The Citizen, 2008-05-08, Page 26(MS) - Springtime is the perfect
time to update your home with a
fresh coat of paint. And, you can get
professional results without the
expense of hiring a professional. It’s
easy when you know their secrets.
They know that if you prime first,
then paint, your paint job will look
better and last longer. Here’s why:
· Primers hide previous colours -
even the darkest blues and deepest
reds - far better than paint alone and
prevent them from showing through
or changing the colour of the
topcoat. They’ll make your new
paint colour look more vibrant and
even.
· Primers work hard to block
stains. If you try to cover a stain
with a fresh coat of paint, the stain
will probably bleed through - no
matter how many coats of paint you
apply. Quality primers seal in stains
and prevent them from ruining your
paint colour.
· Primers prevent common paint
problems. Because primers are
formulated to prevent problems like
cracking, peeling and blistering,
they’ll make any painted surface
more durable, washable - and last
much longer!
· Primers provide a sound base for
PAGE 26. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2008.Kids learn to appreciate nature by digging in
(MS) What do you get when you
mix a pile of soil, some seeds or
fledgling plants, and a couple of
children eager to spend hours
digging and playing in the mud?
You have an afternoon of fun you
would never have expected.
And your kids can develop a
lifelong love of gardening in the
process.
When you combine an array of
materials for digging and pouring,
like peat, soil and sand, with the
sense of accomplishment and
excitement little ones can receive
when they see their plants grow and
flourish, gardening becomes one of
those activities tailor-made for little
hands and imaginations.
Gardening can also foster skills
like responsibility, patience and
perseverance, as children become
solely responsible for the survival of
a living thing.
LET’S GET STARTED
Before you introduce youngsters
to gardening and give them free
reign in the yard, it may be wise to
start out on a small scale. Keep in
mind your children’s ages and
ability level. They may be content
simply picking dandelions, chasing
toads or worms in the soil, or
planting seeds from apples or
watermelons.
Try this simple activity for little
ones:
Take a clear, plastic drinking cup.
Fill about two-thirds of the cup with
moistened cotton balls. Sprinkle
grass seeds on top of the cotton ball.
Cover the seeds with more
moistened cotton.
Place the cup in a sunny window.
Have your child keep the seeds
moist, but not sopping. After a few
days the grass seeds should start to
sprout. Your child can delight in
seeing the root system form and
snake through the cotton at the
bottom of the cup. The grass will
quickly grow past the rim of the cup.
Allow children to decorate their
cups with designs. Or how about
draw a face on the cup and the grass
can be the ‘hair’.
Starting small can also involve
using egg cartons for separated
planters, so that little green thumbs
can experiment with a variety of
seeds. When purchasing seeds,
choose ones that sprout quickly so
your kids will get fast results for
their efforts.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
You don’t want your prized roses
to be demolished by a rambunctious
youngster. Set boundaries for
outdoor gardening, such as a spot for
kids only‚ separate from the adult
gardening area.
You can add fun lawn ornaments
and trinkets, such as wind catchers,
garden accessories, chimes, and
stepping stones. Install edging
around the garden so soil and plants
will be well contained. Keep in mind
that youngsters will need to be
supervised around garden tools and
lawn chemicals.
Encourage your children to
recognize the good and bad bugs of
a garden. Worms, ladybugs,
butterflies, and more are beneficial
to flowers and plants. However,
certain beetles, caterpillars, and
other insects may not be. Spend a
day reading up on the bugs your
child may find in the garden, and
look over pictures of these crawly
things together.
EXPLORE OTHER
GARDENS
Visit gardens of all shapes and
sizes around the neighbourhood. Or
take a field trip to a botanical garden
and wander together around the
exhibits. Many of these places of
wonder show the different habitats
of local and exotic plants, like
deserts and rainforests.
Not near a botanical garden?
Substitute with a trip to your local
nursery.
Paint like a pro
A growing experience
Help kids learn to appreciate gardening by giving them
some hands-on learning. (Photo submitted)
Spring Home and Garden
83341 CURRIE LINE - RR 3 BLYTH
519-523-9407
Owner: Gaye Datema
COME AND SEE US
THIS SEASON FOR ALL YOUR
GARDENING PLANTS
Surprise Mom on
Mother's Day with a
beautiful planter
for colour
all summer long.
519-523-4825
Dennis
Hamm
Painting
& More
Painting, taping, drywall boarding,
residential trim and detailing,
basic carpentry
No job too small.
• Renovations • New Homes
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of Windows & Doors
Call Ken
519-887-9857
Brussels, ON
Continued on page 27
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519-528-3913 1-800-449-CLIF