TheState.com: Home and Garden

How can I lower my heating bill?

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:46 EST

Q: We just moved into a new house and I just got my first gas and electric bill it was over $700! Gulp! Got any tips on how I can lower my heating bill this winter?

A: You're in luck. I actually majored in Household Electric Bills when I was in college! The key to keeping your house warm in the winter is having proper insulation (see my column on your options for insulation), which basically means you keep the outside air out and the inside air in. In the winter, you want to keep the warm air in and the cold air out. Unfortunately, you can't always change the way your house is insulated, so what to do? Here are a few things you can try.

Make sure to get your heating system maintenance before each winter season. Many electric companies offer a yearly maintenance service where they come and change the filter in your system. Over time, the filter can get clogged and air can have trouble getting through.

Actually, it's generally a good tip to change the filters on all your appliances - your vacuum, your dryer, your coffeemaker - to help them work more efficiently. The service technician can also make sure all the vents are working properly and the ducts are properly sealed so you can get the most bang for your buck.

Then, do the tissue test around your house. Hold a tissue up to the bottom of your doors and windows. If the tissue moves, you're the lucky winner of a draft! Many houses have so many small gaps in the windows, and doors, it's like having a window wide open! It's important to make sure that no warm air is leaking out and no cold air is leaking in. (Just make sure that when you do seal off all the gaps, you don't caulk your windows and doors shut.)

Pot amaryllis now for holiday giving

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:51 EST

Christmas Day is a month away. Plant amaryllis bulbs in pots now to give them as gifts fully budded.

Friends tell me it's more fun to watch the exotic flowers develop, growing plumper each day until - surprise - the first bloom bursts open.

Amaryllis are so popular for forcing indoors that Dutch hybridizers have been busy creating new colors and new forms. Where not so long ago there were Christmas red, snowy white and pink stripes, now you can choose from multiple hues of red, orange and pink and singles, doubles, stripes or picotees (petals edged in a different color).

A spidery form called cybister, originating in South America, is a much smaller bulb than standard amaryllis, but the novelty of the flower makes a big impression.

When shopping for your annual amaryllis bulbs, choose bulbs that are as big as your fist or bigger. The bigger the bulb, the more flower stalks it will sprout, up to four. Independent retailers stock inventory that will throw up at least two stalks. Via mail-order sources, you can buy big bulbs at a discount, if you buy in bulk (usually six or more of one variety).

Make your bed ... and love it!

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:58 EST

A well-appointed bed, situated in a beautifully-colored, well-organized bedroom, is wonderful for both your body and soul. It starts your day off happily, and it ends your day the same way. The editors of Fresh Home recommend you keep your room tidy, your bed made and your personal style well on display. Here are ways to do just that.

- Choose the perfect color. Forget trend and choose colors that make you feel good, comfortable, and happy. Neutrals, like brown, white, black, tan, gray and even a very light blue are ideal. Then punch it up with an accent color - an orange pillow, a bright rug or bedcover.

- Focus on the headboard. It's often an afterthought, but your headboard is the focal point of your room. If it's paintable, liven it up with a color related to the room's overall palette, but in a bolder, stronger, hue.

-Create a highlight wall. Paint the wall behind your bed a different color. Highlight walls draw your eye, and create a nice centering effect for your bed. Use a deeper shade of the color you used for the rest of the room to give this wall more weight. A large print on the wall behind the bed can accomplish the same thing.

-Change your bedclothes. Coverlets, shams, and bed linens are all options, but sometimes, less is more. A coverlet in white or ivory is timeless, and can be dressed up with accent pillows and a little texture.

For truly tasty garlic, it's a do-it-yourself delight

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:49 EST

Last year, Tim Jones created the perfect recipe for garlic butter, but as he searched for just the right ingredients, he discovered something many Americans still don't realize: Most of the garlic sold in supermarkets comes from China.

"That really disturbed me," he says, citing food-safety concerns.

So Jones planted his own - 130 gourmet bulbs last year, 400 this year - in his organic garden in Pleasantville, N.J. And he unabashedly reports that his garlic butter is the best around.

"Oh yeah, delicious," he says.

Now till Thanksgiving is garlic-planting time, and Jones is one of many home chefs and gardeners who realize there's a safer, better-tasting, and more interesting garlic out there in farmers markets and home gardens.

New security setups give you peace of mind from a distance

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:18 EST

This holiday season, many travelers will be able to keep a close eye on home.

Thanks to new security system technology, including live video feed, you can monitor everything from the front door to the sump pump from hundreds of miles away.

"You can see anything that's going on from anywhere in the world," said Jay Park of Park Place Installations in Buffalo, N.Y.

Homeowners can set the new alarm systems to send text messages or e-mails when something goes wrong at home.

Eric Harper, marketing director of the Lexington, Ky.-based Elan Home Systems, said a customer was on vacation recently when he got a message that his front door was open. He confirmed it by going online and pulling up feed from a camera by that door. A neighbor followed up, discovering that the pet sitter had not pulled the door firmly shut and it blew open in a storm.

Homebuyers: how to avoid budget-busting spending

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:19 EST

A couple in their 50s found it tough to stick to their budget until they talked to a financial planner. What emerged from the conversation was their desire to buy an elegant 1920s-era house in a city neighborhood served with gourmet restaurants and entertainment venues.

"All of a sudden the idea of doing serious budget planning made sense. The struggle was over because they had a big goal to work toward," says Steve Juetten, the couple's financial planner.

To buy and refurbish the city property, the couple first had to fix up and sell their small one-level suburban home - a place they'd bought years before for its strong neighborhood schools. But with the kids off at college, suburbia had lost its allure and the city beckoned. So they phoned their real estate agent and soon sold the suburban place.

"Unless you know what's important to you, a budget is like a ship without a destination. On the other hand, a values-based spending plan is a powerful tool," says Juetten, who's affiliated with the Garrett Planning Network (garrettplanningnetwork.com).

After clarifying their financial goals, many people realize that moving to a better home is their top financial aspiration, says Judy Lawrence, a budget coach and author of "The Budget Kit: Common Cents Money Management Workbook" (Kaplan Publishing).

WOW toilet's flush with creativity

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:21 EST

Want to add a new look to your bathroom? Perhaps you should start with the toilet.

The WOW Toilet offers a space for home bathroom decorating (or a creative display spot for advertising messages).

It's a clear toilet tank that lets you put images, posters or advertisements where the blank white box now sits.

It consists of an inner tank for holding the water to flush, with a tank lid and clear shield that covers the front and sides of the tank. The shield features a small spot to let you add your own display.

Homeowners can change the look to match their bathroom decor - or add to the holiday decorations. You can find anything from Christmas trees to sharks - or send your own photo and have a poster made to fit.

Renters can take easy steps to save energy

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:22 EST

Renters needn't depend on simply turning down the thermostat to reduce home-energy costs. Even though most energy-saving tips are written for homeowners, there are many ways renters can save money without making major home modifications.

Begin by talking with your landlord about winterizing older windows, installing a programmable thermostat and replacing furnace filters throughout the winter. Ask your county or city government if they offer free programs to install these and more energy-saving devices. Some offer free energy audits that can help convince your landlord to make upgrades.

As a renter, your priority is to reduce energy costs quickly and inexpensively. Here are some ways to save energy in your rental home.

1. Regularly change filters: Ask your landlord to inspect the furnace or air conditioning units and to clean or replace the air filters at least every three months. If he's unwilling to replace the filters, ask for permission to do so yourself. Changing filters is inexpensive and a huge energy saver, not to mention it reduces dust throughout the home.

2. Manage sun exposure: Keep window shades, blinds or curtains open during the day in winter to heat things up with sunlight. Close them in the evening to retain that heat.

Property Tranfsers: Nov. 22, 2009

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:50 EST

RICHLAND COUNTY

The property transfers listed below are from the descriptions on legal documents on file in the Richland County Courthouse

29016

101 Columbia Club Drive, Blythewood, from Daniel De-wayne and Ellen Marie Voyles to Mark and Burgin Riley, $255,000

29063

Questions for the carpenter

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:50 EST

Carter Oosterhouse is known as the carpenter/green expert on HGTV.

He is the host of "Carter Can" at 10:30 a.m. Saturdays, where he rushes to the rescue of homeowners tackling renovation projects by coming up with energy-efficient solutions and reducing environmental waste. He also plays host to special programs on the network.

After earning his bachelor's degree in nutrition and communication from Central Michigan University, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a modeling and acting career. He got his start behind the scenes on HBO's "Project Greenlight." Before HGTV, he was one of the carpenters on TLC's "Trading Spaces."

We caught up with Oosterhouse by telephone.

How did you become a carpenter?

Don't give up on declining dogwood

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:55 EST

Question: I have a dogwood tree that is declining but still has some branches that flower and then blaze up with red leaves. I hate to cut it down; it's kind of like an old bird dog. How long do you think it might hang on?

Answer: Oh, please, please don't pull the plug. On my trip to China, I saw many venerable trees with their limbs propped up; often they were the most striking and most photographed specimens. Dogwoods have very hard wood (you should read about their importance in the early textile industry) and can hang on for years, making a wonderful sounding board for woodpeckers. Unless this tree is going to land on your dog's kennel if it topples, why not make it a natural arbor for another lovely native plant, woodbine, Lonicera sempervirens?

Woodbine, or trumpet honeysuckle, is our own, non-aggressive answer to that imported invader, L. japonica. It loves to climb into the sunlight ,so it will scamper up your dogwood and brighten your landscape all spring and summer with bright-red tubular flowers. Guess what else you'll have - that's right, hummingbirds and butterflies who will feed on the sweet nectar that collects in the bottom of that fused corolla tube (that's a little botanical talk, perfectly acceptable in a family newspaper). Just like with the Asian invader, you can pluck these flowers, gently pull them apart, and let that drop of sweetness fall on your tongue. I'm shocked at the number of children who don't know how to get nectar from honeysuckle - you can help this time-honored and time-consuming alternative to television alive in your neighborhood after your woodbine gets established.

The leaves of this honeysuckle species have an unusual botanical feature - those growing right below the flowers encircle the stem almost like a doily under a bonbon. Instead of just another plain old Crayola green, the leaves are a lovely blue-gray. After the flowers fade, bright red berries take their place and hang on until song birds harvest them over the winter.

Before you run to your favorite nursery with your pocketbook open, let me add this caveat. Many woodbines are prey to powdery mildew when they grow in our humid, hot climate. Over the years, eagle-eyed nurserymen have selected seedlings that show resistance to this fungal disease and it will certainly be worth your time to choose an improved cultivar. This beautiful vine also comes in a soft yellow color, which although attractive, pales when compared to the original. L. sempervirens, in my opinion, but I live in a house that needs paint, and I like gardenia- based perfumes, so follow your own taste.

I knew you when: Growing a tree from seed

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:24 EST

Planting seeds is a satisfying way to grow trees and shrubs, and gives you a special affection for the plants.

Don't be put off by how long it takes. Unless you are interested in flowering or fruiting, you can expect plenty of shoot growth from most young trees and shrubs. And even if years are required, shouldn't some aspects of gardening be a long-term proposition?

VARIETY IS THE SPICE

Seed-grown plants, unlike cuttings and grafts, are not genetic replicas of their parents, so each new plant is a genetic individual, just like each child in a human family.

With some species, such as green ash, each seedling may be noticeably different from the others in form or leaf color. At the other extreme is Amur honeysuckle, all seedlings of which appear almost identical to each other, superficially at least, and to their parents.

This sweet potato's a stunner

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:25 EST

Ornamental sweet potatoes rule! I just returned from speaking to a group, called Pascagoula Pride, that takes city beautification seriously. As I drove through town, I could not help but admire their effective use of the lime green ornamental sweet potatoes.

Much of the country has already experienced killing frost, but along the Gulf Coast, winter is still held at bay. Regardless of where you live, everyone should consider using the ornamental sweet potato in next spring's plantings.

We have grown accustomed to seeing the ornamental sweet potatoes Marguerite and the dark purple selection called Blackie. Countless other selections are available, some with heart-shaped leaves. Then the Sweet Caroline series made its debut and was an instant hit. These became known as the "behaved" sweet potatoes. They are vigorous, but they are a little less aggressive, and their spread can be kept in check.

Next year will bring a new selection sure to become an instant hit. It is called Illusion Emerald Lace, and like the name suggests, it has a lacy look by sweet potato standards. It is deeply toothed and much more compact in habit, but it still packs plenty of vigor.

Illusion Emerald Lace is lime green to chartreuse, and it will be the perfect spiller plant in mixed containers. It responds very well to cutting back or pinching and will make a basket as pretty as a Boston fern. It also can be grown in typical fashion as a showy groundcover.

The Dirt: Home and garden news

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:50 EST

Have you discovered Flickr? This searchable, online array of photos covers the world, with images taken and shared by members for free.

Want to see some gardens? Go to Flickr.com and search for them. Find portfolio series, such as "Geneva's garden" on Gratz Park by Louis Bickett; or Larry Daughtery's "Kentucky images" of beasts and butterflies, which takes you on a nature tour from your home computer.

Once you're oriented to the Web site, you can upload your own photos. It's a great way to keep the winter blahs at bay and spend some time learning about the wonders of the world around you.

HELP DIAGNOSING PLANT AILMENTS

Tired of wondering why a certain plant isn't feeling too well?

Maintenence of household items beats replacement

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:50 EST

Taking the time to do a little preventative maintenance on household items is far less costly than having to replace a soiled carpet, broken vacuum cleaner or scratched TV.

The October 2009 issue of ShopSmart magazine, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, has tricks to make household products last.

Clothes washers: Don't overload it. That wears down the machine.

Dishwashers: Periodically remove any debris from the filter and the bottom of the machine.

Gas ranges: Inspect the burners regularly and clean the burner ports with a needle. But don't touch the igniter.

Home calendar of events

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:50 EST

- Sustainable Midlands will host a Sustainable Holiday Celebration Nov. 30 at 701 Whaley. The 5:30-7:30 p.m. event will celebrate sustainable communities by encouraging people to shop locally and support local arts, craft and food vendors. It also is a fundraiser for student environmental projects. Ornaments made from natural and recycled materials by local students will be for sale.

Make holiday guests feel welcome

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:27 EST

Sharing your home over the holidays is what the season is all about. But it also can be trying, especially if you're busy and unable to be the most attentive host.

Here are some easy tricks, from Woman's Day magazine, to make sure your houseguests are as comfortable in your home as you are - or even more so - without feeling like you have to go overboard.

1. Test-drive the guestroom. Sleep in the bed yourself for a night. (You'll be surprised.) Now, make the room more comfortable. Fix the drafty windows, get an alarm clock that actually works, and replace the weird blanket.

2. Create space. This is the part people forget: Guests need ample shelf space in the bedroom, bathroom and front hallway for their suitcases and stuff.

3. Jazz things up. Add some books or magazines you think particular guests would like, and if you can, your guests' favorite toiletries.

The right furnace can save you money over the years

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:50 EST

We want to replace our furnace with a new one and take advantage of the $1,500 federal tax credit. What should we look for in a new furnace?

Good question. The wrong furnace installation could cost you hundreds of dollars a year - thousands over its lifetime - and affect the comfort and quiet in your home, maybe even your safety. And you probably would just live with it. At a cost of $3,000 to $8,000 and lasting 15 to 20 years, a new furnace isn't an easy do-over.

The first step is to educate yourself. Don't just rely on a contractor or utility to make the decision for you.

You're basically buying two items: a furnace and its installation. Usually it's a package deal, but you have to make sure that it works for you. The best furnace poorly installed will not deliver what it should; even the best installation won't make a furnace perform better than it can.

LOOKING AT FURNACES

Landreth Seed Co. turns 225, launches African-American collection

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:48 EST

Six years ago, when Barbara Melera bought the venerable D. Landreth Seed Co., it had been decades since Landreths were at the helm, and the company no longer specialized in the vegetables and flowers that had built its fine reputation.

Instead, the nation's oldest seedhouse - founded by David Landreth in 1784 near 12th and High Street, now Market Street, in downtown Philadelphia - was selling mostly grass seed out of a warehouse in Baltimore.

Today, having moved the business back to Pennsylvania to bucolic New Freedom, near York, Melera has reason to celebrate. While nowhere near the powerhouse it once was, Landreth Seed Co. is celebrating its 225th birthday, an accomplishment in its own right, and officials are planning a future rooted in its beginnings.

In the words of Melera, a former venture capitalist whose twin passions are history and gardening, "For generation after generation, the Landreths taught people in this country how to garden and how to farm. We're going to do what this company was founded to do."

Melera is aware of the grandiosity of her declaration. "It's an enormous legacy to uphold, but that's what charges me up every single morning," she says of the company made famous for supplying seeds to every president from George Washington to FDR.

Homemade liqueurs: Gifts to sip and savor

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:28 EST

Homemade gifts from the kitchen are culinary treasures. They have a personal touch and in these challenging economic times, a present from hearth and heart seems especially meaningful. So when I spied A.J. Rathbun's new book, "Luscious Liqueurs" (Harvard Common Press, $12.95) I knew I'd found the blueprint for my '08 holiday gifts.

I have fond memories of making coffee liqueur decades ago, and bottling it in small mismatched bottles and jars. It was delicious served on its own. But it was over-the-moon delectable served on the rocks along with some vodka and chilled cream, or used to spike steaming cups of coffee. And, perhaps best of all, the liqueur was downright uncomplicated to prepare.

"Yes, they're pretty darn easy to make," says author A.J. Rathbun, seasoned party host and master mixologist. "The waiting is the hardest part. You need to allow time for all the components to get acquainted. In most recipes, the base spirit takes a couple of weeks."

Once the initial mixture sits for two weeks, it's often augmented with a sweetened mixture (such as simple syrup) and allowed to sit another couple of weeks. But for the gift-giver in a hurry, he suggests the Irish Cream Liqueur, a scrumptious treat that can be prepared and served the same day, or refrigerated up to two weeks.

Rathbun says that liqueurs are a little piece of gourmet heaven. His liqueur lust started on an Italian vacation when he tasted ice-cold limoncello for the first time. The bright yellow, lemony cordial was the perfect blend of sweet and citrusy-tart flavors.