Painting a fence can be a tedious job at the best of time. People avoid it for as long as possible. But the time you spend can have a huge impact on your property – and property value.

If your fence is in need of a fresh coat, or if you want to update the colour scheme this year, early spring is the best time to tackle it. Waiting until plants have grown to a point of being an interference and the leaves on the trees need to be restrained will make the job a lot tougher – and a lot more daunting.

Follow these simple tips to help reduce the workload and improve the end result;

Check with Neighbours – Even solid ‘privacy’ fencing will let paint show through on the neighbour’s side, especially if you use a sprayer. Best to do both sides at once using an agreed-upon colour or stain.

Buy the Best - When you compare labour vs. materials, fence painting is definitely heavy on the labour side. Be sure to buy the best paint and primer you can afford. It will last longer and save you time and money in the long run. And remember to use only eco-friendly products.

Clear the Site - Tie back or prune away all vegetation that is growing on or that can come in contact with the fence. Cut the grass and trim all ground growth. Dig away a few centimeters around posts. Rake up all the debris so it doesn’t blow in the wind and ruin your freshly painted surfaces.

Prep Properly - As noted above, painting a fence takes time. You don’t want to have to repaint sooner than you should. Proper preparation will save time and money long term;
• Cover the ground and nearby bushes so you don't get paint on them.
• Clean the fence thoroughly with soap and water, using a scrub brush to scour away the years of grime that have accumulated.
• Scrape away any paint that is starting to peel.
• Sand all surfaces, especially where paint has peeled.
• Tape over any hinges or latches.

Painting - A brush works best for edges, cracks and crevices, but consider a roller for large flat areas. Sprayers are another option, but watch out for over-spray if the area is too tight. Be sure to choose a day when rain or freezing temperatures are not expected for 48 hours. Remember, painting in the shade produces a smoother finish than in direct sunlight. Plan on 2 coats. First prime the entire fence - use a dark primer if the finish colour is dark – then the finish colour.

Without trees, life as we know it would not exist! Functioning as air filters for the world, trees’ importance cannot be understated or ignored. They are essential! And the more trees the better, to counter the effects of global warming.

This year, why not celebrate Earth Day by adding a tree or two to your yard. It’s a win-win! Your home environment is enhanced by the trees’ beauty, shade, shelter - and the birds. Plus, we all benefit from cleaner air and a healthier environment.

Coincidently, Earth Day - April 22nd - is an ideal time of year to plant both deciduous and evergreen trees in Canada. So the choice is yours! Plus, this year Earth Day coincides with a statutory holiday, so you have the time you need, no excuses.

Consider carefully before buying a tree. Would additional shade be useful in an area of the yard baked by the summer sun? Could a properly-placed fir help block some of those bitter winter winds? Do you have a neighbour who’s yard you wouldn’t mind blocking out? Could the front yard benefit from a blast of colour? 

Visit a local nursery for their knowledge and advice, and to view all the many wild and wonderful new tree specimens. After a little digging, sweating and grunting, you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy the fruit – perhaps literally – of your labour for years to come, and the warm feeling of being a part of Earth Day.

“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”
~Margaret Atwood

Planning on picking up a few treats for the young ones for Easter? Consider these suggestions for a green Easter this April 24th;

Dye Naturally – Foods like onion skins, turmeric, and beets make natural dyes that impart deep, rich, beautiful colour to your eggs.

Wooden Eggs – Consider decorating wooden Easter eggs instead of real ones. They last for years, can be repainted as often as you like, and make wonderful gifts.

Locally-Sourced Easter Dinner – Impress family and friends with an eco-friendly Easter meal that incorporates as many organic and local ingredients as possible.

Spring has sprung! Gardening has begun, or will very soon. Check out our list of helpful – if not unusual – gardening tips, tricks and tidbits. Did j’a know;

• Eggshell halves make a great ‘pot’ in which to start plants indoors. When you put them in the ground, simply crack the shells around the roots - a natural fertilizer.
• Remember the "R" rule when considering planting or moving a tree or shrub; it's OK to plant or transplant in any month with an "R" in it.
• If your hands get badly stained from gardening, add a teaspoon of sugar to the soap lather when washing your hands.
• Plant a few sprigs of dill near your tomato plants to keep tomato worms away.
• Marigold plants help prevent rodents.
• The saying ‘peonies need ants to bloom’ is an old wives' tale. Ants just feed on the sap of the unopened bloom.
• Strawberries, the first fruit to ripen, are actually a member of the rose family -  and the only fruit that has it’s seed on the outside.
• The onion is a lily, botanically.
• The Daisy got its name because it resembles the sun. Originally called the "day's eye", over time it became daisy.
• To keep cats from using your garden as a litter basket, cut up pruned rose clippings and spread around problem areas. Cats hate the thorns.

Many an avid golfer will tell you that the most important tournament on this continent is The Masters, held the first full week of April each year. Get back into the swing of the game this year with our Masters Quiz. Challenge your golfing buddies to determine which of you is the true ‘Masters Master’;

1. What year did Augusta National open?
2. What was on the site of Augusta National before Bobby Jones bought the property for his golf club?
3. What is each hole named after?
4. What is the name of the creek runs in front of the No. 12 green?
5. Jack Nicklaus holds the record for most wins at the Masters having donned the green jacket this many times. 
6. At 46 years, 2 months and 23 days, this man became the oldest player to win a Masters Tournament.
7. At 21 years, 3 months and 14 days, this man became the youngest player to win a Masters Tournament.
8. Has an amateur ever won the Masters?
9. Who hosts the annual Champions Dinner held exclusively for only those who have won a Masters Tournament?
10. Amen Corner refers to which three particularly difficult consecutive holes?

See last article - Masters Quiz Answers - to see how you did.

Decks and outdoor living spaces have become a key element in homes today. The variety of materials, styles and features of decks is infinitely vast.

If you are planning a deck this spring, allow me to share what I think is a very useful, well-designed fastening system for wooden decking.

If you go with the traditional nails or screws to hold down the deck boards, you leave unsightly holes. These holes become the starting point for rot and peeling paint, since they act like little cups – collecting any water that falls into them.

Now there are new deck fasteners that leave the surface unblemished.  It makes your deck look better and last longer. Check out this site for details.

“I think of myself as an intelligent, sensitive human being with the soul of a clown, which always forces me to blow it at the most important moments.” ~Jim Morrison

“I'm glad I don't play (professional baseball) anymore. I could never learn all those handshakes.” ~Phil Rizzuto

“There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with chocolate.”  ~Linda Grayson

“If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?” ~George Carlin