oshkosh fall home improvement

IMPROVEMENTOshkOsh NOrthwesterN | september 1, 2011

HomeFall

Secret2 Fall hOme ImprOvemeNt | OshkOsh NOrthwesterN | september 1, 2011

3 TONS

FREE!

XXV Series

0%FINANCING6-36 Month

*3 tons of Uncle Jed’s Premium Softwood Pellets free with the purchase of most new pellet stoves through Sept. 17, 2011. Financing available upon approved credit.The average 20 yr. old, 1500 sq.ft. home will average 3 tons per WI heating season. Not to be used or combined with any other offers. See store full details.

GUARANTEED Best PelletStove Prices in WI!

No Chimney Required!

SEPT. 9-17EXTENDED HOURS!SAT., SEPT. 10, 9-5SUN., SEPT. 11, 9-3

9DAYSONLY

Dale: W9715 State Rd. 96 • Green Bay: 1095 S. Broadway • Manitowoc: 835 S. 29th St.

1-800-236-6647www.pellethead.com

F2

tIps FOr creatINg backyard prIvacy

SecretGardenyour house may have a beautiful outdoor living space, perfect for quiet morning coffee or fun evening get-togethers. but if adjacent homes loom large, or your home backs up on public land, you can’t truly relax until your “al fresco” space becomes a little more private.

It’s a particular problem for homeowners in close-in suburbs, where backyards abut and you may as well invite the neighbors to everything you do outside since they’re pretty much right there with you anyway. but even spacious yards can feel exposed, with neighboring lots impinging on personal space.

there are many creative fencing and landscape options that can help create a zone of privacy.

“think ‘screening’ before throwing up a barrier,” says margie grace, a landscape designer in santa barbara, calif. “One of my favorite choices is a screen made of steel-wire reinforcing mesh mounted on wood posts. let the wire rust for a great look, and add lacy vines. you’ve got a show-stopping art piece, plus the privacy you need.”

If you do want a solid barrier, grace suggests a plastered wall, which can be custom colored, and can look traditional or contemporary.

“add architectural details such as screen panels or an iron grill; artistic details like tile mosaic, shutters, shadow box or a mural; or a beautiful gate even if it doesn’t go anywhere,” she says. “these help make the wall welcoming.”

Fences can be softened with vines, espaliered plantings and trained ornamentals. vary the

height of plantings and allow them to break the fence’s top line.

If a neighbor’s house looms over you, grace suggests creating an outdoor “ceiling” with canopy trees and overhead structures such as pergolas, shade sails and arbors.

with greenery, decide if you need evergreen year-round coverage; if so, avoid deciduous plants. If a crisp formal hedge isn’t your style, consider an informal screen of plants, perhaps dual-purpose ones that also will provide fruit, flowers or greens.

Julia Fogg, a landscape designer in east sussex, england, and author of “creating privacy in the garden” (ward lock, 1999) finds hard fence materials to be sterile. “I prefer the softer look that the Japanese do so well — interwoven bamboo and willow with tightly bound knotted twigs,” she says.

you can solve concerns about fence-height restrictions or neighbor sightlines with double screens, ornamental grasses and slim, tall trees, Fogg says. place the deck or patio “so you have your back to the problem. Foliage also saps up and absorbs noise,” she notes.

and to deter trespassers, Fogg suggests a mix of pyracantha, evergreen honeysuckle and roses — thorny alternatives to a “keep Out” sign.

sourcebook: www.gracedesignassociates.com www.juliafogg.com www.juliafoggterrain.wordpress.com www.bhg.com

associated press

3Fall hOme ImprOvemeNt | OshkOsh NOrthwesterN | september 1, 2011

IMPROVEMENTOshkOsh NOrthwesterN | september 1, 2011

HomeFallTrees WaTer, mulch key in preparing Trees for WinTer�� 4

hoW To WinTerize your home �� 5

Decks Decks are geTTing fancier buT easier To mainTain �� 8

lanDscaping reDoing your lanDscape for The spring ��9

Whirlpool Tubs are so 10 years ago ��10

pansies planT some fall color �� 11

920-725-2257of Wisconsin, Inc.

1565 Deerwood Dr • Neenah, 54956www.garagedoorspecialists.net • e-mail: [email protected]

We can do it all…andwe’re good at it too!

• Garage Doors• Awnings• Screen Doors• Service Doors

• Openers• Broken Springs• Jams & Brick Molding• Weather Seal

We can install itemspurchased elsewhere.

WI-5001368338 WI-5001368723

F3

Treesby carOle FeldmaN | associated press

It’s a rite of fall — green leaves turn red and gold and then fall as trees prepare themselves for winter. It’s an excellent time to give your trees a good once over.

are there dead branches or limbs, or large areas of fungus? Is the tree leaning? are the roots well-grounded? a local arborist can determine whether there are problems that require immediate action.

dead branches — or the entire tree — can come down in a storm. be proactive, arborists say. “It’s a lot cheaper to have the limb cut off than to fix your roof,” said Jonathan hammond, owner of alpine tree and shrub care in denver.

and it’s not just the dead limbs.

“pruning your tree can make it better able to

withstand the extra weight of ice and snow,” the tree care Industry association says on its website treecaretips.com. “branches can be thinned to reduce their surface area and wind resistance.”

the U.s. Forest service has a guide for pruning trees, including dos and don’ts and when trees should be pruned.

but heights and chain saws can be a dangerous combination for amateurs. sharon lilly, director of education for the International society of arboriculture, said people should call a certified arborist for pruning large trees. “homeowners can do the smaller and lower stuff themselves,” she said.

there are other things that can be done to help trees withstand harsh winters.

give them a “good, long, slow drink,” lilly said.

WaTer, mulch key in preparing Trees for WinTer

all trees should get that fall watering, but especially young ones planted in the last three years, and evergreens. “you might even do that more than once going into the winter months,” she said.

watering should be done before the ground freezes so the water can reach the roots.

a layer of organic mulch around the tree can help maintain moisture. the mulch also insulates and protects the upper roots, said tchukki andersen, staff arborist at the tree care Industry association. and, it will help replenish nutrients in the soil. think of it as an “early spring snack” for the trees when the area warms up, she said.

arborists caution against placing mulch right up against the tree trunk. think of shaping it like a saucer instead of a cone, said vermont master gardener ann sherman: the mulched area should be as wide as possible to cover the underground roots but no deeper than 2 to 4 inches. “the bigger the mulch area, the better the benefit,” lilly said.

Fertilizing trees isn’t necessary unless the soil is deficient in certain nutrients. andersen said that if a tree is unhealthy, adding fertilizer will prompt it to put out new growth at the expense of its defense systems. “Fertilizer is touted as a cure-all or a preventative,” she said. “It’s basically a substance that brings back a more natural balance of the soil.”

For branches that have a weak union, or crotch, cabling is sometimes recommended. lilly said that should be done by a professional, because there are “a lot of ways to do more harm than good.”

a professional also can give you guidance on staking a tree to support it, andersen said.

In areas where it snows a lot, small, fragile trees can be protected with a support teepee, essentially a tripod of plywood to prevent the snow from accumulating, she said. also, some smaller trees can be winterized by temporarily tying some of the branches together.

“It’s almost an engineering exercise, looking at your trees and what the potential loads are going to be and how the tree is going to respond,” she said.

hammond said that load can be heaviest during early season snowstorms, when trees still have their leaves. the leaves act like a net to catch the snow. “If we get an early October snow, it can be really devastating to the trees,” he said.

Just as snow is a fixture of winter, so is the salt used to melt it on sidewalks and streets. and that can be harmful to trees.

“you will see the result of salt in the spring,” andersen said. “If they leaf out, they will leaf out with brown leaves that will seem burnt.”

If you do get salt damage, lilly said, the best thing is to “water and water it and wash it through the soil.”

arborists advise that people consider salt-tolerant trees for areas likely to be exposed to salt. "a lot of it is planning your yard,” sherman said.

and, there’s one more thing: Once the leaves fall, clean up your yard, sherman said. If the tree was infected with a fungus, the spores can survive the winter and re-infect the tree in the spring, she said.

ONlINe: tree care Industry association’s tree tips: www.treecaretips.org U.s. Forest service: http://www.fs.fed.us/

4 Fall hOme ImprOvemeNt | OshkOsh NOrthwesterN | september 1, 2011

Free Estimates • 733-47013052 W. Elberg Ave.

AppletonServing the area since 1922

GIVE THE GIFT THAT SHOWS COMMON SENSEAND ADDS VALUE, NO MATTER THE SEASON!• Protection – keep snow and ice from piling up

by the door• Retractable awnings provide cool shade from

the summer sun• Gift certificates available

GG

ADD BEAUTY, COMFORT, CONTROL AND VALUE TO YOUR BUSINESS ORADD B UTY, C MFORT ONTRO ND VA E TO Y R BUS ESS OR,, OOOOOOOOCOMFORT, CC SSSSSUUUTY, COMFORT, CONTROL AND VALUE TO YOUU DDD RRR BUSINERYTEEVALND VNNL ANTRTRTFFMMTYADD BEAA RRR R INMFMFM SSSSEDDD E , E EADD B B ESVAUTY COMFORT CONTROL AND VA R RRRR NNNU FE E S ESSYYA D TT TTTT TT BBB ,, COOCOC OYOTOONTROMFMFO USINESUS SSURRVALUEVA EEAUUTY RORBVAVANNDT, CONTROLRTBD BAAD BEAUTY, COMFORT, CONTROL AND VALUE TO YOU OOOONTROOOOMFORT, CONTRO DDD MFORT, CONTROL AND VALU BB UUE TO YOUUEAUTY, COMFORT, CONTROL AND VALUE TO YOUR BUSINED A AA S S RRRRRR SSSAAD BBB TTTT ISGSAW SNINGSAWN SNGNINIWNWNAWFA C AABRICFA C AABRICBBAALUM OR FALUMINUM OLUM N OR FAL UM OROOOOUMUMNUNUUM NUMLUAE WHOME WITH AE WITHOM H ATHTTHITITWIWIWOHO SSSSUUUU GGCCC NNNNIINNNNWAWAWAIIRRAAAAAFFRRMMNNNNNNIIMMLLLAAHHTTIIWWEEEEMMHHHH H RR RBRININ ININMIMIMEME MMM MM SSGGE BHH SWW WWWWWW SA RRRR NNNNNN BBHHEE SSSCCC AAAATTTTT WFH SGSSGSAWNNINAWNNINAWACCCCFAABRIAABRIFFARROOOOLUMINALUMINUMLUMINAL NUMWITTHWITTHEMEEMEOOHHHH OOOOOO BH MMM UMMM UU UUEH A RRRR BB AAAA RWIT WI I II I III

Fishermen-we can

repair your ice

shanty too!

WI-5001359054 WI-

5001

3690

54

1520 S. Koeller Street Oshkosh | 233-3933 | www.valley-lighting.com

The Fox Valley’s premierdestination for lighting,

ceiling fans and accessories.

Great lighting doesn’t just happen.It’s Designed.

Valley Lighting& Design

F4

hoW To

WinterizeYour Home

green shoot media

homes need extra care to withstand the bitter cold of winter, and now is the time to prepare for it.

many people will leave winterization until the winter is almost upon them, but this isn’t a good idea. adverse weather can make some of the things you need to achieve almost impossible.

It’s important to start early so that you have enough time to do minor repairs while you can see the structure of the building in good weather.

It also leaves time to contact and engage any contractors that you may need before the winter weather sets in.

guTTers

most people will feel comfortable taking on some of the simpler tasks themselves. look carefully at the rain gutters in your home and ensure they are clean and free from leaf debris and sludge.

guttering can become blocked, and when the water cannot flow freely off your roof, you risk having water find its way back into your home through any imperfections that exist in the roof.

when the really cold weather sets in, blocked guttering and rainwater pipes can encourage the growth of icicles, the weight of which can seriously damage your property and become a safety hazard to people outside your home.

cleaning the gutter is one of the simplest and cheapest things you can do to protect your home during the winter months.

Touch-up painTing

If your home has a painted finish on the exterior walls, use the time available in the fall to inspect the damage caused by the previous winters.

cracked or flaking paintwork will generally need to be addressed before the next winter weather hits. during wet and cold weather, moisture seeps into cracks in paintwork and masonry and can freeze. as the moisture freezes, it expands and damages the wall or finish

further.

make sure you address any cracks in dry weather. Fill them with a suitable filler and reapply any paint finishes.

energy efficiency

Inside the home, winterization can be summed up in one word: insulation.

Insulating your home against the cold will offer protection against the unwanted effects of freezing temperatures, such as frozen pipes and excessive condensation.

Not only do you save money from decreased heating bills, but the heat you do build up in the house will go to heating and keeping the fabric of the building dry rather than being lost to the outside.

take a look in your attic and measure how thick your insulation is. If it’s only a few inches, it might be an idea to add another layer on top.

Fiberglass wool insulation is generally cheap nowadays and can be found at any hardware store.

If you would prefer something a little more sustainable, look for one of the many products made from recycled materials. these are also becoming more easily available and are coming down in price.

laying out more attic insulation is an easy task that many people could take on themselves, provided they have ready access to their attic spaces and know how to do it safely.

If not, now is the perfect time to call an insulation contractor.

eliminaTe DrafTs

cutting the drafts in your home can help reduce the cost of heating and stop some of the unwanted effects of moisture ingress.

where wind can whistle in, water can too. examine all of your windows and doors carefully and feel around the edges for those little wisps of cold air that signify where a draft is coming in.

this is sometimes best done on a windy day when you can both feel and hear the air more easily.

draft-stopping foam tape can be found in most hardware stores. It is generally self adhesive and can be applied to the opening edges of windows and doors to ensure a tight seal when closed.

where you have a draft at the bottom of a door, you can either fit a brush type stopper or roll up an old blanket and place it along the floor at the bottom edge of the door when it’s closed.

with fuel costs rising and winters showing no signs of becoming any less severe, winterizing your home is an important step that should be taken every year to make sure your defenses against the elements are still up to the job. phOtO: aUldwhIspers / yaymIcrO.cOm


FULL SERVICE FLOORING CENTERKitchens, Bathrooms, Fireplaces and Heated Tile FloorsMarble, Slate, Limestone, Quarry, Ceramic, Metal & Glass

We also carry Prefinished Hardwood, Laminate, Duraceramic,Konecto and Carpet

New Construction and Remodeling29 W. Main St. Winneconne

582-0324 or 379-4286www.creativetile-marble.com

Showroom open Wed., Thur., and Fri.11am-6pm or by appointmentWI

-5001359066

F5

Northwestern staff

It takes more than a rolled up blanket at the bottom of your front door to winterize your home. It’s cleaning your garden beds, gutters as well as seeking out spots where warm air is escaping.

although it’s not very fun to do, cleaning your gutters out after the fall and before it freezes is a must-do each year.

“It’s always very important to have your gutters cleaned before it freezes,” said steve cannon, a professional handyman with assured handyman in Oshkosh. “It’s really bad on a house’s gutters, the weight can pull a gutter loose over the years.”

Inside the home make sure all your pipes, windows and doors are properly sealed, he said.

“a good house sealing would definitely pay for itself within the first heating season,” said cannon.

the largest place for heat loss to occur is

through the ceiling, mostly through ceiling fixtures, said cannon.

For those with an attached garage, it’s important to know the cement foundation in the garage needs to be properly insulated, said cannon.

“the warmer you keep your garage the warmer your house will be. cement will hold a lot of heat or cold and the heat will penetrate through the cement.”

Out in the yard fall is the perfect time of year to pull out any annuals that are done flowering and clean up the weeds so when spring comes the beds are ready to plant, said mary wiedenmeier, co-president of the Uw extension master gardeners.

wiedenmeier keeps certain plants like black-eyed susans and other plants with seed heads in her garden through the winter to give birds food and some shelter from the wind.

to keep critters out, don’t keep plants or rotting vegetables in the garden beds, she said.

Winterize Your Home6 Fall hOme ImprOvemeNt | OshkOsh NOrthwesterN | september 1, 2011

Employee Owned

Experience firsthand thebenefits of havinga PortSide owner

on every job.

Before

Basement Finish Kitchen Remodel

Sunroom Addition

E l O d

We RemodelPortSide’s Remodeling Specialist can helpyou with all your remodeling needs:Additions. Basement finish. Kitchen update. Bathroom update.Replace siding. Roof replacement. Front door replacement.Replace windows. Bonus room. Garage addition. Add a deck.Product upgrades. Revitalize older homes.

T tI titioioionon

QuQQQQQuualallitlitytyAfter

www.portsidebuilders.com ● (920) 426-1544 or (920) 727-4874WI-5001368879

F6

WI-5001369037


WI-5001368770

F7

by dee-aNN dUrbIN | the associated press

the deck has gone high tech.

wood decks are rapidly being replaced by plastic, aluminum and other man-made decking materials, which are prized for their easy maintenance. builders are making decks into showpieces, with multiple levels, custom railing and other perks. even wood is getting an upgrade, with some buyers seeking out rare, tropical hardwoods for their durability.

when ron spillers first began building decks in the seattle area 20 years ago, the average deck was made of cedar and cost less than $5,000. Now, spillers’ company, west coast decks, charges closer to $20,000. that’s partly because 90 percent of his customers choose man-made decking materials, which are 40 percent more expensive.

spillers, who builds 140 decks a year, said business is booming again after a two-year slump.

“there’s a lot of pent-up desire to fix up homes instead of buying new ones,” he said. “people aren’t afraid to take a risk on a $20,000 to $30,000 deck project.”

you don’t even have to spend that much to have a great deck. a simple cedar deck with no railings or benches can cost around $15 per square foot, including labor and materials, spillers said. man-made materials tack on cost, but you can pay that back over time because you will spend less on sealants and cleaning products. railings cost around $35 per foot.

No matter how much you spend, an investment in a new deck will pay dividends. according to remodeling magazine’s 2010-2011 survey, homeowners who build a deck can get up to 73 percent of their investment back when they sell their home.

here is a rundown of the various decking materials on the market, their advantages and disadvantages, and how much they cost:

— wood. most homeowners still choose wood when they build a deck, for its cost as well as its authentic look, according to bill Fields, vice president of lumber sales at lowe’s, the home improvement chain. It’s also durable. the undersides of most decks, even plastic ones, are still made of pressure-treated lumber, although steel

decks are gettINg FaNcIer bUt easIer tO maINtaIN

Decksframes are starting to come into the market.

pressure-treated pine is the least expensive material, and costs as little as $10 per square foot including labor (or around $2 per square foot to buy and build yourself). cedar and redwood are popular but more expensive options. at the top end are hardwoods like ipe, which is grown in south america and is closer to $30 per square foot.

there are downsides to wood. It tends to change color, crack and absorb stains. It also requires more maintenance, including cleaning and staining every year or two. and some hardwoods aren’t harvested sustainably.

— composite. composite decking is made of plastic and wood fiber. trex was one of the first brands on the market 15 years ago; timbertech and Fiburon are other brand names. composite looks a lot like real wood, but it’s less likely to rot or get infested with insects than real wood, and it’s less slippery. It’s also easier to maintain; it doesn’t need staining and it can be washed off occasionally with a deck cleaner.

because it contains up to 50 percent wood, composite is still more susceptible to stains and mildew than plastic decking, according to consumer reports. It will also lose 10 percent to 15 percent of its color over time. It costs around $18 to $25 per square foot, including labor, to install composite decking.

trex’s transcend brand has a limited 25-year fade and stain-resistance warranty.

— plastic. plastic, or pvc decking, is newer to the market and is basically composite without the wood fiber. azek is one of the major manufacturers. plastic decking is less likely to stain and fade than composite, and it stays cooler in direct sunlight. It’s also more expensive, since it’s petroleum-based. get decked, a philadelphia-area deck building company, installs azek for $34 per square foot.

when plastic decking first hit the market, it didn’t look

much like wood, but manufacturers have made a lot of improvements over the last decade, spillers said.

azek has a limited lifetime warranty for residential customers, but a 20-year warranty for commercial ones.

many companies, including trex, are also now making slightly less expensive “hybrid” decking, with a plastic coating over a composite shell.

— aluminum. aluminum has long been used in deck railings, but is sometimes used for the decks themselves. aluminum decking is light but tough, slip resistant and lasts a long time. lockdry is one of the major brands on the market. lockdry is built to be waterproof, so it’s a good choice for a deck built over a living space. another manufacturer, versadeck, promises that its decking won’t have the “ping” sound that comes from walking across aluminum. aluminum decks generally offer limited lifetime warranties.

but the bottom line: aluminum won’t be mistaken for wood. It comes in fewer colors than composite or pvc and doesn’t have the warmth of wood. It’s also the most expensive option, starting around $1 to $2 more per square foot than plastic, according to consumer reports.

Fall hOme ImprOvemeNt is published by the Oshkosh Northwestern. contents of the section are for the Oshkosh Northwestern. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior consent of the Oshkosh Northwestern. For information, contact lisa O’halloran at 920-426-6701 or email

[email protected].

executive editor and general manager / stewart rieckman advertising director / lisa O’halloran

section editor / erin wasinger | graphic artist / sarah dreikosenwisconsin production center manager / tina tweedale

circulation manager / ryan lenz


F8

green shoot media

as the summer fades and the cold weather begins to set in, gardening and landscaping may be the last thing on our minds.

even so, it is important to use the off season to prepare for a great landscape when spring rolls around.

professional landscapers and landscape designers are already aware of this fact, and they spend their days helping homeowners and business owners solve common landscape problems, no matter what the season or the temperature outside.

make plans

the off season is indeed a great time to start planning for that new landscape.

If you have always wanted to change the exterior look of your home or business, the fall and winter months can be a great time to start the planning process.

landscape designers will be less busy during the off season, and you will have plenty of time to plan, and budget, for the springtime transformation of your exterior.

exTra Time

planning early will also give you plenty of time to interview potential landscape companies — or do shopping yourself at garden centers — in order to choose the most qualified company and products.

It can be difficult to make such an important decision when you are pressed for

time, but by starting the search early you will be able to thoroughly review the certifications, training and qualifications or any landscaper or landscape design firm you are considering.

If the changes will involve major work, the winter months can be great for preparing planting beds, lawns and gardens for their revamped look when the growing season begins.

buDgeT

as you go forward with your planning, it is important to consider your budget as well. as you begin gathering estimates of the cost of your new landscape, it is important to provide the firms with plenty of information in order to ensure an

accurate quote.

having a number of quotes and estimates in front of you will make it much easier for you to compare firms, and knowing how much the project will cost will give you the time you need to gather the funds needed before the project begins in earnest.

It is important as well to consider the look you are aiming for with your new landscape. some homeowners will prefer a more casual approach, while others will opt for a formal garden and landscape.

It is important to consider a number of factors when making this decision, including the need for ongoing maintenance and the costs involved.


LandscapingredOINg yOUr laNdscape FOr the sprINg? start plaNNINg NOw

phOtO: aUldwhIspers / yaymIcrO.cOm

654 E. Oshkosh St. • RiponContact us today at

(920) 748-2601(800) 782-9632

M.P.B. BUILDERS, INC.www.mpbbuilders.com

Financing Available

A Fresh Look!A Fresh Look!Metal Roofing: A Top Choice For Centuries

Now For Your Home

0105

0874

WI-5

0013

6917

1

F9

Northwestern staff

at least that’s what area homebuilders are finding out from those looking to build a new home. whirlpool tubs in the master bathroom are being replaced with walk-in floor-to-ceiling tile showers, said dan geffers, owner of geffers remodeling.

“It’s been an ongoing progressive trend for the last 10 years,” he said.

Updating to the latest trends in your master bathroom will present big resale value for a couple interested in a modern-day home, he said.

people just don’t use a whirlpool tub very often, said Jim weber, a sales associate and designer with midwest design homes.

Instead, homeowners are opting for

vanities with two sinks and countertops made with quartz, granite and marble, geffers said.

weber said he’s seen a lot more homeowners choosing to upgrade the half-bathroom because it’s the most commonly used bathroom when company comes over, weber said.

spending an extra few dollars for a pedestal sink and matching toilet also has good resale appeal, he added. “I think most people out there are wise buyers – they realize the value of it.”

as for decorating, colors vary from house to house, geffers said.

“For a while it was all about the earth tones and now we’re getting more into the darker colors. It’s a good mix,” he said.

are sO 10 years agO Whirlpool Tubs


To find your way home, find your way here.Whether you’re buying yourfirst home, a new home or simply creating a more inviting space in theone you’re already in, let us help. Come to AnchorBank for a mortgage,home equity loan or line of credit. Because rates are still low and ourcustomer satisfaction is high.

TeleBranch™ 1-800-25 ANCHOR (252-6246), option #2WebBranch™ anchorbank.com

It’s knowing the kids will always havea place called “the house they grew up in.”

What makes it a dream house?

facebook.com/anchorbankfsb twitter.com/anchorbank

For current rates and information, stop by or call your neighborhood AnchorBank: APPLETON: Darboy, 997-3903; FoxRiver Mall, 997-3901; Memorial Dr., 997-3902; Northland Ave., 997-3909; BERLIN: 361-4361;MENASHA: 997-3907;NEENAH:Lake St., 997-3906; OSHKOSH: Koeller St., 303-4900; Washington Ave., 303-4901; RIPON: 745-2500;WAUTOMA: 787-1505;WINNECONNE: 582-4345. © 2011 AnchorBank, fsb. AnchorBank is a servicemark of Anchor BanCorp Wisconsin Inc.

WI-5001368746

Pansies


green shoot media

as the vibrant blooms of summer begin to fade, it’s time to revitalize the garden with fresh fall color.

cheerful pansies are prized for their beautiful, variegated patterns and their ability to thrive in chilly weather. they add warmth and excitement to any container arrangement, and their petite stature makes them a perfect fit for borders, edges and walkways.

The groWTh cycle

pansies are considered an annual in the midwest and the south, but in more temperate climates they often overwinter, making them a perennial.

when planted in september, pansies will usually bloom into November or even longer. Once they are well-established, they will bloom all winter in Zones 8-10 and often survive in Zones 4 and 5. pansies also tend to self-sow, and new plants may crop up the following spring in delightful, unexpected locations.

selecTing planTs

when fall is near, your local garden store will be jam-packed with beautiful pansies in a wide array of solid and variegated colors.

garden experts often suggest shopping for plants on thursdays or Fridays, before weekend crowds have a chance to snap up popular varieties such as karma blue butterfly, Inspire ruby, matrix Orange and coronation gold.

to ensure a long-lasting, healthy blooming season, choose dark green, compact plants with plenty of unopened buds. you’ll want to save the best and brightest show for your garden,

not the nursery shelf.

groWing basics

pansies grow easily from seed, but it takes approximately 15 weeks from germination to flower, so bedding plants are best for instant fall color.

pansies prefer well-composted, moist, garden soil and thrive in full sun. to ensure steady blooms, plants should receive a dose of granular fertilizer (10-10-10) about a week after planting, then every three to four weeks during the growing season.

plants should be spaced approximately six inches apart and set into the ground four to eight weeks before the first frost. to encourage a long-lasting blooming period, remove spent flowers continuously.

pesT anD Disease conTrol

though pansies are considered a hardy, resilient choice for a fall garden, they can be attractive to spider mites, slugs, aphids or even rabbits — all of which can be controlled, easily, with common garden treatments.

If plants receive too much moisture, their foliage may turn yellow or spotted, so it’s best to avoid soaking leaves by watering closer to the root base.

pansies make an excellent companion to fall perennials such as asters, chrysanthemum or late-blooming annuals like snapdragons or bachelor’s buttons.

common pansy colors include brick red, orange, yellow, deep purple, blue, lavender, mahogany and pure white.

plaNt sOme Fall cOlOr, paNsIes are aN easy way tO add a pOp OF brIghtNess thIs seasON

RecycleNotice to

Winnebago CountyResidents

Winnebago County HouseholdHazardous Material Facility

AcceptableMaterials

AutomotiveFuel Additives, Starter Fluids, BrakeFluids, Transmission Fluids, Gasoline

CleanersTurpentine, Varnish, Stains, Solvents,

Drain & Oven Cleaners, PoolChemicals, Other Cleaners & Polishers

Garden & Lawn CareHerbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides,

Poisons, Weed KillerMiscellaneous

Oil & Lead Based Paint, Grease& Rust Solvents, Paint Thinners/

Strippers/Removers, Adhesives, WoodPreservatives, Household Batteries,

Mercury, Spray Paint, Kerosene

Non-Acceptable Materials*Fluorescent Bulbs, *Latex Paint,

Explosives, Infectious Medical Wastes,*Asbestos, *Antifreeze, Propane,

*Auto Batteries, *Used Oil, RadioactiveMaterials, Business Materials,

*Electronics.* Call the Winnebago County Landfill

at 232-1800 regarding disposal.Charges may apply to some items.

August: 31September: 14,17,28

October: 1,12,15,26,29For more information, please call:

Winnebago County Solid Waste(920) 232-1850 • (920) 727-2896 • Outside the Fox Valley: 1-866-424-1850

105 W. County Road Y • Oshkosh, WI 54901Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 8am to 4pm

www.co.winnebago.wi.us/solid-waste

with SingleStream this

SummerAs summer barbequestransition to fall footballparties, remember torecycle after you celebrate!Follow these tips:

* Recycle all aluminum cans,glass bottles and plasticbottles from soda and water.

* Remove caps and lids.Discard.

* Rinse containers. (This willalso help ants and waspsfrom finding your containersinviting).

* Recycle boxes from soda,beer, crackers and othersimilar snacks.

* Do NOT recycle plates,napkins, utensils, plastictrays or tubs, styrofoam orpizza boxes

* More recycling than can fitin your cart/bin? Bring extrarecycling to the WinnebagoCounty Landfill for nocharge! (100 W. County Rd. Y,OshkoshHours 7am-3pm Mon-Fri and7am-noon on Sat).

2011 Schedule –NEW, No Appointment Needed

Hours: 9am-12 Noon

WI-5001368731


Because,

Change is exactly what you want...

��

• Interest paid is up to100% tax-deductible*• VISA Platinum Equity Line Card

available for easy access to yourmoney anytime, anywhere

Benefits of a Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit from us• Borrow up to 80% of your home’s value• Flexible payment options• 3 Easy ways to apply: online, phone or

come visit any of our 17 branches

* Consult your tax advisor about deductibility.

GREENVILLEN1230 Cty. Rd. CBOSHKOSH2424 Westowne Ave.1842 South Park Ave.

APPLETON2626 S. Oneida St.509 N. Richmond St.2701 N. Ballard Rd.455 S. Nicolet Rd.1235 W. Spencer St.

DARBOYW6089 Cty. Rd. KKNEENAH125 E. Forest Ave.2300 Industrial Dr.

MANITOWOC1100 S. 30th St.WAUPACA1006 Royalton St.

NEW LONDON603 W. Wolf River Ave.NICHOLSW5644 Cty. Rd. FDE PERE1700 Lawrence Dr.FOX VALLEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Appleton Campus, Entrance 10

WI-5001265531

F12

oshkosh fall home improvement

Documents

landscape designer

screen panels

beautiful outdoor living

home backs

landscape options

margie grace

informal screen of plants

fresco space