Tree Planting Tips For Ohio Homeowners

rita111

Wanting to amp up your landscaping? Planting trees in your yard will yield a multitude of benefits, including shading your house, decreasing energy costs, curb appeal, improvement of the quality of air you breathe, and more! The best part is, trees are low-maintenance once planted and can help improve your home’s property value. Check out the tree planting tips below help you get started.    

 

Where to Plant Trees: Where you plant trees on your property can affect a variety of things. Houselogic.com suggests the following tips to guide you.  

  • Plant deciduous trees on the west side of your house for shade in the summer and to let the heat in the winter. Deciduous trees are trees that shed their broad leaves seasonally, such as the fall months.

  • Use evergreen trees on the north side of your home. These thick-branched trees keep their needles all year long, blocking icy winds from the north in the winter.

  • If you are planting trees decoratively, make sure to avoid planting below power lines. As trees grow taller, branches can become entangled in the lines. Furthermore, broken branches can fall into the lines causing power outages and potentially harmful electrical conditions.

  • Plant trees a safe distance away from your home’s foundation. When trees mature, roots can grow into the foundation, causing expensive and unsafe problems.

 

What to Plant: Better Home and Gardens recommends the variety of trees below to suit your tree-planting needs.

  • Decorative Trees- If it’s beauty you are looking for, the following trees may be idea for your landscape and curb appeal: Japanese Maple, Crabapple, Redbud, or Weeping Cheery

  • Shade Trees- Seeking trees to nap under or shade your home? Check these options out: Honey Locust, Willow Oak, Northern Red Oak, Freeman Maple, or Slippery Elm

  • Conifers- Love conifers? Want to block those cold winds? The following options might work for you: Arborvitae, Pine, or Spruce

 

How to Plant: Depending on the tree you purchase, the ways in which you need to plant your tree will vary. The Arbor Day Foundation provides specific instructions for the following types of trees.

  • Bare Root trees come as they sound- with their bare roots exposed and ready for the ground. These trees dig into the ground quicker once planted effectively.

  • Containerized trees are small trees that are rooted into a container. Planters loosen the dirt from the container and plant the soil and tree directly into the ground.

  • Balled and Burlaped trees are trees with roots wrapped in wire and burlap. Once in the ground, the burlap is cute loose for roots to freely breathe and plant.

 

Planting the right trees for your home is worth the while. Visit your local nursery today and begin soaking up the benefits of beautiful trees as soon as you can.

5 Hidden Dangers In Your Home

rita11111

Every homeowner wants to sleep well at night, knowing their home is safe and sound for the health of their family. Yet did you know there are hidden hazards lurking in your home that you may be unaware of? Check your house against the list of hazards below, and your home and health with thank you.

 

9-volt batteries: 9-volt batteries, though useful and necessary for many electronic devices in the home, can ignite when coming in contact with anything metal. You may want to make sure your 9-volts are stored separately, or come with small plastic caps that you can use to keep them safe.

 

Hidden gas lines: Older homes, particularly ones that were built between 1860-1920, were all once fitted with natural gas lines to supply lighting in the home. As modern electricity improved these lines should have been capped off or converted, but many lines are still active today. Have a home inspector double check these lines to ensure they are dealt with properly.

 

Carbon Monoxide Levels: This is an odorless and tasteless gas that can be extremely dangerous when levels are high in the home. To prevent levels of carbon monoxide from rising in your home, have your heating appliances maintained regularly and install detectors on every floor in the houses.

 

Ionized smoke detectors: According to realtor.com, over 90% of smoke detectors found in the U.S. are ionized detectors. Unfortunately these detectors are less reliable when it comes to detecting slow burning fires, and lack of reacting can lead to major house damage or worse. Consumers should look for photoelectric detectors when purchasing detectors for their home.

 

Lightwood truss construction: This type of construction uses metal gussets to join trusses instead of screws or bolts, but unfortunately is susceptible to heat and fire. When the home heats up, the gussets pop off, collapsing structures.  Installing a proper sprinkler system above these structures can aid in fire prevention.

 

Worried about potential hazards in your home? Luckily, there are ways to cope and deal with these problems. You can check out the Green and Healthy Homes Initiatives website for tips and resources to combat these hidden hazards and put your mind at ease.

 

990 Northstar Dr., Sunbury, Ohio

990 Northstar Dr., Sunbury, Ohio

$ Click for current price
3 BEDROOMS | 3 (3 full ) BATHROOMS | 2299 SQUARE FEET

Property Description

Golf course lover’s dream & maintenance free living! Impeccable attention to detail on this 3 bed, 3 bath luxury townhome. First floor owner’s suite with stunning ensuite bathroom w/ nature stone walk-in shower. The kitchen is fit for a gourmet cook with top quality stainless steel GE Profile appliances, walnut hardwood floors, granite counters & travertine backsplash. Plenty of storage & includes ample above garage space. Relax and take in the views from the patio or take a stroll on the nearby walking path. Peaceful location, away from the hustle & bustle but only minutes from Polaris, convenient to I71. Enjoy the Northstar golf and recreation club. Just down the road from the 2015 Parade of Homes. Must see to appreciate!



Logo

 

239 Millpond Road, Sunbury, OH – Just Listed

239 Millpond Road, Sunbury, OH

Just Listed

$ Click for current price
2 BEDROOMS | 3 (2 full, 1 half ) BATHROOMS | 1700 SQUARE FEET

Property Description

IMPRESSIVE/IMMACULATE end unit condo with 2 BR’s, 2.5 BA’s, PLUS an attached one car garage with built-in work bench as well as three full additional parking spaces! Two-story great room. The fully equipped kitchen offers crisp white cabinets, new slate GE appliances, pantry, small kitchen island w/ breakfast bar & under cabinet storage and spacious eat-in area. The professionally finished lower level rec room features a cozy gas log fireplace, built-in custom bar with porcelain slate top! Bedrooms are spacious and each offer attached full baths! Backyard deck for relaxing or grilling out. Walking distance to restaurants and shopping!



Logo

 

DIY: Homemade Cleaning Products

rita1

DIY: Homemade Cleaning Products – Have you ever ran out of cleaning products in the middle of cleaning your home and don’t have time to run out to the store to get more? Or do you just want to be more conscious of the chemicals you’re using to clean your home? Lucky for you, there are a number of cleaning products that you can make right in the comfort of your own home. Not only will you be able to control the portions of your cleaning products, but you will also have visibility into exactly what you’re using. Here are five homemade cleaning products you can make and use today.

 

All-Purpose Cleaner

An all purpose cleaner is a must-have to take care of the messes around your home. To make, combine 3 drops liquid castile soap, ¼ cup washing soda, 1 cup white vinegar, ¼ cup vodka, 4 drops tea tree oil, and 8 drops essential oil for scent (optional).Heat the vinegar in a microwave until boiling; add the washing soda and stir until totally dissolved. Lastly, add castile soap, tea tree oil, vodka and essential oil, and shake until combined. Keep it in a spray bottle and shake it before you use it every time.

 

Glass and Mirror Cleaner

No Windex? No problem. Create an easy glass cleaner with 1 teaspoon of dish soap, ½ cup of white vinegar and 3 cups of distilled water. Combine in a spray bottle and use on the mirrors and windows around your home.

 

Heavy-Duty Scrub

Every cleaning closet needs a heavy-duty scrub for things like rust stains, sinks and tubs. To make and use, dip half of a lemon into half a cup of borax and scrub directly onto any surface.

 

Oven Cleaner

Everyone needs a good oven cleaner, but a lot of the products on the market are crawling with unnecessary chemicals. For an at-home option, combine ½ cup of baking soda and a few tablespoons of water. Spread the mixture all over the oven and allow it to sit overnight. In the morning, wipe away the mixture. Add white vinegar to a spray bottle and spray over any remaining baking soda residue. Wipe it down with a dampened cloth until interior is shiny.

 

Furniture Polish

Keep your furniture looking fresh and clean with a combination of ¼ cup of white vinegar (you can also use ½ cup lemon juice) and ¾ cup of olive oil. Spray the mixture onto any surface and wipe with a clean rag.

 

10465 Wellington Blvd, Powell, OH

10465 Wellington Blvd, Powell, OH

$ Click for current price
4 BEDROOMS | 4 (3 full, 1 half ) BATHROOMS | 3700 SQUARE FEET

Property Description

Lowest 4 bedroom home on the golf course! Sophistication, charm, elegance…in a class all its own! In the picturesque Wedgewood Subdivision of Powell, you’ll find this elegant 2-story home with 3841 sq ft of finished living space! Remarkable open floor plan, 18’ ceilings in the great room with built in speakers wired for surround sound, dining room and master bedroom with tray ceilings, hardwood floors in the entry and kitchen, gourmet kitchen with Corian counters, center island and white cabinets, built in heater in master bath and guest bath, and basement has an entry to the garage. Relax on your private patio overlooking the 13th fairway of the golf course. Don’t miss this one!



Logo

 

Best Places In Central Ohio To Watch Fireworks

watch1

Best Places In Central Ohio To Watch Fireworks – Central Ohio has some of the finest spots to watch fireworks in central Ohio for fun 4th of July celebrating! However you may want to stake out your claim early to guarantee a great view. Bring your blankets, some snacks, and snuggle up to see some spectacular shows this season. Check out the list below to find a view that gives you the biggest bang this year!

Scioto Audubon Metro Park is a favorite spot for those who want to see the booms from Red White and Boom, but prefer to stay away from the throngs of folks. This park is just south of the Red, White, and Boom Festival, but provides a spacious lawn to spread out your blanket and enjoy the view.  

Dublin Coffman High School Stadium is rumored to be a special space to watch Dublin, Ohio’s fantastic concert and fireworks show every year. This years’ headliner is John Fogerty. Make a memorable evening with a rockin’ concert followed by a fabulous fireworks display.

Roger Reynolds Municipal Park Soccer Complex is an ideal place to catch the spectacular Hilliard Fireworks Show. Ranked one of the best shows in Columbus, the soccer complex is a space to get away from the crows, but still relish the show.  

Get a Private Table at Gahanna Boom Fest, with admission to the best views of fireworks, reserved parking, and access to a private bar and special buffet. Reserve your table soon to guarantee a spot!

The tracks at the Fairgrounds of Lancaster-Fairfield County are the best place to watch the Lancaster-Fairfield County 4th of July Celebration. Fireworks are shot into the sky from two different locations to create one amazing sight!

Watch fireworks from a boat on Buckeye Lake! Drop anchor near the shores of Buckeye Lake for the annual Buckeye Lake Area Star Spangled Tradition (BLASST). If you don’t own a boat, the shoreline will do for this super show.

Alum Creek Park is an ideal spot for the fabulous Westerville Fireworks! The fireworks show is usually at the southern end of the park, so getting as close to the south end is the key to the best views.

This Independence Day, there are endless options of fireworks shows for the family all across central Ohio. Check out this site to find one near you, and discover a new favorite spot for you and your family!