home and garden 2014

Home & Garden

Springtown EpigraphTHE

GardenGardenA Special SupplementApril 16, 2014

Azle NewsThe

2 Wednesday, April 16, 2014 Home & Garden

CARPETLarry’s

8305 Jacksboro Hwy. • 817-237-7871

for every room in your home!Quality, large selection, and great prices...

are still found at

“Since 1979”

Showroom & WarehouseCERAMIC TILE

AND WOOD FLOORING

CERAMIC TILEAND

WOOD FLOORINGwww.Larryscarpet.com

WAREHOUSEFULL OF ROLLS AND

REMNANTS

From birthdays to conferences, 404 Main Place can accommodate up to 350 people. The expansive site is available for banquets, anniversaries, weddings, and graduations. And the facility, owned by (l-r) James Tucker, Darlene Tucker, and Gary Trojacek, also conducts auctions on the second Saturday of every month. For more information on how 404 Main Place can serve you, call 817-448-8459 or visit them on Facebook or at the company’s web site at www.404MainPlace.com

404 Main Place

3M Storm Shelters, LLC ........................................................... 5404 Main Place ....................................................................... 15Above All Things Antiques ..................................................... 12A/C & Heat by Russell ............................................................. 9Ace Hardware of Azle .............................................................. 7Atex Trash Service .................................................................. 21 At Home Roofing .................................................................... 10 A Tractor Shop............................................ ............................ 21 Azco Self Storage ................................................................... 18 Azle Appliance Repair ............................................................ 12 Azle Door/ American Home. .................................................. 28Azle Pet Salon ......................................................................... 24Brace Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. .................................. 14Burtnett Insurance Agency- Germania .................................... 20 Chad’s Tree Service ................................................................ 18Chapman Carpentry .................................................................. 9Classic Green Landscaping ....................................................... 6Clear Fork Materials ............................................................... 22Comet Cleaners ....................................................................... 10Country Cottage .......................................................................11David’s Patio, LTD ................................................................. 25Diamond B Roofing ............................................................. 9,18 Dot’s Locker................................................ ........................... .15 Dunn Produce............................................... ............................. 9E&E Equipment Co. ............................................................... 16Eagle Mountain Veterinary Clinic........................................... 17

Index of Advertisers

3Wednesday, April 16, 2014Home & Garden

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Larry’s Carpet has the covering for every room in your house. The showroom and ware-house at 8305 Jacksboro Highway offers carpet – rolls and remnants – ceramic tile, and wood flooring at great prices. In business since 1979, the pros (and their helpers) in-clude Luke, Tyler, Larry, Preslee, and Nathan. If you can’t stop by in person, call them at 817-237-7871 or visit the web site at www.Larryscarpet.com and see the quality Larry’s Carpet has been offering for decades.

Larry’s Carpet

Fidelity National Title ..............................................................11Freeman Roofing & Construction, Inc. ................................... 17Graceland of Azle ................................................................... 24Highland Furniture ...................................................................11Huffman Landscape & Irrigation .............................................. 8J&E Air Conditioning and Heating ......................................... 20K-DL Feed & Supply .............................................................. 18KJR Landscape & Irrigation ................................................... 19Larry’s Carpet .......................................................................... 2Longhorn Termite & Pest Control .......................................... 24Marsha Hardin Real Estate ...................................................... 4MMI Electric ............................................................................. 4Northwest Rentals ................................................................... 26Orand Nursery ......................................................................... 27Parker County Flooring ............................................................. 5Pinnacle Bank ........................................................................... 3Silva Masonry Concrete L.L.C. .............................................. 18Star Bank of Texas .................................................................. 13State Farm- Frankie Robbins .................................................. 14State Farm- Haley Carter ........................................................ 23Stuart Nursery ......................................................................... 16Tom Samples Pest Control ...................................................... 17Waldrop’s Furniture.................................. ............................. .25 Weichert Realtors .................................................................... 10West Side Storage ................................................................... 10WD Welding Services, LLC ................................................... 12Zimmerer Kubota & Equipment, Inc. ..................................... 23

Index of Advertisers

MMI Electric DBA for Motor Maintenance Inc.

817-237-6116Serving the Area 30+ Years

8005 Jacksboro Hwy (1mi. west of Lake Worth bridge)

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Mark Donahew and Robert Hard.

REAL ESTATE

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* Foreclosures* Property Management

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Voted People’s Choice Award for Favorite Real Estate Company in Azle!

CLEAR FORK MATERIALS

The types of material available at Clear Fork Materials can satisfy any homeowner. CFM’s array of landscape materials can be purchased in bulk or bagged. That includes custom topsoil blends, sand, mulches – seven types – and organic compost to name a few. CFM also offers shale, rock, and railroad ties. Pick up or have your order delivered from 800 Old Annetta Road in Aledo. Call them for information on materials or a landscape quote: 817-441-777. They’ll be there – they have been since 1986. They’re also online at www.clearforkmaterials.com.


Summer can take its toll on just about everyone. Even the most ardent fan of summer eventually grows weary of a heat wave, which can make some-thing as simple as walking down the street seem exhausting.

While human beings have their ways of surviving summer heat, such survival can be more difficult for your lawn and gar-den. Certain grasses and plants thrive in hot weather. But when the dog days of summer arrive, even those grasses and plants built to withstand the summer sun can suffer. That’s why wa-tering takes on such importance in the summertime, when grass-es and plants need water to avoid drying out and possibly even dy-ing. The following are a few ba-sic watering techniques to help homeowners keep their lawns going strong through the next summer swoon.

* Water when it’s coolest. Wa-tering when the temperatures are their lowest might seem counter-intuitive. After all, homeowners might think their grass and gar-dens need water most when the temperature is at its highest. But watering when the temperature is cooler decreases evaporation, meaning your lawn will get the water it needs and won’t lose any to steamy conditions that cause evaporation. This is especially important when the amount of water you can use is limited by a drought restriction. You’ll want to make sure the water you can

use is actually going to the lawn and not evaporating as you’re watering.

Watering in the early morning or in the evening, when the sun is not as strong and the temperatures are generally at their coolest, also reduces the likelihood that your grass will burn. That’s because water attracts the sun, and a lawn that’s wet in the middle of a hot day might attract too much sun and cause the lawn to burn.

* Recognize that not all plants are the same. How much water a plant needs and how frequently it needs to be watered largely de-pends on how deep its roots are. A plant with shallow roots won’t need to be watered for long pe-riods of time, but it will need to be watered frequently, whereas a deep-rooted plant like a tree or a shrub will need to be watered for long periods of time but not as frequently. Research the plants around your property to deter-mine the depths of their root sys-tems and water accordingly.

* Lean on mulch to retain moisture. Mulch is often con-sidered an aesthetically appeal-ing addition to a landscape, but it serves a practical purpose as well. Mulch retains moisture during the hot summer months, reducing the need to water -- a valuable benefit during a drought restriction. Mulch also makes it difficult for weeds to grow, which can keep homeowners

PLEASE SEE HELP, PAGE 8

Watering 101Help your lawn thrive through

the dog days of summer


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When it comes to hard-working tools for outdoor spring cleaning, the name to trust is Echo. And Northwest Rent-als offers Echo trimmers, blowers, and chainsaws – all with 5-year warranties – to help make your property shine. Stop by and see (l-r) Colton Child, Tina Child, Cody Child, or Tyler Child at 8026 Jacksboro Highway in Fort Worth. You can also see what the business has to offer by call-ing 817-237-6767 or by visiting www.northwetrentals.net.

NorthWest Rentals

Fossil specimens found in the United States and Northern Africa indicate that roses have been around for at least 30 million years. Although there are thousands of different species of roses, and likely many more that haven’t yet been classified, only a hand-ful of roses are considered the most popular. These popular varieties include the hybrid tea, floribunda, grandiflora, climber, and miniature roses.

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Landscaping • Sprinkler Systems • Stone Work Flower Beds • Landscape Lighting • Lawn Care

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by carla noah stutsmanRodney Orand says that, for him, it’s all about

the hunt.The owner and operator of Orand Nursery, lo-

cated at 1950 Roberts Cut-Off in River Oaks, Orand has a passion for collecting unusual plants.

That shows in the variety of high-end, rare plants, and trees in inventory at the nursery.

“We bring in uncommon varieties and we feel like we may be changing the landscape in the Me-troplex,” Orand said. “We have some great con-nections with the Fort Worth Zoo and several pro-fessors at San Marcos who are pretty sharp and they say we’re having a positive influence.”

For example, Orand Nursery is expecting the arrival of numerous Saguaro cacti, the famous armed cactus symbolic of Arizona.

“We have many plants that are hardy to 20 de-grees below zero, as well,” Orand said. “We have about 200 Yucca rostrata coming in and Yucca lin-earfolia. Yucca rostrata can grow up to 18 feet in 35 years.”

Orand is also proud to offer Yucca treculeana, a type of Yucca that crawls across the ground.

“I know when something is different and I try to get ahold of it,” he continued. “Often I dig them myself.”

Orand Nursery is filled with palms, cacti, yucca, palms, and a slew of other drought-tolerant plants.

Because Orand is such a hands-on plants guy, he’s decided to bring on a new business partner, Paula Eaton.

“I went to school with her, and she’s a doll,” Orand said. “Having Paula on board to run the

business side of things, I can do what I shine at – locating the rare plants is my specialty.”

Orand Nursery is located on family-owned prop-erty in a location where Rodney’s parents owned and operated Orand TV Repair for many years.

After his dad passed away, that business closed and Rodney turned it into a nursery.

“My mother has been here from day one, nine years ago” Orand said. “She’s instrumental in my still being in business.”

Orand graduated from Castleberry High School. His studies at UT-Arlington eventually morphed into botany expertise. That gave him an in-depth knowledge of his plants over the two-plus acre business.

He will recommend plants to complete your de-sign plan and even help with installation if necessary.

Orand offers more Texas-hardy plants than any other nursery in the Metroplex and also offers items created by local artisans.

A combination of unique plants and one-of-a-kind artistic “yard art” allows for exceptional landscape opportunities.

The nursery has even gotten the attention of the cable television show Shipping Wars, Orand said.

“They want to do an episode here when I get a real big shipment coming in,” Orand said.

In the meantime, he’ll keep hunting for those elusive, rare plants.

The business is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-day-Saturday.

Call them at 817-337-3090 or 817-313-3072 or visit the web site at www.orandnursery.com.

Orand is not your average nursery

rodney orand prunes a palm tree at his business, orand nursery. Photo by Stephanie Cravotta


ACE OF AZLE

est. 192490 YEARS

Prices effective now through Monday, April 28

505 N. Stewart • 817-270-5600 • Mon-Fri: 8-7 • Sat: 8-7 • Sun: 10-5

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Miracle-Gro ® Moisture Control ® Garden Soil, 1 Cu.Ft. 7205644 Limit 2 at this price

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Sale $599

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You Pay

Roundup® Pump N Go® Weed & Grass Killer Spray, 1.33 Gal. 7196520 Limit 2 at this price

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Glass Tulip Solar Stake Light8351843 1499

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American Home in Springtown builds a variety of metal structures: custom barns, car-ports, windmills, garage doors, and storage buildings among them. The business, lo-cated at 5189 East Highway 199, is offering this barn for $12,700. Major credit cards are accepted. For more information, call 817-221-2218 or 817-444-3667 or visit the web site at americanhome.com.

American HomeHelp your lawn thrive

from spending hot summer after-noons pulling weeds out of their gardens and flower beds.

* Strategically locate sprin-klers. Sprinklers should be lo-cated so no water is ending up on the driveway or sidewalks around your property. Watering the concrete or asphalt is waste-

ful, and that’s water that could be going toward your plants. When watering by hand, be sure all of the water is finding its way to plants and not on any walkways.

Successfully watering a lawn and garden during the dog days of summer can greatly reduce the risk of ending summer with a lawn full of bald spots and a garden filled with wilted plants.

Effective watering can help a lawn and garden survive the dog days of summer.

n HELP, FROM PAGE 4

A/C & HEATby Russell

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If you need any sort of landscaping done, Classic Green should be your first phone call. The pros that will help you achieve yard nirvana include owner Garrett Bremer, foreman Kyle Thornton, irrigation specialist Vincent Booth, office manager Diane Hicks, and a slew of expert lawn and landscapers. Your yard can become a head turner if you call the licensed and insured experts at Classic Green at 817-479-9503 or visit them at www.classicgreen.com.

Classic Green

Many adults understand the joy of gardening, but gardening can be equally fun for children as well. While some adults may feel that certain children do not have the pa-tience or persever-ance to see plants grow from seeds to adulthood, se-lecting plants that are hardy and sprout quickly may be the key to igniting a love of gardening in chil-dren.

Choosing seeds that sprout quickly can hold the atten-tion of children who are new to gardening. Many different plants fit this bill. Beans, peas, sunflower seeds, and bell pep-per seeds are easy to start and ger-minate quickly. In addition, many leafy vegetables, such as chard, lettuce, spinach, and mustard, ger-minate in three to five days. Herbs, such as basil and parsley, also sprout fast. All of these plants are good options for introducing chil-dren to gardening, as each provides quick gratification.

To further interest children, it is a good idea to plant seeds in a way that allows youngsters to monitor the progress of growth. Use a trans-parent container, such as rinsed-out glass jars and canisters, to house the plant. Such containers give kids an unobstructed view of the process, during which children can plot the progress of seed germina-tion and easily spot root and stem development. Once the seedlings grow larger, they can be transplant-ed into different containers.

Many seedlings can sprout with water alone. Children can easily grow new plants from clippings of a mature plant left resting in a shal-

low cup of water, and seeds may not even need soil to germinate. Kids may have luck sprinkling seeds on a dampened, crumpled-

up piece of paper towel. Cotton balls also make a good place to nestle seeds. Either ma-terial will hold on to water, keeping the seeds moist until they sprout. Afterward, the seedlings can be carefully moved into a soil-and-compost mix. The paper towel and the cotton balls

will decompose and add to the or-ganic matter already in the soil.

Edible plants often make good choices for children because kids can reap the rewards of their ef-forts. Herbs can be sprinkled onto food, or fruits and vegetables can be grown in containers and then served at mealtime. Kids can show pride in their accomplish-ments, especially if they have tan-

gible results on the dinner plate.Children who want to try some-

thing different can explore other types of plants. Aquatic plants, or those found at the pet store to grow in aquariums, can be easy to grow. They need little more than a container, fresh water and sun-light. Cacti and other succulents

are also fun to explore. These plants are quite hardy in that they can stand up to moderate abuse, such as failure to water frequently enough. The unique appearance of cacti make them interesting focal points for an indoor garden.

A love of gardening that’s fos-

tered inside can also be explored outdoors. Set aside a plot of dirt where kids can sow their own seeds and tend to their own gar-dens. This hobby can help chil-dren learn patience and hard work while fostering an appreciation of nature.

Get kids excited about gardening

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Spring and summer in Texas – you know what that means: storms. And that’s where 3M Storm Shelters come in. The company’s above ground shelters are steel constructed for superior strength against whatever might drop from the Lone Star skies. Multiple sizes are offered and custom protection can be built upon request. Be prepared for the next major weather incident with a fortified safe room. Michelle, Megan, and Greg will see that you and your family stay safe. Call 817-475-2286 or visit www.3mstormshelters.com for more information.

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Many homeowners aim for a picture perfect lawn complete with rolling acres of soft, green grass. But Mother Nature may have other things in mind, pro-viding homeowners with less-than-stellar growing conditions for their lawns, plants and other foliage. Frustration can mount when a yard is muddy, is es-pecially shady or has soil that doesn’t seem to grow a thing. In such instances, homeowners may have to go the extra mile to get the yard they desire.

Irrigation issuesImproper drainage or low-ly-

ing areas in a yard may contrib-ute to a muddy mess. Soil that is inhospitable for grass also may end up causing muddy patches because the grass simply does not grow. In some cases, rem-edying a muddy yard is easy and inexpensive. Some homeown-ers find that tilling the soil and amending it with a fiber mulch helps to absorb extra water and make the conditions better for lawn seeds to sprout. This also helps to aerate compacted soil that can hinder grass growth. Adding soil fill also may help to level low-lying areas that can be puddling.

Some homeowners find that they need to do a little more work and spend some more

money to fix irrigation issues. Installing a draining system or having the property sloped to draw water away can sometimes be done by a homeowner but is often best left to a professional. You may need to dig trenches, and the property may need to be regraded to make a difference.

Sandy soilGrass and other plants may

not grow well with sandy or clay soil. Again, amending the soil is one way to remedy the prob-lem. Although it will take some work at the outset, amending the soil can improve conditions and reduce how much mainte-nance the lawn needs. Digging down several inches and adding nutrient-rich filler soil will help create conditions that are better for growing. Those who are in-terested in planting vegetables could opt for raised garden beds above the challenging soil.

ShadeSometimes a yard is problem-

atic because of the amount of

Managing difficult yard situations

PLEASE SEE DIFFICULT, PAGE 14

Happy Birthday to US!HIGHLAND FURNITURE

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by mark k. campbellStar Bank is located in Lake

Worth, but the establishment serves customers from all over the area.

Assistant vice-president Jen-nifer Conway said, “We reach out west. We have many custom-ers from Azle and Springtown.”

She said since many local folks drive into the Metroplex to work, the hometown banks near

where they live are often closed by the time they can get back.

So, they choose Star Bank at 3930 Boat Club Road.

Offering a variety of banking services falls right in with Star Bank’s motto: “Everybody is somebody to us.”

Conway says that’s certainly true at the Lake Worth branch. In fact, she says her fellow workers

are so close that they are a “sec-ond family.”

She added, “I love working here. Sometimes we feel like ‘first family’ because we spend so much time here.”

Conway said relationships between her customers and her work family make Star Bank a great place to work.

“It’s such a great organization. I brag about it all the time,” she said.

The business is headed by leadership that is Christ faith-based, Conway said.

“We have ‘In God We Trust’ in concrete here,” she said.

While Star Bank offers the usual array of extensive services

and extended hours, a couple of new options hover on the hori-zon for customers.

Conway said the launch of a Star Bank app is very near. “You’ll be able to do mobile de-positing by just taking a picture of your check.”

The app should be completed by early June, she said.

Another new service that will arrive soon will allow quicker payment via a debit card system between parties.

“That will really make us stand out from others,” Conway said.

A lifelong Springtown resi-dent, Conway said she went off to college in Stephenville to be-come a nurse, but a job at a bank in 2000 redirected her.

“I got a job as a teller and I loved it,” she said. “I haven’t done anything else since.”

Star Bank befriends customers as evidenced by the M&M Can-

dies memorabilia that surrounds Conway in her office.

She and a customer share that collecting hobby, Conway said. Sometimes they give each other figurines or other items.

Star Bank offers personal and business options, including loans and checking accounts.

The bank was charted in 1998 and also has branches in White Settlement and Burleson.

Each branch is filled with lo-cal folks who are involved in school, city, and church activi-ties nearby.

The independent bank offers traditional major banking ser-vices while striving to maintain a “community bank” feel.

Customers can expect decisions to be made locally with little delay.

Star Bank will consider any size request – all provided by someone you might likely know.

Like Jennifer Conway.

Jennifer conway, an assistant vice-president at the lake Worth branch of Star bank, reflects the hometown con-cept of the chain – she hails from Springtown.

Photo by Mark K. Campbell

Star Bank loves local folksPersonal service attracts customers area wide

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Gardening can be a rewarding and relaxing hobby, one that al-lows gardeners to escape from the daily grind and soak up some sun. As rewarding as gardening can be, it’s even more so when gardeners ply their trade in an eco-friendly way.

Gardening with the environ-ment in mind is something many gardeners might do already with-out even knowing it. The follow-ing are a few ways to garden in a way that’s mutually beneficial to gardeners and the environment.

* Use mulch to conserve re-sources and reduce reliance on fertilizers. Conserving resources is one of the best ways to help the environment, and applying mulch is a great way to conserve water. Mulch helps the soil retain water, keeping the water from evaporating into the air, which means less watering for garden-ers who want to keep their gar-dens looking lush and healthy.

In addition to helping con-serve water, mulch can also help reduce reliance on fertilizers. That’s because mulch provides nutrients to the soil as it breaks down, providing an eco-friendly alternative for gardeners who don’t want to rely on fertilizers to deliver nutrients to their soil.

* Plant more flowers. Planting flowers is another eco-friendly way to garden. Native flowers, in particular, can help maintain an area’s natural ecosystem, pro-viding food and shelter for in-sects and other wildlife.

More flowers and plants around the property also means there will be significantly less grass to mow, which reduces the amount of gas necessary to mow that grass in the warmer weather and the amount of greenhouse gases the lawn mower produces. In addition, less grass means less need for fertilizers and pesticides to maintain that grass.

* Choose gardening tools and products with the environment in mind. Veteran gardeners have a host of tools that help tackle

every problem imaginable. But many older tools or gardening products might not be made of recycled materials. When shopping for gardening tools, whether you’re a beginner who needs everything or a veteran gardener whose tools have seen better days, choose products made from recycled materials. For example, many gardeners use mats to help reduce stress on their knees when kneeling down to garden. When buying a new mat, choose one made from re-cycled tires.

But emphasizing recycled products shouldn’t stop at the tool shed. Mulch, for instance, can be made from recycled rub-ber and won’t impact the envi-ronment in a negative way. Just be sure to purchase recycled mulch that is nontoxic and does not consume natural resources.

* Live and let live. Insects might be a nuisance, but they can also be a gardener’s best friend. Spraying insecticide simply be-cause insects can be pesky is shortsighted and impractical. Cer-

tain spiders prey on other insects that can be harmful to a garden, while butterflies and bees help pollenate flowers. Earthworms are also very beneficial to a gar-den, helping to aerate and fertil-ize the soil and enabling plants to grow by removing harmful mat-ter from the soil.

Gardening is a rewarding hobby, one that is even more so when gardeners institute eco-friendly practices.

Go green in your garden

Planting more plants and flow-ers around the property is one way gardeners can garden in a more eco-friendly way.

Personal service from local professionals is what you get from Haley Carter’s insur-ance agency. She is an agent for State Farm, the No. 1 vehicle insurer in Texas. Carter and her expert staff at 408 Boyd Court offer competitive rates with small town friendli-ness. Call the agency at 817-444-1100 or visit www.haleycarter.com and discover why consumers agree that “like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.”

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Shady situations may impede grass growth in a yard.

sunshine it receives. Too much sunshine can scald certain grass-es, while inadequate sunshine may result in bare patches where grass won’t grow. If cost is no object, removing or planting trees to establish better growing conditions could be an option. However, today there are many

grass blends that are tailored to-ward specific sunlight scenarios. Homeowners may find that low-light blends will grow better in shady areas.

For those who are finding no luck with grass blends, it may just be necessary to think creatively. Plant shade-loving plants, such as ferns or ground cover, where the grass won’t

take. Design the landscape so it looks intentional. Flagstone and slate placed in certain areas also may mask temperamental grow-ing areas.

There are different options for managing various situations in the yard that can make growing lawn or other plants challenging. If projects are difficult, it could be smart to call in a professional.

Difficult yard situations n DIFFICULT, FROM PAGE 10

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Planning and maintaining a garden requires a lot of effort, which can result in an aestheti-cally pleasing addition to the landscape. But that hard work can also fall victim to nature when local wildlife find a garden too mouth-watering to resist.

In an effort to rid a garden of unwanted pests, gardeners may unwittingly scare away animals and insects that might just pro-tect the garden from more ill-intentioned animals. Not every creature that scurries is out to get prized petunias or to devour to-matoes. In fact, many can prove beneficial to gardens.

BatsBats have a bad reputation, as

people unnecessarily fear bats because they believe them to be carriers of disease. But many bats feed off of insects or fruits and will not harm a human. The average brown bat can eat 1,000 mosquitoes in an hour, so it’s easy to see why bats are good to have around. Mosquitoes are not only a nuisance but also har-bor potentially dangerous dis-eases. Bats also may eat certain rodents, which can cut down on the number of animals burrow-ing in a yard.

FrogsFrogs and toads will prey on

insects and make the local insect population more manageable. Toads eat mainly slugs, who feed on the leaves and fruits of many plants. Frogs and toads are attracted to water, so including a pond or another water feature in the garden will provide them

with a habitat they like.

BirdsWhile it is true that some birds

can damage crops, many birds are content to feed on insects attracted to the garden, which helps to keep insect numbers in check. Chickadees, for example, will dine on aphid eggs, while larger birds may prey on mice or other rodents or simply scare them out of the garden. Jays and mockingbirds are known to be feisty and can even deter dogs and cats from a yard. Humming-birds will sip on the nectar of flowers and help pollinate plants.

SnakesSnakes in a garden can be dis-

concerting to some people, but snakes are ideal predators who feed on insects and rodents sev-eral times their size. Snakes are the right size and shape to invade the burrows of pest animals.

Butterflies and beesButterflies and bees are re-

sponsible for pollinating the vast majority of plants. Avoid using pesticides that may diminish butterfly or bee populations. A beehive right next to a garden may not be practical, but don’t make attempts to destroy it. Consult with a professional bee-keeper to see what can be done to move the beehive without de-stroying it.

Many animals and insects can be detrimental to the health of a garden. However, several ani-mals are handy to have around and should be welcomed to the landscape.

These animals may help your garden

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Outdoor living spaces have be-come increasingly popular over the last several years. The home im-provement boom has shown many homeowners just how easy it can be to transform a home into a pri-vate sanctuary that caters to the per-sonalities of the home’s residents.

Outdoor living areas have be-come an extension of the home’s interior, with many homeowners creating outdoor living rooms and dining areas so they can re-lax and eat meals outside just as they do indoors. But homeown-ers thinking of creating outdoor living spaces should consider a few tricks of the trade before be-ginning their projects.

Strategically place the space. Property often dictates where the outdoor living space will go, but it helps to keep in mind that the outdoor space is more likely to be used if it’s easily accessible from the inside of the home. For instance, if residents need to walk out the front door to access an out-door living space in the backyard, then residents might find the area

is too inconveniently located and they won’t make the most of the space. Whenever possible, plan the outdoor living space so it’s eas-ily accessible from the home’s in-terior, preferably from the kitchen so it will be easier to carry meals outdoors when dining outside.

Emphasize comfort. Many homeowners look at their out-door living areas as places to kick their feet up and relax, so comfort should take precedence when planning the space. Forgo the plastic patio chairs of yes-teryear for furniture that’s more sturdy and roomy so you won’t feel cramped or sweaty on warm summer evenings and after-noons. In addition, don’t forget to shade the area. Some home-owners choose to build pergolas, but oftentimes an umbrella or two can do the trick at a fraction of the cost. If the outdoor liv-ing area is near trees, they might provide sufficient shade from the often blistering summer sun. But

Tips when creating an outdoor living space

PLEASE SEE OUTDOOR, PAGE 21

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Pinnacle Bank is the place to go for the latest on mortages. The professionals at the Azle branch – (l-r) Natasha Hensley, Regina Stokes, Linda Murphy, Nate Simmons, Lorie Pack, Kristie Tatsch, and Randa Goode – will find you the best opportunity if you are planning to refinance or purchase a home. You can also apply online at pinnbanktx-mortgage.com. Contact an Azle loan professional at 817-444-2504 for more information.


Pinnacle Bank

Homeowners who want their homes to make strong first im-pressions must prioritize curb appeal. Homes with strong curb appeal sell well and can impart a welcoming feel to all visitors. Improving curb appeal need not be expensive, and the following are a handful of ways to improve the appearance of your home.

1. Install a bold-looking door in a vibrant color or one with a custom design. This helps the home stand out from other prop-erties in the neighborhood.

2. Edge the driveway to cre-ate a distinct border between the driveway and the lawn or other

landscaping features. This helps homes appear neat and well kept.

3. Use outdoor lighting to make a home more inviting. Out-door lighting also makes proper-ties safer to traverse at night.

4. Clean a home’s exterior to remove mildew or discolorations from the siding, driveway, patio, and other outdoor elements.

5. Improve landscapes with fresh plants and seasonal color. Homeowners without the time to plant can consider container gardens, which don’t take much time to assemble but still add ap-peal to a home’s exterior.

6. Prune planting beds and add new mulch to re-store color.

7. Add shutters and accent trim to a home’s ex-terior to improve on the beauty of the house.

8. Install new fencing or give a fresh coat of paint or stain to an existing fence.

9. Replace concrete paths with tile or stone walkways to make entryways more impressive and inviting.

9 great ways to improve curb appeal

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By Natalie GeNtryThings are changing at Ace of

Azle.In their second year, the store

is planning additions to their in-ventory.

“We are having a couple of major additions to the store,” said Cara Tayon, store manager.

In addition to the plumbing and electrical supplies, tools, and hardware that are the ex-pected products, the company is continuing to enlarge their paint department and garden center.

Ace will celebrate a paint grand opening in May with the addition of the Valspar brand.

The store will continue to car-ry Clark+Kensington as well as the Ace brand paint, Ace Royal – which according to Consumer Reports, was ranked as the num-ber one exterior paint.

“People want options,” Tayon said. “We will carry a couple of

Ace specific lines of Valspar in-cluding Aspire paint and primer for interior and exterior use and Optimums for interior use only.”

These paints have been devel-oped with NovoColor Pigment Technology to provide brilliant color and a flawless finish.

Both lines are low odor, zero VOC formulas and provide the maximum durability to with-stand major wear and washing in high traffic zones.

“Almost everything in aisles four and five will be different,” Tayon said. “We are going to add a Valspar chip rack, in addition to the updated Clark+Kensington rack, which means more colors to choose from and an auto-tint-ing paint system.

“We’ll be able to match more colors,” Tayon said.

Customers can bring in colors from anywhere and the team at

Ace will be able to reproduce it.Another area that Ace of Azle

is expanding is its garden center.“We have broadened the se-

lection this year,” Tayon said. “We still have the veggies, large tomatoes, and large peppers, but this year there are tons of bloom-ing plants too.”

Tayon said that the team is honing their skills and selections after listening to customer re-

quests and feedback.“People have asked for a spe-

cific ground cover or plant and we have tried to respond to all the requests,” Tayon said.

You can also go to www.ace-hardware.com and order any supplies you may need.

You have the choice of pay-ing for shipping and handling to have items delivered directly to your home or having your order

delivered to your Ace Hardware store at no charge.

They’ll let you know when they arrive and you can pick them up at your convenience.

Ace of Azle is independently owned but is affiliated with Ace Hardware.

The store is located at 505 N. Stewart Street in Azle – between Brookshire’s and Bealls.

Call them at 817-270-5600.

your friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable neighbors at ace at azle are ready to help with all your home improvement projects, large or small. they include (l-r,): Felicia Fin-stad, JD Barnes, Cara tayon, eddie Konczak, David Florence, and Debbie Johnson.

Photo by Stephanie Cravotta

the Garden Center at ace of azle has expended its selec-tion to include a larger variety of plants.

Photo by Natalie Gentry

Continuing to grow Ace of Azle expands its selection

19

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Ace of Azle is always ready to serve as a one-stop shop for area consumers. Now, they are gearing up for a series of special sales. Plus, Ace of Azle will have a bevy of options to please Moms on Mother’s Day May 11. So hurry over to Ace of Azle at 505 North Stewart Street in Azle for whatever you need – or call them at 817-270-5600. The Ace Hardware professionals are ready to take care of you; after all, they are “the helpful place.”

Ace of Azle

E&E Equipment Company is the place to go for your every mowing need, whether its for the home or your commercial business. They have many models of Bush Hog 0-turn mowers with dual hydrostats drive systems and adjustable twin lever steering. E&E Equipment says customer service and satisfac-tion are their number one priority, and they promise their riders will “cut mowing time in half.” Call Mark Ellenbarger at 817-237-6641 or visit www.ee-euipment.com for more information.

E&E Equipment

When it comes to protecting Texas homes, Germania Insurance understands Texans’ needs. We live in the same communities and sharethe same concerns as our neighbors. For their home and their automobile and even their families, Texans look to Germania Insurance to be there when they need us most.

Germania is no ordinary insurance company. We’ve been insuring Texans’ homes for over 110 years. From El Paso to Texarkana andMcAllen to Amarillo, we have agents all across the Lone Star State thatunderstand the needs of our neighbors and the communities in whichwe live. We have competitive rates, discount options and exceptional claims service, 24/7.

Discover for yourself why Germania isThe Insurance Texans Trust®.

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Spring is the season when lawn and garden equipment is dusted off, windows are washed and homes are aired out. Spring also is a great time to get started on lawn and garden projects.

Early spring might not be warm enough to start planting, but it is a great time to inspect a yard for any property damage or problems, including pests. Small animals like groundhogs can compromise lawn and gar-den projects. For example, veg-etable gardens are prime targets for such pests, while trees and shrubbery offer cozy abodes and camouflage from other preda-tors. Homeowners can grow frustrated by the damage such critters can do to their proper-ties. But identifying the offend-ers early on can minimize that damage.

GroundhogsGroundhogs are one of 14

species of marmots and are the largest members of the squir-rel family. They frequent the areas where woodlands meet open spaces, like streams, roads or fields. Groundhogs feed on grass, plants, fruit and tree bark. They also will feast on home gardens during the summer and fall seasons. Groundhogs are most active during the warm months, when they forage and feast to build up large reserves for winter hibernation.

Humane methods of keep-

ing groundhogs at bay include making the area inhospitable. Groundhogs can climb trees and fencing, but they’re less likely to get into plants if there is a fence around them. Dogs can be pre-ventive as well, as some dogs will chase groundhogs off of the property. The scent of urine can also scare groundhogs off. Using traps to capture and then relocate groundhogs is another option.

MolesMoles are cylindrical mam-

mals that are most comfortable living a subterranean lifestyle. The fur of moles feels similar to velvet, and they have small ears and eyes. Moles also have strong forelimbs with forepaws that have an extra thumb and mul-tiple joints. These help them to burrow underground effectively and hollow out subterranean chambers. The diet of moles is primarily earthworms and small invertebrates found in the soil. The runs they create beneath the surface of the soil are used to trap prey and store it in “larders” for later.

Moles are not harmful to lawns and gardens, but they can com-promise the aesthetic appeal of lawns and gardens. That is why

homeowners often want to pre-vent moles from making homes on their property. While there are traps and poisons available, one of the easiest ways to prevent mole infestation is to remove their sources of food. Homeown-ers also can cut back on watering property and get rid of grubs and other insects. Also, consider in-stalling a mole barrier of alumi-num sheeting or hardware cloth by burying these materials between two and three feet deep along the pe-rimeter of a lawn or garden.

Cats are natural enemies of moles, so sprinkling cat litter around mole runs may dissuade moles from visit-ing the area.

VolesOften mistaken

for mice, voles are small rodents with shorter, hairier tails and more stout bodies than mice. Voles are commonly re-ferred to as mead-

ow or field mice, and they feed on small plants and will eat nuts, fruits and even dead animals. Voles will frequently eat suc-culent root systems and burrow under lawns and gardens.

The runways of voles will be shallow, so they aren’t prevalent in frequently cultivated soils. They are also less likely to bur-row beneath frequently mowed lawns.

Voles do not like open areas. Remove protection like weeds, tall grass, dense vegetation, and heavy mulch to make a yard a less popular habitat. Keep grass adjacent to flower beds or gar-dens mowed short.

If groundhogs, moles and voles become particularly trou-blesome or infest a yard in great numbers, an exterminator may be needed.

How to rid your yard of those pesky pests

Groundhogs feed on plants, frustrating homeowners who want to keep the critters off of their properties.

21

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keep a few umbrellas in the ga-rage just in case.

Illuminate the area. Summer nights spent relaxing in the out-door living area make for great memories. But such nights are nearly impossible if the area doesn’t have some lighting. Tiki torches might do the trick for some, while others who want to avoid giving their outdoor area a luau feel might prefer solar-pow-ered accent lights, which won’t re-quire any wiring. If your backyard attracts its fair share of insects, look for insect-repelling lights or lamps. Whatever your preference, don’t forget to have some lighting so those summer evenings spent under the sky don’t have to end when the sun goes down.

Keep the design consistent with your home. In addition to providing an outdoor respite from the daily grind, an outdoor living space can also increase a home’s resale value. However, homeowners who have one eye

on R&R and the other on resale value should keep the design of their outdoor living space con-sistent with their home. One of the goals when designing an out-door living space should be to create a seamless transition from the home’s interior to its exte-rior. The best way to do that is to keep the designs of both living spaces consistent.

Don’t forget the fire pit. A fire pit provides a great focal point for an outdoor living area. In-stead of sitting at the dinner table, families and friends can gather around the fire pit and re-lax with some s’mores and share stories. But even when guests aren’t coming over, a fire pit makes for a great place to relax and let the time go by.

With more and more home-owners transforming their homes into their own private sanctuar-ies, outdoor living spaces con-tinue to grow in popularity. By employing a few simple tricks of the trade, homeowners can create the outdoor areas of their dreams.

A few tricks of the trade can help homeowners create the outdoor living space of their dreams.

Outdoor living space quick and easy tips n OUTDOOR, FROM PAGE 16


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If you’re looking for top performance from yard equipment, visit A Tractor Shop/ATS Outdoors in Weatherford. There, manager Mike Fowler can help you decide among a number of quality brands like Husqvarna and Kawasaki-powered Hustler. Call 817-221-3039 or 817-550-6655 or visit www.atsoutdoors.com and get equipped to tame the out-doors.

A Tractor Shop/ATS Outdoors

Gardening is an age-old ac-tivity that was once a necessity but has transformed into a hobby for thousands of people. While gardening still serves practical purposes, many gardeners still consider it a hobby first and foremost.

Time-tested gardening tech-niques have prevailed, but there remain certain myths about gar-dening that are best dispelled. The following are some of the more common myths associated with gardening.

MYTH: Compost tea is more effective than traditional com-post. All over North America and the United Kingdom, gar-deners have jumped on board the compost tea bandwagon. Compost tea is a fertilizer cre-ated by steeping compost in wa-

ter mixed with sugar in brewing kits. The mixture is allowed to sit and aerate to encourage ben-eficial organism growth before it is sprayed on plants. According to supporters, compost tea sup-presses disease and boosts plant yields. However, there is no evi-dence to suggest that compost tea works any better than adding compost in its normal state to the soil. In fact, leaving buckets of the “tea” around to ferment could actually create a breeding ground for E coli and other bac-teria.

MYTH: Plants under stress should be fertilized. This is not the case. Horticulturists advise that fertilizing plants that are not deficient in nutrients can actu-

Weed out gardening myths from facts

PLEASE SEE HARVESTING, PAGE 26

23

With competitive rates and personal service,it’s no wonder more drivers trust State Farm®.Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

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A patch of dead grass on an otherwise lush lawn can be a frustrating eyesore for home-owners. Whether lawn care is your passion or just something you do to maintain the value of your home, dead grass can be exasperating.

But as unsightly as dead grass can be, addressing it and restor-ing the dead patches can be somewhat simple. Before you can restore grass, however, you must first identify the source of the problem. Grass often dies be-cause of urine damage, which is typically characterized by a dead spot surrounded by otherwise green grass. Grub infestation might be at fault when dead grass appears, and such an infestation often produces patches of light brown grass that are scattered throughout the lawn. It’s also possible that dead grass is a re-sult of human error. If your lawn was overfertilized, then patches of gray-green grass may appear. Fungal disease is another com-mon culprit behind dead grass, and such disease can manifest it-self in different ways. Once you have identified why the grass is dead, which may require the help of a professional, then you

can begin to treat your lawn.

Insect damageAddressing dead spots caused

by insect damage can be a little more complicated, and some homeowners may prefer to hire a professional. If you want to handle the problem on your own, apply pesticide to the affected areas so the insects behind the problem are killed. Once the in-sects are no more, cut the grass, raking the affected area to re-

move the dead grass and any additional debris. Scatter grass seed over the affected areas and then apply an appropriate fer-tilizer and water immediately. Professionals may know just the right fertilizer for your lawn, so even if you want to go it alone, visit a local lawn care center to ask for advice about addressing your particular problem.

Fertilizer damageFertilizer damage can also

prove difficult to address, as ap-plying fresh seeds too soon can kill any freshly growing seed-lings. So grass that has been dam-aged by overfertilization must first be allowed to fully die. Once that has happened, the grass can be cut and any remaining debris or dead grass can be removed. Seed can then be scattered, and you can

even add some additional soil be-fore laying down an appropriate amount of fertilizer and watering the lawn immediately. If you don’t trust yourself to use fertilizer cor-rectly, then hire a professional to do the job for you. This will cost a little more, but you likely won’t wake up to more dead patches of grass down the road.

How to repair dead grass

Proper watering is essential when trying to restore or main-tain a lush green lawn. If watered incorrectly, a lawn can be sus-ceptible to a host of problems, including insect infestation, weak roots and disease.

When watering a lawn, espe-cially when temperatures start to soar in the summer, it’s easy to think a lawn needs more water and needs it during those hours of the day when the sun is at its most intense. However, those are two common misconceptions about watering. The following are a handful of tips for homeowners who want to help their lawns en-dure the summer heat and main-tain their lush appeal into the fall.

Water when temperatures are mild. In the summertime, hu-mans typically need water when temperatures are at their most extreme, but that does not mean lawns should be watered when

temperatures soar. Water at-tracts the sun, so watering when temperatures are at their hottest, which is typically around mid-day and into early afternoon, will likely lead to brown spots indica-tive of a burned lawn. That’s be-cause the sun will be drawn to the water, bearing down on the lawn and burning the grass as a result. When summer arrives, a lawn is best watered when temperatures are at their most mild. That of-ten translates to early morning or early evening. An added benefit of watering when temperatures are on the mild side is less water will be lost to evaporation during this time, meaning you won’t be wasting water.

Situate sprinklers to conserve water. Homeowners who won’t be hand watering their lawns should make sure their sprinklers are placed properly throughout their property. Situate sprinklers

so they aren’t watering drive-ways, walkways or patios. All of the water should be going to the grass, especially when drought restrictions are in place and the amount of watering the law allows is limited. It’s also important to make sure water from sprinklers isn’t being blocked from reach-ing the grass by trees. Homeown-ers with especially large trees on their property should consider hand watering the grass beneath such trees to ensure these areas receive adequate water.

Lean on mulch. Homeowners tend to fear drought for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that drought can cause a green lawn to turn brown, potentially affecting property value and rob-bing a landscape of its beauty. But there are ways to help the soil re-tain moisture when temperatures are especially hot and dry. Mulch around trees, flower beds, gardens

and shrubs can help homeowners get the most bang for their water-ing buck. That’s because mulch retains moisture, even when tem-peratures are especially hot. This helps foster stronger root growth and healthier landscapes that are less susceptible to disease and in-sect infestation.

Get to know your lawn. Several variables combine to determine how much water a lawn needs. Understanding these variables helps homeowners understand how much to water their own lawns. Local climate is a variable

to consider, as is whether or not a lawn was fertilized (experts typi-cally recommend a lawn be fertil-ized several times, beginning in the spring and ending in October). Soil type and grass type also help to determine how much water a lawn needs, and homeowners who need to determine the type of soil and grass on their property can consult a local lawn care center or landscaping professional.

Proper watering can help a lawn survive the dog days of summer, and it’s up to homeown-ers to learn the right techniques.

Watering can make all the difference in a lush lawn

Poorly situated sprinkler heads can deny lawns the water they desperately need when the temperatures rise.

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Homeowners use pesticides in their yards for a variety of rea-sons. Some utilize pesticides to make their lawns appear lush and healthy, while others must use pesticides to address issues like insect infestations.

Applying pesticides is often frowned upon by environmen-talists, but it’s not just Mother Earth who can suffer from the use of pesti-cides. If your family pet loves to get outdoors and run around in the yard, you might be putting your four- l egged friend in dan-ger if you’re not careful when apply-ing pesticides. Exposure to pesticides can make pets sick and, in some i n s t a n c e s , prove fatal. But pet own-ers can reduce that risk sig-nificantly by adhering to the following tips.

Remove pets and their items from the lawn before applying pesticide. It’s a no-brainer to move Fido inside before apply-ing pesticide to your lawn. But homeowners should also scour the yard for toys, bedding and feeding dishes and move them inside or into the garage before applying a pesticide. Pet health

could be at risk if such items are left in the yard and get even a drop or two of pesticide on them. Therefore, carefully scour the yard for your pet’s belongings, raking high grass to find toys or bones when necessary, before applying pesticides.

Adhere to the instructions on the pesticide label. The label on the pesticide you choose should

have specific instructions as to how much pesticide you should apply and how long you must wait before allow-ing anyone, including the family pet, to gain access to the treated area. If you let your pet back in the area too quickly, the animal could be poisoned.

Be care-ful inside, too. Chemical products are not only used to treat lawns. If you need to use a chemical

product like a bug bomb indoors, keep pets in mind before appli-cation. Remove bedding, feed-ing dishes and toys, and cover your fish tank to prevent liquid and vapors from getting into the tank and threatening the lives of your fish.

Keep areas treated for pests off limits to pets. If you have a pest problem in your home, be it in-

sects or rodents, keep any areas you treat with chemical products off limits until the issue has been successfully resolved. Even if pets aren’t in the room during or after application, they can still be poisoned if they eat poisoned insects or rodents. This is called secondary poisoning, and pet owners concerned about their pets but still in need of a way to eradicate pests should look for a product with a low risk for sec-ondary poisoning.

Keep bait products out of the reach of your pets. Bait prod-ucts are often effective because they’re attractive to insects or rodents. Unfortunately, the same properties that attract pests might also attract your compan-ion animal. When using bait products around the house, be sure to place them beyond the reach of your pets. If you’re us-ing bait products that you must bury outdoors, keep in mind that dogs and maybe even cats can often dig these products up rather easily. So once the bait is planted, make the area off limits to your pets.

When using pesticides or other chemical-based prod-ucts around the house, pre-vent pets from accessing treated areas after applica-tion.

Protect pets from pesticide

Millions of dogs share the homes and hearts of people across the country. Dogs can provide companionship, affec-tion and joy. But when dogs spend time outdoors and cause damage to lawns and gardens, that cute and cuddly appeal might dwindle.

A dog run is essentially a fenced-in part of the yard where dogs can play or be trained to relieve themselves. Looking at patches of burnt, straw-like grass where a lush lawn used to be can be aggravating. The same can be said for finding dog “presents” all over the yard. All it takes is stepping in or sliding in a pile of joy to raise blood pressure. Plus,

there’s the extra work of track-ing down such presents and hav-ing to clean them up.

Containing your dog to a run will keep messes all in once place. The run can be construct-ed of any material you desire, whether chain-link fencing, wood slats, lattice material, or tightly spaced shrubbery. Pea gravel is a good material to use on the floor of the dog run. Not only is pea gravel aesthetically appealing, but it also allows urine to run through into the soil below.

Avoid landscape fabrics or arti-ficial turf that is not designed for pets. It may collect waste and lead to the proliferation of bacteria.

It’s possible to cohabitate in the backyard with a dog. Fol-low some tips to set aside areas for people and pets.

Creating an attractive dog run


ally add to existing stress levels for plants. Plants are not often stressed by a lack of food, but rather heat, faulty planting or space constraints. A fed plant will use the energy to absorb the nutrients instead of defending against a blight or establishing better root systems.

MYTH: Young trees need stakes. It may be tempting to stake that little sapling to protect it against the weather and strong winds, but doing so may actually work against the foundling tree. Staking trees to inhibit swaying may not stimulate the tree to grow thicker, lower trunks that will help the tree in the long run. The Royal Horticultural Society recommends that saplings be staked for around one year and then have the stakes removed to encourage the tree to be strong and stable on its own.

MYTH: Water droplets and sunshine lead to burnt leaves. Gardeners have been told to resist watering their plants dur-ing the hottest times of the day. Many assume it’s because wa-ter droplets lying on leaves will magnify the sun’s rays and burn the leaves. According to Dr. Ga-bor Horvath at the Eoetvoes Uni-versity in Budapest, water drop-lets will rarely damage plants because the drops are too close to the leaves to cause burning before they evaporate. Watering during the hottest points of the day is not advised because water evaporates and gets wasted.

MYTH: Sand added to clay

soil makes it looser and better for plants. Clay soil is a deter-rent to gardening because it can be so hard to dig and diffi-cult to cultivate, but some feel it’s best to add sand to the clay to make it a better soil mixture. You would need a great deal of sand to do this in the right man-ner, but many gardeners simply dig a hole, add sand and hope for the best. However, water runoff will pool in the sand and not be absorbed by the clay, potentially causing the plants to drown.

MYTH: Adding compost or potting soil to the planting hole for a tree or shrub is beneficial. Gardeners frequently add com-post or potting soil to the hole where the root ball of a tree or shrub will be placed. But this en-courages the roots to grow only in this nutrient-rich area, rather than spreading throughout the landscape to form a stronger and more durable root system. If you are going to amend the soil, do so evenly across the landscape.

MYTH: Use gravel or rocks in the bottom of planting contain-ers to improve drainage. Rocks and gravel can actually impede the growth of plants and take away space for roots to grow. The drainage may be affected as well, as water will sit above the gravel or stones and saturate the roots. Stick with plain soil for better drainage results.

A variety of gardening myths still prevail. Over time, behav-iors can be changed if garden-ers learn to separate myths from facts.

n HARVESTING, FROM PAGE 22

Harvesting the facts about gardens

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