An advertising supplement of the | Sunday News, September 18, 2011

2 SEPTEMBER 18, 2011

FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT

Lancaster, Pa.

Top tips for the best first impression(MS) Its called curb appeal, that good impression people get of your home when they pull up in a car, or when walking by. Real estate agents can be as pleased with exterior curb appeal as they are with a well-maintained house on the inside. When it comes to residential property value, this book is indeed judged by its cover. Exterior trouble areas include peeling paint; rotting wood on window frames; buckled roof shingles; overgrown shrubs; ignored lawns; and weeds growing through interlock paths, steps and the driveway. The lawns and landscaping that frame our home are as important as the quality inside, says Reinie Drygala, lawncare products manager for Clear Choice, a leading name in innovative garden products. And the good news is: when it comes to first impressions just a few little tips and tricks can make a big difference quickly. If youre frustrated about overgrown weeds, for example, the newest herbicide technology is tackling that, Drygala continued. Now there are alternatives to traditional herbicides that effectively kill weeds, but also provide the homeowner with options if they are looking for ways to have less impact on the environment. In addition to beautifying your lawn, try these quick tricks to give your home instant curb appeal:

* Scrape and spot-paint jobs, or larger jugs for a big problem areas. This might be a * Replace or paint rusty surface area. More information temporary fix, but even a touch fixtures like the mailbox, railings, at www.todaysclearchoice.com. up is better than peeling paint. house number, and more. * Install lighting along * Add colour by planting * Tackle pesky weeds on your walkways and steps, some annuals in the front yard interlock paths and driveway. or to spotlight the shape and flowerbeds. Use hand sprays for targeted architecture.

Budgeting for your home improvement projectHome improvement projects have become de rigueur for todays homeowners. Be it a kitchen remodel or the ever popular man cave project, home improvement projects remain a goal for many homeowners. As enticing as a home improvement project might be, no project can be successful until a budget has been established. The right budget will keep homeowners from going deep into debt when improving their homes, ensuring that, upon the projects completion, they can fully enjoy their revamped castles without the specter of significant debt hanging ominously over their heads. Before beginning a home improvement project, homeowners can take the following things into consideration. expenses include everything from groceries to mortgage payments. When the comparison between monthly expenses and monthly income has been made, homeowners can get a grasp of just what they can and cannot * Personal finances: It sounds afford. simple, but homeowners must examine their finances before * Credit score: Many starting a home improvement homeowners finance home project. Just because a bank will improvement projects with loans loan out money for a project from the bank. Particularly in the doesnt mean the project is current economy when banks are affordable. being forced to tighten lending Homeowners should compare requirements, securing such their monthly expenses with their loans isnt easy. incomes, and then determine Homeowners with significant whats left that might be able credit card debt should eliminate to go toward a project. Monthly such debt before beginning a project. Doing so serves multiple purposes. First and foremost, eliminating outstanding debt will free up more money to allocate toward the project. Eliminating debt will also make loan applicants more attractive to prospective creditors, increasing their chances of securing a loan and a lower interest rate.

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things around the house? If wear and tear is taking its toll on the roof, for instance, the money going toward the man cave should probably be allocated to replacing the roof instead. If a project is low on the priority list but high on the want list, re-examine those projects higher up on the priority list to determine if they are more * The projects priority: deserving of immediate attention Budgeting a home improvement and funds than vanity projects. project also involves being honest as to just how necessary * Overrun costs: Not every the project is. home improvement project will For example, a man cave come in at or under budget. might be a dream project, but Many, in fact, go over budget should it be a priority over other due to a host of factors. Homeowners should not be caught off guard when a project goes over budget. Instead, plan for the project to go over budget and expect such frustration. Allocate extra money in the original budget for overrun costs. This will reduce stress and Call on the Comfort Corps frustration, and if the project Humidifiers Heat Pumps Plumbing comes in under budget, then Air Conditioners Air Cleaners Sales, Service, Installation theres extra money when the project is completed. 136 Keller Ave., LancasterPA Home Improvement Contractor Registration # PA011703

Lancaster, Pa.

FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT

SEPTEMBER 18, 2011 3

Celebrating gardening inspires area homeownerBy Rochelle A. Shenk Special Features Writer Dennis Denenberg celebrates gardening and winter warmth in both his landscape design and home. A retired educator, hes also the coauthor of a book on heroes and when hes not in his garden, he spends his time speaking to education groups about heroes. Hes owned the Manheim Township home for nearly 15 years and has transformed both the ranch house and the gardens, which back into wetlands, into a lush oasis. Theres no grass to mow, only mulched paths and a multitude of garden areas. The perennial beds filled with daffodils, irises, lupines, columbines, hardy hibiscus, poppies and roses are quite spectacular in bloom and have color throughout the seasons. Some of the beds were established with the help of friends during planting parties. Many friends also shared a cutting of their favorite plant or bulb, and a bed of peony bushes along one side of the house contains a number of bushes from his family home. The gardens are constantly evolving. This year a custommade plant stand with a mosaic in the center was added to showcase the potted plants. Another project included converting a shed into a greenhouse to over-winter tender plants. A special rock garden is in the works in memory of his 15 years as a professor at Millersville University, hes collecting rocks from former students in as many different states or countries as possible.

Theres something special to see everywhere you look.

cactus and bird of paradise plants. Since its open to the living and dining areas, it also makes a great entertaining space.

Lower level living areas are often dark, but not in this home. A guest bedroom and bath, and exercise room share the lower level with the South Beach room. This themed area combines the owners love The gardens may be enjoyed of warmth and all things Art Deco from several vantage points. A including Miamis trendy South sunroom thats glassed in on three Beach area. sides extends from the rear of the house and opens onto a deck with a The centerpiece of the South custom-made cooking area/bar that Beach room is a mural along the Maintenance-Free surrounds an above-ground pool. back wall that was painted by David Energy Saving Ashley, an artist from York. The idea A tree in the center is lavishly of the mural is that youre on a patio Low-E Argon Glass bedecked with about 25 pounds of at a hotel or condo and looking out Fusion Welding Mardi Gras beads adding color at the skyline; the buildings are not Colonial, Beveled or Leaded Glass and visual interest year-round. The meant to be specific buildings but Tilt-In For Easy Cleaning Windows splash of water can be heard from the rather be representative of the Art Insulating Replacement cascading waterfalls that flows just Deco buildings in South Beach. Bay, Bow or Garden Windows below this fence into an ornamental fish pond rimmed with rock and The mural and the basic them of Vinyl Casements, Sliders & Basement-Hopper Windows edged with flowers. Frogs enjoy the room was completed in 2003, both this pond and another smaller but like the gardens and the rest of FUEL SAVINGS UP TO 48% pond located within the gardens. the house, its a work in progress. However, its infused with warmth, A recent addition dramatically and even on a gray winter day, the 1219 Manheim Pike, Lancaster 393-0859 changed the front of the house. The room sparkles. large atriums not only gives a sunny SHOWROOM HOURS MON-FRI 8AM-6PM SAT 8AM-1PM welcome to guests no matter what Homes and gardens should reflect EARNING YOUR TRUST SINCE 1963 the season, but its tile floors capture the personality of the homeowner, www.georgejgrove.com PA962 and radiate heat to potted plants such and this one certainly does! Your 10% Energy Tax Credit on Doors & Windows Available Now! as a large jade plant, showy clivias,

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4 SEPTEMBER 18, 2011

FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT

Lancaster, Pa.

12 Tips to get your home ready for winterBy Wendy Komancheck Special Features Writer There are 12 important tips that you need to know to prepare your home for winter. Bill Patrick, from E.G. Stoltzfus (www.egstoltzfus. com), 474 Mt. Sidney Road, in Lancaster, and Matt Blank, from MBC Remodeling (www. mbcremodeling.com), 1635 Manor Blvd, in Lancaster, share their winterizing wisdom.

size of a fingernail located on the exterior of your home.

3. Patrick also notes that many wet basements come from little or no slope away from the houses foundation. He recommends that the slope fit the six-foot ring around your homes foundation. The melting ice and snow build up can be kept out of your basement with the ideal oneinch per foot drop away from the house, says Patrick. Extending your downspout outlets to grade 1. Clean out those gutters: beyond the six-inch barrier is Seems so obvious, but leaves ideal as well. get in our gutters and downspouts 4. Cut back the landscaping and keeps [them] from fully draining, says Patrick. Then, around exhaust vents and fresh when that trapped water freezes air intakes. Accumulated snow and ice compromises efficiency clog city! Blank also says safety is a and can even cause your furnace factor, too, when youre cleaning not to run at all. Landscaping out your gutters. Gutter cleaning close to these inlets and outlets safety starts with asking yourself, can doubly accumulate ice and Am I comfortable up a ladder? snow and should be kept one to If not, ask for help. If you are, two feet away, says Patrick. make sure your ladder is on solid 5. Trim turf back from ground. Also, consider asking a spouse or a neighbor to hold the [the] sidewalk to allow the water to run off quickly, says Patrick. ladder for you. That way, you avoid ice melt 2. Paint that trim: The heat that lands on your sidewalk after of the summer will cause the a snowstorm, from eating away paint to dry too quickly, says the concrete over the winter Blank. But the moderate fall months. 6. According to Patrick, its temperatures are perfect for a also a good idea to check your good paint job. Patrick recommends that roof and plumbing boots to make you check all exterior painted sure theyre still protecting your areas for cracks and gaps. He plumbing pipes. The boots have also states that, if water is not shorter life spans than the typical shedding off your house, itll roof and must be checked every seep inside if theres a crack the few years for deterioration.

7. Fall is also a good time to add exterior lighting to your home. Adding an external light includes wiring and hanging it. The difficulty of installing the light depends on the type of house you have and where you want to hang it, explains Blank. For an easier, more green solution, consider solar lights along your walkway.

Oil burning heat will have a flue or exhaust of some kind, and the burner must be serviced annually for efficiency. A qualified technician will inspect the exhaust flue or chimney for blockage, says Patrick. 10. Fireplaces need to be prepped before you use them in the winter. Gas fireplaces should be inspected on a regular basis. Now is a good time to do so to improve efficiency and manage any noxious effects. Wood-burning fireplaces should have the chimney inspected on a regular basis for cleaning to avoid a chimney fire, says Patrick.

draw your own kitchen design for future consideration. Blank recommends that you keep these ideas in a folder. Also, brainstorm what kind of lighting, flooring, wood, and other kitchen features that you want in your dream kitchen.

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8. Windows are another household item to update before freezing temperatures hits the area. Windows have so many variables to weigh in on. The first question to ask yourself, What type of window am I looking for vinyl, wood, etc.? From there, you can select 11. Design your dream the efficiency and style that best kitchen. Blank says that this is fits your needs, says Blank. the time to gather ideas from channels like HGTV, cut out 9. Check your furnace: pictures from magazines, or

12. Finally, when it comes to doing some of these winterizing chores, make sure you hire a reputable contractor especially if youre not sure how to do these projects on your own. In all cases of projects, such as windows, sidings, and kitchen remodeling, talk to a reputable contractor to get an honest opinion on what will work best for your family and home. Every situation is different and experienced contractors will know just what can be done to match your home and budget, says Blank.

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Inspecting the exterior of your home, including the foundation and the roof, will help you prevent expensive problems in the long run. And you can rest easily during the cold, winter months, knowing that your homes exterior will protect you and yours from the snow, sleet, and rain that comes every winter.

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Lancaster, Pa.

FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT

SEPTEMBER 18, 2011 5

Trees:

Planting and root careBy Rochelle A. Shenk Special Features Writer Trees are on the minds of many in the fall. Leaf peepers marvel as various verities sport their fall wardrobes of golden yellow, bright red and blazing oranges. Its also the perfect time to plant trees. People often think of planting trees in the spring, but fall is really the best time. Theres usually enough rain to keep it watered. Plus the tree has the winter to settle in to get over the shock of planting and to start putting out feeder roots, says Lee Stoltzfus, owner of Stoltzfus Tree Care LLC., Manheim. Falls cooler temperatures are great for both the gardener and the newly planted tree, and the soil is warmer and usually less damp. When planting a tree (or any shrub), the general rule of thumb is that it should be planted no deeper than the soil in which they were originally grown. When digging the hole for the tree, the width of the hole should be at least three times the diameter of the root ball or container or the spread of the roots in the case of bare root trees. This will help the trees root structure establish itself. Trees may come as balled and burlapped, in containers or as bare roots. Balled and burlapped (B & B) trees should be lifted by the ball, not by the trunk. If the B & B tree is encased in plastic or synthetic burlap, be sure to remove it completely before planting; natural burlap may be completely removed or at least pulled back from the top third of the root ball. Any string or twine should also be removed. Containers may be metal, plastic or fiber. A metal or plastic container should be removed completely, while the sides of a fiber container should be torn away. After removing the container, check the root. If theyre tightly pressed together (rootbound), carefully separate them with fingers or a blunt instrument, and spread them prior to planting. Method of planting is the same for both B & B and container trees. Place the tree in the hole. Backfill soil (combinations of peat moss, composted manure, topsoil, etc.) is then placed in the hole surrounding the tree just to the height of the ball or slightly lower to allow for some settling. Be careful not to compress the backfill soil as this may prevent water from reaching the roots and the roots from expanding beyond the ball. Bare root trees are a bit more challenging since there is no soil surrounding the roots. Before placing the tree in the hold, build a cone of earth in the center. When placed in the hole, the roots will be splayed around the cone. Make sure that the tree is planted so that the trunk flare is clearly visible and the crown, where the roots and top meet, is about two inches above the soil level. Trees that are not planted properly may have issues with roots girdling (growing around the tree rather than branching out into the soil). Most of the time the tree is planted too deep, and the flare is covered or it could be mulched too high, Stoltzfus says. He notes that mulch should not be placed right against the tree trunk it should be kept six- to eight-inches back from the tree trunk. There are some warning signs of tree girdling the tree may grow straight up out of the ground like a telephone pole; leaves may become smaller and a lighter green over time; and fewer leaves may be produced from year-to-year. Girdling may also be visible. The top tips of the tree are affected first; the tree has a hard time getting food to the tips, he explains. Stoltzfus says that maple and ash trees are more prone to girdling than a lot of other trees, and girdling can also be more of an issue in container grown treessometimes when theyre planted theyre rootbound.

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8 SEPTEMBER 18, 2011

FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT

Lancaster, Pa.

Simple ways to reduce home heating costs(MS) The return of winter weather marks the return of many things, including winter coats, mornings spent shoveling snow and, for many homeowners, higher utility bills. Home heating costs have a long history of being the enemy of homeowners who want to keep their homes warm in the winter. Over the course of a typical winter, homeowners can expect to spend as much as $2,000 to keep their families warm, and unfortunately, theres no guarantee those costs wont increase this winter. Fortunately, there are several ways homeowners can easily reduce home heating costs no matter how harsh the weather becomes this winter. * Address those leaks before its too late. Fall is an ideal time to get around to all those pesky home improvements you didnt have a chance to get to this summer. If not addressed, leaky windows and doorways are destined to produce high home heating bills. Cold air that enters the home through such leaks, creates drafts that is costly as the homeowner turns up the thermostat to get rid of the chill. Before winter arrives, seal any existing drafts around windows and doors, using caulk or weather-proof tape. More information about discovering and fixing air leaks is available at www.greenwoodusa.com/leak. * Replace old appliances. Older appliances might not work as efficiently as they once did, requiring more energy and fuel to get the job done; causing a

spike in utility costs along the way. However, todays Energy Star appliances are required to have a high performance with up to 15 percent greater energy efficiency than their predecessors, significantly reducing your home energy costs. * Consider renewable energy heating appliances. Todays solar and biomass/wood heating appliances are a far cry from those available as recently as

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three years ago. These products may offer automated operation with wood pellets or other convenient features like selfcleaning. Products like the Greenwood Frontier Series Wood Gasification Boiler are specifically designed with families in mind to improve heat efficiency to save homeowners money. * Take advantage of rebates and tax credits. Keep your eyes open, as there are many state, federal and utility company programs and tax incentives which offer

homeowners incentives to install upgrade an existing appliance. a programmable thermostat, a More information is available renewable heating appliance or to at www.GreenwoodUSA.com.

Did you know?Though ceiling fans are most associated with warm-weather seasons, most can be effective throughout the winter months as well, helping circulate warm air throughout a room in much the same way they circulate cool air during the warmer weather. Most of todays fans have a switch near the motor housing that

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alters the direction in which the fans blades turn. When a ceiling fan is used in the summer, its blades push the air downward, moving cool air around the room. The air blowing around the room is what cools people within the room. When the blades direction is altered, the blades then push the air upward toward the ceiling. This drives the hot air, which typically rises to the top, down toward the edges of the room. This helps circulate warm air throughout a room, making for more even heating. Whats more, this improved heat circulation helps combat window sweating that results from condensation on the glass when hot air is not effectively circulated throughout a home.

Lancaster, Pa.

FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT

SEPTEMBER 18, 2011 9

Easy improvements give homes a dramatic facelift

(ARA) Home improvement projects dont need to be difficult, and with the right tools and attitude, they can be exciting as you watch your house transform. Summer is the perfect time to look at your home to-do list and get going. Here are some easy ideas you can get started on today. Outdoors: siding, deck and doors make a house stand out. Painting the home exterior, sheds, fences or decks can be a challenging task. However, doing a good job now will make your entire home look great for years to come.To ensure a good result, begin by removing dirt and other items such as leaves from the surface to be painted. Look for areas where paint is chipped or bubbled and remove with a wire brush or wide-blade putty knife. Using an electric sander can also be helpful. When painting, use tools that are made specifically to help ease and expedite the process. The Wagner Power Painters featuring EZ Tilt helps tackle a variety of projects like painting a house, shed or fence and produces quality results. The paint sprayer applies a professional grade paint application. Any way you look at exterior painting, you cant beat the coverage, speed and finish you get by spraying. While you already have all your painting supplies out, grab a brush and update small details like the front door and trim. On a beautiful sunny day, painting your house can be a joy. Throw a painting party and invite your friends over to help out. After the project is done, eat a nice dinner together to show your appreciation. Now for the rest of the year you have a beautiful house to enjoy, inside and out. Indoors: look at walls, ceilings and furniture. The first step is to take a look at the inside of your home and analyze which rooms need a facelift. Look at the walls for chipped or dirty paint and the ceiling for stains. Painting is an easy and cheap way to brighten your house fast. When choosing paint colors, its best to look at the furniture and other pieces in the home and try to coordinate appropriately. When in doubt, light colors work best and always brighten a room. If you are feeling daring, think about trying one of the deep and beautiful colors that are popular right now in the color palettes at many paint companies. Fill in holes and nicks with putty. Sand and prime those areas before painting. Priming helps ensure a professional looking paint job that lasts longer so it is worth your time. After walls have been primed, its time to apply paint. Rollers are the preferred tool for many people because they apply an even coat and hold a lot of paint. If you are painting the ceiling, you will need a roller with an extended handle to reach the high areas and help relieve arm tension. One roller that really saves you time when painting is Wagners TurboRoll battery powered roller. The TurboRoll holds paint in the handle and easily reaches 8-foot ceilings. One fill of the tube can paint an area 10 feet by 7 feet in size. It also has Power Trigger technology that allows the user to supply paint directly to the roller by squeezing a trigger so that they dont have to make repeated trips to the paint tray to load up with paint. This saves time and gets the job done fast with an excellent finish. After the paint has dried, looking at the floors is the next step. Hard flooring needs to get washed and carpets should be cleaned. Renting a carpet cleaner from your local hardware store is very economical and provides a deep clean. Get the whole family to help out and make cleaning a fun activity you all participate in. A quick clean and perhaps reorganization of furniture, and you just gave your home an easy facelift for little cost and not a lot of time. Home improvement and painting your house can be a joy. You can also take pride in the fact that you did it yourself. And better yet - you saved money. After the project is done, invite your friends over to showcase your great accomplishment. Now for the rest of the year you have a beautiful house to enjoy, inside and out. For more information visit www.WagnerSprayTech.com.

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10 SEPTEMBER 18, 2011

FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT

Lancaster, Pa.

Fire up your gardens color with these frosty flowersBy Wendy Komancheck Special Features Writer With daytime temperatures in the low 70s and 80s, fall is a great time to rejuvenate your garden. Gone are the dog days of summer with blistering heat waves. Thus, its a good time to take note of your garden design and add some frosty flowers to the mix. What kinds of flowers are available for fall planting? Many of the annuals and perennials that are already growing in gardens will get a second wind during the cooler weather of September and October, says Master Gardener Louise Brewer. They may have become a bit ragged and suffered from the heat of summer, but when fall arrives, theyll perk up. Also, geraniums, marigolds, and petunias will have deeper and more vibrant color during the fall months. And garden centers start stocking up on pansies again, which can tolerate the cold to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Other popular fall flowers include ornamental kales and cabbages, as well as the traditional mums, asters, sedum Autumn Joy, and Sunscape daisies. Beyond adding vibrant color during the fall months, these frosty flowers also provide food and nesting sources for pollinators and birds. Bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects will be able to find pollen and nectar sources, advises Brewer. And consider using plants native to our region as native plants are four times more attractive to pollinators. Goldenrods and asters are especially attractive to them, and most goldenrod and asters are native plants. Brewer recommends not cutting back all your plants until the spring since birds and beneficial insects will eat or overwinter on these plants. Some of the butterfly species attracted to these are monarchs, viceroys, and painted ladies. Also, many perennials, which have flowered earlier in the season, will begin to produce seed which the birds will seek out. Goldfinches will be seen perched on top of sunflowers and purple coneflowers, pecking at the seed. Other birds eat the seeds of many native ornamental grasses. She also says that fall is a great time to transplant flowers in the garden. Plants, such as asters, goldenrods, mums, Sunscape daisies, and pansies prefer full sun or part shade, when planted in the garden. She also suggests

Monarch butterflies enjoy the fall garden. Photos courtesy Louise Brewer.

adding a little compost, which can come from a compost bin or spent flowers, and a water soluble fertilizer. Additionally, Brewer recommends that transplanted plants should be watered soon after planting and then once or twice a week after the initial watering. With the cooler fall weather, not as much water is needed as in the heat of 80 90 degree summer days, says Brewer. Brewer also dispels the urban legend that goldrod causes seasonal allergies. Contrary to popular belief, goldenrod does not cause hay fever. It blooms at the same time as ragweed, which is the real culprit [of hay fever],

says Brewer. Goldenrod seeds are available for sale at various internet sites; there are some that specialize in native plants and seeds. I havent done much harvesting of seed from existing

plants, but Im sure that [its] a possibility since many goldenrod species seed themselves pretty readily. I checked with SKH

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Fall garden designingBy Wendy Komancheck Special Features Writer Fall is a great time to rethink your garden design, says Master Gardener Louise Brewer. Maybe theres an area of your yard that youd really like to redo for maximum impact. Consider evaluating what you currently have growing and what times of the season you already have [in] bloom and color. Brewer continues to explain that its important to consider blooming succession, which is having plants that bloom in spring, summer, and fall one right after the other. Its possible to have different perennials blooming from March through October when one finishes, another will pick up, explains Brewer. Plan ahead and include some of the fall annuals and perennials that weve already mentioned in your total garden design. That way, when youre enjoying your spring and summer flowers, youll know that, when fall comes along, there will still be lots to look forward to in your garden. Some additional gardening tips include 1. Plant ornamental kale and cabbage, goldenrod, mums, asters, and salvia in a colorful container. 2. Consider planting a single aster or mum in a pot for a burst of bright color. 3. Dont be afraid to put your potted containers directly in your garden to liven up empty spots. This autumn, get frisky by experimenting with your garden design. Liven up your garden with feisty colors from goldenrods, pansies, salvia, mums, and a host of other frost-friendly flowers to keep you and your green thumb active outdoors until October.

Energy efficiency- continued from page 12

Frosty flowers- continued from page 10

[Stauffers of Kissel Hill - www. skh.com] and saw that they do have the cultivar, Little Lemon for sale. Finally, Brewer shares some additional plants that add color to your garden, which are available at local garden centers in late spring: Salvia farinacea, common name Victoria sage or mealycup sage, which is a bluepurple color flower, and Salvia coccinea, Lady in Red.

Hummingbirds love the red one and both are good pollinators, says Brewer. If theyre planted in beds or containers in early summer, by early fall, theyll be two and a half feet to three feet tall, and continue to flower till frost. An additional benefit to these plants is that they self-sow, so if you remember where they are planted, you can look for seedlings to come up in early summer. Be sure not to mulch over these areas if you want

seedlings to grow. Its easy to keep your garden flowing with bright, vivid colors up until the first frost. Consider designing your garden with these frosty flowers and keep the colors coming up to October. For more information about fall gardening, contact a master gardener at the Penn State Extension (http://extension.psu. edu/lancaster), 1383 Arcadia Road, Room 140, in Lancaster or by calling them at 717-3946851.

Since buying a wood stove is much like buying furniture, you will find a wide-choice of models that match every lifestyle and design interest, including antique, traditional, classic or modern. While evaluating the right size, heating capacity and look of your future wood stove, we recommend that you also consider these three eco-wise tips: 1. Only evaluate approved wood stoves equipped with a noncatalytic combustion system that exceeds EPA standards and are currently tax credit qualified. 2. Look for an eco-friendly seal and a recycled ingredients label that lists the many ways that a stove manufacturer has gone the extra mile to produce the highest quality and most energy efficient wood stove, possible. 3. Similar to grocery shopping, seek out the equivalent of an Organic Section in your local fireplace hearth store to compare the quality standards, eco-wise content, and warranties. Additionally, if living by green principles is important to you and it should be properly burning local wood in a high efficiency wood stove is an environmentally-sound action.

Given that the use of sustainablyharvested, properly processed and seasoned wood for energy displaces the use of fossil fuels, the result is a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. To learn more about the renewable benefits of local wood energy, watch the Morso educational videos that demonstrate how to fully realize the renewable benefits of local wood energy without beginner missteps or old-school methods. There are five free videos that teach how to choose, install, operate, maintain, and fuel your wood stove that are available on http://www.morsona.com, Facebook, and YouTube.

Today is a great time to invest in a wood stove so you can actually keep some green cash in your pocket. The Federal Bio-Mass Tax Credit extension provides a 10 percent tax credit up to $300 for the purchase of a new biomass heating appliance in 2011.This tax credit helps homeowners save on energy costs by utilizing renewable biomass fuels such as wood.

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Improving energy efficiency at the top of homeowners list(MS) Homeowners concerned about high energy bills have put energy conservation home improvements at the top of their must-do list this year. They are looking for green living upgrades that save money without sacrificing space or style. Because heating costs are typically one of the highest and most variable home expenses, homeowners are considering energy-efficient zone heating options when embarking on home renovation projects. Craig Shankster, President of Morso USA, has seen an increase in fireplace makeovers in the last few years, Finding and eliminating wasteful drafts has lead many homeowners to install efficient wood stoves and inserts that transform inefficient open fireplaces into high performing heating zones. Homes without chimneys or fireplaces can install a fireplace insert with an innovative zeroclearance enclosure. This is an excellent zone heating option for those in the process of a renovation or new build looking to outfit their homes with the advanced technology of a fireplace insert and class A chimney.- continued on page 11

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