home and garden, march 8, 2012 finding furniture that...

2 Home and Garden, March 8, 2012

Finding furniture that fitsWhen considering new pieces, custom-made may be the way to go P

The room you spend your time in — the one you relax in, entertain in or run your business from

— should be a reflection of you, the owner. Filling your space with custom-made pieces will help make the room more personal and unique.

You can spend hours searching through store inventory and still not find that special piece that speaks to you or fits your space properly, and if you’re shopping for stock furniture, you’ll always get something that’s mass-produced. But many stores carry furniture that can be bought ready-made and die-cut in prescribed sizes and designs. Custom-made furniture is unique and crafted to your specifi-cations, however exacting.

Sometimes the need or desire for custom pieces is practical; maybe the area needs a specific size or a match is needed for another exist-ing piece. Awkward spaces require customized pieces to fit comfortably. Personalization can also be a com-pilation of hobbies, special interests or individual necessities. Current design and fashion trends often fac-tor into what you’ll find available in the stores.

“As far as furniture goes,” says Michael Salguero, CEO and co-founder of CustomMade.com, “the bedroom (beds, dressers, lighting, bedside tables) seems to be a place where people want high levels of customization.” Those levels of per-sonalization can differ. “There are items that are more on the person-alization side, other items are what we call blank-page customization. This is where the customer and artisan work together to co-create something out of the client’s needs/wants/tastes.”

The most common materials used in North American furniture are metal and wood; some mass manufacturers may specialize in one specific type of material. Other materials such as plastic covers,

metal hinges and glass panels may be used as accents. Custom designers will also find ways to use specialty woods; merge woods and textures; use carvings; and combine wood and metal sculptures. If you can dream it, a designer can make it happen.

Salguero also explains that cus-tom pieces are “more affordable than you would think. Custom is certainly on par with mid- to high-end retail stores, such as Restoration Hardware and others. Plus, you can get something locally made and handcrafted to your exact specifications. When a consumer transacts through CustomMade, they are able to correspond with the artisan right on the site, compare different bids for their project and accept a bid with the knowledge that CustomMade has their back in the event that they have a problem.”

Kitchen cabinetry is another area where custom pieces often come in handy. Stock cabinets, doors and shelves will fit stand sizes. Custom-manufactured cabinets are made

to the buyer’s specific needs and dimensions. This may be a perfect solution to fit a corner or to accom-modate different sized appliances than the original. Custom cabinets also offer more options in terms of shelving, accessibility and storage spaces.

Unless you’re purchasing a stock piece from a floor display, the time between ordering and delivery is often no different, even if you order a custom piece. Since retailers often order from the manufacturer, it may take weeks until the customer has the furniture in place in his home. According to Salguero, order-ing custom furniture typically takes about four to eight weeks until delivery. No matter what you decide to order, make sure that the entry

path for delivery will accommodate the furniture to avoid damage to your walls or the furniture; it’s sug-gested that you measure staircase widths, corners and doorways.

When you’re thinking of choos-ing custom furniture, start by scouring stores, magazines or the Internet for ideas and designs. Visit a custom manufacturer and ask to see some of their previous designs for inspiration, if need be. Once you have a concept in mind, choose two or three local and reputable arti-sans; describe your ideas and see what they can suggest. If someone’s design doesn’t sing for you, then she’s not the designer for you. Ask designers whether they have a 3-D visualization program for major projects to help you decide whether

This side table, designed by David Rasmussen, is composed of a solid form that has split open to reveal the cross section of an artichoke.

Home and Garden, March 8, 2012 3


Larry Singer and his wife recently sold their 110-year-old

two-story frame home after living in it for the past 25 years. They did need to fix the roof, but Realtor Fritz Pfister advised them to let certain other old-home things go, such as replac-ing a few windows that were painted shut. “When you look at a 100-year-old home,” Pfister told the Singers, “you expect to see that sort of thing. There will be other things buyers are more concerned with.”

Otherwise, says Singer, “We did some cleaning to spruce the place up and make it look presentable. We didn’t need to paint. The walls were already ‘bland,’ whites and egg-shells.”

Fresh neutral paint is a seller, according to Pfister. But other fix-ups, improve-ments and remodels don’t generate high return on the investment. Here are a few tips Pfister tells his clients:

“When considering remodeling projects for your home, invest wisely,” begins Pfister, who has developed a winning com-bination of home prepara-tion and pricing through thousands of contracts over the past 24 years. “The most important rooms in your home when you sell are, in this order (at least in the Midwest), kitchen, bathrooms and closets.

“Kitchens are expensive. So, if you know you will be selling within three years, a complete remodel is not advised. We are a long way

from recovery in the hous-ing market. Home prices will remain flat or decline until the inventory of fore-closed homes is absorbed by the market and the jobs market recovers and begins adding to demand. So, market conditions will outweigh improvements.

“If you are selling in less than three years, you can spruce up the kitchen’s appearance with new counters, sink, faucet and appliances. Install flooring that makes the kitchen feel spacious. If you know you will be in your home longer than three years, then cabinet replacement or new design can be enjoyed for years, recovering the value of investment through per-sonal use and enjoyment.”

Use the same approach when updating bathrooms. “Consider installing a new vanity, updating fixtures to what is currently popular in your area and flooring if you will be selling in less than three years.

“If you plan on being in the home for an extended period, then consider the complete remodel by con-sulting a local bath design company of good repute,” says Pfister.

“When contemplating both kitchen and bath updates, keep energy and water efficiency in mind for resale,” says Pfister. “Make certain the water heater is large enough to accommo-date any new demands and is efficient.”

Make sure closets are well organized, cleared of all clutter and look spacious.

Windows, basement, me-chanicals?

“Most investments such as

new windows, in my opin-ion, will save you on your utility bills, but seldom save you enough to pay for them-selves unless you live in the home long enough until the new windows are old. What this type of improvement does for you is to help you sell, and sell faster.”

Pfister advises repairing or replacing anything that poses a safety risk before putting your home on the market. However, he adds, “Prepare to be disappointed if you’re expecting a return on finishing the basement, new siding, roof, mechani-cal systems or room addi-tions. All these will help you sell; however, do these for your own benefit first and as an investment second.”

One of the most impor-tant things you can do is clean, clean, clean your

house and freshen up the paint in neutral colors.

Last month, Carolyn York did this as a seller and looked for this as a buyer when she purchased an updated 1960s trilevel. York says of her new home, “What I like is that I don’t have to do a lot of major changes. I like renovating things and updating, but I could live with this house as it is. It was move-in ready, which means less work and less money for me.”

York’s new house fea-tures a clean, open living room painted in neutral colors that form a beautiful backdrop for her furniture and artwork. The walls are taupe, and the wood trim is a clean, bright white.

As a seller, York cleared out her closets. “Buyers

want to see 90 percent of the floor in the closet. I know when I looked at houses, I saw closets so crammed full you feel like there’s not enough room for your stuff.”

These dos and don’ts will help get a fast sale, and that should be your goal, says Pfister. “The faster you sell the more you sell for, which means the least hassle from living in a home your Real-tor has asked you to prepare so that it looks like it hasn’t been lived in. When selling a home in a buyer’s market, there are only three fac-tors that determine your success,” concludes Pfis-ter. “Price, condition and marketing. The first two are your responsibility; mar-keting is why you hire a good broker.”

COPYRIGHT 2012 CRE-ATORS.COM

To improve or not to improve

Carolyn York made sure to clean her house and freshen up the paint in neutral colors.

Invest wisely in your old house P

In any economy, homeowners have to decide when and why to make improvements

to their property. In this down economy, widely described as a buyer’s mar-ket, those decisions are even more critical. Realtor Fritz Pfister shares sugges-tions for low- and no-cost home improvements that will help your house sell.

Make a good first impres-sion. “Clean sells,” says Pfister, who specializes in residential listings, hosts a weekly real estate radio program and offers two home-selling seminars throughout the year. “Re-ally clean sells even better. And don’t forget to keep the home as clean every day as the day you went on the market.” This includes the yards, porch, entryway and every part of the interior. Hire a cleaning team if nec-essary to be sure the home is spotless for every visitor.

Make your home’s main-tenance look effortless. Put away all yard tools. Clear out clutter from the garage and basement. “Walk through the house. If something causes you to stop and ask yourself, ‘Should I do this?’ I would,” says Pfister. “If you pause, so will prospective buyers.”

Make closets feel spacious and organized. “Closet redesign is relatively inex-

pensive should you have older or inefficient shelving and hanging systems. In today’s society, you don’t need more than three feet for long hanging clothing. Double racking maximizes space.” Also, Pfister contin-ues, “you must be able to see 75 percent of all closet floors. If you haven’t worn something in six weeks, you’re not going to wear it in the next six weeks, so pack it, sell it or donate it to charity.”

Make the color scheme of your house neutral. Walls should be whites, eggshell, light taupe or some other nondescript color. Any-thing that reflects a strong theme should be removed. Plain colors allow prospec-tive buyers to imagine their own colors and decorating style.

Edward Tandy, owner of Tandy Handy handyman service, often sees houses that need more than a little sprucing up. Tandy pro-vides general repairs, paint-ing, tile, flooring, cleaning and more, and he special-izes in getting houses ready for sale from the ground up.

Tandy recommends tidy-ing up unruly shrubbery, fixing front doorknobs that don’t work, fixing chips and freshening front door paint, replacing dark and dull hardware, straighten-ing crooked shutters, fixing loose bathroom tiles, and more. He also provides needed repairs, such as broken stairway spindles, and addresses such safety issues as broken steps and soft subflooring.

“As you walk through the house,” says Tandy, “anything that’s not

cosmetically appealing or anything that might cause the potential buyer to be alarmed needs to be addressed -- even really small things, such as a light switch that doesn’t work properly. Some buyers will think, ‘Oh, man, this place has wiring problems,’ turn around and walk out.”

When it comes to paint colors, Tandy agrees with Pfister. “No wild, crazy contemporary colors or any decorating style that is out of the mainstream.”

Many of these suggestions can be done by the home-owners, but some, especial-ly the custom repairs, call

for the help of a handyman. In that case, advises Tandy, look for someone with broad experience, refer-ences, liability insurance, and a professional and trustworthy appearance. “You’ll get a gut feeling,” says Tandy. “Ask yourself, ‘Can this person be trusted in my home, maybe even with a key?’ Make sure you are comfortable with this person.” And, Tandy adds, be sure to get a written esti-mate for any larger work to be done.

Finally, says Pfister, “Be proactive and have your home inspected by a profes-sional home inspector. Any

item that is reported to be a safety issue or defect repair prior to placing the home on the market. When you are proactive, you elimi-nate surprises and control the person who performs the work and the cost to make repairs.”

For more information, contact Pfister at http://springfieldhome.com. Also, search “home improve-ments that pay off” or “home improvements to increase value” for ideas from http://realsimple.com, http://realestate.msn.com and other websites.



SOLD!Quick and easy fix up

steps P

The front lawn, garden, porch, front door — these are things a prospective buyer will see first, and as the old saying goes, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”


Real remodels require experts P

Patio upgrades

Turning your patio into luxury out-door living space is easier than you think. With some

serious planning, new and afford-able all-season materials, equip-ment, furnishings and accessories, you can convert that tired concrete slab into an attractive getaway, just steps out the back door!

It’s not a job for amateurs, ex-perts say, if you want to do more than spruce up what you have with some flowerpots or a new chaise lounge. A real makeover such as adding an outdoor kitchen, new stone flooring, an outdoor fireplace and/or other upscale amenities requires forethought and detailed plans, industry sources say.

In addition to underground utili-ties, rethinking seating needs and/or redoing landscaping, homeown-ers wanting to upgrade outdoor liv-ing space need to consider future expansion or existing structures such as a pool. “Nothing is worse than finding out a few years after you spend thousands of dollars on your patio that you didn’t leave enough room to expand for addition-al seating, or that part of the patio has to be removed to install a pool or hot tub because of site constraints. Plan for future site amenities even if you don’t plan to build them for some time,” advises architect Chris-topher Colby, principal and founder of Spire Architecture and Design.

“Typically, the construction of these projects is not for the weekend warrior. Items such as gas piping for grills or fire pits require the expertise of a plumber. Lighting and electrical outlets would require the expertise of an electrician. Depend-ing on the code requirements of the town where you live, inspections for such items may be required by

a licensed contractor as well,” he points out. Some local municipali-ties also may require site plans and/or drawings.

“While there is a lot of informa-tion and do-it-yourself TV shows out there to assist the average homeowner with designing out-door space, there are also a lot of pitfalls if you choose to do it all on your own,” warns Ramsey Prince, founder of Ramsey Jay Prince Designs and The Merchandise Mart, as well as a manager for the outdoor furniture manufacturer Ebel. “Contact an interior designer or landscape architect, because it is too easy and too costly to make huge mistakes simply because you didn’t know better. In the end, you’ll be happy you consulted a team of skilled professionals.”

A cosmetic upgrade can be easy as a few hundred dollars, says Prince, “but be prepared if you’re doing any sort of contracting work such as gas lines, electrical, hauling or excava-tion. These projects will price out

just like a home remodeling proj-ect.”

“Manufactured patio pavers for example can cost as little as a few dollars a square foot at big box sup-ply stores to $15 to $20 a square foot for higher-end brick/stone pavers,” notes Colby. “Typically, the most expensive items will be related to specialty items that require infra-structure such as gas piping and electricity. Usually associated with these installations are the higher priced items such as custom stain-less steel grills and other cooking equipment, fire pits and torches. Basic outdoor kitchen patios with manufactured pavers or stamped concrete, such as a stainless grill set in a masonry counter system can start at $7,500 to $10,000 depending on styles and finishes. After that, the sky is the limit!”

Some higher-end patio kitchens include wine coolers, crisper draw-ers for fruits and veggies, trash compactors, built-in icemakers, bars, cocktail carts and blenders.

These upscale patios may have spe-cial heating and cooling equipment canopies, misters, gas-powered tiki torches, fireplaces and even outdoor television sets.

No matter where you live, natural materials, such as stone, weather the best, Colby believes. “Man-made materials like brick and concrete work well, too. Stainless steel is an obvious choice for grills and refrig-erators. Woods that weather well -- such as mahogany, ipe and teak -- are good choices for pergolas and decking,” he points out.

In climates prone to harsh weather like northern winters or rainy seasons in the tropics, homeown-ers should remove and store away furniture, cushions and any other decorative items. “The best way to approach what materials to use is to remember that they will be exposed to the weather 24/7/365 and select only materials that can withstand the test of time,” Colby says.

COPYRIGHT 2012 CREATORS.COM

Built into natural stone bases and countertops, these Sub-Zero refrigerators and stainless steel Wolf Appliances grill bring the joys of cooking out to the patio.


Design rule 1-2-3

“Whenever I tell people I am an interi-or designer, invariably

they say, “I know what I like, but I am completely confused about how to pull it all together,” or, “Oh, one day when I can afford to hire a design-er, I will call you.” Creating a room that feels designed isn’t rocket science. It’s actually quite

simple. I am going to share with you my “1-2-3” rule for the basic design of any room.

No. 1: Select a beautiful color for the walls. Everyone down deep inside knows what colors he generally prefers. Take inspiration from anywhere and everything. It can come from the color of a favorite shirt, your car or the color of the sky at a particular time. My suggestion is this: Whatever that color is, select a pale, light version of it. For example, if the color you love is orange, consider using a soft peach or light apricot color for the walls. This will introduce the color palette of your preference into the room without overwhelming it. Of course, any wood-work or millwork in the room can

be painted in another color. My favorite color for millwork is a soft white that is not too stark or bright. As with most things in life, the novelty of painting a room in a color that is too vibrant will wear away, and you’ll be left with the desire to repaint the room.

No. 2: Stick to two main upholstery fabrics. The colors and prints should be complementary. One fabric can be a solid, whereas the other fabric might take on a print, such as a floral, plaid, animal spots or stripes. If you like a simpler and more tailored room,

use the solid on the principal upholstery items, such as the sofa or a pair of club chairs. The other printed fabric can be used on smaller chairs or benches. If you prefer a bolder look, do the opposite; use the printed fabric on the larger main upholstered items, and keep the occasional pieces solid.

No. 3: Bring in up to three other colors/prints/mo-tifs to the room. This is your opportunity to personal-ize and jazz up the style of a room. Select other colors — e.g., a stronger version of the wall color — that will enhance and underline that original color you loved. These additional colors can be introduced in pillows, rugs and accessories. You also can spike interest in

a room by selecting a motif that you repeat over and over in different ways, colors and sizes.

Following this simple “1-2-3” rule should take the mystery out of designing a room. Creating a success-ful room doesn’t necessarily mean that every item in the room has to match. As a matter of fact, there is something to be learned from slightly mismatched or quirky pairings. This is what gives a room personal-ity. Be confident, and select what you really love. Your room will shine with your personality and style.

Joseph Pubillones’ weekly column, “The Art of Design,” can be found at creators.com.

‘Creating a successful

room doesn’t mean that

every item in the room has to match. As a matter of

fact, there is something

to be learned from slightly mismatched

or quirky pairings.’

The right colors P

If you follow designer Joseph Pubillones’ “1-2-3” rule when designing your room, you won’t go wrong with your color scheme.


Mow-ing to the proper height is im-portant for a healthy lawn.

No matter how big your lawn is, you want your grass to look gorgeous

and green. Achieving the per-fect lawn starts with knowing what kind of grass you have and tailoring your lawn care to it. Different types of grass require different types of treatments — for example, fertilizers and weed prevention formulas.

If you don’t know what variety of grass you have, cut a 6-inch square block of your lawn, making sure to go at least 4 inches deep, and bring it to your local gardening center for their experts to assess it for not only the type of grass but also your soil’s pH level and to see wheth-er your lawn has any diseases brewing. A professional assess-ment is always a smart idea; you’ll get personalized advice and product selection. Your

sample will then be returned to you to place back in the lawn, tamp down and grow.

Here are some easy steps for quality lawn care:

•Test your soil. Your soil’s pH levels are important to your lawn’s performance. The optimal pH range for most soils is between 6 and 7.5; however, many grass types have adapted to thrive at pH values outside this range. Your garden center can test your sample, or you can use an inexpensive soil pH-testing tool to measure your soil. If needed, apply the manufacturer-prescribed level of pH-correcting lime for too acidic soil, or acid-raising sulfur to your dry lawn to achieve the right measure, and then water well. Don’t apply fertilizer for two weeks.

Growing gorgeous lawns

LAWN Page 12


It’s easy to envision a spring garden full of beau-tiful flowers — a colorful carpet of daffodils, tulips and hyacinths, succeeded

by clusters of lilies and iris, walk-ways bordered with roses, pots of puffy hydrangeas and the aroma of fragrant lavender.

Thinking about the garden of your dreams is one thing. Making it happen is another, especially if you’re a novice when it comes to picking plants that match your grow-ing region and ability. Some flowers are easy to take care of; others are high maintenance and require daily watering, weeding and worrying about the weather.

North America is divided into 11 separate hardiness zones, each 10 degrees warmer or colder in an aver-age winter than its adjacent counter-part. When you shop for plants, seeds and flowers, the zones are usually printed on the label, something some would-be gardeners overlook, some-times intentionally, says Nicholas Staddon, director of the New Plants Team for Monrovia, a major grower and supplier to independent garden centers and re-wholesalers nation-wide.

“They’re in zonal denial,” says Staddon, of buyers who get caught up in the beauty, shape or color of a plant and ignore the zone limits. “You need to read that label care-fully,” he says — and not just for the zone information. Plant labels also provide such things as sun or shade requirements, water needs, aver-age height, flowering time, care and planting instructions, he says.

If you want flowers that are easy to take care of, purchase plants that don’t need watering every day, that are on the drought-tolerant side, such as daylilies and lavender, he says. For rich color, Flower Carpet, a pat-ented scarlet groundcover rose that flowers up to 10 months in warmer

climates, can be used as a border or in containers. You may want to prune it, and you’ll have to water regularly when the top three inches of soil is dry, but its long bloom sea-son and multi-use in plantings falls into the easy-care category, Staddon adds.

“Annuals are generally the easiest to care for because they are grown for one season only, so they don’t need the ongoing care that perenni-als, shrubs and trees do,” says gar-dening expert Nell Foster. “Anything that requires pruning and extensive soil amending is high-maintenance,” she says, urging amateur flower-garden planners to “pay attention to growing requirements. Any plant under stress is definitely more prone to insects and diseases.”

If you’re going to mix easy and high-maintenance flowers together, make sure you have easy access to the plants that will require your attention, she says. “Keep up on the

maintenance, or you’ll lose the form of your garden.”

As far as horticulture guru and author Chris McLaughlin is con-cerned, the easiest plants to care for are those that are given the correct growing conditions for that species or variety. You should consider not only the broader hardiness zone, but also the microclimate in which the plant will be placed, she says. McLaughlin, a frequent contribu-tor to gardening magazines, whose newest book, “The Complete Idiots Guide to Small-Space Gardening,” addresses the issues of garden simplicity and maintenance, points out that when you’re deciding what types of garden flowers to choose, “the question really becomes less about a specific plant list and more about how to choose the right plants for your garden or yard so there’s minimal maintenance. That said, af-ter you find the right plants for your growing conditions, keep your eyes

open for annual and bedding plants. They’re great re-bloomers, without deadheading (removal of the spent flowers), which is precisely why we call them bedding plants. They fill everything in nicely.”

Whether you’re planning to grow that easy or high-maintenance flower garden from seed or seedling, websites and catalogs can provide good information, says Rachel Ka-plan, in-house gardener for Summer Winter, a popular restaurant known for growing its own flowers and herbs on-site. She recommends the National Gardening Association’s comprehensive Plant Care Guide, at http://www.garden.org/plantguide.

“Aesthetics are certainly a part of planning a flower garden. Keep in mind that flowers not only grow in a wide variety of colors but also to dif-ferent heights. Experiment and see what works best for your space.”


All the pretty flowers

It’s easy to care for flowering plants such as the agapanthus that Montrovia’s New Plants Team Director Nicholas Staddon is in-specting, provided you make sure you pay attention to soil, sun, climate and watering needs.

easy vs. high maintenance P


Privacyvs.

In a residential landscape, a homeowner can design for privacy or for security, but not both. Here’s why — and how to find com-promises that will work.

The problem is that screening your home from the view of passers-by and neighbors also pre-vents police and neighborhood watch from survey-ing your property. It also creates hiding places for burglars.

From a police standpoint, says Crimestoppers coordinator Matt Goulet, the best approach is to maintain clear visibility of your property from the street by eliminating any physical obstacles from a responding officer’s line of sight — including tall, dense bushes.

“The more I can see of — and even into — a building if an alarm is sounding or we’ve received a medical call or someone suspicious is running between houses, the better,” says Goulet.

The answer isn’t a flat, shapeless grass lawn, though. Landscape design consultant Kent Douglas suggests planting short to medium-height peren-nials at the foundation, for starters. He says you shouldn’t put “plants that are going to get real tall by the front or side door, (where) someone could

crouch behind and surprise you” — or where in-truders could work on locks without being seen.

Some of Douglas’ recommendations include ornamental grasses, shrub roses, spirea, wygelia, boxwoods and dwarf yews, which all come in 3- to 4-foot heights. “Be sure to read the tags on all plants to ensure you get the variety you want for low-growing size,” cautions Douglas. “That’s where people make their biggest mistake. They think a plant is cute and compact in its 2-gallon pot, but you’re buying a baby. That size doesn’t give you any idea what it’s going to be when it grows up.”

Then, working away farther from the house, stair-step down in size with perennial flowers, Douglas continues.

For the backyard, use single, well-spaced trees for seasonal interest, shade and more. Douglas often suggests a 6- to 8-foot tree planted at one corner of the home or in combination with other shorter plants on the back property. There, the scale of trees (to available area) is more appropriate, they fill up some space, and they’re good for screening out your view of the neighbor’s hot tub, he says. Douglas suggests a few popular species with more open branch structure:

—Multi-stem serviceberry tree. “It’s a beautiful plant with a lot of winter interest, beautiful flowers and great fall color, and the birds like them.”

—Redbud tree.

—Viburnum. These come in small to very big va-rieties with heavy branch structure, says Douglas.

“They are excellent for birds’ nests, and some are semi-evergreen.”

—Use a few evergreens scattered throughout the landscape along with your deciduous plants, such as boxwoods, yews or junipers.

—For best security, keep your trees pruned low.

In general, try not to enclose your property with dense groupings or shrubs that create fences. Speci-men plantings, open branching patterns and low perennials can be used for four-season interest, visual appeal from both the inside out and outside in, and security.

For more information, do an In-ternet search for “landscaping for security.” Here are a few websites

on landscaping, the importance of trimming trees, planting attractive thorny plants under windows, placing gravel around the house, security lighting and more:

—http://www.tempe.gov/cpu/homesec.htm#Landscaping

—http://www.homesecurityadvice.com/tips/ landscaping.html

—http://www.familyhomesecurity.com/an- introduction-to-home-security-landscaping


Maintain clear visibility of your property from the street.

SECURITYBalance attractive yard

with protected home P

•Watering. A healthy lawn needs plen-ty of moisture. According to David Brill of The Farm at Green Village, “water-ing your lawn for longer periods of time — rather than in short bursts, and not every day — is best.” When your lawn gets enough water, grass roots can grow deeper, making them less susceptible to drought and sunburn. Water in the early morning and never during peak sun or in the evening. A wet lawn in nighttime darkness could develop rot and disease. An over-watered lawn also suffers because you’re essentially drowning the seeds.

•Seeding. Early spring is ideal for seeding your lawn. “Apply seed using a hand-pushed seed-spreader, never by hand,” says Brill. A uniform spreading

of seed will create the most even lawn. Seed spreaders are quite inexpensive at home improvement stores. Water your lawn well and often after seeding, but not to the point of puddling. Once the seeds have sprouted, you can water less often.

•Fertilizing. Brill advises fertilizing your lawn in early fall for optimal performance. Choose organic, non-phosphorus fertilizers in granular or liquid form, in the formula that’s recommended for your type of grass. Again, your garden center expert can advise you. Two popular brands of fertilizer are Dr. Earth and Concern, which contain multi-minerals to build healthy microorganisms in your lawn, plus organic root builders to improve your lawn’s ability to absorb water and

nutrients.•Weed prevention. Apply organic

weed-prevention products in the spring and again in late summer, choosing from liquid, spray or granular forms. Weedkillers are available in people- and pet-friendly forms, with fatty acid weed-killers that dissolve weeds’ cell mem-branes, dehydrating the weed. With careful and even application, you’ll eliminate dandelions, foxtail, ragweed, clover, milkweed, mosses and other types of weeds. Organic formulas are most advised, says Brill, for the safest use of your lawn, and grass clippings that have been treated with organic weedkillers can be used in composting. Grass clippings treated with nonorgan-ic, chemical weed treatments cannot.

•Pest control. Grubs are the most

common form of lawn pest. Grubs are Japanese beetles in their larval form, says Brill, so treating them now will eliminate a population of plant-damaging beetles in your gardens later on. Apply organic pest-control sprays or granular treatments according to brand manufacturer’s directions, and always wear gloves when applying this treatment, even in organic form.

•Mowing. Regular mowing, to a prop-er height, is essential for your lawn. “Keep your lawn at least 3 inches high,” says Brill, who warns against cutting more than one-third of grass length in any one mowing session. Leave short grass clippings on the lawn to aid in fertilizing and to retain moisture in the lawn.


Healthy lawn needs generous moistureFrom Page 9


Missing that green thumb? No

need to miss out on fresh, homegrown produce. Look to proven winners, such as tomatoes, summer squash and bush cucumbers. These hearty, foolproof vegetables deliver great produce with little to no maintenance — and they don’t need a lot of space.

“Tomatoes are the easiest things to grow. They can grow almost anywhere and (they) grow like weeds,” says Michael Podlesny, author of “Vegetable Gar-dening for the Average Per-son: A Guide to Vegetable Gardening for the Rest of Us” and owner of Mike the Gardener Enterprises, home of the Seeds of the Month Club. “You have a wide vari-ety to choose from, so there is sure to be a kind that you and your family enjoy.”

“My top picks are the com-pact, small-space varieties like Tumbling Tom toma-toes,” says Eleanor Rose, author of “The Naked Truth About Gardening, The Bare Essentials: The Anyone Can Grow Plants Guide to Hobby Gardening Indoors & Outdoors” and creator of ANakedGardener.com.

“They grow well in con-tainers, saving time and effort,” Rose says. “Their dense, compact growth pattern reduces the need to weed so maintenance is

reduced to watering and harvesting. Plus, they trans-port easily out of reach from critters or frost.”

Because of their size, Tumbling Tom tomatoes are well suited to container gardens; just one plant grown in a 12-inch hanging pot will produce dozens of delicious cherry tomatoes. Available in both red and yellow varieties, Tumbling Toms produce fruit early and throughout the season. Their natural trailing habit makes for a stunning hang-ing display on the deck or patio.

Rose also recommends bush cucumbers and Eight Ball zucchini because of

their ability to thrive in small spaces.

Bush cucumbers grow just a few feet tall and are right at home in a 5-gallon pot on the patio, unlike their vining counterparts, which require ample space to flourish. Salad bush cucum-bers produce 8- to 10-inch fruit that’s great for slicing, while bush pickle varieties produce smaller cucumbers for pickling and canning.

Eight Ball zucchini, as the name implies, is a round softball-sized sum-mer squash that remains compact rather than send-ing out vines. It’s a favorite among chefs, as it can be stuffed like peppers or

sliced and used in place of eggplant.

*Best ResultsTo get the best results

from your first foray into gardening, start small. “When a new gardener tries to take on too much, they get discouraged and invariably have very little in terms of results,” Podlesny says.

A container garden is a great way to test your green thumb, but don’t be intimidated by a traditional garden; a small plot is easily manageable with proper planning.

“A good-size beginner veg-etable garden is about 10 feet by 16 feet,” says Mare-Anne Jarvela, senior editor with

The Old Farmer’s Almanac. “A plot this size has room for about eight to 10 differ-ent vegetable varieties and can feed a family of four for one summer, with a little extra for canning and freez-ing — or giving away.”

Whether you’re setting up a container garden or picking out a small plot for veggies, select a convenient, easy-to-see location. You’re more likely to keep up on watering, weeding and har-vesting if the plants are in clear view. “If the garden is in sight, it is on your mind,” Podlesny says.

Be sure the location gets plenty of direct sunlight.

“Vegetables love the sun,” Jarvela says. “Most veg-etables require at least six hours of sunlight each day — continuous, if possible. Vegetables also need lots of water, at least 1 inch of water a week.”

To save on watering and weeding, add mulch to the garden in early summer. It’s a little extra effort in the beginning, but you’ll save time in the long run.

“For mulch, use organic materials like wheat straw, shredded leaves or grass clippings. This will keep the weeds down and help retain moisture in the soil,” Jarvela says.

Finally, be realistic about the time, effort and space you are willing to devote to gardening, and select veggie varieties accordingly, Rose says.

If you can’t stand the heat of midsummer, look to early-maturing plants such as Early Girl tomatoes, which are ready to eat within eight weeks of transplanting. If you go on vacation at the end of August — when toma-toes typically ripen — look for late-season varieties, such as beefsteak tomatoes.


Foolproof vegetables

There’s a reason so many gardeners turn to tomatoes. Easy to grow and hard to kill, tomato plants are equally at home in pots on the patio or large garden plots in the yard; just be sure they get plenty of sun and water.

great produce with

little to no maintenance P


From children’s par-ties to formal din-ners and friendly get-togethers, en-tertaining outdoors

is fashionable, fun and creative. Throw a themed party on your patio or in your backyard, and guests will remember the fun and festivities for a long time. If your backyard is too small, think about setting up on your front lawn. And if you don’t have a yard of your own, consider packing a cooler and inviting your guests to a local park. Keep it simple and relaxed, especially if you have to lug food or equipment.

Some public parks have grills, picnic tables and pavilions for use. Check with your local municipality to find out how many people can gather without or with a permit, what facilities you can use and the hours you can host a party. If there are no grill stands, check to see whether open fires and portable grills are allowed. Kids’ and fam-ily birthday parties are especially fun when the younger set can make use of recreational facilities like swing sets and jungle gyms. Plan games and activities for casual parties. Remember to consider the size of your area when deciding on a game. If your area is tight and crowded, consider a beanbag toss rather than horseshoes.

“Outdoor lighting continues to be a popular element. String lights provide a magical setting and dazzle guests long after dark-ness falls,” says Colleen Maiura of Lowe’s.

With the various outdoor fur-niture sets, fire pits and outdoor heaters available, outdoor parties are no longer limited to hot sum-mer days. Special occasions to plan your party around include

Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduations, July 4, Labor Day and fall events. Themes can be as varied as a country hoedown, an ethnic cookout, summer salads and sandwiches, a Texas barbe-cue, elegant dinner parties, neigh-borhood swap parties, pool parties and lakeside fish dinners. If there is a big game or special event on TV that you want to invite your friends over to watch, consider putting a weatherproof TV outside and enjoying an evening at your own personal amphitheater.

Choose your patio or backyard furniture the same way you would your inside furniture, with lots of comfort and seating room. If the temps are low, arrange your seating around a fire pit, which will throw warmth and light into the night. If your furniture is humdrum white or beige, choose a color scheme and decorate with throw pillows. Light up the area

with a string of electric lights or enclosed candles if your party is going on after the sun goes down. Again, consider your space and crowd before lighting candles or torches. Be considerate of your neighbors, but use outdoor speak-ers and popular music for enter-tainment.

Outdoor furniture is exposed to harsh elements even if only kept outside for a season. Materials such as wicker, wood, fabric, aluminum, wrought iron, steel and resin should be cleaned and maintained regularly to keep their appearance and welcoming look. You can clean most outdoor furni-ture with simple soap and water; if you use a pressure washer, be sure to use low settings. Don’t leave pillows and absorbent fabrics out-doors overnight or in the morning dew. Use spray lubricants on all jointed pieces such as umbrellas and table hinges. Store cushions,

umbrellas and most wooden furni-ture indoors off-season.

Be ready for impromptu enter-taining. Invest in a non-breakable set of plastic dinnerware and tum-blers; everyday glass and china can break, and paper plates don’t seem special. Invest in a simple picnic basket to store your outdoor dinnerware. If you have an outside electrical outlet, put a table next to it so you have a place for electric buffets and warming trays. If you don’t have outlets, invest in chafing dishes to keep food hot. Use table umbrellas or tents to provide shade and protection from the elements. If your outdoor dining area is large enough, spread out your food and beverage tables to encourage your guests to mingle. Keep items chilled by placing smaller bowls filled with dips, etc., into larger bowls filled with chipped ice.


An outdoor party room

Choose your patio or backyard furniture the same way you would your inside furniture, with lots of comfort and seating room.

How to turn an outdoor space into a fun party place P

home and garden, march 8, 2012 finding furniture that...

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