Washington County Weekend Post

While certain variables involved in the appraisal process, such as location of the home and the value of surrounding homes, are beyond homeowners' con- trol, the Appraisal Institute recommends homeowners take the following steps before an appraiser visits their home. • Clean the house. A dirty home that is full of clut- ter will not make the best impression on appraisers. Dirty homes may be vulnera- ble to insect infestations that can lead to structural prob- lems with the home. A clean home will create a stronger first impression with the appraiser. • Make repairs. Home- owners who have been putting off repairs should make them before the appraiser arrives. Though repairs can be costly, invest- ing in home repairs will like- ly increase both the appraisal and resale value of the home. • Obtain all necessary documents. Homeowners who have certain documen- tation at the ready can speed up the appraisal process. Documentation may include a survey of the house and property; a deed or title report; a recent tax bill; a list of items to be sold with the house; purchase history of the home; and the original plans and specifications of the home. • Inform the appraiser about recent improve- ments. Homeowners can inform appraisers about any recent improvements to the home and the cost of those improvements. Having such information at the ready can help appraisers make the most informed appraisal possible. Shopping for new plants for a home can be an exciting undertaking. Nurseries and garden centers are often home to dozens of types of plant species that come in various colors, leaf variations and sizes. Such variety can make choosing plants more fun while also making the process of buying plants a bit compli- cated, especially for novices. Thankfully, plant tags can help consumers make informed decisions. Understanding how to read plant tags is key to mak- ing good choices. Such labels contain a lot of information, but once a person knows how to decode that data, he or she is well on the way to choos- ing the right plants. Common name The common name of the plant tends to be the most noticeable word or words on the tag. This is the name the plant is referred to outside of scientific circles. Most plants have one or more common names in addition to their botanical name. Scientific (botanical) name Scientific names are also known as the Latin names of the plant. Such names will be written in italics on the tag and are usually one or two words. The scientific name includes the genus (group) and the species of the plant. Cultivar A plant tag may further describe the type of plant by including the cultivar. A cultivar is the variation on the species. It may describe a size or color variation. The cultivar is listed in single quotations by the scientific name. Sun requirements The tag should list how much sun exposure the plant requires to thrive. It may be anywhere from full sun to full shade. Height and spread The label frequently includes the maximum growing height and width the plant should reach when mature. This gives gardeners an understanding of just how much room the plant will take up in the garden and how to space plants in a landscape. Water needs How much water the plant requires may be fea- tured on the tag as well. This helps gardeners know if they need soil to be damp or relatively dry. Hardiness or zone Tags that list zones will describe the coldest zone in which the plant can exist. Otherwise, it will give a range. Many annuals will not list a hardiness zone because they are not expect- ed to last beyond one season. Perennial or annual The tag should designate the plant as an annual or perennial. Annuals are not expected to last through the winter and will need to be replanted the following year. Perennials can over-winter and will regenerate year after year. Tags also may list infor- mation such as special care needs, drought tolerance, uses for the plant, and when the plant blooms. Some plant labels will inform gardeners if the plants were produced organically or without GMO practices. Trademark infor- mation also may be included. Plant tags provide impor- tant information for select- ing and growing plants. When noted, tags help gardeners make the right selections and keep plants as healthy as possible. 2B • WASHINGTON COUNTY POST • SUNDAY, JULY 18, 2021 GMTODAY.COM G ne Gardening How to read a nursery plant tag Steps to take before an appraiser's visit

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