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 SPACES Publisher JAMES W. FANCY
Associate Publisher DAVID P. HOHENDORF
This late May issue of Spaces is devoted to topics designed to help
readers as they move into the summer months. Administrative Assistant CAROL BARR
News Editor TIMOTHY S. DMOCH

Spaces is being delivered to 50,000 homes this week as a Staff Writers BROOKE MEIER,

supplement to the Spinal Column Newsweekly, part of the SCN LESLEY SHEPARD-OWSLEY,
ANDREW SAWMILLER,
Communications Group, publisher of the newspaper, along with
MICHAEL SHELTON
Oakland Lakefront magazine, Oakland Homes, the
Staff Photographer AMY K. LOCKARD
MonthlyAdvertiser, the West Oakland Director and The Paper.
Contributors MIKE SCOTT, MARK H. STOWERS
Advertising Sales Representatives JILL CESARZ, DAN NEUMAIER,
In this issue you will find editorial features on the topics of cooling
JULES PICKARD, LINDA STICKNEY,
your home during the warm months; the latest trends in window RON WARWICK
design and the ins and outs of landscape irrigation. As always, we Sales Assistants JESSICA HOLSTEIN, KATEY MEISNER
rely whenever possible on local businesses to serve as our
Inside Sales Manager LORI SNYDER
information sources on the main features.
Inside Sales Representatives RHONDA LIBKUMAN, CINDY STAWICK,
LESLIE TIMKO
You will also find inside this issue the special column from home
Graphics Manager CHRIS GRAMMER
inspector Jeff LaPorte of White Lake and our popular feature
Graphics Assistants DENISE JUNGJOHAN,
called For What It’s Worth, which gives readers a look at what KAREN POLATKA, MARCIA REIMER
home are for sale in a specific price range in today’s market. Systems Manager CHRIS GRAMMER
Circulation Manager DENNIS BOGGS
Our goal at Spaces is to bring you, in an upscale, magazine-format
Circulation Assistant DAN GRIFFIN
publication, editorial and advertising information directed at home
Accounts Receivable Manager CAROL BARR
design and improvement.
Accounts Receivable Supervisor CAROLYN PETHERBRIDGE
Accounts Receivable MABLE McCULLOUGH, JAN MORRIS
Spaces will return in the fall months—September 9 and October
7—to help homeowners prepare for the fall and winter months. Phone 248.360.6397 / 248.360.7355
Address/Street 7196 Cooley Lake Road
We are only able to bring you this information in Spaces with the Waterford, Michigan, 48327-4113
assistance of the local advertisers you find in this issue, and the Address/Mail P.O. Box 14
Union Lake, MI, 48387-0014
local experts who helped supply information for this edition.

David P. Hohendorf
Publisher
SPINAL COLUMN NEWSWEEKLY
THE PAPER
OAKLAND LAKEFRONT
OAKLAND HOMES
MONTHLYADVERTISER
WEST OAKLAND DIRECTORY

SUMMER 2009 | SPACES 5

WINDOW
TRENDS
INDUSTRY ADVANCES OFFER
CONSUMERS MANY SHAPE,
SIZE, FEATURE CHOICES

Y
ears ago, windows were much
like the original Model T — it
only came in black. Windows only
came in metal frames and were
white. But a lot has changed
since Henry bought that first
gallon of black paint. Cars have more
colors than can be imagined, and windows
now have as many amenities, options and
features as today's cars.
Windows now come in all shapes and sizes and face different directions in
varying climates, and are getting "greener" every day. On top of that, the
government has gotten involved in the window trade, so to speak, as it offers tax
breaks to those who purchase new windows. You may wish for the simpler days
of just metal, glass and a mono-color choice; but with a little knowledge, you can
find the perfect windows for your home — and save money over the long haul.
According to Carl Curtis of Curtis Builders in Highland Township, up until the
1980s windows weren't very good.
"When I first started, energy efficiency was nothing like it is compared to
today," he said. "Back in the '80s the main framing was aluminum or sometimes
wood — not something very efficient or long-lasting. Windows today could last
as long as your house."
The Basics
Windows are still made of glass but now offer the choice of vinyl, fiberglass or
wood to frame the window.
John Newmyer of Newmyer Remodeling in Commerce Township said he saw
the initial use of materials other than metal to frame windows a couple of
decades ago.
"The biggest innovation 20 years ago was when people started cladding their
windows, typically with aluminum and some with vinyl," he said. "Then we saw
the dawn of low E glass, which is very misused and misunderstood."
In 1979, low-E glass coatings were introduced to home windows. The E
stands for emissivity — a measure of a material's ability to radiate absorbed
energy.
PAGE 9❯ ❯ ❯ ❯
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 "Low-E glass captures the sun's heat and keeps it
in your house — period," Newmyer said. "If you
put it in the wrong spot, like a room where the
sun is shining in all the time, that room is going to
get hotter."
But low-E glass coatings can be beneficial when
placed in the right rooms because they have the
ability to allow visible light through but block the
more harmful ultraviolet, or UV light. Sunlight
contains visible light, UV light, and infrared (IR)
light. Visible light enables us to see things.
Ultraviolet light damages your skin, wood, fabrics,
and causes colors to fade. Infrared light is basically
heat.
Low-E glass has the ability to allow visible light
to pass while blocking certain amounts of UV light
and IR light. Thus, it keeps your home cooler in
the summer. Another benefit of low E glass is that
it helps to reduce condensation on glass.
The differences between traditional glass and
low-e glass can be dramatic. Imagine a cold night
with an outside temperature of 0 degrees and a 15
mph wind. The inside glass surface temperature of
a single pane window would be approximately 26
degrees. Regular double pane glass might register
35 degrees. Hard coat low E-glass would be very
near 49 degrees. And weighing in at champ would
be soft coat low-E glass at 62 degrees. With
homes losing nearly 25 percent of their heat
through windows, do the math and see the savings
over many years by using low-E glass coatings.
"You'll save on heating costs and it works the
opposite way for air conditioning," said Fred
Mekled of Thermal Shield Windows in Waterford.
"You'll never feel the 8-below-zero temperature
outside, but on the inside it'll be about 70
degrees."
Newmyer said there are many glass window
choices available for each room's needs.
"There are a ton of them that help deal with
everything — visible light, solar gain, UV
protection, and also insulation qualities," he said.
"And there are all the coatings available to improve
a window's thermal efficiency."
With so many options available for window
buyers, Newmyer suggests that you first do some
"windowscaping."
"Walk around your house with someone who
knows what they're talking about," he said. "Look
at the conditions. Look where the windows are
facing. Are there any trees to block the sun or a
building to block the sun? What sort of wind load
do you have? There are a ton of factors."
Many of the windows that have problems are
those that face either west or south, according to
Newmyer. But more important than placement is
the installation of the window itself.
"It's well documented that about 99 percent of
the windows being installed in the U.S. are
installed improperly," he said. "They aren't being
flashed correctly."
One of the biggest problems is relying on the
sealing on window installation.
"The phrase in the industry is 'water out, water
out, water out,'" Newmyer said. "Never rely on
caulking. A lot of people think you're all set if you
use caulk. No, you're not. The best thing to do is
flash the unit and put it in properly so water has a
natural path to run out."
Frame It Well
With so many innovations in glass, the frame
hasn't been left out. You've heard the term "hybrid"
thrown around to describe modes of engines for
automobiles. But the window industry also has
hybrid windows where the inside and the outside
of the window have two different materials.
"Wood with fiberglass, wood with aluminum and
wood with a vinyl exterior are called hybrid
windows," Newmyer said. "Everything outside can
stand up to the rain and snow and wetness and
not rot. And then inside you have the warmth and
beauty of the wood. A lot of people want the
wood inside."
Hybrids give you all the benefits of each
combination while allowing different color
combinations or stains with the wood interior.
Newmyer advises people to pay attention to the
glass size, because you are buying windows for the
glass, first and foremost. Usually replacement
windows are fitted into the old window opening;
but there will typically be more frame on the new
window, giving you less glass. This is commonly
referred to as an "economy installation" and doesn't
address the area between the house and window
frame, where there will be a lack of insulation.
"You are limited in the way you flash the unit
when that happens," Newmyer said.
Curtis said vinyl windows are less expensive, but
you may have to replace them sooner and more
often than a higher-end window.
"But typically you are paying about one-third of
what the higher end may cost. And you get a lot
of the same options, just not the longevity," he
said.
Vinyl windows offer less color options than
wood.
Other Amenities to Consider
In addition to the window and frame options,
there are special screens that let more light and air
in.
"The window market is really in flux," Newmyer
said. "There’s just a ton of new things coming out
— lots of new technology."
You can save money on your taxes when you
purchase and install new windows for your home.
A federal tax credit of 30 percent of your window
costs is deductible, but not the installation costs.
"Make sure the label on the windows are an
NFRC label meeting those requirements," Newmyer
said. "But always check with your tax accountant
to make sure you qualify for the tax credit."
The credit has caused a rush in the window and
door industry, with businesses getting their
products up to government standards so
customers can receive the tax credit.
"The government has really worked to help the
industry," Newmyer said. "The tax credit runs
through 2010."
Color choices are among of the newest amenities
the window industry has to offer.
"We are seeing just a ton of color selections,"
Newmyer said. "And I think they are going to
continue to see more and more and more."
Curtis estimates there are at least 50 different
colors to choose from.
"If they give me a color I can deliver them a
paintable, stainable window in that color," he said.
"They can paint it any color. And there are many
types of frames to choose from with foam filled,
insulated, reinforced and interlocked frames that
make it hard for anyone to pry break in."
Consumers also now have options regarding
window hardware.
"The interior hardware selections are nice, too,"
Curtis said. "There are a lot of finishes — bronze,
satin finishes, nickel and brass are always there."
If you have custom dimensions for your
windows, the industry isn't treating you like a
foreign sports car at a domestic repair shop.
"Manufacturers are getting friendlier to custom
sizes without a charge so high that your kids can't
go to college," he said.
Windows with blinds between the glass panels,
along with pleated shades, are now available.
Remote controlled windows can be installed, as
well.
"People have to remember though that those
amenities increase the cost of the window because
you're adding the cost of the blind," Newmyer said.
According to Curtis, a large percentage of
customers want "tilt-in windows for easy cleaning."
Get a Reputable Installer and Dealer
One thing to keep in mind is to search for a
reputable company to sell and install your
windows. Newmyer said a decent amount of his
customers are second-time window buyers who
first looked for a great deal.
"We take our customers through an educational
process about the windows," he said. "Otherwise,
they usually don't know what they are getting into.
Most of the windows we see that we're replacing
are from local companies that have gone out of
business. If you get a price that's too good to be
true, then it is."
PAGE 11❯ ❯ ❯ ❯
SUMMER 2009 | SPACES 9
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 Mekled emphasized that he's not a "sign on the
dotted line now" salesman.
"We give free estimates and we're not a high-
pressure sales company," he said. "We don't beat
them up. And we've had the same employees for
the last 24 years — no sub-contractors. The guy
that measures your window will be the same guy
that installs it. We know who's in your house."
When dealing with a window-buying decision,
Newmyer suggest focusing on quality.
"A lot of people are just after price, and in my
opinion that's a foolish way to buy windows," he
said. "I would look at the quality of the product
and the quality of the contractor."
When you look at the contractor, ask questions
such as “How long have you been in business?"
"What are the installation techniques?" "How much
education within the industry do you have?"
Newmyer said the "average window is 10- to 15-
years-old with wood rotting and with glass and
seal failure. So people are in the position where
they need to replace. They can't even see outdoors
anymore."
As the industry changes its technology and
continues to improve products, installers have to
stay on the cutting edge of that technology in
order to put in the newer products both efficiently
and correctly. In order to do so, time away from
the office spent with books and training are the
new way of life for those window sellers who want
to stay in business.
"I'm in training at least two weeks out of the
year," Newmyer said. "It's changing and it's
changing quickly. If I want to play the game I have
to be a part of it. I have to go to the seminars but
I always learn something and get a lot out of each
one. But I know I'm putting the product in right;
and when I get a call from a client, it's about
something else, not the installation."
Newmyer passed on one more bit of information
for those who may be thinking about buying a
home in the near future.
"My best advice is you should take a close look
at those windows," he said. "If you hire an
inspector, tell him to look at them real close. It's
not uncommon to write a $30,000 to $60,000
window order — and sometimes even more. It's a
big-ticket item. When you buy a window, look at
the whole enchilada — where it's going, and who
is installing it. A lot of people think a window is a
window. It's not. You've got a lot of options
available."
Newmyer’s product line includes Pella,
Anderson, Weather Shield, Marvin, Jeldwin, Eagle
and Mill Guard.
Mekled's line-up includes Anderson, Pella and
Allside.
Curtis installs Weather King and Anderson,
among others windows.
❏
— By Mark Stowers
RESOURCES
• Fred Mekled, Thermal Shield Windows
248.623.6666
• John Newmyer, Newmyer Remodeling
248.669.3500
• Carl Curtis, Curtis Builders
248.343.2659

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Gardening for everyone
Special tools and planning make it
easier for disabled people to cultivate
B
eing disabled doesn't mean you can't raise tomatoes or fragrant flowers in
your backyard, or that you have to skip touring a large botanical garden. With
ergonomic garden tools, specialized growing equipment, how-to books and
web sites, raising veggies, planting petunias or simply enjoying the smell of a
gardenia or touch of rose petals are all within reach. It may take a little work and a
good deal of planning, the experts say, but the end result is worth it.
Francesco Clark knows about it first hand. In a wheelchair after a crippling
spinal cord injury from a 2002 swimming pool diving accident, Clark has since
become an enthusiastic home gardener. As an ambassador for the Christopher and
Dana Reeve Foundation (christopherreeve.org), he has no hesitation about sharing
the dos and don'ts of creating a home garden for yourself or for a friend or relative
with a disability.
"In my experience, the accessibility of the garden has always been an issue,"
Clark said. "Walkways are either too narrow or an uneven surface, like brick,
physically blocking my wheels from getting to where I want to go. There is never
enough room to turn around and back up, and most of all, it always ends up
looking ugly. There's no need for that. The new types of colored concrete are great
for this, and they can be molded to make stone-like shapes."
For Clark, an easy solution is "setting up a nice, elegant table where I can pull up
in my wheelchair and work on whatever gardening projects I like. I love that table."
Placement of the water hose is very important, he added.
"If it's too hard to uncoil, I can't use it," he said. "If I do uncoil it, but it crosses
my wheelchair's path, I get stuck. I've actually punctured a hose rolling over it, then
got sprayed with what felt like 800 gallons of freezing water."
Though pricey, push-button controlled sprinklers are easier to use.
People tend to design vegetable gardens too tight, Clark said.
"Make them spacious, and adding a little sitting area between vegetables and
flowers is nice so you can enjoy the space," he said. "And you can use that space as
workspace so you don't need to wheel a long distance from your work-table to
planting beds."
Botanical gardens, zoos and even fancy nurseries are the best places to get
ideas. Clark said they are "amazing" resources, and many are accessible to the
physically-handicapped or visually-impaired.
More botanic gardens are now featuring raised beds and displays of adaptive
tools and model gardens. Some are adding Braille-identified prickly, sticky, soft and
rough trees and plants that allow the blind and visually-impaired to discover a
garden with senses different than sight.
If you can afford it, bring along your contractor, gardening helper or landscape
architect, or go with a friend that is helping you with your project.
"My budget was very limited, so I went with my family and friends to
brainstorm," Clark said of his visit to a botanical garden.
Clark uses very large flowerpots "so my sitting height is an easy working height
to maintain flowers and more needy plants. They also look fantastic, help frame the
space and break up boring spaces."
He suggested you keep the more easily maintained plants at floor level, since
they don't need as much attention.
Even if you're disabled but not confined to a wheelchair, there's no need to give
up gardening. Among the tools now on the market are easily-gripped garden
trowels, long reach cultivators, cushioned kneelers for weeding and planting, and
even barrier-free gardening tables with removable planters.
Several books, like Janeen Adil's "Accessible Gardening for People with Physical
Disabilities" ($17, Idyl Arbor) or Joann Woy's "Accessible Gardening: Tips and
Techniques for Seniors and the Disabled" ($17, Stackpole), provide step-by-step
guides to planning and building home gardens. ❏
— Creators News Service
your domicile
MEASURE A HOME BY ITS CONDITION
Jeff LaPorte
A
s well as they should, I’m sure most if not all home
buyers get excited when finding their dream home
with the endearing rooms, fancy frills and the like,
but equal weight should be given to the innards of a
home, such as the mechanical systems, windows and
ventilation, etc. Buyer beware should be the No. 1 rule
while searching for real estate.
It’s funny how many people judge a home on décor and
not much more. They see nice window treatments, but
they never pull those back to see if the windows, interior wall or the wood
trim is rotted.
Of course, floor plans and amenities are important buy-or-not-to-buy factors,
and the chase for the perfect home will always have an emotional flavor. But
first impressions can be costly oversights. Drafty windows, cracked walls,
wavy shingles may be tip offs that your major expenses are not done once
you leave the closing table.
It is important to differentiate between faults that sellers must disclose and
problems that, while not deal killers, new owners may eventually need to spend
a considerable amount of money to repair or replace. Home inspectors will note
true deficiencies including foundation issues, improper or unsafe electrical
equipment or structural inadequacies. What seems a minor defect to the buyer
may be deemed a major defect by a home inspector and may end up being a
deal breaker for you. For example, a long horizontal crack in the foundation
wall or windows that are difficult to open/close should raise red flags.
Sometimes the temptation to overlook defects — both minor and major —
may be strong.
When would-be buyers see a well presented home, they start to take mental
ownership of the property before they should. The condition of the furnace,
roof and drainage issues are far less sexy but are far more important to their
overall satisfaction with their home.
Home inspectors not only need to highlight major expensive areas in need of
repair but also non-critical expensive areas, as well. Would-be buyers should also
inquire about an estimated remaining lifespan of components indentified as aging.
If you’re in the market for a new home, here is a roster of items I suggest are
worth keeping an eye on:
• Driveways, walkways or low-pitch spots that pitch towards the home.
Water should be directed away from the foundation, not toward it.
• Wall cracks in the foundation or interior rooms.
• Buckled or wavy roofing caused by aging shingles, heat trapped in an
unventilated attic, or ice dams.
• Check utility bills. If the heating or cooling bills are whoppers, the
insulation and drafty windows may need to be updated or replaced
• Aging mechanicals and infrastructure. When was the plumbing or
electrical service upgraded or replaced? The furnace may be a relic and the
air conditioning may be aging. Inefficient HVAC systems make need a total
makeover.
• Damaged plumbing systems and moisture damage as seen in many
foreclosed homes due to improper winterization.
The best solution is to be prepared, do your homework and use the services
of a qualified home inspector.
Happy house hunting!
Jeff LaPorte is certified by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) with
over 10 years experience and is the owner of “The Home Team Inspection
Service.” He can be contacted via e-mail at jlaporte720@comcast.net.
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16 SPACES | SCN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP

 The first step is to make
sure that an irrigation system
is properly set up and
maintained. One big water
waster is having poorly
adjusted spray patterns, so it
matters where the water is
going. It's possible for the
alignment of sprinklers to
shift over time, or to get
knocked off target. That's
one reason why they should
be checked at least once
every year.
Sprinklers should also be
laid out in a way that ensures
proper head-to-head
coverage. This requires the
spray from each sprinkler in a
zone to reach the sprinkler
heads that are adjacent to it.
Without head-to-head
coverage it is virtually impossible to create an
even water pattern, which again results in
uneven, wasteful watering.
Sprinkler heads need to be perpendicular to
the ground beneath them. Sprinklers that are
not upright will not throw an even spray
pattern, and that means gallons of wasted
water.
Over-watering is one of the worst water
wasters. It causes run-off and can damage your
plants. Some methods used to determine the
correct amount of water to apply require a
detailed understanding of plant physiology and
local geology. However, there are two simple
methods to use that are within reach of most
homeowners.
To determine how long you can water a zone,
manually activate the zone. Then, time how
long it takes for runoff or saturation to appear.
Do this a few times on different days, and then
set that zone to water for slightly less time than
the average of all the readings you made. This
is the maximum you should water at one time.
If your plants need more water than this allows,
use the multiple start times feature on your
system's timer. This lets the water soak in
before additional water is applied.
Another real-world technique is known as the
"feel test." As the name implies, it means getting
intimate with your dirt. First, dig a hole about 8
inches deep at the spot you want to test. Next,
pick up a handful of dirt and give it a squeeze.
If you can form a ball, the soil is adequately
moist.
One of the most important recommendations
that professionals give homeowners is to ensure
that their system is winterized before the cold,
icy months set in. This requires hooking a large
air compressor onto the system and blowing air
through it so that all excess water is removed
and the heads don't crack, according to Bob
Sutherland, owner of Sutherland Lawn
Sprinklers in Commerce Township.
"There isn't much that you can or should do
to improve the efficiency of your system,"
Sutherland said. "You can clean the dirt around
where the sprinklers are and make it very
noticeable so that you won't run it over with a
lawn mower. Other than that it's a pretty simple
process."
That process should also take place in the
spring because not "blowing out" your sprinkler
system then could cause additional damage,
said Jeff Stulberg, owner of J&S Landscaping
and Maintenance in Commerce Township.
Sprinkler heads and lines often need to be
adjusted based on the homeowner's needs, and
the spring is a perfect time to do this,
according to Stulberg. For example, a
homeowner who wants to add a flower bed to
their yard will have to water that differently
than the grass.
"Flowers and plants require less water than
grass, so you really have to look at how often
you are watering different parts of your yard,"
Stulberg said. "You do need to consider when
and how heads and lines need to be adjusted
and a good time to do that is when you have
your system checkup each spring."
Another important consideration is to make
sure that tree roots don't adversely impact the
sprinkler head's performance. Whenever
homeowners plant new flowers, trees or
bushes, they should make sure that sprinkler
heads aren't in the way. Not
paying attention to where
your system is located can
both impact the
effectiveness of the system
and possibly damage its
components.
"If you follow some of
these basic guidelines your
system should be effective
for 30 or more years,"
Sutherland said.
Depending on the size of
a home's yard, installing an
irrigation system can cost
anywhere from a few
hundred to several thousand
dollars.
Automatic lawn irrigation
systems are generally best
for areas that require
constant maintenance and
regular watering to maintain active, healthy
growth.
Most warm-season grasses require a constant
water supply during the warm, active growth
months to maintain an even, fresh appearance.
When setting your irrigation systems with the
help of a professional, it's important to make
sure you are limiting the amount of water that
is being sprayed on the sidewalk, driveway or
street.
Watering Your Trees, Plants, Grass and More
There are many tips that homeowners should
consider when determining how much water
should be used as part of their irrigation
system, and when it should be used. Water
affects trees, plants and grass differently.
Here are a few general watering tips:
Look for early signs of wilt. Common signs
include leaves with a blue-green cast, and
footprints where the grass won't bounce back
up. These areas need more watering,
particularly early in the growing season.
The soil should be watered to a depth of 6 to
8 inches. The common amount of water
required for maintaining this depth is 1 to 2
inches of water per week.
It's most efficient to water the soil in the
morning. Higher humidity, low wind, and dew
wetness make the watering more effective.
Night watering often promotes the spread of
disease and insects.
Trees
It's recommended that turf be cut back at
least one foot from the trunks of trees, because
watering the trunk wastes water and promotes
rot on the tree trunk, according to Mark
PAGE 19❯ ❯ ❯ ❯
SUMMER 2009 | SPACES 17
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18 SPACES | SCN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP

Chambers of Mark's Landscape and Watering in
Waterford. Catch basins can be created around
trees that can minimize runoff, allowing water
the time it needs to feed the root system.
Trees also prefer long, slow watering, and
mature trees generally need to be watered to a
depth of 24 inches, so adjusting your irrigation
system accordingly is recommended.
Lawns
Most well-established lawns require at least 1
inch of water per week to maintain a "healthy
green" look. It should be noted that grass is
healthiest when it is watered deeply and
infrequently, a strategy that encourages deep
root growth.
Proper watering techniques can ensure a
healthy lawn by keeping the turf stress-free.
Maintaining optimum watering conditions
promotes deep rooting, disease resistance and
insect resistance. Pests and diseases tend to
strike when the plant is least healthy or under
water or nutrient stress. Proper watering can
keep pests and diseases at bay, and further
increases the importance and value an irrigation
system can offer.
De-thatching a home's lawn is also
recommended if it is more than one-half-inch
thick. In such cases, grass should be cut no
shorter than two inches, which helps to reduce
evaporative water loss and increase drought
resistance.
Grass cycling, with the use of a mulching
mower, allows homeowners to cut the grass
when it is dry. This grass residue reduces
evaporation and adds nutrients.
Finally, aerating lawn yearly can prevent soil
compaction and greatly reduces water run-off
from the lawn so that an irrigation system is
more effective.
Planting Beds
As Stulberg said, planting beds and flowers
require less water than grass. Mulch is
recommended with planting beds because 2 to
4 inches of mulch controls weeds and reduces
evaporative loss, both of which save water and
help make your irrigation systems more
effective.
It's also advisable to use plants native to the
Michigan area, as plants from wetter
environments waste tremendous amounts of
water, which can pose a threat to the local
environment. In addition, drip irrigation can be
used as an efficient watering method when
possible. ❏
— By Mike Scott
RESOURCES
• Mark Chambers, Mark's Landscaping and
Lawn Systems, 248.887.5296
• Bob Sutherland, Sutherland Lawn Sprinklers
810.560.3057
• Jeff Stulberg, J&S landscape and Maintenance,
248.310.5092

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 50 YEARS: OUR STORY
The Spinal Column Newsweekly, with 2009, is marking its 50th year publishing
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magazine, the MonthlyAdvertiser and Oakland Homes magazines, along
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But we continue all these years later to provide the communities we serve
with an essential news product, the Spinal Column Newsweekly, that allows
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remained unchanged, along with our commitment to the communities and
residents of west Oakland.

It is the reason local residents continue to turn first to the Spinal Column
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A plethora of patio pleasures
Turn exterior space into lounge area, outdoor kitchen or both
H
ome is a place of refuge.
Maybe it's because of gas
prices, the cost of movie tickets
or the high price of babysitters, but
today's family prefers to stay at home
to entertain, relax and otherwise "chill
out."
While the backyard barbecue may
be old news, more and more families
are moving their living spaces to the
outdoors and looking for all of the
creature comforts of home. Turning
an otherwise simple patio into a fully-
Many people have been turning their
patios into more than just an outdoor
area. It can be transformed into that
perfect lounge area, your dream
kitchen, or both.
equipped outdoor kitchen makes for
easy and fashionable entertaining.
Even non-gourmet cooks seem to
produce more flavorful meals when
cooked over a bed of coals or a grill.
Depending on the investment,
outdoor living areas can be turned
into year-round resorts.
There are also those who prefer to
eat indoors but still lounge outside.
Either way, the choice is yours.
"Home is not where you live your
life — it's how you live your life," said
Wendy L. Perry, an outdoor living
consultant.
Backyards can become your
personal oasis with some planning. Fire
pits can be used for warmth on a chilly
fall night. Overhead awnings can be
used to shade you from the hot sun.
Careful landscaping can turn a stone
walkway into a tempting journey.
Today's home-building vocabulary
includes words like al fresco (in the
fresh air), patio (Spanish for back
garden), lanai (Hawaiian covered
room), veranda (open-walled roofed
porch) and portico (covered walkway
with columns supporting it). Perhaps
you would want a simple courtyard
or terrace, or a freestanding pavilion
or a cabana? The outdoor extensions
Springing into
action to get
home refreshed
T he long, cold winter is over.
Spring is here, and with it comes
the urge to spruce up your living
quarters.
Kim Myles, host of HGTV's "Myles
of Style," is full of ideas on how you
can accomplish this creatively
without breaking the bank.
"When you want to freshen up for
spring, the key is to edit," she said.
"Instead of adding and layering as we
do for winter, I pull out candles,
throws, pillows and my little fluffy
accent rugs. The idea is to leave
behind only the things you love, and
it costs you nothing."
Take a look at your window
treatments, too. Switching window
coverings can have a huge visual
impact, Myles said.
"Replace heavy drapes with sheer
curtains in white or cream," she said.
"They're not expensive."
What remains is a light, spare
space.
"When I achieve that spareness,
I'm ready for spring," she said.
Her canvas prepared, this
designer then looks to the upcoming
summer.
"Summer is when you add fullness
to your living space," she said.
Again, achieving an impact need
not cost a fortune.
"I love to have fun with color —
what about four pillows in celadon
green and canary yellow? You can't
ignore it," she said.
might be just off of your home's
kitchen or around the pool.
Decisions, Decisions
Chris Heiler, a landscape designer,
said his first priorities before starting
work on any outdoor kitchen or
leisure area is to first learn what the
client wants from the area.
"For what exact activities do they
want to use the space?" he asked.
As a fan of art in the house and a
devotee of luscious fabrics, another
of Myles' design tricks is large, easy-
to-make custom wall "paintings."
"Buy four canvas stretcher bars
— found at artist supply stores. Pop
them together. A 3-foot-by-3-foot
frame costs about $8," she said.
While artists stretch white canvas,
you can stretch a yard of beautiful
fabric and hang a work of art that
infuses a space with color and
texture. An added dividend: The
whole project costs less than $40.
This is especially welcome if
you're renting a home where you
can't paint or hang heavy things,
according to Myles.
"Imagine the impact over a couch,
particularly in a tiny apartment," she
said.
Then there's the fireplace.
Crackling and cozy during the winter,
"it becomes a big black hole of
nothing in the spring," Myles said.
But it's also an opportunity for an
elegant design statement.
"Fill the fireplace with fresh
flowers or potted plants," she
advises. "If you're having a special
party, stems of orchids in multiple
vases will last three weeks and the
cost is about $25 from a wholesale
flower dealer.
"When they fade, switch them out
with ferns, succulents or house
plants," she added. "Each can make a
dazzling display."
But whether you want a total new
look, or just some simple, fresh
touches, it's important to maintain
your individuality and adapt design
elements that inspire you. ❏
— Creators News Service
"What time of day will they use the
space? How many people will use the
space? How do you want to feel in
the space — relaxed or energized?
What specific elements do you
require — a built-in grill, fireplace,
screening, overhead coverage, etc.?"
His sample client questionnaire
that must be filed out before any
plans are made asks for the client's
visions and the three most important
reasons for landscaping.
Budget is also important. Heiler
makes sure that the client
understands what the ultimate costs
will be to complete the project. He
takes into consideration the size of
the patio, climate and location. For
example, an outdoor kitchen should
ideally be located immediately outside
the indoor kitchen.
"A complex project such as this
should really be completed in one
step, not multiple stages," he said.
"However, one possible way to
construct the space in phases is to
add plantings, landscape lighting and
furniture in the second year as the
finishing touches."
Even so, Heiler said, "70 percent
of the budget will be spent in the
first phase of the project."
The Roadmap To Your Space
Robert Milani, a landscape
architect, said the basic trend is to
"create a space outside to mimic a
kitchen and dining room. The
amenities would include a gas grill,
sink, wet bar and fridge."
Most homeowners are building
these outdoor extensions onto
already existing homes.
"They are making an investment in
the home and enhancing their family
space at the same time," he said.
There is also a big trend towards
lounge areas with fire pits or outdoor
fireplaces. The extension becomes a
focal point for family activities and
informal parties.
The difference between a simple
patio with a barbecue grill and an
outdoor kitchen, explained Milani, is
the permanency of the area, as well
as the cost. Amenities such as gas
grills, running water and outdoor
appliances need to have special cut-
offs for safety.
"It's critical that people understand
what they want," he said.
Milani estimated that the outlay
may run up to $15,000, but he says
it is well worth it to increase the
home's value. The biggest reward for
the homeowner, Milani added, is
"bringing families together." ❏
— Creators News Service
SUMMER 2009 | SPACES 21
 Versatile water features
A pond or fountain might be the perfect landscape accent
I
If you want to add character to
your outdoor living space, a
fountain or pond is a great way to
revamp a landscape.
Whether it's a large impressive
plot or a small area that's tucked
away on your property, water is the
way to go, said Jennifer Zuri, a
marketing communications manager
for a company that specializes in
water gardens.
Ponds and waterfalls can take on
many shapes and forms, from the
ecosystem pictured above to a
waterfall without a pond, and range
in price from an inexpensive system to
something larger.
Basic features include ecosystem
ponds, pondless waterfalls and
decorative fountains called
fountainscapes.
"The pondless waterfall has
become popular over the last few
years," Zuri said. "Those are good for
people who want to enjoy the sight
and sound of running water without
maintaining a pond. A lot of people
like them because they have toddlers
and don't want to worry about them
around water. And kids love playing
in the waterfalls — that's a lot of fun
for them."
They are also fun and relaxing,
said garden expert, author and
television personality P. Allen Smith. "I
always look for ways to include water
in my designs. Since water is a source
of life, it carries a restorative power
as a symbol of renewal."
Do-it-yourselfers can easily put
together a container garden that
includes a small fountain, according
to Smith.
"You don't need a lot of room to
create a beautiful place to relax," he
said. "The container garden is a
perfect example of how you can
enjoy a water fountain in the smallest
22 SPACES | SCN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP
Peace, quiet
await in your
Zen garden
I t's a complicated world out there —
one that seems to move at an
increasingly rapid, nearly furious
pace. Regardless of how the details
play out, chances are your days are
riddled with electronic devices, web
communications and many
distractions.
So how and where does a person
find some simple peace and quiet?
You might be able to find it right in
your very own home — in your
personal Zen garden.
"The whole point of a Zen garden
is simplicity, which dates back to the
ancient Orient," said Mitch Kalamian,
an HGTV featured designer.
The approach doesn't matter as
much as the goal of having a serene
area amid the chaos.
What makes this type of garden
unique from other flowering beds is
its roots in ancient Asian culture and
the underlying philosophy it embodies.
"A Zen garden provides a tranquil
space for quiet, meditation and
contemplation," said Karen Parziale, a
Feng Shui consultant and publisher
of therealestatestagingstudio.com.
Zen, a tenet of Buddhism with
roots in Taoism, incorporates nature
and meditation in its philosophy —
both of which are representative of
and in a Zen garden. Often, the
principles of Feng Shui, which uses a
reverence for nature in design for
both home and garden and also
dates back to Taoism, are applied.
of spaces. A container, small pump,
source of electricity and plants are all
you need."
Any kind of pottery that will hold
water works fine. Just be sure to add
plants that will thrive in both water
and soil.
Of course, some people not only
want a larger pond, but they also like
the added interest of fish in their
They are utilized primarily by
incorporating the five elements: wood,
fire, earth, metal and water. Often, an
indoor or homemade version utilizes
only a few of these elements —
typically, wood, earth and water.
"Inside the home, I don't
necessarily use all of the elements,"
said Kalamian. However, one should
find a way into your garden. "Moving
water is important, or you can mimic
moving water with sand or rock.
Water is a big element."
Kalamian suggested starting off
with a "clean palette" — a corner of
the room or yard where nothing else
is going on and that is "pretty
square." Parziale agreed and added
that for those with less space, a
square or rectangular serving tray
makes the perfect plot for this
special space. Once you have a space
set aside, follow these tips to create
a simple and tranquil place:
• Fill the space with sand or pea
pebbles, and take a miniature rake
— or move your fingers — back and
forth across the sand, making a wave
effect. This incorporates the water
element paramount to a Zen garden.
A fountain with slow trickling water
is also a popular item.
• Spice things up by adding
elements with stone, adding the
earth element. Granite also works
nicely as a substitute.
• For wood, a small Bonsai tree
makes a nice, though expensive,
addition. Other plant materials that
work well are bamboo and grasses,
particularly mondo grass.
So what are you waiting for? Put
down that PDA and get started. ❏
— Creators News Service
water. Most often they raise koi —
hearty Japanese fish that can live
year-round, even in cold
temperatures.
"Koi are great for ponds," Zuri
said. "They will hibernate as long as
the water is 24 inches deep and you
keep a hole in the ice. All winter long
you don't have to worry about them.
Koi live a long time and they do have
babies, which people can share with
friends so their pond doesn't become
overpopulated. When they get used
to you they'll even eat out of your
hand. They really become pets."
If you aren't interested in koi but
still want fish, there are shubunkins,
or a type of goldfish, mosquitofish
and South American catfish known as
plecostomus.
Once people have a fountain or
pond, they usually can't imagine not
having one, Zuri said.
"We always hear from people that
they love their water feature, but
wish they had put in a larger one,"
she said. "We have found they enjoy
them so much they usually upgrade
about three times. Installers tell us
that if they put one in a customer's
yard, they usually get called back to
put in a few more in the same
neighborhood."
Some people even install their own
ponds.
Water features can be used
anywhere, but most folks put the
ecosystem ponds in the backyard
close to a sitting area, according to
Zuri.
"The pondless waterfalls are good
for curb appeal or can really be
anywhere," she said. "Some people
who have large gardens put
decorative fountains along the paths
for added interest."
No matter how big or small you
want it, a fountain or pond can be a
wonderful addition.
"Water can be used in many ways
on any scale — from large pools to
wall fountains," Zuri said.
"Depending on the application, it
can serve as a subtle accent or as
part of the floor in a garden room,"
Smith said. "Water appeals to each of
our senses, soothing us as we sit and
listen to its movement."
Zuri agreed.
"Water features add value to
property and they are just a great
way to de-stress," she said. "People
sit out on their patio, listen to the
waterfall and watch the fish or
whatever. It is so much better than
sitting in front of the TV." ❏
— Creators News Service
 for what it’s worth
A look at what homes are listed in lakes area communities in the $200,000-$250,000 price range

Community: Clarkston Community: Milford Village Community: Waterford Community: Highland

Street Address: 6852 Wellesley Terrace Street Address: 708 Atlantic Street Address: 3141 Coventry Street Address: 1002 Woodruff Lake Dr.
Price: $204,900 Price: $209,900 Price: $210,000 Price: $219,900
Sq. Ft.: 1,457 Sq. Ft.: 1,700 Sq. Ft.: 1,725 Sq. Ft.: 1,600
Bedrooms: 3 Bedrooms: 4 Bedrooms: 3 Bedrooms: 4
Baths: 2 full Baths: 1 full; 1 half Baths: 2 full; 1 half Baths: 2 full
Garage: 2 car Garage: 2 car Garage: 2 car Garage: 2 car
Foundation: Finished walkout basement Foundation: Michigan Basement Foundation: Finished walkout basement Foundation: Finished basement
Heating: Forced Air Heating: Forced Air Heating: Forced Air Heating: Forced Air
Cooling: Central Air Cooling: Central Air Cooling: Central Air Cooling: Central Air
Exterior Features: Sprinkler system, Exterior Features: Deck, fenced Exterior Features: Porch, fenced Exterior Features: Shed, sprinklers
hot tub Description: Historic home with recent Description: Energy efficient all-sports Description: 200 ft. all-sports Charlick
Description: Gourmet kitchen with pantry. updates. Island kitchen opens to great lakefront home. Granite kitchen with Lakefront. Freshly painted inside and
Gorgeous interior with many updates. room. Walk to everything Milford Village cherry cabinets. Master suite with out. Open kitchen with eating area.
Cathedral ceilings. Gas fireplace. has to offer. cathedral ceilings. Fabulous lake views.
Agent: Tony Seagraves Agent: Mary Ann Wilson Agent: Bradley Jernigan Agent: Rob Sprader
Real Estate Firm: Remerica United, Novi Real Estate Firm: Real Estate One, Real Estate Firm: Century 21 Town & Real Estate Firm: Keller Williams,
Phone: 248.344.1800 Milford Country, Clarkston Commerce
Phone: 248.684.1065 Phone: 248.620.7200 Phone: 248.640.2680

Community: Walled Lake Community: Wixom Community: Commerce Community: West Bloomfield
Street Address: 2174 Maplehurst Street Address: 2375 Fairbury Street Address: 150 Bradley Street Street Address: 6787 Ravines Circle
Price: $219,900 Price: $239,900 Price: $239,900 Price: $250,000
Sq. Ft.: 1,376 Sq. Ft.: 1,987 Sq. Ft.: 2,564 Sq. Ft.: 2,445
Bedrooms: 2 Bedrooms: 4 Bedrooms: 4 Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 2 full Baths: 3 full Baths: 2 full; 1 half Baths: 2 full; 1 half
Garage: 2 car Garage: 2 car Garage: 2 car Garage: 2 car
Foundation: Finished basement Foundation: Basement Foundation: Finished walkout basement Foundation: Finished basement
Heating: Forced Air Heating: Forced Air Heating: Forced Air Heating: Forced Air
Cooling: Central Air Cooling: Central Air Cooling: Central Air Cooling: Central Air
Exterior Features: Deck, grounds Exterior Features: Deck, fenced Exterior Features: Deck, fenced Exterior Features: Deck, sprinkler system
maintenance Description: Master suite with private Description: Huge family home with all Description: Two-story foyer with curved
Description: Perfect condo. Great room deck. Living room with fireplace. the bells and whistles! Walk-in pantry. oak staircase. Open family room with
with gas fireplace and skylights. First Hickory kitchen with snack bar. Lovely First floor laundry. Half acre. curved 2-story fireplace. What a
floor laundry. Show and sell! yard. Agent: Susi Gollinger winner!
Agent: Connie Mack Agent: Diane Wilson Real Estate Firm: Real Estate One Lakes, Agent: Melanie Bishop
Real Estate Firm: RE/MAX Property Real Estate Firm: Prudential Great Lakes, Commerce Real Estate Firm: Cranbrook GMAC,
Source, West Bloomfield Commerce Phone: 248.363.8300 Franklin
Phone: 248.669.7400 Phone: 248.420.3120 Phone: 248.626.8700

SUMMER 2009 | SPACES 23

 TIME TO CHILL OUT
MAKING SURE HOMESTEAD REMAINS COOL THIS SUMMER
TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF THOUGHT AND EFFORT

K
eeping your home cool in the summer isn't as easy as it sounds. But when
accomplished, it can help homeowners use their energy more efficiently, save
money, and sleep well at night.
Central air conditioners are split systems that are passing indoor air across a refrigerant coil in the the outside of the coils and is carried away through a
comprised of an outdoor unit (the condensing unit) indoor unit. Lines then carry the heat to the outdoor drain.
and an indoor unit (air handler). The function of an unit, where it is released to the outside air. The One of the most important ways to maintain an
air conditioner is to transport heat from one station to cooling cycle continues until the indoor temperature efficient air conditioning or central air system is to
another. The vehicle your system uses to carry the reaches the thermostat setting. have the system checked by a qualified professional in
heat is called a refrigerant, commonly referred to as While it's keeping you cool, an air conditioner also the spring, according to Ryan Bierl of First Heating
Freon. works as an effective dehumidifier. As warm air and Cooling in White Lake Township. He said that's
Air conditioners cool a home by removing heat passes over the indoor evaporator coil, it can no because there are proper ways to charge such a
from the indoor air and transferring that heat to the longer hold as much moisture as it carried at its system that include the use of mathematical equations
outdoor air. This heat is extracted from the home by higher temperature. The extra moisture condenses on that many homeowners may not be aware of.
 A qualified professional can also ensure that a
house's SEER (seasonal energy efficient rating) is at
its proper level. A higher SEER number will help
homeowners save money on their summer air
conditioning bills while maintaining a cool interior.
"Using a reputable contractor really is the biggest
thing," Bierl said. "You want a contractor that you
can put your faith and trust into."
Another way a professional can help ensure your
interior stays cool is to use a condensing box,
refrigeration line (made of copper) and cooling coil
that are made by the same company, and therefore
designed to fit together. Bierl said some
refrigeration lines and cooling coils that contractors
use are generic, and while these products do work,
they may result in less-effective results.
For example, the cooling factor, defined as the
temperature difference between the air inside a
house and the air being released outside, should be
at or a few degrees above 20 F, according to Bierl.
Even a difference of 2 to 3 degrees can make a
noticeable difference in your energy bill throughout
the course of a warm summer.
Michael Matheson, Jr., owner of Matheson
Heating & Air Conditioning in Commerce Township,
said the outdoor unit in particular should be free
from any grass clippings, dirt or other debris. A
third-generation family business owner, Matheson
said homeowners can rinse off the outdoor unit
themselves with a garden hose.
However, some of the indoor and outdoor coils
often require special cleaning, something a qualified
professional can do. An average spring air
conditioning inspection costs around $75 and
should result in a cost savings well over that based
on the fact that a high-functioning system will be
more efficient and less costly for the homeowner.
"We have special equipment to clean the indoor
coils, which the homeowner can't get to," Matheson
said.
From a technical aspect, homeowners should
clean or replace air conditioning filters at least once
a month. Dirty filters and coils can drastically reduce
the efficiency of a system. For every degree a
homeowner raises his or her thermostat setting
above 72 degrees, they will save 5 to 7 percent on
cooling costs.
Using an automated thermostat is beneficial but
homeowners can also manually adjust the
temperature settings. It's recommended that
homeowners turn their thermostat to 76 degrees or
higher at night, or an average of 4 to 5 degrees
higher than it is set at during the day, Matheson said.
"The key is that you want your system to always
be on throughout the summer, because it will then
be better able to dehumidify your house," he said.
"Plus, if you turn your central air on and off, it will
be more costly because it takes a lot of energy to
restart the system and this it is actually more
expensive."
Homeowners who haven't yet turned on their air
conditioning systems should do so about a day or
two before the first really warm day, or when they
feel they will need it, according to Matheson.
"Air conditioning your home is not like using it in
your car — it takes more than a few minutes to
warm up," he said.
Dampers should also be adjusted in the home so
that air is being released into the basement, where it
will be naturally cooler. Adjusting these dampers
properly can also push more cool air upstairs, which
Matheson said can be difficult in a two-story home.
"Once you get good air flow moving upstairs, it
will naturally filter downward to the rest of the
house," he said.
Those are some steps that can be taken to keep
the cool air in, but just as important is keeping the
warm air out, according to Bierl. One way to
accomplish this is by replacing weather stripping and
caulking around windows, doors and other areas to
improve the efficiency of an air conditioning unit.
Bierl said blinds, curtains and drapes should be
closed to keep out the sun's heat, especially on the
south and west sides of a house. In the evening,
opening drapes and shades lets heat escape through
the glass. In this way homeowners can keep the
sun's heat out and help fans or air conditioners cool
more efficiently.
It can be advantageous to use white window
blinds instead of darker colors. White reflects light
and heat, while dark colors absorb them.
Attic temperatures sometimes rise up to 140
degrees during the summer months, so proper attic
ventilation will lower the temperature and reduce
cooling requirements inside a home. In addition,
homeowners should make sure crawl spaces are
adequately ventilated. Poor ventilation will add to
your summer cooling costs. It also traps moisture in
your attic, making insulation less effective.
Upgrading attic insulation from 3 to 12 inches
can cut cooling costs by 10 percent, according to
the experts. Paying close attention to attic insulation
can save up to 30 percent of your overall cooling
bill.
Roof and attic ventilators help by allowing hot air
to escape and cooler outside air to enter. With
proper air flow an attic shouldn't be any warmer
than the outside air. Adding roof and attic
ventilators and fans is not a job for the average
homeowner, but those who do tackle the project
themselves must remember not to cut any structural
members.
Windows that aren't shaded from the sun are
prime candidates for reflective solar film. Installing
solar film is a relatively easy do-it-yourself job. It
requires use of a tape measure, a razor or knife, and
a squeegee. Pay special attention to windows facing
east and west.
There are several other steps that homeowners
can take to keep their house cool and efficient and
their energy bills lowers in the summer.
Fans and Ceiling Fans
A ceiling fan remains a great investment, as it
can make a room feel 6 or 7 degrees cooler,
Matheson said. He estimates that top-of-the-line
ceiling fans that run 12 hours per day cost less than
$10 a month. High-quality fans make it possible to
raise thermostat settings and save on air-
conditioning costs. Ceiling fans are best, but a good
portable fan can be very effective, as well, since mild
air movement of 1 mph can make a room feel 3 to 4
degrees cooler.
Reduce Internal Heat
The most common sources of internal heat gain
are appliances, electronic devices, and lighting. As a
result, homeowners shouldn't put lamps, televisions or
other heat-generating appliances next to their air-
conditioning thermostat, because the heat from these
appliances will cause the air conditioner to run longer.
Unless they are absolutely needed, it's
recommended that homeowners turn off
incandescent lights and heat-generating appliances.
These incandescent bulbs should be replaced with
compact fluorescents. And when cooking,
homeowners should use their range fan to vent the
hot air out of the house. By reducing the amount of
heat that exists in a home, less energy will be
required to cool it.
Plants
It's advisable to plant trees or shrubs to shade air
conditioning units without blocking the airflow. A
unit operating in the shade uses less electricity.
Deciduous trees planted on the south and west sides
will keep your house cool in the summer and allow
the sunlight to warm the house during the winter.
For example just three trees properly placed
around a house can save between $100 and $250
annually in cooling and heating costs, and daytime
air temperatures can be 3 degrees to 6 degrees
cooler in tree-shaded neighborhoods.
Other Things to Remember
Avoid landscaping with lots of unshaded rock,
cement, or asphalt on the south or west sides of a
house because those things increase the
temperature around the house and radiate heat to
the house after the sun has set.
Close the fireplace damper, if applicable.
If possible, use an exhaust fan to pull the hot air
outside your living space.
"Outside of your system there are many other
steps you can take to keep your house cool and
more efficient," Bierl said. "Every little bit helps."” ❏
— Mike Scott
RESOURCES
• Ryan Bierl, 1st Heating and Cooling
248-887-3636
• Michael Matheson, Matheson Heating and Cooling
248.363.4868
SUMMER 2009 | SPACES 25
 Let the cash grow
Pinch your pennies by finding multiple uses for your plants
C
reating and nurturing a garden
requires not only an investment
of your time and passion.
Happily, there are dozens of tips for
saving money while watching your
garden grow — and many won't cost
you a penny.
"Do your research. Smart garden
planning makes it easier and more
enjoyable for you as a gardener," said
Jeff Downing, an expert in botanical
There are myriad ways to reuse your
garden in order to save money, such
as giving extra orchids as gifts to
friends and relatives.
education. "There are lots of plants
that don't require huge amounts of
time or money to care for. Local
garden centers and nurseries have
very knowledgeable plant experts.
Ask questions if you're not sure what
to plant. Don't be intimidated. Across
the board they are passionate about
plants and more than willing to give
you ideas in your price range."
"We welcome all questions,"
agreed Fausto Palafox, a nursery
owner. "As independent nurserymen,
our claim to fame is to educate."
You can also always "Ask the
Experts" online at the New York
Botanical Garden, nybg.org.
"A plant information team will be
able to provide you with competent
answers for any region in the
country," Downing said.
Armed with a general plan, there
are numerous cost-saving tips that
savvy gardeners can use to keep
within budget.
When you divide and propagate
26 SPACES | SCN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP
Inspiration for
garden ideas
are all around
A s with any work of art, all you
need is a little inspiration to get
started in your garden. Often the
hardest part of beginning is weeding
through the possibilities.
"Because inspiration is really
everywhere, sometimes it becomes
overwhelming as there are so many
things we like that it becomes
difficult to make a start," said Jamie
Durie, landscaping expert and host of
the upcoming HGTV program, "HGTV
Showdown."
It's one of the issues that Sonia
Uyterhoeven, a gardening educator,
aims to resolve. She helps people
find the motivation they need to
move forward.
"Most people come in and give a
sigh of relief and say, 'Here's a
garden where I can actually do some
of these things,'" Uyterhoeven said.
Durie, who hails from Australia,
finds that many of his clients are
inspired by their vacations.
"When people take a break
somewhere, it's that feeling of
relaxation and rejuvenation that
inspires them to try and recreate that
in their own homes," he said.
The thing to keep in mind: When
it comes to gardening, inspiration
can be found anywhere.
"We need only open our eyes,"
said Durie, who keeps a "diary of
ideas" using his camera to capture
scenes, settings, patterns, landscapes
and plants from a variety of
existing plants, you increase the
number of plants you have.
Geraniums and iris are just two
examples of plants that thrive when
divided. If you don't have any of them
in your garden, chances are your
friends and neighbors are willing to
share.
Downing grows orchids as a
hobby. When they get rangy and pot
environments, manmade and natural.
Uyterhoeven believes the most
poignant inspiration comes from
looking at your own neighborhood
and the surrounding public gardens.
Through careful observation of one's
immediate environment, a new
gardener discovers which plants will
thrive in their garden.
Uyterhoeven's advice: "Look for
the plants that are performing well.
You can open up a catalog and see a
beautiful plant, but if it doesn't grow
in your region, for a beginner it
would be extremely frustrating."
And while flower gardens are
beautiful, don't forget your veggies.
A vegetable garden is, according
to Uyterhoeven, "something that
many people identify with."
Here are some of Uyterhoeven
and Durie's best tips on harnessing
the inspiration you need to get
started in the garden:
• Keep things simple. Start small
and build on your design, gradually
adding more complex plants over
time.
• Know your limits. How much
time will you be dedicating to your
garden? Certain plants take a lot of
effort to help them grow.
• Take a "functional analysis."
Determine what you and your family
want or need from the garden, and
shape your design based on these
elements.
• Do your homework. Research
techniques, buy a book on gardening
or take a continuing education class.
• Don't be afraid to experiment,
take some risks and try new
products and tools. ❏
— Creators News Service
bound, he divides and replants them
into smaller containers and gives
them as gifts. His living orchids not
only make a personal and thoughtful
present, they cost nothing.
Populating your outdoor space
with perennials is another budgeting
trick.
"Perennials tend to be hardy,
require little effort and expense and
they're going to come back every
year," he said.
Growing food at home is also a
popular trend. As summer approaches,
put in a few tomato plants, some
squash and some herbs. Not only will
you save money on your food bill, but
if you haven't experienced the flavor of
a homegrown tomato, you're in for a
treat.
"If you don't have much land,
consider using window boxes or
pots," Downing said.
Large plastic garden pots can be
purchased inexpensively. Or you can
reuse five- and 10-gallon containers
from past plant purchases to grow
tomatoes and other veggies. It's also
useful if you are renting and don't
want to invest in permanent
vegetation.
Go green in a big way by learning
how to compost, turning food waste
and garden clippings into rich soil. You
save money on planting mix, mulch
and fertilizer. Go online and search
"composting" for information for how-
to information and classes in your area.
In the same vein, look into organic
remedies for insect repellents that are
not only safe but inexpensive.
Patience can also save you money.
"This year I'm seeing greater sales
in seeds and seedlings," Palafox said.
Gardeners are also looking at
fruiting trees.
"People are buying more edible
trees than ornamental today. They
look good in gardens and you have
something you can eat," he added.
When it comes to selecting larger
plants such as trees, it's your budget
vs. maturity. You always pay a
premium for size.
"The maples, birches and
sycamores, popular in gardens around
the country, generally cost $25 to
$30 in a five-gallon container and will
take about two years to reach the size
of one in a 15-gallon container,"
Palafox said. "But you'll pay from $70
to $80 for the larger tree."
Forego instant gratification. Within
a few years, few can differentiate
between landscapes of the big
spender and the patient gardener. ❏
— Creators News Service
 Michigan Solar
&
Wind Power Solutions
The Solution Rises Every Morning

INCENTIVES:
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DTE will pay 45%-50% of your
solar electric system!
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by this fall! Lower yours now!
WE OFFER:
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• Solar Electric Systems
• Solar Thermal Systems
• Solar Pool Heaters
• Wind Turbines - Horizontal axis or vertical axis
www.michigansolarsolutions.com
248-520-2474

SUMMER 2009 | SPACES 27

 WE
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8055 Commerce Road (2 blks. E. of Union Lk. Rd.) • Commerce Township
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28 SPACES | SCN COMMUNICATIONS GROUP