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The way to great gardens is to get them off to a good start. So, what can we do to give them that jump-start for the upcoming season? If you're looking at starting a new bed, soil preparation is crucial. The ideal soil is moderately well-drained, fairly moisture- retentive and alive. Did I hear you say impossible? It's really not that difficult to obtain. I am a huge advocate of the use of organ- ic matter or compost. Compost does won- ders 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 out with the right amount of compost is important. Mix in at least 6 inches of compost into the existing soil. If you can add more, that's even better. Also, 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 in spring, you're going to have to remove the sod and start from there. What about existing beds? The first thing you want to do is general cleanup. Clean up any loose debris. This could be stuff that you didn't have time to do before winter or material that simply blew in over time. This debris can harbor insects APRIL 2017 HOMES PLUS 5 18 Full-size Doors On Display, Our Installers Are Licensed & Bonded 16'x7', 25 Gauge...Non Insulated Steel $ 745 Lifetime Door Co. TRUCKLOAD SALE on Garage Doors & Door Openers Installed Tax Included $ 945 • Other Sizes Available • 2000 Garage Doors in Stock Special! - Take down and haul away old door for FREE! 16x7 SAVE $ 240 NOW Model 8365 ORDER A LIFTMASTER 1/2 HP GARAGE DOOR OPENER & GET 2 REMOTES & KEYPAD. $ 345 Installed Tax Included • Two-Sided Pre-Finished Galvanized Steel • R-10 Insulated • 5 colors to choose from 12645 W. Townsend (2 blocks N. of Burleigh, enter off 124th St. only) Free Estimate 262-783-4004 Monday - Friday 7am-5pm www.lifetimedoor.net 2 5 3 5 2 7 0 0 7 Full Year Warranty, parts and service on installed operators. FREE Internet Gateway with order MICHAEL TIMM Bathroom Remodeling Specialists Homeowners usually have a list of changes for improving their bathroom for daily use. Schoenwalder Plumbing specializes in making bathroom ideas come to life, helping you enjoy your bathroom even more. Consider the impact of the following changes: • Floor Plan Redesign • Altering or Removing Walls • Upgrading and Adding Fixtures • Adding Utilities • Expanding Floor Area • Creating Additional Storage Space • Adding or Improving Mechanical Systems Schoenwalder Plumbing, Inc. • Bath & Kitchen Studio 1600 Paramount Drive • Waukesha, WI 53186 262-542-7908 • www.schoenwalderplumbing.com 254614002 Getting great gardens off to a good start Ebert's Greenhouse Village While signs of spring may be appearing with apparently little coaxing, it's also the time to divide and transplant perennials. There really is no shortage of things to do before planting begins. See TIMM/Page 6 New spring beds begin with removal of sod; existing beds start with cleanup