Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
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Thursday, April 21-April 27, 2022 www.shelbyinfo.com 704/484-1047 - shelby shopper & info - Page 17 Spring Spring we welcome we welcome 835 College Ave. • Shelby, NC 28152 704-487-7720 • 704-734-0071 Todd Blanton Owner Mulch Mulch for Spring for Spring Hardwood Mulch Hardwood Mulch Newberry Pine Mulch Newberry Pine Mulch Dyed Mulch Dyed Mulch Large & Small Nuggets Large & Small Nuggets Mushroom Compost Mushroom Compost Garden Soil Garden Soil WE DELIVER 835 College Ave. • Shelby, NC • 835 College Ave. • Shelby, NC • 704-487-7720 704-487-7720 1836 Shelby Rd. • Kings Mtn., NC • 836 Shelby Rd. • Kings Mtn., NC • 704-734-0071 704-734-0071 ELLIOTT SUPPLY CO. INC. Bob Elliott, Owner • Ben Elliott, Service Mgr. 704-538-8661 2301 W. Stagecoach Trail Hwy. 182 • Polkville, NC Mower Saving Time! Mower Saving Time! SAVE BIG on SCAG Mowers © Community First Media Community First Media 417 S. Lafayette St. • Shelby, NC • 704-482-4771 NEED CASH? Diamond can HELP! L AYAWAY S & F I N A N C I N G AVA I L A B L E Serving Shelby for Over 40 Years! CHECK CASHING TOO! CASH Loans for Jewelry • Guns & Musical Instruments. Best Cash Prices for Gold • Silver & Diamonds. New plants can add much to a landscape. Whether they're replac- ing plants that are no longer thriving or being added to supplement an existing landscape, new plants are an affordable way to give a home's ex- terior a whole new look. Much consideration is given to which plants to add to a landscape. That's understandable, as homeowners want to choose plants that will thrive and won't com- promise the health of surrounding plants and trees. Before planting or even choosing plants, it's important to plan for new additions to a landscape. Preparing the landscape can inform homeowners about which plants to purchase and can ensure they thrive after planting. • Document sunlight exposure. Plants have different needs, and one of the biggest differences between species is the amount of sunlight they need to thrive. According to Penn State Extension, plants characterized as "full sun" require six or more hours of sunlight per day, while those considered "partial sun" need between four and six hours of sunlight per day. Plants designated as "partial shade" need two to four hours of sun per day, while "shade" plants need less than two hours of sunlight a day. Documenting sunlight ex- posure in advance gives homeowners an idea of which plants should be planted and where they should be planted. Jot down these observations in a journal over several weeks and then choose plants that will thrive in each area. • Test the soil. A soil pH test is a simple and quick way to determine the acidity of soil. Soil pH levels will indicate how likely a plant is to thrive in a given spot. High levels won't necessarily mean an area should be avoided, as some plants thrive in acidic soils. Ad- ditional soil tests can determine other char- acteristics, such as the nutrient levels of soil and the amount of organic matter it contains. Each of these variables can help homeowners make the right choices as they introduce new plants to their properties. • Consider local wild- life. If local wildlife makes its presence known on a property, homeown- ers may want to take proactive steps prior to planting anything new. A new fence might pre- vent animals like deer from getting in, but that likely won't do much to repel smaller animals like squirrels, rabbits or foxes. If wildlife is a concern, homeown- ers can seek advice at their local garden center about which plants cer- tain animals are likely to ignore. Homeowners who want to attract wild- life can do the same in reverse, choosing plants wildlife will be drawn to. Homeowners who want to deter wildlife should erect fencing or other barriers prior to planting. • Clear space if nec- essary. Plants grow up and out, and cramped quarters can make it hard for new plants to thrive. Some may thrive but only at the expense of other plants. If neces- sary, clear space prior to planting to ensure plants have ample space to grow. Some pre-planting landscape preparation can ensure new plants thrive. The season for fresh fruits and vegetables grown right in the backyard is upon us. Warm weather breathes life into fresh berries, toma- toes, eggplant, cucumbers, and many other delectable fruits and vegetables. Home gardens can be supplemented with deli- cious finds from the super- market or farmer's market, including melons, corn and more. The bounty of the gar- den can be made more abundant and fruitful with the addition of the right soil amendments. Compost is a key element of rich, nu- tritious soil. Scraps from items that have been grown in the garden can then be reused in the production of the compost that feeds that same garden. It's a continu- ous circle of garden life. Getting started with compost is relatively easy. H o m e o w n e r s s h o u l d choose an outdoor space near the garden but far away from the home so that it won't be disturbed by kids or animals. Some people opt for an open compost pile, while others choose closed bins to con- tain the possible smell and to camouflage the compost. A sunny spot will help the compost to develop faster, according to Good House- keeping. The next step is to start gathering the scraps and materials that will go into the compost. Better Homes and Gardens suggests keeping a bucket or bin in the kitchen to accumulate kitchen scraps. Here are some kitchen-related items that can go into the com- post material: • Eggshells • Fruit peels • Vegetable peels and scraps • Coffee grounds • Shredded newspaper In addition to these materials, grass and plant clippings, dry leaves, bark chips, straw, and sawdust from untreated wood can go into the pile. Avoid dis- eased plants, anything with animal fats, dairy products, and pet feces. A low-maintenance pile has an equal amount of brown and green plant matter in the compost plus moisture to keep the bac- teria growing and eating at the right rate. Aerating the compost occasionally, or turning the bin when pos- sible, will allow the compost to blend and work together. Compost will take a few months to form completely, says the Planet Natural Research Center. The fin- ished product will resemble a dark, crumbly soil that smells like fresh earth. Compost will not only add nutrients to garden soil, but also it can help insulate plants and may prevent some weed growth. It is a good idea to start a com- post pile as a free source of nutrition for plants and a method to reduce food waste in an environmentally sound way. How to prepare landscapes for new plants Compost is part of the circle of life in gardens