A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE PAULDING COUNTY PROGRESS

Spring
April 23, 2014
a
Thing
2 - Paulding County Progress Spring Wednesday, April 23, 2014
By Mark Holtsberry
Education specialist
Paulding SWCD
PAULDING The Black Swamp
Nature Center was established in
1990. The state-owned Paulding
Ponds Wildlife Areas was sold to the
Paulding County commissioners,
who leased the land to the Paulding
County Area Foundation. The organ-
ization provided funds for the lease
and maintenance and to develop a
wildlife education area. Matching
funds were raised by area businesses
and local supporters.
Representatives from organiza-
tions discussed future plans for the
facility. Although the foundation
held the lease, it was not in charge of
development. That is when several
organizations formed the Paulding
County Wildlife Association.
This organization foresaw use of
the land for science and scouting
groups, nesting sites, pond life, tree
and plant identification with the area
being closed to hunting. This is one
of the few designated wildlife areas
in Paulding County.
In 2000, the planning of an educa-
tional building was in progress.
Contacts through the state were a
positive experience as funding
became available. The building was
completed in the early fall of 2002.
The availability of a structure for
educational use has been what finish-
es a picturesque view of nature.
The nature center is available for
workshops, seminars, training and
personal rental. In 2013 alone, the
nature center was host to five wed-
dings. Also, workshops and training
are offered by the Paulding Soil and
Water Conservation District and are
open to citizens of all ages and from
surrounding areas. Teachers, scouts,
4-H leaders, school and other groups
are encouraged to utilize the area as
an indoor/outdoor classroom or meet-
ing area. This was more true in 2013
as the fifth grade field day occurred at
the nature center with over 150 stu-
dents in attendance.
Also, a field day was held with the
Head Start program, with educational
games and programs entertained over
30 students, with numerous parents
and grandparents present.
The Black Swamp Nature Center
contains 51 acres. That includes 24
acres of woodland, 14 acres of wet-
lands, six acres of old meadow, not to
mention the waterways. A boat
launch allows easy access to Flat
Rock Creek, while trails, about one
mile, wander around the top banks of
three ponds, along Flat Rock Creek
and past the Old Sugar Beet dam.
These trails are covered with wood
chips so visitors can enjoy the beauty
of nature without tracking in the mud.
Black Swamp Nature Center offers many
sights and educational oppor tunities
Staff Photo/Paulding County Progress
The Black Swamp Nature Center will receive a $21,525 grant through Ohios
2014 Capital Budget. The funds will be used to pave the gravel parking lot at the
education center, located along Fairground Drive in Paulding. State Rep. Tony
Burkley (left) had notified education specialist Mark Holtsberry that grant money
was available and encouraged Holtsberry to write a grant proposal. Here,
Burkley and Holtsberry look over plans for the project.
In 2012 funds and grants were
raised to resurface the parking lot at
the park. This provides a handi-
capped friendly environment to pic-
nic on the new tables, observe bird
life or just enjoy the sights and
sounds. More than 190 species of
birds have been seen and recorded on
the grounds. Also in 2012 bald eagles
were sighted and pictured within the
park.
Planning for 2014 includes new
trees and wildflowers to be planted
that involve native species and more
educational programs, field day, and
nature tours involving local schools.
The recent grant to pave the nature
center parking lot was awarded and
the project will take place in 2015.
The park is open from dawn until
dusk. Individuals or groups are
encouraged to con-
tact the Paulding
County Soil and
Water Conservation
District at 419-399-
4771 or
paulding@paulding
swcd.org or visit the
w e b s i t e :
www.pauldingsw-
cd.org for more
information.
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Wednesday, April 23, 2014 Paulding County Progress Spring - 3
Auglaize Canoe and Kayak offers natures view up close
By JOE SHOUSE
Correspondent
OAKWOOD After its initial
year in business last summer
Auglaize Canoe and Kayak is look-
ing forward to the summer of 2014.
Located two miles south of Ohio
613 on County Road 263
(Paulding-Putnam County line),
then west on Road 207, sits the liv-
ery on the 100-year-old family
farm.
Doug and Bonnie Weller, who
both retired from careers in sales
and teaching, had the dream for
several years to one day open a
kayak business. They, along with
their son, Troy, and wife, Tammy,
and their three children, Leva,
Amelia and Payton, took a giant
leap of faith last year and they have
not looked back.
Housed in the converted barn
that was built by Doug and some of
his FFA friends when they were in
high school, the facility serves as
the check-in point for those who
seek adventure on the Paulding
County waterways.
This is our retirement project. It
is what we do to keep ourselves
young, said Doug.
The livery is opened from May 1
to Oct. 1 and it has been everything
the Wellers had hoped it would be.
To be honest, last year was more
than we expected. But we are tak-
ing it slow and we will add new
features to the facility from time to
time. This year, we will be offering
paddleboards, said Bonnie.
Those who come out to experi-
ence the water consist of all ages.
From preschool to those in their
80s have enjoyed the variety of
boat trips.
Last season we had a group of
five ladies who came out to camp
and then went kayaking the follow-
ing day. It was their version of a
girls night out, said Bonnie.
The canoe and kayak facility has
welcomed couples, families, small
groups, as well as church youth
groups, boy scouts, school groups.
EMS/fire departments, and law
enforcement groups.
We have had a wide variety of
people attend. We have even had
sports teams from local high
schools who use the facility as a
form of team building, said
Bonnie.
Patrons from surrounding coun-
ties have visited the Weller farm
and have enjoyed the kayaking and
canoeing.
We have had people visiting
family and friends in the area who
were from California and Florida
who came over and enjoyed the
view of the beautiful scenery
offered by canoeing down the
Auglaize.
But, at the end of the day, its the
kids who are the best.
Everyone always has a good
time. People get wet and you hear a
lot of laughter when they finish
their course along the river, said
Doug.
Auglaize Canoe provides 13 two-
person canoes, 22 two-person sit-
on-top kayaks, 12 twisters or single
kayaks, and new this year will be
paddleboards.
We have something very unique
here. There is not much commer-
cialism around the the river which
adds to the wide variety of outdoor
life. Often times you can witness
eagles, river otters, geese, ducks,
owls, deer, to name a few, said
Bonnie.
Hours of operation are Monday
through Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and
Sunday from 1-5 p.m. We are
open 6-1/2 days a week. We are not
open on Sunday morning so our
families can attend church, com-
mented Bonnie.
For more information, visit
www.auglaizecanoe.com or check out
Auglaize Canoe on Facebook. They
can be reached at 419-594-3456.
The Auglaize Canoe livery is opened every day beginning in May. On a warm summer Saturday the weekend river
traffic will enjoy one of the four different trips offered.
E
njoy
the
R
iver!
4 - Paulding County Progress Spring Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Transform garage sale castoffs into fun finds
(BPT) As the warmer weather is upon
us, it brings many new activities: baseball,
picnics, beach time and best of all garage
sales. People are purging what they dont
need or no longer want. Its the perfect
opportunity to turn their trash into your
treasure. From outdated odds and ends to
forgotten furniture, there is a wealth of wor-
thy items just waiting to be found, re-imag-
ined and repurposed.
Pretty in paint
Rusty metal, chipped paint, colors from
another decade they are common sights for
the garage sale shopper. But when you look
beyond these imperfections and at their
spray paint potential youll soon find some
diamonds in the rough.
Metal products, such as tables, chairs, gar-
den tools or even watering cans, can receive
an easy and instant update with Rust
Protector spray paint from Krylon. The prod-
uct, available in a variety of colors and fin-
ishes, dries in just eight minutes. As you cre-
ate your new masterpieces, you wont have
to worry about grass, leaves or other parti-
cles getting stuck in your fresh coat of paint.
Plus, the paint provides the ultimate protec-
tion against rust, keeping your new treasures
looking amazing, regardless of the elements
they face.
If its color you desire, look no further
than Krylons new ColorMaster spray paint
with bold, bright or basic hues to update
your new findings. Turn blah and bland
wood chairs, dusty and drab dressers or
awful accessories into amazing furniture or
accents with the extensive line of color and
finish choices. Covermax technology pro-
vides premium coverage and brilliant color.
Its a new formulation that achieves better
hide without relying on shading or fillers
that can darken or wash out colors. The
result is hues that are clean and crisp.
New uses for old things
The key to finding items at garage sales is
to look at how they can be used in new and
different ways. Dont view that dusty, bro-
ken typewriter or vintage camera as
mechanical pieces you have to fix, but
rather as interesting design elements to be
admired on bookshelves and mantels.
Even old books can add a level of sophis-
tication to your home. Grab a handful in
coordinating colors to stack on a dresser or
end table for instant eye appeal. Buy an old
ladder and prop it against the wall to drape
blankets. You can even spray paint an old
coffee mug rack to create a fabulous jewel-
ry organizer to hang all your favorite acces-
sories. The possibilities are endless.
Turning up treasures
If your main reason for getting giddy over
garage sales is to make a quick buck, youre
not alone. Valuable items could lurk at
every turn, and they are just waiting to be
snatched up by eager buyers.
Before you head out to garage sales, how-
ever, do your research and read up on col-
lectibles. Generally, pieces with high nostal-
gia will fetch a higher price tag. Think clas-
sic lunch boxes, comic books, sports memo-
rabilia or board games things you loved as
a kid that never seem to go out of style. You
can also enlist the help of a collectibles
expert, who can tell you everything you need
to know.
As you head outdoors this summer on a
hunt for some bargain fixer-upper or forgot-
ten gems, keep your eyes peeled and your
mind open. The perfect addition to your home
is right around the corner. You just have to
use your imagination and bring it back to life.
For more information on Krylon products
or project ideas, visit www.krylon.com.
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You just have to use your imagination to turn those finds into the perfect addition to your home.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014 Paulding County Progress Spring - 5
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How to create a rainwater harvesting system
Rainwater collection is a way to conserve
water that can be adopted by both private
homeowners and businesses. Harvesting
water during peak times of precipitation
ensures water will be on hand during drought
or when water restrictions are implemented.
Making use of rainwater reduces reliance on
underground wells or municipal water sys-
tems. Harvesting rainwater also can help pre-
vent flooding and soil erosion.
The average homeowner can collect thou-
sands of gallons of rainwater each year. To
learn just how much water can be harvested,
as well as how many natural resources can be
produced from that rain, visit www.save-the-
rain.com, where men and women can calcu-
late their rain collection potential by geo-
graphic location and average rainfall.
Afterward, homeowners may be inclined to
establish their own rainwater harvesting sys-
tems.
Here is how to get started:
Determine your roofing material.
Potable water can be harvested from homes
with sheet metal or slate roofing. Clay or
adobe tiles also may be acceptable. Asphalt,
wood shingles and tar roofs may leach toxic
chemicals into the water, making it unsafe
for drinking. This rainwater may only be col-
lected to use for irrigation methods or wash-
ing cars and outdoor items.
Check gutter materials. Some gutters
are made with lead soldering components. A
commercial lead swab test can help you
determine if there is lead present in your gut-
ters. At a later time you can choose to replace
the gutters if you desire a potable supply of
water.
Invest in a collection tank or barrel. A
number of manufacturers offer prefabricated
rain collection systems complete with collec-
tion barrels. Otherwise, you can use your
own barrel or tank to house the collected
water. Ensure it is large enough to handle the
volume of water collected.
Purchase and install leaf guards. If
your home is surrounded by many trees, you
probably accumulate leaf and tree debris in
your home gutters and downspouts. Leaf
guards will help keep the gutters clear and
increase water flow through the water collec-
tion system.
Create a water collection area. A por-
tion of the gutter system should be removed
so that it connects to the collection barrel or
tank. As the rain falls, it will run down the
roof and into the gutters before it streams
into the downspouts. The downspout con-
nected to the tank will deposit the water
directly inside. Filters can be installed to help
block the flow of debris.
Rather than have rainwater flow out of downspouts to the ground, homeowners can collect
that rainwater in barrels to use it as a sustainable source of water.
Outfit the tank for overflow and water
usage. A spigot and hose connection makes it
easy to use the collected water for outdoor
See RAINWATER, page 13
In The
Garden
By
Kylee Baumle
6 - Paulding County Progress Spring Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Buy local! The garden version
Clichs are just so...clich. When
we see them, our eyes tend to move
quickly past them, our brains barely
registering the words we just read.
Yet we somehow grasp the meaning
in a split second, giving clichs
inherent value even as we dismiss
them as a tired communication tool.
You hear it all the time - Buy
local! We generally take it to mean
that we should spend our dollars in
locally owned businesses. It can be
a tough row to hoe (clich alert!) for
the smaller independent businesses,
as they struggle to maintain their
presence alongside the big stores.
It can be a dilemma for the shop-
per too, because we all only have so
many dollars to spend and we want
to get the most for them. I will be
the first to admit that if I can buy
something considerably cheaper at
a big box store, thats where Im
going to buy it. Add to it that many
times those stores are more conven-
ient in terms of location as well as
being a one-stop shop, and its
hard not to shop there.
But there are compelling reasons
to buy your plants and garden mate-
rials locally. Local can be an
ambiguous term, but generally it
means a business that is both located
in your community and owned by
people who live there. Consider
these things when youre ready to get
in the garden this spring:
Your local garden center often
carries the same plants you might
find in a big box store, but if you
want something out of the ordinary,
youre more likely to find it in a
smaller, independent garden center
(IGC).
Theres a lot of thought given by
the IGC owner when they make their
buying decisions. They want to carry
attractive plants that perform well,
including those tried-and-true vari-
eties that were familiar with, but
they also want to cater to those who
seek the unusual.
Its always a gamble as to what
will sell well. No business owner
wants to get stuck with inventory that
buyers passed over. But IGCs also
dont want their business to look like
one youd see in Every City, USA.
And besides, those big box stores
dont have as much invested (rela-
tively) as the independently owned
ones do.
You know those plants that have
a one-year guarantee at the chains?
When you return a plant there, the
store doesnt lose money outside of
the lost sale. They only pay for the
plants that go out their doors and stay
out. That loss is borne by the suppli-
er and/or grower. Not so with the
smaller independents. So when they
offer plant guarantees, appreciate
what that means to their business.
IGC owners also care a lot about
whether their customers have suc-
cess with what they buy, and they
often choose to carry plants that have
a high rate of success for their partic-
ular geographic and climatic area.
That means happy customers, which
in turn means repeat business.
Happy customers often share their
experiences with others and word of
mouth can be the best PR a business
can have.
Local garden centers are known
to take better care of their plants too,
and healthy plants already have a
better start in your garden before
they even go out the door. As a rule,
IGCs are more knowledgeable about
plants in general and the ones they
carry in particular. They can help
you make decisions about what
would work best in your individual
situation.
Many times, the local garden
centers purchase plants as liners and
grow them larger themselves. That
may mean that the plants you buy
locally have acclimated themselves
to local conditions, thereby increas-
ing their chances of success in your
garden.
Want a certain plant or a large
quantity of something? Sometimes
local businesses will special order
things for you. Good luck trying to
get a big box store to order you a
couple of flats of something specif-
ic.
131 Years In Business
Its no secret that the smaller
garden centers are struggling. Last
month, I spoke with the owner of one
of them at the Fort Wayne Home &
Garden Show and during the hard
part of this winter (which was pretty
much all of it), he shared with me
that just keeping his greenhouses
going cost him $200 a day in
propane.
It takes a lot of sales to support
costs like that and its representative
of the things that all businesses have
to face, whether large or small. But
these things have a bigger impact on
the smaller businesses.
Sometimes I think we take our
local small businesses for granted.
We assume theyre doing okay and
that theyll always be around, but
they wont be if we dont support
them. Theres another clich that Im
sure youre familiar with: It takes a
village to raise a child. It also takes
a village to make a village.
Read Kylees blog, Our Little Acre,
at www.ourlittleacre.com and on
Facebook at
www.facebook.com/OurLittleAcre.
Contact her at
PauldingProgressGardener@gmail.
com.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014 Paulding County Progress Spring - 7
If your yard is larger than three-
quarters of an acre, consider a rear-
engine riding mower or a smaller
lawn tractor. Riding mowers with
rear-mounted engines provide
good visibility and excellent
mobility. Look for mowing decks
between 28 and 42 inches wide
and engines from 12 to 20 hp.
A zero-turn rider or front-engine
lawn tractor may be appropriate
for one- to three-acre yards. Look
for 16 to 24 hp and a mowing deck
(NAPS) While you dont want
to let the grass grow under your
feet when its time to get a new
lawn mower, there are a few steps
to consider first:
Your Yard Size: For yards that
are about three-quarters of an acre
or less, a walk-behind mower can
be a good choice. The smaller your
yard, the smaller the mower deck
can be. For example, a 21- or 22-
inch walk-behind mower is com-
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For yards larger than three acres,
a larger zero-turn rider or garden
tractor is probably best. Look for
engines with at least 24 hp and
mowing decks in the 48- to 61-inch
range.
The Terrain: A typical walk-
behind mower is fine for a small,
flat yard. If your land is sloped or
hilly, consider a self-propelled
walk-behind mower. One with big
back wheels is easier to maneuver
across rough terrain. All riding
mowers can handle varied terrain,
though some are better on slopes
than others.
Be careful on slopes and hills. If
youre using a riding mower, mow
up and down the incline, never
across. With a walk-behind mower,
always mow across the incline and
never pull the mower back toward
your feet.
Your Physical Condition: If
pushing a lawn mower is difficult,
you may want a self-propelled
mower even with a very small yard.
Similarly, a riding mower may be
the right choice if youre unable to
easily walk behind a mower.
There are several things to consider to get the lawn mower that best
meets your needs.
The Engine: Look for a quality
engine suited for the size of the job
you expect it to do. For example,
Briggs & Stratton engines can be
found in several brands of lawn
mowers ranging from small walk-
behinds to large zero-turn mowers
and garden tractors.
Lawn Mower Features: Lawn
and garden tractors can have free
floating mower decks with full-
width rollers, traction options, push-
button start and two- or four-wheel
suspension. Many zero-turn mowers
offer suspension systems and
ground-following mower decks.
8 - Paulding County Progress Spring Wednesday, April 23, 2014
300 West Jeffeson St. Paulding, OH 45879
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Wednesday, April 23, 2014 Paulding County Progress Spring - 9
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10 - Paulding County Progress Spring Wednesday, April 23, 2014
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How to guarantee your garden starts off on the right foot
As winter slowly winds down, many gar-
deners cannot wait to soak up the springtime
sun and get their hands dirty in the garden.
Such excitement is not just good for garden-
ers, but can benefit the garden in the months
to come as well.
Late winter or early spring is a great time
to get a head start on the gardening season.
Even if gardening season is still around the
corner, completing the following projects can
ensure your garden gets off on the right foot.
Clear debris
One of the best things you can do for your
garden as winter winds down is to clear it of
debris. Winter can be especially harsh on a
landscape, and gardens left to the elements
are often filled with debris once spring
arrives. Dead leaves, fallen branches, rocks
that surfaced during the winter frost, and
even garbage that might have blown about in
winter winds can all pile up in a garden over
a typical winter. Clearing such debris likely
wont take long, but its a great first step
toward restoring the garden before the time
comes to plant and grow the garden once
again.
Examine the soil
Soil plays a significant role in whether a
garden thrives or struggles. Examining the
soil before the season starts can help garden-
ers address any issues before they plant.
Ignoring the soil until a problem arises can
turn the upcoming gardening season into a
lost opportunity, so test the soil to determine
if it has any nutrient or mineral deficiencies.
This may require the help of a professional,
but if a problem arises, you might be able to
adjust the acidity or alkalinity of the soil and
still enjoy a successful gardening season.
Another way to examine the soil is less
complex but can shed light on when would
be a good time to get back to work. Reach
into the soil and dig out a handful. If the soil
quickly crumbles, you can start preparing for
gardening seasoning. But if the soil is still
clumped together, it needs more time to dry
out before you can begin your prep work.
Initiate edging
Edging is another task gardeners can begin
as they get ready for the season. Edge plant
and flower beds, but be sure to use a spade
with a flat blade or an edger designed to edge
flower beds. Such tools will cut deep enough
so grass roots that may eventually grow into
the flower bed are severed. Depending on
how large a garden is, edging can be a time-
consuming task, so getting a head start
allows homeowners to spend more time
planting and tending to their gardens once
the season hits full swing.
Fight weeds
Though weeds likely have not survived the
winter, that does not mean they wont return
once the weather starts to heat up. But as
inevitable as weeds may seem, homeowners
can take steps to prevent them from turning
beautiful gardens into battlegrounds where
plants, flowers and vegetables are pitted
against unsightly and potentially harmful
weeds. Spring is a good time to apply a pre-
See GARDEN, page 13
Though gardeners might not be able to start planting their gardens in late winter or early
spring, they can still get outside and take steps to ensure their gardens thrive once planting
season begins.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014 Paulding County Progress Spring - 11
12 - Paulding County Progress Spring Spectacular Wednesday, April 23, 2014
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Why you should plant wildflowers
From OSU Extension
Wildflowers often flourish where cultivat-
ed varieties those plants that develop a
new characteristic through naturally occur-
ring hybridization or human manipulation
are unsuccessful. A planted area of wild-
flowers - plants that grow happily on their
own in their native environment can create
a small ecosystem that serves as habitat for
birds, butterflies, and wildlife; provides bril-
liant color during the growing season; and
displays dramatic winter color and texture.
Once established, wildflowers grow with
little maintenance. They survive without
cultivation and with less demand for water,
fertilizer, and chemicals than many classic
non-native choices. You can feel free to
vacation for weeks, months, or even years
and leave your native garden unattended.
Your native garden will survive.
It is a mistaken belief that wildflowers are
weeds and generate an untidy look. This is
far from the truth. With site planning and
careful plant choices, home gardeners can
take advantage of the natural beauty of wild-
flowers and at the same time avoid an over-
ly structured or rigid look.
Wildflowers thrive in several habitats,
including woodlands, prairies, meadows,
and wetlands. Each of those habitats is
found in our local area, sometimes all on the
same property.
Woodland wildflowers can add to a
sense of seclusion and privacy - as when
shade plants are surrounded by trees and
shrubs to create a sight barrier. Woodland
plants can be grown anywhere that large
trees provide ample shade. Woodland plants
provide the first color in the spring. If you
are an avid nature walker, you may already
be familiar with the early bloomers. Most
woodland wildflowers generate a calm and
restful look in the wild that will translate
well to a home garden.
Among shade-loving plants is the
celandine poppy, which has large bright yel-
low flowers that bloom from mid-spring to
late summer. Another is the wild geranium,
which grows 1 to 2 feet tall and forms a
clump about the size of a small peony bush.
The flowers are soft pink, rosy-lavender, or
sometimes white with bright yellow centers.
The flower blooms for 2 to 3 weeks between
late March and May. It is perfect at the base
of a tree or at the end of the woods or even
as a mass in an open woodland. Because it
blooms profusely in sunlight, it is especially
pretty in the center of a border garden.
You might also want to include a wild
bleeding heart, a fern-like plant that is easy
to grow. It blooms on and off all summer.
The flowers are usually delicate pink. It is a
dependable wildflower to fill in spaces
when spring flowers become dormant.
We often associate meadows and
prairies with vast fields of color bounded
by a sky-blue horizon and filled with flutter-
ing butterflies and swooping birds. You can
re-create this in your landscape, large or
small. Choose brightly colored, sun-loving
plants that attract birds and butterflies. If
you plan a carefree meadow or prairie gar-
den, make sure it is visible from inside your
home.
Include in your meadow or prairie a but-
terfly magnet, the butterfly weed. It has a
broad, flat cluster of brilliant orange, fiery
red, or bright yellow flowers. It grows 18 to
30 inches tall.
Attracting small birds like goldfinches
and chickadees, the purple coneflower has a
rusty-orange cone in the center of a purple
daisy-like flower that blooms nearly all
summer. Its flowers droop or spread nearly
flat from this bristly cone.
Also called white beardtongue, the fox-
glove beardtongue has tubular white flowers
that resemble snapdragons and blooms in
early spring. Flower stalks can be as tall as
5 feet. Flower colors can include lavender,
violet, purple, pink, blue, or white, depend-
ing upon the species. (The foxglove can tol-
erate light shade as well as wet or dry areas.)
Gayfeather, also known as blazing star, is
a butterfly magnet as well. Generally, it
grows 2 to 4 feet tall. Blooming between
July and September, it complements yellow
late summer bloomers.
Most everyone has some form of a wet-
land in their landscape. It may be a natural-
ly occurring swale (a low area of land that
holds water after a rain), or you may be one
of the fortunate few to have a pond or a
stream. Water provides calmness and seren-
ity. Take advantage of these areas to create a
wetland wonderland.
Wetland plants include the great blue
lobelia, queen-of-the prairie, and Joe-Pye
weed. Quite impressive is the lobelias 2- to
3-foot stalks topped with spikes of bright
sky-blue flowers. It accepts full sun or slight
shade as long as the soil is moist. As a
native, it typically grows along streams, in
wet meadows and prairies, in damp woods,
or at the edge of a swamp.
The queen-of-the prairies gets her name
honestly. She grows 2 to 6 feet tall. Her
rose-pink flower clusters are 4 to 10 inches
across and nearly a foot long. Planted in full
sun and moist soil, she is particularly effec-
tive as a mass in the center or front of a bor-
der or along a walkway.
Joe-Pye weed draws swallowtail butterflies
with its dusty-rose flower clusters. Towering
over nearly every other plant, it grows 8 to 10
feet tall. Joe-Pye prefers full sun or light shade.
Joe is a good background for border gardens or
in a corner as an accent.
The key to a successful wildflower land-
scape is to select plants that match your site
condition. Dont fight the site! You may
choose to plant from seed or obtain estab-
lished plants from friends or from a rep-
utable nursery/garden center. Never, ever,
collect seed from state or national parks.
Water as needed initially to establish. Mow
annually after first frost or trim dead stalks
to ground level to allow seeds to drop for
new spring growth. You may want to
google americanmeadows.com for seeds.
For information on a myriad of gardening
topics, visit www.ohio-
line.osu.edu and click on
Yard and Garden link,
or call OSU Extension.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014 Paulding County Progress Spring - 13
MULCH
Shredded Tree Bark Mulch
$21 per yard
Color Enchanced Mulch: Black, Chocolate, Red
$25 per yard
All Natural Hardwood - No Pallets
BUYER OF STANDING TIMBER
SORRY - We Cannot Accept YARD TREES
Manufacturers of Hardwood
Lumber Firewood & Mulch
Wagner Sawmill
1320 Road X, Leipsic, OH 45856
419-653-4126
Fax 419-653-4127
www.wagnersawmill.com
Mon. - Fri. 8-5 Closed 12-1 Lunch
Saturdays 9-12 Noon
Family-Owned Business for Over 50 Years
emergent weed preventer, which can stop weeds before
they grow. Though such solutions are not always foolproof,
they can drastically reduce the likelihood of weed growth.
Though gardeners might not be able to start planting their
gardens in late winter or early spring, they can still get out-
side and take steps to ensure their gardens thrive once plant-
ing season begins.
l GARDEN
Continued from Page 10
l RAINWATER
Continued from Page 5
purposes. Many rainwater collection systems are designed
with an overflow safeguard that will prevent the water from
backing up through the system. It will divert the rainwater
back out of the downspout when the barrel or tank is full.
A rainwater collection system harnesses a natural source
of water to be used for gardens and other outdoor purposes.
This water doesnt contain chlorine or other additives, mak-
ing it relatively clean and safe to use. Homeowners should
check to see if a permit is necessary to install a rainwater
collection system and then begin gathering water for vari-
ous uses.
14 - Paulding County Progress Spring Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Todd Imholte, president of
Murals Your Way, predicts that wall
murals will be even more popular
next year as more homeowners and
business owners embrace this
unique, distinctive way to trans-
form any room. Simple to install
and remove, Murals Your Ways
more than 750,000 images, along
with the ability to create a personal
mural from a photograph, make
wall murals an attractive and
affordable design trend.
Its only natural
Miami-based ASID and IIDA
award-winning interior and furni-
ture designer Bea Pila sees natural
elements increasingly created into
luxurious furnishings. Look for
lamps embellished with geodes and
natural gems, feather-adorned pil-
lows and sharkskin as a rich table
finish. Stone and stone veneers
make for an interesting organic
interior wall covering, says Debbie
Wiener of My Designing Solutions,
as do sticks gathered in groups as
triptychs or propped up against the
wall.
Lighten up
Lighting can make a key differ-
ence in a home by setting the
(BPT) Renew. Rejuvenate.
Reinvigorate. Theres no better
time to give a home a fresh look,
whether its incorporating a new
color palette, adding accessories,
repurposing furniture or putting
something interesting up on the
walls.
A kaleidoscope of color
Residential interior designer
Gary McBournie recommends
happy hues such as turquoise for a
kitchen, chartreuse for a dining
room and coral for a bedroom.
Roger Hazard, a Sharon Springs,
NY designer who starred in the
Emmy-nominated Sell This
House, agrees that color palettes
will embrace a variety of bold,
punchy accent colors but also notes
a seismic shift in neutrals from the
brown fatigue of browns and
beiges to bright gallery whites and
truly neutral grays. Purples can be
paired with accents of copper and
well-worn leather in a masculine
den; layered with gold, gray and
white for an elegant bedroom; or
highlighted against subway tile and
chrome fixtures for a statement
master bathroom.
Every wall has a story
Top 10 new home decor trends
atmosphere of a room or helping
showcase decor elements. LED
bulbs deliver the same warm glow
as traditional incandescents but use
84 percent less energy and last up
to 20 years, according to Maxwell
Ryan, founder and CEO of
Apartment Therapy. Interior design
expert and InStyleModern.com
executive Maria Samuels suggests
multi-tiered chandeliers and other
ornamental fixtures using LED
lights to give a modern twist
instead of traditional artificial illu-
mination.
The furniture forecast
Pila notes that 60s-inspired
acrylic furnishings can be timeless
when designed into a classic sil-
houette, with the pureness of the
acrylics clearness creating a strik-
ing effect. Washington, DC design-
er Darlene Molnar predicts that vel-
vet sofas will be a top trend in
2014, with jewel colors or gray
bringing a soft elegance to rooms
after years of sharp clean lines. And
furniture designer Clint Parker
notes that Earth-friendly, sustain- Natural elements, such as stone, animal prints and feathers, are among
this years design trends. You can spruce up your home with bold color,
1960s inspired furniture, salvaged architectural pieces or repurposed/recy-
cled furnishings.
See DECOR, page 15
419-258-1640
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starting at $79.95
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about 3,000 hours a year. That is like
150,000 miles on your car! Just like your
car, you need to regularly service your
HVAC system to protect your investment
and ensure the best performance.
Call us to set up your A/C Clean and
Check appointment!
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A/C Clean & Check
Wednesday, April 23, 2014 Paulding County Progress Spring - 15
able eco-furniture is gaining steam, with new composites and fabrics such as hemp and
sorghum making the concept more accessible.
Accessorize the positive
Anything goes in the world of accessories. Pila notes an African influence in lamps
made of horn and Kuba cloths fashioned into pillows, rugs and blankets, while Ian
Kennedy of Ruby + George touts Native American-inspired artwork, rugs and antlers
passed down from generation to generation. Wiener suggests gas-fired home fire
walls under a wall-mounted big-screen television that can serve as a source of
warmth and an art focal piece.
The simple life
Internationally recognized artist and award-winning Austin designer Pablo Solomon
sees a continuation of uncluttered, simple, practical, multifunctional and renewable
designs. He recommends adopting the mantra less is more to focus on quality, not
quantity, when it comes to art, rugs and furnishings. Tie interior design with outside
landscape views to evoke a feeling of openness and flow from the inside out.
Whats old is new again
Los Angeles-based Linda Brettler, AIA, suggests finding creative ways to repurpose,
recycle and reuse by relocating pieces from other rooms in the house or seeking out
older, better-made items from architectural salvage sites. Salvaged or antique tiles can
give an authentic patina to a historic home, and Brettler recommends mixing tile and
stone so the look isnt so intense.
Finding your comfort zone
According to Elissa Morgante, principal at Morgante Wilson Architects in Chicago,
people are moving toward much more casual and interactive living. This translates into
making all rooms in the home inviting and multifunctional, to foster togetherness in
comfortable spaces that will actually be used.
Hazard adds that practicality and individuality will dominate next year, with upholstery
expected to bring presence and sophistication while still delivering all-day comfort.
Lighting can make a key difference in a home. Use multi-tiered chandeliers with LED
lights.
l DECOR
Continued from Page 14
5217 Tama Rd. CELINA
419.363.2230
5 miles north of Celina on 127 1 mile west on Tama
Elida Rd. LIMA
419.224.4656
16 - Paulding County Progress Spring Wednesday, April 23, 2014