The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1463869
E-6 Spring Home & Garden Wednesday, April 6, 2022 The Press-Dispatch XT1™ LT46 LAWN TRACTOR • 22 HP †† Kohler ® 7000 Series V-Twin OHV engine • 46" stamped twin-blade deck • Tuff Torq ® foot-controlled hydrostatic transmission (TL-200) STARTING AT: $ 2,399 * Ultima™ ZT1 54P ZERO-TURN MOWER WITH FABRICATED DECK • 23 HP †† Kawasaki ® FR691V V-twin OHV engine • 54" AeroForce™ fabricated triple- blade deck • Dual Hydro-Gear ® EZT-2200™ transmission STARTING AT: $ 4,099 * XT2™ GX54" D GARDEN TRACTOR WITH FABRICATED DECK • 25 HP †† Kohler ® 7000 HD V-twin OHV engine • 54" AeroForce™ fabricated FastAttach™ triple-blade deck • Foot-engaged locking differential STARTING AT: $ 4,399 * Hopf Outdoor Power 83 HWY 231 S Jasper, IN 47542 hopfoutdoor.com 812-482-9696 *Product Price – Actual retail prices are set by dealer and may vary. Taxes, freight, setup and handling charges may be additional and may vary. Models subject to limited availability. Specifications and programs are subject to change without notice. Images may not reflect dealer inventory and/or unit specifications.†† As rated by Kohler, all power levels are stated in gross horsepower at 3600 RPM per SAE J1940 as rated by engine manufacturer. †† As required by Kawasaki, horsepower tested in accordance with SAE J1995 and rated in accordance with SAE J2723 and certified by SAE International. **See your local Cub Cadet Independent Dealer for warranty details. © 2022 Cub Cadet3PV_H_EN XT1™ LT46 LAWN TRACTOR • 22 HP †† Kohler ® 7000 Series V-Twin OHV engine • 46" stamped twin-blade deck • Tuff Torq ® foot-controlled hydrostatic transmission (TL-200) STARTING AT: $ 2,399 * Ultima™ ZT1 54P ZERO-TURN MOWER WITH FABRICATED DECK • 23 HP †† Kawasaki ® FR691V V-twin OHV engine • 54" AeroForce™ fabricated triple- blade deck • Dual Hydro-Gear ® EZT-2200™ transmission STARTING AT: $ 4,099 * XT2™ GX54" D GARDEN TRACTOR WITH FABRICATED DECK • 25 HP †† Kohler ® 7000 HD V-twin OHV engine • 54" AeroForce™ fabricated FastAttach™ triple-blade deck • Foot-engaged locking differential STARTING AT: $ 4,399 * Hopf Outdoor Power 83 HWY 231 S Jasper, IN 47542 hopfoutdoor.com 812-482-9696 *Product Price – Actual retail prices are set by dealer and may vary. Taxes, freight, setup and handling charges may be additional and may vary. Models subject to limited availability. Specifications and programs are subject to change without notice. Images may not reflect dealer inventory and/or unit specifications.†† As rated by Kohler, all power levels are stated in gross horsepower at 3600 RPM per SAE J1940 as rated by engine manufacturer. †† As required by Kawasaki, horsepower tested in accordance with SAE J1995 and rated in accordance with SAE J2723 and certified by SAE International. **See your local Cub Cadet Independent Dealer for warranty details. © 2022 Cub Cadet3PV_H_EN 83 HWY 231 S, JASPER 812-482-9696 WWW.HOPFOUTDOOR.COM OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY, APRIL 9 COFFEE AND DONUTS PRIZE GIVEAWAYS What to plant when privacy is a priority A backyard oasis can feel like an even more welcoming retreat when the area is private. Homeowners and their families often find that a back- yard is most relaxing when they can- not hear or see their neighbors, and creating such an environment can be as simple as planting some pri- vacy trees. Fencing is an option when home- owners are looking to make their backyards more private. But Ho- meAdvisor reports that the average cost to install a privacy fence is just under $ 3,000, and those costs can be considerably higher depending on where homeowners live and how big a fence they need. Privacy trees can be considerably less expensive, and homeowners can spread out those costs by planting over time, an op- tion that's not possible when install- ing fencing. When planting privacy trees, homeowners can consider these va- rieties that can do the job while al- so providing some aesthetic appeal. • Emerald arborvitae: The Ar- bor Day Foundation® notes that the emerald arborvitae is unique among arborvitaes because it maintains its green color even in the coldest months of the year. The emerald ar- borvitae can grow to between 10 - and 15 -feet-tall and spread as wide as four feet at maturity. The tree features a pyramid shape and is considered slow-growing at less than 12 inch- es of growth per year. The ADF re- ports that full sun and partial shade are best for this tree. • Carolina cherry laurel: Caro- lina cherry laurels are popular choic- es for privacy seekers. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center notes the trees can grow very tall and boast a pyramidal shape. The Carolina cher- ry laurel require sun and thrive in moist, well-drained soils. Parents with young children should know that the leaves of this family of plant contain hydrocyanic acid and should never be eaten. • Boxwood: The ADF notes that boxwoods are renowned for their use in formal gardens. That can make them an ideal option for homeowners seeking a traditional garden aesthet- ic in their backyards. Boxwood trees can grow up to 20 feet tall, but they can vary greatly in height. Home- owners purchasing them as privacy trees should speak with their local gardening center to ensure they're getting boxwoods that will provide ample privacy. Though they still have aesthetic appeal, smaller boxwoods may only reach a foot tall. Boxwoods vary considerably in terms of their growth rate, so homeowners should inquire about this as well before pur- chasing and planting any trees. • Privet: Privets are dense pri- vacy hedges that grow very quick- ly, with the ADF reporting they can grow up to three feet per year. Priv- ets may reach 12 feet in height and spread as wide as six feet at matu- rity. Privets tolerate shearing well, which can make them ideal priva- cy options for those looking for a formal appearance. Privets require full sun for uniform growth. Privets are considered invasive in many ar- eas of North America, so homeown- ers should consult their local garden center prior to planting. The right privacy trees can be just what homeowners need to turn their backyards into relaxing respites. Basics of container gardening Gardening is a rewarding hobby that has been linked to health bene- fits like reduced stress and improved mental well-being. Gardening also can lead to an inviting home land- scape full of attractive blooms and/ or delicious foods. Backyard gardens have long been planted after clearing a plot of land, tilling and amending the soil, and planting rows of favorite crops. How- ever, gardening can be less labor-in- tensive and even more successful when people consider the many ben- efits of container gardening. WHAT IS IT? As its name implies, container gardening is growing plants inside of containers. These containers can be flower pots, rectangular deck box- es or even large raised garden beds. Pros to container gardening One of the advantages of container gardening is that plants can be moved in and out of sunlight to ensure the right growing conditions. This isn't as easily achieved when gardens are stationary. Also, beginner garden- ers may be more able to control soil conditions inside of a small container rather than a vast ground-based gar- den, which will require a good deal of manual labor. Pots and boxes al- so can be grouped together to cre- ate eye-popping displays, usually at lower costs than the sheer volume of plants that would be needed to fill out an expansive landscape. CONS Container garden plants will not have direct access to the ground, so they need gardeners to create the ideal growing conditions. Develop- ing the right care formula can be challenging. The home and garden resource The Spruce says that drain- age is an important factor in contain- er gardening, and most containers do not offer enough drainage holes. If water cannot escape the soil, the roots of the plants can rot and die. It's not enough to add stones or gravel to the bottom of containers. Drill additional holes in the bottom (1 ⁄ 2-inch in diameter for small or me- dium-sized pots; one inch in diame- ter for larger pots). Also, be sure to check on soil moisture so that wa- tering can be adjusted. During hot stretches, plants may need to be wa- tered more frequently. PLANT SYNERGY Grouping plants together can cre- ate visually stunning combinations. However, it is important to choose plants that require the same amount of light and moisture. Look at plant tags when visiting the garden cen- ter and select complementary plants, or ask a store employee. Mixing dif- ferent plant shapes, colors and leaf textures, as well as plants of various heights, can help containers look filled out. FEED ACCORDINGLY Plants need nutrition to thrive in containers. Quality potting mixes will contain fertilizers, but nutrition will wane over time. Every couple of weeks, container plants will need ei- ther fresh potting mix or granular fertilizer added to feed them. Oregon State University Extension Services suggests using a slow-release fertil- izer or worm castings several times throughout the season.