“Valentining” the inhabitants of your home and garden

-- Jc Drobac

Show some love—in the yard.
Treat the outdoor creatures. Roll bread or an apple in peanut butter and hang near a window for the birds. Then sit back and let your family and your family cat enjoy the view. Throw out passed-its-prime fruit, veggies and bread—into the yard, not the garbage—and help the “land crew” fill their bellies during a challenging season. Love your wildlife year ‘round. Keep that birdfeeder full — especially during life-threatening winter months. Some birds will come to rely on it all year, so it is vital to keep it full, especially when snow or ice threatens their food supply. Strive for “Most Popular” in the neighborhood. Add an electric wand to birdbaths so birds and critters have water all winter long.

Take it outside.
Shut off outside water lines to prevent pipes from bursting. It’s not too late. We’re still likely to see some brutal, persistent temperature dips, which could cause moisture and structural problems in your home.

Mulch, yes! It’s not too late to apply mulch to the garden! The lack of snow—and strong gusts—threaten plant survival now and in the spring. Plants can be tricked into early growth, only leaving them vulnerable to a late spring cold snap. Some garden centers still have bales of haw or straw to toss on for protection. Bed sheets work in a pinch, too.

Romancing the Family.
Romantics, some say, are considered “perceptive of their loved one’s needs” and take the time to show it. Make loved ones really feel loved by truly hearing what they are saying — and not saying. Listen without judgment or conditions, and you will receive the gift of their trust. They will share with you their thoughts and needs. Put aside the desire to “solve” or “cure” their problems. Instead, show your love through attentiveness and empathy. (You don’t even need to agree with them. Just listening will validate their feelings.)

Get choked up. Express yourself. Thwart the standard, consumer-driven angle of Valentine’s Day by speaking your love. Express to each family member and each good friend exactly how you feel about them in a homemade card that will touch their hearts and be treasured for years.

Challenge yourself — get really real about that person’s importance in your life, and then don’t hold back. Write it all down. Present your beautiful creation to each of them one-on-one, or in the midst of a family gathering. Read the cards aloud for even more impact, closing by handing each adored one their card. This will affect them today and for many Valentine’s days to come.

Phone good friends, expressing their irreplaceable importance. Following up with a hand-written card in the mail will be appreciated, too.

Do it inside.
Insulate pipes. For pipes that lie on an exterior wall, or in unheated basements or crawl spaces, protect them from freezing by surrounding them with heat tape. Measure the length of pipe to protect and attach the heat tape with cable ties or tape, or wrap the tape around the pipe. Plug the heat tape into an outlet to ensure smooth water flow through any deep freeze.

Dehumidify. Basements in Minnesota can draw moisture and become a breeding ground for mold and mildew growth. A dehumidifier will minimize unnecessary moisture and reduce the likelihood that mildew and mold will take hold. A water and bleach solution (10:1), and a stiff-bristled brush will effectively remove any spores on walls or floors, and the dehumidifier should help keep them at bay. If water in the basement is a constant issue, consider installing a sump pump.

Breaking the ice.
Ice dams on the roof can make for water damage inside the house. An ounce of do-it-yourself prevention is worth of pound of professional, expensive cure.

Ice dams are the accumulation of ice and snow that form along the edge of your roof—at just about the gutter. They prevent the water from melting snow on the roof from running into the gutter as it should. This imbalance can cause the stuck ice and snow to keep re-freezing, creating a solid block (dam) of ice. It can build up and get under the shingles, through the underlayment, and seep into the attic ceiling and walls.

The key to avoiding ice dams is ventilation. Aim for a consistent temperature from the roof fascia to the ridge. Make sure the ridge vent or gable vents are clean, unobstructed and facilitate good ventilation.

Install insulation. Roll out (or blow) insulation so that it lies on top of the ceiling. But be sure insulation doesn’t touch the roof. The air can then ventilate freely, circulate under the entire roof, and keep an even temperature all over the attic.

Now that you’ve successfully TLC’d your family, yard, house and critters, check out the March issue for info on the free Perennial Plant Swap at Como Park in May, and garden “ wake-up” tips.

The Metropolitan Home || Calendar || Masthead || Contact
Metropolitan State University Homepage

All material © Metropolitan 2005, except as noted. All rights reserved.