everything home june 2010

Everything Home/Summer 2010 | 392 | Everything Home/Summer 2010


Home Improvement8 Get your home ready for summer

10 Secrets to curb appeal

Outdoor Living13 Create a relaxing outdoor haven at home

15 Inexpensive ways to decorate your patio

16 Choose the best patio lighting

18 Tips for decorating your garden in style

Lawn and Garden20 Gardening new lily varieties

24 Growing vegetables in containers

25 Top crops for pots

26 9 Easiest plants for your yard

27 5 Steps to a lush, almost perfect lawn

Real Estate28 Selling your home in a tough market

30 8 Essential steps to sell your home

SUMMER 2010

Just like the inside of your home, your outdoor space shouldhave designated areas for the many different things you andyour family may do, from hobbies and relaxing to entertainingand recreation. Decorate your outdoor rooms just like youwould the interior of your home, with fine patio furniture,weatherproof accessories, and integrate the same overall colorscheme.

Consider these outdoor room and living area options:

• Dining areas and outdoor kitchens are common elementsof a modern backyard landscape design. This may be as simpleas a grill and picnic table or as elaborate as a custom outdoorkitchen with stainless steel accessories and fine patio furniture.

• Outdoor living rooms can serve many purposes and manyupscale homes incorporate more than one outdoor living areato serve these functions. Plan this living space with considera-tion to the time of day it will be used and the amount of sun-light desired. These areas can be used for relaxing, lounging,entertaining, and even recreation and may integrate interestingdecks, beautiful patios, or terraces into the design plan.

• Outdoor areas designated for recreation will depend onthe hobbies and interests of you and your family. Swimmingpools, outdoor spas, workshops, and sports areas are all possi-bilities and can be tastefully integrated into your backyardlandscape design.

• Living spaces designed specifically for sitting, lounging,or simply enjoying the beauty of the garden are equallyimportant. These areas are often centered around a focal pointof your landscape design, like a fountain, pond, or sculptureand are usually accented with comfortable seating.

Publisher:Jeff Vanderbeck

Advertising Director:Mike Davis

Section Design:Special

Publications Manager

Tracie Vanderbeck

Advertising Design:Andrew Littleton

Jamie Beckett

Sales Representatives:Lynn MasseyMelisa KellerTony ThackerAshley SmithKrista Duty

Aimee Thacker

A SpecialSupplement to the

Appalachian News-Express201 Caroline

Avenue, Pikeville,Kentucky

606-437-4054

E V E R Y T H I N G

HOME

OutdoorLivingBy Tracie Vanderbeck

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home improvement

BY AMANDA GOFF

STAFF WRITER

Trish Litafik has had to dovery little to make her yard beau-tiful, since her yard overlooksone of the most beautiful viewsin Pike County.

When you step out the backdoor, it’s shocking. Litafik saidthe view reminds her ofTennessee, which shows that youjust don’t see views like thiseveryday in Kentucky.

There are mountains as far asthe eye can see. They are lushand green like a picture youwould see on a post card for theSmoky Mountains.

And it’s summer right now,but it is easy to imagine howbeautiful the mountains wouldbe with snow, flowers, or fallleaves.

It’s something you have tosee for yourself,” she said.“Talking about it doesn’t do itjustice.”

The pool was installed by aprevious owner of her house, butLitafik did a few things toenhance her yard.

She installed a knee-high red brick fence along the back of her yard that per-fectly frames the mountains behind it. Along the sides of the yard, she installed abeige wood fence with brick columns that match the knee-high fence between thewood panels. This also help frames the mountains.

For lighting around the pool, Litafik had small lights installed in the groundat the foot of each brick column of the fence.

“They’re not bright, just spotlights,” Litafik said. “We don’t want bugs.”Also, Litafik added a waterfall to the pool. It is the only thing in her yard that

sits in front of the mountains, so it commandsyour attention. The waterfall is small and simplewith a planter on top. The green plants blend inwith the mountains behind them.

There is little in her yard to take away fromthe gorgeous view of the mountains. For themost part, everything is a neutral color.

Litafik and her husband like to sit outside inthe mornings and watch animals. She said theysee animals like deer, turkey and fox.

“There are just so many animals,” Litafiksaid. “Sometimes there will be 10 to 15 turkey inthe road in the mornings.”

They also like to have people over to use thepool and enjoy their yard.

“We like to use the pool for more than justholidays.” She said.

Litafik likes to have friends come over onweekends to swim and relax.

Even though the neighborhood she lives inlies within the Pikeville City Limits, ChloeRidge is still a well-kept secret.

“So many people don’t know that there’sanything up here,” Litafik said. “I didn’t knowthere were houses up here.”

Litafik says she loves living on Chloe Ridgebecause it’s such a clean neighborhood. She wasaccustomed to all the dirt and grime that comesfrom all the coal trucks, but her current neigh-borhood is the complete opposite. It’s quiet withvery few cars driving around, and there isn’t apiece of garbage lying around anywhere.

“It’s worlds apart from what I’m used to,”Litafik said.

A yard with a view

1 Add Fresh AirLet fresh air fill your home by opening yourwindows, and place a houseplant next to yourbathroom sink to help filter the air. Some ofthe best air-cleaning houseplants are snakeplants, spider plants, English ivy, and small-leafed rubber plants.

2 Let Summer InsideEnjoy warm summer evening breezes throughyour screen doors. Clean screening and repairor replace it, if needed. Tighten and lubricatedoor hinges and closers, especially on woodendoors that can become warped with changingtemperatures, humidity, and wet weather. Thesame goes for window screens.

3 Fan-tastic IdeaYou may not be able to get through the monthof May without running your air condition-er—let alone June, July, and August—butdon’t discount the value of a ceiling fan. Setfan blades to revolve counterclockwise, whichforces the hotter air near the ceiling to mixwith the lower, cooler air, leveling out theroom temperature.

4 Bugged OutWe all have our own remedies for keepingmosquitoes at bay; bug spray and citronellacandles are two popular methods. Howeverit’s also a good idea to clear underbrusharound trees and shrubs and avoid plantingthick vegetation, according to the insectexperts at Southern Living.

Get Your Home Ready for SummerYou’ve been ready for summer since January, but what about your house? Here are 15reminders to get your home prepped and ready for warm season—inside and out

home improvement



5 Lighter LinensSwap warm flannel sheets and heavy duvetcovers for lighter linens with a high thread-count. Choose solid, light colors to give thewhole room a breezy feel. A simple, thin cov-erlet should be enough to keep you warmduring the summer months.

6 A Warmer WardrobeYou’ve waited all winter-long to ditch yourheavy coat and boots. Don’t let these itemstake up precious bathing suit, sundress, andflip flop space in your closet.

7 Fireplace AlternativesPut those rotting fire logs outside and bringsome life back to your dormant fireplace. Acollection of green plants in terracotta potsmakes a beautiful summertime display. Justmake sure that the fireplace receives a littlebit of sun.

8 SPF for WindowsThere’s no point in turning on the AC if the

sun coming through a window bakes yourliving room. Install reflective film, sun-screen-fabric curtains, or roller shades. Ifyou’re investing in new windows, choosepanes with a low solar heat gain coefficient(SHGC).

9 Be Grill PreparedWhether you’re grilling up brisket inBirmingham or mahi mahi in Miami, sum-mertime is barbecue time. Be sure to haveall of your BBQ essentials on hand. Ifyou’re using a charcoal grill, don’t drenchthe coals in lighter fluid—you’ll just end upwith food that tastes like, well, lighter fluid.Instead, invest in an inexpensive chimneystarter to quickly and safely light the coals.

1 0 Get All Decked OutReinvent your deck by finding a great tableand set of chairs for dining alfresco. Makeyour outdoor meal even more special byusing real plates and silverware, and deco-

rating with candles

1 1 Keep Refrigerators RunningA summer without cold drinks on hand is nosummer at all. Take care now to clean yourrefrigerator’s condensing coils to keep it run-ning smoothly all summer long. Unplug thefridge, and remove the base plate or topgrate. (Check your owner's manual to locatecoils.) Use a vacuum cleaner with the nozzleattachment to remove any dirt and lint.

1 2 Good-to-Go GaragesYou’ve got your bathing suit and sunglasseson, sunscreen is applied, and your beachtowel is fluffed up and ready to go. All youneed now is your beach chair from thegarage. Don’t ruin a perfectly good beachday spending hours scouring your clutteredgarage.

13 Proper Pool pHAs much fun as having a pool is, maintainingone is no picnic. However, if you want toenjoy your backyard swimming hole all sum-mer long, it is essential to monitor pH andchlorine levels. Failure to do so can result inbacteria growth, faded bathing suits, and irri-tated eyes.

14 Green Lawn Know-howWe’ll admit it—the one thing winter has oversummer is it allows you to put away the lawnmower for a few months. But now that yourdried out brown grass has turned green, it’stime to take care of that baby by fertilizingon a regular basis.

1 5 Palatable ProduceIf you want to save money, eat healthy, andhelp the planet all at once, start growing yourown vegetables. Tomatoes, basil, and lettuceare all crops that thrive in warmer weather.

Anne de Solene Hydrangea (Mondaine/Prestance) Duvet cover, sheets and pillow shams.

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home improvement

SSeeccrreettss ttoo CCuurrbb AAppppeeaallWhat kind of first impression does your front entry make? Try these quick-fix ideas to transform your home.

TIME TO EVALUATEWhat constitutes true "curb appeal"? While the term embraces everything between your

front door and the street, it doesn't take much to make dramatic style improvements, whetherby adding flower boxes, sprucing up the mailbox, or constructing an elegant driveway.

With a little faith in your vision, and a few tips from the pros, you can transform a dowdyexterior to an inviting, welcoming entranceway.

CHOOSING AND USINGCONTAINERSWhether combined in a group or stand-

ing alone, containers add charm andpersonality to any garden.When your garden needs some punch,

containers can be the answer. Placethem in strategic locations to drawattention to a specific area, such as thefront entrance.At the home shown at left, a large con-crete pot is set in the middle of theflower border. When you stand directlyin front of the house, the pot is centeredon the door. Containers placed on bothsides of the landing frame the steps.In spring, red geraniums look great

with yellow pansies and daffodils.Variegated ivy is trained to grow up ametal obelisk set on axis with the frontdoor. As the summer's landscapechanges, so does the look of the containers.

MAILBOX MAKEOVEROddly enough, it is the humble mailbox that often creates that first impression of a suburban home. It can

extend guests a welcoming visual invitation or give them the cold shoulder. Even the mail carrier wastempted to drive by the nondescript mailbox at left without stopping. It was time for a makeover.

To spruce up a plain mailbox, begin by clearing out any surrounding weeds. Ornamental grass makes anice backdrop, maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus') in particular.

Some type of small evergreen, stepping down in height, stands out in front of the grasses and gives theplanting an accent during the winter. For added punch, place ever-greens in terra-cotta pots.

Next, consider adding a copper post cap, brass house numbers,copper tubing, and decorative elements like this copper vase andfirefly. Copper tubing is sold in prepackaged coils, so we merelyhad to unwrap it, stretch it out, and wind it around the post.

HIGHLIGHT YOUR ADDRESSBlending utility with personality, house numbers don't

just tell guests where you are; they can also tell them who you are. Their potential ends only withyour imagination. Use scavenged materials for an eclectic look, or match your home's decor moreclosely for a refined look. Placement isn't limited to your front door -- consider planting numbers ina garden bed or affixing them to a retaining wall near your driveway.

FRESHEN YOUR FRONT DOORNew finishes on the door and the floor give this entrance a welcoming new look without costly

renovation.A front door says a lot about a home. And it is true that old ones add character. Can the beauty of

an antique door be combined with the durability of a new one? It's not as hard as you might think.This mahogany door was gorgeous but a little too new for the homeowners' taste. Instead of waitinga century for it to age, they sought some help from a faux finish artist.

The homeowners also wanted a quick fix to mask their unattractive concrete stoop. Removing itwould be too expensive for their budget, so the artist gave it a fresh look with paint.


real estate

Researchers say that the whole process of moving to a new home is one of themost stressful events we go through in a lifetime. But with careful planning,attention to detail and a clear focus, the whole process might not be as painful asyou'd expect. Find out more here!

Can they really afford this house?

While there will always be things outside the control of any home seller, thosethings that you can control can make all the difference. But don't get too farahead of yourself -- this is the time to plan. Here's what you need to do!

1. Get free valuations and priceless advice.Real estate agents will give you a home valuation for free, because ultimatelythey hope you'll engage their services when it comes to selling your home.Therefore use the experience of a handful of local and trusted agents who arerenowned for their selling success and invite them to come and value your home.Then, ask what he or she thinks you can do to boost the value of your property.

Real estate agents spend their entire professional lives checking out houses, sothey know what attracts a buyer, what turns him off -- and what you should do inorder to have the most successful, profitable sale. Most real estate agents will behappy to give you tips, because if you can increase its value, you can increasethe price... and if they are asked to represent you, they will ultimately make morein commissions from the sale!

2. Work out total selling, buying and moving costs.To help with this step, ask one of the real estate agents to give you a break downof all the local fees, commissions, taxes and costs you will likely face when sell-ing and buying. These should include any real estate agent's fees, attorney fees,inspection/surveyor's costs, and any potential capital gains tax.

Add to these expenses the costs you will incur when buying a new home -- andremember to include any deposit, mortgage broker fees, survey costs, escrowcharges, title company fees and insurance. Last but not least, get a rough quotefrom a moving company -- typically based upon the square footage of your exist-ing home and how far you're moving.

3. Figure out your budget.You will want to contact your current mortgage lender and ask them if and whatpenalties and fees you will incur for early repayment of your existing loan. Letyour lender know that you are intending to sell your home, and they will giveyou an up-to-date statement of the amount remaining, which will help you figureout exactly how much selling up is going to cost you in real terms. (This numberwill, of course, be updated with the most current amount just before close ofescrow.)If you have savings, a trust or other financial resources, add those to theamount you'll have on hand to boost your purchasing power.

4. Get pre-qualified for a loan.Now you have to approach a mortgage lender and work with him to determineexactly how much you can comfortably afford to borrow. The broker will consid-er many factors, including the approximate price of the home you're buying, howmuch of a downpayment you can make, the status of any existing home's sale,how much you earn, your net worth -- and will take a look at that all-importantcredit score.

The goal is two-fold: to figure out how much you will be able to spend on a newhouse, and to increase your attractiveness as a buyer -- as you're pre-qualified,they know you're a serious bidder, and should be able to close within six weeksor so.

5. Hire the best real estate agent.Having already met and worked with real estate agents for the valuation of yourhome, get back in touch with your favorite and ask him or her to help sell yourhome! If you are in doubt about which agent to choose, talk to friends, familyand colleagues in your area who have recently bought or sold a residence and askfor personal recommendations. You need to feel comfortable with the agent you

choose -- and you need to make sure they will sell your house as quickly, effi-ciently, honestly and effectively as possible.

Once you choose your agent, go through their entire marketing strategy for yourhome and make sure you are comfortable with their approach and that they aregoing to do everything required of them to assist you. Also ask them to revalueyour home based on the work you have done to it and any market movementsthat have occurred in the interim.

6. Start to look for your new house.Now you have a clear budget, you can begin the exciting process of searching fora new home. It may seem tedious to get all the financial facts and figures inplace before heading off to find that dream house, but by laying the groundworkfirst, you will be less likely to be heartbroken after you fall in love with anunsuitable, unaffordable home. Instead, you will be preparing yourself for suc-cess.

7. Give your home a makeover!While you're still browsing houses, get to work with the repairs, renovations andheavy work needed to bring your house up to the top of the market. (Read moreabout the whys and hows of prepping the exterior of your home for sale here.)

First impressions really do matter, so you will need to review every aspect ofyour home. What will a buyer"s eye be drawn to -- the room's fantastic propor-tions or the dead plant in the window? Walk through each room and not only tryto look at it with fresh eyes, but your other senses, too. Evaluate how it smells(bad odors can seriously spook buyers) and sounds -- are there any bangingpipes, loose floorboards or squeaky doors?

As for any improvements you do make, do them well. A patchy or drippy paintjob isn't much of an improvement. Neither is installing tile unevenly (even if it'sgorgeous), nor is the addition of something like bargain-basement cheap or mis-matched faucet sets.

8. Be as flexible as possible.If you can be quick to respond to a viewing request and flexible in terms of closeof escrow, you will be doing everything you can to grease the wheels for the saleof your home.

And by keeping your home as tidy as possible, you should be able to say "yes" toa viewing request at a moment's notice. Start packing the non-essentials as soonas you decide to move, and rent a storage unit temporarily to get all of that extrastuff off-site.

Jump in with both feetYes, the housing market may be tough -- which really means you have to be thatmuch more prepared in order to compete. But with the smarts and the determina-tion to see the whole home sale process through, you can be loading up thatmoving truck sooner than you might think!

SSEELLLL WWEELLLL:: IITT''SS TTIIMMEE TTOO MMOOVVEE!! 8 easy but essential steps to sell your home & move to a new house!


Decks,patios and

even a nice porchcan extend and

enhance our indoorliving spaces and

our lives.


(ARA) - Nothing is more relaxing than a breath of fresh air, which islikely the reason why the lines between indoors and out have blurredimmensely. More homeowners are moving their living rooms outsideto well-appointed patios and decks, furnishing these spaces with allthe comforts of their favorite indoor gathering spaces.

Research shows homebuilders are now incorporating two- and three-sided outdoor rooms into home plans. Manufacturers too are address-ing the trend by providing a wide array of products designed for out-door living, giving homeowners nearly as many choices to decoratetheir outdoor living rooms as those inside their homes - including fur-niture, textiles, lighting, grills and even WiFi-enabled outdoor enter-tainment systems.

Homeowners are spending as much time and effort on outdoor livingprojects as they do indoor decorating endeavors. With the summerseason just around the corner, now's the time to freshen up your out-door living space and make it 'relaxation ready' for the warm monthsof fun ahead."

Pep it up with paint One of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to spruce up an outdoorarea is by refurbishing existing furniture and other pieces with spraypaint. While you want furniture to look stylish, you also want some-thing that is easy to clean and maintain, and holds up against rain,heat and sunlight. No one wants freshly painted furniture to fade, chipor rust before the season ends.

Lighten up with fabric and lighting Once your painting proj-ects are complete, accentyour bold color choiceswith unique and interest-ing cushions and throwpillows made from stain-and mildew-resistant fab-rics. Keep in mind thatyour new furniture colorsand coordinating cush-ions will "pop" and lookbrighter with the rightkind of outdoor lighting.Depending on how youconfigure your outdoorliving space, you can install lighted ceiling fans, place environmental-ly-friendly solar accent lighting in surrounding flowerbeds, and useportable lamps designed expressly for exterior use.

Add nature ... with a twist Living in the great outdoors wouldn't be complete if you didn't weavein natural elements such as fire and water. A grill, fire pit and waterfeatures, such as a container pond, bird bath or waterfall planter fur-

ther tie together the perfect combination of inside meets outside. Additionally, portable patio heaters are a great way to let you enjoyyour outdoor haven even when nights get chilly, allowing you to makethe most of your space all season long.

Include enticing entertainment And don't forget the entertainment. Outdoor-friendly systems exist forany budget - ranging from WiFi- or satellite-radio-enabled speakersystems for a little mood music, to high-end comprehensive systemsthat include plasma TVs and surround sound. All are designed towithstand any weather.

With all of the stylish and unique design options available to help youcreate your own backyard oasis this summer, why even considerspending your free time indoors? The season lasts only a few monthsin many climates, so make the most of it by designing an ultimate out-door living room that's ideal for gathering, cooking, entertaining andrelaxing with friends and family.

Courtesy of ARAcontentPhotos Courtesy of Pottery Barn

Create a relaxing outdoor haven at homeWith the summer season just around the corner, now's the time to freshen up your outdoorliving space and make it 'relaxation ready' for the warm months of fun ahead

outdoor livingreal estate

(ARA) - A few years ago, it seemed like you could stake a "for sale" sign out-side your home and within a few hours you would have multiple offers. Not any-more. Today's tough economic times mean that home sellers need to do theirhomework, take a more assertive role in marketing their home and, at times, getcreative to help their home stand out from others that are on the market.

Regardless of how tough the times are, the fact remains that a nice home, wellmaintained, in a desirable neighborhood, and priced right will sell more quicklythan a home that hasn't been kept up or hasn't been priced according to whatother homes in the neighborhood would sell for. Whether you're selling yourhome as part of downsizing your lifestyle or you're seeking a larger home for agrowing family, the following steps offered by FindLaw.com, one of the nation'sleading online sources for real estate law, can pay dividends in helping youachieve a quick sale and a price that reaches your desired goal.Assemble your team. Most sellers prefer to work with a real estate agent or a

lawyer at some point in the process. In fact, in a handful of U.S. states, a lawyermust help finalize the sale. Real estate agents typically charge a commission,about 6 percent, to be split between your agent and the buyer's agent, if any.Lawyers normally charge by the hour. Despite the costs, experienced, responsi-ble professionals can ultimately save you time, money and aggravation.

Conduct a pre-inspection. Many states require a home inspection report aspart of a disclosure form before placing a home on the market. To make sureyour home passes the test, hire a third-party home inspector to conduct a pre-inspection of your home to help you make necessary repairs and updates beforean official inspection.

Conduct a comp. A "comp" is shorthand among real estate agents for compar-ing your home to similar types of homes in your area with similar features, suchas square footage, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, etc. This processwill help you determine a price range for your home. To get comps, visit openhouses, read classified ads (in print and online), and check out Web sites such aswww.realtor.com, by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Review actual selling prices. Of course, list prices don't tell you how muchhouses ultimately sell for - that's the comparable data you really need. In a hotmarket, houses might go for well over list price, and vice versa. A number ofWeb sites offer such information, and you may want to carefully watch countyWeb sites that publish this information for tax purposes.

Price aggressively, but not too aggressively. As the seller, of course you wouldlike to get every nickel out of selling your home. The balancing act is finding theright price where you don't have to cut it multiple times to trigger an offer, or aprice that is so low that a potential buyer might think there's something wrongwith it.

Go to open houses. Sellers need to understand what other sellers are doing andoffering to sell their homes. The best way to do that is to go to as many openhouses in your area and take note of who the potential buyers are, their feedbackon nearby homes, and what other sellers are offering potential buyers in terms ofprice and incentives.

Make your home as attractive as possible. Buyers will pay thousands of dol-lars more for a home that is tastefully decorated and appears in ready-to-move-incondition. The first place to start is to declutter your home. Put away any person-al items or items of expression that would detract from a buyer feeling at home.

A fresh coat of paint doesn't hurt either.Fill out the disclosure forms. Some states require sellers to fill out a long form

that explicitly asks about the seller's knowledge of various significant or materialdefects that might be present in the home, according to FindLaw.com. States varyin their requirements. Some states require sellers to disclose water in the base-ment, leaks in the roof, the use of lead-based paint, or unsafe concentrations ofradon gas. Regardless of what your state requires, it's really in the seller's interestto disclose any previous problems to reduce the risk of a lawsuit in the future bya disgruntled buyer.Advertise on the MLS. If you're working with a real estate agent, the agent

should help put the property into the online Multiple Listing Service, and maybein the classifieds too. If you don't have an agent, you can take the same stepsyourself (one Web site, www.iggyshouse.com, allows you to put your house onthe MLS for free). Interested buyers can then make an appointment to see thehouse in person.

Hold an open house. Many home sellers find open houses a useful tool.They're certainly good for bringing in the crowds. In deciding when to hold anopen house, look for opportunities when your area attracts a large number ofpeople from surrounding areas, such as a neighborhood or citywide festival orsporting event.

Be prepared to negotiate. Because there are more sellers than buyers in mostmarkets, buyers currently have more leverage in negotiating. Be prepared torespond to a range of concessions, from lower-than-expected offers and requestsfor the seller to cover the closing costs to decorating allowances and mechanicalrepairs. On the other hand, as the home seller, you should be prepared to counterby demanding that all serious offers have their financing in place to ensure asmooth sale.

To learn more about real estate law, visit www.findlaw.com.

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lawn and garden

While there is no magic pill to achieving a better lawn there are some basic stepsyou can follow that will go a long way in giving you a lush, healthy lawn you'llbe proud to walk over. Here then are the 5 basic steps to help anyone achieve abeautiful lawn.

Get the mowing height right for the right time of year.There's a lot more to mowing than just cutting the grass every Saturday. One ofthe most fundamental steps to a perfect lawn is getting the mowing height rightfor your type of lawn and for a particular season.

Most grasses can survive with a length of 2" - 3". This applies for spring andearly fall. In the summer, if possible, set it a little higher*. Never go below theminimum recommended height except for the last mowing of the season whichshould be around 1.5" for most turf grasses. There are exceptions to this, but ifyou have a lawn that requires that exception, you already should know yourmowing height.

Mowing height is important because the length of that grass blade is the part thatabsorbs sunshine which the grass blade then miraculously converts into food!Imagine if you were a blade of grass and got hungry, all you had to do was standoutside and soak up some rays!

There are many that think fertilizer is lawn food, but that's not true. Plants actual-ly make their own food using sunlight. it needs to grow and develop into ahealthy plant.

In fact, fertilizer isn't even absorbed by the plant as it's put down on the soil. Inlaymen's terms, the fertilizer that gets put down on the lawn must first gothrough the digestive juices of a lot of tiny microbes that live in the soil. Onlythen is it in a form that can be absorbed and used by the plant, not as a food, butas building blocks to build more cells and carry on the process of converting car-bon dioxide into oxygen.

Never remove more than 1/3 at any one mowing. This may mean you'll have tomow more often during prime growing times (usually spring and early fall).

Leave the clippings on the lawn after you mow. This not only saves time andenergy, but the clippings decompose and add vital nutrients back into the soil.Grass cycling recycles plant nutrients back into the soil. Clippings contain thesame beneficial nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium nutrients as that expensivebag of fertilizer. In fact, clippings can provide up to one-third of the annual feed-ing requirement for your lawn.

Use a sharp bladeThe type of mower doesn't matter, but the blade's condition does. A dull bladetears at the grass. Take a close look at a grass blade a few days after mowing. Ifthe blade is dull you'll notice a jagged brown line across the tip of the cut grass.This is a good indication that your blade needs sharpening. Professional mowerssharpen their blades about every 8 hours of use. For most homeowners, twice ayear is recommended.

The jagged edges caused by a dull mower blade make it more difficult for thegrass to fight off pests and disease.

Regulate the water intakeOver watering your lawn causes more damage than a lack of water. Most turfgrasses can handle dry spells, but not flooding. Most grasses require 1" - 1.5" ofwater per week. This is enough water to moisten the soil to 4" - 6" below the sur-face for clay soils and 8 - 10" for sandy soils.

Don't guess at how much water your lawn is getting. For measuring MotherNature's contribution, invest in a rain gauge. If at the end of the week she's con-tributed enough, hold off adding more. If she comes up short, you'll want to addsome supplemental watering. Again, measure how much water your sprinkler isputting down.

You'll have to follow local regulations when there are watering bans, but just

remember that less water is acceptable and grass is a very resilient plant. Whenthe rains do return your lawn will come back with a little encouragement on yourpart.

Give your lawn a regular, balanced diet-- just don't over-do it! Don't over-fertilize your lawn with too much of a good thing. 4 balanced fertiliz-er applications a year is plenty: spring, summer, early fall and after the first frostfor cool season grasses. If you're in drought conditions, skip the summer applica-tion. Never skip the fall application. It’s important to use lawn products by fol-lowing label instructions. Get the best results by following the directions. Overapplication will not improve performance. As mentioned above, fertilizers areprocessed through their interaction with tiny microbes before they can be used.Over-applying fertilizers can create unfavorable conditions for those microbes,even killing them. When that happens, the soil becomes sterile and the grasswon't grow.

How do you know if you're over applying fertilizers? Get a soil test first. Soiltests should be required before applying anything to your soil.

Prevention is the best medicine for a healthy lawnPreventing problems is better than having to correct them. Consistent mainte-nance is the key. Repair bare spots as needed. Spot treat for weeds with the rightherbicide following label directions. Use pre-emergent herbicides for mostgrassy-type weeds like crabgrass.

Soils can become compacted in high-traffic areas or in areas that have mostlyclay soils. Have your lawn aerated once a year, preferably in the fall when soiltemperature is around 60 degrees.

That's it. Pretty simple actually and easy to follow.

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outdoor living

IInneexxppeennssiivvee wwaayyss ttooddeeccoorraattee yyoouurr ppaattiiooOUTDOOR ENTERTAININGThere's just something about entertaining outdoors that makes us wish it could besummer all year long -- enjoying the breeze, basking in the sun and, of course,gathering around the grill. But before you send out the invites for your next back-yard bash, take a look at these seven inexpensive ways to jazz up your patio andcreate a sensational summer entertaining space.

ADD FLOWERS AND PLANTSThe patio is the area that transitions your indoor living space to the outdoors.Incorporate flowers and plants to add some color and natural appeal. Place plantsand flowers in terracotta pots on tables and in hanging baskets. Put several con-tainers together with blooms in the same color scheme. Look for unique pots,ceramic urns and other containers for your flowers and plants at garage sales.

INCORPORATE LIGHTINGPatio lighting doesn't have to be expensive. Try tiki torches, paper lanterns orwhite Christmas lights for a little ambience. Christmas lights are inexpensive, par-ticularly if you buy them off season at your neighborhood Walmart or other store.

CREATE COLORFUL BENCHESBuy affordable wood or metal benches, and paint them in bright colors. Add accentthrow pillows in coordinating shades for a little comfort and a lot of style. You canalso add a hammock or porch swing for relaxing with a cold glass of iced tea and agood book.

PURCHASE BAMBOO MATSHere's how to make your own area rug for your patio out of inexpensive bamboomats: Get the same mats that you roll up and carry to the beach; they cost about $5each. Attach two or three of them together with carpet tape on the underside, flipand put under your patio table.

MAKE HOMEMADE TOPIARIESBuy dense shrubbery from a garden shop, Walmart or a home improvement store.Use garden shears to cut the shrubs into shapes. They don't have to be elaborate --spheres, cones and hearts will do.

UPGRADE TABLES AND CHAIRSMake an old patio set look new again with spray paint. You can buy used patio fur-niture on the cheap at garage sales and thrift shops.

PAINT THE CEMENTIf your patio is worn, you don't have to have it re-done. Instead, paint it! You canuse stencils to create the look of brick or tiles. After you are finished painting, sealthe patio to make sure the colors last.

lawn and garden

When planning plants for your yard, it canbe helpful to choose hardy varieties thatgrow easily, especially if you are a beginnergardener. Plants that are easy to grow canadd a lot of beauty to your yard because theywill thrive and grow lush without a lot ofextra effort on your part. Native plants andperennials are often good choices, as areeasy-to-grow annuals.

HOSTASThere are so many varieties of hostas that theonly difficult part about growing them canbe choosing which ones you want to plant.These easy to grow plants love shady areasand will provide a lot of color and texture toyour landscape through their beautiful leavesand floral stems. Hostas also tend to spreadover time, so you can divide them and planteven more hostas in other areas of your yard.

DAYLILIESDaylilies such as the beautiful "Stella deOro" are very easy to grow, providingblooms during a longer period of time thanmany other standard varieties of daylilies.However, even when not in bloom, thegreenery of these perennial favorites adds adecorative touch to garden planting beds.

BLACK-EYED SUSANBlooming in late summer and early autumn,this beautiful perennial flower is very easy togrow. These flowers are very disease andpest resistant, and can grow in almost any kind of soil.

LAMB'S EARThe soft furry silvery-green leaves of Lamb's Ear will provide a nice backdropfor other flowering plants in your flower beds. These perennials plants are prima-rily grown for their unique foliage, and once you plant them, they will easilygrow back each year.

MINTMint varieties are so easy to grow that they can almost be considered to beweeds. In fact, mint is so invasive that it should be planted in metal containers sothat its roots do not spread where you don't want mint plants to grow. It can growin almost any kind of soil, and the foliage is not only attractive but also extreme-ly fragrant.

SEDUMAlso known as "Stonecrop", this beautiful and easy-to-grow perennial has succu-lent ornamental leaves in addition to attractive blooms in late summer and earlyautumn. These plants especially thrive in drier soils with good drainage, as wetsoil can occasionally cause the stems to rot.

YARROWYarrow is extremely hardy, growing even in dry and poor soil. There are manydifferent varieties of yarrow in various heights and colors. Yarrow grows so easi-ly that it can often tend to crowd out other plants over time, so you might want tokeep it confined to a specific area.

MARIGOLDSMarigolds come in many different sizes, colors and flower styles. They are anannual, which means they must be replanted every year, although in manyinstances they can reseed themselves. Colors vary from light cream to burntorange, and will bloom all season until frost. Marigolds will provide a lot ofcolor for very little effort.

GROUND COVERSIf you have an area of your yard that is difficult to mow, such as a steep bank, tryplanting an easy-to-grow ground cover such as ivy, ajuga, creeping sedums orpachysandra. Most ground cover plants thrive easily, especially if you chooseone that is well-suited to the level of sunlight or shade that the area receives.Periwinkle is a good choice for shade, while plants such as creeping phlox dowell in full sun.

PPIICCKKIINNGG EEAASSYY GGRROOWWIINNGG PPLLAANNTTSS9 Easiest plants for your yard

Daylilies, Black-Eyed Susans, Hostas and Hydrangeas

Hostas


CChhoooossee tthhee BBeessttPPaattiioo LLiigghhttiinnggLighting options your deck or patio that fit your space, needs, and budget.

Good lighting makes a walkway easy to navigate

after dark, provides safety and security, and cre-

ates a welcoming ambiance. Flexibility is the

key.

Bright, standard-voltage lights, such as an under-

eave porch light or a post light, add strong illumi-

nation to repel intruders or allow you to walk

without tripping when carrying in the groceries.

However, they are too glaring for entertaining.

Low-voltage lights are mellower, and bright

enough for most evening activities.

For most patios, a combination of the two types

of lighting is ideal. If you already have strong

standard-voltage lighting, consider installing dim-

mer switches so that you can soften the effect

when you want.

IIlllluummiinnaattee

TTyyppeess ooff LLiigghhttss

Path lights like the one at right, usually have shades that produce awide, downward spread of light.

Lantern-type lights both illuminate paths and provide general lighting.

Spotlights or floodlights can be swiveled to point at a feature or anarea of the yard.

"Brick lights" are shaped to resemble a patio paver and are actuallyinstalled in the soil, where they point diffused light upward.

Rope lights are strings of tiny, evenly spacedbulbs that can be hung from a tree likeChristmas lights.

Deck lights can be fastened to a verticalstructure such as an overhead or a trellis.

Courtesy of Lamps Plus/ LampsPlus.com

Growing vegetables can bring outthe farmer in you. You till the soiland tend the plants, and then reapthe rewards when the plants bearfruit.

Even if you don't have much gar-dening space or sunny ground, youcan still experience the pleasure ofharvesting your own vine-ripenedtomatoes and other crops. All youneed is a generous-size container,good potting soil, and a patio, deck,or corner that gets at least six hoursof full sun a day.

Here are the top crops for pots, andhow to grow them.

BeansPot depth: 14 to 16 inches

Soil temperature (at planting time):At least 60ºF

Spacing: Direct-sow seeds 2–3inches apart.

Pole beans are more productiveover the long run than bush beans(which produce their crop all atonce). Train the 6- to 8-foot-tallvines on a trellis or tepee madefrom bamboo poles. Try 'Blue LakePole', 'Helda' romano, or heirloom'Kentucky Wonder'.

CarrotsPot depth: 9–14 inches

Soil temperature: At least 55ºF.

Spacing: Direct-sow seeds 1/2 to 1inch apart; thin seedlings 1 to 2inches apart.

Choose a deep pot for carrots withlong roots, such as 'Nantes' half-long type (7 inches long). Shallowerpots are adequate for shorter carrotssuch as 'Short 'n Sweet' or roundones like 'Thumbelina.' Don't let thesoil dry out.

CucumbersPot depth: 18 inches


Spacing: One plant per pot.

Bush types like 'Bush Champion'and disease-resistant 'Salad Bush'take up half the space of trailingtypes. 'Lemon' cuke also bears wellon a trellis.

EggplantsPot depth: 14–16 inches


Spacing: One or two plants per pot.

With their colorful fruits and attrac-tive foliage, eggplants have out-standing ornamental value. Try'Black Beauty', an American heir-loom with bulbous, purple-blackfruits, or 'Little Fingers,' an Asiantype with slim fruits.

PeppersPot depth: 14 to 16 inches



Choose from an amazing array ofcolors, shapes, and heat levels, frommildly spicy 'Anaheim' to searinghot 'Thai Dragon'. Among sweetpeppers, try 'Ariane' an orange bell,or 'Giant Marconi', a long, red onethat's great for grilling.

PotatoesPot depth: 18 inches


Spacing: Plant tubers 6 inches apart.

Potatoes are productive if there'sample room for tubers to develop.

Bury seed potatoes in an 8-inch layerof soil at the bottom of the pot. Asplants grow, pile more soil up to thetop set of leaves. Try small- to medi-um-size 'All Blue', 'Red Pontiac', or'Yukon Gold'.

SquashPot depth: 18 inches



Summer squash is more productivethan winter squash. Grow compactvarieties like 'Gold Rush' yellow zuc-chini, 'Spacemiser' green zucchini, or'Sunburst' scallopini.

TomatoesPot depth: 18 inches



Use small wire cages or stakes to sup-port determinate types (2- to 3-foot-tall varieties that produce their crop allat once); try 'Bush Celebrity'. Usesturdy 5-foot.-tall cages for indetermi-nate types (tall kinds that producefruits all season) such as 'Early Girl'.

Top Crops for PotsMake the most of your container gardens and grow vegetables at home. Thesetips will help you choose the best plants for your climate and containers.

No ground to garden? Grow summer veggies on the patio.


EEccoonnoommiicc OOppttiioonn

An inexpensive option for patio lighting will likely be a kit that con-tains 10 or so lights, a programmable transformer, and all the cableand connectors you need.

If you want to install a vari-ety of lightsor if you don'tlike the lightsthat come inkits, you willneed to pur-chase the com-ponents sepa-rately.

When choosinga transformer,check its specsor consult asalesperson to besure that it isstrong enough tosupply power toall the lights youneed.

LLiigghhttiinngg TTeecchhnniiqquueess

Position lights so that they will provide illumination without shininginto people’s eyes. Often, this means placing low-voltage lights lowerthan 2 feet above the ground and standard-voltage lights higher than 7feet.

You can also place lights behind a barrier or use fixtures that provideshielded or diffused light. Most yards benefit from a combination oftwo or three types.

DDoowwnnlliigghhttiinngg

Use lights that pointdownward to gentlylight up a patio orwalkway, or toaccent trees andshrubs.

SSpprreeaadd LLiigghhttiinngg

Use short downward-spreading lights not only to light up a path but tolight up shrubbery or flowers. Try different colored bulbs

for decorative effects.

SSiillhhoouueettttiinngg

To emphasize the shape of a tree, shrub, or bed of flowers, try aiminga spotlight or floodlight at a fence or wall from close behind the plant.

Outdoor lighting can be both functional and aesthetic. A well lithome is also safer and more secure. Illuminated steps, paths anddriveways prevent after-dark accidents. Motion detectors light upobscure spots when someone passes by. Photocells automaticallyturn on fixtures at dusk and off at dawn, providing protection evenwhen you’re away from home. When installing outdoor lights,conceal the light source behind shrubs, tree branches or otherfoliage -- unless the fixture is a decorative element.

Growing food in pots can be easier than planting DEAN FOSDICK,For The Associated Press

Two of the hottest trends in gardening are containers and cultivating freshfood, and many savvy families are beginning to combine the two. They'regrowing their vegetables in pots.

Improvements in potting soils and fertilizers have made this a straightfor-ward and generally successful exercise, said Pamela Crawford, a landscapearchitect from Canton, Ga., who has written four books about container gar-dening.

"It's so easy to put a tomato into a pot. It almost grows itself," Crawfordsaid. "It's a whole different ballgame than putting one in the ground. There'sless weeding involved and fewer insects to fight. Container gardens are moreproductive and involve less work."

Shapely pots and colorful plants are a great combination for growing edibles— especially where garden space is lacking. Containers can deliver thegoods and in remarkably large quantities.

"I've been able to harvest as many as 236 small spicy peppers all at oncefrom four plants in a 16- to 20-inch container," Crawford said, referring tohabaneros. "I've also been able to get my fill of tomatoes from a pot thatincluded a few ornamental sweet potato vines with their large root systems.It's amazing how little ground space plants need to be productive. They cantolerate being crowded."

Mixing flowers with ornamental vegetables makes good container sense.Cucumbers, coleus and begonias are eye-catching when planted together.Other great potted pairings include rosemary surrounded by lettuce, viola

tucked among some long-leggedbroccoli plants and spinachgrowing alongside moundedchrysanthemums. Viola andchrysanthemum petals are edible,by the way.

Adding flowers also extends thelife of the combos, Crawfordsaid. "In many of my containers,with flowers that lived muchlonger than the vegetables, I sim-ply cut the dead vegetablebranches off and left the flowersto fill in the remaining space,"she wrote in her latest book,"Easy Container Combos;Vegetables and Flowers" (ColorGarden Publishing, 2010).

Most any kind of container willserve, provided it has the neces-sary openings for drainage.Having too much water in thesoil is almost as deadly as havingtoo little. It rots the plant roots.

Baskets are good choices. So arewindow boxes, kitchen totes anda whole range of recyclables

including old barrels, buckets andmilk jugs. Just be careful aboutcolors and breathability.

"I've had good experi-ence with clay potsand plastic pots," saidJoseph Masabni, anassistant professor andextension horticultur-ist with Texas A&MUniversity. "If youlive in a hot area, Idon't recommendblack or dark contain-ers. They can overheatplants. I prefer claybecause it breathes ifit isn't coated. (Plant)roots are never starvedfor oxygen."

Vegetable gardeningin containers is also agood way to involvechildren. The size ofthe project won't beoverwhelming,Masabni said.

"Practicality is probably the major consideration. Older people who are stillgardeners at heart but who live in apartments also can grow their fill of veg-etables or small fruiting shrubs in pots," he said.

Even people with plenty of land find growing in containers easier with cer-tain produce, such as potatoes, he said.

"There's no digging required," Masabni said. "Just tip the pots over andgather up the crop."

Growing vegetables in containers

Pamela Crawford is author of "Easy Container Combos: Vegetables andFlowers."

Vegetables and flowers can do well inpots, including tomatoes. (ColorGarden Publishing)

Vegetables and flowers can do well in pots, includ-ing mustard greens and lettuce. (Color GardenPublishing)

A Feast for the Eyes


For many of us, our yards are an extension of our living spaces, so when wethink of landscaping, we should think of it as we do decorating our homes. Hereare some gardening decor ideas to consider.

When we decorate our homes, we look at the whole picture. We evaluate eachspace for its walls, furniture, floors, accent pieces and how all the elements worktogether in the design. It should be no different when working on gardeningdecor. We need to look at the whole picture and how all the elements worktogether to create a well balanced and eye-pleasing outdoor environment with awelcoming ambience.

SIZE DOESN’T MATTERWhether you have a sprawling five acres or a small patio garden, it’s not the sizethat matters, but what you do with it. Yes, we’ve heard this before, and it makes lotsof sense in gardening too!

DRAW IT FIRSTYou wouldn’t build a house without drawing out the plans first. The same thoughtand planning should go into your landscape design. Consider the contour of the landand what you want each area to accomplish: Shade, barrier, play, lounging, etc.Think of your garden space as a blank canvas, and your paints will consist of all theelements, both live and accent, that you’ll paint on with your creative mind’s eye.For inspiration, visit the landscape design site.

THINGS TO CONSIDER IN GARDENING DECOR

Patio/deck/arbor/arches If you’re starting from scratch, think about where you would like a relaxingretreat. This will be your place to sit back with a cool ice tea and watch the flow-ers grow, serve a summer BBQ or sit and chat with friends and family.

Grounds Decide which areas will need lawn, gravel, paving material or steppingstones bywhat purpose those areas will serve and what degree of time you will have to putinto their upkeep.

Plants and flowers Consult with the friendly fella at your local garden center for plants and flowersthat will thrive best in your area. Mix and match your flowers and greenery to beat a variety of heights and groupings. Be sure you take into considerationwhether they are annuals or perennials. Remember, annuals will need to bereplaced each year, whereas as perennials will need care and pruning to keepthem looking prime from season to season. Select a variety of colors, shapes andsizes both in plants and flowers, adding variety to your design. Keep in mindtheir vertical and horizontal growth patterns.

GGAARRDDEENNIINNGG DDEECCOORR!!Tips for decorating your garden in style

outdoor living


outdoor living

Garden DecorContainers/pots/urns Whether yours is a large yardor a small apartment patio, afew well-chosen potted plantsand flowers strategicallyplaced can add a bit of flair toyour design. Today’s gardencenters carry a huge variety ofsizes, shapes and colors to fitany budget.

TreesSelect trees that will enhanceyour design and serve youwell through all seasons. Inaddition to considering treesthat thrive best in your partic-ular climate, also considershape, growth rate, shade, andthe amount of litter you canexpect. Do you want decidu-ous trees or evergreens?Weeping willows are beauti-ful, but are you willing to put up with the flowers and leaves it will drop?

Watering system A major part of a landscape design is the watering system. After all, if plants andtrees don’t receive the proper amount of water, all the time and money you putinto your landscape design is wasted. Use the drawing of your landscape designto determine the best plan for an underground watering system on a timer. If youor your hubby are inexperienced in this area, then call in the professionals. Theywill know the best way accomplish what you’re trying to achieve at a minimumcost to you.

Lighting A beautiful garden should look just as enticing in the evening as it does in thedaytime. Plan a simple lighting system that will subtly showcase your design inthe evening, whether you’re viewing it from outside or in.

Texture Texture adds interest to your garden design and can be added to your plant andflower groupings with large boulders, rocks, gravel, and tree bark. Determinewhat will look best in your design plan.

Water features A water feature adds a feeling of calm and tranquility to any garden setting. Itcan be as large as a koi pond or mini-waterfall, or as small as a fountain or watersculpture. Be ready, however, for a commitment to the periodical care it willrequire.

Wall art How brave and daring are you? Consider adding a mural to an adjacent wall. ATuscan scene or painting of a gate crawling with vines might create a lovelybackdrop to your garden. If you prefer not to paint the wall, an alternative mightbe a framed painting or a piece of wrought iron artwork.

Furniture Since you plan on enjoying your garden, finishing off your outdoor space withfurniture is essential. Think about how a table set, sofa, chairs, hammock orbench would compliment your comfort and enjoyment of the area as well as addan enticing visual element. Remember to let the furniture color match the youroverall design. It’s important to also keep in mind how each furniture piece willhandle the weather.

Additional accents The final touches in your garden may include accents like a birdhouse, bird feed-er, statue, sun catcher, chimes, or lantern. You may choose to personalize youraccent with special items, antiques and unique items, like an old wash tub orwatering can, used as containers. Just remember, less is more. Too many itemswill become clutter and detract from the overall look you’re trying to achieve.

The Pikeville City Park’smakeover has been successful

BY AMANDA GOFFSTAFF WRITER

The City of Pikeville has done a lot ofwork to make the city beautiful, and big partof its work was a full makeover on thePikeville City Park.

The park has gone through many differ-ent stages, but the main focus of the renova-tions has always been to make it more userfriendly.

First, the city had the tourism departmenttrain car moved from the park to theHambley Boulevard. That move opened upthe space that is now a covered walkway.

“The intent was to give everybody a natu-ral flow from the parking garage to the ExpoCenter,” said city manager DonovanBlackburn.

At the same time as the city made thewalkway, another big part of the makeoverwas landscaping.

The city hired Anderson Landscaping todo most of the work, but Utility ManagementGroup now has now taken over

“UMG has a large indoor greenhousewhere we grow a lot of the hanging basketsand a lot of the seedlings for a lot of theplants you see in the downtown area, whichit saves the city money,” Blackburn said.

After that, the city repaired all of the bro-ken sidewalks and put in two fountains. Oneis on the corner of College Street andHuffman Ave., the other is a lion’ head that islocated more towards the center of the park.

It also added new black light fixtures tomatch the ones in the downtown area. Inaddition, the city has added new benches,trash receptacles, picnic tables, tore downthe wall on Huffman Ave.

“That was the first phase of what we did,then we came back and reconditioned thegazebo,” said Blackburn. The city addednew speakers and sound system to it.

Then it added a new picnic shelter on theside next to Big Sandy Community andTechnical College and redid the play-grounds.

The older play equipment was moved toBob Amos, and the city added Barney thedinosaur equipment.

The most recent addition to the park isthe newest three-story, multiple slide playequipment that opened during the week ofHillbilly Days, which Blackburn said wasabout a $100,000 investment.

Right now, the city is getting ready to putin new swings. Instead of four, there will besix and a new tire swing.

The city bought the Garfield Centerwhich is affectionately know as the WhiteHouse in the park.

“The park wasn’t symmetricallystraight,” Blackburn said.

City management was able to negotiatewith the owner and bought the house foraround $400,000. After six months of reno-vation and removing the fence around thehouse, pine trees and black top, the parkwas straight and had a new facility for gath-

erings.There is a community center of the first

floor which can be rented for $35, and thecity’s management offices are on the secondfloor. Blackburn said that the nearly 100-year-old house is the first annex building tocity hall.

Another important part of the park’smakeover that created more green spacewas the bathroom’s relocation from the cen-ter of the park to the side next to theGarfield Center.

It cost $35,000 to hire a contractor tophysically jack up the bathrooms and movethem. This allowed for more sidewalks tomake the park more user friendly.

After that, the city added a new rock wallon the College Street side to give the park amore historic feel to go with the WhiteHouse.

The renovations in the park has made itmore user friendly and more aestheticallypleasing, and as a result people are using itmore.

Many college students utilize the wi-fi thecity added through Southeast Telephone,schools are bringing their students on fieldtrips to have a day of fun in the park anddowntown businesses are even benefitingfrom the growing use of the park.

“Seven years ago there was 11 eventsscheduled for the entire year in the citypark,” Blackburn said. “In comparison, wehad almost 400 events in the past year,” saidBlackburn.


This undated photo providedby The Netherlands FlowerBulb Information Centershows the Lilium "Eudoxia"."Eudoxia" is a Lily Hybridachieved by crossing anOriental lily with a Trumpetlily. Dutch hybridizers aregilding the lily, upgradingthe cut flower favorite thatalso brings long-lastingbeauty to gardens. Newvarieties with deeper tints,stronger stems and softerfragrances are entering themarket, prompting retailersto frequently update theirweb sites and catalogs. (APPhoto/The NetherlandsFlower Bulb InformationCenter)

DEAN FOSDICK,For The Associated Press

Dutch hybridizers are gilding the lily,upgrading the cut flower favorite that alsobrings such long-lasting beauty to gardens.

New varieties with deeper tints, strongerstems and softer fragrances are entering themarket, prompting retailers to frequentlyupdate their websites and catalogs.

"Our customers seem very interested in newlily varieties and they are selling well," saysBecky Heath. She and her husband own andoperate Brent and Becky's Bulbs nearGloucester, Va.

Breeders like lilies because the hybrids canbe crossed and their progeny sold morequickly than other bulb flowers, like tulips,that may require a decade or better to devel-op. Gardeners like lilies because the bulbs areso easy to grow.

They bloom for a long time," says SallyFerguson, a spokeswoman for theNetherlands Flower Bulb Information Center. "As perennials, they're troupers, providingyears and years of pleasure. They're colorfuland often exquisitely fragrant. They haveheight (and) excel at blooming above otherperennials. Shorter varieties are well suited tocontainers or patio pots."

Lilies are unusual in that they can be plantedin fall or spring, she adds. "Being hardy, theythrive either way."

It wasn't so long ago that lilies came only infour types: Asiatic, Oriental, Longiflorumand Trumpet (garden-only varieties withtremendous strength). Dutch breeders havebeen actively crossing those types, producingan average 60 to 70 new varieties each year.Most are developed to boost quality andmake shipping easier for the cut flowerindustry.

Names of the new types point to theirparentage. "LO" hybrids, for example, arederived from Longiflorum-Oriental varietiesand carry traits of both — notably largeblooms and heavy fragrance. That also goesfor the "OA" or Oriental-Asiatics, with theirbright colors, shiny foliage and softer scent.

Then there's the "LA" grouping, orLongiflorum-Asiatic, which exhibit a bright-ly colored, trumpet-shaped bloom. Add thedouble-petal and spider varieties and it'seasy to understand why flower fanciers arecalling this the new golden age of the lily.

You can't go wrong with a lily. Most lilycultivars are hardy to minus 20. You canhave them in borders, boxes or beds. Youcan add them to some annuals. You canbring them inside in a vase. Mass them inyards and the clumps will just grow biggerand bigger."

Lilies arriving in many new varieties

Dutch hybridizers are gildingthe lily, upgrading the cut

flower favorite that also bringslong-lasting beauty to gardens.

New varieties with deepertints, stronger stems and softer

fragrances are entering themarket, prompting retailers to

frequently update their websites and catalogs. These pho-

tos provided by TheNetherlands Flower BulbInformation Center. Top:

Lilium "Millesimo. Below:Longiflorum Oriental Lily

"Gizmo" Roselily Lilium"Belonica" variety of a Double

Oriental Lilly.


outdoor living

Garden DecorContainers/pots/urns Whether yours is a large yardor a small apartment patio, afew well-chosen potted plantsand flowers strategicallyplaced can add a bit of flair toyour design. Today’s gardencenters carry a huge variety ofsizes, shapes and colors to fitany budget.

TreesSelect trees that will enhanceyour design and serve youwell through all seasons. Inaddition to considering treesthat thrive best in your partic-ular climate, also considershape, growth rate, shade, andthe amount of litter you canexpect. Do you want decidu-ous trees or evergreens?Weeping willows are beauti-ful, but are you willing to put up with the flowers and leaves it will drop?

Watering system A major part of a landscape design is the watering system. After all, if plants andtrees don’t receive the proper amount of water, all the time and money you putinto your landscape design is wasted. Use the drawing of your landscape designto determine the best plan for an underground watering system on a timer. If youor your hubby are inexperienced in this area, then call in the professionals. Theywill know the best way accomplish what you’re trying to achieve at a minimumcost to you.

Lighting A beautiful garden should look just as enticing in the evening as it does in thedaytime. Plan a simple lighting system that will subtly showcase your design inthe evening, whether you’re viewing it from outside or in.

Texture Texture adds interest to your garden design and can be added to your plant andflower groupings with large boulders, rocks, gravel, and tree bark. Determinewhat will look best in your design plan.

Water features A water feature adds a feeling of calm and tranquility to any garden setting. Itcan be as large as a koi pond or mini-waterfall, or as small as a fountain or watersculpture. Be ready, however, for a commitment to the periodical care it willrequire.

Wall art How brave and daring are you? Consider adding a mural to an adjacent wall. ATuscan scene or painting of a gate crawling with vines might create a lovelybackdrop to your garden. If you prefer not to paint the wall, an alternative mightbe a framed painting or a piece of wrought iron artwork.

Furniture Since you plan on enjoying your garden, finishing off your outdoor space withfurniture is essential. Think about how a table set, sofa, chairs, hammock orbench would compliment your comfort and enjoyment of the area as well as addan enticing visual element. Remember to let the furniture color match the youroverall design. It’s important to also keep in mind how each furniture piece willhandle the weather.

Additional accents The final touches in your garden may include accents like a birdhouse, bird feed-er, statue, sun catcher, chimes, or lantern. You may choose to personalize youraccent with special items, antiques and unique items, like an old wash tub orwatering can, used as containers. Just remember, less is more. Too many itemswill become clutter and detract from the overall look you’re trying to achieve.

The Pikeville City Park’smakeover has been successful

BY AMANDA GOFFSTAFF WRITER

The City of Pikeville has done a lot ofwork to make the city beautiful, and big partof its work was a full makeover on thePikeville City Park.

The park has gone through many differ-ent stages, but the main focus of the renova-tions has always been to make it more userfriendly.

First, the city had the tourism departmenttrain car moved from the park to theHambley Boulevard. That move opened upthe space that is now a covered walkway.

“The intent was to give everybody a natu-ral flow from the parking garage to the ExpoCenter,” said city manager DonovanBlackburn.

At the same time as the city made thewalkway, another big part of the makeoverwas landscaping.

The city hired Anderson Landscaping todo most of the work, but Utility ManagementGroup now has now taken over

“UMG has a large indoor greenhousewhere we grow a lot of the hanging basketsand a lot of the seedlings for a lot of theplants you see in the downtown area, whichit saves the city money,” Blackburn said.

After that, the city repaired all of the bro-ken sidewalks and put in two fountains. Oneis on the corner of College Street andHuffman Ave., the other is a lion’ head that islocated more towards the center of the park.

It also added new black light fixtures tomatch the ones in the downtown area. Inaddition, the city has added new benches,trash receptacles, picnic tables, tore downthe wall on Huffman Ave.

“That was the first phase of what we did,then we came back and reconditioned thegazebo,” said Blackburn. The city addednew speakers and sound system to it.

Then it added a new picnic shelter on theside next to Big Sandy Community andTechnical College and redid the play-grounds.

The older play equipment was moved toBob Amos, and the city added Barney thedinosaur equipment.

The most recent addition to the park isthe newest three-story, multiple slide playequipment that opened during the week ofHillbilly Days, which Blackburn said wasabout a $100,000 investment.

Right now, the city is getting ready to putin new swings. Instead of four, there will besix and a new tire swing.

The city bought the Garfield Centerwhich is affectionately know as the WhiteHouse in the park.

“The park wasn’t symmetricallystraight,” Blackburn said.

City management was able to negotiatewith the owner and bought the house foraround $400,000. After six months of reno-vation and removing the fence around thehouse, pine trees and black top, the parkwas straight and had a new facility for gath-

erings.There is a community center of the first

floor which can be rented for $35, and thecity’s management offices are on the secondfloor. Blackburn said that the nearly 100-year-old house is the first annex building tocity hall.

Another important part of the park’smakeover that created more green spacewas the bathroom’s relocation from the cen-ter of the park to the side next to theGarfield Center.

It cost $35,000 to hire a contractor tophysically jack up the bathrooms and movethem. This allowed for more sidewalks tomake the park more user friendly.

After that, the city added a new rock wallon the College Street side to give the park amore historic feel to go with the WhiteHouse.

The renovations in the park has made itmore user friendly and more aestheticallypleasing, and as a result people are using itmore.

Many college students utilize the wi-fi thecity added through Southeast Telephone,schools are bringing their students on fieldtrips to have a day of fun in the park anddowntown businesses are even benefitingfrom the growing use of the park.

“Seven years ago there was 11 eventsscheduled for the entire year in the citypark,” Blackburn said. “In comparison, wehad almost 400 events in the past year,” saidBlackburn.


For many of us, our yards are an extension of our living spaces, so when wethink of landscaping, we should think of it as we do decorating our homes. Hereare some gardening decor ideas to consider.

When we decorate our homes, we look at the whole picture. We evaluate eachspace for its walls, furniture, floors, accent pieces and how all the elements worktogether in the design. It should be no different when working on gardeningdecor. We need to look at the whole picture and how all the elements worktogether to create a well balanced and eye-pleasing outdoor environment with awelcoming ambience.

SIZE DOESN’T MATTERWhether you have a sprawling five acres or a small patio garden, it’s not the sizethat matters, but what you do with it. Yes, we’ve heard this before, and it makes lotsof sense in gardening too!

DRAW IT FIRSTYou wouldn’t build a house without drawing out the plans first. The same thoughtand planning should go into your landscape design. Consider the contour of the landand what you want each area to accomplish: Shade, barrier, play, lounging, etc.Think of your garden space as a blank canvas, and your paints will consist of all theelements, both live and accent, that you’ll paint on with your creative mind’s eye.For inspiration, visit the landscape design site.

THINGS TO CONSIDER IN GARDENING DECOR

Patio/deck/arbor/arches If you’re starting from scratch, think about where you would like a relaxingretreat. This will be your place to sit back with a cool ice tea and watch the flow-ers grow, serve a summer BBQ or sit and chat with friends and family.

Grounds Decide which areas will need lawn, gravel, paving material or steppingstones bywhat purpose those areas will serve and what degree of time you will have to putinto their upkeep.

Plants and flowers Consult with the friendly fella at your local garden center for plants and flowersthat will thrive best in your area. Mix and match your flowers and greenery to beat a variety of heights and groupings. Be sure you take into considerationwhether they are annuals or perennials. Remember, annuals will need to bereplaced each year, whereas as perennials will need care and pruning to keepthem looking prime from season to season. Select a variety of colors, shapes andsizes both in plants and flowers, adding variety to your design. Keep in mindtheir vertical and horizontal growth patterns.

GGAARRDDEENNIINNGG DDEECCOORR!!Tips for decorating your garden in style

outdoor living


EEccoonnoommiicc OOppttiioonn

An inexpensive option for patio lighting will likely be a kit that con-tains 10 or so lights, a programmable transformer, and all the cableand connectors you need.

If you want to install a vari-ety of lightsor if you don'tlike the lightsthat come inkits, you willneed to pur-chase the com-ponents sepa-rately.

When choosinga transformer,check its specsor consult asalesperson to besure that it isstrong enough tosupply power toall the lights youneed.

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Position lights so that they will provide illumination without shininginto people’s eyes. Often, this means placing low-voltage lights lowerthan 2 feet above the ground and standard-voltage lights higher than 7feet.

You can also place lights behind a barrier or use fixtures that provideshielded or diffused light. Most yards benefit from a combination oftwo or three types.

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Use lights that pointdownward to gentlylight up a patio orwalkway, or toaccent trees andshrubs.

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Use short downward-spreading lights not only to light up a path but tolight up shrubbery or flowers. Try different colored bulbs

for decorative effects.

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To emphasize the shape of a tree, shrub, or bed of flowers, try aiminga spotlight or floodlight at a fence or wall from close behind the plant.

Outdoor lighting can be both functional and aesthetic. A well lithome is also safer and more secure. Illuminated steps, paths anddriveways prevent after-dark accidents. Motion detectors light upobscure spots when someone passes by. Photocells automaticallyturn on fixtures at dusk and off at dawn, providing protection evenwhen you’re away from home. When installing outdoor lights,conceal the light source behind shrubs, tree branches or otherfoliage -- unless the fixture is a decorative element.

Growing food in pots can be easier than planting DEAN FOSDICK,For The Associated Press

Two of the hottest trends in gardening are containers and cultivating freshfood, and many savvy families are beginning to combine the two. They'regrowing their vegetables in pots.

Improvements in potting soils and fertilizers have made this a straightfor-ward and generally successful exercise, said Pamela Crawford, a landscapearchitect from Canton, Ga., who has written four books about container gar-dening.

"It's so easy to put a tomato into a pot. It almost grows itself," Crawfordsaid. "It's a whole different ballgame than putting one in the ground. There'sless weeding involved and fewer insects to fight. Container gardens are moreproductive and involve less work."

Shapely pots and colorful plants are a great combination for growing edibles— especially where garden space is lacking. Containers can deliver thegoods and in remarkably large quantities.

"I've been able to harvest as many as 236 small spicy peppers all at oncefrom four plants in a 16- to 20-inch container," Crawford said, referring tohabaneros. "I've also been able to get my fill of tomatoes from a pot thatincluded a few ornamental sweet potato vines with their large root systems.It's amazing how little ground space plants need to be productive. They cantolerate being crowded."

Mixing flowers with ornamental vegetables makes good container sense.Cucumbers, coleus and begonias are eye-catching when planted together.Other great potted pairings include rosemary surrounded by lettuce, viola

tucked among some long-leggedbroccoli plants and spinachgrowing alongside moundedchrysanthemums. Viola andchrysanthemum petals are edible,by the way.

Adding flowers also extends thelife of the combos, Crawfordsaid. "In many of my containers,with flowers that lived muchlonger than the vegetables, I sim-ply cut the dead vegetablebranches off and left the flowersto fill in the remaining space,"she wrote in her latest book,"Easy Container Combos;Vegetables and Flowers" (ColorGarden Publishing, 2010).

Most any kind of container willserve, provided it has the neces-sary openings for drainage.Having too much water in thesoil is almost as deadly as havingtoo little. It rots the plant roots.

Baskets are good choices. So arewindow boxes, kitchen totes anda whole range of recyclables

including old barrels, buckets andmilk jugs. Just be careful aboutcolors and breathability.

"I've had good experi-ence with clay potsand plastic pots," saidJoseph Masabni, anassistant professor andextension horticultur-ist with Texas A&MUniversity. "If youlive in a hot area, Idon't recommendblack or dark contain-ers. They can overheatplants. I prefer claybecause it breathes ifit isn't coated. (Plant)roots are never starvedfor oxygen."

Vegetable gardeningin containers is also agood way to involvechildren. The size ofthe project won't beoverwhelming,Masabni said.

"Practicality is probably the major consideration. Older people who are stillgardeners at heart but who live in apartments also can grow their fill of veg-etables or small fruiting shrubs in pots," he said.

Even people with plenty of land find growing in containers easier with cer-tain produce, such as potatoes, he said.

"There's no digging required," Masabni said. "Just tip the pots over andgather up the crop."

Growing vegetables in containers

Pamela Crawford is author of "Easy Container Combos: Vegetables andFlowers."

Vegetables and flowers can do well inpots, including tomatoes. (ColorGarden Publishing)

Vegetables and flowers can do well in pots, includ-ing mustard greens and lettuce. (Color GardenPublishing)

A Feast for the Eyes


CChhoooossee tthhee BBeessttPPaattiioo LLiigghhttiinnggLighting options your deck or patio that fit your space, needs, and budget.

Good lighting makes a walkway easy to navigate

after dark, provides safety and security, and cre-

ates a welcoming ambiance. Flexibility is the

key.

Bright, standard-voltage lights, such as an under-

eave porch light or a post light, add strong illumi-

nation to repel intruders or allow you to walk

without tripping when carrying in the groceries.

However, they are too glaring for entertaining.

Low-voltage lights are mellower, and bright

enough for most evening activities.

For most patios, a combination of the two types

of lighting is ideal. If you already have strong

standard-voltage lighting, consider installing dim-

mer switches so that you can soften the effect

when you want.

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Path lights like the one at right, usually have shades that produce awide, downward spread of light.

Lantern-type lights both illuminate paths and provide general lighting.

Spotlights or floodlights can be swiveled to point at a feature or anarea of the yard.

"Brick lights" are shaped to resemble a patio paver and are actuallyinstalled in the soil, where they point diffused light upward.

Rope lights are strings of tiny, evenly spacedbulbs that can be hung from a tree likeChristmas lights.

Deck lights can be fastened to a verticalstructure such as an overhead or a trellis.

Courtesy of Lamps Plus/ LampsPlus.com

Growing vegetables can bring outthe farmer in you. You till the soiland tend the plants, and then reapthe rewards when the plants bearfruit.

Even if you don't have much gar-dening space or sunny ground, youcan still experience the pleasure ofharvesting your own vine-ripenedtomatoes and other crops. All youneed is a generous-size container,good potting soil, and a patio, deck,or corner that gets at least six hoursof full sun a day.

Here are the top crops for pots, andhow to grow them.

BeansPot depth: 14 to 16 inches

Soil temperature (at planting time):At least 60ºF

Spacing: Direct-sow seeds 2–3inches apart.

Pole beans are more productiveover the long run than bush beans(which produce their crop all atonce). Train the 6- to 8-foot-tallvines on a trellis or tepee madefrom bamboo poles. Try 'Blue LakePole', 'Helda' romano, or heirloom'Kentucky Wonder'.

CarrotsPot depth: 9–14 inches


Spacing: Direct-sow seeds 1/2 to 1inch apart; thin seedlings 1 to 2inches apart.

Choose a deep pot for carrots withlong roots, such as 'Nantes' half-long type (7 inches long). Shallowerpots are adequate for shorter carrotssuch as 'Short 'n Sweet' or roundones like 'Thumbelina.' Don't let thesoil dry out.

CucumbersPot depth: 18 inches



Bush types like 'Bush Champion'and disease-resistant 'Salad Bush'take up half the space of trailingtypes. 'Lemon' cuke also bears wellon a trellis.

EggplantsPot depth: 14–16 inches



With their colorful fruits and attrac-tive foliage, eggplants have out-standing ornamental value. Try'Black Beauty', an American heir-loom with bulbous, purple-blackfruits, or 'Little Fingers,' an Asiantype with slim fruits.

PeppersPot depth: 14 to 16 inches



Choose from an amazing array ofcolors, shapes, and heat levels, frommildly spicy 'Anaheim' to searinghot 'Thai Dragon'. Among sweetpeppers, try 'Ariane' an orange bell,or 'Giant Marconi', a long, red onethat's great for grilling.

PotatoesPot depth: 18 inches


Spacing: Plant tubers 6 inches apart.

Potatoes are productive if there'sample room for tubers to develop.

Bury seed potatoes in an 8-inch layerof soil at the bottom of the pot. Asplants grow, pile more soil up to thetop set of leaves. Try small- to medi-um-size 'All Blue', 'Red Pontiac', or'Yukon Gold'.

SquashPot depth: 18 inches



Summer squash is more productivethan winter squash. Grow compactvarieties like 'Gold Rush' yellow zuc-chini, 'Spacemiser' green zucchini, or'Sunburst' scallopini.

TomatoesPot depth: 18 inches



Use small wire cages or stakes to sup-port determinate types (2- to 3-foot-tall varieties that produce their crop allat once); try 'Bush Celebrity'. Usesturdy 5-foot.-tall cages for indetermi-nate types (tall kinds that producefruits all season) such as 'Early Girl'.

Top Crops for PotsMake the most of your container gardens and grow vegetables at home. Thesetips will help you choose the best plants for your climate and containers.

No ground to garden? Grow summer veggies on the patio.