Around your house 3/14/07

Gardening

This week

As day lengths increase, plants begin new growth. Repot root bound plants, moving them to containers 2 inches larger in diameter than their current pot. Check for insect activity and apply controls as needed. Leggy plants may be pruned now. Loosen winter mulches from perennials cautiously. Re-cover plants at night if frost returns. Clean up beds by removing all weeds and dead foliage at this time. -- www.mobot.org

Home improvement

Leveling the floor

Q: I'm converting my garage and I removed the carpet with the intention of replacing it with wood flooring. It turns out the ground is not level enough. Is there some product I can use to even it out myself?

A: This is not a project that you should perform. If something goes wrong it will cost a small fortune to make the repair. Our advice is to let the hardwood floor company level the floor. If the leveling compound fails the onus is on them -- not you! -- AP

Home tips

Baking soda solves just about anything

Baking soda is practically a do-anything, do-everything wonder, with a bonanza of uses. Here are just a few: In your dishwasher, it deodorizes and cleans the inside. As a paste, it cleans smudges on wallpaper and shines porcelain, jewelry and coins. On bee stings, it lessens the pain, and it's an emollient for softer, smoother skin. For pets, use 2 tablespoons in the bath water as a shampoo. In cold weather, use it in powder form as a dry shampoo. Either way, it adds softness and luster to their coats. The deodorizing ability of baking soda in powder form for cars is legendary. Three parts baking soda in one part water foams away acid buildup on battery terminals. Want more? Try this on for size: you can even bake with it. -- AP