If you love the zesty taste of fresh herbs in food, wouldn’t it be great to have some growing right outside the backdoor or in a sunny kitchen window?  Consider planting your own tasty herb garden either indoors or out. Here are some tips for herb gardening.

Where to plant a herb garden

Herbs require about six hours of sun per day, so carefully choose where you plant your herb garden. Most herbs originated in Mediterranean climates so they tend to do best when the temperature stays above 50 degrees. Even if the weather is not ideal, you can still be successful if you manage the herbs’ environment by growing them indoors or in planters that can be moved when needed. A sunny kitchen windowsill is an ideal place for a small herb planter.

Seeds to transplants

Starting from seeds is less expensive than buying herbs as bedding plants, plus you receive the satisfaction of seeing them sprout and grow. Start your seeds in seedling trays using loose soil. Avoid direct sunlight; instead, place a growing light just a few inches above the trays. A light treatment of diluted liquid fertilizer gives your plants a good start. Cover the tray with plastic to hold in moisture until the seeds begin to sprout, then remove it. When the plants are a few inches tall, transplant to individual pots or a planter box.

Herbs require well-drained soil, so blend compacted or clay soils with compost, sand or even pea gravel. Crushed limestone also helps herbs to thrive. Transplanted young plants need at least two inches of soil around the root ball. Leave several inches between plants to allow room for growth.

Give your herb garden at least an inch of water weekly.  Snip tops to promote branching. When harvesting, don’t take more than a third of a branch so that the plant can recover new foliage easily. Herbs taste better if they’re harvested before flowering, so keeping flower tops snipped aids the flavor.

Characteristics

Basil and cilantro sprout from seed in 10 days or less. Water their soil thoroughly once per week. Several other herbs, such as  parsley, oregano, sage and thyme, take two to three weeks to germinate.

Some herbs, such as cilantro and parsley, don’t fare well with transplanting, so start them in containers large enough for them to grow to maturity.

Mint can take over an herb garden, so it’s a good idea to plant it in a separate area or pot. Rosemary can grow over time to become a perennial shrub.

Different varieties of each herb have distinctive flavors, so try growing several breeds in your herb garden to find your favorites.

Relaxing on your deck is a real pleasure. Unfortunately, wood decks need periodic refinishing to extend that pleasure for many years. Here’s how to restore your deck’s beauty.

Choosing the right time

It’s important that the weather be dry when you are cleaning and refinishing your wood deck. Wood will not absorb stain well if it is wet. Watch the weather forecast and wait for a period of at least three or four days when no rain is forecast and temperatures will be between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Preparing the wood deck surface

Any surface needing repainting or staining must be clean. Before you clean your wood deck, sandpaper splintered and damaged areas to smooth those edges. Then sweep the deck. Now you can clean the deck’s surface to prepare to receive the stain.

You can clean a wood deck with a special deck cleaner. Oxygenated cleaners, which contain sodium percarbonate, are healthier for wood than bleaching cleaners, which contain sodium hypochlorite. You can find cleaners online or at a home improvement store. Follow label instructions carefully.

Power washing is an alternative method of cleaning a wood deck. A power washer blasts the dirt, algae, mold and oxidation away, preparing a fresh, clean surface on which to apply stain. If you choose this cleaning method, you must allow two to three days for the deck to dry thoroughly before you apply stain.

Important note: if your deck was built before 2004, there’s a good chance it contains arsenic from the chemicals used to treat the wood. Because cleaning the deck could release arsenic into the air and soil, it’s best to hire a professional cleaner who will catch and properly dispose of the debris from washing.

Choosing the new deck stain

Not all stains are alike in quality. You want one that will last three to five years. Conduct your own online search, but some of the best brands, such as Sikkens or Cabot, are not commonly carried in home improvement stores.

There are three types of stains for wood decks.

• Solid stains. Acting almost like paint, these stains cover the wood’s grain. Solid stains will last up to five years.
• Semi-transparent stains. These products allow the wood’s grain to show through, so they’re best for wood with a handsome grain. These stains should last two to three years.
• Clear sealers. These products act as water repellents but will not prevent aging from the sun and must be reapplied annually.

Unless you completely strip off the old finish with a power washer before staining, you should apply the same type of stain that is already on the deck. For example, it won’t work to apply a semi-transparent product to a deck that’s already been treated with a solid stain.

Applying the stain

Use a roller with a one-quarter-inch nap or less. Apply a thin coat in long, smooth strokes to prevent puddles, which won’t absorb well. To reach spaces too tight for the roller, use a brush with synthetic bristles. After applying stain, stay off the deck and allow it to dry for a day, then apply a second coat. Wait another day, then return your outdoor furniture and enjoy your gorgeous deck for years to come.

As baby boomers age, their adult children often face challenging questions about caring for their elders. Not everyone is suited for multi-generational living. Be honest as you ask yourself these questions.

What are your parents’ health needs?

Do they still have the ability to care for themselves? What health challenges run in your family? If your parents have a chronic illness or disability, talk to their doctors about their care. Know how many medical appointments they require and consider who will accompany them. How will this impact your available time for your family or your hobbies?

Are you emotionally, financially and physically capable of caring for your parents?

With aging comes the potential for increased health challenges. When both spouses work full-time and care is needed, who will become the caregiver? Look at your financial planning as well as your physical and emotional capacity, and create a plan early. Compare the advantages of a long-term facility where there might be on-call medical help versus hiring an at-home nurse.

Is your home a good fit for multi-generational living?

Do you have a separate living space for parents? Will you need to make adjustments to your home – like adding elevators or ramps, widening doorways, or adding handicapped bathroom fixtures? Remodeling expenses add up quickly.

How much care do your children require?

Can you manage the needs of your children along with those of your parents? Are your children young and active? Sometimes this can stress an elderly parent physically, leading to more strain on their overall health. Are your children still babies or toddlers with unpredictable sleep patterns? Sleep deprivation may create health problems for you — or at the very least — tension in the household.

Are your parents willing?

Swapping roles from caregiver to dependent can bring strain to a relationship. Do your parents want to move in with you? Do they define themselves as a burden? Consider creating a plan to encourage their independence with activities out of the home. Adding a few responsibilities inside the home can help them feel like contributors. Also think about whether you will expect them to contribute to household expenses and how. Have this discussion before they move in to a multi-generational home situation.

What is your family history?

If you’ve had a history of high conflict with your parents, think about how this will affect your family’s quality of life. Living close by in an assisted-living facility with frequent visits may allow for a better relationship.

What are the benefits to a multi-generational household?

Talk to your accountant about whether you can add your parents as dependents on your income taxes. Can home modifications and medical expenses benefit your taxes? Beyond the finances, some recent studies have explored the possibility that living with and caring for children benefit elderly relatives’ health. Likewise, children often reap huge benefit from a strong bond with grandparents.

Guys have had “man caves” for decades. Now women are finally getting their own private space: the “she shed.” Here are some tips for setting up your personal space.

A cozy retreat

“She sheds” improve upon the basic shed by enhancing it with more eye appealing architectural design, colors and materials and by devoting the space to a particular function, such as art, gardening, writing, sewing or even just relaxing. A humble storage outbuilding of about 100 square feet can be converted into an artful, elegant oasis of calm.

Pinterest is bursting with lovely examples of she sheds. Check it out as you decide on style, materials and a floor plan. Shingle or metal roofs, stucco or plank siding, new materials or repurposed barnwood — the choices are limitless and can be tailored to your tastes.

Plans and kits for building “she sheds” are readily available to order. Or you can design and build your own plan, usually for much less cost.

How will you use it?

The first step in designing and constructing a “she shed” is deciding on its purpose. Do you envision a cozy library in which to read and write your blog? Or would a garden shed better suit your needs? How about an art room stocked with your canvases, paints and easels? Or would you prefer an office or music studio? No matter the purpose you choose, if there’s enough space you might even be able to make your “she shed” do double duty as a guest cottage by including simple sleeping accommodations and a bathroom. The shed’s purpose will help you determine the size, layout and functionality of the space.

In designing the “she shed,” remember to consider these factors.

• Depending on the shed’s use, you may have to supply utilities such as electricity and plumbing, which will increase construction costs.
• The choice of foundation is important. If you build on a small concrete slab, the shed will be secure and stable. A pier-and-beam foundation will require you to attach skirting around the bottom as well as weatherize any plumbing against freezing temperatures.
• Plenty of large windows will provide natural lighting and help the small shed feel more spacious.
• Be sure to consult with your homeowners association, your deed restrictions and your city’s codes department for all the rules and regulations with which your “she shed” must comply.

Cost to build a “she shed”

If you convert an existing outbuilding, you may be able to create your “she shed” for less than $1,000 in paint and decor. Building from scratch or using a kit can push your cost to $2,500 or more.

Your home’s landscape is a big investment. Taking good care of it starts with regularly scheduled watering of plants and grass. The best way to accomplish that is with a home irrigation system. Here’s how to operate and maintain your sprinkler system correctly.

How an irrigation system works

Let’s take a tour of your home irrigation system components. First, find the box that holds your water meter. It’ll be in the ground near the street. Your water supplier measures your monthly usage and bills you based on the amount of water that passes through the meter. If you don’t have a home irrigation system, water goes from the meter straight to your home to meet your drinking, cooking, bathing and cleaning needs. But when a home irrigation system is installed, it intercepts part of the water supply line just downstream from the water meter but before the house.

Water in the home irrigation system next flows through a backflow preventer valve. This valve allows water to go only one way, a mandatory precaution that prevents backward surges of water from contaminating either your home’s water supply or the city system.

From there, the water flows to a master valve that distributes it to branches of a grid. These “lateral lines” flow to each sprinkler group or zone. Each zone has its own valve which opens and shuts off water flow to that zone when the control panel sends a signal.

The control panel is installed on a wall of your home. This is where you schedule the days and times you want your home irrigation system to run and how much water you want sent to particular areas.

Water comes out of the system in one of two ways: drip irrigation and spray irrigation. With drip irrigation, which is best for flower beds, water seeps from tiny holes in a flexible tube either above or below ground. Overhead sprayers can also service beds but are more commonly used for lawn areas. These sprinkler heads, which rotate, come in pop-up and gear-driven styles.

Maintenance and repair

At the start of the growing season, when it is time to begin watering, do a maintenance check of your system. Start the system manually at the control panel, with water running slowly. Run each zone for just a few minutes to see if any nozzles are broken. Also check how well the nozzles are spraying and whether they are on target for their assigned areas. After you have checked a zone, mark any broken heads that need to be replaced by digging them loose from the soil and unscrewing them from the lateral line in the ground. When you shop your home improvement center for replacement heads, take the old ones with you to find a match.

During cold weather, your lines should be safe from freezing if they are buried below the freeze line. If not, or if the forecast is for an unusually hard and prolonged freeze, winterize the lines by starting the system, then cutting off the water at the backflow preventer or master irrigation valve. When the water has run out, the flow will dwindle and stop. Then turn off the system. Put insulating foam in the ground around the master valve box and the backflow preventer. Also wrap aboveground valves with foam.

If you’ve wanted to buy real estate as an investment, you might consider buying a house at a foreclosed property auction. You can get a great value, but the process can be risky and you need to be well prepared. Here’s what you should know.

Why property is sold at auction

Homes are generally sold at auction for two reasons. The first is that a lender has foreclosed because a homeowner/borrower has defaulted on a mortgage. The other is when a county government seizes a house and forecloses because a homeowner has failed to pay property taxes. In the first instance, a trustee for the lender sells the house at a property auction to recover the outstanding balance of the mortgage. If the house cannot be sold for enough to satisfy the mortgage, the homeowner still owes the balance.

Two styles of property auction

In-person property auctions for mortgage or tax delinquencies are set for a specific day and time each month at either the county courthouse or a rented space such as a hotel ballroom.

It’s increasingly common now for property auctions to be held online through sites like www.auction.com. These sites provide basic information about the property such as when it was built, its estimated resale value, the property auction’s opening bid amount and more.

Getting educated

Buying a house through any means is a complex legal process, but this is especially true with property auctions. You may be able to scoop up a deal, but you can also buy property that turns out to be a mistake. So if you’re serious about buying a house at auction, you should definitely enlist professional help.

It’s vital to have a title company search for any liens on property that interests you. If you have the winning bid, you’ll be required to pay off the liens as well as the purchase price. A real estate agent experienced in foreclosures and short sales can help you with matters such as determining a possible rental rate on a property or whether the estimated resale value of a foreclosed home listing is reasonable. You’ll also need an experienced real estate lawyer to help you understand the various contracts, disclosure and escrow documents involved in property auctions. You may also want to enlist a contractor or appraiser to help you determine how much the house is really worth once any necessary repairs are factored in. Auctioned properties are sold “as-is.”

You can find a list of properties to be auctioned in person on the county government website or posted on a public bulletin board at the courthouse. For online auction listings,  browse sites like www.auction.com and www.realtytrac.com. Some properties that are listed end up not being auctioned because the homeowners are able to catch up on their payments or otherwise work things out with their lender.

Often you will not be able to inspect properties to be auctioned. You can drive by a property, but actually entering it is a criminal offense in most states. In some cases, a real estate agent working with the property may hold an open house. Keep in mind that homes often have not been well maintained when their owners cannot afford to pay their mortgage or taxes.

The auction

Your first step for property auctions is to register and pay a deposit, usually five to ten percent of the expected sales price of a property you are considering. You’ll also be required to show proof that you have the available funds. You must be able to pay in full upon winning the bid or, in some cases, by the next day at the latest. You may also be required to pay various auction fees. Payments at in-person auctions are accepted in cash or by bank money order or cashier’s check. The deal is not final until you have clear title, and that can take as long as ten days. During that time the current owner could file a legal objection and find the funds to catch up on their delinquent mortgage or taxes. As with a conventional purchase transaction, you should purchase title insurance against any surprise liens you might discover after you close.

Besides being the hottest month of the year, August is a time of transition. Vacation season is winding down and the school year is starting. Here are several key home maintenance chores to complete.

Transition time

Break out the backpacks, calculators, and lunch bags. Prepare a place at home for the kids to study and access a computer. Set aside the coolers and beach chairs for weekend use.

Eliminate wasp and bird nests

By late summer, pull down abandoned bird’s nests and scrub the area with hot soapy water. For wasp nests, wait until just after dusk when wasps are becoming dormant, then use wasp spray that projects a stream of 20 feet. The next day, inspect to ensure the wasps are gone before pulling down the nest. If you are allergic to wasp stings, call a professional exterminator.

Plant a fall garden

Harvest the last of your summer vegetables and prep the soil for planting a fall garden. Visit your garden center or shop online to choose vegetables that do well in your autumn climate.

Have carpets cleaned

Traffic in and out of the house peaks in summer and so does the dirt tracked inside. Have your carpets professionally cleaned in August so that they look and smell good for the upcoming season. Double-check to ensure the contractor is following the CDC recommendations for safety during the pandemic.