Home & Garden 2012

GARDEN

MAT-SU VALLEY

HOME&

a supplement to the April 13, 2012 edition of the

Home Improvements page 3

Landscaping page 6

Alaska Gardening Workshop Schedule page 10

Home & Garden April 13, 2012

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April 13, 2012 Home & Garden

In lieu of purchasing new homes, many budget-conscious residents are looking

into improving their current homes. These after-market upgrades are a great way to breathe new life into your home and increase its resale value.

While adding new rooms, a garage, or maybe an extra bathroom are common major renovations that help accommodate growing families and utilize property space, even smaller upgrades can improve your home exponentially. There are many reasons to make upgrades to your current space and the options vary by owner budget and needs.

“Upgrading the kitchen, flooring, painting, and landscaping, the little things make a big difference,” explained Kristi Tanner, of

the Kristan Cole Team of Wasilla.

She said she has also seen a trend toward residents purchasing foreclosures and looking for ways to improve on the home.

Alaska’s cold weather can cause heating bills to skyrocket in the winter, and it makes a serious dent in the family budget. Improvements designed to make your home more energy efficient are a great option for families looking to save money in the long term. Finding the right heating system, water heater, and proper insulation are common improvements. Even small factors such as door and window replacements can go a long way toward creating substantial savings.

New appliances or remodeling specific

rooms, such as the kitchen or bathrooms, are creative ways to improve your home’s value and livability. Creating additional storage space, such as expanding closets, are also good ways to make extra room for a growing family.

When looking to do any kind of remodeling, the person you hire to do the work is an important consideration.

“Reputation, price, quality, and experience” – all things to consider when choosing a contractor, according to Tanner.

Flawless Construction of Wasilla is one of several residential construction contractors in the area. The company’s website provides additional advice on the importance of choosing a trustworthy

Home Improvements Can Add Value to Your Investment

by Erika Moon/ Frontiersman

cont. on Page 5

Frontiersman File Photo


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Valley homeowners have their own set of challenges when it comes to getting quality water in their homes. Fortunately,

there are local experts to help.

Water quality is important to the health of your household. From-the-tap well water may bring with it harmful or distasteful contaminants, including iron deposits, chlorides and arsenic.

Eric Kitter of Mat-Su Water explained that many of his clients have moved to the Valley from Anchorage and are used to city water. When they move into a Valley home that uses well water, they are faced with filtration difficulties.

“Iron and arsenic are probably the biggest hassles across the Valley,” he said.

Mike Stoll, with Alaska Water Conditioning, listed water hardness as another common issue, but added that water testing is important because everyone’s water varies so much. Some clients are on city water and dealing with hardness and chlorine, while well-water clients are faced with sulfur and silt in their tap water.

Stoll offered the following advice on water testing:

■ Testing for all contaminants can be costly and is not usually necessary.

■ At a minimum, an analysis for coliform bacteria and arsenic should be performed.

■ Nitrates are less prevalent than arsenic and coliform bacteria, but have been found in high quantities in Alaska and therefore should be considered.

Both companies serve a wide range of locations, from the Palmer-Wasilla area out to Glennallen. Alaska Water Conditioning’s clientele even includes residents in Cordova and Dillingham. These areas have their own specific obstacles and often require specialized systems.

Kitter listed a sediment filter as the minimum installed system for a home on well water. “We have earthquakes and debris that gets into the water that you want to catch before it gets into the plumbing,” he said.

Also a typical request in the local area is a water softener to remove calcium and iron buildup. These systems usually cost around $2,000 to install.

Water Quality in the Valleyby Erika Moon/ Frontiersman



The 32nd Annual

Home ShowPreview of Homes

Curtis D. Menard Sports Complex - Wasilla, AKThe Preview of Homes publication will be inserted in the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman on Friday, April 20th

For the preview of homes publication and map, please visit our website:

www.MATSUHOMEBUILDERS.orgThe Home Show and Preview of Homes is proudly sponsored by:

Friday, April 27th

12pm - 7pm

Saturday, April 28th

10am - 6pm

Sunday, April 29th

11am - 4pm

Advanced Tickets: $4.00

General Admission: $5.00

65+ or 12 & under: FREE

Bring 5 cans of food: FREE

Friday after 7pm: FREE

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contractor. “Make it a point to see the contractor Licensing, Bonding and Workers Compensation paperwork before your project start date.”

The licensing aspect is important because if a customer hires an unlicensed contractor, the customer is basically being an employer.

“This means the customer will be responsible to make payroll contribution and provide workers compensation to their employee,” according to Flawless Construction. “If the employee is hurt in any way on the job, the homeowner is the responsible party and could be stuck with lawsuits and liability for the employee.”

A bond is your insurance policy in case the contractor does not complete the project according to your specifications.

As with any other investment agreement, it is always important to check your potential contractor’s references and applicable portfolio to ensure that they are capable of completing your project to your standards.

Home Improvements (continued)


Call Vickie Hudson (907) 250-0041New Construction Specialist

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With summer approaching, many homeowners and potential buyers are

anxiously looking to the outside and what is waiting under the mounds of snow. For some, there is definite room for improvement.

Alaska’s residential areas don’t generally look like those found in Lower 48 suburban neighborhoods. The lawns are rarely cookie-cutter images from magazines. But there are many options to upgrade your landscaping to fit your particular needs.

“One of the things that differentiates the Alaskan home market compared to those of Seattle and other cities is that the banking loan system doesn’t require landscaping,” explained Fritz Hoffman of Rock Ridge Services.

Many contractors do not include landscaping in the cost to build the home, and stop at clearing the land, laying gravel, and basic required maintenance around the foundation. Even so, Hoffman admits that it is unusual for him to install a lawn around a new home, as the motivation to develop through landscaping comes entirely from the owner.

Ideally, at least the basic lawn should be done when the house is originally built, according to Eric Meester, with Scoop Up Landscaping. From his experience, this typically does not happen because of the great expense.

“There isn’t usually a lot of money left over after the house is built, so (landscaping) isn’t usually a priority,” he said. “But there is definitely money to be saved (by investing in basic landscaping).” He explained that it will

A Little Landscaping Goes A Long Wayby Erika Moon/ Frontiersman



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be potentially more expensive down the road after the asphalt has been installed, causing issues for the landscaper. This can be avoided by at least investing in a lawn right off the bat.

There’s also the mud issue.

Alaska is notorious for its wet weather in the late summer/fall when many homes are being completed, Meester said. With new construction, installing a lawn immediately covers up the mess. It also makes the impending post-winter “break-up” snow-melting period less daunting for yard cleanup.

For many, however, actual progress toward a beautiful yard doesn’t begin until years into ownership, and is entirely based on the living situation. Creating a clean play area for children, and establishing privacy and respect for new neighbors are both common life changes that create the desire to landscape.

“It usually takes two to three visits to really understand what is going to work for (the client).” Hoffman said. “There is so much to discuss to bring the client’s fantasy into reality within their budget. It all depends on how they visualize their property.”

Outside of the basic lawn installation, Hoffman listed fences for privacy, flat areas for swing and play sets, fire pits, and a patio or deck as some of the more popular property improvements for Valley homeowners.

So is it worth the effort and financial investment to make even basic landscape improvements to your home?

Carrie Butler, of the Kristan Cole Team in Wasilla, described some good basic improvements to consider when looking to enhance the market value of your home from the outside in, including a basic lawn, trees, evergreen shrubs, and perennial gardens to accent the house and property.

“It is definitely worth it,” Butler said. From a resale perspective, “Curb appeal is huge – it’s the first thing a buyer notices.”

LAWN CARE BASICSEhow.com has some tips for basic lawn care, and achieving a nice lawn doesn’t have to be hard work. According to the how-to website:

■ Water your lawn according to the climate, soil type and grass type. Most lawns need about 2.25 inches of water a week in a hot climate. In Alaska, your lawn likely needs less. Use a probe to see how far grass roots delve into the soil. Roots 6 inches deep in a sandy soil only need about a half-inch of water, while grass growing in a hard clay will need three times as much.

■ Mow frequently and never cut more than one-third of the grass height. Keep grass between 2.5 and 3 inches tall and leave the clipped ends on the lawn. It decomposes and adds nutrients to the soil. Keep mower blades sharp. Dull blades cause brown tips.

■ Fertilize frequently during the growing season. Feed in the early spring, late spring, late summer and at the end of the growing season. Fertilizer high in nitrogen designed specifically for grass is the best option.

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Mom may appreciate chocolate or flowers. But for children who want to offer her something a little

more special — especially for their eco-conscious moms — there are a number of different gift options to make Mom’s big day as eco-friendly as it is enjoyable.

An eco-friendly gift for Mom is a gift that keeps on giving. When you jot down your gift idea list, think about adding these “green” gifts.

■ Make a basket of gardening gear. Garden plants and supplies are perhaps the greenest gifts to give Mom. Plants are so plentiful and varied that there are bound to be ideal flowers or greenery for every mother’s tastes. Compile different gardening essentials, such as seeds or

seedlings, organic soil mix, mulch, all-natural compost, and a few different planting containers. You can also include gardening gloves and ergonomic tools made of recycled materials. Finish the gift with the inclusion of a book that describes different garden designs and gives tips for beginners.

■ Dine at a local restaurant. Many families take Mom out for a meal on her special day. To make the experience eco-friendly, select among restaurants that are close to home in the area. Explore the possibilities of restaurants that may serve foods made with local, organic ingredients. If you cannot find such a restaurant, do not worry, just choose a local establishment to conserve fuel.

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■ Pay for a car tune-up. Improving the gas mileage on Mom’s car is one gift that can be environmentally friendly. According to the United States Department of Energy, keeping a car in shape can help save money and improve fuel economy. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve Mom’s gas mileage by as much as 40 percent. Also, be sure to have her car tires properly inflated. She can be losing gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop in all four tires. Getting an oil change with the recommended grade of motor oil is another gas mileage improvement measure.

■ Purchase eco-friendly kitchen items. It may be a major faux pas to give Mom an appliance or a new vacuum for Mother’s Day. However, if your mother is an avid cook or baker, she may appreciate some new mixing bowls or utensils made from recycled materials. If Mom is the consummate entertainer, get her new glass tumblers and sipping straws made from recycled glass. They are perfect for serving cocktails and outdoor entertaining.

■ Pamper mom with organic products. What mom doesn’t enjoy a little pampering from time to time? You can treat your mother to a spa experience at home by assembling a basket full of organic shampoo, conditioner, massage oils, bath salts, and any other organic spa items you can find.

■ Select organic fruits and flowers. Companies like organicbouquet.com can assemble a bouquet made from responsibly grown flowers or even a wreath for a wall or door. They also have food gifts, from organic fruits to nuts.

■ Spend the day outdoors. Most moms cherish any gift from their children, whether lavish or simple. A nice, eco-friendly gift is to spend time together. Research local parks or hiking trails and plan a day where you both commune with nature. Or even head to the seaside for a relaxing day. Explore the landscape and be on the lookout for birds and washed up treasure from the sea. Plan to finish the day with a homemade, picnic lunch.



As more and more of our yards finally begin to appear from this winter’s heavy snowpack, Valley residents’ minds are turning to the pleasant prospect of gardening season. The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service wants that prospect to be a successful one. For that reason it will soon be offering its free Gardening in Alaska Workshop Series:

Alaska Gardening 101: Sometimes becoming a successful Alaska gardener is forgetting everything you learned Outside about gardening. This two-hour class is ideal for those new to Alaska or new to gardening in Alaska. Topics will include garden planning, site selection, soil sampling, organic and conventional fertilization and more. Program will take place April 30, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Composting in Alaska: If you think composting is just piling leaves, lawn clippings and kitchen scraps in the corner of your yard, think again. This workshop will teach you how to make compost in weeks, not in months and years like most gardeners. Topics will include what materials to use to get the right nitrogen/carbon balance, soil science and the fundamentals of organic gardening. Program will take place May 1, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Lawn Establishment and Maintenance:

Establishing a beautiful lawn is one of the most inexpensive things you can do to improve the value of your home. A properly maintained lawn is also environmentally friendly because vigorously growing grass can reduce non-point source pollution, which is

the leading cause of water pollution. This workshop will teach you how to make even the most rag-tag lawn the envy of your neighborhood. Topics include grass selection, yard preparation, appropriate fertilization, proper mowing, best watering practices and weed control. Program will take place May 2, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Chicken University: What do chickens and gardening have in common? Lots! Chicken manure is one of the best-balanced natural fertilizers available, and the homegrown eggs and meat are excellent. Learn the fundamentals of cold-weather chicken rearing at this workshop. Topics include bird selection, nutrition, coop design, hygiene, incubation, getting hens to lay and, believe it or not, chicken psychology. Program will take place May 4,

6:30 8 p.m.

All four of these courses will be taught by Mat-Su/Copper River District Agriculture Agent Steve Brown. Classes will take place downstairs at the Matanuska Telephone Association Conference Rooms, 480 Commercial Drive, Palmer. Workshops are free, but seating is limited and registration is required. To register, sign up on our website at www.uaf.edu/ces/districts/matsu, email us at [email protected] or call us at 745-3360.

For more information about horticulture, nutrition, health, home and family development or 4-H and youth development programs, visit at 809 S. Chugach St. in Palmer. Find us online at uaf.edu/ces.

Stephen Brown is the Mat Su/Copper River District Agriculture Agent.

Frontiersman File Photos

Gardening in Alaska workshop series is comingBy Stephen Brown, Ph.D. Mat Su/Copper River District Agriculture Agent


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Home & Garden 2012

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