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2 RGV Home & Garden Show April 2017
BROTHERS RENTAL TOOLSWHY BUY? WHEN YOU CAN RENT
(956) 592-6313 5701 S. 23RD STREET SUITE B • MCALLEN, TX 78503 [email protected]
MA
-30040703
70 LB. AVT BREAKER
ROTARY HAMMERS
FORKLIFT SAFTER CAGE
14” 76 CC MM4 4-STROKE CUTTER
GENERATORS
POWERTOOLS
DRAINERS CLEANERSWELDING / GENERATOR
FORKLIFT EXTENSIONS
PRESSURE WASHERS
COMPACTORS PLATE AND RAMMER
McALLEN CONVENTION CENTER
Friday - Sunday, April 7-9
27th Annual Rio Grande Valley
Home & Garden Show
FREEPARKING
FREETOTE BAGS
*while supplies last
ADMISSION:
Adults 17+ $8.00
Seniors 65+ $7.00*
16 and Under - FREE
Active Duty Military – FREE (w/ID)
Friday, April 7th, 2p-6pSaturday, April 8th, 10a-6pSunday, April 9th, 11a-5p
700 Convention Center Blvd. McAllen, TX • 956.681.3800mcallenconventioncenter.net
n Builders & Remodelers
n Gardening & Wildlife Seminars
n Appliance Showcase
n Outdoor Living & Kitchens
n Plant Sale
n Mosquito Control & Prevention
n Pools & Spas
n Home Security & Automation
n Windows, Shutters & Blinds
n Lowe’s Kids Workshops
n Art, Gift & Gourmet Area *Discount ofers cannot be combined. No further discounts can be applied to senior admission.
3RGV Home & Garden ShowApril 2017
Homeowners can employ many diferent design techniques to create one-of-a-kind properties. Adding a water feature to a landscape is one such technique.
Water gardens, koi ponds or fountains have been home landscaping trends for the past several years. Although water features can add an element of relaxation to landscapes, such features require maintenance to keep them attractive and running properly.
The right design
Homeowners should create a water feature design that is itting with the scale and style of their homes while also keeping their lifestyles in mind. Ponds are popular water features and, like pools, come in both inground and above-ground styles. Above-ground ponds are easier and faster to build than inground ponds and may be safer options for parents of young children. Streams and waterfalls also are popular and can make use of natural variations in property grading. Fountains can be freestanding structures or a component of a pond or another body of water.
Recognize that the location of the water feature can impact its maintenance. For example, a fountain or pond located directly under deciduous trees will require more frequent cleaning to remove leaf and tree debris. Ponds that receive direct sunlight may have more pronounced algae growth. Homeowners should work with a skilled water garden expert in planning the feature’s design and location with safety and upkeep in mind.
Maintain pumps
Water features require the constant low of water to prevent stagnation and proliferation of mosquito and other insect larvae. That requires a pump to push the water around. According to Grounds Maintenance, a green industry professionals resource, the pump should be securely situated on level ground so that vibrations
will not cause the pump to move around and eventually loosen ittings.
Even pumps protected by an intake ilter or screen can become clogged with debris. It’s necessary to routinely inspect the screen and the pump ilter and remove any obstructions. Otherwise, the pump motor can overheat and malfunction. Keep in mind that debris also may include animal life, such as frogs, snakes, turtles and anything that may be drawn to the water feature.
Finding balance
The wrong balance of conditions in the water can cause problems. According to the experts at This Old House, which ofers ideas and advice for old house enthusiasts, algae can be the root of all evil in garden features. Controlling nutrients, which may involve watching the levels of nitrogen compounds and Phosphorous, will help control the algae.
Avoid locating the water feature where lawn and garden runof will ind its way into the water. Filtration and routine testing of water levels also can help. Water features that are not meant to become wildlife habitats may beneit from a mild sanitizer to keep algae at bay. A thorough cleaning of liners at the end of the season to eliminate materials that build up on the bottom can help too.
Winter preparation
When colder weather arrives, homeowners must decide if they want to keep the water feature running or shut it down. Many experts say smaller ponds should be drained, cleaned and left empty until spring. This is also a time to cut back the dead plant material and remove any tropicals from the water. Remove pumps and drain water feature lines so they can overwinter without freezing.
Water features can make properties inviting. But such features add another level of maintenance to landscaping tasks.
Water feature design and maintenance
Did you know? While mosquito bites are often harmless, some mosquitoes may transmit dis-
eases and viruses such as malaria, dengue virus and the Zika virus. When mosquitoes
threaten public health, the United States Environmental Protection Agency may ap-
ply pesticides known as adulticides. Adulticides, which can be used to control existing
mosquito populations and combat an outbreak of mosquito-borne disease, may be
applied by aircraft or via trucks on the ground that have been equipped with mounted
sprayers. The EPA notes that adulticides, when applied according to the instructions
on the label, pose no risks of concern to the general population or the environment.
4 RGV Home & Garden Show April 2017
(MS) - Some insulations can
lose performance over time, sus-
tain damage or simply no longer
meet updated building codes. It’s
an issue that can be costly, be-
cause if your home’s insulation isn’t
doing its job, you could be wasting
money and resources.
You don’t have to be a trained
professional to know you have a
problem. Here are several signs
that your insulation is lacking:
1. Energy bills - High energy
bills are the biggest red lag, es-
pecially relative to the size, age or
condition of the home. If you have
a run-away energy bill, your insu-
lation may need to be upgraded.
This can be the case, even in a
newer home.
2. Drafts - Do you need to put
on a sweater even with the heat
on, or does your air conditioner
run incessantly without making
enough of a diference? That’s a
sign of a deiciency in your build-
ing envelope.
3. Inconsistent temperatures - Is it warm in one room, but cold in
another? Are your walls or interior
closets cold to the touch? It’s pos-
sible that while your whole home
may not need attention, certain
rooms may need to be addressed.
4. Condition of insulating
materials - Consider the age of
your insulation. Would it stand
up to today’s building codes? Is it
in good shape or is it crumbly? If
your insulation has degraded or
isn’t performing, it’s time for an
upgrade. But be careful, as certain
types of older insulation, such as
Vermiculite insulation, may con-
tain asbestos. If you’re unsure, do
not disturb it and hire a profes-
sional to conduct testing and/or
removal. This should not be a do-
it-yourself job.
5. You detect pests and/or moisture - Insulation - and your
building envelope - can be com-
promised by the presence of pests.
Moisture is an even bigger obstacle
to optimal thermal performance,
as some types of insulation can sag
or collapse when damp, leaving
voids and causing air to low in and
out of the building envelope.
While some solutions may be
more complicated, requiring the
opening of the existing wall cavi-
ties, others can be addressed more
easily. The best way to improve
thermal performance and increase
energy eiciency is to upgrade at-
tic insulation. Laying Comfortbatt
insulation over existing material
to achieve a minimum depth of 16
inches, or an R-value of R50, is a
simple DIY project that can gener-
ate immediate results. To fully as-
sess your home and explore reme-
diation solutions, consider hiring a
professional home energy auditor
to evaluate your home’s energy
performance. Even in a new home,
the results may be surprising.
5 signs your home insulation is not working
FRONTIERRUSTIC STORE
Open9am–6pm Mon-Sat;1-4 Sun
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15703 US 281Edinburg, TX 78542956-292-0020
• Sales, Service, & Repair• Free Esimates • Credit Cards Accepted
(956) 340-9178
(956) 534-8342 Español
GARAGE DOORS & OPENERS
Since 1981
ALKALINE WATER
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Water Softener and Reverse Osmosis Systems
WE INSTALL, SERVICE & REPAIR
MOST BRANDS
RENTALS AVAILABLE!
2 Locations to Better Serve You!325 Nolana, McAllen, TX l 956-630-3091
450 E Alton Gloor Blvd Ste #7 Brownsville, TX l 956-621-0347
B.Y.O.B.
STOP USINGFIBER CEMENTSTART USINGSMARTSIDE®
COME VISIT OUR BOOTH
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LIMITED WARRANTY
5RGV Home & Garden ShowApril 2017
• Sales, Service, & Repair• Free Esimates • Credit Cards Accepted
GARAGE DOORS & OPENERS
TER
l
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Call
ValleyCitrus
Rescueto schedule a no-cost
inspection.
(956) 221-4097
Citrus Greening Disease kills Citrus TreesIt Cannot be cured - It can only be prevented
Disease prevention and improvedtree health requires a program of four applications each year.Private tree owners are urged to protect their trees to help protect commercial groves.This is something that you can do yourself or you can have it done by a Professional Licensed Applicator with over 40 years
of experience.
• If you desire to protect your trees but:• Can’t stay in the Valley all year to perform the necessary
applications• Prefer not to invest in the equipment to do a proper job• Are not comfortable with mixing and applying pesticides• Don’t want to be concerned with the proper timing of
applications
FREEDOM AIR & REFRIGERATION2343 Date Palm · McAllen · freedom-ac.com
(956) 371-1544 · 24/7 Emergency Service
Sales · Service
Maintenance · Installation
Commercial · Residential
LIC# TACLA28712C
One springtime task on home-
owners’ to-do lists is checking
cooling systems to ensure they
are ready for summer. Proper
maintenance of cooling systems
is essential to saving energy and
keeping utility costs down. Fortu-
nately, homeowners do not need
to be certiied HVAC technicians to
maintain their cooling units.
• Clean ilters. Whether a home is kept cool by a whole-house
central air conditioning system or
window units, clean ilters are nec-
essary to keep the units working
eiciently. Routinely replacing or
cleaning ilters is one of the most
important maintenance tasks to
improve airlow and increase ei-
ciency. The U.S. Oice of Energy Ef-
iciency & Renewable Energy says
replacing a dirty, clogged ilter
with a clean one can lower an air
conditioner’s energy consumption
by anywhere from 5 to 15 percent.
• Know the square footage. When replacing a cooling system,
have an understanding of the size
of your home (or room if install-
ing an window unit). Determine
the area of the home so you buy a
unit that suits your needs. Air con-
ditioners use BTUs (British Thermal
Units) to deine cooling power. The
more BTUs, the larger the space
that can be cooled. However,
homeowners do not want to ex-
ceed the necessary cooling power.
This leads to energy waste. Ener-
gyStar.gov can help homeowners
ind the right cooling system for
their needs.
• Inspect system coils. The evaporator and condenser coils
on air conditioners can collect dirt,
even when ilters are maintained.
Dirty coils are less eicient at ab-
sorbing heat, so periodically re-
move the dirt. Outdoor coils can
be kept cleaner by cutting back
foliage from the unit to allow bet-
ter air low.
• Inspect condensate drains. Energy.gov also suggests making
sure condensate drains, which
take moisture pulled from the air
away, are functioning properly. If
they’re clogged, they may not be
efective at reducing humidity in a
home, and they may even leak.
• Clear debris. Remove fallen leaves or other plant material from
condenser units and fan blades.
Obstructed components can
cause the system to retain heat,
compromising its ability to work
efectively. Some homeowners
prefer to cover their condensers
at the end of the cooling season
to keep leaves and dirt out of the
unit.
• Check window unit seals.
When installing window units,
make sure all seals around the air
conditioner are in place to prevent
cool-air loss.
• Hire a technician. Air con-
ditioner technicians can be very
helpful and will know how to
prepare a system for hot weather.
Technicians typically conduct mul-
tipoint inspections and measure
such things as refrigerant levels
and duct leakage. Airlow through
the evaporator coil also may be
checked. If a homeowner suspects
the thermostat is not working
properly, a technician can verify if
that is true and even install a new
one if necessary.
As summer approaches, home-
owners should prepare their air
conditioning units for the busy
months ahead.
Prepare cooling systems for warm weather
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Trees may require pruning for a vari-
ety reasons. Storms may have damaged
branches, necessitating a pruning. In other
instances, trees may have outgrown their
yards, overpowering the landscape.
Autumn and winter, when trees largely
go dormant and fallen leaves make it easier
to see the branches beneath, may be prime
times to prune. Pruning during the dormant
period also minimizes sap loss and stress
to the tree, and can help cut down on the
growth of fungi. In addition, insects are less
likely to be problematic during the colder
months of the year.
Trimming and pruning can be handled by
do-it-yourselfers if the branches are smaller
and more manageable. Practice on thinner
branches before moving on to thicker ones,
which may require extra help. Branches may
be heavy, and it takes a guided hand to en-
sure the branches fall in a safe manner so
they do not cause damage or injury.
Branches also need to be trimmed prop-
erly to facilitate good healing. Trees will form
a callus bark covering over cuts to keep out
disease and decay, much as a scab forms
over a person’s wound. Damaging the bark
on a tree while pruning may interfere with
that process, so do-it-yourselfers need to
take the time to prune correctly.
According to Danny Lipford, home im-
provement expert and host of the radio
program “Today’s Homeowner,” larger limbs
may require three cuts instead of one. The
irst cut is a small notch in the bottom of
the limb, around two to three feet from the
trunk and about one-quarter of the way
through. This helps prevent the bark from
splitting. A relief cut is then made a few
inches away from the notch cut, and goes all
the way through. This removes the weight of
the branch so that the inal cut can be made
without the branch splitting and falling. The
inal cut is made right where the limb ex-
trudes from the branch collar, or the swollen
bump that then forms into the tree limb. Fol-
low the slant of the branch collar when mak-
ing the cut. Smaller or thinner branches may
not require the same three steps, but every
efort should be made to reduce injury to
the tree.
When deciding how much to prune, less
is usually more. All pruning can put some
level of stress on the tree and increase its vul-
nerability to disease and insect infestation. A
good rule of thumb is to never prune more
than 25 percent of the crown. According to
experts at TreeHelp.com, living branches
should comprise at least two-thirds the
height of the tree. In some instances, the
rules may need to be bent if trees are inter-
fering with utility lines or to meet commu-
nity laws. However, always prune minimally
to avoid damaging the tree.
The right tools also make the job safer
and easier. Use a pole pruner and lopper,
rope saws, folding pruner, and a bucksaw. A
chainsaw can be used in some instances, es-
pecially when pruning larger limbs. Always
disinfect pruning tools after you’re done to
prevent the spread of disease to other trees.
Consider hiring a professional tree ser-
vice if pruning proves beyond your capa-
bilities. Doing so is safe and often well worth
the investment.
Your guide to proper tree pruning 8 RGV Home & Garden Show April 2017
t CELEBRITY STAGE SEMINAR SCHEDULEFriday, April 7 2:00pm-6:00pm
3:00pm Magniicent Monarchs – Spring Into ActionBy: Luciano Guerra of the National Butterly CenterA presentation about the Monarchs’ journey north and what we can do to help them!
4:00pm Planting for Birds & ButterliesBy: Marisa Oliva-Rodriguez of the Edinburg World Birding CenterMarisa will discuss and showcase the native plants, in this area, that attract birds and butterlies to your yard and garden.
Saturday, April 8 10:00am-6:00pm
12:00pm Landscaping for WildlifeBy: Monica Barrera of the Edinburg World Birding CenterMonica will provide helpful advice for designing a wildlife friendly landscape.
1:00pm Celebrity Guest - Ahmed Hassan of DIY’s Yard Crashers
Landscaping SustainablyWe’ll discuss the always evolving world of landscaping, gardening, outdoor living and now sustainability. Find out easier-than-ever ways to improve your yard and be more sustainable, for FREE!
2:00pm Backyard Bird & Butterly FeedingBy: Becky Reyes of the Edinburg World Birding CenterDiscussing and showcasing different varieties and feed and feeders to attract birds and butterlies to your South Texas yard.
3:00pm Celebrity Guest - Ahmed Hassan of DIY’s Yard Crashers
Landscaping SustainablyWe’ll discuss the always evolving world of landscaping, gardening, outdoor living and now sustainability. Find out easier-than-ever ways to improve your yard and be more sustainable, for FREE!
4:00pm Magniicent Monarchs – Spring Into ActionBy: Luciano Guerra of the National Butterly CenterA presentation about the Monarchs’ journey north and what we can do to help them!
5:00pm African Violet PropagationBy: Sylvia Casselman & Mirtala Rodriguez of the Deep South Texas Master GardenersA demonstration with audience participation, participants will take home a completed item that they will create with the master gardeners!
Sunday, April 9 11:00am-5:00pm
12:00pm A Weather & Climate Tour of the Seasons of the Rio Grande ValleyBy: Barry S. Goldsmith of the National Weather ServicePeople who live in the areas with the traditional “four seasons” may think there are onlytwo (hot and hotter) in the RGV. But there is much more to the story! Spring storm,summer drought, fall loods and winter’s freezes are just a few.
1:00pm Celebrity Guest - Ahmed Hassan of DIY’s Yard Crashers
Landscaping SustainablyWe’ll discuss the always evolving world of landscaping, gardening, outdoor living and now sustainability. Find out easier-than-ever ways to improve your yard and be more sustainable, for FREE!
2:00pm Backyard Bird & Butterly FeedingBy: Becky Reyes of the Edinburg World Birding CenterDiscussing and showcasing different varieties and feed and feeders to attract birds and butterlies to your South Texas yard.
3:00pm Magniicent Monarchs – Spring Into ActionBy: Luciano Guerra of the National Butterly CenterA presentation about the Monarchs’ journey north and what we can do to help them! Seminar times & features subject to change.
Celebrity GuestAhmed
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• Gardening Seminars• Outdoor Living & Kitchens• Onsite Plant Sale• Mosquito Control & Prevention
Complete Selection of Home ImprovementFind just about everything for your home all under one roof.
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Patio CitrusBy: Mani Skaria, PhD, Owner-US Citrus, Inc.Mani, the local citrus guru, will share all you need to know about growing citrus successfully on your patio!
11:00am
9RGV Home & Garden ShowApril 2017
ity Guest
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Although it’s virtually impossible to
count them, insects are the most diverse
group of organisms on the planet. Nine hun-
dred thousand diferent kinds of insects are
known to exist. At any given time, it is esti-
mated that there are around 10 quintillion
individual insects living.
Gardeners grow frustrated when seeing
their gardens infested with insects. In an ef-
fort to restore their gardens, homeowners
might be tempted to eradicate any bug that
moves in their yards. But gardeners would
be wise to irst learn which insects are hurt-
ing their gardens and which can actually
help gardens in the long run.
HarmfulCertain insects can be dangerous to ani-
mals and plants. The following are a handful
of insects that can threaten the vitality of
gardens.
Aphids: These insects suck on the juice
needed to sustain plants, particularly when
they congregate.
Bald-faced hornet: Hornets tend to be an
aggressive species that can sting repeatedly.
Should you ind a nest near an entertaining
space or garden, it can cause trouble.
Carpenter ants: These ants will bur-
row into wood causing damage. They may
compromise any wooden structure in and
around a home.
Locusts: Various species of locust can
damage plants and crops due to their vora-
cious appetites.
Treehoppers: These small, green insects
mimic the look of leaves, and their appetites
can afect crops and gardens.
Red pavement ant: As they feed on all
manner of human food, these ants can
quickly overtake areas with their staggering
numbers and deliver painful bites.
Grasshoppers: Certain grasshoppers, like
the red-legged grasshopper, can decimate
food crops and transfer parasites to birds
when eaten as prey.
Caterpillars: Many caterpillars, the pre-
cursor to adult moths, will feed constantly
on leaves, stems and other parts of plants.
The tobacco hornworm moth caterpillar can
damage potato and tomato plants.
HelpfulPlants depend on insects to transfer
pollen as they forage, and many insects are
quite beneicial to have around. While some
pollinate, others are predators of other pests.
Antlion: A foe of ants, they’ll help eat and
control ant populations and pollinate low-
ers. They pose no threat to humans, either.
Big dipper irely: These colorful insects
feast on earthworms, slugs and snails during
the larval stage. Firelies add drama to eve-
ning gardens with their twinkling lights.
Garden spiders: Although some spiders
can be venomous, many are quite handy to
have around the garden. They’ll help control
pest populations that can damage plants
and crops.
Dragonlies: These arial artists that zip
around the yard are consuming smaller in-
sects that would otherwise pester plants
and humans.
Blue-winged wasp: This wasp attacks the
larvae of Japanese beetles, helping to con-
trol beetle populations.
Bees and butterlies: Butterlies and bees
are some of the best pollinators out there,
and each can add whimsy to gardens.
Helpful and harmful insects10 RGV Home & Garden Show April 2017
Many gardeners understand the frustration that stems from seeing a garden destroyed by
wildlife. While protecting wildlife is a cause that’s near and dear to many gardening enthusi-
asts, even the most ardent wildlife supporter does not want to see his or her garden trampled,
eaten or adversely afected by animals.
Safeguarding gardens from local wildlife can require some trial and error. Animals may
ind ways to circumvent gardeners’ initial eforts to protect their gardens, but the following
methods might just do the trick the irst time around.
• Erect physical barriers around gardens. Barriers may not be gardeners’ irst choices,
as some people feel barriers such as wire cages or mesh coverings make it more diicult to
tend to gardens and rob gardens of some of their aesthetic appeal. But coverings and wire
cages can efectively prevent wildlife from trampling or eating plants while still allowing the
gardens to get adequate sunlight. Make sure barriers extend to the ground so animals cannot
access gardens by entering beneath the barricades.
• Fight intruders with odor. Stray cats may mistake gardens for litter boxes and enter
them to relieve themselves. Preventing such intrusions can be as simple as placing items
around the garden to reduce the likelihood that gardens will be mistaken for litter boxes.
Peels from oranges and lemons or cofee grounds can be placed in the garden and can emit
odors strong enough to deter cats.
• Install motion detecting lights around gardens. Motion detection technology might
be enough to deter nocturnal wildlife from trampling or eating gardens. Animals might be
spooked and run away when lights suddenly turn on. A similar approach can be taken using
noise instead of lights. Gardeners who hope to avoid erecting barriers around their gardens
can put up posts instead, attaching aluminum cans or wind chimes to the posts that will
make noise when animals come near. Much like light, noise can be enough to deter animals.
• Consider raised garden beds. When small critters, such as moles, are the main prob-
lem, then raised garden beds with wood or plastic bottoms and sides can be enough to safe-
guard gardens. Raised garden beds might not be accessible to small critters, though such
beds likely won’t deter larger animals from getting into gardens that are not barricaded.
• Erect fencing around the yard. Though fencing is expensive, fencing in a backyard
or side yard where gardens are located can deter wildlife big and small from trampling or
eating gardens.
Wildlife is worth protecting, but gardeners must also take steps to protect their gardens
from animals looking for something to eat.
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How to keep animals out of your garden
Container gardens can deter pests from trampling and eating plants.
Items to avoid when composting Composting is an eco-friendly activity that can also save homeowners money on fertil-
izer and pesticides. Organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow, compost
reduces the amount of waste that would otherwise end up in landills, reducing the amount
of methane gas that such landills produce. But the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
notes that not everything can be added to compost piles. The following are some items
homeowners should not add to their compost piles or bins, courtesy of the EPA.
• Black walnut tree leaves or twigs: Leaves or twigs from black walnut release sub-
stances that might prove harmful to plants.
• Coal or charcoal ash: Coal or ash from charcoal, such as the ash that builds up in the
bottom of charcoal grills, may contain substances that are harmful to plants.
• Dairy products: When added to compost piles, dairy products, including butter, milk,
sour cream, yogurt and eggs, can be malodorous and may attract pests, including rodents
and lies.
• Diseased or insect-ridden plants: The diseases and insects that plague plants may
survive being transferred to compost piles. When the compost is ultimately distributed,
these diseases and insects might then plague other plants.
• Fats, grease, lard, or oils: Fats, grease, lard or oils also may attract rodents and lies,
and that might be due to the unpleasant odors such substances can produce when added
to compost piles.
• Meat or ish bones and scraps: Like fats, grease, lard or oils, scraps from meat and ish
and ish bones can smell unpleasant, potentially attracting rodents and lies.
• Pet waste: Pet waste, including soiled cat litter, may contain parasites, bacteria, germs,
pathogens, and viruses that can be harmful.
• Grass trimmings treated with chemical pesticides: Trimmings from grass that were
treated with chemical pesticides can negate the efects of composting by killing beneicial
organisms produced within compost piles or bins.
11RGV Home & Garden ShowApril 2017
ts.
