Thursday, April 30, 2020 The Versailles Republican Page 5 A lesson in building a backyard retaining wall Flat, even landscapes are tions seem beyond the scope often coveted in backyards. of your ability, installation However, flat backyards are of a retaining wall is a job not always so easy to find. best left to a professional. If Fortunately, varied terrain you are ready to forge ahead, does not mean that certain these tips can get you started. landscaping plans are entire- However, it’s important to ly off limits, especially for note the potential benefits homeowners willing to build of working with others who retaining walls. have already built a retaining Retaining walls help turn wall. steep slopes in a yard into • Safety first: Call to have terraced focal points. They underground utilities plotted also can reduce soil erosion and marked before beginning in hilly areas and can be used any excavation. for aesthetic purposes, like • Map out your trench raised planters, or to create and begin to dig. The trench more usable space within the should have a level, compact- yard. When an inground pool ed base as it will be the foun- or pond is cut into a backyard dation for which the retain- hill, a retaining wall helps ing wall materials, be they keep the remaining portion of blocks, bricks or wood, sit that hill from collapsing into in. A crushed stone base will the cut-away area. help anchor the courses and When contemplating re- serve to promote drainage. taining wall projects, a lesson The Family Handyman says vises the home improvement gravity by setting the second gradual step-up design may increase the weight of the in physics and engineering to bury the first course of the retailer Lowes®. course slightly back from the be more secure and more soil behind the wall and push may be needed. A sturdy and retaining wall one-tenth the • Stagger and set back. The first to help push back against appealing than a very tall against the retaining wall, long-lasting retaining wall height of the wall to prevent next row of blocks or mate- the soil that is trying so hard retaining wall. Each level of advises The Home Depot. needs to be built in a way that soil behind it from pushing rial should be positioned so to push forward. Repeat a stepped design should be Retaining walls serve dif- will take into consideration the bottom out. that the joints are staggered the process as each level is done like the first. ferent purposes in a yard. the force of the soil and the • Check for level. When for blocks, bricks or wood. placed. Many retaining wall • Backfill with stone for Building such a wall requires point at which the soil will placing blocks or timbers, A masonry blade will be products are made with a lip drainage. Using a layer of planning and careful execu- begin to slide away, advises make sure they are even with needed to cut the harder ma- to create this set back. stone behind the retaining tion to ensure the job is done the experts at The Family the first and periodically terials; a circular saw will cut • Go with the grade. For wall can help successfully di- correctly. Handyman. If these calcula- check for level as you go, ad- timber. Also, work against especially steep slopes, a rect water away so it will not zy A COuNtRy GaRdeNS ree cre Now Open! B Foods & Flowers s Come in and find a NOW OPEN!! beautiful Mother’s day gift! See our large variety of Full line of Garden Seeds, hanging baskets & potted plants! Vegetable Plants, Flowers, Annuals & Perennials, Roses, Hanging Baskets, • Spend $25 & receive a FREE 4 1/2” potted plant Blackberries & Strawberry Starts, Asparagus • Spend $50 & receive a FREE 6” potted plant Roots, Candy Onions, Seed Potatoes • Spend $75 & receive a FREE 1 gallon potted plant COme CHeCk Out OuR new itemS & tHe mAny Old time FavoriteS! • Spend $150 & receive a FREE hanging basket From Versailles take US 421 S. Turn right on Co. Rd. 550 S. Look for specials in our bulk food store! 3 miles on the left. From Holton, take Old Michigan Rd. south approx. 5 miles. Turn left on Co. Rd. 500 S. Located approx. (812) 689-6834 1 mile on the right. Follow New Marion Sales signs. From Madison take US 421 N. Turn left on Co. Rd. 550 S. Located 7 miles south of Versailles on W. Co. Rd. 700 S. 4909 W. CR 550 S. (behind Silver Memories Nursing Home) Holton, IN • 812-689-6598 Now Open Mon. - Sat. 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. NEW MARION SALES 5123 W. Co. Rd. 550 S. Now Open come in today Serving the Holton, IN 47023 to get your Community! 812.689.6276 Mother’s Day Pole Barn Packages, Free Estimates, Lumber, Metal, CHI Overhead Doors Gifts! Now opeN! Mon. - Sat. 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. • No Sunday Sales Check out our large variety of Hanging Baskets, Planters, Bedding Plants, Perennials, Roses, and Vegetable Plants! Special oN RoSeS May 8 & 9: Knockouts & Hybrid Teas Full Line of Building Materials, Plumbing Supplies, Dewalt Cordless Tools & Lots 4312 W. Co. Rd. 450 S. • VersailleS, iN More! Produce and Greenhouse Supplies! Come check us out! (812) 689-6013 From Versailles, take US 421 S. Turn right onto Co. Rd. 550 S. From Madison, take US 421 North. Turn left at Pats Bulk Food on Co. Rd. 450 South - approx. 3 miles on the S-curve. (watch for sign). Located approx. 3 miles on the left. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7:00 am - 5:00 pm Sat. 8:00 am - 2:00 pm • Closed Sunday Page 6 The Versailles Republican Thursday, April 30, 2020 5 outdoor projects that add value Exterior renovations can owner is an attractive fea- • Softscaping: Hardscap- enhance the appearance of a ture. NAR says such a care ing refers to structures like property and make it more program can recover $1,000 outdoor kitchens or decks. enjoyable for homeowners. in value of the $330 average Softscaping involves the Certain renovations have the cost, or a 303 percent ROI. living elements of the land- potential to add value to a • Low-maintenance life- scape. Hiring a landscape de- home, while others may do style: When choosing materi- signer to install trees, shrubs, the opposite. Learning which als for projects, those that of- natural edging, and rock el- one have the largest return fer low-maintenance benefits ements can do wonders to- on investment can help hom- can be preferential. These ward improving the look and eowners select features that include low-maintenance value of a home. will have the most positive patio materials, composite • Pool or water feature: In impact. decking, vinyl fencing, and certain markets, particularly Curb appeal goes a long inorganic mulched beds. hot climates, a pool or an- way toward attracting poten- • Fire pit: A fire pit can be other water feature is a must- tial buyers. According to the used for much of the year. have. However, in other areas National Association of Re- In the spring and summer, where outdoor time is lim- altors, first impressions of a the firepit is a great place to ited, a pool or water feature property have a strong influ- congregate to roast marsh- can actually lower the value ence on buyers. Landscaping mallows or sip wine and gaze of a home. Speaking with a and external features can do into the fire. In the fall, the real estate professional can Affordable features to consider much to influence such im- fire pit can make for a cozy give homeowners an idea pressions. retreat. A fire pit that has a of how a pool will fare in a when revamping your kitchen • Lawn care program: In- gas burner is low-mainte- given neighborhood. vesting in a lawn care pro- nance, and the National As- Outdoor improvements Kitchens are popular Countertops may be a dream, but they gram that consists of fertil- sociation of Landscape Pro- can improve the market- gathering spots in many Countertops tend to cap- tend to be a very expensive izer and weed control appli- fessionals says that most can ability of a home, as well as homes. That popularity is ture the eye’s attention when one. Such cabinets are de- cation and can be transferred recoup about $4,000 of their enhance its appearance and reflected in various ways, walking into a kitchen. Out- signed to adhere to the di- over to a subsequent home $6,000 average price tag. function. including how many hom- dated and/or damaged coun- mensions of the kitchen, and eowners choose to remodel tertops grab that attention Consumer Reports notes their kitchens. for all the wrong reasons, that they can cost tens of A 2019 report from the while updated countertops thousands of dollars. If that home renovation and de- made from today’s most estimate would bust your sign resource Houzz found popular materials provide budget, examine the current that kitchens were the most that wow factor homeown- layout of the existing cabi- popular room to renovate ers seek. If granite is a must- nets. If the layout is fine but in 2018. Homeowners con- have, Consumer Reports the cabinets need work, you sidering kitchen remodels notes that homeowners can can give them a whole new should know that the Houzz save substantial amounts of look by refinishing them. If report also indicated that money by choosing granite the cabinets must go, stock spending on kitchen remod- from remnants at the stone units or semi-custom cabi- els increased by 27 percent yard.