2013 Spring Home and Garden

Garrett Byers/Daily CourierCharles Moss (right) and his brother Leroy check on the progress of a double row of Chandler strawberries at their farm in Forest City.

Garrett Byers/Daily CourierAs the strawberry ripens the white petals surrounding it wither and fall o! giving way to the fruit’s change in color from yellow to red.

BY JEAN GORDONJGORDON!THEDIGITALCOURIER.COM

F O R E S T C I T Y

Tobacco farmers growing up in Kentucky, Charles Moss and his brother Leroy have

become strawberry farmers near Forest City.

On more than an acre of property off Bronze Circle Drive, the brothers and Charles’ wife, Debra, believe by April 20 they’ll be harvesting their first berries.

They planted two varieties — Chandlers and Sweet Charlies.

Having grown up on a tobacco farm, they understand the hard work farming requires but they are doing what they love. At

home the brothers grew up in a family of eight and helped work in the tobacco field, raise boar goats, cattle and tobacco.

“But never raised strawber-ries in my life,” Charles said.

After reading mounds of lit-erature they gathered from the Rutherford County Cooperative Extension Office, the South Carolina Cooperative Extension offices and North Carolina State University, Charles and Leroy planted 10,000 strawberry plants this year and in two or three weeks, they believe they’ll be selling their first strawberries.

Tobacco and strawberries are both grown on raised beds so that fact gave them a head start

on preparing their fields.The brothers, along with

good friend Faye Morrow, who formerly owned the property, dropped the 10,000 plants on 1.4 acres of property. As Charles and Leroy worked in the fields early Monday morning, they said the plants scattered. Although adjacent, the plots are in two separate fields. One field has the Chandlers and the other Sweet Charlies.

Charles and Debra moved to the county three years ago after buying the home and farmland from Faye and his wife Brenda Morrow.

SEE BERRIES/PAGE C6

From tobacco to strawberries

Brothers farming the good earth

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Aphids here and there Aphids are appearing in the landscape

on various plants. These soft-bodied, frag-ile little insects are most often found on the tender growing tips of plants. Pansies and iris are among the first spring plants to show aphids, but I’ve also detected honeydew dropping from certain hard-wood trees upon unsuspecting wind-shields parked beneath.

Insecticidal soap is a good manage-ment product, but if there are not too many consider just wiping them off. Unless numbers are severe, there will be little damage of any consequence. How-ever, on iris, later in the season tiny yel-low spots may occur long after the aphids have disappeared. Aphid populations are mostly seasonal on any one plant, but aphids can be found somewhere through-out the growing season. Their presence is inconsequential on many plants.

Hollyhock rust Hollyhock rust is caused by the fun-

gus Puccinia malvacearum. This very destructive disease often limits the use of hollyhocks in the Southern landscape. Symptoms of rust infection begin as light yellow to orange spots on the upper leaf surface. Brown pustules develop on the underside of the leaves and erupt to reveal bright orange rust spores.

These spores are windblown to healthy leaves and infection begins again. Disease increases rapidly because holly-hock rust can infect over and over again. The plants become very unsightly as the infected leaves start to die and fall off.

Typically, rusts are highly host-specif-ic. This particular rust infects hollyhocks and other members of the mallow family. Control rust by limiting leaf wetness.

Avoid overhead watering and space plants to improve air circulation and pro-mote leaf drying. Rust can overwinter in plant debris so sanitation is important. Remove infected leaves in early spring and remove infected stalks and lower

leaves at the end of the season. Plant debris should be buried or burned. Removing nearby susceptible plants, like rose-of- Sharon and mallow weeds, is important to prevent new sources of inoc-ulum. Chemical control can be achieved through the use of products containing chlorothalonil or myclobutanil.

Southern bacterial wilt Here in North Carolina, southern bac-

terial wilt is one of the most commonly diagnosed diseases of tomatoes in the home gardens and production fields. This disease is found throughout the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions of the state.

It is caused by the soil-borne bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum, and is most commonly found on tomatoes, pep-pers, potatoes, tobacco and other mem-bers of the nightshade family. Brown discoloration of the vascular tissue in stems and leaves is a distinctive symptom of bacterial wilt.

The discoloration is caused by bacteria colonizing the plant’s vascular tissue, plugging it up. The plant loses its ability to conduct water, which results in yellowing and wilting, especially during the hottest part of the day. Infected plants quickly col-lapse and die. Diseased plants should be removed and susceptible species should not be planted back into infested areas.

Going native in your landscape For those looking for options using

native plant materials, check out N.C. State University’s “Going Native-Urban Landscaping For Wildlife With Native Plants” website (http://www.ncsu.edu/goingnative/ ).

The web-site will give you step-by-step information on how to develop your own landscape plan and implement the native plant materials suited to your area. There is a short, 10-minute video that shares

information on why you should go native.The Going Native web-site assists

you in developing your own plant listing geared towards your landscape. An inter-active database will help you select the native plants that will attract the wildlife species you want to have in your land-scape. The growing conditions of native plants are based on typical locations in the wild but some species may perform well on sites in urban areas that fall outside of these site parameters.

For example, bald cypress grows in swampy areas in the wild, but also grows well on dry, compacted soils in urban landscapes. The plant selection listings will allow you to search for the different plant materials using location, light requirement, soil moisture, foliage (evergreen or deciduous), wildlife value (ex. Hummingbird nectar plant), bloom period, fruit/seed availability and deer resistance.

Once you’re planning is complete, the web-site creates a plant listing that can be used in visiting garden centers & nurser-ies for your plant materials. The web-site also lists invasive & exotic plants of the southeast.

For new vegetable gardeners For first-time vegetable gardeners

learning how various vegetable crops grow and when the best time to harvest them can be challenging. General main-tenance for a vegetable garden requires watering, fertilizing, pest management and sanitation.

Vegetables require at least 1-inch of water per week, which is about 75 gallons of water per 100 square feet of garden area.

Remember to water at the base of the plants to keep the foliage dry. After plant-ing, long-season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers will need at least one sidedressing of 3 cups 10-10-10 fertil-izer per 100 square feet. Apply the fertil-izer at least 4 to 6 inches away from the

base of the plants.Keep the area around the garden

weed-free. Removal of any disease-infest-ed plants can help in preventing further spread of plant diseases. Mulching will also help in decreasing the amount of weeds in the garden while also conserv-ing water. Organic mulches such as straw, leaves and compost decompose naturally in the soil over time.

Routinely checking your vegetable plants will help in eliminating many of the potential insect and disease problems. Turn over the leaves to check for insects.

The nutritional content, freshness, and flavor that vegetables possess depend on the stage of maturity and the time of day at which they are harvested. Over mature vegetables will be stringy and coarse. When possible, harvest vegetables dur-ing the cool part of the morning and pro-cess them as soon as possible. For snap beans, begin harvesting before seeds develop in the pods. Beans are ready to pick if they snap easily when bent in half.

With sweet corn the silks at the end of the ear of corn will begin to turn brown and dry out as they mature. Check a few ears for maturity by opening the top of the ear and pressing a few kernels with your thumbnail. If the liquid exuded is milky rather than clear, the ear is ready for harvest. For cucumbers, begin pick-ing when the fruits are deep green, before a yellow color appears. Pick 4 to 5 times per week to encourage continu-ous production from your plants. Mature cucumbers left on the vine will slow and stop the production of the entire plant.

Properly fertilizing & watering, eliminating weeds and removing diseased plants will help keep your garden healthy and productive through the summer months.

Content provided by: Stephen

Bambara, Extension Entomologist-N.C. State University; Steve Franks, Extension Entomologist-N.C. State University; the NCSU Plant Insect & Disease Clinic; and Jan McGuinn, Extension Agent- Agriculture.

Extension Briefs

To report news or sports, call 828-245-6431 or email [email protected]

C2 — The Daily Courier, Sunday, April 7, 2013 • www.thedigitalcourier.com

Farmer’s Market season

Jean Gordon/Daily CourierRuss Burnick (left) and Shannon Calton carry on a conversation in front of Burnick’s da!odils and pansies on opening day at the Farmers Market of Rutherford County just as the day was coming to an end. The day was a little slow on Tuesday but farmers, craftspeople and bakers attended and sold items. The market, located o! U.S. 74A is open Tuesday from 7 a.m.to 12 noon; Thursday from 1 to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

Jean Gordon/Daily CourierThese items are grown on the property owned by Russ and Ann Burnick of Honey-suckle Drive in Rutherfordton.

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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, providing homeowners with less-than-stel-lar growing conditions for their lawns, plants and other foliage. Frustration can mount when a yard is muddy, is especially 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-lying

areas in a yard may contribute to a muddy mess. Soil that is inhos-pitable for grass also may end up causing muddy patches because the grass simply does not grow. In some cases, remedying a muddy yard is easy and inexpensive. Some homeowners find that till-ing 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 com-pacted 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 problem. Although it will take some work at the outset, amending the soil can improve conditions and reduce how much maintenance the lawn needs. Digging down several inch-es and adding nutrient-rich filler soil will help create conditions that are better for growing. Those who are interested in planting vegeta-bles could opt for raised garden beds above the challenging soil.

ShadeSometimes a yard is problem-

atic because of the amount of 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 condi-

tions could be an option. However, today there are many grass blends that are tailored toward 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 cer-tain areas also may mask tempera-mental growing areas.

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

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contributed to this report.

www.thedigitalcourier.com • The Daily Courier, Sunday, April 7, 2013 — C3


Rutherford County couple Lisa Higgins (left) and Brandon Higgins (right) review their goals for the Ag Big Planner pro-gram with their mentor, Mitchel Pridmore (center), a loan o!cer who works out of the Spindale Service Center of Caro-lina Farm Credit.

FROM STAFF REPORTS

FOREST CITY — Brandon and Lisa Higgins of Ruther-fordton are participating in an innovative program designed to educate young, beginning, small and minority farmers about successfully managing their operation.

The Farm Credit Universi-ty (FCU) Ag Big Planner pro-gram teaches financial man-agement skills that provide a sound foundation for keeping their diverse operation grow-ing.

Carolina Farm Credit teamed up with four other Farm Credit institutions in the southeast to co-sponsor 32 program participants.

The Higgins couple oper-ates C-Saw Farm, a sustain-able hog, broiler and beef operation they started in 2006. Customer demand led the Higgins to expand their oper-ation to someday include an artisan cheese operation.

“We’ve offered this course for four years, and participants find it invaluable. The types of loans and paperwork required

in agribusiness are unique and can be overwhelming. This course prepared individuals to discuss financing options to fund their operation, replace equipment, or expand the business,” says Michael Mor-ton, CEO and president of Carolina Farm Credit.

The college-level, 10-mod-ule, online course began in the fall and takes six months to complete. In addition to bud-geting and financial andma-nagement skills, the course emphasizes how to capitalize and navigate the challenges in agribusiness. By the end of the course, the couple will design a strategic business plan for their unique small farming operation.

In addition to the online course, the couple has a close mentoring relationship with Mitchel Pridmore, a loan offi-cer from the Spindale Service Center of of Carolina Farm Credit.

In North Carolina, the pro-gram is also being partially funded by a grant from the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Com-missioner.

Program educates young, small farmers

Courtesy photoShady situations may impede grass growth in a yard.

Managing di!cult yard situations

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FROM STAFF REPORTS

SPINDALE — For those who would like to learn more about gar-dening, the following sessions are of fered through the Ruther ford Extension Center, Callahan Koon Road in Spindale.

The programs are free; but res-er vations are required. Register for each class at least one week prior to the class by calling 287-6011.

April 12: Unusual Fruits:Wanna Go Bananas? Maybe

Nuts? Or Just Fr uity? The pro-gram will focus on growing banana trees, hazelnuts, pomegranates and figs at home.

May 11: HerbsMany culinary herbs will work

well in the garden. Learn about their care and harvest techniques to use for a favorite meal.

June 14: Hot PerennialsFor the summer garden, find

out more about which perennials survive best in full sun and limited

moisture conditions in the area.July 13: Demonstration Gar-

denExplore the Extension Demon-

stration & Teaching Garden. Many plant varieties will be on display in the Raised Bed Gardens, Japanese Garden, Rain Garden, Daylily Dis-play Garden, Pittosporum Garden and Butterfly Garden.

August 9: LawnsCaring for a lawn can be a chal-

lenge. Learn about the best turf-grass varieties to plant, types of fertilizer to use and how to main-tain the lawn.

September 14: Made in the Shade

For landscapes with limited sun-light, plant materials will be used for shade garden.

October 11: MumsA fall favorite, the class will con-

centrate on the types of chrsanthe-mums that can work well in any garden. Learn the steps needed for a fall flower display.

Gardening classes o!ered at Cooperative Extension o"ce

FROM STAFF REPORTS

SPINDALE — Pesticides from the home or farm that are no is use can be safely disposed of on Wednesday, April 24.

The NC Department of Agricul-ture and Consumer Services’ Pesti-cide Disposal Assistance Program, in cooperation with the Rutherford County Extension Center will be of fering this Pesticide Disposal Day for residents in Ruther ford County and all of the surrounding North Carolina counties. The Pes-ticide Disposal Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ruth-er ford County Extension Center located at 193 Callahan-Koon Road in Spindale.

Nearly all pesticide products will be accepted at this disposal

event, including banned and out-dated pesticides. For pesticides with unreadable or mission labels, please contact the Extension Cen-ter for instructions.

Save any por tion of the label to help identify the materials so you can be assisted with dispos-al. Unknown materials cannot be accepted.

For pesticide containers greater than 5 gal. in size, please contact the Extension Center at 287-6011, before pesticide day.

Each year the Pesticide Disposal Assistance Program visits between 40-50 counties to collect unwanted and unused pesticides. For addi-tional information on transporting the pesticides safely to the Dispos-al event, contact Jan McGuinn at the Rutherford Extension Center.

Pesticide Collection Day April 24

FROM STAFF REPORTS

BAT CAVE — The Nature Con-servancy is removing invasive plants from the Bat Cave Preserve in Hick-ory Nut Gorge. Since the preserve is open by invitation only, volunteers who assist with the work are invited to receive an afternoon lesson from a naturalist.

Work and Learn Opportunities include “Rich Cove Wildflowers” on April 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on May 11, “Ferns and Mosses” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In the morning, participants will remove exotic invasive species such

as privet, Japanese honeysuckle and English ivy that threaten the biodi-versity of the preserve. After lunch, an expert will lead a walk through the preserve.

The preser ve is par ticularly attractive in the spring because of its abundance of spring wildflow-ers, including bloodroot, toothwort, trillium, and violets. Two rare sala-mander species are found in the pre-serve s well.

For more details or to register, contact Tara Granke at [email protected] or call 828-350-1431 ext. 104.

Bat Cave Preserve clean up continues

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A personal garden is only limited by the con-straints of a person’s imagination. The vast array of plants and flow-ers available from all over the world can turn any-one’s yard into a melange of functional spaces.

When designing a gar-den, many homeowners do not know where to begin. Much like decorat-ing the interior of a home, how a garden landscape is executed depends on various factors.

Climate and conditionsThe foremost consid-

eration when planting a garden is the climate where the garden will be located. Planting items that are not conducive to growing in certain condi-tions can be counterintui-tive and a waste of money and effort.

Prospective garden-ers must become familiar with the hardiness zones of their region prior to making any plans. This will help you to determine which types of plants will thrive on your landscape. Once this is determined, examination of the soil and conditions on the property is also helpful. Taking this step will help identify any plant deter-rents, such as poor soil quality and pH as well as any pests that may impede plant growth.

If you live in a hot, sandy location, lush tropi-cal plants may not thrive. Therefore, even if you desire a Mediterranean look, you may have to settle for something that works better with your landscape conditions.

Style of the home

Landscaping designs often tie into the archi-tectural style of a home.

For example, an exten-sive Asian-inspired gar-den complete with koi pond and bonsai may look odd in front of a log home. Keep architecture in mind when planning a garden so the look of the home you present is cohesive and fits with the community and immedi-ate vicinity.

Design preferencesAre you a free spirit

who doesn’t conform to convention with firm boundaries? Or are you one who likes order and things in their place? Knowing what makes you tick will help you to choose a gardening style that will be easier to maintain and also make you feel comfortable. For example, prairie-style planting or wildflower gardens are dramatic ways to create natural points of color over a

large area. Most plants are allowed to grow as they may.

Those who l ike a dreamy ethereal feel to their gardens may be inspired by cottage designs, where generous-ly filled borders overflow into a flower and foliage paradise.

I f y o u a r e m o r e inclined to follow the rules and like an orderly landscape, a par terre, or formal planting bed, may be more your style. When carefully pruned, box hedging can show off symmetry and geometry in your space.

Some people are more focused on the accents in their gardens than the plants themselves. Mod-ern architecture pairs well with a contemporary style that blends minimal-ist accents and easy-to-maintain plants.

Al though you can change plants in your garden, investing in a garden that you will be happy with for a long time is a costly venture. You may want to consult a landscape architect or local nursery to find the plants and trees that fit with your design and life-style. These experts can also instruct you in how to maintain all of your hard work and when to expect the full impact of your new landscape to take form.

H o m e o w n e r s c a n browse ideas for gardens in magazines and online, but ultimately it will be up to their personal design preferences and the cli-mate where their home is located to determine which garden will look and grow best.

Metro Creative

Connection contributed to this report.

Identifying garden preferences

Courtesy photoA !eld of Black Eye Susan "owers may be someone’s idea of the perfect garden.

The warmer months provide ample opportuni-ties for outdoor entertain-ing or simply enjoying time spent in the yard as a family. But moments in the fresh air and sunshine can be negatively affected by the presence of flying, buzzing or biting bugs.

When the weather warms, insects that may have been dormant dur-ing the winter begin to exit their dens and reproduce in earnest. Many insects overwinter as eggs and lar-vae, and multitudes break their dormancy at the same time as host plants. Beetles, flies, gnats, bees, mosquitoes, termites, but-terflies, moths, and many other bugs can be seen in abundance in the spring. While there are people who enjoy bugs’ presence as true harbingers of the new season, others who are less enamored with fly-ing insects, especially when they make time outdoors into an exercise in discom-for t. Homeowners con-cerned about the presence of flying insects in their yard can take various steps to manage sharing outdoor spaces with insect life.

PreventionDif ferent varieties of

insects begin their lives as eggs that may hatch into nymphs or worm-like crea-tures known as lar vae. Oftentimes, these eggs are deposited in water or in damp areas. Mosquito lar-vae, for example, thrive in

stagnant water before they turn into winged, biting insects. Keeping outdoor areas free of standing water and ensuring proper drain-age are two ways to reduce the population of certain bugs in the yard. Welcom-ing animals, such as birds and bats that feed on a trove of insects, to the yard can naturally keep insect numbers down.

Flies lay about 50 to 100 eggs at one time. The eggs will hatch into maggots in as little as 12 hours after being deposited. Keeping yards free from decaying matter, especially around enter taining areas, can limit the number of flies in the yard.

TrapsThere are a variety of

different traps on the mar-ket geared toward different insect life. Most use some sort of attractant, whether a scent or light to lure the insects to the trap. Then the bugs fall inside and can-not get out.

Although there are some chemical-based traps or bug “zappers,” there are other more natural traps and more humane options, too. Setting traps away from patios and living spaces will lure the insects to the traps and keep them away from you. Once the trapped insects expire, you can bury them in the ground to naturally decom-pose.

Setting traps out very early in the season will help

to trap as many emerging insects as possible. You also may be able to trap the queens of certain insects, like bees or wasps, further reducing the number of bugs you will see through-out the year.

RepellentsRepellents are natu-

ral or chemically derived formulas that are worn or placed in proximity to peo-ple. These repellents want insects to find them. Once found, the repellents’ smell or taste is deemed ques-tionable by the insects, who will then seek out other areas to reside.

Repellents will vary in ef ficacy and some may need to be reapplied fre-quently to remain effective. However, they are a useful tool when you will not be staying in one spot in the yard.

Screens

If you spend ample time outdoors, especially at dusk, then investing in a screened-in room may be the way to go. This way you can enjoy the weath-er while the insects stay on the other side of the screen. In climates where three-season swimming is possible, some hom-eowners actually create screened-in rooms that encompass their entire pool.

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Connections contributed to this report.

Tackle #ying pests in the yard

Wed.- Sat. 8.30-5.30 pm

www.thedigitalcourier.com • The Daily Courier, Sunday, April 7, 2013 — C5


The backyard has become a go-to destina-tion for warm weather recreation. As the “stay-cation” has grown in pop-ularity, more ef fort has been put for th in mak-ing the backyard a place where all members of the household can enjoy themselves. That means merging interests into one space. A pool may be competing for acreage along with a decorative patch of lawn. Some hom-eowners wonder if lawns and pools can be success-ful alongside each other.

Many question if chlo-rinated pool water poses any ill ef fects on the grass in the backyard. In addition to splash-out of water during fun times in the pool, water also will be tracked across the lawn from children and adults exiting the pool or will flood the grass when it is necessary to clean and “backwash” the fil-ter. Will you be left with a dried-out patch of chlo-rine-burnt lawn? Probably not.

Healthy chlorine levels in a pool are kept so that the pool water is gener-

ally on par with the chlo-rine levels contained in regular tap water. You wouldn’t hesitate turning on the hose to water your lawn, so you shouldn’t be overly concerned about pool water splashing out of the pool, particu-larly if you are stringent about maintaining the proper pH levels and chlorine levels. Also, soil can withstand chlorine at high acid levels and is pretty resilient about self-correcting. Further-more, grass blades are selective about which nutrients they absorb, so excess chlorine likely will not penetrate the grass blades.

Chlorine also dissi-pates in the sun. There-fore, while the levels may be elevated upon just hitting the grass, over a short while the chlorine will essentially be used up and pose no additional threat to the surrounding lawn.

Some people have actually said that water-ing your lawn with pool water can be an eco-friendly way of curbing water usage. Therefore,

it may be safely used on lawns and most flower-ing plants. It is unadvis-able to water vegetable gardens with pool water because of any trace lev-els of other chemicals that may be found in the pool water.

H o m e o w n e r s s t i l l concerned about expos-ing their lawns to pool water can create a buf-fer zone around the pool. In-ground pools are tra-ditionally bordered by concrete or patio blocks. Place stone or mulch around the perimeter of an above-ground pool to catch any splashes and to create a barrier between the pool and the lawn. Also, direct backwashed water through a long tube and have it flow it to an area away from the lawn.

Pool owners who want to have vibrant grass likely don’t need to worry about chlorine damaging their lawns. In fact, the lawns may flourish with the extra watering.

Metro Creative


Can pools and lawns cohabitate peacefully?

Sod, sometimes called tur f, can quickly turn a barren landscape into a rich, thick carpet of green. Homeowners hop-ing to revive their lawns commonly turn to sod as the quickest means to do just that. However, once the sod has been laid down, few homeowners may know how to keep it looking its best.

Sod is real grass that is grown on special farms. It is generally grown locally to avoid long transport times that could dry out the product. Sod is typi-cally sold in squares or rolls of grass that come w i t h t h e r o o t s a n d s o i l a l r e a d y attached. There may be some sor t o f th in backing materi-al on the sod to keep the grass blades together.

Many hom-eowners tur n to sod when growing lawn from seed becomes problematic or too time-consuming. Seeds can be blown around in the wind or be eaten by birds and other animals before they have a chance to germinate.

Sodding a lawn is a major investment, costing

as much as $1 per two-foot square. Depending on the size of your lawn, this can be a costly job even before adding the cost of additional sup-plies, such as soil, fertiliz-er and tilling equipment. Many homeowners who install sod want to ensure their investment lasts. Here are the main ways to care for and protect sod until it is fully estab-lished.

• Once the sod has been laid down, the lawn should be thoroughly soaked with water. Most experts recommend soak-ing it to a depth of 6 inch-es.

• It is impor-tant to estab-lish a watering s c h e d u l e t o keep the sod moist . Water the sod to a depth of one i n c h e v e r y other day for the first three

weeks to enable the roots to securely establish themselves in the soil.

• Water the sod every other day unless the weather has been ver y warm. After four weeks you can generally go up to five days without water-ing as long as you transi-

tion slowly. The sod will change colors if it is not getting enough water. Never let the lawn turn yellow, other wise you may have to cut out dead spots and re-sod.

• Wait two to four weeks before mowing the sod. Keep the lawn height to around two inches to ensure that it won’t scald in the sun.

• After two months of established sod growth, aerate the sod to keep the soil from being too com-pact and to enable oxygen and nutrients to get into the soil.

• Keep children and pets off of the sod while it is establishing itself.

• Fer tilize the lawn ever y 50 to 60 days, beginning in March and ending in October.

• Inspect the sod for pests, which may include insects or problems like fungi or weeds. Treat accordingly with products designed to remove pests.

Using sod to establish a lush lawn is a fast, albeit more expensive option to sowing seeds. After a few weeks the lawn will be thick and secure.

Metro Creative


Caring for a freshly sodded lawn

What homeowner has not lamented that they have many more belongings than they have storage space? In some homes, particular-ly in older homes, closet space and other areas to store items may be lack-ing. Apartment dwellers often find they’re lack-ing in storage space as well. But savvy hom-eowners can find both permanent and tempo-rar y solutions to their home storage problems.

One of the easiest ways to create stor-age space is to simply remove some belong-ings from the residence. Go through c losets around the house and pick through the attic and/or garage to see if there are any items that can be discarded or donated. Items that are broken can be discard-ed, while those things that still have utility can be donated or sold.

The next step is to maximize the space of your existing clos-ets. Many closets are equipped with just a shelf and a clothing rack, greatly limiting the storage potential. Investing in a closet organization system is one way to transform a poorly utilized space. These systems can be purchased, often inex-pensively, from a home improvement center. Compiled of modular racks and shelving, the positioning can be cus-tomized depending on

the size of the closet. Oftentimes, the addition of shelving or another rack for hanging clothes can solve some storage issues. These closet sys-tems also are ideal for renters because they can be installed with minimal damage and be removed when a lease expires.

Homeowners may have to think vertically to solve storage solu-tions. Wall space may be abundant in a home where c l o s e t s a r e n o t . T h e r e -fore, shelving and cabinets can be places to keep items neatly of f the floor. A series of shelves can b e i n s t a l l e d next to a wash-ing machine to keep laundry supplies orga-nized. In chi ldren’s rooms, build bookcases the height of the room so children can store frequently used reading material and toys on the lower levels, and adults can put collectibles and mementos near the top. Hang hooks to hold hats and robes. Whenever possible, look to store items on the walls where they will keep clutter off the floor.

Storage can even be created in the bath-room, where the space over the toilet can be used to hang a cabinet to store hand towels and other toiletries if the

space under the sink has already been claimed.

M a n y a p a r t m e n t dwellers recognize the advantage of having items that ser ve dou-ble-duty in their living spaces. For example, a convertible sofa can be used for sitting and then turn into a bed for over-night guests. Ottomans that have a storage com-partment can house any-thing from throw blan-kets to magazines. An

ar moire may house the tele-vision but also have a pull-out shelf that can hold a laptop computer.

In the kitch-en, move food i tems out of cabinetr y and in to a “pan -try” you create

elsewhere in the house, such as a laundry room or garage. This frees up more room for pots and pans. Cabinets that have pull-out shelving help maximize tight recess-es of cabinets and keep things organized and in sight. For those with limited cabinets, pots and pans can be hung from a pot rack suspend-ed in the kitchen.

Even when there is a small amount of stor-age space, individuals can find clever ways to neatly store items.

Metro Creative


Increase storage possibilities

Courtesy photoMessy closets and clutter elsewhere in the home may be indicative of a storage def-icit. But there are ways to easily increase storage space.

Investing in a closet organization system is one way to transform a poorly utilized space.

Sod is typically sold in squares or rolls of grass that come with the roots and soil already attached.

Courtesy photoIn most cases, pool water will not damage lawns because the chlorine level is not high enough.

WE CAN BE REACHED AT 286-9502 OR 429-3064 CELL

Pinnacle MeatsGlendon Sommers, Owner

Meat Sales Coming Soon!

NOWOPEN!

1201 MCENTIRE ROADRUTHERFORDTON, NC 28139

located in the Greenhill Area just 2 miles off 64/74.

We o! er custom slaughter for beef and pork, as well as

sheep & goats.

FROM PAGE C1

When Leroy’s wife passed away last year, Charles asked him to come to North Carolina and live with him and help farm.

“I was going to fish and camp for the rest of my life, but he begged me to come here,” Leroy said. “I love farming.”

Charles and Debra arrived by the way of Kentucky, Tennessee and Florida.

They were looking for a place to retire from Florida.

“I wanted four seasons and I said I was not going above the Mason Dixon Line,” Charles said.

Debra discovered Rutherford County on the Internet and subsequent-ly found the farm land and property that was for sale by the Morrows.

Before settling in Rutherford, the couple looked at property in New Bern.S.C., where they have friends, but were encouraged to come to Rutherford where the taxes are kinder to retir-ees, Charles said.

Charles had retired from his union job as a truck driver for Roadway Express.

Debra was completing

a career with the Veterans Administration.

The brothers are also raising sweet corn, peach-es, have planted blackber-ries and will plant other fruit trees.

“But I love farming and anything worth while I

can do it,” Charles said.“Buy local, spend

local,” Debra said.The Mosses will sell

the strawberries from their property and also the farmers markets in the county.


Garrett Byers/Daily CourierCharles and Leroy Moss planted 10,000 strawberry plants this year. As it was the !rst time farming the fruit, the brothers have learned a lot during the process and hope to double the number of plants for next year.

BERRIES


L A K E L U R E

The Friends of the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge will host their annual plant sale

Saturday, April 20 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. in conjunction with the Gorge Sale on the Trail. All proceeds will go to further the development and

enhancement of the community project. In the search to fill the bridge gardens, the plant committee has gathered a large varietyof beautiful plants. Most of the plants were put in Saturday with expected full bloom by summer.

Each of the garden beds are diverse with different varieties of flowers, said committee chair Bill Miller. Hundreds of volunteers have been instrumental in building the bridge gardens with a cost savings of more than $300,000, Miller said.

According to the flowering bridge newsletter, the East End Gardens and the construction of the natural bridge planters exceeded the original plans. But due to the support of individuals and businesses, the Friends of the Bridge, completed the bridge project $300,000 less

than the lowest contractor estimate. The volunteers are more confident than ever that the bridge and surrounding gardens will become a major tourist attraction in the near future. The grand opening is planned for October.

Flowering Bridge annual plant sale

FROM STAFF REPORTS

CHIMNEY ROCK — Chimney Rock at Chim-ney Rock Park typically features an abundance of spectacular wildflow-ers in spring and fall with more than 550 species of vascular plants. Currently in bloom are the cut-leaf toothwort, bloodroot and Little Sweet Betsy Trillium at lower elevations in the Park. Phacelia, violets, redbud, spicebush and more trillium often appear in early April. Typical flow-ering trees and shrubs include magnolias, black locust, dogwood, and later in April, Carolina rhodo-dendron. For more details on guided wildflower walks and the latest report on what’s blooming, visit chimneyrockpark.com.

Spring Wild!ower Walk

Saturday, April 20; 1-3pm

The Park is often abundant with blooming wildflowers in the spring, including Trillium, vio-lets and flame azalea. On a quest to see a dazzling variety of native wildflow-

ers, this hike will take you along the Four Seasons trail. Be prepared to walk 1-2 miles with frequent stops to study in detail some of the Park’s 700+ species of known plants. Led by wildflower photog-rapher Steven Faucette.

Cost: $18 for Adults, $3 for Annual Passholders; $9 for Child (ages 5-15), $2 for Grady’s Kids Club Members (includes Park admission). Advance regis-tration required.

Mother’s Day Spring Wild!ower Walk

S a t u r d a y, M a y 11;11am-noon

Celebrate Mother’s Day sur rounded by

blooming wildflowers on a beautiful spring hike. Bring your daughters, girl friends or the whole family! On a quest to see a dazzling variety of Park wildflowers, this hike may take you sightseeing along multiple trails. We’ll take frequent stops to study in detail some of the Park’s 700+ species of known plants.

Cost: $16 for Adults, $3 for Annual Passholders, $8 for Child (ages 5-15), $2 for Grady’s Kids Club Members (includes Park admission). Advance regis-tration required.

For more information on the walks and wildflow-ers in bloom, call 1-828-625-9611.

Wild!ower walks: what’s blooming?

Contributed photoSpring wildflowers are in bloom in Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park.

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Documents

2013 Spring Home and Garden