Homestyle - Summer 2012

1HomeStyleMIDLAND DAILY NEWSSUMMER 2012

FENCE APPEAL:GO-TO STAPLEFOR PRIVACY

LOCAL PLANTENTHUSIASTSSHARE GEMS

WHATS NEWTHIS YEARFOR ANNUALS?

homestyle 5/13 1homestyle 5/13 1 5/1/12 11:18:57 AM5/1/12 11:18:57 AM

2

9,6,72851(:6+2:5220

Lighting

Granite$683(5,25352'8&7)25

3

8JUIUIFSJHIUQBSUOFSUIFSFTOPMJNJUUPZPVSHBSEFOTHSPXUIQPUFOUJBM-FUVTIFMQZPVDVMUJWBUFTPNFUIJOH

CFBVUJGVMXJUIRVBMJUZQSPEVDUTBOEBEWJDFUPOVSUVSFHSFBUSFTVMUT

8BUDIGPSPVSmSTUBOOVBMi1*/,wEBZPO.BZ

/&BTUNBO3ENJ/PG.JEMBOE.BMM

GREENHOUSESServing Midland Since 1971

XFMMIFMQZPVHFUHSPXJOH

4 POTTING BENCHES MAKE GARDENING MORE EFFICIENT

6 FENCE APPEAL

12 LOCAL PLANT ENTHUSIASTS SHARE GEMS, SECRETS

20 JAZZ UP AN OUTDOOR DINNER

21 SAY VIOLET CHEESECAKE!

23 THIS YEARS HOT ANNUAL

HomeStyle is produced by

Midland Daily News

www.ourmidland.com

inside

homestyle 5/13 3homestyle 5/13 3 5/1/12 2:20:22 PM5/1/12 2:20:22 PM

4

OPEN 7 DAYSACE HARDWARE & SPORTS

8:00 TO 8:00 M-F 8:00 TO 5:30 SAT. 10:00 TO 4:00 SUN.

419 E. MAIN ST.DOWNTOWN MIDLAND

Check out our bright new color choices! Fertilizers Mowers Tools Weber Grills Plants Chain Saw Sharpening Screen Repair

STOP IN FOR ALL YOUR HARDWARE NEEDS!

832-8829

Ace is the place for yourlawn & garden needs!

4FSWJOHUIF(SFBU-BLFT#BZ"SFBGPSPWFSZFBST

-BOETDBQFTEFTJHOFEBOECVJMUXJUIQBTTJPOGPSUIFDSB5VSOPSEJOBSZUP&YUSBHBSEFOBSZ

for ExtragardenaryLandscaping...

BY MELISSA KOSSLER DUTTONfor The Associated Press

One of Karen Angeluccis favorite gardening tools is the wood potting bench her father made for her.

The big poplar bench has shelves for storing pots, nails on which to hang utensils, and a large work area, said Angelucci, of Lexington, Ky., an author of gardening books. I have to have room to work and create, she said. Potting benches tell the character of a person. Thats why mines large and messy.

Gardeners use the benches primarily for potting fl owers and small seedlings.

They can help you become more effi cient, said Robin

Pokorski, secretary for the National Garden Clubs. She likes having all her tools within arms reach when shes potting plants. I wouldnt do without it, said Pokorski, who lives in Los Angeles.

Pokorski chose a plastic bench because she felt it would hold up better under the California sun. Potting benches are available in many materials from wood to vinyl.

Building one can be an easy do-it-yourself project, said Lou Manfredini, Ace Hardwares Home Expert, in Chicago.

LOCATIONPut the bench in a shady

spot so youre not working in direct sun, experts recom-mend. Consider whether to

Potting benches make gardening

more effi cient

One of Karen Angeluccis favorite gardening tools is the wood potting bench her father made for her. The big poplar bench has shelves for storing pots, nails on which to hang utensils, and a large work area. (AP Photo, Karen Angelucci)


5

#/(//.3,!7.0%434/2%

4OWNSENDs-IDLANDs

Plant Some Color!7*4*5063(3&&/)064&

t)BOHJOH1MBOUTt,PJt1POE4VQQMJFTt1FSFOOJBMTt1POE1MBOUTt"OOVBMTt7FHFUBCMF1MBOUT4FFET

t'FSUJMJ[FSt(SBTT4FFEt'SFF4PJM5FTUJOH

Wilds Heating & Air Conditioning

Midlands Comfort Specialists

989-835-3925

Featuring: Evolution Systems, Geothermal, Hybrid Heating, Boilers, Heat Pumps, Duct Cleaning, Plumbing Department,

24 Hour Service, Maintenance Contracts and Fireplaces

www.wildsplumbingandheating.com

Products You Can Depend On From A Company You Can Trust!

Up To $1,000 In Manufacturer RebatesAdditional Incentives Available--See Dealer For Details

Tired of rising energy bills?Keep a little extra green in your pockets, call...

incorporate the bench into the landscape or hide it behind a garage or shed. Remember that a potting bench can get messy and cluttered.

SIZEThink about what size plants

and pots you will be using, and how much workspace you will need.

HEIGHTMake sure the work area is at a

comfortable level. You dont want to have to bend down or reach up.

STORAGESome benches come with

shelves, drawers, or utensil hooks for storing or displaying garden-ing tools. Consider hanging tools on hooks so they arent sitting in wet drawers after it rains.

MATERIALPick a material suited to your

climate. Many benches are made from cedar or redwood, which can withstand the elements well. Plastic and recycled materials also hold up well in sun, rain and snow.

WHEELSSome benches have wheels so

they can be moved around the yard. If you intend to roll yours around the lawn, make sure it isnt too heavy to push.

COSTPrices vary widely. A do-it-

yourself bench could be con-structed for as little as $30. A number of gardening websites offer plans for building potting benches. Store-bought benches start at around $100.

APPEARANCEBenches come in many styles,

from rustic to country cottage to simple and functional. If the bench will be visible from a pa-tio, deck or house window, you will need to consider whether it blends with the look of your house or yard.

ACCESSORIESPotting benches can be outfi t-

ted with many kinds of equip-ment. Some have sinks that can be rigged to outdoor spigots. Others have leaves or shelves that can be folded out to create extra work space. Some come with boxes to store soil or catch it while you work.

The Astonica potting bench. Gardeners use potting benches primarily for potting fl owers and small seedlings. (AP Photo, Ace Hardware)


6

fence homestyle 5/13 6homestyle 5/13 6 5/1/12 11:19:20 AM5/1/12 11:19:20 AM

7

appealFINDING THAT

Cedar fencing installed by Forkel Fence at a home in Midland. (Midland Daily News photo, Nick King)


8

C&M Home Appliances"U$."QQMJBODFTXFDBSSZBMBSHFTFMFDUJPOPG(FOFSBM&MFDUSJDBOE)PUQPJOU)PVTFIPMEBQQMJBODFT8BTIFST%SZFST3FGSJHFSBUPST

%JTIXBTIFST3BOHFT.JDSPXBWFT(BSCBHFEJTQPTBMT

n at work

"MMTBMFTDPNFXJUIUIFGVMMNBOVGBDUVSFS

XBSSBOUZ

8FBMTPEFMJWFSBOEJOTUBMMBMMPVSBQQMJBODFT

DBOENIPNFBQQMJBODFTDPN

.JEMBOE.*

:LOOLDP7 7XULQProject Manager3900 Centennial Drive, Suite AMidland, MI 48642

FAX 989-496-7446Email: [email protected]

Web Site: www.centralceilingnorth.com

3KRQH([W&HOO3KRQH

XXXBMMTFBTPOTIFBUJOHCJ[

$FSUJmFE)PNF1FSGPSNBODF$POUSBDUPSt-PDBM6UJMJUJFT"QQSPWFE

"MM4FBTPOT)FBUJOH*OTVMBUJPO$BMM

&TUBCMJTIFE&"JSQPSU3E.JEMBOE

Have Whole House Comfort! Furnaces & Air Conditioners Be cool & comfortable this summer Energy Audits Find out where youre losing money Insulation Part of the solution to whole house comfort Fireplaces & Stove Products Heat efficiently & add beauty to your home

Kravet Duralee CR Laine Lillian August Stanley Oly Rural James

Bell Plaza

219 Wackerly Rd.

Midland, MI 48642

989-837-7858Stop in and see how we can discover the design within you!

Brian Harvey poses next to his vinyl fence that Forkel Fence installed at his Midland home. The fencing, which encloses Harveys backyard, came with a lifetime warranty. (Midland Daily News, Nick King)


9

LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS

!

"Featuring Michigan-native ferns, trees, shrubs, vines anG ZiOGRZers

Generously sponsored by:

Bluemer Contracting LLCPlace Studios

Randis Green Thumb Inc.

The Service you Deserve...Expertise You can Trust.

-AYsPM

Fences still the go-to home improvement item for curb appeal, privacy

BY CATHY NELSON PRICEMidland Daily News

Theyve always kept pets in, noises out, and property values up, but to-days residential fence choices go way beyond chain link and white picket in the style choices and durability they offer.

Whether you go the DIY route or work with a professional fence installer, you need to follow procedure. In the city of Midland, permits are required for all fences; special permits or vari-ances may be required depending on the height or placement of your fence. Township requirements vary, and your sales representative or installer should be able to tell you what they are, or even obtain them for you.

We always ask if the resident wants to obtain the permit, or if theyd like us to do it, said Lovelle Forkel of Forkel Fence in Midland. There are also front-of-house rules imposed by neighborhood or housing associations

that dictate fencing restrictions.A plat of your property is helpful, or

stakes in the ground delineating the boundaries, Forkel noted. And theres one step that has to be taken before the fi rst post goes into the ground.

If the client hasnt called Miss Dig, we will, she said.

Placing a fence directly on a property line requires permission from adjoin-ing property owners, so most fences are installed anywhere from six inches to a foot inside the property line. Once the location is determined, its time to choose your fence material and style.

Four-foot high chain link fence in a

basic color can start as low as $5 per linear foot. Adding additional color or height drives up the cost. You can fi gure on spending twice as much for the same amount of fence in wood, slightly more than twice for vinyl (again, extra for custom color) and three times as much for ornamental iron. Combination fenc-es chain link with privacy slats, lattice work topping solid panels or puppy fences with closer rails at ground level and wider above also cost more.

Some installers price per foot, and some per job, according to Gary Naert, of Fence Crafters in Linwood. Either way, its important to remember that you might also need a gate or two.

You can fi gure that, because of the hardware and heavier posts needed, a gate will run about two and a half times what a section of the fence costs, Naert said.

CONTINUED | PAGE 10

Elegant, sleek combinations of smooth extruded sections and aluminum or steel tubes such as the estate fencing style are popular for small enclosures, like swimming pools.


10

Decorative Concrete Work Driveways, Patios & Sidewalks Basements Silos, Barnyards

Foundation Work Retainer Walls

Even though its petroleum component may spike the cost, Vinyl is the most popular fence material we sell because of its low maintenance and durability, Forkel said. Brown is the most popular color for most yards, because it blends into the surrounding area. Or, if you want something really dressy, black vinyl is a less costly alternative to black ornamental iron, which is pretty high end.

Ornamental iron fences are no longer restricted to the bars and spikes that front a gloomy mansion. Elegant, sleek combinations of smooth extruded sections and aluminum or steel tubes such as the estate fencing style are popular for small enclosures, like swimming pools. If cost isnt a factor, the estate fence style is ideal for hilly acreage in a country setting, following the curve of the land.

Galvanized chain link fencing, also available in a number of colors, is still the most economical and safest choice for yards that double as pet enclosures. Customers who need chain link but also want the beauty of a wood or vinyl fence can choose one of the combination styles avail-able, with the wood or vinyl dcor visible on the outside backed by chain link inside.

Kevin Frasher, of Midland Fence Company, notes that, for wood fences, Brazilian red cedar is increasingly popular for both its beauty and ease of maintenance.

It doesnt mildew or mold, and a yearly power wash takes care of it, he said. Less expensive white pine fencing is usually pre-treated with a solution that resists infestation.

Because its such a big-ticket item for homeowners, fencing is expected to last and may have a warranty about the same number of years as a roof; anywhere from 20-25 years for wood to 30-40 years for chain link, and longer for iron or steel. To get maximum life out of a fence, homeowners should follow some sensible rules.

For example, watch those tree limbs when youre determining the height and placement of your fence. If youve got a relatively inexpensive vinyl fence, and a tree limb breaks and falls on it during a cold Michi-gan winter, whats going to happen? The vinyl snaps, warned Frasher. You cant replace a single post, so you have to replace the whole section.

And if you have an au-tomatic sprinkler system, watch where you aim that water stream.

Water your fl owers, not your fence post, Forkel advised.

Fences may be one of the few home improvement items for which resale value isnt necessarily the driving concern.

People dont invest in fencing because theyre selling, said Naert, but because theyre staying.

Fencing installed by Forkel Fence. (Midland Daily News photo, Nick King)


11

Glenwoodbuildersllc.com

SUMMER

SPECIAL

DISCOUNTCOUPON

Minimum 1,700 sq. ft. Roofing/Siding. Minimum 8 Windows Coupon must be presented at time of estimate.

Valid on new estimates only. Not valid with any other offers. 8/31/12

Landscape Design, Construction, & Maintenance

www.landscapecraftsmen.net Call 989-839-0058

BY KIM COOKfor The Associated Press

Its a particular problem for hom-eowners in close-in suburbs, where backyards abut and you may as well invite the neighbors to everything you do outside since theyre pretty much right there with you anyway. But even spacious yards can feel exposed, with neighboring lots impinging on personal space.

There are many creative fencing and landscape options that can help create a zone of privacy.

Think screening before throwing up a barrier, says Margie Grace, a landscape designer in Santa Barbara, Calif. One of my favorite choices is a screen made of steel-wire reinforcing mesh mounted on wood posts. Let the wire rust for a great look, and add lacy vines. Youve got a show-stopping art piece, plus the privacy you need.

If you do want a solid barrier, Grace suggests a plastered wall, which can

be custom colored, and can look tra-ditional or contemporary. Add archi-tectural details such as screen panels or an iron grill; artistic details like tile mosaic, shutters, shadow box or a mu-ral; or a beautiful gate even if it doesnt go anywhere, she says. These help make the wall welcoming.

Fences can be softened with vines, espaliered plantings and trained orna-mentals. Vary the height of plantings and allow them to break the fences top line.

If a neighbors house looms over you, Grace suggests creating an out-door ceiling with canopy trees and overhead structures such as pergolas, shade sails and arbors.

With greenery, decide if you need evergreen year-round coverage; if so, avoid deciduous plants. If a crisp formal hedge isnt your style, consider an informal screen of plants, perhaps dual-purpose ones that will also pro-vide fruit, fl owers or greens.

Secret garden? Tips for creating backyard privacy

An outdoor space designed by Grace Designs. There are many creative fencing and landscape options that can help create a zone of privacy in your yard. (AP Photo, Holly Lepere Photography)


12

In thegarden

Local plant enthusiastsshare their gems, secrets

photo by Marcia Dilling


13


14

Marcia DillingMidland

The Garden: My garden consists of half a dozen or so irregular-sized beds of various sizes, none of which is completely fi lled in by plants, as the beds were planted only 2 1/2 years ago. Its very informal, casual and untidy, with a combination of sun and shade. Some plants favor birds (fi nches and hummingbirds) and butterfl ies. Around the peren-nial beds will be 30 to 40 pots of annuals. In the midst of all this is a messy birdfeeding station.

New Growth: (1) A few native plants Ill purchase at the Chippewa Nature Centers annual native plants sale (May 25-26). (2) Herbs not currently in the garden, from Gary Brandt at Midland Farmers Market.

Cant Go Wrong: Grasses (some native); goldenrod that has always been here, i.e., not specifi cally planted but much loved; cup plant, a native sunfl ower; penstemons, catmint; heuchera; Solomons Seal; daffodils; bigleaf aster; dwarf goatsbeard; columbine; prairie

smoke; various herbs; anise hyssop; autumn fl owering clematis; wild ge-ranium; snakeroot (Actatea simplex aka Black Negligee)

Rare Beauty: Cup plant in midsummer. Its a native sunfl ower that grows 6 to 8 feet tall, although the fl owers are small and not par-ticularly showy. Various grasses. anise hyssop, which is often loaded with bumblebees gathering nectar; it also serves as a resting place for the bees at night. Black Negligee snakeroot

Petal Pusher: By most peo-ples standards, my fl oral dis-plays are interesting but are not spectacular. Some may become so in a few years after the plants have spread and fi lled in the blank

areas. (Im optimistic!)

Deadheads: conefl owers, gail-lardia, blackeyed susan, lavender, ligularia, butterfl y weed (a native milkweed); Big bluestem and Little bluestem (native prairie grasses), coreopsis. (I thought anyone could grow lavender and coreopsis!)

Green Thumb: Plant only what will adapt to my sandy soil and lack of full sun, and will grow with minimal care. Plant perennials that spread. Enjoy the unstructured look and dont worry about what other people think. Water if necessary but mainly sit back and enjoy the plants year round -- when emerging, bloom-ing and forming seeds, and during the winter when only dried plants are visible. Walk often among the plants.

Seed Bank: Herbs from Gary Brandt at Midland Farmers Market, annuals from Kutcheys Green-house; 95 percent of my perennials were planted by a crew from Reders Landscaping -- planned, ordered and supervised by horticulturist Beth Martin.

The Garden: Describe your garden. Size, formal or informal, border or beds, sun or shade, whimsy or old-world decor, butterfl ies, ponds, water?

New Growth: What are you going to try differently this year?Cant Go Wrong: Your old standby favorites that keep

producing year in, year out. Rare Beauty: What people talk about when they see

your garden. The you have to see this fl ower.

How does your We asked several gardeners to

Heres what


15

Chuck and Beth MartinHomer Township

New Growth: We are in the process of moving and so everything is new this year. We have a new envi-ronment to grow and kill all types of different plants.

Cant go wrong: Euphorbia

polychroma, penstemon Husker Red, Amsonia taber-maemontana, chocolate Joe pye weed, white bleeding heart, and the many heuch-eras

Rare Beauties: Viburnum

plicatum tomentosa (double-fi le viburnum), Red Fox Katsura tree

Petal Pusher: pasque

fl ower, crocosmia Dead head: delphinium,

houttuynia Green Thumb: We have no

secrets.

garden grow?o share their gardens with us.

Petal Pusher: What are some of your most beauti-ful blooms?

Deadheads: What have you had bad luck with in your garden? Green Thumb: Share a few of your secrets,

please! Seed Bank: What are your favorite ways to get

plants? Buy, divide, swap, seeds? And where do you get them?

they said:

Diane MoeningLee Township

The Garden: My garden is oval. It is informal. There are a lot of trees so we have shade plants with hostas and peonies, and in the spring, daffodils, tulips. I put in impatiens and lots of other annuals and other shade plants. I have statues of angels and the Blessed Mother in my flower bed. We also have a rosebush inside the garden. We have a lot of birdhouses and attract cardinals, blue jays and orioles. We feed the orioles grape jam.

New Growth: Nothing new this year other than new lilies. I plant our Easter lily plants each year after they have finished flowering. We have quite a few lilies colored, yellow, orange, pink and white.

Rare Beauty: My pedestals with

my angels

Petal Pusher: My peonies. They are mostly pink and we have about 20 plants.

Deadheads: Everything usu-ally comes up every year with no problems, except for our tulips and hydrangeas. The tulips are a problem because about half of them grow and never have flowers on them.

Green Thumb: Keep gardens weeded. We have a very special secret way that we weed we get on our hands and knees and pull everything that doesnt look like a flower; sometimes its hard to tell the difference.


16

2672 N. Eastman Midland, MI 48642 989.835.4708www.maplehill-midland.com

See our Expanded Selection of Evergreen & Flowering Shrubs Perennials & Ground Cover Evergreen & Flowering Trees Annuals Outdoor Furniture Statuary & Fountains Garden Accents Toro & Echo Lawn Equipment Weber Grills Fertilizer & Garden Chemicals

EVERYTHING TO MAKE YOUR YARD A SHOWPLACE THIS YEAR!

Spring Gardening Starts Here!Spring Gardening Starts Here!

Hours:M-F 9-6Sat. 8-4

Sun. 12-4

Keith and Elizabeth LumbertHomer Township

The Garden: Our garden is a perennial cot-tage style garden bordering the north side of our home.

New Growth: Removing a couple of the over-

grown holly to create space for more perennials. Cant Go Wrong: We love our patch of Solomons

Seal; it was a wedding gift from a gardening friend and every spring we are thrilled to see it come up.

Rare Beauty: Our garden is especially beauti-

ful in the evening; at that time a highlight is the blooming evening primrose.

Petal Pusher: Our favorite is the pasque fl ower with its purple and yellow bloom and fuzzy texture. Deadheads: Invasives. Green Thumb: We move garden statuary around in the early spring to protect the upcoming plants; the changes

and additions of the artwork seems to startle the deer and keep the plants from getting eaten. Seed Bank: Swapping plants with friends works great for us and as a bonus it usually comes with good advice.


17

Geraniums PerennialsBedding & Vegetable PlantsHanging Baskets Planters

& Much More.

Vennix Greenhouse

1175 Ridge Rd. Essexville989-894-0961

Mon. - Sat. 8:00 am to 7:00 pmSun. 9:30 am - 4:00 pm

Custom Designed Decorative Concrete

FlatworkCommercial

Truck Scale Foundations

icc-company.com 989-297-1582Keith Annear, 428 Paul St., Freeland, MI 48623

Maureen DonkerMidland

The Garden: When we started creating our backyard our goal was privacy but we also wanted it to be welcoming to our neighbors. On one side, we have a stone path to the neighbors that weaves between the ever-greens. Welcoming the neighbors in the back of the yard, we have an arbor covered with wisteria, which has never blossomed much to our chagrin, but it has the most beautiful foli-age youve ever seen. The arbor has become the spot where the neighborhood kids come for their homecoming pictures.

Rare Beauty: The predominant feature of our backyard is the fountain. I purchased a mask of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, thinking I would hang it somewhere in the backyard. Well then, we couldnt fi nd the right place to hang it so we built a fountain. My husband was skeptical, but now he loves it! The sound of running water is very relaxing.

The backyard has really become an extension of our house. Our backyard borders contain peonies, hosta, pachysandra, grasses, sweet woodruff and other herbs we use for cooking. One unusual item that we planted on purpose is violets. Every May we harvest the beautiful purple fl owers to make chocolate covered violet cheesecake (recipe on page 22) accompanied by May wine made with our own sweet woodruff.


18

'RANITE -ARBLE 0ORCELAIN #ERAMIC3TONE $ECORATIVE"ATH

%ASTMAN!VE-IDLAND-)0HONE #ELL

WWWPREMIERTILESTONECOM%MAILJBRAUNPREMIERTILE YAHOOCOM

1UALITY4ILEAND3TONEATANAFFORDABLEPRICE

'RANITE1UARTZ-ARBLE#ERAMICOR0ORCELAIN4ILESx9OUWANTITWEVEGOTIT4HESELECTIONANDPRICEYOUVEBEENLOOKINGFOR3TOPINANDCHECKOUTOURLARGESELECTION

7EHAVESOMETHINGFOREVERYBUDGET

3MALL$ETAILS"IG$IFFERENCE

BY DEAN FOSDICKfor The Associated Press

Hand weeding is one of the most demanding chores in gardening, but it doesnt have to be that way. Mulching, spraying, plant crowding and inexpen-sive stand-up tools can ease much of

the back-strain-ing work.

Weed control is personal, said Barb Pierson, nursery manager for White Flower Farm, a mail-order nursery at Litchfi eld, Conn. To me, there are two types of weeds. Those that spread quickly and look terrible, and those that dont

look so bad but if you leave them in your garden, it will appear messy.

Some people enjoy cottage or natu-ral gardens that have tons of weeds but

you dont notice them because the fl ow-ering plants are so big and bodacious, Pierson said. Yet if you have a simple garden, those weeds will stand out.

It pays to know your plants before uprooting anything, she said. Other-wise you might pull up something you like - something attractive thats trying to self-sow and naturalize, like violas or pansies.

Weeds generally are considered the thugs of the garden because they steal sun, water and nutrients that youre trying to direct toward edibles and or-namentals. They often appear unsightly and out of place.

But weeds have a positive place in nature. They can be used to prevent soil erosion, provide food and cover for pollinators, and supply organic matter to depleted ground.

Despite all that, it may be necessary to do some hand weeding around the yard. And there are ways to save time and effort doing it.

Weed after it rains, when the ground is softer and weeds are easier to pull. Weed when the plants are small. Weed

whenever and wherever you see them pop up, at any time of year.

Or try: Crowding your favorite plants.

The lazy mans guide to gardening is to plant your fl owers so tight there isnt room enough for any weeds to com-pete, Pierson said.

Mulching. Compost and leaves can smother weeds while making your soil healthier, Pierson said. Solariza-tion, or spreading plastic sheets or geotextiles over the ground, also prevents unwanted germination.

Using the right tools. Long-handled hoes, string trimmers and propane-fueled fl amers have helped gardeners avoid many an aching back. But be careful about where you direct those fl ames. Leaves and wood mulch are combustible combinations.

Spraying with synthetic herbi-cides. Weed-killing chemicals have proven effective, but dont overdo it. Targeting the spray rather than broad-casting it, and timing applications for windless days should reduce some of the ecological hazards. Many people

Be smart about weeds: save time, back strain

Weeds can be

used to prevent

soil erosion,

provide food and

cover for pollina-

tors, and supply

organic matter to

depleted ground.


19

Spring is here! Call our team today.(989) 835-8260

Love Your Nature.

Visit our galleries online at rederlandscaping.com

,UMINETTE 0RIVACY3HEEROR- ODERN$ RAPERY

OFFEACHADDITIONALUNIT

OFFEACHADDITIONALUNIT

0IROUETTE 7INDOW3HADINGS

3ILHOUETTE 7INDOW3HADINGS

BUY PLUSSAVE100

100

100 OFFEACHADDITIONALUNIT

2370 N. Eastman Rd. #2Midland, MI 48642

Phone 989.832.5172Toll Free 800.832.5172

Fax 989.832.1894

Email:[email protected]

WWW.BLIND-GUYS.COM

4JMIPVFUUF8JOEPX4IBEJOHT

-VNJOFUUF1SJWBDZ4IFFSTBOE.PEFSO%SBQFSJFT

1JSPVFUUF8JOEPX4IBEJOHT

are using corn gluten now, which is more responsible for our groundwater, Pierson said.

Finally, if you cant beat them, eat them. One persons eyesore is another salad.

Some of the most common edible weeds, such as Canada thistle, dandelion and wild mustards, can make appetizing side dishes or key ingredients in salads, said Emilie Regnier, a weed ecologist with Ohio State University.

Remember, though, that like most other vegetables, weeds are most tasty when young and succulent, Regnier said in a Weed Science Society of America fact sheet. So time your harvest accordingly.

Know what youre gathering, however, because some weeds are toxic, the Weed Science So-ciety says. And avoid anything that may have been sprayed with pesticides.

A red clover is shown in a yard in New Market, Va. With rounded, purple-red fl owers and varie-gated leaves, they are healthy to eat in salads, as cooked greens, made into fl our or blended as a tea. This long-blooming plant pops up most everywhere and is rich in protein. (AP Photo, Dean Fosdick )


20


21

BY AMY LORENTZENfor The Associated Press

Keeping guests comfortable and entertained while dining al fresco can seem daunting.

But a few fun items can help you cre-ate a cozy space, serve summer foods with fl air, and send guests on their way with a reminder of a special backyard barbecue or patio party.

String Lights, LanternsYou dont have to deal with the mess

of tiki torches to create a warm ambi-ance. Instead, frame your best outdoor views with string lights or paper lan-terns that can range from whimsical to contemporary to sophisticated. Theyre affordable and easy.

They also make a smooth transition from the indoors and help defi ne the outdoor dining area, says Stephanie Grotta, lead designer for Target Corp.s Smith & Hawken line.

You really want to create that inti-mate environment, she says.

Outdoor Throw PillowsProvide plenty of seating, and dress

it up or tie together mix-and-match pieces by piling on colorful throw pillows. The trend is to make the outdoors as comfortable as your living room, says Leigh Oshirak with Pot-tery Barn Brands.

Use bold patterns, including thick stripes, geometric designs and Indian-inspired fl orals. Or make your mark with monogramming. Since just about any eye-catching color is in this sum-mer, go with the one you like best or add to what youve already got.

Mister and Fire BowlWhen youre expecting high tem-

peratures, dont just set up fans. Rent, borrow or buy a mister to help tame the heat. You can also fi nd inexpensive kits to turn your garden hose into an effec-tive mister.

If the evening air cools quickly, a fi re element will make your outdoor space cozy. Choose from wrought-iron lanterns, fi re bowls and rings, or

a chiminea. Prepackaged outdoor fi re logs only require striking a match. An added bonus: Guests can get campy and roast marshmallows or hot dogs.

Insect RepellentPut away the sticky sprays, and

provide guests with wearable insect-repelling items such as bracelets and belt clips. For kids and the young at heart, there are stickers available in fun shapes, including hearts, fl ow-ers, dinosaurs and, of course, in-sects. Theyll help protect from pests without leaving residue on skin and clothes.

Grilling Pizza StoneWant to make eating alfresco a little

easier? Prepare pizza dough before-hand and use a grilling pizza stone on your barbecue. Allow guests to add sauces, slices of fresh summer veggies and grilled meats.

Myra Adkins, general manager of Word of Mouth Catering in Austin, Texas, says portable food like pizza helps break the ice if its a group of folks who dont know each other very well.

Outdoor Drink DispenserGive yourself even more party time

by setting up a drink station where guests can serve themselves. Many department stores offer plastic and glass dispensers in various shapes and sizes. Add slices of lemon, lime and orange to ice water, or frozen ber-ries to adult drinks for added color and fl avor.

Pie StandFoodies are calling this The Year

of the Pie, so break out your pie tin and use a decorative rack or stand to serve up this all-American favorite. Try seasonal fruits for a classic pie, or get nostalgic with a smores pie. For something more elegant, try a rasp-berry cheesecake pie or a white choc-olate banana creme pie. Whipping up a meringue or offering any slice a la mode makes it an even cooler treat.

Jazz up an outdoor dinner

Photos, Metro Service


22

tDKD^,DDZ

^D0LFKHOH2%ULHQ

0RUWJDJH/HQGHU10/616DJLQDZ5GLQ0LGODQG

$SSO\LQJIRUD0RUWJDJHLVQRZHYHQPRUHFRQYHQLHQWDW,VDEHOOD%DQN

1 tablespoon butter softened2 tablespoons graham-cracker crumbs5 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at

room temperature1 1/4 cups sugar5 large eggs3 tablespoons chemical-free violet petals2 teaspoons vanilla extractBoiling waterCardboard or cardboard cake roundChocolate Glaze, recipe follows

1. Using butter, coat the inside bottom and 2 inches up the sides of a 10-cup bundt pan. Sprinkle pan with graham-cracker crumbs, shaking pan to evenly coat the inside completely. Turn upside down to remove excess crumbs.

2. Heat oven to 325. In large bowl, with electric mixer beat cream cheese until softened and fl uffy. Beat in sugar until well mixed. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. With rubber spatula, fold in violet pet-als and vanilla until well mixed. Pour into prepared pan.

3. Set fi lled mold in a 9x13 inch bak-ing pan and place on the lower oven rack. Pour boiling water into pan to a depth of about 1 inch.

4. Bake cheesecake 1 hour 15 min-utes. Turn off oven; let cake stand

in oven 30 minutes longer. Remove cheesecake from the water bath and cool in the pan to room temperature on wire rack.

5. Cut a piece of cardboard into a round to fi t exactly over the cheese-cake. Unmold cake onto the cardboard round and place on a wire rack set over a jelly-roll pan.

6. Prepare Chocolate Glaze. Pour half of glaze over top of cheesecake, allowing excess to drip into pan be-low. Refrigerate cake just until glaze hardens.

7. Meanwhile, keep remaining glaze at room temperature. If glaze hardens, reheat in hot water just until spoon-able. Pour remaining glaze evenly over cake. Refrigerate cheesecake at least 2 hours or overnight.

8. Garnish cake with violet and violet leaves. Keep cool until serving. To serve, cut cheesecake with a knife dipped into warm water and dried.

Chocolate GlazeIn double boiler over hot, not boil-

ing, water melt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter with one 8-ounce package semi-sweet chocolate. Stir until smooth and cool to lukewarm.

Maureen Donkers Chocolate Glazed Cheesecake With Violets

Maureen Donkers Chocolate Glazed Cheesecake is prepared with violets she grows in her yard. (Midland Daily News, Nick King)

homestyle 5/13 22homestyle 5/13 22 5/1/12 2:20:29 PM5/1/12 2:20:29 PM

23

From design to decor, its all about simplicity and ease of use. With Diamond cabinetry youll always find ways to store more with style along with fingertip features that suit you.

Visit our showroom and let our experts help you start planning your ideal space.

Readers Choice #1 Placefor Kitchen Cabinets

Thank You For Your Support!

44BHJOBX3E.JEMBOE

BNQN.POEBZ'SJEBZPSCZBQQPJOUNFOU.JEMBOETPOMZBVUIPSJ[FE%ZOBTUZ0NFHB%FBMFS

BY LORI QUALLSMidland Daily News

Last year it was black petu-nias. This year the hot annual to have is calibrachoa. Say what?

Calibrachoa (also called mil-lion bells and superbells) grows and fl owers at an amazing rate, according to Better Homes and Gardens. Often confused for a petunia, million bells makes a splash no matter where you put it in the garden. It is perfect for containers or hanging baskets but also can be tucked into the front of a border where it will spill out onto sidewalk or patio. In fact, it may be the ultimate spiller for container gardens as long as you give it ample water and fertilizer, which it needs to fuel its astounding growth.

Sounds like a winner. Proven Winners thinks so, said Di-ane Vennix, owner of Vennix Greenhouse in Essexville. She said the plant distributor has

picked the calibrachoa as one of its must have annuals this year. Her store sells three varieties cherry star (pink with yellow stripes), grape punch (dark purple throats with lighter purple outside) and sweet tart (pink with yellow centers.)

They clean themselves, Ven-nix said, so there is no need to deadhead. Vennix said calibra-choas are best for pots or hang-ing baskets and recommended people plant three in a 10-inch container.

The fl ower is smaller, the plant gets really nice and big ... a big ball in a hanging bas-ket, Vennix said. They like sun. They arent too tolerant of wind.

And, unlike the petunia, su-perbells arent sticky, perk right back up after it rains, and stay compact and bushy even when stressed, according to Proven Winners.

Calibrachoa is one of 2012s must have annuals

Sweet tart calibrachoa, top, and grape punch, left. (Photos, courtesy of Diane Vennix)


24

$4495

VINYLSIDING

WHITE & Some Colors

SALE

MIDLAND & SAGINAWS#1 ROOFING SUPPLIER

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM FOR ALL YOUR REMODELING SUPPLIES

DoorsDeckingSiding

WindowsGutters

$6495ALUMINUM

$865FOR OVERHANGS12 ft. long x 12 wide

per pcs

Any Shape-Any Color

Bring in your measurements andwe will custom form your trim.

White

$5495Lifetime Warranty

NAPCO

COMFORT

$110$163SEAMLESS GUTTERS

18COLORS

IN STOCK

6 GUTTER 5 GUTTER

Per Foot032 Gauge

Per Foot027 Gauge

RUN TO ANY LENGTH WHILE U WAIT!

MANY TYPES

IN STOCK!!COLORS

AVAILABLE

VINYL DECKING & RAILING SYSTEM

18 Colors AvailableWhite

+Colors

COIL STOCK 24 x 50 ft.

ROOF TOP DELIVERY

CONTRACTOR REFERRAL AVAILABLE

11240 N. Saginaw (1 Mi. S. of Vienna Rd)

810-687-4730

CLIOWATERFORD195 S. Alloy Drive(1 Blk. N. of Owen Road)

810-714-9300

FENTON5211 Williams Lake Rd.

(1/4 Mi. S. of Dixie Hwy.)

248-674-1300FREE Installation Guides!

2252 N. Merdian(1/2 Mi. S. of US-10)

989-687-7313

5393 N. Michigan(1/4 Mi. N. of Tittabawassee)

989-754-3440

SAGINAWSANFORD

GUTTER LEAF GUARDS

VINYL SIDING

CUSTOM TRIMAVAILABLE

WHITEVINYL SOFFIT

QUANTITIES LIMITED HOURS: MON-FRI 7:30-5 SAT 8-12 CLOSED SUN

SUMMERSIDINGWORLD.com

Per Sq.


/ColorImageDict > /JPEG2000ColorACSImageDict > /JPEG2000ColorImageDict > /AntiAliasGrayImages false /CropGrayImages true /GrayImageMinResolution 300 /GrayImageMinResolutionPolicy /OK /DownsampleGrayImages true /GrayImageDownsampleType /Bicubic /GrayImageResolution 300 /GrayImageDepth -1 /GrayImageMinDownsampleDepth 2 /GrayImageDownsampleThreshold 1.50000 /EncodeGrayImages true /GrayImageFilter /DCTEncode /AutoFilterGrayImages true /GrayImageAutoFilterStrategy /JPEG /GrayACSImageDict > /GrayImageDict > /JPEG2000GrayACSImageDict > /JPEG2000GrayImageDict > /AntiAliasMonoImages false /CropMonoImages true /MonoImageMinResolution 1200 /MonoImageMinResolutionPolicy /OK /DownsampleMonoImages true /MonoImageDownsampleType /Bicubic /MonoImageResolution 2400 /MonoImageDepth -1 /MonoImageDownsampleThreshold 1.00000 /EncodeMonoImages true /MonoImageFilter /CCITTFaxEncode /MonoImageDict > /AllowPSXObjects false /CheckCompliance [ /None ] /PDFX1aCheck false /PDFX3Check false /PDFXCompliantPDFOnly false /PDFXNoTrimBoxError true /PDFXTrimBoxToMediaBoxOffset [ 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 ] /PDFXSetBleedBoxToMediaBox true /PDFXBleedBoxToTrimBoxOffset [ 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 ] /PDFXOutputIntentProfile (None) /PDFXOutputConditionIdentifier () /PDFXOutputCondition () /PDFXRegistryName () /PDFXTrapped /False

/Description > /Namespace [ (Adobe) (Common) (1.0) ] /OtherNamespaces [ > /FormElements false /GenerateStructure false /IncludeBookmarks false /IncludeHyperlinks false /IncludeInteractive false /IncludeLayers false /IncludeProfiles false /MultimediaHandling /UseObjectSettings /Namespace [ (Adobe) (CreativeSuite) (2.0) ] /PDFXOutputIntentProfileSelector /DocumentCMYK /PreserveEditing true /UntaggedCMYKHandling /LeaveUntagged /UntaggedRGBHandling /UseDocumentProfile /UseDocumentBleed false >> ]>> setdistillerparams> setpagedevice

Documents

Homestyle - Summer 2012