Home & Garden

Things tend to look drab and dreary after the holidays—so it's the perfect time to spruce up your home. Remodeling can be done on your terms—big projects, small projects, extensive remodels, or budget-minded fixes. No matter what you're wanting, there's advice on the Internet.

Yes, 'tis the season for traveling to visit family members. Unfortunately, it's also the season for increased break-ins and burglaries. But there are some simple tips you can follow to keep your home safe and sound till you return.

Pleasant autumn weather can turn into a deep freeze overnight, and the sudden change can catch unwary homeowners unprepared. Don't be one of them. Just follow these simple steps to get your plumbing ready to withstand the arrival of winter's chill.

• Disconnect your outside water hoses.

Summer is winding down here in Lake Country, but there's still plenty to look forward to in your garden. Even though the temperatures are getting cooler and the days are getting shorter, we can look forward to more planting, pruning, and harvesting.

Recent heat advisories triggered by the combination of high temperatures and high humidity have air conditioners running overtime and utility meters spinning out of control. It's July in Lake Country and the "dog days of summer" are here.

In Spanish they say, "Mi casa es su casa"—literally, "My house is your house." In Lake Country, if you're fortunate enough to own a lake home, this simple sentence may take on an entirely new meaning. Your home may become a favored site of friends and relatives yearning to relax and enjoy Minnesota's north woods.

Ready to garden? One ingredient that helps ensure a beautiful and productive growing season is compost. Here in Lake Country, where many of us are blessed with sand and more sand, compost is essential to improving soil structure, restoring soil fertility, conserving water, and reducing erosion.

How do you become a phenologist? Just watch what's happening around you and record what you see. That may sound too easy, but it really is that simple.

Winter's frigid temperatures are hard on us, on our pets, on our cars—and on our homes. Since the staff at Lake Country Journal Magazine is a hardy lot, I asked them for suggestions for helping your home survive when the mercury plummets.

When you choose a locally grown Christmas tree, you're doing more than just getting the freshest and healthiest tree for your family. You're also helping the local economy by purchasing an agricultural product from a local grower.

And nothing will compare with the fresh pine scent that permeates the air of your home and adds to your holiday celebrations.