inside+out 2011

2 Longmont Times-Call & Longmont Weekly April 21 & 24, 2011

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Cover design byKathy Depperschmidt

Check out our digital edition atwww.timescall.com/magazines.asp

Kristi Ritter

Summer Stair

Contributing Writers

Specialty Publications [email protected], 303-684-5275

Specialty Publications Associate [email protected], 720-494-5429

Esteban L. Hernandez, Laurel Toney, Kendra Walker

Attracting butterflies to your garden

Hammocks add a nice refuge

Create an edible garden

Layered lighting for the kitchen

Spring colors spruce up your home

Gardening is a great exercise

Cook up goodness in an outdoor kitchen

Fire pits add warmth to the backyard

Feng shui in the outdoor space

Create an affordable bathroom

Spruce up kids’ bedroom decor

Squirrel feeders add fun

Create a dream basement

Create recycled glass lanterns

A master suite to enjoy

Learn to care for orchids

Restoring your spring lawn

Planting pointers

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Attracting butterfliesto your garden

ButterflyHeavenBy Kendra WalkerLongmont Times-Call

The joy of witnessing a butterfly flutteringcarelessly around your garden often comes acrossas a rare encounter. Turns out, you can attractbutterflies more frequently by creating a garden spacewith the specific elements butterflies need.Whether you are starting a new garden space, or you want

to lure these captivating insects by using an existing gardenin your yard, it’s easy to create a safe habitat for butterflies.By following these tips, you’ll soon enjoy many butterflyvisitors in your yard.

Learn the Native ButterfliesIt’s important to know the particular kinds of butterflies

you can attract to your garden because it will help you plantthe specific plants they prefer.Colorado has approximately 250 species of butterflies due

to the diverse habitats found here, says Jenifer Doane, mar-keting director at the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster.Some native butterflies include various swallowtails, the

Orange Sulphur, Silvery Blue and Mourning Cloak. Somecommon species often spotted in Colorado due tomigration patterns are the Painted Lady and Monarch.

Select Native PlantsIn order to attract butterflies to your garden, you need to

incorporate certain plants. Make sure to includedifferent types of host plants for caterpillars, as well as avariety of nectar plants for adult butterflies.“Butterflies want to lay their eggs on very particular

plants,” says Amy Yarger, director of horticulture at theButterfly Pavilion. Many species native to Colorado preferhost plants such as willow, lupine, mallows and sunflowers.

Monarchs prefermilkweeds. The blackswallowtail likes dilland parsley, items thatmay already be growingin your existing garden.Adult butterflies are attracted

to nectar plants primarily based oncolor, fragrance and flower shape. “Youwill attract butterflies if you have colorful, fragrantflowers,” Yarger says. Common perennials includeyarrow, hollyhock, aster, chrysanthemums,lavender, mint, black-eyed susans and lilac.Annuals include cosmos, sunflowers,starflowers and French marigolds.

Select a Location and Design a HabitatThe ideal site for a butterfly

garden is an open and sunnylocation that includes some formof protection. Planting in clustersmakes it easier for butterflies tolocate the flowers. Tall trees orshrubs will provide shelter for butterfliesduring windy or cloudy weather.Butterflies also like to bask in the sunlight, so try placingrocks in your garden on which they to perch and spread

their wings. Males require salts forreproduction, so consider creatingmud puddles out of sand and

compost.

Your butterfly garden de-sign can be simple and informal.The Butterfly Pavilion recom-mends a layout with a perimeterof woody plants layered withshorter shrubs and flowers,keeping an open, sunny spacein the center.

Maintenance

The maintenance of yourbutterfly garden requires the same care

and work that you would put into any othergarden. This includes pruning, deadheading, weeding andwatering. Gardeners with the perennial department at TheFlower Bin in Longmont strongly discourage the use ofpesticides. Butterflies are sensitive to chemicals and may dieas a result of the added pesticides.

Conservation

Butterfly populations are threatened by continuousdevelopment, resulting in the destruction of their habitats.By creating a butterfly garden for your own enjoyment, youare also contributing to conserving these importantpollinators and their environment.

“Butterflies serve as the ambassadors for the insectworld,” Doane says. “We encourage people to create anatural habitat if they want to see more native wildlife.”

The Butterfly Pavilion will host “Bloomapalooza” on May 21, an eventfocusing on the education of plants and habitat, including live gardeningdemonstrations. For more information on butterfly gardening andspecial events, visit www.butterflies.org.

Left: Birdwing. Below:Blue Morpho. (CourtesyButterfly Pavilion)

Monarch.(CourtesyButterfly Pavilion)


HAMMOCKSHanging furniture offersrelaxation, decorationBy Esteban L. HernandezLongmont Times-Call

A backyard hammock is a scene reminis-cent of an exotic oasis. This is to be expect-ed as hammocks are clothbound artifactsthat originated in the rainforests of Centraland South America. There, hammocks arenot a luxury, but instead serve as a staple ofdaily life for some native cultures. While

these hanging furniture pieces conjure im-ages of beach-side paradises with palm treesand infinite sunlight, Colorado is home tono such tropical setting. But there is plentyof sunlight, especially during the summerwhen setting up a hammock in a backyard isan adventure worth exploring.“Different cultures have different reasons

why they use hammocks,” says Beto Gold-berg, the principal owner of a Boulder-basedhammock shop called Hangouts. He saysAmerican society usually views hammocksas novelties. “In other cultures, third-worldcultures mostly, people use the hammocksas beds. It’s not a luxury; in the U.S. it’s con-sidered a luxury, although it’s really very in-expensive luxury.”People for decades have used hammocks

as tools for relaxation. Goldberg agrees, not-ing the relaxation benefits of a hammock arereal, both in a physical and spiritual sense.“If you have muscle problems or back prob-lems, it helps relax your body,” he says, dis-cussing some of the health benefits of ahammock.Apart from a potential stress-relieving

tool, hammocks can also function as a deco-rative addition to a home. “I always suggestto use them indoors because they are such agreat additional piece of furniture,” Gold-berg says. “You can put it in a living room,in a bedroom, and it’s so simple to unhook,they don’t weigh much and they don’t takeup much room to store. But I certainly think

they’re great for outdoors.”While he doesn’t have too much reluc-

tance telling customers to use them out-doors, he says owners should know thathammocks will be subjected to more promi-nent wear and tear if left outside.“These are really sturdy,” he says as he

grips a large white hammock called theMayan king. “I had this hammock in mybackyard for 10 years, winter and summer,but I certainly don’t recommend leavingthem up in the winter. I left mine up just tosee how durable they are.”Goldberg sells three basic styles of ham-

mocks: the Mayan, the Brazilian and theAmerican style. These three basic styles en-compass a majority of all hammock styles,although there may be variations from cul-ture to culture. Mayan- and Brazilian-stylehammocks rely completely on the cloth forsupport, and are more comfortable thanAmerican-style hammocks, Goldberg says.The American style uses two wooden beamsat each end of the patterned sheet to balance

the cloth.

Goldberg says hammocks are usuallymore comfortable than most commonfurniture. “If you take a hammock that’smanufactured, it will just contour aroundyour body,” he says, as he touches theMayan king hammock and pushes down,its cloth curving to the shape of hishand.

Goldberg points out one fact some mayoverlook is hammocks require much lessmaterial for construction than a commonmattress. “When you consider the weight ofa hammock, a good hammock for sleeping,probably ranges from about 3 to 10 poundsof material, if you actually weighed a mod-ern-day bed, they’re heavy. It really uses alot less material.”

He explains that while he’s never market-ed them as such, he believes hammocks area green product. “I tell people all the time ifyou use a hammock, the hammock depletesour planet a lot less.”

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Embark in sustainable,edible gardening

By Laurel ToneyLongmont Times-Call

It’s springtime, and we’re looking forwardto the distinct juiciness of fresh berries andthe crisp crunch of delicious greens. Bring-ing fresh fruits and vegetables to your tabledoesn’t have to be a struggle, and doesn’thave to mean a trip to the farmers’ market.Growing food in your own garden can beeasy, fun and incredibly rewarding.Bill Melvin, owner of Ecoscape Environ-

mental Design in Boulder, says the beauty ofedible gardens is that they can be beautiful,as well as functional, and provide resourcesfor your family.Mike Woods, a landscape designer with

J&S Landscape in Longmont, says a key to asuccessful edible garden is planting cropsyou know you’ll eat and making sure youhave fun doing it. Often people think plant-ing edibles will be too difficult, he says, butif you make it fun and make it an adven-ture, it will be.

Sustainable EdiblesOne concern gardeners might have is that

edibles need a lot of water, Melvin says, butthere are integrated techniques that becomeaccessory elements to your landscape thatreduce water use. Channeling roof water orcapturing run-off are ways to passably irri-gate your landscape.Planting perennials is another way to

keep your edible garden nearly mainte-nance-free. Berries, fruit trees and climbing

legumes all yield great rewards but don’trequire you to replant every year.Both Melvin and Woods agree that soil is

an important aspect of any successful foodgarden; if you grow your soil, it will growyour garden, Melvin says. Using compost toenhance soil is both beneficial and sustain-able.

Gardening GuidelinesOne option is to plant your vegetables

and herbs separately from other plants inraised beds. The beds are wonderful for the

Photos courtesy J&S Landscape

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ease of working with the crops, Melvin says,as annual vegetables typically require morecare and attention than perennials. Keepingherbs close to your kitchen and easily acces-sible will also ensure they’re used frequently.Thankfully, Melvin says, people are get-

ting away from these traditional separate ed-ible gardens and are instead incorporatingedibles into landscape design. Edibles comein many shapes, textures and colors, andadding them to your landscape will createdynamic and interesting gardens that areboth aesthetically pleasing and rewarding.

Herbal AttractionCombining certain plants creates benefi-

cial relationships that will help your land-scape thrive, Melvin says. Chives are a won-derful border plant that repels pests, he says,but also has beautiful flowers. Onions alsorepel unwanted insects and their uniqueshape adds texture and interest to a garden.For attracting beneficial bugs, use

oregano; it is both aromatic and beautiful,Melvin says, and is good for an herb gardenor for lining a path.

Fruity FunOne of Melvin’s favorite fruit trees to in-

clude is wild plum. It creates year-round in-terest in the garden with its interestingbranching patterns; seasonally, sweet-smelling flowers and small fruit attractwildlife and provide a treat for thefamily.Strawberries used as creeping ground

cover provide succulent berries and visualinterest, and native fruiting shrubs such asboulder raspberries and currants are incredi-bly low-maintenance. “They’re easy to growand to care for, and they’re a great understo-ry plant under fruit trees,” Melvin says.

Vegetable VarietiesWoods says annuals like parsnips, carrots,

onions and garlic are good to incorporate in-to landscape, and planting a variety ofgreens will provide salads all summer. Ifyour garden or crops aren’t perfect, don’tfret. “It may not be perfect, but it will still begreat,” Woods says.Vegetables like asparagus, eggplant and

artichoke all create visual interest and deli-

cious crops, and blending them with regularfloral annuals will add drama, color and tex-ture to a garden.

Other options include legumes andsquash. They’re climbing plants, so they re-quire little space but provide big rewards.Melvin says pumpkins are a great choice;they add a fun atmosphere to the gardenwhile providing delicious edible qualities.

If you’re short on yard space, you can stillhave bountiful crops. Melvin suggests grow-ing tomatoes in pots, where they will thrive,as well as peppers both hot and sweet.Mediterranean herbs and greens such as let-tuce and spinach will also do well in potsand you can clip them as needed for meals.

Choosing the rightlawn care productsA lawn is an extension of our livingspace, a place where we can enjoyoutdoor activities with family and friends.When pests invade our yards, it’simportant to take action to controlinsects and weeds by choosing and usinglawn and garden products carefully.Follow these simple instructions to plan,execute and stay aware.

PlanEvery lawn differs, so find out whatmost often affects lawns in your area.Make an action plan with specific steps todeal with problem pests, including whento tackle important projects and whatmethods prove most effective.

ExecuteOnce a plan is in place, proper actioncan be taken. Remember, lawn careproducts are not effective unless they areused properly. Carefully read and followall directions.

Stay AwareLawns require care beyond the use ofpesticides, so it’s important that grass iskept trimmed and watered. If anyunwanted results occur or new pestspop up, consult a lawn-care specialist.

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By Summer StairLongmont Times-Call

Whether it’s preparing food, cooking, eating, entertainingor doing homework, the kitchen is one room used most of-ten for multiple purposes, therefore requiring efficient light-ing. When considering kitchen lighting you want it to pro-vide functionality, aesthetics and ambiance.A sure proof way to get the most out of your kitchen

and obtain a custom look is to use layers of lighting,which include ambient, accent and task lighting. “Akitchen is different than any other room,” says Bill Martin,co-owner of Lumeanera in Longmont. “It’s where thework is going on. It’s a tasking area and is of primary im-portance.”To get started in choosing the right layers of lights, Mike

Carlander, president of Front Range Lighting in Long-mont, recommends to start by doing your homework,planning what you need, hiring a professional and, ofcourse, knowing your budget.Martin also suggests keeping all types of lighting in

mind, such as natural light from windows, ceiling lights,under cabinet lights and pendants for decoration. “Theidea is to be able to control the lighting levels in the space

and make it work and look well.”

Ambient LightingAmbient lighting is general overhead lighting. This type

of lighting is not about drama, Carlander says, but is aboutworkable light that is often achieved through recessedlighting. Architecture and interior details, such as corners,are often left in the shadows.

Getting the Right GlowLayered lighting providesoptions in the kitchen

Choosing the right light bulbOnce you have decided what kind of lighting will mostbenefit your kitchen, stop and think about how you aregoing to make it all work and what type of bulbs youplan to use. “The key to getting it all to work well is theswitching,” says Bill Martin of Lumeanera. Switching ishaving the correct lights on different switches so you canlight the space for whatever need you have and not haveall the lights on at once.Being energy efficient is often at the forefront ofhomeowners’ minds and because of that, most chooseto use either CFLs or LEDs. Both Martin and MikeCarlander, of Front Range Lighting, gave the followinginformation for homeowners to consider.• CFLs are quite inexpensive for homeowners, butbecause they contain mercury, they must be disposed ofproperly. The bulbs do not turn on at full brilliance andtake some time to warm up. Also, while some CFLsclaim to be dimmable, both Martin and Carlander say atthis time they are not reliable and do not always work.• Carlander says LEDs are as efficient, if not morethan, CFL bulbs. They also contain no mercury and areeasier to dispose of. The drawback of LED bulbs is theirhigher price tag compared to CFLs, but they will lastlonger. If the bulb fails the whole bulb has to bereplaced.Whether you go with CFLs or LEDs, you will be doingyour part to help save energy. Just make sure whenshopping for bulbs to get a color rating index (CRI) thatis as close to 100 as possible. This will ensure you get thequality lighting that will show true colors in yourkitchen.

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Get your home ready for the seasonArticle Resource Association

A clean house looks as good as it feels, andwith warmer weather around the corner,there’s nothing better than the feeling thatyour home is free of dirt, dust and grime.When you’re a busy mom, keeping your houseclean can seem like a never-ending battle. Armyourself with the right mindset and a fewsimple tips to conquer your cleaningchallenges.Jessica Denay, author of “The Hot MomHandbook” series, has partnered with Swifferto offer these tips to help keep your homeclean while also balancing work and family.• Don’t try to do everything at once. Dividechores into daily, weekly, monthly and evenseasonal tasks.• Know when to call it a day. It’s easier tokeep your home clean and keep a positivemindset if you set aside a few minutes each day

to clean. If you have an overwhelming list,attack each task in order of importance and getto the last items on your list as time allows.• Don’t waste time. Efficiency makes a hugedifference. “Always clean from the top andwork your way down, otherwise you’ll becleaning in circles,” Denay says. It helps tofocus on one area of the house at a time.• Don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s completelypossible to maintain the appearance of a cleanhome even if the most out-of-the-way placesaren’t cleaned regularly. Perception is realityand even if that area behind your fridge is alittle dusty, nobody will notice. Concentrateon the open areas of your home that seetraffic.Following these tips will allow you tobalance chores with free time. With a littledaily attention, you can make cleaning seemlike less of a chore and more like a refreshingactivity.

“Of course, light will not go through you,so the goal is to get the light in front ofyou,” Martin says. “Use recessed cans to getlight out of the middle of the room.”

It is vital to light your room with recessedlights that are functional and serve apurpose.

Accent LightingThis type of lighting is about adding

interest and depth to a space. Accentlighting can often be found in cabinets,under cabinets as toekick lighting, lightingartwork or as well-placed pendants high-lighting a specific counter.

Often considered decorative, accent light-ing is sometimes considered a luxury, butcan be a nice upgrade when it comes timeto sell your home.

Task LightingCast into shadows, corners or areas of the

kitchen vital for work can benefit from tasklighting. Task lighting helps illuminateareas where chores take place. This lightingcan be found under cabinets in the kitchenor over an office desk shedding light ondark spaces to make it more usable andfunctional.

Task lighting can be extremely importantespecially when it comes time to prep in thekitchen, but also can be used as a nightlight in homes, Martin says.

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Marimekko Samovaari Berry bed linens. Bottom left:Surf Magenta dining chair. (Courtesy Crate & Barrel)

Interior designerKirstin Bramer, of IdEvolution inLafayette, sayspairing neutralswith bright touchesof orange will bepopular this spring.In addition, thecool blues, far left,continue topopulate the localarea. (Courtesy IdEvolution)

Freshen up yourhome this spring

VibrantColors

By Kristi RitterLongmont Times-Call

With Pantone’s Color of the Year chosen asthe vibrant Honeysuckle Pink, it’s a sign peopleare feeling a bit more courageous with color.Infused with vigor and excitement, this reddishpink color will allure and engage.Kirsten Pellicer, vice president of Ace Hard-

ware in Longmont, says it reflects a consumerconfidence that has been lacking. “It’s kind ofencouraging that Pantone felt they could gowith it as their color of the year,” she says.“And while colors can be very intimidating,they work great as accents, whether it’s as apinstripe, a piece of old furniture or even thedetail color on knobs.”Pair this bright pink with shades of grey,

brown and taupe and Pellicer says you have awinning color combination.However, how much we see this Honeysuck-

le Pink in homes and lifestyles this year is yetto be determined. While Europe tends to leadmore when it comes to color trends, Pellicersays people may be craving the energy thiscolor vibrates.Kirstin Bramer, owner and chief designer

of Id Evolution in Lafayette, predicts thatColorado won’t seemuch of the pinkinfusions until nextyear. Instead, thepaint industry isexpecting the coolblues and greens toremain consistentlyhigh.“Greys, blues and

greens are naturalcolors that have

always been popular and dominate our area,”Bramer says, noting their reflection of theoutdoors Coloradans enjoy. “They’re calmingcolors that we see both exterior and interior.”

Even with cool tones, people will still occa-sionally include a pop of contrasting color, likeorange, which works particularly well withgrey, blue and green.

Changing the look of a room by adding paintis a great way to refresh and invest in a spacewithout spending a lot of money. “It is my

favorite, least expensive way to completelychange the feeling and mood of the room,”Bramer says. “It affects lighting and everythingelse in the room in how it contrasts to the paintcolor.”

Pellicer adds that with people’s urge toredecorate, painting is a great way to satisfythat urge, get a completely different look andnot spend a whole lot.

Painting tipsThe key to any good paintjob is making sure you havea quality paint, according toKirsten Pellicer, vice presi-dent of Ace Hardware inLongmont. While “quality”doesn’t always mean ahigher price tag, you doneed to do your home-work.Reputable stores andpaint experts typically havea good, better and best rat-ing on paints, Pellicer says.“With a cheaper paint youtypically use more, anddurability can certainly be afactor with exteriorpaints.”The location of where thepaint is going is another fac-tor you must consider.While an egg shell or satinfinish is typically used inmost areas of the home, asemigloss might be moreappropriate for kitchen andbath areas. Flat paint isconsidered more formal,but you don’t want to usethat in areas where cleanupmight be needed.Pellicer also discussedpaint and primer combina-tion paints. While not allare bad and can save peo-ple some time, she highlyrecommends that if you’reworking with a new pieceof wood or a new wall, youwant to prime that areawith a separate primer toensure a good coverageand seal.

Brush on aSample PaintGone are the days whenyou have to go completely offthe color chip for choosing newpaint. Many paint lines now offersample bottles that allow you to mixyour color and paint it on at hometo get the full effect.“Chips aren’t good for actualcolor matching, but with thesesamples you can put it up and livewith it before deciding to buy thepaint,” says Kirsten Pellicer ofAce Hardware. Artificial lightand sunlight will change thelook of the paint, so livingwith it for at least a daywill give you the full feelfor what it will look like.


By Kendra WalkerLongmont Times-Call

If you’re inspired to find an alternativeform of exercise close to home and reluc-tant to go all out with a gym membership,consider gardening as an easy transitioninto an active lifestyle.Gardening is an impact exercise like

weight lifting, working a variety of musclegroups. It’s also an activity that keeps yououtdoors in the fresh air and sunshine.Gardening is a simple exercise you can en-joy by yourself or with friends and family.“Gardening is one of the best exercises

for overall conditioning,” says RamonaClark, executive director at GrowingGardens. “It’s a well-balanced activity thateveryone can do.”Growing Gardens offers community

gardens and educational gardening pro-grams in Boulder County for residents of allages and lifestyles. Growing Gardens’Longmont community garden is located on11th Avenue, just east of Baker Street.Gardening focuses on working a variety

of muscles because it requires lifting, bend-

ing, carrying and walking back and forth.“You’re always working with your handsand you’re constantly on your feet,” Clarksays.Gardening is an excellent motivator to

stay active, as you need to care for yourplants on a regular basis. You can use gar-dening for exercise nine months out of theyear if you want, says Clark.While gardening offers many physical

benefits, it can also be therapeutic for yourmind and spirit. “You’re getting your handsdirty and connecting to the environment,”Clark says. “For me, that’s one of the greatthings about gardening.”Clark also enjoys the benefits of garden-

ing because it encourages people to growtheir own food and increase the communi-ty’s local food. “You’re creating healthy foodfor your body after you’ve exercised, and inturn helped in creating a more beautifulplanet.”

Depending on your physical fitness, gar-dening can be either a light or hard physicalworkout. “Gardening is very adaptable todifferent physical conditions,” Clark says.Gardening is such a good exercise for

you if you know how to go about it, saysZia Parker of Willow Way Wellness andPermaculture Farm in Niwot. She offersfitness classes for gardeners based on athree-phase fitness system of loosening,stretching and toning the muscles.Growing Gardens offers an able

gardening program for seniors and peoplewith disabilities. Through gardening, theprogram works to increase people’s motorskills, as well as cognitive and psychologi-cal functions.As with any exercise, gardening can also

be strenuous to certain areas of the body.Parker holds movement dynamics classes atWillow Way Wellness to help gardenersrecover from aches and pains. It’s alsosuggested that potential gardeners makesure their backs are in good shape forbending over. Adaptable tools that can ad-just in length for greater reach are availableat garden stores and nurseries.

For more information on Growing Gardens, visitwww.growinggardens.org; or for Willow WayWellness classes, email [email protected].

Courtesy Growing Gardens

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Feng shuifor outdoor spaces

Incorporating trees and indigo colored flowers promotes a sense of peace outdoors.

By Esteban L. HernandezLongmont Times-Call

It is an art form binding millennia oldteachings with sacred cultural traditions. Itis an aged practice, proof of the long andprosperous history of China. However old,feng shui is anything but antique. Duringthe era of the Chinese Empire, emperorswould practice feng shui before heading outto war to help improve their chances of vic-tory. Now, beyond its chic appeal and exoticallure, feng shui continues to work as a toolbringing physical consonance to a person’ssurroundings.

The term feng shui literally means windand water, reflecting its keen focus on forcesof nature. It is meant to bring balance to a

person’s chi, the energy flow present in allliving creatures. It is this connection andattachment to the forces that feng shui con-sultant Catherine Dawson-Laframboise saysdefines feng shui. She runs Radiant Chifeng shui in Boulder, which specializes inBlack Sect Tantric Buddhist feng shui.“These forces are believed to be responsiblefor determining health, prosperity and goodluck,” she says. “The aim of feng shui is tochange and harmonize the environment toimprove fortune.” She says there are severaltypes of feng shui; her’s is rooted in tradi-tional feng shui with the addition of Ti-betan Buddhist and Bon influences. A stu-dent of this branch of feng shui for morethan 16 years, she says that outdoor fengshui should always incorporate trees.She says evergreens in particular can be

of value for a person’s chi. “They bring thatlife force vitality all year around,” she says.“It is really good to have trees.” Flowers areanother outdoor addition that is often uti-lized in feng shui practice. “You can saythat we are very lucky in Colorado that wecan grow many perennials, multiple col-ored flowers, bulbs,” she says, naming justa few of the multiple types of flowers shewould suggest growing. A variety of color isalways encouraged. While pink is good forpartnership, indigo can be used for careerand helpful people areas. Blues lend well toknowledge, while greens reflect family, pur-ple wealth and red fame. Even only a smalltouch of color can enhance these life areas.Color itself is another aspect of feng shui

and something people should alwaysMetal wind chimes are another object used infeng shui design when outdoors.

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Create an affordable bath

consider when attempting to apply feng shuito an outdoor setting.Nicolette Vajtay of Denver-based Inspired

Living Feng Shui, says the five energies usedfor feng shui are wood, fire, earth, metal andwater. Vajtay describes how the five keyelements are incorporated. She explains thatusing a ba gua, which is an octagon diagramthat outlines these five elements, a feng shuiexpert can determine where objects areplaced. “What you would do is take a squaregrid onto the property plan of an entirehouse, and the house would be in the mid-dle of the ba gua and different energiesforces would fall in different areas.” Vajtaysays energies present indoors are similar tothose in the outdoor spaces. “The yard iswhere you rest and rejuvenate and the ener-gy in the yard is not overly chaotic becausewhen you are outside, you are swimming inthe perfect patterns of nature, and what youwant to do is stay in balance with those.”

Dawson-Laframboise says metal windchimes on a front porch are good luck. “Youwant a sound that goes up,” she says,although she notes others enjoy the soundof glass or bamboo chimes, these twosounds are not as uplifting. Placing bird orsquirrel feeders in a backyard also bringsalong good fortune. “The chi of animals isalways good,” she says. “So squirrel, birdfeeders are very good luck.”Such additions to a house are said to

function as ‘cures’, or solutions to help apersons chi through feng shui, Dawson-Laframboise says. This is what this art repre-sents: bringing harmony not just for an indi-vidual, but for a collective environment.Vagtay says her craft involves helping

people live the best life they can live. “Myfavorite part of feng shui is that I inspirepeople to open out their lives to best possi-ble life energy, which thus creates a morejoyful, more vibrant, more dynamic life.”

Water, greeneryand pink flowersare often used inexterior fengshui design.

Article Resource Association

With the advent of summer still a couplemonths away, the comfort of a hot bath orinvigorating shower continues to besomething to look forward to every day.However, in many ways, the bathroom canbe a frigid place on an early-spring day. Infact, it often may feel like the coldest roomin the house thanks to all of thatimpersonal chrome, porcelain and tile.But, it doesn’t have to be. It’s possible towarm up even the chilliest bathroom, evenon the tightest of redecorating budgets.As you plan your bathroom revamp,start by looking right under your feet.Many bathroom floors are made fromceramic tile or natural stone, such asmarble. Sure, these hard-surface elementslook nice, but they also can feel downrighticy on your bare feet. With 207 designsin distinctive colors and textures,including authentic-looking tile and stone,Tarkett FiberFloor provides the beautyof natural flooring with enhanceddurability.Warmth, however, goes beyond flooring.Fluffy towels, plush bathmats and asumptuous velvet shower curtain will adda sense of rich warmth to the space. Wallcolor also plays a role. Light and airycolors, while beautiful, definitely do notconvey a sense of comfort. Instead, paint

your walls an unexpectedly rich color tocreate a welcoming, cozy atmosphere.And of course, a quality shower caneasily warm up your body as well as yourmood. But don’t settle for just anyshowerhead. Update your shower with anew multi-setting showerhead, such as theMoen Nurture eco-performance model.Heated towel racks – once luxury items– are now available at affordable prices forany bathroom, offering floor-mounted,wall-mounted, hard-wired and plugged-inoptions.With so many options to warm up yourbathroom’s decor to fit a wide range ofbudgets, there is no reason to denyyourself the luxury of a cozy, spa-likeescape at home.

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Dena Blackburncreated uniquerooms for herchildren using funcolors, patternsand themes. (PaulLitman/Times-Call)

Design forthe Ages

Tips for a timeless kid’s bedroomBy Laurel ToneyLongmont Times-Call

A child’s bedroom is often overlooked as part of a home’s larger design scheme;kids’ changing tastes and overwhelming clutter can be daunting for designers andparents. Most don’t realize there are easy and creative ways to ensure that yourkids’ bedroom remains stylish and functional as it matures with your child.Parents are often tempted to pick themes that reflect their kids interests, but

these change rapidly as the child grows. Race car beds and cartoon princess-themed bedding will quickly be outdated and thrown away with last year’s too-small clothes.Dena Blackburn of Encore! Home Staging and Redesign in Longmont says it’s

not wise to spend a lot on furniture that isn’t timeless. “I’d stay away from stuffthat is too stylized,” she says. “I also tend to shy away from character bedding.Kids will outgrow that sort of thing rather quickly, so I like to use solid colors andthen add additional colors and themes with pillows or artwork that are easy toswap out.”Blackburn has redesigned rooms for clients’ children, but has also created rooms

for her own kids by choosing a theme. Her daughter’s room features a vanity thatwas repainted in fun, circus-like colors and for her son, she used bamboo shades as acloset door and to cover a bookcase to create drama and whimsy in a jungle motif.Helly Duncan of Design Matters Home in Louisville says the goal is to be play-

ful, not childish, when decorating for kids. Specific characters can age the room,but abstract shapes like animals and graphics, look more modern and less juvenile,she says.“Paint is a big part of decorating,” Blackburn says. Choosing a bright color for

an accent wall or to create a pattern is an inexpensive and easy way to update achild or teen’s bedroom. One thing that Blackburn advises against is wallpaperborders. These borders are dated and are a pain to take down, she says. Duncansuggests peel and stick decals as an alternative.Duncan recommends parents choose graphics instead of a specific theme and

aim for whimsy without being too cutesy. She suggests accessories like starburstmirrors, pendant chandeliers and lockers for storage.Organization is also key to a great-looking kids’ room. Colorful bins that coordi-

nate with the design scheme encourage cleanliness and add style. Blackburn sug-gests utilizing closets to your advantage, placing organizational elements inside, aschildren’s clothing doesn’t typically hang low. Using the space below their clothesis a good way to keep storage out of sight. If there’s no dresser in the room, thenthere’s more space for play.“Some other ideas are to use your child’s art work in their rooms. You can find

inexpensive frames and create a nice grouping,” Blackburn says. This adds theirpersonality to the room, but still looks polished. She also suggests using inexpen-sive details like paper lanterns and repainted old furniture to create a design that isfun and budget friendly. If you’re going to spend a lot of money on furniture,Blackburn says, go for pieces that convert in size to grow with your child.When choosing colors, Duncan says to avoid pastels. “They’re too baby orient-

ed. Go for more saturated colors. And avoid yellow, this has proven to make babiescry more.” Choosing a neutral main color will give you the ability to accessorizelike crazy with the flexibility to change the accessories easily, Duncan says. “With aneutral base, you can also have a ton of fun with a lot of accent colors that canchange easily over time.” Duncan suggests accent colors like greys, soft greens,red, ocean blue, magenta and chocolate brown for a room that is chic and playful.If you choose colors and accessories that are fun but not childish, you can en-

sure your child’s bedroom is not only a place for creativity and play, but also a co-hesive part of your home’s design.


Bill Eeds shows different squirrel feederstyles. (Esteban L. Hernandez/Times-Call)

Squirrel feedersoffer enjoyment to

homeownersBy Esteban L. HernandezLongmont Times-call

With beady eyes, tiny fingersand tails the length of their bodies,squirrels appear a little too muchlike an upright rat for some peo-ple’s comfort. This is not surpris-ing, as squirrels are members ofthe order Rodentia that includemice and some species of rats.Some see the little omnivores asomnipresent pests while othersview the pint-sized nut-hoardersas adorable. If feeding the littleanimals seems like a good idea,then investing in a qualitysquirrel feeder for the spring andsummer months should beconsidered.At the Wild Bird Center of

Boulder, salesperson Bill Eeds saysthe locally-owned franchise spe-cializes in bird feeders, bird watch-ing tools and bird feed. The storealso offers a sizeable collection ofsquirrel feeders and Eeds says theyare definitely big sellers. “We jokethat half of our customers wouldlike squirrels dead, and the otherhalf love them and want to leavethem.”Eeds says the main reason

people purchase squirrel feeders issimply to enjoy watching the littlecritters eat. However, others pur-chase them with a different motivein mind.“The other one is more for them

to keep them away from bird feed-ers. They’re called distractive feed-

ers,” Eeds says, explaining that asquirrel feeder gives the animalsomething else to eat besidesstealing them away from the birdfeeders.The range of feeders for the

miniature mammals offered at theWild Bird Center is wide enoughto suit nearly any type of backyardsetting. “There are things as basicas a piece of chain with a largescrew in the bottom of it,” Eedssays, describing the most simplefeeder the store sells. Anotherhassle-free feeder is a corn trapperspring, which is a thin green metalcoil that houses an ear of corn in-side that can be hung.One feeder in particular tends to

sell in high numbers, Eeds says.The feeder is simply called TheChair and Table, but the image itcreates is far from ordinary. Justlike the name suggests, this feederhas a tiny chair and table attachedto a piece of wood. Attached to thecenter of the table is a metal spikewhere food can be placed. It’s anamusing feeder as the squirrel will‘sit’ on the chair while feasting at alittle table with corn.“One of our favorite is the squir-

rel bungee,” Eeds says. “That oneliterally is for our entertainment asit is for feeding the squirrels.” Thisfeeder uses corn on ear hooks sus-pended from a cord with a bungee.It works by hanging the cord andprogressively increasing the heightbetween the corn cobs and the

ground. As squirrels grow accus-tom to the height, increasing thelength means the little guys will beincreasingly challenged. “You set itlow enough to the ground, about afoot, until you have it 4 feet off theground,” Eeds says. Squirrels willthen jump and grab ahold of thecorn, dropping the pieces as theirprizes.

One of the more visually intri-cate feeders is the squirrel-go-round. “It has five arms and a

spool on a spindle in the middle,so as the squirrels cross on aroundit, it will spin and they either hangon or wait until it slows down andclimb back up. This feeder is allabout the thrill of the hunt: itrequires expert timing to catch oneof the five pieces of corn.

While it’s almost commonknowledge that these critters arenot picky eaters, giving them alittle variety is simple. Eeds saysthere are several types of feed and

seeds that can be placed on thefeeders to attract squirrels. In ad-dition to dried corn, shelled andunshelled peanuts and dried sunchips are also appropriate feed forsquirrels.

To make sure birds don’t stealfeed placed for squirrels, Eedseven sells bird-proof feeders.However, he admits that squirrelproof feeders usually trump thebird proof feeders when it comesto popularity among customers.

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Create a dream basementArticle Resource Association

It’s no longer a dark, gloomy place tostash holiday supplies, store neglected exer-cise equipment or hide out-of-date furni-ture. Basements are becoming “dreamspaces” for many baby boomers and theirloved ones.Whether it’s a private living suite to ac-

commodate a child or grandchild who’smoved back home, a cheerful craft studio ora fully loaded man cave, basement renova-tions are popular home improvement op-tions.“Today many baby boomers are remodel-

ing their homes instead of building or mov-ing to a new one,” says Pella Windows &Doors spokesperson, Kathy Krafka Harke-ma. “Kitchens and bathrooms are often re-modeled, and today basements are also be-ing updated to create fun entertainmentzones. Adding new windows and usingwarm colors can transform a basement intoa home gym, workshop, wine cellar or ahigh-tech media room.”

Window ShoppingCasement windows – featuring one

hinged sash that cranks out – are easy toopen and a popular choice for basements,Burton says. However, casements require awider window well on the home exterior, soconsider that in your remodeling plans. Pel-la offers many energy-efficient casementwindow options, ranging from vinyl andFiberglas composite to wood styles.If exterior space is limited, Burton sug-

gests a sliding window – featuring twosashes where one sash slides left or right.Sliding egress windows must meet higherwidth requirements and are available inbudget-friendly vinyl and Fiberglasoptions.Consult with a local building code expert

or make sure your contractor is familiarwith your area’s building codes before be-

ginning a basement renovation, Burton ad-vises.

Wonderful WalkoutsIf your home has a walkout basement,

consider adding a beautiful new patio doorto create an impressive focal point insideand out.

Here’s an additional tip from Burton: Ifyou have limited patio space outside, installan in-swing hinged patio door – one thatopens into your basement, providing moreusable space on the patio. Consider yourclimate conditions as well. In areas withheavy snowfall, an in-swing hinged patiodoor may be your best option. But if youhave limited room inside, consider an out-swing hinged door.

Or opt for sliding patio doors, such asthe energy-efficient new Pella 350 Seriesvinyl patio door line, which features dis-tinctive design possibilities with a choice oftwo-, three- or four-panel doors to createmore natural light and an expanded view.Optional shades or blinds are permanentlysealed between the glass to stay clean,provide light control and increased privacy.And the blind design with no room-sidecords is safer for homes with children andpets.

Keep it ComfortableAs you create your dream basement, ask

your contractor to incorporate universaldesign features.

“Update your home now with your futuresafety, comfort and convenience in mind,”Krafka Harkema says. “Adding 36-inchwide doors, stylish levers rather than knobson doors, easy-access storage areas and oth-er universal design features now can make ahome easier to live in or visit in the long-term, regardless of a person’s age, size orability.”

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Recycled glass lanternslight up your outdoor spaceBy Kristi RitterLongmont Times-Call

With temperatures warming, you might havethe urge to clean up your outdoor space andhost a party. Do you want an inexpensive way toadd some mood lighting to your outdoor space?Look no further than the leftover glass jars inyour kitchen pantry. Recycle those jars and cre-ate great hanging candle lanterns that will set aglow to your outdoor space.

The supplies you’ll need for this do-it-yourself projectare readily available and easy on your wallet.

Materials:Various sized wide-mouth jars with lips18- to 24-gauge wire (wire size may varywith the size of the jar)wire cuttersneedle nose plierspencil

tea light candles, a votive candle set intoa small holder, or a LED tea light

sea glass or small stones

beads, vintage buttons or otheraccessories to embellish yourlanterns (opt)

1. Start by gatheringvarious sized jars fromyour kitchen and cleanthem well. Also cleanthe votive holder ifyou’re opting for thatroute.

2. Insert the votiveholder into the centerof the jar. (Chose widemouth jars so yourhand will fit inside.)

3. Add your stonesor sea glass around theoutside of the votiveholder, keeping it inthe center of the jar.4. Add your tealight or votive to theholder.

5. Measure aroundthe opening of your jarwith the wire twiceand add 4 inches toeach side and then cut.Wrap it around, butdon’t twist the endstogether yet.

6. Measure an archover the jar and add 2inches and then cut.(This is how long yourhandle will be.)7. Form the wireinto to an arch. Withthe needle-nose pliers,wrap or loop the endsof the handle wirearound the rim.

8. Now use theneedle-nose pliers totwist the ends of thewire together that youwrapped around therim of the jar. Twisttightly so it won’t slipoff.

8. Curl the end ofthe leftover hangingwire using a pencil. Ifyou choose to addembellishments likebeads or buttons, pushthem onto this wirepiece.

9. Hang your lanternfrom a shepherd’shook around yourpatio, light the candleand enjoy.

Accessorize youreco-friendly home

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Create a relaxing havenwithin your homeArticle Resource Association

The master bedroom has evolved into farmore than a place where you hit the pillowand grab a few hours of sleep each night.Today, it’s almost a misnomer to call thesemodern, multi-functional rooms bedrooms.If you’re looking to renovate, expand orbuild a new master bedroom, think “mastersuite” instead. Don’t just create a cozy roommeant for sleeping, because in recent yearsit really has turned into more.The growing trend of making the master

suite one of your immediate family’s choicegathering spots stems from a flagging econ-omy and the fact that more people arechoosing to enjoy leisure time at home in-stead of out on the town. And believe it ornot, many are choosing to spend it in themaster bedroom.“The master bedroom has increasingly

become a restful retreat within your largerhome – a place where you can spend theday, if you wish, with all the comforts of atraditional family room,” says DonnaSchroeder, color marketing and design man-ager for Dutch Boy Paints. “The trend is tocombine comfort with convenient amenitiesin an atmosphere that is peaceful and relax-ing.”One of the easiest ways to accomplish

this is to look to sumptuous hotel suites foryour design inspiration. Plush, comfortableand full of luxuries – big and small – hotelsuites offer plenty of ideas you can mimic.You say you like coffee first thing in themorning? Why go down to the kitchen? In-stall a coffee bar, complete with an espressomaker, coffee grinder and a mini refrigera-tor to store milk for those extra-foam lattes.Don’t expect to lounge on the bed with

your cappuccino in hand. Reserve space inyour design for an ample sitting area whereyou can put a sofa, comfortable readingchairs and even a state-of-the-art entertain-ment system for movie nights and lazy Sun-days.Add a built-in customized entertainment

center to house the latest and greatest gad-gets for everyone in the house. You’ll wantto have room not only for the flat screenHDTV and Blu-Ray player but also the kids’gaming system, DVR receiver and a nookfor Dad’s sound system. You might alsowant to include shelves for Mom’s prizedcollection of romantic old movies so shecan watch them in the comfort of her bed-room haven.You can picture it already, can’t you?

First, however, you must set the stage forthis oasis, using a serene palette of colorand textures to accent the space and create atrue sense of retreat. The first considera-tion? Paint and the color it provides. Yourchoice of paint will create the canvas that

complements and highlights all of theroom’s other design features.“This year’s color trends are inspired by

everyday life, making them versatile in anysetting, including a master suite,” Schroedersays. “One collection that works especiallywell is one that reflects a practical way oflife – a true functionality.”In this palette, texture is key and colors

are soft and faded. Windswept and washedeffects, as well as monochromatic layering,set off this modern collection. Inspired col-ors from Dutch Boy’s innovative Color Sim-plicity System include Boardwalk Blue,Composed Bloom, Spruce Hollow andRange Brown.Another palette working its way into the

contemporary master suite is one that re-volves around technology – which also re-flects the modern amenities that are incor-porated into these living spaces. In DutchBoy’s “Abyss” trend for 2011, soft neutralsand grays complement the true serenity of amaster suite and the reflective alone timeyou appreciate when you’re away from to-day’s sometimes overwhelming abundanceof technology and instant communication.Consider such hues as Dutch Boy’s Gar-goyle Shadow, Fresh Linen, Pursuit of Hap-piness and Piccolo.Nothing ties a room together better than

luxurious design elements like custom-made fabric headboards and coordinatingbedding in silks, Egyptian cottons and othernatural fibers. Think mix-and-match whenit comes to furniture – eclecticism rules in2011. The pervasive influence of steampunk– a quirky mix of old and new – makes itperfectly fine to blend a contemporary plat-form bed with an ornate, Victorian dresser.The style is flea market meets high-end, andit looks great.

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Mary Karner ofLongmont gets somehelpful advice fromMikhail Kujawa whileshopping at FantasyOrchids in Louisville.Right: Wils. Tiger BrewPacific Holiday orchid.

Phal. Yu Pin Pearl orchid. Phal. Chain Xen Queen orchid. Blc. Emily Simons Mendenhall orchid.

DelicateBeautyOrchids aretoday’s mostpopularhouseplant,but needproper care

By Laurel ToneyPhotos by Paul Litman

Longmont Times-Call

With their delicate petals and tropical ap-pearance, orchids have a reputation as abeautiful but difficult plant to care for. StanGordon of Fantasy Orchids in Louisvillesays they’re just the opposite. If you knowhow to care for a regular houseplant, hesays, then you already have the ability tocare for an orchid.Orchids have taken over poinsettias as

the No. 1 houseplant, Gordon says, and“they aren’t hard at all.” They thrive onwhat Gordon refers to as “benign neglect,”and the biggest killer of these plants is over-watering.He says orchids grow everywhere except

Antarctica and they’re the largest group ofplants on the planet. In the wild, they growattached to trees where their roots are ex-posed. Because they grow alongside otherplants, their care is just like your otherhouseplants.

Here are some expert tips to ensure beau-tiful, lasting orchids.• While potting orchids is fine, they must

have proper drainage. Water them thor-oughly every four to seven days, dependingon the plant’s dryness, Gordon advises, butbe sure they don’t sit in water.• Adequate light is the most important

factor for growing beautiful orchids, Gordonsays. More light means more flowering, andorchids can tolerate direct sunlight, contraryto popular belief. If the green leaves of theplant start to bleach, then the light might betoo high for your plant, but this is hard todo, Gordon says.• “People obsess over humidity,” Gordon

says, “But orchids acclimate and do justfine.” If you’d prefer to increase thehumidity for your topical plants, though,grouping them together is an easy way toaccomplish this. Fresh air is important for

orchids as well.

• The older orchids get, the better theyare at flowering, and orchids have no lifespan, Gordon says. If you’re worried youmay have killed your plant, bring it in to anexpert like Gordon, as it might still be aliveSome orchids lie dormant, and although theblooms may fall off, this is just part of thelife cycle.

If you’d still like to know more aboutorchids, Fantasy Orchids offers a free hour-long class that covers basic care. Gordonsays people often make orchid care too com-plicated when it’s really simple. If you’vebeen too afraid to take on an orchid, bebrave and head to your local greenhouse.The blooms on orchids often last formonths, so they will be a beautiful andrewarding addition to your houseplantcollection.


Restore your lawn,landscape this springMetro Services

Restoring a yard after a long winter is aspringtime rite of passage for many home-owners. Harsh winds and heavy snow cantake their toll on even the most beautifullandscape.Spring is a homeowner’s first chance to

survey the damage and begin restoring theyard to where it was before all those strongwinds and snowstorms. To get started onyour yard this spring, consider the follow-ing tips.• Don’t begin too early. The early bird

might get the worm, but the early home-owner might get a damaged lawn. If temper-atures for an upcoming free weekend areunseasonably warm, it’s best to avoiddoing spring yard cleanup until there havebeen several warm weekends to thaw theground.Unless the ground has completely

thawed, footsteps on the yard will damagethe grass, compacting the soil and prevent-ing the air and moisture that soil needsfrom doing its job and penetrating the soil.What’s more, if the yard is raked before theground has thawed, the rake might just bepulling the grass out by its roots.• Survey the property. A close survey of

the property will give homeowners an ideaof just how big or small their restorationproject will be. A thorough survey will re-veal any problem areas and may also revealsome unexpected guests. Rabbits and squir-rels often nest in yards during the winter.Rabbits will nest in the ground, while squir-rels typically build nests made of leaves inthe trees. Unless it’s entirely necessary,avoid removing any nests, and be sure tocarefully inspect the yard before the sea-son’s first mow.• Out with the old. When the cleanup

process is ready to begin, it’s time to remove

remnants from last season. This includesremoving any dead plants, as well as lastyear’s mulch. If new mulch is simplythrown on top of old, plants could suffo-cate.Dead leaves also tend to gather during

the winter, often up against fences or ahome’s exterior walls. Rake up these deadleaves and add them to the season’s com-post.• Get rid of thatch. Thatch can be soil’s

worst enemy, preventing its access to thesunlight, air and moisture it needs to makethe lawn look beautiful and healthy. Thatchremoval can be tiresome, but visit the localhardware store and pick up a dethatchingrake to make the job a little easier. Thatchremoval isn’t always necessary everyspring. Many homeowners have found re-moving thatch every other year is effectiveenough.• Aerate the yard to revive the soil. Soil

often becomes compacted as spring be-comes summer and summer becomes fall.This is especially true of yards that are heav-ily used, be it by kids playing outdoors orfamilies who love to host warm weathergatherings in the yard. Aerating in thespring removes plugs of sod from the soil,loosening it up and making it easier for airand water to reach the roots.• Address those ugly bald spots. Bare

spots in a yard can result from any numberof things, be it a dog urinating in the yard oreven disease. Early spring, when tempera-tures are a little cooler and promote grassgrowth, is a great time to address the yard’sbald spots. Do so by clearing away the spotsand sprinkling the freshly exposed soil withsome grass seed. Then add some fertilizerand be sure the newly seeded areas get somewater until the new, healthy grass begins togrow in.

Appealing use of colorWherever we go, we respond to color;but the importance of color is often under-estimated. Color use is important to us per-sonally in our homes and where we work.If you’re not sure where to begin with col-or, experiment in a powder room or bath-room, a small hall or area between rooms,or an accent wall. If you’re doing your ownpainting, pick an area that’s quick to do soyou can see your results sooner, and behappy with it or change it. Look at the pro-cess as an adventure.To get started, select a favorite colordrawn from artwork, a rug, dishes and anaccessory or furniture piece as a main coloror accent.When selecting a color, consider themood of a room. In a bedroom, do youwant the feeling to be restful andsoothing, or dramatic and intimate?

Soft, cool colors and neutrals usually createa quieter feeling while stronger colors arefor drama.Do you want a dining area to feelsociable and stimulating, or appearformal and quiet? Warmer, contrastingand somewhat brighter colors add to asociable atmosphere; deeper blue-greensand neutrals will give a more formalambiance.Do you want kids’ rooms to create an ac-tive and exciting energy, or an orderly andrestful feeling? Be careful not to over-stimu-late your children with intensely brighthues. You may not know it, but somebrighter colors can lead to unrest and irri-tability.

– Courtesy Barbara Jacobs onhgtv.com

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Tips for successful planting this springMetro Services

Spring is a season for rebirth, and for homeowners,that often means bringing their property back to life.Once the winter weather has subsided, it’s time to headoutside and take inventory of the landscape and see howthe yard, trees, bushes and shrubs fared after another longwinter.One of the best and most eco-friendly ways to bring your

yard back to life is to plant around the property. Plantingcan be a soothing and enjoyable way to spend some timeoutdoors in the spring air, and it’s not as difficult as it mayseem. When planting around the home this spring, considerthe following pointers.• Be aware of depth when planting. It’s common for those

who aren’t used to gardening to plant too deeply. The ideaof planting deeply seems to be correct, as homeowners wantto be certain their plants or trees will take root and it seemslike common sense that the deeper the plant is planted, themore likely it is to take root.However, planting depth should mirror the depth the

plant was grown in at the nursery. When purchasing a plantat the nursery, ask for the planting depth and be sure not togo any deeper than that when planting the plant on yourproperty.• Stake new trees if necessary. While it’s great to imagine

spring as a season of warm sun and extended daylight, inreality, most regions still get some wind and cold through-out spring. This can make planting trees a difficult proposi-tion, as new trees might rock back and forth and struggle to

establish new roots. To mitigate any strong winds, stakenew trees when planting around the property. Not all newtrees need to be staked, but for the ones that do, the stakeswill act as a stabilizing force during strong winds, enablingthe tree to establish healthy roots for years to come.• Consider container-grown plants. Novice green-thum-

bers might find it best to go with container-grown plants.Container-grown plants are easy to plant around the prop-erty, and it’s also easy to change the look of the property bysimply moving the containers around. Also, as the seasonschange, it’s easy to reposition the plants so they’re stillgetting the sun exposure they need to thrive.• Get a second opinion. Planting trees around the

property can be akin to hanging a painting on the wall.It’s always best to get a second opinion to make sure thepainting is straight, and the same goes with planting trees.Before backfilling the hole, ask someone to look at the treefrom several angles to ensure that it is straight. Once thetree has been backfilled, it’s awfully difficult to repositionthe tree.• Give the trees or plants their best chance to grow. It’s

important to survey the property ahead of planting to becertain the plants will be in the best place to thrive. Callthe utility company and ask if there are any buried utilitylines you’ll want to avoid. Also, a tree’s roots spread farbeyond its branches, so be sure to plant the tree in a loca-tion that allows for that root growth without jeopardizingthe property (i.e., roots spreading beneath the home’sfoundation).

Times-Ca l l Pa id Adver t isement

Live green. Live local. Live healthy.While these slogans are just now gaining afoothold in our social consciousness, theirspirit has been embodied at the FlowerBin for the last forty years. Celebrating itsfortieth anniversary in 2011, The FlowerBin, nestled in Longmont, Colorado, isBoulder County’s premier garden center.Coupled with its steadfast commitmentto customer service, the Flower Binoffers its clientele hundreds of years ofcollective experience from its outgoingand knowledgeable staff.

Starting outwith a small greenhouse andoffice in, then, rural Longmont, Don andLee Weakland have grown their businessexponentially while supporting the needsof the local gardening community andtheir loyal staff. Now spanning nearly fiveacres with 50,000 square feet of indoorgrowing space, the Flower Bin has grownwith the demands of its customers. In fact,the growth has been so precipitous that theFlower Bin now owns and operates a 20-acre farm with an additional 50,000 squarefeet of greenhouse space in Platteville.Many of the strikingly beautiful annuals

at the retail center started their lives at thefarm under the watchful eye of DarrenWeakland, Don and Lee’s youngest of fivesons, and his staff, led by Miguel Mendoza.

Once the plants arrive at the Flower Bin,they join the flora that head grower JoseGallardo and his brother Manuel havebeen cultivating in the greenhouse. MikeWeakland, Don and Lee’s oldest, leadsone of the most experienced teams ofperennial masters in Colorado. Whetherit’s a question about trees, shrubs, vines, or

groundcovers, Mike, Rick, Kim, Deborah,and Janet are eager and ready to help.

Once inside the Bin’s big house,customers can browse a wide array ofhome and garden adornments from localand international artisans. From there,folks canmeander through a courtyard fullof fountains, statues, birdbaths, and pottery

before finding their way to the hard goodssection, where gardeners will discovereither the right food for the right plant orthe right tool for the right job. Flower Binveterans Michael Morris and Luis Mendezspecialize in nearly everything and canhelp diagnose lawn and garden problemsand prescribe the proper treatment.Newcomer Josh Hickman specializes inhydroponics and organic gardening, witha strong focus toward helping the indoorgardener achieve great results.

Upstairs in the office, Debbie Williamscreates the Flower Bin’s newsletter, localadvertisements, and the signage for thestore. Visit the Flower Bin and its team ofprofessionals 362 days a year in Longmont,Colorado at 1805 Nelson Rd. Please call303-772-3454 with questions and concernsabout your plants and landscape.

From Left to Right: Front - Mike, Don, Lee, Jose and Nacho2nd - Irma, Debbie, Kim M, Luis, Nancy, Megan, Jeanette, Corinna, Steph, Kathy3rd - Isidra, Steve, Michael, Tom, Janet, Deborah, Rick, Barb A, Kim J, ManuelNot Shown - Darren, Andrew, Ben, Barb K, Chris, Tessa, Jose G, Melissa, Erica, Kyle, Johanna,Katie, Angus, Josh and Lisa

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The Flower Bin’s staff of experts can help gardeners go local


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inside+out 2011

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