spring 2014

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE PAULDING COUNTY PROGRESS

Spring April 23, 2014

aThing

2 - Paulding County Progress Spring Wednesday, April 23, 2014

By Mark HoltsberryEducation specialistPaulding SWCD

PAULDING – The Black SwampNature Center was established in1990. The state-owned PauldingPonds Wildlife Areas was sold to thePaulding County commissioners,who leased the land to the PauldingCounty Area Foundation. The organ-ization provided funds for the leaseand maintenance and to develop awildlife education area. Matchingfunds were raised by area businessesand local supporters.Representatives from organiza-

tions discussed future plans for thefacility. Although the foundationheld the lease, it was not in charge ofdevelopment. That is when severalorganizations formed the PauldingCounty Wildlife Association.This organization foresaw use of

the land for science and scoutinggroups, nesting sites, pond life, treeand plant identification with the areabeing closed to hunting. This is oneof the few designated wildlife areasin Paulding County.In 2000, the planning of an educa-

tional building was in progress.Contacts through the state were apositive experience as fundingbecame available. The building wascompleted in the early fall of 2002.The availability of a structure for

educational use has been what finish-es a picturesque view of nature.The nature center is available for

workshops, seminars, training andpersonal rental. In 2013 alone, thenature center was host to five wed-dings. Also, workshops and trainingare offered by the Paulding Soil andWater Conservation District and areopen to citizens of all ages and fromsurrounding areas. Teachers, scouts,4-H leaders, school and other groupsare encouraged to utilize the area asan indoor/outdoor classroom or meet-ing area. This was more true in 2013as the fifth grade field day occurred atthe nature center with over 150 stu-dents in attendance.Also, a field day was held with the

Head Start program, with educationalgames and programs entertained over30 students, with numerous parentsand grandparents present.The Black Swamp Nature Center

contains 51 acres. That includes 24acres of woodland, 14 acres of wet-lands, six acres of old meadow, not tomention the waterways. A boatlaunch allows easy access to FlatRock Creek, while trails, about onemile, wander around the top banks ofthree ponds, along Flat Rock Creekand past the Old Sugar Beet dam.These trails are covered with woodchips so visitors can enjoy the beautyof nature without tracking in the mud.

Black Swamp Nature Center offers manysights and educational opportunities

Staff Photo/Paulding County ProgressThe Black Swamp Nature Center will receive a $21,525 grant through Ohio’s

2014 Capital Budget. The funds will be used to pave the gravel parking lot at theeducation center, located along Fairground Drive in Paulding. State Rep. TonyBurkley (left) had notified education specialist Mark Holtsberry that grant moneywas available and encouraged Holtsberry to write a grant proposal. Here,Burkley and Holtsberry look over plans for the project.

In 2012 funds and grants wereraised to resurface the parking lot atthe park. This provides a handi-capped friendly environment to pic-nic on the new tables, observe birdlife or just enjoy the sights andsounds. More than 190 species ofbirds have been seen and recorded onthe grounds. Also in 2012 bald eagleswere sighted and pictured within thepark.Planning for 2014 includes new

trees and wildflowers to be plantedthat involve native species and moreeducational programs, field day, andnature tours involving local schools.The recent grant to pave the nature

center parking lot was awarded andthe project will take place in 2015.The park is open from dawn untildusk. Individuals or groups areencouraged to con-tact the PauldingCounty Soil andWater ConservationDistrict at 419-399-4771 [email protected] or visit thew e b s i t e :www.pauldingsw-cd.org for moreinformation.

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Wednesday, April 23, 2014 Paulding County Progress Spring - 3

Auglaize Canoe and Kayak offers nature’s view up closeBy JOE SHOUSECorrespondent

OAKWOOD – After its initialyear in business last summerAuglaize Canoe and Kayak is look-ing forward to the summer of 2014.Located two miles south of Ohio613 on County Road 263(Paulding-Putnam County line),then west on Road 207, sits the liv-ery on the 100-year-old familyfarm.Doug and Bonnie Weller, who

both retired from careers in salesand teaching, had the dream forseveral years to one day open akayak business. They, along withtheir son, Troy, and wife, Tammy,and their three children, Leva,Amelia and Payton, took a giantleap of faith last year and they havenot looked back.Housed in the converted barn

that was built by Doug and some ofhis FFA friends when they were inhigh school, the facility serves asthe check-in point for those whoseek adventure on the PauldingCounty waterways.“This is our retirement project. It

is what we do to keep ourselvesyoung,” said Doug.The livery is opened from May 1

to Oct. 1 and it has been everythingthe Wellers had hoped it would be.“To be honest, last year was more

than we expected. But we are tak-ing it slow and we will add newfeatures to the facility from time totime. This year, we will be offeringpaddleboards,” said Bonnie.Those who come out to experi-

ence the water consist of all ages.From preschool to those in their80s have enjoyed the variety ofboat trips.“Last season we had a group of

five ladies who came out to campand then went kayaking the follow-ing day. It was their version of agirls’ night out,” said Bonnie.The canoe and kayak facility has

welcomed couples, families, smallgroups, as well as church youthgroups, boy scouts, school groups.EMS/fire departments, and lawenforcement groups.“We have had a wide variety of

people attend. We have even hadsports teams from local highschools who use the facility as aform of team building,” saidBonnie.

Patrons from surrounding coun-ties have visited the Weller farmand have enjoyed the kayaking andcanoeing.“We have had people visiting

family and friends in the area whowere from California and Floridawho came over and enjoyed theview of the beautiful sceneryoffered by canoeing down theAuglaize.”But, at the end of the day, it’s the

kids who are the best.“Everyone always has a good

time. People get wet and you hear alot of laughter when they finishtheir course along the river,” saidDoug.Auglaize Canoe provides 13 two-

person canoes, 22 two-person sit-on-top kayaks, 12 twisters or singlekayaks, and new this year will bepaddleboards.“We have something very unique

here. There is not much commer-cialism around the the river whichadds to the wide variety of outdoorlife. Often times you can witnesseagles, river otters, geese, ducks,owls, deer, to name a few,” saidBonnie.Hours of operation are Monday

through Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. andSunday from 1-5 p.m. “We areopen 6-1/2 days a week. We are notopen on Sunday morning so ourfamilies can attend church,” com-mented Bonnie.For more information, visit

www.auglaizecanoe.com or check outAuglaize Canoe on Facebook. Theycan be reached at 419-594-3456.

The Auglaize Canoe livery is opened every day beginning in May. On a warm summer Saturday the weekend rivertraffic will enjoy one of the four different trips offered.

Enjoythe

River!


Transform garage sale castoffs into fun finds(BPT) – As the warmer weather is upon

us, it brings many new activities: baseball,picnics, beach time and – best of all – garagesales. People are purging what they don’tneed or no longer want. It’s the perfectopportunity to turn their trash into yourtreasure. From outdated odds and ends toforgotten furniture, there is a wealth of wor-thy items just waiting to be found, re-imag-ined and repurposed.Pretty in paintRusty metal, chipped paint, colors from

another decade – they are common sights forthe garage sale shopper. But when you lookbeyond these imperfections – and at theirspray paint potential – you’ll soon find somediamonds in the rough.Metal products, such as tables, chairs, gar-

den tools or even watering cans, can receivean easy and instant update with RustProtector spray paint from Krylon. The prod-uct, available in a variety of colors and fin-ishes, dries in just eight minutes. As you cre-ate your new masterpieces, you won’t haveto worry about grass, leaves or other parti-cles getting stuck in your fresh coat of paint.Plus, the paint provides the ultimate protec-tion against rust, keeping your new treasureslooking amazing, regardless of the elementsthey face.If it’s color you desire, look no further

than Krylon’s new ColorMaster spray paint

with bold, bright or basic hues to updateyour new findings. Turn blah and blandwood chairs, dusty and drab dressers orawful accessories into amazing furniture oraccents with the extensive line of color andfinish choices. Covermax technology pro-vides premium coverage and brilliant color.It’s a new formulation that achieves betterhide without relying on shading or fillersthat can darken or wash out colors. Theresult is hues that are clean and crisp.New uses for old thingsThe key to finding items at garage sales is

to look at how they can be used in new anddifferent ways. Don’t view that dusty, bro-ken typewriter or vintage camera asmechanical pieces you have to fix, butrather as interesting design elements to beadmired on bookshelves and mantels.Even old books can add a level of sophis-

tication to your home. Grab a handful incoordinating colors to stack on a dresser orend table for instant eye appeal. Buy an oldladder and prop it against the wall to drapeblankets. You can even spray paint an oldcoffee mug rack to create a fabulous jewel-ry organizer to hang all your favorite acces-sories. The possibilities are endless.Turning up treasuresIf your main reason for getting giddy over

garage sales is to make a quick buck, you’renot alone. Valuable items could lurk at

every turn, and they are just waiting to besnatched up by eager buyers.Before you head out to garage sales, how-

ever, do your research and read up on col-lectibles. Generally, pieces with high nostal-gia will fetch a higher price tag. Think clas-sic lunch boxes, comic books, sports memo-rabilia or board games – things you loved asa kid that never seem to go out of style. Youcan also enlist the help of a collectibles

expert, who can tell you everything you needto know.As you head outdoors this summer on a

hunt for some bargain fixer-upper or forgot-ten gems, keep your eyes peeled and yourmind open. The perfect addition to your homeis right around the corner. You just have touse your imagination and bring it back to life.For more information on Krylon products

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How to create a rainwater harvesting systemRainwater collection is a way to conserve

water that can be adopted by both privatehomeowners and businesses. Harvestingwater during peak times of precipitationensures water will be on hand during droughtor when water restrictions are implemented.Making use of rainwater reduces reliance onunderground wells or municipal water sys-tems. Harvesting rainwater also can help pre-vent flooding and soil erosion.The average homeowner can collect thou-

sands of gallons of rainwater each year. Tolearn just how much water can be harvested,as well as how many natural resources can beproduced from that rain, visit www.save-the-rain.com, where men and women can calcu-late their rain collection potential by geo-graphic location and average rainfall.Afterward, homeowners may be inclined toestablish their own rainwater harvesting sys-tems.Here is how to get started:• Determine your roofing material.

Potable water can be harvested from homeswith sheet metal or slate roofing. Clay oradobe tiles also may be acceptable. Asphalt,wood shingles and tar roofs may leach toxicchemicals into the water, making it unsafe

for drinking. This rainwater may only be col-lected to use for irrigation methods or wash-ing cars and outdoor items.• Check gutter materials. Some gutters

are made with lead soldering components. Acommercial lead swab test can help youdetermine if there is lead present in your gut-ters. At a later time you can choose to replacethe gutters if you desire a potable supply ofwater.• Invest in a collection tank or barrel. A

number of manufacturers offer prefabricatedrain collection systems complete with collec-tion barrels. Otherwise, you can use yourown barrel or tank to house the collectedwater. Ensure it is large enough to handle thevolume of water collected.• Purchase and install leaf guards. If

your home is surrounded by many trees, youprobably accumulate leaf and tree debris inyour home gutters and downspouts. Leafguards will help keep the gutters clear andincrease water flow through the water collec-tion system.• Create a water collection area. A por-

tion of the gutter system should be removedso that it connects to the collection barrel ortank. As the rain falls, it will run down the

roof and into the gutters before it streamsinto the downspouts. The downspout con-nected to the tank will deposit the waterdirectly inside. Filters can be installed to helpblock the flow of debris.

Rather than have rainwater flow out of downspouts to the ground, homeowners can collectthat rainwater in barrels to use it as a sustainable source of water.

• Outfit the tank for overflow and waterusage.A spigot and hose connection makes iteasy to use the collected water for outdoor

See RAINWATER, page 13

In The Garden

By Kylee Baumle


‘Buy local!’ The garden versionClichés are just so...cliché. When

we see them, our eyes tend to movequickly past them, our brains barelyregistering the words we just read.Yet we somehow grasp the meaningin a split second, giving clichésinherent value even as we dismissthem as a tired communication tool.You hear it all the time - “Buylocal!” We generally take it to meanthat we should spend our dollars inlocally owned businesses. It can bea tough row to hoe (cliché alert!) forthe smaller independent businesses,as they struggle to maintain theirpresence alongside the big stores.It can be a dilemma for the shop-per too, because we all only have somany dollars to spend and we wantto get the most for them. I will bethe first to admit that if I can buysomething considerably cheaper ata big box store, that’s where I’mgoing to buy it. Add to it that manytimes those stores are more conven-ient in terms of location as well asbeing a “one-stop shop,” and it’shard not to shop there.But there are compelling reasons

to buy your plants and garden mate-rials locally. “Local” can be an

ambiguous term, but generally itmeans a business that is both locatedin your community and owned bypeople who live there. Considerthese things when you’re ready to getin the garden this spring:• Your local garden center often

carries the same plants you mightfind in a big box store, but if youwant something out of the ordinary,you’re more likely to find it in asmaller, independent garden center(IGC). • There’s a lot of thought given by

the IGC owner when they make theirbuying decisions. They want to carryattractive plants that perform well,including those tried-and-true vari-eties that we’re familiar with, butthey also want to cater to those whoseek the unusual. • It’s always a gamble as to what

will sell well. No business ownerwants to get stuck with inventory thatbuyers passed over. But IGCs alsodon’t want their business to look likeone you’d see in Every City, USA.And besides, those big box storesdon’t have as much invested (rela-tively) as the independently ownedones do.• You know those plants that have

a one-year guarantee at the chains?When you return a plant there, thestore doesn’t lose money outside ofthe lost sale. They only pay for theplants that go out their doors and stayout. That loss is borne by the suppli-er and/or grower. Not so with thesmaller independents. So when theyoffer plant guarantees, appreciatewhat that means to their business.• IGC owners also care a lot about

whether their customers have suc-cess with what they buy, and theyoften choose to carry plants that havea high rate of success for their partic-ular geographic and climatic area.

That means happy customers, whichin turn means repeat business.Happy customers often share theirexperiences with others and word ofmouth can be the best PR a businesscan have.• Local garden centers are known

to take better care of their plants too,and healthy plants already have abetter start in your garden beforethey even go out the door. As a rule,IGCs are more knowledgeable aboutplants in general and the ones theycarry in particular. They can helpyou make decisions about whatwould work best in your individualsituation.• Many times, the local garden

centers purchase plants as liners andgrow them larger themselves. Thatmay mean that the plants you buylocally have acclimated themselvesto local conditions, thereby increas-ing their chances of success in yourgarden.• Want a certain plant or a large

quantity of something? Sometimeslocal businesses will special orderthings for you. Good luck trying toget a big box store to order you acouple of flats of something specif-ic.

131 Years In Business

• It’s no secret that the smallergarden centers are struggling. Lastmonth, I spoke with the owner of oneof them at the Fort Wayne Home &Garden Show and during the hardpart of this winter (which was prettymuch all of it), he shared with methat just keeping his greenhousesgoing cost him $200 a day inpropane.It takes a lot of sales to support

costs like that and it’s representativeof the things that all businesses haveto face, whether large or small. Butthese things have a bigger impact onthe smaller businesses.Sometimes I think we take our

local small businesses for granted.We assume they’re doing okay andthat they’ll always be around, butthey won’t be if we don’t supportthem. There’s another cliché that I’msure you’re familiar with: “It takes avillage to raise a child.” It also takesa village to make a village.Read Kylee’s blog, Our Little Acre,

at www.ourlittleacre.com and onFacebook atwww.facebook.com/OurLittleAcre.Contact her [email protected].


If your yard is larger than three-quarters of an acre, consider a rear-engine riding mower or a smallerlawn tractor. Riding mowers withrear-mounted engines providegood visibility and excellentmobility. Look for mowing decksbetween 28 and 42 inches wideand engines from 12 to 20 hp.A zero-turn rider or front-engine

lawn tractor may be appropriatefor one- to three-acre yards. Lookfor 16 to 24 hp and a mowing deck

(NAPS) – While you don’t wantto let the grass grow under yourfeet when it’s time to get a newlawn mower, there are a few stepsto consider first:• Your Yard Size: For yards that

are about three-quarters of an acreor less, a walk-behind mower canbe a good choice. The smaller youryard, the smaller the mower deckcan be. For example, a 21- or 22-inch walk-behind mower is com-monly used on smaller yards.

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38 to 44 inches wide. For yards larger than three acres,

a larger zero-turn rider or gardentractor is probably best. Look forengines with at least 24 hp andmowing decks in the 48- to 61-inchrange.• The Terrain: A typical walk-

behind mower is fine for a small,flat yard. If your land is sloped orhilly, consider a self-propelledwalk-behind mower. One with bigback wheels is easier to maneuveracross rough terrain. All ridingmowers can handle varied terrain,though some are better on slopesthan others.Be careful on slopes and hills. If

you’re using a riding mower, mowup and down the incline, neveracross. With a walk-behind mower,always mow across the incline andnever pull the mower back towardyour feet. • Your Physical Condition: If

pushing a lawn mower is difficult,you may want a self-propelledmower even with a very small yard.Similarly, a riding mower may bethe right choice if you’re unable toeasily walk behind a mower.

There are several things to consider to get the lawn mower that bestmeets your needs.

• The Engine: Look for a qualityengine suited for the size of the jobyou expect it to do. For example,Briggs & Stratton engines can befound in several brands of lawnmowers ranging from small walk-behinds to large zero-turn mowersand garden tractors.

• Lawn Mower Features: Lawnand garden tractors can have freefloating mower decks with full-width rollers, traction options, push-button start and two- or four-wheelsuspension. Many zero-turn mowersoffer suspension systems andground-following mower decks.


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How to guarantee your garden starts off on the right footAs winter slowly winds down, many gar-

deners cannot wait to soak up the springtimesun and get their hands dirty in the garden.Such excitement is not just good for garden-ers, but can benefit the garden in the monthsto come as well. Late winter or early spring is a great time

to get a head start on the gardening season.Even if gardening season is still around thecorner, completing the following projects canensure your garden gets off on the right foot.Clear debrisOne of the best things you can do for your

garden as winter winds down is to clear it ofdebris. Winter can be especially harsh on alandscape, and gardens left to the elementsare often filled with debris once springarrives. Dead leaves, fallen branches, rocksthat surfaced during the winter frost, andeven garbage that might have blown about inwinter winds can all pile up in a garden overa typical winter. Clearing such debris likelywon’t take long, but it’s a great first steptoward restoring the garden before the timecomes to plant and grow the garden onceagain.Examine the soilSoil plays a significant role in whether a

garden thrives or struggles. Examining thesoil before the season starts can help garden-ers address any issues before they plant.Ignoring the soil until a problem arises canturn the upcoming gardening season into alost opportunity, so test the soil to determineif it has any nutrient or mineral deficiencies.This may require the help of a professional,

but if a problem arises, you might be able toadjust the acidity or alkalinity of the soil andstill enjoy a successful gardening season.Another way to examine the soil is less

complex but can shed light on when wouldbe a good time to get back to work. Reachinto the soil and dig out a handful. If the soilquickly crumbles, you can start preparing forgardening seasoning. But if the soil is stillclumped together, it needs more time to dryout before you can begin your prep work.Initiate edgingEdging is another task gardeners can begin

as they get ready for the season. Edge plantand flower beds, but be sure to use a spadewith a flat blade or an edger designed to edgeflower beds. Such tools will cut deep enoughso grass roots that may eventually grow intothe flower bed are severed. Depending onhow large a garden is, edging can be a time-consuming task, so getting a head startallows homeowners to spend more timeplanting and tending to their gardens oncethe season hits full swing.Fight weedsThough weeds likely have not survived the

winter, that does not mean they won’t returnonce the weather starts to heat up. But asinevitable as weeds may seem, homeownerscan take steps to prevent them from turningbeautiful gardens into battlegrounds whereplants, flowers and vegetables are pittedagainst unsightly and potentially harmfulweeds. Spring is a good time to apply a pre-

See GARDEN, page 13

Though gardeners might not be able to start planting their gardens in late winter or earlyspring, they can still get outside and take steps to ensure their gardens thrive once plantingseason begins.

12 - Paulding County Progress Spring Spectacular Wednesday, April 23, 2014

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Why you should plant wildflowersFrom OSU Extension

Wildflowers often flourish where cultivat-ed varieties – those plants that develop anew characteristic through naturally occur-ring hybridization or human manipulation –are unsuccessful. A planted area of wild-flowers - plants that grow happily on theirown in their native environment – can createa small ecosystem that serves as habitat forbirds, butterflies, and wildlife; provides bril-liant color during the growing season; anddisplays dramatic winter color and texture. Once established, wildflowers grow with

little maintenance. They survive withoutcultivation and with less demand for water,fertilizer, and chemicals than many classicnon-native choices. You can feel free tovacation for weeks, months, or even yearsand leave your native garden unattended.Your native garden will survive.It is a mistaken belief that wildflowers are

weeds and generate an untidy look. This isfar from the truth. With site planning andcareful plant choices, home gardeners cantake advantage of the natural beauty of wild-flowers and at the same time avoid an over-ly structured or rigid look.Wildflowers thrive in several habitats,

including woodlands, prairies, meadows,and wetlands. Each of those habitats isfound in our local area, sometimes all on thesame property.Woodland wildflowers can add to a

sense of seclusion and privacy - as whenshade plants are surrounded by trees andshrubs to create a sight barrier. Woodlandplants can be grown anywhere that largetrees provide ample shade. Woodland plantsprovide the first color in the spring. If youare an avid nature walker, you may alreadybe familiar with the early bloomers. Mostwoodland wildflowers generate a calm andrestful look in the wild that will translatewell to a home garden.Among shade-loving plants is the

celandine poppy, which has large bright yel-low flowers that bloom from mid-spring tolate summer. Another is the wild geranium,which grows 1 to 2 feet tall and forms aclump about the size of a small peony bush.The flowers are soft pink, rosy-lavender, orsometimes white with bright yellow centers.The flower blooms for 2 to 3 weeks betweenlate March and May. It is perfect at the baseof a tree or at the end of the woods or evenas a mass in an open woodland. Because itblooms profusely in sunlight, it is especiallypretty in the center of a border garden.You might also want to include a wild

bleeding heart, a fern-like plant that is easyto grow. It blooms on and off all summer.The flowers are usually delicate pink. It is adependable wildflower to fill in spaceswhen spring flowers become dormant.We often associate meadows and

prairies with vast fields of color boundedby a sky-blue horizon and filled with flutter-

ing butterflies and swooping birds. You canre-create this in your landscape, large orsmall. Choose brightly colored, sun-lovingplants that attract birds and butterflies. Ifyou plan a carefree meadow or prairie gar-den, make sure it is visible from inside yourhome.Include in your meadow or prairie a but-

terfly magnet, the butterfly weed. It has abroad, flat cluster of brilliant orange, fieryred, or bright yellow flowers. It grows 18 to30 inches tall.Attracting small birds like goldfinches

and chickadees, the purple coneflower has arusty-orange cone in the center of a purpledaisy-like flower that blooms nearly allsummer. Its flowers droop or spread nearlyflat from this bristly cone.Also called white beardtongue, the fox-

glove beardtongue has tubular white flowersthat resemble snapdragons and blooms inearly spring. Flower stalks can be as tall as5 feet. Flower colors can include lavender,violet, purple, pink, blue, or white, depend-ing upon the species. (The foxglove can tol-erate light shade as well as wet or dry areas.)Gayfeather, also known as blazing star, is

a butterfly magnet as well. Generally, itgrows 2 to 4 feet tall. Blooming betweenJuly and September, it complements yellowlate summer bloomers.

Most everyone has some form of a wet-land in their landscape. It may be a natural-ly occurring swale (a low area of land thatholds water after a rain), or you may be oneof the fortunate few to have a pond or astream. Water provides calmness and seren-ity. Take advantage of these areas to create awetland wonderland.Wetland plants include the great blue

lobelia, queen-of-the prairie, and Joe-Pyeweed. Quite impressive is the lobelia’s 2- to3-foot stalks topped with spikes of brightsky-blue flowers. It accepts full sun or slightshade as long as the soil is moist. As anative, it typically grows along streams, inwet meadows and prairies, in damp woods,or at the edge of a swamp.The queen-of-the prairie’s gets her name

honestly. She grows 2 to 6 feet tall. Herrose-pink flower clusters are 4 to 10 inchesacross and nearly a foot long. Planted in fullsun and moist soil, she is particularly effec-tive as a mass in the center or front of a bor-der or along a walkway.Joe-Pye weed draws swallowtail butterflies

with its dusty-rose flower clusters. Toweringover nearly every other plant, it grows 8 to 10feet tall. Joe-Pye prefers full sun or light shade.Joe is a good background for border gardens orin a corner as an accent.

The key to a successful wildflower land-scape is to select plants that match your sitecondition. “Don’t fight the site!” You maychoose to plant from seed or obtain estab-lished plants from friends or from a rep-utable nursery/garden center. Never, ever,collect seed from state or national parks.Water as needed initially to establish. Mowannually after first frost or trim dead stalksto ground level to allow seeds to drop fornew spring growth. You may want to“google” americanmeadows.com for seeds.For information on a myriad of gardening

topics, visit www.ohio-line.osu.edu and click on“Yard and Garden” link,or call OSU Extension.


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emergent weed preventer, which can stop weeds beforethey grow. Though such solutions are not always foolproof,they can drastically reduce the likelihood of weed growth.Though gardeners might not be able to start planting their

gardens in late winter or early spring, they can still get out-side and take steps to ensure their gardens thrive once plant-ing season begins.

l GARDENContinued from Page 10

l RAINWATERContinued from Page 5

purposes. Many rainwater collection systems are designedwith an overflow safeguard that will prevent the water frombacking up through the system. It will divert the rainwaterback out of the downspout when the barrel or tank is full. A rainwater collection system harnesses a natural source

of water to be used for gardens and other outdoor purposes.This water doesn’t contain chlorine or other additives, mak-ing it relatively clean and safe to use. Homeowners shouldcheck to see if a permit is necessary to install a rainwatercollection system and then begin gathering water for vari-ous uses.


Todd Imholte, president ofMurals Your Way, predicts that wallmurals will be even more popularnext year as more homeowners andbusiness owners embrace thisunique, distinctive way to trans-form any room. Simple to installand remove, Murals Your Way’smore than 750,000 images, alongwith the ability to create a personalmural from a photograph, makewall murals an attractive andaffordable design trend.It’s only naturalMiami-based ASID and IIDA

award-winning interior and furni-ture designer Bea Pila sees naturalelements increasingly created intoluxurious furnishings. Look forlamps embellished with geodes andnatural gems, feather-adorned pil-lows and sharkskin as a rich tablefinish. Stone and stone veneersmake for an interesting organicinterior wall covering, says DebbieWiener of My Designing Solutions,as do sticks gathered in groups astriptychs or propped up against thewall.Lighten upLighting can make a key differ-

ence in a home by setting the

(BPT) – Renew. Rejuvenate.Reinvigorate. There’s no bettertime to give a home a fresh look,whether it’s incorporating a newcolor palette, adding accessories,repurposing furniture or puttingsomething interesting up on thewalls.A kaleidoscope of colorResidential interior designer

Gary McBournie recommendshappy hues such as turquoise for akitchen, chartreuse for a diningroom and coral for a bedroom.Roger Hazard, a Sharon Springs,NY designer who starred in theEmmy-nominated “Sell ThisHouse,” agrees that color paletteswill embrace a variety of bold,punchy accent colors but also notesa seismic shift in neutrals from the“brown fatigue” of browns andbeiges to bright gallery whites andtruly neutral grays. Purples can bepaired with accents of copper andwell-worn leather in a masculineden; layered with gold, gray andwhite for an elegant bedroom; orhighlighted against subway tile andchrome fixtures for a statementmaster bathroom.Every wall has a story

Top 10 new home decor trendsatmosphere of a room or helpingshowcase decor elements. LEDbulbs deliver the same warm glowas traditional incandescents but use84 percent less energy and last upto 20 years, according to MaxwellRyan, founder and CEO ofApartment Therapy. Interior designexpert and InStyleModern.comexecutive Maria Samuels suggestsmulti-tiered chandeliers and otherornamental fixtures using LEDlights to give a modern twistinstead of traditional artificial illu-mination.The furniture forecastPila notes that 60s-inspired

acrylic furnishings can be timelesswhen designed into a classic sil-houette, with the pureness of theacrylic’s clearness creating a strik-ing effect. Washington, DC design-er Darlene Molnar predicts that vel-vet sofas will be a top trend in2014, with jewel colors or graybringing a soft elegance to roomsafter years of sharp clean lines. Andfurniture designer Clint Parkernotes that Earth-friendly, sustain- Natural elements, such as stone, animal prints and feathers, are among

this year’s design trends. You can spruce up your home with bold color,1960s inspired furniture, salvaged architectural pieces or repurposed/recy-cled furnishings.See DECOR, page 15

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able eco-furniture is gaining steam, with new composites and fabrics such as hemp andsorghum making the concept more accessible.Accessorize the positiveAnything goes in the world of accessories. Pila notes an African influence in lamps

made of horn and Kuba cloths fashioned into pillows, rugs and blankets, while IanKennedy of Ruby + George touts Native American-inspired artwork, rugs and antlerspassed down from generation to generation. Wiener suggests gas-fired home “firewalls” under a wall-mounted big-screen television that can serve as a source ofwarmth and an art focal piece.The simple lifeInternationally recognized artist and award-winning Austin designer Pablo Solomon

sees a continuation of uncluttered, simple, practical, multifunctional and renewabledesigns. He recommends adopting the mantra “less is more” to focus on quality, notquantity, when it comes to art, rugs and furnishings. Tie interior design with outsidelandscape views to evoke a feeling of openness and flow from the inside out.What’s old is new againLos Angeles-based Linda Brettler, AIA, suggests finding creative ways to repurpose,

recycle and reuse by relocating pieces from other rooms in the house or seeking outolder, better-made items from architectural salvage sites. Salvaged or antique tiles cangive an authentic patina to a historic home, and Brettler recommends mixing tile andstone so the look isn’t so intense.Finding your comfort zoneAccording to Elissa Morgante, principal at Morgante Wilson Architects in Chicago,

people are moving toward much more casual and interactive living. This translates intomaking all rooms in the home inviting and multifunctional, to foster togetherness incomfortable spaces that will actually be used.Hazard adds that practicality and individuality will dominate next year, with upholstery

expected to bring presence and sophistication while still delivering all-day comfort.

Lighting can make a key difference in a home. Use multi-tiered chandeliers with LEDlights.

l DECORContinued from Page 14

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Elida Rd. • LIMA419.224.4656


spring 2014

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