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Seven reasons to mulch! Why’s and how to’s

Posted on May 16, 2013

Your landscape is a large living investment and like most investments the more information about it, the more you get in return. Most of us regard mulch as having one function, to give our landscape a fresh new appeal. The truth is, properly laid mulch has many other functions that are vital to the health and life of our plants.

There are basically two types of mulch, organic — such as hardwood, bark chips, leaves and pine straw that easily decompose, and inorganic — such as stones, brick chips and dyed rubber that are permanent. Although inorganic mulches have their place in the landscape, this tip sheet will be limited to the use of organic mulches.

Why Should I Mulch? Mulching is one of the simplest and most beneficial practices you can use in your landscape. In addition to giving your planting beds a uniform, well-cared for look, mulch will:

-Help maintain soil moisture. Evaporation is reduced, and the need for watering can be minimized.

-Help control weeds. A 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch will reduce the germination and growth of weeds.

-Serve as nature’s insulating blanket. Mulch keeps soils warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

-Improve soil aeration, structure (aggregation of soil particles), and drainage over time.

-Improve soil fertility.

-Can inhibit certain plant diseases.

Plants growing in a natural wooded environment have their roots anchored in a rich, well aerated soil full of essential minerals. Urban landscapes, however, are typically a much harsher environment with poor soils, little organic matter, and large fluctuations in temperature and moisture. Applying a 2 – to – 4 inch layer of organic mulch can mimic a more natural environment and improve plant health.

How To’s. While mulching can be beneficial to your landscape, if improperly applied it can be equally harmful. Most organic mulches must be replenished but the rate of decomposition varies. Coarser mulches may remain intact for many years while finer mulches many need replenished every year or two.

-Define the edges of your landscape beds using a garden spade or power edger. Cutting a 3 to 4 inch deep trough along the edge of your landscape bed will keep mulch from bleeding into the turf.

-Check the depth of your existing mulch. If there is an existing layer of mulch, either remove and replace with fresh mulch or till the existing layer.

-Not too much! Deep mulch can lead to excess moisture in the root zone. Remember recommended mulching depth is 2 to 4 inches.

-Piling mulch against the trunk of plants can stress stem tissues and may lead to insect and disease problems.

-For trees, the mulch bed should be as large as the drip line of the tree. This will ensure the feeder roots, located near or even beyond the drip line of the tree, will be protected from drying out as quick and receive nutrients from the mulch.

-Thick blankets of fine mulch can become matted and may prevent the penetration of water and air. In addition, a thick layer of fine mulch can become like potting soil and may support weed growth.

-For landscape beds that do not drain well, apply a thinner layer of mulch.

Remember, your landscape is a large living investment and the more information you know about it, the more you can expect in return.

by: Steve Combs

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_6873.shtml

SOLD – 9801 San Bernardino NE

Posted on May 7, 2013

Enjoy viewing this outstanding luxury residence in North Albuquerque Acres, proudly presented by Nancy & George Bashore.

What makes a career college different than a traditional college?

Posted on May 1, 2013

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Everyone has their own motivations for deciding to go to college, but putting themselves in a better position to get a job after graduation is usually one of them. For career colleges, this factor is foremost in how they prepare their students for the careers upon graduation.

Traditional universities and career colleges each share the goal of educating students and preparing them for life after college, but the college experience can vary greatly between the two. Traditional universities often focus on giving students a broader educational experience developing skills like research and analysis that may be used in a variety of career fields. Career colleges tend to focus more on hands-on training in fields like health care and technology that demand a specific set of skills.

Some may know career colleges as vocational, tech or trade schools, and these days they have expanded to include many more careers than in the past. In addition to the traditional trades, career colleges focus on graphic design, technology, business and health care professions. They also offer flexible program schedules for students who work full time and want to advance their careers with new skills.

“Everything we do is focused on preparing students for the career path they have chosen, and we structure the programs to give them skills they need to be successful on the job,” says John Keim, chief academic officer of Westwood College, which offers 35 career-focused degree programs across its 14 campuses.

If you’re thinking about enrolling in college, have a career in mind and excel in a hands-on learning environment, a career college might be a good option for you. Here are a few points of distinction that make career colleges different from traditional universities:

* Curriculum designed to meet specific needs of employers. Programs offered by career colleges focus on specific tasks you will need to accomplish in your field of training. The goal of most career colleges is to have you ready to hit the ground running once you graduate, and they work with employers when developing their courses to make that happen.

* Hands-on training. Much of the curriculum of a career college will be spent focusing on actual tasks that will need to be completed on the job, as opposed to only textbooks and lectures. “Obtaining a degree from Westwood prepares you for what you will be asked to do in your career on day one,” says Keim. “We do that by using a hands-on, experiential teaching approach – as opposed to the lecture-based approach.”

* Technical skills. Career-focused training is most appropriate for jobs that require technical training. For example, students in graphic design get a lot of hands-on training with design programs like Adobe InDesign and Photoshop so they become proficient and are ready to work once they finish their degree.

* Staff with experience in the field of study. Where the staff of a traditional college might be comprised primarily of career educators, many staff members of career colleges are also working in the fields they teach and can help students gain a better understanding of what might be expected of them once they get a job.

Another important distinction between career and traditional colleges may be accreditation. If you are interested in applying for federal grants or loans, you’ll need to enroll in a college that is accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accredited institutions also must complete reviews on a regular basis to make sure they are meeting educational standards. Career colleges are typically accredited by national accreditation agencies that measure faculty experience and outcomes such as graduation and employment rates. Traditional colleges are most often regionally accredited and are measured on areas such as student learning, teacher effectiveness, and resources available.

Also, it is important to know that credits from a nationally accredited school are unlikely to transfer unless there is a written agreement between the schools. The reason is what was mentioned earlier, career college classes provide customized, hands-on training making it difficult to match or gain credit for classes at other colleges.

Courtesy of BPT

Upgrade your outdoor space and increase value of your home

Posted on May 1, 2013

spaces Whether you are looking for a way to increase the marketability of your home, or simply looking for a way to make your outdoor space more enjoyable, a deck remodel adds living space to your home and value to your house.

If you’re one of the many considering a home remodeling project, a deck remodel is a simple project that offers more than a 60 percent payback according to Hanley-Wood’s Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report. Another nice thing about a deck remodel is you can either go all out with a complete redesign, or pick and choose a few small projects that can have big effects in upgrading your outdoor living space. And whichever way you slice it, a deck remodel usually ends up being a lot less expensive than remodeling your kitchen, living room or basement.

Where to start

When you decide to remodel your deck, one of the first decisions you’ll make is what type of material to use for the job. Composite decking offers a great way to add beauty, while reducing time you’ll spend on maintenance. While composite has always been a low-maintenance option, composite decking providers have come a long way since the last time you may have purchased decking materials.

For example, Fiberon composite decking offers capped composite options that closely mimic traditional grains and exotic hardwoods, a far cry from the plain and plastic-looking composite of years ago. With options like these, you’ll get the gorgeous appearance of wood, without splinters, twisted boards and rot. And you won’t be staining or painting it every two years. Plus you’ll have warranties against fading and staining. Whether you’re redesigning a grand deck that dramatically increases the footprint of your living space or simply resurfacing the small deck off your urban condo, composite is a great option.

Once you’ve chosen your material, it’s time to decide on the layout. Do you like the existing design of your deck, or are you looking to add a level for a little more dimension? Meet with a deck builder, who specializes in outdoor spaces to go over your plans and get a cost estimate.

Other updates to consider

Updating the rails on your deck is another great option to add fresh life to your outdoor oasis. New railings offer a way to add color, dimension and character to your deck. Plus, quality railings are needed for safety around higher level deck elevations. This can either be done in concert with a complete remodel, or as a smaller side project if your current surface is still in good shape.

Since your deck connects you to the outdoors and allows you to comfortably enjoy your backyard, consider bringing nature a little closer by adding plants. Deck builders are craftsmen who can easily add built-in planters, bench seating and lighting as part of your remodel. Then hit the garden store to browse their selection of potted plants, weather-resistant seating and umbrellas. If you already have furniture, adding colorful new pillows or painting wrought iron furniture is often all you need to add new life to your space. Lighting makes evenings more enjoyable and promotes a festive atmosphere or can set the mood just right for a peaceful, relaxing night on your deck.

By updating your deck, you’ll be able to enjoy a nice, comfortable outdoor living space and know that you’ll be increasing the attractiveness and value of your home in the process.

Courtesy of BPT