Garden Tips and Tricks: Let It Grow

(Family Features)--Whether it’s a just a vibrant pop of pretty petals you want added to the front of the home or a raised bed full of delicious fruits and vegetables, the return of warmer weather has many homeowners reaching for their gardening gloves.

If you’re ready to try out your green thumb or dust off the gardening skills you long ago acquired, there are plenty of ways to achieve the lush vegetation you desire. Check out these tips and tricks for cultivating a thriving and productive garden of any variety.

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Start with a plan. Different flowers and plants require different sun, soil and water needs. Keep these factors in mind and consult the seed packets to plan out where each should be placed. Many apps are available to take the guesswork out of gardening, helping you create a perfectly organized plant or flower bed. Some even offer reminders for watering, fertilizing and more.

Keep water in mind. Make sure your plan includes a close proximity from plant bed to the water supply.

Be smart with soil. Whether it’s a flower or vegetable garden bed or containers, the secret’s in the soil, where roots develop and sustain life. Invest in the proper tools to keep this foundation strong, such as Professional Soil Modifier from Profile Products, which improves water and nutrient retention, keeping vital elements in the root zone longer. For more information, visit www.profilegrow.com.

Plant close to home. If you have room, try to grow your plants as close to the home as possible. This makes watering less of a task, and also makes it easier to get to your precious vegetables when it’s time to harvest.

Opt for a permanent solution. There’s no doubt that gardens require seasonal upkeep, but you can find some ways to ease the tasks. One such solution is Professional Soil Modifier from Profile Products, which permanently improves the root zone by adding air- and water-holding capacity in all types of soil (unlike peat that needs to be tilled into gardens each year.) The result is better drainage when it’s wet, better water-holding capacity when it’s dry, deeper root growth and healthier plants.

Label away. Know exactly where you planted each seed with cute, natural labels. Simply use a permanent marker to mark each plant name on stones in front of each plant row.

Be a green gardener. Always opt for eco-friendly, pesticide-free products to use in your garden, when possible. Products filled with chemicals can be harmful to animals when carried through the air with wind.

So, dust off that shovel, tighten up the hose and get to growing. Once you have the right plan in mind, you’ll be on your way to achieving the flower or fruit and vegetable garden of your dreams.

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.

Planting on Your Property? 6 Tree Safety Tips

When selecting a tree to plant at home, it’s important to keep in mind the future growth of the tree, say the experts at SDG&E, a Sempra Energy utility. Note that as trees grow to mature heights, they can interfere with overhead power lines and, in some cases, underground utility lines. Before planting a new tree, follow these safety guidelines.

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1. Take the time to properly select a tree that is not only aesthetically pleasing but is safe to plant in your area.

2. Keep water conservation in mind, and consider planting drought-tolerant trees and vegetation on your property.

3. Take the time to choose the planting site as carefully as you chose the tree. Remember to always plant the "Right Tree in the Right Place" for the best chance of success.

4. Call Underground Service Alert at 8-1-1 to mark out underground utility lines two days before digging. With just one call, you can have your underground cable, water and energy lines marked out for free.

5. Don't plant shrubs directly in front of utility boxes or pad-mounted (box) transformers. Allow room for doors to swing open when shrubs are fully grown. The law requires that eight feet in front of and two feet on the other three sides of the transformer must be clear.

6. Contact your city arborist, parks department or public works department to find out whether your city has guidelines for planting trees, and whether a permit is required for planting trees in parkways or public areas.

Source: Sempra Energy

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.

5 Improvements that Sell Your Home

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(BPT) - The housing market has improved across much of the country, but homeowners thinking about listing their homes need to stay competitive to attract buyers. Buyers are looking for long-term homes, ones they want to stay in for years while raising their children or settling down and retiring.

To prepare your home for listing - or to simply enjoy it a few years longer – consider upgrading with one of these five home improvements that sell.

1. Update Your Front Door
Buyers will enter through the front door to view your home, so be sure to give them a good first impression. The front door sets the tone for your home's curb appeal, as well as its overall security. It signals to buyers how well the rest of the home is maintained. If your door is in good shape, you might just need to give it a fresh coat of paint or new hardware. If it's seen some wear and tear over the years, consider replacing it with a steel door.

2. Create a Bathroom Retreat

Buyers will take note of a less than stellar bathroom. If you have a guest or master bath that could use an update, take the opportunity to replace the flooring, add cushy rugs, paint the walls and add modern accessories. Faucets, showerheads, the mirror and even the toilet can all be upgraded with water-saving and stylish designs.

3. Upgrade the Most-Used Entry Point
While the front door gets open house traffic, the garage door is traditionally the most-used door in the home. Old wooden garage doors will start to sag and the paint will peel over time. Replacing this door with an insulated steel door will not only improve the exterior look of your home, but also keep the garage space warmer.

4. Showcase an Outdoor Lifestyle
Remodeling magazine estimates homeowners can recoup up to 80 percent of their investment when adding a deck to their home. You may not consider a deck addition similar to extra square footage inside your home, but that’s how buyers will see it, especially if selling during warmer months. They'll be able to picture themselves enjoying meals outside or curling up on a lounge chair with a good book on a summer afternoon.

To upgrade an existing deck into a show-stopping selling feature, consider using a color-treated wood so that future owners can enjoy the space without the annual chore of staining.

5. Transform the Backyard
Buyers will be visualizing themselves in your backyard when touring your home. Consider adding a beautiful wooden fence to enhance privacy, which will be an asset for families with children and pets.

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.

Inexpensive Backyard Additions to Improve Atmosphere

LA MESA, CA, Jun 24th, 2014—Whether you're primping your home for a summer sale or simply aiming to upgrade, it's a great idea to pay attention to your yard, and all that is has to offer as a living space. Below, Joyce Boyd, REALTOR at CENTURY 21 Award provides simple, inexpensive suggestions for easy additions that can make your yard more livable—and loveable—all summer long.

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Fire pit – These are great backyard additions as they are multi-functional: Use them for a heat source on a
chilly summer night, a social gathering point or as a place to toast marshmallows with the kids. “You can dig a pit yourself and line it with attractive stones, or purchase a stand-alone raised pit from your local home improvement store,” Boyd suggests.

DIY stone patio or walkway – “While you may not have the budget for a raised deck or poured concrete slab, you can easily create a simple stone garden walkway or patio,” says Boyd. Enlist the help of the family to level out the ground, and contact local garden shops or landscaping centers to enquire about sourcing stone.

A living area – No need to install a full-on outdoor kitchen to make a living space in your yard, notes Boyd. Group together some outdoor chairs to create an inviting atmosphere for evenings al fresco. Add a table for dining or playing cards, and scatter ample outdoor lighting.

An outdoor shower – Add a spa-like feel to your yard by adding an outdoor shower. While you will most likely need to enlist the help of a plumber, you can locate your outdoor shower near your current hose hookup for an easy and inexpensive procedure. For privacy, Boyd suggests placing several trellises around the shower and planting flowering vines along the base. Soon, you will have a secluded outdoor oasis for rinsing off after a day at the beach or a hard afternoon in the garden.

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For more information on increasing your home's value, please contact Joyce Boyd at joyceboyd2@gmail.com, (619) 884-5018, or sandiegohomeswithjoyceboyd.com

For more real estate information, please contact CENTURY 21 Award at info@century21award.com, (800) 293-1657, or CENTURY 21 Award.