Sensational 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 Val Ogletree at (209) 559-5725 or email at valo@valogletree.com

 

 

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 Val Ogletree (209) 559-5725 or email at Valo@valogletree.com