We live in USDA Zone 6a.
January:
Test for radon.
Make sure attic insulation is working. Look for snow on roof to melt faster than other houses.
March:
Smoke alarms and CO2 detectors
Buy fire extinguisher; check pressure.
April:
Paint the house
May:
Spray for poison ivy(?)
Hose down trash cans and remove standing water once a week.
June:
Chimney inspection.
July:
Let grass grow higher to save water and roots.
August:
Clear dryer vents.
Seal garage floor.
September:
Furnace inspection.
Resod.
October:
Test windows for drafts.
Plant bulbs.
November:
Turn off outdoor water.
Lubricate locks and hinges with WD-40.
December:
Test toilets.
Clean gutters.
2022:
New roof
Fence (rehung gate once)
Added door and ramp to south side.
New a/c (upstairs and downstairs)
new boiler and water heater.
guest bath shower head
2023
windows for pool room
OUTDOORS
Do NOT buy:
winky rose columbine
jasmine
yellow lady's bank rose
Blooming times:
March:
Daffodils
forsythia
redbud
pansies
tulip magnolias
April:
tulips
azaleas
dogwood
May:
peonies
iris
rhododendron
June:
petunias
day lilies
Sep:
jacaranda
TREES
Ginkgo: Yellow
Scarlet Oak – lots of room, good shade tree.
Chinese pistache – medium-size shade tree
Sweet gum – yellow/red/orange
Red maple – autumn flame/October glory/red sunset
Dogwood – Appalachian spring, or Cherokee sunset
Japanese maple – drought resistant: bloodgood, emperor I glowing embers, garnet, red dragon
Sugar maple – commemoration, legacy. Southern sugar maple is also a good alternative.
NIGHT GARDENING:
Cleome and nicotiana
green and white caladium
white cosmos
white heliotrope
White Wave petunias
Angels trumpets
Sweet alyssum
-- Observe the moon's path for several nights and plant where light is least obstructed. Plant the front edge with low ground covers, in the middle use plants that stand 12-24" and anchor the back with plants 2' high. Use soft diffused light for nights with no moon. (Solar lights, twinkle lights, etc.)
Front yard:
NO petunias in front. Use vincas. Use petunias for flower bowls, NOT on the ground.
Redbud when that giant tree behind azaleas dies.
salvia
Chimney side:
Ferns
coleus
PREPARING PLANTS FOR WINTER
Remove and discard annuals. Clip perennials to just above soil.
weed and spread compost.
Empty pots of plants and soil and store indoors.
Drain and unhook hoses and store indoors.
FALL PERENNIALS:
Japanese anemones such as Konigin Charlotte or Honorine Jobert. Also, asters and swamp sunflowers.
Good gardening soil:
4 parts peat
1 part perlite
1 part blood meal
1 part bonemeal
INDOORS
Master Bedroom
Remodel closet, with built in drawers
Master Bath:
Make a linen closet/laundry room , add wall between bedroom, knock out existing wall.
Build on closet and massive storage over garage.
Group collections of mirrors on blank walls for décor.
LAMPS:
Living room:
Try 26-34 inches tall. Bottom of the shade shouldn’t be higher than eye level.
Make sure the base is heavy enough to get bumped into.
There should be a light source every 10 feet or so. If a lamp is between a sofa and a chair, consider a thin or transparent base to keep sight lines open.
Fabric or semi-opaque paper shade allows for a warm, flattering glow. Near a TV, an opaque shade reduces glare.
Drum shades look modern, conical more traditional. Shades should not extend beyond a table edge.
For reading lamps, make sure of at least 60 watts, 3-way bulbs or dimmers can moderate. (GE Reveal)
Use a valued object such as a vase into a lamp, most repair shops can help with wiring.
Bedroom:
Bedside lamps shouldn’t top 30 inches.
Use a slim base, to leave room for the clock, books, etc.
Keep it close to the wall.
Keep shades small, and paper or fabric.
Use dual-bulb lamps or 3-ways.
Try a lamp with a switch on the cord.
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