Page 14 - 9-26-22

Page 14, RURAL-URBAN RECORD, September 26, 2022

Fall Home & Garden

Protect landscapes from Secure saplings and juvenile plants “very important” when looking for a home. Homeowners who

Harsh winds and battering snow can damage young
wildlife and more over the plants. Use stakes and lattices to secure them so they’ll be are considering selling their homes, or those who simply
want to upgrade their existing flooring, may want to consider
winter better able to withstand the weather, suggests Total Land- installing hardwood flooring. Though it’s a project best left to
professionals, hardwood flooring can be installed by skilled
scape Management, a commercial and residential landscap-
ing company. DIYers. In such instances, homeowners may want to keep
Promptly remove snow from branches to help trees and these dos and don’ts in mind.
Landscapes are vulnerable to the elements during the shrubs; otherwise, the weight of ice and snow can break off DO hire a professional if you have limited or no DIY flooring
cold weather months. Everything from de-icing products branches and cause irreparable damage. experience. Hardwood flooring installation is not generally a
to hungry animals to the weight of snow can affect trees, project for novice DIYers. Hardwood flooring projects may
shrubs and other plants. Erect a snow barrier present some common challenges, but no two homes are
Just because certain greenery will go dormant during the Prior observation tends to educate homeowners about the same. So unless they have prior experience installing
winter doesn’t mean landscape maintenance ends when the which areas of the landscape are most vulnerable to snow floors in multiple rooms or homes, homeowners may save
mercury dips. Homeowners can take certain actions to win- drifts and blustery winds. During the winter, winds often blow themselves time, trouble and a significant amount of money
terproof their properties and safeguard landscapes so they in from a northeasterly direction, but each homeowner can hiring a professional to do the job.
recover more readily when spring arrives.
make his or her own assessment. Put up a tarp between two DON’T ignore the subfloor. New hardwoods won’t erase
stakes to serve as a “snow fence” that protects vulnerable the problem of subfloors in poor condition. According to the
Utilize barriers and deterrents areas of the landscape from blowing snow. home renovation experts at BobVila.com, squeaky floors
When resources are scarce, animals will be on the hunt could be an indication that the subfloor has begun to warp
for anything that’s edible, and that includes whatever green- Keep plants cozy or twist. Sinking floors are another indicator of deteriorating
ery is growing on a landscape. Physical barriers in garden Wrap plants in burlap, garden blankets and plant domes subfloors. Subfloors should be somewhat level before new
beds and around trees can help prevent damage caused by to insulate them from cold weather and some animals. Move hardwoods are installed, so DIYers should inspect and ad-
moles, voles and deer. Line the bottom and sides of garden container plants into a garage or shielded area for the winter. dress subfloor issues before installing new flooring.
beds with garden cloth to prevent ground-burrowing animals Winter can place landscapes in peril. A few strategies can DO expose wood flooring to the elements in your home
from getting in from beneath, suggests the gardening re- provide protection. prior to installation. The home improvement resource Build-
source I Must Garden. Direct recommends acclimating hardwoods to the space
netting can deter deer, who will seek accessible food sourc- Wood floor installation dos where they will be installed. Skipping this important step
Wrapping shrubs in burlap or covering them in temporary

es over the winter. Erect fencing around new trees to keep could result in gaps during the winter and cupping over
the summer. To acclimate hardwoods, open the boxes and
deer away from the bark and lower branches. and don’ts spread them out for about a week while running the air con-
Make the yard less attractive to deer and burrowers by ditioner or heater at normal levels. When storing hardwoods
opting for fat-based suet cakes to feed birds rather than Jaw-dropping features can sell a home in a heartbeat. A prior to installation, avoid keeping them in potentially moist
loose seeds and berries in feeders, which herbivores will en- penthouse apartment with floor-to-ceiling windows and a areas like a basement.
joy. Also, don’t overwater or mulch landscapes too early. The panoramic view of a city skyline likely won’t prove a hard sell, DON’T skimp on tools. A DIY hardwood flooring installa-
loose soil and warmth of the mulch may entice moles and nor will a home with an infinity pool overlooking a landscape tion might be less expensive than hiring a professional, but
voles and other rodents to stick around in those areas and of rolling hills. As awe-inspiring as such features can be, homeowners should resist any temptation to increase those
feed on plants. some more subtle components, such as authentic hardwood savings further by purchasing less costly tools or fewer tools
floors, also can do much to make a home more appealing to than is necessary to complete the job. BuildDirect notes that
Use a safer melting product prospective buyers. DIYers will need at least a miter saw, table saw, cleat-nail-
Investigate options in snowmelt products, as traditional Hardwood flooring is a sought-after commodity. Data from er or stapler, finish nailer, compressor, jamb saw, chalk line,
rock salt can injure buds and branches and kill lawns. In ad- the National Association of Realtors indicates that 54 per- nail set, and tape measurer when installing hardwood floors.
dition, avoid piling salted snow in one area of the landscape, cent of home buyers are willing to pay more for hardwood Purchase all necessary tools and read product reviews to
as it will concentrate the salt in that spot. Spread out snow floors. In fact, NAR figures indicate that 28 percent of buyers ensure each tool is up to the task.
piles to help minimize the damage to delicate plants. between the ages of 35 and 54 consider hardwood floors
Wood floors can be awe-inspiring. Some homeowners

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