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June 2012

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Got Gardening Questions? He's Got Answers!

A popular TV expert shares the wisdom he’s acquired from a lifetime of digging, planting, caring for, and feeding his own garden

By jeanne huber10 min

money savers

Spring fix-ups

It’s time to prep your house and yard for warmer weather. Target these 12 trouble spots and DIY upgrade opportunities to slash utility bills, boost curb appeal, and up your comfort all year long

By LAURA FISHER KAISER9 min

39 Budget-wise to Ways create Outdoor Rooms

HAVE A HUMDRUM PORCH? A basic patio or a neglected deck? Some simple additions—a hanging swing, mood lighting, a vintage find or two—are all it takes to transform an ordinary outdoor space into an open-air living room that adds value and comfort to your home year-round

By Amanda Lecky8 min

100

ask this old house

Q I’d like to plant a vegetable garden. What do I need to get started? —MAGDALYNN MACH, MIDDLEFIELD, OHIO A It you’re the sort who likes to do things the old-fashioned way, something like this hand-push cast-iron seed planter from the early 1900s (shown minus its handles and front wheel) could come in handy.

the FULLY BUILT backyard

Forget grass: For this young family a handsome wood deck that steps down to a brick patio comprises the ideal chilling, cooking, playing, and entertaining space. Read on to learn why

By JILL CONNORS6 min

14f

SAFE AT HOME

REBUILD YOUR Insurance Net

Your No. 1 priority must be the house itself. “Possessions, living expenses, and liability should all be secondary,” says Amy Bach of United Policyholders, an insurance advocate group. Don’t base your coverage level, though, on the home’s appraised value, which includes land costs.

By Sarah Max4 min

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June 2012

June 2012