Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
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Page 14 - shelby shopper & info - 704/484-1047 www.shelbyinfo.com Thursday, April 5-April 11, 2018 HOMETOWN HARDWARE & GARDEN CENTER Mon.Sat. 7:30am - 5:30pm • 704-739-4731 110 S. Railroad Avenue, Kings Mountain, NC Get Ready for Spring Get Ready for Spring DECORATIVE GARDEN FLAGS, DECORATIVE GARDEN FLAGS, PATRIOTIC FLAGS, & OUTDOOR POTTERY PATRIOTIC FLAGS, & OUTDOOR POTTERY Terra Cotta Terra Cotta Collection Collection Yellowstone Collection Ruby Collection Santa Rosa Outdoor Pottery by Pennington GREAT SELECTION on Decorative Flags Decorative Flags Springtime • Collegiate Flags & Mounts Springtime • Collegiate Flags & Mounts 50% 50% Decorative Flags Decorative Flags til 4/14/18 til 4/14/18 Select Select off off 704-484-0025 www.billshufordhvac.com Like Us On! 213 Campbell Street, Shelby, NC 28150 We Service All Brands Offer Expires 6/30/18 American Standard heating and air conditioning is the industry leader, ranking #1 in reliability. So reliable, in fact, that you never even have to think about it. A deal you'll notice. On equipment you won't. FOR 72 MONTHS ** INSTANT REBATE * UP TO $ 1,000 0% APR OR *, ** See Dealer For Full Details. On Approved Credit. "As Low As $ 99 99 month*!" S oft, spongy lawns may be indicative of various problems underfoot that occur relatively sight unseen. Barring a septic system backup or considerable fl ooding, insects or animals may be to blame. In many areas, burrowing wildlife can wreak havoc on landscapes. Identifying which critter is causing the damage helps homeowners develop the most effective solutions to issues involving wildlife. Moles Moles will spend much of their lives underground, rarely coming up to the surface. They spend their days digging long tunnels from their dens in search of grubs, earthworms and tuber plants all year long. Moles can be gray, black, brown, or gold and will be between six and eight inches in length. Their wide front feet are designed for excavating, and moles have very small eyes and angular snouts. Many times moles are to blame for zig-zagging lines across a yard. Channels are typically dug between fi ve to eight inches below the surface of the soil, according to the home and garden resource site Hunker. The tunnels are only about 1.5 inches in diameter and one may see small molehills of excavated soil in areas around the yard. Mole tunnels can be followed through the yard thanks to the appearance of elevated ridges on the surface of the soil. Voles Even though their name is similar, voles look nothing like moles. They are also known by the name meadow mice and look more like mice than they do moles or gophers. Voles are small as well and primarily feed on foliage and plant roots. It can take a trained eye to differentiate between holes created by moles and voles, but foliage eaten around an entry or exit hole suggests the presence of voles. Unlike moles, voles don't create soil masses on the surfaces of landscapes, which can make recognizing infestations more diffi cult. Groundhogs, gophers, prairie dogs Groundhogs, gophers and prairie dogs also are burrowing rodents. These rodents are larger than moles and voles. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are the largest of the group, followed by prairie dogs and gophers. Prairie dogs tend to be more social than groundhogs and gophers and may be seen congregating together. Gophers tend to stay below ground and will pull food into their burrows, says the Florida-based A Wildlife Whisperer. Groundhogs often stretch their subterranean tunnels to dens, which they may like to set up under backyard sheds or other protected areas. Groundhogs' size and desire to forage and eat their fi ll above-ground often make them easy to spot. Once the animal doing the burrowing has been identifi ed, homeowners can begin removing food sources and altering conditions to make their yards less critter-friendly. In the instance of moles, using a grub-killer can diminish their numbers. Wire mesh fences buried underground can deter digging into garden beds. Homeowners who are vigilant about disrupting burrows and tunnels may encourage rodents to relocate. If burrowing wildlife prove problematic, homeowners can work with professional exterminators to assess the situation. Burrowing wildlife can damage your lawn and garden Several types of burrowing animals can disturb landscapes. C ultivating beautiful blooms is a popular pastime for gardeners near and far. While gazing at a yard full of vibrant colors or enjoying the aroma of freshly cut blooms is enough for many gardeners, others may want to embrace a long-enduring tradition — growing edible fl owers. Cooking with edible fl owers is a trend that has endured for centuries. According to Fleurs Gourmandes, the fi rst recorded history of edible fl owers occurred in 140 BC. Use of calendula in salads dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. Victorian-era candied fl owers and fl ower-encrusted sweets took edible fl owers to new heights. Today, nothing may make a meal seem more gourmet than the inclusion of fl ower petals in the recipe. Of course, before delving into the expanded world of cooking using edible blooms, some notes of caution should fi rst be mentioned. Avoid fl owers that may have been sprayed with fungicides, herbicides or insecticides. To verify safety, only use edible fl owers grown specifi cally for this purpose, not fl owers picked from roadsides or from landscapes. Secondly, remember that not all fl owers are edible. Some can be poisonous or cause severe gastrointestinal upset when consumed. That means all fl owers should be carefully researched prior to experimenting with them in the kitchen. To begin growing — and eating — edible fl owers, refer to this list of varieties deemed safe and be careful to double- check against allergies and any interactions with medications prior to use. • Allium: These are blossoms from the allium family, which include garlic, chives and leeks. These fl owers can be used to add fl avor to foods. • Basil blossoms: It may be customary to pinch off the blossoms of basil, which come in colors from white to lavender in order to stimulate growth of the leaves of the plant. However, the blossoms, which are more mild than the leaves, can be tasty as well. • Calendula: Sometimes known as "poor man's saffron," this yellow fl ower in the marigold family can taste like saffron when it's sautéed. Uncooked, calendula can have spicy notes that add variety to salads and garnishes. • Chamomile: This plant features small, daisy-type fl owers that can be used in treats and teas. • Cilantro: The fl owers from the cilantro plant can be eaten, just as the leaves and the seeds that form the spice coriander. • Fennel: Just like the plant itself, the fl owers of fennel have a subtle licorice fl avor. • Hibiscus: Hibiscus blooms are famously used in hibiscus tea, which is tart and cranberry-like. • Lavender: The sweet, perfumed taste of lavender works in cocktails and desserts. • Marigolds: These tiny fl owers may be used in vegetable gardens to repel animal and insect pests. Blossoms have a fresh citrus taste that can be used in cooking. • Pansies: These vibrant early bloomers can take on a wintergreen fl avor and look beautiful when glazed on cakes and other desserts. • Roses: Beautiful to behold, rose petals can lend a subtle, fruity fl avor to many different foods as well. • Zucchini: The blossoms from this squash, which have a slightly sweet taste, can be enjoyed in many different ways. Some people batter and fry the blossoms, while others may stuff them with herbs and cheeses. Savor these beautiful and edible fl owers Marigolds are just one of the many fl owers that are edible.