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4 Home, Lawn & Garden, Tuesday, March 29, 2011 Take spring cleaning outdoors Now that the wintry weather is gone it's time to think about spring cleaning. And while many of us focus on indoor activities like cleaning out closets and drawers, don't forget to roll up those sleeves and tend to your lawn and garden. See below for some tips from The Home Depot on how to get your lawn in top order for the warmer weather: Get raking­ As soon as the lawn is dry, lightly rake up left-over leaves and debris to help it breathe and grow. Just remember not to disturb any new grass plants. Activate and aerate­ Aerating your lawn at the start of the season is key to ensuring a healthy, green turf because it lets water, air and fertilizer get down to the root. To aerate, remove plugs of sod to loosen the soil. Depending on the size of your lawn, you may want to consider using a manual aerating tool. Smaller lawns can be easily aerated with a spike aerator that removes plugs from the turf. Woeful weed­ Start weeding early to prevent seeding and spreading. By using an environmentally preferred and ergonomic option like the Fiskar's weed remover, not only can you remove the entire weed, but you can do it without all the back-breaking work of bending down for each weed. Another great option is Scotts Ecosense Weed B Gone. Killing weeds and not lawns, this ready to spray liquid starts working within a few hours of application Make gardening fun for kids Planting a garden is a great way to teach your children how to take care of their world. They will also learn to be patient, responsible, and open to eating new vegetables. Here's how to get started: 1. Invest in kid­sized gardening tools. Some adult­sized tools like rakes can be dangerous for little ones to carry. By giving them their own mini­set of tools, they can copy what you are doing. 2. Let your children decide what to plant. They will be more interested in their crops if they are consulted in the decision­making process. Be sure to add some quick­ growing plants into the mix like sunflowers, radishes, snow peas, pumpkin, and lettuce to satisfy low attention spans. 3. Give your children their own garden beds. They will take ownership of their own space and nurture their crops more carefully. Pick plots in areas with the best soil and light. The children can decorate their spaces with rocks, sticks, or other outdoor items they find. 4. Educate while you wait. Teach your children about the importance of gardens for families all over the world. Through Christian Children's Fund of Canada, an international children's charity, you and your child can provide a vegetable seed kit to a family in a developing country while growing the same items here. As children check on their own plants, they will wonder how the other family's vegetables are doing too. Visit www. ccfcanada.ca and search the gift catalogue for garden­ growing items. 5. Reward hard work with praise. Be sure to encourage your children on their well­ maintained garden plots and crop successes. Ask if you can use their carrot crop to make a salad or carve their small pumpkin together so they can take pride in their efforts. Be enthusiastic and let your children get dirty and explore. They will have positive memories of their garden and will want to do it again next year. --www.newscanada.com Banish bare spots­ A quick fix for improving the look of your yard is to repair the discoloured patches. Clear away dead-looking patches with a shovel, sprinkle grass seed on newly exposed soil, add fertilizer and keep the area moist until it sprouts. For more information on how you can get your lawn and garden in tip top shape visit www.homedepot.ca/ gardencentre or your local The Home Depot store. --www.newscanada.com Halton Hills Home & Leisure Show April 15 & 16 Acton Arena *Prizes & Giveaways * Home Improvement demonstrations * Speak with local home improvement businesses * Ideas on food, travel, decorating, health, entertainment, gardening, finances, fitness and more! Are you Coming? The 411 on barbecue buying Once summer arrives, we all want to enjoy the sunshine, warm weather and home grilled fare! Whether looking for your first grill or an upgrade, The Home Depot has something for everyone, regardless of grilling experience, budget or personal preference. · Natural gas­ Natural gas barbecues are ideal for the experienced grill master. They heat up quickly and have the highest BTUs (British thermal units) for cooking. They do require a natural gas line connection for setup, but once you have it, they offer an endless supply of fuel. · Propane gas­ Propane gas barbecues are a good choice for both the seasoned and novice griller. Similar to natural gas barbecues, they heat up quickly and provide high level of BTUs for cooking. For those looking to accessorize, added features such as side burners, temperature indicators, side and back burners and storage cabinets are available. · Charcoal­ Charcoal is the ideal choice for the grilling enthusiast who loves an authentic smoky flavour. Charcoal units can be slow to heat up, so if time is concern, consider purchasing a charcoal barbecue with a gas­ignition system. · Portable­ For condo and apartment dwellers, a portable barbecue may be the best option. The compact design can offer flexibility and convenience, without sacrificing quality. For more information, and to find out what barbeque might be your perfect fit, check out the BBQ buying guide at www.homedepot.ca/bbq or talk to an associate at your local The Home Depot store. -- www.newscanada.com More information available at www.haltonhillschamber.on.ca or 905-877-7119