July 18, 2012

A supplement of the Southern Dutchess News, Northern Dutchess News & Beacon FFree Press

First classFences

A Grand Illusions maintenance-free fence from Adams Fences is the ideal fit for David Bulkeley and his neighbor in Staatsburg.

First classFences See storSee story pages 8-9y pages 8-9

Page 2C—SOUTHERN DUTCHESS NEWS—July 18, 2012

Like it never even happened.®

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SERVPRO® highlights disaster preparednessWe spend quite a bit of time and

money preparing for unlikely events.Here in the Hudson Valley we only

have to go back to August andSeptember of last year to rememberHurricane Irene, tropical storm Leeand their aftermath. Then, in lateOctober, we were hit with an earlysnowstorm of mammoth proportions.

In all three cases, many individualslost their entire homes and/or busi-nesses. Farmers lost entire crops.Damage from floodwaters was in thebillions of dollars. Entire city blockswere underwater. Thousands of homesand businesses lost power as trees fellacross power lines and crushed homesand cars.

Preparing for the worst is part oflife. We insure our homes and cars toprotect some of our most valuableassets. We write living wills to ensurethat our families and estates are taken

care of should the unthinkable happen.How many of us have a disaster pre-

paredness plan in place should MotherNature come knocking down ourdoors or flooding our homes? If a nat-ural disaster struck while you were atwork or out of town, would your fam-ily know the steps to take to remainsafe?

That's why the Department ofHomeland Security sponsors the"Ready Campaign" and recognizesNational Preparedness Month inSeptember. As a coalition member ofNational Preparedness Month, yourlocal SERVPRO® professionals wantyou to be prepared should a man-madeor natural disaster strike our area.

In the Hudson Valley, contactSERVPRO® of Northwest andSoutheast Dutchess County at (845)635-4550 in Pleasant Valley(www.servproofnwsedutchesscounty.c

om) or SERVPRO® of WesternDutchess County at (845) 831-3600 inBeacon (www.servproofwestern-dutchess.com).

The staff of both local SERVPRO®franchises were busy after HurricaneIrene and tropical storm Lee last yearhelping families, businesses andmunicipalities recover and clean upfrom the storms. In October, they wereright on the job again working togeth-er with homeowners, business people,town and village officials and volun-teers. SERVPRO® professionalswould also like to remind everyone tobe mindful of water damage and thepossibility of mold, yes even a yearafter the storms. If walls, insulationand sheetrock did not dry properly,mold can still be a problem.

With new technology, the profes-sionals at SERVPRO® can useinfrared cameras to photograph

through your walls and detect waterdamage without harming the structure.

Call your local SERVPRO® officeto arrange for an evaluation.

Your emergency planHow often do you think about emer-

gencies or disasters? Maybe after ithappens to someone else, but otherthan that, probably not very often.Taking just a few steps now can giveyou the tools to help ensure that yourfamily and your business are safe.

Many people simply think that itwill be easy to grab items from yourpantry if a disaster strikes. But what ifyou aren't at home? What if your fam-ily is separated? What if you had toleave quickly? What about elderlyneighbors? The "Ready Campaign"and Citizen Corps encourage you totake a few extra minutes to plan forany emergency.

Continued on page 7

July 18, 2012—SOUTHERN DUTCHESS NEWS—Page 3C

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(P) 845-471-9370 (F) 845-625-1479Gary E. Beck, Jr.

Take your living room outsidewith Rodriguez Landscaping

If you like to spend time outdoors,pavers are ideal for your property.They make your outdoor spaces ausable part of your home and, in doingso, add value to your real estate.

Rodriguez Landscaping is locallyowned, fully insured and providesknowledgeable and experienced pro-fessionals who take a personal interestin your project.

Make an impressionA driveway built from pavers isn't

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FlexibleYou can design your paver project

exactly how you want it. Choose thestone, the color, the shape, the textureand even the pattern. For inspiration,we have examples of paved drive-ways, patios, pool decks, walls, steps,pathways, fire pits and side walks thatwe've installed for our clients over theyears.

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turns to winter, but a driveway or patiobuilt from pavers will shift naturallywith the seasons, eliminating thiscommon problem. All surfaces builtfrom pavers are resistant to the freeze-thaw cycle, but ours are especiallydurable because of the special tech-niques we use to prepare the founda-tions. This means you can rely onRodriguez Landscaping's projects tolast.

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Z3 Consultants, Inc. offerinspections and testing

Why do you need to have a homeinspection for pre-purchase/listing?

The professionals at Z3 Consultantsare here to help out.

Z3 Consultants Inc. was founded in1998 and is based in Dutchess County.Z3 offers services to owners, archi-tects, engineers, attorneys, developersand municipalities.

Z3 offers services for all types ofinspections to determine compliancewith the Uniform Code, including, butnot limited to, electrical inspections,backflow testing, sprinkler testing,fire safety and property maintenanceinspections, buildings which containareas of public assembly, multipledwellings and nonresidential occupan-cies.

Pre-purchaseBuying a home could be the largest

single investment you will ever make!To minimize any surprises and diffi-culties, you’ll want to learn as muchas you can about the newly construct-ed or existing house before you buy it.A home inspection may identify theneed for major repairs or builder over-sights, as well as the need for mainte-nance to keep it in good shape. After

the inspection, you will know moreabout the house, which will allow youto make decisions with confidence.

Pre-listingIf you are planning to sell your

home, to give your home a competi-tive edge when it’s time to sell, makesure it is in good physical condition.This not only makes your home moreattractive and desirable, it also simpli-fies the negotiation process when thetime comes for the buyer’s pre-pur-chase inspection.

The statisticsAccording to home inspection

experts, approximately half the resalehomes in the market today have atleast one significant defect. Routinemaintenance is the best way to preventmajor, costly problems from develop-ing in the first place. If you have beenputting off those repairs, now is thetime to make them.

Call Gary E. Beck, Jr. today at 845-471-9370 to schedule your homeinspection!

Page 4C—SOUTHERN DUTCHESS NEWS—July 18, 2012

N. Dutchess Botanical Gardens offers wide array of perennialsNorthern Dutchess Botanical

Gardens in Rhinebeck is offering awide selection of container grownperennial plants from over 285 vari-eties of first year perennials. These areplants that have not yet been through awinter season, to nearly 700 varietiesof mature perennials that have.

Since they grow what they sell atNorthern Dutchess Botanical Gardens,when stock is sold out it's sold out forthe season. Please call 845.876.2953for availability.

Northern Dutchess BotanicalGardens is a grower of an extraordi-nary variety of annuals, perennials,vegetables, herbs and ornamentals.

Nestled away in the back woods offRt. 308 on the Salisbury Turnpike witha range of eight greenhouses and threeholding houses, the Santini Family hasbeen horticulturally servicing thewants and desires of local gardenersfor over 27 years.

Northern Dutchess BotanicalGardens is not exactly on a well beat-en path, but every plant nut, gardenmeister and perennial plant lover hasmanaged to seek them out and spreadthe word.

The coolest thing about NorthernDutchess Botanical Gardens - is that it

breathes. It's a working, living green-house operation where the plants theysell are the plants they grow on site.Whether from seed, cutting, plugs,roots or divisions they're grown here.So you could just walk around and seewhat we do to make the stock look theway it does - healthy, green and happy.Just watch out for the hoses, they'reeverywhere.

The sales yard is maintained out-doors comfortably situated betweengreenhouses and some display gar-dens, all of which nestle nicely in theback woods of Rhinebeck. It's the mostrelaxed setting a nursery can have.We're set up in the most visitor friend-ly way we can think of. Each group ofplants is set on its own benches or inthe case of larger groups like perenni-als their own areas in alphabeticalorder and exceptional signage withpictures, culture and descriptions. Theresults make an easy, satisfying andinformative plant buying experiencefor any level gardener.

They offer a wide selection of con-tainer grown perennial plants fromover 285 varieties of first year perenni-als, these are plants that have not yetbeen through a winter season, to near-ly 700 varieties of mature perennials

that have.A huge selection of garden vegeta-

bles is also available - includingeveryone's favorite - tomatoes.There's nothing quite like a homegrown tomato.

Northern Dutchess BotanicalGardens offers 27 hybrid varietiesthat customers consider the best fortaste and disease resistance. IN addi-tion they offer 19 varieties that haveremained unchanged in their breed-ing for at least 25 years. Heirloomshave had a resurgence in popularityin recent years with their unusualcolors of purple, black, yellow orstriped fruit green markets andrestaurants everywhere.

This year the staff at Northern

Dutchess Botanical Gardens is adapt-ing to the call for organic edibles.They have reconfigured the space inorder to devote an entire greenhouseto organically grown vegetables andherbs, with over 30 varieties of heir-loom and 25 varieties of regulartomatoes, 30 varieties of peppers andover 60 vegetables including egg-plant, basil and much more. They areexcited to present a product that hasno chemical fertilizers...they areusing King Neptune Fish Emulsionand as always, they never spray ouredibles.

For more information, callNorthern Dutchess BotanicalGardens at 845-876-2953 or visit theweb site at www.ndbgonline.com.

Throw the perfect block partyThere's no better way to get to

know the people in your communitythan a neighborhood block party. Andnothing spells summer fun more thanan outdoor get-together, completewith a potluck style meal, music andgames.

There's more to planning a blockparty than meets the eye. Here aresome tips to make sure your shindig isa surefire success:

• Planning a block party is not a jobfor one -- about a month or two inadvance, form a small committee ofabout four or five people and createtask assignments to help share theworkload.

• Be sure to check with communityofficials such as the local policedepartment regarding any necessarypermits you'll need and to secure adate for the party.

• Formulate a budget based on item-ized expenses, including everythingfrom big things like a moon bounce tolittle things like balloons and dispos-able bakeware.

• Encourage one-time use contain-ers to make cleanup simple and avoidthe confusion of returning dishesafterward. For example, Chinetmakes freezer-safe bakewaredesigned to cook food evenly in theoven or microwave.

• Coordinate with neighbors to seewho can provide grills, tables, andpaper plates.

• Get a handle on your potluck bysuggesting that households fromeven-numbered addresses bring sidedishes and odd-numbered addressesbring desserts.

• Distribute invitations door-to-doorin advance of the party; and don't for-get to extend the invitation to neigh-boring businesses. Some businessesmay even be able to provide partysupplies.

• Reduce your environmentalimpact by setting up recycling andcomposting bins and opting for com-postable tableware.

• To foster conversation, set up longtables for family-style dining.

• Invite local family-friendly bandsand comedians to perform. The per-formers will love the exposure, andyour crowd will love the entertain-ment.

• Plan activities for kids like facepainting, sidewalk chalk, and a moonbounce. You might even considerinviting the local fire department todo "Stop, drop and roll" demonstra-tions.

• Think way ahead! Plan a raffle orother fundraiser to raise money forfuture bashes.

"Block parties are all about con-necting or reconnecting with peoplewho have a lot in common with eachother, starting with where they live,"said Kate Altenhofen, MarketingManager at Huhtamaki, the makers ofthe Chinet brand of premium dispos-able tableware.

For more block party inspiration,including great party-friendly recipes,visit www.mychinet.com/tips.

Block parties are an American sum-mer tradition. Be sure your neighbor-hood gets in on the fun!

Source: Statepoint.net.

July 18, 2012—SOUTHERN DUTCHESS NEWS—Page 5C

Deer Defeat will keep deer away from your 'delicacies'We are entering the "dog days of

summer" when the heat index rises.These are also the "deer days." Likeus, they seek the shady areas duringthe hot part of the day and then go for-aging for "delicacies" en (in) the earlymorning and evening hours.

Most of those "delicacies" are in theform of the beautiful lilies, impatiens,roses, hydrangeas, hostas and justabout any other flower in your garden.They also love tomatoes and every-thing else in your vegetable garden.

That being the case, you need tomake sure you are stocked up on DeerDefeat. It is produced right here in theHudson Valley and is the one deterrentthat truly does keep the deer, rabbitsand woodchucks away. Deer Defeat iseco-friendly, made with all natural

ingredients; it is totally safe for theenvironment, for humans and for ani-mals. It does not need to be re-appliedafter the rain; it will not wash off evenwith long periods of steady rainfall.

By applying Deer Defeat repellentjust a few times throughout the year,you will not need to invest in anyburlap or deer fencing.

Deer Defeat has received the mem-ber-tested and recommended seal ofapproval from the National Home andGarden Club.

This is also the time of year whenyou see the "deer families" roamingthrough your neighborhood. Thosecute fawns may look adorable, buttheir sense of smell is not fully devel-oped and they love to explore. So, ifyou see plants that you thought weredeer resistant - and they have beenchomped - you can blame it on

"Bambi."Deer Defeat LLC started manufac-

turing and distributing their eco-friendly all-natural deer and rabbitrepellent, four years ago. In this shorttime, Deer Defeat Repellent hasgained the recommendation of land-scapers throughout the United Statesand Master Gardeners from CornellCooperative Extension by individualcounties in New York. Many nationalparks are using Deer Defeat Repellent,as well as home gardeners throughoutthe country.

Deer Defeat is sold in many storesthroughout Hudson Valley andbeyond. They encourage their loyalcustomers to buy Deer Defeat at localretail stores that support and carrytheir products. The addresses andphone numbers of the stores that carryDeer Defeat are listed on the homepage of their website (www.deerde-feat.com) under "Where to buy." If theretail stores are not near the buyers, allthree sizes of Deer Defeat Repellentare also sold on www.deerdefeat.com.

Deer Defeat is so good, the testimo-nials keep rolling in. Here are a fewmore.

Prior to using Deer Defeat, the deerate our hosta, inpatients, azaleas androses.

"Last year we purchased DeerDefeat and applied it to our plants asrecommended. The deer did not touchor eat our plants all summer. It reallyworks! Best of all it is not toxic to ourpets."

Susan J NessSchoharie"I planted a huge lily garden three

years ago. No lillies (lilies) bloomeduntil this year when I used DeerDefeat. The garden was so beautifulthat people wowed, stopped & tookpictures! Thanks Deer Defeat!"

Kit KoernerPine Plains"I went to the local lumberyard

looking for a different brand that Iused before that worked OK. Sawyour product and that it was made inthe Hudson Valley so I thought Iwould give it a try. Glad I did! Beststuff on the market. I saw daylilies forthe first time in six years. I have andwould recommend to everyone thatcomplains about the deer eating every-thing. Again "Best Stuff on theMarket!"

Rhonda JohnsonCraryville

"This year was the first time in 27years that I got to see my lilies andhostas go to full bloom. A squirt everyonce in a while is all it takes."

Tae B. HesbestedCarmel"Deer Defeat is awesome. I live near

a creek that much of the local deerpopulation frequent. I had all butgiven up on a Cherry tree that the deerhad destroyed. While at a visit to thelocal garden center I was introduced toDeer Defeat. With one application ofDeer Defeat the deer have not beenback since. My Cherry tree has made afull recovery and I am building newplantings around my home. It is unbe-lievable."

Chris RawlsEast Fishkill

Deer Defeat contestAttention Deer Defeat users:

Check out the website at www.deerdefeat.com and send a pic-ture of your beautiful flowers/vegetables with testimonial for achance to win a free Gallon of Deer Defeat concentrate.

Take back your backyard from insectsSummer means sunshine, relaxation

and backyard barbecues. But it alsomeans the return of insect season.Homeowners work hard on their back-yards, but the nuisance of pesky flyinginsects often prevent them from enjoy-ing their yards as much as possible.

Not only are insects annoying, theycan be dangerous too. Stinging insectssend over 500,000 people to the emer-gency room each year and an estimat-ed two million Americans are allergicto insect stings.

Don't let bugs keep you from relax-ing outdoors. Use these tips to takeback your yard from annoying pests.

Garlic is heralded for its ability toward off bloodsucking vampires; butdid you know eating garlic can repelbloodsucking insects as well? Garlic isexcreted through the pores and acts asa natural barrier to flying insects whodon't like the smell.

The key to insect control is early

detection and elimination. Considerusing traps to eliminate bothersomebugs. Not all traps are eyesores. Forexample, the Black Flag Flying InsectTrap and Lure attracts, traps, and killswasps, yellow jackets and flies, andcan be hung in a tree or staked in theground; discreetly blending into anyoutdoor setting. It's also safe for yourfamily and pets. More information isavailable at www.blackflag.com.

Bees, wasps, and yellow jackets areattracted to bright colors and floralpatterns. The color black also tends toirritate the insects. Wear light colorssuch as khaki, beige, or white to avoidbeing stung.

Certain plants and herbs, such asrosemary, basil and thyme, emit odorsthat ward off insects. Not only willthese plants help deter unwanted pests;you'll also have some fresh herbs readyfor cooking right in your backyard!

Source: Statepoint.net.

In the warm days of summer, many families are staying cool in the familyswimming pool.

Basciano Electric would like to take this opportunity to present pool safetytips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Red

Cross. For all of your electrical needs, call BascianoElectric at 914-755-1897.

First of all, post an emergency plan within clear viewof those using the pool.

In general• Know where all the electrical switches and circuit

breakers for pool, hot tub and spa equipment and lightsare located and how to turn them off in an emergency.

• Know where emergency equipment, including aShepherd's crook/rescue hook, is stored.

• Learn CPR and rescue breathing procedures.Attire• Always have dry hands and feet, and wear dry rub-

ber-soled shoes while using electrical products.• Avoid touching electrical products or wires when

you are wet or in contact with wet surfacesElectrical cords• Do not use an electrical cord that is damaged or

repaired with tape.• Keep electrical cords, wires, and products out of

reach and at least 5 feet from the water. Examplesinclude temporary or permanent wires (e.g. telephone,television), light strings, rope lights, and extension orpower cords.

Page 6C—SOUTHERN DUTCHESS NEWS—July 18, 2012

Continued on page 12

MID SEASON SERVICE

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New spark plugs

Oil change

Check ignition

Check carburetor

Check throttle

Check choke controls

Check battery

Check and adjust belts

Replace air filter

Check electrical systems

Lubricate moving parts

Lubricate steering

Lubricate linkage

Check and adjust clutch

Check and adjust brakes

Check and adjust tire pressure

Inspect all safety features

Test overall operation

Replace fuel filter

Corner of 376 & Lake Walton Rd.Wapp. Falls, NYTues.-Fri. 8-5 • Sat. 8-3Closed Sun. & Mon. 221-LAWN

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Chain saws from A-1 will help to beat high cost of heating oil

Basciano Electric providespool safety information

A-1 Lawnmower and Small Engine Repair, Inc. carries a full line of Husqvarna chain saws.

It may be hot now, but the heat willbe costly when the colder months rollaround. If the cost of oil heat has youworried, then now is the time to checkout the large selection of Husqvarnachain saws at A-1 Lawnmower and

Small Engine Repair, Inc.Now - during the warm-weather

months - is the time to cut those logsso that you have plenty of wood forthe colder months.

Kathie and Stu Kotchie will be

happy to instruct you in the operationof the many different types of saws sothat you can beat the oil heat prices bycutting your own wood now and haveit stored for use in your wood stoveand/or fire place.

In addition, A-1 carries a full line ofriding and push mowers, string trim-mers, backpack blowers and rollingleaf blowers so you can keep the yardspruced up during the summermonths.

A-1 also features a delivery serviceand handles all types of repairs - on allitems, not just the ones they sell.Kathie and Stu even carry many hard-to-find parts.

For more information, visit A-1Lawnmower and Small EngineRepair, Inc. at the intersection of Rt.376 and Lake Walton Road/RobinsonLane in Wappingers Falls or call 221-LAWN (5296).

July 18, 2012—SOUTHERN DUTCHESS NEWS—Page 7C

Covered garden, deck shine with help from 'trulyhelpful'Ralph from 'trulyhelpful' is a versa-

tile one-man show and he can handle awide variety of projects - from interioradditions to decks, patios and yes,even covered gardens.

One of Ralph's spring projects thisyear included an 18 x 20-foot coveredgarden with a terraced garden on theend of the deck.

The cutting garden was built on anincline; therefore it included threecourses of 4x4 on two sides and fivecourses on the three lower sides.

Ralph says the box was pinned tothe earth with half-inch rebar and wasput together with 3.5-inch treatedscrews and 10-inch spikes. A drainwith stones was installed on the out-side of the box on the two high sidesand drains inside the lower sides.

The frame of the garden is of con-structed from 2x6s and 4x4s. Therungs are 3/4 conduit with ½ - inchrebar inside the conduit. The cover is1.5x1.5 heavy deer mesh strungtogether with #10 black conduit wire,attached with black Zip ties.

All of the rock and dirt came rightfrom the property. The dirt and rocks

were sifted and separated, saving thecustomer money by not having mate-rials hauled in to the back of the prop-erty.

A 500-quad and off-road trailer wasused to move materials to the back ofthe property.

Ralph removed the original deck.All of the large stacking stones wereset back and the dirt wall cut back byfour feet. Construction block stairswere built with a drain around thebase, that included blue stone treads.Drains were installed to keep thewater from getting stuck on that sideof the house.

Three course stone planters, linedwith silt fence. To keep the dirt in letthe water pass, were created on eachside. He built a 10x20 drop downdeck. Using "Transcends" treksDecking and 24x30 blue stone pathand crushed blue stone to complete theeffect.

Envision the end result from thebeginning. Create the vision.

If you want a great Job, at a reason-able price, then call Ralph at 845 2265267

Today, suppose there is something you want and it looks impossible, Say to yourself, "Someday Iwill have that, or will have accomplished that." Just Believe. All you need is already within you.Courtesy photo

SERVPRO®Continued from page 2

National Preparedness Month(NPM) is a good reminder that we allhave a responsibility to protect our-selves, our families and our communi-ties. Emergency situations will hap-pen, but taking action now can help usto minimize the impact they will haveon our lives.

This year, NPM focuses on encour-aging you and your fellow citizens totake active steps toward gettinginvolved and becoming prepared.Preparedness is everyone's responsi-bility. We have to work as a team toensure that individuals, families andcommunities are ready. Make a plan,put together an emergency supply kit,and stay informed. Together, we canmake strides to ensure that our lovedones stay safe.

Throughout September, activitiesand events will take place across thecountry top highlight the importanceof emergency preparedness and pro-mote individual involvement, such asfirst aid training sessions, town hallmeetings and much more.

For more information on NPM or tohelp your family, business or commu-nity to be prepared, call 1-800-BE-READY (1-800-462-7585) or visitready.gov or www.citizen-corps.gov.

The following is a list ofrecommended items to

include in a BasicEmergency Supply Kit.• Water, one gallon per person,

per day• Food, non-perishable three-

day supply• Manual can opener• Battery operated radio, prefer-

ably a NOAA Weather Radio,with tone alert and extra bat-teries.

• Flashlight and extra batteries• First aid kit• Whistle to signal for help• Clothing• Dust masks or bandanas• Plastic sheeting, garbage bags

and duct tape• Wrench or pliers to turn off

utilities, if necessary• Local maps• Hygiene items• Important documents, such as

copies of insurance policies,identification and bankaccount information.

• Cash• Fire extinguisher• Matches in a waterproof con-

tainer

Page 8C—SOUTHERN DUTCHESS NEWS—July 18, 2012

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ADivision of Herzog Supply Company

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Arborcoat’s cutting edge technology provides a finish thatoutperforms the best alkyd stains on the market.

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Trusted partners: Adams Fences & Grand IllusionsMaintenance-free fence looks like 'it just happened'By Curtis Schmidt

David Bulkeley of Staatsburg is sohappy with his new fence and itsappearance, he says, "It looks like itjust happened."

When the time came for a newfence, David knew exactly where togo - to the same trusted firm thatinstalled the previous fence - AdamsFences.

The former nursery manager at CaryArboretum (now Cary Institute ofEcosystem Studies) had gone toAdams Fences four years ago to havean open type wood fence installed.That project went very well. So, whenDavid consulted with his neighbor anddecided to look into a new fence, hewent right back to Adams.

This time he contacted ProjectEstimator Joshua M. Lehrer, whocame out to the property and gaveDavid a variety of choices. He chose amaintenance-free Grand IllusionsVinyl Woodbond Series, EasternWhite Cedar.

"It certainly looks like naturalwood, but there is no maintenance,"David said. "I've even had friends andneighbors tell me 'what a great-look-ing wood fence' I have."

He added that the fence is very"esthetically pleasing." It matches thecolor of his neighbor's house andcoordinates well with his house andgarage, which are white with greenshutters.

Josh described the fence: a 6-foottongue and groove privacy fence withsquare lattice toppers on 5-inch x 5-inch posts with New England stylepost caps. Every section includes ametal reinforcement channel in thebottom rail to create a stronger andlonger lasting fence. They come in awide variety of colors and styles.

Josh said the project was completedin less than a day. The fence is 88 feetlong and included 11 sections.

The first part of the job was toremove the old fence. "Once that wasaccomplished, we ran a string line togain exact measurements," said Josh."This was a 'build as you go' project,so we dug the post holes ahead andput them in with concrete footings andthen attached the sections.

"It was a very good experience,"David said of the building process."They were very professional."

Josh described the constructionContinued on page 9

Top: The newly installed Grand Illusions fence coordinates well with the color of the neighbor'shome. Bottom: The lattice toppers on the fence allow light and colors to shine through. Photos byCurtis Schmidt

July 18, 2012—SOUTHERN DUTCHESS NEWS—Page 9C

everything for the garden and gardener

w w w . a d a m s f a r m s . c o m

P O U G H K E E P S I ERoute 44

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AdamsContinued from page 8

process as "pretty simple. We tried tostay as close to the trees as the rootsystems would allow. We had a fewissues with rocks and roots, but noth-ing major."

Grand Illusions offers four differentstyles of wood grain and over 40 dif-ferent color options. "You can custommatch colors, too," said Josh. "Justbring in a paint swatch from the hous-es or structures that you want tomatch."

He added "It really looks so muchlike natural wood, people want toknow what color to paint it." In addi-tion, it is strong and durable and willstay that way for many years to come.

Adams Fences offers a tremendousvariety of fences, all backed by the"Adams" name. Here is an overview.

Maintenance Free Vinyl FenceImagine the convenience a picket,

private or semi-private fence thatdoesn't decay and never needs paint-ing. Traditional or ornamental stylesare made with top-grade materials andthat means that you'll be enjoyingyour fence for years to come.

Maintenance Free OrnamentalAluminum Fence

This is a strong and durable alu-minum fence with the look of majes-tic wrought iron and no worry of rust.Adams features traditional designs, aswell as elegant pickets with decora-tive finials, ball caps or scrolls. Thechoice is yours.

Custom Quality Cedar FenceSurround yourself with the beauty

of cedar. Naturally decay and termiteresistant, it stands the test of time andadds charm to your home.

Other Quality ProductsAdams Fences also carries post and

rail fences and chain link dog kennels.Allow Adams Fences to show youtheir full line of quality outdoor woodfurniture, sure to complete your out-door living space.

For more information, on Ill callAdams Fences at 454-0363 or visittheir web site atwww.adamsfences.com. Adams Fencesis located behind Adams FairacreFarms on Rt. 44 in Poughkeepsie.

Joshua M. Lehrer of Adams Fences and David Bulkeley of Staatsburg stand in front of Bulkeley'snew maintenance fence. Photo by Curtis Schmidt

Page 10C—SOUTHERN DUTCHESS NEWS—July 18, 2012

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A new study has found that awningscan provide significant savings oncooling costs and on peak electricaldemand by reducing solar gainthrough home windows. The study,"Awnings in Residential Buildings:The Impact on Energy Use and PeakDemand," was conducted by theCenter for Sustainable BuildingResearch at the University ofMinnesota.

The Professional AwningManufacturers Association (PAMA)funded the study to determine ifawnings are a viable means of reduc-ing energy and air conditioner usagein the home. Most U.S. residentialneighborhoods do not have a signifi-cant number of awnings, unlikeEurope, where awnings are used tosignificantly reduce air-conditioninguse in the summer. The study investi-gated the energy savings for singlefamily homes and the reduction ofenergy use during peak periods.

Awning impacts were measured inseven U.S.

cities across various climates, Thestudy revealed that in all cities for allwindow orientations tested, there aresignificant energy savings in coolingcosts and peak electricity demand as aresult of using window awnings. Therange of energy saved varies, depend-ing on the number of windows, typesof glass in the

windows and window orientation."Depending on the region a home is

in, awnings can save home ownerspotentially several hundred dollarsannually, but energy savings of thisdegree are valuable beyond reducinghomeowner's expenses," saidMichelle Sahlin, Managing Directorof PAMA. "When numerous home-owners reduce their need for energy,there is less demand for energy at thetimes of peak usage, resulting in over-all savings to utility companies andthe public from a decreased need tosupply generating capacity."

For the absolute best in personalservice, call Douglas or PatrickBrown at Awning FX, 566-4000 orvisit their website at awningfx.com.

Attractive and practical awnings will also save on energy costs.

Simple ways to beautifyyour garden, backyard

Whether your garden is a source offood for your family, a way to beauti-fy your home's outdoor spaces, or agathering place for parties, youalready know how beneficial youroutdoor hobby can be.

But a garden needn't only be ahuman habitat. If you cultivate it right,you can encourage beautiful wildlifeto become regular visitors to your gar-den all season long.

Here are some tips to get started:• Plant native flowers, shrubs and

trees to give local wildlife the propersustenance they need to survive. Skipflowers bred strictly for size and colorand opt for high-nectar yielding flow-ers instead.

• Incorporate birdfeeders into yourgarden. Not only will they look great,they are an excellent supplementalfood source for your feathered friends.And you can keep furry friends at baywith a squirrel-proof feeder.

• If you build a water source, theywill come (and stay). A pond or bird-bath will help prevent birds from eat-ing and going in search of water.

• Birds need cover to protect them-selves from predators. Planting dense-ly with a mix of smaller trees, shrubsand beds of annuals and perennialswill do the trick.

• Avoid pesticides. These chemicalsare potentially harmful to you andyour family, and the same goes forwildlife. Also, by killing garden pests,you will eliminate a primary source ofprotein for birds in search of nourish-ment for their migration ahead.

Once you've invited all these crea-tures to share your garden, you'regoing to need to take some steps tomake it safe for them.

While a garden might be a safehaven, your home can be a death trapAccording to Wyoming-basedWestern EcoSystems Technology, anestimated 98 million birds are killedannually in the U.S. from collidingwith glass windows. That is one birdfatality per house.

But you don't need to be part of theproblem. Applying static-cling decalsto your windows will prevent birdsfrom mistaking your windows for thinair. And you can apply such a decalwithout affecting the appearance ofyour home. For example, decals fromWindowAlert rely on a special ultravi-olet-reflecting coating that is invisibleto humans but looks like a brilliantglow to birds. You can learn more atwww.WindowAlert.com.

"Your home needn't pose a danger tobirds," stresses Spencer Schock,founder of WindowAlert, Inc.

If you spot an injured bird in yourgarden, don't rescue it. If it's young, itsparents are likely nearby. If you wantto take action, call your wildlife officefor information on licensed rehabilita-tors.

With a few tweaks to your garden,you can create an eco-friendly habitatfor the birds and the bees and every-thing in between. After all, there'snothing more beautiful than a gardenthat is not only good to you and yourfamily, but to wildlife, as well.

Source: Statepoint.net

July 18, 2012—SOUTHERN DUTCHESS NEWS—Page 11C

In grilling, the trusted names are Weber and WilliamsBy Curtis Schmidt

If you love to grill, then Weber is thename you know and trust. And, if youknow and trust ALL LOCAL firmsthat invest in the Hudson Valley, thenyou will shop for your Weber grills atWilliams Lumber & Home Centers.

Brad Marsh, lawn and garden man-ager at Williams Lumber & HomeCenter in Rhinbeck, says Weber grillshave been a mainstay at Williams formore than 20 years. There are severalgood reasons for that fact, but they allcome down to the point that Weber isthe most trusted name in grills.

"People may try other grills forwhatever reason, but they alwayscome back to Weber," says Brad."Weber is the most recognized andrespected name when it comes togrills."

Will you pay more for your Webergrill? Yes, but you will get a qualityproduct that is constructed of strongmaterials and backed by warranties offive to seven years.

It's simple, people appreciate quali-ty products that are backed by solidwarranties.

Sure, you can supposedly savemoney by buying a foreign made grilland sold in a big box store. But if youbuy cheap, you get cheap. The bottomrusts out in less than a year, becauseit's constructed of low-grade thinmetal. Other parts will begin to failquickly. Then you are asking yourselfif you actually did save money.

These are all good reasons why youshould buy your next Weber grill at

one of eight Williams Lumber &Home Centers in the Hudson Valley.

Brad points out that Weber is one ofthe best firms in honoring warranties."Weber is extremely reliable. They doback up their grills and parts," he said

You will find a great selection ofWeber grills at Williams.

They have three different models inthe Spirit® series. The three Spirit®gas grills are ideal for beginner, budg-et-conscious food lovers and folkswho just want a solid second grillgracing their backyards. For mostindividuals, these are the only grillsthey need.

The Genesis® gas grills carry on thetradition of being the first of theirkind. Their spacious cooking areasand top-notch engineering will quick-ly launch you into a world of grill-happy euphoria.

The top of the line Summit® grillsare the outstanding crown jewels ofthe Weber family. From exclusive fea-tures to the highest level of perform-ance, these babies will make even sea-soned grillers blush.

Williams also carries smaller andcharcoal Weber Models.

It all comes down to purchasingtrusted products from trusted compa-nies and that's what it's all about atWilliams Lumber & Home Centers.

Visit your nearest Williams Lumber& Home Centers, go towww.williamslumber.com or call themain location in Rhinebeck at 845-876-7011. You will find a large selection of Weber grills and accessories at Williams Lumber and Home

Centers, with eight locations to serve you in the Hudson Valley. Courtesy photo

National Parks offer affordable summer fun close to homeYou can make history, culture, natu-

ral beauty and scientific exploration apart of your life this summer by visitinga National Park near you.

The nation's 397 national parks notonly protect some of America's mosticonic treasures, but they also tell

diverse stories and teach valuable les-sons about our shared heritage.National Parks are fun and affordabletourist destinations for families, friendsand even solo travelers looking for ahealthy dose of exploration.

School may be out for summer, butthe pursuit of knowledge should nevertake a break - and a national park is likea classroom, but way more fun. Hereare some great ideas for how to learn ata national park near you:

• Visit the childhood home of a his-torical figure to learn about day-to-dayliving in a different era. Experience thelog cabin in Kentucky where AbrahamLincoln was born, or marvel throughTeddy Roosevelt's childhood home inNew York City.

• Connect with your past at a placethat has special meaning to your familyhistory.

• Discover an array of wildlife andplant life and truly appreciate the park's

biodiversity. On your visit, take a guid-ed walk with a Park Ranger. Be sure tolook up, look down and all around tomake a game of spotting as manyspecies as you can.

• Encourage your children to connectto the science, history and natural won-der of parks by becoming a JuniorRanger, or if you can't make it to thepark, explore the WebRanger programonline.

• How'd that boulder get there?Discover the geology of canyons,mountains and other scenic landscapes.National park visitor centers can pro-vide you with resources to help youunderstand the ground below you.

• Challenge yourself to an outdooradventure like camping, biking or raft-ing. Pick up skills like pitching a tentand cooking outdoors.

"Our national parks are the soul ofthis country," says Tom Kiernan,President of the National Parks

Conservation Association. "These arespecial places that can inspire us andconnect us to nature and our sharedheritage."

The National Park System was creat-ed with enjoyment in mind, so plan atrip that will be fun for you and yourfamily. The good news is that youmight not need to travel far; there maybe one close to home. Plan your trip atwww.nps.gov/findapark.

The National Park System, whichcovers over 83 million acres nation-wide, preserves natural and historicalsites, creates jobs, benefits localeconomies, and educates a diverse pub-lic. This summer, help protect its futureby fostering the next generation ofpark-lovers.

For more information on how youcan help protect our national parks, andplan your next vacation visitwww.npca.org.

Source: Statepoint.net.

"Old Faithful" geyser in Yellowstone NationalPark in Wyoming attracts thousands of visitorsannually.

Page 12C—SOUTHERN DUTCHESS NEWS—July 18, 2012

Darling Sand & Gravel, Inc.

845-868-72633220 Salt Pt. Turnpike

Stanfordville, NY

TopsoilMulchStone

Screened item 4Bank Run GravelSreened CompostSpecial Material

& Delivery Available

Ed, Cheryl, Jason & Sarah Kading

Basciano Electric Continued from page 6

• Use portable Ground Fault CircuitInterrupters (GFCIs) where perma-nently installed GFCI-protected out-lets are not available.

• If an electrical product falls intothe water, unplug it before touching it.DO NOT reach into the water until itis unplugged. Even submersiblepumps, which are designed to operateunder water, may not be safe to usewhen a person is in the water.

Overhead power lines• Do not set up a storable pool or

install a permanent pool where powerlines are overhead or within 25 feet ofthe water.

• While cleaning the pool, keeplong-handled tools and poles awayfrom nearby utility power lines,including the ones leading to yourhome. Hold long-handled tools andpoles as low as possible to the ground

Underwater lights• Signs of mold or other growth on

the inside of the lens can indicatewater leakage.

• Have an electrician inspect theunderwater lights and make certainthat junction boxes and wiring connec-tions to the lighting are correctly andsafely installed.

• Be certain that the power switchand GFCI underwater lights are clearlymarked and easy to get to in case of anemergency.

GFCIsGround Fault Circuit Interrupters

(GFCIs) are the best protection againstelectrocution.

• Make sure that GFCIs are installed:- On underwater lighting circuits

operating at more than 15 volts;- On electrical equipment used with

pools, hot tubs, and spas, including120-volt and 240-volt heaters close tothe pool;

- On all outdoor receptacles, andreceptacles within 20 feet of thewater's edge, to

protect people from injury.• Test permanently installed GFCIs

at least monthly to assure continuedprotection. Infrequently used andportable or cord-connected GFCIsshould be tested before each day's use.

JSK Excavation, Darling Sand & Gravel emphasize personal service

J.S. K. provides a wide assortment of trucks and trailers to haul equipment and special materials.Courtesy photo

J.S.K. Livestock, Inc. ExcavationDivision located at 3220 Salt PointTurnpike in Stanfordville provides alltypes of excavation work, such as sep-tic systems, new and existing homesite work, ponds, demolition,drainage, earth and waterscapes andriding rings.

Darling Sand and Gravel provides awide array of screened topsoil, mulch,stone, screened Item 4, bank run grav-el, screen compost and special materi-als. Delivery is available.

They also have a trucking service -with two tri-axle dump trucks and aPeterbilt tractor with an assortment oftrailers for long and short hauling ofmaterials and equipment.

Here is a listing of services anddetails.

Septic Systems: JSK Livestock isequipped to install new septic systemsand repair existing septic systems inboth residential and commercial set-tings. They supply all the productsneeded to complete the project, septictanks, all pipe used for laterals, D-Box, Bank Run gravel, and septic clay.

New Home Site Work: JSKLivestock is equipped to handle allsite work involved with building anew home such as, digging test holes

for the engineer, cutting in andinstalling driveways, digging founda-tion holes, installing septic systems,all underground utility lines, and allfinal grades.

Existing Home Site Work: JSKLivestock is equipped to do all road-way repairs, create earthscapes andprivacy berms and make any repairs toexisting septic system/drainage sys-tems. They also dig foundations foradditions.

Ponds: JSK Livestock is equipped todig new ponds, dredge and clean outexisting ponds, and create elaboratewaterscapes.

Demolition: JSK Livestock isequipped to handle all kinds of demo-lition, barn, house and land clearing.

Drainage: JSK Livestock installsnew drainage systems, or repairsexisting drainage systems, supplyingall materials needed pipe and gravel.

Trucking: JSK Livestock providestwo Volvo Tria-xle Dump Trucks,which carry 22 tons of material, aPeterbilt Tractor with both dump trail-ers to carry 35 tons of material, flatbed trailers transport all sorts of equip-ment to and from work sites. Theyhandle long hauls to pick up equip-ment or other items in different states.

JSK Livestock also has two HydremaMoxy Site Trucks, which are primari-ly used on large estates/properties tohaul materials within the propertylines.

J.S.K. is family owned and operat-ed. Each member of the Kading fami-ly is involved and has his/her role inthe company.

If you are wondering about thename, J.S.K. Livestock, it is namedfor the two children, Jason and SarahKading. It was originally and still is aregistered Angus beef farm. Thereforewhen the family started the excavationbusiness, they decided to make it adivision of their existing business.

The Kading family handles allaspects of excavation. They work withhomeowners, large and small estatesand commercial projects of all sizes."We take great pride in our work andhave built our business solely on theintegrity, honesty and reputation ofour owners and the employees," saysEd Kading. "We offer our customersquality one-on-one time with an expe-rienced estimator, all estimates arefree of charge, there is no project toobig or too small and everyone is treat-ed with the same respect."

For all of your commercial or resi-dential excavation needs, call J.S.K. at868-7263.

July 18, 2012—SOUTHERN DUTCHESS NEWS—Page 13C

HHH specializes in central ACCentral air conditioning and heating

units from HHH Heating and Coolingprovide a comfortable environmentfor your home or office.

In homes, central A/C units providecool airflow, directly from the source,into every room in the house. This iswhy over 80 percent of new homesbuilt in the United States are equippedwith a central A/C unit.

In the workplace and businesses,these central air conditioners, orHVACs, provide a better environmentfor both workers and consumers.

Here are some of the benefits ofcentral air units over window units.

Centralized units are the most effec-tive way to deliver cool air to all partsof a building. The cool air travels adirect route through the air ducts andvents into individual rooms, halls,foyers, etc. In addition to the superiorefficiency, central A/C makes lessnoise inside than window A/C units.

The Central A/C unit can't be seen

from inside, and doesn't t take awaythe view provided by your window.The only visible part of central airconditioning is the compressor out-side the building, which is usuallyplaced in a more inconspicuous place,such as the back yard or the tops oflarge buildings.

Before choosing a central A/Cinstalled in a new building, or upgrad-ing a historic house, there are a fewthings to consider before making afinal decision. Firstly, it is importantto know what your home will requireto be sufficiently cooled during peaktemperatures. There are many factorsthat can affect what type of air condi-tioner you will require, including yourhome's position, architecture, materi-als, shade cover, sun exposure, andwindow surface.

Your qualified technician in theHudson Valley is Harry Blair of HHHHeating & Cooling. Harry has morethan 11 years of experience and oper-

Harry Blair offers expert installation and repair of central AC systems.

Just because it's summer vacation,doesn't mean your kids should sit idle.Instead of allowing them to fritteraway in front of the television whileschool is out, encourage them to usethe downtime to give back to thecommunity.

Children will really get on boardwith causes that speak to their inter-ests.

Get Involved: There are plenty ofhands-on volunteer opportunitieswell-suited for young people, such aswalking dogs at an animal shelter,reading to seniors in a nursing home,or picking up trash at a cleanup.

Mentor: Most people think youneed to be older to be a mentor. "Evenyoung people have something to offertheir peers," says Sally Spencer, theCEO of Youth Assisting Youth. Teensand young adults who are home dur-ing the summer should consider serv-ing as mentors to at-risk youth. Bothmentor and mentee stand to gain fromsuch a friendship.

Organize: Talk to your local shelteror food pantry to see what items areneeded most and help your childorganize a food drive through his orher summer camp or community cen-ter. "Communities hold the collabora-tive strength needed to tacklehunger," says Helen McGovern, exec-utive director of the Emergency FoodNetwork.

Raid the Piggy Bank: "Many chil-dren want to give to a cause on theirown," says Mindy Atwood, CEO andfounder of Patches of Light, a non-profit organization for families ofcritically ill children. "You can

encourage charitable giving at an earlyage by helping them allocate a portionof their allowance for charity eachweek."

Donate: Kids outgrow clothing andbooks quickly. Together, clean outtheir closets and shelves and donatewhat is usable to charity.

To read a collection of short storiesinspired by the lives of the three"Harlequin More Than Words" win-ners, visit

www.HarlequinMoreThanWords.com.Source: Statepoint.net.

ates HHH Heating, Cooling andConstruction Services. He's a small-business person who concentrates onpersonal service and being a sincereproblem-solver. He handles both resi-dential and commercial installationand service. This includes seasonalmaintenance and the installation ofnew or replacement systems.

Call Harry today at 462-2523.You'll get sincere help from Harry,who also available in emergency situ-ations. Harry offers free estimates. Hisgoal is to come in and assess the situ-ation and come up with the best solu-tion and options for the home or busi-ness owner.

Get your kids volunteering this summer

Page 14C—SOUTHERN DUTCHESS NEWS—July 18, 2012

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Gardening teaches healthy habitsSchool may be out for the summer,

but as a parent, you can ensure thereare plenty of opportunities for yourchildren to learn new things through-out the vacation.

Start with something fun, practical,and vital to health and wellness.According to the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention, childhoodobesity has more than tripled in thepast 30 years. But you can fight thistrend with a hands-on lesson in nutri-tion.

"Gardening is a great way to bridgethe summer learning gap and promotea healthy lifestyle," said Shari Brown,the winner of 2012 Toyota Teacher ofthe Year Award. "Not only will you beimproving your family's nutrition byincorporating fresh fruits and vegeta-bles into your meals, you'll be expos-ing your children to a subject theymay not learn about in school."

She has several tips to help you

learn in the garden:Involve your children in the process

of picking out what type of plants togrow. Then develop fun, nutritionalmeals together, such as veggie pizzaand fruit salad.

Bugs are cool! Get your kids excitedand curious about crucial garden crit-ters with library books, Internet sites,your local science center, videos andbug games.

Read stories about gardening withyour children. Make a scrapbookabout the experience of growing yourgarden.

Expose them to a wide variety ofnew fruits, vegetables, plants and sea-sonings.

The fruits and veggies you harvestwill be delicious, but your child'sknowledge will be the most importantthing you grow in the garden this sum-mer.

Source: Statepoint.net.

July 18, 2012—SOUTHERN DUTCHESS NEWS—Page 15C

Did you know?

Plant right to conserve water

Conservation is one of the keys toadopting an eco-friendly lifestyle.Though some might feel the transitionto such a lifestyle might be difficult,it's often far simpler than it may seem.Conserving water, for instance, can bedone in a number of ways.

One such way concerns how youtreat your landscape. Planting theright way can save a substantialamount of water, which will also saveyou money on your utility bills. Thefollowing are a few ways to plant rightthat won't require a complete overhaulof your landscape.

• Research before you plant any-thing. Decorating your landscape withthe prettiest plant might add to yourhome's aesthetic appeal, but it's notalways the most practical or eco-friendly decision. Choose plants thatwill thrive in your local climate so youdon't need to constantly water themjust to keep them alive and lookinggood. Certain grasses, for instance,are best suited for certain climates.When planting, make use of shadedareas around your property so plantswon't need more water to make itthrough the warmer months of theyear.

• Maintain a healthy soil. Healthysoil allows water to penetrate effec-tively, promoting strong roots andensuring plants get all they need tothrive. Aerate your lawn, includingareas around trees, once a year andcultivate the soil before planting. Add

compost or fertilize the soil, whichincreases moisture retention andreduces the need to water. Healthy soilhelps make stronger plants that won'tneed to be watered as often as plantsthat are not healthy or struggling tosurvive.

• Be timely when planting. Springor fall is typically the ideal time toplant. Though you can plant in thesummer, that's not the best time if oneof your goals is to conserve water.Planting in the summer when temper-atures are generally at their warmestmakes it more difficult for plants toestablish themselves without extrawatering.

• Plant shade trees. Shade trees aretrees that, when full grown, shade theyard and plants from the sun. Thislowers the air and soil temperaturesand reduces moisture loss. The moremoisture a plant and the soil can main-tain, the less they need to be watered.

• Don't procrastinate with regard tolawn care. It's easy to put off lawnmaintenance, particularly during thedog days of summer when tempera-tures can be especially hot. However,it won't take long for a blazing sun todo a number on your lawn. Putting offlawn care, even if just for a few dayswhen the weather is hot, will requiremore water down the road when youstart taking care of your propertyagain. But a well-maintained lawnwon't need as much water to stayhealthy.

Ecoscaping is a growing trendamong homeowners who want totake care of their lawns and land-scapes but want to do so in a waythat's environmentally friendly.Integrating both landscape archi-tecture and spatial planning withenvironmental science, ecoscap-ing is meant to help homeownerscreate a sustainable and eco-friendly landscape design. It'snatural to assume that ecoscap-ing includes looking for ways toreduce reliance on chemical pes-ticides, but there are many addi-tional ways homeowners canembrace ecoscaping. This

includes removing or refusing toplant invasive plants that are dif-ficult to control because they arefrom different ecosystems andcan threaten local wildlife andexisting plants. Instead of choos-ing exotic plants that aren'tnative to the area, choose nativeplants that are accustomed to thelocal climate. Another way toembrace ecoscaping is to devel-op a planting strategy whereinplants are planted in beneficialgrowing conditions that caneliminate theneed for chemicalfertilizers and excessive water-ing.

Succulents for low-maintenance

Now is the time of year to focus onoutdoor landscaping projects. Onepopular project involves redesigningthe front yard or backyard to includean array of different flowers andfoliage. While many people gravitateto the flashy and colorful annuals ondisplay at nurseries and home centers,you may want to consider addingsome succulents to your home land-scape.

Succulent plants can be a boon to ahomeowner without the time orresources to maintain plants.Succulents get their name from theirprimary function, which is drawing upand storing water. Succulents are ableto thrive in arid conditions, and thereare more than 300 different types,including some exotic species.

The advantages to planting succu-lents are many. Because they storewater in their stems, roots and leaves,this reduces the number of times anowner must water them. Succulentscan go several days between water-ings. Succulents, like cacti, that havefew if any leaves, are perhaps best atmanaging water because they lose lit-tle to evaporation through the foliage.

Succulents are particularly good tohave in areas prone to arid tempera-tures or where water restrictions areoften in place. They can be environ-mentally friendly because of theirability to conserve water. Succulentstreat water as a precious resource, andtheir entire makeup is designed tominimize consumption of water.

Because they thrive in sunlight, suc-culents can be the ideal plants to put inextremely sunny and hot locations.They will not wither and dry out dueto extreme heat. For particularly dryareas of landscape or where soil issubpar, consider the placement of dif-ferent varieties of succulents to create

a varied and eye-catching display.There are many other advantages to

planting succulents; some of whichinclude:

• Succulents offer contrasts in shape,texture and colors. With the manyvarieties, you're bound to find some-thing interesting and different to addto the landscape.

• Whether you have ample acreagein the yard or simply some containersavailable for planting, succulents willthrive. They grow just as well in con-tainers as they do in the ground.

• Succulents don't tend to requirepruning or cutting back of the plant.With this in mind, you can expectthem to grow large. Therefore, spacethe plants adequately to allow forgrowth.

• Succulents are perennials. So onceyou plant them, they should last foryears and years without the hassle andexpense you can expect from plantingannuals every year.

• Indoor greenhouses or sunroomscan be another good place for succu-lents. They prefer not to get chilled,which makes a controlled environ-ment advantageous.

When considering a spot for yoursucculents, choose areas that get plen-ty of sun. Think about pruning back orremoving trees that would create toomuch shade on the succulents. Spacethe succulents widely apart -- more sothan you would with other plants -- toallow them to spread. Pebbles or grav-el make good mulching materialaround succulents so that drainagewill be adequate. It will also set thesucculents apart from other plants bycontextualizing them in your garden.

Visit a gardening center or homeimprovement store to learn moreabout the myriad types of succulentsthat can add beauty to most gardens.

Succulents, like jade, are ideal for arid conditions or for gardens where low-maintenance plantsare desired.

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