Gardening
Things to do this week
Wooden clothespins make useful spreaders for training young fruits limbs. Place pins between the trunk and branch to force limbs outward at a 60 degree angle from the trunk. A white interior latex paint may be brushed on the trunks of newly planted fruit trees to prevent sunburn. This will gradually weather off in time. Destroy or prune off webs of eastern tent caterpillars. "B.T." (Dipel) is a safe biological spray. -- www.mobot.org
Home improvement
Prevent damp basements
Q: The edges of the basement in my new home get wet whenever it rains. There's been no mold so far, but is there anything I could do above ground to prevent this dampness?
A: The ground level area at the perimeter of the house must be kept dry. This may be a problem with your gutters and downspouts. If you don't have them installed on your house, you need to get them put in. If you do have gutters, make sure they're properly cleaned. Clean them manually at least annually using a trowel or shovel to remove debris, and flush the gutters. Make sure any downspouts are clean and that they don't discharge at the perimeter of the home. They should be carrying any water at least 20 feet away from the home. -- AP
Home tips
Glass block windows are attractive and efficient
If you are planning a remodeling project, don't overlook glass block windows. Glass block is a hot remodeling idea -- and a cool design technique that also offers privacy, security and energy savings. There are many styles and options from which to choose. There are attractive colors and patterns in plastic and glass, in individual blocks, kits and ready-to-install units for use in both windows and freestanding walls (in both straight and curved designs). Glass blocks are also energy-efficient. Much like double-pane thermal windows, they have a vacuum-filled space that insulates. Beyond their beauty, versatility and efficiency, they also offer security against break-ins. Solid bulletproof glass blocks are available; they are virtually indestructible. There are inserts for ventilation, too. -- AP
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