Homestyle & Garden Spring 2019

Skagit

HomE style & Garden

Spring 2019

A Home Improvement Guide

A supplement to the Skagit Valley Herald and Anacortes American

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SPRING HOMESTYLE & GARDEN | WILDLIFE

Help Save the Bees B

ees produce more than tasty, sweet honey. We owe most of our food to the hard work of one of the species of apis.

Seventy out of the top 100 human food crops, about 90 percent of the world’s nutrition, are pollinated by bees, Greenpeace says. But bees are in crisis.

Colony collapse disorder occurs when most of a colony’s worker bees disappear, causing the colony to slowly die off.

CCD ran rampant starting in the mid-2000s, when beekeepers began reporting up to a 90 percent loss of their hives. The disorder has scaled off somewhat, but bees are also under attack from pesticides, global warming, habitat loss and diseases.

How You Can Help Start by looking at what pesticides you use and opting, if possible, for organic solutions that don’t harm bees. Then plan some plantings.

When choosing new spring color for your beds, ask your nursery worker to point you toward flowering plants that bees like and that are native to 2

your area, requiring less chemical care than other varieties.

Build a Bee House Build or buy bee houses for your garden.

North America is home to more than 4,000 native bee species — honey bees were imported from Europe in the 1600s — and most of those don’t live in hives, the National

Wildlife Federation says.

Instead, they live in small nests carved into soil or wood. And, bonus, they rarely sting. Talk to your local nursery or agriculture extension agent about what bees live in your area and how to create the best habitat for them.

Don’t Forget the Water Bees and other

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pollinators need water, too. Add a water feature to your garden. It can be as simple as a bird bath you regularly refresh. Add rocks or pebbles that stick out above the water line to give bees and other insects a safe place to land.

Dump the water every few days to kill any mosquito larvae, and stay away from chemicals. goskagit.com

Contents Help Save the Bees . . ..................................... 2 Plant Local .................................................. 4 Create a Miniature Water Garden .. ................. 5 Edible Landscapes . . ...................................... 6 The Small Garden ......................................... 8 The Beauty of Peonies .................................. 9 Patio Perfect ............................................. 10 SKAGIT PUBLISHING

About: Cuphea “Vermillionaire” . . .................. 11

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Hiring an Exterior Painter ........................... 12 Beautiful, Versatile Container Gardening ..... 13 Keeping Your Cool ...................................... 14 Understanding Hardiness Zones. . .................. 15

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SPRING HOMESTYLE & GARDEN | NATIVE PLANTS

Plant Local N

and propagate. ative planting means choosing the map and determine your plant blooms and bushes that grow hardiness zone.

If the gaps in your garden are in your area on their own.

Location, Location, Location killing you, ask your garden center

The U.S. Department of Look around your yard. Observe Agriculture says native plantings the places where you want to plant are already adapted to your climate and how many hours of sun and and soil conditions and provide shade those spots get. important nectar, pollen and seeds to Does water pool there? Is it dry? native fauna.

What’s the soil like? Is it close to They do not require fertilizers, your house or driveway? What need fewer pesticides, are less native plants are around you? thirsty and can prevent erosion, may What’s your budget? These are all not require mowing, and promote questions the plant experts at your biodiversity. local garden store will ask.

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Know Your Zone

Be Patient

The first step to native planting is to know your planting zone. The USDA maintains the map, which is available online. Before you leave for your local nursery or garden store, look up your address on

Remember, this is a marathon.

Native plants may take a year or so to get established and grow into their new habitat, the USDA warns.

When you plant, you’ll also need to leave room for the plants to grow

about potted plants or small garden sculptures you can easily move to fill in.

Controlling Weeds and Invasive Species While you’re at the nursery center, talk to the experts there about weed control and invasive species to look for. Especially if you’re reusing beds that were planted with invasive species before, you may have your hands full for a couple of years. Weed control techniques to consider are pulling them by hand, using environmentally friendly mulches to suppress weeds among young plants, and the careful use of herbicides.

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Create a Miniature Water Garden All you need is a watertight container, a few plants and some water to create a miniature water garden that will add an exotic touch to your backyard. As the centrepiece of your deck or as a decorative feature in a rockery, a miniature water garden puts you

in a peaceful state of mind as soon as you see it. Here’s how you can create your own in a few easy steps.

Choose a waterproof container with a diame­ter of about 45 cm and a depth of about 30 cm. It should continued on page 7

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SPRING HOMESTYLE & GARDEN | GARDEN TO TABLE

Edible Landscapes Y

ou can pack your gardens with plants that are edible to more than just bees and butterflies. With a little work, you can make your yard beautiful both outdoors and on your dinner plate.

What Does Your Garden Grow?

First, determine what kind of things you want to grow and how much work you want to put in.

Are you comfortable on ladders, and do you have the room for fruit trees?

Do you use a lot of herbs?

What about edible flowers, such as viola?

Color On More Than Your Plate We know it’s healthful to eat the rainbow and a plate full of colorful veg looks tasty. But you also can take advantage of those bright, beautiful colors in your garden.

Consider pairing bursts of colorful greens, such as species of cabbage or kale, with snowy white cauliflower. Take advantage of the tall, leggy shapes of beans and tomatoes. Alternate the shapes not only for optic interest, but also to prevent diseases from spreading.

Herbs in More Than Pesto Mix and match herbs with ornamentals in your garden. Some species 6

even masquerade as ornamentals, especially if you leave some to bloom and go to seed. They also make a tasty meal for pollinators or even boost the smell in a bouquet of your homegrown blooms.

Again, make sure to plan for your location and color.

There are species of basil, for example, that are deep, vibrant purple and oregano that turns a lovely soft silver.

Perfect Pots If you’ve got a small space, never fear. Your local garden center can

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point you to herbs, greens, tomatoes and even fruit trees that thrive in pots.

Remember to consider how you’ll move the pots in case of a cold snap and how to feed and maintain these miniature produce aisles in your yard. goskagit.com

WATER GARDEN from page 5

be made of plastic, ceramic or wood and not have any drainage holes.

Avoid terracotta pots, as you would have to apply a waterproof coating to seal them.

Your mini water garden should contain a plant from each of the following categories in or­der to create a perfect ecosystem:

Position a brick in the bottom of the container and place the root ball of your emergent plant on it. The brick is useful for rai­sing the plant to the appropriate height. Place the floating foliage plant and oxyge­ nating plant in the container, one on each side of the emergent plant.

Then fill your container with water and drop your floating plant on the

surface. You’re done!

Check the water level of­ten over the summer, ad­ding more when ne­ces­sary. You can keep your mini water garden looking beautiful by cut­ting away any yellowing foliage and feeding your dwarf water lily with a fertilizer pellet designed specifically for this type of plant.

• an oxygenating plant (waterweed, ceratophylla or myriophillum) • a floating plant (water hyacinth, water lettuce, duckweed, etc.)

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• an emergent plant (canna, iris versicolor, co­locasia, etc.)

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SPRING HOMESTYLE & GARDEN | GARDEN SPACES

E

The Small Garden

ven if you don’t have a large yard or green space to work with, you can still have a beautiful outdoor space to work out your green thumb. Here are some hints for making the most of your little slice of the great outdoors.

gets. Not into a lot of elbow grease outdoors? Try shelves of succulents in a variety of colors and pots.

Take Advantage of Vines You don’t need a lot of room for flowering (or even fruiting) vines to grow. Instead, arrange them along shaped trellises or cages and take advantage of their natural propensity to spread. Keep the vines pruned to keep them from taking over.

almost anything into a flower pot with a little work. Get creative and recycle (clean) tin cans and interesting containers. A lot of local garden centers and pottery shops may also offer up pretty pots at great prices.

Pair it Up

If you’re planting edible plants, such as fruit trees, pair them up, if Just like in cities, the quickest needed, so they bear fruit. Talk to way to get more space may be to go the experts at your garden center up. Line a fence or wall with artfully about varieties that need a mate Creative Containers placed flower boxes and alternate and those that are self-pollinating. color and greenery. Choose plants Keep in mind that your Many fruit trees are created to grow for leafy texture as well as blossoms, containers will need to drain, be on patios, including apples, citrus, and remember to take into account mobile and stand up to the elements. peaches and more. the amount of sun your space Once that’s covered, you can make

Think Vertical

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HOMEstyle & Garden SPRING 2019

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The Beauty of Peonies Peonies are among the easiest plants to grow. In fact, they can bloom for over 50 years when planted in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. If you put in a peony bush now, your children, grandchildren and future ge­nerations will be able to enjoy the beauty of

its huge red, pink, white or yellow flowers every spring for years to come.

Looking after peonies doesn’t re­quire any special knowledge. For beau­tiful flowers every year, just spread some compost to en­rich the soil and weed on a regular basis.

Unless the summer is exceptionally dry, peonies almost never need to be watered. The exception is for new plants, which need a little water every week for the first two years.

Remove faded flowers throughout continued on page 11

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SPRING HOMESTYLE & GARDEN | OUTDOORS

Patio Perfect N

ow that warmer weather is here, it’s time to get outside and get your patio ready for morning coffee, solo time with a book or a big dinner with friends and family. Keep reading for more tips on creating the perfect outdoor space to fit your needs and your budget.

Furniture After a long winter outdoors, you may need to freshen up your furniture a bit. First, try cleaning it. Try a mix of 2 cups of white vinegar to 2 tablespoons of dish soap.

Spot test it first to make sure the solution doesn’t ruin any fabrics or finishes.

If you’re good to go, work it into the hard surfaces with a stiff-bristled brush and rinse well. You can also use this solution on cushions and umbrellas (again, spot test first) with a softer brush.

If a good wash doesn’t work, maybe it’s time for a fresh coat of paint. Take your cleaned furniture to an open, well-ventilated space and opt for an outdoor spray paint that’s appropriate to your furniture’s material. If you’re painting metal furniture, look for a paint that inhibits rust. For plastic, make sure the paint you pick will adhere to plastics. While matte finishes are in, glossy finishes are easier to clean.

Your local home store 10

offers a variety of paints, colors and finishes to choose from.

Made in the Shade Throw the best kind of shade — the kind you can sip a lovely beverage under. Look beyond the umbrella at sunsails, awnings, canopies and more. Some more complex installs, like a retractable awning,

may require professional installation. But there are easier solutions you can do yourself, like a sail or a canopy. Just make sure your shady solution is securely fastened so it doesn’t blow away in a summer storm.

Pick a Peck of Pots Get creative with containers, textures and blooms in your patio

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space. Choose plants with leaves and blooms that complement the colors of your furniture and cushions.

If your thumb is a lighter shade of green, ask the pros at your garden center to help you pick easy-care plants that can stand up to the weather in your area.

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PEONIES from page 9

Cuphea “Vermillionaire”

the flowe­ring period and cut the plant down to 10 cm from the ground in the fall. In the past, our grandmothers used to stake peonies in the spring to prevent flowers from drooping when it rained; however, new species of pe­onies have much stronger stems that don’t usually need tutors.

There are a lot of ants on or around your peonies? Don’t worry; ants are valuable allies that protect peonies from other insects. To make an ant-free bouquet of peonies, cut them when the flowers are just about to open and shake them gently upside down to get rid of the ants. By the way, that’s a great tip to pass on to your children and grandchildren.

Name: Cuphea “Vermillionaire” Latin name: Cuphea “Vermillionaire” Family: Lythraceae Possible colors: Orange-red Height: 12 to 24” Spread: 12 to 24” Exposure: Sun or partial shade Planting: Can grow in poor but well-drained soil Flowering: All summer Specific maintenance and care This robust plant, also known as the large firecracker plant, is perfect for gardeners who don’t have a green thumb. As a wise man said, “It grows by itself.” Covered all summer long with small, drooping and tubular orange-red flowers, this variety of Cuphea doesn’t require any special care and thrives in sunny spots. If you love mixed flower beds, this specimen blends well with other plants. Cuphea shows to advantage when grown

alongside plants with lime-green foliage. Water two or three times a week and fertilize every two to three weeks during the growing season.

Interesting fact Experts agree that Cuphea is great for the environment. Nectar-rich, this flower attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators like a magnet.

It grows well in both flowerbeds and containers and is an abundant flowerer, especially in full sun, although it performs very well in partial shade.

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SPRING HOMESTYLE & GARDEN | GETTING THE JOB DONE

Hiring an Exterior Painter A

ll the sprucing up in the yard may make you turn a critical eye to the exterior of your home.

While you can paint the outside of your home yourself, most homeowners choose to hire a contractor for this big job. Here are some tips for picking a pro from Consumer Reports.

Set Up a Meeting Ask friends, family and the local paint store for recommendations, then set up a meeting time with each contractor. He or she will want to walk around your home and take a close look at all the surfaces to provide a detailed estimate. Be wary of short visits. Ask how big the contractor’s crew is and how much experience they have.

Get it in Writing Each contractor should provide you with a written estimate that includes a complete breakdown of costs, including labor and supplies.

Look for the brand of paint they plan to use, number of coats and surface prep work that must be

done, like replacing rotten wood.

Once you pick a contractor, they also should provide you with a written contract. The contract should include everything in the estimate, plus a

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clear outline of what is and is not included in the work. You also can ask for a guarantee of the work; your paint may offer a warranty, but it probably doesn’t include labor.

Check References and Credentials Talk to past clients and, if you can, look at their work from several years ago to see how well it holds up. Also check more recent projects to see the skills of the current crew.

Make sure each contractor is up to date with any local or state licenses and that they have their own insurance.

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Beautiful, Versatile Container Gardening You don’t need a huge yard or a ton of fancy equipment to start indulging your green thumb.

Container gardening is a simple, beginner-friendly way to grow your own fruits, veggies, herbs and flowers at home, in even the tiniest of outdoor spaces.

plant homes, and your local home im­provement store is chock-full of

containers that will give your garden a unique flair.

Who can benefit from container gardening?

The beauty of using containers to create an at-home garden is how accessible it is. Potted plants are an especially good solution for people with little or no ground space available, such as those living in apartment complexes with only a small balcony to work with. People with limited physical abilities can also benefit, as raised flowerbeds or pots on tables make gardening possible for the wheelchair-bound and people with mo­bility issues.

• • • • • •

What to grow There is a huge selection of garden plants suited to containers.

Vegetables such as to­matoes, cucumbers, eggplants, onions and peas thrive in larger pots, while a variety of herbs can be successfully grown in even the tiniest containers. It’s a great way to keep a fresh supply of kitchen staples like parsley, basil, rosemary and thyme on hand at all times. For a more decorative container garden, annuals are your best bet, as they provide colourful blooms all summer long. Po­pular choices for potted flowers include be­gonias, marigolds, petunias and zinnias.

Get creative with your container garden. Old household objects can be recycled into unique-looking

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SPRING HOMESTYLE & GARDEN | MAJOR SYSTEMS

Keeping Your Cool W

arm breezes mean the return of the air conditioning season is right around the corner.

Make sure your unit is ready to keep you cool with a little preventive maintenance. Here are some tips from the DIY Network on how to keep your HVAC in its best shape.

A Good Cleaning Give your outside unit a good cleaning before the full heat of summer hits. Clear away any debris, like the last of winter’s dead leaves, from inside and outside the unit.

Remove the fan cage and give the inside and outside of the fins on the walls of the unit a gentle spray with a hose. If they’re especially dirty, hit the home improvement center for a spray cleaner just for HVAC units.

While you’re cleaning, look for bent fins and straighten them with a fin straightening tool or a butter knife.

Be gentle, though; you don’t want to inside. Dust the coil with a water, then dump a 50-50 solution damage the tubing. soft brush, then use a no-rinse of water and bleach down the pan to Inside Maintenance condenser cleaner spray from the inhibit algae growth.

For the inside unit, remove the home improvement store to clean it.

Hiring a Pro panel to expose the condenser Clean the drip pan with soap and hot If any of this sounds like hard work, or if you have a clog or a discover a problem with your HVAC, turn to a pro. Some heating and air companies may even offer a maintenance contract where they drop by on a schedule. Look for a Better Prices. Better Quality. heating and air service with good 448 Fashion Way, Ste. 276 recommendations. As with any Burlington, WA 98233 contractor, also check to make sure 360.588.4573 their licenses and insurance are up FurnitureTodayWA.com to date and get any estimates and contracts in writing.

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Understanding Hardiness Zones Hardiness zones are geographical areas in which a given category of plant can successfully be grown.

The concept was first de­ve­ loped by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and countries around the world have since adapted the system to their own territories. But while hardiness zo­nes can be quite useful, both for the casual gardener and the agricultural world, the mo­del is far from perfect.

Hardiness zones are largely decided on a gi­ven plant’s ability to survive in each zone’s lowest winter temperature, without factoring in summertime data or snow cover.

As a re­sult, two areas that have

weather conditions around the world, which means that hardiness zones are always evolving. In 2012, the USDA updated its map of hardiness zones in the U.S. to reflect the warmer weather of the previous three decades, but even this newer data will likely be obsolete before long.

The bottom line is that hardiness zones are useful similar winter temperatures but tools when it comes to vastly different amounts of snow choosing plants adapted to a certain — or summers that have nothing in area, but they should be taken common — can end up in the same with a grain of salt. Find out what zone. With so many variable factors, your area’s hardiness zone is, and hardiness zo­nes aren’t always true do your own research to see how to reality. accurate — or not — the assessment actually is.

Furthermore, climate change is an unpredic­table force that modifies

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