Spring Homestyle & Garden 2020

A Home Improvement Guide A supplement to the Skagit Valley Herald and Anacortes American

SPRING 2020

Invitation to

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HOMEstyle & GARDEN SPRING 2020

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4 easy ways to revitalize your home for Spring

S

pring is the perfect time to refresh your home.

Here are some easy ways to perk up any room in your house.

1. Add a bright rug. A cheerful print will infuse new life into the surrounding space.

Just be sure that it’s large enough for all the furniture in the area to rest on it.

2. Change your linens. Curtains, bedding and towels can make a big difference in the look of a room. Swap out what you have now for bright prints and cheery colors.

3. Get some greenery. Plants are the 2

perfect design accent. If you don’t have a green thumb, mimic the look with artificial flowers or plants.

4. Refresh your walls. A fresh coat of paint can work wonders. Whether you choose a fun new color or stick to neutrals, your home will feel brand new.

Updating your home doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. If you’re on a budget, try simply rearranging your furniture or moving some of your decor around. The space will feel new and it won’t cost you a thing.

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contents Summon Spring into your home 4 easy ways to revitalize your home for Spring ............... 2 This season’s hottest interior design trends ............... 4 Spring cleaning: are you forgetting to .............................. 6 The best storage solutions for every room in your home ... 7 3 Springtime home improvement projects .............. 8

Invitation to the garden The benefits of growing native plants .........................10 The advantages of gardening with raised beds ..........11 Tips for growing great veggies in the Pacific Northwest...........................................12 3 things apple trees need to thrive ..............................13 Plants that thrive in acidic soil ......................................13 A guide to ergonomic gardening tools ........................14

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This season’s hottest interior design trends

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re you thinking about redecorating?

Then take inspiration from this season’s hottest design trends. Here’s what to look out for this Spring.

Cool colors Coastal hues will rule this season. Breezy blues, muted greens and pale pinks go perfectly with bold saffron accents. If you prefer neutral hues, opt for cool-toned grays 4

over the warmer beige or greige tones that have been popular in recent years.

Wood accents Natural wood is everywhere, from furniture to accessories. This season, the look is natural, not painted. Structural elements like exposed beams are also big. Opt for darker woods like walnut or teak over pale pine or maple.

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Botanical prints While florals are ubiquitous most Spring seasons, this year, leafy, tropical prints dominate.

Wallpapered accent walls look fresh with a cheery palm motif and traditional sofa shapes are given a modern update with feathery fern upholstery.

If you’re not ready for new furniture or wallpaper, consider framing some vintage botanical prints.

This season’s most popular colors and patterns may be trendy but they’re also timeless.

When you incorporate them into your home decor, you can be sure they’ll look great for years to come.

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Spring cleaning:

are you forgetting to tidy these parts of your home?

T

o guarantee that this year’s Spring cleaning is a success, target these often-neglected areas of your home.

REFRIGERATOR. Remove everything from

the fridge and throw out anything that’s past its expiration date. Take out shelves and drawers, scrub them using warm, soapy water and then replace them. Don’t use bleach or other strong cleaning products that shouldn’t come into contact with food.

BEDDING. Wash your duvets, comforters and

pillows in the washing machine using the gentle cycle. Run the rinse cycle twice to be sure all the soap is removed. If your machine isn’t big enough to fit a comforter or duvet, or you want to do it all at once, head to a local laundromat.

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BLINDS. Dust vinyl, aluminum or wood blinds

with a vacuum or a microfiber duster on both sides. If there’s a buildup of dirt, wash with a sponge and a solution of water and vinegar.

Fabric shades can be vacuumed or brought to the dry cleaner.

WALLS AND CEILINGS. Remove cobwebs

caught in the corners using a vacuum and wash the ceiling with an extendable sponge mop and slightly soapy water. Continue by cleaning the walls in the same way and giving the baseboards a good scrub.

Once you’re done, make it a point to re-clean these areas every few months. This will ensure your home is tidier throughout the year and minimize the amount of work to be done next Spring.

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The best storage solutions for every room in your home

D

id you finish your Spring cleaning only to realize you need more storage space?

Here’s a room by room look at some of the best solutions available.

Bedrooms

Kitchen

Garage

Install hidden trays under your cabinets to hide chargers, coffee pods and other essentials. In addition, placing pull-out shelves in cupboards will make it easier to organize your items.

Bathroom

Store your cleaning supplies on a Lazy Susan to make them easy to find when you need them.

Use baskets to hold things like bath towels or toilet paper.

Living room

Put a bowl on the coffee table to stylishly corral remote controls, magazines and other items.

Additionally, a storage ottoman is perfect for holding throws and pillows.

Take advantage of the space under your bed by adding drawers or using under-the-bed storage boxes.

Install overhead racks near the ceiling. This allows you to incorporate storage in the garage without sacrificing parking space. Use this area to hold stuff you don’t need to access often, like seasonal decorations and sporting gear.

Workshop, office or craft room

Mount a pegboard above your work area and use it to organize your tools or supplies. By hanging things on the wall, they’ll be easier to find and you’ll free up some room.

In addition, be sure to use the vertical space in your home. Install shelves above doors, get extra tall bookcases and put hooks on the back of closet doors.

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3 Springtime home improvement projects

A

re you thinking about updating your home this Spring? If so, these three projects are perfectly suited to the season.

1. Upgrade the landscaping. Spring is the

perfect time to upgrade flower beds and walkways or even install a pool or hot tub. Your garden will have time to grow in and you’ll be able to enjoy your new outdoor space all Summer long.

2. Rebuild or refinish the deck. If your deck has

seen better days, this is the ideal time to repair or rebuild it. Consider expanding it to create zones for eating,

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cooking and relaxing.

3. Replace the siding. If

your siding took a beating over the Winter, now’s the right time to replace it.

Choose a quality product and consider using a more modern color. Cool tones like gray, blue and green have been popular in recent years.

Spring is the best time of year to tackle most outdoor projects. Just be sure to get to them before the hotter weather arrives.

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Invitation to the garden

The benefits of growing native plants

C

ultivating native plants is an important part of preserving your region’s wildlife and ecological system.

Imported plants were popular for many years, but ecologically conscious gardeners are increasingly opting to grow native plants instead.

To be considered native, a plant must be indigenous to the area. In North America, any plant that was here before Europeans arrived is considered to be native. They have evolved that live here. alongside local wildlife, and are Because they’re suited to the uniquely able to support the local climate, indigenous plants birds, mammals and insects

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Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is indigenous to North America. It’s fragrant flowers attract pollinators.

often require much less care than flowers, shrubs and trees that come from other parts of the world. This means that you’ll spend less time watering and fertilizing and more time enjoying your plants. They also don’t require the use of pesticides, which makes them better for the environment.

Having a native garden is far from boring. Plants indigenous to your area come in all sizes, shapes and colors. From tiny groundcover to the tallest trees, you have many options to beautify your yard. As a bonus, your new plants will also encourage visits from local birds and butterflies.

Planting a native garden requires some research. To find out which plants are indigenous to your area turn to gardening clubs, the public library or the professionals at your local gardening center.

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The advantages of gardening with raised beds

D

o you want a garden but have poor soil? Then gardening with raised beds is likely the best solution.

Raised beds are garden plots raised several inches or more off the ground and enclosed on all sides by a frame made of wood or rock. You simply fill your box with rich soil then start planting the desired fruits, veggies, herbs, flowers and plants.

Raised beds are different from planters because they have open rather than closed bottoms.

Since raised beds are designed this way, they provide better drainage. Plus, the roots can extend into the ground and seek available nutrients.

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Having a raised garden bed has a number of other advantages, notably: It provides a strong barrier against weeds and pests Its soil doesn’t compact or erode away in the case of heavy rain

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It allows you to plant earlier in the season, since soil that’s above ground is warmer and drains better

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Lastly, gardening with raised beds is a great option for people with limited mobility or back problems. If the bed is high enough, you can tend to the garden without bending over.

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Tips for growing great veggies in the Pacific Northwest

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rowing a vegetable garden?

Great idea! Veggies from your garden are more nutritious and flavorful than the ones from your local grocery store. Plus, the Pacific Northwest is a prime region for growing vegetables, thanks to its lush soil and mild, rainy climate. Here are some tips for starting your own veggie garden.

Tomatoes Potatoes Onions Sweet peas Radishes Broccoli Beans Beets

vulnerable to disease. During peak rainy season, it’s wise to cover your plants with a row cover.

Select the right vegetables Watch your soil’s moisture Keep pests away The following veggies grow well level in the Pacific Northwest:

The vegetables listed above grow well in moist soil. However, drenched soil is a whole other matter. Excessive moisture leads to root rot and makes your plants

Carrots Lettuce Cabbage

The wet coastal weather is particularly accommodating to aphids, slugs and snails.

These pests can do considerable damage to a vegetable garden.

If they set up shop in yours, try one of these natural pest control solutions: Grow healthy plants and immediately remove diseased plants and leaves from your garden. And weed regularly — weeds are a safe haven for pests.

Grow plants that will attract the natural predators of the pests eating your veggies. Wasps, ladybugs, lacewings and ground beetles are known to help keep pest populations in check.

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Finally, remember that the best time to get planting is in Spring.

Be sure to start growing your vegetables at the end of April or in early May.

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3 things apple trees need to thrive

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pple trees are grown worldwide, and with over 7,500 varieties available, undoubtedly there’s at least one that would make a good addition to your yard. But before reaching for your shovel, you should make sure that your slice of earth is a good place for planting. Here are three things every apple tree require at least eight hours of needs to thrive and bear fruit. sun per day during growing Slightly acidic soil. Apple trees season. Make sure there’s a grow best in soil with a pH level sunny spot in your yard where between 6.8 and 6.5. Determine you can plant your tree. your soil’s pH with a soil test kit A second apple tree. If you or by calling in a professional. If want your apple tree to produce your soil isn’t within this range, apples, it needs to crossthere are strategies you can use pollinate with a friend. The to adjust the pH. second apple tree needs to be a Lots of sunlight. Apple trees different variety than the first

and should be within 100 feet of your tree. If there are no apple trees in the vicinity, it’s up to you to plant the second one.

If these conditions are met, you’re in good shape. Just make sure to learn how to best plant and care for your apple tree.

Your local nursery is a good place to turn to for advice and information.

Plants that thrive in acidic soil

D

oes your garden have particularly acidic soil?

If so, there are a number of wonderful plants that would feel right at home in your yard.

While most plants prefer soil that is neutral or only slightly acidic, there are numerous acid-loving and acid-tolerating species.

elderberries and gooseberries.

Some that tolerate acidic soil are grapes, raspberries and strawberries.

FLOWERS. The types of

flowering plants that love acidic soil are numerous and varied.

Some of the most popular ones are azaleas, daffodils, VEGETABLES. Some veggies that rhododendrons, hydrangeas, thrive in acidic soil are radishes, camellias, heather and bleeding potatoes, rhubarb and peppers. hearts.

And many tolerate acidic soil, Want some more ideas? Soil including broccoli, carrots and pH is usually consistent in a tomatoes. given geographical area, so you

FRUITS. A few types of fruit that could take a stroll and see what love acidic soil are blueberries, cranberries, currants,

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plants are growing well in your neighborhood.

The importance of soil pH Every plant has a particular soil pH range within which it grows best. For most plants, a pH level between 5.5 and 7.0, or slightly acidic to neutral, is optimal.

But you can have a diverse and thriving garden even if your soil is overly acidic or alkaline.

You’ll need to do one of two things: either adjust the pH through a variety of methods or grow plants that flourish in your particular type of soil. Discover the soil pH in your yard by picking up a testing kit at your local garden center.

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A guide to

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G

ardening has a number of health benefits. It can improve your joint flexibility, increase your bone density and broaden your range of motion. However, you need to be careful not to put excessive strain on your muscles and joints. So how do you protect yourself against overexertion and injuries? One simple solution is to use ergonomic gardening tools. What are ergonomic gardening tools?

Things to look for in ergonomic gardening tools

Ergonomic gardening tools place little strain on joints, muscles and tendons. Due to the way they are designed, they conform to the natural movements of the human body and respond to each user’s particular needs.

Weight. Use tools that are lightweight but also sturdy. The heavier the tool, the more strain it puts on your muscles.

Depending on the specific tool and on your personal requirements, consider one or more of these features when purchasing a new garden tool.

Height or adjustability. Longhandled tools and handle extenders can help you keep your back straight. In particular, use hoes, spades and rakes that can be adjusted to your height.

Assistive features. Some tools have features that reduce the amount of force needed on your part. For instance, you can get spring-loaded forks, spades or shears. Or you can get tools with forearm braces, which protect the wrist by ensuring that the larger arm muscles do most of the work.

When shopping for ergonomic gardening tools, it’s best to shop offline. That way you can test the feel of the tools and ensure they’re well suited to your needs.

Grip. Look for handle grips that are soft but firm and that have a comfortable thickness. Ensure they’re made with non-slip and weatherproof materials.

In addition to using good equipment, wise gardeners pace themselves. This means switching tasks at least every 30 minutes and taking 15-minute breaks every hour.

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