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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 10, 2018)
SIUSLAW NEWS | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2018 | 5B Fall Home Improvement Differences between harvest season’s favorite fruit: pumpkins, squash & gourds Oh my H gourd alloween takes place during a time of year characterized by earthen-colored chrysan- themums, leaf-lined walkways and crisp autumn air. As colorful as the costumes children wear for trick-or-treating may be, nature’s beauty is unsurpassed this time of year, and the scores of pumpkins, gourds and squashes on display only add to that colorful mélange. Th e Cucurbitaceae family may be best known for pumpkins, squash and gourds, but there actually are 800 species that belong to this family. While they share many of the same properties, these fruits each have their own unique attributes. Th e main diff erences between squashes, gourds and pumpkins is their intended pur- poses — whether they’re ornamental or edible. Seven uses for fallen leaves By the time autumn hits full swing, many trees will have shed their leaves for the season, and the last vestiges of red, yellow and orange magic will have faded to brown. Raking, blowing and col- lecting leaves becomes the primary chores of lawn and yard maintenance, and presents most homeowners with large piles of gath- ered leaves to tend to. It is impossible to count just how many leaves fall to the ground each year, or just how many pounds of leaves get col- lected curbside, but the num- bers are substantial. Cleaning up leaves is considerable work, but not all of those leaves need to be carted away. In fact, there are several diff erent uses of leaves that can be benefi cial. 1. Spread leaves as a protective mulch to cov- er tender perennials or root crops/bulbs in the ground. Th e leaves will form a natural insulating cover that keeps the soil and the plants within a bit warmer over winter. 2. Create a pile of leaves that will break down and form a crumbly, compost-like material called leaf mold. Even though leaf mold may sound like a blight, it’s actually a good amendment to garden soil, improving its structure and ability to hold water. Leaf mold also attracts benefi cial organisms that are vital in healthy soil. 3. Brown leaves can be added to green materials in compost piles to improve the health of the com- post being formed. According to the healthy living resource Care2, the ideal ratio is 75 percent brown to 25 percent green materials in compost. Turn compost piles regularly to aerate them. 4. Store dried, mulched leaves in a dry spot so they can be used in the spring as a weed barrier for spring plantings. Th ey will keep weeds at bay and help retain soil mois- ture to ensure small sprouts have the resources to grow. 5. Use shredded leaves as a lawn supplement. Pass a lawn mower over leaves left on the lawn to break them down into pieces too small to rake. Th is will help keep the lawn healthy throughout the winter without blocking out needed sunlight. 6. Bag dried leaves and pack them tightly togeth- er in cold areas of the home, such as basements or garages. Th ey can act as added insulation. Bags of leaves also can be placed around planting contain- ers to protect them from frost. 7. Gather a few of the best-looking leaves and preserve them. Use an iron on a low setting and press leaves between two pieces of waxed paper until the waxed paper seals together. Or use clear contact paper to achieve the same eff ect. Squash Squashes come in summer and winter va- rieties. Winter ones do not actually grow in the winter; in fact, they’re harvested in late summer and early fall, but the name refer- ences the hard shell casing that protects the tender pulp inside. Zucchini are summer squash because their outer fl esh is tender, while butternut, acorn, spaghetti and hub- bard squashes are winter squashes because they feature a tough skin. Even though it takes some eff ort to crack that shell, the dense, nutrient-rich fl esh inside is well worth the workout. Improve entertaining spaces Some homes are seemingly built for entertaining, while oth- ers may need a little help to make them more fi t for hosting dinner, holiday gatherings or an evening with friends. Overall, one-quarter of people entertain guests in their home either daily or weekly across the globe. One-third entertain monthly, according to fi ndings from GFK Insights. People who open their homes to loved ones may want to make some modifi cations to their spaces to improve the experience for all involved. • Tame the clutter. Look for ways to reduce clutter in rooms where entertaining takes place. Built-ins with bookshelves and cabinets can hide electronics and wayward toys or collectibles. Fo- cus attention on the entryway, hanging hooks for collecting coats, keys and shoes, so they do not overrun the foyer. Remove any knickknacks or other break- able items from shelves or on cof- fee tables to free up more space. Robyn, Jason and Connie “Clean as a Whistle” New Contruction Clean-Up Commercial P. O. Box 3257 • Florence, OR 97439 541-997-2385 • Licensed, Bonded & Insured Property Services Contractor #39458 • SAM: #831298500/7E6J9 • City License #2578 Neil’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning • Improve conversation seat- ing. Arrange tables and chairs to create conversation nooks for guests who want to talk and get to know one another better. Consider moving out big and bulky sofas in favor of love seats or comfortable chairs that will take up less room and improve fl ow in entertaining areas. • Find the pieces you like. Th ink about how you tend to en- tertain and then cater your space to those preferences. For exam- ple, a large dining table with fold-out extensions or leaves is ideal for someone who regular- ly hosts formal dinner parties. Renovate a room to include a small bar and club chairs for a lounge feel if cocktail parties are typical. • Improve lighting. Work with an electrician and/or designer who can off er ideas for lighting that can set the mood for enter- taining. Rooms that are dim can benefi t from overhead lighting fi xtures if there are none already available. Task lighting in the kitchen under cabinets can make it easy to prepare food for guests. Wall sconces or focused lighting on artwork can establish a dra- matic eff ect. • Do major construction. Con- sider working with a builder to make some changes if you simply don’t have the space to entertain. Taking down a wall can open kitchens to living spaces, while adding a deck or three-season room off the kitchen or dining room can provide more space for guests to congregate. • Install a guest bath. Update or add a bathroom near the main entertaining areas. Th is al- lows guests to discretely use the bathroom and keeps them from roaming in areas of the house you would prefer they avoid. Let locations inspire design 541-997-3825 • Certifi ed – Bonded – Insured Property Services Contractor #39458 • SAM: #831298500/7E6J9 • City License #2578 Jim & Gerry Pumpkins Pumpkins come in ornamental and edi- ble varieties. Even though all pumpkins can be consumed, some taste better than oth- ers. Small pumpkins tend to be decorative because, according to Nutritious Life, they do not have enough meat inside to make them worthy of cooking. However, sugar pumpkins are best for baking and cooking favorite recipes, states the resource Pump- kin Nook. Gourds Th e festive hues and fl avors of squashes, Gourds are essentially ornamental squash- gourds and pumpkins are one more thing es; they aren’t cultivated for eating. Instead that makes Halloween and autumn special. they are bred to look beautiful and unique Florence Janitorial Services “Our commitment is to our customers cleaning needs with honesty and integrity” in autumn centerpieces. Types of gourds in- clude autumn wing gourd, warted gourds, turban gourds and bottle gourds. Each gourd is unique in its shape and color. TheSiuslawNews.com Insect & Pest Removal Since 1983 Trapping Mole/Gopher Dead Animal Removal Honey Bee Removal Crawl Space Cleaning Exclusion Work Fumigation of Antiques and Commodities. (541) 997-4027 Homeowners looking to add fl air to their homes can fi nd in- spiration anywhere. Style can even be tailored to refl ect places homeowners have visited. Whether they call to mind the narrow streets of London, the sand-bleached beaches of a Ca- ribbean island or the urban buzz of New York City, designs can re- fl ect one’s travels and evoke some of the same feelings homeowners got when visiting their favor- ite places. Professional interior designers oft en pull inspiration from unique places, and so can homeowners who love to travel. Th ose who want to illustrate their wanderlust through their home’s decor can consider these tips. Work with colors Th ink about the colors that sig- nify a particular locale and bring those hues into the space. Th e color palettes of the beach, for example, include grays, beiges, blues and greens. Th e popular- ity of gray-tone neutrals allows homeowners to bring in these colors as a neutral backdrop, and then add a splash of whimsy with a few decorative accents. Try natural materials Vacation hotspots like Hawaii, Southern California and other areas of the Pacifi c tend to put heavy emphasis on natural ma- terials. Items like bamboo, sea grass, stones and woven baskets can invite the outdoors into a home. Embrace the cibe Urban centers are awash in en- ergy and color. Th is spirit can be refl ected with modern architec- ture, bold prints, metallic accents and innovative lighting. Overhead Door Company of Th e Oregon Coast™ Now serving the entire Oregon Coast. Staff ed locally with factory trained professionals. Residential and Commercial Garage Door Installation. 541.997.5008 • OverheadDoor.com CCB# 50460 Pick an inspiration piece Homeowners can direct their focus to one particular memen- to from a vacation or excursion. A vivid piece of artwork, a piece of furniture, a sculpture, or even a wardrobe element can serve as a catalyst for an entire room. Use this piece to match colors and textures. Remember, to evoke the spir- it of an area when decorating, keep it subtle. Too many details or over-the-top replication might seem like one is dressing a stage set rather than a home.