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12 Sunday, March 24, 2019 The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com HOme & Garden

2019

Tulips grow in front of the Chapel of Memories at

Mississippi State University Sunday, March 19.
Photo by Luther Shields/Dispatch Staff
The Dispatch
Sunday, March 24, 2019
2 Sunday, March 24, 2019 The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com HOme & Garden HOme & Garden The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com Sunday, March 24, 2019 11
10 Sunday, March 24, 2019 The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com HOme & Garden HOme & Garden The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com Sunday, March 24, 2019 3

Shopping to reduce food waste is easy on the wallet too Home updates that pay off
By TRACEE M. HERBAUGH October, sells “ugly produce” boxes in the StatePoint to create amazing, but not overwhelming,
The Associated Press Northeast. Customer sign-ups have grown spaces.

W
10-fold in the first five months of business,

A
n expired date on an egg carton.
Browning avocados. The Chinese
takeout from last week. They’re all
foods likely destined for the trash.
If you’re hoping to reduce household
food waste, experts say there are two key
things to do: Eat what you have, and buy
only what you need.
Practicing smarter shopping is not only
green for its environmental impact; it saves
you money.
“People need to really think through
whether they need to be buying as much
food as they are,” said Jonathan Deutsch, a
professor of culinary arts and food science
at Drexel University in Philadelphia and
author or editor of six books on food man-
agement.
We can rethink what we define as waste,
Deutsch pointed out. A bruised apple or the
green leaves encasing a head of cauliflower
can be easily repurposed into a sauce or
side dish.
“A good cook can make a good meal out
of what’s already in most people’s houses,”
he said.
“Make sure you’re buying only what you
need, and then be sure to use it.”
The world’s food waste problem is
well-documented and multi-faceted. Some
estimates put global waste at 30 percent of
all food. This is in spite of the 795 million
people suffering from chronic hunger,
according to numbers from the United Na-
Fortunately, there are ways to make your
grocery shopping more environmentally
friendly.
Buying expired or “last chance” produce
at the supermarket is one way 38-year-old
Jule Eisendick reduces waste. Eisendick
has been practicing a low- to zero-waste
lifestyle while traveling, and writes about it
on her blog, The Happy Choices .
“I only buy fresh produce when the old
one is gone,” she said, adding she tries
to use every part of a fruit or vegetable.
She might make chips with leftover potato
peels, or throw remaining carrot and beet
tops into a salad. “What I don’t use goes
into compost.”
small or bruised produce is left in the field.
Sometimes, markets have too much of one
particular food so the rest could get tossed
by the wholesaler. And it’s common for
grocery stores to reject foods that don’t look
like what the customer expects.
In the last few years, however, a second-
ary market for these “rejects” has arisen.
Now they can be donated or sold.
Two such companies are Misfits Mar-
ket , based in Philadelphia, and Imperfect
Produce , from San Francisco. Both have
partnered with farmers to rescue rejected
produce. Customers sign up online for a
delivered box of funny-looking fruits or
veggies. The box is then delivered to their
according to Abhi Ramesh, Misfits Market’s
chief executive officer.
“There’s a tremendous interest in doing
something to reduce food waste,” Ramesh
said. “People know it’s a huge problem.”
By comparison, the Imperfect Produce
website touts some 40 million pounds of
produce saved through its business model
since the company was founded in 2015.
The boxes of rejected produce are current-
ly available in 15 cities, but the company
plans to expand service to 12 more areas by
the end of the year.
“There are some really funny-looking
fruits and vegetables,” said Ben Simon,
CEO and co-founder of Imperfect Produce.
“Some are really anthropomorphic . a pota-
to that looks like a teddy bear.”
Still, this food is fine to eat, Simon said.
“Maybe there’s an orange that is slightly
smaller than one you’d find at a grocery
store,” he said.
The convenience of these home deliv-
ery services appeals to busy professionals.
Customers can choose the size of the box
and frequency of delivery.
Zucu Ingersoll, a 36-year-old San Fran-
cisco Bay Area resident, has subscribed
to Imperfect Produce for almost a year,
and said the most unusual piece of food
she recalls getting was an oversized head
of cabbage. Getting the deliveries has cut
down on time spent going to buy food.
hether you’re remodeling for a
fresh take on an old style or con-
templating a new build, there are
choices you can make that will definitely
pay off, say experts.
To add value to your project, consider
these recommended tips from Stephen
Quick of Stephen Alexander Homes, build-
er of the 2018 Coastal Virginia Magazine
Idea House.
Once an afterthought, lighting takes
center stage in a home’s design. “Consid-
er your lighting needs at the start of the
project. Wait too long and it can become
expensive to move or add lights,” advises
Quick.
When planning lighting basics, think of
the design as a whole: choose your deco-
rative lighting fixtures at the same time you
choose recessed. A large fixture throws a
lot of light, so keep adjacent recessed lights
to a minimum.
Dimming capabilities are a must, and
Quick recommends using “smart” dimmers
like Hubbell’s iDevice to customize the
dimming range. The control offered by
these dimmers means you can use larger
statement lighting pieces with many bulbs
Get more bang for your buck with these spring home improvements
StatePoint
Quick tends to use lighting with a
classic foundation, but loves to play with
the eclectic. Adding a bold piece that is
“whimsical” in an unexpected area offers a
surprising focal point, he says.
“We’ve relied on Progress Lighting for
twenty years,” says Quick. “Especially in
the past few years, as they’ve taken giant
leaps in design.”
Stephen Alexander Homes incorporate
“lifestyle focus” open floor plans as their
signature look. Now, they are pioneering
a new trend in home culinary spaces.
Pantries are re-imagined to not only be
practical, but a spot to display the home-
owner’s hobbies and interests. Think useful
collectibles like olive oils, wine or beer.
Even with a smaller remodel budget, hiring the color spectrum, adding colors that hit
Lighting this room properly is a must, as
an expert who knows which brands give the mark to give your spaces a fresh look,”
the light needs to be functional, yet have
you the most bang for your buck is worth says Quick.
an added element of drama to showcase
their fee. You’re more likely to end up with And if you don’t like the color once it’s
the hobby.
the look you want at a price that is worth on the walls? “Don’t be afraid to change it.
Beyond mere dollars and cents, make
style choices based on the manufacturer the investment. Paint is not expensive. It’s more expensive
rather than the component. As a builder, Paint is one of the biggest design tools at to keep a look you don’t like.”
Quick starts with a “basket” of necessary your disposal. “A new coat of paint sets the For design ideas, visit progresslighting.
elements, but it’s how they are applied that tone for everything. Choosing the perfect com/styles.
ultimately makes the design special. colors can be hard, but paint companies When making home updates, think of
Consider engaging an interior designer. are on target with the latest trends within those projects that will pay off the most.
$3,611, and 97.5 percent of it is recouped when the house
is sold.

T
tions. Food waste that isn’t composted piles Much of the food waste problem starts front doorsteps. “I don’t shop at the grocery store much he warmer weather means it’s time to start thinking Other outdoor projects with high ROI include adding
up in landfills. in the supply chain. Tons of misshapen, Misfits Market, which opened last now,” she said. about home improvement projects. Whether you’re manufactured stone veneer to the exterior (94.9 percent),
getting your home in tip-top shape for your own adding a wood deck (75.6 percent) and replacing sid-

Disposal
Continued from Page 8
and contributing to excess methane,” he says. “A growing
number of wastewater facilities are installing equipment
that allows them to turn food waste into renewable en-
ergy. Cities that have introduced this technology include
New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Milwaukee
and Tacoma, Washington.”
But critics say disposals can be problematic near large
bodies of water.
“There’s a lot of nitrogen in food waste, and nitrogen
can be very harmful to marine and plant life,” says Nancy
Seligson, supervisor of the Town of Mamaroneck, New
York, and a past president of the nonprofit organization
Save the Sound.
“If you’re in an area like ours, on the Long Island
Sound, which has been trying to reduce nitrogen in the
water for 25 years, using a kitchen disposal system and
adding unnecessary nitrogen to the water waste system
might not be a good idea.”
Disposals also might not be the best option in areas
with water shortages: Conveying food waste through pipes
and treating it at a plant can be energy- and water-inten-
sive.
“Another consideration that should be given is wheth-
er there is methane capture at their municipality’s water
treatment plant. Sending food scraps into wastewater
streams will change their chemical composition, and
whether a municipality would be able to handle this or not
is a very specific question,” says Birnur Aral, a director at
the Good Housekeeping Institute focusing on environmen-
tal issues.
Sauerhage, of the EPA, says that in determining how to
dispose of food waste responsibly, consider these ques-
tions: Where is the effluent going? Does it go to a waste-
water treatment plant or wastewater recovery facility? Has
the treatment plant said it wants organic waste? Does it
operate an anaerobic digestion facility? What does it do
with solids? Is there concern over damaging your house-
hold or local piping systems?
The EPA has issued a “food recovery hierarchy” to help
consumers. It’s a sort of upside-down pyramid ranking
possible solutions for food waste. At the top — the most
eco-friendly option — is reducing food waste, followed
by distributing excess food to the hungry. The next best
option is industrial uses for food waste, such as converting
waste oil to fuel and food scraps to energy. Then comes
composting, either by communities or in backyards. Land-
fills and incinerators are the least eco-friendly destination
for food waste, according to the EPA.
enjoyment, or getting it ready to put on the market, not
all home improvement projects are created equal when it
comes to return on investment (ROI). Here are top areas on
which to focus:
Interiors
The kitchen is the heart of the home and it’s one of the
best areas to renovate in terms of ROI, according to Re-
modeling magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report, which
puts the price tag of the average minor kitchen remodel
at $22,507, with 80.5 percent of the cost recouped upon
resale.
To give the kitchen an updated appearance, replace the
flooring, countertops, sink and faucet. A fresh coat of paint
in a trendy shade, such as Living Coral, Pantone’s Color of
the Year, can add a vibrant pop of color to energize any
kitchen. Not looking to go that bold? Consider an accent
wall, or stick to a classic palate of gray and white in terms of
cabinets and countertops. White on white is also a popular
new style for kitchens and bathrooms.
Tyler Olson / stock.Adobe.com
Other features home buyers are paying close attention
to are laundry rooms and such energy-saving elements
as Energy Star appliances and windows, according to the
survey “What Home Buyers Want in 2019” by the National
Association of Home Builders.
Curb Appeal
The popularity of outdoor projects remains strong and
it’s for a good reason. According to the Cost vs. Value Re-
port, the biggest bang for your buck in 2019 will come from
replacing a garage door. The report says the average price is
ing (75.6 percent). Looking for a simpler way to make an
impact? Sprucing up the landscape by planting flowers or
bushes or even just clearing the yard of debris will make a
big statement.
No matter what updates you end up making, it’s always a
good idea to notify your insurance agent. “Certain upgrades
may change the value of a house, so homeowners need to
make sure they’re properly covered,” says Bob Buckel, vice
president of product management, Erie Insurance. “There
are a few things to look for. Ask your agent about guaran-
teed replacement cost policies that can cover the cost to
rebuild a home in today’s dollars following a covered loss.”
Some upgrades may also make you eligible for discounts,
Buckel adds, especially if they make the home more secure.
“For example, Erie Insurance offers certain safety discounts
such as for installing smoke alarms or an automatic sprinkler
system.”
Now you have a checklist of DIY projects to focus on
this spring. But before you start, take a moment to assess
which ones are worth your time and money.
4 Sunday, March 24, 2019
Home and garden improvements that will benefit local wildlife
StatePoint
W
hen it comes to changing the
world, your own backyard is
a great place to start. As you
make home improvements, consider their
potential to benefit local wildlife that travel
in and around your property.
Here are a few important steps you can
take.
Plant Native Species
By planning native species exclusive-
ly in your garden and yard, you will be
promoting a healthy local ecosystem while
providing proper nourishment and a natu-
ral habitat for visiting wildlife, whether that
be insects, birds or furry creatures. Because
native plant species are meant to thrive in
your local climate, they will require less
maintenance, which means a beautiful yard
with less stress.
Prevent Bird Strikes annually flying into windows.
You may not realize it, but your home However, a simple home improvement
poses a risk to birds. Window strikes are project can make your home safer for
common among many species of migrating birds. Birds can see certain light frequen-
birds, and millions of wild birds are killed cies that humans can’t, so by applying
Want to help bees? Plant flowering herbs
By DEAN FOSDICK
The Associated Press
H
erbs are among the most useful plants in nature.
They can tantalize the taste buds, help cure what
ails you, oil the body, perfume the air, and attract
bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
“People are getting more into herbs, with herb sales
definitely on the rise,” said David Trinklein, an Extension
horticulturist with the University of Missouri. “They’re us-
ing fresh herbs from the garden for culinary purposes, but
another important reason is to help pollinators.”
Many gardeners are trying to help declining pollinator
populations by providing them with the plants they need
to thrive.
Herbs appeal to a great variety of bee species, said
Francis Drummond, a professor of insect ecology and
insect pest management at the University of Maine.
“It is mostly the abundant nectar that brings the bees
in,” he said. “Some of the more attractive herbs to bees
are thyme, comfrey, borage, oregano, bee’s friend, lemon
balm, rosemary, hyssop, sage, lavender and chives.”
Most flowering herbs are attractive to pollinators, but
The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com HOme & Garden
garden, is good for the environment and
most importantly, saves lives,” says Spencer
Schock, founder of WindowAlert, a com-
pany that offers UV decals and UV Liquid.
The UV decals and liquid from Win-
dowAlert have been proven to effectively
alter the flight path of birds to prevent
window strikes. The coating will look like
etched glass to the human eye, but be very
visible to a bird. As UV reflectivity may
fade over time, it’s important to replace the
decals and liquid every four months. Appli-
cation techniques can be found by visiting
WindowAlert.com.
Build a Bird House
Add beauty to your yard with a wooden
bird house. Find a design you love or get
creative and craft your own, using your
own home’s architecture for inspiration.
A strategically placed bird house — either
within three feet of a window or over 30
UV decals and UV liquid to your home’s feet away — will help avoid bird strikes.
windows and sliding glass doors, you can Be a good neighbor — not just to the
make windows visible to birds in a way that other humans. Make improvements to your
won’t obstruct your own view. home that will help protect both local and
“Protecting birds adds beauty to your migratory wildlife.
some, like cilantro and basil, tend to lose other qualities
when they blossom or bolt, said Ed Spevak, curator of
invertebrates at the St. Louis Zoo. “So use the leaves earlier
(for your own purposes) but then allow the plant to flower
to support pollinators,” he said.
Some herbs, like cilantro, fennel and dill, produce very
small blossoms that attract very small bees, Spevak said.
“Fennel and dill also serve as host plants for black swal-
lowtail caterpillars,” he said.
Bees find flowers by way of their color, not their scent,
said David Salman, founder and chief horticulturist for
High Country Gardens. “Particularly honeybees, although
some native bees will feed on them as well,” he said. “But
herbs primarily have Old World origins, so their primary
interest is (for) honeybees which also were imported here.
“In general, annual herbs tend to be more important for
butterflies, primarily swallowtails,” Salman said.
Pollinators as a whole are necessary for a huge amount
greater in number and activity level than other species of
of the world’s food production, but the European honey-
pollinators.”
bee is a critical species, Trinklein said.
Bees need to collect syrup and pollen from early spring
“They’re the king of the pollinators,” he said. “They are
through late fall to support a healthy hive, Trinklein said.
morphologically designed to be pollinators, while oth-
er species are more accidental pollinators. They’re also See Bees, 8
HOme & Garden The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com Sunday, March 24, 2019 9
Keeping kids’ rooms calm, colorful and (relatively) tidy
By MELISSA RAYWORTH
The Associated Press
S
pring cleaning season is here, and
some of us got a head start by tak-
ing Marie Kondo’s message to heart:
You’ll be happier if you eliminate clutter.
In many households, no room is a
bigger magnet for clutter than a child’s
bedroom. Designers say parents are
increasingly interested in managing that
clutter effectively — and attractively.
“Everybody wants their house to look
like a magazine and that includes the
kids’ rooms,” says Los Angeles designer
Betsy Burnham.
But her advice to parents: Be realistic
about how you and your kids actually
live. Be honest, and really ask, “Are we
a tidy family? Are we too busy? Do we
have too much stuff? It’s OK if you’re
not a tidy household.”
Once you’ve got those answers,
Burnham says, there are lots of storage
options out there.
Here, she and two New York-based
interior designers — Deborah Martin
and Fawn Galli — offer advice on cre-
ating great kids’ bedrooms that can stay
relatively clutter-free.
Colorful, Yet Relaxing
Galli says she hears clients talking
about Kondo’s anti-clutter message. But
she says parents also want more restful
bedrooms for their kids as a response to
digital overstimulation and the pace of
modern kids’ lives. which ones they haven’t grown into yet. Desks don’t have to be large, Martin
She says a space can be colorful yet Easy, Ample Storage
Keep your child’s habits in mind: says, since many kids end up doing
restful if it’s been planned with a con- All three designers mentioned the
Some kids will fold their clothing Kon- homework or projects at a kitchen table.
sistent color palette and materials that value of beds with storage underneath.
do-style and tuck it neatly into drawers. A big desk in a bedroom can end up be-
work well together. Bunk beds or loft beds can be perfect,
If yours won’t, choose bins or baskets ing a multipurpose space where a range
Martin agrees: Choose a neutral color especially for smaller bedrooms.
where items like socks and underwear of things quickly piles up.
palette for the major design elements in They also suggest labeling bins and
can easily be tossed and kept sorted. One last bit of advice: Involve kids,
the room, like furniture and wall color, baskets, especially for younger kids. A
especially older ones, in designing a
she says. Then you can add pops of col- bookcase with deep shelves is perfect
or through rugs, bedding and pillows. for holding labeled bins and baskets Timeless Style space that fits their personalities. Have
To keep a child’s room from hav- it reflect their hobbies and interests, and
Burnham also likes the neutral palette when children are younger, with books
ing a “kiddie” vibe that they’ll quickly add items like a wall rail where they
for kids’ rooms, where, she says, it’s on higher shelves.
outgrow, Burnham suggests avoiding can post things like a rotating display of
easy “to overdo it, and think that just Martin suggests considering the room
primary colors. photos.
because they’re kids they get a brighter from a child’s-eye view and planning
Also, keep desks and dresser tops If your child has his or her heart set
palette.” storage from the ground up. Keep the
relatively clear, Galli says, to keep the on a wild wall color, Martin says, it may
Another way to create a relaxing feel most-used items where the child can
space feeling calm and more organized. be worth going for it. You can always
for kids: Leave open play space. easily reach them.
“It’s a clean canvas,” she says, “to just repaint in a couple of years.
“To maximize their creativity and Double rods in a child’s closet will
start fresh at whatever your next project Involving kids in their room’s design
their imaginative play,” Martin says, “it’s maximize space and help keep clothing
is.” “creates what you can call ‘pride of
important to have an area where they organized. For very young kids, you can
That might be easier to achieve by place,’” she says. And that might make it
can actually play in the center of the even add dividers along the rods that
more likely they’ll keep the room tidy.
room.” specify clothing sizes, so you’ll know having less space rather than more:
8 Sunday, March 24, 2019
Is your kitchen-sink disposal environmentally friendly?
By KATHERINE ROTH
The Associated Press
I
f you’re trying to be more eco-friendly at home, should you
use your kitchen garbage disposal?
It depends.
“Keep in mind that when food is added to the wastewater
system, it must be further treated,” says Maggie Sauerhage, a
spokeswoman for the U.S Environmental Protection Agency.
She suggests learning about your local water infrastructure
first.
For starters, the most eco-friendly option for food waste is to
create less of it. For unavoidable food waste, consider donating
it or composting.
Beyond that, wastewater and environment experts agree that
the environmental value of kitchen disposal systems depends
on the wastewater system of a given locality. Disposals make
sense if your wastewater system is set up to convert food waste
into energy, as is the case in a growing number of big cities.
“Any food that is sent down the disposal will be filtered and
captured at a wastewater treatment facility. The debris captured
are typically sent off to a landfill, incinerator or to an anaerobic
digestion facility (for conversion into energy) if one is close by,”
says Steve Dege, director of material supply chain and solutions
at the recycling company TerraCycle.
Joe Dillon, president of Racine, Wisconsin-based InSinkEr-
ator, which invented the garbage disposal more than 80 years
ago, says disposals are used in more than 50 percent of U.S.
The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com
homes and in countless food-service operations. He argues that
in addition to convenience, disposals are ecologically benefi-
cial because they divert food waste from landfills.
“Using an advanced garbage disposal like the InSinkErator
can lessen the environmental impact of food waste by send-
ing the processed food particles — from meat, bones, even
banana peels — through a home’s plumbing system to facil-
ities equipped to handle them, rather than sitting in landfills
See Disposal, 10
HOme & Garden HOme & Garden The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com Sunday, March 24, 2019 5
Bees
Continued from Page 4
That means gardeners should plant a variety
of flowers and herbs to prolong the bloom
season.
Many beekeepers maintain that the herbs
used for attracting pollinators should be
natives, but Trinklein disagrees.
“I don’t think a bee minds if an herb is
native or non-native,” he said. “Lavender
and anything in the catnip family are partic-
ularly attractive to bees.”
Gardeners seeking to support pollinators
might consider planting scent gardens made
up entirely of herbs. They would provide
pleasing fragrances around the home as well
as nutrition for the bees, he said.
“However, it is advisable to avoid (wear-
ing) strong-smelling perfumes, hairsprays or
other fragrances which might attract to the
gardener confused bees seeking out nectar,”
Trinklein said.
You can contact Dean Fosdick at dean-
fosdick@netscape.net
Online:
For more about growing pollinator friend-
ly herbs, see this fact sheet from University
of Illinois Extension: https://web.extension.
illinois.edu/cfiv/downloads/56964.pdf
6 Sunday, March 24, 2019 The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com HOme & Garden HOme & Garden The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com Sunday, March 24, 2019 7
6 Sunday, March 24, 2019 The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com HOme & Garden HOme & Garden The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com Sunday, March 24, 2019 7
8 Sunday, March 24, 2019
Is your kitchen-sink disposal environmentally friendly?
By KATHERINE ROTH
The Associated Press
I
f you’re trying to be more eco-friendly at home, should you
use your kitchen garbage disposal?
It depends.
“Keep in mind that when food is added to the wastewater
system, it must be further treated,” says Maggie Sauerhage, a
spokeswoman for the U.S Environmental Protection Agency.
She suggests learning about your local water infrastructure
first.
For starters, the most eco-friendly option for food waste is to
create less of it. For unavoidable food waste, consider donating
it or composting.
Beyond that, wastewater and environment experts agree that
the environmental value of kitchen disposal systems depends
on the wastewater system of a given locality. Disposals make
sense if your wastewater system is set up to convert food waste
into energy, as is the case in a growing number of big cities.
“Any food that is sent down the disposal will be filtered and
captured at a wastewater treatment facility. The debris captured
are typically sent off to a landfill, incinerator or to an anaerobic
digestion facility (for conversion into energy) if one is close by,”
says Steve Dege, director of material supply chain and solutions
at the recycling company TerraCycle.
Joe Dillon, president of Racine, Wisconsin-based InSinkEr-
ator, which invented the garbage disposal more than 80 years
ago, says disposals are used in more than 50 percent of U.S.
The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com
homes and in countless food-service operations. He argues that
in addition to convenience, disposals are ecologically benefi-
cial because they divert food waste from landfills.
“Using an advanced garbage disposal like the InSinkErator
can lessen the environmental impact of food waste by send-
ing the processed food particles — from meat, bones, even
banana peels — through a home’s plumbing system to facil-
ities equipped to handle them, rather than sitting in landfills
See Disposal, 10
HOme & Garden HOme & Garden The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com Sunday, March 24, 2019 5
Bees
Continued from Page 4
That means gardeners should plant a variety
of flowers and herbs to prolong the bloom
season.
Many beekeepers maintain that the herbs
used for attracting pollinators should be
natives, but Trinklein disagrees.
“I don’t think a bee minds if an herb is
native or non-native,” he said. “Lavender
and anything in the catnip family are partic-
ularly attractive to bees.”
Gardeners seeking to support pollinators
might consider planting scent gardens made
up entirely of herbs. They would provide
pleasing fragrances around the home as well
as nutrition for the bees, he said.
“However, it is advisable to avoid (wear-
ing) strong-smelling perfumes, hairsprays or
other fragrances which might attract to the
gardener confused bees seeking out nectar,”
Trinklein said.
You can contact Dean Fosdick at dean-
fosdick@netscape.net
Online:
For more about growing pollinator friend-
ly herbs, see this fact sheet from University
of Illinois Extension: https://web.extension.
illinois.edu/cfiv/downloads/56964.pdf
4 Sunday, March 24, 2019
Home and garden improvements that will benefit local wildlife
StatePoint
W
hen it comes to changing the
world, your own backyard is
a great place to start. As you
make home improvements, consider their
potential to benefit local wildlife that travel
in and around your property.
Here are a few important steps you can
take.
Plant Native Species
By planning native species exclusive-
ly in your garden and yard, you will be
promoting a healthy local ecosystem while
providing proper nourishment and a natu-
ral habitat for visiting wildlife, whether that
be insects, birds or furry creatures. Because
native plant species are meant to thrive in
your local climate, they will require less
maintenance, which means a beautiful yard
with less stress.
Prevent Bird Strikes annually flying into windows.
You may not realize it, but your home However, a simple home improvement
poses a risk to birds. Window strikes are project can make your home safer for
common among many species of migrating birds. Birds can see certain light frequen-
birds, and millions of wild birds are killed cies that humans can’t, so by applying
Want to help bees? Plant flowering herbs
By DEAN FOSDICK
The Associated Press
H
erbs are among the most useful plants in nature.
They can tantalize the taste buds, help cure what
ails you, oil the body, perfume the air, and attract
bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
“People are getting more into herbs, with herb sales
definitely on the rise,” said David Trinklein, an Extension
horticulturist with the University of Missouri. “They’re us-
ing fresh herbs from the garden for culinary purposes, but
another important reason is to help pollinators.”
Many gardeners are trying to help declining pollinator
populations by providing them with the plants they need
to thrive.
Herbs appeal to a great variety of bee species, said
Francis Drummond, a professor of insect ecology and
insect pest management at the University of Maine.
“It is mostly the abundant nectar that brings the bees
in,” he said. “Some of the more attractive herbs to bees
are thyme, comfrey, borage, oregano, bee’s friend, lemon
balm, rosemary, hyssop, sage, lavender and chives.”
Most flowering herbs are attractive to pollinators, but
The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com HOme & Garden
garden, is good for the environment and
most importantly, saves lives,” says Spencer
Schock, founder of WindowAlert, a com-
pany that offers UV decals and UV Liquid.
The UV decals and liquid from Win-
dowAlert have been proven to effectively
alter the flight path of birds to prevent
window strikes. The coating will look like
etched glass to the human eye, but be very
visible to a bird. As UV reflectivity may
fade over time, it’s important to replace the
decals and liquid every four months. Appli-
cation techniques can be found by visiting
WindowAlert.com.
Build a Bird House
Add beauty to your yard with a wooden
bird house. Find a design you love or get
creative and craft your own, using your
own home’s architecture for inspiration.
A strategically placed bird house — either
within three feet of a window or over 30
UV decals and UV liquid to your home’s feet away — will help avoid bird strikes.
windows and sliding glass doors, you can Be a good neighbor — not just to the
make windows visible to birds in a way that other humans. Make improvements to your
won’t obstruct your own view. home that will help protect both local and
“Protecting birds adds beauty to your migratory wildlife.
some, like cilantro and basil, tend to lose other qualities
when they blossom or bolt, said Ed Spevak, curator of
invertebrates at the St. Louis Zoo. “So use the leaves earlier
(for your own purposes) but then allow the plant to flower
to support pollinators,” he said.
Some herbs, like cilantro, fennel and dill, produce very
small blossoms that attract very small bees, Spevak said.
“Fennel and dill also serve as host plants for black swal-
lowtail caterpillars,” he said.
Bees find flowers by way of their color, not their scent,
said David Salman, founder and chief horticulturist for
High Country Gardens. “Particularly honeybees, although
some native bees will feed on them as well,” he said. “But
herbs primarily have Old World origins, so their primary
interest is (for) honeybees which also were imported here.
“In general, annual herbs tend to be more important for
butterflies, primarily swallowtails,” Salman said.
Pollinators as a whole are necessary for a huge amount
greater in number and activity level than other species of
of the world’s food production, but the European honey-
pollinators.”
bee is a critical species, Trinklein said.
Bees need to collect syrup and pollen from early spring
“They’re the king of the pollinators,” he said. “They are
through late fall to support a healthy hive, Trinklein said.
morphologically designed to be pollinators, while oth-
er species are more accidental pollinators. They’re also See Bees, 8
HOme & Garden The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com Sunday, March 24, 2019 9
Keeping kids’ rooms calm, colorful and (relatively) tidy
By MELISSA RAYWORTH
The Associated Press
S
pring cleaning season is here, and
some of us got a head start by tak-
ing Marie Kondo’s message to heart:
You’ll be happier if you eliminate clutter.
In many households, no room is a
bigger magnet for clutter than a child’s
bedroom. Designers say parents are
increasingly interested in managing that
clutter effectively — and attractively.
“Everybody wants their house to look
like a magazine and that includes the
kids’ rooms,” says Los Angeles designer
Betsy Burnham.
But her advice to parents: Be realistic
about how you and your kids actually
live. Be honest, and really ask, “Are we
a tidy family? Are we too busy? Do we
have too much stuff? It’s OK if you’re
not a tidy household.”
Once you’ve got those answers,
Burnham says, there are lots of storage
options out there.
Here, she and two New York-based
interior designers — Deborah Martin
and Fawn Galli — offer advice on cre-
ating great kids’ bedrooms that can stay
relatively clutter-free.
Colorful, Yet Relaxing
Galli says she hears clients talking
about Kondo’s anti-clutter message. But
she says parents also want more restful
bedrooms for their kids as a response to
digital overstimulation and the pace of
modern kids’ lives. which ones they haven’t grown into yet. Desks don’t have to be large, Martin
She says a space can be colorful yet Easy, Ample Storage
Keep your child’s habits in mind: says, since many kids end up doing
restful if it’s been planned with a con- All three designers mentioned the
Some kids will fold their clothing Kon- homework or projects at a kitchen table.
sistent color palette and materials that value of beds with storage underneath.
do-style and tuck it neatly into drawers. A big desk in a bedroom can end up be-
work well together. Bunk beds or loft beds can be perfect,
If yours won’t, choose bins or baskets ing a multipurpose space where a range
Martin agrees: Choose a neutral color especially for smaller bedrooms.
where items like socks and underwear of things quickly piles up.
palette for the major design elements in They also suggest labeling bins and
can easily be tossed and kept sorted. One last bit of advice: Involve kids,
the room, like furniture and wall color, baskets, especially for younger kids. A
especially older ones, in designing a
she says. Then you can add pops of col- bookcase with deep shelves is perfect
or through rugs, bedding and pillows. for holding labeled bins and baskets Timeless Style space that fits their personalities. Have
To keep a child’s room from hav- it reflect their hobbies and interests, and
Burnham also likes the neutral palette when children are younger, with books
ing a “kiddie” vibe that they’ll quickly add items like a wall rail where they
for kids’ rooms, where, she says, it’s on higher shelves.
outgrow, Burnham suggests avoiding can post things like a rotating display of
easy “to overdo it, and think that just Martin suggests considering the room
primary colors. photos.
because they’re kids they get a brighter from a child’s-eye view and planning
Also, keep desks and dresser tops If your child has his or her heart set
palette.” storage from the ground up. Keep the
relatively clear, Galli says, to keep the on a wild wall color, Martin says, it may
Another way to create a relaxing feel most-used items where the child can
space feeling calm and more organized. be worth going for it. You can always
for kids: Leave open play space. easily reach them.
“It’s a clean canvas,” she says, “to just repaint in a couple of years.
“To maximize their creativity and Double rods in a child’s closet will
start fresh at whatever your next project Involving kids in their room’s design
their imaginative play,” Martin says, “it’s maximize space and help keep clothing
is.” “creates what you can call ‘pride of
important to have an area where they organized. For very young kids, you can
That might be easier to achieve by place,’” she says. And that might make it
can actually play in the center of the even add dividers along the rods that
more likely they’ll keep the room tidy.
room.” specify clothing sizes, so you’ll know having less space rather than more:
10 Sunday, March 24, 2019 The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com HOme & Garden HOme & Garden The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com Sunday, March 24, 2019 3

Shopping to reduce food waste is easy on the wallet too Home updates that pay off
By TRACEE M. HERBAUGH October, sells “ugly produce” boxes in the StatePoint to create amazing, but not overwhelming,
The Associated Press Northeast. Customer sign-ups have grown spaces.

W
10-fold in the first five months of business,

A
n expired date on an egg carton.
Browning avocados. The Chinese
takeout from last week. They’re all
foods likely destined for the trash.
If you’re hoping to reduce household
food waste, experts say there are two key
things to do: Eat what you have, and buy
only what you need.
Practicing smarter shopping is not only
green for its environmental impact; it saves
you money.
“People need to really think through
whether they need to be buying as much
food as they are,” said Jonathan Deutsch, a
professor of culinary arts and food science
at Drexel University in Philadelphia and
author or editor of six books on food man-
agement.
We can rethink what we define as waste,
Deutsch pointed out. A bruised apple or the
green leaves encasing a head of cauliflower
can be easily repurposed into a sauce or
side dish.
“A good cook can make a good meal out
of what’s already in most people’s houses,”
he said.
“Make sure you’re buying only what you
need, and then be sure to use it.”
The world’s food waste problem is
well-documented and multi-faceted. Some
estimates put global waste at 30 percent of
all food. This is in spite of the 795 million
people suffering from chronic hunger,
according to numbers from the United Na-
Fortunately, there are ways to make your
grocery shopping more environmentally
friendly.
Buying expired or “last chance” produce
at the supermarket is one way 38-year-old
Jule Eisendick reduces waste. Eisendick
has been practicing a low- to zero-waste
lifestyle while traveling, and writes about it
on her blog, The Happy Choices .
“I only buy fresh produce when the old
one is gone,” she said, adding she tries
to use every part of a fruit or vegetable.
She might make chips with leftover potato
peels, or throw remaining carrot and beet
tops into a salad. “What I don’t use goes
into compost.”
small or bruised produce is left in the field.
Sometimes, markets have too much of one
particular food so the rest could get tossed
by the wholesaler. And it’s common for
grocery stores to reject foods that don’t look
like what the customer expects.
In the last few years, however, a second-
ary market for these “rejects” has arisen.
Now they can be donated or sold.
Two such companies are Misfits Mar-
ket , based in Philadelphia, and Imperfect
Produce , from San Francisco. Both have
partnered with farmers to rescue rejected
produce. Customers sign up online for a
delivered box of funny-looking fruits or
veggies. The box is then delivered to their
according to Abhi Ramesh, Misfits Market’s
chief executive officer.
“There’s a tremendous interest in doing
something to reduce food waste,” Ramesh
said. “People know it’s a huge problem.”
By comparison, the Imperfect Produce
website touts some 40 million pounds of
produce saved through its business model
since the company was founded in 2015.
The boxes of rejected produce are current-
ly available in 15 cities, but the company
plans to expand service to 12 more areas by
the end of the year.
“There are some really funny-looking
fruits and vegetables,” said Ben Simon,
CEO and co-founder of Imperfect Produce.
“Some are really anthropomorphic . a pota-
to that looks like a teddy bear.”
Still, this food is fine to eat, Simon said.
“Maybe there’s an orange that is slightly
smaller than one you’d find at a grocery
store,” he said.
The convenience of these home deliv-
ery services appeals to busy professionals.
Customers can choose the size of the box
and frequency of delivery.
Zucu Ingersoll, a 36-year-old San Fran-
cisco Bay Area resident, has subscribed
to Imperfect Produce for almost a year,
and said the most unusual piece of food
she recalls getting was an oversized head
of cabbage. Getting the deliveries has cut
down on time spent going to buy food.
hether you’re remodeling for a
fresh take on an old style or con-
templating a new build, there are
choices you can make that will definitely
pay off, say experts.
To add value to your project, consider
these recommended tips from Stephen
Quick of Stephen Alexander Homes, build-
er of the 2018 Coastal Virginia Magazine
Idea House.
Once an afterthought, lighting takes
center stage in a home’s design. “Consid-
er your lighting needs at the start of the
project. Wait too long and it can become
expensive to move or add lights,” advises
Quick.
When planning lighting basics, think of
the design as a whole: choose your deco-
rative lighting fixtures at the same time you
choose recessed. A large fixture throws a
lot of light, so keep adjacent recessed lights
to a minimum.
Dimming capabilities are a must, and
Quick recommends using “smart” dimmers
like Hubbell’s iDevice to customize the
dimming range. The control offered by
these dimmers means you can use larger
statement lighting pieces with many bulbs
Get more bang for your buck with these spring home improvements
StatePoint
Quick tends to use lighting with a
classic foundation, but loves to play with
the eclectic. Adding a bold piece that is
“whimsical” in an unexpected area offers a
surprising focal point, he says.
“We’ve relied on Progress Lighting for
twenty years,” says Quick. “Especially in
the past few years, as they’ve taken giant
leaps in design.”
Stephen Alexander Homes incorporate
“lifestyle focus” open floor plans as their
signature look. Now, they are pioneering
a new trend in home culinary spaces.
Pantries are re-imagined to not only be
practical, but a spot to display the home-
owner’s hobbies and interests. Think useful
collectibles like olive oils, wine or beer.
Even with a smaller remodel budget, hiring the color spectrum, adding colors that hit
Lighting this room properly is a must, as
an expert who knows which brands give the mark to give your spaces a fresh look,”
the light needs to be functional, yet have
you the most bang for your buck is worth says Quick.
an added element of drama to showcase
their fee. You’re more likely to end up with And if you don’t like the color once it’s
the hobby.
the look you want at a price that is worth on the walls? “Don’t be afraid to change it.
Beyond mere dollars and cents, make
style choices based on the manufacturer the investment. Paint is not expensive. It’s more expensive
rather than the component. As a builder, Paint is one of the biggest design tools at to keep a look you don’t like.”
Quick starts with a “basket” of necessary your disposal. “A new coat of paint sets the For design ideas, visit progresslighting.
elements, but it’s how they are applied that tone for everything. Choosing the perfect com/styles.
ultimately makes the design special. colors can be hard, but paint companies When making home updates, think of
Consider engaging an interior designer. are on target with the latest trends within those projects that will pay off the most.
$3,611, and 97.5 percent of it is recouped when the house
is sold.

T
tions. Food waste that isn’t composted piles Much of the food waste problem starts front doorsteps. “I don’t shop at the grocery store much he warmer weather means it’s time to start thinking Other outdoor projects with high ROI include adding
up in landfills. in the supply chain. Tons of misshapen, Misfits Market, which opened last now,” she said. about home improvement projects. Whether you’re manufactured stone veneer to the exterior (94.9 percent),
getting your home in tip-top shape for your own adding a wood deck (75.6 percent) and replacing sid-

Disposal
Continued from Page 8
and contributing to excess methane,” he says. “A growing
number of wastewater facilities are installing equipment
that allows them to turn food waste into renewable en-
ergy. Cities that have introduced this technology include
New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Milwaukee
and Tacoma, Washington.”
But critics say disposals can be problematic near large
bodies of water.
“There’s a lot of nitrogen in food waste, and nitrogen
can be very harmful to marine and plant life,” says Nancy
Seligson, supervisor of the Town of Mamaroneck, New
York, and a past president of the nonprofit organization
Save the Sound.
“If you’re in an area like ours, on the Long Island
Sound, which has been trying to reduce nitrogen in the
water for 25 years, using a kitchen disposal system and
adding unnecessary nitrogen to the water waste system
might not be a good idea.”
Disposals also might not be the best option in areas
with water shortages: Conveying food waste through pipes
and treating it at a plant can be energy- and water-inten-
sive.
“Another consideration that should be given is wheth-
er there is methane capture at their municipality’s water
treatment plant. Sending food scraps into wastewater
streams will change their chemical composition, and
whether a municipality would be able to handle this or not
is a very specific question,” says Birnur Aral, a director at
the Good Housekeeping Institute focusing on environmen-
tal issues.
Sauerhage, of the EPA, says that in determining how to
dispose of food waste responsibly, consider these ques-
tions: Where is the effluent going? Does it go to a waste-
water treatment plant or wastewater recovery facility? Has
the treatment plant said it wants organic waste? Does it
operate an anaerobic digestion facility? What does it do
with solids? Is there concern over damaging your house-
hold or local piping systems?
The EPA has issued a “food recovery hierarchy” to help
consumers. It’s a sort of upside-down pyramid ranking
possible solutions for food waste. At the top — the most
eco-friendly option — is reducing food waste, followed
by distributing excess food to the hungry. The next best
option is industrial uses for food waste, such as converting
waste oil to fuel and food scraps to energy. Then comes
composting, either by communities or in backyards. Land-
fills and incinerators are the least eco-friendly destination
for food waste, according to the EPA.
enjoyment, or getting it ready to put on the market, not
all home improvement projects are created equal when it
comes to return on investment (ROI). Here are top areas on
which to focus:
Interiors
The kitchen is the heart of the home and it’s one of the
best areas to renovate in terms of ROI, according to Re-
modeling magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report, which
puts the price tag of the average minor kitchen remodel
at $22,507, with 80.5 percent of the cost recouped upon
resale.
To give the kitchen an updated appearance, replace the
flooring, countertops, sink and faucet. A fresh coat of paint
in a trendy shade, such as Living Coral, Pantone’s Color of
the Year, can add a vibrant pop of color to energize any
kitchen. Not looking to go that bold? Consider an accent
wall, or stick to a classic palate of gray and white in terms of
cabinets and countertops. White on white is also a popular
new style for kitchens and bathrooms.
Tyler Olson / stock.Adobe.com
Other features home buyers are paying close attention
to are laundry rooms and such energy-saving elements
as Energy Star appliances and windows, according to the
survey “What Home Buyers Want in 2019” by the National
Association of Home Builders.
Curb Appeal
The popularity of outdoor projects remains strong and
it’s for a good reason. According to the Cost vs. Value Re-
port, the biggest bang for your buck in 2019 will come from
replacing a garage door. The report says the average price is
ing (75.6 percent). Looking for a simpler way to make an
impact? Sprucing up the landscape by planting flowers or
bushes or even just clearing the yard of debris will make a
big statement.
No matter what updates you end up making, it’s always a
good idea to notify your insurance agent. “Certain upgrades
may change the value of a house, so homeowners need to
make sure they’re properly covered,” says Bob Buckel, vice
president of product management, Erie Insurance. “There
are a few things to look for. Ask your agent about guaran-
teed replacement cost policies that can cover the cost to
rebuild a home in today’s dollars following a covered loss.”
Some upgrades may also make you eligible for discounts,
Buckel adds, especially if they make the home more secure.
“For example, Erie Insurance offers certain safety discounts
such as for installing smoke alarms or an automatic sprinkler
system.”
Now you have a checklist of DIY projects to focus on
this spring. But before you start, take a moment to assess
which ones are worth your time and money.
2 Sunday, March 24, 2019 The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com HOme & Garden HOme & Garden The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com Sunday, March 24, 2019 11
 HOME&Garden
12 Sunday, March 24, 2019 The Dispatch a www.cdispatch.com HOme & Garden

2019

Tulips grow in front of the Chapel of Memories at

Mississippi State University Sunday, March 19.
Photo by Luther Shields/Dispatch Staff
The Dispatch
Sunday, March 24, 2019