Happy Holiday's from Realty Queen

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Luke 2:8-14




Merry Christmas!

Home Team Treatment

Dear Homeowner,

Most sports injuries are either strains or sprains. These injuries are painful but can usually be treated successfully at home.

Strains result from "pulling" muscles and tendons that attach muscles to the bone. Sprains are more serious and occur when ligaments stretch or tear.

Symptoms of these injuries include pain and swelling in the first 24 hours followed by discoloration and stiffness.

The best home treatment is a three-step approach. Just remember the acronym ICE: Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

Ice
• The first thing to do to an injured area is apply ice, which will help reduce the swelling. Keep the ice directly on the area for 20 minutes. It's best not to use chemical ice (the kind used in coolers) because the temperature isn't low enough.

• Also helpful is an ice massage. Use six-ounce paper cups to freeze water, then tear off half the paper and rub the ice on the swollen area for 8 to 12 minutes each hour.

• Don't apply heat until the swelling has gone down. Then alternate between hot and cold treatments to encourage blood flow.

Compression
• Wrap the injured area with an elastic bandage to help prevent further swelling and give support. Don't wrap the area too tightly or wear the bandage overnight. You can also purchase an inflatable air cast at a pharmacy or medical supply store.

Elevation
• Prop an injured leg on a chair and use a sling to elevate an injured arm or wrist. If problems persist contact a physician.

For more family health information, contact Real Living Sugar Pine Realty at (209) 586-3242.

Realtor's Rainbow

Snow in Sugar Pine!

Special Holiday Blogpost!

Things that I'm thankful for:

1. Our Lord and all His Blessings

2. My Family and all my Friends

3. All my faithful Clients

4. For Health

5. For my beautiful new car (RED)

6. For my warm Home

7. For my Business and my co-workers

From our home to yours, Happy Holidays!

What Makes a House a Home?

Dear Homeowner,

Before building, buying or remodeling, ask yourself what it takes to get that "at home" feeling. It's not just how a house looks that's important, but how you feel living in it day to day. Here are some ideas on how to make your house more homey.

Bigger is not always better

Lofty ceilings can be dazzling, but daunting. It may be wiser to design flat ceilings at 9 or 10 feet high or tame a too-high cathedral ceiling by installing exposed, rafter-height beams of rough-hewn timber. Smaller rooms create feelings of intimacy, warmth, and safety.

Furniture that fits people

One measurement of a homey room is comfortable furniture — especially sofas and chairs. Keep in mind that people do not just sit on them. They also sit in them, curl up in them and stretch out in them.

Material matters

Different interior materials evoke different emotional responses. It's not just the type of materials you use, but how much you use and in what combinations.

Telltale heart

What really makes a home special are heirlooms, collections, and framed family photographs exhibited where they can be appreciated every day.

For more home decorating tips, call Real Living Sugar Pine Realty at (209) 586-3242.

Seeing Spots

Dear Homeowner,

If you're seeing spots on your carpet, you can probably make use of these simple tips for removing common carpet stains.

Tar, grease, chewing gum, and wax
Remove as much as possible by gently scraping with a dull knife, then treat the stain with dry-cleaning fluid. For chewing gum, try applying ice cubes in a plastic bag to harden the gum before scraping.

Cigarette burns
Patching is necessary for complete repair, but you can mask the damage. Snip off the darkened fiber ends, then blot the area with a solution of 1 teaspoon detergent and 1 teaspoon vinegar in a quart of warm water.

Lipstick
Gently blot with a dry-cleaning solution, then rinse with a solution of 1 tablespoon ammonia in a cup of water.

Animal stains, fruit juices
If the stain is still wet, try repeatedly sponging with lukewarm water. Then, blot dry and treat with a solution of 1 teaspoon detergent and 1 teaspoon vinegar in a quart of warm water. After waiting 15 minutes, blot again and sponge with clean water.

Paint
Oil-base paints can usually be removed with turpentine. Water-base paints clean up with water.

Ink
Blot ball-point-ink with denatured alcohol as soon as possible. Permanent ink can't be removed, but you can minimize the damage by blotting with water.

For more home-and-family tips, contact Real Living Sugar Pine Realty at (209) 586-3242.

Conquer Closet Clutter

Dear Homeowner,

When you're trying to sell a home it's not the skeletons in the closet that will hurt you — it's all the other stuff you have jammed into them.

Adequate storage space is one of the first things prospective buyers look for when they inspect a home. You can be sure they'll open all of your doors and drawers — checking to see if your home has room for their belongings.

There are many tricks to making your storage space seem more adequate. The easiest one is to simply move some of your possessions out.
• Remove out-of-season clothing, sports equipment and other miscellaneous items from your front entry closet. Try to take out half the items in your bedroom closets to make them appear more roomy. Prospective buyers want to see how much space is in your closets, not how much you've been able to cram into them.

• Keep in mind that the more things you give away, throw out, sell or store now, the easier your move will be later.

• To increase the storage capacity of your closets, add an extra pole, shoe racks, wire baskets or shelves.

• You can also make closets appear bigger by applying a fresh coat of white paint and putting in the highest-wattage bulbs allowed.

• Other important storage areas to reorganize include kitchen cabinets, garage and attic. The use of dividers and hanging racks in these areas will make things easier for you to find, and make your home more appealing to buyers.

For more tips on merchandising your home, call Real Living Sugar Pine Realty at (209) 586-3242.

Blinds and Shades

Dear Homeowner,

Purchasing window treatments can be a major investment. You can protect this investment by engaging in proper maintenance for your blinds and shades.

· Blinds and shades will stay in shape if you dust them monthly with a soft cloth or vacuum's brush attachment. For heavier dust on mini-blinds, use a finger-like brush designed to clean five slats at a time. Clean stained-wood blinds with furniture polish.

· When metal or plastic mini-blinds need a more thorough cleaning, take them outside and wash the slats with a sponge and soapy water. Then, hang the slats from a clothesline and rinse with a hose. Shake off excess water, drain rails and towel dry to avoid water marks and rusting.

· If you can't take your blinds down, fill one bucket with a solution of grease-cutting household detergent and another bucket with water. Working from the top down, wash both sides of each slat, then rinse using a second sponge dipped in plain water. Dry slats with a towel.

· Fabric roller shades should also be taken down for a good cleaning. Place the unrolled shade on a flat surface and sponge with lukewarm water and mild soap, trying not to soak the fabric. Work in sections, removing excess moisture with a dry cloth. Hang the shade at the window, pull it down to full length and let it dry. Then, roll the shade to the top and leave it for a few hours to give a crisp, ironed look.

· Some non-washable shades can be cleaned with wallpaper cleaner, others need dry cleaning.

For more home-and-family tips, call Real Living Sugar Pine Realty at (209) 533-3242.

Made for Shade

Dear Homeowner,

With careful planning and good plant selection, even the shady spots of your garden will come alive.

To create a shade garden in an area underneath a large tree, plant ground covers which have shallow roots. To add height and texture to a shady corner, plant ferns which thrive in acidic soil and deep shade.

Perennials and bulbs provide a rainbow of color and interesting foliage. Spring-blooming bulbs flourish in the sun before deciduous trees regain their leaves.

Fill in gaps with shade-tolerant annuals. These will add color while your perennials are out of bloom.

To make your shade garden look more natural, plant odd numbers of the same species and add shrubs for permanent structure. They will create a backdrop for smaller plantings and add texture and color.

Start with a good plan and add to it each year. As other plants mature, you'll need fewer annuals to fill in the gaps.

Shade-loving plants

• Ground Covers: Ajuga, Epimedium, Euonymus, Fern, Hosta, Ivy, Lamium, Lily-of-the-Valley.

• Perennials: Bleeding heart, Daylily, Columbine, Coralbells, Fern, Goat's beard, Lobelia, Lungwort, Primrose, Snake-root, Trillium, Woodland phlox.

• Bulbs: Tuberous begonia, Caladium, Calla lily.

• Annuals: Begonia, Coleus, Impatiens, Vinca.

• Shrubs: Azalea, Boxwood, Hydrangea, Yew.

For more gardening tips, call Real Living Sugar Pine Realty at (209) 586-3242.

Preparing Your Home for Show

Dear Homeowner,

To show your home to its best advantage, you have to look at it objectively, as though you were a potential buyer. Since a home is such an emotional purchase, people often base their choice on feelings. Regardless of your location and price, if something about your home “feels wrong,” the buyer will look elsewhere.

Readying the outside

• Since people begin to judge your home the moment they drive up, the first impression is crucial.

• Make sure your front lawn looks neat. Cut the grass and trim the hedges. Plant some extra flowers for color — or put some potted plants beside the front door.

• Take a close look at your front door. If it’s faded or needs repair, clean it, stain it or paint it. While you’re at it, do the same with the back door and garage door.

• Repainting the exterior of your home is a fairly expensive venture, and really unnecessary unless the sides have had blistering or peeling. Painting window sashes, trim and shutters can do wonders.

Readying the inside

• Brighten things with fresh paint. White, off-white, or beige walls make a room look bigger.

• Too much clutter and too much furniture can make a home “feel wrong.” Move out all excess furniture to make rooms appear larger.

• Clear off the kitchen counters — make them look as expansive as possible. Clean the oven and all appliances. Put a fresh flower or plant on the counter.

• Get out your tool kit: Tighten loose doorknobs, drawer pulls, cabinet handles, towel racks, switch plates and outlet covers. Fix leaky faucets and remove water stains.

Bring on the buyers

• When it’s time for your agent to show your home, all your preparations will be worth it. But here are a few final tips.

• Make yourself scarce. Many prospects feel like intruders when the owners are present. They tend to hurry away, or fail to ask the questions they’d like to ask. Your absence will put buyers at ease, and give them a chance to spend more time looking at your house.

• Let your sales professional show your home even when you’re not there. If you don’t, you’re limiting the showings — and actually keeping your house off the market many hours a day.

• Always keep your home ready for show. Your sales professional will try to give you as much advance warning as possible. Likewise, other sales professionals may call to arrange showings. But the bottom line is: Always be prepared.


For more home and family information, call Real Living Sugar Pine Realty, at (209) 586-3242.

The Art of Displaying Artwork

Dear Homeowner,

Don't get nailed with extra holes in your walls and poorly arranged pictures. Consider these tips before hanging artwork.

That can be arranged

· If you have several smaller items or a large wall on which to showcase your artwork, an arrangement may work best.

· Artwork can be grouped by color, subject matter or by matching frames or mats. Consider varying the sizes and shapes of items to add interest to an arrangement.

Orderly conduct

· To keep a grouping from looking disorderly, create a geometric shape with the outer edges and plan for at least one or two straight lines to run through the arrangement.

· You can achieve cohesiveness by hanging items relatively close together so they seem like a unit. Make sure one item doesn't overshadow the others.

· Items arranged in a V or inverted V shape lead the eye in a smooth fashion.

Location counts

· Pictures should be at either standing eye level or seated eye level depending on the room. Place pictures where they won't be obscured by the head of a sitting person.

· It's also best to mount items no more than one foot above furnishings. If you need to hang a picture higher, fill the gap with a vase or other decoration.

Put in on paper

· Don't start hammering until you have a plan. First trace around the frame on a piece of paper, mark where the hook is and cut out the form. Place the paper on the wall and when it's where you want — nail it!

For more home decorating ideas, call Real Living Sugar Pine Realty at (209) 586-3242.

Home Team Treatment

Dear Homeowner,

Most sports injuries are either strains or sprains. These injuries are painful but can usually be treated successfully at home.

Strains result from "pulling" muscles and tendons that attach muscles to the bone. Sprains are more serious and occur when ligaments stretch or tear.

Symptoms of these injuries include pain and swelling in the first 24 hours followed by discoloration and stiffness.

The best home treatment is a three-step approach. Just remember the acronym ICE: Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

Ice

• The first thing to do to an injured area is apply ice, which will help reduce the swelling. Keep the ice directly on the area for 20 minutes. It's best not to use chemical ice (the kind used in coolers) because the temperature isn't low enough.

• Also helpful is an ice massage. Use six-ounce paper cups to freeze water, then tear off half the paper and rub the ice on the swollen area for 8 to 12 minutes each hour.

• Don't apply heat until the swelling has gone down. Then alternate between hot and cold treatments to encourage blood flow.

Compression

• Wrap the injured area with an elastic bandage to help prevent further swelling and give support. Don't wrap the area too tightly or wear the bandage overnight. You can also purchase an inflatable air cast at a pharmacy or medical supply store.

Elevation

• Prop an injured leg on a chair and use a sling to elevate an injured arm or wrist. If problems persist contact a physician.

For more family health information, contact Real Living Sugar Pine Realty at (209) 586-3242.

Turn Clutter Into Cash

Dear Homeowner,

When you're having a garage sale, little things make a big difference. These simple tips can add a lot to your profits.

• To get the best prices for your items, you need to display them in the best possible light. Launder linens, polish silver and make simple repairs. Investing a little elbow grease can pay big dividends.

• Separate your goods into categories and lay them out so they are easy to see. Books and record albums should be positioned spine up so the titles are visible. All items should be assembled. Store items in clear plastic bags instead of cardboard boxes.

• A trip to local garage sales or a second-hand store can help determine appropriate asking prices for products in your area. Additionally, make sure every item is priced. Customers will often pass over unmarked products instead of asking their cost. Be prepared to haggle.

• Clean the garage, doing your best to remove unsightly stains and odors. Install the brightest light bulbs allowed.

• Have mirrors and a dressing area available for customers to try on clothes. Position appliances near an electrical outlet so they can be tested.

• Provide coffee and other beverages. Set up some lawn chairs to give weary customers a place to sit. A brief rest or a cold drink can refresh shoppers and make them more likely to buy.

• Most importantly, be friendly. The more helpful you are, the more you'll sell.

For more tips on holding a garage sale, call Real Living Sugar Pine Realty at (209) 586-3242.

What Makes a House a Home?

Dear Homeowner,

Before building, buying or remodeling, ask yourself what it takes to get that "at home" feeling. It's not just how a house looks that's important, but how you feel living in it day to day. Here are some ideas on how to make your house more homey.

Bigger is not always better
Lofty ceilings can be dazzling, but daunting. It may be wiser to design flat ceilings at 9 or 10 feet high or tame a too-high cathedral ceiling by installing exposed, rafter-height beams of rough-hewn timber. Smaller rooms create feelings of intimacy, warmth, and safety.

Furniture that fits people
One measurement of a homey room is comfortable furniture — especially sofas and chairs. Keep in mind that people do not just sit on them. They also sit in them, curl up in them and stretch out in them.

Material matters
Different interior materials evoke different emotional responses. It's not just the type of materials you use, but how much you use and in what combinations.

Telltale heart
What really makes a home special are heirlooms, collections, and framed family photographs exhibited where they can be appreciated every day.


For more home decorating tips, call Real Living Sugar Pine Realty at (209) 586-3242.

Neighborhood Garage Sales

Dear Homeowner,

When it comes to garage sales, bigger is better! As avid garage sale shoppers scan the local classifieds and form their plans of attack, some of the key words they like to see are "multi-family" and "block sale."

Merging goods from a few homes or a whole neighborhood is a great way to generate interest for the sale and increase your own profits. It also splits up the workload and advertising costs. Group sales are also a great way to pull people together or welcome new families.

One of the most difficult aspects of multi-family garage sales is dividing up the profits at the end. This problem can be helped by keeping a running list of the items sold or using price tags that are color coded or contain families' names.

Before the sale, participating families also need to get together and set the ground rules for haggling. Some people want their goods sold only at the marked prices, while others may be willing to negotiate. The cashiers need to know these preferences.

Garage sales can be social events. The more people involved, the more fun you'll have. A big sale can essentially become a profitable block party.

With any garage sale, and especially one with multiple families, a few details are bound to go wrong. Remember that the true goal of the sale is to get rid of unwanted items. So keep your perspective and keep it fun.

You're cleaning out your house and making some money to boot — so don't sweat the small stuff.

For more information on holding a garage sale, call Sugar Pine Realty/GMAC Real Estate at (209) 586-3242.

Less-Mess Grilling

Dear Homeowner,

If you'd rather replace your old grill rack than clean it, try these hassle-free tips for less-mess grilling.

Before grilling

• Spray the cold grill rack with a nonstick vegetable spray coating.

• Line the inside of the firebox with heavy foil. When you're finished grilling and the ashes have cooled, you can bundle up the foil and throw it all away. Heavy foil is stronger and less likely to tear.

After grilling

• Remove the rack after you're done cooking as soon as it cools down. Fill a large tub with hot, sudsy water and put in the rack to soak. An alternative is to cover both sides of the rack with wet paper towels or newspapers and let stand while you eat. Later, the burned-on food should wash right off.

• To remove stubborn burned-on food, sprinkle dry baking soda on a damp sponge and lightly scour the grill rack. You can also scrub with an abrasive-type cleaning pad, crumpled foil or a stiff grill brush. Read your grill's cleaning and care instructions before using any cleaning products or abrasives.

For gas grills

• Clean the inside of your gas grill by turning on the gas burners to the high setting. Close the hood and let the grill self-clean about 15 minutes. Let the grill cool, and then wipe off burned food particles.

• Once a year, remove the grill rack, briquettes and rack from the gas grill so you can brush out the bottom.

For more home-and-family tips, call Sugar Pine GMAC Real Estate at (209) 586-3242.

Wicker Picker Uppers

Dear Homeowner,

Once relegated to the porch, wicker is now a permanent fixture inside. Wicker mixes easily with other styles of furniture and readily assumes a new personality with a coat of paint or other embellishments.

On the fringe

Embellishing any wicker chair with a little frill is easy. All you need is a hot-glue gun and fringe hefty enough to be seen against the textural wicker.

• Measure your chair from the end of one arm to the end of the other; add 2 inches. Measure around the bottom of the chair; add 2 inches. Purchase 5-inch-long fringe in these amounts.

• Seal the fringe's cut ends with hot glue. Starting at one end of the chair and using a hot-glue gun, glue the fringe along the chair's arms and back. Glue the fringe along the bottom the same way.

• Don't use a low temperature glue for this project. If the chair will be subjected to high heat or intense sun, use upholstery tacks or white glue instead of a glue gun.

Aged to perfection

To give a new wicker rocker an old look, create layers of colors that mock how coats of paint would be worn away.

• Paint the chair with a dark base coat. When the paint is almost dry and slightly tacky, use rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth or steel wool to remove the paint and expose the wicker in areas of high wear (seat, back, arms and skirt). These areas should be uneven to appear naturally worn.

• After this coat dries, add a lighter coat and remove some of it the same way. Dark paint and wicker should now show through.

For more home decorating tips, contact Sugar Pine GMAC Real Estate at (209) 586-3242.

Pizza Hot Off the Grill

Dear Homeowner,

Grilled pizza is an easy, fun and fast way to serve summer's garden-fresh produce, so fire up the grill and get cooking.

The intense, direct heat of the grill approximates that of a wood-fired pizza oven. This gives the pie's veggies and cheese a pleasing smoke flavor, meats real sizzle and the crust a delightful crunch.

Get grilling

• To grill on a charcoal grill, be sure the coals are white and medium-hot. For a gas grill, close the lid, turn it on high for 5 to 10 minutes, then lower the heat. The grill rack should be 3 to 4 inches above the coals or lava rocks.

• These thin-crust pizzas cook quickly, usually a minute or two for each side. Exact cooking times depend on the fire.

• Because the pizza is on the grill for such a short time, vegetables, shrimp, chicken, meat and any other shredded toppings must be precooked.

• On a floured board, roll one portion of your favorite homemade or store-bought pizza dough into a 10-inch circle about 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick.

• Carry the dough to the grill and carefully slide it onto the rack. Within 1 to 2 minutes, grill marks will appear on the underside of the crust as it starts to puff up and become firm. At this point, use tongs to turn the crust.

• Add the toppings. Cook 1 to 2 minutes more or until the cheese is melted and the dough is cooked through. Check to make sure the underside is not burning.

• Place on a wooden board and cut into wedges. Serve immediately.

For more home-and-family tips, contact Sugar Pine GMAC Real Estate at 586-3242.

Security Landscaping

Dear Homeowner,

Trim your chances of being burglarized by landscaping for security.

Well-designed landscaping can prevent thieves from entering your property.

· Consider surrounding your yard with a hard-to-climb fence. This can help keep children and pets in and bad guys out.

· A hedge of dense shrubs or a row of thorny bushes, such as roses, placed under windows will deter thieves.

· Surrounding flowerbeds and shrubs with rock mulches creates a slippery, loud entrance predators prefer to avoid.

Another crucial element of landscaping for security is knowing what not to plant.

· Don't plant trees so near to the house that they provide easy access to the second story.

· Avoid creating a tangle of shrubs near a door that could provide a lurking place for thieves.

· Keep shrubs trimmed short or plant perennials there instead.

· Make sure you have not forgotten about the back entry — many thieves look there first. If there's no convenient hiding place, thieves will generally look for an easier target down the street.

Lighting is also an extremely effective way to deter a would-be burglar.

· The main area of the yard should be lighted with metal halide or mercury lights.

· If possible, light bulbs should be positioned too high for an intruder to unscrew or break.

· Floodlights are an effective way to highlight shadowy areas — such as recessed windows or doors.

Careful landscaping will make your home less attractive to burglars and more attractive to you.


For more tips on home safety and security, call Sugar Pine GMAC Real Estate at (209) 586-3242.

Home Away From Home

Dear Homeowner,

Before purchasing or building a vacation home, make sure you do your homework. Finding a picture-perfect setting for future getaways is possible, but it takes a lot of planning and research.

As you're evaluating vacation property, use these four tests:

1. Does the community have the amenities, climate, recreational and cultural activities you enjoy?
2. Does it promise years of enjoyable living without unexpected changes in the character of the community or neighborhood?
3. Are there physical or legal restrictions to stop construction of the home?
4. Does it have a special character that will make you want to spend your valuable vacation time in the same place each year?

If you're building, assess what it will take to put a house on the site and what regulations you'll have to abide by. Ask the local planning office about zoning, building restrictions and any environmental permits required. Also, look for private restrictions attached to the property deed.

Consult professionals to find out about drainage, water sources, soil conditions, utilities, road access, floods, geological hazards, and fire and police protection.

Visit many locations in different seasons. Explore the area — check out medical facilities and talk to neighbors. You may even want to have different areas' local newspapers mailed to your home. You'll also want to evaluate the economic future of the area and how its growth rate and tax structure will affect you into the future.


For more information on choosing a vacation home, contact Sugar Pine Realty GMAC Real Estate at (209) 586-3242.

Spring Cleaning

Dear Homeowner,

Whether you're planning to move or just want to organize your household, now is a good time to "weed out" unwanted items.

As a rule of thumb, discard anything you haven't used in 12 months, especially clothing you don't wear or items your children have outgrown.

Throw away broken-down, worn-out items.
• Get rid of old magazines by offering them to a hospital, school, nursing home, or daycare center.
• Recycle newspapers or use them for lighting fires or covering things while painting or cleaning.
• Dispose of all expired medications by pouring them down the toilet.
• Call a local recycling center if you have paints, chemicals, or other toxic materials to dispose.

Items that are in good, clean condition—clothing, furniture, accessories, appliances—can be sold at a garage sale or donated to a charity. Some agencies will even pick up donated materials.

For more househole tips, contact Sugar Pine GMAC Real Estate, at (209) 586-3242.

Scentsational Herbs

Dear Homeowner,

Add spice to your garden's scenery. With a myriad of colors and textures, herbs are always good ornamental company for flowers and vegetables.

Among the most care-free plants, herbs just need a little attention to keep them growing vigorously and looking their best.

• Give herbs a soil customized to their needs. Condition the soil with compost and manure before planting to give a solid foundation. A non-acidic soil rich in lime grows the best herbs. You can add lime or crushed shells as well as wood ash or small doses of bone meal to boost alkalinity. For thin or poorly drained soils, use raised beds.

• Herbs for shady northern exposures with moist soil and strong indirect light include cilantro, dill, fennel, mint and parsley. Shrubby aromatic perennial herbs like sage, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, winter savory and thyme demand sunlight. Basil, chives, horseradish, tarragon, sorrel and lovage need only a few hours of sun.

• Decorative herbs mingle well in the moderately rich soil of a flower garden. Plant purple leaf basil, sages, chives, tarragon, lemon balm and mints to fill in the foreground. Invite tall, statuesque fennel and lovage to dance in the breeze alongside delphiniums, peonies, poppies and roses.

• Herbs such as cilantro and sweet marjoram rely on rich, organic soil and plenty of moisture — conditions compatible with vegetable gardening. The right herb paired with vegetables can ward off pests or provide soil nutrients. Perfect partners include basil and tomatoes; summer savory and beans; garlic, leeks or onions and dill.


For more gardening tips, call Sugar Pine GMAC Real Estate at (209) 586-3242.