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April 2013

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A publication of the Waukesha Freeman and Oconomowoc Enterprise • April 2013 CONTENTS Five steps to a low-maintenance, eco-friendly landscape ■ Maintenance key for lawn equipment ■ Prep your air conditioner now ■ Grow what you eat; cook what you grow ■ Make spring cleaning a breeze ■ Do your homework when buying a home ■ Stress-free tricks to refresh your home ■ 231237002 Boomers seeking bathroom updates Shape your garden from the start WAUKESHA – The best way to a great garden is to have a good start. So, what can be done to give this piece of landscape that jump-start for the upcoming season? For consumers looking to start a new bed, soil preparation is crucial. The ideal soil is moderately well-drained, fairly moisture retentive and alive. This is not an impossible job or that difficult to attain. I am a huge advocate of the Timm use of organic matter or compost. Compost does wonders to soils. If you add it to sandy soils, it helps them retain moisture. If you add it to clay soils, it helps loosen and improve drainage. Also, it adds beneficial living organisms to both. Starting new beds with the right amount of organic matter or compost is important. Mix in at least 6 inches of compost into the existing soil. If you can add more, that's even better. In making a new bed, it's best to start preparation in the fall. Simply apply a 2-to-3-inch layer of newspaper to the area and cover with 6-plus inches of compost. By spring, the newspaper will have killed the sod, smothered any weeds and can be mixed into the existing soil along with the compost. If you create a new bed this spring, the sod will have to be removed before you start. Makes for less work and maintenance Submitted photo What about existing beds? The first thing to do is a general cleanup of any loose debris. This could be materials that weren't removed before winter or that simply blew in over time. The debris can harbor insects and disease, and gardeners would prefer to avoid that. You'll also want to take this time to cut back any perennials that you didn't cut back last fall. Next, take a look at your trees and shrubs. Check for winter damage. Remove any broken or damaged branches. Look for signs of over-wintering insects and disease. Some insects lay their eggs on branches in the form of egg casings. These look like fuzzy little spots on the bark. Fungus is a little harder to detect, but looks similar. See GARDEN/Page 2

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