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It’s not too late to prune your crepe myrtles!

12 Thursday Mar 2015

Posted by sueray530 in Uncategorized, Yard Tips

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Crepe Myrtle photoIf you live in the Nashville area – or almost anywhere in the south, crepe myrtle bushes are one of the most beautiful flowering shrubs. During the late spring and into the summer, depending on the variety, these bushes fill with large clusters of red, pink or white blooms. To keep them at the desired height and in the desired shape, pruning needs to be done each year during the bushes’ dormant stage. If a year or two of pruning is skipped, or if you purchase a property that has existing overgrown crepe myrtles on it, you may have to do a more severe pruning to bring the flowering shrub back to its original glory.

“Crepe murder” is a term used to describe the pruning technique that leaves the crepe myrtle bushes looking like bare sticks with pom-poms protruding from the stick tops. The correct way to prune crepe myrtle bushes is to simply prune away last season’s growth during the winter when the bush is dormant. Prune away the long, dormant limbs that grew during the summer and all of the seedpods. Also cut away sucker growth that sprouts from the bottom of the bushes’ trunk.

Before you start, it’s a good idea to know what you’re trying to accomplish – you can always go back and cut more. The objective is to maintain well-spaced, main trunks with handsome bark and to thin out the center to permit easy penetration of sunlight and air.

Late winter is the best time to prune a crepe myrtle, because it’s leafless and you can easily see all of the branches – but it’s not too late to do it now. This weekend, go out and enjoy the warmer temperatures we’ve been having and prune back your crepe myrtles and enjoy them in your landscaping for years to come.

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Plan your Furniture Purchases – and Keep the Future for Your Home in Mind

25 Friday Oct 2013

Posted by sueray530 in Uncategorized

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furniture, redecorating

If you are like my husband and I, we are in the midst of getting ready for the holidays and preparing for friends and family who will be visiting. It always spurs us on to fix up the house and consider purchasing a few pieces of furniture. If you plan your purchases wisely, when it comes time to resell your home, you will be in good shape. One of the issues that homeowners have when trying to prepare their homes for the market is the type of furniture they have and how much of it. Staging a home to look it’s absolute best has certainly become critical in the housing market. Here are some tips to consider if you are purchasing new items for your home that will save you money and make home staging easier in the future:

• Buy smaller. A sofa or love seat is much easier to stage in a conversational group with two chairs than a big sectional.

• Buy solid colors. Any solid color upholstery is easier to stage than a print. If you want to add pattern – do so with throw pillows.

• Avoid “sets of furniture”. Odd collections and groupings can create a more sophisticated style and “eclectic” look.

• Avoid country furnishings. A country piece here or there is fine – but don’t over do, making it look too “cute”. • In bedrooms it’s always good to highlight a bed with attractive bedspreads, duvets, and pillows. You can create a very high-end look if you buy good quality. If the bed is large – use a light colored spread. Don’t over crowd the room, but if it is large enough, create a sitting area for two people.

• Don’t line every wall with furniture. It will make the rooms appear smaller.

• Be sure to add furniture and decorating touches to your outside living areas. These have become extensions of living space, and they are enticing to future buyers. Most of all…have fun! The beautiful environment your family can enjoy now will make it more ready to show if you decide to sell it in the future.

Most of all…have fun!  The beautiful environment your family can enjoy now will make it more ready to show if you decide to sell it in the future.

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Random Acts of Kindness Week

10 Sunday Feb 2013

Posted by sueray530 in Uncategorized

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Random Acts of KindnessI learned about this last year and think its such a great idea!  According to the website http://www.actsofkindness.org, February 11-17 is designated as Random Acts of Kindness Week.  The goal is to perform at least one act of kindness each day, and enjoy the wonderful feeling that comes from it.  Who knows…it could carry over throughout the year and your community could certainly be a happier place.  Let’s all give it a try!

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