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Home& GardenTime

A Special Publication ofThe Punxsutawney Spirit

May 2020

(BPT) – The year is already off to a stylish start, but there are plenty more trends that will be coming into focus in the coming months. Designers around the country are exploring a dynamic mix of patterns and unexpected colors, plus creative new ap-proaches to flooring, accents and lighting.

Here are the go-to trends making a splash in design stu-dios and homes this spring.

Florals are blossomingJust in time for spring, flo-

ral designs are bringing walls and furnishings to life. Floral wallpaper is coming back in a big way, turning rooms into virtual gardens. But not to worry – the latest designs are not your grandmother’s wall-paper. Intriguing, modern and sophisticated floral designs in vibrant color choices are avail-able to suit any taste.

Biophilic designAnother great trend for spring

combines people’s passions for naturally occurring aesthetics and nature, often brought to life through indoor gardens, small trees or “living walls.” These design statements allow plants and other aspects of nature to become a visual focus in any home.

It is also inspired by natu-ral materials like wood and stone, earth tones and natural colors, and organic shapes. These elements are showcased throughout the home, including in wooden architectural beams, stone-based accent pieces and naturally colored accent walls. Yesterday’s linear furniture designs are being replaced by softer, curvier shapes that mimic forms in nature.

Naturalistic flooringDesigners and homeowners

alike are making a statement in flooring that combines intrigu-ing design with a natural flair, such as geometrically pat-terned flooring created from naturally beautiful hardwood.

“Patterned flooring is be-ginning to dominate today’s interior designs,” says Katie Allen, design and trend di-rector at Lumber Liquidators Flooring. “It can be used in a wide variety of spaces to add texture and character to any room.”

For example, it is easier than ever to create a warm, visually exciting look in almost any home with a chevron pattern using Bellawood Engineered Hardwood Flooring from Lumber Liquidators. Each patterned plank is arranged in a custom zigzag pattern, meaning homeowners won’t be wasting time installing in-

dividually angled boards.The handcrafted distressing

of the wood also reveals the natural grain and rich brown hues, appealing to homeown-ers wanting a natural look.

Color your worldAlong with the emphasis

on nature-based color palettes comes a shift away from the neutral tones that have become popular over the last couple of years. Jewel tones like deep blues, a variety of green hues and even subtle pinks are see-ing a comeback for walls, rugs, cabinets and furnishings.

Designers are often choos-ing strongly contrasting colors to make visually bold state-ments, like pink against blue, rich blue against a lighter green or any color paired with black or white.

Mix and matchUnusual juxtapositions of

color are being matched by contrasting textures and mate-rials. Architects and designers are getting creative with the interplay of materials such as marbles against woods, plus geometric patterns created by tiles used for accent walls or as a backsplash.

Fiber art – like handcrafted

rugs, throw pillows, blankets and wall hangings – is popular again, and will help make any room pop. Rattan and cane furniture also provide similar variety in terms of texture, color and pattern.

Brighten it upLighting is no longer just a

way to illuminate your space, but a bold detail to add vi-sual excitement to any room. Champagne gold lighting fixtures are one fun trend that really stands out, seen in every room from living and dining rooms to kitchens and baths.

Some of this spring’s overall trends can easily be brought to life through lighting choices, from wicker or caned pen-dant lamps to rounder, more organically shaped lighting fixtures.

Let your own personality and design sensibility shine through when decorating your living spaces, using these trends as inspiration.

Want to see more flooring options and ideas to help trans-form your home this spring? Visit LLFlooring.com to see the latest in flooring materials and designs.

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Creative new approaches in home design take hold for spring

Caring for a lawn to keep it lush and green can require equal measures of patience and hard work. Various invaders can attack grass or contribute to its demise. One problem many ho-meowners face is bare spots.

Bare spots can occur for vari-ous reasons. Heavy foot traffic, grubs or other pests, fungi, pet urine, or too much or too little water can contribute to bare spots. The how-to resource The Spruce says that correcting the source of bare spots can prevent new issues, particularly if grubs or other pests are damaging the grass. Then homeowners can address existing bare areas.

It is unlikely that bare spots will just fill back in on their own. Reseeding spots or using sod to fill in bare areas can help lawns look lush.

• Begin by raking and remov-ing any dead grass and other

debris from the lawn. Check to make sure that grubs or insects are not attacking the lawn. If they are, use targeted treatment options for those pests.

• Break up and aerate any soil that is compacted in the bare spot.

• Amend the soil in the bare area with loamy soil or compost to improve on the nutritional makeup and texture so that it is amenable to grass-growing. If you notice that the entire lawn is looking a little sparse, top-dressing the rest of the lawn at this point also can help improve its vitality.

• Sprinkle seeds in the bare spot (disperse seeds over the rest of the lawn if you want to over-seed and improve the thickness of the lawn). If you prefer sod, cut a portion of the sod to fit the bare area and place on the amended soil.

• The Scotts company says to lightly water newly seeded or sodded areas daily for at least two weeks to keep the top inch of soil consistently moist but not soggy. Gradually water more as the seedlings develop and the grass begins to fill in. Deep water at least once or twice a week after the new grass reaches mowing height.

• The grass should grow slightly longer than the rest of the lawn, and wait until the color of the patched area begins to blend in with the rest of the lawn before mowing. This could take a few weeks, and the area should be avoided until then.

Eventually, and with treat-ment, bare spots can be rem-edied and become indistin-guishable from other areas of the lawn.

Repair bare spots in your lawn

(BPT) – As Americans across the country retreat to their homes to help slow the spread of COVID-19, many are redis-covering the value of their yards as places to take in fresh air, engage their children in outdoor games and enjoy physical activ-ity in a safe environment.

3 tips for safe, healthy outdoor fun for the family Kids who can no longer par-

ticipate in organized sports activi-ties or meet their friends at the park need creative ways to burn off energy at home. Unplugging and stepping outside can be good for the whole family’s physical and mental health. Consider these three tips as you explore ways to take advantage of the green space around your home.

Educate: The backyard offers a great setting to learn about plant biology and the creepy crawlers that call our lawns home. Take a magnifying glass to your lawn and explore the habitat nestled between the blades.

Exercise: Lace up your sneak-ers and take to the yard for a 30-minute workout or arrange an obstacle course on the lawn for the kids. Encourage children to compete for the fastest time or create a course of their own.

Rejuvenate: As the days get warmer, enjoy a little self-care by soaking in the sun on the lawn. Consider laying out a blanket and reading. Whether it becomes family story time or some quiet time to yourself, spend some time enjoying your own personal piece of the great outdoors.

Take this time to give your lawn some TLC

Now is a great time for some DIY spring maintenance to get your lawn ready for summer and the likely heavier-than-usual use it will see as you spend more time at home. To create a lush, healthy, low-maintenance lawn that is summer-ready, follow these spring lawn care tips from the experts at Grass Seed USA, a coalition of American grass seed farmers and turf specialists.

Interseed for a thicker lawn. Lawns that are sparse or have worn patches coming out of winter can be interseeded when the soil warms up in the spring. In addition to enhancing the overall appearance of the lawn, interseeding will help keep turf dense, which is a natural defense to keeping pesky weeds out.

Simply rake away lawn debris or accumulated thatch, broadcast seed widely or target bare spots

on your lawn and irrigate regu-larly until the seed germinates. Be sure to use a high-quality seed that is a good match for your geographic region and your lawn’s soil type, sun exposure and irrigation patterns. Seed can be ordered online and shipped directly to your home from most home improvement retailers.

Water deeply and infrequent-ly. Rather than irrigating lightly every day, begin to water more deeply, only once or twice a week, which will encourage strong root growth and make for a hardier lawn in the sum-mer. Most turf grasses will stay vigorous if they receive about 1 inch of water per week, includ-ing rainfall (and drought-toler-ant species such as tall fescue do well on even less).

Mow early and leave the grass taller. Start mowing your lawn before it gets too tall. Scalping an overgrown lawn will stress the plants and potentially cause problems all season long, so make sure you never cut off more than one-third of the grass blade height at a time. A good rule of thumb for most species is to mow when the grass reaches a height of about 3 inches. That means you can cut it to 2 inches – or you

can even leave it a little taller to protect the growing point at the base of the blade and improve your lawn’s wear tolerance.

Feed your lawn. Grasscycling – leaving the clippings on the lawn after you mow and allow-ing them to decompose – can save you time and provide up to 25% of your lawn’s fertilizer needs. To meet the rest of your turf’s nutrient requirements, you’ll likely need to fertilize in the spring and fall. The spring application should be relatively light and should feature slow-

release nitrogen fertilizer to avoid causing rapid but weak growth, which can make the lawn less durable.

If you’re among the many Americans seeking activities for energetic kids, suddenly finding time for long-delayed home improvement projects, or just needing a breath of fresh air, step out the backdoor and take advantage of your home’s lawn. By engaging in a few DIY spring lawn projects now, your lawn will be ready no matter what summer brings!

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The ubiquitous nature of weeds can make them seem like they can grow anywhere, and that’s because they can. Weeds can grow anywhere there’s room for them to sprout, including gardens, sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots. One of the things that helps weeds spread so much is how productive they can be at producing seeds. An actively growing weed plant will produce thousands of seeds and disperse those seeds through-out the season. One of the more recog-

nizable weeds is the dandelion. During its growing season, a dandelion can ef-fectively spread its seeds thanks in large part to the wind, which can blow seeds all over, thereby allowing a single dandelion to spread its seeds far and wide. Penn State Extension notes that successful weed plants share many characteristics, including an ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually. Successful weed plants also are clever in terms of getting around, as their seeds can attach to peo-

ple and animals and even float on water. Weeds also put up a fight when they’re confronted by humans. Humans who try to pull weeds may instead break them. The broken weeds can then resprout, ultimately spreading their seeds again. The resiliency of weeds also is evident in their ability to stay dormant for long periods of time. For example, weeds can stay in the soil for years before germinat-ing, proving that these unwelcome guests aren’t just pesky, but also patient.

Flat, even landscapes are often coveted in backyards. However, flat backyards are not always so easy to find. Fortu-nately, varied terrain does not mean that certain landscaping plans are entirely off limits, es-pecially for homeowners willing to build retaining walls.

Retaining walls help turn steep slopes in a yard into ter-raced focal points. They also can reduce soil erosion in hilly areas and can be used for aesthetic purposes, like raised planters, or to create more usable space within the yard. When an in-ground pool or pond is cut into a backyard hill, a retaining wall helps keep the remaining portion

of that hill from collapsing into the cut-away area.

When contemplating retain-ing wall projects, a lesson in physics and engineering may be needed. A sturdy and long-lasting retaining wall needs to be built in a way that will take into consideration the force of the soil and the point at which the soil will begin to slide away, ad-vises the experts at The Family Handyman. If these calculations seem beyond the scope of your ability, installation of a retaining wall is a job best left to a profes-sional. If you are ready to forge ahead, these tips can get you started. However, it’s important to note the potential benefits of

working with others who have already built a retaining wall.

• Safety first: Call to have underground utilities plotted and marked before beginning any excavation.

• Map out your trench and begin to dig. The trench should have a level, compacted base as it will be the foundation for which the retaining wall mate-rials, be they blocks, bricks or wood, sit in. A crushed stone base will help anchor the courses and serve to promote drainage. The Family Handyman says to bury the first course of the retain-ing wall one-tenth the height of the wall to prevent soil behind it from pushing the bottom out.

• Check for level. When placing blocks or timbers, make sure they are even with the first and periodically check for level as you go, advises the home im-provement retailer Lowes®.

• Stagger and set back. The next row of blocks or material should be positioned so that the joints are staggered for blocks, bricks or wood. A masonry blade will be needed to cut the harder materials; a circular saw will cut timber. Also, work against gravity by setting the second course slightly back from the first to help push back against the soil that is trying so hard to push forward.

Repeat the process as each level is placed. Many retaining wall products are made with a lip to create this set back.

• Go with the grade. For especially steep slopes, a gradual step-up design may be more secure and more appealing than a very tall retaining wall. Each level of a stepped design should be done like the first.

• Backfill with stone for drainage. Using a layer of stone behind the retaining wall can help successfully direct water away so it will not increase the weight of the soil behind the wall and push against the retaining wall, advises The Home Depot.

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Slicing into the first tomato of the season is a much an-ticipated moment for garden-ers. Tomatoes are among the most popular fruit or vegetable plants grown in home gardens. Much of that popularity may be credited to the fact that red, ripe tomatoes have a delicious, juicy flavor that serves as the basis for all sorts of recipes. And since tomatoes can just as easily be grown in a full backyard garden or in a container on a patio or balcony, tomatoes appeal to gardeners regardless of their living situations.

While tomatoes are relatively easy to grow, they are prone to certain problems and pests. Knowledge of what to expect

when planting tomatoes and how to start off on the right foot-ing can help produce a season’s worth of delicious bounty.

• Wait until after the last average frost date. Toma-toes can be grown from seeds outdoors in warm areas, but tomato gardeners often find success starting seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date. Gradually introduce seedlings to the elements for a few hours each day, increasing the duration of time outside. Then they can be transplanted outdoors when temperatures are consistently over 60 F.

• Choose a sunny spot. To-matoes love to soak up sunlight, according to The Home Depot.

Place the plants in a sunny spot so they can thrive.

• Space out plants. The experts at Better Homes and Gardens say to leave anywhere from 24 to 48 inches between plants to accommodate for growth and ensure the plants will not get stunted.

• Plant deeply. Tomatoes tend to root along their stems. If transplants are long and lean, dig a trench and lay the stem sideways in the dirt, and then bend the top of the plant upward. Snip off the lower branches and cover with soil up to the first set of leaves. This will produce extra root growth and stronger, more vital plants.

• Give the plants support.

Tomato cages or stakes can help keep the leaves and fruit from touching the ground, which can cause rot and, eventually, death to the tomato plant.

• Lay down a layer of mulch. Tomatoes grow best when the soil is consistently moist. Mulch can help retain moisture from watering and rain. Mulch also will help prevent soil and soil-borne diseases from splashing on the leaves and plants when it rains. While you amend the soil, make sure that it drains well and

is slightly acidic.• Prune away suckers. To-

matoes produce “suckers,” which are leaves that shoot out from the main stem. Removing these leaves promotes air cir-culation and keeps the plant’s energy focused on growing fruit.

Tomatoes are a rich addition to any garden. A few simple tricks can help even novice gardeners grow delicious to-matoes.

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Renovating a home to improve its value can be a smart investment. Interior improvements, such as updating kitchens and baths, offer good return on investment, but there are plenty of ex-terior renovations that can add value to a home and give it that coveted “wow” factor.

LandscapingAbundant and well-planned landscaping can

instantly boost curb appeal. According to the landscaping company Lawn Starter, 71 percent of prospective home buyers say a home’s curb appeal is an important factor in their buying decisions. As buyers use the internet to look for their dream homes, there’s no denying a beautifully landscaped, nicely photographed property can entice buyers to click and read more about a house.

Address insects and minor repairsImproving home value may come down to

fixing areas of the home that can negatively affect its appeal to buyers. Hire an inspector to look at key components of the house and recommend what needs to be fixed. This way it is discovered before home buyers come in and do their own inspections. Termite infestations, deteriorating roofs and hidden water leaks are some things that might need fixing.

Improve the entrywayThe front door is the focal point of a home’s

exterior. Invest in a new door or paint it a strik-ing color to add appeal. Remodeling magazine’s

“Cost vs. Value Report 2019” indicates chang-ing an entry door to a steel replacement can offer 74.9 percent ROI. Such a door provides visual appeal and added security - things buyers look for. In addition to the front door, make sure that the entryway has a level walkway, steps that are in good repair, accents that are free from rust or tarnish, and decorative plants.

Outdoor lightingOutdoor lighting can add to the ambiance of a

property and serve as a security feature. Utilize different lights, such as a bright light by the entry, uplighting in trees and shrubs for drama, a light-lined path to the door to improve vis-ibility, and motion-detection lights to improve the security of the property.

Repaint (or reside) the exteriorA fresh coat of paint or new (or cleaned)

siding can instantly give homes a facelift. Neutral, warm and inviting colors tend to have the widest appeal. Adding manufactured stone veneer to the home can offer a 94.9 percent ROI, says Remodeling. And after doing the front door and siding, investing in a garage door replacement offers the highest ROI of all exterior projects listed on the “Cost vs. Value Report 2019.” This improvement returns 97.5 percent when selling.

Knowing which improvements add value to a home can help homeowners tailor their efforts to those that are most financially beneficial.

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Gardening is beneficial in various ways. The AARP states that some of the health perks associated with gardening in-clude improved mood, increased vitamin D levels (which benefits bones and immune system) and reduced risk of dementia. In addition, if gardening efforts include growing herbs, fruits and vegetables, it can be a cost-effective way to eat healthy.

For gardeners without suf-ficient space or for those with mobility issues, container gar-dening can be an ideal way to grow everything from flowers to vegetables. Better Homes & Gardens says most plants are not fussy about the containers in which they grow so long as some of their basic needs are met. This means watering correctly for the type of plant, and ensuring suf-ficient drainage.

The following are some other ways container gardening efforts can prove successful.

• Watch water. Planet Natu-

ral Research Center says plants with thin leaves typically need ample water, and plants with thick leaves need less. Use this as a guideline to gauge water needs.

• Size correctly. Plants should be sized to the container. Con-sider dwarf varieties of certain plants if your containers are small.

• Choose the right soil. Fill containers with a commercial potting soil rather than soil from the garden. Garden soil can dry into a solid mass, while commer-cial mixtures have amendments like peat moss, vermiculite, compost, and other ingredients to help with soil texture and moisture retention.

• Mix it up. When planting containers of flowers and other greenery, Good Housekeeping says to include “a thriller, a

spiller and a filler” as a good rule of thumb. The thriller is the focal point, the spiller a trailing plant, and a filler has smaller leaves or flowers to add bulk and color.

• Poke holes. Drainage holes are essential so that soil will not become waterlogged. Holes don’t need to be large, but there should be enough of them so that excess water can drain out readily.

• Select the right container material. Container materials may be affected by gardeners’ budgets, personal taste and other factors. For those who live in hot climates, selecting a light-colored container can help prevent further soil heat absorption.

Container gardening is a healthy and enjoyable activity that can pay dividends in vari-ous ways.

(BPT) – Ready to make an offer on that perfect piece of real estate? Most homebuyers have a checklist of questions to ask the seller. Questions about the plumbing, heating and AC unit are common. But when searching for that dream home, one of the most important yet overlooked major items is directly overhead and should top the checklist.

A roof protects the home from the ravages of sun, wind, rain and other threats. The ability for a roof to provide protection is directly linked to its condition. A roof nearing the end of its service life can be a major investment for any homeowner. Knowing the condition of a home’s roof plays a big part in determining what the overall investment in a new property will be. Here are a few questions to ask before commit-ting to any property.

1. How old is the home’s

roof? Ask the homeowner about

the age of the roof – and don’t be shy; ask for documentation. Knowing the age of the roof will help you understand issues you may encounter and how to plan to prevent them. It can also influ-ence homeowner insurance costs – and even whether an insurance company will write a new policy on the property, according to insurance.com.

Typically, a roof can be ex-pected to last anywhere from 15 to 50 years, depending on the roofing material, the severity of the weather it is exposed to and if it was installed properly.

2. Are there any known damages or repairs to the roof?

In most states, a seller must disclose any known home damage or defects to a prospective buyer. By asking about roof damage and

repairs specifically, the seller can-not easily forget to mention those details. It is better to get any bad news early and factor the cost of potential repairs into negotiations to avoid devoting time and money toward a property that may have cost-prohibitive issues.

3. When was the roof last inspected?

A thorough inspection is im-portant, even if the roof is new. Wind and hail can cause hidden damage that could dramatically shorten the life of the roof. Im-pacts from large tree branches can distort or even penetrate roofing material. Small, hard-to-find water leaks can lead to rot and costly structural damage beneath the surface.

A professional roofing contrac-tor will provide a comprehensive inspection. They can expertly as-sess the roof’s condition, inspect often-overlooked areas, identify

needed repairs and estimate the roof’s remaining useful life before replacement will be necessary. They will also inspect roof venti-lation to ensure it is adequate. The contractor will make sure gutters are functioning properly and not allowing water to back up into the roofing system.

4. Is the roof still covered under warranty? Can that be transferred?

Depending on the manufac-turer, the home’s roof may have a warranty that is transferable from one homeowner to the next. War-ranties are designed to cover cer-tain manufacturing defects. Ask the seller to provide a copy of the roof warranty and carefully read through the terms and conditions to determine if the warranty can be transferred and what degree of coverage will be provided. If a warranty is not transferable, that should not necessarily be a deal breaker; there may still be plenty of life left in the roof.

5. Will the seller negotiate a lower price to compensate for an old or damaged roof?

A home with an old roof is not necessarily the end of the line for a homebuyer’s dream. Sellers may be willing to negotiate a lower selling price to help a buyer cover

the cost of roof replacement. The good news for the buyer is a new roof, along with a new warranty, is like a new beginning for the home with decades of reliable service ahead. Roofing manufacturers such as TAMKO Building Prod-ucts LLC offer limited lifetime warranties that may add peace of mind.

A roof can make or break a home deal. Any potential buyer should be sure to get the facts before committing to a sales contract. For more information, visit www.tamko.com.

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Container gardening tips

(BPT) – Like classic pieces in your closet that can be worn season after season, some flow-ers have become staples for decorators and gardeners alike. Available in a variety of bold colors, Wave® Petunias and Cool Wave® Pansies are a low-maintenance must-have for creating high-impact design in outdoor spaces. Like your little black dress or your favorite pair of jeans, these versatile flowers can be styled in fresh ways to create an on-trend look that fits your space and lifestyle.

Bring color to lifeCelebrating its 25th anniver-

sary this year, Wave® proves why it has such staying power. In 1995, the striking Wave® Purple Classic became the very first Wave® Petunia variety – and its bold, fun color remains a top choice for adding wow-factor to

hanging baskets, window boxes and gardens.

As a nod to tradition, style your patio or balcony with Tidal Wave® Silver petunias this year. Their luxe silvery-white blooms add a touch of glamour, similar to the timeless silver chain in your jewelry box. This award-winning flower grows mountains of color to create a showstop-ping look in gardens or large planters.

In early spring, have fun with the wide array of colors available in pansies to kick off the season – their rich palette adds a touch of elegance to your outdoor space, in the same way that your favorite high-end scarf enhances your outfit. Cool Wave® Pansies are easy to care for and they en-courage your family and friends to enjoy the outdoors.

Beyond the garden

The best thing about petunias and pansies is that they can be styled in a variety of ways – just like that classic white T-shirt you can’t do without. Beyond enjoying them in your garden, you can also use these flowers for all kinds of fun DIY craft projects to add a special touch to handmade gifts, culinary creations and more.

Enjoy your blooms forever and capture a precious moment in time by pressing petunia or pansy blossoms. Once dried, you can use them to create festive, one-of-a-kind greeting cards, picture frames, bookmarks or phone cases. Press some of their leaves as well, to add a color contrast to the petals.

For a beautiful yet edible garnish, use pansies to add vivid pops of color to your favorite foods – from fresh salads to

decadent desserts. Dress up drinks by freezing pansy blos-soms into ice cubes, or simply top off a beverage with a single freshly cut bloom.

Like your wardrobe favorites, Wave® Petunias and Cool Wave® Pansies can be personally styled in modern ways each garden-ing season to keep up with the latest trends. Check out Wave-Gardening.com for more ways to brighten up your garden or deck this year, including DIY projects, tips and inspiration.

Hom

e and Garden T

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Flowers that stand the test of time

Landscape features vary significantly from house to house. Some homeowners may prefer wa-ter features on their properties, while others focus on flowers that would be the envy of a botanical garden. Regardless of those preferences, lawn and garden enthusiasts who want to make their proper-ties as idyllic as possible may eventually look to mulch to help them accomplish that goal.

Mulch helps soil retain moisture, which pro-motes strong, healthy flowers, plants, trees, and shrubs. And because soil beneath mulch retains more moisture than soil that’s not protected by mulch, homeowners won’t have to spend as much time watering mulched landscapes. That saves time and conserves water, which can be a big benefit in areas prone to drought and/or espe-cially hot summers. Mulch also helps to suppress weed growth, which can ensure all that hard work needed to create an eye-catching garden won’t be compromised by the presence of unsightly, thirsty weeds.

Mulching seems like a simple task, and it can be. But that does not mean homeowners cannot make mistakes when mulching. The following are some common mulching mistakes to avoid as lawn and garden season hits full swing.

• Not enough mulch: Mulch is ineffective when

spread too thin. The Virginia Cooperative Exten-sion at Virginia Tech and Virginia State University recommends applying mulch no less than two inches in depth. Anything less than that will prove ineffective at preventing weed growth and helping the soil retain moisture, and that means you will need to water more often.

• Poorly located mulch: Mulch should not be placed too close to plant stems or tree trunks. When it is, tissue is so wet that it makes for a perfect environment for disease and insect infestation.

• Failing to mulch to the drip line: The drip line of a tree refers to the outermost circumference of the tree’s canopy from which water drips onto the ground. The VCE recommends mulching to the drip line of a plant or tree, which ensures the plant or tree will get the most out of the mulch. Mulching to the drip line also minimizes competition from the grass, leading to stronger plants and trees.

• Failing to weed before mulching: Weeds should be removed prior to mulching. If they’re not, the mulch can provide the same growing en-vironment for weeds that you’re trying to create for your plants and trees.

Mulching benefits a landscape in myriad ways, especially when homeowners avoid some com-mon mulching mistakes.

Mulching mistakes to avoid

(BPT) – Hardscaping prod-ucts, including segmental re-taining wall units (SRWs) and interlocking concrete pavers, are a landscape’s best friend. Land-scape professionals know that hardscapes are the backbone of a great design. Homeowners, too, shouldn’t be afraid to explore do-it-yourself landscape features using hardscape materials.

According to the National Association of Landscape Pro-fessionals, hardscaping trends for 2020 include geometric patterned designs as well as materials with sleek, modern lines. Luckily, design options abound as hardscapes come in a variety of sizes, shapes, textures and colors that work well with other materials such as natural stone or crushed rock mulch.

Hardscapes are popular be-cause they outlast materials such as timbers for retaining walls or asphalt for driveway surfaces, says Scott Arnold, general manager of Villa Landscapes in St. Paul, Minnesota. “Hardscape surfaces are durable and low maintenance,” Arnold says. “For example, when a client wants to replace a wood deck, we suggest a raised paving stone patio created with retaining wall units and pavers as a solution.

In addition to traditional uses, such as fixing grade problems and preventing erosion, retaining wall systems also can be used to build outdoor features such as fireplaces and raised planters. Or they can be employed to solve unique landscaping problems.”

1. Making the gradeVilla Landscapes used the

VERSA-LOK retaining wall system to solve an unusual prob-lem for a homeowner who had a historic home on “Cream of Wheat Row” in Minneapolis, an avenue with stately homes built by wheat company executives at the turn of the 19th century. The home had a driveway designed for horse-and-buggy with an embedded limestone step for disembarking passengers. No cars could go around it, so Villa elevated the driveway with a retaining wall system so a new paving stone driveway would be level with the existing step.

2. Play well with othersMade of colors and textures

that mimic and complement natu-ral stone, hardscaping products work well with other materials, like crushed stone, flagstone steppers and natural boulders. A Wisconsin homeowner needed retaining walls for slopes and

a paving stone patio as well as natural steps and boulders in the surrounding garden. Using re-taining wall units, paving stones and natural stone, Villa’s design incorporated elements of both harmony and contrast in shapes, textures and colors.

3. Define outdoor areasHardscapes are great for creat-

ing multiple, connected outdoor living spaces. By varying the pattern, color and texture, a de-sign can define areas for grilling, dining and relaxing. In addition, retaining wall systems can be used to create columns, freestanding walls, raised planters and other features that give outdoor rooms definition and functionality.

4. Complement any designA variety of shapes, colors

and textures make hardscapes the perfect complement to any archi-tectural design, from an old-world look to minimalist style. Several homes in a residential develop-ment in Edina, Minnesota, fol-lowed suit when one homeowner selected the new VERSA-LOK CleanCut(TM) retaining wall tex-ture for its clean, contemporary feel to match the modern archi-tectural design of the home.

5. Create outdoor featuresHardscape features such as

fireplaces, fire rings, bar/grill islands, raised planters and more can be built easily with retaining wall units. The VERSA-LOK re-taining wall system can be used for features such as columns, curves, stairs and corners with-out the need for special pieces.

The versatility of hardscaping products and materials makes them ideal for a variety of land-scaping applications. Hardscap-ing products, such as segmental retaining walls and concrete pav-ers, let homeowners shape their yards, while adding color and increasing usable space. Hard-scaping materials, such as rock and stone mulch, add the finish-ing touches that dress up a yard and make it look complete.

The benefits of mulch are widely known among lawn and garden enthusiasts. By insulat-ing soil from extreme tem-peratures, helping soil to retain moisture and preventing weed growth, mulch can help plants, trees and gardens thrive, even during periods when Mother Nature can make that very dif-ficult.

Novice gardners may find themselves a little confused when visiting a lawn and garden center to purchase mulch. That’s because there are various types of mulches. One of the ways to simplify that is to break mulches down into two main classes: organic and inorganic. Learning to distinguish between these two classes can help homeowners choose the best mulch for their properties.

Organic mulchOrganic mulches are made

up of materials that decompose over time. The experts at Bob-Vila.com note that, because they decompose over time, organic mulches must be replenished on a regular bais. Hardwood and softwood chips are among the most popular and recognizable organic mulches. Evergreen

needles, leaves, grass clippings, and compost mixes also fall un-der the organic mulch umbrella. Many gardening enthusiasts prefer organic mulches because they help soil retain moisture, improve soil fertility and help to deter weed growth.

Inorganic mulchesInorganic mulches are perma-

nent because they do not decom-pose over time. Gravel, brick chips and crushed stone are examples of inorganic mulches. Homeowners who do not intend to plant after laying mulch may lean toward inorganic mulches, as they won’t require much work, if any, after being laid. However, the Chicago Botanic Garden notes that inorganic mulches do not improve soil quality. In fact, because inor-ganic mulches like rocks and stones absorb heat, they can be detrimental to plants in areas where weather tends to be very dry and hot.

The right mulch for a given property depends on a host of factors. Understanding the dif-ferences between organic and inorganic mulches is a great first step toward finding the right mulch for your landscape.

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Organic vs inorganic mulchHardscapes are a landscape’s best friend

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