-by-24-inch tiles and extra large 16-by-24-inch tiles give rooms a big, spacious look. Instead of paint or wallpaper, consider using 10-by-30-inch long wall tiles to add rich texture and color to your living room or great room.
Glass and stone mosaics
Many homeowners are mixing little mosaic tiles consisting of different shades of natural stone with glass tiles in square, round and rectangular shapes to give their kitchens and baths a distinct, high-end touch of class.
Reclaimed wood tile
Homeowners love the
look and feel of reclaimed wood - like the wood from an old barn, an old wooden ship or antique furniture. But reclaimed wood can be quite expensive. Now homeowners can add that reclaimed wood style with wall tiles made of ceramic or natural stone that offer a natural, authentic weathered look.
More texture
Homeowners are shifting away from shiny polished stone and moving toward more marble with a smooth or lightly textured finish. Homeowners are also mixing and matching different styles of tiles to create more contrast and a more layered, textured feel in their spaces.
8 HOME & Garden Saturday, March 22, 2014
Green Thumb Gardening
Garden walls can come alive with 'living pictures' By SARAH WOLFE
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Associated Press
ooking for a fresh way to liven up your garden walls? Think plants, not paintings. Living pictures _ cuttings of assorted succulents woven together in everything from picture frames to pallet boxes _ have caught on among garden designers and landscapers this spring as an easy, modern way to add color and texture to an outdoor space. "Living pictures composed of succulents have a gorgeous Associated Press sculptural quality that A large living succulent picture hangs outside a bed- work surprisingly well room in San Francisco.
in a number of different aesthetics _ contemporary, bohemian, Southwestern and more," says Irene Edwards, executive editor of Lonny home design magazine. "They're great for urban dwellers with limited space." Living pictures are also nearly maintenancefree (i.e. hard to kill). So even beginners or those with the blackest of thumbs can look like the master gardener of the neighborhood. Here's how you can create your own living succulent picture:
Pick your style
There are a few ways you can go. For a larger living picture, you can use a wooden pallet, framing out the back like a shadow box. Large, do-it-yourself living wall panels are also for sale online through garden shops like San Francisco's Flora Grubb Gardens and DIG Gardens based in Santa Cruz, Calif. But going big right away can be daunting, and bigger also means heavier, so many newbies
like California gardening blogger Sarah Cornwall stick with smallerpicture or poster frames. Go vintage with an antique frame or finish, or build your own out of local barn wood. Chunky, streamlined frames like the ones Cornwall bought from Ikea give a more modern feel. You'll also need a shadow box cut to fit the back of the frame, and wire mesh or "chicken wire" to fit over the front if you're going to make your own. First, nail or screw the shadow box to the back of the frame. A depth of 2 to 3 inches is ideal. Set the wire mesh inside the frame and secure it with a staple gun, then nail a plywood backing to the back of the shadow box.
Take cuttings
Almost any succulent can be used for living pictures, though it's usually best to stick with varieties that stay small, like echeverias and sempervivums, says DIG Gardens co-owner Cara Meyers. "It's fun to use varieties
of aeoniums and sedums for their fun colors and textures, but they may need a little more maintenance, as they may start to grow out of the picture more," she says. Cut off small buds of the succulents for cuttings, leaving a stem of at least 1/4-inch long. No succulents to snip? You can always buy some at a nursery or trade with other gardeners in your neighborhood. "They grow so easily, don't feel embarrassed knocking on a door to ask for a few cuttings," Cornwall says. Make sure any old bottom leaves are removed, then leave the cuttings on a tray in a cool, shaded area for a few days to form a "scab" on the ends before planting.
Add soil
Set the frame mesh-side up on a table and fill with soil, using your hands to push it through the wire mesh openings. Be sure to use cactus See walls/Page 9
Saturday, March 22, 2014
HOME & Garden 9
Green Thumb Gardening
Walls from page 8
soil, which is coarser than potting soil for better drainage. Some vertical gardeners place a layer of sphagnum moss under and over the soil to hold moisture in when watering.
Fill in with plants
Now comes the fun and creative part. Lay out the succulent cuttings in the design you want on a flat surface, and poke them into the wire mesh holes in your frame. You can start either in one corner or by placing the "focal point" cuttings in first and filling in around them. Waves or rivers of color are popular living-picture designs, although Cape Cod-based landscaper Jason Lambton has gone bolder with spirals of green and purple. "We painted the pallet different color stripes to go with the color theme of the back of the house," says Lambton, host of HGTV's "Going Yard." "It looked like a cool piece of living, reclaimed art." Using just one type of
Associated Press
A living picture made with cryptanthus and neoregelia bromeliads, rhipsalis cactus, haworthia, hoya, and peperomia is a wall feature in San Francisco. succulent is also a simple yet elegant option, says Kirk Aoyagi, co-founder and vice president of FormLA Landscaping. "Collages with some draping and some upright plants can create a more dramatic look and feel," he says.
Care and maintenance tips
Keep the living picture flat and out of direct sunlight for one to two weeks to allow roots to form along the stems, then
begin watering. "If you hang it up right away or it rains a lot, that dirt will just pour right out. ... I made that mistake once," Lambton says. Mount your living art once the succulents are securely rooted, which can take four to eight weeks depending on climate. After that, water every seven to 10 days by removing from the wall and laying it flat. Be sure to let the water drain before hanging your living picture back up, to avoid rotting.
Associated Press
A large living succulent wall flourishes in an outdoor area at Flora Grubb Gardens in San Francisco.
10 HOME & Garden Saturday, March 22, 2014
Handy Home Improvement
Traditional kitchen full of personality, style
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BPT
he kitchen is the heart of the home ... the place where memories are made while cooking, eating and sharing stories around the table. Since so much time is spent in this room, it’s important to have a kitchen that fits your personality. There are many styles to choose; but traditional remains one of the most popular because of its timeless, classic look. If you’re updating your kitchen, here are some tips to create a space that reflects your personal style.
Color matters
The right paint colors are integral to achieving the traditional look. Select paint colors that are warm and inviting like cream, taupe and gold. Light colors are popular in the kitchen because they provide a feeling of cleanliness and make the space feel larger. Infuse your room with a few stylish touches by incorporating accents in darker or richer shades, especially in the furniture, wood trim or flooring.
Quality fixtures
When designing your new kitchen, don’t overlook the faucets. They get used many times during the day - needing to withstand heavy usage and tie into the overall design of the kitchen. Growing in popularity are motion-activated faucets, like Moen’s easy-to-use MotionSense technology. The Brantford pulldown faucet adds timeless appeal as the spout enhances the curvature of the faucet body and handle, giving any kitchen a beautiful look with the ultimate convenience of hands-free technology. For an even more elaborate style, the new Weymouth collection offers an enduring, Victorian design with functional details, such as its high-arc spout. Signature styling elements include a decorative top finial and a refined shepherd’s spout. The detailed design of both faucets will provide extra luxury and serve as the perfect focal point at the sink.
Storage with flair
Replacing cabinets is usually the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel, so take your time and choose carefully. First, think about the color and the type of wood. White painted
cabinets with intricate details and raised-panel doors are a popular choice for traditionally styled kitchens. Adding eye-catching details also goes a long way. Be sure to finish the top of the cabinets with decorative molding or swap wood-fronts with glass panels. And, since it’s all about the details, choose decorative knobs and pulls, as well as a towel bar or towel ring that match both the style and finish of your faucet to add fashion and function.
Luxury countertops
Granite and butcher block are great choices for countertops. According to the National Association of Home Builders, granite is the most desirable, must-have kitchen feature. This is likely because it’s scratch- and chip-resistant, not to mention this material is a classic design choice that withstands the test of time. Butcher block not only adds a warm look to your kitchen, it’s also functional
as it provides an ideal area for chopping food. Plus, these countertops are easy to clean - just use soap and water. For added appeal, use two types of materials, one on the main countertop area and another on the kitchen island.
Decorative lighting
Since the kitchen is the place you chop and dice, not to mention socialize with loved ones, you need both ambient and task lighting. For ambient lighting, consider a chandelier. Hang it over the kitchen island or the dining space to add a sophisticated touch. Task lighting should be brighter: use pendants and recessed lights over workplaces like countertops, the sink and stove. With these few key tips, you’ll soon have the elegant, traditional kitchen you’ve always desired. For more information about Moen products, visit moen.com or call 800-BUY-MOEN (800-289-6636).
Saturday, March 22, 2014
HOME & Garden 11
Green Thumb Gardening
It's spring green time!
By jeana myres nc cooperative extension, wake county
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pring greens are my very favorite gardening, and eating, passion! You can grow all colors and textures of lettuces, tender spinach, spicy mustards, orangey-red Swiss chard, collards and curly kale. I’m going to focus on lettuces here, but it’s the season to put all these fantastic greens in the soil. Because of their limited root systems and short growing season, you can easily plant them in pots, direct seed them in the garden or buy starter plants at a local garden center. One characteristic you look for when buying greens for planting is “slow bolting” or “heat tolerant.” We have erratic spring weather which can go from 30 to 80 degrees in a day. Certain varieties will begin the transformation from a vegetative state (we want that
in greens) to a reproductive state (flowering and seed production) if temperatures are high for just a few days. Once the elongation process kicks in, there is no going back, and the flavors of the leaves become increasingly bitter as the plants produce flowers. That’s why we choose bolt resistant varieties, get them growing as soon as we can in the spring, and even give them a little shade on those super hot days. I put up bamboo poles and pin row cover cloth over the plants to protect them from that brutal sun if it goes on for more than a day or two. Making sure they have plenty of water in the morning will reduce stress too. There are different types of lettuces to choose from: looseleaf, romaine/ cos, butterhead/bibb, iceberg, summer crisp/batavian, and oakleaf. The heading lettuces like iceberg or summer crisp varieties don’t do well in our piedmont
heat. I like the looseleaf lettuces because you can harvest the outside leaves and keep the plants growing, and they are easy to harvest and wash. A few leaves can make a delicious dinner salad! Romaines and oakleaf lettuces also do very well here and can be harvested over time like the looseleaf. The red oakleafs are one of my favorites – very sturdy and productive. The butterhead lettuces are valued for their sweet and tender leaves – the only complaint I have with them is that they seem to be slug magnets, so you have to wash the soft leaves carefully and thoroughly! Salad and micro mixes are some combination of these and may also have some spicy greens like arugula, mizuna, endive, cress, etc. You can really have fun checking out the options in seed catalogs. Rather that growing individual plants to maturity, the mixes are seeded so that plants are an inch or so apart –
then harvested by clipping with scissors when the plants are 2-3 inches high. Just make sure you cut them above their growing point (ie leave an inch of plant). In a couple of weeks you can harvest these young greens again – thus the name “cut and come again.” Micro mixes are plants that are harvested at the seedling stage so they don’t rejuvenate. So you seed lots of these and enjoy their perfect flavors and textures on a one-time basis. It’s a great way to look like a gourmet chef and thrill your dinner guests! Check out Johnny’s, the Cook’s Garden, Peaceful Valley, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds, and Edible Landscaping – some of my favorite seed catalogs. Or visit your local nursery, and look for heat tolerant, slow bolting varieties of whatever greens you want to eat!
12 HOME & Garden Saturday, March 22, 2014
Green Thumb Gardening
Tips on pruning Knock Out roses By Jim Janke
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nock Outs are by far the most popular r oses planted today. They bloom from spring to hard frost, are disease-resistant, and require little maintenance. But there may come a time when you want to shape the bush or prune it to keep it in bounds. Here’s how to prune your Knock Outs. When to prune. Pruning a rose bush causes the plant to grow new stems and leaves at the point of the cut, making the bush fuller and adding more flowering sites. This tender growth takes time to mature before it can withstand cold weather, so don’t prune (any shrubs, not just roses) after August first. Most industr y sources recommend pruning Knock Outs just as buds break in spring, because ver y low temperatures are unlikely to recur. Some of these same sources say “never in fall and never in winter”, but we disagree. Between the first hard freeze in fall and the end of winter is okay, because our winters don’t normally have warm spells that are long enough to spur new growth. And while pruning when the buds are breaking is ideal, additional trimming from spring through the first of August doesn’t seem to harm Knock Outs at all. How much to prune depends on what you are tr ying to accomplish. Don’t prune Knock Outs the first year or two, allowing the bush to get established. But after that: To keep the plant at a specific height, cut off about a third of the top growth each year. To renew a bush that has gotten leggy or out of bounds, cut back to one third of the desired height. It will regrow quickly.
To maintain a desired shape, you have a couple of options. Shearing with hedge clippers will result in a smooth, formal shape. But I prefer to remove individual stems back to the main trunk, for a more natural look. Remove dead and diseased stems at any time during the year. But be patient before doing this in spring. Some stems on my Knock Outs sprout up to a month later than adjacent canes, so I delay this pruning until early May. Reconsider deadheading. A couple of my neighbors remove spent blooms on their Knock Outs several times during the growing season, but I have yet to see any evidence that this improves flowering. Not having to deadhead is one of the main reasons Knock Outs are so popular! When pruning for any reason cut back to healthy tissue. Remove old canes that are thick and woody, and any weak growth on the main canes. Keeping the center of the plant open will improve air circulation and help prevent diseases. Make sure your tools are sharp. Clean cuts heal more quickly than ragged cuts, and don’t provide as much opportunity for pests to enter the plant. Wear long sleeves! I have a 100 foot row of Knock Outs lining my driveway. They were all supposed to be ‘RedRazz’ (the original red Knock Out). But a couple of pink Knock Outs snuck their way into the initial planting. Rather than replace these I just let them grow. If someone notices, they become a conversation starter (and I just LOVE to talk about my garden)! Jim Janke is an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer in Haywood County. © 2014 NC State University.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
HOME & Garden 13
Handy Home Improvement
Simple ways to add energy efficiency
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Family Features
veryone wants to save money these days, and homeowners are no exception. To reduce the cost of monthly energy bills, many are taking on small, budget friendly, do-it-yourself projects that provide big savings down the road. With a few simple tips, you can easily make a home comfortable regardless of the season, while also greatly reducing utility costs. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, homeowners can typically save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs, or up to 10 percent of total energy costs, just by properly air sealing their homes and adding insulation. Here are a few tips to get your home properly sealed so you can see the energy savings as soon as possible:
1. Seal your ducts, both supply and return
In most homes, about 20 percent of the air moving through the duct system is lost because of poorly connected ducts, holes and leaks. Signs include rooms that are tough to cool or heat; ducts are located in an unfinished basement, garage or crawl area; or you have high-energy bills. The use of a sealant, such as the DAP 3.0 Window, Door, Trim & Side High Performance Sealant, is a cost-effective solution for fixing leaky ducts in your home.
2. Inspect your roof
Be sure to give your roof a thorough inspection. Check for loose shingles that can lead to water damage and rot. Also, be sure to seal any gaps around gables, flashing and chimneys.
3. Foam seal exterior wall penetrations
Check to see that all exterior wall penetrations, such as lights, doorbells, hose spigots and dryer vents, are properly sealed to ensure maximum energy efficiency.
4. Seal attic penetrations
Gaps around house fans, attic access doors, exhaust fans and light fixtures send warm air right up into your cold attic, so make sure these areas are properly sealed.
5. Seal rim joists in the basement
If you have a basement, using an elastomeric sealant or foam sealant around the rim joist is one of the best ways to weather seal your home. A foam sealant, such as the DAPtex
Plus Multi-Purpose Foam Sealant, will fill and seal any large cracks, gaps or voids. For more information, visit www.dap.com.
6. Fill gaps between the basement and living spaces
This can be checked by going in the basement and looking up at where the bathtub is on the floor above. If you can see the bottom of the tub, you’re paying good money just to condition the air on the bottom of your bathtub. Seal it up with foamboard and a recommended foamboard sealant. Investing a little time and money on properly sealing your home now can mean a big return on your heating and cooling bills down the line.
14 HOME & Garden Saturday, March 22, 2014
Green Thumb Gardening
What is a Master Gardener? by Kate Sawaya
direction of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Ser vice. What we do: We work as an ardening is among our nation’s most popular pastimes, yielding extension of the University staff and local Horticulture agent to fresh fruits and vegetables for the dinner table, a cleaner environment help educate the public on lawns, fruits, flowers, vegetables, shrubs, and aesthetically pleasing landscapes. North Carolina Cooperative Extension fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and helps gardeners learn more about new wildlife. We deliver unbiased, factual plants, native plants and environmental and research based information to the stewardship. Extension-trained Master residents of Lee County on the best gardening practices for the Piedmont Gardener volunteers are instrumental region of North Carolina. We handle in these efforts, sharing their thousands of questions from residents knowledge of plant selection, cultural which enables the University staff to practices and pest management with focus their attention on research. fellow gardeners, school students and We teach Lee County residents others. to: Conser ve water by amending Who we are: Lee County the soil, choosing appropriate plant Extension Master Gardener varieties and using optimum watering Volunteers are Educators on Urban techniques. Prevent pollution by Horticulture and Environmental minimizing the use of Pesticides Stewardship. In North Carolina, and fertilizers. Increase health and we are a group of 4,000 or more volunteers who have received over 40 nutrition by teaching how to produce healthy, locally grown food for hours of extensive training from NC State University in urban Horticulture themselves and their communities. Create urban wildlife habitats, and wildlife management. We are attracting songbirds, butterflies, volunteers who work under the
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Our monthly training contains updates of garden problems, a recount of Master Gardener activities and often a guest speaker. After receiving intensive horticultural training and satisfactorily meeting other program requirements, Master Gardeners are required to volunteer for 40 hours their first year and 20 hours of active ser vice each year after wards. Many Master Gardeners far exceed the required ser vice hours, some giving over 200 hours per year in support of the Extension horticulture program. Many will continue in the program beyond the first year because of their interest and willingness to help others and the personal satisfaction derived from participation in this North Carolina State University based program. To learn more about us visit the Lee County Master Gardeners’ web site at http://www.lcemgv.org/ For more information contact the Master Gardeners with NC Cooperative Extension in Lee County at (919) 775-5624.
It's a fact: manure happens! By Jim Janke
animals or access to fresh manure, I did some research and found out quite a bit about ne of the coolest things this valuable resource. about being a Master The major benefits of Gardener is that people are always asking you questions. incorporating well-rotted manure into the soil are the For example, one of my addition of organic matter and gardening friends starts every third sentence with “Well, let me nutrients. But you need to be ask you this!” Then there was the careful. Use only manure from conversation at a New Year’s Eve non-meat eating animals (for party. I was introduced to someone example, cows, horses, and chickens.) Manure from meat who was putting in a new eating animals can contain vegetable garden. She had pathogens and parasites access to horse manure and that can enter the food chain asked how it might be used. through the soil. Some of these Twenty minutes later we both can cause very serious health realized that the conversation issues. had turned to crap, literally. Don’t use manure where you Never having had any farm
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hummingbirds, lizards and other interesting creatures connecting urban residents with nature. Conser ve energy by using plants to shade structures. Prevent green waste from going to the landfill by minimizing pruning and by composting on site. Where we are: We staff a telephone Helpline from April-October, Mon-Wed-Fri from 10a.m. to 1p.m. where residents can ask questions and get resources, bring samples in for diagnosis, etc. We also speak to groups, including civic groups, garden clubs, libraries, and other venues. We are at the County and State Fairs, Farmers Market, Plant clinics or Gardening workshops and other events. We help with Community and demonstration gardens. Our training program: The learning process never ends for Master Gardeners. Continued training is offered numerous times each year on the local and state level to keep Master Gardeners up to date on the latest horticultural information.
will grow lettuce or other leafy vegetables, or root crops that are eaten raw. Make sure that the manure is well-rotted. Fresh manure releases ammonia when it decomposes, and this will burn plant roots and inhibit seed germination. Well-rotted manure has a texture more like compost, and doesn’t look like fresh manure at all. You can add fresh manure directly to the soil, but only if you allow plenty of time (approximately six months) for it to decompose. Work it thoroughly into the soil in the fall so that it completely breaks down by spring. Don’t leave it on the surface of the soil; this
can pollute nearby streams during a heavy rain. The bedding and feed materials mixed with manure will add additional organic matter. But be aware that even well-rotted manure is likely to contain weed seeds. Consider how much additional weeding you are willing to do before adding (especially horse) manure to your soil. Manure only contains small amounts of nutrients, so additional fertilizer will likely be necessar y. But the best thing about manure is that it improves the soil’s texture and adds necessar y microbes for plant growth. And decayed
manure provides a home for earthworms that will improve your soil even more. Since I don’t have access to fresh manure, I add “compost plus cow manure” (or “manure plus humus”) from the home center to my annual and vegetable beds each year. Because this inexpensive product is dehydrated, it does not improve soil texture quite as much as well-rotted fresh manure. But the 40-lb. bags are convenient to store and use. This and similar products are weed free. Jim Janke is a Master Gardener Volunteer in Haywood County. © 2014 NC State University.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Handy Home Improvement
HOME & Garden 15
Making patio space a home extension Family Features
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hen the weather conditions are just right, a relaxing evening spent on the porch or patio is perfect for enjoying good company and the beauty of the outside world. Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy these comforts regardless of the season? Bring the rejuvenating, refreshing and calming effects of nature into your personal space with a few simple touches. The best place for incorporating these organic elements is the space closest to your patio or outdoor space. Let this area serve as a transitional space where the outside world connects with the comforts of your interior. Here are a few tips to make your outside world an extension of your home:
Choose Natural Materials
For chairs, sofas, rugs, pillows and other dÈcor, choose natural patterns, textures and fibers. Pair materials like hemp, rattan, bamboo, wicker and jute, with softer textures, such as cottons, velvet and velour for added dimension.
Light Up the Room
Nothing pleases the senses like natural light, so be sure to rid windows and doorways of heavy drapery and other barriers. Bring this beautiful resource inside by adding a retrofit folding patio door, such as the JELD-WEN(r) W-4500, which uses floor-supported technology for a simpler fit into an existing door opening.
Choose Natural Colors
Pick chairs, sofas, coffee tables and buffet pieces that are white or ivory. These light colors will make the
outdoor tints of greens, blues and browns pop. For the woodsy look, choose faux bois upholstery, a textile pattern that mimics the grain of wood.
Spruce Up the View
Add trees or other lush landscapes to ser ve as your focal point when you look outside. Attach window boxes and plant flowers and shrubber y in colors that complement your dÈcor. Add trees or other lush landscapes to ser ve as your focal point when you look outside. Truly access your serene views with a wider expanse and with ease by adding a folding patio door, such as the JELD-WEN W-4500, which comes in
a variety of different colors, finishes and is available in 2-, 3- or 4-panel configurations. For more information on JELD-WEN windows and doors, visit www.jeld-wen.com.
Add Natural Elements
The right decorative tchotchkes can evoke the serenity of nature within your space. For a rustic look, add dried flowers, pinecones, rocks, wood and straw. For a seaside touch, use sea shells, starfish and jars of sand for a coastal inspiration. If you lack space to scatter throughout the room, place these items in a large decorative bowl and use as a centerpiece.
16 HOME & Garden Saturday, March 22, 2014