Home Improvement

The Front Door is the Soul to your Home

Perhaps your front door is simply too weather-beaten to repair, or maybe you want to go with a new look. They say the front door is the soul to your home.

The first decision to make concerns materials: steel, fiberglass or wood.

Concrete door
Concrete door

Steel doors are affordable, durable and strong. They can be ordered with windows, glass inserts and other details.

Fiberglass has some of the more desirable qualities of wood, but its cost is usually lower, and it has greater durability.

Wood doors can be mid-priced or expensive; the type of wood, number of windows and complexity of construction can increase the price dramatically. They also require regular maintenance. But to some people, there’s no substitute for the rich, natural look of a well-designed hardwood door with an attractive grain, highlighted by the right stain.

Doors go through trend cycles, just like other elements of home design.

Door configurations depend on the size of the entry hall. Double doors create a feeling of grandness, but even a sidelight on each side of the door can achieve the same effect if you’re short on space.

The sweep of the door swing should be planned according to clearances and traffic patterns. Most exterior doors open inwards for security reasons, hinge plates and pins should be kept inside, not on the outside, where they’re accessible to burglars and intruders. Door handing refers to the direction of the door swing. For example, if the hinges are on the left as you open your front door, it’s a left-hand inswing door. Evaluate door handing when you replace your old door. Perhaps it makes sense to move your hinges to the opposite side.

Glass or panel inserts give the front door a more substantial and designed look. Opt for opaque glass if you want light to enter the home yet are concerned about privacy.

Lastly, how do you want visitors to announce themselves? A doorbell? A fancy knocker? An intercom system? Make sure there’s space for them and get something as classy looking as your new door. Every small element helps make a good first impression — even new address numbers and a nice welcome mat.

Fruit trees and fruit shrubs, Garden Pests

Cedar Apple Rust in South Dakota

Cedar apple rust is a fungal disease that requires juniper plants to complete its complicated two-year lifecycle. Spores overwinter as a reddish-brown gall on young twigs of various juniper species. In early spring, during wet weather, these galls swell, and bright orange masses of spores are blown by the wind where they infect susceptible apple and crab-apple trees. The spores that develop on these trees will only infect junipers the following year. From year to year, the disease must pass from junipers to apples to junipers again; it cannot spread between apple trees.

Rust gall on juniper
Rust gall on juniper

On apple and crab-apple trees, look for pale yellow pinhead sized spots on the upper surface of the leaves shortly after bloom. These gradually enlarge to bright orange-yellow spots which make the disease easy to identify. Orange spots may develop on the fruit as well. Heavily infected leaves may drop prematurely.

Rust on apple leaves
Rust on apple leaves

If your apple tree is prone to this disease, use an orchard fungicide spray or an all-purpose orchard spray.  Some varieties immune to this disease are: Goldrush, Pristine, and Redfree.

Container gardening

Container Gardening

Container gardening is a super-easy way to dress up your front porch, add a splash of color to shady areas, or cope with poor soil in your yard. Many plants thrive in containers. The most important thing is good drainage. Make sure there’s a hole in the bottom of your pot so plants don’t drown and read the tag or talk to the nursery to learn which plants do well in your specific conditions, such as full sun or shade.

Copper plant container

With spring just around the corner, there’s no better time to start shopping for the perfect pot to display your greenery and showcase your aesthetic. Consider this collection of oversized pots that are sure to add visual interest to your space.

Old refurnished metal pails

Terra-Cotta

Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, terra-cotta pots look great just about anywhere and their earthy color will enhance the beauty of almost any plant. Made of a porous clay rich in iron, terra cotta has the ability to “breathe,” which keeps potting soils cool and wicks excess moisture away from plant roots, keeping them healthy. The main problem with using terra cotta, is that it is relatively fragile (watch for hard frosts that can crack containers) and it can dry out quite rapidly, especially in sunny locations.

Note: Some growers prefer glazed terra-cotta pots because they hold water much more effectively.

Plastic

If you’re not concerned about container appearance or have plants that eventually grow to cover the pots they are planted in, plastic is a great choice. Plastic nursery pots are durable, retain moisture well, and are relatively inexpensive. They are also very lightweight, which makes them an excellent choice if you like to re-arrange your gardens.

Do not use black, or dark colored plastic pots if your container garden will be located in a very sunny location. These colors absorb heat and will get very hot, which can damage tender roots. Light colored containers reflect the heat and keep the roots cool.

Plastic, self-lit pots

Concrete

One thing about concrete – it’s heavy! Which makes it ideal for containing large plants or trees that require more support to keep them…well, “contained.” It also has good insulating properties, protecting tender root systems by maintaining a comfortable soil environment. When planting in exposed or public areas, concrete has the added advantage of discouraging anyone from “accidentally” walking off with your prized plants or pots. Concrete planters can be left outside over the winter without harm, which is good since you’re probably not going to want to move them.

Wood

One of the most practical and natural containers for gardening. Wood planters look great, retain water well and are relatively lightweight. When selecting wooden containers, make sure that they are made with rot-resistant woods like cedar or redwood and check for quality construction, since wood will shrink and expand in the elements. Planters made out of pine or other softwoods can also be used but should be painted with a non-toxic paint or stain to prevent rot. As for expense, you can easily manufacture a wooden planter in no time with a few nails, some scrap wood and a creative idea.