Save money and improve your garden by harvesting seeds

At this time of year, you’re probably getting ready to plant your garden and you’re buying seeds. Whether its flowers or vegetables, you can help your garden flourish from year to year AND save money by saving seeds. It takes a little time but it's actually a very simple process.

Choosing your seed producers

The first step is choosing which seeds to harvest. As a rule, you want to take seeds from the nicest specimens from your garden. The plants that produced the best will most often be your best bet for next year's garden. Only save seeds from heirloom, self-pollinated, or openly pollinated plants. (Hybrids produce seeds, but they will give you a plant with characteristics of both parents, and you may not want that.)

When to harvest

There is a specific time that is optimal for harvesting seeds. For flowers, you should cut flower heads when their seed pods have dried out or shortly before. Hang the heads upside down in a paper bag to dry. Once they are dry, remove the seeds. Separate them as much as possible from chaff and other plant material.

For fruits and vegetables, seeds should be harvested once the fruit has become fully ripe or overripe. Thoroughly wash them before drying. For podded vegetables such as beans and peas, let the seeds dry in their pods on the plants before you gather them.

Drying

Avoiding direct sunlight, dry your seeds on a ceramic or glass plate. Make sure they are completely dry before storing them, otherwise they will develop mold. Store dried seeds in paper envelopes. Make sure to label them!

Storing

Many seeds can remain viable for several years after being harvested. Put your envelopes in an airtight container and store the container in a cool, dark, and dry location. It's a good idea to add a packet of desiccant to absorb moisture. Save one from a pill bottle.

When someone compliments your tomatoes, give them some of your seeds as a gift. Many veteran gardeners also trade seeds. Saving seeds allows you to grow the varieties of fruits, vegetables and flowers that you love, saving your most beautiful, best tasting and hardiest specimens for the next year

Keeping your trees in shape

Trees add a lot to your home. They provide a place for wildlife to live. They provide shade, which helps your utility bills stay lower in the summer. They can help prevent or limit soil erosion. And there’s no better place in the world for a tire swing.

The good news is that mature trees don’t need a lot of help – usually. The bad news is that when they do, you’ll usually need to enlist the help of an arborist to save them.

While trees are perfectly nice things to have in your yard, they can also require maintenance to help them. Healthy trees will sometimes die due to pest or disease infestation; however, in a suburban setting, they are more likely to be damaged due to environmental, mechanical, or chemical stress.

• Environmental stress – drought conditions, excess soil moisture, too little sunlight, extremely cold temperatures, poor soil quality, and soil compaction


• Mechanical stress – damage from lawn equipment or improper pruning practices and construction damage of severed roots or trunk wounds


• Chemical stress – over-fertilization and de-icing salt contamination

When to prune
Pruning is necessary to keep the tree safe for our sake and for its own sake because nature didn’t put them where they are; we did. So, occasionally, they need some TLC.

You should prune trees only when it is necessary for structure, health, and safety purposes.

When does your tree need care? Look for these warning signs:

• Dead, dying or diseased branches.


• Branches that cross one another, which rubs the bark off and makes the tree susceptible to disease entry.


• Sprouts forming at the base of the tree's trunk can be a sign that the tree is injured and is redirecting its energy.


• Remove vines, turf, or competing vegetation surrounding the tree’s trunk.


• A tight-angled V shape between the limb and the tree can indicate a weak point in the tree. Examine to see if the bark grows inward instead of outward.


• Look for nearly vertical branches that compete to be the main trunk of the tree. If they grow large enough they can split off, which can damage the tree or anything underneath it, including your home or vehicle.


• You’ll need to trim back any nuisance growth, which occurs when a tree interferes with sidewalks, roadways, or utility lines.

One thing you should never do is "top" a tree. Topping removes far too much food producing vegetation and leaves the tree in an extremely stressed state. The sprouts produced after topping are the tree’s attempt to produce enough sugars to overcome the stress. While the tree may continue to live for a time, it will be far more susceptible to disease.

Pruning can be dangerous, to you and the tree. Take safety precautions and make sure that you’re using the right tool for the job. If there is any question as to whether or not you’re able to complete the task safely, it’s a good idea to hire a professional.

Common painting mistakes and how to avoid them

Painting any room in your home is a great way to give it a fresh look. Not only is it cost-effective, it’s fairly easy and can be accomplished in a weekend. Although it can be easy, there are some common mistakes that do-it-yourselfers make that can make all the hard work look less than exemplary. The good news is that these mistakes can be remedied.

Buying cheap brushes

Cheaper brushes and rollers tend to leave their mark on your wall with bristles or roller lint. Spend a few extra bucks and get the good ones.

Skipping the prep

Most D-I-Yers don’t have the skills to get straight lines and clean edges. A few minutes of prep time makes your work that much better.

Starting too soon

Make sure the spots you repaired with patching compound are completely dry before you sand and prime. Otherwise, all that patching was a waste of time.

Going for too much with a single dip of paint

Don’t let the brush or roller become too dry. Be sure to maintain a smooth line of paint. Once the paint appears to break up, it’s time to re-dip.

Letting paint dry out

For water-based paint, put a piece of clear plastic wrap on the surface of the paint, then reseal the container. For oil-based paint, add about a half-inch of water on the surface before resealing.

Not priming

Priming, as a rule, improves the results you’ll get. Not only does it give the paint a good surface to adhere to, it also brings out the true color of the paint.

Not washing the walls

Paint should have a good, clean surface to stick to. Washing your walls prior to painting will help you get better results.

Not using drop cloths

If you can’t move it out of the room, make sure it’s completely covered with a drop cloth. Tape the edges of the floor and make sure it has a drop cloth, too.

Painting the wall plates

Taking five extra minutes to remove the wall plates and taping around light switches and electrical outlets gives your room a more professional look.

Time for spring home maintenance projects

In much of the country, spring has sprung and it’s time to shake off the cold of winter and get working around the house. With the first warm, dry spell comes the best time to start thinking about getting your home ready for the rains of spring and the heat of summer.

The number of small projects to complete can be daunting. Here’s a list of 10 things you need to do sooner rather than later.

Test your AC unit

It’s always best to make sure your air conditioning unit is running properly before temperatures start to climb. Take a look to make sure nothing is blocking airflow on and around your unit. Use a brush to clean the fins behind the grate. Consider having an HVAC technician perform a diagnostic inspection and routine maintenance.

Yard tool maintenance

Check lawn equipment to make sure it is ready for summer. Clean, tuned equipment and sharp blades make yard work easier and prolongs the life of your equipment.

Clean the gutters

Any debris that has accumulated over the winter blocks the flow of water through the gutter and downspouts. After cleaning out all the leaves, etc., run a hose to clean them and check for leaks. Seal any holes with a gutter sealant.

Perform some inspections

There are a number of places you’ll need to inspect to identify any problems that may have come to light during the winter.

• Roof – perform a ground inspection to check for loose or damaged shingles


• Deck – check for loose supports and boards, as well as problems in the finish


• Foundation – look for cracks and spaces where soil has been separated from concrete


• Windows and doors – repair weather stripping and caulking

Spray for bugs

Use non-chemical pesticides, if possible, available at home and garden centers and home improvement stores.

Paint, stain, or seal wood

Whether you have wood decks, planters or fences made out of wood, giving them a new coat of paint, stain or sealant will make them look great while protecting them against the elements.

Building a raised flower or vegetable garden

Whether you want to put in a flower garden or plant some vegetables, if you have poor soil quality or live in an arid climate, building a raised garden may be your only viable option. Even if you live in a perfect climate and have always had a garden, constructing a raised garden affords you some advantages over a standard on-the-ground garden.

The only requirements are that you want to make sure that it’s level, that you have a place with plenty of sunshine, and that you’re able to give the plant’s roots enough room to grow, which is generally about six inches. If you want to grow vegetables and you’re using lumber, make sure that it’s not treated wood.

The advantages of a raised garden

Easier on the body

Since it's higher, there's less wear and tear on your knees and back.

Smaller area

Gives you more control and more plant productivity per square foot.

Fewer pests

Not necessarily insects, but a raised garden eliminates damage caused by rabbits, moles and gophers.

Less expensive to maintain

You'll use less water and less pesticides because your growing area is concentrated.

Fewer weeds

Since it's elevated, you're less likely to see weeds, especially if you put down a weed barrier.

Better water retention

In areas that have sandy soil, it's difficult to ensure that your plants are getting enough water.

Better drainage

In areas with clay soils, water doesn't drain, which can damage the roots.

Limits soil compaction

Since you're not walking through the garden while working, the soil stays nice and loose.

Warmer soil

This is essential for helping roots establish earlier in the season and makes it possible to extend your growing season.

Less soil erosion

The frame provides a barrier to erosion.

Customizable

You can put a raised garden anywhere and make it any shape. You can even put one on your deck.

Green

Build your new plot out of reclaimed materials, including cinder blocks, wood or stone for the walls.

Interested in building a raised bed for flowers or vegetables?

Here's a great video about how to build a raised garden bed. How to Build a Raised Garden 

How to paint a ceiling like a pro

Painting a room is perhaps the easiest and least expensive do-it-yourself project that can have a BIG impact on your home. However, many homeowners find painting the ceiling somewhat intimidating. In order to complete a room, painting the ceiling is part of the project.

Yes, compared to the walls, painting a ceiling does require some special equipment - a stepladder and an extension pole. It is somewhat more physically demanding than painting the wall. However, just like painting the walls, putting a little extra time and effort into prep time pays big dividends in overall time, effort, cleanup and the end result. Here are some tips to help you finish the job just like the pros.

Remove as much of the furniture as you can.

Not only does it make moving in the space easier, it limits damage that can be caused to furniture. Make sure to cover the furniture you don’t remove with drop cloths.

Tape up

If you are painting the entire room, the ceiling is where you should start. And you may avoid taping. If you are painting the ceiling only, use painter’s tape where the walls meet the ceiling and around any molding on the ceiling’s edges.

Prime time

It may seem like an added step, but adding a coat of primer provides a stain barrier and can make it possible to finish the ceiling with only one coat of paint.

Cutting corners

Starting in one corner, with a 2″ trim brush, paint a three foot cut-line along one wall, then the adjoining wall. While the cut-line is still wet, start painting the ceiling with the roller. Just like painting a wall, painting while the cut-line is still wet will help reduce visible lines.

Fill up

Fill the well of the roller tray with paint and move the roller over the paint until the nap is covered. Don’t submerge the roller; just glide it over the paint in the shallow part of the tray until the nap is completely covered and paint drips are minimal.

Roll on

Unless you’re 6’6” and working on 8’ ceilings, you’ll need to attach the extension pole to the roller. Use the paint-filled roller to create a zigzag pattern measuring 3-4 feet square. Then go over the same area using straight strokes to even out the paint. Remember to work while the paint is still wet to avoid leaving paint lines. Paint smaller sections and be sure to feather the edges to reduce visible lines between sections.

The secret is to work quickly and efficiently. Prep work cuts painting time, which means you’ll be working with wet paint and less likely to leave visible lines. Like any painting project, you may need to repeat the process. Be sure to clean any splatters and drips immediately, and to clean paintbrushes, roller and tray with warm soap and water when you’re finished.

Using accent colors in surprising places

Brightening your home can be accomplished quickly, easily and cheaply. There's no need, however, to limit yourself to using color only on walls when there are so many other opportunities in your home to use an accent color.

If you’re looking around and see a neutral-hued home, try adding color in these unique places.

Bookshelves

Whether you have built-in or freestanding bookcases, painting the inside of it adds color to a room in an unexpected way while becoming an attractive backdrop for whatever you put on the shelves.

Storage units

Just because your storage cabinets are practical doesn’t mean they have to get lost in the background. Choose a bright, bold color to truly make a statement.

Collections

Try placing several small pieces of pottery together to add color to any neutral-colored room. Grouping pieces is both art and science. Too much looks like clutter; too few and it looks like an accident.

Painted furniture

From bright to subdued, solid or patterned, and finishes ranging from antique to distressed, painting wooden furniture can give an old piece new life while adding color to any room. You're really only limited to your imagination.

Interior doors

You may give a lot of consideration to the color of your exterior doors, but not give your interior doors much of a thought at all. Painting an interior door with a bold color packs a punch, especially for a hallway or rooms bathed in neutral tones. You may choose to paint the woodwork around windows and along floorboards to match the door or keep them white, which allows the door to do all the talking.

Dining chairs

If your dining room is filled with neutral tones, adding brightly colored chairs is a great way to add color. Mismatched chairs painted the same color with coordinating cushions is a great way to add color, unique pieces, and whimsy to your dining room.

Floors

Often considered taboo, painting a floor has been a no-no, but it really depends on how the room is used. You may choose to paint the floor of a child's room, craft room or game room, just to name a few.

Window seats

One of the coolest places to use an accent color is in a window seat alcove. You may choose to enhance the view outside or paint it in a warm inviting color to create a bright, cheerful space for a reading nook.

Ceilings

For the most part, ceilings don't vary much when it comes to color. That being said, a bold color on the ceiling is a bold choice and can add character to any room.

Stairs

Perhaps more surprising than adding color to a ceiling or painting the floor, painting the stairs has been a decorating trend for a couple of years. You may choose colors to coordinate with those in other areas of your home, or do something odd or whimsical or daring.