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Improvement Guide 2015 A PUBLICATION

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Simple Tips To Get Growing At Home (NAPSI)—There may be few things more satisfying than growing colorful flowers or eating vegetables picked fresh from the garden. That might seem ambitious if you haven’t gardened before, but getting started this year need not be difficult. Just follow these simple gardening tips to enjoy the benefits of fresh air, gentle exercise and healthy produce: 1) Pick your spot with care. Plants need sun and water to survive. Vegetables and most

flowers need full sun—at least six hours of sunlight every day during the growing season. Plant close to an outdoor water source to make hot weather watering easier.

2) Start with the soil. Because plants live by their roots, the most important part of any garden is below ground. Most soil around houses isn’t ideal for plants but can be improved by adding nutrient-rich organic matter, usually in the form of compost, shredded leaves or composted ma-

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nure. Bagged soil mixes marked specifically for growing vegetables are ideal for containers.

3) Keep your first garden manageable. For beginners, try a plot 4 feet by 8 feet, or half a dozen good-sized (24-36”) containers. That’s enough to provide a satisfying harvest of herbs, greens or a few tomato plants while you get a feel for the amount of time and effort it takes to water and weed. Pots are the easiest to control soil, water and light. Creating a container garden of vegetables, herbs and patio flowers is a good place for novices to start.

4) Get a head start. Some vegetables and flowers may need to be started from seed 68 weeks before it’s safe to plant them outside. You’ll need to do this for tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and petunias.

But other favorites like zucchini, cucumbers, beans and sunflowers are easily sown in the ground with seed.

You can learn more about starting and sowing seeds atwww.burpee.com.

Planting time will vary in each growing zone, but is generally best in the late spring.

5) Watch your garden grow. It’s fun for the whole family to observe seeds taking root and growing into plants.

Be sure to water and weed regularly as you wait for the bounty of your first harvest.

Burpee’s free Garden Time Planner app makes planting in specific garden regions easy. To download the app, buy non-GMO seeds and plants, or to access helpful “how-to” articles and videos, visitwww.burpee.comor call (800) 8881447.

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Five Ways To Breathe New Life Into Your Home (NAPSI)—Whether the urge to remodel strikes during National Home Improvement Month or any other time of year, you can seamlessly update your home with just a few simple steps toward improved design, comfort, functionality, energy efficiency and curb appeal.

1. Work with what you have. Look around your home. Is there anything in dire need of replacing or refurbishing?

Updates may not be as expensive as you might think. Consider this: If your kitchen cabinets are looking a little worn, consider resurfacing instead of replacing them. Just remove the doors, then strip and refinish or repaint them. Invest in new handles and pulls, as well as new hinges if they’re visible.

2. Build a greener home with energy-efficient enhancements.Homeowners can dramatically cut energy costs without major renovations. Instead of new windows, try caulk and weather stripping to stop any air leaks on the windows you already have. Install high-efficiency water heaters to drive down heating costs. You can also install an ENERGY STAR–certified air conditioner that adds to your home’s good looks. For example, the Art Cool Mirror ductless indoor unit from LG has a flat panel with a charcoal mirror finish that complements any décor. Plus, when paired with LG’s Smart AC, homeowners can control the system and monitor temperature on their smartphone anytime day or

night, whether at home or away.

3. Beautify your yard to increase personal comfort now and receive more cash later. Try planting deciduous trees on the south side of your house to provide additional shade in the hotter months, allowing you to cut down on airconditioning expenses and save energy.

What’s more, real estate experts estimate that by spending 5 percent of the value of your home on quality, low-maintenance landscaping, you could boost the resale value by 15 percent.

4. Create a seamless look for your kitchen. A counter-depth refrigerator, like a 3-Door French Door

Refrigerator from LG, will allow homeowners to get the sophisticated look they desire for their kitchen without sacrificing space or the added cost of installing an actual built-in appliance.

To help keep the hub of your home clean, establish a message center in your kitchen. Put a bulletin board or chalkboard on the wall and store a calendar, notebook and writing utensils in a nearby drawer to help eliminate clutter.

5. Stylish lighting is a bright idea. A striking chandelier or light fixture can serve as a charming addition in a wellcomposed room. Lighting is also one of the easiest ways to update your space; a petite desk lamp or floor lamp can sig-

nificantly brighten up a room. Be sure to use ENERGY STAR-qualified bulbs to make it a truly eco-friendly yet chic addition (and save up to $70 a year in energy costs).

For further facts and tips, go to www.lghvac.com.

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Get Your Outdoor Space In Shape Six Ways (NAPSI)—Here’s the buzz when it comes to backyard fun: Before you plan those barbecues, pool parties and bonfires, you need to transform your outdoors into a great entertaining environment and stop insects from making themselves at home.

To keep your backyard looking its best this season, try these six tips: 1. Good gardening: Choose a lively combination of colorful plants and flowers to brighten your outdoor spaces during the day and light them at night to add

drama. Try citronella plants and marigolds to naturally repel mosquito populations and be sure to eliminate standing water as it attracts mosquitoes.

2. Check your equipment: Make sure the lawn mower, weed-whacker and the like are primed and ready, blades sharpened, tank refilled and so on.

3. Rake it in. Get rid of last year’s dead leaves and twigs that can keep your lawn from soaking up the sun. Consider composting the debris.

4. Beating the pests: Fortunately, protecting your yard against insect-borne diseases such as chikungunya, West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) does not have to be a challenge, nor does it have to involve chemical sprays. Instead, you can use environmentally friendly solutions to keep bugs at bay while enjoying the outdoors.

For example, Dynatrap insect traps can provide relief from mosquitoes, biting flies and other flying bugs without pesticides. Since they come in a variety of styles and finishes, you can even find one to match your deck decor.

5. Grilling idea: Clean the grill after each use to save yourself time and trouble when you want to fire it up for your next get-together. That will also help keep bugs from hovering on the deck.

6. Deck design: Your outdoor space can make or break your backyard, so be sure it reflects your style and makes a state-

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ment. Keep in mind the primary use of your outdoor space and remember to think about mosquito control as it relates to the size of your yard. Position the insect trap where it will draw bugs away from where you spend most of your time.

For further facts, visit www.dynatrap.com, Frontgate and other retailers, or on Facebook, Twitter@Dynatrap or Pinterest.

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Five Quick Ways To Upgrade Your Home For Resale (NAPSI)—Whether you’re considering cashing in on your equity, downsizing, trading up, moving for a change of scenery or relocating for better prospects, a few smart investments and improvements can help your home stand out from the competition so you get top dollar. Even if you’re not planning on moving anytime soon, these strategies can maximize your home’s value and increase its marketability: • Sprucing up the exterior. If you think you’ll have a few years before you move, work on your landscaping now to give plants time to mature. Look for easy-care perennials such as hostas, which multiply on their own. If you have less time, you can still achieve a quick makeover by power washing paths and siding, painting or upgrading your front door and keeping the lawn watered and weeded.

• Removing eyesores inside. Some minor adjustments can help buyers recognize what’s great about your home. Swap outdated fixtures, remove wallpaper and give everything a deep clean. Replacements don’t have to be top of the line; they just need to eliminate hangups for potential buyers.

• Improving the kitchen—to a point. You probably won’t recoup the cost of a full kitchen renovation but smaller projects such as upgrading appliances and painting or refinishing cabinets can modernize the space.

• Refreshing rooms with neutral paint. This is a time-honored tip for a reason. While seeing your favorite bold hues on the walls makes you happy, potential buyers may not agree. A fresh coat of neutral paint can help them envision their own belongings in the space.

• Focusing on energy efficiency. The right energy-smart upgrades can assure buyers they’re seeing an efficient home where utility bills can be minimized. Adding insulation to the attic and walls can make a dramatic improvement in many homes. Consider the windows as well. Adding a heat-rejecting window film such as 3M Sun Control Window Film can reduce cooling costs and typically does not change the windows’ appearance.

Since the window film can reject up to 99 percent of UV rays, it can protect the investment you made in your hardwood floors, rugs, window treatments, furniture and artwork.

For further facts, visit www.3M.com/ homeimprovement

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