Home & Garden A Marketing Supplement of Sauk Valley Media
Thursday, September 17, 2015
www.saukvalley.com
Sauk Valley Media • C1
Bulbs: What’s in store? That depends on how well you take care of your bulbs during the fall and winter
INSIDE C2
C3
U of I Extension Service
Bulbs: What’s in stores?
Something old, as reproductions of early-century lighting grow in popularity Tribune News Service
When Irene Conable moved from her 1927 historical home into a sleek condo last year, both in Riverside, Washington, she alighted upon compatible accents for her mother’s 19th century furnishings and antiques. She looked to the hottest trend in home illumination, the Edison, vintage or nostalgia globes, a nod to Thomas Alva Edison, who’s considered the father of incandescent lighting. Resurrected as reproductions of the inventor’s first bulb, the Edisons now shimmer from coast to coast. Manufactured in hundreds of designs, the exposed bulbs are celebrated as hip throwbacks to more rustic times. “I wanted to continue the modern version of Victoriana steampunk through the plumbing and lighting,” said Conable, 70, a retired school librarian. “That’s why I chose these bulbs.” In the past 3 years, these improbable luminaries in the interior design world have jumped the grid from commercial to home decor, said David Gray, a spokesman for Chatsworth, California-based Lamps Plus, the nation’s largest specialty lighting retailer.
URBANA – Summer bulbs can add beauty to the landscape when earlier spring bulbs have long faded, and flowering shrubs have turned to foliage for the season. But if you want those bulbs to make an encore appearance the following year, and the years after that, you have to store them properly over the winter. “Summer bulbs must be dug up at the end of your growing season and properly stored inside for the winter in order to have a floral display the following year,” said Richard Hentsche, an Extension educator in horticulture for the University of Illinois Extension Service. By tradition, a bulb refers to any plant that maintains its entire life cycle in a storage root. A few of the well-known, common summer-blooming bulbs are lily, gladiolus caladiums, iris, canna, and dahlia. Summer bulbs are planted in the spring after the chance of frost, and once the garden soils have warmed.
Enjoy the fruits of your summer labor.
Look for something old and something new this fall in home decor.
C4
Dusting out your ducts? Do it the right way.
C5
Don’t stress out your trees with bad trimming this fall.
C6
Fall is a good time to go poking around the yard.
C7
Pop the lid off that old paint can and add a splash of color around the house.
FLOWERS CONTINUED ON C2
If you want your bulbs to make a comeback in the spring, make sure and store them properly over the fall and winter.
LIGHTS CONTINUED ON C2
C7
ABOVE: The look of filaments from centuries past has become a hot trend in lighting up people’s lives Submitted photo
Submitted photo
Decorators mix things up in the kitchen with eye-popping color palettes.
September 16 – October 13
SAVE BIG on GE cooking
PRODUCTS INCLUDED: SLIDE-IN RANGES | FREE-STANDING RANGES | WALL OVENS COOKTOPS | MICROWAVES | VENTILATION
500 + SERVICE
$
up to
extended
on select GE cooking products*
contract or rebate†
1245 N GALENA AVE, DIXON, IL • 815-284-2052 24 HOUR - 7 DAYS A WEEK • SERVICE AVAILABLE ON ALL MAKES OF FURNACES
C2 • Sauk Valley Media
www.saukvalley.com
Retro bulbs come with a cost LIGHTS
CONTINUED FROM C1
Coiled, twisted, crisscrossed, laced, separated or bunched, the visible filaments – or threadlike heating elements made of tungsten or carbon – provide much of the bulb’s aesthetic charm. “Any fixture that surrounds these bulbs usually represents some type of industrial function, like pipes or a safety cage,” Gray said. Movies such as “Skyfall” and the TV show “Scandal” have glamorized these unlikely beacons of beauty as soft, romantic sparkles in subway tunnels, hideouts, basements, clandestine meeting rooms and attic crawl spaces, Gray said. Janice Morell-Bielman used the Edison bulbs in her living room sconces and the dining room candelabra in her 1929 Tudor home in Riverside. “Great mood lighting,” she said. “Much better than traditional incandescents.” The Edison bulb works well in contemporary decor, too. “They’re welcome in any design, except glitz and glamour,” Gray said. The consumer’s fasci-
nation with industrial chic, inspired by pendant Edison bulbs in restaurants, has fueled the craze, according to Dan Cocco, who worked with Conable. With Laurel Hampton-Hunt, he owns Carriage House Renovations, a 15-yearold Riverside-based business specializing in restoration work. These old-timey versions of the real thing started becoming popular a few years ago, so they no longer must be specially ordered. Now, Cocco said, they’re ubiquitous, sold everywhere from the Internet to home improvement behemoths such as Menards and chic home furnishing chains including Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware. Unlike their plainer incandescent cousins hidden behind shades or frosted glass, the new Edisons are not cheap, running $7 to $20 per bulb. But the price doesn’t deter homeowners such as Conable, who’s deployed them in floor lamps, table lamps, outside sconces and bathroom fixtures. “I love seeing that zigzag of light,” she said, referring to their tungsten filaments. “They’re great accents
and they don’t put out a glare.” The Edisons lend atmosphere because they’re not as bright as the standard incandescents. Casting a warm, buttery, amber glow, the 40- and 60-watt lights are discreet, fine for reading a menu, but not a book. “There’s ample light for doing everything except being serious,” Gray said. Your house isn’t the only thing that Edisons will make lighter; they’ll make your wallet lighter, too, when you get your electric bill. The bulbs guzzle five to 10 times the energy of other bulbs on the market, Cocco said. “That’s why they’re accent lights.” But rather than pull the plug on what’s become a cultural icon, Gray said filament aficionados can get their vintage fix and fixtures with the new LED Edison bulbs that eat onetenth the energy of the incandescents, but cost about $6 more apiece. “We’re playing catchup,” he said. “The Edison LEDs are just starting to come out. But they’re charming glow. It will probably take a few years before they exhibit the same appeal.”
Check your bulbs over winter FLOWERS
CONTINUED FROM C1
To dig summer bulbs at the end of the season, Hentschel said to wait until the bulb foliage has naturally died down, or dig immediately after a killing frost. Digging summer bulbs usually means loosening the soil with a garden fork or spade several inches away from where the bulb is believed to be and gently lifting the plant without damage to the bulb itself, Hentschel said. “At this point, the outer skin of the bulb is soft and tender so caution is needed,” he added. “Most often, summer bulbs are stored with a small amount of soil still clinging to the roots. A gentle shake to remove any excess soil will be a good step.” Summer bulbs need to be cured before storage to toughen up the outer
skin. Curing means allowing the freshly dug bulbs to dry down in a cool shady location before being stored. Summer bulbs that are put into storage still wet or damaged during the digging process could easily develop storage rots and other kinds of decay, Hentschel said. The time from digging to actual storage of the bulb for the winter can take a few days to a few weeks and should be done during warm latesummer and early-fall weather. Hentschel recommended that if there are many different kinds of summer bulbs to store, labeling each clump should be done. “One neat trick for larger bulbs such as amaryllis or elephant ears is to use a magic marker and write directly on the bulb,” he said. Storage temperatures for summer bulbs can
range from 40 to 60 degrees, with 50 degrees being a good goal. If kept too warm, bulbs will begin to grow in storage, and, if they are kept too cold, they suffer and can be slow to grow when planted again in the spring. While in storage, check on the bulbs at least once during the winter months to be sure the bulbs are sound. “If any bulbs show decay, remove them before the decay spreads to healthy bulbs,” Hentschel said. Some storage roots might need to have the soil or storage media moistened but never saturated to maintain adequate moisture so the storage roots are not all dried by planting time. “With these easy steps, summer blooms will grace your garden year after year,” Hentschel said.
Thursday, September 17, 2015
HOME CANNING
Enjoy the fruits of your summer labor University of Wisconsin Extension Service
Home-canned spaghetti sauce full of the flavor of garden-fresh tomatoes, or strawberry jam bursting with fruit at the peak of ripeness – with the proper equipment and up-do-date recipes, these and other family favorites can be safely canned at home. But, following research-tested recipes for safe, high-quality food that your family will enjoy is important. Recipes that are not precise – mentioning a pinch of this ingredient or a pinch of that ingredient – recipes that are not tested in a laboratory, or recipes that contain outdated or inaccurate canning information, can result in products that might be unsafe to consume. Dr. Barbara Ingham, University of Wisconsin Extension food scientist, offers some general guidelines for safe food preservation: Inspect and repair any food preservation equipment at the beginning of the season. Now is a good time to inspect canners or food dehydrators to make sure all equipment is in working condition. Start now to collect approved canning jars and lids for use during the season. Canning jars that use two-piece selfsealing metal lids are recommended for home canning. Jars should be free of nicks or scratches. A must for every canning season are new flat lids; metal screw bands that are not bent or rusted can be reused. • Have dial-gauge pressure canners tested for accuracy. A pressure can-
Need more help?
The University of Illinois Extension Service website has pages devoted to home canning. Go to web.extension.illinois.edu/foodpreservation/index.cfm. The University of Illinois Extension main office serving Carroll, Lee and Whiteside counties is located at 12923 Lawrence Road, Sterling. Call 815-632-3611 or email uie-clw@illinois. edu for more information.
ner is essential for canning low-acid vegetables, meats, fish and poultry. Pressure canners come with either a dial gauge or a weighted gauge. Dialgauge pressure canners should be tested each year for accuracy. • Always follow an up-to-date tested recipe from a reliable source. This is perhaps the most important step in preparing for home food preservation, according to Ingham. Cookbooks and old family recipes are not reliable sources of research-tested recipes. Consult your local county extension office for recipes which will ensure that you are canning safe, high-quality foods. “More tomatoes are home-canned than any other product. And home-canned toma-
toes can be so delicious. But many people are still unaware that tomato-canning recommendations changed dramatically way back in 1994,” Ingham said. “I answer questions every year from consumers who are not aware that you must add acid to home-canned tomato products to ensure safety. And this is just one example where, even though it’s tempting to return time and again to a family-favorite recipe, it’s important to update your canning recipes as guidelines change.” “Food safety is, and should be, a primary concern when home canning any type of food, from pickles to meat,” said Karen Ehle-Traastad, a family living educator from Vernon County.
Rely on Sterling Federal Bank for all your home improvement needs. Contact a lending professional near you...
Introducing Amy Howard — furniture expert, teacher, maker and storyteller.
FREE Live Online Workshop with Amy Howard at acehardware.com Learn how to rescue and restore your old furniture with her signature One Step Paint™
Before
After
Thursday, October 22 – Noon CST NOW AVAILABLE AT
Amy Howard at Home® One Step Paint™
No top coat needed! We can color match! Works on fabric! Rescue outdated furniture without the prep! No sanding or stripping needed!
815-288-7841 • 815-288-RENT 900 N. Galena Ave., Dixon, IL • www.acehardwaredixon.com Mon-Fri 7-7 • Sat & Sun 8-5
Dixon
Natalie Cole:
815-288-3327, Ext. 3554
Sterling
Melissa Freas:
815-622-3369
Diane Metzler:
815-622-3368
Byron &
Christy Eastman: 815-234-7601 or 815-734-6051
Morrison
Darlene Smith:
815-772-7256
Clinton, IA
Nathan Billany:
563-242-9111
Mt. Morris
Thursday, September 17, 2015
www.saukvalley.com
Sauk Valley Media • C3
DECOR | DESIGN TRENDS
Something old and something new This fall, look for a mixture of the rustic and contemporary, with touch of tradition The Associated Press
If you’re looking to update your home decor this fall, you’ll find new furniture profiles, accents and textures galore, in everything from rugs to wall coverings to ceramics and bedding. The trend toward mixing things up continues, from rustic to contemporary with a dash of traditional. “What’s interesting is the warm breadth of traditional style that infuses the season’s midcentury influence: Furniture, textiles and accessories – no matter how sleek-lined – are warm, inviting and touchable,” New York designer Elaine Griffin said. Also coming on is the handmade, or “collected,” vibe. “Our desire for authenticity, as well as for finely crafted and small production design, is resonating,” says Jackie Jordan, color marketing director for the paint manufacturer SherwinWilliams. “We want to know whose hands actually created the object we’re purchasing, and how and where the materials were sourced.” Griffin concurs: “This season, the handmade look reigns supreme, with highly textured fabric weaves, wallpapers (faux bois, faux hand-painted murals, and multicolored and metallic-layered geometric prints) and appliquéd effects on upholstery.” Expect more tabletop accent pieces and furniture labeled with place of origin and/or maker’s information, whether they were crafted in Indiana or India. One new kid in town is Scandinavian style. Simple, clean lines, gen-
T
tle colors and charming motifs make for a look that’s contemporary and accessible. And the dark horse? With the popularity of midcentury modern, some designers are ready to move forward to a 1980s redux. Decorators have welcomed ’60s- and ’70s-era macramé, flame stitch, classic furniture and retro fabric prints. Will they also embrace Memphis style – the ’80s design movement characterized by disparate geometric shapes and contrasting colors? Griffin thinks there’ll be more AP to this trend come spring. This coffee table is part of Pottery Barn’s Bowry collection. It’s made of reclaimed wood, an increasingly popular choice for furniture.
Color
Jordan sees a shift “to soft monochromatic palettes,” citing creamy whites and mineral tones – gray, khaki, earth tones, and nature-inspired hues like spruce, smoke, pond and shell pink. “The serenity of these colors provides a sense of calm to balance our hectic lifestyles, and celebrates natural materials, honed, soft and sheer finishes,” she says. Stronger hues are in play, too. Griffin sees last spring’s pale pastels evolving into deeper, Southwestern hues like terracotta, pale pumpkin, deep salmon, dusty rose citron, and smoky French and teal blues. Look also \ for boozy, midcentury modern hues: brandy, burgundy, whiskey, and merlot, as well as navy and olive.
Materials Again, it’s all about the mix. “For both furniture and accessories, when it comes to finishes this fall, one is a lonely number,” Griffin says. “The freshest looks combine at least two colors and materials.”
Great selection of perennial grasses!
Stop in & pick up some
MONSTER MUMS
Fountain Grass, Karl Foerster Grass, Switch Grass & more
from Anne’s!
TRENDS CONTINUED ON C4
Great selection of bagged & bulk mulches!
t
Barn Wood • Antiques New & Painted Furniture Furniture Re Reffiinishing primitive accessories • linens • pillows candles • greeting cards • hand woven baskets ceramics
SELECT RED SUNSET S MAPLES S
124 E. Carroll St. Lanark, IL
815-493-9066
Delivered & Planted
M-F 8:30-5, Sat 8:30-Noon or by special appointment
FALL PLA IS FOR NTIN G!
2 FOR $600 OR 4 FOR $1000
www.thehollowfencepost.com
5 TREES FOR $500 Delivered & Planted Vanderwolf Pine, Techny Arborvitae, Tree Rose of Sharon, Tree Lilac & Baby Blue Spruce
WARM UP BY A FIRE PIT THIS FALL FROM ANNE’S!
Your car doesn’t have to be afraidd of the dark anymore.
W ith all that window space, you aren’t the only one that will wake up to a sunrrise ns evvery morning. Check out the numerous window options and panel configuration and fifin nd the door that is just right for you... and your car.
GARAGE DOOR SPECIALISTS Call us today for your Fall Garage Door Maintenance Check-Up!
Starting at $89.99
1311 W. 4th St., Sterling
815-626-8911
BUY 2, GET 1 FREE!
• Con Color Fir • Blue Spruce • Hemlock • White Pine • Norway Spruce
Open Daily at 8:00AM, 7 Days a Week! 1200 N. Galena, Dixon • 815.288.6060
Nate Nate Anderson Anderson 903 W. Galena, Freeport • 815.232.7920
Serving the Sauk Valley Area for 35 Years!
ALL 6-7’ EVERGREENS
Manager Manager
www.annesgc.com
C4 • Sauk Valley Media
www.saukvalley.com
That’s no flaw; it’s character
Thursday, September 17, 2015
HOME CLEANING TIPS
TRENDS
CONTINUED FROM C3
Griffin pointed to examples such as black lacquer with metallic accents (especially brass and copper); white enamel with gleaming metallic, acrylic pieces in harvest hues; and industrial iron paired with chrome. While silver and chrome are big players, Michael Murphy, design and trends producer for Lamps Plus, says brass and gold will be especially strong, especially in softer, burnished tones. “These metals can be easily introduced in the home with a table lamp, chandelier or distinct accessory like a large vase or unique table sculpture,” he says. Jordan says the handmade look extends to metals: “We’re seeing materials hand-carved, forged and assembled. Imperfections and flaws in materials like iron, wood, concrete and hand-woven wool only add to the character of the piece.” One interesting place to see this trend is the bathroom: vintage-style, weathered-bronze and cast-iron fixtures. Stone Forest introduced the Ore vessel sink, inspired by an antique steel pipe cap. The Industrial series, with a cast-iron sink, towel bar and paper holder, has an old-school factory quality. Interesting woods continue to make inroads in furniture, flooring and doors. Watch for acacia, walnut, birch, maple and beech, and finishes ranging from weather-worn to highly lacquered. Pottery Barn’s new Bowry collection of tables and storage units uses reclaimed acacia, teak and mango hardwoods. The Warren pulley lamp’s rustic-finished iron and functioning pulleys make for a steampunk-style fixture. Konekt designer Helena Sultan’s Pause chaise lounge perches a comfy upholstered seat on brass or chrome legs, in several finishes. The flip side is the proliferation of translucents like acrylic and glass, often combined with other materials. “These materials are being combined with fabrics like fur to create a clearly contemporary trend,” says Murphy. “We see this where the tops of settees, benches and stools are covered with a luxe fur and fabrics, and the legs are made from clear materials.”
Patterns, texture Channel quilting, in which stitching runs in one continuous line, is another trend to watch
Metro Art Service
If you’re going to get a duct cleaning, make sure it’s a thorough one, advises the National Air Duct Cleaners Association. A good cleaning uses a negative air machine and a rotary brush cabling system. The brush knocks the debris loose, and the negative air machine vacuums it away.
Dusting out your ducts? Do it right Tribune News Service AP Photos
ABOVE: This sink, part of Stone Forest’s Ore collection, was designed to mimic a vintage factory look, for the industrious remodelers. It’s one of the design trends that’s emerged for fall 2015. BELOW: Paisely comes and paisley goes. This fall, it’s coming again, and it’s one of the hottest patterns in home decor.
Winter is on its way, and that means your home’s heating system will be kicking into high gear, and that could stir up some dust, courtesy of the collection of tiny particles in your ducts. In order to keep the dust down, some homeowners turn to duct-cleaning services. Many homeowners who’ve hired a reputable air duct cleaning contractor are often pleased with the results. While there’s no scientific evidence to prove that vent cleaning has a direct and significant benefit, experts agree there’s some benefit to having air duct
cleaning performed, particularly if you hire a skilled professional. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association recommends getting your air ducts cleaned every 3 to 5 years. Ed Mack, owner of Air Duct Professionals in Lake Elsinore, California, says homeowners should consider doing it every 2 to 5 years, depending on their circumstances. “How often you need it will depend on what part of the country you’re in, how often you use your system, and if anyone in your home has allergies or asthma,” Mack says. DUCTS CONTINUED ON C5
$200 OFF Any Roofing, Siding, or Window Replacement Order of $5000 or more for. The straight lines, even spacing, design detail and comfort all add to its appeal. “This is part of the continued resurgence of Art Deco, which is synonymous with fluid lines, bold shapes, lavish ornamentation and metallic finishes,” says Murphy. Look for rattan and other woven fibers in items beyond basketry, like wall art, bowls and ottomans. Shags, nubby wools, Southwest-patterned flat weaves and Impressionist-patterned Indian
Welcome
silks will be on the floor of rug departments this fall. West Elm has some graphic kilim rugs and pillows. Geometrics and facets cover textiles, vases and mirror frames. Some have an organic quality – think beehives or reptile skin. But rendered in iron or wood, they can have an industrial vibe. In wallpaper, look to Tempaper, Wolfum and Timorous Beasties for intriguing patterns ranging from ’80s Southwest to Japanese archival prints to nature themes.
Some Restrictions apply • Must Present Coupon at Time of Estimate Limit One Per Customer Coupon Valid on proposals written 9/17/15 - 10/30/15 Not valid on any proposal written before 9/17/15
(815) 590-BOSS (2677)
to Your New Kitchen • • • • • •
Cabinetr y For All Budgets Stock To Full Custom Cabinetr y Personalized Design Computer Renderings All Styles of Counter tops Over 60 Years of Combined E xperience
CREATIVE KITCHENS & BATH, INC. “We’ll get your kitchen cookin’!” Steve & Pam Workman, Owners
PB-250LN Hand Blower
ES-250 SShed ‘N Vac INSTANT REBATE
INSTANT REBATE
30
$
20
$
Mon-Thur 9:30-5:00; Fri 9:30-4:00 Other Hours By Appt.
www.creativekitchensandbath.com 2510 N. Locust, Sterling • 815-626-5499
149.99
PB-580H/T Backpack Blower
Garage Doors to Weather Every Season
199.99
$
$
HC-155 Hedge Trimmer
INSTANT REBATE
30*
$
$
299.99
379.99 37
$
Offer valid at participating dealers with purchase made 9/1/15-11/30/15. Not valid with any other offers. *instant rebate also applies to the PB-5004/7
1825 Locust Street, Sterling www.raynor.com 1-800-4-RAYNOR
815-625-4323 w w w. w i l c o r e n t a l . c o m
Thursday, September 17, 2015
www.saukvalley.com
Sauk Valley Media • C5
Beware of bargains when hiring a duct cleaner DUCTS
CONTINUED FROM C4
The Environmental Protection Agency recommends cleaning air ducts when: • You suspect that mold exists in the air ducts. • You notice a vermin infestation somewhere in the home, or you see insects or rodents entering or exiting ductwork. • You see a visible “poof” of dust released from the supply registers when air is exiting the vents. Mack recommends taking a look inside your air vent register. “If you notice black debris around the outside, that’s pollutants that have been recycled through the system over and over again, and that’s a sign your system is excessively soiled,” he says. “Also, take a look at your system when you change your filter. If there’s a lot of dust buildup in that area, that’s another sign you’re overdue for a cleaning.” Most experts, including the EPA, have not endorsed air duct cleaning as a remedy for health issues, but cleaners say they’ve amassed a growing body of anecdotal evidence that it does provide some benefit. Mack says a proper air duct cleaning will help with the biggest causes of respiratory problems. “If you have asthma, your number one enemy is dust mites,” he says. “And for people with allergies, pollen and dander are a big problem. These are microscopic elements you can’t see with the naked eye, and they’re commonly found in air ducts. A good cleaning will remove a lot of them.” However, NADCA standards caution that these elements will be removed only by a thorough cleaning that addresses every part of the system that air moves across, not just the air ducts. “A good cleaner is going to use a negative air machine and a rotary brush cabling system,” Mack says. “The brush goes through the ducts and knocks the debris loose, and the negative
air machine vacuums it away.” NADCA says people should clean ducts under these circumstances: • Every 3 to 5 years. Be wary of a contractor who suggests more frequent cleanings. • When you move into a new home, unless you know the previous homeowner serviced the air ducts within the past 3 years. • After building a new home. It’s likely the ducts have built up debris from drywall dust and other materials used during the construction phase. • After completing a home remodeling project. Construction projects spread sawdust throughout the home, and unless you go to lengths to protect the ducts, the dust will extend into the ductwork. • If you have pets in the home that shed fur and dander. Duct cleaning and effective home cleaning practices can help to prevent it from spreading throughout the home. Professionals warn homeowners to avoid air duct cleaning scams and stay away from excessively cheap specials that seem too good to be true. “These are less reputable contractors who will use the very low price to get into your house and then keep piling on the extra charges,” Mack said. Keep these points in mind when hiring an air duct cleaning company: • A good duct cleaning costs between $400 and $1,000 and addresses every aspect of the system that air passes over, including the furnace, air coils and central system. Good cleaners will use negative air machines with HEPA filters. • It should take a few hours. An air duct cleaner who’s in and out in less than an hour probably didn’t do a good job. • Many quality ductwork cleaners use truckmounted, outside vacuum systems that contain dust and debris outside the house. • Ask whether they follow the standards set by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association.
TREE CARE
Plan before you prune Fall is a tempting time to trim; just do it correctly, say experts BY SANDRA L. MASON University of Illinois Extension Service
URBANA – When fall’s cooler weather arrives, the urge to work outdoors is hard to resist. The heat and humidity of summer are past, and the changing colors of leaves are pleasing and relaxing. The impulse to clean up plants and make sure the gardens are put to bed before snowfall can be strong. But one mistake that people make during the rise of fall yardwork is that people often pull out pruning tools and begin to prune trees – but they do it too late in the season, or they clip the wrong parts, said a University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. Kari Houle said that pruning trees in late summer and fall encourages new growth that won’t have time to harden off before winter arrives. “Hardening off” means that the plants have time to prepare for the coming freeze. “The only reason that pruning should occur in the fall is to remove dead or damaged branches to minimize stress on the tree,” she said. “The best time to prune trees is during the dormant season. If you don’t end up having time to prune trees during the dormant season, avoid pruning right after trees leaf out in the spring,” Houle said. TREES CONTINUED ON C6
If you’re looking out the window and thinking it’s time to trim your tree, you might be right – but just make sure you do it the right way. Experts say the only reason to prune in the fall is to lop off dead or damaged branches.
Metro News Service
Custom fit to provide a clean, neat appearance, reduce drafts and the cost of installation.
REPLACEMENT WINDOWS from Dixon Builders Supply
The
GOOD GUYS with the
SOLUTIONS TO YOUR PEST PROBLEMS
GOOD BUYS!
Specialist in Ants • Mosquitos • Boxelder Bugs Fleas • Mice • Preventative Services
We offer quality window and door products from Marvin® for their quality craftsmanship, design options and energy efficiency.
1217 E. River Rd., Dixon • 815.288.6565 • Mon - Fri 7:30-5, Sat 8am-noon
YOU CAN NOW SCHEDULE YOUR
Check out our new website
www.pccil.com
815.284.4101 • 815.625.5901 1100 W. 2nd Street, Dixon, IL
33 Years of Service Built on Honesty, Integrity & Service • Home Heating
• LP Tank Sales & Service
• LP Gas Heaters • Gas Grills
• Forward Contract for LP Gas for Farmers
• Hot Water Heaters
• Guaranteed Winter Rates
• Grain Drying
FALL TUNE & CHECK OR SERVICE CALL ONLINE! www.loescherhvac.com
Is your current system ready for an upgrade? Contact us today for a free estimate!
815.625.HVAC (4822)
HEATING • AIR CONDITIONING PLUMBING • ELECTRICAL CLEAN AIR • AMBIENCE LOESCHER IS PROUD TO PROVIDE YORK PRODUCTS FOR YOUR HOME, OFFICE OR FACTORY.
24-HOUR SERVICE • 7 DAYS A WEEK
Burkardt’s LP Gas Located on Rt. 26 - 2 miles south of Polo
Business: 815-946-3081 Home : 815-946-3080
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Master Card Visa Discover
*24 Hr. Emergency Service On All Brands of Equipment
C6 • Sauk Valley Media
www.saukvalley.com
Thursday, September 17, 2015
TURF TIPS | AERATING
Your lawn’s ace in the hole
Poking around in your grass can promote growth and discourage disease StatePoint Media
Fall is a great time to aerate the lawn. Whether you do it yourself or hire a lawn care professional to do it for you, aeration at least once per year provides a number of benefits to your lawn, say experts. The main benefit is to relieve compaction and increase pore space, which promotes gas exchange and microbial activity in the soil and creates a better, more supportive environment for lawn health and vitality. Aeration also promotes better soil drainage, which helps keep disease at bay and allows more water to percolate into the soil from rain or irrigation, meaning less runoff and more water getting where it needs to go. “Ideal aeration timing depends on turf type and geography,” says Lloyd Von Scheliha of Exmark Manufacturing, a manufacturer of turf care equipment. “But annual aeration provides valuable agronomic benefits to virtually any turfgrass.” With that in mind, here are some tips from the experts at Exmark to get the most benefits from aeration: • Timing: Ideally, aeration should
take place during times of active growth to help with recovery. Avoid aeration during times of heat stress or times preceding dormancy. It’s typically best to aerate cool season grasses in the spring or fall, while with warm season grasses, it’s best to aerate in late spring or early fall. • Proper equipment: Use gear that meets the needs of your lawn. Depending on the size of your lawn, there’s aerating equipment for every need: “shoes” you strap on with spikes on the bottom, handheld tools, push-behind motorized aerators, ones you pull with a garden tractor, and riding aerators for larger lawns. • Follow-up: After aeration, it’s a good idea to water the lawn, as well as a good time to apply fertilizer or overseed if needed. Be careful not to apply a pre-emergent if you plan to overseed, however, as it will prevent the new seed from growing. Don’t let this important, but often overlooked lawn care task escape your attention this season. At the ideal time for your lawn, either take it upon yourself or hire a professional to give your grass a better chance at thriving.
Submitted photos
There’s more than one way to aerate your lawn, from aerating shoes for small jobs all the way up to riding aerators for larger jobs, and sizes in between.
Trees can still use water, even during the fall months TREES
CONTINUED FROM C5
Another good habit to get into regarding fall and winter tree care is to provide adequate soil moisture. “Reducing irrigation in fall can cause stress on trees, and it’s best to keep soil moist as long as the ground isn’t frozen, as roots will still pull moisture up,” Houle said. “By providing supplemental irrigation, you reduce stress on the tree
through the winter. “This is especially important for evergreens as they can suffer from winter desiccation, which is loss of moisture from intense winter winds and sun,” she added. Making sure to properly mulch trees helps to also reduce ground temperature fluctuations as well as to assist in maintaining soil moisture. Houle recommends organicbased mulches. “Apply mulch 2 to 4 inches deep
and maintain a 2-inch gap between the tree trunk and mulch,” she said. For many years, it was recommended to wrap newly planted trees or thin bark trees to protect them from sunscald over the winter. Houle said that research has shown that tree wraps do not help to minimize temperature fluctuations but can, in fact, increase the temperature extremes on the trunk of the tree.
HOT FALL
SAVINGS!
“Tree wraps can also be a perfect place for insects and disease to take up residence,” she said. “Unless you do need to
Cl
M
SAVE
wrap the trunk of the tree to protect it from animals such as deer, then abstain from use. If using tree wraps for protection,
n&H
then make sure to use light-colored wraps and wait until as late as possible, removing the wrap early in the spring.”
l h ? •Residential •Commercial •Institutions •Apartments •Restaurants • Industrial
be N t.
Let us keep your home free of germ carrying pests.
TERMITE INSPECTIONS Positive control of roaches, fleas, carpenter ants, ticks, mice, silverfish, spiders and other pests.
CR ROWN Ex mi
$100
ors
Call Our Local Certifi fieed Staff Direct: Jerrr y Melton: General Manager /Techniccian 815-590-33094 Vanessa Greer: Certifi fied Technician 815-6631-8604 Bob Insley : Certifi fieed Technician 815-4499-3094
on any Avalon stove, fireplace or insert.
Or 815-6 625-8604 answeredd 24/7 Seervingg the SAUK K VAL LLEY Y areaa sincce 19881
DON’T WAIT! Offer Expires Oct. 2, 2015!
101 E. 2nd Street Sterling, IL
815-625-0937
www.plainwellbrass.com
Come To Spanglers
Kubota’s Orange Plus Program saves you money on the performance-matched attachments and implements you need. Mix, match and save – that’s the plus side of buying Kubota Orange.
1,300
$
Customer Instant Rebate
The Best Selection of Affordable Nursery Stock! Specials For September 16th thru 23rd
25%
OFF
with purchase of a new Kubota BX70/BX70-1 Series with two or more qualifying implements.*/**
Offer ends 10/31/15.
All Fruit Trees & Perennials
Birkey's Farm Store, Inc. 200 North St. Prophetstown,IL 61277 (815) 537-2304
(Cash & Carry only / Limited to stock on hand)
JUST WEST OF MORRISON ON HWY. 30 | 815-772-4318 Mon.-Sat. 8am-6pm; Sun. 12-6pm
www.spanglerslandscapedesign.com
kubota.com
*Customer instant rebates of $1,000 are available on purchases of new Kubota BX70 Series with two or more qualifying new Kubota or Land Pride implements or BX25/BX25D/BXD TLB with one additional implement from participating dealers’ stock. Dealer subtracts rebate from dealer’s pre-rebate selling price on qualifying purchases. Rebate not available after completed sale. Some exceptions apply. Offer expires 10/31/2015. **Customer instant rebates of $300 are available on purchases of new Kubota BX70/BX70-1 Series (Including BX25D/BX25D-1) equipment from participating dealers’ stock. Dealer subtracts rebate from dealer’s pre-rebate selling price on qualifying purchases. Rebate not available after completed sale. Some exceptions apply. Offer expires 10/31/2015. Optional equipment may be shown.
© Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2015
Thursday, September 17, 2015
www.saukvalley.com
Sauk Valley Media • C7
AROUND THE HOUSE| COLORS
Spice up your home? Can do
Leftover paint can be a goldmine when it comes to home decorating The Paint Quality Institute
Yellow counters and sinks, orange stoves, pink blenders — kitchens aren’t just your basic bisque and blacks anymore. Designers are mixing things up with some colors that make the pink and blue days of the flamboyant ’50s look tame. Submitted photos
Pop goes the kitchen Tried-and-true kitchen colors haven’t gone away, but they’ve made room for some eye-popping additions Tribune News Service
Some like it hot, but when it comes to kitchen design, most of us don’t dare to boldly go where no one has gone before. A little edgy with backsplashes, maybe. A lime spatula or even a KitchenAid mixer in raspberry, why not? But an aqua fridge? Or a radiant orchid range? Seriously? Seriously. This is not for the design timid. This is about the anti-white kitchen, that classic that remains most picked, in spite of what design editors might want. White is not at all what Pasadena, California, homeowners Karen and Brian Frid-Madden wanted. They envisioned an almost Alice in Wonderland-like gathering place for their two small daughters. They are also huge fans of the work of Mexican architect Luis Barragan (known for expansive planes of color even on the facades of buildings), so color fit right in. “Barragan used color to augment his mastery of space and light within his designs,” says Elina Katsioula-Beall of DeWitt Designer Kitchens, who worked with the Frid-Maddens. “This, coupled with the theme of bringing the outdoors in by using the cabinetry to evoke fuchsia flower beds, gave us a unique starting point.” For the design, Katsioula-Beall teamed a neon palette with iridescent tiles, silver painted backsplash and stainless steel, which she says absorb the vibrant hues “like tinted chameleons
as the play of light passes over them.” Some might think it a cacophony of color. Others might be more comfortable with monochromatic splashes of bold hues. New Yorkbased Miles Redd has a few high-gloss apple green kitchen cabinets in his design repertoire, making for haute drama in tight spaces. In the past year, though, a move out of safe neutrals was not limited to cabinets, custom or not. Faucets, sinks, refrigerators and even ranges were introduced in astonishingly unexpected hues. Last year’s Pantone color of the year, Radiant Orchid, was repped in ovens by Dacor and a range by BlueStar. Now that’s some commitment. But no worries if you’re not jazzed by the purple family; BlueStar offers more than 750 color and finish selections. Chicago designer John Wiltgen has never delved into brights in the more permanent parts of the kitchen. Instead he’s paved backsplashes with expressive geometric patterns and popped in bright accessories. In his home, he did wrap an entire kitchen wall in embossed snakeskin-like leather; still, it’s a muted gray. “We’re doing two white kitchens right now,” Wiltgen says. “One is for a transplanted San Francisco couple who were remodeling for 2 years and then got transferred here. They hope to stay put, but they don’t want the design to affect resale
Make us your fall fix-up headquarters. We are your full-service hardware store!
value.” For those artsy, eclectic folk who may not give a flip about resale values, there’s plenty of exuberant color for the kitchen to make you feel like a kid in a candy store (or a Jonathan Adler shop). Go for an eye-popping faucet. Hastings Tile & Il Bagno does it right with its simple, clean-lined Vola single lever, deckmounted faucet, available in 15 hues. Sink your teeth into luscious color for the main or island sink. Pyrolave, an enameled lava stone available as countertop material or sinks, comes in 16 glossy and 16 matte shades, as well as custom colors to match existing interiors. Keep it cool in a colorful fridge. The Italian company Smeg shows off a little retro ’50s styling with soft, rounded edges and a range of happy hues. Heat it up with a colorful oven or range. Dacor wall ovens are available in 10 standard colors including cordon bleu,
citron, crimson and tangerine plus virtually any color imaginable with its ColorMatch system – you provide a swatch. Italian manufacturer Bertozzoni spices up color with tangy orange, lemon yellow or tomato red – in Ferrari finishes. Make a case for color. From matte to glossy, paneled to modern cabinets, there are Snaidero’s glossy brights, as in canary yellow or fiery red, and the latest from manufacturer Plain & Fancy, in a juicy range from apricot to tangerine, with paneled door fronts that wake up tradition. Or paint your own to give them a little pop. Try color as a feature wall to add zest to white or anchor island cabinets with a spicy accent. Be counter intuitive. Silestone, a natural quartz product by Spanish-based Cosentino, dishes up cool hues from magenta to coral, yellows to apple green and cobalt.
You’ve spent the summer with brush in hand, sprucing up siding, touching up windows, painting walls. Now, fall and winter are on the way, and you might be wondering what to do with all that leftover paint? How about dipping into your paint supply and tackling a smaller job – something you can do indoors – and spicing up your decor in the process? If you’re sitting on a stash of leftover paint, you have a goldmine when it comes to home decorating. With a little imagination and creative flair, you can use paint leftovers to give your home extra appeal. Want to give it a go? Here are 10 ideas:. Make kitchen items kitschy. It takes only a little paint to provide canisters, coasters, or the handles of wooden spoons and spatulas with bright, fun colors that can make cooking more joyful. Colorize some flowerpots. In the same way, planters and flowerpots can be decorated with paint color – the more, the merrier. Paint them one solid color, or embellish them with pattern for more panache. Dress up a dresser. Have an old dresser that’s tired-looking? Use different colors on different parts for added visual interest. Do the same with an old stool, table, or cabinet. Rejuvenate “junk” furniture. Check
out your attic or your neighbors’ discards. You might find hidden treasure in the form of a piece just pining for a fresh coat of paint. Put a stamp on your walls. Add pizzazz to painted walls with a handcrafted patterned border. Fashion a “stamp” out of an old sponge in the pattern of your choice. Then, dip it in the leftover paint and dab new color onto the walls. Speak with an accent. Express your home’s individuality by adding accent color to a door, doorway, or an entire wall. The unexpected color will make your interior something special. Beautify a built-in. Embellish built-in bookcases, cabinets, or a mantelpiece with leftover paint to create striking elements in your decor. Stencil something. Using a homemade or commercial stencil, apply paint to just about anything – a piece of furniture, a wall, or even the floor. It can render the ordinary, extraordinary. Make like an artist. Why buy art supplies, when you have a handpicked palette of colors? Use them as is, or mix them as needed to create murals or your own artwork. Frame your artwork. Repaint the frames on your prints, paintings and drawings to give them a fresh appearance. Or, paint a simulated “frame” right on the wall to draw attention to favorite objects or sculpture.
REPAIR. REPAINT. REFINISH. REFINANCE. Don’t overlook the most important part of your home improvement plan! Call us today to see how we can improve on your current mortgage rate.
Serving the Community since 1942 451 N. Main Ave., Milledgeville • 815-225-7171 • www.milledgevillebank.com
PLUMBERS PROTECT THE GOOD HEALTH OF THE NATION
We offer services including, but not limited to… 307 FIRST AVE.,STERLING
MON.-FRI. 9 - 6P.M., SAT. 9 - 5P.M., SUN. 10 - 4P.M.
MCS
Moore Construction Services Rock Falls, IL Since 1981
Sewer Rodding • Sewer Televising & Steaming Franklin Livestock Waterers • Site Plumbing Backflow Prevention & Maintenance Garbage Disposals • Bathroom Remodels Drainfields & Septics • Backhoe • Boilers KOHLER Products • Water Heaters • Furnaces Goulds Jet Pumps • Submersible Water Pumps Sump Pumps • Sewage Pumps Sewer Line • Repairs • Water Service Repairs Underground Boring • Air Conditioning RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • FARM • INDUSTRIAL
Home Improvement • New Construction Specializing in Complete Remodels
It’s time to schedule your kitchen/bath remodel or build your garage/addition! 411 W. 1st. St., Dixon 815-288-2255 Shop online! kitzmanlumber.com
WE SHIP UPS
Quality Products & Workmanship Competitive Prices Randy L. Moore 1-815-626-1333
IL State Roofing Licensed - 1986 Bonded-Insured
Family owned and operated since 1967!
502 IL Rt. 2, Dixon • 815-284-2044
IL Licensed 055-000988
C8 • Sauk Valley Media
www.saukvalley.com
Thursday, September 17, 2015
COLUMBUS DAY Mattress Sale! M
NEW
LINEUP IS HERE! Eurotop
Firm
Plush
Full size set: $397.99 (reg 499.99) Queen set: $447.99 (reg 599.99) King set: $577.99 (reg 749.99)
Full size set: $577.99 (reg 729.99) Queen set: $647.99 (reg 799.99) King set: $877.99 (reg 1099.99)
Full size set: $427.99 (reg 579.99) Queen set: $497.99 (reg 649.99) King set: $677.99 (reg 849.99)
ear! 10 -Y RANTY ASTR W ILS! ORE FOR DETA SEE
10 - Year
MATTRESS PROTECTOR
Queen Size
$59
99
(With Set Purchase)
QUEEN BEDFRAME (With Purchase of Any Queen Mattress Set)
$59 99
LAYAWAY AVAILABLE LOCK IN THESE PRICES TODAY • Appliances • TV’s • Mattresses • Hot Tubs
2400 N. Locust St. Sterling, IL
815.625.8529
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm Sat 9am - 3pm