Have More Time for Football: 15-Minute Garden and Lawn Drills


Whether tailgating, playing a game of catch with the Page 14 September 23 2011


kids, cheering on your favorite team from the stands or calling plays from the couch - fall means football. A few simple tips can keep outdoor projects from running interference on your weekend game schedule. Here are 10- to 15-minute garden and lawn drills to keep your focus on the game and yard work on the sideline this fall: September: * Lawns can get damaged when kids and pets


Impr Homeovement


play on grass that is still wilting from summer heat and drought. Spruce up your lawn by re- seeding with a quality grass seed and lawn food specifically designed to help seed germinate, like Scotts Starter Fertilizer. Fall is the best time for grass. Keep the seed and young grass wa- tered and hold off on any weed control until the new grass has been mowed four times. * Feed the grass. The difference be- tween “so-so” grass and truly beautiful grass, both now and next spring, is two fall feedings. Feeding in early Septem- ber helps your lawn begin rebuilding grass roots that were damaged during the hot, dry summer. Feed again in late October to prepare for winter, using Scotts Winter Guard once new seed is established. * Create patches of color in your landscape by filling pots with fall flora. Replace tired-looking summer plants with mums, asters, pansies and flowering


cabbage. Look for special displays at local garden centers and add Miracle-Gro potting soil to your containers for big, beautiful blooms. * Clean up the garden. Perennials may now be past their prime and the summertime vegetable garden may be looking a bit sparse. If so, cut them back. This will help keep bugs and disease away. Use what you cut to start a compost pile. October: * Prevent tree leaves from smothering grass.


Contrary to popular belief, fallen tree leaves will not insulate the lawn during winter. In fact, they can block vital sunlight and cause turf to thin. So, drop the rake and mulch leaves to dime-sized pieces with a lawn mower. Leave clippings on the lawn to allow leaves to recycle back into the soil, providing food for earthworms and soil microbes. * Plant spring-blooming bulbs now for bursts of color later. Visit a local garden center for a great selec- tion of daffodil, crocus, hyacinth, tulip and other spring- flowering bulbs. Plant in masses or tuck patches into other beds for a surprise of spring color. Feed with Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Bone Meal for strong root development. * Due to cooler temperatures, fall is a great time to plant a tree or shrub. Soils stay warm late into the fall which al- lows for good root development and less transplant shock. Roots will also have an easier time starting new growth again in early spring, and plants are often on sale in autumn. Be sure to use Miracle-Gro Quick Start Transplant Starting Solution to help prevent transplant shock and provide essential nutrients. November: Mow at a “summer height” of 2 to 3 inches until your


grass stops growing - into early winter. Do not lower your height for the final cut.


* Clean up tools for a fresh start next spring. They have


served you well all season, but now it is time to put them away. To prevent rusting, give tools a good cleaning before hanging up, and then spray a light coating of common household oil. When finished mowing for the year, per- form any mower maintenance before storage for winter. Sharpen mower blades, change the spark plug, and be sure to drain the gas or run the engine dry of fuel. With these quick drills in the rotation, the garden and


lawn will stay in tip-top shape leaving plenty of time to catch games. They also will look great for any impromptu tailgate parties. These simple tasks will make life easier next spring and give the garden and lawn a head start. - ARA Content


Fight the Battle of Rising Heating Costs


that deplete energy - and your fam- ily budget. Here’s your money-saving strategy:


* Start early - When the weather is still balmy, take care of the places outside your home where the uncom- fortable chill of new seasons can creep indoors. Then, move inside to ensure there are no “holes” in the house where the chilly drafts of winter can hide.


* Be prepared - Rounding up prod- ucts in the fall that will ensure comfort and warmth is a DIY task that is easier than you think. With the affordable, easy-to-use tools on the market, the job is doable in a weekend. Try these products for a sure victory in the heat- ing cost battle: For interior and exterior doors,


With fall approaching, the leaves


drop to the ground and the temperature begins to plummet, but your heating bills move in the opposite direction - ‘tis the season of high heating costs.


According to early reports, heat and oil prices will continue to rise, which can cut a large chunk out of your home heating budget this winter, if you’re not careful.


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too late to do some- thing in the battle against rising heating costs. You can start by winteriz- ing your home, plugging up the leaks and drafts


there’s Duck brand Double Draft Seal. Engineered to hug the bottom of a door or window from both sides, the seal offers two layers of protection from drafts. It has exclusive adjustable straps to keep the seal from sliding and getting stuck in the door. The seal is designed to work on a variety of floor types and features abrasion-resistant, washable fabric. It works well on windows as well. The window can be closed onto the flat middle section for a snug, double sided seal. Stop drafts through windows by us- ing Duck brand Roll-On Window Kits, which provide an airtight seal against the energy-sucking winds of winter. These kits are practically invisible, come in a variety of sizes, are easy to install, fit snugly to your window frame and can be easily removed come spring. You might also consider dressing your windows for the winter. Thermal drapes, blinds or other win- dow clothing can protect not only your windows and your family’s comfort, but your finances as well. If you are able to make a more costly investment in window replacement, double glazed windows provide the best protection against wind and ice. For outdoor faucets that freeze from


frustrating cold winds, consider covers that insulate and protect. Faucet covers can help prevent pipes from freezing and save on expensive repair work.


Duck brand offers two kinds of fau- cet covers: a rigid foam version and a flexible, insulated version. These faucet covers work on a variety of faucet types. Layer up - As the winds of Novem- ber cause you to wear extra layers, it’s time to think about insulation for your home too. The Envi- ronmental Protection Agency (EPA) esti- mates that homeown-


ers can typically save up to 20 percent of heating and cooling costs (or up to 10 percent of total energy costs) by air sealing their homes and adding insula- tion in attics, floors over crawl spaces, and accessible basement rim joists. Discover the best products available, such as foam or eco-friendly ways to do it yourself. Insulation does not require maintenance, upkeep or adjust- ment, so it’s a reliable member of the team that will secure your home from the frigid weather. Protect the warmth - Make sure


your furnace is well maintained, which means cleaning filters monthly to maxi- mize their efficiency (and save money). At a minimum, change the filter every three months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool - wasting energy. A programmable thermostat is ideal for people who are away from home during set periods of


START RIGHT.START HERE.


time throughout the week. According to EnergyStar, a properly programed thermostat can save about $180 every year in energy costs. Plug the holes through walls - Select


Duck brand Socket Sealers to combat the cold air that invades your home from indoor and outdoor electrical outlets and switch plates. They are easy to install and made from flame retar- dant foam. Rubber, foam or silicone weatherstrip seals can also be used to insulate around doors and windows and keep your home comfortable and cozy.


Make yourself a promise this fall -


you will close the door on heat loss, slam the windows on energy drain and reward yourself with ample savings throughout the winter. Improving your household’s energy budget will help keep your family warm and comfort- able, so start early. Rest assured the tools to be victorious over energy loss are better than ever, the steps are simpler than imagined and the results are almost immediate. For more information and tips to protect your home and your wallet from the weather that can drain your energy usage, visit DuckBrand.com/HomeSmart. - ARA Content


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