Starting plants
from seed provides
more variety, is less
expensive and can
grow plants that are
more disease resistant.

living visual experience.
Native soils and top-soils are not all
created equal. Most will need a little
boost to become fertile garden soil. A
3-inch layer of high-quality garden soil,
such as Miracle-Gro Organic Choice
Garden Soil, can be tilled into native soil
to improve existing soil, add organic
matter and help plants build strong
roots.
Amending soil will allow gardeners
to grow beautiful flowers and bountiful
vegetables naturally. Compost is another
great source of organic matter for the
garden. Create a compost bin and add
leaves, lawn clippings, kitchen scraps,
potting soil from last year's containers
and any other garden waste. Turn or aer-
ate the pile once a month — and by next
summer all that former yard waste will
be nice organic material for your garden

and keep the refuse out of landfills.
Once the garden is planted, feeding,
watering and weeding are essential
to the growth and survival of flowers
and vegetables. Even with proper feed-
ing, a garden should still be monitored
daily for water needs, depending on the
amount of rain, sunlight and tempera-
tures it receives.
Mulch is an often overlooked cousin
of garden soil. Many believe mulch to be
a strictly decorative item, but most gar-
deners know its true value. High-quality
mulches like Scotts Nature Scapes
Advanced look great while also helping
conserve water and naturally preventing
weeds by blocking growth and restrict-
ing access to sunlight.
Mulch should be used around the
base of plants and in beds, but can also
be used to create pathways through a
garden, making harvesting and watering
easier. Don't forget that containers also
benefit from a nice 2-inch layer of mulch.
With just a little planning, and a few
easy preparations before the growing
season, gardeners can reap the rewards
come harvest time, and enjoy the beauty
of the garden all season long. LI

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ARA Content

BRIDGEFORD'

The Bridgeford

faucet completes a

traditionally styled

ities of ceramic to other spaces,
such as patios, porches and ter-
races, and even to other objects
or furniture pieces, such as head-
boards, tables, benches, shelves,
bookcases and inside closets.
These new applications mean
that homes are developing a more
personal and original feel and are
becoming more practical.
Screen printing and digital
printing techniques have opened
the doors of the imagination
when decorating tiles. The devel-
opment of these production
processes enables the final look
to be highly personalized, creat-
ing spaces that are unique and
custom-made. Bearing in mind
the durability of ceramic, ease of
maintenance and easy installa-
tion methods that enable spaces
to be altered cleanly, simply and
cheaply, it's becoming clear that
using ceramic tile is an efficient
way to revamp your home cre-
atively and affordably. For more
tips on decorating with tile, visit
www.spaintiles.info. Li

ARA Content

kitchen without

sacrificing 21st

century performance.

Old-world detailing

is perfected on the

Bridgeford kitchen

faucet bringing

modern functionality

to a Victorian-styled

kitc.hen, The faucet

is available in oil

rubbed bronze,

brushed nickel and

Starlight* chrome,

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1977 E. West Maple Road • Walled Lake, MI 48390

248.669.7474

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www.advanceplumbing.com

1651570

April 14.2011

67

