Landscaping decor

Solar Outdoor Accent Lights

Solar outdoor accent lights have come a long way from the simple path lights. The lights are brighter, coming in changing colors, and the batteries last longer.

The advantages of solar lights are that they can be placed anywhere as long as they are in full sun during the day.

The disadvantage is that my solar light works for maybe a year and needs a battery replacement. I went to the low voltage lighting, but solar lights have their use.

Their use of pathway lighting adds to curb appeal. They increase security and reduce injury from tripping on something. Path lights come in the usual light on a stake, one that looks like a rock that shines from the side, and the flickering ones looking like a flame.

Solar floodlights and spotlights come with a motion detector that can be mounted or placed around the home. The floodlights without the detector can be part of the landscaping accented to certain flowerbeds or trees. I used a few floodlights in a flowerbed with white flowers creating a moon garden.

String lights can be hung from trees, along with the patio, and under gazebos for a party-like or romantic atmosphere depending on the hues of the lights. Just make sure the solar receptor is placed in sunlight.

Real Estate (Farm & Ranch Land)

Winterburn in Evergreens

I am getting a few evergreen questions with similar problems. My tree is an arborvitae that is turning brown on the south side.  What is happening? It may be winterburn in evergreens.

Winterburn of the top of an Albert Spruce

The fancy term is winter desiccation. A lot of different plants suffered winter desiccation, including evergreens like arborvitae, boxwood and yew (maybe think twice about growing here), and white pine along with some spruces like Colorado Blue. Being evergreens, the trees and shrubs use water through their roots to keep the needles green and the plant alive. If the soil dries out during a thaw in the winter, or a dry fall going into the winter before soil freeze-up, a problem arises.

Winterburn of the south side of Arbovitae

The leaves lose water faster than they can replace it, so the leaves/needles started to turn brown and die back. The south and west sides of the plant will show more injury because the sun’s intensity is stronger causing the needles to transpire.

For now, just watch the plant and see what happens. If it sends out new growth in the spring, then prune out the dead branches back to living tissue.  If the plant is completely brown with no new growth, then you will need to remove it.  Young plants are more at risk than older plants. Also, plants around the foundation of the home where water has trouble getting to the root are more prone to injury. Odds are they should come back.

Home Improvement

Interior Paint Colors for 2022

Interior paint colors for 2022 are becoming much bolder hopefully coming out on the other side of the pandemic. People are looking for bright and uplifting colors natural colors. Not saying that the soothing neutrals of whites and light browns will go away, however, bolder colors will take over in the next few years. A bold-colored accent wall is setting a new trend.

Bold sky colors like blue and yellow along with bold earth tones like brown and green will be the primary colors. Of course, now we go from flat sheens to high satin sheens.

With the greens, we have Sherwin-Williams’ new color of Evergreen Fog, a calming grey-green hue. This makes a great color for a living room.

Bathrooms traditionally have been on the blue side. Blues promote tranquility and relaxation making them great for bedroom colors also. Blues are used in a gallery setting to make the paintings stand out.

Bold earth tones are bolder colors working well with kitchens and family rooms. The softer, chalky colors provide more of a calmer effect.

Yellows will brighten up spaces with less light. Yellow promotes a happy emotion making it a great choice for an office area.

As stated before the neutral colors will stay on-trend. Think of the color of wool, oatmeal, and earth browns. Experiment with bold furniture colors which fit in with the soft colors.

Paint is the easiest way to change the look of your home. It provides you with endless possibilities.