“Thanksgiving
Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be
careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude.”
-E. P. Powell, American pastor and journalist, (1832 –
1915)
Tip of the Month
As
winter draws closer, it is time to start thinking about keeping
those you love warm. By this, of course we mean your roses!
When winter-protecting roses, remember that you are not only
protecting them from the cold, but also from strong winds
and unusually warm weather that may cause them to thaw prematurely.
Follow these steps to protect your roses from winter’s
threats:
1. Keep them well-watered. Fall rains usually
provide adequate water, but if the weather has been dry, water
deeply (to a depth of 18 inches or more) after the first frost
but before the ground freezes.
2. Extend the soil. In early to mid-fall,
when nights are regularly frosty, mound several spadefuls
of soil over the base of your roses, extending the soil to
at least a foot above the bud union. You can cut the canes
back to 3 or 4 feet high and tie them together with string
to make things easier. The part of the plant above the mound
will be pruned off in the spring anyway. Also, make sure to
get the soil from somewhere other than your plant’s
base – it’s best not to go digging around your
roses’ delicate roots.
3. Add a thick layer of mulch. When the ground
freezes completely, add at least a foot of mulch to the mound
of soil. This ensures that the ground stays frozen and that
all of the plant is protected from the elements. You should
pull off any leaves that are left on the plant since remaining
leaves can increase drying. To keep the mulch and soil from
shifting during the winter, you can wrap the bush in newspaper
and fill it with mulch, compost or straw and tie it together.
You can also purchase mesh cylinders or cones that fit over
the top of the plant and can be filled with your preferred
material.
4. Start removing the soil mound in the spring.
When the ground begins to thaw, start removing the soil, gently.
Don’t get started too early, as a late cold snap can
be damaging. Remove the soil very carefully, as you may find
new growth beginning. If you are concerned about damaging
your plant, apply a gentle stream of water to remove the soil
instead.
Source: Roses for Dummies by Lance Walheim and The Editors
of the National Gardening Association, Wiley Publishing, Inc.,
2000.
Welcome to the November
2007 issue of “At Home with HouseHunt,”
HouseHunt’s monthly consumer newsletter. Just
like that… we’re getting ready to call it
a year on 2007, but not before we get to celebrate some
of the best holidays of the year. It’s important
for homeowners to remain (at least) a step ahead of
burglars, so make sure you read our informative article
on how to protect your family and valuables by bewildering
would-be burglars. It’s never too early to plan
for your spring lawn and garden; be sure to read this
month’s feature on tips to help “Winterize”
your garden. A “buyers market” isn’t
a 100% guarantee that a buyer will get the best deal
out there. If you want to learn how to get the best
deal for yourself as a buyer, you need to spend some
time with our stories, “Buy Better in a Buyers
Market,” and “Getting the Most Out of a
Buyers Market.” Like anything in life, buying
a home isn’t as easy it some make it seem to be.
That’s why we’re presenting a story this
month that covers all the basic skills required to buy
a home. Finally, look for our tip of month on how to
best care for your roses during this time of year and
be sure to experiment with our featured recipe…
the perfect ending for any Thanksgiving meal! The HouseHunt Team - Information
you need for all your real estate needs
Survey Question
In selecting a real estate agent to help you get top dollar on your home in today’s sluggish market, what would be the top two skills you are seeking? (Please select one answer and hit submit)
Take
full advantage of the season and try this warm, satisfying
dessert this Thanksgiving or during any fall get-together.
For the best apples, try visiting your local farmer's
market for interesting varieties. more>>
If you want the healthiest lawn and garden in the neighborhood
come spring, you must do plenty of preparation now,
before the weather grows colder.
more>>
Some
buyers hear “buyers market” and think they
will automatically get a good deal for a beautiful home.
Since the reality isn’t nearly as simple as that,
we’ll tell you how to buy better in a down market.
more>>
Now
is the time for buyers to ask for the things they wouldn't
normally have a chance of getting. If you're thinking
of buying, a recent Realty Times article will tell you
what to ask for. more>>
The current market makes it tough for everyone, buyers
and sellers alike, albeit for different reasons. A recent
Realty Times article places emphasis on basic home buying
skills as the key to home ownership. more>>
Feedback: Please tell us what you think of this newsletter. Just send us
an email.
Take
full advantage of the season and try this warm, satisfying
dessert this Thanksgiving or during any fall get-together.
For the best apples, try visiting your local farmer's
market for interesting varieties. 
You
are more at risk for a home burglary than you might
think. We'll give you some simple ways to protect your
home and valuables. 
If you want the healthiest lawn and garden in the neighborhood
come spring, you must do plenty of preparation now,
before the weather grows colder. 
Some
buyers hear “buyers market” and think they
will automatically get a good deal for a beautiful home.
Since the reality isn’t nearly as simple as that,
we’ll tell you how to buy better in a down market.
Now
is the time for buyers to ask for the things they wouldn't
normally have a chance of getting. If you're thinking
of buying, a recent Realty Times article will tell you
what to ask for. 
The current market makes it tough for everyone, buyers
and sellers alike, albeit for different reasons. A recent
Realty Times article places emphasis on basic home buying
skills as the key to home ownership.