| |
By Vicki O'Neal, CID, ASID
No matter what our personal situations, we are all learning techniques and
strategies to navigate through these unusual times. We are learning to have
fun and find joy in simple things, and that we can empower ourselves by
making the most of what we have. That can mean thinking creatively and getting
involved with everyday projects to enhance and care for the house and garden.
Summer conjures images of fun, vacation, and relaxation. It is also an opportunity
to do a little planning and perhaps accomplish some of those projects around your
home and landscape. For any specific project you may be thinking about, there is so
much information available it may be a bit confusing. Whether your project is large
or small, make the research and planning fun by perusing the bookstore, catalogues,
and online resources for ideas and inspiration. Start an idea file for information, photos
and stories. Home improvement networks are great for kicking up a brainstorm
and providing how-to information. However, keep in mind it is television, and some
projects are built for drama and show and aren’t applicable, long-lived, or realistic
for your particular home. Sometimes it is just as important to discover what you
don’t like in addition to what you do. It can help to define your taste and preferences.
Keep an open mind and think creatively.
HANDS ON... IN THE SUMMER GARDEN
If you have a vegetable garden it is harvest time! Keep those summer
vegetables picked, and they will continue to produce over a long
period. If your summer vegetables finish out early, it is possible to
plant a second crop of squash, cucumbers, beans, and peppers. Pay
close attention to the right timing from germination to harvest. Our
nice fall weather usually provides great conditions for putting in a
cool season garden with its assortment of vegetables- kale, lettuces,
peas, broccoli, onions, radishes, beets, and carrots.
Summer in central Virginia can be tough on the landscape because
of potential hot and dry spells, especially on plantings added in the
previous spring. Laying out a soaker hose or adding drip irrigation
puts the water where it’s needed- on the roots,
not the foliage. This technique also conserves
water, and is the green method to
care for your landscape. For a relatively
inexpensive solution, install a simple
timer and basic arrangement of hoses
to take care of the watering. Use a
probe such as a screw driver to test the quansoil
after watering to see how much water has actually been distributed.
It will easily go into the ground to the level that the water has
saturated, which ideally would be a depth of four inches or so.
Fall is the best time for adding trees and shrubs to your landscape
design. Planning now will give you a head start and prevent what I
call “the kid in the candy store syndrome” when you visit the garden
centers. Midsummer may seem a bit early to be thinking about
your lawn, but it a good time to prepare. After a good rain and if
needed, treat your lawn a couple of times with a good weed control
product, being especially careful to choose a product specifically
for that purpose. This helps prevent next year’s summer weeds, because
if seeds drop this year, that is next year’s weed
crop. If wire grass is a problem, it is tenacious
and hard to eradicate because
it spreads by underground runners.
You may want to consult a professional
or your local cooperative extension
office for information and
guidance.
YOUR HOME... ON THE OUTSIDE
When your home shines from the outside it
sends a welcome mat to the world. The common
expression is “curb appeal.” Whether you are
thinking about selling or not, the visual presence
of your exterior and landscape has a great impact
on the perceived value of your home. One of the
most important actions you can take is staying
on top of simple maintenance. Small, relatively
inexpensive repairs can prevent more complex
and costly problems down the road, and possibly
avert concealed damage.
To keep your home looking its best, one of the
most common tasks is painting. Sealing around
doors and windows is the first step in the preparation
of surfaces, the significance of which cannot
be overlooked. When changing colors, removing
the guesswork from color selection by preparing
an on-site sample could potentially avoid a costly
mistake. Many manufacturers offer a small quansoil
after watering to see how much water has actually been distributed.
It will easily go into the ground to the level that the water has
saturated, which ideally would be a depth of four inches or so.
Fall is the best time for adding trees and shrubs to your landscape
design. Planning now will give you a head start and prevent what I
call “the kid in the candy store syndrome” when you visit the garden
centers. Midsummer may seem a bit early to be thinking about
your lawn, but it a good time to prepare. After a good rain and if
needed, treat your lawn a couple of times with a good weed control
product, being especially careful to choose a product specifically
for that purpose. This helps prevent next year’s summer weeds, because
if seeds drop this year, that is next year’s weed
crop. If wire grass is a problem, it is tenacious
and hard to eradicate because
it spreads by underground runners.
You may want to consult a professional
or your local cooperative extension
office for information and
guidance.
tity sampling. Quality paint, even though more
costly up front, lasts longer, uses fewer coats to
cover, and potentially reduces labor and overall
expense.
Many other simple projects can enhance the
value and lifespan of your home. Clearing debris
from your roof and gutters protects materials and
helps to keep your home watertight. Although
out of sight can be out of mind, don’t forget to
make sure your crawl space is high and dry to
prevent mold and foundation issues. Mulching is
a good practice for protecting your landscape and
creating a finished look, but make sure to hold
mulch away from direct contact with the base
of trees and shrubs. Simple steps such as keeping
your property clean and tidy go a long way
toward creating a good appearance. Always keep
safety in mind and choose the proper tools for
the specific project. It makes each task easier and
progress smoother.
KNOWLEDGE
IS POWER
It is always important to
know your limitations. There
may be pitfalls for the do-ityourselfer,
and avoiding them
insures your efforts and dollars
are put in the right place. There
is no substitute for hiring a professional
with the right expertise
when the project is beyond
your comfort zone. Always get
more than one opinion, ask for
a business license and insurance
information, check references,
and possibly go see a completed
project similar to yours.
|
|
