If you don’t like yard work and if you would like to avoid or cut down on the expense of hiring a gardener, consider these strategies that give your yard a beautiful look without all the work…

Use more mulch The more of your property you cover in mulch, the less there is to mow, weed and fertilize. “Islands” of mulch around trees and shrubs look great and eliminate the tricky, time-consuming mowing and edging often required around these areas. Mulch also provides nutrients, reducing the time you must spend fertilizing.

If there are several shrubs or trees in the same general area in your lawn, group them into one large mulch island, rather than creating separate islands for each.
To create a mulch island: Lay about six layers of newspaper on top of existing grass and/or weeds. Then cover with three to four inches of organic mulch, such as shredded bark (different kinds are available at most nurseries). The newspaper helps kill the grass and weeds. Over time, the newspaper will decompose, adding additional nutrients to the soil.
Remulch once a year – just put fresh mulch on top of the old. You don’t need to add more newspaper. The fastest way to mulch perennial beds is to do it in early spring, before the plants send up their shoots.

Important: Leave a few inches of open space between mulch and tree trunks to allow airflow. You can safely mulch right up to the base of most other plants.
Choose a ground cover other than grass Replace all or part of your lawn with an attractive, low-lying ground cover that requires little or no maintenance once established.
Appropriate ground covers vary regionally, so ask a local garden store for advice. (Garden store employees will have more time to talk if you visit on a weekday.) Options: Sedum, creeping thyme, daylilies, low-growing hostas, Korean grass, pachysandra, certain varieties of clover or moss and more.

Be aware that many ground covers cannot be walked on without damaging the plants. If you like the feel of grass under your feet or have young kids who play on your lawn, maintain a small lawn and use ground cover for the rest of your property.
Or plant Stepables, a line of ground covers designed to survive foot traffic (503-581-8915, www.stepables.com).
There also are some grasses that require very little mowing, but these vary by region. Check with the Lawn Institute for more information (800-405-8873, www.thelawninstitute.org).

Place plants where they will get what they need without your help
Position water-loving plants near the wettest sections of your lawn and sun-loving plants in exposed locations. Group plants with similar needs together so that you do not have to tend to each individually.
Also, select native plants. Plants indigenous to your region are likely to thrive in your yard with little attention from you. Your local garden store can suggest appropriate native options.
Plant evergreen trees rather than deciduous trees If you add trees to your property, avoid unnecessary autumn raking by selecting coniferous trees, such as pine trees, which do not shed needles.
If there already are deciduous trees on your property, create large mulch islands around them. Leaves that fall on this mulch do not need to be raked.
Keep in mind that well-placed deciduous trees can cut your home’s energy use by providing cool shade in summer and letting the sun hit the house in winter.
Favor flowering shrubs over other flowers. Flowering shrubs usually require much less care than other flowers. Popular options include camellia, lilac, abelia and azalea. Ask your garden store to recommend the flowering shrubs most appropriate for your region. Plant a selection of shrubs that flower at different times of year so that your yard is colorful most of the year. Ask your garden store what type of soil… how much sun… and how much moisture a particular plant likes before you purchase it.

Examples: Encore azaleas bloom in both spring and fall… Glacier azaleas bloom sporadically throughout the summer… witch hazel blooms in winter or early spring.
Select a slow-growth shrub for a low-maintenance, tailored-hedge look Fast-growing shrubs, such as Leyland Cyprus, are very popular with home owners because they quickly turn into substantial privacy-providing barriers. Problem: Fast-growing shrubs continue growing quickly even when we want them to stop, which means frequent and time-consuming trimming is necessary for them to appear well-groomed.
If you want a tailored-hedge look, it is better to choose a slow-growing shrub, such as boxwood, yew or hornbeam. These will take longer to provide full privacy but require far less care to remain neat and tailored once they do. (If you like a loose look, they don’t have to be pruned at all.)
Important: Make sure that the mature size of the shrubs and other plants you select is appropriate for the locations you choose for them. If a plant is too big for its location, you will spend the rest of the plant’s life trimming it back as it tries to expand. A nursery can provide a mature size estimate, or look for a tag on the plant when you purchase it.
Divide big yards into “rooms” If you have several acres of property, do not try to tend to it all. Divide the property into “rooms,” and devote your yard work hours only to the rooms closest to your home or the road.
Use hedges, stone walls or other borders to divide these rooms from the rest of the property, and allow more distant rooms to take on a relaxed and natural appearance. This can look perfectly appropriate, assuming that the property is relatively rural and not surrounded by manicured lawns on all sides.

One way is to get a “Redesign.”  No, I don’t mean to start tearing down walls.  An interior redesign, a fairly new term for some, is when you use your own furnishings and belongings to create a new look, a mini-makeover.  Often, with zero dollars spent!

Use your imagination; bring in items that are in other rooms.  Use a dresser as a buffet or a buffet as a foyer table, or a foyer table as a sofa table.  Make an empty catch all room usable again by putting any extra pieces together making it a new reading room, TV room, office or even a home gym.  Mix it up…pull furniture pieces out into a room making conversation areas using chairs and tables from other rooms.

When redesigning, try to think of the following:

• Redesign
• Reposition
• Rearrange
• Re-purpose
• Reuse
• Recycle
• Reposition
• Recreate
• Repaint
• Rearrange
• Reassess
• Reorganize
• Redo
• Remake
• Redecorate

Here are a few low cost ideas.  Try painting an accent wall or bathroom.  Once you start painting, you’ll love it so much you’ll end up painting your whole house!  Paint your kitchen and bathroom cabinets; buy new hardware and, viola…instant upgrade!  Put in new light fixtures, faucets, take down old wallpaper.  You can also buy new accessory pieces and get rid of ones that you’ve had forever.  Put up new wood blinds, roman shades, or drapes.  How about your carpet?  Have it cleaned, colored, or buy new, or try new flooring in tile, wood, or laminate.

Is your kitchen stuck in the 70′s or 80′s?  Replace your appliances with stainless steel ones, more costly, but worth it.  If you’re really handy, you can even paint your old appliances with silver appliance paint.  I’ve seen it done, and it turned out great!

Bottom line, if you plan on staying, make your home a place that you look forward to coming home to.  The small investment made will not only give you enjoyment while you’re living there, but will increase the value of your home if you do sell.

Do you feel like you are not the creative type, have no idea where to start?  You also have the option of hiring a professional Interior Redesigner.  They will be able to come into your home and give you a mini-makeover.   The fee is nominal and is typically a few hundred dollars depending on how many rooms and how much work is involved.

For a great start check out the Texas Home and Garden Show one weekend.  You’ll get plenty of ideas to peak your interest and be on your way to redesigning a home you’ll love living in.

Finding Space
•    Creating more space can be a big budget buster. Once you add square footage to a home, the price increases significantly. One alternative is to borrow space from a neighboring room (called space reconfiguration). A great place to steal space for a bathroom expansion is from the linen closet. You can make up some of the lost storage by finding small spaces in between wall studs for small niches or built–in shelves.
•    You can also try borrowing space with optical illusions. There are many ways to make a small room appear larger. To transform a small bath, install a bow window or a skylight. Vaulted ceilings can be a nice touch, too.
•    If you are going to expand outside the existing home, consider a small bump out of two to four feet. This may allow you to cantilever the floor joists and eliminate the need for excavation and foundation. If possible, be careful not to extend beyond the roofline, which might require a new roofline to your job.
•    Whenever you are adding on new space to a home, have a heating/cooling contractor determine whether your existing heating/air conditioning system can accommodate and heat/cool the extra space. If the heating/cooling system is damaged, you will be forced to replace the existing units.
In the Kitchen
•    If at all possible, reuse existing appliances, and build your new cabinets around them. This could save you anywhere from $1,500–5,000 easily. However, be aware that appliances, like anything electrical, are sensitive to change and may develop problems if they are moved. Should you decide to avoid potential appliance “burn–out” and purchase new appliances, choose energy conscious models for a reduction in your utility bills.
•    Maintain present location of major fixtures, appliances and utilities relative to the plumbing, gas and electrical outlets. This could even apply to the location of the telephone. Moving plumbing, wiring and jacks can be extremely expensive.
•    The faucet can be a costly item. The least expensive selection is chrome. Even a high-end chrome faucet is considerably less than a mid-range brass or porcelain version. A standard two-handle faucet generally costs less than single handle. Faucets and handles are sold separately, so you may want to choose a chrome faucet with brass or porcelain handles for a different look. Faucet caution: The price variances in faucets reflect the various internal and external features. Always choose a faucet with replaceable internal parts. You won’t want to have to replace the entire faucet if it breaks – it’s simply not cost-effective.
•    Choose neutral colors in fixtures, appliances and laminates. They are less expensive initially and wont look dated when the color trends change. White and almond sinks are much cheaper than color varieties. And neutral laminate colors for countertops are less than custom colors or textures.
•    Good floor covering is important. It ties one room to another and provides visual consistency. Familiarize yourself with the prices of the various flooring materials to make the best decision for your home. To get you started, vinyl or laminate flooring is less expensive than wood, tile or slate.
•    Use the existing floor covering if it is still in good condition. If the kitchen has old vinyl flooring, there may be a hardwood floor underneath that could be sanded and refinished, avoiding the need for a new floor entirely.
•    If you currently have a vinyl floor covering and wish to update with a newer version, you can install synthetic floor leveler material over the existing vinyl floor and lay the new vinyl flooring on top, rather than tearing the old flooring off to install the new.
•    Consider your cabinet options carefully. Those choices will drive the overall price. You can add some options at a later date to defray some of the initial cost. Some that are easy to add include tilt front doors, spice racks and slide out wire baskets. However, if you decide to wait, make certain that the option you want will be available and can be added after installation. Note of caution: Waiting will cost you more in the long run. Adding new cabinets often requires installing a new floor. Refacing existing cabinets not only eliminates the need for new flooring, countertops and appliances altogether, it is a major savings in any kitchen remodel.
•    Go with a simple design in the kitchen employing single height wall cabinets, blind corner cabinets rather than those with Lazy Susans, and other standard options. Watch your upgrades.
•    Use standard cabinetry instead of custom cabinets, or use a combination of the two if they are compatible.
•    Choose cabinets that can be operated without the addition of hardware (those that are finger–pulled).
•    Install cabinets without soffits to decrease the labor cost. Also consider cabinets without trim moldings or with simple trim.
•    If you are going to put in new wood trim (in your crown molding, trims, and door casings) to match the new cabinets, order pre–finished trim instead of having the painting or staining done on–site. This will decrease labor cost. Ordering finger–jointed vs. clear vertical grain also will save you money.
•    Consider stenciling on the backsplash instead of using tile.
•    Laminate countertops are the least expensive choice among solid surfacing, tile and granite. You can dress it up with wood or tile trim for a more innovative look.
•    Connect fluorescent light fixtures to the existing ceiling fixture box instead of installing new recessed lighting, which may require a new ceiling because of the recessed features.
In the Bathroom
•    Consider reglazing a tub instead of replacing it, especially if it is still in relatively good condition. This can save you more than half the cost of a tub replacement and minimize the dust at the same time.
•    Cultured marble sheets are a good choice for tub surrounds, instead of ceramic tile. You will save considerably on labor costs and the marble sheets are much easier to clean.
•    Fiberglass surrounds are also less costly than tile.
•    Examine how you are utilizing space. You may be able to steal some space from a neighboring room or closet. If your overall space is limited, purchase a jetted tub and shower combination or install a pedestal lavatory instead of a vanity cabinet with a sink. Understand that while pedestal lavatories do eliminate the need for vanities and save space, some models may cost more than a separate vanity cabinet and sink.
•    Cultured marble lavatories can be a great budget choice since it is an integrated sink bowl and countertop sold in one easily installed unit.
•    Define what is truly needed in the bathroom. Sometimes an extra bath is planned when installing a double sink in an existing bath would meet the need.
•    If you are going to add a large jetted tub to your project, consider adding a water heater dedicated to that tub. A large jetted tub can hold up to an average of 75 gallons or more, which can easily overextend your existing water heater and cause problems in the future.
•    When revamping yesterday’s bathroom to fit with today’s homeowners’ expectations for luxury, homeowners can familiarize themselves with the latest options in home spa advancements. One such indulgence is an electric warming system beneath your new stone or tile floor. Homeowners can visit www.WarmlyYours.com for more on electric floor warming.

What Hardiness Zone are we in? USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7 (8 in downtown areas and south of DFW). That means that most of the area can expect winter temperatures to fall to 10 to 15 degrees.  Buy trees and shrubs that can survive at those temperatures.  Ask your nurseryman, or check the plant tag.

The average date of last killing freeze in spring in Dallas/Fort Worth is March 17-20.  At that time, you have a 50 percent chance of at least one more killing frost or freeze.

The average date of our first killing freeze in fall is November 17-20.  You need to schedule your fall gardening plantings accordingly so that crops will have ample time to grow, bloom and produce before frost.

The predominant soil type for the Metroplex is black clay gumbo.  It is alkaline, and it’s often sitting atop even more alkaline white rock caliche.  Since good soils are the foundation to all successful gardening, you need to amend your soil carefully.

The best things to add to any soil to improve it: organic matter (peat, compost, finely ground pine bark mulch, rotted manure) …plus expanded shale if you’re amending a clay.

Neil Sperry
Horticulturist and Publisher, Neil Sperry’s GARDENS Magazine

“I can hear the Grass Grow”

By Jolanta Mazewski Dryden

Summertime  is on the way, and in area neighborhoods the familiar ticking sounds of sprinkler after sprinkler  are begining to fill the air with their rhythm.  Benefits of a healthy lawn go beyond the aesthetic.  A healthy lawn is important to the environment, helping to reduce heat, noise, and water and air pollution.   Lawns also harvest water and recharge groundwater resources. 

Unfortunately most people believe that excessive watering is the only way to keep lawns green and healthy.  This isn’t the case.  Several strategies can help maintain a beautiful lawn while helping to conserve water resources at the same time.

1. Aerate the lawn and spread organic matter in the holes.  This will pull the water down into the root zone of the lawn and encourage deep root systems, increase water penetration and reduce runoff.  Minimize evaporation with a sprinkler that produces large drops of water rather than a fine spray.

2. Use efficient watering techniques such as scheduling waterings in the early morning when sunlight is minimal.  Water at a depth of four to six inches and in short intervals to avoid runoff.  Leave a longer time between waterings to promote greater tolerance of dry spells.

3. Let your lawn grow to the maximum recommended height.  The longer the blade of grass, the less water it needs.  Mow St. Augustine grass and buffalo grass at three inches; Bermuda grass at one inch and centipede grass and Zosia grass at two inches. 

4. Fertilize your lawn properly.  Too much nitrogen will stimulate new growth, which requires more water.  Iron and potassium in proper amounts will encourage deep roots.  Fertilize only once in the spring using a slow-release form of nitrogen and once in the fall using a quick-release form.  Apply one pound of actual nitrogen fertilizer per 1,000 square feet of lawn at one time.

5. Upgrade or automate your sprinkler system to decrease waste of water.  Use low-volume sprinklers with matched precipitation rates for even coverage and reduced runoff.  Automatic sprinklers with multiple-program controllers are convenient, flexible and can accommodate several watering schedules. 

6. Monitor sprinkler systems for leaks, clogs and breakdowns.  Adjust automatic programming as weather patterns change.  Pay attention to what you’re watering; make sure the water is hitting your lawn and not the sidewalk.

7. Weed your lawn regularly to keep the lawn healthier and decrease the competition for water.

So prepare now to keep your lawn green and growing all summer long by useing our water resources wisely, all it takes is a little care and common sense.  Be the envy of your neighbors and feel good about the way you are treating the environment around you.

For more information on lawn care and other home and garden topics, visit TexasHomeandGarden.com, the official website of the Texas Home & Garden Shows.  And make sure to mark you calendar for the upcoming Show Series… The All Texas Garden Show with Neil Sperry, Feb. 27-March 1, at the Arlington Convention Centerl &  the Dallas Home & Garden Show, March 6-8 at the Dallas Market Hall .            

Clive Berkman

Million Dollar Ideas in Tough Economic Times …

By: Clive Berkman
One credit card bill is all it takes to see how quickly you can rack up big bucks while eating out. Even the most moderately priced meals add up to big dollars over time.
If home is where the heart it, so, too, should it be a place where meals are prepared regularly. You needn’t be passionate about cooking to turn out some delicious, nutritious meals at affordable prices….… and to have fun in the process.
Here are a few ideas I am using to gather more around the dining room or kitchen in my home.
               1. By the best possible ingredients…or in other words Buy that which has traveled the least amount of miles to get to your home…. (Supply and demand says these will be items in season and at the best possible price)
               2. Get yourself a Sous Chef. Combat weeknight hustle and bustle by having a weekend cook fest. Have family members or friends spend time together chopping and stirring to create a week’s worth of meals.
              3. Add Lagniappe.  Put your own signature on old favorites… (A different spice, a new side dish) and don’t over do it. Keep the dishes simple the less I mess with a dish the better is the result.
               4. Learn foods’ shelf life. My suspicion is we throw out way too much food. Too soon…..Taste is always the best test
This week at the show…Come learn how to prepare great meals at great prices

Using: Lagniappe, Oops Moments, Souse Chefs and Not loosing your lunch money.
Come visit the booth at the Texas Home and Garden Show- Houston and register to win a dinner for 10 at your home…..Yes chef and server included
Also Featuring…  Today’s Menu from our live shoot on FOX26 Morning News with Lanny Griffith and Jola Dryden of the Texas Home and Garden Show, AKA ‘The Show Diva’…

Valentines menu:
5 courses for under $30 for 2

Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup Topped with Yogurt
Bruschetta
Caesar Salad
Braised Short Ribs with Mash

Baked Chocolate Tort turned into Chocolate Rock Truffles

By Jolanta Mazewski-Dryden

They don’t call it “Spring Cleaning” for nothing!  Maybe you made a New Year’s resolution to get organized or just realized that one more knick knack and you’ll be building an addition on to the house.  Either way, now is the perfect time of year to start thinking about putting your house in order – literally. 

Know your junk.  Take stock of your stuff by going through each room in the house and deciding what stays and what goes.  This can be a painful process.  After all, you never know when a left-handed egg-beater will come in handy.  The reality is, storage space is a finite thing.  If you bring something in, you need to take something out.

Categorize your stuff.  Group items such as holiday decorations or old love letters in their own separate boxes. Determine whether these items are long term or short-term storage candidates.  Keep the things you use most in easy to access storage areas like under-bed boxes or kitchen cabinets and items you only use once a year in the garage, attic or guest bedroom. 

Pack properly.  Think about bubble wrap and instant insulating compartments to keep delicate items from rubbing against each other.  Acid-free tissue is a must for blankets, clothing or textiles to prevent them from yellowing or fading.  Use “dessicants” like Silica pouches to keep storage containers moisture free and prevent mildew.  Cedar closets, chips and blocks will help keep moths away, while steel wool stuffed into closet holes and cracks can keep mice at bay.  Remember to label the outside of the container with a packing list of the contents.

Evaluate your options.  There are thousands of storage containers, options and strategies available in today’s marketplace.  A simple Internet search on “home storage solutions” will give you ideas on everything from custom closets to CD racks, shelves and furniture.  Buy with your storage needs in mind.  If you’re desperate for storage space in the kitchen, perhaps a buffet or sideboard is a better option than a table.  Plastic storage bins come in all sizes, shapes and capacities to fit in the closet or under the house.

Get creative.  Maybe your collection of early century kitchen utensils would be more enjoyable mounted in shadow boxes on the wall.  Built in shelves or bookcases (with glass doors so you don’t have to dust as often) are perfect for fragile items such as glassware.  Frames and scrapbooks are another fun way to store photos that fit nicely on the bookshelf.  If you have the space, what about a theme room for your beloved collection of barbed wire?

Be sure to visit the AS SEEN on TV  Touch Vac Containers exhibit at the Texas Home and Garden Show in Houston,  on Feburary 13-15, at the Reliant Center for a look at the products and ideas you’ll need to create your dream space.  With ideas on how to clear out and contain the clutter, why not visit Decorator’s Alley for more ideas on what to put into and around your newly created space?    Do your one-stop home and garden shopping and talk to experts in everything from plumbing to petunias.

For more information on the thousands of fun ideas waiting for you at the Houston Home and Garden Show, visit www.texashomeandgarden.com or call IEI, Inc. at 713.529.1616 or follow the show on twitter.

      I am Jolanta Mazewski-Dryden.   I organize Home and Garden Shows in the state of Texas and have been in the business for over 20 years!  I have The Shows in Arlington, Austin, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Houston and San Antonio.   With this fantastic opportunity, I have become ‘The Show Diva’ of all things Home and Garden.  I am the ultimate Do-It-Yourself-Her, but if I can’t do it, I turn to the experts who do!  I run the candy store for homeowners and gardeners;  I display in my window ….  green living and efficiency, swirls of faux finishing and  the latest in shinny new kitchens.  There are gadgets galore plus gardening allures and chefs that have tempting delights.  In my blog I can only describe my Home and Garden treats, but at my shows, the experience can’t be beat!