1 MAY 29, 2016

STATESVILLE n MOORESVILLE

SPRING

MAY
2016

SPRING

2 MAY 29, 2016

STATESVILLE n MOORESVILLE

SPRING

Container Gardening

Lets Repot Your Plants!

As plants grow larger, they may outgrow their
containers and require more roomy quarters.
Without ample space, plants may not be able to
adequately draw up water and nutrients to
support top growth.
Repotting may seem like
it is easy, but it actually
takes a little finesse so not
to damage the plants.
Gardening time is here, with people
enjoying plants both inside and
outside of their homes. Container
gardening, which is a planting
method in which flowers and other
plants are grown in pots and other
containers, is quite popular because
of design versatility. Containers can
be moved from location to location if
plants are not thriving in a particular
spot. They also make gardening
possible when there isnt any
available land space, which might be
the case for apartment-dwellers.
Flower pots enable plant
enthusiasts to enjoy foliage inside of
the home as well. Houseplants can
add beauty to interior spaces and
help filter indoor air. In the late 1980s,
NASA and the Associated Landscape
Contractors of America actually
studied houseplants as a way to
purify the air in space facilities. They
found several plants are particularly
good at filtering out common
volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Having plants around can create
inviting spaces and improve healthy
conditions inside and out.
Part of caring for plants in
containers involves knowing when
a potted plant might need a little
tender loving care.

Gardening experts like those

from Fine Gardening, HGTV and
Todays Homeowner suggest these
repotting tips.
Be sure the plant is well watered
for a few days prior to the repotting
process. Watering also will help
loosen the root ball from inside of the
smaller pot.
A plant ready for repotting should
slide out with most of the soil in one
piece. If the soil is free-falling, it may
not need to be repotted at this point
because theres still room for the
roots to expand. Other signs that
plants may need repotting include
roots poking out of the soil or plants
that are straggly and pale.
Consider repotting outside
because the process can be messy.
Have all of your materials, which
include a trowel, gloves, scissors, and
potting soil, handy so that you can
tackle the process smoothly.
Remove your plant from the pot

carefully. Place the plant on its side,

then support the main stem in one
hand and use the other hand to
gently pull the pot away. Be careful
not to pull on the main stem or break
the stem. Tread gently.
Cut away any rotten or dead roots,
and trim really long ends. Make three
or four vertical cuts about a third of
the way up the remaining root ball.
This also will help with water and
nutrient absorption once the plant is
in its new pot.
Gently untangle any remaining
roots and prepare to place the plant
in a new pot.
Choose a new pot that is slightly
larger than the root ball. Fill the

pot with soil so that the root ball

sits about an inch below the rim of
the pot. Add more soil around the
roots to fill the pot. Be sure to leave
enough room so that with each
watering the pot can hold water.
Thoroughly water the plant after
repotting to moisten the soil.
Watch your plant afterwards to be
sure that its taking to its new potted
home. It can take around three to
four weeks for the plant to recover
from repotting. Water regularly, avoid
fertilizing and keep the plant out of
direct sunlight.
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STATESVILLE n MOORESVILLE

MAY 29, 2016 3

SPRING

Save Money & Stay Cool

Excessive energy bills can be a concern in spring and summer, just as much as
they are in the winter. So how can you save money while keeping your home
cool? The solution is simple: Top up your attic insulation.
A poorly insulated attic is a primary
source of energy loss, forcing
your AC unit to work harder than
necessary over the warmer months.
Most attics are insulated, but
oftentimes the amount of insulation
present is inadequate - especially in
older homes. Over time, insulation
can settle and compact, allowing
heat to escape through gaps.
Topping it up is easy. Ideally, you
want to aim for a depth of 16 inches
of insulation for an overall R-value
of 50. When existing insulation
is present, simply level existing
insulation to the top of the joist. Lay

a fire- and moisture-resistant batt

insulation, like Roxul Comfortbatt, on
top of joists, running perpendicular
to the first layer. Ensure batts are
butted against each other tightly.
Fit batts closely to cross joists; cut
batt if necessary (this can be done
easily with a serrated blade or bread
knife) and leave no space between
layers. Dont forget to insulate the
attic hatch to the same level as the
rest of the attic. Apply weatherstripping to the edge of the hatch
to reduce air leakage. Keep in mind
that only IC-rated electrical fixtures
can have insulation placed with zero

clearance. Follow the manufacturers

instructions and local building code
to insulate around the chimney.
When a house is insulated
properly, energy savings can add
up over time. Remember, insulation
starts working the moment it is
installed and can last for the life
of the building. Tips on this easy,
low-cost DIY project that will reduce
your homes energy loss and save
you money are available at
www.diywithroxul.com.

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4 MAY 29, 2016

STATESVILLE n MOORESVILLE

SPRING

How To Take Care

Of Your Trees
Homeowners concerned about tree maintenance
should speak with local landscaping professionals
and tree services about caring for the trees on their
specific properties, but there are a few tricks to
pruning trees that homeowners should keep in mind
when dusting off their gardening tools.
Lawns and gardens tend to draw
the bulk of homeowners attention
come spring and summer. But its
important that property owners tend
to the trees that dot their property as
well.
The types of trees homeowners
have on their property may influence
when its time to trim and prune the
trees. Homeowners concerned about
tree maintenance should speak with
local landscaping professionals and
tree services about caring for the
trees on their specific properties,
but there are a few tricks to pruning
trees that homeowners should
keep in mind when dusting off their
gardening tools.
Prune at the right time. The Arbor
Day Foundation notes that pruning
during dormancy (i.e., winter) is the
most common practice. Pruning in
late winter, after the seasons coldest
temperatures have passed, can lead
to impressive and healthy growth
in the spring. The ADF advises
that some trees, including maple
and birches, may bleed sap during
pruning. But this is normal and should
cease as the tree starts to bloom.
Novice landscapers should confirm
with landscaping professionals about
the best time to prune trees on their
properties to ensure they are not

inadvertently harming the trees or

making them more vulnerable to
fungus.
Use appropriate tools. When
removing branches, use sharp tools
to minimize damage to the bark.
The ADF notes that young trees
are best pruned with one-hand
pruning shears with curved blades.
For trees with high branches, use a
pole pruner or hire a professional
tree service. Novices should avoid
anything too risky when pruning their
trees, leaving the more difficult jobs
to the professionals.
Follow the rules of pruning. When
pruning trees, the ADF advises
homeowners follow the one-third
and a quarter rules of pruning. In
adherence to these rules, no more
than a quarter of a trees crown is
removed in a single season, and main
side branches are at least one-third
smaller than the diameter of the
trunk. When trimming deciduous
trees, homeowners should never
prune up from the bottom more than
one-third of the trees total height.
Finally, where possible, homeowners
should aim for side branches that
form angles that are one-third off
vertical to form 10 oclock or 2 oclock
angles with the trunk.
Water correctly. Like lawns and

gardens, trees need water to thrive.

Insufficient watering can make it
hard for trees to thrive in summer,
but overwatering can be harmful,
too. The ADF suggests that watering
each tree for 30 seconds with a
steady stream of water from a garden
hose equipped with a diffuser nozzle
should be sufficient. Newly planted
trees may need more help as they try
to establish deep root systems, so
consider laying mulch around newly

planted trees. Mulch helps the soil

retain moisture and form deeper,
stronger root systems.
Trees maintenance should be a
priority as homeowners once again
start tending to their lawns and
gardens. More information about
caring for trees is available at
www.arborday.org.
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STATESVILLE n MOORESVILLE

MAY 29, 2016 5

SPRING

Houseplants
Can Clean
Indoor Air
Gardening is a rewarding hobby that can pay a host
of dividends, both for the planet and the people
doing the gardening. Healthy plant life can help clean
the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and various
air pollutants, while the act of gardening can help
gardeners combat stress.

clean as possible may benefit from

introducing certain houseplants into
their homes.

The following are a handful of

plants that can help to improve
indoor air quality.
Aloe vera: Aloe vera might be most
often associated with hand creams
Published in 2011 in the Journal
in the journal Environmental Health
and hand soaps, but the aloe vera
of Health Psychology, a study from
Perspectives in October 2011,
plant, a succulent that even novice
researchers in the Netherlands
houseplants can work wonders when gardeners should have no problem
found that gardening promotes
it comes to improving overall health, growing, can clear indoor air of
relief from acute stress. In the study, removing toxins from air, soil and
formaldehyde and benzene, two
two groups of participants were
water by metabolizing some toxic
common byproducts of chemicalasked to complete a stressful task
chemicals and releasing harmless
based cleaners many people use in
and then instructed to either read
byproducts while sequestering such their homes.
indoors or garden outdoors for 30
toxins by incorporating them into
Spider plant: Spider plants are
minutes. After 30 minutes, the latter plant tissues.
resilient, and that makes them
group had lower levels of the stress
Clean indoor air is important
great houseplants for busy men
hormone cortisol and even reported for everyone, but especially so
and women who tend to be
being in a better mood than the
for those people who suffer from
forgetful when caring for their
group instructed to read indoors.
respiratory ailments like asthma.
plants. In addition, spider plants
But gardening does more than
In fact, the American Academy of
are pet-friendly and can be used to
just provide gardeners with a
Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
combat benzene, carbon dioxide,
reason to spend some time relaxing considers indoor air filtration an
formaldehyde and xylene.
outdoors in an effort to relieve stress. essential part of any strategy to
English ivy: NASA researchers
Gardeners who raise certain plants
improve respiratory health. But
exploring the possibilities of longmay be able to bring those benefits
filtration systems and air purifiers are term space habitation found that
with them when going inside as well. often not enough, and those who
certain houseplants were more
According to an article published
want the air in their homes to be as
effective at cleaning air inside

energy-efficient, nonventilated
buildings than others. One such plant
was English ivy, which can effectively
combat the formaldehyde found in
certain household cleaning products.
Bamboo palm: Bamboo palms also
found their way onto NASAs list.
Bamboo palm plants thrive indoors,
where they are especially effective at
filtering out the chemicals benzene
and trichloroethylene.
Gardening has been proven to be
a soothing hobby that can help
gardeners reduce stress. But the
health benefits of gardening can
extend indoors as well.
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6 MAY 29, 2016

STATESVILLE n MOORESVILLE

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PA I N T & R E N OVAT E

Correctly

While paints are much safer now than in years past, they still need to be handled
with caution and disposed of with care after the job is done. Painting can be a
tricky project because the fumes and chemicals found in many paints make these
products more difficult to dispose of.

Changing paint colors is one of the

easiest and least expensive ways to
add a fresh new look to the interior
or exterior of a home.
Both exterior and interior paint can
be used to protect homes and make
strong impressions. Painting projects
are fun and can be easy, but not all
projects are so simple. Homeowners
may need to exercise patience and
devote an ample amount of time to

FINANCING
for

48 Months*

get the job done right. One errant

drip is all it takes to turn a perfect
paint job into a colorful mess.
The Environmental Protection
Agency says homeowners in the
United State throw out 64 million
gallons of paint per year. While latex
paints are not considered hazardous
waste, they should be recycled.
Oil-based paints, however, are
considered hazardous household

waste (HHW) and must be disposed

of properly.
All homeowners should check with
their trash and recycling collection
centers regarding the proper way
to dispose of paints, stains and
varnishes. Its also possible to visit
Earth911.com and find a disposal
facility online.
n METRO CREATIVE

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61

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Sales and Service, LLC

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rcslawnmower.com

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STATESVILLE n MOORESVILLE

MAY 29, 2016 7

SPRING

5 Things To Consider
Before Expanding
Your Home
Homeowners who feel their homes are a little
confined may be interested in expanding their
homes to make them more comfortable and
serviceable. Several questions may come to mind
when homeowners are considering adding on to an
existing home.
Expanding a home requires careful
consideration. While the end results
can be spectacular, expansion is
typically a long and costly process
that will impede on the lifestyles
of a homes inhabitants during the
renovation process. Expect loud
noises, work crews and sawdust
throughout the project. Depending
on which areas are being renovated,
residents may feel their lives are in
upheaval until the expansion project
has been completed.
Familiarizing yourself with the
expansion process and recognizing
potential snags along the way can
make planning and coping that
much easier.
1. Many homeowners first consult
with a contractor when mulling over
expansions. However, you may
want to speak with an architect
first. He or she may be able to
suggest renovations that fit with
your neighborhood and appeal to
prospective buyers when you decide
to sell your home in the future.
2. Visit your building inspection or
municipal office to learn the local
regulations. You want to ensure
that any renovations you make are
done in keeping with safety codes
and laws.

3. While youre thinking of your

neighbors, give them the heads up
on your potential plans. This way
they will not be surprised by the
extra noise and activity when the
renovation begins.
4. Remodeling can cost anywhere
from $200 to $600 per square foot
added. Youll need to figure out
a way to pay for the renovations,
and you may consider refinancing
your home. Make sure it is a
smart time financially to do so
based on current real estate
market conditions. Also know
that additions will likely increase
your home insurance coverage
needs. Consult with the insurance
company about estimated charges
and any restrictions they have.
5. Consider a standalone structure
when mulling over your options.
Sometimes the cost of putting up
a free-standing office or another
structure on your property may
end up being less expensive
than expanding on what you
already have. Think creatively and
research all of your options before
committing to a project.

n METRO CREATIVE

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8 MAY 29, 2016

STATESVILLE n MOORESVILLE

SPRING

How To Spend More Time

Outdoors

While you dont need to get outdoors to be physically active,

men and women who find themselves bored by workouts at
the gym or at home may be more likely to embrace physical
activity if they can get their exercise outdoors.
Getting outside to enjoy the great
outdoors can reduce the likelihood
that a person will live a sedentary
lifestyle that can negatively affect
long-term health. But many adults
are spending too much time indoors.
In its 2014 OUT is IN national
survey, the National Recreation
and Park Association found that 28
percent of adults in the United States
do not spend time outside daily.
The survey, conducted by Ipsos
Public Affairs on behalf of the NPRA,

asked 1,005 adults to share their

opinions and behaviors regarding
outdoor time. While 35 percent of
respondents said work was getting
in the way of their spending time
outdoors, 39 percent said their
computers, tablets, smartphones,
and televisions were keeping them
indoors.
Though it might be difficult to cut
back on hours at the office, adults
do have the capacity to cut back
on their screen time. Using that

newfound free time to get outdoors

can pay dividends for years to come,
as the National Center on Health,
Physical Activity and Disability notes
that the potential consequences
of living a sedentary lifestyle are
severe. According to the NCHPAD,
one study indicated a 40 percent
decrease in cancer mortality among
physically active persons compared
to those who were inactive. Physical
activity also helps to prevent insulin
resistance, which is the underlying

cause of type 2 diabetes.

The following are three great ways
to spend more time enjoying all that
nature has to offer.
Take up hiking.
Ride a bike to work.
Grow your own foods
Nature awaits, and adults should
know that some playtime in the great
outdoors is not just for kids.
n METRO CREATIVE

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STATESVILLE n MOORESVILLE

MAY 29, 2016 9

SPRING

Why Honeybees
Need Protection
In addition to government involvement and honeybee
conservation methods designed by environmental
agencies, there are many things that regular citizens and
homeowners can do to protect honeybees this summer.

Honeybees flitting from flower

to flower is one of the first signs
that warm weather has arrived.
Honeybees are a welcome presence
in the garden, pollenating plants and
contributing to local honey supplies.
Despite their importance in the
ecosystem, honeybees are in grave
danger. In 2014, U.S. President
Barack Obama created a task force
comprised of various agencies to
address the growing issue of rapidly
diminishing honeybees and other
pollinating insects. This initiative was
a response to reports from American
beekeepers indicating hive deaths
have been on the rise, gravely
affecting the honeybee population.
Honeybees pollinate many fruit
trees, nut plants and vegetables,
playing a crucial role for many
nations food industries.
The Environmental Protection
Agency and the Pesticide Action
Network offer these tips.
Use caution when applying any
pesticides to home gardens. Be
especially cautious when applying
pesticides when bees are likely to be
flying. If you must apply pesticides,
do so only after dusk.
Stagger your planting throughout
the growing season. Rather than
planting everything at once, stagger
planting for flowers and other plants
that have blooms. This gives bees
plenty of pollen sources throughout
early summer and into fall.

Provide clean sources of water. A

small garden feature or a rainwater
collection is enough to provide bees
with a drink when needed.
Honeybees and other bees require
some sort of shelter. Dead trees and
plants provide adequate shelter, so
dont be so tempted to pull out all
of the undergrowth in the name of
aesthetics.
Plant a garden that will attract
bees. Resources for planting
a bee-friendly garden can be
found by visiting http://www.
panna.org/sites/default/files/BeeFriendlyGardening_PAN.pdf.
If you come across a hive, leave it
alone. Its best not to disturb a hive
and honeybee colony. If bees are
located where they can become a
nuisance, contact a local bee expert
to see if the hive can be moved.
Think about becoming a
beekeeper yourself. There are many
different resources available to help
you get started.
Bees are being threatened at an
alarming rate. Educating yourself
about what to do to protect
honeybees can help to restore the
valuable honeybee population.

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How To Compost

At Home

Many homeowners spend substantial amounts of time

and money tending to their lawns. A lush lawn can be
a point of pride for homeowners, and well-maintained
landscapes also have a positive effect on property value.

Homeowners who want to take

care of their lawns and gardens in
an eco-friendly way may want to
consider composting. According to
the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, food scraps and lawn waste
make up about 20 to 30 percent
of what we throw away each year.
Composting such waste can enrich
the soil in homeowners yards
while also reducing the size of local
landfills, where food scraps and lawn
waste contribute to the production
of methane, a potent and harmful
greenhouse gas.
Composting is relatively simple
and serves as a cost-effective way
to enrich soil and suppress plant
diseases and pest infestations.
Homeowners who want to try their
hand at composting can consider the
following advice from the EPA.
Purchase the right tools.
Composting is not expensive, but
you will need a few tools to help
maintain your compost pile. A
pitchfork or square-point shovel will
be necessary so you can periodically
mix or turn the compost. In addition,
a water hose with a spray head can
help maintain the pile.
Choose the right spot. A compost
pile or bin should be placed in a
shady area close to a water source.
Shade will help ensure the pile does
not dry out too quickly, especially
for those homeowners who live in
warmer climates. Those who live in

colder regions may want to locate

their piles in spots that get some sun
exposure to trap some solar heat in
their piles. Build the pile over lawn
or soil instead of over surfaces like
asphalt or concrete.
Add materials as you collect them.
The EPA notes that composting
requires three basic ingredients:
water, brown materials and green
materials. Brown materials include
dead branches, leaves and twigs,
while greens include grass clippings,
vegetable waste, fruit scraps,
and coffee grounds. Chop larger
materials as necessary, adding
both brown and green materials as
you collect them and watering dry
materials as necessary.
Bury fruit and vegetable waste.
When adding fruit and vegetable
waste, bury it beneath 10 inches of
compost material. You can do this by
mixing your pile with your pitchfork
or shovel.

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STATESVILLE n MOORESVILLE

MAY 29, 2016 11

SPRING

How & When

to fertilize your lawn

According to Scotts, a premier
lawn seed and care company, no two
lawns are alike and each lawn has
different needs. The type of grass
and whether a lawn is mostly in the
sun or shade may dictate fertilizer
requirements. While many lawns
are comprised of several different
grasses, a general rule of thumb is
that the lawn will need to be fertilized
in the spring at the very least. After
that, fertilization schedules should be
customized according to grass type,
climate and other factors.
Spring is a prime time to fertilize
because the lawn is reviving after
a long season of cold weather and
dormancy. Come spring, lawns need
to be fed to turn green and grow. Soil
supplies some of the nutrients grass
needs, but many soils lack elements
that lawns need to survive the
growing season. Lawn and garden
experts at Lowes say a healthy
and actively growing lawn uses a
great deal of energy, and fertilizer
will provide the boost it requires.
Fertilizer helps promote new root
and leaf growth, aid in recovery from
damage, reduce weeds, and replace
nutrients lost to water runoff.

Fertilizing the right way

Various components go into creating beautiful, lush

lawns. Lawn maintenance involves ensuring lawns
have all of the nutrients they need to thrive. Fertilizer
is essential when feeding lawns, but fertilizing a lawn
involves more than spreading fertilizer around the
yard and hoping for the best. Fertilizing is a process
that should be done carefully and timed correctly for
optimal results.

Follow these steps to feed the lawn

and help it thrive.
Identify the type of grass in your
lawn and consult with a garden
center to find the right type of
fertilizer for your grass. Many grasses
are categorized by season and
may be referred to as cool season,
transitional or warm season grasses.
Test the soil to check for pH. You
want the soil to be as close to neutral

as possible so it can readily process

the nutrients in the fertilizer.
Broadcast or rotary spreaders will
evenly distribute fertilizer and will
not cause striping on the lawn like
drop spreaders might. Resist the
urge to fertilize by hand, as you may
lay an uneven amount of product,
producing burns and brown spots.
Fertilizers come in slow-release,
fast-release, and weed and feed
formulations. Which fertilizer you use
will depend on the type of grass you
have and how much time you have to
devote to lawn maintenance. Slowrelease fertilizers may be preferable
because they do not need to be
reapplied often.
Use caution and set the spreader
to distribute less product if you are
unsure how much to apply. Excessive
fertilizer can damage a lawn.
Water the lawn well after
application, and always follow the
fertilizer manufacturers instructions.
Keep people and pets off of
the lawn for a day or two after
application.
Scotts recommends that lawns
with warm-season grass be fed over
the summer as they grow steadily
from spring to fall.
Another application of fertilizer
in the fall will supply lawns with
nutrients to continue to grow and
then survive winter.
Build a strong lawn by feeding it
effectively. Dense, healthy lawns can
strangle weeds and lead to beautiful
landscapes.

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12 MAY 29, 2016

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STATESVILLE n MOORESVILLE