budding ideas for the home 2011

Special Supplement for theWednesday, April 27, 2011 editions

of The Amite Tangi Digest,The Kentwood News Ledger

and The St. Helena Echo.

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2 Budding Ideas for the Home2 Budding Ideas for the Home Wednesday, April 27, 2011Wednesday, April 27, 2011

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Despite the fact that winter seems to hold on a little longer each year, spring is here and brings with it sunshine and showers. The beauti-ful days make for a great opportunity to get some work done without freezing or burning up. While the weather permits, it�’s a good idea to check on quite a few things around the house that will either protect your house or make it more efficient. Here is a quick list of nine things that can do just that!

1) A number one priority before spring rains hit too hard is roof repairs - after all if water comes in through the top, there�’ll be problems the whole way down. Ceiling spots and water lines on walls can indicate more serious problems that a simple paint job won�’t fix. Water can travel along joists and a home�’s frame to appear almost anywhere. Look for damaged or missing shingles, loose gutters, damaged flashing, blocked vents or damaged chimneys.

2) On the interior, attic insulation, while sounding like a winter pre-caution, can really help to lower summer cooling costs. This is more of a preventative measure than a repair, but the impact on efficiency and comfort in the home certainly makes it worth considering.

3) If, while checking the roof, you feel like the gutters are still securely attached, be warned; there is another consideration for them. Make sure that gutters and downspouts are not clogged and allow for easy drain-age in the heavy rains. Gutters that are clogged with leaves and debris can back up when they fill with rainwater. Start the spring off with clean, clear gutters to avoid problems.

4) The siding and door/window trim, just like the roof, may be a site for potential water damage or even a spot for water to leak into the home. It�’s possible to use a screwdriver to probe the wood trim around windows, doors, railings and decks. Making repairs before the spring rains do more damage to the exposed wood is really the way to go in

this case. If you have wood shakes or clapboard siding, look for cracks, splits, or missing sections. Assess the paint for flaking or peeling; accord-ing to the experts, you should paint your home at least every seven years. Vinyl or aluminum siding may have dents, cracks or gaps with possible openings.

5) Low areas in the yard or next to foundations may need to be filled. Spring rains can cause yard flooding, which can lead to foundation flood-ing and damage. Also, when water pools in these low areas in summer, it can create a breeding ground for insects. Inspect concrete slabs for signs of cracks or movement. Cracks can be filled with a concrete crack filler or silicone caulk. If possible, it�’s best to power-wash and then seal the concrete.

6) Speaking of power-washing, a fairly quick and easy spring project is pressure-washing a patio or deck. Getting winter�’s grime and grit off will have outdoor spaces ready for relaxing, grilling and the like.

7) While not always the most prevalent problem here in southern Louisiana, winter freezes may have damaged pipes or water lines. Outside hose faucets can be checked for freeze damage by turning on the water and placing a thumb or finger over the opening. If it stops the flow of water, it is likely the pipe is damaged and will need to be replaced. While you�’re at it, check garden hoses for dry rot.

8) Get your air conditioner ready. Clean off loose debris and trim back any bushes or trees that may block the exterior A/C unit. Check the coils to make sure no cooling fins are bent or blocked or contact a profes-sional to assess your system. When the hot months come, it�’s easy to realize how much the A/C is appreciated, so check it out ahead of time.

9) While this is for a yard rather than a building, it�’s a great idea to check your gas and battery powered lawn equipment to make sure it is ready for use. Clean equipment and sharp blades make yard work easier.

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Louisianans have appreciated the enjoyable qualities of spicy foods for generations. The fire in Louisiana cooking is provided primarily by the use of hot peppers or products made from them like red pepper and hot sauce. A backyard gar-den wouldn�’t be complete without a few pepper plants �– hot and sweet �– to pick from.

The pepper is native to the tropics of Central and South America and has probably been culti-vated for thousands of years. When Columbus reached the Caribbean, he tasted a vegetable being grown by the native population. Its sharp taste reminded him of the familiar black pepper, so he called the new plant �“pepper,�” as we do today. Columbus, however, was no botanist and was mistaken. The plant was not even related to black pepper �– Piper nigrum �– but belongs to an entirely different genus �– Capsicum.

From their America origins, peppers were spread to Europe, Africa, India and Asia and became an important part of many regional cuisines. They are a member of the solanaceae or nightshade family, which makes them rela-tives of the tomato, potato, tobacco, eggplant and petunia.

Peppers may be classified with varying degrees of �“hotness�”. The degree of heat is related to the amount of capsaicin in the fruit.

This chemical is concentrated in the pepper pod where the seeds are attached and in the veins of the inner wall. Peppers are at the peak of their hotness when fully ripe and are usually five times hotter when they are mature compared with the green or immature fruit.

Based on the amount of capsaicin they gen-erally contain, pepper varieties can be classified as sweet, mild, hot and very hot. Remember, you cannot always identify a hot pepper by its shape or color. Various peppers are classified as follows:

�– Sweet: sweet bells, pimento, sweet banana and Gypsy.

�– Mild: Mexi-Bell, cherry, NuMex Big Jim, Anaheim, ancho, pasilla, espanola and cascabell.

�– Hot: jalapeno, mirasol, Hungarian wax (hot banana), serrano, cayenne and tabasco.

�– Very hot: chiltepin, Thai, habanero, Scotch bonnet.

Sweet bell peppers are commonly planted in the home garden. They have a blocky shape with three or four lobes on the bottom. For many years gardeners could choose only one color of bell pepper, a green that matured red (red bell peppers are just ripe green ones). Through mod-ern breeding efforts, we can now grow bell pep-pers that mature red, yellow or orange and may be purple, lavender or chocolate-brown instead green when unripe.

Many pepper varieties are attractive enough

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to use as ornamentals in the landscape as well as in the vegetable garden. Indeed, a number of varieties called �“ornamental peppers�” have been selected for the colorful fruit or foliage. The fruit of ornamental peppers is perfectly edible, although generally quite hot.

Growing peppersMid-March to mid-April is an ideal time to

plant peppers in the garden. Bell peppers are more sensitive to heat than other types of pep-pers, so plant them early in the spring garden. Hot peppers and other sweet peppers are much more heat tolerant and can be planted through the summer.

Choose a sunny area because peppers need full sun to blossom and set fruit. Also, try to select a spot protected from the wind because pepper plants have shallow root systems and brittle branches. In the mid- to late summer, a stake will help keep the plant upright as it grows taller.

Plant peppers in well-drained beds enriched by compost and an all-purpose fertilizer. Once they are planted, peppers should be watered-in with your favorite soluble fertilizer. Sidedress pepper plants with additional fertilizer every four to six weeks with one tablespoon per plant.

Space peppers 1 1/2 to 2 feet apart. Depending on the variety, most peppers grow about 2 to 3 feet tall. A half dozen plants �– four sweet, one

mild and one hot �– should provide a family with a summer-long crop. Production of bell pep-pers often drops off in the hottest part of the summer but will pick back up as weather cools in September. Excellent summer production of sweet peppers can be obtained from Gypsy and sweet banana.

Mulch plants to control weeds and conserve moisture. Leaves, pine straw or dried grass clip-pings work fine. Some commercial fields use plastic mulch that has been sprayed with silver or bright aluminum paint after it has been laid and before transplanting. The reflected light from the painted surface helps to repel aphids �– small insects that feed on peppers and spread viral dis-eases. The reflected light also seems to stimulate plant growth. Wide, heavy-duty aluminum foil could be used in a small home garden.

Peppers can be harvested at any stage of development. Bell types are usually harvested when firm and full size but still green. They also may be harvested when mature and turning red, orange or yellow, depending on variety. Other types of peppers vary, with jalapenos generally harvested green and cayenne peppers harvested mature red. But it�’s largely up to you to decide.

When you�’re harvesting the fruit, hold the branch and snap or cut the fruit off carefully. Remember, pepper plants are brittle and break easily.


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You may have heard, �“Dig a $100 hole for a $10 tree,�” and it�’s good advice. Extra time spent doing a good job of planting your new tree will pay off as the tree settles in and starts to grow strongly in its new home.

When should you plant? Bare root trees are best planted in early spring, or when they are dormant. Potted trees, on the other hand, can be planted any time you dig a hole in the ground. It�’s best not to dig when the ground is very wet, espe-cially if you have heavy clay soil that will compact to form a watertight tomb around the rootball. If the ground is frozen or very dry, it may be so hard that you can barely make a dent in the surface, let alone a hole. Under any other conditions, you are good to go!

How big should you dig? The general rule of thumb is to dig a hole about twice the diameter of the pot. In poor soil, or with a particularly treasured specimen, go three times the diameter. The hole should be no deeper than the depth of the rootball, with sloping sides for good drainage. Before you start digging, double check the place-ment of your hole to be sure you�’ve left enough space around your tree for its mature size.

How deep should you plant the tree? It�’s often good to have a quarter to a third of the rootball above the level of the surrounding soil, especially if your soil doesn�’t drain especially well. In heavy clay soil, plant all trees above the grade, and

mound soil up around them as you fill the hole. Never plant the tree deeper than it was growing in its pot.

What if the tree is rootbound? With a root-bound tree, you�’ll see a solid mass of roots when you remove the pot, including roots that circle around the outside of the rootball. If you simply stick the rootball in the ground, the roots tend to continue growing around in the same shape rather than expanding out into the surrounding soil. If that happens, the tree can die. Loosening and untangling the circling roots so you can spread them out in the planting hole can save a rootbound tree. You can also make several verti-cal slits into the rootball, just an inch or so deep, to stop the roots from continuing to circle.

How should you position a tree? Carefully! Don�’t rush. Take a break after digging, and con-sider the tree from various distances and viewing angles. Place the tree upright in the hole, with a helper to hold and turn it. Think about how its branch structure may look as the tree grows. Don�’t forget to look at it from on the deck, or from an upstairs window. Think about whether a particular overhanging branch will be in the way, and turn the tree so that branch will grow in a better direction. You�’ll probably have this tree for a very long time, and this is your best opportunity to situate it exactly where you want it.

Should you fertilize? The answer to that may depend on the tree, but most seem to appreciate a dose of time release fertilizer in their planting

hole. Watering in a newly planted tree with half strength water soluble fertilizer (such as Miracle Gro) or an additive like SuperThrive can also give it an initial boost.

Should you stomp the soil in place? You could, but there�’s a better way. As you shovel the soil around the tree and into the hole, stop two or three times and water it a little. Not only does this give your new tree a good drink, it�’s also a good way to settle the soil around the roots and to eliminate air pockets.

What about mulch? Yes! Several inches of landscape mulch will keep down weeds and hold in moisture. However, do pull the mulch back several inches from the trunk on all sides. Having organic mulch right up against the trunk can lead to pests and disease.

To stake, or not to stake? If you�’re not sure staking is needed to stabilize your new tree, shake it. Put one stake on each side of the tree, and run ropes from the stakes to the trunk. Use sections of tubing or old garden hose to protect the bark from chafing. After a season or two, remove the ropes and stakes. Don�’t leave the ropes around the tree, or they�’ll cut into the tree as it grows.

Take a little extra time to plan the placement of your tree, to dig a nice hole, and to stake and mulch it after planting. The care you put into planting a young tree now will be repaid a thou-sand times over as the tree grows to become a prized feature to your landscape.

How to plant a tree: Getting it out of the nursery pot and into your yardMARGARET [email protected]


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SPRING IN FULL BLOOM. In the yard of Ms. Frances Costa of Independence there is a �“white garden�”. In this sec-tion of her yard she has beautiful white flowers in full bloom. Ms. Frances works hard almost daily to maintain her beautiful yard.

On any given day driving through Independence it is almost assured that one would catch Ms. Frances Costa in her yard hard at work. The lawn and garden surrounding the home she has lived in for 80 years is beautiful. She is very fond of her lemon-fig and plum trees that a friend brought back from Italy. There are also small maple trees and she is very proud of their progress. A lone pomegranate tree stands in full bloom. Ms. Fances had been searching for a pomegranate tree with no luck and this one was given to her as a gift while she was in the hospital. The vegetable garden is small, but it suits her needs. A section she refers to as the �“white garden�” is in full bloom for the Spring with several different types of white blooming plants.

Ms. Frances has lived in Independence her entire life and loves her town. After 30 years as a fourth grade teacher at Independence Middle School she retired and worked several other jobs in town. Now fully retired she works diligently in

her yard and garden. Independence Mayor Michael Ragusa, one of Ms. Frances�’ former students, often stops by to visit. The Mayor said he wished everyone in town would work this hard to maintain their yards to keep the town looking beautiful. �“I see Ms. Frances almost everyday working outside. You can see the love she puts into her yard,�” Mayor Ragusa said.

Ms. Frances�’ home is one of the first homes you see coming into Independence from the south, which makes a great impression on visitors. �“I love being out in my yard and garden. I am thankful to the Lord for everyday he gives me and being able to do what I love,�” Ms. Frances said. �“There is nothing I would rather be doing.�”

Ms. Frances still does most of the work herself, but does admit that she has a little help from time to time with the heavy lift-ing and the mowing. �“The bank next door had their lawn landscaped professionally recently and now I don�’t think mine looks as good,�” Ms. Frances says smiling. However, anyone can see that this beautiful lawn and garden is maintained with love and care.

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TRISH [email protected]

Lifelong resident of Independence works hard to maintain a beautiful yard

TRISH THAMES/TANGI DIGEST


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SPECIAL PLANT FROM ITALY. Ms. Frances Costa shows Independence Mayor Michael Ragusa one of the most special trees in her yard, a lemon fig tree from Italy. A friend of Ms. Frances brought this plant back from Italy especially for her. While visit-ing with Ms. Frances Mayor Ragusa told her how thankful he was for all her hard work keeping her yard so beautiful.

SHOWING APPRECIATION. Independence Mayor Michael Ragusa pays a visit to Ms. Frances Costa�’s home to brag about her beautiful yard. �“Ms. Frances is out here working almost everyday in her yard,�” Mayor Ragusa said. �“We appreciate her effort in keeping her part of Independence beauti-ful.�” Ms. Frances said that this maple tree is one of her favorites.

CHECKING ON THE VEGETABLES. Ms. Frances Costa walks through her garden checking the vegetables. She works in her garden and yard almost daily keeping her little section of Independence beautiful. Ms. Frances has lives in the home on West Railroad Avenue that her parents built over 80 years ago.

Ms. Frances Costa�’s yard and garden

photos by Trish Thames

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Ten to 15 years ago, simple �‘upgrades�’ to your home would increase its re-sale appeal. However, these upgrades may no longer work as well. Instead, homeowners should focus on more humble renovations and steer clear of the extravagant upgrades. Many homeowners completely overlook easy fixes that will often increase visual appeal.

Landscaping and painting can up your re-sale chances dramatically. The first impression always needs to be a good one. A well manicured yard, no matter how small, can draw the eye to the home. Once the home is in view, a fresh coat of paint is key to attract a potential buyer. Some suggest painting your front door a contrast color (contrast, not outlandish) from your base color. Window trim, is another area of interest that is often neglected. Make sure windows are clean and shiny. A fresh approach to the outside of your home will invite potential buyers in.

Once you have the interested buyer inside, remember that you have to have the �‘guts�’ even if the outside of the home is visually appealing. Many homeowners often overlook the nickel-and-dime stuff, like light fixtures, faucets and door knobs. While it won�’t pay off to splurge on high-end fixtures and faucets, at the very least you want to ensure that the house has a uniform look and feel. So pick a style and stick with it throughout the home.

Here are some ideas for upgrades:�• Kitchen �– As one of the most used rooms in any home,

upgrades made to the kitchen are always appealing to prospec-tive buyers. Studies show, however, that the homeowners earn the most value when performing modest upgrades including new cabinets, countertops, floors and well-priced appliances. Hence, homeowners often don�’t need to worry about including luxury products when remodeling the kitchen.

�• Bathroom �– In many cases, remodeling an existing bath-room can raise the value of the home as much as any other project. As bathrooms can typically be remodeled very afford-ably, this has long been a favorite project of homeowners looking to increase the value of their homes. Though the even-tual recouped value seems to be contingent on region, most homeowners who remodeled existing bathrooms experienced better return on their investment than those that added new bathrooms to their homes.

�• Windows �– Though not as visible as remodeled kitchens or bathrooms, there are few remodeling projects that improve the overall quality of a home better than new energy efficient windows. For instance, smart home buyers will recognize that new windows will not only make the home more comfortable and attractive, but will also save on heating and cooling costs.

�• Storage - Closet space, cabinet space, shelving, these things are also a plus when a potential buyers looks at buying a home. There are many ways to increase storage. If you can�’t expand out, expand up with shelves.

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How to maintain or increase the current value of your home


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So the long winter doldrums are over, and it�’s time to spruce up around the house. While diving into some projects may require a lot of extra time and money, you can spare the expense of a contractor by doing many projects yourself.

Outdoor projects are especially popular this time of the year, with the weather warming up and longer afternoons.

One cosmetic project that is particularly easy on the pocket book and the old back is to simply update the look of your outdoor deck. Whether finishing a new deck or fence, or an existing one is beginning to look worn, applying a fresh coat of stain can give it a fresh new look as well as protect the wood from the elements.

Begin with a clean, dry surface. There are commercial wood cleaning products available at your local hardware store. Be sure and let the wood dry completely before attempting to stain. Apply the stain of choice. (Different types of wood require different stains, oil or water based). Check with the hardware store to see which is right for your wood. Be sure to apply the stain with the correct type of mate-rial, for example, sponge or a brush. Keep the immediate area clear of pets or children until completely dry.

Another great outdoor/home improvement idea is adding patio stones to create an inter-esting path or walkway thru a garden or yard. It is also functional, as it protects your yard from foot traffic in bad weather.

Patio stones come in a variety of different colors and materials, it all depends on the look

you want. To begin, be sure the area to cover is level and clear of rocks or debris. Determine the type of pattern you want beforehand, by creating a hand template or drawing, to deter-mine how much material you will need. Follow manufactures instructions for instillation, as some stone materials may need a grout or sand base.

Contractors agree, one of the most cost effective things you can do to improve the exte-rior of your home is to simply give it a bath! This is an ideal time of year, as snow and ice in cold climates has melted, many times leaving behind a dirty film or residue. Pressure wash-ing with a commercial washer is recommended in most cases, however, for newer siding, be sure to follow manufactor�’s instructions. Don�’t forget the windows, doors, gutters and soffit and facia while you are at it.

Other small renovations that provide big impact include:

~changing or updating outdoor light fix-tures

~re-painting exterior doors or trim~painting or staining porches~concrete etching on outdoor concrete

surfaces such as porches, patios and driveways~adding a porch swing or outdoor furni-

ture to your outdoor living space~add a new decorative fence or gate to the

front yardAlways remember that no matter what

means you use to cosmetically improve the exterior of your home, always enlist safety pre-cautions and follow manufacturer�’s directions for a successful project.

Time for curbside appeal

A very special thanks to everyone who worked to publish this special section. A lot of hard work goes into making these publications look great! Thank you very much Margaret Andrews, Carol Brooke, Alissa Cannon, Melissa Harrison, Beverly Holmes, John Howell, Virgil Howell, James Headspeth, Joy Lofton, Amy Miller, Kelly Rainey, Marcia Sims, Craig Stafford, Trish Thames and Karen Walker.


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SOFA AND LOVESEATSOFA AND LOVESEAT

$1670$835



AND 3-PIECE QUEEN BEDAND 3-PIECE QUEEN BED

$2564

$1282

BONDED LEATHER HIGH LEG


RECLINERRECLINER

LANE LEATHER ROCKER RECLINER

LARGE EXECUTIVE DESKLARGE EXECUTIVE DESK

$1093$546.50

LANE ROCKER RECLINER


DRESSER, MIRROR, NIGHTSTAND AND 3-PIECE QUEEN BEDAND 3-PIECE QUEEN BED

$1741$870.50

LANE HIGH LEG RECLINERLANE HIGH LEG RECLINER

$673$336.50 YourYour

One StopOne StopShop for

EverythingBaby

1501 W. Thomas, Hammond, LA • 985-345-4380 • 1-800-366-7803 • Mon. - Fri. 10am - 5:30pm • Sat. 10am - 4pm

Although every precaution is taken, errors in prices and/or specifications may occur in print. We reserve the right to correct any such errors. Circulars may not be used with any other promotion. Some items may not be on display but may be available via our special order program. *See store for details. **Leather Match upholstery features top-grain leather in the seating areas with skillfully matched vinyl everywhere else.

order

58th

year

MICROFIBER SOFA AND LOVESEAT2-PIECE BONDED LEATHER SECTIONAL

LANE MICROFIBER DOUBLE RECLINING SOFA AND CONSOLE, RECLINING LOVESEAT


LOVESEAT

DRESSER, MIRROR, NIGHTSTAND AND 3-PIECE QUEEN BED

SOFA AND LOVESEAT


AND 3-PIECE QUEEN BED


RECLINER

LANE LEATHER ROCKER RECLINER

LARGE EXECUTIVE DESK

LANE ROCKER RECLINER

DRESSER, MIRROR, NIGHTSTAND AND 3-PIECE QUEEN BED

LANE HIGH LEG RECLINER

YourOne StopShop for

EverythingBaby

Many More Values in Store! Come See!

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